2014-2015 Issue 6 (April 2, 2015)

in this issue

SUZIESMITH8

EARNING NOT LEARNING

6-7

DANCETEAM12 pantherprowler.org

PANTHER PROWLER Thursday April 2, 2015

Issue VI

Newbury Park High School

456 N. Reino Rd., Newbury Park, CA 91320

Student rights and student innocence Magazine sparks controversy in community

Addressing the Issue - While the public listened intently, Grace O’Toole and Courtney Brousseau, the Co-Editorsin-Chief of the Panther Prowler, spoke to the CVUSD board of education at their meeting on March 17 about the controversy surrounding the recent annual magazine edition that was published on Feb. 27. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

A Heated Debate - More than 200 community members watched as different opinions and perspectives were presented during the public comments section of the board meeting. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Victoria Juan DPS Editor, Alyssa Boedigheimer Staff Writer, Nevnit Gill Features Editor, & Haley Berardinelli Features Editor At their meeting on March 17, members of the CVUSD school board considered an action item proposed by member Mike Dunn. The action item would “request” that the Panther Prowler print a front-page “uncensored rebuttal” written by parent Garry Pace, along with a picture of his choice in response to the Feb. 27 magazine cover spread “Sex: Undressing the Issue.”

After hearing from more than 40 community members, students, Panther Prowler staff, and parents who spoke at the meeting, the school board members had the opportunity to share their own thoughts on the item. Following the discussion, Dunn amended his action item to change the writer of the rebuttal to a student instead of Pace. In the end, the board voted against the motion with Board President Betsy Connolly as well as members Pat Phelps and Peggy Buckles in opposition, and members Mike Dunn and John Andersen in support.

Student perspectives The school board vote came after many voiced various opinions on the cover article “Sex: Undressing the Issue” after the Panther Prowler distributed a special edition magazine on Feb. 27. The article discussed the emotional, religious, educational, legal and social aspects of sex, also covering the personal stories of several students who have had sex.

“I was shocked that the Prowler would (print) something that bold. Then I found out what the magazine was really about … so I read it, and it was amazing,” Chelsea Crall, senior, said. However, while many students and parents, such as Crall, found the article informative and relatable, others were offended by the pictures and subject matter.

“My issue wasn’t with what was printed, it was that I didn’t get to say whether I wanted to see that or not,” said Adam Hedelund, senior.

“I don’t think I couldn’t handle it, but I did think that (my parents) should’ve been able to see it,” agreed Anna Everett, sophomore. “I don’t really think it should have been published because I don’t know if students should have been talking about it. I don’t really know if students should be the ones informing other people about this kind of thing. I think it’s more of an adult responsibility, because they have more experience.”

Junior Jingjing Wu, on the other hand, believed that the article was well-written and was relevant to high school life. “I did believe (the article on sex) was written pretty respectfully and objectively, and it put all the views on the table,” Wu said.

“I think it was a pretty good idea to (cover sex), because it’s so prevalent in American culture, but for some reason it never comes up at all - the whole adult to student conversation.”

Crall was initially unaware of how sex affects her peers.

“(The article) made me realize how much I didn’t know,” she said, “so I think it was very helpful and beneficial to me personally.”

However, there were a few who felt that the article’s content overemphasized stories of those who had sex and did not focus enough on students who chose abstinence instead.

“I felt like a lot of kids were justifying their actions with a lot of positives, and almost none of them had said that they regretted their decision,” Everett said. “I think there should have been more people (covered) who had stayed abstinent and how that has made them happier. I feel like it was reflected in the article that a lot of people (have sex) but that isn’t really true.”

Some students also felt that the distribution was too aggressive or forceful, leaving them no choice as to whether or not they wanted to discuss the issue of sex or view pictures of condoms. Hedelund suggested that the magazine should have a paper cover warning readers to read further at their own discretion, while Everett suggested it should have only been distributed at the quad, and not the gates.

However, Co-Editors-in-Chief Grace O’Toole and Courtney Brousseau disagreed that the distribution of the magazine was aggressive. “When we distribute, students can choose whether or not they want to take a copy,” O’Toole said.

“We talked with the staff before distribution to ensure that they were respectful and considerate when offering magazines to students.”

“For each of our issues, we print 1,000 copies for a student body of over 2,500,” Brousseau added. “We only want to give our publication to those students who actually want to read it.”

everyday magazines or even on TV commercials,” said Julie Freeman, current parent of an NPHS junior. “I personally think that the students at the school have the right to print what they want within reason … for a high school newspaper for high school students, I think it was well within (their) rights.”

Michelle Cooley, parent of TOHS students and an aunt of NPHS students, felt that the article avoided the harmful physical effects of having sex, especially regarding sexually transmitted diseases, and suggested a district-level “combined STD party” as a follow up to the article. “Because of the Prowler Magazine, I am concerned about the health and safety of our minors (and) district-sponsored sexual harassment of our minors,” she said. “It’s an expensive endeavor, putting the District at risk for lawsuits and making school a hostile learning environment.”

At the board meeting, two of the three authors of the article, juniors Shreya Chattopadhyay and Kellie Levine, addressed the Prowler’s motivations for featuring teen sex.

“Our purpose in writing it was not to promote an agenda of any kind, nor was it to represent our personal opinions,” said Levine. “Rather, the goal of the article was to shed light on an issue that we’ve seen affect our peers again and again but have never seen truly addressed in a way students can relate to.”

But Pace feels that, “even if the writers thought their motives were good, the pictures of the condoms were in very poor taste. In addition, the pictures of a boy and girl removing each other’s clothes were more than suggestive and the cover picture of the article was lewd.”

forewarning, believing that they should have been able to give explicit permission to allow their students to view the magazine. Some even argued the magazine, especially the photographs accompanying the article, were pornographic and a form of sexual harassment.

“The Prowler Staff … forgot to consider those students who might have been offended by the pictures and words the article published,” said Garry Pace, father of NPHS graduates and current grandfather of an NPHS student. “There were many students who felt offended, and their rights to be free from sexual harassment at school may have been violated.”

On the contrary, other parents believed that the entire issue was appropriate and important, especially when students are of high school age and are bombarded with sexual content every day.

“I feel like there are far more pornographic pictures in

Acorn, the Ventura County Reporter, and the Student Press Law Center. The Acorn also received several letters to the editors, both in support of and against the article.

Principal Joshua Eby, Superintendent Jeffrey Baarstad, and all five school members received emails with legal and emotional complaints in the days following the publication.

Although both Eby and Baarstad viewed and read the magazine before Feb. 27, they met with O’Toole and Brousseau after distribution to ask that they take the article off their website.

Brousseau and O’Toole refused to remove the article from the website, standing by the article and the Panther Prowler’s right to publish it under California Education Code 48907, which gives student publications freedom of press under the First Amendment unless the content is legally deemed “obscene, libelous, or slanderous.” (continued on page 2)

Leading up to the meeting Parent reactions In the weeks after the article was published, the issue was Some parents were indeed dissatisfied with the lack of covered by the Ventura County Star, the Thousand Oaks

2

news Panther Prowler • April 2, 2015

Magazine controversy (Continued from page 1) CVUSD’s legal team, which reviewed the magazine before its distribution, determined that neither the article nor the photos were obscene.

When Board President Betsy Connolly announced the board’s final vote, she emphasized that anyone who wanted their voice to be heard could write a letter to the editors, but that no formal request would be made. This decision was met with both agreement and disapproval.

“I know that there are people who might be upset by the pictures in particular, but in the end I think the board did the right thing,” said history teacher Steve Johnson.

Baarstad had similar confidence in the board’s decision. “The way our board president left it was probably the most appropriate way,” he said. “The students were here, they heard all the concerns and I’m going to trust that they are going to be good journalists and that they are going to print letters to the editor that may not be complimentary to their publication.”

However, some, including Cooley, did not share this opinion. “I fully expected the board to encourage the Prowler at the very least … to err on the side of caution so that students are better prepared to be healthy and safe,” Cooley said. “But instead, they congratulated the Prowler for their magazine. That was disappointing to me.”

Dunn, who proposed the action item, declined to comment, but in an email stated, “38 million people worldwide are now dead from AIDS. In America, last year, 31 percent of the white babies were born to unwed mothers … the Panther Prowler article was felt by many as contributing to the suffering.”

During the board meeting, Dunn expressed disapproval of Baarstad’s decision to not censor the magazine; however, Eby said that he did not feel the same.

