Pulse Magazine: Volume 6, Issue 1 by Pulse Magazine

Letter

from the

Editor: Maia Ferdman

We have no entered Canyon Crest Academy’s sixth academic year. This year’s seniors are the last that were present at the time of the first class to graduate from CCA, making them the “last of the first.” With this reflection come questions of the future, and questions of our school’s identity. With a group of students now different from those who founded it, CCA faces a new chapter in its “life.” CCA started as a vision, as the brainchild of some individuals who wanted to emphasize academics, technology, and creative expression among high school students. This vision became reality, blossomed in its infancy with achievements ranging from CIF banners to alumni at Ivy League schools, and has now grown into maturity. A very promising maturity, considering our brilliant API score. Amy Kim delves into this achievement, as well as into the budget crisis we have been experiencing for months. Nachi Baru finds that in the midst of national religious tensions, CCA students too struggle with issues of religion and accepting those who are different from us. I explore our generation’s fairly new obsession and dependency on technology, and the implications for generations past and future. We also meet a few standout students: a horse enthusiast, an Olympian, and an aspiring, though struggling, author. We speak with CCA’s own Comedy Sportz club, and this issue’s teen entrepreneurs, who are leading the way into a new, “Noble Life.”

This collection of promising and unique students is what makes CCA the diverse and successful campus that it is. Tess Wallenstein speaks with a sophomore who struggled with drug use, and spent six months in a rehabilitation center. Although his past has shaped his life in a lot of ways, he insists that it does not define him. Michael Wang questions that company we have all grown to despise: the dreaded College Board. They own the prestigious SAT and AP tests. But do they own us? In addition to the new, this year we have seen old aspects of CCA come back to life. Hector Gutierrez, our beloved campus supervisor, has returned, and The Nest, once merely a dream, has been made into a reality. In high school we witness change on every level, ranging from international, to local, to individual. But despite these changes, something about us remains constant. Whether we are sure of this constant or have yet to find it, we must celebrate our school’s, and our own, identity. Enjoy our Identity Issue,

Maia Ferdman

CONTENTS

November 2010 / vol. 6 / issue 1

Regulars

God at Ground Zero

Budget Update: Bad or Bust! | 8

Hector’s Back! page 16

page 22

Student Groups: Envision & Conservatory: Alice Lost In Wonderland| 9

Student Entrepeneurs: Noble Life | 12

Matt Dinerman, Fearghal Casey, & Sam Cash | 14

Barefoot:

Student Art

Featuring Christine Mi & Tommy Mulloy | 24

page 05

Meet ASB ‘10-11 page six

Editor-in-Chief: Maia Ferdman Online Editor: Tess Wallenstein News Editor: Nachi Baru Feature Editor: Jessica Mersten Opinion Editors: Amy Kim & Glenn Borok Entertainment Editor: Kimia Zomorrodi Layout Director: Crystal Long Layout Designer: Jan Carstens Layout Editor: Christina Krasnikova Photo Editor: Daniel Metz Staff Writers: Guy Giubilato, Arianna Irwin Business Manager: Carly Gutner-Davis Business Team: Guy Giubilato, Kimia Zomorrodi Advisor: Christopher Black

Page

We’ve found the Nest!

Student Profiles:

Because Conventional Footwear is Overrated | 17

Illustration by Christine Mi

Co M lle on ge op Bo ol ar y d

pa ge

Comedy Sportz | 9

10 FUN

Rehab:

A Student’s Experience

...under 21? page 26

For reader feedback or advertising information please contact Pulse at: 5951 Village Center Loop Rd. San Diego, Ca 92130 (858) 350-0253 x 4192

ccapulseonline.com editors.pulse@gmail.com

All photos by Daniel Metz except where noted. The opinions expressed by the writers and the content of the advertisements do not necessarily reflect those of Pulse Magazine, Canyon Crest Academy, or the San Dieguito Union High School District.

Upcoming Events

Calendar Concerts

CCA Events

Wednesday, Nov. 3rd

Teusday, Nov. 2nd

- Final Midterms for periods one and two

Wednesday, Nov. 3rd

- Final Midterms for periods two and three

Thursday, Nov. 4th

- CCA club Day! Extended lunch period

- Two Door Cinema Club concert at Belly Up

Friday, Nov. 5th

- Circa Survive concert at House of Blues San Diego

Saturday, Nov. 6th

Teusday, Nov. 2nd

- Final Midterms for periods one and two

- John Legend with special guest Macy Gray concert at Petco Park

Teusday, Nov. 2nd

Friday, Nov. 12th

- Final Midterms for periods one and two

Thursday, Nov. 7th

Tuesday, Nov. 16th

- Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Holiday, no school!

- The Fearless Friends Tour with Mayday Parade at House of Blues San Diego

Friday, Nov. 8th

- Extended weekend, no school!

Wednesday, Nov. 17th

- PLAN test administered to 9th and 10th grade students

Monday, Nov. 22nd - Friday, Nov. 26th - Fall Holiday, no school!

Monday, Dec. 20th - Friday, Dec. 31st - Winter Break, no school!

- Sublime concert at Valley View Casino Center

- OMG Tour with Usher featuring Trey Songz at the San Diego Sports Arena

Electro-pop/ Hip Hop

Indie Rock

Neo-Soul/ Contemporary

Ska Punk

Punk-Rock

Pop/R&B

Thursday, Nov. 18th

- Get Back Loretta concert at the Casbah in Funk-Rock/ Little Italy Alternative rock

Friday, Nov. 19th

- Pepper Concert at the House of Blues San Reggae/Dub/Rock Diego Contribution from Natalie Hoffman

Late Start Wednesdays - November 17th - December 1st - December 8th - December 15th

Go to ccapulseonline.com for extended content, pictures, blogs, updates, and more!

finally! Nest

the

We Hear About

By Jessica Mersten

Imagine a place on campus abuzz with smooth conversation, settled in a cozy and environmentally friendly atmosphere with a lingering scent of smoothies. This would be the perfect place to catch up on your reading for Mr. Leal or finish your chemistry homework by second period. This dream will soon become a reality, when The Nest café opens its doors for the first time this year. The Nest is the brainchild of students, faculty, and parents alike. Originally imagined almost three years ago, The Nest is finishing development for its grand opening by late fall of 2010. The new ROP Business Management class, under the careful instruction of English teacher Jeannie Chufo, is plowing through challenges and imagining ideas that will turn The Nest into CCA’s new lounge. Inspiration for The Nest came loosely from the campus of a Los Angeles high school. The cafeteria is student-run, and teachers use lunchtime as an opportunity to teach students the basics of running a business, such as customer service and food preparation. Students learn to track income and profits, all while working hands on and solving daily problems. But this up and coming lounge will be one of kind, never has anything like The Nest been created on a high school campus. Only through the hard work of the ROP Business Management class can something so abstract become concrete. Already students have been divided into several distinct aspects of business, such as finance, marketing, design, and barista teams. Weekly, each group creates ideas that they later refine and later present to the class. This group setting provides an intimate atmosphere amidst the huge class size. “The class is really large, which is amazing and wonderful, but being able to harness everyone’s talents and be efficient and work forward to open The Nest has been a challenge for me,” describes Chufo.

