Eagle eye issue 4

Prague MUN ● Page 2

Trump tweet or not ● Page 13

Winter has come ● Page 15

February 2018

Volume XXXII, Issue 4

Triad’s four-year term Triad travels to D.C. for its final field trip.

Illustration by Ian Gutierrez

W

hen a new school year begins, everyone walks into his or her new classrooms and encounters new teachers and unfamiliar faces.

This is not the case for the class of 2018 Triad group. The Triad program is a range of academic classes that connect to benefit the students who participate in it.

“In general it is an attempt to get students to collaborate and the teachers to collaborate in three different subjects; hence the name ‘Triad’,” said government and Triad teacher, Scott McIntosh. “[Specifically] for the senior year, [the Triad classes] are for economy, government and religion.”

The program focuses more on the hands-on learning and experiencing curriculum rather

By Rachel Tetreault, Web Editor-in-Chief than the testing part of education.

Students in the program get to go on field trips once a semester to visualize or experience the material they have learned in class.

On their most recent field trip, the class got the chance to visit Washington D.C. for six days.

The students toured the monuments and memorials, visited the national mall and saw a handful of Smithsonian museums. In addition, they also toured Capitol Hill, the House Chamber and even met California’s Congresswoman, Mimi Walters. The students got to witness a Supreme Court case regarding labor disputes.

“I have been taking the Triad class [to Washington D.C.] for the last nine years,” McIntosh said. continued on page 7

Hate crimes spread in OC

By Rachel Tetreault, Web Editor-in-Chief and Gillian Steffey, Opinion Editor Blaze Bernstein, 19, was found dead in a Foothill Ranch park on Jan. 9, after being missing for over a week. Bernstein was a former OCSA student and was attending the University of Pennsylvania.

Bernstein, a sophomore, was open with family and friends about his homosexuality and was Jewish.

As detectives and sheriffs investigated his death, they concluded it was a homicide and doctors determined the cause of death was a result of 20 stab wounds A former classmate at OCSA, Samuel Lincoln Woodward, 20, was the last person to see Bernstein alive. Bernstein had texted friends that he and Woodward planned to meet at the park that night.

“Through surveillance and interviews, investigators said they noticed cuts on Woodward’s hands and dirt under his fingernails,”

according to Marc Cota-Robles and Rob Hayes, Staff Writers for ABC News. “Woodward was arrested Friday, after DNA evidence allegedly linked him to the crime.”

According to ProPublica, an online news outlet, Woodward is said to have trained with an extremist hate group and belonged to the Atomwaffen Division, a NeoNazi group.

“The organization, which celebrates Hitler and Charles Manson, has been tied to four other murders and an elaborate bomb plot over the past eight months,” ProPublica stated.

“Experts who study right-wing extremist movements believe Atomwaffen’s commitment to violence has made it one of the more dangerous groups to emerge from the new wave of white supremacists.”

There are currently 917 hate groups operating in the U.S. continued on page 3

Photo by Scott McItosh

Touring the nation’s capital- (Top row left to right) Jake Sanderson, Trevor Williamson, Kyle Osborne, Grant Telenko, Trevor Sperle, (bottom row left to right) Caden Fitch, Holly Swartzbaugh, Victoria Tetreault, Paige Scott, Dylan Hernandez-Ramirez and Olivia Martinez pose at the World War II Memorial.

Pixar Pier Pixar takes over Disney’s California Adventure Park.

Illustration by Kendal Orrantia

By Gillian Steffey, Opinion Editor California Adventure Park’s most beloved rides and attractions will change in 2018. Disney recently announced that the park will be receiving a Pixar themed makeover.

Renovations began on Jan. 8, closing rides such as California Screamin’ and Mickey’s Fun Wheel.

This summer, guests can expect to see four new neighborhoods in the area that is currently Paradise Pier.

“When I first read the news, I just got out of my desk and laid on the floor,” said junior Alex Doyle. “I was so sad and honestly a little heartbroken. Paradise Pier is so iconic and I have so many childhood memories there.”

One of the four neighborhoods will be Toy Story themed and based around the already existing and popular Toy Story Mania ride. On

the west side of the boardwalk, the second neighborhood will be based off of the 2015 movie “Inside Out,” and will feature an attraction that will entertain guests of all ages.

The third neighborhood will be modeled after another Disney-Pixar movie, “The Incredibles”. The ride California Screamin’ will get a new Incredibles inspired look and will become the Incredicoaster. Many avid Disneyland goers, like junior Aubrey Davenport, have exclaimed their sadness for the closing down of California Screamin’, but are also excited to see Disney’s take on the Incredicaoster.

“I’ll never forget the courage it took for me to ride California Screamin’ for the first time when I was little,” said junior Aubrey Davenport. “I was definitely in love with the ride and I’ll miss it. California Screamin’ will be a tough act to follow.”

The fourth and final neighborhood will be home to many beloved Pixar characters.

This neighborhood includes Mickey’s Fun Wheel and all of the games on the boardwalk. The Ferris Wheel will keep the classic Mickey Mouse face at its center, but every gondola will be featuring a different Pixar character. All of the games at the Games of the Boardwalk will also be influenced by beloved Pixar characters. These games will include “Bullseye Stallion Stampede,” which is based of the Toy Story movies.

Dining establishments on the pier, such as the Cove Bar and Ariel’s Grotto restaurant, are also receiving makeovers. Davenport believes these changes to the pier will cause the park to become even more popular than it has proven to be over the years. continued on page 2

Prague MUN 2

News

The Eagle Eye

First time in history, 13 students travel to the Model United Nations Conference in Prague.

F

By Hannah Prince, Print Editor-in-Chief

rom the 16 hour flight to sightseeing and debating within committees, 13 Model United Nation (MUN) students are the first in school history to attend the Annual Prague Model United Nations Conference (PRAMUN) held in Prague, Czech Republic. This international conference took place from Jan. 4- 14, hosted by the Jan Neruda Grammar School.

The student attendees were seniors Gabe Reyes, Corbin Ko, Alex Firestone, Pelin Ensari, Kaylin Martin, Lauren Lemieux, Nicole DiNicola, Bryce Kaese, Ryan Genthert, Garrett Domier, Amanda Tyson, Megan Lee and Mary Hutchinson.

“MUN gives you a lot of different perspectives on the world, especially when you travel and see how others view the world and its problems,” Firestone said.

MUN simulates sessions of the United Nations organization

in which students represent the delegates of participating countries. The competition in Prague consisted of the following organizations: Security Council, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), African Union and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Most SMCHS students were in separate committees with varying topics. For this conference, SMCHS represented Bolivia and Denmark.

Firestone’s topics were on fake news and food waste. Ko debated on ransom-ware attacks and the right to privacy on the Internet.

“MUN has taught me how to learn to work together because usually I did debate,” Ko said.

“I used to fight against other people and try to prove myself.

[In MUN], it is about using those conflicting ideas and trying to find a compromise.”

Unlike previous conferences,

Photo by Gabe Reyes

All smiles - Kaylin Martin (left) and Megan Lee (right) visit Hero’s Square in Budapest.

there were no awards - the days were spent with committees, solely focused on resolving their world issue, which senior Bryce Kaese enjoyed. Kaese’s chair was a SMCHS alumna from the MUN Program, who now attends school in Germany. Their committee focused on using cryptocurrencies as economic stabilizers and sustainable tourism to create jobs.

“They made it a point to focus on the debate rather than the competition,” Kaese said. “There were no awards, but most of the [SMCHS] students got Honorable Mentions. It was nice because even though we didn’t get awards, we got the rest of the experience.”

Ko, Firestone and Domier attended the London conference in Oct. 2016, differing from Prague.

“Prague was more social,” Domier said. “You get to meet a lot of people from different cultures and upbringings.”

As the students kept up with

Photo by Megan Lee

A sight to see - Megan Lee captures the city of Prague from St. Nicholas Bell Tower.

the itinerary, they had familiar company - their exchange students from Prague. In September 2017, 14 Prague students traveled to the United States, where they resided with four year SMCHS MUN students and attended SOCOMUN. Like Firestone and other seniors showed the Prague students America, the Prague students showed SMCHS the Czech Republic.

“My favorite part was getting to see where our exchange students live, walking around Prague, and getting to see their culture and schools,” Firestone said.

Beyond the city of Prague, the students visited Budapest and Vienna. They were able to sightsee places such as St. Peter’s Church and the Imperial Palace in Vienna, St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest and Charles Bridge in Prague.

Prague MUN 2018 made school history and left its students with memories of the Czech culture.

Photo by John Remmell

Reunited at last - The SMCHS and Prague MUN students experience the conference together.

Saying goodbye to paradise

Photo by Alexis Zertuche

And away you go! - Aubrey Davenport visits Paradise Pier one last time.

Senior memories “My favorite part was walking around and touring each of the cities. We toured Budapest, Vienna and Prague. It was a great experience to walk around and experience being in a different place. It was beautiful; I loved it.”

- Bryce Kaese

“My favorite part was experiencing the culture.

Our other option was to go to China in November 2017 and one would think China is very exotic, but actually Europe is very exotic [too].” - Corbin Ko

“Because of MUN, I desire to pursue a minor in human rights and possible study abroad in Vienna! I hope to continue my love for MUN in college.” - Megan Lee

“MUN is more than just an extracurricular to me.

Through the program I’ve not only grown in terms of public speaking or conducting research and problem solving, I’ve also made so many friends, been given the opportunity to be a leader within the program and have traveled the world.”

-Kaylin Martin continued from page 1 “When Guardians of the Galaxy first opened, California Adventure was crazy busy and that was just one ride,” Davenport said. “With an entirely new pier with new attractions California Adventure will definitely attract more people.”

After hearing the news that the pier would be temporarily closing, Doyle and Davenport both visited the park to say farewell to some of her favorite attractions.

“I went to Paradise Pier four times the month before it closed,” Doyle said. “My friends and I walked the pier, took some pictures and rode each ride that was closing twice.”

Paradise Pier will certainly be missed by many, but visitors anticipate the new rides and attractions to come.

“It’s the end of an era for California Adventure that will deeply be missed,” Davenport said.

“I have so many fun memories on Paradise Pier. I’m looking forward to the changes Pixar will be making and I have trust in the Imagineers that whatever Pixar does to the pier will be absolutely amazing.”

