In this issue
Opinion
Feature
A&E
Sports
Eagle Eye calls for school to hold assemblies during Friday academic period.
ETV 2.0 duo furthers their broadcasting journey from high school into ASU.
Brandon Covas finds out what students’ favorite TV shows were growing up.
Football star is honored as 2022 All American.
Februrary 2022
From paper to screen:
Volume XXXVI, Issue 3
Library changes to e-book system By Catherine Bryson, Managing/News Editor
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he SMCHS library underwent renovations which resulted in the majority of the books being removed. When the E-Sports and robotics rooms were added to the library, most of the books were removed, leaving classic novels, DVDs, and other teen books behind. To supplement the lack of physical books, the library implemented an e-book system to encourage students to read
more. “To my understanding, we were implementing robotics and e-sports and so it wasn’t necessarily getting rid of the books, but finding a new way to provide books,” said Learning Center Director Seyram Bell. In order to fill a literary void, the library offers an additional resource through an e-book system. The e-book system enabled students reading on their phones or other devices, rather than a traditional paper book. “We offer an online resource [Sora] where we essentially borrow e-books from different
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libraries in the area. Last year was COVID, so there were little students to spread the word about the e-books, but we’re trying to generate more steam,” Bell said. In addition to the e-book program, there are books in the library which have an orange sticker on their spine. These stickers allow students to read un-published novels and provide reviews and suggestions to the author, as a part of the Advanced Readers Copy program. “I think the program is really cool since it’s like, you’re getting a sneak-beak before every-
one else,” said sophomore Kasia Struve. “I just wish it were publicized more so that more students can know about it.” The library is always busy in the morning and after school, making it very loud and very crowded. However, the new wellness center is intended to relieve that crowd. “At this moment it [library] is coming across as more of a student union, but that is more because the wellness center is not completed yet,” Bell said. “But the hope is that this is going to be a learning center in terms of students have additional access
to resources they need.” These additional resources include tutoring provided by the National Honors Society, college resources, and the e-book system. This is in addition to the collection of classics and other popular teen novels and DVDs. “I would add more lesser-known classics to the selection,” Struve said. “There are some cool ones like “One, None, and a Hundred Thousand” by Luigi Pirandello. I’d also add some more self-help books, especially “Mindset” by Carol Dweck.”
Illustration by Tristen Mielke
@smchseagleeye www.smchseagleeye.com App: Student News Source
2 News
February 2022
The Eagle Eye
MUN travel tentatively returns to normalcy
Nurses respond to Omicron on campus
By Tatch Tatch, Sports/Photo Editor
By Catherine Bryson, Managing/News Editor
A
fter two years of ups and downs, the Model United Nations program began in person conferences once again. However, things are far from back to normal. Traditionally, seniors in the MUN program partake in travel conferences across the county and sometimes the world. “Your senior year, you normally do the Prague exchange,” said senior Morgan Davies. “I was really looking forward to international travel with MUN, but because of COVID, we didn’t get that chance.” Unfortunately, the fallout of COVID-19 has limited these travel opportunities. The last travel conference the program attended was held at University of California, Berkley, days before the country shut down. “The atmosphere was really weird. A lot of people ended up staying home because the pandemic was just starting to pick up,” Davies said. Similarly, other groups have traveled to Georgetown, University of California, Santa Barbara, Duke, and more. While traveling across the country to participate in a MUN conference may seem insignificant, the experience is an unforgettable one. “I have loved traveling with MUN, it’s really allowed me to bond with my classmates and exposed me to a sort of global mindedness,” said senior Chloe Vautrin. Although the thought of international travel was off the table, MUN students were eager to take any travel opportunity they could. If this meant staying in the States, then so be it. But, as the pandemic ramped back up, what limited opportunities the program had shrunk even further. “When we knew we couldn’t do Prague, our advisor tried to sign us up for a conference in Boston,” Davies said. “Because of COVID, people were apprehensive about flying and traveling across the world, so we decided to attend a more local conference, but still travel.” Even with the changes from world travel to country travel to state, the seniors of the MUN program were still eager to participate. That was until, less than a month before the conference date,
Photo by Catherine Bryson
Mett the nurses - Ms. Simsarian, Ms. Volpo, and Ms. Wood stand outside their office. They helped mitigate the spread of Omicron.
Photo by Morgan Davies
Travel time - Vicky Zhang, Sammy Amer, and Tatum Tatch prepare for conference. MUN students took on Berkely MUN in 2020.
the Gaucho MUN conference was moved to an online format. “I was definitely disappointed when I heard Santa Barbara was moved to online,” Davies said. “I was really looking forward to finishing strong at one of my last MUN conferences and hanging out with my friends.” Participating in MUN has allowed each student to gain a sense of international awareness and a global mindset. Upon hearing the news, the students were disappointed by the shift, but not surprised. “Ultimately we kinda knew this might happen, and it’s sad but definitely understandable with the rise of COVID and the shutting down of schools again,” said Vautrin. Class of 2022 MUN participants are working with what they have
and hope to finish off the academic year strong, even if it comes from behind a screen. “I really hope that the numbers go down for the younger classes,” said Davies. “I feel like participating online is definitely still informative and fun, but it’s just not the same as in person debate. Vautrin shares the sentiment, hoping everyone can stay safe. After the rollercoaster of a coronavirus-filled high school experience, Vautrin and Davies are proud to have participated in MUN and hope that COVID-19 numbers decrease in the months to come. “At the end of the day MUN is a simulation and it’s meant to be fun. I hope that juniors and sophomores will have a chance to get back to that in the future,” Vautrin said.