Even with so many different personalities, The Nest class has progressed quickly since school opened in August. One of many aspects that holds the class together is the students’ motivation and similar vision. Barista Jackie Fisch imagines The Nest as “Environmentally friendly, artistic, hip,” and her vision closely resembles that of her fellow classmate, Garrison Price. “I see it open and running every day with a long line to get in,” he describes. Future Nest patrons will not be able to resist the allure of the Japanese tea garden, custom music, and fresh food. Ms. Chufo sees The Nest as something more than just a place to get a good hot lunch on campus: “The idea is that it will be a completely self-sufficient student run business… a small intimate performance space, classroom, study hall and meeting space.” Not only will students have a hand in sales, but classes across campus are working in collaboration with The Nest program. Midi students have been writing custom music tracks that will be played through speakers and art students are providing paintings to decorate the walls. This intimate setting will provide Theatre students with a place to connect to their audiences, while the lounge will provide bands with a comfortable venue for late night performances. It takes a strong will and patience to make this vision a reality, and through the efforts of the ROP Business Management class and teacher Jeannie Chufo, The Nest will soon be up and running for all students to enjoy. This “working laboratory” has already created quite a stir on campus and promises to deliver an experience like no other. As Chufo explains about the entire process, “Part of running a business is trial and error and being okay with failure. [The Nest] is about failure, and success and learning on the fly.”

JAMES LEWIS (bottom left): TREASURER third year in ASB Job Description: “I manage the ASB budget, making sure that the right amount of money goes to each program.” Fun Fact: “I love UCLA and Tiger Woods.”

TAYLOR PATTERSON: SECRETARY fourth year in ASB Job Description: “I make the agenda for the ASB weekly meetings and record the ‘minutes’ while they occur. I’m also there to help the other secretaries in the class with the event process and keep them organized. It gives me a chance to put my organizational and leading skills to work.” Fun Facts: “There are three sets of twins in my family and I’ve met BJ Novak (Ryan Howard from The Office).”

KAILEY LAWSON: SOPHOMORE CLASS PRESIDENT, second year in ASB Job Description: “I run fundraisers and class events for sophomores. I’m excited to really get to know my class through some fun bonding exercises and games and bring us closer together as a whole.” Fun Fact: “I’m addicted to the color orange.” BECCA GOLDEN: ASB VICE PRESIDENT third year in ASB Job Description: “I’m in charge of overseeing the publicity for school events. All advertisements that appear on campus have to be approved by me for accuracy and appropriateness. Basically, I inform the student body about Canyon Crest events through different mediums. I also participate in district board meetings on behalf of CCA.”

Fun Fact: “I have an unhealthy obsession with Taylor Swift.”

MELISSA HAND: JUNIOR CLASS PRESIDENT, third year in ASB Job Description: “It’s my job to plan fundraisers and bonding events for juniors. Although ASB is a big time commitment, I find it really rewarding to be able to reach out to students and make their time at CCA enjoyable by creating a very open atmosphere.” Fun Fact: “I spent a month training at the Carolina Ballet last summer.”

JENNA GOLDEN: FRESHMEN CLASS PRESIDENT, first year in ASB Job Description: “I plan freshman bonding events and school fundraisers. It gives me a chance to be creative and generate spirit to boost the CCA culture.” Fun Fact: “I am a photography fanatic.”

BRIAN DOYLE: ASB PRESIDENT, third year in ASB Job Description: “Along with my other ASB members, I run the class on a daily basis, and lead our class meetings. I’m in charge of planning events such as Red Ribbon Week, Star Week, and Staff Appreciation Week.” “I try to reinforce that everything the ASB class does is for the students. I will try to put together more meaningful events that students will actually enjoy and take out the poorly-planned events that cause a negative outlook on ASB.” (on students disliking ASB) Fun Fact: “I get chills listening to the song ‘Defying Gravity.’”

Meet This Year’s

ASB Representatives By Guy Giubilato

News:

Budget Update

Bad Budget or Bust By Amy Kim Illustration by Jimmy Cao

With summer drawn to a close and school well under way, the topic of education is becoming more prominent, especially in the discussion of its economic conditions. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child – it takes money to educate one. For one, it’s important to take account of the fact that the general outlook on California’s education hasn’t been bright since 2008. Take those annual back-to-school supply lists, for example. This year, many parents are surprised that instead of seeing the traditional academic utensils – pencils, erasers, and sheets of paper – they find recommended janitorial supplies including disinfecting wipes, garbage bags, paper towels, hand sanitizer, hand soap, facial tissue, and toilet paper. In other words, schools and their faculties are trying to manage the tight budgets and ultimately, mitigate the fiscally delicate situation. California is also to hold back $2.9 billion a month in payments to school districts in order for the state to pay its own bills. This postponement signifies that California districts will have to budget to a greater extent during the fall semester. Although the deferral was expected, school administrators, including CCA’s principal, Brian Kohn, had never anticipated it to occur in September. In consequence to this early delay, the Association of California School Administrators replied that the state was merely shifting its financial problems onto the schools. Kohn asserts, “They [the government officials] keep changing their plans – moving money. The budget’s a really fluid thing.” He adds, “But there’s no way we’re going to endure the economic downturn without impacting education.” On the other hand, there have been more optimistic matters – light promises of aids to schools. On August 16, 2010, schools throughout California were to receive $1.2 billion from the federal jobs bill. The Obama administration intended to allocate the education money to states later on and was focused on rehiring laid-off teachers or restoring school days. Moreover, this legislation could save an approximate 16,500 jobs in California – retaining teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses, administrators,

and other school staff members. Indeed, there have been slow, but beneficial comebacks for teachers. Peder Larsen, who was one of more than 300 Long Beach Unified School District teachers dismissed this year, commented in an interview with the San Jose Mercury News that he felt relieved that he and others were just the first of many to have their layoffs rescinded. For now, however, the situation remains unsettled, due to the fact that California lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger haven’t yet agreed on a state budget for the year. Also, the San Dieguito Union High School District has not signed the bill because of its undefined parameters. In other words, the schools do not know what they have to do in return for receiving the financial support. They also have no clue as to the purpose of the bill; Obama was clear on his part – that the money was to be used to bring teachers back – but on the other hand, districts that have consented to the bill have used it to obtain school days back or for their own purposes. This is not panacea, but Kohn counters, “It has forced public education to see more efficient ways of business. Not to say this is a good situation, [but] it has helped us [unintentionally] in ways.” Speaking of fortuitous benefits to the school, CCA’s Academic Performance Index, or API increased 26 points to 894, making CCA the top comprehensive high school in the county in 2010. Although the API measures academic performance (not necessarily school quality), this will certainly bring more students to CCA, increasing the home value near the campus, ultimately affecting the school both internally and externally. The beauty in this – how despite the refusals, the hostility, and the California education system in general, CCA ravens are yet undeterred – is phenomenal. Despite the delays and the difficult budget, schools are slowly, but significantly, resolving their fiscal problems, decisively changing education. Therefore, it is safe to say that students this year can come to school on a happy note.

