The Pen by The Pen Newspaper

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PEN

Palos Verdes Peninsula High School www.pvphsnews.com Vol. XXXV Issue 3 November 21, 2014

ID: 3140529 688 NAME: CHEATER

STUDENT, IDENTIFIED.

Cheater, partier, shooter. The secret identities among us. SPECIAL EDITION Page 6

FUNDING THE SOLUTION

IT'S A WRAP

SEEING DOUBLE

Teachers improve science curriculum through donations NEWS Page 3

Looking back on the fall season SPORTS Page 4

Examining the double standards of our society OPINION Page 11

NEWS

Science donations

surge $8,000 in

physics

donations and grants

$2,o00 in chemistry

donations and grants

Aided by an influx of donations and grants, science teachers Michael Spalding and Rob Snodgrass help students find new, interactive approaches to physics and chemistry. BY Sonia desaidamle In previous years, annual donations towards the physics program amounted to roughly $1,000. This year, however, teachers have seen an increase in donations from parents and community donors. Six Peninsula teachers, including physics teacher Michael Spalding and chemistry teacher Rob Snodgrass, received Chuck Miller grants. These funds have allowed them to introduce more labs and activities into classrooms. Since the change to the AP Physics curriculum, Spalding’s physics classes have become more focused on hands-on lab work than on homework sets and tests. These new labs require -Physics teacher substantial funding for new equipment. Spalding received the greatest amount of funding out of all the teachers in school. One anonymous donor gave $1,800 to the class, which allowed him to purchase eight “labquests”— devices that let students measure the velocity and acceleration of an object. Several other families gave Spalding donations ranging from $50 to $200 that helped him purchase sensors and photogates, which also measure physical factors of a moving body. Overall, Spalding saw a turnout of $7,000

“

in donations, seven times as much as his program has received in previous years. “I could not thank the parents and donors enough for all of their support” Spalding said. “I was surprised by the dedication and care.” With all of the new revenue Spalding has seen, he has been able to introduce four brand new labs. Last year, Spalding gave data to his students to use in conceptual labs, but this year, with the new equipment, students can obtain all of that raw data themselves. “It’s so important for students to get a hands-on learning experience from these labs,” Spalding said. “They don’t get the same benefits from reading a textbook or listening to me $ lecture. The labs really make physics come alive.” Biology and Chemistry teacher Rob Snodgrass also greatly benefited from Michael Spalding grants and donations. With the $1,000 in grants he received, he bought a “DNA Fingerprinting Electrophoresis Lab”. In this lab, students are given samples representing crime scene DNA and are to discover who perpetrated the crime by analyzing each suspect’s genetic patterns and fingerprints. This lab requires approximately $1,000 for implementation. “I’m thrilled that the science programs are seeing such an increase in funding,” Snodgrass said. “I’ve never been able to have labs this complicated and comprehensive before.”

Our goal is 12 000 in donations. If we can reach it our adventures into physics are limitless.

”

Board of Supervisors awards Van Enk Educator of the Year For his exceptional teaching and outstanding service, math teacher Glenn Van Enk was deemed Educator of the Year by the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors on Nov. 5. A teacher at Peninsula since 1996, Van Enk has taught a wide range of math classes, from Algebra 1 and 2 to statistics and, currently, calculus. Van Enk, who instituted the calculus class several years ago, wanted students to be able to take the course without having to pursue it at an Advanced Placement level. By doing so, he has allowed students to expand college and, subsequently, career options. “It’s really important to make the kids feel comfortable in a class,” senior and calculus student Zoë Council said. “Teachers can often be really intimidating, but Van Enk is very open-minded and helpful to students. He creates a very casual, comfortable atmosphere.” In addition to his role in the classroom, Van Enk coaches both girls’ and boys’ golf. Since 2001, Van Enk

has led the girls’ team to multiple state championships and many section and division titles. “Glenn...[serves] as a role model to his golfers while simultaneously representing Peninsula to the larger athletic community with the utmost integrity and sportsmanship,” Principal Mitzi Cress said in an email to students, parents and faculty. Within the classroom, Van Enk tries to “find a way for even the most reluctant math student to find success,” Cress said. According to students, Van Enk has found a way to make math fun, with his constantly cheerful persona and light mood within the classroom. “He has this incredible sense of humor and does his best to alleviate stress in the room,” senior and calculus student Austin Alderete said. “He really makes sure you get the material.” Van Enk promotes cooperation in his classes and strives to build a tolerant, productive environment. “I want to turn kids on to mathematics, not turn them off,” Van Enk said. “If I can give students

Kailey Stapel/THE PEN

BY annie benedict

Glenn Van Enk poses with his certificate. Van Enk was the only high school teacher in PVPUSD to have earned this award. opportunities to be successful, that’s going to build their confidence. I try to let students know they belong in my classroom, to encourage rather than discourage.”