Campus updates Spring Social
Prom
Grad Night
Friday, March 18, 6:00- 9:00pm at SMCHS Open to all SMCHS Student
Friday, March 18, 2022 6:00- 9:00pm at SMCHS Open to all SMCHS Juniors and Seniors
Friday, March 18, 6:00- 9:00pm at Disney California Adventure Open to SMCHS Seniors
TAPA Spring Showcase Thursday, February 27, 7:00pm at SMCHS
Varsity Song Team placed among the top 10 in the nation.
CSF Application Due Friday, March 18, 2022
The omicron variant has been in all fifty states since December 20, 2021, and it spreads more quickly than COVID-19 (CDC). At SM the positivity rate is 1.7 and is declining. In response to an increase in cases following Christmas break, the nurses increased testing, keeping in mind the mild symptoms students have and the desire to be back at school. “Right now we are testing anybody who has COVID like symptoms or has had a recent exposure,” SM nurse Rebecca Wood said. If you’ve had a recent exposure, it is recommended that you wait until about five days if you remain asymptomatic or if you become symptomatic then you can test any time.” Students who wish to be tested at school can register online, though parents will be called for verbal consent. However Wood advises to wait to be tested. “It takes anywhere from two to five days after an exposure for your viral load to be high enough for these tests to be sensitive enough to pick up the protein,” said Wood.
“That’s why unless you’re really symptomatic we’re not going to test someone who just had an exposure yesterday at lunch because it is more than likely it’s not from that exposure.” When a student tests positive, they should inform the nurses and stay home. They will be able to test out of quarantine before the ten days has elapsed, but you must be asymptomatic and have a negative test. For students who feel nervous about coming to school, Wood says not to be nervous, because symptoms among students have been very mild. Washing your hands and wearing a mask are the best ways to protect yourself from omicron. “Don’t be nervous,” said Wood. “At this point it’s like the flu, it’s actually spread easier than the flu and most of our kids who are testing positive have very mild symptoms. They feel pretty good after two or three days and they want to come back to school but you need to test negative or wait until the 11th day to come back, that’s the only reason they can’t come back even though they’re feeling better.”
February 2022
The Eagle Eye
Opinion 3
Staff Editorial
Keep late start, swap assembly time with Friday academic period
T
he number of late starts is dwindling due to a variety of morning assemblies, and students are experiencing the effects. Throughout the year, students juggle rigorous academic schedules while participating in extracurriculars like sports or working a part-time job. Conscious of this fact, the school implemented schedule changes largely aimed towards mitigating student stress and sleep-deprivation. With the increasing amount of assemblies, however, block schedule appears counterintuitive to its own goals. It is recommended that--instead of eliminating late start--assemblies are scheduled on Fridays, and the Academic Period cancelled to accommodate them. Academic Periods are great resources for receiving help from teachers and making up tests, but they are under-utilized on Fridays. Students in basketball, football, or even The Nest are unable to stay after school to attend, and many others would enjoy the opportunity to begin their weekend early. If allotted for assemblies instead, this time could be used more effectively. While assemblies develop community spirit and prompt conversation around important issues, topics covered at assemblies are often already taught in health seminar classes. It is also difficult
Print Editor-in-Chief Katharine Lee Web Editor-in-Chief Kendrick Choi Copy Editor Sofia O’Keefe Managing Editor Catherine Bryson Web Managing Editor Kendrick Choi
Photo by SMCHS Activities
Commanding attention - Alumni Chris Temple discusses film-making in the gym. Students were expected to attend assemblies before school on late start days.
to sit in the bleachers for an hour or more. To ensure that students have the best experience possible, speeches should be previewed for relatable content that addresses the correct topic for which the speaker was hired.
This is not to say that assemblies are not valued--they remain an integral component of the high school learning experience. Rather, the question is discovering when they are received most impactfully by the student body and
least disruptively on a students’ personal schedule. Friday during academic period is suggested in belief that, with its consideration, students will become more receptive toward assemblies and experience fewer absences.
ASB card: worth it or waste of money? By Sofia O’Keefe, Copy/Feature Editor and Brandon Covas, Staff Writer
With campus events in full swing this year, the student body is more eager than ever to attend as many events as possible. However, these events come a cost making it hard to attend everything. An alternative to cutting these costs down is the ASB Card, an identification card that significantly cuts costs down at all school dances and events. With the ASB card costing $75 for freshman, sophomores, and juniors and $125 for seniors, the question arises, “is it worth it?” The ASB Card has been around for years on campus providing special benefits and discounts to school events. These events include football games, dances, and other campus events. The ASB Card cuts nearly all events by 50% or more in price. This seemingly would be a smart option to buy if you enjoy going to events. “If you do the math, by going to most of the events and buying stuff, you end up saving more than you actually paid for,” said Junior ASB Class President Eric Park. When considering the initial cost of the ASB Card, there may be some downsides to this. For instance, with the ASB Card for
The Eagle Eye Staff
freshman, it will only cost you $55 while the non-ASB card price is $115. However, the ASB Card itself costs $75 meaning you will be paying an extra $15 unless you attend the Eagle Pack more than twice (which would result in breaking even). This means that you are not only paying more but have to attend all school events if you want to get your money’s worth. “It is definitely worth it unless if you are like the guy that doesn’t go to any of the dances and doesn’t buy anything, then don’t buy it,” Park said. On the other hand, if you are an a sophomore or junior, you can end up saving $10 by buying the ASB Card. The total cost of buying everything available with the ASB card along with factoring in the cost of the card itself is $250. Comparatively, the regular price is $280, so seniors can save a grand total of $30. The only downside to this once again is that you are going to have to attend most of the events to get the money you paid for the ASB-Card. “If you participate in most of the school events, you are going to end up saving money,” Park said. In conclusion, if you enjoy attending most of the community’s events, it is definitely worth it to buy the ASB Card. Plus, the ASB Card is a fundraiser for SM, so any purchase of it still helps the community regardless of if it’s worth it or not.
