Volume LIII, Issue 3 » October 28th, 2014 » Thousand Oaks High School » 2323 N. Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 » www.tohsthelancer.org » thelancer.tohs@gmail.com » Circulation 1,200
pages 10 & 11
LAST MINUTE COSTUMES
DRAWING THE DEAD
THRIVING IN THE WATER
The Lancer shows you creative ways to dress up for Halloween. pg. 8
Junior Phejiah Stewart gets featured in L.A. art gallery. pg. 14
Senior Chris Dilworth overcomes setbacks and dominates in pool. pg. 16 PHOTO » KENDELL SNOW » THE LANCER
THE LANCER, issue 3
2 NEWS
FOUR STEP FUND-RAISER
STAFF
2014-2015
BRAINSTORM: Come up with an idea that is possible and enjoyable. Some examples of common fund-raisers are raffles, food sales, car washes and rummage sales. This will outline what the event will look like. THE BUSINESS OF FUN—This year’s junior EThOS class poses at their trip to Disneyland in September, which was funded by EThOS and the money it raised.
Penny by penny ANDREW CHAU
News Editor
A bag of Chex Mix, a bottle of water, and a pair of… socks? On Friday Oct. 11, EThOS sold Active socks at the quad for $7 each. This is one of many unique fund-raisers hosted by EThOS this school year, such as the poplar “Penny Wars.” “Sophomores through seniors have a competition through Penny Wars, where coin money equals positive points and paper money equals negative points,” EThOS teacher Sabrina Chase said. In the competition, EThOS students donate money to different grades, and the class with the most points at the end wins a pizza party. Some EThOS teachers use the fundraiser to encourage their students to work harder in class. “Sometimes if a class did their homework, I’d put a whole row of pennies in their bin,” Chase said, “but if they didn’t, I’d put it in a different bin.” Much of the proceeds from these fund-raisers go towards the December senior trip to Bakersfield for the
PHOTO » SABRINA CHASE » WITH PERMISSION
Virtual Enterprise competition. The seniors take the knowledge they’ve gained in the past three years and build a company from the ground up. They will take these companies to Bakersfield and compete against other schools from around the nation. The senior class is especially big this year, and is it separated into three different companies, rather than the usual two. These companies are also responsible for raising money and for funding the competition. Two public relations (PR) members from each company, a total of six members, are in charge of organizing and planning all the fund-raisers. “[The students] are excited because they see money coming in; they see an immediate tangible result to the plans that they’ve made,” EThOS teacher Eileen Moore said. “Sometimes they’re disappointed, but other times they’re just absolutely overwhelmed by how positively things are received.” EThOS is one of three entrepreneurship academies in the state of California, and it offers a unique experience to its members. The program started at TOHS six years ago, with less than 50 students, but now has over 200 members—almost 10% of the school population. “We’re not for everybody, but I think we bring a tremendous value in providing for high school students— something that they don’t get until they’re in or out of college,” Moore said. “These kids are miles ahead of people, and knowing how to do all these things is such a valuable skill that others sometimes don’t even get a chance to try until much later.”
BUDGET: The next step is to create a budget for the event. Find a balance, so that the fund-raiser runs smoothly and maximizes profits. The budget can come from a sponsor or members of the program.
ORGANIZE: Now the event needs to be scheduled. This includes but is not limited to: date, time, place, space, etc. Make sure to receive permission from the venue and to resolve any potential liability issues beforehand.
ADVERTISE: In order for a fund-raiser to be successful, people need to want to go to the event. Publicize with flyers, announcements, and social media. Give people a reason to come to the event.
KYLE WARNER, JUNIOR
GREER HENDERSON, SOPHOMORE
“Red” by Daniel Merryweather
“Price Tag” by Jessie J (Acoustic) “There is some adrenaline on the stage and its a good-feeling adrenaline. When you do well, everyone goes crazy— there is a lot of emotion. It is a happy time that makes you crazy. You want the audience to enjoy your piece of music; it puts them in a different world. During a performance, you’re bound to mess up; it won’t always go along with you, but the accompanist will. When you mess up, you smile, take a deep breath, and move on.”
SYDNEY KAPLOWITZ, SENIOR
KRISTEN WISNESKI, SOPHOMORE
“Blue Bayou” by Lind Ronstadt
“Mama Who Bore Me” by Spring Awakening
“This year, I wanted to make the best of it and do something that I would never forget. The nervousness is more backstage; there are always butterflies, even for the best singers. But as soon as I step on stage, I’m a different person and all the butterflies go away. You forget about everything else when the spotlight goes on you and you start singing. Its a now or never moment— there is no in between. It’s an amazing feeling.”
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Kendell Snow Sara Wilson NEWS Andrew Chau Brian Lee OPINION Edwin Chikukwa Sierra Waters ENTERTAINMENT Natalie Pagan Jessi Soporito CENTER K.D. Mireles Amber Sutherland FEATURES Joyce Huchin Shay Suban SPORTS Dane Swanson Scott Price WEBSITE Eric Conlon GRAPHICS Clarissa Kano Hannah Firouzan
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Kalie Clear WRITERS Shraya Blaisdell Austin Gregory Paul Moon Molly Pendergast
INFORMATION FROM KINTERA.ORG
hosted its annual Solo Night on Thursday, Oct. 16, ANOTHER WORLD: Choir where choir members performed songs of their choice. “Singing has taught me patience for myself and also for others. The best part is when you’re on the stage, confident. Before I go out onto stage, I get myself into my song. I go beside the stage and calm myself with little tricks. You want to bring the audience to a different place when you sing. You want them to be in a different world— to travel somewhere different and step inside your imagination for a second.”
EDITORS
“[Singing in front of a crowd] is always good practice for me because I’m a performer; good to go out there in front of the audience and give yourself out to the crowd. I like the control [while on stage] and the silence in between your notes. All the attention is focused on you. Through singing, I’ve learned how to be more confident, how to express myself in front of a crowd and how to let myself out in front of an audience.”
ADVISER Tasha Beaudoin
The Lancer is the official school publication of Thousand Oaks High School, created and produced by students in Advanced Journalism. This publication and additional stories can be found online at tohsthelancer.org. The Lancer reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed inappropriate for high school publication. Guest editorials and “Letters to the Editor” are welcome, but must be signed and are subject to editing for length, libel, obscenity and grammar. They can be sent to thelancer@gmail.com. The Lancer is a member of the Journalism Education Association (JEA), National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) and NSPA All-American Hall of Fame.
NEWS 3
october 28, 2014
Paving a path through politics Juniors and seniors intern under Jacqui Irwin and Rob McCoy, who are running for a spot in the State Assembly. They help by spreading publicity. BRIAN LEE
News Editor
Election papers in the mail, phone calls in the middle of dinner, volunteers knocking on doors— all signs that election season is here. In this upcoming election, Republican candidate Rob McCoy and Thousand Oaks native and Democratic candidate Jacqui Irwin face off head-to-head for a spot on the State Assembly. In early October, volunteers from both McCoy and Irwin’s campaign teams came to students’ history classes advertised internships. Some students saw this as a learning opportunity and joined a campaign team. “Interning for the campaign is really my first experience in a work environment,” junior Lori Kish, an Irwin intern said, “I was nervous at first, but it’s been great to work with people from school and other [volunteers] while learning from them.” Each student has their own reason for wanting to volunteer for the election, whether it be for experience or self-interest. “As of now, I’m hoping to be a political science major so I thought that this would be a great opportunity for me to get a feel for the field,” junior Hannah Santos, an intern for Irwin, said. LEARNING THE PROCESS—(from left) junior Ana Gougas, senior Shea Carothers, junior Louis Lee, junior Interns mostly help by calling voters to remind them Fengting Liang and junior Lynn Jung help the Irwin campaign by reminding voters of the election. of the election, mailing letters and walking door-toPHOTO » SARA WILSON » THE LANCER door to see people’s stance on the election. “One lady talked to me for 20 minutes; I couldn’t get her off the phone and she was telling me about all allows it to function, but it is not very popular amongst McCOY IRWIN the different people living in her apartment building,” young adults. senior Victoria Divine, interning for McCoy said. “It’s “Young people can choose to be cynical,” demoweird thinking about it, because all of cratic candidate Jacqui Irwin said, “Or Values: Values: these people I talked to live in our area.” they can choose to have their voice Helping with the campaign has taught and that’s crucial.” “I’ve learned that run- heard, students that phone calls and walking There are many ways students can • Create a business • Believes that we ning for office is an incred- participate in the government and have door-to-door to promote each teams’ friendly state with can improve econcause is not a simple task. ible process. The amount their voice heard. Opportunities like “I’ve learned that running for office low taxes, and safer omy if we pay off give students a chance to voice of hard working people these is an incredible process. The amount their political opinions and learn how schools. debt and balance it takes to put together a the political process works. of hard working people it takes to put budget. together a campaign for a candidate is “The well-being of our nation is campaign for a candidate unreal. It’s so much more than posters • Expand domestic obviously very important and I beis unreal.” and annoying political telemarketing,” lieve that it is largely achieved through sources of energy • Spend funding effi—junior Hannah Santos our political process,” Santos said. “I Santos said. “I have a newfound respect production, take adciently to improve for not only many politicians, but also would love to be able to play a part in the behind the scenes people who help maintaining our nation and promoting vantage of existing education, because them get to where they are.” the general welfare of the people, it’s something that I energy resources California should Voting is a necessary process in our government that care about.”