News

The Eagle Eye Staff

Staff Adviser Debra Barbre Print Editor-in-Chief Hannah Prince Web Editor-in-Chief Rachel Tetreault Copy Editor Riley Davies Managing Editor Ian Gutierrez News/A&E Editor Margaret Driscoll Opinion Editor: Gillian Steffy Feature Editor Kendal Orrantia Sports Editor Ryan Dunker Photo Editor Jesse Casey Staff Writers Olivia Hernandez Rachel Do Emily Redd McKenna Sulick Lauren Danke Brittany Kaplan Austin McGregor Mia Ross Members of these organizations:

3

The Eagle Eye

#NetNeutrality As the topic of net neutrality is being widely discussed, many are left wondering what the heck it is.

By Riley Davies, Copy Editor

I

n early Dec., social media users may have noticed a trending hash tag: #netneutrality.

To put it simply, net neutrality is the open internet. It is the idea that all internet users should have full and free access to all legal parts of the internet through their Internet Service Providers or ISPs (providers such as Verizon, Cox and AT&T).

However, this simple definition is only scratching the surface.

So why is this relevant? On Dec. 14, 2017 the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, voted to repeal net neutrality protections that were set in place on Feb. 26, 2015 by the FCC. This passed by a 3-2 vote.

“Under the approved proposal, the FCC would do away with rules barring internet providers from blocking or slowing down access to online content,” said Seth Fiegerman, a CNN tech reporter. “The FCC would also eliminate a rule barring providers from prioritizing their own content.”

Net neutrality was initially enacted in 2015 to ensure that every internet user regardless of their ISP would have entirely equal internet access.

Because of ISPs, people are able to connect to everything on the internet and because of net neutrality, people are able to seamlessly connect to those things without

any added fees, or the service being blocked all together. Without net neutrality, depending on the ISP, there is the potential of paying for access to things like Instagram and Amazon making companies like these in favor of net neutrali-

issue. For example Cox could slow down access to Amazon streaming videos in order to make their service more attractive to consumers, thus increasing their profits. This also potentially turns the internet into a cable network as ISPs could

ty. Companies like Comcast, AT&t and Verizon oppose net neutrality so they can charge for these high volume sites.

“In my opinion, the internet should be an open highway for all humanity to access,” said math and computer science teacher Kim Cozean, Ph.D. “The thought of companies controlling content and/ or access speed seems to be a big

charge extra to access certain websites, like Netflix or ESPN.com” Various Republicans in congress could potentially move towards an open-Internet legislation that would overpower what the FCC rules. In addition, there are opponents of the FCCs ruling that plan to challenge it.

“It’s not going to destroy the internet,” said the chairman of the

FCC Ajit Pai. “It is not going to end the internet as we know it. It is not going to kill democracy. It is not going to stifle free expression online.”

For some, the problem with repealing net neutrality is not the potential of the internet being “destroyed,” but it potentially changing their future.

“Net neutrality [is] a possible hindrance to my future in finding a job or fortune in businesses related to the internet,” said senior Ryan Genthert.

ISPs have also spoken up on the issue.

“They’re not planning to throttle data speeds or give priority access to one service or another, “ said Todd Haselton, CNBCs Technology Product Editor. “They point out that they had the right to do so before 2015 and did not.”

Students like Genthert are hoping for the repeal of net neutrality to go through quickly and are interested for the changes it could hold.

“I hope that its affects will soon take place,” Genthert said. “I believe that prices will be kept low or to the previous standard due to the natural tendency of competition in the free market.”

However, those that are for the repeal still have time to reverse the repeal.

“All is not lost, net neutrality can still be reinstated by a vote by Congress, so write your Congressional Representative and make your opinions known,” Cozean said.

1969 United Sates federal hatecrime law to include crimes that were prompted by the gender, gender identity, disability or sexual orientation of the victim.

“I became an LGBTQ activist because, as a young adult, I saw the injustice and social stigma

what the FBI reports.

Currently, the California hate crime law calls for higher penalties: “Penalties for violations of Penal Code 422.6 PC include: probation; up to one (1) year in county jail; a fine of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000); and/ or, up to four hundred (400) hours of community service.” The worst penalty for first degree murder with special circumstances is the death penalty and or life without parole.

“As we strive to protect all members of society, it’s a glaring omission that sexual orientation is not a protected class of crime victims of special-circumstance murder in California,” Rackauckas said. “Unfortunately, laws often need to be revised in light of tragic situations.”

Bernstein’s case has prompted officials to propose a bill that would expand hate crime laws, in murder cases, to include sexual orientation. Even though this bill may not impact this case, it could help other victims of hate crimes who are persecuted for their sexual orientation.

The recent rise of hate crimes has been dramatic and Peterson believes stopping them involves more understanding of the differences of others.

“I can’t imagine what would appeal to someone to seek out an affinity group, which is organized around perceived grievances and hatred of any specific group,” Peterson said.

Real statistics-Youth hate crimes broken down by category.

“

All is not lost, net neutrality can still be reinstated by a vote by Congress, so write to your Congressional Representative and make you opinions known. ~ teacher Kim Cozean

”

Photo by Popular Resistance

A fight for neutrality - Protestors throughout the U.S. fight to keep net neutrality and all the benefits that are attached.

Hate crimes escalate

continued from page 1 In Southern California alone, there are over 30, including NeoNazi and Anti-LGBTQ hate groups, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which tracks the incidence of hate crimes in the U.S. Woodward pleaded not guilty and is being held on bail of five million dollars. He will return to the court room on March 2.

“This is a senseless murder of a young man who possessed a combination of high caliber mind and the heart of a poet,” said Orange County District Attorney, Tony Rackauckus in a CBS news interview. “I know he was treasured by his family and loved by his friends.”

It is unclear whether the Bernstein murder was a hate crime or if Bernstein was targeted for his sexuality or his religion.

A hate crime is an act of violence purposefully directed towards a group or specific person because of either their religion, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or nationality. If convicted, Woodward’s penalty might not fall under the category of a hate crime because there is a lack of evidence to prove motive.

In a recent statement Bernstein’s parent said, “If this was a hate crime, we will cry not only for our son, but for LGBTQ people everywhere that live in fear who have been victims of hate crime.”

The Matthew Shepard Act, passed in 2009, expanded the

“

I can’t imagine what would appeal to someone to seek out an affinity group, which is organized around perceived grievances and hatred of any specific group.

~ USC Assistant Professor, Thomas Peterson

”

that was hoisted upon the LGBTQ community,” said USC Assistant Professor, Thomas Peterson. “Even one murder motivated by hatred based on sexual orientation is too many.”

According to the FBI, the incidence of hate crimes increased five percent in 2016, a five year high. SPLC cites the Bureau of Justice statistic that 250,000 hate crimes occurred last year--40 times

Graphic by Bisualistan

4

The Eagle Eye

Meating in the middle Embracing a meat-free, dairy-free diet isn’t possible for everyone.

By Brittany Kaplan, Staff Writer

S

ince the dawn of who knows when, people have been eating meat. But as younger generations become more environmentally conscious, a new dietary trend has emerged: veganism, or abstaining from the consumption or use of animal products or byproducts.

Veganism has been on the rise in recent years, according to Time Magazine, which estimates that around 3.7 million Americans have adopted the plant-based diet.

As this number continues to grow, so does the social media battles between vegans and nonvegans. No matter how it’s put, there is no realistic future in which everyone will, or can, be vegan. Health issues, time constraints and an unavailability of resources will keep that from happening.

From my own short-lived experience in the world of veganism, I found that the most challenging part by far was the hefty amount of time and planning a plant-based diet required. While it’s true that there

are healthy ways to pull off a vegan lifestyle, meal preparation in a society of meat-eaters takes a great amount of effort and creativity.

Unless your workplace or school happens to be next door to a salad bar, there’s no such thing as a meal-on-the-go. The attention-todetail of a vegan diet necessitates that every

concerned about finding their next meal than assessing the ethicality of what they are eating.

Veganism is as much of a luxury as time is--if you can afford to take that extra mile, go right on ahead; but adhering to a strictly plant-based diet is probably not a top priority for those trying to keep food (of any kind) on the

Illustration by Wikimeadia Commons

outing, every snack and every overnight stay must be planned accordingly, unless of course you choose not to eat.

This is difficult enough for your run-of-the-mill spontaneous high-schooler, let alone a lowincome breadwinner working 12-hour shifts. Families struggling to make ends meet are likely more

table.

Vegan options, while at times harder to find, are not significantly pricier. However, because a lot of calorie and nutritional intake comes from meat or dairy products, vegans require more of the same ingredients. If I have a steak dinner with spinach

salad on the side, I’m getting the protein and iron I need from a relatively small amount of food.

But without that steak, I’m left with the spinach salad. To make up for the protein and iron I lost by removing the meat, I have to either a) increase my spinach intake or b) add more ingredients.

Either way, I’m spending additional money to get the same nutritional value.

Veganism looks great on paper. A plant-based diet is an arguably better alternative for the environment, because it would cut down greenhouse gas emissions, decrease water pollution from dairy and meat farm runoffs and reduce deforestation for livestock use. It’s not the ethicality to be argued against, it’s the misconception that truly anyone can go vegan.

In a perfect world, we’d all be munching veggies, popping tofu squares, painting rainbows and singing “Kumbaya”. But, often, the price of veganism is all-tooheavy for many of us, especially those with health conditions or not enough time on our hands.

Go green if you can, but also understand not everyone follows suit. For vegans and non-vegans alike, it’s an issue of meating in the middle.

The cost of carnivores The cost of human meat consumption is largely hidden.

By Jesse Casey, Photo Editor Early humans grew up on a diet of predominantly meat and the occasional fruits and vegetables. At this time wild animals accounted for almost all life on earth, meaning there was no shortage of animals to hunt.

Thousands of years later, into the 21st century, humans and our livestock are now 98 percent of all life on earth. This means little diversity and that most products are now made from either beef, pork or chicken.

Meat has one major flaw- waste. According to the Huffington Post every pound of beef represents 1,847 gallons of water, with chicken and pork coming close. That means that every time you eat a burger you are essentially taking a three hour shower. Especially in a state like California where water is scarce, waste like this can be devastating.

Plant-based food uses around 10 gallons a pound on average, making it much more sustainable.

