Lancer Express 12.19.12 by Lancer Express

EX P R E S S

LANC R we have iss u e s .

carlsbad high school carlsbad, ca december 2012 volume 26, issue 3

Helping students realize why they need to avoid alcohol and what to do when it confronts them

12 -13

World AIDS Day assembly

Winter fashion

Hospital volunteers

Intro to wrestling

2 news

photo highlight

december 2012

photo by seannie bryan Junior Leah Johnson leaps into the air during her solo in the Lancer Dancer Showcase. Leah has been on the Lancer Dancer team since her freshman year and this year is one of the co- captains. The Showcase was extremely successful this year with shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday featuring Xcalibur, the dance classes, the infamous Mancer Dancers, and of course, Lancer Dancers. Coming up next for the Dance Team they will be heading to Florida for the UDA Nationals. Later in the year they will also be having their annual Dance Xtreme show to end the year as the seniors on Xcalibur and Lancer Dancers say goodbye.

Financial Aid Night

Winter Break

24-4

Holiday Concert

Martin Luther King Day

Finals Week

22-24

Semester Break

ook out, CHS. Finals lurk just around the corner after those two weeks of optimal bliss and another two weeks of intense cramming. Finals week begin on Jan. 22 through Jan. 24. The first two finals, for periods one and three, start on Tuesday. Period two and four finals will follow on Wednesday while the last two finals for period five and six on Thursday finalize our first semester grades. Luckily, after all that latenight studying, students get Friday off as semester break day. However, as tempting as it may be to spend your winter break enjoying yourself, take some time to review those history notes or math concepts. Everything you learned at semester will only pile if you procrastinate and study for your finals at the last moment. Keep in mind though that you do have Monday off as MLK Day, so make you time count and good luck on those finals.

ith 15 returning players, the soccer team has started the season quite well under the lead of Head Coach Riccitelli, and captains senior Tito Cruz, senior Ruben Gonzalez and junior Matt Deemer. The team competed in the Coronado High School Soccer Tournament to start the season and earned first place. With victories over University City and San Clemente, the team has high expectations. Continuing their success out of the tournament, the boys went to San Pasqual on Dec. 14 and defeated the Golden Eagles 1-0. Before the break soccer the team will play Thursday at San Dieguito, prior to starting their preparation for the Southern California Classic soccer tournament in Oceanside. The regular season will begin following the break and the team looks to further their undefeated record and strive to accomplish a CIF title worthy season. With stronger senior leadership and experienced players a great season is definitely within the boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; grasp.

Campus with a PLUS

new group has come to campus to benefit the student body and better the school. PLUS, Peer Leader Uniting Students, was created by the newly elect ASB leader, Mrs. Nasser, in order to unite the students and solve problems facing the high school community. At their first meeting on Dec. 13, the leaders of this association chose approximately 40 students who represented every type of student on our campus and worked with them on how to address problems of the student body. Some of the topics brought up included depression, bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, cliques and exclusion and social pressures teens face every day. At the end of the meeting, the members swore to help alleviate the problems if they see them and create a safer, more friendly campus for all students. You can spot a PLUS member in the crowd by his/her unique shirt, and if you are having a problem or need comforting, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to talk to him/her.

act ivit ies

All Periods Day

Boys varsity soccer

Upcoming finals

ath leti cs

Dec. & Jan.

news briefs academics

Calendar

news 3

lancer express, volume 26, issue 3

Interact Club brings Christmas to Jefferson Street vlad korobkin

festive environment for the evening to spread holiday joy while the staff writer members of Interact Club focused on n the spirit of helping the less decorating the room and providing fortunate during the holiday season, the entertainment for the kids. the Carlsbad Interact Club stepped “We put on the party with singing, up to aid the Carlsbad families in presents, Santa and a great feast from need by providing them with a festive Tip Top Meats” senior Keziah Njoroge dinner and a remarkable banquet. said. The Interact Club and Rotary Club To make this holiday season put on a Christmas party and dinner memorable, the club members played in Jefferson Elementary School on and worked with each child on a Dec. 3 to bring Christmas spirit to 10 variety of events during the party. families who cannot afford it. Members who are also in orchestra One of the lesser known clubs brought out their instruments and on campus, Interact Club, short played festive music. Meanwhile, for International Action Club, is other club volunteers did handspart of a worldwide movement to on projects with the small children provide humanitarian services to such as crafting holiday ornaments organizations and individual people. and beads while another volunteer This productive clubs works hand painted the faces of the happy kids. in hand with the To interact with Carlsbad Rotary the children We try to make the Club as partners and make the during large projects kid's Christmas better and party even more such as the Jefferson it's our way of giving back memorable, party. Students one participant who sign up for the to the community. dressed up as club meet every keziah njoroge Jack Sparrow, odd Tuesday at the famous lunch in room 3103 character from and receive many opportunities “Pirates of the Caribbean”, and toward to volunteer locally and make a the end, everyone helped Santa difference in the community with Clause pass out presents to the exited their actions. kids as their parents looked on with “Interact Club provides a powerful joy on their faces. force for youthful enthusiasm and “We directed the kids as much energetic services” president junior as we could and tried to make the Allison Choi said. event and the experience as fun as Jefferson Elementary School possible,” Njoroge said. teachers nominated 10 families In light of the tragic loss of a they saw as the most in need for beloved Carlsbad High School the Christmas dinner and party. teacher Mr. Harper, the club also The Rotary Club fed the families sold bracelets to benefit the Harper with a nice dinner and created a kids. All of the proceeds from the

“

”

photo courtesy of allison choi Interact Club members performed holiday songs at their annual Christmas on Jefferson Street event. Alongside with Rotary Club, Interact clubs members hosted a festive dinner which included Santa, presents and entertainment for 10 families chosen to participate in the party.

bracelets, each costing only two dollars, helped buy Christmas presents for the deceased teacher’s kids: Jake, Jackie and Joshua. Anyone can follow the club’s example of helping the less fortunate during the winter season by getting involved in a variety of different ways. Students can join many clubs and organizations, both local and international, which offer volunteering opportunities or accept donations of food, clothing, or toys that others feel they do not need any more. Many Carlsbad students also participated in the food drive at Carlsbad High where they brought in canned food and nonperishable items to their classes for the school donate to those in need of food during the holidays. “Making others feel the way you feel on Christmas morning feels truly great,” Njoroge said. “Also, others appreciate it.”

Why join Interact Club? 1) Receive community service hours.

2) Get involved with the community. 3) Meet new, cool people. 4) Invest your free time into helping other people. 5) Looks great on college apps. 6) Learn more about the city you are living in. 7)Why not?

SOAPBOX

How do you help the less fortunate during the holiday season?

“

I make gift baskets in Del Mar for homeless people.

alissa martone, 12

“

Every year, my family picks a charity to donate to and this year, it's Hospice.

sr. riccitelli

”

“

I donate gifts and boxes of toys to my church to send them around the world to help those who need them.

”

isabelle lee, 10

“

I go caroling door to door to bring joy and entertainment to my community.

