Issue 2 2013 by The Scribe

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The

Vol. XVI, Issue 2 Francis Parker School December 2013

DECEMBER 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 2 4

OP 6 7 8 10 11 12

FE 14 16 18 20 22

AC 24 26 27 28 32 34

SP 36 38 39 40 42

+ 44 46 47 48 50 51 52

COVERS BY DUTRA BROWN, JACOB GARDENSWARTZ, CIAN LAVIN, AND PATRICK RILEY TABLE OF CONTENTS STAFF PAGE

OPINIONS EDITOR’S NOTE BY MICHELA RODRIGUEZ GBU BY THE SCRIBE STAFF ‘TIS THE SEASON? BY CAROLINE MERKIN DOUBLE TROUBLE BY MYLA ANDREWS ASK & ANSWER BY MORGAN SMITH NOT WORTH THE RISK BY SAMANTHA PRYOR

FEATURES THE FAB FIVE BY PATRICK RILEY MAN IN BLACK BY MAX FEYE SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY BY SOREN HANSEN FROM MEXICALI TO CALEXICO BY NISHON TYLER TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS BY ALEX DEDDEH

ARTS & CULTURE OUT WITH THE NEW, IN WITH THE OLD BY OLIVIA FIDLER DECK THE HALLS BY EMMA MOORE NUTCRACKER BY NATALIE GREENBERG WHAT’S COOKIN’, GOOD LOOKIN’? BY GRACE SELLICK HE’S KIND OF A BIG DEAL BY CAROLINE WOHL HOT / NOT / TRENDY BY NATALIE GREENBERG

SPORTS LET’S GET RAD BY MORGAN SMITH FIGHT THE TYPE BY CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS BY JASH BABLA ON SAND AND STAGE BY GRACE SELLICK ORIGINAL VARSITY BY GABRIEL GROSS-SABLE

ETCETERA FROM THE DESK OF... BY ALLIE GOINES RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR BY JULIANNA D’AURIA HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE BY ALLIE GOINES CREATURE FEATURE BY JULIANNA D’AURIA MORE THAN MERIT BY PATRICK RILEY QUADRANTS COMPILED BY MARK KLEIN AND SOREN HANSEN BACK COVER

COLOPHON Body Typeface: Minion Pro 9 pt Header Typeface: Century Gothic Regular Folio Typeface: Century Gothic Printed By: IPS Publishing, San Diego, CA

Sophomore Jennifer Irving takes a break from surf practice to check out the unbeatable view at Sunset Cliffs.

Counselors Jasmin Taylor, Terri Devine, and Bob Hurley keep positive attitudes during the busy college season. “I hope you don’t see the stress coming from us,” says Hurley, “other than the fact I had no grey hair before.”

With only one month until she steps on the stage of Spreckels Theatre, Sara Yuen has to learn an entire new Nutcracker after switching studios from San Diego School of Ballet to City Ballet of San Diego.

Kugel, the traditional Jewish noodle casserole, is one of the Goldberg family’s favorite dishes to cook on Chanukah.

Junior Quintin Chambers prepares for a spike during an average beach volleyball practice

“Coexist, the second studio album of the band The XX, is one of few new releases available as a vinyl record and is the perfect gift for indie-pop music fans.

Shopping at thrift stores instead of Urban Outfitters saved Cara Stiegler almost $200. may 2013 THE SCRIBE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREW HOLBROOK

STAFF PAGE Editor-in-Chief MICHELA RODRIGUEZ

Opinions Editor NISHON TYLER

Creative Director CIAN LAVIN

Features Editors SAM PRYOR ARIELLE SWEDBACK

Managing Editor JAY GARDENSWARTZ Art Director DUTRA BROWN Senior Editor ARIELLE SWEDBACK Web Editor BRIANNA GOLDBERG Contributing Artists ISAAC GREY SARAH NICITA ERIK RIIS BRAD SOMMER SOPHIE WOODS

Arts & Culture Editors OLIVIA FIDLER PATRICK RILEY Sports Editors JACK BENOIT CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY Etcetera Editors SOREN HANSEN MARK KLEIN

Staff Writers MYLA ANDREWS JASH BABLA JULIANNA D’AURIA ALEX DEDDEH MAX FEYE ALLIE GOINES NATALIE GREENBERG GABRIEL GROSS-SABLE DANIEL LEIBOWITZ CAROLINE MERKIN EMMA MOORE MADDIE OTTILIE GRACE SELLICK MORGAN SMITH CAROLINE WOHL Adviser ANDREW HOLBROOK

EDITORIAL POLICY Serving as the official news magazine of the Francis Parker Upper School, The Scribe strives to report on the major news stories on campus while providing the student body with a cutting-edge take on campus life and culture. The editorial staff oversees the editing and production aspects of the magazine. Members of the staff also volunteer a great deal of their after-school and weekend time to work on the magazine. The editor-in-chief assumes all responsibility for the material published in The Scribe. For this reason, any errors or complaints should be reported to the editor-in-chief and not to the authors of particular articles.

Check out The Scribe’s website, with online articles, videos, surveys, old issues, and more at www.fpsthescribe.org Share with us any questions, comments, or concerns you have about the magazine. Your opinions matter! Email us at fpscribe@gmail.com. Join our Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/ fpsthescribe to stay updated on everything Scribe-related.

OPI N I O NS editor’s note pg. 6 I gbu pg. 7 ’tis the season? pg. 8 I double trouble pg. 10 ask & answer pg. 11 I not worth the risk pg. 12

ARTWORK BY DUTRA BROWN AND JAY GARDENSWARTZ

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PHOTO BY JAY GARDENSWARTZ

EDITOR’S NOTE

his is a holiday confessional. There are people who seem to live for the holidays (“’Tis the Season?” page 8), the ones who keep a calendar of ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas, who have a sixth sense when it comes to giving gifts (“Holiday Gift Guide,” page 47), who have a different sweater for every chilly December day. I’ve never been one of those people. There was no turkey at our family’s Thanksgiving this year, just a prime rib. My Starbucks Christmas cup is a façade; what looks like a peppermint mocha is really just a dirty chai latte. My family tends to forget about sundown and lights the menorah at 9 p.m. for at least three of the eight nights. Our lights come readily affixed to our tree, the same tree that sits in a box in storage for 11 months every year. Am I bad at the holidays? I used to think so. I used to think that the holiday season was about living in a real-life snowglobe. How could we ever be walking in a winter wonderland if Parker students are still surfing in the middle of December (“Let’s Get Rad,” page 36)? Where’s the white Christmas I’ve been dreaming of? I eventually realized that silver bells and chestnuts roasting over an open fire didn’t determine the festiveness of the season. You don’t have to fulfill the lyrical

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

clichés of the carols we were taught in preschool. You don’t have to buy a nine-foot Douglas fir and drape it with tinsel and ribbons and pinecones. You don’t have to spend eight crazy nights dancing the horah while eating plates of piping hot latkes. That’s what the holidays can be about, but it’s not what they have to be about. They can just be watching It’s a Wonderful Life or Elf or Love Actually with the people who matter most. They can be that one song you belt on road trips (“Deck the Halls,” page 26) while bracing yourself for the barrage of pinched cheeks and “you’ve gotten so tall!”s from extended family members. They can be as simple as the cinnamon sticks you use to stir your apple cider or as intricate as the kugel you and your mom spend the morning preparing in the kitchen(“What’s Cookin’, Good Lookin’?” page 28). They can be the sugar cookies you bake for your friends, the Chinese food you eat with your family, the eggnog you hesitantly try and immediately regret. They can be the continual clang of the Salvation Army bell outside Vons or the ceaseless flashing of your neighbor’s lights. They can be the family from down the block invited over to watch a football game or an annual family soccer scrimmage at the park at the bottom of the hill. Because it’s not what we do that makes the holidays important. It’s not the sprawl of your Christmas village or your masterful paper snowflake technique that makes you better or worse at celebrating them. It’s greeting the season with sincerity, being infected with the spirit of giving and putting aside the everyday stresses of our high school schedules to be grateful. It’s spreading cheer by singing loud for all to hear. It’s being proud of our own quirky traditions, the ones that came long before we did that make us nostalgic and the ones we started this year just for laughs. It’s taking the time to remember why we love the people we love, and remembering how to love them. It’s joy, plain and simple. Happy holidays,

MICHELA RODRIGUEZ Editor-in-Chief

G THE GOOD

athletic achievements

B THE BAD

commercial christmas

U TH E U G L Y

cultural appropriation

You don’t have to know anything about sports to know a thing or two about pride. It’s been a record-breaking year for Parker athletics. There were ups. There were downs. There were ten nights under the lights when football went undefeated in the regular season for the first time in school history. There were evenings spent on the edges of our seats as varsity girls’ volleyball won the CIF state championship for the second year in a row. Girls’ golf won the Coastal League Conference for the third year in a row, adding a banner to their collection. Eight cross country runners made their way to state and the girls’ team placed thirteenth. Girls’ tennis went further than the team ever has, sending five girls to CIF individuals. In this era of ironic appreciation, it’s refreshing to see the Parker community united in brown and gold, cheering on their classmates.

In an interview on the Today show last month, former Vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin said, “I love the commercialization of Christmas because it spreads the Christmas cheers, the most jolly holiday obviously on our calendar.” Sorry, Sarah, but we disagree. Where Christmas was once about the joy of mankind and the pleasure of spending time with loved ones, the Yuletide season has become more about the taste of overpriced peppermint lattés, the horrible itch of designer “ugly” sweaters, and enough tinsel to rebuild Tinseltown. Now, we love giving and receiving gifts as much as anybody, but surely there has to be more to this Christmas business than the crush of Black Friday, the chill of Cyber Monday and the interminable loop of grocery-store Christmas carols. Maybe we need a red-nosed reindeer to show us the way back.

We’ve got Serra High School staffers in blackface, Katy Perry dolled up Memoirs of a Geisha-style, and Ke$ha blowing up the AMA’s surrounded by “Sexy Natives,” so it’s easy to see where you’d get the idea that any of the above are okay. But sit down, wipe off the brown face paint, take off the kimono, and listen up: cultural appropriation—that is, taking the most stereotypical aspects of other cultures and rocking them like they’re nobody’s business—is not cute. In fact, it’s pretty ugly. Other cultures aren’t props, and trotting them out as it suits your fancy is so last season.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FACT.CO.UK

THE BAROMETER COMMONS FURNITURE

The Nicholas Commons has never been so comfortable. The bean bag chairs? Perfectly fluffy. The couches? Elegantly practical. The pillows? Like little chunks of cloud. No longer empty, the Commons is now the spot for free period hang-outs, and the furniture is what makes the space. It doesn’t hurt that it’s waterproof as well.

VACATIONS

We have, between the next few months, approximately one month of vacation coming to us. That means 28 days to spend in the warmth and comfort of our loved ones. 672 hours to marathon our favorite television shows, stuff ourselves silly and chat with Grandma about the good old days. 2,419,200 seconds to procrastinate on that “suggested reading.” Grab your most forgiving sweater and a sturdy pair of sweatpants, because this is the season of comfort eating.

PARKING LOT TICKETS

We get it. Getting a ticket for parking in the fire lane is not fun. But being the victim of a tragic fire because the fire trucks have nowhere to park is less fun. The distance between Alcala Knolls Drive and Linda Vista Rd is .00000000001 miles. You can do it.

THE TIME CHANGE

With November 3, came a true blessing: an extra hour of sleep. Don’t laugh, it’s good for your health (at least according to the National Sleep Foundation). Who are we to argue? We could do without the darkness, though. How are we supposed to frolic in the flowering meadows when the sun sets at four o’clock?

MISSING THE POINT

There’s nothing more infuriating than walking out of a particularly moving assembly, like Hudson Taylor’s speech on the power of words, only to find the message being mocked by kids who can’t seem to take it seriously. At Parker, we like to think of ourselves as accepting, but maybe we should take Hudson’s advice and think about how what we say will affect others.

GLOBAL WARMING

Droughts throughout the Southwest, monster typhoons, and blizzards that shut down entire Midwestern states can only mean one thing. The climate is changing and we are not fans. Stay green, kids.

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’TIS THE SEASON? THE QUESTION OF EMPHASIS ON HOLIDAY SPIRIT ARTICLE BY CAROLINE MERKIN ARTWORK BY SARAH NICITA

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

was in the third grade

when I figured out Santa Claus wasn’t real. Dreams crushed, I ran to my room crying and yelling at my parents the few bad words I knew:“you stupid cotton-headed ninny muggins!” Yes, cotton-headed ninny muggins, from the best movie out there, Elf. As long as I can remember, Christmas has been the highlight of my year. Whether I was snooping around my mom’s closet to get a sneak peak of my soon-to-be presents or singing “O Holy Night” way off key in my church’s reenactment of the nativity scene, the holiday season was my time to shine. As Christmas creeps up on us, some may be anxiously waiting for “the most wonderful time of the year,” but what about the ones who aren’t? Are students who don’t celebrate Christmas to be acknowledged as well? At Francis Parker, we stress individuality and embrace diversity. We respect, or at least try to, all aspects of our tight-knit community’s differences. From Christians to atheists, Jews to Hindus, Parker’s religion spectrum stretches across the board. Being the largest non-religiously affiliated private school in San Diego, Parker prides itself on its ability to study and express any religion in the world as well as that religion’s culture and traditions. But many have come to question if we are doing enough. “There’s so many religions practiced at Parker that it’s hard to include them all,” says junior Samhita Palakodeti. During the holiday season, Parker puts on the holiday concert, in which the music classes and clubs blast “Deck the Halls.” We have spirit days with students dressed in Santa hats and jingle bell earrings. We have bake sales, sprinkled with red and green goodies. And we have kickbacks, decorated with dangling Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer cutouts to look forward to. It’s Christmas time. And although many students claim that they aren’t bothered by the way Parker celebrates, does that make it right? Religious holidays are growing more and more controversial when recognized in a school setting. Many of Parker’s students agree that the school’s holiday cele-

