Issue 8 by The Pen Newspaper

the pen

Palos Verdes Peninsula High School

www.pvphsnews.com

Vol. XXXVII

Issue 8

May 26, 2017

PEN BY THE NUMBERS

Multi-talented members of the Peninsula community show off their skills SPECIAL EDITION PAGES 6-9

ASB GOES FOR THE GOLD

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

PEN FLOATS TO THE TOP

National Gold Council of Excellence awarded to ASB

“13 Reasons Why” impacts suicide awareness

Boys swim team wins Bay League Championships

NEWS PAGE 3

OPINION PAGE 5

SPORTS PAGE 10

news

and the winner is...

ASB wins National Gold Council of Excellence Alison Kim The National Association of Student Council (NASC) presented the National Gold Council of Excellence to Peninsula’s Associated Student Body (ASB) for the second time. Since ASB is responsible for various school activities, including pep rallies, school dances and class competitions, it is often identified as a student organization that drives school spirit. “We are truly thrilled and honored for this achievement, and I am sincerely blessed to work with an amazing group of kids, along with our outstanding director, Season Pollock, and our fantastic clerk, Loretta Alvillar,” ASB President and senior Hutch Hershberger said. “I am glad that the award committee saw the excellence that I see in our school.” Applying for this award required strenuous work and took about four weeks for ASB to complete. To be eligible, schools were required to meet 51 qualifications made by NASC and write about how they met the standard. “One qualification was [following] traditions in [the school’s] elections that represent [our community’s] local elections, so I [wrote] about how certain aspects for ASB take from local and state elections,” Commissioner of Internal Relations and senior Ben Prock said. The Commissioners of Internal Relations are responsible for applying for this award every year. This year’s commissioners, Prock and senior Kenji Shimada, put the final application together, which added up to about 100 pages. Their hard work paid off, as Peninsula’s ASB was one of five high school ASBs in California and 240 ASBs in the nation to receive this award. Season Pollock has been the ASB adviser and Director of Student Activities since 2005. As a Peninsula graduate, Pollock considers all of the campus’ students and staff to be of special importance to her. According to Pollock, Peninsula feels like a second home and becoming the director that manages student activities felt like an honor. “I love that ASB does not want or need recognition for what they do on

our campus,” Pollock said. “They are leaders who wish [to do] nothing but lift up and celebrate all types of students– not just athletes or specific cliques.” Hershberger has been a part of ASB each year of high school, serving as freshman president, sophomore vice president, junior president and ASB president. He believes that his legacy should not be centered around his accomplishments, but around his impact on others. Hershberger’s humility allows him to stay true to the original purpose of Peninsula’s ASB: to serve the Panther community. “I hope I have left a legacy that is something to be proud of,” Hershberger said. “It is always about the people and the relationships you leave behind, [so] I hope I have showed kindness the way people have showed me kindness. As I leave this school, I will never forget how thankful I am toward those people.” Senior Joey Black served as junior class Vice President during the 20152016 school year, and is currently the ASB Vice President. Black cherishes the strong community Peninsula ASB has compared to other schools and believes that it has allowed for a strong bond among members. Similarly, Black takes pride in how the pep rallies bring all Peninsula students together. “I think that one of our priorities [this year] was to focus on other groups and people that do not get as [much recognition],” Black said. “Not everyone at Peninsula wants to go to dances or participate in class [competitions], and that is fine. It just shows that Peninsula is a place where people can be themselves. As the ASB, it is our job to make these people feel included and help them enjoy high school just as much as [the] students that go to class [competitions] and dances, and this year we really took that to heart.” Black emphasized on all their efforts to hold events that everyone can enjoy. One of the major reasons for winning this award was because of how accepting they have been this past year. “I think [this recognition] shows that [our] ASB is one that is believed to be a role model for others,” Black said. “But it means we have to constantly keep improving, and be able to admit when we are doing things wrong.”

