Issue 6

Laguna Blanca School - 4125 Paloma Drive - Santa Barbara - California - 93110

Volume XIX

Friday May 31, 2013

www.thefourthestate.net

Issue 6

Students Compete in US Field Day Events

By ALEX HAWKER

Assembled into four teams outside of the Merovick Gym, students each gave a team cheer as they prepared to participate in the third annual Laguna Blanca Field Day. Four Teams – the Red Tide, the Blue Foo / Blue’s Clues, the (Green) Money, and the (Grey) Killer Whales – competed in head-to-head competitions for fun and glory.

Yet the stakes were higher than ever, as, for the first time, the name of the winning team would be engraved on a plaque in the gym.

The first event was the Dunk Tank.

Director of Upper School Academics & Student Life Tyler Hodges, Coach Dillan Bennett, Academic Services Assistant James Tur, and Coach Ray Robitaille volunteered to sit in the dunk tank while seniors and later, other representatives from each team took a shot at hitting the target and getting to dunk a faculty member.

Senior Joey Eckert was the first to hit the target and send a teacher plunging into the tank.

First everyone served volleyballs in an attempt to gain points by hitting the faculty members who were in the dunk tank.

“Being dunked feels refreshing,” freshman Chris Costantino said.

Next up was the Van Pack, where each team attempted to get all members into a van.

In the end, each team was able to fit every member, making it more a contest of how many members showed up.

“The van smelled like teen spirit,” said Social Science Instructor Kevin Shertzer.

Following the Van Pack was the Relay Obstacle Course, which con-

sisted of jump roping, leaping, diving, and dribbling a soccer ball, finished by spinning in a circle before a dizzying race to the finish.

Money won the first round, Killer Whales emerged victoriously, and Red Tide’s faculty duo prevailed in the faculty round.

The teams then headed to the volleyball court. First, everyone served volleyballs attempting to hit faculty members who were sitting in lawn chairs.

Afterwards, the teams competed in a King of the Hill event. After a long series of intense volleyball matches, Money triumphed in the student round and Red Tide won the faculty round.

A Basketball Match Up was next in the lineup, with winning teams rotating to the next court to face a different team.

People then paired up, regardless of which team they were on, for a classic activity – the Water Balloon Toss.

After lunch, the teams then set off to play Capture the Flag.

After two games, Grey Killer Whales took the prestige of being the top team.

The final event of the day was a Tug of War, in which 10 contestants from each team attempted to outdo the other. Red Tide prevailed as the team with the most points.

“It’s a beautiful day, beautiful people – just a good recipe for Field Day” said sophomore Scott Johnston.

“It’s a great effort out there when all the teams are working together,” said sophomore Parker Rusack.

“It’s my favorite school day of the year,” said junior Allison Towbes.

GAME ON: Students give an all-out effort in a game of Tug of War above, and freshman Hunter Cong utilizes teammate Mr. Dorfman’s screen in a rousing game of Basketball Match Up below.

PHOTOS: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA

Laguna Holds Its First Annual Sports Night and Inducts Its First Ever Hall of Fame Athlete

By STEPHEN MCCAFFERY

PHOTO: TARA BROUCQSAULT

HEADMASTER LEAVES LAGUNA

F

By CAITLIN CONNOR

our years after his arrival, Headmaster Paul Slocombe is stepping down from his position at Laguna, and it is not without great sadness that we say goodbye.

“I’ll miss the warmth of the community and the engagement of the smiles and the students. I’ll miss watching the kids grow up,” said Mr. Slocombe.

Mr. Slocombe joined the Laguna community in 2009 after former headmaster Mr. Doug Jessup’s departure, and made huge strides in improving the School.

Looking back at his tenure as headmaster, Laguna’s athletics and academics have grown.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved over the past four years. I think I’m leading the School in an excellent direction, and I think it’s well-positioned to continue to grow and strengthen.”

Faced with challenges when he arrived, he was undeterred and determined to make a difference.

Saying that he always enjoys a challenge, Mr. Slocombe remembers coming to Laguna for its warmth, the relationships of the students and an excellent teaching staff.

One of the significant changes that he brought was reinstating Laguna’s Cum Laude Society, an honors society for top students.

Whether sitting outside during lunch, meeting with various faculty and administration members, or connecting with the students over surfing, he has certainly become a part of the Laguna family .

“Mr. Slocombe supported my efforts to broaden my global awareness and global education. He has made a huge impact on this community and he will certainly be missed,” senior Daria Etezadi said.

A crowd of about 200 packed the Merovick Gymnasium for the first annual Laguna Sports Night to witness the unveiling of the athletic awards for the year and the induction of Chris Tamas ‘99 into the Laguna Blanca Athletic Hall of Fame.

Laguna’s student-athletes received a plethora of awards as the coaches from each team recognized the award winners.

Junior Andrew Vignolo was recognized for his record setting performance against Ojai Valley during the football season.

Andrew broke the all-time CIF-State record, which has stood for 90 years, for interceptions in a game with six interceptions.

Around 20 student-athletes received the Scholar-Athlete Award, which is given to student-athletes who achieve a 3.75 unweighted GPA during the athletic season.

Six student-athletes received the Triple Crown Athlete Award, which is given to the student-athletes who achieved a 3.75 unweighted GPA throughout the year while playing on three varsity sports teams.

The recipients are freshmen Phoebe Madsen and Pierce O’Donnell, sophomores Connor Curran and Stephen McCaffery, and juniors Clara Madsen and Tristan Prinz.

Highlighting the night, Chris Tamas ‘99 became the first inductee to the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Tamas was a standout volleyball and basketball player during his time at Laguna Blanca.

As captain and setter of the 1999 Volleyball Team, he led the Owls to a 12-1 record while going undefeated in league and earning the #3 ranking in Division 3 CIF-SS. Their only regular season loss came against Division 2

PHOTO: TARA BROUCQSAULT

A CHAMPION RETURNS: Highlighting the night, Chris Tamas ‘99 was the first inductee to the Laguna Blanca Athletic Hall of Fame. powerhouse San Marcos.

Coordinator of Isham Library & Academic Research Center Mr. Blake Dorfman played on Tamas’ team during his freshman year.

Mr. Dorfman described Tamas’ talent and ability, saying, “Chris was an absolutely amazing setter. When he wanted to take over, he was just unbelievable. As a freshman when he was a senior, I would just look up to him in awe. I’m very proud to say I played with Chris Tamas.”

Additionally, Tamas was a member of the 1998 CIF 1st Runner-Up Basketball team at Laguna.

In his senior year, Tamas earned the title of MVP of the basketball team.

After graduating, Tamas went on to play setter at the University of the Pacific, where he earned many honors, including the school’s all-time assist leader, top-10 rankings in five other career and singleseason records, and an All-

American title. Tamas went on to play professionally from 2003-2009 in Holland, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Cyprus, and Finland.

Tamas was also a part of the US Olympic training team, who went on to win the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

His wife, Jennifer Joines Tamas, was a member of the silver medal winning Beijing Olympic Team USA. After his professional play, Tamas began coaching at UC Riverside as the setters’ coach and a recruiting assistant.

In 2011, Tamas began coaching at the University of Minnesota. Currently, Tamas is the Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach and recruiting coordinator at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

“Chris was the Sports Editor for the Fourth Estate his senior year. It was great to give him a copy of his Senior Issue,” said journalism adviser Trish McHale.

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The News

May 31, 2013

Grandparents Go Back To School

By MACKENNA CONNOR

Laguna’s annual Grandparents’ Day is a tradition that began at the Lower School. A few years back, the event was expanded to the Middle and Upper Schools so that more grandparents could enjoy the experience.

Pictured from top left: freshman Phoebe Madsen, sophomores Elia Doussineau and Bryn Jewett look for their photo, fifth grader Natalie McCaffery and sophomore Stephen McCaffery with their grandmother, sophomore Jack Espy and his grandmother, sixth grader Alex Koke and her grandmother, excited grandparents exiting Spaulding Auditorium head to classrooms to begin their day with their grandchildren.

PHOTOS: TARA BROUCQSAULT

Letter from the Editor

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Daria Etezadi SENIOR EDITORS Anastasia Antonova Olivia Berci Caitlin Connor Helena Davila Jessie Dusebout Zoe Serbin PHOTO EDITOR Anastasia Antonova BUSINESS MANAGER Karinna Carrillo COPY EDITOR Kaylee Strachan ARTISTS Zoe Serbin WEB MASTERS Elijah Bittleston Edward Conk FILM MAKER Miles Crist STAFF MacKenna Connor Alex Hawker Scott Johnston Caty Lafitte Margaret Lazarovits Stephen McCaffery Kaylee Strachan Allison Lewis Towbes Kyle Van de Kamer

Dear Readers, At this point in the year, I think it’s appropriate to start my last letter with a cliché.

People always say that high school flies by and before you know it, it’s over.

They weren’t kidding.

As I was taking my last AP Exam, I looked around the room and that’s when it hit me - I’ll never sit in a classroom with the same people I’ve spent the last four years with, ever again.

It’s hard for me to believe that next year, we’ll all be dispersed across the globe, starting our new lives as adults.

Needless to say, I have butterflies in my stomach. While the idea of starting fresh sounds perfect right now, I can’t imagine a life outside of Laguna.

This community has become like a second family to me.

Together, we have laughed and cried, triumphed and made mistakes. But as much as I am saddened knowing that these are the last days we will spend together in high school, I know that we will all go on to do great things in life and I cannot wait to see where our dreams take us.

Daria Etezadi

Editor-in-Chief

FACULTY ADVISOR Patricia McHale, MJE Student newspaper of Laguna Blanca School • 4125 Paloma Drive • Santa Barbara, CA 93110 • www.thefourthestate.net

The Fourth Estate is a public forum for student expression. It is written and produced solely by the journalism students. It represents the voice of the students.

It covers topics, issues, and opinions of relevance to the Laguna Blanca School community.

The Fourth Estate welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and be no longer than 400 words.