“

I don’t really see what’s wrong with Christmas trees. We’re going for a secular Christmas, but I think it’s a little over-restrictive.” —Sam Deddeh

brations are biased towards Christmas, but that they aren’t affected. “I personally don’t really care,” says Palakodeti, a practicing Hindu. “We live in America, where all cultures and traditions are practiced. Even I celebrate Christmas, just not in a religious way.” Sophomore Stella Gerson is Jewish, and her family acknowledges Christmas as well, just not in a way that commemorates the religious aspect. “It’s an excuse to make lots of yummy cookies,” Gerson says. “I mean, who can complain?” Junior Jay Tibbitts, an agnostic, agrees. “We’re not really a religious school so I wouldn’t expect us to accommodate everyone,” Tibbitts says. “I think the religions that the majority of the students are should be the ones most celebrated.” Cameron Bonilla, a Christian sophomore, believes otherwise. “I don’t think any [religious holidays] should be celebrated at school at all if they aren’t as greatly admired as the rest,” Bonilla says. If all religions practiced by students aren’t equally displayed at school during the holidays, then none should be featured. The American public schools are not constitutionally allowed to accommodate any religious need due to the First Amendment. But according to an aritcle in the Washington Post, two elementary schools in New Jersey were banned from featuring any religious music in their annual holiday music programs by their school districts. An annoyed Fox News correspondent replied to this by saying, “So songs about Frosty, Rudolph and mommy making out with Santa Claus are fine, but harmonizing about round yon virgin will get you put on the naughty list.” The Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan, international foundation advocating free press and the right of speech for all people, believes that “Teachers must be alert to the distinction between teaching about

religious holidays, which is permissible, and celebrating religious holidays, which is not. Sacred music may be sung or played as part of the academic study of music. School concerts that present a variety of selections may include religious music. Concerts dominated by religious music, especially when they coincide with a particular religious holiday, should be avoided. The use of art, drama or literature with religious themes also is permissible if it serves a sound educational goal in the curriculum, but not if used as a vehicle for promoting religious belief.” Alison Carey, a sophomore on the ASB activities council, feels similarly. “I think it’s best that Parker keeps it non-religiously affiliated, just so it accounts for everybody’s feelings,” Carey says. “We don’t want to offend anybody because then we’ll get complaints.” This year, Head of Upper School and World Religions teacher Mr. Paul Barsky has instructed ASB to decorate the campus with simple winter seasonal themed decorations rather than religiously themed decor, such as menorahs or Christmas trees. Senior Sam Deddeh, another member of the ASB activities council, thinks that it is worse that we only celebrate the cultural part of holidays, rather than their religious significance. “I don’t really see what’s wrong with Christmas trees,” Deddeh says. “I get that we’re going for a secular Christmas, rather than a religious one, but I think it’s a little over-restrictive.” The website TeacherHUB provides the general public with a stepby-step guide on “How to Handle Religious Holidays in Schools.” It can be handled by the opinions of the students themselves, and not their administration. The holiday season at Parker is inappropriately biased towards Christmas, but that does not make it necessary to restrict holiday spirit as a whole. Singling a certain faith out, however, is

not appropriate either. Parker has no reason to cut back on one holiday, but rather should stress other religious holidays as well. “Since it is believed that Christmas is being overly displayed, then we should decorate with more menorahs and other religions’ holiday figures,” says sophomore Carlos Ezquerro, another member of the ASB activites council. Holidays are a part of American culture. As a conglomerate community, we should celebrate all faiths instead of being pushing some aside unobserved. Parker’s holiday celebration habits could be improved, but not by hiding certain aspects that holiday calls for. “Parker’s supposed to be non-denominational,” says senior Jeremy Kahan, a practicing Jew. “I don’t really take offense to it, but it could be changed.” If Parker included a few more holidays or simply emphasized the overlooked ones a bit more, all could be pleased. “As long as other religions are still recognized, I don’t have a problem with it,” Gerson says.

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DOUBLE TROUBLE WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE PARKER SCHEDULE? ARTICLE BY MYLA ANDREWS ARTWORK BY SOPHIE WOODS

t’s the beginning of the

school year, and the hallways are abundant with clean, new uniforms and the excited screams of friends who have been separated for weeks. Conversation erupts with talk of the summer’s adventures and nerves for an upcoming school year. But as the buzz wears off, a different

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

topic comes up: schedules. Do we have a block today? What happens when there’s an assembly? Do we switch periods six and eight? While the hysteria of a new year eventually fades away, confusion about the day’s schedule remains throughout the year. As the new Strategic Plan is launched, the Upper School faculty is looking to reduce and po-

tentially eliminate this confusion by adopting a new schedule. “We’re currently at the stage where we’re looking at different schedules, blocks being one of them,” says Upper School Dean of Students Mr. Marc Thiebach. “So everything from rotating to a block, to some kind of hybrid between partial block, partially rotating so that not necessarily everything is a block.” The planning process of this new schedule is very open-ended, giving the faculty the chance to choose their priorities. A driving factor in this change is the flexibility it gives teachers. A longer class period would allow a teacher to relay more information in one sitting, but it could also maximize different learning strategies. In science classes, teachers would have more time to utilize for labs, something that is difficult with only one “double period” a week. Social studies teacher Mr. Phillip Trotter supports the idea of extended class times. “The block provides a teacher with the time to better tackle complex themes and subjects,” he says. “It has been my experience that in the 45-minute period I am often chasing the clock so that I can finish a lesson. In a block you have the luxury of going over themes or topics in multiple ways so that students can better understand what we are trying to teach.” For classes that may not need an extended class period for longer lessons, extra time could be used to do homework, giving students more opportunities to ask teachers for help. A block or rotating schedule would also lighten the homework load. Having less than four core classes a day would allow students to narrow their focus on the classes they took that day, given they keep up with their work. This would be especially helpful in the more rigorous junior and senior years. “I think extended class periods prepare you for college more, and it allows you to hone your focus skills,” says sophomore Ruby Ross. “But just in general college classes are longer and we are a college preparatory school, so I think it’s a good idea to switch.” The faculty is also looking to minimize the time spent switching between classes. Moving between classes wastes up to 35 minutes

each day. However, if passing periods aren’t used, then time is lost in the class room. Using some kind of block-rotating hybrid schedule will lessen these transition periods and maximize time spent learning. Because the plans are so uncertain, the faculty is still able to brainstorm creative solutions for a new agenda. Items in discussion include designated club meeting times during the school day, study hall periods, and even late-starting school days. In spite of this, some students don’t consider the change worth it. Senior Sam Deddeh, who went to Cathedral Catholic High School for her freshman year, says that block scheduling didn’t work for the students there. “The problem with the block schedule is kids didn’t focus, they get really distracted and look at the clock a lot,” Deddeh says. “Teachers also try to cram too much into the 90 minutes. In my geometry class we’d be speeding through three lessons in one day. And even though classes alternate each day, it’s very easy to get behind on homework. Yeah, there are some positives, but I see kids here always checking the clock with 45 minute periods, so I don’t think it’d be a smooth transition.” Freshman Maggie Oswald disagrees. “If you have a test on Friday and you’re only in class for two of those days beforehand, it’s not helping you learn all of the material like you would on the regular basis we do now.” If a student finds themselves lagging on one or both of these two days, then they may not be very well prepared for a test. The idea of longer class periods built into our new scheduling brings forth the opportunity to do great things. However, it is up to the students to really use longer class periods to enhance their learning, which may be easier said than done. As a school meant to prepare its students for college, it is well within Parker’s capabilities to induce such a change. At the core of this change lies increased independence for the students and more responsibility for keeping up with their work. No schedule change can succeed if the students aren’t willing to do so as well.

ASK & ANSWER WHY ASK. FM IS DETRIMENTAL TO TEENAGERS TODAY ARTICLE BY MORGAN SMITH ARTWORK BY ISAAC GRAY

aty*,

most 14-yearold girls, holds or has held profiles on multiple popular social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the controversial Ask.fm. “I deleted my account twice,” Katy says of Ask.fm. “Once out of boredom, and once out of too much pointless hate.” Yet even after deleting her Ask.fm account, Katy was still the target of anonymous bullies, one of whom was particularly persistent and cruel. At the beginning of her freshman year, Katy was victimized via the Ask. fm accounts of her peers. “Someone was going on other people’s Ask.fm accounts and saying really mean things about me repeatedly. It got really bad,” Katy says. Questions submitted to these account holders included degrading comments and offensive name-calling. “Katy is so ugly and a little self absorbed b****,” wrote one perpetrator. “I hate her so much she literally makes me hate going to school everyday. I’m going to try to put this on everyone in the schools ask because I hate her so much.

Lets all just stop talking to her please she’s a f****** s*** w**** b****” The recipients of these questions were equally as shocked as Katy. “They were all really appalled, and they all stood up for me,” she says. The ceaseless cyberbullying took its toll on Katy. “It hurt me a lot, because I didn’t think anyone thought of me in that way,” she says. “I started second guessing everything, and I thought everyone thought of me like that.” However, Katy is emblematic of triumph rather than weakness, and shares advice for those who suffer from harassment. “You just have to believe there are people that love you, and you have to surround yourself with those people instead of obsessing over that one person that is picking on you.” Ask.fm is seemingly onmipresent. It is linked to numerous popular social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Yet Ask.fm is detrimental to youth today, negatively affecting their self-esteem, confidence, and social comfort. A Latvia-based website, Ask.fm was engineered

*Subject’s name changed to maintain privacy.

in 2010. Originally founded by Oskars Liepiņš, Mark Terebin, Ilja Terebin, Valerij Vešņakov and Klāvs Sinka as a rival to Formspring, Ask.fm now has almost triple the amount of registered users of its intial adversary. Although Ask.fm has been widely used by the public—specifically teenagers—since its development in 2010, its popularity skyrocketed in 2012. The site now has over 80 million account holders; each day, countless unregistered individuals anonymously submit questions as well. Ask.fm has been heavily linked to numerous accounts of bullying. Site users who are the victims of constant and ceaseless harassment are often driven to harm themselves or take their own lives. 8 cases of teen suicide were prominent news stories in 2012 and 2013, and countless others occurred. “When you have a forum for exchange or information, it can be harmful or positive,” says school psychologist Dr. Bridgett Besinger. “There are numerous instances where it goes awry. [Ask.fm] provides an opportunity for kids to anonymously say things, and it can go very wrong.” In a survey of 35 stu-

dents, 72 percent of individuals surveyed feel Ask. fm is harmful to its account holders. If this is the case, why are people drawn to the website? “People want to join the trend,” says freshman Lauren Levinson of the site. “The fact that it’s popular [draws people in].” Individuals are given the opportunity to ask questions and say things behind the mask of a computer screen. These questions tend to be inappropriate, unkind, or generally invasive to the account holder’s privacy. Besinger relates this to adolescent developmental changes, affecting teens’ relationships, priorities, and interests. “It’s entertaining,” says freshman Alex Bloom. Although the site is popular among teens, parents are concerned for the well being of their children. “Ask.fm presents challenges for adults,” continues Besinger. “It’s harder to intervene.” A website allowing individuals to anonymously submit questions to others begs for trouble. Some academic institutions, including Pacific Ridge School, have taken steps to deter their students from using the website by enforcing

consequences to student users. The website’s founders continue to deny their responsibility in this growing issue. “People think it will be fun, but they get an account, and it’s not,” continues Levinson, who has deactivated her account twice. “To kids, [Ask.fm] is appealing,” Besinger continues. “There are no adults, there is an element of anonymity, and there is no accountability. Numerous incidents can take a wicked turn.” As social networks continue to play a role in societal development, our generation must distinguish the advantages from the pitfalls. Ask.fm is the latter.

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he futuristic building

sitting on a manicured lawn in San Diego is slightly more than what meets the eye. Without a sign stating that the property was that of General Atomics’, the eye would have passed over this nondescript building without a second glance. However, this building in houses the country’s largest manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones. Drones have been used with increasing frequency, often within the United States armed forces, as they lessen the danger to pilots’ lives. However, there are questions regarding the drones’ reliability. On November 17, a drone being used to track a U.S. navy ship’s radar malfunctioned and crashed into the ship. Two sailors were injured due to minor burns and the ship sailed back to San Diego port on its own accord to check for additional damage. The ship was sent out seven days later, fixed of the minor damage it had sustained from this malfunction. Accidents of this magnitude are not uncommon when using drones. However, under the Obama Administration, the use of drones for military expeditions has increased significantly. This increase has created unstable relationships with foreign powers and will continue to cause tension until the use of drones has been limited. The United States is moving into an increasingly technology-driven future. With these advancements come more opportunities to incorporate the technology into modern warfare. Although this is a natural direction for the future of warfare, the United States government has been using drones beyond what is necessary. The unreliability of drones raises questions about whether or not the United States military should be sending drones to the Middle East to target potential terrorists. Our goal may have had an adverse effect as many Pakistani civilians have been killed through drone misstrikes. Since 2004, there have been an approximated 411 to 890 civilians killed in Pakistan, 168 to 197 of whom were children. In recent months, there have been many

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

NOT WORTH THE RISK

WHY DRONES WILL BE THE UNITED STATES’ DOWNFALL

accounts from Pakistani families claiming that the United States’ drones have struck the villages where they had once lived. The first of such claims was from a family who lost their grandmother. Rafiq ur Rehman, the son of the woman killed, appeared on Capitol Hill with his two children, Zubair, 13, and Nabila, 9, testified that his family had been harvesting okra at the time of the drone strike that killed his sixty-five year old mother. “In Urdu we have a saying: aik lari main pro kay rakhna,” Rehman said. “Literally translated, it means the string that holds the pearls together. That is what my

mother was. She was the string that held our family together. Since her death, the string has been broken and life has not been the same. We feel alone and we feel lost.” One of the major arguments for the continued use of drones is that they do not require a pilot, thus potentially saving the lives of many U.S. jet-pilots. If the United States government were to stop using drones altogether, there would be a huge uproar from a portion of the American people who were in favor of these unmanned aerial vehicles. As easy as it may be to say that the United States should reduce

ARTICLE BY SAM PRYOR ARTWORK BY ERIK RIIS

drone usage, in reality, this would be a near-impossible task. “Because the American public is getting tired of wars, or at least, the wars that it looks like it’s fighting, I think that the drones are going to be continually used,” says social studies teacher Mr. Eric Taylor. However, the use of drones has pushed the United States’ relations with foreign powers to a breaking point. The discrepancies surrounding drones’ reliability and accuracy is not a viable argument for the use of drones. Drone use should be limited for the good of the United States, as well as for the good of the global community.

F E AT U R E S the fab five pg. 14 I man in black pg. 16 something for everybody pg. 18 I from mexicali to calexico pg. 20 taking care of business pg. 22

Security Guard Urbano Rosas feeds his tortoise, Gunner, one of his favorite snacks. The tortoise is known to be a troublemaker; Rosas often finds his patio furniture in various states of disarray. For more stories about Rosas and Gunner, turn to page 17. fpsthescribe.org

FE Counseling a group of high schoolers during a critical point in their lives is definitely not an easy thing to do.“We wear a lot of different hats and fill a lot of different types of roles,” Devine says of her job. Together, this family of five makes a team dedicated to helping students find the perfect fit.

