2013-2014 Issue 4 (December 13, 2013)

pantherprowler.org

PANTHER PROWLER Friday December 13, 2013 Issue IV

in this issue

5

ANNOUNCES

DELIVERY DRONES

Is Amazon Prime Air science fiction or the future?

Blood Drive

6-7

Holiday Charities

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

ATHOL WONG

Daphne Johns/Pawprint

3

Editorial:

Newbury Park High School

Patrick Rewers Editor-in-Chief Grace O’Toole Copy Editor

RETIREMENT

The crowd roared as the announcement was made. As she was handed a football and a bouquet of flowers, a chant rose up from the Panther Pit: “Athol! Athol!”

“That’s Mrs. Wong to you!” she replied.

On Nov. 8 during the home game against Moorpark, it was announced that current principal Athol Wong will be retiring at the end of the 2013-2014 school year, ending her 38-year career as an educator. Wong has worked here as an administrator for the past 10 years, eight of those as principal. Before working at Newbury Park, she was an English teacher at Camarillo High School, and then assistant principal at Thousand Oaks High School.

Once Wong decides on a official retirement date she will submit a formal request to the district. “I intend to put it in writing early after the holidays so the district can plan and do the necessary recruitment,” Wong said.

The specifics of the date rely in part on her daughter’s upcoming wedding, which Wong will help to plan. However, her daughter’s marriage plans are not the primary reason for her decision; Wong feels that after 38 years, she’s “just ready”.

Larry Berlin, Assistant Principal of Athletics, says that “from my standpoint, (she has) incredible leadership. She’s mentored a lot of young administrators. She’s made incredible advances in curriculum and we’ve seen courses we’ve never had before. (Athol) is a genius with the schedule and making things work. And she’s got a good eye for teaching talent.” Wong leaving her position does not mean she is

leaving the school entirely. She plans to return to campus regularly to visit colleagues, attend school events, and volunteer.

Wong has faced many challenges as principal. “The first day on the job we had a bomb threat and I had to evacuate the campus,” she said. The next year, the same thing happened; another time, the school had to be closed for swine flu, right in the middle of AP and IB testing, causing the cancellation and subsequent rescheduling of prom.

Despite the difficulties that come with the position, Wong will miss a lot about the school, including working with colleagues on a daily basis as well as more specific events: graduation, going to Disneyland with the choir for the annual Candlelight event, and even simply “going into classrooms and seeing what they do every day. I miss that, and I’ll continue to miss it. But that’s okay.”

When asked about her future day-to-day plans, Wong joked “I’m not going to curl up on the couch and sleep.” She is instead “looking forward to being able to read what I want to read, exercise in daylight hours rather than getting up at 5:30 to get up and swim here … (and) going to the gym when other human beings are there,” in her newfound free time. She will also be taking up target shooting, and has tentative plans to travel once her husband retires in the next few years.

“We’re going to miss her guiding hand,” Berlin said, “They say no one is irreplaceable. I’ll tell you what: there aren’t many like her out there.”

Alumnus pleads p guilty g y to g under the influence driving Mariam Syed Staff Writer Last year, the school mourned the death of Nick Cwayna, 2007 alumnus, who was killed in a car accident in front the school this past April. Alejandro (Alex) Pope, then 19, who was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the accident, was arrested.

On November 26, Pope pleaded guilty to driving under the influence (DUI), a misdemeanor, as well as DUI causing injury, a felony.

Cwayna, then 23, was killed in the two car collision at 9:30 a.m. on Reino Road on April 13, 2013. Hours after Cwayna was pronounced dead, a memorial sprang up on the sidewalk near the site of the accident in his memory; pictures, flowers, candles, chalk drawings, posters, and notes adorned the sidewalk in remembrance of the former student.

The alumni were accompanied with Alexa Strauser, 19 and a 2012 alumna. Pope was driving an Audi A4 northbound on Reino Road when he collided head on with a Volvo SUV. The driver of the SUV and her two-month old son were both later released from Los Robles Hospital.

Pope was originally arrested on the account of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and was allegedly under the influence of drugs. According to the Ventura County Star, prosecutors said that Pope had been under the influence of methylone (commonly known as bath salts), alprazolam, also known as Xanax, and marijuana.

Pope could face up to eleven years and two months in prison when he is sentenced on December 23.

2 News in brief news

The Prowler • Dec. 13, 2013

Courtney Brousseau Opinion Editor Mariam Syed Staff Writer

Panther Prowler wins fourth place in the nation

Online at PPANTHERPROWLER.ORG ANTHERPROWLER.ORG Read a review of “Fragments”, the winter Dance Concert,

by Shreya Chattopadhyay. Also, be sure to check out Liam Brown’s review of the Hunger Games sequel, “Catching Fire”.

In mid November, the Panther Prowler journalism staff attended the JEA/NSPA ( Journalism Educators Association/National High School Press Association) National High School Journalism Convention in Boston, Massachusetts. Over 5000 high schools from around the nation attended this event. The three day convention held workshops dedicated to improving student publications, such as newspapers and literary magazines, and also offered several nationwide competitions. The Panther Prowler newspaper won fourth place nationwide in the Newspaper Broadsheet 9-12 pages category, competing against 1736 other high schools.

(To see the full list of rankings, go to http://www.studentpress.org/nspa/winners/f13bs.html).

Construction finishing Since Feb. 2012, the Wendy Drive/101 Freeway overcrossing has been under construction, causing traffic and delays for students arriving and leaving school. The City of Thousand Oaks planned to add one travel lane for both directions and add bike lanes and signal modifications.

The City also plans to widen the northbound on-ramp and the southbound off-ramp by adding another lane. It is hoped that the finished project will relieve traffic congestion and increase safety, and its estimated cost is approximately $15.8 million. The project, which was originally set to finish in Aug. 2013, is now estimated to be completed by the end of the year, with the newly renovated northbound on-ramp set to open on Dec. 16, 2013.