Student Groups:

Comedy Sportz

By Glenn Borok and Nachi Baru Ask anyone on the street to name a sport, and chances are that you’ll get answers like basketball, football, or soccer. Chances are that few, if any, will list stand-up comedy as a stereotypical sport. Improvisational stand-up comedy, however, demands the same speed and agility of the mind as other sports require of the body. Those skills are reflected in CCA’s Comedy Sportz team, one that exemplifies as much of our spirit and uniqueness as that of any of the other sports teams. The Canyon Crest Comedy Sportz team was founded just five years ago, but is part of a larger movement. Comedy Sportz is a national organization that was founded in Los Angeles twenty years ago, with the goal of spreading the idea of improv comedy as a legitimate sport. The group has professional outlets in nearly all major American cities and has slowly but surely begun spreading across high schools as well. According to Sarah Spiegelman, the captain of the Comedy Sportz team, the membership process is “very secretive,” but the team may include over thirty members this season, a significant number of whom are freshmen. According to Spiegelman, improvisation is a skill that has to be honed through constant practice, and even then it may be impossible to ever fully master it. “All the professionals I’ve ever worked with or learned from still take classes all the time. It’s something you study for your whole life,” she says. In its five years as a regular fixture on campus, Comedy Sportz has grown in popularity and regularly attracts full crowds during its performances in the Black Box Theater. The CCA team sometimes splits up and plays matches against each other, but will usually be paired up against other schools. Sustained rivalry with the handful of regional schools with Comedy Sportz teams has created an atmosphere of fairly intense competition. The “regular season,” however, is often merely a warm up to the main competition, a So Cal-wide tournament featuring the best Comedy Sportz teams in the region, complete with its own “Final Four.” Comedy Sportz can prove a valuable outlet of expression for even the shyest students. “I think the biggest effect Comedy Sportz has is to make people feel more comfortable,” says Spiegelman. When asked about what she wanted her lasting legacy as the head of Comedy Sportz to be, Spiegelman responded, “I hope that it continues to be

something where older kids are teaching younger kids and helping them grow, without me here to be that person.” The Comedy Sportz games are not free, but many students are willing to pay a minor entrance fee to be entertained. Coupled with funding from the CCA Foundation, this fee has allowed the team to keep itself in a good shape financially. Overall, the CCA Comedy Sportz team has developed a strong sense of camaraderie through its shared experience, as they think quickly on stage and master their nerves to attain perhaps the sport’s ultimate prize; the audience’s laughter.

Envision & Conservatory: Alice Lost In Wonderland By Arianna Irwin Alice Lost in Wonderland, the upcoming dance performance directed by Rayna Stohl, will feature a dark twist to the classic tale with a focus on Alice’s quest to find herself. As Stohl explains, “I like to delve into the psychology behind things and to me the ‘Lost’ piece focuses on Alice just being lost as an individual, as a teenager, and her journey through the different characters who are kind of mad.” The performance will be filled with music that stretches across multiple genres, while the movement will be primarily modern dance with a sprinkle of gymnastics and a dash of hip-hop. The hip-hop will be provided by Yvonne Hernandez, who will be flown in from New York to assist Stohl with choreography. Rehearsals began September 21, and the show is about an hour and a half long, says Stohl. With such a talented pool of dancers and actors at CCA, casting is always a difficult process, but Stohl says that she knew who was the perfect dancer to play the innocent and beautiful Alice based on last year’s dance performance: “I was watching Maggie Kuznia [senior] dance, and it hit me that she was Alice. Just the way she emotes on the stage, she had this very innocent quality to her. She also has everything I would want Alice to be—she’s a perfect actress, she is a beautiful mover, and she works so hard… I knew she would nail the character.” However, for the ensemble, she had more trouble with the casting. “Honestly, I was planning to cast more dancers than I ended up casting. But I chose sixteen girls who were strong technically. They also did a great job of doing my weird, corky movement. I also had very specific characters that I was looking for.” Stohl’s last comment on her upcoming show was “I think [Alice] is going to be a show not to be missed. It is really, really exciting. I just think that it will be a really fun adventure, and hopefully lots of CCA [students and staff] will get to see it.”

Feature

Down the Rabbit Hole One Student’s Personal Experience From Addiction to Recovery

By Nachi Baru, Maia Ferdman, and Tess Wallenstein

“Your demons will grow everyday. The sooner you can kill them the better.”

Andrew Lowder, a sophomore at CCA, doesn’t fit the stereotypical mold of a “delinquent teen.” Tall, well-built, and with good grades in school, Lowder is eloquent and soft spoken, a state that has taken a long road to reach. But a mere eight months ago, Lowder began a several month stay at a rehabilitation center and correctional facility in the small town of Magna, Utah. He spent just one week at CCA last year, before violating a probation stemming from a previous arrest from when he was in eighth grade. He stayed briefly in a Rancho Bernardo lockdown facility, whose staff he criticized for their rough treatment of the patients. After that came a two month trip to an outdoor camp in southern Utah before Lowder returned to San Diego for a five month stay at Sunset High School in Encinitas. Suffering from depression that he says his psychiatrist characterized as “one of the worst cases he’s seen,” the facility at Magna would prove the final step in his treatment. Despite its isolation, the Magna treatment

center provided a more constructive and supportive environment than the centers in San Diego. A coed program (where the genders are nonetheless kept apart), it operated much like a normal school, with classes for several hours a day, a sports field for recreational activities, and occasional outings. At the same time, however, there was no disguising the fact that his peers were not your average classmates. Ranging in age from fourteen to eighteen, the kids were at Magna for a variety of reasons. Some were dealing with addiction to narcotics like cocaine and heroin, while others were there for “smoking too much weed and drinking too much.” Others weren’t dealing with any physical issues; Lowder described one boy who had a mental disability that made him uncommunicative, and who attended the center for the interaction and therapy that Magna would provide. Lowder himself was there to address his “demons,” which included drug abuse and selfharming. He described the therapy as very helpful, because it taught essential social skills such as dealing with anger management. Another highlight of the Magna facility was the staff, who often took well behaved patients, including Lowder, on trips hiking, fishing, and even to the movie theater and arcade. Despite such comforts, there was no denying the rigor of Lowder’s everyday schedule. Wake-up time was 6:30 am, after which Lowder and his roommates had to make their beds and clean their rooms and toilets before breakfast. Next were nine hours of classes, two hours of which were dedicated to group therapy. This facility incorporated a sort of milieu therapy, or treatment in which patients must take responsibility for themselves and others. Lowder describes levels, which were achieved based on point sheets that outlined expectations. “The staff is really there to watch us. They’re not supposed to be calling out orders, it’s our job to keep each other in check,” he says. Though Lowder believes this method of cooperative therapy to be helpful, he notes:

