THE
ARROW
VOLUME XXXVI, ISSUE 4
100 N. LAKEVIEW CANYON ROAD, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
A Three-peat for Aca Deca Heidi Chiu
News Editor Once again, the WHS Academic Decathlon Team A took first place at the Ventura County Academic awards ceremony. They will be going to Sacramento to compete with other first place county teams on this year’s theme, World War I. Twenty-four members won individual awards, totaling 90 awards. “We felt like gods, almost good enough to burst into a spontaneous musical number,” said Vladimir Kremenetski ‘14. “Even though we test as individuals, Aca Deca still requires a lot of teamwork and cooperation,” said David Suslik ‘16, one of the few sophomores on Team A. This year, there were three WHS teams competing in the Academic Decathlon. The competition dates were Jan. 11 and Feb. 1. On Jan. 11, the teams completed the speech, essay and interview and on Feb. 1, the teams tested for individual events, such as Mathematics, Science, Music and Art. They also competed in the Super Quiz as a team. “Aca Deca’s really something I love being involved in, partially because we learn interesting tidbits and useful skills, but mostly because of the overwhelming team spirit we have. Aca Deca is like a haven where I can feel free to be a nerd,” said Sophie Piao ‘15. Team A consists of Suslik, Piao, and Alexander Loh ‘14 in the Honors category, Kremenetski, Sabrina Shenker ‘15, and Rei Vardi ‘14 in the Scholastic category, and Conor Richards ‘15, Seamus McLean ‘15, and Ivan Vega ‘16 in the Varsity category. Team B consists of Kevin Shi ‘14,
Bharath Mohan ‘14 and Ben Hannel ‘15 in the Honors category, Matt Bennett ‘15, Rony Barahona ‘15, and Matt Schmidt ‘14 in the Scholastic category, and Nicholas Pilaud ‘15, and Bryan Gelfound ‘14 in the Varsity category. Team C consists of Cynthia Hsu ‘16, Riley Bathauer ‘14 and Ryan Chen ‘15 in the Honors category, James Andersen ‘15, Tatyana Mustakos ‘15 and Nathaniel Sylvester ‘14 in the Scholastic category and Remy Muloway ‘14 and Steven Armstrong ‘14 in the Varsity category. Alternates are Kishan Desai ‘14, Rutu Shah ‘15 and Fareen Ali ‘16. “I heard that the competition is rough, but I believe we will do well regardless. We’ll all study hard, so I think that will pay off,” said Piao. Last year, WHS Team A won first place and Team B won third in the county. Team A moved on to state and won 31st out of the 61 schools present.
Team Awards Team A – 1st place overall in the competition, 1st place in Red Conference, 3rd overall in Essay, 1st overall in Interview, 1st overall in Speech, 2nd overall in Math, 2nd overall in Literature and Language, 3rd overall in Music, 1st overall in Economics, 2nd overall in Science, 2nd overall in Social Science, 1st overall in Art Team B – 1st place in the Blue Conference, 1st overall in Essay, 2nd overall in Interview, 3rd overall in Literature and Language See page 2 for a list of individual awards.
PHOTO BY CYNTHIA HSU
DAVID SUSLIK AND VLADIMIR KREMENETSKI collect their awards at the Ventura County awards ceremony after helping Team A win first place.
A Class Act jams with 70s rock bands Max Wang Staff Writer
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A CLASS ACT performs in recent “Good Times” show.
in this issue Page 5 Throwback Thursday
Pages 6-7 Memorable Dates
Under the direction of Alan Rose, the WHS Choral Music Department presented “Good Times,” featuring A Class Act. The performance, divided into eight scenes, was held on Jan. 30 to 31 and Feb. 1 in the Carpenter Family Theatre. Members from two bands, Ambrosia and REO Speedwagon, also showed up to perform alongside the WHS singers. “It was really nice to perform with professional musicians because we got to do music that wasn’t your typical choir music. We got to do more rock-n-roll and we got to write our own parts and make it more contemporary,” said ACA member Isabel de Los Rios ‘14. The Sixth Act featured A Class Act, a premier 12-person group, accompanied by Burleigh Drummond and Mary HarrisDrummond of Ambrosia and Kevin Cronin, the main vocalist and guitarist
Page 11 Sports
from REO Speedwagon. “It was really special getting to perform with them [my parents]. And it was cool too because they were part of my show and usually if I get to perform with them, I’m an extra part of their show,” commented ACA member Sierra Drummond ‘14. Both Ambrosia and REO Speedwagon have been performing since the 70s, and performed some of their own musical creations. The WHS choruses performed older songs such as “Route 66” by Bobby Troup and “Spark of Creation” by Steven Schwartz. A Class Act performed several songs by Ambrosia and Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon. The show closed with “Riders to the Stars” by Barry Manilow. The reception was very positive. “I’ve been to a couple choir shows, but this one was definitely the best one yet,” said Alice Neary ‘14.
Page 12 Mock Trial
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NEWS
THE ARROW
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
Aca Deca competition results Individual Awards
Literary Chronicles is accepting submissions for its yearly student anthology. Send poetry, short stories, visual arts, and photography of any length or theme to litchron@gmail.com or to Margaret Schlehner in 42B. The club is holding a fundraiser at Sharky's in Westlake Village on March 8.
Science classes to visit Aquarium of the Pacific
The AP Environmental Science and Marine Science classes will take a field trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach on Feb. 19. Science teachers Jen Boyd, Kristi Hronek and other chaperones will accompany the students.
Rotary Club presents Ethics Conference The Westlake Village Rotary Club will present the 17th Homer Dickerson Youth Ethics Conference on March 6. The conference, which features selected high school students and business leaders from the area, will involve discussion on leadership and ethics in the workplace. To apply, participants must submit a hypothetical ethical situation to encourage focus on ethics as it applies to high school students. Each school will select three entries to be considered by the Rotary Club by Feb. 19. Awards for first, second, and third place are $100, $75, and $50, respectively.
Youth Leadership Summit accepting applications Youth Leadership Summit gives Thousand Oaks youth an opportunity to make the city a better place for teens. Teens are offered a forum to provide input on their needs and concerns to the City Council. Participants will be expected to actively participate in a roundtable discussions throughout the day. The youth summit will he held on March 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. To be considered for this program, teens must complete an application and submit via youthcommission@toaks.org
WHS students nominated for Presidential Program
Nine students from WHS have been nominated to apply for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Each year, over 3,000 candidates are identified for nomination based on having scored exceptionally well on the SAT or ACT. The following WHS seniors earned this distinction: Lauren Chin, Alexander Loh, Kevin Shi, Amanda Shi, Evelyn Truong, Emily Tsui, Jasmine Yang, Kevin Ye, and Cynthia Yin. Up to 141 students are named as U.S. Presidential Scholars out of those who complete the application, which includes essays, self-assessments, and transcripts. Those students are then invited to enjoy an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. and are also awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.
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GO FOR THE GOLD, silver and bronze: Aca Deca members not only earned a 1st place in county competition but also returned with numerous individual awards.
