from
Letter the
Editor:
When immersed in the everyday and often mundane activities of high school, it is easy to forget that the high school experience we are having at CCA is not the norm. After speaking to many CCA graduates, it has become apparent that it is only when we leave CCA behind and embark on our post-high school paths that we realize how fortunate we are to have experienced CCA. This issue of Pulse explores that experience. This school year is the first that incoming freshman have been turned away from CCA and forced to attend an alternative, making us recognize how lucky we are to be here. This year also finds us with the highest API score in the county - again - and one of the highest in the state. CCA sets another precedent with its TedxYouth@San Diego conference on November 20. We also feature art, technology, athletics, and politics in this issue. Colin Seitz explores the problems within American soccer, while Nachi Baru joins the ranks of and interviews protestors at Occupy San Diego. Elijah Granet takes a look at the upcoming presidential election and Joelle Leib explores “behind the scenes” of CCA’s upcoming musical, Kiss Me Kate. Arianna Irwin and Jess Mersten look at the UC system and what sets each university apart from the others. Crystal Long and I talk to several seniors about their unique college application experiences and will continue to follow their progress until they commit to a university. This issue showcases just several of our many accomplishments and captures the essence that we have created at CCA. It is without a doubt that as the school year continues, we will have many more CCA accomplishments to explore. Tess Wallenstein
STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tess Wallenstein
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Crystal Long
NEWS EDITOR Nachi Baru
FEATURE EDITOR Jess Mersten
OPINION EDITOR Glenn Borok
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Arianna Irwin
SPORTS EDITORS Colin Seitz Hallie Tate
PHOTO EDITOR Daniel Metz
LAYOUT EDITORS Alison DelNegro Kailie Dishong Kristina Krasnikova Kate Marin Hallie Tate BUSINESS TEAM MANAGER Joelle Leib
STAFF WRITERS Stephanie Fricker Natalie Hoffman Kayla Jefferies Amy Kim ENVISION EDITOR Madison Scott Rhodes COPY EDITORS Laura Fouquette Elijah Granet Daniel Metz
BUSINESS TEAM Paulina Murphy Rithika Verma
ADVISOR Christopher Black
Contact Us
@
Canyon Crest Academy, Pulse Magazine 5951 Village Center Loop Road (858) 350-0253 editors.pulse@gmail.com Or visit us online at www.ccapulseonline.com All photos by Daniel Metz except where noted
The opinions expressed by the writers and the content of the advertisements do not necessarly reflect those of Pulse Magazine, Canyon Crest Academy, or the San Dieguito Union High School District.
Special thanks to CCA ASB! <3 Cover image by Mariana Zenteno Printed by Golden State Graphics
The Newsmagazine of Canyon Crest Academy
lowing
College six seniors applyi Confide ng to college ntial a r
Staff Dunkin’ with Dunkirk
Album Review House of Balloons by TheWeeknd Envision & Conservatory Kiss Me Kate
News Meeting Us Halfway: Facebook at School Sports Opinion The Problem with Soccer in America
PULSE MAGAZINE’S GUIDE TO THE
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ELECTIONS ied
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Student Art
Fre
(The score is 910)
Report
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API SCORE.
Occupy San Diego
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They’ve probably heard about our
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pag e
Coming Nov. 20 to Canyon Crest Academy [17]
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First Year with
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The Re no va te
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ste hiptick. a s e giv drum u o y [27 If yfurke ] to
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Vol. 7 Issue 1 November 2011
We’re f ol
November
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7
9 Girls Varsity Tennis Valley League Playoffs
Minus the Bear Soma
2 Finals (Minimum Day) 1st Quarter Ends
10 Envision Vocal Conservatory Recitals
Mayday Parade House of Blues
3 Winter Athletic Packet Deadline
Dead Man’s Cellphone 7 pm in the Black Box
11 Veterans Day No School
Lights Soma
4 Iration House of Blues
12 Winter Sports Begin
SAT
5 Alesana Soma
The Damned House of Blues
8 Girls Varsity Tennis Valley League Playoffs
The Bangles House of Blues
25 Murs House of Blues
Instrumental Conservatory Recital
17 Dead Man’s Cellphone 7 pm in the Black Box
The Cured House of Blues
26 Fall Break Ends No School
Dead Man’s Cellphone 7 pm in the Black Box
18 Gates Soma
27
The Devil Wears Prada Soma
19 VNV Nation House of Blues
The Sounds Soma
Shwayze & Cisco Soma
Miss May I Pierce The Veil Soma
Dead Man’s Cellphone 2 pm and 7 pm in the Black Box
Mac Miller House of Blues
16 Late Start Day
City and Colour House of Blues
15 Coffee with Kohn
Dead Man’s Cellphone 7 pm in the Black Box
24 Thanksgiving
Gym Class Heroes & The Dirty Heads House of Blues
Instrumental Conservatory Recital (Tuesday through Wednesday) Senses Fail House of Blues 23 Mike Pinto & Seedless House of Blues
30 Late Start Day
Dead Man’s Cellphone 7 pm in the Black Box
Election Day
1 Finals (Minimum Day)
Calendar
6 Chris Brown, Bow Wow, T-Pain, Tyga Cricket Wireless Daylight Savings Time Ends
13 The Acacia Strain Soma
20
Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings House of Blues
21 Fall Break Starts No School
New Found Glory House of Blues
29 Jason Mraz Spreckels Theater
9 am to 4 pm
28 Jason Mraz Spreckels Theater
this page
3
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Michael Villasenor Commissioner of Clubs
Blair Noble Executive Vice-President
Michael manages clubs at CCA. He assists club presidents with ideas and fundraising activities, event locations, membership drives, and general information and facts. Michael also plans Club Day and Club sandwich.
Blair is in charge of publicity and marketing. She also works with ASB Executive President Jon Zhang, attending meetings with the staff and the principal. Her main role is to approve everything that is posted in and around the school.
Fun Fact: “I DJ in my spare time.”
Fun Fact: “I can wiggle my ears.”
Sarah Anderson Secretary Sarah’s responsibilities as secretary include making the weekly meeting agenda and minutes, updating the ASB calendar, organizing all approved event forms, and attending weekly meetings with the administration.