Social Media Editor Tatum Tatch Photo Editor Tatum Tatch News Editor Catherine Bryson Opinion Editor Lana Diab Feature Editor Sofia O’Keefe A&E Editor Lana Diab Sports Editor Tatum Tatch Illustrators Tristen Mielke Lizzie Bork Catherine Bryson Staff Writers Katie Rubio Brandon Covas Preston Dorand Isabelle Byra Julia Gore Staff Adviser Debra Barbre
Member of these organizations:
Photo by Celine Bacily
All set - Junior ASB Class President Eric Park holds up his ASB card. The cards were handed out via digital format this year and can be accessed by scanning a digital code.
4 Opinion
February 2022
The Eagle Eye
Freedom to speak truth not misinformation
Joe Rogan and Spotify’s scandal reveal media platforms should be held responsible for their actions.
By Lana Diab, A&E and Opinion Editor
I
n lieu of recent scandals from companies such as Spotify, Facebook, and other platforms, viewers are navigating the boundaries of freedom of speech, and when speech reaches indecency or misinformation. Because social media platforms contain much of the news intake the general public consumes, they have a moral obligation to flag blatant misinformation. Joe Rogan has reignited the conversation after claims he allegedly spewed misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine to his 11 million listeners. In response, artists such as Neil Young and Joni Mitchell pulled their music from Spotify in protest and calls for Spotify to remove Rogan increases by the day. The topic of misinformation goes beyond ‘Rogan-gate’ and into many other facets of social media. There have been numerous outrages regarding social media platforms contributing to misinformation and propaganda, most notably in the 2016 American Presidential elections. Social media is the new medium for news; we are long past the days of exclusively watching a news channel or reading a newspaper. Therefore, social media platforms do have some responsibility in ensuring the authenticity of information, especially if it has the ability to affect everyone: our friends, neighbors, and fellow
students, including senior Monica Curameng.
“ Social media has the ability to educate others, but sometimes this privilage is not used wisely. We need to be aware of what we are consuming ” -Monica Curameng “When there is medical misinformation in the media, people may not see the positives of some-
Photo by Getty Images
Spotted in a Spotify scandal - Joe Rogan recently came under fire for alleged misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. There have been calls from Spotify members and artists to take down Rogan’s podcast amidst the scandal.
thing that can potentially help or the negatives of something that can harm them,” said Curameng. Although freedom of speech should never be stifled, it crosses a boundary when an individual purposely reveals misinformation, such as proven medical misinformation, and blurs the ethical guidelines of society. One misinformative comment can have grave impacts on the masses. Although many journalists, news sources, etc. inevitably make mistakes in
their work, they should be obliged to immediately apologize and correct misinformation. If there are societal figures that are not willing to recognize the positives and falsehoods in their facts or arguments, society and social media platforms should work together to hold them accountable. One solution to the problem were to be if Spotify released content warnings on podcast episodes that are determined to reveal false information to listeners. The
solution may vary on a case-bycase basis, but there should be an attempt to stifle medical misinformation. This increasingly social media-dominate world calls for responsibility from platforms to create boundaries between free speech and speech that misconstrues facts. It is important to have a understanding of falsehoods in social media for a greater consideration of societal phenomena.
Rolling Loud shouldn’t be hindered by Astroworld incident By Julia Gore, Staff Writer Rolling Loud is a national rap music festival featuring rap performers, in different venues around the world. The Rolling Loud administration made adjustments to its policies after Travis Scott’s tragic Astroworld concert in Houston, Tex. Shockingly, the festival resulted in 10 deaths and injured many in the crowd. An investigation is still underway, but crowd control has been blamed for this tragedy. The tragedy could have been prevented. Matthew Pearce, ‘22, has attended many festivals over the years. He’s never experienced anything similar to the chaos that ensued at Astroworld. “My experiences at festivals have been nothing but positive and safe,” Pearce said. “If someone falls in the crowd, everyone immediately helps them up and gets them out if needed.” It is clear that the Astroworld show was something very different than Pearce’s experiences. Chaos ran through the whole crowd, and those families and friends of attendees who heard of it on the news. “It didn’t feel real at first.” Pearce said. “I was super worried about my friends that were there as well as everyone that was injured.”
Poor crowd control, deficient planning, and understaffing share blame, and many other festival organizations are worried enough to adjust guidelines to avoid such a tragedy. Rolling Loud, a national rap music festival, decided to enforce an 18+ age restriction for their California venue in 2021. “I thought Rolling Loud’s decision was unfortunate, because of how close they did it to the festival,” Pearce said. This quick decision was clearly made in response to the Astroworld disaster, but making the festival 18+ is not going to prevent anything. Age was not the issue at Astroworld, and Rolling Loud has had nothing but successful concerts in the past without restricting age. Restricting age will only hurt Rolling Loud in the way that as their target population will grow smaller. Many people under 18 have attended concerts in the past. There are other ways to prevent another tragedy. “Having multiple people perform at once will help spread out the crowd, and also to keep the crowded space open,” Pearce said. Hopefully, festivals will not
Photo by Julia Gore
Rolling into rap - Senior Matthew Pearce poses for a picture outside the entrance of Rolling Loud. He attended many concerts in the past, none of which he felt paralleled Astroworld.
continue with the age restriction guideline, because it will only hurt their profits. As long as the festivals are strategically planned, and with plenty of staff, a disaster like Astroworld is unlikely.
