2013-2014 Issue 3 (November 8, 2013)

pantherprowler.org

PANTHER PROWLER Friday November 8, 2013

Issue III

Newbury Park High School

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

in this issue

3

EDITORIAL:

E-Cigarettes

6 6-7 Body Modifications

12

VENDING MACHINES

to be removed Ghost machine - Two vacant vending machines stand in the quad, awaiting their removal. The machines were emptied as of early October and are set to be removed from campus by December.

Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Mariam Syed Staff Writer Grace O’Toole Copy Editor Students used to grabbing Pop-Tarts and bottles of Nesquick Chocolate Milk from one of the vending machines scattered around campus will have one small problem when they go to grab their daily fix; as of early October, the vending machines were emptied, and are now scheduled to be removed by December.

The vending machines used to give students quick, easy access to snacks and drinks such as Corn Nuts, bottled water, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Last spring, a representative for the California State Department of Education inspected several schools to ensure that they were following state food guidelines. For the Conejo Valley Unified School Dictrict, the representative visited Westlake High School (WHS) and Thousand Oaks High School (TOHS).

The representative found violations of state food guidelines and implemented a new set of rules in response.

The new guidelines state that all vending machines on school property must remain turned off during school hours, as well as half an hour before and after school. In addition to this, vending machines may not sell any items that are also available from the school cafeteria, such as bottled water.

As a majority of students who buy snacks and drinks from the vending machines do so during school hours, the school has decided to remove the vending machines, deeming them as not useful to students under the new rules.

For more than ten years, vending machines have been a part of campus. Students’ reactions to the planned removal vary. Many see no reason to change the way things are now, such as junior Nicole Manzione, who points out the convenience of the vending machines. “It’s a way for (students) to buy stuff without walking anywhere (off campus),” she said.

Meanwhile Melissa Moores, junior, jokingly bemoaned the loss of the vending machines: “I’m going to starve and it’s all their fault!”

However, Principal Athol Wong doesn’t believe that their removal will have much of an effect on the school. “The money the (vending) machine makes is not a significant amount, since the machines are controlled by (an outside) vendor,” she says. To ensure that students will always have access to drinking water, two new water refill stations will be installed in addition to the refill stations near the gym.

Amgen layoffs affect Newbury Park families Shreya Chattopadhyay Staff Writer Kimmy Ferrente Features Editor

Cross Country

Amgen Inc., which employs about 6,000 people in Thousand Oaks, has confirmed a layoff of 100 people as of October 25, 2013.

This has been the second set of layoffs this year, with around 160 people having been laid off in January of this year; 80 from Thousand Oaks and 80 from other locations.

Kristin Davis, spokeswoman for Amgen, said that the layoff is a result of a “restructuring or outsourcing effort”, which is consistent with Amgen’s recent expenditures. The layoff was announced in the midst of other important deals -- the company bought Onyx, a pharmaceutical company, earlier in the month of October for $10.4 billion. On October 16, Amgen also announced future plans to build a manufacturing facility in Singapore for $200 million.

Davis promises that the former employees will be provided with benefits, saying, “Impacted individuals are eligible for a

comprehensive severance package which provides cash, health insurance and career transition services.”

Despite the security of the package, the layoffs have left many former employees and their families disappointed. On the website indeed.com, where employees and former employees are able to rate companies, Amgen’s overall rating is four stars. Indeed, out of the five subcategories on the site, “job security” is the only one with a three star average.

Sophomore Monetha Raghani’s father works in the Research and Development department of Amgen -- the department in which the recent layoffs were most heavily concentrated. “I’m sure they (Amgen management) have a good reason for it (the layoffs),” Raghani says, “but it’s still a little scary. You have no idea what is going to happen or who is going to be laid off next.”

2 News in brief news

The Prowler • Nov. 8, 2013

Justin Buchanan Ad Manager Kimmy Ferrante Staff Writer

Marching Band wins at Fresno competition

Online at PPANTHERPROWLER.ORG ANTHERPROWLER.ORG Read Mariam Syed’s review on the final novel for the “Divergent” series, “Allegiant” by Veronica Roth. Help us decide the next film for the December movie review by visiting NPHS Panther Prowler Newspaper on Facebook.

Newbury Park in the ranks for safest city Newbury Park High School is ranked in the top 10 percent of best schools in California and in the United States as a Silver Medal school – one with high academic performance and above average college readiness. As well as being home to one of the highest-ranked schools, residents of Thousand Oaks (including Newbury Park) will be pleased to hear that their city is ranked as the safest city in California, and the fourth safest in the entire nation. This statistic was released in October by the FBI, and is based upon the number of incidents of crime, murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary and theft.

Win in Fresno - Marching Band performs on a football field in Fresno in their specific division.

NPHS Band/Prowler

As the marching band’s competition season comes to an end, the band has successful wins to look back on. At a regional competition in Fresno, from October 18-20, the school placed first in their division, with the divisions being based upon the number of members. At the College of Canyons competition in Santa Clarita on October 26, the team remained consistent and placed second within their division. The marching band competition season, which ranges from August to November, will be concluded with the championships on November 9 at Chino Hills High School. Band teacher Mr. Crystal said the marching band is only one part of the band program and will be busy throughout the year performing at games, rallies and concerts.

One of their traditional concerts is Christmas Caroling, which will take place next month.

Reality party reveals dangers of high school parties to parents

Orchestra raises money at restaurant

California Pizza Kitchen - Orchestra students perform a song for customers at California Pizza Kitchen for a fundraiser. Tina Huang/With Permission

Recreating the Scene - Youth actors recreate a typical party scene as parents observe at a Reality Party for parents. Straight Up/With Permission

The string orchestra performed at The Lakes on Monday, Nov. 5. The orchestra performed as part of a fundraiser in partnership with California Pizza Kitchen. “For the kinds of things we need (new instruments, sheet music), we need a lot of money,” Tina Huang, the orchestra’s conductor, said. The club has received funding from the school, she explained, as well as donations and from other fundraisers such as Club Day, but items such as new instruments require additional funds. The performance started at 5:30 in the evening, but Huang said that by 5:00, most people were already there. Audience members included the principal and assistant principal. “Most people came for the performance,” she explained. The performance experienced some technical difficulties, but Huang said that “considering everything, I think it went pretty well.”