7
mee
Jon Zhang ASB Executive President As the ASB Executive President, Jon Zhang helps facilitate and oversee the ASB class. Jon has extensive ASB experience which helps the class run smoothly. He also works with CCA’s administration office and sits in on district board meetings. Fun Fact: Jon Zhang believes “the red bull girls follow him.”
Sam Kang Treasurer As treasurer, Sam Kang is in charge of all things financial pertaining to ASB, such as managing the overall ASB budget and dealing with weekly closeout on purchases.
et 2012’s ASB execs By Hallie Tate and Rithika Verma
8
with
Dunkirk
Kristina Krasnikova & Alison DelNegro We sat down with AP Psychology teacher and TEDx coordinator, (Ms.) Dunkirk.
What is your teaching philosophy? I think being dynamic will get students to do better. AP courses are lecture-based and so I understand that a lot of times students get bored or have already read the materials. I think a lot of times just trying to be engaging and always trying to be funny and identifying with my students with real world examples keeps them interested. I’m trying to diversify it, too, so it’s not just me lecturing.
If you weren’t a teacher what would you be? I think it would be really cool to design something that inspires. For example, those Patagonia shirts that say, “Live simply” on them. I have this shirt that says “Live Simply’ and all it is, is a guitar and it’s got one string. It’s saying live life simply; you can still make music with one string, and to me that sort of guitar and motto impacts me. I think it would be cool to come up with some sort of T-shirt or something like that, with something that is so simple yet has an inspiring message.
What is your part in TEDx? I am the speaker, performer, and demonstration coordinator. So, most of the speakers we have coming, most of the performers that we have coming, and then demonstrators, I’ve had to procure. There are definitely some that I have had help getting, like Mr. Black got the Buried Life, but
most of the speakers I sat there and Google searched for inspirational kids or inspirational people and I asked my friends and then I went out and sent emails to these people and their managers. Once they said yes, I helped them coordinate their flights, help them with their slide presentations, and get their dietary needs for the rehearsal dinner the night before Tedx. Once we get closer to the event, I will work out hotel accommodations and pick them up from the airport.
What is the most adventurous thing that you have ever done? The most adventurous thing I ever did was get up at four in the morning at the Mayan ruins in Tulum, which is in Guatemala. I went with the guide into the forest while it was pitch black and climbed this temple to watch the sunset.
How did you get your dog, Sydney? I got Sydney from a student three and a half years ago. I had originally wanted a different dog who happened to hate men. It chased after the cable guy, chased after the SDG&E guy viciously, and I thought that’s not good. I relinquished the dog and I was super bummed. A student of mine later told me about somebody that was trying to get rid of their dog and they put me into contact with this person. And that’s how I got Sydney.
What is the most embarrassing moment that you have had in front of your students? When I fell off my stool.
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By now, any Canyon Crest student with a pulse is aware that our school made history (of sorts) this past September. The annual Academic Performance Index scores released by the California Board of Education saw us become the first public high school in the history of San Diego County to cross the hallowed “900 mark,” registering a commendable score of 910. Such a mark, an 18 point increase from last year’s score of 892, is eleven points higher than the score of the next highest San Diego area school, and, perhaps most satisfying ly, a whole 29 points higher than Torrey Pines’. When factoring in CCA’s status as a comprehensive public high school with no test-ins or grade requirements for admission, our school ranks among the top 10 among similar schools within the entire state of California. Such achievements are certainly a cause for celebration among the student body (and gives us even more fodder for chants at school sporting events), but Principal Brian Kohn cautions at getting carried away by such encouraging news. Although he expressed great pride in the school’s accomplishments and our precipitous achievement growth given that our API was a relatively meager 843 just four years ago, Mr. Kohn said that it would be wildly erroneous for anyone to treat such numbers as a definitive rank of a school’s effectiveness and quality. He in particular mentioned the affluence of our region, a factor that affords students at places like Canyon Crest and Torrey Pines advantages (educated and engaged families, safer communities, more access to technology, etc.) that simply don’t exist in many other school districts across both the state and the country. “If you look at simply the socioeconomic factors, you expect high test scores in this area,”said Kohn. Expanding on the point of how economic and social undertones may give certain schools insurmountable advantages when it came to registering higher test scores, the principal went on to say,“There are lots of schools out there where there are hard working students and extremely dedicated teachers and administrators that are just not going to ever get a high API score.” Instead of looking at sheer numbers, Mr. Kohn emphasized that it is better to grade a school’s staff by looking at how its API score changes and (hopefully) improves - another area where CCA, with its near-70 point increase over the past few school years, can be considered a winner. While API numbers that reach into the 900s catch the eyes of the community and attracts attention from the general public, Mr. Kohn said that such issues are not something that are discussed or mulled over often between principals and educators. In other words, as tempting as it might be to think so, no schools in the county are attempting to implement “the CCA model” on their campuses just yet. The greatest value of the score from an educational perspective lies with the personalized data that teachers receive relating to the performance of their students on the standardized tests, namely the STAR tests and the California High School Exit Exam, or CAHSEE, that are the chief components in factoring a school’s API. (The maximum API score possible is a 1000, a near impossibility given that it would require every student at a given school to ace every state standardized test). For example, math teachers receive score reports that tell them how their students did on average in various sections of the tests, which are usually broken down into several main areas, or “strands,” of the general curriculum. Teachers whose students performed relatively poorly in a certain strand can talk with teachers whose students did better in the section, exchanging what Mr. Kohn referred to as “best practices,” in hopes of taking on more effective teaching practices to maximize students scores in the future. In the end, in the “real world” of academic administration and education, it seems that the API turns out not to carry very much weight at all. It is not the number itself that is special or significant, but rather the nuances behind the data, and the ways it can be broken down to help teachers and administrators identify their strengths and weaknesses to better teach their students. Still, Canyon Crest students can take pride in and hold their heads high when it comes to 910, and continue on with our trailblazing ways by breaking our own record, again, next year.
10
The
Del
Renovated Mar Highlands
Stephanie Fricker and Paulina Murphy The Del Mar Highlands is the epicenter of Carmel Valley. It is the place where CCA students and families can go to eat, shop, or catch a movie. This summer our familiar Highlands was completely redone. Even though some businesses (we’re looking at you, Swirls) have yet to open, the new Highlands is up and running. With a more sophisticated edge and slightly different crowd, the Highlands is no longer packed to the brim with Carmel Valley youth. The renovation includes some interesting amenities such as a small escalator and a curbside concierge that drives shoppers to their cars. The new Highlands is a whole new experience, but only time will tell how the community will embrace it.
