02.09.17
Volume 21 Issue 5
T H E M U S T A N G
the mustang
FROM THE CONTROL BOOTH A message from your editors.
Expression has always been core to SDA’s spirit and culture, whether it be inside or outside of school. We pride ourselves on our distinct creativity that separates us from other schools. Our creativity is endless, inspired by our passions and our surroundings. Our close proximity to the ocean often provides us with a muse, whether it be for photography, painting, surfboard-shaping, or bikini-making. Seniors Austin Killeen, Jill Butler, Trevor Anderberg, and Isabella Baldwin all express themselves through their ocean-inspired artwork (See “Waves of Creativity” on pgs. 11-13). Beyond art, we express ourselves through our actions and our words. Our new president, and the changes he has made thus far, encourages us
to be active, no matter our political stance.The Women’s March in San Diego brought an assortment of SDA students by trolley, car, and train out to make their opinions heard and stand up for women’s rights following the inauguration (See “Marching Mustangs” on pg. 4 and “The Silver Lining” on pg. 5). Our interests also provide an inspiration for the ways in which we choose to express ourselves.They are the motivation that pushes us past boundaries and transform us into the people we want to be. For junior Kevin Ward, flying through the air and vaulting over the bar is his form of expression. Ward’s hard work has allowed him to push the limits and break numerous school records (See “Ward Vaults Over School Records” on pg. 22). We also find opportunities to express ourselves through the work we choose to pursue and the people that support us. This year, athletic trainer Eddie Lara has taken on student interns to allow them to test out various parts of the athletic training regimen that they are passionate about (See “Helping Hands” on pg. 20). -Julia Shapero and Kate Sequeira
ROLL CALL
The Mustang Staff MANAGING EDITOR Julia Shapero NEWS EDITOR Olivia Olander
SDA students voice their opinions at the Women’s March on pg. 4.
Our stance on a possible silver lining to Trump’s presidency on pg. 5.
ASST NEWS EDITOR Lane Levin OPINION EDITOR Linnea Leidy ASST OPINION EDITOR Mallika Seshadri FEATURES EDITOR Sophie Peeler ASST FEATURES EDITOR Kieran Zimmer ARTS/HUMOR EDITOR Mary Ford
Junior Kevin Ward vaults his way to school records on pg. 22.
Athletic trainer Eddie Lara works with student interns on pg. 20.
ASST ARTS EDITOR Jenna Weinhofer SPORTS EDITORS Brittany Serbin Vicky Van Der Wagt ONLINE EDITOR Kate Sequeira ASST ONLINE EDITOR Sophie Hughes PHOTO EDITOR Patrick Hall BUSINESS MANAGER Hana Chen DESIGN EDITORS Hannah Elias Melody Sobhani
page 02
JENNA SHAPIRO
KIONA BOURDEAU
Cover Artist
Backpage Photographer
Senior Jenna Shapiro began drawing freshman year. “It wasn’t something that I thought I would be particularly good at,” Shapiro said. “It was more like a pastime, something for fun that I really enjoyed and I just kept working at it and that’s how I got to where I am today.” Shapiro’s inspiration for the drawing of the lighthouse came from a trip she took to Maine last year, in which she toured lighthouses along the coast. “There was one [lighthouse] in particular where the waves were really crashing up and it was super cold and windy and really blustery and it was one of the best moments on the trip,” said Shapiro.
Freshman Kiona Bourdeau got her start in photography while living in Costa Rica and taking pictures with friends. “My friends always liked to take photoshoots so I would always be the photographer,” said Bourdeau. In the photography class at SDA, Bourdeau learned more about what goes into taking and editing photographs. “I learned that there was a lot more than just taking the pictures,” said Bourdeau. “You have to do a lot of settings, a lot of photoshop.” In particular, Bourdeau enjoys taking close-up pictures of nature. “I think that just gives more than what the eye can see,” said Bourdeau.
news
STAFF WRITERS Nadia Ballard Maddy Campbell Daniel Chagnon Austin Dilley Devin Gaan Layla Gantus Jack Hauser Julia Lucero Audrey Maskiewicz Taina Millsap Lucas Oldham Derek Sleet ADVISOR Tim Roberts The Mustang is the student newspaper of San Dieguito Academy. Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the newspaper. The Mustang is an open forum which welcomes letters. Letters can be submitted to room 16, emailed to sdamustang@gmail.com or mailed to the address below. San Dieguito Academy Room 16 800 Santa Fe Drive Encinitas, CA 92024
feb. 09
the mustang
Bring on the Pay
Working students express their opinions over the California minimum wage increase. By Lane Levin and Nadia Ballard.
M
any students got a 50 cent per hour raise this January when the state raised the minimum wage. The state legislature voted to up the minimum wage to $10.50 for most businesses. Overall, employees appreciate the extra money, but it will not impact their work ethic, student employees said. Junior, Westin Swincicki is an employee at Handel’s Ice Cream. Swincicki said, “I like the raise in minimum wage, but not to the point that it will make me work any harder than I already am.” The wage increase “will not have any effect on how hard I work or... my commitment to my job, but it is a nice bonus to look forward to when I get my paycheck,” added Emma Balda, junior. Balda is employed at Tilly’s in the forum. Julia De La Fuente, senior, agreed that the wage increase was “a good thing,” but felt that it is not as beneficial to her as it would be “for
people who rely on that income” because she is not required to pay for housing or other necessities. De La Fuente works at Sandwich Spot and states that she “works harder for tips than the wage increase.” “The wage increase, while small, does make a difference,” said Balda. She is “saving up to get a car so every bit helps.” In contrast, junior Natalie Paxton said, “With a minimum wage increase, everything else increases...so I don’t think the extra 50 cents will help me”.
Overview
According to the United States Department of Labor, the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 since 2009. Similar bills to raise minimum wage are being implemented in 21 states throughout America. According to Governor Brown, “This is about economic justice, it’s about people. This is an important day, it’s not the end of the struggle
but it’s a very important step forward.”
Con
The more a business pays their employees, the higher they must raise the prices of the products they sell. Opponents of raising the minimum wage believe that this would create a loss in consumer demand and the workers who produce them. However, the increase in wage could result in employers laying off workers in order to make up the deficit. Another student said, “I’ve heard rumors of my boss wanting to cut people but nothing serious.” Furthermore, in a CNBC interview, “Jamie Richardson, MBA, Vice President of fast food chain White Castle, said that the company would be forced to close almost half its stores and let go thousands of workers if the federal minimum wage were raised to $15.” Opponents say the minimum wage will force small businesses to close or at the very least hurt growth.
Junior Westin Swincicki working Handel’s Ice Cream. He likes his raise in pay, but it won’t motivate him to work any harder than he already does. Photo by Lane Levin.
Pro
Proponents of the law say that, the rise in minimum wage would stimulate the economy and create job growth. According to procon.org, a study in 1994 by economists Alan Krueger, PhD, and David Card,
PhD, supports the claim that a raise in pay results in little to no evidence of negative effects on employment. “I think the wage increase will be a great thing,” said De La Fuente, “but I am not sure that I am someone who is really relying on this wage increase.”
New School Slated to Launch in Fall
A mental health-focused charter is set to open in SDUHSD’s boundaries. Story by Olivia Olander.
A
new charter school that will emphasize mental and emotional health is scheduled to open in the San Dieguito Union High School District this fall, with a starting charter length of two years. SOUL, or the School of Universal Learning, was unanimously approved at a county board meeting Jan. 19, and will serve 100 7th and 100 9th graders in the upcoming school year, before eventually expanding to 600 middle and high school students of all grades. The petition was originally rejected at both a SDUHSD board meeting because of potential issues with funding, implementing Common Core standards, helping English Learners, and more. and at the vote at the county level. It was also rejected at the county level for a traditional charter length of five years, but was unanimously approved after
feb. 09
trustee Paulette Donnello proposed physical health. This would include Though San Dieguito’s funding reducing the approval to two years. writing in journals and setting daily system is based on students who SOUL, or the School of Universal goals. attend each school, Superintendent Learning, is a “holistic” charter that SOUL plans to open somewhere Eric Dill said he doesn’t anticipate a will focus on mental health as well within the boundaries of the San Didrastic decrease in funding for any as traditional subjects. Students will eguito district, though they have not particular school if some students be taught leave the through district for a quarSOUL. “I wouldn’t anticipate much ter system “I don't movement, if any, from our school to and modibelieve the fied block entire ena charter school that’s promoting what schedule, rollment at and fill their SOUL will they’re promoting.” class pericome from —SDA Principal Bjorn Paige ods with SDUHSD “e s s e n t i a l s tu d e nt s ,” life skills” he said. classes like entrepreneurship along yet finalized a site, founders Michael “The remaining district students with courses to fulfill A-G and gradGrimes and Marisa Bruyneel said in would presumably be drawn from uation requirements. There will an email to The Mustang. Despite throughout the district, so I would also be “integra” periods three times the location, the founders predicted not expect any one school to see a a day, in which students will do acin an email that SOUL students will significant enrollment drop off.” tivities solely focused on mental and come from a variety of schools. He added that only 14 of the stu-
news
dents who signed SOUL’s petition to establish the charter are from the district and the right grade to attend the school this fall, and that the loss of students could even be offset by a growing population on SDUHSD’s south side. Principal Bjorn Paige said he “wouldn’t anticipate much movement, if any, from our school to a charter school that’s promoting what they’re promoting.” “A lot of things that they were talking about doing are already things we do at SDA,” Paige said. “So it would seem to me that students that are already at SDA are already getting most of [what SOUL has offered].” Those seeking more information about SOUL can find it at their first parent information night in the Encinitas Community Center at 5:30 p.m. Feb 8.
page 03
the mustang
Marching Mustangs
Students take to the streets to promote women’s rights. By Mallika Seshadri.