Conference Tatyana Mustakos – Gold in Social Science, Blue Conference Sophie Piao – Bronze in Interview, Silver in Math, Bronze in Music, Bronze in Art, Bronze in Science, Red Conference Nicholas Pilaud – Gold in Speech, Silver in Social Science, Gold in Art, Gold in Science, Silver in Econ, Blue Conference Conor Richards – Bronze in Interview, Bronze in Science, Silver in Economics, Silver in Speech, Gold in Literature and Language, Bronze in Music, Silver in Art, Red Conference Matt Schmidt – Bronze in Speech, Gold in Science, Gold in Econ, Blue Conference
Sabrina Shenker – Silver in Literature and Language, Bronze in Music, Bronze in Art, Bronze in Science, Red Conference Kevin Shi – Gold in Essay, Gold in Interview, Bronze in Literature and Language, Team Spirit Award, Scholarship for highest overall score in Blue Conference for a Senior, 1st place Student Choice Speech Award David Suslik – Bronze in Essay, Silver in Social Science, Gold in Art, Red Conference Rei Vardi – Gold in Essay, Silver in Speech, Silver in Math, Bronze in Social Science, Red Conference Ivan Vega – Silver in Interview, Bronze in Literature and Language, Red Conference
Off campus not license to freedom
Lauren Chin Matt Donovan Staff Writers
Yet another Friday rolls around, and “Chris” is once again at a loss for what to do during CPT. Chris finds out some of his good friends are going down to the Promenade to partake in some not exactly legal activities. Next thing you know, Chris and his friends see the WHS golf cart in their rearview mirror, and know they are in big trouble... Sitting in the office, they whisper to each other in confusion: “How were they able to punish us while off campus?” The rules and guidelines for what you can and cannot do are as follows: Student Expectation
•
Students are liable for following all school rules as articulated in the board policy from the CVUSD and California Education Code. A brief overview of some of the activities not allowed by the school is as follows: drug or tobacco usage/possession/dealing, bullying/ harassment, or possession of any firearms or other dangerous objects.
In Loco Parentis
•
The term “in loco parentis” is Latin for “in the place of a parent.” That means that the school assumes the role as your parent. Anything on your person, in your car, your locker, your backpack is subject to search and seizure by the school, even if you are off campus at CPT or after school. Exact Times • The school is allowed to discipline you during the school day. Your school day starts the moment you leave your house for school until the moment you step foot back onto your property, not when you leave campus or when the bell rings. If you are called out or have an attendance slip, you are still under in loco parentis.
Drugs and Alcohol • In the “Discipline Policy and Procedures and Annual Notice of Rights and Responsibilities, it claims that: “students are liable for suspension or expulsion (as recommended by the principal or the superintendent) for possessing, using, selling, “being under the influence”ing, or negotiating to sell a controlled
Students to speak at TEDxYouth Victoria Wang Feature Editor
TEDxYouth@Conejo takes place March 16 at the Thousand Oaks High School Performing Arts Center, 2-5 p.m. High school students will be performing and speaking at the event. Tickets can be obtained at TEDxYouthConejo.com. TEDxYouth@Conejo is an independently organized TED event, a nationwide effort to spread ideas on all topics. Students dance, sing, or talk about experiences and inspirations. Students auditioned before the district student planning committee and 14 were
chosen for the event, including five from WHS: Kameron Butler ‘14, sisters Anika ‘16, Nina ‘14, and Siena Heintz ‘14, Kevin Ye ‘14, Allen Chen ‘14, and Eva Pino ‘14. The theme for this year’s TED event is “Pathways.” Butler will talk about his Junior Achievement company program Swipe ID. The Heintz sisters will sing and talk about their South Africa experience and charity project. Ye will talk about race and education. Chen will talk about education tracking on society. Pino will talk about assumptions, success, and how her sister Isabel conquered her disability.
substance, beverage.
intoxicant,
or
alcoholic
Tobacco • You might be 18, but all WHS students are prohibited from possessing or using tobacco while “at school.” For more information, please read the full article at westlakearrow.com.
ARROW
THE
Literary Chronicles accepting submissions
Fareen Ali – Highest Alternate in Music James Andersen – Gold in Language and Literature, Gold in Music, Blue Conference Rony Barahona – Gold in Essay, Gold in Interview, Silver in Language and Literature, Silver in Art, Blue Conference Matt Bennett – Silver in Math, Silver in Music, Blue Conference Ryan Chen – Bronze in Speech, Bronze in Literature and Language, Blue Conference Kishan Desai – Highest Alternate in Speech, Science and Art; Team Spirit Award Bryan Gelfound – Silver in Essay, Gold in Language and Literature, Bronze in Music, Silver in Art, Blue Conference Ben Hannel – Gold in Essay, Gold in Interview, Bronze in Science, Bronze in Math, Silver in Art, Blue Conference, Highest overall score for Team B Cynthia Hsu – Gold in Language and Literature, Silver in Science, Highest overall score for Team C, Blue Conference, Gold in Music Vladimir Kremenetski – Bronze in Interview, Gold in Speech, Gold in Math, Bronze in Literature and Language, Gold in Economics, Gold in Science, Gold in Social Science, Gold in Art, Red Conference; Highest overall score for Team A, 2 scholarships for highest overall Scholastic Senior Alexander Loh – Gold in Interview, Gold in Math, Red Conference, Team Spirit Award Seamus McLean – Bronze in Essay, Gold in Interview, Gold in Speech, Silver in Math, Silver in Literature and Language, Gold in Economics, Red Conference Bharath Mohan – Gold in Speech, Gold in Science, Blue Conference Remy Muloway – Silver in Interview, Blue
Editor-in-chief
Vivian Hu
News Editors Heidi Chiu, Frances Ling
Feature Editors Danielle Cortes, Rachel Finegold, Kallyn Hobmann, Hanyi Huang, Pranav Kaygee, Alex Shi, Victoria Wang, Vivian Xu, Vallia Yu
Entertainment Editors Michelle Choi, Erik Steinman
Sports Editors Christian Coates, Matt Donovan, Tara Spencer
Ad Managers Nicolette Blatt, Kelli DaRin
Staff Writers Lauren Chin, Emily Demsetz, Ariana Haider, Taylor Li, Tallulah Lund-Sidi, Ashwin Rangarajan, Max Wang
Adviser Caron Battaglia
The Arrow is written, designed and run by the students of the Advanced Journalism and Journalism 1CP classes at Westlake High School and is published monthly. The opinions expressed in these publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the Conejo Valley Unified School District, Westlake High School administration, faculty or student body. We welcome feedback. Letters must be signed by the writer. Please send submissions to westlakearrow@gmail.com. 100 N. Lakeview Canyon Road Westlake Village, CA 91362 (805) 497-6711 ext. 4225
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FEATURE
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THE ARROW
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
THE FUTURE IS NOW magicJack
Vallia Yu
Land line phones are still a common sight in households, but they may soon be replaced by this cheaper and more convenient alternative. All magicJack needs is a phone and an internet to tap into, and while some still like to keep land lines for emergencies such as when the power goes out, other choices are quickly gaining in popularity. While landline phones have costs at about $40.00 total for both the phone and the service, magicJack and other services like Skype offer a cost range from only about $1.50 to $3.00 per month. Normal costs for landline phones can extend to about $10.00. MagicJack even offers an app that allows calls from your iPad or smartphone for free.
Feature Editor Fifty years ago, The Jetsons dreamed of flat screened TVs and robots that cleaned. Today, these inventions are far from farfetched and many are in fact staples of our daily lives. With technology developing at a breakneck pace that doesn't seem like it's stopping any time soon, our radical science fiction futures may just seem closer than they seem. Looking back on the technological advances, it's not too hard to imagine that years from now even our beloved iPhones will be a thing of the past. So let's take a look at the upstarts that may come to replace the products we know and love today.
Tablets
Sure, the world has gone touch screens galore, but with tablets such as the Microsoft 8 Tablet and the iPad Air, it has good reason to. The appeal of cheaper costs and a smaller, thinner, and more stylish form are sweeping the tech scene along with their powerful processing and impressive touch features. Some even have the full capabilities of a laptop while still well under the typical laptop price, perfect for incoming college students. But what puts these tablets ahead of the game are their infinite potential—incredibly user friendly and with excellent battery life (nearly 10-13 hours), they can store content from apps to the internet to books and back and still have space to spare.
