October 2016

La Costa Canyon High School

MavLife

October 2016

Volume 11 Issue 2

One Maverick Way, Carlsbad, CA 92009

New Cheerleading Coach Sparks Change in Program SPORTS: PAGE 8

Courtesy of Daniel Salas

Homecoming Dance Brings Ancient Greece to LCC

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uring La Costa Canyon High School’s first pep rally, ASB revealed the theme of this year’s homecoming: Welcome to Ancient Greece. The dance was held on October 8th, and ASB had 1182 students attend. Due to the popular and requested return of an outside dance, ASB has delivered, and this year’s homecoming was held near the softball field. ”My freshman year it was inside and it was so hot and crowded you were touching someone at all times. It was actually a death trap. I’m so happy the dance was outside this year,” junior Layla Slipper said.

Homecoming, a night inspired by the sophisticated, ancient civilization that brought us the Olympics, medicine, and togas, brought us a homecoming like no other.

“I really liked the theme because I think that you can do a lot with it and make it really cool. I think it’s gonna be super fun,” senior Spencer Broberg said.

Although homecoming is known for the dance, this year’s also had a photobooth.

But the crowning activity was a jumpy, and

inflatable Wipeout styled game.

“I was so glad they had the photo booth because pictures last longer,” freshman Tessa Catledge said.

The food at this year homecoming was ice cream and churros. Although not necessarily Greek themed, the food that was present at the dance contains many of the students’ favorites.

“I was excited for churros because Costco closed their churro stand and I’ve been churro-less for too long,” sophomore Tim Buchakara said. “I also like the mix of cold and hot foods so I can cool down after all the moshing.”

Thanks to ASB’s collaboration with SOS, an entertainment company that has put on most of LCC’s dances in the past, which have been successful. SOS is provided most of the activities, and all of the food at this year’s dance.

“Working with SOS is so nice,” junior ASB member Maysen Hendricks said. “They help us plan and set up to make homecoming

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from middle schools such as Diegueno, Oak Crest, Earl Warren and Carmel Valley.

There aren’t clubs at any of those four Kennon Aarnes schools, so the incoming students were exposed to clubs for the first time.

“I love the idea of clubs at LCC,” Assistant Principal Reno Medina said. “They provide a great way for students to connect with other students from different grade levels or students they’ve never seen before.”

Participating clubs at La Costa Canyon High School came to the meadow with their own table and most had food, such as cookies or popsicles, that they handed out in order to draw students to their stands and discuss more about why one should join their club.

Most clubs also had signs with their club name on it or little decorations adorning their table.

This visual appeal and attraction caused many students to walk up to stands and decide if they wanted to join the club or not.

“Club Rush was great for my club because we had a lot of lower classmen join with some returning juniors and seniors as well,” French Club President Tatym Razc said.

This year, ASB decided to have the

nutrition law repealed so students can sell candy and other items that were banned in previous years. This drew more attention to the tables where all the clubs were located in the meadow. Because Club Rush occurred right before lunch, the students were hungry, which offered the perfect time for clubs to offer these snacks.

“I think that the new food option this year was a good one because it brought in a lot more students to our stand to try the variety of French-themed foods we were handing out,” Razc said.

Many students were willing to purchase the tickets in order to receive the food at the stands. There was also much more room for clubs out in the meadow, which made offering foods and describing clubs more possible and efficient.

“I like how it was in the meadow this year because it was more announced,” Razc said. “We got more of a turnout when it was in the meadow because everyone was there and they all knew where to find us.”

Club Rush was an hour long, from 11:15am to 12:15pm. Some were concerned with Club Rush’s dedicated time slot because they considered it to be too long. While Club Rush was a success overall, there was a considerably length of time allotted for different clubs to portray their interests.

“I think Club Rush was a huge hit for everything, except for the time length,”

LCC had a football game against El Camino on October 7th that was intended to get the students hyped for the dance.

The homecoming queen, Kami Hoban, was announced during the halftime show. Austin Ashby was crowned king at the dance.

“I’m excited to find out who won and watch the halftime show because they always announce it in a cool way,” said Buchakara.

Ticket prices started at 25 dollars with ASB card and went up five dollars every week. Without an ASB card, tickets started at 30 dollars and went up five every week. LCC also had a spirit week before to get the Mavs excited and ready for homecoming. Each day had a different theme to dress up as. The days were Tye-Dye vs. Stripped, Tacky Tourist, Rep the Prep, Jersey Day and Mavs Wear.

“I love spirit week,¨ Broberg said. ”It always brings everyone together and gets us excited for the dance.”

ASB has been planning homecoming for a long time. They have put in hours every

class, as well as out of class since school started.

“We started working on Homecoming at retreat during the summer and we plan more stuff every day,” sophomore ASB member Keelin Grub said.

Unlike Formal and Prom, Homecoming is a more casual dance that took place at LCC. The shift from the inside to the outside homecoming was only implemented last year and many students have voiced their preference for the change.

“We were very excited to have homecoming outside again this year,” ASB advisor Casey Rector said. “Last year was the first time in school history that ASB hosted an outdoor dance. We’ve taken the good and the not so good and made positive changes for this year’s event.”

Myka Birchall Staff Writer

ASB Introduces LCC’s First Food Fair to Promote Clubs

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arlier this year Comedy Sports Club, Fishing Club, Art Club, Rugby Club and more flooded the Meadow for Club Rush to recruit more members and raise funds by selling food to students. The clubs had a new option this year: selling food to the students to try and get more students to join their club.

Senior Lauryn Westgarth was one of the organizers for Club Rush. She has always liked clubs because she thinks that they are a successful way in bringing in new members that can find new people that have the same interests as they do. Westgarth had a choice of organizing an event at LCC and she chose Club Rush because she wanted to kick off the school year on a positive note.

“I think clubs are really important,” Westgarth said. “It gives a really good opportunity for students to get involved outside of school activities as well as in-school activities.”

There was an exceptionally large freshmen class this year, most of them coming

IN THIS ISSUE

NEWS 2

EXPLAINER 3

OPINION 4

Cheerleading Revolution

The Great Debate

PAGE 8

PAGE 5

Coach Farr’s vision and attitude lead to a positive change in the cheerleading program.

FEATURE 6

Students provide opinions on the political beliefs of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

SPORTS 8

Assistant Principal Jaime Garman said. “An hour of signing up for clubs is just too long, but everything else worked well; the food tickets were a good idea and nearly every student was looking around, finding the perfect club for them.”

Club Rush was an accomplishment for both club members and the student body.

It helped introduce many to new clubs they might’ve not heard of before. Club Rush continues to offer students with a way to connect to their peers and their community.

“Club Rush affects our community here at LCC very positively because of the friends students can make during clubs and because of all the opportunities students have at joining any club they want,” Garman said.

ENTERTAINMENT 10

The Hungry Mav

MavLife brought in hungry students during lunch to determine which local Mexican restaurants’ fish taco is the best.

PAGE 11

Tommy Griffiths

Staff Writer

Oct/Nov 31-4 3 9-12, 16-18 1 4-5 16-17

Survivor Week Comedy Sportz

Fall Theater Production Start Smart SDCUE Tech Fair Community Day

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News

October 2016

Students Share Opinions on New Bell Schedule This school year marks the first ever change in bell schedule, which has received both negative and positive feedback.

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a Costa Canyon High School has implemented a new bell schedule for the 20162017 school year. This new schedule includes a rotating block day schedule, an optional seventh period class, an Extended Study Period (ESP), and early outs every other Monday. Before the change was made however, LCC had the same schedule for roughly 20 years.

“The old bell schedule was pretty straight forward; we would meet every other day for a 2 hour period, averaging 5 hours per class per week,” AP Literature teacher Speed Farris said.

The new schedule has alternating weeks.

This means that one week a student would spend almost 5.5 hours in each 1-3-5 class, with the two ESP times included, but only 4 hours in each 2-4-6 class, with ESP included.

It would then flip the next week. ESP takes place 2-3 times a week, averaging about an hour to an hour and a half of extra time in that class each week.

“I like the alternating weeks because you get more time in a class that you like, so that’s nice,” freshman Emma Winship said. “You can get more done and you can get an ESP break from certain classes every other week.”

ESP allows additional time for students to ask questions, do homework, collaborate with teachers, perform make up tests or quizzes and receive academic assistance.

“I think ESP is a great time for teachers to help students prepare for tests and allow students to ask questions about their subject,” freshman Davis Armbrust said. “I’m able to get homework out of the way during school so I really like ESP.” The idea of this extension of class is not only reserved to these qualities though.

Teachers are still granted the opportunity to continue classroom instruction, as they aren’t technically required to follow these

guidelines. Principal Bryan Marcus shared that because the teachers had been so accommodated to the old bell schedule, the new one has created some difficulty in class planning.

“The teachers have created norms within their departments and it’s difficult to shift from 120 minute classes to 90 minute ones and still get everything done,” Marcus said. “ESP is still the teacher’s instructional minutes. Later on though, when homework starts piling up, I think that teachers are going to see the need to use ESP as more of a homework time.”

Some students suggest that most of their teachers do not use ESP for what they believe it should be used for. However, others suggest that it is helpful for students if the teacher continues their lecture into ESP because they can then clearly elaborate further on what the students need to know.

“I like when my teachers keep lecturing because then they can explain things that I don’t get and it’s just a longer class to get stuff done,” sophomore Hayden Wolfe said.

