Lancer Express by Lancer Express

THE

LANCER

EXPRESS The Science of

Humor

carlsbad high school carlsbad, ca january 2015 volume 28, issue 3

The Lancer Express

CONTENTS 24

25 NEWS 3 4 5 6

News briefs Conventions CA drought Spanish class

A&E

23 Video game humor 24 Lani Masamoto 25 Improv

Op/Ed

SPORTS

FEATURES

PHOTO

12 Cover story 19 Internet censorship 20 Healthy new year

29 Journalistic January

7 Editorial 8 Freedom of creativity 9 Power of the cell phone 10 “Just Kidding” 11 Comedy in news

26 Male gymnasts 27 Track club 28 Ryan Brent

Lancer Express would like to thank its generous 2014-2015 donors!

Gold:

Kumon Carsbad North

Purple:

Doug & Robin Casey Nestor & Marisela Cortez Dantee Associates Wilson & Maria Cortez Ron &Karen Thomas David & Karen Moore

White:

Edna North Mike & Susan Fraijo

Intro:

Judy Giles David Westman Chuck Blish Judy Blish Heather Schools Laura Gordon Robin Tarr Susan Shanzer Debbie Fitzpatrick Jessica Rocha Gregory & Miyoko Duran Margret Moore Elliot & Dagne Trommald Katherine Kennedy

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

Knock, knock.

Who’s there? W

hat makes you laugh? Everybody has something that can make them roar with laughter until tears

are rolling down their face and their stomach hurts. Whether that includes satirical literature, classic knock knock jokes or memes of your favorite vines, our brains are uniquely and individually programmed to find things funny. Whatever makes you laugh is great, and so are you. In this issue, we explore humor… if you couldn’t already tell from the eight pictures of laughing teenagers on the cover. Last issue was pretty intense, as we talked about the broad concept of respect. We covered everything from leaving trash on campus to rape culture. Well, this month, we’re brightening things up. Quite literally. Last week, camera flashes lit up the journalism room as we attempted to capture genuine happiness of the faces of our peers, as seen in the cover story. After sending out passes to some cute folks during lunch and fifth period, our cover models slowly filed into the classroom. One by one, they were shown a humorous video and reacted accordingly. Their adorable faces were enough to make all of us on staff crack up, no matter how many times we had already watched the video, reminding of us how contagious laughter is. So, we hope while reading through our lighthearted issue you can sit with your friends and enjoy a good laugh. Even write to us about what was comedic fire, and what fizzled out! We know we’re hilarious (sarcasm...possibly) but don’t forget to remind us. Just remember: laughter is the best medicine. So invigorate your four humors, and even more importantly your sense of humor, and read up on every little thing that makes you laugh.

Want to see the video that all of our beautiful cover models were laughing at? Meet Pancho :) (note: no Chihuahuas were harmed in the making of this video)

Madison McMurray, Editor-in-Chief

Olivia Langen, Section Editor

Natalie Cortez, Managing Editor

Tyra Wu, Section Editor

Chloe Young, Section Editor

The Lancer Express is written and edited by the students of the Advanced Journalism class. All content and editorial decisions are made by the student editorial board. Opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire staff, Carlsbad High School or the Carlsbad Unified School District. As a public forum for student expression, Lancer Express welcomes letters to the editor but reserves the right to refuse inappropriate or anonymous letters. Both sides of any issue are welcome here. Letters must be directed to room 3104 to the editor-in-chief or by email to chslancerexpress@gmail.com. Letters may be edited for grammar and/or length.

letter from the editors

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Jarrettâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Next stop, Cal State.

Where can we take you? After completing their studies at MiraCosta College, students transfer to great four-year institutions like Cornell, MIT, various Cal State campuses and UC San Diego. At just $46/credit, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford not to enroll at MiraCosta College! Learn more at miracosta.edu/nextstop. 2

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Connec t with us.

News Briefs by Chloe Young

AirAsia recovers missing black boxes

Lockdown issued over shooting threat at CHS

ndonesian divers have retrieved two of the flight data recorders (black boxes) of crashed AirAsia flight QZ8501. The flight disappeared in bad weather on Dec. 28 with 162 people on board. The aircraft, which was flying from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore, debris from the plane has been found in the Java Sea. Dozens of bodies have been recovered but most of the victims are believed to still be inside the fuselage which has not been found. Vital information will be gathered from the black boxes, such as conditions of the engine, what pilots were doing and whether the flight stalled. Authorities hope the information found can put all the pieces together that will determine the cause of the crash and give closure to the family of the victims.

n online shooting threat prompted a campus-wide lockdown on Jan. 5 as police searched for the potential attacker. This precautionary security measure went into effect at approximately 10 a.m., according to school district officials. Students were held in their secured classrooms for almost two hours as officers began to investigate the threat. As an extra precaution, the school was closed on Tuesday. Two days later, Carlsbad police arrested a 15-year-old female CHS student on suspicion of posting the threat. Police, aided by the FBI, arrested the girl at her home and investigators had worked with the Internet Crimes Against Children task force to track down the post itself. Police did not find any indication that the teen had the intent or the means to follow through with the threat.

New Carlsbad sign in the village

photo by Jordan Waits

he brand new Carlsbad sign made a great addition to the village when it was put up on Dec. 30 and was nicely showcased during the lighting ceremony on Jan. 8. The sign itself is approximately 82 feet across and stands 29 feet tall. It was funded by the TaylorMade Golf Company, with the construction and installation having cost approximately $225,000. The project was the brainchild of Carlton Lund, a real estate agent and former chairman of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. He said he got the idea 14 years ago when he attended the dedication of the Encinitas’ gateway sign. Lund also hopes people will help pay for the sign’s maintenance and electricity by dropping donations in a “kindness meter” that will be installed nearby. Go check it out; the new sign makes for a great photo opp.

Three famous names who might run for Senate in California

eteran Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer announced her retirement, leaving California with an open Senate seat in 2016 – the first time in more than two decades. Not surprisingly, rumors are already starting to circulate about Golden State political figures who are likely to make a run for it: Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, California Attorney General Kamala Harris, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer to name just a few. However, in a state that is more known for Silicon Valley and Hollywood, it is unsurprising that some other famous Californian names are also being thrown into the mix.

George Clooney

He’s one of Hollywood’s leading men, but politics run in his blood. Clooney’s father ran for Congress in 2004 and Ancerstry.com claims he’s distantly related to Abraham Lincoln. Clooney is also a noted Obama-friend and Democrat. According to the actor’s aunt, Clooney plans to enter politics with the help of his new wife, lawyer Amal Alamuddin.

Mark Zuckerberg

This FaceBook founder has more than a few political connections. He formed a political campaign group focused on immigration reform, but his political status has been foggy. He once threw a fundraiser for Republican Gov. Chris Christie but has also dined with and hosted a town hall meeting with President Obama.

Clint Eastwood

Any Republican who runs will face an uphill battle in deep blue California, but this cowboy already has a political resume. He was once mayor of the small town of Carmel, California back in the 1980’s. More recently, he spoke (infamously) at the 2012 Republican National Convention. George H. W. Bush even seriously considered Eastwood as a running mate.

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Riding the Coaster to an Inclusive Community by Lexi Schools

s the new year convention season swings around, visitors from all around the world gather in hotels and courtyards in Southern California to celebrate their hobbies, make new friends and show off their creativity. Southern California is one of the biggest convention hubs of America, hosting ComicCon, and just recently, Anime Los Angeles. Anime Los Angeles takes place in one small area, packed full of people with varied interests, a popular first-time convention for young fans. “Anime Los Angeles is my favorite convention and I work there. It takes place in a hotel, with hundreds, thousands of people there,” senior Lia Drelleshak said. “And everyone’s just so close together, literally, and the staff is so amazing. You meet so many people.” Each convention seems to have some sort of focus to it, like Anime or comics, but in reality, conventions today create a new, diverse atmosphere, completely different from a limited audience of geeks and nerds with their own little cliques. “At lots of cons you can meet celebrities. I got to see the entire cast of “Orphan Black” at Comic-Con, and there are always a few special guests, like voice actors, at Anime Los Angeles too,” junior Fiona Cisternas said. While the average “Star Wars” geek shows up every now and then, conventions have recently been dominated by fanbases from all different types of media. “Cons are very diverse. There’s a lot of different people. You can see people dressed from video games to super heroes,” junior Hanna Croft said. “I’ve seen people dressed up as Elsa from “Frozen.” At Comic-Con last year they had a whole ‘Walking Dead’ theme.” Compared to the past, today’s conventions are more inclusive and publicized. Conventions in Southern California remain a focus of the press no matter the time of year and attract hundreds of different types of people. “The best convention I’ve ever attended is Anime Los Angeles. It’s attended by a really fun community of photographers and cosplayers,

“My first Comic-Con I got lost. I was terrified. But I found a makeup artist from the show “Face-Off ” and we talked for a really long time and he was really cool, so that made me feel a lot more confident about being by myself.” - Hannah Croft, 11 “At lots of cons you can meet celebrities -I got to see the entire cast of “Orphan Black” at Comic-Con -- and there are always a few special guests, like voice actors, at Anime Los Angeles, too.” - Fiona Cisternas, 11

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photo courtesy of Chel Curtis Cosplayers pose in their costumes at San Diego Comic-Con 2014 for a photoshoot for the video game BioShock. Some cosplay costumes, like the one in the front, can take many weeks and hundreds of dollars to create.

and everyone is super friendly,” Cisternas said. “People are always welcoming, and there are big gatherings for fans of specific shows.” Friendly people and environments turned a cult of geeks into a bustling center for artists and fans—a one-of-a-kind experience with something to offer to all ages. The fans and artists often collide in conventions, a gathering of creative minds which leads to competition; who can make the coolest costume, who can have the most fun with cosplaying? “Seeing the costumes is amazing. There’s so many hours, days of work. It is blood sweat and tears and lack of sleep all the way through.” Drelleshak said. The works of art people dedicate months

“Nothing was going right for me one day. I think I even lost something, and I went to get an autograph from Adam West. So I walk up, but before he signs it he looks up at me. He had his wife with him and he taps her arm and goes, ‘what a beaut!’. That made me feel so amazing because I felt like I looked so awful and my day was going terrible, and Adam West tells me I’m beautiful.” - Lia Drelleshak, 12

for, making poseable wings, realistic armor out of household materials, intricate dresses and replicas, all contribute to magnificent convention experiences. Southern Californians have the privilege of living in close proximity to some of the biggest conventions in America, the experience of a lifetime even for those with no experience. “Even if you don’t know anything about that event or fanbase, people talk about everything,” Drelleshak said. “‘Hey, how are you? How’s your dog?’—you know? Everyone’s so welcoming and friendly. You just walk up to strangers and have conversations for no reason and it’s fantastic.”