Swirls
One highly anticipated addition to the Del Mar Highlands is Swirls Frozen Yogurt. Since stores opened in both Del Mar and Encinitas, Swirls has quickly become the go-to place for frozen yogurt. Swirls features a self-serve fro-yo bar and offers a variety of mouth watering flavors and toppings to satisfy every sweet tooth. Set to open in the fall, Swirls was voted by CCA students and residents of Carmel Valley as the best new addition to the Highlands. There is no doubt that Carmel Valley Swirls will soon be packed with San Diegans of all ages.
11
The Counter
When most consider a burger joint, they think of a casual, affordable, and family oriented place. The Counter focuses on this idea from a new angle. From the outside, this new addition to the Del Mar Highlands appears common, with metal chairs, square tables, an array of customers, and busy waiters and waitresses. The full bar covering the entire left wall and the Surf motif doesn’t go unnoticed. As we sat down, our server explained to us the “build your own burger” option. Clipboard menus detail a variety of sauces, cheeses, and additional toppings, ranging from the classics to more unique options. The menus also feature premium toppings such as avocado, smoked bacon, or an additional sauce for an extra fee. We both seemed to share a moment of jaw-dropping silence as we stared at the prices listed next to each item. Knowing that our burgers would be a la carte and craving a salty start to our meal, we ordered cokes and Parmesan and Sweet Potato French Fries. Our drinks and appetizers were delivered to our table promptly and in relatively big portions. The fries were mouth-watering, some of the best fries we have had.
After eating our meals we both sat looking at our bill wondering, “Was the food really worth the money?” The service was great, the food was delicious, but the Counter is yet another expensive addition ot the Highlands.
Cinépolis Renovations at the Highlands began with one buzzworthy addition, Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas. From the outside, the modern stone building appears fresh and different from what the Highlands is accustomed to and blends perfectly with the new layout of the center. Inside, the old Ultra Star Theater has been thoroughly transformed. The lobby features a bar, large televisions, and leather recliners. The menu boasts typical movie concessions as well as sushi, panninis, and fondue. The middle school and high school students who used to flood the theater have been replaced with older teens and adults. Cinépolis is clearly catered to an older crowd with tickets standing at about $20.00 per person. With many people struggling in the recession, expensive movie nights may not be in the budget for many families. After talking to some of the friendly Cinépolis staff members, we ended up meeting the manager and taking a tour of the theaters. As he tried to sell us on the “revolutionary” idea of Cinépolis, we couldn’t help but look around and feel a tad out of place. In ripped jeans and sweaters, we stood out like two
Drybar sore thumbs amongst the adults in business suits lounging in the lobby. It was very clear that this was an adult-friendly atmosphere that would make anyone under the age of 15 feel unwelcome. As we were leaving, the manager asked us to write a stellar review. However, all we can write are the facts. Cinépolis is a gorgeous facility which offers highend food and movie viewing. Cinépolisis is aesthetically pleasing and lives up to the luxury portion of its name, but once again we question if “luxury” is worth the steep price.
The Drybar is not your regular cut and color hair salon, but a high end salon that offers only shampoos and blow outs. That’s right, this salon is for those with lots of money in their pockets and those too lazy to blow dry their own hair. The salon chairs sit next to one another in a long line facing a wall of products with no mirrors; the mirrors are placed behind the clients, allowing them to only see themselves once their hair has been finished. Forget about telling your stylist mid-hairdo that you don’t like what they’re doing. The Drybar “menu” offers six different types of blowouts, such as “the Cosmopolitan” and “Shirley Temple,” each for $35.00. Extras can be added, like a 10 minute head massage, for $10.00. Drybar fans can also have stylists come to their homes - “Dry on the Fly” – for $75.00./Sure, the Drybar’s idea of “a blow dry bar” works for special occasions like Prom, Graduation, or weddings, but getting your hair done every week? Bad idea unless your plan on going bankrupt by the end of the year. In theory the Drybar is good concept, but the limited services and high prices have us wondering if the Drybar will survive.
12
kiss me, kate CCA is renowned for its professional and elaborate theater productions. What many don’t witness are the grueling hours that go into producing CCA’s shows. Student actors, dancers, musicians, and vocalists spend countless hours memorizing lines, learning complex dance steps, and rehearsing musical numbers. In the next few issues, Pulse will expose what it takes to be in a CCA musical through the eyes of several of Kiss Me Kate’s actors. We will follow these actors through the dreaded audition process, difficult hours of rehearsals, and finally, the excitement and glamour of opening night. The journey of CCA’s version of a Kiss Me Kate, a 1948 musical adaption of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” began on October 4th and 5th with the audition process. Over 55 students auditioned for a role in the production. Four of the talented students include junior Daniela Camilleri, sophomore Troy Lingelbach, freshman Emily North, and junior Alicia Josey.
“[Kiss Me Kate] has all the elements of a great show: interesting characters, plenty of humor, and show stopping numbers. I love it!” says Camilleri. She has a strong background in theater, having performed in at the Old Globe and other productions throughout the community. Troy Lingelbach also has a strong background in theater, as he has been performing in musicals since he was in sixth grade. On the other hand, Kiss Me Kate marks Emily North’s first musical. In fact, North’s first time singing in front of anyone was at her “Kate” audition, although she has performed in a variety of tradition plays including Julius Ceasar. Similarly, Josey has never performed in a musical before. All four received callbacks. North was honored as one of the few freshman to be called back, while Josey was happily surprised to learn she has been asked back to read a monologue. “I thought I had blown the audition,” says Josey, who was called back and asked to read a monologue. After this second round of auditions, Lingelbach, Camilleri, and Josey were cast as ensemble in the play and as the journey towards Kiss Me Kate’s debut unfolds, they will continue to give Pulse an inside look into the triumphs and obstacles of “Kiss Me Kate” while they balance school, friends, family, and a rigorous rehearsal schedule.