”

sean henderson, 12

”

“

I go help at a soup kitchen annually to make sure that people have a hearty meal during the holiday season.

michael tsoukatos, 11

”

4 news

december 2012

Local groups bring attention to HIV/AIDS julius koch staff writer

orld AIDS Day, reserved for Dec. 1 of every year, was created to address the detrimental problem of contracting HIV/AIDS. In accordance, Carlsbad’s GSA club and the Pilgrim United Church of Christ come together biannually to host the World AIDS Day Assembly. The event informs students and teachers about AIDS before it becomes too late for a friend, family member or themselves. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, commonly referred to as HIV, hinders the immune system’s ability to produce antibodies to many illnesses. HIV can evo lve into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS--a secondary infection that increases the risk of death. Since its discovery in the early 1980’s, this virus has caused more than 30 million deaths and continues to spread every day. “When [AIDS] started, people didn’t know much about it,” junior Nicole Harris, co-president of GSA, said. “We are participating to raise awareness.” HIV is preventable, but the public needs to be aware so that when a person is infected, they know it and seek out help. The main reason HIV/AIDS is so rampant has to do with the general lack of knowledge surrounding the topic. Knowledge is power. And in this case, this power may save your life. This year’s theme was “Getting to Zero:” zero infections from HIV, zero infections from AIDS and zero HIV/AIDS related deaths. On Nov. 30, CHS hosted an assembly in the CAC commemorating the deceased victims and enlightening the student body. “We sent an email out to all the teachers, encouraging them to come out to the assembly and help bring attention to the disease,” Harris said. “We felt that it was an important issue that students needed to learn about.” Upon entry, the stage was decorated with a colorful backdrop of quilts. The quilts, which illustrated the life stories of people who have passed away due to AIDS, were created by families in North County who have lost loved ones to the disease. The project was based off of the AIDS Memorial Quilt created by the Names Project Foundation. Established in 1987, the quilt is comprised of thousands of quilts specifically made to match the size of a human grave. Many pieces of the immense quilt are displayed throughout the nation and the quilt, as a whole, contains the names of more than 91,000 deceased people and continues to grow today. The impact of the project is apparent as it has raised more than three million dollars to the cause

photo by natasha menard Hung in the CAC on Nov. 30, the AIDS memorial quilts were displayed for students. The quilts were created by families who have lost loved ones to the disease.

photo by natasha menard Sharing her experiences with Carlsbad students, guest speaker Heather Garza looks to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS. A retired firefighter in the Marine Corps, Garza contracted HIV positive from her husband which had a tremendous impact on her life.

and has really created an insight on the problem. The assembly also featured guest speaker Heather Garza, a former firefighter in the Marine Corps, who is HIV positive herself. Garza told her life story, trying to convince the audience that

“you can have a normal life, you can

do what you like to do and you can live as long as everybody else unless you don't get checked and don't help yourself.

”

heather garza

anybody has the potential to be infected with HIV. One of the most shocking aspects of the virus is that a person can be HIV positive for years without knowing because HIV has no ongoing or unusual symptoms. “When you first get it, it’s like you have mono or a strong cold,” Garza said. Once the virus is in someone’s body for too long, it may be too late. Usually, the virus spreads through unprotected sex, sharing needles (for drugs or medicine) and blood transfusions, so people who have not been involved in these activities may think they are safe. Unfortunately, the virus can be spread from mother to child through breast milk and ordinary pregnancy. Even with all these negative factors, as long as a person knows the basic information and is prepared to find help, there is no reason to be worried. “It’s not easy to get, it’s not something you need to fear,” Garza said. The virus can be prevented by practicing abstinence, using condoms and not sharing needles. In cases when a person has already been infected with HIV, death is avoidable at the cost of taking medicine daily. However, missing just a single dose makes the victim immune to that medicine and

all the medicines in its category. With only four categories of medicine available, a victim can forget his/her dose only three times. When one contracts HIV from a person who is already taking medicine, the recipient has just been given a ‘super virus’ that has no medical remedy and is more likely to turn into AIDS sooner. In all, having the virus is not easy and creates a serious struggle for anybody. As long as people fail to recognize the danger and basic facts behind the disease, HIV/AIDS will continue to spread and certainly not go away. Individuals need to respect themselves and support others in the struggle to erase AIDS from the face of the earth and save countless lives in the process. “You can have a normal life, you can do what you like to do and you can live as long as everybody else unless you don’t get checked and don’t help yourself,” Garza said.

AIDS

Learn how HIV develops into AIDS

First Stage

The HIV virus enters the host’s body and starts to attatch to healthy cells. It begins to negatively effect the number of CD4 T cells. These cells are vital to your immune system.

AIDS Develops

The virus becomes AIDS when the CD4 T cell count drops below 200 cells per cubic millimeter.

design by aislinn bryan

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editorial 7

lancer express, volume 26, issue 3

The school who cried ‘fire’

Alarming alarms alarm alarmees editorial board

ou don’t need us to tell you that there have been a plethora of fire alarms going off lately. And you also don’t need us to tell you that they can be excruciatingly annoying and disruptive in class. You don’t even need us to tell you that most students—and even faculty—seem to have become completely desensitized to the state of panic or concern that should come with screeching sirens and in-class strobe lights. However, you probably need us to tell you these alarms need to be taken seriously. For as long as some of us can remember, teams of contractors and construction workers have been working to build us the beautiful campus upon which you’re likely standing or sitting right now. Many of the alarms can be attributed to accidental setoffs during the reign of our school’s modernization. We should be able to handle that. So, a few alarms ring for 30 seconds or less during class. It’s really a small price to pay for poppin’ fresh new buildings. Can we all agree?

With the increasing frequency of false alarms, however, students and teachers alike have become complacent, refusing to believe the school or any of the 3000-plus students face any real danger. We’ve reached a mindset that doesn’t even consider evacuating in the case of an actual fire. Will we still laugh at the concerned woman over the PA system when there are actual flames in sight? You know, the hot ones…that burn things. The ones that set off fire alarms. Evidence has shown the answer is yes. In recent weeks, the tripped alarms have followed construction accidents, or cafeteria mishaps. But what you might not realize is that there have also been some actual fires on our campus. (Gasp!) Though small, these bathroom-trashcan-fires bring concern. We cannot predict what will come from ignoring all the alarms. Maybe some people will use it as sick motivation for havoc. We never know what will come, but we can make a serious effort to prevent fiery death falling upon us before

lancer publications

staff writers section editors, print kelsey aijala jullie ambo kathleen dooley editors-in-chief, chase heck talia cain print nicolas dmitriev shannon casey ryan eason managing editor alex gnibus emilee foltz garrett snyder allie gordon editors-in-chief, copy editor aj johnson online eric hammond jennifer kim john hankforth jack beetham bryanna mundy section editors, online riley hoffman jessica jenkins scott detaboada zak jones juliet luty savanna kanester

Dec. 21. Or maybe we can just let it happen. Perhaps fire isn’t such a bad thing. After all, a deadly fire ripping through the campus would certainly delay that test you’re struggling on. Then, if all the projectors are reduced to a flaming puddle of liquid plastic, you won’t have to bear the discomfort of the entire school watching your awkward interview on CHSTV. And, hey, best of all, third degree burns make for great swimsuit tans, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is hot. But really. Economics states that “all people face trade-offs.” Hearing a fire alarm is no exception. You have a decision to make. Acknowledge the alarm at the risk of temporary discomfort, or ignore the warning at the risk of the life of yourself and others. Up to you. But isn’t it worth the effort to simply wait for directions from the office before deciding that the danger isn’t real?