That's a Wrap 1

Boys’ Waterpolo

Boys’ cross country finished the season ranked fourth in Bay League. “This year, we got a new coach, so [the team has] been going through a lot of change,” junior Abagaaz Sherfa said. “There has been a lot for progress for us and I’m glad to that we’re getting better. Hopefully next year our success won’t just be in our record, but in CIF as well.”

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY

Jenny Lee/The Pen

Candy Shim/The Pen

Boys’ water polo finished third place in Bay League with a 13-12 record. The team was able to qualify for CIF despite a difficult jump from Division 3 to Division 2 and not qualifying last season. “The team did very well this year,” coach Albert Garcia said. “The boys rose up to match the competition and were able to compete in [the new] division.”

Girls’ cross country finished the season ranked fourth in Bay League. Coach Marcella Piersol is happy with how well her athletes raced this year, especially at the prestigious Mount San Antonio College meet, where the freshman team took second in their heat and the sophomores took first. “I am hopeful the core group of girls will segue into the track season, keeping the momentum going into another strong summer,” Piersol said.

Girls’ Cross Country

Courtesy of Louise Moore

Jeewoo An/The Pen

Undefeated for two seasons straight, girls’ tennis finished first in the Bay League. This past Friday, the team defeated University High to defend their CIF Division 1 Southern Section title and will be playing for the state Division 1 regional title tomorrow. Individual and doubles championships will continue into early December.

Girls’ Tennis

The seven fall sports concluded their seasons. Three teams and multiple individuals qualified for CIF. Story by Christopher Chien

SPORTS

Design by Tunika Onnekikami

Girls’ Golf

1. Junior Alana Roth plays for a point during the team’s Oct. 9 home match against Palos Verdes. The team won with an overall score of 16-2. 2. Freshman Reyna Aguirre Okamune runs during the team’s second Bay League meet on its own cross country course on Oct. 16. Girls varsity took fourth place in the meet. 3. Senior Daniel Mellor searches for an open teammate during a home game against Palos Verdes. The Oct. 10 match resulted in a 17-7 loss. 4. Freshman Thilo Robbers runs on Mira Costa’s court on Sept. 23. Boys varsity took fourth place in the meet. 5. Junior Josephine Xu tees off on the first hole at the Lakewood Country Club on Sept. 9 for the Knabe Cup. The team tied for eighth place of 26 teams. 6. Senior Malia Sato serves in a match against Mira Costa on Oct. 8. The team lost in the fifth and final set, 15-12. 7. Seniors Ashton Jones (50) and Jacob Rathburn (51) prepare for a snap in a night game against North High School, Sept. 9. The team lost season opener, 34-19.

Football

BONNIE LAM/The Pen

Jane Roschen/The Pen

The football team finished with an overall season record of 3-7 and a fifth-place ranking in league. Coach Michael Christensen is proud of how his athletes performed. “We need to become a better football program,” Christensen said. “One main goal is to improve our team’s strength and conditioning.”

Candy Shim/The Pen

Courtesy of Kurt Jupin

The girls’ golf team ended their season with an overall record of 0-13 and a league record of 0-6. Although the team did not make it to the CIF, sophomore Nicole Suppelsa and senior Chisa Kodaka were able to qualify for individual championships. Neither qualified for the second round of competition.

Girls’ volleyball ended the season ranked fourth in the Bay League with an overall record of 9-9. They qualified for CIF but were defeated in the first round. “[Most importantly], I want the team to learn to work together,” Coach Kurt Barcenilla said. “Not only work together, but work with each other, be a part of each other and make the program a very team-oriented experience.”

Girls’ Volleyball

WHO

claire yi/ the pen

JENNY LEE/THE PEN

CANDICE SHIM/THE PEN

Serena tramm/the pen

special edition

Profiling or paranoia?: School shooters remain hard to identify by chris lee “If you go to Costa you should watch out very closely at school today.” This initial threat was made on the anonymous social media application Yik Yak on Nov. 17, putting the school under lockdown procedures. Later that day, students and staff were told to be wary of an oncoming crisis. On Nov. 18, Mira Costa High School was closed, and police are currently investigating the source of the threats. Another post regarding the threats was anonymously posted later that day. It read “Almost every school shooter has left warnings before they committed their crimes that everyone ignored. It’s something to take seriously, remember that.” Since 1992, according to StopTheShootings.org, 387 school shootings have taken place across the