Image owned by Columbia Masterworks
By Joelle Leib
According to Social Media Today, an approximate 41.6% of the U.S. population had a Facebook account in April 2010. At that time, the average user had 130 friends on the site, spent an average 15 hours and 33 minutes on Facebook per month, and was connected to, on average, 80 community pages, groups, and events, according to web businessmen Ken Burbary. With the prevalence of Facebook in mind, Principal Kohn unblocked Facebook at the start of this school year, allowing students to use the social networking site at school and teachers to utilize it in their classrooms. And they have done just that. “If you simply look at your world, your generation, we look at what it is that you guys are doing, how you are communicating, and sharing knowledge and information. It seems a bit silly at a certain point if education decides not to utilize what you guys are familiar with. Facebook, for an instance, If approached carefully, is a tool you guys already use. So why not use that as a tool for education?” says Kohn. World History teacher Mr. Stiven and Spanish teacher Ms. Sanchez are some of the first teachers to incorporate Facebook into their classrooms. ““[Facebook] not only helps me get to know students better, but it also builds a learning environment in class. I think it’s amazing to use Facebook if you can use it in the right way,” says Sanchez. Stiven share similar sentiments. Although initially cautious about how to incorporate Facebook into his classroom, Stiven has created a Facebook page for his AP World History class
Meeting Us Halfway acebook at School
By Amy Kim
where students can post questions pertaining to homework, tests, and the like for Stiven and other students to answer. Aside from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have also been unblocked at school, allowing them to be integrated into the classroom. Sanchez has been contemplating using Twitter to highlight classroom announcements or to reward students on correct answers from question-and-answer sessions in Twitter’s immediate-response environment. However, at the moment, Sanchez and other teachers are still familiarizing themselves with Facebook and then will see if other uses of applications are necessary. Sanchez recognizes the value of Facebook as an educational tool and perhaps the necessity of using it. “I speak two languages, Spanish and English. Facebook is just another language. I need to know how to reach [students]. And who doesn’t have a Facebook these days?” CCA’s adoption of Facebook comes at a time when many believe that Facebook is a distraction from learning. However, CCA’s openness to using Facebook and other forms of social media in the future serves as another example of the staff’s emphasis on communication with their students, as is just another vibrant quality of CCA’s trailblazing culture.
The Problem with Soccer in the US
By Colin Seitz Despite the increasing popularity of soccer in America, the success of our national team has remained inconsistent. The recent firing of Bob Bradley, who coached the U.S. team to an eventual quarterfinal loss to Ghana, was seen as a positive. Many believed that the US was in desperate need of a more European style of play, and former German coach Jürgen Klinsmann seemed to be a perfect fit. Stocked with talent both domestically and abroad, the rest lies on Klinsmann to get the team to run cohesively and perform at the level of traditional European powerhouses such as Germany, Spain, and England. With typically far-fetched expectations, Klinsmann began his reign as coach doomed for failure, due to the manner in which youth players are taught the game of soccer. From a young age, eager athletes are often measured by pure athleticism- how big, fast, aggressive they are. Rather than learning to play the game and developing the necessary mental aspects, the athletes that plateau physically early are given the most attention. As they dominate youth leagues as a result of their physique, they ignore the fundamentals that serve the other countries so well. When these athletes stop growing and are caught up by the time they are 16 or 17, they haven’t really learned to play the game. Their touch, movement and mentality, key to playing soccer, are lacking greatly comparative to their counterparts in Europe, many of whom are already playing at a professional level. Our focus on the physical aspect of youth soccer is also apparent in the college game. Many technical players who aren’t as big or fast, are ignored by larger universities who believe there
game is best served with bigger players able to win the ball in the air and knock people around. Most youth players ultimate path to the professional level relies on being recruited into a D1 university, from there they can be drafted into the MLS through the Superdraft. As a result, these players spend more time working out and training their physical side of the game, rather than just the game as other countries do. Despite the fact that the some of the world’s best playersLionel Messi, David Villa, Xavi and Iniesta- all measure under 5’9, focusing on quick touches and superb technique in order to make up for their physical shortcomings. The United States is in desperate need of a playmaker in the mold of Xavi, someone with the vision and technical aptitude to distribute passes to goal scorers in dangerous positions. While a total revamping of the youth system would serve more harm than good, a shifting in priorities is the only way the US national team can begin to produce world class players. At the moment, only two position players, Clint Dempsey and Stuart Holden, play regularly in the English Premier League, largely recognized as the top league in the world. A focus on the technical side of the game, a style in which powerhouse Spain used to dominate its opponents on route to a golden era in which they won the European Championship in 2008 and the World Cup in 2010, would serve the United States a more effective brand of soccer. With high hopes that Klinsmann can bring that much needed European influence, US fans have every reason to be optimistic, but expecting to win a World Cup in the near future would have to be the result of a new technical brand of soccer.
14
Story by Laura Fouquette Photo by The Buried Life
f
15
or most people, Ted is just a name, like Teddy Roosevelt or Ted Nugent. For others, TED is what they watch instead of the new episode of Law & Order or doing their homework. TED.com is a magical place full of an infinite number of ideas, a place to lose yourself on Sunday afternoons without even leaving your computer. Most importantly, TED. com is a place to be instantly inspired. TED, which stands for Technology Entertainment Design, started off as an annual conference of eminent speakers from all different disciplines on a global scale who discussed ideas that could change the world. It costs around $8,000 to be in the room, so only the extremely wealthy had access to TED before British entrepreneur Chris Anderson bought the conference in 2001. Now independently organized TED events, called TEDx, are held all over the world, and over 850 talks are available for free online. Anyone with a computer can watch numerous master architects, doctors, artists, writers, engineers, and musicians talk about ways we can transform our world. The most viewed TED video in the history of the site -- with almost nine million views -- is Sir Ken Robinson’s talk on schools killing creativity. Robinson spoke of creating an educational system that nurtures creativity rather than undermining it, a statement which captures the essence of our school. After being inspired by Robinson’s words, Mr. Black, an English and Journalism teacher, was determined to bring Sir Ken Robinson to CCA. After a few students and staff members got behind the idea, a collective new vision for a TEDxYouth event for all of San Diego county emerged. On November 20th, Canyon Crest Academy will be the first ever high school campus to host a TEDxYouth event.