GRAPHIC » HANNAH FIROUZAN » THE LANCER
to lower prices and create jobs.
be a leader in public education.
•
Protecting Prop. 13, which prevents the raise of taxes on homeowners and small businesses.
•
Cut wasteful spending and invest in renewable energy, while protecting Prop. 13.
•
End the High Speed Rail and direct the money towards freeway repairs and improving water infrastructure.
•
Crack down on sex offenders and other criminals and increase channels of support for victims.
•
Meet the needs of residents and businesses through road plans.
•
Support the needs of peace officers, firefighters and first responders.
*victorymccoy.com
*jacquiirwin.com
THE LANCER, issue 3
Last week, TOHS embraced spirit week with enthusiasm. The students showed their school spirit with vibrant colors, Disney characters, and weird tourists. On Tuesday and Friday Lancers wore their class colors— freshman wore red, sophomores wore green, juniors wore white, and seniors wore black. “Spirit weeks are fun, and they allow people to dress in crazy ways,” junior ASB secretary Brooke Barker said. “For me, it makes coming to school more fun.” There was a rally on Tuesday and a mini rally on Friday, which increased class dedication and excited students for the homecoming game against Royal High School on Friday night. “I thought the rally was really fun; I loved the Disney theme,” sophomore Megan Thompson said, “The cheerleaders and the dance team did amazing. I’m never disappointed when I go to the rallies. The light saber wars and the churro eating contest were really fun to see, and they got everyone excited to cheer on their classmates.” On Oct. 25, ASB hosted its Disneyland themed homecoming dance. The dance was colorful, the Disney theme apparent. The sitting area was coated with candy, cookies, pretzels and churros. “We had Disney food items and a cool DJ with lights and lasers.” Barker said, “The Disney theme mostly consisted of decorations and food, because who wants to dance to Frozen?”
PHOTO » KENDELL SNOW
Staff Writer
TUESDAY SPIRIT RALLY—ASB hosted this year’s Disney themed rally on Tuesday. The event included a churro eating contest and a lightsaber fight.
THURSDAY TACKY TOURIST DAY—A group of tourists explore the TOHS campus in socks and sandals. Students brought binoculars, sunhats, and Hawaiian shirts for the event.
WEDNESDAY DISNEY DAY—Meli Angulo (left) and Stephanie Shidoosh (right) wear Disney themed clothing in honor of the day’s theme.
PHOTO » EDWIN CHIKUKWA
KALIE CLEAR
PHOTO » KENDELL SNOW
Lancers dress for spirit week
PHOTO » KENDELL SNOW
4 NEWS
FRIDAY CLASS COLORS—Students wore class colors to support their grade in the mini rally at lunch. The halls were decorated with signs and balloons and streamers.
T HE O F F-C A MP US PA S S Esports arrive in college are reat colleges ally cool and yeah. VALVE CORPORATION:
“Defense of the Ancients 2”—2013 “DOTA” began in 2003 as a part of the game “Warcraft III.” Valve created “DOTA 2” in 2013, and it 7.86 million players. The 2014 International tournament had a prize pot of $11 million.
RIOT GAMES: “League of Legends”—2009 “LoL” is the most popular PC game in the world with 27 million people playing each day. The 2014 world championships had a prize pot over $2 million.
BLIZZARD ENT. “StarCraft”—1998 “SC” was the first video game to ever have a large competitive scene. The most recent world championship had a pot of $1.6 million.
In China, gray skies aren’t from clouds Many who monitor their eating, drinking and exercise habits to stay healthy can now add breathing to that list. In many urban areas of China, pollution has skyrocketed; in the Hebei province, it is 20 times worse than the World Health Organization’s(W.H.O.) safety limit. Companies like “Coca-Cola” even pay employees traveling to China extra because of the health risk. Beijing, which borders the Hebei province, recently hosted an international marathon, but due to the smog, the 30,000 participants wore masks and were given sponges to wipe the pollution particles off. People wear masks or cloths over their mouths as a safety precaution; people have even bought bags and cans of clean air. —Andrew Chau Since the game “Starcraft” by “Blizzard Entertainment” first debuted in 1998, esports, competitive video games, have grown in popularity. In the League of Legends American Collegiate Championship tournament, which took place in February, over 100 teams contended for $100,000. The games for the top 16 teams were broadcast on twitch.tv, a website for live streaming games. Teams from the Collegiate Star League(CSL) and Texas Esports Association(TeSPA) competed. The CSL was created in 2009 when MIT and Princeton planned a friendly Starcraft tournament. Students created TeSPA two years ago, which now encompasses more than 700 schools. —Paul Moon
CALENDAR October
30
Reflections entries due
November
47%
of people worry about disease from the smog
11
NO SCHOOL Veterans Day
12
Early Dismissal CPT Schedule
20x
over the W.H.O. recommended safety limit
70% of energy in China is produced at coal plants.
14
Last day to drop classes
24
Reflections Awards Ceremony
26-30
NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving
December
2-5
Winter Dance Concert (PAC)
october 28, 2014
Opinion 5
S T A F F
E D I T O R I A L
Paying for a good time Is the cost of participating in all the senior activites worth the memories? Editorial board
9
yes
5
no
0
abstain
It’s their last year of high school and all seniors want to do is to have a last chance to make memories, yet most seniors do not know how much their senior year will cost. There are a lot of things to worry about during senior year. It is during this time we realize just how related money and our futures are. Whether it’s paying for the SAT or the several suburban applications we send to colleges in the hope that we will not be rejected, it all adds up. However, while all this is happening, reality sinks in. That this is our last year in highschool, and we might never see our friends again. So we start caring about cheering for our football team alongside our crazy friends in the Green Hole. We care about what we are going to wear to homecoming and prom. We care about participating in all of the creative ASB senior activities that make us the significant class of that year. Whether the prices of these activities are fair is a different story. However, the sad
truth is that there is nothing that prepares us for the actual cost of participation. Instead what we get is a contarcat at the beginning of the year telling us not to do anything stupid at these events, or we will not be able to participate in graduation. Almost as if seniors would chase each other across town over a water gun fight! No one does that. Still, this existing void of information is no one’s fault. ASB, who is responsible for organizing these events, plans the majority of them during the course of the year and can only figure out the costs a couple of weeks prior to the event. In spite of this, the problem is still an easy fix. All ASB and the school administration would have to do is put out a projected price list for the upcoming events at the beginning of the year. This would allow students to plan and pick which activities they really want to partake in, because the last thing anyone wants to leave senior year with is regret.
H ts and M sses What’s Up and Down with The Lancer
M SS
“Sexy Ebola Nurse” costumes being sold for Halloween. Talk quarantine to me, baby.
HT
School spirit during homecoming week. We will always remember that scissors beats paper.
M SS
T.O woman stuck in her online boyfriend’s chimney. Christmas came a little early this year.
HT
Boy with Leukemia plays with the Utah Jazz through the Make A Wish. MAP: Most adorable player. Moopark Rd.’s Taco Bell closed. A moment of silence, as we eat our Double Double from In n’ Out.
M SS HT
Halloween on a Friday this year. Now we can take all Saturday to recover from all that Trick or Treating.
Holler back at us! Letters to the editor are encouraged, and celebrated. Share your opinion with us—this is your newspaper. Email us at thelancer.tohs@gmail.com or come by room I4.
