SDA Mustang Oct. 2009 by The Mustang Newspaper

The Mustang

10.02.09 issue one volume fourteen

10.02.09

the

Mustang On the cover Junior Elise Courtois has always created art with her family and her aunt who is a landscape artist, but it wasn’t until Mr. Conn’s ninth grade English class when Courtois had the option to paint instead of write for a “Romeo and Juliet” project that she found her talent with acrylic paints. Courtois wanted “to be original and have fun” with her painting on the cover of a neighbor. She calls her style “unstructured, complex, and fluid.” At the moment, Courtois is going through a phase working with warm colors. Red isn’t really Courtois’ favorite color, but she used it to portray the heat under the sun.

Staff

A fair tale Zoom in. Focus. Click. Click a few more times. Try another few clicks with the flash on because you never know. SDA photographers mastered this tricky art form and took home four “Best in Class” awards at this year’s edition of the San Diego Fair. Whether it is pictures of fish or fire, SDA photographers share their immense talent on the centerspread, page 17.

News Editors Ariel Chao Andrew Kasselmann

Arts Editors Thea Brown Rieko Michelle Whitfield

Opinions Editor Ana Reyes

Circus Animal Fun Editor Dimitri Fautsch

Features Editor Nicole Fisher

Managing Editor Kyle Shohfi

Essay Editor Design Editor Danielle Gradisher

Sports Editors Kaylin Greene Pauline Disch

Ads Manager Alexa Shapiro

Photo Editor Nina Moussavi

Staff Writers Liz Avila, Hayley Baker, Taylor Chapin, Nina Comforti, Casey Dayan, Jocelyn Lee, Maddie Lyon, Erika Mazza, Shelby Meyers, Bailey Mezan, Sandra Morales, Kate Murphy, Dana Pede, Cara Reichard, Kerry Roberson, Jack Rushall, Henry Sweat, McKenna Taylor

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The basis of the bassist

Advisor Tim Roberts

Eddie Vedder. John Foreman. Tim McNalley? San Dieguito’s newest music sensation has been hitting it big, scoring the award for Best New Artist with his new band The New Archaic at the San Diego Music Awards. Formed with SDA graduates Tolan Shaw, Joe Harrison and LCC alumni Sean Carrol, the band recently released a new EP and has been playing at venues ranging from Lou’s Records to the House of Blues. For an indepth look, page 23.

San Dieguito Academy Room 93 800 Santa Fe Drive Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-1121 x5161

Notice 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 93, emailed to sdamustang@hotmail.com, or mailed to the above address.

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news 10.02.09

Education depreciation Although all departments have taken a 37% cut, SDA’s average class size remains the same as in previous years. henry sweat

jocelyn lee

Tic-toc Time ticks away as students spend more time in the lunch lines waiting for their food.

New lines, more time Theft of food brings new policies to the Mustang Center. ana reyes

his year, SDA’s administration and nutrition service team changed the way students line up to buy lunch in the cafeteria. According to child nutrition supervisor Cathy Burnham, the decision was made as a result of students stealing food. “We used to be the only school in the district that was ‘grab and go,’” said Burnham, “but we had to change because we were losing an average of 10 dollars a day and that’s not even counting drinks.”

Instead of students walking into the cafeteria and picking which items to buy, students now have to line up and tell the cashier what they want to buy and wait for the cashier to return with the food. According to Burnham, all of the other schools in the district have adopted this lunch line system. Many students are frustrated by the new lunch line system because it takes more time to get through them. Eric Gross, a senior at SDA, said, “There isn’t enough time to choose want you want to buy because by the time

you decide or even find out what is being sold on that day, all of the lines are too long.” Sophomore Charlotte Ohrom said that the new system can be improved. “At Oak Crest, there were menus by the windows that showed what was being sold in each line and there were more windows so the lines would be shorter,” she said. Burnham acknowledges that the lines are slow at this time. “But once everyone gets used to it,” she said, “the lines won’t take as long and our profit should improve.”

Drop off? Apparently not.

ecause of California’s budget crisis, Principal Michael Grove said that the San Dieguito Union High School District mandated that all departments take a 37-38 percent cut. However, some departments, including the library, took a larger cut in order to assist departments that needed extra money, such as the science department, which requires consumable goods for expensive labs. Several positions were also cut, specifically coaches on sports teams. Grove said that the cuts were made strategically and that SDA is relying on parents to raise money to help support the sports teams. The lack of funds is a result of California’s state budget that legislators passed in July. About $24 billion dollars were cut to assuage the state’s debt. Education has taken a particularly large cut, down to only $35 billion in allocated funds from the $39 billion allocated in the last fiscal year. Despite the large cuts, the average class size has not been affected and has remained 34:1, unchanged from last year, Grove said. Although this ratio will remain the same in the coming years due to contractual regulations with teachers, many honors classes are overfilled to make room for remedial classes because honors students are better equipped to cope with large class sizes, he said.

Grove also stated that this year the Academy is dependent on the Parent Foundation to fund essential purchases such as white board markers and lab equipment whereas in past years the Foundation had donated money to pay for extra programs such as TV Production. According to Grove, one key item SDA lacks is bulbs for the LCD projectors in each classroom. Due to budget restraints and a cost of about $400 per bulb, many of the bulbs that are expected to burn out will not be able to be replaced for the time being. However, the new performing arts center will not be affected by the school’s lack of money because funding comes from a separate part of the state budget. Conversely, the school cannot skim funds from the new theater to help pay for more supplies. Grove said that he hopes to start construction as early as January on the theater. Grove also stated that since the Academy does not accept new students during the year, the school’s enrollment will decline from about 1500 at the beginning of the year to about 1430 by the end of the year. He said he would like the school to average 1500 at the end of the year, which is why the school accepted more students than usual this past year. The school receives money for each student, so a slightly higher enrollment is beneficial.

ASB tells parents not to drop off their children in the student lot. kyle shohfi

eginning on Sept. 17, three volunteers from ASB monitored the student parking lot periodically in the mornings, asking parents to drop their children off elsewhere. According to ASB President Kevin Brice, the patrols of the parking lot are due to the congestion, irritation, and a couple of near accidents attributed to parents dropping off their students there. The ASB executive officers, led by school board representative Allie Jucha, started working on a plan to reduce the congestion in the student parking lot last year, Brice said. When ASB officers met with the administration, it was decided that handing

out slips of paper to parents was an appropriate measure to take. The slips ask parents to please drop off their children outside of the student parking lot, because their presence creates excessive congestion. ASB advisor Rod Keillor advised the volunteers delivering these slips to speak minimally to the parents since their words could potentially aggravate the parents and be used against them later. “Parents have cussed us out, been rude in general, refused to take the slips, and handed the ASB kids imaginary slips in return,” said Brice. “It’s been kind of weird.” Nevertheless, Brice said that the majority of parents have taken it well. Brice estimates that there has

been a slight reduction in the number of parent drop-offs in the student parking lot but that the number has not lowered significantly. It appears that parents generally haven’t stopped dropping off their students in the lot, but merely changed the way they do it. According to Brice, upon seeing the ASB volunteers in their bright green vests, some parents have “hid” by driving into another row or parking in a spot, camouflaging themselves as a parked student vehicle. Jucha and the rest of ASB are continuing to work on ideas that will help reduce the number of drop-offs, said Brice, and the next phase may be to place a large sign in the lot indicating that it is not a drop-off zone.

ana reyes

Served Connor Brownell, junior, gives a slip to a dropping-off parent.

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Unheard stories

nvisible Children, an organization that works to help children in Uganda forced into a rebel militia group, visited the Academy on Sept. 25 to discuss their new relief efforts and the ongoing war in Uganda. The organization showed two movies. The first, entitled “The Rescue,” explained the start of Invisible Children and the conflict. The war began 23 years ago when the South was colonized and began oppressing the Northern Ugandans. Angry at the South’s actions, a leader named Joseph Kony created a rebel movement called the Lord’s Resistance Army. When Kony was unable to overthrow the government, he began to murder countless people and kidnap children to take up arms against the Ugandan government. To date, over 30,000 children have been abducted, according to the documentary. The second movie, “The Update,” presented Invisible Children’s current plan to rescue the children of Uganda. The organization is working to obtain 250,000 signatures of those committed to ending the war. In December, the signatures will be sent to the White House to show President Barack Obama. Invisible Children will push Obama to make a public statement by Christmas committing the United States to ending the war. Invisible Children activists will push their Congressional representatives to sign a new bill, which calls for a strategy to end the war. The presentation was organized with the help of Paula Godoy, senior. “I wanted them to come because I think our school is a good school to become active and involved in world issues,” Godoy said. “I wanted to give the opportunity to do something students might not normally do.” Godoy became involved with the organization following a screening of an Invisible Children documentary the summer of her sophomore year. After watching the documentary, she said “Something hit me. I live a privileged life: why can’t everyone? The simple things in life, like going to school, I just don’t get how I can [go to school] and not give others the same chance.” alexa shapiro

Insistence for consistence

he San Dieguito Union High School District is planning to have assessments developed for all of the core academic classes. Their purpose would be to “help develop consistency throughout classes taught by different teachers,” Principal Michael Grove said. These assessments will be taken periodically throughout the year to make sure that students have learned key concepts for the class. The district is currently in the process of determining with the help of teachers what these key concepts are so that the assessments can be ready for use at the beginning of next school year, he said. andrew kasselmann

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Obama drama

rincipal Michael Grove received 30 to 40 phone calls from parents prior to President Barack Obama’s controversial speech to students Sept. 8. Parents expressed strong opinions in approval or protest of showing the speech at school. Other concerned parents just wanted more information. He explained that the broadcast was only being shown in social studies classes and students could opt out. The education speech aroused controversy with critics saying it had a political agenda and socialist message. The White House opposed this by saying its only intent was to motivate kids to push themselves in school. The San Dieguito Union High School District sent formal instructions to all the schools in the district, including SDA, advising them to only air the broadcast in social studies classes at the teacher’s discretion. At SDA, students were allowed to opt out and study in the conference room if they were opposed to viewing the speech. In SDA teacher Oly Norris’ government class, the students were given the option to use the time to study for an upcoming test or view Obama’s address to the nation. Both classes voted to study. Obama’s education speech is available on the district website for anyone who would like to view it. taylor chapin

ana reyes

Prayer San Dieguito Academy students surround the flag pole in front of the school. This annual gathering is called “Meet at the Pole.” During the early morning meeting, students express their religious faith with prayers for SDA. andrew kasselmann

Second year plans

rincipal Michael Grove is entering his second year at SDA and has planned several new changes focused around the classroom. His first year at SDA was spent “mostly getting to know people,” Grove said, but now that he has built relationships, he can “begin to implement some changes.” Most of Grove’s planned changes for the school will be made to help students learn more effectively, such as creating new algebra support classes. The method of teaching in these classes will be receiving an overhaul. The original method of teaching out of the textbook was not working, and continuing to do the same thing, “didn’t make a lot of sense,” Grove said. A diagnostic test now determines the individual needs of each student, and then students work in small groups with other people who need assistance in the same areas, he said. Classes for help on the CAHSEE are also being implemented to help students who still need to pass the high school exit exam. The Academic Literacy class has also been restricted to students for whom English is a second language. All of these classes are taken as electives in addition to standard grade level courses. andrew kasselmann

nina moussavi

Moved The College and Career Center has a new home.

Library addition

he College and Career Center moved this year to a new location in the library. The old College and Career Center became the new yearbook room. As a result, the library is now open until 4:30 after school. College and Career Center administrator Nadine Coune said that the new location has not gotten any increased traffic. “I hope more people will come when they find out where we have moved to. There are a lot of great college visits coming up,” she said. andrew kasselmann

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Numbers 34:1 average student-

teacher ratio

400

dollars each lightbulb costs for every LCD Projector on campus.

733 girls at SDA 75 two-liter bottles of

767 boys at SDA 136 spots chalked by

soda leftover from the seniors in the student Welcome Back dance parking lot

38 150 19 percent cut of every balloons at the Welstudents on home-

department’s budget

come Back dance

coming court

New teachers

jocelyn lee

The new hill SDA’s grass can’t grow, but at least the campus can.

SDA grew over summer

new extension to SDA’s campus was added to the southern side of campus along Santa Fe Drive this year. The new quad, known as the 30’s buildings, which includes eight trailers, was created in order to free up the land in front of the outdoor basketball courts for a coming performing arts center, according to Principal Michael Grove. Students and faculty expressed their opinions on the new section of campus. Senior Ryan Blackman said, “The new classrooms aren’t really an inconvenience, but there are always some students who are late in the morning,” commenting on how the 30’s quad is farthest away from the student parking. To Spanish teacher John West, the view of the ocean is difficult to ignore and he appreciates the new location. Among other teachers that have been relocated to the quad are Rie Tsuboi, Japanese; Jill Seidenverg, social science; Justin Conn, Blaze Newman, English; Darlene Blanchard, Amy Johnson, and Martin Chaker, math. ariel chao

ix new teachers joined SDA’s staff this year bringing a plethora of experience. They include Guen Butler, French; Takeshi Takakura, Japanese; Jennifer McCluan, science; Jennifer Koett, ceramics; and math teachers Tom Wills and Dorothy Kim. Interview by Ariel Chao, photos by Jocelyn Lee.

Dorothy Kim Math

Takeshi Takakura Japanese

Japanese teacher Takeshi Takakura has been teaching for five years now. He taught previously at a New Jersey high school. Takakura graduated college from Japan and thereafter left for New York to continue his education, later receiving his masters. He enjoys surfing and listening to country music.

Jennifer McCluan Chemistry

Having taught in nine different states including a juvenile justice prison system, science teacher Jennifer McCluan brings a lot of experience to SDA. When asked about why she teaches, McCluan said, “I love helping people understand things. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher.” In her spare time, McCluan enjoys ballet, yoga, cycling, and Formula 1 motor sports.

Guen Butler French

Out of the 11 years French teacher Guen Butler has taught, her experience includes teaching at Torrey Pines, in Dallas, Texas, and Le Havre, France. When asked about her first few weeks at SDA, she said, “I love it—the staff has been incredibly welcoming. I really love the accepting environment here at SDA.” Butler said she chose to teach French because it helps her connect with different people around the world.

Math teacher Dorothy Kim taught for five years in Virginia before moving to California. In college she majored in computer information systems, later receiving her second degree in math and a minor in the Spanish language. Kim enjoys running, going to the beach, traveling, hiking, and going outdoors. She has completed 10 half-marathons.

Tom Wills Math

This year will mark math teacher Tom Wills’ third year of teaching. So far in his time spent at SDA, he believes that “SDA is a great school with friendly teachers and wonderful students.” He said, “I’m really glad I work here.” Wills is a huge sports fan (Chargers, Padres, and Lakers) and loves roller coasters. His favorite comedy is “Dumb & Dumber.”

