March 2014 Issue

C HRONICLE the harvard-westlake

Los Angeles • Volume 23 • Issue 7 • March 19, 2014 • hwchronicle.com

Brown assembly to feature biographer

By Jack Goldfisher

SAM SACHS/CHRONICLE

Game Face

EYES STILL ON THE PRIZE: Brian Ginsberg ’14 (#22) fields a ball in the varsity baseball team’s 1-0 win over Chatsworth March 11, as Jake Suddleson ’16 (#33) runs to backup. MaxPreps ranked the Wolverines the top team in the nation this past week.

2 students to receive Iberian, Latin-American Studies Fellowship for summer immersion

By Noa Yadidi

Two students will be awarded the new Iberian and Latin-American Studies Fellowship this spring for summer studies in the Spanishspeaking world, Head of School Jeanne Huybrechts announced in an email to students Monday.

Similar to the Gunter Gross Asia Initiative, the Iberian and Latin American Studies Fellowship encourages students to “focus and extend what we already teach about the Spanish-speaking world in history, world languages, eco-

nomics, performing and visual arts classes and allow us to imagine new ways to engage with the world beyond the walls of the classroom,” the email reads.

The fellowship is an additional Harvard-Westlake Global Education initiative that will be administered through the Kutler Center for Interdisciplinary Studies and Independent Research and will be awarded every year, Huybrechts said.

The fellowship winners may receive up to $5,000 and rising sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.

A fellowship proposal will describe a unique and immersive experience that will broaden and deepen the student’s understanding of Iberian and/or Latin American culture, history and society, and may or may not include travel, according to Huybrechts’ email.

Additionally, those who wish to apply need not be enrolled in a Spanish class.

The fellowship recipients are also expected to “create something that can be given back to the school,” Huybrechts said.

This may entail contribut-

ing to the school’s new global education website that Huybrechts hopes to launch soon, presenting to a Spanish class or writing something for a school publication or website, Huybrechts said.

The proposals, which are due to students’ deans April 18 and will only be identifiable by I.D. number, will be read and vetted by an anonymous selection committee. They should include a detailed statement of program, objectives, itinerary and budget.

An anonymous donor is contributing the funds for the initiative, Huybrechts said.

July conference to promote extracurricular learning

By Sarah Novicoff The theme for the second annual World Leading Schools Association Student Conference, hosted by HarvardWestlake this July, will be “Learning Outside the Curriculum.” The conference will be preceded by the World Youth Leadership Institute, a week-

INSIDE

A9

BELT IT: Aiyana White ’14 sings in a charity show organized by Jensen McRae ’15.

long program with leadership training for international students along with students from the Los Angeles area.

“The idea is that all of us – whether you’re in a traditional Chinese school, a traditional U.S. school, an English school, an Australian school – we all have parts of school that are related to the academics, and

‘NEW DAY’: Students of Iranian-American descent observe Nowruz, the Persian New Year, with their families beginning this week.

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we also have parts of school that are outside the academics,” said Head of Summer Programs Jim Patterson, who visited China this month to promote the conference, said.

“Those areas could be anything from athletics to arts, both visual and performing, clubs and activities, community service, ethics and char-

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OFF TO THE RACES: Monica Nimmagadda ’14 looks to help lead the girls’ track team to its thirdstraight Mission League title.

acter, all of these things that are certainly a part of school but not a part of the academic classroom. The theme of the conference is to talk about how those aspects of learning outside of the curriculum are similar and different across the world.”

In the mornings of the • Continued on page A9

A. Scott Berg, a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning biographer whose writings on various subjects and personal life have made him capable of speaking on a wide array of topics, will be featured as this year’s Brown Family Speaker at an all-school assembly April 28.

Berg, a graduate and former trustee of Princeton University, has chronicled the lives of presidents, celebrities and public figures during his 36-year career. Most recently, Berg, who is renowned for his extensive research, published “Wilson,” a New York Times bestselling autobiography of the United States’ 28th president Woodrow Wilson. He has also written about the lives of aviator Charles Lindbergh, editor Max Perkins and actress Katharine Hepburn.

President Rick Commons worked with the Brown family to select Berg. Originally, they considered inviting Jason Collins ’97 to speak at the assembly, but after Collins signed a contract to play for the Brooklyn Nets for the remainder of the NBA season, they debated not having any Brown speaker this year, Commons said.

However, Berg’s name came up in discussion and it seemed like a great fit, he said.

“He has an immense ability to teach,” Commons said.

“And beyond that, he can talk to Cinema Studies classes, history classes and even the GayStraight Alliance.” However, Berg’s schedule may not allow him the time to speak to all of these groups.

Berg, who identifies as homosexual, has been a strong proponent of facilitating discussion about sexual orientation. He wrote the story of “Making Love,” a controversial 1982 film addressing the issues of gay relationships and coming out of the closet. “[Berg] has a great sense of humor. He’s obviously very erudite, but he’s also relatable,” Commons said.

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Download a mobile version of the Chronicle for the iPhone now.

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The Harvard-Westlake Chronicle Wednesday, March 19, 2014 3700 Coldwater Canyon Ave. Studio City, Calif. 91604

Preview

GLOBAL EDUCATION: Head of Summer Programs and Upper School Dean Jim Patterson visits Beijing No. 101 on his tour of China to promote the WLSA conference.

FAMILY TIES: Hyunseok Choi ’16, right, embraces his grandfather in a nine-year-old picture. Choi is one of several students who shares a close connection with his grandparents.

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF JIM PATTERSON

EOJIN CHOI/CHRONICLE

News A9

Features B3

CAITLIN NEAPOLE/CHRONICLE

ON THE ATTACK: Noah Pompan ’14 (#8) runs down the field to avoid defenders in the lacrosse team’s 17-3 win over Chaminade March 15.

offbeat

MARCELLA PARK/CHRONICLE

Sports C1

GOING HOLLYWOOD: Film producer Debra Martin Chase smiles with Danielle Stolz ’15 at the HarvardWestlake Film Festival.

A&E B9

Student writes “rise,” “subvert” messages

By Julia Aizuss

The third time wasn’t quite the charm for Teddy Leinbach ’15 when his latest exploit with chalk on the upper school campus resulted in a week’s worth of detention.

He first struck with a few monograms drawn on the walls before winter break, when he figured he might as well use the piece of chalk he had accidentally taken from an English classroom.

By February, Leinbach had brought his own bucket of chalk to his locker, so when Poetry Week came, he decided to create a “Poetry Wall” on the wall between the Seaver stairs on the quad.

The idea caught the in-

terest of other students, and several lines of poetry were soon scribbled with Leinbach’s chalk onto the walls — as well as a couple racist hashtags and obscene pictures, which Leinbach erased himself.

Then, a couple weeks ago, Leinbach got bored during a free period, asked Ethan Gruman ’15 to lie down in the middle of the quad and used his chalk to trace the outline of Gruman’s body on the ground.

As a final touch, he wrote “subvert” inside the drawing.

Why that word? “I honestly don’t know,” Leinbach said.

But, he figured, why stop there? He paired “subvert” with “rise,” and then he kept going, deciding to hit every bench on campus with the pair

of words.

“Trying to have a revolution, are we?” Leinbach recalled history teacher Dror Yaron saying as Leinbach wrote on the benches near the second floor of Seaver. “I’m not sure it’s going to work. There are some pretty satisfied kids here.”

Still, Leinbach said he enjoyed just sitting back and watching as students unknowingly sat down on the chalkcovered benches or complimented him on his work.

By that point, many students knew he was responsible for anything chalk-related, he said.

But once a maintenance worker noticed the exhortations around campus, the jig

The Chronicle, the student newspaper of Harvard-Westlake School, is published nine times per year and distributed free on both the upper and middle school campuses. There are 727 students at the Middle School and 870 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

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF ALISHA BANSAL

RISE, SUBVERT: Teddy Leinbach’s ’15 chalk drawings, such as this one pictured on the quad, were visible throughout campus. was up. This week, Leinbach has been saddled with a week’s worth of detention cleaning up around campus from Attendance Coordinator Gabe Preciado.

“There aren’t going to be anymore because obviously I got a detention for it,” Leinbach said. “Eh. Whatever. Suffering for your art, all that jazz.”

Board. Letters 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 Tara Stone at 310-430-8537. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by the newspaper or the school.

March 19, 2014

hwchronicle.com/news

News A3

Fellowship to send two teachers to India

Candidates to speak to juniors, sophomores

By Noa Yadidi

Two members of the faculty can apply to travel together to India through the India Exploration and Immersion Faculty Fellowship sponsored by the Harvard-Westlake Cultural Heritage and Arts of India Club and the Gunter-Gross Asia initiative.

Two faculty members must jointly design a program to “result in expanded global interest, awareness and understanding through exploration in India,” according to an email from Head of School Jeanne Huybrechts Monday that announced the trip.

Proposals should focus on creating a unique and immersive experience that will broaden and deepen the faculty members’ understanding of Indian culture, history and/ or society, according to the email. Proposals must also include how the experience will imporve teaching skills and spark collaboration between departments, Huybrechts said.

The trip should be taken during a school holiday period, either this summer or winter or spring break of the 2014-2015 school year.

A selection committee administered through the Kutler Center for Interdisciplinary Studies and Independent Research and overseen by department chair Larry Klein will review proposals due April 14. The committee plans to award the fellowship

by April 25, but may need to ask for second applications or additional information on the proposals.

By Siddarth Kucheria and Sophie Kupiec-Weglinski

NOA YADIDI/CHRONICLE

Congressman answers seniors’ questions

SWING VOTE: Congressman Brad Sherman, who represents the Studio City area, speaks to seniors at class meeting Tuesday, March 18 about his career in government. Seniors asked Sherman questions about his role in Congress. Sherman is running for reelection this year.

Prefect Council announces new plan to provide funding to clubs

By Jessica Spitz Prefect Council has begun a project in which club leaders can request funds for use on club activities and supplies.

Prefect Council decided to run the program this year by presenting the idea to Head of Upper School Audrius Barzdukas, who granted them $2,000 from his own administrative budget. The money will be distributed to clubs depending on how much money they ask for and the prefects’ evaluation.

Prefect Council will evaluate clubs’ applications based on their goals and the depth and specificity of planning of

how they will use the money, prefect Sarah Winshel ’15 said.

“The vast range of opportunities presented by clubs is a major part of what makes HW so special, so we want to capitalize on that experience and make it as beneficial as it can be for both students and our community at large,” Winshel said.

In the past, funding for clubs has been limited to specific requests for speakers or other large events, but the purpose of this new program is to make funds more easily accessible for a wider range of clubs. Prefects went to individual clubs’ meetings at break

College Board to redesign SAT, deans not expecting changes in prep

By Jake Saferstein

“I wish I was a freshman,” Jacob Gold ’15 said. “Right now, The College Board an- the math section is way too nounced plans to redesign the easy, the reading comprehenSAT by spring of 2016. sion is just terrible and don’t The new format will return get me started on the writing. to a 1,600 point scale, 800 for I guess it theoretically doesn’t math and 800 for “Evidence- matter because everyone else Based Reading.” The essay will had to take the same test, but become optional and graded these changes are great.” separately, and the guessing The vocabulary section penalty will be eliminated. will also become more focused “I think on context that people and words feel that with multiple probably a lot meanings.

It seems like of it was done “I think they’re making it more in reaction to the changes many years of are good, but practical, so the SAT complaints, it still seems isn’t just measuring how a little early but also last year was the to tell,” Joe good you are at taking first year Levin ’17 said. the SAT but measures there were “It seems like your ‘smarts.’” more ACT they’re maktakers than ing it more —Joe Levin ’17 practical, so SAT takers,” upper school the SAT isn’t dean Beth Slattery said. just measuring how good you The “Evidence-Based are at taking the SAT but meaReading” section will focus on sures your ‘smarts.’ I’m happy students’ ability to interpret that I won’t have to know what and use evidence, according to concomitant means.” the College Board website. The The math section will focus section will include a science on linear and complex equapassage and a founding docu- tions, functions and math reament, such as the Decleration soning with ratios and proporof Independence, or a docu- tions to focus on college topics. ment about human rights.

“I appreciate some of the

“

things they’re trying to do, and hope that these changes will make it feel like [the SAT] has a bit more predicting value,” Slattery said. “But the truth is the best predictor of success in college is grades and that’s always going to be the best predictor.”

The optional essay will focus on analyzing evidence from a source to mimic what students do in college and focus on close reading.

The College Board will partner with Khan Academy to make test prep more accessible by posting sample problems online.

“Even if the SAT becomes easier, it’s all relative anyways, so I’m not annoyed that my test was harder,” David Weitz ’15 said. “If anything it’s better for me that I took it now with access to tutors, because it seems like [tutoring] is going to be less of an advantage.”

Although the test format will change, deans will continue to advise based on the students’ PSAT or PLAN scores, Slattery said.

“I don’t think things will shift so dramatically,” Slattery said. “They have to norm it no matter what, so the bell curve will be the same in how people perform.”

March 17 and will also be having private meetings with club leaders to explain the program and application process.

Winshel hopes that this will be the first step in increasing Prefect Council’s presence in the day-to-day lives of students.

“There is so much we could do—Prefects and the student body—if we communicate and work together,” Winshel said.

“So I think the leaders of all our clubs, who take the time to invest themselves into something they are passionate about, are the perfect place to start working toward that goal.”

Candidates for Head Prefect will speak in front of the sophomore and junior classes at an assembly today in Taper Gymnasium. After these speeches, an email will be sent to all sophomores and juniors providing a link allowing them to vote for next year’s Head Prefects.

During the assembly, seniors are required to watch the ‘Get Lit’ poets in Rugby Auditorium and were not given free time for the duration of the election assembly as they were in past years.

The ‘Get Lit’ players previously performed slam poems for both the sophomores and juniors at their class meetings in February and received positive feedback.

“A month ago, I worked with [English teacher Caroline] Miller to bring the Get Lit players to the sophomore and junior class meetings,” Director of Student Affairs Jordan Church said. “The response from the student body was overwhelmingly positive so we’ve been looking for an opportunity for the seniors to experience the players ever since. Last year, we did not have an all-school Head Prefect election so this is the first chance we’ve had to implement the change in the organization.”

Head Prefect Candidates also presented speeches in front of the junior class Monday, March 17. The candidates talked about their qualifications for the position of Head Prefect.

The New Standard The College Board will redesign the SAT to become more pertinent to students. Below are some of the major changes that will be implemented to the test by Spring 2016.

A

A 1,600 point scale: 800 for math, 800 for Evidence-Based Reading.

B

An Evidence-Based Reading section will focus on close reading and analyzing charts and data.

C

A vocabulary section focusing on context and less on obscure words.

D

A math section focusing mostly on linear equations, functions, ratios and proportions.

E

An optional essay focusing on using evidence from a given passage.

F

Elimination of a guessing penalty of 1/4 point for wrong answers.

SOURCE: COLLEGEBOARD.ORG GRAPHIC BY SCOTT NUSSBAUM

The Chronicle

A4 News

March 19, 2014

Denim Day event to raise awareness about sexual assualt

By Julia Aizuss

SACHA LIN/CHRONICLE

Animal Control captures gopher snake outside chapel SNAKES ON A CAMPUS: Visual arts teacher Kevin O’Malley spotted a snake by Saint Savior’s Chapel and notified security officers Sanders Jackson and Jim Wirth, who captured the snake with a bucket March 15. Jackson and Wirth thought the snake was a baby rattlesnake and called Animal Control. Once the snake was captured, it was determined to be a gopher snake.

Parents’ Association website breached, information stolen

By Zoe Dutton

Douglass said the administration was still looking into The Harvard-Westlake the attack’s specific source.

“Harvard-Westlake’s InParents’ Association Party Technology deBook fundraising website ex- formation perienced a security breach, partment is investigating the compromising parents’ credit scope of it, but they’re not card information, President sure whether it was [the Click Rick Commons notified par- Source] website that was ents and faculty in an email compromised… It is possible March 5. Commons empha- that somebody on a PC was hacked or had a virus sized that the breach and somehow that viwas limited to those rus sent them their who had used credit credit card number, cards on the auction sort of like what hapwebsite and would pened to Neiman not affect the school Marcus and Target,” database, website, or Douglass said. credit card processThe school will ing. provide a full year “We outsource of credit monitoring Party Book and the nathanson’s and identity-theft auction to a company Rick Commons protection to famicalled Click Source lies who have been who works with Curtis, Harvard-Westlake, affected by the breach, ComBrentwood and numerous in- mons said in a second email dependent schools in the Los March 7.

“I am very grateful for Angeles area,” Party Book cochair Sahaja Douglass (Liam the broad support and un’18) said. “And it’s not hugely derstanding of the Harvardsophisticated; [the owner’s] Westlake community as we an incredibly lovely man and work through the Party Book/ he offers a great service but Auction breach, and I am truly it’s not like he’s Amazon. He sorry for the trouble and indidn’t have really good encryp- convenience it has caused,” he wrote. tion or firewalls.”

Commons also recommended that people who have used the website take “riskmitigation steps,” including checking their credit card statement and changing usernames and passwords.

“People have been incredibly understanding,” he said.

“I haven’t had people blaming the school even though it is our responsibility.”

Commons also informed parents who were attending the drug and alcohol presentation March 5 of the breach.

“Rick Commons I think handled it very well,” Executive Vice President of the Parents’ Association Bea Torrado-Ridgley (Jacqueline ’14, Anthony ’15), whose credit card information was stolen, said. “It was very generous of the school to [offer credit monitoring] and ultimately they’re taking responsibility, so I admire what they’re doing and they were right on top of it.”

The Party Book website has been disabled, but tickets and information about events can still be obtained by contacting Party Book Co-Chairs Jackie Klein (Jacob ’16) and Douglass.

Construction partially closes main entrance, to reopen in late March

By Jensen Pak

Storm drain construction caused the closure of a section of the parking lot near the main entrance of the upper school campus. The construction began Monday, March 10 and is projected to finish during spring break.

Students and parents were notified of the closure Friday, March 7 in an email from Director of Communication Jill Shaw. In the email, Shaw explained the procedure at the main entrance for incoming vehicles, along with a diagram of the entrance. According to

Shaw, drivers who intend to drop off students, pick up students or park at the Hamilton Gym or senior lot are unable to immediately turn right after entering the main entrance.

Instead, drivers must continue south of the main entrance on Coldwater Canyon Avenue and enter through Hacienda Drive. The driveway and hill straight through the main entrance will still be open for entering and exiting. Chief of Campus Operations and Construction JD De Matte is in charge of the construction project. Because the construction only causes a slight detour

in entering campus, many students say that parking in the morning is not a problem.

“I have to drive around to get to my parking spot because of the construction but it’s not too much of a hassle,” Adil Akram ’14 said. “I guess I’d say it affects me but it’s not too bothersome, especially since I block first and second period so when I come there’s no traffic.”

The construction will not impact faculty and staff parking, Shaw said. Construction, as well as the closure of the entrance, is expected to be finished by Friday, March 28.

has favored lately over allschool assemblies, and which Self-defense classes, a pan- could also work for events like el of rape experts and a pho- Women’s History Month and toshoot will number among Black History Month.

Bracken also said the Asthe activities intended to celebrate Denim Day April 21, sembly Committee decided an event in which participants this year to focus on schedulwear denim to raise awareness ing just four all-school assemblies: two great speakers in the about sexual assault.

Trishta Dordi ’15 has orga- fall and two great speakers in nized Denim Day on campus the spring.

“There was a lot of presfor the past two years, but was inspired to make it a “bigger sure, I think, to get people’s deal” this year after hearing speakers to come, as opposed about what she felt were even to just if in October we had a more cases of sexual assault great woman who could come and speak, we could have her around the world than usual.

“I think a lot of times we come then,” Bracken said.

Because of the new apget really caught up in our own lives, which is totally proach towards scheduling understandable at Harvard- assemblies, Bracken said the Westlake, but it’s really good committee is no longer comand necessary to be aware of mitted towards scheduling all the injustice that’s happen- Women’s History and Black ing, because it could very well History speakers, although be one of us it ends up happen- they will gladly welcome such speakers if they are ing to,” Dordi said. available, as was the This year she case with this year’s formed a commitBlack History speaktee of more than 30 er Wes Moore. students and faculty “There’s a conmembers to organize tinued commitment several activities the to [Women’s History week of Denim Day, and Black History which is April 23. Alspeakers] but no exthough the events are pectation that we not completely set in nathanson’s have to do it every stone, Dordi plans to Trishta year,” Head of School schedule self-defense Dordi ’15 Jeanne Huybrechts classes for all students after school April 21, said. “So if not this year, then with a panel of rape experts maybe next year.”

Women’s History Month and survivors during activities period as well as a possible this year fell into just that situation, and English teacher speaker.

A photoshoot will occur in Malina Mamigonian, who has which students will be able to organized the Women’s Hispose for photos of themselves tory speaker for the last few wearing denim. Dordi said she years and is on the Denim hopes students will post these Day committee, said its budphotos as their profile pictures get might be tapped into for on Facebook in order to spread Denim Day. “I was delighted to find out awareness. An event for parents is also in the works, she about Denim Day and very glad to know that our school said.

“The goal is to try to edu- is going to take up the issue cate other people about how of violence against women but you can help other people, to also recognizing that women educate parents about what are not the exclusive victims you can do if you see those of sexual violence,” Mamigosigns,” Denim Day commit- nian said.

“I believe it’s important tee member and assistant to the Head of Upper School Mi- that we recognize [Women’s chelle Bracken said. “There’s History Month] on our cama lot of social media that par- pus in a meaningful way. I ents don’t know much about. think that Denim Day this There’s a lot of stuff happen- year is a great way of doing ing online that didn’t used to that.”

However, Mamigonian said happen.”

Bracken said the events she thought more could still surrounding Denim Day were be done to celebrate Women’s an example of the more cre- History Month and hopes to ative planning that the school schedule a speaker next year.

In the event of emergency An earthquake that registered a 4.4 on the Richter Scale shook Los Angeles Monday morning. Should an earthquake occur at school, students are to follow the procedure outlined in drills.

Protect yourself Seek shelter under desks and tables or in doorframes.

Assume the “drop, cover and hold” position while watching for heavy unsecured or falling objects.

Move to Ted Slavin field In an orderly and calm fashion, students and faculty should move to the field and line up in their appropriate positions so that the deans can take attendance.

Keep calm If a major earthquake occurs, students will stay on campus until they can be released to parents. The school has a store of emergency food and supplies. source: upper school student handbook graphic by claire goldsmith

March 19, 2014

hwchronicle.com/news

News A5

National Spanish Exam now available

By Su Jin Nam

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF RYAN BROWN/UN WOMEN

GIRL TALK: Mazelle Etessami ’14, left, Tigist Menkir ’14 and Danielle Brody ’15 listen to Special Adviser of the Secretary General on post-2015 Development Planning Amina Mohammed and Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlabo-Mgcuka speak about their personal histories and getting involved with women’s rights through government at a teen orientation for all youth delegates.

GLI delegates speak at UN convention

By Julia Aizuss

Three girls from the Harvard-Westlake chapter of girls’ rights organization Girls Learn International spoke at and attended events at the 58th Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations last week in New York.

This year’s theme was Millennium Development Goals, and the CSW addressed the success of a post-2015 agenda made for women and girls in 2000. Parallel events either discussed a particular goal in and of itself or evaluated the progress particular goals had made in the past 14 years, Mazelle Etessami ’14 said.

The global perspective of the CSW drew both Etessami and Tigist Menkir ’14 to the event for the second time, as both had attended either last year or the year before.

“I think the CSW is important for girl delegates because

it provides us with a more extensive and more global perspective of the horrible issues we learn about in the classroom and in our clubs,” Menkir said.

“I think it’s such an invaluable experience,” Etessami said. “You learn so much. It’s so important to constantly be educating yourself and doing something about it.”

As three of the 42 GLI delegates at the CSW, Etessami, Menkir and Danielle Brody ’15 had speaking and moderating roles at several side events parallel to the CSW. Brody spoke about bringing discussion of the Millennium Development Goals into the classroom, Etessami delivered a 10-minute speech at a panel event about the missing voice of teenage girls in the Millennium Development Goals and Menkir spoke at a panel celebrating the 10th birthday of GLI.