Concerned adults seeking information on teens’ social behavior may be interested in Ventura County’s “Straight Up Reality Parties”. Straight Up conducts re-enactments of house parties that are played by local teenagers and young adults who want to inform parents and others about the “trends in youth alcohol and drug use”, said Straight Up. The group then discusses the party activities and the action that can be taken to avoid having young adults partake in unhealthy behavior that may take place at a party. Upcoming tours will be taking place on November 16 and December 7 in the Las Virgenes area. Straight Up also provides a variety of workshops for educating young adults in leadership, community involvement and other interactive programs.

opinion Panther Prowler • Nov. 8, 2013

3

SUPPOSEDLY SAFE DECEPTIVELY DANGEROUS

E-CIGARETTES 10% For the most part, the dangers of traditional cigarettes are widely known. Recently, however, tobacco companies have made a comeback with a new product which they say is more sophisticated, more updated for today’s electronic world, and, they claim, more healthy than traditional cigarettes: the e-cigarette.

Introduced to the market in 2007, e-cigarettes provide an alternative for smokers who want to avoid the heavy amounts of tobacco present in regular cigarettes. Inside the e-cigarette, liquid nicotine is heated up and turned into a vapor, as opposed to traditional cigarettes which contain tobacco leaves rolled in paper.

E-cigarettes often contain rechargeable flavor cartridges (tobacco company Lorillard’s Blu e-cig line provides flavors such as Java Jolt and Cherry Crush), as well as batteries with car chargers.

The flavor aspect of e-cigs, as well as their availability to be easily purchased online, have created concerns about how they affect teenagers. Erika Seward of the American Lung Association said that “a lifetime of nicotine use” could be in childrens’ futures due to e-cigarette companies’ marketing tactics. A poll from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that one in 10 high school students admitted to trying an e-cigarette. Flavor, as well as easy availability, make them especially appealing for teens and young adults, and in turn, especially dangerous. With a few clicks of a mouse, young people can be connected to an addictive substance.

E-cigarettes may have some benefits, especially when compared to regular cigarettes. They are touted as being able to help traditional smokers break their habit, and in a September 2013 study in the journal Lancet, researchers found that e-cigarettes are comparable to nicotine patches and other quitting aids. In Italy, a team from the University of Catania found that smokers who had previously turned down a stop-smoking program were able to “cut their regular cigarette consumption by at least 50 percent” by switching to e-cigarettes, according to an article in The New York Times.

Because of these facts, it is clear that e-cigarettes may be beneficial tools for current smokers who want to cut down on their habit, but the devices do have their downsides due to their marketing tactics, which may be appealing but are actually dangerous.

As far as whether or not e-cigarettes are healthier than regular cigarettes, Spanish doctors say no -- the country’s Association of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery warned that e-cigarette vapor contains some “identical substances” to traditional cigarettes which cause smokers’ lungs to react in the same ways. There are 599 additives in cigarettes, but at least two brands of e-cigarettes contain known carcinogens and toxic chemicals, such as those found in antifreeze, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Information about e-cigarette addiction is mixed, with opinions on both sides of the issue. However, it is important to remember that the nicotine found in e-cigarettes is still as addictive as ever; it “tightens and hardens blood vessels, which could lead to cardiovascular disease”, according to the Las Vegas Sun newspaper.

With this information in mind, it is clear that e-cigarettes may have some benefits, especially due to their power to wean current smokers off of their traditional cigarette addiction. However, e-cigarettes do have their negative aspects due to their similarity in makeup to regular cigarettes, their appealing yet misleading marketing to teens, and their dangerous chemicals and effects.

These factors ultimately lead to the decision that while e-cigarettes are a better choice than traditional cigarettes, they are still harmful, dangerous, and should be better regulated to keep them out of the hands of adolescents.

of High School students have tried e-cigarettes

“

While e-cigarettes are a better choice than traditional cigarettes, they are still harmful, dangerous, and should be better regulated to keep them out of the hands of adolescents.

”

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? LITHIUM BATTERY

E-CIGARETTE

NICOTINE CARTRIDGE

REGULAR CIGARETTE

FILTRATION ZONE

ATOMIZER TOBACCO

FILTER

PANTHER PROWLER 2013-2014 staff

Editors-in-Chief Patrick Rewers Cassie Stephenson

News Editors Victoria Koi Nevnit Gill

Sports Editors Preston Hill Kishen Majithia

Copy Editors Liam Brown Grace O’Toole

Opinion Editors Courtney Brousseau Nathan Hickling

Ad Managers Justin Buchanan Business / Victoria Koi

Photographers Chief / McCall Stone Samantha Meyer

Entertainment Editors Liam Brown Dana Foley

Online Editors Courtney Brousseau Mariam Syed

Features Editors Justine Sizemore Kimmy Ferrante DPS / Grace O’Toole

Staff Writers Mariam Syed Raevyn Walker Samantha Meyer Shreya Chattopadhyay

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 1109 prowler.newspaper@gmail.com

Adviser Michelle Saremi

Panther Prowler • Nov. 8, 2013

Read the book Grace O’Toole Copy Editor

Sea of (Disappointed) Monsters - Among the less than ideal movie adaptations is the second installment of “Percy Jackson & The Olympians”, which did not live up to the first movie, angering many fans.

“Percy Jackson”. “Inkheart”. “The Mortal Instruments”. What do all of these have in common? All of them are amazing books… that were turned into terrible movies.

When dedicated fans of a book series (such as myself ) go to see a movie based on a particular book, we are expecting a familiar story. One that matches the book plotline almost exactly. The only differences between the two should be the absolutely necessary changes required for a screen retelling; otherwise, when I say I want a movie made out of my favorite book, I really want a fourteen hour adaptation that leaves nothing out, with every scene and line intact complete with an extra four hours of bloopers.

