Laguna Blanca School - 4125 Paloma Drive - Santa Barbara - California - 93110- thefourthestate@lagunablanca.org
Volume XVI
February 10, 2010
Issue 4
Club Receives Recognition for Fundraising Efforts By DARIA ETEZADI
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mmediately after the showing of the documentary film presented by the Invisible Children Organization in assembly, Laguna students Lillie Hodges, Maaya Hensman, and Eva Davis gathered outside and formed Laguna’s own Invisible Children Club. “When I was watching the movie, I knew immediately that this is something that I wanted to contribute to,” junior Eva Davis said. The club originally started to take part in the ‘Schools for Schools’ contest which is part of the Invisible Children Program to raise money in order to fund schools that are being built in Northern Uganda. Participating schools are separated into ‘clusters’ and are each assigned to a specific Ugandan school. “Laguna’s Invisible Students Club was assigned to the Keyo Secondary School which is responsible for educating nearly 800 kids,” explains Eva Davis. After 90 days of creative fundraising, the Laguna Blanca branch raised over $10,000. “We placed 4th in our cluster and 14th out of 1,163
schools,” Lillie Hodges said. A total of $1,093,371.52 was raised from all of the participating schools. Donations will be used to build and fund schools in order to educate the under privileged children of war-torn Uganda. In recognition of their outstanding leadership, the club leaders received two invitations to attend the global conference which takes place this summer. Invisible Children began when three American student filmmakers traveled to Africa and learned about the brutal history of Uganda first hand. They used their equipment to film and produce an uncut documentary of a war that tormented millions of people while the rest of the world stood by in oblivion. The film is titled “Invisible Children: Rough Cut.” “We set out to win the competition and improve the lives of students like us who weren’t born with the privileges that we often take for granted. We are hoping to establish a pen pal network with a school in Uganda that would help to develop both the club itself and the students who take part in it,” said Lillie.
PHOTO: EVA DAVIS
Seeking ways to fundraise for the Invisible Children Club Eva Davis, sold beads. Above a T-shirt from the Schools for Schools organization and a photo of the students in the Keyo School.
Students Plant a Garden to Feed Local Homeless
PHOTO: LILLIE HODGES
Laguna Students Awarded “Youth Innovator of The Year” Reprinted from Laguna Blanca January E-News
Inspired by several trips to build housing in third world countries, and a speech by Laguna father Drew Dusebout inspiring teenagers to do great things, Spencer Dusebout ’11, Jack Davies ’12, and another friend, Scott Schurmer, joined forces in 2008. They decided to accept a challenge of global proportions and created Hands 4 Others (H4O), a nationwide movement of young people bringing clean water to children and their families in countries around the world. Already, villages in seven countries are being helped by their efforts and the generous contributions of their supporters. On January 21, they (H40) will accept the 2011 Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce Youth Award for Innovation. “Most Americans don’t realize this, but 1.1 billion people in the world lack access to clean water,” Spencer says. “This is a problem that is real. There are people in this world walking up to six hours a day for water we would not bathe in, let alone
drink. Literally brown mud.” Their goal is to raise enough money for 500 villages to have clean water by the year 2015. “We realized that as a movement of young people we’re not actually going to build the water systems ourselves, so we joined forces with an organization that does,” Spencer explains. Water Missions International is a nonprofit Christian organization serving the water and sanitation needs of people in developing countries and disaster areas. “We formed Hands 4 Others in the hopes of creating an organization of teenagers around the world to support this effort,” Spencer says. H4O uses the phrase, “Be the generation” to motivate others their age to build awareness by networking and creating chapters around the country. They are working to gain corporate sponsorship, targeting companies that consider teenagers to be prime customers. Generally, it takes $25,000 to provide an entire village of 3,000 to 4,000 people with a system to provide clean water. But the
students have an arrangement where they raise the $10,000 which covers the equipment and Water Missions International matches the funds with the remainder needed. Donations can be made via cell phone by texting “H40” to 85944.Spencer’s sister Jessie Dusebout ’13 and schoolmate Samantha Schurmer are also involved in the effort and will attend the award ceremony next week. “We’re going to make a presentation to the entire Upper School at the end of February,” Spencer says. He hopes more Laguna students will get involved. When asked what has been most rewarding about this experience so far, Spencer replies quickly. “Sitting in the jungles of Honduras and Africa and watching people take their very first drink of clean water! They’re a little afraid of it at first. It’s really rewarding to see their faces at that moment.” Visit hands4others.org to learn more about Hands 4 Others and what is motivating its students to make an indelible mark on the world.
By ANASTASIA ANTONOVA
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nyone treading up the stairs to Spanish class will pass the small but charming vegetable garden sitting on the hilltop. Last year its short rows were filled up with swiss chard. This year it was planted by Andrew McCaffery and a group of fellow students. It was filled with even more winter vegetables and plants such as broccoli and lettuce. The garden was created by Andrew to be student planted, grown, and eventually harvested with organic vegetables. Andrew’s goal is to harvest his vegetables and cook homemade soup which he will donate to the Transition House through his church, All Saints by the Sea. It all started last year when he was trying to reach the Eagle Scout rank with the Boy Scouts of America program. In order to reach this rank, one must plan and hold a service project of 60 plus hours that would give back to the community. With his tough goal in mind,
Andrew came up with the concept of creating a garden at Laguna, an idea that came from his own home’s vegetable garden. So, with the help of the Environment Club, he created the garden and harvested a whole five pounds of chard to make his soup. This year, instead of being under the wing of a group, Andrew started his own group to make the soup again. The members this year include Austin Abrams, Kelly Furukawa, Justin Shand, Alex Greer, Bryana Schantz, Milo Filip, Monica Watson, and Erika Keane. Although this is just supposed to be an annual planting, Andrew hopes to have more than one planting a year, such as another one in the spring. When asked what he got out of the experience, not just what he gave, Andrew replied, “Personally, I’ve learned a lot about gardening. Also, I’ve learned how to go out into the community and ask for something. I’ve learned certain leadership qualities as well.”
PHOTOS: ANDREW McCAFFERY Hands Getting Dirty: Junior Justin Shand helps to plant green veggies in Andrew’s recently planted garden on the side of the Seminar Room. Below: Students get their hands dirty as they put the finishing touches on the garden.
Andrew added that he got most of his gardening supplies, from stores such as Agriturf Supplies. He concludes that he hopes that the garden will continue even after he graduates LBS, creating another charitable and unique way to ‘give back’ here at Laguna.
ARTIST: SEAN BURKE
A LOOK INSIDE
Letter from the Editor Hello Everyone!
NEWS
Alumni College Panel. 3 Spotlight on Scholarships. 4
PROFILE
Happy Valentine’s Day from The Fourth Estate! We hope you’ve enjoyed the start of your new year. As a second-semester senior, I’ve been assured since the start of my freshman year that this is the time when I will reap the benefits of all my hard work, but does anyone else feel like things haven’t slowed down at all? That, maybe, they’ve just sped up? It feels as if I go from one project to the next, and I can tell my fellow students feel the same way. At Laguna, it feels as though every member of the community is a student athlete, student artist, or some impressive combination of honorable academic and patron of various extracurricular activities (whether it be sports, theater, mock trial...).
Meet Laguna’s Flying A’s. 5 Publisher Speaks to Staff. 5
As Valentine’s Day approaches (check out the Valentine’s Day Poll on the back page!), I look forward to taking a day to celebrate all the people I love, away from all the business. As last year’s editor-in-chief Erin Stone said, “Valentine’s Day isn’t about sulking about one’s lack of love or reveling in the mushy attention of a “love struck” partner, rather, it’s about the expression of love, whether that love be for a boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, or family member.” Thus, Valentine’s Day isn’t limited to romantic love. It can be shared with everyone you care for.
STYLE
Enjoy!
With Love,
Carolina Beltran Editor-in-Chief
THE OPINION
Advertising in Public Schools. 6 What is the Real State of the Union? 7
THE DOUBLE PAGE Sniff, Snort, and Swallow
8&9
Charitable Buying. 10 Review: Via Vai Pizzeria Trattoria. 10
HEALTH
Healthy Meal Choices. 11
FEATURE
The Golden Globes Reviewed. 12 Everybody Dance Now! Event13
SPORTS
Spring Sports Preview. 14 Sport of Stereotyping. 15
BACKPAGE
Valentine’s Day Poll. 16
he Fourth Estate is a public forum for student expression. It T is written and produced solely by the journalism students. The Fourth Estate welcomes guest articles and letters to the editor.
Letters must be signed and be no longer than 300 words. Drop letters off in the main office or e-mail them to thefourthestate@ lagunablanca.org. Editors reserve the right to edit for length, clarity, and/or taste. Anonymous letters will not be published.
Editor-in-Chief Carolina Beltran
Business Manager Olivia Berci
Senior Editors Lillie Hodges Jordan Shannon Arabella Watters
Online Manager Abby Reutzel
Photo Editor Elliot Serbin Copy Editors Helena Davila Andrew McCaffery Morgan Raith Zoe Serbin
The Fourth Estate accepts advertising. Contact Trish McHale, MJE. at thefourthestate@lagunablanca.org for more Artists information. Subscriptions are also available. Julia Kent
Sean Burke
Staff Anastasia Antonova Brandon Bickett Caitlin Connor Jess Davis Jessie Dusebout Daria Etezadi Jeffrey Nelson Fletcher Sipple Monica Watson
Faculty Advisor Patricia McHale, MJE
Club Updates By ABBY REUTZEL
Students for Soldiers Club The club has written letters to soldiers in the Middle East. Junior Austin Abrams received a letter from a Navy corpsman who is stationed in the Helmland Province in Afghanistan reported club founder and president junior Kai Gamble. The club is starting a new branch at San Marcos as well as planning a benefit concert in association with the Santa Barbara Music and Arts Conservatory. Engineering Club The Engineering Club is still in the process of developing and testing the Extend-O-Rail, a device that assists people with disabilities. Although the team did not advance as a top five finalist in the nation, the team members were very pleased with their success in getting into the top twenty-five in the nation, and in helping others with disabilities. The future looks bright for our young engineers who will begin a collaboration with Melinda Staveley, President of Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, and her staff to continue the development of the Extend-O-Rail, and to begin brainstorming new engineering creations designed to help the disabled. CureFinders for Cystic Fibrosis Club Branching out from last year, the club will be travelling to a variety of festivals throughout Southern California. At these festivals they will be setting up a booths, passing out flyers and selling merchandise. They are currently designing a logo for T-shirts.
Students Get the Inside Scoop on College Life from Returning Alumni By JESSIE DUSEBOUT Get into a good college. Find a major. Receive good grades. Graduate. Each year Laguna Blanca Upper School students have the opportunity to receive advice and hear college experiences from former Laguna students. This gives high school students the opportunity to hear the ups and downs of being a college student, receive tips, and ask questions about college life. On Jan. 6, during the weekly Thursday assembly, Julian Harake, Jessie Ditmore, Dawson Ingersoll, Meghan McAlister, and Daniel Gutsche participated in the panel. College counselor Dr. Karl Revells initiated the questions and prompted the visitors to talk about different aspects of college life. Julian Harake, a sophomore at UC Berkley is majoring in environmentally conscious architecture. Jessie Ditmore is in her first year at Vassar and is still deciding on her major, while Dawson Ingersoll, also a freshman, is attending Clark University and is majoring in psychology. Meghan McAlister is a freshman at USC and is majoring in history. Daniel Gutsche is a junior at Columbia and is majoring in classics and business. Following the introduction of the alumni, Dr. Revells asked “Did Laguna prepare you well for college?” Each shared aspects of Laguna that positively stood out, but they all agreed that while Laguna did prepare them, college life is a lot different than high school. “Laguna has totally prepared me,” Meghan said, while Julian pointed out, “The work load is a lot different.” Daniel
PHOTO: TARA BROUCQSAULT Alumni Share a Laugh: Five alumni returned to Laguna to participate in the annual alumni panel. Left to Right: Dawson Ingersoll, Jessie Ditmore, Meghan McAlister, Julian Harake. and Daniel Gutsche.
shared that he’s grateful that he learned to write a thesis in Ms. Tidey’s English classes. Other topics discussed included; recent college experiences and reality checks. “Everyone there [at college] is alone, which makes it a great time to make friends,” Julian added. “It’s small for everybody else, but huge for us Laguna kids,” Dawson said. Moving away from Santa Barbara where the weather is nice year around and leaving the small Laguna Blanca community where teachers give their students daily one on-one attention leads recent graduates to experience reality checks. This was more true for those who moved into big cities especially those with a freezing winter weather and a school campus hundreds of times larger than Laguna.
