2014-2015 Issue 8 (June 5, 2015) by NPHS Panther Prowler

in this issue

Class of 2015

SENIOR MAP PAGES A2-A3

pantherprowler.org

PANTHER PROWLER Friday June 5, 2015

Issue IX

Newbury Park High School

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

Board of Education recognizes 24 valedictorians Lindsay Filgas Staff Writer Adrianna Robakowski Copy Editor At its meeting on June 2, the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) Board of Education recognized 24 students as the valedictorians of the NPHS Class of 2015. The title of valedictorian traditionally goes to one student who has the highest Grade Point Average (GPA). According to Joshua Eby, principal, “our district has chosen to take a different stance on that.” Following CVUSD’s guidelines, students must earn an indexed GPA of 4.65 or higher to become valedictorian, which often leads to multiple valedictorians from the same school. Indexed GPA is calculated by taking a student’s scholastic GPA (which includes all academic classes), and adding 0.2 for an A in an honors, AP, or IB class or 0.1 for a B. This means that valedictorians must take a minimum of 33 semesters of honors, AP, or IB classes to earn the title. “At the end of last year, I was told that I was really close (to the required GPA), so it was like ‘why not just go for it?’” Maddy Fischer, senior, said. Fischer was able to complete the necessary amount of classes to become a valedictorian, despite taking some CP classes her freshman year. “There’s other people that have taken even more honors, IB, (and) AP classes.” Fischer said. “Because they take more, they can get B’s.” Jared Simmons, senior, wanted to be a valedictorian since freshman year. “I didn’t really know if it would be attainable or not,” Simmons said. “I was always just trying to do my best, and then it worked out.”

CLASS OF 2015 VALEDICTORIANS

4.65 and above - 18 out of the 24 class of 2015 valedictorians pose with their plaques alongside Principal Joshua Eby at the district office on June 2. Adrianna Robakowski/Prowler

On June 2, the valedictorians from NPHS and Thousand Oaks High School gathered at the district office to be acknowledged for their academic achievement. Students received a plaque and shook hands with the school board members and the outgoing superintendent, Dr. Baarstad. Eby read the valedictorians’ plans for college, extracurricular achievements, and advice that the valedictorians had for their peers. “It was nice … hearing how many of them wanted to give back to society as they move on, which really shows the kind of people they are,”

Eby said. For the valedictorians, the title was about much more than their high GPA. Fischer explained that she valued the experiences she gained from her classes as well as the award. “You don’t do it just for the recognition,” Fischer said. “For yourself personally it’s the greatest feeling. All of my hard work after four years has paid off and it’s really exciting. I feel proud of myself.” “All the effort in the last four years has been worth it,” Simmons added.

Monica Boedigheimer Courtney Brousseau Makenna Brown Matthew Chow Tam Doan Madison Fischer Katie Gould Jacob Green Alexa Hairabedian Henry Horita Jackson Nagamoto Grace O’Toole Katie Owens Christina Pham Meera Rao Joelle Saute Eric Shechter Miranda Seixas Jared Simmons Michelle Siros Diana Tai Andy Wang Elizabeth Zhang Eric Zhou

Yearbooks sell out on first day

Monica Boedigheimer Copy Editor Adrianna Robakowski Copy Editor

One of a kind - The 2014-2015 yearbook pre-order distribution began on May 28. The remaining 22 yearbooks sold out minutes after the student store opened at 7 a.m. on June 1. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

For students who neglected to pre-order one, yearbooks were a hot commodity this year. Even though order numbers were similar to last year, pre-orders left only 22 yearbooks available for general sale. Joshua Eby, principal, and the administration decided to sell the extra yearbooks on the morning of Monday, June 1, until they sell out and then take a waiting list in case any pre-ordered yearbooks were not picked up. On the evening of June 3, the 248 students who had still not picked up their pre-order were informed through an all-call that if they did not pick up their yearbook by the end of Friday, June 5, their money would be refunded and their books sold to someone on the waiting list. Last year, the Pawprint ordered about 1,300 yearbooks. In the end, 52 were left over, which amounts to $5,200. Based on these numbers, as well as the early pre-orders for this year, the publication ordered 1,250 yearbooks for the 2014-2015 yearbook. “We knew we had so many left over (last year) and that was a huge blow in the yearbook’s budget,” said Camila Wise, junior and incoming yearbook Co-Editor-in-Chief. “We wanted to make sure we didn’t have that same problem again.”

The total order of yearbooks must be submitted to the publisher at the end of November, when the covers are printed. Unfortunately, large numbers of late preorders in December and January meant that many students who didn’t pre-order were left without one, since more orders cannot be added after November. Freshman Matthew Duenas was among those who didn’t receive one. “I was really looking forward to having a big book that I can look back on to see all of my freshman year memories,” said Duenas. Some were more upset than others, with many seniors extremely disappointed that they were not able to have their last high school yearbook. “I sold (my yearbook to) my friend who is a senior … because I felt bad,” said Julia Bagan, junior. “I didn’t really care that much because I am a junior, but I think it is worth it if you are a senior because it’s your last year.” This isn’t the first time that yearbooks have run out. “We’ve run out of yearbooks before,” said Susan Boxberger, school bookkeeper. ”Whenever you run out of yearbooks, it’s going to cause anger because people are disappointed. Usually when this happens, the following year, people are much more diligent about purchasing them early.”

Eby said that the administration as well as the yearbook staff have been trying their best to respond to the many complaints that they have received. The Pawprint has considered ordering more, but it would cost about $14,500 (not including shipping, handling, and tax) for 100 since the yearbook takes five months to print, and is printed in four parts. “We don’t have the money to front that,” Michelle Saremi, yearbook adviser, said. The order would have to be paid upfront, requiring 100 people to commit. Furthermore, they would not be available until the end of September, even on a rush order. “We’ve tried to work with Josten’s on some alternative options like getting a new print, but we know that that’s going to be really costly to parents and they’re also going to have to get their book really late,” Eby said. Eby urges students and parents to be patient and to pre-order in the future. “We’re just trying to problem solve and work the best we can, but we go back to the fact that preordering is the best way to go,” said Eby. “It is the cheapest price and it’s the way to ensure that you are going to get a book. We do feel bad for those who didn’t get it, but at some point we can’t have 200 books lying around.”

news Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015

News in Brief

Alyssa Boedigheimer Staff Writer

New superintendent Ronald Reagan Scholarship Foundation welcomed to CVUSD recognizes semifinalists

Remembering Reagan - Reagan Scholarship semifinalists pose at the Ronald Reagan Library. Courtney Brousseau/Prowler

On May 22, 100 semifinalists were honored at the Ronald Reagan Library during a special awards dinner, with some receiving scholarships of up to $8000. Semifinalists included seniors Margaux Jones, Jayne Avendano, Preston Hill, Brett Coker, Ciaran Lynch, and Grace O’Toole. Courtney Brousseau, senior, received a scholarship of $5000 and Henry Horita, senior, received a $2000 scholarship.

Award winners announced at Senior scholarship night On June 3, seniors who have received scholarships from organizations, foundations, and elementary and middle schools were awarded these scholarships at the annual scholarship night. The military honored students as well, with the Marines and the Navy recognizing Nathaly Ruiz and Samuel Whipple as Reserve Officers’

Training Corps (ROTC) recipients. Ruiz and Whipple were awarded full tuition scholarships to their respective universities, San Diego State University and University of Southern California. In addition to these scholarships, several families awarded scholarships in memory of lost loved ones.

NPHS garden flourishes The NPHS garden has developed significantly since it was planted in January of last year. According to special education teacher Anne Alvarez, who supervises the development of the garden, it now features a retaining wall, garden planters, a garden shed, scarecrows made by the Eco Art and special education classes, and more wheelchair-accessible areas. In the future, Alvarez hopes to build picnic tables, make more of the planter boxes wheelchair accessible, and sustain a butterfly habitat. In addition to extra garden features, Alvarez hopes that the garden will help the school be officially recognized as an ecogreen school.

Grow, garden, grow - The school garden features planters and a full array of plants. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

On May 19, the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) welcomed Dr. Ann Bonitatibus, Ph.D. to her new position as superintendent of the district. The current superintendent, Dr. Jeff Baarstad, is retiring, and Bonitatibus will be taking over his position starting next school year. In a written statement, Dr. Betsy Connolly, President of the CVUSD Board of Education, said that “we are all looking forward to meeting with her in the weeks and months to come and to showing her why we are so proud of our district.”

