2017-2018 Issue 4 (November 17, 2017)

PANTHER

PROWLER

50 Pa years nthe r P of ride

Friday Nov. 17, 2017 • Issue !V • Newbury Park High School 456 N. Reino Rd., Newbury Park, CA 91320 • pantherprowler.org

IN THIS ISSUE: 2 3 4

Opt-Out Superintendent Chinese Festival

@npprowler

7 Thankfulness 12 8-9 Body Image 14 10 Multilingual Students 16

Pirates Musical Girls’ Volleyball Girls’ Water Polo

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staff editorial Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

Opt-out policy disregards student voices The Panther Prowler, The Arrow and The Lancer Staff Over the past several weeks, the CVUSD board has been embroiled in a controversy over a new policy for approving Core Literature. Not only does this policy outline a new selection process for approving Core Literature novels, but it also creates an opt-in policy requiring parents to essentially sign a permission slip for their children to read books in class.

The controversy over books began in the summer when the board voted to approve the book “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” for ninth grade curriculum. Bringing this novel to attention rallied community members on both sides in a fervor that translated into the debate over the opt-out policy. Because the book contains mature content, it prompted board president Mike Dunn to create a committee of teachers, community members and board members to draft an opt-out policy for parents. After weeks of work by the committee, board clerk Sandee Everett disregarded the carefully-drafted policy to adopt her own, according to a KCLU radio piece.

Rather than being an opt-out for concerned parents, Everett’s policy reads like an opt-in. It requires parents to sign a form approving their children reading material that is considered to contain “mature content” by the California Department of Education.

Several students from NPHS, WHS and TOHS attempted to speak about their objections to the policy during the board meeting on Nov. 7.

These students were met with yelling from people in the crowd, many of whom do not have children in the district or do not live in the district. These are the people who say they have the best interests of the students at heart, yet their disrespect for student opinion is appalling.

Due to backlash at the Nov. 7 board meeting, Everett had an emergency meeting with the original committee on Nov. 13, agreeing to make amendments to her policy. However, the updated policy was not released before the board deliberated and passed it in a 3-1 vote the following day; board member Pat Phelps was absent. Although Everett plans to fix the problematic wording of the policy, as pointed out line-by-line by board member Betsy Connolly during the meeting, this hasty vote and lack of transparency from the board is concerning in itself. As of now, the final policy has yet to be released.

According to the California School Board Association, the job of the school board is “to ensure that school districts are responsive to the values, beliefs and priorities of their communities.”

However, by neglecting to release the changes before the final vote, the board broke its compact

with the community. The board was unable to hear feedback from the community regarding the changes, and thus cannot possibly be representing its views.

Everett’s current opt-out policy could inhibit teachers from teaching essential learning material, and thus limits a student’s ability to process difficult subject matter. As students, we trust our teachers, who have an education in choosing meaningful curriculum, to choose what books we read in class. In contrast, Everett has never taught in a classroom setting or worked in education; therefore, it is no surprise that the policy was met with heavy opposition from teachers. We respect a parent or student’s choice to opt-out of an assignment; however, burying materials and making them unteachable for the rest of the students is not an appropriate solution.

As students, we are the community members that this policy directly impacts. When we transition from children into adults, we should be able to comprehend difficult and uncomfortable literature. Because the district already allows concerned parents to opt their children out, the new policy, instead of encouraging positive parent involvement as intended, simply creates extra concern for both parents and students. Many busy parents will see the label of “mature content” and simply opt their children out of Core Literature without further research, unknowingly limiting the quality of their children’s education. If the school board had the students’ best interests in mind, it would not take away their role in deciding their own education.

The purpose of literature is to expose students to mature content that reflects reality. Books are reflections of an author’s interpretation of real-life problems, and no one has the ability to opt-out of life.

Our classes teach us to be informed, critical thinkers. It is best if students learn about difficult topics in a classroom setting where they can have mature discussions and ask important questions rather than learning about them in an uncomfortable manner, such as on the internet or through first-person experience. The books that we read do not promote controversial acts, but rather teach us their repercussions. If we allow the school district to limit our in-classroom conversations, we limit our ability to respond to the uncomfortable situations we will inevitably face in the real world.

As students, it is our responsibility to voice our concerns in order to defend the quality of our education. Let’s look in the mirror and realize that life has mature content, and it doesn’t have a warning label with any opt-out option.

Alyssa Boedigheimer/Prowler

PANTHER PROWLER

2017-2018 staff

Editors-in-Chief Caitlin Henderson Lindsay Filgas

Sports Editors Gianna Longo Clare Wang

Entertainment Editor Kessa Chavez

DPS Editor Alyssa Boedigheimer

Copy Editors Gianna Longo Emily Nagamoto Jaycen Sussman

News Editors Connor Keep Nidhi Satyagal

Cover Editor Jaycen Sussman

Features Editor Angela Swartz

Online Manager/ Angela Swartz Daria Azizad Clare Wang Staff Writers James Pratt Rahul D’Souza Aditya Vunnum

Ad Managers Manger/ Nidhi Satyagal Broadcast Maya Chari Manager/ Jaycen Sussman Daria Azizad Graphic Artist Alyssa Boedigheimer Alyssa Boedigheimer Connor Keep Angela Swartz

Opinion Editors Daria Azizad Kavita Rai Photographers Chief / Megan Vlietstra Sarah Lu Emily Nagamoto Logan Nichols Maya Chari Adviser Michelle Saremi

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.

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news

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Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

School board approves opt-out policy Maya Chari Photographer The revised opt-out policy originally written by trustee Sandee Everett and edited in conjunction with teachers and administrators was passed with a 3-1 vote at the CVUSD school board meeting on Nov. 14. Board members Mike Dunn, Everett, and John Andersen voted in favor of the proposal, with Betsy Connolly voting against, and Pat Phelps absent from the meeting.

The board meeting, lasting from 5:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., was packed with students, teachers, and concerned parents. Many students and community members also participated in a protest against the policy prior to the meeting.

As proposed by a committee of teachers, administrators, and school staff to the Ad Hoc committee of Pat Phelps and Sandee Everett, the original opt-out policy aimed to provide an alternative for students whose parents decide that the curriculum content is not suitable or appropriate for their children. The policy was supposed to be reviewed by the Ad Hoc committee, revised and edited as a group effort, and then put forth towards the school board, for a vote.

The original teacher-written policy outlined ways for parents to choose to opt their children out by including a list of books that would be read in the class on the take-home syllabus, along with a district alternative assignment letter outlining opt-out policies and procedures.

In her policy, Everett proposed a more parentally involved process including a parent review panel for possibly controversial books, along with a list of books to be read in class. As of now, the policy allows for each board member to choose two community members to be part of the panel, from a pool of applicants.

“If this committee doesn’t like the book, then that opinion will be shared with the board and public when the book comes before the board for approval,” said Connolly in an email. This aspect of Everett’s policy was not included in Superintendent committee’s original plan.

Another key point that Everett added to the policy just before its proposal was that “the primary considerations when selecting instructional materials should be their educational value, relevance and age-appropriate nature.”

She also emphasized the incorporation of an asterisk next to each book on the list that is flagged by the California Department of Education as containing mature content such as rape, violence, or themes of depression. It is not clear whether this aspect, along with others, will remain in the policy, as the final language is still undecided.

Some community members have questioned whether or not the use of this asterisk is necessary.

“The language about adult books and mature themes on the Recommended Reading List was never meant to be used to discourage these books from being read by students,” Mary Anne Van Zuyle, community member, said at the recent board meeting.

Others perceived the controversy as having been blown to unnecessary proportions. “Forgive the oversimplification, but I think this is what it came down to,” John Federoff, community member, said, holding up a large metal asterisk.“ I’m not sure why the asterisk is so controversial.”

Jill Magnante, English teacher at NPHS and member of the original Superintendent’s Ad-Hoc committee, has followed the evolution of Everett’s opt-out policy since its original introduction. “I don’t think any teacher is in favor of putting asterisks on books,” Magnante said. “What we’re doing is we are somehow flagging some books over others. We encourage families to learn more any way they see fit, but the asterisk is a philosophical divide.”

Everett’s proposal also has the potential to change the book-review process, possibly including a parent-review panel for controversial reading material and a more rigorous teacher approval process for desired class texts.

“No, it’s not a book ban, but that doesn’t mean that the procedures aren’t different,” Magnante said. “It remains to be seen if those procedures create a process that becomes so arduous that teachers won’t propose new books.”

Although the legality of the opt-out proposal process is under scrutiny from those opposed to the policy, Magnante acknowledges that there is an effort for middle ground to be found. “I’m

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Protest - Many teachers, students and community members protested the opt-out policy at the recent school board meeting on Nov. 14. Although the vote went in favor of the policy, teachers are hopeful that amendments can still be made and that the controversy will not be forgotten.