Correction: In an article about the CHS Dance Department's preparation for their December showcase in our November issue, we omitted Kaitlyn Debus as coach of Xcalibur. Our apologies.

trina kim julius koch vlad korobkin matt la bounty emily matteson kaylee pitts scott snow haley spanier robert sweeney jenna tarantino blogger madison dearie

multimedia michael ricci sarah scudder head of photo, online seannie bryan head of photo, print natasha menard photographers jared cohn sierra gomperts

editorial policy

amanda navarro As a public forum for student alice pecoraro expression, Lance Express omar ortega welcomes letters to the editor, but reserves the right to refuse design inappropriate or anonymous letter. Letters must be directed jb berkowitz to room 3104 or to the editoreric tarter in-chief. Lancer Express aislinn bryan adheres to a strict policy regarding propriety of all artists photos and text. Controversial advertisements and opinion tyler grove articles do not necessarily jeff schaefer reflect the opinion of the entire staff. Both sides of any issue business are welcome here. Letters, jalen lovato questions, or comments by emails to lancerexpress@ ashley odom gmail.com are welcome.

8 opinions

december 2012

Prepare yourselves, here comes a real family garrett snyder

managing editor

SAD, BAD, RAD

odern-day entertainment comes in many forms, but what families struggle to find is a show they can all sit around the television set to watch. Nowadays, there aren’t as many Brady Bunches, Andy Griffith Shows, or Full Houses but what has reached the forefront of the media is a young girl and her family, who have definitely struck up some attention. That’s correct--out there now is a show that tells the daily dilemmas of a loving family and how people persevere through their issues to admire each other’s differences. However, due to the existence of ruthless critics and unappreciative people, this show receives little more than a disgusted sneer and a snarky remark. This show deserves much more respect and does not receive it for one main reason. People in Hollywood cannot relate to it. Unlike the Brady Bunch or the Andy Griffith Show, this family embodies a more realistic look into a specific demographic of people. I hate to break it to everyone, but not all families have white picket fences, dogs named Spot and a maid who does half of the parenting herself. Some families are Honey Boo Boos. Honey Boo Boo plays a vital role in the

awakening of the population, showing us that all families are unique. However, this families’ differences do not give us the right to criticize them. In all seriousness, Alana Thompson, aka “Honey Boo Boo,” and her family do not steal, they are not pretentious and they have strong morals. True their values may differ from yours, but for Adam Levine to label them as “the decay of western civilization,” seems a bit drastic in my mind. After days of speculation and what seemed to be years of reading comment feeds about this show, I have come to the conclusion that America is not quite as ready for a modern day family show as they pretend to be. What people fear the most seems to be facing the reality around them. The Thompsons possess traits of acceptance, compassion and thankfulness, yet the media displays them as ignorant rednecks who make more than they deserve. Little do people know that Honey Boo Boo could care less about the dough from the show and this past Christmas, she actually bought toys for children in need with the proceeds she made. Not to mention numerous times the Thompsons have been offered the opportunity to live in luxurious houses, but time and time again have they turned it down out of fear that it could hurt their family dynamic. People tune into this show to laugh at the family every week, but Honey Boo Boo and her family seem indifferent of their critics. Really though, the should not be embarrassed. Sure, they may not be the prettiest people or enjoy the same things most

In the spirit of reality TV we reviewed some of the most infamous stars to date.

SAD

BAD

Kim Kardashian, the role model America needs. If you believed that statement, you need to get out more. The star solely famous for creating a sex tape, seems to make the news every week with her show, “Keeping up with the Kardashians,” but is a truly sad representation of society.

The orange meatball from the Jersey Shore, Snooki has invaded pop culture with her wave of trashy, pickle eating ways. Lucky for all of us, Jersey Shore has finally been cancelled, and no one will ever have to fear contracting her diseases through their television again.

of America has come to accept. People watch the show to get that kick, the kick I guess is a brave young girl who understands her flaws but embraces them and a family who takes time out of their day to make sure to incorporate each other in them. Reality check America, normal and civilized are not exactly ideal words to describe modern families. Maybe we should look back in the mirror before we go around degrading anyone, especially the Thompsons who would only respond that people better redneckognize they are different and just get over it. In fact, one of the most ridiculous criticisms the show faces, comes through the ridicule of how the family speaks and the in’s and out’s of their secret language. America is known for its diversity and Alana and her family represent a small demographic of it. Yes, this small group may need subtitles to translate their English to, well, English, but that does not make them any less than the rest of us. We overlook the differences in how we speak with certain people everyday, because, unlike Honey Boo Boo we lack the confidence to act ourselves no matter the company. With the second season of “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” rapidly approaching, I encourage all of those families who are struggling to find their bonding moments to view at least one episode ignoring the preconceived prejudices against the show and look for the good values it may teach, even if the lesson is hidden within a whole lot of Country.

RAD

Dog the Bounty Hunter, possibly the only reality star that affects society positively, rocks. He finds criminals, takes them out and brings them in to the police. All while rocking a sweet mullet, wielding bear mace, and just being overall, bad to the bone.

News flash: we know you can read; take a paper riley hoffman staff writer

e get it. It’s 7:20 in the morning. You’re stressing over your math test third period and you’re struggling to get to class early so you can finish highlighting that article for English. Plus you have two hours of soccer practice after school. It’s a stressful day already, and you sure are feeling it. Then, as if it was planned to make you more irritated, you start to hear it in the distance. It starts off as a slight rumble tickling your eardrums, and as you close in on the 8000 building gate you realize it’s those darn paper kids again. Who do they think they are, peppy and awake while you feel like the crypt keeper? As they wave those crinkling papers around in the air, begging for a dunce cap, you reluctantly take a paper as they have overpowered your attempts to dodge them. You’re angry and they just turned it up a few notches. Now look at it from our perspective. This hot shot kid thinks he’s cool blazing a trail to

his first period class and is appalled at the thought of reading the works of some of the best writers at Carlsbad. Oh no! He has to read a paper from a fun, energetic print staff instead of listening to his teachers lecture on about inverse functions and thematic ideas. If you actually want to learn about these riveting things, more power to you, but if your insides aren’t made of nuts and bolts like most of us, you just want to sleep for about six more hours. Better yet, you could mindlessly laugh at some stupid opinion piece on how kids need to take the paper, a topic which is quite ironic, as if they are actually reading this piece, their paper is in their hands, not at the bottom of the trash can. However, the slight chance that you are reading this to pass the time in first period because you forgot to rip the paper, (and my dignity), into a million tiny pieces is enough for me. Did you know that just to get this paper all fresh and clean, we come in on Saturdays? Yes, that day you spend enjoying yourself because you can both sleep in and stay up late, quite possibly the most holy day of the week, (sorry Sunday) we spend working on the school newspaper. For a self proclaimed lazy man like myself, it’s sacrilege. While I could easily be sleeping until noon, only awakening to consume a trough of Frosted Flakes, I get to come