Upcoming events CLUB FAIR: Friday, Oct. 2 during lunch MINIMUM DAY: Wednesday, Oct. 7 PROGRESS REPORTS: Friday, Oct. 9 handed out during homeroom COMEDY SPORTZ: Oct. 9, 7 pm SAT at SDA: Saturday, Oct. 10 PLAN test: Wednesday, Oct. 14 - The PLAN is for all 10th graders and optional for 9th and 11th grade, 7:50-11:00 a.m. CSU Application Workshop: (Seniors) Oct. 14, 9:30-10:15, library UC Application Workshop: (Seniors), Oct. 14, 10:15-11:00, library PSAT: If your student wishes to sign up for the PSAT (on Saturday, Oct. 17), more tests have become available. Sign up in the finance office during lunch - $22.

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dictaphobic

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WORD. opinions 10.02.09

What’s up with...

“…Hannah Montana?” Aaron Stiles, Sophomore

Big words scare me, too, but I have a plan to eradicate the infestation. No bug spray necessary, just a healthy return to our human heritage.

kyle shohfi

are you amped?

n a realm dominated by many a Webster and even more Rogets, the working class American does not stand an icicle’s chance in an icicle demolition plant. Words that are superfluously verbose and really long are undoubtedly responsible for the vast majority of deaths in the nation. Well, maybe just headaches. Actually, to be perfectly honest, I really have no idea. But one thing remains absolutely, indubitably certain: voluptuous words are the modern equivalent of the bubonic plague. They’re everywhere, no one knows where they come from,

they cause paranoia and panic, and they’re spread by furry little critters with shifty, beady eyes. I’m looking at you, Speech and Debaters. For those of you unfamiliar with the epidemic, allow me to explain. The percentage of words over three syllables in length used in informal intertalkings has skyrocketed in recent years, and the average teenager has been left scratching his already-confused noggin. Words like callipygian, minutia, gastronomical, defenestrate, and orangutan will stop at nothing to confound and befuddle the masses. What do these words mean?

Where do they come from? Are they even real? The etymological elite claim that their UFO-like words are, in fact, legitimate, but how can we, the common people, be sure? The Spanish solution of burning people at the stake who know more than me seems to be a bit excessive, but we’ll leave that for the High Inquisitor (whatever that means) to decide. How do these gigantic words even improve the quality of a sentence anyway? Defenders of overweight words clamor that specificity is the answer…but don’t they realize that “spes-uhfis-i-tee” is just another example

of the problem? These words could stand to spend a few weeks on Jenny Craig, if you ask me. We can be proactive in the war on jumbo jargon. To secure a fear-free future for our posterity, I propose that we flee from these words, and go back to our roots as human beings. Because really, what does “Won’t you pontificate?” say that “Ooo umm ya ya nog” doesn’t? If it worked for our ancestors, it can work for us. If you disagree, that is your right as an American. But guess who won’t be getting a Christmas check from grandma this year.

A homely tradition

“…our crappy grass?” Laura Belman, Junior

“…life?” Izzy Arango, Freshman

Different? Not really. Homecoming lacks SDA’s zest. nicole fisher

omecoming week at typical high schools across the country include parades with the homecoming court and marching bands. At the end of the week there is a big football game where all the students and alumni come to watch their team beat its opponent. At SDA, homecoming week is a little different. There are not many schools that have water day when a giant, blow-up, water slide is brought on to campus for hour lunch. At the end of the week, since we do not have a football team, there is a flag football tournament between the students and the winning team plays the staff. In both situations, however, there is one common link: a homecoming queen and king. Students at all schools during homecoming week vote for

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someone in their respective grade who will be a part of the homecoming court. We call ourselves so unique and so accepting of everyone at SDA, but the practice of voting for a homecoming court is just one big popularity contest that schools across the country are doing. By voting for a homecoming court we are no different than a typical high school. While it suggests on the ballot that students should pick someone with “SDA spirit” the majority of people either pick their friends, someone who doesn’t want to win, or someone as a joke. Most students would say that homecoming court doesn’t matter to them. If the majority of students are apathetic about it, then why have a homecoming court at all? The answer is because it’s a

high school tradition. But why do we have to be like the rest of the country? We break the rules of a typical high school with the 4x4 schedule, hour lunch, and days dedicated to student expression like Exhibition Day. Why can’t we come up with something for homecoming that is more in line with the SDA vibe? The ballot says to pick someone with “SDA spirit.” What if the tables were turned and teachers picked people who they felt were dedicated, and had that “SDA spirit.” There are just so many other ways that we could be doing this tradition and making it our own. We are only contradicting ourselves. If we are really that different, that accepting of others, and that unique, let’s show it in all the things we do at SDA.

“…Wu Tang Clan being so awesome?” Jared Kahlenberg, Sophomore

hayley baker

Queen bee, buzz off!

“…Toddlers and Tiaras?” Hope Budman, Freshman

something clever?

the

Mustang

A hairy situation cara reichard

Hate your hair? Cut it off.

hen I think of hell, I see my hair. Growing out of my scalp so fast, it’s touching the floor before I can blink. Getting thicker and thicker, curlier and curlier, until my whole body is shrouded in the stuff and you can’t even see me anymore, just hair. I hate everything about hair. I hate the way it gets damp at the roots on hot days when you can’t quite manage to stop yourself from sweating. I hate the way it always manages to appear on the carpet, no matter how frequently you vacuum. I hate the way it clumps on the bottom of a hairbrush, or the way, every now and then, a single strand will appear on your dinner plate, causing you to gag and lose your appetite completely. But, more than anything else, I hate all the trouble it causes just for the sake of sitting limply on the top of your head. There is no real purpose to hair. Yes, it insulates your head in cold weather, but, not only do we have none of that in California, if we did, we have hats that can do that just as well. Who truly wants their hair? Everybody complains about it:

hay baybay hay

opinions 10.02.09

too straight, curly, thick or thin. Wrong color, wrong texture. Premature balding, early signs of gray. But instead of all wishing for what we can’t have, I have a better solution. Let’s cut it all off. I don’t mean that cute, short, hipster look that seems to be so in style right now. I mean all of it. Every last strand, right down to your bare and ugly scalp. Unattractive it may be, but that’s only for the moment. What happens when we’re all running around bald, free and weightless? Who could call it ugly then? What about when People shows us Brad and Angelina, both hairless, smiling hugely as they walk hand in hand through the streets of Paris on a romantic European getaway? It seems ugly only because it isn’t what we’re used to. If every single one of us lopped it all off, it wouldn’t be long before that was just the typical, the acceptable, the norm. And then imagine how much freer our lives would be. No more staring in the mirror each morning wishing you saw something else. No more tangles and snarls. No more hair ties, hair clips, hair

rieko michelle whitfield

ARGHHH Teenagers often feel as if there is some sort of wild beast atop their heads. bands or hair cuts. No more curlers or straighteners, brushes or gels. No more elaborate updos for winter formal, pinned precariously to your scalp with a few intricate twists and a couple hundred bobby pins.

Instead, all you’d have to worry about was shaving it, say, once a week. No more difficult than girls and their legs, or boys and their beards. Just lather on some shaving crème, give it a few swipes with the razor, and

you’re happy and carefree and ready to go. The phrase “bad hair day” would not even be in our vocabulary—there would be no place for “bad hair days” if we just stopped having “hair days” all together.

College and shepherds go hand in hand hayley baker

What’s the difference between a college student and a sheep? Mutton.

or way too many high school students, college is just that thing that happens sometime after high school and sometime before marriage and a steady job. A lot of students, as soonto-be-high school graduates, don’t really want to continue onto higher education, but the expectations for us seem to be urging us all in that direction. We’re like moths mysteriously attracted to that big bright shining light that is a four-year university. But for what reason? From day one we’ve complained about homework, especially that which comes with AP classes. But if we hate it so much now, why in the world would we want to subject ourselves to another four years of absolute torture? Maybe because our parents pressure us, maybe because

hayley baker

Wool When it comes to debt, college students have three bags full. we’ve been convinced by society that happiness only comes with a fancy diploma and a silly gown. Let us consider the general equation set into the heads of all college-bound students: high school + a good college = success. Once that college diploma is in your hands you instantly are

granted a well-paying job and a nice house in a friendly neighborhood. Oh wait. Attention, everyone. Attending a good, even prestigious college, does not mean instant success. Recently in our tough economic times, college gradu-

ates are faced with a difficult position. The average debt of undergraduates totals somewhere around $24,000 (according to The College Board); now throw in a time where jobs are hard to come by and those who are getting jobs are much more likely to be already un-employed workers with much more experience than college graduates. It isn’t a pretty picture at this point. So, I ask again, why would anyone want to toil through four years of hated schoolwork to come out into the world weighted down by debt and joblessness? I’m not trying to say that college is a waste of time and money; it isn’t. But is it really worth it for so many people? One does not have to go to college. For anything or anyone. We as students need to take a

step back from our very, very zoomed-in view of life paths. There are so many other options available to us, especially in our generation where an interest in computers can get you paid very well for explaining to laymen that their computer isn’t working because it isn’t plugged in. If students claim that they want to attend a four-year university, they should really want to go. They should enjoy school and learning, not just see it as a way to the top. Continuing education should be the main concern for all college-goers, and then the product of that dedication to studies will allow one to find a little cozy spot in society that contributes to overall societal well-being. Is it really worth living off of instant noodles for four years unless you genuinely want to be there?

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witty one-liner

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College essay writing woes An average high schooler with an average life, I struggle to find inspiration for that exceptional college essay.

maddie lyon

no tears

stared at my computer screen watching the infuriating curser flash black on my blank word document.The longer I sat there waiting for inspiration to strike, the farther away I got from writing the mythical “perfect college essay” everyone, including myself, is vainly searching for. Trying to make myself seem unique and stand out in an endless sea of applicants when every other person is trying to do the exact same thing is nearly impossible, especially when you consider the future Nobel Prizewinning geniuses you are going up against. The task laid out before me seemed even more insurmountable when I realized that no matter what I eventually managed to write it would never be good enough to guarantee me a spot at my dream school, and avoid every college applicant’s nightmare of rejection. However, no matter how hopeless it seemed, I could not put it off any longer. The deadline was fast approaching and I still had five essays after this one remaining. The prompt: In 1800 characters (including spaces and punctuation) what would you want your future roommate to know about you? Tell us something about you that will help your

future roommate, and us, know you better. All right, well, I have three dogs, one sister, and live in a small beach town. I keep my room somewhat tidy and like spending time with my friends and going to the beach. I could write about these mundane qualities; however none of those basic and boring things about me are going to set me apart from the future Einstein’s application they just read. I guess I could BS my way through, embellishing the boring aspects of my life, like many other applicants probably will, but I am pretty sure that’s unethical. So here I am once again back to square one: a blank word document and a mounting sense of frustration and inadequacy. From this wasted hour staring uncomprehendingly at my computer screen I have gained nothing more than a severe annoyance at how ridiculous it is for colleges to expect applicants to pour out the past 18 years of their lives into approximately two paragraphs of space. And how am I ever going to make myself stand out enough to qualify for the insanely high standards set for acceptance without making up half the material in my essays?

The answer: Unless you are saving whales or on the brink of a major scientific discovery, it is nearly impossible. The majority of college applicants are just your average highschool students with average lives, trying to write a college essay that turns their boring lives into something worthy, and hoping beyond hope to get into their “dream college.” So here I am, still sitting at my computer staring at a blank word document. The same task sitting in front of me, just as unfinished as it was before. Forget it…I will do it later; maybe inspiration will strike tomorrow.

haley baker

Metal head Writing the perfect college essay is as hopless as having an empty head full of metal.

It’s like a jungle bailey mezan

Concerts are becoming less about the music and more of a venue for the savage to unleash their rage.

stumbled back onto her perfectly glossed toe and my initial reaction was to peer down at her foot. I saw it was petite, no bigger than a six. I dismissed the incident and returned my attention to the Black Eyed Peas. No more than thirty seconds later I felt a sweaty palm grasp my arm. I turned around to meet a pair of enraged brown eyes. Despite her supple frame and her understated grace, I saw a glint of terror in her eyes; I saw a wrath that I was soon to meet. “Excuse me” she said, “did you really just step on me.” I stared back blankly as her grip tightened. I looked away hoping all confrontation would be avoided. Suddenly I felt a hand at

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my other side, this one much stronger. It forced me around so that I was facing them. “Don’t ignore her when she’s talking to you,” I was introduced to a new pair of horrifying eyes belonging to a much bulkier version of my first encounter. I hadn’t even had a chance to react before I felt a small fist strike the side of my head. My eyes clenched in dismay, the pain was slight, but it was the surprise that hurt most. By the time I brought myself to confront my rivals, they had pushed their way past me. I was left standing there, salty tears of humiliation dotting my face, as “Big Girls Don’t Cry” blared in the background. Concerts are not fight clubs, but they are slowly becoming

somewhere much more obscene. Unlike a fight club; tainted with the smell of blood and pain, concerts are seemingly happy, layered with the sweet aroma of hotdogs and beer. Concert fights are set to their own soundtrack, narrated to the beat of a popular band; these deluded danger zones are terrifying in that they are completely unexpected. When one thinks of terror and rage, concerts rarely come to mind, but in the case of current venues, concerts have become a prime spot for vicious encounters and particularly unruly predators. Festivals that once consisted of free love are now becoming dangerous. It used to be that if someone accidentally trampled the foot of a fellow concert- goer, a simple

sorry would excuse the misfortune and all would be forgiven. Of recent it has become much more common to punch, smack, yell, kick, and cuss out a peer. Let’s be honest: concerts are not jungles; it should not be a blood bath for survival. Violence at concerts has become accepted, even encouraged with attractions like mosh pits, becoming as common as the beer garden or the tee shirt stand. It’s hard to understand where all this rage is coming from. Road rage I can see, but concert rage seems almost ironic; music is meant to conjure emotions, but very seldom does anger apply. What is it about music that makes people so hostile? With the way things are going it seems psychological screenings

are becoming a near necessity for admittance. Concerts are slowly becoming a venue for people to allow their savage sides to surface; no more than groups of intoxicated people who are only secure acting animalistic in the presence of hundreds, including dozens of security guards. Rather than causing an unnecessary scene let us solve this problem the way we all learned in kindergarten: with a simple sorry. Let us forgive, forget, and hope that next time our clumsy offenders will be a little more aware of their space. Why destroy one of the only civil things left of this world? After all, concerts are not meant to be jungles, and humans are not meant to be animals fighting in them.

