EX P R E S S
LANC R we have iss u e s .
carlsbad high school carlsbad, ca february2013 volume 26, issue 4
Carlsbad or Sage Creek? Students must soon choose what high school they wish to attend p. 12-13
4
Cheer in the Community
11
Social Networking
14
Ms. Foulk shares her art
21
Khyla Freeman injury
2 news
photo highlight
february 2013
photo by seannie bryan
Playing a very convincing car crash victim, local firemen "rescue" junior Kevin Freeman during a dramatization of a drunk driving car crash, part of Carlsbad's new Steering Teens Straight program. On the day of the "crash," Lancer Link and CHSTV covered the accident and will be presenting the entire story in a four-part series of episodes released over the next few months. Stay tuned for more information coming this month as the first episodes are released.
President’s weekend
16
15-18
Spring Sport Tryouts
Winter CIF Playoffs begin
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19
MORP Dance
Early Release Thursday
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ith open minds students and teachers of English 3 Film begin analyzing movies with an unconventional outlook on the display of a woman’s role in a film. The Bechdel test is used to identify gender bias in film. A movie passes the test if it features at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man. Students and teachers in English 3 Film take the time to analyze and discuss the films and their portrayal of society. Adding the Bechdel test gives students the chance to look deeper into films and have their own opinion on social issues such as gender bias and equal representation. It is the option of the student however to see these issue relevant to film works. Next time you watch a film, try to see if that film passes the test. Due to the small amount of films that actually do, chances are it will fail.
Soccer dominates
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ith 15 returning players, the soccer team has started the season quite well under the lead of Head Coach Riccitelli, and captains senior Tito Cruz, senior Ruben Gonzalez and junior Matt Deemer. The team first competed in the Coronado High School Soccer Tournament and earned first place. With victories over University City and San Clemente, the team has high expectations. Continuing their success out of the tournament, the boys went to San Pasqual on Dec. 14 and defeated the Golden Eagles 1-0. Before the break soccer the team will play Thursday at San Dieguito, prior to starting their preparation for the Southern California Classic soccer tournament in Oceanside. The regular season will begin following the break and the team looks to further their undefeated record and strive to accomplish a CIF title worthy season.
ASB announces MORP
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nly days remain until MORP commences on Feb. 23 where, instead of the traditional prom, girls ask out guys to be their dates. MORP was kept secret for as long as possible by ASB in order to prevent students from renting out the infamous “party buses.” However, for most people simply looking to kick back with their dates, this will have no effect night. As the days count down till the event, girls will be on the prowl for potential dates: going back to Stone Age philosophy of looking for the fittest, smartest men to be seen with. MORP will go from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the New Gym with a new theme of “space.” Tickets will be sold begins from the 11th till the day before the dance, the 22nd. Guest passes can be issued and dress code applies. Tickets will cost 8 dollars with an ASB card and 10 without.
act ivit ies
14
Furlough Day, Valentine’s Day
W
academics
February
Students find bias
ath leti cs
news briefs
Calendar
news 3
lancer express, volume 26, issue 4
New STAR Tests for 2014 john hankforth
Education aimed at application over memorization
staff writer
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n hopes of getting students to think more and fill in fewer bubbles, state superintendant Tom Torlakson announced upcoming change to the STAR tests in 2014 to further assess student ability. Although still abiding by the same Common Core State Standards, Torlakson promises that these new tests will evaluate student’s ability to think rather than their ability to retain information. “Multiple-choice, fill-in-the-bubble tests alone simply cannot do the job anymore and it’s time for California to move forward with assessments that measure the real-world skills our students need to be ready for a career and for college,” Torlakson said. Believing past STAR tests had no impact on students, Torlakson intends for these changes to take place in the upcoming school year. Students will be evaluated on these new standards without any time for the transition. “I think that based on what our standards are supposed to be, new STAR tests could be a better way to assess students,” said Mr. Livingstone. “It’s a good way to genuinely assess a student.” The change in direction for evaluating students offers an opportunity for students to prove that they can do more than retain facts. By focusing on critical thinking, students can show that they are capable of applying what they have learned in class. “I’d rather be tested on my ability to think than my ability to remember. It’s frustrating to be tossed all this information and never be given the chance to care about what you learn,” sophomore Conner Shaw said. The new STAR tests may come for most students, but for the second graders taking these tests for the first time in the fall, these tests could potentially lead to an education with
an entirely different focus: a focus dedicated to evaluating how students are prepared for their lives beyond school. “As you go through school, you pick up on these techniques that train your memory into answering multiple choice,” junior Adam Gilmore said. “There doesn’t seem to be a fair way to test students this way.” The goals of the new STAR tests offer challenges for students by forcing them to actually think about what they are bubbling. This may encourage more effort from students who generally feel apathetic towards the monotony of bubble filling. However, it is then more difficult to prepare for these new thought focused tests. “I don’t understand why it’s necessary to add more pressure on students who are already wracked by stress,” junior Emily Merkle said. The open-ended nature of an essay question makes it difficult to develop a concrete grading rubric. However, this is not a new problem for educators. FRQs and DBQs plague classrooms regardless. “I’m not entirely sure how you place a score on an open ended response,” senior Jeremy Waits said. “I doubt their is a fair way to evaluate what someone
thinks about something.” Asking questions that reinforce critical thinking may make it more difficult to students who are accustomed to multiple choice questions. However, the added difficulty may serve as a wake-up call to students who normally don’t try on the old STAR tests. “I like being able to work backwards from answers to answer questions, but adding questions that ask you how you feel could even be more fun,” junior Carly Medaris said. In the past, the scores students receive are measured and evaluated in order to be used by the state. Changing the questions then changes the results and then how the results are perceived. “Students probably won’t do as well on these tests because a lot of us are lazy,” sophomore Zachary Brookeshire said. “So long as these tests don’t effect us, it’ll be hard to ever care about it.”
SOAP BOX
What do you think of changing the STAR tests?
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I think it will be a better because students will have more options and will be less limited.
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Assess college readiness
English language arts 1. using and math tests taken by all high school juniors.
2.
Develop science tests based on new curriculum standards to be adopted next fall.
3.
Create or use other new tests for students with severe cognitive disabilities.
4.
Determine whether it will still be necessary to administer tests in alternate languages Consider alternatives to the Carlsbad Exit Exam.
5.
You can't fake your way through questions that ask you to think like you can multiple choice.
I think the already established system is fine and creating a new system would be unnecessary.
masami amakawa, 11 arvin bahadori, 12
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Other recommendations by the State Superintendent
alison pateros, 9
Machines can read scantrons, but response questions are open to interpretation and can lead to bias.
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sarah lang, 10
I think that this is a great opportunity for students who think differently to express themselves.
marcelo booshehri, 11
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4 news
february 2013
photo by natasha menard The varsity cheerleaders gather around to meet an admirer at the Mitchell Thorp Walk-a-thon on Feb. 2. Many young residents look up to the CHS cheerleaders as role models.
