12.19.18

the

Arrow 100 Lakeview Canyon Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91362 Volume XLI | Issue 3 | December 19, 2018

Thousand Oaks Page 12

Find the snowake

2018: Year in review

WHS basketball star shines

Hidden in this issue

Page 6–7

Page 11

2

NEWS

the

Arrow staff

editors-in-chief caelyn pender & milla wu

managing editor megan king

web masters-in-chief sona bhargava & connie shi

web managing editor prarthana kaygee

news section editor sydney schlesinger

news editors

2018: presidential update

GRAPHIC BY THOMAS BRICKMAN & QUINN MOSS

Sources: factcheck.org & usatoday.com

taylor chen & bob xia

feature section editors marc andrew choi & jamie lee

feature editors kyra berg, thomas brickman, angel lee, quinn moss, lindsey romano, abby thompson & faith yellin

arts & entertainment section editor katie reul

arts & entertainment editors brittney nial & avery pak

opinion section editor alex li

opinion editors sophie robson, lauren pak & amber parrish

featured columnist amanda ju

sports section editors akhil gutta & melanie zhang

sports editors songhee lee

business manager & photo editor michelle hang

graphics editor elliot kim

staff writers peter beer & jeff mendoza

adviser karie lynch The Arrow is written, designed and run by the students of the Advanced Journalism and Journalism 1CP classes at Westlake High School. The opinions expressed in this 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.

www.westlakearrow.net westlakearrow@gmail.com @westlakearrow 100 N. Lakeview Canyon Road Westlake Village, CA 91362 (805) 497-6711 ext. 4225 On Nov. 6, 2018, The Arrow published an article about the creation and sale of N20h Inc. The article has been retracted from electronic publication after we were notified that the company and its sale had been fabricated by a source. The Arrow apologizes for the mistake.

Cover photo by Caelyn Pender

by sydney schlesinger

news section editor In recent months, it seems that breaking news is anticipated on a daily basis. Trump and his administration have taken action on many issues, from reacting to the Woolsey fire to implementing immigration policies.

Since 2017, Robert Mueller has been heading the Russia investigation, which is investigating the possibility of Russian collusion during the 2016 election. Mueller released a new report on his findings on Dec. 7.

Mueller’s report recommended a prison sentence for Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen and included an official statement that said Trump’s campaign manager Paul Manafort lied while being investigated despite his cooperation agreement. Cohen was given a three–year prison sentence on Dec. 12 by a New York federal court due to payments he made during the 2016 election to silence women who came forward about their affairs with Trump.

Trump learned the full extent of the newest Mueller report and tweeted in response to it.

“After two years and millions of pages of documents (and a cost of over $30,000,000), no collusion!” tweeted Trump on Dec. 8.

Trump was concerned with two tragedies that took place in Thousand Oaks — the Borderline shooting and the Woolsey Fire.

On the night of Nov. 7, former Marine Ian David Long entered Borderline Bar and Grill and killed 12 people.

As this tragic event spread across the national news, Trump used his Twitter account to express his condolences.

“Great bravery shown by police,” tweeted Trump on Nov. 8.

“California Highway Patrol was on scene within three minutes, with first officer to enter shot numerous times. That Sheriff ’s Sergeant died in the hospital. God bless all of the victims and families of the victims. Thank you to Law Enforcement.”

Recent mass shootings brought the issue of gun policy to the spotlight, sparking debates between people all over the country. A year after the Las Vegas Route 91 music festival shooting, Trump initiated a ban on bump stocks, which was examined again after

the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida. This ban is now close to being finalized.

The Woolsey Fire, which began on Nov. 8, ultimately “burn[ed] 96,949 acres, kill[ed] three civilians and destroy[ed] 1,500 structures” before firefighters contained it, according to the Ventura County Star.

In response to the Woolsey fire as well as the Camp Fire in Northern California, Trump stated that Finland spends “a lot of time on raking and cleaning” its forests. Finnish president Sauli Niinistö later stated that he never said that Finland uses this practice on their forest to Trump.

Brian Rice, president of California’s Professional Firefighters, responded to Trump’s statements about the apparent “mismanagement” of the forests.

“The president’s assertion that California’s forest management policies are to blame for catastrophic wildfire is dangerously wrong,” said Rice. “Wildfires are sparked and spread not only in forested areas but in populated areas and open fields fueled by parched vegetation, high winds, low humidity and geography.”

Trump visited Ventura County on Nov. 17 on account of the shooting and fire, where he toured destruction in Malibu and met with some families of Borderline victims. The former mayor of Thousand Oaks Andrew Fox met with Trump and described him as “extremely gracious [and] very kind to the families.”

Trump also recently brought more attention to border security. A new executive order attempts to promote family unity in immigration after controversy surrounding family separation at the border.

“It is also the policy of this Administration to maintain family unity, including by detaining alien families together where appropriate and consistent with law and available resources,” stated the new executive order.

On Nov. 25, a migrant caravan reached the border that connected San Diego and Tijuana. This quickly lead to a major dispute between migrants and border protection agents, resulting in the agents releasing tear gas into the crowd. Trump later stated the tear gas was a “very minor form.”

“Here’s the bottom line,” stated Trump. “Nobody’s coming into our country unless they come in legally.”

In brief Winter formal

PSAT score review

There will be an “All Around the World” theme for this year’s Winter Formal taking place on Feb. 23. The dance will be held in the gym, and tickets can be purchased at the student store and online. Ticket prices vary according to the date of purchase: Dec. 17–Jan. 25: $50 with an ASB sticker and $60 without Jan. 26–Feb. 19: $60 with an ASB sticker and $70 without

On Tues., Jan. 8, WHS counseling is hosting a PSAT score review night in the WHS library at 6 p.m. Students will be able to learn what their PSAT score breakdowns mean and what they can do to prepare for the SAT. Additionally, the session will host an alumni panel with recent WHS graduates to discuss college applications and answer questions.

Gift wrapping

Finals schedule

During the holiday season, many nonprofit organizations and school clubs, such as WHS Junior State of America, participate in holiday gift wrapping at Barnes and Nobles in the Westlake Promenade as a fundraiser. Wrapping services are available every day until Dec. 24 during regular store hours.

“We want to give back to the community and support our members,” said JSA President Hayley Kang ‘20. “We need the donations for our conventions because not everyone can afford to attend them, but we want students to participate and become politcally active.”

Semester one finals will take place from Jan. 15–17. There will be no school the Friday following finals. The schedule is as follows: Tues., Jan. 15: Periods 1, 2, 7 7 a.m.–2:06 p.m.

Wed., Jan. 16: Periods 3 and 4 8 a.m.–12:20 p.m.

Thurs., Jan. 17: Periods 5 and 6 8 a.m.–12:20 p.m.

Compiled by Caelyn Pender & Bob Xia

3

NEWS

WHS updates school safety plan

by lindsey romano

feature editor After both the national and local crisis’s of the last year, WHS staff members, along with the CVUSD school district, have worked to make sure that WHS is safe in all aspects.

During the district fire break, CVUSD updated parents on what was going on at school. The email was compiled with the intent to confirm the approval of the safety plan in place for the school.

“We have gone above and beyond what was necessary to ensure a safe and clean learning environment for our students,” said CVUSD Superintendent Mark McLaughlin in a district–wide email to parents on Nov. 23.

WHS took action to improve the school’s safety plan after last year’s Parkland tragedy. After the tragedies of the past few weeks, district and WHS administration continue to adjust the safety plan to fit the needs of students, staff, and families.

“Safety is ... the number one priority for us, so it morphes and changes, and we adjust as soon as we need to,” said Principal Jason Branham.

Moving forward, students may notice some of the adjustments. Changes within the past year include the ban on bringing backpacks to rallies and posting campus supervisors in all areas of campus.