LCC now has the option to take up to seven classes. Most students have taken this opportunity and have a seventh period. Taking this extra elective offers students the ability to attain more credits towards graduation, but it also provides students with much more flexibility. They also have the option to only take five or six classes and leave school early or start school later than a student taking all seven classes. For instance, students may take five classes if they choose, and start each day around 9:00 am or 10:00 am.

“My whole vision for this year, the vision we have as a school, is to create a more well balanced student,” Principal Bryan Marcus said.

The new schedule is much more similar

to a college setting in the way students can pick and choose what they want to do with just about every aspect of their high school education.

“This new schedule is helping me understand and prepare for my college life ahead of me. It’s nice to see that I am in control of my school life and I enjoy it more,” senior Callahan Rohner said.

LCC has been considering changing Kaleigh Schoen the bell schedule Nataly Aviles works on her 7th period homework for her Integrated Math 2 class. for over five years Some students have found the new but never began the process until about a year and a half ago when change and scheme of the bell schedule to be a complicated sequence. a large group of teachers, students, staff, “I think the bell schedule is efficient but parents, and the district as a whole really kids like me can be super confused,” Winship started making things happen. said. “One day I didn’t even know we had “It was a huge team effort,” Marcus seventh period and I was totally unprepared.” said. “The whole entire staff from teachers Due to the fact that the recently to employees to the parent community— demoted 20 year-old bell schedule has been but teacher Cindi Schildhouse in particular replaced, there are sure to be concerns from helped out instrumentally.” the student body. However, the new bell Cindi Schildhouse is an Anatomy, schedule is intended to offer students with a Physiology, and A.P. Biology teacher here at LCC. She played a large role in the designing plethora of academic benefits. process and the following through of the new “I think change is hard. Change is bell schedule by getting it approved by the difficult,” Marcus said. “It takes people a long district. time to wrap their heads around it, but I’m “Basically, in simple terms, I did all the very happy with it and how quickly people are math,” Schildhouse said. “By adding that extra adjusting.” seventh period, we had to shorten all the Taylor Niendorf periods and so I divided up the day into the Staff Writer number of classes.”

New Freshman Class of 2020 is Welcomed to LCC This school year’s freshman Class of 2020 is one of the largest incoming classes LCC has ever received in its past 20 years. enrollment and the fact that people are attracted to our school.”

Overall, students will not be largely impacted by the influx of new freshman.

There are a sufficient number of classrooms and facilities that can handle the increase.

Senior Karissa Low said that, in her experience, the amount of students enrolled in class has not impacted her ability to be successful.

“It’s not hard to learn with so many people in one environment because I believe that learning is an individual thing. If you want to learn, you will,” Low said. “It’s up to the person to focus Kalli Andersonand take control of The ComedySportz club lead orientation for the class of 2020 where they introduced LCC to the new freshmen. their own education, dedicating time and n the past two years, La Costa Canyon High the flexibility because it offers her a better energy into trying to School has seen an increase in the amount of balance between her academics, athletics and learn the material.” freshmen student applicants, bringing a wider other activities outside of school.

Brad Golden, the theatre teacher, variety of perspectives as well as larger class “After I’m released from class, I have is also the adviser for the Thespian Club. sizes to campus. more time to finish my studies,” Cull said.

Thespians are students who are interested In previous years, LCC lost students “I like that I can still participate in sports in drama or the theater. Because of the to the surrounding high schools in the without having the increase in freshmen San Dieguito Union High School District, stress of finishing my entering LCC, there has specifically San Dieguito Academy and homework when I get been an influx of creative, Canyon Crest Academy. The academies offer home on late nights.” motivated freshmen who are a 4-by-4 schedule which allows students Since students expanding the department. to take eight classes per year instead of the have the ability to take “I love that there are traditional six. Assistant Principal Justin Conn an extra class, they are so many programs fueled believes that the new schedule appeals to able to explore other by the freshmen class’ students more than the block schedule, which electives, add an AP enthusiasm. The class of had been in place since the school opened in class or spend an extra 2020 is already making an 1996. year really delving impact in theater,” Golden “There was an inequality with San into a language. LCC said.

Dieguito Academy having eight classes each was able to add more Deborah Elliott said year and us having six,” Conn said. “We now sections of electives Justin Conn that her students, mostly offer seven periods because it provides more such as art and cooking freshmen, are excited about options, especially for juniors and seniors to accommodate taking her Introduction being able to potentially leave school sooner, student demand. to Engineering Design class this year. She is or start school later.”

“LCC is built to be able to have a much excited that she has over double the amount Freshman Marin Cull loves that she has larger student population than it has right of students in the class then she did in the option to take a free 7th period. She likes now,” Conn said. “We encourage the growth, previous years year in the class and the club.

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We encourage the growth, enrollment and the face that people are attracted to our school.”

“The classes are very crowded, however, I already see students showing intelligence and they have great attitudes,” Elliott said.

It appears that the freshmen class is excited to embrace the community feeling that Principal Bryan Marcus is striving to create. Conn credits Marcus’ vision for these positive changes.

“I want to believe that under Mr. Marcus, there has been a little bit of a cultural shift,” Conn said. “I think we are very focused on making this school a community. It’s drawing people in and making students want to be a part of that.”

Because of all the school program enhancements, there are more people coming out to support not only theater, but also sports, dance and clubs.

“I hope the new class embraces and builds upon LCC’s traditions,” Golden said.

“Hopefully they’ll graduate having made LCC a more inclusive and wonderful campus.”

The new freshmen have expressed eagerness, however, they are still learning how to adapt to their new environment. They are on a much larger campus than they were in 8th grade. Teachers and administrators are excited about the expansion, but it can be intimidating for the younger students.

“Classes are much larger than they were when I was in middle school,” freshman Emily Wilson said. “Sometimes it can be hard to learn with so many people in such a small environment.”

Senior Karissa Low looks at the larger class size from a different angle. She believes that larger classes are more conducive to preparing Mavericks for what college is like.

“Sometimes there will be lectures with hundreds of kids, so having exposure to that now might not be such a bad thing,” Low said.

The influx of the freshmen entering LCC has impacted the clubs, classes, and more.

However, students are transitioning well into the larger classes and the new bell schedule as a whole. The bell schedule has potentially affected how students feel about LCC. “La Costa Canyon’s goal is not to get to any particular number of students,” Conn said. “All we want to do is provide an option for students so that they can feel ownership and feel like they belong.”

Kelby Fisher Staff Writer

MAVLIFENEWS.COM

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The Explainer

LCC’s Music Program: Facing Major Changes The Maverick Brigade expresses concern for a lack of support amid changes to the music program

La Costa Canyon’s marching band,The Maverick Brigade, walks onto the football field to perform during the halftime show of the Homecoming Game on October 13th.

Small Numbers and Low Funding Changes Band Objectives

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ver the past few years, the number of people interested in the music program at La Costa Canyon has decreased. Students speculate that, although the band is well advertised by the school as being the best in the district, it struggles in ways that deter students from joining.

“Over the last three years that I’ve been here the numbers have continued to decline,” Principal Bryan Marcus said. “We were looking at why that is.”

According to some students,band does not get funding from the school which means that it’s up to students and parents to raise or donate money for equipment. This creates a burden for students which may prevent some from joining the program.

“Ever since my freshman year it hasn’t been funded at all, it’s just been students and parents raising money through fundraising,” band member Ming Yeoh said. “At the end of each year the parents usually pay around 400 dollars as a donation fee. Some parents are okay with it and others aren’t.”

The low number of participants and the lack of funding from the school means that the band has stopped going to competitions. This is a major change because LCC’s marching band has been going to competitions for 17 consective years. Despite efforts from students and parents, the school has not allowed the band to go to any competitions. “[The music instructor] felt the numbers were too low to compete,” an anonymous band booster parent said. “So when we asked to have a marching band club, she and Mr. Marcus were not in favor of it because she only wants to present a quality program. She felt that if we didn’t have her instructing the marching band and hired an outside coach, that we wouldn’t be representing LCC’s music program in a positive light.”

How the Current Program has Seen Dramatic Changes thisYear

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t the begining on the 2016-2017 conversations with the booster parents school year a new music instructor, and students and they we wondering, Megan Ratliff, was hired at LCC. Along since they can’t do field shows, if they with the change in management, there could make a club,” Marcus said. “The have been numerous changes to how the answer to that is: yes they can make a band is being run and their objectives as club if they find [a cedentialed teacher] a program. on campus to be their representitive.

“Late in August, Ms. Madison, who They did talk to a teach who, when they has been our lead director for band and found out about the long hours, got a the music program as a whole got a little overwhelmed with taking that on.” job offer for a full-time band director,” Another reason that the Principal Bryan Macus said. “Megan administration decided against the Ratliff, who came in as our band director idea of a band club is that it creates a was also the director at one of our larger decentralized nature to the program. theater middle schools: Deguenio.”

According to Marcus, it could confuse The change in instruction has led incoming freshmen and also hurt the to a shift in the direction and goals of productivity of the band class. the marching band. However, according “We tried to start a marching to admin, the change has more to do band club and the school wouldn’t with the declining allow it because they number of band didn’t want their participants. name attached to the “Because product we would [Ratliff] has a put on the field even different vision for though we would the band program, hire a marching band a lot of parents coach,” band member weren’t happy,” an Corinne Demolder anonymous band said. “We need to be booster parent said. [directly] associated “There is not going with the school in to be marching order to compete. ” band until the Students also Corrine Demolder observe numbers grow from that the what it is currently. amount that the band We started the practices and the year at 36, and according to her, she nature of those practices has changed wants to see it at around 86 students. drastically since last year.