nation. Of the shooters, 186 were between the ages of 10 and 19. In recent years, school shootings have become a point of major political and media focus, but the factors that prompt students to take such actions remain enigmatic. On Oct. 17, three high school students were shot outside a San Pedro restaurant. All three students survived, but any details of the incident remain a mystery, including the identity of the teenager responsible. Junior Candice Shim often visits the restaurant where the shooting occurred. “[At] Peninsula, we have never really been in a serious lockdown situation, and students would probably panic,” Shim said. “Students tend not to take drills seriously, and that poses a problem if something serious happens.” According to Dr. Peter Langman’s study, “School Shootings: The Warning Signs,” rampage school shooters often

exhibit premonitory behaviors preceding their attacks. From direct threats to subtle remarks, signs of disturbed thoughts may be appear anywhere. However, Langman’s study also makes the point that, while these patterns have persisted in previous school shootings, suspicious behaviors do not always lead to violence. Safe School Counselor Christine Lopez notes that not all shootings are prompted by potential outside stresses, such as negative peer influences, but rather arise from a variety of personal problems. “I do believe that there are stressed out students at Peninsula High,” Lopez said. “However, I also feel that we have a very strong counseling department and support system for all of our students.” Peers can sometimes promote dangerous behaviors while unaware of

their influence. Geometry and Advanced Placement Calculus AB teacher Brian Hults previously taught at a school just outside of Chicago, where a student accidentally shot himself in the foot with a revolver he had brought to class. The offender was promptly expelled. “He was a nice kid and I never had any problems with his behavior,” Hults said. “But I think he ran with the wrong crowd and did the wrong thing to impress the wrong people.” Many misconceptions exist on what people define a school shooter as. Student shooters have come from all ethnic, economic and social classes, and while certain patterns have persisted in previous school shootings, there is no definitive way of determining where and when these shootings could occur. While risks, on a small scale, can be observed and remedied, unpredictable factors will always remain.

adrienne sheh/ the pen

SPECIAL EDITION

Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater BY AMANI JALOTA Peninsula ranks as the 26th top high school in the state of California, according to US News and World Report. Attending such a prestigious school comes with high expectations and pressure, which can push students to do anything for a good grade. Even cheat. World history teacher and discipline coordinator Jim Small estimated that about ten reported cheating incidents occurred in the first quarter. The responses to a survey of 117 students illustrate that 73 percent of students have cheated in the 2014-2015 school year. Of those people, 53 percent revealed that they have cheated three or more times this year.

Senior Tyron Watanabe, who is currently taking five Advanced Placement (AP) classes, believes that the fear of not receiving college acceptances motivates students to cheat. “Most of the students at our school do not need to cheat to do well; they just want to get the best grade possible,” Watanabe said. AP Government and AP Economics teacher Len Lyberger has already caught several students cheating this year. “Sometimes students copy answers from other students’ Scantrons or other times students cheat [on] homework checks,” Len Lyberger said. Last year, a group of teachers and staff members, led by Algebra Two Honors and Geometry Honors teacher

Linda Kurt and English teacher Betsy Okamoto, wrote the Honor Code, a set of guidelines introduced to students in the registration packet to raise awareness about the consequences of academic dishonesty. This same group of people formed the Integrity Committee, which meets once a month to tackle incidents and issues of cheating. The committee hopes to update the policy to make it more simple and fair. “Kids are not caught often so they think their chances of getting caught are not very great,” Kurt said. “They are willing to take the risk [of getting caught] to get a better grade.” Technology has made cheating easier than ever. In fact, 48 out of 117 students surveyed have used an electronic or

digital device as an unauthorized aid during a test. “Now there are anonymous apps, such as Yik Yak, that can give out answers to a larger audience,” English and Advancement Via Individual Development (AVID) teacher Tim Coleman said. “Many students cheat because they feel the ends justify the means. They think if they get into the school they want or get the grade they want, it does not matter.” Still, teachers hope to change this mindset “I tell my kids in class [that] you cannot cut corners and be a good student,” Small said. “You cannot cheat your way through life and students should learn that now.”

Not so ‘Solo’: Substance abuse increases in groups BY phoebe borsum and stella yoo

Music blares loudly from speakers and red Solo cups brim with foam. The heavy smell of marijuana lingers. One cup turns to two, and two turn to four. It is not long before everything becomes a blur. This is not an uncommon occurrence at a high school party. Even those who do not have a “hard partying” reputation are susceptible to alcohol and drug abuse. According to the California Healthy Kids Survey, students who attended schools on the Peninsula from 2013 to 2014 were vulnerable to such abuse. Eight percent of freshmen and 34 percent of juniors drank alcohol four or more times that year while 5 percent of freshmen and 18 percent of juniors have smoked marijuana in their lifetime.