Dr. Bonitatibus, Ph.D. - Dr. Bonitatibus will take over for retired superintendent Dr. Baarstad. CVUSD/With permission

Severns and Weidman retire Daulton Beck Opinion Editor Severns, a school counselor, is retiring after 25 years of being on staff. Severns worked as a math teacher at Thousand Oaks High School before switching over to NPHS in 1997 to work as part of the original counselor staff. In addition to being a counselor for the school for so many years, he was also a member of Newbury Park High School’s first graduating class of 1969. “There is no question I will miss our students, faculty, counselors, administrators and parents,” said Severns. “(However), it is time to step aside and let a younger counselor sit in the office I occupy.” After Severns decided to retire, the school went through an extensive interview process to find a replacement for him. Their decision is now waiting for board approval. “I have more of a past than a future, and I hope my replacement has more of a future than a past,” said Severns. Joshua Eby, principal, is bittersweet about Severns’ upcoming retirement. “I’ve known Mr. Severns for 10 years now and I’m really happy for him to move into retirement,” Eby said. “He’s definitely earned it with all of his dedication to our school, but I am sad (because) he’s a good resource for me as a new principal because he has a lot of institutional memories of NPHS.” Mr. Severns isn’t the only staff member

retiring this year. Amy Weidman, Chinese teacher, is also retiring. Earlier this year, Weidman was deciding between retiring to Vancouver, Canada as a missionary or moving to a new house in Thousand Oaks while continuing to teach at NPHS. Early second semester, she made the decision to retire and move to Vancouver with her husband, where they will work as Christian Missionaries to help international students at the University of British Columbia adjust to their new environment. “I love Newbury Park High School, so it’s really sad for me to leave the community because I used to think I would grow old here and die here (because) I already chose my burial site,” Weidman said. “But on the other hand, because of the new inspiration ahead of us, it’s a very interesting and challenging task.” Nicole Thompson, junior, has mixed feelings about Weidman retiring. “She will be missed when she retires. I am happy and hope to keep in contact with her (because) she wasn’t just a teacher, she actually bonded with the students and I feel that the Chinese program will deeply miss her.” Eby has been contacted by a few possible teachers who are interested in teaching Mandarin and taking Weidman’s position, but the interviews have yet to be scheduled.

staff editorial Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015

Schools and Mental Health a complex and flawed relationship

less than

25% of high school students with signs of psychological disorders ever seek help 85% of youth with a serious mental health disorder living in low-income households do not receive professional help

1 in 5

teens in the United States suffer from a mental disorder severe enough to impact their daily activities

We all know the stories. A student displays the tell-tale signs of a mental disorder. People around him or her notice, but never take action, and the student never receives help. The story ends with a breakdown, dangerous life choices, and in the worst cases, with the student taking his or her own life. Adults who tell these stories hope that students dealing with mental health issues will seek help. Unfortunately, the necessary resources are not available on high school campuses. According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, less than 25% of high school students with signs of psychological disorders ever seek help. Most of the time, students do not reach out because they are scared of counselors contacting their parents. They have every right to be worried. Under the current procedures, a school counselor who is contacted by a student seeking mental aid is required to reach out to that student’s parents. Because school counselors are not licensed psychologists, they are not in a position to diagnose or otherwise help a student who is seeking psychological aid outside of simply referencing outof-school therapists. For many students, especially ones with mental health issues, relationships with parents can be tense and problematic. If students have relatively positive relationships with their parents, they have probably already sought their parents for advice on mental health issues, so counselors directly contacting parents is not ideal. Having a direct referral to a parent deters many from pursuing assistance from an adult, and can even worsen their situation. The only case in which a parent will not be contacted is if parents are suspected of being abusive. In this case, the counselor is required to contact Child Protective Services (CPS). So when a student reaches out for help, counselors have to either call the student’s parents, or call CPS: there is no in-between. Neither of these scenarios is favorable for a student who needs help with mental health problems. In order to provide constructive help to these students, schools should employ a professional therapist who can listen to students and fully evaluate the situation before involving parents. Although Newbury Park has a school psychologist, she is specifically employed to help special education students, not the general student body. On-campus therapists could help curb the stigma surrounding mental health. Students would feel more free to consult therapists for any problems, both minor and major, just as they feel comfortable going to the nurse for a bloody nose or an upset stomach. Seeing multiple peers seeking help might even encourage others to follow in their footsteps and decrease the fanfare that often comes with the idea of visiting a therapist. Of course, parent involvement in health actions should never be compromised. But school therapists could make better decisions on how to contact parents and what to explain, as their licenses make them better fit for the job than school counselors who are only trained to help with academic issues. Students who cannot afford mental health even when it is so necessary for them to attain it could be saved from any unfortunate events with the help of a school therapist. On-campus therapists are especially important for students who live in low-income households, because mental health treatment is not usually covered by health insurance or government assistance programs. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the average expenditure spent on mental health care per person for children aged 0-17 was $1,931, a price tag many families are not able to afford. And according to the National Center for Children in Poverty, 85% of youth with a serious mental health disorder living in low-income households do not receive professional help. Some school districts with a high proportion of students from low-income backgrounds have recognized the problem and have started to implement change. In Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the country, counselors can refer students showing signs of mental issues to mental health professionals that are school-employed and have clinics near school campuses. In most colleges and universities, students can visit a therapist on campus during the school year at no expense (the cost is usually covered by room and board payments). Even though college students are legal adults and parental consent is no longer necessary for health treatment, the university model shows that it is possible for high schools to implement some form of oncampus therapists. As we fight against self-harm, suicide, and other effects of mental disorders, no one can encourage the individuals who suffer from these issues to seek help without providing a readily available avenue for proper treatment. On campus therapists could solve this ongoing problem, preventing the many casualties that come with mental illness.

PANTHER PROWLER 2014-2015 staff

Editors-in-Chief Courtney Brousseau Grace O’Toole Entertainment Editors Kyle Popok Rachna Deshpande Raevyn Walker

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

Online Editors Victoria Juan Mariam Syed

DPS Editor Photographers Copy Editors Victoria Juan Chief / Samantha Meyer Monica Boedigheimer Daulton Beck Adrianna Robakowski Sports Editors Haley Berardinelli Raevyn Walker Shreya Chattopadhyay Adrianna Robakowski

Features Editors Haley Berardinelli Nevnit Gill Staff Writers Alyssa Boedigheimer Lindsay Filgas Angela Swartz Sam Ellison Graphic Artist Michael Hellard

The Panther Prowler is the official publication of Newbury Park High School, and is created and produced by the Advanced Journalism students. The newspaper is funded by advertisements from local companies. The Panther Prowler staff makes all final decisions on information published in its newspaper, its website and its publishing in other social medias. While Mrs. Michelle Saremi advises the Advanced Journalism students, the staff is solely responsible for what is printed. The Panther Prowler is published every three weeks throughout the school year by American Foothill Publishing Co. For advertisement information, visit www.pantherprowler.org. The Panther Prowler is accepting letters to the editor. To submit your feedback, please provide your full name, email and a letter about 300 words in length. Letters are subject to discretion and editing for taste, length and libel. Letters can be submitted to the email posted below.

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

Adviser Michelle Saremi

opinion Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015

The Post-Testing Limbo Monica Boedigheimer Copy Editor Nevnit Gill Features Editor It is the end of May. You are sitting in a half-empty classroom, and the class is about to make an important vote - “The Princess Bride” or “Despicable Me”? This is a common experience for some juniors and most seniors during AP/IB testing season and some time after education abruptly ceases, VCR machines are dusted off, and school seems more like purgatory than anything. To help curb this problem, many schools have moved the end of school to May instead of June. This model should be implemented at NPHS in order to make the most of class time. This way, students have more time to learn content for AP testing and less time is spent twiddling thumbs and waiting for summer. While we are forced to be at school, teachers aren’t forced to teach. During May, school becomes a prolonged study session for AP testing. This is fine when teachers allow us to bring laptops and work during class while a G-rated film plays in the background, but I’ve had several teachers insist that their pointless videos are actually beneficial to our learning, so we take video notes on topics unrelated to the subject area. “Why go to school if it’s a waste of time?” is a question many students ask themselves, which presents a bit of an awkward situation. It is possible to be more productive at home than in a classroom, working from a chair that doesn’t hurt your back, and taking naps as desired. Yet, the school receives money from our attendance. So why not make it easier on everyone, and remove the days that no one wants

to be at school in late May and June, and replace them with days in August? Non-AP/IB students still get the same amount of school time, and AP/IB students do not have to suffer at the end of the year. The school will get more money and students will be happier and more productive. No motivation remains during this rather intense brain killing season. During the infrequent occasions when there are assignments, time is still wasted as students are too unmotivated to work productively. When nothing is going on in class, the only concerns on your mind are of having scored well on your AP/IB tests and summer. In situations like these, staying at home and quickly getting schoolwork done would be faster and more efficient, allowing the student to have more time to study for tests or finals. The limbo that occurs between the end of AP/IB tests and the last day of school is just a set up for students to skip school. This problem could be avoided if school ended earlier, preventing this limbo. School can be a waste of time after AP/IB tests. Every waking minute of class is empty space with students sitting on the edge, waiting for finals to finally be done with and summer to arrive. If school simply ended when these tests are over, attendance would not be jeopardized and the system would be more efficient. Starting and ending school earlier is a win-win situation, and should certainly be employed at NPHS.