What she’s saying is that she will not have ““They would practice twice a a competitive marching band and the week for three hours per day, and that marching band will play at the games as a has been cut back to once a week for pep band.” approximately 2 hours, maybe 2.5,” Although the band still competes as the anonymous parent said. “And then a parade band, many students and parents they would go to their competitions are frustrated with the inability for band on Saturdays.The music that they’re to compete as a marching band. learning now is more simplistic than “From my interpretation, it is what they were learning previously.” really becoming a pep band rather than Despite the changes that the band a true high school marching band.” the has faced this year, there’s one thing anonymous parent said. that band members agree has stayed Band students attempted to go to the same: the strong bond that the competitions independently by creating members have with each other. a band club at the begining of the year.

“I moved here from Texas and the They believed this would allow them marching band is really big there,” band to become funded by the school, hire member Ming Yeoh said. “People didn’t a coach and compete as a marching really know each other that well. But band. However, after deliberations and the band here, everone knows each conversations with admin, the club failed other. It’s like family,” to become a reality.

“We had some more intimate

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The only solution for those who want to compete in marching band is to go to a school out of the district.”

Sam L-Gower

The Difference Between Marching Band, Competitive Band, and Concert Band

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hen you think about band, the first thing that comes to mind is the costumed, orderly figures that march across the field during football games. Unless, of course, you are part of the music program at La Costa Canyon. Students who study music here know that there are very distinct types of band and the specific titles matter. Competitive band is supported by and directly affiliated with the school while concert band is more focused on studio music and does not appear at school events.

Marching band is often an umbrella term that is used to describe the band as a whole. La Costa Canyon currently has a marching band because members of the band train to march in formation while playing music. However, the marching band isn’t necissarily the band that you see during football games.

The group of students that perform on the football field during games and in the gym during pep rallies are considered by students in the band to be a “parade band” or “pep band.”

These types of bands do not compete against other schools and only practice for specific events in order to excite the crowd.

According to band students, the pep band is much less work and less fun than the marching band that has existed at La Costa Canyon in years past. The band meets once a week outside of class to practice for specific events such as football games and pep rallies.

Connor Hines and Brittany Bloom Editors-in-Chief

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Opinion

Re-Evaluating the Importance of Pep Rallies

Doubting school traditions dealing with spirit and pep on and off of our campus

October 2016 MavLife 2016-2017 Staff Editors-In-Chief: Brittany Bloom Connor Hines

Daniel Stuart

Senior Staff Writer

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ep rallies and other similar school events are old fashioned, cliché and obsolete. While their main goal is to bring students together in a school spirit filled environment, lots of students feel they are, at most, an excuse to get out of class.

In no way am I making the rash assertion that we should not have these activities to bring the student body together, rather I question if they are really as efficient as they could be in achieving their actual goal. The idea of pep rallies and school spirit is in no dimension a new one but it looks as if the classic tradition has long worn out its welcome.

The pep rally used to be an influential, inspirational part of forcing school spirit onto the students. The prolonged decline of pep rallies brings to light the need for another solution for the student body bonding experience through excessive school spirit.

In place of the pep rally formula, I think a more efficient manner, both in time and in effort, is to just set up stands or booths around the school and allocate the pep rally time to a period where the students can walk around school; it could also be an effective way of raising money for the school.

A great example is the food fair. Theoretically, the food fair is the exact way to get the student body to interact with each other. Combining the factor that made the pep rallies a hit, removing class time, and the most basic human necessity; the food fairs are arguably the most efficient way to insert more natural student interaction into the schedule.

Natural student interaction is key in cultivating the La Costa Canyon culture for the future. By allowing students to comfortably connect through certain events, they will in turn, help build the school through the student body’s feedback in wake of the events. The culture that pep rallies sought to shoot into the school are prone to hardship due to their dependence on the students’ required obsequious nature.

Whether people enjoy them or not, it is hard to argue that pep rallies aren’t important. While they may not be as efficient as possible, there aren’t a lot of things that fill that quota. Despite the common flaw it shares with many events and technologies, pep rallies do, in fact, help students feel more acquainted to their home away from home during their four-year excursion through high school. The global high school experience is driven by self motivation and having an interest in certain fields. The experience should

integrate motivation to strive and spark interest in real world professions. It helps students, especially new-blood freshman, delve into the school habitat learning what it’s like being a high school student. Not only does it help them adapt to their new environment, but it also helps them learn the LCC culture through the other, more enthusiastic students.

I would say a majority of the students classify the pep rallies as not learning time, which doesn’t exactly do their name any justice. Most of the students I’ve talked to are appreciative of the fact that they don’t have to stay in class for a full two hours; thus they are “pro-pep,” but that is the wrong reason to support the rally. The fallacious use of school events is a breeding ground for negativity in the school environment.

From what I’ve gathered, some students, though a very small demographic, are debaucherous; looking for any opportunity to slip out of class and leave as early as possible with or without their dose of spirit. While it may be hard to prevent every single student from slipping past, it leaves a spot on the school’s reputation.

An argument that the students enjoy the pep-rallies may have viable evidence; but maybe the discrepancy lies in the moral outlook on the rallies. The ultimate objective of the rally is to inject a spontaneous surge of school spirit through a majority, if not all, of the students. However, the main spirit the rally provokes in students is stained and incompatible; the results contrast that of the desired result as some students leave campus and others use the time slot otherwise.

Managing Editor: Marissa Wirick Feature Editor: Claire Granich Sports Editor: Soren Gregory News Editor: Jasmin Sani Graphics Editor: Kennon Aarnes Opinion Editor: Gillian Chaffer Entertainment Editor: Bryce Gallagher Photographer: Kalli Anderson Copy Editor: Marissa Wirick Adviser: Stacy Hardcastle

Kennon Aarnes

How the Large Freshman Class Affects LCC

Exploring the many positives and possible limitations of a big incoming class

Jack Stevens Senior Staff Writer can find enjoyable activities to do and meet people who share he incoming freshman class is the biggest La Costa similar interests.

Canyon has seen in many years. Students from middle schools These are some reasons that new students may have all over the school district, such as Oak Crest and Diegueño chosen to spend their high school career at La Costa Canyon, have chosen La Costa Canyon as their high school of choice, but the impact the larger than normal class may have might between options such as San Dieguito Academy and Torrey be bigger than expected. Many students choose La Costa Pines. Each high school in the district offers various different Canyon over other high schools in the school district Having ways, such as the all single period days of SDA in contrast to the more could cause more students to join sports teams, and with block days of La Costa Canyon. more talented people competing in sports tournaments, La Over 2,000 students are currently Canyon has the potential to become very Students may chooseCosta enrolled in La Costa Canyon. Students can successful with it sports programs. choose between Canyon Crest Academy, San aspect of a large freshman class La Costa Canyon couldAnother Dieguito Academy, La Costa Canyon and be a much more crowded parking lot.

Torrey Pines. However, this school year has over others because This year, the drop off area is much worse than had more freshman choose La Costa Canyon year because of all the parents driving their of what this school last as their preferred high school than usual. freshman to school. Also, when the freshman Students may choose La Costa Canyon can offer. become juniors and seniors, parking spots will over others because of what this school can be very limited as the large amount of students offer. For example, SDA offers students to take four classes try to get a spot. Also, an increased amount of traffic in the one semester, and take four different classes the next semester. morning makes it much more difficult for many students to get Students have the same class every day for one semester, before to class on time. The increased amount of incoming freshman switching. The schedule is very different from La Costa Canyon, may make the campus and parking even more crowded. who offers seven classes and no single days. Students may prefer The incoming freshman class is one of the largest that being able to finish a class that would usually take a year in a is coming to La Costa Canyon in many years. The different semester, while others may prefer the block days over an entire schedule and seven periods that La Costa Canyon offers may be year that La Costa Canyon can provide for them. appealing to many students. The effect that this might have on La Costa Canyon also offers many extracurricular the school could have benefits, but also have a negative impact activities. La Costa Canyon can offer students many sports, and on certain aspects of the school. More students playing sports has one of the best programs in the entire state. Students who could cause our sports teams to do better overall, but having are passionate about sports will surely find someone that they more students may create a more crowded parking lot and enjoy at La Costa Canyon, because they have so many choices, create more traffic and less space in the morning. from cross country to soccer. La Costa Canyon also offers a huge amount of clubs. As shown toward the beginning of the school year in the Club Fair, there are clubs for academics, sports teams, or other popular events that students enjoy and

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avLife is the student newspaper of La Costa Canyon High School.

LCCHS student media products are public forums for student expression.

Students are responsible for their work in print publications, online content and video broadcasts, as well as in other products, none of which are subject to administrative approval. Students make all final content decisions.

Media programs follow Scholastic Press Association, Journalism Education Association, and Student Press Law Center standards. In addition, student media programs work to follow all copyright laws and avoid libel, slander, and infringing upon the rights of others.

Unsigned editorials represent the opinions of the editorial board, while opinion columns represent the writer’s perspective.

Advertisements do not necessarily represent the newspaper’s views.

MAVLIFENEWS.COM

Opinion

5

Editorial: Looking at the Election Through the Media How news stations and media coverage outlets blur our poltical views on the two candidates for the 2016 Election

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he Media does an excellent job at bluring our views on the world and society.

With the upcoming election, multiple media outlets are covering every quote, detail, and second of the debates and interviews. Since there are different stations with opposing poltical views, watching just one of these networks can give you a biased belief on a candidate or party.