Cheerleaders go above and beyond for their community jessica jenkins staff writer
T
he cheer program works hard to make their presence known as a beneficial organization in the community. They took part in the 4th Annual Mitchell Thorp Run/Walk on Feb. 2, along with many other students, staff and families from Carlsbad High School. In addition to participating in community events, they have taken on some responsibility at CHS, befriending the Special Education students. “As a college cheerleader, I completed acts of philanthropy,” coach Heather Gasso said. “My goal has been to turn the girls into great ambassadors in the community, I want them to be good representatives of Carlsbad.” With positive attitudes and warm smiles, the cheerleaders entertained the crowd at the walkathon and helped to lead participants in Zumba as a warm-up for the long walk ahead. “I think it is an amazing cause,” sophomore Briette Pietrocini said. “I am doing this for Rebecca because she’s such a sweet girl and so strong.” Rebecca Edgin, a freshman and
cheerleader for CHS, suffers from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This gave her teammates a personal connection with the foundation and cause. “Cheer is her extended family— her friends love and support her,” Michelle Edgin said. “For her to be able to see that is just amazing.” The cheerleaders also began helping with our own Special Education students at their annual beach potluck social and decided to continue having lunch with their new friends. All of the teams join the students frequently, eating and socializing in the positive and friendly atmosphere the cheerleaders create. “It was really awesome being able to just talk with them and hang out during lunch,” senior Maddie Davis said. “I think we both got a lot out of it, and hopefully, we can continue to do this.” Gasso hopes that by introducing the teams to the students, they can develop skills that will transfer over to their cheering as well as everyday life. She stresses the importance of the teams’ morals as a strong factor of their success and productivity in the future. “I believe that my girls have
photo by natasha menard Cheer performs stunts to get the crowd excited for the day ahead at the Mitchell Thorp Run/Walk. This stunt sequence finished the routine they had learned at camp this past summer.
felt a deeper sense of community, commitment, responsibly and compassion through experiences they would otherwise, not typically encounter,” Gasso said. “Through the bonds that are being created with
highly respectable students on campus together they will help build positive socialization skills in each other.” Overall, the teams efforts have produced positive outcomes and provided the team with unity.
editorial 7
lancer express, volume 26, issue 4
Turning Carlsbad’s pep rallies from good to great A reflection on last week’s Battle of the Sexes assembly editorial board
B
efore we say anything, we’d like to make a point: we greatly appreciate the work ASB put into last week’s pep rally. A situation where tons of students gathered together under the roof of our rather beautiful new gym, laughing together and cheering about bananas can only be considered a success. Especially for the first in-class assembly since before any of us were freshman. ASB’s energy was genuine, the emcee choices were prime and Mr. Muilenberg balancing a tennis ball on a spoon while waddling in high heels put more smiles on more faces than ever dreamed of by the Joker. And no one had to sacrifice the immaculate daily ritual of their midday meal. However. As ASB works to make in-class assemblies a consistent reality at our school, there is room for improvement. For example, there were too many people that had to sit on the floor due to overcrowding (although that was certainly not the fault of ASB). And guys and girls rubbing against each other to pop a balloon, while notably giggle-worthy, is not exactly school-appropriate, especially since balloons are known to be a rather innocent species and would not have approved. Also, we missed an hour of third period. This may have appeared to be a blessing to disgruntled
students needing a break from smart boards and pencil sharpeners, but missing that much class is not good. Teachers had to scramble to change lesson plans, lectures had to be rushed and tests had to be postponed. Teachers simply don’t want an hour to be taken away from the two hours they are supposed to be granted with their students. And who has to pay for those frustrations? Well, the answer to that is found in the extra homework you had to do to make up for the lost class time. Lastly, not everyone in the crowd was included. Yes, ASB wanted to get everyone in the crowd involved. And they did--with half of the crowd. For most of the assembly, activities faced only one side of the bleachers, leaving out the poor students stranded on the opposite side. Luckily, these problems are fixable. The large crowd was encouraging, but obviously too colossal for our gym. Perhaps separate the freshmen and sophomores into one gym and the juniors and seniors into the other gym and all of a sudden we have two manageable crowds with greater oppotunity to include all students. And why take an hour from those poor third (or fourth) period teachers when you could simply take twenty minutes from every period that day? The assembly could still be before lunch to ensure a large attendance and raging of school spirit.The cost of twenty minutes per class is, in our minds,
minimal. Teachers would be more willing to let their students participate. Students would be, or at least should be, pumped that they have fifteen to twenty minutes less time spent per class. Finally, there shouldn’t be any bodies jumping on each other to pop balloons at a school assembly. There are better ways to be funny. Those are all things that ASB can do as more and more pep rallies are planned. But what about you, reader? From the day the Romans joined together in the Colosseum to watch people get torn apart by lions, all the way to last fall when football fans gathered together in the Coliseum to watch college kids in pads run into each other, the success of a gathering depends on the enthusiasm of those in the stands. Yep. That’s YOU. Cheer! Yell! Smile! Spirit the heck out of that assembly. If you did all of this at the Battle of the Sexes, then do it again. Only then can we all have the best possible assembly. Again, we want to emphasize that we greatly appreciate ASB’s well-spent efforts to encourage school spirit and just let us enjoy ourselves. With these small adjustments, our pep rallies could match both the expectations of ASB and keep the administration happy...while still providing a fantastic environment for students and faculty alike. Pep rallies are meant to bring people together, so thanks, ASB, for working to make that possible. photos by natasha menard
lancer publications
staff writers section editors, print kelsey aijala julie ambo kathleen dooley editors-in-chief, chase heck talia cain print nicolas dmitriev ryan eason shannon casey managing editor alex gnibus emilee foltz garrett snyder allie gordon editors-in-chief, copy editor aj johnson online eric hammond jennifer kim john hankforth jack beetham bryanna mundy section editors, online riley hoffman jessica jenkins scott de taboada zak jones juliet luty savanna kanester
Students participate in the activities that ASB led during the assembly. The students were encouraged to do everything from balloon-popping (left) to bananapeeling (right). This year's first in-class pep assembly was a success, but still needed improvements.
trina kim julius koch vlad korobkin matt la bounty emily matteson kaylee pitts scott snow haley spanier robert sweeney jenna tarantino blogger madison dearie
editorial policy
multimedia michael ricci sarah scudder
amanda navarro As a public forum for student alice pecoraro expression, Lancer Express omar ortega
head of photo, online seannie bryan
design jb berkowitz eric tarter aislinn bryan
head of photo, print natasha menard
artists tyler grove jeff schaefer
photographers jared cohn sierra gomperts
business jalen lovato ashley odom
welcomes letters to the editor, but reserves the right to refuse inappropriate or anonymous letter. Letters must be directed to room 3104 or to the editorin-chief. Lancer Express adheres to a strict policy regarding propriety of all photos and text. Controversial advertisements and opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire staff. Both sides of any issue are welcome here. Letters, questions, or comments by emails to lancerexpress@ gmail.com are welcome.
8 opinions
february 2013
Locked and late? Or secure and safe? savanna kanester
chase heck
staff writer
editor
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ang, Bang, Bang! Bullets fired at CHS? Nope, that dreadful sound happens to be students pounding angrily at the school’s bolted iron gates in attempt to attend their first period. As many may have noticed, administration has recently enforced a stricter gate policy, the primary reasons being a source of protection and an incentive for students to get to
class on time. However, whispers in the hallway and complaints from abandoned students in the parking lot say a lot. Students argue the locked gates have been far from beneficial and aren’t the constructive enforcement administrators were aiming toward. Gates should be keeping students in school. Not out of it. The current method seems to be doing just the opposite of what was hoped. The gates have been limiting students’ accessibility to class; an inconvenience to them and their teachers. I respect the attempts to encourage students to come to class on time; however, students will be late to class regardless of the gate restrictions. You can’t tame the wild truant. I think most will find the most advantageous solution to this problem is the teachers’ implementation of consequences for being tardy. The locked gates have become not only an inconvenience to late students, but also frustrating to students who return to class on time or who simply want to pick up a book from their car at passing period and return locked out. The gates are disruptive not only for those who are attempting to return to class, but also for those classes whose students divert their attention from their studies to attentively watch the kid outside struggling to hop the fence. Although amusing, the situation at hand is not benefiting students, and overall is inhibiting their educational growth. With recent events, it is understandable to want to improve school safety. However, Carlsbad High is a very safe school, and most feel comfortable without the excessive enforcement of locked gates. As for preventing tardies, the gates are counterproductive and are unnecessary because they pose a problem for students on time. I greatly appreciate the school’s efforts to improve student attendance and safetyadministration clearly had the best intentions. Yet the student body’s response to these regulations prove our school’s reformed security has developed into nothing but a nuisance for CHS students.