Photo by Matthew Pearce
Infographic by Catherine Bryson
The Eagle Eye
February 2022
5 Feature
ETV 2.0’s dynamic duo heads to college Seniors Luc Carter and Dylan Oliver continue their broadcasting journey at ASU. By Tatum Tatch, Sports and Photo Editor
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s the class of 2022 begins to venture into adulthood, seniors are able to follow their passions in college, the workforce, and beyond. For seniors Luc Carter and Dylan Oliver, chasing their dreams is always the first priority. But, doing it with your best friend is a nice bonus. Eagle TV 2.0 has shown Carter and Oliver the ins and outs of broadcasting, television production, and reporting. “I started off acting as a kid. I was in a few music videos and would go to auditions almost every weekend,” Carter said “I guess I’ve just always loved being in front of the camera.” While Carter was always eager to jump in front of a camera, Oliver took some time before he felt confident hopping in front of the screen. “I definitely began with more behind the scenes stuff, and Luc actually helped get me out of my shell,” Oliver said. “The first time I got in front of the camera, it was
with Luc.” The pair has taken advantage of every opportunity high school has had to offer. From sports broadcasting class to film production club, the school has provided them with anything they could possibly need. Their favorite opportunity by far has been the Eagle TV 2.0 program. “ETV is honestly a dream,” Carter said. “I get to do what I love, with the people I love and get better at doing it.” Not only has the ETV program provided the pair with a community of like-minded broadcast students, but the opportunities the program has provided are many. “One of my favorite things the program has given me is the goonplatoon,” Oliver said. “It kinda just started when our teacher pointed at myself and my friends and said ‘you guys are the goonplatoon’.” The Goonplatoon is a regular feature of ETV where Oliver, Carter, and three of their other friends host the show, airing segments exclusively worked on by the socalled “goonplatoon.” Along with the rest of the group, the pair loves the camera almost as much as they
love each other. “Dylan’s more like a brother to me than a friend,” Carter said. “Our friendship really has proven opposites attract, and I can’t imagine my life without him.” Both behind and in front of the camera, the boys have been integral to each other’s academic and personal growth. They each found their niche community alongside one another. It was logical they would take their broadcast partnership to college. “When I stepped onto the ASU campus, I instantly fell in love,” Carter said. “Their specialized programs are honestly unmatched, coupled with the location right in the heart of Phoenix. I mean, for me it was no question.” As the boys get ready to take this next step, they reflect back on their time in the ETV program. “I honestly don’t know where I’d be without ETV,” Oliver said. With all the preparation, development, and growth the boys have experienced and gained over the past four years, Oliver and Carter feel eager to chase their dreams for the next four years together at ASU.
Photo by Milad Tajali
Lights, Camera, Action - Dylan Oliver (left) and Luc Carter (right) host ETV. They shared how the experience prepared them for ASU.
Freshman Angelina Bado survives bombing in Lebanon By Katharine Lee, Print Editor-in-Chief Angelina Bado was waiting in line for her passport photo when a bomb shattered the glass wall beside her. She was 13 years old. Containing 15 tons of fireworks, jugs of kerosene and acid, and thousand tons of ammonium nitrate, the bomb gestated in a warehouse for 15 years before exploding in August 2020. The city of Beirut was ripped to shreds. Critical healthcare infrastructure was severely damaged, and thousands were left injured and homeless. “I think no one will ever forget what happened,” Bado said. “I always think about it, how some of my friends lost their parents. It was just very hard for a period of time.” News reports would later announce the Beirut port blast as the third largest nuclear acid bomb to ever explode. Bado, numb, eyes fixed on the TV screen, remembers the gulf of flame and smoke. The roar of the explosion rings in her eardrums still. “It was traumatizing,” Bado said. “Everyone thought it was going to happen again. I mean, Lebanon’s still going through a lot.” The motivations of the bombing remain unclear, although conspiracies run rife among the Lebanese. Maybe the Israeli and Lebanon conflict is to blame; maybe a submarine placed the bomb there years ago. But those who tried to investigate? They were killed, says Bado. The bombing opened old wounds among a fragile people --civil unrest, ongoing socio-economic crisis, and a pandemic in the hands of a negligent government. Outside, protestors often
Photo by Angelina Bado
Photo by Angelina Bado
Game winner - Bado puts up a floater. She played for her club basketball team in Lebanon.
Possibilities - Bado stands with her arms outstretched. She explained that her experiences in America are very different from her old life.
lined the streets for months, outraged at rising inflation prices. Hospitals struggled to cope with surging COVID cases. Smatterings of gunfire broke out, and armies closed roads. Despite this, Bado still recalls the beauty of the small country. “I was born in Lebanon,” Bado said. “It’s a small world, where everybody knows each other. The fish, the seafood is delicious and
As point guard on her club team in Lebanon, she dreamed of playing basketball professionally in the States. She’s on the girl’s varsity basketball team now, seven months since she stepped on foreign soil. Living an ocean away from her relatives, she feels the pressure of the cultural transition. “In Lebanon you grow up with your middle school classmates,” Bado said. “I left my club and
the region is rich with history.” But as ash coated the air, the very capital of Lebanon rocked to its core, it became clear to Bado that she must come to America. “As a child, I always used to stress, are we going to have enough water? Are we going to have enough food? The supermarket ran out of a lot of products,” Bado said. “I like the States…for me personally, it’s an easy life.”
friends and family behind. I’m still trying to cope with it.” America feels incredibly organized; it is nothing like the turbulent chaos she experienced back home. Still, she doesn’t know how to feel about American food yet. “Mixed feelings,” Bado said with a laugh, “mixed feelings. Sometimes I feel a little homesick, but I am a survivor. I think, it’s ok. I’ll get through this.”