“Campus personnel have been assigned to monitor ... points [on campus] — especially during periods when students are in transit,” states the WHS Comprehensive School Safety Plan, commenting on a concern to safety.

A more long term change is the addition of 56 new cameras around campus. These will be fully functional by Jan. 2, 2019.

“The camera system has been about a year–and–a–half process

of getting that implemented,” said Branham.

The safety plan focuses not only on the physical health but also on the mental health of students. Examples of this include the message of “see something, say something” and slips with the crisis hotline number being posted in the bathrooms last October.

“We recognize the events of the last two weeks have been trying,” said McLaughlin. “On Monday, [Nov. 26] we will have additional support for our students’ social–emotional needs.”

The school created hotline cards to pass out to every student with the numbers of important mental health agencies and support services. Next year, these numbers will be posted on the back of all ID cards given to students during orientation.

“If you’re having struggles or things are feeling bad, talk to somebody,” said Branham. “I think it’s hard because when people talk, they feel like they’re vulnerable.”

WHS continues to review its disaster procedures and drill requirements. This is an easy way for administration to confirm that they will be prepared in the case of any emergency.

“For each school campus, we have a systematic fire restoration strategy in place, including interior and exterior remediation followed by environmental hygiene testing,” said McLaughlin.

Additionally, anytime administration, teachers and students feel an adjustment is needed to better safety, they are able to propose it. Staff members will then meet to decide if it is a necessary addition to the safety plan and can either initiate it right away or incorporate it over a period of time. Meetings are held at least once at the beginning of the school year to discuss the plan as a whole, and, last May, a new school safety committee was formed to meet four times a year.

“I don’t care where it comes from, where the ideas come from, where the thoughts come from,” said Branham. “If it’s good for kids and keeps them safe, then that’s the goal.”

Recent updates to the WHS school safety plan 56 new cameras added to campus

by Jan. 2, 2019 Backpacks banned from rallies New school safety committee to meet four times a year Hotline numbers to be posted on the back of ID cards next year Campus supervisors re–positioned around campus GRAPHIC BY LINDSEY ROMANO

Students, teachers adapt after missing school days

by megan king & milla wu managing editor & co–editor–in–chief Teachers and school staff have been adjusting curriculum after lost instruction during cleanup and restoration procedures caused by the Woosley and Hill fires.

After CVUSD cancelled school from Nov. 9 to Nov. 20 due to the fires, CVUSD applied for a waiver from the California Department of Education requesting to not have to make up the days off of school.

The CDE approved the request, and CVUSD schools will not have to make up the missed days by adding more days to the end of the year. WHS opted to not change the semester one final dates or the start date of semester two.

Thus, many teachers have had to make significant adjustments to their lesson plans.

“We lost seven class days, and we just started a novel [in my freshman class],” said Kari Ballard English 9H and English 11CP teacher. “We’ve never had a disaster like this where it impacted our whole community like the way that it did, so I’m going in blindly with this, and I’m just trying to do the best that I can.”

In order to make the transition easier, administration is providing counselors to students and supporting teachers with any questions they have.

“The first day back, we had additional counselors on campus to ensure the social/ emotional needs of our students were addressed,” said Assistant Principal of Instruction Heather Godfrey. “A staff meeting was held to address any additional questions our teachers had in regards to the transition back to school. ” To accommodate for the shorter semester, some teachers, including Ballard, have cut assignments and projects from their previous plans.

“I omitted a lot of the activities I wanted to do so we could just focus on some of the reading in class,” said Ballard. “I also took out an essay for Of Mice and Men which [my students] would have been doing in January, [and] I omitted many of my reading quizzes.”

Because AP classes are planned around the timing of the AP test, AP teachers have to adjust the amount of time dedicated to in– class review.

“As far as AP Calculus, since we had so much time, ... five weeks, to review at the end, we just shortened the review,” said Korshavn. “We already had over five weeks anyway, so [the students] should feel comfortable still doing everything.”

Since Government and Politics and Microeconomics are one semester each, the teachers pushed back the swap date for seniors in government to take economics and vice versa.

“Originally [economics teacher Doug] Freed and I had planned on swapping our AP

Government [and AP Microeconomics] classes at the winter break, but now we’re going to swap them … at the semester one cutoff just to give us more time,” said Kathryn Mallen, AP and CP Government teacher. “It will mean less time for second semester, … but at least that’s time that we can plan for.”

Other teachers did not have to make significant changes.

“We’re just picking up where we left off,” said Biology teacher Allison Kerr. “If we don’t finish something for the final, then it just won’t be on the final.”

Students have also had to adjust their activities due to the fire. According to Maya Groves ‘20, ASG started planning the ticket sale dates for winter formal before the fires; however, due to the seven days off, “[the dates] have to be pushed back, so [ASG is] trying to manage how to push that back and still be able to have the dance the day that we planned for it.”

4

FEATURE

by abby thompson feature editor Santa Claus is coming to town!

Actually, not just to one town, but to thousands of towns.

Towns all over the world!

And, although the legend of the jolly old man in his red coat and boots has continued for hundreds of years, the story has evolved in different countries over time, like a big game of telephone.

From what he is called to where he lives, the rumor of the magical being who drops down from chimneys, brings presents to the good and coal to the naughty and eats a year’s worth of cookies in one night is not the only legend jingling through the holiday air.

According to allthingschristmas.com, the Slavic countries’ version of Santa developed long before Christmas traditions were popular. Ded Moroz, also called Father Frost, is king of the holidays and a Winter Wizard who gained popularity in the 1900s.

In the Netherlands, Santa is known as Sinterklaas, according to allthingschristmas.com.

It is the Dutch belief that he resides in Spain and visits each year in the middle of November. Instead of traveling the world with his flying reindeer, Sinterklaas either arrives by horse or train. He also does not have elves to assist him in making toys, but instead a troublesome helper known as “Zwarte Piet,” which translates into “Black Pete” and has raised some controversy over the years.

Many Dutch have protested against this traditional helper as they believe the concept is racist and inappropriate, especially when people dress up as Zwarte Piet for the occasion, embodying racial caricatures.

In contrast, in Britain, Santa is known as Father Christmas.

The British belief however, excludes Santa’s famous suit and hat.

The belief in Father Christmas started in the 15th century, and he is depicted garbed in robes and holly.

The United States’ claim on Santa Claus began with Dutch immigrants, who translated their Sinterklaas into the more Americanized “Santa Claus,” according to greenglobaltravel.com.

GIFTS that give back

1

2 1. Black Speckled Beanie | Love Your Melon, $30 Fifty percent of Love Your Melon product sales go to the Love Your Melon Fund, which is dedicated to helping kids fight pediatric cancer. The fund aims to “support [its] nonprofit partners, create therapeutic experiences and fund charitable programming initiatives,” according to loveyourmelon.com.

The Black Speckled Beanie is one hundred percent cotton with a brown leather Love Your Melon patch on the front. The one–size–fits–all beanie is machine–washable and is made in the United States. Return are free within 90 days of purchase.

2. Surfrider Sky Blue Eco–Friendly iPhone Case | Pela, $35 Pela sells biodegradable and eco–friendly phone cases made from flax shive and a plant–based biopolymer to give back to different organizations it partners with. With both Android and Apple cases, free shipping and even a screen protection promise, Pela provides a great environmentally friendly way to give back.

This Surfrider Sky Blue Eco–Friendly iPhone 7/8 donates five percent of proceeds to the Surfrider Foundation, dedicated to protecting our oceans and beaches.

The many names of Santa Claus

This new name for the renowned holiday hero first appeared in the early 1770s.

Despite the differences between countries, all Santa derivatives are based on a Greek Christian bishop, Saint Nicholas.

St. Nick was born around 280 A.D. and was known for his spontaneous and generous gifts for the poor, according to the St. Nicholas Center.

The American legend that Santa leaves gifts inside of

GRAPHIC BY ABBY THOMPSON

children’s stockings came from gestures that St. Nick performed selflessly for the public.