“I enjoyed the GLI Turns rectly at the UN and attended 10 Birthday because of the several events while serving as process of collaborating with “GLI ambassadors.” the other panelists and people “It was really stimulating involved in the event,” Menkir to learn more about issues and said. “It was animating to hear awareness-fostering initiatives [First Lady which I had of New York little knowlCity] Chiredge of belane McCray fore,” Menkir It was really speak about said. her own ex“It was stimulating to learn periences very inspiring about issues and with girls and heartand women’s warming just awareness-fostering rights advoto see how iniatives which I had cacy.” many people They also actually do little knowledge of toured the care,” Etesbefore.”

UN, monisami said. “So tored sessions many people —Tigist Menkir ’14 ranging from dedicate their the topic of entire lives girls in STEM to a documen- to bettering the world, and it tary about human trafficking is so terrifying to see how dein India to issues the students spite that evil is so pervasive weren’t even aware of before, and so hard to overcome. We like the adverse effect of cli- have to help or else we’re just mate change on women di- being complacent.”

“

For the first time, the World Language department will offer the National Spanish Exam to students currently enrolled in Spanish 3 at the Upper School, and to students currently enrolled in Spanish 1A at the Middle School.

This is the pilot year for the administration of the exam at Harvard-Westlake.

Depending on the results, the World Languages department will decide whether it will continue to administer the test in future years.

“The national exam will tell us how our students measure up to other students around the nation,” upper school Spanish teacher and World Languages Department Head Margot Riemer said.

“There is really no excuse not to try it. Also, students who do well are eligible for prizes.”

The French and Latin programs have already been giving the Grand Concours, which is the equivalent of a national French exam, and the National Latin Exam, respectively, for years.

The Spanish program decided to follow and give its own test in order to give Spanish students the opportunity to take their own national exam.

“I think [the administration of the Spanish test] is great, because it proves our common effort to pursue the same objectives across languages,” French teacher Simona Ghirlanda said. “I hope in the future we will be able to extend this tradition to all levels of study.”

The National Spanish Exam will be taken during classes in the Tech Center on computers.

Students will not be required to stay after school to take the tests.

Women empowerment club presents first speaker

By Nikta Mansouri

in social media.

“The older that I got I realSenior Digital Strategist ized that you can have multiple for PMK*BNC Ashley Felts ’02 passions and you don’t have to spoke about the importance of make your career about every networking, maintaining an single one,” Felts said. online presF e l t s ence and bealso emphaing confident sized the imin any enportance of The older that deavor in the maintaining a I got I realized that digital age good relationat the first ship with the you can have multiple La Femme people you passions and you don’t m e e t i n g work with Monday. because it rehave to make your “ T h e ally influences carrer about every g r e at e s t your chances thing you at success. single one.” can do is just “I think —Ashley Felts ’02 that make a move your and not be reputation fearful it’s is extremely not the right move. You just important,” Felts said. “People don’t know,” Felts said. know who you are, people want At PMK*BNC, Felts is re- to have you on their team or sponsible for adding digital they don’t.” extension to marketing and “I thought [Felts] was very media events. She works with interesting and gave insight on celebrities and companies to how our school can help us in optimize their online presence the future,” Amber Shooshani

“

NIKTA MANSOURI/CHRONICLE

CONFIDENCE IS KEY: Ashley Felts ’02 speaks to the La Femme club at their first meeting. The club plans on meeting once a month with different alumni speakers in different fields each time. ’15 said.

The club, which is only open to women, is meant to bring strong women together to celebrate each other’s strengths and accomplishments and support each other. Executive Assistant to the Head of Athletics Shauna Altieri, and Alumni Administrator Janiece Richard created the club because they felt the

school needed a club in which the campus’ female leaders can come together and support one another.

“The club is a good idea because school is so stressful it’s good to have somewhere we can talk about positive things,” Libby Sondheimer ’15.

At the end of each meeting, each girl takes a turn to say a goal of theirs, something

they want to achieve, something they’ve overcome and something that they inspire in others.

The purpose of this is to create a web of support among the girls. The club plans on hosting at each monthly meeting different alumni speakers who specialize in different fields including digital media, networking and confidence.

A6 News

The Chronicle

inbrief

March 19, 2014

Career Day opens to all students Career Day will be held May 12 at the Upper School and be open to sophomore and senior participants.

In past years, juniors would shadow members of their interested fields for a day. Future Career Day events will instead be open to all students at the upper school and take place on campus, with food provided.

These changes are meant to allow more people to participate compared to previous years, including sophomores and seniors, alumni administrator Janiece Richard said.

—Kenneth Schrupp

President sets date for mission statement

President Rick Commons has set an end-of-year target to release the new mission statement he has been working on since December.

He plans to meet with alumni on April 9 and hold an official meeting with the upper school faculty in the near future, although upper school faculty has discussed the mission statement in previous meetings. He also anticipates he will speak to the Parents Association board about it.

The Mission and Planning Committee also hopes to address goals and plans to better the school, Commons said.

Commons wants to get the most feedback possible before arriving at a final statement.

“I don’t want to rush the timetable,” he said.

—Noa Yadidi

Westlake Reunion to be held in May The Alumni Association is hosting its annual Westlake Reunion Saturday, May 3 at the Middle School, the former Westlake School for Girls campus.

The event, organized by Director of Alumni Relations Susan Beeson ’96, is open to all women who attended Westlake School. The event will consist of a breakfast, campus tours and a program from a few teachers.

This year, the school archivist Allan Sasaki will do a presentation followed by a luncheon for all attendees, Beeson said.

—Siddharth Kucheria

16 Students take AIME competition Sixteen students took the American Invitational Math Exam March 13, based on their scores on the American Mathematics Competition.

The AIME is a three-hour, 15-question test. If students do well on the AIME, their AIME and AMC scores are used to decide if they qualify for the USA Mathematics Olympiad.

“One thing that was pretty cool about the test was how one of the problems was about something I had just looked up a few nights before, so I was able to solve it without any work,” Jacob Gold ’15 said.

—Jake Saferstein

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF HARVARD-WESTLAKE YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Math, philosophy teacher stresses importance of retrying things “at the MIC”

O-LIVE YOUR LIFE: Math teacher Kevin Weis holds an olive while discussing how he now appreciates the fruit he once despised. Weis emphasized the importance of re-trying old things and how people’s views can change over time “at the MIC” March 3.

Workload committee finishes analyzing data, begins proposal process at meeting

By Noa Yadidi

Dean of Faculty and Latin teacher Moss Pike, has met evThe workload study com- ery other week since January. mittee finished analyzing the The committee met six times data from the workload study and plans to meet at least and began three more fo r mu l at i n g times.

The proposals at committee, Maximizing the its meeting consisting of use of the time we have students, parMarch 13.

The proposents, deans, to serve our students, als will draw teachers and that’s a very, very big from the over other admin60-page reistrators, will theme.” port on the be joined by —Jeanne Huybrechts H u y b r e c h t s findings from the study Head of School as proposals and outlining for recomrecommendamendations tions for the administration to start to be constructed. pursue, Head of School Jeanne Once the committee has a Huybrechts said. recommendation to make, it The committee, led by up- will be presented to the joint per school science teacher Da- Faculty Academic Committee, vid Hinden and middle school which consists of the heads of

“

each department of the upper and middle schools. Joint FAC will accept, modify or deny the proposal. If they do not deny the proposal, it will be shown to Huybrechts and President Rick Commons, who will accept or reject it.

“It’s likely that any proposal from the workload committee would be given very, very careful consideration by the Faculty Academic Committee,” Huybrechts said. “It’s very, very rare that a FAC proposal is not accepted by senior administration.”

Joint FAC hopes to finalize recommendations by May. “Our plan right now isn’t to create a laundry list of recommendations, but rather to offer a few high-level suggestinos for addressing some of the issues we’ve identified,” Pike

said.

The recommendations hope to address how to reapportion time to better serve students, whether there should be limits on what students can do at school and ways to use more time for community building, Huybrechts said.

“Is the school year length long enough to do everything that we want to do?” Huybrechts said. “Are there other ways that we could modify the length of the school year? Are breaks inserted at the right times? So, maximizing the use of the time we have to serve our students, that’s a very, very big theme.”

Huybrechts noted that, as a result of this workload study, the school hopes to create a body dedicated to assessing student workload each year.

Wall Street veteran to speak to business classes

By Elijah Akhtarzad

The Harvard-Westlake Business and Entrepreneurship group will host its first speaker event open to all students after school today.

George J. Rohlinger will speak about his many successes on Wall Street and all the secrets he has learned in the business world, Kelly Crosson ’14 said.

Rohlinger is a Wall Street

veteran and also holds the Guinness Book of World Record for farthest distance traveled on a bicycle in 24 hours by a team.

The event is open to the entire student body and will be hosted by Jacob Byrnes ’14, Crosson and Anthony Ulloa ’14.

Chief Financial Officer and Business of Life teacher Rob Levin and head of the alumni entrepreneurial network Nate

Snyder ’94, chose Rohlinger based on his business expertise, and all the life lessons he has to offer.

“On all sides, George has a lot of advice to offer not only in business but in life,” Crosson said. “I think each student will take away the importance of being a dedicated and a wellrounded human being. While being successful in a career is important, you must be successful and happy in other ar-

eas to feel fully accomplished.

Everyone, both students and adults, can learn so much from George.”

Students will also get to meet the founders of the HW Business and Entrepreneurship Network at the event, which will help students make connections, Crosson said.

The event will last from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight and will include free dinner and Diddy Riese cookies for students.

History journal publishes student’s term paper

By Patrick Ryan

A history paper written by Sarah Novicoff ’14 has been published in the Concord Review, a history journal that publishes strictly high school papers four times a year. Her paper, titled “Isolationism to Internationalism: The Foreign Policy of Theodore Roosevelt” was featured in the spring edition of this year’s journal.

“It’s basically about the way that Teddy Roosevelt’s foreign policy, in regards to five different areas around the globe changed the way that the American foreign policy

overall looked,” she said. that often,” Novicoff said.

Novicoff was prompted by Novicoff had to nearly douhistory teacher Francine Wer- ble the length of the paper, and ner to submit her paper, which spent two weeks over the sumshe had used for her mer improving it.

AP United States His“I actually invested tory course. Novicoff ’s a lot of time with the paper is the first paper because after I H a r v a r d -We s t l a k e had written it for my student’s paper to be class and [Werner] published by the jourtold me to submit it, nal in several years I looked on [Concord and the fifth HarvardReview’s] website and Westlake paper ever one of the things they to be published. say is that it really nathanson’s “I was really excitshould be quite long,” Sarah ed about it,” I wasn’t Novicoff said.

Novicoff ’14 expecting anything Werner was very because it doesn’t happen all happy about the paper getting

published, Novicoff said.

The Concord Review also published student papers from China, Switzerland and Singapore in the spring edition.

Novicoff plans to pursue a history major in college.

“I think that studying the past is fascinating,” Novicoff said. “The past affects the present and everything we do is affected by everything that came before us, so when we look at the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan today, there are 1000 things that went into it, but one of those is really ‘When did we go towards internationalism?’”

March 19, 2014

hwchronicle.com/news

News A7

inbrief Publications receive NSPA finalist status

HENRY HAHN/CHRONICLE

Friends, family of Justin Carr ’14 commemorate anniversary of his death

REMEMBERING A FRIEND: Andrea Torre ’14, center, sings a solo during a performance of “It’s Alright,” along with Molly Chapman ’14, left, Maddy Abrahams ’14, Aiyana White ’14, Angus O’Brien ’14, Tara Joshi ’14 and Jordan Gutierrez ’14. Carr’s friends and family gathered at Will Rogers State Beach in the Palisades Feb. 22 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of his death.

Robot to predict March Madness results

By Scott Nussbaum

Students who wish to compete against the NCAA Basketball Predictor Bot can turn in their brackets online at ESPN’s NCAA” Bracketology” site by going on tinyurl.com/ beatthebot and using the link to espn.com or by using the link emailed to all students by Prefect Council March 16. All submissions are due tomorrow.

At break March 17, the students and teachers that

worked on the Predictor Bot celebrated completion of the Bot with a pizza party at break.

Prefect Council will also be showing March Madness games in Rugby Auditorium on Thursday and Friday.

The Predictor Bot was created by students and teachers who used statistics and sports analysis to create the program that completed a NCAA bracket for the tournament. Each bracket ranks the 68 teams competing in the tournament and predicts how

each team will finish in the standings. Student brackets will then be compared to the accuracy of the Predictor Bot’s bracket to determine the winners.

The creators of the most, second most and third most accurate brackets will be awarded a $100, $50 and $25 Amazon gift card respectively. Additionally, 20 other $10 Amazon gift cards will be randomly given to students who helped construct the Predictor Bot or had a bracket more ac-

curate than the Bot bracket.

“I feel like [the competition] will allow everyone to engage in friendly competition and spark new conversation,” Miles Williams ’14, who helped with the Predictor Bot, said. “I love the NCAA Tournament, and I am especially excited to see March Madness take over the Upper School.”

The brackets will be compared and the prizes awarded after the Championship game of the March Madness Tournament on April 7.

Debate team sweeps awards

By Jessica Spitz

The debate team won several awards at a tournament at the University of Southern California March 1-3.

Cameron Cohen ’16 cleared the varsity preliminary rounds undefeated, as did Chasia Jeffries ’17 in the junior varsitydivision. Annie Kors ’14, Nick Steele ’16 and Shelby Heitner ’14 also advanced to the varsity elimination rounds.

Cohen lost in octafinals; Heitner lost in semifinals. Jeffries also lost in JV semifinals.

Kors won the first speaker award, Cohen won fifth, Heitner won 10th, Noah Simon ’17 won 15th and Steele won 16th.

Debaters also competed at Harvard University and University of California, Berkeley the weekend of Feb. 15.

Kors was the only Harvard participant, advancing to octafinals and winning sixth speaker.

At Berkeley, Julie Engel ’14, Michael O’Krent ’14, William Gingold ’14 and Heitner all qualified for elimination rounds. Heitner and O’Krent advanced to double octafinals, winning third and 14th speaker respectively.

“We have only the National Championships left, which makes now an exciting time,” O’Krent said.

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF CINDI TIMMONS

DEBATING DUO: Sara Evall ’15, left, and Amelia Miller ’15, right, take a break between preparing for debates with teammate Danny DuBois. Evall and Miller missed four days of school to travel to Slovenia and represent the United States Debate team. They won first place out of more than 40 teams.

Juniors debate for U.S. in Slovenia, win international debate tournament

By Cole Feldman

Sara Evall ’15 and Amelia Miller ’15 won the Ljutomer International World Schools Debate Tournament March 6-9 in Slovenia for the United States Debate team. More than 40 teams participated.

Evall and Miller faced the other three-person U.S. team in the finals. Evall and Miller’s team won debating the topic of whether voting in European Parliament elections should be mandatory.

The duo prepared for over a month before the tournament.

Miller said that once the team found enough research

“

articles, they had to outline, with only a dictionary and an write and rehearse the cases almanac.” for their side All six of the topic.

U.S. debaters E a c h placed as top member of 10 speakers Winning the the team spein the tourtournament was very cialized in a nament. rewarding, especially certain topic “Winning and peer edthe tournaafter all of the ited the othment was preparation we had ers’ findings very rewardas feedback. ing, especially done.”

“Half of after all of —Sara Evall ’15 the preparathe motions are impromption we had tu, so all the preparation that done,” Evall said. “Overall, we do for those is just staying we faced talented teams from up to date with global affairs,” around the world and were Miller said. “We have one hour able to meet some truly inof prep time before the round credible people.”

The online Chronicle and Vox Populi yearbook are both finalists for the Pacemaker, the highest award given by the National Scholastic Press Association.

Both of these awards will be presented in San Diego April 12.

This is the first nomination for an online Pacemaker the Chronicle has received since the NSPA started awarding online Pacemakers in 2001.

—Kelly Loeb

Department to host ‘Moby Dick’ reading The second overnight read-aloud of “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville hosted by the English department is set for April 17.

Instead of spanning a weekend as it did last year, the reading will begin Thursday 4 p.m. and end at 2 p.m. on Good Friday, when school is closed. Like last year’s reading, anyone interested in reading may do so. English teacher Malina Mamigonian said that sign-ups will be available after Spring Break.

“We want to make this a bigger event than last year, a better one than last year,” Mamigonian said.

—Morganne Ramsey

Choral concert ends early due to illness Choir students unanimously voted to end the annual spring choral concert early March 15 after a senior fainted on stage during the performance. Jazz Singers, Wolverine Chorus, Chamber Singers and Bel Canto were all scheduled to perform.

After the student fainted during the Chamber Singers’ performance, the decision of ending the show was left to all-girls choir Bel Canto as they were the only group yet to perform. Choir Director Rodger Guerrero later emailed his students saying he supported their decision. The student who fainted was sent to the hospital as a precaution but is uninjured.

—Lauren Sonnenberg

School to bring back gender, sexuality class The Interdisciplinary Studies and Independent Research course “Gender and Sexuality” will return next year after being canceled this year due to low enrollment.

The class, taught by English teacher Malina Mamigonian for juniors and seniors, will continue in the 2014-2015 term.

According to the Curriculum Guide, the course “focuses on masculinity and relevant contemporary contexts within Western society,” Students are required to prepare one history-based paper and an independent project presented in a form chosen by the student.

“I’m really looking forward to the class,” Mamigonian said.

—Eugenia Ko

A8 News

The Chronicle

Sophomore launches water filter charity

March 19, 2014

By Sophie Kupiec-Weglinski

Cole Kawana ’16 established an organization called Clean Water Ambassadors to offer free water filters in poor countries.

The organization will distribute the filters to communities with no clean water.

Kawana was inspired to engage in this distribution initiative after reading about organizations that provided supplies and water filters to communities in need.

When Kawana signed up for the school trip to Rwanda in January, he decided that it would be a perfect starting point, and he took some water filters with him on the trip.

While in Rwanda, Kawana gave 12 filters to Aspire Rwanda, a non-governmental organization that has influence and stations all over Rwanda.

Kawana had a question and answer session with the leaders of the organization and a group of at risk women who

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF COLE KAWANA

GIVING TO COMMUNITIES: Cole Kawana ’16 presents 12 water filters to Aspire Rwanda, a non-governmental organization. Kawana conducted a question and answer session with the leaders of the organization and a group of women without access to clean water. don’t have access to clean water. Kawana stressed the importance of the upkeep of the filters and how to properly use them.

“The government takes polls regularly, and we determined who would get the filters regardless of race or location, and solely on level below the poverty line,” Kawana said.

The filters are $50 each and can filter enough water for 500 people a day for five years.

Kawana also gave a digital camera to the leaders of the organization so they can send photos and updates on communities with the water filters. These photos are posted on Aspire Rwanda’s Facebook page.

“I made lasting connections with many Rwandans there and I plan to send more filters to them in the near future,” Kawana said.

Now, Kawana is focusing on

HW Works gives students interviewing, résumé advice

By Enya Huang

More than 10 students attended an internship workshop hosted by the HW Works Internship and Career Network March 12, which aimed to teach students how to present themselves to potential employers.

The sessions were focused on writing résumés and performing in interviews.

Senior Alumni Officer Harry Salamandra spoke about how HW Works connects students with internships through the HW Works section on the school’s website.

Once students log in with their usernames and passwords, they can browse numerous internship listings and contact the employers by themselves.

Upper school dean Beth

Rules of the Game For Assassin 3.0, new rules and “safe zones” have been added to the game. >>

Assassins can kill their targets by sneaking up behind their victims, touching their backs, and saying “bang.”

>>

A new kind of kill, “Backstab,” must involve cooperation between an assassin and another party. Backstabs must also be recorded, and successful kills will elicit rewards and merits.

>>

Classes in session and the library are permanent safe zones. There will also be “moving” safe zones, which will be designated and changed every day.

>>

Successful completion of an immunity challenge will grant the assassin an immunity band, which keeps the assassin safe for one day.

GRAPHIC BY ENYA HUANG SOURCE: WILLIAM LEE ’14

Slattery gave a seminar on how to write a résumé, and Joe Cha ’87, president of media systems development company Hipzone, spoke about what companies look for in potential interns.

Career coach Lynn Sommer (Samantha ’00, Brianna ’09) talked about how to present oneself in an interview.

Guest speakers Brian Adler ’15 and Justin Saleh ’15 talked

fundraising so the filters can be bought. He relies largely on donations but is also applying for state and city grants.

Kawana submitted documents to the district attorney and the secretary of state, who authorized Kawana’s organization as a corporation.

Kawana said that he had a couple more forms and documents to submit so that his organization could become a nonprofit.

“

Kawana is also working with the Community Council to create a new program specially for Harvard-Westlake students and families.

“Harvard-Westlake students travel extensively with school and their families to third-world countries,” Kawana said. “I hope that I will be able to send these filters through classmates in the near future, making them clean water ambassadors.”

HW Works is the catalyst between students looking to intern and the companies offering positions. They are specifically looking for students, [so] you are in a situation where you are both wanted and not put against older competition for the position.”

—Brian Adler ’15

about the benefits of a program like HW Works.

“HW Works is the catalyst between students looking to intern and the companies offering the positions,” Adler

said. “They are specifically looking for students, [so] you are in a situation where you are both wanted and not put against older competition for the position.”

Assassin games set for April

By Marcella Park

rounds of Assassin last year, organized by Happiness Club Upper school students can leader Kenneth Kim ’13. still email their names and Some rules changed from grades to hwassassin@gmail. the first round to the next, com to join this year’s first during which players could game of Assassin, organized by complete various challenges game masters William Lee ’14 to obtain immunity bands that and Jonah Blume-Kemkes ’14 guaranteed each wearer safety as well as Social Committee. for one day.

Signups opened March 10 Kim used the game’s Twitand there were more than 250 ter account, @HWAssassin, by the end of to announce the weekend. the numThe game ber of asis scheduled sassinations I think that to start the for each day [this game] serves as second week along with of April, afthese chala facilitator of fun in ter students lenges and a relatively stressed return from safe zones student body.” spring break. in which Each playthe immu—William Lee ’14 nity bands er’s goal in the game is worked. Lee to sneak up and Blumebehind his or Kemkes will her assigned target and say post Twitter and Facebook “bang” while touching the tarupdates for this year’s games. get’s back to assassinate them.

After complaints from The assassin then assumes teachers, Kim also declared his or her target’s original victhat any classroom where tim, and the winner is the last class was in session was a safe player alive. zone for the second round.

Students played two Specific rules for the up-

“

nathanson’s

coming round will be released in the next two weeks.

Lee said he and BlumeKemkes started working on getting the game set up and school-approved in fall.

Kim appointed the two to organize this year’s games because they were “Points of Contact,” who helped Kim keep track of players’ statuses in last year’s second game.

They plan to change the way safe zones will work for this round, Lee said, and for the game to be over before Advanced Placement testing begins.

“I think that [this game] serves as a facilitator of fun in a relatively stressed student body,” Lee said. “Its purpose cut down to its essence is none other than kids running around and having fun.”

Kim said that he is glad the tradition is continuing.

“By the time Assassin 2 came out, I wanted it to stay as my stress-relieving (or inducing) gift to the upper school students of the future,” Kim said. “I really hope that Assassin 3 is the best round of Assassin yet.”

March 19, 2014

hwchronicle.com/news

News A9

Students use Kiva to donate to needy

By Sophie Kupiec-Weglinski

ing stores and talking with the owners asking for sponsorship.

During class meeting last In return, the stores were week students learned how given publicity by being listed to donate $25 to Kiva, an or- as sponsors in the initiative’s ganization that makes loans YouTube videos. to people in low income coun“It was very tough at the tries. The event, called “Aunt beginning,” Chung said. “A few Kim's Birthday Gift” was or- said no, but I kept trying and ganized and funded by the eventually got a couple of imVietnam Initiative Project. portant stores to say yes.”

Students were given specific These sponsors allow VIP codes to create an account to let students donate money on the Kiva website that was from the Kiva accounts. prepaid with the money. From “I came up with the idea of there, students chose a specific giving a present to my Aunt person to donate money to.

Kim because we share the The needs same birthday, Jan. 14. ranged from monIt has been 12 months ey needed to buy a since she has been dinew cow to funds agnosed with Stage 4 needed to restock breast cancer and my a kiosk. Once the family and I wanted person receives the to something special money and is able to present to her this to buy whatever year,” Chung said. he or she needs VIP had other projnathanson’s and makes a profects in the past, like Raymond it, they will repay funding the building of Chung ’14 the money back to a house in Vietnam in Kiva.

