2015-2016 Issue 4 (January 29 2016)

PANTHER PROWLER Friday January 29, 2016

Issue IV

Newbury Park High School

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

Pursuin g the Arts

RoboticsTeam7

FHA-HERO10

Motocross13

2

table of contents Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

3 5 7 9 11 13 15

Coach Fabricius Retires Editorial: Mass Incarceration

Sparknotes

DPS: Pursuing Art

Robotics Student Art Samantha Meyer/Prowler

DPS: Pursuing Art

FHA Hero

Movies in 2016

Tech in 2016

Motocross

Isaiah Garza-Bolton Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Taekwondo

short-take

4 6 8 10 12 14 16

New SAT

table of contents.

Isaiah Garza-Bolton Photo Essay: Winter Sports

Evolving emojis: extraneous or essential?

Nina Chiuchiarelli Features Designer The Oxford Dictionary Word of the Year for 2015 was not a word at all, but an emoji - specifically, the face with tears of joy.

Oxford Dictionary revealed to have chosen this “pictograph” as the word of the year because it was the most used emoji of the year, and therefore chose to identify it as the “word” that best expressed the mood of the year 2015.

Emojis have transitioned from being used primarily while texting to a form of expression that has a place in many areas, even politics. Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and now front running candidate for the Democratic party, tweeted in August of this year, “How does your student loan debt make you feel? Tell us in 3 emojis or less.” While scrolling through Instagram, it is almost impossible to go down more than one picture without seeing some sort of emoticon.

Oxford Dictionary’s choice of an emoji for the word of the year, clearly illustrates a transition in language.

Instead of using words to reveal emotions, a simple blush face or the angry purple devil emojis does just the trick to reveal one’s emotions. The emoji has become a sense of security, as it makes it is easier for the individual to really show exactly how they feel simply by attaching an emoticon onto their words.

3 Move over bikers, hoverboards are joining your lane news

Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

Nina Ciuchiarelli Features Designer Kate Foultz Staff Writer Hoverboards, increasingly popular motorized skateboards, have not only caught the attention of the public, but also that of California lawmakers. As a result, new transportation laws have been introduced, which will address the safety requirements of the new fad.

Unlike bikes or automobiles, hoverboards lie between a legitimate form of transportation and a toy, causing ambiguity with regard to where hoverboards are permitted.

For instance, Vaishnav Puri, senior, rides his hoverboard around Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks in unconventional locations. “I’ve ridden it around the mall,” Puri said. “I also went through the Taco Bell drive-through on my hoverboard.”

Hoverboard riders often fall due to a loss of balance and control, causing concern over the injuries they attain. Thus a new law regarding transportation has been created.

The new law, AB 604, which focuses on electrically motorized boards, became active as of January 1st, 2016. It requires that “Anyone using a motorized skateboard must be at least 16 years old. Operators also must wear a bicycle helmet and safety equipment for increased visibility at night. The boards can only be ridden on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less but must not be ridden faster than 15 mph. They must also be ridden in the bike lanes and not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Violators face fines of $250.”

Puri agrees with the new laws. “Personally, I’ve ridden on

Laying down the law- Hoverboards have dominate the streets and sidewalks for the past few months, but as of Jan. 1, new laws were passed restricting where hoverboards can be used and who can ride them. Camila Wise/Pawprint

the sidewalk before and it can be dangerous (so) I think that these laws are necessary, not only for the people riding (the hoverboard) but for other people’s safety too,” he said.

However, enforcing these laws could be difficult to do and many people doubt law enforcement would be serious about strict compliance with the new rules.

“Maybe if you break the law right in front of law enforcement you might get caught, but I don’t think they are going to go out

of their way to enforce it,” Puri said.

Cole Peterson, sophomore, is also a frequent hoverboard user and agrees with the idea that hoverboard users might ignore these new rules and continue with their habits.

“There’s no way I’m following (these laws), I’m not even 16 yet. You don’t always get caught, there’s not always going to be a cop rolling right around you when you’re just riding something for fun,” Peterson said.

The End of an Era: Coach Fabricius Retires Kyle Popok Sports Editor Harsh Karia Online Manager

Going out strong- The varsity football team plays their final season with head coach Gary Fabricius. Samantha Meyer/ Prowler

This year marks the end of a thirtytwo year coaching career for varsity football’s head coach Gary Fabricius - he announced his retirement from coaching after the 2015 season ended, finishing his eight year tenure as head of the program.

As a coach on varsity football, Fabricius won a CIF championship during the 1994 undefeated season, and was also the head coach when the team competed in the 2014 CIF championship game against Paso Robles.

Fabricius started coaching high school sports when he was hired in 1981, which was something that he had wanted to do since he was an athlete in high school.

“I played football, I played basketball, I played baseball and I looked at my coaches and they were teachers,” Fabricius said. “They seemed to have fun teaching and have fun coaching and I was like, that seems like a pretty good gig.”

When he was hired, he did not have a specific preference of which sport to coach. “I said I can coach football, basketball, baseball, I’ll do whatever. I mean I don’t know how good I’ll be but I’ll do whatever.” Fabricius said.

He started by coaching JV softball, and a year later he began to coach football. He coached the freshman level for two years, before moving on to JV for two more years. By 1986, Fabricius was the Defensive Coordinator for the varsity level.

“I got to be a coordinator, but unfortunately for me I was on the defensive side and that wasn’t where I wanted to be ... I like trying to figure how to score, not trying to figure out how not to score,” Fabricius said. After a while, Fabricius got his wish, and became the Offensive Coordinator.

Through the years, Fabricius has both won and lost championship games, but to him the best part of coaching was forming a deeper bond with his players.

“You find out that the players believe in themselves and they know what works and doesn’t work. So them believing, it teaches you something.” Fabricius said.

However, Fabricius has also had some tough moments. “Sometimes you should win and you lose, and that’s going to happen. (That) doesn’t make it easier.

The hard part is looking in the eyes of the

player when they’re dejected,” Fabricius said.

Over the years, Fabricius has given his players many stories and lessons, making sure to leave his mark on them long after the season was over.

“If we’d come away from a huge loss that was detrimental to the feeling of the team, he would always tell us that football wasn’t everything and that you’ll lose in football, but you can always win in life,” said senior football co-captain Seth Evans.

Shane Sipes, senior and wide receiver, agrees. “He taught me a lot and made my experience with football and unforgettable one,” Sipes said.

Now, one of the hardest parts about not coaching for Fabricius will be “at two o’clock not walking across the road and knowing that [I’ve] got to go to practice,” he said. “Probably harder than that will be Friday nights, because that was fun.”

Defensive Coordinator Jason Klein will be the new head coach for the varsity level starting next year, and Fabricius will be there, looking on. “I’ll go to every Newbury game,” Fabricius said.

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news Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

Moncourtois moves forward Nina Ciuchiarelli Features Designer Nikita Prokhorov Staff Writer

Saying goodbyes- From left, Carly Adams, Bennett Wutkee, and from right, Kelly Welch, and Josh Eby, reflect on their time working with Cheryl Moncourtois (middle) as she prepares for her new job as principal of Westlake Hills Elementary School. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Dean of Attendance Cheryl Moncourtois was named the principal of Westlake Hills Elementary School last Tuesday night, January 19th. Her last day here at NPHS will be February 5th, and her first day as principal will be February 8th.

Moncourtois has worked within the CVUSD community since 1998. She taught at Walnut, Cypress and Sycamore Elementary Schools before teaching for eight years at Sycamore Middle School. She also served as the District Outdoor School Coordinator for one year.

The process for Moncourtois to become principal included numerous steps. She had to go through “an application process including a resume and letters of recommendation along with two rounds of interviews,” Eby, Principal of NPHS, said.

In the end, the Superintendent and cabinet made the final decision and their choice was approved by the school board.

“Her experiences at elementary, middle, and

Old SAT bites the dust Victoria Juan Features Designer Rachna Deshpande Ad Manager

The game is changing. After Jan. 23, the College Board will be using a new format of the SAT exam, one that resembles features of the ACT exam.

The new SAT will be first administered on March 5. In an announcement event in Austin, TX in March 2014, College Board President David Coleman revealed the remodel of the test.

“While we build on the best of the past, we commit today that the redesigned SAT will be more focused and useful, more clear and open than ever before,” Coleman said.

College Board has noted eight specific changes: an abolishment of little-known vocabulary; a focus on evidence-based literary responses; a textual response essay; fewer math topics; more examples from science and history documents; data analysis; usage of texts from famous historical events; and the elimination of deductions for incorrect answers.