“This is one battle in a much bigger war,” Randy Smith, president of the Unified Association of Conejo Teachers, said at the school board meeting on Nov. 7. School board trustee Sandee Everett brought to the most recent meeting a revised rendition of her opt-out policy, which was met with both support and backlash by the community. Maya Chari/Prowler

grateful that Mrs. Everett was willing to make amendments,” Magnante said. “I haven’t seen the final draft, but I truly believe that she was willing to listen to and understand concerns.”

The division in perspective on the policy and its limits have impacted the way that students and teachers hold themselves in the community. “This became a battle of who cares the most, and so many teachers have felt demoralized and their integrity has been questioned in this process,” Magnante said. “Wherever this policy comes out at the end, there are relationships that need to be repaired.”

Board elects new CVUSD superintendent Jaycen Sussman Cover Editor The Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) school board voted unanimously, 5-0, to elect Dr. Mark McLaughlin as the new Superintendent for the district Tuesday, Nov. 7.

McLaughlin’s new position with the board began the following day, Wednesday Nov. 8.

McLaughlin has been with the board for several years, serving as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources until June, where he was elected as Interim Superintendent for the summer.

“In my former position as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, I learned the importance of building positive working relationships with colleagues. A key part of my job responsibilities was to lead monthly communication meetings with all of our employee union groups. This role allowed me to be a leader in finding solutions to best address employees’ concerns,” McLaughlin said.

During his time as Interim Superintendent, McLaughlin also created the slogan “The Conejo Way” which dignifies all the positive aspects around the community. The motto turned into a hashtag representing the district in its entirety and what it stands for as a school system.

McLaughlin has spent years with the community and is excited to continue his path as Superintendent.

“There are many things that I would like to accomplish during my tenure as Superintendent, one of the most important of which is to continue to implement and properly support all of the great things currently happening at our school sites,” McLaughlin said.

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news Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

Students embrace their Chinese Culture Emily Nagamoto Photographer On the lawn of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, the Conejo Chinese Cultural Association (CCCA) hosted their annual Chinese Culture Day, welcoming the town to learn more about their heritage while also supporting their association. Grace Hsu, senior and part of Chinese club, has been involved with the festival since its beginning, and believes that it is important to teach others about Chinese traditions.

“The Chinese festival here is about showing people, not just people from Chinese club, showing people all around Thousand Oaks, what our Chinese culture is all about and what we are known for,” Hsu said.

Brian Xi, senior, and Kevin Chen, senior, were also involved, coming as volunteers from the Chinese club on campus with Hsu. Although the festival is considered a service project for the club, for them it means so much more than the volunteer hours, and they enjoy their work.

“It is (a) really interesting station that we are in charge of. We are doing paper making. It’s really fun,” Chen said.

Just one booth out of more than 20, the paper making station had participants create their own sheet by collecting paper pulp on a wood and wire frame, pressing it dry and laying it in the sun to dry. Not only was there different color options for the paper, but paper makers could also take their final products home, and many, like Chen, found it “really interesting.” In addition to this station was face painting, origami and even calligraphy, which exhibited traditional Chinese characters made hundreds of years ago. One of the tricks the booth could do was translate English names into Chinese characters and create the calligraphy for

them for free.

The CCCA puts on other cultural awareness days throughout the year, including the end of the year Chinese Festival and the Chinese New Year Festival, and the Chinese club volunteers at them all. Meeting on Fridays in B11, the room of Jing Hu, Chinese Teacher and club advisor, Chinese club members discuss their heritage and plan for each of these events. Currently, according to Xi, club president, the club is preparing a cultural dance performance for the New Year festival, and they are looking for participants.

“If you want some free CAS hours, if you want to volunteer, come to Chinese club and ask about the Chinese New Year performance, because we want volunteers for that,” Xi said Xi claims that the reason he became president of the club was to show others his heritage and to embrace his culture in another way.

“I was one of the original members,” Xi said. “I felt like people should be proud of their heritage, so I wanted to show my heritage in being president of Chinese club.”

Honoring her culture is an important part of life for Hsu as well, and she wants to spread the message of the significance of celebrating one’s heritage and keeping it alive.

“I really like it when people do that, because you are living here in America, but you are still embracing what your culture is,” Hsu said. “I feel like that is a really nice thing because we get to keep this culture even if we are in America, we can keep this culture going for further generations.”

Smiling Happily- Grace Hsu, senior, holds up a finished paper she made from scratch at the Chinese Culture Day festival. Volunteering as a part of Chinese Club, Hsu wanted to share her culture with others from the community, and was happy to do that through teaching people to make paper, an ancient Chinese tradition. “I want to show our community that our Chinese club is really big on showing people about Chinese culture,” Hsu said. “We want to teach them how to make paper.” The club meets on Fridays in B11, and will participate in other Chinese festivals throughout the year. Emily Nagamoto/Prowler

News Briefs AB 19 makes community Walnut Elementary provides volunteer opportunities to students college free for all first-time freshmen Kessa Chavez Entertainment Editor

Nidhi Satyagal News Editor On Oct. 13, California governor Jerry Brown signed AB 19, a bill written by Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, that made the freshman year of community college in California free for all first-time students. The California Promise Grant already waives tuition for low-income students, however AB 19 would extend to all first time students regardless of need or any other factors.

The bill will help support many of the 2.1 million community college students in California.

Opposers of the bill believe it will strain the state’s financial resources. However, Santiago and many community college districts in the state support the bill’s increased initiative to make higher education more widely accessible.

Around 15,000 students attend Moorpark Community College, the closest local community college. According to the 2017 senior survey, 231 students from last year’s graduating class attended community college in California. These community colleges included Moorpark Community College, Santa Barbara City College, Ventura College, and many others.

AB 19 would provide major financial assistant to all future community college students from this school and many others in California.

Alyssa Boedigheimer/Prowler

Walnut Elementary School began Lightshine Tutoring on Nov. 7 in hopes of providing support to students and their families who need extra assistance with subjects such as writing, reading, math, and social studies.

The college and career center is encouraging high school students to join the program by providing an opportunity for volunteer hours and tutoring experience.

Eric Lindroth, photography teacher, believes those who are willing to work with the students will greatly benefit from gaining this experience.

“There is a great need for the students chosen for this tutoring. They not only need academic support, but also moral support. It is a great benefit the families [for] the Walnut students as they need extra support as well,” Lindroth said. “I started out as a tutor and that lead me to be a teacher.

Also, it is great on a college (application).”

Besides tutoring and volunteer hours, there are other ways students can benefit from joining the program.

“The Walnut students are entertaining to be around and they really look up to the high school students. There is a great feeling one gets when one knows he or she is helping someone who genuinely needs it. Plus there are usually cookies or other treats for the tutors and students,” Lindroth added.

Melody Rosales, sophomore, is looking forward to helping the students improve their relationship with their school work.

“Sometimes when I see my peers struggling and not wanting to try I just wish that someone took the time to show them that school isn’t just something you have to go to. It can be fun. I hope by making learning fun I’ll encourage others to want to learn on their own time as well,” Rosales said.

Anyone who is interested in further information should contact Mr. Lindroth at C24 or at elindroth@conejousd.org. The program is held from 2:30-3:45 p.m. every Tuesday.

“Our tutors develop meaningful relationships with the students. I think, also, that the tutor may get as much out of the experience as the tutee because when we give freely of ourselves, we gain a greater connection to what it is to be a caring and kind human and, really, isn’t that what most of us live for,” Lindroth said.

news Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

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New creation of mural embodies panther spirit Connor Keep News Editor The Panther Prowler is celebrating its 50th year of being published, so we are going to turn back the clock to 1984: the 16th year of this newspaper on-campus.

The year of the rat in the Chinese Zodiac, it was an eventful period full of historical marks. Key events include the first MTV Music Award ceremony, Los Angeles hosting the Summer Olympics, and the PG-13 rating being introduced in culture for television shows and movies.

The first MTV Music Awards aired from Radio City Music Hall and Michael Jackson stole the show with his creative dance moves, such as the moonwalk, and his popular songs that invigorated people everywhere. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” won the award “Three Moonmen” for his music video that differed from any other.

One major event occurring in the community was discussion of building the Conejo Teen Center. Many people were for this renovation to the community and it was originally proposed in 1982.

The creation of the Teen Center would provide youths with the opportunity to have facilities for themselves. The proponents of the creation of the Teen Center made petitions for the City Council to see, gaining over 2,000 signatures of support. If the Teen Center was built, it would house Interface, Conejo Youth Employment and Safe Rides for teens.

Interface is a program that helps combat child abuse and was established in 1973, and teaches children what to do when they are in a dangerous situation or around a dangerous person.

The Conejo Youth Employment Services is a non-profit organization that helps students create a resume and practice job interviews. This service has been around for almost 50 years and also gives students opportunities for internships in the community.