2012.

“I thought it was really “In Vietnam, we worked simple and did a lot of good,” with a non governmental orSabrina Batchler ’15 said. ganization, called East Meets About 25 other students West, and we paid for supplies from various other high and workers,” Chung said. schools also donated.

Currently the fund has The Vietnam Initiative $200,000 in checks and Chung Project, a club created by Ray- is expecting about $20,000 mond Chung ’15 in 2012, aims more. to improve the lives of impovVIP will donate the reerished people in countries maining money to Kiva in the like Vietnam. next couple of weeks when the Chung got the money for sponsor’s checks are approved the Aunt Kim Project by visit- by the organization.

JACOB GOODMAN/CHRONICLE

SINGING FOR THE CHILDREN: Oliver Goodman-Waters ’14 plays the guitar and sings “Cynicism” by Nana Grizol as Greg Lehrhoff ’14 plays the piano on Sunday for underprivileged kids.

Junior holds benefit concert for underprivileged children

By Jacob Goodman

Jensen McRae ’15 produced, hosted and performed at a benefit concert featuring 11 Harvard-Westlake students for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater of Los Angeles. The concert was held at the Complete Actors Place on Sunday.

Zita Biosah ’14, Molly Chapman ’14, Daniel Davila ’14, Oliver Goodman-Waters ’14, Tara Joshi ’14, Greg Lehroff ’14, Hudson Ling ’15, Claire Nordstrom ’15, Aiyana White ’14, Adam Yaron ’16, and McRae all performed solo songs as well as group num-

bers from artists ranging from Cole Porter to Imagine Dragons.

“My favorite performance to sing was my duet with [Yaron],” McRae said.

The concert raised over $1,500 for Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization that McRae has been involved with for the last year.

“It went really well,” McRae said. “We had a great turn out and the people from the organization were really pleased with the show and the fact that I raised enough money to make a match. At Big Brothers Big Sisters the

School considers new China opportunity

WLSA picks theme for annual conference

nations,” WLSA committee member Hang Yang ’14 said.

A committee of HarvardWLSA Student Conference, Westlake students are also students will discuss extraplanning cultural activities in curricular programs at their the Los Angeles area for visschools. iting international students.

During the afternoons, The committee has so far the school will host the Hudproposed Rodeo Drive, Walt nut Cup, a soccer tournaDisney Concert Hall, Staples ment with six to eight teams Center, Venice Boardwalk of boys from around the and the Santa Monica Pier, world. among others. “[Last year’s conference] “Every was an imday of the pressive expeevent will rience to meet be both Every day of all the stue d u c a the event will be both dents coming tional and from different educational and cultur- culturally cultural and immerally immersive for the educational sive for backgrounds, international students,” the intercommunicate ational —Nina Woythaler ’16 nstudents,” with each other, brainstorm W L S A and discuss Committhe differenctee member Nina Woythaler es and similarities between ’16 said. “We plan to take ourselves, schools and even • Continued from page A1

“

By Sarah Novicoff

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF JIM PATTERSON

CHINA BOUND: Jim Patterson, second from left, visits the Beijing 101 program and discusses the English language class. the students to landmarks around downtown L.A. and Hollywood, as well as multiple universities, museums and countless other landmarks. We have also worked in lots of activities to give the students a chance to get to know each other, such as a pool party and a day at the beach. We are looking to make this experience enjoyable and simultaneously pivotal to educational systems around the world.”

The conference will take place at Harvard-Westlake July 14-18 and will be “an intensive course in leadership and the challenges of leading in a hyper-connected world,” according to a letter from President Rick Commons on the WLSA website.

Signups are open for Harvard-Westlake and international students.

Patterson also toured two WLSA high schools and their English programs.

Art teacher to make soccer trophy cup

By Sacha Lin and Pim Otero

Visual arts teacher Art Tobias is creating a trophy for the Hudnut Cup, a soccer tournament which will be part of the World Leading Schools Association conference being hosted by Harvard-Westlake this summer.

Schools participating will come from multiple conti-

nents, with many arriving from China.

The cup will be 16-18 inches tall and will be passed to the victor of the tournament each year.

During spring break, Tobias will make clay forms of the cup.

After the work is finished, it will be used to make a silicone plastic mold, which will be taken to a foundry to be

point is to match kids to adults and it costs $1,500 to make a match.”

The show was produced by McRae’s charity, Love Notes.

“I’ve been talking to my mom about putting together a charity that has something to do with music,” McRae said. “I love giving back, which sounds so fake, but it’s true I really do like helping people and I love music. So for me the ideal community service that I would do would somehow involve music and I’ve also been talking to my friends about putting a show together, just some sort of collaborative effort.”

cast in wax.

The cup will then be cast in bronze and will be ready to be presented to this year’s winning team.

The tournament is named for former president Tom Hudnut, who is an active WLSA member.

“The lid won’t come offthis is really a sculpture masquerading as an urn,” Tobias said.

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF ART TOBIAS

HUDNUT CUP: The clay prototypes will be bronzed to produce the final trophy.

The deans and administration began discussions this week to evaluate if they will select one student to participate in the China Fieldwork Semester Program next year.

While in China this month to promote the upcoming World Leading Schools Association conference, Head of Summer Programs and upper school dean Jim Patterson toured the program.

It was started by the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. for select high school juniors and seniors to study in rural China for a semester.

The semester curriculum covers Chinese culture and history as well as landscape ecology and environmental science.

“The CFS program’s content focus is on landscape studies as the unifying principle for research projects using a multidisciplinary approach: How do people interact with place, and how have those interactions changed over time?” according to the program’s online brochure.

The 16 students on the program live in Xizhou, Yunnan Province in southeastern China from January to May and study through research and experiential-based classes.

A10 News

The Chronicle

March 19, 2014

Students to tour Spain during spring break

By Su Jin Nam

JIVANI GENGATHARAN/CHRONICLE

TURNING A NEW PAGE: Librarian Maureen Frank helps students check out computers and renew books from the front desk. She will retire this year after working at the Upper School for 12 years.

Librarian to retire after 12 years

By Pim Otero

Later, Frank left her job as a houseparent and became a Maureen Frank, who will manager of a bookstore until retire as a librarian in June, her sons were born. initially came to Harvard“When I was a second year Westlake as the stay-at-home law student, I remember lookmother of David Frank ’98 and ing around my classroom and Richard Frank ’00. thinking, ‘I don’t like anybody She had volunteered fre- here,’ Frank said. “And I requently at member gothe middle ing through school lithat same I’m so lucky; I’ve brary and thing 30 years considered myself so was eventulater when ally hired I’m in library lucky working here. after the reschool and I tirement of —Maureen Frank looked around a previous said, ‘gee, Librarian and part-time lithese are brarian. such interestBefore coming to Harvard- ing people.’”

Westlake, Frank obtained her While at the Middle law degree from Boston Uni- School, Frank pursued a masversity School of Law. Despite ter’s degree in Library Science her full credentials to pursue at UCLA, which she completa career in law, Frank instead ed in 2002. That same year, became a houseparent at Vista Frank accepted a job offer as a Del Mar, a residential treat- full-time upper school librarment center for autistic or ian. Frank has been involved mentally disabled children. in a number of clubs, supervis-

“

ing Mock Trial for one year as well as a book club from 2003 -2006 and a knitting club from 2008-2011.

“I tried to let the kids run the clubs because I felt part of being a club at a high school level is to give the kids the leadership,” Frank said.

After her retirement in June, Frank has various plans for the future. She plans to remodel her home, as well as make frequent visits to Virginia to see her three-monthold granddaughter. Despite these excursions, Frank will continue living in Los Angeles.

“I’m so lucky; I’ve considered myself so lucky working here,” Frank said. “But, you know, I’m ready not to get up at 5:30 in the morning. I’m ready to go on vacation in October, and I want to go see my granddaughter. I want to pick up my phone, see my flight and go. I’m ready for that. I like working, and I’m ready to be done working.”

Robotics competes regionally in Madera

By Angela Chon

The Robotics Club participated in the third Central Valley Regional FIRST Robotics Competition at Madera South High School in Madera, Calif. from March 7 to March 9 and prepared for the Los Angeles Regional FIRST Robotics Competition in Long Beach on March 20 through March 22.

“We honestly did not do very well,” Robotics co-captain William Lee ’14 said. “We did not have a functioning robot at the start of the competition.

But by the second day, we got

our robot to work and fared much better in the competition.”

The team placed 39th out of 45 competing teams with four wins against six losses when racing the robots, and had one disqualification.

Due to the limited amount of hotel rooms, only 11 club members including science teacher Karen Hutchison and mathematics teacher Jason Fieldman attended the competition.

“For Long Beach, we plan on staying at a hotel as well,” Lee said. “But we can accom-

C

modate more people. But this time we are going to have a much better robot.”

The robot they are working on is offense-based but also capable of playing defense.

They will continue to make modifications to their robot this weekend for the upcoming tournament in Long Beach.

The team started later than most other teams and had only six weeks to prepare due to midterms.

“The experience so far has been rewarding,” Lee said.

“And we will be trying our best [this] week.”

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guage,” Jordan Brown ’16 said.

“I get to experience an entirely Students from both the different culture than the typupper and middle schools will ical American one. I’m really travel to Spain for the annual excited for this trip.”

Spanish immersion trip from Although in some years the March 22 to April 6. trip is purely a home-stay exThe purpose of perience, because of the trip is to provide the mobility of this a real-life encounter particular trip, the for students who wish group will be stayto learn more about ing in both hotels and Spanish customs, culwith native Spanish ture and language, families. upper school Spanish Most days comteacher Javier Zaraprise of Spanish lesgoza said. sons at the institunathanson’s The students will tion in the morning, Javier study in two differfollowed by group or Zaragoza ent language institufamily excursions in tions, in Toledo the the afternoon or evefirst week and in Valencia the ning. second.

The excursions range from The group will visit a va- sightseeing in downtown Toriety of places, including ur- ledo to visiting the Picasso ban centers like Madrid and Museum in Barcelona.

Barcelona, smaller cities like “This is a great opportuniZaragoza and cultural areas ty to teach them independence like Toledo and Segovia. and the responsibility of deci“I’m scared to be going to sion making,” Zaragoza said. a different country with very “In this regard, it is just as imlittle skill in Spanish, but I’m portant of a trip about learnexpecting to learn a lot more ing skills away from the comthan just the Spanish lan- fort zone of home and school.”

Casting director calls back 8 seniors for science commercial

By Lizzy Thomas

Eight seniors received callbacks for a commercial after a casting director contacted the school looking for “real science kids,” Director of Student Affairs Church said.

Patrick Angelo ’14, Donhem Brown ’14, Mac Colquhoun ’14, Andrew Friedman ’14, Henry Jiang ’14, Irene Kao ’14, Divya Siddarth ’14, Megha Srivastava ’14 and Kevin Zhang ’14 were called back for a shoot after auditioning for the commercial recently after school.

Held at a studio in Glendale, the audition involved the students having their pictures taken, and then splitting the students into two groups and reenacting a scene for a minute.

Throughout the whole process, the name of the company running the commercial has

been kept secret.

In spite of not knowing the identity of their potential employer, the students attended the audition after Church spoke in four science classes about the opportunity.

Harvard-Westlake was contacted by the casting director asking for science students to audition.

Though the school typically turns down requests from outside companies for any sort of student involvement, Church conferred with Head of Upper School Audrius Barzdukas and the two agreed that the school should make an exception in this particular case.

“Normally we try to protect our kids from requests like this, but Mr. Barzdukas and I decided it was a really easy way to help people’s college funds so we decided to let them do it,” Church said.

March 19, 2014

hwchronicle.com/news

Alumna joins cast of DWTS

‘Undercover Boss’ features alumnus

By Jonah Ullendorff

By Lizzy Thomas

Former teen sitcom star and author of a series of New York Times bestselling math books Danica McKellar ’93 is competing against opponents that include two gold medal Olympians, one Real Housewife and Drew Carey on “Dancing with the Stars.”

As a cast member, McKellar joins the likes of, among others, freshly minted Sochi gold medalists ice dancing pair Meryl Davis and Charlie White and fellow 1990s sitcom star Candice Cameron Burke, of “Full House” fame.

In the years since she divided her time between playing Winnie Cooper on “The Wonder Years” and attending Westlake and HarvardWestlake, McKellar wrote and had published a series of math books aimed at middle school girls. “Math Doesn’t Suck,” “Kiss my Math,” “Hot X: Algebra Exposed” and “Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape” have been widely celebrated for their helpfulness and the positive portrayal of math they communicate to young girls. McKellar partners with “Dancing” veteran Valentin Chmerkovskiy for the first half of the season. Joining

News A11

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF ABCMEDIANET.COM

PERFECT 10: Danica McKellar ’93 poses with partner Valentin Cmerkovskiy. Season 18 of “Dancing” premiered March 17 on ABC. the show in its 18th season, McKellar enters to a number of changes. For the first time ever, contestants who escape elimination to that point will have to switch partners for the season’s second half.

McKellar and Chmerkovskiy practiced for two weeks leading up to Monday’s season premiere. In spite of being an avid practitioner of yoga—she has an instructional DVD titled “Daily Dose of Dharma with Danica McKellar”—McKellar has found the rehearsals to be difficult.

“And after all this rehearsing, I am so sore! I actually

took an ice bath yesterday, which really helped (not sure I recommend it unless necessary because, um, BRRR!),” McKellar wrote on her blog last week.

As survival on the show depends equally on scores from the three judges and fan votes, McKellar hopes to draw support from all the factions of her fanbase.

“I hope they’ll be there for me,” McKellar said on “Good Morning America.” “I’ve been a fan of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ since the very beginning. I’m just thrilled and I hope to do a good job.”

ferent job in each franchise hoping to learn more about Jeff Platt ’02, C.E.O. of his company. Platt worked in Skyzone, starred in the season community relations, a dodge finale of “Undercover Boss” on ball court monitor, a cleanup March 14. Skyzone is a tram- crew and a trampoline builder. poline park featuring basket“It was amazing to see ball hoops and dodge ball that young people having gone is geared towards getting kids through so much, yet still be to exercise and have fun. very energetic, positive and Platt’s father, Rick Platt, happy people,” Platt told CBS. founded Skyzone in 2004, but Platt discovered there was after his wife a lack of expewas diagrienced mannosed with agers running It was amazing ovarian caneach francer, Platt chise while to see young peole handed over n d e r c o v e r, having gone through so uand the company that much, yet still be very to Jeff in 2006. the cleaning The company system and energetic, positive and was started training prohappy people.” in Las Vegas grams needbut has 49 to be re—Jeff Platt ’02 ed locations tovamped. Platt day, spanning also gained the United States and Canada. an understanding of the hardAt 29 years old, Platt was the ships that many of his employyoungest boss in the history of ees had to face on a daily basis.

“Undercover Boss” to star in “I wanted to try and rethe show. late,” Platt told the Boston “I hoped to gain greater in- Herald. “When we did reveal, sight into what the part-time I made a point that the stories team members at our loca- I told were real stories, those tions go through on an every- were Jeff, not my character.” day basis,” Platt told CBS. Throughout his experiDuring the show, Platt ence on the show, Platt said he disguised himself as a young has learned valuable concepts hipster competing on a reality regarding how to be a better TV show that was not “Under- C.E.O. cover Boss” in order to win a “To become a really good cash prize. leader you have to understand Platt traveled all across the the importance of a team,” country, taking part of a dif- Platt told CBS.

“

C HRONICLE the harvard-westlake

Los Angeles • Volume XXIII • Issue 7 • March 19, 2014 • hwchronicle.com

Editors in Chief: Jack Goldfisher, Noa Yadidi Managing Editors: Claire Goldsmith, Sarah Novicoff, Jensen Pak, Patrick Ryan Executive Editors: Julia Aizuss, Lizzy Thomas

Opinion The Chronicle • March 19, 2014

editorial

Presentations Editors: Mazelle Etessami, Sydney Foreman, Emily Segal Sports Editor: Grant Nussbaum News Managing Editors: Elizabeth Madden, Lauren Sonnenberg News Section Heads: Sophie Kupiec-Weglinski, Nikta Mansouri, Jake Saferstein, Jessica Spitz News Assistants: Justine Chen, Cole Feldman, Kristen Gourrier, Eugenia Ko, Jonah Ullendorff Opinion Managing Editors: Beatrice Fingerhut, Kyla Rhynes Opinion Section Heads: Haley Finkelstein, Kenneth Schrupp Opinion Assistants: Alexa Bowers, Kelly Riopelle Features Managing Editors: Eojin Choi, Morganne Ramsey, Lauren Siegel Features Section Heads: Carly Berger, Marcella Park, David Woldenberg Features Assistants: Angela Chon, Sacha Lin, Benjamin Most, Su Jin Nam, Lauren Rothman A&E Managing Editors: James Hur, Alexander McNab A&E Section Heads: Leily Arzy, Zoe Dutton A&E Assistants: Sharon Chow, Siddharth Kucheria, Kelly Loeb, Pim Otero Sports Managing Editors: Lucy Putnam, Sam Sachs Sports Section Heads: Elijah Akhtarzad, Mila Barzdukas, Jordan Garfinkel, Tyler Graham Sports Assistants: Bennett Gross, Caitlin Neapole, Jonathan Seymour, Henry Vogel, Audrey Wilson Chief Copy Editors: Jivani Gengatharan, Enya Huang, Jessica Lee Managing Editors of Chronicle Multimedia: Henry Hahn, Eric Loeb Art Director: Jacob Goodman Chief Photographer: Scott Nussbaum Ads

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Business Manager: Tara Stone

Chronicle Online Webmaster: David Gisser Adviser: Kathleen Neumeyer The Chronicle is the student newspaper of Harvard-Westlake School. It is published nine 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. Harvard-Westlake has an enrollment of 870 10th through 12th grade students. The Chronicle is also distributed at the Middle School, which has 727 7th through 9th grade students.

Stories go through a rigorous editing process and are rewritten by the writers listed on the byline or with additional reporting credits.

JACOB GOODMAN/CHRONICLE

Don’t sacrifice diversity for convenience Although most students have been unaware of the fact, this has been the inaugural year for a new approach to all-school assemblies: two great speakers in the fall, two great speakers in the spring, with no requirement to schedule certain types of people to come in certain months due to the month’s historical significance, most notably the Black History Month and Women’s History Month assemblies in February and March.

Despite this, the Black Leadership and Culture Club maintained the tradition by bringing in Wes Moore, one of the most popular speakers in recent years.

It wasn’t his race that made him a great speaker, it was his passions and the eloquence with which he expressed them, as well as the experiences which his race necessarily endowed. In the future, will the school be able to find someone as remarkable as Wes Moore if they are no longer committed to having to provide a Black History Month speaker in the month of February?

Women’s History Month, meanwhile, didn’t fare as well: the assembly is typically organized by the Gender Studies course, which was cancelled this year. With the announcement of this year’s upcoming Brown Family Speaker, A. Scott Berg, it’s official: not one woman will have been at the helm of an all-school assembly this year.

Given the new approach to scheduling assemblies, this may not be an anomaly. Sure, any speaker may have something valid or inspiring to share. However, while all three speakers of this year so far have presented and Berg is sure to present widely varying, fascinating subjects, it’s undeniable that a woman can bring something different to the table than a man.

As the Assembly Committee and administration finesse the new process, they must make sure to remember to prioritize speakers who have a diversity of thought, speakers from whom students can learn and also identify with. There is nothing wrong in bringing in a great speaker who happens to be a straight white man. After all, diversity of thought is naturally shaped by any sort of experience or situation, but is certainly and inherently shaped by race, sexuality and gender.

This doesn’t mean such speakers need to address those subjects. Berg’s value as a speaker comes from his work as a Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times bestselling biographer. But he’s also gay, and some of his work was influenced by his sexuality--he

wrote the story for the first mainstream Hollywood film that addressed homosexuality, being closeted and coming out.

Whether this was intentional or not, this is the sort of diversity of thought that the new approach to assemblies has the potential to encourage. Berg does not have to be and will not be a gay speaker talking specifically about his sexuality, and although such assemblies specifically about LGBTQ experiences are valuable and necessary, not every LGBTQ speaker must do so, just like not every woman speaker needs to talk solely about her gender. It’s simply that in the past, Women’s History and Black History Month assemblies were good reminders to even remember to bring in women and African-Americans. The new approach can give the school more freedom to seek out all types of people as speakers without having to pigeonhole them into one aspect of their identity.

In the past, the commitment towards Black History and Women’s History speakers has naturally resulted in such speakers and often in some of the year’s best speakers, like Moore. Now that we lack that helping hand, we must be more aware of these factors than ever.

The ugly truth is that if you don’t make sure to include people who are female, of color or LGBTQidentified, you will forget about them. A study by the Geena Davis Institute of Gender in Media found that if a group of people is 17 percent female, men will think the composition of men and women is 50-50, while a group that is 33 percent female will be perceived by men as more than 50 percent female. (Actress and women’s rights activist Geena Davis was the 2010 Women’s History speaker.)

What this means is that people often think they’re being “inclusive” or “equal” when they’re not. Assembly scheduling can’t be a complacent—the committee must work at scheduling a rich lineup of compelling speakers with diverse experiences that different students can relate to and enjoy and, most importantly, learn from. After all, the main purpose of these allschool assemblies is for students and faculty to receive the sort of non-academic education they’re not getting in the classroom.

It’s great that the school is more dedicated to simply getting great speakers. But factoring in diversity will not hurt this effort—the assembly of another lauded speaker, last year’s John Amaechi, was organized by the GSA and the BLACC. In fact, their success in doing so will be more assured if they do so.

March 19, 2014

hwchronicle.com/opinion

Opinion A13

Ignorance is not bliss

By Mazelle Etessami

W

e sometimes fall prey to the normal tendencies of a teenager—to focus on the problems we’re faced with every day, from the most significant to the petty and least important.

But it’s too easy to do just that, to think of ourselves and how we can further our own dreams and goals, how we can be successful and how we can do more for ourselves.

If we live like this, what do we learn of the world, of bettering ourselves and community, of the trials and tribulations of those less fortunate than we are?

My time as a youth delegate at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women reminded me of the importance of not listening to the well known phrase of “ignorance is bliss.”

Ignorance is bliss only if we allow ourselves to be complacent about the problems around us.

During my time at the conference, ignorance was not an option. Not because I didn’t want it sometimes, didn’t want to forget about the horror stories I heard or the inspiring people I met.

Ignorance was not an option because it was my duty to pay attention, to hear the stories and learn the lessons. It is an active decision to ignore what is going on around you.

At each panel or event I attended, I was transported into a new and unknown world that exists within the very one I am living in.

I heard about the gruesome details of female genital mutilation, about the tragic reality of young girls tricked and forced into prostitution, about the staggering number of forced abortions in China and infants murdered simply because they are girls in

India.

There is one question about the truth of the horrors that plague the lives of the women and girls around the world—the only question is whether or not we do something about it.

When we learn about the horrors existing around the world around us, we can either accept it, write it off as the norms of a society or culture or religion, or, better yet, we can choose to work actively to change it; work towards ensuring that our current reality merely becomes a tragic history to future generations.

After hearing the stories this past week at the CSW, after witnessing the violence that our fellow human beings have been and will continue to be subject to on a daily basis, I believe the choice is obvious.

Although it’s easy to become dejected or forlorn after hearing such egregious stories, we must look at each one as a story of survival, as a testament to the incredible resilience of women and girls around the world.

The thing is, for each one of these stories, there are hundreds, thousands more.

Hearing these stories is essential not only for the benefit of those telling them and hearing them, but also to ensure a different future.

We must fix the system, the society, the world, that has already allowed for the hurt of so many and will continue to do so if we, those who are aware and able to foster change, do not.

It’s easy to stay in our teenage bubble, but it’s our obligation as citizens of this world to educate ourselves.

We need to know about what is happening in the world and to actively work on changing it.

JACOB GOODMAN/CHRONICLE

There’s no shame in sitting

By Jack Goldfisher

L

ast year, the student body struggled mightily with being mature and respectful during assemblies. The problem didn’t stop there. During dance performances, plays and class meetings the glare of phone screens and whispers pervaded the mass of students supposedly listening intently to the events taking place on stage.

