Issue4

Tideline

ELECTION 2008 Palisades Charter High School • Pacific Palisades, CA • November 1 - 12, 2008 • Volume XLIX, Issue 4 • www.tidelinenewspaper.com

KLIMA ADDRESSES STUDENTS IN Q&A FORUM

N E W S A N A L Y S I S

Welcome to Depression, Enjoy Your Stay

BY D ANIEL HARTONO Tideline Editor-in-Chief

Students communicate with studentelected faculty representative on Board of Directors in an open forum.

A Question and Answer Forum was held with Mr. Steven Klima, the student-elected faculty representative on the Board of Directors, on Monday, October 13 in B101 in order for students to openly communicate with the elected candidate in a formal setting.

Klima has been a teacher at Pali for fifteen years, previously worked with Leadership for seven years, and also was a Senior Class Sponsor for six years. Currently, Klima teaches English Literature and AP English Language and is one of eleven members on the Board of Directors.

As the student-elected representative on the Board, Klima wishes to support the ideas and concerns of the students. “I saw that the students did not have a voice and I wanted to make sure that they were represented. I just want to make sure students understand the role of the Board,” said Klima at the meeting.

Continued on page 2

PALI GOES GREEN

BY A US TIN WILLIAMS Tideline Staff Writer

Ms. Iannessa, Director of Student Services and Attendance, desires to restore Pali pride by cleaning up the quad. She believes that the trash left over from nutrition and lunch is evidence of a lack of respect for the school.

Ms. Iannessa wishes to motivate the students, but is unsure whether it would be better to have a system of reward or punishment. One idea she has is to offer a longer lunch period, or give dolphin tickets to those who clean up trash. Some ideas of punishment would be to block off “trashy” areas and to assign detention to the offenders.

Mr. Christopher Lee, social studies teacher said, “It sounds like she is being very creative.

The students should be praised for cleaning up and there should be more reward than punishment.”

There is an environmental consid

Road Safety Assembly Page 2

BY WILL A NDERS ON and M ARIEL R EDLIN Tideline Staff Writers

Club Day Attracts Student Interest Students promote their community service clubs, including Oxfam America and UNICEF, and scores of students signed up.

BY F IONA HANNIGAN AND S TEPHANIE TAFT

MARY HOBBS Tideline

cover outlets for their interests, but it also allows students to examine the many ways that they can complete their mandatory community service hours.

“Club Day is the best venue on campus to introduce all clubs, whether they are service clubs or not,” community service director Gretchen Miller. “All 21 of our community service clubs on campus participated this year.”

With the help of leadership students, club presidents, and Mr. Jefferson, tables were set up for each club participating during nutrition. It was then up to the club presidents to make posters and decorate the tables.

In addition, community service clubs were required to bring the 300 fliers containing the club’s

mission statement to hand out to students.

There are over 100 active clubs on campus, although only under 70 clubs, 40 not including community service clubs, participated in Club Day. However, students were still overwhelmed with the variety of clubs to choose from. “I thought it was kind of cool that all the students organized all these different clubs, but I did think it was a bit chaotic,” said Freshman Ben White.

Upperclassmen were also able to take advantage of Club Day. “The amount of clubs and people looking to join is impressive as always,” said Junior Chauncey Hicks. “College admissions certainly can drive people.”

Senior Su Kang, ASB Vice President, organized this year’s Club Day. “Club Day was and always is such a hectic day, especially because there weren’t enough tables for the community service clubs this year,” said Kang. “I think in the end, though, that the final goal was reached as many students were exposed to clubs which allowed them to discover new interests.”

Several new clubs made their debut at this year’s club day, including the Pali ‘08 Debate Club, which meets Wednesdays at lunch in F104.

“This was my first time being involved with Club Day, so that was pretty exciting!” said Senior Tyler Continued on page 2

The Tideline Newspaper received the Gold Medalist Award in the 2007-2008 Columbia Scholastic Newspaper Competition. After earning Bronze the previous year, the Tideline was motivated to improve and received 936 out of 1000 possible points, with All-Columbian honors in Coverage and Business Operations.

The critique is broken down into four categories: Coverage, Writing and Editing, Graphic Presentation, and Business Operations. The newspaper

earned 290 points out of 300 in Coverage, 366 out of 400 in Writing and Editing, 183 out of 200 in Graphic Presentation, and 97 out of 100 in Business Operations. Compared to last year, the Tideline Newspaper scored 224 points higher in total to earn the Gold Medalist Award and had significant increases in all categories.

All-Columbian honors were awarded for earning over 284 points in Coverage and over 94 points in Business Operations. Business Manager Edwin Amirianfar and Malana Kalimullova are proud of these improvements.

Amirianfar said, “This award means a lot to

me. We worked hard as a team raising money for the newspaper and we all deserve this award.” Additionally, James Bourne, Editor-in-Chief, said, “Our hard work and dedication to the paper paid off and I’m looking forward to getting it again this year. This is a tremendous honor for our staff.”

Although the critique featured many categories that the staff exceeded expectations in, there were areas that require improvement as well. The judges’ commentary suggested decreasing editorializing in news coverage, making layout styles more consistent, and identifying all persons in pho-

tos. Dexter O’Connell, Editorin-Chief, said, “We will be IDing everyone in our photos this year and we won’t be editorializing at all. However, I believe our newspaper layout is unique, but we will still work on the consistency anyway.”

Journalism Advisor Ms. Cappelli is proud of her students and said, “My journalism class works hard every day to put out this paper. They truly deserve this Gold Medalist Award and I am extremely pleased with their effort.”

Club Spotlights Page 3

College Fair Page 4

Cheaters Page 5

Election 2008 Page 6

Tideline Staff Writer and Editor

Club Day invites many students to join new clubs.

Students flooded the quad at lunch during Club Day on October 15, in order to get a taste of the many clubs available on campus. Clubs ranging from the Creative Writing Club to the Chess Club set up tables on the quad, handed out flyers, and informed prospective members of their purpose and plans for the year.

Not only does Club Day give students a chance to dis-

Tideline Wins Gold Medalist Award in National Newspaper Competition

BY D ANIEL N IKNAM Tideline News Editor

The next 20 years will be unlike any in the history of the United States. Our national debt has risen to unprecedented levels.

The dollar is losing value rapidly.

Americans’ savings are at the lowest point since the Great Depression. The combination of these factors, plus many more, have led to a widespread opinion that we are in the early stages of the worst economic collapse in global history. We keep being told not to panic or worry, that the federal government will take care of it. Yet, when people are having their homes taken away from them or are having to find a second or third job to support their hungry families, who wouldn’t panic with a $10 trillion national debt staring them down as well? You, along with the rest of our generation, are going to have to pay for it.

On October 3rd, 2008, The House of Representatives voted to pass the federal government’s historic $700 billion plan to bail out the nation’s financial system.

Later that same day, U.S. stocks fell dramatically, capping the worst week for the stock market since the 2001 terrorist attacks.

They have continued to fall since, and the decline has included the worst week, by percentages, in history.

Why now? What caused this sudden collapse?

For one thing, the economic collapse is not sudden. Inflation and national debt have increased steadily since Richard Nixon eliminated the gold standard in 1971. But during the past eight years of the Bush Administration, America’s economy has suffered more then ever before. For the first time in history the United States is fighting three wars while taxes are being cut.

The banks and financial institutions have been deregulated.

This allowed banks to trade in the stock market. The housing market exploded. Prices went up.

Banks sold mortgages to people without down payments or proof of income. When interest rates jumped, home “owners” could not pay back what they owed. They defaulted, and the banks were left with worthless paper. Now, we have a credit crisis and banks are afraid to lend to each other. This is very serious, and no one seems to know how to fix it, or where we are headed.

But the question remains: what does this mean for you and our generation? As a student, you may be saying to yourself, “It’s Continued on page 3

Girls Volleyball Page 8

NEWS

Tideline Caltrans Assembly Educates Students on Road Safety, Driving Laws Page 2

BY NEGAR MAHMOODI Tideline Staff Writer

Vehicle crashes are the number one killer of American teenagers. As a response to the frightening statistic, a new campaign under the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) held two assemblies on October 7 during third period in the large gym.

Both assemblies began with a personal account by Katie Mothersell, who experienced a near fatal car accident a few years ago.

Mothersell then played a drivers’ safety video, Red Asphalt V, which is often showed in drivers’ education courses. The video contains real, graphic images of fatal accidents and the testimonials of each victim’s loved ones. A mourning mother featured in the video said, “A vehicle is a machine, you have to respect it. No parent should have to live like this.”

It grabbed the attention of nearly every student sitting in the stands. “All of the images were graphic and they warned us to be safe,” said Sophomore Yeraldyn Pacheco, who attended the first

assembly.

As students sat stunned and silent at the end of the video, Mothersell admitted, “The video is tough to watch, but driving is such a highlight of growing up and we just want you to be safe.”

However, it was shortly followed by a lighter video that purposely targets teenagers, made by the newly created Slow For The Cone Zone campaign, founded by Caltrans.

In the second video, several young adults were featured who stated road safety facts and tips while speaking in rhyme over a hip-hop beat. “Look up and hang up, or you’ll be banged up,” said one of the teenagers about the danger that the use of cell phones pose while one is driving.