Thousand Oaks announces a new mayor Every December, the Thousand Oaks City Council holds a reorganization meeting to reflect on the year, thank the outgoing mayor, and elect a new mayor. This year, outgoing Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña was thanked by community leaders, including representatives from the Conejo Recreation and Park District, the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the offices of Congresswoman Julia Brownley and Assemblyman Jeff Gorell. Luca, the Mayor’s eight year old son, even surprised his mother with a short speech and a bouquet of flowers.

Later, the Council voted unanimously to elect Andrew Fox as mayor. Fox, who has served on the City Council for nearly two decades, briefly spoke about how his term as mayor will be spent celebrating the 50th anniversary of the City of Thousand Oaks as well as setting goals for the next 50 years in a project called Thousand Oaks-2064.

Construction coming to a close- After over a year of construction, road blocks, and traffic congestion, the northbound ramp at Wendy Drive will finally open. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

opinion Panther Prowler • Dec. 13, 2013

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DELIVERY DRONES: SCIENCE FICTION OR THE FUTURE?

AMAZON Online shopping can be a pain when one has to wait for a purchase to be delivered, as opposed to the immediate satisfaction of receiving the item right then and there. Soon, online shopping may provide same-day delivery; customers could receive packages as soon as thirty minutes after ordering them.

It sounds almost too good to be true, but Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos is already trying to make the seemingly impossible happen. Bezos recently announced Amazon’s new service, Prime Air – same-day, 30 minute delivery via drones, or “octocopters”. This concept would be available to the public in as soon as four to five years.

The whole ordeal may sound like something out of a science fiction novel or some futuristic-themed movie, making Amazon appear quite ambitious for modern-day consumers. However, Bezos is determined to integrate drone delivery into everyday life – but could it be too advanced for the general public to grasp?

According to the Washington Post, the YouTube video Amazon posted to supplement Bezos’ announcement was not even filmed in the US due to current drone laws. Due to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restrictions, Amazon had to find a suitable international location in order to film their video. That location, however, remains undisclosed. The FAA restricts any personal use of drones, so Amazon would have to overcome these set limitations.

The fact that the video could not even be filmed in the country fortifies the stance that this wild new concept may prove to remain much more ambitious than what the general public is ready for. This also leads some to question the government’s support of the idea. The FAA has yet to establish rules and regulations for this particular service.

Drone use is not common, mainly because drones are usually reserved for military use and other government projects. Even so, they are still controversial within the government because of various apprehensions people have voiced over the years, the main complaint being safety.

Despite any fear or confusion about Prime Air, the consumers available via the Internet is growing rapidly as technology continues to make online shopping more widespread. Same-day delivery is an extremely attractive addition for Amazon to provide, and could possibly cripple business for USPS, UPS, and FedEx. If Amazon manages to follow through with Prime Air, Bezos could potentially dramatically change online shopping, delivery and reception. The idea has immense potential and can be a viable option, but Amazon may need some time to perfect it.

CEO Jeff Bezos recently announced that Amazon is pursuing same-day delivery by drone, calling it “Prime Air”

PRIME AIR could be available as early as 2015, pending FAA approval, and would deliver within 10 miles of distribution centers

86% of items ordered on Amazon weigh less than five pounds, making them light

8

editors would consider using Amazon Prime Air

5

editors would not consider using Amazon Prime Air

enough to be delivered by drones http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/02/tech/innovation/amazon-drones-questions/ http://www.amazon.com/b?node=8037720011

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 • Dec. 13, 2013

Obamacare is here to stay (and other related political rants)

Courtney Brousseau Opinion Editor

Cassie Stephenson/Prowler

Ever since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, Republicans have been working to dismantle it. Despite their best efforts, however, their attempts to repeal, strike down, and defund Obamacare have all been futile.

First they tried to repeal it. In fact, the Republican-controlled House has voted 46 times to repeal or dismantle Obamacare.

This is even after Governor Romney -- who implemented a very similar health care system in Massachusetts -- campaigned on the promise of repealing Obamacare and lost the election by 126 electoral votes.

Even Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who campaigned against the President in 2008, recognizes that this is ludicrous. During the budget crisis (that eventually led to the government shutdown), Senator McCain criticized his own party, saying “I’d remind my colleagues that in the 2012 elections, ‘Obamacare,’ as it’s called [...] was a major issue in the campaign … Well, the people spoke. They spoke much to my dismay. But they spoke and they re-elected [President Obama].”

They tried to declare it unconstitutional:

On June 28, 2012, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate is constitutional despite the fact that that, according to “The New York Times”, the current court is “the most conservative in living memory, based on an analysis of four sets of political science data.” Even this ruling did not put an end to judicial challenges of the law. Multiple petitions have been made to the Supreme Court to hear arguments on the constitutionality of other parts of the law, including the employer mandate. While the Court has denied these petitions in the past, it recently decided to hear a challenge of the provision requiring employers to provide coverage of contraceptives. In the end, this effort will most likely prove futile. However, even if the petitioners are successful, the majority of the law will remain intact.

Then they tried to defund it: Earlier this year, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) led a movement to forgo passing a continuing resolution to fund the federal government in an attempt to defund Obamacare. In order to rally support, Senator Cruz spoke

continuously for almost 22 hours in what was called a “faux filibuster”. During his speech, Senator Cruz even read “Green Eggs and Ham” -- ironically enough a book about a man who has never tried green eggs and ham but stubbornly says he does not like them. Unfortunately for Senator Cruz, the 16 day government shutdown that ensued cost the federal government over two billion dollars but it did not have any effect on the funding of Obamacare.

Obamacare is not perfect. It is undeniable that the technical glitches have hurt enrollment; that some are losing their insurance despite the President’s assurance that those who were happy with their current coverage would be allowed to keep it; and that the law is over 900 pages long and extremely complicated and convoluted (largely due to special interest groups and lobbyists). But despite these flaws, the law is a step in the right direction to better health care in the United States.

