SMCHS Eagle Eye Issue 2

Halloween Pages 8-9

This is Halloween

Treat yourself to a haunted eve of sweets, ghostly adventures and scary movies.

Volume XXVIII, Issue 2

October 2015

Celebirdy Eagle business is getting serious.

By Shannon Pierson, Co-Editor-in-Chief

H

e has photoshoots on the daily.

He is frequently requested to make appearances at SMCHS’ hottest events.

Everyone knows his name.

No, this isn’t Grant Shoults or Johnny Stanton we’re talking about. Ironically, it’s their biggest cheerleader.

High school mascots are typically unsung heroes, rarely receiving recognition for their

contributions to the school and the spirit they represent. But at SMCHS, the Eagle mascot role is treated differently. It’s cherished. This year especially, the communications and activities offices have moved SMCHS’s beloved Eagle mascot from the sidelines and into the spotlight.

“We’re giving more attention to [the Eagle mascot] because it’s demanding attention,” said Director of Activities Sammer

Scan this QR code for the results of the new Eagle mascot costume design survey.

Darwazeh. “So much time has been invested in this thing, that it’s only fitting that we invest the time back; we invest what we need to do to bring it up to the next level.”

Over recent years, the Eagle mascot role has evolved from a joke into a legitimate job. This is due to the people in the costume, who fearlessly shake their tail feathers to crowds and push the limits of mascoting. Roll-

er skating, heel clicking and cheering alongside the adored “baby eagles”, the Eagle mascots of the past have seriously impressed parents, students and alumni -- not to mention the communications and activities offices.

“The last few years have helped bring the mascot to where it is now, helping to continued on page 3 photo by Steve Wylie

In this issue Bobbing for faith

Debate of the decade

Sewn into the crown

page 3

page 5

page 11

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●

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Check us out online!

www.smchseagleeye.com

2

News

The Eagle Eye

Bobbing for fai h Saved by the bell, senior Bobby Connelly now centers his life around Christ rather than drugs.

By Camille Manese, Staff Writer

J

ust smoke a few cigarettes it won’t hurt you!” “Drink some beer, don’t be a baby!”

“Everyone’s doing it!” “Hurry, just do it!”

Transitioning from a public middle school to a private high school was difficult for senior Bobby Connelly. He gave in to peer pressure by using drugs and alcohol and wasn’t prepared for the changes using made to his life.

“I didn’t have a lot of friends,” Connelly said. “I tried to get in with the ‘cool’ kids. Those [drugs] were the decisions they were making so I just went along with it.”

Connelly began getting into drugs and alcohol during winter break of his freshman year. Drugs began to take over his life. Connelly was so caught up in the feelings that the drugs gave him that he couldn’t consider quitting. He didn’t see how affected his friends and family were by his choices.

One day, his perspective changed.

“One time, my dad caught me and I saw how disappointed he was,” Connelly said. “He wasn’t

wasn’t truly investing in a Christian lifestyle.

“I’d been going to church regularly on the weekends but I didn’t buy into it because I felt like I was too bad of a person to be receiving the love of Christ,” Connelly said.

His parents signed him up for HSM (High School Ministry) Camp at Saddleback, but he didn’t expect to get anything out of it.

“I thought it was stupid and it was just going to be the same as it had been the past couple years,” Connelly said.

He began to open up about his struggles to his life group and his attitude changed. His leaders shared similar stories, and he stopped feeling so alone. At HSM camp, a camp leader talked about the Black Plague -- how buried bodies of those who were unconscious had a bell wrapped around their wrist to ring if they were still alive beneath the dirt. The next camp exercise, figuratively, woke up Connelly from the dead.

“They had this big bell on stage,” Connelly said. “They said to come up and ring the bell if you’ve felt dead inside and want to tell everyone that you’re still alive. It might sound weird or stupid to some peo-

courtesty photo

Speaking out loud - Senior Bobby Connelley gives his testimony at the fall kickoff weekend at Saddleback Church in front of 2000 people.

really angry; he was just sad. It looked like he felt as if he failed as a parent, and that crushed me.

I stopped for a few weeks. It really hit me what I was doing to my parents and the people that cared about me.”

Connelly’s drug use stopped for a while, but he eventually returned to his unhealthy habits. He grew up in a Christian family. He continued to go through the motions, but

How did Red Ribbon Week start?

After DEA agent Enrique Camarena was murdered, his friends and family wore red badges in honor of his fight to eradicate illegal drug use.

ple who weren’t there but that was my defining moment.”

When he came back from camp, Connelly felt called to share his story with others. He wrote his testimony and revised it for three months before he shared it. Saddleback Church chose Connelly to speak at one of the biggest weekends of the year, The Fall Kick Off, in front of over 2,000 people.

“I got a lot of positive feedback,”

About

4,300

people under 21

die

from alcohol-related incidents.

photo by Amanda Zou

Natural high - Turning away from drugs and turning toward God, senior Bobby Connelly maintains his relationship with God by staying involved in at Saddleback Church.

Connelly said. “I had people telling me that I motivated them to try and stay drug free or sober and I changed a lot of peoples’ lives. I don’t want to take credit for any of that. That was another thing that kept me accountable because I had a lot of people looking up at me. I just couldn’t let them down.”

Not only is he committed to staying drug free, he feels a responsibility to those he influenced that weekend. He strives to keep this promise to his life group. “[My life group] keeps me accountable because I still get tempted [up] to today,” Connelly said.

“They help me stay on the right path. I definitely couldn’t be where I am today without them.”

Now that Connelly has been drug free for over two years, he looks back on the state he was in when he relied on drugs rather than Jesus.

“In reality, I was in a pit and I was down [on myself],” Connelly said. “I used that stuff to give me an elevation. I guess the thing that really helped was that I built my life around Jesus. That’s where I found my new happiness. I didn’t

have to dig into something else to lift myself up.”

Connelly looks to Jesus as his shining example. Similarly, Connelly is an example to others.

“If you’re struggling, it definitely doesn’t define you as a person,” Connelly said. “It’s not who you are, it’s just something you do.”

For those who have overcome drug issues, Red Ribbon Week is significant. Those who have not experienced that struggle may not understand the depth of its importance. But SMCHS’ Red Ribbon Week aims to impact all students whether or not they have had encounters with drugs. Carolyn Bien, Secretary of Activities, expresses the goal of annual Drug Free assemblies.

“Even if we save 10 kids from experimenting with drugs, I think we’ve done our job,” Bien said.

Connelly continues to be a positive influence in SMHS’ drug prevention activities.

“I don’t want to get stereotypical and cliché and say Jesus is my substitute, but I finally found something I could revolve my life around,” Connelly said.

About

By eighth grade,

Americans over the age of 12 or

of adolescents have consumed alcohol,

20 million 8%

of the population have used an illegal drug in the past month.

28% 15%

have smoked cigarettes and

16.5%

have used marijuana.

Dream come true

By Kristine Liao, Co-Editor in Chief

S

omehow in drought-stricken California, rain always seems to fall on SMCHS performance days.

This creates conflicts that involve students changing costumes under tarps and Captain Calvo, decked out in a full tux, trying to stop flooding backstage with a toilet plumb.

But with a three-story Center for the Arts, rainy days would no longer be a problem.

The conceptual designs for the center involves the reconstruction of the A building, with the exception of the administrative section.

“The Center for the Arts is the final phase of the Santa Margarita masterplan,” said Amy Luskey-Barth, Talon Theatre director and coordinator for the Center for the Arts. “It is our dream to make this a reality after the Diocese of Orange lifts the moratorium on capital campaigns that includes seeking a lead donor of $15 million.”

According to the plan, the lobby area would be a visual arts gallery that connects to a 300-seat concert hall and a 700-seat main theatre proscenium house.

The second floor would be dedicated to rehearsal spaces for band, choir, dance and drama. In addition, a 200-seat Black Box would be adjacent to the building.

“Serious consideration started last year, but the performing arts building has been on the waitlist for a while now,” said senior Evan Meeks. “It’s usually the last building that’s built at a campus because it’s the most expensive and the buildings we have currently are essentially all you need at a school.”

The Arts Alliance, an SMCHS parent-led organization, has been dedicated to the “Dreaming Beyond the Dome” initiative since 2011.

Architect Fred Masino is also part of the Center for the Arts team and in charge of programming and conceptual design for the arts center.

“It’s a necessary step forward,” Meeks said. “For the past few years, we have been consistently putting out really high quality theatre work, so it’s at the point where we are ready to move on. It’s not like we get a performing arts center and we aren’t ready to use it.”

In 2014, Talon Theatre’s “Pippin” musical received the Music and Arts Commendation for Youth (MACY) Award for Best Musical of the Year.

Earlier this year, Talon Theatre earned The Spirit of the MACY Award for “Hello Dolly!” But theatre isn’t the only department that will benefit from the arts center.

“When my brother was in choir four years ago, his intermediate choir was, like, 20 kids,” Meeks said. “This year it’s around 50.

Men’s choir is 60, which wasn’t even around in his time. We have over 200 kids in choir alone. We need more space, that’s essentially what it is.”

According to Barth, the performing arts department includes around 600 students, nearly 35 percent of the entire student body.

Although it will be years before the completed project, the Center for the Arts is well on its way to becoming a dream come true.

