The Mustang Dec. 2011 by The Mustang Newspaper

The Mustang

Issue 3, Volume 16

December 16, 2011

Editor-In-Chief News Editor Lindsey Agnew

The Mustang

December 16, 2011

managing editor arts editor Angela Zhang Opinions Editor Laurel Sorenson Features Editor Caitlin Hird

4 4 news

the mustang 2011 best of issue

COHORT CLASS SUCCESS Juniors reflect on the combo AP English and AP US History class, offered this year to help improve AP scores.

7 OPINIONS SERIOUS CLOTHES WOES Impractical clothing choices threaten the well-being of women everywhere.

It’s that time of year again - the end. The time when freshmen start getting used to high school, when seniors finish most of their college applications, and when everyone eagerly awaits Winter Break. As we welcome 2012, we reflect on the year we are leaving behind.

9 ESSAYS MY DEADHEAD DAD Kianna Eberle grew up with parents obsessed with the music and culture of the Grateful Dead.

12 EATS taste testing The smoothie rivalry between Juice Stop and Jamba Juice is solved.

cOVER ARTIST JULIAN DENNIS

15 SPORTS boys basketball Junior Kyle Thompson prepares to pass the ball to a teammate in a D-3 challenge.

Art by Alyssa Baldini

32 steeze Best dressed Dress up the model with SDA’s favorite fashion trends of 2011.

I sat down with cover artist Julian Dennis, watching him fiddle with his paint-splattered jacket sleeves and look at me over the tops of his thick silvery glasses. “Both my parents are artists. My dad’s a musician and my mom’s a printmaker. I’m sort of the quintessential child of two unsuccessful creatives,” he joked. “My brother’s a really amazing musician. My sister is a music journalist and a singer. I guess I’m the visual artist of the bunch.” Dennis is inspired by Franz Marc. By the end of high school, he hopes to have found where he’s going. He is president of Art Wars, a club dedicated to live painting and quirky art installments (remember the big box playground in senior court a few months ago?).

14 33 Circus animal fun captured recaptchas Artists showcase their interpretations of these silly word combinations.

14 36 BACKPAGE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS Multiple events at SDA and in the Encinitas community celebrate the season.

This issue of The Mustang is dedicated to the memories of the past year. We’ve polled 550 students to see what your favorite music and movies were. We documented your responses in our “best of” the arts section, this year featuring student artwork and opinions. We’ve asked you to share your favorite memories of the year, and your quotes are on the bottom of the page. And, most importantly, we want to thank you, SDA, for making 2011 a remarkable year. -Lindsey Agnew

“That’s what people are all about. About creating. I’m obviously trying to perfect technique but I’m more interested in the emotion behind my work.” Then he smiles coyly and asks, “What about you? What are your goals?” He listens to me talk about my rustic dream of running a small coffee shop with a lot more interest than I expected.

-Angela Zhang

Sports Editor Anna Sheridan Asst sports editor Sarah Kochanek EATS Editor Kianna Eberle Steeze Editor Tatiana Skomski CAF Editor Eleanore Hendrickson Photo Editor Jocelyn Lee Asst Photo Editor Emily Maxwell Ads Manager Emma Lindley Advisor Tim Roberts staff writers Hope Alba, Natalya Ballard, Katie Berriochoa, Gabby Catalano, Stephanie Cigna, John Deane, Kira Elliot, Caroline Glass, Emily Hall, Kyle Hoff, Joey Kobara, Sarah Kochanek, Karolyna Landin, Lilyan Leavesseur, Charlotte Ohrbom, Cassia Pollock, Kai Schlesinger, Dana Shin, Nicole Smith, Katy Swanson, Opal Theodossi, Maddy Thunder, Andrew Walker, Anna Williams, Sam Winter, Mae Wright

Cover by Julian Dennis

San Dieguito Academy / Room 98 / 800 Santa Fe Drive / Encinitas, CA 92024 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 98, emailed to sdamustang@gmail. com or mailed to the above address.

News

The Mustang 12.16.2011

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2011Review IN

From Surfing Madonna to surfing social networks, 2011 has been a year to remember. The Mustang has compiled short stories about the major news events of the year that have happened right in our own backyard. Stories by Natalya Ballard and Katie Berriochoa.

All Locked Up SDA was on red alert when a gunman was at large on the freeway near San Dieguito Academy. The Sept. 21 lockdown, issued when police alerted the school of the gunman, was as exciting as it was unexpected for the students. Though the uncommon event put parents on edge, it provided everyone with a break from the dull routines of daily life. “It was fun because we all sat down in the dark during Blaze’s class and told stories about previous lockdowns. I wasn’t scared at all.” -Elisa Figueroa, Senior

Surfing Madonna In pursuit of spreading his green message, in April of 2011, artist Mark Patterson anonymously plastered a 10x10 mosaic, to the side of a train underpass in Encinitas. The controversial piece of artwork featuring a surfing Lady Guadalupe, with the words “Save our Ocean” quickly underwent both criticisms from community members who viewed it as a “religious symbol” and pleas from others to leave it be. However, soon thereafter, the city, with help from Patterson, removed it, labeling it graffiti. “They should have kept it, it was a good contribution to the community and I don’t think it had any religious suggestions, it was just beautiful art.” -Erin Stone, Senior

Lights Out The Sept. 8 unprecedented blackout cut power for millions in California, leaving SDA students in the dark, illuminated only by the sheer joy fostered by the cancelation of school. Businesses throughout town closed their doors due to the 15 hour long power outage. However, due to the uneasiness in the community, local grocery markets let in flustered consumers who sought water and essentials. “My family and I ran around the house lighting candles.” -Samantha Laurent, Freshman

New Principal After waving goodbye to principal Michael Grove, SDA welcomed Tim Hornig to the school. Though Grove set the bar high, both staff and students entered the year with high hopes for the new principal, and have now welcomed Hornig into the Academy family. “Though I was sad to see Grove go, I really like Mr. Hornig, he seems to fit right in.” -Sierra Gallant, Sophomore

Performing Arts Center Unveiled

The Fallen Ronald

Katie Berriochoa

2011 MEMORIES

BEST

“I was really upset to hear it burned down because now i’m going to have to drive even further to get fries.” -Valentina Calmo, Senior

When an explosion on Sept. 2 set fire to the kitchen in the McDonalds on Encinitas Boulevard, there were more things cooking than just burgers. As fire hoses attempted to quench the blazing building, Facebook became flooded with status updates and jokes about the fate of the fallen McDonald’s. No one else besides Ronald McDonald sustained any injuries, but from the fried ashes of McDonalds, another shall rise again in its place. For those who had truly mourned the loss of Mickey D, fond memories of the golden arches will be forever ingrained into their hearts; they’ll always be lovin’ it.

Katie Berriochoa

Students and faculty were overjoyed to see the Clayton E. Liggett performing arts center open its doors with the new school year. Blocked off walkways and construction tape, which concealed the nearly $9 million project, were tolerated so that the students could immerse themselves in the artistic environment that such a state-of-the-art facility can produce. “It was very exciting for the PAC to be opening just in time for my senior year...we now have more space and can arrange the seating and stage depending on the needs of the production we are performing.” -Rachel Huddleston, Senior

Unblocked and Unrestricted After hearing the incessant cries of a student body tormented by the restricted access to websites like Facebook and YouTube, school officials finally relented and opened the gates to social media paradise. With school administrators stating social media websites would be used as another tool for learning, this is the year that students gained unprecedented freedom to fly on their cyber wings. Unblocked and unrestricted, students now have the chance to whistle away their time as they enjoy the limitless opportunities to lurk profiles and watch mindless internet memes. “It’s pretty distracting now that it’s unrestricted, but I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly.” -Harper Crickmore, Senior

“That one day I spent a bunch of time knitting cute little snails, and then I brought them to school and gave them out was my favorite memory of 2011. It made people happy.” -Emily Huang, Senior “The blackout was my personal best experience from 2011. I got to go to the beach and the manhunt with friends. Plus there wasn’t any school the next day.” -Sophie Bandstra, Senior “I cut my hair this year and shaved a lot of it off. It was really exciting!” -Emily Fountain, Junior

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12.16.2011 The

Mustang

Students Shop at Bazaar

Homemade goods were bought and sold while students campaigned for ASB offices.

Seniors Stan Austin and Nathan Chong show Diegueno 8th grader Nate Neumann how to make onigiri, which is a Japanese rice ball, at Japanese Club. J-Club meets at the Encinitas Library every Thursday, where students from SDA teach children about Japanese language and culture. Photo by Jocelyn Lee.

Ping Pong! Students competed in the tournament at lunch.

MEMORIES

CELEB

BEST

Taking home the grand prize of brand new paddles, the freshman team of Jack Hagerty and Tyler Hagen won the doubles division of the Ping-Pong tournament 21-8. On the singles side, senior Joe Stefanki emerged victorious, also winning a new paddle set. The Ping Pong tournament took place in front of the gym during lunch from Nov 29 to Dec 6. All grades and skill levels participated, bringing the school’s diverse population together. The event included both a singles and a doubles tournament, each with bracket style elimination rounds. Juniors Alex Sweat and Christian Olmstead participated in the doubles tournament. “We are a dynamic duo and we will prevail over any obstacle that comes forth,” said Sweat. They lost the next round, 21-10. Though all grades were present, a large number of freshmen, including Numer Licardo, participated in the tournament. “My friends and I did it together,” said Licardo. “It was fun even though we didn’t win.” sam winter

Students gathered in front of the gym during lunch on Dec. 8 to attend SDA’s annual bazaar. Alongside the vendors, students who are currently running for ASB offices campaigned. Sophomore and junior directors lined up their tables down the ramp spreading messages of “Vote for Ashlynne” and “Vote for Bree” while they gave out campaign buttons or mini bottles of bubbles. Among the vendors were student-popular food caterers such as Jersey Mike’s and Jamba Juice. Other booths featured hand-crafted items and home-baked goods from SDA students. Cupcakes, specialty T-shirts, and custom bows were some of the featured items for sale. Stuck in the jostle of bodies, junior Rheanna Goodsell said, “It was really loud, I couldn’t hear anything because of the echo. I think they should’ve spaced the tables out more. Like, put some [booths] in senior court instead of mushed down there in front of the gym.” “There’s a lot of really cool stuff here I want to buy, but I forgot my money!” said junior Devni Samaranayake. For those who did not get a chance to check out the Bazaar, many of these vendors will be remaking appearances at this spring’s annual SDA Exhibition Day. hope alba and anna williams

New Cohort Class Succeeds

The AP US history and AP English combination class has helped students understand the course material better, and is predicted to help raise AP test scores. Story by Stephanie Cigna.

he new cohort AP English and AP US history has received positive feedback from both teachers and students. The class was created to raise low AP test scores and better the overall experience. English teacher Justin Conn and history teacher Kerry Koda realized if they offer the classes in the fall, the kids tend to forget some of the information they had learned the previous semester. But if the classes were offered in the spring, the information had to be crammed in an even shorter amount of time. Either way both teachers felt the students didn’t fully comprehend the material of the class. “The older system was more compressed and the students couldn’t develop skills in the three month time span. I felt as though I wasn’t able to prepare my kids properly,” said Koda. Since these two subjects fit well with each other and students seemed to be suffering they decided to join forces in order to create a class where the students would be enrolled all year and would alternate classes each day. “The class would give the op-

portunity to elaborate and combine students’ skills and comprehension topics, which would present positive of the material. opportunities,” said Conn. These opSince the class continues portunities would include being able throughout the entire year it gives to integrate information from both students more time to prepare classes interchangeably such as us- for the AP test. “I have to say the ing history facts on an English essay, thought of having this class all year or unique writing styles on a history scared me at first, but knowing that research paper. “Students this year I will be more prepared for the AP are able to test makes me apply both feel more confi“I have seen a major imsubjects in dent and more provement in writing and each class relaxed,” said and which junior Courtney skills. I have also realized further demHoule. o n s t r a t e s since we have more time the Before the their greater cohort class, kids seem to be process the students who understanding.” Koda took the coursinformation better.” said. es in the fall Though History teacher Kerry Koda. would normally at first both have to attend Conn and Koda feared disorganiza- long review sessions after school tion and problematic scheduling, for the AP test. “I signed up for this both teachers agree the class is class so that I will have the class durreally making a difference. “I have ing AP testing, making the reviewing seen a major improvement in writing easier and less stressful,” said junior and skills. I have also realized since Robyn Chaffee. we have more time the kids seem to Koda described the class as an be process the information better,” amazing gift, and many of the stusaid Koda. Both teachers have re- dents agree. “I have taken another alized an apparent increase in the AP class before, and I have become

more interested in the topics and I am doing a lot better and I am enjoying it a lot more,” said junior Kendahl Hettick. The extended time allows students to reflect at a calmer pace rather than the stressful fast pace of the four-by-four schedule. “The extra time allows [the teachers] to cover more material at a slower pace allowing the students to reflect on their progress and they also have time to correct their misunderstandings of materials without falling behind,” said Conn. Even though the workload has not been decreased from previous years it can still seem stressful to students. “At times the workload may seem overwhelming but an extra night to complete the homework helps to ease the stress,” said junior Monica Lundgren. Although this schedule has established advantages for AP English and AP US history students, most agree that they would not want the original four by four to disappear for their other classes. “I would say to take it. It’s really not bad and I’d say overall it’s definitely helpful,” said Houle.