Greenhouse gases are another waste that every day dietary habits produce. Cows digest grass with methane producing bacteria, much like a human after a bean burrito. However, unlike humans,

cows use this bacteria during every meal. This means that dangerous methane gases are passed by the cows, methane being a greenhouse gas 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide according to

Scientific

fats. These fats are found in high quantities in beef.

Now the occasional burger or steak dinner isn’t harmful.

However, America consumes large amounts of eggs, heavy creams and pork which are all also

high in saturated fats. These fats clog up your arteries and can lead to heart disease. However, if you are vegan there is only one plant that produces these harmful fats, coconuts. That means that a vegan diet is especially beneficial to stop the largest killer of Americans, heart disease.

Illustration by Wikimeadia Commons

America.

Cows passing gas could be producing almost a quarter of all greenhouse gases, while plants reduce the effects of greenhouse gases through absorption of carbon dioxide.

The number one killer in America is heart disease and the main cause of that is saturated

Don’t get me wrong, I love the taste of meat. I grew up on a diet of mostly steak and potatoes, but after my dad had his second heart attack I stopped eating meat frequently and eventually all together.

You don’t have to be vegan to have an impact. Just eating less meat and dairy products helps to lower the ecological footprint of your diet. Even eating all the food on your plate can help by reducing waste. However, going vegan is the most effective way to reduce waste by cutting down greenhouse gases, water use and farmland. It is even beneficial to your body.

A plant-based diet is sustainable and a meat-based diet is not. The future is filled with billions of more people who all need more effective, sustainable foods. In order to feed the future, protect the future and change the eating habits of the future going vegan, vegetarian or even just eating less meat is necessary.

Being vegan is not the key to immortality. We are all going to get sick and die eventually.

But to know you’re living without harming others or the environment? That is a great and amazing feeling to have.

Opinion Finding yourself, in God’s time

By Cole Heslar, Contributing Writer

Kairos is the epitome of the senior year experience. Having experienced it twice in two different ways, I must say I have never felt closer to God and my classmates than I do now. I started this journey by attending summer Kairos and engulfing myself in the fullness of God’s love. As I grew closer to my small group members, I knew I was being called to lead at least one Kairos.

Kairos is an old Greek word that translates to “God’s opportune time.” By no coincidence, you will find yourself having transcendental experiences that you cannot explain in words. The sound of that intimidates or scares some of you, but this is God! We recognize this as the Holy Spirit rushing through us. Catholic or not, God calls everyone into relationships with your peers and Kairos is truly God’s opportune time to take advantage of this.

As the months after summer Kairos quickly passed, leading the Nov. Kairos was one of my top priorities. Seeing God through my own small group was an experience I have never had in my life and I would not trade it for the world. It is a time of embracing vulnerability, hardships, loving support and most importantly quality time spent together as fellow, future graduates. If you take pride in being a leader, leading Kairos will fill you with gratitude, genuine comradery and the love of God in your heart.

Leading retreats is nothing new to me. I have been involved in Holy Trinity Youth Ministry, so all my leadership qualities are based at the religious level. After leading a couple retreats for my church, I knew I could utilize these newfound leadership skills at school.

This is when I truly changed and realized my real potential as a role model in the Catholic Church.

Nothing brings me more joy than guiding people in their faith and building friendships that only God can create. Seniors, this year is ours. Let’s take 2018 and unite our classmates through faith, compassion, love and respect. This is what Kairos is all about – it’s the Lord’s opportune time and that time is now. Love will always be the most dominant force in our lives, so why not embrace it?

Kairos is more than just having a good time with friends. It triggers the core value of love lying within our hearts, placed there by God.

Photo by Brandon Tait

Brothers in Christ- Christian Blazona (left) and Cole Heslar (right) smile on the final retreat.

Opinion

5

The Eagle Eye

Where your vote matters Midterm elections give voters a louder voice than presidential elections.

By Mia Ross, Staff Writer

T

alk of impeaching President Donald Trump has run rampant among citizens and public officials alike since even before the first-time politician was elected. Even so, the probability of passing such a movement is unlikely and at

the end of the day, we all have to accept that three more years of the Trump presidency are ahead of us. However, it doesn’t mean that we just have to sit here and count down the days until Nov. 3, 2020, praying that North Korea doesn’t declare nuclear war. Fear not -

2018 is a midterm election year.

Midterm elections occur in the middle of a four-year presidential term and tend to place the most importance on congressional representatives from individual states. It’s arguable that the midterm elections matter more

than presidential elections and districts are up for reelection and a I agree with this statement for a number of Republican incumbents variety of reasons. are retiring from the House, During midterm elections, including South Orange County states have the opportunity to representative Darrell Issa. place issues of their choice on Across the country, even more the ballot. This year, California’s Republicans are announcing their ballot includes Proposition 68: a decision not to run for reelection budget proposal and it is predicted that would that Democrats dedicate four will fill their seats. billion in general This is a common obligation bonds phenomenon called It’s arguable to conservation a midterm loss, in efforts and the officials who that the midterm which protection of are members of the California state/ elections matter president’s political local parks. To party tend to lose more than pass Prop 68 support in midterm would mean elections following presidential improvements a presidential elections. in water and election. Average environmental midterm losses conservation, combined with the protection of low level of support natural resources for Republican and creation of President Donald flood protection Trump could mean initiatives. With a Democratic return California’s recent record of water- to power in the House. related crises, such a measure There are so many more could ensure the safety of both important aspects of the midterm California’s environment and its elections to address, but this citizens without facing federal is a newspaper article and not opposition. an information pamphlet. For Additionally, this is when information on these elections, the majority of U.S. states hold consult ballotpedia.org’s page on reelections for Congressional the California 2018 elections.

Offices. As you may or may not Students who will be 18 years know, Republicans are currently old on or before Nov. 6, 2018, in control of the House of may be eligible to vote in the 2018 Representatives, the Senate California elections. Even if a and the presidency. However, student is not yet 18, he or she can the 2018 midterm elections in still pre-register to vote as soon as California could change that: all they turn 16. To register, students 53 of California’s congressional may visit registertovote.ca.gov.

“ ”

Midterm elections - 2018 is a midterm election year and it is crucial for the nation to vote.

Photo by Denise Cross

Standing between two countries National pride comes from more than the origin of birth.

By Rachel Do, Staff Writer Tension was rising around the world as the International Olympic Commission was about to announce the host city of 2018 Olympic Games on July 6, 2011. When the paper read “PyeongChang, South Korea,” cheers filled South Korea.

Hosting an Olympic Games is an honorable moment for any country in the world; this is the third time for PyeongChang to be one of the candidate cities for Winter Olympics.

Now, seven years later after the announcement, the time has come for South Korea to host 2018 Olympic Games.

As a South Korean, I am overjoyed to see this year’s Winter Games take place in my home country and for more Americans to experience Korea and its culture. Korea has become known on an international stage through K-pop, delicious Korean food and advanced technology. This has allowed very little opportunity to show a different side of South Korea. The Winter Olympics is a great opportunity to share the beautiful nature in Korea and prove that Korea is capable enough to be hosting such a worldly event.

But on the other hand, I am

not sure if I’m rooting for South Korea in the Olympics. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Korean and I’m definitely proud to be one, it’s just that living in America for seven years has changed my view on choosing Korea over my new home and vice versa when it comes down to my identity.

Generally speaking, I should support South Korea, especially since it’s where the Games are being hosted. However, since I have been in the United States since August 2011, I feel different than people who live in South Korea. Unlike them, I have been given the opportunity to study abroad and experience something new. This experience has gradually changed my mind about my home country.

At first, it was very difficult for me to find a place to belong to in my new community. I was very shy and I did not have courage to start relationships. Living in a foreign country without any family was hard. But, that didn’t change my mind about how great America was; it is the land of opportunities, as most people say. I wanted to continue my life in this country no matter what. As time passed by, I started to step out of my comfort zone, made some great friends and

tried new things such as dance, swimming, flute and lacrosse.

My experiences in America shaped me into who I am today. As I started to step out of my comfort zone, I became more outgoing.

There have been struggles, such as feeling isolated at times, but they made me stronger which has helped me to continuously thrive.

Without those experiences, I would not be standing here today, because they eventually made me fall in love with the U.S.. I was becoming more attracted to America rather than South Korea.

I started to listen to pop music and watching American shows and movies. I even learned the American slang all the teenagers use. Outside, I was still a Korean, but inside, I felt like an American, at least when it came to culture.

If you ask me what my future plans are, I would say, living in New York City and possibly working as a journalist. I have had this dream since freshman year. I am excited to continue my journey in America in college and beyond.

Some people might not understand my choice and others might criticize me and even call me a “traitor” for choosing the U.S. over South Korea, but I stand with my decision. Most people

with double nationalities would understand my position.

For a person who lives 2,000 miles away from my home country, I have a hard time keeping up with Korean news, culture and events. It has already been three years since I last visited my hometown, Seoul. Although physical separation cannot take away a person’s nationality, it can take away that person’s identity. As time passed, I lost my “identity” as a Korean, blending in more easily in American society.

Once in a while, I get asked the question, “Where are you from?”

I usually hesitate before I answer.

Yes, I am from Korea, but if I say that, it almost feels like I’ve lived in Korea my entire life. So, now I say, “I was born in Seoul, South Korea, but I’m from California.”

California is my second home.

So, as the 2018 Winter Olympics begin, I will be mainly supporting the U.S., just like others in this country. Because no matter what others say, I have the freedom to support whomever I want, regardless of my nationality. I still feel proud to be a Korean. But, I am more proud to be a Korean and an American.

Photo by Gwanghwan Do

A Korean in America - As a Korean American, I’m proud of both of my identities.

6

The Eagle Eye

Eagle traffic school

Opinion

Practicing Caritas Christi in the parking lot isn’t difficult.

By Riley Davies, Copy Editor and Mia Ross, Staff Writer

I

t’s 7:18 a.m.. You’re speeding down Antonio Pkwy, dodging aggressive nineto-fivers and racing toward that yellow light you know you won’t make. At 7:22 you pass the Coto entrance thinking you’re in the clear, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Just beyond that bend, your worst nightmare begins to unfold. You can hear the honking and the screeching tires over Post Malone blasting through your Bluetooth system. No, there’s no car accident - it’s just normal behavior in the parking lots.

