October 2012 Issue

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

Volume XIX

Upper Campus Goes Digital

Friday, October 26, 2012

www.thefourthestate.net

Jogathon Fundraiser Reaches New High

“I love the new iPad program.

To me, it not only utilizes the exciting and new technology of our generation, but it puts all of our studies into one convenient device. It’s really exciting!”

-Maya Christian

Laguna Logs On

By JESSIE DUSEBOUT

By OLIVIA BERCI

By KAYLEE STRACHAN The digital age has arrived on the Hope Ranch campus.

15 new iMac desktop computers were purchased and installed in the Kalfas Computer Lab, programs were updated, and English, math and science classes were outfitted with iPads.

“I think [the Mac lab] is a great addition to the school because most people have Macs at home so it is a good transition,” sophomore Rebecca Brooks said.

The iPads are on loan to each student for an entire year to be used at school as well as at home.

“I love the new Macs because they are so organized and easy to use!” said Sammi Schurmer.

At the end of the year, faculty will discuss the use of iPads for instruction in classes to measure for future purchases.

Dr. Charles Donelan’s English seminars/digital nonfiction classes are one of the classes using iPads.

Students in his classes took a week to make an “accountability contract” and come up with a “change plan.”

“The iPads are going to bring everyone together in virtual meetings: facetime, messaging, email, etc.”

Longtime Mac-user Maya Christian said, “I love the new iPad program. To me, it not only utilizes the exciting and new technology of our generation, but it puts all of our studies into one convenient device. It’s really exciting!”

Math teacher Mr. Paul Chiment’s Advance Math classes are also using iPads.

They have digital textbooks as well as apps to show three-dimensional graphs, among other things.

Issue 1

PHOTO: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA

L

ower School students poured out of buses and cars, Upper School students rushed out of their classes and down to the field, music blasted, decorations were up, and the jogathon began.

The all-school event on Oct. 12 started with Headmaster Paul Slocombe, speaking about Laguna’s new slogan ‘NOW’ and what it means to the school’s community.

Lower School students followed his speech by singing The Star Spangled Banner.

Students then to took their places on the track.

Each student wore his or her “NOW” Laguna Blanca T-shirt and carried Laguna backpacks.

Each class had an opportunity to yell as their grade was called over the loud speaker.

Dash and Splash: (Above) Luisa Cameron, Phoebe Madsen, and Darwin Miguel take a turn on the track during the jogathon. (Below) Senior Bella Taron

Continued on Page 3

PHOTO: HELENA DAVILA

Students Rush to Sign Up during Club Fair Event

By ALLISON TOWBES Students crowded around the brightly colored booths, perusing the informational posters while hearing about clubs on campus during the annual Club Fair.

Club leaders eagerly spoke to the student body, aiming to gain new members.

This year, the gaggle of students was larger because, for the first time, seventh and eighth graders were invited to join clubs with the Upper School students.

A week before the Club Fair, assembly coordinator, Ms. McHale thought of the idea to invite the Middle School students.

“It was a serendipitous idea that presented itself while I was researching for the Surf Club,” she said.

Francesca Cameron, a seventh grader, was excited at the prospect of joining a high school club.

“I get the opportunity to be with my fellow students and friends with the upper-schoolers,” said Francesca, while she examined a sign-up sheet at one of the club booths.

The addition of Middle

Classes Disperse across the Golden State

School students into the club community has not only benefited the seventh and eighth graders, but many clubs have also profited from the increased number of members.

The entire seventh grade class signed up for the Book Club, a club led by senior Cassidy Shevitz that meets once a month to discuss books that members have read since the last meeting.

Eighth grader Shea Riley also took the opportunity to start his own club, Surf Club.

Youth for Direct Relief International is back for another year, as well as Interact Club and Warhammer Club.

Service for Soldiers also returned, with President Mitsi Gamble picking up where her older brother Kai Gamble ’12 left off last year.

“The Service for Soldiers club aims primarily to show respect and to give back to soldiers and veterans,” said Mitsi. “Nothing is more rewarding than getting a letter from a soldier overseas describing how wonderful it is to receive a letter from you.”

Portfolio, led by seniors Anastasia Anton-

Alumni Day

Former students Grades 10-12 travel to different corners return to their alma mater for the first of California for class trips. Page 3. annual Alumni Day. Page 4.

Living the Dream Freshmen welcome their newest foreign exchange student: Hunter Cong. Page 5.

Smile for the Camera!

The College Board’s latest requirement for SAT admission tickets is investigated.

Page 6.

Silvergreens Makes Its Debut

2012 Presidential Election

The latest lunch program is up and Obama or Romney? Choosing the best running on both campuses. Page 3. leader for this country. Pages 8-9.

ova and Zoe Serbin, is back as well.

This year the members of Portfolio, the school’s annual literary magazine, are working on creating an entirely student-made magazine.

New arrivals include Save the Whales Club, a group dedicated to raising money and awareness in an effort to protect sea creatures; Investment Club, students who are hoping to learn

how to work the stock market, and, eventually, donate the money they raise to charity; the Drama Club, a group of students who are working on making the performing arts fun and accessible for the Laguna community; and Halo Club, led by President Alex Hawker, who is also the president of the popular Warhammer Club.

Continued on Page 4

PHOTO: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA

While senior Eli Bittleston takes his seat in Santa Barbara, CA, his classmates take their seats across the country—in Boston and New York—and across the globe—as far away as West Africa and Vietnam. The students don’t enter the classroom through a door, but rather, they log on, entering a new type of learning portal.

Eli is one of a few students at Laguna enrolled in an online class this year. He is taking AP Statistics through the VHS Collaborative, a nonprofit organization that is changing the face of high school and middle school learning.

The organization’s vision is: “to remain the standard for online learning and to help all schools achieve the highest level of education for their students, preparing them to be productive citizens in a global world.”

The VHS Collaborative has adopted a new model of learning called co-synchronous e-learning, where a group of students and a teacher learn together in an online classroom. Even though there are scheduled assignments, they don’t have to be logged onto the course at any one time.

The VHS Collaborative claims that, “unlike all other forms of online learning, co-synchronous e-learning fosters collaboration, cooperation, communication, and community.”

Mr. Blake Dorfman, the Director of Online Learning at Laguna, says, “While nothing can replace that in person classroom interaction, this is the way of the future.”

In this virtual world of global collaborative learning, students progress together using web tools to gather and share resources, discuss concepts, comment on others’ ideas, and work together on projects.

The teacher, posts assignments, guides debate, and provides corrections and constructive criticism.

The organization’s goal in engaging students and teachers in a single class from across all sectors of the globe, is to foster a diverse environment that introduces a new range of perspective into the students’ learning experience.

Signing Up: Junior Chloë Brown joins the new Stand Up For Cancer club.

Fall Season Premieres Three new television shows premiere this fall. Page 10.

Keeping Busy

Continued on Page 4

A&E

The Multicultural Beat Takes the Stage.

Page 14.

Take an Afternoon

Students spend their summers travelling Where to Find the globe and landing new jobs. Page 11. Santa Barbara’s Hidden Gems.

Homecoming Page 15.

Football, varsity volleyball and The Best junior varsity Beans volleyball teams fight for the win The staff reviews over HomecomSanta Barbara’s ing weekend. best local coffee Page 12. shops. Page 16.

2

October 26, 2012

The News

The Isham Library and Nylen Academic Research Center Opening Soon

By CATY LAFITTE iPads, Macs, and a state-of-the-art coffee maker in the new Isham Library and Academic Research Center, are all part of the new ‘NOW’ Laguna.

Students gasped in awe upon returning to campus at the new iMac computers in the Kalfas Computer Lab. “It’s really cool that we get to use this equipment at school and that we get the chance to work with new technology this year,” senior Clarissa Coburn said.

The most talked about addition to the school is the renovation of the Isham Library and Nylen Academic Research Center.

The library has been under construction since the beginning of the summer, and will finally re-open in the next couple of weeks.

“I’m looking forward to relaxing and doing homework in the new library,” junior Hughes Williamson said.

“The new library is an effort by the School to be on the cutting edge technology wise,” new coordinator of Isham Library and Academic Research Center Mr. Blake Dorfman ‘02 said.

The library’s new additions include:

12 new iMac Apple computers, 10 Kindles loaded with eBooks, two 60-inch flat screen TVs, a multi-drink coffee machine, and new furniture.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the free coffee maker and a place to relax,” senior Brian Miguel said.

In addition to being the new librarian, Mr. Dorfman, who has a Master’s Degree in Education and a teaching credential in English, will be a tutor for students who need help with any type of writing they have.

Another special feature of the new library is a donation from Mr. Richard Nathan, the Social Science Department Chair, of a rare book collection, starting with “An Essay on Human Understanding” by John Locke, published in Philadelphia in 1818.

“The idea of a library is really evolving,” Mr. Dorfman said. “The rate of book checkouts since the rise of technology has sharply declined. When I was at school here, up until my junior or senior year, if we had a paper due, we would check out hard copy books that we would use to quote and cite in our papers.”

According to Mr. Dorfman, since so many students use the Internet to find information now, only one-fifth of the books that were originally in the library are returning to the shelves.

“Thanks to Dr. Revells [college counselor], all of the books that were in the library are still on campus in the old locker rooms. He spent all summer moving books, so they are all in order, so if any student needs a book, I can still check it out to them.”

Some of the books in the library have not been checked out since the 1970s or 1980s, so those books will be kept in the old locker rooms.

“We told teachers to put a small colored dot sticker on any book that they have used in the past couple of years or that they foresee themselves using, and it will be brought back up to keep in the library.

So, we still have our whole book collection but the new library is going to be really cool,” Dorfman said.

“I’m really excited for a cool and quiet place to get school work done and I can’t wait for the new technology in the library,” junior Quentin Tedesco said.

GRAPHIC: ZOE SERBIN

GRAPHIC: KYLE VAN DE KAMER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Daria Etezadi Dear Readers,

SENIOR EDITORS Anastasia Antonova Olivia Berci Caitlin Connor Helena Davila Jessie Dusebout Zoe Serbin

This time four years ago, all I could think about was how strange it felt to be in high school as one of the “big kids,” and at the same time, to feel smaller than ever.

Dear Reader, I always dreamed of being a senior in high school.

Their independence and self-sufficiency

seemed so glamorous -- I craved that identity, that stability.

Four years later, we, the Class of 2013, are it. And I’ve got to say, it’s everything I hoped it would be, and more.

But I wouldn’t have traded freshman, sophomore, or, yes, even junior year to reach this point any sooner.

As a freshman, I was a big bundle of excitement and nervousness. People around me kept talking about how high school gives you the chance to “start fresh” -- to abandon the identity bestowed upon you in junior high and to begin again with a clean slate. That year was a blur, but somehow, I emerged with a better understanding of who I wanted to be.

Sophomore year, I began to test the waters. I no longer avoided the senior quad, and I actually felt as though I had been adopted into the Laguna community. In a matter of weeks, this brand new world we had been thrown into suddenly started to seem accessible.

And then came the infamous junior year -- definitely the hardest year of my entire academic career. But I got through it in one piece-- we all did.

It’s just difficult because it’s the first year that the training wheels came off, for good. But while there’s always the possibility of falling, don’t forget that you can always pick yourself back up and keep on going.

Now, we all can stand up on our own two feet and own up to our new title as seniors. I can already tell that this is going to be an incredible year.

Through it all, I can confidently say that I have no regrets. I’ve finally come to understand that high school isn’t something you can plan for, nor is it something you can anticipate. You have to take each moment and give it your all because at the end of the day, all you’ve got is what you’re given.

PHOTO EDITOR Anastasia Antonova BUSINESS MANAGER Karinna Carrillo COPY EDITOR Kaylee Strachan ARTISTS Maya Christian Zoe Serbin WEB MASTERS Elijah Bittleston Edward Conk VIDEO EDITOR Miles Crist

Daria Etezadi

Editor-in-Chief

Student newspaper of Laguna Blanca School • 4125 Paloma Drive • Santa Barbara, CA 93110 • www.thefourthestate.net

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

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

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

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

Anonymous letters will not be published.

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

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

ism classes across the country.

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

Contact Karinna Carrillo at karinna.carrillo@gmail.com for information about advertising and subscriptions.