“The teachers don’t take attendance!” Jessie said. Daniel added, “Teachers almost don’t care if you fail. East Coast people have a more go-getter attitude.” “It was really hard to connect,” admits Jessie about moving to the East Coast. Dawson shared that he was surprised to see no California blondes in Massachusetts. The alumni then had the opportunity to share any useful advice. “Go for it. You have to join clubs,” advises Jessie. Julian shared that he wished he’d done more community service before college. “Do community service while you still have the time. It’s all about giving back,” Julian added. “Homework is all done on your own. You have to manage your own time,” Meghan said. The discussion was then
turned over to the audience. Students had the chance to ask questions about applying to college, time management, and college life. “Going into college I knew what I wanted to do. Tour it! You will feel something magical,” explains Dawson about his decision to attend Clark. “I was assigned an advisor. No one will hold your hand. The resources are there, but you have to pursue them yourself,” Daniel added. Diversity was discussed, and Julian said “Diversity is something I never thought about before college. No one judges you at college.” Daniel said, “You’re judged for judging.” “There is a lot of economic diversity in college. It makes you realize how lucky you are to go to Laguna,” concluded Julian.
Senior Spotlight: Scholarships based, which are granted to recognize a student’s academic, artistic, or athletic abilities, and also factor in the applicants extracurricular activities and service in his or her community.
There are need-based, which analyze a student and family’s financial record, most likely requiring confidential records of earnings. Lesser known scholarships are student-based, which often have to do with an applicant’s ethnical or cultural identity... and there are career-specific scholarships, which are awarded to students who are determined to pursue a certain field of study or trade (these are usually binding, due to the
specificity of the applicant’s interests). A relatively straight-forward way one can earn a scholarship is simply by performing well on standardized tests, especially the PSAT/NMSQT. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation -- which works together with the College Board on the Practice SAT -- continually recognizes and awards students who excel in this preliminary examination: in 2005, 10,600 high-scoring students received acknowledgment from the NMSC, in the form of Merit Scholarship Awards, Special Scholarship Awards, or Achievement Scholarship Awards (data from NMSC website: www.nationalmerit.org). Doing well on the SAT is important too, as seen through senior Spencer Dusebout, whose high scores helped catapult him into a great position: “I was awarded the ‘Provost’s’ scholarship from Westmont College, which is given to a student with a combination of strong academics and extracurricular activities.” This offer -- although Spen-
SPENCER DUSEBOUT
AMANDA SCHULENBERG
FLETCHER SIPPLE
“There are lots of variables that go into the financial aspects of choosing a school. Clearly, being a graduate of a ‘big name’ college or university is important for one’s future, but one must consider that graduate school can be more influential. I’m very determined to gain all the financial help I can get now, especially if I go to graduate school.”
“I think that kids should be allowed to go wherever they want regardless of their financial situation. College isn’t about the name; it’s about what you make of it. If that means a student should go to a lesser ‘B’ school and receive a scholarship or go to an ‘A’ school and take out a loan, so be it.”
By ANDREW MCCAFFERY As the new year comes into full swing, many high school seniors at Laguna and around the country have one thing on their minds: college. These students are trying to be patient, waiting in agony for the anticipated envelope to arrive in their mailboxes. Many will have their hopes and dreams thrashed about by the disappointing phrase “It is with regret that...” Others will be accepted. However, ‘tis not time to vegetate, for there is another obstacle that must be surmounted: the paying of one’s tuition, and of all other associated expenses such as housing, meals plans, books and supplies. Fortunately, many schools and independent organizations alike realize the financial burden that paying for college places on any household, and generously award incoming students scholarships every year. The task at hand is: how to earn a scholarship... There are many types of scholarships. There are merit-
Is it better to attend a A-grade school, but have to take out a student loan… or to attend a B-grade school and receive financial aid?
“I would say it really varies on the situation you’re in. I would say an A-grade school all the way, but if money is an issue -- and the A-grade school won’t give it to you -there is nothing wrong with a B-grade school. The reality is: you can get a great education at a lot of different places.”
Factors in College Consideration
Data from www.collegeboard.com
cer had already been interested in Westmont -- has had a significant impact on his decision. “This scholarship might have just tipped me over the edge,” said Spencer. Spencer’s success supports their importance, but standardized tests should not take precedence over schoolwork: a student’s high school record carries the most weight. This being said, do not overload your schedule with countless AP classes, for performing poorly in challenging courses doesn’t turn any heads. Instead, strive for a balance of classes you can succeed in, but at the same time are challenging. Following this path may just earn you the title of “University Scholar,” like senior Amanda Schulenberg. The University of Denver, in recognition of her well-founded academic record and scholastic achievements, offered Amanda a $52,000 scholarship. This sum would not only cover some of her four years of tuition, but also cover a large part of her student-housing and supplies. Although Amanda’s acceptance to DU is non-binding (she applied early action, as opposed to early decision), she says: “This offer will greatly affect my decision, due to the fact that college is VERY expensive. Especially since the scholarship would give me the financial freedom to fly home more than once a year.”
Colleges are also looking for students with talents in fields other than just academics, such as athletics. While your chances of being scouted by a NCAA Division-1 athletic program are very minimal, there are other opportunities with smaller, yet notable schools that combine competitive sports with an excellent education. For example, senior Fletcher Sipple is in the nation-wide lacrosse recruiting pool, and has been receiving scholarship offers from schools like Roanoke (Virginia) and Carthage (Wisconsin), which have been two of the more “aggressive” contacts he’s received. Fletcher has commented on the difficulty of gaining recognition from premier lacrosse schools, like Duke or Johns Hopkins: “It’s tough to get any kind of award from these schools… unless you’re like a young Paul Rabil, who is one of the Major Lacrosse League’s most prominent stars. Then, those kinds of schools would financially outbid one another to have me on the team.” All in all, gaining financial aid is possible through stellar test scores, a well-rounded transcript, and strong extracurricular activities. There are also tons of scholarship opportunities, such as with organizations and companies that host different competitions, both local and national. However, college isn’t entirely about where you go, as much as it is about how you apply yourself.
Running a Race to Nowhere By: DARIA ETEZADI
2400: A perfect score on the SAT. 5: A perfect score on an AP test. 4.0: A perfect GPA. 2: The age at which children stop asking “why.” Following the screening for 2,000 in Santa Barbara of the film “A Race to Nowhere,” which the Orfalea Foundations sponsored. Mr. Paul Orfalea explained that twoyear-olds stop asking “why: the most precious word in the English vocabulary,” when they detect and later try to avoid the irritated responses they receive. He explained how even at such a young age, children are being taught to be people pleasers when they should be discovering their own passions. And it only gets worse. Students of all ages across the US are being compared to some of the highest academic and social standards imaginable. “There’s definitely a lot of stress, trying to get the grades and finish your homework,” says eighth grader Connor Curran. Mr. Orfalea noted that in many cases, the harder students try, the more their efforts backfire. For example, many students will stay up as late as necessary and sacrifice hours of precious sleep in order to complete their homework. However, experts say that growing children require between nine and eleven hours of sleep, as opposed to the five or six hours so many students function off of. Mr. Orfalea went on to explain that the less sleep a student gets, the less information he or
she can retain. After a while, staying up late “to get the grades” robs you of a substantial amount of knowledge and turns study time into wasted time. But, with so many expectations to live up to, most students can’t take study breaks to catch up on sleep without leaving stacks of incomplete assignments on their desks and ultimately, risking
academic failure and much more. “These kids are so overwhelmed. I am afraid that our children are going to sue us for stealing their childhood,” says psychologist Ms. Wendy Mogel. Most students have not resorted to lawsuits yet, many have taken extensive measures to prevent their academic performance from slipping. Children across the country have admitted to resorting to anything from cheating to using drugs such as Adderal to stay focused. One student spoke of her battle against anorexia, during which she starved herself after
learning that the less she ate, the longer she could stay up to finish her homework. When all else fails, some give up and turn to suicide. “Our kids look good on the outside, but they’re bleeding underneath,” one teacher voiced behind tears running down her cheeks. “Schools shouldn’t put the students in situations that hurt their health. It just shows how flawed the system is,” senior Ian Carradine said. Going to school is no longer about learning through critical thinking, but rather about doing whatever is necessary to get the best possible scores. Students’ inquisitiveness has been replaced by exams and evaluations, so now the main purpose of attending school has turned into acing the next test. Consequently, students aren’t being taught, but programmed to retain information about material they may or may not even understand. At what point did one’s academic performance become more important than the learning process? “It makes me feel sad that our culture has resorted to this. When you’re a kid…it’s more important to enjoy life,” sophomore Bryana Schantz said. It’s time to turn this numbers-driven society into a people-based one and to follow in the footsteps of activists for education reforms across the country . Thanks to the O’Donnell family, a special showing at LBS will take place on Fe. 16.
PHOTO: ELLIOT SERBIN Members of the Books for Soldiers Club gather in the Isham Library. Back row (left to right) James Cornell, Brendon Nylen, Alex Hawker, Jessie Zhen, Clarissa Coburn, Kyle Van De Kamer, seated, Ms. Susan Burke, Erica Keane, and Cassidy Shevitz.
Club’s Package Received by Platoon in Afghanistan By Abby Reutzel
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In her first thank you and has been stationed he Book Club is run by librar- note to the Book Club Al- in Monetary, Ca., Korea, ian, Ms. Burke, lena expressed her deep- Texas and Fort Polk, and has been up to a lot est appreciation for their Louisiana before her recently. The club has support: “Knowing there deployment to Afghanijoined the Books for Sol- are so many people back stan. The Book diers program, Club held and shipped a very suctheir first pack“Knowing there are so cessful bake age before many people back home sale to offthe Christmas break to a plathat care and support us is set shipping charges for toon stationed an enormous comfort. ” their packin Afghanistan ages. around the LogThe club ar and Wardak purchased provinces. T-shirts to They fulfilled a book request that was home that care and sup- wear for future fund listed on the Books for port us is an enormous raisers and for their club picture. Soldiers website and comfort. Getting packages are In their package, club chose the Task Force Vihuge morale boosters, members include books, per platoon. This is a small group of and out here we share a copy of the Fourth Eseight military personnel everything. Once we fin- tate newspaper, food comprised of different ish reading the books we items and a card and letbranches of the armed will repackage and ship ter signed by club memto the outposts that are bers. services. The platoon has speThe platoon is called very small and often run the Thundercats and the out of food and supplies. cifically asked for fantasy company are Shadow So anything we get sent books. Anyone interested in donating fantasy books Warriors. The Thunder- gets put to good use.” While no one in the that are gently used or cats are attached to a Thundercats is a Califor- new, hardbacks or palarger squadron of 70. Ms. Burke has been nian, Allena did mention perbacks can contact communicating directly being a West Coaster, Ms. Burke at 805-687with the platoon leader, growing up in Seattle. 2461 x 213 or sburke@ She joined the Army lagunablanca.org Allena Anderson.