The anti-advice column Kellie Levine Opinion Editor

I recently made the not-so-great decision to bleach my hair at home, and I’d like to say it was the result of some poor advice, but unfortunately it was mostly just my poor judgment. If anyone asks, I’ll tell them it was impulsive (which, for the most part, it was), but in reality it was sort of calculated, even if I didn’t realize the planning was happening. I knew I wanted to make a drastic hair change, but I didn’t want all of the heat to fall on me if I made a bad call. As such, I sought the advice of someone I knew would tell me what I wanted to hear. I asked Lauren Hohls what color I should dye my hair, knowing that she would suggest something out of my comfort zone. When she said blonde, I took that quote and integrated it into the persuasive essay that was building in my mind, using it as justification to color my hair although I’d pretty much already convinced myself. Ever since my hair disaster occurred, I’ve been using the fact that Lauren advised me to do it as an excuse for the poor outcome. In Monica Boedigheimer Copy Editor reality, I probably would have made the same, I’ve heard a lot of myths about senior year during my time at high school, and I’ve found very few of them to be true. So I thought I’d bust some or an equally poor, hair decision whether or of these myths and offer perspectives I wish that I had going into my last year of high school: not she had given me this advice. But that’s the basis of all advice, isn’t it? No one actually wants another person’s, they just want backing for their own opinion. I, like so many others, believed I had senioritis Sometimes that backing comes in the form of I hear people debating this point all the time. Really, it is beginning in sophomore year. Older and wiser friends told direct support, and other times in the form an individual decision, but a good cap is ten. As for which me I didn’t know what I was talking about, and I really, really didn’t. of a counter argument that forces the asker to schools to apply to: applying to colleges isn’t cheap, so don’t apply to Juniors, senioritis is so much more than not wanting to do homework. justify why it is they want to make a certain any school you wouldn’t go to. Also, the last thing you want to happen Be prepared for waves of laziness, depression, and panic (sometimes at decision. is to end up applying to only “reach” schools, or only expensive schools two a.m. the morning of an assignment deadline). There will be days But this advice doesn’t just come from you might need a scholarship to attend, and safety schools. Choosing when all you want to do is watch Disney movies. You will ask yourself other people. Ever since our days on the between a dream school that will break your bank and Moorpark isn’t if you care, and you won’t. Then you’ll worry slightly about not caring, schoolyard, we’ve used tactics meant to fun. Give yourself a variety of options, and include some schools in the then realize you don’t care about that either. randomize a hard decision, liking flipping a middle - decent, affordable options for when you get wait-listed at Yale. So, how does one be productive during senior year? The answer is coin. We’ve all felt that sinking feeling when If you’re truly stuck between an impossible dream school and a to work when motivation strikes you. There will be moments when you see the coin land on heads instead of the safety, don’t panic if your dream doesn’t immediately manifest itself. you can set your apathy aside and be sure to use those moments to tails that you had hoped to see. Sometimes Take time off to work and save up for that dream school, or earn credits quickly and efficiently finish assignments. it’s hard to realize it until the coin hits the at a community college so you can finish your degree quicker (and fl oor, but when it lands on heads it becomes spend less) at the expensive school. Re-applying and/or transferring clear that there was a strong preference isn’t ideal, but it does show top colleges you are serious about attending towards tails. I have always had a terrible time with transitions, and their schools. In the end, we all know what we truly senior year is the precipice of one of the biggest transitions want, we’re just trying to decide if it’s a good of a lifetime. So, naturally, I’m stressed out. Add to this applying to decision. And even when it isn’t a good colleges, rejections from colleges, and deciding between colleges decision, we’re likely to keep asking until as well as regular schoolwork. All of a sudden, it seems your friends we get the advice we want to hear. So let’s are busy, almost absent, you’re about to move out of your home, and I was sorely mislead on this topic. I believed second teachers just don’t stop with the homework. And when you get home take a step out of the process. Trust your semester senior year would be spent ditching school for to check your email, there it is: the admission decision from an ivy gut, because even when it leads you to a bad the beach starting in January. It is not. In fact, I haven’t been to the league and you can tell from the first line (“Our applicant pool was hair decision, it provides you with a deeper beach since last year. Besides waiting for college decisions and possibly one of the most competitive, unfortunately we are unable to offer you understanding of yourself. If your gut alone still applying to schools, which adds unimaginable stress to everyday admission at this time”) that your life is going to spiral out of control. tells you to do something, and it ends up life, you have homework up until May. Then, work comes screeching to having a poor outcome, at least that poor It’s not. It might seem like no one’s slowing down for you, that a halt and you are left to your own devices for a month. Then, teachers no one understands or has any sympathy. But this is just because outcome will be uniquely yours. It’s the kinds assign “end of the year reflections” or “fun, un-stressful” projects. I everyone came home to the same email you did. Everyone has the same of mistakes based on our own instincts that used this time to study for AP tests, and take care of “official” college homework, the same worries about the future, and the same strange are the ones we will learn from, not the ones business, such as roommate searching. There will be a lot of movie days feeling that this is the end. Again, it is not. Take life one day at a time, based on other people’s insight. in class, so I recommend bringing a laptop or other work to school drink a lot of tea, and don’t be afraid to sleep when you need it. Try to You are your own advice columnist. starting in May. If you truly have nothing to do - well, sleeping in never be as available as possible for your friends, and hopefully they will do After one school year of being the Panther hurt anyone. Prowler’s resident columnist, I think I’m the same. Ivy league admission isn’t worth your mental health or your qualified to tell you that sometimes being friendships. the columnist sucks. You have to flesh out opinions on things that you didn’t even know you had a strong conviction about, and Senior year goes fast. There’s hardly time to slow down, and appreciate the friends you’ve made and the experiences you’ve shared. If I can offer you have to put your opinions out into the one last piece of advice, it’s this: don’t waste this year caught up in your head being stressed. Expand your friend group, take a fun class, try a new world for everyone else to comment on and sport, and find some time to be you, not who colleges want you to be. It’s important to retain your sanity - you’re going to need it. criticize. But that’s life, and there’s certainly more positive than negative. Being your own columnist gives you the power to gain For the record... The Panther Prowler deeply regrets a greater understanding of yourself and the At Special Olympics, the Interact club organized a dancing booth, instead of the cookie decorating booth that and apologizes for any errors we have world around you. So next time you want was mentioned in the article on page 8. On page 10, pictures of the band were mistakenly printed instead made. If you spot any errors we have advice on something, take a smiling head missed, help us correct them by sending of ones of orchestra. On page 11, Lindsay Filgas was credited with writing the article on Luke Wuesthoff, shot in front of a blank wall, put it in black mistakes to: when in fact Angela Swartz wrote the piece. In addition, Wuesthoff’s name was spelled incorrectly in the and white, place it at the top of the page, and prowler.newspaper@gmail.com. accompanying photo caption. start writing your own advice column.

How to be a senior

How many colleges to apply to:

Work does not “wind down”:

Just keep one thing in mind...

How to battle senioritis:

It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there:

features Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015

Are you doing anything cool this summer? Victoria Juan DPS Editor Haley Berardinellli Features Editor For many students, summer break is the time to tan at the beach, explore Santa Monica with friends, visit campgrounds with family, and spend lazy days lying on the couch eating or watching Netflix. However, this summer a few students will also be utilizing worry-free summer days to explore opportunities outside of school. Whether it’s playing with an orchestra, competing in an international sports tournament or interning at a technical institute, these students’ vacations are just a little bit different from the average high schoolers.’

Ben Bynder selected to play soccer in the European Maccabi Games

Taking on the Philarmonic Akash Velu, sophomore, won’t just be listening to music over the summer - he’ll be performing it. On July 17th and 19th, Velu will be playing in a concert with the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic as a soloist alongside several other student soloists. Velu will be performing the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, and looks forward to “finishing and bowing to the audience” after his shows. “Not many people have the opportunity to play as a soloist with a professional orchestra,” he said. “The Thousand Oaks Philharmonic is unique in the fact that it allows junior students to do that, and I think it’s a good opportunity for students to have a professional experience.” Velu has been practicing weekly by himself and at lessons with his teacher, Dr. Kyung Lee, who encouraged him to audition last November. He has three upcoming rehearsals with the orchestra, which is composed of around 50 adult instrumentalists, and the conductor, Dr. John Roscigno. The venues will be a Camarillo church on Friday evening, and the Scherr Forum of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Saturday afternoon. “I think it’s a culmination of my 10 or 11 years of playing piano because it all comes down to this one moment,” Velu said.

Proteins beyond the biology textbook

Ben Bynder, junior, is one of only two high school students from the west coast that was chosen to play on the USA national soccer team in this year’s European Maccabi Games in Berlin. “The European Maccabi games are basically the Jewish Olympics but a little smaller,” Bynder said. Since 1932, Jewish people have gathered to play different sports at the European Maccabi games. “You all can relate to them in all different ways,” Bynder said. “It’s generations of people getting together.” Bynder has been playing soccer for the past eight years. For the past three years he has played on the high school soccer team and this year, he was a member of the varsity team. He also plays with his club team, Real So Cal. “I’ve been working very hard these past two years to become a better player,” Bynder said. During the high school soccer season, he has two practices each week for his club team and five each week for his high school team. Matthew Schleich, junior, has been playing soccer with Bynder for the past six years and was also Bynder’s teammate on the Varsity team his past season. “I’m really excited that he has a chance to play soccer abroad,” Schleich said, “It’s been really cool watching him turn into a great [soccer] player” Bynder’s high school soccer coach Eric Sanford says of Bynder that, “he is exceptional at being in the right place at the right time. He thinks quick and strikes quicker.” Bynder first heard about the European Maccabi Games from his father about a year before he applied to play on the USA team. At first, Bynder joked about applying, but as the deadline approached, he decided to fill out the application. As a part of the application process, Bynder sent in a highlight video. Last December, Bynder found out he was accepted.“ The experience he will gain from this will be priceless,” Sanford said. Bynder has begun practice with his team for the European Maccabi Games in Chicago. “It’s such an honor to represent this country in any competition! I’m very excited about it,” Bynder said.