“I saw Steve-o in the Dallas airport and I was running by and I saw him and I was like ‘STEVO!’ and he was like ‘What’s up?’” -Nicole English, Junior “I went to New York City and saw Ashley Greene. I was shopping in Forever 21 and she and her boyfriend came in.” -Paige Maguire, Sophomore “My favorite memory was probably seeing Fleshgod at Soma because of the stage dives, crowd surfing, and watching people get punched in the face.” -Greyson Weaver, Junior

News Online Health Class Receives Complaints The Mustang 12.16.2011

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Students are not in a healthy relationship with the online class, which they say is not as beneficial as a traditional class. Story by Laurel Sorenson.

ear One P.E. students now spend every day exercising in class and are responsible for doing the health portion online as homework. Some students taking the class have complained about flaws with the new approach. In the past, Year One P.E. consisted of exercise every other day and health was taught on the days in between each work out. According to Assistant Principle Ryan Yee, last year 94 students opted out of regular health class in favor of an online health course. “People usually have to pay for that course so if that’s what people are looking for, we want to give it to them so they don’t have to pay,” said Yee. The district made the change to the health class so that students would be able to learn online without having to pay to take the course. Current Year One P.E. students have expressed discontent with the new class style, which consists of doing assignments online and taking tests on the computers at school. “I think it would be much easier if there was an actual teacher teaching the material to us,” said freshman Samantha Steinberg. Students have complained that the new program contains glitches that don’t allow students to view certain material, even when it contains information they will be tested on. “Most of the times, there have been a few questions that weren’t reviewed or stressed enough in the reading,” said freshman Becca Bland. According to Yee, parts of a unit were blocked from students because P.E. teachers felt that the

information was not completely accurate. Students were tested on the blocked material, but the questions did not affect their grades, said Yee. In addition to providing inadequate test preparation, some students feel that online health takes too much time to do and that it is mostly made up of busywork. According to freshman Lucas Nathan, students are assigned units that are expected to take 12 hours total to complete, though it generally doesn’t take that much time because “no one reads, most people just answer the questions.” One freshman who asked to remain anonymous complained that “the questions treat us like we don’t know what germs are.” Other students, like freshman Kyle Cruff, feel that “it’s annoying having to do it at home instead of in class.” Physical education teacher John Cannon said that while online health is beneficial for independent learners, “it doesn’t seem like kids are as successful as when health was in a class.” Many students said that they would understand the material better if they were able to ask for clarification like they would in a traditional classroom setting. Some have expressed complaints about the health program being difficult to use on certain computers, but it is expected to improve as the glitches are worked out. “There is a lot we need to change as we move on, but by next year it will be a whole lot easier and less confusing,” said Bland.

New UC Policy is a Testy Subject Students meet the news that SAT Subject Tests are no longer required for UC admission with mixed feelings. Story by Gabby Catalano.

MEMORIES

BEST TRAVEL

tudents have mixed reactions about the new University of California SAT subject test policy. UC schools now reccomend, but do not require, that students take SAT subject test to be admitted. Some students feel more comfortable knowing that the test is now optional and feel that it’s not worth taking, while others feel that taking the test will help make their college application stand out. The new change in the UC requirements has sparked some confusion and anxiety among students in California high schools. However, counselor Ann Nebolon said, “Students here at SDA are glad that the SAT subject test is now optional. They’re less stressed out, and are more focused on other important aspects in their college application.” Although the SAT subject test is optional, UC schools say that taking the test can help improve students’ chances on getting accepted, but not taking the test won’t hurt. In addition, if a student wishes to major in a specific field, taking the SAT subject test can help distinguish them from other applicants. “If a student is interested in the medical field, then they might want to take the biology subject test. This will prove to the colleges that you are knowledge-

able in the subject,” said senior Carolina Diaz. Students’ opinions range widely in taking the SAT subject test. Some students say that the test is beneficial to colleges, and others say that it is not. Senior Emily Huang said, “I feel that the test is still necessary because it may give a student the upper hand in the admission process for colleges.” Senior Damon Ferreirae agreed. “I think colleges want to see that I’ve taken the test. It may give students an advantage,” said Ferreirae. Other students, like senior Ana Coen, disagree. “I feel that the test is just one more thing to worry about and students shouldn’t stress over it,” said Coen. Senior Sophie Bandstra disagreed as well. “I haven’t really heard much about the SAT subject test. I’m sure for some people it’s important but for me it’s not,” said Bandstra. Juniors and seniors are constantly asking Nebolon whether or not they should take the SAT Subject test. Her answer to them is to not worry about the test. She said that colleges will most likely look for other important factors in students’ applications, such as their transcripts, extracurricular activities, and essays. “If it’s optional then don’t take it,” she said.

“My favorite memory of this year was when I went to Sedona for summer vacation. The weather was nice and the scenery was amazing.” -Brittany Adams, Sophomore “While I was hunting in South Dakota, I got shot by a fellow hunter. It was about -10 degrees outside that day so luckily I had on a lot of layers so it didn’t penetrate my t-shirt. It was very scary…” -Jackson Wagner, Sophomore “I went to New York and saw ‘Wicked’ on Broadway.” -Tricia Navigato, Freshman

Opinions

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12.16.2011 The

Best and Worst

Mustang

The coming of a new year makes the Mustang staff reflects on the highs and lows of 2011.

Best Getting my license and a job. I got my driver’s license and car (on more luck than a four leaf clover can provide). “Super 8.” I built up anticipation in my head and it fulfilled my expectations [former English teacher David] Tow set for me. Particles faster than the speed of light discovered! “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” marked the last stages of my childhood, but it was the first movie I watched more than seven times. Libyan freedom. Getting a driver’s license was a common highlight of 2011 for the staff of the Mustang. Photo illustration by Jocelyn Lee

Worst People caring about the NBA lockout… Steve Carell didn’t win an Emmy for his last season of “The Office.” In 2011, we looked upon the Middle East Conflicts with the same fear and sympathy as we had done for all world conflicts. Nothing more can be worse than or as serious as a disruption in peace. Having my radiator blow up at the airport and being blamed for a toxic waste spill. The worst part of 2011 would be seeing the media turn the Casey Anthony story into an entertainment business. A story about the death of a little girl shouldn’t be meant to entertain the masses.

Oddly enough, car accidents were a common low. Photo courtesy of Casey Carlson.

The same day I got the stomach flu and barfed at the kid’s camp I was working at and had to drive home holding in my puke for 40 minutes down the I-5, some girl looking at her iPod while speeding up a hill directly towards my car sideswiped the whole thing, broke the front axle on her car, and totaled mine too all at 11:00 p.m. and when I heard her crying and saw my mom comforting her outside from my bedroom window, I ran into my bathroom, vomited into my toilet, washed my hands, vomited into the sink, ran back to my toilet and vomited again, and then went outside to see my car totaled.`

Engaged and Underaged Courtney Stodden may have adopted a mature lifestyle, but she’s still just a kid. Story by Eleanore Hendrickson.

LESSON

MOST VALUABLE

n text, she is mundane. Even in photos, there is still nothing exceptional that would differentiate her from any other attention-seeking sensationalist. But after seeing her on video, I was hooked. The way her lips conformed into such strange shapes when she was not talking; her worn, leathery face that belied her youth, and her voice! Grating like a chain smoker, nasally like a kazoo. Even her body looked ancient, despite the skimpy clothing and massive boobs that rivaled any-

one in “The Real Housewives” series. My immediate thought when I first saw her – and, no doubt, the first thought of countless others – was that she could not possibly be a teenager. She’s 17? That can’t be right. I’m 17. Teenager Courtney Stodden has garnered much attention in the media after her controversial marriage to 51-year-old actor (of “Lost” and “The Green Mile” fame) Doug Hutchinson. However, while it was her marriage that first placed Stod-

den into the spotlight, it is her scandalous antics that have been keeping her a mainstay on my news feed. This crucial aspect of Courtney Stodden – her age – seems to be, interestingly, the one thing about Stodden that the media and I often forget. Yes, her teen age is touted in all headlines (“SHOCKER TEEN GIRL MARRIES OLD MAN READ THIS NOW”), but it is immediately overlooked once the criticisms begin. Courtney Stodden was kicked out of a pumpkin patch for wearing

scandalous clothing and posing seductively? What a slut. She made her husband dress up as her for Halloween? Freeeeak. But maybe it isn’t fair to criticize her like this. If a middle-aged woman were up to these shenanigans, sure, insult away. Courtney Stodden, though, is 17 – maybe not a child, but still young enough that we may need to lower our expectations. Yes, she is ostensibly an adult, considering both her looks and the fact that she is a

“Mrs.”, but her on-screen actions suggest that she is internally childlike. As entertaining as it is to laugh at her, perhaps it isn’t fair to judge her so harshly – she is still just a teenager, acting as a teenager does. When put this way, I suppose my infatuation with (and subsequent ridicule of) Courtney Stodden is a little unfair, predatory even. Of course, then I remember the weird way her lips move, and promptly resume the mockery.

“If you touch a tortoise, it might scare it and cause it to urinate, then die from dehydration.” -Nick Liddington, Sophomore “I’ve learned so much this year. Like how to make new friends from scratch and how to join clubs and how to find myself at SDA.” -Cassie Rebeor, Freshman “I learned that it’s possible to check Facebook and change a diaper at the same time.” -Justin Conn, English Teacher

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The Mustang 12.16.2011

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Dress with Caution Girls should consider the life-threatening consequences associated with every outfit choice they make. Story by Laurel Sorenson.

Illustration by Emily Hall

Dear Maroon 5...

MG! There’s that hunk of man meat you’ve been crushing on for a whole week and a half. He said “hi” to you yesterday, so you know he must be into you too. Just be casual. What was that thing Cosmo told you to do with your sexy walk? With your shoulders back, boobs out and hips swaying, you prepare to pass him. Now here it comes, the big hair flip-smile combo as you walk by. You gracefully brush your hand into your hair when your giant ring catches on those collar bone length dangly earrings from Urban. It tugs on your lobe until your winning smile turns into a grimace of agony and your earring threatens to rip your ear in half. You’re so distracted that you forget about the numerous cracks in the pavement and your two-tone pumps catch on them, sending you stumbling towards utter embarrassment. Regardless of her personal style, every girl will be exposed to this type of danger and humiliation in her lifetime. I caution girls everywhere to realize the risks they take with every fashion decision in order to help them avoid these tear-inducing, shame-filled catastrophes. This rule is one that every girl must be aware of: no matter what

time of the month it is, white pants are dangerous… especially when outdoor eating is involved. From grass stains to food spills, it is a perilous world for those who dare to don white pants. Those who do, I salute you. Now this one is for the freshmen: bring a sports bra to P.E. I know you don’t think you’ll need one, but trust me. There’ll be one fateful day when you’re wearing a strapless bra and have to run for twenty minutes. If you are ill-equipped, you will spend those twenty minutes clinging to your bra. If you don’t it will fall down to your stomach and you’ll appear to have four udders… like a cow. No one wants to be compared to a cow. Another rule to live by is to bring flats… always. While those sky high heels may be adorable, your raw, torn-off foot skin is not. As soon as you feel that blister coming on, shove the heels in your purse and slip on the flats. By then, everyone will have already seen and complimented your cute shoes so the mission will be accomplished without the excruciating pain and back problems later in life. Being careful about appearance enhancing tactics applies to make up as well as clothes. Check the ingredients of everything that goes near your skin, especially products

given to you by your best friend. In that nicely wrapped pot of homemade lip gloss, she may have unwittingly given you an allergic reaction for Christmas. This hypothetical gift giver is really sorry by the way. From dangly earrings to allergic reaction inducing makeup, girls face incredible risks in order to look and feel amazing. We are in this constant competition for who has the most appealing appearance, the most flattering clothes, and the shiniest accessories. Yeah, we let guys think it’s for their benefit (Mr. Hunk of Man Meat’s opinion is taken into consideration), but we all know the real reward consists of jealous looks from other girls as they inspect the best outfits from head to toe. We go to great lengths to look the best. We do things that don’t even make sense. Despite the peril and risk associated with the competition, it will endure, Cosmo will continue to try to teach us how to walk, and “America’s Next Top Model” will show us how to smize (smile with your eyes). I encourage everyone to wear what makes them feel most confident, but maybe once in a while, girls could use some common sense in terms of the practicality of their clothing choices. Please, for your own safety, dress with caution.

Please stop making music. Kthxbai. Story by Katy Swanson.

BEST SCIENTIFIC

DISCOVERY

s ominous as the wubs from dubstep emanating from the car radio may seem, there is an even more intimidating song lurking in the distance, waiting to pounce on any unsuspecting listener. The song is called “Moves Like Jagger,” and once again, like any other Maroon 5 song, it is most likely the spawn of Satan. Initially, the pop song sounds innocent and playful. In fact, there’s some cutesy whistling that reminds one of youth and cookies made by the hands of loving grandmothers. However, this intro is the antithesis to what the song is really like. “Moves Like Jagger” eats away at your soul, and kills your brain cells.

Similar to other bad things, like high-fructose corn syrup, crack, and unprotected sex, there is no redeeming value whatsoever in this sort of music. Perhaps the reason that I particularly dislike “Moves Like Jagger” is due to the fact that it reminds me of the lack of depth in society today. It seems that all mainstream music today lacks spirit and honesty. Although the band may “talk the talk,” they fail massively to “walk the walk.” Maroon 5 may sing about mature subjects, such as drinking and sexual intercourse, but considering the fact that their music sounds like a pre-pubescent boy, all credibility is immediately tossed aside.

Goodbye street cred, goodbye man card. Their superficial ways are just too obvious. I full-heartedly believe in First Amendment Rights and freedom of speech; however, I must admit that I would not be sad if the FCC ceased to give Maroon 5 airplay. I’m sure the members of the band are nice people, but in all honesty, they should stick to singing children’s songs, or something they could sound genuine at. It’s time for Maroon 5 to take a good look at themselves in the mirror and get real. The “I Have a Crush On You” genre of music that Maroon 5 plays may sell, but at the end of the day, they still lack self-respect and pride as musicians.

Adam Levine of Maroon 5 in concert. Photo courtesy of Brandi Korte.

“My favorite thing I learned is how to turn sparkling water into ice in one minute in chemistry. It was totally crazy.” -Alec Holt, Junior “How to blow up a battery in physics because we learned how to do it using things we can find around the house.” -Sean Conklin, Junior “I learned how to thrive on three hours of sleep for science class.” -Maximo Prescott, Senior

Opinions

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12.16.2011 The

Love thy Neighbor?

Mustang

An internship search went a little further down the rabbit hole than intended. Story by Kira Elliott

EXPERIENCES

BEST &WORST

hile searching for an internship opportunity, my mom stumbled across a non-governmental organization known as Worldlink, which is based at the Institute of Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego. Worldlink is dedicated to educating people about global topics such as international gang activity and situations in third world countries (learn more about Worldlink and their events at the Facebook page: “Worldlink: Connecting Youth to Global Affairs”). Determined that I should learn more about the world, my mom decided that the two of us should take a look into the program. At first, I was a little indignant for not having a say in this decision, but after that first meeting, I was hooked. On Oct. 22, I went to a seminar sponsored by Worldlink and listened to two women peacemakers. One of them, Dr. Rashad Zaydan of Iraq, made the deepest impression on me, by telling her audience of ten about what the US occupation was doing to her country.