“I don’t think we let the community down,” said Eby. “I think there are those in the community that supported the Prowler, and

what the students were trying to do; I think there are those in the community that feel like this topic and some of those images were inappropriate for high school students, and it’s up to us to make those judgements. Did we make everyone happy? No, and I understand that.”

Moving forward During the board meeting, Brousseau and O’Toole highlighted the Prowler’s current policy for feedback in the form of Letters to the Editors, in which people have the opportunity to publish their thoughts and opinions that are relevant to the student body.

After hearing of this, several board members agreed that Dunn’s proposed request was unnecessary. The board made its decision, voting against the action item in a 3-2 vote.

However, after the meeting, only one Letter to the Editors was submitted. “I think that the irony in all of this is as loud as everybody was; they had the opportunity to submit Letters to the Editors, and they didn’t,” said Michelle Saremi, Panther Prowler adviser.

Additionally, in response to the board meeting, the Panther Prowler has decided to publish this article reflecting the wide range of responses and perspectives.

“It was the school who okayed it being distributed, they knew what was being released,” said junior Brandon Benton. “The school knew what it was, and they said ‘ok but wait until after school,’ so it (wouldn’t) distract students during school. So I don’t see the problem.”

“Just because the issue is sensitive, doesn’t mean that parents and students shouldn’t clarify their stance on these issues and why they think the way they do,” Wu said. “It’s commenting on issues that I believe should be brought to the table and should have a sort of controversy and shock value that gets people thinking and causes a stir and causes that issue

to be discussed.”

Despite the opinion of the majority, some students found it more important to respect the minority’s opinion as well. “I appreciate the Panther Prowler’s stance on listening to the students and writing things that the students care about,” Hedelund said. “But I do think that certain changes need to be made to certain topics that are controversial to many people … you may be getting a large majority but we can’t forget the minority within all of

that.”

Benton strongly supports the Panther Prowler, believing that the source of the taboo nature of sex is ignorance. “It’s not a secret at school, and it’s probably not much of a secret at home, it’s just that parents choose to ignore what’s right in front of them,” Benton said.

“When it comes to sex there is no easy way of putting it, (in general) it’s right there in your face, and I think the magazine did a perfect job of showing that.”

Penny Wars Monica Boedigheimer News Editor Penny Wars is an annual, school-wide competition hosted by ASG in which students raise money by donating pennies and other change. Students put pennies (which are worth a point) in their class jar while putting all other change (which deducts points) into the other class jars.

At the end of the competition, ASG awarded class funds to the class with the most points. “It is one of our more successful fundraisers, because everyone loves class competitions,” said senior Margaux Jones, member of ASG’s Philanthropy commission.

This year, sophomores finished first and won $700 dollars, while juniors took second, seniors finished third, and freshman finished last. The runner-up classes were awarded $150, $100, and $50 dollars respectively. “Having money awarded to the winning classes this year really made it great. We were able to donate money to the classes because our student government class had accumulated a surplus from hosting successful dances and budgeting well in the past,” Jones said.

Art show censorship

Look away - When Sabrina English first submitted this piece, it was denied entry into the Art Show, sparking rumors that the art show regulations excluded messages on homosexuality. Administrators and teachers later reviewed it a second time, and decided it could be featured. Sabrina English/ with permission

Recently, art teachers announced that three student pieces will be pulled from the annual NPHS art show because of explicit content, which includes implied nudity and obscene language.

After entering a piece that featured a presumably naked person holding a large sign that read “no hunting without permission”, Sabrina English, senior, was denied her submission into the art show. “I made this work to highlight a very real problem that affects our society,” said English. “The severity of unwanted sexual advances is something that I do not believe is talked about enough at school, and it is an injustice that this is so ... hiding a problem and failing to acknowledge it does not stop the problem from existing.”

Many in the student body saw this decision as unjust censorship. Seniors Brett Coker and Kurt Kemper were so shocked that they began a petition and a Twitter account to spread awareness of the situation.However, according to Eric Lindroth, photography teacher, “denying submission to some art pieces is nothing new”.

“Most every year certain pieces are not allowed in,” said Lindroth. “I think students are under the impression that (Mr. Eby) is doing something new, but (Mrs. Wong) and (Mr. Beaman) both gave their final words on pieces that would not be allowed and most every year there are two to six pieces pulled.” Joshua Eby, principal, denied that the new regulations to the art show stem from the backlash to the Panther Prowler’s magazine, something that many art students were claiming. Instead, he affirmed that the administration’s decision exists because of the fourth graders who attend the show each year.

The criteria in place for works in the art show have not changed since 1996, according to Lindroth. The qualification for something to be appropriate in the art show is mainly determined by whether or not it would have an R-rating. “We are only keeping three pieces out of the show which we believe are Rated-R material,” Lindroth wrote in a letter to teachers. “Three pieces are being pulled from a show that on average has 600-900 pieces of work is really not all that many, would you not agree?”

California law mandates that students cannot be shown R-rated material without parental consent anywhere on campus. Of course, what is classified as an R-rated piece is constantly in dispute. “There is always a gray line on what can and cannot be shown,” Lindroth said. With regard to this years’ art show, Lindroth added, “I think this year people have had stronger misconceptions on where this line is.”

opinion Panther Prowler • April 2, 2015

3

Vaccinations Going Viral Proposed CA bill aims to eliminate “personal belief exemption” In a move that would effectively enforce mandatory vaccinations for all students attending public schools, two California State Senators recently introduced a bill aimed at eliminating the state’s “personal belief exemption” for vaccinations.

Currently, California’s personal belief exemption allows parents to cite religious and philosophical beliefs in addition to medical necessity as reasons not to vaccinate, effectively allowing parents to choose whether or not they want to vaccinate their children. The proposed legislation will eliminate this exemption.

The trend of parents choosing to exercise their personal belief exemption has been growing not only in California, but across the country. These “anti-vaxxers” have been able to exploit the loophole in the personal belief exemption, which was originally intended for solely religious exceptions, by claiming they are philosophically opposed to vaccination. Although these parents must receive counseling and a signoff from a medical professional, they can fulfill both of these requirements by going to licensed doctors practicing “alternative medicine”, who themselves are often opposed to vaccinations. However, a recent outbreak of measles in Southern California has prompted lawmakers to try and eliminate the exemption altogether.

When a person receives a vaccination, a small amount of the inactive form of a dead or weakened virus is injected into the body. The immune system then produces antibodies to protect against this virus, although the inactive virus poses no threat to the body. This ensures that if a potentially harmful virus infects this person, there are already millions of antibodies present that can immediately work to protect the individual. If one is vaccinated against diseases such as polio or the flu, they are insuring that they have the best chance of fighting off these diseases without dying, being severely affected, or spreading them to others.

Vaccines allowed us to eradicate smallpox worldwide, and to eliminate polio in all but a few countries.

Parents who choose to not vaccinate their children are running the risk of allowing deadly diseases such as these to infiltrate modern societies, which could easily be preventable with a few simple shots.

Parents need to be aware of the true impact of their actions, and of the illegitimacy of their arguments.

Many cite a study done by Andrew Wakefield, a British doctor who in 1998 published a paper linking vaccines to autism. However, Wakefield was later found to have “misrepresented or altered the medical histories of all 12 of the patients whose cases formed the basis of the 1998 study” according to an investigation done by the British medical journal BMJ. In reality, no link has been found between vaccines and autism. But despite the literally hundreds of studies performed that disprove Wakefield’s falsified work, parents continue to cite his studies as proof for why vaccinating their children is dangerous.

Another factor that has encouraged this fad is the presence of anti-vaccine advocates in popular media. Actress and writer Jenny McCarthy became one of these advocates when her son was diagnosed with autism in 2005. McCarthy appeared on various talk shows claiming that her son’s autism was a result of vaccines, and after a series of natural therapies, she was able to “cure” his autism. The danger of McCarthy’s stand against vaccines lies not only in her large platform, but also in her ability to appeal to an inherent naturalness bias that many people posses. McCarthy’s assertions led many to believe that vaccinations are unsafe because they alter natural childhood development, although there is no scientific backing for this.

So, why is it essential that everyone in a population is vaccinated? The answer lies in the theory of “herd immunity.” Herd immunity postulates that if 95% of a population is vaccinated against a certain disease, it will be unable to spread or infect members of that population - including the remaining 5% of people who are not vaccinated. This 95% threshold is critical for the health of people who cannot be vaccinated because of legitimate medical reasons.