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tall fry

the

opinions 10.02.09

dana pede

Le fry de triomphe

In America, bigger is better. But it isn’t called an American fry, now, is it?

hooray for life!!!

ed Robin has only one failure. With its shiny red booths, wall-mounted whimsicalities, sugary-sweet milkshakes and little bits of heaven crafted into grilled cheese sandwiches, it is the closest thing our society has to a perfect world. Still, there remains one fatal shortcoming: its French fries. With every visit, I am so surrounded by the love and happiness that is synonymous with Red Robin that I become easily distracted and forget that the fries are so dramatically sub par. And so I take one. But instead of the crispy texture, subtle flavor and salty aftertaste I had expected, I get potato. Overwhelming, overpowering white potato mush encased in a sorry excuse for a “fried” exterior. Where’s the salty aftertaste? The delicious flavor? That delicate crispiness that I had so loved?! These “Steakhouse fries” are nothing more than soggy spuds. Some people like potatoes and don’t mind that overbearing, hostile invasion of paste that comes with each bite of a “steak ‘fry.’” I am most certainly not one of those people. If I wanted to eat three cubic inches of white mush, I would have a bite of mashed potatoes.

hayley baker

You see, I consider myself a pretty literal person. If I’m about to eat a plate of “mashed potatoes,” I expect to taste the colorless semisolid of potatoes that have been mashed. Were somebody to offer me potato salad, I’d anticipate a dish of po-

tato chunks mixed with various foodstuffs in the form of (what else?) a salad. By that logic, French fries should be of another realm entirely. The name itself noticeably excludes the word “potato,” thus the flavor of the potato

itself should be significantly downplayed. Furthermore, the operative element of the title is “fries,” implying that the delicacy is best when it has, indeed, been fried completely and without question. The Steakhouse fries offered at most restaurants

taste of nothing but potato, which as we can recall has no place in the food’s title; the fries have no discernible flavor of having been fried at all. While the golden exterior suggests that it has been fried, it provides no more satisfaction than would a thin coat of acrylic paint of the same color. Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come to take back the French fry. The French themselves overthrew the affluent (and overweight) monarchs, haughty on their thrones of comfort, while their peasants toiled below. Today, gargantuan steak “fries” dominate the industry, controlling nearly every sitdown eatery in America (stay strong, Islands!). Meanwhile, the meek yet strong-hearted skinny fries toil in the fast-food chains. I say it is time for the French fries to follow the French! Long enough has the tyranny of taters ruled Red Robin! To all you potato devotees, I say take your beloved spuds! Eat them mashed, baked, or scalloped! Eat them by the pound or by the barrel, if you so desire! But set French fries free of this oppressive regime! Liberty, equality, fryternity!

I don’t want to grow up mckenna taylor

Forget college and careers – give me a roll of carpet and let my young imagination soar.

he pressure is here. For us seniors, it has been with us for a while, but now chooses to emerge as college applications draw near. This pressure is to grow up. It is another rite of passage. However, as my senior year approached this summer, all I could think about was how much I wanted to find Peter Pan and never grow up. Now, I didn’t come up with this conclusion on my own. It took a trip to Cairo, Egypt, and watching the children there weave carpets by hand to remind me of what I was missing. In Egypt, childhood is very different from the way it is in America. In the U.S., the possibilities are endless for a kid.

For the Egyptians, you have two choices: to work at the carpet school or the farm. For the ones who choose the farm, these children stay at home and help their families in the fields. For the other children who choose to work on the carpets, they sit on their wooden benches and weave pieces of yarn as fast as lightning into the carpet’s design. After trying the weaving myself, I found that I could now really appreciate being a kid in the U.S. It took me seven attempts just to get one strand of yarn onto the carpet. I felt bad for the boy who was with me, thinking now he might be behind on my account. And so this was the

first realization of the childhood I longed to get back. The second event was when I returned home. I became really sick and spent two days with a fever and a week recovering from a powerful virus. My mom was my medicine. She took care of me through it all, helping me fight the chills, getting me whatever food I needed, and, to put it simply, doing everything in her power to get me back on my feet. Being sick, of course, would remind anyone of his or her childhood days. I remember those colds, fevers, not to mention those boo boos that I got only three times a day. When I could finally see recovery on the horizon, I began

to notice the kids in my neighborhood more. We had at least five kids out playing every day, usually with the family’s golden retriever running beside them, tennis ball in mouth. But as I watched the kids on the block fight over whether to play street hockey or stick baseball, I began to laugh. They were like small politicians debating over some controversial issue. And yet unlike politicians, or any adults for that matter, these kids didn’t really care about making the decision to play street hockey. With about 80 days of summer, kids don’t really care if they’re actually doing anything; all they care about is having fun.

Having fun. Something we young adults often overlook. We’re too busy absorbing technology, or getting our nails done, or for some of the lucky ones, getting our first jobs, that we miss out on what we can still do best, being a kid. We’re not ready for the world yet. We still have so much to learn and for some of us our last summer of freedom is coming; we have to figure out how we’re going to spend it. So as I begin my final year at SDA, I can only cling to the last strands of my youth. But then again, who says I have to grow up anyway? I can always be a child at heart. And I think I will. After all, that’s what I do best.

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10.02.09

Hold on— he’s gay?

After almost 50 years of classroom analysis and enduring even more years of controversy, Holden Caulfield is about to be the subject of even more. Essay by Jack Rushall

t came to me the other day. It was like a bird or a plane. Except instead of appearing as a man in latex tights—or a superhero—it revealed itself as a realization that might very well include a boy who enjoys tights: Holden Caulfield is gay. You might be “confused” yourself as to why I would assume such a thing out of thin air. To the contrary, I’d like you to consider the following: If you take an ignored hooker, a bunch of forced phone quite well-rehearsed on the calls involving some willing young girls, a sexually frustrated older boy’s sweaty forehead. man who attaches his hand to your head after hours, and a transvestite, you are permit“You never know” is a staple ted some sort of entry into the catchphrase of those rainbowdamn good build. He sub-conscious of a beloved pin buttons that we see parading did, too. I have to admit it.” fictional character that we have on our school’s grassy fields on Must I mention that this same all absorbed. “Day of Silence,” and it certainly room-mate was also consistently Holden Caulfield, the anchor described as a “sexy bastard”? holds true in the case of Holden. notice of the full-fledged physifor J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in This could be exactly why Perhaps the hormones piled cal version of his own hidden the Rye,” may have been no the author of the classic novel up and he was plunged into insecurities? stranger to following rainbows. has never spoken on Holden’s sexual confusion, or perhaps I’m not saying that his tireI’m not alluding to Skittles he really did just have terrible less search for ducks was his way behalf or his supposed “mental commercials; I’ll simply be illness” one way or the other. grades, but either way, Holden of warming up to sex, but let’s convincing you of what some After all, wasn’t homowas living on his own in New take a look at the most blatant might intercept as a rare missexuality viewed as something York within that next week. In example used in the text. conception. Finally, perhaps you New York, of course, he barely This, naturally, would be the “psychotic” back then? Perhaps will fully understand the psyche redeemed there is finally reasonof a most troubled youth and ing behind that pillowhimself in individual and what it might padded room that our maintaining a If that’s not enough, there’s always mean for generations of adolesprotagonist supposedly heterosexual that transvestite who popped up in cent males. ended up in. perspective. Between the window across the street, with Holden’s own narration Just how much does beating around no warrant for page-space. gives us a look into his mind the bush with it matter anymore? Holden never really “fit in,” at Who’s to say how all various girls, his all-lad boarding schools that of those generations of Holden was seemingly dotted the eastern equally disillusioned teenagers never quite able to take that chapter where Holden visits an seaboard. It’s easy to admit that would respond if their hero and next step with them, even when old teacher, Mr. Antolini. Take within his rebellious state, he his trademark red-hunting cap it was implied—or paid for. This mental note that Holden was never quite got along with his were outed. For half a century kid hired a prostitute at one under the influence and as soon fellow men. He spent a great point, but only for polite conas he arrives, the two discuss sex. by now, such clothing items deal of time on his lonesome, amongst other qualities have versation, and inevitably, he was Psychologically speaking, but when involved with his served as a symbol for youth and beaten by her pimp without ever one does not typically make a various roommates, he summed dare-I-say-it, the heterosexual laying a finger on her daunting move unless one believes there them up in fairly “colorful” fishnet stockings. is some sort of significant chance experience. terminology. Maybe, in an odd twist, his If that’s not enough, there’s that there is a returned desire. For example, after watching always that transvestite who So, in all reality, the only real his room-mate, the very indifpopped up in the window across shock may have been Holden’s ferent Ackley, take a shower the street, with no warrant for reaction, not Antolini’s sneaky and brush his teeth, Holden’s page-space. fingers, which really seemed description is: “He always What’s the significance of a walked around in his bare torso tranny? Well, how could somebecause he thought he had a body so closeted help but take

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ana reyes

audience will rejoice and guarantee him membership within the fictional gay community, and he can stand as its centerpiece alongside Spongebob and those guys who herded sheep whilst messing around on that mountain, only to go on to win a bunch of Oscars. It’s not to be expected that the gay community would want Salinger to hold not a white flag but a rainbow one, if he were to confirm such allegations. New covers of the book would not depict Holden in a dress picking daisies. Such members of gay society might remark, “He probably just hired that prostitute to admire her boots,” but that would likely be the extent of Holden’s newfound flamboyancy. Really, maybe I just find it curious that the main character of the one book that we all actually read was so largely overlooked. But who knows, maybe instead of migrating south, those ducks will migrate through some coat hangers and out of the closet.

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10.02.09

Michelle Minnick, senior, on the balony of Stift Melk Monestary in Austria.

Weltanschauung After my summer trip to visit the Austrians, I received a new “world view.” By Shelby Meyers

It’s Your Senior Portrait!

Now that you have the schools yearbook photos taken care of it’s time to get the Senior Portrait that you really want. Remember it’s your Senior Year! We will work with you for your own unique look to create high quality portraits at very reasonable prices. Beach, park or location sessions: $149.00 Studio or garden studio sessions: $99.00 5x7’s $35, 8x10’s $45, Packages $110, Wallet Special: (48) $135 Wall Portraits 16x20’s $175 Ask about our 2 for 1 sessions.

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or many people, the Austrian foreign exchange students who attended our school for two weeks in March were just extra faces in classes, on the soccer field, or at one of the many parties. The only exception from normality was their short-term stay in Encinitas, and the usage of a completely different language. This group of about thirty from Austria made each “Amerikaner” wonder if their small Californian beach town was as impressive as previously believed when compared to the beauty and inspiration that is said to come out of Vienna. After the return from my visit to their side of the world, I realized that despite how much I adore Swami’s beach and the Pannikin, the history and impact of walking the streets of Vienna, made our town of Encinitas appear similar to a mediocre street performer when compared with Mozart. The initial idea of going to visit Babsi, the Austrian who stayed at my home, came the day that she was leaving California. The thought obviously seemed a little far-fetched, considering that keeping in contact from about 6,000 miles away was close to impossible. This is where the miracle of Facebook comes in. After a bit of messaging about the weather and the necessity of club attire, Michelle Minnick and I were boarding an international flight to the Viennese Airport five months later. We stepped out of the airplane and viewed two of the smiling faces that we both truly believed that we would never see again. This occurrence of the seemingly impossible was the first of many

moments of disbelief that occurred during my trip. Directly following our 20 hours of travel, the sight seeing began. However, instead of an unimpressive Hollywood sign from miles away, we got to experience the grandeur of Austrian history up close. This included famous sights such as the Vienna Opera House, Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss,” and the sighting of the Austrian equivalent of the first lady. The next step was the introduction to European night life. Many SDA students thought they were showing these kids how to party in California. But, the night life of San Diego can not be compared to that of Vienna. Austria has a 16 year old drinking age, club admittance, no curfew, and no cops rolling a party at 11 o’clock. On a normal Friday or Saturday night, the teens stay out until around 4 a.m. Although these rules seem fairly irrational to the guardians in the United States, there is a surprisingly higher amount of trust between the youth and their authorities in Europe. With these standards, there is no need to lie to adults and the teenagers understand their own responsibilities. Overall, by the time that Michelle and I had to return home, we were in shock of how perfect the Austrian experience had been. Each foreign exchange student that we hosted at SDA added great culture to our campus during those two weeks, and the two weeks that I received in return gave me enough new culture to feed my soul for at least another year; or until I am able to pay for a plane ride back to that city of perfection.

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“Hasta mañana, chicas,” and the click of a lock was the soundtrack to our departure from apartment 2A each night, as my roommate and I ventured out into the new world we called home. Walking along the cobblestone streets beneath the Spanish summer sky, we knew where we were headed: past the construction on the left, the candy shop on the right, across the street, and up the stairs to the place where we would soon create the greatest memories of the summer. The clock tower was at the center of the town, ticking to those who congregated in the Plaza Mayor of Salamanca, one of the largest public squares in Spain. To some, it was merely a device of time, a beautiful piece adding to the Baroque architecture of the balconies surrounding, but to us, when I look back on it now, this clock held so much more significance.

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the

news 09.02.09

¡Viva España! This summer, 22 SDA students embarked on a month long trip with Spanish teacher Sheryl Bode. Stories by Kate Murphy, Kerry Roberson, and Rieko Michelle Whitfield.

kerry roberson

From the moment we arrived

in Spain, the weight of independence was instantly put upon us, whether were ready for it or not. We had no cars or GPS systems, but depended on our feet and a map to get us where we needed to go. We ferreted out the cheapest and fastest internet cafés simply to keep in contact with our parents and friends. We had some money from home, but other than that, we were on our own. Because there was nothing to distract us, such as television or cell phones, our time on the trip was based solely on human interaction. Several times per day, my friends and I met at this clock tower, whether it was just to pass time in the Plaza Mayor and stroll along its numerous shops and eateries, or to go out past the square, where a whole other array of options laid. We would select a time and place to meet up because we had no cell phones, unlike at home where we use cell phones to plan our every move. In Spain, this was not an option. We had to trust that our friends were going to be there, and if not, we waited — so it didn’t always end up perfectly. People woke up late or their dinnertime ran over, but in the end, simply meeting up with someone took on much more personal sense.

There were many things that were different in

Spain that contradicted what I was so used to in my daily life back home. I realized how much my life depends on time and managing it with a busy schedule. Free time is always limited because there is always something that “needs to be done.” In Spain, I didn’t have a cell phone to always tell me the time, only had the clock in the

kerry roberson

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A Yoga at La Alhambra in Granada B Nights out in Plaza Mayor C Metal artist in Toledo D Cathedral in Seville

As soon as we landed in Madrid, the first thing that hit me was how real everything was. Previous to the trip, the whole idea of actually spending a month in Spain seemed like a dream. What woke me up sounds ludicrous, but as soon as I stepped off the plane, all I heard was Spanish. And I mean Spanish Spanish. I have been studying Spanish since the seventh grade, but all of a sudden it didn’t seem as straightforward as it did in the classroom. Everyone had accents, which pretty much entails a lisp; “Gracias” was “Grathias.” “Jugo” became “Thumo.” courtesy of cristina mclennan To someone who had been speaking the language pretty much devoid of any opportunity to develop an authentic accent, the Spanish lisps surrounding me prevented me from understanding much of what was being said.

Plaza. I wasn’t always depending on numbers to tell me what to do. Over the 29 days we spent in this foreign country, we had lots of free time, free time that was not infected with the idea that we should be doing something else. And I am proud to say my friends and I took as much advantage of that as we could. We played dress up in hotels, went boating in magnificent parks, danced a great deal, and, overall, enjoyed every last moment that we had together.