Editors reserve the right to edit for length, clarity, and/or taste.

Anonymous letters will not be published.

The Fourth Estate publishes six issues per year, and prints 400 copies of each issue which are distributed to approximately 300 Middle and Upper School students, faculty, and staff.

We mail issues to subscribers and advertisers, and exchange papers with high school journal-

ism classes across the country.

The Fourth Estate accepts both print and online advertising in either black and white or color.

Contact Trish McHale at tmchale@lagunablanca.org for information about advertising and subscriptions.

“Follow” us on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook.

Visit our online paper for daily updates: www.thefourthestate. net.

The News

Senior Receives the Fleishman Award

May 31, 2013

By DARIA ETEZADI

By KARINNA CARRILLO For over 50 years, the Santa Barbara Foundation and Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara have worked together and have awarded over $40 million in scholarships and loans to local students.

This past year, the Santa Barbara Foundation awarded over 600 student scholarships and loans, totaling $1.7 million.

The Fleishman, Floro, and Spaulding Awards were recently awarded to 20 high school seniors from the Santa Barbara County.

The Fleishman Award “is given to local students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, community service, and plan to pursue higher education.”

Senior Karinna Carrillo was awarded a Fleishman Award in honor of her continued community service and outstanding academic record.

Since beginning high school, she has logged over 500 hours of community service.

She devoted the majority of her time volunteering with Future Leaders of America and at the Page Youth Center.

She has also volunteered at local events such as the Santa Barbara Marathon and Owls in Wonderland.

PHOTO: TARA BROUCQSAULT Newly inducted students hold their Cum Laude Society certificates on the stage of Spaulding Auditorium following the induction ceremony. From left Clara Madsen, Anastasia Antonova, Justin Palmer, Margaret Lazarovits, Zoe Serbin, Bryana Schantz, Lindsay Ligon, and Chloe Brown.

Students Inducted into Prestigious Cum Laude Society

By KARINNA CARRILLO

During a special assembly on May 2, eight students were inducted into the prestigious Cum Laude Society by Headmaster and Chairman of our Cum Laude Chapter Paul Slocombe a Cum Laude member himself.

Mr. Slocombe explained the significance behind being inducted into the Society .

Cum Laude Society membership is considered the highest scholastic recognition at independent schools nationwide, and Laguna Blanca School is one of only 30 schools in the state of CA authorized to ad-

mit new members.

Along with College Counselor Dr. Karl Revells he said that every year they wish they could induct more students from Laguna because they feel so many of Laguna students are deserving of this honor.

The keynote speaker for the event was Ariana Brill ‘02 who shared some advice for rising seniors as well as some words of wisdom for the class of 2013.

She inspired the audience to be persistent.

“I was rejected for a Nickelodeon internship seven times

before I finally got hired.”

Now, Ariana is working at the place of her dreams—Nickelodeon—as a script coordinator for the show Sanjay & Craig.

This year’s inductees are: seniors Bryana Schantz, Anastasia Antonova, Justin Palmer, and Zoe Serbin, and juniors Lindsay Ligon, Chloe Brown, Clara Madsen, and Margaret Lazarovits.

Cum Laude members inducted last year as juniors— Daria Etezadi, Alex Hawker and Brendon Nylen welcomed the new members into the society.

Journalism Staff Competes at the National Press Association Spring National Conference

By HELENA DAVILA

W

ith laptops, pens, pencils, and reporters notebooks stowed safely under the seat in front of them, the Fourth Estate newspaper staff and the La Honda yearbook staff buckled up for their flight to San Francisco to attend the national JEA Journalism Conference.

This annual conference is an opportunity for young journalists throughout the country to come together under one roof to share ideas, contacts, and newspapers.

During the three-day-long conference, students attend various sessions all pertaining to the study of journalism.

Each session is taught by professional journalists from universities, newspapers, websites, and news broadcasting stations nationwide.

This year, the course topics varied from newspaper design to media literacy.

The conference focuses not merely on high school journalism, but also aims to give students a broader view of

Emeritus Society Recognizes Students in Mentorship Program

journalism, and an appreciation for varying mediums of journalism.

The Fourth Estate staff participated in the Write-Off competitions.

In these competitions, students are given a topic and two hours to produce their best work based on the given topic.

The outstanding entries are then recognized in both the JEA conference website, and in the JEA conference award ceremony at the close of the conference. Recognition categories include: Superior, Excellent and Honorable Mention.

Fourth Estate staff took home four awards: A&E page editor senior Anastasia Antonova took an Honorable Mention for Review Writing, staff writer junior Caty Lafitte was given an Honorable Mention for Feature Writing, and graphic artist senior Zoe Serbin was awarded a Superior certificate for her Editorial Cartoon. She received a Superior in this category last year

PHOTO: DELPHINE ANAYA A RISING STAR: Junior Caty Lafitte beams after winning an Honorable Mention in the Feature Writing section of the WriteOff Competitions. as well. The newspaper took a Best of Show ninth place

award in the Broadsheet Small School (under 1,500) Division.

Senior Wins First Place in Art Career Day Competition

By KYLE VAN DE KAMER Senior Marla Bonser recently won first place in the Art Career Day Conference (ACDC) competition with her black and white dot drawing of a serval cat.

The competition is supported and set up by the ACDC, for its annual gathering of 40 local artists to share their experiences with the next generation of artists and show them how to make a career in the arts more accessible to young aspiring artists.

For Marla, winning first place meant that she won a one-year membership to Lynda.com, the online education database, and that her drawing was featured on the front cover of the conference’s official pamphlet, poster, and

website.

“I use my right side of my brain much more than my left, I’ve always been into art and I love that there aren’t any boundaries and that you can do whatever you want.”

One of Marla’s favorite artists is Banksy, the politically inclined graffiti artist.

His influence can be seen in Marla’s depiction of the serval cat, which, with its stark black and white contrast and edgy rough nature of the work, looks as if it could be a graffiti stencil.

The award reflects Marla’s illustrious art career here at Laguna.

“The award is a nice way to finish off my high school career.”

In celebration of its five-year anniversary, the Emeritus Society members gathered at the La Cumbre Country Club for their annual Society Dinner.

Consisting of a group of former Chairs of the Board, Trustees, and Headmasters, the Society works behind the scenes, with its members constantly brainstorming ideas and collaborating with the administration to improve upon the quality of Laguna’s academic, athletic, and art programs.

During these Society dinners, designated speakers typically discuss the progress of the school in the past year and highlight specific achievements of the students and faculty, as a means of keeping the Society members up-to-date on school news.

The evening began with an introduction from MC Jim Jackson, who touched on the history of the Emeritus Society, and led into a summary of the School’s achievements in the previous year, provided by Chairman Tom Pickett.

This year, the focus of the event was on the mentorship program, which had been launched by the Emeritus Society in 2010. Three years ago, the initial mentorship program consisted of nine mentor-mentee pairings. However, today, the Society is proud to offer students 46 mentorship opportunities in fields ranging from business to fashion, medicine to advertising, engineering to foreign relations.

With the help of Mr. Tyler Hodges, Head of the Upper School and Leadership Instructor, over 20 students in the Leadership class have been paired up with mentors based on common interests in a particular career field. One such student, senior Daria Etezadi, was matched with alumna and Society member Elizabeth Baker ’02 in 2011, both of whom spoke at the fifth-annual Emeritus Society Dinner.

To launch the discussion of the mentorship program and her personal experiences, Ms. Baker opened up that segment of the evening with a description of her time at Laguna and how her high school experience sharpened her curiosity about the world and eventually inspired her to take interest in the field of Global Studies.

“I think the greatest thing that Laguna gave me was a place to be myself which I think later gave me the confidence to do some of the things I have done.”

After graduating from Scripps College and working with a diamond company in South Africa, Ms. Baker moved to Washington DC, where she interned at the Afghan Embassy and became acquainted with Ambassador Said Jawad and his wife, Shamim Jawad, who founded the Ayenda Foundation. Ms. Baker currently serves on the Board of Directors to Ayenda and has travelled with Mrs. Jawad to Kabul as part of the organization’s mission to build schools and educate the orphans in Afghanistan, in order to provide these children with brighter futures and alternatives to drug use and prostitution.

Due to their shared interest in International Studies, with a focus on the Middle East, Ms. Baker was paired up with Daria through the mentorship program.

As she mentioned in her speech, Daria was so inspired

by Ms. Baker’s passion and activism that she travelled to Dushanbe, Tajikistan for her senior project and has committed herself to the study of Foreign Relations.

“It is a great night for Laguna to bring together the true leaders who span decades, and the energy and love and support in the room is always so invigorating,” said coordinator Marcy Jacobs.

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May 31, 2013

The News

Skid Row Comes to Spaulding

Laguna thespians bring a new level of professionalism to the theatre program in the Spring Musical.

O

ver the course of several months, students poured into Spaulding Auditorium for assembly and watched as, bit by bit, the stage transformed from a blank canvas to a fullfledged flower shop.

When it was time for “Little Shop of Horrors” to take the stage on April 17-20, Skid Row had arrived in the Laguna theatre.

Little Shop was theater teacher Ms. Kate Bergstrom’s second production since arriving in the fall of 2012, and her first musical production at Laguna. She said that she picked the show because of its deep connection to her childhood.

“I first saw Little Shop when I was in elementary school and I thought it was hilarious. I loved the idea of these monsters – I was really into monsters – coming to life, singing, and having not run-of the mill characters,” Bergstrom said.

Sophomore Connor Curran and eighth grader Travis Smillie both played the role of Seymour Krelborn.

“I thought both boys were immensely talented.”

Junior Allison Lewis Towbes took the stage for her third Laguna production as the iconic role of the busty, insecure Audrey.

“Little Shop” is a unique show in that one of the main

By ZOE SERBIN characters is a puppet named Audrey II. “The puppets were from Northern California and rented professionally. They made the show pop and they were really impressive and brought the show to life when the students were using them,” said Ms. Bergstrom.