For many, the new SAT offers an opportunity to showcase the skills that students learn chiefly in school curriculum.

“I wanted to have more chances to take the new (SAT),” Jordan Jomsky, junior, said. “I am excited to not have to memorize vocabulary, and instead do more things that we actually practice in English class like evidence support and analysis.”

This is not the first time the College Board has changed the format of the test. In 2005, the scoring range of the SAT was changed from 1600 to 2400. This added on an 800-point writing section, which includes grammar questions and an essay in addition to the reading and math sections. Now, the College Board is reverting back to its previous scoring methods, which tracks only reading and mathematics scores, making the essay optional.

However, while the old SAT’s reading and writing sections are separate, the new SAT’s reading and writing components will be combined in a single 800-point section. The math section is another 800-point section, making the total score range 200-1600.

The essay is a separate component that will require 50 minutes, twice as long as time allotted for the old SAT. Two essay readers will each give students a score of 1-4 in each of three categories: reading, analysis, and writing.

This school year, the fall 2015 Practice SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) was also newly

modified in alignment to these new SAT standards. In each of the reading, writing and math components, 38 questions contributed to a total possible score of 1520, with a 760-point reading and writing section, and a 760-point math section. NMSQT scores can be calculated by adding up the number of questions correct in each section and multiplying the sum by two. The resulting highest total is 228, unlike past tests’ 240 qualifying score, so scales for scholarship qualifications have yet to be determined.

In addition to test changes, Coleman revealed a partnership with Khan Academy to supply new SAT test prep materials online, targeting those who ordinarily cannot afford test preparation classes offered by companies such as Elite, Princeton Review or Kaplan.

“For too long, there’s been a well-known imbalance between students who could afford test-prep courses and those who couldn’t. We’re thrilled to collaborate with the College Board to level the playing field,” Sal Khan, founder and executive director of Khan Academy, said.

More than 100 videos on Khan Academy’s website for the new SAT demonstrate “basic” and “harder” examples of various concepts on the test as well as give students introductions to the SAT test format.

“I’ve just used (Khan Academy) to get practice and to get feedback on the answers I put in....The test prep material that they provide is very adequate for preparing,” Richard Qiu, freshman, said. “It’s very convenient and all you have to do is click a few buttons, and you can get a practice English test or a practice Math test.”

The ultimate effects and reactions to the new SAT will be revealed after March 5. In the meantime, students are trying to be optimistic.

“I was more unsure when I took the PSAT for the new SAT, but I scored well. And then I was more sure when I took the old SAT, but I didn’t score as well. So I’m not quite sure,” Amaan Kazi, junior, said. “I think overall that the new SAT is more focused and it’s probably more fair to people who think that essay writing should not be part of the picture. I’d definitely say it’s more specific and now people can choose what they want.”

high schools, in conjunction with the Outdoor School, give her professional depth and breadth that will serve her well in her new role,” Superintendent Ann N. Bonitatibus said.

While here at NPHS, Moncourtois has had a positive impact on the workings of administration.

“In my opinion, with the attendance office, she has really tightened up what’s going on there and streamlined some processes and fused herself with our students. I think our students really got to know her well,” Eby said.

For Moncourtois, the transition is filled with mixed emotions. “I am extremely excited to go,” said Moncourtois. “(The faculty at Westlake Hills Elementary) are a very eager group to educate children, they’re positive with the kids, and they are excited for the change.”

However, leaving NPHS will not be easy.

“As they always say, ‘Once a Panther, Always a Panther’ and I will never forget Newbury Park,” she said.

Read more online Crime in Newbury Park Escalates 2015 In Review New Year, New Music

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staff editorial

5

Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

A nation of incarceration too many inmates in the land of the free For a country built on the principle of freedom, the United States keeps a disproportionately high number of its people behind bars. In fact, despite representing only five percent of the world’s population, the U.S. holds a quarter of the world’s total number of inmates and spends around $80 billion every year on the prison system - a system which is now being crushed under its own weight.

This trend of mass incarceration costs every state money that does not need to be spent, especially when inmates are serving time for nonviolent drug offenses and costing the government between 20,000 and 50,000 dollars every year.

California is not exempt from the financial drawbacks of mass incarceration. In the 2013-2104 fiscal year, California spent 9 percent of its General Funds money for corrections and rehabilitation - a total of almost 9 billion dollars for that year.

In 2011, California’s prisons were in such disorder that the Supreme Court ruled that the state was breaking the 8th Amendment, which forbids the use of cruel and unusual punishment. In 2014, an investigation of the Stockton Prison’s health center found that inmates had been left overnight laying in their own feces and nurses tended to ignore inmate’s call buttons, which led to the death of one injured prisoner.

In his written opinion, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that “the State’s prisons had operated at around 200% of design capacity for at least 11 years” and “as many as 54 prisoners may share a single toilet.”

The prisons have become breeding grounds for resentment and violence instead of rehabilitation, primarily because with all the available space being used for housing inmates, there is none for remedial purposes. In a gymnasium attached to one Californian prison which was made into a barrack to house

inmates, the tight quarters led to a violent argument which escalated to the beating and death of one of the inmates. Because of the lack of correctional officers, the body was not discovered for several hours.

To help alleviate the stress on the state’s prison system, California’s Proposition 47 was passed with 58 percent of the vote in 2014. Under Proposition 47, nonviolent drug offenses and crimes such as thefts or forgeries of under 950 dollars in value are changed from felonies to misdemeanors. This could potentially allow for the release of thousands of inmates and a much needed relaxing of incarceration rates, especially since the United States is a country in which close to 50% of its inmates are held for drug related crimes.

Prop 47 will not solve all the problems in California’s prison system, but it does provide a starting point.

Going forward, California lawmakers must keep an eye on rising incarceration rates. With less money being spent every year on keeping nonviolent inmates, money can also be spent on rehabilitation programs so ex-cons do not commit more crimes and return to prison, an occurrence known as recidivism.

To keep prisons from overcrowding and overburdening the state, nonviolent drug related offenses should be viewed as mental health problems rather than criminal offenses. This way, instead of spending time in prison, potential inmates can be directed to rehabilitation centers and be directed towards progress, rather than punishment.

Violent crimes in which people are put in danger should remain felonies for which criminals receive appropriately longer sentences. These violent criminals are what the prison system was put in place for, and allows the government to protect its citizens. But prisons cannot just be a place for punishment. They must be used correctly and effectively as tools to better society and the people in it, and this begins with being able to distinguish bad choices from bad people.

5% 25% 1.5 MILLION

Representing just of the world’s population, the U.S. holds of the world’s inmates

people in the U.S. were arrested in 2014 for drug crimes

NONVIOLENT annually

pay to the order of

U.S. Prison Sysytem

$ 80,000,000,000

eighty billion for

mass incarceration

date

dollars

U.S. Government

PANTHER PROWLER 2015-2016 staff Editors-in-Chief Shreya Chattopadhyay Adrianna Robakowski Entertainment Designer Alyssa Boedigheimer Nevnit Gill Copy Editors Alyssa Boedigheimer Lexi Foultz Cover Designers Nelson Kappas Kyle Popok

News Designer Lindsay Filgas Opinion Designer Kellie Levine Angela Swartz Photographer Chief / Samantha Meyer Caitlin Henderson Connor Keep Features Designer Victoria Juan Nina Chiuchiarelli

Online Editors Rachna Deshpande Victoria Juan Harsh Karia Sports Editor Kyle Popok Sports Designer Bella Robakowski Graphic Artist Chief / Michael Hellard Alyssa Boedigheimer

DPS Designer Victoria Juan

Ad Manager Rachna Deshpande Staff Writers Kate Foultz Caitlin Henderson Connor Keep Gianna Longo John MacMillen Farhaan Pathan Nikita Prokhorov

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 four weeks throughout the school year by American Foothill Publishing Co. For advertisement information, visit www.pantherprowler.org.

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

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

Adviser Michelle Saremi

6

opinion Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

Say “no” to Sparknotes Nina Chiuchiarelli Features Designer As a freshman, English was my absolute favorite class.

Nothing could have been better than a term filled with novels, plays and discussions for an English junkie like myself. However, throughout the year, I was reminded of a warning I had received before high school had even started, which gave me great anxiety. This warning was about a certain novel we would be reading at the end of the year by Charles Dickens.

All around me, I heard my fellow classmates muttering, “A Tale of Two Cities” is the worst book ever, absolutely horrible to get through, impossible to read, totally pointless and stupid.”

The complaints could go on for hours. So after hearing all of these horrible comments regarding the novel, it seemed as if there would be no luck for me. But then, a knight and shining armor gave me a piece of advice. And thus, I was introduced to Sparknotes.