She told us a story of how a group of American soldiers had gone into a mosque and opened fire while people were praying because they thought that the devotees were terrorists. They shot a man to death while he was holding the Quran, the Islamic holy book, she said. She then proceeded to show our group pictures of Iraq before the occupation, of universities and towns, and then after she showed

ation set in. Human rights, people’s natural and fundamental rights, are abused almost every day. Every day. Think about it. In the face of injustice, what can we do? We can educate ourselves. We can learn about what is going on in the world as a whole, including our own country, through sites such as Amnesty International, an organization that focuses on the protection of human rights (for more information,

I left the room... her words echoing in my ears.“Where [are] human rights?” she had demanded. “This is not human rights.” us pictures of buildings falling into ruin; an American soldier patrolling a street; and the faces of frightened, confused people. I left the room in a daze, her words echoing in my ears: “Where [are] human rights?” she had demanded. “This is not human rights.” On the way home, I thought about everything she had said. Only then did the magnitude of the situ-

go to amnesty.org). We can also learn by participating in groups like Worldlink by going to their events such as the Youth Town meeting in January (learn more on their Facebook page), or joining Amnesty International and its club here on campus. There are many more things we can do, such as travelling to other countries with human rights groups or studying the subject

in universities. Here is another question to think about: Why should we do anything? Sure, we could go to seminars and educate ourselves about human rights and the world, and sure we could donate to charities and all of these things, but why should we? In response to these questions, I quote bishop and professor Desmond Tutu: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” If you do not intervene in a situation where a person is being beaten up by another due to a difference in race, culture, sexual orientation, etc., then you are taking the side of the aggressor because you are not doing anything to help the beaten who is a victim of injustice. Neutrality doesn’t extist. By taking a stand against the oppression of fellow human beings, you are not only fighting for their basic rights, but for something our country has chosen to defend: justice.

Human Rights Defined

Amnestyusa.org, Amnesty International’s website, defines human rights as “basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to regardless of nationality, sex, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, language, or other status. Human rights include civil and political rights, liberty and freedom of expression; and social, cultural and economic rights…. Human rights are protected and upheld by international and national laws and treaties.”

Best: “I competed at statewide level ten gymnastics.” Worst: “I hurt my knee at gymnastics.” -Anna Smith, Senior

Best: “Running the percusion section in the SDA band.“ Worst: “Running the percusion section in the SDA band.“ -Brendan Carruthers, Senior

Best: “I learned the value of saying ‘no.’” Worst: “The fact that I’m very bad at saying ‘no.’” -Michael Santos, Science Teacher

Best: “No matter what, your friends will always be there for you.” Worst: “Apparently, hippo sweat is pink.” -Jillian Haines, Sophomore

The Mustang 12.16.2011

Essays

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My Dad Was a Deadhead

Reflections on a childhood filled with the music and shaped by the culture of the Grateful Dead. By Kianna Eberle.

om tells me I was conceived at a Grateful Dead show. I attended concerts all over the West Coast while just a lump in the tummy and continued tagging along with my parents up until the day Jerry died, just a few months before my second birthday. The only show we missed was the day after I was born, when my parents reluctantly gave away their tickets for the first time in their lives. I grew up with countless live tapes and Dick’s Picks albums haphazardly piled on every surface and shelf in my house and stuffed into the center consoles of the family cars. Every morning I anxiously tried to turn down a blaring “Casey Jones” or “Friend of the Devil” as I got dropped off at school, nervous that my peers would know what crazy hippies I had been bestowed with as parents. Still today my parents cherish a pint-sized, tattered psychedelic tee adorned with a “Steal your Face” and a peace sign, my first tie-dye, and a large collection of Dancing Bear beanie babies dominate my stuffed animal collection from earlier days. Yes, my parents were Deadheads, and yes, they raised me accordingly. They were obsessed with the ideas of community, adventure, freedom, and musical experiences that made you feel something. They traveled for months following the Grateful Dead as part of a large clan called Deadheads. This group was something of a cultural phenomenon, building a nearly utopian community together as they followed shows around the country. They were, and are, a close knit group, one that dances, eats, travels, adventures, and sings together for months on end, supporting themselves through making and selling handmade goods . Growing up, I was sure that my parents’ obsession with this band made them strange, but now I realize that most of the qualities and interests spurring from their Deadhead “membership,” that of love of adventure, music, and community, have been engrained in me as well. According to my mom, being a Deadhead was an all-consuming lifestyle: “Every aspect of how we lived and the choices we made sprang from being involved with the Grateful Dead community and music. It shaped how we raised you. That influence was the force behind your natural water birth, our vegetarian lifestyle, and our always striving to give you as much freedom as possible and encourage you to be independent and unique.” And I’m not the only one. It only took a bit of seeking to find the other kids of my generation who had been raised with likeminded Deadhead parents. Kids like Cassidy Mayeda, whose parents named her after a Grateful Dead song, and Elise Gout, whose dad rocked the long hair, ratty jeans, and tie-dyes for years. They, too, had dancing bear stuffed animals and had been subject to countless car rides full of Grateful Dead singing, storytelling, and reminiscing that had made them wonder if every kids parents were quite so weird. The values of her Deadhead parents were apparent in the way they raised her as well. “They didn’t force ideas or religion on me, and they have always encouraged free thinking. They are very open and talk to me about anything,” said Mayeda. Elise Gout’s Deadhead dad, too, has always encouraged her to develop into a unique and expressive person, and she has no fear of reproach or judgment from her parents for what direction she steers herself and her life in. “[My dad’s Deadhead years] made him much more tolerant of others and their differences. I’ll never have to worry about judgment over who I am,

what I believe in, or what I want to do with my life,” said Gout. To both Mayeda and Gout, too, the music of the Grateful Dead is something of a soundtrack to their childhoods, bringing back memories of family car trips whenever they hear it nowadays. “I’ll be able to recognize any Grateful Dead song for the rest of my life,” said Gout. “Music is still a big part of my life now. The mentality that I have regarding music definitely came from what I came to know about the Grateful Dead. They pioneered the idea that music is something to be shared, something that entire cultures can form around,” said Mayeda. I was always afraid to admit that I found the songs of the soundtrack to my childhood pretty catchy. Yet they are an engrained in me, so much an integral part of who I am that they don’t quite sound like normal music to my ears. The best way I can describe them is as artistic amalgamations consisting of rhythms, lyrics, and live crowds whose noises and beats I know like the back of my hand. I figure that it can only be a result of the nearly constant booming music that you could hear from as far as the sidewalk in front of our house and coming out of our car speakers whenever anyone put the key in the ignition. Though these blaring sounds undoubtedly made me blush and feel sorry for myself in my younger days, I am no longer ashamed to recognize just how much this music is a part of my soul. Sometimes, driving alone in my car, I’ll stick the Dick’s Picks album I sneakily took from the collection and play it like it’s some Britney Spears guilty-pleasure cd. I sing at the top of my lungs and I can’t help but smile and sing louder as the car trips of my childhood, both parents singing and grooving while I quietly observed, pretended to judge, and tapped my feet in the backseat in total secrecy, rush through my memory. I used to thinks my parents were crazies, an embarrassment even, for the way that they rejected norms and followed around bands as well as dreams. Yet, now I have a deep respect for the lifestyle they chose to lead. My mom and dad participated in the largest counterculture movement of the century. They were daring enough to live in a way opposed to the status quo, prioritizing unique experiences in music and life over all else. They, along with many others, were the fan force behind the band that changed the way we hear and experience music forever. The Grateful Dead and the Deadheads maintained a highly symbiotic relationship, providing the energy to propel each other forward in their respective musical and cultural endeavors, and they were a part of that. Sure, neither my parents nor Gout’s don tie dyes and longer and they all have much more manageable lengths of hair, but their mentality of freely expressing themselves without fear of reproach from society and others and their intense passion for live music live on, along with plenty of eccentric pictures of days past and psychedelic stories to boot. Our parents experienced both music and adventures that truly moved and shaped them, and as a result came to deeply cherish the band that made it all possible as well as the beautiful culture and friendships that were built around it all. It’s likely that the many aging minds of the Deadhead movement harbor a deep fear that their movement, mindset, and culture could fade to nothingness as the original generation of Deadheads dies off. However, they have nothing to fear, as I have no doubt that myself and plenty of other similarly raised kids will carry on the values, lifestyles, and passion for the tunes that our Deadhead parents have raised us on for generations to come. We too are children of the Grateful Dead.

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Features

12.16.2011 The

Mustang

Riley Gallagher (left) and Angela Paddy represent SDA’s Japanese National Honor Society in the parade. Photo by Jocelyn Lee.

Holiday Parade Marches On The Encinitas Holiday Parade is a local tradition, and it seems as though the winter season would not be complete without its flashing floats and bright banners. Story by Caitlin Hird.

“O

kay everyone, let’s start a countdown! Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! Let the parade begin!” the announcer said. Silence. And the kids in the crowd were smiling, and the lights were bright and radiating. The sign reading E-N-C-I-N-I-T-A-S glowed in the background over C street. “Let’s start another countdown! Ten, nine…” Silence. And minutes later, after the parade had still not begun, the children lost their smiles and the bright eyed young girl in the crowd started her own countdown. Eight, nine, three, four, one…and the parade started, and she felt magical. Red and blue lights flashed as Encinitas volunteer sheriffs, and volunteer firemen, and volunteer lifeguards started their journey down Highway 101. They were greeted with clapping: proud clapping for the firemen, thankful clapping for the lifeguards, and clapping for the policemen that was driven by fear of a silent arrest and a reading of Miranda rights. The announcer began to speak. “When I was younger, I was saved by a lifeguard. Jim? Are you there? Jim! Raise your hand. Jim, where are you? Oh, he must not be here.” The Encinitas Union School District followed, and children grades K through sixth held up banners. Flora Vista. Capri Elementary. El Camino Creek-“When I was younger, I went to El Camino Creek!” The announcer beamed. She was proud. The kids cheered. She’s one of us. The elementary schools were followed by a throng of cheerleaders. They smiled their Crest smiles, and made way for a group of marching band members who were dressed in ironed jackets, ironed pants, ironed tassels, and ironed socks. They played a joyous march, masking their football team’s loss the previous night. The child in the crowd with the pink pants climbed the tree to see the parade with a better view. Next came the Icelandic horses. The announcer’s counterpart spoke his first

words: “they are followed by a man with a wheelbarrow. To pick up the horse droppings.” He clapped for the man. The young girl with the pink pants was told to come down from the tree by the volunteer policemen. The five towns of Encinitas followed, with children and parents holding signs decorated with sequins reading Cardiff and Leucadia and so on until the “Fivepointed starfish” was complete. The audience stood taller when their community passed by. Hundreds of scouts came next, brandishing signs and flags and “Indian headdresses,” proclaiming their tribe—Red Hot, Wolf Pack, Troop 776. Tthe boys who looked up to their dads wearing the headdresses felt pride, and it was politically incorrect but fun nonetheless. The audience smiled at the fathers and the young versions of themselves, and no one meant harm, and everyone was content. The next band to follow was that of San Dieguito Academy, and they drew loud applause and a sense of nostalgia. Their neon shirts and decades-ago headbands emphasized the “Safety Dance” they played that the audience subconsciously joined in on. They were candid and unique, and it did not feel out of place. The young girl with the pink pants climbed back up the tree, braving the police, to get a better view of the dancing students. The parade came to a close with Santa Claus in a miniature car, moving too fast for kids to sit on his lap, but not too quickly to smile and wave and make all ages believe in him once more. There were more people in the parade than watching; it didn’t bother anyone. For that time we were all one community, and nothing else mattered. And for the next weeks, we will continue to bump into each other at Seaside Market, and sit together in traffic on Highway 101, but we will move along with the reminder that us and our kids and our parents and their parents have all watched the Encinitas Holiday Parade countless times, and walked in it countless more.

The Mustang 12.16.2011

Features

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Eats

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Acai: Fad or Fact?

The Acia berry is frequently touted as a cure all superfood. Just how much truth lies behind these claims? Analysis by Joey Kobara.

EATEN IN ‘11

BEST

FOOD

he acai berry is one of the latest health crazes, out ofsuperior to some of the far grosser ones like coconut water and wheatgrass. You see it in bowls, smoothies, and juice form, and they’re pushing it like crack at Whole Foods, Jamba Juice, and Sprouts. But what’s so amazing about this little purple berry? Well, health benefits for starters. On the bottles, the health claims are moderate, only stating the amount of omega 3’s and antioxidants. But recent Internet sources, like powersupplements. com and acaiberry.org have claimed benefits of instant weight loss, detoxification of chemicals and toxins, improved blood flow, reduced cholesterol, overall improvement of energy, and even enhanced sexual performance. In reality, the berry contains high levels of omega 3’s, fatty acids proven to lower the risk of certain diseases like heart disease and arthritis, and webmd. com does recognize that the acai berry is loaded with more antioxidants than fruits such as blueberries and strawberries. But many are skeptical of these claims. Naturalnews.com reports that commercial processing of the berry destroys any beneficial contents. Others believe that the acai craze is a scam masked by exotic word play and miracle promises. The jury is uncertain over topics of weight loss and cancer prevention because studies are still in progress over the health benefits of particular antioxidants. However, regardless of all the media hype and absurd health claims, acai is delicious. It is similar to a blueberry, but subtler, with earthy and nutty accents. It was discovered by the founders of Sambazon, an fair trade acai based company, on a surfing trip to Brazil. They tried the berry and fell in love, bringing it back home to the states where it was an instant success. Some surfers in California are making bank off of the discovery of a purple berry. Whether or not you follow the hype, it’s safe to say that the acai berry is a healthy addition to the American diet, but isn’t a miracle cure. Sorry.