News

The Eagle Eye

3

ager for an agle continued from page 1 further develop it where it’s not just another thing that we do, but it’s a part of our brand,” Darwazeh said.

The Eagle mascot has become the poster child of SMCHS, branding many of the calendars, magazines and advertisements. Abundant use of the mascot symbol makes sense from a marketing perspective, considering that a powerful mascot typically inspires and facilitates school pride, excitement and good business. Our SMCHS mascot does all those things and more -- he represents who we are. “[The Eagle] helps enhance what we like in [a school] atmosphere.

That is Caritas Christi,” Darwazeh said. “It’s very like SM. It’s very like a big family.”

Big things are coming our Eagle’s way. From appointing a skilled dancer to the mascot position to discussing the potentiality of a new mascot costume to creating an internet identity for the Eagle, the communications and activities office have been working to pump up and place emphasis on the Eagle mascot role.

Sick moves, Eagle!

Last year’s Eagle mascot Madeline Talebi moved on to Irvine Valley College this year, leaving behind big talons to fill. The pep squad and the activities office worked in conjunction early this football season to recruit Eagle mascot applicants. Pep squad advertised the open position via students’ daily announcements. Additionally, several “spirited” students were approached by the activities office about the position.

“We had an overwhelming response of people wanting to be the Eagle,” said varsity cheer head coach Tiffany Bromm. “I was shocked.”

Over 10 students stepped forward for the job and were invited to attend try-outs held at the OC All Stars gym. Eagle candidates were given a 30 second track of “Get Up Off That Thing” by James Brown to prepare a dance rendition. This was the area in which junior Marcel

photo by Steve Wylie

Abodia, an Eagle mascot hopeful, shined.

“I think that other people can’t do what I can do dance-wise,” Abodia said.

A self-taught robotics style dancer, Abodia wowed the pep squad with intricate, fluid moves that were sure to step up the Eagle mascot’s dance game. Although his dance rendition was impressive, he had something more -- a heartfelt reason for why he wanted to be mascot.

“I kind of knew that other people wanted to be the Eagle as a

pictures and waving. “[We would want a] mascot costume that’ll allow for more entertainment, more interaction, more versatility, more take-a-flagand-run-it-down-the-field-without-fear-of-anything-happening,” Darwazeh said. “[We would want] ventilation; more comfort, where whether there are cold packs that are built in or a fan. That’s important, and that’s just keeping up more with the times. Mascot suits are very advanced these days, as surprising as that is. You can imagine pro mascots; they stay in the

“ ”

“[The Eagle] helps enhance what we like in [a school] atmosphere. That is Caritas Christi.

It’s very like SM. It’s very like a big family.” ~ Sammer Darwazeh, Director of Activites joke, but I wanted to represent the school,” Abodia said.

Abodia pursued the position, seeing it as an opportunity for him to get involved at SMCHS. “I’m going to try to do my best to make the crowd happy,” Abodia said. “I’m going to try to brings some tricks and stuff. If I can, I’m going to try and learn to do a flip in the eagle outfit, and do a lot more dancing.”

Although he has been excited about the gig, Abodia has some concerns about the costume. After spending several games in the costume, he has surmised that there are some problems, specifically that the suit is not designed to be athletic. “[My dancing is] not as intricate because of the whole giant head aspect,” Ababia said.

It is because of these types of issues that the communications and the activities offices have recently begun an exciting conversation about the possibility of upgrading the mascot costume.

Suiting up?

After eight years of use, the Eagle mascot costume is in need for a tune-up. A broken beak, an oversized head and sweltering heat inside the costume limit a mascot’s ability to be active and spirited for entire 90 to 120 minute games.

Additionally, the suit isn’t designed for rigorous activities such as running or jumping; it’s intended more for posing for

costume for an extended period of time.”

The communications department has been exploring the suit design possibilities, looking into tighter-fitting, more athletic types of suits that are easier to maneuver. But when it comes to design and changing the look of the costume, the communications office is unsure about which direction it should go.

“There’s two aspects going on here for the change,” s a i d

discussions about the new mascot costume are, at the moment, just speculation.

Expect details in the coming future about the outcome of their talks and if a new Eagle is indeed on its way.

Eagle, hit me up!

The communications department has decided to make our Eagle mascot even more accessible to SMCHS students by bringing our bird to the Internet.

You’ll notice that the Eagle mascot is the first staff member listed on SMCHS online staff directory, but never before has it had any contact information. After receiving some help from the communications office and IT about literacy and the Internet, Eagle obtained a school email address, for the purpose of communicating with SMCHS students and faculty.

Eagle is willing to respond to messages and answer questions sent from @smhs.org and @smhsstudents.org email accounts.

Eagle can be reached at: Eagle@smhs.org and replies will be posted continuously to The Eagle Eye website, under the “Talk to Eagle” tab.

2007-2015

photos by Shannon Pierson(L) & Steve Wylie(R)

Behind the beak - Junior Marcel Abodia earns his place as the Eagle mascot with his dance moves.

2003-2007

1989-2003 courtesy photos

Bye bye birdy - SMCHS has had three mascots in its history, each initiating spirit among the student body.

Teri Beauchamp, assistant director of communications.

“Do we stick with the warm and fuzzy mascot or do we go for a more aggressive, meaner mascot? That’s really where our dilemma is at this point. It’s very hard to choose.”

To settle this dilemma, The Eagle Eye newspaper conducted a SMCHS school-wide voluntary survey questioning students, administrators and parents about what type of new Eagle they would prefer. The list included a description of a fearsome eagle, a cuddly eagle and a “both” option. Results are posted online at http://smchseagleeye.com/3354/arts-entertainment/celebirdy-eagle-poll/ Many schools, said Beauchamp, have this same issue. “They like the warm and fuzzy Eagle, but at the same time they want something a little more aggressive and angry. [A mix] could be an option and we’re certainly open to it.”

Nothing is official, and the communications and activities offices’

The Eagle Eye Staff Staff Adviser Debra Barbre Co-Editor-in-Chiefs Kristine Liao Shannon Pierson Managing Editor Alexa Hines Copy Editor Perla Shaheen Marketing & Publicity Editor Lauren Kesic Photo Editor Amanda Zou News & Sports Editor Chloe Le Feature & Opinion Editor Cristina Zapata

Staff Writers Allison De La Bastida Taylor Gather Dessi Gomez Camille Manese Alana Mayes Ryan Ramos Ivanna Rea Claire Robidoux Dani Segovia Sarah Turner

4

Opinion

The Eagle Eye

I want paperback E-books are a threat to the once treasured paperback books.

By Kristine Liao, Co-Editor-in-Chief

I

push through the glass doors and enter a world of infinite stories. The bookshelves create the narrow streets I stroll down as I admire each unique city. This time it’s the city of Mystery and I can feel the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I turn the corner and embrace the city of Romance.

I slide my hands across the spines of the books, soaking in the aura of passion and heartbreak.

These days may soon be over.

It’s all about the E words now: E for easy, E for efficient, E for electronic. So naturally, it’s E for the e-books that have caused of the decline of bookstores and the replacement of paperback.

Amazon’s Kindle came out in 2007 and Apple’s iBooks was launched in 2010. In 2011, Borders filed for bankruptcy and was liquidated by the end of the year.

Barnes & Noble had created its own e-book device, the Nook, in 2009, saving itself from an earlier demise.

But even with the Nook, its future isn’t looking so good.

“In 10 years we’ll have 450 to 500 stores,” said Mitchell Klipper, chief executive of Barnes & Noble’s retail group, in a 2013 Wall Street Journal article.

That’s a closure of 200 stores, a third of its total, by 2023.

Shares of Barnes & Noble stock plunged nearly 30 percent on Sept.

7, after the company reported a surprise loss of $34.9 million according to CNN Money. The company’s revenue has declined for five consecutive quarters.

Yes, I understand we are in a technological revolution, so it should only be natural for us to make the gradual transition from print to electronic books. But just because the trend is going in one direction doesn’t mean everything has to follow.

It’s appropriate for a research paper to be accessible electronically -- it’s a vehicle for information.

But when we’re talking about a 300-page novel, it’s a completely different situation.

A novel tells a story. It builds an alternate universe. It creates a personal and intimate connection with its reader. An e-book does not do that relationship justice.

“Amazon has successfully fostered the idea that a book is a thing of minimal value -- it’s a widget,” said Dennis Johnson, an independent publisher, in a 2014 New Yorker article.

E-books strip away the nuances of the reading experience. The smell of fresh ink, the feeling of crisp pages and the motion of turning a page are all lost to us in an e-book. Instead, reading becomes a passive act of skimming through words and tapping on a screen.

Some people may argue that these nuances are superficial desires and that printed books are simply a waste of paper. Paperbacks are less environmentally friendly than e-books, but they are not a waste of paper, a guilty

Happy Camille

pleasure or a materialistic luxury.

Preferring to read a paperback is not the same as wanting a Tiffany necklace or a Tesla convertible. Reading doesn’t make us superficial beings, it keeps us grounded.

Books are prized items that bring a whole lot more than temporary happiness. They are

By Camille Manese, Staff Writer

I

carriers of wisdom and inciters of reflection.

Eventually, we pass them on to siblings, cousins, or friends of friends.

We converse about the time we spent in an alternate universe, the lessons we learned there and the emotions we experienced.