The majority of high school students already know what the website Sparknotes is, and are probably frequent visitors to the site. But, for those who do not know, Sparknotes is a website that gives you the ability to type in just about any book of your choosing and it will provide you with summaries and analysis of every chapter, major character, theme, and symbol which it deems to be important to the overall understanding of the book.

This site is a safe haven for those who do not really care to read the books we are assigned in school or simply run out of time or forget. I completely understand the appeal, but consider this.

When the time came to read “A Tale Of Two Cities,” most of my classmates barely bothered to crack open its glorious pages, and simply used Sparknotes. I almost fell into this trap as well, but I had never used Sparknotes before so I figured I had to give the book a shot. I opened the book and began to read. One page after the other, I became immersed in the trials and tribulations of Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay and Lucie Manette and her sick father. To this day, I will never forget the last sentence of the novel and the beauty it held, something I would have never experienced if I chose to Sparknote it.

Sparknotes is an amazing tool to refresh your memory or discover symbols within the book. I can even understand if someone has a horrible week and just does not have the time, but it is important to remember that nothing can replace the feeling of going to a different time period and place with new people and sharing their story. So when our teachers assign us books, keep in mind that it is to teach us something important. At least give the book a shot to prove itself.

Graphic: Michael Hellard/Prowler

New year, same me Bella Robakowski Sports Designer All over the world people wait with excitement to ring in the new year. Three… Two… One… The clock strikes twelve ... and absolutely nothing happens.

New Year’s Eve is an extremely anticlimactic holiday. There is all this hype to go into the New Year with a bang and leave the past in previous year. However, I always feel like when I look back on my year I over-dramatize my problems and think of it in a more negative light than necessary.

New Year’s Eve is stressful because it makes you examine everything in your life, the mistakes you made last year, the friends you were with last year, the friends you want to be with this year, and the things you want to change in the new year. But this past year I’ve learned the lesson that things change, people change, and a lot can happen in 365 days.

The people I was with on New Year’s’ Eve 2015 weren’t necessarily with me throughout the following months. And quite honestly, that’s no big deal. The pressure to over-analyze your relationships with people and decide who you want to go into the new year with is an unnecessary stress.

The idea that you have to make the night a legendary one is overwhelming. As much as I know how ridiculous the idea is, I still find myself caught up in the quest to make it so. We’re all looking for that “movie moment” when the clock strikes midnight but in reality, almost everyone ends up disappointed with how it turns out. That’s because our expectations are so high that they’re

impossible to meet.

Having a holiday based on fresh starts is a great idea. Who doesn’t want to set goals and try to get better in the upcoming year? However in practice, setting goals causes people to reflect on their shortcomings and mistakes of the past year, and all the goals they failed to achieve. We should be reflecting on the year and the good that came from it, not our mess-ups and our cringeworthy moments.

Nothing changes just because the calendar resets. The problems we had last year still find a way to follow us into the new year and those bad habits we can’t seem to shake tag along too. I’m not saying we shouldn’t give it our best shot to fix our problems and break those bad habits, but what I mean is that we should do that because we want to, not because it’s a new year.

I don’t want to become a “new me” in the new year; I want to be the same old me who hates running and loves procrastinating.

I’m not going to let a clock and calendar tell me when to change.

I hate change. Why would I let inanimate objects have that power over me?

New years is pressure filled and basically blows. We should change because we want to become better, not because it’s “that time of year again.” Right now, I’m going to live in the moment and instead of worrying about what friends are going to survive the year with me, I’m going to be thankful for the ones who have my back now.

For the record...

On page 2, the news brief entitled “New mayor in Thousand Oaks” was missing a byline; it was written by Harsh Karia.

The article on page 4 entitled “Portrait delays resolved by new contract” had an incorrect byline; it was written by Victoria Juan and Rachna Deshpande. In the Hoco 2.0 photo credit, Molly Irelan’s name was misspelled as “Molly Ireland.”

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

18 things I’ve learned in 18 years Kellie Levine Opinion Designer As of January 21, I have finally crossed over into the dangerous and terrifying territory of adulthood. Now that I can buy lottery tickets and get tattoos and be tried as an adult, I have bigger, better, and more permanent mistakes to make.

But before I go gamble away all of my McDonald’s money or get an inside lip tattoo that says “Thug Life,” here are some things I’ve learned in my first 18 years of making mistakes:

1.

The person you will be most embarrassed of isn’t your mom or dad, it’s yourself (I’m talking to you, 7th grade Kellie). Looking back on things you’ve done or said will make you cringe, so try to create the least amount of cringe-worthy moments now.

2. Even the people you hate have something to teach you.

3. Admitting when you’re wrong is important, but hard.

4. Forgiving yourself for being wrong is even harder.

5. Deep breaths are underrated. If more people stopped and took deep breaths they wouldn’t have to spend so much time admitting they’re wrong.

6. Peer pressure is real, but it isn’t as easy to spot as it is in after school specials. If you feel someone causing you to shy away from who you are to be accepted, it’s probably peer pressure.

7.

You don’t know who you are, but finding out is what makes life exciting.

8.

Your number one priority should be taking care of yourself. It isn’t your job to fix others if it’s breaking you.

9. You are who you surround yourself with. Inevitably their ideas will permeate your life, so choose wisely.

10. BFFs are a myth. The idea that any relationship will last “forever” detracts from the idea that everyone is constantly growing and changing.

11. Sometimes people suck. The only way to be OK with that is to think complexly about their lives. There’s usually a valid reason they’re acting that way.

12. You shouldn’t be happy all of the time. If you feel any emotion for too long you will become numb to it. The sadness is what keeps the happiness alive.

13. Rejection hurts, but not taking a chance hurts more. It’s the “what if ” that will kill you before the “no” does.

14. Cliches are true, but they won’t mean anything to you until you live them. You’ll be tired of hearing about how life isn’t fair up until the day you start saying it to other people.

15.

Grades matter, but sanity matters more. I don’t remember what I got on that test in Chemistry freshman year, but I’ll never forget the sleep deprived tears I cried over my notes the night before.

16. If they don’t laugh at your jokes, or at least smile, it’s a red flag. This person is not worth your time and will probably hurt you.

17.

At every stage in your life you’ll think you know everything.

18. You know nothing.

features

STUDENT Bailey Cancasci/Sophomore would you call a 1 What group of crows?

VS

Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

7

TEACHER Brianna Harris/Biology is the official plural of 8 What Prius?

Alyssa Boedigheimer Copy Editor

Cancasci: A crow.

Harris: A flock.

Answer: A murder.

Cancasci: Prius’.

Harris: Just Prius.

Answer: Prii

If two crows sit together in a tree, would it be an attempted murder?

The score starts at 0-0.

Just like octopi, if you have more than one prius, you have some prii. The final score is 1-4.

was Google originally 2 What called?

does a bank ATM stand 7 What for?

Cancasci: Goggle.

Harris: I don’t know...pass.

Cancasci: Bank at the moment.

Harris: Automatic teller machine.

Answer: Automated teller machine.

Answer: Backrub Fortunately the name changed.

Imagine looking something up and saying, ‘just let me BackRub that.’

The score stands 0-0.

Close enough! Even though at the moment I need money, this acronym has been around for a bit longer than the one for ‘at the moment’. Harris brings the score to 1-4.

is another name for a 3 What tidal wave?

Cancasci: Tidal cycle.

Harris: Tsunami.

Answer: Tsunami.

The tidal cycle must be the one after the wash cycle, but before the rinse cycle. Harris brings the score up to 0-1.

4 What color is cobalt?

Cancasci: Blue.

Harris: Blue.

Answer: Blue.

Maroon is red/ Cobalt is blue/ This poem is awful/ The score’s 1-2.

breakfast food inspired 6 What the design for the bottom of

Caitlin Henderson/Prowler

HARRIS WINS! 1-4

Nike running shoes?

Cancasci: Bagel.

Harris: Wheaties...honeycombs.

Answer: Waffles Because there is nothing that waffles can’t solve. The score remains 1-3.

Eeyore’s birthday, Winnie the Pooh brought 5 On him a jar of honey. What did Piglet bring him?

Cancasci: Depression...no, bacon.

Harris: Kite...oh, it was a balloon!

Answer: A balloon Unfortunately, the balloon popped before it ever got to Eeyore. He loved it all the same though. The score is 1-3.