For Nicole Thompson, junior, the genetic diagrams and theories in biology textbooks will be coming alive this summer at the California State University of Channel Islands (CSUCI). “We’re going to be doing a research internship and working with genetic mutations of proteins,” she said. “It’s hands-on and we’ll be actually doing lab work.” Thompson learned about her summer internship through her biotechnology teacher Colleen Malone, who knows local professors from Moorpark College and promoted intern opportunities in her class. After applying with a letter of recommendation, Thompson was accepted to work with Dr. Blake Gillepsie at CSUCI. “I am excited for this because this looks like so much fun and it’s going to be really good on college applications,” she said. “This (field) might be something I want to pursue.”

Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Michael Hellard/Prowler

things you didn’t know about Amy Weidman Mandarin Language Teacher Victoria Juan DPS Editor

Ice skated for the first time on New Year’s Day of 1991 at Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada in -40 degrees Fahrenheit weather

Originally majored in history to become a history teacher, but has since become a Chinese language teacher and academic missionary

Hiked at Neuschwanstein in Southern Germany, where the inspiration for Disneyland’s castle is located

Has lived in Taiwan, England, Germany, and the US, and speaks the primary language of each country

Pursues teaching and missionary work at universities because her goal in life is to “invest in others’ lives and impact them for an eternity”

year in review Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015

SEPTEMBER 1 • Sept. 1 A new administration team joins Newbury Park • ALS Ice Bucket Challenge trends during drought

OCTOBER

• Oct. 11 HOCO 2.0 • Interact club breaks previous world record for longest lego chain • Feminism stirs student discussion 2 • Thousand Oaks celebrates its 50th anniversary • Ebola scare 3 • Oct. 29 Lou retires

NOVEMBER • Nov. 4 Measure I passes by a margin of 65.28% 4 • Nov. 8 Man of La Mancha is a success • Nov. 10 Turf, pool deck, and mural are vandalized • Nov. 11 White-out football game to “Take Down TO” • ASG rewrites school constitution • Freshman football has an undefeated season

DECEMBER • Dec. 4 Strings class performs their first concert of the year 5 • Dec. 5 CIF Football game • Dec. 11-13 Dance Team performs in their show, LA Lights • Dec. 19 Josh Eady hosts Winter Informal 6 • Dec. 19 Winter rally

YEAR Daulton Beck Opinion Editor Haley Berardinelli Features Editor Alyssa Boedigheimer Staff Writer

JANUARY • Jan. 27 App Club releases new app for club communication

FEBRUARY • Feb. 7 NPHS hosts Winter Formal • Feb. 27 Panther Prowler releases annual special edition magazine

MARCH • 7• 8• • 9•

March 6 Dance for Hope March 13-16 Frisbee Club attends their first tournament March 17 CVUSD school board meeting regarding magazine March 21 18 Hour Play Festival March 21-22 Dance team receives grand champion title

REVIE APRIL • Boys’ swim team beats TO 10 • April 18 Prom is held at Universal Studios • April 18 Panther Prowler receives Online Pacemaker Award • April 23-25 Instafame dance concert features male athlete dancers • Spring Break Choir brings home gold from Seattle

year in review Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015

7 8

6 9

IN a

k ba

isa

Al ler ion

iss

w ro /P

ith i/W

MAY

• Community rallies around Ryan Wilson • May 2 Special Olympics hosted on track and field • May 16 Relay for Life 11 • May 28 IB English students strike a pose for statue day • May 30 Senior rally

Newbury Park High School

CLASS OF

2015 Senior Map

“It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” - WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY “INVICTUS”

To my beloved Prowler staff and seniors, When I accepted this position eight years ago, I envisioned a program that instilled journalism skills, precision, creativeness, and professionalism into my students. I wanted my students to have a home away from home where their staff was their family and their work was their nourishment. While I looked through our photos, I realized that this staff embodies everything I hoped for. EVERY issue was phenomenal and we have the plethora of awards to prove it. You’ve been recognized for your excellence by the Ventura County STAR, Journalism Education Association, Tri-County JEA, National Scholastic Press Association, and the American Scholastic Press Association. You’ve been recognized not only for your excellent journalism and impressive website, but for your courage and bravery in tackling controversial topics. Despite the criticism from some, you prevailed and united, defending not only what you love, but what you felt was right. You accomplished all of this with the arrival of a new Prowler cub and a partially present adviser. I know it was a stressful three months, but you survived and you learned more in one year of high school than most learn in four. I am so proud of you all. Mariam, I could tell that you were surprised when I offered you the position as yearbook editor-in-chief, but I knew that if anyone could train a brand new staff while simultaneously learning the ins and outs of a journalistic yearbook, it would be you. Your journalism excellence transferred seamlessly to the yearbook and your humility, precision, and assertiveness made for an excellent chief and a beautiful book. I am grateful to you on so many levels--submitting pages early, meeting every deadline, coordinating communication between our photographers, company, and students while I was in the hospital, and for being a baby whisperer to give my back a break. I’m so proud of you and I look forward to your updates from BU. You will be just fine. Monica, you are our Voice of Reason. I appreciate how you are always eager to help, how intuitive you are at identifying the problem, and knowing just what to do to fix it. You keep everyone around you grounded, and your calm demeanor is invaluable on late nights. I saw a copy editor t-shirt that said, “I’m silently correcting your grammar” but then I thought, that wouldn’t be true for you. Instead, I imagined you sweetly and patiently taking the time to teach the proper grammar usage and then resume your day as if your countless act of selflessness was absolutely the norm and really no big deal. There’s no shirt for that. I’ve enjoyed your baking, humor, and perfectionism. I’ve also enjoyed the way you boss our Gwacie around. She needs it. Tazaieen - I’ll never forget your first day as my TA and our newest member of the yearbook staff. You had just moved here and were so brave despite how much you missed your friends and didn’t know a soul. However, it didn’t take long for you to find your place and become a valuable member of the Pawprint and Prowler staff. The chiefs often get all the recognition for their staff ’s achievements but you are the secret backbone of the publication. This was one of the first years we have had surplus funds, which is phenomenal considering the only financial support we receive is from ads sold by yours truly, our awesome ad manager. You are persistent, but in a humble way. I’ve truly appreciated our conversations, your efficiency, and your organization. Rachna has some big shoes to fill but I know you’ve been taking good care to train her. Grace and Courtney, as I am pondering over what to write, I am eating my favorite dessert--a dark chocolate covered frozen banana. Naturally this makes me think of your magazine and online publication. You could not have anticipated the controversy sparked by the magazine, but frankly that wasn’t your job. Your job was to publish a compelling magazine that facilitated a conversation about a difficult subject and to represent your staff and publication in a professional, ethical, and mature manner, all of which you did. And when you were forced to defend your work, not only to the community but also to your superiors, you did that too. You inspired the staff to work together and continue publishing impressive journalism while I was out with our sweet Prowler cub. You produced multiple award-winning publications on a county, tri-county, state, all American, and national level. Your staff won a Pacemaker! Words cannot express how incredibly proud I am of you. Court-court, Is this font hurting your eyes? I remember the quirky kid we interviewed who had a vision for our publication - one that I felt confident you would achieve. Now, thanks to your vision, we have a website that won a Pacemaker award and puts “professional” websites to shame. Despite what you may think, I never doubted you would make a stellar editor in chief. My only issue is that you have, on many occasions, exceeded my snark. If becoming President of the United States doesn’t work out, you can always open a business designing shirts. Now, go buy some tennis shoes and long pants because you’re going to need them in Berkeley. And remember to take good care of your better half and yourself. Gracie, I love that your heart is always in the right place and more importantly, you follow it. I’ve appreciated how adept you are at being the eyes and ears of the staff. There is so much I want to say to you, but for some reason, I feel like you already know. While you are busy participating in every club, class, organization, and major at UC Berkeley, I hope you also take some time to eat, sleep, go see a movie, take a walk, or call Monica. You have to remember to take care of yourself. If you don’t, I will know, and I’ll call for the Voice of Reason to give you a stern talking to. I don’t have anything left to say except I’m sad to lose another great staff but I’m also excited for your next adventure in life. Don’t be a stranger! You know where I’m hiding. All the best, Saremi

senior map

The Clas

Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015 California Maritime Academy

UC Davis Lily Brown Lillith Cunanan Delani Klein-Lee Alexander Monroe

Scott Wettstein

UC Berkeley San Francisco State University Patricia Fitzsimmons Tori Helms Kishen Majithia Alexander Poulos

CSU Channel Islands

Courtney Brousseau Matthew Chow Jacob Green Kendall Mader Grace O’Toole Ryan Shen Wei-Hsuan Tai Andy Wang Eric Zhou