This year, I’ve noticed that we have the opposite problem.

At every single event I’ve been to this year, be it a concert or an assembly with a speaker, the crowd has risen to its feet, at times begrudgingly, before the stage has cleared. Often, these standing ovations have started with one person and reached the critical mass necessary to shame the people still sitting into hoisting themselves up onto their feet.

I’m reminded of a “Curb Your Enthusiasm” bit in which Larry, crippled by a back injury sustained the night before, faces glares from a crowd when he refuses to stand at an event honoring

a friend. Too often this year I have felt like Larry, forced into standing like a Jew at Catholic mass. My opposition to standing, however, comes not from an aversion to physical exertion or religious objection but from genuine concern and respect for the “standing o.”

Now, to be fair, many of this year’s performances have deserved standing ovations.

I’m a huge fan of HarvardWestlake performing arts and generally thoroughly enjoy the speakers we have the honor of listening to at all-school assemblies. However, the honor is being given out, as Bart Simpson would say, like Chiclets.

I’m all for encouraging those who have the bravery to speak or sing or dance or act in front of an audience that is innately judging them from the opening curtain. However, the problem I see with this pattern is the inherent devaluation of the standing ovation over the course of time. As a collective audience, the standing ovation is the

highest praise we can give. It is our Presidential Medal of Freedom, and we’re treating it like a medal on a Boy Scout sash. I know I sound like a Grinch, but our peers or speakers that we host haven’t, in my opinion, invariably earned a unanimous standing ovation.

In ancient Rome, military commanders not only had to win their battles but do so in a truly exceptional way to rouse the populace into standing upon their triumphant return to the senate. Perhaps it would be excessive to impose these same standards on high school students, but it seems imperative to reconsider how heartily we reward peoples’ onstage efforts.

Give a little more consideration to the times you stand up and clap.

Like Syndrome said in “The Incredibles,” if everyone’s super no one is. Similarly, if every performance is, ostensibly, exceptional enough to earn a standing ovation, then nothing will seem truly exceptional.

The new SAT seems to bring more harm than good

By Claire Goldsmith

A

nyone who’s been through the college process will remember the buzz, a mix of mystery and terror, surrounding the SAT. Now, with the announcement of changes coming to the infamous test in 2016, the discussion has only intensified.

My problem with this new test is multifaceted. It seems to me to be a dumbing-down of the exam, and one that is supremely unacknowledged and evaded by David Coleman, the president of the College Board, and I think that is the exact opposite of what we need.

The changes Coleman unveiled two weeks ago include making the essay optional, eradicating some of the more esoteric vocabulary words, simplifying the math sections, adding some science-based reading passages and eliminating the guessing penalty (students currently lose a

quarter of a point for each wrong answer). The new test would be out of 1,600 instead of 2,400. It will be entirely acceptable to make up facts in the essay. These reforms are, he claims, with the goal of testing on skills that are more useful in life rather than just on the skills of the SAT — what he says is a plague on the admissions process.

In the past few years, the ACT, another standardized test, has slowly crept up in the market, eventually becoming the test of choice for over 50 percent of the consumer base (if you want to call a couple million high school juniors a consumer base). On the coasts, more students still take the SAT, but the ACT dominates in the midwest. Eliminating the guessing penalty, making the essay optional, adding science questions and taking away complex vocabulary are essentially transforming the

SAT into the ACT. The College Board is a business, but it shouldn’t sacrifice student choice to take back a few points of the market share.

While I would be quick to agree that there are problems with the importance and use of standardized tests in the college admissions process, this change in the SAT doesn’t address them. Diluting the test makes the exam even less useful as a standard by which to measure applicants.

The average SAT score of the class of 2014 nationwide is a 1498 (496 on Critical Reading, 514 on Math, 488 on Writing). For comparison, the average for HarvardWestlake’s class of 2014 is a 688 on Critical Reading, 703 on Math and a 707 on Writing for a total of 2098 – a full 600 points higher. The College Board holds a 1550 as the SAT Benchmark score — students who score above it are more

likely to enroll in college and complete their degree. Currently, only 43 percent of testtakers in the United States get above that score.

This new test will be easier. The hardest math and most challenging vocabulary will be gone, and it will be easier to rack up points without a guessing penalty.

Scores, adjusted for the lower 1600-point scale, will be higher. This will certainly look better as a national average, but I don’t think it will reflect gains in student knowledge.

If the College Board makes the test easier with the goal — or even a goal — of raising the average SAT score, students’ scores mean nothing.

Furthermore, if they would have been below the benchmark on the old SAT but now score above it, the system propagates a false preparedness that could actually hurt students who aren’t as ready for college as they think.

The New York Times article announcing the changes to the test, while describing the reworked and now-optional essay, explained that students will now “write about their experiences and opinions, with no penalty for incorrect assertions, even egregiously wrong ones.”

I think allowing students to make up facts is unacceptable — and the antithesis of the life skills Coleman believes the SAT should be teaching — but students who prepare for the new SAT may not even know the meaning of the word “egregious” in that sentence. Higher scores on an easier test do not beget a better-educated or more competent population, and yet this fallacy has proven both persuasive and pervasive as the College Board looks to increase its own standing.

I don’t doubt that the test could be improved, but this is not the way to do it.

A14 Opinion

The Chronicle

Mar. 19, 2014

Take a moment to step back

By Jessica Spitz

JACOB GOODMAN/CHRONICLE

Addicted to Starbucks

By Carly Berger

O

kay, so it’s not a drug addiction, but being addicted to Starbucks is more dangerous than it seems. I finally admitted to myself that I had a problem when my Iced Venti Nonfat Chai Tea Latte was waiting for me with my name on it at the cashier before I had even ordered it.

I should have been happy that I didn’t have to wait for my drink like any normal person would be, but for some reason I was sick to my stomach. Had I really gone into Starbucks so many times that the cashier remembered my name and my drink? That is just plain embarrassing.

What is even more disturbing is that I spend over $85 on Starbucks a month.

Growing up, I always envied the people at Starbucks who would walk in and the barista would immediately make their drink, but I had never imagined that that person would be me. And to be honest, I wish it wasn’t. The fact that the people working

at Starbucks know exactly what I drink in the morning just screams to me that I have a problem, and I need to cut back. But I just don’t think I can stop.

I wake up every morning with a feeling that something is missing, and that is my perfect blend of chai and milk.

At exactly 7:10 every day I get in my car and head to my local Starbucks. I get out of my car, say hello to the same security guard every morning and walk into Starbucks.

As soon as I step through the doors, my mind is at ease.

The delightful smell of coffee encompasses me and reassures me that I am going to have a good day. I look to my right, and the same man, wearing his big headphones listening to music, is sitting down drinking his coffee, as per usual.

Once I get in line, the barista normally sees me, and I see him start to make my drink. At first, I was frightened that he knew my drink, because that just cemented

in my mind that I really was addicted, but now I have gotten to the point where it doesn’t really bother me, and I sort of enjoy walking in and out of Starbucks within five minutes.

But something in the back of my head knows that this is unhealthy. I should not wake up every morning feeling unfulfilled until I have my Starbucks cup in hand. I can’t stop though. I have tried, but every time I tell myself that I will not go to Starbucks, I somehow end up there. I’m an addict.

I have always heard people say they are addicted to Starbucks, but I never believed they were actually addicted until now. It’s an addiction where you can’t function without it, that crazy feeling you get once you have your first sip and life is just good. I need to stop. I can overcome this. So tomorrow, I will try to skip my morning Starbuck’s run. But then again, I really can’t survive without my iced chai.

Spring break means vacation and relief for most students, but for many juniors it only means one thing: college tours.

Although I am incredibly excited to start looking at schools and figuring out what I want in a college, the fact that I am actually doing this — really considering places I might want to apply to — is terrifying. Until now, college has seemed like a goal waiting in the distant future, but as I register for tours and info sessions, it seems much more tangible.

In the weeks leading up to spring break, I have become increasingly overwhelmed with schoolwork, as is typical for a second semester junior.

But one factor of my stress that I did not anticipate was the feeling that everything is happening at once.

I took my first SAT last weekend, third quarter has already ended and the deans recently sent all juniors an email with instructions and a deadline for a preliminary college list.

I also happened to be looking through my planner the other day when I came across another shocking wake up call: in less than a month, juniors will be picking out their rings for ring ceremony in the fall. I seems unbelievable that my class could possibly be ready to call ourselves seniors.

In the midst of the chaos, I seem to be having a very premature mid-life crisis. All I can think about is since when am I (almost) old enough to apply to college? Don’t you have to be somewhat adult for that?

In all honesty, thinking about college seems like a very adult thing to do, and I feel way too young to be doing so.

As cliché as it sounds, it truly feels like just yesterday when I stepped onto the HarvardWestlake middle school campus for the first time, with six

years ahead of me. I know I have changed and grown a lot since then, but there are still so many things that I am unsure about. When the online registration forms ask what majors I might be interested in, my heart beats a little faster and I close my laptop, promising to deal with it later.

I know I’m getting ahead of myself. I still have a few months of junior year left, which include AP and SAT subject tests, a term paper and the usual workload, so I definitely have enough to occupy my time. But I can’t help but fear the ever-approaching college process and the anxiety (which I might be slightly prone to) that come with it.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m looking forward to receiving a long-awaited college acceptance letter as much as the next sleep deprived and stressed out Harvard-Westlake student. But is it strange that I want everything to slow down? Soon enough, the seniors will be graduating and us juniors will really be in the home stretch of our high school careers, and I cannot shake the feeling that I am simply not ready.

When I expressed these fears to a senior friend, she offered me a piece of advice that I have been trying to keep in mind. She told me, as hard as it may be, to enjoy the rest of high school, because it really will never be the same after our class graduates in 2015. Knowing that many seniors are experiencing nostalgia as they get closer to graduation, now seems like a pretty good time to start appreciating what I love about Harvard-Westlake.

Before I actually start visiting college campuses and picturing myself at a few of them, I want to take the time to consider aspects of my life that may, shockingly, be more important than where I go to college.

guest column

Sitting in morning traffic: a shared experience

By Hannah Kofman ‘14

I

wait in my driveway, annoyed, for my sophomore sister to run out of the house clutching two smoothies and poorly buttered toast.

I demand she “DJ,” God forbid I waste my own phone battery, and once again we begin our uniquely graceful pilgrimage to school.

The drive becomes impossibly familiar, an etcha-sketch of simple lefts and rights repeated monotonously. Soon, it becomes hard not to desperately search for something, anything, to think about. Then it becomes harder to find a way to stop the thinking entirely.

The solution is to switch gears, literally and metaphorically. Instead of thinking, I begin to play. First it’s loud, aggressive, music that stifles

any quiet musings. But next I start to play games.

I turn the impersonal cars around me into players, extending myself beyond the reach of my dashboard. It’s not long after this new awareness sets in that I realize the cars around me are far from impersonal; they are actually my classmates, friends and even teachers, shuttling to and from school with the expected rhythm of a pendulum.

When I know the players, it’s more fun to compete against them. Don’t worry; I don’t mimic the reckless and violent streets of Grand Theft Auto. Instead, I model the style of my game after the crowd favorite Mario Kart.

I start the game, pressing “A” repeatedly on the game cube control, the snooze but-

ton on my alarm. I start in sixth place, falling neatly between the 12th place Palisades players and the unfairly close Beverly Hills competitors. I enter my vehicle of choice, a white unwashed Highlander (to be fair, I’ve yet to unlock the other cars). My sophomore sister now becomes my partner, the Yoshi to my Toad, and the toast she fumbles with becomes our fuel. We buckle our seatbelts and start our drive.

In an attempt to gain ground, I take an early left turn off of Sunset. I pray that the car that took its left in front of me isn’t a super slow truck, and luckily I am rewarded, it’s actually my best friend. It’s now that I’m unavoidably reminded that driving to school is a shared

experience. I am in no way isolated; we are all united by the traffic, the weather, and even the Wednesday morning garbage truck, a complete game malfunction, which forces us to all suffer painfully while the system reboots.

I begin to reflect on the many trips to school I have made in the last few years. In my time at Harvard-Westlake I have fallen again and again into unlikely and kind carpools. I have pulled up at hilariously timed stoplights, shyly pretending not to see the classmate next to me. I have caught old friends singing in their cars and similarly have been caught dancing in mine by a teacher. I have grown to search for the Harvard-Westlake parking pass dangling from rearview

mirrors, finding in it an unmistakable sense of comfort and community.

As I enter the home stretch, the one-laned Coldwater Canyon locks in my final rank. I have been playing for both ambiguous and tangible goals: getting to school on time, not crashing, competing against my friends and distracting myself.

However, as I pull into Hamilton and my mind swims with suppressed worries and the clock reads 8:03 a.m., I realize that my attendance record falls into accord with my Mario Kart career, and that despite those rare victories, I’ve lost yet again. But, as I watch my school disjointedly park and fluidly file into class together, I win in a different way.

March 19, 2014

hwchronicle.com/opinion

Opinion A15

quadtalk

The Chronicle asked:

“Do you think it’s important that we have assembly speakers who are diverse in race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.?”

390 students weighed in on the Chronicle poll Yes

2 8 0

No

“Yes I do. I think the point of speakers is to open up our perspective to more than just our little bubble. I think diversity with the speakers would help open our eyes to the greater world.”

—Conor Belfield ’14

1 1 0

“Yes, I think it’s important to hear about people’s experiences from different walks of life and how people from different cultures or ethnicities experience different things.”

—Ashley Volpert ’14 ALL PHOTOS BY BEATRICE FINGERHUT/CHRONICLE

“If an earthquake happened at school, do you think you will be prepared to act in a smart and informed fashion?”

Yes

No

“Does it bother you at all that all the speakers this year have been male?”

400 students weighed in on the Chronicle poll

No

said 320 students

Yes

said 80 students

“In which of the following categories would you like to see more diversity in the assembly speakers we host?”

337 students weighed in on

Profession “I would know what to do I think because I take geology. My teacher really stresses running out into the middle of the field to be safe.”

“No, because I think I would probably freak out considering how I reacted to the earthquake that happened [Monday] morning.”

—Ian Green ’15

—Katie Zipkin-Leed ’15

the Chronicle

55.8%

Age

poll

28.5% Gender

40.3%

Sexual Orientation

25.8%

Religion Race

18.8%

24.8%

Separate Prefect Council and the Honor Board

By Noa Yadidi

I

’ve been waiting since August to write this column.

I’ve been waiting for the right time, looking for the right news peg to naturally spark what I’ve always had swirling around in my head. I haven’t found it, and, frankly, I’ve come to realize that I don’t need it. It’s time for me to make my argument: we should separate the prefects from the Honor Board.

I am neither against what the Honor Board stands for nor what it was originally intended for. Theoretically, the system is far better than any alternative that leaves complete power with the administration.

Initially, a teacher involved in the Honor Board’s creation once explained to me, the intention was to provide a place where those who betray the trust of our community – bound by an Honor Code – should have to face us and admit to their wrongdoings.

However, since it wouldn’t make sense to have the entire community present, we elect representatives to attend, help “reintegrate” the student

and rebuild lost trust.

Now, though, it seems the Honor Board has transformed into a disciplinary body seen in an overwhelmingly negative light by many students. Additionally, the Board has flaws that face constant criticism (transparency and consistency being two principal issues).

While these are all topics that need to be addressed, that would require multiple columns, so let’s focus on the issue at hand.

During the 2004-2005 school year, a proposal was made to combine the 16 Student Council members with the eight-person Honor Board. The original proposal, which was unanimously rejected by the Student Council, was then modified to pass 15-8. All eight members opposing the merger were a part of Student Council (there was one abstention). This created the system we know today, which went into effect in the 2006-2007 school year.

However, a 287-student poll conducted in March 2007 found that 86 percent of students opposed the merger.

One Student Council member told the Chronicle that the merger “was rammed down our throats.” The administration considered giving the student body a vote on whether to proceed with the merger, but ultimately did not.

I don’t think popular opinion has changed much.

Both the Honor Board and Prefect Council would become much more effective, efficient and popular if they separated.

Despite some similarities, the job and skills of an Honor Board member and a prefect are fundamentally different.

Yes, both should be honorable, both should be leaders, both should be representatives of the student body - but they serve different purposes.

Prefects are meant to “represent” the student body and be the link between students and the administration.

Honor Board members must be able to analyze a situation and make judgment calls based on how to best maintain the integrity of our community. While prefects should be “moral” people, the job deals more with planning events

and day-to-day life as opposed to strengthening the morality of the community. I concede that integrity and trust are important for both jobs. Yes, both types of student officials serve as representatives of the student body — but why must they be the same people?

The two positions seem to cater to two different “types” of personality.

Someone who wants to serve on Prefect Council may be more excited about planning events and fostering school spirit, but may be discouraged from running because they don’t want to serve on the Honor Board. On the flip side, someone with ideas on how to improve the Honor Board might be discouraged from running because they have no desire to be as forward and present a leader as prefects should be.

Eliminating the prefects’ Honor Board duties would allow them to plan more Coffee Houses, dances and events around campus. This could begin to foster the elusive “community” the school has lately been so keen to develop.

Similarly, Honor Board members would be able to focus on fixing the flaws of the systems as it now stands.

I’m not proposing that the two are mutually exclusive. It is very possible that the same person could thrive in both positions, but let the students decide whether they want someone serving both roles.

I think the problem is two-pronged: first, not enough students are encouraged to run, and second there is a negative stigma attached to the efficiency of Prefect Council. Due to a lack of candidates, the class of 2014 didn’t even get to elect its Head Prefects. What does that say of our student government and the desire to be a part of it?

Reversing the merger would be a step in the right direction for solving this problem. Separating the two bodies would increase the number of students getting involved. Those now discouraged from running could instead run for the specific position they seek, enriching our community in particular fields.

A16

Dancing shoes

exposure

March 19, 2014

The 17-member Advanced Dance II class performed in the spring dance concert “Connections” Feb. 28 to March 2. The show featured guest performers, including parents and siblings. The dancers explored interpersonal relationships, the growing connections between people and technology and the influence of social media on everyday life.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK: Dancers depict the constant and overwhelming presence of social media in “The Facebook Musical.”

SIBLING BONDING: Lauren Sonnenberg ’14, left, and her twin brother Bradley dance in a piece about twins.

ENSEMBLE: The Advanced Dance II company performs “Within You, Without You” during the show’s finale.

YOUNG LOVE: Conor Belfield ’14, playing Ambrose Kemper, tries to convince Emma Pasarow ’14 to elope with him.

MULTITASKING: Krista Knighton ’14 dances while carrying the burdens of a typical high school student.

MOMMY AND ME: Parents of girls in the group join the dancers on the Rugby stage for a piece about mother-daughter relationships.

VIEWERS LIKE YOU: Connor Kalantari ’14 and Shana Haddad ’14 perform “Take a Breath” from Sesame Street.

all photos by noa yadidi/chronicle

REACHING OUT: The company and guest dancers end the show with a dance about human connections.

Features

The Chronicle • March 19, 2014

ILLUSTRATION BY JACOB GOODMAN

HAJI FIRUZ: In anticipation of the Persian New Year, dancers and singers crowd the streets of Iran. They sing “Haji Firuz is here, it’s once a year, it’s once a year, everyone knows it’s here, I know it’s here, Nowruz is here, it comes but once a year.”

By Leily Arzy

New Year, New Day

to Batmanglij’s book.

“When we were younger, very spring, as the my grandma would come up flowers bloom and with different ways to give us the days grow longer, the cash,” Ashley Aminian ’15 Harvard-Westlake’s said. “One year she gave us Iranian-American community gold coins and another year celebrates the New Year, or she gave us all $2 bills. I have “Nowruz,” meaning new day in small memories of each NowFarsi. Iranians begin prepar- ruz and it kind of builds up.” ing weeks in advance and celAlthough she loves getting ebrate for a full 13 days. The the aydi, Aminian’s favorite New Year begins on the first part of Nowruz is preparday of spring and usually falls ing the traditional table, the on March 20 or 21.

Sofreh-Ye Haft-Sinn, which “We went to the Veterans translates to the “table of sevAdministration in the Val- en things that start with the ley and they have this huge letter S.” Persian celebration,” Mazelle Iranian born parent Anita Etessami ’14 said. “There are Sabeti (Nikta Mansouri ’15) upwards of 100 people in this says that the eight options parking lot with fire stations for the Haft-Sinn are: Sumac with two or three sticks of (crushed spice of berries), wood. We would jump or hop Senjed (sweet dry fruit of the scotch over the fire. lotus tree), Serkeh We did it when I (vinegar), Sib (apple), was younger, and it Seer (garlic) , Samawas really fun but a nu (wheat pudding) little scary.” and Sabzeh (sprouted Nowruz is the wheat grass). celebration of light, Each family’s table fire, water and the will vary, but many rebirth of nature choose to place the folafter a long winter, lowing additional items according to Najas well: a mirror to repmieh Batmanglij, resent reflection on the Trishta who wrote a book past year, an orange in Dordhi’15 called “Happy Nowa bowl of water to symruz.” This unifybolize the earth, a bowl ing celebration, which begins of live goldfish symbolize new with Chahar Shanbeh Suri, life, colored eggs to represent the jumping over fire, focuses fertility, coins for prosperity in on the connectedness of indi- the New Year and candles to viduals with nature and family radiate light and happiness. while putting aside religion.

Depending on the religious This year Tahvil, the ex- background of each family, act moment of the new year, a religious book may join the falls on Thursday, March 20 objects on the table whether at 9:57:07 a.m. in Los Angeles. it is the Qur’an, the Bible or Similar to the Dec. 31 count- the Torah. A book of poetry down for the New Year in New by poet Shams ud-Din Hafez, York’s Times Square, Iranians considered Persia’s national await Tahvil regardless of the poet, can be placed among the time of day, which varies each other objects as well. year. They give money or gifts “There aren’t many times called aydi, to the children and that I get to fully embrace my youth of the family, according Persian culture or heritage,”

E

Set the Table

Samanu (Wheat Pudding) Fertility & Sweetness

Etessami said. “It is not su- out of school so the family can per public, but in the comfort fully celebrate the new year, of my own home and family. Sabeti said.

We all come together and ac“I feel like people think that knowledge our heritage. It is Nowruz is a religious thing, just a beautiful celebration of an Islamic thing, but it is like life more than anything.” our new year,” Aminian said.

Batmanglij “Kind of like says that Perthe ball dropsians conclude ping, it’s the This is the one the new year same thing time where we all know for us but at c e l e b r at i o n s with Sizdeh we will be together, and spring time.

Bedar, on the It’s a comno one is going to miss 13th day folmon misconlowing the ception but it it.” new year, is really just a —Ashley Aminian ’15 Persian cuswhen families and friends go tom where to the park for we celebrate a picnic and games. the New Year.”

Traditionally, Sizdeh Bedar Jaclyn Michael of Harvard concludes with families releas- University’s Middle East Studing the sprouts they grew for ies Outreach Center said that the Haft-Sinn into a body of Nowruz is a secular holiday, water, like a stream or river. but is partly rooted in the reliIn doing so, the family rids gious tradition of Zoroastrianits home of all evil spirits and ism and is celebrated by Irawelcomes happiness and luck nians of all religions. It is also into their lives for the new celebrated beyond the borders year, Sabeti said. of Iran in countries like India In the 13-day period, be- where the Persian tradition tween Tahvil and Sizdeh Bedar, has spread. families engage in the process Zoroastrian Persian imof visiting family members, migrants like Trishta Dordhi’s “starting with the eldest and ’15 parents are known as Parending with the younger mem- sees and live mostly in India. bers,” Sabeti said.

For the Parsee community, “Half of my family lives in Nowruz is very special, Dordhi San Diego, so this is the one said. time where we all know we “I am not Persian,” Dordhi will be together and no one is said. “I am Parsee and my fagoing to miss it,” Aminian said. ther’s ancestors derived from Sabeti says that there are Persia. Technically we are significant differences between of Persian blood, so we carry how Nowruz is celebrated in some of the traditions over Iran and how it is celebrated and Nowruz is one of them.” in the United States.

