January Issue 2024

the

FOURTH

estate

MUSIC IN THE AIR

LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL

4125 PALOMA DRIVE SANTA BARBARA, CA

JANUARY 2024

LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL

4125 PALOMA DRIVE SANTA BARBARA, CA

JANUARY 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS College Panel Safe Storage Ordinance Primaries Update Free Speech Debate

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FEATURE Winter Break Highlights Stage Band Feature Acing Your College Interviews Student Diversity Conference Kindness Compilation New Year’s Resolutions Teacher Feature

12-13 14-15 16 17 18-19 20 21

OPINION La Cumbre Intersection Global Remilitarization Stance of the Staff Rise of K-Pop

23 24-25 26-27 28-29

A&E Ye or Nay? Spotify Wrapped Connections 100 Years of Disney à la mode Evolution of Music Poetry of Songwriting “The Boy and the Heron” Instagrams What’s in Season?

31 32 33 34 35 36-38 39 40-41 42 43

SPORTS Girls Basketball Athlete of the Issue Winter Sports Jude Bellingham Victor Wembanyama Sports Statistics

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OUR TEAM FACULTY ADVISER Trish McHale EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Dionne Peterson Lucy Wang Sofia Ramirez MANAGING EDITOR Ada Green OPINION EDITORS Christiana Cino Cierra Nervo FEATURE EDITOR Jinling Wang BUSINESS MANAGER Magdalena Amezaga

A&E EDITOR Milla Hirsch

SPORTS EDITOR Davis Ohanian

NEWS EDITORS Lucia Camp Niccolo D’Agruma

PHOTO EDITOR Jackson Baltes

WEBSITE EDITOR Owen Noble SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Milla Hirsch COPY EDITORS Dylan Charney JJ Stone

MAGAZINE STAFF Alexia Acosta Lyla Bollag Jules Leclercq Daphne Shiebler Mason Siegel Elyse Weaver CONTRIBUTING ARTIST

Olivia Sofranko

A Letter from the Editors-in-Chief

“

There is music in the air, music all around us; the world is full of it, and you simply take as much as you require.”

This quote by Edward Elgar in “Letters of a Lifetime” inspired the theme for this issue. But what we wanted to get out of this quote is not just music.

We want you to take a moment and listen to the words of the people at war as their narratives echo struggle and resilience, to contemplate on the silence, to dance your heart out listening to songs, and to take a moment to reflect on your surroundings.

The world is an orchestra of sound that offers a symphony for those willing to listen. Music is not solely confined to the instruments and melodies but to the connections we form with one another, and one takes as much as one needs to find solace, joy and inspiration.

We had a lot of fun creating this issue; it is long, currently, 52 pages after we cut a dozen; it covers an impressive range of topics, from the Primary Election to Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film, “The Boy and the Heron,” but most importantly, this is an issue filled with passion.

As soon as we decided on the theme of music, ideas started pouring out nonstop. Spotify Wrapped, The Evolution of Music, K-Pop, and a Stage Band Feature, to name a few; the team was excited to get started right away.

Our theme and articles inspired us to be as creative as possible, and we demanded ourselves to be ambitious.

Our staff ensured the stories were accurate and of the highest quality: Reaching out to Yale students about riots in college, taking a picture of every single sticky note on the wall of gratitude and getting drone shots at the La Cumbre intersection.

The staff went out of their way for every story, and we, as editors, are so extraordinarily proud of the way they have pulled it all together with quality and grace.

We took pleasure in creating this issue, and we hope you do the same reading it.

Sincerely, Dionne, Sofia and Lucy

4 • NEWS

• MISSION STATEMENT The Fourth Estate is an open forum created for and by journalism students of Laguna Blanca Upper School. We hope to use this space to cover events, interviews and topics of interest in greater depth.

Our staff seeks to be a platform for creative expression and to report on events and ideas of importance to our readers and to focus on topics of significance and interest to inform and entertain the school community.

• BYLINE POLICY When two or three people work on a story, all names will be listed. If an editor rewrites a majority of a story, the editor’s name will be listed.

• LETTERS TO THE EDITORS The Fourth Estate welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and must be no longer than 400 words. Editors reserve the right to edit for length, clarity and/or taste.

Anonymous letters will not be published. The Fourth Estate reserves the right to reject advertising. Opinions expressed in this publication reflect the perspectives of the staff whose goal is to inform our readers with reliable information from which to base decisions and opinions. Editorials represent the voice of the staff and are voted on by the entire staff. Columns and commentaries are labeled as such and represent the opinion of the author. The Fourth Estate publishes four issues per year with a senior insert in the last issue.

• CORRECTION POLICY The staff strives for accuracy. When factual errors occur, mistakes are found or brought to the attention of the staff, corrections will be printed in a corrections box in the next issue.

• COLOPHON This is the second issue and the 29th volume of The Fourth Estate. Laguna Blanca School, 4125 Paloma Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93110. Contacts are available at tmchale@lagunablanca.org, (805) 687-2461 x0317 or www.thefourthestate.net. Laguna Blanca School has an EK through 12th grade student population of 430 with 100 in the Lower School, 139 in the Middle School, and 191 in the Upper School.

The Fourth Estate is an 8.5 by 11 general magazine, created on MAC computers using Adobe InDesign CC2021, Imperial URW and Mencken Standard font families and printed on glossy paper free for students and $30 for an annual subscription. The magazine is distributed to all Upper School students through the school’s advisory program and sent by mail to subscribers with 300 copies printed per issue. We are associated with NSPA, CSPA and JEA.

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The Alumni College Panel Laguna alum returns to campus to talk to current students about their college experience.

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WORDS by SOFIA RAMIREZ PHOTOS by JACKSON BALTES

tudents filled the Spalding Theatre to welcome back alumni Jack Andrews ‘23, Emma Schubert ‘23, Alexandra Siegel‘23, Luca D’Agruma‘23, Catie Fristoe‘22, and Dare Fitzpatrick ‘22 to hear about their individual college experiences.

Jack, who attends the University of Edinburgh, spoke about the difference between going to high school in America and attending college in the U.K. “The structure abroad is very focused, so you’re in one specific major and all the classes you take are within that, there’s no General Eds. It was weird going from [Laguna], having to switch brain waves to do English, and then science, and then whatever else in one evening, whereas [at Edinburgh] I have the same sort of brain space throughout my four years. So I think that was a really interesting shift to adapt to, along with the new culture, but I think that’s the exciting part of going off to college.”

Emma, who attends Tulane University, shared her experience growing up in Germany and applying to college in America.

“The whole thing was kind of new to me, I talked to the college counseling team, and they were the ones to introduce me to how to find schools. I knew I wanted a school that was mid size,

and something different that I hadn’t done before. I think just laying out or making myself clear in what I wanted in the university and seeing it in front of me, and then looking at different institutions and checking those boxes was a big part of my decision making process.”

Alexandra, who also attends Tulane University, shared her experience about going into the college process with a closed mindset.

“I had a very clear number one school, and I went in not open minded, that hurt me in the end. I ended up at Tulane and it’s the happiest I’ve ever been. What I’ve realized is that there’s more than one school that is the right fit for you. While I wanted one school, I look back now and I realized, like, I don’t even know if I’d be as happy there as I am now.”

Luca, a freshman at Wesleyan University spoke about his application process.

“I had to dispel the ‘what if ’ in my head. I was thinking about not applying to [Wesleyan], and I think that would have been okay, if I didn’t get in, I just spent so much emotional energy worrying. I think that the process takes so much out of you, when it can be a joyful experience.”

Catie and Dare, both in their second year of college shared ways that incoming students can prepare for the experience.

Catie, who attends Duke University, said, “Something that I really didn’t feel like I was prepared for before is just, I mean, I think you should go into your freshman year of college, knowing that it might not be as amazing as you’re building it up to be.

Because I know Dare and I both had a little bit of a hard first semester freshman year.”

Dare, a sophomore at Swarthmore College, gave advice for high school students saying, “Start early, and do activities and extracurriculars that you really enjoy. And start that early to figure out what you like to do. Then you can incorporate more things. A big part of my stress when applying to colleges was like, ‘Oh, do I have enough or rich enough or robust enough extracurriculars and activities?’

And I think a big part of that is as people tell you, building your narrative, so that all of the activities kind of follow suit with what you’re interested in.

I think just starting early on figuring out what you’re interested in, and then executing that and doing different activities that you really like will be not only beneficial for your own happiness, but will help you when you actually go to apply and want to create this narrative of who you are to colleges.”

Emma Schubert and Jack Andrews

Dare Fitzpatrick and Catie Fristoe

Catie Fristoe, Luca D’Agruma and Alexandra Siegel

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NEWS • 5

Santa Barbara Safe Storage Gun Ordinance A look into the firearm safe storage gun ordinance proposed by the Santa Barbara Youth Council.

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ore than 4.6 million children live in a house with an unlocked, loaded gun that have lead to the 377 accidental shootings by children in 2023.

The April 2023 Youth Speak Out at Santa Barbara City Council consisted of students, City council members, and community members. The realization within this meeting was that gun safety was the most prominent issue for youth throughout the community.

This resulted in the Santa Barbara Youth Council drafting a firearm safe storage ordinance.

Amelia Vander May, Chair of the Safe Firearm Ordinance ad hoc subcommittee, shares the steps required to write the ordinance: “Our ordinance subcommittee wrote the ordinance with assistance from City Attorney, Rich Hanna, and Assistant City Attorney, John Doimas, as well as our advisor [Nicole Morgan].

We approved the ordinance as a council during a meeting in City Hall where Tiago [Tiago Eckstein, Chair of Youth Council] and I presented the ordinance to the rest of the Youth Council, as well as heard public comment from members of the community. Currently, the ordinance is being reviewed by the City Council Ordinance Committee, and we are hoping it gets passed in January 2024,” Amelia said.

For the Youth Council members, a crucial part of writing the ordinance was the definition section.

“The definition section of the ordinance was very important to us because we had to decide what the rules and regulations would be, and it is important to have a strong definition section in case the law needs to be enforced,”

6 • NEWS

WORDS by CHRISTIANA CINO PHOTOS by RICKY BIGGS Lucia Camp, member of Youth Council, said.

The national organization, Moms Demand Action, has a chapter in Santa Barbara, and they played a significant role in advocating for safe gun storage at the November meeting in the Santa Barbara City Council Chambers, where Youth Council passed the ordinance.

“In the spring of this year, I gave a presentation to the Youth Council about Moms Demand Action and what we were doing to end gun violence. I mentioned that we had been petitioning the City Council for several years, trying to get a safe storage ordinance passed. The Youth Council took it upon themselves to put this ordinance forward, and I am so grateful for their voice,” leader of local Moms Demand Action group, Kendall Pata said.

The Santa Barbara Unified School District reported an increase in weapon-related incidents on school campuses in 2023.