However, this recent fad of not vaccinating has led to areas with very low vaccination rates. According to NPR, in the Santa Monica-Malibu school district, 1 out of every 10 students has been granted an exemption and is not vaccinated. Some Southern California schools have vaccination rates lower than 50%, according to BBC Mundo; 50% is nowhere near the 95% required to keep a population safe and insulated from diseases.

This isn’t to say that every single person should be vaccinated. Some individuals can have extreme allergic reactions to vaccines, while others with immune deficiencies risk becoming severely ill or even dying. However, parents who do not vaccinate their children are, quite simply, uninformed: they do not realize that their poor decisions will create major consequences for their children and for society as a whole. It is vital that every person who can be vaccinated is, to protect both themselves and those around them who cannot be vaccinated. And this bill at the state level is a good start, it is essential that legislation is passed on the federal level to mandate vaccinations across the country.

113

countries have higher measles immunization rates than the U.S. for one-year-olds

“Given the merest sliver of a possibility that vaccines will cause developmental disorders, parents are now weighing a disease they have seen, autism, against diseases they have never seen.”

-Hank Green population needs to be vaccinated 95% ofto themaintain “herd immunity”

Californians have received all vaccines 69.3% ofCDC-recommended

PANTHER PROWLER 2014-2015 staff Editors-in-Chief Courtney Brousseau Grace O’Toole Entertainment Editors Adrianna Robakowski Raevyn Walker

News Editors Ad Managers Monica Boedigheimer Chief / Tazaieen Sayeda Mariam Syed Rachna Deshpande Opinion Editors Daulton Beck Kellie Levine

Copy Editors Photographers Monica Boedigheimer Chief / Samantha Meyer Adrianna Robakowski Daulton Beck Raevyn Walker Haley Berardinelli

Online Editors Victoria Juan Mariam Syed DPS Editor Victoria Juan

Sports Editors Shreya Chattopadhyay Sam Ellison

Features Editors Haley Berardinelli Nevnit Gill Staff Writers Alyssa Boedigheimer Rachna Deshpande Lindsay Filgas Angela Swartz Kyle Popok Graphic Artist Michael Hellard

The Panther Prowler is the official publication of Newbury Park High School, and is created and produced by the Advanced Journalism students. The newspaper is funded by advertisements from local companies. The Panther Prowler staff makes all final decisions on information published in its newspaper, its website and its publishing in other social medias. While Mrs. Michelle Saremi advises the Advanced Journalism students, the staff is solely responsible for what is printed.

The Panther Prowler is published every three weeks throughout the school year by American Foothill Publishing Co. For advertisement information, visit www.pantherprowler.org.

The Panther Prowler is accepting letters to the editor. To submit your feedback, please provide your full name, email and a letter about 300 words in length. Letters are subject to discretion and editing for taste, length and libel. Letters can be submitted to the email posted below.

Newbury Park High School 456 North Reino Road, Newbury Park, California 91320 (805) 498-3676 x 1110 prowler.newspaper@gmail.com

Adviser Michelle Saremi

4

opinion Panther Prowler • April 2, 2015

Letter to the Editors The Panther Prowler received one Letter to the Editors which is printed below.

This letter is written regarding the recent adults, we believe it is our job to be open publication of Let’s talk about Sex, an article to discussing difficult topics and providing that appeared in the February 27 news accurate information to students on the verge magazine edition of the Newbury Park High of becoming sexually active. Parents who School Panther Prowler. We are aware that object to a school publication containing many (mostly parents) were upset by the such an article are deluding themselves if cover art and content of the article. While we they believe that withholding information concede that the images of prophylactics were will prevent their sons and daughters from probably designed to be sensational (which, becoming sexually active if that is their intent. by the reaction, they succeeded in being) We believe it is our duty, rather, to assist our or even shocking, the artwork was neither children to navigate a world that bombards obscene nor worthy of the controversy that them with images and sometimes faulty has ensued following the publication. information, rather than shelter them from We wish to commend the Prowler staff it. Any household with a television set and and their advisor for the publication of an internet connection, any school with more honest, matter-of-fact, and balanced article than one student, private parties to which we from multiple student perspectives on a topic allow our children to go, -- all become places of obvious interest to the student audience for where our children will seek information in which it was intended. If one reads the article, spite of what may be our own discomfort with one realizes its major point is that there is a their readiness to learn about the topic. need for more open communication between We applaud the NPHS administration for adults and teens who seek information about supporting student free speech rights in this sex. It also reinforced strongly that whether instance. While as adults we may disagree to engage in sexual activity is a difficult and with the intent or the content of this article, important decision with many possible the students are well within their rights to repercussions. As parents, teachers, and legally publish it in the state of California.

We would hope that in discussions at home, parents are also reinforcing the concept that free speech is an important tenet of life in this country, and that we need not fear the free exchange of ideas, especially when we are confident in our own beliefs and values.

Sincerely, Athol Wong, Former NPHS Principal Charles Eklund, Former NPHS Principal & CVUSD Director of Secondary Education Louis “Lou” Trevesan, Campus Supervision Marcine Solarez, English/IB Lynette Shifman, English Kathleen Bonn, Librarian Janis Mathis, Business Jan Spaulding, Clerical Christine Thompson, English/IB Michael Stewart, PE/Athletics George Hurley, Math & Football Rhoda Brown, English Joyce Silberberger, Special Education Dennis McKeown, Math Pat Dziegielewski, Clerical Amy Reed, World Languages

Burgers and Bikinis Alyssa Boedigheimer Staff Writer If one more over sensualized hamburger advertisement is shown, grossly oversized.

I may never eat another burger.

As if that’s not enough, occasionally you’ll see an advertisement Seeing a relatively attractive woman in a bikini chowing down that displays an unearthly skinny supermodel stuffing her face with on a hamburger in slow motion cannot possibly be the best way to a burger in a field of allegedly happy cows. If this isn’t a violation of advertise fast food. Nonetheless, more and more of these ads crop nature, I don’t know what is. Poor cows. up every day.

The sheer number of commercials like these that play is Somehow, companies such as Carl’s Jr. and Burger overwhelming and unnecessary. If the fast food King must think that showing a supermodel-thin person companies want their commercials to make any eating their burgers will make people think that eating lasting effects on the audience, they are going to their 1000 calorie meals make you look more have to think of a way to differentiate from the attractive. This not only makes no sense, but dozens of other companies using the exact same also doesn’t really appeal to me. These ads try advertisements. to make it seem as though stuffing your face This trend isn’t just limited to burgers. with a burger makes you appear attractive, Similar commercials have been made for tacos, or that the burgers are the best looking and slushies, and pretty much everything short of tastiest food in the world. In reality, the burgers kid’s toys. that are advertised are hardly half the size as they Instead of over sensualizing their wler appear on billboards or television. They look advertisements, companies should portray the / Pro d r ella eal H about as appetizing as dead cows. Literally. food that they really sell. The people portrayed in the Mich Bad puns aside, the burgers aren’t living up to advertisements should at least look like people who have seen a their advertisement not-quite-doppelgangers. The burgers in the burger before, not toothpick thin supermodels. Whether this means commercials and on the billboards always have golden lights shone changing the food to match the commercials or changing the on them and are fluffed up with extra everything. This further commercials to match the food, I’d rather see the truth of what they attempt to make them look appetizing also makes them appear are selling.

I am ashamed of body shaming Monica Boedigheimer Copy Editor Humans come in a variety of sizes. Tall, short, skinny, wide, and everywhere in between. Yet, the majority of our female models are a very small subset of that population: at least 5’ 10” and a size two.

This has become very damaging to society - not necessarily because people aspire to look like models, but because now social media allows public comments that have caused a new, disturbing trend: shaming.

Anyone who doesn’t look like a model (and let’s be honest, I know I don’t) is berated with comments for posting proud pictures of themselves on the internet. I’ve seen shaming against people for their weight, clothing, even “tiger stripes” (stretch marks that many women get after gaining and losing pregnancy weight). I’ve seen it in all directions - fat shaming, skinny shaming, slut shaming, prude shaming. It’s most prevalent when people can hide behind a username, but I’ve seen in-person shaming, as well.

A recent and highly publicised example of shaming involves plus-size model Tess Holliday. For those of you who don’t know, Holliday is 5’ 5” and wears a size 22. She is also leading the campaign #effyourbeautystandards. She is gorgeous, by the way (and no, I don’t just mean for a “heavy set” woman), but what’s more important is her confidence. It’s a confidence I don’t have, and one that I don’t see very often. Yet, shaming attacks this very trait that makes Holliday special, saying we should not celebrate her because of her obesity. It

tells her to get off her pedestal, because she doesn’t represent what people “should” be like.

