2015-2016 Issue 1 (September 25 2015)

PANTHER PROWLER Friday September 25, 2015 Issue I

Newbury Park High School

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

Into Uniform Cap and Gown to Camo

Superintendent p 3

DanielMorales 4

FallSports 15

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table of contents Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

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AP/IB Changes UC Berkeley Daniel Morales

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Staff Editorial: California Education Code 48907

Injustice of Limited Knowledge Column: Self(ie) Confidence

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Student vs. Teacher Mr. Klots

Double Page Spread: Recruit to Salute

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Five Things Gigi Fierro 600 Pound Crosses and Blood

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App of the Month Summer Blockbusters

Advanced Women’s Ensemble Expectations vs Reality

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Summer Sweat for Fall Victories

Committed Athletes Dance Team Coaches

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Fall Sports Preview

Photo Essay: Football

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Superintendent Newbury Re-do

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Double Page Spread: Recruit to Salute

table of contents.

news Panther Prowler • September 25, 2015

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Newbury Redone Cafeteria, gym and mass media lab undergo changes with the new school year Lexi Foultz Copy Editor Alyssa Boedigheimer Opinion Editor After every summer, the students of Newbury Park return to a slightly different campus than the one they left. The people change, and so does the school itself. Last summer, upgrades were made to the mass media lab, gym, and cafeteria, which is now the new home of the writing center.

Worn from years of use, the gym’s floor and roof were restored over the summer and during the first few weeks of school.

“The gym roof was added for safety purposes. The roof was leaking and also in danger of losing tiles,” said Josh Eby, principal. “The floor remodel was for aesthetics and an improved playing surface. The wood floor needed a sanding and repair of ‘dead’ spots.”

In addition, on the surface of the gym court, the growling panther face was replaced with a yellow paw-print surrounded by the words “Nori Parvin Court,” in honor of the legendary girl’s basketball coach, Nori Parvin, to whom the gym was dedicated to last year.

These renovations to the roof and floor were funded by Measure

I, a bond which was passed in the election last November. Due to Measure I funding, a total of about $350,000 was able to be used for a variety of changes on campus.

The Measure I bond was also used to help fund changes to the on campus writing center, including additions to the cafeteria and room A2.

According to Alana Bond, English teacher and writing center coordinator, several Chromebook carts were ordered for the school.

“I think there’s one or two that were purchased specifically for each department and there may be a few others aside from that for special programs,” Bond said.

Bond said that the cafeteria also received new hexagonal tables with chairs attached at the edges “to provide for a more collaborative atmosphere during lunch as well as the writing center.”

The school is still in anticipation of more changes, however. Over the next 20 years, Measure I funding will be “used to improve and modernize NPHS and all CVUSD schools,” said Eby.

The amount of funds distributed to each CVUSD school from Measure I depends on the school’s size and enrollment. “(Newbury Park) is set to receive approximately $17 million for maintenance and facility upgrades,” Eby said.

Bond added, “I think somewhere down the line there might be one or two desktops in the cafeteria as well, with a printing station. But I think that’s a vision for somewhere in the future, it’s not immediate.”

However, not all the changes made over the summer were the result of Measure I. The Mass Media Lab acquired all new Mac Minis over the summer which were used to replaced the old Windows computers.

“The funding came from a grant we got through Ventura County called VC Innovates,” said Derek Grimes, mass media teacher, “It was a grant that the entire county got.

And part of the program for arts media and entertainment was part of that grant and through that grant we were able to purchase everything.”

The grant provided the program with about $50,000 to fund the

Working together - The cafeteria is upgraded with hexagonal tables to foster a collaborative energy within the new writing center. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

changes to the lab.

Tim Bochen, a senior who is taking video production, believes that the new computers are a large improvement over the old ones.

“There were a lot of errors when editing (with the old computers),” said Bochen. “If you had big project, sometimes the computer would be so slow it wouldn’t respond. And with

these new computers, everything is a lot easier, the editing process is a lot quicker. Its nice, its a lot cleaner, we don’t have these huge boxes of computers anymore, we have these small Mac Minis and they are really nice, they’re fast.”

“We are pretty happy with it,” Grimes said, “It’s been a big change.”

Intents of the Superintendent Alyssa Boedigheimer Opinion Editor Victoria Juan Features Editor

Plans for a new year - The new superintendent Ann Bonitatibus has started her 2015-2016 administrative career with the Conejo Valley Unified School District.

Samantha Meyer/Prowler

At the end of the last school year, Dr. Jeffrey Baarstad retired from his position as superintendent of the Conejo Valley Unified School District. This academic year, the district introduced the new superintendent, Dr. Ann Bonitatibus, in July.

“She’s already been to our campus three different times,” said Josh Eby, principal, of Bonitatibus. “Also, she’s heavily involved in social media and really portrays the positive aspects of our district, (so students) have the opportunity to see what she’s saying, what she’s doing (and) connect with the superintendent.”

Karen Isé, the executive administrative assistant to the superintendent, said “Dr. Bonitatibus is excited to begin her Entry Plan, ‘Greenprint for Learning’. She will be meeting with focus groups within the school district and the community to help move the district forward to new levels of success.”

Bonitatibus’ interest in the Conejo Valley district began last spring when she applied for the superintendent job. After talking to local residents, she realized that “everybody had positive things to say about the school district.”

“They were so proud of the schools, they were proud of the achievements, they were proud of the community,” Bonitatibus said.

“This seemed like the only place that I found that there was this whole wrap-around feeling about the schools. And so I thought, this is the place I want to work.”

After multiple rounds of interviews and eliminations, Bonitatibus emerged as the official appointee in late spring. She recognizes her new role as a “huge responsibility for (administrators) to have,” said Bonitatibus.

However, she has expressed enthusiasm about her upcoming career in education.

“I love public education because of what I believe it does for an individual’s growth,” Bonitatibus said. “It’s probably one of the great representations of democracy in America because it’s open to all children no matter who you are, and there are so many opportunities available based on your interests.”

Bonitatibus had not originally intended to work in education: She initially studied computer science in college, but switched majors when she couldn’t afford the equipment

it required. After earning a degree in education, she taught in Maryland before moving West.

Throughout her teaching career, Bonitatibus has found that as she moves up the chain of command, she can have a larger and larger impact on the overall experience for students.

“As a teacher I was able to influence the education of those students right in front of me,” she said, “but then as an administrator of a school building and then eventually of a district, I had many more (students whose) education I could influence.”

Eby awaits the new superintendent’s handling of Measure I funds with Bonitatibus’ financial background. “I’m interested to see with some influx with money, (and) with the state doing better, how that money is going to be spent and where it’s going to go,” he said. “She has a large background in facility management, as well, so (I’m interested to see) how the bond money is going to be spent and what projects will be approved to continue to enhance NPHS and our district.”

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news Panther Prowler • September 25, 2015

School Bands Together After Daniel Morales’ Tragic Death

Samantha Myer Chief Photographer Daniel Morales, a senior on the NPHS Varsity football team, died on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 from a stab wound sustained during a fight outside of a Taco Bell in Camarillo, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

Morales, a recent transfer student from Adolfo Camarillo High School, was reportedly involved in an altercation on August 31 which escalated. After being stabbed, he was taken to a nearby hospital, but passed away the next morning.

“I walked into our coaches’ room with our team in there, and I bawled my eyes out [when they told us] because it’s not everyday you hear of the death of a teammate,” Brock Barton, senior, said.

“That first day, the first practice, was absolutely garbage because none of us were in the mood.”

According to the Acorn, suspect Tyler Osertag, 20, was arrested by police after statements were taken from Morales’s friends who were with him when he was stabbed. Osertag has several previous arrests. His social media seems to flaunt his criminal behavior. “I can’t imagine what will have been done by age 30,” Osertag tweeted on August 29th. “Almost 21 and I’ve seen way too much shit I should have never seen and partied hard af.”

In his short time at NPHS, Morales

managed to make a positive impression on teammates, administrators, and coaches.

“He seemed like a really nice kid, very personable, in the fact that he was new and came up and talked to me,” said Principal Eby, who spoke with Morales several times.