“They are leaders who wish [to do] nothing but to lift up and celebrate all types of students.” - asb adviser season pollock

"I think [this recognition] shows that [our] ASB is one that is believed to be a role model for others." - Senior Joey Black

"It is an honor to be recognized for something like this, but at the end of the day, our purpose is to serve the student body and to create events that they enjoy." - Junior Grace Whitten

"We are truly thrilled and honored for this achievement... I am glad that the award committee saw the excellence that I see in our school." - Senior Hutch Hershberger

connor tumelty / The Pen nile minn / The pen

Opinion THE PEN PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL

EDITORIAL

27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

party ain't over yet: drinking ordinance set to fail

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Annie Benedict Marine Fujisawa MANAGING EDITOR Esther Chu DESIGN EDITOR Temishi Onnekikami NEWS EDITORS: Nina Li Nile Minn WRITERS: Rianne Aguas Alison Kim Ana Willoughby OPINION EDITOR: Chris Chien WRITERS: Anne Lee Asumi Shuda FOCUS EDITORS: Emily McGinn Zoe Willoughby WRITERS: Liana Korotzer Adrian Tai STUDENT LIFE EDITORS: Phoebe Borsum Jordan Chang WRITERS: Saffy Laurio Ailey Suzuki SPORTS EDITOR: Stella Yoo WRITERS: Haris Rao Zain Riaz GRAPHICS Ciro Fidaleo Two Laurio Brian Mo Connor Tumelty BUSINESS & ADVERTISING Isabelle Wang Sung Gyung Lee ADVISER Jaymee Johnson “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 Isabelle Wang at (310) 377- 4888 ext. 652. The Pen editors appreciate Letters to the Editor, which are accepted up to one week before publication. You may submit them to H52 or to Jaymee Johnson’s mailbox. Copyright © 2017 Cover Design by Temishi Onnekikami Connor Tumelty

Editorial staff Chaotic parties, illegal substances and rehabilitation were among topics discussed in the recently screened film, “If Only.” On the same day, students also heard from retired Manhattan Beach Police Chief Rod Ueyda, who discussed the current underage drinking issue on the Hill and the recent social host ordinance that will hold parents accountable for underage drinking in their homes. According to the PV Healthy Kids Survey 2015-16, 26 percent of juniors in the Palos Verdes Peninsula School District had used illegal substances within the past 30 days. There is a prevalent

underage drinking culture in our community, but attempting to eradicate this culture is sadly an unrealistic goal. While the social host ordinance is well-intentioned and certainly a fair first step in attempting to combat the “rampant” underage drinking problem on the Hill, as worded by the Daily Breeze, the potential adverse effects that may stem from such strict regulations pose a separate threat to the community. Implementing such a stringent mandate has the ability to exacerbate irresponsible teen drinking behavior by driving more teenagers to consume alcohol in closeted and unpredictable environments. Whether or not

there are barriers to drinking, high school students can and ultimately will find ways to consume alcohol, possibly in more dangerous ways. This is not to say that underage drinking should prevail in our community. There are enough studies and incidents to prove that teenagers consuming alcohol irresponsibly can lead to life-threatening or fatal outcomes, as underage drinking is a factor in one third of all teenage driving accidents. Local governments will never quite be able to eradicate the enduring troubles with teen drinking. It is an issue that persists and is so deeply ingrained in our culture that such an ordinance can only do so much to combat the situation.

two laurio / the pen

New California law reinforces gender pay gap Asumi Shuda On April 27, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals officially made it legal to pay women less than men for the same work and effort, based on the worker’s salary history. President Donald Trump has been confronted numerous times for his offensive statements toward women and has not been clear where he stands on the wage gap, but this was the breaking point for many activists across the country. This ruling has been criticized and questioned for its immoral reasoning and antiquated beliefs that should have been thrown out decades ago. Its unfair and sexist standards have left women and men across the country in outrage. It has already led to one lawsuit from a Fresno County public school employee whose lawyer, like many others, finds it hard to accept this system that supports unfair wages toward women. Research from Payscale indicate that when receiving a new job, the employee should expect about a 10 percent increase to their pay. However, because previous salary is often used to determine future earnings, revealing previous salary history is damaging for female candidates. The study shows that women tend to accept the first salary offer made while men negotiate more, which leads them to receive a higher salary compared to others. This leads to women getting paid less in the future. In 2015, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court hearing which stated that wage differences that are solely based on prior salary are discriminatory under the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA). According to the American

Bar Association Journal, this decree technically upholds an earlier one that states wages may be judged “based on any other factor except sex.” However, the “Graduating to a Pay Gap” report from the American Association of University Women (AAUW), found that women are paid 6.6 percent less than men, so salary history is not a valid judgment factor in determining salary. According to Gothamist, the New York City Council passed a bill to ban employers from asking potential employees, regardless of gender, about their past salary history. They believe that this will try to make it fair for women and men.