12.16.2011 The

Mustang

Taste Test: Juice Stop Vs Jamba Juice The smoothie rivalry between two Encinitas favorites has finally come to a close. We have a winner. Story by Joey Kobara.

ere in Journalism we may not be able to solve rivalries like Apple vs. Microsoft, Darwin vs. Jesus, D-street vs. Swamis, or Harry Potter vs. Voldemort. However, there is one rivalry we can solve; Juice Stop, known for its authentic, local vibe, vs. its corporate smoothie rival located less than a mile away, Jamba Juice, with over 750 stores nationwide. Years have passed, and countless consumers have pondered which smoothie store exceeds the other. The thirst-quenching decisions made by students have been based largely on the amount of change in their pockets and which store is closer

Smoothie Smackdown Results

The victory goes to Juice Stop, with 21-8 win over the rival Jamba Juice beverage.

to their house. Contain for a moment your worries, your hardships, and your yearnings; thanks to a Mustang taste test, we now have an answer. Wise senior David

Swan said that Jamba Juice “uses too much ice.” Sophomore Peri Anderson, who greatly favored Juice Stop, bluntly stated that Jamba Juice

“tastes like candy… with chemicals.” Even Jeanne Jones, assisstant principal, recognized the superiority of Juice Stop. Mark Richardson, a

well-known sub among SDA inhabitants, also preferred Juice Stop, claiming that Jamba juice “tastes like a melted popsicle treat that doesn’t have any stuff in it.” These harsh but truthful words sum up the majority of taste buds at SDA. After sorting through innumerable contestants, it’s clear that Juice Stop surpasses Jamba Juice on many levels. Most samplers agreed that Juice Stop outshined Jamba in both taste and texture, claiming that Jamba Juice smoothies were too similar to an Icee and were overtly candy-like, tasting more like high fructose corn syrup than fruit. Looks like another major corporation fails to compete against a local, high quality business.

Culture in the Kitchen

Behind the many traditional foods that we associate with the holiday season hide a fascinating array of historical tid bits and fun facts. Story by Kira Elliot.

Gingerbread

When people get tired of making sugar cookies for Christmas, they make gingerbread. It’s common knowledge: gingerbread equals Christmas. Gingerbread houses, gingerbread men, gingerbread cookies, gingerbread is everywhere. But why? Is it like latkes, where the oven in which the cookies are baked somehow has something to do with the birth of Christ? Well, no. Ginger was introduced to Europe when the soldiers came back from the crusades during the 1500s, and since then gingerbread has existed in some form or another. It didn’t become a Christmas tradition, however, until Queen Victoria of England and her husband Prince Albert included it in a set of German Christmas desserts.

Latkes

A Jewish tradition, latkes are eaten during Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. Why are latkes a traditional food? Actually, it’s fascinating: latkes are fried, and the oil in which they are fried in is symbolic of the pitcher of oil that was used to rekindle the menorah in order to rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem to God. As the story goes, there was only enough oil to light the menorah for one night, and it would take eight days for more oil to be made. The oil, however, kept burning for all eight days until more was available. The tradition of many Hanukkah foods to be cooked in oil is continued on into the present – for example, Sufganiyot, which is basically a jelly-donut, is deep-fried in vegetable oil.

Jambalaya

A common dish that is associated with Kwanzaa, which is the celebration of AfricanAmerican traditions, jambalaya is a medley of African and American cuisine where peppers, shrimp, and tomatoes from the Americas meet Mediterranean herbs and spices and North African long-grain rice. The history of this dish is practical: African slaves coming to America bring their traditions and recipes and adapt to the new environment.

“Peanut butter and Nutella smoothie. It’s like fireworks in your mouth.” -Celeste Jepson, Sophomore “The best thing I ate was the coconut mango acai bowl at the Sambazon Acai Café.” -Melissa Morales, Senior “One time I ate really good chocolate pie, from this random place I can’t remember. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.” -Sara Rodas, Junior “I had Onigiri. It’s basically a rice ball with something in it like fish or vegetables. So yummy. It was a new discovery.” -Jamisyn Atlas, Freshman “The best thing I’ve eaten was a fruit tart in French class because it had fruit and chocolate that was really good.” -Daisy Espanoza, Sophomore

The Mustang 12.16.2011

Eats

Holiday Recipes

PAGE

Vegan Gingerbread Cookies Gingery and delicious, these little men are more than worthy of becoming a new holiday tradition. Makes about 16 cookies. Recipe courtesy of Kianna Eberle

Joey Kobara

Oh Snap! Cheesecake

Who knew that pumpkin cheesecake with a gingersnap crust could be so amazing? Recipe courtesy of Gabby Castellano.

EATEN IN ‘11

BEST

FOOD

Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups gingersnap cookie crumbs ¼ cup granulated sugar ¾ cup brown sugar 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted 3 pkgs. (8 oz each) cream cheese 3 eggs 1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree ½ cup light sour cream 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 ½ tbsp. flour

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8-inch spring-form pan. 2. For the shell: In a medium bowl, stir together the gingersnap cookie crumbs, sugar, and butter. Press the mixture over the bottom and about 1 inch up the sides of the pan. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the crust is set. Transfer to a rack to cool. Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees. 3. For the filling: Beat the cream cheese and brown sugar in an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat in the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the pumpkin puree, sour cream, vanilla, and spices to the cream cheese and beat until combined. Add the flour and beat until just combined. 4. Pour the filling into the shell and bake for 15 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 250 degrees and bake for 1 hour longer. Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool in the oven with the oven door open for 2 ½ hours. Transfer to a rack and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate uncovered until thoroughly chilled, at least 10 hours. 5. Remove the side of the pan and let sit at room temperature for an hour before serving.

Ingredients: 1/3 cup canola oil 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup molasses 1/4 cup plain soymilk 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour (or a mix of both) 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt spice blend: 1/2 teaspoon each ground nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1. In a big bowl whisk together oil and sugar for 3 minutes. Add the molasses and soymilk. 2. Mix together all of the dry ingredients. Sift in half, mix, and repeat with the rest. Mix until a stiff dough is formed. Flatten the dough into a disk and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill for an hour up to 3 days. 3. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease your cookie sheets or line with parchment paper. 4. On a lightly floured surface roll the dough out a bit less than a 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and use a spatula to gently place on cookie sheets. Bake for 8 minutes. 5. Remove from oven and let them cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet. Move to a cooling rack. Wait until they are completely cool before icing.

“Off the Hook is my new favorite restaurant. Their clam chowder is my favorite.” -Hope Budman, Junior “I ate at this place called Elevation Burger. Apparently it’s the only one east of the Rockies. My burger was star shaped. It was awesome.” –Brady Mears, Junior “Takis, they’re like Mexican Taquitos but they’re chips. They’re super spicy and flavorful.” -Kelsey Taylor, Junior “I went out for breakfast and had this bacon that was the perfect ratio of crunchy to chewy.” -Tacy Manis, Sophomore

Sports

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12.16.2011 The

Mustang

Winter Previews

Wins for SDA This graph shows the winning percentage of SDA teams for the 2010-2011 seasons.

Sophomore Megan Simmons shields the ball from an opponent during the game on Dec 5. Photo courtesy of Laura Jucha.

Girls Soccer New coach brings training over break to the team. Coach: Maddie Tantillo, new to SDA Chose SDA because: “I have always wanted to have a Varsity position,” said Tantillo. After coaching club teams in the area, she decided that SDA was the place to be. Previous experience: Tantillo has coached soccer at LCC, Granite Hills and CCA during the high school season, and had coached RSF Attack, La Jolla Nomads and Del Mar Sharks club teams. Tantillo played soccer all four years of high school on the varsity team and played at Pepperdine and Point Loma Nazarene University. She continues to play at the semi-pro level for San Diego SeaLions. Expectations for the season: “The new coaching staff is on board with my experience and enthusiasm, and with the dedication of the players, we will get further into playoffs,” said Tantillo. In addition to a tangible goal of playoffs, she stressed that the goal of the season is to create a bond with the team and earn the players trust and respect. What makes this season different: The team will be, for the first time, training over the holiday break. “We will be going the extra mile to get the job done,” said Tantillo. Players comments: Cassidy Mayeda, a sophomore on varsity, said she is looking forward to getting to know the team and coaches, as well as “seeing the looks on my teachers’ faces when they see the bus-ride-worthy handwriting on my homework.” Record last year: 7-10-2 Record so far this year: 1-0-0

MEMORIES

SPORTS

BEST

Senior Isabella Morales headers a ball during a game on Dec. 5. Photo courtesy of Laura Jucha.

“Racing in the pouring rain for cross country with ‘no regrets’.” -Annie Goodstein, Sophomore “The boys basketball team won the DIII challenge [tournament.]” -Devon Sarenna, Junior “Beating CCA [in field hockey] was the best game ever.” -Hope Budman, Junior

Boys Soccer SDA begins the season with a winning streak. Coach: Craig Dean Expectations for the season: As with most high school teams, the boys soccer players come from different clubs and all have different ways of playing. Dean’s first goal is to get everyone on the same page. “We need time on the field to become a cohesive unit,” said Dean. As far as long term goals, the team strides to build friendships and become a team on and off the field. What makes the season different: Dean thinks that the talent on the team is unmatched. “We have never been this deep with talent,” he said. With nine seniors and nine juniors, the team has a lot of experience under their belts, which will be sure to help them in the long run. Player Comments: “Our team has a lot of talent, and the potential to do very well this year. We all are friends and have a lot of fun talking and playing together,” said senior Kyle Kintner Record Last year: 8-10-1 Record so far this year: 3-1-0

Junior Joey Garcia prepares to kick the ball away from his opponent on the Guajome Park team during the game on Dec 2. Photo by Jocelyn Lee.

Sports

The Mustang 12.16.2011

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Boys Basketball

Wrestling

After igniting school spirit, the team begins their season.

Numbers prove to be a problem for the small team.

Coach: Luke Stuckey Expectations for the season: “Our goal is to win more than 20 games. We want to win our league and have a home playoff game,” said Stuckey. The Mustangs boys basketball team has yet to win a league title since SDA became an academy What Makes this Season Different: Coach Stuckey believes that the team will do better than they have in the past because of their talent, but the team’s chemistry really helps them to click. The seniors have all played for four years in the program so they are very used to the system. Also, the team has worked hard in the off-season. Stuckey says that he has confidence in this year’s five seniors to lead the Mustangs to a victorious season. The team is trying to get as much SDA school spirit going as possible. They hosted a pride night in November, and gave free T-shirts to the first 50 people who attended their first home game on Dec. 5 against Kearney. Players comments: “I’m looking forward to taking this team to CIF this year,” said senior captain Cody Cassidy. “I expect us to reach our full potential and change the way SDA’s sports culture is looked at,” he continued. Record last year: 10-19 Record so far this year: 3-2

Coach: Eric Wilson Student Comments: “I’m excited for CIF in February, and I have high expectations for this season. I’d like to get at least a 90 percent winning season,” said senior DJ Swan. Swan has been wrestling since he was little. “My grandpa got me involved. He coached at SDA from 1965-1994.” Not Enough Students: SDA’s wrestling team doesn’t have many students, which poses a problem for the rest of the season for the Mustangs. “We will probably lose every dual meet, since we usually have to forfeit those matches,” said Swan. Record So Far This Year: 0-0-0

Junior Kyle Thompson keeps the ball away from a Southwest defender during the game on Dec 3.

Girls Basketball Mustangs begin with a new coach, system, and team. Coach: Justin Reynolds, new to SDA Chose SDA because: “SDA is an amazing high school and has created a wonderful lasting legacy. I want to be a part of that,” said Reynolds. Previous Experience: Reynolds has played basketball throughout high school and college. He also currently plays in local leagues. He has been head coach and assistant coach at a few different high schools and has worked with CYO, the Boys and Girls Club, and YMCA teams. Expectations for the season: “We have a core of strong players and I expect to win our league this season,” said Reynolds. Players’ thoughts: “We have trained for this season by playing over summer and during the first part of the year with our school team. We ran a lot in practices and did weight lifting which really helped us get in shape. [The team] has great chemistry and that really comes through on the court,” said senior Harper Crickmore. Lots of players also participated in club teams during the off season to keep them season-ready. Team record last year: 15-11 Team’s record so far this year: 7-3

On the Road Again SDA will join the Avocado East League in fall 2012. Story by Anna Sheridan.

MEMORIES

BEST

SPORTS

very two years, the North County Conference has the opportunity to realign sports leagues. Principals are asked to identify the criteria in order of importance, and their lists are sent to the athletic directors to come up with proposals. This past year, Principal Tim Hornig established his list in order of importance as follows: proximity, school size, competitiveness, and lastly, school rivalries. After discussion between the principals, the leagues were changed. Welcome to the Avocado East league, SDA. “As an athletic director, my first reaction was that the schools are a lot bigger,” said Ryan Yee. The Avocado-East league includes all division one or two schools. The change will become effective in fall of 2012 and will apply to all sports except lacrosse and water polo.

“Not all schools have lacrosse or water polo teams,” said Yee. Because less schools have those teams, there are not as many leagues for them. The Valley League, SDA’s former home, changed as well. CCA, which has won almost every league title over the past two years, moved into the Palomar league where they will play D1 schools like Torry Pines. Taking their spot will be Ramona. If SDA were to stay in the Valley League, the schools would be farther away than ever, said Yee. The new league offers closer games so students can stay in class longer and get home earlier, Yee said. Although Escondido High is not close, it is closer than Valley Leage schools. While the Mustangs are now up against larger schools, Yee thinks that SDA still has a chance. “I’ve had coaches tell me that they are going to win league

with this change,” said Yee. Junior field hockey player Hope Budman looks forward to the change. “Playing the same team over and over again gets boring,” said Budman. Boys basketball player Devon Sarenna welcomes the change. “It gives us the opportunity to compete against stronger teams,” he said. Not all athletes are looking forward to the change. Teams with non-winning records from the Valley League will be up against better, stronger teams, and can expect to continue their losing record into the fall of 2012. For all the student athletes out there who look forward to the famed Academy Cup, the rivalry between SDA and CCA, not to worry. Yee assured coaches that he would still schedule cross-league games so we will have the opportunity to play the Ravens again.