Digital Cameras
While everyone’s using Instagram and SnapChat, some are still looking for that perfect camera to carry around their necks. Digital cameras are the way to go with their fantastic graphics and impressive new features. These new cameras no longer miss that snapshot moment with their long shutter delay. Many new cameras even come with the option of uploading via WiFi. According to PCMag, the Samsung NX300 as one of the cheapest and best at $429.99 with the biggest bang for your buck and without the downside of losing any quality, while CNET claims the best budget camera is the Samsung WB250F Smart Camera with the cheapest price at $150.99 as a nice compact companion with the options of sending photos to the cloud for storage and emailing straight from the camera.
Flappy Bird takes off
APP ATTACK QuizUp
Ashwin Rangarajan Staff Writer QuizUp is a recreational as well as school related app. It offers a wide variety of topics to be quizzed on in an exciting way. QuizUp is a world-spanning head to head trivia game. It's social, but not in an obnoxious way, such as Facebook. You only bother your friends or random strangers when you want to challenge them to a battle of wits. But what makes QuizUp so compelling is the experience system. Players can level up according to the categories they play in. With categories such as arts, business, math, geography, history, and more, QuizUp is a ball of interesting. Racing through seven high velocity questions, QuizUp is a new way to test your mental capabilities against others.
Graphing Calculator HD Graphing Calculator HD is an extremely useful app to have during your high school years. Say, for example, that you forget to bring a graphing calculator, or you want to get a head start on your homework. Having this app can assist you in either of these situations. It includes a powerful scientific calculator, allows the user to plot multiple equations on the same graph, a pinch and drag feature for scrolling, and many others. For all high school students taking Algebra 2 or higher, graphing calculators are a must, and forgetting yours could have serious consequences. As one of the most downloaded calculator apps, Graphing Calculator HD is a must-have tool.
Quip
Quip is a great app to have in high school if you need to work on the go. This app allows you to create word documents from your iPhone at any time. It was first envisioned as the “Microsoft Word of the mobile age,” but it still has some way to go before achieving this title. Quip does a great job of helping you write and edit basic documents, allowing you to share them with others (they can contribute to the document as well). Now with the new update, you can finally import Microsoft Word files to Quip if you need it. Though it doesn't live up to all its expectations, Quip is incredibly useful and has the potential to become a widely downloaded app.
Compiled by Ashwin Rangarajan
Need an excuse to throw your $400 iPhone or Android out the nearest window? Flappy Bird is the answer. This madness-inducing game hit the app store on May 23, 2013, and became insanely popular in Jan. 2014. Vietnamese developer Dong Nguyen of Gears studio never thought his game would be the number one downloaded game with a daily revenue $50,000 going directly to him. Even though this game seems to be popular, it's for the wrong reasons. As one reviewer so aptly put it: “This game will never let you go to school, eat, or sleep... This evil, satanic game will take your life into a dark void.” There is nothing even remotely fun about this game. “I made the game alone so there is no team, and my games are very simple,” said Nguyen. The game is a reminder of misery and defeat from the inability to complete such a simple task of getting a bird to fly between two pipes. Even Nguyen admits that the game is unbelievably frustrating. However, as of Feb. 9, Nguyen removed Flappy Bird from the app store, most likely due to the overwhelming reception. Nguyen might also have pulled it for legal reasons—the Super Mario-style pipes and bird drove Nintendo to consider suing. Now, hundreds of phones with Flappy Bird installed on them have suddenly appeared all over eBay at prices of up to $20,000. This popular app has been a roller coaster of events but will continue to soar in the minds of people everywhere.
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FEATURE
THE ARROW
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
Be smart, eat smart:
Simple changes for a healthier lifestyle
Danielle Cortes Feature Editor
Consuming the proper amount of nutrition every day is vital for adolescents. The human body grows the most between the ages of 13-19, so it is especially important to establish a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy prevents heart diseases, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer said, SFGate Health Media. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most U.S. youths eat more than the recommended maximum daily intake of sodium (1,500- 2,300 mg). Students can start eating a more nutritious meal by making gradual changes.
For example, replacing a soda or any sweetened beverage with a bottle of water reduces calorie intake because the amount of sugar contained in most processed drinks is extremely high. “One thing students fail to do is drink water,” said Health Teacher Krystle Sundberg. “They should drink at least eight, 8 oz glasses of water every day.” Finding a daily balance of food intake is also another important factor when making dietary choices. Instead of eating a bag of salty chips, replace it with fresh fruits, vegetables or nuts. “I love celery because it is a delicious fresh snack! I often eat it because it is very accessible and tastes great with peanut butter,” said Abbie Dempsey ’16.
Healthy recipes to try Most dietary guidelines for Americans suggest that they, eat from each food group and consume food only when they are hungry. Recommendations include variety in the meals you choose to eat and make wise decisions while doing so. The following food recipes are examples of foods that benefit your daily nutrition.
Fruit Smoothie
Tomato Soup
Makes 4 servings
Makes 6 servings
1 quart strawberries 1 banana, broken into chunks 2 peaches 1 cup orange-peach-mango juice 2 cups ice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 cup chopped onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup chopped carrot 1/4 cup chopped celery 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 4 drops hot pepper sauce
Directions: In a blender, combine strawberries, banana and peaches. Blend until fruit is pureed. Blend in the juice. Add ice and blend until smooth; time will vary depending on desired consistency and thickness. Pour into glasses and serve. Enjoy! Feel free to substitute any kind of fruit you want; seasonal is always best. Instead of strawberries, try raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Try time-tested combinations like bananas and strawberries, or even, passion fruit and dragon fruit. You could also try orange juice, milk, or plain mango juice as an alternative for orange-peach-mango juice.
Directions: Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Saute onion and garlic until onion is tender. Add carrot and celery; cook 7-9 minutes until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire sauce, salt, thyme, pepper and hot pepper sauce. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with thyme if desired.
Fitness: not only for the body
Ten tips for a healthier mind
1. Connect with others 2. Take time to enjoy 3. Participate and share interests 4. Contribute to your community 5. Take care of yourself 6. Challenge yourself 7. Deal with stress 8. Rest and refresh 9. Notice the here and now 10. Get help when needed Information from the Better Health Channel
Try adding these deliciously light foods to your diet: -Strawberries and blueberries -Peaches and nectarines -Sweet peppers -Cucumbers -Nonfat yogurt -Rolled oats -Whole grain and multi-grain bread -Almonds, cashews, and peanuts -Lean turkey
Keep calm and exercise Danielle Cortes Feature Editor
About half of American youths aged 12-21 are not vigorously active on a regular basis, according to MedIndia Health. According to the President Council of Fitness, an average teenager aged 1217 is either watching television or online for seven and a half hours each day. Health teacher Krystle Sundberg suggested that, “Students should work out a minimum of three times per week; it helps with stress management, sleep management, and boosts their
metabolism.” When students are active, they build a stronger immune system,preventing diseases such as the flu or the common cold. Just one hour out of a 24-hour day should be occupied by some physical activity. Lacrosse player Jayda Richardson ’16 said, “When I exercise it feels like no one can stop me. I feel refreshed.” Sundberg said, “Students should maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise on a daily basis, get at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep every night, wash their hands, and avoid situations where teachers or other students are sick.”