I
n the wake of President Donald Trump’s election, 18 members of SDA’s Women’s Rights Club and other students, advocated for the belief that “women’s rights are human rights” in the San Diego Women’s March held the day following the presidential inauguration. This march was held in solidarity with the Women’s March on Washington, along with sister marches that took place in over 200 cities in the United States and 26 nations worldwide, according to an event organizer who addressed the energized crowd.
Reasons to Participate
Having witnessed former President Barack Obama’s inauguration, senior Gabi Gjata said she marched because “after the recent election, I felt that it was necessary to make our voices heard…. It’s important for me to participate because I am a woman that believes in equality and human rights for all. We cannot have our rights taken away or violated, and this march [shows] how strongly women believe this to be true.” The San Diego Women’s March was senior Natalie Shields’ first time participating in any form of political activism aside from the anti-Trump walkout held at SDA in November. She said, “I’m a woman, and I believe my rights are important so when given the opportunity to stand up with others and march for our rights, I take it…. Women’s rights affect all of us…. If you believe in something and want to stand up for your rights, chances are [there] are several people who feel the exact same way, so step outside your comfort zone and really put yourself out there because your opinion definitely matters.” For senior Katie Wimsatt, the San Diego Women’s March was also a first as she had not participated in a march “on such a large scale,” though she too joined SDA’s walkout. Wimsatt said she marched to publically demonstrate her opposition to Trump and his beliefs: “I’m hoping to show that...Trump does not have the support of the whole nation and that we the people are willing to stand up and fight back against any of his ideas that we... don’t agree with. We are not just go-
page 04
ing to sit back and take it.” Senior Riva Cooper said Trump’s recent election and inauguration urged her to participate. “[Trump is] so forwardly sexist and [the fact that] we still elected him as our political leader is insane… It’s threatening things like being able to have an abortion, even getting health care for birth control….It’s ridiculous and the fact that we elected someone who supported these ideals kind of shows that maybe we’re not as far along as we think,” she said.
The March
The many participating SDA students joined over 40,000 individuals gathered in front of Civic Center Plaza in downtown San Diego. The crowd then marched to the CountyAdministration Building. Demonstrators at the San Diego Women’s March came from all walks of life, ranging from infants clinging onto their parents to adults who have supported feminist movements over the decades. Children, both boys and girls, proudly carried brightly-colored handmade signs in support of gender equality, while adults carried signs that addressed things Trump said throughout his presidential campaign. Some also spoke to more specific issues within the realm of women’s rights such as a woman’s right to abortion. The majority of participants wore pink T-shirts with messages in support of women’s rights. Much of the clothing and many of the signs mocked comments made by Trump, including “pussyhats.” As the crowd assembled and it started to sprinkle, many speakers addressed the energetic crowd. One of the event organizers who spoke said, “Everybody should have basic human rights. We stand firm that women’s rights are human rights…. I am here because we are all the same, and I am so proud of this town for coming out today rain or shine.” Many people also stood in the balconies and along the sides of roads cheering on those who marched. When at the march, freshman Shawlin Tucker decided to view it from
Students holding signs in the midst of an enthusiastic crowd. Photo Courtesy of Bianca Boyd the top of a parking complex. “I did not think it was that big until I walked up the parking garage and looked at the overview and just saw all of the people coming together…thousands and thousands of people [were] in this kind of enclosed area, but everyone seemed to be laughing and having a good time. I felt like I was a bird in the sky looking down at all of these tiny dots,” he said.
Rights Stressed
Throughout the march, many women’s rights issues were addressed, including equal pay and a woman’s right to health care. Sentiments about reproductive and abortion rights were especially prevalent and are issues Wimsatt is particularly passionate about. She described the Republican Party’s attitude towards reproductive rights as an exception to the norm. “The Republicans have, for the longest time, had the position that the government should get out of a lot of things. However, they have kept saying that the government should stay involved and keep control over women’s bodies. And I think that’s really problematic and something that needs to change,” she said.
news
Why Take a Stance?
Sophomore Eliza Cooper said that participating was important because it makes “whatever you believe in stand out,” she said. She also emphasized that this march was not to promote a particular candidate or ideology, but to show support of gender equality. Tucker said he marched for women’s rights to ensure all of the efforts that have been made over the decades to promote gender equality do not go to waste and not be “torn down just because of one person,” he said. Wimsatt stressed that being politically active is essential, but especially with regard to women’s rights because America’s legislative and executive branches are comprised predominantly of men. “I think it’s really important for a woman to be politically active and for woman’s rights to be an issue that is politicized. It is the only way we can force [the government] to pay attention and to let them know that we are fighting for change, and we are not going to accept the status quo,” said Wimsatt passionately.
In Retrospect
Riva Cooper said that participating in the Women’s March gave a
newfound hope to many who feared being stripped of their rights. Shields mentioned that it was comforting to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who “cared so much about what they believed in… [it] was reassuring to see that there were a lot of people out there who I had shared beliefs with. It also started raining, and it just made the crowd even more energetic, it was magical,...It gave me hope” she said. Eliza Cooper mentioned that in addition to marching being a reassuring and empowering experience, this series of Women’s Marches has incited a new era of political activism. “It shows the amount of power people have...People are getting political...which can end making a huge impact in the long run,” she said. “I feel it impacted people as a whole. A lot of people are more motivated to take political action and do things like calling their senators and representatives, writing letters to them, and doing things besides sharing posts and liking posts on Facebook, but turning that motivation into physical action that is directed toward creating change,” Wimsatt said.
feb. 09
the mustang
The Silver Lining
The Staff believes there is good that can come out of Trump’s presidency.
D
onald Trump has been President of the United States for less than a month, and it already feels like we’ve all taken a trip to The Upside Down from “Stranger Things”— a twisted alternative reality brimming with chaos and confusion. America has never witnessed a “100 days” as bizarre as this one: Trump is starting his presidency with an approval rating lower than any president in history; the day following his inauguration produced one of the largest global protests in history, amounting to a crowd significantly larger than the crowd at his inauguration (or maybe that’s just an alternative fact…?); since taking office, he’s worked non-stop to pass controversial executive order after controversial executive order (Defunding international healthcare centers offering abortion procedures, Muslim refugee ban, Mexico border wall, etc.), which has in turn
generated more sizeable protests. People all over the world are dumbfounded, enraged, and devastated. But partisanship aside, is there still value, or shall we say, a silverlining, to Trump’s leadership? The Mustang believes there is. It doesn’t matter if our president is Obama, Trump, or, dare we say, Kanye—every American citizen has both the privilege and the obligation to stay informed and involved in our political process. We’d find ourselves in a more dangerous situation than we’ve ever faced before if we stopped questioning our representatives, fact-checking statements, and holding our government accountable. Trump’s presidency has drawn a new segment of the population out of the shadows—a segment that ordinarily couldn’t care less about the goings-on of Capitol Hill. These people are now calling their Congressmen, tuning in to every press briefing, and marching for causes
Passionate Americans protest issues such as reproductive rights and immigration policy at the Women’s March on January 21st in downtown San Diego. Photo by Austin Dilley. they believe in, and this doesn’t solely apply to Trump’s opponents. Even right-wingers who support all of the latest political proceedings are making a bigger effort to stay politically informed because they’re being forced to acknowledge why half the country is angry (and Trump’s also keeping them on their toes with his daily erratic statements/actions). Granted, a large reason why peo-
ple are becoming more politically involved is because they’re genuinely offended by Trump and afraid of policies. However, positive consequences of negative actions are still positive. If Americans continue to fight for what they believe in and remain active in our political process, there are still aspects of this country that can continue to progress throughout the next four years.
No matter to what degree you adore or abhor Trump, there will always be hope, and there will always be a silver lining. Even in the darkest of circumstances, Eleven always had her Eggo waffles to keep her going.
The staff editorial represents the collective voice of The Mustang in regards to controversial current events.
Block the Belligerent Ban
Trump’s refugee and travel ban only makes matters worse. Opinion by Linnea Leidy.