Building up to the state competition Robotics Team qualifies for next level of VEX Lindsay Filgas News Designer After an increase in membership and learning opportunities, the robotics team competed in and won a VEX Robotics Competition on Dec. 22, 2015. These competitions require students to use science, technology, engineering, and math in order to build a robot that will complete a designated task.

This year, the team has grown in number of members. “We had a lot more people who were consistently (at meetings),” Joshua Freedman, senior and co-president of the Robotics club, said.

Aaron Sang, freshman, agreed. “There’s definitely been new people that also bring new ideas into the team,” Sang said.

Because of the club’s growth, two teams were able to participate in the most recent VEX tournament: a freshman team and a senior team. According to Jason Fowler, junior, having smaller teams is more convenient for working on the small robots that the teams take to VEX competitions.

Although coordination between the two teams can be a challenge, Fowler believes the arrangement is beneficial. “It allows the freshmen as well as the senior members to go along

with different strategies and different design,” Fowler said.

Dividing the teams allows for the senior team to create more challenging robots, while the freshmen take the opportunity to learn the basics of robotics.

Building to Success - Junior Perez, and Daniel Xu, freshmen, put in time to improve their robot for the next VEX competition. Caitlin Henderson/Prowler

The robotics team has also been able to go to more competitions this school year than in the past. By attending multiple competitions, they have been able to assess their

progress and make improvements along the way, growing closer to winning at each competition.

“It just makes our robots far more reliable,” Fowler said.

At the competition on Dec. 22, the teams joined an ‘alliance’ with two other teams. By creating an alliance, the teams are able to be scored together and can build robots using different tactics and strategies that compliment one another.

“The scoring was … based on not only the task but how well we worked with other people,” Freedman said.

The students worked for most of the day, balancing both teams with minimal time between one team’s turn and another.

The seniors won the semifinals and the freshman won the finals of the regional competition.

“We did not expect it, but we kind of joked about it … the freshman team always gets farther than all the other teams,” Fowler said.

With the victory, the team earned one spot in the state competition. The club now faces the choice of which robot to send forward to compete and show all that the team has learned.

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pursuing art Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

In the Spotlight: Majoring in Vocal Talent Samantha Meyer Chief Photographer

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s seniors begin to hear back from colleges and plan out their futures, a select few look to the stage when it comes to where they want to go next. These future names-inlights plan to take full advantage of their time in college by majoring in their choice of art.

Jordyn Benedict, a senior in both Concert Choir and Chamber, has been singing and writing songs since she was three years old. Her dreams of working professionally in the industry are starting to be realized.

“Music has been part of my life forever and I can’t imagine myself doing anything different, so I want to pursue that,” Benedict said.

With her first, self-written single being released on iTunes in the next few weeks and her family’s support behind her, Benedict is excited to major in Performance and Songwriting, where she will be “surrounded by people who share the same passion,” she said.

Benedict is used to people questioning her decision to major in an art form, but believes that is the right choice for what she wants to do.

“I get that a lot, where they’re like ‘Oh, what are you going to do after?’,” Benedict said regarding people who have doubts about her major. “I want to go in the music-business route, so with songwriting and majoring in that, I think it will open up doors. So even if it’s not me front-lining singing, which is obviously the ideal job, I can always work in the industry that way.”

Like Benedict, Nick Glaab, senior, has been singing his whole life. Glaab recently decided to double major in Vocal Performance and Music

Composition.

“I was planning to major in Film until the beginning of my senior year and then I decided to major in music,” Glaab explained.”Over the summer, I played a lot of piano and sang a lot and became really inspired to do it in college.”

Although it may seem difficult to get a job as an arts major, Glaab is confident he will be able to find the right fit for him, and hopes to eventually compose music for a major film company.

“I feel there is a need for (music), even if I’m a teacher or professor somewhere,” Glaab said. “And even if I’m doing jobs here and there, I’ll still be doing what I love.”

Megan Masson, senior, is planning to major in Classical Vocal Performance. With years of classical singing under her belt and numerous college auditions underway, she is ready for the opportunity to become more well-versed in her art.

“I get questions from my extended family like ‘Are you

sure you want to do that?,’” Masson said, “But I think everyone believes in my ability and going to college is a step in the right direction because there’s still a lot I have to learn.”

Masson also believes she is tough enough to remain resilient in the industry, despite the inevitable rejections that come with the price of being an artist.

“It does take a certain personality to have a thick skin, because you get told ‘no’ a lot more than you get told ‘yes’,” Masson said. “And you can’t let that get you down or anything, you just have to keep going because you like to do it.”

Despite the possible hardships that can come with majoring in an art, these seniors believe that being able to pursue their passions to their full extent makes it all worth it.

“Obviously art is not the most rational thing to major in, since it’s really hard to find jobs,” Masson said. “But being able to do music everyday would be the best thing I could dream to do.”

Purs

Ar

Despite challenges in Findin visual or performing arts, s developing their passions

Are art classes useful in high school?

Yes 106 people

No 46 people

152 random students on campus were polled

On display - Posing with her picture, Sarah Northrop, senior, entered her work into the “Hang with the Best” Competition with the rest of her AP Photo class. Although Northrop wants to continue photography, she does not plan on majoring in it. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

A future on stage - At the theater fundraiser “Coming Distractions on January 23rd, Megan Masson, senior, performed with other theater students. Masson is planning on majoring in Classical Vocal Performance and someday dreams of singing for Disney. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Exercising Artistic Talents in Stable Careers

Samantha Meyer Chief Photographer

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lthough many people encourage students to pursue their passions, it’s common for artists to wonder if majoring in an art form is what they want to do. Some students have thought of ways to continue their art into college and beyond while majoring in a different field of choice.

Nazzo Khalil, senior, had a basis in drawing and painting before becoming a makeup artist at Kiko Milano, where she works 25 to 30 hours per week using her artistic skills as a way to transform people’s look.

“I like that I’m actually doing something I really enjoy,” Khalil said. “No one actually wants to stand in a room for eight hours,

but at the same time I can do my thing on people’s faces.”

Although she wants to have art as a part of her future career, Khalil will most likely major in Business Administration because “no matter what type of job I get, business will be involved.”

“I feel like if you’re an Art Major, that’s not really the way you find work in the arts,” Khalil explained. “It’s more about who you know rather than what kind of education you have. If you have connections to people that are actually going to help you make money, that’s how it works.”

Jessica Han, senior, has been drawing and painting her whole life and was a winner of the nation-wide Congressional Art Competition last year. Despite her talent, Han has never seen herself majoring in an art form and considers it more of a hobby.

“It’s really hard to make it in the art world,” Han said. “It’s not necessarily your art but who you are and your name and everything.”

pursuing art Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

uing

rt

ng a sustainable career with students choose to continue in high school and beyond.

Instead, Han plans to major in Mechanical Engineering, where her creative side can still thrive while solving problems in a technical way.

“I’m going to do Mechanical Engineering because I like the math and science, and it’s like art with creating things, but I feel like it’s more about what you can do than who you are,” Han said.

After getting her first camera in seventh grade, Sarah Northrop, senior, has been hooked on photography.

Since then, she has developed and honed her skills, and even has taken headshots for Silver Gauntlet International.

However, Northrop is not planning on majoring in photography in college. Instead, Northrop has chosen to study advertising so she can “still use her art on a daily basis,” she said.

“I feel that a career right off the bat in photography wouldn’t really take off for me,” Northrop said. “I want a stable income and I feel like photography has a lot of risk attached to it.”

Although her major involves

Painting your High School Career Lindsay Filgas News Designer Angela Swartz Opinion Designer

W

ith trying to fill just six to eight spots while considering the classes that interest you and keeping in mind required credits, choosing yearly courses can be hard. Conejo Valley Unified School District requires high school students to take at least one art class in order to graduate, leaving them perusing choices such as theater and eco art.

Many students, such as Grace Hsu, sophomore, face this dilemma of how to fit their classes into a tight schedule. “(I choose) what courses will look better on my transcript and help me get into a good university,”

Hsu said.

Some students believe art is not the most productive choice for their future. “I don’t think it should be mandatory because not everyone wants to pursue art related (careers),” Annie Sun, sophomore and AP Art student, said.

Hsu agrees. “Some people are going to major in subjects that are unrelated to art. Instead of taking an art class, they should use that class period to take a class they think will be helpful to them in the future,” she said.

Ryan Barry, sophomore, explained that he prioritizes educational classes, taking art classes only when there is an empty space in his schedule.

“If I have an open spot for a class, I could possibly take an art class to widen what goes on my transcript and maybe colleges would like that,” Barry said.

However, Barry believes the art requirement is necessary for students to be in touch with the creative side of the brain.