CSU Sacramento Chloe McCullen Kara Sibeck

Saint Mary’s College of California

California Polytechnic State University Christopher Adams Dalton Geringer Camila Gonzalez Hayley Greenblatt Lindsay Greenblatt Benjamin Jackson Tristan Jang Margaux Jones Olivia Kimmelmann Hannah La Mont Evan McConnell Joelle Saute Eric Shechter Alexandra Stone

Simpson University Savanna Voigt

Trevor Pontacq

Berkeley City College Trevor Claus Wheeler Jacqueline Holm

CSU Chico Daniel Human Erin Mazza Luke Wise

San Jose State University

Cuesta College

Matthew Curry Jeffrey Kotake Olivia Longhetto

UC Santa Cruz

CSU Fresno Alexandra Dirickson

Cabrillo College

UC Merced

Laura Goessl

Connor Hashiguchi

Sonoma State University Amanda Heath Alexandra Howard Corey Jones Tanner Krehbiel Hunter Layton Cara Weinstock Kylen Wooley

Santa Barbara City College Cameron Ewing Justin Gross Nicholas Gutekunst Vincent Klein Chantal Kubela Patrick Lakeman Jaguar Lawrence Cole Millett Dominic Molina Austin Plambeck Drew Pomerantz Enrique Villa Conor Walsh Benjamin Worley

Westmont College Jayne Avendano Melissa Moors

UC Santa Barbara Kristen Armellini Adham Btaddini Meital Carmi Michelle Kang Phoenix Ray Devin Sercu Gil Torten Ana Ulloa Alas

California Lutheran University Devynn Belter Emily Gillmore Lauren Hall Gina Keagy Jason Krastein Matthew Marroquin Alex Monji Nicholas Oertli Shane White Emily Williams

CSU Northridge Gabrielle Ahmad Zachary Barraza Anton Berins Richard Bolisajian James Bonanno Duncan Byrnes Matthew Carrillo Emily Chea Xiaozeng Chen Jessica Dees Alexander Flynn Jolie Hall Erick Hernandez Taylor Hertz Calvin Ku Parker Maki Kirra McMaster Alexandra Otalora Ryan Sutcliffe Peter Van Loo

Santa Monica College Annica Martin Jillian Poulsen Dylan Robbins

USC Mark Daftari Tyler Resnick Samuel Whipple

Loyola Marymount University Natalie Herder

Nicole Manzione

University of Puget Sound Nikole Shaham Aidan Takami Claire Weckl

Rebekah Redford Weston Spencer

Occidental College Brianna Baker

Woodbury Univesity Christian Boling

American Musical & Dramatic Academy

University of Oregon Emily Curtis Kierra Landon Gavin Maxwell Christian Moreno Daniel Nelson Nicholas Oka Zachary Okun Thomas Ponticelli Samuel Wise

Oregon State University Kaitlin Morrisette

Southern Oregon University Maddisen Spangler

University of Nevada Luke Renish

Brigham Young University

University of Utah

Arizona Western College Alfredo Cruz

Natalie Epelone Garrett Frasher Caitlyn Guiteras

California Baptist University Ryne Benson

Biola University

UC Irvine

Ryan Hsu

Monica Bai Deida Lopez Andrew Mason

San Diego State University Sarah Alweiss Marissa Bonfiglio Jason Centanni David Foldes Rachel Gurovich Jason Halfen Rachel Joseph Denison Kappas Jeremy Kohlhepp Amanda Macdonald Analynn Mah Tia Page Nathaly Ruiz Tracie Schneider Lukos Vodantis

De Amante Cane Cody Carter Austin Cerrotta Hannah Chhun Olivia Cisneros Bethany Clark Jessica Combs James Cook Evan Coppersmith Estephano Corona Meagan Corwin Sierra Costanzo Camron Costi Chelsea Crall Kaitlyn Cunningham

California Polytechnic State University, Pomona Brallan Alvares Neal Jacquet

UC Riverside

CSU Fullerton Nicholas Alderette

Chapman University Demi Boxley

Concordia University Aaron Borkovec

Lorenzo Alamillo Sanidhyaa Dhawan Iain Filkins Samantha Hanson Odera Ikenna-Obioha Kyle Lo Allison Nguyen Tyler Rosen Paul Schneider

University of Redlands

UC San Diego Nicholas Agnello Quinn Allan Ryan Blaich Alexandria Hairabedian Morgan Ichimoto Michaela Juels Alexander Sun

Hillary Flores Kelly Grosswendt

Northern Arizona University Drew Bertik Dominik Garita Elizabeth Ging Morgan Laabs

Arizona State University Britney Barnsdale Kai Buehring Parker Della Penna Alonna Hellinger Gavin Idol Samantha Mertel Lauren Porter Sara Preston Shelby Rini Shyann Rio Ryan Sandstrom Nathaniel Smith Melanie Snow

University of La Verne

Grand Canyon University

Molly Garry

Marissa Cortez Danae Dalbey

Pitzer College Ryan McGee

La Sierra University Allen Jing

Bryce King Annie Beckel Nicholas Beeson William Beley Alexander Beteta Chloe Bisera Lily Bishop Sipler Caitlin Brakensiek Robert Brown Nicholas Bublitz Kevin Bui Blake Burgess Christian Butcher James Butcher Daniel Cabelli Carly Campbell

Alisa Chun Blake Doremus Clara Nielsen Allison Paulson Jared Simmons Nathan Sonnenberg

Annie Chambers Jonathan Ditmore Sabrina Parker

CSU San Marcos Moorpark College

Kelse

Justin White

Pepperdine University UCLA

CSU Long Beach

Unive

Portland State University

William Coker Jonathan Cummings

Makenna Brown Tam Doan Madison Fischer Steve Gibb Katherine Gould Manas Kumar Camryn Marshall Suraj Palaparty Christina Pham Michelle Pham Meera Rao Giselle Sadler

Washington Sta University

Parker Amundsen

Azusa Pacific University

Miranda Kildee

Kristen Abernethy Julio Aguirre Danielle Alabe Alejandra Amarales Alyssa Anderson Emily Annis Francesco Antinoro Roohmelah Atayee Azad Azani Jennifer Azcunaga Adam Aziz Jamie Baker Anthony Barba Jose Barrera Collin Bashara

Harrison Anderson Ettore Gregory Berardinelli Jordan Bibby Brenna Blomenkamp Taylor Bruynzeel Taylor Dollar Christopher Hallmark Cooper Haws Jordan Hill David Hughes Garrett Lentz Toni McBride Christopher McKee Benjamin Moss Makena Owens Elizabeth Seacord Rachel Sheehy Peter Torres Mason Williamson

Rachel Katz William Pikus

Mandi Nishimori

Ventura College

Matthew Panesis

Western Washington University

University of Washington Bothell

Tala Abdallh Ilci Odalis Campos Urias Saul Chay

University of the Pacific Lindsay Alahakoon Nagie Khant Christopher Noga Matthew Ruhland

University of Washington

Oxnard College

Laura Bilson Noah Hudgins Cameron Kocontes Kyle McCormick

Foothill College

Douglas Abbott Jeongmin Ahn Collin Bolen Justin Clements Nathaniel DeGuzman Alexandria Eaton Kylie Garner Christian Geraldo Raegan Kaiser Olivia Kosanke Jorge Lockwood Joshua Odahara Jordan Pancer Lauren Ranck Eileen Rodriguez Francois Ryan Sandefur Ashley Schirtz Joshua Seiden Spencer Semus Matthew Sullivan Cody Thoma Shelby Wargo Mitchell Wieking Michael Worman

Sandra Daughenbaugh Korah Davis Anthony DeSimone Kaelan Dickson Dante DiFronzo Blake Dingman Amber Dodson Amy Dodson Dylan Dodson Juan Dominguez Claudia Donis Lawrence Eady Samantha Eastman Christopher Ekblad Nicholas Ekblad

Nicholas Ellsworth Erin Ensey Taylor Everett Noah Feinberg Kaelyn Feistel Patrick Felks Dylan Fenton Kailey Ferguson Mirian Ferretiz Heather Fletcher Sarah Fornoff Cory Forsell Teresa Frase Danielle Gabel Carlos Garcia

Juan Garcia Kyle Gaynor Julia Glass Rhiannon Gonzales Morgan Gonzalez Estefany Granados Tucker Gress Riley Grinker Gabriela Gromlich Erik Guardado Karen Guerrero Joshua Gurovich Jenna Harry Alessandra Haynes Ashlei Hazard

Fernando He James Herron Lauren Hertz August Hewit Morgan Hillar Jake Howard Victoria Hufsc Makayla Jime Alexander Jo Brier Jones Secilia Kalvel Danielle Kirk Megan Kirsch Andrew Klos Robert Knigh