What is that “ideal” beauty standard society keeps asking people to achieve, anyways? Is there truly just one? Some would have us believe so. But think about what is more harmful to kids (or adults) scrolling down their social media feeds. Is it seeing an image of diversity? Or is it a comment telling them that if they are anything other than 5’ 10” and a size two, they should be ashamed and hide themselves?

There is something inherently backwards about this mindset of shaming people who are different. First off, we are all different!

Secondly, what’s wrong with being proud about that? Are we teaching ourselves that our bodies should come with a disclaimer: “Sorry if I make you uncomfortable because I do/don’t have a thigh gap?” We should embrace uniqueness, not hide it. Yet, hiding is exactly what culture of shaming promotes.

As individuals we are most comfortable with what we know, which is usually what we are. Yet we must recognize that people can celebrate whatever they want in themselves, and it’s not going to hurt us - instead, it’s going to help the people who need self confidence because they do feel ashamed for looking different. Everyone should feel free to post pictures of themselves without fear of retribution. No one should shame, and no one should feel ashamed of who they are.

The Panther Prowler deeply regrets and apologizes for any errors we have made. If you spot any errors we have missed, help us correct them by sending mistakes to: prowler.newspaper@gmail.com.

remaining

ABSTINENT Adrianna Robakowski Copy Editor As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I’ve always been taught that abstinence is the right way to go. When I learned about abstinence in a religious context, it made logical and emotional sense to me. However, people tend to ask me lots of questions about my choice to abstain, and they always ask me if it’s difficult for me to do. I always tell them the same thing: it’s not. It’s a decision I made at a young age, and it’s part of who I am and how I want to live my life.

Just as there is often a social stigma surrounding teens who have had sex, there is definitely also a stigma surrounding those who choose to abstain. I know that people sometimes judge me for my decision, usually because they seem to think I am judging them for choosing to have sex and think that I have a “holier than thou” attitude.

Truthfully, despite my own choice, I don’t judge anyone for the decisions they make. I respect that everyone’s life path is different.

While I believe that abstinence is the best choice for me, and I do think many people could avoid a lot of problems if they did the same, I believe we all have the right to make our own decisions in order to shape the lives that we want to live.

Though I initially chose abstinence for religious reasons, it’s not the only factor that has influenced my decision. Although I thrive with change and pressure, I definitely have always been afraid of getting hurt. As a kid, I never liked the monkey bars because I was scared to fall off. I never tried to jump off or lay backwards on the swings because the one time I did try, it resulted in a small tragedy with a lot of sand in my mouth and eyes, which pushed me to be an ever more cautious person. I never rode a bike down a big hill, jumped off a bunk bed, or slid down a railing. I have always been one to err on the side of caution - and I’m no different when it comes to sex.

Beyond this, being cautious is not the only reason that I’ve decided to abstain.

Being a pretty sensitive person also plays a big role in my choice. I’ve been hurt before everyone has. Sometimes being hurt is your own fault and a result of your own mistakes, but sometimes it’s out of your control.

Even if I’m not the one to make mistakes, someone else could hurt me. I’m afraid that something will go wrong, and when it does, I don’t want to be within 50 miles of the epicenter of that emotional earthquake. As much as I like to think of myself as a mature almost-adult, I know I am am nowhere near ready for that kind of commitment. I’m about as ready for that commitment and attachment as I am to fly a solo mission to the moon. Or to climb Mt. Everest. 100% not ready.

My choice to remain abstinent is a multifaceted decision that has shaped and evolved over time. It started with my religious beliefs, but it has been continuously reinforced as I come to know myself better.

So far, abstinence has worked out well for me; I don’t regret my decision and feel it’s been worth it. I don’t think that I’ve missed out on anything and I’ve had lots of fun in high school despite my decision to be abstinent. If you’ve made that decision too, and it’s something you really want, then stick to it and may the force be with you.

features Panther Prowler • April 2, 2015

Suzie Smith

Broken spine, unbroken spirit

Staying Positive - Suzie Smith smiles despite being told that her broken spine will never allow her to play a sport again.

Rachna Deshpande Staff Writer “That’s all for our Panther Tale announcements. I’m Suzie Smith and have a terrific Thursday, Panthers!” Most of the student body recognizes senior class president Suzie Smith’s cheery voice from the daily announcements at the start of every second period class. However, most don’t know that she was an Olympic-scouted, all-star soccer player before her dreams were crushed by an injury at the age of thirteen.

Suzie started playing soccer on one club team when she was four, and worked her way to being a member of four club teams by the age of nine. “In middle school, soccer was pretty much how I defined myself … Soccer was it for me. I had no interests in anything. Soccer was the only thing I cared about,” Suzie said.

After years of dreaming and intense practice, 13-yearold Suzie could never have prepared for what was going to happen next. “I was playing at an indoor soccer tournament and I dove for the ball when I was in the goal. I kind of felt this weird pain, but it didn’t phase me much,” Suzie said. “I got up and kept playing and after twenty minutes, a huge surge of pain rushed over me and everything went black.”

Suzie had passed out on the spot. When she woke up, she was in the Emergency Room being wheeled in for an MRI. After her MRI, Suzie discovered she had multiple back diseases, including Degenerative Disc disease, spondylosis, scoliosis, lordosis, and had broken her L4-L5 disc bilaterally.

“They told me I’m probably never going to run again, never going to play a sport again. My best hope was to go home,

5

recover, and not gain a ton of weight,” Suzie said.

“She had no fear and would do whatever it took to keep that ball out of the goal,” Sally Smith, Suzie’s mom, said.

“Unfortunately, she broke her spine that way.”

After returning home, Suzie spent days in a back brace, unable to walk. “I put on weight really fast in a week, because I went from 40 hours of activity to none,” Suzie said.

In these first few days after her MRI, Suzie received a phone call that would simultaneously make and break her dreams. The U.S. Women’s National Team, after scouting Suzie at her national tournament, wanted Suzie to play for the United States in the upcoming Olympics. However, Suzie was forced to decline. “That was heartbreaking … everything (was) taken away from me,” Suzie said.

In addition, Suzie spent the following months in a wheelchair on constant medication. “She learned to knit and crochet - although she wasn’t very good at that, and she had to sit around a lot,” Sally said. “This was really hard for her because Suzie never sat around.”

Even attending one hour of school was exhausting, to the point that Suzie passed out during class and had to be wheeled out. “That was extremely embarrassing for someone like me because I don’t like people pinning me as weak. That’s why I usually don’t tell people what happened. It hurt so badly, both physically and mentally, that I just didn’t want to talk about it and have people define me as the person who used to play soccer,” Suzie said.

Moving forward, Suzie didn’t let the doctors’ words discourage her. After five months of being in a wheelchair, Suzie went to physical therapy daily. “I worked really, really hard and the exercises I did were embarrassingly easy, but for me they were so hard,” Suzie said. “I worked, worked, worked ... finally, I started slowly getting to the gym. After a year and a half, I was slowly jogging.”

Following her efforts to practice small exercises, Suzie was finally introduced back into the world of sports after her mom asked her if she wanted to try it during her freshman year.“I did and it was actually one of the best things that’s happened to me. I mean, I don’t love water polo, but I was able to play mostly pain free because the pressure in the water took it away,” Suzie said.

Suzie’s progress hasn’t gone unnoticed by her water polo teammates. Jordan Jomsky, sophomore and varsity water polo player, looks up to Suzie and admires her hard work as both a person and an athlete.

“She’s such a good water polo player and a really positive person to be around,” Jomsky said. “It’s amazing to see how much she has recovered.”

While she has beat the doctors’ odds, Suzie considers herself to still be in recovery. However, she does acknowledge how far she has come both physically and mentally. “My back still hurts every day. I pretty much live on Ibuprofen and I heat my back every night,” Suzie said. “As a result of my back injury, I went through a ton of depression. A side effect is a disease that affects my nerves and arms, causing them to itch.

I used to scratch myself to point of bleeding and I’d just have to sit there in horrible pain. It was the worst thing ever. Now, I’m slowly starting to overcome it. My depression medication is at a low dosage and I’m not scratching anymore … so I’m very happy.”

After soccer was out of the picture, Suzie had more time to discover her other passions, including leadership. “I realized that my injury was so miniscule to everything out there so I got into helping people and suicide prevention. The amount of pain that I went through really influenced me to get into leadership,” Suzie said.