New League Lineups Valley League Ramona Oceanside Mission Vista Orange Glen Del Norte Avocade East League SDA San Marcos Escondido High San Pasqual Mission Hills Palomar League Torrey Pines Rancho Bernardo Poway CCA

“Winning the students v. teachers flag football game, but that’s a given.” -Michael Santos, Science teacher “It was amazing at the Girls Varsity Volleyball [CIF Semi-finals] game; we had the most amazing fans who dressed up in white out. They are the best.” -Annalise Schlesinger, Sophomore. “I got to hold Bob Bryan’s hand while I was a ball kid at the La Costa Resort and Spa and Sam Querry gave me his shoe.” -Sam Hodges, Sophomore

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You may have noticed some changes. We’ve revamped this year, figured our annual “best of” the arts issue deserved the most personal, loving, progressive touch we could muster up. After all, we toil over this issue in particular—surveying five hundred, tallying results, adding numbers…so many numbers. It’s not so bad; we’re always offered a few laughs along the way from witty (angry) commentary about nominee choices (“I like rap, but this rap sucks/is too mainstream/is corrupted by money” showed up an impressive number of times, guess I’ve gotta get my beatz straightened out). But I digress. Angry rap criticisms and all, we put a lot on our plate each year to provide you, our beloved readers, with entertainments and insights alike. This year in particular, we felt like we ought to branch out from a, in case you were questioning our loyalty, longstanding and very legitimate tradition in “best of.” Without losing the essence of years’ prior December issues, we thought it might be fun to not only show you how SDA felt about who should win what award, but share some exceptional artwork from students and personal opinions from the Mustang staff—and share we did. The first thing you might notice is the student artwork featured on each spread. We figured it was about time the artistic talent at SDA got a little extra respect around here, and have made it a goal to help share their works with you. From naked Pop-Tart cats to graphite renditions of Florence Welch, it’s all very unique and, we feel, embodies the creative spirit so deeply rooted our school’s culture. And who doesn’t love that? Another new addition to our family is the best of essay—we commissioned the very cleverest, music/film/meme-obsessed to expand on their reactions to what were voted as the “best of” 2011. Our “blurbs,” as we’ve affectionately dubbed them, are short quips about the winners and not quite as arduous to read as our lengthier reviews of years before. We hope you’re as excited about the change as we are, and regardless of formatting, that you enjoy the best of the “best of.”

Angela Zhang, Arts Editor

Centerspread

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ENTERTAINMENT FAMILY

TREE

10 9

Who says New Girl and Nyan Cat aren’t related? This diagram depicts all of our “Best of” winners and how they intertwine. From Transformers to Toddlers and Tiaras, everyone in entertainment is connected somehow. Graphic Design by Caitlin Hird. 6

18 23

20 25

BEST OF 2011

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1: Foster the People wrote “Pumped Up Kicks.” 2: Cage the Elephant and Foster the people were both nominated for an MTV Music Video Award in 2011. 3: Cage the Elephant and Florence and the Machine both played in Wrex the Halls 2011, put on by 91X. 4: Florence and the Machine performed on “The X-Factor.” 5: Nicole Scherzinger, a judge on “The X-Factor,” and Nicki Minaj have both toured with Britney Spears. 6: The “Single Ladies” remix, a song originally performed by Beyoncé, features Nicki Minaj. 7: Jamie Foxx, an actor in “Rio,” did a duet with Beyoncé. 8: Beyoncé and Lady Gaga collaborated on the song “Telephone.” 9: Lady Gaga and LMFAO both played in New York Radio’s station 2100 Jingle Ball in 2011. 10: “Sexy and I Know It” and “Party Rock Anthem” are both by LMFAO. 11: Beyonce and Daft Punk are both mentioned in the chorus of Eminem’s song, “The Iron Giant.” 12: Bassnectar has occasionally remixed multiple Daft Punk songs in concert. 13: “TRON: Legacy” is a Disney Movie. Steve Jobs was a member of Disney’s Board of Directors. 14: Fruit Ninja is an application on the iPhone, which was invented by Steve Jobs. 15: Steve Jobs was a co-founder of Pixar and played a key role in the production of “Toy Story,” which actor Tom Hanks starred in. Tom Hanks and his daughter posted a spoof of “Toddlers and Tiaras” on Youtube. 16: Nyan Cat and Epic Mealtime both became popular through the use of Youtube. 17: Janet Devlin, a contestant on “The X-Factor,” went home directly after performing “Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 18: Seth Rogen from “50/50” and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have both been guest stars on “The Simpsons.” 19: J.K. Rowling, author of the book-turned-movie “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” was also a voice on “The Simpsons.” 20: “New Girl” actress Zooey Deschanel was in “500 Days of Summer” with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who was in “50/50.” 21: Seth Rogen, who acts in “50/50,” was a voice actor in “Family Guy,” whose writer, Seth McFarlane, hosted the roast of Charlie Sheen. 22: Seth Green, who is also in “Family Guy,” starred in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” The composer for “Buffy,” Sean Murray, also did the musical score for “Call of Duty.” 23: Seth Rogan from “50/50” wrote the comedy “Superbad,” which featured actor Jonah Hill, who was in “Moneyball.” 24: Robert DeNiro, an actor in “Limitless,” starred with Brad Pitt from “Moneyball” in the movie “Sleepers.” 25: Kevin Bacon, who acts in “Crazy, Stupid Love,” also acted in “Sleepers.” 26: Scarlett Johansson, who acted in “The Green Lantern,” was also an actress in “He’s Just Not That Into You,” along wiht Bradley Cooper from “Limitless.” 27: Ryan Reynolds, who acted in “The Green Lantern,” also starred in “The Proposal,” which had Michael Buble’s song “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” on its soundtrack. 28: Michael Buble was nominated for a JUNO Award in 2008, which was sponsored by Doritos. 29: Bradley Cooper, an actor in “Limitless,” also acted in “The Hangover: Part II.” 30: Ken Jeong, an actor in “The Hangover: Part II,” also acted in “Tranformers III: Dark of the Moon.” 31: “Transformers III: Dark of the Moon” and “Paranormal Activity III” were both produced by Paramount Pictures. See Photo Credits on Page 32

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BEST OF MUSIC

Modern musicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unorthodox group of divas: Beyonce, Florence Welch, and Lady Gaga. Art by Avery Finden.

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BEST OF MUSIC “Ceremonials”: Best Indie Album 40%

“I’m With You”: Best Rock Album 32%

“Bon Iver” 25% “Helplessness Blues” 21% “Wounded Rhymes” 13%

“Thank you, Happy Birthday” 26% “The King is Dead” 23% “The People’s Key” 19%

Florence has always had an impressive amount of soul for a long-legged red-headed British lass, but it is even more apparent in her darkly dreamy new album “Ceremonials.” The tribal and, dare I say, mystical vibes, are embodied in Halloween partyesque ghost sounds and lyrics of demons and flesh. We Florence fanatics expected greatness and what we got was so great I just want to play Ceremonials and gambol around in open fields in rural Scotland. angela zhang

The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ new album I’m With You won best rock album of the year. The tenth album of the legendary group revived the aging members from the rut that they have said to be in lately, featuring a divergence from their usual solely funk genre. This album featured some more personal songs about friends that have died, or Keides’ experiences with drugs. I am fascinated with the band, and they definitely deserved to win. They are constantly changing, yet consistently successful, and one of my favorite bands. caroline glass

“4”: Best Pop Album 26% “Born This Way” 26% “21” 25% “Femme Fatale” 21%

My little brother asking me to put “4” on his iPod is either proof of his sensitve side or evidence of how widely appreciated Beyoncé’s newest album is. While “4” starts out slow with emotional songs like “1+1”, Beyoncé doesn’t fail to deliver her usual upbeat sound with tracks like “Love on Top” and “Countdown”. The overall sound comes off more relaxed than Beyoncé’s previous works, but the album is successful in reaching both those seeking sappy ballads and those who appreciate Beyoncé’s playful and dance-worthy songs. emily maxwell

“Born This Way”: Biggest Letdown 43%

“Neighborhoods” 29% “Audio, Video, Disco” 15% “Angles” 13%

2011: The Dubstep’d Up Kyle Hoff notes our generation’s mp3 players of choice, the year’s musical turnout, and Katy Perry’s relationship status. Generally, music had another admirable year but by no means as memorable as 2010. Some great music did come out this year in whatever genre of music you prefer, and the culture of music did continue to change. Our generation favors digital music more and more, knowing the iTunes top hits chart much more than the Billboard “Hot 100.” In fact we tend to check our favorite artists’ Facebook pages and Wikipedia entries more frequently than we do their website. We turn away from radio, even satellite radio, and lean towards the omnipresent, externally connected iPods in our cars. As for the music itself, Dubstep strode up to the plate, sneaking its way into radio-worthy songs while also keeping its individuality through purely instrumental and electronic jams; artists who achieved this on a worldwide level were DeadMau5 and Skrillex. It became the Rubik’s cube of music: you don’t have to understand it to respect it. Of course, a fair share of bad remixes remained on the web too. (If you’re asking my advice, don’t look up any Super Mario theme song remixes.) The radio dial was saturated with the same ten songs playing on repeat, spoiling the good ones and bringing the bad ones to light. Among the rightfully annoying were “Move like Jagger” and “Forget You.” Some good but overplayed ones were “Rolling in the Deep” and “Pumped Up Kicks.” Synthesizers received their most airtime on the radio since MGMT and Oracular Spectacular, recurring in just about every pop musician’s songs (Rihanna, LFMAO, and Katy Perry, to name a few). Banjos, mandolins, and ukuleles surfaced for the first time in popular music, possibly even since the classical blues days of the early 1900’s with Mumford and Sons. Apple once again reasserted its monarchy in digital music with every kid listening to their iPods or iPhones. (Bonus life point if anyone knows what a Zune is?) Dr. Dre’s Beats came out of nowhere to become arguably one of the most popular fashion trends as well as music trends of the year and, if you don’t believe me, look around today. On their behalf, though, the great quality was music to our ears. One artist singing that sweet music into our ears was Adele. Various songs of hers were constants on radio from her new album “21”, even while she was getting surgery on her throat. Beyoncé proved to be beautiful even while pregnant, though she had little of substance on her new album. Lady Gaga may as well have stayed in her egg costume at the Grammys back when all her music was all good. Clever rapping carved its way back into cool hip hop through Tyler the Creator (OFWGKTA), Childish Gambino and others. Katy Perry and Rihanna continued to write the same exact appealing songs, even though Katy got married. Kayne West and Jay-Z may were two of a few artists able to keep their previous superstar status intact with both the critics and the public this year, even after dropping a new album together. Some sophomore successes were Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver, whose music serenaded us into trances once again. Foster the People is now a household name, with too many pumped up kids. Somebody help us, (except Rebecca Black) because it’s Friday.

The much-awaited “Born This Way” album by Lady Gaga was voted biggest letdown of 2011. The collection of songs was expected to be a big hit, and Gaga’s second major release became the fastestselling album worldwide in 2011 only a week after it debuted. Apparently, SDA felt “Mother Monster” had stepped too far across the line of sanity with erratic music videos and controversial religiousthemed songs. sarah kochanek

“Tron: Legacy”: Best Movie Soundtrack 36% “Twilight: Breaking Dawn: Part 1” 28% “50/50” 21% “Hanna” 15%

With pulsating beats and a pounding bass, “Tron: Legacy” transported movie-viewers into its technologic and futuristic funk, and won best movie soundtrack of 2011. Daft Punk’s “Derezzed” immersed the audience into a synthesized universe that truly electrified the senses and the screen. natalya ballard

“Pink Friday”: Best Rap Album 29%

“Watch the Throne” 27% “Tha Carter IV” 24% “Take Care” 21% “Pink Friday” is this year’s best rap album. Nicki Minaj and her eight sassy personalities have won over our hearts and adoration. Students enjoy her energetic beats and catchy songs that every suburban kid likes to rap along to, lyrics like “I mean, my, my, my, my, you’re like, pelican fly.” Her debut album has really made an impact this past year. stephanie cigna

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Are you LYFAO yet? Art by Madeline Thunder.

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BEST OF MUSIC “Sexy and I Know It”: Most Outrageous Video 61% “Blow” 17% “Born This Way” 14% “You and I ” 5%

LMFAO are known for their questionable music videos. But the video for “Sexy and I Know it,” may have gone too far. The boys of LMFAO are walking down the beach in shiny neon speedos, with confidence that screams that they are sexy and indeed they know it. Personally, however, I would like to sit down, relax, and watch the MTV music video countdown without being eye-raped with gyrating dance moves and Redfoo’s junk bouncing up and down just inches from the camera. We get it, you’re sexy. But could you possibly be sexy with clothes on? anna sheridan

“Thank You, Happy Birthday”: Best Album Art 49%

“Pumped Up Kicks”: Always Stuck in yo’ Head 39%

On January 11, 2011, the American rock band Cage The Elephant released their chart topping and melodiously artistic second studio album titled “Thank You Happy Birthday.” In this beautifully written album, Cage The Elephant not only brought soft vocals and harmonizing instruments, but they brought a bit of art as well. Cage The Elephant wanted each song to sound like it has been written by a different band and they wanted their album to be even more unique as the last. gabby catalano

We live in a country that’s gotten to the point that the song “Pumped Up Kicks” is played on three or more radio stations simultaneously. This level of fame is hard to interpret: On one hand, everyone and their cousin probably catches themselves humming the band’s song, but on the other hand, probably 90 percent of those want to punch themselves for doing so. So really, I’m not sure how Foster the People feels about it at this point. It’s kind of like a puppy that’s cute at first, but then you take it home and it won’t stop biting your toes when you turn on the radio. caroline glass

“Helplessness Blues” 20% “Angles” 20% “Hurry Up We’re Dreaming” 11%

Lame-stream Music Katy Swanson rags on the music industry.