A
lright, let me get right down to business. Fences and gates have been an integral part of the CHS lifestyle for the past few years (for better and for worse). You can hardly walk ten steps around the campus without seeing construction fences, gates around the buildings, and little bits of security tape to keep kids from walking through the flower beds (who ever thought that would work?). But in all these years of ridiculous fencing projects, nothing has raised as much student uproar as the gates around the parking lot and new buildings. So, let me break down the problem with a hypothetical situation. Steve and Marty are returning from a wholesome lunch at Taco Bell, and find themselves running behind schedule. They quickly pull into the new parking lot, deftly avoiding the other students darting back and forth amongst their friends cars like disgruntled rodents. Steve and Marty, half eaten burritos still in hand, waddle towards the gates, but alas, are too late. The gates have been locked, and now they’re late to class (mind you, they were late any ways, now they’re just stuck outside) with no choice but to walk through the office or hope that another timely and benevolent student will let them in. This is an outrage, declare Steve and Marty, why should they be locked out for being late to class? This is America, our parents hard-earned wages are going into our educations, no child should be left behind, BRUH. In case my sarcasm was hard to catch, this whole scenario is utterly ridiculous. And I hate to break it to you Steve and Marty, but a major factor of No Child Left Behind is that schools should be a safe place. And you guys are telling me that a system that makes students less inclined to be late is a bad thing? Face it, the first step to getting a good education is showing up to class on time. Just plan your schedules more accordingly. Furthermore, there is a reason for these gates. Crazy right? Yeah, yeah Carlsbad is one of the safest cities in Southern California, but does that mean our campus should be less safe than any other school? Convenience is something we CHS students have been very accustomed to these past years. But this has been as a result of sacrificed safety. With the recent string of violent school attacks, including some very close to home, the increase in safety consciousness is completely warranted. Imagine for a moment, a school without gates and fences, how safe would you feel? Anyone could walk on at any time, and hardly a soul would notice. The argument that there shouldn’t be fences surrounding our campus is essentially invalid, hate to break it to you. Even if you personally don’t worry about your livelihood, we teenagers have these things called parents who tend to make sure we’re getting a good, safe education.
art by jeff schaefer
SOAPBOX
Is that gate makin’ you late?
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It's annoying to get locked out if you're late. I don't feel like they add to our safety.
Kevin Chapa, 11
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There are a lot of people trying to come in after lunch or passing periods and they're always locked.
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Erin Kellett, 11
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They make a lot of students late to class. I don't think they're entirely necessary.
As an athlete I think they are more of a nuisance because they make it really hard to get back to practice.
Kaitlin Large, 12
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Tori Correll, 12
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I think they're really inconvenient. It makes sense during the day, but after school they make it difficult to get back in.
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Ian Marshall, 12
opinions 9
lancer express, volume 26, issue 4
PDA: please don’t assault (me with your relationship) kelsey aijala staff writer
I
SAD, BAD, RAD
get it—you’re teenagers with hormones coursing through your bodies and you’re still astounded the person you’ve been pining after for ages returns your affections— sometimes you get caught up in the moment and your boyfriend/ girlfriend just looks too good to resist. Maybe it feels like you’re in your own little world as you embrace them for a heated kiss, but trust me, you’re not. While you two are encased in a bubble of passion and sexual tension, the rest of us have to weave around you and the four other couples immersed in some form of PDA (if you’re reading this in Lancer Plaza, look around. I guarantee there are at least that many) as we try to get to our next class. Before some of you start attacking me, calling me a jealous prude, let me get one thing straight: I am not against PDA. Sweet pecks, hand holding, affectionate looks—they’re all fine by me. In fact, I have to contain the awwwww that threatens to escape my lips when I see these adorable couples. On the other hand, when I see couples engaged in a slobbery make-out session or an awkward groping, I struggle not to lose my lunch. I’m not denying you the right to show your boyfriend/girlfriend that you care about them; I simply wish to uphold the integrity of the intimate moment. Intimacy in a relationship, by its very nature, is meant to be private. It’s the sacred ability to
Public displays of affection become excessive at CHS express love for another person physically. So when you go around exploiting your affections by putting them on public display, it takes away sentiment from your actions. It’s not all your fault though— from music to movies to magazines, pop-culture is shoving PDA down our
I’ll tell you why. Just look at all the celebrities that have their relationships in the limelight—how long do those couples last? Not very long. When the bond between boyfriend and girlfriend is exposed to the public eye, the relationship soon deteriorates. They don’t have the privacy necessary to get to know each other intimately, so their relationship becomes reliant on its physical aspect. And while physical affection isn’t a bad thing, it shouldn’t be the basis of a relationship. And maybe PDA was acceptable before winter break—the world was ending and you were dead set on getting as much action as possible in the
little time you had left. But it’s 2013, we made it, so let’s slow it down and put some romance back in our relationships. Guys, I’m sure your girlfriend would appreciate being taken out on a date instead of cornered behind the band room (though some of the worst abusers of PDA are in band, so maybe that’s exactly what they want). And girls, your boyfriend will still like you if you aren’t clinging to him like spandex. If he doesn’t, you should reconsider the relationship. Hopefully, you chose your boyfriend/girlfriend because you enjoy spending time alone with them. So take advantage of the fact that Valentine’s Day is coming up and enjoy some quality alone time as a couple instead of rubbing your relationship in the faces of CHS’s single population.
For those around campus (both singles and couples) excessive displays of affection may pose as a constant annoyance. Lancer Express weighed in on the most common types of high school PDA.
throats. Rappers and even innocent boy-bands like One Direction are promoting public sexual displays with their lyrics. Girls swoon when they see Ryan Gosling or Channing Tatum go in for the passionate (and public) kiss in the latest rom-com. We can’t even go to the grocery store without seeing Taylor Swift and her new beau on the cover of some magazine. When pop-culture is shining public displays of affection in a positive light, why wouldn’t we partake?
ds han he ing ples t t d l Ho rs cou nnec e o offe e to c xcessiv nc ing e love a h c of be out play ’s with eir dis ther. It in th each o able, for mfort s and co oxiou yone r obn eve not make . We u t yo sn’ doe owl at ve! sc ppro a
g din hol ds han
cudd
ling
kissing
Cuddli ng, sn same.. uggling its a embra .dont. Exces ll the cin siv everyo g in public e m uncom ne around y akes annoy fortable and ou feel ed re in awh . A little hug ally just ile is fi ne and every once one w an c last m ts to see tig ute but no ore th an a fe ht embrace s w all get uncom seconds. We fortab le.
When it comes to kissing, it’s just like dropped food. You have less than five seconds to do what you need to do. Nothing leaves a bad taste in your mouth more than watching a biting match. And rule number one of macking face: never, NEVER get caught tongue tied in public.
With Valentine’s Day coming up we decided to recall the best and worst of recent celebrity romances in the news.
Manti Te’o and Lennay Kekua No chance of PDA with this couple, seeing as one half of it doesn’t exist. But since the scandal involving Manti Te’o and his fake, dead girlfriend is so puzzling, let’s run through it. First we thought he was heroically playing for his dead girlfriend, then we thought he was the victim of a hoax, and now we’re almost certain he was behind the whole thing. No matter what way you look at it, this “relationship” is sad.
SAD
Chris Brown and Rhianna Chris Brown clearly left some physical displays on Rihanna when they dated back in 2009, but they certainly weren’t affectionate. The couple had a violent split, leaving Rihanna with some nasty marks and Chris with an assault charge, but the two are now confirming that they are once again in a relationship. Considering the way it ended last time, this relationship is a seriously bad idea.
BAD
Prince William and Kate Middleton Maybe rad isn’t the best way to describe the relationship between Prince William and Kate Middelton, but they seem to be the only celebrity couple we can’t find fault with. We’re so infatuated, we woke up at 3 a.m. to watch their first kiss as husband and wife and their pregnancy made global headlines. Maybe it’s their accents or because they live in a palace but their public displays of affection can’t seem anything but classy.