“It’s just a time to take my mind off of everything and ... express

Singing, songwriting and thriving - A member of the Chamber singers and a regular Youtube poster, Jordyn Benedict, senior, writes and records her own songs and plans to continue her singing and songwriting as a career. Benedict’s first single is scheduled to be released in the her artistic talent, Northrop still next few weeks. dreams to someday open her Samantha Meyer/Prowler

own gallery, but only after she feels comfortable in her means to do so.

“My cousin had this saying, and not a lot of people would agree with it but I like it,” Northrop said. “It’s ‘Do something that makes money, and use that to do the thing that you love.’ And for me that would be photography.”

Although pursuing the arts as a career can feel risky, being able to still use artistic elements within a future job brings both worlds together in a safer place for students who still want to practice their art without majoring in it.

“I don’t think it’s necessary for people to major in their form of art because if they’re advanced in their form of art, that’s never going to escape them if they don’t continue it into college,” Northrop said.

“But I think that if they want to, there shouldn’t be anything stopping them.”

A human canvas - Both an artist on paper and with makeup, Nazzo Khalil, senior, plans to most likely major in Business Administration to help her do what she loves with a degree that can get her started.

Samantha Meyer/Prowler

myself,” Barry said.

Madeline Weiss, sophomore and choir and theater student, believes that art classes are no different than any other elective.

“PE is required and not all people are athletic so I think definitely exploring the arts is something that every student … should do,” Weiss said.

Although all students take one art class during their high school career, many choose not to continue. According to Jennifer Kaye, art teacher, this is due in part to the stigma that art classes are not as important as other high school classes.

“Not that many students apply to art schools,” Kaye said.

“I think there is a stigma against art because people believe they will just end up as ‘starving artists’. Most people don’t realize all of the different types of jobs artists can have.”

Kaye tries to address this negative reputation in her classes. “While [students] are in the class I try to get rid of the stigma by discussing how art and design are part of their

9

everyday life,” Kaye said. “ Although art classes are not everyone’s first choice, the program has significant benefits.

“Many of these programs that I am a part of, they’re like my outlets,” Weiss said. “So whenever I’m having a bad day, it’s kind of like where I go to be myself and it’s accepting and you meet so many new people and it’s just a great experience to be a part of … it can definitely grow you as a person and it might show you something … of yourself that you have never seen before if you’re afraid to try it.”

No matter the opinion of the art courses, it is still required to take for high school students in California, and those such as Kaye are grateful.

“I believe that a creative way of thinking and understanding is important for all students to have no matter what they decide to after high school,” Kaye said. “ I know that a lot of other states don’t have any art requirements, so I am glad that California recognizes it importance.”

A musical man - Performing in the school musical “High Noonish”, Nick Glaab, senior, has loved music his whole life. While Glaab plans to double major in Vocal Performance and Music Composition, his dream is to someday compose music for movies. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Do you think pursuing art is a viable career choice?

Yes 95 people

No 57 people

152 random students on campus were polled

10 From Newbury Park to Manhattan features

Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

Angela Swartz Opinion Designer Caitlin Henderson Staff Writer Carnegie Hall in New York City first opened in 1891 for the famous composer Tchaikovsky’s American debut. Now, cellist Danny Murphy, junior, and violinist Ashley Rosato, senior, have been invited to play at the prestigious venue as part of an Honors Performance Series.

“I’m really proud of them for being accepted. It validates all the hard work that they have put into their instrument,” Tina Huang, orchestra teacher said.

Rosato began playing violin in the fourth grade, while Murphy started playing freshman year in the school’s orchestra program. Even juggling honors classes, both continue to practice their instruments in and out of school. In addition to almost daily practices, the two also take private lessons once a week. “(I practice) at least 5 times a week for usually 45 minutes to an hour at a time, but have hour long private lessons weekly as well,” Murphy said. “The cello gives me a lot of opportunities for my future as well as gives me something long term to continually work on and get better at.”

Last year, orchestra competed in the Heritage festival in San Diego, and earned the superior rating of gold. Soon after, Huang received a pamphlet offering all students in the program to apply for the Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. She asked both Murphy and Rosato if they would like to apply and nominated them to the program after they said yes.

“They are both very attentive students who are also enthusiastic about strings. They are willing to try new techniques and are always pushing themselves to get better,” Huang said.

“They are both very social and happy-go-lucky people who also love orchestra.”

The program had a long application process starting in June.

It boiled down 18,000 choir, brass, woodwind, and strings players from all around the world to 750.

“The students were required to fill out an application regarding their previous experience and send in a video of them playing a piece they prepared, some scales, and a piece that the judges sent everyone,” Murphy said.

Murphy received an invitation on Halloween, while Rosato learned later on that she was the runner up. Rosato will find out by the end of the month whether or not she will play at the concert.

The two both received three pieces, one over 16 pages long, in late December to prepare for the February 7th performance.

Carnegie Hall seats almost 3,000 people which is over double the amount Murphy and Rosato played in front of in the Civic Arts Plaza and the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra.

“I didn’t really understand the full magnitude of it until I told my parents and they got really excited. I kind of expected not to get in so it was sort of a nice little surprise at the time, but as the date approached that I head to New York I have been getting more and more excited,” Murphy said.

Both Murphy and Rosato both plan to continue their musical career after the Honors Performance Series.

“I’d like to (continue playing). If I don’t make it (to Carnegie Hall) this year, then I’d try again next year for sure,” Rosato said.

“As far as playing professionally, I do not intend to as it stands, but you never know,” Murphy said. “I do not plan at any point to stop playing though, and would like to continue to throughout my life.”

things

orchestra sends two students to take on Carnegie Hall

5 y ou did not k now a bout

Erin Stillwagon/With Permission

Erin Stillwagon

// Biology & Geoscience

Alyssa Boedigheimer Copy Editor

1

Her Starbucks order is a grande drip with no room for cream.

2

She loves to rollerblade at Venice Beach and used to play roller hockey as a kid.

3

Her child ambition since she was six was to become a biologist.

4

As a kid she had a pet snake that ate five of her sister’s pet birds.

5

Would rather have hands for feet than feet for hands because additional hands provide the ability to do more things at once.

California FHA-HERO gets a new president Nikita Prokhorov Staff Writer

Commander in Chef- As President of FHA-Hero for California, Hayley Taggart, senior, works hard to represent our state. Hayley Taggart/With Permission

Hayley Taggart, senior, has been elected as the president of the FHA-HERO program in the state of California.

The program, which boasts over 5,000 students statewide, is a career technical student organization that aims to prepare participants for future careers in hospitality and food services.

Taggart was led to join the program primarily because of “the fantastic opportunities, education, and atmosphere where everybody is giving one-hundred-percent,”she said.

According to Taggart, FHA-HERO primarily focuses on leadership training and hospitality education, and students are able to join as early as middle school, though most are in high school.

Taggart’s role entails representing California’s FHAHERO program at an annual national conference, and at several other significant gatherings. The role has evoked much pride from those involved in the program, including Leigh Ann Diffenderfer, teacher and FHAHERO advisor.

“She’s an incredible student leader, she has an amazing energy, she works very hard, she’s very smart, very focused,” Diffenderfer said. “She has a real talent for having a vision of what an organization should be doing, and then encouraging and leading people to do it.”

Taggart’s position has not only involved improving the activities of those in the state program, but also students here on campus.

“I think it’s much more fun (now),” said Kienna Herron, region secretary and Chapter vice president.

“We’re having a Disney day.”

Taggart has decided to pursue becoming a Home Economics Careers and Technology Teacher to share her love for homemaking and home economics, which is what is prominently taught in the program.

“What if she taught here at Newbury Park one day, wouldn’t that be amazing? That was one of the reasons why she focused on participating in FHAHERO,” said Diffenderfer. “She really saw that as a way to help prepare her for her future career.”

entertainment Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

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Comebacks and concerts: new artists going on tour this year Caitlin Henderson Staff Writer

Adele

2015 was full of musical triumphs such as comebacks from pop icons Adele and Justin Bieber, as well as killer album releases from alternative bands. This year, countless musicians are preparing for twelve months of sweet tunes.

Whether you’re into rock, pop, rap, or anything in between, hopefully some of these artists (both new and old) will catch your eye.

This powerful singer dropped her new album, 25, on Nov. 15, 2015. The album became a huge success, selling 2.433 million copies on its release date. Her single “Hello” climbed the charts and reached No. 1, after four years with no album or new music. Adele Live 2016, Adele’s tour, will reach Los Angeles at the beginning of August.