Morales’ friend Brandon Garza, a graduate from Adolfo Camarillo High School, spoke highly of his former classmate.

“Daniel was a hard worker when it came to football and working out at the gym,” Garza said. “He was a great individual with a bright future ahead of him.”

Because of his transfer to a new school, Morales had to wait ten practices before he was eligible to play, but this didn’t deter him from going out for the team or working hard at practice.

“It hurt him when he wasn’t allowed to play,” Gary Fabricus, coach, said. “Some of the conversations he had with other teammates during Friday nights were ‘I can’t wait until I get to play.’ He was willing to do anything during practice to help his teammates. You could tell he really loved football.”

Through Morales’ tragic death and the reverberating shock waves afterward, students have banded together to help support the Morales family and get through this difficult time together.

“I think finding out somebody your own age passed away can be difficult to deal with,” Eby said. “It can also bring a student population together as well, and I think it did for our sake.”

On September 4, the day of Daniel Morales’ funeral, the football team dedicated their home game against Saugus to Morales. The team carried his jersey onto the field and the Panther Pit dressing in blue out of respect for Morales’ ACHS roots. The Saugus game would have been Morales’ first game of eligibility for NPHS. “It was tough for the players,” Fabricus said. “When they first heard the news it didn’t really sink in… They’ll still probably have little flashes at practice when they look over to where they used to see him and realize he’s not there. I think the actual game right after the service was easier than the next couple weeks when they actually realized he was gone.”

In the wake of this tragedy, the school and community have united to help carry on Morales’s memory and legacy. “We have an amazing community,” Eby said.

“Everybody stepped up as far as helping the family, providing for the family, support, and then just outreach within the community, (with) so many people Paying Respects- Students in the Panther Pit hold posters emailing me and calling me, saying ‘Hey honoring Daniel Morales at the varsity football game whatever you guys need we’d be happy to against Saugus on Sept 4. Samantha Meyer/Prowler help.’”

Academic programs pursue modernization in curriculum and exams Victoria Juan Features Editor In a continuous effort to update courses, both Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) are modifying classes this year. Along with the launches of the Common Core standards and new SAT, the changes serve to avert the educational focus away from memorization and towards critical thinking.

Art history and European history are two AP courses with new structures this year. In Art History, the material now focuses on 250 specific artworks with a greater emphasis on non-Western art, whereas before it revolved around general, Western periods of art. The test in May is relatively unchanged with a few sectional rearrangements.

“To me it seems like it’s going to be harder because students are going to have to know specific information about the artworks,” Jennifer Kaye, art and art history teacher, said.

“I like that they have a set list, but at the same time it makes it more difficult because some of the artworks I’ve never even seen before...so it’s hard to find some information in order to teach them.”

For Kaye and her students, the new standards mean that the class experience itself will be different.

“It’s completely changed the way I teach the class...I have less artworks that I talk about, but we talk about them way more in depth,” Kaye said. “I (try) to get students to compare and contrast pieces more.”

Meanwhile, in European history, the curriculum will stay relatively the same, but the exam has been heavily modified to include fewer but more complex multiple choice questions based on “stimulus” passages, additional short answer sections, and shorter long essays.

“The test is a little different. There’s more different types of writing….so it’s a lot less just recall,” Scott Ellis, European and world history teacher, said. “Way more of the test is going towards your ability to read something and think about what you just read rather than simply just pure memorization....You need to be able to work with stuff.”

Ellis will also be changing the way he teaches his classes by incorporating more

analysis activities. He thinks AP’s changes are for the better.

“This is a world where we Google things and [students] have access to so much information,” Ellis said, “so the focus on memorizing facts doesn’t seem to make as much sense in this digital age.”

IB subjects regularly undergo seven year assessment cycles, which are staggered to allow schools time to react to revisions. Each year, educators, IB administrators, and professionals build a new subject for the next year after analyzing prior objectives and tests. This year, Philosophy and Environmental Science are in the first year of their cycles.

“It’s more like refining content,” Deborah Dogancay, chemistry teacher and IB coordinator, said. “The things they took out in chemistry, they took out because it was factish and it seemed like (students) were memorizing it. We don’t want (students) to memorize, we want them to show that they really understood something and can think on their own. IB has always been about fostering infinite learning and creating lifelong learning.”

IB Community-Action-Service (CAS) hours for full diploma candidates have also fully transitioned to digital tracking using Managebac, a website specifically designed for IB curriculum. The eight primary learning outcomes for the hours are the same, but now students will upload journal and photo evidence of their activities directly to their accounts, while CAS coordinator Nick Colangelo will approve activities and communicate opportunities through the platform.

“I think that (students) will see an improvement in communication,” Colangelo said. “It also gives a chance for the IB students to interact with one another in a digital space….However, I think face-to-face meetings are still important.”

The changes in AP and IB exams, curriculum and teaching methods signify the path of modernization that education is embarking on amidst the technological age.

Students and teachers should expect to feel these effects this year and in the coming years.

staff editorial Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

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California Education Code 48907 The Panther Prowler’s core mission. And yours. that matter to the students for whom the publication exists.

We are truly by the students and for them.

However, it is not just school publications in California that enjoy such extensive free speech protection. All public students have been afforded these rights in a world of many who have not, so it is time for you -- for all of us -- to use them. It is time to make ourselves heard and bring about substantial change in the world we live in. Even if it is not writing in the newspaper that interests you, 48907 extends to fliers, to clothing, to buttons and badges and the black boxes painted on the walls. So discuss your concerns. Support your causes. Advocate for whomever or whatever you choose. Do it unfalteringly, because 48907 protects you.

r eyer/Prowle

as the infamous anti-war movement, and it was high school newspapers that were often stifled. Perhaps as a direct result of such events, California Education Code 48907 was signed into law in 1977. Unlike in most other states, the law gives high school publications in California the same rights as professional media. Unless content is “obscene, libelous, or slanderous,” it is protected by free speech and freedom of the press and cannot be censored or restrained.

As a publication, the Panther Prowler understands that the right of free speech is both a great power and a great responsibility. Our role as members of the community is not forgotten to us, but the goal of the publication is to responsibly and journalistically continue to write about things

Samantha M

Albert Einstein once said that “the strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it.” Indeed, in the 239 years since its creation, the highest law of the land has been both more clearly defined and vehemently defended. Everyday, the first amendment protects our right to report, to question, and to criticize, not only in the confines of our thoughts, but in any public forum of our choice.

As a practice, journalism utilizes the first amendment to its full potential: after all, the goal of every journalist is to find out more and report more.

Free speech in high school journalism, though distinctly less glamorous, is no less important. In the tumultuous decades of the 60s and 70s, it was high school newspapers that fueled campaigns such

“ Discuss your concerns. Support your causes. Advocate for whomever or whatever you choose.

Do it unfalteringly, because 48907 protects you.

2015-2016 staff Editors-in-Chief Shreya Chattopadhyay Adrianna Robakowski Entertainment Designer Kellie Levine Angela Swartz Copy Editors Alyssa Boedigheimer Lexi Foultz Features Designer Victoria Juan

News Designer Lindsay Filgas Opinion Designers Alyssa Boedigheimer Nevnit Gill Photographers Chief / Samantha Meyer Caitlin Henderson Connor Keep Ad Manager Rachna Deshpande

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

DPS Editor Victoria Juan

Staff Writers Nina Chiuchiarelli Caitlin Henderson Connor Keep Nikita Prokhorov Cover Designers Nelson Kappas Kyle Popok

“

PANTHER PROWLER

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

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opinion Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

Fourth grade trauma resurfacing at Albertsons Nevnit Gill Opinion Designer When I was in the fourth grade, I had a particularly strict and intimidating teacher named Mrs. Jones. We will call her “Mrs. Jones,” because that is her name.

Mrs. Jones was the kind of teacher no one wanted to encounter. I was placed in her class, but since I was a rather positive child, I tried to make the best of my situation. My friends would complain about how mean she was, but I would still think, “no, she’s an okay teacher, she hasn’t done anything terrible yet.”

That was at least, until the tetrahedral incident.