work on newspaper layout and article editing for 7 hours. Your mom didn’t make you chocolate chip happy rainbow pancakes this Saturday? Cry about it. Oh, and that 700 word composition you have due fifth period? We do those, too. For you.. So excuse our hardworking staff members for trying so hard to get you to take a paper. Some of us are aggressive, some are deceitful and sly, and people like myself will simply tell you you’re beautiful and shower you in a papery wonderland. But any way you spin it, getting a grumpy sophomore to take a paper is no easy feat. While I do feel bad for you that your mom won’t let you stay out until tomorrow morning and YOLO, I’d prefer not taking the brunt of your aggression in the form of a combination of insults that make me cry for the sake of future generations. I’ve only been writing for the paper for less than a semester, and I used to be a jerk who refused a free paper, too, but seeing a fellow student get stoked to read your work is a feeling unlike any other. Those “annoying losers” who are all up in your face, put in their blood, sweat and tears, but mostly tears, making a great school newspaper for you to enjoy, so, next time you face the guardians of the gate, pick your chin up and take that fresh piece of expression with a smile.

opinions 9

lancer express, volume 26, issue 3

Turning the page towards change talia cain

staff writer

English class should be more applicable to today’s readers T

he time has finally come to kill that old mockingbird. Books have been around since the thirteenth century, but why does that mean we should keep studying literature of the past? This generation moves quickly towards the future, and books such as The Odyssey only hold teenagers back. Why should we have to analyze a language that nobody speaks anymore when the lessons in The Odyssey can be found in more modern books? Students struggle with ancient texts because there is little in today’s world that relates to those stories. How many students currently find themselves struggling to return home after the Trojan war or battling people for throne? Who sits in algebra contemplating whether or not to avenge his/her father? Authors of today’s world write with the same degree of symbolism while using concepts and morals more applicable to today’s society. They use real life to exemplify their thematic ideas, which helps students form the fundamental bridge between curriculum and their own life. The parallels still exist, but just in a more approachable form. For example, John Green’s novel, Looking for Alaska, tells a story of a teenage boy who deals with sad, guilty, and angry emotions that accompany problems with peer pressure, right vs. wrong, love, acceptance, trust and finding purpose in the world. Many students would see these issues as a beneficial opportunity for growth. His character is relatable, which makes it easier to understand the themes John Green tries to convey. Medium that are applicable to teenage life prove far more valuable than work that goes underappreciated in our adolescent heads. If students could connect to what they were reading, their chances of participating in class would be greater. More motivation leads to more learning

and understanding, which is the essential the goal whether it comes down to Shakespeare or John Green. Novelists of the modern world live in a society with similar teenage problems and are just as skilled at incorporating literary devices, character development and themes into their stories as classic novelists. The stories studied in the classroom should keep up with the modern world and help students grow into leaders of the future. Shakespeare and other popular authors of the past shouldn’t disappear completely, however. Their work still remains some of the greatest, but it is becoming slightly unreasonable to ask students to analyze, understand and connect what they are reading to modern life. If students wish to read and learn lessons through the ancient voices, they should have a choice. The lack of a choice currently in classrooms results in a general lack of motivation which leads to poor analysis and participation. Who sits in their desk itching to analyze something they had no control in choosing? Students feel less inclined to form opinions in a topic they had no voice in choosing. Wouldn’t teachers prefer students to understand the themes conveyed rather than be fluent at speaking in ‘thous’ and ‘hasts’? If students feel like they can handle ancient text and still grasp the meaning of the story, then it should be their choice in reading classic or more modern literature with similar themes. While the language of the past is beautiful, if you don’t understand the language then the meaning is lost. There would be no point in trying to engage students in uncommon languages and stories of the past if they could not find the messages hidden within the context. An easier way to connect with the novels results in a greater comprehension of the morals and thematic ideas and it is those lessons that stay with you for the rest of your life. And let us not forget, lessons are the reason for reading.

How CHS students feel about their English curriculum Yes 74.4% No 40.2%

No 2.4%

Yes 18.3% Yes 80.5%

Maybe 23.2%

No 1.2%

A Mixture of Both 62.2% Classic 3.7%

Maybe 18.3%

Modern 34.1%

Maybe 41.5 %

Would you be more motivated to participate in language arts classes if the literature you studied was something you could relate to?

Do you feel that you currently relate to the literature you study in language arts?

Would you be more motivated and interested in what you were reading if you had a choice in the novels studied in the classroom?

Would you rather learn lessons through classical (Ancient 20th century) or relatively modern (20th century) literature?

student life

lancer express, volume 26, issue 3

‘Tis the season for style alex gnibus

How students can wear winter fashions in Carlsbad’s climate

editor-in-chief

re d lo ta i

tr en

gi rly

Are you more sporty or girly?

sporty

lly Do you like to dress up for school or go more casual?

College sweatshirt and yoga pants

dres

Oversized sweater and leggings

Cardigan, scarf and leggings

Do you like to layer?

photos by: Seannie Bryan

nt pa ga yo

ea tr

yes, definitely

y ch ou

gs in gg le

Do you like a more tailored or slouchy look?

Do you spend a lot of time getting ready in the morning?

Denim jacket, hoodie and yoga pants

When you get ready for school, do you prefer comfortable or trendy styles?

Yoga pants or leggings?

Are you into the denim trend?

Find out how to mix & match basics to find the perfect winter look for your personal style.

m co

R U O E? Y S TYL ’ T S A WH TER N I W

ere in sunny San Diego, the winter weather isn’t too frightful. But that doesn’t mean our winter fashion is any less delightful. So how does CHS dress in the winter, when we don’t exactly have a winter? It can feel like there’s no way to win. You’ll see your breath in the morning, but start sweating around lunch. You’ll find your fingers freezing in first period, but you’ll be fanning yourself in fifth. And students don’t just have to dress for outside weather-- classroom temperatures are often more extreme than outside temperatures, what with the air conditioner either blasting too much or not at all. The solution is simple: layers. With basic pieces like hoodies, scarves and cardigans, students can create plenty of different adjustable winter outfits without a problem. CHS students have to be resourceful when it comes to adapting to Carlsbad’s changing conditions, but that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice our style. Despite the challenge of dressing for winter temperatures that are both hot and cold, students can still dress for the season. So if you have a passion for fashion, don’t let Carlsbad’s balmy winter weather stop you from wearing what you want. Lancer Express gives you this guide to keeping up your style in the colder Carlsbad months, whether there’s weather or not.

12 december 2012 chase heck kelsey aijala ryan eason editor staff writers

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Scary Statistics About 90% of the alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 in the United States is in the form of binge drinks.