Student entrepreneurs Dagny Streit
Calm Me Company By Katharine Lee, Print Editor-in-Chief
When a new episode of #SoCalStrong aired, Leslie Skyes and Brandi Hitt, co-anchors of ABC Eyewitness News, broadcast a special feature on Calm Me Company, a candle business co-founded by senior Dagny Streit. Since its creation in March 2020, the company donated thousands of candles to healthcare workers and senior living homes in Orange County. But for Streit, making candles is a long-standing tradition. “My mom, sister, and I have always moved a lot,” Streit said. “Something that we’d always do, no matter where we were, was make candles for teachers’ gifts, and that’s how it first began.” With plenty of leftover materials and extra time brought by quarantine, Streit began making candles in larger batches. Healthcare workers at UCI medical center received boxes filled with candles of different scents, like magnolia, honeydew, and unique blends like The Ritz. “I think candles are such a place for stress relief, and also scents really help with that,” Streit said. “They just make everyone have a smile, so I love it.” Much of the production occurs in the Streit home. In March, the family transformed the garage and kitchen into a workspace. Streit began making candles in her free time after school and on weekends. The candles, she explains, are made through a three step process that can Photos by Ramie Streit and ABC 7 News
be completed in 30 minutes. She pours wax into a stainless steel pot, then mixes in the fragrances. The wax cools in a jar called the vessel, the wick is placed on top, and the mixture is set to cool, a day for a single candle, a week for a batch. “People will write emails or call us after receiving the candles, and it’s gratifying seeing people really enjoying the product, especially during stressful times like COVID,” Streit said. As orders increased after their appearance on ABC, the company’s current goal is to continue expanding into different states. Having already been to Texas, Streit is pushing to sell at wholesale, looking to cover New York and Las Vegas in the future. “I remember when I was broadcasted, someone texted me from middle school and was like, ‘I saw you on the TV!’” Streit said. “I was definitely nervous. It was a learning curve for sure.” Although Streit is not looking to pursue a business major in college, she believes the company has challenged her to improve her social skills and time management. “I feel like being a student entrepreneur is interesting because it teaches you so many skills for whatever you want to do,” Streit said. “You can turn a hobby into a student entrepreneurship initiative and you have the freedom to take that wherever you want, whether that’s into college and beyond.”
Leo Dong
Asoshi + Education For All Foundation By Sofia O’keefe, Copy/Feature Editor
Some time or another, nearly everyone has had a business idea or solution to a problem that they wish existed. The only issue is making it a reality. Senior Leo Dong did just that. At LaunchX, an entrepreneurship summer program, Dong’s team developed Asoshi: an app to provide high school students with the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. On the platform, users can match with other people to create a team or simply expand their reach. The space can also be used to create a professional online presence to showcase achievements to possible employers. “I am obviously privileged to be able to attend this program [LaunchX], but those who unfortunately can’t afford to attend also deserve the opportunity to meet an amazing team,” Dong said. “That’s the problem I was trying to solve.” Before Dong began developing Asoshi, he already had much business experience through creating a non-profit known as Education For All Foundation (EFA).
EFA serves underprivileged students in rural developing nations. Since its conception in 2018, volunteers of the non-profit have taught English and emotional well-being, while also providing financial support for their students. “For our non-profit, we just want to make as mu ch of an
impact as possible,” Dong said. With operations in India, Bangladesh, and China, EFA has raised about $30,000 and has over 700 students. The foundation plans to continue to grow with a goal of raising a cumulative $50,000 and having 1,500 students this year. “Creating something new, that’s not conventional, really excites me, and I personally believe in the motto of either I try my best or I don’t try at all,” Dong said. Despite having a spirit of innovation, Dong did experience some failures in other business projects early on. “My business management knowledge wasn’t developed enough to be able to contribute, and I failed to notice a few things,” Dong said. Even so, Dong persisted and was able to start two companies. “It has been an incredible journey from a very humble high school project to now a global phenomenon,” Dong said.
Photos by LaunchX and Leo Dong
8 Feature
February 2022
The Eagle Eye
Ride through the day with the surf team, from morning practice to upcoming competitions. By Brandon Covas, Staff Writer
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ournaments, competitions, seasons--the surf team begins to fall into a rhythm. Led by science teacher Mr. Rutherford, the team plans on competing in upcoming months while dealing with an unpredictable environment. The surf team is one of the few sports that practice early in the mornings. These early practices help combat swells that occur more commonly in the afternoon. However, when there are swells in the morning they still manage to surf after school. “We mix it up a little bit. It is hard because our practices are so dependent upon the swell,” Rutherford said. “We try to surf in the mornings, it’s usually a little bit cleaner in the mornings. If there is a swell in the morning, we will make an afternoon practice or something like that” With varying practice times due to a consistently changing environment, the practice intensity is usually casual. This environment helps the surfers stay comfortable in the water while also allowing them to develop new surfing skills. “It’s super relaxed. You get to surf and have fun. Practices let you just put more hours into it getting better. The practices are always was great,” said junior Zach Evinger. With practices in full swing, the team has already competed in multiple competitions. They compete in the Scholastic Surf series which stretches October to March. "There are six other schools that we are competing against right now," Rutherford said. "Three of them happened so far.” Santa Margarita’s team competes in short board and long
Photos by SMCHS Athletics
Riding into a new season - The surf team is fresh off its first competition. Smiles, high fives, and new waves were shared all around.
board competitions, depending on what the individual on the team prefers. The scoring becomes challenging with different boards, wave sizes, and other environmental factors that come into play during a competitions. Shortboard depends on the maneuvers on the wave. Factors that influence balance are the force of
power and where the rider is out in the wave. Rutherford explains that the longboarding technique is completely different. "Longboards kind of score a little bit more on finesse," Rutherford said. "They maneuver on the board themselves, so walking on the board, nose rides, and stuff like that."