“We’ve gotten to a point where school shootings aren’t out of the ordinary — even Santa Barbara has recently experienced shootings at UCSB and false alarms at many of our local high schools. I think one thing almost all young people can relate to is living with a constant fear of experiencing a school shooting — we’re always thinking about where we would hide, where our friends would be, who we would contact — and that’s something no one should have to be afraid of, especially kids,” Amelia said.

If this ordinance passes, families who own a gun are required to secure it safely in their home in a locked container with a trigger lock.

“We know that youth who obtain thefourthestate.net

firearms are not doing so legally. Up to 80% of school shooters obtain their firearm from home or from the home of a friend or relative. Just storing your firearm locked and out of the hands of our youth prevents gun violence,” Pata said.

If the safe gun storage ordinance is passed, the risk of self-inflicted harm from guns is estimated to decrease by 78%.

Additionally, the risk of children and teens accidentally injuring themselves would decrease by 85%.

“I think this ordinance is a great step forward to make students feel more safe in Santa Barbara,” senior Lucia Camp said.

The Carpinteria and Goleta City Councils already implemented safe storage gun ordinances.

However, it still has not been incorporated in the City of Santa Barbara, which this ordinance aims to address.

The goal of this ordinance is to take action to make Santa Barbara schools safer than they previously have been.

“Unsecured firearms lead to higher rates of accidental and intentional deaths by firearm, many of which are children and teens. It also makes firearm theft easier,” Angela said. “This issue is preventable with the right legislation in place. Having a safe storage ordinance will lower firearm theft and prevent youth from accessing unsecured firearms at home, both of which contribute to preventing mass shoot-

Members of the Youth Council listening to Moms Demand Action representative. ings in our community.

Nicole Morgan, Recreation Specialist and Youth Council Advisor, explains the events that will occur next: “This meeting ran smoothly and was an incredible success for Youth Council and for the community. Next steps include a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, at 4 PM in the City Council Chambers.”

The Youth Council is a division of the Parks and Recreation Committee, and will present the ordinance to the City Council and the Mayor in January 2024.

By the end of that month, the ordinance will likely be ratified and written into the legal code.

“Creating this project is part of the reason I joined Youth Council. I’ve always been passionate about finding solutions to gun violence, but I think over the last few years, with the huge increase we’ve seen in mass shootings — especially school shootings — it has become a top priority for me,” Amelia said.

The goal of advocating for safe gun storage is that people will be able to leave their homes without having an underlying fear of experiencing gun violence.

“Seeing how much unsafely stored firearms affect young people and communities as a whole is terrifying, so getting this ordinance passed and being a part of the solution to gun violence in Santa Barbara would mean the world to me,” Amelia said.

The Youth Council’s involvement in passing this safe storage ordinance has not gone unnoticed by those who are passionate about stopping gun violence.

“Our youth are the bravest people in America. Every day, they go to school not knowing if they will experience violence. I want everyone to know how brave our students and teachers are.

It’s their voices that will make lasting change in this fight to end gun violence,” Pata said.

Members of Moms Demand Action at Youth Speak Out. thefourthestate.net

NEWS • 7

THE PRIMARIES

As the primary election approaches, here are the Republican candidates who could go on to the 2024 presidential election.

WORDS by JINLING WANG & SOFIA RAMIREZ ART by DIONNE PETERSON

DONALD TRUMP Former President Donald Trump launched his campaign in hopes of returning to the seat of power after his downfall to President Biden in 2020. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in economics, Trump went on to become president of his father’s company, the Trump Organization. Trump entered the mainstream media in 2004 after co-producing and starring in the reality TV show, “The Apprentice,” more than a decade later, Trump won the 2016 presidential election against Democratic opponent Hilary Clinton. At his inauguration, Trump became the first U.S. president without any government or military background; more than 4 years later, he also became the first former president to be indicted. The charges against Trump led to his removal from both the Maine and Colorado ballots. Despite the criminal and civil charges brought against him, Trump remains the republican favorite with a high likelihood of winning the 2024 primary election.

RON DESANTIS Florida Governor Ron DeSantis grew up in Dunedin, Florida, before graduating from Yale University and later Harvard Law School. Soon after graduating, he joined the U.S. Navy, eventually serving as Florida’s special assistant U.S. Attorney. His determination to climb the ranks of Congress paid off, in 2019, when he was elected as the 46th Governor of Florida with Trump’s support. DeSantis is a top candidate for the upcoming primary election through his appeal to republican views – such as the Heartbeat Protection Act and loose gun laws – while distinguishing himself as a “less scandalous” option compared to former president Trump.

While he holds the rank of second most popular candidate, his popularity has steadily fallen after the first primary election debate.

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NIKKI HALEY An up-and-coming favorite is Nikki Haley, a politician and diplomat who served as the first female Governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017. Haley was elected as the 29th U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2018 under the Trump administration. Haley is the first Indian American to serve in a presidential cabinet. After securing a huge endorsement from Prosperity Action, a super Pac supported by conservative billionaire Charles Koch, Haley remains 50 points behind former president Trump, polling at about 10% nationally with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in between them. Over the span of her campaign, Haley has called attention to fixing “our broken immigration system,” opposing open borders and efforts to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

VIVEK RAMASWAMY Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has made his grand entry into the world of politics. Born to Indian immigrant parents, 38-year-old Ramaswamy is the youngest republican candidates. He graduated from Harvard and later Yale Law School before founding Roivant Sciences, a biotech company. He has managed to surpass countless presidential candidates and made his way into the top five republican candidates by expressing his strong opinions against the U.S. Department of Education. Ramaswamy gained a lot of support for his statements on climate change. In an interview with ABC news he stated that he is against the “climate change agenda” as he believes that it is a “hoax.”

Despite many of his ideas matching those of former president Donald Trump, Ramaswamy has explicitly stated that he would object to being Trump’s vice-presidents.

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CHRIS CHRISTIE

Graduating from the University of Delaware in 1984 and Seton Hall Law School in 1987, Christopher James Christie, synonymously known as Chris Christie, is a politician and former federal prosecutor. Born in New Jersey, Christie, representing the Republican party, became the U.S. Attorney for NJ from 2002 to 2008, prior to serving as the state’s 55th governor from 2010 to 2018. Staking his campaign as a direct opposition to Trump, Christie is polling third in the early primary state of New Hampshire, with over 11% support trailing behind both Haley and Trump. During the presidential debate, Christie showed support for aid to Ukraine, while attributing recent mass shootings to issues rooted in mental health, saying, “We must focus on the mental health crisis in this country. It is long overdue.” *Chris Christie dropped out of the race Jan. 10

NEWS • 9

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Free Speech in Academia Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, protests have run rampant on college campuses as the foundational principles of free speech begin to blur.

WORDS & ART by JINLING WANG

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ollowing an insurgence of attacks and protests stemming from extremism, a raging controversy over academic freedom focuses attention on universities’ handling the heated political debates of the Israel-Hamas war. This leaves schools at a crossroads to decide what constitutes free speech.

“I think there is a difference between ‘free speech’ and ‘hate speech.’ I believe we are entitled to speak freely about our views - political and moral, but not free to slander others in a way that can only incite violence,” said English Department Chair Victoria Dryden.

Following the October 7th Hamas attacks, incidents of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia flood national news daily.

The war between Israel and Hamas forces school administrators to draw the line between deciding what might be deemed pro-Palestinian advocacy and what’s discriminatory against the Jewish people.

Prestigious universities such as Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) continue to experience backlash amid pressure from donors, alums and students.

Following testimony during the congressional hearing with the U.S. House committee regarding antisemitism on college campuses, UPenn’s president, Liz Magill, announced her resignation.

In a recent poll conducted by the Anti-Defamation League and Hillel International, a Jewish outreach organization surveyed that 73% of Jewish college students experienced and

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observed antisemitic incidents since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, which included vandalism, antisemitic emails and threats of physical violence.

“Our university rejects terrorism.

That includes the brutal atrocities perpetrated by Hamas,” President Gay said.

This statement came days after former Harvard board members publicly

criticized Gay for not denouncing the student groups w h o wrote to “hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence,” leading to her resignation in January.

Yet, Gay stressed that “Our university embraces a commitment to free expression. That commitment extends even to views that many of us find objectionable, even outrageous. We do not punish or sanction people for expressing such views.”

According to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, however, Harvard’s commitment to its promise of free speech is weak, as Harvard was rated the worst of 254 other colleges. “I think protests are healthy and hearing alternative ideas on

a college campus is part of academia or should be a part of academia.”

That is free speech. However, when protests turn into something like ‘calling for the genocide of Jews’ as has happened on several college campuses — there is a dangerous line crossed.”

Although private institutions are not directly bound by the First Amendment, which restricts government action, Jewish students do not receive protections in court and have experienced varying acts of antisemitism, such as receiving signed death threats.

In the testimony before the House committee, university leaders acknowledged the antisemitism and Islamophobia being birthed from the protection of free speech.

“It is important for students to discuss the war to understand the sides and perspectives better. I believe, however, that colleges have a duty to protect their students from hate speech and, more importantly, violence,” senior Dylan Charney said.

“Violence is not a part of freedom of speech, and schools must make that clear.”

According to he Supreme Court the First Amendment does not protect physical threats as free speech.“Initiating conversations and cultivating the ability to actively listen to diverse perspectives are essential to our coexistence on this campus,” Yale junior Mitchell Kim said. “As emerging leaders of the next generation, it is through these means that we strive to address the pressing issues confronting our world today.”

NEWS • 11

WINTER BREAK HIGHLIGHTS

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iner Break 12-13

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FEATURE • 13

Honors Stage Band is a course offered to students with a foundation in advanced repertoire, cultivating strong musicians in string instruments, percussion, woodwind and vocals. Here are a few students enrolled in the class and their experiences!

WORDS by JINLING WANG ART by DIONNE PETERSON

Q1: When did you pick up an instrument the first time, and how did you feel?

I first started learning the guitar at the age of 6, and that first experience was a mix of excitement and curiosity. The idea of making music intrigued me and set the tone for my musical journey.

Q2: What instrument do you play & how long have you played it, and why do you like it?

I’ve been playing the guitar for 12 years and picked up the drums a few years ago. I love expressing emotions with the guitar and adding rhythm to the drums.

Q3: What has been your favorite memory of being a part of Stage Band, and has that shaped your feelings about music?

My best Stage Band memory is performing at the jog-a-thon, feeling the energy from the crowd and the joy of making music together. The funniest moment in the stage band was when Brady, our drummer, dropped one of his drumsticks on the floor in the middle of a song and made everyone laugh.

Q1: When did you pick up an instrument the first time, and how did you feel?

Besides my voice, I picked up my first instrument, a ukulele, in the 6th grade. I was immediately obsessed and began to teach myself chords and rhythm before beginning to write my own songs and eventually moving on to guitar.

Q2: What instrument do you play & how long have you played it, and why do you like it?