“after living with someone for so long you get a little edgy.” He experienced an argument with a roommate that led to them being placed on “ten foot,” a status that means they could not come within ten feet of each other. A second fight with another patient ended with Lowder spending a week within arm’s length of a guard at all times. Another large aspect of the treatment program was near total isolation from his friends and family. His family was allowed just one visit a month, although he and his therapist often held conference calls with his parents, and good behavior was rewarded with calling time on the weekend. However, he could not communicate with his friends for months, and could only send letters to so-called “healthy” (i.e. clean) friends. Lowder needed only five and a half months for his treatment to be deemed complete, an encouraging sign given the fact that most stays average more than six months. As of August 16 Lowder has been home, but his past is not fully behind him. He still has the task of staying clean, which he is working hard to do; he carries in his pocket a sobriety token given to him at an AA meeting in Magna. The plastic silver coin, slightly larger than a quarter, includes the Serenity Prayer, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” Reflecting on his experience, Lowder remarks that “What’s happened in the past has defined me now…anytime they

[his peers] hear my name they think of rehab.” Lowder regrets what this experience has done to his sister, who recently turned thirteen; the age at which Lowder first got arrested. His relationships with his parents have also been strained throughout; he lives solely with his father, and he routinely searches him to ensure he is staying on track. Lowder says he understands such precautions, noting that he has put his dad through “a lot of unfair things that a kid shouldn’t.” To those who may be going through something similar, Lowder encourages finding some sort of higher power. He found that higher power in Christianity, and is very involved in his church. “A couple kids out there turned to Buddhism because that was their thing…for other kids, their higher power was mountains. They just found beauty in nature. So instead of praying to a god they’d go and hike for an hour and refresh themselves.” He continues: “Some kids say ‘I don’t need a higher power, I can do it by myself,’ but you can’t do it by yourself. Especially if you have a rough past.” Lowder also advocates honesty, noting how his dad said that he would not have sent him away had he come clean to him from the start. “Your demons will grow everyday. The sooner you can kill them the better,” says Lowder, who is working everyday to make sure that his demons don’t define who he is.

Living la Vida

NOBLE

By Christina Krasnikova

Feature:

Student Entrepeneur Canyon Crest Academy has produced many young entrepreneurs who have generated small businesses, and Noble Life Apparel, a T-shirt company, is among the most notable. Noble Life Apparel is run by two Canyon Crest Academy seniors, Kia Zomorrodi and Roshan Patel, as well as Mira Costa student Oliver Belkin, and Torrey Pines student Shayan Allahi. Belkin and Zomorrodi design and overlook all aspects of the company, Patel helps run the company, Belkin is in charge of finances, and Allahi manages the marketing and promoting of the business. These four friends, according to Kia Zomorrodi, had the idea to create a clothing company at the start of sophomore year, although they did not act on their idea until the beginning of junior year. Zomorrodi explains why they decided to start a T-shirt company: “We chose T-shirts because we wanted to start a company that we could incorporate our ideas and creativity into, a place where we could set trends. By being in the clothing industry, we get to see people wear our design, which is the coolest thing.” Noble Life Apparel got its name because the owners wanted a name with meaning to it, something that could make people feel great about the T-shirt that they are wearing. According to Zomorrodi, “We wanted people to have a [Noble] feeling when buying and wearing one of our T-shirts.”

$22

“The King” Shirt

In addition, Zomorrodi, Patel, Belkin, and Allahi want to send a message; “We want to motivate people through our tees, whether it’s the ideas printed on the Tee’s or just the [Noble] feeling. To quote one of our T-shirts, ‘We are building a foundation for the passionate.’” Not only are they successful entrepreneurs at such a young age, but the Noble Life Team is also charitable. Zomorrodi explains, “Approximately twelve percent of the proceeds go to Noble Causes, our charity fund, from which we make semi-annual donations. Last summer we participated in a breast cancer charity. We have future plans to donate to a Kawasaki disease research charity, we intend to do more research on who needs our help around the world.” In order to make enough revenue to donate to Noble Causes, Noble Life Apparel created exclusive T-shirts, such as the “Tupac Tee,” of which only 48 will ever be sold. Generally, Zomorrodi and Belkin have about fifteen to twenty sketches that they consider adding to their website, and after deliberation they will most likely add five to eight new designs for consumers to enjoy. Zomorrodi expresses hopes of turning Noble Life Apparel into a major company: “All four of us have put everything we have into this company, in order for it to succeed and eventually grow. We don’t cut any corners to insure that our company will be at the top of the street

and urban clothing industry. We have high quality T-shirts and high ambitions, which will hopefully fulfill our hopes and dreams for the company.” Noble Life Apparel plans to work hard and keep growing; they plan to improve their website, sell their T-shirts in retail stores nation-wide, and help various foundations in need of funding. Says Zomorrodi, “We want to keep what’s coming from Noble Life a surprise, but on behalf of the four of us, our designs are only going to get better and better as the line progresses. We have a lot in store for everyone out there and we are putting in a lot of work to make the best happen!”

$25

For the “Kawasaki Foundation” Shirt

Check them out at www.noblelifeapparel.com!

$22

The “Fresh” Shirt

Feature:

Student Profiles

Matt Dinerman By Amy Kim

You may have seen senior Matt Dinerman on the baseball field, but not many know about his enthusiasm for equus caballus, namely, horses. He was first introduced to horses in a trip with his father to the Del Mar Racetrack, and he fell in love instantly. “I love all the horses with a passion. It doesn’t matter if it’s one of the best racehorses in the barn or a horse who will never win a race in its entire career; I love them all,” comments Dinerman. During his summers, Dinerman works at a barn at the Del Mar Racetrack. He works for John Sadler, who is becoming, if not already, one of the top trainers in the country and has won training titles at Hollywood Park, Del Mar, and Santa Anita. Dinerman helps take care of the horses when the grooms need assistance and has the job of “hotwalking,” which entails holding the horses during baths and walking them around in a circle to dry off. Although he doesn’t participate in the racing, Dinerman is not indifferent towards it. He remarks, “No matter how many races I watch, every time they [horses] come by the stands and they’re all running their hearts out coming to the finish line, I get an adrenaline rush. I go to watch the horses run, not to make money at the gambling windows. I am one of the few people that do it for that sole purpose. I just love it. I mean, to a lot of people it’s just

a bunch of horses running around in a circle but to me it’s something different. I can’t even describe what I feel. They’re beautiful animals. They really are, and watching them run is just amazing.” Nevertheless, there is always another side to it. The most traumatizing thing that influenced Dinerman was witnessing the pain that injured horses has to endure. A broken leg or a torn limb is serious, sometimes leading to such extreme measures as putting down the horse. Though injuries such as these happen frequently in the equine world, he notes, “I still see it every year and I will never get used to it. Those types of things aren’t something anybody gets used to. I’d say that’s the only thing I hate about horse racing.” On a brighter note, it is obvious that horses and horseracing have placed a positive impact on Dinerman – horses are not objects, but rather living things that need care, attention, and happiness. His passion for this does not end here. Dinerman hopes to continue working at the Sadler Barn and perhaps someday pursue a career in the horseracing business. He also aspires to perhaps engage in junior college racetracks or in the Arizona Race Track Program at the University of Arizona. Overall, there’s at least one thing that can be learned from Dinerman: whoever said a dog is a man’s sole best friend lied, because they have obviously never met a horse.