The bishop would leave treats and coins for children who put their shoes out at night, according to theweek.com.

The idea that Santa brings gifts to good children around the world was truly modeled by Saint Nicholas. Thousands of years later, St. Nick continues to represent the genuine model of Christmas kindness and cheer.

‘Tis the season for giving! Here are some products that give back to various charitable causes while serving as creative and thoughtful gifts.

3

4 3. Save the Dolphins Bracelet | Pura Vida, $12 Founded in Costa Rica, Pura Vida has a mission to give back to the community with its Charity Collection.

The Save the Dolphins bracelet features 27 silver beads and a gold–coated copper charm and is adjustable from anywhere between two to five inches in diameter. Ten percent of profits from this bracelet will be donated to the Oceanic Preservation Society, which focuses on raising awareness of global environmental issues.

4. “Enough” Key Cord Necklace | The Giving Keys, $28 The Giving Keys, a “pay–it–forward” company based out of Los Angeles, employs those transitioning out of homelessness to make its products: keys stamped with inspiration words and fashioned as jewelry. Each piece is made out of repurposed keys.

The “Enough” necklace, which is an oxidized brass key with the word “Enough” stamped on it, was designed to raise money for the victims of the Borderline shooting. Twenty percent of the net proceeds of this product go to the Borderline Shooting Victims Fund on GoFundMe.

Compiled by Megan King, Caelyn Pender & Connie Shi

Compiled by Kyra Berg & Lauren Pak

5

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS whs alumni in politics

Garrett muscatel ‘16 & Matthew mitnick ‘18

Muscatel elected to NH House of Representatives by connie shi co–web master–in–chief

PHOTO COURTESY OF GARRETT MUSCATEL

Only a junior in college, alumnus Garrett Muscatel ‘16 has taken a major step in advancing his political career: getting elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

After winning his seat on Nov. 6, Garrett Muscatel will represent the Grafton 12 district while continuing his education at Dartmouth.

“I knew I couldn’t leave it to our older legislators ... to stand up for [and] look out for young people, so I felt like we needed a young person to be there, to represent us and to be in the room advocating for our rights,” said Garrett Muscatel. “I feel like it’s a lot harder to take away the rights of your colleagues than it is of some distant person that you care about, so I wanted to be a voice for people like me in the State House.”

In the recent election, the Democrats took both the NH House and Senate, with incumbent Republican governor Chris Sununu reelected to office. Garrett Muscatel will serve in the NH House, set to convene Jan. 2, 2019. He will hold his seat for two years.

“It’s definitely inspiring to see that he can be that young and accomplish something so great,” said his younger sister Quinn Muscatel ‘20.

Garrett Muscatel credits his political activism to his childhood roots, referencing attending Barack Obama’s inauguration with his family in 2008 as a turning point.

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of change and make people’s lives better,” said Garrett Muscatel. “[Obama’s inauguration] definitely solidified that for me.”

In high school, Garrett Muscatel began taking his first steps towards a future in politics, first phone–banking for Obama during his 2012 reelection campaign, followed by a campaign fellowship with Congresswoman Julia Brownley in 2014.

“I have a pretty good understanding of how a legislature functions, at least the basic understanding of it, and I have a pretty good background on some bill ideas that have been

MAKING IT BIG: Garrett Muscatel, a 2016 graduate of WHS, is sworn into the New Hampshire House of Representatives during a ceremony on Dec. 5.

successful in other places that I could bring in New Hampshire,” said Garrett Muscatel. “I’m hopeful, ... I’m ready to work and I think [my] high school experience definitely helped.”

He credits Advanced Anatomy for his work ethic and insight on healthcare policies, while attributing AP Microeconomics teacher Doug Freed, who taught Garrett Muscatel in both AP Government and Politics and AP Microeconomics, with setting him on his path to a double major in government and economics.

“Garrett was curious and actively informed himself about issues he cared about,” said Freed. “I expect Garrett to continue to serve his community and pursue public service.”

Garrett Muscatel later interned at

Brownley’s Office in Washington D.C. in 2015, and in 2017, at the California State Senate.

On campus at Dartmouth, Garrett Muscatel became involved with Hillary Clinton’s campaign, in addition to participating in local election canvassing. After being elected Vice President of Dartmouth College Democrats in 2017, Garrett Muscatel became the Vice President of the New Hampshire College Democrats in spring of 2018.

“It’s a pretty scary time to be involved in politics and for our country, so just being a part of trying to keep our democracy going is important for me,” said Garrett Muscatel. “I need to stay involved in the process ... because I worry that our country could be on a bad path if people don’t stand up for what’s right.”

Garrett Muscatel hopes to use his role in the NH House to shape policy to represent an underrepresented group in government — young people.

“He’s just always been really outspoken, especially with his political views, and I think that whenever he sees an opportunity, he takes it,” said Quinn Muscatel. “When he went to Dartmouth, he saw this opportunity and took it, which is now really amazing for him, and we’re all really proud of him.”

Garrett Muscatel recently served as a plaintiff in the lawsuit against Senate Bill 3, a law requiring voters to be domiciles of NH (residing in the state “more than any other place”), making it more difficult for students to vote.

After the court ruled against the bill, NH passed more restrictive legislation requiring proof of residency (requiring a NH driver’s license) to vote, further preventing students from voting, which also prompted Garrett Muscatel to run for a seat in the NH House.

“Garrett has a quiet, humble confidence that makes you want to listen to what he has to say,” said Joseph Nigro, AP Literature and Composition teacher who taught Garrett Muscatel in both his sophomore and senior years.

Garrett Muscatel was sworn into office Dec. 5, 2018 and will continue to serve in session until June, foregoing classes at Dartmouth until the summer quarter.

“I have the opportunity to be a full time legislature, which is rare up here,” said Garrett Muscatel. “I feel like I almost have an obligation … to be working and testifying and doing stuff for people who can’t be there because they have a job and being their voice because I have the opportunity to do so.”

Garrett Muscatel hopes to focus on legislation improving the ease to vote and increasing civic engagement, as well as regarding pharmaceutical regulation.

“I’ve always been driven by wanting to make people’s lives better,” said Garrett Muscatel. “Little into–the–weeds stuff trying to make a difference a little bit at a time is what I’m trying to do for now.”

Alumnus Mitnick begins journey in local government by quinn moss news editor WHS alumnus Matthew Mitnick ‘18 is now the youngest person to run for District 8 alder in the history of Dane County, Wisconsin. Mitnick, an 18–year–old freshman at the University of Wisconsin, announced his candidacy on Nov. 16 and has been actively campaigning since.

“My mother is a retired school teacher, and my father was a long–time city manager and county administrator,” said Mitnick. “At five years old, I was going to council meetings, and public service has always been ingrained in me. I think local government is so important because you can’t get lost in the bureaucracy in local government.”

An alder, sometimes referred to as a city councilmember, represents his or her district at the city level. Wisconsin’s District 8 encompasses the entirety of the University of Wisconsin as well as several surrounding areas. Mitnick’s opponent, Avra Reddy, is a freshman at the university as well.

“I really like local government because

you can see what the issues are in the community, and you can have connection with that community to fix them,” said Mitnick.

“You can see that measurable change and work with those people.”

As former captain of the WHS varsity boys’ track and field and cross country teams, Mitnick says he learned valuable leadership skills such as task delegation and management that he finds useful as he embarks on his political career.

He especially credits track and field and cross country coach Chad Scott for inspiring him to better himself.

“He showed me that if you work hard for something you can succeed,” said Mitnick. “We’re still in touch, and it’s great to know that I have people supporting me all the way back there.”

According to Scott, Mitnick was an excellent team captain because of “the easy–going nature that [he] has, the confidence in [his] abilities, and [how] he exhibits all of that all the time.” Scott hopes to one day vote for Mitnick for a state or local position as he continues to “aspire to dedicate himself to people.”