“Whether or not my kids “We do not have a holiday are half Persian, fully Persian, here for Nowruz like we do in or not Persian at all if I adopt, Iran,” Sabeti said. “Here, you which I plan to do, Nowruz is do not really feel it. Kids still part of my heritage and it is go to school and adults still go symbolic of who I am and my to work.” ancestors, so I acknowledge Nowruz is the most im- the importance of my kids celportant holiday of the year in ebrating it as well,” Etessami Iran, and children are taken said.

“

The traditional Nowruz holiday table, the Sofreh-Ye Haf-Sinn, is decorated with at least seven of the following eight items.

Senjed(Wild Olives) Fertility & Love

Sonbol (Hyacinth) Fragrance

Sib (Apple) Fertility & Beauty

Sabzeh (Sprouts) Renewal of Nature

Seer (Garlic) Serkeh (Wine Vinegar) Health & Fertility Immortality & Eternity

Somaq (Sumac) Fertility

SOURCE: NAJMIEH BATMANGLIJ GRAPHIC BY LEILY ARZY

B2 Features

The Chronicle

March 19, 2014

Smoke on the water: E-cig consumption

17%

of students use e-cigarettes

While some students use e-cigarettes socially or to relieve stress, controversy remains in the medical world as to what effects they have, and many parents are unfamiliar with them.

By Zoe Dutton

ery day for months, and I’m so it has nicotine or not. I think not addicted. I can go forever it’s more the process of vaporaline* ’14 stretches without it. Sometimes I give ing, where you can smoke and across the bed, an it to my friends to keep over- do tricks, rather than the efelectronic cigarette night, and I’m fine,” Catalina fects of nicotine or weed that delicately balanced said, adding that she thought I would get through smoking.” between thumb and forefinger, nicotine had an undeserved He explained that he uses her wrist bent back à la Au- bad reputation. e-cigarettes as a study aid, drey Hepburn in “Breakfast at The long-term effects of similar to chewing gum.

Tiffany’s.” She tilts her head e-cigarettes are still the sub“I have ADHD, so it helps and puckers her lips, puff- ject of much debate. Free of me focus, like by keeping a ing ring after ring of vanilla- tar and second-hand smoke, part of my brain occupied,” scented vapor they are Bob said. “The more stimuinto the air. e m b r a c e d lation, the more I can focus “ Va p i n g by many when I’m studying.” makes me feel as a safer Other agreed that e-cigalike such a baalternative rettes help them relax.

An e-cig is fun. dass,” she said. to regular “Mostly, it’s a really casual The action is more “Though that’s cigarettes. thing I do for five minutes or what I go for, rather a little embarStill, most while doing homework,” Catarassing to adv e r s i o n s lina said. “It gets me to dethan if it has nicotine mit.” c o n t a i n stress.” or not. It think it’s more Coraline is nicotine Some students use e-cigs among the 17 and are as an alternative to real cigathe process of vaping, percent of stut h e r e f o r e rettes, but for different reawhere you can smoke dents who use considered sons. and do tricks, rather e-cigarettes, addictive “E-cigs are just so much according to a by medical less of a hassle,” Horace* ’14 than the effects of Chronicle poll profession- said. “Cigarettes stink, and the nicotine or weed that of 391 students. als.

Los smell gets into everything. You An e-cigarette A n g e l e s can’t smoke a cigarette in your I would get through is a batteryr e c e n t l y house without your parents smoking.” powered device banned the noticing. But e-cigs? Much which simulates —Bob ’15 use of e- more under the radar.” tobacco smokcigarettes Parents’ stances on e-ciging. Their use in restau- arettes vary, but the situation has increased rants and is further complicated by the significantly over the past few other public areas. fact that many are unfamiliar years, particularly among high “Because e-cigarettes have with them. school students, with whom not been thoroughly tested, “My parents are very their popularity doubled from one cannot conclude that they oblivious,” Catalina said. “They just under five percent to 10 are less harmful or less dan- probably think it’s a pen; I between 2011 and 2012 nation- gerous than convenleave it on my bed, wide, according to The Na- tional cigarettes,” my table, wherever.” tional Youth Tobacco Survey.

American Medical Other parents are Fifty-five percent of stu- Association board not quite so unaware. dents say they smoke, or member Edward L. “My mom had ‘vape,’ because they think it Langston said. “The an e-cig before any looks cool. fact that they come of my friends did,” “Whenever someone bor- in fruit and candy flaJaimy* ’14 said. “She rows or comes into contact vors gives them the was trying to quit with my e-cig they whip out potential to entice smoking, and they their phone and take a million new nicotine users, had just been intronathanson’s snapchats and selfies and I’m especially teens.” duced to U.S. marLuba Bek like ‘stop, you’re so annoying,’” Part of e-cigakets. It’s really funny, Catalina* ’16 said, who herself rettes’ appeal to others in the actually. She’s not too thrilled admits to sometimes using her medical establishment is the that I use it now, but I think e-cigarette in “grunge” photo belief that they are an effec- she understands that I’m reshoots with friends. tive method to help people sponsible, and that there’s a E-cigarettes are generally quit smoking. This theory, lot worse stuff out there.” considered more acceptable however, isn’t too applicable to Bek related a story about than traditional cigarettes or teenagers, and only 11 percent a group of second-semester marijuana, in part because of students who vape said they seniors who several years ago they do not contain tar or, in use them for that purpose. had used an e-cigarette in some versions, nicotine.

“I think e-cigs are good for class without their teacher “If I was a parent of a teen- people looking to quit smok- noticing. ager and I would have to draw ing, because anything is better “Teachers are very una line somewhere, I would let than inhaling all the tar when aware of a lot of things, let’s a kid smoke an e-cig but not you smoke cigarettes,” Bek just leave it at that,” she said, other stuff,” school psycholo- said. “But kids are just start- laughing. “This is just one of gist Luba Bek said. “But I’m ing to smoke, so they wouldn’t them. If a teacher smells the Russian by birth and I come be quitting.” flavoring — lavender, caramel, from a culture where most For many students, e-ciga- whatever — they’re focused on people smoke. To me, cultur- rettes aren’t so much an alter- other things, they don’t think ally, this is the lesser of many native to smoking cigarettes ‘cigarette’. We’re the older evils that exist.” or marijuana as an additional generation. You guys do new Most kids said they don’t habit. things, and you do it so quickgive the possible health risks “They’re different process- ly that it takes us a while to much thought. es,” Bob* ’15 said. “An e-cig is catch up with you.”

“It’s not a big deal. I have fun. The action is more what been using my e-cig almost ev- I go for, rather than whether *Names have been changed

about 1 in 10 high schoolers have used e-cigarettes

Why do students use e-cigarettes?

55% 34% 11% it looks cool

stress relief

to quit smoking

C

“

44% of students 43% of students who vape who vape are girls use e-cigs with nicotine

56% of students who vape are boys

Students who vape use e-cigarettes...

17% 12% 71% daily

weekly

occasionally

Inner workings: E-cig mechanics When a user inhales he or she must hold down the power button on the battery to vaporize the liquid.

The tank contains propylene, glycol, water and often varying levels of nicotine and flavoring.

One can choose from a variety of e-juice flavors, including espresso, peach, sour Skittles and mint.

The atomizer heats the liquid with the aid of the chemical propylene glycol, producing a vapor mist that looks like smoke and carries the nicotine.

When a user exhales, the vapor quickly dissipates without producing any second hand smoke.

Some e-cigs feature a LED light that lights up with every puff to imitate a real cigarette.

This model of e-cigarette is powered by a small rechargeable battery that can be connected to a USB port.

SOURCE: CHRONICLE POLL OF 391 STUDENTS AND THE NATIONAL YOUTH TOBACCO SURVEY GRAPHIC BY ZOE DUTTON

March 19, 2014

hwchronicle.com/features

Framing the Family

By Marcella Park

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF EOJIN CHOI

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF COVI BRANNAN

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF VIVIAN LIN

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF VIVIAN LIN

living with her family since she was born.

His father was gone most “I don’t really know why,” of the time on business trips, Lin said. “I guess it’s just kind and his mother was busy of a thing with Chinese famiworking and finishing school, lies you just let your parents all the more so because she move in with you when you’re was still learning English. So older.” for three years starting from Her grandmother, Yuan when he was one and a half, Shuzhu, usually made the famHenry Jiang’s ’14 maternal ily breakfast and dinner when grandmother lived with and her parents had less time. took care of him.

Now, Lin said, Yuan is just “She was like my a “chill grandma.” only friend because “The main reason I hadn’t started why I want to get betschool yet,” Jiang ter at Chinese is so said.

I can be able to talk He followed her more with my grandaround as she did ma,” Lin said. housework, and she Lin is taking Chitaught him to cook nese III Honors this — just a few basic year. The two also nathanson’s vegetable dishes, Jiteach each other their Henry Jiang ’14 ang said. languages to make When his grandtheir frequent convermother’s visa expired and she sations easier. returned to China, Jiang of“My closeness with my ten stayed home alone. By the mom is just because she’s dealtime she could return, he was ing more with things like my six and a half and sometimes school and all my extracurtaking care of his newborn ricular activities — she’s in brother by himself. charge of arranging that, but Jiang’s grandmother lived with my grandma, it’s more with him full-time since she companionship based, purely came back until her diabetes companionship because she took her sight. doesn’t have an active hand in “That was difficult because managing my schedule like my my grandmother had always mom does,” Lin said. “I guess been this vibrant figure in my my mom is a bigger presence life and now was just in bed all in my life, but I am close to my the time,” Jiang said. grandma just emotionally.”

After surgeries in the Though Lin has school and United States didn’t work, she Yuan spends time with friends returned to China once again of her own age, they always for treatment. Now she is find time to talk, Lin said. slightly better, he said.

“I guess having her, it kind Jiang thinks his experienc- of changes your attitude toes with and without his grand- wards old people,” Lin said. mother have made him “more “When I have time, I just go mature.” into her room, and she’ll be Vivian Lin ’16 sees her just chilling or whatever, and grandmother as a constant. I’ll tell her about my day at Her mother’s mother has been school; she’s also my friend, so

Features B3

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF EOJIN CHOI

CAPTURE THE MOMENT: A young Vivian Lin ’16 receives a hug from her grandmother, top left. Hyunseok Choi ’16 eats with his grandfather, top center, and sits on his grandfather’s shoulders, right. Lin and her grandmother smile for a picture, bottom left. Covi Brannan ’15 and her grandmother bond on Thanksgiving, bottom.

Living with or close to grandparents creates special relationships.

we just talk.”

“I have certain aspects Lin and Yuan also often of myself, like my personalcooked together before Lin ity, that alone wouldn’t really became busy with school, and make sense, but knowing my Lin occasionally brings Chi- mother and my grandmother, nese books from the library it makes sense because each home to her grandmother. one of us, each one of the Like Lin’s, Imani Cook- women in our family has those Gist’s ’15 parents are busy personality traits,” she said. with work.

For example, Cook-Gist As a result, she has been said, being scatter-brained close to her maternal grand- seems to run in the family. mother since she was born, Covi Brannan ’15 doesn’t now staying at her house al- live with her grandmother, most every day after school whose house is closer to school until her mother can pick her than her own. But when she up. has long rehearsals for school Cook-Gist and her grand- productions, usually during mother, besides talking and the week before each show cooking together, do commu- opens, she sleeps over. nity service at underprivileged Her mother talks to her schools and homes for the el- grandmother on the phone evderly with disabilities. ery day, Brannan said.

Cook-Gist said her grand“She’s kind of crazy but in mother tries to emphasize to a good, Sicilian way,” Brannan her the value of patience and said. caring for others.

Currently, Hyunseok Choi “I wouldn’t say [we are] ’16 spends seven months of the ‘friends,’” she said. “I wouldn’t year with his paternal grandgo out shopping with my parents, as they stay with his grandmother, but she is very family for six months during close to my each school heart and I year, and his admire her family stays very much. with them in I have more of I have more Daegu, South a feeling of who my of a feeling Korea for one family is and where I of who my month every family is and summer. come from.” where I come When he from, I guess much —Imani Cook-Gist ’15 was compared to younger, he someone who lived with doesn’t have them because their grandmother or their his parents were “not as setgrandparents with them. I tled as they are now,” while his just know where my roots are sisters stayed at their other I know better how to identify grandparents’. myself.”

At the time, Choi’s paternal Almost every time she is grandfather was still working with her grandmother, Cook- as a teacher.

Gist said she ends up listening “I didn’t really feel really to familiar stories about her out of place that my grandparyounger self ’s habit of crying. ents were taking care of me

“

instead of my actual parents,” Choi said. “I’m not quite sure why maybe it’s just because I was growing up that way, and it might be because I didn’t meet any of my friends’ parents.”

Especially because Choi was so young when his grandparents took care of him, he is more used to them than his own parents, he said.

“With them I feel more comfortable, I guess,” Choi said. “I can speak to them without feeling uncomfortable, whereas with my parents I feel more reserved.”

His grandparents, he said, have more expectations of him than his parents do. Even when he left them to live with his parents, he lived close to them, and they visited each other frequently.

“I guess they were my friends in the sense that I would talk to them about unimportant stuff. I would chat with them, but for the most part, they were my parents.

I looked up to them and respected them,” Choi said. “I think it was a nice mixture of both, that I could talk to them freely and look up to them.”

He attributes this closeness to being the only child his grandparents had to take care of, while now he is one of four siblings in his parents’ house.

“I feel like I got a lot more attention with them because I was essentially an only child, but now I have four siblings and I guess more freedom,” he said. “When I was living with my grandparents, I would be receiving a lot of attention in terms of what I would do.

I think that was the biggest change — that now my parents are less concerned with what I do.”

B4 Features

The Chronicle

March 19, 2014

Oh, Mother #@%&*! $ % # @*!

By Carly Berger

polled by the Chronicle, 63 percent curse out of habit, and “F***!” Dominique Gor- 28 percent limit cursing to don ’15 yelped in shock after only when they are angry. a piece of celery hit her face “I probably swear a lot,” in the middle of English class. Gross said. “Sometimes it’s out Aaron Esagoff ’15 had thrown of frustration because I’m mad the piece to his friend who at something but a majority of wanted celery, but acciden- the time it’s just because I use tally hit Gordon instead. Im- it in common phrases as part mediately after she screamed of my typical vocabulary.” the curse word, Gordon’s face Unlike Gross who uses turned bright red, and her curse words regularly, Gelfen first instinct was to apolo- is more choosy about his cursgize profusely to her English ing. teacher, Isaac Laskin. After “Usually, [cursing] is just a her classmates and Laskin way I get my frustration out,” erupted in laughter, Gordon Gelfen said. “I usually curse to was no longer embarrassed, myself, not out loud in front of but was laughing along with a million people.” her class.

Depending on the student “Overall, it was just more and their teacher, many stufunny than embarrassing, es- dents have different opinions pecially since [Laskin] just on cursing in the classroom. laughed and didn’t mind at “It totally depends on who all,” Gordon said. the teacher is,” Gross said, “I’m In the Student Parent comfortable enough with a few Handbook, a section called teachers that I can swear in a “Respecting the Rights of ‘PG’ kind of way, like ‘what Others” says that “profanity the f,’ but most of them I don’t or socially unacceptable lan- swear in front of.” gauge” is prohibited. However, Students sometimes feel students and teachers curse comfortable swearing if their at school. Of the 386 students teacher swears in the classpolled, 92 percent have heard room as well, and students their teachers curse. Most even enjoy when their teachstudents and teachers try to ers curse in class. Teachers filter their language in class in also understand that students order to abide by the expected think that cursing makes decorum of a school environ- them more relatable and enment but do not do so outside joyable in class, which is why of class. they sometimes curse, Laskin Students attempt not to believes. curse in class “I think because they that when are afraid teachers that they curse, it will not be makes them I do feel regarded as more apthat tolerating well by their proachable,” teachers or Emily Kelkar cursing corrodes the peers, or will ’15 said. “It inclusiveness that get in trouble makes them we work to build at for cursing, seem not Lucas Gelthat different school. Cursing has the fen ’15 befrom us.” potential to alienate lieves. Most Others teachers like when people, particularly if only get antheir teachthe curse is directed at gry at their ers curse bea personor a group of students for cause they cursing when think it is people the word is entertaining, unnecessar—Celia Goedde and it makes ily violent, or History teacher conversations simply unin the classn e c e s s a r y, room more but students personal and still refrain from cursing in mature. class in general.

“I think it is funny when Outside of class, however, teachers curse because it is cursing is a fairly common suprising and in some ways occurrence as students and shows more of their personteachers around campus use ality because they aren’t cencurse words in their daily vo- soring themselves,” Emma cabulary.

Kofman ’16 said. “It also feels “Teachers do walk by and more like a real conversation hear kids saying s*** or f ***, because we are treated more and you don’t get in trouble like adults.” for saying that in the lounge, Overall, teachers try not but you also just don’t say that to curse in front of their stuin class,” Jules Gross ’15 said. dents, but sometimes teachers Upper School Dean Beth use curse words for emphasis Slattery says, however, that or they say them accidentally, if she hears students outside Laskin said. Teachers often of her office cursing repeat- curse to emulate a character edly, then she will usually go trait in a book, or emphasize a outside and ask them to stop. point in their lesson.

Slattery believes that as stu“Sometimes cursing is an dents start to curse as an ef- effective way to make a point,” fort to look cool when they are Laskin said. “You can characyounger, it eventually becomes terize a character’s behavior a habit. Of the 368 students with a curse word, and it ac-

“

tually makes the point land better.”

Other teachers, however, do not believe in cursing in the classroom at all, with the exception of less extreme words like darn or hell.

“I believe in classrooms there should be a certain decorum, way of acting, and I think that restraint in our language is part of that,” Latin teacher Derek Wilairat said.

History teacher Celia Goedde believes that cursing in the classroom is completely innapropriate, eliminating a comfortable classroom environment.

“I do feel that tolerating cursing corrodes the inclusiveness that we work to build at school,” Goedde said. “Cursing has the potential to alienate people, particularly if the curse is directed at a person or a group of people.”

Goedde believes that cursing among teenagers is often used as a way for teenagers to distance themselves from parents or other authorities.

“As a historian, I know that cursing is as old as language, but it has become so pervasive in contemporary American popular culture that it is difficult for anyone to avoid,” Goedde said.

While Goedde believes that cursing disrupts the inclusive classroom environment, Laskin believes that cursing to make a certain point in class is understandable. Egregious cursing just for the sake of cursing, on the other hand, is unnecessary in class, he said.

“I would not like my classroom to devolve into cursing all of the time, but the wellplaced curse word does not bother me,” Laskin said.

“Generally speaking, any student or teacher with a sharp sense of decorum will probably be able to discern when it is okay to curse and when it isn’t.”

Many students believe that using curse words is acceptable, unless they are used excessively or to be cruel.

“I think that unless your cursing is negatively affecting someone, cursing is fine and there isn’t too much of it,” Gelfen said. “But when people use curse words to hurt other people, there should be an extremely low threshold [of tolerance].”

Slattery once overheard a student cursing about her to a friend outside of her office and brought him to the office of the Head of the Upper School at the time, Harry Salamandra.

“I think it’s very different to be name-calling using a curse word versus a non-directed exclamation,” Slattery said.

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GRAPHIC BY JACOB GOODMAN

March 19, 2014

hwchronicle.com/features

Features B5

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Major Fans

By Morganne Ramsey

While stuck in a wheelchair after a swimming accident two summers ago, Dora Palmer ’15 entertained herself by sitting on her porch and drawing the people who walked by.

After encouragement from her mother, she began sketching some of her favorite celebrities and fictional characters for practice.

Soon, this way to pass time became a habit for Palmer, who now works on her fan art regularly, sometimes even staying up all night on the weekends to finish a piece. She posts a lot of her art either on her Tumblr blog or on a Facebook page called “Dora Palmer Artwork.”

In addition to making art depicting celebrities and fictional characters for fun, Palmer also sells some of her art. Palmer said that she typically charges around $50 for commission pieces, depending on the medium she does the portrait in, but charges extra if someone wants to be in the portrait with a celebrity of their choosing. Palmer said that she most frequently is asked to do portraits of Tom Hiddleston, who plays Loki in “The Avengers” and Benedict Cumberbatch from the television show “Sherlock.”

Palmer also sells her art to a store where she works called Whimsic Alley. Palmer said that Whimsic Alley typically buys her paintings at its “Craft Faire” for around $20 and then sells them at a higher price.

Palmer said that making fan art has really helped her improve her artistic skills in general.

“Since I sold to [Whimsic Alley] for the first time, I’ve gotten plenty of requests for different painting mediums that I’ve never worked with before,” Palmer said. “I never promise the client that I can do the piece perfectly, but I always try because I love using new mediums. If it weren’t for the people who buy from me, I’d still be a sharpie artist.”

While Palmer said that she has not made any friends spe-

cifically from making fan art, she has made friends from being active in fandom, or communities of fans. She made some of her best friends from referencing a running joke in a musical while in line for a show once, she said.

Unlike Palmer, Jazmin Piche ’15 actually became involved in fandom because of her friends. Piche began wearing costumes based on fictional characters, an activity known as cosplaying, after attending an anime convention with one of her friends.

Now, Piche cosplays whenever she goes to a convention, and is currently working on a couple’s costume set based on the Pixar short film “The Balloon,” with her boyfriend Tom Thorne ’14, which she plans for them to wear at a convention later this year.

When creating her costumes, Piche buys items in thrift shops and alters them to match the character if she needs to. She said that many cosplayers make costumes that are much more elaborate, but that she tries to keep hers simple.

“Some people wear swords and armor,” Piche said, “I don’t because it takes a lot of dedication and time, and actually quite a lot of money.”

Asuna* ’14 has been cosplaying at anime conventions for five years. Like Piche, Asuna typically buys her costumes from Goodwill instead of making them, but does enjoy making accessories. One year, she took eight hours to make a five-foot long scythe for a costume out of some PVC pipe.

“It’s really fun to spend days crafting the costume and bringing the character to life,” Asuna said.

Torrey* ’15 found characters she identifies with for the first time from reading fanfiction. In fact, Torrey began writing fanfiction because she felt a strong connection to a character in the show “Pretty Little Liars” named Emily, after Emily’s girlfriend Maya died.

“That kind of heartbreak where you can’t even have any fun without any type of intoxication, that kind of heartbreak

Despite the stigma associated with the activity, some students make artwork or writings inspired by the books, movies and television shows they follow.

I can understand,” Torrey said. reader of fanfiction, he said To Torrey, writing fanfic- that almost all fanfiction is tion is empowering because it “crap.” gives her the chance to fix the Torrey, however, finds this fate of a character she feels statement to be offensive to has been wronged in the can- many writers, and her view on, the official plot of a series. is that high-quality fanfiction “[The canon] is only one does exist if one only looks for version of the story; here’s it. my version, and it’s beauti“Sure, there’s a lot of notful,” Torrey said. “The beauty so-quality writing, but it’s beof fanfiction is that there are cause these are people who so many good ideas out there are stretching their writing that haven’t been explored and wings,” Torrey said. “If you’re every single one of them gets writing you have to start a chance.” somewhere. If you think it’s Ojas Parashar ’14 has also all crap, you’re looking in the written his own fanfiction, in wrong place for the wrong addition to reading fanfiction thing.” online every day.

While none of these stuParashar spent months dents said they felt ashamed of writing what he found to be his their fan art or writing, almost most successful piece of fiction: all of them said that there was a re-telling of the Japanese a stigma attached to such fan anime Naruto, where the pro- work. tagonist runs away and plans “I think [fandom is] dethe demise of his village after fined by the extremists,” Palmbeing verbally abused by its er said. “I think a lot of people inhabitants instead of staying, will go out of their way to make as he does in the canon. The their life all about this one story is 120,000 words long (in person, but it’s just something comparison the first “Harry you’re passionate about like a Potter” book is around 65,000 sport or a hobby. Just because words long), and has around you audition for a play doesn’t a thousand mean you’re reviews on completely the website obsessed with where he the play, it’s ... I love using posted it, fanjust somenew mediums. If it fiction.net. thing you do.”

Pa r a s h a r A s u n a weren’t for the people said that thinks that who buy from me, I’d writing fanthe stigma still be a sharpie artist.” fiction helped exists behis writing cause people —Dora Palmer ’15 don’t know a skills, and that the typilot about the cal method of fan culture. writing fanfiction is conducive For example, she has friends to such improvement. who thought cosplaying was “When you’re writing a weird, but after trying it enbook, you write it and pub- joyed it. However, Asuna is not lish it, and you don’t get any comfortable with the world feedback from the larger audi- at large knowing that she coence,” Parashar said. “In fanfic splays.