My advice to Congressional Republicans: (1) Either propose a solution or stop talking about how our old healthcare system was working when it clearly was not.

(2) Do not compare your fight against Obamacare to Nelson Mandela’s fight against Apartheid like Rick Santorum, a former Presidential candidate, just did.

Fighting to end government-enforced racial segregation is extremely different from fighting to end a law that aims to make healthcare affordable.

(3) Negotiate. President Obama was recently able to negotiate with Iran to reach an agreement on nuclear weapons but has not been able to compromise with you.

Democracy is about doing what is best for the country, not what is best for your party.

Recent political stunts like the government shutdown and the sequester are definitely not helping the American people (nor the Republican Party for that matter).

(4) Lastly, get used to Obamacare -- it’s here to stay.

Common App causes all-too-common woes Liam Brown Copy Editor

Call it the healthcare.gov of higher education.

Flashback to earlier this summer, when this mythical legend known only as the Common Application had released a newer, flashier, fourth-generation version of their popular college application for the new school year. Designed to be cleaner and simpler, it was like the new iPhone; however, compared to an iPhone, seniors were begging to avoid it rather than to have it.

Turns out their fears may have been rational. Flash forward to this year’s college application season, in which the main story is nothing but trouble and everyone is thinking the same thing: the Common App sucks, guys. Stories of online-application woes bog down the Common App’s Facebook page and Google News searches. Headlines and reports take aim at everything from technical glitches to contrived essay prompts: application

users can’t log in, may have accidentally submitted apps twice -- or not at all, and encounter financial frustration when completing the app’s payment portion (Forbes calls the whole ordeal a “great idea [with] disastrous execution”). These stories are sad, yes, but reading the headlines and hearing the issue drastically twisted from what it was originally supposed to be is like watching a train wreck that I can’t look away from.

I can’t speak to the woes of those who have experienced the Common App’s now-notorious technical difficulties because I haven’t experienced any, but I have experienced some minor frustrations of my own: in an attempt to get a letter of recommendation, I emailed a school official via the app’s recommendation system but later found that my request had expired. After some online back-and-forth I re-sent the request, but it turns out that this official had (understandably) created a student account in order to experiment

For the record...

P.1 Kimmy Ferrante’s name was spelled wrong P.4 the Panther Prowler’s email was spelled incorrectly: prower.newspaper@gmail.com P.5 In the “Meet the Cast” picture, Corey Fogelmanis is standing in the back row, second right.

with the new application edition. We had been stuck in help-desk limbo, waiting for a personal reply either from the Common App themselves (oh hi, canned emails), but eventually we MacGyver’d our way into another workaround to get the letter up.

(Oh, and before you say “phone support”, the Common App doesn’t supply that, possibly to mess with students’ heads even more.)

What can we do to fix it? Not much, and professionals looking into the problem haven’t gotten anywhere either (one Slate writer only received “meaningless statistics” from Hobsons, the company behind the Common App software. Interestingly, the journalist was at first redirected to their PR firm, the Brunswick Group -- so I guess we know where most of their time is going toward). The only thing we can do is stay positive, hope for the best, and pray that the people at the Common App fix their mistakes. We’ll get through this, guys, no matter how much hair we have to tear out.

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.newspaper@gmail.com.

COLUMN: No Leftovers Left Behind

Samantha Meyer/ Prowler

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opinion

Dana Foley Entertainment Editor ‘Tis the season for family gatherings, gift cards from places you’ve never been to, holiday celebrations and of course, the game of stomach flu roulette known as food regret. If there were truth in advertising, the marketing slogan for the 20 piece McNuggets would be “I’m regrettin’ it.” From sour liquid Warheads to the leftovers from that suspicious Chinese restaurant, I’ve learned from my own mistakes that two brownies are definitely better than seven. To re-word a Counting Crows song, “We didn’t know that cheese stick was three days expired until it’s gone.”

With the creation of the food pyramid also came the creation of the regret pyramid.

I have decided to group foods into four categories. The first is, but is not limited to, Aunt Debbie’s sweet treats of death by sweet intoxication. The 16 cups of Starbucks hot chocolate I consumed in my own version of “127 Hours” on my recent trip to the East Coast fall into this category. Three weeks later, I am now finally able to look directly into the eclipse of whipped cream and warm chocolate without having a war flashback to the stomach pains I felt on a public bus ride squished next to a sleeping homeless person.

The next group of salt-induced guilt is best represented by movie theater popcorn; food that is served in a tub should automatically set off a special warning alarm in your stomach conscience. In light terms, the more butter, the more remorse. Of course, popcorn shame is an essential part of what makes a bad movie so torturous, but the stomach cramps from the slippery kernels make any Ryan Reynolds movie twice as painful.

Pizza is such a big part of food regret that I have decided to give it an entire category.

Sure, nothing says late study like food in a cardboard box that is delivered to your house by a recent graduate, but unfortunately, the extra-cheese, extra-sauce flashbacks that arrive in the middle of the night mean double the regret. The next morning, there is always leftover pizza that provides that special “I can’t believe I just ate that for breakfast” kind of shame.

The final kind of regret is the sour, acidic kind that burns a hole in your stomach as you ask for a lemonade refill. Someday, a snack food company will commission a study on why we insist on eating foods that we know we will soon regret. They can start by studying my little sister, who once decided to copy me and take the rainbow tropical popsicle from the ampm gas station. After taking my first lick and having a psychic vision of my food regret, I immediately threw it away. “That was terrible,” I said. “I know, it’s disgusting,” replied my sister, continuing hers until she finished.

Perhaps such commitment is only possible in the young and as we gain experience, we become cautious of potlucks and gas station popsicles. While you might think that food distress should be avoided at all costs, I like to think of food regret as a holiday tradition, that like all good traditions is best when shared. Like “The Hobbit” (now ironically featured on a series of Denny’s Grand Slam breakfast specials that would make Gandalf turn grey), true friends will journey with you to the desolation of that third cup of hot chocolate and beyond. The greatest regret of all is to play it safe in the Shire.

features

life

Panther Prowler • Dec. 13, 2013

Giving the Gift of

5

Students donate blood on campus.