The tower was the beginning and end of so

many memorable moments. and it helped me to realize and to appreciate how truly amazing this trip really was. The clock told us we were late for school or when to leave for curfew; we depended on it to tell us when to be back for curfew and how close we were to school starting each day; we always knew where we were in regard to its location. Everything was more intimately planned and trusting the others with whom you were planning was key. Most of all, this clock will always be there, in the center of a little city that, for two weeks, we called our own. -K. M.

It was unnerving,

to say the least. But, like jumping into an icy swimming pool, it took just minutes to get used to. What was harder to get used to was, well, everything else. Our trip included a homestay program in Salamanca for two weeks, where we went to school for four hours every morning. What I quickly began to realize, living as part of an actual family in Spain,

Kerry Roberson

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was how utterly different the culture was from at home in Encinitas. While we were in Salamanca, we felt like part of the town. We spoke their language, ate their food, and immersed ourselves in their culture. My host Loli cooked lunch and dinner for us every day, while chain smoking cigarettes in the kitchen the size of a bathtub. Breakfast was normally just a coffee or a glass of juice at around 9 or 10 a.m. After school, we went home for lunch at 2 p.m. Lunch is considered the important meal of the day, when the whole family generally meets at home and catches up. Loli fed us typical Spanish lunches, consisting of pasta salad, fried eggs, potato omelettes, paella, and, of course, jamón, or ham. After hanging out in the town square, called La Plaza Mayor, we would come back home for dinner around 9 or 10 p.m., a light meal normally consisting of leftovers from lunch. After a day at school, I was completely exhausted, but then we would go out at 10 or 11 p.m. to karaoke bars, outdoor concerts, dancing clubs, or tapas bars for some fun before going to bed. At first I questioned the sanity of the Spanish; it seemed as if they thrived on only 5 or 6 hours of sleep. Lucky for me, we found that it is customary to take a siesta, a short nap that enables the Spanish to stay up late and get up relatively early.

bittersweet aftertaste of disappointment, birthday cake, and the inevitable doom of college applications. But in my case, the month I turned 17 was one that was utterly unforgettable. When I blew out my candles on that warm Spanish summer night, seated on the balcony of a hotel overlooking the panoramic night view of the city of Toledo, without a doubt, I was having the time of my life.

For most of us, this Spain trip was the first time in our young lives that we had traveled out of the

What became the most memorable experience

trip, we were free to roam the streets of this strange, beautiful land, and take from these experiences what we were willing to open our minds to. My favorite days were our free days, the days that were left unplanned so that we could take initiative and fulfill whatever spontaneous urges we felt like accomplishing. Those days, before taking off on foot down the cobblestone roads, we would spread out our maps and scrutinize the intricate cobwebs of streets and buildings - every opportunity in the city open to us, beckoning us, welcoming us. From holding witness to legendary works of contemporary art by Picasso, Miro, and Dalí, to row boating on the lake in the central park in Madrid; from drifting out on air mattresses upon the salty waters of the Mediterranean sea at Costa Del Sol, to singing and dancing to “Toxic” by Britney Spears at a karaoke night in a discoteca in Salamanca; from climbing up a thirty-four story tower at a beautiful cathedral in Seville, to gathering the courage to go see a real, live bullfight: every choice we made was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I took this all in, doe-eyed

for me was the opportunity to see a real bullfight in Sevilla. the At first I completely discounted the offer; after growing up in a household where animals are part of the family and a community where vegetarians are revered, there was no way I wanted to see six bulls being killed right in front of my eyes. After a while, though, I realized how close-minded I was being. I was in Spain, submerging myself in every other aspect of the society, so why would I prevent myself from experiencing something so prevalent in their culture? Even though I don’t morally agree with what I saw, going to this event was probably the one of the best decisions I have ever made. As shocking as it was to live in a completely different culture for a month, even more shocking was coming back to technology, strict schedules, and parental guidance. I long to return to Spain, but I know that the taste of paella, 1,500 pictures, and countless great memories will have to suffice for now. -K. R.

and fascinated. The culture, the people, the food, the grandiose, Romanesque architecture - everything was so radically different from what I have known my whole life. Traveling through Spain has left a powerful imprint on me – the lessons I’ve learned, the sights I’ve seen, the experiences I’ve gained, the friends I’ve made and the memories we’ve created. Being 17 this year will forever be a cornerstone in my life, and there couldn’t have been any better way to kick off the year than a month in Spain with 25 new friends. I wouldn’t have had it any other way. -R. M. W.

kerry roberson

A Cathedral of Salamanca B Flamenco Dancers in Granada C The view from La Alhambra in Granada

kerry roberson

In general, turning 17 pales in comparison to turning 16 with the sudden sense of empowerment associated with a shiny new driver’s license. Nor does turning 17 provide a feeling of entitlement like officially acquiring the ability to smoke cigarettes, purchase porn, join the military, and oh yeah… cast a ballot. 17 is just that awkward year of transitioning from being a needy, self-concerned teenager, to moving out of the house and legally becoming an adult in the “real world.” After that 17th birthday party, all that’s left is the

country on our own. For me, it was my first experience being completely stripped of the comforts I had grown to depend on, and even take for granted; my home, my family, my closest friends, my cell phone, and even something as mundane as a decently stocked refrigerator. For an entire month, we were being handed over the responsibility of self-sufficiency. If we were thirsty, we had to walk down to the supermarket and buy a liter of water with our own money.

If we wanted to speak to our family or friends,

we had to find an internet café and purchase time slots for computers, or minutes for the payphone. If we ran out of clean clothes, it was our responsibility to take all our laundry to a nearby laundromat and wash everything ourselves. But it was this feeling of independence that truly made this whole experience so memorable for me. It was a time that I could prove to myself that I was able to live on my own and for the most part, make my own decisions without the guidance of my parents. That feeling in itself was exhilarating. For the majority of the

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Mustang

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arts

10.02.09

What the folk? With the Rapid Growth of ridiculous subgenres like crust punk, groove metal and cuddle core, the ability to accurately state music taste is diminishing. By Erika Mazza

he crowd screams, booming with deafening excitement as the band steps nervously on stage. However, the sound dies down as a shriek emits from the microphone. Sweaty palms grab at the microphone to pull it off of its stand, nerves encouraged by a dead silence. “Hello everyone. We want to thank you for coming to the show tonight. We are the opening band, Oglethorpe, and we are of the pillow-folk genre. Hope you enjoy the show, and be sure to check us out on our Myspace!” the lead singer shouts, voice cracking after ev-

ery few highpitched words. Now, the crowd is a tad confused. First of all, why would a group of people agree to name their band after a figure of American history with very small significance? Secondly, what is pillow folk? Some mixture of seductive on-stage pillow

fighting and random, off-beat twanging The base of American music started out with ten all inclusive genres: jazz, blues, rock, rap, hip hop, r&b, pop, classical, country, and electronic. However, from the beginnings of rock with musicians like Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent to the suggestive and incredibly repetitive lyrics of Kanye West, the range of music has broadened astronomically. “It’s pretty crazy how many artists a simple genre encompasses nowadays. Things were much less complicated back before different genres started overlapping,” Ari Brin, junior, said. Rock now encompasses an assortment of artists like The Beatles, Death From Above 1979, and Bullet For My Valentine. The same goes for all of the other nine main genres. This dramatic increase of music collection is due to the incredible amount of subgenres created within the years. There are over hundreds of subgenres for each of the ten main. The ability for one to summarize her music taste has become an impossible feat nowadays. Between less human interaction (more technology) and an increase in subgenres, people freeze at the mention of, “So, what’s your taste in music like?” It takes a few stutters here and there before the individual answers with something along the lines of, “Uh, you know, indie rock, cowpunk, glam rock. Like The Killers, Uncle Tupelo, and David Bowie kind of stuff.” Therefore, it furthers the awkwardness in conversation.

If you are currently listening to Of Montreal, your music taste might be categorized as neopsychedelic rock. Possibly even Bikini Kill or Bratmobile, and this same person is thrown into a general synopsis of interest in riot grrrl music. Yes, that is a subgenre of punk rock, which is a subgenre of rock. Considering this, the old question of general taste in music has been replaced by strict questioning of favorite musicians. However, even then, it takes a while for you to get a taste of another’s music taste through the naming of various musicians. If you were to name your five favorite bands, they would most likely fall under the same main genre. You could be incredibly into electronic music and enjoy Passion Pit, Crystal Castles, Aphex Twin, Air and Justice but at the same time have a secret fetish for Taylor Swift. However, because you have already listed five artists and don’t want to go on to a monologue about music taste, you can’t mention this complex. “It is really difficult to know which of the many subgenres to classify even my musical tastes under. Nowadays if someone asks about my music taste, I generally just go blank at first,” Lorraine Parker, senior, said. So, if you are terribly lazy and cannot bother with those subgenres that are seemingly nonsensical, continuing with naming artists instead of genres is just fine. However, those that enjoy listening to a mixture of American Pie moments and your southern Grandfather on his banjo, continue looking up those funky subgenres. Eventually, you’ll be able to answer with something similar to, “Oh, I actually listen to queercore and paisley underground. I dabble in a little bit of wonky techno in my free time, though.”

Rieko Michelle Whitfield

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10.02.09

What’s my age again? liz mills

A trip down memory lane through the eyes of a die-hard fan. kate murphy

here are innumerable things I remember from sixth grade, most of them somehow relating to starred or studded clothing items from Tilly’s. I will always remember the Friday night dances at the Boys and Girls Club, the opportune moment for girls to wear mascara and skirts too short, and boys to meander around the gym in search of the perfect candidate to latch on to. I will always remember the hour of each week in which artistically inclined PTA moms instructed the class on drawing idealistic flower arrangements. I will always remember getting my name written on the board by Ms. Carroll for talking. I will always remember the excitement of getting assigned to a new table group each month, and being too cool for recess but still playing the occasional handball game. But most of all, I will always remember listening to “Adam’s Song” on repeat in my room, thinking that 16 seemed so far away. It would be an understatement to say that Blink-182 was my favorite band. I had all the albums, from the older “Enema of State,” to their eponymous album, which was brand new at the time. On the occasion that I pull out some of these albums now, it seems each song holds a memory, a flashback, a still-life frame of that period of my life. Until February of this year, where all three band members appeared on stage at the Grammy’s, the trio had not associated musically since their 2004 summer tour with No Doubt , the year that I was being “promoted”

from 6th grade. By this time, Blink 182 was already coming out of the spotlight anyway, and people were moving on to bigger and better bands like Greenday. Despite my dedication to the band that had inspired me during my elementary years, I too followed the trend. When I heard that this year, Blink 182 would be touring one more time, I knew that I had to take part. So, for $30 I bought a lawn ticket for the Cricket Ampitheater show and then got two more for friends to come along, or, I guess, for me to drag them. Whenever I mentioned my anticipation of the show to peers, I received a response either completely enthusiastic and full of envy, or an insincere chuckle. I had hopes that maybe the concert could bring me back to the innocence and free spirit that I was in sixth grade, or at least remind me of memories passed. My expectations were nothing but high. After an extremely long car trip down to Chula Vista, my friends and I made it fairly quickly through the gates and onto the lawn. We managed to get a fairly decent spot, only to see Asher Roth in broad daylight, attempting to invite girls onstage while singing about college and how much he really does love it. People were not nearly as interested as he was. Then came Taking Back Sunday… there was no safe place to hide. Next Weezer came on and the crowd became a little more intriguied, probably somewhat due to the fact that it was getting dark. The band played the classic favorites, like “Buddy Holly”

Make a reservation for bellydancing on Friday and Saturday nights!

Off campus lunch discount 15% off with student ID!

hayley baker

rock on Blink 182 members Travis Barker, Mark Hoppus, and Tom DeLonge reunite as trio to play for hometown.

and “The Sweater Song,” while the majority of the audience chimed in. I have been to numerous large concerts at Cricket, like Radiohead, but none were ever like the one I experienced that Wednesday. Not just the lawn, but all seats and pits were completely full; people were packed like sardines. The level of anticipation for Blink 182 to begin was evident from a fivemile radius. Everything around me was a flashback from the 90’s and, coincidentally, there was a good amount of people with “SD” tattooed somewhere on their bodies. Most of all, it was obvious that the attendees that night were not there for merely the music, but the memories from their past that went along with it. When Blink finally took the stage, everyone stood up. Mosh pits emerged, the crowd squished forward, screaming was prevalent, and there was

a slim to none chance that one could avoid being pushed at least once. The drums started to reveal “Dumpweed,” and, due to the fast tempo of the song, the crowd could do nothing but go crazy. Mark Hoppus’ distinguishable, somewhat whiny voice was almost completely masked by the thousands of people singing along with him. Over the course of the 22song-set, Mark Hoppus managed to say “ass” over 20 times, and Tom DeLonge threw out uncountable dirty, and no doubt, immature jokes. Toilet humor, to be specific. It was clear that they were back. And, the sad thing is, I knew every word to all 22 songs. Overall, I can’t explain how ecstatic I was to be going, and how fulfilled I feel now that I have. Blink-182 was such a big part of my adolescence, whether it was how the subjects in their lyrics, such as young love and growing up, targeted my age group so well, or how my inter-

Upcoming events from ASB!

Battle of the bands Monday, Tuesday, Friday Oct. 26, 27, 29, 30. In front of the gym during lunch Sign up by Oct. 15 in room 70! Battle of the band finals Thursday, Nov. 19 6:30 in the gym Halloween activity Friday Oct. 30 In front of the gym during lunch. Wear a costume to school! Senior Java Friday, Oct. 30 during homeroom

Open Monday-Saturday 11:30-9:00 250 N. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 760.944.2882

Adopt a family starts Monday, Nov. 16 Blood Drive Tuesday, Nov. 17. 7:30-1:30 p.m. in the gym. Sign up in room 70! Must be 16 years or older

est in music was indefinitely sparked from them alone. They were my first real favorite band, and probably always will be. As my 18th birthday grows closer and closer, I think about everything that has happened in my life, and how much I have gone through and experienced. I will almost be an adult, and yet I still have many things to learn. What Blink 182 preached to me when I was younger portrayed a pretty accurate picture of what growing up was like. I have experienced first dates and parties, felt a series of emotions, fixed and solved problems, and soon, I will be going away to college. Going to this concert really put that into perspective for me. So maybe I didn’t wear a seatbelt belt or intertwined rubber sex bracelets to the concert, but for the hour and a half that their music played, I was in sixth grade again, sitting in my room and thinking that 16 seemed so far away.

Homecoming week: Monday, Oct. 19 - Saturday, Oct. 24

Homecoming assembly Friday Oct. 23 In the gym during homeroom Flag football game and carnival Friday Oct. 23. Games start at 3:45 p.m. 11 people per team (8 minimum-15 maximum) Sign up in room 70! Homecoming dance “Wild Wild West!” Saturday, Oct. 24 7:30-11 p.m. in the gym. Must have student ID!