This being said, I understand completely

that there are difficulties in translating, say, a character’s constant sarcastic inner monologue and hidden emotions into visible reactions and dialogue. However, small deviances from details (“Percy Jackson”’s Annabeth is blond, get it right) are forgivable, as long as the plot is followed. Length-wise, a movie can’t realistically be fourteen hours. I guess eight is okay, as a compromise. Or three.

But I consistently find myself walking out of the theater with a sour taste in my mouth, wishing for my poorly spent twelve dollars back and maybe some dark sunglasses to relieve my abused eyes. “Based on the book by [insert famous author here]”? More like “Based extremely vaguely on the characters and setting of [book],

but not made to actually match up to the plot. What’s a plot?” It’s not even that the plotlines don’t match up to the book; many times, they are simply terrible movies.

I’m not sure how “Harry Potter”, “The Hunger Games”, and “Ender’s Game”, among others, escaped the terrible curse.

“Harry Potter” - 8 excellent movies, with some major deviances from the books but nonetheless amazing movies on their own.

“The Hunger Games” - as of now, one stellar adaptation with plans for three more.

“Ender’s Game” - strong, action-packed, and so close to the book that it felt like sections of dialogue were copy-pasted into the script. But where did the others go wrong?

Some say the problem is with directors and screenwriters who don’t bother to read the original book. Others say the problem is with the fans for expecting the equivalent of a cinematic reading. Still others insist that the books themselves are at fault, for being so hard to be adapted for the screen or having terrible storylines in the first place.

It’s a little bit of everything. Sometimes it seems as if the makers of the movie never realized there was a book in the first place; but although seeing a terrible movie loosely based on a book I love is horrifying, it’s still amazing to see it in front of me and not just in my head. And yes, some books are awful (coughTwilightcough), but then why make a movie out of it in the first place?

With a large, ever-growing niche for young adult movies, big studios are throwing more and more books onto the screen. But if they’re not going to make it a great movie, better to leave it for another ten years.

ESCAPing the System Nevnit Gill News Editor I find it to be enticingly strange, yet unbelievably amusing that every single human in America is but a small part of a manipulative game. The thing is, young fledglings, we are all born into what I like to call “The System.”

It is reasonable to assume that the goal most people should have is to be happy in their lives. You are born here, you die here, and you have an entire life in which you are an individual who can take action; who can do anything physically (and morally) possible, as long as you have means of surviving. If you have food, shelter, water, and happiness still tends to dance around you, you’re living properly. And these days, I find that it is so excruciatingly difficult to do just that.

It was about a month ago, I believe, that I first really discovered that I am a capable individual of physical movement and becoming happy. And it is The System that prevents this happiness. You see, The System is the educational system we are put into, topped with the expectations of every high quality university and influencing parent. For them, the main goal is to achieve all and only A’s. Honors courses, AP, IB, extracurricular activities

… all of this is for you to only participate in the best universities, and high-paying yet boring professions (which are ideal and necessary in the opinion of The System) can only be obtained through extra rigorous years of studying after the standard four years of college. It has become the only reasonable, acceptable social norm. Any less will refer to you as an incapable human, which is obviously not true, for the school system is tainted and doesn’t truly measure intelligence (it measures memorization skills). But, what’s the point of wasting your childhood working so hard for things you hold no passion for, only to please others?

The entire point of these expectations, or The System, is to have high pay in the future. And we all know that money will never equate to happiness. I don’t want to study so often only to end up in the medical field, when I truly enjoy other professions. I could spend all the time now I use studying going on adventures to unknown places, finding elves, playing games, and actually enjoying myself rather than the waste of time studying I must deal with.

What’s even worse is when you are punished for having a B. Wow, it’s just a cute little letter in the alphabet, right after

For the record...

On Features 8, the correct answer for Student v. Teacher #6 was 2,600 students.

Also on Features 8, Staff Writer Kimmy Ferrante’s name was spelled incorrectly.

On Sports 11, Margaux Jones’ name was spelled incorrectly in a caption.

A. One B in an irrelevant subject definitely isn’t capable of saddening me. That’s all that matters, right? Well, no. Because I guess I won’t get into a freaking UC school because of one B in an honors class, and because that one B popped up onto my Zangle (or whatever it’s called now) like an unwanted terrorist, the small time I might have that doesn’t include studying is suddenly transformed into the latter.

Not only this is of the utmost depression, but the fact that all of this is for obnoxiously high pay saddens me further. My parents have told me it’ll be nice living in a big, affordable, roomy house in California.

When I suggested something along the lines of an apartment, they argued that they would have to stay in a hotel when visiting me, or possibly with my “more successful sister,” who is currently eight and thinks she wants to be a doctor. If I’m happy in the future, it doesn’t matter how rich or poor I am, what job I have, what social class I’m in, and none of that should matter to you either … as long as you are happy.

So for all of you that have found you are stuck in the dream of society’s expectations, it is most certain that you are not alone, and you can escape.

The 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.nespaper@ gmail.com.

COLUMN: Hostage to the Holiday Samantha Meyer/ Photographer

4

opinion

Dana Foley Entertainment Editor Birthdays mean different things to different people. For my cousin, it’s a chance to add another utensil to his set of collectible spoons. For others, it’s a chance to bask in Facebook adulation. “OMG TYSM FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES XOXO”, comments the freshman on the birthday wish she got from some stranger she met at a bowling alley. For me, it’s another awkward holiday filled with off-key singing and bingeeating of baked goods.

The day begins with that realization that it’s YOUR day, the one day of the year where YOU are the holiday. You venture downstairs to find the dining room covered in yellow balloons and a single donut on the table from your mom. As you debate whether or not to pretend your birthday isn’t happening, your family appears singing happy birthday. You flash your “please end this horror” face and count the seconds until you’re forced to blow out a candle. “What did you wish for?” asks your sister. You tell her it’s a secret, though in reality the only thing that can possibly be running through your mind is the wish that you’ll be able to get through school with the minimal public humiliation.