THE FAB FIVE A LOOK INSIDE COLLEGE COUNSELING

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY PATRICK RILEY

he average senior at

Francis Parker applies to about ten colleges. He or she fills in some basic demographic information, takes a couple tests, writes a few essays, and presses the submit button. Of course, that’s a very simplified version of a process that is over four years in the making, but at the end of it all, the student knows himself better than he or she ever has before. The average college counselor at Francis Parker is the guiding hand for about 40 of these seniors. That is 40 essays edited and re-edited, 40 in-depth recommendation letters toiled over, 40 unique lives to learn and lead through a critical period in their development. “Students start to learn a lot about themselves,” says Dean of

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College Counseling Mrs. Terri Devine. “We talk a lot in the process about that personal growth, about reflecting on who you are, what you want to do, and where you want be. It’s empowering to help that young person find those things and forge their own path.” It is a position that often times gets overlooked, even taken for granted, but Devine and her partners, Mr. Robert Hurley and Mrs. Jasmin Taylor, are some of the best in the business. For students, the college application process is a one-time gig, but for their counselors, it is endless. Every year, they take in a new group and endure, with the students, the dreaded decisions that come in the mail. So how did these three ever find themselves working such a

job? Wasn’t their own college application process enough? The answer is simple: fortunately for students, they genuinely love what they do. “We all worked for colleges doing admission work for a number of years,” says Hurley, who spent five at Fairfield University. “We worked for various schools and got to know the process from that perspective.” After several trips through that impersonal system, they all found themselves on the other side of things. “Now we get to do it from this perspective and have much more lasting relationships with the students,” he says. “I certainly couldn’t do this job without having that admission background.” For Taylor, the appreciation for what she does is all about these relationships and the evolution she

witnesses in such a short amount of time. “We start with juniors in January and by the time they come back as seniors it’s like a whole different conversation,” she says. “I feel like the process evolves so much within a matter of six months even.” Since moving from The Bishop’s School this year, Taylor has found the transition to Parker both smooth and refreshing. “The conversations that I have with students here are much more about the match, the fit,” she says. From her days as a regional representative for Pitzer College, Taylor has always been familiar with Parker, but now her appreciation for the student body has only grown. “The other day, I had somebody come in and say, ‘How am I

FE going to pick one? I want to go to all of them.’ These are real, fruitful conversations that I enjoy and that I don’t think I was necessarily having at Bishop’s.” This month marks the end of another successful year in the office. “Our cycle is from January to December,” says Devine. “But we don’t really have an end,” she adds. Unlike the normal school calendar, the counselors work all year long. As soon as those last applications are sent out in January, the process begins once again. “The thing we hate most is when people come by in January and say, ‘Oh, this must be your slow time.’” All Devine can say to that is, “‘Really? Because I have seven junior appointments today.’” Although it may seem daunting and monotonous, the counselors truly enjoy the challenge. “It’s sort of energizing and exciting,” says Devine. “Every year we’re starting fresh and new things are going to be coming our way.” What is a rather stressful experience for most seniors is an opportunity for the counselors to aid students in a process they value and admire. That’s not to say it isn’t stressful for them as well; they simply manage to channel the tension in other ways. “I think people would be surprised that we laugh as much as we do,” says Devine. “There’s a certain amount of stress that’s inherent in the process, and having seen it from the college side, we know that that stress doesn’t necessarily need to be there.” Even during the most chaotic time of the year, they still keep their cool. This past October, with a large number of early applicants,

over 150 college representative visits, and a whole slew of issues with the new Common Application, the counselors managed to take everything in stride. On top of it all is probably the most difficult aspect of the process: counselor recommendations. “I was thinking the other day,” says Devine. “If each rec letter takes me about four hours, that’s 160 hours total.” That alone would be her cumulative workload for the month, except the letters aren’t written during the school day. “So those are all done nights, and weekends, and at 2:00 in the morning,” she adds. “On one hand I could count the number of letters I’ve written from start to finish in the office, in 16 years,” Hurley says. Those letters are a major key to the student’s application and require an incredible amount of uninterrupted time to focus. “Once you get going, it starts coming together beautifully,” says Taylor. But sometimes that free time is hard to come by. It doesn’t help when the Common App is throwing fits and when students who fail to indicate that they are applying early walk into the office on November 1 expecting a recommendation. These are only some of the curveballs that they face every year, but as Devine says, “If you can’t laugh about them, you’re gonna drive yourself completely crazy.” Luckily, the “big three” are not alone. Alongside them are Registrar Mrs. Patrice Powell and Administration Assistant Mrs. Denise Flynn. Powell, the official record holder, is not only in charge of credits and grades, but is also ulti-

mately responsible for submitting all offline documents. Without her, transcripts would never be received by colleges, recommendations would remain unread, and the process would be incomplete. Flynn, whose primary duties involve uploading scholarships to Naviance, informing students of events, and scheduling college representative meetings, is the force behind most of the administrative tasks that students sometimes take for granted. “I absolutely adore the counselors and Pat,” says Flynn. “We’re a good group of people, we like each other a lot. That is a huge benefit when you come to work every day.” These sentiments are shared universally throughout the office. “I think we have a really great team of people who all enjoy working together,” says Devine. It is this camaraderie that turns what should be a rather hectic office into a positive place of infinite possibilities. There are always surprises and setbacks along the way, but the college application process is an invaluable one in a young person’s life. So although those menacing glass doors etched with the words that make many students cringe can be a bit intimidating, the college counseling office should not be an area designated for only the required junior visits. “I want students to know that this is a place where they can feel comfortable and happy,” Devine says, “A place of sunshine and rainbows like it says on my little sign.”

BY THE NUMBERS

1,422

266

157

Potential applications in the Naviance system for this year’s senior class

Different colleges applied to in 2013

College representative visits from early September to mid-November

4.5

Hours spent per letter of recommendation

School pennants hung by Hurley in his office during his eight years at Parker

Percentage of 2014 senior class that applied early

MRS. TERRI DEVINE Alma Mater: University of Massachusetts Favorite High School Activities: Editor of her school newspaper, cheerleading, student government When she applied to college: applications were done in pen and paper Background: Admissions at Hawai’i Pacific University—8 years Years at Parker: 8 Favorite time of the year: “I love graduation, watching the students that we’ve worked with now going off doing their exciting things. That’s awesome.” MR. BOB HURLEY Alma Mater: College of the Holy Cross (undergraduate); University of San Diego (Masters) Favorite High School Activities: Photography, volunteering and youth group work When he applied to college: there was no internet or computer usage Background: Admissions at Fairfield University—5 years Years at Parker: 8 Favorite time of the year: “I don’t know when it happens, but I like it when students make a decision.” MRS. JASMIN TAYLOR Alma Mater: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Favorite High School Activities: Cheerleading, yearbook When she applied to college: email was brand new Background: Admissions at Pitzer College—5 years Years at Parker: 1 Favorite time of the year: “I personally love the conversations I have with students starting junior year compared to where they are during their senior year.”

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MAN IN BLACK PARKER’S NEW SECURITY GUARD COMES OUT OF HIS SHELL

ARTICLE BY MAX FEYE PHOTOGRAPH BY DUTRA BROWN

Rosas rescued Gunner, a 55-pound African sulcata tortoise, from an abandoned house near his, in Escondido in 2010.

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

FE e’ve all seen

the man in dark sunglasses, gloves, and large white letters on his back: the new security guard on Parker’s campus. Maybe he’s told you to slow down as you leave the parking lot. Maybe he’s noticed your parking sticker is on the wrong side. Maybe he searched your pencil pouch as you walked to your car and you wondered, “Who is this man and what is he doing here?” Native San Diegan Urbano Rosas answered these questions, and put the rumors to rest. Turns out that this man of few words is actually a pretty cool guy who’s just doing his job. Q: What security company do you work for and how long have you worked for them? Urbano Rosas: Advanced Security Concepts. About a year. Q: What did you do before working security for ASC? U.R.: I’m also in the Marine Corps, reserves, as well as military police. Prior to the Marines I was a Loss Prevention Investigator in organized retail crime, and I’ve also worked as an Emergency Medical Technician. Q: So you are currently on active duty? U.R.: Yes, this is just my civilian job. All of our guys here are all current or former military, ASC is an all military organization. Q: Why is ASC all military? U.R.: Military personnel show up on time, they are professional, they are professionally dressed, they know how to speak to people, they can be talked to a certain way, and they usually have a strong work ethic. Those are the types of people we want to employ without having to babysit. There’s that camaraderie between the different branches of service, which is mostly Marines and Navy. Q: Do you play any sports? U.R.: Does Marine Corps Martial Arts Program count? Green belt, and I enjoy knife fighting practice too.

Q: What makes you different from our previous security company? U.R.: A lot of our guys have been in combat, they’ve been in stressful situations, they can handle emergencies. All of our guys are CPR, AED certified. We just have a vast knowledge and very comprehensive security that we’re looking to provide for Parker. Q: Have you ever been in combat? U.R.: No. Q: What do you do in your free time? U.R.: I spend a lot of time with family and friends or hiking with my German shepherd. Q: Why the gloves? U.R.: Well I only wear them in the morning when it’s cold! It’s all about layering. Q: What is your role here as security? U.R.: There are certain rules which the school has in place which we are here to enforce. We’re here to make sure we don’t have people wandering onto campus, such as intruders or other unwanted guests. We’re also prepared for other emergency type situtations. Q: What is your protocol when it comes to an emergency or potentially dangerous situation? U.R.: Well it depends. If it’s a lockdown, we have a lockdown protocol. If it’s an earthquake, the receptionist will sound the earthquake alarm, and we can get everyone in place. Q: Is there a protocol for how you interact with students? U.R.: We are always professional, we’re friendly, and we still provide that customer service. But we will be enforcing parking regulations, speeding, anything that you shouldn’t be doing. We’re not here to be your friend. We’re going to be friendly with you, but we’re not here to be your buddy. Q: You mentioned things that were not supposed to be doing. How can you actually enforce those rules? U.R.: Just by being there and having that presence. Somebody sees

security there, they’re probably not going to do something they are not supposed to be doing. If they’re doing those activities, they are addressed, and if that student doesn’t want to comply or listen, they’re going to be escorted to the office, to Mr. Thiebach or whoever it is and they will address that. Q: Do you have a favorite joke? U.R.: No, sorry. Q: What’s your impression of the kids at Parker so far? U.R.: I think it’s a change for the school, it’s not something that you guys have had before. We’re not here to change the culture of Parker, we’re just here to make it safer. The way everything is set up, we’re just here to improve upon it. Q: What are the most played songs on your iPod? U.R.: Lots of EDM and pop Latino such as Belinda. Q: What’s your favorite type of food? U.R.: Definitely love homemade Mexican food, but I enjoy several different types of food. There is little I won’t eat. Q: What’s something you think people would find interesting to remember about you? U.R.: I have a 55-pound African sulcata tortoise named Gunner.

W H AT I S A S C ? Advanced Security Concepts is a high-end security company that trains and employs veterans, including those with disabilities. They specialize in estate and executive protection, celebrity escort, and high profile events. Parker’s first contact with the company was during the Centennial Celebration, where a security team oversaw the event by mingling in the crowd in plain clothes. Parker formally hired ASC at the end of the summer to begin a revamp of security measures at here at school as a part of a long term security increase. Urbano and his fellow employees are just the first phase in a security expansion that might eventually extend it’s reach to the Middle and Lower Schools.

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FE After school, the Learning Center comes alive with activity as students of all grade levels study and focus. Students most often attend during their free periods or in the after school hours to maximize efficiency.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDING WHY WE NEED THE LEARNING CENTER ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPH BY SOREN HANSEN

he dull hum of the air-conditioning harmonizes with the scratching of pencils heard from across the hall. A ticking clock on the wall monitors the passing time. A student sits across from her teacher and pores over the review packet before her. This place, seemingly far from the chaotic mayhem that is the average lunch period, is a quiet haven. Inside this sanctuary lies a hidden trove of resources for learning. Walls lined with detailed calendars, project rubrics, and colorful posters surround every open mind that walks through the glass doors. Tucked away behind College Counseling in the gray cement Administration building lies a learning resource designated to giving students academic support. Welcome to the Learning Center. “It’s a place where kids come,” says Director of the Parker Learning Center Ms. Rona Dosick, “not only to get support in different subjects and different areas, but also to learn

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

how to be better learners. We think there is something here for everybody.”

LEARNING STYLE Just as each Parker student has different interests and talents, each student has a different style for learning. “Different students clearly have different learning styles, and learn different content areas at different rates,” says Dr. David Barner, associate professor of psychology at University of California San Diego. “For this reason it may be important for teachers to learn about the needs of each student, and to use diverse methods for approaching difficult topics, and when introducing new concepts.” A major technique of the Learning Center is discovering this learning style in each student and maximizing learning efficiency based on their individual preferences.

Dr. Janet Elliott, who focuses on science and math in the Learning Center, adds, “It’s our job to personalize based on the child’s learning style.” The Learning Center is available at all stages of a student’s academic career. With assistance offered at the Lower, Middle, and Upper School levels, the Learning Center is used by students of all ages and backgrounds. One parent, who asked that her name not be used in this article, has been sending her son to the Learning Center for six years. “Reading comprehension assistance has been part of my son’s life since elementary school,” she says, “We realized Parker’s program was unique by integrating Language Arts, the teachers, curriculum, and Learning Center staff.” Kietha Gianella has also sent her son to the Learning Center since he entered Parker in seventh grade. “The collaborative team approach to specific learning needs of children and applying it to their

current curriculum has been successfully demonstrated,” Gianella says in an email.

SKILLS AND STRATEGIES The Learning Center offers a varied repertoire of teaching resources dependent on the specific needs of the students. Students can enroll to receive individual tutoring or to join small groups for “skills and strategies” classes. These groups meet to learn organizational skills, time management, study strategies, and test-taking skills. Organization is a large part of the Learning Center curriculum. The large-scale calendars that are seen on Learning Center whiteboards are a testament to this process. Senior Seth Goldberg, who has been enrolled at the Learning Center since freshman year, often finds the scheduling tools beneficial. “It’s been helpful in the way that you know what assignments are due,” Goldberg says. “They help you

FE those who use the Learning Center attend tutoring for a specific subject. Stella Gerson, a sophomore who attended physics tutoring once a week during her freshman year, found the sessions useful in raising her grade to where she wanted it to be. “I was able to get an A in the class which I don’t think I could have done without going to the Learning Center,” she says. “They teach you the subject over again in a way you can understand.” A parent who asked that her name not be used in this article for the privacy of her child noted the importance of patience in the learning process that is necessary for individual learning. “They help co-ordinate with the teachers,” she says, “patiently teaching concepts in a way that the student will understand the material and using aids that are most suited to the learning style of the student.”