Prank videos stir up controversy Kendell Snow
GRAPHIC » HANNAH FIROUZAN » THE LANCER
Editor-in-Chief
In case you didn’t know, sexual harassment is HILARIOUS. On Sept. 20, Sam Pepper, a YouTube creator notorious for risky prank videos, uploaded a video in which he asked multiple women for directions and proceeded to discreetly pinch their butts. As expected, the Internet went crazy. Viewers began tweeting “#reportsampepper,” hundreds unsubscribed from his channel and major You Tube names such as Hank Green and Tyler Oakley responded with tweets alluding to the crude behavior in his video. A few days after it’s release the video was removed. But this video was just the tip of the extremely awful iceberg. After this, in an effort to save his wounded ego, Pepper scrambled to release two more videos. The first video was the same prank but the roles were reversed, and a girl went around pinching men’s butts. In the second video he explained that he released both videos as “social experiments” and wanted a negative reaction from his audience, so that he could emphasize the sexual harassment of men
in relationships. Is that supposed to excuse groping women and calling it a “prank?” Clearly, it was just a poorly thought out cover up and luckily most of the You Tube community quickly recognized this. But what was alarming was the number of young girls who immediately took to Twitter and Facebook to publicly show their support for Pepper and even apologize to him. He is not some sort of philosophical martyr using his platform as a tool to spread positive ideas—he’s just a creep with a video camera and a twisted sense of humor. Seeing as though Pepper’s audience consists mostly of young girls this was an extremely risky video to make and to think that he was clueless to the response he would get is insane. He is a borderline sex offender and to millions of young girls he’s seen as a role model. They watch his videos the second they are released, they post thousands of photos of him on their blogs, they buy $100 tickets to You Tube conventions so they can wait in line for five hours just to take one picture with him and they will go to the end of the earth to defend his stupidity. This situation sheds light on a bigger evil that exists on YouTube; video-creators are not necessarily who they make themselves out to be on camera. The people subscribing to these channels and making the lifestyles of “YouTubers” possible only get to see a tiny percentage of their lives and it’s only when they slip up like this that viewers get a look at what they are truly like. Sam Pepper might think he’s making harmless prank videos, but he’s feeding a culture dependent on rape jokes and the disrespect of women. Instead of taking responsibility for his blatantly creepy and demeaning video he decided to fool his fan base. Sexual harassment is a serious crime, not a harmless prank to be paraded around the Internet for the purpose of garnering views.
THE LANCER, issue 3
6 OPINION
When words do hurt Every ethnicity has its own negative stereotypes. However, their existence does not make them right. But when do we draw the line between rejecting negative stereotypes and embracing differences related with ethnic origin? So you can imagine my disappointment when I moved to America, and realized how deeply stereo“What’s the point of all you black kids going to typed different cultural groups are. Even here in the school anyway? You are all going to end up being my U.S., people define and derogate each other based gardeners one day.” upon their expressive, racial and cultural diversity. I was reminded of this verbal assault experience According to a study published by the American which occurred in my ninth grade year due to “That’s Journal of Public Health, 57% of teenagers in a public So Raven” lead actress, Raven Symoné’s, recent comschool reported being called a racially insulting name. ment about labels on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Whether it’s through media, a joke told by a friend On the show, Symoné expressed or a general conversation, we her adamant opposition to being have all heard this racist rhetoric categorized as gay and African reiterated. American. She instead asked that “If you are white, then you One glance at my skin, are a racist imperialist. If you she be referred to as a lover of humans and an American. are Asian, you are technical and and he had already deterAlthough Symoné’s intentions unimaginative. If you are Jewwere well meant, she took a naïve mined my intelligence, my ish, you are greedy. If you are point of view. Hispanic, you are illegal.” character and of course my Though it was thirty years after The problem I have with my home country of Zimbabwe ultimate goal in life: to be his Symoné’s solution is that it acquired its independence from beckons us to ignore the labels gardener colonial rule, my white classmate used to identify our cultural responsible for the offensive quote differences, which in themstill associated my black skin with selves are not the problem. The inferiority. problem is the negative connotations associated with One glance at my skin, and he had already deterbeing different. mined my intelligence, my character, and, of course, This is wrong and un-American. my ultimate goal in life: to be his gardener. America is a country that prides itself in its rich To him, his erroneous regard for all individuals of cultural diversity. Not only that, but also on the beliefs my race was justified simply because of the color of that everyone, despite your race or beliefs is “created my skin. equal before God” and has a “natural right to life, He was right. I am black. Yet he was also very liberty and the pursuit happiness.” wrong because he had no right to stereotype me on the This is the belief that drives, and has driven, people basis of my skin color. to flock to this country. The belief that race or culture EDWIN CHIKUKWA
Opinion Editor
plays no limitation on who you can become if you are willing to work hard enough for it. America: the country that praises the ability of the individual. And although these ideals are not altogether lost, they are challenged in the way we mass stereotype each other. By doing this, we categorize our neighboring ethnicities and try to make them to fit into our view of society by oversimplifying and applying broad generalizations that are not rooted in truth. This then makes us discriminate and mistreat an entire group of people on the basis of a misguided minority within the group. For example, how many times have you heard it echoed that a large majority of the Hispanic population is here illegally. When in fact, a study done by the Pew Hispanic Research center reveals that this is only true for 18% of the population. Yet in spite of these and other statistics that debunk certain myths that surround the races, we continue to allow our society to perpetuate the offensive statements that bite with hurtful ignorance. That’s why I do support the idea of labels not the racially charged ones, but the ones that pertain to ethnic identity. No human being should be apologetic for their ethnic background. The real issue is within the negative stereotypes developed by outsiders. That’s the reason why I would never ask that kid who spoke the callous words to stop calling me black. What I would ask him though is to change his definition of what it means to be black. Hopefully, he would realize that the person who he was offending was not the embodiment of every racial slur he had ever come across, but rather, just another black individual.
DIVERSE FACTS »15% of 5th graders reported racial/ethnic discrimination »80% of the fifth graders said it happened while they were at school »At one of the schools studied, 57% of teenagers reported being called a racially insulting name »The study found a correlation between racial/ ethnic discrimination and mental disorders among the children »Among those studied, 29% were Hispanic, 31% were black, 34% were white and 6% were other races »The study sampled over 5000 students in three US metropolitan areas
INFORMATION » THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH
SLURRING ME SOFTLY — (left to right) Senior Andrew Gavin, senior Shai Goldberg, junior Jordane Schooley, senior Edwin Chikukwa, sophomore April Sanchez, senior Carvin Rodrigo and sophomore Jonathan Chow. These students may be from different walks of life, but they do share one thing in common: they have all been stereotyped. Each one holds up a sign explaining how they have been stereotyped by other people on the basis of their culture and race.
OPINION 7
october 28, 2014
K9 companions could KO anxiety
Therapy/emotional support dogs have been used in elementary schools for over a decade to provide emotional comfort and to increase social skills. Recently, the furry-aids have become favorable amongst high schools as well. They decrease anxiety and improve behavior and grades in students. Why not bring them to TOHS? SIERRA WATERS
Opinion Editor
COMIC » HANNAH FIROUZAN » THE LANCER
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that eight percent of teens have an anxiety disorder, though only 18 percent receive treatment. That’s potentially 194 Thousand Oaks High School students who may suffer from anxiety, and 159 left untreated. Suffering from anxiety presents challenges in day to day life, including panic attacks, constant worrying, nervousness and reclusion in social situations. School only adds to that stress. What better way to relieve stress than with a therapy, or emotional support, dog? Therapy dogs calm fears, relieve anxiety, and even teach students coping skills. At a New York high school, for example, a student who suffered from oppressive anxiety found relief from the school’s therapy dog, a miniature-poodle named Sadie. The dog sat with the student on test days and during extended class periods. When Sadie sensed the student’s anxiety, she put her head on the student’s lap, to calm him down. We can have the same concept on our campus. Volunteers from organizations such as Therapy Dog Inc., with over 12,000 dogs of all breeds nationwide, could bring in dogs during especially stressful times. I’m thinking finals week and AP testing, with some special visits on the side. Certified therapy dogs, must be at least one year of age, friendly with both people and other dogs and capable of handling unusual noises and smells. Dogs learn to not pull on the leash, to be calm while being pet, to not jump when greeted and to obey commands. Therapy dogs have also been used as a reward for students with behavioral problems. The dog is a motivation to behave, so the student can spend time with the dog. The dog can also spend times with our special-needs kids. The possibilities are many, and I’m
sure our Lancer mascot could use a sidekick. In a case study referenced in Education World magazine, well-trained dogs introduced into the elementary school classroom improved teaching conditions. Students became more attentive and less hyperactive. The dog became an effective classroom tool. Even high-schoolers are hyperactive and inattentive! When a student is having a panic attack, they don’t want to (or can’t) talk. They don’t want people to talk to them or question their behavior—they just need someone there. The dogs are trained to sit with the student experiencing the attack, and be there until the student calms down. Anxiety or not, a therapy dog in our school would be useful for the students and the administration. At an elementary school in Loveland, Colorado, Copper, a Golden Retriever, played in the sandbox, and became a companion for lonely students. The counseling office is not only a place for schedule conflicts and life advice. It’s also a place where students receive upsetting news . Therapy dogs can comfort them, and the counselor giving it - it’s not easy for them either. Of course, there is the problem of allergies and students who have a fear of dogs; which are both solvable problems. Bring in the hypoallergenic Labradoodle or a number of terrier breeds. One school only gave the dogs access to classrooms with students who had no allergies. Consent forms allow the dog in classrooms unless a parent or guardian denies permission. Everyone just needs someone to sit there and be a friend. No one does that better than a dog whose purpose is to be a giant teddy bear to those in need. A therapy dog would be beneficial for everyone at this school; students and staff. When humans cause the problem, therapy dogs are the solution.