Our books may end up in the hands of strangers. We may donate them to a public library for others to read or trade them for another in a book swap.

Don’t let e-books snatch away this gift of sharing and turn reading into an act of isolation. Don’t let technology destroy the centers of knowledge and imagination that libraries and bookstores provide. Don’t let a digital screen devalue the power of storytelling.

I hope there will never come a time when I push through those glass doors, and instead of wandering through the cities of Mystery and Romance, turn the corner and stroll into a city of ruins.

Illustration by Ivanna Rea

Kick off the cliff - The growing popularity of e-books threatens the survival of paperback books and diminishes the cultural and social values of reading.

see a girl trudging the school hallways, looking as if she would rather jump out of a plane without a parachute than be at school. Her scrunched eyebrows and frown make me feel like I should help her. I just want to see her happy!

I like connecting with the people of the world through my sock updates on Snapchat and by sending daily emails to spice up their day in hopes of instigating a little giggle. My sock updates started as showing my friends my socks, but once I found out that most of my buddies enjoyed them rather than being annoyed by them, I felt more excited to continue posting them. I also like sending these emails as a way to give my friends a more cheerful start to their day.

As I saunter around school, you’ll probably see me smiling, laughing, or maybe waving at you - even if you don’t know me. For me, a simple “Hey, how are you?” or a wave with a smile can go a long way. My challenge is: try your best to make a new friend this week and learn something new about him or her! Go that extra mile to make someone smile!

Do you ever find yourself constantly complaining about how your forgot to charge your tablet last night, how your mom accidentally packed you those chips that you hate with a dying passion, or how you have to take your brother home even if he can’t make it out to the senior lot by 2:08? I know I have, but having a positive attitude when talking to your friends, family or teachers can make your day better--and their day, too! I bet most kids just flop into their mom’s car after school, get on their cellular device and ignore their mom as she says “How was your day, honey?” Instead, ask her how her day was or tell her something positive that happened to you.

My rule is: for every negative comment, I have to say something positive, too.

This may sound cliché, but seriously, just be yourself. Who cares if someone is laughing at you when you’re jumping around excited that you got an A (or even a C) on that demanding Precal test? Who cares if you don’t wear make up to school or don’t look presentable 75% of the time? Who cares if your friends shoot you weird glances as you say hi to your favorite teacher that they always complain about?

When I see other people happy, I’m happy, too. I strive to bring joy to others because I went through a period in my life when I felt alone and unhappy. Looking back on it, I never want anyone else to feel that way. So try your best to give off a positive vibe or make someone smile (or even yourself), and I promise you it will make you happy too.

Politics

The Eagle Eye

5

Debate of the decade T

Democrat

By Lauren Kesic, Marketing & Publicity Editor

he Twitter feud between seniors Kayla Jahangiri, democrat, and Morgan Yurosek, republican, has left students wanting more. Now the two engage in a head-to-head political debate over topics including gun legislation, illegal immigration and climate change. Go on smchseagleeye.com for the full debate.

What are your thoughts towards gun-control legislation?

M: I’m a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.

I believe that guns don’t kill people, people kill people.

If I am going to look at it with an ideological standpoint, gun control only takes guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens. If you institute a law, how can you believe that a criminal would abide to that law? People who are willing to do such horrible crimes will go any length to commit that mass shooting. By instituting more gun control you‘re eliminating the law-abiding citizens’ ability to protect themselves against those who are not law abiding citizens. Gun control regulation has no correlation to lowering in crime, but we are naïve to think that regulation is going to cause criminals to give up their guns.

K: Actually, checking the fact Morgan stated, other countries that have gun regulation significantly lowered murder rates.

Times have changed and it is no longer necessary for everyone to have a gun. When the Second Amendment was made, slavery was legal. There were British people coming in, so at that time it was a good call to having a gun.

I believe that having intense background checks is the first rule we should take. That’s not going to solve everything but that is definitely a major step. I do believe in the fact that if we eradicate guns completely they will still be traded in the black market, there is a lesser shot in regulating it.

Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?

M: The biggest question of importance in this debate of illegal immigration is to shield the border first and then to pass a law which requires an immediate deportation of illegal immigrants who have been convicted of a crime. In terms of making immigrants return back to their home country, I don’t believe this is economically sustainable and I think this is where I fall under the moderate republican. I think that there needs to be immigration reform in which immigrants can apply for citizenship in an easier and faster process. This would decrease illegal immigration and really solve the problem as a whole.

K: First of all, besides the morality of it, it’s not even possible to send all these people back.

The fact is, they’re here, and even if you forced them away, they’re going to come back. If we actually allow them citizenship, it’s going to improve our economy. They’re not going to be hiding in fear anymore. Instead, they’re going to take up jobs that improve the economy and we will have them as legal citizens. Yes, I know people are concerned about overpopulation and all the other detriments of allowing such large numbers to stay, but the things that they’re looking over is that there is no way to send all these people back and they have a stronger benefit than detriment towards society and our economy.

What is your view on climate change and renewable energy?

M: I believe that there is a capitalistic, conservative response to climate change that will solve the issue and that is the idea of a shifting market. This essentially means that instead of solving climate change by putting strong EPA regulations on American corporations, the market will shift with the change in terms of technology of renewable energy, clean energy etc. I am a proponent of clean energy and renewable energy resources because it could bring an economic boost to the U.S. But I am always a proponent of insuring economic growth and then insuring environmental protection. A rapid shift in the market caused by the government will only hurt the middle class because jobs will be compromised as an effect of business regulations.

K: Morgan likes to focus on putting our economy before including our environment and that is the stance many republicans have. But what many seem to overlook is the fact that without improving our environment, there is no economy to worry about. At this rate, there isn’t going to be much left of the U.S., let alone the world, in the next few hundred years. Therefore, why worry about the economy? When you are talking about climate change, whatever regulation we have is not an attack on a business or even on capitalism. It’s trying to improve the world and I’m sorry if that means we are hurting your business and your Republican ego.

Republican

photos by Kristine Liao

Open e-mail to Hillary Clinton We’re getting personal (as personal as those “personal” emails you wiped.)

By Shannon Pierson, Co-Editor-in-Chief & Claire Robidoux, Staff Writer

M

rs. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Your campaign videos boast that you’re a “fighter.”

This is a pretty spot-on description, considering that ever since you wiped your email server in March, you’ve been fighting off criticism from every direction.

First off, let’s walk through your thought process during your term as Secretary of State: You used your personal email exclusively for all the business you conducted, specifically to communicate with Washington’s most prominent leaders as well as diplomats from across the globe. You continually described it after the fact as a “convenient” alternative to carrying two phones.

Well… As long as it’s convenient for you, Mrs. Clinton. You feeling comfortable is clearly what is most important when it comes to national security. Oh, and we understand how sometimes you’re unable to identify blatant corruption when you see it (namely this scandal), so let us clarify: we are being sarcastic.

And let’s get real for a second, nobody should have been emailing “hillarylovesbillary2015prez@ gmail.com” to discuss law-making and diplomacy. It’s downright inappropriate and an obvious threat to our national security. Too bad you don’t seem to care.

When FBI requested that you hand over the emails you sent and received as Secretary of State, you almost had us fooled! You did them the favor of sorting out your work emails from personal emails.

That sounded considerate, until we discovered that you promptly trashed 30,000 personal emails afterwards.

Hillary, we’ve got one question for you: How on earth are we supposed to trust you to safeguard our nation when you’re obstructing an FBI investigation by eliminating possible evidence? Seriously, even if the whole thing is as innocent as you claim, you’ve allowed yourself to be portrayed as a schemer and quite possibly a villain, here. Not the best political move.

For five months, you have refused to answer definitively wheth-

er or not you wiped the servers.

Only when your approval ratings began to tank in early September did you formerly apologize. Although it was a necessary concession, Americans ought to take it with a grain of salt. To believe that this confession was morally motivated is suspect-- it was a political life preserver technique.

In the Democratic debate, you were questioned about your tendency to flip-flop on policy. You answered, “Like most human beings — including those of us who run for office — I do absorb new information. I do look at what’s happening in the world.”

Yep, Hillary. You certainly do.

You look at what’s popular, you change your policies and you attempt to be a one-size-fits-all candidate. This a recurring theme throughout your political career.

The issues you flip on aren’t minor issues either. Same-sex marriage, immigration, free trade and climate change decisions are ones that affect our nation on a large scale. We think you best pick a side, but we’d be surprised if you

Illustration by Shannon Pierson

didn’t move with the majority.

For over a decade you have stood behind the idea of a “Traditional marriage between a man and a woman.” On June 26, 2015 as same sex marriage became legal nationwide you gushed about how love had triumphed. Wait, so which one do you support? Hillary, you’re flip-flopping on policy so rapidly that you’re giving your constituents whiplash.

This confusion continues as we interpret your thoughts on illegal immigration. You supported New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s plan on providing Illegal Immigrants with driver’s licenses, but after being criticized, you retracted your support. Nowadays, you deny having any support for this proposal. Come on Hillary, it’s the same pattern.

One would think being in the presidential spotlight would demand transparency and clear policy stances, yet you have managed to make your real political positions harder to pin down than the Loch Ness Monster.

To be honest with you Hillary

(because you won’t be honest with us), it’s unbelievable that you hold any ideas of your own, which won’t help you get elected. What happened to standing up for what you believe in? Do politicians even do that anymore? We know you don’t.