My main instrument is my voice. I have been singing for as long as I can remember and I love it because it feels so personal to me and how I express myself. Singing has helped me connect with people that I would have never met otherwise and has expanded my social circle of musicians.

Q3: What are you looking forward to the most in the school year as a member of the Stage Band?

I am looking forward to bonding with my classmates through music and performance and strengthening the connections I have already made while expanding my experience and knowledge of being a performer.

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Q1: What instrument do you play & how long have you played it, and why do you like it?

I first tried playing the piano when I was 6, and I immediately loved it. I began taking lessons shortly after that.

Q2: What has been your favorite memory of being a part of Stage Band, and has that shaped your feelings about music?

My favorite memory of being a part of Stage Band is definitely our performance at Soho for the spring showcase last year. I think it was the show where we sounded the best, and everyone was just having a really good time playing their own parts, and everything came together so well. This and Stage Band as a whole have made me realize that when everything clicks, it really does become greater than the sum of its parts, which is why I love playing in a band so much.

Q3: What are you looking forward to the most in the school year as a member of the Stage Band?

In Stage Band this year, I’m looking forward the most to just having fun and playing with all these other talented musicians. I also can’t wait to perform at our upcoming winter and spring shows.

Q1: What instrument do you play & how long have you played it, and why do you like it?

I play bass and have been playing for almost a year and a half now. I feel like I have excelled significantly from my first performance, which was mediocre, to the most recent performance, where I had to play challenging riffs. I love to play bass because, compared to the guitar, It is a very powerful instrument, making it fun to play.

Q2: What has been your favorite memory of being a part of Stage Band, and has that shaped your feelings about music?

Since this is my first year, I have not had a lot of memories with Stage Band, yet there was one moment that I remember and acknowledge. When we were playing “Feel it Still,” Brady accidentally dropped one of his drumsticks, forcing me to think it was all over. Yet, he kept playing by hitting the kick and the hi-hat rather than the kick and snare while reaching to grab the drumstick that fell. He successfully retrieved the drumstick, and we played the song without a problem. This shaped how I feel about music, as you are showing your dedication to music and that your dedication can empower your progress and the overall way you play.

Q3: What are you looking forward to the most in the school year as a member of the Stage Band?

As a Stage Band member, I am looking forward to our end-of-the-year Soho performance. I feel like the Winter Showcase will help me advance, considering that I have to learn some more complicated bass riffs and that advancing this will allow the entire band to pick some songs that we really want to play but that are complicated. If I keep practicing and everything goes accordingly, our last performance will arguably be our best. thefourthestate.net

FEATURE • 15

How to Ace Your College Interview As seniors submit their college applications and juniors begin the college application process, it’s important to know what college interviews entail and prepare for them.

WORDS by ELYSE WEAVER ART by DIONNE PETERSON

Interview Steps & Tips 1. Schedule as soon as you can: Interview slots fill up quickly, so you often need to schedule them months in advance. If there are no available spaces, email the admissions staff asking them to put you on the waiting list.

2. Research: The best way to show your interest during an interview is to make it obvious that you’ve spent time preparing for it. Have a few classes, clubs and aspects of the campus that you’re interested in ready to talk about. Check who is giving your interview; this could be an admissions officer, a current student, or an alumni.

3. Prepare for questions: Questions will be about yourself and your interest in the school, so be prepared to talk about what aspects of the school you’ve looked into, as well as your achievements and interests both in and outside of school. Prepare questions for your interviewer. Ask something open ended (ex: What does an average Thursday for a student look like?) rather than a yes or no.

4. Look the part: Dress in business casual, even if the school describes their interviews as laid back. If you’re on Zoom, make sure the visible frame of the room you’re in is clean and orderly. Arrive to interviews early, whether they be in person or online.

Interview with College Counselor Lalitha Otterness Q: Does it look bad to cancel an interview?

A: It really depends on the school. Sometimes the interviews are just for you to learn more about the school and don’t really affect your application. At Dartmouth College, they take alumni feedback seriously, but if your grades, references, and activities are strong, that’s more important. At Cornell University, the interviews are more about helping the student and have no bearing on the admissions process.

If you’re invited to interview, it’s both a chance for you to ask questions and for admissions to learn more about you.

But if you don’t have an interview, it won’t hurt your application. So, it’s good to know that the weight of the interview varies by school. It’s always important to prepare and take it seriously, but it’s more important to put the most work into the application itself.

Q: What are some things students don’t know about college interviews?

A: I think a lot of college applicants don’t realize how much they can just have a good, natural conversation during the interview. It’s actually not as stressful as people make it out to be. The interviewers usually love their school and want to help you learn more about it. So, be open to any kind of question, and just give an honest answer.

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That’s the most important thing. You can expect questions like “Tell me about yourself” and “Why do you want to attend this college?” It’s a good idea to practice with a friend and get feedback on how you’re presenting yourself.

And remember, it’s okay to be yourself and ask questions too.

Q: Are interviews factored as part of demonstrated interest?

A: Yes, some schools consider interviews a reflection of demonstrated interest. However, it is important to note that highly selective schools don’t consider demonstrated interest until after they defer or wait-list students. If you find yourself on the wait-list, that’s the time to reach out to the admissions office and show them that you’re still interested in attending.

Q: Do you have anything else to add?

A: When it comes to college interviews, it’s important to go beyond what’s on paper and talk about your passions and who you are as a person. This is a great opportunity for the interviewers to see the real you. Remember, it’s just a conversation with another person, so be open and honest.

Focus on showing them different sides of your personality and interests. Share your passions and quirks, and separate yourself as a unique individual, not just a name on an application. thefourthestate.net

SDLC : Celebrating Diversity Students and faculty chaperones got the chance to attend the Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the People of Color Conference in Saint Louis, Missouri.

WORDS by SOFIA RAMIREZ PHOTOS by SOFIA RAMIREZ & MICHELLE FINCK

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f nerves were audible, they would echo into the grand halls where the 30th annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference was about to commence.

Laguna’s Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Ursula Chan and Spanish Instructor Michelle Finck, led students Nayeli Castrejon-Peralta ‘25, Sofia Ramirez ‘25 and Jesus Arriaga ‘24 to participate in this year’s SDLC conference.

SDLC’s mission is to provide students who identify with minority groups the tools to navigate the obstacles in white-dominated spaces while also granting a space where students of similar backgrounds can come together and celebrate their culture or identity.

Attending conferences provides students and faculty participants a wide range of values and insights.

“I wanted our students to participate as well because I’ve met so many adults who went to SDLC when they were students at independent schools, and they consistently reflect on what an impactful and meaningful experience it was for them,” Chan said. “There are so many reasons why SDLC makes a difference for students to attend, but it’s a place to feel seen, safe, validated and affirmed.

During their time at the conference, students met in small family groups where they reflected on relevant topics.

“The subjects we talked about in our family groups were things that SDLC presented to us, such as socioeconomic classes, gender identity [and] race identity,” Jesus said.

Over the four days, SDLC arranged for multiple guest speakers, each of whom made an impact.

“I was really able to learn a lot, particularly because of the guest speakers who were really able to tell their stories and make an emotional impact on all of us there,” Nayeli said.

“It was exciting to hear about other people’s experiences and how they could move forward.”

Following the day’s sessions, Jesus, Nayeli and Sofia take in the sights of Saint Louis.

The experiences are valuable for all attendees.

“You have to find people who you can connect with. You have to be open to other people’s ideas and thought processes because that is the only way we as a whole planet are going to be able to advance socially.”

NAIS organizes the People of Color Conference (PoCC), aimed towards educators to provide “a safe space for leadership, professional development, and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools.”

While attending the conference, educators could pick and choose the workshops they decided to attend, allowing them to shape their learning experience.

“The workshops I attended varied in topic as well, but I learned from other educators and DEI practitioners from around the nation, and what they do at their institutions, what has worked, what hasn’t. Sharing knowledge like this and bringing it back to our schools keeps us all moving forward.”

Finck attended several sessions and met with other teachers from across the country who were in attendance.

“Learning about programs from other independent schools supporting first-generation college students was incredible.

Sometimes you need to see what other people are doing to know what’s possible and to have a model for moving forward and making progress.”

“It was exciting to hear about other people’s experiences and how they could move forward.”

-Nayeli Castrejon-Peralta

thefourthestate.net

FEATURE • 17

WALL OF G PAGE by CHRISTIANA CINO

GRATITUDE

PAGE by DIONNE PETERSON

Shifts in the History Dept.

The Laguna community welcomes Daisy Altamirano and bids farewell to Dena Montague.

WORDS by LUCIA CAMP PHOTO by JACKSON BALTES

D

ena Montague, AP U.S. History and AP Comparative Government instructor and Environmental Justice Lecturer at UCSB, accepted a position at Stanford starting at the end of December to be a lecturer in the university’s new Doerr School of Sustainability.

“She let us know that this job would be starting in January. We are all incredibly thrilled for her because that is a wonderful position.

It is also bittersweet and sad to see her go,” Head of Upper School Anna Alldredge said.

Kevin Guay stepped in to cover both the AP U.S. History and the AP Comparative Government courses for the remainder of the school year.

“Teaching these classes means a great deal to me.

I’m so excited to reconnect with students I’ve missed over the past few years.

Perhaps equally as exciting is the privilege to immerse myself in a deeper study of world governments and further refine my expertise in U.S. history,” Guay said.

In addition to attaining a doctorate in U.S. History, Guay demonstrates an “enduring dedication to our Laguna students over the years,” Alldredge said.

“This process has emerged as a total win-win. We were able to make a plan that involved repositioning Dr. Guay into an area focus with both of these APs that are very aligned with his background and what his doctorate work focused on,” Alldredge said. “We think he will be incredibly well suited

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to these high-level history classes in that age group and also the content area.”

Daisy Altamirano joined the Social Sciences faculty team to take over Guay’s history classes: three sections of World History I and one section each of World History II and U.S. History.

Kevin Guay and Daisy Altamirano “We were lucky to encounter a candidate that is a perfect fit for Laguna. Her experience is incredibly impressive, and the energy she brought during her interview day and the way she interacted with our students during the sample lesson was incredibly energetic, smart, and student-centered,” Alldredge said.

Altamirano was born and raised in Santa Barbara and earned her BA at UC Berkeley in Political Science with a minor in History, as well as her MA in Educational Policy and Administration at Loyola Marymount.

“As a local, she has a great sense of our school. We were very excited to encounter such a strong candidate,” Alldredge said.

Altamirano’s background includes teaching history and English as well as completing a Teach For America Rising Leader Fellowship, and serving as the After School Program Coordinator at the Turner Foundation.

“I am very eager to bring new projects, activities, culturally responsive content, and student centered curriculum to the Laguna history department,” Altamirano said. “My love of history started in high school, and I hope that I can inspire that same enthusiasm for history in my classes. Above all, this year I look forward to developing strong relationships with students, families and the entire Laguna Blanca community.”