8%
of teenagers suffer from anxiety
playing with a pet can help elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which help calm and relax
of these,
18%
recieve necessary treatment
interactions with animals helps lower blood pressure in stressful situations
Four most popular breeds for therapy dogs:
1
german shepherd
ANXIETY DISORDERS INCLUDE: » General Anxiety Disorder » Panic Disorder » Social Anxiety Disorder » Obsessive Compulsive Disorder » Posttraumatic Stress Disorder » Major Despressive Disorder
2
labrador retriver
3
sourced from nimh.nih.gov
meow
Horses, cats, rabbits, and even ducks have been used as therapy animals.
greyhound
4
beagle
HISTORY FLUKE— Schools in Colorado have been censoring the APUSH curriculum to make it “more patriotic.” Administration has been censoring events such as slavery and the Civil War. Students who attend these schools have gathered together to protest against the new curriculum, holding signs that say, “History should not be a mystery!” One picture shows two teens nude with a large sign in front of their bodies that reads, “Censor this!” Even teachers have pretended to call in sick so they wouldn’t have to teach. The public refuses to let politics interfere with their education. However the school board doesn’t want to promote “civil disorder.”
8 ENTERTAINMENT
THE LANCER, issue 3
Wait, it’s October 28? I only have three days to put together a...
LAST-MINUTE HALLOWEEN COSTUME ROSIE THE MODERNIZED RIVITER
Top five favorite Lancer candies: 1
Sour Patch
2
reese’s
3
snickers
4
twix
5
Candy corn
Take a new view on the classic feminist icon by posting your opinions on twitter. Sophomore Maggie Angel models as Rosie and shows off her female prowess.
Red Bandana » $2 @ Pants Town
Denim Shirt » $17 @ Forever 21
65% of Lancers went trick-or-treating last year
+
+
Jeans » $28 @ Hollister
-
THE CLASSIC GREASER
Thank goodness Mom bought you that leather jacket for Christmas last year. Senior Brady Finnigan reveals his inner greaser for The Lancer.
63% will go trick-ortreating this year
Leather Jacket » $37 @ Dravus
46% of Lancers have carved a pumpkin this year
White Tee » $7 @ Pants Town
+
Dark Jeans » $36 @ Levi’s
+
-
OUT OF 200 POLLED
Mouthful Eatery gives customers the best in T.O. JESSI SOPORITO
Entertainment Editor
Mouthful Eatery, the Peruvian sandwich shop, on Thousand Oaks Blvd. across the street from 24 Hour Fitness, is not necessarily a new restaurant, but it deserves a second glance. The interior is smaller than expected, but more colorful than imagined. There isn’t enough space for booths, but inside, outside, and counter seating give patrons plenty of options. My only critique; the prices. My initial reaction to the $9 subs was to leave and find something cheaper, but the ambiance kept me there. I opened my wallet and ordered a sandwich, a coke and a side of shoestring potatoes. Go big or go home, right? $15 and a handful of napkins later, the meal was
THE BEST OF HOMECOMING
easily worth twice the price. I ordered the La Sarita, a pork shoulder sandwich, and quickly understood why it’s labeled a customer favorite. The owner delivered my fare on fresh, homemade ciabatta bread piled high with pulled meat, pickled red onions and sweet potato. Odd, but one of the best sandwich I have ever eaten. Flavorful sauces served, added new dimensions of taste. I dug in as fast as I could—the smell was irresistible and the tender meat didn’t disappoint. Mouthful is confident in its culinary skills and delivers the boldest flavors. Their light and tangy signature lemonade doesn’t speak to culinary adventure but only because I wasn’t brave enough to try the cucumber and mint version. Soda served in collectible glass bottles stock the fridge, but why bother when there is freshly made tea and lemonade. Mouthful isn’t like its chain restaurant counterparts, but not just because it is locally-owned. Every bite sings with a burst of freshness unmatched by Jersey Mike’s or Subway. Although sandwiches are made fresh in front of everyone like the other two, Mouthful invites you to linger in its homey environment.
“It was really fun seeing all my friends [at the dance] and dancing with them was the best part.” —freshman Abby Reyes
Other than the quality of food itself, the staff deserves a noteworthy nod. Everyone including the owner, chef, and busser, was personable and friendly. It isn’t a conventional waiter-customer relationship because ordering takes place at the counter instead of the table. I was periodically asked how I was and if I needed anything else, but service didn’t stop at the cash register. The staff was attentive and friendly without being overbearing. Even though I originally thought the food was overpriced, talented chefs and a creative menu proved me wrong. I can’t wait to make my way back to Mouthful Eatery to become a regular diner, or have it delivered.
“Mouthful is confident in its culinary skills and delivers the boldest flavors.”
PHOTO » OFFICIAL WEBSITE » WITH PERMISSION
“The music was different, so it made the dance floor so much more energetic.” —junior Nancy Vera
“To me, the greatest part of homecoming is dancing with people you like, and having a great time doing it.” —sophomore Asher Waldman
october 28, 2014
ENTERTAINMENT
9
SASSMASTER: 4,000
Let’s take a quick jaunt down memory lane
THE OPEN BOOK
ALL PHOTOS » OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE
Looking for a $5 hard cover, or a $10 SAT/ACT prep book? Look no further than The Open Book, located in the Oaks Mall. The business receives books from publishers’ surplus copies or donations from its other stores in Simi and Valencia (donations are not taken at the mall location)— resulting in price mark downs as much as 75 percent.
FULL OF FESTIVITIESW—(Left) Open Book prides itself on obtaining a friendly staff. One dressed as The Joker helps a woman check out her books. (Above) Among pumpkin painting and costume contests, The Open Book also had face painting when Maleficent visited October 26.
STORY TIME—(Above) The Open Book decorated its store sign and book display to fit with the Halloween season. (Left) The evil Queen Maleficent reads a picture book to a group of children outside the food court. Special characters visit often in hopes of encouraging reading among youth.
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
“I listen to a lot of Ingrid Michaelson and Alt J types of artists because they aren’t that Indie, but they’re calm and relaxing. They can all sing, but they’re not a pop artist who will ANNA FAUVER be auto tuned.” sophomore
“My favorite part was dancing on the disco stage and I liked the cool outside area because it got really hot inside.” —freshman Lucas Johnsen
“I like Jason Maraz and Jack Johnson and specifically his song “Banana Pancakes.” I like them because their voices are quirky and they produce original songs. I don’t like pop or rap because it’s too modern and JAKE CLARK cliché.” freshman
“My favorite part was definitely the energy. Wherever you were, everyone was excited. Major props to ASB. for the cute decorations.” —sophomore Meredith Weinstock
My life was more together as a fifth grader than it is now, as a senior. Sure, I had unrealistic expectations about the education system and my own potential, but that made for easy planning. I would go to Yale, then to the Senate, and ultimately end up in the White House. Duh. Seven years later, I have different aspirations. It’s more along the lines of going to Chipotle, then into sweatpants, and ultimately end up snuggled in bed, snoozing into a four hour nap. Cool. I don’t know if any other seniors are experiencing this, but college applications are bringing up extremely poignant, crazy memories from elementary school. Remember Read Across America Day, where it was mandatory to show up to school in pajamas and read in a cozy nook all day? You were expected to hang out with Harry Potter and Junie B. Jones all day...in cozy pants. And there were always pastries and sleeping bags involved. Amazing. I’m lucky if I can sneak in a few pages of assigned reading before I pass out at ten o’clock every night. Read Across Snooze-merica. I miss the pair of hot pink, bell bottom leggings I wore every Wednesday. I miss when wearing hot pink, bell bottom leggings was adorable, and not gross. I miss religiously flipping through the Scholastic Book Fair catalogs with a red felt tip marker, dreaming of the possibilities my new Harriet the Spy series with matching spy kit could bring. I miss the unreal excitement that a new edition of Time for Kids inspired, instead of dreading the annotations that are expected of in-class articles. My life was simpler, and my motivation higher, when I didn’t automatically recognize rhetorical devices. It was so easy to feel successful as an eleven year old. Complete your Math Boxes, pass the spelling test, be good at handball. The ease of being a fifth grader made adulthood seem like such an obtainable, obvious thing to enter into. I was the only student to earn a 100 on the State Project, so obviously Yale would accept me later on. It was before critical thinking meant anything to us, when essays were always five planned out paragraphs and math only used numbers. It was before I realized Yale Blue isn’t really flattering on me. And now we’re on the threshold of adulthood. I don’t mean to sound like a cliche YA novel, but it’s scary. I’m scared to be an adult. It’s not as easy as young Sara in her Limited Too sundress thought it would be. Failure is a real thing. I felt so much older than I was as an elementary schooler. All I feel like now, six months from my eighteenth birthday and clicks away from applying to college, is hopelessly young. Hopelessly inexperienced, trying to fit a mold of adulthood that is all of a sudden expected of me. I’m torn between these two distinct periods in my life, scared of what will happen when I completely abandon the semblance of fifth-grade self still left in me. Perhaps, my life will work out in the manner of a Sarah Dessen book: I’ll get into the dream school, become self-actualized, and rule the world around me with poise and wit. Or, maybe, I’ll go and find a pair of pink bell bottoms in my current size. Maybe adulthood is about getting really good at dressing up the kid inside you, but never fully allowing it to leave. I hope so, because I still love juice boxes.