Hillary, you can try all you want to brainwash the majority, but you’re not convincing anyone.

According to a Quinnipiac University poll, 61 to 34 percent of voters do not believe you are honest or trustworthy.

As we are Democratic women, we find it disappointing that we cannot trust our party’s front running candidate. It’s hard for us to believe that you seriously have our best political interest at heart. We fear that you’re merely pretending to share our views to get our votes and will have different policies when you enter office.

It saddens us to admit it, but we don’t want to elect the woman who has the best shot at becoming the first female president of the United States. That’s a shame and you, Mrs. Fighter, should fight to change our minds.

Disclaimer: This opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff, adviser, school or Diocese. As with the Donald Trump article, rebuttals are encouraged and reasonable opinions will be posted on our website or printed in the next issue.

The Eagle Eye

6

Feature

Misspelled names

By Chloe Le, News & Sports Editor

I

t’s okay to admit to spelling the name “Elie” as “Ellie” or even “Erin” as “Aaron.” Misspelling is part of our human nature.

But there is a line when it has gone too far. Like if “Erica” orders a non-fat soy latte, the name scribbled on her grande cup should not be spelled “Air-wrecka.”

This is actually quite a problem for many SMCHS Starbucks-goers.

In fact, students and teachers face this hilarious conundrum all the time.

Faith Mceuen, junior

“One morning, I went into Starbucks and I ordered my usual venti decaf soy latte with easy ice and the barista, who was wearing a bunch of cross necklaces, asked what my name was. I told her it was Faith and she started writing ‘Ph-.’ I was thinking, ‘Did she hear me correctly?’ So I repeated myself and I go ‘My name is Faith’ and she goes ‘Yeah, I know. This is how you spell your name right?’ She shows it to me and it says ‘Phaith.’”

Raelyn Browning, senior

“Okay so basically, Starbucks is the bane of my life. Even when I spell my name for them, it still manages to get messed up. There was this barista who I knew relatively well. I’d talked to her for a few months and spelled my name for her at least 20 plus times. Then this one time I didn’t spell my name for her and I got ‘Railein’ on my cup. She couldn’t even spell it phonetically!”

Kristine Liao, senior

“There was this one time when the barista actually started writing a ‘K’ and I was so filled with hope I was going to tip him like crazy. But once he got past the ‘t,’ instead of ending my name with the normal ‘ine,’ he ended with an ‘een.’ So it was spelled ‘Kristeen.’ I mean who even does that?”

But when all is said and done, or maybe misspelled and done, it’s always a hilarious awakening to see your name (or at least what’s supposed to be your name) scrawled across your white Starbucks cup.

Honorable Mentions Chadi Tarazi, sophomore

“A lot of people think my name’s spelled like Shawty and then they start to sing ‘Shawty’s like a melody.’”

Isaac Huerta, science teacher

“I remember a couple years ago, I was grading a test and this student wrote in the heading his name and then ‘Huert the heck am I doing?’”

Aleyeh Roknaldin, senior

“One person thought my name was pig Latin for Allie, which was completely random.”

Bryn DuBois, history teacher

“Well, as someone with a relatively unique name, I definitely have encountered many fanciful pronunciations and manglings. The best is that I’ve been called Mr. Dubious before, which, really, I can’t argue with.”

Brew crew

all photos by Amanda Zou

Starbucks lovers - Senior Andrew Hoang, junior Jenna Barber, senior John Tanner and senior Lillie Lustig stay connected at the Starbucks on Antonio Parkway.

Starbucks provides SMCHS students something beyond the perfect cup of coffee.

By Cristina Zapata, Feature & Opinion Editor

S

ome weekday mornings begin at 7:30 a.m., others an hour later. No matter how many hours of sleep you’re running on, there’s a low chance you’ll make it to 2:05 p.m. without that venti, half-caff, soy latte with extra whip at 120 degrees.

For every overworked student, there is a happy home.

It’s called Starbucks, and it’s the heart of SMCHS. Junior Jenna Barber and senior John Tanner have been working together as baristas at the Starbucks on Antonio Parkway for about four months.

Behind the counter, these students enjoy preparing the drinks that help the people of RSM get through the day.

“I love my job,” Barber said. “I know it sounds dorky, but I always look forward to work. It’s something where when I’m having a really bad day at school I’ll remind myself that at least I get to go to work. It’s just a really good atmosphere.”

Making customer connections and friendly experiences is the ultimate goal for every Starbucks employee.

Besides expanding their social skills among the professional community, Barber and Tanner have the opportunity to create friendships and keep in touch with fellow Eagles through working at the core of SMCHS’ caffeinated needs.

“This year I got to branch out and meet a lot more seniors,” Tanner said. “I’d like to say I know almost every senior -- that’s my goal. Working at Starbucks allows me to talk to people that I don’t always see in my classes at school.”

As soon as the final school bell rings, Tanner escapes the chaotic senior parking lot only to mentally prepare himself for a busy afternoon on the job.

“Right after school is what we call ‘The SM Rush,’” Tanner said. “It’s terrible but it’s fun at the same time because of the really fast paced drink-making.”

Balancing schoolwork and a part-time job calls for desperate measures -- or in this case, not so desperate.

Starbs crew - Seniors John Tanner, Andrew Hoang and Lillie Lustig sit where their popular study group all began.

Barber notices the soothing environment and enjoys bringing her homework to complete during her breaks.

“It’s really all about time management,” Barber said. “I always plan my schedule ahead of time and that usually requires having to do homework whenever I’m not working a shift. I’m not weird though because everyone in the lobby is doing it too.”

The coffee community is not limited to just those who work at Starbucks. Every day, SMCHS students take their Lenovos to study and do homework in the tranquility of the popular coffee shop.

“I think it’s cool to see people from school doing homework in the same place because even though it’s a small lobby, I never feel alone,” said junior Mary Muzzy. “It’s like a little community of stressed-out coffee enthusiasts.”

Similar to Central Perk from Friends, Starbucks brings people together for a good time.

One group of seniors, led by senior Lillie Lustig, began meeting regularly as a study group for IB Chemistry SL. Once these study sessions turned into a routine, Starbucks changed from mainstream coffee shop to homework haven for the ‘Starbs Crew.’

“Since I go to Starbucks all the time to study, I don’t really think of it as a ‘hang out spot,’” Lustig said. “But if people want to get their homework or studying done with their friends, then it’s a great place.”

Members of the group find that Starbucks provides the ideal environment each student needs: a productive afternoon hum with friendly service and, of course, each other.

“It’s the perfect place to limit distractions if you can work around friends,” said senior Andrew Hoang, ‘Starbs Crew’ member. “The baristas are the best in the entire world, they truly care and know you by name.”

Mornings or afternoons, homework or no homework, SMCHS students can count on Starbucks to provide a boost of caffeine and a home away from home.

Barista buddies - Senior John Tanner and junior Jenna Barber hold up the uniform that unites them in the Starbucks community.

Feature

The Eagle Eye

7

Best of both worlds Three commonly-seen SMCHS staff members have not-so-common talents.

By Dani Segovia, Staff Writer

F

rom pep rallies to police chases, from math equations to jazz jam outs and from labs to make-overs, Sammer Darwazeh, Vince Washington and Cristel Miller live the best of both worlds. Unlike Hannah Montana, who keeps her double life a secret, these staff members don’t hide their second identities, but rather share their talents.

Washington’s profile:

courtesy photo

Deputy Darwaz - Darwazeh is decked out in his uniform as he reports for duty by the police car.

Darwazeh’s profile:

On the weekdays, Darwazeh works as the activities director at SMCHS. A normal day for him includes coordinating school activities with ASB, planning school dances and coming up with ideas for spirit weeks.

However, on the weekends, Darwazeh lives in a completely different world. He hangs up his high school ties and puts on a shiny badge to volunteer as a reserved deputy for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

“I help whenever I’m needed,” Darwazeh said. “Basically, I help full-time deputies do their job.

I usually tend to work evenings, weekends or when I am not doing stuff for the school.”

A weekend at the sheriff’s department is nothing like a day at school. One day is fun and games while the next is a serious rush of catching bad guys and keeping the town safe.

“You see things you may not see every day at a normal job,” Darwazeh said. “Being a deputy has helped me gain a different sense of respect for first responders, other deputy sheriffs, police officers and firefighters. It’s unbelievable what they go through.”

Like a superhero protecting the city, Darwazeh strives to make his community a better area for its citizens.

“Hopefully an hour of doing this will prevent crime, make the city a safer place and make it where families enjoy themselves more,” Darwazeh said.

Although known as a Precalculus expert at SMCHS, Washington is not your typical teacher. For him, a normal day at school includes going over homework, giving a lesson on derivatives, helping students during office hours and grading papers.

But when the evenings and weekends roll around, Washington puts away his calculator and takes out his bass guitar. He engages in a new world of music and jazz with his friends in a group called “The Mark Bramlett Band.”

“It’s a lot of fun,” Washington said. “It’s a good contrast from just teaching and other activities.

Sometimes, being in a band is quite challenging but it keeps me motivated.”

With two occupations, Washington never gets bored. He started as a teacher but discovered his passion for music when he joined his wife a couple years ago at music lessons.