28% of high school seniors admit to binge drinking at least once in the two weeks before they were surveyed. By the time they graduate from high school, 67% of youth are regular drinkers, and 40% are frequent binge drinkers. 25% of those who begin drinking alcohol before the age of 17 become alcoholics, compared to 10% of those who begin drinking alcohol after 21 years of age. 95% of people will be at risk for overdose after their blood alcohol level reaches .28 Statistics from www.intheknowzone.com

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Words from our counselors

Imagine standing on the edge of an icy cliff with your best friend. Perilously perched on the edge of grave danger and possible death, your friend smiles and starts to step forward, promising you that he will “keep it under control.” Then he slips. Statistics show that this happens everyday...and you could be next. During the past 30 days, 26.4 percent of people from ages 12-20 have consumed alcohol, and of those drinkers, 65.9 percent were binge drinking. Alcohol problems permeate every crevice of high school culture and Carlsbad High is no exception. Jocks, nerds, tall kids, short kids, blondes, brunettes and even that quiet kid you sit by in second period--they’re all exposed to the threat of alcohol in some way. And that’s a problem. High schoolers use alcohol as an enhancement. To some people, no party is complete without it, and even simply spending time with friends becomes dull without the buzz of alcohol in their

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lancer express, volume 26, issue 3

ture

ooze...you lose

he dependency many students have on alcohol has serious effects. Increased substance abuse, especially at a young ead to internal bleeding, liver failure and alcohol poisoning her dangers. owever, the greatest of these dangers is accidents. You’ve videos. You’ve sat through the lectures. Teenagers drink, a yada, no big deal... until you see your friend for the last n ER. But even then you think that couldn’t happen to you. ight? Wrong. Thirty-two percent of all traffic-related deaths d by alcohol. That’s 9,424 complete lives, full of loved ams and feelings that had assured themselves it wouldn’t o them either. That’s 9,424 funerals with crying mothers ver the pulpit, wishing that they could run back in time the bottle out of their child’s hand. ’s time to wake up, realize that there is a problem and it. Lancer Express goes in depth to highlight the dangers e drinking in high school and to emphasize the importance ty.

How do you say no? CHS students provide you with some helpful ways to say ‘no’ to alcohol without sounding lame.

Carter Keeling, 12 “I don’t want holes in my brain. No thank you.”

Jaime Heller, 11 “I’m the designated driver.”

Isaac Brieske, 11 “I’d rather go bowling.”

Mrs. Bentley discusses alcoholism in high school and the importance of nowing how to get help.

How to get help at school

“When it comes to drinking, students get caught up in the moment, and oftentimes they may not know when to stop or where to seek help. We want to encourage students, if they have a problem, that there is a way they can get help. We help them by finding counseling outside of school for them.”

Alcohol in our social lives

Nicole Nungaray, 11 “I don’t really care if I’m cool; I don’t want to drink.”

“Sometimes people just belong to the wrong group. Students want to be popular and fit in and they see alcohol as a way to achieve that goal.” Summer Smith, 10 “I just avoid situations where there’s a possibility of being pressured to drink.”

Why we need awareness

“Alcohol is predominant in our society, and I think the best way to help is to talk about it and bring awareness to the issue, because you can’t fix a problem if you can’t identify it as a problem.”

Alcohol as a life decision

“If you drink and it affects your life or someone else’s life in a negative way, then it’s a problem. Under alcohol, students can make decisions that may affect the rest of their lives.”

Sean Mou, 9

“I look at my future and realize what I can accomplish if I stay sober.”

14 profile

december 2012

Stars in the shadows Sitting down with the crew of Tech Theatre and discussing what it takes to run a show

Lights

eric tarter

design and layout

Jessica Major: stage manager “One thing people don’t understand about tech theatre is how extensive the process is. We make parts of the show that most people don’t normally notice, but if anything is slightly off, everyone knows it. People should take Tech Theatre because second semester is a free period, you get very tech savvy, and you get to see a lot of amazing shows for free.”

Sound

Andrew Eason: sound board operator

Flys

(curtains, props, fog, etc.)

“I control all aspects of the sound you hear during the show. From the microphones to the music I can control all of it from the sound booth. My favorite part about my role is that you feel in control, my job is vital to the show, without sound you don’t have dance and you don’t have theatre. You have to be very dedicated and id you love the theatre. It’s a great way to get community service and feel in control.”

Aidan Bach and Trevor Yungling

technicians Nick Timm

Chris Hackett

“Tech theatre has a very dangerous side to it, an untrained flyman can lose control of a curtain, and that means 800 pounds of expensive equipment is going to hurt someone.” - junior Aidan Bach “We makes sure dancers cannot be seen from the wings and curtains. Basically we yell at dancers and actors. My favorite part of being behind the scenes is all the stuff I get to do. I get to watch all the shows for free, and get to perform a variety of interesting jobs.” - senior Nick Timm. “A lot of people don’t realize how much time we actually spend on the show, we are here before the actors and leave after everyone to put on the best show possible.” - junior Chris Hackett photos by Seannie Bryan

profile 15

lancer express, volume 26, issue 3

Volunteering for more than just hours emily matteson staff writer

hether working in the emergency room or building toys for patients, Carlsbad High School juniors Sarah Kinney and Maddy Migliozzi spend their spare time volunteering in the hospital. During the fall of 2011, Migliozzi decided that she wanted to earn her community service hours by working in the emergency room at Tri-City Hospital. “I thought working at a hospital was a good choice because I have always been interested in medicine and I enjoy helping others so I went and asked about Tri-City’s volunteer program,” Migliozzi said. Migliozzi now helps out in the emergency room by doing chores around the hospital for the nurses so they can spend more time with patients; Migliozzi makes the patients’ beds and runs meals for the patients. With six AP classes this year, Migliozzi still manages to find time in her packed schedule to volunteer. “Helping people in general and seeing how thankful they are inspires me to continue volunteering,” Migliozzi said.“My favorite part of volunteering is working with the nurses, and just being able to help the sick patients.” Although she loves working in the hospital, Migliozzi plans on studying biology and chemistry in college. “I don’t know if I could be a doctor or nurse in the emergency room; There is too much pressure,” Migliozzi said. “However, they are great career options to keep in mind.” Migliozzi encourages other students who are looking for a way to earn community service hours

to consider volunteering at Tri-City. Students can become a volunteer by visiting the Tri-City auxiliary office to sign up or go online to its website. Like Migliozzi, Kinney also fulfills her love of volunteering by creating toys for young patients at Rady’s Children’s Hospital. “I volunteer by building toys for kids that are between ages five and eighteen who have physical ailments, so that they may use and develop their hand mobility,” Kinney said. Kinney first got involved through a program called BE WiSE. This program helps get more women involved in engineering, science and math. BE WiSE encourages women to use their love of engineering to build toys for patients. Seeing the happy faces of the children she helps is what inspires Kinney to continue volunteering. “My favorite part about volunteering is seeing the frustration on the children’s faces melt away because they are mentally stimulated instead of doing the same boring things everyday,” Kinney said. Kinney plans on continuing her engineering career by studying it in college and she hopes to one day make a career out of it. “I plan on going into engineering which may involve a medical career if it is in medical technology,” Kinney said. “I just love to help out others. I will probably get involved beyond high school for the rest of my life.” Even with busy schedules, Kinney and Migliozzi always hope they have time to help out the less fortunate and encourage other students to get involved. “If you choose to volunteer for anything, even something close to home, it’s all important,” Kinney said.

photo by sarah scudder Junior Maddy Migliozzi enjoys helping her community by volunteering at Tri-City Hospital. Despite six AP classes putting a strain on her schedule, she finds the time to volunteer frequently.