The tetrahedral incident occurred when everyone was supposed to make tetrahedral kites out of straws, string, and tissue paper. But, because you were using tissue paper, you had to be extra careful with the glue. I happened to put a little too much glue on one part of the tissue and it made the kite less beautiful. But

I was nine, so this wasn’t really a crime or anything. Mrs. Jones walked by my desk and suddenly stopped. Her face changed into an expression of extreme disappointment. She lifted my pink and brown tetrahedral kite and said, “Class, THIS is a BAD example of a tetrahedral.

THIS is why you GLUE PROPERLY. DON’T DO WHAT SHE DID.” I was absolutely horrified (although not as much as Miley was at the VMAs). Since that day, my views of her haven’t been too fond.

Now I don’t know why Mrs. Jones shops at the Albertsons closest to my house, but unfortunately, I have seen her there on multiple occasions. And every time our eyes meet, or my mom whispers in an amused voice “oh look, it’s your favorite teacher,” a wave of unpleasant memories crashes into my mind: the time I glued the tetrahedral kite wrong, the time she screamed at my friend for

being “annoying,” the time she tripped over my roller backpack and almost murdered me, and the time I was told she attacked a kid and had to take “anger management classes” (I’m not sure if this is true but it’s definitely possible). I then immediately turn around and pray that my appearance has evolved enough in the eight years that have passed since I had her class.

However, Mrs. Jones is one bad apple in a cluster of sparkly, wonderful trees.

The experience of encountering a teacher is completely different under normal circumstances. It comes with hiding behind a pallet of the newest product, waiting, waiting until your teacher turns the corner and,“Oh, hey I haven’t seen you in so long! How are you doing?”

Then the dread sort of melts away and you remember that teachers are people too, and most of them are really nice.

Except for Mrs. Jones.

The Injustice of Limited Knowledge Caitlin Henderson Staff Writer

Micheal Hellard / Prowler

Schools are places where students can actively learn and develop into intellectual adults. As teachers are commonly nagging students, one way to do this is to read, and read frequently.

Banned Books Week, an event organized by the American Library Association, highlights how many schools ban books in their libraries due to controversial topics addressed in the book. This includes racial issues, homosexuality, the use of “God” or “Jesus” in vain, being sexually explicit, violence or being “too depressing,” witchcraft or unpopular religions, political bias, or being deemed “inappropriate for targeted age group.” Parental and public school or library intervention imposes the bans. Banned Books Week, taking place between Sept 27 and Oct 3 this year, stresses that people revisit these books and reconsider completely banning them from public libraries.

Some frequently challenged books are The Great Gatsby

by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and World War Z by Max Brooks. Surprisingly enough, The Hunger Games was banned because it challenges the accuracy of religion, not because of its violence. In January of this year, the Tucson Unified School District in Arizona placed a ban on books that discussed racial diversity, and its Mexican-American Student Program was judged to be “illegal.”

Without the ability to study books that are deemed controversial, students have a limited understanding of these topics that they will eventually face in the world. By banning books that deal with negativity, students cannot learn about nega-

tivity as effectively. Shockingly, most bans take place in high school libraries, rather than elementary school. By the time a student reaches a high school level, they should be able to read controversial material while being able to understand why it is controversial. It is important to allow young people to be exposed to parts of the world, even if it makes others uncomfortable. The purpose of literature is to ask questions and discuss the possible answers, even if nobody wants to discuss them. If these kinds of books are banned, open-mindedness is discouraged. Students should be taught in school to be independent and critical thinkers.

The focus of this year’s Banned Books Week is young adult novels, which are challenged “more frequently than any other type of book,” according to Judith Platt, who is part of the Banned Books National Committee. By banning books targeted towards young adults, who are usually students, some teens might lose interest in reading, or find it hard to relate to the stories that they are made to read.

Instead of banning books altogether, schools could add a restricted section of the library, and have students receive parental or teacher permission to read them. This way, if students are not prepared to read this kind of material, there is regulation on it.

Overall, censorship is something that discourages learning and makes it harder for students to learn about situations that they will encounter both in high school and later on in life.

Banned Books Week 2015 is a celebration of a person’s right to read, and urges both parents and teachers to keep an open mind about subjects to which their teenager will be exposed.

Self(ie) Confidence Kellie Levine Entertainment Editor Recently I was in the shower, snapchatting my homies, and reflecting upon how far I’ve come.

Just to clarify, no, I was not sending my pals nudes. I was just sending them super unflattering pictures of my hair midshampoo, all above the shoulders, I promise. And parents, before you stop reading in disgust at the thought of the plugged-in culture that your teens are growing up in being so pervasive that they can’t even tear themselves away from their phones to shower, hear me out.

Snapchat has legitimately changed my life and has served as an incredible tool for self-acceptance. Prior to Snapchat, I would never take pictures of myself. I would just cross my fingers that someone would take a flattering, candid photo of me, it would somehow end up on social media, and I could make it my profile picture. So essentially, my profile pictures never changed.

Then, I met my good friend Snapchat. My early Snapchats tended to be of either blackness or the floor, but gradually I turned the camera around. The culture of Snapchat is very different from what I was used to. On other forms of social media, pictures that make it online are only the best of the best, there to be praised, commented on and liked. On Snapchat, pictures represent a means of communication, only to be seen for a maximum of ten seconds.

The brevity of this form of communication took the pressure off. Now I was Snapchatting with what I like to call the training wheels of Snapchat. These consist of text bars to cover double chins, emojis to cover pimples, and geofilters to distract from the face entirely. We’ve all been there, and even now, as a seasoned Snapchatter, I often employ these training wheels when I’m not a my peak confidence.

But Snapchat has raised my baseline for self-confidence.

Looking at everyone so up close and personal humanizes the masters of social media that we tend to put on pedestals. The truth is, we all have days where we feel like we need text bars to hide behind. But Snapchat forces us to show ourselves, even on days when we aren’t feeling ourselves (especially while upkeeping Snapstreaks, don’t even get me started on that burden).

While I believe Snapchat to be an important tool for selfacceptance and communication, people who haven’t entered the Snapchat world believe that partaking in this form of socialization is vain and self-centered. People make jokes about us wily teens always taking selfies and focusing on ourselves instead of the world around us. And while at times that may be the case, the world we live in today makes self-acceptance a difficult thing to achieve. There are unavoidable symbols of perfection surrounding us everywhere we go. So, if Snapchat has the ability to promote self-confidence in a world of unrealistic expectations, a little vanity is a small price to pay.

Finally, my friends, my peers, my fellow high school hooligans: don’t send nudes. Any piece of writing about the value of Snapchat just wouldn’t be complete without addressing the nudes problem. I know, I know, you’re feeling yourself, you look good, you’re comfortable in your own skin.

But, people have fast fingers. They will screenshot it, even with that three second timer. No matter how much you want to #freethenipple, it’s still considered child porn. Be confident.

Proudly snap your selfies. Use those cool new filters. Just don’t take a picture of your butt.

features Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

STUDENT Anthony Wermers/Junior

VS

TEACHER Jing Hu/Chinese and Statistics

Nelson Kappas Cover Designer

Who is on the nickel?

1 Hu: Is it...Washington?

is a group of crows 8 What called?

STUDENT WINS!

Wermers: Thomas Jefferson?

Answer: Thomas Jefferson.

Hu: I don’t know.

Wermers: A murder.

Answer: A murder.

4.5 - 2.5

Anthony takes the lead with a score of 1-0. His love of the nickel gave him the point, but Hu still has plenty of time to turn it around.

7

Wermer manages to take the final victory, but only after admitting murder. The final score is 4.5 to 2.5!

many seasons of 7 How the Simpsons have been

United States President 2 What was elected four times?

produced?

Hu: 10.

Wermers: 15.

Answer: 26.

Hu: Roosevelt.

Wermers: FDR. Answer: President Franklin Roosevelt.

Looks like both contestants payed attention in their US history classes.

Warmers keeps the lead with a score of 2-1.

Yes, The Simpsons are actually older than most of the people reading this article. Though Bart and Lisa still look young…the score remains at 3.5-2.5.

Sama ntha M eye

3 What year was NPHS built?

r/Prow

Hu: Wild guess...maybe...1995?

Wermers: Uuhhh...1967?