Fearghal Casey By Maia Ferdman

Fearghal Casey is unknown to many. He isn’t on a sports team, doesn’t perform in shows, and isn’t in ASB. However, he is infamous among the senior class for his dry wit, sharp humor, and naked honesty. Whether in class or otherwise Casey always has something to say. In fact, he has so much to say that he is writing his own book. The idea for this sci-fi tale has been bouncing around in Casey’s brain for years. He began about four years ago, for no particular reason. Since then, he reached around 100 pages, cut seventy, and is now working his way back up. Casey estimated that it would take around two to three more years to finish the novel. Fearghal Casey does not like deadlines. He made this clear when he spoke of last semester, when he took Creative Writing for a second time, with the primary goal of writing his book. His teacher, Jeannie Chufo, pressed him to write three pages a day, and send samples to publishers as he progressed. He says: “I absolutely hate deadlines. I mean I’m sort of that person who needs some sort of thing like you need to get it done, but not a specific date.” Casey has been in a class of Chufo’s every semester for the past three years. She says that Casey lives by “his own rules and boundaries.” She added that this is what “makes him a great writer and an interesting person.” Although Casey does not like dated deadlines, he is pretty specific with the time of his inspiration: His ideas come to him specifically around “10:30 am to 1:45 pm every day,” or at night. These ideas “just won’t shut up or go away until I write [them] down,” he discloses.

Sam Ca$h By Carly Gutner-Davis

Once Casey jots down his new ideas in his beat up red binder, he will go home and add to his book, page by page. However, the entirety of the story, about a futuristic messenger woman who gets stuck in a city that dislikes her, has been clear to Casey since he began. He says the ending will be “anticlimactic” because “the city is a big place, even more so in the future.” Chufo reflects that Casey is his own “toughest critic.” When asked about his own opinion of his work, Casey discloses that “I never think my writing’s good.” This is due to the fact that he has always been in Honors or AP English classes, which always show him how good writing “should be.” He believes that his work does not compare. However, Casey’s writing often receives extremely positive feedback from

students and teachers alike, although he often questions the validity of these compliments. Says Chufo: “[Casey] is an honest and authentic writer,” but she adds that he “becomes paralyzed by his own critique.” This was perhaps an underlying factor in Casey’s seventy page cut over the summer. He states that he simply didn’t like the style of writing, and continues to struggle with choices regarding his timeline and with making sure to not “tell the whole thing pedantically,” all the while “making sci-fi plausible.” In the meantime, school is a big part of Casey’s life. He claims that he has grown up in an environment in which he learned to multitask, and that “multitasking is almost never efficient but at least it gets stuff done when I just take notes here and there.” When asked about the future, Casey is unsure. On a “good day,” Casey would like to be an author, but it will most likely be “a hobby when I grow up.” While Chufo has pushed him to send samples of his book to publishers, Casey is currently content with the prospect of finishing. He says he is not “allowing myself to consider [publishing it] until it’s done, or until I get a draft done.” As Chufo says, “for someone of any age, writing a book is a big deal,” and for Casey, it would be the culmination point of a personal struggle that has lasted years.

Samantha Cash isn’t one to blend in, and when you’re approximately 6’3”, that’s more than understandable. But Cash’s physical build isn’t the only reason why she goes unnoticed. Cash, a senior at CCA, stands out because she’s a unique, quirky and genuinely interesting person who is not afraid to express herself or her individuality. Many people know her because of her reputation as a phenomenal volleyball player, and some people just recognize her as “that really tall girl.” But there’s a lot more to Samantha Cash than meets the eye. Besides playing volleyball, Cash loves “painting, drawing, reading, sleeping, watching movies and plays, and traveling.” She is an exceptionally bright student, so you may see her in one of your advanced placement classes (She enjoys physics and math in particular). But don’t be surprised if you see her doodling before the bell rings. One of her slightly more random talents: “I like to write backwards.” Participating as a member on the Student Board of Trustees at the La Jolla Playhouse is one of Cash’s other extracurricular activities. Cash loves to educate people about the La Jolla Playhouse, and make theatre “more accessible to San Diego teens,” by “offering cheaper tickets and after-parties for [various] events.” As a board member, Cash also gets to “learn about the La Jolla Playhouse, how their theatre is run,” and she even gets to “meet their staff.” Much of Cash’s quirky character is expressed [cont. on page 27]

Hector Is Back!

Barefoot:

Opinion

Because Conventional Footwear Is Overrated

By Jessica Mersten

Who is he? Well, Hector Gutierrez is one of many people who makes CCA a vibrant mix of talent, compassion, and love. You may recognize him on return; he speeds around in a golf cart, smiling and waving to students and staff alike. He really cares, and that’s what makes him an essential part of CCA. I remember two years ago, after a particularly grueling practice; my best friend and I were dragging our sports bags up the hill back to my car. We saw Hector, and he smiled and offered us a ride in the janitorial staff cart. We hopped in the back and experienced CCA through Hector’s eyes, speeding along in a bumpy cart going 15 mph. He took us along the back of the baseball and softball fields; we waved at and cheered for the field hockey girls as we passed. We joined the lacrosse boys in their daily chant of R-A-V-E-N-S, RAVENS! We belted show tunes at the top of our lungs. We zoomed past that road behind the gym that’s always buzzing with tennis players. Hector affectionately called it “the strip.” The most amazing thing about the entire experience was not the thrill of riding in the forbidden cart, but seeing how people reacted to Hector. They were smiling; they called out “Hector!” from across the field. I was almost waiting for the paparazzi to pop out from behind a bush, snapping pictures of this local celebrity. I was both amazed and confused. I knew Hector was everywhere and that he helped everyone; I’d often seen him offering a helping hand to students on crutches. I once heard a rumor that he had saved a girl from choking in the cafeteria. He was often babbling with students in Spanish, helping them with verb conjugations and catch phrases. But which of these was the reason why he was so adored? The answer was simple, he was well rounded. He was knowledgeable, compassionate, and caring. He was worthy of that mention he received in a speech given at the first CCA graduation ceremony. It wasn’t just that CCA students were thankful of all the hard work that he put into running the school, but it was also merely the fact that he was an amazing person; he is an amazing person, and as of October 1st, he’s back.