RAD
student life
lancer express, volume 26, issue 4
Signing off
11
ryan eason staff writer
Students accept our challenge to abandon social networking for one week
nless you woke up this morning and Ronald Reagan was president, Michael Jackson was as alive, and the only thing bigger than U communism in Eastern Europe was your mom’s hair, then you live in this decade. And if that’s the case, you know how much impact social networking has on our society. Three giants of social networking
Nick Romero-Instagram
-Time spent per day on Instagram: 40 mins. -Posts per day: 1 or 2 pictures -Got an Instagram: 2011
The Results
When approached with the challenge, Romero wasn’t worried; but, as it turned out, Romero’s experience was more difficult than he predicted. “I gave in on Saturday. I was in Colorado and had to share pictures of the snow,” Romero said. Although he didn’t make it the whole week, there is no denying that while he had Instagram deactivated, Romero became more productive. “I definitely spent more time studying for finals, and less time taking pictures of sunsets,” Romero said. When asked if he would take the challenge again, Romero shook his head in decline. “I would probably give up Facebook or Twitter,” Romero said. “But Instagram would be tough.’ Safe to say, staying away from seeing and sharing pictures is a heavy burden. How heavy? About one Instagram.
(Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) have entered themselves into our lives and have no intention of leaving. To highlight this effect, Lancer Express followed three students—Nick Romero, Monica Gurrola and Isaac Brieske—as they logged off of their favorite social networking sites and tracked the results.
Monica Gurrola-Twitter
Time spent per day on Twitter: 4 hours -Posts per day: 5 or more tweets -Got a Twitter: 2011 The tweeting senior forecasted some difficulty for herself when we told her to stay off of Twitter for one week. “I’ll definitely be tempted to go on because I’m really witty, and my first reaction when I think of something is to tweet it,” Gurrola said. When we talked to Monica again after her week away, she told us that she found the experience rather difficult. “It was tough because every time I have a thought, Twitter is where I usually go,” Gurrola said. However, although she missed tweeting, she found that her boredom spurred greater productivity. “I was more productive,” Gurrola said. “I was less tempted to keep checking my phone.” Yet her time away from tweeting, productive as it was, made her realize how important the site was to her. “I realized how much I appreciate it because it’s a place to put thoughts,” Gurrola said.
Isaac Brieske-Facebook
-Time spent per day on Facebook: 1 hour -Posts per day: 5 posts -Got a Facebook: 2008 When asked about how he thought he would fare without Facebook for a week, Brieske gave us a smile. “My productivity will skyrocket,” Brieske said. One Facebook-free week later, we met up with Brieske, and he made no attempt to hide how beneficial being off of the site was for his productivity. “I was more focused on my work. I guess I never realized how much I used Facebook,” Brieske said. In the end, the junior felt like he learned an important lesson about Facebook, and social networking in general. “I definitely learned how much of a waste of time it is. I will definitely be using it less,” Brieske said. As it turns out, when it comes to posting statuses about the weather and liking photos of memes and awkward selfies, absence does not always make the heart grow fonder.
Social Network Stats
CHSstats
Women spend an average of over two more hours than men on social networks on their PCs, and about three hours more on mobile devices.
Social Network Stats After participating in social media, 76% of users reported positive feelings, 24% natural feelings, and 21% negative feelings. a
Social Network Stats 8 Pinterest has grown by 1,047% in just one year. Women are more than twice as likely to use the network as males across all devices. 76
12
12 february 2013
shannon casey garrett snyder talia cain nicolas dmitriev
Introducing our
CROSS TOWN rival
L
ancers and Bobcats could not be further opposites. However, they now share one common factor: Carlsbad. On Jan. 7th, students in grades eight and nine were given the opportunity to choose whether or not they want to attend Sage Creek High School or Carlsbad High School for the 2013 school year. They have until Feb. 8 to make the decision that will change the path of their educational career as well as affect the future of this community. While many may think their selection only impacts the 8th grade and freshmen class, this movement will stimulate drastic differences for all students and everyone else involved in Carlsbad education. For over 50 years, Carlsbad High School has been the only high school in the Carlsbad Unified School District. Carlsbad students will face a first-ever choice between two different comprehensive high schools with the completion of Sage Creek High School. This choice will impact class sizes, the administrative and teaching staff, and budgets at Carlsbad High School. Sage Creek will be sharing many similarities with Carlsbad, but also introducing new concepts and advancements to the district such as a trimester schedule, having every class every day and the ability to earn
How do CARLSBAD
T
Academics
Carlsbad
Sage Creek
Tradtitional system, 19 available AP courses., college prep classes
STEM system: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
editor-in-chief managing editor staff writers
more credits . Each student’s high school selection represents a one-year commitment to the school they choose, meaning they will not be able to switch schools. If students fail to make a decision within the designated time period they will be assigned to a high school on a space-available basis. While this is a big decision, Sage Creek High School tries to ease the pain by offering a variety of tools to help assist those who are uncertain about what path to go down. Campus tours and a school website providing detailed information regarding specific academics, arts and athletics have been created to educate the public in what sort of things will be available at Sage Creek. Also featured on the website are members of the staff that have been selected to lead educational programs. In any major event such as this, it is important to remember that not everything you hear is true. Many rumors have been floating around the Carlsbad campus and it is important to not spread “facts” that don’t exactly have a source. When it comes to making a decision, stick to reliable sources you know you can trust and take your responsibility as a student and member of society seriously.
HIGH SAGE CREEK compare?
he new high school offers many new opportunities for Carlsbad residents, especially students. Community members should benefit from reduced traffic and an evenly dispersed students, while students attending each school will have a variety of options in terms of curriculum and experience due to the new campus options.
Schedule
Semester, school year broken into halves, studets take year-long classes
Trimester, school year split into thirds, one class lasts 2 trimesters
featu
Tennis courts, pool, multiuse turf field, 2 gymnasiums, baseball/softball fields, theater
Tennis courts, gymnasium, multi-use turf field, baseball/ softball field
Athletics
8TH GRADER
W
hile every 8th and 9t has a very difficult d looming, students in Calave an especially difficult decis Calrsbad and Sage Creek ar equidistant from Calavera H School, making all other fac courses, extracurriculars, a the focal points in their dec
“As far class s the con betwee studen teache affecte teache enough think it
Lizi Cudal attending Sag
However, introducing a new school into a district—especially a high school—involves a multitude of points to consider when choosing between the schools. Take a look at the major differences between Carlsbad High and Sage Creek High School.
Facilities
What do
Location
Cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball, track & field, lacrosse, wrestling (boys), football (boys), surf, cheerleading, dance
3.5 miles from Calavera Hills MS, 0.4 miles from Valley MS, 7.5 miles from Aviara Oaks MS
Cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball, field hockey (girls), wrestling (boys)
2.1 miles from Calavera Hills MS, 2.9 miles from Valley MS, 6.0 miles from Aviara Oaks MS
“I think cool to first clas graduat had atte four full
Mike Townzen attending Sag
“I live b Valley a sister g to Carls And I lik atmosp here be it has b here lon
Emily Swarthout attending Carls
“I am r into dr and th don’t h any of establi over [a Creek]
Jake Potter attending Carls
lancer express, volume 26, issue 4
ture
ERS THINK?
9th grader t decision avera will face cision. Both are relatively a Hills Middle factors (i.e. , athletics, etc.) decision.
ar as sizes, onnection een the ent and her could be ted, but if the hers are good gh I don’t it will matter.”
age Creek
k it will be o be the ass to ate that ttended for ull years.”
age Creek
by y and my goes arlsbad. like the sphere better; been longer.”
rlsbad
m really drama, they t have of that blished [at Sage k].”
lsbad
ADMINISTRATOR TEACHER perspective
Q. W.
13
Elisa Williamson Jeff Spanier President of the CHS Teacher
Board of Trustees
What major problems will be created and solved with the establishment of Sage Creek?