For example, CNN tends to be more liberal, while Fox News is more on the conservative side. Though watching your prefered show that cordinates with your political beliefs can help strengethen your opinions, it is also important to realize that

there are two sides to every story-and then the truth. Regardless of your political stance, it is essential to keep up with all news stations to hear both takes on a candidate or issue.

This way, you will not have such a biased view.

News stations are maintained by large corporations, and sometimes even the government. A quick click on a clickbait news title can take you into a world of fake articles, internet hoaxes, and questionable sources.

Because of this, readers and consumers can get false information- which only affects them in the long run. Fake information that becomes popular can blow up, making

Explaining Donald Trump’s Platforms

Explaining the prposed polcies of the Republican candidate for the 2016 Election in November

Hunter McGahan Senior Staff Writer ost students at La Costa Canyon High candidate is beyond me.

School are unable to vote this November Trump supports law enforcement due to the age restrictions that are set, but the using racial profiling, fracking, abortion, few who can need to know the two nominees the collaboration of The United States of thoroughly in order to formulate an educated America with Russia to combat terrorism, the decision that will affect America’s future. The NSA continuing to collect phone and email set nominees for both the Democratic and metadata on U.S citizens and the interrogation Republican parties are, in truth, God awful. of some considered torture. Most of this Their arguments tend to have an intense Clinton is either against or has made no emphasis on the nitty-gritty aspects of each comment on. other, leaving American citizens blind to most On the other hand, Trump does not of the candidates policies. It is immensely im- support the federal government continuing to portant to understand both candidates policies subside oil companies, any federal taxes being because those are their course or principle of increased (something Clinton supports), the action that is proposed by them.

Standard Common Core and its use in the Focusing on the Republican nominee, education of America, free tuition for public Donald John Trump, can be hard at times colleges/universities, the Nuclear Arms with the constant media coverage on the next Deal with Iran (limiting the Tehran’s nuclear crude remark that is so oftenly babbled from his mouth, but in every trash pile there can be found a penny. Trump has plenty of worthwhile policies that are crucial to set him apart from his democratic competition in a beneficial way. For instance, according to ProCon.org’s article “The Leading Source for Pros & Cons of Controversial Issues,” Trump does not wish for any federal taxes to be increased, meaning that the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would not Kennon Aarnes increase the annual earnings of individuals, ability in return for lifting international oil corporations, trusts and other legal entities. and financial sanctions), and last but not least, This is one of the bigger topics in the debates, Obamacare. for Clinton is supporting this issue and wishes The debate between the parties can be to tax the wealthy heavily. Many Republicans summoned in the answer to this question: think of this as unfair.

Which preference strikes your fancy, Another controversial topic that Donald justice or freedom? Justice representing Trump differs in policy are gun control the Democratic Party and the majority of laws. Unlike Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump their beliefs, while freedom represents the does not want any more restrictions to Republican party and the majority of their the already heavy distribution of weapons. beliefs. Of course one could choose an Guns tend to be blamed for the deaths of independent party such as the Libertarian many innocent people instead of the person Party or The Green Party, but might as well behind the trigger, but Trump agrees that our throw away the right to vote because the nation already has adequate gun restrictions. likelihood that any of their running mates Whether he personally stands by this being elected for president is as likely as me statement or does so because the majority ever supporting either sides. of his voters expect that from a Republican

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many people think it is real, which destroys reputations and can damage trustworthy news stations. Along with this, there are many fake news websites that can come across as authentic, but in reality are there to trick readers.

News regarding the upcoming election is crucial. The media is our main way of getting our information and reliable sources, and it can effect how we see the two candidates.

If you read opinion articles that are written

by Republicans, your view on Donald Trump may improve, and vice versa if you read an opnion article written by a Clinton Supporter. Keeping up to date during this

election is very important to maintaining a well-educated view on our government and both candidates.

The media is here for our entertainment.

Yes, they are here to inform the public, but news stations and websites make money off of the number and views and clicks they get.

Catchy titles and dramatic stories can raise their ratings and internet traffic, making them more popular and generating more money.

Just like any other buisness, stations need to have a high supply of stories for a high demand.The next time you turn on the TV to tune in, keep in mind that the story could have been exagerated or not true at all.

Uncovering Hillary Clinton’s Ideologies Discussing the candidate’s poltical platform and how her past affects her possible presidency

Payten Bartholme Staff Writer With the upcoming election Barack Obama, her campaign told supporters arriving in just a month, it is time to crack he would not be able to win “because he’s down on the pros and cons of our candidates. black,” according to the Huffington Post.

The two leading candidates are Hillary Clinton refuses to release the transcripts of Clinton (Democrat) and Donald Trump her paid speeches, adding to her mistrust (Republican). In this article I will focus problem with voters. Clinton made over $11 on the pros and cons of the Democratic million in a span of two years just from giving candidate, Hillary Clinton. Clinton has speeches to these big banks. Although Clinton been Secretary of State for 30 years and has a handful of cons she also has some has worked alongside her husband, former pros that could be beneficial to her possible president, Bill Clinton. With that being said, presidency.

Clinton has a lot of political experience.

Clinton is extremely experienced in But with those 30 years, Clinton is just now politics, especially in foreign policy. Her wanting to take action in her presidency. plans are more detailed than any of the Clinton has been involved with scandals left other candidates running in this election. and right. She used a public server to send Hillary Clinton has a very dedicated base classified emails during her time as Secretary of voters, including a stronger black vote of State. She is currently under investigation in this election. Clinton gained more support from black voters in North Carolina than Barack Obama did in 2008 when he was running for president.

Clinton would be the first female president of the United States.

Secretary Clinton says she is also a strong believer in women’s rights, which contradicts how she acted a few years ago. Women’s rights are currently on the rise and if we had a president that could really aid the development of that, it would be very beneficial. Clinton also has expressed interest by the FBI for sending over 30,000 emails on in the environment. Hillary Clinton not a server she kept a secret during this time. only acknowledges climate change, but Many people have called Secretary Clinton has a comprehensive plan to tackle it. hypocritical because of her statements about Hillary Clinton is very organized when it women. She has been recorded calling them comes to debates. She remains calm and “bimbos” and “liars”, yet now she is standing collected and approaches the questions in up for women’s rights. Secretary Clinton a professional manner. One of Clinton’s also supported her husband’s “Three Strikes” greatest achievements is the Global Health policy even though it discriminated against Initiative (GHI), introduced in 2010. It African Americans. Clinton has even gone was designed to magnify importance on so far as to call them “super predators.” maternal and infant health. Beyond individual Many people have made strong cases that achievements, Clinton has made it her main Secretary Clinton is also a liar. Clinton has goal to make sure the world knows one thing: since then apologized for those comments, that “human rights are women’s rights and but apologizing isn’t going to make up for her women’s rights are human rights.” In every mistakes. Clinton is also under investigation position she has held. Bringing issues like for not sending supplies to soldiers in need women’s health, equal pay, and domestic in Benghazi. In 2008 when she ran against violence to the surface.

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STRESS FOR

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ESP hasn’t really been used the way I feel it’s suppose to be used. I think admin is trying to work on that, but it just seems mixed into the period or class. All my teachers just keep working throuh it.”

Eliott Park

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tress radiates off of others left and right around La Costa Canyon High School. Living in a community where the San Dieguito Union High School District SAT scores are well above both the California and National average, students feel the pressure of competition to make themselves academically appealing to colleges. Even from freshman year, students are told to map out the next four years of their high school year to include Advanced Placement classes, join multiple clubs, participate in extracurriculars, try out for a CIF sport, or even begin the search for a job. It is no wonder why students often turn to alternative methods to handle this amount stress. Recently, La Costa Canyon has modified the amount of classes a student can take, offering seven instead of six. Currently, other schools such as San Dieguito Academy or Canyon Crest Academy have both offered alternating blocks of four classes per semester, which ambitious students gravitated towards. Due to the desire for more classes per semester, LCC decided to add the extra seventh period to appeal to more students. In addition to a seventh period, LCC announced a new period of class called Extended Study Period, or ESP, allotted for homework time and extra studying. However, while intended to relieve the amount of stress students receive, changes in the schedule may have been received differently than expected.

Academics, Arts and Athletics Oh My!

Nearly 75% of American kids and teens consume caffine daily

October 2016

A major contributor to student’s stress levels is the new bell schedule. With rotating weeks A and B, it often creates confusion as to which arrangement of classes come the next day.

“I think that because of the uncertainty of this new schedule, everyone doesn’t really know exactly what’s happening or which classes are on which days. I think that’s definitely adding a little bit to stress.” senior Elliot Park said.

The addition of the new seventh period has also created confusion because some days the classes are back to back while other times students won’t have the class for two days. Many students chose to take a free seventh period because of the additional study time it offers.

“I really like [the free seventh] because I get out early. I like having the free period and because it gives me a lot more time to finish homework before I have tennis matches,” junior Ella Fleischman said.

Other students, instead of taking a free seventh, have the option to take a free first or second period. Having a free first or second gives the students an opportunity to either sleep in or take the afternoon off. “[The free first period] helps a lot because I can get a lot of homework done. I can come early and do it in the library,” sophomore Bella Anisso said.

On the other hand, students without a free first, second or seventh period have a full schedule of seven classes.

“I don’t really mind being at school for the full time. It’s the same amount of school that I’ve had forever so I don’t mind it,” Park said.

Regarding ESP time, students have said that it is not always used how it’s supposed to be used.

“ESP hasn’t really been used the way I feel like it’s supposed to be be used. I think admin is trying to work on that, but it just seems mixed into the period or class. All my teachers just keep working through it.” Park said.