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

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

STAFF MacKenna Connor Alex Hawker Clara Hillis Scott Johnston Caty Lafitte Margaret Lazarovits Stephen McCaffery Jennifer Rezek Kaylee Strachan Allison Towbes Kyle Van de Kamer FACULTY ADVISOR Patricia McHale, MJE

The News

October 26, 2012

Students Embark on Class Bonding Adventures

By HELENA DAVILA

S

unscreen was While attending the The freshman class has p u r c h a s e d , camp, students were yet to take their class trip cameras were given the opportunity to due to scheduling issues, charged, lockers were complete team challeng- slated for mid-Novemlocked, and notebooks es while working with ber, their trip to Yosemwere packed. younger children. ite is much anticipated In an effort to help The senior class went by the students. each high school grade on the annual “Senior During the trip week level bond closer togeth- Retreat” to El Capitan when the rest of the stuer, each year high school camp site, where, in ad- dents were away, freshstudents in each grade dition to presentations men participated in their take a class trip own class bonding “It was such a great activities on campus that expands their learning beyond the and locally. time. Major senior walls of the class They visited Red bonding. It was room and into the Rock in Santa Baroutside world. just a great overall bara county, where This year, sophothey cleaned the hikexperience.” mores boarded ing trail and kayaked.

-Brian Miguel boats as they “I really enjoyed spent the week going to Red Rock team building, camp- from faculty on writing because it was fun to see ing, and exploring college essays, applying the water and go swimthe marine environ- for college, and finding ming,” Ashley Lecron ment around them on a senior project, they en- said.

Catalina Island. joyed intense battles of Bonding in “My favorite part [of charades, foggy morning Action: (Top Left) the trip] was wrestling hiking adventures, and history instructor Mr. spending lazy afternoons Juniors play a game in Shertzer in the ocean,” swimming at the pool. the woods. (Top Right) Carter Thicke said.

Faculty chaperones Senior boys reach high The junior class loaded also chatted with the sefor the ball. (Middle into buses and drove up niors and offered advice left) Sophomores laugh to San Francisco where on everything from seas they fall out of their they spent part of their nior photos to self diskayak. (Bottom right) time touring the cam- covery.

Freshman dishes up. puses of UC Berkeley “It was such a great (Bottom right) Seniors and Santa Clara. time. Major senior bondtrek up the hill to their Home base for the trip ing. It was just a great cabins. was Coastal Camp at Na- overall experience,” said tureBridge.

Brian Miguel.

THE FOURTH ESTATE RECEIVES NATIONAL RANKINGS

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hat started out with eight students in a one-semester academic journalism elective in 1994 has flourished into a highly competitive course.

Journalism and Advanced Journalism students produce the high school newspaper, The Fourth Estate, which is a nationally recognized high school newspaper in the Santa Barbara County.

Nineteen years ago, Ms. Trish McHale came on board as adviser to the Fourth Estate. Under McHale’s tutelage, her journalism staffs have won numerous national awards.

Recognition and awards for the paper and website for the 2011-2012 school year have been the most prestigious of all.

The Fourth Estate took second place in the 2011 National Scholastic Press Association Design of the Year contest.

Student work was featured in the 17th edition of “Best of High School Press,” NSPA’s annual publication showcasing the best student work from its member publications.

The online newspaper website, www.thefourthestate.net, was a Pacemaker Award finalist in its first six months.

The newspaper won a NSPA First Class Award with two Marks of Distinction for Leadership and Coverage and Content.

It also received a Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Gold Medalist Certificate earning 940 out of 1,000 points, an All Columbian Honors for Visuals, and a CSPA Silver Crown Award.

CSPA’s Gold Circle Awards recognize superior work by student journalists in its annual competition for individual achievement. This year it received 10,444 entries from either print or online media from collegiate and high school journalists and awarded 960 winners with either First, Second, Third Place, or Certificate of Merit.

Fourth Estate staffers received two first place awards.

Senior Olivia Berci received First Place for Op-Ed or news analysis page design: Portfolio of work and third place in the Personal opinion: Off-campus issue category.

Anastasia Antonova and Zoe Serbin took First Place in the Feature page design: Portfolio of Work category. They also received Gold Circle Awards in the single subject news or feature package, two pages, double-truck section.

Jessica Dusebout and Darla Etezadi took a third place award in News page design for their article “Bottom 1 percent takes the stage.”

Morgan Raith ’12 was recognized for her design, “Greetings from...senior projects” with a second place for Art/ Illustration: Hand-drawn.

Staff members travel to the spring national conventions to further their journalism skills and to compete in Write Off competitions. They are making plans to attend this year’s convention, which takes place in San Francisco April 25-28.

PHOTO: LAGUNA PHOTO FILE

Student Attends the Republican Convention

By DARIA ETEZADI We caught up with freshman John Puzder shortly after he attended the Republican National Convention.

Q. What prompted you to go to the National Convention?

A. “My dad is a big supporter of Mitt Romney, and he has been raising money doing whatever he can to support the campaign. He was invited to go and to bring one family member. He asked me. I went because I figured it would be a fantastic opportunity that I wouldn’t be able to take at any other point in time.”

Q. Who do you think delivered the best speech?

A. “I think Ann Romney did a great job delivering her speech because she has really no history in politics or

public speaking. She’s been a housewife during the time she would have had career. When she came out, she had a huge smile on her face and everyone knew that she was going to do a fantastic job; and to me, that was amazing!”

Q. Did that surprise you?

A. “Yeah! I thought it was going to be a lot less energetic. But most of the speeches, to be honest, were a lot more captivating than I would have imagined.”

Q. What did you think specifically of Mitt Romney’s speech? What did you take away from it?

A. “Well, I knew that he was trying to point out that he is a relatable guy because a lot of people think he isn’t – they think he is a cold businessman. All of the policies that he

was going to implement and all the things he was going to do as a president that would benefit our country, and why.

He explained how and why, which was really good, especially for people who don’t follow politics.”

Q. Did his speech or any of the other attendees’ speeches influence your own political views?

A. “Not particularly. My dad keeps me informed with everything political that’s happening. Whether it’s Mitt Romney or Chris Christie, he tells me what they’re saying in their speeches, what their beliefs are. So I knew what was going to go on.”

Visit The Fourth Estate online at www.thefourthestate.net for the rest of this interview.

Local Restaurant Transforms Lunch Program

By MacKENNA CONNOR

S

ilvergreens has transformed lunchtime with its delivery of fresh and healthy meals.

“I really think that they have stepped it up, and it is now an enjoyable experience,” sophomore Spenser Wyatt said.

The process of getting lunch is much faster because of the online ordering process.

To place an order, students go to the Silvergreens’ website, make an account, and order their meal at least two days in advance. The menu changes daily. Students can order for an entire month in advance.

Sophomore Martin Barnick said, “[The school lunch pro-

gram] is organized, quick, and it is easy to grab.”

The program appeals to a larger group of students because of its varied menu which includes sandwiches, salads, pastas and soups, as well as healthy sides like celery and peanut butter or pop chips.

There are also plenty of vegetarian options.

In reference to the menu sophomore Juliana Ozur said, “[The menu] is really big so you have a lot of choices and it changes daily.”

“It’s definitely better than it was [last year]. Silvergreens has really good food… I’m happy it changed,” said Ozur.

Last year’s lunch program was provided by Green ‘n’

Tasty, which consisted of a mobile kitchen.

The students would order when they got to the truck and the line was known to back up and take a really long time which left students less time to eat.

Spenser Wyatt said, “I think its much better this year, last year was fine .

This year is very good.”

PHOTO: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA

New Students Join the Nest to Become High School Owls ttracted by a serene Freshman Phoebe Madsen, campus and small who came to Laguna in eighth class sizes, 32 new grade, appreciates the fact that freshmen came to Laguna’s “you can kind of just go wherUpper School earlier this ever you want” in high school month, 10 of whom are new to compared to middle school.

Laguna, and the rest attended Already, this freshman is Laguna for Middle School. planning to participate in The sophomany sports, more class like volleygained four ball, soccer “The school is great. new classand lacrosse.

It is really friendly.” mates.

It is not -Sophomore Libby One sophouncommon Hasse more in parfor freshticular Libby men to get Hasse moved involved in here from an all-girls school in extracurricular activities at Sacramento.

Laguna.

She describes Laguna’s atFreshman Maddie Sokolove mosphere as “really relaxed” is planning to do the spring compared to her previous musical. school.

She “like[s] being [on] a She “enjoys the freedom” campus where all the grades provided by study halls and are intertwined.” free periods.

GRAPHIC: KYLE VAN DE KAMER

A

By MARGARET LAZAROVITS

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October 26, 2012

The News

First Annual Alumni Day Held on Campus

Students Participate in Online Courses Continued from Page 1

By KARINNA CARRILLO

I

n an effort to bring together Laguna’s alums and current students, Laguna held its first annual Alumni Day. Alums, ranging from the class of 1953 to the class of 2002, taught classes.

Those who returned to campus had the opportunity to attend classes and to teach a class while being able share their life experiences since graduating from Laguna.

Campus tours were also being offered all weekend long.

“Once an Owl, always an Owl,” said Blake Dorfman, class of 2002, as he looked back upon his time here.

“One of the great things about Laguna is that you do stay in touch with people after graduation.

PHOTO: LAGUNA PHOTO FILE

CHEERING THEM ON: Laguna alumni arrive to the Upper School field on a school bus to root for the boys’ football team during their Homecoming game.

So organizing this was pretty easy. I created a Facebook group, and we have around fourteen people coming back.”

Keeping the Laguna tradition alive, Math Department Chair Mr. Paul Chiment invited Mr. Yates Satterlee, class of 1953, back into the math classroom to teach a lesson.

Mr. Chiment’s students were given a history lesson while also being quizzed on math terms during their nor-

Santa Barbara Community Participates in Jogathon Continued from Page 1 “I couldn’t believe or knock the bottles with it was finally time for candy prizes. me to stand under the Drama club hosted a twelfth grade flag,” said new booth that allowed senior Olivia Berci. students to dress up and The Laguna track has get pictures taken that not seen so much life in were later posted on the a long time. drama club’s Instagram “I enjoy throwing account. water at people and Parents set up a Lathe little guna wear “Jogathon is booth where kids in their h e a d b a n d s a great way to clothing and were really tickets for cute,” said not just bond the catered junior Mitsi barbecue with your Gamble. sold. class, but the were For an “I love school as a being able hour students ran to interact whole.” around the with the track, all the -Olivia Avery younger kids while pourand watch ing water on them get fellow classmates. so excited about runEvery lap completed ning. It’s great to show was rewarded with an them around the activi“X” on the card on the ties booths and have fun student’s back. together. This year’s joFollowing the timed gathon was so successful run, students made their thanks to all the parents way towards the gym to who organized everyenjoy booths set up by thing,” said junior Grace various clubs and orga- Woolf. nizations on campus.

Jackets were put on, Each booth offered a blankets were set out unique activity for the on the grass, food was students to do. served, and everyone Henna and face paint- finished the night eating ing were offered. A pet- on the field with their ting zoo was set up, com- friends and family. plete with goats, a llama, “Jogathon is a great a miniature horse, and way to not just bond chickens. with your class, but with Other booths had the whole school,” said games like the ring toss sophomore Olivia Avery.

mally scheduled Advanced Math class.

Mr. Satterlee explained that when he taught at Laguna, he “wasn’t the head of the math department, he was the math department.”

Both Mr. Dorfman and Mr. Satterlee agreed that Laguna hasn’t changed much, in regards to what makes Laguna, “Laguna.”

The most significant change is the technological advancements. “We used to use sliders be-

cause we didn’t all have calculators! And now you all are using iPads! I can’t tell you what a difference that is!” said Mr. Satterlee.

Along with being able to revisit classrooms, alumni were also featured participants for the first time in Laguna’s annual jogathon.

Mr. David Silverander, class of 2001 and Laguna’s new cross-country coach, lead and organized the alumni team for jogathon.

Aiming to instill, “…a global perspective and a sense of global citizenship in students that is hard to find in local schools,” The VHS Collaborative’s “e-learning model reinforces the full range of 21st century skills today’s students need to succeed” “Students leave each VHS course better prepared academically, technologically, and globally to face the challenges of college and work in a 21st century world,” says the organization.

Junior Clara Madsen, who is taking an advance level of Spanish through the VHS Collaborative due to a scheduling conflict with her Spanish course on campus, said, “I can take Spanish on my own time, and I can do it at my own pace.”

While the VHS course teachers post regular assignments, in taking the online courses, the students don’t have inperson interaction to enforce their complet-

ing the work. Eli said, “You have to be responsible and get your assignments done on time.”

While The VHS Collaborative’s catch phrase is, “One Click. One World.

Infinite Possibilities,” does losing the in-person reinforcement present a limitation to the program?

The new partnership between Laguna and the VHS Collaborative is training the participating students to be successful in college.

Mr. Dorfman said, “in college you have to be a self-starter.”

“I looked at their past rates on the Advanced Placement Exams and their past rates for their students are well above the national average,” he continued.

Faculty plan to monitor the effectiveness of both the AP Statistics and the Spanish course Laguna students are enrolled in, and, if they prove to be successful, Laguna will expand the program next year.