Safe Rides is out of Santa Clarita and focuses on giving rides to teens to avoid drinking and driving on Fridays and Saturdays between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am. This group is non-profit and works to prevent car accidents and deaths by giving teens a service to call that is safe.

The Council held a public hearing to determine if the Teen Center would be housed in the building of the old Oaks Library. The Teen Center did have competition for its place in the building-- the Arts Council also wanted to be housed in that building.

Another major event that occurred during 1984 was the building of the Panther spirit mural.

This mural is one of the biggest on-campus and is located in the quad. The mural cost $30,000 to create and was sponsored by the Student Body.

The Panther spirit mural is still the major piece of art in the quad and is now an icon on-campus.

Many students take pictures in front of it after graduating because it symbolizes everything that the high school stands for. Many pieces of art have been added to the campus after its creation and it stills stands out from all of the others.

Everlasting Imprint- The Panther spirit mural has been around since 1984 and is still an important part of the school today. The mural displays the crest of the school with swords, rings and a panther at the top. The piece is iconic with its lively colors and unique design.

The school spent $30,000 to create this piece of art for the students. The Student Body covered the cost of the mural for construction. After the creation of this mural, many pieces of art have been created.

PANTHER PROWLER’S CAPTION CONTEST #4 Maya Chari Photographer

This cartoon needs a caption- by you! Each month, the Prowler presents a new cartoon on our website where you can submit your most clever caption ideas. The top three captions will be voted on by the Prowler staff and will be posted online in order for you to vote for your favorite. The winning caption will be present in the following issue of the Panther Prowler. You can submit a caption by visiting our social media pages or emailing prowler.newspaper@ gmail.com with the subject “Issue IV Caption Contest.”

Remember to submit your name and keep your caption under 250 characters. Any person of any age is welcome to participate. Best of luck!

MAKE A SUBMISSION

Alyssa Boedigheimer/Prowler

@npprowler on Instagram Issue III Winner: “Ok, I think I know what the issue is. I’ll go tell your muumy.” Nelson Kappas

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opinion Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017 Logan Nichols/Prowler

Required classes stifle educational pursuits Daria Azizad Opinion Editor Four years of English, three years of math, two years of PE and one year of a language are required for every student at NP. Although these requirements are supposed to ensure that we become well-rounded students, they have led to counterproductive results instead.

Students do not have the liberty to decide what our educational paths will be because we get strapped down trying to meet what is required of us.

Since there is a one year language requirement to graduate and a three year requirement for UC schools, many students take two years of Spanish, then take a year of ASL. Although this requirement was meant to broaden students’ linguistic abilities beyond just one language, it has just made earlylevel language classes a joke. A large population of students in these classes do not take them seriously and are only looking to pass the class. In my Spanish 2 class, our teacher clearly understood this, and even told us not to bother learning some grammatical rules because the

correct answer would be obvious on the test. Forcing students into classes they do not care about only hurts the students that actually do care about the subject.

The PE requirement-- for reasons other than just being institutionalized public humiliation-- is an unnecessary waste of time. In my freshman year, I wanted to double up in two subjects, but since I had to do in-class PE, I was only able to double up in one. In order to double up in the other subject, I had to take the course over summer. Along with other students in the same predicament, I was obligated to give up my break from school for an expensive and timeconsuming course. Instead of forcing students to do PE-- even though many of us play sports and exercise outside of school-- we should be allowed to have some measure of freedom in the classes we choose.

Four years of English, however, is the most grueling and excessive. Though I do believe that understanding language and being able to write are important

skills, taking English year after year is unnecessary. Within the first few years of the course, we learn how to analyze writing and create cohesive essays.

Unfortunately, English classes start to stifle creativity as we become more dead-set on particular ways of writing and using devices, rather than exploring how we want to write. There should be more types of optional English classes where students can choose which to take after their sophomore year. As of now, we are all centered around a convergent goal rather than using creative liberty.

English should be a divergent class where students feel free to find their style.

Required classes make sure that every student completes the bare minimum amount of the educational process, but there should be leniency with them.

Instead of putting students in classes they do not want to deal with every single year of high school, students should be given the choice to forge their own educational path.

Apple’s hardware falls behind their competitors James Pratt Staff Writer Despite iPhone X preorders backing up to well over 2018 in the first hour of its release, it seems that the excitement regarding Apple’s new handsets has sharply declined. With reports of the iPhone 7 doing better than Apple’s current “flagship,”, the iPhone 8, the iPhone X is the brand’s savior, a revitalization of the company’s innovative spirit. This has been lacking for the last couple years, with the iPhone 8 being the fourth iteration of a phone designed in 2014. While these similar phones have all received bumps in camera and performance, it’s been awhile since Apple has made a revolutionary iPhone. Even the new features in the iPhone 8 are mostly borrowed from Android phones; portrait lighting and wireless charging have existed for years in Samsung and Google devices.

This is where the iPhone X comes in, Apple’s first design overhaul of the iPhone since the iPhone 6. The tech may be impressive, but this is Apple’s first smartphone to retail at $999$, a price tag that will surely scare away Apple loyalists.

Even worse is that while Apple has presented the X as “the future of smartphones,” the new phone’s technology has been in other Android flagships, or top of the line phones, for several years. Bezels, screenless space that often occupies the top or bottom of a standard smartphones face, have since been dropped for the edge-to-edge organic light-emitting diodes (OLED)OLED screens we’ve seen on the Samsung Galaxy series for several years now, with budget Android phones slimming down faster than Apple as we speak. OLED, or

organic light emitting diodes, have become a mainstay in most modern smartphone screens, for their deep blacks and vibrant colors are superior to those of the LCD screens we’ve seen on past gen Android phones and current gen iPhones. $740 is all you need to pick up a Samsung Galaxy S8, the Android OS’s “crown jewel,” and Apple’s $700 “budget” iPhone 8 is a clunky disgrace.

Apple’s new modern feature-filled phone commands too high a price, and because of this most people are just skipping this generation or opting to buy the cheaper, but still adequate iPhone 7. I endured the tense midnight preorder and received the iPhone on release day. I have been using it as my daily driver for a couple weeks now, and i can confidently say that this is the best iPhone Apple has ever made. It’s a wonderful device but I can’t see most people needing it over an iPhone 7 or 8.

My opinion on Apple has been souring for years, but the reality is that I’m not going to not use an iPhone. I cannot imagine using any other OS and I am so tied into their convenient ecosystem that leaving them for Samsung would be sacrilege.

I bought an iPhone this year, and I’ll probably buy an iPhone next year, but the truth is that the future is here.

Apple is just turning back the clock.

I have to meet my future self Clare Wang Back Cover Editor In typical procrastinator fashion, 40 minutes passed between me opening this Google doc and me writing the first word.

The funny thing is it never feels that long...so either I’m moving much slower than the speed of light or I just really want to avoid doing the inevitable.

Some say time flies when you’re having fun, but I think time flies whenever you do something you don’t want to do, regardless of whether it’s fun or not.

Exhibit A: sometimes I just stare into space with absolutely no thoughts running through my head just to ignore stuffing way too many thoughts into my head.

So why do I procrastinate?

Science thinks that it has something to do with how I perceive my future self. On this year’s PSAT (which I waited until the day before to study for), one of the passages discussed a study with the conclusion that people see themselves in the future as distinct from themselves in the present.

Just as horses think their reflection in a mirror is a different horse, we think ourselves in the future are not actually us, so we treat them as such.

It comes as no surprise that we don’t actually treat others the way we want to be treated, despite the Golden Rule being monotonously repeated to us as children.

Now, it seems as though the Golden Rule needs to be altered as a measure against procrastination: Treat others and your future-self the way you want your present-self to be treated.

Of course I’ve never thought of procrastination in this way, but it does eerily apply to my life.

Whenever I’m assigned a task to complete, I always say, “Oh that’s a problem for Future Clare.” Then when it gets to the time to do the work, I forget that I am now “Future Clare” whose problem it is to do the assignment.

So once again I say, “That’s a problem for Future Clare,” and the cycle continues to repeat over the course of several days, dragging a half-hour task into a two-day task.

I’ve subconsciously realized a separation between me now and me in the future, so I subconsciously don’t consider all the consequences of my actions that would affect me in the future-- the same way people don’t fully comprehend the effects their actions have on those around them.

Luckily, science has come up with a solution for us. The PSAT study also found that people who were shown a noticeably aged picture of themselves were much less reckless with their decisions that directly affected their future.

Evidently, literally seeing our future-selves can partially bridge the gap we inherently feel between ourselves now and ourselves in the future.

In order to mitigate procrastination, either find a photoshopped picture of yourself or...time travel is the solution.

opinion Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

I seem to better recall the little things

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Logan Nichols Photographer

presents; none of this is about things I can hold. This is about the people who treat me like I am human. The people who stop to talk to me in the hallways-- even if they are with their friends.