PARENTAL CONNECTION

with the monthly schedule so you know what to study for.” Coming from various backgrounds in fields such as tutoring, college teaching, and even the pharmaceutical industry, the Learning Center instructors are a big part of what happens behind the glass doors. Mr. Ari Gass, a teacher and tutor who specializes in the maths and sciences, finds importance in the personalizing of education within the Learning Center. “We help them learn techniques that they can carry forward and use in their classes without us,” he says. “For me, the moral of the story is that struggling is okay. Because you’re struggling or because your grade isn’t where you want it to be doesn’t reflect on your potential as a learner or as a person.”

PATIENT PROGRESS Not all students use the Learning Center for general organization and learning strategies. A portion of

For each student enrolled at the Learning Center, a team of tutors, teachers, and parents is behind them as they actively engage in their own learning. Not every student who enters through the Learning Center doors does so voluntarily. In some cases, parental pressure pushes a student into the Learning Center. “We’ve had students whose parents are more interested in having them here than they are initially,” Gass says. “From this point, it’s a matter of sitting down with the student and finding out what the student is interested in and how the student can buy into what we can offer them.” In rare cases, the lack of commitment and enthusiasm by the student leads to the discussion with a student and their parents to decide whether or not the Learning Center is still an option. “That’s always tricky,” says Learning Center teacher Mrs. Natalie deVigné. “We want the student to drive their own experience.” With communication being a vital part of their method, emails, phone calls, and daily updates keep parents of those enrolled in the Learning Center involved and active

in their child’s education. “It’s a useful thing some people have their parents connected with it but others don’t,” Gerson says. “It’s a choice you can make.”

WHAT IT’S WORTH Although no exact value can be placed on an education, the price of attending Francis Parker is higher than most schools across the country. For those who need the Learning Center’s services to stay afloat in their classes, the price can weigh into calculating the usefulness of the institution. With tutoring costs at $75 per hour-long session and other classes ranging from $1,400 to $4,100, attending the Learning Center can be a pressure for some families. “My parents weren’t very happy that I was making them pony up more money because they have already paid so much,” Gerson says. “I think that [the high cost] could be troubling for a lot of kids because I think their parents share the same thing my parents do: they don’t want to pay more than they are already paying. I think the price turns people off from the Learning Center because they know it charges a lot. For me, it was here and it was convenient.” “The financial aspect of the Learning Center has a subjective element to what is perceived as value,” says Gianella, the mother who has been sending her son to the Learning Center for five years. “Each family’s situation is unique with varying priorities. The flexibility of the schedule and accessibility have been key factors, but mostly it is the relationships with the staff that have made the program as influential as it has been. For these reasons I believe the Learning Center’s services are priceless.”

TAKING OUT THE STIGMA Though the Learning Center may be tucked away from the stresses and distractions of the regular academic school day, the students who use it are no different than any others. For those who get extra testing time because of diagnosed learning disabilities, the Learning Center is

an opportunity for some students to step up to the level of their peers. “It’s really about understanding content and understanding learning,” Dosick says, “Sometimes this is just what you need.” Though many students at Parke know that the Learning Center helps kids who are struggling in their classes, this situation applies to only a select portion of those who utilize this resource. For some students, the Learning Center is a way to keep up with the leaders of the class. “As an average student, I use the Learning Center to get a step up,” says an anonymous student. “I just really wanted to do better in my honors and AP classes.” The stigma of being a second-rate or struggling student can be felt by those who attend the Learning Center. Some of the enrolled students still try to hide the fact that they attend. “I dont like to discuss that I go to the Learning Center,” explains an anonymous senior who has used the Learning Center during high school. “Having to discuss it in class I tend to keep my voice down to prevent anyone from hearing me.” However, not all students who attend feel the same pressure. “I don’t get bullied or anything for [going to the Learning Center],” says sophomore Erin Shives. “I think people understand that I have strengths in different things and not so good at other things.” One Parker parent, Anne Bullard, has two sons enrolled in the Learning Center. “It’s kind of taboo to talk about learning challenges at our type of school, as if discussing these types of problems makes the student appear weaker,” she says in an email. “I can’t speak for the students; I think anxiety about how students appear may be more of a parents-world issue.” “I think some people think that the kids who go to the Learning Center are flunking classes,” says Gerson. “A lot of people think that just because they are going to the Learning Center they are doing terrible in classes but it’s not like that. It’s just if you need an extra boost.”

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FROM MEXICALI TO CALEXICO A CLOSER LOOK AT SAN DIEGO COUNTY’S FARM WORKING FAMILIES ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPH BY NISHON TYLER

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

“I

like to say that I’m

one floor below heaven,” says Father Patrick Murphy. At night, when the bus brings a group of the recently deported to Casa Del Migrantes, he can see them huddled outside his window. When they come in there is the immediate sense of relief at a friendly face, the promise of a bed, and especially at the sight of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose statue presides over the open courtyard. Just months ago, the New York native moved to Tijuana to be the full-time Padre of Casa Del Migrantes—House of Immigrants. The Casa houses recent deportees, who have arrived in Mexico after being left on the Tijuana side of the border. The Mexican government provides bus fare to the deportees’ hometowns, but the buses stop running at 10 PM. That is where the Casa steps in, allowing deportees to stay for up to two weeks. Most leave within 48 hours.

The Casa houses up to 50 men a night. During the day, it is mostly empty as these men make plans for their futures. Some will return to their hometowns. Some settle in Tijuana. Others begin saving for another trip north, where a coyote—people who help those in Mexico reach America—might charge upwards of $2,000 to smuggle them across the border. “I remember one young man came to me,” says Father Murphy “He told me that he was crossing the desert that night, and he wanted my blessing. Well, I didn’t know what to do, there aren’t any prayers about this kind of thing. But I did the best I could and he left that night. I haven’t heard from him, but I hope that the fact that he has not been back is a good sign.” Father Murphy has dozens of stories exactly like this one, and despite the statistics reporting the decline of Mexico-America crossings, the Casa has not seen any decrease in traffic.

“Most farm working families have mixed immigration status,” says Arcela Nuñez-Alvarez, the research director of California State University San Marcos’ National Latino Research Center. “So one parent is documented and the other is not. Or else, the kids were born in America and the parents were not, so it’s very stressful for families.” The National Latino Research Center (NLRC) works to study and educate the Latino population. They mostly focus on education, healthcare and political awareness. As the center is located at CSU San Marcos, education is the number one priority. Latino youth are the least likely to attend college, and among the farm working population, this number drops dramatically. Of those who do go on to a college or university, only 50 percent will graduate. There are programs that work to change the status quo. The federally funded Migrant Education

The Mexico-U.S. border at San Ysidro is the busiest in the world. Due to lengthy lines for cars, many prefer to cross by foot. The majority of those crossing do so for work.

Program works with local school districts to perform home visits and special tutoring programs for the children of farmworking families, but these become difficult to access if the students are out of school for work or moving districts frequently. “I think I went to maybe 27 schools, from the time I started school to the time I graduated high school,” remembers Laura Andrews, whose family travelled throughout the Central Valley in the ’90s. Her family of seven moved from Mexicali, in Northern Mexico, to Calexico, in southern California, when she was four. “When I was in elementary schools most of the schools we went to had a high population of migrant workers. Teachers knew we were going to be there temporarily so they would just give us something to color.” She recalls one teacher in particular. “I was in third grade and this teacher handed me a stack of blank pieces of paper and told me, ‘Write one to one million. By the time you get to one million, you’ll be gone.’” Andrews went to University California Los Angeles with the help of programs like the one at CSU San Marcos, but stopped two classes away from a business degree. Today, she works for Mental Health America’s San Diego office, drawing from her own experience to educate Latino families about the reality of mental illness. Her experience is not unique. Language is one of the biggest barriers to the children of migrant workers. “If you speak a language other than English as your first language, you are automatically tracked for special classes,” says Nuñez-Alvarez. It can take up to four years to be reclassified, by which point students can find themselves years behind their peers. One half of San Diego County’s farmworking students are English learners. Further complicating this is the frequency with which families move, and the tendency to live in rural and underserved areas. And the situation is increasingly frustrated by the unique design of the San Diego farm working community. In a shift from traditional hiring practices, many growers are hiring indigenous workers

“

I was in third grade and this teacher handed me a stack of blank pieces of paper and told me, ‘Write one to one million. By the time you get to one million, you’ll be gone.’” —Laura Andrews

from southern Mexico and Latin America. These new immigrants come to the United States, not fluent in English, but unable to speak Spanish as well. They also stand to upset the traditional balance in the San Diego growing order. Most farm workers in San Diego County, unlike those in most of the United States, are more permanently settled. Until recently, this has proved immensely beneficial. They have been able to negotiate wages with growers. Their stability brings a stability in wages. Growers are finding more cost-effective ways to do business, principally, by changing who they hire. By hiring indigenous workers for temporary contracts—a week or two at most—they are able to keep costs down, cutting more established farm workers out of the system entirely. “There’s more interest from the growers who want that kind of flexibility, who want to be able to bring in that kind of worker from the border region, but to be able to bring them as guest workers. The legislation that we have seen would encourage more of that to continue and to be legalized. Not as much for the protection of the workers,” says Nuñez-Alvarez. There is not much hope of this changing in favor of the workers. No substantial federal immigration reform has been passed since Ronald Reagan’s 1986 Immigration Reform. The effects of that bill allowed 3 million undocumented workers to receive legal residency and continues to allow farm workers temporary residency for agricultural work. However a great many others remain in limbo, having arrived too late for the Reagan bill to affect them, and too long ago

to leave now. And despite conditions for workers improving yearly, there are still the legacies of bad policy. “Every year,” says Alvarez, “the governor has to sign a special bill for the summer months allowing farm workers to have water breaks, in some areas of the state where it gets to 120 degrees and there is no law year round that protects the right for farm workers to have access to water or shade, especially during those very very hot months. So every year the United Farm Workers has to advocate to make sure that farm workers will not be fired for getting water or for seeking shade when it’s really hot.” And farm workers are still paid abysmally low wages: about $18,000 a year for a family of four. The U.S. Federal poverty line is $23,550. Still, people continue to come north. In Tijuana, a Honduran man confesses that he has travelled through four countries to reach Tijuana, and has been robbed in each one. He is saving for the border crossing, working in the Casa’s kitchen while he sets aside the money he needs to launch his new life. “The only person I have in the world is my mother” he says, “So there isn’t another option.”

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TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS OUT OF THE CLASSROOM AND INTO THE WORKPLACE ARTICLE BY ALEX DEDDEH PHOTOGRAPH BY GRACE SELLICK

SHARP CHULA V I S TA M E D I C A L CENTER

KIT CARSON E L E M E N TA R Y SCHOOL

Being thrust into a life or death situation is a daily duty for first response doctors. Last year senior Rosa Vargas experienced this firsthand while interning under Dr. Mel Ochs. Though many gruesome cases came through the emergency room doors, Vargas was able to witness the triumph of saving a life. “I was following around a doctor that got a call from one of the levels of the hospital saying that a man was going into cardiac arrest,” Vargas says. “We ran up to his room, and it was kind of scary because he was breathing really heavily and people thought he was going to die. They were able to shock him back to life with a defibrillator.” From the internship, Vargas learned she did not want to be a first response doctor, but still found the experience rewarding. “It was amazing that someone could respond that quickly and save a person’s life like that.”

Located just a few blocks down from the Upper School Campus, Kit Carson Elementary has opened its doors to ambitious Parker students. Senior Jasmine Anklesaria spent seven hours a day in a classroom filled with crayons, Dr. Seuss books, and 21 eight-yearolds. Anklesaria’s duties included teaching small groups, reading one-on-one with students, and occasionally helping with the lesson plan. “One of my favorite things to do was teaching the students about math,” Anklesaria says. “I explained counting time on an analog clock. While they learned about time, I learned about teaching.” While it is sometimes difficult to keep up with so many young children, Anklesaria really enjoyed the experience. “Although I was exhausted when I returned home each day, I was really happy. Working with children is so much fun and really rewarding.”

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

nterning may seem like a “filing” or “coffee running” job,

but in reality, it offers students the chance to take part in wonderful experiences. Director of Community Programs Ms. Carol Jensen and Assistant Head of Upper School Mr. Marc Thiebach have reached out to multiple places to make sure Parker student’s interests are met. Deciding what job to pursue can a difficult process, but these internships give a snapshot of what life is really like in an office, school, or even a zoo.

SAN DIEGO ZOO

LOCAL C A M PA I G N

The San Diego Zoo’s InternQuest program gives students the opportunity to study zoology, veterinary medicine, or education. Junior Haley Cloyd is in her second year of interning with the education department. “We [the interns] are going up to the Safari Park in the Keeper trucks and going into the exhibits and feeding the rhinos and petting them,” Cloyd says. Along with interacting with animals, Cloyd has had the chance to connect with an array of interesting people. “We work with the educators, and through them we meet different scientists, nutritionists, and keepers who work at the Zoo or the Safari Park. I’ve also met animal trainers, and reproductive endocrinologists.”

Like professional sports teams, politics are constantly changing, and are in need of stronger, younger people to recharge their campaigns. Senior Zach Schmid had the opportunity to work with Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher’s team. “It [the experience] was amazing,” Schmid says. “It really showed me the importance of local politics.” Along with sending emails and answering phone calls, Schmid was able to participate in much larger projects. “We were doing research on Chelsea’s Law and they asked me to do a big research project on it. I wrote out three or four pages for them,” Schmid says. “About a quarter of a page of my writing ended up in a bill.”

A R T S & C U LT U R E out with the new, in with the old pg. 24 holiday playlist pg. 26 I nutcracker pg. 27 what’s cookin’, good lookin’? pg. 28 he’s kind of a big deal pg. 32 I hnt pg. 38

PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVIA FIDLER Turn the page to find out how you can save hundreds of dollars by shopping secondhand. fpsthescribe.org

Dark Seas Gundeck Snaback Hat $36 Koto Iku Shirt $54 total price = $90

Sophomore Jack Dodge Courtesy of Buffalo Exchange: Black velvet snapback $7 Blue (jean) button-up with tribal print pocket $17

save $66

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

A THRIFTY COMPARISON TO GIVE YOU MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY OLIVIA FIDLER CATALOGUE IMAGES COURTESY OF URBAN OUTFITTERS FALL 2013 CATALOGUE

intage is never out of season or style, and the over

THRIFTED

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C ATA L O G U E

THRIFTED

OUT WITH THE NEW, IN WITH THE OLD

BDG Fireside Fair Isle Sweater total price =$69

Senior Cara Steigler Courtesy of Buffalo Exchange Printed Sweater Dress $17

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C ATA L O G U E

THRIFTED

Senior Cara Steigler Courtesy of Buffalo Exchange and Thrifty Threads: Levi 501s high-waisted shorts $10.50 “Wild” black beanie $12 Cropped black velvet turtleneck tank $13 Pleather black bomber jacket with hood $15

NHL Rangers beanie $29 OBEY Last Chance Bomber Jacket $129 Glamorous Cropped Turtle Neck $34 Silence + Noise Rosie Pinup Short $49 total price = $241

C ATA L O G U E

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CPO Stevens Over-dyed Shirt $49 CPO 5-pocket Chino Pant $54 total price = $103

Sophomore Jack Dodge Courtesy of Flashbacks and Goodwill: Brown/maroon tapered fit skinny jean $20 Maroon paisley printed button-up $4.99

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DECK THE HALLS

A HOLIDAY PLAYLIST BROUGHT TO YOU BY PARKER FACULTY ARTICLE BY EMMA MOORE PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESTY OF ALBUMART.ORG

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AN UNUSUAL SPIN ON A C O L L E C T I O N O F H O L I D AY SONGS:

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A TRADITIONAL HEBREW SONG:

“Ma’oz Tzur” Recommended by Mrs. Jessica Lemoine

This traditional Jewish hymn is commonly sung during Chanukah following the lighting of the menorah. “Ma’oz Tzur” is a lyrical poem recalling the time when the Jewish community was saved from the Egyptians, but for Lemoine, this song has sentimental value. She used to “sing it as a child, and has many memories attached to it.” “Ma’oz Tzur” is perfect for students looking to get away from the slew of dreidel songs.