CCA’s TEDsters, as they call themselves, invited many influential speakers from all over the country to come speak at this event. “We’ve got a really good cross section of young people and adults, artists and entrepreneurs,” says Mr. Black. Many inspiring people from all realms of society will be giving speeches throughout the day. Richard Dreyfuss, an Oscarwinning actor, will be speaking about civics education and youth’s joint voice in society. Liz Murray will tell her story about being homeless, working hard, and eventually going to Harvard. Josh and Nika Church, two young entrepreneurs who created Nika Water, will be talking about their model of social entrepreneurship with which they provide African and South American impoverished countries with fresh drinking water. Patrick Ivison, a paraplegic surfer, will talk about his quest for injury prevention through education and research. Entertainers such as Jake Shimabukuro, a sensational ukulele player, and Team Millennia from America’s Best Dance Crew will perform. Even one of our own, Eurie Iwako, a CCA alumna, will speak about paying it forward by building wells in Sudan. The cast of MTV’s The Buried Life will conclude the event when they speak about their mission to make the world a better place while checking things off of their collective bucket list. Sophomore Madison Rhodes, one of the student leaders involved in TEDx, believes this event “will inspire youth to do something now. We don’t have to wait until we graduate from college to make a difference in the world.” Black says, “Even though you’re chronologically not as old as everyone else doesn’t really mean anything in this day and age anymore. We have so many young people that go here who have already started their lives with their own clothing lines or production companies.”
“
Even though you’re chronologically not as old as everyone else doesn’t really mean anything in this day and age anymore.
The theme of this year’s event is “The World in Our Grasp,” a metaphor for affecting change as youth as a whole, further illustrated by the fact that this event is run by kids, for kids. Natalie Allen, another TEDster, says that she is “always frustrated how school is so formulaic and geared towards texts while this event is all about learning to think outside the box.” Mr. Stiven, one of the teachers involved, says, “We’re giving exactly what would happen for adults, but it’s free and for kids from all over the county.” In the spirit of TED, CCA invited 20 other schools from all across San Diego from the border to Oceanside. Teachers from those schools handpicked students who they feel this day will truly resonate with to attend. Mr. Black describes the students attending as “dreamers, kids with ideas who just don’t know how to implement them.” Natalie Allen is responsible for the overall atmosphere of this event. She declares, “We’re trying to embrace the feeling of whimsical discovery because the kids on the bus are coming here not knowing what to expect.” Allen says, “You won’t know exactly what to make of it, but it is bound to be inspiring and highly creative.” Even though most of the Proscenium will be filled with students from other schools, roughly 60 seats will be for CCA students. TEDsters created an anonymous application that appeals to all talents for a panel of students, teachers, and volunteers to review. They want 400 students in the room who will “pay it forward” and make a difference in their community.
Mr. Black hopes “to showcase CCA without it being about CCA.” The Envision Conservatory is using all of its creative means to make great things happen on stage and off. Envision dance will be performing, and the lobby will be transformed by DFA Conservatory. Samba band will be part of the welcoming festivities in the morning, and even the robotics club will be integrated into the event. Because this is a “by students, for students” event, the parents and adult volunteers will be watching the simulcast in the Nest. If the event goes well this year, Mr. Black hopes that “TED will become a part of the legacy of our school.” Students from other schools will be encouraged to start TEDxYouth groups at their own schools when they return. Holly Ravazzolo, another TEDster, says, “Maybe the most rewarding thing is the process. At the end of the day though, it’s a product from all of us that we’re all very proud of. The world is in our hands; we can go out and make a difference.” For those who are not attending TED, TEDxYouth@San Diego will be simulcast on TED.com.
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Dillon Irwin (12)
Juliana Welch (12)
Unhappy Freshmen Natalie Allen
CCA has broken some records this year, and not just of the 910 sort. In 2011, after initial admissions and squeezing in as many students perched anxiously on the waitlist as possible, over three hundred rising freshmen were left to fend for themselves and enroll in their second-choice school. It is well known that Canyon Crest’s unique culture is brought about largely by the virtue that it is a school of choice (having a lottery-derived enrollment process) amongst several traditional high school experiences offered in the area. Being a place that students actively select to attend naturally breeds a greater sense of peace (for being in one’s place of choice) and thoughtfulness (for having pondered the selection of this place of choice). Our last quandary: might the very cultural potential that would have benefitted CCA have been turned around to harm the cultures of the many “second-choice” schools three hundred students were obligated to attend? Three hundred unhappy freshmen cannot simply enter a school system unnoticed, insignificant.
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The Student Art Section
visit
ccapulseonline.com Friend Pulse on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ccapulsemag Submit your art to editors.pulse@gmail.com
Year
Jubilant Newbies (9-12)
Sad Waitlist Rejects
Transfers Admitted
2011
564
335
17 (Siblings Only)
2010
751
Full Waitlist Admitted
88
2009
738
Full Waitlist Admitted
98
2011 was the first year in CCA’s history in which waitlisted students – and a substantial number of them – were denied admission to CCA. As years pass and an ever-strengthening population of students accumulates at our school, lottery admission rates steadily decline. Canyon Crest Academy has reached a happy (though not so happy for say, 335 local students this year…) level in regard to its student population, and admission rates should become more consistent from this year forth.