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features 10.02.09

Summer win A Cameron Crow

s each summer rolls around, students from all over San Diego enter their photography in the Del Mar Fair competition. Each student’s work is put into one of five categories: color, black & white, manipulated, San Diego lifestyle, and music mania. Out of all the high school students’ pictures, the judges pick one picture to be “Best in Class.” We are proud to say that four SDA students won this award for their category, along with many well-deserved first and second place ribbons as well. Raveen Patel, sophmore, won for the color photos; Jessica Gray, sophomore, won for San Diego Lifestyle; Michelle Xu, sophomore, won for manipulated photo; and Lena Ohlson, sophmore, won for the ‘Music Mania’ category. All of the photos submitted by SDA students in the Del Mar Fair were on display for the public to view in the showcase room during the fair and were displayed at San Dieguito Academy’s student art gallery next to the Mustang Center last month. Story by Nina Comforti.

Greg Jackson

Dominique Etzel

Eric Rumble

Aaron Stiles

Jessica Gray

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Although the fall season usually represents the warm weather transitioning to the cold, this year, don’t let the California snows keep you shivering. Stay toasty by cuddling up to watch the many concerts, movies and TV shows that are coming up. Stories by Rieko Michelle Whitfield, Thea Brown, Bailey Mezan, Dana Pede, Taylor Chapin, Joceyln Lee, Nina Moussavi, Nina Comforti, Cara Reichard, Shelby Meyers, Kate Murphy, Liz Avila, Sandra Morales, Kerry Roberson, & Erika Mazza. Art by Rieko Michelle Whitfield.

foxsearchlight.com/whipit/

myspace.com/idamaria

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“Whip It” features all of the ingredients of a good movie. The plot, for one, is a new take on the journey to self-discovery. A normal Texas pageant girl decides to pursue a new interest in the ruthless sport, roller derby. The casting for the movie was also done well. Ellen Page (“Juno”) stars as the main character Bliss, while Alia Shawkat (“Arrested Development”) plays her best friend, Pash. Judging from the trailer, the cinematography is better than what you would suspect for a

When talk arose of a concert presented by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, most could not fathom a scenario more horrifying. However the results were quite the opposite. Hilton let little of his own flamboyant persona influence his production. As a result he mastered a beautiful combination of grunge and pop with the help of up-and-coming artists Ida Maria and Ladyhawke. Hilton’s two headliners portray themselves as the grungiest power couple since Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, but there are many complexities behind their duo. Ida Maria’s sure to charm alternative teens every-

teen drama. The only question surrounding “Whip It” is Drew Barrymore as a director. So far positive reviews have be reported for the movie. However, there is that looming cloud of failure to transcend from actor to director. Despite the threat of disappointment, “Whip It” looks to be one of the more interesting films coming out this fall. There is no need to wait, the film is out tonight. -T.B.

where, with lyrics like, — “I like you so much better when you’re naked.” Meanwhile Ladyhawke provides a perfect contrast to Maria’s loud, Rock’n’Roll composition with a much softer set of lyrics. She possesses a voice and style similar to Emily Haines from Metric with an 80’s inspired sound. She adds a sweet poppy side to Maria’s raspy rants. The “Semi Precious Weapons” tour is the final product to Perez Hilton’s most anticipated venture. The blogger offers a $30 show at the House of Blues tonight that is sure to impress even the most skeptical of critics. -B.M.

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backstreetboys.com

www.pearljam.com/

passionpitmusic.com

wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com

Ladies and gentlemen, the Backstreet Boys have returned to release “This Is Us” on October 6. But according to the band, it’s not a “comeback”—the BSB has been touring worldwide since their previous release of “Unbreakable” in 2007. Still, one listen of their prereleased single will have you begging to differ. While the “Unbreakable” album seemed halfhearted, a bit pathetic, and incomplete without Kevin Richardson, “Straight Through My Heart” promises a revival of the boy band era. Co-produced by RedOne, the mastermind behind “Just Dance” and “Pokerface,”

Pearl Jam will be playing with Relentless7 and Ben Harper on Friday, Oct. 9th at Viejas Arena, on their tour promoting their new album, “Backspacer.” Released on September 21st, “Backspacer” is a blend of upbeat, fast-paced songs reminiscent of the earlier works “Ten” and “Yield,” and beautiful ballads similar to front man (and former San Dieguito student) Eddie Vedder’s solo work for the soundtrack for “Into the Wild.” Their first album in four years, “Backspacer” was produced by Brendan O’Brien, who has worked with artists such as Bob Dylan and Aerosmith, and produced albums in the past for Pearl Jam. The single off the album, “The Fixer,” brings to mind a typical alt-rock band straight out of high-school

Melrose Place On The CW Tuesdays at 9

On New ision Telev

- complete with a little can-do attitude and “Yeah yeah yeah!” choruses. Yet Pearl Jam still retains the stripped down, emotional depth both musically and lyrically in songs such as “The End,” “Speed of Sound,” and folksy love song “Just Breathe,” as Vedder sings with a raw passion — “Oh, did I say that I want you?/Oh, if I didn’t I’m a fool you see/No one knows this more than me.” Overall, the album is a nice balance of catchy, dance-happy tunes and slower, gut-wrenching acoustic numbers. With “Backspacer” as part of an impressive career of nine studio albums, and many popular hits ranging from “Daughter” to “Alive,” the show is bound to be unforgettable. -M.W.

A band that classifies themselves as “indie-pop or electronic,” Passion Pit, debuted their first EP, “Chunk of Change,” in 2008; this album was originally created as a Valentine’s Day gift to frontman Michael Angelakos’ girlfriend and then later made into a released album. Shortly after the album was released, the quickly growing band found themselves playing a sold out audience at the Bowery Ballroom in New York. Since then, Passion Pit has released a full album titled “Manners,” which produced a few fan favorites such as “Little Secrets” and “Sleepyhead.”

The legendary book “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak published in 1963 quickly shaped the minds of young people for decades. Generation after generation fell in love with the little boy who befriended the beasts and became king of their land. Now, 47 years after the book was released, Sendak’s masterpiece has been made into a motion picture. Director Spike Jonze has spent the last four years working on “Where the Wild Things Are” to ensure

the single is irrefutably catchy and undeniably danceable. While the lyrics are repetitive and classically cheesy, that’s never prevented their standout vocals and addictive melodies from shining through. The rest of the album promises similar success; this time around, the Backstreet Boys have teamed up with Jim Jonsin, Dr. Luke, T-Pain, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, and Max Martin, who helped them produce their most successful album, “Millennium.” With this celebrity manpower and an ever-devoted fan base, “This Is Us” promises to be larger than life. -D.P.

This young band began to gain the spotlight when their hit “Sleepyhead” was featured on CW’s “Gossip Girl.” They also made their first television appearance on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” in July of this year. Passion Pit is slowly gaining their reputation as a group that isn’t afraid of taking risks with their music. They utilize the help of plug-ins on computer programs to help give themselves a very electronic feel. On Sept. 30, 2009 Passion Pit set out on a 27 city tour and will be playing at Soma on Thursday Oct. 15, 2009. -N.M.

that the movie lives up to the best selling children’s book. Jonze is most commonly known for his work on various music videos for artist such as The Beastie Boys, Weezer, The Chemical Brothers and Bjork, and this is his fourth motion picture. He has consulted for countless hours with Sendak to make sure his vision is an accurate rendition of the beloved book. This movie is set to release in all theater on Oct. 16, 2009 and is sure to be a box-office hit. -N.M.

Following the trend set by last year’s “90210”, the CW has now revived the 1990s show “Melrose Place,” which follows the lives of seven young adults in a West Hollywood apartment. The new show, just as drama-packed as its predecessor, has even held on

to two of the original actors, back for another run with their old roles—Sydney Andrews (Laura Leighton) has become the landlord, and Dr. Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro) is now the father of one of the apartment’s new tenants. The show starts the season

off at a rapid pace, with a dead body in the pool within the first ten minutes. After that there is only more drama, with relapsed alcoholics, secret relationships, and prostitution by desperate girls—in short, all the things that define these sorts of dramas. -C.R.

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newyorkiloveyouthemovie.com

After the success of “Paris, je t’aime”, writers Emmanuel Benbihy and Tristan Carné developed the concept for “New York, I Love You.” Following the style of “Paris, je t’aime” the new movie deals with several unusual love stories, all taking place in New York. Each story or segment is directed by a different director, giving the movie several takes on love in the big city. Though “New York, I Love You” is sure not to disappoint, it lacks the previous prestige. “Paris je t’aime” featured the work of many extremely tal-

The hip hop indie rock band Why? will be performing at The Loft at UCSD on Oct 22. The creativity of the abstract lyrics, chanting style vocals, and catchy rhythm has helped to create the almost dream-like sound that Why? has mastered. The intimacy of the venue, and the band’s power to envelop you in sound, will make the show unforgettable. Missing this show would be the equivalent of dropping an ideal sandwich

ented directors such as Joel and Ethan Coen, Gus Van San, and Wes Craven. “New York, I Love You” does however feature an impressive cast including Orlando Bloom, Christina Ricci, Hayden Christensen, Shia LeBeouf, Blake Lively, Rachel Bilson and many others. The movie will also be the directorial debut of Natalie Portman.. Production on the following movie, “Shanghai, I Love You” is planned to begin in fall of 2010. However, “New York, I Love You” comes out much sooner, on Oct. 16.

with perfection smeared on top. So don’t do it. Why? came out with a new album, “Eskimo Snow” on Sept 22. This album is said to have less of a hip hop element, and could be described as oddly conventional when compared to their previous albums. However, the band’s gift of lyricism is what continues to make Why? a success. -S.M.

myspace.com/whyanticon

monstersoffolk.com

teganandsara.com

Glee

On Fox Wednesday at 9

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On Sept. 22, the first day of all folk listeners’ lives began. That day the self-titled album by Monsters of Folk was released. This musical resemblance of Conor’s latest band, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, is an over-peppy balance of failed, superficial lyrics and monotonous chord progression. Three rights have made a left to the city of excessively happy and country-like music, unlike the previous work of both M. Ward (solo) and Conor Oberst’s most famous project Bright Eyes. It might be enjoyable to those that have an unfathomable appreciation for a mixture of Keith Urban and the Jenny Lewis’ album “Acid Tongue”, but for the most part is not what was expected with the prediction of the new band. The compilation of still genius folk artists, Conor Oberst, M. Ward, Mike Mogis and Jim James, will

The sister act of Tegan and Sara is due to release their “Sainthood” album this month following their 2004 album “So Jealous” and 2007’s “The Con.” Unlike the other albums, the sisters wrote these songs together as a team. They spoke out on how difficult it was to actually write together, but they said it was necessary in order to get the tone they were going for. Tegan and Sara decided to challenge themselves in the making of this album. They have always insisted on writing their songs separately, but they were up for the challenge of writing together in hopes of get-

There’s the diva with a loud voice. A soprano with a questionable gender. There’s the awkward girl with a trembling voice. A lonely cripple who just wants to belong. A perfectionist with two gay dads. And a quarterback who doesn’t just belong on the football field. This group of teenagers comes

together to their school’s Glee club,. The club supervisor, Will Schuester, puts himself to the challenge of helping these kids shine like when he was in the club back in his high school years, and perhaps he’d help them win at nationals. The task may be difficult, for the group of kids have a few weak

begin their tour on Oct 13, stopping by at Spreckels Theatre on Oct. 20. The show is around $60, and although pricey, well worth the money considering the band will be playing well-known Bright Eyes, M. Ward and My Morning Jacket songs. Not only this, but Spreckels theater is known for its cozy seating and above average acoustics. Although Monsters of Folk is not a favorable band when mentioned along with past, more famous projects of each artist, nonetheless it is appreciated. One shouldn’t undervalue what the concert will be, because Oct 20 will most definitely hold three of the most influential folk artists of modern day. Anyways, it might be one of those days where you say everything changed as if you just woke up. -E.M.

ting more ideas. “Sometimes it’s when you’re at your worst that you write you’re best music,” Tegan said. “The music that came out of it was complicated and difficult.” “Sainthood” was named based on one’s romantic obsession and the search for approval; the ‘hysterically devoted’ love, the sort that often goes unrequited. “We practice our sainthood in hopes that we will be rewarded with adoration,” the sisters said. The CD’s lineup can be seen online, but the overall product won’t be released until Oct. 27. spots to fill in. At home, Schuester struggles with a selfish wife who wants wealth, fortune, and babies. The pilot came out months before the premiere of the second episode. The new show isn’t much for those who aren’t fans of show tune musicals; they may find the Glee

club doing versions of many famous songs such as Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”.The ever-changing subplots make “Glee” interesting, along with the characters having flaws that make them somewhat realistic. At least “Glee” isn’t produced by Disney Channel, so it’s bound to be better than High School Musical. -J.L.

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10.02.09

Lyn Cassady(George Clooney) is a shady character that claims to be part of a confidential wing of the U.S. military. A reporter named Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) decides to follow his story in order to forget his recently failed marriage. Wilton is unexpectedly thrown into an escapade when he finds out that Cassady is actually part of The New Earth Army, a group that uses ancient Chinese mind techniques to change the way to fight wars. The top-secret group has developed “unparalled psychic powers to read enemy’s

michellebranch.com

www.fantasticmrfoxmovie.com

On The CW Wednesday at 9

Surprisingly enough, Michelle Branch has more than one album. She has three. Surprisingly enough, Michelle Branch has not been dormant since the 2003 release of “Hotel Paper.” She and Jessica Harp have been playing in a country duo named The Wreckers. And surprisingly enough, Michelle Branch has a new album dropping this November. She is calling it “Everything Comes and Goes.”

Roland Emmerich knows the world is ending. He has tried to warn us before, but “The Day After Tomorrow” and “Independence Day” did not get the point across enough. He has now systematically combined all of his previous alerts into the rapture that is “2012.” The bottom line is, we are all going to die. According to Emmerich, sometime in the near future, give or take a few years, everything on Earth will fail. Our weather will turn against us due to global warming. Meteors will come plummeting into our major cities. The ground will give out below our feet. Aliens will come and zap us to death. And it involves the entire world. Previous messages were

whowillsurvive2012.com

The Beautiful Life

thoughts, pass through solid walls, and even kill a goat simply by staring at it.” The true story of Cassady and Wilton’s expedition together may prove to be a worthwhile endeavor. The movie also features Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey, and is included in the 2006 Black List, a list of the best unproduced movies of the year. It will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival before it hits theatres Nov. 6. -K.R.

specifically targeted towards America, warning us of our impending doom. There were mentions of travesties elsewhere, but now he is recognizing the global effect of the Earth ending. The solution of course, lies within the conclusion of the movie (or so we hope). John Cusack is to deliver the prophecy in order to soften the blow with his air of sarcasm and wit. Hopefully he will not detract from the true message, like the choice of heartthrob Jake Gyllenhall in “The Day After Tomorrow.” America, and the rest of the world should see the movie on Nov. 12 to understand once and for all, we are all going to die. -T.B.