Coming to school and getting a parking space smoothly and safely shouldn’t be as stressful as it is, but with parents, students, staff and the San Francisco Solano Church all sharing two lots and

entrances, it leaves little room for improvement. That being said, here are some ways you can be considerate and efficient when using the SMCHS parking lots - whether you’re driven by your parents or you drive yourself.

1.) First and foremost, the most essential aspect of your driver’s ed course: wait your turn and keep your cool. Nine out of ten times, speeding around someone and cutting them off or driving aggressively will not get you to your destination any faster, it will only frustrate those around you and put you in danger. This tip goes especially for the stretch of Antonio Pkwy. from Coto De Caza Drive to Alas De Paz. 2.) The lanes between parking stalls are not for stopping. Pull

off to the side if you’re dropping someone off or picking them up.

As soon as you put your Suburban in park, you’re stopping traffic and causing an overflow into the streets, blocking students or staff in a rush to get into their parking spots and seriously confusing other drivers around you. The Eagle Eye’s suggestion? In the front of the school, pull off to the right, and in the back of the school, go all the way through the parking lot and momentarily stop in front of either the Aquatic Center or the “R” building to let your student out. Piggybacking on this, do not back into spots if there are other cars around you. If you get to school in the wee hours of the morning, by all means back into a spot, but when the parking

lots are bustling with cars, don’t stop traffic to try and back into a spot five times.

3.) Parents, you are an invaluable asset to your child’s education, and although your tuition money has gone into the parking lots, that does not give you privilege to act like the alphas of the parking lots. Try your best to respect student drivers, because we are attempting to do the same thing as you: get in and out of the parking lot. Also – there is a speed limit for a reason. Let’s all try to follow it.

4.) Parking spaces are for students with parking passes and staff. Parents and visitors, there are designated spots for you in the front and back parking lots. Take advantage of those spots instead

of filling those designated for students and faculty members.

If the visitor spots are full, please park on the street, because students and staff need to be parked promptly and into school by a certain time, and if we’re not, we get a detention. You don’t.

5.) The signs above the handicapped spots say reserved for handicapped, not loading zone. These handicapped spots are reserved for students and teachers who need to park in close proximity to the school. There are no exceptions to this rule whatsoever.

If you can obey these rules, congratulations! You’ve passed SMCHS Driver’s Ed and are ready to properly and safely navigate the roads of Rancho Santa Margarita.

Photo by Jack Barrera

Backlot mania- After the bell rings at the end of the day, the back parking lot fills with cars. This photo, captured by a drone, demonstrates the backup that students, parents and faculty experience everyday.

Addicted to technology The overwhelming obsession with screens has changed our lives.

By McKenna Sulick, Staff Writer I grew up playing intense amounts of Webkinz and slaving over my high score in Zach and Cody’s Tipton Trouble on Disney. com, but I would eventually get bored and go ride my bike. The day I traded riding my bike and my Webkinz for an Instagram account, my life changed forever.

Our generation has been raised in an age of technology, but for a lot of us, the reality of cell phones and their addictive qualities didn’t hit us until we looked up long enough to realize how bad it has actually gotten.

My parents were the kind of parents who wouldn’t let me get an iPhone until freshman year.

I spent the years before begging them for one so I wouldn’t have to carry around my embarrassing flip phone and pretend my iPod touch was an iPhone.

I didn’t quite realize how this shift in thinking would impact me in the future.

Technology seems to have branched out overnight; suddenly

I woke up in a world where is defined by the word “streak.” be kids. The fact that kids today my education was housed in a Today’s eight to 11-yearcan navigate Netflix by the time tablet and a world where phones olds only know a world where they’re five is a sad statistic. replaced friends and became technology rules. They don’t have My parents tell me and my security blankets. the frustrating feeling of failing brothers daily to get off of our I remember the day I got my “Rainbow Road” on Mario Kart “electronics” (as they should) Snapchat account. I was 11 and I Wii, but they also don’t have the but it’s naturally difficult for us sent pointless pictures to the 10 small amount of time we did to because our brains are literally people I wired to knew on constantly the app. check our There is phones. no way my The average 12-year-old person brother checks could his or her download phone 74 Snapchat times a today day and, because sadly, the of its daily use of reputation our Yogas to expose does not the sides of contribute people that positively to they don’t that. want to be While seen and our tablets because it are so promotes appreciated Photo by Riley Davies and easy to the idea Surrounded by electronics- Teenagers today have become attached to their that learn with, friendship electronic devices. they further

that addiction to technology because nearly everything we need for school requires our tablets. Even though these are side effects of a screen-loving generation, tablets have shortened our attention span, increased how easily we get distracted and contributed to the ideal that technology rules our brains, our interests and our addictions.

With all the negativity and generation-altering aspects that surround technology, it can be a beautiful thing. My grandma thoroughly enjoys being Facebook friends with her old neighbors and our Yogas make school accessible everywhere with a steady internet connection as the only requirement.

Technology allows us to have access to anything and everything exactly when it happens, which is both a blessing and a curse. It gives people a platform to speak up for what they believe to be true and in a world that so badly needs to talk about previously silenced topics, it allows thoughts to be expressed easier than ever before.

Feature

7

ASB additions The Eagle Eye

Freshmen run for student-body government elections.

L

eadership is a skill that can be utilized not only in every situation, but at every age.

SMCHS realizes the importance of getting students at every grade level involved, as it prepares for the upcoming freshman class officer elections, taking place on Feb. 8.

Freshmen hear the speeches of their fellow classmates who will campaign in the hopes of earning the title of president, vice president, or freshman secretary.

Freshman Alexis McCabe shares her motivation for running for a freshman office.

“I am running for freshman class vice president because I have learned from my two older sisters, who were in ASB at SMCHS, how impactful and beneficial being involved was to the SMCHS student body,” McCabe said. “I want to make a impact on our school and share my ideas, enthusiasm, energy, and spirit with the student body.”

For freshman McKenna Bradley, involvement in ASB started during her time in middle school.

“I was a part of ASB from sixth to eighth grade,” Bradley said. “I

By Emily Redd, Staff Writer served as athletic commissioner, commissioner of school spirit and

“

I believe each grade should be represented equally and the voice of every student should be heard, not just the upperclassmen.

~ freshman

”

Alexis McCabe class president.”

In her campaign speech, McCabe is eager to share her ideas for improving the daily lives and experiences of students. She hopes to use her role in ASB as a way to increase school involvement at all grade levels.

“Some goals that I would like accomplished if I were elected would be to represent my freshman class and make the ideas and thoughts of the students happen,” McCabe said. “I want to encourage

the freshmen to explore the amazing opportunities that SMCHS has to offer and excite the students about events and our everyday life as an eagle.”

Bradley is aware of the time and commitment needed to hold an officer position and hopes students will recognize the qualities that make her a great candidate.

“I have a supportive, caring and fair attitude and I try to inspire others to see the best in themselves,” Bradley said. “I take all of my commitments very seriously, always listen to other people’s ideas and perspectives and have a lot of school spirit.”

McCabe is excited for the opportunity to be a voice for the freshman class.

“I believe each grade should be represented equally and the voice of every student should be heard, not just the upperclassmen,” McCabe said. “My hope is that very grade level should have the opportunity to be able to offer their ideas, opinions and thoughts.”

The newly elected freshmen officers will be able to showcase and

cultivate their talent in leadership with their positions in ASB. “It’s advantageous for the freshmen to be involved in ASB so they can have the opportunity to learn and be mentored from the upperclassmen ASB members,” Bradley said. “With this ongoing mentoring, our school is

structured to consistently have great leadership.”

After hearing the speeches and casting their votes, the freshmen elected their president, vice president and class secretary on Feb. 8. Congratulations to Alexis McCabe, Samantha Cruz and Kambiz Shoaei.

Photo by Emily Redd

Election time - Freshmen Alexis McCabe (left) and McKenna Bradley (right) run for the freshman elections.

Traveling Triad continued from page 1 “[The trip] kept getting glorying reviews on how much the students enjoy it. For the first time we go to see the Supreme Court and the justices firing questions to the attorneys and to actually be in the room was a real treat for me and the kids.”

Senior Paige Scott, who has been in the triad program for all four years, says that the trip helped her better understand her education with the company of her classmates.

“There are so many memories made with this class, but the biggest highlight was going to D.C. with this family,” Scott said. “It was an once in a life time experience with my best friends and I learned so many different things I wouldn’t have learned in the classroom.”

From Washington D.C. to their very first field trip freshman year, the Triad class feels nostalgic and saddened as it continues their future all in different states for their college experience.

“Triad truly means a lot to me,” said senior Olivia Martinez.

“I consider every single person in that class not only friend, but part of a family. I honestly have had nothing but good memories and

experiences being in Triad. […] I will always cherish those memories as we all go off to college.”

Out of all the groups McIntosh has been taking to Washington D.C., he says that the 2018 Triad class is the closest he has ever taken on a trip before.

“This class is definitely more closely connected,” McIntosh said. “[…] Partly because there is only 13 of them so I think spending the last four years together [with] multiple classes together each year they really committed to each other and a friendship level that is unlike classes in the past. It also makes them more chatty and talkative, but I get the sense that they support each other not just in class, but also in their other endeavors.”

This was the final trip for the closely bonded class of 2018. Senior Jake Sanderson expresses the relationships he established with his classmates.

“My [Triad] class is my family,” Sanderson said. “They are always there to make me feel better even when I’m having an off day. I learned how close we are and how well we all click with each other over the four years we have been together.”

Photo by Rachel Tetreault

Triad’s extended family- All 13 students are tight-knit and supportive of each other - much like a family.

More than mechanics

SMblyRequired The robotics team offers opportunities to learn, compete and give back.

By Kendal Orrantia, Feature Editor

H

ours after the end any other club where you can including Applied Medical of school in room learn the same skills and have and Genentech. This past G117, a group of real hands-on experience. “ summer, the team also held students work furiously to With sophisticated a weeklong workshop at design, program and build programs, the team has Serra Catholic with students functioning robots from produced various award- in grades five through eight. scratch. With computers, winning robots since the Participants in the workshop materials and tools scattered club’s inception. Their first worked with members of the across the room, the robotics robot, named Joan of Arc, team to build smaller robots, team collaborate and prepare helped the team win the which they presented to their for the upcoming competition Rookie All-Star award at the parents at the end of the week. season.