“Being a teacher consists of the same thing seven times day,” Washington said. “With music you don’t know what you are going to encounter. You can get there and an equipment could break so you always have to be prepared for some sort of incident. You don’t run into that kind of stuff as a school teacher.”

An average day in his musical career consist of countless hours of practicing, arranging concerts, performing in front of audiences and keeping track of his band members.

“Whenever you get stressed out or maybe things aren’t going right for you in your teaching world, music has always been a good release,” Washington said. “It makes you forget about the rest of the world sometimes. It is soothing and relaxes you. It keeps you calm.”

photo by Amanda Zou

Math test or sheet music - Washington enjoys his double-life as a teacher and a band member.

photo by Perla Shaheen

Getting started - After choosing the right fabric, Drisocoll begins threading with her own sewing machine

Sewn into the crown Senior Homecoming Princess Charlotte Driscoll has a niche for sewing.

S

photo by Amanda Zou

Monster making - Miller is intent on making the skeleton in her classroom come alive.

Miller’s profile:

Miller is a genius when it comes to anything science related at SMCHS. A normal day for her includes preparing labs, giving lectures and embarrassing students when they are late.

However, once Miller hangs up her lab coat for the day, the rest of her time is spent with a makeup brush. Turning people into a monster is her specialty.

“I get to bring things to life that live in my imagination,” Miller said. “I also get to combine the science I love with the art I love. It’s the perfect storm.”

Miller’s transition from test tubes to makeup pallets may seem like a drastic change for a teacher, but Miller sees them as synonymous.

“Molding minds or molding clay, is there a difference?” Miller said. “Both require sacrifice and a love of what you do, passion and enthusiasm.”

Miller meets new people not only through the students in her class every year, but also through the makeup industry.

“It’s fantastic to know there are so many more people who love the same things I do and who also think every day is Halloween,” Miller said. “It’s like being part of a clan. It’s like home.”

Miller enjoys the break from the periodic table. The world of makeup offers her something different every day and she uses it as an outlet for creativity and an escape from reality.

“We are a different kind of people,” Miller said. “We see beauty in places the average person may not.

We are the people that can look at a terrifying creature and understand the work and labor of love that went into it. We can see the artistry in how it’s painted, designed and sculpted.”

By Perla Shaheen, Copy Editor

eam rippers, trimming scissors and senior Charlotte Driscoll all have one thing in common: they are all necessary for sewing up a homecoming dress.

After weeks of searching for the perfect dress to wear, Driscoll realized the best option was to make one herself.

“I went shopping with my mom and I saw a lot of dresses where I liked parts of them but I didn’t like their wholes,” Driscoll said. “So I decided that if I made my own I could just sew all those parts into one dress.”

With her adjustable mannequin named Mandy and her truckload of a sewing kit, Driscoll got to work. After making all the accurate measurements, she pinned magazine pages to Mandy to keep track of her ideas and drew on them to map out her design.

She then cut around her sketches so that she could trace the shaped pieces onto the satin cloth she chose.

After this lengthy process of planning, Driscoll finally arrived at the exciting but not-so-easy part of sewing all her ideas together.

“You’re almost always going to come along some type of mistake when going from two to three dimensional,” Driscoll said. “But I’ve learned that when you take the patience to sew despite the difficulties you find, it’s a really awesome feeling.”

Driscoll learned sewing from practice and experience. She began doing favors for friends in fourth grade and continues to do so. But she picked up most of her tricks in a class she took at 10 years old called “The Sewing Attic with Nancy Grey.”

courtesy photo

Picture perfect - Driscoll poses in her hand-made dress at Laguna Hills Pumpkin City.

photo by Perla Shaheen

Set up - Driscoll uses her mannequin named Mandy to aid her in the process of making her dress.

“I remember my mom honestly dragging me to the class and I was so against it,” Driscoll said. “But Nancy Grey ended up teaching me a lot. She had all these inspirational posters around the room, along with one that said ‘Sewers don’t make mistakes, only new creations.’ That one specifically stuck with me for every time I mess up.”

Ever since the first time senior Bridget Callahan asked Driscoll to make a dress for her to wear on “Dapper Day” at Disneyland, Driscoll’s sewing requests have piled up.

“Charlotte does things for others before herself which is why she’s always sewing,” Callahan said. “A majority of the time when we hang out she’ll be making a dress and I’ll be playing Frank Sinatra for moral support.”

A majority of Driscoll’s friends have recognized her talent and she now has 15 requests for things like alterations and t-shirts. But this persistent Homecoming Princess enjoys the challenge of taking on the daily workload.

“She’s made a bucket hat, a fanny pack and a skirt for me,” said senior Madison Prieto. “Everything she makes is good quality and honestly looks like she bought it at a store.

Charlotte undeniably puts a lot of time and effort into what she sews for others and that work shows.”

With her sewing tools and a few good friends, Driscoll finished her day’s work with a flourish of a polka-dot skirt attached to a navy halter for the final touches of her senior year homecoming dress.

Owl Chocolate Ice Cream

By Dessi Gomez, Staff Writer & Cristina Zapata, Feature & Opinion Editor

Amusement Parks

Nothing beats ice cream, cookie and candy pieces for a successful night in.

• Chocolate ice cream • Chocolate sandwich cookies

Ingredients

• Orange and brown candy pieces

Disneyland

Directions

1. Place a large scoop of chocolate ice cream into a bowl.

2. Split chocolate sandwich cookies in half and arrange the frosted halves on top of the ice cream scoop.

3. Add brown and orange candy pieces for the eyes and beak; and serve!

photo by Ivanna Rea

Sugar-Coated Pumpkin Bread

Satisfy your taste buds with this pumpkin bread recipe.

• 1 cup oil • 2 cups sugar • 2 teaspoons vanilla • 3 eggs • 2 cups solid pack pumpkin • 3 cups flour photo by Ivanna Rea

Spooky Chocolate Strawberries However you’re feeling on this Halloween night, these are some ghosts you want to get haunted by.

Ingredients

· One (16 oz) package white chocolate · Mini chocolate chips · 24 Fresh strawberries

Directions

1. Melt white chocolate in tray according to directions on package.

2. Place a large piece of wax or parchment paper on a flat surface.

3. Dip strawberries in melted white chocolate, remove and allow the excess coating to pour off onto the wax paper to form the “tail” of the ghost; slide the strawberry back and set on wax paper to dry.

4. Before coating has set, place two mini chocolate chips on as the eyes. For the mouth, cut off the tip of a mini chocolate chip and place on the strawberry with the bottom side facing up.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 2 teaspoons cinnamon • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Directions

1. Mix together the oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla and pumpkin in a bowl. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until combined.

2. Grease and flour two loaf pans. Split the batter between the two pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Annual Faculty and Staff Halloween Costume Contest The Annual Faculty and Staff Halloween Costume Contest will take place on Friday, Oct. 30. The eight prizes are valued at over $200 each. Four will go to the top voted individual costumes and the other four will go to the top voted department themes. Here’s a sneak peek into some of this year’s costumes:

Disneyland’s Halloween festivities have already begun and last until Nov. 1. Must-see destinations include the Haunted Mansion ride, Space Mountain and The Tower of Terror.

These rides transform into Jack Skellington’s Haunted Mansion Holiday, Ghost Galaxy and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror respectively. The presence of Mickey Mouse-shaped pumpkins throughout the park increases the Halloween excitement.

Harry Potter

Whether or not you’ve read the books, the eight Harry Potter movies are a Halloween must. Why not conquer that movie marathon that you always miss on ABC Family? Prepare for a roller coaster of adrenaline as Harry and his friends confront all kinds of monsters from werewolves, snakes, dragons and spiders.

Knott’s Scary Farm

Halloweentown

If you look for a more adrenalinepacked Halloween excursion, Knott’s Scary Farm is the way to go. Formerly known as the Halloween Haunt, this event lasts until Nov. 1. General admission costs $39.99 on Sundays and Thursdays, $46.99 on Fridays and $49.99 on Saturdays. Venture into various mazes and encounter all kinds of monsters that will chase you when you run. Knott’s knows how to do it right, and has been doing it right since Sept. of 1973.

Universal Studios

Known as Halloween Horror Nights during the month of October, Universal Studios Hollywood hosts fright-filled evenings from 7:00p.m. to 2:00a.m. On Thursdays through Sundays, the park grants early entry at 6:15p.m. You can save $5-$30 depending on the date you go. In addition to mazes, there is the Terror Tram, several Scare Zones and, of course, rides.

This creepy quartet of Disney Channel movies was produced between 1998-2006. Relive 13-year-old Marnie’s journey of becoming a witch, with the help of her hip grandma Aggie, as she grows up to face even scarier challenges in the unfolding sequels.

Tim Burton

photo by Kristine Liao

Dressed as the dead - The people of Santa Ana dress up in masks and costumes to celebrate the Day of the Dead.

Day of the Dead The 17th Door

Capture the essence of one of Orange County’s brightest parties at the Santa Ana train station on Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admire colorful altars, imaginative costumes and delicious foods while you celebrate the lives of the dead at this free, family-friendly festival.

Pumpkin Cities

“It’s going to be gritty. It’s going to be heavy. It’s going to be sharp. It’s going to be dirty in a good way… I think. If I give you too many hints, I might have to gag you and lock you up in a basement until after Halloween.” – Todd Robey, visual arts teacher

Have a blast on classic carnival rides, attractions and game booths as you pick the perfect pumpkin at these Pumpkin Cities. They will be open until Oct. 31. Visit pumpkincity.com for more information.