“Jingle Cats Medley” is a collection of well-known Christmas carols, sung in a rather abstract way. Students in Cook’s pottery classes are likely to have heard the purrs and barks of cats and dogs singing classical holiday songs blaring through his iHome speakers. It’s a new and unique spin on all the holiday hits and, as Cook puts it, “You can’t beat it.” If you’re feeling up to it, turn up “Jingle Cats Medley” and prepare yourself for an experience you’ll never forget.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO C E L E B R AT E CHRISTMAS T H E C L A S S I C W AY :

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A H E A R T WA R M I N G M E L ODY:

“Christmas Time is Here” Recommended by Mrs. Carrie Dilmore

Merry Christ- mas, Charlie Brown, is one of the most beloved holiday films of all time, watched by countless families across the country every year. Who can forget when Charlie and all his friends gather around their little, single-ornamented christmas tree, singing “Christmas Time is Here?” “It makes me happy because my daughter loves it so much,” Dilmore says. “I’m happy when I watch her be happy.” So light the fireplace, add the marshmallows to your cocoa, and snuggle up with your loved ones to this classic tune.

Although well-regarded, “The Chanukah Song”, sung by comedian and actor Adam Sandler, is far from traditional. In the song, Sandler lists off all of the famous people of the time that are Jewish, so “when [children] feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas tree,” they realize that they are not alone on Christmas Eve. This upbeat, fun song is a favorite of Joshi’s, “I like [the Chanukah Song] because it makes me laugh.” If you want to bring some more cheer and joyfulness into your holiday season, simply listen to “The Chanukah Song”.

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

“Hallelujah Chorus” Recommended by Mrs. Isobel Shapiro

The “Hallelujah Chorus”, performed by Handel’s Messiah, is a choir-lover’s dream. Written by composer George Frideric Handel, this lyrical masterpiece has become one of the choral center-pieces of the holiday season. “I associate it with driving up in the car on the way to mammoth, and all of us belting out [the Hallelujah Chorus]” says Shapiro. Its brilliant harmonies and astounding instrumentals set this song apart from any other traditional piece. For any student looking for a more operatic holiday tune, “Hallelujah Chorus” is the perfect fit.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AN ESCAPE FROM THE TRADITIONAL AMERICAN CHRISTMAS:

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A HUMOROUS TUNE: “The Chanukah Song” Recommended by Dr. Hima Joshi

“Jingle Cats Medley” Recommended by Mr. Steve Cook

“Vive Le Vent” Recommended by Mrs. Nicole Kelly

As overplayed and cliché as “Jingle Bells” may be, you probably haven’t heard “Vive le Vent”, which translates to “Long Live the Wind”. It’s the French version of the traditional holiday song, just with new and improved lyrics. It’s a simple, fun song that is a favorite of Kelly’s, “The refrain is easy to sing, so I like it.” Even if you aren’t fluent in french, breakout google translate and you’ll see that “Vive le Vent” really isn’t like the version we all know too well.

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Check out our website to listen to all these teachers’ favorite tracks.

NUTCRACKER

AC A CRACK IN THE CURTAIN

’T

As the Nutcracker season approaches, Sara Yuen spends her Saturday rehearsing for one of her roles Sugar Plum Fairy Attendant. “The hours of rehearsal are what is necessary to make sure your going to be able to have fun on stage”, says freshman Mary Fellios. “When you’ve rehearsed and know a part like the back of your hand, all of a sudden going on stage is a blast and a rush, and so worth the hours you put in.”

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPH BY NATALIE GREENBERG

was the night be-

fore Christmas and all through the house danced children and parents filled with holiday cheer. Just before she goes to bed, Clara is presented a special Christmas gift by her godfather, a Nutcracker. Starting in late November, ballet schools around the country begin performing their annual recitals of the Nutcracker. The audience fills the large theatre, excitedly anticipating the beauty that is soon to fill the stage. But what the audience doesn’t realize are the grueling months that the dancers endure before the Nutcracker season commences. Just as the school year is beginning in September, the Christmas season has already arrived for ballet dancers aged six to eighteen; it’s the day of Nutcracker auditions. Dressed in their uniform of pink tights and a black leotard with their hair pulled into tight buns, the girls stand in a line from shortest to tallest, a large number pinned to their stomach. City Ballet of San Diego’s director, Steven Wistrich, bounds out to greet them. “Are you excited?” he asks, as his broad smile draws out the dancers’. They nod and giggle nervously—for a good reason. The ballet mistress begins by demonstrating choreography from a particular dance, depending upon their age group. Now it’s the dancers’ turn to shine. For over an hour, members of the staff are seated at a long table to critique. It has a reality-show feel—think America’s Got Talent or So You Think You Can Dance—only the judges around the table appear to be sweet-natured. Competition is at the heart of this process, but the ballet does everything it can to dilute it. “We go about it as nicely as possible,” Wistrich says. “We see who handles the material in what way, and eventually we make the decision between the ability of the material, the personality, [and] acting ability.” For the next two days, the dancers agonize over which parts they will receive. Just a week after auditions, the hours upon hours

of rehearsals begin, in addition to the hours spent taking their usual dance classes. “I spend about 10 hours a week rehearsing for the Nutcracker,” says freshman Lauren Levinson. After nearly three months of such rehearsals, the process intensifies as the dancers make their way to the theatre. The hours increase from under ten hours a week to over twenty, often causing students to skip school and nearly live at the theatre. But when they step onto the stage, the long hours of pain and long nights of completing homework seem to disappear. “[The theatre] is one of my favorite places in the world,” says junior Leila Mardoum. “There are so many amazing moments backstage with your friends. Not to mention the joy of performing. Seeing how many people enjoyed the performance or how many little girls have the dream of being a dancer after watching the show. Plus, it’s Christmas time!” With so many ballet schools in close proximity all performing the same ballet, each school must find a way to make their production unique. In some schools, it is a community celebration to which everyone is invited. “[The Dance Academy of La Jolla’s] Nutcracker is unique because there are no auditions”, says senior Katherine Owens. “There are kids of all age groups and everyone is there because they really want to be. Even though sometimes our technique is not perfect, and the atmosphere is far from professional, everyone, from the tiniest mouse to the sugar plum fairy enjoys every moment that they are on stage and I think that feeling of dedication, but also fun, is felt by the audience as well and is reflected in the smile on every dancer’s face.” For other schools, such as California Ballet and City Ballet of San Diego, the performance is one by the company, and students audition. “[California Ballet’s] Nutcracker is accompanied by the Classics Philharmonics and the San Diego Symphony”, says junior Anna Wilson. “The live music really enhances the performance.” fpsthescribe.org

WHAT’S COOKIN’, GOOD LOOKIN’? FAMILY HOLIDAY RECIPES FROM YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY GRACE SELLICK

FRENCH TOAST STRATA Around campus, senior Annie Sager is known as an outstanding baker, so you don’t have to think twice about this delicious recipe. It’s the perfect way to start your Christmas morning. Annie remembers making this every December 25 since she was a little kid. “It represents tradition, family, warmth, time spent together, happiness, yumminess,” Sager says, “I love the memories that go along with [this recipe], not only because they are delicious, but because they remind me of family. Don’t skip out on the warm cider syrup, it makes the entire dish.

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

T H E S T R ATA : 1 (1 lb.) of loaf French Bread, not sliced 8 oz. of cream cheese, cubed 8 eggs 2 and 1/2 cups of milk (or half-andhalf) 6 tablespoons of butter 1/4 cup of maple syrup THE APPLE CIDER SYRUP: 1/2 cup of sugar 4 teaspoons of cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon 1 cup of apple cider 1 tablespoon of lemon juice 2 tablespoons of butter

This strata provides a new twist to french toast between the crisp golden brown top and the hot apple cider syrup, making you never want to stop after the first bite.

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. For the strata, grease a 3-quart serving dish. Cube the bread. Layer in the dish 1/2 bread cubes, cream cheese, and then 1/2 bread cubes. Then In a separate bowl, combine eggs, maple syrup, butter, and milk. Pour the mixture over the bread and use a spatula to press down and moisten all the bread. Cover it with plastic and leave it overnight. When you put it in the oven, leave it uncovered and cook it for 35-40 minutes or until the top is a golden brown. After it is done, let it set for 10 minutes and then serve. To give it an extra special taste,

make the apple cider syrup. For the syrup combine the sugar, cornstarch, cider, cinnamon, and lemon juice into a small pot. Cook on medium until it thickens. WARNING: It takes a long time to thicken, so do not keep adding corn starch or you will end up with a big sticky glob. Once it thickens, whisk in butter. Pour over the warm strata and you have the perfect Christmas morning breakfast.

FROZEN PEPPERMINT DESSERT If Christmas had a taste, it would be this frozen dessert. Its frosty white topping is reminiscent of fresh fallen snow on Christmas morning, and who could deny the holiday cheer of classic peppermint flavor? Sophomore Ruby Ross makes it every holiday season with her grandmother, who created this award winning peppermint dessert. Anyone can make this goto holiday treat, and it only takes about 20 minutes to prepare. So if you have the taste for mint and chocolate with a little bit of crunch and sugary taste, this is the ideal dessert for you.

THE FROZEN DESSERT: 2 cups of vanilla wafer crumbs 1 stick of melted butter 1 stick of melted butter to be used separately 1 and 1/3 cups of powdered sugar 3 eggs 3 1 oz. square of unsweetened chocolate (bakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chocolate), melted 1 and 1/2 cups of whipping cream, whipped 1/4 cup of milk 1 package of mini marshmallows 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy

Underneath all the fluff and sugar of the marshmallow cream topping, is a smooth buttery chocolate filling with a crunchy cookie bottom.

DIRECTIONS: To make the wafer crumbs, stick the wafers in a blender or find a masher to make them into little grains of wafers. Mix the crumbs with melted butter to make a crust. Press the crust into a 8-inch square pan. In a separate bowl, stir melted butter and sugar together. Then add eggs and the melted chocolate to the mixture and beat until fluffy. Put a layer of this mixture over the crumbs. Put another layer of crumbs. Set in the freezer while you prepare next layer. Next you want to melt marshmallows over low heat in a pot with 1/4 cup milk.

While that is melting, whip the whipping cream. When the melted marshmallows are done, let it cool. Next fold the marshmallow substance into the whipped cream and spread over the chocolate layer. Finally sprinkle crushed peppermint candy over the top and freeze. After it is frozen, cut into squares and share with the family.

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CRANBERRY CRUMBLE Whether it is Thanksgiving or Christmas, junior Caroline Harari makes this sweet and sour dish every year. This recipe represents the perfect Southern hospitality of the Harari family. The best part of this is that you can have it during dinner or dessert. To make it the perfect sweet treat, add a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream. The inside consists of cranberries, apples, and pears, providing a sour tang; while the top is made of an oatmeal crust, providing a crunchy, sugary bite. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cranberry Crumble is the

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

perfect mix between tart and sweet and is ideal for any Thanksgiving or Christmas meal,â&#x20AC;? Harari says. THE CRANBERRY FILLING: 1 and 1/2 cups fresh cranberries 1 and 1/2 granulated sugar 2 teaspoons fresh orange zest 1/2 cup fresh orange juice 2 apples, peeled and diced 2 firm Bosc pears, peeled and diced

To give this dessert the perfect sweet taste to fulfill your taste buds, top it with vanilla ice cream while the dish is still warm.

T H E O AT M E A L T O P : 3/4 cup oatmeal 3/4 flour 3/4 dark brown sugar 1 stick butter unsalted DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees and butter a 12-inch baking dish. Simmer 1/2 of the cranberries with sugar, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves and berries pop. Remove from heat and stir in remaining berries, zest, orange juice, apples, and pears. Pour into bak-

ing dish and pour crumble on top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Serve warm for the perfect delight.

NOODLE KUGEL During Chanukah, senior Seth Goldberg and his family always prepare the traditional Jewish dish, noodle kugel. Seth describes it as “having a dessert at dinner.” Despite its rather peculiar combination of ingredient, this dish offers a wide and delicious array of flavors. Once you take a bite, you won’t want to stop.

THE KUGEL: 1/2 pound wide egg noodles 1/2 stick butter, melted 1 pound cottage cheese 2 cups sour cream 1/2 cup sugar 6 eggs 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup raisins

Despite the unusual ingredients, noodle kugel gives you a sweet creamy savor with a cinnamony spice.