Answer: 1967.

ler

After remembering he is in the 50th class of NPHS and using his subtraction skills, Wermers claims the point. His lead over Hu grows slightly to 3-1.

two countries did 6 Inthewhat most people die in World War II? Hu: China and...Japan?

Wermers: Russia and Germany.

Answer: China and the Soviet Union.

Both Hu and Wermers seem to be in the dark regarding the finer details of World War II. They each squeeze by with half a point making it 3.5-2.5.

While Wermers wishes Harry Youtuber Hu: Can I have a hint? I don’t know. Both contestants prove to What is the Hu: The Bible.

4 Which 5 Potter was that popular, Hu has be unfamiliar with YouTube Wermers: Probably Miranda Sings. has the most bestselling book Wermers: Harry Potter?

subscribers?

Answer: Pewdiepie.

culture. The score remains the same at 3-1.

of all time?

Answer: The Bible.

the right idea with The Bible and gains on Wermers’ lead of 3-2.

Young man, young teens unite for music Caitlin Henderson Staff Writer Marcus Klotz, one of the new choir directors for Advanced Women’s Ensemble as well as Concert Choir, has begun his first teaching job at a high school. Despite teaching at a high school level, he is only twenty-three years old.

“Everyone thinks he’s pretty chill,” Madison Kasper, a member of Advanced Women’s Ensemble states, “They like what he has to bring to the table. I think he has a lot of fresh ideas that could help out our choirs.”

Klotz is also very passionate about music, and brings a new energy to the Performing Arts Center. “In high school, I actually started singing, and I had a really awesome choir director,” he says, “He inspired me to enjoy and love singing, and because of the way that he taught, he made me realize how much I appreciated teaching and how important it is.”

Klotz believes his music director is what made him find his passion for teaching. “I felt very much changed as a person after going through his program,” he added, “ and I realize as well that I’ve already set myself up in ways and experiences for having the skills to teach. In high school, I’d always bring people together for

bands, acapella groups, and all sorts of things, and just make music together. I realized I have a natural passion for it, and I love it.”

However, this is not Klotz’s first time teaching anyone before.

“I’ve taught different classes in the past,” he stated. He taught at a school in Brazil, and lead the university choir at Pepperdine, however this is his first full teaching job.

Klotz is also currently attending Pepperdine University. “It’s really weird to be back, since I was in high school four years ago,” said Klotz. “The students overall I would say are very responsible; they have a higher level of interest and just caring about education in general, in the music department here especially.”

Klotz also shared his enthusiasm for the coming school year.

“I’m really excited (for the school year),” said Klotz, “I’m excited to learn more about it, be more in the community and understand everyone and the way everyone works here.”

Overall, the 2015-2016 school year includes some changes, but is looking bright for the intermediate choir groups.

Solfas in unison - Marcus Klotz, choir director, leads the concert choir in first period through their vocal piece.

Samantha Meyer/Prowler

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R E C R U I TTO SAL Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

Students step forward into lives, leaving behind three joining one force to represe

Students make a military commitment Nelson Kappas Cover Designer

High school students who join the military straight out of high school may see combat before they are old enough to rent a car or buy alcohol. The military is a career path that teaches a variety of skills while being paid to do it, yet there are many risks involved.

In order to explore potential career paths in the military, students can talk to recruiters found on and off campus to learn about the opportunities and risks that come with enlisting in the military.

“I really liked the atmosphere. It was like a really big family,” said Collins Frovarp, a senior who decided to join the Marine Corps after visiting a recruiting substation. Frovarp hopes to become a military policeman and dog handler. He began the process of joining the Marines about a year ago when he started talking to Sergeant Varela, a Marine recruiter who can be found on campus. “[She told me that] nothing is ever a given. You have to earn it.

Everything is earned. I really like that,” Frovarp said.

“I have always been interested in the Marines my entire life because my family has a background of ex-military,” said Brock Barton, another senior joining the Marines. Barton is looking to serve as a recon marine which would make him part of a special operations force. Like Frovarp, he has been speaking with Sergeant Varela. He and Frovarp both leave in July for boot camp.

These students’ decisions to join the military have invoked a range of emotions from their families.

“My dad, obviously since he is ex-military, loved it, the idea of me joining. My mom was the one more cautious about it and not really wanting me to go. She is finally accepting the fact that I’m heading out,” Barton said.

“My parents are alright with it. The only thing they said was that I can’t go [infantry] which was my original plan,” Frovarp said.

Army Staff Sergeant Samuel Castaneda, who works on campus every Thursday, explained that the Army is recruiting many high school graduates. However, these to-be servicemen and women do not always join the military looking for the same opportunities.

“Some say they want to serve their country. Some say they want to go travel. Some of them say, a lot of them actually, say they want to go to college full time and at the same time travel the world,” Staff Sgt. Castaneda explained.

These benefits are a major factor for many people joining the military. Frovarp mentioned that after serving 20 years, service members get a pension that helps them in civilian life. Staff Sergeant Castaneda is currently having his college education paid for by the Army.

But the benefits are not only tangible. “Once you are a Marine, you are always a Marine,” Frovarp said. Barton feels as if the respect most people have for those who serve in the military will help him find a career later in life. “Firefighters, they love military. Cops, they love military. You have a lot of benefits when you come back [to civilian life].”

Despite the benefits, there are also many dangers involved with joining the military. There is the risk of not only physical injury or death, but also mental injury.

“I tell them right off the bat, the Army, it’s a big organization.

There are some risks involved in this profession,” said Staff Sgt. Castaneda. “There is the possibility that you could be deployed to a

DPS

combat zone at any given time in the future… and they [the people joining the Army] understand that, too.” Both Barton and Frovarp said that recruiters have explained the risks of military service to them, and that they are prepared to take them.

Once they graduate, both Barton and Frovarp will be joining the military before they turn 18, and neither of them see this as a problem.

“No one is forcing us to do it. It’s just something that you want to do, and I think that it doesn’t matter what age you are. I think that if you want to serve your country, and fight for your country, that you should be able to do that,” Frovarp said.

ROTC training

Kyle Popok Sports Editor

Nina Chiuchiarelli Staff Writer

For generations, military families have experienced the pride and pain of waving goodbye to their loved ones as a member of their family departs to serve outside U.S. borders. However, the families themselves are sometimes forced to face numerous relocations, sending them as far across the globe as Naples, Italy and Okinawa, Japan.

Newbury Park High School is exactly 13.4 miles from the Naval Base Ventura County, located in between Point Mugu and Port Hueneme. This makes NP a convenient location for military families to reside and attend school.

There is no limit on the number of times military personnel can de deployed and each time they must leave behind their lives and their families.

Leo Creger, a Commander for the Navy and father of Luke Creger, junior, has been deployed twice, each time for one year.

“It was lonely,” Luke Creger said. “The idea of not seeing him everyday, [him] not being at my baseball games.”

Luckily, because of the advanced technology available, Luke and his family were able to see his dad using video chat.

“We were able to skype about once a week during the year he was gone while I was in second grade. He sent me a new Lego set every month,” Luke said.

There are also instances in which the younger generation feels inspired by their relatives in the military and decide to enlist. Steven Vajcovec’s, junior, father is a Combat Medic in the United States Marines and has influenced Vajcovec to follow in his footsteps.

“He impacted me in a very special way and is the reason why I want to join the Marines,” Vajcovec. “I want to become an Infantry Officer. Infantry Officers are the first ones on the field to fight in combat. As an officer, I would lead my platoon.”

Vajcovec says he feels great pride in his father’s service and admires his bravery. “I wasn’t really devastated [about my father leaving]; I was very proud of Dad for fighting for our country and keeping everyone safe. We were all proud [and] I knew he was coming home,” Vajcovec said.

Deployment is not the only possible adjustment in the lives of military families; there is also the chance of relocation.

Raevyn Walker, senior and former NPHS student, had to move to San Diego, California this past year because of her father’s job as a Chief Warrant Officer in the Navy. Thus far, he has had to relocate seven times.

“We have lived in Chesapeake, Va; Washington, DC; Singapore; San Diego, Calif; and Camarillo, Calif. Some places we have lived in more than once,” Walker said.