During the last two weeks of classes in December, Altamirano shadowed Guay’s classes, and Guay shadowed Montague’s classes. The instructor switch officially occurred on Jan. 2.

“I wholeheartedly believe my student-centered focus in the classroom will lend itself to creating a comfortable, cheerful, and encouraging learning environment,” Guay said.

“Having taught history extensively at the university and secondary level, I am confident in my abilities to teach these classes. Beyond my educational background and teaching time, the current juniors and seniors — quite simply — know I care and want nothing more than their success.”

FEATURE • 21

The La Cumbre Calamity With the ability to accommodate a limited number of cars, the La Cumbre intersection is being pushed beyond its limits daily, causing issues for student drivers.

I

t’s 8:10 a.m. and you are confident that you can make it to school on time… until you hit the La Cumbre Overpass.

The overpass between La Cumbre Road, Calle Real, and Las Palmas Drive backs up every school day starting at 7:45 a.m.

Drivers attempt to beat delays with tactics from running red lights to illegal merging.

“I’ve been the person who cuts before. I usually dislike people who do that because we all need to do our part and that’s the opposite of helpful,” senior Drew Levinson said. “The craziest thing that I observed in the intersection was a student rear-ending a parent’s car.”

These frequent backups are caused by more cars entering Hope Ranch than the intersection can hold at capacity.

“A lot of people get stuck in the intersection turning left off of the freeway. It’s chaotic for everyone,” senior Sasha Drucker said. “We all have to wait. You aren’t better than everybody just because you want to go in the other turn lane. Wait with everybody else.”

There are three traffic lights in the intersection: two on La Cumbre Road and one where Calle Real meets La Cumbre, which is after the freeway exit for La Cumbre. Light sequencing on the second La Cumbre light doesn’t

WORDS by LUCIA CAMP PHOTO by HAYDEN ABEYSEKERA move all the cars through the intersection per cycle because a stop sign marks the entrance into Hope Ranch at Las Palmas Drive.

The number of vehicles entering the intersection from both directions greatly exceeds the capacity of the overpass.

“The company I interned for, Associated Traffic Engineers of Santa Barbara (ATESB) did a survey of this.

They couldn’t solve it because they wanted to build a roundabout and couldn’t because they didn’t own the land,” senior Cole Murphy said.

The stop sign at Las Palmas creates a short window for cars to cross the intersection as those exiting the 101 southbound attempt to make the right turn to enter Hope Ranch as well.

“One time it actually took me 30 minutes to get through the intersection,” senior Gabriel Lea said.

Tensions run high in the intersection and a bad morning at La Cumbre can result in an unexcused tardy as per the new tardy policy established at the start of this school year.

“When I get stuck in the traffic, I’m not always late, but it gets really tight,” Sasha said.

Even more upsetting than the late mark on a student’s record can be the negative mood that sets the tone for the day caused by being submerged in wall-to-wall road rage that early in the

morning.

Dean of Students Blake Dorfman attempted to educate the student body about another strategy for driving to school at the start of the year, dubbing it the “Las Po Shortcut” compared to the existing “La Cumbre Late Zone.”

There are some doubts over which way is actually better, but students make use of both.

“Las Positas is sometimes faster so that’s a great solution to the problem when it’s not under construction.

Sometimes they do construction (on Las Positas) and then it’s only one lane.

You can sit there for 10 minutes doing nothing,” Cole said.

Judging by the current state of the intersection — crawling with cars- it is evident that few people heed these warnings.

This shortcut isn’t accessible to all students, such as students who reside north of Laguna or in the Mission Canyon area who must face the intersection every morning, as it is the only entrance to Las Palmas from the east. The La Cumbre intersection will remain a testament to poor traffic planning for the near future.

“It affects my everyday life because I’m one or two minutes late to class frequently. I try to leave as early as possible, but for those of us who live far away from school, it is a hassle,” Drew said.

Machines of War

Escalating global tensions calls for an increase in military spendings, fueling debate and shifting where countries lie on the geopolitical stage.

WORDS by NICCOLO D’AGRUMA ART by DIONNE PETERSON

D

espite the immense sophistication and awareness of the horrors of war and the cost of a nuclear winter, international defense spending rose 19% in the past decade according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

The National Atlantic Treaty Organization, (NATO) asked member states to dedicate 2% of their gross domestic product, (GDP), to military spending, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This militarization is alarming and has global impacts.

Students’ opinion vary on why this is happening and whether it means if this is the end of times, or whether more weaponry is a deterrence that is necessary for the security of a free state.

“More military spending would deter a war in the grand scheme of things.

However it is situational, depending on what it is spent on,” sophomore Fernando Alejandre said.

What is certain is that members of NATO that have been long inactive or have been utilizing outdated equipment, such as Japan, Germany and Poland, and are now investing in their

defense programs.

“Japan and Germany have not had a significant military presence since World War II due to being the chief Axis powers, which has led primarily to a lack of infrastructure and a fear of extremity,” senior Dylan Charney said.

Remilitarization is the process of increasing military spending in order to bolster a country’s defense capabilities.

Unfortunately, it has been extremely hard for Germany and Japan to do this because of the cultural shifts that occurred after World War II, but re-militarizing is not just a national debate; it creates tension between countries.

On June 2, Russia accused Germany of unbalancing Europe by doubling its military spending.

“Foreign fears of German militarization due to an aggressive history, despite years of alliance, still exist,” Dylan said.

Japan on the other hand is not just facing opposition from Russia, but also from China and North Korea.

“While foreign powers remember Japanese aggression, the Americanization of Japan after World War II and their proximity to China makes them a useful military presence [for NATO],”

Dylan said.

Japan’s defense force has approximately 250,000 personnel to combat and defend against China’s growing military presence in the East China Sea, but it is also fundamentally unconstitutional.

“The disarmament clause in the Japanese constitution makes Japanese militarization difficult in the 21st century, as doing so violates that constitution.

But, if the argument exists that constitutions should be amended, I believe it is applicable here,” Dylan said.

Japan’s culture and its constitution have changed, but exploiting loopholes is a slippery slope, as history tends to repeat itself.

“If you base present actions solely on past ones in a national setting, not many countries would be clean. If you based present U.S. actions on what we have done in our history, many would be afraid of us having a military,” said Social Science Chair Kevin Shertzer.

Unlike Japan and Germany, Poland is undergoing a modernization process in reaction to the Russian-Ukraine war as opposed to remilitarization; this means that they are purchasing modern weap-

onry and retiring their outdated equipment.

Since World War II, Poland’s military only had room to improve.

“Poland faced many issues during the joint Nazi-Soviet invasion in 1939.

A two-front war is difficult to win and while Poland’s terrain is not inclined for defense, it is important to note the technological disparity between the Nazis, Soviets and Poles,” Dylan said.

“Both Germany and Russia possessed numerous armored divisions of tanks and other armored vehicles, while Poland had only two armored divisions.”

Poland is determined not to repeat the past and is currently attempting to update its already significant tank force, ordering over 1,000 K2 tanks and hundreds of artillery systems and fighter jets from South Korea.

Germany, Japan, and Poland have all increased their military budgets in reaction to the threat in Russia, but why did this specific war ignite so much change?

“The Russia-Ukraine war caused a stir because it is happening in Europe right next to many NATO countries.

NATO was created to stop Soviet Union expansion, and its European members feel threatened by a war so close to their borders,” sophomore Robie Polos said.

The Western conception of Russia as a superpower of Europe is dramatized throughout the media, portrayed closer to the might of the former Soviet Union, rather than the current reality of modern-day Russia.

“When you talk about the view of Russia and reality, a lot of our perspective comes from our own particular

view of Russia based upon how our media covers them, the past, and much more,” Shertzer said.

Russia and Ukraine argue their individual narratives. Russia claims that its people support Putin’s dream of conquest, while Ukraine claims that Russian soldiers are unwilling to fight.

“Putin has been drafting Siberians in large quantities because there are a lot more minorities in Siberia who are poor and disconnected from the rest of the country,” Robie said. “The majority of Russians in the Western part of the country won’t feel the impact of the war as hard as poor farmers from the east whose families likely won’t go to Moscow and protest when someone’s son dies.”

Ukraine formed a unit made up of Siberian citizens who fled to Ukraine in hopes of fighting against Russian imperialism, which could be a sign that Putin’s disproportionate drafting of ethnic Siberians is bringing about unrest.

The Western world sees Russia, China and North Korea as the antagonizers who are threats to our democracy.

In response, the West is reacting in kind, boosting military spending.

It begs the question: does this trend of remilitarization and modernizing lead to war, or does it provide security through the power of deterrence?

If it is possible to use diplomacy to reach across the cultural divide, then is it not worth it to at least try?

We must explore every potential option and avenue because the stakes could not be higher.

editorial stance of the staff M

usic is, quite literally, all around us, whether it is when you arrive on campus in the morning where there’s music playing to welcome students, during community time, or when songs are playing in your headphones.

Our lives are filled with music, yet we do not take enough time to pause and think about it.

But as we said in the letter from the editors, there is more to music than just the melodies.

There are certain emotions that arise when we listen to music, a certain bond that we form when we share music with others, a certain meaning we seek in music. We aim to capture that feeling in our coverage.

In this issue, we featured a wide variety of musicians, from Ye (formerly Kanye) to BTS. We wrote about not only their music but what their work means to people.

BTS is a South Korean boy band formed in 2013 that has since risen to become one of the most well-known bands in the world.

They were invited to the White House by President Biden to address anti-Asian hate crimes.

They spoke about the ability of music to transcend language and culture.

“We believe music is always an amazing and wondering unifier of all things,” said Jungkook, the youngest member of BTS. BTS’ music became a powerful symbol of what the group stands for. Ever since their debut, BTS’ songs have always tackled social issues that other idol groups usually shy away from, such as men-

26 • OPINION

tal health, youth empowerment, self-love, and self-acceptance.

BTS became the face of K-Pop, and their music became the bridge to connect communities across the world.

We hope to address the positive impact that musicians bring, as well as the controversy that can arise from their music or from the artists themselves.

Ye’s recent antisemitic remarks on X (formerly Twitter) and prior controversial comments attracted scrutiny from the public.

Ye, the musician, has been recognized as one of the most talented artists of a generation, but Ye, the individual, is the opposite.

His comments and the consequences that come with them are disturbing and have caused substantial harm to various communities.

His views in no way reflect ours at The Fourth Estate. We decided to cover him not to provide him with a platform, but to bring the matter of hate speech to the forefront of our reader’s attention because it is a topic that we believe is hugely important, one that must be addressed.

We hope you will listen to the music and find that emotional bond and keep it with you.

With that being said, read this issue with a sense of inquiry in mind.

Read to reflect on the stories that we covered and the concerns we raised. Read to seek the untold narratives. Read to bear witness to the disrupted and polarized world. Read. thefourthestate.net

THE RISE OF K-POP

K-Pop — the Korean phenomenon that took over the global music industry. What accounts for K-Pop’s immense success, and why is it still so popular?