“Seeing all my classmates super sweaty. Going hard in the trap castle with all my friends. And the churros.” —junior Alex Ditto
—Sara Wilson
THE BEST OF HOMECOMING
10 CENTER
CENTER
2
PRICE
Senior year is a time for creating life-long memories. However, hidden costs emerge as the year progresses, leaving students wondering if it’s worth it.
Out of 2
MORE THAN JUST A
5
nio se
Q&A: THE COST OF SENIOR YEAR
rs polled
Do you think the prices for senior activities are fair considering the money required to put them on?
42%
believe they will spend $1,000 or more on their senior experience.
I believe it’s fair and reasonable, because the dances cost a lot of money. What students get for that money is a really good deal, so I think they’re reasonable prices; and I think it’s the same price as last year, so that’s good that it wasn’t raised.
Branden Anderson
Cap and Gown: $50-75
Neil Reed
Graduation Tickets: two free, $10 for each additional
36%
I know they need money to sponsor events and host them. The cost for the senior jacket and the shirt was kind of expensive. I don’t know if they could have lowered the price, but if they could that would’ve been preferable.
say that current prices prevent them from participating in senior activities.
Prom: about $85 depending on when you buy your tickets
Kyle Van Landingham
Who determines the price for senior events on campus?
It’s a collaboration between ASB and myself for most things. Grad-Night is me while pictures and cap and gown prices are set by companies like Jostens and Cornerstone. Companies determine [some] prices and then I kind of supervise. For instance, [for] Grad Night I have to not only look at the price that Disney charges us but I have to add in the cost of transportation.
52%
believe the current prices for senior activities are unfair.
Senior Picnic: $30
Yes. We should try and find other ways to fund the events. Our country goes through economic ups and downs and people don’t always have the money to go. For some people, it’s a big struggle for them to attend events.
Grad-Night: $110
GRAP
HIC S
»A
Take your own senior photos
MB ER
SU TH ER LA N TH
E LA
NC
ER
Buy tickets early before prices go up ADMIT MIT AD E ONE ON
Branden Anderson
»
How to Save SAC
Buy a SAC card if you plan on attending all school events a lot of events
Find colleges with free online applications
Put away $20 a month starting freshman year
$
Neil Reed
No, because we make the prices reasonable. We spend so much money on the dances and activities and we require a couple bucks in return? I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.
D
Do your own hair and make-up Call colleges and ask for fee waiver or discount
Mrs. Oliveri
Do you think the high prices discriminate against lower-income students?
Senior Ball: $95
College Applications: about $60 per application
No, I think that because they’re senior events that they should lower the price, because there are other ways to get money for events. You can be sponsored, you can have fundraisers, but it shouldn’t cost so much for the students.
The issue is that we always think of this community as a privileged community but in some cases that’s not true. In some cases people need to find the money to actually get by and I think if you want to go to those events you shouldn’t really be burdened to pay so much.
Neil Reed
I’m not sure if there is a program for seniors who can’t afford to participate in those things. If there is that would be a good thing, but since I don’t know, I do think it discriminates against kids who can’t afford it.
Kyle Van Landingham
Will the costs of senior year affect you personally?
PHOTO » KENDELL SNOW » THE LANCER
Senior Gear: —Sweatshirt: $27 —T-shirt: $20
Yearbook: $95
It won’t stop me from doing anything I want to do, but, you know you can’t just think about yourself in these aspects.
Neil Reed
11
THE LANCER, issue 3
12 FEATURES
Paths of dance
Senior Lauren Waldman joins An Irish Christmas, a dance show that travels the country, while freshmen twins Eryn and Molly Waldman compete at the championship level. JOYCE HUCHIN
Features Editor
Irish dance is an unheard of world for many, but for senior Lauren Waldman and her sisters, freshmen twins Molly and Eryn Waldman, it’s a defining part of their lives. They became interested in practicing the art after watching “Riverdance,” a traditional Irish dance theatrical show. “I like it because it’s something different,” Eryn said. “Not many people do it.” Lauren and Molly began attending O’Connor School of Irish Dance in 2005 and Eryn followed in 2006. They joined as beginners and moved up levels, eventually reaching the championship level. “You get tested by [performing certain] steps in different types of shoes,” Eryn said. “If the teacher thinks you’re good enough, you pass and move up a level.” Irish dancers use soft shoes, which resemble ballet shoes, and flexiglass hard shoes, which are similar to tap shoes. They must be skilled with both types, in order to advance to the next level. Higher level dancers are able to execute more intricate steps than those below them. There are two types of competitions the Waldmans participate in: locals and majors. Dance studios put on the local ones and Irish dance associations organize majors, which include regionals and nationals. Lauren reached the national level after four years, and Molly and Eryn are currently competing in regionals. “The competitive aspect was really compelling,” Lauren said. “It’s a whole different world that not many people know about; it’s really fun and extremely stimulating.” But for the Waldmans, performing at competitions can be stressful. “The hardest part is the anxiety you get before you perform,” Lauren said. “Standing on the side of the stage really freaks you out and that can affect your dancing.” Since Eryn and Molly moved into championship competitions, the contestants they face now are more skilled than the ones they previously competed against. This makes it more difficult for them to do well. “At top levels, the competition is harder, so you think you dance really well,” Molly said. “Then, you get last place. That happened to me last time, and I was so mad.”
Aside from the stress of the competition itself, training is very vigorous at the championship level. “In the majors you train three times a week,” Molly said. “You try to improve your stamina.” Aside from physical assets, success requires motivation as well as encouragement. “It’s really hard to self motivate,” Lauren said. “You get lazy unless you have a strict teacher constantly pushing you to do more” The Waldman sisters receive this support from their coach and each other. “Last year our teacher gave us a packet of quotes we had to read every night before regionals,” Eryn said. “Also, we help each other build self confidence.” Lauren is no longer competing, so she is able to act like a coach for Molly and Eryn. She helps them practice at home and provides criticism on their dances, so they can improve. “We have a dance floor in our garage,” Lauren said. “I constantly get [them to] practice there. It would be harder if we didn’t have each other” “We encourage each other,” Molly said. “[When] they’re doing bad, you help fix it, and sometimes we get mad at each other, but when you dance mad you dance better.” After a large amount of success in national competitions, Lauren decided to take a different route in Irish dancing and audition for “An Irish Christmas”, a professional show that tours the country. She made it as part of the flying squad, a position that resembles that of an understudy. Beginning in November, Lauren will perform in all the California shows, and will go out of state only when necessary to avoid school absences. She will perform with the show at the Civic Arts Plaza on Dec. 21st. “After high school, I want to keep touring with the show because it’s so much fun,” Lauren said. “I’ve known most of the people I’m performing with since I was little [because] they competed in Irish dance as well, so it’s nice to be around them now that we’ve all grown up.” Along with dance, Lauren wants to study molecular biology and microbiology at Stanford University. If possible, she want to tour with An Irish Christmas while she attends college. “I definitely want to keep up with dance,” Lauren said. “Wherever I end up with school, I’d find another Irish dance school.”
Every Lancer has a story
What is your favorite way to waste time? “My favorite way to waste time is to read, draw and sometimes play my violin, but usually drawing and reading. I want to be in character design when I grow up, and drawing keeps me in check with that, and I just love to draw.” —Alyssa Drucker, 11
Have you ever cried tears of joy? What for? “The last time I cried tears of joy was at 8th grade graduation. After the ceremony, everyone was crying and laughing and hugging and it was really sad, since I’ve been going to school with them for the past nine years. I went to St. Paschal’s for middle school.” —Mary Scott, 9
Why is your favorite outfit your favorite? “My favorite outfit is my favorite because it’s a cool outfit and it makes me feel happy. It’s a Champ Bailey jersey, running shorts and nice socks. It’s awesome, and awesome things make people happy.” —Luke Groenveld, 10
When were you last proud of yourself? “My proudest moment, recently, was when I got my job at Albertsons. It’s pretty cool. My mom was wanting me to get a job in order to support both myself and the family. My job would help the family’s income.” —Andrew Gavin, 12 PHOTOS » LAUREN WALDMAN » WITH PERMISSION
CHAMPIONS ON THE STAGE—(Left and right) Freshman twins Eryn and Molly Waldman pose with their awards at a regoinal competition in Sacramento last November. (Center) Senior Lauren Waldman performs at a 2012 nationals competition in Chicago.