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Report:
Occupy San Diego Nachi Baru
It began fairly quietly in the middle of September, with a small group of protestors assembling on Zuccotti Park in the heart of the New York City financial district to rail against Wall Street greed. Eventually, however, their numbers swelled into the thousands, with their cries against perceived social inequality and the influence of corporate power in the public sphere attracting more members, as well as greater air time and attention in national and global media outlets. “Occupy Wall Street,” as it is now famously known, has given birth to similar movements that have spread both across the country and the world, with Occupy protests manifesting themselves in places as far as London and Rome. The growing anger at the nation’s financial elite, and the desire to protect the interests of what Occupy participants have labeled the “99 percent” of the country whose voices are not being heard, has spread even here. Early October saw the launch of our very own Occupy San Diego, with protestors camping out in the Civic Center Plaza, where I visited them on a recent Saturday. The numbers of those obstinately camped out in the heart of the city was, of course, not as impressive as those of their
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counterparts in New York, but the dedication among the Occupy SD activists (numbering from around 100-200 “full time protestors”) was evident. Sleeping bags were strewn across the steps in the plaza, the noise of speeches being given on speaker phones was everconstant, and volunteers had succeeded in setting up food and water stations, where pizza and pasta dinners were handed out to long lines. A majority of those present were fairly young, typically in their twenties or thirties. While the atmosphere was mostly subdued (many preparing for their daily 7pm rally), they clearly managed to draw attention to themselves, their chants and fervent sign wielding grabbing the attention of most walking by. I made my way towards the back of the plaza next to the food distribution areas, where an “Education Center” had been set up in an attempt to explain the goals and motivations of the protestors to any interested passers by. Engaged in passionate discussion at the stand were Ed, a computer scientist who formerly worked at the San Diego Supercomputer Center, and Kristen, a dietician who was one of the original rally organizers, setting up profiles for Oc-
cupy SD on both Twitter and Facebook. While the Occupy phenomenon has come under criticism from the media for not having a clear, coherent goal or aim, Kristen felt that the movement’s true power came in its ability to express the anger and frustration being felt by many ordinary Americans. “The system has been hijacked by corporate interests…this allows people to coalesce and make themselves visible.” When pressed further, however, she did voice a few policy goals that she felt most of the people at Occupy SD broadly shared. “We want campaign finance reform – corporations are not the same as people. Lobbying reform, more money in education and less in war, and a fairer tax structure.” Ed concurred, adding that he felt that money in general had taken an unhealthy place in America’s social and political structure. “Money used to be a means of exchange…now money is just a way of concentrating power in the hands of a select few.” Interjecting into the conversation was Miguel, a formerly homeless man who has struggled to find work since being crippled by back problems and cataracts, and who took particular issue with what he saw as undue corporate influence on politics and decision making at the highest level. “Bush and the Republicans lied to us so they could spend one trillion dollars to go to war with Iraq. And who profited? The people didn’t…it was corporations.” All three of them agreed with the notion that big business and those who run these businesses don’t really care about the health of the economy and the nation’s poor, even going so far as to say that they prefer the current situation, as people are more willing to work jobs for lesser and lesser pay. “Wal-Mart and the Walton family -- they only hire their workers for 35 hour work weeks, just little enough so they don’t have to pay for any benefits,” said Ed. “Wal-Mart has programs where they teach their employees how to apply for food stamps…what does that tell you?” Occupy protests have suffered heavy disparagement from many political pundits, who have criticized the protests for waging class warfare against the “job creators” responsible for driving employment and economic growth, a suggestion that was rejected by Kristen, who countered “If this is class warfare, then the rich are winning.” She went on to note the gaping and ever-growing disparity between the rich and the poor in America, noting that “20% of the country holds 85% of the wealth. Will they really notice if they only have 80, or 75 percent?” I left the Civic Center just as a “human megaphone” was developing, a group of protestors forming around a main ringleader and loudly echoing his speech into the twilight sky. Whether this movement, and its counterparts in cities across the nation, will have any effect on public policy and the future of this country remains to be seen. But for now, it is clear that the protestors are intent on occupying, and making as much noise as they can in the process, for as long as possible.
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College Co
Part I: Application Overview
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The first in a five-pa
International Student
Liberal Arts Student
International Student is applying to thirty schools spanning from the west coast of the United States to the United Kingdom. IS’ top schools are University of Cambridge (Cambridge, UK), Bowdoin College (Maine), Boston University (Massachusetts), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Massachusetts), and IS is on the edge with University College in London, UK. International Student’s unweighted GPA is 3.9 and weighted is 4.1 with a 2270 on the SAT and 35 on the ACT. She acknowledges that thirty schools is a large number, with around $2,000 in application fees, but International Student wants to have a wide variety of choices from a wide variety of geographical regions when the acceptances roll in. Internaional Student is also torn between the universitires her parents want her to apply to and her own personal decisions. So, she decided to apply to both. International Student visited England for three weeks this past summer and found herself herself drawn to the scenic campuses, open space, and lower cost of tuition – even when converted to pounds. MORE NUMBERS HERE. The universities in England have more of an old-world-meets-cosmopolitan vibe, she says. International student is an aspiring electro or perhaps micro-engineer, and is also considering attending law school.
Liberal Art’s student is a wrestler, a black-belt in taekwondo and a member of band. His weighted GPA is 4.26 with a 2160 on the SAT. Liberal Art’s Student has also taken the SAT Subject Tests for Biology (and got a 760) and Math (760 again) to gain some edge as an aspiring biology major. He will have taken a total of twelve Advanced Placement courses by graduation. He hopes that this will lead to an acceptance letter from Wesleyan University, where he is applying Early Decision. He is also applying to Amherst College, Claremont Mckenna College, Stanford University, Rice University, Columbia University, and the University of California campuses for San Diego, Berkeley, Los Angeles, Irvine and Davis.
onfidential
art series by Crystal Long and Tess Wallenstein
Ivy Leaguer
Art School Student
“I have to go to Harvard.” And with sixteen AP classes, a 4.66 GPA, and 36 ACT score to his name, he certainly has a chance. Aside from a stellar academic record, he also shadows a neurosurgeon, works side-by-side with researchers on a quest to cure MS, and has held a job at a local smoothie shop throughout high school. He started a club that hosts weekly beach clean ups. This year, he will be playing a varsity sport. In many ways, he seems like the ideal applicant. Each of these various achievements is accomplished with Harvard in mind, particularly Harvard Medical School. Ivy Leaguer aspires to follow in the footsteps of the grandfather that he never met, who was a general surgeon and offered free medical care to those that could not afford it, and become a neurosurgeon. For him, a Harvard undergraduate education, and especially a Harvard graduate education, is the only fitting avenue towards this goal. Ivy Leaguer believes that his unwavering determination to attend Harvard and become a neurosurgeon are his biggest assets as an applicant, and he hopes that theis dedication will come across in his essays. “I’m not going to change my mind,” he says, referring to Harvard. All other universities – despite their prestige and popular appeal – fall short of Ivy Leaguer’s vision of Harvard. The other Ivy League universities, along with the presitgous Stanford, Vanderbilt, UCLA, and UC Berkeley are on his radar, but Harvard remains his central focus.
New York City is the main draw for Art Student, a photographer, and unlike our other students, her photographic portfolio is just as important as her academic record. She has her heart set on attending New York University and is applying Early Decision. She is drawn both to its urban location and its renowned Tisch School of the Arts. Art Student is also applying to Barnard College and Pratt Institute, both of which are also in the Big Apple. Art School is applying Early Decision to New York University, with Pratt Institute and Barnard College as the two backup schools also within the Big Apple. As her other backups, AS is also applying to University of California, Los Angeles’ photography program, University of California, Santa Barbara’s College of Creative Studies, and a few smaller art schools such as the Art Institutes and California College of Art. As a note to future art-related majors, those applying to the art schools at UCLA undergo a separate admissions process from the university’s other applicants. Naturally, her portfolio will be weighted heavily along with her academics. AS’s creative extracurriculars include photography for the yearbook and a summer program at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Each school has different requirements for her portfolio, but her top choice, NYU Tisch, requires at least 20 photos, artwork other than photos (sketches, videos, digital art, etc.). Of the 20 required photos, 10 must be representative of home, five must be of a different body of work, and the last five are the applicant’s choice. She explains that her passion for New York is due to her desire to be surrounded by inspirational people, things, and ideas. As one would assume.