I
’ve written many pieces about Donald Trump. They’re often laced with outrage. But for the first time, the President’s actions have left me feeling despondent. Trump’s executive order banning refugees and travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries shows a complete lack of regard for fact, logic, and empathy. This has sunk him into a new level of disgrace that I didn’t know existed, and if our country stands by his actions, we will follow suit. Trump is justifying this ban by claiming that it will keep America safe from potential terrorists entering the country disguised as refugees—nothing about this logic adds up.
feb. 09
Banning travelers from the seven countries listed in the executive order will accomplish nothing but add fuel to ISIS’s fire. One of their core messages is that Western civilization has no respect for Islamic beliefs and culture, and what better way for us to prove this point for them than to flat-out ban Muslims from entering our country? ISIS’s leaders will have a field day recruiting new members, and the higher the number, the greater their power. Countless National Security experts continue to explain that the real threat is the radicalization of people who are already residing in the United States. Terrorists aren’t going to subject themselves to our
extremely selective, year-long vetting process just to plan an attack. It’s also worth noting that there were certain countries left out of the ban that would typically be considered “high terrorist threats” under Trump’s justifications. The common factor between these countries: they’re locations where Trump has business ties. This isn’t an issue of partisanship or patriotism—this is an issue of human rights. How can we, in good conscience, sit back while people, families, children, are dying? Sit back while we’re living in heated homes with running water next to our top-rated public schools? These families need help and we are the country in the greatest posi-
opinions
tion to support them. I can’t believe I’m having to write a piece urging people to not turn away as these innocent families are brutally slaughtered. How would you feel if your family was trying to escape tyranny, and the best hope you had for a safe, successful future turned its back on you? Disparity aside, nothing in this country is ever going to get done if we simply complain without taking action. I am begging every person reading this to please call your local Congressmen—please do something to demonstrate that this is absolutely unacceptable. Darrell Issa can be contacted at (760) 599-5000. It’s easy for a lot of people (especially teenagers) to think that their
solitary voice won’t make a difference, or that there will be others who can do the dirty work themselves, but I guarantee you that if you’re thinking that way, so are thousands of other citizens across the country. If we all decide to remain silent, then the discrimination of minorities will only go downhill from here. I’ve got a feeling that there are a lot of Trump supporters who, deep down, inside, disapprove of this ban as well. Please swallow your pride, ignore the fear of appearing hypocritical, and take a stand against this. If our President, if our Congressmen, if we support a cruel decision like this one, then the blood of each and every innocent person killed as a result of this ban is on our hands.
page 05
the mustang
Goodbye Old Favorites, Hello Hipsters
In the past year we have said goodbye to some of Encinitas’s most iconic establishments. What does that mean for the future of our idyllic little surf town? Hopefully we won’t be the next Little Italy. Story By Austin Dilley and Hannah Ellias
I
f one thing is important to high school students and tired teens in general, it’s coffee. Coffee shops are appealing to the SDA student body because they provide a much needed service for the overworked and under slept youth, caffeine. Along highway 101 in downtown Encinitas alone, there are a wide variety of coffee shops, ranging from upscale coffee shops like Better Buzz to small mom and pop cafes like Java Hut. While newer cafes provide conveniences such as mobile orders and reward programs, small businesses provide unique characters and stories. This large spectrum of coffee shops leads to a dilemma for teens that care about getting a good cup of coffee: is it worth sacrificing quality and support of local businesses in exchange for the convenience of saving a couple dollars? Within the past few decades Encinitas has been changing: the history of being the flower capital of the world has been nearly forgotten, the greenhouses and farms have been demolished to make room for condos and shopping centers, even the hanging of the Encinitas sign
marked a change in the city from being a rundown surf town to transitioning into a tourism destination. Even in the past year some of the oldest local favorites have been forced out: from Betty’s, to Keilani’s, Manhattan, and El Callejon in the name of modernization. The history of Encinitas’ old family run restaurants and businesses are being torn down to make way for a new wave of hipster inspired coffee bars and upscale farm to table restaurants that charge five dollars for a cup of coffee. Yet, a lot of these restaurants have become some of our favorites. Yes the Taco Stand might charge three dollars for an al pastor taco, but I’ll be dammed if they aren’t some of the best. The issue is not in that there is something inherently wrong with the cityscape of Encinitas changing to meet a more modern world but when that change is appealing to the tourists and not the people that live here that is where the history of Encinitas is lost. While we love these new spots, like Better Buzz and local upscale restaurants like the Fish Shop and Biergarten, we don’t love their over-
priced menus. As high school students we want to be able to out with friends but can’t afford to because restaurants are charging prices that would be expected in Little Italy, not downtown Encinitas. The problem is that as these new businesses open, they take the place of the small mom and pop restaurants that students not only love but can also afford, creating a downtown atmosphere that isn’t built around the wants and needs of the people that live here but instead focuses around the ever growing throngs of tourists that flood our beaches every year. This is why it is so important to support the businesses which have their roots grown into the Encinitas community. In order for these small cafes and shops to continue to thrive without being overtaken by the modern overpriced hipster inspired cafes and businesses students need to make a point of not spending all their time and money at these newer restaurants. We need to make a choice to support the restaurants that understand our needs and our wants, not those of tourists.
Local favorites like Keilani’s and Manhattan Giant Pizza where forced out and left behind a vacant shell of Old Encinitas. Photo by Austin Dilley.
Aleppo Happened: Acknowledge It
Even in the 21st century, the world is still stuck in the white man-first mentality and people in the Middle East and all around the world suffer. It is time for people to become more informed. By Layla Gantus.
R
emember when Paris got attacked back in 2015? Remember how everyone was outraged, mourning and praying? Remember how the students and teachers at SDA paused their regularly scheduled activities to reflect on the attacks and current events? These aren’t the freshest of memories in everybody’s mind. However, no one even knew that the same exact day, ISIS, or as we say in Arabic, Daesh (a derogatory and dismissive term for the “organization”) had a big attack on
page 06
the Lebanese city of Beirut, yet no one was outraged, no one mourned and no one prayed. Both of those events deserved the same amount of coverage and attention from the public. We need to value the lives of all people equally. What happened in Aleppo last December was a tragedy almost unparalleled with any other modern day attack. All the citizens of the city along with activists and journalists, about 100,000 lodged there, were trapped by the Russian-backed Syrian
government in the shrinking area of Eastern Aleppo with almost no chance of survival. They weren’t even expecting to make it out alive. The story becomes even more horrifying when you hear that about 20 entrapped women ended up committing suicide in order to avoid being raped by the government forces. The entire situation sounds straight out of a history textbook. These acts shouldn’t be happening in a modern day setting, but here we are. And no one cares.
opinions
We look back at horrific events such as 9/11 or the Paris attack and say, “never again,” yet we all sat and watched Aleppo and the rest of Syria die. Getting back to my original point, we as a society need to stop valuing western lives over the lives of everyone else. We can’t decide who deserves our sympathy based on the color of their skin or where they live. We need to respect everyone and their lives equally; it’s as simple as that. Especially now, when white supremacist groups are appearing seemingly out of midair, we need to
pay extra attention to minorities and those living in less developed, nonwhite countries. Racist ideologies have been engrained in all of us, as Americans, from the time we were born. We have learned to prioritize white and western lives over the lives of others from the way the mainstream media treats people of color. No one living in America (or Europe or Canada) is free of racist beliefs and thoughts. The only thing we can do about it is to activley unlearn the ideologies and strive to be better informed.
feb. 09
the mustang
Carlsbad’s Ice Town rink on a Saturday afternoon, a great place for a nice day out with friends. Photo by Taina Millsap.
Chilling on Ice Ice skating is a great idea for a day where all you want to do is escape the California heateven though you may leave with a bruised arm. By Taina Millsap and Nadia Ballard.
feb. 09
The holiday season is over, but Ice skating is still a great idea for a day trip out with friends and a new option for a hang out spot. For a warm Sathurday afternoon reporters Nadia Ballard and Taina Millsap decided to take a day in the icy cold Ice rink in Carlsbad. The fairly new ice rink in Carlsbad, Ice town, is a closer option than the famous UTC rink and offers similar fees and sessions. Taina: After waiting in line for a fairly long time before the rink opened at 1:20, we were finally in. After struggling for a couple minutes to put our skates on, we finally headed onto the ice. I had taken lessons back in eighth grade, and have only been on ice a couple times since. It was awesome getting back out there and having as much fun as I had before, while my friend had serious issues even standing up I was happily skating around reminiscing the good old days. Little kids were taking lessons while we were there, and seeing 5 year olds doing spins and jumps that were far better then what I was doing was seriously intimidating but impressive at the same time.
I probably never would have gone ice skating if not for an anime that my older sister and I watched, and subsequently became obsessed with, a show about men’s figure skating called “Yuri! On Ice”.
After an hour on the ice I found myself remembering a lot of the things I had learned before and tried to practice some spins and as a little girl said “You’re doing that wrong” and skating away. I have to admit I was taken aback by her sass but as I realized she was right I just carried on skating away my incorrect moves. Nadia: Ice Skating is a new phenomenon to me. Nobody in my family has ever actually gone ice skating and I didn’t even realize that there were any ice skating rinks in Carlsbad. After all, California is better known for its beaches rather than ice skating.