I write a chapter, get some “I feel like everyone is refeedback, see what I need to ally judged for cosplay,” Asuna improve on and try to work on said. “People always think it’s a it.” weird freak thing to do.”

While Parashar says he “People don’t really see has improved his writing from this as something to do,” Torwriting fanfiction, he said that rey said. “I feel starved of the that is not the reason why he opportunity to share it with writes it. people. It’s a creative process “I began writing because I people don’t know they should was very frustrated with the respect.” canon,” Parashar said. *Names have been changed While Parashar is an avid

“

The Chronicle March 1

B6 Features

M Street Coffee 13251 Moorpark St Sherman Oaks

Chai Latte

• 1.2 miles from Harvard-Westlake • Yelp Price Range $$$$ • Local art is displayed around the coffee shop and is available for purchase. Artists’ names and prices of the works are listed underneath.

• Free Wi-Fi • Cups are compostable and made with renewable resources • Our picks: chai latte, mocha ice-blended, regular latte

Gold Yaki Burg

4454 Van Nuys Blvd Sherman Oaks

• 2.5 miles from Harvard-W • Yelp Price Range $$$$ • They have great burgers, b meat bowls are underrate well.

• Popular dishes: Beef and C bo Plate, Chicken Burger

No Rese

Restaurants and Harvard-Westlake to offer a wide array of

Pita Kitchen 14500 Ventura Blvd Sherman Oaks • • • • • • • •

Chicken Schwarma with salsa and hummus

2.5 miles from Havard-Westlake Yelp Price Range $$$$ Mediterranean food Most popular dishes: Chicken Schawarma, Chicken Shish Kebab Featured as one of Local Eats’ “Only the Best Restaurants” this year.

Pita Kitchen, has been around since 2001 a local favorite.

Adjacent newsstand offers magazines and newspapers if waiting to pick up food or eating alone.

The kitchen and seating area are exposed to the street, making the small space feel open.

By Emily Seg

19, 2014

hwchronicle.com/features

Chicken and Beef Plate (#4 on the menu)

Features B7

Aroma Coffee and Tea Company 4360 Tujunga Ave Studio City • 2.8 miles from Harvard-Westlake • Yelp Price Range $$$$ • Worth the drive, Aroma, offers beautiful indoor and outdoor seating.

• Our picks: grilled cheese, south of the border omelette and the grilled shrimp salad.

ger

Ice Tea (above), Mexican Tortilla Salad (below)

d

Westlake

but the various ed favorites as

Chicken Com-

ervations

d cafés close enough to o visit during free periods cuisines and atmospheres.

gal and Tara Stone

Chai French Toast

Chocolate Cheesecake Brownie (left) and Vanilla Cupcake (right)

Buttercelli Bakery 13722 Ventura Blvd Sherman Oaks • 1.5 miles from Harvard-Westlake • Yelp Price Range $$$$ • The menu includes gluten-free, vegan and paleolithic diet options.

• Buttercelli’s Bakery is a small business with a friendly staff and unique recipes.

Jumpcut Cafe 13203 Ventura Blvd, Studio city • 0.8 miles from Harvard-Westlake • Yelp Price Range $$$$ • The café is a quiet place to do work during frees or before Peer Support on Mondays.

• Offers various events like film trivia nights, movie screenings and open mic nights.

• Our picks: hot chicken sandwich, chai french toast and the breakfast sandwich.

All Photos

by

Emily Segal

and

Tara Stone

B8 Features

The Chronicle

The Art of Applying

By Sydney Foreman

ILLUSTRATION BY JACOB GOODMAN

Rather than apply only to traditional colleges, some students add art schools to their lists.

’14 is in the minority of stu“Lots of artists wish they dents applying to art schools could show us portfolios inChristopher Yang ’14 spent because he applied only to art stead of junior questionapproximately 30 hours re- schools. He has always known naires because they commusponding to drawing prompts that he wanted to attend an nicate better through art than such as “reference a bicycle” art school. through words,” Cuseo said. and “in the course of a single “I hope I’m successful Similar to students applycalendar day, draw 11 related enough to do what I love, and ing to traditional universities, images in a single visualiza- that’s why I’m gostudents applying to tion.” ing to art school,” art schools must forHe wasn’t doing it as a cre- Yetman-Michaelson mulate a college list of ative outlet or a class assign- said. schools that include ment, but as a part of his colYetman-Michael“most likely,” “likely,” lege application process. son’s application “50-50” and “realistic Yang is one of a hand- process began when challenge” schools. ful of students applying to he attended a NaUnlike traditional art schools. Of the 11 schools tional Portfolio Day schools, though, art he applied to, four were art in which prospective schools prioritize an nathanson’s schools. students can have applicant’s artistic Yang hopes to specialize in their portfolios re- Aidan Yetman- capabilities, Cuseo Michaelson ’14 fashion or textile design, so he viewed by art schools said.

Grades and is looking for a school with a they are interested standardized test strong design program. He is in applying to. While these scores may also be considered. leaning towards an art school events can help a student im- She compared the importance because he believes prove his or her port- of the statistical information he will be able to find folio, sometimes an to that of an athlete’s applicabetter, more specialapplicant will be al- tion. ized programs. most guaranteed acFor some of the most popu“I enjoy doing art ceptance to a school lar art schools among students, a lot and wouldn’t if they apply. such as Rhode Island School of mind doing it all day “The portfolio day Design and the Maryland Inif I needed to,” Yang is a good place for stitute College of Art, a writsaid. people to get a start ing supplement is required It is slightly more just to sense how in addition to a transcript, nathanson’s common for students competitive they’ll be standardized test scores and a Christopher to apply to a mix of at art schools,” Cuseo portfolio.

Yang ’14 traditional and art said.

Yetman-Michaelson’s faschools rather than Despite having no vorite application essay was solely applying to art schools, final say on the content of a one required for the Maryland dean Sharon Cuseo said. How- student’s portfolio, Cuseo al- Institute College of Art, which ever, on average, only five to 10 ways makes an effort to look asked applicants to describe students per year apply to any at a student’s body of work their evil twin. art school at all. because she believes they are “You get to talk about yourAidan Yetman-Michaelson incredibly revealing. self by talking about the op-

Art in College

of 355 students have applied or will apply to art schools

March 19, 2014

posite of you, which I thought cause they are trying to woo was interesting,” Yetman-Mi- really talented students to chaelson said. their programs,” Cuseo said.

Yetman-Michaelson did not “Sometimes there is merit feel that his overall application money above and beyond the process varied too much from need-based money so it can the standard one. However, he make it much more financially did note differences in priori- feasible for someone going to ties. For Yetman-Michaelson, an art school than if they were neither size nor location was going to a regular one.” a factor in his application proBoth Yang and Yetmancess. Instead, Michaelson he focused on are certain the strength they want to of the illuspursue caLots of artists tration proreers in the gram, he said. arts, which wish they could “The ilCuseo beshow us portfolios lustration lieves is esp r o g r a m sential in instead of junior is first and electing to questionnaires because attend an art foremost the most imporschool. they communicate tant thing,” there’s better through art than any“IfpossibilYetman-Mithrough words.” chaelson said. ity that your “I’d like to future won’t —Sharon Cuseo be art-related lean more on the commerDean then obviouscial side of illy you’re not lustration.” ready to go to Yetman-Michaelson has an art school,” Cuseo said. been offered merit scholarVisual arts teacher Mariships at the School of the Art anne Hall warned that stuInstitute of Chicago, the Mary- dents who attend art school land Institute College of Art, will have little free time, and it the School of Visual Arts and will likely be difficult for them the Virginia Commonwealth to cross-register at nearby University School of the Arts. traditional universities.

“It’s hard to get merit “I think that 18 is very money from top academic young to choose a career path schools because most of them especially one that is so fodon’t offer it, but some of the cused and competitive,” Hall top art schools do offer it be- said.

“

Students answered a Chronicle poll about applying to art schools and whether they consider art a factor in the college process.

of 57 students considering art schools have applied or will apply to a liberal arts college with a strong art program

of 341 students consider art a factor in their college process SOURCE: CHRONICLE POLL REPRINTED FROM SXC.HU GRAPHIC BY EOJIN CHOI

Arts&Entertainment

The Chronicle • March 19, 2014

MARCELLA PARK/CHRONI-

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: (clockwise from left) Sophia Lopez ’14, Delilah Napier ’15 and Molly Cinnamon ’14 smile in front of the theater. Jacob Soboroff ’01, right, interviews student director Delilah Napier ’15 on the red carpet. Visual arts teacher Kevin O’Malley, right, and Jaird Meyer ’15 set up cameras to film the red carpet at the festival. Movie producer Debra Martin Chase, right, addresses students as this year’s guest speaker.

On the red carpet

By Nikta Mansouri

2009. She produced “The Cheetah Girls,” “Sisterhood of Two-time Emmy-nomi- the Traveling Pants” and “The nated producer Debra Martin Princess Diaries”.

Chase told aspiring filmmakShe was the executive proers at the 11th annual Har- ducer of “Cinderella,” which vard-Westlake Film Festival was nominated for seven Emto “learn your craft and do it.” mys and won for Art ProducShe spoke to an audience tion. She also produced “Hank of over 400 people at the Ar- Aaron: Chasing the Dream,” cLight Cinerama Dome in which was nominated for OutHollywood March 14. standing Information Special.

“Because of the changes Her work usually focuses on in technology, and the access tweens, women, music and to distribution via the inter- dance, according to a biogranet young people are starting phy by Martin Chase Producyounger and younger every tions. The festival showcased year and the more you do the 25 student films from all over better you are, no matter what California, including seven it is,” Chase said. films by Harvard-Westlake Chase is the first African- students or participants in the American to speak at the Harvard-Westlake film sumevent, and she highlighted the mer camp. difficulties of being an Afri“It’s a really cool experican-American woman in the ence because you never really entertainment industry. get to see it on that scale until “Behind the scenes, women it’s up there and in your face,” and people of color are under- Danielle Stolz ’15, who had two represented, and it is changing films exhibited at the festival, some, but we still have a long said. “Everything really jumps way to go,” out at you, Chase said. and your film “In terms of comes to life The films were an like never bedepiction, it just depends emotional roller coaster fore.” on the prodThe event — some made you cry, uct. There are had a recordsome shows, breaking 215 some made you laugh, some movies submissions and others left the that are very this year by audience shocked.” insightful and f ilmmakers accurately from 14 dif—Molly Cinnamon ‘14 ferent film ref lected…so we’ve made programs advances, but from around there’s still a long way to go.”

California.

Chase also spoke about the “I heard from many, many specific jobs of a self-described people that this was the stronproducer. gest line-up of films that we’ve “I really do everything ever had,” visual arts departfrom A to Z,” Chase said. ment head Cheri Gaulke said.

Chase was on Ebony Mag- “People seemed truly moved azine’s list of 150 Most Influ- and impressed at the high ential African-Americans in quality of the films as well as America in 2007, 2008 and how many of them had some-

“

The 11th annual Harvard-Westlake Film Festival screened 25 California high school films at the ArcLight Cinerama Dome. thing to say.” were also invited to The Day “The film festival was a After event on campus March fantastic event that brought 15. The event gave students a the community together,” film chance to mingle with one anfestival head Molly Cinnamon other and exchange ideas. ’14 said.

Dreamworks CEO Stacey Cinnamon said she was Snider (Katie Jones ’15, Nataimpressed with the lie Jones ’17), spoke range of films shown. to students about the “I think that business behind film more than any other and stressed the imyear, the films were portance of knowing an emotional rollerfilm history. coaster — some made Students could you cry, some made also participate in you laugh and othvarious workshops in ers left the audience screenwriting, visual shocked,” she said. effects, acting and nathanson’s “It was incredibly cinematography all Danielle hard work for both led by industry proStolz ‘15 the directors and the fessionals. amazing faculty, and “It was really inI’m proud that we pulled off teresting to learn about evan event enjoyed by so many.” erything from screenwriting “Epitaph,” the story of a to visual effects from people narcissistic boy obsessed with who do this for a living,” Shandeath, won overall favorite nyn Schack ’16, who attended from the judges, and “Tram- the festival and The Day After pons,” a social commentary on event, said. female virginity, won crowd favorite.

“I was particularly excited to see strong female voices,” Gaulke said. “Hopefully that signals a shift that is happening in the industry. And the range in the work by women was astounding, from hardhitting docs about female trafficking, homophobia and war (“International Boulevard,” “Freedom From Fear,” “The Lingering War” and “Wings of Peace”), to playful and adLIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: venturous experimental works The 11th annual Film Festival (“Anaerobe,” “You and Me”), screened films to students, to powerfully moving stateparents and teachers. ments about human relationships (“A Mon Pere”). And I Workshops for filmmakers were was delighted that Trampons held at The Day After event. won the Audience Award because it’s a bold and funny Watch the video at statement about female sexuality.” hwchronicle.com/filmfestival The student filmmakers

ONtheWEB

B10 A&E

The Chronicle

March 19, 2014

PLAYBILL 12 student-written plays will be performed in the Playwrights Festival April 25-27 in Rugby Auditorium. Below, the playwrights describe their plays and their inspiration for writing them.

nathanson’s

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All of Me at Once

by Jensen McRae ’15

American Pie

by Rebecca Katz ’15

“The basic premise is that it is set in the mind of a 16-year-old girl named Faith; most of the characters are physical manifestations of thought, be it Emotion, Sense of Humor or any other part of the mind. The plot revolves around how these parts of the mind interact with each other and how they interact with exterior forces that disrupt the natural order of things.”

“My play is dialogue-based, and it’s just a simple two person play about two neighbors, a boy and a girl, who are very different but bond over the small town they live in, the deep South, music and family matters and learn one another’s views. My inspiration came from both the book ‘All The Pretty Horses’ and the show ‘Friday Night Lights’ and just exploration of the South, small towns and America in general.”

Barophobia

by Aiyana White ’14

Bedtime Stories

by Marianne Verrone ’15

“It’s about four people who are strangers in an airport, talking about their fears. Barophobia is the fear of gravity. A sentence popped into my head, and I decided I wanted to write a play that included the sentence, ‘When a child screams for his mother because there’s a monster in his closet, what does the mother say? Go back to sleep.’”

“My play is about the literary characters Holden Caulfield, Jay Gatsby, Juliet Capulet and Bella Swan coming to life and contemplating their roles as characters in books. I was inspired by the books themselves. I wondered what would happen if the main characters ever met each other, and as a result, I came up with the idea for my play.”

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Concrete

by Hannah Dains ’16

Fireborn

by Kenneth Noble ’16

“My play, ‘Concrete,’ is told in monologues from survivors of a bridge collapse. None of the survivors know why the bridge collapsed — in the end, it is revealed that the disaster was caused by a girl who wanted to jump off the bridge, and before she jumped, she removed a bolt from the side, triggering the collapse.”

“It is 1969 Belfast, Ireland. Cináed is in a moral dilemma between the life he knows and the life he wants, the man he is and the man he wants to be. His conflicts and considerations come into focus through his relationships with his girlfriend, brother and God.” nathanson’s

Ghost Girl

by Covi Brannan ’15

Mock-Up

by Chloe Shi ’16

“‘Ghost Girl’ is a drama about a girl and a boy, separated by death, who reunite one last time to confront the earthly divide that separated them. I began writing ‘Ghost Girl’ last year soon after my friend Justin Carr ’14 passed away. I guess it was just my attempt to sort through all my emotions and frustration over not getting to say goodbye.”

“The plot of ‘Mock-Up’ [is] a bit strange. My play doesn’t just break the fourth wall, it kind of leaps through like one might jump through a window with background music and dramatic shattering glass. It’s about a playwright writing about a play that’s still in rehearsal with an outspoken audience and irrational director.”

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The Prince

by Tom Thorne ’14

The Soul Doctor

by Dylan Schifrin ’16

“‘The Prince’ tells the story of a Renaissance royal court and its internal dynamics. It presents the themes of familial dysfunction, the corrosive effects of violence and the narrow lines between personal relationships and political tactics in the corridors of power.”

“It’s about a doctor who pursues the new medical field of soul transplants. His patient, Harold, is a distant man whom the doctor determines to have lost his soul. Harold’s wife, Mindy, is worried about him and is willing to do whatever it takes to cure her husband.”

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What You’re Dealt

by Jeremy Bradford ’14

Whodunnit?

by Alex Haney ’14

“[It’s] the story of the unlikely friendship that grows between the San Francisco-born Casey and the Tuscaloosa-born Benjamin as well as the challenges they face as they endeavor to reconcile their differences and achieve a greater respect of one another.”

“My play, ‘Whodunnit?,’ is a farcical murder mystery starting with the mysterious murder of a rich aristocrat in a New Orleans mansion.

It could either be his wife, stepson, maid or chef.

As two oddball detectives learn more and more clues, the question becomes more and more exasperating: Whodunnit?!”

nathanson’s

COMPILED BY JAMES HUR

March 19, 2014

hwchronicle.com/ae

A&E B11

Fosse biographer speaks on the importance of music in movies

By Sydney Foreman

ERIC LOEB/CHRONICLE

RAZZLE DAZZLE: Sam Wasson ’99 intertwines his lecture on Bob Fosse and music in movies with clips to demonstrate his point.

Jazz groups, choirs to play in Europe, New York

By Angela Chon and Kristen Gourrier

The students in Jazz Band and Studio Jazz Band as well as the Chamber Singers, Bel Canto and Wolverine Chorus are all preparing for their upcoming trips to Italy, New York City and London.

The five groups will be performing in a variety of venues including clubs and cathedrals as well as touring around the cities and participating in high school level music competitions.

Jazz Band, Studio Jazz Band and small ensemble performers played at a send-off performance for their trip to Italy at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood Tuesday, March 18.

The students played in the club as a part of the Young Artist Jazz Series, a program that allows local young jazz artists to showcase their talents.

The performance was the group’s final concert before they leave for their Italy trip.

While in Italy, the members of the Jazz Band and Studio Jazz Band will perform in clubs and fancy venues in Rome, Florence and Perugia.

A total of 34 students, performing arts teacher Shawn Costantino, middle school performing arts teacher Starr Wayne and athletic trainer

During a short break while guest teaching performing arts teacher Ted Walch’s Cinema Studies class March 10, Sam Wasson ’99 learned that his book “Fosse” about choreographer-director Bob Fosse was awarded Best Biography at the Los Angeles Festival of Books.

Wasson, a Fosse expert, visited all of Walch’s Cinema Studies classes to discuss how to make a comedy musical serious, such as Fosse-directed “Cabaret,” which the Cinema Studies classes recently watched.

Wasson introduced the first topic of his lecture, the purpose of music in movies, with a clip from the film “500 Days of Summer.”

“Sometimes songs are used when words aren’t enough,” he explained.

His lesson then focused on the idea of songs replacing words, specifically in reference to Fosse’s work.

Wasson first became interested in Fosse after watching Fosse’s autobiographical film

“

“All That Jazz.”

“I loved his story,” Wasson said. “From there I just wanted to learn more.”

The book Wasson wrote chronicling Fosse’s life and works was published in 2013.

Fosse, who grew up in Chicago during the Great Depression, was sent to earn money for his family at the age of 12.

Fosse found work in burlesque houses where he was molested.

A lot of his experiences during this time working in burlesque houses heavily influenced the works he choreographed, directed and wrote. Burlesque shows, Wasson said, were similar to what strip club entertainment is today.

“It was mean, and it was dirty,” Wasson said.

Wasson demonstrated how this early exposure to burlesque influenced the dance numbers Fosse directed and choreographed by showing clips of some of Fosse’s work, such as “Pajama Game,” “Damn Yankees,” “Sweet Charity,” “All That Jazz” and “Cabaret.”

Using these clips, Wasson asked students to consider

I am excited to compete in New York and really rise to the challenge as a team. We have had a great year in Chamber Singers, and hopefully we will keep improving to be the best choir we can be.”

—Sophia Lopez ’14

Milo Sini will leave for Italy tomorrow, Thursday, March 20, and will return Saturday, March 29.

“I am most excited to discover Italy, eat some pasta, play jazz every day and listen of relief when the plane takes to good music,” jazz student off,” performing arts teacher Ryan Lee ’15 said.

Rodger Guerrero said.

The students plan to play The Chamber Singers and a variety of jazz pieces includ- the Wolverine Chorus will ing “5-5-7” by Pat Metheny, perform at the Heritage Cho“On Green Dolphin Street” by ral Festival Competition as Bronisław Kaper, “Chill Fac- well at a service performance tor” by Gregory Yasinitsky and at the Cathedral Church of “Jordu” by Duke Jordan.

St. John the Divine and a voThe group will be accompa- cal clinic at the Manhattan nied by a tour guide, who will School of Music. show them around the The students will cities they will be visalso see the musical iting.

“The Book of MorThe choral stumon” on Broadway, dents will also be havand they will take a ing performances out tour of Yankee Staof state. dium.

During spring “I am excited break, the Chamber to compete in New Singers and Wolverine York and really rise nathanson’s Chorus will tour New to the challenge as Rodger York City. a team,” Chamber Guerrero While in New York Singer Sophia Lopez City, they will also be ’14 said. “We have competing in the Herhad a great year in Chamber itage Choral Festival Competi- Singers, and hopefully we will tion. keep improving to be the best The Bel Canto choir will choir we can be while having also be performing in London fun.” and Cambridge over the break.

In London, Bel Canto will “Getting all the kids to compete in an international the airport on time, ticketed, choir festival. through security and onto The students will be prethe plane is the hardest part, senting their musical pieces at I usually breathe a huge sigh several historic venues includ-

how musical comedy can be serious.

“That [question] became the project of Bob Fosse’s life,” Wasson said.

Wasson emphasized the importance of serious content, dance and style in achieving a realistic musical comedy. “[Musicals] allow us a very unreal way to express very real emotions,” Wasson said.

Wasson was once a student himself in Walch’s Cinema Studies class when he was at Harvard-Westlake.

“I enjoyed having a cinema studies teacher who was once himself a Cinema Studies student,” Lieberman said.

After graduating from Harvard-Westlake, Wasson studied film at Wesleyan University and the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Since graduating from USC, Wasson has written four books about film including “A Splurch in the Kisser: The Movies of Blake Edwards,” “Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M., Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Dawn of the Modern Woman,” “Paul on Mazursky” and “Fosse.”

Orchestra concert features small groups

By Kenneth Schrupp

nathanson’s

ing the Ely Cathedral Lady Chapel and Westminster Abbey.

The group will also have the opportunity to tour the British Museum, the royal apartments in the Windsor Castle and a number of theatres around London.

The students will also visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and attend a concert in London’s West End. They will also sing in the memorial chapel of the Maddingly World War II Cemetery.

“I am excited to be able to sing in a different environment,” Bel Canto singer Kristen Lynem-Wilson ’15 said. “I have never been to London and we have a lot of free time to explore, which will be a good bonding experience for our choir.”

The Chamber Singers and Wolverine Chorus trip to New York will take place the first week of spring break. The Bel Canto trip to London will take place during the second week of spring break.

The students on the trip will be led and chaperoned by Guerrero, choral accompanist Sara Shakliyan and human resources director Marty Greco.

Symphony, Wind Ensemble and Concert Strings played at the Santa Monica Presbyterian Church Feb. 23. Chamber music pieces, such as Scott Joplin’s “Solace,” dominated the playbill’s 18-piece set.

“It was nice playing in small groups,” Chelsea Pan ’14 said. “It was more intimate.”

Jazz students play in ‘An Evening of Jazz’

By Benjamin Most The jazz rhythm section, Jazz Ensemble, Studio Jazz and Jazz Band performed a combination of classic and modern jazz in “An Evening of Jazz” March 7 and 8 in Rugby Auditorium. Different sets of students played on the two nights, except the Jazz Explorers, who played both dates.

The concert, which was directed by performing arts teacher Shawn Costantino, featured numbers such as Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island” and jazz renditions of more recent pieces such as Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” One of the jazz groups, named “Jonah’s Gems,” played “Excursions,” an original composition by Dylan Schifrin ’16.

“At first, I thought I was going to mess up, but as the concert progressed, I got into my own little world,” Marc Chattrabhuti ’15 said.