Sit- Backs 1. Lie down and bend legs 2. Straighten arms forward 3. Lean back gradually 4. Keep arms straight and stomach tight 5. Lean back as far as possible 6. Repeat
Butterfly Stretch 1. Sit down 2. Press feet together 3. Drop knees to floor slowly 4. Pull abdominal muscles in 5. Lean forward at the hips 6. Grasp feet and slowly pull upper body downwards
Bridge Pose 1. Lie on the floor, bend knees, and set feet on floor 2. Keeping legs parallel, lift hips off the floor 3. Grasp hands below pelvis to help stay on the shoulder tops 4. Firm upper arms and lift sternum towards chin 5. Release pose with an exhale
COURTESY PHOTOS
FEATURE
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THE ARROW
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
Throwback ThursdayStephanie Koenig Teacher Edition Science
Lisa Ryder
Your teachers were once in high school too
Math
Q: What were you like in high school? A: I was pretty much a geeky nerd. Q: How have you changed? A: I am a slightly older geeky nerd. Q: Do you remember any of your teachers? A: My favorite teacher was my 11th grade English teacher, Mr. Amlin. I remember reading “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Heart of Darkness” that year. I am not sure I really understood those deep novels at the time, but those books and his lectures/ discussions about them changed how I saw the world and my place in it. I also admired Mr. Amlin for a small act of disobedience he pulled off with a fellow English teacher, Mr. Keep. In the main office there was a bulletin board with the title “Monta Vista- A Writing Intensive School”. The teachers would post well written essays or other writing examples by students. Standardized testing was on the rise and we were required to take a lot of multiple choice scantron tests. Amlin and Keep snuck in the office and replaced the title on the board with “Monta Vista- a Scantron Intensive School”, and they replaced all the essays with used scantrons. In the margins of the scantrons they wrote comments like “good use of metaphor” and “needs more supportive arguments”. As students we thought this was hilarious, as a teacher I now realize what a bold act it was.
Joanna Burns English
Q: When you were in high school, what were your plans for the future? A: I wanted to be an editor, either in advertising or for a magazine. I knew I needed a degree but, beyond that, I swore I’d never step foot in a classroom again. The irony is great! Q: What were you like in high school? A: I wasn’t part of any one group; I literally had friends in all the groups... The popular kids, nerds, “party”-ers, quiet kids, ASG kids. Although I didn’t consider myself “popular,” everyone knew who I was... Mostly because I did a lot. I was on the Lance newspaper two years, and was Feature Editor my senior year. I was in ASG and did quite a few dances/skits/performances at lunch and at rallies! I dressed up for everything and had a lot of school spirit. Q: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your teenage self? A: “Break up with that guy!” I had the same boyfriend throughout high school and then we broke up halfway through our first year in college. Although it was the “cool” thing to do and everyone thought it was so sweet, if I could go back I wouldn’t be so serious.
Deborah Kolodney English
Q: When you were in high school, what were your plans for your future? A: I was the editor of the school newspaper my senior year as well as the lead in the play, so I was torn between journalism and acting. I got the best of both worlds in Q: Do you remember any of your teachers? A: Mr. Hill was my favorite teacher (Senior Year English). He was so smart that we called him Dr. Hill. When I taught at that school, he laughed at me because I wouldn’t call him by his first name. (It seemed disrespectful). Q: When/how did you start looking at colleges? A: My parents were/are German immigrants so they didn’t understand the system. I think that’s why I ended up staying home at CSUN. I lived at Westmont for a summer school session though. Q: What do you remember about your junior/senior year with college applications, APs, etc.? A: I went to LA Baptist in the San Fernando Valley and in 1981, there wasn’t a huge emphasis on AP exams. I took the English AP and passed. Our classes didn’t even have AP in the title.
Lora Novak English
Q: When you were in high school, what were your plans for the future? A: I thought that I’d be a doctor because my dad was a doctor. I must confess some parental pressure here. Q: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your teenage self? A: Use your time wisely. Follow your gut feeling. Q: Today, are you where you thought you would be? A: Yes! When I switched majors, my mom said, “I always knew that you’d go back to English.” Moms know. Q: What were you like in high school? A: I was nerdy and grade conscious. I was also a cheerleader my freshman and sophomore year. Q: How have you changed? A: My parents aren’t involved in my decision making anymore!
Lindsay Jones English
Q: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your teenage self? A: Don’t worry so much about things that don’t really matter. High school is such a small portion of your life and you’ve got so much to look forward to. Q: How have you changed? A: All I know is that I haven’t grown since then. Still 5’3” and going strong. Q: How did you pick what college to go to? A: I chose Long Beach State because it had the best creative writing program and I wouldn’t be too far from home... Just far enough.
Q: What were you like in high school? A: Sporty- I played volleyball, tennis, and swam. [I was] much too serious. [I] loved to read and [was] very social. Q: How have you changed? A: I’m much less serious now. I can enjoy the little things. [I’m] fully committed to Christ! He is the only things in life I am serious about. Q: Do you remember any of your teachers? A: Mr. Anderson (math teacher) would bang metal rulers on kids’ desks if they were sleeping. He would jump on desks.
Emily Dale
Social Science
Q: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your teenage self? A: Study more, especially for euro... You’re going to teach it someday. No, seriously, you will. Stop crying. Q: What were you like in high school? A: Quiet in class, loud with friends. I love playing soccer and sleeping. Super goofy and sarcastic. Q: How have you changed? A: Made it to almost 5’4”! And I’m more responsible. Q: What do you remember about your junior/senior year? A: I was always super relaxed and knew it would work out if I worked hard.
Mike Lynch Social Science
Q: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your teenage self? A: Make sure to meet your wife again. Q: How have you changed? A: I have more grey hair. Q: What were you like in high school? A: I was a floater. I liked to hang out with the jocks, rockers, mods, nerds... I was all of them. Q: How did you pick your college? A: I was a Cal Poly guy.
Jennifer Modolo Spanish/ASG
Q: When you were in high school, what were your plans for the future? A: I have always wanted to be a teacher. I wanted to travel and go to college. Q: What were you like in high school? A: I was quiet and hard working. I was very friendly. Q: How have you changed? A: I am a lot more outgoing. Q: Today, are you where you thought you would be? A: Yes, am my #1 career choice and married to a wonderful man.
Karie Lynch English
Q: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your teenage self? A: Be confident in who you are. Take pride in your individuality. Q: What were you like in high school? A: I spent most of my time in the art room, snowboarding, and hanging out in coffee shops. Q: When you were in high school, what were your plans for the future? A: I wanted to be a photographer or or art or English teacher.
Compiled by Kallyn Hobmann
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FEAT
FEBRUARY 1
Remember the times: 4 teachers reveal favorite dates
Scott Holloway “I went with a friend to a Christmas party [...]. We decided to skip out of that party and began crashing parties next door at the Queen Mary. That was a blast, and we made a group of executives from American Express really happy that their party was “cool enough to have party crashers.” [...]. After a few parties, we headed to the back of a room that had an amazing jazz quartet playing. We ended up on the deck outside talking. It was completely romantic. We both started laughing because neither of us [was] interested in the other as more than a friend, so we complained about how pathetic the situation was and that
we needed to find some ‘real’ dates. A couple of weeks later, she set me up on a date with her sorority sister, Vicki, who went on to become my wife.”
Happy Vale
Love at firs
Love isn’t always at first sight. In honor of Valentine’s Day first meetings without letting
Garrett + Arianna
Andrew +
Lindsay Jones
Mike Lynch
O H C LE EL H IC M BY TO O PH
Garrett Fracol ‘15 and Arianna Arias ‘15 have been going strong for seven months. How sweet! In another universe they might have met during one of Fracol’s hugely popular summer gigs as he crowd surfed to Arias...but they’re pretty happy to have met as they actually did.
“My favorite date was when I took a girl to the zoo, because it was fun. We went to the zoo; it was a surprise. We drove up there, and then we went to the beach and took a walk on the beach afterwards. It was cute and romantic. And everyone loves the zoo. I thought that was cool.”
Emily Dale “The best date that I ever had was the first date that I had with my fiance! It wasn’t technically supposed to be a date, but whatever. He had two tickets to see the Eagles at the Hollywood Bowl and didn’t have anyone to go with. (How romantic is being ticket filler?) someone’s
I
“The best date I’ve ever been on involved going to Disneyland over winter break one year. It’s rare that I go to Disneyland other than grad night because it’s so expensive, so it was awesome to be taken there. Even though it was really crowded, we loved just walking around, riding a few rides, and eating all the ridiculous food that Disneyland has to offer.”