Lauren Zasadil’s Honors Contemporary World Issues and AP United States History classes also helped motivate Mitnick to run for public office.

“The conversations I had with [Zasadil] in those classes, I still remember today,” said Mitnick. “[I’ll be] sitting in a lecture and I’m like, ‘We learned that. We talked about that.’

And we talked about such relevant issues, too.”

Zasadil remembers Mitnick as passionate, intelligent and articulate. She is not at all surprised that he is eager to begin his political career.

“He just showed so much interest in politics and understanding things deeply,” said Zasadil. “He was very articulate and a really, really strong student.”

Though partisan campaigns are not employed in citywide elections, Mitnick’s platform is based on progressive issues such as affordable housing for students, social justice and union protection, according to www. matthewmitnick.com. Given that Dane County provides most of the state’s Democratic votes in larger elections, Mitnick may secure the vote

through his emphasis on these ideals.

“I think the biggest issues [in Dane County] are affordable housing and student initiatives,” said Anna Berry, Mitnick’s campaign manager and junior at the University of Wisconsin.

Mitnick will remain active in local government politics for at least the next 30 years regardless of the election’s outcome. Win or lose, he vows to revitalize campus neighborhood associations in Madison. He would also explore the idea of returning to Ventura County to help improve youth representation in local government here.

“My [ultimate goal is to] be president of the United States, or maybe governor of California or Wisconsin,” said Mitnick.

Following the District 8 election on Apr. 19, 2019, Mitnick hopes to serve as a student representing students.

“The truth is, I want to be better, I want to give students better representation and I want to engage students,” said Mitnick. “I want the people in my district to feel that if they come to me for a want, desire or need, I will listen to them.”

6

CENT

thank u Twenty–eighteen has been a year to remember. Despite the tragedy that our community faced in the last few months, there is still so much to be grateful for. Let us journey through 2018, remember the events and hear students share some of the greatest moments of the year.

by michelle hang, prarthana kaygee, angel lee & faith yellin business manager & photo editor, web managing editor, feature editor & feature editor

(3) Twenty-eighteen was a year (1) From SoundCloud rappers (5) Many new athletes were to pop stars and indie films to of controversy, political debate and recognized for their accomplishments superhero blockbusters, 2018 was a protest. The year started off with this year. Adam Rippon and Gus the discussion of sexual assault in Kenworthy competed as the only year of Hollywood domination.

There’s no debate that rap Hollywood and ended with the ongoing openly gay men on Team USA in the took over the Billboard Hot 100 debate over climate change.

2018 Winter Olympics. Snowboarder Twenty–eighteen also showcased Chloe Kim successfully became the with stars such as Cardi B and Post Malone releasing hit after hit. Some young men and women at the forefront youngest woman to win a medal for the music in 2018 also left listeners with of change; young people started a halfpipe in the Winter Olympics. These wave of action. moments inspired many people around a message in usic in 2018 also Students in the world to take action. mind; Childish left listeners P a r k l a n d , G a m b i n o In July, news spread that Lebron released “This is with a message FL, and the James signed to the Lakers. In America” which in mind; Childish Gambino thousands of addition, the Philadelphia Eagles those who defeated the New England Patriots tackled gun released ‘This is America’ followed in in Super Bowl LII, claiming violence issues which tackled gun violence their footprints, their first Super Bowl victory. and the Black the However, not everyone was Lives Matter issues and the Black Lives spread of victorious. The Dodgers movement all Matter movement.” message gun policy lost the World Series for within a three– reform; young the second year in a row. minute track.

Twenty–eighteen also fulfilled celebrities and social media influencers Then, Serena Williams did comic book fans’ dreams with encouraged their millions of followers not win the U.S. Open after blockbusters like Black Panther, to make a difference; many young she received two scoring Avengers: Infinity War, Deadpool adults took office in the November penalties from the umpire, 2, Venom, Ant Man and the Wasp midterms, including WHS alumnus Carlos Ramos. There were Garrett Muscatel ‘16. Read more about many great achievements and Aquaman.

Twenty–eighteen struck the Muscatel on page five. not only in basketball and rom–com goldmine with pop culture football but also in golf, ice phenomenons like Crazy Rich Asians hockey and tennis. and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.

Heartthrobs like Henry Golding and Noah Centineo caught everyone’s eye (4) Pop culture was full of notable with their good looks and charming breakout stars who took over social personalities. Here’s to more Spotify media platforms in 2018. Squad vlogs, listens and Netflix binges in 2019. a group of people who video–blog their (6) Twenty–eighteen was a days, were the main talk on platforms polarizing year for politics. such as YouTube.

South Korean President Moon Centineo Jae–in and North reached over 16 he year started off Korean Supreme million followers with the discussion Leader Kim Jong– (2) The vintage trends seemed to on his Instagram un met in a series of sexual assault of summits and come back this year. Around campus, after starring in students are wearing ‘90s fashion such popular Netflix in Hollywood and ended agreed to an “era as scrunchies, baggy jeans (also known films such as To with the ongoing debate over of no war.” Donald as “mom jeans”) and sherpa jackets.

All the Boys I Trump met with climate change.” Kim as well.

In contrast to thrifted clothing, Loved Before. social media influencers promoted T h e The Senate their fashion style with new shirts engagement of Ariana Grande confirmed Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. and fanny packs from luxury brands and Pete Davidson caused a huge Supreme Court in a 50–48 vote, but such as Gucci or Balenciaga on discussion in the entertainment world, there was controversy surrounding Instagram and YouTube, shaping only to be followed by their breakup, allegations of sexual misconduct by their audience’s fashion. which provided the media with more Dr. Christine Blasey Ford.

Some of these new styles took the juicy content.

Young and up–and–coming world by surprise. If you find that your Mac Miller’s death caused an politicians like Alexandria Ocasio– friend suddenly grew a few inches uprising of fans to praise his legacy as Cortez, a representative–elect for taller, it is most likely due to a new pair a musician; he released his new album New York’s 14th district, Rashida of platform shoes.

Swimming a month before his death.

Tlaib, a representative–elect for

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3 Michigan’s 13th district, and Ilhan Omar, a representative–elect for Minnesota’s 5th district, became well–known over the course of 2018; Tlaib and Omar were both the first Muslim women to be elected to Congress.

The midterm elections resulted in a Democratic majority of 234 to 199 in the House of Representatives and a Republican majority of 53 to 45 in the Senate (with two independents).

Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned at President Trump’s request, and Matthew Whitaker is currently the acting Attorney General.

It was a great and unique run, 2018.

Thank you, next.

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What was the most memorable event of ‘18?

For Sports:

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“In my opinion, it’s the Eagles beating the Patriots in Super Bowl LII. They’ve been a franchise for so long and haven’t won a Super Bowl, but it was such a great story to see Nick Foles come off the bench and win a title for Philly.”

–Nate Brenner ‘19

For Movies:

“I

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enjoyed the opening scene in Widows [because] it shows the difference in the relationships that all these women had with their husbands [and] being able to see how that impacted them emotionally in the end.”

–Maija Lynch ‘20

For Music:

“Kid Cudi is one of my favorite artists, and he came out with an album [this year] with Kanye West...named Kids See Ghosts.

[My favorite] song from the album is “Reborn” [which] is about moving forward. I like the beat and the message.”

–Neha Ramasastry ‘21

For Politics:

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“President Donald Trump’s meeting with North Korean dictator, Kim Jong–un. The meeting was the first instance of an acting American president sitting down with a North Korean dictator.”

–Connor Laveau ‘22

Compiled by Michelle Hang, Prarthana Kaygee, Megan King, Angel Lee & Faith Yellin PHOTOS COURTESY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN & BY FAITH YELLIN

8

Books

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The holidays are the perfect time to curl up with a blanket and read a book. Better yet, you can read a book with a delicious, warm drink in hand. We came up with perfect book and drink pairing ideas for several categories of literature–lovers.