Raevyn Walker Staff Writer The idea of having a needle extract a pint of one’s own blood for ten minutes might petrify most people.

Regardless, it is the effect of that process that brought so many students to the school’s Blood Drive, held on Dec. 10. It is a beneficial method of charity: one pint of blood can save up to three lives.

“I think it is important to bring attention to high school students the impact of donating blood and how it can help other people’s lives,” says Emily Sweetman, senior and student leader of the blood drive. “It is a very rewarding experience ... and comforting to know that you can help.”

There are certain health requirements that one has to pass in order to be an eligible donor. This includes the age limit of sixteen, even at high school drives. The lifesaving process begins when the donated blood is sent and tested through the Blood Services organization, where it will provide for blood transfusions and many hospital surgeries.

“I volunteered because we are actually providing lifesaving blood to our own community,” says Gracie Arellano, who is a Donor Care Manager at Blood Services for Ventura County. Her occupation focuses on training and facilitating nurses for the blood drive.

There is a great necessity for any and all donations because hospital procedures can only use donated human blood. Also, donated blood can only be stored and used for up to 42 days after donating, so there is a continuous need, according to redcrossblood.org.

The Associated Student Government (ASG) has been hosting the blood drive for four years. It is usually run by the board members, and this year there was even more active involvement from other students in ASG. This year also saw one of the largest turnouts by far. While the ASG’s goal for donations was 70 students, they surpassed it with a turnout of 79 students willing to donate. For those who were unable to be a part of that 79, the next blood drive will be in the spring.

Smiling under pressure - Squeezing a star plush that helps her blood pump faster, Brooklyn Belvedere, senior, (upper left) talks with another donor as she waits for her turn to finish.

Samantha Meyer/Photographer Ready for the needle - Watching carefully, Natalie Stanziano, senior, (far left) prepares to have her blood drawn as a doctor wipes her arm with an antiseptic . Samantha Meyer/ Photographer

McCall Stone / Prowler

Cleaning up - Emily Hall, senior, (left) remains calm as she watches the nurse preps her vein for the needle. Samantha Meyer/Photographer

things you did not know about thin

Colleen Malone C

Science Teacher and Biotech Club Advisor

McCall Stone Chief Photographer

Worked at Amgen for five years as a Protein Chemist in Quality Assurance.

Enjoys print making. Does silk screens, wood cuts, and lithography.

Caught snakes in Puerto Rico with a herpetologist.

Rehabilitated sick dolphins while studying Marine Biology in college.

Loves fish, especially the Garibaldi because of its bright colors.

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giving back Panther Prowler • Dec. 13, 2013 Christy Masyr/With Permission

TIS THE SEASON Kimmy Ferrante Features Editor Nathan Hickling Entertainment Editor

Newbury Park is abuzz with the spirit of the holidays this year. Many in the school community are eager to help out, including those in Make-A-Wish Club, Interact Club, National Honor Society, and the American Cancer Society Club. The season is more than shopping for members of these charitable clubs on campus. It’s a time for contributing to the community and working to make the city a better place for everyone.

make-a-wish For many, the holidays are a time for shopping and sipping warm beverages by the fire; for others, this is not the case. Many within the community are focusing their efforts more on helping those less fortunate. It is a trend that is steadily becoming more popular, according to Make-A-Wish Club founder Samantha Masyr, senior. Participation in the club has been on the rise in the three years since Masyr started the club in 2011. Members write and collect letters to Santa from around the neighborhood and deliver them to Macy’s department store to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Macy’s has pledged to donate two dollars for each letter it receives.

The club itself now has upwards of 40 members, a huge increase from previous years.

“The last two years we’ve had maybe 10 to 15 people,” Masyr admitted. This year she hopes the club will get to see where the money it has raised is going; funds raised through the Santa letter drive support the Make-A-Wish Foundation in granting wishes for children with cancer.

“It creates bonding in our community,” Erik Lau, senior, said about the club, which raised $10,122 worth of letters this year.

The most important part of the club is that it opens a new door for those who participate.

“I’ve actually started to feel like I want to get more involved,” said Maria Luciani, freshman. “It’s opened my eyes to new ways to help.”

Canned hope - On Dec. 6 members of Interact walked house-to-house in Dos Vientos, caroling to residents and asking for cans and other donations. Ryker Wall and Siya Patel, seniors, and Celeste RainsTurk, junior, load a truck with cans gathered the previous night. Interact Club/With Permission

Christy Masyr/With Permission

giving back Panther Prowler • Dec. 13, 2013

7

Interact Club/With Permission

Interact Club/With Permission

TO GIVE BACK

Letter writing experts - Cordel Forvarp, Samantha Masyr, and Erik Lau, seniors, deliver Santa Letters to Macy’s Department Store on “Believe Day”, Dec. 6. This year, the club submitted 5,061 letters, earning a total of $10,122 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since the club was founded in 2011, it has raised $25,738. Christy Masyr/With Permission

caroling for cans Interact Club had more than 50 participants who shared Christmas cheer for the benefit of charity at their annual Caroling for Cans event that took place on Friday, Dec. 6 in Dos Vientos. As the carolers sang they received donations from the residents of Dos Vientos, collecting canned food which will be given to the Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank, an organization that receives donations and food to feed residents in the Conejo Valley that are in need of assistance.

President of Interact Club Siya Patel, senior, has participated in the event all four of her high school years as a member of Interact and said the event had a really good turnout with a great percentage of club members participating. “It went really well, we got a lot of donations,” said Patel, referring to the over 100 cans collected and the close to $200 donated.

Patel went on to say that this charitable event not only benefits those who are in need but also gives participants a memorable experience by giving them an opportunity to spend quality time together that they may not get in other events. “It’s unique (to other charity events) in the sense that we get to bond (with other members of the club) and interact with other people and with the community.”