“At ALA I was swimming in the pool dressed as a mermaid. My friend and I were in the deep end when a Godzilla tromped out of the lower floor of the hotel with a caravan of people taking photos behind them. They hopped into the shallow end of the pool and we decided to swim over and the people started taking pictures of us. We surrounded the Godzilla and they attacked. We swam around and splashed them until they were driven back to the steps and it was a victory for the mermaids! It was really funny, people were hooting and hollering from all around the pool.” - Angela Mora, 10

Convention Stories

No doubt, there’s a drought by Reece Bryan and Jason Polk

lthough California’s reservoirs hold only 40 percent of their full capacity right now, many Carlsbad residents have not yet recognized the serious threat of the extreme drought California currently faces. 2014 went on record as one of the driest years in the states history. To put this in perspective, California would need 11 trillion gallons of water to fully recover from the current water shortage. “The government really needs to start enforcing the water regulations so people understand that they can’t continue wasting water at the rate we have,” senior Kellar Moore said. “It is really difficult to catch people doing it, but they have to at least put some effort into enforcing the laws.” Yet the problem of enforcing the laws still remains. Some people believe in more government oversight, while others want the state to stay out of the way. “Yeah I agree that we waste way too much water, but we should be trusted with regulating how much water we use,” senior Nick Poser said. While it may seem like a nuisance for many, part of living in Southern California is adapting to the arid climate. The city of Carlsbad makes a point to conserve water by setting both times and dates residents can water their yard. Residents may now only water three days a week, for ten minutes, between the times of 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. While some residents continue to struggle against these new enforcements, others take a more alternative and green route. “I have had my backyard completely AstroTurf for a while now, but just recently

we changed our front yard to desert plants and rocks,” Moore said. “Now we don’t have to water at all, saving both money and helping the environment.” However, the state continues to combat the water shortage. Finally, after 12 years of planning and sitting in the review process for six more years, the government has passed the construction of a new desalination plant, which will collect sea water and remove the salt from it to produce fresh, clean water. The plant hopes to provide Carlsbad and other San Diego cities with a drought proof supply of water. This plant will provide residents with a self-reliant and consistent source of clean water, no matter the weather pattern. However, there are some downsides to this new technology. “It will make a lot of water, at a very high cost, the water is projected to cost more than twice as much as the water we pay for now,” science teacher Mr. Rauscher said. “And all that energy is going to exacerbate greenhouse gases because that’s how the energy is made.” There is no doubt Southern California is running low on water. Municipalities are enacting legislation to control water usage, residents are conserving more, making passive design alterations and even building a desalination plant to provide clean water to San Diego residents. With these improvements it looks as if things will work in mother earth’s favor. “I believe if we put our green efforts together to reduce water usage,” senior Gabby Chung said, “we will be able to pull through together as a city and set a good course for water conservation.”

“It will take about 11 trillion gallons of water to recover from California’s continuing drought.”

“The 2014 snowpack was one of the three lowest on record and the worst since 1977.”

“Since 2011, the Sacramento and San Joaquin river basins decreased in volume by 4 trillion gallons each year.”

science.nasa.gov n ew s

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Aprendiendo Español a Través de Los Años

by Lucy Zheng

ola! Cómo estás? This is just one of the many phrases students first learn in the Spanish classes here at Carlsbad High School. Living in a city so close to the Mexican border, knowledge of the Spanish culture and language offers a big bonus in jobhunting and daily life. This year, Señora Beckstrom and her period three, Spanish two class took a field trip over to Magnolia Elementary to read their homemade Spanish books to a class of kindergartners. “I do this project every year and usually the students just present to the class, but this year, the ASL teacher, Mrs. Large gave me the idea of reading to the kindergartners and so I called Mrs. Cooper at Magnolia elementary and set the date,” Spanish teacher Señora Beckstrom said. Although this may just seem like a fun event only for the kindergartners, the high school students also found this project both enjoyable and an extraordinary educational experience. “It was definitely a fun learning experience, especially since it wasn’t just one of those project that you go home, do the project, come to school and turn it in,” sophomore Chad Hamner said. “For this project, you actually got to look forward to something and you actually got to participate in something, which—for me— helps a lot with learning.” As stated in an article by Cornell University, early exposure to a language produces more benefits than exposing children to language later on in life. When the brain is still developing, it can soak in more knowledge while surrounded by new ideas. With this early language

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exposure, they recognize and memorize details and sounds more elaborately. This explains why you still remember your favorite childhood show’s theme song even if you haven’t watched the show in a long time. Having a good role model and a positive inspiration around children appears very important. “In high-school, you’re expected to do a lot like be role models to the younger crowd. Usually you hear this when you do a sport but it also applies to education. Like these littles kids are looking up to you,” Hamner said. Señora Beckstrom is known for her interactive class activities like making the students stand and sing Spanish grammar songs and doing partner activities. After teaching Spanish for five years, Señora Beckstrom has learned a great deal herself on teaching strategies that keep students alert and learning. “Of course I have to make sure my students get their written practice in, but I like to change things up and play games, sing songs, and do partner activities just so they’re not just listening to me talk. I like to include variety in the way I teach so my students get a change in pace while learning.” Señora Beckstrom said. Due to her engaging style of teaching, many students find her classes enjoyable. Sophomore Julia Silvestri has a full schedule filled with timeconsuming classes and sports. Like most students,

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sitting in a classroom for two hours listening to a teacher talk without an alternative is not in her agenda. “Mrs. Beckstrom always has us do stand up activities like singing Spanish grammar songs, and as much as we might be embarrassed to sing it at the top of our lungs, its still a really fun activity and it helps me memorize topics a lot easier.” Silvestri said. Although these are just little kids, reading to a younger crowd, especially in a different language can be very intimidating at times. “As little and as cute as they were, it was definitely pretty intimidating to read to a group of young kindergartners because you never know what they might say about your writing or how good or bad the pictures are,” sophomore August Pearson said. Overall, Señora Beckstrom’s students had educational yet enjoyable field trip. By creating these storybooks, her students not only learned how to deal with kindergarten children but also expanded their Spanish vocabulary. “ My favorite part about doing this project was probably after finishing reading the book, they said everything they liked about the book,” Pearson said. “They asked for me to re-tell them what a certain word meant and it made me feel really good that they were invested in my book and wanted to know more, rather than being bored. It made me feel good that I taught them something new.”

Satirical publications have the right to excerise their rights editorial board

n light of the attack on the satirical news magazine, “Charlie Hebdo”, it is time to address the controversy of satirical publications themselves. In France, the Press Law of 1881 cements freedom of the press as the 1st Amendment does for the United States. Now, satire is defined as the use of humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices and prompt them towards change. Yet what qualifies as a dumb article to one person may seem ingenious to another. Satirical writing has an inevitable bias; in order to communicate through sarcasm or exaggeration, the writer must have a strong viewpoint. You know what you are getting into when you open up a satirical newspaper or magazine. Millions of Americans have seen at least one article published by The Onion, America’s most popular online satirical newspaper. A similar publication located in England is called The Daily Mash. They both have written stories which criticize anything from pop culture to terrorist groups, and they receive a confusing array of feedback. We’ve all felt the second-hand embarrassment when a Facebook friend mistakes an article from The Onion to be as credible as CNN. However, many see past the initial shock of sarcasm and can look