The person who was laughed at for, but still said, “No. I do love them.” The person who would not leave, no matter how many times they should have. The people who look at me like I am crazy (because I am), but so are they. My best friend. My only friend. My new friends. Call them what you like. I will call them what I. There are many things that I am appreciative of. There are many things I am appreciative of that I have long-since forgotten.

And there are many things that I am appreciative of that I will eventually forget as well. But, while I have the memories that I have, I will treasure them as long as I can. Because this person, these people, mean a lot to me. They have not left me yet even though I would if I could.

So, I guess it is a good thing they are not me. And if I only had the courage, I would tell them how grateful I am for them and how much I’ll miss them when I’m gone. And, you can take that however you please.

they can be found at-fault in traffic accidents if they entered the street suddenly. If a person decides to go face-to-face with a car, the car will always win. In the end, saving five minutes is not worth risking your life or the lives of the people around you.

To prevent traffic accidents, pedestrians should cross at the crosswalk but not when the hand is red. Pedestrians are not allowed to enter the crosswalk when the hand is flashing or the timer is counting down. As a driver, I will be the first to admit that having a person run across the street in the crosswalk when the hand is red and the light is green is one of the most annoying things. You no longer have the right of way. Just wait for a few minutes and you can cross the street then: we are running just as late as you are.

This is not something that should be a big issue but it has become that way due to a lack of enforcement of the laws. When

students cross the crosswalk illegally or dart out across the street, they are not caught, which leads to increased repetition of the behavior.

Students should not need to be watched while they are crossing the street.

They need to be more responsible and aware of their actions on both themselves and the people around then when they put themselves in that situation.

It’s common sense. Pedestrians should cross at the crosswalk when you have the “go” signal and not just run out in the middle of the street: it could save your life.

ro wl er

would form of me-- even though I will never know them and they will never know me. I am a nobody: and that is where I start my list of gratitude.

Much to my annoyance, I am not invisible to the entire population. Because there are a few people who know that I exist.

These poor souls confuse me because they are (seemingly) alright with being around me. And that, is the number one reason why I am grateful for them.

And it seems that I have some self-esteem problems; I would be lying if I said that I was not constantly thinking that I am burdening others. But, there are some things that I repeatedly come across, that allow me to humor myself otherwise.

Because, maybe, on my right, will be a pink unicorn pendant, sitting on a silver ringed chain-- the two others that came with it, somewhere in two other girls’ houses; to the left: a meteorite necklace with a broken latch-- a gift I was given in eighth grade.

A small pile of letters people had written me- all saying they were grateful for me? A fancy little CD containing my favourite album from a band-- he gave it to me for no apparent reason.

I am not a material person. But, these physical gifts, even when I can no longer remember when, where, and whom they came from, remind me that there was some type of emotion that was passed on from their hands to mine. None of this is about

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er /P

It is November again. For me, it is nothing but another month.

Attached to this month is: that one dwindling family gathering, a half-month’s worth of leftovers, and, as my tenth grade English teacher would call it, “Turkey Genocide Day.” And, with Turkey Genocide Day, comes all of my teachers asking, “What are you grateful for?” Now, I am not saying that it is hard for me to think of things that I am grateful for. I am grateful for a lot of things. What I am saying, though, is that my gratefulness list is filled with the basics: shelter, food, transparent air. Meanwhile, everyone over there is naming some specific, elaborate event, and here I am, not even remembering what I ate for breakfast.

You see, there are things that I hope and pray to remember, but never do. On the off-chance I do remember something, it is some obscure, useless piece of information that rarely makes a difference in anyone’s life-- including mine.

And, maybe, I should not be saying this kind of thing somewhere where anyone can read it; where anyone can look and see that I am forgetful, maybe even rude and pompous, which is why I never remember things that people tell me. However, this is not true. I try and try, and I am still trying to figure out why I can never seem to remember properly.

In saying this, I used to care about the opinions that people

Megan Vlietstra Chief Photographer We have all had those days where we are running just a little bit late and want to avoid getting marked tardy at our first class.

We make a conscious decision to sprint across the middle of Reino, jump over the little Newbury Park river in the ditch, then book it across campus to your class.

Though running across a busy street may seem like a great idea, it should be avoided. Not only is it dangerous for you, it is dangerous for drivers as well. Nothing is scarier than having something run out in front of your car, especially a person. The driver does not have enough time to stop or slow down and when they do, they could cause even more problems. Having somebody run out in front of your car is unbelievably scary and leaves a driver shaking in their seat with the thought that they could have hit a person and possibly injured them.

It is also illegal. While pedestrians do have the right of way,

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body image Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

love your body

A

cross the nation, people look in the mirror, and what they see is not what they want.

Instead of an ideal body, demonstrated through advertisements, magazines and models, they see a different reflection. Even when they have healthy bodies, these media outlets influence young teenagers’ perceptions of what their bodies should look like.

“In our culture, there is a lot of comparison to an ideal, and unfortunately the comparison to the ideal is not average. It is, for girls, it is very thin, underweight,” Peggy Walker, AP and IB psychology teacher, said. “For boys the ideal is also not average or normal; it is having a six pack, having a well-toned stomach.”

A child advocacy group called Common Sense Media performed a study and discovered that children as young as six think that their body is larger than the ideal body. The issues that children have with their bodies continue into adolescence and then adulthood.

“Some of the models that are looked at as good examples are actually anorexic,” Walker said. “Those aren’t normal for adolescents, they are also not normal for adults. But, in our culture, especially in Western culture specifically in Southern California, we are exposed to that a lot.

That is a lot of what leads t o body image issues.”

One statistic from PBS reveals that most fashion models are thinner than 98 percent of American women.

W a l k e r points out that anyone can feel body insecurities, no matter their gender or their body shape.

This is something t h a t

Logan Nichols/Prowler

“

Cynthia* has seen and experienced as well.

“I think anybody is susceptible to it, because people have different views about how they see themselves, Cynthia said. “Like my friends who are thin, they still think of themselves as fat.”

She herself has been suffering from body insecurities for a long time and has even had family members question her body.

“Honestly, I am not on the thin side, and I have always had family members ask me why I haven’t lost weight,” Cynthia said. “It makes me feel bad about myself sometimes, because I feel like my body is not good enough for me and for other people.”

Further contributing to her negative self image, she recounts times when she tried various tactics such as

implications

B

ody image, according to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), comprises of what a person sees and feels when they look in the mirror; problems can arise when this perception of one’s body becomes negative.

NEDA reports that symptoms of poor body image can include anxiety, body dysmorphia, feelings of depression and low self-esteem; these can lead to lifethreatening eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, as well as unhealthy behaviors in an attempt to change or feel different about one’s body.

Project EAT, an initiative launched by the University of Minnesota to examine body image factors in everyday life, found that in 2010, 38 percent of teenage boys and 50 percent of teenage girls used “unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, taking diet pills, and smoking more cigarettes to lose or control their weight.”

Walker believes that the best way to combat negative body image issues is to talk to trusted confidants, be it friends, parents, teachers, etc. She also believes that improving self esteem is key to having a better body image.

“If you already are a bit insecure or have low selfimage, it is probably going to influence you more,” Walker said. “If you have a real positive self-image and high body acceptance, then you are going to go with those changes, and be more accepting of them.”

In addition to open dialogue, Walker promotes education to help individuals cope when dealing with body insecurities, calling education “helpful in understanding that growth process and understanding what is ideal and what is realistic.”

The National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI) also seeks to educate people,

I think everyone struggles with body issues in some way. Everyone has insecurities, whether it be about their inner-selves or about their appearance.

- Rory Smith, senior starving herself to lose weight, none of them working for very long. However, one of her worst moments was after a social media post, deeply affecting her for days afterwards.

“It was the day after I won a singing competition in middle school. One of my friends showed me a post in Instagram calling me … ‘thicky,’ saying that I shouldn’t have won,” Cynthia said.

Before seeing the post, her confidence was “up to the moon;” yet, afterwards she felt “humiliated.”

“I cried every night,” Cynthia said. “I thought that maybe that person was right, that I didn’t deserve to win. That’s why I stopped singing for a while.”

Cynthia still feels the effects of the post even now despite it having been taken down, claiming that negative comments never go away and “it never stops.”

”

recently addressing bod performance of “SELFI students about teenage issues. Rory Smith, sen who struggles with an conscious and focused o an ideal body size. Sm awareness to mental h society.

“Playing that charac because there are people and it makes me wish I said. “I think everyon some way. Everyone has their inner-selves or abo The play attempted aware of the effect “ide teenagers.

“I think it’s importa issues that we see in our A lot of it can be helpe more sensitive to those Craig Hastings, juni “SELFIE.” Hastings be to raise awareness abo expands beyond body drinking.