Patel said this is an event that will definitely be a part of the club’s activities for years to come.

toys for tots

care packages

This holiday season the National Honor Society (NHS) is once again running the Toys for Tots toy drive and will be giving a pizza party to the class that collects the most toys. As NHS is constantly looking for charitable events to participate in, the club was eager to help out after a successful food drive in November; last month they collected over 30 bags of nonperishable foods from classroom donations that were given to Manna, an organization that collects donations to assist those in Conejo Valley that need help in feeding themselves.

The toys that are collected from this drive will be donated to Ventura County Toys for Tots and the Children’s Services Auxiliary of Ventura County, both non-profit organizations.

Toys for Tots is a national organization that specializes in giving new toys to less fortunate children around Christmas time, and Children’s Services Auxiliary is a local organization that helps needy children year-round.

President of the National Honor Society Lauren Heller said that these types of charitable events are enjoyable for the members because all students within the club are used to a rigorous academic schedule. “It’s nice to have a study break and actually help people,” she said, adding that there was sometimes a lack of leadership within the community. Through charitable work, however, students become part of an important cause and can make an impact with their educational power.

Although a small club in size, the American Cancer Society club is working toward making a large impact in many lives this holiday season. The club is putting all of its efforts toward creating care baskets that will be going to hospitals in the Thousand Oaks community to patients who are battling cancer.

Swathi Samuels, sophomore and secretary of the club, said that bringing awareness about patients’ struggles is the most important reason of the club because “not many people see it in their daily lives.”

The baskets will include candy and toys for the children, and a booklet of uplifting quotations and origami cranes made personally by the members of the club for the adults.

Because cancer can have such a dramatic effect on a patient and their family’s spirit, the club is hoping that sending the care packages will bring positive thoughts and hope to the patients so they may enjoy the holiday season despite their circumstances.

“Being able to reach out to hospitals and bring hope to (the patients) is a great opportunity (for the club),” Samuels said.

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features Panther Prowler • Dec. 13, 2013

STUDENT VS TEACHER Lee Norgaard/Senior

1 In “It’s A Wonderful Life”,

Joe Calaba/US History

8 In “How the Grinch Stole

Justin Buchanan Ad Manager

what did George Bailey dream of becoming?

The answer is architect; way to go Calaba. By the way, he wasn’t a banker -- he was a loan officer.

Calaba leads 1-0.

Calaba: Maybe that he’s green ...

That’s the only thing I can think of.

Norgaard: His mom ate too many green eggs and ham and bred with a rat.

Answer: His heart was two sizes too small.

McCall Stone/Prowler

Calaba: An architect Norgaard: He’s going to judge me so badly...I know this one...He was a banker, but he wanted to be...I don’t know, a businessman?

Answer: Architect

Christmas”, what biological shortcoming made the Grinch so mean?

I’m still trying to process Norgaard’s response, but the correct answer is that his heart was two sizes too small. Final score, 6-3, Calaba wins.

2 What cola company was

7 What color is the Grinch?

known for its ads featuring a big, smiling Santa?

Christmas single of all time?

Calaba: “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby.

Norgaard: “Friday” by Rebecca Black.

Answer: “White Christmas” I really don’t know what “Friday” would have to do with Christmas, unless it fell on a Friday, I guess ... Score moves ahead 3-1.

I would have been worried if you didn’t get that one. The score moves 6-3, Calaba.

Calaba wins!

Coca-Cola is the answer. The score moves 2-1.

3 What is the biggest selling

Calaba: Green Norgaard: Green Answer: Green

6-3

Calaba: Isn’t that Coca-Cola?

Norgaard: Am I supposed to know this? Coca-Cola?

Answer: Coca-Cola

4 In the song “Grandma Got Run

6 How many times is the name

5 What is the name of

Over by a Reindeer” what did Grandma go to get?

Scrooge’s dead business partner?

of Santa Claus used in “The Night Before Christmas”?

Calaba: A Christmas tree?

Norgaard: Some sugar from Grandpa.

Answer: Her medication.

Calaba: Marley.

Norgaard: G Scrooge, Scrooge, Scrooge, Scrooge . . . Jimmy?

Answer: Jacob Marley.

Calaba: Zero.

Norgaard: Zero?

Answer: None.

Apparently, her medication is the right answer. Ironic, I guess. The score stands 3-1.

The answer is Jacob Marley.

Calaba keeps his lead, 4-1.

The answer zero I guess mathematically same value ...

5-2.

is none, but works too since they have the I think. Score is

Michael Marinelli supports his family through Relay for Life Samantha Meyer Staff Writer He was supposed to play in the rival game against Thousand Oaks High School that night last spring. It was one of the first and most important games of the season. But, when the unspeakable happened, not only did he still play, but he played or his dad, who had passed away that morning from a heart attack. Soon after, his mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Michael Marinelli, junior, has always known his genetics held a fatal flaw. Only two people out of his extended family that have passed away have not died from cancer. But, through Relay for Life, he is working to help support his family and raise awareness of the cause.

After participating last year with his varsity lacrosse team, Marinelli joined the committee this year because “it really appealed to me and it kind of hit me personally, and I thought I could make a difference out of it,” he said.

His lacrosse team not only made last year’s Relay for Life more successful, but they have also been the “second family” Marinelli has needed through the harder times.

“Within probably an hour, I had so many text messages and so many phone calls from people, with parents from the lacrosse team saying their kids are coming over after school

to see you,” said Marinelli when speaking of the aftermath of his dad’s passing. “So as I got to the game that night, I walked up and got so many hugs, and the entire team got stickers put on their helmets to remember him. I mean, at his funeral the entire junior varsity and varsity Newbury Park lacrosse teams were there to celebrate his life and to give flowers to my mom.

It was something incredible.”

Although his friends have been there for him, Marinelli knows that in the half-year since his dad’s death and his mother’s diagnosis, he has been forever changed.