Just by glancing down the cast list, “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” screams Wes Anderson. The movie stars his favorite four: Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman. Anderson added fire to his cast by recruiting Oscar-Winners George Clooney and Meryl Streep. The movie, however, does not fit the common mold for an Anderson film. He decided to touch the area he probably shouldn’t have in cinema with his history of highly dysfunctional families leaning towards suicide and drugs; children’s cinema. “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” is based upon the novel

Spotted: Ashton Kutcher producing a new “Gossip Girl” lookalike on the CW. “The Beautiful Life: TBL” is a window into New York’s elite – the glamorous and risqué lives of teenage, high-fashion models. If there isn’t quite enough drama or cute boys in “America’s Next Top Model,” this show will most likely

fulfill your desires. In the pilot episode, Chris Andrews, an innocent and unknowledgable farmboy from Iowa, is discovered by an agency and attempts the model life for one day. So far, he does not succeed. But don’t worry, because one scene does manage to show him in only underwear.

The album is said to feature Branch’s country flavor, but with pop overtones. The first single from “Everything Comes and Goes” was released in January, so fans have a good feel of what should be expected. It has much more of a country influence than anticipated. Dropping Nov. 10, e can only hope that the album is all that we wanted. -T.B.

by Roald Dahl. It tells the tale of several farmers who are unhappy with the animals living nearby. Conflicts arise and ultimately the animals get what they want. In the Anderson version, the characters have obvious flaws, a high tolerance for sarcasm, and one of the best compilation soundtracks to date. The film should be highly anticipated for not only Wes Anderson fans, but their kids as well. If you are not interested in seeing the actual movie, you should at least go to see the strange demographic in the audience on Nov. 13. It should be quite the turnout.-T.B.

A love story is already blooming between Chris and young model Raina Mayer (Sara Paxton), who is rapidly rising to the top of her field. And thank God Corbin Bleu and Mischa Barton are back into the spotlight with leading roles – ever since “High School Musical 2” and “The OC” we have been deprived.

Although the ambiance of the show, already in first episode, presents itself as overly dramatic and powerfully cliché, the young cast seems to make the trashy storyline somewhat believable and undeniably interesting. Like many other shows on the CW, this could turn into a new guilt-filled addiction. -K.M.

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After the concert was cancelled in August, the Swedish trio band Peter Bjorn & John are re-scheduled to play at the House of Blues Nov. 18. Best known for their 2006 album “Young Folks” and their most recent album “Writer’s Block,” Peter Bjorn & John have made a significant impact on the indie rock world. The band is named after its three members: Peter Morén, Björn Yttling and John Eriksson. Together, they combine the harmonica, drums, percussion,

peterbjornandjohn.com

brokenembraces.co.uk/

disney.go.com/disneypictures/princessandthefrog/

Vampire Diaries On The CW Thursday at 8

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Pedro Almodovar, the director of “Talk to Her” and “Volver”, is back with yet another dramatic film. Set to premiere on Nov. 20th, Broken Embraces, told between present day and flashbacks is a four-way tale of L’amour-fou (French for mad love and mad passion). In the film, Luis Homar plays a screenwriter and ex-director named Mateo Blanco who loses his sight and love, Lena, in a brutal car accident. At the time of the accident which Lena was the mistress of an obsessive and powerful millionaire, Ernesto Martel. Lena, played by Oscar winner Penelope Cruz, was a secretary and part-time call girl determined to become a big screen success. Harry Caine took an inter-

And so the princess kisses the frog or at least she should in this movie. John Musker and Ron Clemens, Disney writers and creators of “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin,” have created the first African-American Disney princes. The creators bring you a new classic love story with a little twist; Anika Noni Rose (“Dream Girls”) voices the heroine, Tiana, Bruno Campos (“Nip/Tuck”), voices the “frog” Prince Naveen from the land of Maldonia, and Oprah Winfrey voices Tiana’s mother. Prince Naveen is transformed into a frog by an evil-

theroad-movie.com/

guitars and vocals to create their musical masterpieces. They have been playing together since high school, but didn’t officially become a band until 1999. Fellow Swedish band, El Perro Del Mar, will be opening the tour for the band. El Perro Del Mar wasn’t started until 2003 and in spring 2008 they released “From the Valley to the Stars.” With a combination of these two bands, the concert is expected to be upbeat and lively. You’ve got nothing to worry about; tickets are just $20. -N.C.

magician. The free spirited frog prince then mistakes Tiana, a waitress and aspiring chef from Louisiana, as a princess. Naveen believes that by kissing Tiana, he will turn into the gorgeous, smooth talking prince he had been. Instead he turns Tiana into a frog and both must reach the good voodoo priestess in Louisiana. The story is promising and exciting; the animations include hand drawn images that have not been seen in Disney movies since 2004. However we will have to wait to enjoy the new Disney princess as the film releases Nov. 25. -L.A.

Everyone loves a heart-warming father-son story. Now take this sentimental appeal and place it against a backdrop of barren landscapes, burning forests, and cannibals. From the same author that inspired the movie “No Country for Old Men” comes the long awaited big-screen rendition of the Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “The Road,” portraying the struggles of a father and son determined to survive in a post-apocalyptic America. Starring Academy Award nominee Viggo Mortensen as the man, and young Hollywood rookie Kodi Smitt-McPhee as the boy, the film also boasts a talented cast of Charlize Theron, Robert

The new TV show “The Vampire Diaries” is a combination you never wanted to see: three parts “Twilight” and one quarter “True Blood.” On their own, these original vampire sagas are tolerable but the new addition of this CW series sends this teen vampire craze over the top. Everywhere you look, there are

vampires, fangs, and bloodlust. The contribution to the fad introduces the story of a 17-year-old Elena Gilbert, played by “Degrassi’s” Nina Dobrev, who recently lost her parents in a tragic car crash that her brother and she survived. Enter mysterious, hot stranger Stefan Salvatore, vampire in dis-

est in Lena and decided to audition her for his latest film “Girls and Suitcases”. In response to the growing mutual interest the jealous Ernesto commissioned his son, Ray, to make a documentary about the making of “Girls and Suitcases” as an excuse to spy on the director and star- Lena. Ray’s false documentary enables Martel to watch Mateo’s and Lena’s every move, setting the stage for the producer’s elaborate revenge against Mateo. The story of Mateo, Lena, and Ernesto is a story dominated by fatality, jealousy, and betrayal- all the variables needed to create dramatic and thrilling movie. -S.M.

Duvall, and Guy Pearce. Throughout the story, the audience is kept (almost literally) in the dark: no names are ever mentioned, and we never find out exactly how nearly the entire surface of the earth met its demise. Nonetheless, we feel a personal connection with our two protagonists, and desperately hope they make it to safety. On Nov. 25th, McCarthy fans and newcomers alike will appreciate this dark tale of survival, while being provided a deep insight into the incredible capabilities of unconditional love. -M.W.

guise, played by Paul Wesley, who becomes an instant heart throb at Mystic Falls High. In short, “The Vampire Diaries” epitomizes painfully bad acting and the cast’s unlikely resemblance to high school students is far fetched with most of looking like they’re in their early twenties.

The plot is predictable and the drama is only mildly amusing, but admittedly, it is regrettably addicting due to its bevy of good-looking people, love, lust, and betrayal. Watching it is similar to the feeling of driving past a car crash where you want to look away but just can’t. -T.C.

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McNalley forgot his bagpipe this time The New Archaic, with SDA’s Tim McNalley, won Best New Artist at the San Diego Music Awards. shelby meyers

reviously known as the boy with the guitar and the long straight hair, Tim McNalley has now transformed from “that kid” to become a prominent piece in the music industry, just with shorter hair. There was a lull in McNalley’s life until the prime age of 12 when he picked up his first instrument. Four years later, McNalley is now being recognized for his accomplishments in the music business. His band, The New Archaic received a San Diego Music Award for Best New Artist on Sept 10. This four piece band is also comprised of two SDA alumni, Tolan Shaw and Joe Harrison and LCC alumni, Sean Carrol. The Music Awards held their 19th annual ceremony with artists including famed Slightly Stoopid, Jason Mraz and Switchfoot. The award was received just weeks after McNalley joined the band. Despite his recent admission, McNalley already helps with many of the political decisions including song writing. He stated that, “I’ve melded nicely with the band,” he said With his bass in hand, McNalley enrolled in Moonlight Music band camp in sixth grade and began to devote many hours to his instrument. Throughout middle school, McNalley began play music in any way that he could. He said, “I learned to play with basic rock band instruments and from there learned to play instruments such as keyboards, sitar and now I’m working on the clarinet.” In junior high and high school, McNalley began to dabble with various bands and musical groups. He often played with Brenden Dellar, including their band that won second

place in the battle of the bands last year. He has also played acoustic sets with SDA junior, Lara Fleck and SDA alumni, Amanda Walker. An important past band that got him connected with older musicians was Mudfish, created in 2007, featuring SDA alumni, Paul Martino and Austin Hidalgo and SDA senior Casey Dayan. At the time, his collaboration with older musicians was an unknown key to his future success in the business. “People would be having jams and would invite me. I was then playing with people three years older than me. I guess because of these connections, I am now playing with college kids,” McNalley said. McNalley’s connections helped to lead to his involvement with The New Archaic. He was noticed and asked to join as the bassist when he played a few gigs at the local Andrew’s Gallery this past summer: “It is casual and comfortable [to work with this new band]. I have been hanging out and playing with aged people for a long time. I am glad that it’s an established and more serious band than the other bands I’ve been in.” In the weeks following the award show, the band played at the House of Blues. McNalley said, “It wasn’t as empowering as you might imagine. But it felt really good to be up there. It felt natural, too. You’d think that if you played a bigger venue, you’d feel less connected with the audience, but I felt connected. It’s also really nice to play with professional sound people and stage managers instead of bars and other less professional venues.” The music that The New Archaic plays is mostly pop rock; however there are also avantgarde elements to spice it up.

There will be a band picture from tonight.

Thea Brown

Rock It McNalley harmonizes with Shaw during a free show at Lou’s Records celebrating the release of their new EP.

They released their EP “Outlined” on Sept 24. To celebrate, they played a show for their hometown fans at Lou’s records.

More shows are planned for the next months in a tour of the McNalley hopes that the successful band will help him with

his future in music. He said, “I would like to go far with any musical product, whether it be this band or otherwise.”

Comdey Sportz: Out with the old and in with the new nina comforti

very June, SDA says goodbye to its graduating class including the Comedy Sportz front men, leaving the remaining students to fill their shoes. This

year in particular the Comedy Sportz team has a tough act to follow. But judging by the first game, they’re going to be just fine. Laughter was contagious throughout the theatre when the

new team tested out the waters for this coming year on Sept. 11 at the Roundabout Theater. With a new year comes new members, and this year a record number of about 40 students have joined the Comedy Sportz

Club. Most of them seem to be freshmen and sophomores. Dimitri Fautsch and Kirby Lochner are the year’s acting coaches with Gordy as the team’s manager, and Brice as the house manager.

Lochner said, “It’s tough to live up to previous seniors, but I think the management is top notch this year and we can reach for the stars. If we miss, we can land on the moon.”

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A newmagnetic repuation Attracting fans left and right taylor chapin

hayley baker

F-Yeah! All the way from Altanta Georgia, pop punk band the Carbonas plays for a group of rowdy fans awaiting their favorite bands

Saving our state parks, one moshpit at a time F-Yeah Festival raises both funds and awareness for our state parks hayley baker

n a hot Los Angeles day, Chinatown locals saw a sight that they probably weren’t expecting. Hundreds of people wrapped around the base of the metro station waiting to get into Los Angeles Historic Park blending into a homogenous smear of colorful, piercings and thrift store clothes. They were waiting for the annual F-Yeah Festival, an independent music festival focused on providing low-cost show representing a variety of genres of music. But this year’s festival was to be put on with a purpose: raising money through ticket sales and bringing attention to the threat to California state parks. On July 28, Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the state budget which contained an additional $6 million cut to state parks; it is estimated that 100 will be shut down out of 279. There is yet to

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be a closure list, but some names SDA students might recognize of the 17 San Diego County region state parks are Moonlight Beach, San Elijo, and Torrey Pines. That is not to mention the many parks located around popular UC and CSU universities, whose fate will directly affect graduating seniors and future college-bound students. Although the state of our State parks was far from the minds of the F-yeah fest attendees, illustrated by the generous amounts of fliers and empty plastic beer bottles covering the park in a thin layer by the end of the night, the intention was good. For each $20 ticket an extra dollar was charged to go to foundations fighting to keep our parks open. The gates opened at 1 P.M., and the bands played until midnight. The lineup ranged from punk bands like Mika Miko, to Converge, a metallic hardcore group. Fans illustrated this spanning spectrum of musical tastes.

Brutal kids sported stretched ears and cutoff jeans, while a range of indie kids brought anything from patterned tights to flowing scarves to the table. Despite the hodge-podge of subcultures there was an atmosphere of respect for all genres, which allowed all festival attendees to enjoy the experience to the maximum. As the last bands finished up with their final songs, F-Yeah Festival attendees stumbled out of the park into the streets leaving their litter and lost personal belongings. The scene was a little ironic, as the aftermath of an event attempting to support state parks left one practically in ruins. It’s hard to say if the attendees realized that their participation in F-Yeah Fest would go on to do greater good, but at least that greater good would have the support of their ticket purchases, and the festival volunteers left with the mess will have a new appreciation for park cleanup and park management.

Want to get out of town? Check out these upcoming events! Crosby, Stills, and Nash Greek Theater, Los Angeles Sat. Oct. 3 Joshua Tree Roots Music Festival Joshua Tree Sat.-Sun. Oct. 10 and 11 Treasure Island Music Festival San Francisco Sat. - Sun, Oct. 17 and 18 Gogol Bordello The Grove of Anaheim Sun. Oct. 18 Devo Music Box at the FONDA Los Angeles Tues. Nov. 3

he title of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros’ debut album “Up From Below” says it in more than one way. Rising from obscurity, this 10-piece folk-rock smorgasbord is quickly establishing a name for itself with recognition from Rolling Stone and photo documentation by the indie photographer Mark “The Cobra Snake” Hunter. Touring the U.S. in an old Greyhound bus, the ensemble posed for album art amidst communal farms reminiscent of the Summer of Love. Front man Alex Ebert gets back to basics with the Magnetic Zeros alongside his girlfriend Jade Castrinos (who contributes enchanting female vocals in the track entitled “Home”). He made the move to return to a simpler way of life without internet or a cell phone with the Edward Sharpe ensemble after losing a major record deal. Ironically, the group itself contains no band member dubbed Edward Sharpe. Instead, it is a character from Ebert’s writing about transcendence into a musical universe reflecting his hippie roots. Upbeat, sing-a-long “Janglin’” and “Home,” and rousing “40-Day Dream” echo the style of The Arcade Fire. With lyrics such as — “Hot and heavy/Pumpkin Pie/Chocolate Candy/Jesus Christ,” the deep undertones are intertwined with playfulness. The breezy music is adeptly composed. Although criticized for pretentiously portraying a 1969 image as the music’s true message gets jumbled into confusion, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros are likeable up and comers who will soon be finding themselves center stage. They will be playing on Nov. 3 at the Belly-Up Tavern in Solana Beach, and Oct. 18 at San Francisco’s Treasure Island Music Festival. It is a two day event that will also be featuring MGMT, MSTRKRFT, and Girltalk as well as The Flaming Lips, Beirut, and The Decemberists.