“[...] Long story short, we ended up driving all over LA, seeing the Eagles at the Hollywood Bowl, getting lost, and seeing my friend at a random hotel [where she was stuck because of a cancelled plane flight]. It was super fun. Before we drove home [...] a spider the size of my hand ran across my dashboard while we were driving and I almost died. It hid in my air vent and jumped out and almost killed me again two days later. “Regardless, the date was so much fun, and I was so awesome that he fell deeply in like with me and now we’re engaged. Take that Disney.”
PHOTOS BY FRANCES LING
Guy
Girl
Arianna is a crazy awesome pianist and I play the drums and we both happened to be in Jazz 3 together freshman year. We were both really shy and didn’t ever talk to each other, but I definitely noticed her from the start. She was very pretty and she loved music. One day during band, Mr. Peter, the director, was talking about ‘musical communication’ between the band members and then he said, ‘Ari, look at the drummer to communicate.’ Once she did that, to loosen us up he said, ‘Ari! Don’t make googly eyes at the drummer!’ and I got extremely embarrassed and kinda ducked down behind people and music stands. [...] And that was how I met the amazing (and amazingly beautiful) Arianna Arias.”
We met each other in jazz band during freshman year, but we didn’t talk at all. But one embarrassing moment during rehearsal, Mr. Peter told me to stop making googly eyes at the drummer and both Garrett and I blushed a lot! I didn’t mean to make it look like googly eyes, but that’s still a funny moment to look back on. We really started talking to each other in band sophomore year. It was the normal ‘Hi, I’m Garrett’ and my smiling ‘Nice to meet you, I’m Ari.’”
Verona, of Romeo and Juliet fame, receives about 1,0 00 letters ad d liet every ressed to JuValentin e’s Day.
Andrew Huddleson ‘15 and Ad mantic, scenic ride through the Regiment third-wheeling. For a the beat of each others’ drums, a anytime soon.
Guy
We pretty much met through marching band. I was friends with her friends and she became friends with mine. Then we just started hitting it off on bus rides to competitions. Just talking and getting to know each other. Though it wasn’t until the bus rides to and from the Fresno Championship [that we really hit it off].”
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TURE 12, 2014
entine’s Day
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y, The Arrow interviewed three WHS couples about their g them converse beforehand.
Chase + Carly
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drienne Cotton ‘16 met on a rostate with the rest of the WHS year they’ve been marching to and they’re not planning to quit
Girl Andrew and I met through regiment. Yes, we are one of the nerdy band couples that met somewhere between playing, marching, and competitions. There was never really a moment of ‘catch eyes across the room, fell in love instantly’ or anything such as that. But my best friend was in his section and during the many times of me hanging out with her and her section, I started to notice him. [He was] the quiet one at first, but then the crazy, weird one who could make me laugh at almost anything. I began to like him and every opportunity I had, I would talk to him. On one of the bus rides home from a competition, he began to notice me as more than a friend. After months of hoping he would like me the way I like him, he finally asked me out in December [of 2012].”
Dear singles...
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Adrienne
Chase Rosenberg ‘14 and Carly Pierson ‘14 have only been an official couple for about a year, but they’ve been on each others’ minds for much longer. This Valentine’s Day is a major milestone for them. Rosenberg and Pierson would like to say to each other, “Happy Anniversary!”
Guy
Girl
I had the biggest crush on Carly in 3rd grade…and 4th and 5th and 6th and 7th and 8th. “Carly and I were in Mrs. Turner’s 3rd grade class together. [...] I would always try to talk to her, but I’d get too nervous. I remember I used to try to hang out with her on Club Penguin, and on Millsbury I would save up my money to send little gifts with the most romantic greeting card I could find…. But since it was a kid’s site, the most I could send was like ‘Have a Nice Day!’ [...] There was also that time that she came and saw me in Oliver and her dad said she cried because she wanted to come see me. She’ll never admit it. It’s true. So true.”
I had heard of [Chase] before because, well, it’s Chase. He’s famous. But I had never met him. And for some reason, I remember always thinking, ‘Shucks, I gotta be friends with this kid.’ “On the first day of 3rd grade, I walked into Mrs. Turner’s class, and when I found my seat, who else would be sitting across from me but the Chase Rosenberg. I can still picture his messy, overgrown hair, ridiculous glasses, and welcoming smile. I’m pretty sure that’s when little Carly fell for Chase’s impeccable charms. But, being the obvious hipster that I am, I pretended not to like Chase…simply because everyone else did. “Thus began Chase’s neverending pursuit to win my love and preposterous schemes that consisted of him liking everyone else to make me jealous. [...]. “[Last year] he asked me out to sushi on Valentine’s Day. And he was like, ‘Hey, be my girlfriend.’ And I was like, ‘Kay, cool.’”
As Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, some of you may be sulking over the fact that you have no one to spend it with. But just because you’re single doesn’t mean that you have to watch The Notebook and eat popcorn at home alone. Valentine’s Day is not only a day for couples. This holiday is a symbol of love and bonding, not just for couples but also for family members and other loved ones. Valentine’s can also be spent with family and friends. If your parents haven’t already planned their own date night, you can have a family dinner or movie night. If this isn’t an option, make your own plans. Invite your fellow single friends to make macaroni and cheese, have a Harry Potter marathon, or crash a friend’s date (preferably someone who won’t get mad at you). Still sulking? Then look at it this way. Boys have to spend weeks planning the perfect date to make their girlfriends happy: making reservations at restaurants, picking out romantic cards and chocolate, and preparing a bouquet of flowers. Girls have to wonder what to buy for their boyfriends and spend hours standing in front of their closets trying to decide what to wear to their romantic dates. Couples are restricted to spending the day with each other, while singles can spend time with whomever they want, doing whatever they want. So go eat, drink, and be merry. Be creative and have just as much fun as those lovey-dovey couples on Valentine’s Day! Sincerely, Your Fellow Single
Hanyi Huang
Page design by Hanyi Huang and Victoria Wang
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THE ARROW
Coming soon to a theater near you
Staff Writer
Set in future dystopian Chicago, the movie centers on a post-apocalyptic population split into factions according to their personal qualities. Organization is key, and every child at the age of 16 is sorted into one of the five factions: Candor, Erudite, Dauntless, Amity, or Abnegation. Central character Beatrice Prior is warned that she is Divergent, meaning that she will never truly fit into any one faction. After discovering a conspiracy to destroy all Divergents, Beatrice struggles to come to terms with her mysterious title and learn what makes her so dangerous to this strictly ordered society. “Divergent” will be released on March 21.
“A Million Ways to Die in the West” Set in the western United States, a cowardly sheep farmer encounters a series of unfortunate events: backing out of a gunfight, losing his unsteady girlfriend to another man, and then unsuccessfully fighting to win her back. However, the farmer quickly encounters a mysterious woman in town who helps him to regain his courage. Soon he and the mysterious woman fall in love and he forgets all about his ex girlfriend. But before this picture perfect story comes to a close, the mysterious woman’s outlaw husband arrives seeking revenge, forcing the cowardly sheep farmer to put his newfound courage to the test. “A Million Ways to Die in the West” will be released on May 30.