Many students agree.The intentions of creating ESP was to assist students and even take away stress from their plates, but so far, ESP seems to have done quite the opposite.

“Well, a lot of the teachers just take it for their own time and don’t actually let you do ESP. It’s kind of annoying because they will make you work on assignments that they assign during class.” Anisso said.

Not only are students taking a large number of classes, but a majority of these classes are AP courses, known to contribute greatly to stress levels. Sophomores have the opportunity to take two AP classes, such as AP Chemistry and AP World, while juniors and seniors are open to many more. The difference between each year of high school and the number of AP classes available can often determine the amount of stress a student may endure. It has been said that Junior year is the most stressful because it is the year most commonly looked upon by colleges. The classes taken Junior year contribute to heightening stress levels.

“Definitely junior year [is the hardest] because you just have a lot more options for APs. Junior year is really stressful in general because it’s when colleges are looking at you more.

Sophomore year feels like, ‘I have to do good but like it’s not like that big of a deal,’” Fleischman said.

New schedules and classes will affect each student differently, but most can agree that the new schedule will either increase or relieve their stress levels. Overall, even though the new bell schedule has allowed for more variety, it has implemented loads of stress upon students as they strive to excel in academics, arts and athletics.

ESP? More like ESP-lease help

It’s no secret that students with extra curriculars have to manage their time well to use all the hours in the day efficiently. When students talk about stress, what do they really mean? The pressure to do well comes from many different sources depending on the student, but an underlying theme seems to be that the stress is rooted within the students themselves. ¨I feel I want to do good in school for myself but then I get kind of stressed because I have so much happening. I’m taking 3 APs this year and I’ve always taken hard classes on top of club soccer and lacrosse because I like to push myself,” said senior Katie Esqueda.

Although students have a lot on their plates, they don’t let their perceived stress level inhibit their passions. ¨I just always liked cross country and track so I do it because I love it even though I spend a lot of time on homework from about 7pm to 1am,” junior Grace Caponetto said.

In balancing their busy schedules, LCC students seem to have gotten time management down to an exact science. ¨I’ve gotten used to managing my busy schedule. I guess I know what I’m doing now,¨ Caponetto said.

While some students have perfected their schedule, other are still figuring out the ropes in efficient use of time like most people. ¨I’m a big procrastinator and that contributes to my stress,¨ freshman Olivia Stephens said.

Even with calculating the most effective schedule, stress among students is inevitable and some feel that the way teachers use their class period offers room to reduce some of the time devoted to homework when the bell schedule is utilized in a different way. ¨Teachers could help by using ESP time because they usually extend their class or start doing a new thing,¨ Caponetto said.

The general consensus seems to be that teachers are trying their best to alleviate stress but flaws in use of ESP still persist. ¨ESP does help a little bit but the workload is still too much at times. Some teachers haven’t been able to cut down their classes because they’re so short now because of the seventh period. I feel like some teachers say they understand how stressed we students are but them they still give us all the work,¨ Esqueda said.

As teachers and students seem to be on the same page there seems to be little change in the levels of stress, especially when jobs and sports must be done outside of school and standards in the classroom must be met to keep up with the competitive academic environment of the SDUHSD district.

Students are looking for answers and teachers and parents are looking for solutions. Most websites and wellness coaches suggest getting plenty of rest and managing time well to reduce stress, but for some students these suggestions are obvious but hard to fulfill.

“If I had more sleep and if the ESP’s were used for more homework time, I’d get a lot more work done,” senior Marissa Walker said.

On and off the field, LCC is a competitive environment and takes concentration and passion to succeed. With this in mind, stress seems inevitable but a little stress is not always a

MAVLIFENEWS.COM

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R SUCCESS bad thing.

“Stress in school is hard at times but it’s definitely manageable,” Caponetto said.

The positive effects of pressure on students to succeed transpires through LCC’s above average test scores, countless CIF wins and a high graduation rate. Psych Central, a website and newsletter about various psychological issues in today’s society, conducted studies on high school students and discovered that learning takes place under conditions of moderate stress.

So as students stay up late and work hard due to their busy schedule, they continually learn which may not have been possible without the acutely managed schedules. Although some stress is beneficial, it becomes negative when the line between manageable and unhealthy is blurred.

In addition to taking a toll on student health, the increased stress also has negative effects on a student’s overall high school experience.

“I think that this is a really pivotal transition period in an individual’s life and when certain moments of it, like social opportunities, are sacrificed because of stress, then it has a really negative impact on your outlook on not only life but school in general and the education system,” senior Reagan Whittle said.

Many parents in Psych Central’s study also share Whittle’s point of view and worry that if students continue down a path where they have no time to rest and grow they will be burnt out of school work and extra curriculares by the time college rolls around. Studies worry that students don’t have time to “just be kids” but LCC students seem used to it and to have done the best with their time.

“I think I’m pretty balanced between activities and school work,” Caponetto said.

Stress management seems to still be a problem some students need help with but by doing activities after school, stress seems to be in the job description as unavoidable. The competitive nature of LCC seems overwhelming as everyone is taking many hard classes, but with that comes a supportive community of peers all enduring the same kinds of obstacles.

“It makes it easier that all my friends are taking a hard schedule like I am and other sports so that we all can sympathize and get a lot of work done together,” Esqueda said.

The topic of student stress among athletes is common within the LCC community but despite the numerous concerns about the negative effect of stress, both students and administrators are very aware of the problem and are trying to make life at LCC the most enjoyable yet productive.

Coping with Caffeine

With new schedules and a new school year, there’s been a noticeable peak in stress levels, and one coping method in particular has become prevalent: caffeine.

When asked about caffeine dosages, students replied they “cannot function” without this method of extra energy. Senior Marisa Walker said that she turns to caffeine one third of the time when attempting to complete homework. Senior Reagan Whittle said that she relied on caffeine three to four times each week in order to complete all the necessary tasks of school and extracurriculars.

“If you do the math, most people cannot do the amount of homework that we’re doing with extracurriculars and sleeping and also have time to be a human being,” said Whittle.

Many students mentioned that caffeine is most helpful late at night, when there is still homework to be finished, but for others, the habit of drinking caffeine just to stay awake throughout the day has already sunk in.

“I stay up late automatically. It’s usually mornings when I need coffee to function,” said senior Natalie Lewis when asked about her average coffee consumption each day.

Although coffee is very commonly used for stress and time management, other types of caffeine are also popular among students.

Lewis said that 5 Hour Energy works best for coping with the extreme amounts of homework, followed by coffee, and then soda.

Other students attempt more natural methods of stress relief before turning to caffeine to keep them awake.

“I usually work out to relieve stress, but when I’m sleep deprived, I have coffee or a rock star,” Whittle said.

Extracurricular activities are also prominent as a coping method to reduce stress for many students, giving them time to take a break from the stress of school. However, these activities do not take away the stress completely, as students still have their workload in the back of their minds.

“I think [extracurricular activities] do make me less stressed because I’m not thinking about school, but I am stressed at the same time because I still have homework to do,” said senior Katie Esqueda.

The constant stress of school puts an additional health risk on students, as recent studies have shown that the stress levels that increase caffeine consumption have a negative impact on students’ health. According to Health Research Funding, 90% of high school students reported that an increased intake of caffeine negatively affected their sleeping patterns and it has been found that excessive caffeine consumption gives individuals a 60% higher chance of becoming obese. Caffeine has even been proven to be fatal in high doses. The equivalent of 30-40 cups of coffee or just 5 grams of caffeine can be deadly.

According to the Sports Journal, while the FDA regulates the caffeine content in soft drinks, it is not required to regulate the amount of caffeine in sports drinks.

People often don’t realize the high content of caffeine in these drinks, and can end up drinking excess amounts of caffeine daily.

Seventeen percent of students at LCC reported that they consume caffeine daily, a frequency that is severely habit forming and can result in damaging health effects.

The increased intake of caffeine in teens is becoming an even larger problem in part due to the addictive habits that are formed at a young age. Health Research Funding states that 3 out of 4 regular caffeine users become addicted at some point in their lives. The symptoms of addiction include nausea, headaches, difficulty focusing, and stomach pains.

Often with sports and student jobs on top of the school workload, students are faced with an even more limited amount of time to complete their everyday activities.

This short time frame often causes the students to turn to caffeine in order to stay awake later and get more homework done.

“I was only supposed to work from 5:30 to 9:00pm but they kept me from 4:00 to 10:30pm on a weeknight. I practically have a full time job in addition to school and homework,” Walker said.

Sports in particular have a huge effect on the time crunch for high school students.

Whittle mentioned that during the girls water polo season, practice takes up 15 to 30 hours of her week.

“It’s really stressful because our practice doesn’t end until around 10pm and then I don’t get homework done until then. It’s just really stressful if you have a job or sports,” Whittle said.

With this consuming sports practice, it has become even more common for students to turn to caffeine late at night when they still have homework to finish. This caffeine hype that starts in high school is also very prominent for college athletes. The U.S. Sports Academy Journal states that young adults (college athletes in particular) are the primary consumers of caffeinated sports energy drinks. Although these energy drinks are meant to increase productivity levels and boost performance, increased consumption can lead to serious health problems and addictive behaviors.

Overall, the increased rigors of high school seem to have no stopping point. Expectations will continue to rise, and in result hours spent sleeping and “being a teenager” will decline.