After moving several times, Walker has learned to become accustomed to relocating and has even begun to enjoy it. She believes it has made her family stronger as a unit.

“Really, it just takes time. I have hated every place that I have moved to and I have loved every place that I have left,” Walker said.

TO GET STARTED:

1

Research military branches and their functions to see which best matches the student’s interests.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS Age

17 with parental permission Records

No major medical records or criminal records

2

Contact a recruiter and visit the College and Careers Center at B1 to set an appointment.

Residency

US citizen or permanent resident Tattoos

No visible tattoos

3

Take and pass the ASVAB and physical exams, and complete two interviews to start your career.

WHAT SUITS YOU?

most physical Special Forces

ROTC Recruiter Combat Arms

closest to front lines

Sitting on his green shortboard in the ocean off Silverstrand Beach, Adam Oehmke, 25, hoped to clear his mind and determine his future before the next wave came in. He had finished his second year at Ventura Community College and needed to decide what was next. By the time Oehmke left the beach, he did not bother to change because he wanted to make it to the ROTC office before it closed.

Before Oehmke made the decision to walk into the ROTC office, he considered other routes to the military, but chose to go to community college first. “I originally thought about going to the academy [out of high school], but then decided that it wouldn’t be the best fit for me. After two years at Ventura College I decided that I really wanted to be a fighter pilot, and that ROTC would be the best way for me to accomplish that goal,” Oehmke said.

Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) is a program put in place for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Those accepted into the program have their college tuition paid for, and undergo military training while taking normal college classes. Upon completion, they are commissioned into the military with the rank of Second Lieutenant.

However, getting accepted into the program is no small feat.

Cordel Frovarp, 20, a current member of the ROTC program at the University of San Diego, recalled applying to get into the ROTC program. “The interview is stressful. I was interviewed by Chief Warrant Officer Hill. It’s stressful because you’re passionate and it’s what you want to do, so you’re worried that they might decide you’re not good enough. The difference between a good and bad interview can make or break your chances. For some people the route to ROTC ends right there,” Frovarp said.

Oehmke can remember the first time he walked into the ROTC office. “I was pretty nervous. I was a total surf bum when I walked into the ROTC detachment for the first time . . . I was wearing board shorts, a tank top, and flip flops, with long hair and salt water dripping out of my nose because I had just finished surfing. But I knew that it was what I wanted to do, so I buckled down, and got a haircut.” Oehmke said.

Thousands of people apply for the program from all over the country, and only 2,500 spots can be filled per year. And it doesn’t get any easier from there. For many, this workload and rapid change from civilian life to military life is too much to handle. “The hardest part was adjusting and learning your place. Dealing with the busy schedule and day to day was hard at first.” Frovarp said.

Newbury Park meets world

9

Angela Swartz Entertainment Designer

Legal/Law Enforcement

closest to home

a new chapter of their classes a day and ent our country.

Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

Transportation

Administration Linguistics

“

most mental

If you want to make a difference in your life and in our Country, the US Army is a great way to kick off your career and your future as a Soldier and as a Citizen of this great country.

BRANDON WALLS Staff Sergeant, US Army Recruiter

“

LUTE

Sam Whipple, a current Naval ROTC (NROTC) cadet at the University of Southern California, agrees. “The toughest part so far has been balancing NROTC physical, mental, and moral development with school academics.” Whipple said.

On the other hand, Oehmke had a much easier transition into ROTC. “(I) was able to adapt to the new lifestyle pretty quickly. I think it was easy to adapt because I wanted to be a pilot more than anything. When you have a goal like that you will do anything to achieve it. I still found time for surfing though,” Oehmke said with a smile.

The cadets are put through vigorous training every day, both physically and mentally. “An average day would consist of meeting in the morning for classes on leadership where we would do presentations, and have discussions,” Oehmke said. “Then we would go to our leadership laboratory or ‘Lead Lab’ which was a forum for cadets to get first hand experience by leading each other. We would then do physical training, and then go to our normal college classes.”

But at the end of four years, those who remain are commissioned officers in the U.S. Armed Forces. Oehmke is now a First Lieutenant and flies F-22 fighter jets. “(The training) was great in preparing me to perform my job. Flying requires a lot of hard work, preparation, study, and professionalism, which I feel are all tools that I gained through ROTC,” Oehmke said.

10

features Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

y ou d id no t know a b ou t

things

5

CODY

Bella Robakowski Sports Editor Rachna Deshpande Ad Manager

SEANA MEKARI // English

Samantha Meyer/Prowler

Nelson Kappas Cover Editor

1 Was on “The Newlywed Game” when

she was less than two years married.

2 Married her high school sweetheart, who she started to date at 16.

3 Very proud of being a recovered bulimic.

4 Worked for a detective agency before she became a teacher.

5 Was elected by the student body onto her high school cheer team.

the inspiration & he left behind

“Cody was a very loving, inspiring person,” Gigi Fierro, freshman, said. “You would just look at him and think, ‘He can make a change. He’s gonna change.’ He wasn’t always the way he was before. Before his drug use.”

Gigi is sister of the late Cody Fierro who passed away July 30 this year from a massive heart attack at age 26. While heart attacks are usually unexpected, Cody’s system had been suffering for years as a result of his heavy drug abuse and addiction.

Cody was a Newbury Park High School graduate of the class of 2006. An active and involved athlete on campus, Cody was known for his prowess in baseball. To this day, he still holds the Newbury Park High School career home run record with twenty home runs.

In addition to playing for the school, Cody was also a former AllMarmonte league outfielder and pitcher.

According to his obituary, “Cody’s first love was baseball as he played his first season at the age of 5. He was a member of team West which won the big league World Series in 2006. Some of his family’s best memories took place at various baseball diamonds and tournaments watching him shine.”

For several years, Cody experimented with drugs--primarily narcotics. Though Cody eventually found an end to his seven year drug addiction, his previous actions had taken a toll on his body.

Despite abstaining for one complete year, Cody suffered a heart attack as a result of the body damage his substance abuse had caused Family forever - Late Cody pictured with sister Gigi Fierro over the years. and their mother before his heart attack in June from his sevenHis sister, who has been doing her best to stay positive, has been year drug addiction. Gigi Fierro/With Permission using her brother’s story to write songs to express her feelings and inform people about the dangers and implications of substance abuse. “Just think about how it’s gonna end, when you start.

Cody didn’t die just from doing drugs then and there, doing it in that moment. He was clean for over a year, a full year,” Gigi said. “but he was an addict for seven. It’s all the prior effects from before that lead up to what happen[s].”

By spreading Cody’s story through her music, Gigi is hoping to inspire students to think about their actions now, before it’s too late. She currently volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club, teaching guitar, bass, drums and ukulele. Along with teaching these instruments, she also teaches writing skills. Her main motivation is to inspire kids to express themselves in a healthy way, just as she is doing.

“If you share [your story] through music it feels like a whole new world where, no matter what, everyone can hear it and almost understand it,” Gigi said. “One thing I really believe is that music is a good way to spread a positive message. I want others to find a way to work through their problems, so I’m working to achieve just that.”

To listen to Gigi Fierro’s songs, you can subscribe to her YouTube channel: Gigi Fierro.

600 pound C R O S S E S and buckets of B L O O D : The not-so-glamorous life of a PA

Kellie Levine Entertainment Editor “So far, the most challenging thing for me, it was kind of strange,” Christian Beushausen, senior, said. “While working on the set of Kingdom we got randomly pulled away to put up a 600 pound, giant rock and steel cross sculpture, with only five people, for the director’s backyard, for personal use. I got paid though, so not too shabby. But instead of dumping it over the fence, we had to walk it through his entire apartment, because there were multiple trees in the way. It was quite challenging.”

This is just one of the many anecdotes Beushausen has to tell about his experience as a production assistant, commonly referred to as a PA, on the sets of the TV shows Fear the Walking Dead and Kingdom.

Beushausen’s friend, Ryan Reid, senior, describes the job of PA as being “essentially a glorified pack mule.”

“I pretty much run and get things for people, deliver stuff and help build props and what not,” Beushausen said. But the comparison to a pack mule doesn’t end with the work load. The hours Beushausen works on the set rival those of a pack animal. “I work super ridiculous 15 hour shifts but that’s just because they have deadlines and you have to be there for it,” Beushausen said.