“It’s depressing at times but it makes you more aware of what’s happening and you want to make a difference more, and it also makes you appreciate the small things,” said Marinelli. “I mean, it hasn’t been that long since it happened, but I can tell a difference in myself and how I go out and carry myself now … Now I’m a lot more conscious of what decisions I make and how I really have to care about every little thing. It took a lot to get here. For a while, everything was tough. It gets easier. I know he’s with me somewhere.”

Luckily, his mom is almost cancer-free after going through different surgeries and chemotherapy. She is currently recovering from the energy-draining therapy.

“I used to make jokes about this thing or that thing, but it kind of just matures you when you realize that these things happen,” said Marinelli when discussing the effect cancer has left on his family. “A lot of young people and high schoolers wouldn’t really know how to deal with it, because they might have a grandpa or uncle who has it, but it’s a lot more serious when it happens to your mom and you have to go home everyday and see it.”

In addition, Marinelli would like to offer some advice based on his experiences.

“When you see a bald woman, don’t stare at her,” said Marinelli. “It is the worst thing ever.”

By working on the committee for the upcoming Relay for Life that is scheduled for May, Marinelli hopes it can be another way to “live his life to the fullest.”

“Some of it is going to be inherited, I know that because basically my entire family has had cancer,” said Marinelli.

“But, you want to make the best of what you have at that point, make sure you’re doing the right thing, make sure you’re hanging around the right people because they can take the weight off you sometimes, since that’s what they’re really there for. If you need a shoulder, they’ll be there for you.”

entertainment Panther Prowler •Dec. 13, 2013

W

9

inter concerts

BRING HOLIDAY CHEER BAND STRINGS CHOIR

Striking up the band - Members of the concert band, directed

by Dennis Crystal, perform at their winter concert that took place on December 10. Samantha Meyer/ Prowler

Orchestra unifies as one - On December 5, the strings orchestra, under director Tina Huang, brought their own interpretation of winter music to the PAC. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Praticing the pitch - Concert choir, with director John Sargeant, pratices for their upcoming performance that will take place tonight, December 13. McCall Stone/ Prowler

Nathan Hickling Opinion Editor Raevyn Walker Staff Writer The school’s concert band, directed by Dennis Crystal, recently performed on Dec. 10.

This year, the performance featured not only concert band, but also the elite wind ensemble and a segment featuring the string orchestra. Students have been preparing for this concert since October. It is the first of three concerts this year, and even more improvement is expected, according to Crystal.

“The band has definitely changed my work ethic. I know what it is like, now, to really put a lot of time and effort into something, and to stick with it in order to achieve my goal,” Ben Guerra, senior, said as he looks back on his years in the band.

The music is the product that confirms the effort behind the performance. This concert features winter songs and Christmas favorites, though there will also be less familiar songs, creating a unique experience. All the music played will be classical, but that doesn’t mean that it is old-fashioned. In fact, many of the numbers are recently arranged, such as the classic “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson.

“We have to not only practice a lot,” says Gliselle Mapa, sophomore, who is a part of concert band. “But we need to practice perfectly.” “(Mr. Crystal) can be really tough sometimes, but he is mostly really supportive and makes our performances better,” Patrick Brown, a senior from wind ensemble, said. Brown found his way into the band accidentally, with a schedule mishap placing him in beginning band his freshman year.

Curiosity and a newfound niche kept him in the group all the way to the current concert, which is one of his last performances.

“They’re awesome people,” Guerra says of his colleagues.

“It’s just a really, really cool program.”

The school’s string orchestra has seen its share of talent.

The group performed at its first official strings winter concert combined with Sycamore Canyon School and Sequoia Middle School’s orchestra group this Dec. 5.

“This year is the first year that we’ve officially started doing a lot more outreach,” Tina Huang, orchestra director, said.

Huang, who has been teaching music for 5 years, conducted the group through “Jupiter,” “Kashmir,” “Streichquartett.” Also, the concert featured an original piece written by its own violinist, junior Taylor Hertz, entitled “Waltz of the Spirits.” One of the compositions was performed by the string quartet, four of the most elite members of the group.

Though the orchestra’s pieces are hand-picked by their director, they are not the usually selected works. Huang says she bases her decisions off of what the students are listening to and the music’s difficulty level, rather than simply following the textbook set of compositions. The string orchestra also performed in the band’s upcoming winter concert, where it will showcase some of the same works experienced in this concert.

Among her goals for the orchestra are to reach out to the community more in the future.

“We’re actually hoping to do some Christmas caroling,” she says of the club’s plans for the season.

The concert featured performances by Sycamore Elementary’s beginning, intermediate, and string orchestra, as well as Sequoia’s Beginning and Intermediate/Advanced Strings. The NPHS string orchestra warranted an applause which filled the entire auditorium twofold. The string orchestra increased by more than twice its size at the beginning of the year.

“To me it’s very natural to share my passion,” she said. “I guess the energy is kind of infectious.”

As the weather starts to drop below 50 degrees and the trees lose their leaves, the season is transforming the school left and right. Along with the upcoming break, students can look forward to the winter concerts put on each year by the school’s own concert choir.

The choir will put on their December 13 performance tonight in the Performing Arts Center, although the choir is much more than a group of performers.

According to Adrienne Santer, junior, and Jasmine Grace, senior, it’s like a family.

“We are one whole,” Grace adds. “And we do everything together.”

In addition to performing old songs, the choir -- directed

by John Sargent -- will also be adding to their winter repertoire. At the same time, they have said farewell to alumni, who will also come back to be apart of an old number, and welcome new voices.

“We have new members and they really add to the fun that is concert choir,” Santer says. “We enjoy singing new songs that are added to the winter concert each year. The old songs are always fun to sing because the alumni come up and sing them again with us.”

Santer describes her favorite song of the concert, “Hodie”, as empowering and having a “really strong ending.” While Grace sees “Honora Aloha” as her personal favorite for its “energizing and exciting” nature. While the two may differ on which songs are their favorite, they both agree that concert choir’s winter concert is worth attending.