“I do not see this ruling as a setback but rather a [bump in the road] in the fight for equality and I do not expect this to stop the progression towards that goal.” - Senior Adam DeWitt Women have every right to equal pay and treatment as any man would, and will continue to fight to have their voices reach the ears of every person in America. “Women have to fight in the work force just to get their voices heard for the right of equal pay,” freshman Amanda Kalaydjian said. “[Equal pay] needs to be recognized as ours.” The wage gap will be widened, which will bring hardship to many financially unstable women in America. According to the AAUW,

women are now paid 80 cents to a man’s dollar. The gap has been narrowing since 1960 due to the progress in women’s education, as well as the growing female participation in the workforce. Paying women less than men only based on their gender is illegal, as it violates the EPA, which requires employers to pay their employees with wages based on skill, effort and responsibility instead of one’s sex. The EPA states that wages must be measured based on the quality of the production of the employee, or any judgment factors excluding gender. “Historically, the gender pay gap has always existed but it started to diminish under the Obama administration,” junior Irene Zhen said. “I think that gender should not play a role in how much a person earns, especially if they produce the same results under the same circumstances as men.” According to AAUW, 40 percent of mothers with children under the age of 18 are the main source of income for their family. These American families could potentially suffer from financial hardships. This leads to unpaid bills and student loans increasing debt and struggles to put food on the table. “I feel as if the United States is [now] further behind in gender equality, but I would like to think that the efforts Americans are making across the country have not gone unnoticed and change is happening for the better,” senior Adam DeWitt said. “I do not see this ruling as a setback but rather a [bump in the road] in the fight for equality and I do not expect this to stop the progression towards that goal.”

Isabelle Wang / The Pen

Connor tumelty / The Pen

“13 Reasons Why” raises suicide awareness

“The hope is that students will watch the show and realize that the things they do and say affect others, so they should be more careful with their words and treat people kindly.” - Safe school counselor Christine Lopez

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among the age range of15-34*

In 2013,17 percent of students in grades ninth to 12th considered attempting suicide*

*According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

A new show known as “13 Reasons Why,” based on Jay Asher’s book, has been gaining tremendous attention among students. The Netflix series depicts the story of a high school student named Clay Jensen and his classmate Hannah Baker who commits suicide. She leaves behind cassette tapes for the specific people who contributed to her death with each episode exploring the reasons why she takes her own life. The show has grown popular, but not for all the right reasons. While creators of the show hoped to relay the serious message of suicide and its effects, critics say that it glorifies suicide and is dangerous, especially for teenagers who may be experiencing the difficulties that Baker goes through. “13 Reasons Why” was ultimately created to raise awareness about suicide and to prevent suicidal thoughts, so it should not receive the backlash being given. A show like “13 Reasons Why” is necessary to reveal the harsh truths about suicide. While it displays explicit scenes of sexual assault that could leave viewers shocked and traumatized, there is a reason why they are shown. “The graphic scenes of this television show affected me the most,” sophomore Nicole Tam said. “Hannah’s suicide was so raw and intense and I felt the pain that she went through when she was cutting her wrists. It was very difficult to watch, but it was executed to show today’s generation the effects of bullying, suicide and rape.” The show takes viewers through Baker’s