n the midst of an economic recession and seemingly infinite technological advancements, it seems as though the music industry should be grinding to a screeching halt due to the fact that music is less profitable than it used to be. For better or for worse, music can be downloaded completely free of charge off of websites, or individual songs can be purchased through iTunes or Amazon for a much lower cost than that of an actual CD from a record store. Because of this, today’s music has reached a plateau, where it does not fail, but it also does not improve. This musical purgatory has become increasingly clear as the year 2011 comes to a close. The main culprits to this issue are on opposite ends of the spectrum, and they are both equally icky: the cookie-cutter pop side, with artists such as Ke$ha, Katy Perry, and Avril Lavigne that sing in-genuine songs about love, and then there’s the mysterious underground side of music which sounds like something the mermaids from Harry Potter might listen to. Though not all of these songs are bad, these genres represent the iconic death of actual “good” music. For the most part, large record companies are playing it safe when it comes to adding new bands to their labels. Why risk putting a band with a new sound out there if the public might not react well to it? It makes sense economically for record companies, but for musicians, it puts a damper on creativity, and forces people to think inside the box to actually get rich from music. We all know that Eminem’s home life was bad, and that he’s overcoming addiction to prescription pills, but his music lacks freshness. As much as we would all love to hear a new song peppered with obscenities and life lessons, his generic “I love my daughter, Haley, but I also love Vicodin...” song recipes sell, so there really is no point for him to change what is already working. If an artist refuses to comply with the mainstream genre of music, it seems that they instantly try to combat this by composing music that is just plain strange. If you have ever lurked through the depths of iTunes or Amazon, clicking through suggested band after band until the only selection available is stuff you have never heard before, you will know what I am talking about. Some hipsters call it indie, but I beg to differ. I am pretty flexible when it comes to music genres, but when songs sound like nails against a chalkboard, there is a reason why it is not popular. It is not a hidden treasure, it just sucks. The realm of underground music is tricky to define because it is a home to all genres that don’t fit in, similar to the Island of Misfit Toys in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Some of these bands are suffering, even though they have talent, because they have a completely new sound. But for every one good indie band, there seem to be ten others that sound like doo-doo. Chrispy dubstep remixes, for example, need to just die already. This music has no soul, just empty, lifeless bass drops that sound like a futuristic robot orgy. The point I am trying to make is that even though music seems somewhat satisfactory, it is mediocre. These songs lack depth, and whenever LMFAO or Flo Rida release a new song, I die a little inside to think that those are the most popular songs of the week. Music like this might fill the void in an awkward carpool ride home, but for actual listening, it just doesn’t cut to the chase. To end on a positive note, there is hope for future music if the economy starts to pick up, but until then, we must support the artists that we like, and promote quality over quantity. 2011 was definitely not the worst year in music, but for all of the technology accessible to us to create amazing music, it was definitely not utilized it to its full potential either. Hopefully 2012 will be a better year.

“Sexy and I Know It” 31% “Moves Like Jagger” 25% “Rolling in the Deep” 9%

“Party Rock Anthem”: Best Music Video 36%

“Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” 33% “All of the Lights” 19% “Holocene” 11% Effectively teaching the youth of tomorrow how to shuffle, LMFAO has gained an enormous amount of popularity in such a short amount time. The song was almost immediately put on commercials, quickly creating an electro/ rap dance wave. Its music video is so well liked that it graces the newspaper’s pages gaining friction potentially putting you in a coma from too much party rocking. andrew walker

“Foster the People”: Best Emerging Artist 58% Jesse J 16% The Pains of Being Pure at Heart 10% Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds 9%

Foster the People, obviously, brings to mind the fateful words “Pumped Up Kicks.” However, they won Best New Artist for more than that (at least I hope they did). Other songs like “Helena Beat” and “I Would Do Anything for You” show the band’s true musical talent besides their Kicks. The only thing that doesn’t change from song to song is that they’re disturbingly catchy. I guess in determining whether or not you like this band, the real question is: how catchy is too catchy? emily hall

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Paranormal Activity III meets Donnie Darko. Art by Tim Liedtke.

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BEST OF FILM “Moneyball”: Oscar Worthy 37%

“The Descendants” 18% “J. Edgar” 24% “The Ides of March” 19% “Moneyball” came out of the gates as just another star-studded film with a semi-predictable plot. It was a baseball flick based off the Oakland Athletics’ statistical approach to purchasing players, appealing to regular people and fans of sports alike. Somehow baseball calculations were interesting enough to keep people in their seats for two hours. Brad Pitt being a hunk and Jonah Hill’s less plump yet jolly presence probably contributed to the movie’s Oscar-worthiness. kyle hoff

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Pt.2”: Best Book Adaptation 63%

“The Help” 18% “Twilight: Breaking Dawn: Part 1” 15% “Jane Eyre” 3% Most who voted for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Pt. II” had anticipated its cinematic release for the majority of their lives. As SDA has made it clear, it is a successful film, and it surely must have been everything they ever hoped for in a grand finale. It may have been a cinematic success, but as a book adaptation, SDA seems to be deluded. For the readers in the audience on the night of its premiere, the disappointment was nearly painful. All I can ask those of you who read the books and still loved the movie is: when would Voldemort ever hug anyone ever in J.K. Rowling’s intended course of events? maddy thunder

Film-sy year Wizards, vampires, and morphing trucks graced 2011’s big screeens, but luckily not all at the same time. Story by Caroline Glass and Emily Hall.

he year of 2011 offered more than one movie worthy of an adrenaline-fueled midnight romp to the theaters, as well as some unexpected surprises. There were childhood-ending movies, movies that made all the middle-aged women in the theater get a little teary, laugh-out-loud movies, and mind-bending movies that made you stop and think mid-bite of your Twizzler, because Edwards doesn’t sell Redvines anymore. Overall, this year’s crop of films was enough to leave the bellies of America satisfied. Continuations of movie series dominated the screens in 2011. The top 5 earning box office hits of the year– ”Harry Potter 8”, “Transformers 3”, “The Hangover 2”, “Twilight 4”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean 4” – were all extensions of popular series. While many were good and funny and action-packed, many were also worn-out versions of their originals: “Pirates of the Caribbean” was another few hours of swashbuckling, “Twilight” more pale makeup and kissin’, and “Transformers 3” was just more sweaty Shia Lebeouf, explosions, and supermodels running around in tight clothes. I don’t mean to offend the Harry Potter fandom, though: the last film offered a dynamic mix of humor and dramatic scenes to make this movie better than its younger counterparts. Overall, the fans of all these different series were left pretty satisfied with the sequels, threequels, and quad-quels of 2011. 2011 gave us a chance to return to our childhoods with a collection of kids movies sure to make you laugh, cry, and reminisce. In consistency with the sequel trend, few original, brand new children’s movies premiered this year. Instead, studios relied on sequels, spin offs, and remakes of classics to garner an audience. The majority of kidflicks this year included a number in their title: “Cars 2,” “Happy Feet 2,” “Spy Kids 4,” “The Smurfs,” and “Puss in Boots” all premiered. While charming and holding a large variety of cute, animated, talking animals, originality was lacking from a fair number of these movies. The few original plotlines in Rio and Rango were a refreshing change from the dusty quality of the majority of other movies this year, which made them the more popular of the bunch. After the unprecedented success of Inception last year, movie producers seem to be chasing the dream of another crazy-trippy-mind bending box office smash. Complicated plot twists and jaw-dropping endings were everywhere this year. Audiences of “Source Code,” “Contagion,” and “The Adjustment Bureau” heard cries of “woah dude, what was that” as they stumbled from the theatre. Inception’s success was big enough to launch a brand new genre. However, not all were successes, as some of these were obviously trying too hard. Not all could stack up to the BWAHHHH of Inception. The hipster/indie trend has also recently gained its footing in the film world. Mainstream cinema and c-indie-ma seem to be melding together, as movies such as “50/50” were played at Edwards and other largername venues besides the indie theaters of La Jolla and Hillcrest. Major movie stars like Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling, Mel Gibson, and George Clooney are switching from major motion pictures to low-budget movies. Films like “Tree of Life,” “The Descendants,” “The Beaver,” and “Drive” were all indie film winners that transferred over to the mainstream. This underappreciated genre has gained success by jumping into bigger theaters, but then again… is indie still indie? All in all, movies this year were entertaining to say the least, whether with Mel Gibson and beavers, vampirehuman babies, or animated cats in animated boots. Sequels got a rise out of various fandoms, and the indie movies gave some variety to the big screen. 2011 yielded movies that left the fine people of America drying their eyes, chuckling their last chuckles, and emerging from dark theatres with something new to think about.

“Limitless”: Most Mindbending 32%

“Source Code” 28% “The Adjustment Bureau” 22% “Contagion” 17% In “Limitless,” hunky sexiest man of the year Bradley Cooper is a down-on-his-luck writer who comes across some magic, clear pills that allow him to access 100 percent of his brain’s capacity. He eventually becomes hooked, and suffers from severe headaches when he tries to quit the pill. This movie is amazing. This movie appeals to all: men, for the action; women, for the shirtless scenes; DARE instructors, for proving the dangers of drugs; and many a moviegoer, for its plot. charlotte ohrbom

“Paranomal Activity III”: Most Horrifying 47%

“Insidious” 27% “The Roommate” 15% “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” 12% “Paranormal Activity 3” has continued the backward-moving franchise and continued to frighten audiences as the most sinister and horrifying movie of 2011. The ever-unfolding story of Katie and Kristi turns the time back even further to reveal the start of their encounters with the entity. The opening weekend brought in $52 million despite the slowed economy. “Paranormal Activity” is a definite must see for those looking for an hour of adrenaline and a lifetime of paranoia. karolyna landin

“50/50”: Best Indie Film 44% “Midnight in Paris” 31% “Like Crazy” 18% “Win Win” 7%

Chances are 90/10 that you loved “50/50” (oh my god so cheesy). The serious subject matter of the movie was lightened up with questionably inappropriate jokes and the charming quirkiness of actor Joseph GordonLevitt’s deadpan character. While the storyline pointed to a predictable drama, its clever execution and Seth Rogen’s frequent one-liners made for a witty and even inspiring movie. Half romantic-drama and half laugh-out-loud comedy, the movie balances the interests of almost any viewer. emily maxwell

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Transformers III: Apparently SDA Cared. Art by Suki Berry.

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BEST OF FILM “Transformers III: Dark of the Moon”: Testosterone Fest 39% “Fast Five” 38% “Reel Steel” 12% “Drive Angry” 10%

Watching “Transformers III: Dark Side of the Moon” is a full-on experience: the movie is so long it takes 1/8 of a day to watch. The title is so long that it probably chops off another eighth of that day when you try to say the whole thing. Full of action, action, and more action, it literally had an hour-long fight scene full of Shia Lebouf screaming dramatically and saving a pretty girl, naturally. The only words suitable to describe this film: epic and super robot-y. emily hall

“Crazy, Stupid, Love”: Best RomCom 43%

“Green Lantern”: Best Flop 36%

“Friends With Benefits” 26% “No Strings Attached” 20% “One Day” 9%

“Footloose” 27% “Dolphin Tale” 26% “In Time” 11%

It may sound pretty girly to say so, but “Crazy, Stupid, Love” was an emotional teacup ride of a movie. It managed to be sad, hilarious, and romantic without being cheesy, and its two hours flew by in a matter of what seemed like only a few scenes. The one moment of realization (I won’t spoil the plot) for the audience in the middle of the movie, alone, was enough to make it the winner for best romcom 2011. emily hall

Some people actually liked this movie. As a matter of fact, David Edelstein, a top critic from “New York Magazine” said, “Apart from having no particular reason to exist…it’s not half bad.” So there! Fine, maybe this movie was a big fat flop. But at least the actors were good-looking. That’s got to count for something, right? cassia pollock

“The Hangover Part II”: Best Comedy 35% “Horrible Bosses” 31% “Just Go With It” 17% “Paul” 16%

Movie Madness Joey Kobara wishes that Hollywood would just stop the sequels and return to the classically original films of days past.

ollywood has consistently produced money-squeezing films since the invention of over-priced theatre snacks. Sequels, remakes, and real-life versions of “The Last Airbender” and “Dragon Ball Z” have casually resided in our local theatres. Maybe this trend started with the development of three more “Star Wars” films and the addition of the infamous CGI character named Jar Jar Binks, likely the most painful character in the universe. But in recent years, the movie lineup has been incredibly artificial. 3D technology has wreaked havoc upon once-classic films. One notably weak contender this year was “The Green Lantern”, a film based off of the universally well-known B-list comic book superhero, the Green Lantern of course. Forced to endure the acting of Blake Lively on a plane ride to New York, I realized that the film industry is lacking one large thing: creativity. Lively is known for her looks but once you look at this film, you will know that she sucks. Apparently Hollywood’s top directors have chosen looks over talent because it is profitable, a major mistake, in my mind, down the wrong path. Sequels, sequels, sequels. Tsk tsk tsk. When will directors realize that sequels are the unwanted second child of parents who are struggling off of welfare? Notorious Michael Bay came out with a third transformers installment that replaced Megan Fox with a more plastic and blonde version of herself; Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, a Victoria Secret’s supermodel with a face stiffer than Bay’s own creativity. When shit basically started blowing up from the start, I knew that this would surely be Emmy award winning. Many films blur the line between remake and sequel. “The Hangover Part II” was a success among viewers but personally I have never witnessed a sequel so close in plot to the original. Paranormal Activity was bad enough, but a third film was released that redefines the words “low budget”. It goes to show what the public is willing to pay for in terms of entertainment, buying into absurd overworked renderings of original ideas. But if this ethically questionable technique brings in the moola, then the producers are just doing their job. One thing is for sure; after a tough day from a piling workload and angry boss rants, sequels are perfect to shut your brain off to and watch metal on metal collide. On the other hand, Hollywood deserves some credibility when it produces films like “The Descendants,” “The Ides of March,” “Drive,” and “Crazy, Stupid, Love”. They can be more than just underrated rom coms and action flicks. Some films can truly do more than flaunt cleavage and explode in your face but can make commentary on all aspects of life; divorce, age differences in a relationship, political struggles, and death. I believe in you Hollywood. You can get up off that dirty sex-tainted, bloody floor and deliver authentic films with personality, like they used to before money became the driving force behind a film.