Plum Willow: The Next Step in the Social Network Revolution BY JORDAN SHANNON
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ike Shopping? Social Networking? Try Social Shopping. One new company that weighs in on the panache of budding fashionistas is PlumWillow, a social shopping and styling site. Aimed specifically at teens, PlumWillow creates a social network of shoppers, all of whom have “virtual closets” that can be filled, edited, and commented on by other members of the community. The site even allows you to create a “wish list” of items you’d like to purchase: “Shopping is very social for girls,” Chief Executive Scott Stone said in an article from The Santa Barbara News Press.
“It’s an experience. It’s fun. They want to go into one store and find something to match with at another store. And their friends are an important part of this.” PlumWillow will enable members to shop virtually with friends, help make wardrobe decisions, and share their choices through their social networks. This revolutionary site features multiple brands that appeal to teens and allows users to design their own outfits and avatars. Users first create a profile by signing into their Facebook account. One can then interact with friends on Facebook by talking about certain brands and products.
Purchases are stored in a virtual closet, which provides valuable marketing information to brands. The homepage and your Profile automatically shows all of your friends from Facebook who use PlumWillow. These Facebook friends and their activity on the site will automatically show up in the Friends’ Activity section on PlumWillow’s homepage. What is so ground breaking and innovative about PlumWillow is the sign of an even more intimate relationship between a company and its customers. Moving beyond, “the old-fashioned focus group and into co-creation with your demographic is something
that will happen more in the next couple of years,” Scott Stone says. “All business will have to learn how to cope with a new generation of users that are used to their particular experience of the Web.” Because PlumWillow wants to be more than just a generic online shopping destination, it’s tackling the complex challenge of recreating the experience of people going to the mall. The site’s success hinges on getting all the details right, even down to the types of music that girls want to hear while hunting for the perfect pair of jeans: “The site needs to be authentic to their voice and how they shop,” says Charlie
Plum Willow’s Timeline
GRAPHIC: JORDAN SHANNON
Federman, PlumWillow’s chairman, whose venture capital firm also provided funding for the company. Online social shopping is nothing new, as companies like Polyvore Inc., a user-generated fashion magazine, are finding success in this particular market as well. But unlike many of those companies, PlumWillow is focused on the teen market exclusively. According to a Wall Street Journal report on PlumWillow’s revenue, there are 13 million girls in the company’s target demographic that spend an average of $1,100 per year on clothes, making it a nearly $15 billion market. Social shopping sites such as PlumWillow are leading the way in the social network revolution. Social networking itself is also drastically changing the way we interact with each other. From connecting to people across the globe, keeping up with the latest news, or shopping for a new outfit, we have reached a new era that depends upon technology. Leading this “social network revolution” is Mark Zukerberg, the founder of Facebook. Ever since he started Facebook out of his Harvard dorm room 7 years ago, he has been scram-
bling to keep up with epic growth in his and the company’s fame and fortune. The last year has been particularly remarkable. Users have quadrupled while employees and revenues have tripled according to a CNN report. Zukerberg’s success from changing the face of communication earned him the title of Time Person of the Year for 2010. With the success and growing popularity of social media sites such as Facebook, it’s no wonder that social shopping sites such as PlumWillow have taken the initiative to integrate shopping with the increasingly popular and pervasive aspects of social networking. The “social network revolution” has grown exponentially in recent years and “social shopping” may be the next big thing. Senior Arabella Weston-Smith, an avid shopper herself, supports PlumWillow’s concept: “I think that it’s great how sites such as PlumWillow can incorporate shopping- one of my favorite pastimeswith social networking. Shopping is very social in itself, and I think that the ability of a site to allow me to engage with my friends about certain products is really exciting.”
PHOTO: ELLIOT SERBIN
LBS Riders Take to the Streets Teachers Rev Up Their Rides By ZOE SERBIN The LBS Riders are the most fearsome gang of motor-cyclers roaring through the Hope Ranch community. Their rides are conspicuous; their Harley’s stand out among trucks and compact cars in the parking lots; their jackets of toughened hide and sleek black sunglasses reflect the gleaming sunlight as they ride off into the distance; their handlebar mustaches curl down around their mouths in an intimidating over-turned ‘u.’ They are the Riders, also known as the Flying A’s. They are Laguna Blanca’s very own teacher biker gang. Science teachers Landon Neustadt and Peter Angeloff, and Spanish teacher Arturo Flores make up the posse, which formed in 2005. “I’m the Sergeant at Arms, in case we run into trouble,” said Angeloff. “Neustadt is the scout, and Flores is the translator,” he added with a laugh. “When I came to Laguna Blanca, I didn’t realize other teachers had motorcycles. The fact we already had motorcycles tells that the person is a bit of a daredevil,” Flores said. “I’d never had a job where other people had motorcycles. We end up having the same brain.” “The people you meet on motorcycles
Revving up their engines: (left to right) Landon Neustadt, Peter Angeloff, and Arturo Flores pose next to their motorcycles in their leather jackets, bandanas, and shades before taking off on a ride. by and large allows you to cut across normal social barriers. There’s this mentality that it’s like extended family. It’s nice, you feel comfortable parking next to other motorcycles and just starting up conversation,” said Neustadt. Members of the “gang” sometimes bring along their girlfriends and/or wives to ride with them. “We have one girl rider, the ‘gf.’ She “brings up the rear,” said Angeloff. Occasionally, an LBS alum or parent will join them when they ride as well.
Student Standouts
PHOTOS: ELLIOT SERBIN
Santa Barbara Art Scholarship Award Given to Senior Sean Burke
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enior Sean Burke submitted four pieces to the Santa Barbara Arts Foundation Competition, and was one of few Santa Barbara high school seniors to be awarded a scholarship of $2,000 to benefit his art-related college career. A reception was held at the Arts Foundation to recognize the scholarship award winners. “I was shocked and honored that I won anything against kids from the Visual Arts and Design Academy at Santa Barbara High School,” said Sean after learning that the won.
Sophomores Advance in Poetry Competition
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ach year, Laguna Blanca’s 10th grade English class participates in the Poetry Out Loud competition. “It does a number of things. It’s really good for students to take time to get to know a piece in detail, which they have to do to be able to recite it well,” said English teacher Dr. David Barndollar. This year Olivia Berci was awarded school champion, while Zoe Serbin, Caitlin Connor, Daria Etezadi, and Anastasia Antonova qualified to advance into the county competition, which will take place at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse on February 9.
Senior Wins First Round of Lions Club Student Speaker Contest
S
enior Fletcher Sipple took the first round of the California Lions Student Speakers Contest on Jan. 27. The contest took place at the Carpinteria Lions Club Park. Fletcher received a check and an invitation to compete at the next level which takes place at the Lions Club Park in Carpinteria on March 3 at 6 p.m. This year’s topic is “Enforcing Our Borders: State vs. Federal Rights.” Fletcher, a self-professed history buff, wrote, practiced, and presented a ten-minute speech. The winner of the sixth and final contest will have earned over $20,000 in scholarship money.
Students Receive Grant to Start ACE Academy
L
auren Conk and Vera Lopez received funding via a grant that they applied for from Youth Making Change to start a program called the ACE Academy. The program will start in April and will be held on Saturdays for five weeks. It will be in association with the SB Housing Authority for youth ages 8-12 who are interested in learning basics in sports. They’re starting with tennis. They will be providing kids with a racket a can of tennis balls and the LBS varsity tennis coach Christina. LBS students Daria Etezadi, Caitlin Connor, and Monica Watson are also involved. They plan to hold a raffle that will be held at LBS with donations from local business.
“We have Howlin’ Harvey, his friend Robert, Bill Coady, and -- he probably doesn’t want his name mentioned -- so we’ll call him Rich,” said Angeloff. The name ‘The Flying A’s’ originated from Flores’ wife, who noticed that each of the members had an ‘A’ as the first letter in their first or last name excluding Neustadt, of course. The gang usually rides for about two hours all around town after school or on weekends, or during vacations. Sometimes they even venture out of the Santa Barbara area. Places they
frequent are motels in Cambria, Big Sur, Neptune’s Net in Malibu, and the Deer Lodge in Ojai. “One of these days we’ll hit San Francisco, I’m interested in going to Olympia, Washington, too. We want to take a long ride to Colorado, or maybe the Grand Canyon,” said Flores. Neustadt rides a Wide Glide, Harley Davidson 100th Anniversary Edition motorcycle, Angeloff rides a Harley Davidson Dyna Superglide Sport, and Flores rides Valkyrie interstate 1500 CCs.
Profile Brianna Neese By CAITLIN CONNOR
E
ven at a young age, Brianna Neese was quite interested in art. As she has gotten older, and her artistic abilities have grown, Briana’s passion for art has stayed constant throughout this process. Q: When did you start really getting into art? A: I mainly started art in third and fourth grade, just because my dad was a sculptor and he was really into art. So I kind of just infused it into my own life and ever since then I’ve just really liked it. I’ve taken art classes ever since then. Q: What’s your favorite color? A: My favorite color would be purple. Q: What different forms of art have you done? A: I’ve experimented with ceramics,
sculpting, metal sculpting, painting, oil acrylic, drawing, watercolor, oil pastel and just sketching. Q: You’ve experimented with so many different mediums of artwork, what would you say is your favorite? A: I really enjoyed the metal sculpting class I took. But I really enjoy the control of the paintbrush where as sculpting in 3D is a lot harder for me. Q: Are you currently enrolled in an art class at Laguna? A: Yes, I’m in advanced drawing and painting. Q: Do you wish to continue art in college? A: I am probably not going to major in art in collage, but just because I enjoy doing it so much I will probably carry on doing at least one art class every other semester.
Noozhawk Publisher Speaks to Journalism Class By JEFF NELSON
T
he journalism staff was fortunate enough in early January to have former LBS parent [Kristen ‘10] and Noozhawk founder and publisher Mr. Bill Macfadyen talk to them about the challenges of advertising for publications. Prior to launching Noozhawk in 2006, Santa Barbara and Goleta’s community on-line newspaper, Macfadyen was the co-founder and editor and publisher of the South Coast Beacon, a weekly community newspaper that made its debut in 2002. Mr. Macfadyen shared insights that he has gained from his experience in the field of newspaper advertising. He told the staff that his current organization is completely reliant on to financially survive. When talking about funding his company, Macfadyen said, "It all comes back to advertising... if we don't have money then we don't exist." Macfadyen has done well with his advertisers, as they initially knew that online news and media was an upcoming phenomenon that needed to be funded as readers are more and more looking to the internet for news, specifically local news in Macfadyen's case. Coincidentally, while Mr. Macfadyen was discussing various ad positions on the Noozhawk website, journalism staffer junior Jess Davis shared with him that she and fellow journalism student and Business Manager, Olivia Berci, recently purchased an ad on Noozhawk for their non-profit dance
organization, Everybody Dance Now!. The biggest tip Mr. Macfadyen had for the staff is that they have to be self-sustainable and productive. In addition, he explained that connections are essential. "Just look around campus and see what products are there... advertise to companies that have a strong base at the school already." For example, students could find popular shops in Santa Barbara which many students already go to, such as Wendy Foster or Lululemon, and make a pitch to the respective store. It is easier to make such a pitch with an already strong base at school so the store can calculate a potential profit compared to the relatively cheap price of a Fourth Estate ad. "When it comes to sales, you simply have to be entrepreneurial," Macfadyen added.