HOW TO START VOLUNTEERING AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL

Rady’s Children’s Hospital rchsd.org

Tri-City Volunteer tricitymed.org

photo by sarah scudder Junior Sarah Kinney helps young patients at Rady's Children's Hospital by building toys for them. She says it's seeing "the frustration on the children's faces melt away" that inspires her to give her free time to BE WiSE, a program that encourages women get involved in engineering, science, and math.

BE WISE sda.org/programs/be-wise

Visit the website below to volunteer at Rady’s Children’s Hospital. Students can print the application and mail it to the hospital. After reviwing your application, you may be contacted to arrange an interview with hospital staff. Go online to tricitymed.org and under the “ways to give” tab you will find an application to become a junior volunteer. After you send the app, tri-city hospital staff will contact you about volunteer hours and orientation dates/times. Find the website below and print out the application. The application requires teacher reccomendations and a written essay. The organization BE WISE will then send it in the mail to be reviewed. infographic by aislinn bryan

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lancer express, volume 26, issue 3

Shop small, buy O

n the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...just another gift from a department store. As the holiday gift-giving season approaches, mall parking lots seem to shrink overnight as people flock to mass-manufactured displays of imported products and commercially produced “goods.” The hullabaloo surrounding the holiday season leaves so many people caught up in the excitement of capitalism that they end up buying stuff for the sake of

2 3

The Chocolate Bar– When in doubt, turn to sweets! More

Blues & Shoes, Ragz, the Beat– These super trendy sister

BIG

shannon casey editor-in-chief

buying stuff instead of choosing presents carefully thought out to be as unique and genuine as the recipient. And, worse, they forget While gift-giving may seem like a daunting task, look no further than the Carlsbad Village to satisfy everyone on your list...including the city of Carlsbad. Yelp.com estimates that for ever $100 spent at an independent retailer, $45 stays in the local economy. The International Council of Shopping Centers fgures the amount of money retained within the local economy is closer to $55.

Antique Mall– Start your gift seeking saga at Carlsbad's most underutilized retailer. Secondhand stores in general are the ultimate holiday resource that combine high quality goods with bargain prices, but the random nature of items can be daunting. To remedy this, the Carlsbad Antique Mall features both pre-loved donations organized by type and sectioned vendor booths selling specialized goods from local artists and collectors. Plus, in the North building, complimentary cookies and coffee await shoppers, providing a much needed sugar boost to fuel an intensely thrifty excursion. Paradise Cottage– Most locals generally overlook stores that

arts & entertainment 17

advertise souvenirs; however, a stop by the Paradise Cottage could change this mindset with a peek at its unique, beachy gifts. Paradise Cottage features home decor and "beachables," objects made with materials found on the beach. Shell figurines, driftwood wind chimes, crafty collectibles–send an out-of-state relative a piece of Carlsbad with these creative presents! often than not, people enjoy chocolate and even if they don't, the Chocolate Bar can turn even the pickiest candy connoisseur into a chocoholic. Choose between a gift basket with meticulously selected chocolates or create a selection of custom chocolates to tickle any taste bud with an arroy of white, milk or dark chocolate. In addition, the Chocolate Bar has a selection of fine coffees, which are also available covered in chocolate for the ultimate marriage of flavors. stores feature the latest women's fashions selected by highly knowledgeable buyers. Each store had its own unique ambiance and style with clothes ranging in prices: the Beat (on State Street) has a rocker-chic vibe with a slightly more expensive price tag; Blues & Shoes has a romantic, earthy feel with a reasonable price tag; Ragz features bold, trendsetting clothes sold at a fair price.

Farenheit 451– Nestled in the corner of a building, Farenheit 451 fulfills every image of what a book store should look like. An endless sea of books contribute to the comfortable feeling of the shop. Farenheit 451 sells both used books at a reduced price, and signed copies and early printings from a wide variety of genres. From children's picture books to young adult fantasy novels to delectable cook books, readers of all interests can find something here. Witt's Carlsbad Pipeline– Carlsbad has about eight miles of

The World Bazaar– Sharing a venue and management with the

Mermaids– Mermaids find solace in this beachy store, which sections off into different thematic parts of the store. One part of the store features trendy women's clothing, while another has small gifts of various interests. The last features items related to the store’s namesake. Teenagers and young adults generally find some of the small gifts ironic and humorous–two great qualities of any gift. But if you are looking for mermaids, you have come to the right place. Local artists contribute pieces of all mediums–paintings, drawings, sculptures, jewelry–to form a massive collection of siren-themed products sure to please the gift recipient.

Linda's Gifts– The last stop on your shopping adventure, Linda's Gifts, can help with packaging, wrapping and presenting your gift in a festive manner. In addition to gifts of its own, Linda's sells very personal cards and stationery to assist in addressing the recipient of your gift. But speaking of their own gifts, Linda's sells holiday ornaments and collectibles, perfect to give as a gift to families and make many memories for years to come.

shoreline and approximately 320 days to enjoy it. Pipeline has the tools to make the most of the great Pacific–from surfboards to beach apparel. A knowledgeable staff can help determine the best-fit gift for any prospective water sportsman at any level. Combining wellknown brands with a purely local environment, Pipeline makes a great venue for gift-givers to purchase gifts, encouraging recipients to get out and enjoy the Southern California shoreline.

Spin Records– Spin fills a moderately sized lot to the brim with records, CDs and all things music. Gift givers can find artists familiar and foreign in this music-lovers’ paradise. Spark a nostalgic episode in parents and older relatives with records and CDs of the past, or teach a youngster to appreciate the classics. The possibility of a serendipitous find makes Spin a great destination for reasonably priced records and CDs for every musical taste.

Mediterranean Cafe, the World Bazaar features worldly finds of primarily Eastern cultures. Ranging in price, shoppers can find both small trinkets and large statement pieces. Gifts from here cater to a predominantly adventurous crowd eager to explore the world–which is made possible with the array of cultural items in the Bazaar. And when feeling patched from the long day of shopping, check out the Cafe's large selection of teas and exotic sodas.

18arts & entertainment

december 2012

Home for the holidays Two weeks of fun activities in San Diego allie gordon staff writer

s the holidays approach and the countdown until break begins, one major question concerns us all: what to do with the days off? You have 16 days, 384 hours, 23,040 minutes and you want to make every last second count. It may not seem like a challenge, but when accustomed to filling your life with school, you may find it difficult to find activities to occupy all this new free time. Luckily, Lancer Express has you covered. We live in San Diego, a beautiful region that offers more diversions than you might be aware of. To take advantage of this, here are some suggestions to make this break memorable.

Tues, Dec. 25 Christmas Day No matter your religion, Christmas is a good reason to spend time with loved ones. Whether your day is spent opening presents, going to the movies or ordering take-out, everyone can make the day special with family members.

Sat, Dec. 22 Garden of Lights Visit the San Diego Botanical Gardens in Encinitas. For eight dollars, you can enjoy a winter wonderland lit up with thousands of lights every night, complete with snow, Santa Claus, s’mores and music.