Suzie is graduating in June and plans to pursue a degree in business management at the University of Kansas. There, she hopes to continue exercising and join more sports teams. “My doctors told me I could play recreational soccer in college. I can’t play in the goal, but I can play on the field … sort of … maybe for a fourth of the game,” Suzie said.

“I love working with people and I like being large and in charge,” Suzie said. “So between the combination of those two, hopefully I figure something out, but who knows what will happen?”

Haley Berardinelli/ Prowler

things you didn’t know about Cynthia Herbert American Sign Language Teacher Tazaieen Sayeda Ad Manager

Took off time from work a year ago to live in 3 different countries, including the Caribbean and France. Also traveled to 8 other countries during this time.

Got married in November, and has 4 kids who are all married.

Recently wrote a play with alumnus John Dichirico that integrates deaf culture with hearing culture which will be shown in the One Act Festival in May.

Was accepted by the Peace Corps but ended up not taking the assignment as it was “no longer a match.”

Had a childhood dream of swimming with dolphins that was fulfilled when a friend took her to a training facility, where she swam and played with the dolphins.

6

earning not learning Panther Prowler • April 2, 2015

school work, as opposed to 68% from parental issues or 64% from friendship or relationship problems.

“I am seeing more and more kids with more and more highly filled up schedules that have very little time to be a kid because they feel like they have to, not because they truly enjoy learning the (subjects),” said This is the ultimate question of high school. Students counselor Richard Napora. face it when they contemplate which college to apply to In reaction to this stress, students have taken all or what career to pursue. It’s also passion that guides kinds of measures, from enjoying time off and hanging students to choose art history over physics, or tech out with friends, skipping school, resorting to cheating, theater over mock trial. or even sometimes giving up altogether.

However, with increasingly selective admission “Cheating, procrastination. It’s not like (students) rates at elite colleges and growing numbers of AP and care about what they’re learning, right?” Luo affirmed.

IB classes, some students have become consumed with “They just memorize it, then they forget it the next day.” another type of passion - the college admissions process State governments (including California’s) have tried itself. Many aggressively tackle activities, including to alleviate these negativities by adopting Common arts, sports, academics and other extracurriculars, not Core State Standards, which emphasize critical thinking because they are curious and interested in learning over fact recall. School administrators such as Napora more, but because they want to boost their resumes and also try to “alleviate stress rather than increase it” by set themselves apart from their guiding students through tough peers. decisions and making campus a “I think school has pretty friendly environment. much lost its meaning. I feel like “I try to talk to my kids people forget what college really individually about their is and have tunnel vision focusing aspirations, their level of stress on just getting (to a college), and and their innate ability, and I try they don’t think past that,” said to guide them according to them Rena Dvoretzky, junior. and not what everyone else is One reason why students are doing,” Napora said. “I try to go obsessed with getting into top backwards and ask kids where colleges is because they equate (they see themselves) in five to RENA DVORETZKY elite colleges with promises of ten years and figure out all the junior wealthy, successful lives. different ways to get there.”

“One way to look at school Students themselves have in a direct comparison is that grades equal money,” said sought personally meaningful learning experiences in Vaishnav Puri, junior. ”You do good in school, you do extracurricular activities. good in college; you do good in college, you get a good “I find that I’ve learned a lot of life skills through job; you get a good job, you get good pay.” more extracurriculars than classes themselves, theater According to Thomas Jefferson, the original purpose tech especially,” said Dvoretzky. “Tech taught me how to of public education was to form an educated base of deal with people, how to deal with difficult situations.” citizens that was prepared to make informed decisions Puri also thinks that competition itself is not about life and society, thus enabling a well-functioning necessarily a bad thing. “I think a competitive democracy. But nowadays, the fight to get into elite environment often fosters the urge to achieve more in the schools has changed the focus of public education to best. That’s why we have people who are valedictorians the stratification of students based on standardized test and people who do full IB,” he said. “It’s still generating scores and numerical grade calculations. people who have a larger scope of thinking and can “Society has inclined us to go to school, and (tells analyze things more deeply, so I think competition does us that) we’re idiots for getting bad grades in this class, actually bring the best out of us.” so that’s how society classifies you,” said Allen Luo, Ultimately, happiness is not defined by a diploma, sophomore. ”I guess (it) is important to remaining in degree, or GPA; rather, true happiness comes from the ‘smart’ category.” following passions and finding meaning in what one As a result, many students are afflicted with does. “I tell kids that you don’t have to get a 4.7 and be in depression or stress due to competition: in a Baltimore an Ivy League school to have an enjoyable life,” Napora survey, 78% of teens reported feeling stressed from said.

“What’s your passion?”

“

I think school has pretty much lost its meaning....it really doesn’t prepare you for real life.

EARNIN NOT LEARN how high school Daulton Beck Entertainment Editor Victoria Juan DPS Editor Samantha Meyer Chief Photographer

“

Common Core: Problem or Solution?

I

n 2010, California adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in an effort to replace ineffective educational standards that facilitated fact recall rather than critical thinking. To combat America’s mid-to-low rankings in international math, reading and science skills, Common Core tries to encourage deeper analytical thinking through these new standards. It is hoped that Common Core will better prepare K-12 students for “entry-level careers, introductory academic college courses, and workforce training programs.”

“The biggest change is that the idea of literacy and writing is really pervasive across the curriculum,” said principal Joshua Eby, “so you’ll see more writing, basic reading skills, and literacy skills in all classes.”

CVUSD hopes to fully implement Common Core by next year, which will result in several notable changes to both curriculum and testing. STAR tests will be replaced with computerized “smart” tests that can customize individualized questions based on a student’s responses. Students should expect more discussions, writing-based activities, and multimedia teaching methods in all subjects. Certain key concepts, especially in mathematics, will also be grouped into different course levels.

Proponents of Common Core argue that it modernizes instructional methods and challenges students to higher levels of critical thinking. “It’s more about how kids produce what they know,” Eby added. “There’s also a lot of technology that’s rolled into it, so it’s forcing students and teachers to use technology to demonstrate their knowledge.”

However, Common Core has also been criticized for requiring overly abstract thinking styles, especially for elementary-age children, and because its entirely computerized testing may be too complex for students who don’t ordinarily use such technology at home. Even parents have allegedly been unable to solve the oddly-worded, outside-the-box test questions.

Despite these arguments, supporters still assert that Common Core has done more good than harm by unifying and challenging students in schools.

Try these problems to experience the CCSS.

1

Jill ate 15 cookies. Perry ate 5 cookies. How many more cookies did Jill eat than Perry?

3

a. 15 b. 25 c. 165 d. 175

a. 20 - 5 = 15 b. 15 + 5 = 20 c. 15 - 5 = 10 d. 5 + 20 = 25

2

What is the measurement of the angle below?

Find the missing part. a. 4 b. 3 c. 2 d. 1

Part I know Whole 6

4

Write a substraction story for 10 - __ = 2. Draw a picture.

5

5 thousands + 2 tens + 6 hundreds is less than which number below? a. 5 thousands + 2 hundreds + 8 ones b. 4 thousands + 9 tens + 2 ones c. 7 hundreds + 3 ones + 5 thousands d. 6 tens + 2 ones + 2 thousands

ANSWERS

1 2 3 4 5

C C B 8 C

earning not learning Panther Prowler • April 2, 2015

7

NG

ING Taking (Not Making) the Grade As students face increasing stress and pressuring competition, academic dishonesty has in turn become an increasingly serious problem for teachers and administration.

In the 2013-2014 school year, three students were drop-failed as a result of a second academic honesty offense in two years.

So far this year, that number has doubled to six, while 36 have committed first time offenses. Many argue that this uptick stems from the hostile environment found among classmates who feel forced to compete for higher letter grades and test scores, rather than working to actually learn the material.

“Cheating (only exists) because of the competitive environment,” said Jackson Mazziotta*, sophomore. “If it wasn’t for the competitive environment, I don’t think anyone would cheat because you (wouldn’t need) ... to do better than your peers and see what your peers are doing.”

“Have we created so much pressure on these kids to get A’s or at least B’s, that a B is not good enough and they have to cheat to get an A?” questioned Nathan Valencia*, math teacher. “I’ve (also) had parents hound their kids for getting a B in a CP course to the point where ten years ago, I had a girl try to commit suicide because she was getting a B in a CP class. That’s parental pressure.

Do teachers create pressure? Probably some do. I try not to.”

Mazziotta and Adam Jacobson*, sophomore, were both caught with answer keys to a science lab. They and two other students in the class were put on academic dishonesty contracts and given a first-time warning, while a fifth student was drop-failed from class because he committed his second offense on contract.