B12 Features

The Chronicle

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF DAPHNA FISCHEL

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF DOMINIQUE GORDON

RUNNING START: Daphna

Fischel ’15 runs with a smile as she powers through the race.

March 19, 2014

HEAD OF THE PACK: Conor PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF MARATHONFOTO.COM

JUST JOGGING: Rachel Bur-

Belfield ’14 (gray) and James Edwards ’14 (red) cross Ocean Avenue together.

dorf ‘14 keeps up with the crowd on Sunset Boulevard.

By David Woldenberg

A

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF MARATHONFOTO.COM

TILL THE VERY END: Miles

McQueen ’16 runs towards the finish line in the scorching sun.

THEY RAN LA

s he crossed the finish line, Conor Belfield ’14 raised his arms triumphantly, bathing in the glory. His running partner, James Edwards ’14, rested his arms on his hips in relief.

Belfield and Edwards had just finished the 26.2 mile Los Angeles Marathon that winds through Los Angeles on March 12, originating from Dodger Stadium and ending at Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica.

Rachel Burdorf ’14, Daphna Fischel ’15 and Miles McQueen ’16 also finished this year’s marathon.

Edwards first had the idea to run after he got injured during the soccer season and found himself with extra time on his hands and a desire to stay in shape.

“Conor is the only one of my friends who would want to [run in the Marathon],” Edwards said. “Everyone else was saying ‘Are you kidding me, why would I want to do that?’”

The two seniors had never run a marathon before this and did not quite know how to prepare for one. They loosely followed an online training guide that consisted of multiple runs, increasing in distance overtime.

When the time came to run the actual marathon, they ran without walking through mile 11, farther than they had ever been able to run continuously in the past. By mile 14, Edwards and Belfield were cramping, so they would stop for each other when one of them needed it.

“The actual race day was much hotter than pretty much any of my training, and I think that made it quite a bit harder,” Edwards said.

During the marathon itself, Edwards and Belfield did little talking, aside from the occasional motivation to one another.

“Your mind goes blank when running for that duration and you fall into a rhythm,” Belfield said.

“When you are in the heat of the marathon and everyone else is running, you don’t want to be the guy walking….

[You really] get absorbed by all the people yelling at you and the music playing on the loud speaker and it’s kind of motivating,” Belfield said.

Both Belfield and Edwards plan on running marathons in the future.

Belfield wants to try to run in the USC Marathon while Edwards want to take a break from marathon running for a while.

McQueen had always wanted to run in a marathon, but until starting cross-country this year, he did not have enough training or motivation to run in one.

“The race was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The finish line temperature was 88 degrees, which made it significantly harder as well,” McQueen said.

McQueen’s family joined him to provide support and take photos of him running.

“My family came to watch me run at the last stretch. It kind of sucked because [during] the last three miles both of my legs were cramping and it didn’t allow for me to run the majority of the last three

miles,” he said. “They saw me cause you’ve been able to do it walking and they were trying before, so even when you get to take pictures which made tired, you can still push yourit even more embarrassing.” self to keep on going,” Fischel McQueen plans on running said. in marathons in the future Fischel plans on continuing and is even looking toward one the tradition next year with in the upcoming month. her family and hopes that she Fischel comes from a fami- can eventually run the whole ly of runners and has been run- thing without walking. ning the marathon as a family “It still feels amazing evtradition since 7th grade. ery time you finish because Her dad and brother be- every time it’s still a chalgan running in it 14 years lenge to push your body to do ago. Each year since then, she that much and exercise all at and her family have gotten up one point, so every year you early, stretched together, run feel huge relief and accom26.2 miles together, then gone plishment when you’re done,” home and swam and all taken Fischel said. naps.

Burdorf has run in the LA “It’s not that I feel like I’m Marathon three times. She forced to has also run in partake in the San Franthe tradicisco Marathon tion, but by The race was the with her dad. now it’s just This year she hardest thing I’ve ever something ran with her that I want dad and brothdone. The finish line to do and I er, Mitchell temperature was 88 enjoy doBurdorf ’17. degrees, which made it ing it with “The experimy family ence was good,” significantly harder.” every year,” Burdorf said.

Fischel —Miles McQueen ’16 “It hurt, but I’m said. glad I did it, and T h e it was actually marathon doesn’t get easier fun. The trick is the company. each year, but Fischel finds Doing it alone would have been that with each year she runs, much worse.” she is more mentally prepared.

Burdorf also ran crossFischel runs on both the country this year and had track and cross-country been running all year. She teams, which prepared her for would like to run in the LA running in this year’s mara- Marathon in the coming years. thon.

“The hardest part of the Neither she nor any of her marathon, for me, is the menfamily members do any official tal aspect rather than the training before the run, but physical,” Burdorf said. “All they all play sports and exer- anyone has to do to finish is to cise frequently year-round. just keep moving forward, one “Mentally you are just get- step at a time. That’s exactly ting [into] the mindset that you where the mental part comes know you’ll be able to finish be- in, though taking each step.”

“

Sports

FISH OUT OF WATER: Warren Snyder ’14 is among the many spring athletes working toward an individual league title.

The Chronicle • March 19, 2014

C2

Track and Field

Junior sets pole vault record

Softball

Upward and Onward

By Tyler Graham

Opening with two consecutive league wins and a strong showing at the Oaks Christian Invitational and Tri-County Invitational, the track and field team has come out of the gate firing on all cylinders.

School records and personal records have been broken in this season’s first two weeks.

Imani Cook-Gist ’15 made her debut as a pole-vaulter at the girls’ season opener against Louisville, and promptly broke the girls’ school record with a jump of 10’6”. Cook-Gist made school history becoming the first member of the track and field team to set a school record in her first attempt at the event.

“Breaking the record was a pretty exhilarating moment for me,” Cook-Gist said. “It was the first time I had gone into a track event without any expectations whatsoever and to do well enough to break the record felt great. As a team we’ve started out pretty well.

We have so many talented athletes on our team that we can only get better. I just hope everyone stays injury free for the rest of the season.”

After spending last year on junior varsity, Adam KnappWachsner ’15 made his presence felt in his first varsity meet, setting three personal records in long jump, triple jump, and pole vault. KnappWachsner added 3’8” to his previous triple jump of 37’2 1/2.”

“I’m very pleased with the beginning of our season,” Head Coach Jonas Koolsbergen said.

“We are off to a good start and performing very well.”

Jack Flaherty ’14 and the Wolverine baseball team have begun spring on the right foot, starting the 2014 season on a seven-game win streak and a tournament win.

See coverage on page C5.

SAM SACHS/CHRONICLE

SKY’S THE LIMIT: Jack Flaherty ’14 performs his prepitching ritual of pointing to the sky before the baseball team’s game against Chatsworth March 11.

• Continued on page C6

Walk-off homerun gives team first win

By Bennett Gross and Henry Vogel

Despite a slow start, the girls’ varsity softball team has won two out of its last three games after dropping its opening two as of press time. Although the record does not show it, the team feels like they are on the right track.

“We have faced some tough opponents. Both teams that we lost to were ranked number one in their respective divisions,” Coach Claire Rietmann-Grout said. “We have done some things well, and we will get it together.”

The team has been plagued by injuries, which are a contributing factor to the initial losses. Three of the four seniors, Captain Jessica Johnston ’14, Captain Madeline Kaplan ’14 and Jackie Carr ’14 all missed the first two games.

In Kaplan’s return against La Reina, the team picked up its first win of the season, and in the following game, Kaplan blasted a walk-off three run home run to defeat Oak Hills in the first round of the High Desert Classic.

“A notable highpoint was definitely our first victory.” Johnston said. “It was a confidence booster and really showed how hard we have been working.”

With the slew of injuries, the freshmen have had to contribute more and fill in bigger roles. Johnston and Kaplan have been helping all of the • Continued on page C6

Lacrosse

Wolverines lose Mission League opener to Crespi, defeat Chaminade

By Mila Barzdukas Consistency was key for the Wolverines in defeating Chaminade 17-3 in their second league game Saturday.

“We played hard the whole game,” Andrew Corlin ’15 said of the win. “We didn't just show up in the second half.”

“Our offense and defense really focused and executed our plays properly and it showed on the scoreboard,” Andrew Park 0’15 added.

While the Wolverines are working to play consistently, the team has not met that goal in a few of their games this season.

“It's hard to make up early deficits against good teams,” Park said. “We need to make sure we play all four quarters.”

The Wolverines play almost as many non-league games as league games. Scat-

tered throughout their league schedule, these games give Harvard-Westlake a chance to boost their record and test themselves against teams they could face in playoffs.

The Wolverines faced JSerra on Friday. The team started slow, falling behind 0-4 in the first quarter. Despite a strong effort on offense in the second half, the Wolverines lost to the Cavaliers 9-11.

“They’re a good team,” defensive midfeilder Joey Lieberman ’14 said. “They have a lot of big-time players.”

The Wolverines first route came in a decisive 13-3 win against Malibu March 11.

“Our offense executed really well,” goalkeeper Ben Klein ’14 said on the success of the game. “They went through the plays and executed them really well. They were passing really well and were really crisp. Our

defense worked on our fundamentals. Going over our basic defense helped us to get back in the game.”

“The defense played solidly throughout the whole game,” defensive midfielder Joe Woody ’15 added.

The first league game against Crespi ended in a loss for the Wolverines. The Wolverines failed to capatalize on the five penalties earned by the Celts. Considered a highly touted league matchup, both teams did not disappoint, with the Celts scoring the tie breaking goal in the last minute of the game. The Wolverines lost 13-14.

“We got scored on six times man-down,” Woody said.

“And we were were man-up six times but we only scored once.”

“I think we could easily beat Crespi,” Klein said.

CAITLIN NEAPOLE/CHRONICLE

WHEN IN ROME: Roman Holthouse ’15 escapes a Chaminade defender and looks for an open player. The Wolverines beat the Eagles 17-4 and now have a 1-1 record in the Mission League.

“I don’t think we had a great game when we played them.

Next time we play them we will be them at home.”

Klein believes the Wolverines’ league hopes are still valid.

“We have a really good shot at a league championship,” Klein said. "And we have a re-

ally good shot of making a big berth for playoffs.”

If the Wolverines want the league title, they still have some tuning up to do according to Klein.

“I think we need to work on talking on defense,” Klein said of the team's biggest weakness • Continued on page C5

The Chronicle

C2 Sports

Facts &

Figures

2

Three-run home runs hit by the baseball and softball teams in the past week

4

The number of games this season in which Roman Holthouse ’15 has scored more than five goals

Bakari Bolden’s ’14 score in the golf team’s match against St. Francis at Encino Golf Course

.615

33 Cameron Deere’s ‘16 batting average through his first five games

Game to watch APRIL 14

Baseball vs. Loyola At Loyola High School

The 7-0 Wolverines and the 4-1 Cubs` have both had strong starts to their seasons.

Both teams have strong hitting as well as reliable defenses and standout pitching.

The game at O’Malley Family Field will likely be a nail-biter from start to finish.

KEY PLAYERS

Ezra Steinberg ’15 and Cameron Deere ’16

Swimming

Team notches 2-1 record, swimmers qualify for CIF

By Audrey Wilson

The boys’ and girls’ swim teams started off the season with the first annual Justin E. Carr Relays March 1 held in honor of teammate Justin Carr who died in February last year. After the Carr Relays, the teams both hold a 2-1 record and many swimmers have already qualified for CIF which will be held towards he end of the season.

“We started off with the Justin Carr Memorial Meet which was both a lot of fun and good team bonding,” cocaptain Lydia Weber ’14 said.

“I was happy we got the start we did, from all the madness you could call it, having three meets in three days,” head coach Jon Carroll said.

“We got some good racing in so I really felt like I got a chance to see where everyone on the team is.”

A number of swimmers have already qualified with automatic times for CIF towards the end of the season including Colin Lynch ’14 in the 100 free, 100 fly, and 100 back, John Copses ’14 for the 100 breaststroke, Henry Copses ’14 for the 200 free and 500 free, and Alec Hsing ’16 in the 100 breaststroke.

“We have some great new talent and even some returning swimmers,” Weber said.

“It will be interesting to see how it plays out, especially now that we don’t have some of our key swimmers from last year.”

“Our first few meets have gone really well especially for the boys’ team. They have won

every meet so far except for our previous one against Crespi. The girls just recently beat Louisville avenging a loss from last year.” Sophia Gonzalez ’15 said.

The boys’ team won its first meet 122 – 32 against Saugus and won 117 – 53 against Orange Lutheran on March 12.

The team lost to Crespi 90 – 71.

“We unfortunately lost to Crespi, but we did not bring our full squad with us, so there was the problem,” co-captain Henry Copses ’14 said. “We have some really fast guys, but having five or six fast people doesn’t win meets.”

While the girls’ team lost its first meet against Saugus 88 – 81, the Wolverines came back the next two meets with an 89 – 77 win over Orange Lutheran and a 103 – 67 win against rival school Louisville.

“Coming off this win we have high hopes for the season and are really excited for our next upcoming meets, especially on Tuesday against [Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy]/Loyola,” Bryanna Lee ’15 said. “Compared to a lot of other schools our team lacks numbers, but we’ve definitely been making up for it with good swims from both the upper and lower classmen.”

“Of the girls, Claudia Wong ’17 is a stand out,” Weber said.

“She’s been swimming in some of our important A team relays like the 200 medley and the 400 free relay. She also swims the 200 free and the 500 free.”

“Other standouts would have to be sophomore Helene

Boys’ Tennis

Baseball (5-2) Last Game: W (16-1) vs. St. Francis

Boys’ Tennis (3-1) Last Game: W (17-1) vs. Palos Verdes

Lacrosse (5-0) Last Game: W (16-0) vs. Palisades

W (3-0) vs. Chaminade

CAITLIN NEAPOLE/CHRONICLE

DEEP LENGTHS: Warren Snyder ’14, top, steps off the block to dive in the water. Neda Mazdisnian ‘14, above, does the breast stroke.

Miles ’16 who has an awesome 50 free,” she sad. “Sydney Wong ‘14 came back this year to swim a few high school meets, which is pretty exciting. She swims the 200 IM and 100 fly.”

“The rest of the season is looking to be pretty good,” Emma Graham ’15 said.

“Hopefully some more people make their CIF cuts and we

By Lucy Putnam

Junior Varsity

Last Match:

CAITLIN NEAPOLE/CHRONICLE

win a couple more meets and have some fun.”

“All in all pretty happy with where we are right now,” Carroll said. “I like the fact that everybody’s had a chance to get a couple races in.”

The Wolverines raced against Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and Loyola yesterday in the Copses Family Pool at Harvard-Westlake.

Doubles pairing key to team’s consistency

Deere and Steinberg have both been on a tear recently at the plate for the Wolverines. Deere hit a threerun home run and went 3-3 against Oaks Christian March 14 while Steinberg went 5-5 with a double March 12 in the Wolverines’ win over West Ranch. The Wolverines will aim to continue to rely on the bats of these standout underclassmen as they begin league play.

Boys’ Volleyball (2-2)

March 19, 2014

LUCY PUTNAM/CHRONICLE

BACK AND FORTH: Michael Genender ’15 swings his racket back as he prepares to return the ball with a backhand swing. The tennis team currently has a 2-0 league record and is 3-3 overall.

Although the boys’ tennis team has lost its three biggest matches to University High school, Palos Verdes and San Marino 10-8, it remains undefeated in league with an overall record of 3-3.

“We are losing matches we should be winning,” team cocaptain Sam Hummel ’14 said.

“All in all, we could definitely be doing better. We should win League again this year.”

“I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that we’re a younger team,” co-captain Max Rothman ’14 said. “We’re still trying to figure out some doubles teams.”

“We really just need to solidify a doubles team and have them train together because in each match we’ve only been down one match or so,” said Rothman. “We need that last doubles team to help us get the extra point we need.”

“Two freshmen standouts so far are Adam Sraberg ’17 and Jed Kronenberg ’17,” Rothman said. “Sraberg scored a win over University’s number one singles player and has been a notable singles player.”

“Kronenberg has really stepped up as a doubles player, Rothman said. “He’s going to be a key player in the doubles team we’re looking to put together.”

Aside from freshmen, Rothman pointed to two additions to the coaching staff as being helpful to the team.

“Robert Bo Hardt is one of our assistants who was with us last year but is full time with us now and has really been extremely helpful to the team.

He trained in Spain over the summer and has a lot of tips to offer and helps us with our fitness as well,” said Rothman.

“Tim Traigero is our new assistant coach and is also extremely helpful. As a former junior US Open champion he really knows what he’s talking about and has extremely insightful words for us during our matches and has definitely helped Sam and me in our doubles.”

The match today against Los Alamitos marks the first meeting between the two teams after the Wolverines beat Los Alamitos in 2013 CIF quarterfinals and made it to the Mission League finals.

March 19, 2014

hwchronicle.com/sports

Sports C3

inbrief

Senior, junior to play collegiate baseball

GRANT NUSSBAUM/CHRONICLE

Two members of the defending CIF Division I champion Wolverine baseball team will be heading to opposite corners of the United States for their college careers.

Second baseman Ezra Steinberg ’15 committed to play for the University of Oregon and outfielder Michael Vokulich ’14 will play baseball at New York University, head coach Matt LaCour announced Feb. 15 and Feb. 16 respectively.

“I’m excited for the next chapter in my life,” Vokulich said. “And I’m truly lucky to have an opportunity to continue playing baseball.”

–Jonathan Seymour

Water polo coach invited to U.S. team

GRANT NUSSBAUM/CHRONICLE

COMING UP SHORT: Montana Reilly ’16, top, handles the ball in the girls’ varsity soccer CIF game against San Clemente. The team lost to Santa Margarita in penalty kicks in the semi finals. Michael Sheng ’14, top right, finishes a layup in the varsity boys’ basketball CIF third round game against Buckley, They lost the game 59-61.

Hannah Eliot ’16, botom right, takes a shot for the varsity girls’ water polo team. They were eliminated in the quarter finals of CIF by Upland High School by a score of 7-12.

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF SYDNEY CHEONG

Glitch in the Matrix

By Grant Nussbaum

Four Wolverine winter sports teams reached CIF Playoffs in 2014, and all four were unable to capture CIF gold, with three finding themselves with a bad case of déjà vu. Girls’ soccer, boys’ basketball and girls’ basketball all saw their playoff runs come to an end in eerily similar fashion this year as in 2012-2013.

Girls’ soccer For the third year in a row, the girls’ varsity soccer team had its season ended on penalty kicks, and for the second straight year, its penalty kick loss came in the CIF Semifinals. Just as in 2013, the Wolverines had clinched a oneseed in the playoff bracket and had garnered recognition as one of the top teams in the nation, but could not make the final step of capturing the elusive CIF Championship.

The Wolverines opened playoffs with a convincing 5-1 win against Rancho Cucamonga and scraped by Los Osos and

San Clemente 1-0 in the next two rounds. They fell victim to the penalty kick shootout in the semifinals going up against Santa Margarita March 4, while last year the elimination loss came at the hands of Chaminade. The team had taken the lead early off a goal by Paige Howard ’17 but couldn’t hang on to the lead, allowing a goal in the second half, and soon falling 4-3 in the shootout. Ending its season at 20-2-2, the team had gone 20 straight games undefeated prior to the semifinals, having not lost a game since Dec. 13.

Boys’ basketball In 2013, it was the Bishop Montgomery Knights, and in 2014, it was the Buckley Griffins. Both teams were 29-0 before eliminating the Wolverine boys’ basketball team in the third round of CIF Playoffs to keep their undefeated seasons going. However, unlike last year, when the team’s season ended in a 20-point defeat to the Knights, the Wolverines’ quarterfinal loss to the Grif-

Winter teams experienced déjà vu in the CIF playoffs this year, suffering the same fate as they did in last year’s CIF playoffs.

fins in 2014 came down to the last shot. The team had reached the quarterfinals following a double-digit win over Costa Mesa in round one, and after a second round comeback victory against Maranatha, where guard Michael Sheng ’14 drained a last-second three-pointer at the end of the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime.

In the third round, Buckley guard Chase Holiday hit a floating layup with 3.3 seconds left in the game to give the Griffins the lead, and Sheng was unable to recreate his last-second shot from the prior game, missing long on the subsequent three-pointer. The Wolverines ended their season at 13-16 overall, the team’s first losing record in over 10 years.

Girls’ basketball Entering the 2014 playoffs as a three-seed out of the Mission League, the girls’ varsity basketball team earned a comfortable 52-38 win over Duarte in the first round of the

postseason. But just like 2013, when the Wolverines’ season came to an end off a doubledigit home loss to Bishop Montgomery in the second round, the team was eliminated after falling 60-43 in the second round to St. Anthony in Taper Gymnasium. The Wolverines ended their season at 17-13 overall and 6-4 in Mission League play.

Girls’ water polo The girls’ varsity water polo team was the only Wolverine playoff squad whose fate this year did not fully mirror that of last year. After winning back-to-back CIF titles in 2011 and 2012, 2013 saw the Wolverines bounced from the playoffs in the semifinals at the hands of Palos Verdes.

While head coach Brian Flacks looked to return his team to championship form, the Wolverines took a step back compared to last year, falling to Upland Hills in the quarterfinal round 12-7 and ending their season at 22-10 overall and 11-0 in league.

Two wrestlers compete in CIF Masters meet

By Jonathan Seymour

advanced to the Masters Meet the next week where they won The wrestling seasons of one match and lost two matchJake Bracken ’14 es each. and Jake Adler ’17 Previously, Adler came to an end Feb. placed second in his 27 at the CIF Southweight class and ern Section Masters Bracken won his Meet. weight class at MisBracken came sion League Finals. in third place Feb. Bracken and Adler 22 in CIF in the were two of 10 Wol132 lbs weight class verine wrestlers that nathanson’s and Adler came in qualified for CIF Jake Bracken ’14 fourth place in CIF Championship with in the 126 lbs weight their League Finals class. Both Adler and Bracken performances, and the only

two to advance to CIF Mas- over, Bracken is playing with ters. the baseball team in spring.

“Jake and I had a “We had a great really great season, [wrestling] season [and] I’m really proud and I’m obviously of both of us, and I upset that it’s over, think that we have but I’m excited to go both developed a lot on to the next level both as wrestlers and [in] college and comas people,” Adler said. pete with my guys on “We worked our butts the baseball team,” off and in the end it Bracken said. showed. We had our The wrestling nathanson’s ups and downs, but team finished 1-3 Jake Adler ’17 we have nothing to be overall in four league ashamed of.” dual meets during the winter With the wrestling season season.

Water polo program head Brian Flacks ’06 was invited to be the assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s Junior National team, which will compete in the Youth World Championships in Istanbul in August.

Flacks led the boys’ team to a CIF Division I championship this season and was named CIF-SS Division 1 Coach of the Year for 2013.

“He is one of the most energized and enthusiastic coaches I have ever been around,” center Ben Hallock ’16 said. “He is always wanting to increase his players and his own knowledge of the game. He puts so much effort into pre-game scouting and game planning, and there has never been a game where myself or the team felt unprepared.”

–Bennett Gross

SAAC Names Athletes of Month

The Student Athletic Advisory Council has picked Mike Sheng ’14 of the boys’ basketball team and Courtney O’Brien ’15 of the girls’ soccer team to be the Male and Female Athletes of the Month.

Sheng was the starting point guard this season for the team and averaged 11.1 points this season, and notably hit a three pointer to force overtime in the team’s 98-96 win against Maranatha in the second round of CIF playoffs.

O’Brien was the leading scorer for her team, which lost to Santa Margarita in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Semifinal March 4.

–Jonathan Seymour

Junior soccer player to play at Michigan

Left-back defender Brianna Gazmarian ’15 committed to the University of Michigan for soccer Feb. 6.

She joins UCLA commit Chloe Castaneda ’15 and Princeton commit Courtney O’Brien ’15, as the third girls’ soccer commit in the class of 2015.

“I chose Michigan because the minute that I stepped on the campus I knew that it was the place that I needed to be,” Gazmarian said.”

Gazmarian has contributing to the soccer team’s last three CIF semifinal runs.

–Mila Barzdukas

C4 Sports

The Chronicle

Back in Action

March 19, 2014

Three alumni are ready to make an impact on the big stages of their respective sports.