The day passes by like an episode of “Breaking Birthday” until you finally get home to realize you’ve missed five phone calls from various misplaced and displaced family members. Before you can even delete the messages, your phone begins to ring. Caller ID alerts you that it is Aunt Debra, who you haven’t spoken to since your last birthday.

Immediately after you give your hello, the singing from the phone goes on until it’s followed by Aunt Debra appreciating the fact that she has a reason to stop petting her cats for a few minutes. “Wow you’re all grown up! How old are you now, what grade are you in?” You reply with the obvious facts before enduring the long “OOOOH MY GOOODNESS I remember when you were smaller than my cats!” The conversation continues until you end with an excuse that involves the lemon frosted cake in your refrigerator.

As the day that began with donuts and ends with dessert draws to a close you may not feel older but you certainly feel fuller.

You feel a strange kinship with the balloons that have already begun to deflate. You flash back to earlier, more innocent days ; that pizza party with the giant costumed rodent, the bear-stuffing bonanza at the mall, and the creepy reptile guy with a lethargic lizard. It strikes you that maybe 16 isn’t so bad. Unlike turning six, there are no Pikachu piñatas and the birthday boy doesn’t always end the party in tears. Perhaps someday when you’re 26 and being serenaded by cubicle workers with cupcakes, you’ll look back on this day and the yellow balloons with nostalgia. You end the evening with a frosting coma setting in and the realization that next year you will do it all again, as long as fate and Facebook allow.

As you sign off for the day, an alert pops up informing you that tomorrow is your friend’s birthday. For a moment you wonder if they might enjoy some slightly used banana balloons to brighten up their special day.

features

5 Corey Fogelmanis hits his big break Panther Prowler • Nov. 8, 2013

Justine Sizemore Features Editor

Balancing high school life with outside activities can be a challenge for many students. This is especially true of Corey Fogelmanis, freshman and actor on new Disney Channel series “Girl Meets World.”

Corey started acting when he was six years old, primarily in the world of musical theater.

He signed on with the Savage Agency about a year ago and began going to TV and film auditions. He landed a few minor roles before being cast as Shamus Farkle, a supporting character in Disney Channel’s spin-off of the hit 90’s show “Boy Meets World.”

“ I definitely love TV and film ...

I just want to work in the entertainment industry.

”

McCall Stone / Prowler

“(Auditioning) was very nerve-racking in the beginning, because I had auditioned a lot for musical theater, but they didn’t record you and it was probably more of a friendly environment,” Corey said. “Either they like you or they don’t, but you really can’t tell.”

“Girl Meets World” is set to air next June, at which time it will fill the slot currently occupied by “Good Luck Charlie.” Corey describes his character as awkward, crazy, and really fun to play.

Cast and crew began production in March

when they shot the pilot. The remaining 12 episodes are to be filmed starting this November.

“It took a long time (to shoot the pilot).

We were on set for like two and a half weeks just to film the first episode,” Corey said.

“They probably rewrote the script I think like 11 times. It had to be perfect. We filmed every scene probably five or six times.”

“Working with Disney has been an incredible experience. It is really amazing to see what it takes to put together a production like this. There are so many people involved.

The people are all so kind and helpful. They take good care of the actors and their parents,” Shannon Fogelmanis, Corey’s mom, said.

“It can be a bit overwhelming as we are just settling into the routine and don’t know exactly what to expect yet.”

In order to keep pace with both his school commitments and the demanding schedule of an acting career, Corey will transition to an independent studies program through the Conejo Valley School District. However, he said should he ever return to NPHS, he wants to become involved with the Panther Players.

As much as he enjoys acting for TV and film, musical theater remains his passion.

“My overall goal is I really want to be on Broadway. I feel like the easiest way to do that is to kind of become famous with TV and film before that so that Broadway will want (me). There are so many people auditioning for Broadway shows every day and it is probably one of the most difficult things to do,” he said. “I’m not doing anything (with theater) now because obviously I have to leave for ‘Girl Meets World’ but if I do come back I think I really want to do some stuff here.”

Freshman cast in new Disney Channel program “Girl Meets World.”

Meet the cast - Corey Fogelmanis, freshman, poses with fellow “Girl Meets World” cast members Sabrina Carpenter, Rowan Blanchard, Peyton Meyer, and August Maturo at the home of cast member Ben Savage on Nov 3, 2012. The group got their first opportunity to work together during the shooting of the pilot in March. “It took a long time but it was a very great environment. I made a lot of new friends. We had such natural chemistry so it was super fun,” Corey said. Corey Fogelmanis/With Permission

things you did not know about thin

Richard Kick R

Computer Science and Math Teacher/Boys Tennis Coach

Kimmy Ferramte Features Editor

Grew up in Kankakee, Illinois, once voted the worst place to live in the U.S.

Used to play in a jazz band and currently plays the trumpet

Played baseball until his 20’s and is now a tennis coach

Creates computer programs for fun and works on the school’s website

Co-chair on the committee that creates the AP Computer Science exam

Panther Prowler • Nov. 8, 2013

Shreya Chattopadhyay/Prowler

Tucker Gress/With Permission

Samantha Prasopthum/With Permission

Jane Milnes/With Permission

6

DPS

PIERCINGS

TATTOOS

HAIR DYE

Nathan Hickling Opinion Editor Raevyn Walker Staff Writer Art has always been a part of culture. No matter which civilization, era, or part of the world, art serves as a way of expressing the complicated feelings and emotions which define humanity. Art has been through many stages, including the bold move to using canvas, and today, the internet. As for this generation, the fate of art is being decided at this very moment: one of the outlets for modern art may be the very bodies humans live and breathe with.

Body modification itself is a broad field, and includes tattoos, piercings, and any other alterations. Plastic surgery in some circles is considered an acceptable form of body modification, while in others modding can be as dramatic as splitting or removing parts of the human body.

“Who says art needs to be on a canvas?” asks body-mod enthusiast Jane Milnes, senior.