WikiLeaks:
Advertising in Public Schools, a Controversial Change
The Privacy
BY HELENA DAVILA
F
Problem By FLETCHER SIPPLE
P
ARTIST: JULIA KENT
more harm than good. “I think that it’s sad that they’ve been forced to go that far to get funding and its a fierce line that the schools have had to go to this extent to find funding,” said sophomore, Clarissa Coburn. There is a fine line to walk between fund raising and introducing aggressive visual noise. Students are flooded with advertisements from the minute they wake up, to the second they go to sleep. Advertising in schools is a slippery slope. “Introducing advertising in public schools is a huge mistake,” sophomore Caitlin Connor says “the advertisements will detract from their overall education.” If these sanctuaries are not protected and respected, media-free schools will soon become a thing of the past. Imagine attending classes in a school plagued with exterior me-
dia. You ride the school bus to school advertising law firms on its sides. Enter school, and become inundated by the posters lining the halls advertising fast food, the latest jeans, and health care. Open a text book, and each page contains ads, media; trash. Unwanted and excessive visual noise only detracts from the focus necessary to succeed in school. “I think it’s bad to advertise in public schools, because student’s full focus needs to be on their school work, not advertisements,” sophomore Karinna Carrillo said. It is very possible that student’s will grades begin to plummet due to distractions caused by external advertising. As a result, schools will be forced to use their newly raised money to help pay for more educational assistants to help the now struggling students.
Think of watching a movie on television. The constant commercials slowly begin to detract from the movie itself, creating a seemingly disjointed movie watching experience. Now, think of watching a rented movie. A movie free of any advertisements. Now, you can focus, easily follow the plot line, and remain engaged and interested in the film. Apply this concept to school work, and the result is inevitable. Introducing advertising into schools is a short-sighted mistake. The long term repercussions of such short sighted notions will surely end up costing more in the long run in time, money, and man power, than any money gained through advertisements. Isn’t it time to re-think advertising in schools, before it’s too late?
GRAPHIC: JULIA KENT
or years, pre- student’s focus and sucschools, elemen- cess are compromised? America’s children are tary schools, high schools, and colleges have already bombarded by been sanctuaries; bub- commercials and adverbles of education insu- tisements on a daily bases. Schools are one of the lated from the media and noise of the outer world. few places that manLately, with tight age to remain free of school budgets, teacher the clutter and noise furlough days, and dwin- of the exterior world. On average, Ameridling funding, public students spend schools throughout the can percent of country have been forced twenty to change their outlook their time in school. The other eighty peron external advertising. In years past, adver- cent is polluted with advertising. tising in schools has constant By introducing adverbeen strictly banned. Schools were insulated, tising in schools, students strictly reserved as an ad- will become distracted vertisement free learning by advertisements and environment for students. media irrelevant to the Recently, however, learning environment. Many may argue that schools in areas such as Arizona and Massachu- current generations have setts have been forced become “expert multito consider allowing ad- taskers,” equipped with vertising to penetrate the the skill set to accucarefully guarded bor- rately complete several simultaneously. ders between their pub- tasks Howevlic schools er, contrary and the exYet, what to popular ternal world. happens when belief, reM a n y schools have schools become cent studfrom begun to ten- so riddled with ies Stanford tatively introduce ad- advertising and University suggest vertising in media that a their schools student’s focus otherwise. Studies in places such as their and success are show that school buses, compromised? Generation Y, in fact, hallways and multitasks classrooms. no better The ads are estimated to bring than any other generation. Participant’s accuracy nearly $1,000,000 in the coming year, accord- rates decreased an avering to Times Magazine. age of forty seven perThere is no doubt cent while multitasking. As schools throughout the added revenue will greatly benefit the the country are gradually schools. Yet, what hap- infected with external adpens when schools be- vertising, the visual noise come so riddled with ad- bombarding the students vertising and media that within will clearly do
Ignorance is Not Bliss:Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell By OLIVIA BERCI There is a strength and validity in the truth that has been misunderstood and untapped by our United States Defense forces. On December 18, 2010, the U.S. Senate repealed the ban on gay and lesbian men and women serving opening in our military, concluding a 17-year controversy. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell forced over 14,000 Americans from serving our nation and oppressed thousands of others to keep their sexual orientation in unspoken confidence. I feel a sense of reverence towards my nation for realizing the discrimination that they so ignorantly sanctioned, but mostly, I am just confused as to why it took so long for our government and my fellow American people to recognize the wrong
in asking so many of our the ultimate sacrifice, fellow citizens to keep these men and women under-wraps an inherent were not only asked, part of themselves. but encouraged, to lie I have learned that it about who they are. is important to study all These men and women sides of a story, but, in this case, I cannot accept nor What is on the bring myself to respect inside is what a varying point of view. counts. Laguna Blanca Treat others the Dean of Students, Mr. Hodges, says, way you would want to be treated. “Laguna Blanca’s Be yourself. policy is to not Why shouldn’t discriminate based on sexual orientation.” the mantras that At Laguna we learn governed schoolyard through history that play apply to our discrimination is wrong. adult world? Why should our government be struggling with a concept are unbelievably brave that is to us so clear? and selfless, yet we treated American citizens who them as second-rate. have risked their lives to Don’t judge a protect my family, my book by its cover. friends, my classmates, What is on the and my teachers have inside is what counts. been treated as though Treat others the way you they are inferior. would want to be treated. In response to making Be yourself. Why
shouldn’t the mantras that governed schoolyard play apply to our adult world? This world is muddled by severely more complex issues than the world of tunnels and bridges we used to create in the sandbox, but the Golden Rule needs to still apply to the decisions we make. Laguna Blanca Students for Soldiers Club founder and president, Kai Gamble, says “Everyone has the right to serve their country, and being homosexual in the military should be perfectly acceptable. I believe that this generation, if not the next, is very accepting, and, though it will take some time, we will be willing to accept gay service members into the military much like when we integrated our military in the late 1940s. A good soldier is
based on courage, loyalty, and selflessness, not race, gender, or sexual orientation.” A vote of 65 to 31 reversed the ban—a reversal that will be written down in history as an act of great justice. However, the justice in this correction should not be glorified. It should be respected and commended, but we cannot forget the wrong that we committed for over 17 years. I am proud of my nation for realizing the inequity and discrimination that they perpetrated, and to the 31 who voted against the repeal: I challenge you to overcome your discomfort, and I dare you to question the power in truth—a power that will fortify our American fighting forces and better the virtue our people.
erhaps there is no better example than that of Wikileaks, the website which has been publishing the gobs of secret military and department of state files, to serve as an expose on how the internet is making us rethink our assumption of privacy, security, and information safety. Wikileaks has come under serious heat from every government in the Occident and then some. Wikileaks claims they are providing information which, they easily got a hold of, to the world. They are journalists, and they are spreading knowledge to the world. Needless to say, the United States Department of Defense couldn’t disagree more. The argument over who holds the moral high ground, the US or Wikileaks, is a debate for another place and time. What is pertinent, however, is how information technology namely the internet, the use of serves to house mountains of sometimes highly sensitive and classified information is revolutionizing our views on information privacy, security and safety. Arguing that the internet is no place for information one strives to keep secure or private and that given the internet’s and albeit technology’s vulnerability to hackers or even people just lurking around, one can’t say that surveillance online violates unreasonable search and seizure laws. While it is reasonable to assume that no one will be reading your emails between you and your cousin Joe in Florida, it is unreasonable to assume that someone wouldn’t have the ability to if they so chose. Information is just not safe online. Hacking is just too prevalent and the number of people with the knowledge to do so is exponentially growing every single day. Take a look on Facebook, if you hit it right, you will end up looking at pictures which a friend of a friend of a friend posted and you might just be able to see the entire album. It should come as no surprise that players from high school and college sports teams are suspended every year because of their irresponsible use of the internet, most notably last year at Ward Melville High School in Long Island, where members of the lacrosse team were suspended for posting pictures on Facebook which they assumed no one would see. The pictures, showing half of the lacrosse team’s starting line up chugging beers, cost the squad, which was ranked as the top high school team in the nation, a hearty slap on the wrist. There’s a disconnect in the minds of people, as the internet is more influential, people seem not to understand that saying something to your peer in class and posting it on Facebook or twitter lie in different ballparks.
What is the real state of the union? In the aftermath of the Tucson Shooting, America searches for a place to drop the blame and President Obama finds himself caught in a whirlwind of controversy as he struggles to make a decision regarding the Second Amendment and the issue of firearm control. BY ARABELLA WATTERS
W
hen Presi- shoot innocent victims, dent Ba- including a nine year old rack Obama girl and a district judge. Loughner was cleartook the podium for his State of the Union ad- ly mentally unstable. In other words, he dress amidst flashing lights and even more was a certified whacko. Maybe he listened to glaring expectations, he failed to address political rhetoric, but the topic which seems chances are he was anto be on everybody’s gry, delusional, and minds: gun control. looked for somewhere Quite frankly, how to place the blame. If the American pubcould it not be an issue on the forefront when lic is going to go so far just weeks ago a mental- as to blame Palin for ly deranged man stepped the shooting, then it into a crowd of innocent would be hypocritical people and opened fire, and wrong not to blame killing six people and our good old Comwounding twenty more, mander in Chief himself. Obama, in a campaign including Democratspeech in 2008, stated, ic Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords. “if they bring a knife to However, Obama the fight, we bring a gun.” That rhetoric is just as and his administration seemed to breeze past gun friendly as Palin’s the subject without even proclamations, but nobody is jumping up in a glance in their peripheral mirrors at the arms to accuse Obama American population, a of causing the shootings. The reason? majority of which is riled Because blaming one up, angry, and looking for a solution to the lack sentence uttered by our country’s lack of one person for the psysubstantial gun control. chotic breakdown of Whether you are for a another man is insane. It makes no sense. tighter rein on the Second That kind of thing is Amendment or looking for more freedom with probably exactly what firearms, Obama’s “con- President Obama was venient” omission was hoping to avoid by sneaki n g just that, around conveThat kind of the isnient and ridiculous scrutiny is political. probably exactly what sue of g u n P e r President Obama control h a p s was hoping to avoid in the Obama by subtly sneaking State was look- around the issue of of the ing for gun control in the Union a way State of the Union a d to avoid address. dress. intense With negativity which swarmed both par- the election approachties after the shootings. ing in 2012, Obama Like any tragedy, peo- is at a crossroads. Obama entered his ple search for a scapegoat in 2008 to place the blame on. campaign The web has been with a firm policy ablaze with accusations against gun violence. In his first two years of political rhetoric driving Jared Lee Lough- in office, he has dropped ner to the shootings. in the polls. Obama is Sarah Palin, the tar- extremely popular on get of much criticism both coasts; however, after her run for Repub- it is in the Midwest and lican vice president in interior of our coun2008, has been accused try where he struggles. That being said, acof causing impetus for the shooting because cording to a 2005 Galof her violent rheto- lup poll, gun owners are ric and “map” depict- more than twice as likely ing gun districts with a to be white as nonwhite, cross hairs in the corner. twice as likely to be male In a CNN poll a whop- as female, and three ping 35% of people times as likely to live in blamed either Palin’s the Midwest or South. Coincidentally, the rhetoric or the map for the shootings. While ad- Midwest and the South mittedly, Palin shouldn’t are where Obama’s polls be telling the Ameri- are faltering the most. Obama’s avoidance of can people “Don’t retreat. Reload,” or using the gun laws seems to the term “blood libel” be less of a coincidence in her rhetoric when and more like a delibershe probably is igno- ate time-waster created rant to its full meaning. to give himself a little It is grotesque and longer to decide whether completely ridiculous to he will stand by his own think that political rhet- values or flip-flop to aporic can cause a man to peal to more voters. Obama’s reluctake a 9 mm Glock and
GRAPHIC: JULIA KENT
A Strong Point of View: The biggest opponents in movements towards gun restriction is the NRA, which vehemently supports the Second Amendment and a citizen’s right to bare arms. The NRA was created in 1871 by two Civil War veterans , Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate.