Afterwards, Mothersell asked the students questions about the statistics and other pieces of crucial advice that were mentioned in the film. Those who answered the questions correctly won a Frisbee that had the campaign’s website, www.slowfortheconezone.com, printed on them. Students who saw the Caltrans video are able to

go to the website, take a quiz, and be entered in a sweepstakes to win either a Scion XB or $1,000 that is meant to be used to pay for car insurance and gas.

Campaign representatives also brought laptops with them so that students would be able to take the quiz right after each assembly. In addition, two California Highway Patrol officers were passing out free bumper stickers, mouse pads, and key chains.

Slow For The Cone Zone is currently on its statewide high school tour, and is visiting fortytwo schools. Pali was picked mainly because it is in the middle of two of the most frequent sites of vehicle accidents and crashes: Sunset Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway.

The images and lessons students saw and learned aren’t likely to be forgotten. Although not old enough to get her permit, Freshman Belin Rivas said, “ Red Asphalt V kind of scares you. The things that I saw were nasty, some things you just don’t forget.”

Pali Tries Being Green

November 1 - November 12, 2008

VAL KARUSKEVICH Tideline

Mr. Klima (above) ran unopposed for the position of faculty representative on the Board of Directors. Mr. Klima’s main goal as faculty representative is to increase the students’ voices in board meetings.

Klima Addresses Student Questions in Q&A Forum, Runs Unopposed

Continued from page 1 Klima would also like to address the issues concerning certain students in the school community. “I have had students come to me about community service and prices in the cafeteria.

On community service, I am looking at the policy to see how it could be amended to better serve the students,” Klima said.

Since the students are currently unable to elect a student representative onto the Board with voting rights, Klima is responsible for representing the general opinions of the student body towards a particular issue. “I have to go with what the students want,” said Klima.

With regards to the possibility of having a student-elected student with voting rights, Klima said, “We looked into that for the charter renewal and legal concerns came up. Persons under the age of eighteen cannot legally sign a

contract. It becomes a sort of gray area. Students coming to the charter renewal meetings probably realized it wouldn’t be such a great idea.”

Currently, several administrators sit on the Board of Directors as well. Klima said, “I don’t really have an issue with it, but some stakeholders do. There were some issues with voting rights. In the future, we wish to have the Principal and the Executive Director serve as ex-officio members, in which case they would sit and not vote.

Currently the Executive Director has a vote.”

Klima also suggested methods in which students would be able to bring up particular concerns. “If they [the students] have a concern, they can come to the Student Concerns Committee. I am usually in my room, or students can send me an e-mail at sklima@palihigh.org.”

Continued from page 1 eration to the trashing of the quad as well. If not properly disposed of, pieces of plastic left over could find their ways into the sewers and down Temescal into the ocean nearby. Open trash can lead to health issues as well. This problem affects not only the school, but the community at large. Ms Iannessa said she would like to work with EAST, the environmental and spatial technology program class to place more recycling cans in the quad to cure the problem. “ I’ve started ‘trash talk’ where I rate the quad based on how clean it looks by the end of the day,” said Ms. Iannessa. “Many of the students claim to be environmentally aware but still the quad remains trashed by the end of lunch.”

In addition to her ideas, she is looking to Leadership to come up with ideas of their own to solve the problem. Junior Matt Manavi said, “I think the quad is not as clean as it could be.” Even with all these ideas put in place it would still be up to the students to take action to clean up this daily mess. As Ms Iannessa said, “We could do better.”

SENIOR CLASS SHIRTS COMBINE DESIGNS

BY WILL ANDERSON Tideline Staff Writer

Every year, the senior class chooses a student-submitted design for the class shirt. Anyone can submit a design, and seniors vote on which one they want as the final design. However, this year, the senior shirts are a hybrid design between the two top choices. “Right now were working on combining the two images. It’s a nice compromise. It’s good to see people working together to reach a consensus,” said Mr. Lee. The date when shirts will be available is yet to be announced.

Senate Bill Protects Student Advisors

Pool Fundraising Efforts Renewed

MARY HOBBS Tideline

Emma Carter and Chelsea Bailey take time o from writing for the Tideline to fundraise for Pali’s pool.

BY BEN LEVINE

Tideline Staff Writer

Students step up fundraising efforts for the new Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center.

The school has recently seen several fundraisers for the new pool, one of which occurred on October 10, as Pool Enthusiasts, a student fundraising group, collected money from other classes during first and third period in an

On Sunday, September 28, 2008 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1370, authored by Senator Leland Yee, which will protect journalism advisors from reprisal by administrators due to student speech. Senate Bill 1370 will officially become law on January 1, 2009. BY DANIEL NIKNAM

attempt to reach the cost of the pool.

Pool Enthusiasts went from class to class dressed in beach and pool attire in order to create awareness for and excite students about the upcoming Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center. Over the course of this fundraiser, $775.00 was collected. However, the school still needs to come up with an additional $600,000 in order to reach its goal of $3.5 million to complete the pool.

Despite this fundraiser’s relative success, the money raised barely made a dent in the ominous $600,000 needed for the pool project. “Overall, we had a pretty good response,” said Junior Alan

Kim, who participated in the fundraiser, “But some classes were more cooperative than others.”

On the subject of general enthusiasm for the new pool, Mrs. Gilbert said, “All of the kids and adults in the community and clubs will be using it.” Many feel that as it will be their pool, students should be more excited about the upcoming pool and that the students should be more active in raising money for the pool.

Sophomore Jesse Roth said, “The people collecting money should keep doing fundraisers. I think [that] the pool is a great idea and I think [that] people would care more if they knew that they could use it.”

There have been many cases in the field of journalism where advisors have been laid off or suspended as a result of student editorials, which usually questioned administrative policies.

The Senate Bill will forbid any employee from being disciplined, for example, dismissed, suspended, or transferred, for attempting to defend a student’s speech. The creator of this bill, Senator Yee, has authored other bills in the past, including a 2006 law that guards students from being punished for speech or press activities. Senator Yee a true defender of students voices said, “I am very pleased to see

who participate in debates.”

Brewington’s club was able to find unique ways of attracting members. “I made a banner, and my friend Olivia helped me set up the booth. I brought some speakers and blasted Barack Obama’s Invesco speech (accepting the nomination for President speech) and some music. We also had soy beans,” said Brewington. “I think it was a success! People were hopping all over the place to sign up, and now we have 78 members.”

Returning clubs, such as the Red Cross Club, which meets

Mondays at lunch in F104, experienced success as well. “I think the Red Cross name itself attracts people. They associate it with a strong sense of aid to the community and because the Red Cross has played large roles in disaster relief,” said Senior Ava Sun, Club President. “This year, we had about 140 people sign up, which is the most we’ve ever had.” The Club already has big plans for this year. “We’re already working on a fundraiser by making friendship bracelets and selling them to raise money for victims of

Hurricane Ike and Gustav,” Sun said. “This year, I really want all members to become CPR certified, since the Red Cross has upped its youth program and is planning on providing free or discounted CPR and first aid training.” They also plan to participate in a variety of events, as they have in the past. “I think we’ll have a good year,” said Sun. Club Day was able to provide both clubs and students opportunities to become involved on campus. Mr. Cohen, Leadership Advisor, said,

California continue to ensure true freedom of the press is alive and well on our campuses.

Allowing a school administration to censor in any way is contrary to the democratic process and the ability of a student newspaper to serve as the watchdog and bring sunshine to the actions of school administrators.”

The passing of SB 1370 has students, specifically journalism writers, excited with the new freedom for their advisor.

Journalism Opinion Writer and Editor-in-Chief, Dexter O’Connell said, “I’m glad Senator Yee passed this bill and

Students Participate in Club Day, Show Interest in Many Clubs

Continued from page 1 Brewington, the club’s founder. The club plans to debate political issues in the news and their current focus is the 2008 presidential election. “Since our club is open to all Pali students from all political walks of life, many students were eager to join, especially Republicans because they felt that their voices were not being heard in a primarily liberal school,” said Brewington. “I think that everyone in the club is going to bring something fresh to the table and hopefully open the eyes of all

“The variety of clubs, including Club Day overall, is important because it lets students have a happy experience on campus.”

Mr. Cohen, who also supervised Club Day in 2007, said that unlike the tumultuousness of last year, brought about by short notices and not enough preparation, Club Day this year was much more organized. In an effort to formalize any club that might have missed out this year, Mr. Cohen and Ms. Ianessa, Director of Student Services and Attendance, are planning to have a “mini-Club Day.” This would

Governor Schwarzenegger signed it because it allows students for more important freedom of the press by giving the advisor the protection not to censor.” Editor-in-Chief, Elana Joffe said, “I think it is fantastic that the student press advisors can no longer be harassed by the administration for students’ opinions.”

Journalism advisor, Ms. Cappelli, said, “Considering that I knew the journalism advisor at Beverly Hills High who was removed, this Senate Bill has me ecstatic. It relieves a lot of pressure from journalism advisors.”

also let students who were influenced by this year’s clubs form their own club instead of having to wait until next year.

“Club Day really got kids, particularly freshmen, involved and able to get ideas to start their own clubs,” Cohen said. “I just want to see the kids get involved, and unlike last year, this past Club Day seemed to have more interesting clubs. It just seems that this year more kids want to be involved with student activities.”

CAMPUS LIFE

November 1 - November 12, 2008

BY MELINA CHARIS

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Tideline Campus Life Editor

Tideline Performing Arts Club Strives to Make Miracles

he Performing Arts for Kids with Disabilities Club, also known as PAKD, aims to provide a unique and profound message that blends passion with selflessness.