“It was really hot. But it was a new and exciting experience and I really enjoyed participating in Laguna theater. I’m sad to be leaving this year because I know that in the next few years there are going to be a lot of really great Laguna shows,” said senior Clarissa Coburn, who manned the seven-foot puppet.

“Little Shop” also featured three freshmen Maddie Sokolove, Julieanna Bartling, and Valeria Rodriguez as the “Urchins,” whose roles served as both narrators and comedic relief.

Sophomore Mia Chavez played the role of Ms. Mushnik, the elderly flower shop owner.

Bergstrom merged several areas of the school, bringing in senior Bella Taron to design the set.

“Bella did a wonderful job of conceptualizing the graffiti art and how things would look in the shop with Ms. Anaya’s help. I think working with students as much as possible –

like Connor Warren who did the entire lighting design – is fantastic because that’s how you learn.”

Ceramics and Photography instructor Mr. Chris Johnson built the set, and Bergstrom also brought in Rose Ary, the wife of math instructor Mr. Dan Ary, to design costumes.

“Rose Ary was my costume designer in high school, and [her daughter] Kelly and I did a show together at Dos Pueblos so I’d known her family before I came to Laguna. Kelly had designed the Little Shop here before. They used a lot of their original costumes and added a lot of new elements for the characters.” “[Little Shop] was a total collaborative effort between teachers, students, and the community,” Bergstrom said.

TOP: Connur Curran makes a dive at the monsterous plant.

MIDDLE: Maddie Sokolove, Valeria Rodriguez, and Julieanna Bartling pose for the curtain call.

BOTTOM: The cast performs one final song together.

PHOTOS: LAGUNA PHOTO FILE

Students Expand Their Knowledge of Foreign Services

Walk 4 Water Held at East Beach

By DARIA ETEZADI

By JESSIE DUSEBOUT

For most Americans, an understanding of international affairs and global conflict is limited to news reports and press releases. For students on the Hope Ranch campus, the administration has brought foreign affairs a little closer to home through the second annual Global Studies Day Symposium.

“I think that our whole school ought to have a global studies focus because we need to prepare students to be global citizens. There’s a whole world out there beyond Santa Barbara and you need to be aware of it. It’s our job to make students want to participate in

PHOTOS: LAGUNA BLANCA PHOTOSTREAM

Raising Awareness: (Top) Eighth Grade student Eric Lindheim-Marx approaches the podium to ask Mr. Walser a question about his experiences in the foreign service.

(Bottom) On behalf of the Leadership team, Junior Dalton Smith thanks Ambassador Ordway for taking the time to speak with the student body about International Affairs.

our form of government,” said history teacher Ms. Martha Elliott.

While last year’s event focused on genocide and conflict in Darfur, this year’s symposium narrowed in on American diplomacy and the significance of work done in the field of Foreign Service.

The symposium kicked off with a live Skype session with Ms. Susan Elliott, the American ambassador to Tajikistan, who formerly held the position of Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary responsible for Central Asia from 2010 - 2012. In previous years, she also served

as the Deputy Chief of Mission to Moscow, Russia and as Counsel General to Northern Ireland. As she shared details surrounding her career and past experiences, Ms. Elliott Following a series of questions led by the students, Mr. Abraham Tall, a junior at Cate School, stepped up to the podium to launch the second segment of the symposium, during which he shared his experiences as the son of parents who are involved in the Foreign Service.

Mr. Geoffrey H. Walser ’62 then took the stage and discussed his career as a Foreign Service Officer in the US and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS) for the past 19 years.

As someone who has worked in the trade industry as a senior commercial officer for the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia, Mr. Walser was able to expand upon the importance of strong global relations in terms of keeping the economy afloat.

Ambassador John Ordway closed with his reflections on his position as a retired Foreign Service Officer who served as Ambassador to Kazakhstan and to Armenia. But in all of his travels, Ambassador Ordway made it very clear that regardless of where one is, one must always remember that he or she is representing America.

“You need to understand what America is. Even if your body is in another country, your heart and your mind and your head have to be firmly in America,” he said.

“I just never thought about being an ambassador as a career opportunity or a path to take, so hearing all of these representatives speak just informed me more about it,” said junior Lindsay Ligon.

At the end of the day, several students emerged not only with a better understanding of the impact they can have on the global community through foreign service, but also with the motivation to potentially pursue a career as a diplomat or ambassador.

“With all the news about the atrocities taking place around the world, my dreams of being a hermeneutic for the truly voiceless often seem unrealistic and naive. However, our look into the careers of U.S. ambassadors gave me new hope about the impact one person can have on bettering the lives of people all around the world,” said junior Erica Keane.

While the Global Studies Symposium is only a one-day event, the impact it has on the students is lasting and contributes to the school’s mission to raise global awareness and expand upon the students’ understanding of the international community.

The foggy morning did not stop them from coming out at 9 am on a Saturday to walk for a cause bigger than themselves.

On May 4, close to 200 students, families, and adults joined Hands4Others (H40), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing sustainable access to clean water to those around the world, to walk three miles along East Beach in order to raise awareness and funds for their mission.

The morning was launched with an energetic crowd signing in, logging their donations, recording their team totals, picking up T-shirts, buying sweatshirts and gathering together for a group photo.

H40 volunteers were stationed at various points along the route to encourage the walkers and help make sure they stayed safe.

“I had a great time at the walk. H40 is making a huge positive impact on the countries and people they are helping, and the walk was a great way to show the success of the organization,” sophomore Stephen McCaffery said.

H40 leaders led the participants who pushed strollers, biked, walked, and ran behind them as they carried their H40 banner.

After the participants walked, they gathered back at East Beach to enjoy some live music performed by Won 4 All. With enough funds raised to fund another water system for a village in need the H40 leaders were excited with the event’s results.

“With 200 people at the Walk, it was definitely a really successful event in bringing awareness to H40 and our mission,” sophomore Bryn Jewett said.

H40 also hosted two other Walk4Water events in San Francisco and Denver this year, which has allowed them to fund three water systems.

“It was empowering to know that as a high school student I can really make a difference in someone’s life,” added sophomore Olivia Avery.

Profile

May 31, 2o13

Senior Soars into a New Rank

5

By HELENA DAVILA

After years of hard work and dedication, senior Justin Palmer has achieved the coveted rank of Eagle Scout.

I

’ve known Justin Palmer since the seventh grade. But it wasn’t until freshman year that I learned he was Boy Scout.

After being a Cub Scout and a Weeblo when he was in grade school, Justin crossed the bridge and became a Boy Scout.

“I wanted to stick with it because I wanted to gain a greater appreciation for the outdoors, and I knew the Boy Scouts could give me that,” he said.

Over the years, Justin’s troop has hiked the mountains of Santa Barbara, served the local community through service, camped in the snow, and traveled to Zion National Park.

This year, after seven years of involvement with the Boy Scouts, Justin will become an Eagle Scout.

Becoming an Eagle Scout is kind of like graduating high school or being accepted into college. It’s a transition, a shift from one chapter to the next, and the process to get there isn’t an easy one.

Becoming an Eagle Scout is an arduous process that takes admirable dedication and commitment, and it wasn’t until our interview that I realized just how passionate and just how incredibly involved Justin is with the Boy Scouts.

“Eagles reflect back on both their troop and the Boy Scouts,” Justin said, “it’s a big responsibility.” One of the first steps to becoming

PHOTO: JAMES ROSENBERG Lead the Crowd: Above, now Eagle Scout Justin Palmer marches with his Boy Scout troop No. 26 in Santa Barbara’s Fourth of July parade.

an Eagle are earning merit badges, he explained.

The badges range from basic skills such as swimming and hiking, to more advanced tasks like finance and first aid.

Scouts, I learned, are required to collect a staggering 21 of these badges before becoming an Eagle.

After collecting his 21 badges, Justin was asked to complete a final project. The project had to be completely self driven and designed, and had to benefit the local community.

For Justin’s project, he rebuilt the ‘gaga pit’ at his synagogue and added a walk-

way around it.

For those of you who frequent the middle school, the round-ish sand-filled pit rimmed in wood is a gaga pit.

The game is played similarly to handball, but instead of against a wall, the ball is kicked between players in the sandy pit.

“I chose to do my project at my Temple because it’s a place where the community comes together,” Justin said.

In the coming weeks, Justin will complete his final interviews and will be well on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. Certainly an accomplishment to be proud of.

Leaving on a Good Note

By ANASTASIA ANTONOVA After being abroad in Bulgaria for There, Ms. Geier performed both a year, Ms. Laura Geier had a month on Bulgarian radio and television, to take on the entire Laguna Music traveled to Berlin for a European FulDepartment in the summer of 2011 bright Seminar, toured Sweden with before school started. a folk music ensemble, performed at Filling the shoes of both Ms. EmUmefolk Music Festival, and attended ily Sommermann for the Chamber a Fulbright conference consisting of Ensemble and Mr. Eli Buchanan for scholars and professors from over 30 all four of the bands was not easy, and different countries. she learned just as much during her Her extensive traveling through two years of Eastern Euteaching here. rope and the “The intent “The intent of my teach- Middle East of my teachMs. ing is to get my students to made ing is to get Geier want my students think actively and globally.” to introduce to think her students actively and globally. I seek to give students skills to use in every to new aspect of their lives. As the Chinese music, such proverb says, ‘Give a man a fish and as Romani you feed him for a day. Teach a man gypsy music, to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ Balkan, and I think that’s really vital,” Ms. Geier gypsy jazz. said.

With perShe came to Laguna with the formances purpose of teaching the students to and world become leaders within the context of music in music making. Although Ms. Geier mind, Ms. lists the many rewards of teaching, Geier will including the relationships she made set off to with her students and the after school perform world music ensemble “The Multiculmore with tural Beat,” this will be her final year her band teaching at Laguna.