DJ Khaled

Panic! At the Disco After releasing various new songs such as their single, “Hallelujah” in 2015, a new single on New Year’s Day, and a new album, “Death of a Bachelor,” on Jan. 15, The rock band Panic! At the Disco kicked off its tour at the Tower Theatre in Los Angeles on Jan. 19. However, the band now only consists of its lead singer, Brendon Urie, after bassist Dallon Weekes announced his departure in October 2015.

Justin Bieber Beliebers, watch out, because Justin is coming to Los Angeles starting March 20. Despite his blunders within the last couple of years, 2015 was Justin’s year to come back to the light side of fame.

He released the album, “Purpose” on Nov. 13, which sold 649,000 copies in the first week. Singles “Sorry” and “What Do You Mean?” also landed a No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100, meaning that “Bieber Fever” is catching fire once more.

Wiz Khalifa

Snapchatters, it’s time to “bless up” and prepare for DJ Khaled’s journey of success in 2016. He will be paying a visit to The Forum Feb. 28, along with rap artists Nicki Minaj, Big Sean, and Meek Mill.

Whether you love hip hop, or just DJ Khaled yelling inspiring words at you, this will be the ultimate show.

Sia When you think of Sia this year, one word should specifically come to mind: Coachella. The unique pop icon is performing at the popular music festival, but that is not all to come from her this year.

She also plans to release her new album, “This is Acting”, on Jan. 29.

Singles “Alive” and “Cheap Thrills” have already begun climbing the charts, and the hype for the mysterious singer-songwriter will only grow as the year progresses.

Wiz Khalifa’s 2015 was in no way small, despite not releasing an album. He toured with Fall Out Boy, hit major success with his single, “See You Again,” and was nominated for three Grammys. In 2016, he plans to release a new mixtape and album, “Project Khalifa.” The album has “unreleased music that nobody’s ever heard before,” according to Khalifa in a YouTube video posted on Dec. 26, 2015.

Twenty One Pilots Although this duo emerged in 2009 with their first album, “Self Titled”, the band reached commercial success with its second, “Vessel”, and the beginnings of its popular online symbol, “|-/”. The third album, “Blurryface” dropped spring 2015, which became the number one album sold during its first week. The band is still touring and will be reaching The Forum in July.

Cage the Elephant Celebrating ten years since the band’s formation, late December brought excitement for this band’s new album, “Tell Me I’m Pretty.”

With a new aesthetic vibe, the band’s hit, “Mess Around” made it on Spotify’s Top 100 Alternative playlist. The alternative rock band also announced its tour, which came to Santa Ana on Jan. 19, and will be coming back to California in February.

Melanie Martinez

Pearl Jam

Any fans of “The Voice” and Team Adam will be happy to know that Melanie Martinez is reaching Los Angeles on her 2016 tour in February.

Her first album, “Cry Baby” was released late 2015, and despite the lack of television appearances and singles, reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart in early August. With her distinct style and colorful hair, the singer will surely brighten up the indie-pop scene in 2016.

2016 is Pearl Jam’s 25th anniversary, and the band by no means plans to celebrate in silence. The 90s alternative band announced its 2016 North American tour, and according to the band’s manager, is constantly writing new songs in the studio. The actual 25th anniversary celebration, however, remains a secret. Here’s to 25 years of good alternative rock! *all photos were taken from press releases

Sequels,spinoffs and superheros crowd the 2016 big screen Lexi Foultz Copy Editor Though the recent Star Wars film may have stolen every bit of limelight available in the 2015 cinematic year, even overshadowing summer blockbuster hit “Jurassic World”, there are numerous films now competing for center stage, all vying to be the one movie which hallmarked 2016. According to a Fandango poll taken at the start of the year, the most anticipated movies of 2016 are sequels, spin-offs or film adaptations of popular comics in the Marvel and DC cinematic universes.

Disney and Lucasfilms are poised to continue the momentum generated by “The Force Awakens” through the release of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”, which premieres Dec.16 and stars Felicity Jones and Forest Whitaker. The film follows a group of rebels on a mission to steal plans for the Death Star, though more specific details about the movie’s plot are unknown, and will most likely be kept under wraps until the premiere date draws nearer. “Rogue One” currently holds the position of most anticipated movie of the year according to the Fandango poll, and Disney is going to keep us waiting for it; but Disney has kept us waiting before.

More than a decade ago, Disney Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” hit the big screen nationwide and finally, this year on June 17, Dory, Marlin and Nemo will return to theaters with “Finding Dory”, which chronicles the forgetful blue fish’s journey to reunite with her parents. Reprising their voice roles in the movie are Ellen Degeneres as Dory, Albert Brooks as Marlin and Willem Dafoe as Gill, the scarred leader of the tank gang.

Let’s hope the movie will be worth the wait.

DC Entertainment has already excited comic book fans across the USA with the release of trailers for both “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”, and “Suicide Squad.” The Batman and Superman mash-up is on its way to becoming the most expensive movie ever made with an estimated budget of about 410 million and rising. The movie, featuring Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, is critical to the expansion of the DC universe if it is to compete with Marvel. DC’s other movie, “Suicide Squad” features Jared Leto, Will Smith, and Margot Robbie in the story about a group of supervillains turned antiheroes when the government summons them from prison to carry out

dangerous and “suicidal” missions.

As the DC universe tries to catch up, Marvel’s universe is rapidly expanding with the premiere of “Captain America: Civil War” in May, and “Doctor Strange” in Nov. “Captain America” sees the defrosted super-soldier (Chris Evans) turn on fellow Avenger, Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) as the future of the Avengers is called into question. “Doctor Strange” will star Benedict Cumberbatch as the genius neurosurgeon, who after a life altering car accident, discovers the world’s alternate dimensions. Other Marvel film adaptations, though now owned by 20th Century Fox, include “Deadpool”, which hits theater in Feb. and stars Ryan Reynolds, and “X-Men Apocalypse” in May. Despite this year’s highly anticipated movies, 2016 is not expected to surpass the box office success of 2015, which set records on national and global scales. The box office is actually expected to drop five percent unless a surprise movie can really pack a punch. But let’s be realistic - it’s hard to beat Star Wars.

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entertainment Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

Into the obscure: reviews of lesser known media Nevnit Gill Entertainment Designer

Penny Dreadful

The Picture of Dorian Gray

I have to admit, the only reason I watched “Penny Dreadful” (2014) was because I loved “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”

This Showtime show features several prominent classic literary characters, including Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney) and Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway). Taking place in Victorian London, the show has several main characters, most of whom are attempting to uncover the mystery of vampirelike creatures which have been brutally murdering adults and children. Many of the characters are extremely angsty, and have had dark backstories. But this only makes the plot more interesting. I would recommend this show if you are interested in horror, the supernatural, and classical literary characters. The cinematography is also notably beautiful, so if you enjoy that, this would be a great choice. However, it does have a TV-MA rating, so if one is not comfortable with mature content, it is important to be wary.

Immediately after reading the late 19th century controversial hit, “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” by Oscar Wilde, I deemed it to be my favorite book. While the writing style is slightly reminiscent of Hamlet in its somewhat old vocabulary and use of the word “cried” instead of “said” for nearly every quote, this philosophical fiction book describes a very curious, almost unsettling tale. Unsurprisingly, it centers on a man called Dorian Gray, who is described to be young and extremely attractive. An artist, Basil Hallward, becomes infatuated with Dorian, and befriends him. He claims that Dorian inspires his art, and makes it something great, and decides to paint a picture, or portrait, of Dorian Gray. However, before doing so, Hallward’s friend, Lord Henry Wotton, insists to meet Dorian, who Basil has taken such a liking to. Because Henry is the kind to corrupt anyone he meets, Basil hesitates to let him corrupt “his” Dorian. Henry meets Dorian, and plants “exciting” ideas into his mind, so that once the portrait was complete, and Dorian had a newfound appreciation of his beauty, and wishes that his portrait would age and represent his soon-to-be sinful soul, while he would remain forever young and beautiful like the day the portrait was painted. This does actually happen, and Dorian adopts the very interesting philosophies of hedonism and aestheticism. He drugs his friends, kills people, and does everything one is warned against as a child. The book explores the effects this world view has on him, and features intellectually stimulating conversations between Henry and Dorian about the truth of life. It is incredibly quotable, and becomes rather hard to put down. It is the kind of book that can deeply influence people, and can make one seriously consider selling one’s soul to remain young and beautiful forever.