Sun, Dec. 23 The Grinch Every year, the Old Globe theater puts on a performance of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Relive your favorite childhood story with your family or friends at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. showings in downtown San Diego.

Wed, Dec. 26 Kwanzaa The celebration of Kwanzaa begins Dec. 26 and ends Jan. 1. The week-long holiday is based on African harvest festivals and celebrates African culture. Each day emphasizes different values we can all cherish.

Thurs, Dec. 27 Holiday Bowl and Parade The Big Bay Balloon Parade takes place in San Diego’s bayside streets, featuring floats, marching bands and more giant balloons than any other parade in America. At 6:45 p.m., the Holiday Bowl kicks off at Qualcomm Stadium.

Fri, Dec. 28 Friday Night Lights You can find music and entertainment right at home, in Carlsbad Village. From 6-8 p.m., Alan Land performs holiday classics and William Sumner sings jazzy holiday tunes at the Chocolate Bar.

Sat, Dec. 29 Holiday of Lights The Del Mar Fairgrounds offers the Holiday of Lights drive-thru until Jan. 1. Thousands of lights shape sparkling holiday scenes you can view from the comfort of your own car or enjoy a Hayride with hot chocolate.

Sun, Dec. 30 Legoland You don’t have to travel far for snow. Right here in Carlsbad, Legoland celebrates Snow Days until Dec. 31. You can stay late for extended hours, which offer fireworks, music and shows.

Mon, Dec. 31 New Years Eve Assuming the world didn’t already end on Dec. 21, this is the final day of 2012. So make it count, stay up until midnight and end the year with a bang!

Tues, Jan. 1 Keep that resolution Begin the year right and hold true to your resolutions. The new year is the perfect time to start again or change the direction of your life. So whatever you promised to change in 2013, don’t be lazy-- start right away.

Wed, Jan. 2 Palomar Mountain Take a trip to Palomar Mountain and spend some time in the wilderness. If you’re lucky, you can enjoy some snow, but if not, there are plenty of trails and campgrounds to offer diversions.

Thurs, Jan. 3 Beach Take advantage of Carlsbad’s mild winter and head down to the beach. If you aren’t bold enough to brave the cold waters, take a walk or go on a whale-watching tour to see the giant creatures migrate.

Fri, Jan. 4 Cookies It’s not to late too spend a day baking delicious holiday cookies! Gingerbread, sugar, or whatever your favorite type, they will fill your house with warmth and yummy aromas that won’t fail to bring a smile to your face.

Sat, Jan. 5 Ice Skate at Hotel Del Mar For the eighth year, the Hotel Del offers Skating by the Sea. Open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can get the best of both worlds by ice skating on a rink right beside the ocean.

Sun, Jan. 6 Jungle Bells Celebrate the end of your break at the San Diego Zoo’s Jungle Bells festivities. You can enjoy special holiday themed shows, cuisine, music and of course, animals.

Mon, Dec. 24 Soup Kitchen This season can focus too much on personal wants. In the true nature of the holidays, spend a day helping at a soup kitchen. The San Diego Food Bank accepts volunteers or you can find another closer location online.

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20sports

december 2012

WRESTLING FACTS Unknown to many CHS students, wrestling requires an extreme amount of dedication and commitment outside of school practices, including weight management and workout regimens. To these athletes, wrestling is a major part of their daily lives.

Weight Management

photo by natasha menard Junior James Murphy pins his opponent at the Jimmy Hamada Invitational on Dec. 7. His opponent tried to break out of the pin with a bridge, which failed to work, helping Murphy win this match 10-0.

Pinning down the competition aj johnson

staff writer

2012 wrestling season commences

ith its large variety of throws, takedowns, pins and holds, the exciting and competitive season of wrestling finally began, but surprisingly, this sport seems to slip under the radar among most Carlsbad students. Although the sport may not be the most popular on campus, certain students with the capability to compete and win dedicate every day of every week practicing this sport. Whether it be lifting weight after weight or running endless sprints or practicing drills for hour on end trying to perfect that one specific move, the athletes participating in wrestling may be working on one of the hardest-if not the hardest-sport at Carlsbad High. The members of the varsity wrestling team are athletes who stand out from the rest of the school with their long dedication to the sport as well as their intense desire to succeed. For four-year wrestler and senior Alexander Miller, this sport is beyond a hobby as he consistently practices during the on and off-season. His determination to succeed is one of the pushing factors that let him continue even after exhaustion. “Wrestling is a really difficult sport. Aside from the physical aspect, you have to be mentally tough and that’s one of the things we train for which-

is to be able to keep going past the breaking point,” Miller said. “You have to really want it to succeed in wrestling.” Other than a strong mental drive, a wrestler’s weight is another large factor that determines their chance of success on the mat. Before the season starts, wrestler’s are put into different weight classes, which help create match-ups during a tournament. For Miller, weight is a large variable, which can completely alter the outcome of a season. Because of this reason, wrestlers constantly work at perfecting their muscle-fat ratio by running and eating healthy. “In or out of wrestling season, my weight is always in the back of my mind,” Miller said. “It’s weird to think about because I didn’t have to worry about it before I started wrestling and I won’t have to worry about it once I finish, but for these last couple of years I have always been aware of my weight and aware of how much it will need to go down by.” As a very physically-inclined sport, training is one of the largest aspects that the team tends to give great attention to. Conditioning is the focus of the team for this season because of its players “gassing out” towards the end of their matches due to exhaustion. Junior Jacob Heene spends the majority of his training

trying to fix this problem during his own matches. “My practice consists of warm-ups, drills and then wrestling live with the rest of the team to condition myself for actual matches,” Heene said. “After practicing at school, I do more sprints and a lot of rounds of calisthenics for conditioning as well as running intervals on the track before school and running hills and stairs after school.” Although the team spends most of its time building up physically, mental focus is also of huge importance to wrestlers. The ability to push oneself beyond one’s own limitations is a psychological trait that all wrestlers must be born with in order to do well in this physically draining sport. “Being able to push yourself past the next level and past the breaking point is the key to winning,” Heene said. “Half the time your body won’t let you continue but you have to use your mental drive and determination to push yourself toward success.” Wrestling is one of the most competitive sports here at Carlsbad High because of the aggressive attitude and strong determination of the players. With a strong and wellconditioned team that practices day in and day out, this season appears to be on its way towards a positive end for the Carlsbad High Lancers.

At meets, wrestlers are catagorized into weight classes so matches are as fair as possible. To maximize their chances of winning, athletes aim to weigh in at the very top of their weight class. This means that they need to try to get to the exact limit of their class or lower- or else they will be moved in the next heaviest category. To reach this goal, wrestlers must watch their eating habits to ensure they weigh into their desired class.

Weight Regulations There are rules, however, that dictate how much weight a wrestler can lose while remaining within regulation. When the season begins, athletes are weighed on a certified machine that takes their current weights and then calculates the lowest weight they can reach. This ensures that athletes stay in a healthy range for their body type. Height is also a factor considered to make sure taller competitors are not at a disadvantage.