Undecided/No Response: Charlotte Beckel, Lauren Dziedzic, Alexander Everett, Brody Gustavson, Emma Knickman, Wyatt Lopez Coggins, Anna

senior map

ss of ’15

Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015

Richmond University Milestone Institute

Chloe Driscoll

Colorado State University

oise State University

Natalie Davis

lexander Hancock

University of Colorado at Boulder

University of Iowa Samantha Moore

University of Denver

Montana State University

Front Range Community College

Danielle Gaynor

Bryce Wallgard

Matthew Teasdale

Camosun College Riley Vezina

Sabrina English

Purdue University

Tara Fontana

Regis University

ersity of Idaho

ey Hoff

Colin Milhaupt Dipen Narang Colin Rice Corbin Trumble

The University of Wisconsin-Steven’s Point

Phillip Pacheco

Vince Krisko

Ernesto Ambrocio Michelle Siros

Saint Louis University

Patrick Tagari

Sciences Po Reims

University of Chicago

Preston Hill

ate

Aurora University

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Celeste Rains Turk

Lakeland College

Davenport University

Emma Lauffin

Nicholas Johnston

Abigail Brambila

Ohio Dominican University Matthew Matlock

Ohio State University

Northeastern University

Gabriel Hodosh

Brigham Young University

University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Emily Krahn

Curtis Pollara

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign

Martin Carnahan Kathleen Owens

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Ciaran Lynch

Boston College Courtney Schuck

Grayson Nemets

Elise Craven

Assumption College Aida Diaz

Boston University Mariam Syed

Case Western Reserve University

University of Connecticut

James Wang

Cameron Badner

Fordham University Spencer Dietrich

Nassau Community College Clayton Quintanar

Lehigh University Elizabeth Anderson

Rochester Institute of Technology Jeremy Kane

Villanova University

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Chuck Smith

Mariana deMaille

Dickson College Point Park University Kurt Kemper

University of Arizona Belmont University Regan Rousseau

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Matthew Olsen

Suzanne Smith

Texas Tech University Leo Creger Marcus Mabinuori

Fort Lewis College New Mexico Military Institute

tt rd

chmidt enez hnston age

henmann

Presley Becerra

Monica Boedigheimer

Texas Christian University

Wake Forest University

Central Florida University

Reilly Jones

Jackson Nagamoto

Pfeiffer University Ryanna Hammond

Centre College

University of South Carolina

Connor Woods

Miranda Berenstein Sarah Green Tyler Hirano Taylor Klaus Christopher Mercado Giovanna Vasquez

Maggie Kosich Garrett Lambert Tatiana Layden Guadalupe Leon Cervantes Malena Lizama-Sugleris Elizabeth Lorentz Haley Lubben Eva Madarang Alejandra Maldonado Daniel Manzhos Maddison Marshall Aaron Martin Zachary Martino Monica Mazzocco Macklyn McCormick

Adriana Chismar Benjamin Glasner Tyra Gupton Isabel Harris Sadie Katz-Maatita Kogan Kingery Landon Lindgren Tanner Lipthay Carlos Rivera Miranda Seixas Michelle Whyte Alexis Zepeda

Dylan McNey Ryan Melton Jose Mendoza Courtney Miller Stacy Mills Megan Moreno Dustin Morris Madison Murray Samuel Nunez Alexis O’Shea Natalie O’Sullivan Eric Oropeza Tara Padhi Cailee Page Ryan Parke

Marines

Air Force Scott Garifo Christopher Lewis

Amy Reeves

EMT School

Navy Shay Dayley Jamil Shakhshir

Working

Fashion Institute of Design & Marketing

Universal Technical Institute Adam Flores Albert Maida

Daphne Johns

Latter Day Saints Mission

University of Phoenix Sage Roman

Matthew Barrus Adam Hedelund Parker Jackson Samuel Malan John Pasche Alexandra Pedroza Connley Peterson Conrad Petlin Michael Pofsky Cody Potter Lucille Prince Martha Quiroz Gemma Ranucci Marshall Reid Danitza Resendiz Ryan Richardson Spencer Richey Kirsten Rock Alondra Rodriguez

Pennsylvania State University

Normand Corthell Hanssel Diaz Osvaldo Dolores Ramon Guerrero Kurtis Kuder Martin Landeros Cody Luchies Tyler McCulley Jared Oberle

Gap Year

Post Secondary Education

rnandez n

Riley Gleason Elizabeth Zhang

Sean Loving

Clark Morris

Kaitlyn Dane Jeffrey Tincher

Georgetown University George Washington University

Nicolas Baroni

University of Hawaii

Tiffany Cobb

University of Georgia

Kansas State University

Jessica Page

Peyton Valko

Wilson College

Diana Sanchez Jinal Sharma Emily Yan Henry Horita

Blake Faga Breanna Greenberg Darick Holmes David Woolley

Colorado Mesa University

Michael Marinelli

American University

Rodeo Cowboy Circuit Colt Oder Nathaniel Rogers Casey Rondeau Colyn Rondeau Daniel Ruiz Cody Ruoss Ian Ryan Reilly Saavedra Leandra Samaha Jonathan Sampson Francisco Sanchez Adriann Santer Rachel Savini Tazaieen Sayeda Lauren Schlesinger Carli Schuster

a Maloit, Sarah McClellan, Owen McGinnis, Troy Nipar, Kalia Prescott, Daniel Prieto, Alex Rivera, Neil Sullada, Amanda Tardif, Tanner Wells

Anthony Arevalo Taylor Bernstein Sydney Carlson Kelli Carroll Alexa Carson-Maldonado Carely Ceja Austin Dougherty Brandon Edelen Renee Gonzalez Steve Guerra Doria Haydostian

Amelia Schwarz Luka Simatovic Joey Small Cassidy Snow Madeline Springer Sebastian Stolp Amber Summa-Rossi Sean Teece Mariah Tobin William Tobin Justin Treiber Helen Turville Anthony Valenzuela Bo Waddle Ken Walling

Briana Keller Tatianna Kraft Spencer Lee Michael Moses Edsson Ortiz Miranda Parkes Reamonn Ryan Drew Scheffler Jackson Simmons Julia Villanueva

Hannah Wallock Joshua Watler Austin Wick Hannah Williams Julie Winzelberg Luke Wolfe Joel Wood Evan Wright Jian Zhao

features Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015

CHIEFS Courtney Brousseau & Grace O’Toole/Seniors

ADVISER Michelle Saremi/English

Victoria Juan DPS Editor

CHIEFS WIN!

1 How many people have ever lived on Earth before? Chiefs: There are 7 billion now, 10 billion in the 60s ... so 35 billion. Adviser: I don’t know, this seems like an arbitrary question. 1 trillion. Answer: 107 billion

7-4

Sorry Saremi, the chiefs were just about 12 times closer to the real answer. One point goes to Courtney and Grace to start the game with 1-0.

8 How many years did Forrest Gump’s cross-country run last? Chiefs: It was more than a year and at least two ... must’ve been three. Adviser: I have only seen that movie once ... Three. Answer: 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, 16 hours Forrest really took cross country to a literal level. Both sides were able to recall his feat: the final score is 7-4. Courtney and Grace win!

What do people with “papyrophobia” fear? Chiefs: Like papyrus, the terrible font? Paper! Adviser: Fire? Answer: Paper

In recent news, which woman is being proposed to replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill? Chiefs: Harriet Tubman. Adviser: Rosa Parks? No ... Harriet Tubman. Answer: Harriet Tubman. Both sides have been dutifully keeping up with the news. Alas, it was not enough for the adviser to beat the chiefs. Both bring the score to 6-3.

wler

yer/Pro

tha Me

Saman

I’m guessing that neither the chiefs nor adviser have this odd phobia, unless their fear of Comic Sans font and desire to spread Helvetica have inspired them to ignore even a fear of paper. The chiefs score again: 2-0.

When was the first American Newspaper, “Publick Occurrences, Both Forreign and Domestick,” published? Chiefs: When was the revolution? 1765 ... so 1775. Adviser: 1686 Answer: 1686

When it comes to journalism history and education, Saremi will always have the upper hand with the contents of her journalism textbook practically memorized. Saremi draws the score gap tighter with a point: 2-1.

It seems that Courtney and Grace still remember their elementary school days. Don’t worry Saremi, your daughters will be spouting this knowledge in just a few years. The chiefs bring their score up to 3-1.

What does the mnemonic “My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nachos” represent? Chiefs: Planets Adviser: I’m an English teacher ... Answer: The 8 planets

6 5 If a plane is flying at or above supersonic speed, how high is its Mach number? Chiefs: Mach 1 Adviser: I should know this because my brother is a pilot. Four. Answer: Greater than Mach 1 Although the minimum Mach number to break the sound barrier is 1, anything above means that a plane has surpassed supersonic speed. Therefore, both sides gain a point. The score is now 4-2.

To make a Starbucks Cotton Candy Frappuccino, which Frap do you need to add raspberry syrup to? Chiefs: You have to know this, you read the secret menu ... Vanilla bean! Adviser: It sounds positively disgusting. I would guess ... caramel macchiato? Answer: Vanilla Bean Frappuccino I thought a Cotton Candy Frappuccino was already disgusting, but raspberry syrup and a caramel macchiato? Grace and Courtney snag another point: 5-2.

A Victory in Backstroke Lindsay Filgas Staff Writer Halfway through the 100 meter backstroke at the meet against Agoura High School, Jason Lu, freshman, looked at the scoreboard and knew it was going to be a close race. Lu then saw his teammates cheering him on from the side of the pool, sped up his pace, and finished the race in a record of 55.43 seconds, breaking the previous school record of 55.50 by 0.07 seconds. In 1976, Evangelos Koskinos, a senior at the time, set the previous school record for the 100 meter backstroke. “(The old record) would have been a tapered time at the end of the season,” Mike Giles, swim coach, said, “Jason did it in a dual meet, so it’s really spectacular.” At the Ventura County Championship meet, five weeks before the record-breaking race, Lu finished the 100 meter backstroke with a time just short of the previous school record. It was then that he realized he had a shot at setting a new one.