“It sends the message that everyone is going t Hastings said. “You rea people have problems to “SELFIE” was aime social and mental issues deal with, similar to h trying to raise awarene body insecurities; howe whether enough is bein

solution

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ome, like Cyn i d e a l s

believes that culprits of impossible standards “ t h e magazines, m e d i a s e e

ssues by sponsoring the y performed by NPHS ling with mental health yed Jessie, a young girl isorder. Jessie was selfweight in order to have acter was able to bring ues that happen within

e me sad, to be honest, ffer from eating disorders o more to help,” Smith es with body issues in ties, whether it be about appearance.” ke the audience more standards can have on

se a lot of mental health exist within our school. people were aware and ssues,” Smith said. honored to be a part of at the play was meant in students’ lives that including divorce and

tient with everyone and something all the time,” to be aware that other

d light on the different dy insecurities teenagers social media users are dividuals suffering from e is still controversy over o combat these threats.

ll see unrealistic body being promoted in the media and the biggest spreading b o d y come from models in and in social (where) you a lot of gurus o r

body image Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017 models.”

Project EAT discovered in a study that boys who read dieting or weight-loss articles were four times more likely to engage in weight loss behaviors, and girls were six times as likely.

As social media has become more popular and new technology is made, many researchers are studying how media affects societal body ideals and standards, and what consequences they have on teenagers.

A study performed by the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, published in 2016, discovered that among young adults, 31 percent of boys and 56 percent of girls say that the most important aspect of their social media profiles was choosing a picture with “good looks.”

Another innovation in technology has brought a new way to obsess over looks: editing apps and masking filters. Apps such as Facetune, Perfect365 and filters in Snapchat/Instagram give users the ability to self-edit their photos, giving individuals the freedom and desire to change how they look.

“I don’t know how I feel about it, because I know sometimes I use it and it makes me feel good about myself, but at the same time I am literally just covering up what I actually look like,” Cynthia said.

Nevertheless, others think that today’s society is gradually adapting to these changes in image and beauty, citing commercials that feature models with larger figures or unique hairstyles. Walker said that she likes “Dove” and “Seventeen” magazine because they do not Photoshop their models. These tactics help steer society’s views “ideal” body standards by portraying other body types in advertisements.

“I think that an important thing that we can all do is be more accepting of the fact that there is not just one body type that is attractive, we should be appreciative of the diversity that comes in different body shapes and sizes,” Smith said.

While some believe that specific societal standards need to be made more generous, Keith* has a different stance on the issue.

“I don’t believe a change in standards will help anyone. It will only cause another group to be insecure.

Instead we should create a more accepting society, of all bodies,” Keith said.

Acceptance is a strategy praised by Walker, and Cynthia cites it as the solution for her body image issues.

“I started accepting myself, and being more comfortable with my body and not even caring what other people think of me,” Cynthia said. “So to those suffering from body shaming, it’s okay to be skinny. It’s okay to have curves. Beauty doesn’t have a weight limit.

So love the body that you have.”

Logan Nichols/Prowler

*Names changed to protect anonymity

body image Gianna Longo Sports Editor Emily Nagamoto Copy Editor Megan Vlietstra Chief Photographer

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10

features Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

Multilingual students enjoy multiple benefits Sarah Lu Photographer At home, he speaks Swedish and Persian. At school, he learns English and French. Juggling multiple languages is hard, but there are students who do it for the culture, the experiences and the knowledge they gain from learning a new language.

Mathilde Senecal, senior, speaks three languages: English, French and Spanish. She learned French through her parents, Spanish while living in Mexico and English while attending a British international school.

“At school, in the classroom, it was English. Outside it was Spanish and at home it was French,” Senecal said. “They were all my first language. I don’t remember learning any of them.”

Aras Aghazadeh, junior, is also multilingual, speaking four languages: English, French, Swedish and Persian. His first language is Persian, as his family is from Iran. Aghazadeh also grew up in Sweden and spoke Swedish for his whole life, up until about a month ago, when he moved to America. He learned English in Sweden as well, at an international school.

Aghazadeh has also been learning French since sixth grade, when he decided to compete with his brother. “(I wanted) to see who would be better, but also to have a language which only me and my brother understand in the family because no one else speaks French,” Aghazadeh said.

Samuel Liao, junior, is learning French and Spanish in school and Japanese on his own. He also knows English and Chinese.

Liao decided to learn two languages in school because he had an interest in language. “I didn’t have much interest in other

whole new way of thinking,” Liao said. “You enter a new world where suddenly you are using different sounds and people are communicating, but in a different way than you’re used to.”

“There’s a lot of countries in the world, and inside those countries there’s a lot of hidden knowledge and information inside,” Liao said. “It’s just a really cool world to explore.”

Language is her forte- Representing the languages she speaks, Mathilde Senecal, senior, holds up flags of the countries France, America and Mexico. Senecal is a multilingual student and believes it is very helpful.

“There are some languages that will be similar. For instance, I speak French and Spanish and those languages together help me understand Portuguese,” Senecal said. She hopes to work in communication when she’s older, so being multilingual helps her to prepare for it. Sarah Lu/ Prowler.

Mindfulness: a way to help anxiety and depression

things

5 yo u d id not know ab out

subjects and I had extra space to do something else,” Liao said.

With learning Japanese, “I started getting interested in (it) because I was watching ‘Pokémon’ with my brother,” Liao said.

Senecal thinks it very useful to know multiple languages.

“Traveling makes it a lot easier, because once I speak Spanish, I have all of Latin America and Spain,” Senecal said. “And then French, I have France and all the other Francophone countries.”

Liao has gone to Mexico for mission trips with his church and has seen the benefits of knowing the language. “I actually get a good chance to use it, talk to the kids and maybe adjust the needs of the people there,” Liao said.

Being multilingual has a classroom benefit as well as a communicative one.

“There’s a lot more for me to learn,” Aghazadeh said. “There’s always improvement so I always try to better myself.”

Senecal believes she benefits from tutoring. “I’m also practicing myself and testing myself to see if I know the information well,” Senecal said.

All three students recommend everyone to learn new languages, as they also learn about the culture of the languages.

With learning a new language comes “new experiences, new knowledge, and ultimately you’ll meet new people. You never know who you meet in the future and who becomes your friend,” Aghazadeh said.

Each language has its own unique culture. “When you step in, it’s not just a bunch of words for the same idea. It’s a

Logan Nichols Photographer

Emily Nagamoto/Prowler

Marc Lion // English Emily Nagamoto Photographer

1

He plays the electric bass guitar and is a part of a band.

2

His favorite band is Tower of Power, favorite book is “The Phantom Tollbooth” and favorite movie is “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

3

Lion’s favorite pun is: “To be honest, I’m always Lion.”

4

Before Lion was a teacher, he made a living writing, and worked in the corporate world for 27 years.

5

If Lion could go anywhere in the world, he would go to Italy with his wife.

Located in room B21, Robin Lilly, English and philosophy teacher, can be found doing daily mindfulness, or wellness, activities with her students.

It started last school year, when Lilly noticed a rise of anxiety and depression in her students.

“Because I, myself, experience anxiety and depression, these were tools that I had been taught and had been practicing with some positive benefit for my own well being,” Lilly said.

Though she noticed the majority of her students’ anxiety in her IB classes, she also saw symptoms in her CP students as well. Lilly had also joined a group called the International Positive Education Network, which emphasizes a better state of well-being to be capable of learning in a healthy, positive manner.

“I didn’t see anywhere else where wellness, or any kind of focus on wellness, was happening in education,” Lilly said.

Lilly’s mindfulness exercises vary everyday. They range from Three Good Things, where students will write down three good things that have happened to them, to yoga, meditation and screaming out their frustrations in the quad.

Each of these exercises is conducted either within the confines of her classroom or around the quiet campus during class time. They do not normally take up more than five-to-ten minutes in the beginning of class, with the intent of creating a healthy and calm environment.

Gus Wachbrit, senior, is enrolled in Lilly’s IB Philosophy class. Before starting

the class, he had previously heard of some of these mindfulness activities from his friends.

Wachbrit says that, personally, he loves the meditational, mindfulness exercises because they always puts him in the mood to work, and it also helps to build a sense of community in the classroom.

“I definitely feel a lot more connected to everyone in philosophy as opposed to my other classes,” Wachbrit said.

Even before entering Lilly’s class, Rebecca Gabra, also a senior in IB Philosophy, enjoyed mindfulness exercises, saying that they are a great way to de-stress. Because IB Philosophy is a year-long class, a goal that she has set for the rest of the year is to meditate or participate in mindfulness activities as part of her daily routine-- and hopefully continue them after this current year is over.

“I definitely recommend them to anyone who needs a way to relax or alleviate any stress they might have,” Gabra said.

Lilly realizes that she may never know exactly how she is affecting her students, yet still she believes that she can perfect her practice in order to reach her goal of seeing her students thrive in both their studies and happiness.