“Some people might act differently than they normally would in a party situation because the alcohol or other substances are [influencing] them,” Advanced Placement Psychology teacher John Wheeler said. Based on a survey of 100 students, 41 percent of students attend parties hosted by peers a couple times a year. Of these parties, 37 percent involve drugs and alcohol. Forty-eight percent of students have been offered drugs and of those who had been offered, 9 percent were offered drugs at school, 21 percent at parties, and 15 percent somewhere else. According to Matt Huston’s article, “The Joyride Cure,” an anti-underage drinking campaign called Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) found that warning teens about social

embarrassment as a result of alcohol consumption was more effective than warning against the potential health risks of drinking. “Even though our personality can affect the way we act, the situation [also has an effect],” Wheeler said. Senior Laurie Marqueton believes that parties can be beneficial to a certain degree. “They affect students positively because students get to socialize with different people and perhaps even find new friends,” Marqueton said. “However, bad habits at parties will influence [students] and cause trouble that may affect [them] greatly in life.” Some students may take part in various illegal activities off campus; however, the school cannot discipline students unless incidents occur on

campus. “We really don’t have any jurisdiction if we hear that one of our students was overly intoxicated at a party over the weekend; that’s not school-related,” Safe School Counselor Christine Lopez said. However, the Palos Verdes Unified School District offers the Outlook Program, a substance abuse program where students can meet with a counselor outside of school to discuss private matters. Although this eight-week program is mandatory for anyone who is caught under the influence on campus, anyone can voluntarily seek its counsel. Many believe there is pressure on students not only to get the best grades they can, but also to be accepted socially. Parties may offer an opportunity for both.

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Healthy Kids Act fails to keep kids hunger-free

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Uswah Shabbir COPY/MANAGING EDITOR Fatima Siddiqui Design Editor Angela Song NEWS EDITOR: Noah Werksman WRITERS: Annie Benedict Esther Chu Sonia Desaidamle OPINION EDITORS: Lauren Lee Alex Bologna WRITERS: Zoe Willoughby Marine Fujisawa FOCUS EDITORS: Chris Kong Sama Shah WRITERS: Amani Jalota Christopher Lee STUDENT LIFE EDITORS: Jina Kim Florencia Park WRITERS: Phoebe Borsum Stella Yoo Annie Tyler SPORTS EDITOR: Tunika Onnekikami WRITERS: Christopher Chien Jenna Henry GRAPHICS Yasmine Kahsai Jackie Uy BUSINESS & ADVERTISING Isabelle Wang ADVISER Katherine Dunlap “The Pen” is the student newspaper produced by the advanced journalism students of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. It is published eight times per year. Advertising inquiries may be directed to Advertising Manager Giselle Velasquez at (310) 377- 4888 ext. 652. The Pen editors appreciate Letters to the Editors, which may be accepted up to one week before publication. You may submit them to H52 or Katherine Dunlap’s mailbox. Copyright © 2014

Front Illustration by Angela Song Design by Angela Song

BY zoe willoughby First Lady Michelle Obama’s 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act has been active since July 1 in Peninsula High’s nutritional agenda. It aims to improve the health of students by incorporating higher nutrition standards, which results in several price increases. However, in a survey of 100 students from Peninsula High, approximately 63 percent said they were driven to buy lunch from other sources after prices increased. These efforts to improve nutrition are futile, for students have not been buying the more nutritious, and more expensive, lunches. Since last year, campus vendors have changed their menus in order to comply with the new nutrition regulations set by the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). As a result, cafeteria customers have been opting for less nutritious substitutes available elsewhere on campus, sidestepping Obama’s goal of improving nutrition. “It is nice that [the lunches] are healthier, but then again it is a lot more expensive so it might encourage people to buy snacks from the vending machine,” senior Robbie Yoshikawa said. While some may benefit from the additional nutrition, the act actually puts student

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health at risk. In fact, fifteen percent of the 100 students surveyed are now buying food from the vending machine. “I [know] that the price of lunch at the cafeteria has gone up from $3.50 to $4 [in the last two years] so I started to buy less and less from them,” Senior Nathaniel Troy said. “Snack Shack food is more affordable and more satisfying.” According to the United States Government Accountability Office, 321 schools from 42 states have already abandoned the NSLP. Cash-strapped U.S. school districts find it difficult to change nutrition policies because unsold lunches contribute to the growing deficit. Patrick Renzi, Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District’s Director of Nutrition Services, says some vendors did not return for lunch service this year because they could not comply with the new standards. “Every bread item has to be 51 percent whole wheat grain, [which] not many bakeries have, so it makes our costs go up,” Kelly’s Korner vendor Jim Kelly said. The act has been detrimental to student health, and until prices change, students will continue to opt for less healthy and less expensive lunch options.