“I knew what the record was and I knew I wasn’t going to swim (the 100 meter backstroke) in Marmonte league or CIF so I had to break it at a dual meet,” Lu said. Leading up to the swim meet against Agoura High School, Lu focused on improving his backstroke, knowing it would be one of his only chances to break the record. Lu continued to practice with the same intensity all the way up to the meet, deciding not to taper, meaning he did not lower the distance he was swimming in practices in order to be less tired for the meet. Despite being on taper before he swam in the Ventura County Championships, Lu felt he could get the time he wanted at the meet against Agoura High School without slowing down his training. His coaches and teammates agreed with his decision. “I already know he’s really good at swimming, so I knew he didn’t need to (taper),” Mattheus Thielemann, freshman, said.

“I think he’s just one of those guys that’s able to really focus, lock in, (and) gets inspired by competition,” Giles added. Before the race, Lu’s unofficial best time was under the record. “I expected (to finish) pretty much right around the record,” Lu said, “(I) knew if I had a good day and it was good circumstances then I could probably get it.” On April 23, Lu had his chance to break the record at the dual meet. After completing the first half of the race, Lu glimpsed at the scoreboard and saw that his time was about 27 seconds, and in order to beat the record, he would have to finish the rest of the race in about 28 seconds. “He definitely cranked it up on the second half of it because he was falling behind,” Thielemann said. Lu completed the final lap of the race, breaking the 39-year-old record. “It’s just sort of a token of my hard work,” Lu said. “As incredible as it is, it’s just one in his

collection of great swims that he (has) put out this year,” Giles said. Despite the accomplishment, Lu thinks he could have done better if he swam the 100 meter backstroke in the CIF meet. However, Lu qualified at the league finals to swim the 200 meter Individual Medley as well as the 500 meter freestyle in CIF, the only individual swimmer from Newbury Park to make it to CIF as well as the only one to move on to the final round. Thielemann believes that Lu has a shot at breaking these records in the future as well. Lu explained that though he plans to continue swimming in the future, he does not expect to do it professionally. However, he hopes to one day make it to the Olympic trials. “I recognize with a lot of our great athletes that it’s tremendous when they’re incredible leaders out of the pool as well as in the pool,” Giles said. “(In) his future, he can do whatever he wants.”

entertainment Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015

The Show Must Go On One Family, One Act Alyssa Boedigheimer Staff Writer Sam Ellison Staff Writer In an almost completely student run event, the theater class performed their annual set of One Acts. Despite having limited contact with theater teacher Marilyn Strange, who was on maternity leave, the show went on as planned. “Mrs. Strange isn’t involved (in the One Acts), so you really see the true talent that everyone else has,” said Isabelle Bordagaray, sophomore. Over the last five months, groups of students have been meeting in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) and even at their homes to produce a selection of One Acts. Two sets of these student-directed shows played from May 22 to May 24. “They are shown in showcases which show three or four at a time,” Rory Smith, freshman, said. “That way you get a variety of styles of writing and acting.” A one act is a 10 to 15 minute short play that may have one or multiple scenes. As the name implies, there is only one act, so there is no intermission in the middle of each play. “They are shorter plays,” said Miranda Kildee, senior, “and there is a lot of freedom as to what you want to do with it because it’s such a short amount of time on stage, and you want to make sure that it makes an impact.” Smith agrees with Kildee, that even though one acts are shorter, they are able to create a strong impression. “They are

short, but they get their message across,” Smith said. The One Acts have been an annual tradition for years, but this year there was a slight difference in their production: theater teacher Marilyn Strange was on maternity leave with her newborn son. According to Kildee, to work around their teacher’s imminent absence and to fit in all of the auditions and time required for both “Our Town” and the plethora of One Acts, Strange had to hold all of the auditions on the same day. “The One Acts are really unique because a lot of schools don’t do them,” said Bordagaray. “People submit a script they found (that is) written by professional playwrights. Mrs. Strange, the theater teacher, picks which ones she likes and which idea she likes and if you are one of the lucky ones you get (to perform).” The students in the One Acts also had to contend with split rehearsal time with “Our Town”. “The One Acts were all student directed, so the directors had to work around the schedule for ‘Our Town’ which took precedence over One Acts, because the One Acts were (held) after (“Our Town”),” said Kildee. The One Acts have concluded for this year, but will be open for auditions again next year. It’s Showtime - Iain Filkins, senior, Kylie Vincent, freshman, Harrison Anderson, senior, and Izzy Bordagaray, sophomore, (from top to bottom) and Anthony Cancasci, sophomore, Colin Grumney, sophomore, Miranda Kildee, senior, and, Mariah Tobin, senior, (from left to right) all perform roles in the minimalistic One Act plays allowing their acting to be the focal point for the audience. Samantha Meyer/ Prowler

Make Your Summer Awesome Kyle Popok Entertainment Editor Raevyn Walker Entertainment Editor The days following finals for many will be filled with even more work, but here are some local events worth checking out during any days of true vacation:

July 9

San Diego Comic-Con

Death Cab for Cutie/Hollywood Bowl

10 Fall Out Boy and Wiz Khalifa with Hoodie Allen/ Hollywood Bowl

All Beethoven Night/Hollywood Bowl

Michael Hellard/Prowler

June 20 Opening Night with Journey/ Hollywood Bowl 24 Ed Sheeran /Hollywood Bowl 27 Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube/Staples Center

August

J. Cole & Big Sean/ Forest Hills Drive Tour/ Staples Center

VidCon

Imagine Dragons with Metric and Halsey/ Smoke and Mirrors Tour/ The Forum

Rush/ R40 Tour /The Forum

14 Music + Dance: LA II 18 Mumford & Sons/ The Forum 19 Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix & Eric Hutchinson/ Piece by Piece Tour/ Staples Center 21 Taylor Swift and Vance Joy/ The 1989 World Tour/ Staples Center

Boston Tour/ The Forum 22 Heart/Hollywood Bowl

entertainment Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015

Solutions and Success Odyssey of the Mind team attends World Championships Lindsay Filgas Staff Writer After three months of preparation, constantly revising ideas, and tapping into the creative side of their brains, sophomores Steven Owens, Conrad Jones, Alex Meinhof, Dillon Penix, Josh Rose, and Bennett Phan arrived at the Odyssey of the Mind world championships. “I would describe Odyssey of the Mind as a creative learning competition,” Owens said. At the beginning of the year, teams are given a variety of verbal and hands-on problems. Students spent the next three months preparing a solution for one of these problems in the form of a skit. As a team, they create a script, costumes, and props for their skit and perform it before a group of judges in three rounds of competition. At these competitions, the team also solves a “spontaneous” problem that they are given on the day of the competition. The problems are geared towards different skill sets. “Every year there’s a drama problem which is entirely script and humor,” Meinhof said. Owens explained that the team chose to do this problem instead of a technical one because “our team is very creative.” The problem that they chose to solve required them to create a skit based on the Greek myth Pandora’s Box. However, the myth had to be presented in a video game structure, with multiple levels in which the hero faced evils from Pandora’s box. “We did a theme of the Internet (from) 20 years ago,” Meinhof said. “So (the evils were) hate which was forum trolls, and then it was greed which was a Nigerian prince scamming someone for money, and then gluttony which was a fat guy.” In addition to these characters, the skit had a narrator who spoke only in limericks. Coming up with an idea and creating a script kept the team busy for months. “It takes a long time because you kind of figure out a way to do it differently,” Jones and narrator of the skit, said. He added that the team works together to try and think of the most unique way to approach the problem. After placing first in the local round of the Odyssey of the Mind competition, the team qualified to move on to the state

round. At this competition, the team tied for second place, allowing them to continue on to the world competition. “Our spontaneous (score) really pulled us through (at the state competition) because that’s worth about half your points and we got first,” Owens said. On May 21, the team performed their skit in the world competition at Michigan State University. Two days later, the team completed their spontaneous problem, which was a hybrid of both verbal and hands-on problem solving. “We’d never seen a problem like that before,” Meinhof said. Jones explained that many of the other performances they saw were similar to one another. “Ours was very very different so it was interesting to see,” Jones said.

“I think what separates us from other teams is just our ability to be more creative. We don’t really fear ... the judges,” Owens said. According to Owens, the team expected to place in the lower half of approximately 60 teams in their division. They were surprised to find out that they had received 14th place. “I thought they must have made a mistake,” Meinhof said. Meinhof explained that he values the environment that Odyssey of the Mind has created for students. “I enjoy it because it’s something that’s creative. It’s something that allows you to be sort of strange and weird and then that’s supported,” Meinhof said. “It really leads to real world scenarios where you’re working with a team and may have conflicting ideas.”