Every Lancer Has A Story is a recurring feature on randomly selected students. Each student answers a different question about his or her unique life experiences.
october 28, 2014
FEATURES 13
The online front line
Major League Gaming (MLG) champion senior Thomas McDonald looks forward to the coming opportunities of competitive gaming. In the past, McDonald and his teammates proved themselves as capable competitors, making it to the top eight on multiple occasions and winning first place in an online tournament last year. SHAY SUBAN
“What I see in the future for competitive gaming is opportunity. More tournaments, more money, more players and possibly an amateur league to play along with the professional league. If we are able to come together as a community, there is much to be made of all these new ideas and how to go about them.” —senior THOMAS McDONALD
Features Editor
Fingers dance over buttons and control sticks while players call out various commands to organize their teams in the heat of battle. A single mistake could mean the difference between winning and losing. Last year, senior Thomas McDonald and his teammates took first place in an online Major League Gaming tournament for “Call of Duty (COD): Black Ops II.” Sixty-four different teams, some of which were considered pro teams, competed in the double-elimination bracket tournament, but McDonald’s team came out victorious in the end. “Winning was a great feeling,” McDonald said. “Being a successful team takes a lot of balance, and it takes a lot of team chemistry. You have to get to know your team and understand how you play together best.” Team members usually meet through personal connections or through competing on Xbox Live, an online service that allows players to play together, talk with one another and share content such as music. At the amateur level, teams are always subject to change, with players constantly dropping in and out of different teams. “There are a lot of times where you’ll be playing with your team and everything seems good, but one of your teammates is talking under the table to another person on another team,” McDonald said. McDonald has been playing competitively since 2007, when he attended his first event in Rhode Island. Since then, he has also attended various events close to home, such as in Arizona and other neighboring states. However, the competitive gaming scene is by no means limited to the U.S. “I used to play with a lot of European players, since I know French and I know Spanish,” McDonald said, “so I can communicate with them.” Since the start of his middle school career, McDonald has taken private tutoring to learn French. He has also taken Spanish classes on campus. “These tournaments are a worldwide thing,” McDonald said. “They have stadiums made just for this in places like China and Brazil. Each year they have this tournament called COD Champs, and last year, they
had nearly every single continent that people live on and so many countries being represented by their best players, to an extent.” The games used in tournaments change each year. Currently, McDonald is not on a team; instead, he is what is considered a “free agent,” meaning he is available to join any team that is in search of an additional player. “I don’t really like the game that’s out right now, so I’m waiting for the release of ‘COD: Advanced Warfare,’ which is the new game, and ‘Halo: Master Chief Collection,’” McDonald said. “When both of those come out, I’m hoping to get on a team and play in a tournament soon enough to where I could place top eight, which is good for building a reputation.” With both games coming out in early to mid-November this year, McDonald looks to get back in the game as his time allows. “It’s kind of hard for people in school like me to find time to practice because I do sports, I take AP classes, and I’m a senior so I’m doing things for college,” McDonald said. “Thats why I kind of stopped [playing] on teams for a while—I couldn’t put enough time and dedication in to where I felt like I wasn’t letting these guys down.” While looking forward to his own future ambitions in competitive gaming, McDonald also considers the future of the competitive gaming community as a whole. “Winning against big-name teams and players [in the past] helped me feel outstanding and just helped drive me to further success,” McDonald said. “What I see in the future for competitive gaming is opportunity. More tournaments, more money, more players and possibly an amateur league to play along with the professional league. If we are able to come together as a community, there is much to be made of all these new ideas and how to go about them.”
THOMAS McDONALD Instagram » TJMcdonald39 Steam » Prophecy39 Twitter » @Prophecy_39 Xbox Live » Prophecy39 YouTube » BlackIce3939
by the numbers
MAJOR LEAGUE GAMING
PHOTO » SHAY SUBAN » THE LANCER
MLG became the first televised console gaming league in the United States, with its “Halo 2” Pro Series being broadcast by the USA Network, starting in
MLG is one of the fastest growing digital networks worldwide with over
2006 1557%
As of October 2014, MLG Pro Circuit has issued
growth in audience in the past four years, following its steady increase from 1.8 million live viewers in 2010 to
MLG: Play is the largest cross platform online gaming tournament with over
9 million registered users from around the globe
$6,489,435 11.7 million 85% in prize money
live viewers in 2012
of the MLG audience was male in 2012
14 FEATURES
THE LANCER, issue 3
Artwork unmasked SHRAYA BLAISDELL
Junior Phesjiah Stewart uses her artistic skills to create masks for Day of the Dead.
Staff Writer
An explosion. A ticking time bomb. These are the words that junior Phesjiah Stewart uses to describe the frantic drawing process. It demands her attention. When an idea strikes, even a few minutes helps a train of thought to begin weaving its way across the page. Stewart began drawing at a young age. Before art was a full-fledged passion, it emerged as scribbles and stick figures. “I started drawing when I was six,” Stewart said. “I had just gotten one of those giant Crayola kid’s crafter kits and then I started drawing in my storybooks.” It began as a pastime for Stewart but later grew to be much more than just a hobby. When her mother invested in sketch pads for her, Steward stopped drawing in her storybooks. “[Art] was something I kind of just did,” Stewart said. “As I evolved with my artwork, I started really enjoying it.” As Stewart’s style changed, her art’s tone and methods progressed. After drawing in anime and manga forms, her art expanded towards realism. “It went from scribbles to cross-hatching and stippling and so many different shading techniques.” Stewart said. “It’s progressing as I go.” One of Stewart’s primary influences on her art is Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland.” She recreates scenes as two-dimensional sketches and water color or acrylic painting, and she likes to constantly challenge her own abilities. “I like to range in the mystical type of drawings,” Stewart said. “I love to work with bright, accentuated colors to really catch the audience’s eyes.” Most afternoons, Stewart takes to sketching outdoors. She finds inspiration from the vibrant colors in the natural environment. “I like to work outside in nature,” Stewart said. “Mostly outside under a tree, just having my earphones in, listening and doing my own thing.” Recently, Spring Arts Collective Gallery, a Los Angeles art showroom, asked Stewart to create masks based around Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday honoring those who have died. “I honestly really like skeletons,” Stewart said. “I find human anatomy interesting. It’s who you are.”
GRAPHICS » PHESJIAH STEWART » WITH PERMISSION
TRADITION CARRIES ON—(Left) Junior Phesjiah Stewart has depicted a scene inspired by Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland” using watercolors. (Right) Stewart sketched a mermaid trapped in a net using graphite pencil. To make the masks, she started working with paper mache, a technique she had never before attempted until just recently. “I like working with it because of the texture and the layering, but it’s a pain to sand it down for a smooth texture,” Stewart said. “It’s also very hard to adhere to certain surfaces.” On Nov. 1, the gallery will reveal her masks as part of their “Undiluted” artists reception. The exhibit marks her first debut into the art world. “I love it.” Stewart said. “It shows the world how I really feel inside.” Artists, musicians and guests will view the art in the gallery. Stewart anticipates opening night and the audience reaction to her masks. “It makes me feel nervous because I don’t know what some critics may think of my art,” Stewart said. She hopes that her art will make a lasting impression
on anyone who looks upon it. “I want [my art] to really affect them,” Stewart said. “I want them to think ‘whoa, this is something I want to do when I get older.’” When she gets that reaction on other artwork, it motivates Stewart to continue. “I feel so much better,” Stewart said. “It gives me a lot more confidence, and that just kind of sparks a train of creativity to keep me going. It’s great.” After high school, she wants to go to Art University in San Francisco and then travel the world. “I love seeing new things and [traveling] would give me inspiration to do more.” Stewart looks forward to her future as an artist and hopes to influence people with her artwork. “It’s something I really love to do,” Stewart said. “It’s hard to find time for it, but it’s something that makes me happy.”