“The Village “I decided to leave Laguna because I Idioms,” could not find balance between teachkeep a ing and performing. Performing is one private PHOTO: CHRIS JOHNSON of my passions.” Her Laguna career studio for will add to her distinguished resume, teaching which includes her Fulbright Scholarnext year, and travel to Turkey, Molship grant to study in Bulgaria. dova, and Bulgaria with her husband.

PHOTO: TARA BROUCQSAULT Bidding Farewell: Below, before departing Ms. Laura Geier shares smiles with her fifth and sixth grade band members.

6

Opinion

May 31, 2013

Feminism Today

Bra burnings may be in decline, but the battle for gender equality continues.

By ALLISON LEWIS TOWBES

I

was still in a stroller during my first walk in Washington, D.C. My mom, a hippy and a feminist during her college years, used to take me on marches against sexism on bright, sunny days in the city.

So, in a way, I’ve been a women’s rights supporter from the start.

A Huffington Post UK poll from April reported that 83.36 percent of female voters identified themselves as feminists.

But what really defines a modern day feminist? What are her causes?

In this day and age, American women aren’t fighting for voter suffrage or the right to wear skirts above their ankles. In this country, they are allowed to drive on our own and to make purchases without the consent of their husbands or fathers.

Gone are the days of dowries and courtship.

In place of these archaic battles are newer controversies for generation Y feminists to tackle.

In 1960, after 40 years of debate, the FDA (the Food and Drug Administration) finally approved the first contraceptive pills.

Up until that point in time, women did not have a legal, safe way of personally preventing unwanted or unplanned pregnancies.

A year later, President John F. Kennedy, along with former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, founded the President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

The strides made by brave and well-spoken women in the 1960s, as well the efforts of the suffragettes 50 years earlier, directly mirror the work of feminists today.

Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), which both affirmed the validity of a woman’s right to abortion, still cause controversy today.

Abortion rights, Planned Parenthood, and birth control aren’t the only efforts supported by feminist activists.

Only a few months ago, military officials announced that the long-time ban on women serving in combat situations had been lifted.

“The military does not have the luxury of discounting the nearly 11 percent of its forces who are women,” wrote Op-Ed contributor for NY Times and former Army captain, Tanya L. Domi, “They have risen to each challenge, with a sterling record in Grenada, Panama and the Persian Gulf.”

This ruling, however monumental in the battle

for gender equality, has not been free from consequences.

Although women pursuing careers in military positions theoretically have the same rights as their male counterparts, they still face verbal and sexual harassment from other soldiers and officials.

The abuse, which has recently come to a boiling point in the media spurred by the 2012 Sundance documentary directed by Kirby Dick, ‘The Invisible War’ (which exposed the harrowing experiences of female soldiers in American camps), makes progress in the desegregation of the military incredibly difficult.

Generally speaking, eliminating sexual harassment has become another modern feminist cause.

The Feminist Majority Foundation, a group dedicated to promoting equality between men and women, issued policy on the management of sexual harassment in the workplace, in schools, and in everyday life.

“While sexual harassment has been a pervasive problem for women throughout history, only in the past three decades have feminist litigators won definition of sexual harassment as a form of sex discrimination and have women come forward in droves to demand remedies and institutional change,” stated FMF officials.

Other feminists’ efforts include dissuading common misconceptions and stereotypes.

Women do not “belong in the kitchen,” and they are never “asking for it.”

In this progressive era, women should not feel compelled to be homemakers; they have the opportunity hold powerful positions in their careers.

The corporate ladder is theirs to climb, directly competing against men with the same qualifications.

Although the number of bra burnings per year has lessened, the idea of feminism continues to grow among the younger generations.

ART: ANGUS WATTERS

POPE HERALDS NEW ERA

By MACKENNA CONNOR

C

hanges are coming for the Catholic Church On February 28, in an unexpected move, Pope Benedict XVI resigned.

This is the first time a Pope has resigned since 1415. Pope Francis began his papacy days later on March 13.

“What’s different about this new Pope is that he is more approachable to many people,” sophomore Katie Carrillo said.

“I think it’s cool how the Pope used to be a chemical technician because that makes him relatable because I would like to be a chemist one day,” sophomore Rebecca Brooks said.

Since his election to the papacy, he broke with tradition by washing the feet of two young women in the Casal del Marmo juvenile detention facility during a Holy Thursday ritual.

The ritual is traditionally restricted to men. This change upset many traditionalists.

At the Holy Thursday ritual, The Pope washed two women’s feet (one of the women whose feet he washed is a Muslim), proving that he wanted to serve outside of the faith community as well as within it.

Pope Francis is called a champion of the poor and marginalized. However, the Pope is not without controversy. Rumors swirl about his role in the Argentinean Revolution.

Some say that during this time the new Pope did not do anything to help people and was actually cooperative with the military; however, others don’t believe these rumors.

Another thing about the new Pope that is upsetting many people is his lack of support toward Catholic feminist groups.

Many people were hoping that with the new Pope’s more liberal views, the feminists might get more support.

The Pope is being both praised for starting a new era for the Catholic Church and ridiculed for maintaining many of the strict conservative views of past popes.

Staff Editorial As the school year winds to a close, students look back on and look forward to their high school experiences, yet many are afraid of the responsibilities that come with growing up.

If high school’s a ladder, seniors are on the top rung, peaking up into the clouds.

The rest of us, however, are eagerly biting at their heels, waiting for the moment when we take the next step.

As new freshmen, we long to grow up. Little fish in a big sea, we step aside to let the imposing seniors walk past, full of respect and awe for the upperclassmen.

Sophomores are confident navigating the familiar oceans.

No longer the bottom of the food chain, sophomores are at ease, enjoying life in and out of the classroom.

We dread junior year. As sophomores and freshmen, we watched the juniors struggle to remain afloat, drowning underneath the essays and labs.

Only halfway through the high school experience, college, once so distant,

now looms ahead. to be the best four years of responsibilities. Perhaps Then, in a blink the eye, our lives. Sometimes we it’s building up the courage we are seniors. forget to make that time to take on unknown Application season comes count. challenges. and goes. Acceptances, Yet every year a new No matter what the rejections and obstacles, we deferrals arrive rise to fill Growing up is inevitable, always by e-mail every the shoes vacated day. but the experiences we’ve by the grade ahead Prom dresses of us. had, the friends we’ve are purchased, A single year senior pranks can change a made, and the lesson’s pulled, and million things suddenly we’re about a person, we’ve learned actually graduating. mentally and make the road to adulthood both In between physically. the APs and Hair grows out enjoyable. football games, and braces come the assemblies off, but we are also and all-nighters, we are changing on the inside. growing up. group of eager-eyed We are learning what we Every birthday, someone freshman wander through need to be a senior, or a always asks: “So, how does the archways and into junior, or whatever comes it feel to be another year the classrooms, ready to next. older?” grow up, and every year As scared as we may be to We laugh, roll our eyes, graduating seniors leave, move up the ladder, we are and shrug it off, but in feeling as though they’ve not unprepared. truth, we never really stop grown up too soon.

To the eighth grader to ask ourselves that very Perhaps the most who’s terrified of high question. difficult part is having school life, the senior who High school is supposed the guts to take on new wishes that time hadn’t

flown by so quickly, and every student in the middle: You are ready. Growing up is inevitable, but the experiences we’ve had, the friends we’ve made, and the lesson’s we’ve learned actually make the road to adulthood enjoyable. We come into our own.

We move on when the time is right. So take this time to study and to play as much as you can.

In a few days, seniors, who can still remember what it felt like to step into a kindergarten classroom for the first time, will be graduating.

The procession marks the end of an era, but it also signifies the beginning of something new.

We take snapshots to suspend occasions like these in time, letting the memories fill the gaps in between the Kodak moments.

Opinion

May 31, 2013

Learning More than Math Lessons

7

How the high school years can teach us what we like, who we are, and what we what we want for our future.

By MARGARET LAZAROVITS

W

e are on the brink of our lives. High school: that odd and awkward transition state between your parents’ house and a place of your own.

As high school students, we stand perched on the edge of the nest, and we are so ready to fly.

At least, we think we are.

But before we’re out there soaring on our own, perhaps it would be worthwhile to take the time to figure out who we are by acknowledging that these years now are the ones that make us.

It’s no secret that we teens are capable of being flighty creatures. But a reason behind our seemingly irrational mood swings is that we feel vulnerable.

We haven’t yet figured out who we are, so how can anyone else know us?

Vulnerability at this time is a beautiful thing because it means that we are like soft clay, easily molded.

We are realizing that now, we have the “intellectual capacity to form an identity,” according to Jennifer Senior in her article “Why You Never Leave High School.”

This capacity is due to our changing prefrontal cortex, something we as teenagers have heard many a time.

This system of our brain directs so many of our metacognitive abilities that when it’s changing, so are we.

While the prefrontal cortex is adding myelin to our neurons, our more melodramatic limbic system has greater power over our actions,

Of course, that’s not to say that high school cuts a clear path for the rest of your life, but what we do now is helping us to figure out who we are now, and who we’d like to become.

GRAPHIC: ZOE SERBIN providing an explanation for why we are flighty creatures, “more Kirk than Spock,” as B.J. Casey, a neuroscientist at Cornell University, puts it.

Not only do we act more impulsively and feel more intensely at this time, we also store memories more vividly than any other period of time in our lives; this phenomenon is better known as the reminiscence bump.

Preferences we have now for anything which we believe is an integral part of our identity, as trivial as it may be, will stick with us for a good, long time.

Part of what makes high

school so uncomfortable is that all of us are maturing and changing at different rates and if life wasn’t hard enough at this point, the educational system decides to throw a whole lot of maturing, changing strangers in one place.

We’re not-so-delicately ripped from the comfort and familiarity of those friends we’ve known for the entirety of our fourteen-year long lives and dropped into this mass of angsty, awkward teenagers.

And then you ask yourself “Does this mean that I’m an angsty, awkward teenager too?”

Well that question doesn’t

really matter since you are so overwhelmed by the bombardment of new faces bearing straight at you.