For the COMEDIAN

For the WIZARD

For the DETECTIVE

For those of you who enjoy a good laugh and admire modern comedians, try reading Yes Please by Amy Poehler. Yes Please, a 2014 Goodreads Choice Award Winner, details the life of comedian and actress Poehler who starred as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation and was a cast member of Saturday Night Live. Poehler was also part of an improv comedy group with Upright Citizens Brigade and acted in Baby Mama, Blades of Glory and They Came Together.

Yes Please gives a mix of funny and serious life advice in the form of stories, poetry, lists, photos and more. Both hilarious and thought– provoking, Yes Please is a must–read for comedy–lovers.

Read this fun, light–hearted novel with pineapple–orange sherbert punch. The light, unique drink mirrors the upbeat tone of Yes Please and is quick and simple to make.

In order to escape the stress of school and get in touch with your imaginative side, read Carry On

by Rainbow Rowell. Bearing many similarities to the Harry Potter series, it highlights Simon Snow, who is completing his eighth and final year at Watford, a school of magic in England. He is the “Chosen One” who must destroy the Insidious Humdrum, an evil force that creates “dead spots” over England and removes all traces of magic.

Simon also ventures to find the cause of Baz’s mother’s death, who was the former headmistress of Watford. The story is told from several main perspectives: Simon, Baz (Simon’s enemy), Penelope (Simon’s best friend) and Agatha (Simon’s ex–girlfriend).

A great drink to pair this book with is snickerdoodle hot chocolate, a light milk–based drink with white chocolate chips, caramel, cinnamon and vanilla.

For anyone who craves an intriguing, classic mystery, Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse is the perfect book to read. It follows Hanneke, a girl living in Nazi–occupied Amsterdam in 1943 mourning the death of her boyfriend who was killed by the Germans. She is also rebelliously selling black market goods to customers.

Everything changes when one client, Mrs. Janssen, pleads Hanneke to find a missing Jewish teenager whom she had been sheltering in a secret room. Over the course of the book, Hanneke is drawn into the mystery, making shocking discoveries and learning more about the brutalities of the Nazi Party.

This intricate plot requires a fitting drink: sparkling ginger apple punch, a warm punch with a fruity kick that perfectly parallels the surprising twists and suspense in Girl in the Blue Coat.

by katie reul a & e section editor I can say with absolute certainty that the original Wreck–It Ralph remains one of the most underrated Disney films to date.

The tale’s thematic elements of compassion and self–sacrifice apply to both adult and child audiences alike, and the age barriers are further broken through the mixture of modern, high–definition graphics and allusions to retro video game styles. I eagerly awaited its sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet, in the hopes of it being equally relevant across all age groups, and while I certainly wouldn’t call it an improvement by any means, it is powerful in its contrastly darker undertone from its predecessor.

The sequel takes place six years after Ralph (voiced from the sweet, sweet larynx of John C. Reilly) and Princess Vanellope von Schweetz (voiced by Sarah Silverman) saved Litwik’s arcade from the wrath of Turbo.

When the wheel attachment of Vanellope’s Sugar Rush game console breaks, Ralph and Vanellope travel through the Internet to find a replacement part, encountering both the best and worst parts of the World Wide Web along the way.

Ralph Breaks the Internet functions as a satire of Disney itself, almost like that friend that says something self–deprecating to be funny but then takes it a step too far and just makes everyone uncomfortable. This discomfort was especially prevelant in the scene that features every Disney princess, which I partially blame on the fact that the scene was almost fully revealed in the trailers, significantly decreasing its humor.

The integration of a variety of pop– culture elements and Disney’s showcase of their assets seemed to be compensation for a much less substantial storyline, specifically the beginning half of the film which had a choppy build–up. The flow of the movie in particular was disappointing in comparison to the original film’s exceptional pacing, but things turned around in the second half of the sequel when an actual villain was introduced: Ralph’s own insecurities.

And this is where the film succeeds where other Disney films have not — its ability to broach controversial subjects such as self–doubt and clinginess in an all–inclusive way. Seeking validation from himself, Ralph’s quest for self–righteousness presents a topic that, while questionable, is significant nonetheless. But if you’re looking for the traditional positive, feel–good Disney movie, skip the sequel and go for the original.

To read the unabridged story, visit westlakearrow.net.

For the For the THRILL SEEKER HISTORY NERD

Warcross by Marie Lu is a thriller highlighting teenage hacker Emika Chen in a world obsessed with the fictional video game Warcross.

Struggling to support herself financially, Emika decides to hack the international Warcross Championships to steal money. Her plan goes massively awry when she accidentally glitches herself into the game and has to play.

Emika becomes an overnight success, but she is anything but excited. She is terrified of being caught and thrown into jail, but instead of arresting her, the game’s creator offers her a job investigating a security issue. It isn’t long before her work causes her to stumble upon a plot that jeopardizes all of Warcross.

Pair this book with peppermint eggnog punch. This adventurous twist on a traditional holiday drink may just put you on par with this bold heroine.

If you’re having a hard time parting with World History or AP United States History during break or simply want to connect with your passion for history, try picking up a copy of All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, it is a fictional novel that takes place in the devastation of World War II. It follows the lives of Marie–Laure LeBlanc, a blind girl who lives with her father in France, and Werner Pfennig, an orphan living in Germany; eventually, they cross paths in France, which is occupied by the Nazis, and try to overcome the hardships of the war together.

In order to get into the spirit of this book, pair it with a warm cup of wassail, hot mulled cider with hints of cinnamon and apple. It was part of the common tradition “Wassailing,” a lively celebration of drinking and singing in England as early as about 1000 years ago.

For the CRY BABY

Sometimes, you simply don’t want to read a perfectly happy book. For those who need to cry just a little, try Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, which tells the story of Louisa Clark, an ordinary woman, and her boss, Will Traynor, a quadriplegic. As Louisa works for bossy and moody Will, she grows fonder and fonder of him, and upon learning that he lacks the desire to navigate the world as a quadriplegic, she strives to convince him that life is worth living.

The heartbreaking novel Me Before You will not only bring both tears and smiles but help readers explore difficult life questions.

Try reading Me Before You with a cup of Twix hot chocolate, a sweet caramel chocolate drink, as you become invested in Louisa’s and Will’s story.

To find drink recipes, visit westlakearrow.net.

Compiled by Megan King, Brittney Nial & Avery Pak

9

OPINION

WHS administration is deliberating the implementation of a block schedule for future school years. Although multiple block schedule formats are being considered, one example is a schedule in which students have half of their classes one day and half the next, with each class being longer than usual, but all class periods would meet on Wednesdays.

FOR by thomas brickman feature editor

by melanie zhang sports section editor At the bare minimum, you’ve done it at least once in class. I’m talking about looking at the time, glancing at the digital red numbers above the whiteboard, checking your phone and hoping that time has passed and the bell will soon ring. With block schedules, you will still check the time all the same, but there will be another 36 minutes added onto the current class time, and your release from that class awaits.

Block scheduling, although allowing students to focus on less classes in one day, is inefficient and hazardous to student’s learning and health.

In block scheduling, students are required to have around three to four classes per day, each of them 90 or more minutes. Imagine everyday, after sitting for an hour and a half, to have to repeat the same process two to three more times?

Not only is that the easiest way to make students despise school, especially if they are in a class they don’t enjoy, but there are a multitude of health risks that come with that much sitting at one time without the small breaks that we have during passing period.

According to NHS.uk, sitting for longer periods of time slows metabolism and affects the body in its ability to break down body fat and regulate blood sugar levels. In my experience, the longer I sit, the less willing I am to move when I have to get up again. What could longer classes possibly do for students? Give them more time to read Hamlet in a day? It’s not worth it for the lazy habits that it encourages.