Two laps around the rink and only a couple of falls later, I could kick off with my right foot and manage to not fatally crash into the people skating away from the railing. When I was able to gain some speed on the skates, I began crashing into the edges of the rink and falling flat on the ice. I left the rink with sore arms, a bruised butt and a great time.
The characters and their beautiful ice-skating performances inspired me so much that once the show ended I searched for the closest ice skating rink and found Ice Town. Before going ice skating though, I had to do my research, four dozen YouTube tutorials and “First Time Ice Skating” vlogs later; I was ready to ice skate. After initially arriving at the ice rink, what I feared the most were the ice skates, after watching “Blades of Glory” five years ago I was scarred from seeing someone get their throat slit with ice skates. Nevertheless, when I put on the clunky black rental skates it was surprisingly easy to walk around and standing on the ice itself was fine as long as I clutched the railing. To my dismay “Yuri! On Ice” and the internet made ice skating look so much easier than it actually was. While Taina was twirling around me in her cute white ice skates, I was having trouble kicking off with my rental ones.
The rink opens every day of the week, but times vary. For our day trip we went on a Saturday from 1:20 to 3:30. General admission was ten dollars with a student ID and skate rental was three dollars.
features
page 07
the mustang
People Are Willing to Help Fear should not keep anyone from getting the help they need. By Jenna Weinhofer.
Raising one’s hand doesn’t have to be scary. Photo by Patrick Hall.
For most students, the start of a new semester is nothing but stressful. Building up to the moment, students cannot help but think how hard their classes will be, who their classmates will be, and especially, who their teachers will be. With the four-by-four schedule, science teacher Eric Smith speculates that the quick transition between semesters could contribute towards students’ fear of asking for help. Along with that, students say that judgment, pressure, and intimidation could also have an impact; however, teachers say otherwise. Facing Fear Itself Many students find it extremely hard to open up to their teachers for help in class and individually. Even though there are many potential benefits, fear stops these students from moving forward. For example, a sophomore boy has had a difficult time in his math class. At first, his teacher only appeared mean, but then the teacher yelled at him during class. Becoming uncomfortable, he said, “since I did not raise my hand when I was confused, I struggled without letting anyone know.” A shy kid already, he asked to remain anonymous so he could be free from judgment. A senior male shared his experience as a freshman: “I would always look up the information online because I was scared to ask for help.” He acknowledged that this was very time-consuming when he simply could have walked in, asked the teacher, and received the correct answer or explanation immediately. However, the found his teachers to be scary because of their age and demanding presence. In an AP class full of upperclassmen, a sophomore girl said, “It is scary that as a sophomore in a junior class everyone knows what they are doing.” With that existing fear, she did not ask for help, thinking that her peers would` think poorly of her. Ultimately, holding back left her scoring not as high as she wanted to on tests in that class. Thinking about when she began high school, a freshman girl said, “I think my teachers are intimidating because high school teachers expect a lot.” Afraid of the high expectations, she never asks for their help, only the help of her peers. A junior boy said, “It makes me feel nervous to ask for help because if they spent a lot of time reviewing, I don’t want to ask again.” Not
page 08
only does he think that the teachers will think of him weirdly, but he feels uncomfortable when he does not know what to expect as a response. Scared and intimidated, these students never got the help they wanted even though they really wanted it. Teachers Are Not the Enemy With all these students, a commonality between them is that they are afraid of their teachers. Teachers argue that they are not unapproachable; they want to help. Spanish teacher Angela Vazquez-Herrera understands that asking for help is indeed hard to do. She said, “I was very shy in high school and I remember that I never asked for help. And I was embarrassed because I would think ‘Oh, if someone else is getting it than I don’t understand why I can’t understand it.’” Indeed, everyone has that initial fear, she said, but just getting out there can help students overcome that fear. Along with Vazquez-Herrera, Smith agrees growing up with technology may have contributed to this fear. He said, “I think with social media a lot of people feel more comfortable with the online platform as opposed to face-to-face.” Though the use of technology seems damaging, he also agrees it can be beneficial. By sending an email, he said students can at least start by engaging in a conversation. Then, it gives them a reason to go in and talk since the teacher will expect it. “You want to be able to ask questions because you want to have a deeper understanding,” said Smith. “Sometimes, getting that little clarification from someone explaining content slightly different than in class can help that person really learn the information and clear any misconceptions.” With so many benefits to asking for help, students should try to overcome their fears and ask for help because teachers are great resources to us. “All it takes is one good experience, and once you have that time, they are hopefully more confident to ask again,” said Smith.w Most importantly, “I don’t want students to think that I will ever judge them,” said Vazquez-Herrera. “Yes, it is my job to teach, but teaching is something I love because I care for my students. I want to help my students with anything they need.”
features
feb. 09
feb. 09
features
page 09
the mustang
page 10
features
feb. 09
the mustang
Waves of Creativity Four SDA seniors share their love for the ocean and art. By Vicky van der Wagt. Photos by Austin Dilley and Patrick Hall.
Senior Jill Butler
Senior Trevor Anderberg
Senior Austin Killeen
The Ocean and Art The presence of surfers has always been eminent on the SDA campus. From Hawaiian shirts, bleached hair, and tanned skin, it’s evident that surfers make up much of the student body.Being located just a mile away from the beach, it’s no wonder that so many people, even those who don’t surf, are still avid about the beach culture. Many further bond with the ocean and surfing through art, photography, fashion, and more. These are some of the artists who use the ocean as their inspiration. Jill Butler Senior Jill Butler has been a regular surfer since freshman year, when she joined the SDA team. “Though I was only an alternate on the team, the older girls took me under their wing,” said Butler. Aside from competing and surfing in her free time, her love for waves is reflected in her art. “The ocean and the sport of surfing inspire every aspect of my life. I am inspired by the fluid and spontaneous motions of surfing,” said Butler. She lets the viewer interpret her art for themselves: “I want people to allow their own experiences and backgrounds to dictate the interpretation of my art. Instead of planning her art out beforehand, “I work with the painting instead of working the painting,” said Butler.
feb. 09
Senior Isabella Baldwin
Austin Killeen Senior Austin Killeen, with his combined love for photography and the ocean, has found his passion for surf photography. “I got into surf photography because I wanted to show people what I see when I’m out in the water,” said Killeen. His photos normally aren’t staged. Instead they are usually spontaneous and in the moment. “I often find that the best photos I get tend to be the one’s that aren’t exactly planned.” said Killeen. After he takes his photos, does some basic editing in Photoshop. “I like to keep my photos as natural and realistic as I can. I also do a lot of work in black and white, so I use photoshop for that,” said Killeen. “It’s a way to express myself, and I love doing it,” said Killeen.
Isabella Baldwin Senior Isabella Baldwin has always been interested in fashion and the beach. Because of this, she decided to create her own swimwear buisness with her friend who goes to another school, Del Mar Bikinis. She began making them in middle school. Over time, “other people wanted them so it just turned into a business,” said Baldwin.
Trevor Anderberg Senior Trevor Anderberg shaped his first surfboard three years ago. “I shape because I enjoy making things and solving problems, so I saw shaping my own boards a great combination of those two,” he said.
She advertises the bikinis through a small website, but mainly through Instagram and word of mouth. “Usually, customers direct message us and we have them come in and size them. They are all really custom made for everybody specifically,” said Baldwin.
He tries to shape surfboard into designs that will allow him to surf better. So far, he has shaped around 20 boards, either by hand or with a machine. Anderberg said, “When doing a hand shape I will first skin the blank, draw on my outline and cut it out. Then I adjust the rocker if the board needs it and plane to thickness. Next I will foil the rains and put in the bottom contours. Then I will finish off the board with a fine sanding.” Shaping them by hand takes around six hours. According to Anderberg, machine shapes take much less time, and can be finished in one hour.
The bikinis are all completely hand made “We sew everything, we buy our own fabric, and we cut everything by hand,” said Baldwin. They usually cost around $30 which is a really good price condsidering that they are custom made and measured,” said Baldwin. “It’s something that we do for fun,” Baldwin said. “It’s something that we love to do that we thought other people would enjoy.”
features
page 11
the mustang 1.
2.
Waves of Creativity 3.
4.
1. Senior Jill Butler lets the ocean movements influence and dictate her art.“I want people to allow their own experiences and backgrounds to dictate the interpretation of my art. However I also sometimes try to convey messages or evoke quintessential memories with some of my pieces.” 2. Senior Trevor Anderberg has shaped over 20 surfboards so far. “I shape because I enjoy making things and solving problems, so I saw shaping my own boards as a great combination of those two. 3. Senior Austin Killeen enjoys taking photos of views people normally don’t get to see. “I often find that the best photos I get tend to be the ones that aren’t exactly planned.” 4. Senior Isabella Baldwin has been making bikinis since middle school with her partner. “We sew everything, we buy our own fabric, and we cut everything by hand.”
page 12
features
page 13
the mustang
Band Exits Stage Right .... and moves into the scene shop. By Olivia Olander.