Regardless of the scoring, the team always finds the competitions fun. There is a wide range of experience on the team from five months to ten years of surfing. No matter the experience level, the team includes all of its members in the competitions and tries to make it as enjoyable as possible for everyone.
Evinger shares that the level of community is what makes the team truly memorable. “I’ve only competed in one tournament so far. It was really stressful because I’ve only been surfing for seven months. It was a really unique experience and I’m definitely going to compete again in the next tournament,” Evinger said.
Mr. Trotter? Call him Dan Garcia. English teachers jam on classic rock during their lunch period.
By Catherine Bryson, Managing and News Editor When the pandemic began, English teachers started practicing guitar for fun when no one was on campus. Armed with amps and guitars, Mr. Trotter, Mr. Paquette, Mr. Silberstein (and sometimes Mr. Fleming) hold musical jam sessions together in B209. All are fans of classic rock. Trotter is especially inspired by 60s rock band, The Grateful Dead, although his music history stretches back to his teenage days. "I love doing it [playing guitar]. It's something I've done since I was in high school, " Trotter said. "My twin brother played and I always wanted to copy him in that
respect." Together, the English teachers practiced and learned new chord progressions. There were no students around to hear them or the mini concerts that emanated from the B building every noon. Now, though, it's more of a tradition. Even upon resuming full in-person learning, they continue to explore different genres of music together during breaks. "It's broadened my musical tastes," Trotter said. "They'll play a song I've never heard and I'll go 'oh I love that song.'" When asked for a photo of the music session, Silberstein established its exclusive nature. But Mr. Trotter was not without a creative solution: "For the photo, just put my face on the body of a troll," Trotter said. We had a better idea.
" For the photo, put my face on the body of a troll. " -Mr. Trotter Photo by Katharine Lee
Challenge accepted - We did one better for Mr. Trotter. He has often expressed his love and enthusiasm for 60s rock band the Grateful Dead.
The Eagle Eye
February 2022
Sports 9
Baker commits to Vanderbilt for soccer By Isabelle Byra, Staff Writer
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occer has been a significant part of Maddie Baker’s life since she was four-yearsold. Baker originally committed to Washington State freshman year but de-committed after discovering offers from USC, Georgetown, and Vanderbilt. Over Thanksgiving break, Baker decided to sign with Vanderbilt to further her soccer career as a left-back. “I really liked Nashville, and when I went there it felt more like home,” Baker said. As team captain of the girls’ soccer team, Baker brings energy and a sense of camaraderie for her teammates. Although Baker thinks she and her teammates could build team chemistry and improve their positioning. “I make sure my team wins by being vocal and uplifting people when they are down,” Baker said. Baker has succeeded athletically in many different ways, but she believes her greatest accomplishment has been playing with the U.S. Women’s Youth National Team. “Only the top thirty players in the country are invited to the national camp,” Baker said. Baker experienced two concussions during her soccer career. She plans to continue playing soccer
Photo by Greg Townsend
Meet Baker - Baker is in action with the ball. She started playing soccer when she was four-years-old.
beyond college. “I definitely want to go pro after college and play in Europe,” Baker said. Her coach in Georgia, Jerome, had a major impact on her soccer career. Jerome challenged Baker to the best of her abilities. “He pushed me to work harder
and brought me up to play against older girls so that I could get better,” Baker said. Despite Baker’s hardships, she continues to take initiative and lead her team to victory. “Practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect,” Baker said.
Photo by Vanderbilt
Introducing SportsRecruits.com to student-athletes By Preston Dorand, Staff Writer Mike Hiserman was looking for a way to assist nearly 1400 student-athletes. The goal was to help those who had aspirations to play at the next level and Sportsrecruits.com would be a new tool for student-athletes. The platform that Mike Hiserman, Associate Director of College Relations, found, met those standards and offered that extra tool. Sportsrecruits is a website where student-athletes can contact college coaches and send them videos all in one place. The Sportsrecruits platform is a way for student-athletes to contact college coaches through one website. The website is user-friendly: all you have to do is look up a school, click on the coach or coaches, and then type your email. The simplicity of Sportsrecruits makes sending emails very efficient. “SportsRecruits checked all of the boxes: easy to set up, easy to navigate and it’s a time saver when an athlete is responding to a coach who wants information or reaching out to a school on their own to promote themselves,” Hiserman said. “SportsRecruits is a great experience to help me get into the college atmosphere,” said Junior Charlie Lapp. “It helps me get more knowledge with what is happening with the scholarship program and how do I get myself out there.” The platform’s easy-to-use features will pay dividends in the fu-
Screen clipping by Preston Dorand from sportsrecruits.com
How to get recruited- Junior Charlie Lapp’s profile includes numerous statistics and well-edited videos of him playing. He created a Sportsrecruits profile to showcase his playing.
ture and reward student-athletes in contacting as many coaches as possible. The features of adding video, transcripts, and current coaches’ contacts make the process simple and easy for the college coaches as well. SportsRecruits’ future looks to be on the right path and will con-
tinue to be a tool to those who have aspirations of playing at the next level. “I think the future is bright and asmore student-athletes access the platform and see how it works, the more popular it’s going to get--the coaches, too. There are already a handful of coaches here who have
fully embraced the system and are using it effectively and in a way that is saving them countless hours,” said Hiserman. Almost all college coaches use Sportsrecruits, so it made sense to Hiserman to introduce the program to students. “The school has invested in you
by making me available to you and also this wonderful platform; it’s free. Use it. Invest a few minutes to build a strong profile and it will save you countless hours in the long run. It also allows you to take control of your own recruiting,” Hiserman said.