“22 Jump Street”
After making their way through high school twice, police officers Schmidt and Jenko go undercover as students at a local college. After Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, the pair begin to question their partnership and compatibility. Besides cracking their case, the duo must also discover the key to maintaining a mature relationship. “22 Jump Street” will be released on June 13. Compiled by Ariana Haider
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
“Saving Mr. Banks” charms viewers in the most delightful way Emily Demsetz
“Divergent”
ENTERTAINMENT
“Saving Mr. Banks,” released Dec. 12, has no penguin dance numbers. There are no mystical carpetbags, no whistling robins, and no charming Cockney chimney sweeps. Instead, the movie recounts the tale of “Mary Poppins” author P.L. Travers’s childhood and two-week struggle with Walt Disney over the rights to her deeply personal novel. But don’t let the “Mary Poppins” topic fool you. The film is by no means a mere child’s movie. In fact, “Saving Mr. Banks” appeals to audience members of any age, with a beautiful recreation of the 1960’s era and fantastic performances from a
seasoned cast. British actress Emma Thompson stars as Travers, bringing the author’s sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude to life on the big screen. Originally, Thompson was hesitant to take on the role, saying, “I had never really played anyone so contradictory or difficult before…She interfered, she patronized, she demeaned their efforts…She was so resistant.” Nevertheless, Thompson’s knowledge of the author brings a sort of inspired spirit to the role, making the character funny, charming, and believable, all while being every bit as haughty as the real Travers. Over the course of two hours, “Mary Poppins” fans will listen raptly as
Travers dismisses the ideas of the Disney production staff and inspires tears as her less-than-ideal childhood is revealed. Despite the film’s positive reaction and praise from countless movie critics of each cast member’s performance, some of the film’s team members initially had a few doubts, especially concerning scenes involving the public image and personal life of Walt Disney. Kelly Marcel, a screenwriter for the film, said, “Once Disney bought the script, my big fear was, they’re going to try and sanitize Walt. There are going to be so many rules and stipulations, they’re going to say he can’t smoke, he can’t drink. And then they didn’t.” The film has made $66 million worldwide.
Next-gen Siri earns Oscar nominations Erik Steinman
Entertainment Editor In an age where people have become increasingly reliant on their iPhones for survival, Spike Jonze takes humantechnology dependencies to the extreme in his feature film, “Her.” The story follows recently divorced Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a custom love letter author for hire. Desperate for emotional interaction, Theodore turns to an advanced operating system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) with artificial intelligence in order to distance himself from his split with longtime love Catherine. The talking female operating system – or OS – quickly names herself “Samantha” and develops deep psychological ties with Theodore following his failed human dating pursuits. Despite his immediate happiness, Theodore must quickly learn to balance his human and technological relationships. Friendships, exes, and the difficulties of a sexual relationship with an inanimate object threaten to separate Theodore and Samantha once and for all. As a futuristic science fiction romantic comedy drama, “Her” appeals to a wide variety of audiences (17 years or over, of course). Spike Jonze creatively incorporates movie elements relatable to the majority of movie-goers, from love triangles and jokes to imaginative technology and desperation.
TRUE LOVE: Theodore Twombly reflects lovingly upon his relationship with his OS, Samantha.
With a new-age atmosphere, the film completely encompasses viewers in a world that may not be far off from our projected destiny. “Jonze’s masterstroke is his disarmingly plausible world building,” movie critic Jordan Farley stated. “‘Her’ is set in a near-future Los Angeles where the environmental revolution has won, where videogames seem to be the dominant art form and the sight of solitary individuals muttering to their in-ear computer is as ubiquitous as someone swiping away at a smartphone today…which makes its exploration of our increasingly personal relationship with technology at the expense of ‘real’ human connection all the more
compelling.” Even though it performed poorly on its opening weekend with a profit of only $260,382, the movie has received multiple nominations for the 2014 awards season. Faced with incredibly tough competition, “Her” managed a Golden Globe victory for Best Original Screenplay, beating popular titles such as “American Hustle” and “12 Years a Slave.” In addition, the Spike Jonze film has five nominations for the upcoming 2014 Academy Awards, including those for Best Picture, Best Production Design, and Best Original Screenplay. The film is rated R for language, sexual content and brief graphic nudity.
ENTERTAINMENT
THE ARROW
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
Sherlock returns Michelle Choi
Entertainment Editor After a long two year hiatus, the BBC hit series, “Sherlock,” returns for its third season. “Star Trek into Darkness” star Benedict Cumberbatch portrays Sherlock Holmes and “The Hobbit” star Martin Freeman portrays John Watson. Amanda Abbington, Freeman’s real-life partner, is introduced as a new character that “significantly impacts upon the lives of John and Sherlock,” according to a public statement. For those who have yet to watch Season 3: SPOILERS AHEAD! BBC kicked off season three with a minisode, entitled “Many Happy Returns.” It was released on Dec. 24, without any speculation of its release. Written by Mark Gattis and Steven Moffat, it features the quick humor, clean editing and fast pace of the episode in a seven minute time frame. The synopsis for the minisode reads: “A series of seemingly unconnected crimes stretching from Tibet to India to Germany. Sherlock Holmes has been gone for two years. But someone isn’t quite convinced that he’s dead...” Episode one, The Empty Hearse, received high acclaim, rating higher than the “Doctor Who” Christmas Special. Hundreds of thousands tuned in from all over the globe for the return of Sherlock Holmes. Philip Anderson, a recurring character in the series, forms a group called The Empty Hearse, which hypothesizes ways that Sherlock survived the fall. Sherlock and John reunite again, and Sherlock is introduced to Mary, John’s fiancée. Sherlock also reveals how he survived, and why his death was faked.
“Sherlock” has a reputation of having dull middle episodes. They’re usually used to connect the first and last episode in the season in a smooth transition. However, The Sign of Three defies these expectations. This episode is John and Mary’s wedding. There is evidence of character development in Sherlock and John as their friendship strengthens and Mary is introduced to the scene. John’s past involving his life as a military doctor is exposed more as new characters are introduced. Sherlock becomes more human and less sociopathic throughout the episode, showing vulnerability. Episode three, His Last Vow, begins with Watson trying to rescue his neighbor’s son from a drug den, and finds Sherlock high in the same place. John, Molly, Anderson, and Mycroft attempt to force Sherlock to clean up, but Sherlock insists that he was going undercover for a case. Sherlock begins a relationship with Mary’s bridesmaid, Janine, with whom he had connected at the wedding in the previous epsiode. He breaks into the antagonist, Magnussen’s, office with Janine’s help, where Mary shoots Sherlock. Mary confesses later in a confrontation that she had a past as a secret agent and assassin, of which Magnussen knew. John finds out about her past, and Mary gives him a memory stick containing information about her previous life with her true initials on it. Mary also tells John that the content might destroy his love for her. The third series is significantly funnier and lighter than the previous two, but still has suspenseful, heart wrenching moments that draws viewers in from the beginning and leaves them waiting for more.
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COURTESY PHOTOS
THE GAME IS BACK ON: Nearly ten million viewers worldwide tuned in to watch the premier of season three of Sherlock. BBC plans to release season four in December 2014.
Recap: 2014 Grammys Max Wang Staff Writer
The 56th Grammy Awards ceremony this year, held at the Staples Center, was full of surprising results as artists both old and new vied for the coveted trophy of a golden record player. Beyoncé and her husband, rapper Jay Z, opened up the awards with a performance of “Drunk in Love,” and many lauded the performance as flawless. Others seemed less pleased with the provocative nature of the performance and lyrics, especially since some words were bleeped out of the live broadcast. The night continued with the awards in 82 categories, with artists being recognized for their work in various music forms, including country, rap, pop, jazz, and even opera. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis took the coveted “Best New Artist” award. They also received the “Best Rap Song” award for their song “Thrift Shop,” beating out works by Jay Z, Kanye West, and Drake. They also won “Best Rap Performance” and “Best Rap Album” with The Heist. Daft Punk, the masked French duo, were recognized for “Record of the Year” for their song “Get Lucky.“ They also took “Album of the Year” for “Random Access Memories.” For any artist to receive that award combination is no easy task: the last time that happened was in 2009, and that combination has only happened five times in the last 20 years. “Random Access Memories” also won “Best Dance/Electronica Album” and “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.” Lorde, a 17-year-old from New Zealand, was recognized for her performance in “Royals,” a song she co-wrote with Joel Little. She surprised many by becoming the youngest artist to ever win in a category other than “Best New Artist,” receiving both “Song of the Year” and “Best Pop Solo Performance.” The Beatles were given a “Lifetime Achievement” award. The two surviving members of the original band, bassist Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, rejoined to perform McCartney’s “Queenie Eye.” McCartney also took the rock song award with “Cut Me Some Slack,” his 19th Grammy. Terri Carrington won “Best Jazz Instrumental Album,” becoming the first woman to win in that category.