tance to take a clear stance is somewhat understandable. While nobody knows exactly what goes one in our president’s mind, if Obama really believed in tighter restrictions for the Second Amendment he would have found himself between a rock and a hard place. According to data from United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, the United States has nine guns for every ten people, and even more frightening, nine out of ten homicides are committed with said firearms. That is an alarming statistic no matter what your stance is on gun control. Obama is probably wringing his hands in the Oval Office deciding whether or not he should have the audacity to stand up to the National Rifle Association, one of the U.S.’s biggest lobbying groups. While an NBC poll reported that 52 percent of the population believed that gun control laws should be stricter, there is no doubt that Obama is worrying about that other 48 percent who he could possibly alienate. There should be a smidgen of empathy for
Obama, but honestly he should decide on a policy he truly cares about and believes to be efficient. Though backlash from the NRA was imminent, New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg took a direct stance against firearm restriction, “Nobody thinks we should be out there selling guns to who are drug addicts or mentally deranged or are minors or have criminal records. And the laws on the books say you can’t. The difference is that Congress has been unwilling to fix it. Washington’s got to do that, and we call on the president to lead that charge the way President Johnson did.” Bloomberg’s nerve should be lauded and Obama should take a page from his book. I honestly don’t care how many citizens would be enraged about stricter gun policies; the wakeup call in this situation is the six people who were innocently killed by a maniac who conveniently had access to a gun. If Obama doesn’t feel strongly enough to make some policy switches, than I question his ability to make a solid choice about any policy, no matter how big or small.
Guns By the Numbers
Reported by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime
U.S. Presidents Assassinated by Gunfire:
4
(Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy)
U.S. School Shootings Since 2001:
57
(including Virginia Tech, the Amish School Shootings, and the Red Lake Massacre)
Percent Increase in Gun Sales Since Obama entered office:
12%
(most popular are assault rifles and handguns)
Sniff, Snort, and Swallow Getting a Little Extra Help By LILLIE HODGES Sometimes called it is easy to see how “smart drugs,” or “study contemporary teens are drugs,” or “cognitive en- more easily distracted hancers,” central ner- when it comes time to vous system (CNS) stim- focus. ulant medications like To combat this, more Adderall and Provigil are and more teens are beincreasingly being used ing prescribed stimuby students. lants to counter the afThe government regu- fects of even mild ADD lates stimulants almost and ADHD. However the as tightly as narcotics teens who are prescribed like Oxycontin and mor- these meds sometimes phine, because of the decide not to take them potential adverse effects because of the unpleasthese drugs can wreak on ant side effects. the body and the mind. Adderall, a “cocktail” Senior Arabella mixture of four different Weston-Smith said, amphetamine salts, was “I took Adderall for a first developed about 20 while and although it years ago and marketed really helped my ADD, under the name Obetrol it changed my behavior for weight loss and diet control. In 1996 the FDA approved Adderall When I was on it for “unrestricted use everyday, I could for treatment of Atnever sleep a whole tention Deficit Disornight. I completely der” and it is rapidly lost my appetite, and becoming the doctorI got to a point where preferred treatment I ate because I knew I of Attention Deficit needed to, not because Disorder in children I wanted to.” and teens. P r o v i g i l (Modafinil) is different from traditional too much. I hated takstimulants because it is a ing it – and now in my “wake-promoting” drug. senior year I only take it Approved in 1998 by the when I feel it’s necessary. FDA for the treatment of When I was on it everyexcessive daytime sleepi- day I could never sleep a ness associated with whole night. I completenarcolepsy, some clini- ly lost my appetite and I cal trials have found that got to a point where I ate Modafinil also boosts because I knew I needed alertness, memory and to, not because I wanted energy. to.” Growing up surroundAlthough Adderall and ed by computers, televi- Provigil might sound sions, and cell phones, like wonder drugs that
Taking an additional dose of cocaine:
“Beam me up Scottie”
can help students study for hours, whether or not they have attention disorders, the drugs can have a dark side. This is because they work by artificially boosting levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, sometimes called “the body’s feel good chemical.” According to Psychology Today, “Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers. Dopamine also helps regulate movement and emotional responses, and it enables us not only to see rewards, but to take action to move toward them.” Making more dopamine available in the brain creates feelings of pleasure, and that is why stimulant drugs can be habit-forming and even lead to abuse, according to Martha J. Farah, director at the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of
Pennsylvania. Farah has studied the use of stimulant medications on college campuses and collaborated on writing a recent commentary in the journal Nature. In the article, Farah describes a college survey in which as many as 25 percent of students on some college campuses have used these stimulant study drugs in the past year. She says she understands the drugs’ appeal because they do measurably increase concentration and motivation. This is what makes studying for hours on end, or any kind of intellectual work, more engrossing and more rewarding. Even though prescribed stimulant medications like Adderall and Provigil may be much safer than recreational stimulant drugs like cocaine and methamphet-
PHOTO: ELLIOT SERBIN
amine, they all work by triggering the release of dopamine. Adderall and Provigil are designed to work slowly, and are mostly taken as time-released capsules, whereas drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines blast the brain with an intense flood of dopamine, and cause side effects like depression and anxiety when they wear off and dopamine levels suddenly crash. And all stimulants, even caffeine, affect sleep, which many scientists believe is the single most important ingredient to helping the brain absorb new information to memory. Randy Cohen, who writes a column on eth-
Street Talk
ics for The New York Times Magazine, said he couldn’t think of an ethical reason not to take something that would make you learn better. “If there’s a pill I can take, you take this pill and I’ll know French, you’d be an idiot not to take the pill,” he said. Cohen said because the goal in academics is to learn as much as possible, theoretically, study drugs should be made available to every student, if such a pill were safe. But that’s a big and unrealistic “if.” He said, “I think it’s a golden dream that there is a drug that is going to make it incredibly easier to learn. I wish it were so.”
Taking a hit of ecstasy:
Street names for Adderall:
Double Dropping, Flipping, Rolling, Raving, CuddlePuddling, Thizzing, E-tarding, Tripping
Beans, Christmas Trees, Bennies, Dexies, Speed, Black Beauties
PHOTO: ELLIOT SERBIN Silent Revolution: Cocaine use has remained steady in teens in the past decade. A cocaine addiction is extremely hard to shake because of the brevity of the high it produces. Treatments for teens could involve isolated rehab or wilderness programs to shake an addiction cold turkey.
Next in Line: Cocaine Takes Its Place in the Spotlight By ARABELLA WATTERS Cocaine comes with a lot of baggage. Known as the drug world’s most potent natural stimulant, the drug, which can be snorted, ingested, or shot intravenously into blood vessels produces a euphoric and addictive high. Cocaine connotates out of control partying, underground nightclubs, neat lines of white powder lined up carefully on marble tables. It brings images to mind of strung out, emaciated models, arrogant actors, bent and contorted artfully over tables, snorting the drug through their perfectly sculpted nostrils.
What cocaine doesn’t bring to mind, however, is images of teenagers, as young as fourteen experimenting at parties. It doesn’t bring to mind that thoughts of college students at some of the best universities in the world, sneakily and casually cooking cocaine in their dorm rooms. Unfortunately, in 2011, an age where the use of hard core drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, heroine, and methamphetamine has become ubiquitous, cocaine abuse has hit an entirely new high. Cocaine use peaked for teenagers in the 1980s, but has steadily been on the rise, remaining constant since 2001.
In a study at University of Michigan called Monitoring the Future, there was a 24 percent decrease in the use of illicit and recreational drugs. However, the percentage of high school seniors who admitted to using cocaine in the past 30 days has stayed stagnant since 2001. While this statistic might seem positive, all it really means is that teenagers are, and have been, using cocaine consistently in the past ten years. A prime example is the recent drug bust which occurred at Columbia University in December 2010. Columbia is a member
Rave on.
of the Ivy League and has long been known as one of the most prestigious and elite universities in the country. In the 2011 US Today National University Rankings, Columbia ranked number four, below Harvard University, Princeton University, and Yale University. It seems ridiculous to imagine that the rampant use of cocaine and other illegal substances is taking place at such a highly academically lauded university. The bust uncovered a drug ring called Operation Ivy League which was being conducted by five of the university’s brightest students. During the five-month undercover operation, police officers bought over $11,000 worth of cocaine, Adderall, LSD,
marijuana, and ecstasy encased in Altoid tablets from the students. This kind of behavior is not exactly what you would expect from America’s best and brightest. The drug ring at Columbia demonstrates the pervading nature of cocaine and other hard-core drugs; these substances have become common place. Cocaine, once a drug that only the damaged and desolate turned to, has lost its taboo and entered into the adolescent social scene in a way which hasn’t been seen since the late 80s. Cocaine seems to have lost the veil of fear which surrounded it for so long. A 2009 National Drug Threat Assessment stated that “the decrease in perceived risk suggests that adolescents are becoming less wary of trying cocaine, which may sustain demand for the drug in the near future.” The threat of overdose or loss of proper brain function seems to only be a glimmer in the modern teenager’s eye. Only speculation can point to the reason behind this. Maybe Generation Y and their constant need for new information has kept the demand for cocaine so steady. As a generation which has grown up constantly being fed technology, entertainment, and stimuli it seems logical that “Y” would have the itchy urge to move onto a new, more exciting drug. While marijuana will always be in the background, the exciting high cocaine produces could be just the thing to satiate Y’s constant need for distraction. Generation Y may be more successful and efficient than any previous generation, but their unyielding demand for excitement and diversion could prove to be just the thing which leads to their downfall.
What’s the Price of Getting High? With $100 you could buy: 33 Tall Lattes at Starbucks 2 Tanks of 91 Unleaded Gas 100 Sausage McMuffins at McDonalds OR 1 gram of cocaine
With $15 you could buy:
3 24 oz. Blenders 2 Lunches at South Coast Deli 1 Matinee Movie, Popcorn, Soda, and a Pack of Candy OR 1 tablet of ecstasy
With $10 you could buy:
1 Sandwich from Paninos 5 Issues of The New York Times 1 Album on iTunes OR 1 30 mg. tablet of Adderall
By CAROLINA BELTRAN
H
ead spinning, ear splitting, heart pounding beat after blaring beat and burning, blinding neon lights, thousands of hands thrown up in the pulsing, pounding crowd. We are the “electric generation”: techno lovers, grow stick bearers, neon wearers, music festival devotees, and remix makers. Senior Boo Goldmuntz says, “Raves and just big dance parties in general are fun because we all get to dress in crazy outfits and dance freely to really good music with thousands of other people who love the experience just as much as you do. It’s something our generation agrees on.” Throughout history, each generation has had its “niche.” For the 70s it was free love, the anti-war movement, and Woodstock. For
Gen Y it’s technology. And what better way is there to utilize our favorite gadgets than to produce our own music with them: techno. We celebrate the music we make with, essentially, huge dance parties, or “raves” and “ragers.” Senior Arabella Weston-Smith adds, “Raves are youths’ way of letting go and having fun. You’re in the dark surrounded by hundreds of people, with lights flashing and the bass pulsating. When I left my first rave I remember thinking, ‘I’ve just had the best time of my life tonight.’”