life, relaying what teenagers with suicidal thoughts experience. It encourages students to be more cautious with the people around them and warns viewers of the consequences behind hurtful actions and comments, no matter how small they may seem. “Most people go on about their day saying whatever they want to people and do not even realize that it would affect them in a hurtful way,” sophomore Ari Cho said. “The show [depicts] how comments and actions build up to a point where that person does not wish to live anymore.” Safe school counselor Christine Lopez understands both sides of the argument and hopes that the show impacts students positively. She is aware of the show’s true intentions and thinks that it offers insight on suicide and depression. “The show brings light to a topic that most people do not talk about,” Lopez said. “I think that if [the show] was something that parents chose to display to their children in order to communicate suicide and depression, it could be very helpful.” On campus, “13 Reasons Why” has become a popular discussion topic among students, not only in terms of the intense storyline, but also the reality of how horrible suicide is. Although it can be misinterpreted as a show that glorifies suicide, most students realize the true message behind the show and hope to see others grow more wary of their actions because of it. “The hope is that students will watch the show and realize that the things they do and say affect others, so they should be more careful with their words and treat people kindly,” Lopez said.

Two laurio / The Pen

Anne lee

special edition

COUNTDOWN

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the individuals who shape our school and community share their stories as the countdown to summer begins co n n o r

m tu

daar raises the bar with five instruments saffy laurio Learning to play an instrument is a fairly common activity for high school students. However, junior Ryan Daar defies usual expectations by being able to play five different instruments: the bass, piano, guitar, tuba and ukulele. Daar first learned how to play the electric bass the summer in between fifth and sixth grade. Learning this first instrument is what jumpstarted his passion for music. Though Daar found the bass to be useful, today he favors the piano over other instruments. “The electric bass, though it is a great instrument, only serves one function in any music [since it only

Alison kim/ the pen ryan daar

hits a certain range of notes], so I was limited in that sense, but learning the electric bass taught me how to read music,” Daar said. “[However], piano is the most beautiful instrument in my opinion because it covers the entire range of any instrument you can play.” Today, music is a pivotal part of Daar’s life. On the Peninsula campus, Daar is part of orchestra, concert band and marching band. All music, especially jazz music, has greatly affected Daar’s outlook on life. “The thing about music is that it is very free and spiritual,” Daar said. “It represents all the things that are good in life. How one plays improvising, unspecific tunes is just like how one improvises when having a conversation with people. I think that as a musician and as a composer, being able to translate the ideas that you use in speech into music and vice versa really reveals the spirit of the character who is playing the instrument or [composing] the music.”

In addition to his vast knowledge of various musical instruments, Daar is also passionate about composing. For Daar, composing acts as an opportunity for creativity and self-expression. He feels as though his need to compose comes from an impulsive need to create art. “[Being a composer] is what gives me joy,” Daar said. “Arnold Schoenberg was a composer that once said, ‘Art is the compulsive expression of a man of genius,’ and I do not consider myself a genius by any means, but it is sort of this whole idea that I need to be creating something. I definitely do not start composing because I think I am good at it, so I could do it; composing is something that has become instinctual for me at some point, and I think that is the reason I love it so much.” Daar has recently written a piece entitled “They Return Again” that was performed by the orchestra on May 19.

“Listening to a piece of music can make you feel like you are somewhere else; it can make you feel like you are someone else, and to me that is the most powerful aspect of art.” -junior ryan daar

The song involves the entire orchestra and tells the story about various musical cycles. Orchestra director Fred Steiner was impressed not only with Daar’s musical skill, but also with his intelligence and kindness towards his fellow students. “I sincerely enjoyed performing [Daar’s] music with our orchestra. I know he worked hard to write a composition that fits the unique skills of all the students in our Symphonic Orchestra,” Steiner said. “Daar is a very engaging student. He likes to ask questions that are thoughtful and deeper than average. I also appreciate that I never see him being intentionally difficult or rude with others.” In the future, Daar aims to pursue a career as a composer. He hopes to study composition in college, but also take time to study the humanities, like philosophy. Daar feels as though the liberal arts will assist his creative process, especially due to the emotional connection he feels people have with music. “Music reaches inside of people’s souls,” Daar said. “In English class, some teachers say, ‘I love reading because when I read it makes me feel as though I am somewhere else,’ and to me music does the same exact thing. Listening to a piece of music can make you feel like you are somewhere else; it can make you feel like you are someone else, and to me that is the most powerful aspect of art.”