Iconic moments throughout history
Man with “soy bomb” written on his chest Queen Latifah and Macklemore turn rips off shirt at Bob Dylan performance “Same Love” into Mass Grammy Wedding. before being removed by security. (1998) Madonna sings “Open Your Heart” as 34 gay and straight couples elope. (2014)
COURTESY PHOTOS
Michael Jackson receives 12 nominations Milli Vanilli lip-synch their performance and eight Grammy wins for “Thriller.” and lose their Grammys. (1990) (1984) Compiled by Max Wang
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SPORTS
THE ARROW
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
PHOTOS BY LAUREN CHIN
COURTESY PHOTO
KICKIN’ TO WIN: (Above) McKenna Masters battles against an opponent on Simi Valley’s team. (Top right) Samantha Fairweather sets up a pass. (Bottom right) Kelsey Kimball communicates with another teammate during a game against Thousand Oaks High School.
Girls soccer breaks away from the field
Rachel Finegold Feature Editor
The girls varsity team has six freshmen who are “all good players, with good technical ability and an understanding of how to play,” said head coach Frank Marino. The freshmen on the varsity team are Kristen Enriquez, Samantha Fairweather, Laura Ishikawa, Tara Mckeown, Hannah Sharts, and Brooke Wynalda. “It’s a bit intimidating at first, but I have grown to like it and the girls are all really nice. It is challenging but it is helping
me become a better player,” said attacking center mid-fielder Enriquez. “There was some tension at the beginning, but then we did some team bonding and the team is a lot closer,” said the team’s forward player, Roni Merrill ‘16. The varsity team’s goals are to win the league and get as far as they can in playoffs. The team’s biggest competition is Newbury Park High School and Royal High School. “All of the upper classmen are really cool about having six freshmen on the team, but there is obviously a lot of pressure because it takes a lot to beat out
other players for playing time,” said center forward Wynalda. The varsity team captains are Courtney Appleford ‘14, Sarah Ishikawa ‘14, and Nicole Molen ‘14. The senior captains “are all leading the varsity team well,” said Marino. “Being a freshman on varsity has been a really amazing experience for me and I have really improved a lot,” said Wynalda. Despite all of the injuries, the freshmen on the team, even though inexperienced, “have performed well and the team can win the league,” said Marino. The girls varsity team played against
Newbury Park on Jan. 29 and won 3-2 with an amazing comeback after being down 2-0 in which Wynalda scored the first two goals and Merrill scored the last one. Because of this win, the team was able to grab first place. Later on Jan. 31, the girls varsity team played Calabasas High School, in which they crushed them with a 5-0 win. The goals were scored by Wynalda who had two, Appleford, Charlotte Bishop ‘14, and Jamie Park ‘15. The team will play Moorpark High School at WHS on Feb. 13.
Dodge, duck, dip, Water polo stays course for modest finish dive, and dodge Taylor Li
Staff Writer
Tallulah Lund-Sidi Staff Writer
With most sports, there are four-year seniors leaving for college. Water polo is no exception and this year has six seniors, Lacey Anderson, Lauren Cook, Katie Lang, Moriah McReynolds, Emily Tsui, and Mariah Ziccardi who will graduate in June. “This year from our seniors we expect a lot of hard work,” said Coach Ricky Mulcahey, commenting on this year’s seniors. Everyone on the team is sad to see them go but they are ready to see them move forward to achieve more in their careers. These athletes either started on varsity, JV, or frosh-soph; after years of hard work, they have made their way to varsity. “I feel great. I love being a senior and being in my prime,” stated team captain Katie Lang. Lang has been a freshman set player on varsity and has played on the water polo team for all four years at WHS. “I’m going to miss her so much because she is my role model. She has given me many tips and made me a better player,” stated JV sprinter Selena Cherfane ‘17. The other captain, Anderson, is a starting varsity set guard and driver who has played all four years after transferring from Thousand Oaks High School as a sophomore. She has played on varsity her three years at WHS. Anderson will continue her water polo career at Wagner College where she committed to play.
PHOTO BY TALLULAH LUND-SIDI
PASS IT ON: Julie Lang gets ready to pass to a teammate in a game.
Co-captain, Cook, has played all four years at WHS and this was her first year on varsity. Last year she played as the JV captain when she was a junior and led the team to a great season. She played years on club before her high school water polo career. McReynolds, playing all four years at WHS and the JV co-captain along side as a junior with her team mate Cook, is now in her first season on varsity. Tsui is playing as a driver this year on varsity after posting 33 goals last season on
JV.
Ziccardi, who has played three years, is this year’s starting set player. “I’ve gotten to see them grow from small freshmen to big seniors and see how far they have come. I am how excited to see how far they will go this year,” said Coach and WHS alumni water polo player Scarlett Lund-Sidi. “I expect them to lead the team in their last year,” said Coach Danny Mock. “I hope that they continue their carriers in water polo in some or any capacity.”
Two teams faced off in the dodgeball final Jan 31. After a week of hard fought competition, team Zambonies managed to prove their dodging superiority over their opponents. They defeated the Speedos, Seniors, and Class to face team Themselves in the final. Self-proclaimed team captain Matt Van Zandt ‘14 said, “It feels good to get the win. It’s our senior year so it’s great to go out strong and leave a legacy of dodgeball.” Van Zandt says his team were big believers in “The 5 D’s of Dodgeball.” Alongside him were Sully Clark ‘14, Justin Sadian ‘14, Jake Kent ‘14, and Emil Jabbour ‘14. An annual tradition, dodgeball is an enjoyable lunchtime tournament held by ASG in which friends can create teams and have friendly competition. Standard rules are that each team tries to hit the other with squishy balls and the other team can attempt to either dodge or catch the ball to avoid being knocked out. However, the rules of WHS dodgeball are slightly different, removing the ability to bring back teammates by catching a ball. Another difference is that this year, rounds have been given a shorter time limit to compensate for the new WISE lunch period. Although some of the usual parts of dodgeball have been removed, the game is still exciting and competitive, placing more emphasis on the importance of dodging. This year’s competition may be over, but it will start again next year. If you are interested in participating, get together four friends and be ready to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge.
THE ARROW 11 Surprising star boosts basketball to record start
SPORTS
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
Christian Coates Sports Editor
PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN COATES
A year ago, Jeremiah Gray ‘14 was a junior on JV basketball. The coaches had told him he was not ready for the varsity level because he was undersized. He led the team in scoring with over 13 points per game and was brought up at the very end of the season. Over the summer, Gray shot up a few inches and filled out to his 6’4” frame. “When Larry Bush was still here, I was supposed to come off of the bench for him,” Gray said. However, Bush’s transfer to Calabasas High School opened up a golden opportunity for Gray to step into a bigger role. So far, he is second on the team in scoring with 11.6 points per game and three-pointers made with 30. To go along with his sweet stroke, he has not hesitated to capitalize on opportunities to dunk. “I’ve just been playing good defense and trying to be aggressive with the ball,” explained Gray. “Hopefully, the team and I will continue to be successful.” Despite a hard loss to Calabasas, the
Warriors have been a force in the Marmonte League this season with a 9-1 record in league play. WHS started dreadfully slow, falling behind 12-0 early in the first quarter. WHS had some momentum heading into halftime after trimming the lead to within ten, but the Coyotes started out fast in the third quarter where they did not look back and handed WHS their first loss of the season. Gray had a good performance with 9 points and 7 rebounds along with center Marcos Soto ’14 who had an outstanding 22 points. Soto later said, “We could not get going. They came out strong and it was tough for us to respond.” The Warriors bounced back from the loss with victories against Thousand Oaks and Agoura High Schools. They are currently tied with Calabasas with 11-1 records, and will most likely need to win the rest of their games against Royal and Moorpark High Schools to clinch the Marmonte League championship. If WHS wins out, they will eclipse their league record from last season, where they carried their success deep into the postseason.