Although raves provide a “care-free” outlet for today’s youth, of course there are obvious downsides. Drug and alcohol use are extremely prevalent. Particularly ecstasy, or “Lover’s Speed.” Ecstasy stimulates the nervous system, so all those flashing lights and crazy beats? They’re even more intense. It makes nerve endings more sensitive, so at raves, you’ll see people rubbing against each other or moving bright lights in front of each others eyes. “I went to Coachella last year, so I saw a lot people just completely out of their minds. It’s a little unnerving seeing people act that way. It’s the only thing I don’t like about music festivals,” says senior Arabella Watters.
Ecstasy is most commonly taken in pill form, but for a “quicker high,” ecstasy can also be snorted or even injected. According to a study by Johns Hopkins University, researchers found that after just four days of use of the drug, effects were experienced up to 7 years later. While its hallucinogenic effects last up to six hours the side effects of “E” remain after the high: paranoia, insomnia, nausea, vision impairment, sweating and chills. Long term use of the drug can destroy the serotonin in your brain resulting in memory loss, inconsistent eating habits, sexual dysfunction, and exaggerated pain. But the most frightening thing about ecstasy is that an overdose can occur with just one use. “E” is oftentimes combined with other drugs such as mescaline, methamphetamine, codeine, dextroamphetamine, or PMA.
These dangerous “cocktails” can be fatal. Also, because each users nervous system responds to the drug differently, death can occur solely because you’re body cannot handle it. Hyperthermia, or extreme overheating, can kill a user within hours because the body cannot regulate its own temperature on ecstasy. Users drink water and other fluids to cool down, but can drink too much, which causes the brain to swell often resulting in a comatose state. While “raves” offer can freedom and unite thousands, rave culture is dangerous. “Because raves give people a chance to really let go, some feel as though there aren’t any consequences for there actions, and therefore
feel more liberated to do things one wouldn’t normally do,” says senior Kelsey Douglas. In moments of weakness or temptation, ask yourself a simple yet effective question: is this worth it? The choices you make in the heat of the moment can effect the rest of your life.
PHOTO: ELLIOT SERBIN
Helping Others While Buying for Yourself Five Products that Support Global Charities By: MORGAN RAITH
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e’re well into the new year, slates are cleaned, minds are cleared, and everyone gets a fresh start. While we are all watching our grades, our health, and everything else, it’s sometimes easy to forget about lending others a helping hand. We all need to refill our shampoo, or restock our closet with a new T-shirt. When we shop, we often go straight to the products that we are used to. We stick to our usual brands and everything else gets a blind eye, but, this year instead of just grabbing the usual items off the shelves take time to look closer at what you are buying. Many of the brands that we love have links to charitable corporations. Here is a list of products and their companies that give a portion of their proceeds to a variety of charities around the world. Now, when you chose a product for yourself think that you can also choose a forest to save, a child to keep in school, a cancer to cure, or an animal to protect from extinction.
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1. PAUL MITCHELL tea tree shampoo and other tea tree products help fund the American Forests Global ReLeaf Program. Find @ www.paulmithcell.com 2. For every purchase of one pair of TOMS ‘classic’ linen slip-ons or any other shoe TOMS will match your purchase and give one pair of shoes to children in need. $49.95 @ nordstrom.com 3. These pencil cases made from recycled rice bags are handcrafted in Cambodia and will help keep the artists’ children off the streets and in school $10.00 @ globalgoodspartners.org 4. A portion of
revenue from each Lacoste ‘classic’ polo supports Lacoste’s $2 million promise to help endangered crocodiles and alligators as a part of its Save Your Logo campaign. $79.50 @ lacoste.com $1.00 from each palate of L’OREAL Paris’ “color of hope” eye shadow goes to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. $8.95 @ lorealcolorofhope.com
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Style Profile Kate Burrows By: MORGAN RAITH
Freshman Kate Burrows looks flawless from head to toe in her own sophisticated feminine style with a vintage twist.
PHOTO: ELLIOT SERBIN
Q: Is there any fashion icon or designer who inspires you? A: “Twiggy.” Q: What brands do you like? A: “Deena and Ozzi and Kimichi Blue are my favorites.” Q: Where are your favorite places to shop? A: Urban Outfitters, Free People, and random vintage stores. Q: What kinds of vintage items are in your closet? A: “I have a vintage watch that was my mom’s and a vintage cardigan.” Q: What is the best loved thing in your closet? A: “I love my motorcycle boots.” Q: If you could bring everything into fashion from one time era which one would that be? A: “I would bring back the bohemian hippie style of the 60’s and 70’s.” Q: What is your most unique accessory? A: “My African bangles.” Q: What are your favorite seasons to dress for? A: “Winter and spring because I love to layer.” Q: How do you keep up with the latest trends? A: “I read Elle and Teen Vogue because they always have something new and exciting.” Q: What would you say are the best finishing touches to a great ensemble? A: “Lipstick and nail polish.”
PHOTO: ELLIOT SERBIN
Via Vai Pizzeria Trattoria A Tradition Worth Maintaining By: Olivia Berci
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Beginning with a side of Tuscan he red brick walls and light wicker chairs, the aroma of white beans for the table and the wood-fired pizzas. A Sunday Zuppe Del Giorno, Boscaiola Pizze night out, a local’s place—Via Vai for my main course, ending with Trattoria Pizzeria is a hideaway not to a scoop of hazelnut gelato, and be forgotten. There is a warm familiarity serenaded by the buzz of conversation, meal effortlessly pleased. that the dimly light ambiance, drippy the Via Vai is known for using natural olive oil, and crisp white linens at Via local produce, Vai seem to exude. which becomes Zuppa, antipasti, deliciously clear primi, secondi, Via Vai serves up an in their fish dishes pizze, dessert—Via authenticity that enforces a and berry tarts. Vai gracefully pulls knife and fork approach to The restaurant off a six course menu pizza and a napkin at hand. hosts a mixed bag with casual comfort. of customers. Via Vai serves up an The pizza-making authenticity that engages the enforces a knife and fork approach observation window to pizza and a napkin at hand. younger audience , the relaxed elegance As someone who frequented Via Vai draws in an older group, the low gleam nearly once a week from birth up until I of the heaters and contagious energy was 10 or 11, I have always been able to draws in the date-night couples. The food is neither over advocate for the family-friendly service. nor overpriced. An insiders’ memo to the 12 spiced Nestled quaintly in a corner in the upper and under crowd: pay a visit the pizzailolo in the kitchen. village, looking up at Santa Barbara’s It was not until this past foothills, attentive, gregarious service, January, however, that I was Via Vai is a tradition worth maintaining. reminded of my favorite dish.
Getting a Kick Out of Winter By: MORGAN RAITH
The California winter months don’t exactly call for snow shoes but on the Laguna campus students find distressed, embroidered, and buckled boots a good alternative to their warm weather sandals. PHOTOS: ELLIOT SERBIN & EVA DAVIS
By Jordan Shannon PHOTOS: CAROLINA BELTRAN
What’s on the Menu 1
+
= Lunch
1
= Chicken Tortilla Soup
Mixed Greens Salad
= Non-Fat Greek Yogurt
Mixed Greens Salad calories: 180, fat: 5g, carbs: 6g, protein: 1g
Non-Fat Greek Yogurt calories: 130, fat: 0g, carbs: 7g, protein: 10g Fresh Fruit Salad calories: 84, fat: 1g, carbs: 20g, protein: 5g
Fresh Fruit Salad
= Greek Salad
Chicken Tortilla Soup calories: 270, fat: 10g, carbs: 13g, protein: 15g
Greek Salad calories: 240, fat: 11g, carbs: 7g, protein: 5g Veggie Wrap calories: 250, fat: 6g, carbs: 30g, protein: 10g
Veggie Wrap
Eating Healthy For a Day:
An easy guide to follow for the new year By HELENA DAVILA Kick off the new year on a positive note by eating healthier this year. Pack your lunches with protein rich beans and meats, consume complex carbohydrates for fast energy, and always stay hydrated. Eating healthier doesn’t always have to be more expensive. Scour Costco for fresh fruits and veggies in large quantities, and visit your local grocery store for dried fruits and nuts in bulk packages. Make sure to drink one or two tall glasses of water with each meal, to keep your immune system up, and skin clear and hydrated.
Mid-Morning Snack
After School Snack
Trail Mix Dry roasted almonds with dried cherries Mix equal parts of almonds and half a cup of cherries for a healthful snack add a half a cup of cherries for a healthful snack.
Popcorn Popcorn is a fabulous low calorie snack that’s quick and easy to grab in between school and extra-curricular activities. Drizzle with rosemary and olive oil for a gourmet touch.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Greek Yogurt with Honey Fresh Strawberries and Flax Seeds Greek yogurt is a great way to start the day, as it contains 20 grams of protein and eighty calories in a single cup. Sprinkle flax seeds on top to boost your omega three’s and fiber.
Falafel Wrap Falafels are a traditional Middle Eastern food made primarily of garbanzo and fava beans. Pick these up at Whole Foods or Costco. Add quartered figs, cucumbers and taziki sauce and wrap in a whole wheat tortilla for a sustaining lunch.
Winter Salad Butternut squash and rotisserie chicken picked up from your local grocery add interest to an everyday salad. Dried cranberries and toasted almonds add a dash of crunch and sweetness.
PHOTOS: HELENA DAVILA
The Golden Globes Reviewed Another year of spectacular tradition at the Beverly Hilton, awarding the best of the best in Hollywood. By CAITLIN CONNOR Televised in over 150 countries and ranked as the third most-watched awards show, “The Golden Globes” just finished its 68th year. “The Golden Globes” have been held annually at the Beverly Hilton Hotel since 1961. The show is produced by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), a nonprofit organization that has received a lot of legal heat this year stemming from people connected with the show. Despite the court actions, HFPA managed to put on another incredible “Golden Globes.” The guests, including many of Hollywood’s biggest names, after arriving at the Hilton and walking the red carpet, sat down to dinner and to controversial host Ricky Gervais who kicked off the show. Tina Fey and Steve Carell- made light of the insulting remarks from the host and handed out the golden statues. “The Social Network” swept up four awards that night. Taking away top prize for Best Drama, and awards for Best Director David Fincher, writer Aaron Sorkin, and Best Original Score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Another big winner of the night was television favorite, “Glee.” The series, which is in its second season, scored big when it took away Best Television Series Comedy or Musical. Glee actress, Jane Lynch, who plays the mean spirited “Cheeri-
PHOTOS: WWW.GOLDENGLOBES.ORG Natalie Portman, winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama, Chris Colfer who was awarded Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, and Claire Danes who snagged the award for Best Performance by an Actress In A Motion Picture Made for Television pose for the cameras on the runways of the Golden Globes. os’” coach, won Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Mini-Series. Fellow actor, Chris Colfer, got the Best Supporting Actor Award. His acceptance speech was one of the most moving of the night. “I dedicate this most importantly to all the amazing kids that watch our show and the kids that our show celebrates, who are constantly told ‘no’ by the people in their environments, or by bullies at school. That they can’t be who they are or have what they want because of who they are. Well, screw that, kids.” Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama, went to Ms. Natalie Portman, who wore a light pink
strapless dress that covered her baby bump, inevitably won for her performance of a ballerina in the critically acclaimed “Black Swan.” The film has been surging at the box office as well, giving it the kind of presence that points to a very strong Oscar sweeping in the next couple of weeks. Melissa Leo and Christian Bale won Best Supporting Actress and Actor awards for their roles in the movie “The Fighter.” The classic boxing movie staring Mark Wahlberg. The movie is based on the true story about Micky Ward, who was a lightweight champion, coached by his drug-addicted brother, played by Bale.