Its message is simple: provide children with all developmental disabilities, especially autism and cerebral palsy, with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie through the facets of performing arts. Whether it’s dance, theater, or singing, PAKD feels that children with disabilities need an outlet, as well.

The Performing Arts for Kids with Disabilities Club started last year when Co-President Katie Lantz saw a need for a new and unique way to help these children as well as gain valuable community service hours. “I grew out of my own disability through performing, and I figured that other children with disabilities should have an equal opportunity,” Lantz said. Lantz’s endeavor took flight when she, Co-President Mia Canter, and a few of her friends began volunteering every Saturday morning teaching children with disabilities how to express themselves through ballet. “After working with them, it changed my whole outlook on life,” Canter said. “It made me think, ‘Why wouldn’t people want to help kids like this?’”

Their club immediately attracted many students, especially those involved in drama or dance, who wished

H

Photo Club Captures The World

BY VAL KARUSKEVICH Tideline Staff Writer

umans are surrounded by visual stimuli every day. An individual can see the visual world, and then he can capture it. The skill of capturing images is embedded in a select few. Anyone can look through the viewfinder of a camera, select their subject and press a button, but it requires skill to take this simple process and turn it into an art. All interested in the processes of photography are welcome to join the Photo Club.

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to use their own passion to help the good of the community. Elena Loper, a club member who is actively involved in the Drama Department, said, “I love working with kids and I love performing, so it’s great that I can combine those.”

Late last year, Lantz stumbled across a completely new organization that incorporated the club’s entire message in another unique way: through theater.

Appropriately named “The Miracle Project,” this program for children with autism “provide[s] a loving, accepting, nurturing environment which celebrates and honors the unique and often unrecognized talents of these young people through creative workshops and artistic programs,” said the official website. Lantz and other members of the club instantly became active volunteers of this organization, attending weekly classes on Wednesday nights. Loper, who became involved in the Miracle Project through the club, said, “I love the Miracle Project, especially being able to go every week and work with these kids. Their improvement and their general happiness are truly inspiring.”

As for this upcoming year, PAKD plans to explore new avenues and is actively recruiting new members.

“This year I want to get involved with programs involving the technical arts and visual arts, such as drawing and painting,” Lantz said. Currently, PAKD meets Mondays at lunch in D203.

Pali Ambassadors Take Visitors On Top-Notch Tours EDWIN POULDAR Tideline

BY PAULINA F IROZI

The Pali Ambassadors Club is motivated to show visitors the pride of Pali High.

Tideline Staff Writer

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The Photo Club has many goals and ideas and needs dedicated students to be a part of capturing the world through a camera. The club’s main objectives are “to practice and understand photography as an art and business, and to educate about camera-tech and the foundations of a great photograph,” said Club President Igor Shvartser. “Also, we want to form contests and projects such as assigning members to school events and partnering with Journalism [and] Yearbook to provide various photographs.” Overseer and sponsor of the club is new photo teacher and experienced professional photographer, Rick Steil, who is open to questions and advice during club meetings.

All students are welcome to join the Photo Club, both beginners and the experienced. The only requirement to become a member of this club is passion. Each student has to enjoy taking pictures. The club won’t be limited to digital or film; both will be discussed, used, and enjoyed. The club is scheduled to meet at lunch in E101, on the first even day of every week.

Now, selected students take visitors to all the main areas on campus once or twice a month, sharing some interesting Pali experiences and answering any questions that parents and students might have. Parent coordinators of the Ambassadors Club are Eileen Savage, Hilary Satz, Leslie Woolley and Lori Mendez, and are always there during tours in case there is anything that the students cannot answer or simply if a “parental” point of view is needed.

Though most club communication is through e-mail, club meetings are held once a month in Mercer Hall to discuss upcoming tours, ways to improve, and of

CALENDAR

Project Runway Finale Wows Watchers

BY ARIANNA F ISHER

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ervous and full of questions, soon-to-be “fresh meat” eighth graders cluster together in groups, their trembling hands moving toward their parents’ as they take their first look towards the big, bad high school campus.

The mothers and fathers are just as nervous, wondering if this is this the right school for their child academically and socially, where the teachers and their classrooms are, and, for goodness sake, where the restrooms are because their three morning coffees have gone straight through them. This is where the Pali Ambassadors come in.

The Pali Ambassadors Club is a student and parent run group that conducts tours and inspires prospective students and their parents to attend. Established four years ago by former principal Dr. Martinez, it was created as a way to organize a warmer welcome for the growing number of people hoping to come to Palisades, which had recently become an independent charter.

Tideline Staff Writer

he Project Runway finale on Wednesday October 15th provided fashion lovers with the opportunity to enter Bryant Park and view each of the three exquisite collections up close. Contestants Leanne Marshall, Kenley Collins, and Korto Momolu made Project Runway history by being the first all female finale. Along with the title of the winner of Project Runway, the winning contestant would receive a 2009 Saturn View Hybrid, an opportunity to sell their line on bluefly.com, $100,000 to start their own line, and a year of representation by a fashion company.

The episode started off with the expected Project Runway drama, when the judges only allowed the contestants to show ten of their twelve looks at Bryant Park. With this surprise came the drama of fittings, what to showcase, and how to go about doing so. After all of the pieces were figured out, it was time to do a model casting. While trying to avoid

fights, the contestants determined hair and makeup for their models that would make the collection look cohesive. After the usual evaluation by Tim Gunn on the looks and intents of each contestant, the contestants were ready to show their designs on the runway.

Kenley Collins was the first to showcase her work. Her inspirations from nature, Alice in Wonderland, and her own hand painting were showcased in short, colorful dresses that added a quirky twist to girly style. Although her collection was beautiful, the judges felt that she wasn’t very inventive, and used ideas from other designers, deeming her a “copy cat.” With that, she was the first of the three contestants to be voted off. It was then between Korto Momolu and Leanne Marshall. Korto’s collection, inspired by her African roots, showcased an impeccable color selection, a variety of outfits appealing to different women, and a lot of accessories. Korto’s collection was a great ode to who she is as a person, but was perceived as

a little too overworked. Leanne’s simplistic yet exquisite collection inspired by waves showed many different types of outfits. Though her use of petals seemed to be repetitive, her collection showed consistency, elegance, and cohesiveness that was not seen in any of the other collections.

At the finale, it came down to Leanne’s feminine, divinely executed collection, and Kortos colorful, versatile garments. After careful consideration, the judges chose Leanne as the winner of the fifth season of Project Runway. They felt that her collection showed effortless beauty, and execution not present in any of the other lines. In the end, the decision was best for the future of the fashion industry. Leanne provides a fresh new outlook and looks into the future of the fashion world with a bright and meticulous eye. Each new Project Runway finale shows more ingenuity and creativity than the last, and this finale did not disappoint.

course tips on winning the crowd with all Pali has to offer. Though ambassador interviews and meetings have already started, Club President, sophomore Nicole Savage stresses that anyone who is articulate, willing to be involved and enthusiastic can join. “This year has seen an increase in the number of members,” said Nicole. “Every [student] will be trained to become [a] well-informed ambassador.”

When asked how it would benefit him personally, new member and sophomore Jack Scharf responded that he “wanted to be a good representation of the school” for prospective parents and added that it might look good,

The Express

BY RACHEL LEVITAN

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Tideline Staff Writer

he Express, starring Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid, is an inspirational story of a young African American man breaking through the oppressive segregation of 1950s America to earn a place in sports history.

The film revolves around Ernie Davis, a young African American with a stutter, growing up in coalmining Pennsylvania. Ernie, played by Rob Brown, experiences the racism engulfing the entire country, but faces it with determination, as he slowly rises to local notoriety as one of the fastest, most talented football players on his high school team. The small buzz about Davis’s skill grows to a roar as college recruiters from across the nation flock to his small town to try and woo him to their respective teams. The standout of these coaches is Syracuse University’s Ben Schwartzwalder, played by Dennis Quaid.

EDWIN POULDAR Tideline

later, on college applications.

Answering the same question, Junior Lauren Hansen said “I want [the club] to help parents choose where to send their children. I want them to like our school - it’s not about me.”

Like most clubs on campus, Pali Ambassadors are helping both the school and the community, and anyone who wants to join can talk to club president Nicole Savage or any of the parent officials. Not only are these students taking the initiative to be leaders and to showcase Pali in a brighter light, but they are also helping to save the world, one scared eighth grader at a time.

Attending Syracuse, Davis experiences racism, but is seen in a new light as his seemingly innate talent is revealed on the football field. Rapidly rising to his vital position on the varsity team, Davis’s fame proliferates, as his friends and family back home begin seeing his face in newspapers, and on T.V. Davis’s triumphant ice cream sundae has the cherry set on top when he is awarded the prestigious Heisman Award; He is the first black to ever win the trophy.

At this point, the movie is successfully moving and is inspirational despite its somewhat hackneyed basis and its plot’s stale predictability. While the lack of originality is definitely notable, The Express still manages to convey the heightened sense of excitement for Davis’s accomplishments, and the frustration and empathy for the racism he experiences along the way. Dennis Quaid is the standout in the film, as his portrayal of Coach Ben Schwartzwalder is seamless. Rob Brown is sweet and likeable in his lead role of Ernie Davis, but entirely forgettable.