Students will continue to push themselves academically through AP classes and extra college credit courses. Although schools in the district are working hard to improve support for the students and their academic goals, the

it easier that all “ Itmymakes friends are taking a hard schedule like I am and other sports so that we all can sympathize and get work done

new schedules and high stress classes have already put a noticeable strain on students from the start of the year. One thing that students, teachers, and administration alike must keep in mind is that health and wellness of students is most important. Things like healthy eating, getting enough sleep, and feeling mentally stable and reliable should be placed above schoolwork and extracurricular activities. If this means that schools and teachers need to cut back on the stressful schedules and workload to give students a healthier and more stable lifestyle, then a new course of action may need to be pursued.

together.”

Katie Esqueda

18% of studetns exercise when stressed

21% of students sleep when stressed

12% of students watch TV when stressed

32% of students listen to music when stressed 18% of students eat when stressed

Per Student Claire Granich Feature Editor Annie Pugmire Staff Writer Claire Figueroa Staff Writer Abby Hnatek Staff Writer Kennon Aarnes Graphics Editor

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Sports

October 2016

New Concussion Test Increases Athlete Safety Sovacool said. “Athletes may not participate in the contact sport until they are clear of symptoms and prove they are healthy enough for such activity.”

To have the best possible Damage to the outcome for not only the occipital lobe can team, but the athlete as well, altar your ability to the student must be in best identify color, possible health. visual capibility, “Second is the protocol, and can cause and the process of returning is hallucinations to much more layered than it [has] occur. ever been,” Sovacool said.

With the baseline testing, the staff can assure not only the coaching staff, but parents as well. The tests shows the staff that the athlete is healed completely and the student can return to activity as soon as possible.

A temportal lobe “Once I suspect a A frontal lobe injury injury can lead to can affect your concussion, I will notify our issues with memory, speech, health tech who then adds it to hearing. and behavior. the school records and notifies teachers. The school/district Damage of the has a strict policy set in place,” cererum can alter LCC Athletic Trainer Jake your balance and Waldron said. “If an athlete is coordination. pulled from a game or practice Kennon Aarnes with a suspected concussion he brain is one of the most important organs in the human they must see a [medical doctor] before returning to play.” body and without it, the human body cannot function.

This helps the staff to act as fast as possible.

Every day, athletes in various sports are plagued with injuries, “Once they are released to work with me they must one of the most prominent being concussions. A concussion follow a seven day return-to-play process before they are appears when there is a blow, jolt, or even a simple bump to allowed to play in any games,” Waldron said. the head. The LCC athletic department has implemented a The athletes do not know what risk they are at so the tests new test called the “concussion baseline test,” which athletes helps discover what injury they have. are tested through before becoming eligible to compete. This “This decision was made because there are so many tests athletes on basic skill functions that they use in everyday student athletes and only one athletic trainer. If I have a life. With the information collected in the test, coaches and baseline, I have a better tool to diagnose and get an athlete staff can take action to prevent the risk of injury to an athlete. back to play safer and more effective.This gives me actual data “[After an injury,] you can only participate in two full that I can show athletes, parents, coaches, and doctors exactly contact practices a week, and here at LCC we were already what is occurring.” Waldron said. [taking preventative measures],” Head Football Coach Sean The staff cannot be with one athlete at all times, so if a A parietal lobe injury can affect your sensation in your limbs, depth perception, and your sense of direction.

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concussion were to occur then they have a test to compare the athlete’s skills from the before and after.

“The baseline test is the first test before you get a concussion to see what your reaction skills are, motor skills are, memorizations skills are. It [is] very helpful because once you do get a concussion you can tell, you can see physical evidence of the person’s symptoms slowing down and their loss of memory,” LCC senior and athletic trainer intern Kendall Lewis said. “I think [the test] is more of a way to help make sure that a student does not go back in while they have a concussion, which is a higher risk for [another] concussion.”

The test covers a wide variety of topics which help with vital motor skills “They test you on remembering [past events] and speed,” junior football player Steve O’Neill said. “[The coaches] took me off for two weeks after I was good with all the tests. Now, I do not lead in with my head so much.”

The staff at LCC takes high precaution for re-injury and all the athletes are taken care of by taking them out of the game until the concussion has subsided.

“It is a requirement to take the test, so before practice all of [the volleyball team] took it.” senior and Varsity volleyball player Bronte Zlomek said. “I think [concussions] are something we really need to look out for because of bunch of people have died from diseases from mental trauma.”

Before the baseline testing, there was no way of knowing if the athlete was well enough to play again and the test can help the teachers at school know how the concussion is affecting a student’s grade.

“You have to go to the doctor, have the sit out period, and those type of things, but we never had any proof that [the athlete] actually had recovered from the concussion and at this point it also helps because baseline testing allows that student then see where they are academically,” LCC Athletic Director Kari Digiulio said.

Nicole Hattman Staff Writer

New Cheerleading Coach Sparks New Attitude

After a year of turmoil, Coach Farr looks to guide the Mavs towards success in 2016-17 school year

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o! Fight! Charge! This year’s LCC Cheer squad is hoping that a new coach, new captains and a new attitude will translate into the best year yet. After LCC’s third cheer coach last season voluntarily left the program, the need for change in LCC’s cheer culture was evident. Constant turnover, unorganized practices, and all around negativity had plagued the program over the past several seasons and it was time for a big change.

Enter Chalise Farr, an eleven-year veteran of both teaching and coaching, who has hopes to change all of that.

Farr was raised in Utah, and attended Taylorsville High School where she was a competitive cheerleader and won a Utah state championship title her junior year.

Farr returned to her alma mater as a teacher and cheer coach for ten years. Now in her first year at LCC, Farr has had to make a few adjustments.

“I have been lucky because I am new to LCC, but I’m not new to teaching and I am not new to cheerleading; I’ve got a decade of experience with both,” Farr said. “Even coaching cheerleading in Utah had a California element to it because we would come annually to the national competition held in Anaheim, so we have stacked up with California teams.”

Farr’s experience with competitive cheerleading should come into play in the next few years. Next season, the California Interscholastic Federation will recognize Hanna Wittmack Coach Farr and Coach Munoz talk over the routine plan with Junior Bellah Flanders. cheerleading, for the first time ever, as an official competitive spirit award. This is a great new way that the cheerleaders in creating what it takes to compete is not only the leadership sport. LCC’s newest cheer coach is confident that her of the coach, but the leadership on the team. This year’s Varsity recognize the most spirited male and female student at each experience will give the Maverick Cheer squad an edge. game. Winners take a picture with the cheer squad, which is captains, senior Claire Granich and junior Bliss Carroll clearly “LCC has not until this year ever competed as a posted on the LCC Cheer Instagram page. have what it takes. cheerleading program. The school that I came from has been “I think they just carry a lot of spirit. They way they walk, This year, captains were selected differently. Coach Farr a competitive program since well before I was in high school. picked who she thought would lead the team the best, but also just their cheers and the way they carry themselves. They are There was sort of an intrinsic culture of very proud to be LCC students. By doing things like this and found a lot of value in team input. cheerleading being a competitive sport, recognizing students for being so spirited. I just think that is a “Every captain candidate had to audition, even though it’s still technically a club There is a huge difference and express what they could bring as leaders really good way to encourage people to be more spirited,” ASB sport in Utah, it sort of already had that as well as a choreography element, where they student Karlie McGillis said. [between last season and respect, that competitive nature on a big Although the LCC cheer program has gone through a brought and taught a routine to the group. The stage,” Farr said. this season]” vast amount of changes in a short timespan, their overall goal group got to cast a vote, and although the vote In order to prepare for the big remains the same. did not select the captains outright, the vote stage, a lot of work has been done behind Bliss Carrol “Our number one goal is still to support our school, paralleled what I had already seen.” Farr said. the scenes. This year, the team began support our teams, support the different student oriented It is clear that Carroll and Granich have practicing in the summer, at the same things that we are doing here, but when you introduce such a the respect of their peers. time as the Maverick football team, with new element of actually being competitive, it’s a big challenge, “They have worked hard for the team and they help conditioning and workouts. but we have the talent to back it up, and I am very grateful for pull the team together. They are true leaders,” senior Chloe “There is a huge difference [between last season and this that. The girls are excited about that change,” Farr said.

Brouillette said. season]. We have practice every day, and it’s more strict. It’s “I’d like the typical LCC student to know that a more developed cheer program rather than just a club. It’s cheerleaders are athletes. I would like LCC students to Trevor Hall more of a team sport than just an activity,” Varsity co-captain understand that while we play a role in supporting the school, Staff Writer Bliss Carroll said. and I think that is incredibly important,” Farr said.

As with any other competitive sport, an important factor Another great change is the addition of the Mega Mav

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LCC Field Hockey on the Fast track Towards CIF After being defeated by in last year’s CIF Championship, the Lady Maveicks look to bounce back with new group L

ast season, the LCC girls field hockey team finished their season with a 19-7-0, record. This year, They decided to add on former field hockey player, Hannah Drawbridge, as assistant coach.The main goal for the girls field hockey team is to win CIF, after losing last year to their rivals Sera in the semi-finals, as well as the year before that in the finals.

Both the players’ and the coach’s expectations are very high for the season ahead and they expect to have a very successful season.

“Ultimately I would say that we are looking to win CIF and we’re working to grow more as a team,” varsity field hockey player Ella Boyce said Along with player Ella Boyce, coach Hannah Drawbridge also told us her opinion on the team and how she believes success will come through taking pride in their hard work.

“We are building a culture that focuses on pride, hard work and consistency. We have started to see that once we commit to this culture the success will follow.” field hockey coach Hannah Drawbridge Said.