“The Fighter” was the movie with the most to gain, as it was a late season release, but ended up getting six nominations. The HFPA after making many disconcerting nominations – such as Johnny Depp’s nomination in Best Musical or Comedy for his role in “Alice in Wonderland,” neither of which the movie is – corrected the night by giving its big award in the category to the movie “The Kids Are All Right” which had been highly favored by critics, also brought in the Best Actress Award for Annette Bening. However, the foreign language film nominee “Biutiful” from Mexico, which stars Javier Bardem and has a huge awards-season push be-
hind it did not win. Instead, the Golden Globe went to the movie “In A Better World” from Denmark. As the night started to wear thin, and as host Gervais seemingly disappeared. Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical went to for Jim Parson for his role in “The Big Bang Theory,” and Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical went to Laura Linney for her role in the new comedy “The Big C.” With Mr. Gervais’ disappearance, presenters were left out in the cold to fend for themselves. While some people fell flat without the help for the host, some went on without a flaw. Robert
Downey Jr. was one who swam, rather than sank, as he jokingly summed up the “show’s vibe” as being “hugely meanspirited.” He then continued with sexual innuendos towards the nominees in the category of Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical – Annette Bening, Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie, Julian Moore, and Emma Stone. “Toy Story 3” won for Best Animated Film, which was no surprise as it is on track to do extremely well at the Oscars. The HFPA made some other extremely surprising nominations, or nonnominations. For example, the nonprofit organization gave the extremely disliked and critically reviewed “Burlesque” three nominations, yet gave zero nominations to “True Grit,” a movie which is predicted to do immensely well at the upcoming Oscars. Michael Douglas, who is fighting his way through throat cancer, presented the final award of the night. The few times that Douglas did talk, he sounded good. He was recognized with a standing ovation. “There’s got to be an easier way to get a standing ovation.” The “Globes” foreshadowed some, while at the same time not predicting much at all. Last year the Golden Globe for Best Drama went to “Avatar,” which while it did pick up many Oscars, was not the BestPicture Oscar winner, which went to “The Hurt Locker.”
The iPhone Comes to Verizon By MONICA WATSON As many know, the iPhone has added Verizon as one of their carriers. However, it is anyone’s guess to see how this will affect AT&T’s distribution of cellular devices. Will AT&T benefit from this change, or will it take a downhill turn? How will the service differ? Will there be a significant change in price? These are just some of the questions being asked. As far as service goes, Verizon is more popular among cell-phone users in the US. Surveys routinely rate Verizon’s service as superior over AT&T, so a Verizon iPhone would seem like a simple decision. As for the prices of a Verizon iPhone, they are similar to AT&T’s iPhone. Because Verizon will only be selling the iPhone 4, the two models being sold are the 16GB version and the 32BG version. The latter will be sold for $300 while the former will be sold for $200.
Apple iPhone 4
Pros:
Thin and light: The BlackBerry Curve 8900 measures just barely more than a half inch thick. It is also 4.3 inches tall by 2.4 inches wide. High resolution: The 480 X 360 resolution creates a clean, crisp screen. Camera: The included 3.2-megapixel camera has auto-focus, a flash and digital zoom, giving it the ability to take great pictures
Pros:
Cons:
Multitasking: This feature makes it easy to switch between applications quickly and more effectively. Enhanced e-mail: The iPhone OS 4.0 now has the ability to view and manage messages by thread, and allows fast inbox switching and multiple exchange accounts. Enterprise: New security features include better data protection, mobile device management, wireless application distribution, and exchange Server 2010 support. Wireless connection: The Wi-Fi connection on the iPhone is very quick.
Bad coverage: The AT&T coverage tends to drop calls easily. Expensive: If you are purchasing an iPhone, you can get it for about $200 and $300 (for the 16GB model). Support: If you have an iPhone 2G or 1st generation iPod Touch, you will not be able to have as many features as the iPhone OS 4.0 or 3GS, the 3rd generation iPod Touches, or the 2nd generation models. There have been complaints on connectivity issues, and “missing” functions.
Cons:
BlackBerry Curve 8900
No volume up/down button: To change the volume on your BlackBerry, you must go to the settings and manually raise or lower it. No speakerphone: Many of the BlackBerry models do not contain the speakerphone. This creates inconveniences. Needs good Wi-Fi network for high-speed data access: The BlackBerry relies on Wi-Fi for its service.
PHOTO: SAMARA IODICE Ribbon Cutting: Council member Grant House and EDN! National Director Jackie Rotman cut red ribbon at the Breakdance Project opening ceremony
Breakdance Project Unites Community
On January 16, community members gathered at Harding Elementary School for the launch of Breakdance Project Santa Barbara (BPSB). The program was introduced to the community by Everybody Dance Now! (EDN!), a youthrun nonprofit that provides free hip-hop programs for young people in Santa Barbara who would otherwise lack the funds, parental support, or transportation to take dance classes. The EDN! Leadership Team, which includes three Laguna Blanca Upper School students, was inspired to introduce the program to Santa Barbara after Founder and National Director Jackie Rotman spent a summer volunteering in Africa and worked with a nonprofit called Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU). Over 150 people of all ages, backgrounds, and dance experiences participated in the launch of the Santa Barbara
By JESS DAVIS model of the program. The event began with an opening ceremony led by the EDN! Leadership Team. Anti-gang activist Babatunde Folayemi delivered the keynote address, and told the EDN! Leadership Team, “You girls have realized something that many of us as adults have not yet realized. You understand the power of giving back and you are truly making a difference in our community.” Other guest speakers for the ceremony included State Assemblyman Das Williams and Council member Grant House, who both spoke about the necessity of having positive outlets such as dance available to our youth. After the ceremony concluded, the group split into a series of workshops led by local breakdancers. Each workshop taught participants a new style of dance, including tutting, popping, waving, and ground work. “It was incredible to
see people from all different backgrounds--people who normally never would interact--dancing together, teaching together, and learning together,” says Laguna Blanca sophomore Olivia Berci. Olivia is the Assistant Development Director for Everybody Dance Now! and coordinated all press coverage for the event. After an hour of learning new moves, the different groups combined to form one breakdance “cypher circle”. Impressive flips, headspins, freezes, and windmills executed by experienced, older breakdancers were followed by equally crowd-pleasing tricks performed by young participants. “The event was everything I hoped it would be,” says Armando Cervantes, the Promotional Manager for the project and a skilled breakdancer himself, “We are looking forward to the next event!”
By LILLIE HODGES
I
n looking back at 2010, feelings of regret, love, astonishment and most of all awe come to mind. 2010 started off causing huge ripples in the world with the Jan. earthquake in Haiti. The Haitian earthquake was a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake, with an epicenter near the town of Léogâne, approximately 16 miles west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. By Jan. 24, at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater had been recorded according to BBC news. An estimated three million people were affected by the quake and a year after the quake the international aid has dried up but the country is still riddled with issues. Here on campus, the response to this tragedy was strong. We fund raised for Red Cross by promoting their text help campaign and also held bake sales that sent money to the local nonprofit organization Direct Relief International. The BP Oil Spill began on April 20, 2010 because of an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon that killed 11 men, injured 17, and began polluting the ocean floor with crude oil. After continuously pumping oil
5,000 ft below sea level for three months, the leak was capped on July 15. It is the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. It released 4.9 million barrels, or 205.8 million gallons, of crude oil. The impact of the spill still continues even after the well was capped.
title, the first time that a European nation has won the tournament outside its home continent according to USA Today. Host nation South Africa, 2006 world champions Italy and 2006 runnersup France were eliminated in the first round of the tournament. As always, the process of selecting the Time
movie showed the tech genius as a social outcast who devised a master plan to get girls by hacking and is a forerunner for Best Picture at the Oscars. The atmosphere surrounding the 2010 Winter Olympics, and its inclusion of foreigners, was also praised, with many seasoned
Katy Perry was all over the map in 2010, entertaining the masses as a guest judge alongside Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh during the British television show The X Factor, performed all over the world, and came out with her worldwide hit song “Teenage Dream.” Passion for renew-
It was a year filled with elections, earthquakes, accidents, iPads, ash clouds, and world sporting events. In attempting to pinpoint the standout moments for us in 2010, we narrowed it down to a key eight: the Haitian Earthquake, the Death of Any Irons, Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook, the BP Oil Spill, the Winter Olympics, Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream, Renewable Energy and Recycling, and the World Cup. Senior Arabella Watters started a student club to help raise money for the cleanup and families affected by the spill. She has raised over $500 so far and will continue her efforts through the rest of the year. The world was brought together by shared excitement for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. In the final, Spain, the European champions, defeated third-time finalists the Netherlands 1–0 after extra time, with Andrés Iniesta’s goal in the 116th minute giving Spain their first world
Person of the Year award was kept confidential, however many were suggesting the controversial Wikileaks founder Julian Assange would snag the award. It was eventually awarded to the less controversial Facebook Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. With the most “friends” in the world and being the world’s youngest billionaire, Mark Zuckerberg has basked in the lime light for years. Earlier this year the history of Facebook was depicted in the box office hit The Social Network. This
Winter Olympic observers and athletes putting the games near the top of the list of best ever Winter Olympics. “Approximately 2,600 athletes from 82 nations participated in 86 events in fifteen disciplines. Canada clinched first overall in gold medal wins on the second to last day of competition and became the first host nation since Norway in 1952 to lead the gold medal count. With 14, Canada broke the record for the most gold medals won at a single Winter Olympics” wrote the BBC.
able energy and recycling was not diminished in 2010. In spite of the global recession, which could have caused people to turn to cheaper and less environmentally friendly options, wind, solar, and geothermal energy sources continued to grow. While several big renewable energy projects are still on the way, the completion of various mega projects in 2010 has brought renewable energy to the forefront once again. Three-time world surfing champion Andy Irons died on Nov. 2. Irons was “arguably the
most dominant surfer of the early to mid 2000s” and “the only true rival nine-time World Champion Kelly Slater has ever known” according to ESPN. He died of a methadone drug overdose a powerful painmanagement drug. There are arguably more shocking events that were not included in the graphic. Thirty-three miners were trapped 765 yards underground in a mining accident in San José Mine. They were brought back to the surface after surviving for a record 69 days. Their stories touched the world, exemplifying the uniquely human capacity to hope and love in the face of death. Even as the American economy showed signs of a slow rebound, the recession continues to impact millions of Americans who remain “out of work, out of savings and nearing the end of their unemployment benefits” wrote the New York Times. In Afghanistan, the US troop surge and air strikes killed so many civilians the Afghan people viewed the US military and NATO as foreign occupiers. ARTIST: SEAN BURKE PHOTO: ELLIOT SERBIN
Santa Barbara county athletic round table scholar Athlete of the Year
Boys Basketball
Serbin, a senior with a 4.4 gradepoint average, is working on his seventh varsity letter, having run cross country for four years and also playing basketball for three seasons. He helped the Owls advance to the CIF cross country finals as a sophomore, and he’s continued playing basketball despite having recently dislocated his shoulder. Serbin has received such academic recognition as the Cum Laude Society and the National Merit Commended Scholar Award, and he’s also received the school’s David Elkin Character Award and Laguna Blanca Photography Award. “He’s had a lot of injuries and a tough go, but he understands the word commitment,” athletic director Mike Biermann said. “It didn’t surprise me that when he was injured, he didn’t miss practices, he didn’t miss games, he was there all the time. He’s a great teammate. “I just can’t say enough about the
Making a Break For it: Junior Logan Elder leads a fast break to score against Bessant Hill. Laguna boys basketball team has a winning record in league play and recently had an impressive six game winning streak. The team has an outside chance of making CIF playoffs.