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ibrant, upbeat K-Pop songs, such as “Butter” by BTS and “The Feels” by Twice, flood American radio stations. “Squid Game,” popular on Netflix, won six Emmy awards in 2022.

This reflects the Korean Wave, or Hallyu: the Chinese term for this global phenomenon to describe the influx of South Korean culture globally.

Although the Korean “flame” is popular due to a variety of characteristics—such as heart-wrenching K-dramas, the infamous Korean convenience store meals and drinks, and revolutionary cosmetics—what brought Hallyu to its global prominence is Korean pop, commonly referred to as K-Pop. In the 1990s, the emergence of Seo Taiji and Boys paved the way for the contemporary K-Pop blending of both American hip-hop and rap beats.

By the early 2000s, Hallyu and the Korean music industry peaked on the internet and social media.

Wonder Girls, a four-member girl group, was one of the first and most famous groups, referred to as the “first generation.”

They accumulated over one billion views on YouTube with hits such as “Tell Me” in 2008 and “Nobody” in 2009.

Quickly following Wonder Girl’s success was PSY, who released the worldwide smash “Gangnam Style.”

This song accumulated over 4.8 billion views on YouTube, crowned Song of the Year by South Korea’s music association.

Although there are many different groups contributing

WORDS & ART by DIONNE PETERSON

to the steady growth of K-Pop during the late 2010s, notable mentions are Blackpink and Twice.

Blackpink, another four-member girl group, broke the charts with their debut song “Whistle,” ranking first on every major Korean music chart in 2016.

Following this success, they released “DDU-DU DDU-DU” in 2018. The music video became the most viewed video by a K-Pop group on YouTube.

Blackpink’s success popularized the “girl crush” concept, which embraces fearless femininity and female empowerment.

When the global pandemic struck, the continuous rise of various social media platforms surged dramatically; K-Pop had to adapt by creating more emphasis on digital platforms and social media.

Virtual performances, live streams, and behind-the-scenes content became prevalent as a means to stay connected with eager fans.

Although the pandemic hindered K-Pop as they could one, not connect to fans in person, and two, were unable to advertise traditionally—BTS, otherwise known as Bangtan Boys, produced “Dynamite” which gained over 100 million views on Youtube in only 24 hours.

It also reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart in September 2020, becoming the first song by any K-Pop group to reach the summit on charts.

The sudden increase of K-Pop fans joining on social media platforms– such as Twitter—increased fandoms and fandom culture, a phenomenon where fans select a particular celebrity or genre, uniting to cultivate a distinctive culture centered around mutual

Rise of 28-2

liking.

Fandom culture is a staple of K-Pop—calling themselves “stans:” a combined term for both “stalker,” and “fan.”

“A lot of the culture around K-Pop is very fan-oriented in a way that it isn’t in the West,” Zola Peltz ‘23 said.

The K-Pop stan culture is becoming increasingly toxic with the rise of social media—although there are many music fandoms that have stan culture, K-Pop fandoms are extremist.

Fandoms are unable to accept criticism of their idols due to the culture of worship which is supported by K-Pop’s overall advertising; companies advertise their idols as almost god-like individuals, sparking a level of admiration so that fans will become obsessed and spend money on their group.

K-Pop companies advertise their idols in a manner that will form a para-social relationship with their idol.

This strategy was adopted during the pandemic to make fans still feel engaged and connected.

As toxic fan culture may be, artists engage in the toxicity as they must portray many unattainable beauty standards, causing a detrimental effect not only on the

K Pop 29

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fans but also on the K-Pop artists themselves.

K-Pop is reflective of the Asian beauty standard: extremely thin figures and strict proportions.

Companies expect their idols to have a 9-1 ratio where the body is nine times as long as the head, which is almost not physically attainable.

Those who do fit into these beauty

an cult-like following named “Wonyoungism” where fans learn to achieve her body type and look like her.

K-Pop companies often impose contradictory views on their clients.

Often, K-Pop idols have no choice but to commend these unrealistic standards in order to satisfy the companies.

Over the last few years, many K-Pop idols have gone rogue from these strict companies and gone out on their own.

Most notably is Hwasa, whose lyrics are often about the problems in the K-Pop industry, such as the strict beauty standards.

Another K-Pop sensation breaking free from the standard is (G) I-DLE, who recently wrote a song titled “Queencard,” which focuses on the protagonist accepting her appearance and realizing true beauty comes from self-confidence.

Although K-Pop has made tremendous progress in shifting and readjusting not only the beauty standards, but also the toxic fan culture, there is still much to be done in order to make K-Pop a less toxic music culture.

“With any fandom the bigger it gets the more toxic fans you get. This is why a lot of the most toxic fandoms are the biggest ones. Anyone who’s been online knows, the rudest people are always the loudest.” Zola said.

“Events such as fan meetings [on and offline] and consistent live streams are ways for idols and fans to feel more connected.”

- Zola Peltz ‘23 standards face multiple death threats for simply eating more “cutely.” Jang Won-young is an example of this.

Deemed the “Korean It Girl,” she is idolized to an extreme.

In Won-young’s case, fans created

OPINION • 29

Ye or Nay? Is it possible to support an artist’s music without supporting what the artist stands for?

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WORDS by JULES LECLERCQ & MAGDALENA AMEZAGA ART by DIONNE PETERSON

anked as the 12th most listened-to artist of all time, and with over 84 singles having gone Platinum, Kanye West is one of the most influential artists of this generation.

Kanye started out as a producer making beats for popular artists like Pharrell Williams and Jay-Z. This background is what some people think sets Kanye apart from the rest.

“Kanye changed the game because of his producer background and how he would use non-musical things in his songs,” junior Jared Sorensen said.

Kanye branched out to creating his own music, and his highly-anticipated debut album went No.1 on the Billboard charts as well as going Platinum 4 times. Kanye’s music has a large audience in the Laguna community.

“I think that Kanye West is the greatest Hip-Hop artist of all time and nobody comes close to him in terms of levels of creativity and consistency,” senior James Shiach said.

In 2016, Kanye was officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and most of most of Kanye’s listeners agree that there has been a shift in his music and personality since then.

Kanye frequently makes controversial statements, but they became more erratic and unpredictable after this point in his life.

Kanye posted a string of antisemitic comments that led to him being dropped by multiple sponsors including Adidas and Balenciaga.

“What he has done to the Jewish community is terrible and completely unacceptable,”junior Eleanor Crafton said.

While Kanye’s controversial personality has an effect on people’s views of his music, his music remains popular among his fans. They claim that they will still listen to Kanye if he were to release another album.

“Just because he’s a terrible person, doesn’t mean he isn’t talented,” Eleanor said.

Other students, who are fond of Kanye’s music, echoed this thought and said that in order to enjoy Kanye’s music, they separate the music from the artist.

“No, I don’t let his personality influence my love for his music in the slightest,” James said.

However, others do not believe it is possible to separate the music from the artist.

“Separating the artist from the art is complicated, and I don’t think you can because an artist informs their art,” said Director of DEI Ursula Chan.

People attribute Kanye’s controversies to his mental health disorders although this can be quite problematic. Artists and other celebrities like Kanye have their every move analyzed by their fans and their critics.

“Kanye gets a lot of hate, but I don’t think people take into consideration that he is clinically bipolar when criticizing him,” sophomore Jared Sorensen said.

Still, others struggle with excusing his actions.

“He’s definitely not a great person, and no one can excuse a lot of what he has done, but I also think that he has a lot of mental health issues that we may not be aware of,” Eleanor said.

Though this way of thinking is a double-edged sword Chan points out, “When you’re going through mental health crises it’s not an excuse for things that [Kanye] has said,” Chan said.

No matter what you think of him and his music, no one can deny that Kanye West is a character who evokes emotion and passion. *Ye is being referred to as Kanye in this article

2023

Laguna Wrapped Top Songs

Top Artists 1 - Taylor Swift 2 - Lana Del Rey 3 - Drake

1 - Sky Above 2 - Alfonso Muskedunder 3 - Firelight 4 - The Color Violet 5 - Reminder

Minutes Listened

Top Genre

1,319,283

Pop

Spotify Character Time Traveler

32 •ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE by DAPHNE SHIEBLER

thefourthestate.net

Categorize these 16 words into four groups by figuring out how the words relate to each other. Good luck!

PAGE by DIONNE PETERSON

SCHOLARSHIP

FUTURE

POP

METAL

BANG

PLASTIC

CHARACTER

PAST

BALANCE

GLASS

PRESENT

COMMUNITY

CRACKLE

PAPER

EXPLODE

PERFECT

FUTURE ,PAST ,PERFECT ,PRESENT GRAMMAR TENSE TERMS LAGUNA’S CORE VALUES SCHOLARSHIP, CHARACTER, BALANCE, COMMUNITY VERBS DESCRIBING A LOUD SOUND POP, BANG, EXPLODE, CRACKLE RECYCLNG CATEGORIES GLASS ,METAL ,PAPER ,PLASTIC

100 Years of Disney

Disney’s new centennial short film sparks concerns about the decline of Disney content.

WORDS by CIERRA NERVO ART by LUCY WANG

D

escribed as a “love letter” to Walt Disney Animation Studios by the directors, Walt Disney Pictures released an animated short film to celebrate 100 years of film production.

Featuring characters from all 62 feature films and a combination of computer graphics, traditional animation, and live-action, the short ended with a bittersweet “thank you” note to the multiple generations of viewers who grew up watching Disney.

Following the company’s release of this film, critics have opened up the discussion of whether this marker in Disney’s history signifies its downfall.

“I prefer the older Disney movies much more compared to the newer ones,” junior Nayeli Castrejon-Peralta, a member of the Arts Club said. “I feel like the quality of the movies has significantly lowered and the ‘magic’ of Disney movies has slowly been diminishing.”

Few people in Gen Z (b. 1997 – 2012) have not grown up watching Disney movies. Over the years, viewers have watched Disney change animation styles and develop more diverse story-lines.

Disney’s Golden Age and Renaissance Age are examples of pinnacle time periods in the evolution of Disney. These eras feature movies such as “Pinnochio,” “Bambi,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Mulan” and “The Lion King.”

“I love the old movies because they have a really cool art style that is a mix between slightly animated as well as painted,” junior Opal Peltz, a member of the Arts Club said.

Disney’s visually impressive backgrounds and complex character designs have always been one of the aspects that truly made their films be considered “art.”

The criticism of Disney’s recent content lies in the music of the newer films. From determination-filled songs by heroines to spirited exclamations of villainy, the songs have always been important to Disney.

The songs “Mother Knows Best” from “Rapunzel” and “Friends on the Other Side” from “The Princess and the Frog” are two examples of phenomenal “evil” anthems, featuring manipulation and magic, and an

1937

emotional instrumental and lyrical dynamic.