Sage Creek provides students with a clear option...a S.T.E.M. focus, different bell schedule, fewer students, homeroom/advisory period and trimester schedule...all designed for student connectedness and achievement. We believe many students will thrive with these opportunities in this beautiful new facility. The students who choose The students who choose Sage Creek aren’t the only ones who will benefit. CHS students will have more space on campus as the [relocatables] are removed and there will be less traffic. CHS will aren’t the only ones continue to have strong academic classes and excellent programs. Again, I believe providing a choice will benefit all students.
“
SAGE CREEK who
will
benefit.
CHS STUDENTS
S.
I don’t think Sage Creek was built to solve a problem. I suppose on a superficial level, will have more space housing 3200 students in two places instead of one solves a traffic problem. But since as the [relocatables] are removed sophomores and freshmen don’t drive the traffic issue is not very valid. and there will be The two biggest problems, in my opinion, that are created by opening Sage Creek have to do with class size and safety. The School Board raised the class size average at high school to 38.5 students per teacher/ class last year. With 40 + kids in a class, some of us are still just trying to call Elisa Williamson on everyone once a week or learn names. Forget about seeing dangerous patterns or negative President, Board of Trustees changes in academics. The plan as of the December 12, 2012 Board meeting is to cut CHS security from 5 full time campus supervisors to three. Two will go to Sage Creek. The numbers are looking like there may be about 400 students at Sage Creek if it opens next Fall. That means they would have 1 full time campus supervisor for 200 students. That sounds about right to me. However, CHS will have 2800 students with three campus supervisors. One security person for every 933 students? Does that seem safe? No.
“
We
less
will
homecoming,
L a nce r
Day
have
football,
Pa rad es
traffic.
”
Q. W.
Do you believe the Carlsbad community will be divided with students attending two separate high schools?
The Carlsbad community strongly supported building a second high school for our students. Had the Board drawn boundaries to determine attendance, it could have running yearbook and ASB created an “east vs west” or “north vs south” division within the community. We Champion Lancers, AVID intentionally didn’t go that route. We believe that by giving our students and their families the option of CHSTV, Lancer Express and choosing between two excellent schools, based on what best fits their needs, our community will be stronger and more connected.
a Hall of Fame, top seniors
57 YEARS
of
tradition.
They will have iPads.” Jeff Spanier
CHS Teacher
S.
Of course. That’s the point isn’t it? It’s not called East Carlsbad High or considered a satellite of our campus. They will be STEM Bobcats. We will be The Carlsbad High School Lancers. We will have homecoming, football, Lancer Day Parades, a Hall of Fame, top seniors running yearbook and ASB, Champion Lancers, AVID, CHS TV, Lancer Express and 57 years of tradition. They will have iPads.
Would you like to see
Sage Creek
opened this fall?
81%
of CHS students polled
WOULD NOT choose to attend SAGE CREEK say
YES:
40%
NO:
60%
they
regardless
of
their
grade.
The #1 stated reason... ...to select Sage Creek:
New Faciities
...to remain at Carlsbad:
Established programs
taken from a poll of 100 Carlsbad students
Wondering what else teachers and administration have to say about the opening of Sage Creek High School? For the full interview, go to thelancerlink.com or scan this QR code.
14 profile
february 2013
Foulk inspires students with a passion for art kathleen dooley editor
Y
ou may know her as the petite, quirky redhead walking around the 5000 building, you may wonder what sort of cool teacher she must be to wear converse and bright blue corduroys, or you may just have no clue who she is or what she teaches. Chances are, however, if your time in high school has brought you in range of any sort of art class, you either had Ms. Kelly Foulk, or heard about her through the grapevine. Looking at the remnants of paint caked on her hands, or ink staining her fingernails, you’re hopefully able to guess Foulk teaches art; however, her life of art goes far beyond room 5102. “I knew I liked art all my life,” Foulk said, starting from the beginning. “My punishment as a kid was to stop drawing and to go watch T.V., and it was a horrible punishment for me.” Because Foulk grew up a San Diego native, and attended Carlsbad High School, she can easily relate to students in her own art classes even though CHS is very different now compared to in her teen years. “I had a beginning art class and my teacher entered one of my pieces into a contest, and I won third place, which was a big deal,” Foulk said. “I got $50 and then I got to miss a whole day of school. That set me on this path; we only had two or three art teachers so I had classes with all of them. I was an art TA, I was the newspaper artist; my whole schedule was pretty much art.” After one of her high school art teachers purchased an art piece of Foulk’s, she realized there was nothing but art in her future. “I didn’t think I’d ever go to college, but then I started taking classes at the junior college, and then after a year, I transferred to a university and then got my degree in art—just in painting. Then I realized it was hard to make money off your paintings and so I went back to school and got my teaching credential,” Foulk said, “so I could make my art and have a steady job that was still artbased.” Although Foulk teaches a variety of classes all across the spectrum of art experience, including Art 1, Drawing and Painting, and AP Art Studio, she still makes time to pursue her art career outside of
photos courtesy of kelly foulk
school hours. “I love to teach oil painting and screen printing because those are my two favorite things to do myself. I have a whole screen print set up in my garage and I paint all the time, and I show my artwork at galleries and venues and stores, Foulk said. “And yeah, people buy it and its fun, so I do it all the time. I do a lot of things; I’m always doing something creative.” This outflow of creativity inspires Foulk to continue pursuing what she loves, as well as to push her students to make passionate and meaningful art. “I am very motivated by, or inspired by what’s going on in my life, and the world. Everything I do is some kind of analytical story, lesson, political idea I am analyzing or some sort of symbol, so if you were looking at my art you could probably break it down into what is trying to be said, or what is being expressed. What is the story being told? And so you can kind of relate it maybe to your own life, so you can better understand it,” Foulk said. “I try to get the AP students to think about what is important to them in their lives and then to use symbols--not just write words but say something with the pictures they chose to create. It’s so easy to lose motivation, so I want them to choose something that they care about.” Foulk recognizes the impact her high school art education and that of Point Loma Nazarene University had on how she runs her art classes today. She understands the importance of nurturing young artists by teaching them a way to express themselves. “It’s not just a fun extracurricular, but it’s important in helping develop your brain and your analytical thinking skills and your ability to express your thoughts and emotions in a healthy way,” Foulk said. “She has shaped me as an artist because she lets us develop our own styles and she gives us a lot of freedom to develop as artists,” senior and AP Art Studio student Ella Garbett said. The technique Foulk teaches in her beginning and intermediate art classes leads up to the environment of complete artistic exploration students find in AP Art Studio. “As an artist it is really helpful to have other talented artists around you,” junior and AP Art
Studio student Zane Becker said. “Without being in that environment with Ms. Foulk, my art would not be nearly as good as it is today just because you get to see what all of the ideas other people have; it helps you with your own ideas, and helps you express it in whatever way you want to. Especially when I was first starting out, I would try to imitate her style. That helped me find my own style.” With a long background in art, and a passion to always follow her love for art, Foulk continues her already eleven years of teaching art at CHS in order to give students the opportunity to find their own passions. “People don’t always view art as a core subject, but I think the only reason people think that way is because they weren’t educated in art so they don’t have the same appreciation as my students do,” Foulk said. “That’s what I’m trying to do with my students so that the future generations can value it and see that students need it in schools so that art will be the last thing cut instead of the first thing.”
“Congratulations to Ashwin Rao (Carlsbad High) for scoring a 2400 on his December SAT!”
Lancer Express would like to thank its generous 2012-2013 donors!