Do they take freedom of speech and the press too far? at the underlying messages. Such feedback is the purpose of satirical publications. The publications aim to stimulate different reactions out of people and get you thinking on topics that you had not considered before. Sometimes these satirical publications elicit more than a lively debate. They often receive insults, even threats, from those who strongly oppose what they are doing. When faced with any contrasting opinion, these writers rarely back down due to their journalistic nature. The recent “Charlie Hebdo” attack exemplifies these satire journalists’ resilient nature. On Jan. 7, gunmen attacked the French satire magazine “Charlie Hebdo” in Paris and killed 12 people, after the publication of a satirical portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad. Following the incident, numerous celebrities and public figures helped to ignite the “Je suis Charlie” movement, standing by the attack victims and aiming to protect freedom of speech. The terrorist attack sparked another movement called “Je suis Ahmed,” referring to a 42-year-old officer killed in the attack, who happened to be Muslim. As with most attacks by religious extremists, many ignorant people turn to blame the religion in its entirety. However, this incident was solely enacted by Al-Qaeda, and the attack on “Charlie Hebdo”

was “years in the making.” To blame the entire religion of Islam for terrorism is nonsensical. The terrorist attack was a cruel tragedy, and violence of this level should not be condoned. “Charlie Hebdo’s” controversial depiction of Prophet Muhammad, although it was unwarranted, in no way justifies the killing of 12 people. Surprisingly, Pope Francis made an announcement suggesting that the attack was justified. When asked, he claimed, “It’s true that we can’t react violently, but, for example if [my aid] Dr. Gasbarri here, a great friend of mine, says a curse word against my mother, then a punch awaits him.” In a later statement, he rejected the comment saying that it was not his intention to condone the violent attack against “Charlie Hebdo”. Still, this brings about a much more serious question of the limits of satire, and at what point these sarcastic cartoons cross the line. We must never disregard freedom of speech and the press. Satirical publications exercise these rights at their own will. They know what they are getting into and should be shown respect for their strength. Among political unrest, it is important to exercise the right to freedom of speech in order to show solidarity.

editorial

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by Colton Spampinato

veryone knows how to follow instructions and waste time doing mindless work. Generally speaking, it is not hard getting through school with the very minimum amount of effort. The funny thing about using this method is that not only can you get through school, but it is not uncommon that you will excel exceptionally. When an assignment is given, we tend to put it off and then complete it for the sole purpose of receiving credit. When a test is going to be given, we study the practice test the night before. We all follow the same mindless formula for school up until the day we graduate. And the reason why we do this is because it works! This poses the question of whether this is due to the students, teachers, curriculum or maybe a little of all three. The students are the ones taking advantage of the formulaic school structure. However, if students are truly responsible for their education, the school should make it so we need to learn by using our own brains. Instead we learn how to graduate high school. There are flaws with the public education system. The biggest one being how we all follow a road map mimicking how other people approach work. School work should be approached individually through the power of our own creativity. To emphasize this individuality, schools should strive to give individual attention to every student. Classes should be built more on discussion to increase interest in subject material

instead of constant busy work. A great start to creating an open environment is a likable teacher and an accepting community. More appreciation for a teacher or subject could spark an interest into putting effort into your work. Likewise, a more comfortable setting would ease the minds of the students. Unfortunately, these circumstances do not fly with every class. So it is up to us to adapt, so we can reach our full potentials. The reason we should be more passionate about our school work is so we can grow into ourselves more. Doing work is different from doing something you love. If you put everything you have into everything you do, you will see how powerful your creative mind really is. Of course, school is not the only place to show off this creativity. Personal creativity can be obtained through your own passions and hobbies. One of the greatest things about living in this country is having the opportunity to express yourself in so many ways. Whether that hobby is music, film, drawing or maybe even mathematics. Whatever it is, work at it as much as you can. Everyone has their own talents, and everyone views the world a little differently. So express yourself in anyway possible. Personal creativity is a wonderful thing. As we begin to explore and use our own minds, we begin to learn in ways that are not conventionally covered in a school setting. Finding our passions and coming into ourselves is much more important than learning how to solve for x in a ridiculous equation without using a calculator. We all know that being a part of the real world will not include most of the things we learn and do in school, so helm your talents and cling to them.

It’s not JUST about selfies by Ali Martin

any people believe that teenagers just use their cell phones for social media and selfies. However, that’s not the case in classrooms. Often times, many teachers have a zero-tolerance policy regarding cell phone use in classrooms, since they assume their students are using them to take selfies or text their best friends. However, there is a simple adjustment teachers can make to ensure students are using phones for academic purposes. Harsher repercussions should be enforced for those students who choose to use their phones for recreational purposes like playing games. Trivia Crack is a personal favorite. We need to establish a strong sense of trust and respect with our teachers

if we want to use our phones to streamline those painfully long class assignments. Some teachers still have problems with their students’ infatuation with their phones. They find it distracting when phones ring during class and quickly become exasperated when students’ focus disappears. However, most of the time our phones are silent and most phone calls do not cause a disruption. Students appreciate it when teachers allow them to listen to their favorite tunes while they are doing classwork. The noise level is lowered and more students are focused on what they are doing. A 2005 study published in Psychology of Music found that people who listened to music while working had higher

productivity than those who didn't. It’s a win-win situation: students get to listen to Stairway To Heaven while teachers have no trouble putting A’s in the gradebook. Harmless, right? Smart phones provide valuable resources through apps and websites. Most of us use Hotmath as a go-to device for all of our algebraic difficulties. Textbooks now have virtual editions in app form. The Carlsbad High School app is very helpful in giving out important school information. Cell phones are not just for taking selfies; we use our phones to collaborate on school projects and record teachers’ notes. They are essentially computers in our pockets. With technology being incredibly expensive to provide in schools, smart phones are a handy

tool to use for school work, which actually pleases the school’s wallet. We can also be more organized with the help of our phones. Having your schedule with you wherever you go is a relief to busy people. Students in sports and extracurricular activities manage their time wisely by planning out their day through calendar apps. That way, someone with water polo practice, theater and work can organize when their history or english project is due. Cell phones are our daily companions. Therefore, the discrimination against cell phone usage in classrooms needs to be abolished. We must accept all forms of technology, since today’s innovations shape modern education.

opinion

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THIS ARTICLE IS REALLY BAD...

Just kidding

by Natallie Rocha

t all begins with a joke. Whether it be a sarcastic observation or a witty remark, poking fun at one another is a part of human nature. It’s a unique skill and when exercised correctly it can open doors to friendship, acceptance, even status. Yet, when a wise crack takes a turn for the worse, it exposes vulnerability on both ends. All too often, the phrases “no offense” or “just kidding” trail a dying joke in an effort to save the jokester’s skin. In a similar impulse response, most people will laugh it off and move on. Though many times, the people at the brunt of the joke feel the full impact of the statement. On the same note, if someone decides to question if the joker was really “just kidding”, they are

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greeted with a “geez can’t you take a joke” or “I didn’t actually mean it.” In many cases, the offender plays the victim as they try to salvage their “joke”. Beyond this, you possess even more insecurity as you begin to question what is really being teased. “Just Kidding” doesn’t cut it. People utter this common phrase countless times a day in conversation, but for what reason? It’s just a hollow add-on which offers no significance to any joke and usually does the opposite of lightening people’s spirits. The fact is, rays of truth lie behind every joke. But before “just kidding” even crosses your lips, the preceding joke is the reason for the issue at hand. Some examples of overused topics include, politics, race,

opinion

gender, idiosyncrasies, physical appearance and so on. Too many people abuse the phrase as a warrant to say whatever they think is funny. Whether at a national level or in a passing conversation, offensive jokes begin with ignorance and insensitivity towards the subject. We see it every day in the entertainment industry, especially with celebrities and comedians who use “it was only a joke” as a scapegoat after going too far. In the realm of comedy, it is all about being original and testing your boundaries. The question is, when do you cross the line? A particular gray area for humor lies within your circle of friends. Letting your guard down and laughing about anything makes it easy to forget what you actually

said. Although your friends understand your values and humor, it hurts even more when “I’m only joking” is said. The sign of a successful joke is laughter. Although finding the formula for a good joke can be tricky, it is usually compiled of whit, timing and common sense. Being funny doesn’t have to come at the expense of someone else’s reputation or feelings. If you accidentally offend someone, it is essential that you offer a sincere apology and explanation. The key is to use your judgement and not degrade someone for entertainment. Everyone needs to laugh at themselves every once in a while. Remember, if it really was a joke you wouldn’t have to reassure others with the tagline: “just kidding”.

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Colbert Report” or “Real Time with Bill Maher.” These shows take hot button stories, like the recent allegations of police brutality or the Senate’s CIA Torture Report and present them in a way that not only gets the issues of the day to the viewer but also does so with a laugh. Take “The Daily Show” for example. One episode, they had a full segment on how ridiculous Fox News correspondents improperly and partisanly handled the CIA Torture Report. These programs take off the blindfold that has been placed on the American people’s eyes by the major news stations and help people remove the bias that floods our news networks. Although these programs attempt to tackle very important and pressing topics, some still get hung up on the notion that they are simply made for entertainment and a cheap belly laugh. But political satire shows have proven to inform their viewers. According to a study done by The Brookings Institute, “The Daily Show” alone is the most trusted news source by eight percent of all Americans. To put this into perspective, one show with a 22 minute running time which plays four times a week is trusted by only nine percent less than the 24 hour news giant, CNN and three percent more than MSNBC. In addition, the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that people who watched “The Colbert Report” during the 2012 Presidential election were better informed about campaign funding than people who watched actual news channels. Politically satirical TV shows are informative and quality sources for news because they present the news with the hope that viewers will take away the skill of analyzing and questioning the news they receive. And who doesn’t like a good laugh, anyway?

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ociety’s source of news always changes. What started with informative newspapers and magazines now gets thrown into the same arena as politically satirical news. People receive their daily intake of current events through late night talk shows and various humorous hosts, when in all reality, it has no real journalistic value. However witty and clever these comedy news sources may appear, they cannot be seen as the main source of news for the American population. First of all, viewers must understand that when they tune into “The Daily Show” or “Real Time with Bill Maher,” they are watching late night comedy, whose purpose is to get laughs. When the primary goal of a news program is not to report real world events, that immediately discredits the shows journalistic credibility. Comedy news shows should be taken as just that, comedy. It is not sensible to rely on news from a biased source who only tries to make the viewer laugh. Now, I’m not saying that every piece of humorous information that the hosts sling at their audience is skewed. However, I do believe society should examine the credibility and truth behind what the so called “news” tells them before believing every word of it. For example, in a December episode of “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart included the death of Dante Parker in one of his bits as an example of police brutality. He claimed the death to be caused by the police when in fact it was caused by a PCP overdose. Stewart later corrected his mistake in a very public apology, saving some of the credibility of his show. However, this begs the question, what are comedy show hosts not owning up to? Although comedy shows are entertaining and funny, they are not to be used as a main source of current events. It is important to stick to the serious and credible sources when looking for a medium of news. Comedy shows must stay as just a form of entertainment, and nothing more.