The movie seems to hit its closing point with Davis’s life coming together with offers from the NFL and a loving marriage with his college sweetheart, when the predictability of the plot is thrown off course as the viewers are reminded of the “true story” basis for the movie. With Davis being as happy as he could have ever imagined, realizing his lifelong dreams, he is diagnosed with leukemia. Obviously barred from ever playing with the NFL with such a condition, he dies at the age of 23.

This unexpected and saddening ending distinguishes The Express from other similar movies, and provokes contemplation from the moist-eyed audience.

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Tideline

OPINION

November 1 - November 12, 2008

#If the people who make the decisions are the people who will also bear the consequences of those decisions, perhaps better decisions will result.$

E D I T O R I A L S The Tideline

Publishing Manager: Diva Joshi

Editors in Chief:

James Bourne, Daniel Hartono, Elana Joffe, Dexter O’Connell

IT Manager:

Graham MacGillivray

Junior Editor: Jackie Rosen

Layout Editors:

Henry Conklin, Rex Kirshner

News Editors:

Fiona Hannigan, Daniel Niknam

Sports Editors:

Justin Nam, Alison White

Opinion Editors:

Alex Caan, Jackie Rosen

Entertainment Editors: Caroline Coster, Arya Davachi, Katy Pool

Campus Life Editors:

Melina Charis, Lexi Green

Photography Editor: Mary Hobbs

Business Managers:

Edwin Amirianfar, Milana Kalimullova, Rex Kirshner

Faculty Advisor: Ms. Cappelli

TIDELINE POLICY S TATEMENT

Published twenty times a year, the student newspaper of Palisades High School (the Tideline) is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions concerning its contents.

Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board.

Letters to the editor are welcomed and will be published as space allows. Letters must be signed, although the staff may withhold the name on request. The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel, privacy and disruption of the school process, as are all contents of the paper.

Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or policy of the administration, unless so attributed.

STUDENT POLL Taken on 10/22/08

W HICH

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WOULD YOU VOTE FOR ?

T

Fed Up with Being Summed Up

he fall season of senior year is perhaps the most crucial and stressful period of time in a young person’s life. Everything preceding these final moments of the educational journey have been nothing but a prelude to life. This is the sinkor-swim moment that we have been preparing for since elementary school. Unfortunately, the path to the college level has become less of a voyage and more of a race, especially since the class of 2009 is projected to yield over 3.2 million high school graduates. In a race that will affect the outcome of our adult lives, it is important that we show these colleges exactly why we should attend their school. If this is the case, why must we be so concerned with such petty statistics like our class ranks?

Seeing as how colleges have no practical way of getting to know each of us personally, it makes sense that our evaluation is based on a grading system. Even so, we, as well as being diligent students, are still living, breathing human beings that cannot be categorized or fairly judged on the basis of a statistic. Our grades are meant to be symbols of guidance, showing prospective colleges our general work ethic and supposed level of intelligence. Yet, the original intention of the grading system has somehow become distorted and corrupted in such a way that it has begun to assign us numbers meant to exude individual value. We were once defined as separate entities through unique characteristics that could never be summed up with numbers. Now, we are characterized by data on a stat sheet. Is this really fair?

What isn’t fair is being measured by competi-

M

tion rather than individual worth. It’s not fair that we’ve been assigned a number where a name should have been. It’s not fair that we’ve been distinguished by GPA rather than character. It’s not fair that we’ve worked our fingers to the bone for eighteen years of our life just to be sifted into a percentage group. None of it is fair.

Fortunately, the system has not been entirely corrupted. We are still given a chance to provide colleges with a genuine taste of our complexion through essays and extracurricular achievements.

Nonetheless, that which truly matters still takes a back seat to those magical figures that somehow determine our significance as students. Most colleges won’t even take the time to look at the essays of an applicant with a “sub par” GPA. What hope does a student not in the top 100 of their class have if the GPA has become the meat of the evaluation, rather than the entire package as a whole? What does all of that hard work matter when all you get in return is a letter explaining that you didn’t place high enough in a race that should never have been?

“What’s your rank?” everyone seems to ask.

Perhaps next time you hear this question, you’ll stop and think to yourself, “What does it matter?” We are not sums, quantities or exponents; we are people.

Intelligence is not quantifiable through math. Work ethic can never be described in terms of percentages. Human complexity can never be broken down into integers. The brilliant young men and women who assembled the building blocks of the college system surely must have known this. It makes you wonder just what in the world happened.

Jumping on the Bandwagon of Danger

ore and more often lately have I been disrupted during my lunchtime abyss by moaning whale sounds echoing throughout the quad. After realizing that these sounds are not hallucinations, nor have I mysteriously teleported to Sea World, I always come to the same unfortunate answer. A good portion of my esteemed peers have resorted to extreme levels of immaturity while boorishly advertising their intent to promote mass chaos.

Nonsensical brawls, and the occasional catfight, tend to produce immediate reactions after a single punch or slap. When analyzed apart from each other and everything else, these fights are so petty and obnoxious that they are not newsworthy. When combined with each other and the infamous “Ohhh” sounds, however, entirely new stories emerge. These acts of immaturity not only spark the fuse on our inner dynamites of aggravation, but are also much more dangerous than these conformists seem to think.

Everyone thought the first time the mass movement happened was hilarious. People climbed benches and brick walls to get a better look at the commotion. It’s funny only because our school is so prone to the domino effect. If one person starts doing something, chances are a hundred more will follow suit. It’s interesting especially if you’re the one that starts everything. For example, last year a huge food fight in the cafeteria started after a morsel of food was knowingly thrown at the wrong person. Although the danger has been mostly vocal annoyances so far, someone may start something legitimately serious one of these days. Security has a hard enough time as it is keeping the mobs under control during these periods of extreme vocalization. Imagine if they escalated to physical hysteria.

According to Dean Howard, the worst injuries from these events of large crowds moving quickly over short distances have so far been the occasional swollen hand or face. This does not mean, however, that more than that can’t happen. If those who test the “jump on the band wagon” mentality of the student body make anything seem like enough fun, we may end up with lawsuits or even potentially tremendous injuries.

It starts with the “Ohhh”ing and screaming, and it will end with broken bones.

I do not want to be a variable in someone’s twisted “what will happen if I do this?” experiment. If enough people enthusiastically board this figurative wagon to quench their needs for sick amusement, it feeds a farcical thirst for this kind of entertainment that has become contagious among the students in the quad. It will all end in disaster “whenever anybody ‘Ohhh’s’ or runs,” said Dean Howard. Regarding the yellers as silly high school pranksters, however, is the wrong way to deal with them. Silly pranks can easily act as veils to hide the scary situations they truly are.

BY SAM ANDERSON

We Want YOU!

Tideline Staff Writer

(1245 polled)

Obama: 74.9% McCain: 10.3% Other: 6.1% Undecided: 8.7%

DO

YOU SUPPORT

A SSISTED S UICIDE ?

(257 polled)

Yes 53% No 47%

D

oesn’t it feel good to have colleges giving us their pitch for a change? On October 7th at 6:30 pm, almost 70 college representatives packed into Mercer Hall for the College Fair, designed to get juniors and seniors acquainted with some of the colleges they may end up applying to.

From Santa Monica College, where dreams of higher education go on hold, to

WILL ANDERSON Tideline

Harvard, which dangled its unattainable moniker in front of ivy-hungry students: the schools in attendance ran the gamut of location and reputation.

The first thing I noticed upon walking into Mercer was the claustrophobia and the bodily stench that inevitably comes with packing 200 people in a tight space during a heat wave. Then there were the geo-

-John Abrams

Letters to the Editor

Dear Tideline,

I am a very disappointed student.

I am currently enrolled in Honors Geometry. I am very appalled with the new geometry textbooks. The books are very condescending. We have to work in groups and work mostly on artsy projects. This is not elementary school. I understand that some students learn at different paces but I prefer the old geometry textbooks. I hope that the rest of the math books stay the same. If the school changed the book I will be very disgruntled.

-Amy Monserrate

Dear Tideline,

We all know that school lunch is never the best food in the world. In fact, Pali has one of the best cafeterias I’ve seen, especially compared to my middle school’s poor excuse for one.

But recently my friends and me have resorted to eating pizza everyday because of the lack of change in the food choices. It’s the same thing everyday and wherever there is a change the students aren’t consulted

J

first. Students have a say in the food they eat. Even if the food isn’t the best in the world.

-Alexandra Sotelo

Dear Tideline,

I want to applaud your idea of taking the time to write about the points of view regarding teachers being put through a more rigorous evaluation process before being hired.

I totally agree that they should, seeing as I know of so many teachers that just don’t teach at all, leaving so many students clueless. Specifically at Pali, I think that the math department is severely lacking. Some or rather what seems to be most math teachers don’t teach the material. Or they are so brilliant they can’t teach people of supposedly inferior intellect in a way that is understandable. It is just so troubling for the people that have to go and seek help from friends and/or tutors when they shouldn’t have to. I hope your article opens more eyes to the hiring process teachers are put through.