“In a lot of the old movies, the songs give the characters depth, and can also move the story along,” said Opal. “They are also memorable, because they are distinct and specific to the story, such as “Hercules” and “Sleeping Beauty.””

However, with technology rapidly advancing and family-movie ideals shifting over time, many question whether or not the 100th anniversary of Disney marks the beginning of its decline. In regards to content, music and animation, people who grew up on Disney question if it is as good as it used to be.

“Though I believe it demonstrates how far technology has progressed, I don’t feel as nostalgic about it, and I think the plots of the current films are getting progressively worse and censored,” Hayden Abeysekera said.

Disney has, for the most part, transitioned from using traditional 2D animation to a more realistic 3D technique.

The differences between modern-day technology and the influence of artificial intelligence has drastically affected the animation world, and not necessarily for the better.

In regards to music, there is a feeling that the songs are declining. Released in 2023, the “Wish” movie has received backlash on social media platforms for its supposedly uninspiring villain song, lacking the nostalgic Disney “magic” as well originality story-wise.

The nostalgia and beauty of Disney music is a characteristic that Disney lovers expect to hear with a new film release. While we can not speak on Generation Alpha’s (b. 2010 and 2024) opinion, the youngest generation, this supposed deterioration in music quality is but one example of why the older generations feel that there is a difference between classic Disney and newer releases.

The changes in art style, music quality, and story-lines might seem drastic because of the bias that older generations hold towards the movies they grew up with. These films expressing passions and chasing dreams are easy to associate with one’s childhood, and as the older generations put more years between themselves and their youth, the argument over which age of Disney is superior continues.

1989

1953

2013 1992

2023

á la mode Jeans. Sweaters. UGGs. Transitioning into winter, students showcase their seasonal style favorites.

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s January plunges the community into rainy days and gloom, students bundle up and brighten up their style with an emphasis on layers, comfort, and accessories.

“In the summer I wear brighter colors, shorts, tank tops, and lots of cute bikinis. In winter the colors are more neutral, I definitely wear lots of sweaters, leggings, jeans, and hoodies,” junior Chloe Gidney said, “I love Free People, Lululemon, and for jewelry I love Gorjana.”

The contrast of sunny Santa Barbara summer and winter time produces an onset of layers and fresh trends.

“My style shifts a little and a lot at the same time between summer and winter. I wear the same basics year round, but accessorize or style differently,” senior Regina Lujan said.

“During summer my style is a lot more girly or feminine for example, a lot more dresses, skirts, and shorts, meanwhile in the winter it’s typically jeans and a sweater,” sophomore Lina Smith said.

“The shift of summer and winter is hard for me because most of my closet is summery, but my favorite winter accessories are my UGGs boots and slippers,” Chloe Gidney

senior Paloma Lujan said.

The biggest winter trend this season is the revival of UGGs. “My favorite winter accessories are Ugg boots, cozy things and jewelry,” senior Regina Lujan said.

“My favorite winter item would be either UGGs or a puffer jacket,” senior Natalie Bianchi said.

Another winter trend taking over is ribbons and bows, “I love putting bows on everything, this can range from my hair to my UGGs,” Chloe said.

Clothing trends cycle throughout the seasons, however closet staples are year-round.

“My go to outfit to wear to school is jeans and a T-shirt; I get a lot of style inspiration from friends. I like to go with traditional hoodies in winter, a traditional quarter zip too. I like the brand Reebok for shoes a lot,” senior Drew Levinson said.

“My go-to outfit would be anything that involves a cashmere sweater and some baggy pants. I find a lot of style inspo from my mom and ‘old money’ European style. If I had to choose on favorite store it would be Polo Ralph Lauren,” Lina said.

Many students find style inspiration both online and around the world.

“This summer I traveled and would make a lot of mental notes of peoples style around the streets.

I also look at Pinterest a lot, as well as save inspo on TikTok,” Regina said.

Around campus, there is a popular uniform in style.

“My go to outfit for school is jeans and a cute top, and I’ll usually throw on a sweater over,” Paloma said.

“I would say my personal style is pretty basic on the day to day. In the winter, I love to wear big sweaters

with jeans,” Natalie said.

This timeless combo is a winter staple.

“My go to outfit is jeans, a simple baby tee and white shoes. My favorite brands are Brandy Melville and Aritzia,” Regina said.

Regina Lujan, Natalie Bianchi and Paloma Lujan.

Recycled Music Evolution WORDS by LYLA BOLLAG ART by DIONNE PETERSON

THE BIG FOUR POPULAR MUSIC GENRES

SUB-GENRES SWING

JAZZ

The genre most jazz-influenced genre is swing. Swing music is interconnected with jazz through the accenting of certain beats that give a ‘swing’ feel. It makes the listener want to move to the rhythm similar to the toe-tapping of jazz.

DISCO

Disco is a genre of music that is characterized by syncopation, four-on-the-floor beats, variety of instruments, and repetitive vocals. It was essentially the jazz-pop of the ‘70s.

FOLK

COUNTRY

Folk rock can be characterized by simple acoustic chords played with simplified rhythms. It was a way for the singers to convey their message about what was going on in the world without possibly overwhelming or offputting their listeners like hard rock can. It focused on the Civil Rights movements of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the Vietnam War, and was influenced by delta blues, ballads, and country swing. The two most popular figures in this genre were Bob Dylan and Dave Von Ronk. Both of these artists sang about the exploitation of the music industry, socio-political issues, and the hyper-commercialized, celebrity-ridden promotion of the music business.

K-POP

POP

K-Pop, charecterized by its fun, high-beat music, has become an international sensation, rising during the 90s during the Hallyu Wave. It has become increasingly prevalent in the U.S., with popular groups being Blackpink and BTS.

BEDROOM POP

A recent new music subgenre, it built on the recent Lo-Fi revolution in the ‘90s. Bedroom pop kind uses recordings and simple instruments, occasionally incorporating elements from hip-hop, chamber pop, and the lo-fi genre.

HIP-HOP

BLUES

Some characterizing features of hip-hop and rap are break dancing and graffiti since hip-hop became an expression of social angst. Hip-hop and rap produced many of the most listened-to subgenres in contemporary music.

ROCK

The rock n’ roll in the 1950s was spurred by advances in technology for electric guitars. Like many genres, rock n’ roll went against segregation because it broke the racial divide between Black and white people and was popular enough to account for 43% of records sold in the 1950s.

2020s: Recycled Music Music is cyclical we see music genres returning to contemporary music.

C

hris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” echoes the same as Etta James’s “I’d Rather Go

Blind”.

Similarly, Machine Gun Kelly’s “Bad Things” and Fastball’s “Out of My Head.”

The melody is exactly the same and both share the chorus line, “am I out of my head am I out of my mind?”

Everything old eventually becomes new again. Listeners of the 2020s seem to be drawn to Pop, Country and HipHop. According to the writer of Headphones Addict, Peter Susic, Pop, HipHop, and Country are the top three most popular genres of the current 2020s.

“It comes down to marketing and skill. Artists can market themselves on social media and produce ear-pleasing music that the people want, former Laguna music instructor Rob Moreno said.

“People behind the scenes are pushing these artists and making sure they invest a lot of money [and] trying to find who’s gonna sell [and then] throw a bunch of money at them… it’s very formulaic.”

Since the sound is on trend and marketed well, it climbs the charts.

Susic also spotted another critical pattern of how much of a continued following Pop compared to other genres.

In almost every decade, Pop is a popular genre.

Pop stands for pop-

38 •ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

WORDS by LYLA BOLLAG ART by DIONNE PETERSON ular music, but the type of Pop that remains constant is the original Pop sound that started in the ‘50s.

“The stylistic aspects of pop are sing-ability, the repetitive chorus, [and] the emotional vocalists with generally pretty perfect and professional voices which are the most palatable to the largest number of people,” said senior Noah Olorin, a musician producing original music on streaming service SoundCloud.

“That‘s what puts them in the public sphere because whatever has been pop has changed over the last 60 years.”

Gen Z listens to popular music from 30 years ago. In particular, the ‘90s and the 2000s.

“I hear some of this in artists like Olivia Rodrigo or Billie Eilish,” said Nathan Salmon of the band Waterstrider.

Several bands from that era also seem to be appealing to the Gen Z population, like Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, The Cranberries and Paramore.”

Although retro genres may not be popular anymore, they have long lasting influences on contemporary Western music and contemporary music listener’s taste.

What is contemporary Western music? Can it be musically defined? The answer is ‘yes’.

Moreno says that Western contemporary music “has not changed much,” and that it is all a combination of “African rhythms and Western harmony.”

All music is rooted or connected to a musical genre and aspects from the past.

In some decades, music may have changed how other genres are musically expressed, but the roots of each genre, whether expressed differently or the same, are constant.

“In general, the evolution of all art is the borrowing and reiterating [of previous] ideas. We are always the products of our influences,” Salmon said.

Scan to read more

thefourthestate.net

The Poetry of Song Writing

Meet our generation’s lyrical geniuses, varying from Irish folk to American baroque Pop. WORDS by CIERRA NERVO & LUCY WANG ART by LUCY WANG

“

Hozier

If the Heavens ever did speak, she’s the last true mouthpiece.”

This soulful verse is the creation of Andrew Hozier-Byrne, otherwise known as Hozier, in his hit song “Take Me To Church.” Earning him a Grammy nomination in 2014. This sparked the Irish singer-songwriter’s rise to fame, demonstrating his thoughtful lyrical references to mythology, religious allusions and a deep idolization of romantic relationships. “‘Take Me to Church’ has words that hit home about love and society and I like how Hozier expresses deep feelings with his simple but powerful lyrics,” said junior Eloise Phillips, who attended his concert in Los Angeles.

In another song, “Would That I,” released in his 2019 album “Wasteland, Baby!,” Hozier reflects on the destruction and discovery of relationships and the yearning for unrequited love through the personification of trees as protagonists.

He writes, “With each love I cut loose, I was never the same, watching still living roots be consumed by the flame.”

Hozier also discusses political and social justice issues. In “Swan Upon Leda,” released in 2022, Hozier references the Greek myth of Zeus transforming into a swan to assault the unsuspecting Leda, illustrating the oppression of women. Simultaneously, he comments on abortion restrictions in the Republic of Ireland, commending Irish Nationalism and folk culture.

Detailing romance, religious, and real-life issues through ecstatic poetry, Hozier is a representation of the genius of 21st-century music.

“

Lana Del Rey

I know if I go, I’ll die happy tonight.”

Her single “Summertime Sadness” from the album “Born To Die” stayed at No. 6 most listened to songs on the Billboard for 23 weeks. Del Rey is recognized as one of the most influential pop musicians, popular among “Gen Z” listeners.

“There are so many different songs that she writes about her personal abuse that a lot of people can relate to,” senior Nikki Mielcarek said.

Her lyrics revolve around the theme of tragic romance and melancholia that reveal intimate emotions and deep trauma that she experienced in youth.