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ith the integrity of news channels reaching an all-time low, people find themselves looking for a better way to view the news. A few years ago I found myself in this same predicament. But then I found out about political satire. Unfortunately, satire usually gets tossed into the same category as regular comedy, where the stories are overly exaggerated, eventually ending with belly-laugh inducing punchlines on a topic that really holds no validity. That isn’t always the case for satire, especially political satires on TV like “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart, “The

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SCIENCE HUMOR:

THE

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no joke.

by Tyra Wu and Natalie North-Cole

aughter is a physical reaction in humans in response to external or internal stimuli. It can result from humorous stories, thoughts or activities such as tickling. Laughter is thought to be a genetic, biologic characteristic of the human race rather than a learned trait. No person or group of people has been found completely devoid of a sense of humor except on a temporary basis because of a suppression of natural ability to express humor. Babies have the ability to laugh before they

can speak. Even children who are born blind and deaf still retain the ability to laugh. While in most situations laughter conveys happiness, it can also convey embarrassment or confusion. Yet what we may simply see as an expression of emotion also has a variety of other purposes. Laughter is also a part of human behavior that helps humans interact in social situations. In addition, humor has been found to have an effect of the brain and overall health of the human

THE BRAIN AND ITS FUNCTIONS

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body. According to recent studies, laughter has the ability to influence the amount of certain types of hormones the brain secretes. Additionally, laughter can serve as a pain reliever, allowing individuals to temporarily forget aches and pains. Humor, more specifically satire, can also be used a tool to expose flaws in society and prompt change. Overall, humor and laughter play a large role in everyday life, from relieving stress to helping humans interact.

Humor has been an integral part of society for millennia. The ancient Romans worshiped Hilaritas, goddess of rejoice and good humor. People rely on humor for stress relief and happiness. We can thank chemistry for the happiness that comes along with something funny. When we perceive of a funny joke or picture (the stimulus), our senses tell the brain through a series of neurons. When the stimulus reaches the brain, it interprets the message as something funny, or maybe just as a bad pun. The brain’s pituitary gland releases chemicals called neurotransmitters into the bloodstream. Neurotransmitters such as endorphins act like drugs; they reduce feelings of pain and induce euphoria. Because of this, when people laugh, their threshold for pain skyrockets, allowing them to endure more without experiencing it. The Relief Theory suggests that the reason we laugh is to reduce stress. Laughing releases endorphins, which weigh against cortisol, a stress hormone. Many scientists say we laugh with the sole purpose to suppress cortisol and release nervous energy. Humor has proven itself to be a vital tool when times get tough. A reduction in stress might seem like a small difference, but its effects are strong enough to save lives. Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl heavily tested these ideas during his years as a Jewish prisoner in Auschwitz. Living in a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust presented a devastating challenge for Dr. Frankl, and he chose to apply his theories of humor to help his fellow inmates. Dr. Frankl believed that humor allowed people to rise above any situation, even if

only for a few seconds. Just a fleeting moment of relief can ease someone through a stressful situation. This was so vital because it kept people from becoming depressed, lives depended on the ability to keep spirits high and motivated to hope for freedom. Dr. Frankl gave himself and his imprisoned friends a daily “homework” assignment to think of a funny story every day. The prisoners would crowd into the room and share their funny stories daily, and some were even willing to miss food rations to attend. Dr. Frankl survived the Holocaust and was freed in April 1945. However, his wife, mother and brother were killed in the camp, but he still devoted himself to the practice of humor as psychiatric medicine to help the remaining survivors. Humor gives people the ability to tolerate harsh imprisonment, and it helps average people live everyday life. Most psychologists agree that humor allows us to change our perspectives on life’s unpleasant moments. In Frankl’s instance, he could not change his situation, but he could change his outlook through humor. Through this, he was able to exert some control over the situation. With a sense of control, Frankl was able to reduce stress levels which contributed to his survival. Humor helps everyone deal with the obstacles of life. A chuckle has the power to reduce stress. Especially for students undergoing a lot of stress, it’s important to make time for enjoyment and laughter because it can help improve the will to survive and thrive. Different parts of the brain are activated by different types of humor. Thanks to fMRI

Pun Facts about Laughter Laughter can improve your memory by reducing the stress hormone cortisol, making you perform better on memory tests. You brain can detect fake laughter.

Laughter is contagious. When we see other people laughing, the premotor corital region of the brain is activated, causeing us to mimic facial muscles to correspond with others.

technology, we can essentially scan the brain while someone is exposed to different types of humor. In a Dartmouth experiment, participants were exposed to episodes of “The Simpsons” while being scanned by an fMRI. The results showed that the participants’ brains generally lit up the inferior frontal and posterior temporal cortices of the left side of the brain. The left side of the brain sorts through new and unexpected information and cross-reference it with stored memories. This way, we are able to process the content of a joke and understand the joke’s content. Then, our brain thanks us for the joke with a sense of appreciation from the insular cortex and amygdala. The study also found that well-known jokes of the “Chicken crosses the road” variety jolt the brain’s frontal lobe. The frontal lobe is where people process higherlevel cognitive problems. In fact, other studies found that patients who had undergone damage to the frontal lobes had difficulty understanding punch lines. They had the tendency to prefer lowerlevel jokes from slapstick comedy because they require less critical analysis. When the brain is done with all the work of analyzing a joke, it’s rewarded with pleasure-inducing dopamine from its amygdala. In a field called personality psychology, scientists determine people’s style of humor based on personality tests. For example, some people prefer slapstick comedy, and some prefer satire. A person’s humor style says something about his or her personality in general. All in all, humor plays an essential role in humanity.

Laughing burns calories. You could burn 10-40 calories by laughing for 10-15 minutes. Laughter is attractive. Humans tend to laugh when seeking a mate. Laughter helps people interact with one another, and it makes them more amiable.

Humans aren’t the only species that laugh. Rats, chimpanzees, gorillas and bonobos are also known to laugh during rough and tumble play and when tickled.

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A LAUGH A DAY

KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY

by Tyra Wu

The positive health effects of laughter

he saying “laughter is the best medicine” may be more accurate than you would think. According to several studies, laughter may aid in pain relief, preventing sickness and even reducing blood pressure. The movement Stress Reduction behind the health benefits Laughter reduces the four of laughter and humor has hormones commonly related to stress: epinephrine, cortisol, become increasingly popular in dopamine, and growth hormone. the recent years. However, this idea of laughter as medicine can be traced back to physicians and improved respiration Full-bodied laughter empties the philosophers as early as the lungs of air resulting in deep 13th century. According to breathing that sends more oxygen-rich blood throughout the their writings, laughter was body thought to have beneficial effects such as enriching the blood, increasing respiration and improving digestion. In modern times, studies have found that an atmosphere of humor results in faster Strengthens immune system recovery rates, less anesthesia Laughter increases the number of time and shorter hospital stays infection-fighting antibodies. for patients. One case study in particular is especially notable. In the article “Anatomy of an Illness” written in the 1970s, the author Norman Cousins describes his experience with ankylosing spondylitis, a rheumatoid disease involving the inflammation of the spine. According to Cousins, ten minutes of hearty laughter had a significant pain-relieving effect, resulting in two hours of pain-free sleep. In addition, he reported that laughter reduced the sedimentation rate, which is the rate at which red blood cells fall, used as a measure of inflammation. His findings resulted in the theory that laughter can reduce pain as well as improve the immune system. Since the 1980s until present day, Dr. Lee S. Berk of Loma Linda’s University’s Schools of Allied Health has continued research where Cousins left off. He and his colleagues were among the first to discover that laughter decreases stress

Health Benefits of

Fast facts about laughter:

• • • •

hormones, lowers harmful cholesterol and raises beneficial cholesterol. Unfortunately, the link between humor and medicine can be unclear due to the multifaceted nature of humor. Humor can refer to a stimulus, a mental process or a reaction. In addition, what one person prevents heart disease finds funny may differ from what A study at the University of Maryland another person finds humorous. medical center found that laughter may help prevent heart disease. It is also important to note that most positive benefits occur as Lower blood pressure a result of laughter instead of mere amusement in the absence People who laugh heartily on a of laughter. In accordance with regular basis have a lower standing blood pressure than does the this finding, a study published in average person. When people have 1999 concluded that even forced a full laugh, the blood initially laughter may produce helpful pressure increases, but then it decreases to levels below normal. results. One of the main theories behind laughter’s health benefits is that laughter stimulates Pain reduction changes in the cortisol and Allows person to temporarily catecholamine levels, positively “forget” pain such as aches, arthritis impacting the immune system. Laughter is also thought to have an indirect effect by reducing stress levels that would be detrimental to the body. Despite ongoing research in the developing stages, there are many supporters of laughter’s beneficial effects. There is even a new software in the developing stages designed to help doctors create “laughter prescriptions” based on the patient’s needs. While the extent of laughter’s benefits is still in the research stages, it is clear that laughter is a critical part of a healthy life. So what does all this information mean? It means that everyday activities have a significant impact on bodily functions. For high school students, laughter can be especially helpful to relieve high stress levels. With the ever so stressful finals week coming up, students can now turn to laughter to help ease the pressure. Instead of turning to other forms of stress relief, students should look to laughter, the “free medicine”, by seeking out humorous TV shows, movies or books to help alleviate stress.