The Difference Between Love and Murder -Hannah Kogan

BY JULIAN SCOTT Tideline Staff Writer

ames Wheeler, an 84-year-old retired engineer, has been married to his 85-year-old wife, Betty, for 64 years. They have had a full, blissful marriage; James is known to his Carpentaria neighbors as the gentle old man who compassionately guides his afflicted wife on their daily walks. For the past five years, James has witnessed his wife’s fall into the depths of Alzheimers, watching helplessly as she no longer recognizes her devoted husband and loving children. On September 22, 2008, a prosecutor described Wheeler as a threat to his wife, himself, and the neighborhood, and concluded that he should be kept in Santa Barbara County Jail without bail.

On September 17, 2008, James Wheeler wrote a five-page suicide note in addition to a check to pay for his and Betty’s funerals. He fed a hose from his car’s exhaust pipe into his house and waited with his wife in his arms. A neighbor walking by saw the hose and called for help, foiling the Wheelers’ suicide attempt.

James had grown despondent because Betty’s dementia had progressed to the point where she no longer recognized her husband of 64 years or their two children. James’ attorney, Steve Balash, said to the Los Angeles times, “In his mind, he just wanted them to be together.

He doesn’t want to live without her.”

Because we live in a society where assisted suicide is illegal, this 84-year-old man, who wished for nothing more than to be reunited with his wife, is being charged with attempted murder and elder abuse.

Am I the only one who sees the wrong in sending an 84-year-old man to prison for an act of love? The New York Times said that James speaks of Betty wanting to “go see Jesus.” She could no longer bear the pain of feeling lost every day, and James could not bear to live without her.

If a person, or two people wish to die together, it is not the law’s place to prevent them. As Thomas Jefferson said, among the rights a government must guarantee to its people are “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” If in the pursuit of one’s own happiness, one feels the need to take his life, aren’t those two essential rights their own?

No one knows each other better than James and Betty, who have been married 64 years, and when they became separated from each other by a devastating sickness of the mind, all they yearned for was to be reunited. Who could feel right preventing two such loving souls from being forever united in the blissful abyss? Who could feel right sending a gentle, loving old man to prison on charges of attempted murder for an act of love? Certainly not me, you, or the law.

graphical difficulties, with some schools in the wrong spot on the map or not on the map at all. Some tables had 4 reps where 2 would have hardly fit at all. I was shocked to see the spokesperson from my future alma mater, Columbia University, fighting for his square foot of allotted space and elbowing between the other two people next to him.

After wandering around, asking questions and taking countless brochures, all of the colleges began to blend together.

Nothing differentiated them. The reps talked about how close the college is to the next major city, how nice the kids are, or how beautiful the campus is. However, none of them gave out any polarizing or divisive information. I felt like I was being sold a used car and the salesman was leaving out the detail about the iffy breaks. It was strangely analogous to the recent presidential debates, with no candidate divulging solid evidence. The representatives dug into the neighboring schools’ flaws, which was an even more striking resemblance to the debates. “There are way too many girls at Vassar,” said the rep from another small liberal arts school.

Upon some more attentive listening, however, some differences among the col-

leges became detectable. The Emory College spokesperson noted that classes were taught by top-notch professors and never by graduate students or teacher assistants. The Rice rep also mentioned the quality of professors but conceded that although most classes are taught by professors but about 5% are not. Haverford is set apart from other schools by its Quaker origins, which influence its honor code. The honor code is a contractual obligation for all students to look out for one another, abstain from cheating, and to conduct themselves in a conscious and safe manner.

Choosing a college is a decision that not only influences the next four years of a person’s life, but also affects where you live, who you marry, and what career you pursue. It cannot be decided by only looking at a colleges’ “sales pitch.” In this way, the fair was not beneficial. Rather, the benefit of the fair was to better acquaint yourself with a school you were already interested in, and eliminate some schools based on fundamental differences. Judging from the brochures strewn around my room, it only perpetuated the obsessed focus on college that most high school students are plagued with.

November 1 - November 12, 2008

YES on Prop 1 and NO on Ignorance and Apathy

Tideline

OPINION

Passion on the Stands and the Field

A

BY JULIAN BOIREAU Tideline Staff Writer

BY JAMES BOURNE

A

Tideline Editor-in-Chief

mericans, and in this case, Californians, need a serious refocus of their political priorities. We live in country that doesn’t value infrastructure, a country that doesn’t value investment in itself, a country that demands instant gratification and a country that needs everything right now.

At least, it appears that way.

Proposition 1 (Prop 1) is a green light for a $40 billion dollar investment in the state of California. The argument that our state cannot pay for the initiative is simply false. The Legislative Analyst’s Office concluded that our state is able to pay for it. We cannot afford to not pay for it now. By voting yes, you will create 400,000 jobs right here in California and pump needed cash flow into the economy. It would release $10 billion dollars in bonds to begin the process of building a bullet train right here in California. The trains would run from San Diego to San Francisco at sustained speeds of 220 miles per hour. Best of all, trains are already the most fuel efficient method of transportation per pound and California’s High Speed Rail would be powered by renewable energies. In fact, the Sierra Club and other environmental organizations support Prop 1 because it reduces carbon emissions and will be powered by renewable electricity.

The fact is that gasoline is dirty and expensive, and there is no other alternative fuel for aircraft. High-speed, long-range transportation other than airplanes is the solution to this problem. Save fuel for planes and

save time on short flights. With baggage and checking, flights to San Francisco are slower than the train would be, and you wouldn’t have to arrive hours before the train leaves. California High Speed Rail is smart.

A vote for Prop 1 is a vote for the future of California.

Californians represent Americans as a population in that neither is willing to prioritize public works and infrastructure. The public works projects under Roosevelt and Eisenhower are remembered among the great accomplishments of the 20th century. Let’s make history now.

But voting yes on Prop 1 will require you to get the facts and to overcome apathy. Don’t blindly follow the list of recommendations from your local Republican Club or your local Democratic Club - get the real facts and make your own decision. The president of Pali’s own Democratic Club couldn’t even explain why she was encouraging other students to vote no on Prop 1, except to say that the Palisades Democrat Club told her to and that they back her.

“Voting YES on Prop 1” is backed by the Sierra Club, the Planning and Conservation League (and other “green” organizations), Democratic Mayor Antonio Villaragosa, Republican Governor Schwarzenegger and, unlike the Palisades Democratic Club, local Democratic clubs (including West LA) across the state. But don’t take my word for it. Find out for yourself at www.cahighspeedrail.gov, read the ballot initiative summary sent to your house, or Google it to read both sides of the issue. It’s your future.

Have a Heart, Buy a Card

BY DEXTER O’CONNELL

T

Tideline Editor-in-Chief

he current economic climate is characterized by a lack of regulatory controls, massive stock market collapse and international interconnectedness. It is already starting to rival the great depression for epic and disastrous collapse. There is no question that it is more difficult than ever to sell a product with impeccable credentials, much less one with questionable value.

It is a fundamental of economics that when the market is flooded with a good that demand is low for, and the price is set high, the good will not sell and there will be an enormous surplus. I admit that I may not have studied economics as much in depth as those who came up with the discount card scheme, but this is the basic underpinning of the theory of the free market as I see it.

It’s not that the discount card scheme was, on its face, a terrible idea. It was perfectly sane, and unfortunately flawed due to a confluence of circumstances far outside the control of Finance Manager Kevin Olsen. The cards, which cost $20, were a good idea. $10 went to the ASB fund and $10 went to the school organization that sold the card. Unfortunately, the slumping economy rendered the scheme somewhat less effective than it would have been otherwise by lowering the already low demand. When I went into the finance office to discuss the issue with Mr. Olsen, I saw hundreds of unsold cards sitting on the floor. Now, a printed card made of plastic is not particularly expensive to manufacture, but the fact is that this takes time that could be better utilized in other places. Additionally, teams and clubs that require the sale of the cards have certain members who, finding themselves unable to sell the cards due to the unfortunate events of the economic situation, face harsh consequences from their unforgiving coaches.

The cards are another example of the schemes that schools have to resort to in order to properly finance their activities in the current state funding crunch, caused by the detrimental effect of Proposition 13. When elections come around, voters must consider the long-term impacts of their decisions as they step into the voting booth. Please think about the following as you cast your votes this fall: which candidates will make schools sell little plastic cards to finance their activities, and which will help to fully fund educational initiatives? Which candidates will work towards educational equality of opportunity and which will give out vouchers and declare the problem solved? How will the quality of schools be measured? Will harebrained schemes continue to dominate educational funding, or will the plastic be replaced by checks that fund programs appropriately and fully?

passionate coach, teammate, or any one of the persistent students inhabiting the stands screams “Just Score!” Multiple sets of open mouths and glaring eyes populate the lively stands of a Palisades Charter High School football game. The faces belong to seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen alike. Regardless of the outcome of a game, the cohesive group of huddled fans can always be counted on to show gratitude for a significant effort by our on-field warriors. If anything can be concluded from watching a Pali football game it would most likely be that inspiration travels both ways - first from the players to the crowd, then vice versa.

Not to mention there is always the presence of enough emotion to rival the very presence of water in the ocean.

What does the presence of a crowd signify? To any athlete a cheer acts as the Nile does to the barren African Sahara. It is the vital lifeline that keeps everyone moving when the future looks most bleak.

Unfortunately, when the crowd loses confidence, it is on the shoulders of the players to produce a spectacular play, ruffling the feathers of doubt. Of all the come-from-behind victories Hermes has delivered, how many were summoned by the pleas of a losing crowd? Most.

The amount of times a long bomb has inspired cheers of excitement and amazement are countless, in turn gratifying whomever carried out the play for his effort. When confidence comes into question, inspiration is in fact contagious.