Though I originally was disgruntled by the idea of a sequel to the best comedy movie EVER, I laughed almost nonstop at “The Hangover Part II,” and wholeheartedly support its victory as SDA’s best comedy of 2011. The gang gets back together, once again for a wedding, but now in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok (pun potentially intended). The same hilarity ensues, but with the addition of marshmallows, a monkey, a monastery, INTERPOL, and shemales. The crew must now find Stu’s fiancée’s little brother, who has disappeared, but left his finger behind. One of my favorite films of the year, I am excited that a third installment is in the works. charlotte ohrbom

“Rio”: Best Kids’ Movie

34% “Puss in Boots” 26% “Cars 2” 25% “The Smurfs” 13%

Ruffle your feathers and break into song, because “Rio” won best kids’ movie of 2011. “Rio” brought audiences along on a flightless bird’s journey to the samba and exotic jungles of Brazil. Through his adventures, the bird discovers romance and gains a newfound freedom to fly. The jungle rejoices and between the tweets and flaps of song and dance, the story ends with two lovebirds mashing their beaks together in an attempt to make out. natalya ballard

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12.16.2011 The

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BEST OF TV

Who knew Simon Cowell and Zooey Deschanel hung out with toddlers in tiaras and Doritos commercials? Art by Madeline Thunder.

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BEST OF TV “Doritos and Mama”: Best Commercial 42%

“New Girl”: Best New Series 51%

“X-Factor”: Best Talent Seach 37%

Extreme Couponing 22% Once Upon a Time 15% Pan Am 12%

So You Think You Can Dance 34% The Voice 20% Work of Art 8%

VW Darth Vader 34% Best Buy: What’s a Bieber? 14% Chrysler: Eminem 10%

Take one adorkable girl, take three hip dudes, cause them to inadvertently become roommates, and you’ll get something like “New Girl.” It’s a collision of awkwardness, sauciness, and grotesque humor. In other words, it’s the sort of show you laugh loudly at when with close friends—but you’d be wise to turn the volume down thirty notches when a lady is nearby. cassia pollock

My parents insist on watching “X-Factor” every week and to be brash, it outrages me. They don’t seem to understand that it is just “American Idol” but somehow, even worse— maybe it’s the fact that Simon Cowell brings female contestants to his opulent beach mansion to sing for him. Or perhaps it’s that Nicole Scherzinger, ex-lead singer of the soultouching Pussycat Dolls, is a judge. Why? Why did this win? angela zhang

The Doritos “Mama” commercial proves that no one gets in the way of a young boy, his Doritos, and his mother. The Doritos company skillfully blends traditional family values of keeping ‘yo mama’ close, and the sweet taste of the most delicious chip. I’d give SDA an air five if I could for feeling sympathetic to the obstacles and dilemmas that such children face. The only cure? A bag of the very best Doritos. andrew walker

Prime Time

Charlotte Ohrbom muses over this year’s shows: the good and the bad, the ugly, and the mediocre.

his year, television tried really hard to prove to America that it could shake things up. There was a rush to add quirk and class, but many old favorites were called upon to fill empty slots and empty minds. Summer was filled with action and competition to keep us busy during the endless boredom of no school. But with the new fall season, writers seem to have felt nostalgic about the sixties and the fairytales they were told as children. There were flops, hits, and mixed emotions about this year’s shows, along with tears, cheers, and tantrums. During the summer, TLC, along with NBC and Oxygen, produced a bouquet of varied competition shows, all of which made true the dreams of aspiring singers, bakers, artists, and actors. NBC launched “The Voice,” a singing competition that appeals to viewers by advertising famous judges (Christina Aguilera, Cee-Lo Green, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton) who judge on pure vocal talent before even seeing the contestants’ faces. This is a different format from that of “American Idol,” which began its bazillionth season at the start of the year along with two new judges. Several other talent competitions began and were renewed: “Project Runway,” ”America’s Next Top Model,” “Top Chef,” “Platinum Hit,” and “Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.” These shows showcase passionate designers, models, chefs, song writers, and artists to fight for a grand prize. Reality continued to reign this year for those who needed to see others’ ridiculously drama filled lives to compensate for their own uninteresting ones. “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “Jersey Shore,” and its English knock-off “Geordie Shore” (look it up, its real) all aired, continuing to permit the public to stereotype certain regions. For those with less “mainstream” tastes, the fall lineup added many new shows with varied plot lines. Two shows, “The Playboy Club” (NBC) and “Pan Am” (ABC) launched, both taking place in the height of the sixties’ swing of feminism. “The Playboy Club” ended up being cancelled, along with a new version of “Charlie’s Angels.” A trend of supernatural themed shows began which includes “American Horror Story,” “Person of Interest,” “Terra Nova,” “Unforgettable,” and “A Gifted Man.” Fairy tales seemed to be the biggest new thing in not only TV, but also the movies. “Once Upon A Time” and “Grimm” began, both with cross over into the realm of children’s stories. Shows that appeal to the less “mainstream” made a splash with “New Girl” staring Zooey Deschanel as the lead. NBC introduced “Up All Night,” a comedy starring Christina Applegate and Will Arnett as first-time parents, and “Whitney,” a campy, over-the-top comedy about a lady (Whitney Cummings) and her live-in boyfriend, the latter of the two undeserving of the screen time. NBC also continued their run of “Community,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “The Office,” making Thursday the night for quirk and hilarious lolz. America’s fickle tastes often make it hard for television producers to hit home with the common TV watcher, but this year surprised with a large amount of success. We revert to the comfort zones of our youth, enjoying a spin on classic bed time stories. We love to see our favorites win a competition or fist pump along with our friends from our couches. From reality to fairy tales, television remains the wonder it was when the first airwaves sent fuzzy pictures into our homes.

“Toddlers and Tiaras”: Must End Show 29%

19 Kids and Counting 27% American Idol 26% Two and a Half Men 18% “Toddlers and Tiaras” won the survey for “Show that Needs to be Cancelled.” Honestly, I don’t understand what’s so bad about watching spray-tanned 5-year-olds with plastered, made-up faces parade around in sequined two-pieces and butt-pads for the pleasure of old man judges and the mothers who forced them into this situation. Nope. I see nothing wrong with this at all. eleanore hendrickson

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12.16.2011 The

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BEST OF POP CULTURE

Nyan Cat gets a makeover. Art by Mike Guhl.

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BEST OF POP Nyan Cat: Best Meme 36%

Honey Badger 27% “Friday” 20% eHarmony Cat Lady 17% This year’s best meme is none other than Nyan Cat. The latest in a long line of the internet’s famous felines, Nyan Cat is near and dear to our hearts. Premiering in April 2011, Nyan Cat’s popularity quickly spawned over 51 million views, 9,000 parodies, remakes, and tributes, including the infamous taC nayN. The rainbow spewing, Pop-Tart cat’s droning musical accompaniment has captured our hearts and won’t give them back. sam winter

Epic Meal Time: Best YouTube Channel 33% WongFu Productions 27% Jenna Marbles 20% Kassem G 17%

Skyrim 28% Kirby’s Return to Dreamland 20% Assassin’s Creed: Revelations 19%

Epic Meal Time is a classy group of bourbon-loving, giant Canadian men who spend thousands of dollars on atrocious quantities of maple-cured bacon every week. Their antics range from building meat houses, to assembling meat gardens, to masterfully crafting a Thanksgiving turbaconepicentipede (60 birds involved, 802,420 calories, I had a coronary just watching it). All this to the seductive voice of a burly carnivore (smother it with sawce). angela zhang

“Modern Warfare 3” is everything you would expect a war game to be. It relies on a linear plot and repetitive action sequences that, despite changing locations, get boring after a while. Video games are supposed to be a distraction from reality and why achieve it with plots and the freedom to follow your own storyline when you can escape by killing people with a variety of shiny weapons? mae wright

Distractions, distractions Jocelyn Lee procrastinates and tumbles like there’s no tomorrow.

“COD: MW 3”: Best Video Game 36%

ike every other person in the world, I procrastinate. Instead of doing homework, I regularly turn on my laptop and immerse myself into the world of pop culture. Just like every other year, the public has been infatuated with the personal lives of celebrities. Many Americans turned their attention to Charlie Sheen “winning” his way across the US with his Tiger Blood-filled tour. People shouldn’t care about the personal lives of celebrities because they are not relevant to more important matters, but they still made for great entertainment and magazine covers. That’s why Kim Kardashian’s 72-day long marriage also made top news in 2011, along with 17-year-old Courtney Stodden’s shocking marriage to 51-year-old Doug Hutchison (have you seen Stodden’s twitter? “Rolling playfully on top of a white feathery fur rug as the strings of my garter swing around my thighs & whip me! *Tuesdays are Tingly! ;-x.”). I don’t actually know much about video games, so I had to consult Grifen Buck for this stuff. He said “Starcraft” has been very popular this year even though it had already come out prior to 2011. “Starcraft” helps you get ladies because you’re building up your micro-managing skills by constantly trying to understand your enemies and how your actions affect how they think and react, and that helps Grifen understand the ladies and it makes them feel good. Shooter games like “Battlefield 3” and “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” were popular this year after the success of the their respective series’ previous installments. “Skyrim,” the latest “Elder Scrolls” game, also grew popular with its recent release this year. By now, nearly everyone owns a mobile device with apps. Popular apps like games such as “Tiny Wings,” “Cut the Rope,” and “Fruit Ninja,” popped up on screens around campus whenever students had down time. “Photobooth” apps were also popular, catering to “hipsters” with “Instagram” or giving friends a laugh with “Fatbooth.” Memes (or internet trends) and viral videos consisted of kittens, just like every other year. Anyone who’s spent time online knows that these “series of tubes” are flooded with cats. An 8-bit Pop-Tart kitten soared through space to a Vocaloid song on loop for as long as anyone could endure. A lonely soul posted a video as part of her search for a significant other, but unfortunately scared away potential suitors after sobbing for minutes about her love for cats. Other popular trends on the Internet involved remixing popular songs with Nigel Thornberry’s voice (BLAAAAAARRRGHGH), coning videos (grabbing an ice cream cone at a drive-thru by the ice cream part and not the cone part), and planking (lying down flat and stiff on odd and unusual places), which inspired even more variations such as owling and horse manning. Rebecca Black’s song “Friday” was highly criticized for its simplistic lyrics, making it one of the most hated videos in the history of YouTube (Death threats for lyrics that she didn’t even write? Really?) Meanwhile, other YouTubers were becoming more and more popular such as Epic Mealtime: big, buff, drunk guys who create epic dishes with enough calories for a lifetime. Earlier this year, Harold Camping predicted Judgment Day would happen on May 21, where those chosen by God would be released from the pains of the world while the rest are left here on Earth to suffer. Online users made a joke out of the rapture by posting pictures of sets of clothes lying around in public areas, giving the effect that someone had just been taken up. Of course, nothing actually happened; Camping claimed it was just a “miscalculation” and soon after, the internet users started to move on, just like with every other trend, and waited for the newest sensation to #occupy one’s time (it’s not like they have anything else to do. That’s what procrastination is. Distractions from #firstworldproblems. That’s what I started this article with, and now I’m ending with it).

Fruit Ninja: Best iPhone App 47%

Tiny Wings 26% Words with Friends 17% Hipstamatic 8% Turning your thumbs into temporary Samurai swords is a nice break from reality. Fruit Ninja was the top app of 2011 because it gave us purpose: for just a few moments, we were transformed into heroes, warriors, beaters of the odds. Or maybe it was just a distraction from doing important things for a few sacred, fruit-filled minutes. emily hall

Steve Jobs: Saddest Death 46%

Amy Winehouse 33% Andy Rooney 11% Clarence Clemons 9% The departure of Steve Job was the saddest death of 2011, but he left his inventiveness within the generation of unconquerable technology that will forever be a part of our society. Jobs first created Apple in his garage and recruited Apple CEO John Sculley by asking him, “Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life, or come with me and change the world?” Jobs was more than an entrepreneur; he was the hero of the Millennial generation and the father of innovation. dana shin

Charlie Sheen: Biggest Scandal 34%

JB’s Baby Mama 28% Kim Kardashian’s Divorce 18% Courtney Stodden 17% The highest-paid actor on television, promptly lost that paycheck for $1.8 million per an episode when he went off the deep end. Perhaps, things were going too well for Charlie Sheen. Maybe he was so awesome that it became a curse. Maybe Chuck Norris was his secret lover and he was trying to “win” so much just to impress him or something. cassia pollock

Steeze

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12.16.2011 The

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BEST OF STEEZE

here is no doubt that 2011 was filled with plenty of memorable fashion trends. From bold prints and colors to menswear blazers and wedge booties, there was never a shortage of exciting and eye-catching fashion. Below are the top four trends of the year and the winners that you chose in a school-wide survey. Taking the number one spot is lace, followed by menswear, wedge booties and bold prints. Have fun dressing up the model with our favorite trends! Story by Tatiana Skomski and art by Anna Williams.

Menswear 26% Bold Prints 10%

Lace 47%

Wedge Booties 16%

Photo Credit for Centerspread: cagetheelephant.com; lmfaomusic.com ; moneyball-movie.com; harrypotter.warnerbros.com ; iamrogue.com/limitless ; rio-themovie.com; crazystupidlove.warnerbros.com; hangover-

TRENDS

FASHION

BEST

part2.warnerbros.com; greenlanternmovie.warnerbros.com; www.50-50themovie.com; www.fox.com/new-girl; thexfactorusa.com; fritolay.com; tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/toddlers-tiaras; nyan.cat; epicmealtime.com; apple.com; twitter.com/CHARLIESHEEN; fruitninja.com; callofduty.com; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_camera; fosterthepeople.com; ladygaga.com; disney.go.com/tron; bassnectar.net; transformersmovie.com; florenceandthemachine.net; mypinkfriday.com; beyonceonline.com/us/home; redhotchilipeppers.com; michaelbuble.com

“Yoga pants because they show off your curves and they’re comfortable and cute” -Kelsey Taylor, Junior “My favorite fashion trend is combat boots. They’re so comfortable, cute, and they keep your feet warm and cozy.” -Ashley Bonilla, Sophomore “The best fashion trend was definitely the Mohawk because they are just sick. That’s all.” -Max Zikakis, Junior “High-waisted shorts because they’re super cute and remind me of the 50’s which is my favorite time period” -Celeste Jepson, Sophomore “The best fashion trend is scarves because they look cute and they’re stylish. Scarves also keep you warm.” -Sophia Ilas, Freshman

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San Dieguito Sentinel

lots of things happened in 2011. here are some of those things.