“School’s hard. There’s a lot to juggle and sometimes you need the extra help and you don’t always have people around you,” reasoned Mazziotta.

“You’ve been taught to be the best by your teachers, not just by students,” agreed Jacobson. “I would say technically you’re forced to choose that option because it’s all or nothing. In the end, it’s who can use the best of their resources. Right now this is an extremely smart school; especially for my grade, it’s tough.”

Although Mazziotta claimed that “he will never cheat again”, Jacobson believes that “there are some things you just can’t change”, including the hypocritical cheating stigma.

“It’s very ironic that other people criticize other people for

(cheating),” Jacobson said. “But the reality is that that person cheated too.”

From a teacher’s perspective, students cheat because they believe that what they score on a test matters more than actually taking the time and effort to know, learn, and apply the learned material in their daily lives.

Scott Ellis, history teacher, believes that although students are “more focused on worrying about four years down the road rather than being in the moment,” cheating can affect a student’s future in ways they can’t anticipate. “I think it’s a choice that people make that leads to other wrong choices, and I don’t mean just academics, but also to that mindset where you feel like it’s not a big deal,” he said. “It can lead to greater issues down the road. It seems kind of trivial and small, but it’s actually not.”

“It becomes a character issue,” agreed Valencia. “You start cutting corners in your job. A lot of people point fingers at you.

It can follow you. If you cheat in little things, you’ll cheat in big things.”

On suspicion, a teacher may report a cheating incident to administration, who then conducts an investigation of assignments, facts, and interviews. If students are found guilty of academic dishonesty, they must sign a two-year contract agreeing to that if they cheat again, they will be immediately drop-failed from their current class, resulting in an F in the subject.

“I personally think that the school environment is the worst place in terms of cheating. The reality is that no one actually listens to students,” said Jacobson. “They say that life isn’t fair, but school is an opportunity for all kids, and maybe they made a mistake or were caught in an unfair situation such as my own, but there’s absolutely no hearing at all.”

Despite the zero-tolerance policy and threat of academic dishonesties, both teachers and students seem to remain pessimistic on the fact that “it’s going to happen no matter what.”

“I think sometimes students are in classes that are higher than what they should be in, which can lead to problems,” said Ellis.

“Whether or not it’s a hard class, you’re going to have students who take shortcuts regardless. It’s discouraging, to be honest, to say that as a teacher.” *names changed upon request

Samantha Meyer/Prowler

competition has fostered stress and anxiety

DECREASING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TRENDS In just one decade, college admissions rates have been steadily decreasing, making acceptance more and more competitive.

2003 2013 15.0% STANFORD 5.7% 94.0% CSU NORTHRIDGE

60.3% 23.5% UCLA 20.4% As a result, students have decided to accumulate as many class credits and extracurriculars as possible, forgetting that the purpose of school is to learn.

8

features Panther Prowler • April 2, 2015

STUDENT Jordan Alston/Sophomore

VS

TEACHER Michael Contreras/History

Tazaieen Sayeda Ad Manager

1 What is the groundnut better known as?

Contreras: Potato!

Alston: I don’t know..

Answer: Peanut

CONTRERAS WINS!

I don’t think a potato counts as a nut, Mr. Contreras. The answer is peanuts, and the score starts off at 0-0.

8 Which country gave the USA the ‘Statue of Liberty?

Contreras: France Alston: France Answer: France The liberty bell strikes and both get a point, it’s France! The score is 5-3, with Contreras as the winner!

2

7

What physicist’s last words were not understood because his nurse did not speak German?

Contreras: Einstein Alston: No, I don’t know Answer: Albert Einstein

What is the common alternative name for a Black Leopard?

Contreras: Panthers!

Alston: Panthers Answer: Panthers

Combining the words German and physicist, you get Einstein. Contreras is on the scoreboard, 1-0.

3

5-3

The NPHS Black Leopards just doesn’t sound as good as the NPHS Panthers. The score goes up to 4-2.

What Madonna song was featured in Moulin Rouge?

Contreras: I would guess Like a Virgin Alston: Can I call my mom…I don’t know one Madonna song, skip Answer: Like A Virgin

5

6

Who runs the store called the ‘Leftorium’ in the TV show ‘‘The Simpsons”?

Contreras: Ned Flanders!

Alston: The neighbor… Ned Flanders Answer: Ned Flanders

What is an infant whale commonly called?

Contreras: How about a baby whale…

BABY! Alston: Kid! Answer: Calf

Who has won the most Oscars?

Sorry Alston, this isn’t “Who wants to be a Millionaire?”. Mr. Contreras’ guess scores him a point with “Like A Virgin” giving himself an even bigger lead score at 2-0.

Wow, good guess considering they both said they don’t watch “The Simpsons”. It is Ned Flanders, Homer’s arch enemy and neighbor. The score is 3-1.

I think a baby would be a human infant.

Nice try guys, a baby whale is actually called a calf, and the score stays 3-1.

4

Contreras: Francis Ford Coppola Alston: It is not Leonardo Dicaprio....I couldn’t tell you Answer: Walt Disney Walt Disney still holds the record for the most individual Oscars, with a whopping total of 32. The score remains at 3-1, with Contreras still holding onto the lead!

Focusing on Focus on NP Daulton Beck Opinion Editor Rachna Deshpande Staff Writer At the beginning of this school year, the administration asked the Video Production class to shine light on campus clubs and programs. From this request, “Focus on Newbury Park”, a new weekly TV segment aired on Thursdays, was created. As of now, the class has nearly 30 complete “focuses” waiting to air on Panther TV. However, while the focus segments appear to be short and sweet, there is a lot of effort that goes on behind the scenes to make each TV special possible. Derek Grimes, Video Production teacher, has been assigning each of his students 2-3 programs to cover. Video Production students Conrad Jones and Alex Meinhof, sophomores, described the difficulties of preparing segments of Focus on NP. “The hardest part is editing and filming the video. It takes a lot of effort,” said Jones.

“Not to mention getting interviews with people and talking to them and getting all the information needed to film (the focuses) completely,” added Meinhof.

Students in programs that have been featured are also impressed by the work done by the Focus on NP team. “I thought our Focus on NP was great,” said Margaux Jones, senior and member of peer counseling. “It represented our club really well and it was great that they got footage from Acceptance Week which is our main event.”

Jones added that many students contacted

the club following the focus segment: “I heard from our advisor, Mr. Colangelo, that (there were) a lot of people who contacted him. They were interested in both volunteering as counselors and as people wanting a peer counselor ... It had a really great impact on our club.”

“Being filmed for Focus on NP was awesome. I think (being filmed) was so well put together, especially the camera work. I didn’t have to do anything to prepare and everything flowed nicely,” said Henry Horita, senior, also a peer counselor. “I was super excited to have a new medium to show the school what Peer Counseling is all about and begin to make our presence larger on campus.”

Not only are the Focus on NP segments beneficial to the student body as a whole for informational purposes, they are also rewarding for the students behind the camera. “Just the aspect of meeting and collaborating with people and working on a long-term creative project has been really enjoyable,” Meinhof said.

The student body has so far responded positively to the episodes that have aired.

“I think overall we’ve gotten a pretty good reaction,” Jones said. “We hear a lot of people complimenting them, so I think they are overall doing their job: showcasing the programs.”

Concentration - Peter Van Loo, senior, and fellow “Focus on NP” producer diligently adjust their camera lenses to get a closer shot of the Spring Rally between and during sessions. (Samantha Meyer/Panther Prowler)

entertainment Panther Prowler • April 2, 2015

9

Insurgent incites action with meaning Shreya Chattopadhyay Sports Editor

Yet another dystopian book-to-movie adaptation has arrived. The widely anticipated “Insurgent”, the movie adaptation of Veronica Roth’s book and the sequel to the popular “Divergent”, which grossed more than $288 million worldwide, hit theaters on March 20.

“Divergent” is set in a post-apocalyptic society that is divided into factions. The first installation follows Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) as she switches from her home “faction” to another. “Divergent” ends when Tris discovers a plot to destroy divergents - people who do not fit into just one faction - and society is thrown into chaos and disorder. “Insurgent” continues the story, following Tris and her boyfriend, Four (Theo James), as they attempt to save their society and prevent one faction from completely taking over.

From a book-to-movie standpoint, “Insurgent” makes some major plot changes in an attempt to fit the 525-page novel into a 119-minute time slot. It also takes out some important subplots that made the book so realistic and satisfying. For those who have read the books, Marcus’ character is virtually non-existent in the movie, and Tris and Four’s relationship is all smooth sailing, unlike their rocky romance in the book. However, the movie does stay true to the general themes of the book and places an emphasis on the complexity of humanity and human relationships.