San Diego Regional in 2016. No matter the age group, While the robotics class The robot earned the top spot Ensari enjoys teaching others is an upperclass science in the qualification round and about the process of robotics elective, the robotics team sent the team to the World and engineering. is an after-school club that Championships in St. Louis, “[Robotics] is the future creates large-scale robots for Missouri. The competition and being able to teach it to local competitions. Senior robot built for last year’s students, middle schoolers or and founder of the club, Pelin season was named Thorfinn even adults is what keeps me Ensari, began the club her and could deliver gears, shoot engaged,” Ensari said. sophomore year. whiffle balls and climb a rope. Many members of the “I had been doing [robotics] In addition to the robot’s robotics team, including since 6th grade and I knew overall function, the team is Evans, plan on pursuing I wanted to establish it as a judged on other factors like engineering in college. primary course and activity the team’s structure, business With their experience, for STEM ,” Ensari said. plan and outreach. Ensari is many will be prepared for The club consists of smaller in charge of the engineering a major in engineering or teams with specific jobs that notebook that contains all computer science. With the contribute to the designing of the team’s additional opportunities available on the and building of each robot. information. She presents team, students of all interests Senior Jack Evans is the this notebook to a panel of are encouraged to join as well. co-leader of mechanics and judges at each competition.

“If you want to do design. He works with other “Being a student in robotics engineering, you can join,” members of the club to create means not only knowing the Ensari said. “If you want to do the robot’s subsystems, a engineering design process, business, you can join. If you process that uses computer- but also building team want to take videos and make aided design software, also working skills, engaging with movies, come make movies of known as CAD. Students professionals and learning our robots.” learn and work with business processes,” Ensari No matter a student’s Solidworks, a program used by said. interest, the robotics team over two million professional All teams are required to do is a place for innovation, engineers and designers. a form of community service creativity and shared passion.

“The programs we use to with their robots. In efforts to “Robotics is more than just design our robot are the same give back, the robotics team engineering,” Ensari said. “It Photos by Jesse Casey and Jason Lawrence used by real programmers,” has hosted STEM nights and is an activity that engages and High school engineers - The robotics team competes in local competitions with its robots.

Evans said. “I can’t think of presented at local companies creates innovative minds.”

OC Parenting honors Lawrence Jason Lawrence, robotics adviser, was selected as one of OC Parenting’s Top 25 teachers.

By Hannah Prince, Print Editor-in-Chief

Few know the meaning of robotics: it is about the process of design, construction, operation and use of robots in the interdisciplinary branch of engineering and science.

On Jan. 18, the robotics team and Mr. Dunne announced Jason Lawrence, science teacher and robotics director, as one of OC Parenting’s Top 25 teachers. This award is only awarded to 25 teachers out of hundreds located in Orange County and extends throughout all departments and grade levels from elementary school to high school.

“I definitely couldn’t have [received the award] without the support of my family, wife and daughter, administration and IT,” Lawrence said. “The students have been extremely dedicated [to the robotics team]. They are sacrificing a lot of social time to do this; […] it is not an easy thing to do.”

Senior Pelin Ensari shared her passion for the program and gratefulness for Lawrence’s role in a brief speech on Jan. 18.

“I can honestly say that this award is the most deserved by [Lawrence],” Ensari said. “[…] The amount of time and

dedication [Lawrence] put into robotics is really amazing and I just get emotional thinking about how much he has had to sacrifice for this team. I think we can all say that we are all really happy to have [Lawrence] as a coach, teacher, mentor and someone who is a figure of dedication, showing that he does what he loves and does it to help others.”

Five years ago, Lawrence was asked by the administration to look into starting a program that involved engineering.

Lawrence began researching ideas and was drawn to high school robotic programs because of the real world aspects - engineer experience and teamwork. In 2015, the SMblyRequired robotics team was founded.

As of January 2018, the robotics team prepares for their building season. The team will have six and a half weeks to analyze the game, design a robot, fabricate each part, assemble it and then program and test its abilities.

“I think the students that are on the team are very hard working and I see the real life skills that they are getting out of it and it makes it worth it,” Lawrence said. “There are

a lot of things in education where you learn for the test, regurgitate and forget it, but the skills students learn in robotics are real-life skills that will relate to any job.”

Lawrence’s goal for the team is to qualify for the World Championship in Houston this year, but first they must qualify at one of the two regional tournaments, either at the UCI Bren Center or the Lancaster Aerospace Valley Regional. The team had to raise around $9,000 in donations to compete.

“The tournament is meant to make people be social and work problems out together,” Lawrence said. “That is why I am saying it has nothing to do with engineering; it is not just for nerds. That is the big misconception. There is a story to be told.”

As Lawrence continues to inspire his team for the tournaments and raise money for their creations, the award exemplifies his dedication.

“I was honored to be even nominated for the award and I think to be in the top 25 was never my goal,” Lawrence said. “I just saw a program that would make a difference in students’ lives and I wanted to make it exist on our campus.”

Feature

11

The Eagle Eye

Miss Volleyball

Senior Devon Chang wins Cal-Hi Sports Ms. Volleyball Player of the Year and Gatorade’s California Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.

By Rachel Tetreault, Web Editor-in-Chief and AJ McGregor, Staff Writer

F

ollowing a State Championship, senior girls' volleyball team captain, Devon Chang, ended her last high school season with more than just a championship under her belt. As a result of Chang’s hard work and dedication, she was presented one of the most prestigious awards in high school volleyball: Cal-Hi Sports Ms. Volleyball Player of the Year. On Jan. 16th, she was also named Gatorade’s California Girls' Volleyball Player of the Year.

These awards serve as a token of achievement for such a successful season by Chang and her team.

“It means a lot to receive this

award,” Chang said. “I was really proud of our team for winning the State Championship and how we were able represent this school and everything this school has done for our team. What we have been able to accomplish is really special.”

The selection process for these prestigious awards are precise and strictly for California female volleyball players.

“There are so many great players throughout California, this honor shows what a great player Devon is,” said head girls’ volleyball coach Katy Daly. “Every year Gatorade honors one player from each state and California is one of the toughest states in volleyball. “ Daly feels that Chang’s presence on the court has been a major part of the team’s success. Chang’s past four years have not gone

unrecognized.

“Devon has been on the varsity team since freshmen year,” Daly said. “She knows the game of volleyball very well, she has a great work ethic and is disciplined. She is a four-year starter leading her team to many successes.”

Through her high level of play, Chang proved to be a major asset this season as the team’s setter.

However, Chang’s talent and performance did not come easy.

“I have put in a lot of hard work over the years,” Chang said.

“Its been a road of long practices, staying late, extra workouts, long games and long seasons. Its been a lot of work, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Chang’s hard work has in fact paid off. Chang is very appreciative of what volleyball has provided in

Photo by Russel Photography

Volleyball All-Star Devon Chang receives multiple awards for her performance on the court.

GMOs pose threat to human health

Month of the heart

By Ryan Dunker, Sports Editor

Photo by Rachel Tetreault

Heart awareness - Senior Devyn Prater appreciates the American Heart Association for raising awareness of people with heart issues.

American Heart Month brings awareness to heart disease.

By Kendal Orrantia, Feature Editor and Rachel Tetreault, Web Editor-in-Chief Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States as of 2017. In the month of February, organizations like the American Heart Association celebrate American Heart Month in efforts to raise awareness and money for the cause.

Factors like smoking, lack of exercise and unhealthy eating can all contribute to heart disease. For others, however, heart disorders can be passed on genetically.

Senior Devyn Prater inherited Long QT Syndrome from her father and was diagnosed at the age of 11.

“Growing up I was very involved in different sports; during games and practices I would always complain to my mom of chest pain and being out of breath all the time,” Prater said. “ We visited a number of doctors saying that nothing was wrong with me. [However, when I was] 11 my dad was due to go into surgery, but before he went in the doctor called it off. He had noticed that something looked terribly wrong with his EKG, (which is something that monitors and records the electrical activity of

her life including her recent signing to play Division 1 Volleyball at UCLA. “Volleyball is a really big part of my life and has been for so many years,” Chang said. “Without volleyball I wouldn’t be at Santa Margarita or be going to UCLA next year.

I have made so many of my friends by playing volleyball and I love the team aspect and just being able to compete.”

the heart). After the doctor looked further into it, he discovered that my dad had Long QT and that he potentially could have genetically passed it on to either my two little sisters or me. Each of us were tested and I was the one who came out positive.”

Prater’s disease is considered rare and only affects one in every 7,000 people in the world. Long QT Syndrome cannot be cured, however, it is treatable with medication and caution.

“My heart is not able to work the same way someone else’s does,” Prater said. “It’s hard for my heart to recharge in between beats. I have to avoid anything that will cause a ‘shock’ to myself like jumping into cold water, riding big roller-coasters or even using an alarm clock.”

Despite Prater’s disease, she doesn’t let her heart stop her from living a normal life.

“It was really hard for me to adjust after being diagnosed,” Prater said. “I used to be so focused on all the negatives in my life. But with all the love and support that

my family and friends have given me, all I can see are the positives.”

Prater has found ways to stay involved in sports, like managing a team. She has been the team manager for the boys’ lacrosse and boys’ basketball programs.

“I love [managing] because although I am not playing on the field, I can help on the sidelines,” Prater said.

Prater appreciates the fact that an entire month is dedicated to people just like her. She believes that it is important to raise awareness for heart disease and educate people of the many different types of heart disorders.

“Bringing awareness to heart diseases is so important,” Prater said. “There are so many different types out there that are each so dangerous; you may be living with one right now and not even know you have it. I am beyond blessed that doctors found and diagnosed me with this disease. Now I can take the needed precautions to keep myself safe, rather than unknowingly be living with it and having something happen to me.”

Genetically modified organisms, commonly known as GMOs, have created great controversy in the past decade. A GMO is a microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been altered or modified for a specific use. Genetic modification is a specific way in which GMOs are produced.

“The amount of chemicals we ingest because of the use of GMOs and the desire to make the ‘perfect taste, shape, color, etc.’ for that specific organism is something I am against,” said Biology teacher Brittany Adame.

Altering the DNA of any organism and creating a new gene could alter chemical reactions and disrupt other cell processes.

This change can lead to instability, change in nutritional value and the creation of new toxins and allergens.