Boys Soccer
PHOTO: JULIA KENT
character and work ethic, and how unselfish he is.” Serbin, who won a PIEA International Photography Contest in the portfolio category, was accepted into the Small Images Exhibition at SBCC’s Atkinson Gallery. He plans to attend Stanford next year. Reprinted from the Santa Barbara News Press
Spring Sports Preview By JEFF NELSON
Boys Volleyball With a strong base of 18 signed up for volleyball this year, the team is confident of winning league and possibly even CIF. Last season, the team went 5-1 in league and 9-6 overall. The varsity squad is now seeing six senior returnees and three new key additions. Captain and outside hitter, Spencer Dusebout said, “We will be looking to
push for a CIF title this year, and with the amount of talent we have this year plus the new coach we have, we think we can do it.” Led by captains Dusebout and Pascal Karam and new coach Dillan Bennet― who, though only 19, plays on the USA Beach National Volleyball team―the team is looking for one of the best years yet.
Boys Lacrosse Deadly Defense: Junior Defensive-Back Tanner Dalton clears the ball to safety. The Laguna boys soccer team faced tough competition this year in the Condor League, battling powerhouses like the Cate School, and Division-2 Coast Union School.
Girls Soccer
The past two years have been tough for the boys lacrosse team, as they have had barely enough players to make a team. Previously lacrosse has seen 20 to 30 players, but last year there was on average only about twelve players. Consequently, the team had barely any substitutes, if any at all. On the bright side, the team was actually very successful last year, going 7-2, even with only one remaining senior by the end of the year. Thus, the team is very positive this
year. The current players are senior Fletcher Sipple and junior Cameron Matthews who are both in contact with college lacrosse teams. The rest of the team has a lot of experience and talent. Captain and Defense/Midfielder Sipple said, “We are a good team this year; we are short on numbers but that has been typical for the last few years. We are extremely talented which will help us compete against the better teams in our league even if they outnumber us in players.”
Boys Tennis Losing only one senior, Max Hong, the tennis team is expecting to win a lot of their matches and don’t think the loss of Max will hold them back much. There will be about 15 playing, slightly more than last year. They have played a lot over the summer together so they will be much
practiced. Justin Shand said, “We are hoping to beat Dunn and Thacher and hopefully even make it to CIF.” Coach Trevor Thorpe has been working one on one with most of the players since last season, so he plans to see great results.
Girls Lacrosse
The girls had a good season last year, but it was tough playing games with such small numbers. They would often have to play without subs or even man down. Luckily, this year they are expecting a much greater turn out and are hoping to have a winning season.
Coach Jillian Boyd, is also the UCSB womens Lacrosse B team coach, so she has a lot of experience as a player and coach and is very enthusiastic. Midfielder Morgan Raith said, “I hope that [Jillian] will stick with us so we can really get Laguna's womens lacrosse team taken seriously again.”
Coed Golf Fast Feet: Senior Lauren McAlister fights for a 50/50 ball versus Cate. McAlister has been a starting mid-fielder since her freshman year, scoring and assisting countless goals. Laguna girls varsity soccer has had a good season so far, having won three out of four league games. If they make CIF, they hope to have a successful run. PHOTOS: ARABELLA WESTON-SMITH
The golf team has only lost one match in the past five years. They have obviously maintained a high level of play, especially with Tommy Mullaney and Niall Platt. Niall is now playing at Notre Dame. They are going to have to do some restructuring without those two players, but they are seeing a large influx of talented freshmen who will keep the team strong for the next four years.
Captain Marshall Alex said, “The Owls golf team is looking to continue our level of play near the top of the Condor League this season with many freshmen bringing new talent to the links and, of course, as always, coach Ace will lead the effort.” Dunn will be stiff competition again this year for the team, as they have a young golfer who is apparently not too far off from Niall’s skill level last year.
Amanda Schulenberg & Troy Ritter Make All Team CIF Quarterback Troy Ritter
Outside Hitter Amanda Schulenberg
PHOTO: ARABELLA WESTON-SMITH
Sophomore Zoe Serbin blocks a shot during the recent game against Thacher.
Bouncing Back: Girls Basketball Rebuilds
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PHOTO: CROSBY HARBISON
PHOTO: WARD RITTER
Junior Quarterback Troy Ritter led his team to the second round of the CIF playoff this year, a feat never before accomplished by an Owl’s football team. Troy has had an all-star season. Troy’s QB ratings would put him as a top 10 NFL passer and top 13 in the NCAA on a prospective basis. Senior Stewart Green said, “Troy was a good quarterback, and a great leader.” Fellow player Chase McAdams said, “He was very steady with his passing game, even though he is one year my junior, I enjoyed playing with him because I knew he was always going to make the play happen...I felt that I could depend on him.” Ritter performed so well this season he was selected to the First Team All-CIF, cementing him as an outstanding quarterback in the Condor League.
Amanda Schulenberg has been all over the pages of The Fourth Estate since her freshman year due to her standout performance on the volleyball court. Now, she’s back on Page 15 for another reason: she got voted First Team All-CIF for girls volleyball, one of high school sport’s most prestigious awards. Santa Barbara has long been a hotbed for volleyball recruiting and serious volleyball talent. Making First Team CIF, especially in the highly competitive Southern California volleyball environment, is no easy task. Amanda, who was also a team captain this year, consistently lead the team in offensive point only adding to her earning the position on the All-CIF Team.
The Fourth Estate’s All-Star Picks
Here at the Fourth Estate we’ve been watching the performance of Laguna’s student athletes and we’ve have decided to pick our favorites, by grade, across all sports.
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Clara Madsen: Clara’s got a bright future with the Owls. Anyone who witnessed games this season can attest to her abilities on the court. Most notably, her back-to-back “Aces” in CIF play at home.
Joey Eckert: Arguably one of the football team’s best players, Joey served as both running back and linebacker in his debut season. Joey’s gritty, aggressive and physical play put him above the rest.
Chase McAdams: 6’ ft. 230 lb. captain and defensive lineman, Chase McAdams held down the fort for the Owls this season on the gridiron. Chase, who recorded countless tackles this season was a force to be reckoned with.
Andrew Vignolo: Probably one of the most athletic freshmen, Andrew’s size and length complement his abilities. Andrew helped lead the Owls football squad to a historic season. Look for Andrew to produce in the years to come.
Marla Bonser: One of Laguna’s best runners, Marla held the flag for the Lady Owls during Cross Country. Typically placing in the top ten during the cross country season.
Cameron Matthews: Fans of Laguna lacrosse need to watch for this player. Coming off a great summer and fall of club play, Cameron averages 70 percent at the facing off against the country’s best talent. He’s also getting looks from schools such as Penn and Amherst.
Lillie Hodges: A captain this season for Amanda Harvey: A girls varsity the volleydominating force on the ball team. Lillie brought volleyball court, Amanda leadership, experience has the power to change and skill to the roster for games because of her ex- the Lady Owls. ceptional athleticism and volleyball IQ.
The Sport of Stereotyping: Sexist Norms
B
By ANASTASIA ANTONOVA
esides the aca- on our website. stage to classical music. The only sports that demics, there’s Bryana Schantz, a balsomething every are co-ed are cross- let student at Gustafson student at any school country, track, and golf, Dance, explains how she essentially being the only feels about dance and completes. Whether on a school sports that don’t involve what she thinks it has team, league, or inde- any contact. become linked with: But sexist rules and pendently, everyone does “Dance is much more stereotypes don’t stop than just tutus and tiarsome sort of a sport. But unlike our academ- once we’ve left the locker as. It is a physically chalic life at Laguna, our ath- room for home—there lenging sport for both letic life is separated into are certain norms that girls and boys to express not only present them- themselves.” boys and girls teams. Although I wouldn’t selves in the outside Yet just because ballet argue that basic gender world but also dictate the is a female-dominated differences has made sport, doesn’t mean us separate our sports, that there aren’t “Dance is much more but in a modern age, plenty of malethan just tutus and high school girls dominated sports, should have the same tiaras. It is a physically including wrestling opportunities as boys challenging sport for both and football. and vice versa. Any adolescent Usually, the most girls and boys to express who has the drive themselves.” recognizable sexist to break into a stestandard in athletics is reotyped sport by contact sports for boys joining in will not turn into non-contact sexism that is happening only have to immensely sports for girls. Lacrosse, at our school on a small- prove him or herself, baseball, and football are er, teenage level. but endure the incessant While the general teases, as with anything three that instantly come sports that are domi- a teenager does that’s to mind. Of course, the sheer nated by men tend to considered “different”. size of Laguna couldn’t be aggressive and vioWe need to blur the give us unlimited op- lent, women-associated straight that we have tions, yet there are sub- sports correlate to be- created, in and out of the tle differences in the way ing graceful and looking education system of athour sports are planned beautiful. letics, and create an athFor example, ballet, letic department where out: Girls play softball instead of baseball and is often thought of as a stereotypes about who there is no boys’ football “wimp” sport for girls plays what and how we equivalent for girls listed who are just tiptoeing on play don’t exist.
By ZOE SERBIN
his year as the girls varsity basketball team suit up, their group is committed and competitive. They’re setting their sights on repeating their Condor League Championship from last year and making CIF playoffs. However, with Caroline Pickett, Krysta Brown, and captains Natalie Nomura, Julia Kent, and Amanda Schulenburg leaving for college next year, concerns over strength of the 2012 season loom in the near future. “It definitely frightens me a little bit,” said coach Chris Foster. “We’re losing 4 starters and 5 players, so there is a little bit of a panic.” “They’re all awesome and so important to the team,” said freshman Autumn Van Diver. “It’s hard because I’ve grown up with almost all of them, and they’re all such supportive team members. They’re really good at mentoring younger players,” said junior Eva Davis, who has been in school with Nomura, Kent, and Schulenburg since kindergarten. Remaining on the team are freshmen Autumn van Diver and Lauren Mounts, sophomores Marla Bonser and Zoe Serbin, and juniors Eva Davis and Kimiya Mashhoon. Each of them will have to step up and
become a more integral and important factor of the team, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. “I’ll miss the basketball team, but I know that next year the returning girls will be able to step up and win! Each one of them is going to have to fill a new position, but I know they’ll be able to do it,” said Nomura. “Just like any other year the returning players need to take it up a notch. But I come from coaching JV, so I’m used to losing all of my players, not just 4 or 5. It’s nice to have half of the team coming back,” said Foster, who remains optimistic about the following season. “All of the seniors have faith that the team will be able to step it up when we graduate. With our new coach, I know that they will be dedicated and have the confidence to reach all of their goals,” said Brown, the Owl’s leading rebounder who averages 12.6 boards a game. Foster is hopeful that next year’s freshman class will bring in some new promising players. “It’s rare you have incoming freshman come in and immediately be a stand-out. If we could get another year like this senior class we’d be set,” said Foster, who plans to integrate the new players into the team over the summer of 2011.
By ZOE SERBIN PHOTOS: ELLIOT SERBIN AND EVA DAVIS
CUTEST COUPLE: Maddy S. & Parker L.
NEXT POTE NTIAL COUPLE: Nadia B. & M arshall A.
FRESHMAN: Michael Reyes
FRESHMAN: Kate Burrows
MOST LIKELY TO BE MARRIED: Olivia L. & Julian M.
TEACHER COUPLE: Pointer & Shertzer
BEST HUGGER: Boo Goldmuntz
SOPHOMORE: Eddie Conk
SOPHOMORE: Chanelle Janssens
BIGGEST HEART: Ms. McCord
JUNIOR: Logan Elde r
JUNIOR: Jess Davis
SENIOR: Kevin Drew
SENIOR: Kelly Furukawa