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Remember their names

Young cast of ‘Fame’ relates to characters and updates dances and songs in remake for new generation to enjoy. nicole fisher

nna Maria Perez de Tagle attended Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. She only imagined what it would be like to appear in a movie. Last month, she watched herself on the big screen in“Fame” play a student at the New York Academy of Performing Arts. She could have been playing herself. “When I was doing the movie it felt so surreal to me. It was kind of like déjà vu,” Perez de Tagle said in an interview with the Mustang and other school newspapers last month. Yet at the same time Perez de Tagle and Joy do have their differences. “She [Joy] is very much an extrovert and I am more shy and reserved. It takes me a little more time to warm up to someone. It was fun to play a different character,” she said. Before Fame, she acted in “Hannah Montana” and both

“Camp Rock” and “Camp Rock 2.” “Disney opened many doors for me. To be a part of a name like [“Fame”], that is so big,” she said. “Fame” is a remake of the 1980 Academy Award winning film which was turned into a television series as well. The movie follows students at the New York Academy of Performing Arts. The film has been modernized since the original. Perez de Tagle feels like it is “a real gritty film” that shows the true side of the business. “There is nothing cookie cutter, sugar coat[ed] about it. There is no easy button. You really see the hard work,” she said. The dance numbers and songs have been updated but overall the two films are similar. “The songs are amazing and the dances are incredible. You will be sitting on the edge of your seat wanting more,” she said.

Perez de Tagle’s most memorable experience on set was working with Debbie Allen, a dance legend who was part of the 1980 cast. She was the only cast member to have a one on one scene with Allen. The scene was nerve racking and intimidating but Allen was enjoyable to work with, according to Perez de Tagle. “I absolutely love Debbie Allen. She is the sweetest woman. [It is a] scene to remember and I hope to touch many with the scene,” she said. Even though the movie is about making your big break in the entertainment industry, Perez de Tagle feels like the message can apply to anyone. “The main [idea] is dreaming big [and] staying true to yourself. I really feel like it generalizes for any field in life. It is about having a dream and sticking to a dream and everyone can relate to that,” Perez de Tagle said.

http://www.generationfame.com/presskit/22/

Practice makes perfect Anna Maria Perez de Tagle plays Joy in “Fame.” Joy is an actress who becomes discovered through a Youtube video.

Ultimate steeze Katie Lackey, junior, and Bryan Hee, senior, rep their steeze and original hair styles. By Maddie Lyon and Taylor Chapin Necklace: cousin made it

Shirt: Home

Dress: sister made it

Watch: stole it from Mischa Rings: baazars and thrift stores

Pants: Flashbacks

Sandals: surf shop in PB

Shoes: out of a dumpster

Estimated cost: $40

Estimated cost: $30

Personal Style: creative

Personal Style: rockin’ the mullet

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The

Mustang Messenger Real News for Real People

Vending machines moved By CARA REICHARD As you probably all have noticed, our faithful vending machine was given a new home over the weekend. Although for years we’ve all been comforted by its constant, never-ceasing presence in between the science and history buildings, the administration appears to have decided that it would better serve us all the way on the other side of campus. “Students have repeatedly pointed out to me that the west side of campus has, not only the snack vending machine, but also the ones to the left and right of it that deal exclusively in water and Gatorade, respectively,” our principal explained. “I thought it was time to even things out a bit.” Although his intentions appear good, the question remains whether

or not this change could, in fact, throw a major twist into peoples’ daily routines. Some students seem quite alarmed. “I went down after third period to buy some barbeque corn nuts, like I do almost every day,” said sophomore Garrett Gale. “And, like, it wasn’t there. “There was the water machine, and the Gatorade machine, but the food vending machine was gone. I thought I was losing my mind, like I had forgotten where it was or something. I was looking everywhere, I was late for third period ‘cause I was wandering all over looking for it. When someone finally told me what happened later that day, I mean, I was pissed. I swear the administration is just trying to screw with us.” Junior Megan Gregory’s reaction was even angrier. “What are they thinking, throwing something like

Teen girl doesn’t want drama By DIMITRI FAUTSCH After multiple dramatic incidents in the past couple of weeks Courtney Quinn is “sick of all the drama, and just wants everybody to shut up.” The drama started when Quinn screamed at a freshman to get a smaller backpack. Little did she know, the freshman was the brother of a popular girl in Quinn’s grade. The subsequent fallout prompted the drama threat level to rise to orange–a level which hasn’t been seen since the infamous bitch slap of 2002. “You know it’s just annoying when people want drama, I just don’t want it anymore,” said a visibly frustrated Quinn. Her proclamation may come as a surprise to most, as Quinn was seen talking mad smack and starting drama behind the science buildings during passing period. “I’m just living my life, and if anybody has a problem with that, then they’re just too ugly,” said Quinn. Quinn’s statements have caused ripples throughout the geopolitical landscape. “You know I really empathize with Quinn, all I’m trying to do is a little nuclear fission and the UN is all up in my face about it, you know causing drama and whatnot,” said North Korean leader Kim-Jong Il.

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Dimitri Fautsch

Drama be gone Bitchy texts are now a thing of the past

Quinn has repeatedly wanted an end to all the drama, but has failed to produce, which has called some people to question the legitimacy of her claim. “Like, I’m Courtney’s friend and I don’t want to be the Brutus to her Caesar, but she kind of likes starting drama,” said an anonymous friend of Quinn’s. “I can’t wait to go to college and just discover my true self,” added Quinn.

this at us in the middle of year?” Gregory asked. “I mean, so, okay, we spend four months walking the same route every freaking day, and I know exactly where to stop to get some pretzels if I’m hungry before fourth, and then they just have to go and do this? Are they trying to screw us over? Don’t they realize that we have enough to be stressed over without various objects around school magically transporting themselves to the other side of campus? I mean, what’s next? My history classroom decides to relocate itself to the student parking lot? I mean come on!” Will the student body be able to adjust itself to this unexpected turn of events? Or will the administration soon be seeing some nasty results of their possibly not so well thought through decision?

The high school hitch

Jocelyn Lee

Fiery planet When asked why he thought the adminstration moved the machines, one student thought that some people just wanted to see the world burn.

Fire marshal declares closecontact couples fire hazard

By KYLE SHOHFI

By HAYLEY BAKER

Oh. My. God. Over the last few months my phone has been ringing off the freaking hook. Actually, just kidding, they’ve all been texts, but whatever. The point is people have questions and I have the answers. This month in my advice column I will be addressing a primary concern of the female population. The numero uno thing that people have been asking me is “How do I know if he likes me back?” Lucky for you, I have personally developed a test to see if your own personal dreamboat’s afloat. Test number one: ask a girlfriend to ask one of his friends if he likes you. You don’t drink water straight from the river, so you shouldn’t get this juicy scoop right from the source either. Test number two: go to your special man’s Facebook page. If he doesn’t have one, make him one. Then you can be the judge of whether or not you’re “in a relationship.” Test number three: climb on top of your roof to watch the sunset. Bring your cat with you; they’re always calming. Once the sun has set, throw your cat off of the roof. If it lives, looks like you have a boyfriend. If it dies, you don’t have a boyfriend. Or a cat.

The fire marshal declared on Sept 28 that close-contact couples would not be allowed to touch each other during passing, lunch, and preferably ever. While performing the routine couch-hunting inspection, the marshal found himself caught in a student-jam in the halls. Horrified at this obvious threat to fire safety, the marshal scrambled to identify the source of the build up, found to be a sophomore couple “making out.” The new rule is to be carried out immediately, and any couples found linking arms or lips will be first issued a warning, to be followed by administration enforced uniform code: a big bright “M” to be embroidered onto the clothes of all “make out” violators. “We cannot have students endanger the lives of others just because they need to release hormonal tension,” the administration said. Students reaction to the new rule is a mixture of extreme relief and outrage. “I can’t really say why I always made out with my girlfriend in the halls. I knew I was threatening the lives of my fellow peers, I guess I just felt social pressure to show off the fact that I have a girlfriend that lets me touch her,” said Craig

Kiss of death Fire related deaths see dramatic drop as close-contact banned.

Brown. “Now that it’s against the rules I have an excuse not to give into the pressure” Other students demand the right to display their pre-sexual prowess and are petitioning to get designated “make-out” areas on campus. “It isn’t fair. As a free individual I should be able to give into my animalistic desires whenever I feel the urge to do so. There are plenty of areas on campus that are out of the way enough so that kissing and dryhumping would not endanger the quality of our fire safety procedure,” said Laura Pataki. For the rest of the sexually stable student body, the rule insures students against tardies caused by making-out and other mild sexual activity between fellow peers. But such a protection of safety comes with a price; students will lose the once-free and widely accessible soft-core pornography.

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sports 10.02.09

Take that! After beating LCC, the varsity field hockey team is on its way to be league champions. pauline disch

n the scorching heat on Sept. 23, the underdog Mustangs were in a pickle against La Costa Canyon. The Mavericks had scored in the beginning of the second half, so SDA had to make a comeback. It was not apparent that there was any inexperience with these girls, because thanks to a team effort from senior Heather Scruggs and junior Kailie Pasko, the tying goal was scored to bring the game into overtime. It was a sudden death situation, meaning the first team to score wins. After driving the ball down the field, junior Arianna Crowe (11) and again Pasko worked together to win the game 2-1. The victory over LCC was inspired by the girls’ teamwork and senior communication. Varsity coach Brooke Wilson said that one of the team’s strengths is in their three seniors: Heather Scruggs, Mia Sprau, and Melanie Gerdes. In the LCC game, the seniors were clearly dominant on the field in talking with other girls and being the first to the ball. All the girls, but especially seniors, battled past physcal con-

tact of LCC to keep the passes flowing to one another. The team is now 5-0 and last year they finished 20-5. “We have a solid group of conditioned athletes, allowing us to not have to prepare to ‘get into shape’ as they have started the season in excellent shape,” said Wilson. The team, though, has a number of newcomers this year. “We have many new comers to the Varsity squad as we graduated seven seniors last season. Six out of the seven were offense and therefore we are rebuilding a strong offensive line this season,” she said. Despite this conflict of new players, the team has been successful with several stand-out wins, including a victory over CCA to win the Academy Cup. Other games have been rewarding victories; senior Mia Sprau has a personal favorite. “My favorite game was when we played Valley Center. They are our arch rivals from last year and we ended the game at short corners which is really intense,” said Sprau. Short corners are similar to corner kicks for soccer; a penalty resulting in a positioned re-entry of the ball by the team who did

nina moussavi

Keep Away Junior Arianna Crowe looks ahead to pass and, eventually, score for a victory against Academy rival CCA.

not cause the original penalty. “Our goals are to play together as one team and to

connect passes and finish plays. We are also adjusting to new people in new positions, but we

will make it work for a successful and winning season!” said Wilson.

Making a splash Thanks to one motivated freshman, SDA may have a water polo team to take the plunge into competition. pauline disch

n the past, aquatic athletes have been unable to compete for SDA. Thanks to one ambitious freshman the school has added something new to the fall and winter agenda. Water polo is going to become a part of the Mustang family and will provide aquatic athletes, both boys and girls, with the opportunity to show off their skills in the pool. This sport was brought to the school’s attention by freshman Daniel Sullivan. By communicating with the athletic director John Labeta, vice principal Marc Trocchio, and Boys and Girls Club of Solana Beach, Sullivan got permission to give the team a try. Trocchio sent out a school-

wide e-mail to let parents and students know about the possible school team. Sullivan had previously played water polo for the Boys and Girls Club in past years and wanted to compete for the school. “At this point it’s too late to get an actual team started to compete against other schools this year,” said Sullivan, “but hopefully we can practice and have enough scrimmages so we can become a strong team and be prepared to compete next year.” The school did not have any water sports before because of money combined with a lack of interest, according to Trocchio. “We would love to have a full aquatics program, but at

pauline disch

Mission Accomplished Daniel Sullivan is the frshman who made the sport come together.

LCC they pay $20,000 for things like the pool, equipment, etc.,” Trocchio said. The LCC water polo team practices from 7 to 10 p.m. because there are only

certain times they are allowed to use the pool at the YMCA, he added. At Fall Sports Night 19 boys and nine girls showed up with an interest in joining the water polo program. Both Sullivan and his mother are determined to bring the sport to the school and explained to parents and students what their plan was. The boys’ season is supposed to be during the fall and girls’ season in the winter. However, there will be co-ed practices so the girls’ team can be prepared for their season and be knowledgeable about the game. Junior Kyle Shumate, who attended the meeting at Fall Sports Night, has been a competitive swimmer for the YMCA

and is looking forward to competing in water polo. “I’m disappointed it started so late, but I’m glad it came up so I can play it for my last two years of high school. I have practiced messing around in the pool at my house with water polo, but now I’m excited to play for real,” Shumate said. The water polo team is practicing Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Solana Beach Boys and Girls club year-round to allow players to become more familiar with the sport. Sullivan said the team might use one or two lanes at the YMCA pool to practice swimming skills, but he says that this will depend on the amount of time other schools are using it.

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Mustang

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You just got served

The varsity tennis team starts off the season against Division 1 schools and return with success. kaylin greene

he shadows on SDA’s tennis court grew long as the last two tennis matches against Santa Fe Christian on the afternoon of Sept. 24 were drawing to a close. Jenai Machhi, sophomore, was playing effortlessly against her opponent. The match ended quickly and Machhi won an easy 6-3. Meanwhile, Sami Maisel, senior, was playing a tough match against her opponent. She reached long for returns on every volley, making bold sweeps with her racket. It was clear that her rival was not going to be defeated so easily. The score was at 2-5, SFC ahead, when Maisel sent her last ball flying high and out of bounds. She lost 2-6. Overall, SDA brought home a 13-5 win for the Mustangs against Santa Fe Christian. The girls team began the season with an 8-10 loss to San Marcos, but made up for it by defeating Carlsbad 10-8. Both of these matches were against schools outside of our Coastal league. The team looks forward to a season filled with challenge and potential. According to varsity coach Joe Tomasi, the team has ambitions to finish well in the top of the league. “We have

nina moussavi

Aced it Senior Sami Maisel strides to return the ball to her opponent and score a point in a game against Bishops at SDA. The team unfortunately lost 6-12.

two goals, one is to have a winning record, and another is to make the playoffs,” Tomasi said. The tennis team finished fifth in the league last year and was not able to make CIF playoffs. The team recently finished sixth out of 15 schools in the First Serve Girls’ High School Tournament held at the Barnes

Center near Sea World. “They were all Division 1 Schools, and the girls did really well,” Tomasi said. SDA is a smaller Division 3 school. Many players graduated last year. One of the strengths of the team is that it is full of young players, Tomasi said. And indeed, the tennis roster for this

year is composed of a majority of underclassmen. This gives players the opportunity to build skills and become a stronger team for as long as they attend the Academy, he said. A freshman joining the team, would be involved for the full four years; however, the team’s youth can also be a weaknesses.