Students Engage in Club Fair Activities Continued from Page 1 Also new is Healing Harmonies, with co-presidents Kaylee Strachan, Chloë Brown, and Kimberly Crickette, a group dedicated to bringing music to children in hospitals.

Similarly, the Stand Up to Cancer Club joined the Laguna community.

Co-president Rebecca Brooks said the Stand up to Cancer Club is about “raising money for research and to find the cure to cancer,” by reaching out to Laguna students to help make a difference.

Kimberly Crickette

and Grace Copeland, both juniors, also started a chapter of the Dream Foundation at Laguna.

Dream Foundation is a local organization that delivers wishes to people who are terminally ill with cancer.

Nadia Belton and Tristan Prinz, also juniors, decided to start Cambodia Orphans Help Organization, a club that is hoping to get clothing and supplies to impoverished orphans in Cambodia, after taking a school trip to Cambodia and Laos last year.

“We saw the terrible

PHOTO: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA

CLUB PROMOTION: Junior Grace Woolf helps the Youth for Direct Relief club get sign ups during club fair. living conditions. The kids were sleeping on the floor.

They walk everywhere, and they didn’t even have shoes,” said Nadia Belton.

Overall, Laguna students are making an ef-

fort to leave their marks on the community.

“Student-run organizations have unlimited potential,” said Dr. Donelan, “If you think that school is not a place where anything happens, join a club.”

Stanford Law Professor Brings Water Discussion to Campus

By JESSIE DUSEBOUT Over 1 billion people in the world still lack access to adequate drinking water and not many people know how to address the problem.

On Oct. 15, Laguna welcomed Buzz Thompson, the founding Director of Stanford Law School Environmental & Natural Resources Program to give his talk “Water as a Public Commodity.”

“Water is incredibly important…throughout the world,” said Mr. Thompson.

He went on to describe

his three “visions” on how to address these water challenges in the world. His visions included water as a public trust, water as a human right, and water as commodity.

“In order to address the water challenges you have to think of water as all three of those things and harmonize the ideas,” said Mr. Thompson.

He explained the main water issues in California and throughout the world, which included the shrinking water sup-

plies, loss of fish habitats, groundwater overdrafting, and a great portion of the World’s population lacking acceptable water supplies.

“The problem with water is that it is not always where we want it, and it comes when we don’t need it.”

Mr. Thompson also talked about the two kinds of water scarcity: physical scarcity and economic scarcity.

He referred the Institutes of Justinian, which states water as a human right by the law of na-

ture. “We need to protect our water.

Thinking about water as a commodity can actually help us think of water as a pubic trust and a human right.”

After sharing tactics that have already proven successful in addressing these water issues in Mozambique and their urban water markets, he opened his presentation up for Q&A. Following a hearty round of applause, conversations continued as joined he joined the audience for refreshments.

Journalists Re-Awaken the Meaning of Advocacy A Commentary

By DARIA ETEZADI

T

he first time I went to Washington DC was in the summer of ‘05.

My parents took me to through the National Mall, drove me down to Williamsburg, and showed me the sites.

Six years later I returned to our nation’s capital, except this time, I flew solo.

I didn’t know what to expect of the Washington Journalism and Media Conference.

All I remembered of D.C. was the hot, sticky weather, and the sight of women wrapped in hejabs sitting next to a man wearing a kippah.

My second visit occurred in the summer of ‘12, during the Washington Journalism and Media Conference. But this

time, I was no longer sitting on the sidelines.

Rather, I was at the center of Washington, surrounded by 280 high school students from across the country and dozens of influential politicians and journalists.

In 120 hours, we heard from 14 speakers, two panels, met with our group leaders nine times, spent two days touring the Newseum and Capitol Hill, met with our congressional representatives, kept a daily blog, and, if possible, sleep.

As we jumped into full speed, I began to get nervous, constantly wondering if I’d be able to find my bearings and make the most of this whirlwind of events before the end of the fifth day.

But, as we progressed through every hour, my anxiety turned into awe as I came face to face with Brian Lamb,

Chairman of C-Span; politicians are advoHoda Kotb, Co-Host cates, who are setting of the “Today Show”; the stage for our generaChuck Todd, Chief White tion -- for the day when House Correspondent we step up and continue for “NBC News”; and their legacy.

Carol Guzy, four-timeAs a journalists, the Pultizer-Prize-winning meaning of advocacy photojournalist. was reawakened.

As I listened to Ms. Guzy explain what it felt like to stand two feet away from a fireman cradling a newborn who burned to death, I suddenly began to realize the depth of the field that I was being exposed to.

After meeting Santa Barbara native, Congresswoman Lois Capps, in her office on Capitol Hill, and hearing her represent my community in the House of Rep- PHOTO: ERICK SIAHAAN resentatives, I was able Straight from to connect the sheltered the Capitol: bubble that I had left to Congresswoman Lois this microcosm of the in- Capps and Daria Etezadi ternational community. in Capps’ office on These journalists and Capitol Hill.

STAND UP: Upper School students crowd the stage in Spaulding Auditorium as Quinto checks his camera.

Invisible Children Visits

By KAYLEE STRACHAN & MacKENNA CONNOR

I

nvisible Children is an organization that strives to take down Joseph Kony and help children affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army.

Four volunteers from the Invisible Children organization: Martha, Claire, Austin, and Quinto came to talk about Invisible Children’s current campaign.

Quinto, a victim of LRA’s atrocities shared his own story. “I have as many [experiences] as the war has been going.” Quinto and his daughter were abducted by the LRA. He escaped first and then his daughter managed to as well. Both escaped physically unharmed, however, they needed to attend many recovery programs to help with the trauma of the experiences. “I decided to come to America on behalf of the young ones abducted.” Quinto is planning on rallying in Washington D.C. with Invisible Children volunteers and supporters on Nov. 17.

Profile

October 26, 2012

5

The “NOW” Team Welcomes New Teachers Every year, the student body is eager to welcome new faculty. This year’s incoming teachers cover all aspects of student life, from sports and the outdoors, to languages and the arts.

By ALLISON TOWBES Ms. Kate Bergstrom, Laguna's new drama teacher, has "been doing theater since [she] was a kid and ended up following [her] passion for it all the way to college," After college, this Santa Barbara native found herself directing.

"I wanted to work with kids," Ms. Bergstrom said, "I found that I really wanted to teach drama. I'm hoping to bring some enthusiasm for the performing arts, and to establish a community.

I also want to bring some fun to campus. I want students to feel free to express themselves, and use the stage as a medium to do so."

She teaches sixth grade Drama 1, seventh and eighth grade Drama 2, Upper School Drama 3, and she is directing the Fall and Spring productions.

“She is very committed to our class and she makes everything that she teaches interesting!” sophomore Rebecca Brooks said.

Mr. Craig Bailes is the outdoor education aficionado. While he is teaching sixth grade math and fifth grade PE, Mr. Bailes is also in charge of the new Outdoor Education Program.

In addition to these jobs, he is also the coordinator of the Middle School advisory program.

Mr. Bailes has had a lot of experience working with kids in nature. “I’ve worked at Catalina Island Marine Institute on Catalina Island… I’ve worked at AstroCamp; I was a naturalist at an aquarium in Connecticut. I was in the Peace Corps. Since I’ve been in Santa Barbara, I’ve been a kayak guide, and when the season tapered off, I became a substitute teacher.” Mr. Bailes is hoping to contribute to the Laguna community by reaching out to the students, the families, and the faculty. “I’m hoping to bring an enthusiasm for the outdoors.”

Laguna alumnus of ‘02 Mr. Blake Dorfman returned to work at his alma mater. Mr. Dorfman will be running the new library facilities, writing a weekly blog called “Laguna 360”, tutoring students in English, performing in the Fall play, and coaching JV girls volleyball.

“I’m the Swiss army knife at Laguna because a Swiss army knife has a lot of functions . . . I don’t believe that everything happens for a reason,” he said, “But it was pretty amazing that I got to come back here.”

Mr. Dorfman has deep roots in the Laguna community. “I’m taking credit for the Swoop mascot suit,” as he is the one who proposed the idea during his time on Student Council.

He is also trying to get used to being the teacher, not the student. “It’s a really cool feeling to call my old teachers colleagues now. But it’s really hard for me to call them by their first names!”

“I’m excited to be here, back in the classroom,” said Mr. John Abdou, Laguna’s new AP Psychology teacher and Director of Recruitment.

“I think the whole class is happy that the School brought in Mr. Abdou to teach. He definitely brings his coaching mentality to the classroom which we all enjoy,” senior Brian Miguel said.

Mr. Abdou, who majored in sociology and minored in psychology at UC Irvine, is working to bring "enthusiasm with all the things that I'm doing at Laguna."

Besides bringing his love of psychology to the students, Mr. Abdou will be bringing some of his other talents to the community as well. He is currently the assistant coach for UCSB’s water polo team, and will be the head of the Laguna Water-Polo Academy, although it is still “in the works.”

Mr. Damien Deveze, Laguna Blanca’s newest Spanish teacher, has the difficult task of jumping between the Lower School campus in Montecito,and the Upper School campus in Hope Ranch.

Mr. Deveze teaches Spanish to kindergartners through fourth graders, as well as for the “big guys” in Spanish Literature Honors.

He became interested in teaching Spanish during his last years of college at UCSB while teaching at a summer camp at the College of Calistoga. “I got into teaching Spanish and sharing the culture.”

He wants to improve Spanish student’s vocabulary and understanding of the language to help motivate students—both young and old. “I think I make learning Spanish fun.”

“I went to an independent school, and I loved it so much that I wanted to go back!” said Ms. Alison Crevi, who teaches Latin 1a, Latin 1b, Latin 2, and Latin 3.

“I started taking Latin in the sixth grade, and I always loved the language and the culture.” Ms. Crevi is hoping to help Laguna’s Latin students connect with the ancient language.

The New Jersey native wants to share her love for the classics as well as bring some “East Coast style” to our West Coast campus.

Tiffany Yabsley, a seventh grader who takes Ms. Crevi’s Latin class said, “She makes teaching fun by playing lots of games and doing lots of projects. She makes the work go by fast. She makes something fun out of it.”

PHOTOS: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA & HELENA DAVILA

Students Run a Musical in the Mushroom Kingdom

By ANASTASIA ANTONOVA

T

hey have gone thrift-store shopping, drilled together a stable wooden set, and run around Kid’s World playground in video game character costumes for most of their summer.

The cast members of “Shadows: An Original Musical” got to showcase all of their hard work and perform in a musical on August 17 and 18 at Center Stage Theater.

Seniors Zoe Serbin and Clarissa Coburn, were both involved in “Shadows.” While Zoe experienced the highs and lows of co-writing, co-directing, and co-producing a musical with fellow friend and senior Griffin Saxon, Clarissa became acquainted with the cast and experience the thrills of acting for the first time.

The inspiration for “Shadows” originated from a video game: Zoe and Griffin decided to write a musical about the characters from “Super Smash Bros.” Yet they chose to add their own spin on things by merging the worlds of the Mario Brothers, Samus from “Metroid” and Link and Zelda from “Legend of Zelda.”

“Shadows” was not their first collaboration.

In eighth grade,

Hunter Cong: Chasing the American Dream

By DARIA ETEZADI

the duo co-wrote a Star Wars musical that was performed at the Unitarian Society, which became the rehearsal space for “Shadows.”

Zoe was not able to help direct the Star Wars musical, so “Shadows” became Zoe and Griffin’s first complete co-written stage project together.

“We promised to never write anything without the other person in the room. All of the scenes had a little of both of us in them, which is really cool to see. It also made the show more consistent,” Zoe said.

The Triumphant Trio: The official poster for Once they finished Shadows, created by co-director, co-writer, and coproducer, Zoe Serbin. writing, the two approached actors whom they had in mind for summer stuff,” Clarissa tise the musical. certain roles, such as said.

“The little kids alumna Cameron Platt Despite absences, the were excited to see ‘12 who played the cast maintained a rigorMario and Luigi. fading Princess Daisy. ous rehearsal schedule.

They stole our props Along with Clarissa and They worked five hours and chased after Zoe, Cameron was the a day, five days a week.

Bowser,” Clarissa third Laguna Blanca Clarissa, who played a said. participant. Zoe herself Goomba, recalls watchThroughout the ended up being in the ing the musical evolve experience, both show, playing the role as cast members would Zoe and Clarissa of Princess Peach, after add their own spins on met many talented a cast member dropped scenes and while Zoe kids from the area, out. and Griffin would take including SBCC In addition to castout and rewrite entire freshman Diego ing, Zoe and Griffin had songs. On opening day, Rodriguez who to raise money for the Clarissa was nervous played Mario and show through sponsors. for her very first theater made a cameo as The lights, rehearsal performance.