By Daniel Metz As a personal immersion experiment, I bought a pair of Vibram Five Fingers shoes. The experience of wearing and using these “shoes,” although slightly awkward for the initial day, was incredible. And, without a doubt, the benefit was apparent. These shoes aim to make a radical statement. Anatomically, the modern human has existed for 200,000 years. As with any other aspect of our lives, our bodies have evolved to best suit our needs. As demonstrated literally everywhere, evolution is an incredibly powerful process. Why then, has it become taboo to walk about as intended? Before conventional society, shoes were nonexistent. Cold climates and rough ground generated the necessity for the first “shoe.” The original shoe was most likely a piece of leather stitched around the foot like a bag of a sort. However, the modern shoe is an English invention just hundreds of years old. As shoes became a status item, however, greater support, function, and aesthetic appeal refined the shoe. In today’s modern Western world, one is rarely seen barefoot outside the house. Shoes alter gait, the strength of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, balance and stability, as well increase chance of injury. Based on its structure, human running is designed to strike with the mid-foot, roll onto the balls of the feet, then extend and push with

the toes. In shoes, however, heels strike with tremendous force, the foot rolls, and the next stride begins in the same fashion; the arch, designed to act as a spring, absorbing and redirecting force, is put to little use, and the toes, used for a fuller extension and a final push, are ignored in whole. When comparing the foot structure of one who is often barefoot to one who is often in shoes, the barefoot runner has a stronger, more stable foot across all methods of measurement. In one study, wearers of expensive running shoes experienced 31.9 injuries per 1000 km. By comparison, those who ran barefoot experienced an average of 14.3 injuries per 1000 km. The shoe, designed initially as an aid, has become an accessory of harm. With inflated heel sizes and upwardly curved toes, posture is altered, lower back curvature is offset, the arch is weakened, and injury rates double. Still, society presented with these studies that negate popular belief chooses to act ignorantly. As the barefoot revolution gains speed, numerous companies are competing to fit the niche. The Nike Free, Vivo Barefoot, and Vibram Five Fingers each are progressive examples of barefoot emulation that act as a middle ground between destructive shoes and a completely barefoot lifestyle. And, although unadvertised, shoes like the Five Fingers provide a secondary function: a conversation starter.

BUY YOUR SENIOR AD!

Purchase Deadline: Oct. 29 NO EXCEPTIONS! $210 w/ ASB Sticker $225 w/out ASB Sticker

Checks payable to CCA ASB or buy directly from the CCA webstore

Go to the CCA website and click CCA webstore on the left hand side.

Tech Generation By Maia Ferdman

Says Krogh, “There’s a huge problem with kids’ learning, because they’re constantly thinking about who they’re texting.”

Generations of teens have recited that timeless creed: that our parents just “don’t get it.” Many of us, myself included, are the children of immigrants. Despite where our parents grew up, however, they are all a new brand of immigrants—digital immigrants. Marc Prensky, an internationally recognized writer on the topic of education, claims that because we are the first generation of children who were born and grew up in a technological world, the very biology of our brains has adjusted to a new sort of learning—we are the first digital natives.

The speed with which we acquire information is second nature to us. Because of this, teachers have to learn to adapt their lessons to the instantaneous access we have on our computers. Prensky speaks of the “accent” a digital immigrant may have: “The ‘digital immigrant accent’ can be seen in such things as turning to the Internet for information second rather than first, or in reading the manual for a program rather than assuming that the program itself will teach us to use it,” he writes in a paper named “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants.” Canyon Crest Spanish teacher Laura Krogh has

Opinion

become somewhat of a go-to person for technological assistance for other teachers. She uses Blackboard.com to assign work, and tends to use YouTube videos and other useful online resources in the classroom. Krogh believes that “student’s will then be able to relate to the lessons more,” and perhaps even go home and use those resources at home. While Krogh has a good handle on technology in education, she says that some teachers, who are either older or have taken some time off, come to her with questions about even the simplest tasks, such as scanning: “It’s got to be a culture shock, even for those who have only taken off a few years. How do you then come in and adapt?” When grades moved from paper to Aeries and when overhead projectors turned into digital projectors, Krogh says some teachers were even “scared.” Immigrants often face the choice of adjusting to a new methodology or falling behind in a competitive or unfamiliar environment, and these teachers are no different. Krogh believes that she did not fall behind because she returned to school for her Master’s degree in 1997, at “just the right time” to feel the huge shift from her col but also to bridge the gap and learn with technology. “I’m constantly trying to learn more,” says Krogh. “Students will always be showing me new shortcuts.” However, she notes that although the digitalization of education is primarily advantageous, it has brought along a certain dependency among students. For example, if her website is down one night, “half the class doesn’t do their homework. The funny thing is, I write the homework on the whiteboard every day. Kids just don’t bother to write it down because they know they can get it on Blackboard.” She also reflects, “As teachers, we rely on [students] to be able to do more research independently because they have more access [online].” As a result, a cycle of dependency is created among teachers and students. We are not only attuned to new methods of procuring information; to digital natives, using Google on a science project is not remarkable. But as a generation, we have also begun a new social culture based around technology that our parents and teachers can merely attempt to understand. The obvious begins with Facebook. Merely six years old, the social networking site has transformed virtually every

aspect of our social lives. Birthdays, events, romantic relationships, pictures, and even political interests revolve around how we connect online. To us natives, this shift in communication is normal. However, to our parents and teachers (the immigrants), the idea of being connected 24/7 to virtually everyone can seem illogical, even harmful. Says Krogh, “There’s a huge problem with kids’ learning, because they’re constantly thinking about who they’re texting.” Therefore, the question arises, will generations to come grow perpetually more connected, to a point where we become digital immigrants ourselves, or have we begun a new era, where we are part of a lasting digital age? Either way, the implications are not all necessarily positive. Sure, we can talk face to face with relatives across the globe or exchange hundreds of songs with friends with the click of a button, but are we truly connecting to those around us? Herein lies the paradox. I cannot count the times that I have been in a group and we will all be texting someone else. I also know that I record my TV shows to save time, but rarely do I watch my brother’s soccer games. “There is [now] a social disconnect. Many kids are lonely despite their connections online,” says Krogh. We claim that we are pro multi-taskers. But perhaps this merely means that we are increasingly dividing our attention and as a result increasingly losing focus on priorities. A recent study, featured on MSNBC and conducted by Paul A. Kirschnera of the Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies and Aryn C. Karpinskib of Ohio State University, found that students who have Facebook or other sites open while doing schoolwork generally receive twenty percent lower grades than those who do not multitask. In addition, we have collectively grown dependent on our technology. In this, our parents have the advantage. Like being an immigrant to a new country, digital immigrants can adapt, while still maintaining a level of multiculturalism. We have forgotten how to use a library card, and are hopeless without our cell phones in our pockets. We are so accustomed to our lightning speed access that we can’t function with anything else. So when technology fails us, as it often can, how will this new generation manage? That, we have yet to discover.