“We’re inexperienced and need more practice,” Tomasi said. Tomasi pointed out some standouts for some of the latest tennis matches. These players include Kinsey Volkart, junior, playing singles and a team composed of Samantha Kin, senior, and Perri Callaway, sophomore, for doubles.

Girls golf takes a swing at success Last year’s budget cuts had led to the folding of the girls golf team. A freshman golfer, though, has been able to ressurect it. kaylin greene

s of spring of last year, the girls golf team was going to be cut from SDA’s sports program because of the ever-tightening budget and lack of interest in past years. There were only about 6 to 8 girls on the team last year, but the team had to forfeit matches often due to a low turnout of players. However, the efforts of freshman Victoria Lee, and her mother, Van Oyama, have helped bring team back. “I didn’t want to see the school lose the opportunity for a sport event for students to participate in,” Oyama said. Her daughter, Lee, had only taken a few lessons at the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course when her coach mentioned that funding for the golf program at San

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Diguito Academy was cut. “Basically what happened last year was several coaching positions were cut and golf was one of them. When Oyama heard about this, she sent out emails to get people interested in resurrecting the girls golf team. “Once we got the level of interest we needed, the team had to raise money to provide funds for the team, a coach being the most expensive cost,” athletic director John Labeta said.The team needed to gather about $6,000 to be able to pay for a coach, uniforms, and equipment. Through bake sales held at Encinitas Ranch Golf Course, the team was able to raise $500. Oyama was also able to collect money from an employee at her work. “[But] we still have $1,500 more to raise,” she said. If the team is not able to

raise enough money, the athletic council may float a loan using money from other sports until they can pay in full, according to Labeta. Girls golf now has eight solid players, two of whom are juniors and six of whom are freshmen. The team also has a full league schedule—Santa Fe Christian folded their own golf team, which made it possible for SDA’s team to move in and take their place. “We’re doing very good this year for starting from fresh and having freshmen who have never played the sport before. We’re looking to build up the team, to get stronger…so that other girls have the opportunity to join,” Oyama said. “We also have a very good coach.” The girls golf coach is Doug Timmons, who owns his own

golf clothing line. “I would like the girls to learn about the game of golf first and have fun. Golf is a great game that they will be able to enjoy their whole lives. All of the girls are in the beginning stages so they will all see huge improvements by the end of the season,” Timmons said. “We have 2 girls that have been playing a bit longer and I hope make it to the CIF Tournament: Pauline Disch [junior] and Victoria Lee [freshman],” he added. “We’re really close because we help each other out and we’re all beginners,” Lee said. “If the program can continue to grow, I think it will be very successful. We have an influx of freshman,” said Labeta, “I think it’s fantastic that Van [Oyama] and her group have salvaged the SDA girls golf team.”

courtesy of van oyama

Driven to succeed Freshman Molly Kovacs practices at Encinitas Ranch Golf Course on the driving range.

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sports 10.02.09

The steeds upset the

knights

The varsity girls volleyball team uses their team chemistry to defeat their opponents. pauline disch

nina moussavi Rising to the occasion Junior Kim Rabii of the varsity squad hangs in mid-air to return a hit made by San Marcos.

n their first league game of the season, SDA’s girl’s varsity volleyball team had a noteworthy victory over San Marcos. Of the five possible rounds in a match, SDA won the first three, causing it to be a fairly speedy victory on Sept. 16. SDA showed that they were a far more experienced team by communicating on all ends of the court giving them a huge advantage over San Marcos. They did have one disadvantage: considering it was an away game, SDA’s fan base was smaller than that of the San Marcos knights, but they didn’t let that get their spirits down. Chanting after every point they scored, the whole team (including the girls off the court) showed their team spirit and support for one another. SDA brought home a proud win for the Mustangs crushing San Marcos 3-0. According to Head Varsity coach Dexter Harvey, the team’s goals are to win their league and, eventually, make it to the finals for CIF. As of Sept. 22 the girls are 5-2 and ended the season last year making it to the quarter finals of CIF.

Both the coaches and the players believe that there is a strong team chemistry this season. “We are all really good friends,” said junior Erin Nagle. “We all get along really well which helps on the court and transfers to games.” “All the girls have a high work ethic and want to get better,” said assistant varsity coach Rebecca Bailey. “We have a great group and they have all stepped it up by setting great examples for the younger girls.” Just to name a few, senior Anna Kobara has had 64 digs averaging four digs per game. Senior Jourdyn Aiken has had 12 aces and junior Sydney Crowe has had 14. Junior Catherine Oswald is hitting at 368 (meaning she can place the ball anywhere on the court) and has had 18 blocks during this season as of Sept. 22 according to Bailey. Another highlight this year was when the team beat Carlsbad for the second time in only 14 years. This was an enormous win for the Mustangs because, according to Nagle, Carlsbad is always a hard team and to defeat them was huge. Nina Moussavi contributed to this story.

Pedal to the medal The Mustangs of cross country are dusting off their running shoes and starting strong. pauline disch

ross country has gotten off to a speedy start because several runners have placed in top positions in the county. “Our depth is always a strength in our league. We have a large team, which leads to competition amongst ourselves and helps us to achieve more in interscholastic competition,”

said Coach Justin Conn. At a recent invitational there were more than 150 runners each race, including team members form SDA, and a number of Mustangs did exceptionally well. According to junior Steven Forsythe, senior Nate Burns almost broke records, but ended with a time of 17:11 for 2.95 miles for 22nd place. Along with Burns, two

sophomores stepped up their game and placed in the top 30. Evan Armstrong placed 23rd while Noland Gallagher placed 27th, but Gallagher is new to the team so he was a huge surprise. “We are stoked because there are a lot of new runners this year who are really good,” said Forsythe. The main goal for the cross country team is improvement.

“We are always looking for personal growth and team comradery. We expect every individual on the team will set ambitious, but realistic goals and that they will work hard to achieve those goals,” said Conn. Overall the coach is pleased with the team and the runners on it. Conn said there are so many standouts that there are too many to identify.

kaylin greene

Going the distance Junior Sammy Young paces himself during the Mt. Carmel Invitational at Morley Field. The course was 2.95 miles long.

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sports 10.02.09

Timeout with: Amber Michaelis kaylin greene

ophomore Amber Michaelis does not do any ordinary sports here at SDA. Instead, she prefers hitting the pool with the San Dieguito Synchro club, a group of girls on a synchronized swim team that practices at Cathedral High School. She has competed on regional and national levels and has been featured by a couple of local newspapers for her performances. Now it’s the Mustang’s turn to take a timeout to “synch up” with Michaelis on why she enjoys her sport and how she got started. M: What are some of your latest successes? We heard that you and your team made it to a national competition. AM: We’ve competed with teams all over—we’re top twenty in the US. It was really awesome. We were with all the best teams from all over the United States. M: Why do you enjoy swimming so much? AM: I really love the water. I think my team is awesome—I love being with them and we have all known each other for a really long time, we are like family. We goof around often, do a lot of dancing and singing, and we even made up our own sign language. Pretty much whenever we go to a hotel, we almost always get kicked out due to our antics. M: Is it synchronized swimming hard? AM: It’s really intense because we do a lot of training and working out. In practice we stretch, sometimes run, do ab workouts, and then get in the pool and swim laps for conditioning. Then we practice synchronized swimming and finally figures, which is a technique that helps demonstrate control and strength in front of a panel of judges. M: What type of performances do you do? AM: I usually have a team performance and a trio, but this year I’m also going to have a solo. M: How much time do you devote to your synchro swim team? AM: On a day we do have practice, it’s about four and a half to six hours and goes to about eight at night. I do have Independent-Study PE, so I can go home early so I don’t have to go straight to practice from school. Besides synchro, I don’t

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Lady in the water Amber Michaelis has been synchronized swimming for six years and has gone to competitions all over the United States.

do much outside of school. I just don’t have enough time. M: Do you get respect for being a synchronized swimmer? AM: A lot of people don’t know what it is—usually they ask me if that’s what Michael Phelps does, or they just tell me that they’ve never met anyone who does it. However, those who do know sometimes make fun of us. Especially the water polo guys—they think it’s a joke, but we could kick their asses if we really wanted to.

courtesy of amber michaelis

Put ‘em up Amber Michaelis and her synchronized swimming team put their feet in the air like they just don’t care.

M: What do you think about the stereotypical Broadwayshow about synchronized swimming? AM: I think it’s actually pretty funny—we did a thing on TV over the summer where we all did the side dives into the pool. M: What do you think about Michael Phelps?

AM: Well, I guess they’re both swimming sports, but they’re different sports. There’s very little similarity, so I don’t think much about him. M: Okay…so…next question….What’s your take on chlorine? AM: I used to be really really sensitive to it, but now, I just

Pop culture throwdown

smell like it….*sniffs arm.* M: We were actually kind of disappointed by your response to the Michael Phelps question. Let’s try this again, shall we? What do you think about Michael Phelps? AM: *laughs* I hate the bathing suit that he has to wear, but he’s got intense abs.

What are the latest and greatest pop culture trends? The Mustang finds out. Interviews and photos by Pauline Disch.

current song on my iPod:

most recent, favorite movie I saw:

place I never want to visit again:

weirdest food combination I eat:

fictional character I want to meet:

Nate Burns senior cross country

dr. dog -my friend

funny people

back of bryan moffat’s car

peanut butter and ice cream sandwhich

pepé le pew

the hangover

temecula

yogurt with goldfish

twister from rocket power

Kailie Pasko junior blue -eiffel 65 field hockey

Bianca Rice sophomore tennis

amplified -cyprus hill

spongebob grandparents chocolate and squarepants triscuts house

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sports 10.02.09

Surfer vs. Skater

A brilliant answer salvages sophomore skater Joey Destout’s campaign, while senior surfer Dominic Denholm’s board springs a leak and sinks into the unforgiving sea. By Dimitri Fautsh and Henry Sweat. 1) Why does the Easter bunny carry eggs? Rabbits don’t lay eggs. Surfer: Interspecies breeding. Skater: I swear bunnies do lay eggs, though. Us: Interspecies breeding, really? Have you even thought about that just a little? Minus 15 points for lack of rational thought. And Skater… have you ever actually seen a rabbit egg in a Henry’s? We’re docking you 21 points for your unfamiliarity with a grocery store. 2) How come only your fingers and toes get prune-y in the shower and nothing else does? Surfer: I don’t think that’s the only part that shrivels…occasionally. Skater: Because they’re like little sponges. Us: Okay, Surfer, that’s just gross. Minus 20 points for making us gag. And Skater, although I’m sure you didn’t mean this to happen, you’re actually right... but you didn’t answer the

whole question, sorry. Plus one, because you got one part of the question right. 3) Why are they called apartments when they’re all stuck together? Surfer: Because they like to party together. Skater: Why what? Because they’re a part of each other. Us: Have you guys ever actually seen an apartment? Do they look like they can party? Skater, you and Surfer need to go see some apartments and maybe you’ll understand what they are. Minus 13 points apiece. 4) What happens if you get scared half to death twice? Surfer: You die, you rot. Skater: I heard when most people die, they crap. Us: So existentialistic Surfer, you should be a philosopher. Minus 10 points for aspiring to be something greater than you are. Skater, classic poopie joke, props to that. 9009 points because you are so witty.

5) Why does the sun lighten our hair but darken our skin? Surfer: It’s ‘cuz of those UV rays-es. Skater: What do you mean darken our skin? It’s scientific. Us: It’s cuz? I’m pretty sure it’s because, not cuz. Minus 6 points for speaking like a cocky sixth grader. Skater “darken our skin” is a pretty simple concept to understand, but so are bunnies giving birth and not laying eggs and you didn’t get that. So I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. You aren’t going to lose anything, cuz we feel bad for you. 6) If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from? Surfer: Baby skin because it’s baby. There was human blubber oil back in the day from Antarctica where they kill people and rub blubber on babies. Skater: Oil because it has the word oil in it. Us: Surfer, is that a joke?

Bailey Mezan

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Smile, Boys! Win or lose, surfer Dominic Denholm and skater Joey Destout are always ready to show off their bubbly personalities.

People don’t and haven’t ever lived in Antarctica. Minus 7 points for picking the only continent that isn’t permanently inhabited. And Skater, way to put yourself out there and be specific. You realize there are a

million types of oil, made from a million different things. Minus 20 points for your lack of imagination. Total: Surfer: -71 Skater: 8956

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backpage 10.02.09

Check this kid out Sophomore Teal Coppock will be featured horseback riding on Disney Channel extra. Story by Nicole Fisher

Photo courtesy of Susan Coppock Just horsing around [top] Sophomore Teal Coppock sits patiently on her horse, Thomas, as she is prepped for her segment shoot of “Get’cha Head in the Game.” It took a little while for Coppock to get use to the camera crew. “For the first hour it was really intimidating and then after that you just kind of got use to it,” Coppock said. Her horse was also surprisingly comfortable with the camera crew. “He was seriously the most perfect horse ever. Pretty much any other horse at the barn would probably flip out,” Coppock said. Wiped out [left] Sophomore Teal Coppock sits in the shade, exhausted from a long day of shooting. Coppock spent the whole day filming at the barn and in the evening the camera crew followed her to her competition where she competed with her own horse, Opus.

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Photo courtesy of Susan Coppock

hen her mom asked to film her talking about horses, the last thing sophomore Teal Coppock expected was a segment on Disney Channel’s “Get’cha Head in the Game.” “I had this stupid point and shoot video camera and I took a video of [Teal] talking about horses. You could barely hear it; the sound was awful,” said photography teacher Susan Coppock, Teal’s mom. Teal was selected by Disney Channel from many applicants including a girl in upstate New York who lives on a horse farm and spent $10,000 on her audition tape, said Susan Coppock. Fifty-thousand dollars later with a crew of 13 people and three or four trucks of equipment, Teal was making a video that would air on television for years. The “Get’cha Head in the Game” segment on Disney channel features kids who love a hobby and are making a difference in their community. When the trainers at Coppock’s barn, Quail Garden Haven, were contacted about the opportunity, they automatically thought of Teal. “I was super flattered because her two trainers and the trainer’s wife said they all thought of Teal first. There are 30 girls at the barn and I thought it was really cool,” Susan Coppock said. Teal rides at her barn but she also volunteers at a place for therapeutic horseback riding in Oceanside. She takes care of the horses and helps special-needs kids ride. “It’s really fun because you can tell how much fun they are having. They are always smiling. They are just cute,” said Coppock. Teal spent Aug. 8 filming her segment. All together they spent 12 hours filming that day. The segment has not run on Disney Channel yet. It is supposed to run six to eight weeks after the day they shot the footage.