Not to mention, it simply isn’t efficient to have students sit for 90 minutes and get half of the passing periods that a regular schedule would provide. These breaks are crucial for students to do well in class. They not only give students a chance to get their blood circulating as they walk to their next class, but they also give students a chance to relax and catch up with

friends. Students deserve breaks in between the high–intensity courses that they are taking. Plus, imagine how much longer the bathroom lines would be if students had less passing periods to relieve themselves. It might even be mistaken by a school visitor for a Best Buy on Black Friday before the store opening.

Additionally, forcing students to sit in a class for a longer time will make it harder for students to learn efficiently. According to research done by Adobe, “the pressure of being required to sit at your [work] desk until a certain time creates a factory– like culture that ignores a few basic laws of idea generation and human nature.”

With students, this is no different. Being forced to sit for an hour–and–a–half and stay focused on one subject is mentally draining, especially when these students have to be in another class and do the same thing right after.

Students are not able to be at their peak to learn in these extended class periods.

Lastly, block schedules make it harder for students to make up assignments when they need to. One to five students on average miss three or more days in a month, according to EPI.org. At WHS, there are about 2370 students in total.

That means 474 students will be missing six days worth of a class in a month with block schedule, where two class periods of a regular schedule are merged into one longer class period. This is significant because of the fast pace of high school; with block schedule, students are more at risk of falling behind in class.

All in all, I can see some positive aspects of block scheduling. The teachers can give more attention to the students in the longer class periods, as well as allow students to focus on less subjects per day. However, the scheduling at WHS now is as good as it can ever be. With block schedule, students will be using their class time inefficiently, while also enforcing a sedentary lifestyle that will carry on after high school into adulthood.

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Focus can be a hard thing to come by in the current social climate. People are frequently looking at social media or various other forms of entertainment.

Due to these distractions, it is hard to focus on the school work we need to get done.

Fortunately, there is a solution: the block schedule.

Recently, administration and teachers across various departments have been discussing the possible use of such a schedule.

“I do not know which block schedule it would be at this point; however, the one that has been explored the most is called a rotating block,” said Principal Jason Branham. “All students would still have six or seven classes each semester while attending each class on a block schedule twice a week and a regular schedule once a week.”

As administration considers incorporating block days, I understand why many students have concerns. True, it means longer periods, and as a result more time in certain classes, but it also provides many benefits to the lives of students.

While it is a fact that block scheduling results in various schedule changes, it also means that teachers have extended time for planning lessons which leads to more engaging lessons and opportunities for group projects in class.

“With the increased span of teaching time, longer cooperative learning activities can be completed in one class period,” stated the National Education Association.

When students are engaged with content, it allows them to actually learn and reflect on what they learn — not just memorize it for the sake of a test.

Some say, however, that providing classes with more time is a poor idea because if a student misses a day of school, he or she has even more content to catch up on in specific classes.

However, due to the smaller class sizes block schedule typically generates, according to the Report on Block Scheduling in North Carolina from 1994, teachers can provide more individualized instruction across a larger amount of students per class.

This individualized instruction can be an advantage to students, allowing them to catch up quicker and have better opportunities to ask clarifying questions about missed content.

Others have noted that the alternating schedules create a lack of continuity when it comes to teaching. A lack of consistency in periods everday could lead to more distractions.

I argue, however, that the alternating of schedules is a positive learning tool. We live in a world that necessitates creativity and variation in order to stand out from the crowd and be successful. Having a curriculum with more variation encourages students to think out of the box to achieve success.

Perhaps the greatest advantage, however, is that a block schedule can provide reduced levels of stress and exhaustion.

“If you follow kids over the course of a school day, you’d see that they’re exhausted,” said Denise Pope, senior lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, in an article by Tim Walker for neaToday. “The entire education system has created a pressure cooker for students and staff.”

Speaking as a student who has only ever taken one AP class per year since sophomore year, I can vouch for the increasing amount of stress a student faces as high school progresses. While part of that is unavoidable, part of it is avoidable and block schedule can reduce unwarranted stress.

Just because block schedule features longer periods, it is not a bad decision to incorporate it.

It creates more engaging lessons, provides more time for students to finish work and reduces stress. If you value those benefits, then push for WHS to be converted to block schedule.

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Ryan Blourchi ‘21

Counselor Emily Nelson

Math teacher Greg Korshavn

Saivee Ahuja ‘22

“I like [block schedule] more to be honest because you can actually learn more in the class and have more time to do your homework at home.”

“I think the pros are that students only have to focus on a certain amount of classes every night; they don’t have to do six or seven classes worth of homework every night and test preparation. I think that’s really beneficial.”

“Other schools that have a block schedule ... don’t cover as much material as we do. Attention span is not conducive to learning for an hour and 10 minutes, so I feel it’s better to have it broken up into smaller chunks.”

“I can’t stand [being in] the classroom for two hours — I just lose focus. People say that block schedule is better because homework load is reduced, and it would be nice, but I just can’t sit in a class for two hours.”

Compiled by Quinn Moss

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OPINION

by sona bhargava & katie reul co–web master–in–chief & arts & ent section editor You’ve waited 14 long years for this. As you sit in the movie theater, munching on a bag of popcorn coated in an unholy amount of butter, you feel the anticipation increase almost as rapidly as your caloric intake. On the screen, a castle fades in on a blue background, and the music sends waves of nostalgia through your mind — there is nothing quite like the magic of Disney.

Five minutes into Incredibles 2, a child screams. Twenty minutes later, another child is escorted out of the theater after an episode of unapologetic crying. With movie tickets being priced anywhere upwards of nine dollars a ticket, some even at a whopping $20 for specialty theaters, the trials and tribulations that come with seeing a movie that also appeals to a younger fanbase often make the experience not worth the cost. As of late, the general consensus on social media is that it’s simply unfair.

With 2019 Disney remakes around the corner such as Dumbo, Aladdin and Lion King,

entitled Generation Z teenagers and millenials alike argue that their movie experience should not be muddied by an era of toddlers who weren’t even around for the original films.

While this mindset is understandable from a financial standpoint, when it comes to the genuine validity of the argument, it’s pretty narrow–minded.

The innate magic of Disney films is that everyone of all backgrounds can find a character or story they relate to. Recent years have shown an immense growth in Disney’s ability to branch out in the depth of its characters culturally, creating feature films with protagonists of Polynesian and Latinx roots.

The stories themselves are also timeless.

While the Cinderella remake debuted back in 2015, the original Disney film hit theaters in 1950, and the story was based off a folktale that was first recorded in the late 1600s.

In fact, many of the original Disney princess movies were centralized around traditional stories of the Middle Ages. With other films such as Dumbo and Aladdin coming out next year, it is important to remember that generations preceding our own have loved these classics before us.

More significantly, the main factor contributing to the broad nature of Disney’s movies is the plethora of widely applicable themes that are subtly weaved into each movie. Disney films leave something that resonates with audience members depending on the stage of life that they’re in, and this contributes to the rewatch value of its films as well. When watching a movie as a kid, you take away the more obvious messages, whereas when you’re an adult, you can relate to some of the more hidden meanings.

For instance, seeing Up presents

PHOTO COURTESY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN

two completely alternate messages depending on the maturity and perspective of the viewer.

As a kid, motifs of love are addressed in regards to developing lifelong relationships. But as an adult, heftier themes of self–discovery and reminiscing on your youth present more complicated ideas that kids might not be able to understand at that juncture.

Disney has always been a company that’s relentlessly promoted itself as being family– friendly. While this may be frustrating for diehard fans that want to soak in the nostalgia of their childhoods and appreciate the artistry behind the films themselves, the very beauty of those movies stems from their ability to touch the lives of a variety of people of all ages and backgrounds.