According to iLanguages, 40 percent of the world is monolingual, 43 percent are bilingual, 13 percent are trilingual and only three percent are multilingual (people who speak four or more languages). Senior Finn Koepf and sophomore Nikita de Vleeschouwer are both within the three percent who can speak four languages. Koepf grew up in Germany speaking German and English. He took his first language class in sixth grade and soon advanced to studying multiple languages at once. “After transferring to the United States, I took Spanish and French at the same time,” Koepf said. “While it was a bit difficult learning two languages at once, it was manageable with enough focus. Sometimes I got French and Spanish mixed up because they are very similar, but it was not too hard.” Like Koepf, Vleeschouwer grew up outside of the United States, moving here from Belgium in July. French was her first language since she grew up in Belgium, and she also picked up Dutch from her grandparents. She further improved her Dutch in elementary school in Belgium, where it was a required class. In middle school, Vleeschouwer began learning Latin, and upon arriving in the United States, Vleeschouwer was able to master her English skills. “I learned a bit of English by going on vacations and sometimes with my mom when I was younger, but most of what I know now I learned when I moved here,” Vleeschouwer said. Spanish teacher Jazz Thompson also began to learn multiple

I speak English.

Ich spreche Deutsch.

languages at a young age because his family exposed him to different languages as a child. “My family spoke Creole, which is broken French, and I was enchanted by it,” Thompson said. “I decided to take French [and Spanish] in high school. In college, I learned a bit of German, Italian and Latin, but I am not fluent in those.” After graduating, Koepf does not plan on attending college. Instead, he will continue learning languages while pursuing a career in the international relations sector. “I plan to continue studying all my languages and maybe adding Japanese or Chinese to my arsenal,” Koepf said. “Languages have always been fun for me to learn because I love communicating with people from different cultures, as I find all languages and cultures to be very interesting. I actually applied for a position in the international relations sector and plan on using the languages I have learned because I want to travel to different places.” Vleeschouwer also has aspirations of landing a career in the language sector. She plans on using her learned languages in everyday life and wants to be able to travel and speak the native language of different countries. “My dream job would involve travel as work, so if I speak the language of the country I am traveling to, it [would] greatly benefit me,” Vleeschouwer said. “Ideally, I want to have a career that involves meeting people in other countries [and] I [would] like to travel to the place to learn a language, so I plan to go somewhere in South America to learn Spanish. Learning new languages is fascinating to me and I am excited to learn more.”

Finn Koepf

adriAN TAI

Je parle français.

Alison kim / the pen

Students master four languages

Yo hablo español.

researchers earn third place at intel isef Alison Kim, Anne lee and liana korotzer Senior Karina Bjazevic and junior Alisa Hathaway both earned third place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from May 14 to 19. Seventy-five countries participated in the event, and 1,700 science projects participated. Bjazevic competed in the category of Environmental Engineering. Through her project, “Bioaccumulation of Oil by Aurelia aurita Mucus,” Bjazevic conducted an observational study, in which she visually assessed vials containing mucus and oil. She used a spectrophotometer, an apparatus used to measure the intensity of light, for further testing. She found that the mucus of Aurelia aurita, a species of moon jelly, has the ability to bioaccumulate, or trap, oil from water, leaving behind clean water. She began the project in July 2016 and finished in January 2017. Bjazevic’s findings in her experiment are especially significant to the environment because her method of cleaning

up oil spills could completely replace chemical dispersants. Oil companies could harvest the mucus, allowing it to degrade and reuse the oil. “My project is the first study of its kind,” Bjazevic said. “It was such a random, oddball idea and it worked.” According to Bjazevic, the fair allowed her to create bonds with other students around the world. “It was so incredible to be surrounded by kids from all over that

Karina bjazevic

were just as enthusiastic about science as I am,” Bjazevic said. “I have made many friends whom I intend on staying in contact with.” Hathaway’s project was centered around her interest in antennas. This year she decided to use her interest to solve an ongoing problem in her house, poor Wi-Fi signal. She developed an antenna that is able to be arranged based on the strength of a signal through her research project: “Increasing Wi-Fi Signal Strength Using a Phased