As for his most grueling jobs, Beushausen credits Fear the Walking Dead with being the harshest, as he was on set “about 36 solid hours over three days of work.”

Despite the heavy workload, Beushausen is grateful for the experience, as it has allowed him to see props that he has built make their way onto the screen. Simultaneously, the job has satisfied his curiosity regarding the film industry.

“My love for film really attracted me to this job. I don’t want to

Samantha Meyer/Prowler

get into the business, but I’ve always been fascinated with how they do everything,” Beaushausen said. “Like when you see a blood splatter against the wall (I thought) ‘Oh how do they do that?’ Well now I get to find out.”

Beushausen’s thirst for understanding of fake blood has been more than quenched in this position. “You couldn’t imagine how much fake blood I deal with. With Fear the Walking Dead it’s just ridiculous, they go through a lot of blood and clean ups.”

Beushausen goes on to explain his role in working with the fake blood, saying “I also get to do resets for scenes, so I get to sponge up all the blood off the floor every single time they decide to do a scene change. It’s pretty great.”

However, Beushausen does not intend to continue on this career path. “Oddly enough, my goal is to be a biotech major, so this experience might be the polar opposite,” Beushausen said. “(But) it’s my first legitimate job, and I’m pretty happy about that. I’m not working at McDonald’s like pretty much everyone else.”

Beushausen’s friend Reid draws on his own experience from the set of Reading Rainbow to describe the gig as interesting and bittersweet, going on to say “I carried 60 pounds of camera equipment and water, and gave it to LeVar Burton, or the crew, whenever they needed it.”

From an outside perspective, Beushausen’s friend Nathaniel Gough, senior, realizes that the job “requires a hardworking person” and thinks it would be “fun and entertaining.” While Reid agrees that the job was fun and says that he enjoyed the fact that “most stuff was comped” for him on set, he says “besides that it’s work, like it’s actual work.”

entertainment Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

A Choir Split in Two

11

Caitlin Henderson Staff Writer

Practice Makes Perfect- Advanced Women’s Ensemble, a new section of choir, rehearses for their winter concert during first period in the PAC. Samantha Meyer / Prowler

The Women’s Ensemble worked so well together that Sarge, the choir director, decided to create a second intermediate level choir titled Advanced Women’s Ensemble. The creation of the second level ensured the group would not have to split up, but students could audition for either Concert Choir or Advanced Women’s Ensemble.

According to Madison Kasper, a sophomore who joined Advanced Women’s, “Sarge wanted to keep the original Women’s Ensemble together, because he thought we worked really well together. We’re a good group, so he didn’t want to split us up. He ‘refined’ the group and made some adjustments and added a few juniors from Concert Choir to create an Advanced Women’s Ensemble.”

Advanced singers from Women’s Ensemble last year were chosen to be a part of this new group, yet one of the only major differences is that Concert Choir contains boys, instead of keeping an all-female choir.

The choirs became so large that a second teacher, Mr. Klotz, joined the program. Sophomore Ashley Mansour, another Advanced Women’s member, added, “It’s not that different from last year other than things like Mr. Klotz and the location of the practices. We’re still just a group of girls who like singing and we work well together.”

However, there were some issues regarding splitting up the intermediate level of choir in two. “I like the idea of keeping the choir together,” Kasper said, “but some of my good friends who I loved to be with and sing with were moved into a different choir.”

Yet overall, Kasper is enjoying her experience in Advanced Women’s Ensemble. “It’s a lot of fun,” she said, “I really love it.” She also shares how the program has shaped her as a singer. “I think it’s really helped me grow as not only a singer but as a person. This year I wasn’t too stoked that we had to wake up so early for first period, but singing with my friends really makes up for it.” All of the girls in Advanced Women’s have grown closer since last year, and people are still welcome to join.

“The choir is continuing to grow,” Jillian Cotone, another sophomore in Advanced Women’s, added, “and we are always looking for people who are interested in joining.” All levels of choir still require an audition, yet the addition of the new level and teacher makes the program a continuously changing and growing place where singers learn to work well and create music together.

High School Expectations vs Reality Samantha Meyer Chief Photographer Alyssa Boedigheimer Copy Editor

E X P E C T A T I O N In eighth grade, almost every teacher told his or her class about how hard high school was going to be, and how students would have to work harder than they ever had before. They said that if you wanted to enjoy having school spirit, middle school was the place to do so. It got to the point where half the class was dreading to leave and the other half couldn’t wait to get out.

High school was a huge terrifying thing that loomed in the future, with hours and hours of anticipated homework that people stayed up until 4 a.m. doing.

After such a mild freshman year -- despite the middle school teachers warning otherwise -- sophomore year was expected to be the same. The workload couldn’t possibly be too bad and the homework shouldn’t really take more than a few hours. Sophomore year was expected to be just as easy as everything leading up to it.

We’ve all been listening to our parents, counselors, and educators’ take on junior year; how it’s the year that will make or break a college future, that having fun should be a last priority, that grades and extracurriculars should remain top-notch, and was it already mentioned that this is the most important year college-wise? Oh yeah. It was, most likely 20 million times by the start of the year. Junior year seems more like a more professional and high-risk ballgame compared to the tee-ball rules which applied freshman and sophomore year.

We’ve all known how we wanted our senior year to be since we watched High School Musical 3; a montage of school spiritedness at sports games, finding out where you’re going to college, having the best night of your life at prom, and throwing your graduation cap in the air surrounded by all your friends.

R E A L I T Y

9 10 11 12

Freshmen Year Sophomore Year

Junior Year Senior Year

High school came around and all the dread that had been accumulating over the summer dissipated. The first term of the year flew by and, even with sports, the homework rarely took as long as previously expected. Instead of being harder to be spirited and involved in the school, it became easier to decide what to do and how to participate in school events without the overarching peer pressure of middle school. This limited stress made it much easier to focus on work.

With three speeches on the first day about how every class would be the hardest class the students had ever taken and about how half the class should just drop right off the bat, sophomore year is definitely not the anticipated continuation of freshman year. The homework started to take hours upon hours upon hours, leading right into the latest hours of the night. Instead of relieving the stress, rotators (having one class on A days and a different class on B days), added to it, increasing the workload and making the need to get work done a lot harder to fulfill. Now, instead of just three or four classes to worry about at a time, there were four or five.

After the initial junior year scare has worn off, it’s easy to see that although the workload and classes may be more challenging, especially when keeping up with sports and extracurriculars and a social life, junior year isn’t as hard as one would expect. As long as your priorities are kept in check (I guess our parents know a thing or two after all) and you learn how to manage your time, the past two years of high school will have sufficiently prepared you for this new ballgame. Just remember that sleep is a priority too, so don’t skimp out too much despite how strongly you may feel the need to stay up until two in the morning to finish your IB assessments. Although sometimes, it’s just what you have to do.

Nothing is how the movies make it out to be, which is probably better.

Unless you’re one of the lucky ones, senior year classes can be just as stressful and challenging as those from any other year, and just trying to breeze by could still affect your future. Since it is the last year, though, make an effort to try new things (just as you would have freshman year), whether it’s cheering with the Panther Pit, going to a Strings concert, or joining the Academic Decathlon team. But, still make time to participate in the things that you have come to love most about high school. Despite the cheesiness of that sentiment, make your last year memorable.

12

entertainment Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

Nikita Prokhorov Staff Writer

Wakie Wakie

A Literal Wake Up CallCall-Adding a twist to how a regular alarm clock works, the Wakie app wakes you up by connecting you to a caller from a different part of the world. wakie.com

Lexi Foultz Copy Editor

The new 2015 to 2016 school year has just begun and nearly every student faces the same problem, waking up on time for class. Fortunately, for those of us who are tired of using the boring and antiquated alarm clock or the slightly less humdrum radio alarm, an exciting new way of waking up has presented itself. Available on both Android and iPhone, Wakie, the self proclaimed social alarm clock app, gives users the opportunity to be woken up by a one minute long phone call from someone anywhere around the world Focusing on quick conversations, the app gives you a warning at the 50 second mark and at 60 seconds you and your partner are disconnected from the call. Rather than using the same repetitive alarm, you have the opportunity to meet someone new, every day, and then never talk to them again. I have been awoken by other users from the Philippines, Australia, Texas, and other countries and states which has made waking up slightly less drab.