Genetic engineering is essentially forcing new DNA into a cell which already has its own genetic makeup. There are multiple ways this can be done. For example, using bacteria and viruses to infect a plant or animal. These bacteria and viruses will infuse their DNA within the organism which results in the replacement and modification of that specific gene.

“I feel that GMOs should stay in a lab and not be used in products that humans eat,” Adame said. “[Scientists may] modify the plants and animals for research purposes, but do not sell those products in order to make money.”

Many scientists believe that people that consume GMOs are more prone to diseases and allergies. The Non-GMO Project stated that GMOs can lead to “health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights.”

“Genetically modifying an organism's genetic code can help the larger producers of crops,” said junior Aidan Traynor. “I would like for there to be smaller companies

that still produce non-GMO crops for us to eat from.”

GMOs have a significant effect on the environment. Bees, butterflies and even birds are at risk with the increasing use of GMOs, many of the toxins these organisms contain are transferred to these animals while they are pollinating “Genetically modified crops are responsible for the emergence of ‘superweeds’ and ‘superbugs,’” according to the Non-GMO Project. “They can only be killed with ever more toxic poisons such as 2,4-D.” “If crops are allowed to reproduce in a natural environment the potential of the modified traits may transfer into wild populations of crops,” Adame said.

The other side of the argument on GMOs is that they pose new ways in which plants and agriculture can be grown. Plants can be genetically modified to grow in arid and dry regions which would be beneficial to countries suffering from drought. Animals can be genetically modified to produce more milk and meat for farmers. New studies have come out where cows are genetically modified to become blood donors because their plasma contains such antibodies and proteins capable off fighting off diseases in humans.

“It makes sense for us to have the most GMO usage," Traynor said.

"Not only does it help the size and growth time of the crops, but also makes them more affordable."

The U.S. ranks first in terms of GMOs. 80 percent of the food that the U.S. consumes contains GMOs. It’s also found in many ingredients. These ingredients combine to make everyday foods.

On an international scale, there are nearly 300 regions and countries with a ban on GMOs. “Since GMOs are found in so many products that we eat, I think it is important that they are labeled as such and that people are aware of them,” Adame said.

12

A&E

The Eagle Eye

Democracy dies in darkness

“The Post” tells the true story of Katharine Graham and the Pentagon Papers.

By Margaret Driscoll, News and A&E Editor

T

he Washington Post's decision to publish highly classified information from the Pentagon Papers in 1971 helped shape American history.

Now, "The Post", with Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, illuminates this important and inspiring story This important event is referred to as the Pentagon Papers. The document is officially named "United States -Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967: A Study Prepared by the Department of Defense." Essentially, the document explained that the Johnson Administration lied to the American public and Congress about its involvement in the Vietnam War. The worst lie is that leaders knew the U.S. was losing the battle and didn’t admit it to the public. Too overcome with pride, the administration still sent troops, It all began when a brave military analyst and American activist for the Research and Development Corporation decided to sneak the information through a photocopying machine. Daniel Ellsberg spent three months in 1969 copying the papers and eventually sent 7,000 pages of the papers to the New York Times. Ellsberg was prosecuted under the Espionage Act of 1917 and was given 115 years in jail. Eventually, these charges were dropped due to government misconduct and illegal gathering

Photo by AP Photo

Washington Post- Daniel Ellsberg speaks to reporters outside the Federal Building in Las Angeles in 1971.

of evidence.

In 1971, the New York Times printed portions of the Pentagon Papers on its front page. Ellsberg also gave portions of the papers to the Washington Post, prompting them to print about it as well.

It wasn't until 2011 that the full Pentagon Papers were released to the public. This release inspired the 2017 Hollywood-made docudrama about the event, directed by Steven Spielberg.

In the film, Streep plays the publisher of the Washington Post, Katharine Graham, who

made the decision to publish the secret information about the Vietnam War. With pressure from government officials and her employees, she decides to publish the secret content and accept the consequences of this choice.

Streep captures her character with elegance and subtle power.

Even with male counterparts and employees trying to influence her decision-making, Graham overcomes the objections and decisively and rightly distinquishes herself as the first female publisher in history.

And the award goes to...

A modern day Twilight Zone Netflix series makes viewers scared of their TV screen.

2018 awards season is just getting started.

By Brittany Kaplan, Staff Writer

By Margaret Driscoll, News and A&E Editor and Ian Gutierrez, Managing Editor Awards season is the time of year where artists’ work from the previous year is recognized and celebrated. Celebrities and professionals gather together at different events to commend standout works.

The most prominent of these events include the Oscars, Grammys and the Golden Globes. The Oscars focus on movies in 24 categories and the Golden Globes focus on both movies and television in 25 categories. The Grammys recognize the best musicians, songs and albums in 84 different categories.

The 75th Golden Globes took place on Jan. 7 and the 60th Grammy Awards on Jan. 28. The 90th Oscars will take place on March 4.

In addition to recognizing talented individuals, these shows often address current global issues.

At the Golden Globes, people showed their support for the Times Up movement by wearing black attire. They raised awareness for sexual assault in the workplace and raised money for people who filed lawsuits against sex offenders.

At the Oscars, judges responded

Graham's trusted Executive Editor-in-Chief, Ben Bradlee, played by Hanks, implements her decision to publish the information. Bradlee believes that The Post should publish the papers because the American people have a right to know what is happening in Vietnam.

Graham has a difficult decision to make, as the Washington Post wants to get the scoop on the New York Times. While she wants to reveal the Pentagon Papers, she doesn’t want to lose the paper due to government intervention. The

papers are sent in no particular order and with a majority of the information redacted. The writers and editors have to gather in Bradlee's home library to sort through the papers and put a story together in less than a day.

Graham, in the middle of giving a toast at a party she hosted for a departing employee, got a call to make a final decision. While it was a group effort, in the end it was her decision alone to publish the papers. Graham made history.

The case made it to the Supreme Court as United States v. The Washington Post Company in 1971. The court ruled in favor of the Washington Post and New York Times with a vote of six to three--groundbreaking for an independent press and investigative reporting. Judge Hugo Black wrote the majority opinion.

"The press was to serve the governed,” Black said,” not the governors.”

The film comes at a relevant time in today's world. It explains that the freedom of the press is a never ending battle and if a paper accepts limitations, it loses that freedom.

Graham and Bradlee knew they had to post the papers against what the White House wanted. The film calls upon media to continue using the freedom of the press forcefully-to tell the truth.

to the complaints about a lack of representation of people of color included in nominees. A few years ago, the Oscars received heavy backlash after nominating very few people of color. Now, the Oscars have become more inclusive of people from different races. Likewise, the Grammy nominations for Album of the Year all consisted of either people of color or women. These include Childish Gambino, JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde and winner Bruno Mars.

Each show recognizes the best of their groups and the talented individuals featured. This includes a diverse selection of artists from different backgrounds, races and cultures. Awards season brings everyone together no matter where they are or their background. It is a time for actors and viewers to come together and watch all of these famous individuals succeed in their craft and celebrate an evening of talent and excitement.

Illustrated by Kendal Orrantia

Killer mechanic bees, digital cloning and cartoons elected to political positions in government.

No, this isn’t an unpublished Orwell novel. It’s “Black Mirror,” one of Netflix’s most popular series--exclusive to the site. The ongoing British sci-fi-meetshorror show has a reputation for including controversial topics from the get-go; Season 1, Episode 1 (“The National Anthem”) revolved entirely around the British Prime Minister being blackmailed into committing a heinous, bestial act with a pig on live television.

The audience tends to view dystopian shows like “Black Mirror” and distance themselves from the plot, not wanting to believe that the world could ever look like the mess on the television screen. While science has yet to find a way to transform a deceased individual’s previous social media posts into replicas of that person (S2, E1: “Be Right Back”), people tend to overlook smaller technological crises that occur fairly frequently in their lives.

Remember back in 2016 when Samsung Galaxy Note 7s spontaneously combusted? Or on Jan. 13 of 2018 when Hawaiian citizens received a false Emergency Alert warning that an enemy ballistic missile was headed their way? How about the online “Blue Whale Challenge” that ravaged

Russia in 2016 by blackmailing children into committing suicide?

Do those not all sound like scrapped “Black Mirror” subplots?

Though people may never live in a world where using the exercise bike is the only career option (S1, E2: “Fifteen Million Merits”), doglike robots are the new sheriffs in town (S4, E5: “Metalhead”) or video games can kill (S4, E2: “Playtest”) it’s still important to remember that with every technological innovation arises problems. “Black Mirror’s” fear-factor comes from the subconscious knowledge in the back of viewers’ heads that any of what they see on their screens could in theory play out in real life.

That’s what makes “Black Mirror’s” four seasons so entertaining. Even the show’s cast is in a state of disbelief over the consequences of whatever technology has taken over the world. In “San Junipero,” (S3, E4) the main elderly protagonist struggles to grasp the idea of an eternal digital paradise into which deceased individuals’ DNA can be uploaded, even though she herself frequents the online heaven as a test-run before she dies.

“Black Mirror’s” technology is just as foreign to its characters as it is to viewers. The characters’ reactions are what viewers expect of anybody in that situation: skeptical, wildly curious and slightly terrified.

A&E

Talon Theatre Cares

Talon Theatre organizes ways to give back throughout the school year.

By AJ McGregor, Staff Writer and Lauren Danke, Staff Writer

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talent show. All of the proceeds from the ticket sales go directly back to the foundation they have chosen: Equity Fights AIDS. While there are multiple organizations that Talon Theatre could have chosen, Broadway Cares had characteristics that set them apart from the others. Senior Griffin Webb plays a major role in organizing this event.

“We chose Broadway Cares because of its connection to theater,” Webb said. “Performing arts from across the nation have worked together to support this organization and we wanted to join with everyone else.”

Talon Theatre has hopes that their generosity will inspire the community around them to give as well.

“My hope for the future is that one day we can all come together to give back,” Webb said. “We are one student body after all. We may be part of different groups and programs, but we are one SMCHS community and we should share in this together so that we can make the best impact for the greatest number of people.”

Webb hopes Talon Theatre’s efforts will lead to a positive impact in society. For Talon Theatre, knowing that their selfless acts can help those in need is a reward in itself.