“I think, as teachers, we have to rely on faith, because we don’t really know how much of an impact we’re having-a positive or negative,” Lilly said. “I never want to have a negative impact on somebody.”

Let it out- Senior Gus Wachbrit participates in one of Lilly’s mindfulness activities in their IB Philosophy class: the ‘Primal Scream.’

Each class, Lilly’s philosophy students partake in some type of relaxation exercise. On this particular day, her students stood out in the middle of the quad and let out their loudest, most enraged, pent-up scream. Logan Nichols/Prowler.

features Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

Student Noah Varav/Senior

1

What is the deepest part of the ocean?

Varav: They dropped Megatron in it at the end of the first Transformers movie, it’s a trench...

Coull: Hold on… Continental Basin?

Answer: Mariana Trench Transformers can’t help you now, Varav.

0-0

VS Emily Nagamoto Photographer

5-5 It’s a tie!

city won the 2017 World 2 Which Series?

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Teacher Tiffani Coull/History teacher style of art is Andy Warhol 5 What most known for?

Varav: The style! The Campbell’s soup can things… pop art?

Coull:Pop art.

Answer: Pop art The American artist was one of the most well known during the art movement of pop art, the soup can painting being his most famous.

3-3

is the girl with telekinesis 6 Who powers in Stranger Things?

Varav: Houston Coull: Houston Answer: Houston

Varav: Eleven Coull: Why can’t this be a Game of Thrones question? She’s played by Millie Bobby Brown…

I just don’t know.

Answer: Eleven

Just like the Astros won their first ever World Series, Varav and Coull each got their first point.

1-1

Varav pulls ahead, possibly for the win?

Sorry Coull, maybe a GoT question next time.

4-3

iced tea is named after a 3 Which famous golfer?

Varav: Arnold Palmer Coull: Arnold Palmer, it’s an iced tea, lemonade combo.

Answer: Arnold Palmer

country does the term 7 Which “deja vu” come from?

Varav: Geez, I wish I had studied for this.

Germany.

Coull: France.

Answer: France

Who knew beverage trivia would be so popular?

2-2

And Coull has tied it up. Her geography and language skills are on point.

4-4

dog breed is the most 4 Which popular in the United States?

is Harry Potter’s middle 8 What name?

Varav: Golden retriever/ yellow lab Coull: It’s either a lab or a golden retriever… I’ll go with golden retriever.

Answer: Labrador retriever

Varav: James.

Coull: It was his dad’s name… James! James!

James!

Answer: James

Should have gone with option A, Coull.

Everyone knows A is always the answer.

Both were close, but not accurate enough.

2-2 Emily Nagamoto/Prowler

Although extra points should be awarded for enthusiasm, Varav and Coull end on a tie.

5-5

Panther Pals form friendships with special education students Angela Swartz Features Designer Every Tuesday at lunch, 25 Panther Pal club members congregate at the lunch tables near the E building with special education students by their side. The Panther Pals eat lunch and spend quality time with these students.

“I personally think it is important because otherwise these kids would be secluded at our school, so even going and spending a little time with them shows we want to … be their friend,” Dalton Yoos, vice president and junior, said.

Rhea Zaib, senior, also sees the importance in the program and was interested in attending meetings.

“What they are doing is really cool, and I would like to spend more time with the special education kids because I don’t really interact with them on a regular basis,” Zaib said.

They also volunteer at Special Olympics and Special Prom, where they assist with setting up and participating in the events

with the students.

“It’s really fun for everyone,” Austin Brunk, junior, said.

Brunk and Yoos both joined because they were T.A.s for the special education class, where they claim they fell in love spending time with the kids.

“I love the special needs kids and I’m just drawn to them. I want to be a special needs teacher,” Brunk said.

According to members, it is not only enjoyable for them but for the special education students as well.

“Some of kids know us by name and get really excited when we come in,” Yoos said.

Both recommend the experience to others and encourage fellow students to join the club.

“I think others should join,” Brunk said. “We get new people coming in everyday.”

Friends Forever- Austin Brunk, senior, and Maxamillion Alonso, sophomore, sit together to enjoy lunch. Panther Pals meets every week on Tuesday to spend time with the special education kids. “It brings me joy to go in and spend time with these kids,” Dalton Yoos, junior, said. On this particular day, they discussed what was going on at school. Maya Chari/Prowler.

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entertainment Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

Pirates of Penzance hooks audiences Megan Vlietstra Chief Photographer never done before. It’s really made me grow The curtain opens up to reveal a cast of and it’s really tough to do. pirates, 11 sisters, 13 cops and a general, Herbert has been participating in dressed in handmade costumes, smiling theater since he was a freshman. He plays proudly before taking their final bow. The Frederick in Pirates of Penzance. audience laughs and applauds as opening A crucial part of the theater department night of Pirates of Penzance comes to a close. is the costume department. Melody Hellard, Pirates of Penzance is about a man named junior, has been designing costumes for the Frederick who became indentured to a band theater department for three years. She of pirates after a miscommunication between his nurse and his father. When Frederick designed all of the costumes that the sisters reaches his 21st birthday, he is released from wore in the play, in addition to playing one his service to the pirates and he can go out of them. into the world.

“I made a lot of costumes and it’s just “He has been with this band of pirates a lot of late nights and a lot of work, but the entire time so it’s just a completely new I’m really happy with how it turned out,” experience for him and since he has never Hellard said. been out into the world, so much goes wrong In order to immerse herself in the play, and all these crazy things happen,” Jillian Hellard watched the original movie, found Cotone, senior, said. Cotone plays one of the pictures of the costumes from the movie, 11 sisters. studied 1800s fashion and made lots of Pirates of Penzance is a challenging piece Lights, Camera, Action-(From Actionleft to right) Madeline “Red” Weiss, senior, Sam Herbert, junior, and Kobe Burton, Pinterest boards to gather ideas as to what for both the actors and the people working junior, gather on stage to perform the winter musical, Pirates of Penzance. Herbert plays Frederick, a 21 year old man she wanted her costumes to look like.

“When it comes to productions backstage due to the fact that it is an operetta. who was just released from his service to a band of pirates, played by Weiss and Burton. “Theater is one of the only “An operetta is a tiny opera which means clubs where you can really like be yourself and find yourself,” Herbert said. “I think that’s really important in school. It’s at NPHS, we always bring something that it’s not quite as intense as an opera but really just finding yourself.” Herbert has been participating in the theater program since his freshman year. Rebekah different to the table. This is defiantly a bit more advanced than the other stuff that that does not mean that the show as a whole is Daniel/With Permission mirror in quite a bit of time.” we have done but the department is really not really tough,” Olivia Boyd, senior, said.

Boyd is not the only theater member who has found the stepping it up and taking a chance and doing a really incredible Boyd is the head of the hair and makeup department for operetta more challenging than past performances.

Pirates of Penzance, as well as one of the sisters. show,” Cotone said. “We are showing the school that the theater “This play has made me grow as a performer. There’s a lot of department here is really dedicated and capable of putting on “Hair and makeup is in and of itself in a very interesting department because of the level of interactions between the singing and there’s hardly any acting. There’s hardly any dialogue amazing productions.”

Pirates of Penzance will have another performance on Nov. actors,” Boyd said. As the head of the department, Boyd is in because it’s mostly singing,” Sam Herbert, junior, said. “A lot of charge of making the pirates look as if they “have not seen a the plot points are from the songs and it’s just something I’ve 17 and 18 at seven in the PAC.

Choir shows off their voice at College of the Canyons festival Rahul D’Souza Staff writer NPHS choir students take the stage. The room falls deadly silent in anticipation of the next song. As the music starts, the room is met with a harmony of angelic voices.

On Oct. 31, Chamber and Advanced Women’s choir took a trip to the College of the Canyons’ Performing Arts Center in Santa Clarita for a choir festival. They were joined by five other high schools from the district, all ready to show off their voices.

“The purpose of the field trip was to perform for an adjudicator and other high school choirs so that we could get advice on how to improve early in the year. It was so that we could hear other choirs and celebrate our work with them.,” Maya Ghanem, junior, said.

Choirs took turns singing their favorite songs for other schools and judges to hear. Each set wasn’t necessarily graded or judged but the students were given feedback on their performances.

“It was really beneficial to listen to other school as they performed, to hear their different styles and techniques, and also to compare the things they did well with our own performance,” Karissa Brar, sophomore, said.

The students were able to address their own strengths and weaknesses compared to others in their age group, which allowed them to critically analyze their own performance and make changes.

“It was a good opportunity for us to perform in a noncompetitive environment where we still received helpful feedback,” Brar said.

There was no stress from a competition, but the students still gained experience and valuable knowledge from the field trip, as judges and coaches gave them feedback on their performances.