Alison kim/ the pen

Array Helical Antenna System.” She started creating an experiment based on her ideas last November and worked on the project for four months, creating a circuit board that is able to control antenna elements to send signals to different directions. Since signals can strengthen based on the angles the antennas are facing, Hathaway was able to increase Wi-Fi signals at her home to 13 decibel-milliwatts, 16 times the original strength at her house. Hathaway designed the system from her garage and tested it in her backyard. Next year, Hathaway plans to incorporate radars into the antenna system as an attachment which would be able to track and detect certain devices. This would mean that strong signals could be directed to electronic devices used in the household, ensuring that the devices are receiving signals that allow the devices to work at optimal speed and quality. “[Intel ISEF] was an interesting experience because it [reminded me] that science research is not limited to the United States,” Hathaway said. “International students are interested in what [American] students are interested in as well.”

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Special edition 9

Enacted in 1975, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, formerly known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, mandates the provision of a free and appropriate public school education for eligible students ages three to 21. At Peninsula, there are seven students with special needs who require the help of a special education aide. Job duties for a special education aide include physically assisting students with tasks like eating, using the bathroom and moving from one classroom to another. They also teach life skills to the students for future reference, and ultimately support the special needs students as they learn new subjects in school. Many of the special needs students have been with their aide for a number of years. If a student comes in without an aide, head aide Melissa Macias will ensure that they are paired with one through outside agencies. The students have a strong emotional connection with their aides who accompany them during school hours. Macias became an aide because helping children with special needs gives her tremendous joy. She is in charge of classroom duties and makes sure all of the students finish and correct their homework every day. Although she stresses that her job is very rewarding and makes her happy, the students’ disabilities sometimes makes it difficult to interact with them.

However, they are still able to connect with their students regardless of the students’ disabilities. “The workers are all here because they love what they do and the bonds that they create are really special [to them],” Macias said. Aide Vivian Mendez has assisted junior Hannah Geisinger for more than a decade. Mendez’s main priority is to make sure Geisinger is always comfortable and happy. “Working with special needs kids opened up my mind, allowing me to see them in a different light than before,” Mendez said. “They are exceptionally smart.” The special education students have a different curriculum than the rest of the students at Peninsula. For the most part, they learn useful skills such as keeping budgets and buying groceries. They also have the option to take an elective such as dance, band or art. “The children love their electives because they can be around the other students,” Macias said. Aide James Hernandez has also been looking after special needs children for many years. He says that at times it can be difficult when the students are not cooperating, but he loves working with them despite the complications. “[Helping the special needs students] makes me feel good; I enjoy seeing their faces when they learn something new,” Hernandez said. “Overall, it is very exciting and rewarding.”

Alison kim / the pen

Ailey suzuki

Vivian Mendez and Hannah Geisinger

Dynamic duo: special education aides help students

Drama wins first place at dtasc festival Liana korotzer

On April 22, the drama department attended the Drama Teacher’s Association of Southern California (DTASC) 97th Spring Shakespeare Festival, where Drama I, as well as Drama 3 and 4 Advanced classes, competed against other schools. The schedule involves two initial rounds, semifinals, finals and an award ceremony. Peninsula won first place in the junior varsity (JV) division for the production of “Richard III,” directed by junior Alexa Jones and senior Courtlyn Foster. Jones also won first place in the Technical Theater: Character Costume category for her costume designs for “Richard III” in the varsity division. The eight-minute scene follows the story of Richard III, the ugly and deformed Duke of Gloucester, who attempts to seize the royal throne. He creates chaos throughout England by murdering King Henry and other citizens and manipulating various queens. Foster and Jones focused on the story of the Duchess of York and the three queens: Anne, Elizabeth and Margaret. “We had to rehearse after

school, which was difficult to organize since we had busy schedules,” Foster said. “We actually only had one week to get a scene together, when we usually have six weeks to rehearse.” The JV group also added a new script in the week before the festival and used old chairs as props. However, the actors and directors worked for many hours to pull through and win first place in their division.