Children laugh up to 400 times a day while the average 40 year old laughs only four times a day. Laughing 100-200 times per day is the cardiovascular equivalent of rowing for 10 minutes. Women laugh 127 percent more than men do. Laughter decreases blood flow by 22 percent while stress decreases bloodflow by 35 percent.

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This article is not about sarcasm

or satire

by Emilio Gonzalez

his article is complete trash. That right there was a poor attempt at sarcasm, hopefully. Sarcasm is the popular form of humor that uses phrases or words that mean the opposite of what the speaker is actually trying to convey, usually in order to insult or be funny. However, sarcasm has a benevolent, lesser known sibling named satire. Although satire and sarcasm share the same structure, satire attempts to incite change in the subject while sarcasm simply shoots it down for amusement. Essentially, satire is surgery while sarcasm is butchery. “If I couldn’t be sarcastic,” junior Adrian Retzer said. “Then I probably would not be funny.” Even though satire and sarcasm receive a bad reputation from its generalized brand as an immature social tool, it’s unknown to many that it maintains a use which other humors do not. It gets rid of the comfort zone. “If used well, it can be productive, it’s an attention getter and can bring out a harsh truth without crossing that line of hurting feelings or being offensive,” English teacher Mr. Spanier said. The critical technique that satire employs in order to unveil a truth is its

method of indirectness. In this way, satire places a foothold above other humors based off its potential to wrap something vicious in something benign. “When you are using satire, its indirect, but direct,” Mr. Robertson said. “You can demonstrate an idea in a unique light”. To some kids, sarcasm is the basis of their social language. As more and more kids grow out of their rowdy junior high humor, they tend to look to something a little more high-brow to satisfy their hunger for mockery. “I started using sarcasm during freshman year because I was over being obnoxious just to be funny,” sophomore Mitch Horan said. However, the youth here at Carlsbad turn to sarcasm for another comedic reason. If used correctly, sarcasm allows an individual to push the envelope of any topic to extents other humors simply cannot. “For some reason people don’t get too mad when you say ‘Your sister is a very chill person’ sarcastically than if you would straight up say “your sister is annoying,” Horan said. “You can say, or mean, stuff that otherwise would not be nearly as chill to say without sarcasm.”

satire (‘sa,tī r) noun

Routinely its not the individual that the satirist is attacking, instead the ideas or toxic views that the opposite party may hold. If a person is feeling attacked by satire, sometimes it can be an appropriate sign for self-reflection. “Satire is the most effective when there’s an understanding that it’s not a personal attack,” Mr. Spanier said. “Its a tough love, we’re trying to get something important to talk about and we’re going to get there through humor.” Although many see sarcasm as a childish ploy, other, more educated, people know that it is scientifically proven that it takes a brain of higher intelligence to comprehend and recognize sarcasm. Not only that, but it has also been scientifically supported according to the http://www. smithsonianmag.com/ that it enhances creative problem solving and may help sharpen the mind. In fact, an inability to understand sarcasm may be an early warning sign of brain disease. “If you don’t understand the ways of sarcasm,” Carlsbad 2014 alumni Riley Hoffman said. “You, my sir, need to step up your comedy game.”

sarcasm (sär kaz m) noun

the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize people's stupidity or vices

the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

in short:

satire is

sarcasm is

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TYPeS OF COMeDY by Natalie Cortez and Julian Ortega

understanding what makes you laugh

Humor comes in many shapes and forms. Whether in casual conversation, comedic stand-ups or constructed literary works, humor as a device can be successful to highlight social issues, silly observations or jokes between people. Similar to interests, a person’s gauge of humor is how they relate to other people. It’s a type of connection that is created. “Laughing is definitely one of the most important things a human

can do,” junior Ryan Du. “It’s the universal medication, you don’t need a prescription for laughter, laughter is the embodiment of what happiness is.” Therefore it makes sense that a person’s sense of humor often attracts likewise personalities. This attraction is what Hollywood uses to draw in audiences. So have people come to understand the different types of comedy presented in the entertainment business?

Off-Color: risky, inappropriate or indecent humor. Also known as broad humor, which is obvious coarse jokes.

For example, Daniel Tosh’s comedy show “Tosh.O” on Comedy Central. He continuously presents vulgar, inappropriate and uncensored jokes and skits. Tosh has no filter, which makes him amusing to his viewers. Quote from a viewer: “As a curious kid watching pretty much anything your not allowed to watch is going to automatically funny and better than anything else. But i guess i just haven’t matured past that stage of a 10 year old when it comes to humor. But i don’t have a problem with that, how would being mature make the show more enjoyable anyways?” Tyler White (11).

Slapstick: Exaggerated physical activity, at times includes one harming oneself for comedic purposes. For example, “The Three Stooges” or more famously known for hitting each other with objects. Jack-Ass, also presents slapstick comedy through dares and drastic and dangerous skits where they have physically harmed themselves. Quote from a viewer: “The Three Stooges was mostly cheesy humor,but that’s like how the stooges were supposed to be. There wasn’t much of a real set out plot other than humor,” Gage Dukes (9).

Anecdotal: the ability to retell a comedic personal story with slight exaggeration. It is not exactly reliable.

For example, Kevin Hart a comedian whose comedy usually relates around the events in his life. Sometimes they are a little over-the-top, but still touch base with comical cues. “I watch Kevin Hart because he’s funny, and he makes me laugh and his facial expressions are something you can mimmick when talking to your friends,” Samuel Cortez (9).

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Dark comedy: comedy that usually touches light on a sensitive subject, often controversial.

For example, “Horrible Bosses” is a film in which the characters plot to murder their bosses. Another example would be Heathers, where two characters murder the students at their high school and stage suicide notes instead. “Shaun of the Dead” has the perfect amount of dark humor, the protagonist attempts to survive through a zombie apocalypse while killing people on his way. Quote from viewer: “‘Shaun of the Dead’ is funny to me because i love how not seriously the zombie apocalypse is taken. There always making jokes no matter what the situation.” Nick Poser (12).

Juvenile: humor that involves childish themes like pranks, name-calling, all around immature behavior For example, The 40-year old virgin, Knocked Up, The Change Up, 21/22 Jump Street, which shows the typical high school, or college party scenes. Quote from a viewer: “‘22 Jump Street’ is one of the best comedies I have seen since ‘Anchorman’. Great one liners and excellent stunts with the perfect combination of immature and mature humor,” Connor Young (9).

Dry: humor presented with expressionless and almost monotone like speech.

For example, “The Office” where every character is basically the epitome of deadpan humor. Along with its sibling, “Parks and Recreation”, which not only includes dry humor but satire. Quote from a viewer: “Parks and Recreation appeals to me because because they take small issues and blow them way out of proportion, which always makes for good comedy. The character dynamics are also hilarious,” Calla Blawusch (12).

Satirical: mocks society as a whole using irony or ridicule to point out the flaws in politics, literature or other topics.

For example, Bo Burnham is a comedian who performs songs that strategically mock trends in society. One of a few comedians who use songs to portray jokes, his popularity has grown tremendously in the past few years. Quote from a viewer: “I’m a fan of [Bo] because I’ve never seen anyone do comedy like him. He’s clever and very sarcastic and satirical. I feel like he’s actually trying to do something important with his comedy,” Bennett Lane (12).

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What Type of Humor Are You? Start Which comedy is most likely to make you tear up from laughter?

What character would your friends compare you to?

The Office

Family Guy

Liz Lemon

Ron

(30 Rock)

(Parks and Rec)

Someone yells “poop!” in class. You react by...

laughing because you are that person.

At a party, you’re always...

telling that person they are the reason the U.S. is #36 in education.

dancing like an idiot.

Which group of TV friends most resembles yours?

The Crew of Jackass

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The South Park gang

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making fun of the guy dancing like an idiot.

Which comedian do you find hilarious?

Daniel Tosh

Louis C.K.