Staying in Shape To stay in shape wrestlers must work out and lift weights to keep their body strong and able to compete at peak performance. Athletes dedicate themselves to developing endurance so they can keep wrestling their hardest the whole match. They also work on skills and moves that will make them more likely to succeed in defeating their opponent. Coaches offer guidance, but wrestlers say the best way to succeed is through practice. Although wrestling is a physical sport, athletes must also be able to focus and keep the right mindset when practicing and competing. Mental focus is the key to every wrestler’s success. design by aislinn bryan

sports

lancer express, volume 26, issue 2

Golfing from the green

Shannon Oh drives the season home

jessica jenkins staff writer

ix years ago, a crush on a ho state of mind. She tackled the professional golfer sparked an championships and then progressed to intense and dedicated career in golf state regionals. for sophomore Shannon Oh. “Shannon was fifth at the CIF “I had a huge crush on Adam championship,” Hartley said. “This Scott,” Oh said. “My dad said if I qualified her for the state regionals started playing maybe I could marry where she finished in the middle of him one day.” the field, shooting 77.” With Oh’s aspirations of one Oh’s mentality and mind set of day marrying her longtime crush, determination has given her a head Oh’s life in the golf world took off start since she began playing golf. Her and she began playing frequently, hard-earned golf skills help her reach putting the majority of her time her goals. into the sport. She now competes in “She has unique strategy which various tournaments and spends a helps her get low scores,” Kahn said. large amount of her energy and time Oh continues to impress on playing on the high school team, the green with many titles and which serves as her foundation for the accomplishments, which are typically sport during the season. presented to senior players. “She works really hard and Oh’s unique skills and performance deserves everything she has won,” on the course make her a crucial part senior Amanda of the team. I had a huge crush Kahn said. “She is “I got player of really dedicated.” the year this year,” on Adam Scott. My Oh’s optimism Oh said. “It is pretty dad said if I started and outgoing awesome, because last attitude toward her playing maybe I could year a senior got it.” sport has helped Already seeing marry him one day. her excel as well interest from colleges, Shannon Oh as aided her team Oh hopes to continue in moving forward to success. She also golf into her future. Playing golf continuously improves her playing professionally or teaching younger and gets some of the lowest scores in golfers her knowledge and technique the league, helping her win and place seems to be a big possibility for her in competitions various times. future. “Her low scores definitely “Maybe I will work in golf,” Oh attributed to winning us league and go said. “Possibly coaching or going to undefeated,” Kahn said. the LPGA tour would be my all time Although Oh is just a sophomore high.” with time to improve, she has already Oh’s time investment in golf takes accomplished more than most away from other aspects of her life; seniors, winning the title in league however, she makes it a point to work championships two years in a row around her practices and tournaments in her freshman and sophomore to make the time for family, friends year. Oh shows great promise with her and academics. consistent success. “I’m always traveling and training,” “She had a great individual Oh said. “Teachers like Mr. Ogden season, winning the individual league help me work around my schedule and championship over her teammate provide extra help, telling me to keep Alana Uriell,” coach Don Hartley said. giving the ‘Yes I Can’ attitude.” Oh also went to CIF Although Oh’s individual skill championships, where she did not shines light on her playing, the team hold back in her abilities or her gungprovides support to each other in

“

”

photo courtesy of shannon oh Sophomore Shannon Oh takes a swing on her field of choice, working towards better technique and lower scores.

order to reach its goals and rise to success as a whole. This past season formed strong relationships and crafted a strong foundation for next year’s team. “We are each others’ biggest supporters,” Kahn said.

The outstanding effort and dedication put in by Oh as well as her teammates provides promise for next season and years to come. There is no doubt that Carlsbad will be hearing the name Shannon Oh much more in the future of golf.

Golf Terms to Know CADDIE: a person who carries clubs and offers players assistance

LIE: the position the ball comes to on the ground

PAR: number of strokes to complete a hole

SLICE: a shot from a golfer which curves severely

BIRDIE: one under par per hole PIN: the flagstick in the cup

HAZARD: anything one tries to avoid on the course, such as a sand trap

DIVOT: a piece of ground that is hit out when striking the ground

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december 2012

sports highlights

Winter sports take over the school jennifer kim copy editor

While the weather turns chillier, athletes begin to warm up for the new winter season. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, waterpolo or wrestling, Carlsbad athletes persevere through strenous practices and intense training, motivated by victory and a passion for their sport. Whether the teams lose or

win, they apporach the next game with renewed fervor and excitement that even the cold heats up in their presence. Because of every athlete’s dedication and preparation, the Lancer Express had no problem spotting notable moments, highlighting out talented sports teams. Left: Following her signature three bounces, sophomore Monica Alvorado eyes the hoop, slightly bending her knees as the crowd watched silently. With a flick of her wrist, Alvorado sends the ball flying into the hoop with a clean swoosh—adding another point to the scoreboard. Like Alvorado’s successful free throw, the girls JV basketball team ended the night full of high-fives and congratulatory remarks, winning 44-25 against Chula Vista. The team’s strong offense and many steals helped keep the ball in its possession, giving the players multiple opportunities to score and take the lead.

photo by natasha menard Above: Senior Cody James locks his opponent’s ankle, pinning a Madison wrestler to the mat to secure his win. As the referee counts down, James hold tight as the wrestler beneath him struggles to escape James’ hold. After three seconds, the result is clear—James had won his match. As participants of a rigorous sport, the varsity wrestling team has conditioned every day for its matches. Though the team missed several senior players on Dec. 7, two Carlsbad wrestlers placed in the LCC tournament: junior Jake Cornell in third and freshman Owen Weisel in fifth. With future tournaments looming over them, the Carlsbad wrestlers continue to train physically for their future matches. photo by natasha menard Below: Junior Ethan Cowling dribbles down the sideline, shielding off an Oceanside player from intercepting. While Oceanside carried the lead, senior Tito Cruz scored a late goal, tying the game for the final score of 1-1. After winning the Coronado tournament, the boys varsity soccer team seems to be headed off to a great season, going 6-0-1 so far in the preseason. The boys have been practicing hard for an excellent season, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to support the boys as they take on Mission Hills on Thursday, Dec. 20.

photo by sierra gomperts Above: As the ball flies toward the goal, varsity goalie, senior Brittany Buckley reaches out to place the last touch that would prevent Coronado from scoring. Along with the help of teammate senior Makena Magro (far left), Buckley successfully blocks the opponent’s shot, sending the crowds in an uproar. On Dec. 6, the girls varsity waterpolo team took its very first victory of the season against Coronado, 8-6, making strong counterattacks that pushed it into the lead. Marking another anticipated victory for the lady Lancers, the win sets the stage for another excellent season for girls waterpolo. photo by omar ortega

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December Nights

On Dec. 7 and 8 San Diegoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest free festival took place at Balboa Park. This year Balboa park welcomed an estimated 345,000 people. The attendants were allowed in the museums free of charge and enjoyed delicous cultural foods from over 33 different countries. Even though the park was crowded, it had a great atmosphere, helped along by all the amazing lights. The park really came alive in the spirit of the holiday season. It had much to offer, from great food, lights, entertainment and museums. Also, the park did a great job with the crowds and even offered a free shuttle for offsite parking. Whether you attended this year or not, be sure to check it out next year for a great, spirited night. -Photo Credit: Jared Cohn

December 2012