“I love knowing that my work and donations are making a difference because that’s what it’s all about,” Webb said. “We do these events and raise this money in order to make a difference in these peoples’ lives. The biggest reward from all of this is knowing that what I’ve done has made the world a little better for even one person.”

Trump tweet or not

Illustration by Ian Gutierrez

The Eagle Eye staff issues a challenge: guess whether the tweets below are from the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump, or if they are fake.

By Riley Davies, Copy Editor

1

Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump Why would Kim Jongun insult me by calling me “old,” when I would NEVER call him “short and fat?” Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!

4

2

Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump Those poor Puerto Ricans. What devastation. Truly horrible. I offer you all my warmest condolences.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump When will all the haters and fools out there realize that having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. There always playing politics - bad for our country.

I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!

3

@realDonaldTrump I love being president.

Having this much power is exhilarating.

Donald Trump

5

@realDonaldTrump I spoke with President Moon of South Korea last night. Asked him how Rocket Man is doing. Long gas lines forming in North Korea. Too bad!

Answers: 1. Trump Tweet 2. Trump Tweet 3. Not a Trump Tweet 4. Not a Trump Tweet 5. Trump Tweet

Photo by Emma Smith

The gift that keeps on giving- Talon Theatre volunteers at the Hearts for Hearts Foundation in Mission Viejo.

alon Theatre shows its generosity this year in the arts by seeking to advocate for different foundations through drives, talent shows and other events.

Earlier this year during the production of “Godspell” the theater hosted a donation drive to stuff backpacks with blankets, shampoo, conditioner, razors, socks and supplies. With these backpacks, they were able to donate a couple hundred backpacks to those in need.

Senior Raiya Browning is one of the students who helped organize the event. While she says it was a hard process for her and the rest of the arts department, she wouldn’t take back any of the time she spent organizing the donations.

She believes she saw God working through the drive.

“It’s weird how God works,” Browning said. “At the same time of the production of “Godspell,” the homeless shelter in Santa Ana was shut down and we were able to give those people the backpacks we made.”

During the production of “Godspell,” the cast also visited members of the homeless community at the Catholic Worker.

The cast performed for them and played games in the daycare center with children who were at risk.

Browning claims this event had the most impact on her.

“It was nice to center a show around something that impacts us and our community,” Browning said.

Talon Theatre’s upcoming event is a talent show on Feb. 23. The actors are mirroring Broadway’s “Broadway Cares” by hosting a

13

The Eagle Eye

For our parent readers:

Enclos Corp. has a new office.

31831 Camino Capistrano, Suite 202 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Visit: www.enclos.com for more information

14

Sports

The Eagle Eye

Super Bowl Sunday The history behind the most watched sporting event of the year.

By Ryan Dunker, Sports Editor

S

uper Bowl Sunday is a time for parties, food, commercials and most of all football; it has become a fan holiday in which friends and family come together to watch the big game. Last year alone Super Bowl LI hit a total of 172 million views, making it the most viewed TV broadcast in U.S. history.

The National Football League, or NFL, has a history that dates back nearly 98 years even though this is the 52nd Super Bowl. In the beginning, the NFL was a confederation known as the American Professional Football Association, or APFA. The game back then was quite different than it is today. For example, coaching from the sidelines was prohibited, team names and cities were different, players played both offense and defense and forward passes were rare.

“Football has come such a long way and it’s interesting to see how it has changed since the 1920s and how much importance it has

within the American society,” said junior Matthew Richerson.

Fast forward to 1960 and a historic change in football occurred as the American Football League, or AFL, formed. At the time, most of the teams in this league were owned by rich businessmen who wanted to own an NFL franchise, but were prevented because of the NFL’s unwillingness to expand. The two leagues defined professional football in the 60’s as well as an intense rivalry.

“The AFL helped expand professional football into what we know today,” said senior Griffin Johnson. “It forced the NFL to decide to either expand and merge or face competition with the AFL for viewers, fans and ticket sales.”

Six years later, NFL commissioner Pete Rozzelle and Lamar Hunt, owner of the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, formed an agreement which would merge the two leagues in 1970. Within the agreement lay the foundation of the Super

Bowl as the two leagues would play each other at the end of the season in a game which Lamar Hunt referred to as the “Super Bowl.”

“The Super Bowl plays an important part of the game today because most people in America watch this amazing game between the two best teams in the NFL,” said junior football player, Tyler Lee. Now in 2018, the only two remaining teams that initially joined the league in 1920 are the Arizona Cardinals and the Chicago Bears, formerly known as the Chicago Cardinals and Decatur Staleys. The Green Bay Packers, which joined the NFL in 1921, are the oldest franchise in terms of maintaining their team name and location.

“Despite having a long history, it’s interesting to see how far the NFL has come and how much it has retained since its formation in the 1920’s,” Johnson said.

Football has a long and deep

Photo by Quintin3265, Wikimedia

Football fanatics- Eagles and Patriots fans from around the country gather in Minneapolis to watch the big game.

history, but the game today spurs excitement and cheers for all Americans. This upcoming Super Bowl will be sure to get

high viewership ratings and will also allow for Americans to come together and watch the big game.

Leaving a legacy Alumni Carson Palmer’s football career comes to a close.

By Olivia Hernandez, Staff Writer After 15 seasons of touchdowns and passes in the National Football League, Carson Palmer has announced his retirement. Palmer is known for being on football teams including the Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals, but few know that his football career started at SMCHS 20 years ago.

Palmer was a part of class 1997. In high school, Palmer was the starting quarterback for two consecutive years and broke numerous records while on the field. Schools across the country, especially the University of Southern California, recognized this rare talent at such a young age. Palmer ultimately decided to accept the offer and attend USC. At the collegiate level, under

coach Pete Carroll’s leadership, Palmer led his team to victory in season and won in college bowls like the Sun and Orange Bowls.

Palmer then went on to break more records and won the Heisman trophy. The Heisman trophy is for a college football player in Division I who demonstrates outstanding character on and off the field while being the best player of their time.

This allowed Palmer to be the first pick of the 2003 draft.

After eight years of high school and college football, Palmer’s career was only just beginning when he went to the NFL. While in the NFL, he was able to play in the pro-bowl, which is a game outside of season that is for the best players in the two divisions of the NFL (the AFC and NFC) to play one another to see who is the best.

Palmer has had many achievements and unfortunately ended his career after injuries.

Photo courtesy of SMCHS Eagle Athletics

Touchdown - Carson Palmer wears blue and gold during his high school career.

“What I will never forget are the relationships,” Palmer said. “All of those countless people at the Bengals, Raiders and Cardinals who work behind the scene to make this whole thing run.”

Palmer’s NFL career is as

significant as his impact on the local community In 2007, Palmer gave back to the OC community through raising funds for a new home for kids who were in need.

He also gave back to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of the

Inland Empire.

Palmer has displayed his characteristics through service.

Even after all the limelight, he has still kept Caritas Christi through his work ethic and giving back to the community.

Sports Winter sports teams get ready for CIF play

By Ryan Dunker, Sports Editor

Photo by Jesse Casey

Heads up - Senior Jessie Roux goes up for a header.

Photo by Jesse Casey

Driving in - Senior Jessica Fracker dribbles toward the basket.

Photo by Russell Photography

Open up - Junior Alexis Kieckhafer passes the ball.

Photo by Jesse Casey

Incoming - Senior Kyle Carey takes a free kick.

Photo By Jesse Casey

Throwing it up - Sophomore Ryan Evans pulls up from deep.

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The Eagle Eye

The winter season of sports is here and that means The Nest is once again ready to cheer and support their fellow Eagles winter sports teams. The teams for this season include: boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ basketball, boys’ wrestling and girls’ water polo.

Boys’ soccer is now 19-3-1 in their season and OC Varsity polls for boys’ soccer have Santa Margarita at the eighth seed in the Division I bracket. As the first round of CIF is around the corner, boys’ soccer is looking toward a successful CIF campaign.

“Our goals for the rest of the season are to win CIF,” said varsity soccer player, junior Ben Byra. “We do everything we can to grow as individuals and as a team.”

Girls’ soccer also takes on their winter season with a current record of 11-5-4. The girls have made a statement with zero losses during Trinity League games. Girls soccer have now won the Trinity League with a decisive win over the JSerra Lions who were ranked number one in the polls.

“We all love to play the game and have fun together,” said varsity soccer player, senior Kennedy Shulman. “It’s a young team, but we all work together to accomplish our goals.”

Girls’ basketball who have begun league games are 11-13. They began their season with an upset against Esperanza with a score of 44-37 and they continued to improve and learn from each game.

“Our goals are always to get better and help our teammates improve their game,” said varsity basketball player, sophomore Erin Biddiscombe. “We are a family and support each other.”

Boys’ basketball has made a statement with a 20-6 record as they begin the first round of CIF. They are currently in a pool of eight other teams in the CIF open division, this difference from a 16 team bracket only means tough competition for the team. Boys’ basketball will be playing their first game against number two seed, Etiwanda.

“We have one of the best teams at SM in a while in terms of all around talent and depth,” said varsity basketball player, senior Brenden Cormie.

Girls’ water polo is currently 21-7 for their season. After a late comeback, the girls were able to beat Huntington Beach in the CIF wildcard match.

“We are looking to showcase our potential and cause some big upsets,” said varsity water polo player, junior Alexis Kieckhafer.

For boys’ wrestling, junior Nathaniel Clay and freshman Vince Iadarola made statements at the Mann Classic, Beach Bash and at Esperanza. Clay went on to place second at the San Clemente varsity Rotary tournament and has also become the heavyweight Trinity League champion.

“My goal as a leader is keeping everything down to earth and being human,” Clay said. “When it’s time to work we work. When we can joke around we do, but we always push each other.”

Journey to the jackets Varsity song defends its national title during the competition season.

By McKenna Sulick, Staff Writer

T

he varsity song team huddled together on stage in Orlando on March 5, 2017 awaiting their results. The girls balanced exhaustion and anticipation and the arena stood silent until the words “Santa Margarita- first place” were announced. After a season with a perfect record in pom, the team of 16 girls, who practiced an average of 12 hours a week from May to March, received a large trophy and

to give everything you have to a performance and leave it on stage.”

This year’s team, led by coaches Nicole Cestone, Stephanie Brown and Danielle Darwazeh, has put in hours of energy and tough practices to aim for those famed jackets once more.