“The fact is that it’s different, and unique. It’s really an art form in itself.”

Milnes, and many who think like her view the human body as the next canvas for art.

They see body modifications as a way of bringing their art of expression to the common people. Art is no longer something that one has to dress up in suit and tie to experience. All one has to do to find art is look around.

While past generations saw body modifications as morally impure or sinful, body art has gained increasing popularity among the younger generation. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, in a survey of 500 people, ages 18 to 50, 24 % stated they had tattoos. 14% stated they had a piercing other than on their ears.

One major concern over job security still haunts those with mods. Forbes magazine states that many workplaces are loosening up on their workplace attire policies, although these may change depending on where one is hired. Still, many fear that getting modifications will affect how coworkers view them or even get them fired.

However, Tiffani Coull, a social science teacher who has multiple tattoos, acknowledges that this isn’t an issue for her. “Legally it can’t affect my work,” Coull says. “Most people honestly don’t even notice.”

At the same time, not every worker’s experience is the same. Many complain of being unfairly fired, or told that they must cover up the tattoos they have. Milnes herself says she has had a different experience than Coull with co-workers.

“I do work with some people who have a few piercings and tattoos.” She adds, “Basically, it’s kind of like a hush-hush thing … as long as you don’t show it, it’s fine.”

Of course, as modifications become more popular, more workplaces are changing.

“Discrimination in employment based on tattooing and body piercing is not illegal, except when individuals claim the tattoo or piercing is part of their being a member of a protected class,” according to an article by Brian Elzweig and Donna K. Peeples in the SAM Advanced Management Journal.

“I think it’s just becoming more mainstream,” Coull observes. “In our parents’ generation it was more of a taboo … my parents still don’t accept it.”

As body art becomes seen more as a form of self-expression and less of a form of rebellion, it may also become more popular with forthcoming generations. “It’s different … it’s about being unique and being your own person. People don’t like stuff that’s different,” Milnes admits.

However, the border between art and graffiti, tribal signs and gang symbols, is still thin.

Regardless of opinion, the increase of Americans with body modifications, dramatically in the new generation, is growing to be considered as a legitimate form of art. “I just really started to appreciate the artistry that goes into it,” Coull says of her own tattoos. “They’re just tattoos of things I found beautiful ... the tattoos all mean something to me.”

The world of body modifications is a creative universe. Still, no one can deny that this world is clouded with the dangers of sharp needles and poisonous dyes. When everything goes right, body modifications can seamlessly pull individuals out of the sinking sands of conformity, but there are a million different ways for them to go wrong. Milnes, as enthusiastic as she is, still addresses that there are potential dangers.

Milnes says that sterilization, as well as being “familiar with bloodborne pathogens,” is important when planning to receive body tattoos and piercings. She also warns against getting modifications from less reputable sources.

Even with dangers included, body modifications signify a new culture, and appeal to the younger population. To those who think like Coull and Milnes, tattoos and piercings mark a new era in art; however, their opinions do not stand alone. Differing opinions on the issue will continue to clash as the place of body modifications in society is further explored.

DPS

Panther Prowler • Nov. 8 2013

Breanna Lang

Freshman

“Just because they have piercings doesn’t mean they won’t be able to achieve academically.

They have the right to work where they want to.”

Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Nikki Manson

May Sharpe “I don’t think that their personal choices should impact their work life at all.”

Mary Joe Barker

Sophomore

“People shouldn’t not let them get a job just because of their appearance, but unfortunately I think that having piercings or tattoos can come off as unwelcoming for the store or place that they’re going to apply for.”

7

“It really depends on which job you’re applying for. For example, if you give tattoos for a living, I don’t really think they’re going to care.

However, if you’re a lawyer, you probably want to look professional so people will take you seriously.”

?

How do you think body modifications, such as tattoos, piercings or dyed hair, affect students’ ability to get jobs

Manas Kumar

“It’s personal expression, and you shouldn’t judge personal expression.”

“They’re still people with equal-opportunity employments; there’s a line though. If you have a person whose body modifications are so intense or extreme that they’re actually worsening the work environment, then that’s a problem, but that’s in the most extreme cases.”

Junior

Michael Moses

Alexis Wallace

“I think it’s not a big deal if your hair’s died or if you have piercings, as long as you’re professional. Maybe tattoos could be a problem, but it depends on your job.”

“It depends on what kind of job, like if their physical appearance affects their customers, then no, but otherwise I think it’s not a problem.”

Senior

Sarah MacMillen

8

features Panther Prowler • Nov. 8, 2013

STUDENT VS TEACHER Sami Ghanem/Senior

1In December 1860, an event

Deborah Dogancay/Chemistry

Justin Buchanan Ad Manager

occurred which eventually led to the Civil War: What was the first state to secede from the Union?

popular slogan “Das Auto?”

Dogancay: Volkswagen Ghanem: Volkswagen Answer: Volkswagen

Dogancay: I’ll go with South Carolina Ghanem: South Carolina Answer: South Carolina

“Das Right.” The score moves to 3-3.

6 Which person was the U.S.

The answer is South Carolina. The score is 1-1.

town?

Dogancay: Little Rock Ghanem: Ohio…oh wait, hometown. Toledo, Ohio Answer: Hope, Arkansas

Ambassador to the United Nations from 1971 to 1973, then later President of the United States?

Samantha Meyer/Prowler

2What is Bill Clinton’s home

5 Which car company has the

Dogancay: I say Carter Ghanem: George H.W. Bush Answer: George H.W. Bush Ghanem takes this one. The answer is George H.W. Bush.

Score in Ghanem’s favor, 4-3.

The answer is Hope, Arkansas.

Close guess though with Little Rock, Mrs. Dogancay. Score stands, 1-1.

7 What do the initials GUI stand

3 Is a No. 1 pencil harder or

for?

softer than a No. 2 pencil?

Dogancay: Harder Ghanem: Softer Answer: Softer No. 1 is the sofest lead pencil.

Ghanem takes the lead, 2-1.