Beetlejuice “Beetlejuice” (1988), directed by Tim Burton, is possibly one of the most strange and vaguely Halloween-y classics of all time. After Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die in a car crash, they find they have been confined to their home in spirit form. At first, they don’t mind; that is, until the unbearable family of Deetzes. Comically, the Maitlands make many futile efforts to scare the family out of the house. Soon they find that Lydia, the teenage daughter of the Deetzes (Winona Ryder), can see them, and they eventually befriend her. Yet they still wish for the Deetzes to move out, and this wish of theirs attracts the rambunctious and amusing yet terrible demonic-like creature, Beetlejuice, who the film is named after. Somewhat similar to “The Addams Family,” “Beetlejuice” has great amount of comedy and small amounts of horror. This film will appeal to almost anyone who likes comedy, and does not have a hatred for Tim Burton’s film style.

Drones, Smartphones, and Virtual Reality

A dreadful awakening- Lead character of the show, Penny Dreadful, Vanessa Ives is a mysterious detective and clairvoyant medium. With Permission/Showtime

Harsh Karia Online Manager

Tech in 2016

A new year means new technology to look forward to. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world’s largest consumer technology conference, took place in early January. Virtual reality, drones, and automation technologies dominated the show. In 2016, here is where technology will make its mark.

Oculus Rift The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality headset that will revolutionize gaming, but it also has a plethora of applications in the health and entertainment sectors. From an app that helps stroke victims to another that takes you to a courtside game, the future of Oculus and virtual reality is exciting.

New flagship smartphones A new year means a new iteration in smartphones. You can expect an iPhone 7, 7 Plus, and new Samsung Galaxy phones with new designs, improved technologies, and better speed.

Smartwatches With the Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Android Wear, smartwatches are finally entering the dominant consumer market and these companies are expected to come out with new models with new features and health sensors in 2016.

Artificial Intelligence Consumers have become accustomed to technologies such as Apple’s Siri, and Google Now. In 2016, AI is poised to be put to more sophisticated uses. It will be most evident in robotics, where AI can be used in the areas of retail, home cleaning, and companionship.

Drones Drones are making their way into the hands of everyday consumers.

At CES, a passenger drone was introduced, as well as drones with sophisticated camera technology which are meant to give laymen the ability to take stunning aerial imagery.

sports Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

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New track coaches race into preseason Connor Keep Staff Writer Victoria Juan DPS Designer Track has two new coaches, Sean Brosnan and Dylan McNey, have been hired and are currently preparing for the spring season with off-season practices. Coach Brosnan coaches the 800 meter and 1600 meter races, while McNey coaches the sprinters and the hurdlers.

McNey graduated from Newbury Park High School last year. He knows the competition from his experience as a CIF preliminaries participant in his junior year of high school, and recognizes that other local schools are strong competitors.

“Westlake and T.O. are the best track programs in the Conejo Valley (because) they have the best team,” McNey said.

On the other hand, Brosnan is from across the country. “I grew up and went to high school in Long Island, New York.

Then I went to college in Colorado, and then moved out to California after college,” Brosnan said.

Both have a history of coaching, ranging from youths to professionals. “When I was younger, from fifth grade up until my freshman year of high school, I taught water skiing and wakeboarding,” McNey said. “Then my senior year, up until this December, I was a gymnastics and parkour coach.”

McNey got the coaching job after offering his help to the coaches at last year’s season banquet. They were “open-hearted and open-minded about it,” McNey said.

Brosnan is currently a student teacher at NPHS, but has been coaching for many years. “I’ve coached some professionals; post collegiately, I coached at a Division II college in North Carolina and I also coached individually two kids in high school before this,” Brosnan said.

Both McNey and Brosnan stress the importance of the team aspect of track and field, even though a large number of events are completed individually.

“You are only as strong as your weakest link, but what a lot of people don’t understand is (that) in order to be the best school...everyone has to perform equally, because you only get to be league champs based off of everyone’s points,” McNey said. “You all work together and train together, but it’s all just like a big push because running is the most natural thing you can do.”

“I feel like track is an individual sport just as much as a team sport. Basically the hard work you put in, you see the results

from,” Brosnan said.

As a hurdler and sprinter during his own track career, McNey’s goal in coaching is to reveal the lesser understood aspects of running to his students.

“With hurdles, it is more than just running and jumping, because there is form, technique, you have to get your steps down if you want a good time, you have to plan ahead of who you are racing,” he said. “With sprinting everything is based off of your first fifty meters, which a lot of people don’t understand. It’s not just going off the block and going as fast as you can, you have to be able to know how to get off the blocks the right way, how to put yourself in the first twenty meters, accelerate, and then finish strong.”

Ethan Duffy, junior, a mid to long distance runner believes the coaches are a benefit to the program. “Coach Brosnan is very positive and is very precise and accurate with knowing what times we should be hitting. Considering that Coach McNey is young, he relates well to the hurdlers and sprinters he coaches and knows a lot about proper hurdling form,” Duffy said.

Motocross racers take on the competition Nelson Kappas Cover Designer

Ready to ride - Tyler Weyman, junior, competes on the track. Weyman had the opportunity to ride professionally, however chose not to. Tyler Weyman/With Permission

“The risk is worth the reward,” said Tyler Weyman, Junior, after describing how he has broken multiple bones during his motocross career. Weyman has been doing Motocross, an intense sport that involves motorcycle riders driving on a dirt track and fighting to be the first to complete a certain number of laps since a young age.

After Weyman’s father, a doctor, helped some motocross racers, they convinced him to get Weyman his first bike when he was seven. His racing career took off from there.

“I raced eight years on the national circuit,” Weyman said, “I got to the point where it was go home schooled and go pro or take a break and go to high school, so I chose the high school route.”

Weyman’s years of experience have given him skillful bike control and valuable insight into winning motocross races.

“The main goal to winning the race is all the start … you got 40 kids going as fast as they can for a small turn, and if you can get out in front then your race is pretty much easy. All you have to do is hold the lead,” Weyman said.

Weyman’s success allowed him to gain sponsors who would help pay for new equipment and bikes, alleviating the burden of the expensive sport. He explained that had he continued, he would have eventually had almost all of his fees covered by sponsors.

Jarett Megla, junior, has won two national championships and five or six regional championship in motocross. His accomplishments have also given him experience with sponsorship. Megla has gone “full factory,” meaning that all of his gear and his bike are paid for by his sponsors.

“I just signed over to Honda … They give me a bike, parts, tires, gears, everything pretty much.

I just have to pay for my race entry,” Megla said.

Megla hopes to be a professional rider after high school, and has already begun making money by riding. “This past weekend I made 500 or 600 dollars (placing in competitions),” he said.

Unlike Weyman and Megla, Luke Hetherington, sophomore, does not ride motocross competitively. However, he has been riding recreationally with his family since he was seven years old.

“It’s a big rush, it’s a lot of fun,” Hetherington said. “Being able to go fast, being able to control, stuff like that. It’s not something you can really do anywhere else.”

Hetherington emphasizes that it is very important to be smart and safe when participating in the sport. “If you’re really unintelligent, and you don’t wear a helmet, you are setting yourself up for failure. But if you’re smart, and you don’t do stupid stuff all the time, and you abide by the rules, there’s really no danger,” he said.

For Weyman, his love of riding is rooted in the feelings that he experiences when on the track.

“The thrill of riding, the adrenaline rush, just everything ... it’s just the speed you get, flying through the air, all of it, it suits my style,” Weyman said.

14

sports Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

Leading the team to victory Isaiah Garza-Bolton attempts to take his team back to CIF Kyle Popok Sports Editor Connor Keep Staff Writer From a young age, Isaiah Garza-Bolton, junior, was always playing sports - whether it was wrestling, or basketball, or soccer. In high school, he has devoted himself and excelled in one sport - soccer.

Playing soccer started at a young age for Garza-Bolton, when his mother signed him up for AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization). “I thought it was pretty cool when I tried it out, I started liking it and just kept going with it,” Garza-Bolton said.

From the get-go, Garza-Bolton had found something that he loved. Even while playing in AYSO he had plans for his future in the sport. “I . . . knew (playing in high school) was what I wanted to do,” he said.

And so far so good. Garza-Bolton started his high school soccer career on the J.V. team, but by the time playoffs came around, he was moved up to varsity. He is now co-captain as a junior.

Matt Schleich, senior, is the goalie on the team, and has played with Garza-Bolton during all of his time on varsity. “I think he is the best teammate that I have ever played with, his vision on the field is impeccable.” Schleich said.

Adam Brewin, senior, plays defense on the team, and agrees with Schleich. “He’s an extremely skilled player with an amazing touch that allows him to separate the ball from opponents or to push through the other team’s defense,” Brewin said.