Next time you watch a Disney remake or sequel, appreciate the harmonious blend of teenagers sitting amongst families with toddlers — the washing away of age barriers. Take pride in the knowledge that generations of fans of all ages preceding and following your unique movie experience will receive similar sentiments of joy and ultimately nostalgia as they go through the stages of being a Disney fan.

by elliot kim graphics editor Everyone has a different idea of what the holiday season means. To some, it means giving thanks for everything they received over the past year, and for others, it means spending time with the people they don’t get to see very often.

For me, though, the holidays (Christmas in my case) are all about the presents. Now, before you call me shallow, I’m not saying “presents” like a brand new Xbox or a racing bike.

In my opinion, giving gifts is a great way to show your appreciation for someone else.

Whether it costs 10 cents or $10,000, showing gratitude for the people around you by gifting them something is a very meaningful way to bond with them.

That being said, one thing that can ruin someone’s holiday cheer is a bad gift. Every first– world middle class kid has probably had the same experience as I had growing up: waiting 364 days from December 26 to December 24 for a brand new Lego set, only to tear open the wrapping paper early in the morning and see that I received a book.

Possibly the greatest offender, however, is do–it–yourself gifts. I’m not talking about the sweater Grandma spent a year knitting to give you. I’m talking about the tacky DIY gifts made out of paper you find on Pinterest. Not only do those require absolutely no thought, but they scream, “I didn’t have time to go shopping, so I just looked up, ‘DIY Gift ideas’ on Google and followed a five–minute craft video with random supplies I found lying around my house”.

Making a fun, decorative card is one thing, but just giving someone a bunch of

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construction paper glued together can come off as unthoughtful.

But the worst part isn’t the fact that they don’t hold much meaning, it’s that they are pretty useless. What are you going to use a paperclip snowman for besides let it collect dust on your shelf for a year? You’re putting a lot of work into something that won’t do much for the person you’re giving it to.

Now, if you are ever panicking because you

forgot to buy a gift for your family, fear not, for the best gift you can give someone this holiday season is probably right in your pocket: money.

Money is beautiful, and everybody likes money. It’s like a gift card, except you can use it at any store you can think of. Why try to guess what a perfect gift would be, when you can give someone the financial freedom to buy exactly what he or she wants? As a result, money is probably the most thoughtful

present anyone can receive.

It just keeps getting better too: money is also one of the easiest gifts you can give.

Instead of trying to do an arts and crafts project last minute or paying for same–day shipping on Amazon, just stick the money you would have spent on a gift inside a nice card. So this Christmas, Kwanzaa or whichever holiday you celebrate, give your friends and family cash, not trash.

Assist: a statistical category in basketball where a player’s pass leads to a successful shot.

Bryce Howard ‘19, varsity team captain and starting point guard, is currently on pace to break the WHS overall assist record.

As of Dec. 17, Howard is averaging 14.6 points, 6.2 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game. With 14 games remaining, Howard needs 47 more assists to break Isaiah Brooks’ ‘15 479 assist reccord. Although breaking the record would be a lasting legacy at WHS, Howard is more interested in winning as a team rather than his individual accolades.

“I think it’s really realistic for me to break this record, but I’m not necessarily going to play to break the record,” said Howard. “If it happens, it happens. I think it could happen because that’s how I like to play, and that’s our best chance at winning.”

With WHS’s leading scorer Kyle MacLean ‘20 out with an injury, Howard has assumed a larger scoring role, leading the team to a 6–7 record.

Howard’s journey started three years ago as the lone freshman on an experienced varsity team, and he characterizes his freshman season as a learning experience.

“Freshman year was a lot of learning,” said Howard. “It was a whole new environment than I was used to.”

The following year, Howard began to solidify his style of play. His defensive prowess and ability

both team captain and starting point guard, Howard exemplifies the character traits to be an effective team captain.

“He has really great leadership skills, encouraging ... all the teammates and being really uplifting at times when we need him,” said William Mazzuca ‘21. “He just knows how to control the team [and] the tempo of the game and knows how to play in general.”

Even though this is Howard’s last season, he hopes that his selflessness continues to future generations.

“I just want everyone to play hard,” said Howard.

“I want coming year [players] to always play hard, play the right way and not be selfish.

Make sure you’re always doing what’s best for the team. It’s not about me, it’s about we.”

PHOTO BY RYAN BOUGH

Students coach community youth teams

Outside of their own sports, many WHS students give back to youth, taking on coaching positions in local sports leagues. Here are some students who contribute their time to helping youth athletics.

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Kailee Follette ‘20 Harlem Lacrosse & Westlake Waves

Rohil Ahuja ‘19 CYBA 7th grade

(as of Dec. 18)

Basketball

Record: 5W–5L Next game: Dec. 20 vs. Simi Valley HS Location: Simi Valley HS

Basketball

Record: 6W–7L Next game: Dec. 20 vs. Royal HS Location: Home

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Record: 1W–2T–3L Next game: Dec. 19 vs. Simi Valley HS Location: Simi Valley HS

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Tia Catalano ‘19

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by marc andrew choi feature section editor

to be one step ahead allowed him to be a solid defensive player and emerging team leader.

“Sophomore year, I kind of got the hang of it and started to become a leader,” said Howard.

Although he gained great success, he faced much adversity junior year. Towards the end of junior year, he was marred by injury and battled it throughout the entire year. Even through these tribulations, he was a Second Team All– Marmonte Team Player.

“Mentally, not being able to play made my love for the game a lot stronger,” said Howard.

“The 13 months I was out were some of the toughest of my life.”

Howard is a natural–born leader, and his unique leadership qualities have positively influenced other players.

“He was a leader when he was a sophomore,” said head coach Kyle Kegley. “He has that combination where he leads by action and vocally, too … It’s a rare combination, and it’s just gotten better and better.”

Off the court, Howard embodies the characteristics of a true WHS athlete.

“He is very accountable and very responsible,” said Kegley. “He is confident and humble, and that’s a tough combination for a 16–, 17– or 18–year–old kid ... He has that, and that’s just very refreshing to the coaching staff and his teammates to be around every day.”

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Q: What do you enjoy most about working with younger athletes?

A: “The kids — they’re so fun, and my sisters are on the team, but it also gives you the chance to look at other kids and see their passion. They’re so fun and goofy, and that’s the best for me. It’s not really about the soccer, it’s about them.”

Q: What do you find most difficult about coaching?

A: “Learning patience was the biggest thing for me, but once you have patience, it makes it worth it.”

Q: What do you find rewarding about coaching younger athletes?

A: “Something that’s really rewarding about it is being able to impart any knowledge I have of the game to younger people.”

Q: How has coaching changed your perspective of the sport?

Q: Has it changed your perspective of the sport?

Q: Is there anything you find difficult with coaching such young athletes?

A: “Being a coach but also a friend at the same time can be difficult. You have to respect them and what they want, but they’re six years old, so that’s kind of the challenge.”

A: “I see how I can help someone out of a tough situation just by teaching them a simple game, and it’s really broadened the perspective of how I view lacrosse because it’s made me thankful for the sport I play.”

Q: Would you encourage other people to coach younger athletes?

A: “If you like the sport that you’re doing, it kind of adds another layer to [the sport]. It’s another way to give back to your community and do other things as well.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about working with younger athletes?

A: “Just seeing them love the game as much as I do. Growing the game is really important for lacrosse, especially out in the West Coast, because not a lot of people know about it. Now it’s getting really big.”

A: I realized how hard it actually is to be a coach.

Before I would blame my coaches for [mistakes], but in the heat of the moment, it’s a really hard decision to make.

Q: What is the best part about working with another coach?

A: “I think the best part about working with [Kevin Garand ‘19] is just having another person to confide in. We can go on about the different things such as, ‘Oh hey, can you help me plan out for this weekend?’ and what kind of line–ups we’re gonna make or what our game strategy is gonna be. It just gives me another eye.”