“My favorite part was seeing everyone’s Halloween costumes,“ Aminah Ghanem, sophomore, said.

At the end of the festival, the College of the Canyons’ chamber choir performed their own set, and the choir students returned to school. This trip no doubt provided a memorable experience for all who went.

“I thought the field trip overall was really fun and a good experience for all of us,” Maya said. “It was really great that we got to perform on Halloween!”

Prowler graphic

entertainment Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

Rahul D’Souza Staff writer The hit series “Stranger Things” was released last year, recently returning for another great season. Fans were left guessing at the end of the last year but all questions were elaborately answered by the end of season two.

The storyline features four young children, Will (Noah Schnapp), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) who have recently lost their friend, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Stranger Things is centered around supernatural occurrences in the town of Hawkins. The group of children and others who knew what the occurrences were, had been told to keep quiet.

Eleven has disappeared at the end of the first season, but of course the favorite character of most fans could not be gone for long. Gradually, the story in season two is pieced together from beginning to end.

Many characters undergo a drastic change from the first to the second season. Steve Herrington ( Joe Keery), the “bad-boy” of the first season, turned into a babysitter for the children. He joins them on their supernatural endeavors and protects them

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returns for another great season from the larger dangers along the way. Police Chief Hopper (David Harbour) becomes an unlikely father figure to Eleven, the young girl with supernatural powers. The two seemed like an incompatible match but developed a heartwarming relationship throughout the show.

The characters were developed very well, but some of the decisions the characters make seem very unrealistic. Many can forget that the main characters are only in middle school.

They embark on dangerous tasks and take on the supernatural, while all the adults and professional soldiers are massacred in an instant. But that is quite characteristic of horror movies or thrillers: the villain will kill everyone but the main characters and then advance slowly and is miraculously stopped during his approach. But the plot is riveting enough to look past this logical flaw.

Comparatively to the first season, season two focuses more on the plot line and developing characters than the horror aspect at first. There is a noticeable lack of scenes that spike your heart rate. Towards the end of the season, there are some thrilling and

suspenseful scenes incorporated into the show, but those thrilling scenes should have occurred right from the beginning.

This season elaborates on the events of the first season but goes much further in-depth around the supernatural aspects. Many of the mysteries surrounding origins of Eleven as well as the monsters related to her are answered. Eleven gradually undergoes a character change throughout the show. She starts off as a timid young girl who can barely control her powers and doesn’t know English in the first season. Eventually she turns into a strong, confident girl who can move a freight train just by thinking about it.

To end the season, all the characters enjoyed a truly happy ending together, besides Steve. This was a nice change from the first season where even when the main conflict was solved, everyone dove headfirst into another. All the traumatic problems that have plagued them since the beginning of the first season seemed to be finally over.

Alyssa Boedigheimer/Prowler

Broadcast 1 offers a new perspective Aditya Vunnum Staff writer

Action-Brian Russell and Kai Hoffmeier, seniors, prepare for a mock PTV Action-Brian broadcast. The broadcast program was started this year by Mr. Grimes.

“It is a project based class,” Russell said. “Not only do you get to make video packages, but you get to learn hot PTV functions and practice all of its roles.” Russell decided to participate in the broadcasting program this year because he wanted to learn how live news worked in the real world.

Megan Vlietstra/Prowler

C20 is a room bustling with students managing cameras spread around the room and editing software-- all to learn how to be newscasters.

Broadcasting 1 was offered as a new class this year, available to all students interested in the various aspects of news and media.

AJ de Vos, sophomore, found out about the class through an email from the school and decided to take the class to expose herself to new aspects of film.

“I decided to join Broadcasting 1 because I love film and I’ve been in it all my life, but I wanted to learn how to adapt to different live situations and think on my feet which is something I haven’t had the opportunity to learn before,” de Vos said.

The class is relatively small, with only nine people, so the students are able to participate in many interactive activities to learn more about the key aspects of broadcast.

“The main thing we learn in the class is how to tell good news stories and put them together in a short time,’’ de Vos said.

“Overall, the class is about how to work in the news industry and with that also comes some really good life skills like how to talk to people and be confident.”

Brian Russell, senior, decided to take the class to learn more about how news operates in the real world. As the class progressed, he realized that broadcasting could possibly be a future career path.

“I did a package on special ed students, which was one of my favorites. I learned how their class functions, interviewed the teachers and students, and made a news package out of it,”

Russell said.

Paige Hajiloo, sophomore, was not expecting much going into the class, but Derek Grimes, teacher, completely changed her perspective on broadcast. “(He) has made the class interesting in a number of ways,” Hajiloo said, “He is very knowledgeable about broadcasting because he has gotten on many sets and knows how the equipment is operated.”

Making news packages look satisfying is a key component of broadcast, so a major goal of the class is to teach technical aspects of production.

“This class has impacted me because it has taught me how to think on my feet and find the story in everything. It has given me the insight into the news industry and has opened a door to a new career opportunity for me that I never even thought of until I took this class,” de Vos said.

The class is an intro to Panther TV, and if sophomores or juniors take the class, they are given an advantage going into Panther TV the following year.

“I would 100% recommend this class to other students because even if you don’t have an interest in news, it’s still a fun class where you learn life skills like how to adapt and tell stories,” de Vos said. “This has been one of my favorite classes in high school so far because of the people, the lessons we learn, the projects we do, and the overall joyful impact is has had on my high school experience.”

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sports Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

Girls’ Volleyball spikes into playoffs Kessa Chavez Entertainment Editor Girls’ volleyball wrapped up their season with a positive mindset and hopeful outlooks on the future. On Oct. 31, the team went head to head with Notre Dame Academy and unfortunately, were not able to win the match. Although the playoffs did not go as planned, their journey to get to there is one that the team will be able to reminisce and reflect on for years to come.

While the team was focused on their preparation, they never forgot the importance of team bonding. Parker Mangum, senior, had played on the varsity team since her junior year and remembers the fun memories the team shared throughout their many practices.

“During warm-ups, we would all goof around and talk about our days and then we would start practice and do drills or play against each other. Whatever we did we have fun doing it,” Mangum said.

Heather Kawaguchi, junior, has been a varsity team member for two years and values the practices that helped prepare the team for their matches.

“The team practiced very hard and tried to get into the right mindset. I found a video of our opponents for playoffs and we watched the film and tried to see what each player’s tendencies were,” Kawaguchi said.

Chris Forrest, varsity coach, started working with the team this year and is looking forward to next season.

“Our team played as best we could against a strong opponent,” Forrest said. “We start our season in July and hold summer practices, this is vital to the team being prepared for the season ahead.”

While the team did not walk away with a win during playoffs, they were able to look with camaraderie and optimism on their season.

“Looking back on the season I’m happy with it and I wouldn’t want to change it. It was probably the best season I’ve had and I’m glad that it was my last one,” Mangum said.

Ace- The NPHS girls varsity volleyball team huddle around each other as they score another point during Senior Night. Unfortunately, the season came to a close after they lost to Notre Dame Academy on Halloween. “I think the team did everything we could have done. The team we played was very good and that night they were on top of their game and we were playing a little off,” Heather Kawaguchi, junior, said. Although the season has come to a close and the seniors have played their last game for the school, the team will stay bonded throughout the rest of their high school careers. Amanda Romain/With Permission

One last goal:

Water polo seniors play their final game of the year

Jaycen Sussman Cover Editor After a season of records, redemption and ending a seven year playoff drought, the Boys’ Water Polo team was ecstatic with their ending to the year, yet for some, their final game marked the end of a journey four years in the making.

As the clock ticked down in their final game against Walnut, each senior began to wrap up their water polo career with Newbury Park High School. After four years of hard work and determination, the season ended with a bittersweet moment, falling in the playoffs 8-13.

Tears enveloped on the bus ride home as seniors have played their final game for the schools water polo organization, tears of disappointment that another season was over. But within the anguish of the bus, there was an atmosphere of accomplishment.

Shay Buehring, senior and co-captain, reflected on his four years playing water polo, all the way from the beginning of his freshman year. “It’s shaped me because it taught me leadership is important and to respect everyone and that hard work really pays off. When I started freshman year, I didn’t know the sport and I was terrible, but here I am four years later. Working harder every season,” Buehring said.

The team has been through thick and thin, but under Buehring they were able to unite and make CIFs for the first time in current student history. For senior Austin Brunk, it was

One last time - Austin Brunk, senior, has a special moment with his mom, De Brunk (right) and sister Avery Brunk (left), prior to his game against Villanova Prep. Each year, the Varsity water polo team has a senior recognition ceremony before a home game. “Before the game against Villanova, I felt very confident with my team’s ability to beat them,” Brunk said. The team proceeded to beat Villanova Prep 17-14 on their Oct. 11 game. Austin Brunk/ With Permission

the perfect ending to his high school season.