PHOTO » KENDELL SNOW » THE LANCER GRAPHIC » PHESJIAH STEWART » WITH PERMISSION
october 28, 2014
FEATURES
Secrets uncovered Freshmen Alex Fortunato, Miles Malmauist and Belindy Francis write secrets in Anglo Saxon. JOYCE HUCHIN
PHOTO » SHAY SUBAN » THE LANCER
Features Editor
To the average student, Anglo-Saxon is a language mentioned only in a history textbook, but to freshmen Alex Fortunato, Miles Malmauist and Belindy Francis it is the basis of their secrets. Anglo-Saxon is the alphabet used by ancient Germans before they adopted the Latin alphabet. Fortunato learned this alphabet when he was 12 years old, out of curiosity. “I would see the symbols everywhere when I was a kid,” Fortunato said. “I did some research one day, and I memorized it in a night.” He introduced it to Malmauist and Francis, who later learned it themselves. Francis found the alphabet and translation in a book. Malmauist attempted to learn Anglo-Saxon online, but he accidentally learned Elder Futhark, another alphabet used by Germanic tribes. “Elder Futhark and Anglo-Saxon have similar characters,” Mal-
mauist said. “However, it’s more limited, but I know it better than Anglo-Saxon, which I just learned.” They primarily use the language for self-entertainment. A few other friends have become interested in it, but as far as they know, none have committed to memorizing the alphabet. “We write to each other in it to be secretive,” Fortunato said. “Also, it’s fun.” Malmauist is interested in learning uncommon languages. He finds them more entertaining and unique. “I don’t really like common [languages] because everyone knows them,” Malmauist said. “I want to learn other languages that are less common such as Greek, Latin and Dragon Tongue, the language that they speak in Skyrim.” Francis is not as interested in a type of language, but rather the amusing aspect of knowing them because others cannot understand them. In addition to AngloSaxon, Francis speaks French and German and is in the process of learning Spanish. “I’ll [use] it when I want to write something but don’t want anyone else to read it,” Francis said. “It’s hilarious when people try to figure it out but are completely wrong.” Fortunato is interested in languages and hopes to learn as many as he can. He took a Rosetta Stone course in Welsh, and he is now studying Arabic. “I like learning languages,” Fortunato said. “I want to speak them and write them, and talk to people in different places.” He hopes to travel to different European countries, to experience new cultures and to speak with a variety of different people. “I want to learn European languages first because I want to travel to Europe,” Fortunato said. Although Fortunato would keep Europe in mind, he looks to travel anywhere he can in order to experience the aforementioned aspects of foreign life. “I would want to travel anywhere outside of the United States,” Fortunato said. “I want to experience more than what is just around me.”
15
Anglo-Saxon alphabet
j oe eo d a th p o x ae r s y c t io g b ea w e kw h m k n l st i ng g
f u
16
SPORTS
THE LANCER, issue 3
Beating the odds: Senior center Chris Dilworth SCOTT PRICE
Sports Editor
An honors student, a homecoming king nominee and an avid volunteer—senior water polo star Chris Dilworth seems to have it all. In his freshman year, Dilworth, who stands at six foot five inches tall, made an instant impact on the Lancer varsity team. Without skipping a beat, Dilworth won the team’s “Rookie of the Year” award. However, Dilworth’s water polo career was in jeopardy when he began experiencing rapid heart rates of 250 beats per minute while working out. Dilworth underwent a routine surgery for Wolff Parkinson White syndrome,` (WPW) over winter break. WPW is a congenital disease in which the patient has an extra electrical pathway to the heart. Although the surgery went well, Dilworth experienced severe headaches resulting from bacterial meningitis, keeping Dilworth out of school for three months. “I’m definitely lucky,” Dilworth said. “There’s a statistic that 50% of people, after they have [bacterial meningitis], have permanent brain damage. It cuts off blood flow to your brain, so you could have a stroke. People die from this.” During his two-week stay at Los Robles Hospital, Dilworth credits the support of his friends and family their support throughout his treatment. “Honestly, I had people, like teammates and family that came to the hospital. When I was back in polo after that, I got a lot of support from my teammates,” Dilworth said. “I had been out of the water for three months. I was super out of shape, so [it was] a lot of encouragement from them that really just pushed me to get back into it.” Nine months later, he made his return to the pool. Despite sitting out of club competition and off-season training, Dilworth regained his athletic prowess and made second team All Marmonte League. However, his 2013 junior season brought Dilworth to the forefront of the talented water polo players in the area. That season, he led the Lancers with 143 goals and 111 ejections drawn (20 second penalties), breaking school records. “I was stoked when I broke it. But honestly, for me, it’s not all about the records. My focus isn’t ‘Oh I’m going to break this record,’ that’s not really what
I’m all about,” Dilworth said. “I feel like [the] people who are all about breaking those records are not in it for the right reasons—they only play for themselves.” The breaking of those records put Dilworth in high-caliber company. Ben Rogers (‘12) is the former owner of the goals scored record. Rogers now suits up for thirteenth ranked Air Force Academy. Luke Irwin (‘13) held the ejections record. Irwin, who played center before Dilworth, plays for Brown, who ranks eleventh in the country. “[Irwin] was a role model and mentor—I learned so much from him,” Dilworth said. Dilworth, the captain of the varsity team , has made significant contributions to the team, not just because of his own skill, but because of his leadership as well. “He’s highly motivated. He’s putting in all this hard work for them to be really good. He’s trying to help the younger teammates on varsity to get better, so that his whole team is better,” assistant coach Ricky Mulcahey said. “Seeing him working so hard, makes them want to work hard for him.” Dilworth’s new role has provided him with the opportunity to be a role model to his younger teammates, just as Irwin was for him. “I’m always trying to help the other guys. One of the players I’m trying to take under my wing is [sophomore utility player] Stephen Blaauw,” Dilworth said. “I see myself in the same kind of relationship that Luke and I had. I’m trying to help develop him [as a] player.” Blaauw jumped from frosh/soph to varsity this season and is on the counterattack with Dilworth. Blaauw is a possible candidate to replace Dilworth as center position next season. “I admire him because he’s very helpful. He
FALL 2011 Freshman year: 2011 Varsity Water Polo Rookie of the year
wants you to learn and become a better player,” Blaauw said. “They [Dilworth and Irwin] have [made] such big contributions to the school; it will be very hard to follow in their footsteps.” Dilworth, a member of the health science majors and scientific research program, finds success beyond the pool. With significant academic credentials to go along with his water polo skill, Dilworth is now weighing options for his future. With the recruiting process nearing its end, Dilworth’s final options are UC San Diego, UC Davis, Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine. “It really just depends where I fit in. Right now, my number one school is Pepperdine,” Dilworth said. “Their coach, Terry Schroeder, played [center] in the Olympics. I feel like I can learn from him the best.” Along with his success in school and in the water, Dilworth has made a significant contribution to the community. Inspired by his medical treatment, Dilworth, a self-proclaimed “dog lover,” is a volunteers at Westminster Free Clinic and Guide Dogs of America. At the end of the day, no matter how far Dilworth gets in his water polo career—whether it’s an NCAA championship or a Team USA appearance—the water polo star’s character is defined by the challenges he has overcome. “It definitely gave me a new outlook on life. I don’t take friends, family or anything for granted,” Dilworth said. “When I was out for those three months, I looked forward to practice, I looked forward to swimming those hard swim sets, I looked forward to working my butt off, like I hadn’t. I missed it.”
SHOOTING PAST THE REST— Senior Chris Dilworth shoots during a 4 versus 3 drill during the Oct 21 practice. (bottom) Dilworth, who underwent three months of treatment in his Freshman year, bounced back to be one of the team’s best players his sophomore year.
PHOTO » SCOTT PRICE » THE LANCER
FALL 2012
CHRIS DILWORTH » WITH PERMISSION
Earns second team All Marmonte and Work Horse award
WINTER 2011 Heart surgery at UCLA Health and treated for bacterial meningitis at Los Robles
WIKICOMMONS » WITH PERMISSION
THE ACORN » WITH PERMISSION
FALL 2013 Breaks single-season ejections and goals records and gets Marmonte League player of the year Team MVP
CHRIS DILWORTH » WITH PERMISSION
SPORTS 17
october 28, 2014
Lancer football looks to bounce back DANE SWANSON
Sports Editor
One thing that defines a winner is their ability to roll with changes and defeats, and still keep a mindset of confidence and focus. That is what the Thousand Oaks High School football team must do following their first and second defeats of the season at the hands of rival Oaks Christian and Royal. “We need to put these losses behind us and go into this week looking to beat Camarillo on Thursday,” senior wide receiver Andrew Lachina said. Despite their recent loss, the team is still in the midst of a successful season. They are currently 6-1 with one of the most prolific offenses in the county. Junior quarterback Max Gilliam, who has been a breakout star of sorts for the team, has led the offense. Gilliam has been good but, he has benefited from good line play and a solid group of weapons to distribute the ball to. “We have been working really hard since last year for the season,” Lachina said, “ starting in the weight room then spring training and seven on seven, and when we beat San Juan Hills we just kept building off the momentum every week to keep us going.” One of the offense’s most prolific weapons has been Lachina. He has a team high 51 receptions for an also team leading 800 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. The team has also benefited from a solid rushing attack led by senior Matt Guzman. He is averaging 74 yards per game and has scored six touchdowns. Also, Gilliam has rushed for another seven
touchdowns, creating a balanced offensive attack. It has been a team effort on the defensive side of the ball for the lancers as well. The unit has turned in three shutouts this season and was also only responsible for three of the touchdowns allowed against Oaks Christian. Linebackers Austin Alvary and Wade Cookus, along with corner Kevin Howell lead the defense. “We are at our best when we are playing as one unit and are all on the same page on coverages and assignments,” junior linebacker Drake Shafer said. Meanwhile, Howell is in the midst of a dynamic year for the Lancers. The two-way starter has caught 46 passes for 617 yards with seven touchdowns on offense. He also has intercepted a team high five passes to go along with 22 tackles. Howell is also returning kicks and punts for the team meaning he plays roughly 98 percent of the team’s plays in any given game only sitting out on punt and kick-off coverage. Now the team must use all the positive energy from their first six games and turn it into a win against Camarillo. “We just need to play consistent and as a team,” Shafer said. When champions get knocked down they get back up. That is exactly what this team intends to do as they enter a decisive winner stays alive Camino League game at Camarillo on Thursday October 30.