“I am looking into being a ghostly vampire with hopes of being half scary (and half as cool) as Ms. Miller and Mr. Robey.” – Michelle Ford, social studies teacher

RSM

30606 Santa Margarita Pkwy

Laguna Hills

“Some of the other Science Department teachers and I are looking to do a Star Wars theme.” – Brendan Barrow, science teacher

photo by Ivanna Rea

Picture this: a 30-minute-long Knott's Scary Farm maze with 17 rooms full of horrifying surprises.

Stimulate all of your senses in Tustin's most haunted house of the year. It will be open until Nov. 1. Visit the17thdoor.com for more information.

Location: 2856 El Camino Real, Fullerton

“This year I am dressing up as a famous Latina. I’m making my own costume, so I hope it turns out well.” – Marisa Andersson, Spanish teacher

“It’ll either be someone from a while ago, or someone from far away.” – Bryn DuBois, social studies teacher

Festive Films

23272 Vista Grande Dr photo by Kristine Liao

Pumped up for pumpkins - In addition to a pumpkin patch, the Laguna Hills Pumpkin City has activity adventures, poiny rides and puppet shows.

Anaheim

2180 E. Lincoln

Spend some quality time with Tim Burton’s classic animated characters. If you’re dying for an early dose of Christmas, The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) is the perfect combination of Halloween and Christmas. Watch young Victor Frankenstein resurrect his dog Sparky and other dead pets in Frankenweenie (2012). In Corpse Bride (2005) a soon-to-be-wed groom accidentally revives a dead woman by rehearsing wedding vows.

Frightening Films Coraline

Everything is not as it ‘seams’ in this truly creepy animation film. Coraline has to adjust to a new house and new life upon moving away from her old home. One day as she is exploring her new environment, she stumbles upon an entirely alternate universe. At first the grass ‘seams’ greener in this perfect world, but Coraline soon realizes that she must beware of her button-eyed mother who can wield needle and thread.

The Visit

Hollywood meets Hansel and Gretel in the most twisted way. Grab a blanket to hide under and a friend to squeeze as you find out what goes wrong during two children’s thrilling visit to grandma’s house for the first time.

A Christmas Horror Story

This 2015 film about a not-so-jolly Santa Claus will perfectly satisfy your Halloween mood and anticipation for the holidays. After three friends disappear while exploring an abandoned school basement, a town is seized by terrifying hauntings not even St. Nick can overcome.

illustration by Roland Pan

10

Feature

The Eagle Eye

SMCHS students Jerome Bohuslavizki and Sabrina Torres are ready to take on a new uniform.

By Alana Mayes and Allison De La Bastida, Staff Writers

W

eights. Hours of training. Five mile run. Three mile swim.

Target practice. Rescuing hostages.

Raiding suspicious towns. Alone in a forest for hours. Threats from all sides. Killing Osama bin Laden.

To a typical high school student, these things may seem challenging and scary. But for senior Jerome Bohuslavizki and junior Sabrina Torres, this will be their life: serving our country in the Navy.

"When I was younger, I really wanted to go into music," Torres said. "I steered away from that mostly because of one of my middle school teacher. Her daughter was actually in the Marine Corps and I would write letters to her and her stories really inspired me."

Torres plans to go into the Reserved Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). Through the program, the Navy pays for the student's college tuition and the student returns the "loan" by serving in the military right out of college.

ROTC also requires attendance at after-school training programs to better prepare students for the Navy.

"From what I've seen, ROTC just wants to see who you are as a person," Torres said. "I don't try to mold myself into what they want. I just stay dedicated to what I do and

who I am."

Bohuslavizki plans on attending the Navy as a member of the Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) team.

This branch of the Navy carries out missions like raids and underwater operations.

One of the missions carried out by the SEALs was the order by President Barack Obama to kill Osama bin Laden. SEALs are also sent out to rescue U.S. citizens who are held hostage by enemies.

"I believe it is my duty to serve," Bohuslavizki said. "I love this country and the people who make it such a great nation. It is an honor to follow the footsteps of the countless patriots who have given everything to maintain our freedom and uphold our Constitution."

Dedication is key when joining the Navy, which is why Bohuslavizki and Torres stay committed to their extracurricular activities. Bohuslavizki is wide receiver on the SMCHS varsity football team and Torres volunteers at Mission Hospital.

"There has never been a time where I doubted myself in wanting to go to the Navy," Bohuslavizki said. “When I was ready to fully make this decision, I made sure that it was solid decision and I wasn’t going to change my mind."

Bohuslavizki and Torres realize how unknown the world inside the Navy is to them, yet they are sticking by their decision to serve.

"You can never see the extent

ted to Accep emy... ad c A l Nava

Enr Nava olled in l Aca dem y...

7.9%

4,511

Drop out of the Naval Academy...

30%

of what that type of life is," Torres said. "You can watch as many drilldowns as you possibly can in your life but you'll never really know the extent of it until you're actually there."

Bohuslavizki's father served as a U.S. Marine for six years and Torres’ father served in the Navy for 11 years. Although having military lineage has some bearing on their decisions, both Bohuslavizki and Torres are carving their own path.

"It wasn’t necessarily that I wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps," Torres said. "I've just seen the way it has really helped him in his life and the patriotism that he has through it and that's just something I want to aspire to."

Bohuslavizki’s father, honorably discharged, brought his knowledge on respect and patriotism from the military into the Bohuslavizki home.

"My father influenced me to go into the Navy because discipline and service have been instilled

in my life from a young age," Bohuslavizki said. "But I know that wanting to go into the Navy is solely my choice. My father just reinforced the decision."

Torres has done endless research on medical schools that offer the ROTC program and has attended two informational meetings concerning the application process for these naval academies.

In order to join the Navy, one must be age 17-34, have a U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and pass an Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. A high school diploma is also required.

In addition, one must pass a physical exam and be willing to obey the Navy's zero-tolerance substance abuse policy.

During weekends, Bohuslavizki prepares for the physical aspect of the Navy by working out during off-season and swimming for an hour every Saturday and Sunday.

He does the Murph Challenge, which consists of a one-mile run,

followed by 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 squats and another onemile run.

"The workout is hard, but I want to keep pushing myself," Bohuslavizki said. "I've come too far to just quit."

On top of the grueling physical demands, an even bigger obstacle is the emotional and psychological toll the military can have on a soldier.

"You are a different type of breed when you go into it," Torres said.

"Sometimes I have the feeling I might tap out. But I know that once I get there I'll be too grateful and overwhelmed to not go through with it."

Going into the Navy is a big decision, but Bohuslavizki and Torres intend to protect this nation to the best of their ability.

"There's still time for me to change my mind, but I am sure this is the path that I want to be on," Torres said.

Feature

Come back loser

courtesy photo

By Claire Robidoux, Staff Writer

I

Built-in best friends 11

The Eagle Eye

’ve lived with my brother for 5,928 days - which is roughly 16 years. Most of those were spent fighting with him, and now my time has run out.

My older brother Aidan is now attending Texas Christian University, and I’m left here to fend for myself. The one person I had to argue with is now gone.

We could fight over anything. Once I got my license, we had to share a smoking hot Jeep Wrangler which escalated everything to a whole other level. Let’s just say it ends with Aidan chasing me down Antonio while I am driving away in our car.

Other fights were even more ridiculous.

Like the time we nearly got into a fist brawl over the remote control for our living room TV. I wanted to watch The Vampire Diaries and he wanted football. Long story short, we ended up breaking the remote.

I was constantly angry with him. I wanted to be alone, and soon, that time came. He left Saturday, Aug. 1. I chose to go with my friend Natalie on her houseboat instead of going to Texas with my family to get Aidan settled in. The last thing I said to him was my order for Chipotle.

A month passed and the “only-child disease” kicked in. I noticed the symptom of emptiness taking full effect. His room was no longer filled with late night television shows. I missed my big dork of a brother.

I woke up one morning with my mom shoving her phone in my face. Aidan was on the screen and I felt a flood of relief and happiness. We spent more than an hour talking about college and high school and everything that was happening in our lives.

After, we began texting each other, and before I knew it I was on a plane to TCU. Spending that week with my brother made me realize why siblings treat each other the way they do.

As humans, living with someone your whole life can be annoying. You begin to notice everything about them that aggravates you. That is, until you realize how much you need them.

I was the last person to hug him and I didn’t want to let go. But when I did, I wasn’t sad. I knew he had a life now in Texas and he could tell me every wild college story over Facetime.

In the months to come the “only-child disease” faded. I focused on being grateful for the crazy times spent with my brother rather than regretting the time spent arguing. The truth is, even the times we were yelling at each other weren’t wasted. Those dumb fights are the things that brought Aidan and I closer.

I wasn’t quite reassured I could live without him yet, but as I stood in the stands watching the homecoming football game I began to hear my name being called. People started pointing and I looked down onto the sea of white SMCHS football shirts. In the middle was my tall dork of a brother.

I’m not completely sure what happened in the moments in-between, but I ended up in his arms crying hysterically. He had sold his ticket for Austin City Limits, a music festival he had been saving up to attend, to buy a plane ticket home and surprise our family.