The cast includes many well-known (and wellloved) names, such as Kate Winslet from “Titanic”, as well as Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort from “The Fault in our Stars”. Winslet was the epitome of a knowledge-crazed, power-hungry faction leader. Elgort was the perfect image of a deeply conflicted brother who cares about his sister, but is confused by his distorted sense of morality.

Insurging from Domination - Tris, Tobias, and Caleb flee heroically from the oppression of the dystopian society featured in the action packed movie “Insurgent.” Lionsgate/Press Release

Woodley, who plays the main character Tris, portrays a girl struggling with identity and a tragedy-stricken past. However, Woodley’s characterization lacks a certain strength of will and determination that is so integral to Tris’ actions and motivations; her portrayal of Tris seems a mere shadow of the strong figure written in the book.

With regard to graphics and action scenes, the movie is extremely satisfying. Every fight ends with a bang, and every larger-than-life situation is very realistic. The many technologies and gadgets that the society enjoys are the perfect combination of crazy and believable. If “Insurgent” is judged as a pure action movie, it is expertly crafted.

“Insurgent” also stands out in the context of other dystopias.

There is no imposed love triangle, which sometimes occurs in dystopian book-to-movie adaptations. Not a single character in the movie is purely one dimensional - an impressive feat, given the time limit that a movie necessitates. Even though it leaves out subplots present in the book, “Insurgent” preserves the multiple meanings of every event, and as a result, is deliciously complex.

If you’re looking for a perfect book-to-movie adaptation, “Insurgent” isn’t it. However, if you’re looking for a movie that caters to both an appreciation for human complexity and satisfying thrills, “Insurgent” is the perfect picture.

Pass Me the Coffee: 18 hours of work for one production Samantha Meyer Chief Photographer To most students, waking up at seven in the morning goes hand in hand with barely being able to function until finishing a Starbucks during second period.

With this in mind, it’s hard to imagine choosing to wake up at 4 a.m. on a Saturday and staying awake until curtain call at 9 p.m. that night. While most may call it crazy, the actors, directors, writers and techies who choose to do so call it the 18 Hour Play Festival.

To start the day off on March 21, the writers arrived at 4 a.m. to draft their scripts with their partner, and at 6 a.m. were randomly paired with a director, who spent an hour cleaning up the script and working out the more intricate details.

At 7 a.m., the actors arrived and were selected by the directors without a formal audition, but rather in a “dodgeball format” of lining up against the wall and being chosen one by one. Later, the techies came in and were each assigned to a different play.

“In the beginning everyone is stressed out,” said John Ferraro, a sophomore, who acted in one of the plays. “Once it gets running, it’s great. My favorite part is the very end, where it is all put together and everyone performs their shows. It’s amazing.”

During this past 18 hour, more people participated than ever before, ranging from students who are commonly found in the spotlight to those who had never set foot on a stage.

“I genuinely think that the 18 Hour is one of the best programs our school has to offer,” said Emily Goldstein, a sophomore who acted in one of the shows.

“Whether you’re not in theater, you have no knowledge of acting or you’ve been acting your whole life, the playing field is level. Everyone has an opportunity. It’s also really great for students who are in theater and want to try other aspects of it.”

Whether or not the participants are experienced, it’s no easy feat to come up with a script, a directing plan, a technical design, or learn lines all in one day while having to work as a team and keep up with the schedule.

“I was almost falling asleep during rehearsal,” said Cole Carlson, a junior who wrote and acted in his own play. “And with one of my actors leaving, I had to act (by) myself, which wasn’t necessarily what I planned on doing. But in the end I was very pleased with the results of the day (and seeing) my show be as well received as it was.”

Take a Bow - Seniors, Kurt Kemper (bottom left), Brett Coker (center left), along with their fellow cast members, take the stage to show off the results of 18 hours of hard work. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

10

entertainment Panther Prowler • Nov. 21, 2014

We have these classes?

What do anthropology, comparative religions, sports medicine, and music theory all have in common? They are all classes that are offered at NPHS! Though small, these little-known classes offer unique opportunities and learning experiences.

Monica Boedigheimer News Editor Mariam Syed News Editor

Anthropology and Comparative Religions Anthropology and Comparative Religions are two quarter block academic electives taught at the CP level by Richard Bradley, social studies teacher. Anthropology focuses on the history of humanity, starting with the the discovery of Lucy, the oldest human fossil found.

It explores the topic of how government and cultures were formed around the world. From there, students learn about the formation of societies, use of tools, human interaction, and the sciences people used in the past. Comparative Religions focuses on the five largest religions of the world: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and Hinduism. The class teaches the basics of each religion - who, when, and how followers of each faith worship. As a supplemental learning source, a guest speaker is invited to speak to the class about each religion, which “enables students to interact with experts,” according to Bradley So, why might a student be interested in Anthropology and Comparative Religions?

Harrison Anderson, senior, who took the two classes as a junior, said that “learning about other religions really makes you a more well-rounded person; you really come to respect a lot of other people’s religions and culture.”

Anderson has integrated this understanding into his everyday life and conversations and revealed many misconceptions. For example, he said that in America, there is an association between Islam and terrorism, but that he learned that the word “jihad” isn’t even used in the Quran. Anthropology, Bradley explained, can also be used to better understand today’s world and the culture wars that are currently present in the United States.

“You can’t believe (anything or everything) you hear, and only half of what you see,” Bradley said. “And by examining (these things) it helps (you to) understand. This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your own faith or compromise your own faith, but at least understand where others are coming from. Because in the United States especially, living in a society of religious freedom, I think that’s an important thing to understand - where other religious denominations are coming from.”

“I would recommend that people take this class,” Anderson said. “It’s a great class and Mr. Bradley is a great teacher for it, and I think if anything, even if you don’t need the credits …(it will) teach you more about the world.”

Sports Medicine Sports Medicine is a class taught by Lorena Caufield that “strives to promote excellence in healthcare for athletics.” Students learn about taping, assessing injuries, and basic anatomy. Created in 2007, the Sports Medicine/ Athletic Training Program has since become a UC approved lab science course.

Sports Medicine is taught as a regular class, but students can apply what they learn during period five Athletic Training. Riley Vezina, senior, has taken both Sports Medicine and Athletic Training, and says that while most students who take one of the classes usually take the other as well, she recommends taking Sports Medicine first. “Sports Medicine is general anatomy. The afterschool course, (Athletic Training), is where you get assigned to a sports team and you go further with the sports medicine … you use the stuff you use in Sports Medicine on players in Athletic Training,” Vezina said.

However, both junior Erich Wuesthoff and Vezina agree about the best element of the class. “You can take it at your own pace, you’re not pressured to learn anything too quickly and learn it incorrectly,” Wuesthoff said. He gave the example of taping tests, which he said “you can take (it) as many times as you

want or until you get the grade you want, so you’re actually learning rather than just getting a grade on something, then moving onto something else.”

“I would agree with Eric,” Vezina said. “I like the pace of the class. I like how (Caufield) doesn’t force into moving on when you don’t completely understand something.”

As a prerequisite, most students have to take anatomy to get into the class. Furthermore, the class is mostly juniors and seniors, with a few sophomores.

Wuesthoff recommends the class to athletes, because “you get to learn about what’s happening to you on the field.”

Vezina is using her knowledge differently. “I want to learn more about how I can help athletes because I want to go into a field where I’m working with athletes one-on-one, and this is a great experience because … it will help later on when I go into school,” she said.

sports

11

Panther Prowler • April 2, 2015

BASEBALL AND...YOG A? Kyle Popok Staff Writer Adrianna Robakowski Copy Editor Employing unconventional methods to improve their performance on the field, the baseball team has been working with sports psychologist Dr. Jeff Gero for the past month to learn meditation and yoga techniques.

“We have just started league games and have about two thirds of our season left to play. So far this year, our team has lived up to its potential,” said Zach Clarke, junior and center fielder. “We are 6-2 and are getting better every day. The yoga and mental exercises are going to keep our hectic days out of our play, and help us remain focused on performing well both individually and as a team.”

Gero’s goal is to help the team improve their performance by lowering stress. “Productivity (of the team) improves when they periodically relax, release stress, and become centered,” Gero said. “Then they are in control, rather than allowing stress to control them.”