Mavs field hockey is looking to defeat their rivals, Scripps and Sera, in order to claim their spot as CIF champions, but only through teamwork will the team be successful.

According to Drawbridge, not working together and not passing on the field is what will hinder the success of Senior Madison Theodore and Sophomore Riley Laver team up against a Rancho Buena Vista defender.

Nataly Aviles the varsity field hockey team this season. within the squad and out on the field Coach Hannah It’s a weekly struggle, one game at a time according to varsity The team often has team dinners before important Drawbridge said her opinion on how she thought the team player Caitlin Jones. games in order to form better chemistry within the squad hav. could avoid issues.

“We’re just looking to take one game at a time and just This helps the players bond with each other and get mentally “Individual play will hinder the team this season. If we win this week’s rivals, we don’t have a strict goal we want to prepared in order to create a better, don’t have every athlete committed to the reach we just want to win games,” Jones said more successful playing environment team, we will struggle.” Drawbridge Said The Maverick Varsity Field Hockey team is looking to win We are building a culture out on the field.

One of the key components to the team’s league as well as CIF this year, with a positive attitude.

“Someone Generously welcomes that focuses on pride, hard success is working together and being positive, “We make sure we have a successful practice the night us into their home and we get to chow but Junior Riley Martin says that being positive before and go over anything that isn’t clear, like questions work and consistency” down before a game day and mentally isn’t the only thing that wins games. about certain plays,” Boyce said, prepare with each other,” varsity player “We’ll give constructive criticism, fighting Hannah Drawbridge Ella Boyce said is bad because it causes, on the field, for maybe Jack Hnatek “We have a new coach named one player to hog the ball, rather than to pass Staff Writer Hannah and she’s very helpful and I think that she will lead us to the whole team, which is not beneficial.” said varsity player to success by pushing us harder during conditioning and giving Riley Martin. us better tips,” varsity player Riley Martin said Winning games requires patience and endurance Naturally every team will struggle with certain aspects throughout the entire season in order to get the best results. of the game one way or another. In order to avoid problems

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Girls’ Tennis Welcomes Underclassmen to Team

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ith the 2016 Girls’ Tennis easier. Though the change in schools season in full swing, the was difficult for Carlson, she feels team will be primarily focusing on that the transition straight into the future. This season, freshmen varsity has been relatively easy.

Gabriela Carlson and Angelina Carlson is confident that if the Mkrtychyan, who were brought team puts in just a little more time onto the Varsity team, bring their and effort at practice, and the team talent and potential to be the future works to get their line up settled leaders of the team. in, they will make it far in CIF The upperclassmen of competition this year. Mkrtychyan the team, including junior Ella feels that the season is going well Fleishman, agree with Varsity coach this year and though the team has Donn Boyd’s vision of bringing the had a couple of losses, everyone freshmen up to improving, We defenitly have a shot isgetting the varsity level used to for this season. each other and at CIFs this year” working better “We have as Ella Fleishman a team. two freshmen on Varsity right now, “We and I think it is definitely have a good for them shot at CIFs this because they get to see what it’s like year,” Fleishman said. to be on Varsity and they are good Senior Karli Schmitt feels enough to be there,” Fleishman said. that bringing freshmen onto the Both freshmen have had Varsity team was a good decision. experience playing tennis before However, she understands the team they joined the LCC team. will have a slightly tougher time in Mkrtychyan has been playing club CIF playoffs this year compared to tennis for six years now and is last year due to the loss of talent. excited to be on the Varsity team as With plenty of matches to a singles player, hoping to help the go and weeks left of practice for team throughout the season this season, the team feels they are “I wanted to go to LCC improving individually as players because it is like one huge family, but even more as a team. They and it also has one of the best tennis believe that finding everyone a teams in the district,” Mkrtychyan specific contribution to the team said. makes them work considerably Carlson has had one year of better together. The team is experience playing tennis before constantly improving and still has high school, and for that year she more opportunities to improve, practiced seven days a week for and with the emphasis on the future numerous hours a day. as well as getting the team to work “The team is super cool and together, the coaches and players welcoming and to get on a team are creating a team that will be before the school year even started strong not only this year but also is fun because then I got to make for years to come. friends going into high school,” Carlson said.

Cole Dean Carlson has recently moved Senior Staff Writer here and feels that coming to a new high school is a rough experience, but LCC has made the switch

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Senior Abbie Rowan Discusses with Head Coach Donn Boyd during a practice session.

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Entertainment

October 2016

ComedySportz Welcomes New Players to the Stage pep rally, so that’s been a long, hard road of alongside students and also to give our driving with people.” students an opportunity to enjoy it by finding Reiss feeds off of the nervous energy humor in it to take a break from the stresses that he feels before performing to give him a of being a high school student is something boost of adrenaline. that I enjoy doing,” Digiulio said.

“I’m super nervous until 15 minutes Attending ComedySportz games allows before the event, and then I finally just let go students to take a much needed break from because I know it’s inevitable: I have to just go the intensity of athletics and academics to just for it,” Reiss said. “I’m an adrenaline junkie.” laugh and have fun.

Similarly, “There’s so much ComedySportz has helped pressure on students with Galloway gain confidence grades, social life and and let go of the fear of thoughts of college. It’s judgement from peers, an important to just pause obstacle that many high everything we’re doingschool students struggle to -everybody gathers in overcome. the theater, we dim the “I’m not afraid of house lights, turn on making a fool out of myself the floodlights, and join because I know that’s together for a night of what’s funny to watch, laughter. It’s important to when people are going have a good time together Grace Galloway crazy,” Galloway said. “I and just laugh,” Golden want to make sure that for said. the first words that I speak in a scene, I have a The ComedySportz team is eager for character or a funny voice or a funny way to newcomers to join their lively family in a walk or I’m just portraying the character in a place where they are free to be themselves. way that’s interesting to watch.”

“People should join ComedySportz ComedySportz pushes participants to because we are very accepting to the people commit to portraying themselves in character who come and we all care about each other,” for every scene.

Reiss said. “They’re basically my family, so [when I graduate] I’m going to miss being able to go to this place every Tuesday and “We just gotta commit to the bit,” senior Thursday, and know that this is another time Ryan Shook said. “So one day, Jacob and I had to have fun and be free and be who you want to kiss. We were getting married, so we just to be, because that’s what ComedySportz is had to do it, and it was one of our scenes, so all about.” there are no questions asked.”

Unlike any other sport, ComedySportz Jessica Riedman gives Mavericks the opportunity to see Staff Writer peers and teachers out of character. History and sociology teacher and long-time ComedySportz veteran John Digiulio is no stranger to the stage, leading teacher teams to victory time after time. “[Laughter] is a mood enhancer, and the opportunity to enjoy time competing

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Morgan Vice, Grace Galloway, Jacob Reiss and Ryan Shook compete against SDA

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n the absence of last year’s exuberant seniors, Cami Foutch and Kyle Whatnall, senior Jacob Reiss and sophomore Grace Galloway have stepped up as president and vice president of ComedySportz, striving to carry on a proud legacy of hilarity.

ComedySportz, which hosts open practices in the theater on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:35 until 4:30, offers the opportunity for like-minded students to express their inner comedian and spark their creativity.

“Improvisation develops a surprising amount of life skills and, above all else, develops a sense of play,” club advisor and theater teacher Brad Golden said. “During the process of growing up, we lose our sense of imagination and excitement to just pretend.

ComedySportz helps its performers to rediscover the creativity that we are all born with.”

Onstage creativity challenges participants to push themselves out of their

Sam L. Gower

comfort zone and be prepared to adapt on the fly.

“If something you say makes people laugh, it makes you feel really good because you know that you’re making them have a good time,” Galloway said. “But if it’s quiet after you say something you thought was funny, then it’s really scary and you have to work through it, because you have to make a good show.”

By stepping up to challenge themselves in ComedySportz games, many students manage to gain confidence in themselves and their abilities. Even Reiss, a veteran public speaker who led the September pep rally as MC in front of the entire school, has come a long way to overcome stage fright.

“When I was a freshman, I would do presentations, and I would shake and I wouldn’t be able to do it internally,” Reiss said, “but last year I performed in front of over 400 people inside the theater, and then this year I was picked to be MC for for the

I’m not afraid of making a fool out of myself because I know that’s what’s funny to watch.

Spirit Week Brings Unity Stampede Becomes

Mavericks show their spirit in a week of dressing up, Pep Rallies, lunch time activities and more.

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t’s that time of year again, the week filled with spirit and fun leading up to the homecoming game and dance. ASB has come up with five different outfits for each day of the week that La Costa Canyon students and staff can participate to show their spirit for the school.

“Spirit week is to get all the students to participate in school events and to get the students pumped for homecoming and all the following events that week” says Junior Vice president, Maysen Hendricks.

Spirit week’s purpose is to get students and staff pumped for the homecoming game and dance. There are five themes for the week, Monday is Stripes vs Tye Dye, Tuesday is Tacky tourist, Wednesday is rep the prep, Thursday is jersey day and Friday is Mav spirit following the football game.

“I feel that when all the students participate it’s more fun and it makes school a more welcoming place” says Sophomore ASB president, Mikaela Dougherty.

ASB’s main goal this year has been to bring LCC closer and more like a family by creating more activities, football game themes, pep rallies and more. ““The purpose of spirit week is to get everyone excited for the homecoming football game and dance, it really just brings the school together when everyone wears the same and to dress up with everyone and makes you feel like part of a big family and that’s our main goal” Says ASB Director Casey Rector.