Stephen Colbert

Online obstacles create controversy by Olivia Langen

tudents and teachers alike frequently find themselves hurdling blocked websites on the school’s WiFi in order to bypass filters and barriers. While this censorship is not a new problem, it grows increasingly prevalent as students become more reliant on constant Internet access. “I believe that students would be better off if they had maximum access to the Internet while on the school’s WiFi,” senior Warren Nagle said. “A lot of the times, websites are blocked off that can help you get a research paper or a presentation done.” The students affected most by Internet censorship tend to participate in computer-based courses such as graphic design, filmmaking, virtual enterprise or broadcasting. However, the majority of students on campus have been affected by blocks placed on popular sites, particularly YouTube and Yahoo. “By blocking Yahoo, it does bring difficulty for some students if they use that domain as their email because then they can’t access their email account while on the school’s WiFi,” teacher Mrs. Fanning said. “However, if they notify their teacher that they needed to get in to their email for some reason in order to pull up an assignment, I assume most teachers would allow them to do that momentarily.” Yahoo was blocked by Carlsbad Unified School District because it was able to bypass CUSD’s filters, allowing students to access ‘adult’ content including drugs, pornography and online gambling. The program currently being used to filter out this content is called Lightspeed Systems. “It can be kind of restrictive,” CUSD technology integration specialist Sharon St. Clair said. “For example, YouTube is one of those things that is blocked by the Lightspeed filter because of the things that you can find on YouTube. Teachers all have a way around parts of the filter, if need be, for their instructional purposes, but not for the kids.” Numerous complaints have been spoken and written to the school administration, as well as CUSD. However, website censorship is not just a regional issue; Internet filters in public schools are regulated by the federal government. Due to the U.S.’s policies on website regulation, staff and students find it much more difficult to avoid these online obstacles. “We receive funds from a federal program called E-Rate, but one of the requirements to get funds for CUSD is that we have a filter in place,” St. Clair said. “So for us, it actually comes down through the federal government. It’s not just a decision that the district office infosystems makes.” In order for schools in the United States to have Internet access at all, their computers must be protected with a filter which limits what

students can see. Without the implementation of Lightspeed Systems, the school would have no government funding due to E-Rate’s “Children’s Internet Protection Act,” which was passed in 2000. Unfortunately, the government’s online protection often inconveniences students who are in courses which use Internet on a daily basis. “During Virtual Enterprise, we have to access stock pages and pretty much every stock page is blocked from students,” Nagle said. “To be honest, it does make things difficult sometimes.” Though the filter system remains a conflict on campus, it is gradually being modified and improved upon. The majority of the content which was strictly unaccessible a few years ago is now frequently used by both students and employees. “Website censoring used to affect our teaching methods more when we weren’t able to override the filters,” Fanning said. “There were several occurrences where I had planned on utilizing YouTube, and since I couldn’t use it as I intended, it did negatively impact the class. Nowadays, it is a lot easier for teachers to get around those blocks.” Teachers are grateful that the stringent filters have been altered recently, and CUSD continues to find ways to maximize Internet access. “We can do what is called ‘whitelisting’ on certain websites that allows it get through the filter,” St. Clair said. “For example, Amazon.com is a shopping website, so we could essentially whitelist it; however, any website tagged as pornographic, we cannot get through no matter what.” While some websites will always be banned on school WiFi due to their inappropriate or illegal content, CUSD does aim to keep technology as a crucial part of the local education system. Their latest implementation is Google Apps for Education. “Google Apps for Education is a free program that provides access to a suite of tools which has Docs, Slides, Sheets, Sites, and Gmail,” St. Clair said. “We decided to go with Google Apps for Education because it allows the staff a much more efficient email system.” Despite the controversy of Internet filters on campus, the issue is larger than CUSD. Any major changes to the system must be done through the federal government, which makes website censorship a much more complex issue to solve. “There’s definitely different points of view as to what should be blocked and what should not be blocked,” St. Clair said. “Because our role as a district is to be responsible for all students, we will always err on the side of caution. That’s why things that people think shouldn’t be blocked, are. You never know what you’re going to find.”

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I PROMISE healthier by Jillian Della Penna and Julianne Giles

uring the holiday season, we are filled with good spirit, friends, family, music and, of course, food. From Christmas gingerbread to Hanukkah latkas, the treats during this season make it difficult to stay fit and healthy. According to the New York Times, during the few weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years, an average person will gain between 7-10 pounds. This holiday weight gain leads many individuals to create fitness and health related New Year’s Resolutions. “My goal for the New Year is definitely to eat more vegetables, I know that a plant-based diet is the number one thing you can do to keep yourself safe from numerous cancers and other deadly diseases,” senior Sarah Sheets said. Holiday sweets may seem unavoidable during the winter months, but earning that summer beach body back is possible. Cutting back on certain foods, such as sugars and carbohydrates, makes a fit body more attainable.

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“The first two weeks of December, I cut out sugar completely, and then I can go all out the week of Christmas because it’s the holidays and I want to have fun,” freshman Peytie Slater said. “I think it’s okay once in awhile to have sweets as long as you eat healthy along with it.” Exercise also plays a key role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. During the summer season, many people find it easier to stay in shape because of the number of outdoor activities available. However, with the temperature dropping, many people struggle finding ways to exercise outside in the cold, making it easier to pack on the pounds. Motivation is essential to exercise especially when time outside is limited. Finding the best type of motivation in the cold winter season presents a challenge; however, whether a playlist or a person inspires you to workout harder, there is something for everyone.

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“My sister is always encouraging me to eat healthy and workout, so she is a huge motivator for me,” sophomore Christina Hendricks said. “Working out and drinking more water also seems to clear my skin.” The most common New Year’s resolutions involve weight loss or transferring to a healthier lifestyle. For example, when Usa.gov took an online survey of the most common New Year’s resolutions, the very first on their list was to lose weight in the upcoming year, number six was get fit, and shortly behind was eating healthier foods in seventh place. So what defines a “healthy food?” “I don’t eat processed food. I’m trying to keep my sugar intake under 20 grams a day. I also only eat healthy carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes and rice,” senior Drake Kelly said. These healthier carbohydrates give the body energy to work out, rather than fatty carbohydrates (such as french fries) which

slow the body down. These carbohydrates help with strength training, running, walking, or any type of cardio. Cardio acts as one of the top calorie burners, while yoga, pilates, ballet and strength training are great to elongate and tone your muscles. “Cardio is very important for staying in shape, cardio helps in burning fat. Strength training also burns fat and really helps build muscle which is extremely important for staying fit,” senior Linden Clark said. In the new upcoming year, set goals. Whether it is to workout more, or eat healthier, there is plenty of motivation and people who want to see success. With more water, sleep, healthier food choices, and exercise, healthier habits inside and out are in sight. “My goal for this year is not only to be fit, but to have an overall healthier lifestyle and make more positive choices,” senior Hannah Keogh said, “which will make me a happier person.”

Tone up the intensity with these home exercises! by Julianne Giles and Jillian Della Penna

Legs

- Besides the dreadful squats and lunges there are many other ways to slim and tone the legs. Warrior III: This yoga pose is one of the most popular poses to create excellent tone in the legs. Stand with both feet together and lift one leg, until the back is completely flat and nose is pointing towards the ground. Hold this position for 30 seconds on each leg Leg Lifts: Stand with both feet together and lift one leg forward and lean back. Hold the position. V Position: Most people know this as a Ballerina plie, stand with heels together and curve out the toes. Squat down and hold this position.

Abs-

Arms- Wondering what other moves to

Crunches: The famous ab workout can be done in multiple ways, whether on the ground or standing up, crunches are great for definition on the stomach.

Pilates Boxing: Throwing some punches is a great way to shape and tone the upper arms. Clenching your abs while you punch will work both your abs and arms.

Plank and Side Plank: The plank has been considered one of the top ab defining exercises. Lay down on either elbows or hands and raise your body up. Hold this position. To work more on the side obliques raise on only one hand/elbow.

Arm Circles with Weights: Having weights in both hands(whatever amount you prefer to lift) rotate the arms in small, short circles.

Many people share the goal of earning more defined abdominals. With certain exercises that dream is in reach.

Mountain Climbers: Working the abs, and also legs and arm muscles, lay in plank position and reach each knee to the opposite elbow at a fast pace. Repeat.

use to earn those elongated and lean muscles that really pop?

Opposite Arm and Leg Lifts: This will be strengthening both your legs and arms. Laying in a full plank position lift your opposite arm and leg and hold for 30 seconds. Push Ups: Great exercise to use to tone the entire body.

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Top by Johny Speck

Funniest video game characters

Everyone has their favorite game characters, but the argument of which make us laugh the most constantly stoops players. Many of the most recent gaming characters could be deemed worthy of the funniest, but the actions and sayings of these five characters top the charts. Whether students prefer a more serious game or a comedic game, many students have either played or at least heard of these characters and their crazy antics and can appreciate what they have done for gaming society.

Pagan Min Farcry 4

In every Farcry, the villain has some sort of insane side to them. Vas and Hoyt Volcker from Farcry 3 may have been high on the insane-o-meter, but Pagan Min just has so many unforgettable funny moments. Within the first five minutes of meeting Min, he brutally murders one of his soldiers for killing everyone on the transport bus the main character rides on instead of capturing them. After killing his soldier and meeting the main character Ajay Ghale, he feels the need to take a selfie with Ghale even though the soldiers’ blood stains their clothes. This psychotic humor continues when he talks with Ghale via walkie talkie. One of his best moments was when he tells Ghale that he doesn’t know who lights all the candles in Kyrat, so he decides to make all candles illegal. Pagan Min’s crazy acts put him on the list.

CL4P 7R4P Borderlands Series

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Since its release in 2009, Borderlands has been one of the top rated first person shooter/adventure games and every character has his or her own funny sayings and doings, but none beat CL4P 7R4P (Claptrap). In Borderlands 1 and 2, Claptrap has always been introduced as the annoying robot sidekick to “help” the player by getting burned, captured, punched, and dipped in acid. In Borderlands 2, Claptrap stands in front of a gate that a player must blow up to progress through the game, however he doesn’t move because he continually tells the player to wait for him to move out of the way even though he does not. As expected and usually out of frustration, the player blows up both the gate and Claptrap, but Claptrap manages to survives the explosion to get on this list.

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Torvin

Torvin may not get an honorable mention in Shadow of Mordor any of the “Lord of the Rings” or “Hobbit” books or movies, but this dwarf could fight Gimli and possibly win. Torvin has the attitude of every other dwarf, stubborn and hard headed. Torvin is first introduced in the second area of the game know as the Sea of Nurnen of Mordor, with the objective of killing the Great White Graug in its lair. After they manage to kill the beast, Torvin raises the question, “Now how am I gonna get you out of here so people will believe me?” The idea of cutting out a tooth or collecting some of its hide as a trophy apparently never came to mind. His air headed moments like this makes him the funny and stubborn dwarf that fans of the LOTR series can love.