And so, to sort yourself out from this mass, you decide to maybe check out a club or two. Perhaps sign up for the fall play. Or try out for the football team. Before you know it, you’re labeled. Theatre. Sports. Art. Science.

Okay, maybe at a small school like this we don’t exactly have our own Breakfast Club, but we do define people by their interests.

It’s not derogatory, the interests you choose in adolescence will define yourself for the rest of your life, whether you like it or not.

So those labels could be looked at as a reminder of who you are, or even an insight into who you might become.

Of course, that’s not to say that high school cuts a clear path for the rest of your life, but what we do now is helping us to figure out who we are now, and who we’d like to become.

And therein lays the beauty of high school: using this awkward transition period to figure out who we are.

Most of us just don’t realize it because most of us see high school for its façade it projects on life: a totally unshakable reality of cliques and clichés.

Winnie Holzman, creator of the mid-nineties teen drama “My So-Called Life,” puts it beautifully when she says that “in high school…we know who looks down on us, who is above us, exactly who are friends and enemies are.”

We think that this absolute reality is just that. Absolute.

Sure, we’ve given plenty of thought to the later years, which college we’re going to attend, what major we’ll choose, where we’ll live, but we spend so much time on the details, we give little time to the big picture: reality after high school.

We won’t have that same group of friends we hang out with every lunch. We won’t have that structured class schedule we must abide by.

Because that all changes once you’ve shaken the headmaster’s hand and accepted your diploma.

Suddenly, the question changes and you’re asking yourself “Does this mean that I’m a self-sufficient adult now?”

The answer to that question actually lays in the four years you spend in high school, the years that made you.

Raving: Worth the Risk it Poses?

Should the production companies be held accountable for the actions of their audiences?

E

leven years ago, music promoter Pasquale Rotella produced a rave that set the stage for electronic dance music to surface from its Ecstasy-charged urban underground.

It ended in the deaths of five people, all in consequence of overdose and drug-related car crashes during or shortly after the Nocturnal Wonderland concert in San Bernadino.

Rotella is considered, to this day, the nation’s leading rave promoter, and, since 2006, at least 14 people who attended concerts produced

by Rotella, and Reza Gerami, another major Los Angeles-based producer, have died from overdoses or other drug-related incidents (a New York Times investigation found earlier this year).

Rotella’s Insomniac Inc. and Gerami’s Go Ventures Inc. have served as a model for other promoters around the country.

Insomniac and Go Ventures were among the first firms to bring raves to mainstream venues—fairgrounds, football stadiums— venues that reach capacities of tens of thousands.

Joshua Johnson, 18, died Sept. 2006 of Ecstasy toxicity after collapsing at Insomniac Inc.’s Nocturnal Wonderland in San Bernadino.

Michelle Lee, 20,

By OLIVIA BERCI died Nov. 2007 after Go Ventures Inc.’s Monster Massive at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Her death was caused by multiple drug toxicity, notably Ecstasy and amphetamines.

Andre Graf, 19, died Jun. 18, 2011, after Insomniac’s Electric Daisy Carnival at Dallas’ Fair Park. He had seizure activity and was in cardiac arrest by the time the paramedics arrived, results of amphetamines.

Emily McCaughan, 22, died Jun. 11, 2012, after attending the Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Angeles Motor Speedway. Alone in her hotel room, she suffered paranoid delusions and fell more than 20 stories. She reportedly had Ecstasy, methamphetamine and gamme-hydroxybutryic acid in her system.

Kyle Haigis, 22, died Jun. 19, 2011, jumping out of a car and being struck by a semi, after the Electric Daisy Carnival in Dallas. A toxicology report showed he had illegal

hallucinogen in his system.

The analysis of coroners’ and law enforcement reports across nine states confirm that most of the dead were in their teens and early 20s, and all of the deaths were linked to Ecstasy or similar designer drugs.

Yet, the raves continue to earn the praise of local governments pining for the revenue the events pump into their local economies.

The Electric Daisy Carnival pumped $42 million into the Los Angeles economy.

At the 64 some concerts, all produced

by Rotella or Gerami, there were countless drug-related medical emergencies and arrests reports—and scores of others that presumably went undocumented.

Rotella and Gerami were both indicted on bribery and other charges in connection with their raves at the Coliseum and Sports Arena after the death of Sasha Rodriguez.

Sasha Rodriguez, 15, died Jun. 29, 2010, after the Electric Daisy

Carnival at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. She suffered lungs and brain damage caused by Ecstasy intoxication and a resulting failure to get enough oxygen to her brain.

County prosecutors alleged that Rotella and Gerami made illicit payments to a stadium manager in 2010 to keep security expenses capped.

After Sasha Rodriguez died, Rotella stated in a television interview that her overdose “was the only very tragic situation … the first.”

But, it was not the first, nor would it be the last.

Seven people had died after attending Coliseum and Sports Arena raves before Sasha.

Six more died during or after subsequent raves, all staged by Rotella or Gerami, in Nevada, Texas and Michigan.

The Rotella and Gerami productions have introduced safety requirements that were absent from the rave’s

underground roots.

Measures include security patrols and standby ambulances and medical stations.

Insomniac Inc.’s website warns ticket buyers that they will be prosecuted if they use drugs at the concert.

And, while the warnings have not

suggestions offered— stricter security measures, smaller venues, more on scene medical staff—none of them have or will succeed in convincing the teenage and 20-something audiences that the pulsating high hallucinogens offer is not worth the risks they pose.

But should the production ...while the warnings companies have not hindered the be held massive influx of Rotella accountable for the actions and Gerami audiences, of their they also do not alleviate audiences?

And, if blaming the deaths by Ecstasy the production companies isn’t that Sasha Rodriquez the solution, and other “festival”what is?

Convince goers have suffered. local governments the revenue isn’t worth the risk hindered the massive of loss? influx of Rotella and Stifle rave companies Gerami audiences, they access to big-time also do not alleviate the venues? deaths by Ecstasy that Strip those who act Sasha Rodriquez and irresponsibly of the other “festival”-goers opportunity to attend have suffered. the festivals?

The Forcing the electronic dance music phenomena—a phenomena that has come to define and has been shaped by my generation—out of vogue isn’t the answer.

But offering free water to festival attendants or enforcing security pat downs at festival entrances will not have the impact that is desperately needed.

GRAPHIC: ZOE SERBIN

8

Double

America asks

the fight for gay rights has Now, with the many advancem century, it seems as though Am be put to

why legalize

M

By ALLISON LEWIS TOWBES

innesota, Rhode Island, and Delaware joined the list of states to legalize gay marriage on May 13, May 2, and May 7, respectively.

These three states joined Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Maryland, Maine, and Washington, for a sum total of 12 states that allow marriage equality.

In recent polls taken by public television broadcast networks, left-leaning CNN concluded that 53 percent of the general population was pro marriage equality, and even the far more conservative Fox News found that 46 percent wanted to legalize gay marriage in all states.

Yet, despite the somewhat overwhelming support, Congress is hesitating to rewrite the long-standing, constitutional definition of marriage.

Traditionally speaking, marriage has been defined as being between one man and one woman. Both the Bible and the Constitution agree with this definition, and antimarriage equality believers feel that the ancient tradition is being compromised.

But ancient is exactly what this tradition is. Although historically important and valid at the time, some of the concepts in the Bible and the Constitution are undoubtedly dated.

In a country obsessed with technological, educational, and financial progress, it is widely accepted that development is made by constant editing of the social norm.

So if this idea applies to

Where Gay Marriag

almost everything in America, why can’t it apply to marriage?

Legal marriage allows for over 1,100 national benefits and responsibilities to which that gay and lesbian couples are not entitled.

Is the love shared between two men really substandard to the love between a man and woman? No. Is it fair for a same sex couple to be treated that way? Of course not.

Besides the obvious moral answer - we should care because our country is founded on the principle that everyone is equal no matter what race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, - there are several other practical answers.

The average American wedding costs about $29,000.

This money often goes to small, local businesses: caterers, florists, wedding planners and so on, not to mention the cost of a marriage license.

Add to that the profit coming from joint income taxes, and the nation’s economy could benefit enormously.

So what does America as a nation really have to lose by legalizing gay marriage?

Some may believe that allowing homosexuals to marry will ruin the sanctity of marriage itself.

But what is “traditional” marriage?

In this day and age, the unconventional and unorthodox is everywhere.

Accepting people means more than just tolerating their differences; it means treating everyone equally, no matter what race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation they are.

Vector map from Information from

The Other Side

By DARIA ETEZADI I’ve done everything I can to understand both sides of this conflict, and while I am sympathetic to the needs of the LGBT community, the arguments of “the other side” can be expressed as follows: Medical research from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows that 63%, and counting, of all new HIV infections were carried by homosexual or bisexual men.

In fact, the argument that the LGBT lifestyle should be accepted as an equivalent alternative to traditional marriage, cannot ignore the

well-documented medical and psychiatric risks associated with that behavior.

Dr. Rick Fitzgibbons stated that, “School programs are specifically choosing to ignore this research because the issue is political correctness, not science.”

Furthermore, many religions, including Chrisianity, Judaism, and Islam, speak against homosexual relationships and in favor of the sanctity of marriage.

Granted, these arguments don’t necessarily persuade those who already have their

mind made up. However, the timelessness of these arguments is partly based on inference that can be drawn from human design.

The fact of the matter is that men and women were put on this earth to join together and help continue the human race, which is not something that can be achieved naturally by homosexual couples.

In the words of Hadley Arkes, professor of jurisprudence and American institutions at Amherst College: “The question must return to that sexuality stamped in our na-

tures . . . namely, the inescapable fact that only two people, not three, only a man and a woman, can beget a child.”

The institution of marriage originated from this common sense and self-evident fact of nature.That means that the institution of marriage is not man-made, but rather a reflection of a “prior moral order,” in the words of Charles Colson.

Faith and religion have always played a huge role in the structure of our society, which is why these factors cannot be ignored.

Not to say that proponents

of this position think that homosexuals, as individuals, are less equal than heterosexuals.