On top of the world - From left to right, sophomores Alex Meinhof, Steven Owens, Dillon Penix, Joshua Rose, Bennett Phan, and Conrad Jones smile for the camera as they prepare for their skit at the world competition for Odyssey of the Mind. Steven Owens/With Permission

Not Your Typical Blue Alyssa Boedigheimer Staff Writer When you see a blue-colored cup of shaved ice, some of the typical flavor expectations are blueberry or blue raspberry. However, this is not the case for Shave-It’s Blue Hawaiian Shaved Ice. Contrary to the conventional flavors that go with the idea of blue dye, the ice was coconut flavored. As someone who is not particularly fond of coconut in general, this dessert exceeded my expectations. I found the coconut very refreshing, as opposed to how I usually find it tasteless fluff that is impossible to chew. Though the item was very sweet and sugary, it was not entirely over the top in this regard. The flavor was not overwhelming, as opposed to many types of shaved ice and similar desserts. The sweetness went well with the coconut and made the ice more refreshing and tasted very tropical, which, needless to say, is a wonderful flavor for a start of summer treat. One of the most amazing finds in the serving was the ice cream on the bottom. It was entirely unexpected, but made the serving that much more enjoyable. Paired with the layer of ice cream on top, it made a sort of reverse ice cream sandwich. I did not expect the ice cream to go

with the shaved ice, because, after all, ice is water and cream is milk. However, the flavors do not completely crash and burn, but made the shaved ice seem richer and more complete, instead of just a watery batch of slush with artificial flavoring. I hate slushies - thankfully, Shave-It succeeded in making a proper shaved ice, unlike what you sadly discover after ordering shaved ice from other stores. If the serving had a fault it would be the size. The amount of shaved ice in each cup is much more than one serving. After eating half, I was no longer interested in finishing it. The flavors are very intense after that amount of time, and it is a very large amount of food to consume. This being said, those with high metabolisms might find this serving size perfect. Despite its flaws, I would say that overall, the Blue Hawaiian Shaved Ice is a very good order from Shave-It. The flavors were refreshing and a great way to kick off the summer. Shave-It is giving this dessert away for free on June 18, National Splurge Day, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. - I would definitely recommend going with friends to try it for yourself.

A refreshing refreshment - Shave-It introduces its new flavor, Blue Hawaiian Shaved Ice, and plans to distribute the dessert for free on June 18, National Splurge Day. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

sports

Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015

CAMEO CAROL AN more than just a dance coach Angela Swartz Staff Writer After a nationally award winning last season, head dance coach Cameo Carolan is stepping down. Carolan started her career here over a decade ago in 2004 with a team that was “nervous about getting booed by the audience … and embarrassed to go back to class,” according to Carolan. Since then, dance team has greatly improved by setting small goals each year to move up in competitive ranks. “She is one special person because she has sacrificed so much in her career as the dance coach to (get) the dance team (to) the level it is today,” said Maddy Fischer, senior. At the beginning of this school year, Carolan and the dance team set a goal: to become grand national champions of the WCE and USA competitions. At first, the team was not sure this goal could become a reality, according to Fischer, but the team came home with both titles. “It definitely would not have been possible without (Carolan’s) help,” said Shelby Rini, senior and dance team co-captain. “The thing I’m most proud of is every year we set a goal to get better, and every year we have reached that goal. This is the reason I came to Newbury Park,” Carolan said. Along the way, Carolan has not only impacted students’ dancing lives but their personal lives as well. “Cameo is seriously like my second mom,” said Sabrina Parker, senior and dance team co-captain, who has been close with Carolan since her freshman year. “I have never met such an inspiring, humble, and dedicated woman in my life. She doesn’t give herself enough credit at all. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for her. We all are going to miss her a lot.” “Cameo is always there for us whether it’s for corrections, formations, counts, or even as a mom,” added Rini. “She constantly takes care of us as if we’re her own and it’s really nice to have her support 100% of the time no matter what.” According to Carolan, one of the main reasons she will no longer be coaching the dance team is because she wants to make her children more of a priority in her life. “I would never want to stop coaching,” said Carolan. “I looked at our (dance team) kids and the reason they are so successful is that they have a strong support system. It really made me assess my kids and how much more I could be doing in their lives.” Carolan will continue to teach the beginning to IB dance courses offered at school, but will focus on other areas such as

Saying Goodbye - Dance team poses with Carolan after the Senior Rally, saying goodbye to their long-time coach after their nationally award winning season. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

working in the school’s new Writing Center, helping students meet alumni in colleges, and spending more time with her family. “(Coaching dance team) is a lot more hours than anyone ever knows. Not coaching is giving me the time to do different opportunities I have been wanting to do,”said Carolan Next year, Katelyn Miller, previous assistant dance coach at Westlake High School, will replace Carolan as the new head coach. The team will also have new assistant coaches. Miller, who is the “perfect candidate”, according to Carolan, has already met the new 2015-2016 dance team at auditions.

“She seems really sweet,” Parker said. “I’ve heard nothing but good things. She already seems very dedicated and I’m excited to see what she does with the team this year.” Carolan still plans to visit dance team occasionally during practices and competitions next year. She also intends to continue to use her experience as the dance coach to help her dance class students improve their skills enough to be on the team. “I’m going to miss being able to work with the students, and watching them grow and being a part of their lives,” Carolan said.

Powder Puff: Class of 2015 takes a second victory Tazaieen Sayeda Ad Manager Adrianna Robakowski Copy Editor

Ready for Victory - From left to right, seniors Annie Chambers, Katie Owens, Suzie Smith, Michaela Juels, and Aida Diaz run onto the field after the team’s first touchdown (Top). A pep talk from the team captains sends the players onto the field ready to win the game (Bottom). Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Among the class of 2015’s other achievements in their final year at NPHS, they are now back-to-back Powder Puff champions. Powder Puff, a game of flag football coached by the junior and senior football players and played by junior and senior girls, has been an annual tradition for several years. Both this year and last, the nowgraduating class dominated with scores of 28-0 and 20-6 respectively. When asked if they were nervous about being able to defend their title, senior coaches Zachary Martino and Nathaniel Rogers were able to confidently say, “no, not at all.” “All the coaches are so fun and really good with the players,” said Jamie Baker, senior. “We all just had a good time and we dominated. It’s all been really fun. Even the practices, and just getting to know all the senior girls before graduation.” However, despite the loss, both the junior players and junior coaches enjoyed their experience working together. “It’s been a really good bonding experience for everyone,” said Sophie Elliott, junior. “Our team has become really close the past couple of weeks, just because were so small.” Besides the fun components of playing

football, the players had a chance to acquire new skills. “It’s been nice too because now I’m learning all of the details about football. I think that I kind of got it from their season but now it’s like I’m really learning all of the ins and outs of the game,” said Holly Reynolds, junior. The process of practicing and preparing for the big face-off came with struggles. Both the senior and junior coaches experienced difficulties along the way. “The hardest part is that as a football player we already know what the positions are and everything, but the girls are mostly new to all of that stuff,” said Austin Young, junior coach. “We had to explain it all to them, and it’s hard to catch them up to everything.” The seniors experienced a slightly different set of problems, according to Rogers, which included getting the players to stop talking and focus on playing. “With that much estrogen in one spot, it’s hard,” said Rogers. “The experience of coaching these girls really puts into perspective what an actual coaching position at Newbury Park High School is like,” said Shane Sipes, junior coach. “It takes leadership. It’s really fun to be able to be a part of this.”

sports Panther Prowler • June 5, 2015

SPRING SPORTS WRAP-UP LEAGUE CHAMPIONS Varsity

Junior Varsity

Frosh-Soph

(10-0)

(2-8)

(10-0)

VOLLEYBALL MAKING IT TO MASTERS

Getting air - Springing into the air, the NPHS boy’s volleyball team spikes the ball back at the opposing team.

Samantha Meyer /Prowler

TRACK & FIELD

CIF Qualifiers: Kendall Mader, Chris Adams, Denison Kappas, Dylan McDonnell, Jackson Nagamoto, Cameron Ewing, Jordan Hill, Shane Sipes, Cailey Remington Masters: Kendall Mader, Cameron Ewing, Shane Sipes Up and away - Matt Barrus flies over the pole vault bar during a track meet.

BOYS

GIRLS

Varsity Junior Varsity (6-3)

LACROSSE

(7-2)

Varsity Junior Varsity (3-4-1)

(6-4)

Ready to attack - Eric Wuesthoff, juior, (left) and Mikaela Coughlin, junior, (right) prepare for the incoming team’s assault on their goals.

Varsity

Junior Varsity

(5-5)

(6-4)

SOFTBALL GIRLS

Preparing for battle - The girls’ softball team prepares with an inspirational pep talk.

BOYS SWIMMING

Varsity

Junior Varsity

Varsity

Junior Varsity

3rd in league

2nd in league

3rd in league

4th in league

Lap after lap - The swim team speeds forward during an intense practice session in the height of season.

TENNIS Varsity

Junior Varsity

(6-4)

(8-2) Match point - Matthew Weymer, freshman, waits for the match to resume.

FIFTH IN LEAGUE Varsity

BASEBALL

Junior Varsity

Freshman

(9-9)

(12-2-1)

(10-8)

Batter up - In the midst of a pitch, Alex Vega steps forward to speed the ball toward the opposing team’s batter.

Varsity

Junior Varsity

5th in league

6th in league

Success and Smiles - The boy’s golf team poses with their coach and their awrds from the season.

GOLF