The Joker

Rocksteady Games’ portrayal of the Joker brings back Batman Arkham Series memories of the Joker when he was in the Batman Animated Series. The Joker of the Arkham series has plenty of examples showing his comedic insanity rather than just like the show. In one case, the Joker disguises himself as mob boss Roman Sionis or “Black Mask” to lure Batman into a trap. When Batman sees the real Sionis without his mask and Sionis begins to give away Jokers cover, the Joker ruthlessly beats Sionis with the barrel of his pistol while he shouts, “Can’t you just play along?!?” as if it were a gimmick. These and many more instances of dark comedic insanity remind us of why the Joker at times seems funny, but does not mess around.

Trevor Phillips Grand Theft Auto 5

As this classic game emerged in 1998, players have fallen in love with the classic free roam shooter. Many characters in the franchise have left their mark; however, none have left a better mark in Rockstars Games’ fictional America than Trevor Phillips. As the game progresses, one of the missions consists of Trevor finding his old running partner Michael Townley and they both must save Michael’s daughter from humiliating herself on national TV. When the ordeal gets settled, Trevor forces GTA celebrity Lazlow and the one responsible, to dance in his underwear while he video tapes it and posts it to the web. Wild and crazy antics like this makes Trevor the memorable character players have fallen in love with.

photo by Jordan Waits (left): Shortly after starting, Lani Masamoto morphs her dots, water colors and even 3D pearl beads in her final product. (right): Senior Lani Masamoto displays the before and after result of her portrait she drew for AP art class. Her favorite style of art is pointillism, which employs the coordination of small, distinct dots of color to form an image.

photo by Mac Harden

Lani—the Tsunami of Talent

Senior artist Lani Masamoto explores and excels in pointilissm and design by Chloe Blish

ince its invention in 1938, the ballpoint pen’s uses have branched able to have comfortable experience and independence with design, she further than just traditional script. Senior and gifted artist Lani has become more honed in on some specific goals. Masamoto has been avidly exploring one of the pen’s more unique uses. “I want to be a graphic designer,” Masamoto said. “I would want my Calligraphy, sketching and ink drawings are typical limits she curiously own design firm and I would also like to help other people express their grew beyond. ideas artistically.” “I never really started drawing. I’ve always been the really artsy kid in Though Lani knows her passion is in design, she keeps some elementary school and middle,” Masamoto said. alternative paths in mind aswell. To many they may seem like opposite Since preschool, students have memorized the chant ‘Dot dot not a selections, but she sees the art in every choice she considers. lot,’ a mantra to remind kids to use glue sparingly. Masamoto disregards “Besides art I was thinking about going into orthodontics, which in its the rhyme when it comes pen and paper drawing. own way is art. You’re shaping teeth and helping people.” This allows for a style called pointillism. An art Lani, though a self taught artist, accumulate support form made famous in 1886, Lani places her own from her family. She especially enjoys the company her “She’s very meticulous fellow artistic grandmother gives her. Although they differ imaginative flare with the stylistic art she creates with her art, she likes today. in styles, they share an adoration for the craft. to draw in every detail. “When I was little, I definitely used colors, but as “My grandma is an oil painter,” Masamoto said. She’s very ambitious, all “Sometimes when I’ll be doing art in the kitchen, she’ll I got older I got into pointillism and black and white,” the projects I’ve seen Masamoto said. come sit and talk with me and will try and give me advice.” Trying to produce an entire image through Those who spend time around Lani immediately realize her work on are almost collective taps from the tip of a pen can be mind on her passion, talent and drive. Joel Rodriguez, long time professional.” boggling, but Masamoto continues practicing her friend of Lani, sees a bright future for her and the gift she favorite art form. Masamoto prefers creating more posses. detailed pieces with humanistic qualities. “I see her doing something big, I can’t say what, but “I like to draw people and eyes,” Masamoto said. “Usually people I she’s very motivated and organized,” Rodriguez said. “She’s definitely imagine in my head.” going to go to big places.” Lani doesn’t only dabble in doodles and sketches but she specializes Rodriguez also takes notice of the care and time Lani dedicates in in a specific style; design. Design is the digital art of logos, blueprints, every one of her pieces, and the modesty she shows regardless of the diagrams or any form of graphically styled image. praise that comes with her art. “I’m into drawing and water coloring but I think I’m more into design, “She’s very meticulous with her art, she likes to draw in every detail. purely the artistic aspect it.” Masamoto said. “When I was younger i She’s very ambitious, all the projects I’ve seen her work on are almost would help my mom design tickets and posters for band and I really liked professional,” Rodriguez said. “She’s very humble about her art, she it.” doesn’t like to show it off. But when you see it, you compliment her and This newfound inclination for design has guided some of Lani’s she takes pride in it.” choices, including her future plans with education and her career. Being

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by Elijah Hernandez and Madison McMurray

riting scripted scenes and jokes is challenging enough on its own; coming up with comedic content right on the spot? Forget about it. Riding on the lines of shows like, “Whose Line is it Anyway?” Improv Club takes a unique spin on this challenging act of spontaneity. Unlike a play or musical, Improv strips down drama to no more than a situational setting. Whether acting out as foreign tourists in New York or playing lawyers in a cafe, Improv allows members to use their imagination and their own interpretation of humor to draw a reaction from an audience. “We have set games that we play, and it’s really to get a lot of people laughing,” senior and club publicist Conner Shaw said. “Lots of people come just to watch improv.” Unlike other clubs, signing up merely consists of walking in the door. Improv club takes pride in allowing anyone to come in and join the spontaneous fun. With no commitment required, if one needs a good laugh their door is always open. Built around a laid back environment, games and fun exercises, Improv Club serves as a way for people to meet new friends and express humor. “Before, Improv Club has been on the back end and not too many people have attended. I’m hoping to build up the support for Improv club and make it really big on campus,” Shaw said. “LCC has a really big Improv Club. Tons of people go to matches and I’m hoping to garner that much support.” Fun and games aside, Improv Club takes their talents to different schools in a friendly competition against other clubs. More of a show jointly hosted by two schools, improv matches involve each club trying to entice more laughter from the audience than their competitor—while maintaining a playful demeanor with the opposing school. “Points are based on cheering or laughter, and whoever has the most points by the end wins,” Shaw said. “But you know, it’s really not about the competition. It’s more about making people laugh.” While humor and the quality of what is funny is subjective, Improv Club still contains examples of both good and bad scenes. While the audience may be laughing hysterically at a chaotic scene, these scenes may not be considered “good” to the veterans of Improv and some audience members. “The funniest people are the ones that stick to their character, they don’t break character and they’re just in it,” senior and Co-President Ethan Beretz said. The ability to distinguish one’s own taste in humor bridges Improv from a regular drama set, allowing kids to entertain an audience without deviating from their own style. A funny drama scene intends to make an audience laugh, whether the actor finds it humorous or not, which doesn’t allow one to express their own humor. “We’re trying to make a loose environment,” Penn said. “There is structure and we want scenes to be good, but I don’t like where we’re putting pressure on these kids to do amazing. There isn’t any pressure on them. They can take it as serious as they want. That’s up to them.”

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arts & entertainment

Think Fast! Improv Club brings spontaneity to the drama “scene”

photo courtesy of Kevin Barrett Senior Kevin Barrett and junior Alex Jones dedicate many hours of practice at the YMCA. Barrett practices his technique on the pommel horse,while teammate Jones actively supports him. Barrett must build back his skills due to a previous shoulder injury.

Make it or break it

by Kayla Fraga

ports like water polo, soccer and baseball are commonly played by the average teenager; but gymnastics, one of the most physically demanding sports, is often neglected. Many television programs and films attempt to capture the various aspects of this sport. ABC’s gymnastics drama television series, “Make It or Break It” doesn’t come close to accurately depicting the physical and mental strain that these athletes endure; however, some gymnasts still enjoy Hollywood’s failures all the same. “I’ve seen “Stick It,” and it’s pretty much thoroughly accurate of what gymnastics is,” junior Alex Jones said. “‘Make It or Break It’ is all drama, that’s not gymnastics. ‘Peaceful Warrior’ is the movie that’s most out of touch with what gymnastics actually is. It’s hilarious,” Practicing 22 hours a week may seem like a serious commitment, yet there are gymnasts who dedicate even more time to enhance their skills. For men, there are six different events including floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar in a competition. Floor consists of acrobatic and tumbling elements; pommel horse is consistent circular and scissor like movements; rings require strength elements paramount on still rings; vault is quick, explosive and dramatic where acceleration and strength are recognized; and finally, parallel and horizontal bars consist of different swinging elements. After the events

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are completed a score is determined. The requisite of extensive practices stems from the fierce competition of the sport. “It’s hard to continue gymnastics into college, because the few colleges that actually cater to gymnastics only take the best competitors,” senior Kevin Barrett said. With any sport comes the risk of injury; however, all the action of gymnastics induces great risk. An injury can devastate a gymnast greatly, because of the usage of virtually the entire body. “I’m pretty flexible, and I hyper-extended and tore my shoulder during rings about a year ago,” Barrett said. “I needed surgery on my shoulder, which prevented me from continuing my competing. I haven’t been able to do gymnastics for a year so I’m building back my skills right now. It takes a while and it’s difficult.” The speed and adrenaline induced from the six different events entices many to practice gymnastics. Despite its place in the Olympics, this alternative sport provides a small margin of possibility for success; however, the pure exhilaration drives some to pursue it. “Most people who continue gymnastics into college practice twice as much as the people who are now practicing 22 hours a week. It’s all they do,” Jones said. “There’s only two college teams in California. It’s a really hard sport to continue into. I do it because it’s fun.”