“When I was told that I [won] first, I began crying because I realized that working hard for three months, two hours a day, actually paid off. It gave me the most intense sense of bliss I have had this year, so it was all worth it.” - Junior Alexa Jones

Jones also put immense time and effort into her costume design entry, which included a research paper, 15 designs and many reference photos. She handmade the costume, which sophomore Noah Shafer modeled, by ripping a suit, sewing a patch and much more. She woke up at 3 a.m. to lay gelatin, liquid latex, cotton and fake blood on Shafer’s face as part of his makeup. “The design or production concept is the unifying look that holds an entire show together to connect

the audience with the one coherent world,” drama teacher Seth Cohen said. “With costume design, you are not just creating the clothes that the characters are wearing in that moment; you must imagine each character having a whole closet as appropriate to the time and era.” Jones’ process included researching the characters and picking the best fabrics. It also involved creating rough sketches, making detailed drawings and finding inspiration from the real world, literature and history. “When I was told that I [won] first, I began crying because I realized that working hard for three months, two hours a day, actually paid off,” Jones said. “It gave me the most intense sense of bliss I have experienced this year, so it was all worth it.” Both Foster and Jones believe that work ethic is extremely important in DTASC festivals and look forward to pursuing drama in the future. “I am proud to know that my own work was recognized,” Jones said. “It is great to work on my own because I push myself to my limits.”

Zoe willoughby / the pen

Courtlyn foster and alexa jones

Sports

Just keep Swimming

Boys’ and girls’ swim teams qualify for CIF Championship

On May 4, the varsity boys’ swim team competed against Mira Costa High School (MCHS) in the Bay League championships and captured their ninth consecutive Bay League crown. Girls’ swim placed second and qualified for CIF. Junior Sebastian Russell added to Peninsula’s winning streak by taking first place in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:39.72. “I was pretty nervous going in, but I knew that with all the hard work and practice that I put in, I would come out on top,” Russell said. “Once we started, I kind of got in a trance with the flow of the water. I nailed my start and kept up a good tempo.” Peninsula opened the meet by winning the 200-meter medley relay with senior Matthew Amano, sophomore Aiichiroh Shirakata, junior Bryce Snaguski and sophomore Brennan Preyer. They clocked in at 1:39.78, well ahead of second-place Redondo Union High School (RUHS) at 1:46.25. Russell’s triumph, along with many secondplace finishes by the team, led to Peninsula’s championship title. Peninsula finished with 500 points, MCHS was second with 454, RUHS took third with 350 and Palos Verdes was fourth with 330. Varsity swim remained dominant by defeating their competition, MCHS and RUHS. Many CIF consideration times were

placed at the MCHS event, including sophomore Aiichiroh Shirakata’s 200-Individual Medley (IM) and 100-yard backstroke. In the girls 200-medley relay, freshman Mie Due, junior Siena Lucido, junior Christine Lee and senior Brooke Geske all set CIF qualifying records. The boys mirrored the girls’ success in the 200-medley relay with Amano, Shirakata, Snaguski and sophomore Yuma Sato all qualifying for a CIF time. The boys battled hard, but Shirakata was the only one to qualify for CIF state finals. Shirakata ended the day with his third place 100-yard breaststroke and fifth place 200-IM. Shirakata broke many swim records throughout his spring split. At the 2017 Klaus Barth Invitational, Shirakata broke a 58 year-old record for the 100-meter swim. Shirakata said that he was not aware he had broken the record during his event because he was solely focused on swimming to his greatest extent. “Personally I did not think I did well at CIF, but when we swim all together we usually do better,” Shirakata said. “High school swim is all about the team and our environment, and Peninsula provided all of that for us.” CIF state finals took place on May 18, but Shirakata was unable to attend. “I broke many records this season and was a little bummed that I could not attend the event that might have allowed me to go to nationals,” Shirakata said. “I plan on becoming even faster and stronger. [I do not plan on] stopping my growth as a swimmer and look forward to next year.”

“I was pretty nervous going in, but I knew that with all the hard work and practice that I put in, i would come out on top. Once we started, I kind of got in a trance just going with the flow of the water; I nailed my start and kept up a good tempo.” -Junior Sebastian Russell

a t a k a r Shi 8 5 s k a bre ld o r a e y rd o c e r 100m

Girls q ualify for cif 200m m in edley relay

connor tumelty / The Pen

Haris rao and zain riaz