Emotion stirs our very souls, quite like the uneasy feeling expressed about the officiating of the Fairfax game, or the creaking of a broken heart after a tough loss. A variety of emotions are felt at a football game including pride, disappointment, and pure thrill. Our school is a home to over 2700 students and more of them are turning up to support a much-improved team and remind the opponents that they aren’t at home. The advantage of playing at Pali is finally coming into effect, although more than one of our teams deserves this support. Disappointment comes with the thrill of an anticipated victory or the outcome of a single play that goes the opposite direction than planned or desired. To keep this disappointment away from our home field, we should keep up the good work by being the best cheering squad Pali athletes could ever ask for.

Cheaters: I Am Watching

BY JAMES BOURNE

Tideline Editor-in-Chief

C

heating is, unfortunately, a part of high school. It surrounds student life and, in some cases, defines the very essence of some so-called students. I always looked at it as a personal choice a preference, if you will in one’s education. However, that changed when class ranks came out a few weeks ago.

The word “student” is based on the same root word as “study,” which is something cheaters do not do. Therefore, it is unreasonable to call a cheater a student, unless one was to argue that the student had to study the method of cheating.

The main problem with cheaters is that they compete with you. Do not convince yourself, as I did, that it is a personal choice that only affects them. They are competing with every other student in their graduating class. Seeing big cheaters get higher class ranks than hard working students would be brutally painful. Few people are applying to the schools I am, but someone somwhere is competeing with cheaters. For each cheater who hadn’t cheated, my class rank would be one better.

Cheating is not wrong because you are copying someone else’s work. In most cases, friends are more than willing to share with each other. What makes it wrong is that every cheated grade is nothing but a rung on a ladder. In order to climb up, a cheater must push someone else down. Thus, cheating

“

Kevin Gonzalez

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No, I don’t support cheaters. They need to study and do work by themselves Michelle Townsend

Do you tend to support cheaters or ignore them? Why?

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Cheating won’t get you anywhere in life.

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Ian Papa JUNIOR

Chyna Quarker

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F RESHMAN

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I tend to support them because cheating helps students having trouble with their classes.

”

I ignore them because I can’t afford to lose points.

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S ENIOR

S OPHOMORE

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”

They can do it if they want to.

Hannah Williams F RESHMAN

Did the presidential debates influence your decision for this year’s election?

”

I didn’t watch them.

Justin Sawai S ENIOR

IZABELLE NEW Cartoonist

is really just stealing someone else’s spot at a college or stealing someone else’s class rank.

Teachers note: cheaters are sly.

Sure, they take the exam, but then they switch with a student in front of them to check and verify answers - all while you’re checking your email on your computer. All seems well until the AP scores come back and you can’t figure out why this particular student brought down your pass rate.

The purpose of this article is not to complain about cheaters, or to give away their tricks of the trade, but rather to help underclassmen understand what it means when they let their friends cheat on tests. It’s a cutthroat world.

Although the majority of students aren’t “cheaters,” don’t let the minority of people who do seriously cheat ruin your chances at college admission. Don’t let them take your spot and outshine you.

Cheaters, in the end, are funny.

Sure, they will go all kinds of great places, assuming the schools they apply to fail to notice that the A or B in an AP class doesn’t match up with the 1 or 2 on the AP exam. But then they have to succeed wherever they end up, don’t they? Getting into a “good school” is one thing, suceeding there is another. Cheaters always seem to be the normal kids, but teachers and classmates see through that. It is unfortunate that colleges do not have the same perceptions.

Page 5

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A little, because we got to see the detailed views of each candidate.

Trevor Jimenez

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S ENIOR

ENGLISH TEACHER

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No, because there’s a performance aspect to the debates that has little to do with the intellectual aspect of being president.

Ms. Korbonski

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I still am in love with Obama.

Tyler Brewington S ENIOR

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No, because I feel like they didn’t say anything new.

Nina Dallal JUNIOR

Page 6

Tideline

BARACK OBAMA

CHOOSE OR LOSE

Senato r Obama pl ans to carry o ut a “2 1 s t century eco no mi c Ag enda” s o as to s ecure the Uni ted States a co mpeti ti v e po s i ti o n i n the g l o bal eco no my and to ens ure the mi ddl e cl as s co nti nues to thri v e and g ro w, acco rdi ng to hi s campai g n. He i s g o i ng to i ncreas e i nfras tructure i nv es tments , i ndependence i n energ y, educati o n, and res earch and dev el o pment. He wi l l al s o make the tax co de mo re mo dern and s i mpl e s o that i t creates g reater rel i ef and o ppo rtuni ty fo r mo re Ameri cans . He al s o pl ans to i mpl ement trade po l i ci es that wi l l benefi t Ameri can wo rkers and ex tend ex po rts o f Ameri can g o o ds . He emphas i zes a di fferent eco no mi c appro ach fro m Bus h’s eco no mi cs – what he bel i ev es are fai l ed po l i ci es . He s uppo rts federal pro g rams to pro tect the rural eco no my, and bel i ev es the mi ddl e cl as s needs a res cue packag e wi th tax cuts . Hi s po l i ci es do no t i nv o l v e a pl ank cal l i ng fo r the reducti o n o f the defi ci t.

Senato r Obama has pus hed fo r a co mprehens i v e nati o nal energ y po l i cy and has i ntro duced a number o f bi l l s to bri ng o ur co untry cl o s er to energ y i ndependence, acco rdi ng to hi s campai g n. He has fo und co mmo n g ro und o n fuel eco no my s tandards , renewabl e fuel s , and cl ean co al . He i s an o ppo nent o f o ffs ho re dri l l i ng and nucl ear po wer.

Senato r Obama bel i ev es i n ev ery Ameri can’s ri g ht to affo rdabl e heal th care, acco rdi ng to hi s campai g n. He pl ans to bri ng to g ether bus i nes s es , the medi cal co mmuni ty, and members o f bo th parti es aro und a co mprehens i v e s o l uti o n. He bel i ev es that McCai n’s pro po s ed heal th tax credi t i s a bad i dea and that i t wi l l co s t tax pay ers mo re. He pl ans to emphas i ze s ubs i di es to peo pl e who can’t affo rd care, g uaranteed heal th care fo r any o ne who needs i t, al tho ug h i ns ured peo pl e and empl o y ers can keep thei r pres ent care, zero fi nes and no mandate fo r s mal l bus i nes s , and no ex cl us i o ns fo r pre-ex i s ti ng co ndi ti o ns . He has no t s tated ho w he i ntends to pay fo r the pl an.

Senato r Obama bel i ev es that educati o n i s the v ehi cl e fo r s o ci al and eco no mi c mo bi l i ty, and i s a s o urce o f ho pe fo r mi l l i o ns o f y o ung peo pl e, acco rdi ng to hi s campai g n. He emphas i zes the i mpo rtance o f s cho o l s prepari ng s tudents fo r the g l o bal eco no my and fo r thei r pl aces as co mmi tted and eng ag ed ci ti zens . He pl ans to ens ure qual i ty educati o n fo r al l s tudents reg ardl es s o f race, cl as s , o r backg ro und, and to s treng then publ i c educati o n. He wants to g i v e s uppo rt and res o urces to po o r and s trug g l i ng di s tri cts to g i v e o ppo rtuni ti es to di s adv antag ed s tudents . He pl ans to bo th g i v e mo re fundi ng to s cho o l s and demand acco untabi l i ty, as wel l as emphas i ze i nno v ati o n i n educati o n, as he has i n hi s career. He i s a s uppo rter o f charter s cho o l s and an o ppo nent o f s cho o l v o uchers .

Senato r Obama has s ai d fro m the beg i nni ng that the Iraq war was wro ng i n i ts co ncepti o n. In 2 0 0 2 , Obama s tated that Saddam Hus s ei n po s ed no i mmi nent threat to the Uni ted States , and that i nv as i o n o f Iraq wo ul d o nl y l ead to an o ccupati o n o f “undetermi ned l eng th, at undetermi ned co s t, and wi th undetermi ned co ns equences . ” Obama has s i nce prepared a pl an o n ho w to mo v e fo rward i n Iraq, whi ch has been affi rmed by the Iraq Study Gro up l ed by James Baker and Lee Hami l to n. He has pl edg ed repeatedl y to redepl o y al l US tro o ps wi thi n 1 6 mo nths o f hi s el ecti o n.

BY MARIEL REDLIN AND WILL ANDERSON Tideline Staff Writers

Continued from Page 1 not a big deal; it doesn’t affect me at all.” Well, for all of you hoping to go to your dream college, this crisis is not working in your favor. If any of you have parents who were planning on paying for your college tuition from investments, there’s a great chance that, even if it’s there now, it won’t be there in a year or so. This raises questions among many parents: they are wondering if their children should go to a community college for two years in order to save money, or if they should look at cheaper public schools over a private college. “Good luck going to college,” said U.S History teacher Mr. King when asked about the economic crisis. The federal economic system that many students depend on for student loans and financial aid will be affected by this financial dilemma. Because the government will absorb most of these losses, it will lead to a greater deficit and a greater likelihood that interest rates will go up. Banks are now losing money, which means that less is avail-

BY FIONA HANNIGAN Tideline News Editor

The Economy

Energy

Health Care

Education

Iraq

Our National Debt

November 1 - November 12, 2008

JOHN MCCAIN

Senato r McCai n pl ans to i mpl ement a pro -jo bs s trateg y s o as to g et the eco no my back o n track, acco rdi ng to hi s campai g n. Hi s s trateg y co ns i s ts o f i mmedi ate acti o ns needed to pro v i de pro mpt as s i s tance to Ameri can fami l i es whi l e al s o i mpl ementi ng l o ng er-term s teps neces s ary to ens ure Ameri ca’s eco no mi c pro s peri ty and po s i ti o n o f l eaders hi p i n the wo rl d. He emphas i zes s to ppi ng “o ut-o fco ntro l ” s pendi ng and cutti ng do wn o n earmarks . He has pl edg es to cut the defi ci t i n hal f by the end o f hi s fo ur y ears i n o ffi ce, but has y et to o utl i ne a co ncrete pl an to acco mpl i s h that.