This country was founded on the belief that every man and woman has a right to speak his or her own mind and to be treated with respect, and this is true regardless of his or her sexual orientation.

No one deserves to be bullied or abused or mistreated in any way. But while the LGBT community’s call for acceptance and tolerance is understandable, respect has to be mutual and the voice of “the other side” must also be heard.

the fight for gay righ

1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1924: the society for human rights, the earliest known gay rights organization, was founded.

1938 – The word Gay was used for the first time in reference to homosexuality.

1955: THE DAUGHTERS OF BILLIS, THE FIRST LESBIAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION, was ESTABLISHED IN SAN FRANCISCO.

1969: during a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, gays stood up to the policemen, chanting “Gay power!”

This event unified the gay community of New York and was an instigator of the nationwide gay rights movement.

e Page

May 31, 2013

for equality

9

been a long and valiant one. ments made in the early 21st merica demands that this fight o an end.

ge Is Legal

the power of social media

A

Blank US Map.svg by Theshibboleth. m Samesex marriage in USA.svg by Lokal_Profil.

Legend Same-sex marriage

By OLIVIA BERCI

s nine Supreme Court HRC planned to change its er a viral crusade would lead judges opened a logo for the duration of the to action after its release was discussion on one of arguments of Proposition 8, raised last year in the wake its most significant civil rights California’s ban on same-sex of Invisible Children’s Kony decisions of my lifetime—gay marriage, and the Defense of 2012 campaign. marriage—millions of AmeriMarriage Act, which defines The organization received cans turned to social media. marriage as only between a biting criticism for its “armThe red and pink logo of man and a woman. chair activism” and harsh acthe Human Rights Campaign, In 2004, an ABC News/ cusations of presumptuously America’s largest civil rights Washington Post poll found presenting a complex issue. organization, overwhelmed that only 32 percent of voters “As an organization we Facebook. thought gay marriage should chose the color of love,” said The image is a refurbishing be legal.

Sainz on the HRC’s logo. “ I for the advocacy group’s logo, In March of this year, the think that’s why it’s been so usually a blue background same poll showed support impacting. You don’t really with bright yellow lines. jumping to 58 percent. have to over think this.”

The HRC made it available In 2008, President Obama The image does reduce in red at 1 p.m. EST on Monand his opponents all opposed the discussion on same sex day, Mar. 25 and estimated gay marriage. marriage to a straightforward tens of millions of shares concept, perhaps similar by that Wednesday. to Invisible Children’s According to the simplification of the According to the HRC, by the end of the problem the organization HRC, by the end of the week, the image had was addressing. been shared more than But for the HRC’s week, the image had 100,000 times from its wired push to succeed, initial Facebook post and been shared more than an easy to understand, had been searched more clear-cut symbol was 100,000 times from its than 1 million times on entirely necessary. initial Facebook post Google.

Does the straightforFred Sainz, Human and had been searched ward image degrade the Rights Campaign’s Vice message it speaks for? I more than 1 million President of Communidon’t believe so. cations and Marketing, times on Google.

However, whether the said that “millions” more snowballing of Facebook have used, if not the posts results in converorganizations original sation but no action is a image, then a version of question worth posing. the their own.

Within the last year, howevThe Washington Post reBud Light said it with beer er, we have seen a huge shift cently quoted a media consulcans, Martha Stewart said it from our officials, including tant, saying that the proliferawith red velvet cake, the HBO the President. tion of mainstream TV shows page for “True Blood” added Republican consultant and depicting gay people has fangs—a square box with thick policy advisor, Karl Rove, made the public more open to pink horizontal lines, a unistated that he could see a homosexuality, and a youngversal seal for equality.

2016 Republican presidential er, more tolerant demographCelebrities from Beyonce to candidate in favor of gay maric coming into adulthood is George Takei joined millions riage. also a large factor. of social media users in postHowever, has the proliferaUndoubtedly, public opining and modifying a simple tion of social media actually ion shapes our country’s pored logo in support of gay played a notable role in the litical playing field, and when marriage. political reception to the civil a message is voiced millions In the weeks leading up to rights argument? of times over, it is impossible the Supreme Court cases, the A similar question of wheth- not to hear the argument.

Unions granting rights similar to marriage Unions granting limited rights No recognition of same-sex unions

hts Over the Decades

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 1977-1978: Harvey Milk, one of America’s first openly gay public officers, was elected in 1977 to San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors. after only 11 months in office, milk was murdered by dan white. this tragic incident made the gay rights movement stronger as supporters of gay and lesbian rights marched in his honor at our nation’s capital.

1993: President Bill Clinton introduced the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” defense directive into our military after Congress originally issued it as a compromise.

2010: Congress repealed “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” after 17 years.

10

May 31, 2013

Feature

CHEFS: CATY LAFITTE, MARGARET LAZAROVITS, & KAYLEE STRACHAN PHOTOS: CATY LAFITTE

Feature A

May 31, 2013

11

By MARGARET LAZAROVITS

cross the nation, students enter the stress and paranoia of SAT testing rooms with facts and formulas racing through their heads. The last thing they need to worry about is their handwriting.

Some students are thrown for a loop when they are instructed to sign an agreement in cursive.

Wait—so we actually had to remember those lessons from first grade about connecting our letters?

Apparently so.

Handwriting this agreement for the College Board certifies that this is actually you taking the test through your own unique writing.

Writing the statement in cursive adds an element of formality. As high school students head off into adulthood, they will need to develop a signature for various formal purposes.

Handwriting matters. Even legible handwriting that’s messy can have its own ramifications, says Steve Graham, professor of education at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Graham explains that “people judge the quality of your ideas based on your handwriting.”

He cites several studies indicating that good handwriting can take a generic classroom test score from the 50th percentile to the 84th percentile, while bad penmanship could tank it to the 16th.

“And even without strictly following cursive guidelines, adults have developed their own cross between print and cursive for everyday use.”

The JLAW Effect

By ZOE SERBIN

There’s something interesting happening in Hollywood. A new star has emerged from the depressing waves of botox-inflated bimbos and air-headed reality stars, and audiences can’t get enough.

Jennifer Lawrence’s sudden skyrocket to fame may seem overnight, but her success isn’t a surprise. She’s reshaping what it means to be a Hollywood actress.

22 year-old Lawrence grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and moved to Hollywood when she was 14 to pursue acting.

She’s well known for her iconic role as Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games” Trilogy, Mystique in “X-Men: First Class” and her awardwinning performance in “Silver Linings Playbook” that snagged her a Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award, Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award, MTV Movie Award, and an Oscar.

She was also awarded the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at our very own Santa Barbara International Film Festival in

Even though this is the 21st century and most of our words are digitalized, writing is still prevalent in our lives and it is able to convey emotions and feelings like no “emoji” ever could.

When you’re given a handwritten note, it reflects the time someone took to write it. You’re given the thought behind each word as it was chosen and written carefully. You’re given the sincere emotion behind each word as it flowed onto the paper.

And handwriting does invoke a flow of emotion and thought. The process of free writing is used by professionals to clear up writer’s block or by teachers to get ideas moving for students.

For those students about to go take the SAT, relax. Don’t stress about the cursive because that’s not a test question. There’s no right or wrong answer behind your handwriting.

Look at it as practice for the times ahead when you’re asked to give your John Hancock, or as prep to get any ideas flowing for the essay portion.

But if the thought of joining letters still seems unnatural, eventually you’ll master that tricky lowercase ‘z’ or odd uppercase ‘Q,’ and you’ll create a style that’s completely new. It might be grandiose or minimalist, but regardless, it will be yours.

In an advisory poll students were asked to give handwriting samples.

To the right are the results showing spacing, slant, and size differences and what each characteristic means.

February.

Lawrence’s already-impressive resume isn’t why she has such a devoted and enamored following from such a diverse audience.

It’s a cliché to speculate somebody on the big screen is down to earth, or grounded, or even sane. But Lawrence is handling the fame with as much grace and style as any seemingly normal person could.

The days of bleached blonde hair and size zero dresses are out. There’s a desire for a new age of actress that’s goofy, a little bit clumsy, and looks and acts like a real person should— and Jennifer Lawrence is unknowingly leading the parade.

Lawrence doesn’t appear to be swayed by the glitz and the glamour.

In fact, the most refreshing thing about her is that all of the fame that’s been thrown at her just seems like a side thing she has to deal with in order to make films.

She doesn’t take herself too seriously, something that’s a breath of fresh air in the most fickle society in the world.

Asking Ryan Seacrest if there was food at the Oscars and mispronouncing Bill Clinton’s name while presenting him at the GLAAD Awards are just two of her shining moments.

Very few people would have the guts and lack of self-consciousness to

Homecoming Queens

Before Laguna, two beloved members of our community were reigning beauties at their former high schools.

Kate Bergstrom

High School: Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara, CA Graduating Year: 2006 Favorite Memory: “My favorite memory of Homecoming was being out on the football field with my father and hearing my name called.

My dad and I looked at each other thinking we both heard wrong. I had to pretend I knew how to walk in heels at the time all the way out to the center of the field, and then I tried to make a big goofy dramatic exit, blowing kisses and saying ‘they like me, they really like me’ but was totally unable to conceal my genuine happiness and shock.

I also got to ‘slow-dance’ with the hunky captain of the football team.”

“With brother Mike as escort, Homecoming Queen-to-be Tara Proveaux is presented at the Pep Rally Assembly.”

Tara Broucqsault High School: Susquehannock High School, Glen Rock, PA Graduating Year: 1987 Favorite Memory: “My favorite memory would have to be when my twin brother, Michael, escorted me at the Homecoming Pep Rally. My boyfriend had already graduated from high school, so I asked my brother to escort me. Michael surprised me and gave me a bouquet of flowers in front of the entire school. Everyone in the gymnasium ‘awww’d’ the moment; I felt very special.”

Small Spacing Small spacing between words suggests an attraction to highly social situations.