However, Wakie is able to do much more than simply give you a wake up call to the new day. The completely anonymous app gives the user the ability to talk to others

about problems in their life, sing a song to their partner, wish someone goodnight, or simply have a conversation.

To initiate one of these conversations a user can use the main menu to participate in someone else’s call or join a queue of several hundred other users and wait a short 30 seconds if they would like to choose the topic of the conversation. While the wake up alarm is limited to a one minute call, all other calls are unlimited. Since the app is mostly run by the community, the quality of each call can vary. However, the moderation team tries to censor and punish users who break the anti-harassment policy held by the app, making the experience more pleasant for the users.

The app executes the idea of a chance based social app superbly. It can be an extremely fun app to use with a small yet rapidly growing community. Wakie does have some technical issues that are constantly being hotfixed or patched and it seems as if the app has one bug or another at any given moment. Regardless, the app deserves a solid 9 out of 10 starts for delivering a crisp, lively, and exciting experience.

The Summer in Cinema

With films like “Jurassic World” and “Straight Outta Compton” hitting the big screen, the domestic box office has had a profitable summer.

According to the New York Times, “Jurassic World” wins the gold with about 639 million in gross revenue. “Inside Out” falls in second place with 342 million and “Minions,” which grossed 320 million, falls in third place. Trailing them is “Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation” which has 157 million under its belt and “Straight Outta Compton” with 111 million earned so far.

“Jurassic World,” the highest grossing film of the summer, was such a box office success that a sequel has already been scheduled for 2018. A new take on an old classic, “Jurassic World” explores the monstrous Hip Hop History- In “Straight Outta Compton,” the rise of hip consequences of running a fully hop group NWA from their roots in Compton is brought to life functioning dinosaur exhibit on screen. New Line Cinema, Legendary Pictures / Press packed with tourists and not Release enough good sense. The real problem begins when a genetically modified dinosaur, the Indominus Rex, escapes from it’s enclosure and terrorizes the resort island, leaving it up to dinosaur specialist Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) to stop the beast.

“Inside Out,” a Pixar film, chronicles the life of Riley, a young girl who moves away from her home and the manifestations of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust and Fear living in her head. A

Here We Go Again- In “Mission: Impossible Rouge Nation,” the fifth installment, Tom Cruise works to find and destroy the IMF’s evil counterpart. Paramount Pictures / Press Release

popular movie review site, Rotten Tomatoes, calls the film “inventive, gorgeously animated, and powerfully moving.”

Another high grossing animated movie, “Minions,” a spin-off of “Despicable Me,” follows the lives of three short, yellow and sparsely haired minions, Stuart, Bob and Kevin, and their search for the ultimate evil master. Because the main characters speak in incoherent gibberish, the most recognizable voice is that of Sandra Bullock, who plays evil mastermind, Scarlett Overkill.

In “Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation,” Tom Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt in the fifth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise. The movie follows Hunt as he and his partners in the Impossible Mission Force attempt to find and destroy the Syndicate, the IMF’s evil counterpart. The International Movie Database gives the film a 7.7 out of 10 stars.

“Straight Outta Compton,” which premiered Aug. 11, is currently leading the weekly box office, though it still lags far behind “Jurassic World” in total domestic grossings. The movie chronicles the rise of hip hop group NWA from the violent and poverty stricken ghettos of Compton. Despite Compton’s good start, the film has recently received some box office competition from the Christian drama, “War Room.”

Though the curtain has closed on this year’s summer, you can still try to make its memory last by watching these top grossing films before they disappear from the big screen. These movies will be available for digital download, purchase and rent later in the year.

sports 13

Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

Summer Sweat for Fall Victories Connor Keep Staff Writer Even during the summer, sports teams were seen training despite the heat. This makes it difficult for teams such as football, cross country, girl’s tennis, and girl’s golf to practice, since the teams train outdoors.

Over the summer, football met at the school everyday to practice and condition. Before Hell week begins in August, the players go through fundamental drills. Coaches and players return after a three week break, Hell week begins.

“On the first day of Hell week, we have a three hour practice. Then, every other day of hell week, we have two practices a day that are each two hours,” Nickerson DeMelfi, a freshman player, said. “During the practice, we run an extreme amount as well. We work very hard over the summer to propel us into another CIF position.”

Cross country runners also worked all summer to improve their speed and endurance. In the first week of training, the runners participated in a two-mile time trial that placed them in a group based on their time. Those who rank in the lowest group will run less than those ranked in the higher group.

About half way through the summer, the whole team participates in another time trial to check for improvement.

In the following two weeks, the boys and girls will alternate time in Mammoth for altitude training. Upon returning from Mammoth, the runners will be placed on their final teams for the season.

With volleyball’s unique atmosphere, the girl’s volleyball team trains five days a week during the summer. The FroshSoph team spent this summer working on fundamentals largely due to many inexperienced players.

“We have been working on the fundamentals since we only have four girls that have ever played competitively,” said freshman, Sam Smith.

In comparison, the JV and Varsity teams have been focusing on refining their skills for the upcoming season.

“JV has been working on more plays, spots for hits, and lifting weights,” said Nicole Geis, freshman, and a junior varsity player. Also, the players run hills two out of five days a week on top of practice. On the last week of summer training, tryouts are held and teams are announced.

Girl’s tennis meets twice a week to train and work together as a team. “I learned how to use teamwork, to play doubles, and have a better relationship with everyone through team bonding,”said Kelsey Mainard, freshman, and varsity player.

The boy’s water polo team practiced every day of summer in order to work on normal passing, shooting, and defense.

“Boy’s water polo is a very big sport in the fall season that requires heart, strength, and endurance,” said Rhys Davis, Junior, and on varsity water polo. The water polo team builds a lot of strength during the summer.

“The summer training is looking to propel our team into a top water polo team in the state,” said Nick Pellegrin, freshman.

Another sport played in the fall season is girl’s golf. “Golf is a unique sport,” said Nori Parvin, girl’s golf team Head Coach. “I have coached many sports but golf is different because the players need to continue to practice in the offseason. Golf is a muscle memory sport. It is about managing your shots around the golf course. The team is working very

hard to improve on their skills.” The next competition will be held at Oaks Christian on Oct. 1.

All of the teams have been training strenuously this summer. “Summer training gives players who are in the fall sports a great opportunity, since their sport is so close to summer, they have to train,” said Kelly Welch, Newbury Park High School Athletic Director. “It gives the players a chance to build relationships with coaches and teammates and also time to focus solely on their sport because there is no difficulty with school and homework. As well, it gives the student athletes the time to practice at any time.”

Overall, the fall sports teams will be prepared to face any rival sports teams that offer a challenge.

Ready to Play Play- After warming up for their away game against Birmingham, the Varsity football players pump each other up on September 4th. Samantha Meyer/Prowler

14 sports

Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

A New Wave of Coaches Lindsay Filgas News Designer

From the top! The dance team is starting fresh as they welcome a new director, Katelyn Miller, and two new assistant coaches, Erik Sosa and Jess Steinkamp. After saying goodbye last year to their director Cameo Carolan and their assistant coaches Mandy Korpenin and Elizabeth Petrin, the team and coaches are restaging to take a new approach.

Both Steinkamp and Sosa recently graduated from NPHS, Steinkamp in 2012 and Sosa in 2013. Since then, Steinkamp has performed on the television show The Big Bang Theory, worked at Bobbie’s School of Performing Arts, and assisted the dance team last year. Sosa has attended the Edge Scholarship program in Hollywood, performed with bands and charities, and taught at Bobbie’s School of Performing Arts as well. Sosa explained that being close in age to many of the dancers on the team helps him work with them. “It wasn’t that long ago that I was in their shoes on the same team so I know how they feel,” Sosa said.

Steinkamp and Sosa work together to choreograph the team’s dances for football games, rallies, and competitions. Sosa explained that this year they want to improve “the way we as coaches approach each practice” and to bring more energy to the team.