The band works near the setpieces and props of the Addams Family home as the components move on and off stage, and freshman drummer Tyler Brown runs through his part before the show. “[Playing in the pit] is a great experience,” Brown said. Photos by Austin Dilley. In a room lit only by a single set of bright, high windows, a small group of fidgety students waited impatiently for the school musical to start, playing sections of notes out of sight. Though not a glamorous room by any means--with its paint-covered floors, haphazard old set pieces and rushing stagehands-- the theater set construction shop where these pit musicians sat in anticipation is a significant improvement from their playing conditions in years prior. The pit orchestra of this year’s musical (a sold-out rendition of “The Addams Family”) performed their part offstage for the first time in the program’s history. Instead of the audience hearing the direct sounds of the musicians, they heard the band indirectly through carefully placed microphones and speakers, wired in from the scene shop across the hall from the singers and dancers onstage. In years past, said conductor and band teacher Jeremy Wuertz, band students were cramped behind the backdrop onstage. “You’re sort of competing for a certain amount of sonic space if you’re all in the room together,” he said, citing the fact that band students had to adjust their volume constantly to fit the volume of the singers. The lack of space led to issues for the individual players as well. “I love the scene shop,” said senior Lila Duga. “Last year I couldn’t hold my flute properly because it was so tight behind the stage.” The Setup Each musician was outfitted with a set of headphones throughout the performances, through which they could hear the singers, themselves and a recorded track filling in missing parts that the band can’t supply acoustically. This includes an organ part and some percussion. “[The pit can] play as loud as they want. We mic it, then feed it in the digital feed to create one soundscape,” Wuertz explained. He said this system is used professionally on Broadway, where music for shows is sometimes wired in from a completely different building. Shows that have utilized these so-called “remote rooms” include “Carrie” and “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.” That’s not to say this new set up doesn’t have its challenges. Wuertz had to physically run onstage when he needed to repeat a song dur-
page 14
ing a rehearsal, whereas he would have just needed to peek out from behind the backdrop in years past. Students also had to adjust extension cords and deal with broken headsets during the same rehearsal. They also had to worry about noise, with the overhead microphone threatening to pick up their every word, sneeze and stray note. When a short iPhone ringtone dared to beep at the beginning of a run through, startled students flinched and glanced around for the perpetrator. The Scene Despite these changes, a lot of the rehearsal was business as usual for the band kids, students said. One musician played Pokemon Sun and Moon during rehearsal downtime, while others mouthed along to the musical’s lyrics-- they had heard it at rehearsal intensives every night, after all. (All this came to an abrupt and jumping halt anytime the track began or Wuertz took his place at the conductor’s stand.) “We get to joke around before the show and during intermission,” said Duga, ”but during th e show we have to be quiet because if the mic is on, the audience would hear us.” Students also said they liked playing in the musical in any set up. “It’s really fun to watch the play over and over and listen to some of the actors while they sing,” said freshman drummer Tyler Brown. Likewise, students still faced some struggles of being in a small pit that a new locale can’t fix. “Since I’ve never been in a pit orchestra before, it’s really stressful honestly,” said freshman Matthew Lefebvre, who played gong, bells and other percussion. “As a percussionist you have to move from different instruments and I don’t have a lot of space for it, but it’s also fun to figure out how to do it and play all the instruments at once.” Despite new logistical changes putting the band in the spotlight, Wuertz said humbly that his favorite part is to “just provide nice musical accompaniment for the show.” “We’re heavily invested in the sound, and the music and creating that experience because the theater students are very very talented. To try to showcase their skills in the artistic light -- that’s the ultimate prize.”
features
feb. 09
the mustang
feb. 09
features
page 15
the mustang
Eating Pie, 4000 Feet High Foodies end up on a mountain. You will never guess what they did. By Layla Gantus and Hana Chen.
Senior Maia Nelson’s favorite type of bread from Dudley’s is the potato bread. Photo by Layla Gantus. Ask any Encinitas resident what their favorite part of our town is and you’ll get a multitude of responses: the beach (a given), the Mexican food, and the friendly people, to name a few. This is our identity; this is what we know. But another perk of living in Southern California that is often forgotten is our ability to reach the mountains without large amounts of hassle or travel time. With best friends, warm jackets, and empty stomachs, we decided to head out to Julian, located less than 1.5 hours away from Encinitas. The drive made us feel sentimental. It took me back to days of Girl Scouts in elementary school, driving to camping retreats with my troop. Our ears were popping due to elevation change as we looked out the window at various animals passing us by – a llama/alpaca (we are not sure), cows, horses, a goat – almost enough to make a petting zoo. Or a small farm. Another perk was, due to the rain we’ve been getting, the landscape was incredibly green and refreshing. First on our itinerary: a stop at Dudley’s Bakery to pick up some of their famous bread. A loaf of bread from Dudley’s costs $3.50 each, they also have pastries and jams galore for various prices. We chose Rosemary and Olive Oil, Garlic Sourdough, and classic Irish Potato Bread, all of which we dug into 0.5 seconds after getting back in the car (we don’t have a lot of self-control). Carbs are good for the soul. But maybe wait until after formal to go, if you want to fit in to your dress that is. Ten more minutes down the road, we arrived at the Main Street of Julian, surrounded by bundled up tourists, cute dogs, and the scent of pie being baked to perfection. We made a beeline for the candy shop, where we sampled apple and pumpkin jams and wasabi-covered peanuts (we wouldn’t recommend if you have a low spice tolerance; if you find mints “spicy” these are not for you) and then headed to our favorite restaurant, the Julian Cafe. Due to the one-hour wait, we had some time to kill. Our hungry eyes quickly drifted to pie.
page 16
Julian’s main attractors are the snow in the winter and their amazing homemade pies. Photo by Maia Nelson. Lines were out the door for both pie places: Mom’s Pie House and Julian Pie Company, and being the indecisive people we are, we couldn’t pick just one place to try. Our thoughts: why not both? One before, and one after our meal. At Julian Pie Company, we waited around 20 minutes to order our slice of pie, then had to wait another 15 minutes to receive it, while drooling at the pies being devoured at neighboring tables. Once we got it, we dug into our Apple Crumble Pie like we hadn’t seen food in years, and no crumb was left behind. Heading back toward Julian Cafe (about four shops down), we started a hunt to find a bathroom. There aren’t many bathrooms in the little shops on this street, so keep that in mind before downing a Double Gulp, unless you don’t mind squatting in the woods. Fortunately for our bladders, we managed to find a restroom in Julian Cafe with a wait time of 10 minutes. Finally sitting down at a table for a late lunch/early dinner (linner?, dunch?) at Julian Cafe, we ordered hot chocolates with whip cream and a cinnamon drizzle (arguably the best we’ve ever tasted) and sipped water out of our boot shaped cups. When our food arrived, we devoured it like savages. Though Julian Cafe left us completely satisfied, we still had Mom’s Pie to conquer. By this time, the sun was beginning to set and a chill was beginning to spread. We waited around 15 minutes in total for our second slice of heaven. Mom’s Pie was slightly more expensive than Julian Pie Company costing us $4.25 instead of $3.50. We inhaled it comfortably inside the shop away from the brisk winds outside. One of the highlights of the trip: a celebrity sighting inside Mom’s Pie! We may have spotted the infamous Mom herself. With our bellies full and hearts happy, we hopped in the car to head back home. As we cruised along the windy roads, we were lulled to sleep by the soothing voice of Frank Ocean. Until next time, Julian.
features
feb. 09
the mustang
Oscar Land
This year’s Academy Awards is shaping up to be one of the best in recent years. By Patrick Hall
When Ali (left) and the boy Alex R. Hibbert filmed this scene, Ali was actually teaching Hibbert to swim. Courtesy A24
I
t’s that time of year again. Studios are busy campaigning their top contenders of the entertainment industry for the most prestigious (and political) award in the business: the Oscar. Who will win, who will be snubbed? This is what I think. Best Supporting Actor: Who should win: Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) Ali delivered one of the strongest performances of the entire year. As drug dealer Juan, in the drama “Moonlight”, which is also a runner up for Best Picture, Ali brings one of the most touching father-like personas in a long time. He takes under his wing the shy, abused nine-year old Kevin after the kid runs into a drug den. Despite his occupation and his impoverished state, Juan feels compelled to provide for Kevin what he isn’t receiving from his mother: a role model. Ali gives off this friendly giant persona which makes Juan this compassionate, loving personality that feels beautifully out of place. Ali’s performance is worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize. Who will win: Mahershala Ali I don’t expect Aaron-Tyler Johnson of “Nocturnal Animals”, nor any other potential candidate, to overcome Ali’s brilliance, mostly because of recent controversy. From the “oscars so white” movement in the past year over the lack of diversity, voters may feel compelled to compensate.
feb. 09
Fanning’s performance is meant to prove to audience members that she wants to be taken seriously. Courtesy A24
Casey Affleck never achieved the same stardom treatment as his older, more famous brother Ben. Courtesy Amazon Pictures
This is Stone’s first Oscar nomination and likely her first win as well. Courtesy Lionsgate.