Getting on the right track by Harper Moore

Seniors Chris Spiering, Gabriel Retzer and Ryan Wood are jogging to warm up with other members of Track Club practice. Track Club is held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the CHS stadium. Members pay $175 dollars for the club fee.

photo by Devon Cascella

unning 100 meters in close to 10 seconds, finishing a mile faster than 4:30, jumping six vertical feet: regardless of the event, track and field athletes must maintain a significant base to perform these feats of athleticism. This year, Carlsbad High School will offer a Track Club with the cooperation of the Boys and Girls Club to help give the Lancers a competitive edge. “Speed, strength and flexibility are three major focuses when it comes to performing,” United States of America Track and Field certified coach Matt Large said. “To succeed you really need to master these skills.” In order to make sure Carlsbad’s athletes acquire these skills, the program brought in a quality staff including certified coaches, athletic trainers and United States Olympians. The coaches aim to give

Carlsbad’s athletes every chance to succeed. “All of the coaches who are coming out are world class,” United States Olympian Cindy Gilbert said. “We want the athletes to understand why they are training the way they are.” The relationships that develop between the coaches and the athletes push everyone to excel. Practicing regularly in the preseason helps to grow the team dynamic and encourage cooperation. “I really enjoy the people. The camaraderie and friendships make all of the hard work worth it,” senior Cassidy Mayer said. “On the whole, it’s a fun experience, which is really important to me.” Another advantage to regular preseason practices rests in the athlete’s comprehension of competitive preparation. By teaching skills before the

competitive season begins, the coaches hope to give athletes the tools necessary to increase the efficiency of their training and perform at higher levels. “A lot of the stuff that is done on the professional level, we will be teaching in the program,” Gilbert said. In addition to knowledge about training, the program will also provide the experience necessary to fine tune technique. Practice leads to the development of muscle memory and form which athletes need to succeed. “Once you know the tricks and the magic it all comes together,” Gilbert said. “Repetition and hands on work with event coaches will give you those skills.” Coach Gilbert plans on using her unique position as an Olympic competitor to teach athletes another type of skill as well. She hopes to use her experience

and connections as a serious competitor to give participants an idea of what its like to compete at high levels. “I will be bringing in all sorts of ex-Olympians to talk to the team. It’s a really great opportunity to be able to talk with people who have met with success at that level,” Gilbert said. Ultimately, setting athletes up for success is the main focus in the new Track Club. By stressing the fundamentals and giving Carlsbad’s athletes the knowledge they need, the coaching staff is priming Carlsbad for a great season. In coming years you may even see some of your classmates competing at the professional level. “To be able to move forward on a national and international level,” Gilbert said. “We are going to open those doors.”

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Bend it like Brent by Connor Watson

t last, men’s soccer season is upon us once again. With our varsity team riding high after last year’s CIF championship victory, our boys in purple gear up for another round of kickin’ grass and takin’ names. While we lost some of our great players (thanks a lot college), the team also gained some fresh faces, most of which being the up-and-comers from last year’s JV team. However, one of our most promising and freshest of fresh faces happens to be a man who has never once played high school soccer before. This year, senior Ryan Brent, is our starting center mid. His position provides interceptive defensive work midfield, while being fed the ball for longerranged goals. Brent is what is known as a box-to-box midfielder, a type of midfielder that requires vigilance in his defensive work, high mobility and endurance on the field, and offensive accuracy in his shooting. The team has hailed him as the missing puzzle piece they were looking for. “I’ve been waiting to play with Ryan for a long time now,” Collin Morrison said, one of varsity’s starting defenders. “He’s one of the best players I've ever met, and a longtime friend of mine, so I’m pretty excited.” In fact, many people have been anticipating Brent to bring his fancy footwork and technical ability to the team since sophomore year. “Finally Ryan Brent comes to play with us! After, what? His fourth year of teasing us? He’s definitely going to contribute, that kid is calm on the ball and it’s very helpful to have a mid like that.” Said Varsity’s starting forward, Emilio Bunnell.

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But if Brent is Carlsbad’s prophetic footballing hero come to fruition, then why has he waited so long to represent our school and help carry us into victory? Well, he's been busy with other things, like more soccer. He's played in several leagues outside of high school, from Attack, to Surf, including professional soccer, playing for the Tijuana Xolos in Mexico. “(Play ming for the Xolos) was probably my favorite experience playing soccer,” Brent said. “Getting to play with a different culture, not speaking the language, testing myself against these kids who have made it in the professional world; it was really fun.” Back in 2013, at the age of 16, Brent drove to Mexico with his father for a chance to tryout for Tijuana's professional team. He had 20 minutes to show the Xolos’ scouts and coaches what he had to offer, and out of 500 players, was one of 3 selected to return for further tryouts. “After training with the team and proving that my ability wasn’t a fluke, they asked us to quit school and live down there to train with them,” Brent said. Unwilling to derail his academics, he switched his schedule and became a partial Seaside Academy student. He traveled to Mexico from Carlsbad every week, sometimes up to 5 times a week to train. Finally, after much popular demand, Ryan has joined the Lancer footballers. "I'm very excited to play with all my friends that I never had an opportunity to play with until now," Brent said. But the question is, will he live

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photo by Devon Cascella On Dec. 16 at the Carlsbad High School stadium, varsity soccer player, Ryan Brent, warms up with teammates before the game against Fallbrook. Lancers won against Fallbrook 1-0. Boys varsity soccer will take on the Vista Panthers at their home field Jan. 20th.

up to the hype? “There’s definitely some pressure, my friends talk my playing up, but a lot of these people have never seen me play before,” Brent said. Having scored two of out the team’s six total goals so far this season, it is safe to say Ryan is delivering the quality prowess he has been promising. This ability comes from Ryan's dedication and extreme passion for the game. “I train every day, on the field, at the gym, just depends on the day,” Brent said. Anyone who has ever met Ryan knows that he was practically born with cleats on his feet. From his Instagram and FaceBook walls, to the walls of his room, soccer paraphernalia deck his aesthetic and give you a glimpse at the obsession behind Brent's drive to

be the best there is. His love of the game begins with the encouragement and support of his father, Paul, who was an avid footballer in his youth in England. “My dad has to be my biggest inspiration, he’s always supported me and made a lot of sacrifices to help me pursue my career in soccer,” said Brent. When not on the field, Brent can be caught watching the English premiere league with his father, playing FIFA with his friends or surfing the Internet for a new pair of cleats to add to his extensive collection. “Technically, to the team he’s a rookie, but to this quality of play he’s definitely not a rookie,” Bunnell said. “Having a player of his caliber on the team will be a huge asset.”

OUR NALISTIC ANUARY 2.

Lancer Express Staff Editor-in-Chief: Madison McMurray

Managing Editor: Natalie Cortéz

Editors News: Tyra Wu

photo by Jordan Waits

photo by Elise Chen

Opinion: Chloe Young Features: Madison McMurray Natalie Cortéz A&E: Olivia Langen Sports: Tyra Wu Design: Tanner Layton Photography: Elise Chen

Staff Writers: Andrea Aspajo Chloe Blish Reece Bryan Jillian DellaPenna Kayla Fraga Morgan Fraijo Julianne Giles Emilio Gonzalez Kevin Gordon Elijah Hernandez Alexandra Martin

photo by Elise Chen

1. On Saturday Jan. 17, our freshmen basketball team played against the El Camino Wildcats. Freshman Justin Petty brings the ball back to the Wildcats’ side of the court where he successfully scores a point for the Lancers. Even though the Lancers gave it their all, they unfortunately lost 57-39.

2. Lancer Dancer captain and senior, Tiffany Smith and co-captain and junior, Nicole Mendrala lead the Lancer Dancers in their routine for the Holiday Showcase, which they have been perfecting since Sept. The dance this year is to take home their 10th national championship.

The JV academic league team competes against Sage Creek on Jan. 16 away from home. The Lancers defeat the Bobcats by an impressive score of 76-25. Clockwise from the bottom left, sophomore Julia Zeng, sophomore Cheryll Carter, sophomore Mary Moreno-Christian and sophomore Rachel Wang give their full attention to the judge going over the match rules.

4. Senior Thomas Soetaert defends the goal during lacrosse training on Jan. 10. “The clinics are open to all Carlsbad lacrosse players”, said Coach Dave Demuth. “We do these clinics so the players have an opportunity to play and improve. We separate the players into their positions and do specific drills to get them better at their positions.”

Harper Moore Natalie North-Cole Julian Ortega Jason Polk Natallie Rocha Alexis Schools Colton Spampinato Jonathon Speck Connor Watson Lucy Zheng

Photographers: Devon Cascella Jordan Waits

Artists: Ryley Jones Naomi Torres

Designer: Jason Levy

Business Manager: Alison Casey

Adviser: Danielle Ryan

photo highlights

J A N UA R Y

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Were

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Choir and orchestra perform together for the first time at the Winter Concert photo by Elise Chen

On Dec. 16, CHS orchestra had their annual Holiday Showcase. Orchestra teacher Mrs. Allen conducts Chamber Orchestra and the CHS choir in “Lacrimosa”. This song is also know an Mozart’s requiem in which Mozart writes about death.