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

GOLD RUSH: Jonathan Martin '08 is headed to the Bay Area after being traded to the San Francisco 49ers. In San Francisco, Martin will be reunited with his former college coach Jim Harbaugh.

Trade sends Martin ’08 to San Francisco 49ers

By Eric Loeb

NFL offensive tackle Jonathan Martin ’08 was traded to the San Francisco 49ers March 11 after walking out on the Miami Dolphins last fall, claiming he was being bullied by teammates.

Martin will be returning to his home state, California, and Jim Harbaugh, his coach at Stanford, who coaches the 49ers.

“I’m really happy he will get a chance to put everything behind him and start anew with a great team like the 49ers,” Wolverine linebacker Desmond Butler ’15 said. “It’s also a great thing he gets to play for coach Harbaugh, who we played for at Stanford. I wish him all the best.”

Martin missed the Dolphins’ final 11 games last sea-

son after coming home to California, where he spent time with family and friends.

Richie Incognito, another former offensive lineman and the teammate the former Wolverine cited as his main persecutor, was suspended by Dolphins as a result of Martin’s departure.

Without Martin and Incognito, the Dolphins ranked 27th and 30th out of the 32 NFL teams in run and pass blocking, respectively, according to footballoutsiders.com.

ESPN reports that Martin was traded for a conditional draft pick, most likely in the seventh round, the last of the NFL draft.

Martin was selected in the second round (42nd pick) of the draft in 2012.

“I think it will be good to get back with a situation he

is familiar with,” Wolverine cornerback Chase Aldridge ’15 said.

“He has previously lived in the Northern California area and I’m sure he has a great relationship with Harbaugh.

Also, with a veteran locker room he only has to focus on his job.”

Aldridge noted that Martin “is not guaranteed a spot on the team, but this looks like the best situation as he knows what to expect in San Francisco.”

Martin is expected to backup both of the tackle spots and occasionally play in offensive sets where the team lines up with an extra offensive lineman, ESPN reported.

Harbaugh is known to run these types of formations more than most coaches.

Alum to play in NCAA tournament for Harvard

By Henry Vogel

Three years after winning CIF as a junior on the boys’ basketball team, Zena Edosomwan ’12 is preparing for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament as a freshman forward on the Harvard University basketball team.

In his first season at Harvard, Edosomwan averaged 5.7 minutes per game and score in double figures in one game. He was a member of one of the best teams in Harvard history. The squad was the first in the Ivy League to go undefeated on the road en route to winning the Ivy League championship.

“It’s cool to be a part of that,” Edosomwan said. “I’ve had some moments where I’ve had good games, and I’ve had some moments where I didn’t play a lot, but it’s all a learning experience. I’m a freshman and I’m still working and it’s all good.”

Before attending Harvard

University as a basketball recruit, Edosomwan enrolled at Northfield Mount Hermon Prep School in addition with his high school teammate Josh Hearlihy ’12 for one year where he helped the team win the prep school national championship.

“Living away from home at prep school really helped me mature,” Edosomwan said. “It was good to go against taller guys and greater competition.”

At Northfield Mount Hermon, Edosomwan played on a team with seven future Division I players. One of his opponents had seven Division I players with two going to Syracuse, one to North Carolina State and another going to West Viriginia.

Edosomwan was the tallest on his high school team while at Harvard-Westlake, yet at Northfield Mount Hermon, he was only the fifth tallest player on his team.

After the tournament selections finished on Sunday, Edosomwan says the team will

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF ZENA EDOSOMWAN

MUSCLE UP: Zena Edosomwan ’12 drives to the basket against a Colorado defender in a 70-62 defeat Nov. 24. The Crimson won the Ivy League. continue practicing like they always do.

With the smaller gaps in between games during the tournament, he says they will need to work even harder than they have the whole season, yet the focus is very good for the team so he is looking forward to it, Edosomwan said.

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

FAMILIAR PLACES: Jason Collins ’97 shoots the ball in warmups before a game with the Brooklyn Nets this season.

Collins ’97 signs with Brooklyn Nets for season

By Grant Nussbaum

After playing basketball for four years at HarvardWestlake, four years at Stanford University and for 12 years in the NBA before coming out as gay in April 2013, Jason Collins became the first openly gay male athlete to play in a major American sports league under a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets. Feb. 23. Now, Collins aims to return his focus completely to the court, signing with the Nets for the remainder of the 20132014 NBA season.

Collins made his re-debut for the Nets, for whom Collins played his first six seasons, in his hometown of Los Angeles right after signing his first 10day contract.

“It definitely feels great [to be back],” Collins said. “It happened relatively quickly with regards to making it happen. I couldn’t have asked for a better scenario, going to a team where I'm very familiar with most of the guys, many former teammates of mine or of my brother [Jarron ’97]. And playing in Los Angeles with so many family and friends, it really was the best scenario for me.”

While Collins’ coming out created a media frenzy, Collins believes nothing has changed in the locker room, saying that “the locker room is as it has been for the past 12 years.”

Collins says that a heavy burden has been lifted now that he is playing without the mask he had on before coming out.

“Playing now much better because you don’t have to play with that stress of ‘is today the

day that people figure out?’”

Collins said. “That pressure, that stress is gone, you can just be yourself. With regards to my teammates, everybody treats each other with respect, and we’re a team.”

Among the Nets members already acquainted with Collins are head coach Jason Kidd, a Nets teammate during Collins’s first stint with the franchise, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, with whom Collins played as a member of the Boston Celtics, former Atlanta Hawks teammate Joe Johnson and Deron Williams and Andrei Kirilenko, whom Collins’ brother Jarron played alongside.

While Collins finds most of the feedback towards him to be positive, the former Wolverine basketball star hopes to move on and define himself just as a player once again.

“It’s great that we’re celebrating each other's differences and what makes us unique,” Collins said prior to his second game back. “And I do realize that this goes beyond the court, but that’s not biggest focus right now.

My biggest focus right now is on basketball. Perhaps later down the road I’ll sit down and ponder that question and really think about that, but right now, I need to get ready for the Portland Trail Blazers.”

“I would expect any team would welcome a teammate, accept a teammate for who they are, and respect that teammate,” Collins added. “It’s all about the sport, regardless of whether it’s basketball, football, baseball, hockey or soccer. It’s all about the sport, and it’s all about winning.”

hwchronicle.com/sports

March 19, 2014

Sports C5

Baseball

Wolverines capture league opener victory

By Sam Sachs

pitches and you know, as a defense, when you see guys batThe undefeated Wolverines ting like that, it really makes baseball team captured the you feel like it’s responsibility Easton Tournament crown for you to back them up. So, last week, earned the num- we just want them to keep dober one ranking in the nation ing what they’re doing.” in the MaxPreps Top 25 and The championship game, opened up their league sea- however, did not go off withson on March 16 by out any hitches as beating St. Francis assistant P.C. Shaw 16-0. and a West Ranch "First league assistant were game we wanted to both ejected early come out and play in the game, forcwell," Jack Flaherty ing both coaches to '14 said, "we executmiss their team’s ed well in all areas next game. of the game, it was a Flaherty, the nathanson’s good start for us". team’s number one The win against Cameron Deere ’16 starter and the St. Francis puts reigning MaxPreps the Wolverines win streak at National Player of the year, 14 dating back to last year as threw a complete game shutthe team continued to rely out against Chatsworth. Deon ace pitching and for the spite his strong performances second straight game hit two and the Wolverine’s success in homeruns. Flaherty pitched the tournament, no player on five shoutout innings, struck the squad was named to the out 12 batters and hit a home all-tournament team. run in the win. Shortsop Bri“The bottom part of our an Ginsberg '14 added four order has done a really good runs batted in and a home run job,” LaCour said, “Jackson of his own.

Grayson ’15 and Cameron “I'm pleased with the way Deere ’16 have showed some we are pitching and our of- consistency offensively that fense has been consistent for has been great to see”. the most part,” Coach Matt Deere, who has been startLaCour said, “our infield de- ing for Flaherty at third when fense needs to improve, we Flaherty pitches and has seen need to clean it up”. time on the mound himself, hit This strong pitching helped a three-run home run against the team wrap up the Easton Oaks Christian. The Wolvertournament title after beating ines got more power hitting in Westlake, Birmingham, Moor- this game as starting center park and Chatsworth before fielder Grayson hit a two-run outscoring West Ranch 6-3 in home run in the contest as the championship game. well. With Arden Pabst ’13 "I don't expect anything and Alex Horowitz ’13 graduother than the guys on the ated the Wolverines will need mound contnuing to be ag- to replace a lot of the “pop” gressive," LaCour said. in their lineup, and continued The squad rode the "ag- hitting from Deere and Graygressive" pitching perfor- son will help fill that void. mances of Flaherty, Michael “So far the seasons good Vokulich ’14 and Logan Simon our hitting has been good and ’14 in tournament play as they our defense and pitching is on average allowed only one coming through for us,” Deere run a game. said. “Being a sophomore on “Our pitching has done an varsity is intense because the unbelievable job so far, the en- coaches expect the same from tire staff, you know,” Ginsberg you as they do from the sesaid we got a lot of guys who niors and juniors but I don’t are really competitive on the think it really takes any of the mound and make really good sophomores by surprise it’s

Lacrosse

SAM SACHS/CHRONICLE

LEAD OFF: First baseman Tyler Urbach '14 (#17) leads off of first base during the Wolveines' season opener against Westlake on March 4. The team won the game 8-0 and is now 7-0 on the year. all about just doing ur part to help the team.”

Deere is not the only sophomore making an impact on this year’s team, John Thomas ’16 has started every game at catcher for the injured Matt Karo ’14. “[Thomas] is a tough kid that has sacrificed himself for the good of the team,” LaCour said, “he is the epitome of a team player and his contributions are not unnoticed by our coaching staff and team. John has done an excellent job behind the plate”.

Jake Suddleson ’16 has been starting in left field and Paul Giacomazzi ’16 has seen time in the outfield for LaCour’s team as well.

“The seniors really helped all the sophomores with buying in to what wolverine base-

ball is and they add experience and maturity which I think is important,” Deere said.

Part of buying in, apparently, is dressing up as a team for away games. The squad sticks to polos and khakis on the day of home games, but for away game they do themed outfits ranging from just overall whacky to “good vibes, keep it simple” themes.

“It is a fun way to build team chemistry, and it lets us feel like a team for the whole day before our game,” Simon said.

The “good vibes” and whacky attitude of the team won’t be questioned if the Wolverines can maintain their winning ways and meet their rather lofty expectations.

“I expect the guys to keep working hard, take care of

their bodies, manage their time wisely, and come to the field ready to compete every day,” LaCour said.

The fields they will be going to will be crossing state borders into Arizona as the team prepares for their trip to Scottsdale to play in the Big League Dugout National Classic. Before the team leaves the state they will finish their series with St. Francis with an away game on March 21.

"Obviously, when you’re winning games, you gotta be happy," Ginsberg said, "I still don’t think we’ve played our best baseball and I think that’s a good thing that we’ve been finding ways to win games without playing our best baseball so, you know, I just hope we can keep this competitiveness".

Wolverines remain confident about league title despite opening tiebreaking loss to Crespi • Continued from page C1

ERIC LOEB/CHRONICLE

HEADS UP: Oliver Levitt '15 (#14) looks up the field during the Wolverines' loss at the hands of JSerra on March 14.

“Some of our middies don’t know when people are sliding out, when they’re supposed to go and when they’re supposed to come back. We have to work a little bit on everything because we’re playing some really good teams this year. We need to get to that next level to be able to beat these teams.”

While defense is being worked on, Head Coach and Program Head Alex Weber has found his offensive lineup with attackmen Oliver Levitt '15 and Roman Holthouse '15. Holthouse has scored 5 or more goals in multiple games this season.

Levitt is not far behind.

Midfielder Phil Thompson '16

is also a strong contributor to the team. In addition to winning over 90 percent of his faceoffs against Chaminade, he scored one goal and had one assist.

“Thompson has been helping us out a lot,” Klein said.

“He’s been winning over 60% of his face-offs and getting the ball to offense.

The Wolverines played Palisades Charter in a non-league game on Monday, but results were unavailable as of press time.

The next league game is against Loyola March 20.

Klein believes the game will be very competitive due to the rise of lacrosse in Los Angeles.

“I think Loyola is really good this year,” Klein said.

“

We have to work a little bit on everything because we’re playing some really good teams this year. We need to get to that next level to be able to beat these teams.”

—Ben Klein ’14 Goalkeeper

“We scrimmaged them earlier this year and beat them but it was a scrimmage so everything was really relaxed.”

The team is practicing for the matchup by working on defense in practice.

"We have got to make sure that all of us understand our

nathanson’s

slide packages and clears," Park said.

Initial losses have not dampened Lieberman's league and playoff hopes, and he remains optimistic about the team’s chances to win league.

“I can guarantee we’ll win league,” Lieberman said.

C6 Sports

The Chronicle

March 19, 2014

Boys’ Volleyball

Junior trio leads Wolverines squad to 2-2 league start

By Elijah Akhtarzad

Following a first round exit in the gold bracket of the Dos Pueblos tournament last weekend, the boys’ volleyball team will match up against St. Francis High School tomorrow to kick off its four game home stand.

With the loss of eight seniors from last year, the squad has gone 2-2 thus far in Mission League play, defeating Crespi Carmelite High School and Chaminade High School in a three game sweep. The Wolverines also lost to Loyola High School and Notre Dame High School in three sets, respectively.

The Wolverines lack the height that led them to the second round of the CIF Playoffs last year. Instead, the team’s starting lineup is comprised of a good volleyball IQ including hitters and setters with experience through club play, setter Brad Comisar ’15 said.

“Despite being a very young

team, we all have a close connection with each other and understand the game,” setter Comisar said. “This year is going to be a year where we can further improve our connection with each other. Our areas of improvement are definitely our defense and serve receive.

Once we establish better communication with our back row players, we will be able to run a more fluid offense, especially carried by our outside hitters Scott [Nussbaum ’15] and Hudson [Ling ’15].”

Despite being swept in two games, the team defeated Chaminade and Crespi in just three sets each.

The team relied on hitters Nussbaum and Ling, as well as Comisar who has played both hitter and setter so far this season.

All three players are the only athletes in the program who have been playing competitive club volleyball since middle school. Elliot Sassouni ’14 is the only returning senior from last years’ squad and has

Softball

MILA BARZDUKAS /CHRONICLE

ABOVE THE NET: Setter Brad Comisar ’15, left, sets the ball for an outside hitter. Libero Elliot Sassouni ’14, right, prepares to return a hit from a Crespi hitter in the team’s 3-0 sweep March 11. helped anchor the Wolverines’ back row.

“Our strength is definitely our knowledge of the game,” Comisar said. “Hudson, Scott and I have played school and club volleyball for many years, and we use this experience to teach the newer players about the game.”

Even with such a young and inexperienced varsity team this year, the Wolverines have done fairly well so far in

the Mission League.

The back row has lacked some efficiency in returning hits from taller players on Loyola and Notre Dame, but Comisar has helped anchor the squad and set up hitters in the right spots.

“We all have to step collectively as a group in order for us to maximize our potential,” head coach Adam Black said.

“Certainly we have some returners in Brad, Eliott, Hud-

son and Scott who are doing a wonderful job leading, but at the end of the day everyone needs to do their part to get better.”

The squad is set to play the first of four home games tomorrow night against St. Francis, before taking on St. John Bosco and Chaminade.

The Wolverines played Alemany last night, but results were unavailable as of press time.

Team bounces back from slow start

• Continued from page A1

GRANT NUSSBAUM/CHRONICLE

POWER SWING: Maddy Kaplan ’14 follows through her swing as she attempts to hit the ball. The team is currently 2-3 this season.

freshmen adjust to the varsity level of play.

Highlighting the freshman class is Hailey de la Vara ’17, who has been the team’s go-to pitcher so far this season.

She has had to fill the shoes of Chloe Pendergast ’13, who now plays at Cornell University; however, her teammates feel she is doing an outstanding job thus far.

“The freshmen have really

grown quickly,” RietmannGrout said. “They haven’t had a choice, and they are doing great.”

Despite their struggle to win games early on, Rietmann-Grout and Johnston both agree that the team is working, and chemistry and morale are high in the team and the locker room.

The team is improving every day, and Rietmann-Grout believes that to be all that matters in the team’s success this season as they look to

make a CIF run.

The Wolverines were ousted 2-3 in the second round of the CIF Playoffs last year against Colton High School April 21.

“We played with very few errors on the field and we were getting some clutch hits.

Everyone’s playing was solid, and we played as a team very well,” Molly Steinberg ’14 said following the team’s victory over La Reina High School.

“It was our best game of the season by far.”

Track and Field

Team to face Flintridge Sacred Heart, St. Francis tomorrow

• Continued from page A1

Koolsbergen said to keep an eye on Courtney Corrin ’16, Alexandria Florent ’15, Lizzy Thomas ’14, Garrett Robinson ’15, David Manahan ’14, Efe Agege ’14, Monica Nimmagadda ’14 and Jonathan Felker ’14 as the season progresses.

Koolsbergen expects strong performances from that group of individuals to power the team through the season.

Corrin, Florent and Thomas represented last year’s squad at CIF Championships and have all started off strong.

Florent, who currently holds the school record for girls’ high jump, came out on top in both high jump and long jump in league meets against Louisville High School and Alemany High School.

Both Thomas and Corrin have also started off the season on a high note, both rack-

ing up multiple wins in their first league matches.

Koolsbergen holds high expectations for his squad as it enter the thrust of its schedule after seeing strong performances across the board in the young season.

“Our outlook is very positive,” Koolsbergen said. “We have a very strong team and we expect to have a strong season. I’m definitely confident with the talent on this year’s team and feel like it can perform at a very high level.”

Thrower Cole Jacobson ’15 shares Koolsbergen’s optimism and believes the team can only get better.

“Both genders are 2-0 right now so that’s obviously a good start,” Jacobson said.

“The boys’ team is off to a really good start after beating Crespi and Alemany, who were both teams we lost to last year, so that’s really good for

us. Getting guys like Garrett Robinson and David Manahan healthy again has been huge, and hopefully they can continue to get in better shape and help us be a dominant team in the league.”

The team’s most recent competition was against Notre Dame yesterday, but results were unavailable as of press time. Koolsbergen believes the meets early in the season are ways to gain experience and are stepping stones to the team’s bigger goals.

“We’re excited about it,” Koolsbergen said before the meet. “It’s another step in our journey, it’s another part of the process. It isn’t a crucial meet, but it is a good opportunity for us to continue our evolution as a team and get good work in.”

The Wolverines will face off against St. Francis and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy tomorow in an away meet.

MILA BARZDUKAS/CHRONICLE

LEADING THE PACK: Lizzy Thomas ’14 shakes off an Alemany runner in the second lap of the mile to eventually take the win.

hwchronicle.com/sports

March 19, 2014 Boys’ Golf

Sports C7

Frustrated by inconsistent play, team aims for Mission League title

By Jordan Garfinkel

LAUREN SONG/VOX POPULI

SMASH FACTOR: Team captain Jake Lepler ’14 swings his

driver in a match against Loyola at Wilshire Country Club March 3.

In what was expected to be a breakout season, boys’ golf is off to a shaky start, with a 2-2-1, through five matches.

Last year, team won its first eight matches.

The Wolverines lost to the rival Loyola High School Cubs 181-187 in its first match his year. The score was among the Wolverines’ best performances in the last two years.

“We should have beaten Loyola,” captain Bakari Bolden ’14 said. “We shot 187 that day and a couple days after they shot 190, so they just had a great day against us. It was a combination between us getting a little unlucky and them getting very lucky. There is so little room for error and these wins and losses in league are so important because we only play nine holes and we only have 12 matches. So, it definitely cost us a little bit.”

The Wolverines followed their opening loss with two consecutive wins, both against Notre Dame High School.

The first match took place at the Wolverines’ home course, the Encino/Balboa Golf Course, where the team put forward its best performance this season, shooting a 179. Brandon Kewalramani ’17 led the Wolverines, shooting 2-under-par.

The team then traveled to Lakeside Golf Course and defeated Notre Dame 193-205 four days later March 10. The

win marked the Wolverines’ ing on how much they want it first win of the season, after and taking the initiative to put they lost to the Cubs. that drive into their practice “We were at our home sessions,” captain Jake Lepler course and I think the Loyola said ’14 “We just need to start loss was still fresh in every- having all our guys show up one’s mind. So, we were really on the same day. It was really focused and determined not great to see Bakari Bolden and to lose that day,” Bolden said. Tyler Graham bounce back “We all just went out there and from some tough rounds and played our own game and shot really show up and post great well as a team. there. That was numbers.” a glimpse into how we can play The team returned back as a team.” home in another match with After back-to-back wins, St. Francis High School, which the Wolverines traveled to St. ended up in a 186-186 tie on Francis, who handed the team March 13. its third loss. The team fell by Although the score ended just three strokes in its 196- in a tie, St. Francis ended up 199 loss. taking the match since its The desixth player feat left the had a lower Wolv e r i n e s score. with an even In this I feel like I let the 2-2 record, match, Bolden which was returned to team down because far behind old form and of how I was playing their expecshot a season tations at and struggling with my best 3-underthe beginpar. game.” ning of the “The difseason. ference was —Bakari Bolden ’14 that I had “I feel like I let the practiced evteam down ery single day because how just because I was playing and struggling of how I was playing,” Bolden with my game,” Bolden said. said. “I feel like myself again, “I wasn’t going out there and I’m playing well, so I’m very shooting my best rounds. I feel excited and look forward to like I wasn’t helping the team these next couple of matches. out. So, I take responsibility Hopefully, from here on we for the team’s losses.” can go undefeated and show “I don’t think it’s about the every team exactly what we team improving as much as it came out to do, which is win, is about all the guys reflect- win CIF.”

“

Coming out in April

BIG

15% Discount for Harvard Westlake Students

Pick-ups and Dine-ins from the regular menu

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The Chronicle

C8 Sports

March 19, 2014

Jump on it

with Alexandria Florent ’15

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF GREG SMOTHERMAN

FLY BY: High jumper Alexandria Florent ’15 easily clears a bar set at 5’6”. Florent, one of the track and field team captains, has held the high jump record since freshman year.

By Audrey Wilson

Stats:

5’ 10’’

Personal Record

4

2013 CA Ranking

6

2013 US Ranking

How old were you when you started high jump, and what made you decide to start?

I started high jumping in sixth grade. I actually used to be a long jumper, but I had bad tendinitis and had to stop because of the impact it put on my knees.

My doctor suggested I do high jump so I didn’t have to stop field events all together.

What are your goals for this season?

My biggest goal for this season is to get and remain healthy. I’ve had so many injuries and I’d really like to have a year without having to deal with that. Height-wise, my goal is to jump 6’0” since I came so close last year.

What meet are you looking forward to the most?

I know there are a lot of qualifiers before it, but I’m definitely looking forward to the State Meet. For one, there’s going to be a lot of great competition, which I love, but also it’s just really fun to travel with the team and just hang out and support each other.

How do you feel about being named one of the track and field captains this year, and what does this position mean to you?

NATHANSON’S

I actually had no idea I was going to be a captain, so when Coach Koolsbergen called my name, my jaw kind of dropped. It feels really good to be a leader of the team and know that the coaches thought I would be able to handle this position along with the seniors.

What is your pre-meet ritual?

I always have to paint my nails all black except for one that has a little black and white tuxedo painted on it.

I’ve done this for every single meet since freshman year. I don’t really know why, I guess I have to “dress up nice” to perform well at meets. I’m very superstitious.

What was your early high jump career like, and how did it form your career now?

I ran club track for 10 years and high jumped with a club team for three years. I wasn’t very good at first but once I got more practice and grew a little I got a lot better. I’ve been to the Junior Olympics a couple of times and actually won the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics in New Orleans the summer after eigth grade with a jump of 5’8”.

What has been the best moment of your high school career so far?

The absolute best moment of my high school career so far was last year at State Finals. The bar was set at 5’10” and I had one attempt left to clear it.

I jumped the bar and cleared it and screamed so loud because I had just put myself in second place. My whole body was shaking with adrenaline. It was the greatest feeling I’ve ever had.

In what other events do you compete?

So far this year I haven’t been healthy enough to run, but regularly I would run both the 4x100 and the 4x400 relay. Also, I started long jumping again this year.