4 How many miles (or kilometers) is a marathon foot race?

Dogancay: 26.2 miles, so about 26 miles.

Ghanem: I’m going to with 1,000 miles Answer: 26. 2

IT’S A TIE!

4-4

Dogancay: Ground-fault Underlying Interference Ghanem: Grossly Unedcuated Idiots Answer: Graphical User Interface I don’t even know how to interpret that, Ghanem. The answer is Graphical User Interface. Score stands, 4-3 Ghanem.

8 What was the orignal Barbie’s full first name?

Dogancay: Barbara Ghanem: Barbie Answer: Barbara Barbie’s full first name is Barbie?

The answer is Barbara (Barbara Milicient Roberts is her full name, for the record.) The score is tied, 4-4. Good game everyone.

Wow, Mrs. Dogancay, only to the tenths place. I guess it means less propagation of error. Score is tied, 2-2.

Debating the issues: Speech and Debate Club members sharpen skills through competition Nathan Hickling Opinion Editor The first thing one notices when walking into the Speech and Debate Club is the atmosphere of friendliness. In the minutes before the club formally begins, the members mingle in separate groups, talking and laughing like one might imagine the founding fathers once did before all the talk regarding constitutions.

The club has grown significantly since last year, but the debaters are still very comfortable with each other, changing what might be an intimidating experience for some into a “we’re all friends here” learning process. Then, as the conversation starts to die down, discussion begins on how to sharpen arguments.

The novice debate, which was held this year on October 26, is a chance for first-time debaters to jump into the deep end on their own. The first-timers discuss ideas on how to pass the time while waiting for their own debate. However,

the first debate is more than just fun and games, and those participating also got down to the nitty-gritty, getting into their formal arguments, and how they would shut down the other side. There will be more debates over the year, each of which will require unique skills.

“For me, (speech and debate) has improved my speaking and confidence dramatically,” says Pinxue Li, senior. He has participated in speech and debate both at his previous school, and in the club since last year.

The club tests more than just speech skill, however. A good debater is able to win on either side of the argument. That’s the challenge for these “first-timers”-- they are not told which sides of the issues they will be on, and therefore have to be prepared for both. Each argument is carefully broken into its basic parts and improved, but never completely shot down.

The debaters hope this will lead a win for the team. Of course,

Li admits, “Winning isn’t everything.”

“It teaches you to always keep on trying,” sophomore Jessica Han, club president, says. She founded the club last year, and attributes its growth to word of mouth and interest in debate.

In addition to the six competitions, the club also focuses on speech, which can mean anything from interpretations of famous speeches to spontaneous speeches on issues the students feel strongly about.

“It definitely teaches you how to think and speak on the spot,” Miharu Altmire, club adviser and mathematics teacher, says. “It’s different than writing on a paper.”

In the end, speech and debate may hold more value than meets the eye. As Han says, “It’s nice to know there’s something that will help you later in life that isn’t necessarily studying.”

entertainment Panther Prowler •Nov. 8, 2013

9

MOVIE REVIEW: ENDER’S GAME

Liam Brown Entertainment Editor If anything, the years 2012-2013 in film will most likely be remembered as the years of young adult book-to-movie adaptations. Some, like “The Hunger Games” worked, and some didn’t. “Ender’s Game” is an example of the latter.

The film is based on the 1985 book of the same name by author Orson Scott Card, and is apparently also a fusion with the companion novel “Ender’s Shadow”, both of which I’ll admit are unread by me. Written for the screen and directed

by Gavin Hood, who read “Ender’s Game” when he was 17 and in the military, the film presents a futuristic landscape in which Earth has been attacked by technologically-advanced enemies known as the Formics, initially defeated by a mysterious figure known as Mazer Rackham. Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield, the title character in “Hugo”) is a smart, brilliant boy who outshines all the rest. Why? Because he beats people up? Because he’s stronger or smarter? I don’t really know why, and the movie never provides a baseline for what the other children are like.

The gist of the first few acts is only one thing: this Ender kid is a pretty big deal. He impresses Colonel Graff (an especially growly Harrison Ford) and joins Battle School, where he quickly rises to the top. So he gets promoted again, this time under the rough tutelage of Bonzo (Moises Arias).

You know what? Ender’s pretty good there too, in yet another

This is not a game; this is war - Bean (Aramis Knight) and Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) practice navigating in the “Battle Room” in a scene from the sci-fi adaptation “Ender’s Game’, based on the 1985 book by Orson Scott Card. Summit Entertainment/ With Permission

battle scene I barely remember. Promotion! And so on and so forth. Pretty soon Ender is leading his own army and meanwhile, we’re still trying to figure out what happened in the previous scenes or why Ender is so special.

The film isn’t all promotion-battle-promotion, despite what it may feel like. Some of the more enjoyable scenes include those in which we can see Ender’s psyche becoming increasingly affected by his actions. For example, one scene shows Ender playing a video game, mind-controlling a computerized mouse on a futuristic iPad. Instead of following the game’s instructions, he has the creature disarm a Jack-andthe-Beanstalk-style giant by attacking its eye to move ahead.

Slowly but surely, the thoughts in Ender’s head manifest themselves in the game: his family back home, like sister Valentine (Abigail Breslin), who his mind casts as the game’s damsel-in-distress. Ender’s penchant for violence in the game comes into play in his real life, a fascinating element that

could have been explored more. Bonus points for these scenes being the only ones that were really memorable.

That’s the main problem with “Ender’s Game”, though: it tries to cram so much in the first two acts that it becomes confusing and forgettable. By the time we slow down for the third act, we’re at a snail’s pace. It’s hard to care about the final battle when we’re trying to comprehend everything before.

And when your movie begins with an epigraph quote from Ender himself about loving your enemy or something before we’ve even met him, it feels a little pretentious.

Maybe I would have liked this more if I had read the books, but for me, a successful book adaptation should also be accessible to those who aren’t as experienced. Since the film never really catered to those non-fans, it didn’t get me rooting for Ender. Fans might like “Ender’s Game”, but if you’re someone like me, it leaves you with a lot more questions than answers.