As I sat next to my brother singing country music, he drove our argued-over Jeep home from the Football game. And I finally realized, maybe my brother isn’t so much of a dork.

Even though these siblings fight, deep down, they still love each other.

By Ivanna Rea, Staff Writer

A

h, the unspoken love between siblings. Anyone who has a sibling knows what the fights are like and the havoc they’re capable of stirring up. Through the blood, sweat and tears, sibling fights range from the classic “You’re adopted!” accusation to clawing each others eyes out. But really, at the end of the day siblings always make up. Maybe it’s because they live together, or maybe it’s because they need something the other one has. But deep down, they know they’ll always come back together because they can count on each other for everything.

Juniors Ali & Bella Murdy What was it like growing up together?

Bella: “We used to sleep next to each other and we used to crawl into each other’s cribs. Our parents would have to move them to opposite sides of the room.”

Ali: “It was annoying. Bella would crawl out of her high chair and eat my food.”

What’s the weirdest fight you’ve ever had?

Bella: “There was this one time I wore Ali’s clothes so she chased me

around the house. When I get really scared I laugh, so I was running around the house half-laughing, half-screaming.”

Ali: “Yeah and then she hid in my room because my door is the only one that has a lock so then I became even more mad.”

Have you ever gotten in an exterior fight over your sibling?

Bella “When we were little, Ali and I went to this park and someone started to bully Ali. I went over and punched the kid cause he was being mean to her. Even if there’s drama with Ali I always go ‘You want me to take care of it?’”

Juniors Kevin and Matt McDonnell What was it like growing up together?

Matt: It was pretty fun. It’s like having a permanent friend.

What’s the worst fight you’ve ever had?

Kevin: “There was this one time Matt and I were fighting over who won in a basketball game in our room. Matt pushed me and my head went through the drywall.”

What annoys your sibling the most?

Matt: “I have to fight to get Kevin up in the morning. He gets even more

annoyed when he’s sleeping and I turn on the lights to plug my computer in.”

Why do you guys always make up?

Kevin: “It’s cause I’m really quick to forgive. We have to live with each other so we have to stay friends”

photos by Ivanna Rea

Senior Jordan and Junior Regan Ferrari What’s the most ridiculous fight you’ve ever had?

Jordan: “When Regan and I were younger, we made dance routines to perform

when my whole family got together for Christmas. I made a practice schedule and taped it to her door, but one day she didn’t show up. I was so angry.

We didn’t talk for a day and a half because I was mad that she didn’t want to practice our dances.”

Regan: “She was a bully! She was so bossy. She used to make me practice and I used to cry. I hated practice. She’d yell at me until I did it right. I was like four!”

Are your fights more verbal or physical?

Jordan: “Our fights are all verbal now. When we were younger Regan would bite

me when she got mad at me…it was rough. She never did it when my mom was around so she had no idea and Regan would never get in trouble.”

Regan: “Yeah my teeth used to be really pointy. One of my cousins and my sister used to get together to bully me. I’m the youngest cousin in the family and so the only way I could fight back on their verbal abuse was biting.

Who holds more of a grudge?

Regan: “Me. Usually I hold a grudge because if I hold it over her for a long time she’ll do something for me so I can get over it.”

Jordan: “But at the end of the day, we always have each other. We are very close. We tell each other mostly everything. I would do anything for her and I always have her back.”

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A&E

The Eagle Eye

The fall show “Museum” is on its way to the stage.

By Amanda Zou, Photo Editor

T

here is a group of students on campus who sleep in the choir room between shows, eat lunch in front of the bell tower and practically live in the Black Box. The actors and crew of the play, “Museum”, are getting ready to put on their first production of the year.

The fall show, “Museum”, will take place in the Black Box from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1.

The show is set in the second floor gallery of a major American art museum, and the story revolves around the various patrons of the gallery as they interact with the art and each other.

“This play is a comedy,” said Amy Luskey-Barth, director of “Museum” and Talon Theatre teacher.

“It’s very funny and [shows] people’s response to modern art.”

Barth chose this play because the show’s setting is at an art museum, which relates to this year’s Talon Theater theme: “Art and Soul.” It is also a play for actors and designers to exhibit themselves.

“A lot of actors to have an opportunity to create characters,” Barth said. “It also allows for student designers to design the sets, the lights, the props. The entire show will be student designed.”

Since the physical space of the Black Box is limited, the actors must use their skills to create pictures in the minds of their audience.

photos by Amanda Zou

Curtain call - Members of Talon Theater rehearse in the Black Box to prepare for the opening night of fall show “Museum” on Oct. 29.

To make sure they had actors who could accomplish this task, directors Barth and Tania Ayoub used an unusual method for the audition process.

Actors were given around 10 minutes to review the script before the reading. The directors then assigned actors the part that fit them

the best.

“Auditions make me a bit nervous,” said junior Hannah Baker, actress for Barbara Castle. “When the cast list comes out and everyone sees what part they got, they know that their part must be important in making the show happen.”

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After the distribution of parts, the actors got to work. They have rehearsed for three hours every week from Monday through Wednesday. When it gets closer to opening night on Oct. 29, they will rehearse for up to seven hours each day.

“The show is so different because there are 43 characters but only 26 actors,” Barth said. “Therefore each actor must play multiple roles which means that the costume and makeup crews have a lot to do in terms of changing their appearance. The challenge of the play is also the fun of it.”

Another spotlight of “Museum” is that it introduces a new type of performance called “environmental theater.” Environmental theater involves a lot of interaction between actors and their audience, forcing them to explore different approaches to acting by using stage space.

“For this show, there is not going to be a defined stage,” Baker said.

“Instead of stepping into a ‘theater’ it will literally feel like they are going into a real museum. From the white walls, to the sculptures and paintings, it will feel like a modern art museum. The audience will be sitting in various locations throughout the room, as opposed to rows of seating like one would see in a normal theater.”

The underlying message of this play makes people think about

today’s world. The actors are facilitators who evoke feelings in their audience.

“This play really makes me think about all of the conflicts in the world and how often times artistic works are destroyed to wipe out the memory of a culture,” Barth said. “I think it’s really important to recognize that it is the artwork that preserves the history and culture of society. It needs to be protected because it is what lasts and that’s how important museums are.”

For everyone who is involved in this show, “Museum” is a new journey, a way to explore themselves and a process of finding the meaning behind a production.

“I love stirring up emotions in people and making them think and reflect,” Baker said. “Being an actor or actress is very humbling because no matter how big or minor of a part you have, each person is essential to making the show happen.”

Purchase your tickets on the performing arts page of the SMCHS website or at the door on Oct. 30 for the 3:30 p.m. show.

“I hope it will make people laugh and really enjoy what they are watching as well as be immersed in the experience of the show.” said senior Madison McGee, actress for Liz. “The audience should have fun with it and hopefully come away with something they did not know before.”

A&E

The Eagle Eye

13

GOT CULTURE? Discover your cultural knowledge at these O.C. museums.

By Ivanna Rea and Sarah Turner, Staff Writers

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range County has roughly 54 museums. Out of those whopping 54, how many have you been to, let alone heard of? Admit it, the desire to spend a Saturday afternoon at a museum has disappeared with time, but it’s never too late to explore your cultural touch. Although the four museums below don’t nearly cover all the OC has to offer, exploring these museums will spark a greater taste in the culture around you.

Bower’s Museum, Santa Ana Bower’s Museum brings life to any piece of traditional artwork imaginable, hailing from countries from Mexico to Japan. This cultural hub takes you through an international experience and takes your knowledge to another level with artifacts dating back to ancient times. If somewhere deep down you catch a hint of cultural curiosity, take it to Bower’s – you don’t have to be a historical junkie to enjoy it.

Discovery Science Center, Santa Ana

You’ve probably seen “The Cube”, as most people call it, while driving on the 5 Freeway. Formerly known as the Discovery Science Cube, the museum is dedicated to making science education exciting and interactive for the kids who walk in and out the door each day. Although it attracts a younger demographic, the one-on-one experience with all kinds of models and experiments are available to people of all ages.

International Surfing Museum, Huntington Beach

The museum’s location by the beach makes it the best place to learn about the great sport of California. The floors are lined with a timeline of footprints, from the birth of surf to the opening of the museum and beyond. Colorful surfboards along the walls follow a timeline as well, beginning with some of the oldest surfboards to the most modern. This visual evolution gives insight into not only how long the sport has been around, but also how long Californians have been passionate about it.

all photos by Ivanna Rea

Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach

Located near Fashion Island Mall, this museum is the definition of aesthetic. The first room is bound to draw visitor’s attention -- massive pieces of artwork are compiled together with canvases of the same color scheme and metallic animal heads. You’ll probably find yourself wanting to constantly Snapchat everything, especially the huge mixed-media canvas made out of fabric, plastic, glitter, feathers, paint, you name it, to ultimately create a beautiful and busy piece of art.

14

Sports

The Eagle Eye

Loyal to SM

Sam Loy kicks his way to victory for the SMCHS Football Team.

By Claire Robidoux, Staff Writer

T

he fields are all the same: 100 yards of green, two goal posts at each end and countless lights to make it all happen -- but tonight, there’s a different atmosphere. Tonight, the stadium is filled with thousands of fans. Tonight, the intensity is at its highest. Tonight, varsity kicker Sam Loy fights for the right to call himself a CIF Football Champion alongside his current team, San Clemente High School.