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PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL

“it is nice that the lunches are

healthier but then again, it it is a lot more expensive...

”

- senior robbie yoshikawa

39%

of students stopped buying lunches from vendors as often after these price changes

67%

of students believe that the Healthy HungerFree Kids Act will not be effective *of 100 students surveyed

editorial BY editorial staff A quick glance over the shoulder, a whisper to a friend, a slipped cheat sheet— who would know? We have all considered it. Some of us have even planned it, giving up at the last minute. And then there is the small percentage of us, the select few, who actually do it. It’s just a test in math. But it’s a test that matters. It’s a test of willpower—the only test that matters. Peninsula strives to be one of the best high schools in the nation.

Ranked incredibly well in academics, sports, activities, and, essentially, most every aspect of the school, PVPHS is a place students are proud to attend. And they should be. Yet, there is still one epidemic that continues to be a pressing problem for students of all grade levels. One that, in The Pen’s opinion, is the ultimate test of integrity and ethics. One that can defame a school and its entire student body. One that, unfortunately, is present and widespread. Cheating. People often associate cheating incidents with those students who are struggling, using cheating as a last resort to

barely pass a class. Nowadays, however, according to Stanford University, this dishonest behavior is more prevalent in above average, collegebound students. Students are so focused on receiving good grades in classes that they have started to ignore the actual purpose of school—to learn. So much so that they have resorted to cheating to simply secure one “good” grade in lieu of moral integrity. It is frustrating to those students who are honest that some people have an edge because of immoral actions. In that regard, The Pen wishes teachers would do more to

enforce the cheating policy. However, blaming teachers is like attributing crimes to a lack of vigilance on the part of law enforcement. Ultimately, we recognize that the students are responsible for moral mistakes. Is cheating really worth it if it compromises moral and ethical integrity? These actions can have detrimental effects in the future, like expulsion from colleges, and ultimately leads to a compromised conscience. We must uphold the honor of Peninsula and be trustworthy students.

OPINION

DOUBLE STANDARDS double standards among men and women reflected in society by trisha valukonis Though widespread misogyny is now considered a relic of the past, women continue to be marginalized. When 94 students at Peninsula High were surveyed, 81 students said that women are more likely to be shamed for casual hook ups than men are. Judgment of women is still prominent on the Peninsula High campus. Do Something.Org states that “seven out of 10 girls believe they are not good enough” whether it be in their looks or in their schoolwork. This mentality even extends to relationships, when girls feel the pressure to limit the number of partners they have had to avoid being referred to as a “slut.” The judgment and degradation that girls receive from others based on their “number” is in sharp contrast to the hook-up culture of boys, who, on the other hand, are often praised for the number of girls they manage to hook-up with. “Women are often portrayed as being valued for only their bodies,” president of the Miss

Representation club and junior Sianna Bethune said. “[It makes] young girls feel less capable of doing things for themselves, which only worsens the problem.” Humiliation and restrictions are unreasonable and have potential to inflict damage upon girls’ self images. This issue also stems from Peninsula High’s dress code, where girls have twice the stipulations to meet compared to that of boys. In fact, out of the 94 surveyed students, 34 admitted to have once been distracted by another’s choice of dress. “Stricter limits on the amount of skin a female can show sexualize them even more,” Bethune said. “It makes it seem like showing their bodies is something inappropriate.” Some girls are shamed for wearing even moderately revealing clothing and blamed when they are harassed for their “distracting” attire. However, girls’ bodies should not be viewed as objects to be

85 %

*of 100 students surveyed

84%

of students feel that

hook-up culture

of students believe that

IS ENCOURAGED AT SCHOOL

distracted by. Exposed to this prejudice at a young age, girls can develop a negative view of themselves and their gender. Feminism 101 states that adolescents need to be reassured that “girls as well as boys have sexual feelings, and that they are entirely normal.” Acquiring this mentality at an earlier age could eliminate the prejudice against women that involve themselves in sexual activities, and may spawn a more progressive future society in the long run.

girls

are more shamed for hook-ups than

boys are

"stricter limits on the amount of skin a female can show sexualize them even more. " - junior sianna bethune

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