“Noises Off” brings backstage to life Raevyn Walker Staff Writer The theater department’s newest play, “Noises Off ”, opened on November 7 in the Performing Arts Center, but the process of creating the performance began weeks beforehand. The curtains were wide open and the doors were closed, but the sounds of the theater/technical department working on the finishing touches of their next play were already heard.

The aisles in the PAC were bursting with the “laaaa”s of vocal exercises, as well as the rehearsing and re-rehearsing of actors’ lines. An endless buzzing sound hung in the air from the technical theater crew, who were busy working on the play. The frenzy that evolves behind the stage is paralleled by the play that will be performed within the “Noises Off ” itself.

“One of the things I love about this play,” says Danielle Rollins, theater director, “is how it gives the audience an insight to the craziness behind live theater.”

“Noises Off ” features the struggle of Lloyd, a stage director, as he attempts to direct the fictional play of “Nothing On”, with much comedic failure. The play shows how everything that can go wrong will go wrong, but there is always a reason to laugh about it. This is the first play run under Rollins. Dani Kluss, returning stage manager and senior, acknowledges the new management as “a refreshing

change to our department.”

The play was first performed in 1982. Rollins decided to produce this play because of her own personal experience with the script; she first did a scene from “Noises Off ” in her high school theater class, here at Newbury Park. Rollins then later performed the play again in college, as the character Dotty.

“I’ve always wanted to be the director,” said Rollins. “The writing (of the play) is so intricate ... it speaks for itself.”

The rehearsals show the practice that goes into a finished play.

The theater department and the technical theater crew work together to produce the show.

“I love the hectic hype of backstage. During the show, the director steps down and I’m in charge. It’s stressful, chaotic, and I love it,” Dani Kluss said.

Teenagers take on the roles of the adult characters both on and off stage. Students like Kluss enjoy the busy feeling of making a show happen and seeing a bit of themselves shown in their creation, “Noises Off ”.

“There is a stage manager in the play, and I’ve always thought it was interesting watching the comparison and how this play portrays (my role),” Kluss added.

“This play is easily the craziest play that Newbury Park has ever performed,” Rena Dvoretzky, sophomore, said.

“The writing (of the play) is so intricate ... it speaks for itself.”

Backstage banter - Corbin Trumble and Mariah Tobin, juniors, practice in anticipation of the theater department’s latest performance, “Noises Off”, which tells the story of the backstage antics behind a play. Daphne Johns/ With Permission

10

entertainment Panther Prowler • Nov. 8, 2013

NPHS ZOMBIE RUN unleashes terror on school grounds

Samantha Meyer Photographer

Running to safety -- In the beginning of the run, Dani Kluss, senior and Kylie Kelleher, sophomore, set the scene with Kluss dragging away a zombified Kelleher. Grace O’Toole / Prowler

The fire alarm rang throughout the school on the night of Saturday, October 26, an unplanned moment for the actors and actresses portraying zombies at the Zombie Run, a theatre department fundraiser. When the alarm and flashing lights were finally cut off a half an hour later, customers were still lined up in the parking lot, eager to enter the horror-filled school regardless of the wait.

The Zombie Run was a fundraiser for the theatre department as a way to raise money for future productions and set equipment. Dani Kluss, senior, sparked the idea when she visited Comic-Con and saw a similar event take place.

She then proposed the idea to throw her own form of a zombie infestation here at school.

“I’ve been the one organizing it, planning it, and pretty much in charge of everything,” said Kluss. “But I’m really excited to just be a part of it in general and see how it turns out!”

At the Zombie Run, participants paid $5 at the Girls Activity Room before being unleashed onto a course around the school, where the “zombies” were waiting to frighten them, using baby powder to mark which of their victims had been infected.

“I loved the fact that it was almost entirely student run,” said Zareena Zaidi, a senior who

was a zombie on the course. “I really felt like we started something that’s going to become a tradition at NPHS, and I feel so honored and proud to have been a part of it.”

With every monster came a lot of hard work from the actors who played them. The week before the night of horrors, the students participating in the production came together for “Zombie Camp”, where they learned how to unleash their inner flesh-eating selves.

“We did viewpoints, which is an acting exercise where basically you get into a meditative state until you feel like you are that character,” said Kylie Kelleher, sophomore. “You think of what you’d want, think of what you’d look like, and then just portray it through your actions.

There were a lot of people crawling on the stage.”

After all of the stress and hours put into the production, the theatre department was shocked to see how many people had attended their event.

While they had only hoped to make about $200, in the end they ended up with $982 for the theatre department.

“At the end, Danielle Rollins (theatre teacher) walked up to me and she said ‘We made nearly a thousand dollars’,” said Kluss. “I started sobbing…

Just knowing that (the event) wasn’t a complete failure was really great.”

Student Voices: What do you enjoy about fall?

Shreya Chattopadhyay Staff Writer

Iridian Ramirez senior

Tony Hoyl sophomore

“I like Halloween, because it’s fun to go trick-or-treating with friends and just have fun.”

Rachna Deshpande freshman

“My favorite part about fall is ... the variety of clothes ... and the colors that people wear.

The oranges, the reds, the fall leaf colors, stuff like that…”

Adham Btaddini junior

“My favorite part about fall is probably the pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks, and the horror movies.”

Samantha Meyer/Prowler

“I like the holidays, like Halloween and Thanksgiving.

I like Halloween because I get to hang out with my friends and eat candy, and I like Thanksgiving because I get to spend quality time with my family.”

sports

11

Panther Prowler • Nov. 8, 2013

Girls tennis advances to CIF Victoria Koi News Editor The season is not over yet for girls tennis.

The team is powering through CIF and after winning their first match against San Marcos High School, they are determined to continue their success.

“We are number four in our league which means we have to play against a number one team from another league,” Lee Norgaard, senior, said.

Going to CIF is a monumental moment, according to Norgaard, because it is a chance to advance even further than last year, when they lost the first round into the championship.

They worked hard during the season, despite some changes within the team.