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Boil the noodles for four minutes with a dash of salt to speed up the process. While the noodles are boiling, crack the eggs in a bowl and whisk them until the yolks are completely broken. Next, add the sour cream, cottage cheese, raisins, cinnamon, butter, and sugar to the bowl. Mix them together thoroughly. Once the noodles are cooked, strain them, let them cool, add them to the bowl, and mix. When done, dump the mixture

into a greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Put in the oven for 40 minutes or until the custard is set and the top is a golden brown. Take it out of the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

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HE’S KIND OF A BIG DEAL WILL FERRELL: THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND ARTICLE BY CAROLINE WOHL PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF HUFFINGTON POST PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRAD SOMMER

ehind that mahog-

any-colored mustache and 1970s news anchor suit still lies a University High School football player, performing in an improv group, leading the Reptile Club to glory. This, ladies and gentlemen, is Will Ferrell. We know him as America’s Funnyman, Ricky Bobby, and the iconic Ron Burgundy. His comedic acts have lifted our spirits, made us cry with laughter, and resulted in our fangirling over his every move. “He always has the best parts in movies,” says sophomore Adam DeLue. “He’s really active in his roles in his movies, which is pretty funny,” junior Christian Sourapas adds. Ron Burgundy is always in

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

spirit on the Parker campus, through the echoes of Anchorman quotes throughout our cemented hallways and even through the Movember mustaches growing on the faces of our faculty and seniors. But we all know that out of all the mustaches in the world, there is only one Anchorman. The comedic genius as opened up about his high school and college experiences, and offered Parker students a look behind the scenes of all that is Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. Stay classy, Francis Parker. Q: A comedian’s career always begins somewhere. How did you use comedy as a student at University High School in Irvine? Will Ferrell: I used comedy as a way to make friends and get over the social awkwardness everyone

feels as a high school student. Q: You were named MVP of your freshman football team and had the potential to play as a kicker at the college level. What would have happened if you followed through on those plans? W.F.: Let’s not forget MVP of the freshman basketball team as well. Freshman year was my sports pinnacle. I think it would have been very much of a long shot to ever play college athletics, however I did in the fourth grade write an essay where I talked about being a professional soccer player and a comedian in the off season. So I think comedy would have been part of the plan. Q: It is no secret that you are a proud co-founder of the Reptile

Though his character portrays a San Diego anchorman, Ferrell co-anchored a real live broadcast on CBS in Bismarck, North Dakota on November 30, earning national viewership and laughter.

Club at your high school. What can you tell me about the club and how it became the largest organization on campus? W.F.: The Reptile Club was established by my friends and I because we couldn’t get into any other clubs. I think it was popular because each member received a laminated ID card with photo and nickname. We also watched film strips during our meetings, of which there were only three all year and we hosted a “Reptile Club Dance”. Q: Is it true that you announced the morning bulletin over the school’s intercom system? W.F.: Yes, my friend Bart Silberman and I would write and perform morning announcements in an effort to sell senior class t-shirts. It was a great way to write sketches

Q: What struggles did you face in high school that are similar to those experienced by teenagers today? W.F.: Well, I actually loved high school, but looking back I faced the same pressures that kids do today— balancing schoolwork with sports, friends and other outside interests. Applying for colleges was stressful as well, but I always tried to appreciate that high school is an amazing time in one’s life. Q: What advice would you give a high school student interested in comedic performing or writing? W.F.: If you’re interested in comedic performing and/or writing the advice I give everyone is to just DO. Try everything you can possibly do to exercise that muscle, there isn’t any shortcut other than throwing yourself into these situations whether it be a school play or improv group or just keeping a notebook of ideas and sketches. Because you’re going to have to get comfortable with failing before you can make any progress. And bacon. Eat a lot of bacon. Q: You have said that your fraternity was a laboratory for experimenting with comedy. What is your favorite story from those days at Delta Tau Delta? W.F.: One of my favorite stories is that I was the Song Chairman for our fraternity, which is not a vital position to say the least. We would have chapter meetings every Monday night where the entire group of guys gets together to discuss the business of the fraternity. Monday nights I always had class, so I would tape record the “Song Chairman’s Report” which was ridiculous. But much like the PA morning announcements at University High, these reports became something the entire chapter looked forward to hearing. They were just a chance for me to write funny sketches, whether it be about members of the house or pertinent issues facing us. Q: You graduated with a degree in Sports Information from the USC Annenburg School for Communication and Journalism. How did you become interested in broadcast journalism, and why did you ultimately choose acting?

W.F.: I always loved sports, whether it be playing them or watching and I thought that sports journalism would be a safer way to get into the entertainment business. But when I graduated and didn’t have a job to immediately go into, I decided to give acting and comedy a shot. I knew it was something that would always bother me if I didn’t try. Q: Your movie roles have spanned everything from a nightclubbing hipster in A Night at the Roxbury to NASCAR racer in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. What has been your favorite movie role to play so far? W.F.: I have been so lucky to sincerely love everything I have gotten to do, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be Ron Burgundy. Anchorman was an extremely hard movie to get made and very different from most comedies. It is also the only movie I’ve made a sequel of and that’s why Anchorman 2 is so special as well. Q: What was it like making the first Anchorman compared to the sequel? What scene in Anchorman 2 was the most fun to film? Did some of the scenes involve your iconic non-scripted humor and ad libbing? W.F.: The first movie we couldn’t believe that someone was allowing us to make it. The second one was more challenging because we had to create a backstory for what the news team has been up to for the last ten years, while developing new characters. One of the most fun scenes to film is when I sing a song to a great white shark named Doby as it swims out to sea; don’t worry it will make sense when you see the movie. Q: What career plans do you have for 2014? W.F.: In 2014, I’m going to try and gain 100 pounds. Q: Can we expect to see you in San Diego anytime soon? W.F.: I don’t know when my next trip to San Diego might be. Possibly to Legoland in January to promote an animated LEGO movie that I do a voice in.

RON BURGUNDY ON... TWERKING “I have to say this twerking looks like it’s dangerous! Does Miley Cyrus dislocate her hips every time she does this? I tried twerking the other night at my favorite dance club, The Naughty Albino, and I just about broke my back (luckily I’m double-jointed).....enough with the twerking I say!” THE SCRIBE “I read The Scribe every chance I get. In fact, I have a whole stack of back issues that go all the way back to the ‘50s. I think it’s just as good now as it’s ever been.” HEAD OF SCHOOL AND NOTRE DAME ALUM KEVIN YALEY “Kevin Yaley is a fine man and an excellent leader. You guys are lucky to have him as Head of School....as long as he doesn’t bankrupt the school’s endowment by betting on the ponies too much down in Del Mar. By the way, he told me to put six grand on Little Lead Foot in the trifecta.” HASHTAGS “I am morally opposed to hashtags! There is no place for drugs in school! Enough with all the cool kids hanging out at Smoker’s Bluff smoking hashtags. (I don’t know what they are).” HOLIDAY TRADITIONS “Every Christmas Eve, I dress Baxter up like the little dog in The Grinch, I pour myself a cup of nog, and I watch my favorite Christmas movie, Transformers 2. It really puts me in the spirit. I then wake up at the crack of dawn on Christmas day, go outside and shoot my flare gun at stray cats. Merry Christmas!”

’ S TA C H E M AT C H Our seniors and faculty showed their support for men’s prostate cancer by participating in Noshave November. Try your luck in figuring out who these dashing ‘staches belong to.

G. ANSWERS A. MR. AISTON, B. OMAR HARB, C. MR. YALEY, D. ERIC GOICOECHEA, E. MR. BARKSY, F. KEENAN SALVATI, G. DR. PIERCE

and try character voices.

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ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY NATALIE GREENBERG PHOTO COURTESY OF STUART WEITZMAN

HOT

NOT

PUNK FASHION

OBAMA BASHING

With the anti-establishment look having

Oh, come on, guys. As President Obama’s

A CUT NORM

kicked off over the summer months, be pre-

approval ratings plummet, it’s tough to

These days everyone famous seems to be getting

pared for winter when fashion angst turns

deny his partial responsiblity for some of

dramatic hairdo as a kind of rebellion against

dark. If it isn’t enough to hear it from me,

the country’s most recent issues, but real-

conventional standards of beauty. After all,

take a look at at some of Hollywood’s most

ly, you’ve got to stop blaming him for your

Emma Watson, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lawrence

fashion forward stars like Madonna, Beyon-

poor history grade.

and other popular females have all consciously

cé, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

HAIR FOR A CAUSE Grow your mo’ and snip your lustrous locks in an effort to support friends, family, and fellow mankind. Acts of kindness are always red hot. But does it really make a difference? You betcha. To date more than $215 million has been raised worldwide, so it’s fair to say that there is a method behind the humor.

KATE MOSS Thanks to the Stuart Wietzman campaign featuring Moss strutting down central London streets to Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin,’” she’s back. And thank goodness. Time to channel your inner Kate, ladies! Let’s work those thigh highs and strut like you mean it.

NEON Day-Glo dresses, pants, jewelry, shoes, pantsuits, bags, lipstick—enough.

OVERSHARING It’s perfectly okay to put your phone away and enjoy your meal or trip to the mall without sharing it with the internet, I promise. Besides, the only people that actually care are the ones you’re with.

TRENDY

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

THE

wielded scissors as instruments of passionate, personal protest.

NEW BALANCE Kick your Converse and Vans to curb this year, and go buy a pair of New Balance Tennis Shoes. Whether you’re exploring the city or heading to a holiday party, these effortlessly cool shoes will have you sauntering in style, and can be paired with anything in your wardrobe. Come on, you didn’t really think you could wear them athletically, did you?

WINTER WHITE While you’ve probably heard of hiding away your white after Labor Day, this year, we just can’t keep it in the dark. But, be sure to save your flouncy pieces for spring. Choose weather-appropriate staples such as chunky knits, jeans, and jackets that make sense in the chilly weather.

ABOVE

SPORTS letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get rad pg. 36 I fight the type pg . 38 such great heights pg. 39 I on sand and stage pg. 40 original varsity pg. 42

PHOTOGRAPH BY MORGAN SMITH Sophomore Jennifer Irving and other members of the Surf Team tackle the surf at Sunset Cliffs a few times a week in preparation for monthly competitions throughout California. Read more about the Surf Team on page 36. fpsthescribe.org

“

You never surf the same wave twice.” —Coach Cecile Santini

Sophomore Jennifer Irving, an avid surfer and member of the Parker Surf Team frequently rides the waves at Sunset Cliffs, a popular local spot in Point Loma.

december december 2013 2013THE THESCRIBE SCRIBE

LET’S GET RAD

THE WORLD’S GNARLIEST WATER SPORT MAKES A NAME FOR ITSELF AT PARKER ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPH BY MORGAN SMITH

“Y

ou never surf

the same wave twice. The waves are always changing, so it’s always a different experience and challenge,” surf team head coach Cecile Santini says. With this in mind, twice a week, team members head to San Diego’s most popular surf spots to perfect the art of their sport. Francis Parker’s surf team was originally listed as a club, but last year it was deemed a team. Although the majority of participants are intermediate surfers who enjoy spending their free time in the water, the team welcomes students of varied abilities and levels. Because surfing is classified under the Scholastic Surf Series rather than the California Inter-

scholastic Federation (CIF), they receive no financial support from the school. Despite this inconvenience, surfers are given the opportunity to compete against participants from southern and northern California, and even Hawai’i. The surf team practices on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and competitions occur once per month. A state championship is held toward the beginning of spring, where males and females compete separately. Within these categories, there are two divisions: longboarding and shortboarding. While many competitors opt to participate in one sect, some choose to compete in both. San Diego’s surf culture is big, and the competition is fierce. “I’m thinking about [doing competitions this year], but everyone is just so good,” says junior Alexander Considine.

Parker’s surf team competes in Division V, which also includes La Jolla Country Day School, Pacific Ridge School, High Tech High, Junipero Serra High School, Saint Augustine High School, and Our Lady of Peace. Regular participants—freshman Jakob Osland, sophomore Jennifer Irving, junior Ryan Irving, and senior Dylan Crispen—continue to aid in ranking Francis Parker well within its division in both longboarding and shortboarding. The team continues to grow, and its future is bright. Middle schoolers regularly practice with the team in hopes of joining during high school. “Hopefully, we’ll keep getting new surfers each year,” Santini says. Members of the surf team receive P.E credits for the seasons during which they participate. The lower commitment factor ap-

peals to Parker students, yet still provides an opportunity to maintain an active lifestyle. “Surfing is a great sport for anyone because it is fun, challenging, and a workout for your entire body,” Santini adds. “The sport is always growing and evolving, providing a continuous potential for growth. You get a great cardiovascular workout as well as the opportunity to strengthen your upper and lower body.” When asked if he enjoys surf team, freshman Jakob Osland beams before raving, “I love it.” Catch these groms as they rise to success on San Diego’s surf scene.

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SP COMMENTARY:

FIGHT THE TYPE STEREOTYPES WITHIN PARKER ATHLETICS ARTICLE BY CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY ARTWORK BY ERIK RIIS

magine you have a row of

people in front of you. People of all ages, shapes, and sizes, and you have to guess, to assume based on appearance, one thing about each of them. It wouldn’t be easy. Yet, every day we probably assume something about someone unknowingly, and most of the time we are wrong. Assumption plays a role in everyone’s lives, especially in those of teens. There is assumption based on what someone is wearing or what kind of car he or she drives, but what about assumptions in athletics? More specifically, in athletic physiques? In virtually any sport there is a stereotypical body type that fits that particular sport. We usually associate immense height and lean muscle with a volleyball or basketball player or a lot of muscle mass and shorter limbs with a soccer player or a track runner. Although this is sometimes accurate, it is not always the case. Sophomore Alison Carey is in her second year on the varsity girls’ basketball team. “I’m not tall at all,” Carey says. december 2013 THE SCRIBE

“I’m only 5-foot-6, competing against girls who are 6 feet to 6-foot-3, but it has never discouraged me from playing the sport.” Aside from height, there is another key element of the stereotypical athletic build: weight. In most sports, weight is not a major determining factor. But, in long distance running as little body weight as possible is key in order to obtain high endurance. According to Livestrong.com, the less body weight a runner carries, the faster they run. So if a runner doesn’t meet these “typical” attributes, can he or she no longer run? Senior Jeremy Kahan, doesn’t think so. “It all depends on the runner,” Kahan says. “Last year we had a varsity runner who weighed 180 [pounds], much heavier than the average runner, and he still ran really well.” Kahan, who, self-admittedly, does not fill the typical long distance runner body type, continues to push himself to do his best, despite his athletic build. “At the end of the day you take what you got,” he says. In cross country, the stereotypical athlete would have long,

thin limbs which are said to help runners traces longer distances at a faster pace than the shorter runner whom they are competing against. We all have heard—maybe even experienced—how the media can affect the human mind into thinking he or she isn’t tall or skinny enough. “Cross country makes a lot of people lose weight naturally, but I’ve known some runners who’ve tried to make themselves lose even more because they think it will make them faster,” says senior Christina Clark, a four-year cross country runner. “The thing is, when you’re training hard and running every day, it’s probably not the best time to start eating less food.” These stereotypes that most of us rarely consider prominent can negatively affect the mind into thinking he or she will perform better if he or she obtains the certain athletic build. The truth of the matter is, it’s probably hurting athletic performance rather than helping. Track and field, although very similar to cross country, has a much different stereotypical body type. Track is shorter distance running which means a shorter physique

and more muscle than a long distance runner. “The smaller and stronger you are the better your muscle to weight ratio,” says senior Alec Walsh, a member of the track and field team. “If you weigh less but you’re still strong you’ll run faster than a heavier person. You don’t have to work as hard.” In other words, an athlete with these body characteristics might benefit more than the taller, skinnier athlete. What about skill? If a track runner is tall and lanky, will he or she not perform as well as the shorter runner? “Performance is more important,” Walsh says. “If you can put out the skill, the other things don’t matter.” Perhaps skill is more important in sports like track and cross country where positions on a field don’t exist, but in a sport like softball, there is a different outlook. “It 100 percent depends on what position you play,” explains senior Rebecca Dvorak, a catcher on the varsity softball team. “Tall, thin girls are perfect pitchers but catchers should be shorter and stalky.” When positioning is a factor in a sport, the build of the athlete can’t be completely pushed to the side. “Skill is really important for softball but so is being athletically built,” Dvorak says. So in sports like softball that require some athletic build advantage, one must wonder if coaches are also guilty of assuming athletic talent based on stereotypes. The “tryout” process is a big deal for most serious high school athletes, especially those considering playing a sport in college. One big question crosses most athletes’ minds during this intimidating process: what are these coaches really looking for? “Most coaches do tend to look at certain attributes. If you’ve got that look, you’ll get the stereotype advantage,” says varsity girls’ soccer coach Mr. Marc Thiebach. “But it really all depends on the athlete’s mentality.” Maybe if you have an athletic build you’ll get paid more attention to, but in the long run, all an athlete really needs is pure talent and a positive attitude.

SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS GETTING TO KNOW PARKER’S NEWEST BASKETBALL STAR ARTICLE BY JASH BABLA ARTWORK BY PATRICK RILEY

t 6-foot-7, sophomore Tim Harrison is one of the tallest people at Francis Parker. When Harrison toured the school, he got a few side looks and surprised glances. Many were hopeful that he would dominate the basketball court too. Luckily, he can. Harrison began playing basketball at just four years old. After playing on multiple travel teams and club teams, Harrison played middle school basketball at both

The Rock Christian Academy and Horizon Prep. After graduating, Harrison found himself playing for the club team Gamepoint, as well as playing for Christian High School in El Cajon. After a year at Christian, Harrison transferred to Parker. But it wasn’t easy. “In eighth grade, I tried to come but I didn’t get in,” Harrison says. “Then in ninth grade I got on the waiting list. But this year I got a spot.” Luckily for fans, Tim now attends Parker, and many people have marvelled at his ability each day on either the sport court or in the Middle School gym where Tim practices with the team. People have also noticed his attitude on the court. “Whenever he makes a mistake, he makes sure he doesn’t make it again,” says sophomore Jonathan Taylor, Harrison’s teammate. “Coach makes sure of that, but mostly him. He corrects himself.” In each day of practice, Harrison demonstrates something truly divine: a game as good as his attitude. Harrison is a tall, graceful, intelligent swingman who has the length and athleticism to play power forward, yet possesses the

basketball IQ and court vision of a point guard. He sinks three-pointers as easily as he makes layups at the rim. But according to Harrison, his natural position is small forward, or wing forward. His long frame, deadly jump shot, and his dominating athleticism fit this mold perfectly. One of his role models, Kevin Durant, is also a small forward with the height of a taller position. The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar is 6’10, and could easily dominate the game at multiple positions, not just small forward. At 6’7, Tim could also play well at a taller position, but small forward is a position that incorporates all of Tim’s best skills of shooting, defense, and ball handling. But above all else, Tim finds that his energy is the best aspect of his game. “I’m very vocal, and very energetic on and off the court,” Harrison says. Harrison’s energy and vocality has also helped him transition to Parker. “I really love Parker. I already knew Michael [Pelaiz] and Jonathan Taylor from playing with them at Gamepoint, and Andrew [Cross] from playing with the Monarchs [another club basketball team], but I have also made a lot of friends here”.

SP Unlike many new students, Harrison has had no problem transitioning to social life at Parker. He is almost always seen with a group of friends, whether they be teammates or classmates. Usually, when new students, especially athletes, come to Parker, they have to wait and play a few years before coming off the bench as they gradually impress coaches and fans. But Harrison already has a head start. “I can tell the guys respect me, and we get along really well.” Basketball has always been a tight-knit group, and accepting someone like Harrison is no surprise. The chemistry between teammates is a huge reason for recent success. Unfortunately, Parker fans will have to wait to see Harrison showcase his skills. Due to his transfer from Christian High, CIF rules make Harrison ineligible to play for the first 30 days of the basketball season, ending January 6. Not watching Harrison dominate the court will be tough for fans, but once he steps on the hardwood, fans will realize that it is worth the wait. Harrison is a special player that not only can drain 16-20 foot jump shots, but can also dunk, a fan favorite. And with a supporting cast of players like sophomore Andrew Cross, junior Khaleel Jenkins, and senior Evan Fitzner, Harrison should have no problems stepping in and helping an already strong team be even better. Harrison is no stranger to the game. He’s been playing basketball since he was four years old. Since he was a little kid, Harrison has been watching players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, fan favorites all over the world. Basketball is something Tim aspires to continue for a long time. Parker has a tradition of succeeding in basketball. Graduates such as Deon Randall ‘10, Dalante Dunklin ‘12, and Eric Norman ‘11 all not only brought winning to Parker but also at the next level. Hopefully, Harrison will bring the same success as his predecessors. With his killer jump shot, it shouldn’t be a problem for a player as good as he is.

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ON SAND AND STAGE NEW SPORTS AT PARKER ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY GRACE SELLICK

t Parker, academics aren’t the only

important aspect on campus. Across the county, the school is known for their outstanding sports program. Last year, several athletic teams showed their talents, from the varsity girls’ volleyball team winning the State championship to the varsity boys’ lacrosse team taking a victory in their CIF division. In the past couple of years, new sport teams have been created in the Parker community, such as swim team and the squash team. Every year there seems to be talk about different sports being introduced onto the campus. “To be considered a sport at Parker, the team must have commitment from at least 10 students to participate and have a sanctioned governing body under which the team will compete,” says Coach Dan Kuiper, Director of Athletics. If teams do not fulfill these requirements then they may start a “Student Club” but are not allowed to compete. When a sport has been continuous for three years, Parker will consider offering the sport as a regular athletic program, allowing it to compete in CIF.

Junior Quintin Chambers and the rest of his teamates practice in South Mission Beach at the public courts every Friday afternoon during the fall season.

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

SP BOYS’ BEACH VOLLEYBALL Over the past couple of years, schools all over California have created boys’ and girls’ beach volleyball teams, spurring boys’ indoor volleyball Head Coach, John Herman, to give it a try. Toward the end of summer, Coaches Binh Ngo and John Herman started conducting weekly practices at South Mission Bay Beach, continuing into the school year. The season only lasted about 12 weeks altogether, making it a perfect sport for those who

have busy schedules. They competed against schools within San Diego such as La Costa Canyon High School, La Jolla High School, and Saint Augustine High School. The only requirement is showing up to practice, meaning any boy can join, no matter the skill level. Right now boys’ beach volleyball is not considered a CIF-regulated sport but according to Herman, it will become one within the next couple of years. Since the

team was new, there was no expectation of them to be the best. However, by the end of the season they were seen as the second best team in the county, playing an amazing last game against La Costa Canyon with sophomores Cameron Burnett and Reece Salmons. “Beach volleyball is one of the best sports out there,” Herman says. “For one, it’s on the beach, two, there is very little coaching, no referees, and no ‘I have to do this

to get into college.’ It’s just guys going out there, playing hard for two hours and having a great time.” Herman says there is even talk about creating a girls’ beach volleyball team for the spring season.

“There are a whole bunch of different levels,” says dance team captain, sophomore Lauren Clark. “We have people who want to do this for the rest of their lives, and then we also have people that are new who just want to try it out and do it for fun.” Dance Team has given Parker

students a new, exciting way to express themselves. Freshman Mary Fellios says, “Having a dance team at school is great because it gives me a way to be involved in the school, rather than taking me away by having to go somewhere else to do my passion.”

Pictured: (Front Row) Megan Tankersley, Victoria Ralston, Maddie Williams, (Back Row) Mary Felios, Lauren Clark, and Laney Moss

In Crivello Hall, three times a week, Dance Team pratices for sporting events at Parker and upcoming competions all over California.

DANCE TEAM During the fall they mostly perform at Parker sporting events like varsity football half-times, but during the spring, Parker’s dance team will enter in competitions, taking on schools from all over California. “Dance gives you an outlet,” says dance team coach Amber

Hendrix. “There are so many different styles. You can do jazz, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, the list goes on. And in each type, a person is able to express his or herself in so many ways.” Just like boys’ beach volleyball, anyone can join no matter how inexperienced

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ORIGINAL VARSITY

laying a college sport is something that many people

dream of doing, but many do not get the chance of participating in. For the small amount of talented athletes who actually have the opportunity to play college sports, there is a relatively large selection of Parker teachers who played, back in the day. These are just four of the many teachers at Parker who had the chance to participate in college sports, and they genuinely enjoyed their respective experiences. Even through hardships like injuries, and having to keep up with academics, they all agreed that the commitment was completely worth it.

MR. LEWIS

ARTICLE BY GABRIEL GROSS-SABLE

MS. ALLEN

DR. WILSON

TENNIS

CHEERLEADING

HOCKEY/LACROSSE

BASEBALL

Walking off the court after his final match at Davidson College, Lewis takes one last look at the courts he loved for four years.

After graduating from SDSU, Anderson went on to coach cheerleading at Scripps Ranch High School.

Allen played two sports at Columbia University and was considered for the U.S. women’s national field hockey team.

At Princeton, Wilson played alongside former Padres pitcher Chris Young.

Q: What was it like playing a college sport? Nick Lewis: Playing a college sport was remarkable. Our coach was a mentor and a friend. To this day, my college teammates remain some of my closest friends. It was a rigorous adventure: 2-3 hours of tennis, 1 hour of physical conditioning daily throughout the entire year. Yet it was rewarding because of the experience, the collective investment in the experience.

Q: Did you ever consider playing your sport professionally? If so, what stopped you? Nancy Anderson: I did not have a desire to be a Charger Girl. I was done with college and wanted to be a teacher. I was ready to move on.

Q: Did you suffer any injuries in your college career? Antoinette Allen: I sprained my ankle, and hurt my nose once (checked during lacrosse). Each time, I was subbed out, and went back in the game. I was lucky to not have have any other injury that kept me from playing. I had several friends that had more serious injuries, and it was tough for them and the team.

Q: How different do you think it is to play your sport in college as opposed to professionally? Rai Wilson: College baseball kids are in better shape than pros. Also you obviously have the challenges of academics.

Q: How different do you think it is to play your sport in college as opposed to professionally? N.L.: No comparison. We were a Division I team ranked between 80-100 regularly. When we played teams like University of North Carolina or University of South Carolina [regularly ranked in the top 30 in Diviosion I], we could compete some, but, ultimately just get dominated. None of the players we played had a real shot of making it professionally and they were exceptional players from all over the world.

MS. ANDERSON

A LOOK AT THE HIDDEN ATHLETIC ABILITIES OF SOME OF OUR FAVORITE EDUCATORS

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

Q: Did you play with any current/former professional stars? N.A.: I cheered for Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk, and two of the girls I was on the SDSU team with went on to be Charger Girls. Q: Was maintaining academic success a challenge while playing a sport? N.A.: No, in fact it helped that I was involved with sports. We had a required study hall time each day, and we were expected to get good grades in order to do all the fun promotional stuff that came with being on the SDSU cheer team. I was around other really motivated people and we worked together in school and sport.

Q: What was it like playing a college sport? A.A.: It was amazing to play sports in college. I wouldn’t trade my time for anything. I was and still am very committed to the field hockey and lacrosse programs at Columbia. My teammates and coaches are like family to me. Q: Do you have any regrets? A.A.: I wouldn’t say it was a regret, but I certainly had to make tough choices to continue playing in college. For instance, there were several elective courses that I was not able to take, because they conflicted with practice. Also, I wasn’t able to participate in a Semester Abroad program. Volunteering in the Peace Corps offered the international experience I missed in college.

Q: Do you have any regrets about playing a college sport? R.W.: It might have been more enjoyable to go to a Division III school where I’d have been more competitive. But I’m glad I did, and I came to understand the game more. Q: Was maintaining academic success a challenge while playing a sport? R.W.: For sure. It took so much time and energy. I left the team freshman year, then missed it and came back for my junior year. Ironically I did very well academically that year. You have to be so focused and organized to get everything done, instead of taking naps and playing video games.

ETCETERA from the desk of... pg. 44 I ringing in the new year pg . 46 holiday gift guide pg. 47 I creature feature pg. 48 more than merit pg. 50 I quadrants pg. 51

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DUTRA BROWN AND CIAN LAVIN

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THE TEACHERS:

FROM THE DESK OF...

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

MORE THAN WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON THE SURFACE ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY ALLIE GOINES

very desk has a story. Some teachers treat their desks like lockers, hoarding books, papers, and enough food for a small city. Others make their desks an extension of themselves. Guess which teacher sits behind each of these four desks.

MS. Z

MR. KASTER

1 DR. WILSON

2 M R . W I N E H O LT

The thing that means the most about this teacher’s desk is the desk itself. “It was a “hand-me-down” from a legendary teacher, named Bernie Boyko, who left the year that I came to Parker twenty years ago,” this teacher says. The desk is “one of the giant, old school style desks that weighs more than I can guess and bears the scars of lots of great years of Parker history.” This teacher also periodically rotates artifacts from the desk to the window ledge. “Each of these items was given to me by a former student, from the miniature photos of Turkish hero Kemal Ataturk, to the statues of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, and Russian revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin, meaning that each item reminds me of a certain period of time.” Humbled by the passage of time, this teacher has “a love for tradition and a sense of respect for those who came before me at Parker.”

B A fun-loving Muggle with a sentimental side, this teacher says, “I keep the notes and pictures that students give to me because they mean something to me and I don’t throw them away. Unless they’re ugly.” This teacher’s most personal items include a copy of The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss because it is a reminder “to treat everyone as they are on the inside and not on the outside” and a globe pillow from this teacher’s fiancé, a present from their first anniversary used for snuggling on sad days. Notoriously healthy, this teacher braves the judgement of students and peers each morning by drinking an “awkward brown smoothie” kept in a water bottle on the desk.