The Eagle Eye
February 2022
Sports 10
Hero Kanu honored as 2022 All-American Football standout furthers athletic dreams and commits to Ohio State.
By Katie Rubio, Staff Writer
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ut of thousands of football players across the nation, only 100 are selected to play in the All-American bowl. Senior Hero Kanu was one of them. The 2022 All-American bowl was held on January 8th at the Alamodome stadium in Antonio, Texas. At the thirteenth installment of the Road to the Dome digital series, four-star recruit and SMCHS defensive lineman, Hero Kanu, was formally honored as 2022 All-American during a virtual jersey presentation. "It's crazy because I'm not even American and I got honored with the most significant award for a football player in high school, so it means a lot to me," Kanu said. Expeiencing the process of being honored to play at the Annual EastWest match up after just starting to play football two years ago means a lot for Kanu and for those who have helped him achieved all that he has accomplished. Even through the many challenges brought upon by the pandemic, Kanu demonstrated his persistence in continuing playing football. "Ever since I came [to SM], I found a lot of friends and on the team especially. It's just been an amazing experience as we played the best conference in the nation, the Trinity League, and then going to the All-American bowl," Kanu said. Not only does this opportunity have a significant impact for Kanu as a player, but it also plays a remarkable role for the SM foot-
Photo by Ohio State Football
Ohio bound - Kanu poses for photos in red Ohio State colors. He committed to Ohio State this year.
ball team. From the amazing support of the team and the coaches, Kanu has been able to accomplish so much and has a bright future in continuing to succeed playing football. "It means a lot for me [as a coach] and for the football program to see Hero succeed at what he has accomplished on the field as a football player coming from Germany and being selected to be one of the top players in the country," said coach Torres, Assistant Defensive Line. Last year, the 2021 All-Amer-
ican bowl was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, leaving many high school football players devastated to miss such an opportunity. Unfortunately for Kanu, the rise of cases and rapid spread of the virus interfered with his experience at the All-American bowl. "The energy was hyped. We got introduced to the team and the coaches but unfortunately, after the first day, I tested positive for COVID and that was pretty much the end for me and about twenty-one other guys," Kanu said. Although there are many ob-
Photo by Hero Kanu
All-American - Kanu flexes his All-American jersey. He was chosen to compete out of thousands of players in the U.S.
stacles that reside in the rapid spread of COVID, the excitement of playing in the Annual East-West matchup is a remarkable experience for high school senior football players across the nation. While the performance of the players is thrilling, it is often the announcement of college commitments that generates the most attention throughout the game. "It means a lot for [my family and I to officially be committed to Ohio State] because it's a four year decision, and of course I want to play in the NFL, and [Ohio State] is
a great place to play for," Kanu said. Kanu announced his commitment to Ohio State football at the beginning of the fourth quarter of the All-American game. Although he was considering other schools, such as Notre Dame, USC, and more, Kanu shares what really guided him to choose Ohio State. "[Coach Leonard Johnson] is like a family guy, which really convinced me to come because I want to be and play in a family atmosphere rather than a stressful environment," Kanu said.
Boys basketball faces worst opponent: COVID By Jayden Yokota, Staff Writer The JV basketball team has endured the absence of their head coach, Rocco DeFilippo, and three more players due to COVID-19. Despite dealing with many obstacles like these, the boys have united and pieced together a successful season so far. With a minimum quarantine period of five days, many athletes who get COVID miss out on team exercises and staying in peak athletic shape. “The most glaring effect I saw on my performance was my lack of conditioning on the court,” said JV point guard, Ray Steensland. “Not just because I hadn’t been active during quarantine, but also lingering congestion made it tough to breathe.” With the boys having to mesh together without their coach, players were faced with adversity that many of them have never dealt with before. “In all my years of basketball, I’ve never faced more challenges in a season. I never expected our season to go like this and be filled with this many obstacles,” JV shooting guard Will Terry said. Coach DeFilippo missed 7 days
from his team. Upon his return, DeFillipo had to make various adjustments to make sure he would be ready to come back to his team and help them stay on a winning pace. “It's been difficult with the schedule changes that we’ve had. It’s also been difficult with guys not being able to play," DeFillipo said. "If we have 15 guys on the team one day, we may only have 8 the next so we are very short handed." With many players being absent throughout crucial times in the season, players have had to adapt and find ways to stay together and win games. “With important pieces missing for long periods of time, the starting line is never consistent, and no rhythm is kept," Steensland said. "COVID has definitely affected the chemistry of teams, especially ours.” As the season continues in full stride, the boys have faced many strong challenges but have found ways to win games and compete at the highest level against their opponents. “It’s been a really new adjustment this season but we’re staying positive and having fun despite all of this,” Terry said. Coach DeFilippo shares similar sentiments regarding the future of the season and attests to the team's
ambition and perservereance.
" In all my years of basketball, I’ve never faced more challenges in a season. " - Will Terry “Without a question, I am proud of our guys. I believe that this group in particular has had to be very resilient, and I think they have," Defilippo said. "Hopefully we can get five really good games out of the remaining ones and get everyone healthy so we can win these next games."
Photo by Ryan Kuhn
Game day - Jake Heberle goes up for a layup against a Laguna Beach defender. Seats were limited and mask wear was required for game audiences.