Senato r McCai n pl ans to make the hard cho i ces that wi l l break the nati o n’s dependence o n fo rei g n energ y s o urces and wi l l s ecure eco no mi c pro s peri ty thro ug h a cl ean po rtfo l i o o f energ y s o urces to meet the demands o f the future, acco rdi ng to hi s campai g n. He s uppo rts certai n al ternati v e fuel s , emi s s i o n co ntro l s , and s o me po l uti o n-co ntro l meas ures . He al s o emphas i zes o ffs ho re dri l l i ng and nucl ear energ y as a path to energ y i ndependence.

Senato r McCai n wants to addres s what he bel i ev es i s the fundamental pro bl em i n the heal th care cri s i s : the ri s i ng co s t o f heal th care i n the U. S. , acco rdi ng to hi s campai g n. To s to p the des tructi o n o f affo rdabl e heal th care, s av e Medi care and Medi cai d, pro tect pri v ate heal th benefi ts fo r reti rees , and al l o w Ameri can co mpani es to co mpete effecti v el y i n the g l o bal eco no my, he rejects “Mandated heath i ns urance” and wants to put heal th reco rds o nl i ne, to reduce medi cal erro rs , g i v e a $ 5 , 0 0 0 refundabl e tax credi t fo r ev ery fami l y, whi ch wo ul d be tax ed, and bel i ev es that by emphas i zi ng i ndi v i dual res po ns i bi l i ty, heal th care qual i ty wi l l be pres erv ed. He, to o , has no t s tated ho w he i ntends to pay fo r hi s pro po s al .

Senato r McCai n emphas i zes “ex cel l ence, cho i ce, and co mpeti ti o n” i n hi s educati o nal po l i cy, acco rdi ng to hi s campai g n. He bel i ev es that thro ug h equal acces s to educati o n, equal o ppo rtuni ty can be achi ev ed. He pl ans to pay bo nus es to teachers i n the mo s t tro ubl ed s cho o l s , hel p unqual i fi ed teachers fi nd o ther l i nes o f wo rk, and g i v e parents eas i er acces s to o btai n hel p fo r thei r chi l dren. He wants to g i v e tax breaks fo r charters , but no t fro m publ i c s cho o l funds , and pro v i de v o uchers fo r s tudents to attend pri v ate s cho o l s . He bel i ev es that teachi ng creati o ni s m al o ng s i de ev o l uti o n s ho ul d be deci ded by s cho o l di s tri cts . He has no t di s cus s ed ho w he i ntends to pay fo r hi s pl an.

Senato r McCai n bel i ev es that the s uppo rt o f the Go v ernment o f Iraq to beco me capabl e o f s el f-g o v ernment and s afeg uardi ng o f i ts peo pl e i s es s enti al to the Uni ted States , bo th s trateg i cal l y and mo ral l y. He bel i ev es that the bes t way to ens ure l o ng -term peace and s ecuri ty i s to s et up a s tabl e, pro s pero us , and demo crati c s tate i n Iraq. He s tates that Ameri can tro o ps can return ho me when Iraqi fo rces can s afeg uard thei r o wn co untry. He has no t s ug g es ted a date fo r thi s , and has , i n fact, s tated that Ameri can fo rces co ul d be i n Iraq fo r “1 0 0 y ears . ”

able to be borrowed. Banks will need to increase their rate of return or just give fewer loans out altogether. Students looking forward to going to college may be turned away by banks from the start.

But that’s not all the financial crisis means for you. It means you will be growing up in a world where the dollar is worth less. It means you will be repaying the debts that are growing now. It means you will always have to work harder and harder just to stay in place. It means the government will have less money for healthcare, education, military defense, infrastructure, and everything else. It means taxes for our generation will skyrocket to help pay off our historically unprecedented levels of debt. According to independent analyst Karl Denninger “[the bailout] will accomplish nothing. It is a handout to the Chinese and London banking and investment interests. Most of the money will not even stay in the United States. It will dramatically depress standards of living in the United States and may be the triggering event for a repeat of the 1930s Depression.” Our generation is going to have various problems it will need to work out. We just don’t know what they are yet.

During the Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, “In our personal ambitions we are individualists. But in our seeking for economic and political progress as a nation, we all go up or else all go down as one people.” Just as FDR inherited the national debt from President Hoover, our new president come November will inherit the national debt from President Bush. For all of us who can vote, just realize that either Barack Obama or John McCain will be leading our country for the next four years and will have the daunting task of repairing our broken economy.

It is unknown what the current financial situation will look like by the time you are reading this. As of Friday, October 10th, 2008, stock markets around the world continue to plummet. What is known is that our country has a huge debt to pay, and it’s growing rapidly, which is why our generation will be paying off these debts with higher taxes and a reduced standards of living.

The next 20 years will be one of the most significant periods in history.

“Blessed are the young,” said President Herbert Hoover, “for they shall inherit the national debt.” The future has finally arrived, and, for better or for worse, it’s ours.

November 1 - November 12, 2008

Tideline

CLASSIFIEDS

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BY JUSTIN NAM

Tideline Sports Editor

he Varsity Football team’s road to City Finals at the Los Angeles Coliseum hit a bump on Friday, October 17 at the Stadium by the Sea as they lost an excruciatingly close game to the Fairfax Lions in their first League matchup, 39-35. The Dolphins (3-3) led with less than six minutes to go, but several questionable penalties and nocalls against the team cost them a chance to be alone in first place in the Western League.

Played in front of a small crowd that grew larger and noisier as the night went on, the game got off to a fast start as Fairfax’s Reggie York brought back the initial kickoff for a 95-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead within 16 seconds. “I thought we had it going on, but we underestimated [Pali],” York said about his return. This altered Pali’s kickoff strategy, as over the course of the game, they did not kick to York again, instead kicking short and trading field position for touchdown chances. However, Pali was also able to capitalize on their opening possession when Sophomore Quarterback Conner Preston connected with Senior Wide Receiver Joseph Hyman on the third play for a 64-yard touchdown to tie it at 7-7. Fairfax scored another touchdown in a 60-yard drive on the ensuing possession to make it 14-7. The first

BY ERIC LOPEZ

Tideline Staff Writer

s Week One of the official Cross Country season began, the team got off to a fast start with a strong showing at the Pepperdine Invitational in Malibu, CA, and a City Section race versus League rival Hamilton. For the Pepperdine race, Head Coach Ron Brumel took only a select few from the team. “This race plays host to some of the best teams in California; we want to compete,” said Head Coach Ron Brumel. Among the tough competition was Division I Arcadia High School, who is ranked fourth.

Coming in 6th place out of 18 teams was the Boy’s Frosh/Soph team with Freshman Grant Stromberg running a 17:56 on a wet and wild course. Also

running were Sophomore Danny Escalante, with an 18:32, Freshman Daniel Hernandez with an 18:50, Sophomore Ryan Bertwell with a 20:08, and Sophomore Evan Shaner with a 20:10. “It was a wild course but the boys came out and did what they need to do,” said Brumel. Also running at the Pepperdine Invitational was the Varsity Boys, led by Junior Carlos Bustamante, who ran a 16:21 coming in 17th place overall. Senior Todd Bertwell also ran and came in at 19:22; only 4 places from a medal. For the Varsity Girls, Junior Michelle Colato came in 21:25 and Melina Vanos finished with a 24:10. Also, the lone Frosh/Soph Girl, Karli Feder, ran a 24:17, which was her personal record by two whole minutes. “Everyone did really well considering that the team ran two races this week,” said Brumel.

THE

D I S TA N C E

The other race of the week was against League rival Hamilton at Pierce College, in a grudge match of sorts. The team was able to fight through the gusty 100 degree heat to take the meet. The team only ran two races because of the high heat, combining the Frosh/Soph and Varsity to make a ragtag team for these races. Both Varsity teams won their races in a decisive matter over the Hamilton Yankees. Running for Boys Varsity was Junior Carlos Bustamante with a 16:12, Freshman Grant Stromberg with an 18:58, Freshman Daniel Hernandez with a 19:24, Sophomore Eric Lopez with a 20:01, and Sophomore Danny Escalante with a 20:06. “The Boys [Varsity] did extremely well with

only one of the top varsity runners up in the pack,” said Coach Brumel. For Girls Varsity, Senior Melina Vanos came first with a 24:30, Senior Ava Sun with a 24:54, Karli Feder with a 25:19, Sophomore Wendy Gomez with a 25:41, and Sophomore Amy Moulthrop with a 25:46. “The Girls team also ran well, with most of them coming out with great times for such a tough day.