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Gold: ViaSat
Purple: Frank Jenkins Sharone Story Ken Hoffman Danny & Elena Aijala Bill & Jenny Fritzche Judith La Bounty
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profile 17
lancer express, volume 26, issue 4
Student musicians hit all the right notes
Joining elite Californian musical groups
S
ince 1937 the The Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association and the California Band Directors Association have hosted the All-Southern and All-State honor bands and orchestras. This year, three Carlsbad High students, Brock Stuessi (bass), Ashley Wang(flute) and Allyson Choi (violin), have joined these elite musical groups. Throughout the month of February these students will be traveling to the Redlands and Fresno to perform.
chase heck
LE: What are the All-State and AllSouthern Symphonies? Allyson Choi: Acceptance is based on audition for All-State and All-South. AllSouth is taking place at the University of Redlands this year for three days. You have rehearsals all day Friday and Saturday and then a performance on Sunday. All-State is state-wide, you have to send in an audition CD with a recorded selection. The music is significantly harder, the symphony is is a lot bigger and the actual event is four days long. It’s like CIF for musicians, really. AllState takes place at the convention center in Fresno, and you usually spend your nights there. LE: How were you chosen to become a part of All-State/All-Southern? Brock Stuessi: I knew about All-Southern because Allyson was a part of it last year, and I had already told Ms. Hall that I wanted to be a part of it this year. Basically I went and auditioned against eight other basses for three spots and made it. Ashley Wang: I made a tape with my audition piece on it and sent it in, and I was lucky enough to be chosen. AC: For All-Southern I had a live audition at Rancho Bernardo. They gave me a few musical excerpts that I had to prepare to perform to them. All-State was the same thing except on a CD that I sent in. I waited about a month for a response, kind of like a college application. There are about forty spots for violin in the orchestra I auditioned for, and it’s really hard to make it because there are a lot of very good musicians.
photos by seannie bryan and sierra gomperts This year, three Carlsbad High students, from top to bottom, Brock Stuessi (bass), Ashley Wang(flute) and Allyson Choi (violin), joined elite musical groups AllSouthern and All-State Band and Orchestras.
LE: What does it mean to you personally to be chosen? BS: It’s a pretty big deal to me, knowing I’m among the best in Southern California. It’s really a confidence booster. AW: It feels really nice to have made it into All-State, but you always know there is more to improve on. You get there and you meet so many people who are better than you, and in a way it makes you feel great at home and at school, but when you get there... It’s all new. But it’s great to know you can make it. AC: I’m super excited because I’m the first one from CHS to make it to the All-State Orchestra. I was part of All-Southern last year and All-State is like a bigger version of that, which is really exciting. I’m really
editor
looking forward to it; super stoked and excited to go. LE: Do you plan on continuing to play in the future? BS: I really want to go on to study the bass in college, and I plan on majoring in music with a jazz bass emphasis. There’s an AllSouthern jazz band that I’d like to be a part of as well, and it’s way more competitive because they only choose one bass. AW: I’m still undecided about where I want to take my music, but I know I want to continue music in the future. I’m not sure if I want to major in it or become a musician, but I don’t really have to be looking that far ahead yet. I also made it into The American All Performance Honor Series, which is basically a symphony that everyone in America can try out for, and it takes place in New York. AC: I’m not entirely sure at the moment, I know that the music industry is really hard to make a profession in. I think I’ll minor in music in college and participate in the school symphony, but I’m not sure if I’m going to become a professional. LE: How often do you practice, and how are you preparing, and what about this has distinguished you? BS: I have a private teacher that I see once a week, which is great. I usually practice about and hour-and-a-half to two hours each night after homework and dinner. It never feels like a chore to practice, I just get into the music I’m making. I never don’t enjoy playing. AW: There have been a few people in band that have tried out for All-State, but not very many make it in. It really takes a lot more dedication to your instrument to become a part of the symphony, and you really have to appreciate music in general. Many people just play an instrument to get by school for their requirements, but it takes so much more than that. AC: I started playing in middle school, and once I decided to actually get serious and start practicing I decided to take lessons lessons from Ms. Hall, she was my first private teacher. I just practiced continuously and then moved on to my current teacher who is very strict but he’s really pushed me far. Practice does not make perfect because nothing will ever be perfect, but lots of diligence will get you there.
18 arts & entertainment
february 2013
Young artists seek to share their talents Coffee House night offers a venue understanding environment for the artists to share some of their songs with the public. In places like this, musicians can experiment, learn from others, staff writer receive reviews of their works and work with other here can you hear John Lennon, Philip musicians who have similar styles. The rising stars Philips and Mumford & Sons all in one performed many different styles and types of music, night in Carlsbad? and most of the singers plugged in their guitars While it might not really be Lennon, Coffee into amps for the sound to resonate throughout the House night showcases Carlsbad’s up-and-coming whole house. musicians with their spin on popular songs from “I hope to get more experience playing in front of different generations. people and feedback on my latest songs from other Local Carlsbad artists displayed their musical artists,” Steward said. talents on Feb. 26 at a Coffee House night hosted by Some artists shared songs they wrote themselves senior Rachel Stuart and her friend Dawn Johnson. like “Blind Man” by Rubin, “Let Go” and “Nothing “I just want people to show up and hangout,” to Hide” by David Stewart, and “The Longest senior Rachel Stuart said. “Meet Road” by Miller, while others new people, have some coffee and were performing works in It's good publicity. listen to good music during the progress such as “Nightmares” People see you per- by Henning. Others were coffee house night.” The guests were treated to form, and then they “covers”, or artists own delicious coffee, a pleasant vibe interpretations of famous songs, start talking about and a great lineup, including artists such as “Home” first made seniors Hilly Rubin and Cameryn your music to other famous by Philip Philips and Miller, junior David Stewart, a band sung by Stewart that night. people. called “Black Panthers” and locals Events like these not only cameryn miller please the people attending Kallen Henning and Chris Ryan. Each artist brought a unique style, but provide young artists’ with together creating a laid back, yet powerful mood for a medium through which they can share their the crowd to indulge in after a long day. work with the public and gain recognition. Many Carlsbad locals showed up to hear the Here, they can show their talent to the world musicians, cheer on their friends and family, and and create a fan base for their upcoming works. simply enjoy the night. The Stuarts decorated their Artists range from those who are just getting house with vibrant lights that led from the front their singing career to a start, to those with an door to the stage where the lyrics flowed. The iTunes career selling their songs and to those people invited seated themselves on the couch and who even have their CDs out on the market. floor, while the artists performed in a corner of the “It’s good publicity. People see you perform, living room lit up by Christmas lights hanging from and then they start talking about your music to the ceiling. other people,” Miller said. “And then other small “Really for me, the whole point of the show is to gigs come up and more and more people will have very little structure,” Rachel Stuart said. start hearing about you.” The Coffee House night created a safe, The publicity of artists ranged widely at
vlad korobkin
W
the Coffee House night. Some, like the “Black Panther” were local musicians, just doing it for entertainment; others were like Stewart, who just began receiving attention and creating music albums. Others however were similar to Rubin and Ryan who already began full artistic careers with regular gigs. “We want to thank Rachel Stuart for putting on this great event,” Black Panther said. Overall, this event benefited both the guests and the artists. The guests enjoyed two hours of great music and social interaction while the musicians spread word of themselves and their talents.
“
”
Want to be famous? Follow this recipe: 1. Have talent 2. Publicize on social networks. 3. Record covers and originals 4. Get known by the public 5. Give away music for free 6. Display music on iTunes for people to buy 7. Get a friend/ manager to help
photo by julius koch Cameryn Miller performs her songs as the audience license to and films her performance. She sang her original songs and at the end a cover song first sung by Lennon.
8. Bask in the public’s love and admiration
arts & entertainment 19
lancer express, volume 26, issue 4
photos by seannie bryan Left: Sound Express rehearses their set the night before their first competition. Through their 17-minute performance, they tell a story of animals who want to become humans. Once human, however, they decide they liked being animals better, so they change back into animals again. Above: Junior Courtney Carterette strikes a move in her animal costume as she sings along with her group.