Christopher Walken. space, costumes, sets, She may have had a Even he describes etc. were all paid by terrible case of stage his experience with sponsor money. fright that day, but Clarthe show as “a joy to “I was the one worissa regrets nothing. act in. [The cast was] rying about whether “I decided to join besuch a great group people would come to cause of Zoe and Griffin. of talented people to auditions and how we’d Also, how could I say work with.” get money. Then, I saw ‘No’ to a musical about The work of these it all come together in Nintendo,” Clarissa said. actors is displayed the first rehearsal when She met and made many on Facebook and I heard people singing friends, despite conYouTube on their our songs for the first stantly pointing out plot page ShadowsThetime,” Zoe said. holes — “she would,” Musical.

Once they got into Zoe said.

After having been rehearsals, Zoe still had Clarissa’s favorite moin this play together, plenty of work. “[She] ment of the production one could say that played everyone in was when the whole cast the members of the rehearsal when people went to Kid’s World to cast created a lasting were gone for other take pictures and adver“link.”

PHOTO: ELLIOT SERBIN

Before this year, China is good and I have Hunter Cong had not a lot of friends there, we travelled beyond the can talk to each other Eastern Hemisphere. everyday. But I think in But in August, the fresh- here, people are more man class welcomed generous and more Hunter as the first foropen.” eign exchange student of Apart from his passion the class of 2016. for basketball, Hunter Drawn to the United also enjoys playing the States in search of a bet- piano and hopes to go ter life, Hunter left his fishing one day. home in China to pursue “Here, it’s close to the his dream of playing sea and the weather is basketball in the “land of pretty good, and the fish opportunity.” here are different, more “Yeah plentiful.”

I think For the “ . . . My father Barnicks, there’s encouraged me Hunter’s more opportuand told me that host nity here. family, there’s another Hunter’s There are basketball life here. I can stay in matches America never just give has given and lots of practice. them a up.”

China - Hunter Cong glimpse someof life in times will China. offer [these things], but “We’ve had other people not so much . . . there from other countries are no games, no match- stay with us, but he’s es. Probably because definitely a lot differstatus is more important ent. He has definitely and you have to take a brought the Chinese final examination,” said culture to our house Hunter. and taught us different Adjusting to life in things, about what he’s America has presented lived with, and how he its own set of obstacles is now,” said freshman for Hunter. “All of my Martin Barnick. family is in China, so I’m Hunter’s presence has brand new here . . . The given students like Marday my father left, I kind tin a new appreciation of cried and got a little for the freedoms offered homesick. But my father to Americans: “I’m glad encouraged me, and told that I live in America, me that there’s another I’m grateful, compared life here. I can never just to the other countries give up.”

I’ve heard about.”

So, until basketball In the long run, season picks up in the Hunter wants to make winter, Hunter will be the most of his time here spending most of his in the States. time exploring and ac“I want to get into a culturating to the United pretty good university States.

– that is my family and “The kind of passion, both my expectations. I the sports, the culture hope to live here and get and the people here – I used to American life. I want to know them, think that’s pretty good so I came here just to – that’s another world broaden my view. Life in for me.”

6

Opinion

October 26, 2012

ART: ZOE SERBIN

GRAPHIC: ZOE SERBIN

A Shot Heard Defied Around the World

By OLIVIA BERCI

We are the millennial generation. A generation that does not tolerate what is wrong and demands change through the tools accessible to us. We cover 40 percent of people around the globe. We are members of a shrinking world—we are global citizens.

On Oct. 9, 14 year-old Malala Yousafzai was targeted and shot in Pakistan.

The Taliban’s attempted assassination of the young blogger who advocated for equal education has galvanized a worldwide stance against the radical Islamist group.

Malala demanded the right to go to school, and by labeling Malala’s campaign for girl’s education as “an obscenity,” the Taliban have triggered intercontinental

disgust and defiance.

“For one Malala shot,” says United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, “there are now thousands of even younger Malalas ready to come forward. We many not yet be seeing a 2012 Asian autumn led by children to mirror the Arab spring, but the spontaneous wave of protest we are witnessing shows that children are more assertive of their right to education than leaders who promised to deliver it.”

115 million children around the globe are bound to hazardous labor. 25,000 girls every day are locked into marriage as child brides.

Refugee camp children don’t have access to education.

Child soldiers who are torn out of their homes to wield weapons don’t have access to education, and 40 percent of those child soldiers are girls. 46 million children with disabilities around the globe are shut out of school.

One fourth of these children are blind. The number of children out of school in Africa is on the rise. 35 million girls are not granted the right to education.

Malala was shot more than 7, 835 miles away, but this still matters to me, as it should to you, and to every member of our millennial generation. I drag myself out of bed every morning to go school, but, for 61 million children around the globe, the opportunity to get up and go to school is one they don’t have.

Among all of the emergencies facing our world, Malala has sparked a sudden spike in interest in education for all, but the only way we will succeed is if we are unwavering in our solidarity as a country, as a generation, as globe.

A U.N. special envoy for global education has been delegated to bring leaders of education to meet with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zadari on Nov. 10 to discuss how Pakistan can achieve education for all.

Demonstrations for Malala have been sparked not only in the neighboring Bangladesh,

I PLEAD INSANELY GUILTY

By ALLISON TOWBES

Both of my parents are psychologists. I live in a house filled with psychological textbooks. As a second grader, my brother proudly announced to my family that Benedict Arnold, who he was studying in history class, was a narcissist. I have always known that the human brain is a fascinating place. But, as I’ve grown older, I’ve started to realize that it is also a scary place.

In Sept., Santa Barbara Judge Thomas Adams ruled that David Attias, a former UCSB student who plowed his car down an Isla Vista street in 2002 killing four, no longer poses a danger to others or to himself.

Adams, who ruled Attias not guilty by reason of insanity in 2002, decided that Attias should be released from the state hospital where he’s been held since killing four people and seriously injuring a fifth 11 years ago.

In situations like the Attias case, the state is obliged to decide how to treat the defendant. If it can be proven that serious mental instability was the sole cause of the crime committed, then the defendant can be found not guilty but insane.

“Juries have a problem saying [that a defendant]

is not guilty if they did it,” said Ms. Martha Elliott, AP Government and Law and Society teacher, who is an expert in criminal law, “they tend not to trust anything you can’t see on an X-ray.”

A defendant must be unmistakably mentally disturbed to use an insanity plea in the first place. If the defendant can receive a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict, then he or she will be committed to a hospital, where they will be treated.

Once deemed no longer

“[Juries] tend not to trust anything they can’t see on an X-ray.” — Ms. Elliott “insane,” or no longer a danger, the offender is free to reenter the world.

The psychologists and psychiatrists who treat the criminally insane assess whether or not the offender is a threat to society.

David Attias’ therapists, who have been treating him since his incarceration, have recently stated that he is stable enough to join the general population.

While conviction of not

guilty by reason of insanity is rare, we should consider the morality of the law.

Is it right to blame mental illness for horrendous crime?

Is it fair to the families of the victims if the accused does not have to serve time in prison?

To Ms. Abby Pollack, the mother of Elie Israel, one of David Attias’ four victims, Adam’s verdict was a blow.

“It’s horrible because all it makes me think is hey, wait a minute, what about our children who never had the chance to develop their lives,” said Pollack, whose son, Elie, was only 27. “It’s outrageous.”

No amount of medication can change the fact that Attias is responsible for the death of four innocent people, and there is also no foolproof way to assure that Attias will not commit a similar crime now that he has been granted parole.

For the safety and protection of our community, as well as the moral obligation we have to punish those who have committed a crime, the not guilty but insane clause should be called into question.

Just because someone is not guilty by reason of insanity doesn’t mean that they are innocent.

India, and Afghanistan, but across the world.

As students at Laguna, we are encouraged to be global citizens. Annually, our school dedicates an entire day to global study, but in order to be global citizens we have to go further. We can’t merely learn about global issues, we have participate in them. We have to be a part of the message that dictates what is fair and what is just, and we have to be a part of the rejection of what is wrong.

Malala is a symbol for education as a right for all regardless of jurisdiction.

Each and every one of us has an obligation to uphold

We have to be part of the message that dictates what is fair and what is right, and we have to be a part of the rejection of what is wrong.

Malala’s cause and to uphold her as a symbol for insubordination not only against the Taliban, but against all oppression of equal education.

The Office of the UN Special Envoy for Global Education

has posted a petition online.

The petition states: “We call on Pakistan to agree to plan to deliver education for every child.

We call on all countries to outlaw discrimination against girls. We call on international organizations to ensure the world’s 61 million out of school children are in education by the end of 2015.”

This worldwide petition is built around a new video in support of Malala.

The petition is collecting thousands of names of young people and will be presented to Pakistan’s President Zadari and to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Malala bravely fought for her right to education, for her friends’ right to education, for her classmates’ right to education, for the right of girls across her country—she fought for education as a global right.

In this wave of political diversion, this is something we can all come together on.

This is something we have to come together on. The millennial generation has proven that we can virally bring about change. Log on and sign the petition.

Sign the Office of UN Special Envoy for Global Education’s Petition: www.educationenvoy.org

THE PROCESS: To be found not guilty by reason of insanity, a judge or jury must evaluate the defendant’s state of mind at the time of the offense. CA law declares a person “legally insane” if he/ she: doesn’t understand the nature of his/her act, or can’t distinguish between right and wrong.

In 1978, the Supreme Court of CA adopted another insanity test: the test used by the American Law Institute.

The law is based on an 1843 case where the defendant, a deranged woodcutter named Daniel M’Naghten, attempted to assassinate the British Prime Minister. During his trial, M’Naghten’s attorney claimed that he was “driven to desperation” and that “his delusions had led to a breakdown of moral sense…”

Until 1972, defendants found incompetent to stand trial often ended up being institutionalized automatically and indefinitely.

Determination to release a committed defendant made by: a) Judge b) Mental health professionals c) Specifically appointed board GRAPHIC: ZOE SERBIN

Opinion

October 26, 2012

7

STAFF EDITORIAL: A CALL FOR SCHOOL PRIDE We hear it every year.

“My favorite thing about Laguna is the sense of community”… “the studentteacher relationships”… “the opportunity I have to get one-on-one attention from my teachers.”

The size of our student body is such an academic asset, but is it contributing to a “Laguna stigma”?

“Laguna’s too small.”

“Laguna is lame.” “I can’t wait to get out of here.” We hear that every year too. Whether you’re saying it, hearing it, or trying to ignore it, as much as we can deny it, it exists.

Why don’t we take pride in our school—where we come to learn every day and where we are offered incredible learning opportunities?

School spirit has always been a topic of discussion: how are we going to raise it, how it’s going to be better than ever this year, how it is better, or how it’s worse; but this veiled stigma is always there underneath it all.

School spirit exists in positive relationships. It exists in family and tradition and a sense of belonging.

Whether you’re saying it, hearing it, or trying to ignore it, as much as we can deny it exists, its there.

K A E T P S OU GRAPHIC: ZOE SERBIN

School spirit is what defines different schools— it’s the culture that makes them unique. When peers encourage each other to do well, when seniors look out for, and befriend and are role models for younger students, a school community is built.

Mutual respect and a sense of trust between students

“School spirit is getting better, but it still has a long way to go.”

-Elia Doussineau, 10

GRAPHIC: MAYA CHRISTIAN

“It brings us all together.”

-Maddie Sokolove, 9

“I think there is some school spirit at Laguna. I definitely see people coming to the volleyball games and cheering them on. So it’s definitely there.”

PHOTO: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA

-Brendon Nylen, 12

and teachers creates positive energy.

Participation and competition. Win or lose, the bigger picture of participating in school sports, in student leadership, or in extra curricular activities is that it raises student support for the School, and it generates enthusiasm throughout the greater school community School pride stems from individual and collective

THE

1...2....3....Smile!

I

administration of the exam— cancels thousands of scores by reason of believed copying, impersonating, or reportedly violating other rules.

During the 2010- 2011 academic year, E.T.S and the College Board conducted 9, 600 investigations of SAT test irregularities. Security measures are taken to assure integrity in the printing and shipping of test materials to nearly 7,000 test centers located in over 170 different countries.

Kathleen Steinburg, a spokesperson for the College Board, claims, “Making the registration data repository accessible to all score recipients is an important deterrent.”

But will implementing this new protocol truly deter the students who planned on cheating before the new security measure was taken?

Wouldn’t it be a matter of simply uploading a photo of the impersonator to match easily manufactured fake IDs, such as those used by Eshaghoff?

It seems to me that if a student was willing to pay thousands of dollars for someone else to defraud the exam, avoiding an additional loop hole wouldn’t be of too much concern. In this attempt to discourage fraud on the exam, what did the E.T.S and the College Board truly accomplish?