Opinion

Behemoth A Look Into the College Board Monopoly By Michael Wang

On the dawn of a fair weathered October, the distinct bolded blue sign of “College Board” imprinted itself on the first round of SATs for juniors everywhere. Even as children in our days of endless summer, each day gave way as a point of no return toward these encounters, which would forever lay within our student terminology. You could catch it in the wind, in the slightest whistle of any college bound student. It was the lovely chirp of acronyms such as the “SAT,” the “APs” and the subject tests, all strung thoroughly within the hand of the College Board behemoth. It would be a gross understatement if I were to say that College Board merely distributes and manages these tests. For not only do these tests have an initial cost of 45 dollars for the SAT, and 86 dollars for each and every AP test, but also there are additional fees of 26 dollars for actually sending these reports to colleges (aka, making these additional fees practically mandatory). The overall price to pay for a decent to high score may well cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars in specialized SAT training programs such as Elite, Princeton Review, and Revolution. In effect, the College Board monopoly extends control not only over the education system and students, but also over said training companies which build their livelihoods based off the existence and acceptance of another private company’s

product. It doesn’t take a seasoned economist to realize that a one hundred percent control over a certain market is considered a monopoly. So why is a private company, separate from any government firm or college administration, given such substantial trust and unrivaled influence over the near futures of millions of students? Resistance towards College Board has been sparse and weak at best, no doubt because of the near monopoly they hold and the lack of alternate as a result. The only competing test would be the ACT, the American College Test, which can be used as a substitute for the SAT. While the ACT is available to all students, a general majority will prefer to take the SAT out of sheer familiarity with College Board after other encounters with APs and the subject tests. While some colleges are beginning to remove their requirement for the SAT, this movement is relatively faint in the grand pool of colleges. Should you expect Ivy Leagues to be shrugging off hordes of students waving perfect 2400s in their face anytime in the future? Probably not. A pivotal argument in the wake of complaints to the monopoly can be summed up simply as, “what then?” The very concept of a monopoly is in part, both an ironic display that is both the product and the antagonist of capitalism. A market

which promotes competition will eventually find itself weeding out those who cannot match the prowess or luck of other companies, and over time sole distributors will find themselves championing the market with fewer and fewer resistance due to customer familiarity. The problem with removing such monopolies is the question of what happens after the metaphorical (hopefully) pitchforks and torches are all thrown down over the ashes of a fallen monopoly. If a major pillar which was once holding up a great deal of a market collapses, what is there remaining to act quickly enough to restore the gap before a frenzy of disorder occurs?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take a seasoned economist to realize that a one hundred percent control over a certain market is considered a monopoly. â&#x20AC;&#x153; 21

News

God at Ground Zero

How a political controversy has led to discussion about faith in America and at CCA By Nachi Baru

his past September 11, people across the nation, as they have in the eight years past, honored those who lost their lives on the anniversary of one of the biggest tragedies in American history. In New York, in the shadow of the construction of the new World Trade Center, the friends and family of the over 3000 people who were killed held a vigil, as the names of the deceased were read and important political figures, including President Obama, offered their condolences. Then, just minutes after the end of the somber ceremony, and just blocks from the site, the streets were filled with loud and angry protestors, offering virulent pros and cons over the proposed Islamic cultural center to be built a few blocks from the WTC. The issue of the “Ground Zero Mosque” has become a massive controversy over the last month, especially politically. Liberals have argued that Muslims have a Constitutional right to build the center wherever they please, while conservatives have contended that the religious center’s location shows too much insensitivity, and that it should be moved away as a mark of respect. However, the mere politics of the issue is perhaps only hiding a deeper issue at the core of the controversy; namely, what it means to be Muslim in

Art by Jack Kahn

a country that still carries the painful memories of 9/11 and that continues to lose troops every day in the Middle East. The mosque is far from the only Islamrelated controversy to gain attention in the past several weeks. In Gainesville, Florida, a pastor named Terry Jones, head of a small congregation of around fifty members, made headlines with his plan to burn Korans on the lawn of his church on the anniversary of September 11. His purported goal was to show the inherent “evil” of the Koran and Islam, and convince Muslims to follow Christianity instead. Jones drew widespread verbal condemnation from local officials and religious organizations of all faiths, and,

as the news spread internationally, other reactions were similarly unkind. Numerous Christian organizations reprimanded him for his actions, with even his old church weighing in, saying they strongly disagreed with his decision. Protests spread across the Muslim world, and after thousands took to the street in Afghanistan, the US government felt compelled to respond. President Barack Obama expressed his displeasure, alongside Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and the plan was eventually dropped. Despite such a showing of interfaith cooperation and political unity, large swathes of the American public are distrustful of Muslims and their faith. A recent Washington Post/ABC poll shows that just 37% of Americans have a favorable view of Islam, down 10% from the 47% in October 12001, just after the terrorist attacks. A whole 26% reported that they felt “some prejudice” against Muslims, and 49% had an outright unfavorable view of the faith. It is undoubtedly difficult to be Muslim in America, but the whole issue has raised issues of interfaith interaction and religious tolerance in a diverse society, reflected on our very own campus.

Muslim Hidden in the national debate over Islam is the fact that there are already 2.5 million Muslims living in the United States today, with a significant community of several thousands here in San Diego. One such person is CCA sophomore Sameer Jafri, a practicing Muslim from a self described “pretty religious” family. While Jafri doesn’t attend mosque regularly, he prays five times daily and, like many Muslims, looks to live based on the moral teachings of the Five Pillars of Islam. Jafri strongly disassociated the faith practiced by over a billion people the world over with the actions of terrorists like the 9/11 hijackers. “Those people are more radical. They don’t follow the true religion. They’re kind of crazy.” He didn’t have quite as strong an opinion on the cultural center in New York, but felt that the planners had a right to build a mosque. “It’s not really that big of a deal. It’s not a bad thing to build a mosque there, because we’re not taunting them. [Victims of 9/11] It’s not even on the exact site.”

“the whole

issue has raised issues of interfaith interaction and religious tolerance in a diverse society”

Atheist Amongst the talk of different faiths, however, is an oft forgotten fact; the most distrusted religious group in America is the one with no faith at all. Atheists are consistently found to be the most distrusted minority in America, more so than Muslims, immigrants, and homosexuals. That mistrust, however, is hard to fathom for many atheists, including CCA sophomore David Kimball. “Eventually I thought, if god is real, why is allowing everything that’s happening on Earth to happen, why wouldn’t he try to fix it. Then I realized ‘He’s not there’,” said Kimball of his “conversion” to atheism. He did, profess his tolerance of religious people saying “I think it’s great that they can believe that. The only problem I have is if they try and tell me there is a god.” Kimball also criticized those who would claim that atheism leads to a lack of morality. “For those of you who say that atheists have no morals, I say that an atheist is just as likely to help an old lady cross the street as a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.” He was opposed to the Ground Zero mosque, but only because of it’s location. “I don’t have a problem with them building a mosque in New York City. I just think that if they were to place it a few blocks down, no one would have a problem with it anymore.”

“For those of

you who say that atheists have no morals, I say that an atheist is just as likely to help an old lady cross the street as a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.” Christian The question of the 9/11 mosque evoked similarly non-committal responses from CCA students, a contrast to the heated debates taking place on cable news channels. CCA senior Kristen (Last name?), an ardent Christian, offered no comment on the issue. She was, however, more passionate when talking about her own faith. “I’m very Christian. I base my whole life on my relationship with God,” said (last name), a weekly churchgoer who also spends much of her time with youth groups and other Christian organizations. “I believe that to go to heaven, you have to believe in Jesus Christ,” she added. Such strong religious belief, however, has not led to any type of intolerance on her part, as she has a wide circle of friends from a variety of religious backgrounds.