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University of California, Davis Mascot: Mustang Strongest Programs: Environmental Studies, Botany, Animal Science, Studio Art, Agriculture “The campus is beautiful, the students are welcoming, and the Coffee House coffee is delicious.” Caroline Cohen (‘09)
Hittin’ Up the UC System
Arianna Irwin and Jess Mersten
University of California, Berkeley Mascot: Golden Bear Strongest Programs: English, Political Science, Architecture, Engineering, Theoretical Physics, Business
“Dank forest, waves, and eerie spirits.” Jake Holker (’10)
University of California, Santa Barbara Mascot: Gaucho Strongest Programs: Marine Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Geology, Religious Studies “I love the environment here! Just really relaxed and everyone is always outdoors.” Rachel McCormick (‘11)
University of California at Los Angeles Strongest Programs: Music, Engineering, Economics, Biology, Political Science, Dance, Psychology, Film/ Television “There’s definitely a lot of positive energy which is fun. I think the only thing that I don’t like is the school’s location--Westwood gets a little boring unless you have a car or want to take a 45 minute bus ride to go somewhere on the weekends.” Isa Beniston (’10)
University of California, Merced Mascot: Golden Bobcat Strongest Programs: Biological Sciences. Psychology “Because only a small fraction of the University is actually completed, the campus’ small size keeps walking distances to a minimum and makes the small population less daunting.” Patrick Wu (’09) University of California at Riverside Mascot: Bear Strongest Programs: Plant Sciences, Entomology, Engineering “There is a lot of wildlife here; since I came to Riverside, I have already seen numerous coyotes and red tailed hawks as well as heard stories of encounters with bobcats and mountain lions.” Elaine Hiseh (’10) University of California, Irvine Mascot: Anteater Strongest Programs: Chemistry, Healthcare Management, Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Criminology, Creative Writing “I like the campus and that it is so close to home probably the most. There is not a great amount of diversity however in ethnicity, as the campus is predominately white and Asian, but everyone I have met are incredibly nice and awesome to be around.” Torrey Mercer (’11)
University of California, San Diego Mascot: Triton Strongest Programs: Biology, Engineering, Bioengineering, Cognitive Science, Economics, Political Science, Oceanography, Communications “People say it is socially dead which is true to a certain extent. If you search for the fun, you’ll find it. But if you don’t, you won’t.” Jane Duong (‘10)
Illustration by Cage Cluff
University of California, Santa Cruz Mascot: Banana Slug Strongest Programs: English, Political Science, Architecture, Engineering, Theoretical Physics, Business
“Everyone is so engaged and driven, so you learn new things about what’s going on in the world just by catching up and having conversations with people.” Sophie Needelman (’10)
Stats
SAT and ACT scores below are the middle 50% of admitted applicants
Acceptance Rate: 24.5 % Undergraduate Enrollment: 25,540 SAT Critical Reading 600-730 SAT Math 630- 760 SAT Writing 610- 740 ACT Range: 27- 33
Acceptance Rate: 44.5% Undergraduate Enrollment: 24, 737 SAT Critical Reading 530- 650 SAT Math 570- 690 SAT Writing 540- 660 ACT Range: 24- 30
Acceptance Rate: 21% Undergraduate Enrollment: 26, 162 SAT Critical Reading 570- 680 SAT Math 600- 740 SAT Writing 580- 710 ACT Range: 25- 31
Acceptance Rate: 77.4% Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,242 SAT Critical Reading 450-570 SAT Math 480- 620 SAT Writing 460- 570 ACT Range: 19-25
Acceptance Rate: 78% Undergraduate Enrollment: 4, 138 SAT Critical Reading 430- 550 SAT Math 460- 590 SAT Writing 450- 560 ACT Range: N/A
Acceptance Rate: 41.7% Undergraduate Enrollment: 19, 186 SAT Critical Reading 540- 650 SAT Math 560- 680 SAT Writing 540- 660 ACT Range: 25-30
Acceptance Rate: 45.4 % Undergraduate Enrollment: 21, 976 SAT Critical Reading 510-620 SAT Math 560-670 SAT Writing 520-640 ACT Range: 23-28
Acceptance Rate: 64.9% Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,225 SAT Critical Reading 510-630 SAT Math 520-630 SAT Writing 520-630 ACT Range: 22-28
Acceptance Rate: 36.8% Undergraduate Enrollment: 23, 663 SAT Critical Reading: 540-660 SAT Math: 610-720 SAT Writing: 560-680 ACT Range: 24-30
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By Elijah Granet
Candidate
General Profile
Pro
Con
Barack Obama
the incumbent president, who was brought in on a wave of hope and change, is hoping to revive the energy that made him Commander in Chief.