“La La Land” could possibly be the first musical to win an Oscar since “Chicago” fifteen years ago. Courtesy Lionsgate.
Best Supporting Actress: Who should win: Elle Fanning (20th Century Women) It could have something to do with this implicit age bias I have with actors our age or that she flew her date to Cannes because she couldn’t attend Prom, but Elle Fanning has demonstrated talent far beyond her years. Her character Julie in “20th Century Women” could have easily been portrayed stereotypically of teenagers if performed by another actress, but Fanning handles it with convincing grace and confidence. Julie has two contradicting sides:: the scholarly, shy schoolgirl and the reckless, ditsy matriarch. They’re polar opposites and Fanning somehow proves to the audience that she’s the same person. Fanning’s performance is a complement to the entire teenage generation. We should be grateful. Who will win: Viola Davis (Fences) Viola Davis is hard to ignore this season after making such a big name for herself across television and the big screen. She’s a fan favorite that never fails to impress in everything she touches. Plus, Davis has been nominated twice for “Doubt” and “The Help.” It’s likely a mix of sympathy and worthiness that will end in a win for Davis.
Best Leading Actor: Who should win: Casey Affleck I really, really would love for Ryan Gosling in “La La Land” to get the award, but not as much as I really, really, really want Casey Affleck to take the win. Affleck has been besting his brother for awhile now with respect to performing and It’s time for him to be represented as a world class actor. “Manchester by the Sea” is Affleck’s perfect film for this award, with Affleck at the peak of his strength as an actor. He demonstrates powerful restraint within the first half of the film and beautifully reveals his true colors in an individual way in the second. Gosling may have outperformed Affleck in preparation for his role (tirelessly rehearsing dance numbers and piano rhapsodies for 6 months), but it’s the end result that counts. Who will win: Casey Affleck (by a hair) Hollywood loves musicals, and they often win best picture, but the Oscars have been unkind to leading acting awards in musicals. They love supporting roles (Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables, Catherine ZetaJones for Chicago) but in recent history, a leading actor hasn’t won. Based on the logic that history is likely to repeat itself and that Affleck’s performance is wonderful, Affleck wins.
Best Leading Actress: Who should win: Good Question This is the hardest one. I’m sure this year will go down in history as an amazing year for women in film. A list with Natalie Portman, Annette Bening, Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, Ruth Negga, Rebecca Hall, and the queen, Meryl Streep, is a nightmare of options. All could all be hailed as the best actresses (or performers) of this generation. But… Emma Stone was pretty great. So let's leave it that. Who will win: Emma Stone Unlike the Globes, the Oscars are decided by mostly Americans, so Isabelle Huppert’s French movie won’t win. Natalie Portman’s performance as Jackie Kennedy probably won’t win either solely based on the fact she’s won before and the ambiguous style will dissuade the Academy. Streep has won too many Oscars and voters are looking for a performance that will blow all of her previous ones out of the water; a tough legacy to beat. The academy adores musicals, and especially their actresses as said before, so it will most likely be Stone. Negga is Stone’s only real competitor and even though she was incredible in “Loving”, the film failed to draw enough publicity.
Best Picture: Who should win: La La Land Where to begin with “La La Land.” Specifically for its qualifications in the Best Picture category, “La La Land” has to win considering its shimmering positivity in these times of social uncertainty. To be honest, the Best Picture award is never really about which film is “the best” of the year moreso as it is concerning its cultural relevance. For example, the Academy Awards of 1994 was a contest that came down to “Pulp Fiction” and “Forrest Gump.” “Forrest Gump” won because it was a movie about the end of the 20th century that came out at the end of the 20th century. “La La Land” should win because it’s a movie about a light at the end of the tunnel that came out in a societal point in time where we all want to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m going to be one of those people that quotes Abraham Lincoln: “A farce or comedy is best played; a tragedy is best read at home.” Who will win: Moonlight Subsequently the black drama “Moonlight” is going to win because it’s a movie about abused minorities in societal times of minority awareness. The only reason “Moonlight”’s cultural relevance will defeat “La La Land”’s because the Oscars are under intense scrutiny to be more inclusive with the black community, even if “La La Land” is better.
arts
page 17
the mustang
Sentinel
THE WORLD’S ONLY RELIABLE NEWSPAPER
Ask a Junior: Sophomore Edition Junior Audrey Maskiewicz prepares underclassmen for junior year.
Is junior year as hard as everyone says it is?
Peanut the Okapi takes a campus tour and plans his Valentine routes. Photo illustration by Sophie Hughes.
Okapi Delivery System Debuting Valentine’s Day ASB offering a special surprise this February 14th. By Sophie Hughes and Julia Lucero. A new Valentine’s Day card delivery system will debut this upcoming February 14th at SDA. Instead of having ASB pass out valentines, stuffed bears, and candies during homeroom, the valentines will be passed out by a delivery Okapi named Peanut throughout the day. Peanut will be traveling around the school, led by Assistant Principal Jeanne Jones, will be adorned with a pink diaper and heart motifs, while Jones will be dressed as Cupid. The diaper will also be helpful in keeping the school Okapipoop free. Administration learned about this system of delivery from an article about delivery-alpacas on Buzzfeed, but since these were not available, the San Diego Zoo offered to lend one of their Okapis to the school. Unfortunately the SDUHSD rules forbid SDA from having more than one Okapi on school campus at once, as seen in Section 4 Paragraph 12 Clause 8. Okapis originate in the Northeast of the Democratic Republic of
page 18
Congo in Central Africa. They are closely related to the giraffe, but bear the striped markings of a Zebra. They also have remarkable similarities to a deer, and scientists are carrying out tests to find out if they could possibly be the original flying reindeer that help Santa Claus once a year. “I can’t wait,” says junior Kare Les. “This will be so much better than just the ASB delivery process, because it’ll add so much more surprise just by seeing a real Okapi on campus.” The San Diego Zoo asks the students and staff not to approach the Okapi during its scheduled lunch break. Peanut will be very cranky and energy-deprived during this time due to his lack of regular feeding throughout the morning. Okapis usually eat deep-fried lemur tails six times throughout the day, but since these will not be available during the school day, Peanut will have enough lime-flavored jelly beans to keep him going through the day. Valentine’s cards will go on sale on Feb. 4 through Feb.12 in the storage closet of room 42.
It depends on how many hard classes you take. If you are someone who stresses out easily, I recommend you avoid taking eight AP classes. Believe it or not, colleges don’t have a “Do not Accept” list for students who take a few electives.
What should I do to prepare for the SAT/ ACT? This depends on how long you have to get ready. Are you a freshman? Why are you reading this? Go away. Are you a sophomore already thinking about junior year? If so, begin by asking yourself why you’re already thinking about junior year. Then, proceed
humor
to stop thinking about junior year. Are you a junior reading this the night before the test, feeling completely unprepared for the four hours of testing that will determine the rest of your life? If so, I recommend curling up in the fetal position and pretending you haven’t yet been born. That always does the trick.
What is a good SAT/ACT Score? A score of 1200 on the new SAT (the equivalent of about a 25 on the ACT) is considered a very good score nationally. Don’t be the person that complains about a 33. You are in the 99th percentile, which means only one percent of United States test takers received a better score than you. Do not waste
your money. Do not retake the test. Instead, spend your Saturday baking a cake or planting some flowers.
Can I park wherever I want by the time I’m a junior? You most certainly can - as long as you get to school by 6 a.m. If you get there any later, a senior might see you park in his/her spot and throw eggs at you. What should I wear to formal? This year’s Winter Formal theme is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, so anything in that realm would be fine. #Turtlepower
feb. 09
the mustang
Sentinel
THE WORLD’S ONLY RELIABLE NEWSPAPER
Horoscope of the Month By Nadia Ballard. ARIES
When you’re feeling down in life, it’s important to rely on your instincts. If you’re not entirely sure what it means to listen to your instincts, a good solution is to book the earliest flight to the savanna. TAURUS
You don’t think that your body is a temple. You believe that your body is a castle with a moat and sharks and a dragon that lives to defend. GEMINI
You secretly have dreams to play pop songs on Nokia phone keypads at the next talent show. The only setback is that you would prefer an entire band flip phone instruments, but the time it would take to practice just doesn’t fit into your schedule. CANCER
This month, be sure to break out of your comfort zone. You tend to be overly cautious and let people tell you what to do. The next time your heart says yes but your mom says no, live a little. LEO
LIBRA
You’re your own type of special and you don’t need to care what others say. Step outside the box and don’t let people pigeonhole you, and while you’re at it, free all those other pigeons in that hole because just like you, they’re to cool to play by the rules SCORPIO
Beware of all things purple this month. Grapes, eggplants, bruises, plums, you never know what could happen. One minute you’re minding your own business and the next there’s a blueberry with a knife. SAGITTARIUS You’re a little obsessed with yourself but that’s only because nobody else is going to do it for you. CAPRICORN You’re a sure-footed mountain goat and you were born to climb. Set high goals for yourself and reap the benefits of being a goat. Just be careful; the higher you climb, the harder you’ll fall, and no one wants to be held responsible for goat deaths.