“I’m very happy that we finally made CIF my senior year… [making CIF] kind of showed that NP is here still. We are here to win.” Brunk said.

Leaving a legacy of ending a playoff drought is important to the seniors, yet after many years of working as one, friendships have developed that will last a lifetime.

Dru Coronado, senior, reflected on his two years with the organization after transferring from Rio Mesa and the bonds he has made throughout the process. “The friends I have developed have become like brothers to me,” Coronado said. “It was an honor to play with those guys, I love them all like brothers.”

A brotherhood developed for the 12 seniors on the 2017 water polo team, they were able to pursue and perform the unexpected and together, they carry a bond of accomplishment.

While this is the end of the road for some, the future is bright for the team.

“I’m so proud of how we performed this year, I have high hopes for next years team and they will continue the legacy we began and go further next time in CIF.” Buehring said.

sports Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

15

Girls storm the football field Clare Wang Sports Editor

Kick-start- Hope Chavez, sophomore and kicker for the JV football team, starts third quarter with a soaring kickoff.

The JV team faced-off against Calabasas High School on Oct. 20. “I was super nervous when it was time for me to kick. The whole time during halftime my team and coaches were doing anything they could to calm me down because I was just freaking out,” said Chavez. While she was gearing up for the kick, she could hear the entire crowd’s encouragements and chants of “Go #9!” Alma Chavez/ With Permission

Over the past several years, NPHS has seen a change in the makeup of the “boys” football team. The new school year has inaugurated Ashley Washington, freshman, and Hope Chavez, sophomore, into the Panther family and the school football program.

This was Washington and Chavez’s first year playing football, but they both have a strong background in a variety of sports.

Having played softball for eight years, as well as basketball and volleyball for four years, Washington was well prepared for any physical

challenges that might have come with being a running back and a linebacker on the freshman team.

“I’ve always wanted to play football,” Washington said. “It just seemed fun and it was a contact sport.”

She was not allowed to join any high-contact sports until she entered high school due to their higher risk of injury compared to other sports.

“Now I’m in high school, so now I’m playing,” Washington said.

Chavez’s athletic history includes playing

soccer in middle school and running cross country during her freshman year at Thousand Oaks High School, making her well-qualified for her positions this year as the JV punter and onside kicker.

“I just found it interesting because no girls really join the team, so I wanted to see what it was like and I ended up really liking it,” Chavez said.

As an incoming sophomore over the summer, Chavez still needed to decide on a sport to play in order to fulfill her physical education requirements.

“Since school was starting and I needed to pick a sport, I chose football,” Chavez said.

Girls being on the football team is not entirely unprecedented given that Katie Meyer was backup kicker for the last two seasons, and a couple girls before her also represented the Panthers on the football field.

“Our football program accepts anyone who comes out to play and puts in the expected time to be a part of the team,” Jason Klein, athletic coordinator and head football coach, said.

Because the players on JV and varsity are larger and taller than those on the freshman team, Washington’s father is hesitant for her to continue on the football path. At only 5-foot-2, Washington is significantly shorter than most of the players on varsity, so she accepts that varsity football may not be in her future.

“I would rather get a softball scholarship over a football scholarship,” Washington said, “because I’ve been doing softball for so long and I really know how to play.”

Washington never had large aspirations

to “be the first girl in the NFL.” Instead she is content to play high school football for its unique experience that she has always wanted.

“I’m not like ‘Oh, I wanted to get noticed by everyone because I’m playing football and I’m a girl.’ That’s not what I’m doing, I just wanted to play,” Washington said.

Chavez also joined the sport for her own enjoyment. Contrary to Washington, she wants to research all-girl football leagues and is open to seeing if her football journey continues into college.

For the present, however, Chavez intends to hit pause on football for next year, but tryout for varsity her senior year.

“I want a break because I’ve been doing a lot of sports and my credits are good,” Chavez said.

“Football took up a lot of time, so I need a year to just focus on school.”

Both girls encourage other girls to join the team and look forward to when there will be enough to form an all-girl league.

“More girls should play where it’d be an actual football team. And it wouldn’t be as weird if you were playing football if a lot of girls chose to do it,” Washington said.

“It’s really not that big a deal. You don’t hear people saying ‘Oh, that’s the girl on the tennis team.’ I’d prefer it to be more casual and just it’s happening,” Washington said.

Alongside their hopes for the future of the sport, Washington and Chavez formed strong friendships with their teammates throughout the season.

“It was a really good season and in the end (the team) became really close,” Chavez said.

Fore! Lindsey Mueller swings her golf club into CIF Daria Azizad Opinion Editor Lindsey Mueller, junior, started playing golf with her dad when she was ten years old.

Mueller and her dad played for fun at the Spanish Hills Country Club, where she fell in love with the sport. Mueller continues to play nearly every day to continue improving.

At two competitions on Oct. 11 and 19, Mueller qualified for California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).

The CIF qualifiers were held on Oct. 11 and 19. “There’s a league tournament, it’s two days, and the top nine scorers qualify so, whoever shoots the lowest of those nine go onto CIF,” Mueller explained.

At the competition on Oct. 11 at Sol Court Golf Course, Mueller scored a 74, which brought her to third place. At the second competition held at the Los Robles golf course, Muller scored a 76. With these two scores, Mueller made it into the bracket necessary to qualify for CIF. Savannah Thunnell, senior, has been playing golf with Mueller for two years. “Golf takes a lot of patience-- something I struggle with-and I think Lindsey definitely has that skill mastered,” Thunnell said. Thunnell believes that Mueller is a supportive teammate that is

always there to provide a helping hand.

“As one of the best players on the team, I know that we all look up to her,” Thunnell explained. “She is so patient with the rest of us and is always willing to help the other players.”

Jamie Jewett, sophomore and fellow teammate, agrees with Thunnell and sees the hard work and dedication Mueller puts into the sport. “Lindsey is a great player and she practices the most out of anyone on the team,” Jewett said. “I’m super proud of her for getting into CIF-- I was so excited for her.”

Mueller’s golf coach, Nori Parvin, has seen her dedication and progress over the course of the time they have worked together. “Lindsey has made CIF Northern Individuals all three years and made First Team Marmonte League this year,” Parvin said. She credits her success to Mueller’s hard work on improving her game.

“I think without a doubt that Lindsey will be at CIF Northern Finals and even more next year,” Parvin added.

“I know that getting into CIF was an accomplishment for her and is something that represents all the time and effort she has put into this sport,” Thunnell said

Smack - Lindsey Mueller, junior, strikes her golf club against a ball at Los Robles Greens Golf Course during practice after school. Mueller qualified for the CIF girls golf tournament this fall. “I made it into the first rounds of CIFs,” Mueller said. “Unfortunately, I missed the cut off for the second round by one shot.” Mueller looks forward to next year where she can hopefully qualify for CIFs again before graduation. Megan Vlietstra/ Prowler

16

sports

Girls'

Panther Prowler • Nov. 17, 2017

splashes new

into a season

BLURB

Be B ecause winter is right ar ec around the corner co corrne nerr, wint nter ath at athl hletes ar are pr prepa pa aring ring for their their new season. th season Girl Gi ls Gir water ate t r polo have been p prra prac ac cticiing in ng siin nce th the he sum mmerr for mm ffo or the 2 20172017-2 2017-201 17 201 018 18 seaso ason. Bailey St Stubblefield, ubblefie bb fi junior,, play ju play ys on on the NPHS girls varsity tea am and d is excited to welcome the new seaso on.

Block- Stubblefield launches herself out of the water to block the shot from an opponent. Stubblefield enjoys spending time with her teammates outside of the pool but that makes playing against them difficult in scrimmages. “If you know people on the other team, it can gget really aggressive. If you know them, you don’t want to hurt them,” the Stubblefield said. “If you don’t know S them and they are being aggressive and you are aggressive back, you kind of have bad tension. But that goes away when you are out of the pool and meet them.” Stubblefield has made some of her closest friends on the water polo team. Bailey Stubblefield/With Permission

Steal- Stubblefield steals the ball from her opponent in one of her games. Stubblefield has been playing water polo for the school since she was a freshman but she her love for the sport originated when she got a foot injury while playing soccer. “At first, I thought it was innertube water polo,” Stubblefield said. “I’d go to this camp in the summer and we would play in the pool, but it was in an innertube.” Stubblefield joined her first club water polo team when she was in middle school. Bailey Stubblefield/With Permission

Be aggressive- Stubblefield puts pressure on an opponent by raising her arm and blocking the ball if it is thrown. Stubblefield enjoys the team rituals that the girls on the team have. “We do dance moves and listen to music ic in the team room,” Stubblefield ef efield said. “We have a ton of inside nside jokes where everyone on the team m understands. It’s really fun to mess around with people.” Stubblefield feels as if the water polo team has grown to be more of a second family than just a team. Bailey Stubblefield/With Permission