“With concerts, we are definitely improving,” Grace says.

“We have a lot of fun stuff in store for everyone that comes to see us.”

The practices prove that the group is more than just the sum as their parts, as they mold together for their first performance.

10

entertainment Panther Prowler • Dec. 13, 2013

Review: Hidden Gems on Television Attack on Titan

Amazing World of Gumball

Available on funimation.com

Tuesdays at 7:30 on Cartoon Network

Nevnit Gill News Editor

Originality is one of the many descriptions one could attach to “Attack on Titan,” an incredible anime directed by Tetsuro Araki. It’s just one of those things that keeps you in awe. The idea of immensely large muscular titans that simply consume humans for pleasure being the enemy is most definitely unexpected. Every character is portrayed with such perfect emotion and reactions that the anime has you falling in love ever so quickly. Eren Jaeger, the protagonist, has been made with such raw complexity, adding to the impact of the show. It’s no secret that his mother dies in the first episode, and this very death spikes his motivation to join the one of their military branches, which fights titans in the outside world.

Humanity has formed three walls to protect themselves from the titans, and the story begins 100 years later when the outermost wall collapses, thus leaving many in a state of sheer panic. All these strange, almost psychotic emotions of fear and motivation that are only inevitable to feel are so well done that “Attack on Titan” is a must watch.

At this point in life it is only obvious that one in their high school years has seen every episode of “Spongebob Squarepants,” and a nice childish show with a good sense of humor is probably something they would want to see. “The Amazing World of Gumball,” created by Ben Bocquelet, happens to be that breath of fresh air everyone’s looking for, yet no one has heard of. Filled with the kind of humor that actually summons a chuckle, it is one of the most lightheartedly enjoyable programs to watch when looking for fun. The strange shenanigans playfully put into action by protagonists Gumball and Darwin end up in some incredibly odd situations, with a process laced with spontaneous jokes that are actually relatable. These awkwardly hilarious situations range from accidentally microwaving a baby monster that eats almost everyone, a robot named Bobert that successfully steals identity to become a “real boy,” to the dramatic love story between a balloon and a cactus. It may seem silly and rather pointless, but it really is one of the most “amazing worlds” ever. This show is absolutely wonderful and should definitely be seen.

The Middle

Hostages

Wednesdays at 8 on ABC

Mondays at 10 on CBS

Kimmy Ferrante Features Editor

Although the show is arguably the younger, less popular sibling to “Modern Family”, ABC’s “The Middle” captures the raw truth of dysfunctional middle class family with refreshing storylines. Since its debut in 2009, the plot has followed the lives of one family, through school, holidays, lay-offs and every disaster-prone situation in between. The characters include two typical working parents (Mike and Frankie), the stereotypical slacker teenager (Axl), the overenthusiastic and innocent dork (Sue) and the quiet, thinking child who lacks basic social skills (Brick). Told through the mother’s point of view, the show explores new conflicts in each episode and gradually builds on the family’s story of trials and triumph in everyday life.

What makes this show different from your typical 30 minutes of family comedy is the connection built between the audience and each character in the show because of the many relatable feelings and situations younger and older viewers alike will enjoy. Filled with humorous dialogue and outrageous situations, “The Middle” will crack a smile in even the toughest audience.

Compelling and modern, “Hostages” is a suspenseful drama of a crooked FBI agency that blackmails the family of a doctor who was scheduled to perform surgery on the President of the United States. Dr. Ellen Sanders is given the choice to either use her resources and authority within the President’s life to poison him or to face putting her and her family’s life in jeopardy from the violent and cut-throat agency that is holding her entire family hostage in their own home. The recently debuted series is based upon the Israeli series “Bnei Aruba” and follows the mysterious execution of the agency’s plan and the moral conflicts that the characters face, along with smaller side plots between supporting characters. The acting is genuinely played and unlike other mystery/drama series “Hostages” keeps a quick pace without overly complex dialogue. The show captures many moments of intensity and although violent at times, touches on the emotional toll the horrors of the situation have caused for the family.

Student Voices: What’s your favorite Christmas song?

Shreya Chattopadhyay Staff Writer

Ryan Fernald sophomore

“I like Jingle Bells, because it’s the shortest one!”

Eva Madarang junior

“The ‘Mean Girls’ version of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ is, of course, my favorite.”

Samantha Meyer/Prowler

“I like ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer’, because it’s really funny!”

“My favorite holiday song is ‘Holiday’, by Green Day. It’s just such a great song.”

Michael Hardigan freshman

Shayne Niroomand senior

sports

11

Panther Prowler • Dec. 13, 2013

LEADING OFF

New baseball conditioning program builds strength, military appreciation, and team chemistry Justine Sizemore Features Editor Boys varsity baseball experienced what it means to pull together and face challenges as a team in a whole new way on Nov. 25, when the entire program was put through a day of marine fitness training.

Each player was required to run a half mile in under two minutes, 30 seconds and lift an ammo canister filled with sand over his head 100 times in under two minutes. As the final portion of the fitness test, the team went through the “maneuver under fire” obstacle course.

“We had to run an obstacle course that involved crawling, shuffling, and carrying your partner,” Zander Clarke, senior, said. “It was a great way to understand what those men and women have to go through for our country.”

According to Clarke, as the team heads into a new season, team building exercises like this have strengthened the their work ethic and unity alike.

Committed - UCLA signee Zander Clarke has his eye on the ball and on a winning season for the Panthers this coming spring. Zander Clarke/ With Permission

“The team definitely walked away knowing what it means to work hard. I felt like it also brought us closer because we could be a team in something other than baseball,” Clarke said.

“So far it looks as though our season is going to be very successful. My goal for this year is to win the Marmonte League.”

The team is further unified by their longing standing history playing together, forming bonds, and motivating each other.