Monday was Tye dye versus stripes, students wore all type of stripe and tye dye styles to show spirit for LCC. Tuesday was tacky tourist day and students and staff brought out the hawaiian shirt and khaki shorts. Wednesday was rep the prep which people across the school wore collared shirts and a sweater tied around their neck.

Thursday was jersey day and students and staff represented their favorite sports team,

from football to soccer. The last day of spirit week is Mav spirit, in which students and staff represent their school in Maverick gear.

“My favorite outfit would definitely be tacky tourist because I wore mom jeans and it felt great” says Sophomore Luke Auger.

Spirit week is filled with not only fun outfits but a pep rally, a carnival, a football game and just bringing LCC a closer family.

All together, ASB, students and staff have shown spirit throughout the week.

Monday Favorites: Tie Dye or Striped shirt Tuesday Favorites: Hawaiian T-shirt

Cargo Shorts Sun/Bucket hat Fanny Pack

Wednesday Favorites: Polo shirts

Boat shoes Khaki shorts Light Sweaters

Thursday Favorites: Football Jerseys

Basketball Jerseys Club Team Jerseys

Friday Favorites: Mav T-shirts

Mav Hats Mav Fanny Packs

Sophia Imparato Senior Staff Writer

New School Favorite

Anonymous artist known by the name of Banksy creates a mock park, Dismaland

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nly on rare occasions do some schools come together as one, yet The Stampede at La Costa Canyon does so every week to cheer on the Mavericks football team. Every grade ranging from freshman to senior accompanies one another to provide enthusiasm and motivation for the players as well as entertainment for the crowd.

The student section has become a large part of Maverick Pride at both home and away games and has had a huge impact in benefitting the players’ performance.

“The way they play is based on who is at the game and I feel like if more students are at the away games they will play harder because they feel like more people actually care” senior student section leader Grady Beck said.

The football players aren’t the only ones who appreciate the constant cheering either. The cheerleaders welcome the crowd chanting with them each time, making these experiences enjoyable for everyone involved in LCC school spirit.

“Well it’s definitely way more fun to cheer while there are people cheering with you and when you are cheering for no one its kinda pointless and I think why am I even cheering?” Junior Varsity cheerleader Kelli Peck said.

Under new cheer coach Chalise Farr, the cheerleading squad has created some new chants for the student section to in

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hopes of them getting more involved and raise the level of motivation during the games.

LCC student section collaborates with ASB to create themes and more exciting events or activities happen for each game.

However, there are still some changes that could be made to make the student section better than it currently is with the help of more participation from the underclassmen.

“Freshmen and Sophomores usually don’t always dress up for the theme and that’s fine but it’s more fun when they dress up,” senior student section leader Kevyn Mesa said.

Mesa reminds students it isn’t about turnout but about spirit.

“Other schools student sections look bigger but at the same time they don’t look like they have a lot Grady Beck going on but we do,” Mesa said. “With ASB, I like how we did a tailgate and were giving out bandanas and I think that really helped get everyone there early.You go there to hang out and not just watch the football game.”

As Principal Marcus is fond of saying, LCC is a family and the student section is just another important part of the environment that brings Mavericks closer together. There are many memories that will last a lifetime from the legacy of The Stampede.

I feel like if more students are at the away games they will play harder because they feel like more people actually care”

Taylor Fardig

Staff Writer

MAVLIFENEWS.COM

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Entertainment

Salem Comes to LCC Fall 2016: What to Watch

LCC Theatre’s production of “The Crucible” brings new cast members and darker tone

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The Crucible”, LCC’s newest play, is a dramatic performance about the Salem witch trials in the 1600s. Even though theater teacher and show director Brad Golden feels he can’t anticipate the audience’s reaction, he hopes everyone will be entertained since the performers are stretching their comfort zone in order to give everyone a unique experience.

“How it affects the audience is somewhat unpredictable… we certainly hope to entertain, but I think it would be remiss to predict an outcome,” Golden said. “We create something and the audience will then do with it as they please and that end result is unpredictable. That’s the subjectivity and fascinating experience of art.”

Since the show’s direction presents such a unique sense of reality, senior Zoe Merz believes it will be better to watch their performance rather than reading the book.

“When you read it in class it doesn’t seem as fun as when you’d actually see it.” Merz said.

“The set is going to be really cool so I really hope everybody comes.”

According to some of “The Crucible” cast, this play has many interesting concepts, and it will be dense and dramatic. Merz, who plays Elizabeth Proctor, a conflicted but loving wife to John Proctor, believes that theatre is a way for people to step out of their comfort

zone.

“It’s a really nice, fun environment,” Merz said.

With the clock winding down to the start of the show, the cast is looking forward to the rush of opening night and hopes people will enjoy the amazing cast and fantastic directing.

“I think it will turn out well,” senior Austin Ashby said. “We’re going to have a Sam L. Gower lot of sold out nights for sure.

Everyone seems really into it so hopefully we’ll do well.”

Senior Dylan Sanfilippo plays John Proctor, a secretive man who has many sides to him. He describes how his character is thrown into the mess of the play where the girls are accusing women of practicing witchcraft, including his wife, Elizabeth.

“These girls are caught dancing in the forest and people believe they are practicing witchcraft,” Sanfilippo said. “So in order to save them themselves, they blame other women in the village causing the whole town to go crazy.”

Sanfilippo started theater last year and is amazed with how friendly the community is because of how open everyone is and how they can be themselves. He also believes that students will be able to relate to this play’s morals since it can also be applied to our high school lives.

“Every grade should somewhat relate to this since this play is about gossip and spreading rumors,” Sanfilippo said.

Come watch their production November 9th-18th at 7 pm or their matinee show at 1pm on the 12th to experience theatre Katrina Kerwin at its best.

Staff Writer

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ooking for new shows to spend hours on end watching? Here are some suggestions from Mavlife as to what shows to keep your eyes out for this semester.

Supergirl (The CW)

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upergirl makes it’s triumphant debut on The CW for Season 2 after premiering on CBS last fall. Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist) or betterknown as Supergirl must deal with the struggles of protecting not only National City but her family and friends from all threats, indiginous and extra-terrestrial.

Designated Survivor (ABC)

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fter the assassination of the President of the United States and the rest of his cabinet, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Thomas Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) is rushed into Office and must take on the duties of POTUS while simultaneously, being heckled by the media, who claims he is not fit for the job, and trying to find the terrorists who destroyed the Capitol

Timeless (NBC)

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hen an experimental time machine is stolen, historian Lucy Preston is chosen to team up with soldier Wyatt Logan and engineer Rufus Carlin to go back in time and prevent the thief from causing any disruptions in the timeline that could literally change history forever.

Marvel’s Luke Cage (Netflix)

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ased off of the Marvel Comics character, Luke Cage is the third installement of the Netflix Defender’s series (following Marvel’s Daredevil and Marvel’s Jessica Jones). Former convict, turned invulnerable superhero, Carl Lucas looks to save Harlem from crime and anyone who means to cause it harm.

The HungryMav S

mell that? Well don’t worry, this fishy business is no secret. If you had such a reputation for your fish tacos, you’d probably want to be well known. Luckily, for these restaurants, popularity isn’t an issue. MavLife reporters and students around campus tried the best of what each restaurant offered. Here’s what we thought of the fish tacos from El Pueblo, The Taco Stand, and Kotija Jr.

Bryce Gallagher

Entertainment Editor

El Pueblo 7720 Rancho Santa Fe Rd Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 487-5820

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Kalli Anderson

ocated minutes from campus, El Peublo is a very popular lunch time spot. Not only is the price a bit shy of being a steal at $0.99, the food itself is something to be proud of. “[The taco has] even flavors. They’re not overwhelming.” sophmore Taylor Fardig said.

While many said the flavors fit perfectly together, some disagreed, highlighting the two most dominant traits.

“Barely anything other than bread and fish.” senior Jasmin Sani said. “However, the fish is the most fresh.”

That being said, the overpowering flavor of fish isn’t such a bad thing.

“It tastes the freshest.” junior Edie Uebelhor said.

With all of these positive responses, it’s no surprise that El Pueblo was unanimously voted Best Fish Taco.

The Taco Stand

Kotija Jr. 852 N Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 632-1616

642 S Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 230-2061

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Kalli Anderson

ocated on the ever popular Highway101,Kotija Jr. is a brand new and very popular spot for anyone spending there time in Downtown Encinitas.

“Plenty of ingredients, orderly, fresh veggies, and adequate sauce.” Sani said. “All around appealing look.”

Most everyone agreed that The Taco Stand had a very appealing presentation, yet lacked something flavor-wise. “[The taco is] not very fishy.” junior Hanna Wittmack said.

Others noticed something else missing and lackluster.

“The sauce tastes like old Jello” freshman Katrina Kerwin said.

However, these were just a small setback in an overall exceptional taste.

“It’s not that overwhelming, where it’s like ‘big piece of fish’ and then no other flavor.” Fardig said.

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Kalli Anderson

ust minutes from the beach, Kotjia Jr. is a great place for a quick grab and go burrito or taco. However, their slogan, “Hands down the best fish taco in town.” might be a bit of an over statement. “[The taco] looks moist and thrown together.” Kerwin said. “Smells like Chinese food.”

Like many fish tacos, Kotija Jr. was also struck with the curse of overpowering flavors.

“Not many condiments, just fish and lettuce.” Uebelhor said.

However in the absense of abstract flavors, the look and smell are very evident. “[The fish looked] grilled, crispy.” Wittmack said.

While the taco may not have been the best compared to it’s competition, it is without a doubt one of the best in North County.

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