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The Eagle Eye
A&E
AMPlifying student voices Senior Ashley Kim creates club as a platform to highlight students’ artistic talents. By Lana Diab, A&E and Opinion Editor
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he newly created AMP Society, founded by senior Ashley Kim, serves as a digital compilation of student artwork and an outlet for artistic ingenuity. Students can submit any type of artwork from songs to paintings on the AMP Society website for spectators to admire. The website was recently displayed to the public this school year after months of preparation by Kim. The AMPlify club acts as an intermediary between students and the non-school affiliated website. Once students are directed to the website, they can submit their best art pieces. Any genre of artwork is encouraged by Kim and other board members, from more traditional art to more avant-garde pieces that experiment with technological means. Anything that highlights artistic innovation can find refuge on the website. After her own experience in the artistic world, Kim sought to create a platform which easily facilitates the distribution of student artwork. Kim wanted students who may have previously felt unsure of how to share their aptitude to have the means to do so.
“It’s a way to amplify young artists’ voices and as someone who is a young artist, I feel like it is so important for young artists’ works to be exposed to the world,” Kim said. “That is the goal and that is what it means to me: to give that confidence and exposure for other young artists and what they love to do and what is important for them.” For Kim, the objective of this site is not only to exhibit young artistry but to also have a profound and positive effect on the artists and website viewers in all areas of life. The lessons they learn from their experiences with the AMP society website pertain to all areas of life, not just the artistic realm. “I would love if there was a sense of confidence instilled in young artists,” Kim said. “I really want other people to feel encouraged when they see other people’s works from the same age group and think that they are capable of curating their own work as well.” The site connects the principals of traditional art with digital means to make a once seemingly inaccessible subject area available to all students. This website allows for a myriad of creative works to be recognized and appreciated. Kim hopes that every student has a place in AMP Society and instills a mission to innovate and create art.
Photo by Lana Diab
Highlighting student ingenuity - Seniors and board members of AMP society Ashley Kim (left) and Bella Ransil (right) smile for the camera. They showcased student artistry in a variety of subgenres through their website.
Infographic by Ashley Kim
Cappies team offers a warm welcome back to high school theatre By Katharine Lee, Print Editor-in-Chief
Inside the theatre, lights dim, chatter stops. Curtains sweep open and set pieces are awash in light, actors returning to stage in full cadence and stride. For the first time in over a year, playbills are distributed into passing hands and seats fill back up with live audiences. Among the crowd are Cappies: high school critics who celebrate high school theatre through review writing. With an average of 897 critics attending shows per year, Cappies is a student review and awards program. Critics learn and discuss all components of theatre production. At the end of the year, Cappies student critics decide who among their peer performers and technicians should be recognized for awards with all the glamour and excitement reminiscent of the Tony Awards. The Cappies team on campus comprises of eight students, ranging from sophomores to seniors. This season, senior Annie Mulvihill is Lead Critic. Although this is her first year as a Cappie, she is no stranger to theatre, having stage managed multiple Talon Theatre productions. Open DisneyPlus, and she’ll likely remark on classical musicals like Newsies, noting the dance numbers and meticulous set changes with true appreciation for the performing arts.
“I’ve always loved theatre,” Mulvihill said. “But I’ve also been interested in journalism and writing, so I thought Cappies would be a cool way to combine the two. “ The program trains critics to think critically and analyze various aspects of theatre like tech and hair/makeup. By writing a review, critics provide the performing school feedback on their production and possibly have their reviews published by local media outlets. Mulvihill believes Cappies helped foster the new perspective through which she viewed her most recent production, “The Fantasticks.” She describes this change as an increased awareness towards all aspects of theatre. “I was able to appreciate our lighting design even more, because now I was able to understand what makes a good lighting design and see how our team executes it,” Mulvihill said. “It makes you appreciative of how much hard work goes into different designs and impacts the production as a whole.” Before shows, the team gathers together for team meals and travel to various shows together. In discussion rooms, critics meet new people from different schools and appreciate the construction of a full production. “It’s been amazing to see so many shows and types of theatre, which we weren’t allowed to do during COVID,” Mulvihill said. “So just going back to theatre in a lot of different ways has been great. I think a lot of people would be really good Cappies critics, so if you’re interested, definitely sign up.”
Photo by Katharine Lee
Photo by Katharine Lee
Celebrating high school theatre - Kasia Struve, Annie Mulvihill, and Robbie Troyan (left to right) hold up their Cappies Critic badges, post show. They attended “This Girl” at San Clemente High School last month.
Infographic by Catherine Bryson
12 A&E
The Eagle Eye
February 2022
Entering nostalgia hour What was your favorite TV show as a kid?
Illustration by Lizzie Bork
By Brandon Covas, Staff Writer
Hannah Yao, ‘25 “‘Wildkrats’ taught me a lot of animal facts that are completely random that I still know...it comes up in conversations to this day.”
Mrs. Bell, Girls’ Basketball Coach “Growing up, on Friday nights they used have a lot of family friendly shows, like “Family Matters” and “Full House”. I just remember all of us gathering around to watch that. I think it wasn’t the show necessarily, but the thought of us coming together and watching the show family time was really important to me.”
Celine Bacily, ‘23 “‘ICarly’ was an incredibly inspiring show, as it introduced me to the concept of internet influence. Their vlog, especially, influenced me to make an impact on the world through digital media.”
Caroline Stifter, ‘25 “‘Good Luck Charlie’ showed how families can be themselves around each other.”
Quinton Hayek, ‘23 “My favorite show when I was a kid was ‘Adventure Time’ because it encouraged me to do things that I normally would not have done.” Photos by Getty Images