With this new year, your New Year’s resolution is to separate yourself from the dependence on time and break free from New Year’s resolutions. You’ve decided that with this New Year you will not rely on some obscure concept of time to dictate when you decide to make changes to your way of life.
AQUARIUS
VIRGO
As a Pisces you’re basically a fish, and one of the most defining factors about fish is that they glub glub glub. So next time you’re feeling down just remember that you were born to glub and everything will seem just a little bit less horrible.
Spontaneity may come easily now but impulsive actions provoke shocking responses. Be wary of stairs and oversized clocks; they might cause you to make decisions that you’ll regret later.
feb. 09
roads to success start here They provide the potential. We provide the fuel. Putting knowledge to work prepares students for success after graduation. That's why San Diego State University offers more than 300 student organizations like the Aztec Baja SAE team, whose members develop the talent, teamwork and tenacity they'll need as working professionals. SDSU.edu
You have a rebellious nature and that usually translates to bedazzled bow ties and yogurt piped full of GMOs. Your eccentricity is both endearing and dangerous, because bedazzled bow ties are a choking hazard and small objects can easily clog one’s windpipe. PISCES
Check Out the Online Paper at sdamustang.com humor
page 19
the mustang
In the Haus.
The future for county’s best basketball players. By Jack Hauser.
H
Lara works with sophomore Genevieve Kessler in the athletics room to get her ready for basketball using a stationary bike. Photo by Patrick Hall.
Helping Hands
Athletic Trainer Eddie Lara takes several SDA students under his wing to learn about injury treatment and prevention. By Devin Gaan.
S
DA’s athletic trainer Eddie Lara has found helping hands in the form of a small group of student aides consisting of three seniors and one sophomore. These four students have spent the year shadowing him during his duties and learning the basics of athletic training, such as injury treatment and prevention. This is the third year that Lara has taken student aides. “In the past it’s usually the seniors who intern or mentor,” Lara said. “I give the chance to whoever is interested in the field to be able to shadow me and get the gist of what the life of an athletic trainer is in a secondary school setting. Right now we have four, but it’ll vary from season to season depending on how many people are interested. Normally I try to limit it to four or five.” Specific duties for the aides include preparing ice bags, ice baths, and water bottles as well as checking and restocking supplies and kits. “I normally have them do a lot of cleaning and prepping, and of course I’ll do it with them too. I also have them remind athletes how to properly stretch before games, while I’m supervising. Generally, I’ll always be supervising
page 20
them whenever they’re doing something,” Lara said. “Since they are only students-aides, they are not allowed to do things like taping ankles because they are not medically-certified,” he said. “I’ll teach them how to tape but they will never do it on an SDA athlete.” Even though the aides might know how to perform certain measures, Lara emphasized that they are not to perform what they learn from him on anyone, even those who are not SDA athletes, because only certified athletic trainers are legally allowed to do so. That means the aides are not allowed to conduct actions such as injury evaluations or injury prevention techniques. All the aides have volunteered to help Lara because they either have experience in athletics or are interested in careers involving athletic training. Sophomore Kiomi Yamada chose to assist Lara as a way to stay connected with sports since she is not playing soccer this year, which she played last year. “I started hanging out with Eddie and he gave me a way to still be involved. I’ve definitely been thinking about going into something with athletic training or professional sports,
that kind of route,” Yamada said. Senior Natalie Haghani enjoys the opportunities to help with the athletes. “I like getting to work with the players and watching them improve in their injuries and get back into their sports,” Haghani said. Lara and the aides get along well, and the aides especially enjoy their time helping out. “My favorite part is that we’re all really close and we all get along really well. Past athletes come in and hang out too, so we’re all like a really close-knit athletic community and we all get to go watch sports and help Eddie together,” said senior Tina Bullington. If one is interested in becoming an aide, all that’s required is an interest in sports or sports medicine and a minimum two-hour weekly commitment. “I try to say about two hours a week. I set it low because its the same thing with studentathletes: being a student comes first. So they need to do all their homework and make sure they keep up and if this starts to become a burden, then I’ll definitely give them the full week to dedicate to school and not jeopardize their GPA,” Lara said.
sports
igh School basketball in San Diego has been producing top quality players over the last few years, but this year is special. Local fans will have the chance to see the future stars of the NBA in the form of two high school seniors, both of which are some of the most talented players to ever come out of San Diego. The McDonald’s All-American game is the highest honor for high school basketball players and those who get selected are already in the eyes of professional scouts. San Diego has produced three all-Americans in the 39 yearlong history of the men’s game, but this year that number will increase to five. Shooting guard Jaylen Hands of Foothills Christian and Center Brandon McCoy of Cathedral Catholic will be representing the West Team in Chicago on March 27th. In the current century, only LCC’s Chase Budinger of 2006 and Foothills Christian’s TJ Leaf of 2016 have been selected to play in the game. Although Leaf is only in his freshman year of college at UCLA, he has been representing San Diego well by averaging over 16 points per game on one of the best teams in the country. The two boys, who were named to the team on January 15th, could both be making headlines as big as their San Diego predecessors did in the near future. When I saw Hands play at the Under Armor Holiday Classic, he absolutely dominated competition. He broke the scoring record previously held for that tournament and considering guys like Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, and Klay Thompson all played in this tournament it is a pretty impressive feat. Hands committed to UCLA and is currently ranked no. 30 by ESPN’s top 100 high school basketball players, but I believe him to be much better than that. Hands should play a big role in a talented UCLA team next year and I look forward to watching him compete against the other talented freshman in the Pac12 conference. McCoy is currently ranked no. 6 on ESPN’s top 100 and the best player in California. McCoy still has not committed to a college but narrowed his list down to just five schools: Oregon, UNLV, Arizona, SDSU, and Michigan State. I predict he will either choose Oregon or Arizona, which would strengthen the Pac12’s freshman class even more. McCoy stands at 7’0” and although his game isn’t fully developed yet, he is flowing with potential. He is averaging 21 points and 11 boards for Cathedral, despite them having a record of 6-12 as of January 27th. His athleticism and good touch around the rim have basketball college and NBA scouts both rating him highly.
feb. 09
the mustang
What Now?
The Chargers NFL franchise ended a 56-year run in San Diego last month following a never-ending stadium dispute. The decision left a wide mix of feelings and a lot of questions. By Daniel Chagnon.