While only time will tell whether the protocol was successful in avoiding testing

misconduct, I can’t help but feel that the accessibility of a database of photo identification to admissions officials is opening a can of worms.

“I think any time personal information is systematically gathered and maintained by a third party, there are concerns,” said David Hawkins, the director of public policy and research of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling.

Studies have shown that the likelihood of an admissions office pursuing my profile on Facebook is slim, but the access of fewer eyes to my physical portrait gives me a sense of protection.

In the face of the overwhelming and intimidating college application process, I can’t help but feel somewhat vulnerable as a face among the millions of others in the College Board’s database.

$2,500

8%

Impersonations discovered annually

Students annually turned away for suspected impersonation

Tests annually cancelled for cheating

Tests taken annually $ Spent on College Board security protocol

$2,000

→

$1,500

→

$1,000

→

$500

→

Until his scam came

crashing down in fall 2011, Sam Eshaghoff got $2,500 each to

take students’ tests.

of higher education

institutions used social networking sites,

according to the most recent study from the

E.T.S. BY THE NUMBERS

National Association

150

SEARCH BINGE

By JESSIE DUSEBOUT

Changing the Face of Standardized Testing

By OLIVIA BERCI

recently changed my name on Facebook. I don’t have anything to hide, and I am not entirely sure what swayed me to do so, but for some reason I felt like I should. So, with the submit button on my common app growing increasing foreboding, I am now “Olivia Paige” to the world in which we all virally coexist. My middle name, Paige, is on my applications, and I am sure any admissions officer would have no trouble at all tracking me down regardless of my changed listing. But for some reason, even slightly obscuring my virtual identifier offered me some sense of anonymity.

So when I was asked to upload a photo of myself onto my Oct. SAT admissions ticket, I immediately became wary. Wary of what I couldn’t pin-point, but I felt uncomfortable with having my face plastered on that portentous ticket.

This fall, the College Board Rum- granted college admissions pel- officers access to a database of student photographs as a part of a new security protocol intended to curb cheating, and, more specifically, impersonation on the SAT. College entrance exams now require students to submit a photograph upon registering for the tests, which are then printed on their admission tickets and verified on testing day.

The new protocol is in response to the arrests of 20 teenagers from five different schools in Nassau County in Long Island, NY. Five were suspected of taking tests for other students and the other 15 of paying them between $500 and $3,600 to falsely take the tests in their name.

Sam Eshaghoff was arrested in September of last year for taking the test multiple times for clients who paid upwards of $2,500 each.

Eshaghoff triggered the investment of millions of dollars in revamping the College Board’s security protocols designed to ensure that students’ testing is conducted fairly, but the testing impropriety goes far beyond Nassau County. Annually, the E.T.S.— the organization responsible for the development and

school success. Working and playing hard are both important, and a sense of school pride leads to students being present in and out of the classroom.

If we feel that we are apart of something bigger than ourselves as individuals, we’ll feel a sense of ownership—a feeling of wanting to be here. For our educational experience at Laguna to be a positive one, our student body has to be active and alive.

We have to a have a sense of social and community responsibility. We have to take pride in our school tradition, we have to build on our school’s heritage, and look towards the future. We have to adopt a sense of school value. What do we stand for?

What do we want to stand for?

We get enough flack from outside our school circle about going to Laguna, and it hurts, but that doesn’t mean we should give into it—become part of the mechanism or feed to this social Laguna stigma.

Laguna is built on an incredible tradition. As the current study body, we need to establish our chapter in that tradition so that we can look back with pride and be looked upon as a class with spirit.

for College Admissions Counseling

750 3,000 2 million 25 million

I don’t process information the way that I used to. Years ago, I could read “Wuthering Heights” every winter break.

I would soak in every detail and catch the narrator’s tone and implications with ease.

Today, this is hardly the case. I find myself reading classics for English classes, and after a page or two, my mind drifts.

I reread the same paragraph over and over to try and to understand the concepts that used to come so naturally. I get restless, and constantly have to drag myself back to the text.

I spend so much time using search engines like Google, Yahoo, or Bing that all I do is type in a few words, press a few buttons, and literally countless hits appear on my screen. All of which will tell me exactly what I was looking for within mere seconds of me ever having a question.

While the opportunity and advantage of having so much information at my fingertips is hard to match, the Web has the ability to not only show us thoughtful pieces, but also to affect the way we think.

A professor of neuroscience who directs the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study at George Mason University, James Old, said, “the brain has the ability to reprogram itself on the fly, altering the way it functions.”

Could it be possible that the

...[the] advantage of having so much information literally at my fingertips is hard to match...

Web is responsible for this lack of focus?

We jump from source to source and hardly look back.

Maryanne Wolf, a developmental psychologist at Tufts University and author of Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain said, “We are not only what we read. We are how we read.” Wolf expressed concern that the Web advertises reading that prioritizes “efficiency” and “immediacy”.

No matter how often we challenge ourselves to think about why something happened, or what caused it, the Web and the reading style it has created have had a significant impact on how we think.

If we are not careful, human intelligence is at risk.

Double

8

FACE-OFF: Fight for the

Huge T

he stereotype of apathetic, disintereste teenagers looms like a brooding cloud over Americ The image of teens wandering around with thei noses pressed against their phones, their eyes glued to their laptops, and their hearing drowned out by blasted hip-hop is actually pretty accurate.

A lot of the time, we’re checked out. We have selective hearing—we care about the things that are

Presidential Position PAGE DESIGN & LAYOUT: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA, ZOE SERBIN, CATY LAFITTE ART AND GRAPHICS: ZOE SERBIN SOURCES: ZIMBIO.COM, NEWSMEAT.COM, DIFFEN.COM, CHRON.COM, LATIMES.COM 120 STUDENTS POLLED

STANCE GLANCE: Barack Obama FOR:

ABORTION GAY MARRIAGE EQUAL TAXES FOR ALL INCOMES WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE CUTS TO MILITARY BUDGET STRICTER GUN CONTROL

AGAINST:

IMMIGRATION DEPORTATION SCHOOL VOUCHERS

Read My Lips: A Commentary

By OLIVIA BERCI “There is no Soviet domination of eastern Europe,” said General Ford.

“I think there are better and more effective ways to deal with violent crime,” said Governor Dukakis when asked if he would support the death penalty if his wife were raped and murdered.

“Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy,” said Democratic candidate Lloyd Bentsen, suggesting Dan Quayle didn’t have enough experience to serve as Vice President.

“Ask yourself,” said Ronald Reagan, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?”

Dating back to the first televised debate between Kennedy and Nixon, political observers have pointed to moments—glances at watches and unscripted sighs—that have become historic and to words that have been etched into the book of American rhetoric.

In this October wave of debates, political pundits, scientists, and strategists relentlessly analyze and

critique every high-def reference and split-screen reaction.

The talking heads take the screen for pre-debate hype and Twitter trends and Facebook statuses will expound any blunder or interruption after poll shifts have been cast.

But, by now, it seems that the majority of voters have already arrived at a decision about who they’re voting for.

Rather than listening to what the candidates have to say, these debates only offer voters the opportunity to affirm their decisions by clinging to sound bites.

Dispute over who won the debate is dictated by the loyalties of the disputers not by the performance of the candidates. In a CNN poll after a 2008 debate, 85 percent of its Democrats believed Obama had won, and only 16 percent of Republicans agreed.

Why have presidential debates become so inconsequential? The words of Kennedy, Nixon, Carter,

Reagan, and Ford raise the hairs on my arms. Did their words matter in a way that those of Obama, Romney, Biden, and Ryan can’t?

Should we blame the American viewers? Are we to blame the politicians who memorize catch phrases and have perfected emphatic repetition? Should we blame the media for gnawing at every immaterial mistake?

Watching the first two debates these past few weeks, I have been completely overwhelmed. The constant interruption and assault has been painful to watch, and I’ve been distracted from what the candidates are really saying.

Should we blame how evenly the candidates are matched? They are both rehearsed to the tee?

Regardless of your political views, it’s hard to argue that either candidate is easily rattled. Both candidates’ approach is founded on expounding their family stories to epitomize the American Dream.

Both Obama and Romney present hard work and devotion to family as their core morals. The difference?

For Obama, the GI Bill

paid for his grandfather’s education, but for Romney, the government remained in the background, letting his family succeed on its own.

Both stories have a wrongdoer. For Romney, social programs were the fall of American prosperity, creating a dispensation society. For Obama, the George W. Bush administration’s regulatory polices that favored the wealthy were the pitfall of American vitality.

While each candidate has a different idea about what is right and what is fair, both will fight to the death to defend his case.

It is up to us—we, the American people, the viewers, the voters—to listen.

To persevere through the interruption and the attack, and to define not who we think slipped up less or who was caught off guard more, but who will best lead our nation for the next four years.

Most of the students reading this aren’t yet old enough to vote, it’s not only our right to pay attention, it’s also our duty as American citizens and as soon-to-be American voters.

Celebrities Who Vote “Blue” 1. Oprah Winfrey -

Donated to and helped fundraise 1. for President Obama’s campaign.

2. George Clooney -

Donated a total of $59,900 to Democrats’ campaigns.

2.

3.

4.

Adviso

66% prefer M Obam 34% prefe Romne

44% watched 35% watched

15% believ slam ads 85% do no

3. Robert De Niro - Donated

a total of $29,500 to Democrats’ campaigns.

4. Jennifer Aniston - Donated a total of $30,800 to Democrats’ campaigns.

GRAPHIC: ZOE SERBIN

48% prefer “Forward” 52% prefer “Be in America

e Page

9

October 26, 2012

e Government Spawns Teenage Apathy: A Commentary

ed

ca.

ir

By ZOE SERBIN

relevant to us: gossip, television, homework, and the newest iPhone.

That’s not to say that we aren’t interested in politics, but only 21 percent of 148 students polled said they were active followers of politics.

Teenagers are apathetic about things that don’t relate or apply to them.

They are discouraged when they feel like their opinions don’t matter, and national government seems about the farthest thing away from us, and the last thing we could ever make a difference in. Washington is thousands of miles

away; the gridlock is disheartening.

“In the last election, everybody who was young wanted to vote because they thought they could change things. Things didn’t change as much as they wanted so there’s more apathy,” said history teacher Ms. Martha Elliott.

But we’ve proven ourselves to be activists. Give us something that we can relate to and we will passionately throw ourselves pell-mell into the fray.

One doesn’t need to look much further than the 17 clubs on campus to understand that—we may be lazy and we may be apathetic at times, but we also have the potential to do great things.

When we feel like we can make a difference, we do.

That’s the trick to getting young voters to get out

FOR:

because the short amount of time that we’re paying attention is probably all the candidate’s got.

Give us something relevant—how the candidate will or will not make sure contraception is available to everyone, how he will or will

Pretty much the only thing we can do is try to stay informed by non-biased sources,” said senior Chris Burke. “[Teenagers] look at numbers and see this many million voted, what’s one vote going to do?” He will be voting in the 2012 Presidential election.

“People maybe feel discouraged about the little things like propositions, but when it comes to elections, people take things a lot more seriously. It’s our only time to really give our opinion for the next four years about what happens,” said senior Kyle Van De Kamer, who is also planning on voting.

So it isn’t that teenagers don’t care, aren’t interested, and tune out. Show us what we can do, and we’ll do it.

Show us that casting one of hundreds of millions of ballots can still get things done.

STANCE GLANCE: Mitt Romney

AGAINST:

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ABORTION GAY MARRIAGE STRICTER GUN CONTROL

Celebrities Who Vote “Red”

3.

1. Chuck Norris -

Donated a total of $47,825 to Republicans’ campaigns.

4.

1.

2. Britney Spears -

Supported President George Bush and raised money for GOP during a 2009 concert.

N

I RB

: RT

E

ZO

SE

2.

3. Clint Eastwood -

Donated a total of $4,750 to Republicans’ campaigns.

4. Matthew McConaughey

A

Michelle ma er Ann ey

Supported President George Bush, though did not support war in Iraq.

20.5% of students do not follow politics at all

d Republican Convention d Democratic Convention

r ” elieve a”

“Sometimes it takes a war to make teenagers interested.”

- Martha Elliott

not legalize gay marriage, or how he will or will not perpetuate a war that could draft family and friends.

“Sometimes it takes a war to make teenagers interested. I think that if we suddenly went to war with Iran and we had a draft, the apathy would go away,” Ms. Elliott said.

We care about things that threaten our independence like restrictions on contraception or a draft. And if candidates want us to vote, they need to make us believe that our vote is worth casting.

“I think there’s a lot of cynicism on the part of everybody because people see the deadlock that occurs in Washington and they feel like it doesn’t matter. But it does matter, because if you don’t vote you can’t complain,” said Ms. Elliott.