“Lana puts herself in really vulnerable positions, which I think is brave and admirable,” junior Sydney Fisher said.

“In “Cinnamon Girl,” Del Rey evokes conflicted feelings and the distancing of a relationship due to drug usage.

Her music often features a dreamlike production, which contributes to her coquette aesthetic. She has been nominated for six Grammys, while staying true and genuine to her music.

“

Sufjan Stevens

Oh, will wonders ever cease? Blessed be the mystery of love.”

American singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens was nominated for a Grammy for the 2017 critically adored film, “Call Me By Your Name.” His song “Mystery of Love” mirrors a stage in the characters’ romance, channeling the film’s theme of intimacy.

“His songs always give a melancholy, almost nostalgic vibe that I really resonate with,” junior Dionne Peterson said.

With over 150 million streams on Spotify, “Visions of Gideon” is another of his most praised songs that is featured at the end of the film, when the protagonist succumbs to heartbreak.

This song ends with the lines “And I have kissed you for the last time,” contrasting with the opening lines of “Mystery of Love,” “the first time you kissed me.”

The song refers to a figure from the Old Testament, Gideon, who overcomes his fears in a similar way to the film’s protagonist. These hidden connections reiterate Stevens’ expert take on poetry and storytelling.

In other albums, Steven’s talent for emitting reflection and solemnity shines through, such as in his 2015 album, “Carrie and Lowell.”

The most streamed song in that album, “Fourth of July,” introduces a story personal to Stevens, detailing the night his mother died.

The heaviness of this song lingers in the sweet names he calls his mother, such as “dragonfly” and “star in the sky.”

A brilliant narrator and artist, the attraction to Stevens’ music links to his understanding of human experiences and passion.

“The Boy and the Heron” Hayao Miyazaki returned from retirement with the highly anticipated release of “The Boy and Heron,” an ode to the human spirit and a final farewell.

“

WORDS by OWEN NOBLE & ADA GREEN ART by OWEN NOBLE & OLIVIA SOFRANKO

My Neighbor Totoro,” “Howl’s Moving Castle,” “Spirited Away,” “Ponyo,” “Princess Mononoke” — the list of iconic films directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki goes on. For those of us who grew up adoring his characters and absorbing the haunting yet painfully real themes, Miyazaki movies are a defining part of our childhoods.

Miyazaki began his career working on various animated TV shows, using the time to grow and expand his craft.

He quickly became the director of “Lupin III,” a show that followed the roguish Lupin — master thief and womanizer — in his misadventures and various heists. Lupin was crude, sexist, and greedy; a character to laugh at, not to empathize with.

Miyazaki changed all that, transforming the show’s tone and characters.

Lupin was still deeply flawed, but above all, he cared about his friends and (although he would never admit it) doing the right thing.

Miyazaki’s empathy sets his work apart; it’s rare to find a true villain in his later projects. The “bad guys” almost always have a human motivation, ranging from protecting their family to just wanting to be loved. No character

is purely evil and rarely is one-dimensional.

Miyazaki’s films often use fantasy universes to explore everyday human problems and emotions, something with which audiences of all ages and backgrounds can relate.

“Kiki’s Delivery Service” — a 1989 children’s film about a young girl who starts a delivery service by way of flying broomstick — is junior Opal Peltz’s favorite Miyazaki movie. “[Kiki] doesn’t have a monster to fight or the world to save, but she has her own problems with mental challenges and finding what she wants to do,” Opal said.

Reading this, you may be led to believe that Miyazaki is naive, all children’s films and rainbows; this could not be further from the truth. A significant portion of his work portrays complex and dark themes for more mature audiences.

Growing up in the midst of World War II, Miyazaki’s films are often set against the backdrop of war. The resulting feelings of dread permeate even the happiest of moments. Through these settings, he explores how people

deal with trauma, the motivations behind violence, and the nature of death.

“Miyazaki’s films go from idealistic to glaringly honest,” said junior Maddie Becerra. “His anti-war messaging is so strong in many of his films and fosters passion in his audience.”

In “Howl’s Moving Castle,” the titular Howl is forced to fight a war he didn’t want a part in; the protagonist, Sophie, is forced to care for him as he becomes increasingly broken and depressed throughout the conflict.

“Porco Rosso” is a kids’ film about a veteran fighter pilot cursed to be a pig. It’s a light-hearted comedy with a fantastical dog-fighting finale. Halfway through the film, Porco recounts how he watched his friends die in the war.

He confesses to his companion that he doesn’t feel like he deserves to live when they had to die.

After 2013’s “The Wind Rises,” Hayao Miyazaki retired. In his retirement announcement, he confessed, “If I said I wanted to [make another film],

I would sound like an old man saying something foolish.”

Ten years later, a foolish old man announced a new feature film. “The Boy and the Heron” — originally titled “How Do You Live?” — is no exception to Miyazaki’s fascination with exploring complex, heavy themes such as grief and power. The film itself is an allegory for growing up and the challenges that come with it.

The film follows Mahito, a young boy who grows up amid war and loses his mother in the firebombing of Japan: a story that echoes Miyazaki’s own. Mahito flees the war with his father and goes to live in the country.

After encountering a strange Heron, Mahito begins to explore a magical world that exists beyond time and space.

The barbarism of this new world mirrors World War II, an ever-present force in the background of many Miyazaki films. Various factions of the fantasyland lust for power, attempting to recreate the world in their own “perfect” image.

Mahito acts as a self-insert for Miyazaki, pointing out the pointlessness of power struggles. Mahito argues that conquest and conflict can never end in utopia. He just wants to enjoy the time he has with his friends and family, not tear their lives apart.

Continuing the theme of dealing with death, Miyazaki uses the fantasy world to help Mahito process his mother’s passing. He is forced to come to terms with the fact that we only get a finite amount of time with our loved ones.

The film’s structure exemplifies this theme.

“The ending left me wanting more!

[It was] too sudden [and] abrupt,” said senior Jesus Arriaga.

The movie ends almost immediately after the emotional climax, with little fanfare. The viewer will only get so

much time with the film and is, as Jesus puts it, left wanting more. Its ending—its death—feels out of nowhere.

“The Boy and the Heron” is a fitting bookend for Miyazaki’s career. It’s a celebration and expansion of his past work and well worth your time.

“I think that’s really important for our generation because we have been thrown into a world — and it’s not the best world — but animated movies help us work through it,” Opal said.

“You get to watch a 2D character deal with their world and figure out their problems. It’s inspiring.”

|

#winterinstagrams PAGE by MAGDALENA AMEZAGA

Senior James Couvilion and his friends hit the slopes together.

Junior Tallulah Staeger celebrates the holiday season on the East Coast.

Sophomore Kira Rameson and her sister soak in a winter sunset.

Senior Kendall Keshen dressed up for holiday festivities.

Junior Ada Ray exploring the mountains.

Sophomore Meena Abtahi kicking back after snowboarding.

Senior Tanner Murphy and fellow seniors smiling for a flick.

Junior Chloe Gidney on a South African safari.

Senior Sasha Drucker relishes time at a Japanese Tea Garden.

42 •ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

thefourthestate.net

What’s in Season?

Across the community, families serve special foods and celebrate family traditions.

PHOTO by CARMEN LÓPEZ

WORDS by ALEXIA ACOSTA

T

he holiday season brings people together to gather around one special place: the dinner table.

Our classmates shared their experiences during our winter break. Here are some of our classmates’ stories: “Every year, my grandparents have a Hanukkah party that all my mom’s family attends. We have traditional Jewish food such as brisket and matzo ball soup for dinner, while dessert is usually sufganiyot (jelly donuts) — a traditional Hanukkah dish,” senior Jake Gidney said.

Latkes are potato pancakes cooked in a skillet until golden brown. They originated in Italy and were made from cheese originally. They turned into a Hanukkah staple known today.

“My grandmother and great-grandmother cook homemade latkes together for our entire extended family.

They use an old family recipe that my great-grandmother used to cook with her mother in South Africa.

My family eats them with apple sauce on the side,” Jake said.

“My grandma once told me, ‘When you and [your sister] were younger, you used to grate the potatoes with your great-grandma. She would tell us stories about her growing up in South Africa and how her mother would make a huge family dinner’,”Jake said.

He shared that he cherishes these childhood memories and looks forward to the holiday season each year.

Other classmates, like senior Nikki Mielcarek, have similar familial stories, but in a different setting.

“Every winter holiday I go to Mexico to see my family by the beach. We have a whole potluck of food, with all different Mexican dishes. My grandma makes homemade tamales. It’s so good.” Nikki said.

Many believe that tamales were first made by the Aztecs to be brought into battle.

They are made from ground corn wrapped in corn husks and filled with meats, vegetables, and spices.

One of Nikki’s favorite memories during the holiday

season was when she was making tamales with her grandma.

“It is a very special time I spend with her ‘cause I don’t see her very often, obviously, so I definitely love making them and talking with my grandma,” Nikki said.

May people will remember these holidays as time to be with their family.

“We usually spend our holidays at home, and we usually invite any family that’s in town to light the candles with us,” senior Sasha Drucker said.

“For Hanukkah, we light candles and say prayers every night before opening presents. Latkes are a comfort food I look forward to, especially with sour cream, they taste better when you eat them in front of the menorah light.”

Latkes can come with a variety of sauces, the most popular however is apple sauce. Latkes can also be dipped in aioli sauce, garlic aioli, hot honey, or sour cream.

“I loved getting to peel the potatoes for the latkes when I was a kid, and I honestly just love sharing something with my whole family that dates back thousands of years and connects us to our culture,” Sasha said.

PHOTO by DANIEL DIONNE

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT • 43

The Return of Girls Basketball After a two-year break, girls basketball returns with a new team and new vision.

WORDS by DAVIS OHANIAN PHOTOS by JACKSON BALTES & BRAD ELLIOT

G

irls basketball is back again.

With a new coach, a completely new roster and playoff aspirations; the team is jumping out of the starting gate and already fighting for wins.

Featuring two double-digit victories t two years ago, when the program was unfortunately temporarily dissolved.

A new start was necessary, and it is already paying dividends.

None of this is possible without Coach Aslesen, former international professional basketball player, and a member of the Social Studies and English Departments.

Affectionately known as “Coach A,” team members are benefiting from his innovative and inclusive coaching style.

“Coach A has played a crucial role

44 • SPORTS

in the resurgence of the Girls Basketball program, providing guidance and support to the team,” said team captain Nikki Mielcarek. “Coach A has continuously focused on improv-

“I would say our star freshman this year is Kate.”

-Nikki Mielcarek ing team cohesion and individual development through skills work.”

Not only have Coach A and Nikki proved to be valuable members of the team, but new players such as freshmen Kate Becerra and Carolina

Angeles have proven to be instrumental in the team’s success as well.

“I would say our star freshman this year is Kate. She has showcased great performances, especially after suffering from an injury this year,” Nikki said.