Can stay above the continuing fray in the Republican primary and attempt to cast himself as a rational leader surrounded by irrational demagogues
Widespread disappointment in his policies, redistricting may favor Republicans, widespread apathy among younger voters who carried him into office, the poor economy
Rick Perry
Energizing Texas governor who has quickly become the front-runner in the race. Perry’s platform promotes his accomplishments with the “Texas Miracle” that created massive amounts of jobs in Texas
Energizing candidate with charisma and established following
Potentially weak on past campaign finance issues, as well as certain immigration issues
Mitt Romney
Former Massachusetts governor, runner-up in 2008 election. A successful businessman, Romney plans to use his private sector experience to drive policy
Experienced with some of the most clear economic plans of all the candidates
Lacks charisma
Michele Bachmann
Minnesota Congressman and Tea Party favorite
Strong support from the Tea Party base and some support from the more Christian republicans
Rick Perry is eroding her base. Also, she has trouble being taken seriously by many party insiders
Ron Paul
Libertarian congressman with a strong grassroots following
Consistent, principals driven candidate who inspires cult like devotion
Too consistent and principal driven to moderate himself on some of his more extreme positions
John Huntsman
Former Utah governor and US ambassador to China under Obama, widely seen as a moderate
Candidate with broad general appeal, stays away from vitriolic statements
Worked for Obama, espouses certain moderate positions that will lose him votes
Rick Santorum
Former US senator from Pennsylvania, very conservative on social issues
Christian support on the base
Low profile and uninteresting
Newt Gingrich
Former Speaker of the House, author of many influential books and speeches
Experienced candidate
Too much baggage from the past
Herman Cain
Former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, also the only African American candidate
Populist 9-9-9 tax plan inspires interest
Has trouble being taken seriously
The following candidates have not been included in the major debates or polls due to their low poll numbers: Gary Johnson: Former New Mexico governor, perhaps best known for advocating the legalization of marijuana Buddy Roemer: Former Louisiana governor refuses to accept donations of more than $100 Thaddeus McCotter: Michigan Congressman plays guitar
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A Very Hipster Thxgiving By Natalie Hoffman
Unbutton your BDG jeans, loosen your vintage leather belt, and break out the to-furkey—This is Thanksgiving, hipster style. For hipsters, Thanksgiving is a necessary evil— an obsolete American tradition rooted in revisionist history that entails piling an incoherent amount of turkey, gravy, and mashed potatoes on a plate and eating until one has increased their pants-size ten-fold. However, even hipsters recognize that Thanksgiving is also a time to congregate and bond together to celebrate a detested holiday in true hipster fashion. The most important aspect of Thanksgiving is obviously food. To shift Thanksgiving from drab to fab, hipsters avoid turkey, pumpkin pie, gravy, and all other holiday eating clichés (for those only demonstrate an attachment to close-minded provincialism). Hipsters don’t eat turkey. Turkey is too mainstream. Turkey is for people who live in Oklahoma. True hipsters know that anything less than veganism is subpar. When shopping for the perfect combination of hipster-friendly Thanksgiving foods, look no further than the local Jimbo’s. Shop the infinite aisles of organic produce and foreign delicacies and be sure to pick out the most absurd of the bunch. Faring unique, international food at one’s table is conclusive evidence that one is enlightened enough to see the folly of a traditional Thanksgiving, but sincere enough to embrace a time when family and friends can get together. For those still torn between homemade sushi and organic sautéed mushrooms for their feast, here’s a list of everything one could possibly need for a hip Thxgiving.
The essentials: Festive Thanksgiving sweater—must be purchased from a second-hand thrift shop. To-furkey—absolutely no meat should be present at the table. Disposable film camera—ironic family photo optional. Apple pie—pumpkin pie is too mainstream. Christmas lights—Christmas tree voluntary. Soy Milk, Almond Milk. Rice Milk. Just no real milk. Keep it organic.
Album Review: House of Balloons The Weeknd
By Natalie Hoffman and Kate Marin Billowing from the depths of complete anonymity, Toronto-based R&B group The Weeknd led by front-man Abel Tesfaye, certainly exemplifies how the immediacy of the internet—along with promotional assistance from an industry icon—can generate rapid success and notoriety. Following pronounced support from hip-hop artist Drake, The Weeknd exploded into the blogosphere and established a name as the newest sound of contemporary R&B. Through nine tracks of heartbreak, drugs, and relationship woes on their debut mixtape House of Balloons, The Weeknd has undoubtedly created the most original, interesting, and perplexing rhythm and bass outfit to emerge in years. From its album illustration to the soothing synths used in “The Morning,” House of Balloons develops an impressive command of attention and soulful reflection of love, lust, and scandal. Such themes are mirrored in the mixtape’s blatantly scandalous lyrical content which is best described as overtly sexual, lustful, and narcoticsfocused. While debauchery may be an age old staple of R&B, The Weeknd takes such an idea to new heights. In House of Balloons, the drugs are harder, the seduction feels more predatory, and the general tone is self-hating rather than commemorative. Though lyrically the overall attitude may be harsh, it is matched by a chilly, late-night, electronic sound that is complemented by the sublime vocals of Tesfaye. Such a clash in turn creates a specific nocturnal and downcast quality. The albums opener, “High for This,” particularly eases the listener with smooth vocals until precisely dropping an infusion of heavy bass and pulsing rhythm throughout its chorus. At the center of House of Balloons stands the most tragic, self-loathing ballad “Wicked Games.” The song easily sums up Tesfaye’s dissolution about his love life, a vocation of how he
wishes to gain confidence in himself. Pleading to the listener, he painfully sings “Tell me you love me/even though you don’t love me.” Musically, its sinister and menacing backdrop and explosive guitar riffs coincides fluidly with the melancholic lyrics. Tesfaye creates an undeniable mood throughout this album that only grows more substantial with every listen. This holds true even up to its closing song, “The Knowing,” which carries a sentimentally lethargic groove accompanied by heartfelt vocals and painfully honest lyrics. Since unveiling House of Balloons, self-released in March, The Weeknd has gained respect from the diverse and often separate audiences of R&B mainstream and indie underground. Although the aforementioned appreciation of such divided groups may seem contradictory, it is in fact the exact nature of their sound to appeal to such a broad spectrum. While The Weeknd’s signature electronic construction and slow, synthesizer beats satisfy the indie audience, the luxuriously soulful vocals of the group’s front-man Abel Tesfaye assure the mainstream R&B lovers of the bands loyalty to the genre of rhythm and blues. This crucial balance between hipster and radio guarantees a success that so many artists aspire for—the ability to please a loyal indie market while concurrently being played by major radio and television stations. While the genre of R&B seldom produces acts of true unique quality, it seems The Weeknd is an exception. Their ability to retain vagueness and obscurity, while still being adored by mainstream rhythm and blues enthusiasts is a feature that sets them apart from the countless overproduced and overplayed artists of our time. In an industry where artists are full of self praise, this mysterious group brings a disturbing yet refreshingly real picture of the party life to light. Despite being a free mixtape, The Weeknd’s House of Balloons truly feels like a cohesive album. Nine tracks of electronic and rhythmic sound complemented by sublime vocals create an unimaginably addictive and consistent mixtape that is sure to please all audiences. It is rumored that the group will be releasing their next album, Echos of Silence, in the fall. However, until then fans will faithfully stand by The Weeknd’s creatively composed and inexplicably executed mixtape, House of Balloons.
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