CHS choir vs. “Glee”
The rundown on the reality of choir
alex gnibus
editor-in-chief
M
any CHS students watch the popular TV show “Glee.” And if they don’t watch it, they’ve heard of it. A national phenomenon, “Glee” first won the hearts of teen audiences in 2009 with its plot following the trials and tribulations of a high school show choir. With pop song covers and impromptu dance numbers, “Glee” makes show choir quite the show. So what does “Glee” have to do with CHS? Well, we have a choir of our own. Actually, we have four. And they put “Glee’s” choir to shame. Sound Express, the Chamber Singers, Encore and Lancer Choir are each a part of the choir department at CHS. Sound Express is CHS’ varsity show choir, which means they don’t just sing--they dance, competing every year against other schools’ show choirs. So out of the four choirs here at Carlsbad, Sound Express is the one that can be most closely compared to “Glee.” But the members will tell you differently. “It’s absolutely nothing like ‘Glee.’ ‘Glee’ is unrealistic about what choir’s really like,” senior Rachel Stuart said, who does tech for Sound Express. “It’s not just about getting in a poofy dress and dancing around in character shoes. You have to tell a story with your face, your body, your lyrics, your tone.” One thing our choir does share in common with “Glee,” though, is the rivalry with other choirs at competitions. Carlsbad High’s main rival, according to Sound Express president Charlie Capps, is Hart High School. “Last year, when we were at our first competition, a few guys from Hart just walked up to us and said something like, ‘Oh, you don’t even
have to perform, we know we’re going to win.’” Capps said. “We were just like, ‘All right,’ and then we ended up winning the competition and beating them. It was awesome.” Along with competition with other high schools comes secretive precautions. The choir members wait to unveil their song set until their first competition.
not just about getting “inIt'spoofy dress and dancing
around in character shoes. You have to tell a story with your face, your body, your lyrics, your tone.
”
Rachel Stuart
senior
“We just make it a surprise,” Capps said. “It’s much better that way. It’s like, ‘Just wait and see what we have.’” The songs that Sound Express uses in their set range from pop (like Ke$ha’s “Animal”) to rock (Muse’s “Uprising”). They perform six songs in one 17-minute-long performance. Along with the modern music comes modern dance moves. Sound Express’ choreographer, Carrie Smith, formerly choreographed for the Lancer Dancers. But there’s more that goes into Sound Express than singing and dancing. It may be a choir, but another thing “Glee” doesn’t show is the behindthe-scenes work done by the people who don’t perform onstage (ever wondered how “Glee” conveniently has backup musicians and set pieces for everything?). Sound Express has a tech crew
that does everything necessary to ensure that the performers look and sound good. “At a competition, we have 10 minutes to set everything up,” Stuart said. “This year our set has ladders and 18-foot columns.” One last thing that “Glee” omits might be the most important: “Glee” covers choir, but only one kind of choir. Here at CHS we have not only show choirs, but chamber choir. Our varsity-level chamber choir here is called the Chamber Singers. Like Sound Express, it’s an advanced, coed choir. But the similarities end there. ”You really can’t compare them. Musically, they’re so different,” Stuart said, who is also an officer of Chamber Singers in addition to her tech work for Sound Express. “We do move and groove to some songs, but for most, we gotta just bust out the facials.” The Chamber Singers don’t dance, and they don’t compete; rather, they perform at festivals and get evaluated. But their way of performing, although different, has just as much of an impact. “You have to show more while doing less,” Stuart said. “The entertainment value isn’t any lower, it’s just that the focus is different. It’s about the sound. It’s about the acoustics.” Not only is their performance style different, but their music, too. The Chamber Singers sing classical, traditional choir music. Because they often sing songs in foreign languages, it make it all the more important for the Chamber Singers to perform with their faces, since they can’t use their bodies— something else not seen in “Glee”. All things considered, “Glee” is a great show. But there’s more to choir than what’s on the TV screen. The choir program here at CHS is one that deserves the student attention that “Glee” gets. So for all you “Glee” fans, you can continue to watch and enjoy the show as much as you want— just remember that it isn’t a reality show.
sports
lancer express, volume 26, issue 4
21
Torn ligaments ruin Freeman’s basketball career shannon casey editor-in-chief
T
he ball is out of her court now. But it has not always been this way. Junior Khyla Freeman starts on the varsity basketball team, holds two individual school records for track and competed in the Junior Olympics for track last summer. Freeman has all the makings of a successful athlete; however, the course of her career as a high school athlete changed last month when Freeman sustained an injury that places her on the bench for the remaining month of basketball season. In the opening game of a tournament Jan. 2, Freeman tore both her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL). Such an injury requires months of rehabilitation, surgery and healing using time Freeman does not necessarily have. As a junior, Freeman hoped to use this season to develop as an athlete and acquire scholarships for college. Unfortunately, Freeman must place her own wishes on the back burner as she tends to the injury that ended her high school basketball career. Lancer Express: How did you tear your ligaments? Khyla Freeman: I went up to block a shot, and when we came down, my knee popped sideways and then backwards. I tore my ACL and my MCL. LE: What does tearing your ACL/MCL mean? KF: Tearing [your ACL] means that you lose the stability front-andback in your knee. That means when you stop, your knee is unstable—you’re not able to stop well. And with the MCL, you lose stability back-andforth. So when you try to cut or something, you’ll move, but it won’t be stable. LE: How did you feel when you hit the ground? KF: At that point, I was experiencing a lot of pain— the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life. Also, I was thinking ‘well, what did I do?’ I heard a ‘pop,’ too. ‘What did I do, is my leg bent outwards, how long am I going to be out, if I was going to able to run track my second sport’—stuff like that. LE: What is it like to watch your teammates playing without you? KF: It’s tough to watch and not be able to help your team, but I’m not mad or anything because I’ve already accepted the fact that I won’t be able to play for the rest of the season. It’s nice to cheer them on, and I like to attend all practices and games if I can.
LE: How did this affect you emotionally? KF: In the beginning, I have to admit I was pretty messed up mentally. My track season was coming up and that was a big deal. That was supposed to be my scholarship opportunity, so I was not sure if I was going to be able to run based on this. So I guess in the beginning it was really hard to handle or accept. I’m willing to work hard and do physical therapy and everything to get it back to normal. I know that I’m only a junior, so I have my senior year, too, so that helps me get through it. LE: What is the prognosis for the near future? KF: We don’t have a real prognosis for track, but right now I am trying to run [track season] without surgery. That means I probably won’t be able to run the 200m; I’ll only run the 100m, because it is straight running, which puts less torque on your knee. The doctor said that I can run as long as I’m okay on it because it’s obviously going to feel different than having a stable knee. But they did say I can run and try that out, so I’m going through physical therapy to get my leg stronger. I should know by February if I can or not. I’m very determined to try, because this is a big thing for me. LE: What is the worst case scenario? KF: Worst case scenario, it doesn’t work out for track, I get surgery right away— so February—and I am out for about six months after. I wouldn’t be doing basketball anymore--but actually, that’s a guarantee—and I would run track indoor during basketball season. LE: And the best case scenario? KF: The best case scenario is that I do run track, and I do really well. Then I would have my surgery, do my rehab and then be back again for next track season. LE: In general, how would you describe your outlook on this injury? KF: It’s a positive one. If I spend my days thinking about how ‘oh, this is a drag,’ it ruins my outlook on improving. I’m more positive than I’ve ever been towards this injury, because I can’t afford to have a negative attitude. I am going to have to work twice as hard as everyone else to try to get through it. LE: What injuries have you had in the past? KF: In my right knee, I had tendinitis in my patella tendon. But that’s avoidable, especially if you strengthen the surrounding muscles. I’ve strained my calf muscle, and I’ve strained my hip flexor. Before this, those were the only three serious injuries I’ve had.” LE: What does this mean for your future as an athlete? KF: Really it just means that this is a battle that most people don’t have to face when they play sports. In the end, it will just make me stronger mentally and physically. They say after surgery your knee becomes stronger than it ever has been in the past. It should be a huge benefit in the end. LE: So surgery is inevitable? KF: If I want to continue to do sports, I have to have it. LE: Do you plan on playing sports in college? KF: Yes, I do. I plan on running track. LE: Anywhere you are looking at? KF: Not yet, still undecided...but probably somewhere on the East coast. LE: Beyond college, do you plan on running professionally? KF: I’ll probably run in an adult league, but I’ll do that with a job as well. I kind of want to do something else. LE: What is that something else? KF: I want to be a sports trainer, so doing specific training with athletes. My dad and his best friend both do that, and I always thought it was a cool thing to do. LE: If that was something you were already wanting to do, how does this injury change your outlook on that? KF: That will probably help me relate to other athletes because a lot of athletes have had similar situations. I’ll have words of wisdom to give them if they are recovering or playing sports at a high caliber level.