Gero focuses on the importance of a clear mind in order to achieve a higher performance. “If you relax, you’re going to be more productive, more effective. That’s a hard thing to do (before a game), but that’s what is happening,” he said.

“What we are doing now is a lot more coaching, finding out what people need and where they need their extra support,” he added.

“His role on the team is to come talk about certain techniques to build confidence and help, he calls it ‘get in

the zone’,” said Cameron Ruggiero, junior. “So, where you can be at your peak performance, you’re most comfortable.”

Gero’s techniques include breathing, stretching, meditation, and the use of a personal “power word.” The techniques all center on making players as focused and peaceful as they can be while playing. The team practices breathing at different paces and styles in order to help them enter their “zone”, as well as various yoga stretches to increase “serenity” before a game.

Players also use meditation by focusing on their “power word.” “He has you choose a thing called a power word.

It is when you’re in your zone and you choose a word that describes when you’re most comfortable. It’s mainly breathing exercises, visualization, and saying your power word,” Ruggiero said. “It has helped me stay calm when I need to perform.”

David Hughes, senior, agrees. “I think it has helped me for some aspects, especially hitting and pitching,” Hughes said. “It has definitely calmed me down and gets me out of my head.”

The team thinks they have benefited from this new and unconventional experience. “For a few minutes a day, we relax and let go of all our stress in an effort to calm our nerves and visualize our success on the field. The results can be seen in our record,” said Clarke.

Namaste Demonstrating the tree pose, the JV and Varsity Baseball Namasteteams use yoga as a relaxion and focusing technique during their practice on April 1. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Soccer SuperstarFreshman goalkeeper dives into reality television Kellie Levine Opinion Editor

Going after her goals - Sending a goal kick flying during a Varsity soccer game, Katie Meyer, freshman, has stepped up her soccer repertoire by signing onto a Nickoledeon reality television show about competitive soccer players. Vince Williams/With Permission

Katie Meyer is taking the soccer world by storm.

Katie, a freshman goalkeeper for the Eagles club team and the Newbury Park Varsity Girls’ soccer team, was recently cast in a new Nickelodeon soccer reality show entitled “Soccer Superstar”. Katie describes the show as “almost like soccer survivor. There are eliminations and you get voted off the soccer island, not by your teammates, but by judges,” Katie explains.

“They’re narrowing it down to one person at the end, and then that person is the soccer superstar.”

The filming process has been time consuming, lasting up to 12 hours for a total of about 10 days. These days consisted of training, games, interviews, a mandatory three hour study hall session, and what Katie describes as “a lot of waiting around.”

Katie admits that balancing this commitment with school work was a challenge. “We had study hall sessions to work on whatever school work we could, but it was hard for me because I was missing the class and the teaching that went into the homework,” Katie said. “A

lot of times I didn’t know what to do.”

Although the overwhelming workload tested Katie’s dedication, Gina Meyer, Katie’s mother, felt that Katie handled it well, explaining how “even when there is a boatload of homework to come home to, (Katie) manages to plow through it.”

Additionally, while the show did put a temporary strain on Katie’s academics, the show provided what Gina describes as “a unique opportunity for her (to meet) some great players and coaches.”

Katie’s father Steven Meyer added that “it’s a positive program that promotes a great game with our youth.” According to Katie, the show gave her the chance to prove to herself and to the rest of the country that she can be a leader.

“I can be a leader, and people can see me as a leader, if I present myself as one.

The biggest thing I’ll take away from this show is that people will see me as I want them to,” Katie said. “The image I put out will affect how people all over the country are going to see me.”

“Soccer Superstar” will air nationally on Nickelodeon this summer during the Women’s World Cup, starting on June 6.

Can’t hold them back back- Breaking through Agoura, Cameron Rising, freshman quarterback who now plays for Varsity, keeps the ball and runs up the middle for a first down on Sept.11.

12

sports Panther Prowler • April 2, 2015

Samantha Meyer Chief Photographer

Victory Celebration - The Dance Team and coach Cameo Carolan pose for a celebratory picture with their nine trophies and eight banners from USA Nationals. Principal Josh Eby, Dean of Activities Carly Adams, and Assistant Principal of Athletics Kelly Welch also got in on the action. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

DANCE TEAM

It’s a Showdown - Natalie Herder, senior, and Samantha Parker, freshman, flash their lights during their national award-winning Hip-Hop routine choreographed by Scotty Nyguen. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

NAMED NATIONAL CHAMPIONS Samantha Meyer Chief Photographer Angela Swartz Staff Writer Members of the Dance Team jumped up and began crying tears of joy when the announcer shouted the much anticipated news that they had won the Overall Sweepstakes at USA Nationals.

After a year of constant practices and numerous rehearsals, the family of 28 dancers reached their ultimate goal: receiving the highest national title.

“The moment when we won nationals was so surreal and exciting,” Ashlyn Smith, junior and dance team member said. “You don’t really expect it until that moment when they say your name. It was so exciting when all that hard work that you put in throughout the year paid off ... it is just the greatest feeling.”

Dance Team competed in two national championships, West Coast Elite Nationals (WCE) on March 14-15 and USA (United Spirit Association) Nationals on March 21-22. At both, the team received the Grand Champions title, winning a total of $3,000. In addition to the top overall title, the team also took home the national titles for Small Jazz, Large Hip-Hop, and Small Lyrical at the WCE competition as well as X-Small, Small Dance, Small Lyrical, and Medium HipHop at the USA competition. Dance Team also achieved second place in Elite Dance and Character, fourth place in Medium Dance, and fifth place in Intermediate at WCE Nationals and second place in Novelty Production at USA Nationals. The group won Highest Scoring Jazz Routine, Lyrical Routine, and Hip Hop Routine in the WCE Nationals, and Highest Scoring Small Lyrical and Medium Hip Hop for USA Nationals. At the WCE Nationals, soloists and seniors Sabrina Parker, Camryn Marshall, and Shelby Rini placed in the top 14 of 60 dances. Parker and Rini continued their winning streak at the USA Nationals, placing 3rd and 4th respectively.

“In all my years of dancing, I have never seen this happen,” Cameo Carolan, team director, said.

In order for the team to win the National Grand Champion title, they had to reach the gold division and championship category at both WCE and USA regionals respectively, in five different categories.

In previous years, the dance team was unable to qualify for the grand championship title, as they only performed dances in four different categories.

This year, the team increased the amount of dances they performed, adding the Novelty category to their competition schedule in order to perform in enough categories to qualify for grand champions.

The Novelty category requires the team to tell a story through their dance, and is mostly intended to entertain and make the audiences laugh.

“We started off this year with insane goals that were basically impossible to reach,” Carolan said, “to be grand national champions … and in the end we did that.”

This year, the team participated in Novelty, Small Lyrical, Medium Hip-Hop, X-Small Dance, and Small Dance, with 16 members ranging from freshman to seniors, also performing solos. Judges scored each dance on multiple criteria, including routine, execution, and showmanship. The scores are then added up to receive a total individual score and contribute to the cumulative team score.

The team credits their success to not only each individual dancer’s work ethic and their shared goals, but also to the dedication of the dancers and the coaching staff.

“I think we won because of our dedication and commitment, and how we build our foundation,” Samantha Parker, freshman and dance team member said. “We aren’t just a dance team that does a bunch of kicks and stuff … we push each other to go further.”

“They are unbelievably dedicated. Many of them practice at high school in the afternoon then go to their own studio afterwards … some of our dancers actually have injuries from practicing so hard, which is something we have to watch out for,” Carolan said.

From daily two-hour practices to eight-hour rehearsals the day before a competition and on many weekends throughout the year, the dance team has been “through a lot this year”, according to Lily Agulia, sophomore. But after they achieved the grand national champion title, they knew it was all worth it in the end.

“It feels pretty good … just knowing that all that hard work I dreaded during the season and going to all the rehearsals where we did the same thing over and over again, but in the end,” Parker said, “everything paid off.”

Junior 7 - From left to right, juniors Amy Fang, Ashlyn Smith, Adrianna Robakowski, Ali Guth, Marissa Lee, Emily Henderson, and Grace McCloskey pose with the team’s trophies after the final awards ceremony. Ashlyn Smith/With Permission

Killing em’ Off - The Medium Hip-Hop Routine titled “It’s a Showdown” poses with their choreograher Scotty Nyguen, who has led the team to numerous regional, state, and national championships. Alisa Robakowski/With Permission

We Did It - Dance Team and their coaching staff take a group picture at the final awards ceremony in the arena of the Anaheim Convention Center at USA Nationals.

Ashlyn Smith/With Permission