“There’s a lot of collaboration amongst the coaches,” Steinkamp said, “We each play a different role while bringing our unique gifts to the team and program.”

Miller, who previously worked as an assistant coach to the Westlake Dance Team, works behind the scene to run the team. She explained that this year she doesn’t get to work as closely with the dancers as she did last year. Despite the responsibility of directing the team, Miller is choreographing one competition dance.

This year, instead of selecting which dancers will be in the smaller dances, as they had done in the past, Miller is having them audition for the parts. “I want them to experience an audition,” Miller said, “Some of them want to be professional dancers so I want them to get that practice of an audition.”

Can’t hold them back back- Breaking through Agoura, Cameron Rising, freshman quarterback who now plays for Varsity, keeps the ball and runs up the middle for a first down on Sept.11. Samantha Meyer/Prowler Along with changing the logistics of the team, the coaches are focused on creating a close bond between the dancers and becoming involved with the students both on and off the stage. “My goal for the team is to have them feel like a family,” Sosa said, “I just want them to enjoy everything they get to do.”

Steinkamp, too, places importance on the bond between the team. “(My goal for the NEWbury Park Dance Team Team- Taking a break from coaching dance team practice, Katelyn Miller, Erik Sosa and team is) to be united, respectful, and to work as a team,” Steinkamp said. “And if we win, Jess Steinkamp smile for a quick picture outside the GAR. Samantha Meyer/Prowler to win with grace and humility.”

Recruited, Committed Athletes Connor Keep Staff Writer At Newbury Park High School there are many talented athletes, but very few are recruited by colleges to continue playing sports. Tim Baldwin, a men’s volleyball player, Emily Coleman, who plays women’s volleyball, and Kayla Overbeck, a women’s basketball and volleyball player, have all expressed interest in specific colleges with the intention of playing on a college team.

Baldwin has been recruited by Brigham Young University, University of Southern California, University of California at Irvine, University of California at San Diego, and Pennsylvania State for men’s volleyball. “The only school that has offered me a [athletic] scholarship was BYU,” said Baldwin. Although he was offered many other opportunities, Baldwin is currently leaning toward BYU. Baldwin additionally plays basketball, where his height of 6’4” gives him a competitive advantage.

Coleman is committed to Point Loma University, an oceanfront campus in San Diego. She is a middle blocker who racks up kills, digs, and has developed a notable serve. Before committing to Point Loma, Coleman visited and attended a volleyball camp on the campus.

“It was a lot of fun. The atmosphere was really different than the atmosphere that we get in high school or even club, just kind of a higher level and [I got] a preview of what it’s like in college,” Coleman said. Her season has included games against Buena High School on Sept. 8, and Simi Valley High School on Sept. 10.

On top of playing a sport, Coleman is involved in Youth and Government through the YMCA. Overbeck plays both basketball and volleyball and will be attending Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, which has a 13.1% acceptance rate. She is a senior this year and is looking to make it to playoffs in both sports.

In basketball, Overbeck has played the low-post position since freshman year.

In volleyball, Overbeck plays the forward position and gets many blocks and kills. She has been on volleyball’s varsity team since she was a sophomore.

Early commitment to college gives athletes one less thing to worry about. “It feels nice [to be committed] and now I can focus on ending my high school year academically and socially and just with sports, just finishing out really strong,” said Overbeck, “I don’t have to worry about taking visits or worry about the pressures of college coaches always wanting to talk to you. It’s a lot easier, I feel relieved about it.”

She Shoots, She Scores Scores- Kayla Dig ItIt Tim Baldwin, sophomore, has recieved offers from several colleges for Overbeck, senior, is committed to Vanderbilt University for her talent in his volleyball skills. basketball.

Queen of the Court Court- Emily Coleman, senior, is committed to play volleyball for Point Loma next fall.

sports 15

Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

Lexi Foultz Copy Editor

Fall Sports Preview

With school back in session, the fall sports teams have returned prepared to dominate. Whether it is on the field or a court, in the pool, on the green, or on the trails at Mt. SAC, NPHS student athletes have always been an impressive sight to see. Here is what we can look forward to in this athletic season.

The girls’ varsity cross country team is returning as league champions and is training hard to defend that title, running a total of 35 to 40 miles a week.

“Our goal is to make it to State,” Swathi Samuel, a varsity senior, said. Agoura and Thousand Oaks High School pose the largest threats to the team. “We have a big target on our backs,” she said referring to the league title.

The men’s varsity cross country team will also see the most competition from T.O. and Agoura.

“Marmonte league has gotten a lot weaker,” said Logan Beteta, senior, “but there is still a good amount of talent at Agoura which keeps our league looking strong.”

The team’s goal is to have runners finish within 20 seconds of each other in order to beat rival T.O. “Some of the team’s strengths are that we all have very good team unity and we all don’t run for ourselves but for each other,” Beteta commented.

This year, the girl’s varsity volleyball team is led by seniors Emily Coleman, who is already committed to Point Loma for the sport, and Kayla Overbeck, who is committed to Vanderbilt for basketball.

“We’ve changed the way we run the whole program,” Coleman said. With a stronger bond between the players which Overbeck described as a “family atmosphere,” the girl’s varsity team is poised to have a good year. “We’re the underdogs,” Overbeck added “We’re out to get everyone.”

Panther Power- (Top) Shane Sipes, senior, catches a pass and The team’s ultimate goal is to win league, with Oaks Christian heads for the end zone during the Dos Pueblos game on September posing the largest threat.

18th. (Middle) Logan Beteta, senior, and Ethan Duffy, junior, are in the Girl’s golf is also focusing on team spirit for a stronger middle of a race going down a straight on September 5th. (Bottom) Jordan Jomsky, junior, receives a pass during the varsity water polo season. “We have a lot of tough competitions so I really want game against Granda Hills Charter School on September 22nd. the girls to work hard on their game but also have the most fun

they can,” Golfer Skyler Woods said. “This is because golf is a game that takes hours of practice and we don’t always get the result we want.” The girls have been practicing almost everyday after school on course in order to face Oaks Christian and Westlake, which are currently the team’s biggest rivals.

Oaks Christian also poses a threat to the girl’s tennis team, led by captains Cate Saylors and Katey Guntner. Because there are only three returning seniors to varsity girl’s tennis, and nine new players, the captains are looking forward to getting to know their teammates and building stronger bonds between the players.

With stronger team unity, and persistent training, the team hopes to defeat their main rivals Oaks and Westlake High School. “We practice every day like it’s a game,” Guntner said.

Meanwhile, men’s varsity water polo will be working hard to bring team unity into focus. “The team has great individual talent, but not enough cohesion,” said varsity captain Alex Sefayan, “Everyone’s trying to carry the team.” Sefayan puts team bonding high on the list of goals this upcoming season, as well as taking practice more seriously. “We are in a good position to win league if players work together,” Sefayan said.

Before the first game of the school year, the Newbury Park football team suffered a tragic loss with the death of teammate Daniel Morales, a 16-year-old varsity defensive lineman and fullback. Center defensive end and team captain, Seth Evans, explained that the team’s loss has made them come together, bringing more focus and dedication.

“We fought for Daniel and we fought for each other,” Evans said. The team aims to defend their league title won last year by beating rival school, Thousand Oaks High School. As for how the team was going to prepare for the fall season, said Evans, “You can’t really prep for the season, you can only prep for the game, and take it one game at a time.”

This fall sports season is sure to be one to watch, so make sure to check the NPHS athletics website for upcoming events and games both home and away.

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sports Panther Prowler • Sept. 25, 2015

Kick Off Football Begins

by Samantha Meyer

The gun sounds- The Boys’ varsity football team starts off the first home game against Saugus with a chant led by Robert Geoffrion.

The first trumpet blares - The band starts strong in their first football performance.

The flag soars - Madison Grant, junior, performs with the color guard during halftime.

Do it for Daniel - The football team leads with Daniel Morales’ jersey to honor his memory.

A show well done - Senior cheerleader Ashley Arnold smiles during Arn du a great play against Dos Pueblos.

Leading the crowd - Varsity cheer pumps up the crowd during the game.

Friday night lights - Varsity Team Captain Seth Evans takes a rare break during the action.