The most common items on the desk include “pictures of my time at Parker” and “pictures of my previous golf teams.” This teacher is known for telling kids, “Call me if you have been drinking or someone you are with is drinking and I will drive your butt home.” Because of this, “Two kids who I used to teach drew a picture of me driving a butt home.” This teacher clearly has a passion for golf, but cooking may not be one of her strong suits. “One of my students calls me Mrs. Freshley so I have a sign that says that because one day I brought pre-made cookies to class and I said I made them myself.” Although there are many important items on the desk, “my office is not here, my office is on the field, on the court, and on the golf course.” Answers: 1c, 2d, 3,b 4a

THE DESKS:

This teacher is one of the neatest most diligent at Parker. Proudly displayed along the desk and the walls of the classroom are the mementos of past years. “I keep everything my students have ever given me,” this teacher says. The most personal items on the desk are “pictures from my honeymoon and of my kids.” The desk is “typically organized, except around the end of the trimester” when it’s time to finalize grades. Not only is this teacher extremely intellectual, but also “has speakers on his desk to listen to my music” and keeps his phone handy in case a Words with Friends game presents itself.

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RINGING

IN THE

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS FROM THE STUDENT BODY ARTICLE BY JULIANNA D’AURIA PHOTOGRAPH BY DUTRA BROWN

t’s 11:59 P.M. on December 31. You’re at a New Year’s party

counting down the last minute of the year. With sparkling cider in hand you start thinking of what you want your resolution to be: to eat healthy, to smile more often, participate in more community service, to try new things. It’s easy to think of what you want to do this next year but it’s keeping these resolutions that’s the challenge. Here are just some of the resolutions that Francis Parker students hope to stick to in 2014.

“Get on a first name bas i s w i t h M r. L e w i s . ” —JUNIOR JAMES FOSTER “Remember to write 2014 on my papers instead of 2013.” —SOPHOMORE MADDIE WILLIAMS “Live life to the fullest. And eat lots of pie on the way.” —FRESHMAN ADAM GORDON “Try to correct my tone— deafness. Is that even possible?” —SOPHOMORE JENN WINEHOLT “Drop out of school and follow Miley Cyrus around the world on her B a n g e r z t o u r. ” —SENIOR OMAR HARB “Study the art of yo-yo under David Glassey.” —SOPHOMORE DREY GERGER

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

“Finally start eating healthy. The first step is to finish all the junk food I have left in my pantry.” —SOPHOMORE CARLOS EZQUERRO “Actually read what comes before ‘I agree to the terms and conditions.’” —FRESHMAN JOE PASQUILL “ Av o i d s e n i o r i t i s a s l o n g as possible.” —SENIOR TANNER AIONO “My resolution is to neve r w r i t e N e w Ye a r ’ s r e s o l u t i o n s . Wa i t … ” —SOPHOMORE MICHAEL PELAIZ “Try to be nice to people who I don’t particularly enjoy being around” —FRESHMAN MEREDITH WIGGINS “Become a spice girl.” —SENIOR CARA STIEGLER

“Be more optimistic and more open—minded towards new things.” —JUNIOR YSABELLA SAWAYA “Bring my relationship with sophomore Connor Morrill to the next level.” —JUNIOR BRAD SOMMER “I want to make the most of the time I have left at Parker before I graduate.” —SENIOR ALLANA PLATT “Not get more then one Saturday detention.” —SOPHOMORE TARA NAFICY “Go a week without shopping.” —FRESHMAN SOPHIE BANCROFT “ Wo r k o u t t o g e t a r m s like senior Jesse Brookins.” —JUNIOR ROBBIE GIANNELLA

“Learn how to be smooth around the ladies.” —SOPHOMORE BRADEN SALVATI “ We a n m y s e l f o f f m y coffee addiction before my friends stage an intervention.” —SENIOR CHRISTINA CLARK “Spend more time with teachers on the weekend, starting with baki n g c o o k i e s w i t h M r. J a r ed D’Onofrio.” —JUNIOR HANNAH SCHNEIDER

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE A PRESENT FOR EVERY PALATE ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALLIE GOINES

IF THIS PERSON WERE TO HAVE ONE SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? A. Time travel B. Super strength C. Mind control

IF THIS PERSON WAS STRANDED ON AN ISLAND, WHAT WOULD THEY WANT WITH THEM? A. A Brandy Melville skirt B.Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound & Sense C. SportsCenter updates

ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU’RE LIKELY TO FIND THIS PERSON.. A. At the mall B. At the park C. At the library WHAT IS THIS PERSON LIKELY TO BE READING? A. Teen Vogue B. Sports Illustrated C. War and Peace IF THEY COULD LIVE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE? A. A big city B. The suburbs C. Another planet

ave you received a

lot of secret pal gifts destined to be re-gifted? It might be because the people who get you the gifts don’t always know what is best fitting for your personality. So whether your giftee is the girliest of the girls, a total jock, or a brainiac, this quiz will help you determine what the best gift is for them. And if subtle hints don’t work, don’t be afraid to slip this quiz into the lockers of potential gifters. IF YOU WERE TO SHUFFLE THEIR IPOD, WHAT SONG WOULD COME ON? A. Lorde B. Kanye West C. Bach THE HARDEST DECISION THEY HAVE TO MAKE ALL DAY IS... A. What selfie to instagram and at what time B. What fantasy football player to trade C. Whether or not pluto is a planet

M O S T LY A ’ S

M O S T LY B ’ S

M O S T LY C ’ S

If you got mostly A’s... Your friend is a total hipster. Although these kinds of people appreciate a good mainstream selfie now and then, they have a deep love for the classics. During the winter time, they snuggle up in a blanket with a warm cup of tea, making the ideal present for them a Starbucks gift card and some fuzzy socks from Target ($6.00). They would love a Winter Candy Apple scented candle or gift package from Bath & Body Works ($20). If they truly love music, some vinyl records from Music Theory in Mission Hills are the perfect secret pal gift. If you’re short on cash, a custom photo frame or album designed by you is a great alternative and shows just how much you care.

If you got mostly B’s... Your friend is a total athlete. From the court to the field, these kinds of people are good at it all. They love some fresh air and a nice run in the park, making it essential to own a pair of crew socks from Nike or Vans ($8.50). You always catch them checking the latest sports updates and watching all the big games on TV. Do even better and catch the game live and in person. Buy them tickets to the next college or high school game and if all else fails, remember food is an athlete’s best friend.

If you got mostly C’s... Your friend is a capacious intellectual. This friend is the one you always go to for notes and study tips. They are always studying hard and love to read a good book. For a gift idea, check out the New York Times’ Bestseller list and pick them up a novel at your local Barnes & Noble. This friend loves a challenge and an opportunity to show off their knowledge. Go to your local Target and pick them up a chess board or a fun game like Apples to Apples ($15).

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CREATURE ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JULIANNA D’AURIA

A N S E L YA L E Y Freshman Ansel Yaley’s obsession with carrots takes her parents’ orders to eat her veggies to the next level. “I have eaten so many carrots in my life span,” Yaley says, “that my hands and feet have turned a visible shade of orange.” She has seen every episode of Teen Wolf five times. Ansel loves Christmas time and can’t wait to see her sister who’s coming back from college for the holiday. What do you think is your best quality? Being able to laugh at myself. For example, I have two different styled earlobes. One’s connected and one’s lobed. My sisters named them “Connecto and Lobey”.

If you could marry a cartoon character, who would it be and why? Timmy Turner. Unlimited wishes? Count me in. What’s your favorite part of winter? I like the cold weather. Oh wait, we live in San Diego. What is the weirdest thing someone told you? That I resemble Rufus, the naked mole rat from the hit T.V. show, Kim Possible. If you had an option to be a teacher for the day who would you be? Ms. Frizzle. Who wouldn’t want to go on the magic school bus?

COREY MCAULIFFE Sophomore Corey McAuliffe; what a guy. An encounter with him will leave you rolling on the floor laughing. The sophomore class clown, he will do anything you dare him to do, even wear yoga pants or eat 18 mini tacos. He is currently on the Francis Parker baseball team and is excited for the spring 2014 season to start. He is a true believer in Santa Claus, and is best friends with Buddy the Elf. Hit him up ladies. Who do you aspire to be? Sophomore Adam Delue. I would kill to have his pecs. How do you feel about the healthy lunch food? It’s healthy? Oh, I don’t like it anymore.

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

What is the worst present you have ever received? A box from Justin Timberlake. On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...? True love. Materials should not be the focus of a relationship or Christmas. How do you feel about mistletoe? I feel I would like it more if I had someone to kiss (if you like the picture call me).

FEATURE

CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COOLEST KIDS ON CAMPUS

B R I T TA W I C H A R Y

Junior Britta Wichary is fabulous. Seniors may recognize her as the girl who holds the lights at Studio M. If you need a new wardrobe, find her and she can hook you up. Britta spends her days stalking the student body on Facebook, reading for Mr. Jared D’Onofrio’s class, going to yoga, and snuggling with her cat, Sammy. She is also the editor-in-chief of the 2013-2014 yearbook and is a part-time intern for Style Your Life. This winter, Britta is most looking forward to peppermint mochas, droplets of rain on her window, fuzzy blankets, and a good book. How do you have your eggs? Scrambled, much like my life. What movie are you most excited for this year? The Hunger Games. It makes me feel like I’m in line at the Parker Café. You took the last scoop of strawberry yogurt? Run.

Would you ever consider being a vegetarian? Meat is murder. Just kidding, filet mignon is my after-school snack. Play any sports? If you call Netflix a sport, then yes. I’m on varsity. If you could change your name what would you change it to? Pat. Starbucks seems to find ‘Britta’ quite foreign. What are your words to live by? I’m not the cat lady type. I’m more like an actual cat. I want affection when I want it and on my terms. The rest of the time I want to claw your eyes out and piss on your shoe.

HUNTER ASMANN Senior Hunter “Big Cat” Asmann is a stud. In his free time he enjoys sending Snapchats of his cat, Kona, to his top friends. After school, Hunter can be found sitting outside his car hanging out with friends and blasting his two new 12-inch subwoofers. His advice to the freshmen is to do their homework, even though it is hypocritical of him to say so. This winter season, Hunter is looking forward to listening to his favorite holiday jingle “Ramadan Oh Ramadan” and relaxing with Kona over the long break. What’s your coolest trait? I have the swiftness that is greater than or equal to that of a bat.

Who’s your favorite sophomore girl? I don’t associate myself with those. But if I must answer, Braden Salvati. <3 What scares you the most and why? Spiders. What sane person is not afraid of spiders? What is the worst present you have ever received? One time I got a bag with just tissue paper inside. What’s your favorite pickup line? Do you like dragons?

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MORE THAN MERIT DUCT TAPE, AND ZOMBIES, AND GIANTS OH MY ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPH BY PATRICK RILEY

re you an average student with no inspirational,

life-altering stories to tell for those scholarships your parents are bothering you about? Are you simply looking for some extra money to help fund that hefty college tuition that eerily approaches? If so, you’ve found the right place. Get in touch with your creative side and these strange, somewhat ridiculous scholarships could be the perfect solution to your universal struggles.

D U C K B R A N D S T U C K AT P R O M SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST

TA L L C L U B S I N T E R N AT I O N A L STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: $1,000 BEST FOR: THE GENETICALLY FORTUNATE

Heightism? Perhaps, but this scholarship can be nothing but helpful for females over 5-foot-10 and males over 6-foot-2. Simply write an essay explaining what being tall means to you and this rather generous prize could be yours. If you’re not quite there yet, just stay away from the morning coffee and keep hoping for that unexpected growth spurt.

AMOUNT: $5,000 (EACH) BEST FOR: THE QUIRKY AND SELF-CONFIDENT

CHICK & SOPHIE MAJOR MEMORIAL DUCK CALLING CONTEST

Any time between March 10 and May 23, it’s as simple as submitting a couple prom photos of you and your date, but here’s the catch: your outfits must be hand-made completely out of duct tape. Last year, the winners spent over 250 hours and 120 rolls on their Victorian style gown and tuxedo. So find that partner now, stock up on that tape, and start stickin’.

AMOUNT: $2,000 BEST FOR: THE OUTDOORSY AND MUSICALLY DIVERSE

VA N VA L K E N B U R G ( H ) MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: $1,000 BEST FOR: THE VAN VALKENBURG(H)S

In a school of over 500 students, there’s got to be a Van Valkenburg out there...right? If so, congratulations! Your ancestors have blessed you with all you need for this grand prize: a ridiculous last name.

How well can you channel your inner bird? That’s basically all you need for this one. Show up to Stuttgart, Arkansas in late November to woo the judges by showing off your innate duck calling skills. Note: In its 37-year history, there is yet to be a winner from west of the Rockies. As the saying goes: there’s a first for everything.

Z O M B I E A P O C A LY P S E SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: $2,000 BEST FOR: SEÑOR RENÉ CARACOZA AND MR. STEVE COOK

Do you have a plan in the case of a zombie apocalypse? The answer is obviously yes, but what are the specifics? Where would you hide? What are the top five things you would bring with you to stay alive? Explain all of this in a short essay due every year on Halloween for the opportunity to win this unique contest and help fund a portion of those college expenses.

FIFTH MONTH SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: $1,500 BEST FOR: THE SPRINGTIME AFICIONADO

This witty and unorthodox prompt speaks for itself: “May is the fifth month of the year. Write a letter to the number five explaining why five is important. Be serious or be funny. Either way, here’s a high five to you for being original.” Trying to top that pun would have been impossible, but MAY-be winning that extra dough will prove a little easier.

december 2013 THE SCRIBE

QUADRANTS

COMPILED BY SOREN HANSEN AND MARK KLEIN

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF IT SNOWED IN SAN DIEGO?

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE?

WHAT MYTHICAL CREATURE ARE YOU SURE EXISTS?

WHAT IS YOUR SECERET TALENT?

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS/ CHANUKAH/ KWANZAA IS...

The word moist. I don’t know it’s just weird.

Mr. Donnelly is living proof.

I can cook minute rice in 59 seconds.

time with my family because I’m very thankful to be with them.

I hate it when people ask me about my pet peeves.

My soul (I’m ginger).

Hardly a secret if I let you publish this in a magazine, now is it?

song lyrics have made my answer unsuitable for The Scribe.

Stay inside.

People.

Aslan.

Sarcasm.

money.

Make a whole bunch of snowballs and have them spell out “You Look Fantastic” in the middle of the road.

When people excessively quote Mean Girls.

Elves. I think I am one (it would explain the height).

I can pun you out of town.

a “Haaaave You Met Ted” sweater. And world peace.

Watch the Fox News global warming deniers descend on the town.

Bubonic plague.

I think you’re unclear on the definition of mythical.

If I had a talent, I would never keep it secret.

a holiday Scribe!

Make a snowman. Duh. JOE PA S Q U I L L Imagine stubbing your toe, combined with stepping on a Lego, and having no Internet connection. Now imagine the opposite. S E T H That’s pretty much how I would feel. MARKOW

SHARNI SMITH

ELISA GREENBERG

MR. JARED D’ONOFRIO

SEPARATED AT BIRTH Corinne Nixon

Arya Stark

Game of Thrones

PHOTO COURTESY OF WORLD ENTERTAINMENT

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I’M ON A HORSE