What are the ACL and MCL? runs along inside of the knee ACL: Location: Purpose: prevents the knee from bending out Effect of Tearing: the only ligament that cannot grow back once it is torn, causes damage to the ligament, impact depends upon the athletes determination towards rehabilitation but generally causes athlete to have less strength or ability to absorb impact
MCL:
Location: middle of the knee Purpose: prevents shin bone from sliding out in front of the thigh bone Effect of Tearing: causes the outside of the knee to buckle and the inside to widen, symptoms vary from minimal pain, swelling, and the inability to bend the knee (injury usually graded on a scale of I to III)
22sports
february 2013
Boys freshman soccer kicks down the competition with impressive season eric hammond staff writer
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verlooked and underrated, the boys freshman soccer team surprises viewers this season with their ability to work as a team in unison. The freshman team has excelled this year, delivering victory after victory. With a successful season of 12-1-0, the freshman team never ceases to impress. Their most notable win was an 11-0 triumph over San Dieguito Academy. Contrary to popular belief, a freshman game can be just as entertaining as another game by varsity or JV. “We are just as intense as the other teams. It’s worth it for us to always play for that big ‘W’. We just love getting those wins,” freshman Matthew Short said. One thing that is essential for any team sport is communication and teamwork. Fortunately, this is a field in which the freshman team excels. “We work so well together, and we’re constantly communicating. That’s what makes us a good team,” freshman Nils Methot said. Another important thing about having chemistry on the soccer field is having it outside of the field. “Not only are we friends on the soccer field, we are also friends outside of the field, which really helps us work together,” Short said. Any sport requires a significant amount of time and commitment to play. Most people might not realize that the freshman team has a busy practice schedule, with a normal total of four three-hour practices a week. “Soccer all the time... wake up, there’s soccer. Go to bed, and there is still soccer,” Short said. With their determination and hard work in game preparation, their effort pays off not only for them,
photo by jared cohn Freshman Matthew Short prepares for a throw in. The team has had an impressive record of 12-1-0, with their only loss to Rancho Buena Vista High School.
but also for an overly impressed audience. “I’ve never really watched a soccer game before, let alone a freshman game. But I can say I was genuinely impressed with the effort that the players put into the game. It was a lot of fun to watch them working so hard,” junior Tyler Bradley said. Another vital aspect to achieving success is a passionate and inspirational coach. Thanks to the insightful coaching by the engaged and animated coach Vincente Tamayo, players have a leader willing to escape the boundaries of just ‘coaching’. “He is very supportive. He is the perfect example of a good coach, because he also cares about our school life,” Short said. “ He wants us to succeed on the field as well as off the field. He is always pushing the boundary in a positive way.”
“We are just as intense as the
other teams. It's worth it for us to always play for that big 'W'. We just love getting those wins. matthew short
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Tamayo shows his concern for the students both on and off the field, ensuring that they do well in school. “I respect him so much for making school come first. He understands that we need to focus on education, not just on sports,” Methot said. With hard work, dedication and teamwork, the boys freshman soccer team displays just what a younger team is capable of achieving. With their victorious season, they have also showed that you don’t have to be big to be strong.
photo by jared cohn Freshman Giovanni Gonzales fights for the ball against an enemy player. The defense of the freshman players have allowed them to minimize goals.
Upcoming Boys Freshman Soccer Games
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sports highlights 23
lancer express, volume 26, issue 4
Winter sports strive to win league championships Varsity squads prep for CIF playoffs robert sweeney staff writer
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ll of the winter sports are now in full gear, with many sports also in their regular season league play. From the freshman to varsity levels, teams have endured months of preparation to shoot for their league crowns, and higher seeds in the CIF playoffs for varsity sports. Boys freshman soccer looks to impress their JV and varsity teammates, while girls
varsity soccer seeks another league title. Girls varsity water polo aims to repeat as league and CIF champions, while boys varsity basketball hopes to make a deep playoff run. Although freshman and JV may only win bragging rights, they prove to the school that their respective sport’s future is promising.
Senior Kat Padgett takes a shot in the first half of a league game against Rancho Buena Vista at the CHS stadium. The Longhorns would fall to the Lancers 3-1. Captained by senior Toni Duggan, senior Danni Zombolas, senior Caroline Muoio and Padgett, the squad boasts an undefeated 6-0 league record, with an overall total of 9-2-5. The team hopes to match its CIF-winning season last year. With only five seniors, the program shows high potential for the upcoming seasons. photo by sierra gompers
photo by seannie bryan Senior Makena Magro lines up to win the sprint against Coronado High School to win her team the first possession of the game. The Lancers would go on to win the game 6-3. Lexie Domingo, Magro and junior sister Malia Magro, have led the team to a league record of 6-0, and an overall record of 17-8. Striving to defend their CIF title won last year, the team boasts 10 seniors in hopes of repeating as champions for a final farewell.
Senior Robert Reddick drives to the basket against a La Costa Canyon defender in the second quarter of a varsity home game on Jan. 25 at the Lancer Arena. The Mavs would prevail in a 55-49 win. The squad enters the home stretch of their league play with an overall record of 14-10, and a league record of 4-2. Led by Reddick and seven other seniors, the Lancers look to surprise many in their final league games and in the CIF playoffs.
photo by jared cohn
photo by seannie bryan
Freshman Jose Gonzalez takes a free kick during the first half of a league game at Ranch Buena Vista High school. The Lancers would defeat the Longhorns by a score of 4-0. Captained by midfielders Jake McMahon and Kyle Manwaring, the team is off to a 13-1 start, along with a 5-1 league record, a lone loss to LCC. Taylor Moore leads the team in goals, while defenders Preston Snyder and Kevin Herrera shut down their opponents.
24photojournalism
february 2013
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All roads lead to Florida seannie bryan photo editor
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hen preparing for this year’s National Dance Team Competition in Orlando, Flor., the Lancer Dancers and Xcalibur both had the pressure of maintaining their status in the world of high school dance teams. As defending champions, the Lancer Dancers have set the standard for years, winning titles in both jazz and hip-hop. They have donned the signature white jacket symbol of success upon returning to CHS in years past, sweeping the competition with their dance skills. Xcalibur, too, has a reputation in the dance world, especially since they began competing at Nationals in Florida only last year in the JV division and won titles in both jazz and pom. This year, both teams came home succesful, with the Lancer Dancers taking second in Hip-hop and fourth in Jazz, an accomplishment especially since this was their first year competing in the Large group category. Xcalibur placed second in the Jazz category and third in Pom. Congratulations to both teams.
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5. 1. The Lancer Dancers showed off their routine in the Hip Hop category during the Friends and Family performance. With a packed gym filled with camera flashes and cheers at the swelling moments of the song, the dancers put all their energy into the dance and were fueled by the suuport of the crowd. 2. The brand new marquee outside bids the ladies farewell as they leave. 3. Seniors Kaitlin Mazzocco and Emma Stringer prepare to board the bus as Xcalibur leaves for LA and later Florida for the UDA Nationals. 4. Coach Laura Nares cheers on Lancer Dancers as they complete their Hip Hop routine for Friends & Family. 5. The Xcalibur dance team suits up in footie pajamas in a show of team unity as they cheer on Lancer Dancers at the Friends and Family performance. 6. Junior Taylor Kullman is met with a congratulatory hug from former Lancer Dancer Juli Yamanaka. 7. Before leaving for Nationals, Katie Park, Captain of Lancer Dancers and Kaitlin Mazzocco of Xcalibur appeared on CHSTV.