A
nother year, another loss for San Diego, but not in the form of a bad score this time. As you might have heard, the 56-year San Diego NFL franchise known as the Chargers have packed up and headed for the City of Angels, joining the former St. Louis Rams for the 2017-2018 season just a year after their 2016 move. This news came via veteran owner and master heart-breaker Dean Spanos in a letter addressed to the public on the morning of January 12, 2017. This decision has left some fans dumbfounded and instilled a feeling of optimism and relief for others, while the rest simply couldn’t care less. Regardless, many people from all opinions are wondering what the athletic future looks like for San Diego and where the city will go from here. First let’s try to understand what exactly happened. The source of conflict that ultimately motivated this relocation was the request for a new stadium. The Chargers organization has been pestering the city for a stadium to replace Qualcomm since the start of the 21st century. The bargaining went back and forth for 16 years between City Hall and the Bolts’ front office only to reach no conclusion. San Diego offered several times to rebuild on the current Mission Valley land plot, but Spanos demanded that the revamped complex be downtown just as the Padres’ Petco Park which was finished back in 2005. The City then obliged on the condition that the Chargers selffund the entire project. Once again unsatisfied, the team rejected the proposal, stating that it required a public contribution of $350 million via a raised hotel tax if they were to upgrade in San Diego. Unable to speak on behalf of the public, current Mayor Kevin Faulconer established a city-wide vote in November to determine whether the action was supported by taxpayers. Needing a majority vote at 50 percent to approve the development plans, the result was only 43 percent in support, bringing us to our status-quo with all patience exhausted. The reality is that an agreement was never going to be reached. San Diego did its best to reserve its
feb. 09
From now on, the Chargers merchandise will represent LA instead of San Diego. Photo by Partrick Hall. long-standing football history but it Chargers haven’t brought any prosallowed within the city limits ever wasn’t enough to combat the greedy, perity to the city in their tenure, again.” profit-hungry NFL that has emerged instead only adding to its losing culDespite their repeated failures, today. ture, has a good percentage of San the Chargers were an integral part This scuffle was a perfect sumDiegans unaffected by their absence. of the lives of numerous SoCal mary of Spanos’ management of Senior Tate Thompson clarifies, youth. They were that one family the team. His inability to overcome “I don’t care at all. I’m just sad the member that was never perfect and personal conflict limiting comcheerleaders are leaving.” No longer constantly made mistakes, but in the petency to make decisions in the having to start each week on a sour end, they were family and we always best interest of the team has connote with a Chargers’ loss fresh in found a way to forgive them. It was tinuously brought it our unconditional down. Whether it love for them that “I am going to root extra hard was the firing of a saddens us in their legendary coach, absence. for the Padres come next season Marty SchottenEven in the face since that’s all we got left.” heimer, back in of all the mourn2007 after a 14-2 ing, people ought to -junior Carter Hall season only because consider this isn’t the he didn’t get along first time San Diego with management, has been abandoned or the decision not to fire recently the back of your mind is certainly a by a professional franchise. Two released Head Coach Mike McCoy positive to consider. NBA teams, the Houston Rockets prior to this season following a 4-12 On the other hand, the nostaland the Los Angeles Clippers, emirecord from the year before. Overgia involved in having an entity to grated from San Diego in 1971 and all, no matter where the Chargers root for which garners hometown 1984 respectively. This compiled choose to settle, the land they cultiunity and spirit still has some citievidence of the past reveals an imvate will always yield a poor harvest zens down. A long-time Bolts fan portant truth of the city in which we because the cultivator is corrupted and San Diegan since birth, SDA live. San Diego is a “transplant comand unprofessional. senior Seth Frankel isn’t taking the munity” due to its sunny weather This leads us to the sentiment move lightly. “I’ll still be a fan of the year-round. Its population is an unof the fans on the backside of this players, but not a fan of the frandefined mix of various backgrounds, downward spiral. The fact that the chise. Dean Spanos shouldn’t be ethnicities, and cultures, many of
sports
which don’t relate to San Diego. Anyone who has ever been to a local game against a Chicago, New York, or any other cold-weather city team would know that the majority of the stands aren’t filled with the home team’s color. San Diego is just too great of a living space for its citizens to place football at the top of their priority list. Thus, the large number of activities available for attention allocation dissolves the athletic spirit of our native demographic, especially when the teams aren’t producing anything to get excited about. Meanwhile, those who couldn’t catch a wave or enjoy dirt cheap Mexican cuisine growing up instead became crazed sports fans and have carried the love for their teams with them in their moves to America’s Finest City later in life. The bottom line is, while our city is special, the consequence is a lack of a stable foundation for an invested sports fan community, making long term-sustainability of franchise teams difficult, even being the eighth most populous metropolitan centers in the country. Thanks to its size, San Diego will always have at least one professional squad to cheer on, but for now, we have settled at that minimum and we must learn how to cope. Sports fanatic and SDA junior Carter Hall has chosen to invest all his energy in the only major franchise remaining. “I am going to root extra hard for the Padres come next season since that’s all we got left.” As Hall exemplifies, there are methods for handling this disruption in the timeline. In the end, it is up to the public to voice its distress about our sports situation and this is a perfect time to assemble a movement if change is truly desired. In the meantime, there is talk about a possible MLS team coming to San Diego to fill the empty space, but no NFL replacement is expected to show up soon. Wherever your emotions stand, just remember that San Diego wins in all other categories, and nothing in life can ever be perfect. So, keep your head up San Diego, have pride in your locale, and never abandon the concept that sustains you: “hope.”
page 21
the mustang
stats: Girls Water Polow1-19 1/26 vs. Torrey Pines Although it was a tough loss, SDA fought hard, and even won some of the sprints. Score: 3-19
Boys Basketball 7-16 1/31 vs. Carlsbad The Mustangs were in the lead at first, but then fell behind at the end in a hard battle. Score: 62-70
Girls Basketball 9-9 1/31 vs. Carlsbad SDA girls basketball pulled through in the suspensful and close game. Score: 41-37
2-3
Boys Soccer 2/2 vs. Torrey Pines
Kevin Ward suspends himself high into the air, vaulting over the elevated bar. Photo courtesy of Kevin Ward.
This was the second tight loss against Torrey Pines this season. Score: 0-2
Ward Vaults Over School Records Junior pole vaulter Kevin Ward is breaking SDA records and competing with the top vaulters in San Diego. Story by Luke Oldham.
I
magine charging down the track and field runway at full speed, then seconds later being suspended 14 feet in the air. This is an everyday practice for Junior SDA pole vaulter, Kevin Ward. Ward, a former gymnast, started pole vaulting after a gymnastics injury forced him to change sports. “It was either pole vaulting or diving, and SDA doesn’t have a pool” said Ward. His talents are a result of his hard work and dedication to the sport. Even during the off-season he is doing club
page 22
training, which includes gymnastics, sprints, and track training. Ward is looking to continue his vaulting career at the collegiate level. He has been emailing coaches and getting in touch with schools with the hopes of vaulting in college. However, for now, he is focused on this season with his sights set on CIF. In order to make it to the coveted CIF finals, you must perform well at league finals and CIF preliminaries. “It adds a lot more pressure because it doesn’t mat-
ter if you’ve jumped higher in the past; you have to do well at league finals in order to make it to CIF’s” explained Ward. Kevin finished 4th out of Div. 2 schools in last year’s CIF finals, and he hopes to improve upon his successes from last year. Ward broke the SDA school record last year when he vaulted 12 feet, and he has been continuing to break his own records ever since, recently achieving a new height of 14 feet and 4 inches. Before each meet, calming his nerves down and focusing
sports
on the task at hand is what prepares him to jump high and break records. Ward’s biggest fear when suspended in the air is that he will miss the mat on his plummet back down. “I have had numerous close calls where I have missed the mat, and a friend of mine has ruptured his spleen by doing this” said Ward. Although he understands the dangers of the sport, Ward remains focused on outperforming his competition this season, even if it is himself.
12-3
Girls Soccer 2/2 vs. Torrey Pines
SDA put up a good fight in the first half, but let in many goals in the second. Score: 0-4
upcoming home games: Boys Soccer
2/10
6:00 vs. La Costa Canyon
Girls Soccer
2/14
5:30 vs. Carlsbad courtesy of maxpreps.com
feb. 09
the mustang
Surfer vs. Skater
Surfer Rebecca Lampl and Skater Erin Reilly, Sophomores, visit dead George Washingon and deserted islands. By Mary Ford.
I
f you could bring one thing to a deserted island, what would you bring? Surfer: An umbrella Skater: Lexi Dean Hey Surfer, at first I scoffed at your decision to bring an umbrella to a deserted island. How impulsive. What a waste of an opportunity to live. But then I stepped back from my impulsive decision to judge your impulsivity and tried to look at it from an analytical perspective. What can an umbrella do when trapped on a deserted island? Number One: Provide some dang-good shelter. Too much sun? Open your umbrella. Too much rain? Open your umbrella. Too many other people on this deserted island? Open your umbrella and ignore them. Number Two: Get you some food. Don’t have a fishing net, spear, or other hunting device because you
feb. 09
wasted your wish on an umbrella? Use your umbrella to catch fish in the hypothetical river. They’ll swim right into it. Number Three: Protect you from some scary deserted island monsters. We all know that lions, tigers, and the lord of the flies live on deserted islands. So when they try and pounce on you, thrust open your umbrella and mortally wound them. Wow, you’re smart! Ten points. Well, well, well skater. Look who we have here on this deserted island now. Sophomore Lexi Dean. Now you have two mouths to feed, two heads to shelter, two delicious looking snacks to protect from the lord of the flies. Dean currently may be on crutches, but that might be an advantage. First, it means that she’s a badass and has obviously been sparring. She’ll help you out. Battle wounds are to be respected. Secondly, the crutches offer another
weapon to protect you two. That’s a bonus. So ten points. What would you say to George Washington if you saw him right now? Surfer: Can we switch places on the dollar bill? Skater: Good morning. First of all surfer, personalized money would be so cool! You are a genius. What if every person in the United States got a dollar bill on their 18th birthday with their face on it? They are getting ‘free’ money which they can spend on the capitalist machine that is America and are also officially recorded in the government’s data bases. A winwin situation if ever there were one. George Washington never saw a dollar bill, which was first printed with his face on it in 1957, so he would be confused. Also dead. Six points.
sports
Lampl and Reilly both moonlight as ninjas in their free time and are avaliable for hire in exchange for magic genie lamps and old-fashioned donuts. Photo by Mary Ford. Skater, I appreciate your manners toward the United States’s first president. I think that he would appreciate them too. There’s something to be said about showing respect for 284-year-old elderly citizens that guide the colonies to independence, lead the entire nation for eight years, tell the people to not form political parties or treaties, and then die two years out of office. They deserve your courtesy. I think that I would
say good morning to President Washington, no matter what type of morning it actually was. You get 284 points. God bless America. Surfer: 16 points Skater: 294 points Congratulations, Surfer. You win nothing!
page 23
2.09.17
The Mustang