“I have my vote, so that’s what I’m planning on using.

WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE INCREASE MILITARY BUDGET SCHOOL VOUCHERS TAX CUTS ON 1%

ory Poll Results

ve s ot

of their seats to head to the polls: grab our attention.

Details about taxes and healthcare won’t interest most of us. If presidential, or even local candidates want our attention, they need to speak about things that relate to us.

Throw things in our faces,

What students are most concerned with: 40% Economy 17% Healthcare 15% Iran 14% Women’s rights 14% Gay Marriage

GRAPHIC: ZOE SERBIN

Candidates’ Lives Celebritized

By KAYLEE STRACHAN

How much should voters know about their elected officials’ personal lives? How far is too far?

Nowadays, politicians have paparazzi following them rather than reporters and journalists.

Prior to Gary Hart’s 1988 presidential campaign, there was an unspoken law that political figures’ personal lives were not reported on, the only exception being information on their behavior that would affect our nation as a whole, for better or for worse.

Reporters generally looked the other way when it came to scandals or adulterous behavior within political families.

However, Watergate and John F. Kennedy’s affairs started the era that we have come to know today. It was not until news of Gary Hart’s affair got out that changes began.

Today, many things are disclosed about the personal lives of politicians that an average citizen would

never want publicized about themselves, yet people everywhere read this gossip and either become appalled or highly entertained.

Some believe that knowing the candidates most intimate secrets is what it takes to decide if he or she is the right candidate for the job.

“It’s important to know someone’s morals because if they can’t make good decisions, and don’t act morally when deciding for themselves, why should I trust them to do so when they are making a decision that will affect the country?” sophomore Jack Kinsler said.

Others believe that this gossip is just a vindication to harass other politicians.

“It’s a dumb excuse to put down a candidate. It’s not relevant to an election,” junior Andrew Puzder said.

It is hard to discern between Hollywood and Washington

D.C. because actors and political figures are constantly crossing over into each other’s worlds.

Celebrities are now running to hold office, and political figures are in TV shows and movies.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, former governor of California, acted before he entered the political world.

Actor Kal Penn who played Kutner on “House,” left television to become associate director of Obama’s Office of Public Liaison.

Even if a person believes that it is necessary to know everything about someone to trust them to be in a position of power in our country, is it respectful?

And, if we do not give leaders the professional respect they deserve, how can we expect them to want to lead our nation or to even have the confidence to do so?

10

October 26, 2012

Feature New Shows You Should Be Watching

By MARGARET LAZAROVITS

I

th o o b Photo !

Fun

(ABOVE) Mr. Tyler Hodges (LEFT - From left to right) Tess Elder, Chanelle Janssens, Mr. Peter Angeloff

(LEFT - From left to right) Olivia Avery, Madison Bonser, Elia Doussineau, Hannah White, Bryn Jewett

(RIGHT - From left to right) Sarah Butler, Morgan Gainey, Katie Carrillo, Juliana Ozur, Libby Hasse

(LEFT - From left to right, top to bottom) Ms. Katie Pointer, Jetè Dongieux, Bryana Schantz, Ms. Staci Richard, Libby Hasse, Mr. Paul Chiment, Mia Chavez

(RIGHT - From left to right, back to front) Ms. Kate Bergstrom, Ms. Laura Geier, Mr. Chris Johnson, Mr. Dug Uyesaka, Ms. Delphine Anaya

MTV Scores Big with “Awkward”

f most people summed up high school life in one word, it would probably be “awkward.”

Because almost everyone, regardless of generation, has had awkward high school experiences, MTVs series “Awkward” has a wide fan base.

The show follows the life of Jenna Hamilton in the aftermath of a poorly thoughtout decision involving her, popular jock Matty McKibben and a camp closet. This spawns a secret relationship, during which Jenna has a romantic run-in with Matty’s best friend, Jake Rosati.

As if that wasn’t enough for one 15-year-old to handle, a

W

few misunderstood events leads to the misconception that Jenna is suicidal.

The rest of the first and second seasons are all a string of uncomfortable events leading to the second season finale, in which Jenna finally chooses between the two boys, and gets over her suicidal stigma.

In terms of portraying high school personas, the writers of the comedy are stereotypes of the side-kick best friend, the talkative trendsetter, the dream guy, the sweet boyfriend, the mean girl and the bobble-head blonde spot on.

The plotlines of Jenna and her mother seem to mirror

each other more with each passing episode even though Jenna does not identify with her mother at all.

But, Chemistry teacher Ms. Katie Pointer points out that “the purpose of the show is to just get more and more awkward with every episode so it just becomes more and more unrealistic as they run out of things to do.” She does admit, however, that the show is “highly entertaining.” Her favorite character is Jenna’s personal guidance counselor and vice-principal Val, who is “particularly hilarious.”

If seasons one and two were any indicator, the writers should have something good in store for “Awkward” fans.

Mindy Kaling Delivers New “Project”

hat constitutes the quintessential romantic comedy? One slightly dorky, yet nonetheless attractive, girl with a luckless love life and the guy of her dreams.

Sounds like the plot line to a number of box office bombs, right? Well, “The Office’s” Mindy Kaling has taken it upon herself to attempt to revive the stale rom-com storyline in her new sit-com, “The Mindy Project,” which focuses on the hectic and hilarious life of an OB/GYN nurse.

Any avid watcher of the NBC mock-umentary, “The Office,” has seen some of Ms. Kaling’s funniest and freshest moments as melodramatic customer service rep, Kelly Kapoor.

Kaling’s new character, Mindy Lahiri, seems to have much in common with her Office persona.

Both are looking for Mr. Right in all the wrong places.

But instead of seeking affection from a cynical hipster temp—aka Ryan Howard, played by B.J. Novak— Kaling’s character seems to be floundering helplessly

in search of a companion.

Sporadic hook-ups with a co-worker simply add to the chaos of her personal life.

As the classic rom-com demonstrates, no matter how successful she is in every other aspect of life, a woman is not complete until she is paired with her ideal mate.

Mindy is persistent in the search. Be one of the first to see Ms. Kaling’s newest show, which premiered on September 25. One can see the hilarity of Mindy’s adventures on Fox on Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m.

Fairy Tales Come To Life in “Once Upon a Time”

W

e’ve all heard the classic fairy tales.

Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, Beauty and the Beast, Red Riding Hood, the list goes on. We’ve all seen them spun in a variety of ways.

But the freshest take so far has to be ABC’s drama, “Once Upon A Time.” For this story, the fairy tale starts at the end, with the newborn of Snow White and Prince Charming being placed in a magic tree to protect her from the curse of the Evil Queen, who wants her ‘happily ever after.’

The curse thrusts all the fairy tale characters into our world, which is devoid of magic. ABC takes an elegant approach to an oftentimes trite

concept; the writers craft the fairy tale and real-world characters so their main qualities are mirrored in both versions, but because of the lack of magic in the real world, there are slight nuances.

Each character leads a dual life in a quiet New England town, Storybrooke, and creates tension and a great sense of dramatic irony for the audience, since viewers know that events in the fairy tale land, like Snow White and the Prince’s relationship, aren’t being played out in Storybrooke.

Subtle hints at the fairy tale world make the tension greater and the show more interesting.

The show has cultivated a fanbase. Sophomore Juliana Ozur appreciates the fact that “it’s not one of those shows you can predict.”

And “Once” has just enough twists and turns to back her up. For those who want a quick recap, season one left off with everyone in Storybrooke ‘waking up’ and realizing their Storybrooke counterpart, eliminating the over arching struggle between the two worlds.

What’s for Season two? New characters, like Captain Hook and Mulan have been added to the show.

Both those who followed season one as well as new watchers all will be waiting.

Feature

11

October 26, 2012

In the Summer Sun...

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

A TASTE OF FRANCE

By MacKENNA CONNOR

J

unior Grace Copeland spent her summer taking a global health class at USC. Exploring this class was eye opening for Grace: “I learned about different topics that I am interested in studying during college.”

She said she really enjoyed her time there and that “it was a great learning experience.”

Staying on campus in dorms also helped her get a taste of USC’s college life and campus.

Although Grace previously thought only about wanting to attend school at USC, the camp solidified her hopes to go there and major in biomedical engineering.

PHOTO: HELENA DAVILA

USC LOGO FROM WEB

By MacKENNA CONNOR

fter 18 years of living in sunny A Santa Barbara, senior Bryana Schantz took her first trip out of the

United States.

Over the course of 20 days, she and her family traveled to France, Belgium, and Amsterdam. They went to Amsterdam for three days, Belgium for seven days, and France for ten days.

In France, she stayed in Paris for five days and drove to the south of France for five days.

“Getting to experience different cultures and see how different their mindsets are was fascinating. They live more in the now than in the future,” Bryana said. “The

trip was a great way to clear my head after a hectic junior year.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRYANA SCHANTZ

SEIZING SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITIES

By ALEX HAWKER

W

hile most of her classmates were travelling abroad, senior Karinna Carrillo spent the summer working at InN-Out to gain work experience for the future.

Working six to eight hours every day over the summer, Karinna puts hard work and dedication into her job. Not surprisingly, this effort has paid off, and she has risen up PHOTO: HELENA DAVILA

the ranks at In-N-Out, on the verge of becoming a level 3 employee.

“When you first get hired, you’re a level 1, and that’s just basic duties like dining room and cleaning, level 2 you know how to work the register, how to work [in the] pay window. Working fries is a level 3 job,” Karinna said.

Even though summer has ended, Karinna has continued working through the school year. Despite having an extremely demanding schedule with four AP courses, Karinna Carrillo still

IN-N-OUT LOGO FROM WEB

ON THE AFRICAN SAFARI

By SCOTT JOHNSTON

P

hillip Hicks set off to South Africa and Dubai, United Arab Emirates with his parents and sister for a week-and-a-half trip.

In South Africa, the Hicks family went on a safari, where they encountered lions, cheetahs, leopards, rhinos, elephants, hippopotamuses, and honey badgers.

Alongside the wild animals, two tamed cheetahs resided at the place where the family was

staying.

During his stay, Phillip tried many exotic types of meat such as African buffalo. Phillip also went to an African village rich with culture and met the Chief. In Dubai,

he relaxed in the

120 degree weather and swam in a 90 degree sea.

manages to thrive both in school and work.

What secret could be behind such a success? According to Karinna, the answer is an extremely good work ethic.

“When I do get home, I don’t waste any time on Facebook, watching TV, or anything: I get what I need to get done as soon as possible.”

She also uses school time to its fullest potential, blazing through her school work in her free periods to give herself time for her job.

But work can also be fun, a

fact that Karinna discovered at In-N-Out: “Personally I love working there, and I think that everyone there is super fun, and I’ve learned a lot.”

CRUISING IN THE PACIFIC

By SCOTT JOHNSTON

S

penser Wyatt and his family went on a thrilling excursion to Alaska, the largest state in the U.S. in terms of landmass, through the Celebrity Cruise line tour that departed from Long Beach.

While on the tour, they went whale watching and saw massive whales jumping out of the water. According to Spenser, he was able to learn about “what they eat, their migration patterns, and their mating behaviors.”

Once they arrived in Alaska, the Wyatt family went on a legendary dog sled tour through the mountains.

Wheels were attached to the bottom of snow sleds and then a pack of dogs pulled them through the beautiful state while they took in in the nature around them.

Spenser tells us that, “We saw a large black bear in the hills!”

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HICKS FAMILY

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WYATT FAMILY

Advice from the Heart for the Coming Year SENIORS TO: FRESHMEN “Stay focused, make sure you get good grades. One semester of bad grades can totally offset your GPA.” - Benji Sorensen

“With junior year, amp up your studies. Both junior and senior year will seem overwhelming but don’t overstress and you’ll make it through.”

- Brendon Nylen “Take the hardest courses you can.

Becomes friends with

“Find balance. You’ll drive yourself crazy trying to do a million different things for college, but what’s most important is just making sure you find something you love and excel at it.”

- Olivia Berci

your teachers, use them

“Study. Go to class. Stay in

and extracurricular

school.”

activities!”

- Marla Bonser

- Bryana Schantz

as resources. You don’t need a tutor, teachers are great resources that you should take advantage of. Keep your past binders if you’re taking an AP course and keep track of community service

TEACHERS TO: SENIORS

“Try to get as much sleep as you possibly can and don’t worry about things you can’t control. Just do your best and don’t

“Attend office hours just like in high school, because your classes will be much larger and it will help you connect with your professor. It’ll help make you not just a name in the gradebook.

Especially in the sciences, you’ll have opportunities to be a part of their research groups or take upper division courses.”

- Ms. Izabela Santos “Don’t stress about grades.

Just enjoy your senior year!”

- Ms. Staci Richard

worry about it.”