Varsity song cheers at games, dances and rallies, but in the competition world, they are the team to beat. They compete in three categories with three different

Photo by McKenna Sulick

Pom poms up - The lady Eagles gear up for the Florida competition.

those coveted black jackets with the words “National Champions” written across the back.

“That Florida feeling is like no other,” said varsity song member, junior Catherine Nilsen. “It’s hard to describe what it feels like

routines at eight competitions in the Advanced Division.

Competition season begins in early Dec., but choreography begins in Aug. “The school only sees a small part of what we do,” said four

year member and senior captain Bella Ruggiero. “Our season lasts 11 months and we prepare for competition season for seven of those months.”

Competition season is a time of intense practice, dedication and overcoming nerves to showcase the team’s commitment and focus. Each dancer has a dance background of at least 10 years and love for the craft.

“Seeing the dancers go out there and leaving everything on the floor, seeing that they feel so empowered to be SMCHS song and seeing them connect as one unit gives me so much pride,” said coach Stephanie Brown.

With an award-winning coaching staff, a group of refined dancers and 25 titles to uphold, the song program is a powerful force in the face of their competitors.

Varsity song spends every day on the third floor of the “R” building dancing through exhaustion, encouraging each other to work past their limit and using determination to dominate on stage.

“The most rewarding part of being a coach is being able to see the journey,” Brown said. “These dancers are strong and seeing them really truly believe in something and in themselves makes all the work worth it.”

Two competitions are left until Nationals in Florida. Varsity song is pushing to defend their title and make those legendary champion jackets theirs to keep.

Renewed leadership Kirstyn Atkinson brings experience and personality to the girls’ lacrosse program.

By Kendal Orrantia, Feature Editor

Photo by Jesse Casey

Back in action - Kirstyn Atkinson leads her team by example.

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he girls’ varsity lacrosse team finished strong in the 2016-2017 season with an overall record of 11-7. After their season, however, the girls found themselves without a coach. After months of searching for someone to fill the job, coach Kirstyn Atkinson was welcomed to the program as the new head coach.

Atkinson is originally from the East Coast. She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and attended McDonough School, home to one of the top high school lacrosse programs in the country.

“I started playing lacrosse when I was four, which is crazy,” Atkinson said. “My dad grew up

playing lacrosse and the first thing he did was put a lacrosse stick in my hand.”

Atkinson graduated from Northwestern University in 2011, where she played soccer and lacrosse at the collegiate level. She contributed to her lacrosse team as a defender and won three national championships during her career.

Atkinson expresses both the positive and negative aspects of playing a division I sport.

“It’s a big commitment and I definitely lived a different life than a normal college student,” Atkinson said. “But it was something I always wanted to do and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

After graduating, Atkinson began coaching lacrosse at different colleges, including Drexel University in Philadelphia and the Naval Academy. She moved to California in 2015 to be closer to family and got a job as the Lacrosse Director of Operations at the University of Southern California.

After two years at USC, she started coaching high school lacrosse.

“My ultimate goal had always been to coach in middle school and high school,” Atkinson said.

“I always had awesome coaches growing up and along with my parents, they were the reason I got to where I was. I want to be like

that for other people and feel like it is my calling.”

Atkinson was hired for the girls’ varsity lacrosse coach position in the fall of the first semester. After meeting members of the athletic staff, she felt a connection to the SMCHS community that reminded Atkinson of her high school.

“I love being a part of a strong community and I feel like that’s what we have here,” Atkinson said.

“There is a lot of pride, school spirit and support for student athletes.”

Atkinson has high hopes for the upcoming lacrosse season. She is eager to win a championship, but also believes in taking things one game at a time. After meeting members of last year’s team, she shares insights on her favorite part of coaching. “[The best part is that] I always get to be part of a team,” Atkinson said. “Being around people that are enthusiastic and want to be there is contagious to be around.”

Atkinson’s positive attitude has rubbed off on many of the team’s players as practices have begun.

Senior Maddie Bush looks forward to the season with a new coach. “[Coach Kirstyn] is dedicated, knowledgeable and patient,” Bush said. “She knows so much about the game of lacrosse and I cannot wait to learn from her.”

16

Sports

The Eagle Eye

Winter Olympics The 2018 Winter Olympic Games begin in PyeongChang, South Korea amid concerns and controversy.

By Hannah Prince, Print Editor-in-Chief

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he Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, will be held in PyeongChang, South Korea from Friday, Feb.9 through Sunday, Feb. 25.

This year’s motto is “Passion.

Connected.” This 2018 Winter Olympics will host 102 events in 15 sports. Six nations: Ecuador, Eritrea, Kosovo, Malaysia, Nigeria and Singapore are scheduled to make their Winter Olympics debut.

Seniors Logan Orsini and Jacob Makowecki, captains of the SM boys’ hockey team, look forward to watching the Winter Olympics, especially hockey.

“Professional and Olympic players inspire me [to be] a vocal leader,” Makowecki said. “I’m the guy who talks in the locker room and tries to pump everyone up. And then obviously leading by example - off the ice how to prepare for games and on the ice being disciplined.”

This year, for the first time since 1998, the National Hockey League, or NHL, will not allow its players to participate in the Olympics. The NHL secured the cooperation of the International Olympic Committee, or IOC, and International Ice Hockey Federation to establish a blacklist,

which forbids national teams from nominating and accepting players under the NHL contract to their Olympic rosters.

“I think it is a disadvantage that NHL players cannot play because the best part of the Olympics is seeing the top players compete and come together,” Makowecki said. “Mostly, team Canada and team U.S.A. are always in the Illustration by Kendal Orrantia

championship and that is always a fun experience. Now this year, Logan and I know nobody on the lineups. It is going to be a lot different.”

For the U.S. and Canadian teams, the rosters are filled with younger players at college level along with retired NHL professionals that will return to represent their country.

Aspiring players, like Orsini and Makowecki, wait in anticipation to watch the style of play this year.

“I am disappointed because NHL players, like Patrick Cane and

Austin Matthews won’t be on TV, but I am still watching because it is fun watching players represent the country,” Orsini said.

Beyond hockey, other sports that capture Orsini’s interest are snowboarding and ski jumping.

This year, four new sports have been added. The newest additions include big air snowboarding, mixed doubles curling, mass start speed skating and mixed team alpine skiing.

As the games expand with new countries and events, so do concerns and controversies.

Security is always a major concern for the host country, but this year other issues are being discussed. For example, Russia will not be competing under their own flag due to being banned over an alleged statesponsored doping scandal. Since Russia’s disqualification, certain individual Russian athletes who meet strict anti-doping regulations will compete under the IOC flag.

92 teams have qualified, but only 91 nations will be in attendance (excluding Russia).

“We [Britain] firmly believe that the entire road map has to be complied with before Russia can take part in the Winter Games in order to protect clean British

and international athletes so they can compete on a level playing field,” said the United Kingdom Anti-Doping, or UKAD, chief executive Nicole Sapstead to The Independent.

The city of PyeongChang and the IOC continue to communicate with the media and settle disputes.

Coverage of the games in the United States, is broad-casted under NBC, due to a long-term contract with NBC Universal.

This is also the first Olympics without long-time primary host Bob Costas. Costas has now passed the torch to new host, Mike Tirico,

who is most commonly known for his 10-year coverage as an National Football League, or NFL, play-byplay announcer on ESPN’s Monday Night Football from 2006 to 2015.

Tirico was also a host on ESPN/ ABC for NBA basketball, golf and tennis.

With multiple torches passed within America, from new NHL rules to a new NBC host, the real Olympic torch approaches: the 2018 Winter Games. In PyeongChang, athletes will perform to their utmost ability after years of training and, more importantly, represent their country.

Photo by Jesse Orsini

On the ice - (Left to right) Jacob Makowecki, Ryan Parkinson, Nick Mauthe and Logan Orsini prepare for season.

Big man on campus The basketball team welcomes its newest addition from China.

By Gillian Steffey, Opinion Editor The gym is filled and the Nest is excited. Number 33 has the ball and is dribbling down the court. As he drives towards the basket he can hear the crowd cheering his name.

He goes for the shot… he shoots… he scores! That’s two more points for the Eagles.

Born and raised in China, junior Shengzhe Li is the newest addition to the boys’ varsity basketball team. Because of his towering height of six feet 11 inches, Li has already earned the nickname of “Big Li” from his teammates and coaches. He has been playing basketball since he was six years old. Since then his passion and dedication for the sport has given him some amazing opportunities, including his recent move to the United States and the ability to play basketball in Spain for the last few years.

Li first heard about Santa

Margarita from his close friend, alumni basketball player and fellow exchange student, Johnny Wang ‘17. After talking with Wang about attending high school in the United States, Li decided coming to SMCHS would be a great opportunity.

“I really wanted to come to the United States because I knew it would be a different experience and a new culture,” Li said. “The best part about this school so far is definitely the people and the campus is really cool.”

Even though Li has only been here a short time, he is already making the most of it. While Li does not have any personal goals for this season, he is hoping that the team’s hard work will pay off and take them to the State Championship. Since Li is only a junior, his basketball career here will continue next season.

“After high school I am planning on staying in the United Sates and in college I want to play in the NCAA,” Li said.

Boys’ basketball coach Instagram: @smchseagleeye Jeff Reinert hopes to help Website: www.smchseagleeye.com Li achieve this dream. He

Check us out online!

knows how important basketball is to Li and he believes that SMCHS will help Li achieve great things. Li came, not only for basketball, but also because he wanted to improve his academics in order to eventually play at the collegiate level.

“He wanted to find a school that had a good balance of academics, a social life and basketball,” Reinert said. “This school has a culture, there’s football games and basketball games and school dances, which he had never experienced before.”

Because this is Li’s first time playing high school basketball in the United Sates, Reinert explains that right now is an adjustment period for his player.

“This is a learning experience for [Li] because how high school basketball is played here is completely different from where he was before,” Reinert said. “But I know down the road Division One schools are going to want to recruit him.”

In his short time here, Li has already made a big impact on his teammates and coaches.

“He has such a wonderful personality; everyone loves him,”

Reinert said. “He’s got a big smile.

He’s a genuine person and he really cares about people. On the court

he is a very aggressive, talented young man; off the court he’s just fun-loving and great to be around.”

Slam dunk - Shengzhe Li takes a shot for the Eagles.

Photo by Jesse Casey