170¢

super-committee fails, congress creates mega-committee in place By Eleanore Hendrickson

Following the failure of the Congressional super-committee in negotiating expenditure cuts and raising the debt ceiling, Congress declared that it would be replacing the unsuccessful super-committee with a bigger, better mega-committee. “This was never really a job for a super-committee,” said Senate majority leader Harry Reid (R-NV). “But a megacommittee? Now that’s the way to hammer out a compromise!” After Congress was unable to make a compromise in raising the debt ceiling last August, the

legislative body followed the “tinier is better” approach and created the super-committee. This mini-Congress, with essentially the same people and dissention as actual Congress, shockingly failed as well. Congress announced that the mega-committee, unlike the “far inferior” super-committee, will feature an all-star cast of Congress members from the House and Senate alike. Such superstars include House minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and all-around old guy John McCain (R-AZ). “This new committee is going to be a real game-

prince harry seen at sda campus By Cashew Nutella Pollick

MEMORIES

BEST AWKWARD

Sightings of the Prince of Wales began last Wednesday at San Dieguito Academy. “I’d recognize that tuft of red hair anywhere. It was definitely him, no doubt,” said freshman Ree Diculous. “He was swimming around in the underground pool that only the cool people at our school know about. Just chilling and flirting with the ladies.” Prince Harry, son of the late Princess Diana, has been staying in San Diego to learn how to fly jets for his military career. Recently his focus on his career has been brought into question. A highly reliable source that you shouldn’t question claims he was spotted at the Dank Hotel chatting up local waitresses. Then, he was seen at the Maan Slat Tavern in Solana Beach. Joe Kurr, a bartender from the tavern, said, “He seemed pretty much at ease with himself. A trio of scantily clad females stayed near his side for the evening.” SDA’s underground pool keepers caught a glimpse of the prince locking lips with a

changer,” said Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), glowing with either pride or a fake tan. “Sure, when you take people from opposite sides of the political spectrum who refuse to concede anything that might result in their losing face, even when it’s in the best interest of the nation...well, you’re bound to have some disagreement there.” Boehner’s eyes welled up with tears. “But, damn it, can we still make a committee or what?” In the event that the mega-committee fails as well, Congress has plans for an ultrasuper-duper-committee.

2011: some reflections On Congressman Anthony Weiner’s weiner scandal:

Pictured: NASA having a blast. Burn this image into your head if you have to, for it will never be seen again. Photo by NASA

nasa spaces out By Lindsey Agnew

High school girls went wild at the sight of this ruddy, sexy face. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

mysterious Kate Middleton lookalike last Thursday afternoon. Kate Middleton is the lady who married Harry’s brother. “Just like Kate Middleton, this girl had brown hair. Clearly this is a genetic attraction,” said an anonymous pool keeper. The location of SDA’s pool remains hidden from public knowledge. “I’m really excited that he’s visiting our school,” said sophomore Emma Jination, while scribbling Mrs. Henry Charles Albert David in pink pen on her notebook. “He’s one of the richest bachelors in the world, and he’s a legit prince charming. I haven’t actually met him yet, but we’ll marry soon.”

Artist’s rendition of the incident/ lunch. Photo by Renee Comet

“With a name like that, you really only got two choices. Hot dogs, or… well. The route he took.” –Sage Acious

“Weiner should have learned long ago to take the gentleman’s route and simply pronounce his name differently. Didn’t elementary school pound it out of him? It sure did for me.”

–Speaker of the House John Boehner

“Heh. Weiner.” - Imma Ture

NASA, the Nerdy Alien Studying Alliance, declared that it would be halting its space exploration program, on the last blue moon. NASA spokesperson Lou Nerr emphasized that NASA will still be looking for ways to continue sending people into outer space. “You may see new, innovative technologies fostering future intergalactic voyages,” said Nerr.“We are investigating the use of cows to reach the moon. They have great jumping propulsion.” When asked about the widespread rumors that NASA was actually feigning closing down so that they could direct their efforts to create a Death Star, Err declined to comment. “That’s highly classified. Just like our research into space travel through rainbows and Pop Tarts… err… oops… ” said Nerr. The news was met with

mixed reactions. June Pitter, an astronaut on the International Space station, expressed concern about the decision. “NASA was really starting to rock it at space explorations. Now is not the time to add more mars to their record. We need to plan it better so that we can continue to have funds for the future,” said Pitter. “I never liked NASA. They said they put a man on the moon, but I don’t believe it. Everyone knows the Earth is the center of the universe, right?” said disbeliever Cooper Nickess. When informed that no one had believed that the world revolved around the Earth since 1543, Nickess laughed uproariously. “Astronaut? More like Astro-not!” Mustang staff tried to contact a NASA scientist for an exclusive interview, but somehow ended up reaching a scientologist instead. The quote was not fit for print.

“All of my moments are awkward...Having to announce to my classes that I’m pregnant.” -Kerry Koda, History Teacher “I went to Legoland just for kicks and I accidentally said ‘damn’ and the parents next to us looked disgusted as they held their children closer. Awkward…” -Kelly Heard, Junior “When we found out our friend, who is a junior, was dating an 8th grader. Really awkward.” -Calvin Borchers, Sophomore

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San Dieguito Sentinel

12.16.2011 The

Mustang 180¢

RECAPtCHA: artist interpretations RECAPTCHAs are better known as those annoying boxes on websites where you have to type in words and letters to prove that you are not a spambot. Some of these word combinations, though, can get rather silly. Here are some RECAPTCHA word combinations, as interpreted by artists.

joey kobarra

taylor johnson

“Comrade Greene, it appears our doo-doo suppplies are running dangerously low.” katherine clinton

sda café ‘mosaic’ changes name By John Deane

MEMORIES

BEST FUNNY

SDA’s business enterprise now has a new name, the Kook Café. The change was made in response to the outcry expressed over its previous name from students and faculty members. The Kook Café (formerly the Mosaic) is an experimental business spearheaded by students of the new Business Management class. Reportedly, the Kook Café was the most popular name chosen in an online poll. Other top names

include The Trough and The Watering Hole trailing a close second and third respectively. The Mosaic was a distant seventh. In flagrant disrespect to the thoughts of the school, the results of the poll were overturned and The Mosaic was chosen by upper-management. Investigations are underway to determine if bribes or conflict of interest swayed Mosaic executives to choose the name. The change was hailed with universal acclaim. As said by business management student

Nabnerb Ytreggah, “This name change is long overdue, it’s so tubular brah!” Corporate donations have begun to flood in. Local shops have given thousands in donations since the name change. According to Leucadia Surf Shack owner Shaq Owner, “The Kook Café epitomizes Encinitas’ coast-focused culture. The Mosaic just didn’t click. I hope this name change does good for SDA. They have our full support.” The Kook Café is expected to open sometime next year.

joey kobarra

2011: more reflections On Amy Chua’s book “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”

“I’ve been doing this for years. My children know that whichever one outperforms the other gets to sleep in the house.”

–Colonial Dexter Edgar Reximillian Pandamaimer

“Well, just do what I do: have no children and complain about the way other people raise them.” –Mona Whine

Tiger mother Amy Chua seen in the wild disciplining her offspring. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

“I don’t want to get my Johnny’s hopes up and tell him that there are grades above C. It’ll crush him.” – Tim Orous

“Little Shop of Horrors had me trying to fit myself into tight leather pants on a nightly basis.” -Benjy Malings, Junior “In English class I was wearing my hood all day and Mr.Ross said, ‘Alana is trying to be gangster, guys.’ I responded, ‘No, Alana is trying to cover up bad hair.’’ - Alana Primes, Sophomore “My birthday party was hilarious because people were literally screaming at Rock Band and I’m fairly certain that my neighbors could hear even with their windows closed.” -Katherine Clinton, Senior

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Surfer vs. Skater

Senior surfer Jack Connor and sophomore skater Peter Austin fight to the death in another epic showdown. Who will be crowned winner? Who will be crowned un-winner? Only time will tell... or you could just look at the score chart. Story by Eleanore Hendrickson. How do they signal Batman on a clear night? Surfer: I guess… I guess you use the Batman light thing. Skater: Pelvic thrusts. Heh. Me: Of course, Surfer! The Batman light thing! Why didn’t I think of that before? Forget the bat signal, Gotham City! I’ll just put on the Batman light thing, and help will soon be on its way! What a great way to summon superheroes. We don’t need those cheesy red telephones in the mayor’s office. We’ll just use the things with the lights and the things. This will make crime-fighting so much more efficient. Imagine the possibilities! The spidey sense thing? The Hulk angry thing? The Thing thing?!? Plus 500 points for your brilliant idea. Skater, I’m just confused. I have low hopes for you if you think gyrating your crotchular regions into the air will solve your problems… unless you’re looking forward to meeting a Michael Jacksonthemed superhero. Minus 35 points. ••• If someone chooses not to decide, have they still made a choice? Surfer: Yeah. Well, it’s inherent in the question. They still made a choice to decide. Skater: Yeah. Um. Because, um… yeah, you already made a choice. Wait, can you repeat the question? Me: “Inherent in the question?”

All right, Mr. Sassy Surfer Sassafras. I suppose it is inherent in the question. Thanks for pointing that out to me. You’re clearly the more knowledgeable of the two of us. So I guess that it’s inherent in this answer that you’re losing 10 points. No, Skater, I’m not going to repeat the question. Our sassy Surfer has put me in a bad mood. Minus 2 points. ••• Why is the word “short” longer than the word “long”? Surfer: Because it has more letters. Because whoever decided we spell short made it long. Skater: Because it’s shorter. The English language is screwed up. Like “ph” isn’t “puh.” It’s “fuh!” Me: Surfer, do you really think that there is a mysterious omnipotent being who determines our lexicon? A being who intentionally wishes to confuse us? That’s just silly, Surfer. The words come from the ancient Greek and Latin. You should blame them for your loss of 8 points. Skater, I’m going to ignore the first half of your answer to focus on your random syllable shouting. I have no idea why you decided to make puttering sounds, but it really was a joy to listen to. Plus 23 points. ••• Could you sell your soul to the devil for a one-way trip to heaven? Surfer: I’d have to ask God.

Skater: Y…n…y…n..no. Only your soul goes one way. Me: Surfer, I’m not a religious person, but I’m still not entirely sure His Holiness would be a-okay with you asking His permission to sell your soul to the devil. It sounds like you might be spilling the beans about your plan. And where are you getting these connections anyway? Do you have a God hotline? I’m a little suspicious of your claims, Surfer. Minus 666 points. Skater, I think that was the point of my query, that your soul goes one way. As Mr. Sassy Surfer Sassafrass put it earlier, “it’s inherent in the question.” Your indecision, though, was rather amusing, so plus 13 points for that. ••• Do they have Americatowns in China? Surfer: Yes. Everybody loves America. Skater: No. They should, but they don’t. There’s not enough Americans in China. Same for Hong Kong. Me: The last time I visited China, I remember asking a local for the whereabouts of the nearest Americatown. He then began shouting at me in some strange foreign language (Chinese, maybe?) and gestured furiously up and down the length of the street. At first, I didn’t quite understand what he was going for; perhaps these people didn’t

In the off-time between their awesome combat, surfer Jack Connor (left) and skater Peter Austin (right) posed happily for a photo. The bloodshed resumed moments afterward. Photo by Jocelyn Lee.

know what directions were. But then I realized what he was pointing at: each and every one of the masses of American fast food restaurants that dotted the sidewalk – American restaurants that encompassed every street as far as the eye could see. I realized Americatown wasn’t just an area spanning a few blocks. It was the whole city. “There’s some bigger point to be made here,” I thought, “something about globalization and – is that an upscale Pizza Hut? Are

those – waitresses? With dessert trays?” And then I took off to eat a pizza. Thanks for that walk down memory lane, Surfer and Skater! Plus 50 points for both of you, for every state in this glorious and forever expanding nation. Huh. All of a sudden, I kind of feel empty inside. ••• Surfer: -134 Skater: 49 Fantastic job, Skater. You are an un-un-winner. Surfer... good effort.

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12.16.2011 The

Mustang

Holiday Spirit The city of Encinitas celebrates the holiday season this year by numerous festive events. Students participate in planning, getting involved with, and attending the events held in Encinitas and SDA. Story and photos by Jocelyn Lee.

his winter, citizens all around Encinitas, including students from SDA, celebrate the season by being involved in all sorts of holiday events. Earlier this week, SDA ASB and Thespians held an Ugly Sweater Contest in the Performing Arts Center. Freshman Rachel Colbath Won overall ugliest sweater, winning two tickets to “Metamorphoses,” the next SDA theatre production. The annual Holiday Parade took place in Downtown Encinitas on Dec. 4, and many SDA students participated. The surf team skated down the 101 together, and the marching band was a crowd favorite with its rendition of “Safety Dance,” which won first place in School Bands. JNHS won third place in most unusual float with its pagoda float, lanterns, Japanese music, and students dressed up in kimonos. Robotics won first place in most creative with a float featuring a giant, moving, wooden, robotic arm. Students organized the Holiday Jam on Dec. 2, where all proceeds went to the Community Resource Center. Baked goods were provided by SDA Culinary Arts, and a photobooth was available courtesy of the Photo Club. Music was provided by SDA bands, and a holiday card making station was set up for patrons. A total of $250 was raised that night. Later this week, the Living Lights Project will also be raising money for the Community Resource Center with its holiday light show; lights synchronized to both classic holiday and modern music. The project was started last year by the Brice family (alumni Kevin Brice, SDA math teacher Paul Brice, and sophomore Gregory Brice). The showings, which take place in front of their house, will start on Dec. 18, and end on Dec. 24, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with half-hour intervals between each showing. Shows are free, but donations are asked to raise money for the CRC. More information can be found on

1. Junior Dana Smith takes photos of Juniors Cameron Clay, Kyla Wilson, Emily Nathan, and Daniel Spiegel at a photobooth set up for The Photo Club at the Holiday Jam on December 2. 2. Students work on last minute preparations for the Robotics float at the Encinitas Holiday Parade on December 4. Robotics won 1st place for most creative float at the parade. 3. Students line up in the Performing Arts Center for the ugly holiday sweater contest held on December 11. Freshman Rachel Colbath won for the overall ugliest sweater. Other winners included senior Annie Tarabini for most sweaters worn, senior Katie Clinton for cutest sweater, and senior Lauren Fidel for ugliest color.