Our freshmen and sophomore girls did extremely well today also,” said Brumel.

Up next on the schedule for the team is a race versus another League rival, Fairfax. Last year, Palisades soundly beat the Fairfax Lions with the Varsity team leading a four-race sweep.

Girls Volleyball Remains Untouchable

22-25. After a rough first game, Pali fans cheered and encouraged the girls to push harder and win. The team was then able to pull together for three straight wins for an overall 3-1 victory.

The Dolphins then suited up for an away game against the Venice Gondoliers on October 20. The entire gym was filled with parents and enthusiastic Venice students, who screamed “Gondos!” and “Side-out!”

During warm-ups, the girls were heckled and teased by the Venetian spectators. Despite the distracting psybattleMARY HOBBS Tideline chological S MAS H: Senior Hitter Laura Goldsmith spikes down the line on University defense. ground, the girls maintained composure as October 16. The girls weren’t able

BY ALISON WHITE they entered the game. Pali was to score the first point, which Tideline Sports Editor haunted them through the first able to play its full lineup since all he Girls Volleyball Team is game. The team was playing an of the injured players had recovered undefeated in the Western unusual lineup because of injuries, sufficiently by the time the Venice League and continued to show including starting Senior Outside game came around and other probtheir dominance with wins over the Hitter Laura Goldsmith’s fractured lems had been resolved. Pali even University High School Wildcats and tailbone. Goldsmith was brought entered the game with an advantage their archrivals the Venice High School back into the game for short peri- over Venice since the Gondoliers Gondoliers. In both games, the girls ods of time, but was not able to were missing their star player were strong but did not perform as well play the entire game. Coach Katie McCabe due to injury. Pali as Head Coach Chris Forrest might Forrest also benched Senior started the game strong and won have expected. With only three games Defense Specialist Samantha Jaffe the first three points. Venice also left in League play, the girls hope to because of an incident during the initially over-hit many of their unite as a team to give an impressive previous practice. “We had to play spikes, but halfway through the showing at the Playoffs and hopefully everybody so people who weren’t first game began hitting balls on injured didn’t play the whole the line, giving Pali a hard time. in the City Championships.

The Dolphins had a game,” said Forrest. The Wildcats But Pali received excellent pershaky beginning during the home were able to take advantage of the formances from senior Blockers game against University High on team’s disjointed lineup and won Kelly Yazdi and Kelsey Keil, who

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November 1 - November 12, 2008

the way from their quarter was marked own 26-yard line to by the early action Fairfax’s 30-yard as well as by the line, Preston tried to defense of the connect with Hyman who Dolphins, for another touchtipped a field goal down, but it was to keep it within a i n t ercep t ed. single touchdown Photographic eviand were able to tie however, dence, on a 30-yard pass showed that Hyman from Preston to was the victim of Hyman again. pass interference by The second quarter Fairfax’s safety, got off to a queswhich would have tionable start as put the Dolphins on Pali was called for a the one-yard line and penalty on 4th and almost certainly 3 to give the Lions a would have given chance to score, them the win. 39-35 which they took to thus was the final retake the lead 20score as Fairfax 14 with a missed knelt out the clock. two-point converAccording to sion. This would GRAHAM MACGILLIVRAY Tideline not be the last time BAD CALL: Wide Receiver Joseph Hyman, 8, receives an arm to the face as he attempts to catch the team, the Board of Officials, who are referees had a major a ball. The call was missed by the referees, who later apologized. in charge of referees, influence on a play. downs, Fairfax scored another Dolphins their first lead, 35-32.

Preston was intercepted on the touchdown and missed yet anoth- The Pali faithful, sensing the called the next day to apologize Dolphins first possession of the er point-after to make the score energy, began to stamp their feet and said that the roughing call second quarter, and the Lions 32-21. However, the Dolphins and cheer as the marching band was wrong. Also, the no-call on the final Pali play of the game took advantage with another began to buckle down and came chanted, “Defense, defense!” touchdown and failed two-point storming back. Quarterback The Dolphins looked like was also being reviewed. The conversion to make the score 26- Conner Preston hit Wide they were going to come away team was very somber in the 14.

Receiver Joseph Hyman for their with the victory when several postgame huddle, but Assistant The offensive battle would third touchdown combination, highly controversial plays Head Coach Angelo Jackson had continue the entire game as the but failed the two-point conver- deflated the team. First, on a some strong words for the team.

Dolphins came back with a 38- s i o n . blocked Fairfax field goal which “We are still going to the yard run by Junior Running Back Then, Pali recovered a fumble by Pali was able to return for 56 Coliseum,” he told them. “This Tyquion Ballard to make the score the Lions and Senior Running yards, the defense was called for game is about heart- Don’t give Fairfax missed a field Back Khalid Stevens ran a 47- roughing the kicker, which gave up and maintain your composure.

26-21. goal and Pali received the ball to yard touchdown and converted the Fairfax a first down. The Lions Let it hurt, but then come back to begin the second half. After the first successful two-point conver- were able to score to take the lead practice and forget about it. ” team turned the ball over on sion of the night to give the 39-35. Then, after Pali came all Quarterback Conner Preston was

CROSS COUNTRY GOES

A

SPORTS

Football Robbed in a Shocker Tideline

worked to keep Pali in the lead.

Pali pulled ahead to win the first game 25-20.

During the second game, Pali took the same 3-point lead early, but Venice quickly closed the gap again. False starts and penalties plagued Pali and Venice was able to take advantage and win 2125.

In the third game, Pali changed strategy and hit closer to the net against the Venice team and consistently won long rallies. Pali was able to claim victory over Venice with a score of 25-16 to take the third. In the fourth and ultimately final game, the team settled into a groove as the sound of scattered clapping from Pali fans replaced the earlier Venice noise.

One fan commented that Goldsmith’s serving seemed “mechanized.” Pali was able to take the fourth game as well and defeated Venice with an overall score of three games to one.

Although the team was able to pull out two wins, Coach Forrest was expecting more. “The girls know they could have played better,” said Forrest. “I would give them a C for these games and they aren’t going to win all the time with a C.” Nonetheless, it is apparent that the girls looked better in the game against Venice than University. Pali was expected to crush University who has a 1-3 record on the season. “Venice is our major competition, so we had more adrenaline to win [compared to the University game],” said Senior Middle Blocker Kelly Yazdi.

With three games left in League, the girls hope to dominate and walk into the playoffs with a record that reflects their motivation.

also upset about the game, but predicts that the team still has an excellent chance and can finish out the rest of their schedule perfectly. “I think we will enter the playoffs 7-3 with a good chance of taking it all. We should have won this game; the referees took it from us.”

The team still has many things that it can look to as positive from the game. Preston and his receivers are “starting to figure the timing out in their long passes,” which is leading to larger and larger gains. He had three long touchdowns and the powerful defense almost held the Lions to no points in the last quarter, if it had not been for the incorrect penalty called. Team Manager Chidera Izuchukwu remained optimistic, saying, “I believe we will win all the [remaining] games, but if not we still played our souls out, even when the school was against us, ” referring to the Overrated article on the football team published several weeks ago. “We were disappointed to get slandered in a newspaper that was supposed to support us, but we are still going to win.”

Pali has a tough finishing schedule against four remaining League opponents, three of which are away games. They will watch tape, think about the loss, and then forget it come Monday.

If they can win a majority of their remaining games, they will have an excellent chance of making the city playoffs.

SPOTLIGHT ON BRICE WILLIAMS

VAL KARUSKEVICH Tideline

Height: 6’ 3” Weight: 300 pounds Position: Offensive Lineman, Defensive Lineman Years Playing: 4 Team: Varsity Football, Basketball, Track and Field Number: 72 Age: 18 Favorite Team: Steelers Favorite Player: Casey Hampton Favorite Show: Seinfield Favorite Movie: 300 Favorite Food: Everything Favorite Subject: History

S

BY KENE IZUCHUKWU Tideline Staff Writer

enior Brice Williams, a Varsity Football, Basketball and Track & Field athlete, returns to Pali to begin another prodigious tri-sport agenda. Williams hopes to get better at all his sports and add on to his accomplishments from last season. “I feel great and happy to be in shape,” said Williams.

“Hopefully I will keep it up and play in college.” Williams is an Offensive Lineman in the fall, a Center in the winter, and a ShotPutter in the spring. After multiple long practices Williams still has to balance homework and school. “It’s mostly hard because I get home around 8:00pm,” said Williams. “But I still manage to get the work done.”

Williams is currently in football season and is optimistic about his team. “I feel that we can win way more games than last year,” said Williams, reminiscing on the single victory Pali earned last year.

“And we can try to actually

make playoffs this year.”

Williams also looks forward to basketball season. “We have been doing great the past few years,” said Williams. “Hopefully we can continue winning and bring everything together by beating Westchester and Fairfax.”

Aside from playing three sports throughout the year, Williams enjoys reading and aspires to be a lawyer. “I mostly read non-fiction books and books about sports players,” said Williams. “I also read a lot about law and order and government, and after high school I want to study law and eventually become a lawyer.”

William’s dreams may be distinguished as “difficult,” and will take determination and hard work to accomplish. However, the one thing that Williams does best is work hard regardless of what field he plays on and what his field of study may be. A tri-sport player shows the determination to work hard and Williams is one of the prime examples that Pali has to offer.