Garza-Bolton was a member of the varsity soccer team when they qualified for CIF playoffs.

In the first round, the team played San Luis Obispo and lost 2-0.

Despite the loss, Jaden Allen, senior, remembers Garza-Bolton’s skill during that game. “Last year he was the reason we won league and then, although we lost in the first round of CIF, he was one of the main reasons we did well,” Allen said.

The loss was not an easy one for Garza-Bolton and the team to handle. “It . . . took a toll on us, so we are really looking forward to going past that this year,” Garza-Bolton said.

This year, Garza-Bolton and the rest of the team hope to go forward and rebound from the loss. “This is one of the best group of guys that we’ve ever had for this school and I think we’re going (to) do pretty good this year and go pretty far, so it’s pretty exciting,” Garza-Bolton said.

Heads upup Isaiah Garza-Bolton, junior, juggles a soccer ball before practice. This season is his second year on varsity. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

The future is bright for Garza-Bolton, who was recently offered to play collegiate soccer at Navy. Although he has an offer, he continues to push himself in preparation for the next level.

“Hopefully I can get to the college level and go past that, so we’ll see what happens,” GarzaBolton said.

Pros and cons of block schedule Safety schools: Why you shouldn’t bother

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sports Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

15

Taekwondo black belts become teachers Kate Foultz Staff Writer John MacMillen Staff Writer To some, a black belt is a chic fashion accessory, but to others, it represents years of hard work and dedication to martial arts.

Andy Cho, senior, and Anna Cismaru, junior, are black belts in the field of taekwondo and their passion for the art has led them to instructing positions for their studio. Cho started practicing martial arts 12 years ago, and after years of training in the studio, he is now a third degree black belt.

Since 8th grade, Cho has used his talents to help teach kids the fundamentals of taekwondo. In his years as an instructor, he has learned how to best conduct himself with his students, who range from age five to age 16. “(It is important) to have a balance between being strict but also being friendly enough so that the kids want to come back,” Cho said. “You definitely have to be loud...and also just be friendly with all the students and the parents, too.”

Cismaru began practicing taekwondo at 11-years-old. “At first, my parents wanted me to do it so I could learn to defend myself, but then I actually started to really like it after,” she said.

After obtaining her first degree black belt, Cismaru made the transition to teacher, and now instructs the five to seven-

year-old kids in her studio.

Cismaru has been instructing for nearly a year and enjoys her new role. “It’s really hard, but it’s rewarding because (the kids are) adorable,” she said.

Cho also finds the teaching experience enjoyable. “You know, it’s just really cute seeing them try. Just watching them think they know what they’re doing, but they don’t is probably the highlight of my day,” Cho said.

Cho and Cismaru see a wide variety of students in the studio, all trying taekwondo for various reasons but often initially encouraged by their parents.

“Some students I feel like their parents want to instill discipline, but they don’t want to do it themselves, so they send them to us,” Cho said.

Andy Reddy, junior, is also a taekwondo instructor to youth interested in martial arts and agrees that parents often play a role in the beginning of a child’s taekwondo career.

“Initially, most of (the kids’) parents force them into it, but after that they stay usually because it’s fun and interactive, yet still individually oriented… for those that don’t like team sports,” Reddy said.

As instructors, Cho, Cismaru and Reddy not only help teach

the physical skills of taekwondo but also the mental aspects of the sport.

“We practice basic technique: kicking, punching,” Cho said. “We practice self defence technique, also. We do some aerobics, like cardio activity and we do some gymnastics, too.”

“Discipline (and respect) are very important.. like if you address an instructor, you have to call them sir or ma’am,” Reddy said.

Cho, Cismaru, and Reddy are not only teachers but examples to their students who someday aspire to become black belts.

To advance to his current black belt position, Cho was tested on the the basic aspects of taekwondo. “One of the aspects is the form, another one is breaking a board with a specific technique,” Cho said. “We have an oral speaking part, so that you have to memorize answers to questions about martial arts.. and we also have teacher recommendations and parent teacher recommendations, so you have to be doing well at home and academically.”

Even if kids do not want to become black belts, Cho still recommends everyone to try out taekwondo. “I’d say just try it it because it’s fun, and we have fun just being there. It’s a good environment,” Cho said.

Playing ahead Underclassmen earn spots on varsity teams Bella Robakowski Sports Designer Conner Keep Staff Writer A spot on a high school varsity team is often a privilege reserved for upperclassmen who have put in time and effort to attain a certain level of skill. However, there are a select few underclassmen who have the talent necessary to compete at the highest high school level.

This year’s boys’ varsity basketball team is a prime example of underclassmen making the cut, with four sophomores and one freshman on the roster. The athletes include sophomores Brandon Smith, Daniel Foldes, Cameron Rising, and Ryan Cartaino, plus freshman Matt Solomon. These underclassmen are all getting significant playing time - Smith, Foldes, and Rising are all a part of the normal starting lineup.

“Coach just felt like this was the best lineup for us to go out on the floor and compete with, but we also have a lot of great juniors and seniors who help contribute to the team,” Smith said.

Matt Solomon, the only freshman to make the boys’ varsity basketball team, is trying to learn from the more experienced players on the team. “The older players have taught me to be a leader and to work hard,” Solomon said.

Simone Overbeck, a freshman who plays on girls’ varsity basketball, agrees with Solomon.

“I definitely get a lot of pointers on what to do and what not to do from the older players,” Overbeck said. “I look up to them because they all keep their heads in the toughest games and play their hardest.”

Fiona Marangola is a freshman on girls’ varsity soccer. Marangola, too, has learned a lot from the older players on varsity. “The older players are super friendly and welcoming and taught me

little pointers such as what to bring to away games, little suggestions about what to wear when it gets cold, things like that,” Marangola said.

Smith believes being on varsity as an underclassman provides a valuable experience that allows players to improve their skills while facing a more intense level of competition.

“You just get used to varsity, so by your junior and senior years, you are used to the game speed and how everything works on this level,” Smith said. “Everyone on varsity is bigger, faster, stronger so you definitely have to bring your ‘A’ game every time you step on the court.”

Solomon agreed. “It just gets you better,” he said. “The older guys are better, so playing against them just makes you better.”

A varsity cross country freshman, Ethan Ronk, acknowledges that being expected to perform at a high level can be difficult.

“In cross country there really are no let ups,” Ronk said. “You always have to work hard, but especially on varsity. You basically have to run your heart out every single race, so that’s probably a disadvantage … you don’t really get any days off.”

Since varsity sports normally attract larger crowds, it’s also a chance to get used to dealing with the pressure that comes with playing in a noisy gym or stadium. Foldes enjoys the “varsity experience,” and loves when the Panther Pit attends the varsity games.

“It’s good to experience playing on the varsity level when we’re younger,” Foldes said. “It’s also fun having a lot of hype at our games and a loud crowd.”

Eyes on the ball - Brandon Smith, sophomore, takes a defensive stance while competing against Thousand Oaks in the boys’ varsity basketball game. Bella Robakowski/Prowler

Number one scores 21 - Daniel Foldes, 6’5 sophomore, stares down his opponents in the first league game of the season, where he dropped 21 points against Oaks Christian. Bella Robakowski/Prowler

16

photo essay Panther Prowler • Jan. 29, 2016

Double teamed - Kendal Turman, sophomore, fights past twoo Westlake W Warriors during a game at home this season. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Flying in support - Varsity cheer shows their skills during a halftime performance at a basketball game. Grace Kovalick/Pawprint

On the run - Kristina Krehbiel, senior, dribbles ble the ball past a defender for the Westlake Warriors during a game this year. Kianna Coolidge/Pawprint

Bust a move - Alex Sullivan, freshman, works towards the basket during a home game this season. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Winter Sports 2015-2016

Use your head - Joshua Morales, junior, heads the ball away from two defenders and towards his teammate, Isaiah Garza-Bolton. Lauren Hohls/ Pawprint

With winter sports now in full swing, our athletes have spent plenty of time on the court, in the pool or on the field showcasing their athletic ability and their Panther Pride.

Celebrate good times - Ben Bynder, senior, celebrates during a home game this season. Lauren Hohls/ Pawprint

Over the top - Emily Higgins, senior, passes the ball down the pool to her teammates in a game against Oaks Christian. Lauren Hohls/ Pawprint

Cheering them on - Panther Pit supports boy’s basketball as they play in their game at home. Grace Kovalick/ Pawprint

Unstoppable - Kayla Overbeck, senior, makes a move to the rim in a game against their rivals, the Westlake Warriors.

Samantha Meyer/ Prowler