Large Spacing

Large spacing implies a tendency to favor solitude.

Right Slant Writing with a right slant are usually more empathetic and in touch with their feelings.

Straight Slant Handwriting with straight slant belongs to a person who is guided more by logic than emotions, but there is a balance between the two.

Small Size Miniscule handwriting reveals great attention to detail and high levels of concentration.

Average Size

Average Size: Average size handwriting indicates enough concentration to focus on the task at hand, but not enough to get lost in the details.

Source: “Is Personality Written in Our Handwriting?” By Vicki Santillano photo bomb Sarah Jessica Parker on the red carpet.

She trips while walking on stage to collect her Oscar for Best Female Actress. Somehow, she makes it look controlled and poised—and is even able to make a classy but selfdeprecating joke about it when she receives a standing ovation: “You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell down and it’s embarrassing but thank you.”

Another thing that makes Lawrence an appealing role model is her body type. The media is clouded and flooded with images of twig-like women that seem to disappear from sidelong.

Lawrence isn’t obsessed about attaining the unrealistic and unhealthy standard that women in Hollywood are expected to match: “I can think of plenty of things that taste as good as skinny feels: potatoes, bread, Philly cheese steaks.”

What people gravitate towards is someone who can be real and vulnerable in front of them. Lawrence does this through her acting, but also through her existence.

She just seems like a normal person finding their footing in the chaos of Hollywood, and watching her struggle through interviews and red carpets is even more entertaining than watching her on the big screen.

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May 31, 2013

Sports

BOYS VOLLEYBALL CROWNED CONDOR LEAGUE CHAMPS

By SCOTT JOHNSTON The Laguna Blanca Boys Varsity Volleyball team finished regular season play on a 14-game win streak, taking the Condor League title with an overall record of 15-2 and a Condor League record of 8-0.

After spring break, the team started off with clean sweeps over Mission Prep, Besant Hill, and Providence Hall. In two of those matches, junior middle blocker Andrew Vignolo led the team in kills.

Laguna then travelled to Cate for a rivalry match. Coach Dillan Bennett decided to switch things up and run a 6-2, a system in which 2 of the 6 players in the rotation will set. Junior Colton Johnson had the best stat line of the night. He had 8 kills, 10 digs, and 5 aces, as the Owls dismantled the Rams in 3 games.

Sophomore Spenser Wyatt was then brought up to the varsity squad after the junior varsity season ended. His impact was felt instantly, as he started at setter against their match versus Dunn. The Owls continued their streak with another sweep over the Earwigs.

Laguna then played an important game against the Bishop Diego Garcia Cardinals. The Owls came out on top in four close games. Senior captain JT Aubery led the way with 9 kills and 24 digs. On the win, coach Bennett said, “This was the best I have seen this team play defense all season. Not many teams can get 87 digs and 20 blocks in a match… With that said, we still have a lot of things to work on if we want to be a team to contend for a CIF title.”

Next on the schedule was a game

PHOTO: THOMAS SLOAN ROOFED: Seniors Eli Bittleston and JT Aubery put up a big block against rival Cate. against Besant Hill, a team that the Owls had no trouble with. Once again, the new addition of setter Spenser Wyatt made a big difference. He finished with 13 digs, 19 assists, and an ace.

Coach Bennett said, “It’s quite amazing how fast he is picking this game up as a setter. It really comes as no surprise because of his overall sports IQ. He is probably the smartest sports brain we have on campus.”

Laguna would finish the regular season at home against Cate on senior night. The team swept the Rams while honoring seniors JT Aubery and Eli Bittleston. Sophomore Stephen McCaffery carried the team with 12 kills, 6 digs, and 3 aces, while passing a season high 2.5.

The Owls played their first CIF playoff game against the Holy Martyrs Armens.

They won the match in only three sets. Stephen McCaffery led the team with 13 kills, followed by JT Aubery with 10 kills.

Laguna hosted the second round of CIF in Merovick Gymnasium against Mary Star of the Sea, who upset the #2 Owls in four sets. The game scores were 20-25, 18-25, 25-14, 14-25.

Colton Johnson had 12 kills and Ryan Bickett had 30 digs on the night.

Golf Completes Undefeated Season

By STEPHEN MCCAFFERY

Behind Cole Strachan’s consistent play throughout the season, the Laguna Blanca Golf Team completed its undefeated season at 7-0.

In the first match after Spring Break, Cole shot a team-best 1-over 37 to lead the Owls to a dominating 208252 victory over Orcutt Academy.

The next week, the Owls hosted Mission Prep at Rancho San Marcos Golf Course in Santa Ynez. Jack Kinsler and Travis Fristoe led the team to a 225-265 victory, both shooting 42 individually.

For the last regular season competition, Laguna Blanca traveled to Soule Park in Ojai to face off against the Ojai Valley School. Breaking the previous all-time Laguna record for team

PHOTOS: SAM BROWN, COLE STRACHAN LINE DRIVE: Sophomores Cole Strachan, Sam Brown, and Jack Kinsler tee of on the 4th hole at La Cumbre Country Club. The three sophomores were influential in the team’s undefeated season run. scoring, the Owls shot 190 behind Sam Brown’s 3-under 33 and Cole Strachan and Travis Fristoe’s 2-over 38.

Cole Strachan and captain Kiyan Mashhoon qualified for the CIF Free

Lance Individual Qualifier. The team, however, did not qualify for the CIF Playoffs, despite the undefeated season.

The CIF Free Lance Individual Qual-

ifier was held at the Rio Hondo Golf Club in Downey. Kiyan shot a 6-over 78, and Cole shot an 88. Neither Cole nor Kiyan made the cut for the next round of CIF.

Lacrosse Concludes Comeback Season

By STEPHEN MCCAFFERY

PHOTO: MILES CRIST BACKHAND: Junior Ben Furukawa smashes a backhand shot over the net.

Boys Tennis: Condor League Champs

By CAITLIN CONNOR Beating Cate in a match full of de“It was pretty amazing to achieve feats, surprises, and forehand winners, something our tennis team hasn’t the Owls stunned the Condor League done since 2003 and to break Cate’s by snatching the league’s title, a first decade long win streak” said senior for Laguna boys tennis in a decade. doubles player Justin Palmer.

The match, resulting in a 10-8 victory, The title allowed the Owls to move was no walk in the park. on to the CIF-SS playoffs.

After an upset by the sophomore In the well fought match first round team of Martin Barnick and Jack match, the boys team came up from Espy, the team had a 4-2 standing behind to best Westminster in a 9-9 going into the second set of matches. tie by only five games. Benji and EdIt was not until the third round that die were again able to sweep three Cate was able to even the score 8-8. doubles sets. The doubles teams won Seniors doubles team Eddie Conk and six of their nine sets total while Ben Benji Sorensen were able to bring in Furukawa took 2 of 3 sets. three wins for the team. Junior Tristan Following the win against Prinz was able to score a 6-1 win over Westminster,Laguna had home court Cate’s number one singles player, advantage playing Santa Ynez at the breaking the tie 9-8, but it was felMunicipal Tennis Courts. The boys low junior Ben Furukawa who battled couldn’t hold in the tough match from a deficit for the 6-4 win that against the #8 Pirates losing 12-6. secured the title. This win improved Beginning with a 4-1 lead, the Owls Laguna to a 12-2 overall, and undefought a hard battle that ended their feated 8-0 league record.

CIF run.

During the first week after spring break, the Laguna Blanca Boys Lacrosse team took on some of the toughest competition of their season. The Owls traveled to Viewpoint School, losing the competition by the score 4-18.

Despite the tough loss coming right out of the break, the Owls rebounded against Thacher’s JV program with a hard-fought 5-3 win.

Laguna went on to win their next PHOTO: STEPHEN MCCAFFERY game over Santa Barbara Lacrosse MIDDIE BACK: Defenseman John Puzder advances the Association with ball downfield for an Owls’ attack. a dominating 11-1 victory. The two back-to-back wins were the first consecutive games won by the Owls during the spring season.

Cate School was up next on the schedule. The Owls traveled a short ways to Carpinteria to take on their crosstown foe. Laguna lost the game by the score of 14-7.

Behind Quentin Tedesco’s valiant offensive effort posting 7 goals, the Owls were able to earn a redemption win over Ojai Valley, a team who they previously lost to in March.

This win showed of the progress the team has made this season. Captain Quentin Tedesco said, “the team has

shown great growth throughout the season. This became extremely clear when we beat Ojai after losing to them in the first game of the season.”

Laguna traveled to the Midland School for their last game of the season. The game was close throughout, but Midland pulled past the Owls in the second half, as Laguna lost 10-15.

“Our season went well, considering our team consisted mainly of freshmen and guys who have never really played before,” said Goalie Darwin Miguel. “I am looking forward to next season to see how well we will do because of the experience we now have.”

Sports

May 31, 2013

13

Sports Awards of the Year Fall Season

Football: Coach’s Award: Justin Palmer MVP: Andrew Vignolo Most Improved: Brian Miguel Cross Country: Top Runner: Cooper Farrell Girls Volleyball: MVP: Clara Madsen Most Improved: Grace Woolf Most Inspirational: Courtney O’Donnell Girls Tennis: MVP: Caitlin Connor Most Improved: Lucie and Margaret Hartmann Top Rookie: Libby Hasse

Winter Season Boys Basketball: MVP: JT Aubery Coach’s Award: Eddie Conk Best Defensive Player: Stephen McCaffery Girls Soccer: Offensive MVP: Bryn Jewett

Defensive MVP: Nadia Belton Coach’s Award: Clarissa Coburn Boys Soccer: MVP: Ryan Bickett Most Improved: Darwin Miguel Offensive MVP: Cooper Farrell Defensive MVP: Michael Hawker

Spring Season Boys Volleyball: MVP: JT Aubery Most Improved: Elijah Bittleston Coach’s Award: Pierce O’Donnell Boys Golf: Ace Cup: Kiyan Mashhoon Best Round: Sam Brown (3-under 33) Best Total Round Score: Cole Strachan Boys Lacrosse: MVP: Quentin Tedesco Most Improved: Darwin Miguel Coach’s Award: Cameron Morello Boys Tennis: #1 Singles: Ben Furukawa #1 Doubles: Benji Sorensen and Eddie Conk

PHOTOS: ANGUS WATTERS, DAWN LAFITTE, GEOF WYATT, PAUL CHIMENT, SCOTT JOHNSTON, STEPHEN MCCAFFERY, TARA BROUCQSAULT

A Season to Remember:

Spring 2013

During the spring season of 2013, Laguna Blanca’s athletic teams went above and beyond expectations and the surrounding hype. The Varsity Boys Volleyball and Boys Tennis teams were Champions of the Condor League, with both squads posting 8-0 records in league play.