Jewish The idea of atheism provoked a heavily negative response from CCA sophomore Ruben Bochurberg, an extremely religious Jew. After turning to Orthodox Judaism three years ago, Bochurberg, who hopes to be a rabbi when he grows up, has lived a strictly religious and kosher lifestyle. “Atheism is not a very smart thing,” said Bochurberg, placing a large amount of blame on a culture where he feels people are not well educated about religion. “Even though God Almighty is creating you, and recreating you every single second. How great is God that even though he creates you every single second… How great is God that even while he is doing that people deny that he is doing that?” He was more charitable to other faiths, saying that those who followed religions with the proper moral guidelines and structure could join Jews in “the world to come”. Bochurberg had no opinion on the project in New York, saying that he didn’t have the proper information to have an opinion on it. In the end, there is no denying that CCA is a remarkably diverse place, culturally as well as religiously. The school, like the communities we live in, house a large number of people with an array of beliefs, including people with no faith at all. While religion continues to be a fractious issue in the political world today, it seems like little of that rancor and divisiveness has reached down to our school.

Student Art

Christine Mi Grade 12

Tommy Mulloy Grade 12

CCA is home to a wide variety and spectrum of talent. Here are a few examples of art from students in the DFA Conservatory.

Fun Under 21! By Kimia Zomorrodi

San Diego; a fantastic city that we are all so lucky to call home. It’s a beautiful city, but sometimes you find yourself bored, sitting on the couch with nothing to do. Don’t get me wrong, there’s always plenty to do and places to see, but sometimes you just don’t meet the age limit. But never let that stop you, there’s plenty of other things to do that don’t put an age limit on fun…

Horror Picture Show 1 Rocky Located at La Paloma in Encinitas

8 Pannikin Located in Via De La Valle, Del Mar

Whether you’re chilling on the couch or lounging in the book store or even checking out the hot cashier guy, this café is great for a nice cup of coffee and a side of gossip with your friends.

The Rocky Horror Picture show is a great, interactive movie experience with devoted cast members.

San Diego Wild Animal 2 The Zoo

Club 9 Inferno Located in Escondido

Located in Balboa Park A wonderful place to visit your favorite friends because you’re never too old to pet some animals. When you’re there don’t forget to visit the skyfari, petting zoo and elephant shows!

An under 18 dance club so you can get your “jiggy” on when other clubs turn

Last Resort 10Dicks’ Located in Downtown

Dicks’ Last Resort is a restaurant that offers barbeque and steaks with a side of sassy humor and comically rude service.

3 Balboa Park

Located in Balboa Park Balboa Park provides a chance for you to visit all the museums that are actually pretty interesting. There’s always so much to do and see in Balboa including a lot of beautiful art galleries.

4 Coronado

Located in Coronado A nice, relaxing area to go with some friends and rent some bikes so you can cruise around the beautiful bay.

5 Ultra Zone 26

Located in Sports Arena Blvd When video games get a little too cliché, come to Ultra Zone to go laser tagging with your friends in 15-minute intervals.

World 11Sea Located on Sea World Drive

An opportunity for you to sit in the Soak Zone to prove to Shamu that he doesn’t intimidate you.

Golfing 6 Mini Located in Del Mar

Pelly’s Mini gold provides a grand atmosphere for that awesome hole in one.

Mar Beach and La Jolla Cove 7 Del Located in Del Mar and La Jolla

Belmont Park

12 Located in Mission Beach

Since San Diego usually offers year round beach weather, the Del Mar beach and La Jolla cove offer calming spots to relax and chase some seagulls.

Belmont Park is an amusement park that offers fun- filled rides including the wave house for some indoor surfing and crazy roller coaster rides.

Rock Climbing 13 Indoor Located in Poway

Solid Rock Gym is the perfect center to get the whole outdoor rock climbing feeling and get some nice exercise.

Aquarium 14 Birch Located at Scripps

An aquarium that allows you to tap on the glass to provoke the sharks.

Cinema 15 Edwards Located in Mira Mesa

The Edwards theatre provides Imax and 3D theatres that would seem well for a nice date night.

16 CeramiCafe Located in Del Mar

An enjoyable place to unleash your artistic side and paint some ceramic bowls or cups with the variety of colors they offer.

17 Swirls Located in Del Mar

Swirls is a chill environment to grab some yummy frozen yogurt and decorate it with all your cravings.

Games 18 Football Located sometimes at Qualcomm, Torrey Pines, or other high schools Whether it’s professional or just a high school game, it’s always fun to watch and cheer on your team.

Beach 19 Pacific Located in Pacific Beach

An area that provides excellent shopping and people watching (you see some interesting people).

Go-Karting 20 Indoor Located in Carlsbad

K1 Speed has one of the largest indoor go kart racing centers in Southern California. Go kart racing gives you the nice adrenaline rush your crave (without getting you in trouble with the five-oh).

Wednesday at Pick Up Stix 21 Wanton Located in San Diego

The one and only, wanton Wednesday at Pick up Stix, shall I say more?

[cont. from page 15] through her love and incorporation of colors into her everyday life. “I LOVE colors!” says Cash. “I frequently, sometimes daily, paint my nails a different color. I also like to wear crazy colored spandex and socks to [volleyball] practice to express my individuality on the court.” Her other obsessions include “secret handshakes.” Cash explained that she loves “to have ‘secret’ handshakes with all my teammates. Our handshakes are different and unique, just like each of my teammates.” Volleyball is a huge part of Cash’s life. Playing volleyball at nationally and internationally competitive levels requires a lot of time, dedication, and commitment. But for Cash, it’s more of an honor than a duty. “I used to play club and competitive soccer, and even played on the varsity team at CCA as a freshman. Soccer taught me to work hard and push myself and my teammates. But then I started to play volleyball, and that became my true passion,” says Cash, who is currently serving as one of the captains of the Raven’s girl’s Varsity volleyball team. “I love the family aspect, and how everyone on the court works together to win a point. I have worked very hard at volleyball and practiced a lot, which has led to many successes.” Cash, a four-year varsity starter and letterman, has won her fair share of local, national, and international accolades throughout her athletic career. She has won awards in our county, league, and conference and state CIF playoffs for her abilities as a great player and great student. She earned a spot on the San Diego Union Tribune’s All-Academic Team last fall for maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout the entirety of the girl’s varsity volleyball season. “Most recently I represented Team USA as the captain on the Women’s Junior National Team at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. We won a silver medal. I’ve also played on other USA volleyball teams, and I love the competition. I am motivated by the Olympic rings, which stand for my dream of ‘being the best that I can be.’” Cash, who accepted a full-ride scholarship to Pepperdine University, is well on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming an Olympian. The parting advice she offered for any aspiring student-athletes is simple but heartfelt: “For athletes I recommend practice, practice, and more practice! Don’t just ‘show up’ for practice. Rather, use every opportunity you get to make yourself better. Set a standard for yourself, and don’t let yourself drop below that bar, because you’re the only one who can make you better.”