So far, his kicks have been good enough to sustain his team alongside their rivals, Laguna Hills High School, but it isn’t enough. Hard hits from their opponents end with a 44-42 loss. Loy’s CIF win slips through his fingers -- but only for the moment.

Sam Loy, now a senior, transferred in his junior year. With a tough loss under his belt, Loy aims to reach for a victory and believes SMCHS has just the program to do that.

“I tansferred for the football team” Loy said, “SMCHS strives to be better and respects the talent of special teams.”

Special teams are the plays in the game that have to do with kicking the football or receiving the football from a kicking team. Varsity coach Rick Curtis had a front row seat to Loy’s talent in this area.

“I first noticed his talent this past spring as we began working on our special teams units in preparation for this season” Curtis said. “I think Sam will have a very successful season.”

For Loy, there’s a lot of pressure to perform at a high level. Stepping out on the field means he must be ready to execute and accomplish his goals.

“I’m sure Sam is nervous, but he

Concentration is key - With focus on the ball, Loy winds up to bring a field goal to the SMCHS Varsity Football team.

doesn’t show it,” Curtis said. “He is very consistent on his approach and has very high ambitions for himself.”

In the game against Dorsey High School, Loy set a school record with a 69 yard punt and averaged over 49 yards on the five punts he had during the game. He also boomed all his kickoffs into the end zone.

What’s even more impressive is Loy’s personal punting record: 70-

75 yards and game kick off set to 77 yards. To put that in perspective, that’s only 23 yards from covering a whole football field.

Loy’s success didn’t come over night. Before playing football, Loy was accustomed to the European style of fútbol or, as Americans call it, soccer. Transitioning into a completely new sport freshman year, Loy had to endure long practices that called for consistency.

“With our time schedule the way it is, he has to be ready at all times to perform at a very competitive level,” Curtis said.

Opening the season against Cathedral Catholic High School, Sam was expected to set the stage for his team to begin the season strong.

“Emotions were high that night” Curtis said. “Sam had a very good game, and it has allowed him to become comfortable while heading

photo by Stan Brucatn

into the other games this season.”

As the season progresses the SMCHS football team is five and two. With four games before playoffs and the CIF Championship, Loy has a long way before he can claim his title as a CIF Champion.

SMCHS has showed Loy they have the program to excel him forward.

It’s now up to the team as a whole to work together and show everyone what Eagles are really made of.

Sports

The Eagle Eye

15

It’s past the midpoint of the football season and I still can’t tell the difference between an interception and a fumble.

By Lauren Kesic, Marketing & Publicity Editor

I

sit through Friday night football games without a clue as to what’s going on – which I probably shouldn’t admit considering I’m dating number nine. I do know what it means when a team scores a touchdown and makes a field goal but when it comes to factors of the game, I’m at a loss.

I’ve done my own research and jotted down notes to know about football.

So if you’re a little rusty on the rules then use this guide for help.

RULE 1: TEAMS

Offensive team: The team that has possession of the football and attempts to score. The offensive team consists of the quarterback, five offensive linemen and a combination of running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.

Defensive team: The team that begins without the football whose primary goal is to prohibit the offensive team from scoring points by tackling players and preventing the ball from moving closer to the offensive end zone.

This team consists of the defensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, safety and cornerback.

Special teams: The players who are responsible for plays involving the kick of a football. This includes the kicker, punter and long snapper as well as anybody involved in the kick return and coverage teams.

RULE 2: POINTS

Touchdown: The play when the offensive team runs, passes or returns a kickoff or punt, or recovers a turnover by advancing the ball into the opponent’s end zone = 6 points One-point conversion: The play attempted after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to gain an extra point by kicking the ball through the field goal = 1 point Two-point conversion: The play attempted instead of kicking a one-point conversion immediately after the team scores a touchdown by running a play from close to the opponent’s goal line (three or five yard line) across the goal line = 2 points Field goal: The goal scored by a placekick = 3 points Safety: play in which a member of the offensive team is tackled or forced out of bounds in his own end zone resulting in points for opposing team = 2 points

RULE 3: DOWNS

The offense has four attempts, known as “downs,” to advance the ball 10 yards. If the offense is successful, then they earn a new set of downs, but if they aren’t successful then the other team gets the ball.

RULE 4: THE RUN

The ball advances when the quarterback hands the ball to a running back or receiver and they run the ball to gain yards, or when the quarterback runs the ball himself.

RULE 5: TERMINATION

The play is over when the player carrying the ball is tackled, runs out of bounds or when an unsuccessful pass hits the ground.

Going down

- Quarterback KJ Costello fights for a first down.

RULE 6: TERMINOLOGY

Fumble: When a player who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being tackled or scoring -- resulting in loss of player possession Interception: When a pass is caught by a player of the opposing team Incomplete pass: When a forward pass hits the ground before a player on either team gains possession Snap: Also known as “hike,” the backwards passing of the ball at the start of play from scrimmage Scrimmage: The action that takes place between the teams from the moment the ball is snapped Line of scrimmage: An imaginary line across the field which both offensive and defensive players can’t cross until the football is snapped and the play has started.

Snap back at it - The offensive line prepares to take on defensive fronts.

Scoreboard - Coach Curtis signals for an extra point after touchdown.

Hut hut pass - Running back Trey Green is ready to take the ball from quarterback KJ Costello during a play against Westlake High School.

You can’t do that - Quarterback KJ Costello sweet talks the referee.

courtesy photo

RULE 7: FLAGS & FOULS

Yellow flag: A yellow cloth thrown by the referees to indicate there is a penalty or foul on the field.

Holding: When a player grabs another player in order to gain an advantage. If holding is called against the offense, there is a 10 yard penalty but if the holding is called against the defense there is a five yard penalty.

Personal foul: A 15-yard penalty given to an offensive or defensive player who has committed an act of unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct Offside: When a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage prior to the snap by the offense resulting in a five yard penalty False start: An offensive penalty in which one of the players moves before the football is snapped resulting in a five yard penalty

all courtesy photos

Run Trey run - Running back Trey Green takes off for a touchdown.

16

Sports

The Eagle Eye

Come cheer and chant Tips for being a member of The Eagles’ Nest

By Alexa Hines, Managing Editor

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ast basketball season, the Eagles’ Nest was ranked number two in Orange County. Now the Nest is back and striving to be better than ever -- we’ve evengotten Pope Francis to show up at a couple football games and been featured as one of the best student sections on Twitter. The Nest can become the best student section in Orange County -- but it all depends on the Eagles. Below are a few tips to help you become a key member of the Eagles’ Nest.

2. Get there early 1. Be there

It’s simple. To have a good student section, we need the Eagles to flock to the Nest. Go to the football games on Friday nights.

Try not to miss a game because as soon as the end of season hits during your senior year, you’ll be upset you missed that big game each year. If it’s not a home game, wherever “home” may be these days, sign up for Eagle Pack. Nothing intimidates an opponent more than a huge flock of Eagles getting off buses and taking away its home field advantage.

It’s a first-come, first-serve basis.

Good spots go fast. Get there early, get a spot and be ready for a great game.

4. Stand in the right spot

Those first three rows or so? The front by the fence? Underclassmen shouldn’t crowd there.

Give those spots to the upperclassmen, especially the seniors who lead the cheers. It’s kind of an unspoken rule. I mean, if all you’re doing is talking during the game, might as well make way for the people motivating our players to victory.

3. Be in the Nest

This is a shout out to all the freshmen who hang out by the snack bar.

Stand in the bleachers, just not too close to the front.

5. Cheer, chant and scream

If you don’t wake up Saturday morning with a sore throat or a lost voice, you’ve done something wrong. When we chant “I Believe,” cheer loud and proud. Don’t just stand there, or even worse, don’t sit down. Actually watch the game. If you don’t understand what is going on, or what those yellow flags mean, read the article on page 15. If you still don’t understand what a touchdown is, bring the article to the game.

6. Don’t leave early

True fans stay. If we are three points behind and it’s nearing the end of the fourth quarter, don’t leave and ditch your school spirit. You’ll never know when KJ will throw a Hail Mary to win the game.

If you leave early, you’ll also miss the intense, new chant that the football players lead at the end of the game.

7. Learn the chant

Going along with the football chant, make sure you learn it.

Follow along or ask your friends how to do it. Learn it, live it, love it.

9. Dress up

8. There is more than football

Keep your eyes peeled and ears opened for any news before the game about a theme. Once you know it, start planning. It’s just that simple. Wear white for the whiteouts, blue for the blueouts –- I think you get the point.

The Eagles’ Nest isn’t just at the football games.

Fill the gym with spirit at a girls’ volleyball game as well during the fall – I mean they are ranked third in the nation.

10. Have so much spirit -- it becomes illEAGLE!

Make posters. Cheer on your favorite player. Scream at a big play. Don’t be afraid to raid Party City of all their blue and gold. Be loud and be proud of being an Eagle. Help make The Eagles’ Nest the best student section.

Upcoming Eagle Pack

10/23/15 - Orange Lutheran 10/30/15 – Servite *All tickets are $15 and permission slips are due 24 hours before the game. Food is included on the bus ride.

Check us out online!

smchseagleeye.com