Boys Golf completed their second consecutive undefeated season, finishing at 7-0.

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS CHAMPS: Kevin Ware cuts down the net after Louisville’s emotional championship victory over the University of Michigan.

Kevin Ware Inspires Louisville

By SCOTT JOHNSTON

There are 6 minutes and 42 seconds left in the first half of the Duke vs.

Louisville regional final game. Junior Tyler Thornton from Duke receives a pass and pulls up for a three point shot. He drains the shot, bringing Duke within a single point.

As he backpedals to play defense, he turns, grimaces, and covers his eyes.

Louisville players fall to the ground.

They are visibly distraught and shaken up.

Kevin Ware lies on the sideline, surprisingly calmly, with the bone in his right leg sticking about 2 inches out of his skin.

After the initial shock of losing a valued member of the team, the other Louisville players huddle together, and then rush to Ware’s side. Through tears, Ware said, “ Just win it for me, y’all.” And Louisville would do just that.

Louisville went on to win the game 85-63, riding a powerful wave of emotion. The team beat Wichita State in the Final Four and then Michigan in the national championship, capturing the title.

Although Louisville was the number-one overall seed going into the tourney, many thought that they would fall somewhere along the way.

But once Kevin Ware’s gruesome injury shocked the nation, many a nonbeliever changed his or her mind and began to root for the Cardinals.

“I think that Kevin Ware’s injury had a huge impact on the Louisville

team because it gave them even more to play for. It made them want to play and win for their teammate that didn’t get a chance to do so,” junior Quentin Tedesco said.

An injury to an important player typically results in one of two things.

Either the team falls apart and loses because of the key loss, or it pulls together and succeeds off of raw emotion. With the injury, Louisville lost a guard in an already thin backcourt.

This injury could have spelled defeat for a team prone to foul trouble, but Kevin Ware wouldn’t let that happen.

The motivation spawned from the broken leg and Ware’s handling of it catapulted the Louisville Cardinals to greatness. The run was truly a complete team effort, with no one player carrying the load throughout the tourney.

“When you’re on a real team, it’s like you become a family, and when a teammate goes down with an injury, especially a serious one, it’s a hard thing to deal with. You feel for them, they’ve worked so hard and it’s all gone. From that point on you make it a point to win for that teammate, it’s sort of a rallying point for your team for the rest of the season,” sophomore Spenser Wyatt said.

Louisville did just that. They rallied around a gruesome sports injury and turned it into a launching pad for success and inspiration, demonstrating not only the team’s great fortitude and resilience, but also Kevin Ware’s.

By STEPHEN MCCAFFERY Two Condor League Champions.

The Boys Tennis team started their An undefeated season. A 14-game win season with a 6-game win streak, instreak. The spring sports season of cluding key wins over Bishop Diego, 2013 will be one to remember for La- Rio Mesa, and Cate. After dropping two guna Blanca. consecutive competitions, the Owls reComing into the 2013 spring sea- bounded and closed the regular season, there was a great amount of hype son with a 7-game win streak and an around the Boys 8-0 Condor League Volleyball, Golf, and record, resulting “Our season was Tennis teams. Surein being crowned ly, the teams lived one of the best La- the Condor League up to that hype.

Champions.

The F u r t h e r m o r e , guna has ever had . Boys Tennis team Laguna’s Boys La. . I am very proud ended the regular crosse returned. season ranked #9 in to be a part of it” Captain Quentin TeCIF-SS Division 4. desco said, “the laSophomore Jack – JT Aubery crosse team showed Espy said, “I felt like tremendous growth as the season went throughout the seaon we started to get son. This became exto know each other tremely clear when we beat Ojai Valley better as players and people, which 11-2 at the end of the season after los- helped us to click and beat down the ing to them in our first game.” other teams.”

Boys Volleyball entered the season After completing an undefeated seaas the #2-ranked team in CIF-SS Divi- son last year, the golf team did just that sion 5. The golf team was coming off of again in 2013, posting a 7-0 record. an undefeated 2012 campaign, and the The Golf team also broke the Laguna tennis team was returning the majority Blanca team scoring record by shootof its top-ranked players. ing 190 against Ojai Valley in their final The Boys Volleyball team held on to regular season match. their #2 ranking for the whole season, Cole Strachan and Kiyan Mashhoon, posting a 15-2 (8-0 Condor League) re- two key members of the Golf team cord and achieving a 14-game regular qualified for the CIF Free Lance Qualiseason win streak. Laguna earned key fier but failed to make the cut to move victories over Carpinteria High School onto the next round. and Bishop Diego High School, both The Boys Volleyball and Tennis Division 2 programs, and Santa Ynez teams both entered CIF ranked in the High School, a Division 4 program. top 10 of their respective divisions.

Additionally, the Owls successfully The volleyball team was upset in swept every Condor League opponent the second round of the CIF-SS Play3-0, earning the title of the 2013 Con- offs by Mary Star of the Sea. The tendor League Champions. nis team’s CIF run was also stopped “Our season was one of the best short in the second round of CIF-SS, as Laguna has ever had. We had a great they dropped their match 6-12 to Santa record and it said a lot about how we Ynez. played and won as a team. All in all, Collectively, the four Laguna Varit was a great season, and I am very sity Teams compiled a regular-season proud to be a part of it,” said JT Au- record of 38-8, resulting in an %82.6 bery, senior captain and MVP of the winning percentage and an undefeated Boys Varsity Volleyball team.

Condor League record of 16-0.

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May 31, 2013

A&E

PHOTOS: ALEXA ZANGRILLO

Above, junior Alexa Zangrillo, seniors Tess Elder and Chanelle Jansens soak up the sun and sounds of the Coachella music festival. Below, seniors Jessie Dusebout, Olivia Berci and friends listen to Youth Lagoon while they enjoy the intimate atmosphere of the SoHo concert venue.

PHOTOS: OLIVIA BERCI AND BRYANA SCHANTZ

Lifestyle Top Ten Road Trippin’ Songs

May 31, 2013

15

Students “Wreck This Journal”

Whether it’s a family car ride up the coast or a five minute drive to the beach, here’s a guide to your summer playlist.

Customize every page and post things from everywhere. “Wreck This Journal” is basically just a journal with fun pages and activities that lets you vent anger or any emotions you need to.

By ANASTASIA ANTONOVA

M

any authors hate to see their books defiled— much less burned, painted on, or sewed in.

But those are the exact instructions (among many) that Keri Smith provides you in her Do It Yourself (DIY) book “Wreck This Journal.”

The first page holds the very basic set of rules: “Carry this with you wherever you go, follow the instructions on every page, order is not important, instructions are open to interpretation, and experiment.”

The rest of the book involves almost 100 pages with random instructions, everything from collect fruit stickers here to scratch this page using a sharp object.

Unlike other books, “Wreck This Journal” is meant to get messy.

People love it, and it shows because it’s currently trending at stores like Urban Outfitters. Many buy one to wreck on their own or to pass through a group of friends to watch the neat black binding slowly go crooked, tattered, and, well, wrecked.

Although this small book has gained popularity, many opt to take a more individualized approach and create their own homemade “Wreck This Journal’s” through a notebook and some average skills in collage creativity.

Either way, the concept behind “Wreck This Journal” is simple: Making mistakes can be fun.

By MARGARET LAZAROVITS

1. “Lost in California”

by Stamps 2. “These Days” by Dr. Dog 3. “Smoky Light” by Derek James 4. “Anna Sun” by Walk the Moon 5. “Color On the Walls (Don’t Stop)” by Foster the People 6. “Safe in LA” by Gold Motel 7. “It’s Time “ by Imagine Dragons 8. “Mermaids” by Jinja Safari 9. “And We Danced” by Macklemore 10. “Fader” by Temper Trap

PHOTOS: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA

Turn Over a New Page This Summer

Long summer days stretch ahead with lots of time to read those books we couldn’t find any time to read during the school year.

By KAYLEE STRACHAN

“Vanishing Acts” by Jodi Picoult is a thrilling novel about a life turned upside down when a young woman discovers her father is not the man he says he is. The story takes them on a journey through a trial filled with lies, heartache, and fresh starts.

“A Game of Thrones (A Song of Fire and Ice, Book 1)” is a fantastical bookseries about warriors, tribes, and royals that must venture on treacherous missions in a competition to win the wicked battle in the game of thrones.

“The Lone Survivor” by Marcus Luttrell is a nonfiction book that takes place in Afghanistan about Operation Redwing, written as an eyewitness account by the only survivor of US Navy SEAL Team 10.

“Wild” by Cheryl Strayed is an autobiography documenting the fear and fortitude of a woman who, with nothing more to lose, hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State.

Back Page

Tired of watching the same, blockbuster movies? Try one of these classic films!

BY MILES CRIST

From Alfred Hitchcock’s stylish thriller “North

by Northwest” to Federico Fellini’s critically acclaimed drama “8 1/2,” these vintage masterpieces are sure to keep you entertained. For a post World War II film noir, check out Carol Reed’s gorgeously photographed “The Third Man,” starring Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten.

Or, for a more romance themed movie, see Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” or Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in “To Catch a Thief.” No matter what your interests, these classic films will captivate both cinephiles and casual moviegoers alike.

May 31, 2013

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