- Mr. Tyler Hodges

“Be sure to thank your teachers and Dr. Revells.

Keep in mind that if your grades drop second semester, your college will send you a letter asking you to explain yourself. Try and enjoy the present instead of focusing on what next year will be like. And plan senior prank early in April so it doesn’t conflict with final exams before APs.” - Ms. Katie Pointer

12

October 26, 2012

Sports

Rallying on the Homefront

By CAITLIN CONNOR AND STEPHEN MCCAFFERY

Homecoming Football

In spite of the end score of 26-63 , the Owls opened the game with passion. Visiting Coast Union, a previously eleven-man team, ran the ball to the end zone early in the game, only to be answered on Laguna’s first drive, resulting in a touchdown.

Despite this early strike back, Coast Union went on to score 50 unanswered points before the end of the half, dwindling the chances of a victory for the Owls.

Laguna held the ball at the beginning of the second half, but failed to convert on their first possession. Coast Union drove to the end zone once again, widening the scoring gap.

However, junior Quentin Tedesco marched the team down the field for a second Laguna touchdown. The end of the third quarter came to a close with the team’s momentum slowly building.

The Owls’ defense came on the field, and successfully halted Coast Union’s drive. When the offense then came on the field they advanced the ball down another six points.

Junior Daniel Moghtader’s impressive defense led to a fumble recovery for the Owls. With time running out, Quentin led another fast drive into the end zone to end the game at 26-63.

JV Volleyball

Preceding the Varsity game, the Junior Varsity squad took home another win for Laguna, earning a victory over Cate in three.

Volleyball

PHOTOS: TARA BROUCQSALT AND ANGUS WATTERS

(Bottom) Junior Quentin Tedesco #16 rolls out of the pocket to evade the pressure. (Top Left) Freshman Luisa Cameron #6 and Senior Jessie Dusebout #9 go up for the block in Saturday’s Homecoming match up against crosstown-rival Cate School.

(Top Right) Junior Middle-Blocker Grace Woolf #1 attempts a kill against the Cate block.

Outdoor Adventure Program Takes Off

L

By SCOTT JOHNSTON

earning does not just happen In response to being asked which in the classroom. Laguna stuof the activities she is most excited dents who have participated in about doing, Hayley said, “I’m looking the new Outdoor Adventure Program forward to all of the activities.” activities before and after school know The program also offers weekend this by heart. trips approximately every two months.

New faculty member and sixth grade The first trip took place over Colummath teacher Mr. Craig Bailes leads bus Day weekend at Santa Cruz Island the program that offers sport endeavand Scorpion Ranch, which is the naors ranging from kayaking to rock tional park service side of the island. climbing.

The trip ended up being a father and Headmaster Mr. son weekend with Paul Slocombe three families. and Middle The trip-goers School Head Mr. left early Saturday Durward Brandis morning via the approached Mr. Island Packers Bailes at the end boat service in of the last school Ventura. year to see if he A few of the was interested in activities that the being the direcparticipants did tor of the new included kayaking program because and hiking. of his extensively This was the experienced first of many fifteen-year backexcursions ofground in outdoor fered to Laguna education. families, and Mr. “I gladly acBailes hopes that cepted the opporin the future the tunity,” Mr. Bailes program can take said. people to MamActivities are moth Mountain offered to stuand Los Padres dents from fifth to National Forest. twelfth grade, but For the after most participants school program come from the itself, Upper Middle School.

PHOTO: NICK MORELLO School students The program are encouraged will run through- TREKKING: A group of Laguna families to get more taking a hike on Santa Cruz trip. out the school involved in the year with typiprogram to procally two to three vide leadership events every week that include stand and guidance to the younger Middle up paddle boarding, hiking, kayaking, School students. rock climbing, surfing, and more. The Through his exposure to the benefits feedback on this new program has of outdoor instruction, Mr. Bailes has been very positive. come to believe that people learn betSixth grader Hayley Bankhead has ter when active and in nature. gone to two kayaking sessions and He believes that the outdoor learnloved them both. When asked about ing experience “adds more to a the activities, she said, “It’s fun to be student or anyone and helps connect in the ocean with your friends!” people to the world around them.”

Sweeping in three, the Owls grabbed the Cate Rams by the horns with a dominant league win.

Sophomore Hannah White led the team with an impressive 10 kills, while junior Chloe Richman tallied a teamhigh of 15 kills for the defense.

Starting out a bit slow, the Owls had to rally back to overcome an early deficit in the first game.

An exceptional run led to girls to a 25-16 victory.

Momentum stayed on the Owls’ side for the remainder of the match.

In the second set, Laguna came out with fire, earning a decisive 25-16 win.

Junior Clara Madsen had a noteworthy performance with four kills and three aces.

The third set was much of the same, with Laguna rolling to another 25-18 win.

New Coaches Fill Much Needed Roles

By STEPHEN MCCAFFERY

Varsity Football

HEAD COACH: Shane Lopes ASSISTANTS: Leon Bidlow and Bruce Dodson COACHING PHILOSOPHY: “My general philosophy, as head football coach, is to act and make decisions in ways that are always in the best interest of the program. My purpose is to teach student-athletes the fundamental principles involved in the game of football and how the process of learning these principles can be applied to everyday life. Win, lose or draw, my goal is that each student-athlete leaves our program with a stronger belief in themselves and a greater understanding of what it means to work hard, be disciplined and remain humble” – Coach Shane Lopes.

PLAYER’S TAKE: “Coach Lopes is focused on rebuilding the reputation of Owls Football. He started by establishing a program focused on discipline and athletic fundamentals, which over time should lead to Laguna Blanca becoming a powerhouse, able to compete with schools like Cate and Thacher, who currently have a strong advantage over the owls. I support Coach Lopes’ system believing they will help reach everyone’s goal of the Owls becoming a force to recon with in the Condor League, and even winning CIF Championships.” – Senior Justin Palmer.

Girls JV Volleyball White:

COACH: Katherine Nitsko COACHING PHILOSOPHY: “Work hard, never give up, and play as a team” – Coach Katherine Nitsko.

PLAYER’S TAKE: “Coach Nitsko is a really supportive coach and we are all improving with her.” – Sophomore MacKenna Connor.

Girls JV Volleyball Blue:

COACH: Blake Dorfman (’02) COACHING PHILOSOPHY: “At the JV level we see competition at a variety of skill levels. Our goal is to focus on what we can I improve on our side of the net and not play down to any competition. We set team goals for each game, and we’re off to a 3-1 start with a dominant win over Cate” – Coach Blake Dorfman.

PLAYER’S TAKE: “[Coach Dorfman] brings so much energy to practice and helps keep us motivated and willing to work hard and learn.

We have improved so much already.”

– Junior Kaylee Strachan.

Cross Country

COACH: David Silverander (‘01) COACHING PHILOSOPHY: Train smart. Race hard” – Coach David Silverander.

PLAYER’S TAKE: “David is a great coach, who has a good deal of experience in coaching and racing and is a super nice guy” – Sophomore Cooper Farrell.

Surf Club Raises Waves

By SCOTT JOHNSTON

P

addle out, catch some waves, and have loads of fun. Three things that eighth grader Shea Riley does nearly everyday and fellow students now have the prospect of doing as well.

The Laguna Blanca Surf Club is a brand new program that grants students in the Middle and Upper School the opportunity to engage in water activities.

The club was started this year by Shea Riley and fellow

Sports

13 The Detriments of Coaching October 26, 2012

By JESSIE DUSEBOUT Coaches have the power to encourage and instill confidence in their players, but they can destroy a player’s self-esteem just as easily.

Anyone can coach a team with his or her own coaching style, but it takes a special coach to change his or her preferred style and adapt to the needs of the athletes.

Successful coaches recognize that they are leaders; they establish credibility and respect amongst their athletes and develop a common desire with their team to better their performance.

Coaches who tell their players why changes have been made and what their expectations are, are ultimately more effective in bringing the team together.

“One of the most important traits in a coach is knowledge of the game. I prefer coaches who have played the game, as it is nice if they understand the game from a technical and playing standpoint. Once I find someone with that knowledge they need to be a good teacher. They need to be able to break it down so everyone can understand.

Communication is a very big thing with everyone,” said Athletics Director Mr. Mike Biermann.

Dillan Bennett, Middle and Upper School volleyball coach said, “You have to be able to talk to your players. I think communicating with them is very important because by opening com-

munication with your players they will come to you. You want that open dialogue because you want a player to be comfortable with not only your coaching style, but you as a person.

It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about, ‘am I going to communicate and have a relationship in that kid’s life after they leave the sport.’”

Different coaching styles work for different sports, teams, and levels of play.

Some teams require extra work on fundamentals and others on playing smart, but the main idea is that a successful coach recognizes his or her athletes’ needs and changes his or her teaching style to accommodate them.

“Coaches need to embrace effective change that is in the best interest of

their team,” said Senior Captain of the Girls Tennis Team Caitlin Connor.

A common debate, especially in team sports, is playing time. Every boy on the soccer team or girl on the lacrosse team wants to play every minute of every game. But what is the fairest way to ensure that the best players with the most skills are on the field?

“I can tell who should play and who shouldn’t based on their skill level and work ethic. When it comes time to decide on your starting lineup, it is based on how they have played. I can back that up with any statistical number we have kept through practice and in games. It is not based on a gut feeling.

It is not based on anything other than facts. I stick to facts when I fix my lineup,” said coach Bennett.

GRAPHIC: ZOE SERBIN

Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Caitlin Connor

By STEPHEN MCCAFFERY

C

aptain of the Girls Tennis Team and No. 1 singles player (for the 2nd year in a row), Senior Caitlin Connor was recently awarded Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table for her remarkable achievements on the court, in the classroom, and beyond.

Last season, Caitlin led the Owls to their first victory over rival Cate School in 30 years and to the CIF playoffs. This year Caitlin has led the girls team to a 3-2 record while recording a 6-0 personal record.

In the classroom, Caitlin has a

GPA of 4.21 and has garnered several academic awards including the AP Scholar with Distinction and the Tierney Award for Excellence in Latin.

Beyond the classroom and the court, Caitlin has volunteered with various programs including: Safety Town, The Children’s Creative Project, the Cottage Hospital NICU Reunion, the Boys & Girls Club, the Santa Barbara Zoo, the Hearts Adaptive Riding, and BUNS. "Off the court, Caitlin is a quiet, unassuming, sweet, wonderful kid.

On the court, total opposite. She's a fighter, tenacious...she fights for every point and is the ultimate team player," Athletic Director Mike Biermann tells the Santa Barbara News-Press.

Feature Athlete: Quentin Tedesco Junior Quentin Tedesco is the co-captain of the football team and starts at the quarterback position.

Coming into the season and for the first two games, Tedesco was tagged as the No. 1 Wide Receiver. In the first game versus Valley Christian Academy, he was targeted team-high 14 times and recorded team-high nine receptions with two reception TDs. In the 2nd game versus Hillcrest Academy, Tedesco led the team, once again, with seven receptions and a TD reception.

Tedesco accounted for over half of the total team receptions and PHOTO: HELENA DAVILA half of the TD receptions.

In the rivalry game at Cate, he accounted for 101 percent of the total offense of the Owls, recording 55 rush yards and 174 pass yards for 2 TDs.

eighth grader Travis Smillie. Travis recently moved to Santa Barbara from New Zealand and has been surfing since he was four years old.

Shea learned to surf when he lived in Hawaii at the age of two. Shea competes individually through the National Scholastic Surfing Association and the Western Surfing Association. Travis tells us that he does not compete at the moment but says he would like to and is interested in competing once he improves.

The two boys brought on Mr. Moore to be the faculty advisor of the student run club.

The Laguna Blanca Surf Club is open to students of all skill levels and will not only focus on just surfing, but also surfing’s rich history and the environment.

The club will be working with the Surfrider Foundation, an organization focused on keeping the ocean clean and safe.

Surfing sessions will take place once or twice a month and the only things that the students need to bring are a board and a wetsuit.

Practices will either be at Hope Ranch Beach or Hendry’s Beach.

At this point, the club has around 10-13 members, almost all of whom are Middle School students.

Next year, Shea and Travis hope that the club will evolve into a competitive team that has a coach and is involved in weekend meets and contests.

These contests would give more skilled surfers a chance to compete, and less experienced surfers new opportunities to explore an engaging sport.

When asked why he was motivated to bring a surf club to Laguna, Shea said, “I thought it would be good if we did and it is a good opportunity to have fun and maybe compete later on.”

Feature Athlete: Clara Madsen Junior Clara Madsen, a three-year varsity player, starts as setter for the Owls Varsity Girls Volleyball Team.

Recording 59 kills in the season, Clara has been instrumental in the offensive success of this year’s varsity squad.