Sitting at 3-3, the Owls are still in the hunt for a CIF appearance in February.

An eventual playoff birth, especially after a two-year pause, would mark an unprecedented start to Aslesen’s new team.

“We have demonstrated team cohesion, extreme commitment to getting better, and look to build upon regular season performances throughout the playoffs as we look to hang up a banner in Merovick gymnasium,” Nikki said.

thefourthestate.net

Athlete of the Issue A devoted soccer player, scholar and UCLA-recruited Division I athlete, Bridger Baltes is the embodiment of what it means to be a student-athlete.

INTERVIEW by DAVIS OHANIAN Q: What is your absolute favorite thing about soccer?

A: I wouldn’t say that I have one absolute favorite thing about soccer, but there are a lot of things I enjoy about it. I really appreciate spending time with my teammates, and I love how we can all work towards the same goal together, essential for team bonding. I always love working hard when no one is watching and seeing it pay off on the field through winning or other memorable moments. I also really enjoy the creativity involved in playing soccer — it’s so fun to get fancy when trying to score a goal or beat a player to the ball.

Q: Which do you like more, European or American soccer?

A: I would say that I like American soccer more because I can relate to it in a different manner. It seems more realistic to me when I’m watching the MLS or college soccer, as I can envision myself playing on that stage one day. I also love to support the growth of the game in the United States, and one of the best ways to do that is to watch. I also really enjoy going to games and supporting my favorite teams in person, especially the LA Galaxy.

Q: How has your family influenced the college recruiting process?

A: My family helped me a lot in the recruiting process.

When I was first starting the process, they helped me create a list of schools based on my priorities. Once I made that list, they helped me reach out to those colleges, and they helped me reach out to specific positional and head coaches. I am very grateful for the help that both of my parents have provided for me in this process.

Q: Who are some teachers monumental to your success in the classroom at Laguna?

A: Since I have been at Laguna, I have honestly had too many good teachers to name them all. I always find people complaining about teachers, but I am so grateful for all the teachers at the school. As of this year, I would say my two most meaningful teachers have been Mr. Faust and Mr. Guay.

Q: How does traveling across the U.S. for soccer tournaments impact your life as a student?

A: I really enjoy being able to travel all over for games, but sometimes it is hard to balance missing a lot of school. I always try to get my work done as quickly as possible.

Q: How do you balance your life with your love for soccer?

A: I get physically tired from playing soccer, but when I play, it is a break from school and the stress that comes with academics. Soccer gives me my energy; it doesn’t take it away.

PHOTO by SHERALYN BALTES

thefourthestate.net

SPORTS • 45

Winter Sports Recap

During the middle of the winter sports season, athletes reflect on their seasons thus far through an in-depth look into the locker room and field.

INTERVIEWS by DAVIS OHANIAN PHOTOS by JACKSON BALTES & BRAD ELLIOT

Tallulah Staeger - Girls Soccer

Q: How has the return of Coach Jose impacted the team?

A: The return of Coach Jose has been super fun for the team. We all love Jose and how funny and sweet he is, and how supportive and patient he is with us. It’s definitely motivated the team to work hard this season.

Q: What is your favorite aspect about the “sisterhood” on the soccer team?

A: The sisterhood on our soccer team is definitely strong. I would say we all have each other’s backs, and we like to lose and win as a team. We all like to build each other up and motivate each other to make us better.

Q: What are your team goals for this year?

A: Our team goal this year is probably just to win as much as possible and get better as a team. We are hopeful that with some practice we will be bringing home wins.

Senior Cole Murphy looks to pass as he sprints ahead.

Alex McClintock - Boys Soccer

Q: What have been some positions to fill on the field with the loss of some important members from last year?

A: The biggest position we’ve had to fill is goalie. Enzo has adjusted to that role well, a tremendous freshman. We also have a few more spots we’ve had to fill in, such as midfield and striker, but those have been filled by talented underclassmen.

Q: How is the team adapting and responding to the competition?

A: We’re off to a good start and look to build upon early wins.

Q: How has the team bonded thus far throughout the season?

A: We’ve bonded well. We have a lot of players from last year, and that connection is especially strong because we have a lot of seniors who put their best effort in every single day.

Senior Natalie Bianchi pushes the ball up the field.

Charlie Sheldon - Boys Basketball

Q: Who has been a significant new addition to the team?

A: It has to be Drew Levinson. His hustle is unmatched.

Q: In your opinion, what is the key to winning a league championship this year?

A: It all starts with defense. We have a lot of size this year and we’ll be getting rebounds every game.

Q: How has your team responded to challenges thus far, especially in the Santa Clarita Christian game?

A: We were down 10-2 in our first game, called timeout, and made some key substitutions to spark some life and energy into our team that helped us overcome such a deficit. thefourthestate.net

Senior Drew Levinson goes up for the layup in traffic.

SPORTS • 47

The Rise of England’s Golden Boy

Jude Bellingham, England and Real Madrid’s most promising young star, has quickly become one of the most notable figures in modern-day soccer.

WORDS & ART by LUCY WANG

W

hen he first arrived at Real Madrid’s home stadium, silverware rather than having sob stories.”

The Bernabéu, all wondered if Jude Bellingham, a England has come close to lifting up trophies in past 20-year-old English boy, could make it in Spain. international competitions. They stumbled while facing Jude Bellingham’s talent was discovered in his hometown of traditionally strong teams, losing against France in the Birmingham City and cultivated at the German club Borussia quarter-final of the World Cup in 2022 and against Italy Dortmund, which is famous for raising talented young players in the final of the UEFA EURO in 2021, despite having a and selling them at a high price once they have become stars. team of 26 players that is collectively worth $1.63 billion.

Bellingham caught the eyes of clubs from both La Liga and “Every English citizen goes through the same emotional the Premier League during his time at Dortmund, but roller coaster,” Real Madrid closed the deal with a $110 MacNaughton said. million transfer fee for the young English“We all say England stands no man; they want Bellingham to chance, and then, when it’s be at the center of Real just before the Madrid’s team competifor the next 1o tion, blind to 15 years as a optimism potential successor to key players like Luka kicks in.”

Modric and Toni Kross.

The rise of Jude Bellingham is expected; Countless young stars just like Bellingham have talents like him never go unnoticed in Europe, been given the same promise at Real Madrid, one but what surprised the fans was his poise and of the world’s greatest and oldest soccer clubs. But aura on and off the field. whether that is Eden Hazard, Kaka, James Rodriguez, Bellingham is always the first one running or Arjen Robben, they have all failed to deliver on toward the sideline, rallying the crowd when his their talent. teammate scores a goal.

“He could have drowned in that amount of specHe is neither the captain or the most expeulation and that amount of spotlight that he was rienced player on the field, but he is actively receiving at Real Madrid, but he didn’t; he flourtaking up the role of a leader as he demands ished under it,” said Food Science and Middle the ball from senior players at times.

School Math instructor Grant MacNaughton, “It’s crazy that a player that young can who is a British citizen. have that much impact on a team. You can So far, Bellingham has had an effortless see his leadership on the field,” Alex said. start to life in Madrid. The English mid“It is just astonishing.” fielder has scored 11 goals in 12 games It is unusual for English players and is La Liga’s top scorer. to initially go abroad, which brings “It just shows his versatility and how excitement and anticipation when good of a player he is,” said sophomore he plays for England in internaAlex McClintock, a Real Madrid fan. tional competitions.

Bellingham’s talent is recog“Maybe because he nized on the international stage, doesn’t come in with the but what differentiates him from the rest of stigma of playing for an English soccer’s rising stars is his leadership and maturity as a club, when he plays for England , it’s nothing 21-year-old. but joy,” MacNaughton said. “[Bellingham] means a breath of fresh air. It means hope. It “These are the kinds of characters, these are the Cindermeans that somebody somewhere is building a squad for the ella stories, these are the breakthroughs that you dream of. future,” MacNaughton said.

They’re inspiring to a whole group of people like my own “It’s not how we will do in the next competition. It just lets kids who will watch Jude Bellingham and just be in awe of you know that maybe there’s some English talent out there. his success.”

That can take you to the next step, where you start lifting

48 • SPORTS

thefourthestate.net

French Phenom:Wembanyama The French superstar Victor Wembanyama is making his mark in the NBA and reshaping the game with his talents.

V

WORDS by MASON SIEGEL ART by LUCY WANG

ictor Wembanyama, the 19-year-old French basketball star, is revolutionizing the game of basketball.

He grew up in France, which is unique because most players we know about are born in the U.S.,Wembanyama drew the basketball world’s attention with his unique and unprecedented skillset.

“Victor will be the poster child of the move to position-less basketball,” said senior basketball player Eka Nayak.

Wembanyama has played professional basketball since the age of 13. He proved his talent when a professional team from France visited Levallois-Perret, which was his first professional endeavor.

His rise to fame began when he signed a contract for the French club Metropolitans. Although Wembanyama has renowned skills, basketball know-how and superior talents, he is still adapting to the American game.

“Obviously, height gets you closer to the basket, making it easier to score.

Furthermore, a tall center is imposing and can scare the other team, putting your team at an advantage off the bat,” Eka said.

Scouts and coaches noted his size and athletic abilities, calling him “a fuller version of Kevin Durant or Kristaps Porzingis,” comparing him to two of the world’s best.

It is the diversity of Wembanyama’s play that stands out. He’s as tall as a center, but he features the skills of a 6’2” guard.

His exceptional skill as a three-point scorer, athletics defender and superb teammate makes him a nightmare for all opponents.

Victor’s future and potential in the basketball world continue to generate excitement, but it is not just his basketball skills that catch people’s attention.

Wembanyama gets praise for his positive approach and dedication for improvement.

He understands that it is through commitment and hard work to go down in history. Off the court, Wambanyama is a humble person.

“I gotta be an example on defense and more a play-maker on offense... the best players, for me, are not the ones who get the best stats, but the ones who make their teammates better,” said Wembanyama.

His commitment to growth outside the court reflects his goal-oriented nature.

“From what I’ve seen from him already, he has adjusted to the American style of basketball and shown his skills as a quick learner. From my past in basketball, one of the most important parts has been the mental side and how quick and decisive you are with making decisions,” said social science instructor and girls basketball coach Charlie Aslesen.

The story of Victor’s growth into one of the best ranked basketball players worldwide inspires young players worldwide to achieve great things and to know never to give up, no matter the difficulty.

In the summer of 2023, Wembanyama was drafted 1st overall to the San Antonio Spurs, a franchise known for developing high-level international talent.

A tremendous basketball player Wembanyama is emerging as one of the greatest basketball prospects of his generation.

50 • SPORTS

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Winter Sports Statistics Win percentages and various other statistics depict the success of Laguna’s winter sport season.

PAGE by MASON SIEGEL & DIONNE PETERSON

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SPORTS • 51

“There is music in the air, music all around us, the world is full of it and you simply take as much as you require.”

-Edward Elgar