“Our chemistry is better than ever. We have all been playing with each other since we were little kids and my fellow seniors and myself are stoked to finish our last high school baseball season playing side by side with our best friends,” Blake Rocheleau, senior, said. “Probably an impact full game that we have experienced was our first winter win against Chaminade because it pumped us up and gave us a thirst for blood that we want to carry into the season.”

The Way of the Sword Kishen Majithia Sports Editor You won’t find Mary Jo Barker, sophomore, on the field, court, or even in the pool. You can find her in the arena, sword fighting.

Barker considers Taekwondo as her “primary martial art,” and sword fighting was an extra class that was offered to her by her Taekwondo Academy.

Barker thought it would be an interesting sport to pick up, and she says that her instructor strongly encouraged her into taking part. She - MARY JO explains that the small number of students in the class enabled the instructor to focus more on each person.

Barker, who has been sword fighting for about six years, so is experienced enough to assess her own individual performances.

“I assess myself by seeing how precise I am with my strikes when I practice in the mirror.

Also, we spar with practice swords, so if I’m blocking the attacks, I think I’m doing well.”

She had nothing but positive words for her Taekwondo and sword fighting lessons.

Barker emphasizes the importance of good instructors, the lack of teammates and therefore the lack of a competitive edge, and how it has helped her create new relationships.

“I like both because the instructors and other students are genuinely nice people and are focused on helping you improve BARKER yourself. There isn’t a competitive factor, it’s more of a friendship. Also, it isn’t a team sport, so no one is holding you back and your skill is solely based on you and your attitude.”

“I would definitely recommend [sword fighting to an undecided athlete].Practicing and sparring all the time is truly a blast.”

“There isn’t a competitive factor, it’s more of a friendship.”

On Guard - Sword-brandishing sophomore, Mary Jo Barker was introduced to the sport through her Taekwondo studio. Because of small class size, good instructors, few teammates and more pleasure than competition, Barker has thrived.

Barker applies many of the same principles found in Taekwondo to sword fighting. Patrick Rewers/ Prowler

12

sports Panther Prowler • Dec. 13, 2013

Girls water polo Preston Hill Sports Editor The varsity girls water polo team has been enjoying a winning preseason, coming off their recent success at the Mistletoe Classic this past week and now shifting its focus to the regular season and its first game coming mid-December at home versus Moorpark.

Beyond the wins lie hours of freezing practices in the pool and arduous amounts of offseason conditioning in preparation for the grueling Marmonte League.

An outdoor pool is one of the last places any person would want to swim during cold weather. Freezing winds scour any body parts above the water, and broken pool heaters can drop the temperature even further. Adding to the physical stress is the likelihood of becoming sick because of the exposure to cold temperatures.

However, it does serve as a motivation to work harder, junior Amanda MacDonald remarked, “Everyone gets sick at least once per season, but it does push us to play hard and win the game so we can get out and get warm.”

“Playing in the cold most of the time is just straight up painful,” said junior Amy Reeves, “but honestly, I think it makes us a lot tougher and conditioned as athletes.”

This cold weather has evidently only strengthened the resolve of the Newbury Park Panthers girls water polo team.

The offseason months have served as an opportunity to condition and teach new

is prepared for league after strong preseason

Just keep swimming - Andie Smith, sophomore, swims laps for warm-ups at a practice. Samatha Meyer/Prowler

players before the season starts, and for more experienced players, the offseason serves as an opportunity to sharpen fundamental skills. Along with getting into mental shape, the girls must also go through two kinds of training. The first is a conditioning week, occurring a month before season, where athletes swim for the majority of practice to improve endurance. The second, Challenge Week, comes a week before the season commences and includes extreme strength and conditioning training in preparation for the upcoming season.

Players like Kelly Grosswendt, junior, have noticed the benefits

of a demanding offseason, saying that the team has “had a lot of conditioning, which has made us strong and ready to tackle the season”.

Although the season has not yet started, the Panthers have already accomplished part of their goal by beating Westlake in the Mistletoe Classic, and they hope to be able to complete their goal once season arrives by winning the California Interscholastic Federation championship. The demanding hours of practices added to the biting cold have given the girls water polo team a strong mental foundation for the future.

Rising up - Tyler Cartaino, senior and captain of the varsity team, makes a dunk. The Panthers will utilize his leadership in their quest for a deep run in the playoffs. Tyler Cartaino/With Permission

Versatile athletes look forward to

basketball season Shreya Chattopadhyay Staff Writer As the year comes to a close, winter sports are making an entrance. To basketball players, winter means the start of a new season and the beginning of three months of practices, games, and bus rides.

While many of the players focus solely on basketball, a significant percentage also played a fall sport -- so for them, winter is a transition.

Liam Metcalf, a sophomore on frosh-soph basketball who played football in the fall, said “Football is a much more aggressive sport … Basketball is a more lighthearted experience because you aren’t trying to clobber someone, but it’s still just as competitive. It’s more (about) finesse.”

Kevin Norgaard, also a sophomore, has been playing

basketball for as long as he can remember. “It’s just something I’ve always done,” he said.

This year, however, Norgaard tried out a new sport, cross country, in the fall before basketball, and he believes it has changed him, not just as an athlete, but as a basketball player.

“Cross country has really changed my perspective on basketball, in that basketball seems much easier and I enjoy it more now,” he said.

Norgaard has nothing but praise for the two teams. “I like both teams; they’re like two different families,” he said.

However, with the rearrangement of teams and players at the start of the new season, team dynamics have been

altered. Players and fans are curious to see how the season will go for both boys and girls.

Despite the loss of some players, Metcalf is optimistic about the frosh-soph season. “This year we lost a couple guys to the junior varsity level but I think we still have the same core nucleus that we had last year. We have a good coach and a good team so I don’t think there is any reason we won’t come back stronger this year and have a great record,” he said.

Katie Lippert, a sophomore on the girl’s frosh-soph team, agreed. “This year we have many new players, since many from last year moved up, but once we learn to work together it should be a really good season,” she said.