Clara has also contributed to her team’s defensive success, earning a team-high 87 digs on the season. She has also served 17 aces.

Her extraordinary performance has ushered the team to a 6-2 (3-0 Condor League) start to the season.

However, Clara’s exceptional play is no surprise.

She played club for several years before her high school years and still continues her club play during the offPHOTO: HELENA DAVILA season.

Because of her extensive experience and athletic talent, Clara has been a significant member of the varsity squad for her entire high-school career.

PHOTO COURTESY OF: CARRIE RILEY

SURF’S UP: Shea Riley (second on the right) receives an award for his performance in the age 18 and under individual long board competition at the California Street Classic in Ventura.

14

A&E

October 26, 2012

By STEPHEN McCAFFERY

T

he Stage Band has added a few new faces into the mix.

After losing two four year ‘Stage-Banders,’ Andrew McCaffery ‘12, lead vocals and guitar, and Troy Ritter ‘12, drums, there were a few empty shoes that had to be filled.

Andrew and Troy brought their talent to the table all four years as band members. But, as they say, nothing lasts forever.

Five talented and proven musicians will be filling up those empty shoes for the next couple of years this year: sophomore Ryan Chiment (guitar), sophomore John Ligon (guitar),

Stage Band Takes the Next Measure Travis Fristoe: Harmonica, lead vocals, guitar Ryan Chiment: Guitar

John Ligon: Guitar

Armon Ghodoussi: Keyboard

Justin Bollag: Drums

sophomore Justin Bollag (drums), freshman Travis Fristoe (vocals, harmonica, guitar), and freshman Armon Ghodoussi (key-

board).

“I’m excited about being able to perform more often and

developing as a musician,” said Ryan Chiment, “The first weeks have

been a good introduction to the band, and I think we have a lot of potential.”

For the first couple of

weeks, the new members have been playing the charts as a whole for the first time, while the vets, sophomore Stephen McCaffery, a third year, bass and junior Conrad Perry, a second year saxophone, had been brushing off the summer rust in preparation for their first gig, jogathon.

“I was excited for jogathon and a bit nervous. It was the first gig with the new band and I hope we lived up to what’s come to be expected from the Laguna Blanca Stage Band,” John Ligon said.

For an hour following the jogathon, the Stage Band performed jazz standards, funk, and blues for a the tired runners and their families.

PHOTOS: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA

Review: Local Art Livens the Night Every “1st Thursday”

By ALLISON TOWBES

F

PHOTOS: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA FIRST IMPRESSIONS: (From left to right) Pascale Beale featured at Hampstead Village on State Street; artwork being displayed in a gallery in La Arcada; local art by Dan Levin; “First Thursday” sign outside of Bella Rosa gallery; a scene of “First Thursday” goers; local musicians come to play for First Thursday; the Visual & Design Academy showcases student work; artist Irene Estrin interacts with community through sculpting.

PHOTO: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA MAKING MUSIC: Senior Daria Etezadi gives junior Margaret Lazarovits an “A,” while sophomore Stephen McCaffery and instructor Ms. Geier discuss the group’s repertoire.

Around the World in a Beat

By ANASTASIA ANTONOVA

In order to bring back a little bit of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Turkey to the Santa Barbara community, Middle and Upper school music instructor Ms. Laura Geier created the Multicultural Beat.

This world music group is comprised of six students, from eighth grader Matthew Berg on violin to senior Daria Etezadi on piano.

“My passion in music revolves around music for dancing, and music that represents the uniqueness inherent in all cultures,” Ms. Geier said.

Due to her love of world music and her

students’ enthusiasm to learn about new types of music, Ms. Geier decided to create this music group.

Currently, the members are working on odd-metered tunes from Romania and Turkey, a completely new concept to most of the members.

“There's so much room for experimentation in this type of music. It's unpredictable but structured at the same time. I can't wait until we can start improvising in these crazy meters,” said junior Margaret Lazarovits who plays violin for the “Beat.”

Along with playing

new music comes playing new instruments for the group.

Most of the members have been able to try out a Persian and Arabic drum called the doumbek, each attempting to keep the rhythm with the bass, played by sophomore Stephen McCaffery.

The group meets almost every week on Wednesday evenings, many of the members rushing from their sport practice to rehearsal in tennis shoes or jerseys.

While they don’t have a set opening show, the group will be performing in late November or early December.

or a town with a population of approximately 90,000, Santa Barbara is full of a surprising amount of cultural activities.

From the plethora of art galleries up and down State Street to the ever-popular Sunday Art Walk on East Beach, this town is a haven for the artistically inclined.

Once a month, the urbane and the artsy come out in the evenings, haunting the galleries around La Arcada and

the Santa Barbara Museum of Art to participate in “1st Thursday,” the monthly celebration of local talent. This summons hundreds of people to observe, celebrate, and to buy art.

“1st Thursday” runs from 5:00- 8:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month.

Popular galleries, like Brooks Institute: Gallery 27, stay open for the event. Opportunities to view amateur artists’ works, such as Santa Barbara High’s Visual Arts & Design students, as well as professional work in the Santa Barbara Museum of Art are available to the general public, free of charge.

This cultural melting pot has broad appeal, not only for those whose skills lie within the realm of fine arts.

Beneath the auburn glow of the streetlights,

beautiful people in bright colors mingle and talk, using mysterious and enthralling words like “apochromatic” and “lithograph.”

Melodic tunes come from the cafés, from the brooding artists strumming guitars in the half light.

Standing in the breeze, it is easy to imagine that La Arcada is an exotic Parisian side street rather that a Southern Californian hubbub.

I will be the first to admit that I have no talent when it comes to art. My weak attempts at ceramics have been decent at best, and my meager skills with a camera are due mostly to the hipster-esque equipment that I’ve been able to get my hands on.

However, despite my lack of artistic endowment, I have fallen in love with First Thursday.

Lifestyle

October 26, 2012

15

here’s a reason tourists flock to Santa Barbara. But when you live in it, it becomes your norm, the sandy beaches, antique stores and cute bistros become invisible, and it can be easy to fall into the same everyday routine. We felt it was time to shake things up a bit. So after a little exploring around downtown State Street, we’ve found a few hidden gems worth branching out for.

By CAITLIN CONNOR

By KARINNA CARRILLO

Santa Barbara is a unique place with blue skies yearround, and palm trees in the parking lots. Yet, local and visitor culture can sometimes clash.

For those of us locals, it is sometimes easy to forget how fortunate we are to live in such a stunning place. It seems these fantastic hideouts and little enjoyable places are slipping into the background, perhaps it’s time for a refresher.

It takes just Santa Barbara trip at the heart of downtown to visit Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens rediscover some of these beauties.

From the turtles lazing in the lapping pond to the winding pathways that meander through the vibrant garden, it is easy to see why people here are scattered about on the open grass areas picnicking and strumming on guitars.

“It is a little bit of heaven in a small city,” said senior Bryana Schantz.

For those fresh food junkies, find the map of the park that points out all the flora and fauna, including the edible ones. After a healthy 10 or 15 minute walk to the fig tree, hop on a bike for the half a mile ride to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Featuring pieces from Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and many more, this small two-floor museum offers free admission with a student ID. Also visit Lotus Land in upper Montecito to take in the roses, palm trees, cacti, lotuses, and all the other hundreds and thousands of foreign and natural plants and landscapes.

Lotus Land is also always looking for volunteers, and it’s a great place to put in a little community service.

Lotus Land truly is a place for everyone and is considered by many as the most beautiful garden in town.

In such a trendy town as Santa Barbara, one could assume that downtown consists of only clothing stores. Fortunately, that isn’t the case.

So there I was, wandering around like a lost tourist, looking for new stores. As I carefully eyed each stores’ decorated window displays, I found myself drawn to only a handful of them. What surprised me was that the ones that I did actually step into weren’t even clothing stores; they were odd shops that sold and offered random goods and services.

With less than 200 likes on Facebook, it’s easy to assume that this shop isn’t worthy of anyone’s time, but that assumption is definitely wrong.

Salt Cave in Santa Barbara, “a specialty shop,” according to one employee, sells everything from 100 percent salt slab cutting boards to Himalayan salt scrub.

The homey store that neighbors Pinkberry downtown is definitely a special place. Not to mention, its zero gravity chairs, which can’t be found in a typical living room. They are just about the coolest things I’ve ever sat on.

Reminiscent of the coveted ‘70s egg chairs, these hanging baskets are perfect for curling up on a lazy afternoon with a good book and a cup of tea -or perhaps a chunk of salt!

And just in case you leave feeling like you have spoiled yourself, just accredit your frequent visits to the fact that Himalayan Salts are beneficial to one’s health.

Because in reality, the Himalayan Salts have been utilized to help cure many respiratory illnesses including allergies and asthma!

Whether you’re swinging by to pick up a cutting board, or a unique piece of jewelry, Salt Cave has it all, and everything is made of salt, guaranteed.

Pack a picnic and spend Antique Alley is a great a lazy afternoon under a antique store that always tree in Alice Keck Park. has interesting odds and ends.

Salt Cave is a great Also check out Warbler place to pick up unique Records and Goods for an awesome selection of hostess gifts or holiday presents. vinyls.

By HELENA DAVILA

t’s easy to get stuck in a rut in Santa Barbara. I feel I can safely say that Panino, Fresco and Renaud’s are all regular haunts for us all. Yet, when to my alarm I realized I’d memorized the contents of the bakery case at Renaud’s, and knew just the right time to place a pick up order at Fresco to avoid the lunch rush, it was time to branch out.

And that, my friends, is how I found myself seated on a rickety wooden stool facing a blank wall plastered with faded tourist maps of Greece, and a gyro in my hand.

I’ll admit, the Greek House Cafe looks like a sketchy broom closet. Located on lower State Street, the rusted

PHOTOS: HELENA DAVILA

CHOW TIME: Yep, those are french fries in that gyro.

Don’t worry, they’re really quite tasty. wire door and mustard yellow gargantuan. walls are less than appealing.

Not in the mood for Greek?

Yet, I was intrigued, and the The Blue Owl located on steady stream of customers Canon Perdido is a great little was a good sign. hole in the wall gourmet café The menu has no more than featuring classic American ten items, all under $10. The breakfast and lunch with an offerings are all basic Greek Asian twist. The prices are befaire; falafel plates, gyros, the yond reasonable, (duck croisworks. Everything is packed sant for $8.25, seriously?!), to go regardless of if you’re and the food is fantastic. eating in or not, and there’s The casual open kitchen hot sauce on the table, just in floor plan encourages easy case. Needless to say, the food conversation with the emis awesome, and the portions ployees, and everything from

QUICK BITE: The Blue Owl’s interior is just as adorable as the sign! the bread to the frittatas are made absolutely from scratch.

The best part? These guys are open late Friday and Saturday nights from 11:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Feeling something sweet?

Chocolate Maya is the best place in town for beautiful little chocolates with impressively sophisticated flavors.

The teeny little shop located next to Backyard Bowls downtown offers everything from dark chocolate truffles with

local mint leaves to delicate little dark 65 percent chocolate roses infused with imported rose water. For those of you ecologically minded consumers, you can rest easy, knowing all of Chocolate Maya’s packaging is 100 percent environmentally friendly.

Though I do still certainly still frequent my favorite French bakery and other various lunch stops, I can now say thanks to a little exploring, that I have a few more stops

Back Page

October 26, 2012

THE LOCAL ROAST...

16

PAGE LAYOUT BY ANASTASIA ANTONOVA AND ZOE SERBIN PHOTOS: ANASTASIA ANTONOVA ART: ZOE SERBIN

BEST STUDY SPACE

COFFEE CAT 1201 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

(805) 962-7164

52 percent of our student body drinks coffee regularly.

It fuels us.

In our Santa Barbara community, we’re lucky enough to have a plethora of local coffee shops to choose from.

Here are The Fourth Estate’s top picks for where to get the best brew.

BEST PEOPLE WATCHING

“With plenty of power outlets and secluded booths, the Coffee Cat is the best place to study late for that midterm.”

- Anastasia Antonova

BEST PITSTOP

OPEN CUP COFFEE & TEA

(805) 617-3313

728 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

“Open is the place where you can swing by to pick up a quick coffee or and end up spending an entire afternoon; the atmosphere is great and the music is awesome.”

- Helena Davila

THE HANDLEBAR 128 East Canon Perdido Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

(719) 201-3931

MOST HIP

“It’s cool that they roast their own beans and it’s evident that the couple who owns the shop work incredibly hard. And their cappuccinos are amazing.”

- Olivia Berci

THE FRENCH PRESS (805) 963-2721

1101 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

“The French Press has the most adorable atmosphere. All of the servers and the patrons look so classy and the coffee is amazing.”

- Allison Towbes