LEAD THE WAY—(top) Senior right guard Daniel Aguirre practices a goaline block at practice on Tuesday. The offense must recover after losing to Royal 24-21. (left) Junior quarterback Max Gilliam takes a snap fron senior center Joe Carbine at a recent practice at TOHS. PHOTOS»SCOTT PRICE»THE LANCER
W O L L FO
! E N I L N O US
nt e t n o tra c x e d n ine l a n s o e t t da Ge p . u e d s t n u n o o a t p s m s n e s, r of a e Get i i k r c st i o l e t c s b r e r u h u t yo of o h l t l i with a w f ns o us in o i e s t i r r e v w d n a s l l to po eas. id story
@TOHSTHELANCER @TOHS_THELANCER
18 SPORTS
THE LANCER, issue 3
F A L L S P O R T S UPCOMING VARSITY GAMES
PHOTOS»KENDELL SNOW»THE LANCER
EMILY ACKERMAN
CLAIRE LIU
MAHLI SILPACHAI
Freshman Emily Ackerman has great tennis genetics. The younger sister of former TOHS girls tennis captain Caitlin Ackerman and current senior boys tennis player Zach Ackerman, is a high-profile four-star recruit. ranked 22 in the state, 29 in the southwestern region and 123 in the nation according to Tennisrecruiting.net. Ackerman is a part of the dynamic duo of freshmen that have provided a spark to a before struggling tennis program that went 3–13 a year ago. Ackerman has played a role as a singles player for the team and has played quite well. She has often defeated juniors and seniors on the way to helping the team to a 9–4 record. In the October 18–27 J.P. Yamasaki Junior Open Tennis tournament in Anaheim, Ackerman made it to the round of 32 in the 128 player bracket. With Ackerman and her teammates Claire Liu and Mahli Silpachai at the front for the years to come. The future looks pretty bright for TOHS girls tennis. —Scott Price
After much speculation on whether she would play for the school or not, freshman Claire Liu decided to play on the TOHS girls tennis team. Liu has the potential to be perhaps one of the greatest athletes in TOHS history. Liu’s arrival to the team has helped bring the girls tennis team back to the league prominence which they had during their undefeated streak from 2010–2011. Liu is the number one ranked freshman in the nation. She is also ranked 129 in International Tennis Federation’s top 300 U-19 players, at age 14. Liu, who has been playing travel tennis since an early age, traveled to Florida last weekend for a USTA tournament, just one With a great amount of time devoted to travel tennis, Liu has faced the challenge this year of managing her time between the grind of playing a national tennis schedule and school. Liu leaves school after fifth period everyday, in to have more time to train. —Scott Price
The stellar play of freshman Mahli Silpachai has contributed to the extreme improvement of girl’s tennis this year after last season’s 3–13 Marmonte League finish to this season’s 9–4 record and a second place league finish. For being just a freshman, Silpachai has handled the role of being the number one singles player with an incredible amount of poise. She has a recorded many sweeps of older more experienced opponents often setting the tone for how the match is going to go and leading the lancers to victory. Silpachai is a four-star recruit according to Tennisrecruiting.net. She is also the number 25 ranked freshman in the state and 200 nationwide. She lost in the quarterfinal round at the SCTA Solinco Grand Prix Masters on Oct 18. As she plays in more tournaments and thrives in league play for the tennis team, Silpachai could rise through the rankings. —Dane Swanson
Girls tennis: @ Newbury Park Wednesday Oct. 28 3:00
Girls volleyball: @ Oaks Christian Wednesday Oct. 28 3:00
SPORTS
october 28, 2014
PHOTO » SCOTT PRICE » THE LANCER
PHOTO » KENDELL SNOW » THE LANCER
PHOTO » SALLY DENG » WITH PERMISSION
RYAN PEMBERTON
KRISTEN KINGI
BRIAN JOERGER
After rejoining the football team, last spring, senior Ryan Pemberton has made a strong impact to the team as one of quarterback Max Gilliam’s favorite targets. At six feet tall and 175 pounds and with a sub 4.8 second 40 yard dash, Pemberton is one of the teams biggest and fastest wide receivers. Often overlooked by opponent defenses because of his position in the slot. Pemberton often takes advantage of the defenses covering him with a safety or linebacker. This explains his 428 receiving yards on 25 catches for three touchdowns. In the Oct 24 upset loss against Royal, Pemberton showed his versatility when he stepped up at outside linebacker for the injured junior starter Noah Hoffman. Hoffman suffered a mid-game concussion and had to leave the game. Pemberton also plays center field on the varsity baseball team. Last spring, Pemberton was the team’s lead-off hitter and had a .311 batting average with 23 hits, six of them extra base hits. —Scott Price
The varsity team is relying heavily on Kingi to produce big numbers but also lead as the most experienced varsity player with three years of varsity experience. Kingi, who hopes to has been a regular in the varsity starting lineup for each of the past three seasons and has provided stellar statistics for the Lancers. Last year Kingi was an all-Marmonte league selection as she led the team to the CIF playoffs where they were eliminated in the second round. This season Kingi is a captain trying to right the ship of a team that has struggled all season to find its rhythm as a team. With three league games left to play, the Lancers have a league record of 5–2 and an record of 9–11. The team has however, improved steadilly as the season has gone on. The league season is still young and Kingi still has time to help her team right the ship and get into the CIF playoffs. Kingi’s next game will be today at Oaks Christian, who the Lancers previously lost to Oct 9. —Dane Swanson
This season has been a long time coming for senior Brian Joerger. The senior has been running varsity races ever since his freshman year and is now without a doubt the team’s leader and point man. Joerger has steadily developed and improved throughout his 4 years at TOHS going from the freshman prodigy to the contributor to now the captain and star leader of the pack. As one of this years captains, he has led by example finishing in the top ten at every meet this year and in the top two at each of the first two league meets this season. Joerger has been in the hunt for wins at both Marmonte League cluster meets, finishing eighth and second this season and he will definitely be in the front of the pack again at the Ventura County Championships on Friday October 31. With Joerger at the front leading the way, the team is poised for a successful season and a state playoff run behind their senior leadership. —Dane Swanson
Football: @ Camarillo Thursday Oct. 30 7:00
S T A N D O U T S
Cross Country: @ Ventura County Championships Friday Oct. 31 1:00
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PHOTO ESSAY
issue 2
“In reality, we learn so much from them— about unconditional love and going out and doing something for someone other than yourself. They teach us more than we can teach them. In life, it’s important to stand up and interact with those who are different than you. —senior LEXIE SMITH
RAISING awareness
ART OF THE HEART—(above) Lexie Smith took the initiative to restart Autism Awareness this year. “Lexie Smith has been a beautiful angel to this group. [The club] just lights up the kids,” says special needs assistant Tamara Toell. (below, right) Senior Alejandra Gonzalez exchanges a high-five with Tar’reya Mitchell. PHOTO » SARA WILSON » THE LANCER
Autism Awareness meets every Friday at lunch in C8. Active student participation and leadership revived the club this year. The group aims to boost the confidence of TOHS’s special needs students and provide stimulating social interaction.
PHOTO » SARA WILSON » THE LANCER
PHOTO » KENDELL SNOW » THE LANCER
PHOTO » SARA WILSON » THE LANCER
PRETTY PUMPKINS—(above) The Oct. 17 meeting included pumpkin painting. (left) Volunteers Cole Maki and Nick Abrams hold up their artful gourds. (right) Says Sue Scott of the club: “It’s beneficial to these students, because they need to interact with many different kinds of people. Their peers are the best models for them, since they’re at the same place in life.”
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