“We knew we were (going to) go to CIF but we didn’t think so before the season started because we lost five really good players last year,” Norgaard said.

Regardless of the doubt in the beginning of the season, the team overcame these obstacles and finished their regular season with a score of six wins and six losses.

In addition to the team, two individual players also qualified to participate in CIF. Sarah Alweiss, junior, and Lauren Heller, senior, became Marmonte League Doubles champions after winning two matches against Westlake High School and Simi Valley High School.

“We ended up playing six sets and five hours of tennis that day so it was exhausting, but that made it even more rewarding,” Heller said.

The girls were up against the top players from both teams. “The team was the No. 1 and 2 singles players from Simi, so we were kind of the underdogs,” Heller said. “It felt awesome to win because in the finals we beat the people who wanted to be No. 1 seed.”

Their next CIF match will be Nov. 25.

“Lauren and I are determined to proceed further in the CIF matches. We will be training the next two weeks before our match. We know we will be playing tougher teams, but we are determined to advance into the next round,” Alweiss said.

Dynamic duo - Doubles team Sarah Alweiss, junior, and Lauren Heller, senior, make up a portion of the team players bound for CIF. Alweiss and Heller are training for their next match on November 25. McCall Stone / Prowler

Skyler Wood wins league MVP award Wood takes part in the first girls golf league title and has chance to make history Kishen Majithia Sports Editor Skyler Wood, freshman, was honored as the Marmonte League's most valuable player after her key performances that helped Newbury Park win its first ever championship. Wood shot a two-day 142 score in Westlake. Both she and her twin sister, Madison, who scored 144, advanced to the CIF individual finals at River Ridge.

Despite the individual award, Wood believes that the team, which is undefeated with seventeen wins, was most important. “I am very happy to contribute the most I could to help my team. It’s awesome knowing we helped win the league championship for the first time. It’s a great experience doing it in the freshman year,” she said.

Skyler Wood has put herself into position to become the first four-time league champ since Newbury Park’s Julie McKenna, 2001 alumna.

McKenna completed the feat between 1998 and 2001, and eventually went on to compete at Wake Forest.

“Hopefully, I can carry this through for four

years,” Skyler Wood said. “The pressure will be there. I can try as hard as I can. If it’s my sister or another player that wins, then I’ll know they’ll deserve it.”

Nori Parvin, head coach of the golf team, was pleased with the team’s success as well as the Wood sisters’ performances. “I am just so excited for the kids,” Parvin said. “It’s been a process. We didn’t win a league match two years ago. Last year we broke even and this year we didn’t lose. Skyler and Madison have given so much to the team and the girls are all very accepting of each other. It’s special to go undefeated.”

On the green - Skyler Wood shot a score of 142 at Westlake Country club to capture the Most Valuable Player award for the Marmonte League.

Madison Wood, Skyler’s sister, shot a score of 144 at league finals. Skyler and Madison will play in C.I.F Individual rounds at River Ridge Country Club in Oxnard, California. Samantha Meyer / Prowler

12

sports Panther Prowler • Nov. 8, 2013

Cross country aims for strong finish

Going the distance - Competitors from Newbury Park, Royal, and Agoura approach the finish line during a cross country meet at Peppertree Park in October. Patrick Rewers/ Prowler

Preston Hill Sports Editor As the sun begins to set on a hot summer day, the stillness takes hold, and the environment surrounding the course becomes quiet and motionless. The trail is quiet, other than the occasional whistle of a bird. The silence is broken as the patter of the runners’ feet becomes louder and louder. The rhythmic thuds of the runners’ feet fill the emptiness of the trail. With every muscle, they push forward, hoping in due time that their efforts will pay off when the season comes.

The months of practices, workouts and races have given the cross-country team the foundation for this season. Yet with their season on the line, the strength of that foundation will be tested.

Currently in a three-way tie for third place, the boys varsity team, coming off a strong finish

in county championships must finish strong in order to keep their C.I.F. hopes alive. “Ideally we would like to finish in the top three in the varsity level in order to move on in Marmonte League,” says coach Marty Maciel. The success of an entire season depends on the Marmonte League finals, the last race of the year and qualifier for C.I.F. senior runner Casey Sheehan is well aware of his team’s situation, saying “We’ve got to run hard and fast at league finals! We’ve done all the training; it all comes down to this last race.”

One surprising factor this season comes from the positive impact of the underclassmen on the boys and girls teams. This serves as reassurance for Maciel, knowing that his teams will be title contenders in the upcoming years.

Varsity volleyball sets up for success Shreya Chattopadhyay Staff Writer The crowds were roaring and social media was afire on October 22, after a volleyball game against Westlake High School.

Newbury Park’s varsity volleyball emerged victorious in a close match, winning three games to one against the previously undefeated team.

“The fact that Westlake beat TO, who had gone undefeated for 75 matches in a row for the past three years, and that they were undefeated too until we broke their winning streak -- it’s crazy!” says Lauren Benson, senior and second-year varsity player.

Varsity players this year are sure that their team is exceptional. The dynamic has changed with almost half the team as juniors, and as a cohesive team, their success has been visible.

“Our team this year, we’re insane and just so funny and so crazy. We all love each other so much and we’re so dedicated to the sport and each other and I think that’s what kept us going this year.” says Benson.

With a record of seven wins and eight losses, varsity is confident in their team’s ability. “While the record isn’t good as we want it (as far as wins as losses), and there were a lot of close ones we should have won, (and) we did beat Westlake, which is super exciting,” says Elizabeth Comeaux, also a varsity senior.

Social media, especially Twitter, was ablaze with support for the team, with students retweeting phrases like “mob Moorpark” and “swamp Simi” whenever there was a win.

The support extends much farther than the team itself -- when there is a win, everybody knows.

On the success of the team, Benson says “I think playing with so much support and at our potential against the teams that are the best in the league, that’s just the best.”

Elevating the game - Lauren Benson, senior, rises up to meet the ball during a midseason match in the gymnasium. James Herron/Pawprint