GRAY’S AREA:: Jeremiah Gray releases from 3-point land against Thousand Oaks.
Girls basketball says farewell to seniors 15 students participate in National Signing Day and season Vallia Yu
Feature Editor On National Signing Day, 15 WHS athletes—eight girls and seven boys—(all wearing gear to represent their school or sport of choice) were in attendance Feb. 5 in the WHS cafeteria, along with an abundance of proud parents. The sports ranged from softball to golf: “A testament,” said Assistant Principal of Athletics Bennett Wutkee, “to how well rounded Westlake really is.” Seniors Lacey Anderson, Mary Anselmo, Sean Crocker, Luke Dykstra, Brooke Edell, Michael Giguere, Jackson Hollister, Sarah Ishikawa, Yu-Bin Kim, Ryan Lee, Julia Mannisto, Nicole Molen, Sean O’Bryan, Kaitlyn Pitcher, and Karli Skowrup were all present for the ceremony. The athletes sat, shoulder to shoulder in front of their audience, with bright orange name tags proudly displaying their sports and future schools. Introductions by Wutkee were followed by a quick simulated “signing session,” in which the students signed their names with a flourish on blank sheets of paper while the snap of cameras resounded about the room. After, the students were treated to cake and pizza as parents stood beaming by their sides. The two swimmers of the group, Yu-Bin Kim and Ryan Lee stood together wearing the same swim club t-shirts, chatting over their pizza. When asked on how they felt about their offers, UCSD-bound Lee laughed, saying he was just “happy to have a secure spot at the school.” Kim took a bit longer to respond. “I felt speechless and dumbfounded,” (add flabbergasted interjected Ryan), “because it’s such a great school. The first thing I did was look up more information about it; you could say I had a bit of a delayed reaction.” “It’s a fun opportunity to honor the kids,” said Wutkee. “It’s a chance for them to breathe after years of hard work at their sport and a casual chance for parents to catch up and talk to each other about their kids. As a school, we’re all just really proud.”
Student Lacey Anderson Mary Anselmo Sean Crocker Luke Dykstra Brooke Edell Michael Giguere Jackson Hollister Sarah Ishikawa Yu-Bin Kim Ryan Lee Julia Mannisto Nicole Molen Sean O’Bryan Kaitlyn Pitcher Karli Skowrup
School Wagner College (Water Polo) Louisiana Monroe (Beach/Indoor Volleyball) USC (Golf) Fresno State (Baseball) Cornell (Track) Cal Poly SLO (Cross Country/Track) UCSB (Volleyball) Seattle University (Soccer) Yale (Swim) UCSD (Swim) South Carolina (Beach Volleyball) USC (Soccer) Air Force Academy (Cross Country/Track) Colorado State (Soccer) Chico State (Softball)
TOP PHOTO: Bennett Wutkee speaks at National Signing Day. BOTTOM PHOTO: Mikey Giguere commits to Cal Poly SLO PHOTOS BY VALLIA YU
Matt Donovan Sports Editor
As girls basketball prepares for its final game on Feb. 13, the players overall feel good about moving up from last place in league last year. With only one game left against Moorpark High School, the Warriors are 2-10 in league and 8-12 overall but expect to finish fifth ahead of Simi Valley High School. Confident that the team will be stronger next year, the players are looking ahead especially with Calabasas High School leaving Marmonte League and Camarillo High School entering it. “This is by far the most memorable season I have had at WHS, and I am so fortunate to have been part of a team I will never forget,” said Captain Ashley Jung ‘14. The rest of the varsity team will use Thursday’s senior night to say their farewells to Jung (who led Marmonte with 32 charges and in scoring) and Valerie Sarkis ‘14. “The team won’t be the same without Val and Ashley,” said guard Elise Hinman ‘15. “During this challenging year, they helped us stay positive.” WHS has an opportunity to shake up the standings late in the season. If they knock off Moorpark and Royal High Schools, they could potentially pull into fifth place. “Out of my four years of playing basketball, this has been my favorite and most memorable year. I love them so much and couldn’t have asked for a better team in my last year,” said Sarkis.
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THE ARROW
FEATURE FEBRUARY 12, 2014
MOCK TRIAL TEAM GETS MURDER CASE Drug overdose: accident or murder? Pranav Kaygee Alex Shi Feature Editors
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WHERE ’S THE EVIDEN Julia S C nyder and As E: Coaches supervis h le e the pra ctice ses y Tomkins sion.
The WHS Mock Trial team prepares for the drug overdose case, People v. Concha, featuring a pre-trial case involving the Fourth Amendment protection against unlawful search and seizure. The trial itself revolves around second-degree murder and the possession and sale of Adderall. On Feb. 24, the Mock Trial team, coached by Ashley Tomkins and Julia Snyder will compete for a place in county finals. In order to prepare for the competition, members have attended practices on Monday and Thursday every week, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. “WHS Mock Trial has a lot of younger people,“ fouryear member Alexander Loh ‘14 states. “But we have a lot of potential this year.” Pre-Trial Case: In the case, Robin Doherty, an undercover police officer, conducted a vehicle search.
However, the question is whether or not Doherty was within the plain view exception to the warrant requirement. If he was, testimony items seized by Doherty during the narcotics investigation would be admissible in the case. The Case: This mock case is based on the death of Jason Johnson, a high school student attending Rosewood High School, who died due to an overdose on Adderall. Rae Concha, a senior attending the same school, was accused of the crime. The prosecution alleges that Rae Concha sold Adderall to other students, specifically Jason Johnson, from the back of his SUV. The prosecution argues that Concha sold the Adderall pills to Johnson despite knowing that the pills would be fatal. Eyewitness testimony claims that Concha had received prior warnings about the illegal usage and selling of the prescription drug. After further inspection, a large supply of Adderall pills in bottles and plastic bags were discovered in Concha’s SUV. Additionally, a testimony was given by the medical examiner stating that
the Adderall had exacerbated Johnson’s heart condition, ultimately causing his death. On the Defense: The defense argues that Rae Concha had a legal prescription for Adderall due to his ADHD. Moreover, the defense claims that the bottles and bags of Adderall found in the back of Concha’s SUV belonged to Alex Weaver, a student also attending Rosewood High School. The defense also states that Weaver held animosity towards Concha due to the school marching band and an outside rock band. Concha denies the claim of selling Adderall pills to Johnson, and there is forensic-expert testimony that a high level of alcohol had caused the exacerbation in Johnson’s heart condition, not the consumption of Adderall. The Charges: Rae Concha has been charged with two felony counts: The first is second-degree murder of Jason Johnson, and the second is the possession and sale of the controlled substance Adderall.
The Mock Trial team I) Court Clerk: Jerry Song II) Court Bailiff: Brandon Hubbard III) Prosecution Pre-Trial: Rick Zierer IV) Defense Pre-Trial: Madhav Soni V) Defense Witnesses: Hannah Chi Tatianna Rawlings Johnny Samii Rick Zierer VI) Prosecution Witnesses Savana Hubbard Tias Webster Rita Abedelahad Louise Smith VII) Defense Attorneys: Tiffany Han Kevin Shi Sean Sutedjo VIII) Prosecution Attorneys: Noah Karras Alexander Loh Lauren Thomas
PHOTOS BY VIVIAN HU