Compiled by Avery Pak & Connie Shi

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Wrestling

Record: N/A Next game: Jan. 10 vs. Newbury Park HS Location: Newbury Park HS

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Record: 2W-2T-2L Next game: Dec. 19 vs. Simi Valley HS Location: Home

Water polo

Record: 10W–2L Next game: Jan. 8 vs. Thousand Oaks HS Location: Home For the latest sports updates, stories and scores, visit the WHS athletics website at westlakeathletics.com.

Compiled by Taylor Chen

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#TOSTRONG Over the span of 72 hours, Thousand Oaks suffered two tragedies: a mass shooting, then a wildfire. On Nov. 7, a gunman killed 12 people and hospitalized 13 more at Borderline Bar and Grill. On Nov. 8, the Woolsey fire began, which scorched the community over the next several days. In response to these tragedies, many WHS students helped recovery efforts by planning their own events, from vigils to fundraisers, to help the community heal.

by caelyn pender co-editor-in-chief WHS Student Art Piece

Art teacher Julia Bush felt emotional and overwhelmed after the Borderline shooting, so she turned to art, allowing her students to express their emotions through a multimedia art piece.

“Self–expression was all we could think of doing,” said AP Studio Art student Caden McQueen ‘19. “[The project] created a place where anyone can go in and express how they feel in their own way without any restriction or regulation.”

The art piece is a collaboration between Art Media, Intermediate Drawing and AP Studio Art and will be shown at the Winter Art Show on Dec. 21 from 8 a.m.–2:48 p.m. in room 32E. “There’s handprints ... that represent the twelve [Borderline] victims, and it’s just this whole graffiti–style artwork that ... shows that chaotic feeling of anger, stress, sadness [from the shooting and fire],” said AP Studio Art student Katie Reul ‘19.

The students illustrated a hopeful future at the end of the project with a colorful mural that says “safe haven.”

“At the end of all this chaos, there’s this kind of healthy rehabilitation [and] rebuilding of the community,” said Reul. “We’re not just going to stay on the ground because of something like this happening. We’re going to get back up, and we’re going to fix things.”

Utilizing a platform called Bonfire, Kaygee raised more than $300, which she donated to local artist Mohammad Reza Alinejad–Ali. Alinejad–Ali is building 12 totem pole statues to memorialize the Borderline victims’ lives.

The design was made by Jake Dalonzo ‘18.

“I wanted to created an image that the entire community could unite around,” said Dalonzo. “Knowing I helped to make a difference ... makes me feel really good.”

805 Strong Thanksgiving

On Nov. 16, a group of community members led by Proactive Sports Performance owners Ryan and Emily Capretta,

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including Clare Whitney ‘19, planned a community Thanksgiving for those who had lost their homes in the Woolsey fire.

“We wanted to do something more than just [give people food], so I went to a ton of my friends and asked for as much help as we could physically give,” said Whitney.

After a week of planning, the organizers set up a dinner for 500 people, created a “department store” for attendees to collect clothes and had the connecting street closed for the day. Stonefire Grill helped cook food for the attendees, and the community donated more than $75,000 to help the victims of the fire.

“People

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“805 Strong” Sweatshirts

In an effort to raise both money and awareness about the shooting and fire, Prarthana Kaygee ‘20 sold sweatshirts with an image of a tree and the phrase “805 Strong.”

“I wanted to create a sense of community after everything that had happened in the last few weeks,” said Kaygee. “I realized that I couldn’t revive those who had lost their lives in the shooting or rebuild the houses that were burned, but ... I could spread awareness.”

ASL “ILY” Cards and Blankets

On the first day students returned to school, American Sign Language teacher Tina Carlisle started a project with her students creating “ILY” cards and fleece tie blankets to send to victims of the fire and the families of those lost in the Borderline tragedy.

“I wanted the students to have a positive way to process their grief and losses in a supportive environment,” said Carlisle.

The cards went to “first responders, classmates who lost their homes, Malibu High School students and family members of the Borderline tragedy,” according to Carlisle. The supplies for the project were purchased by American Sign Language Club, and all ASL students participated.

“It just [brought] morale up,” said Joy Collins ‘21. “I decided to participate because I wanted to do something to help. Usually people just send prayers and things, and that’s good too, but sending something that’s actual and physical to the person helps them.”

Borderline Vigil

Cross Country

Despite much of the cross country team being evacuated from the fire, many runners still attended a meet on Nov. 9. The girls cross country team wrote “T.O. Strong” on their legs at CIF prelims and “805 Strong” on their legs at the California State Championships to raise awareness about the events in T.O. “We were receiving letters from other teams asking if we were okay from the fires and the shooting, and I think that’s when we realized that cross country is really a team sport, not only within our team but [with] other teams around,” said girls varsity runner Ashley Gonzalez ‘20.

The boys cross country team took a photo with the teams from Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks High Schools, bridging the competition between the teams.

“Instead of just being individual teams, we wanted to be one team for a second,” said boys varsity runner Owen Kobett ‘21. “For the rest of the time, even at finals and at state, we supported each other.”

were so grateful that a community could come together to help the others who were in need,” said Whitney. “It taught me that every single moment that you have on this earth ... is special and something that you should appreciate every second of.”

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3. RUNNING 805 STRONG: 1. WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS: Local students direct The WHS girls cross country team wrote “T.O. Strong” and passers–by to “The Most Epic “805 Strong” on their legs for Lemonade Stand Ever” on Nov. 16, CIF Prelims and California State where dozens of yellow–clad community Championships. “I wanted us ... members sold lemonade and treats to raise money. “Both the shooting to be able to band together and work together to get through [the hardship],” said and the fire are devastating events, girls varsity runner Sydney Covington ‘22. and I don’t think anyone should be going through this alone,” said Dinuli 4. REMEMBRANCE: Students from Never Again SoCal held a vigil on Nov. 26 Manikka-Baduge ‘20, who passed out flyers for the event with the WHS water to remember the lives of the Borderline shooting victims. For 20 minutes, the polo team. The event raised more than organizers read the biographies of the $50,000 for victims of the Borderline shooting and Hill and Woolsey fires.

Borderline victims, held a moment of silence and informed attendees of 2. HEALING THROUGH ART: emotional support resources.

Students from Art Media, 5. COMING T.O.GETHER: WHS Intermediate Drawing and AP students volunteered at the 805 Studio Art collaborated on a multimedia art piece reflecting Strong Community Thanksgiving on Nov.16, where community on the Borderline shooting members rallied together to feed and fires. The art piece PHOTOS BY CAELYN PENDER, STONE SHI, will be shown at the and provide clothes to more CLARE WHITNEY & MELANIE ZHANG than 500 victims of the Winter Art Show on Woolsey fire.

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On Nov. 26, a group of students led by Jasen Cummings ‘20 and Quinn Muscatel ‘20 planned a vigil. They are part of a student–run political organization focused on gun control, called Never Again SoCal, which met over the break and “decided that something needed to be done to honor the victims of the Borderline shooting at our schools,” according to Cummings.

“We all felt that coming back to school that Thursday and not really facing the subject felt awful and wrong,” said Cummings. “We wanted to honor those who lost their lives, because ... they deserve to be remembered for who they were and not just as victims.”

The event was completely student planned, but Principal Jason Branham extended nutrition, and administration provided the sound system.

Rylinn Cafferty ‘20, Cummings, Jillyn Kinsley ‘20, Madi McMichael ‘20 and Muscatel spoke.

The student organizers started by talking about the shooting and how the community came together in its aftermath. They reminded students that counseling services were available in the front office, then proceeded to read a biography of each of the 12 victims of the shooting. The vigil ended with a moment of silence.

“We were able to ... give everyone who was listening a real understanding of who was there, and it wasn’t so much focused on politics or anything like it,” said Cafferty. “[The vigil] really show[ed] who [the victims] were, painting them in a light of not victims but actual human beings.”

To read full stories on each project, visit westlakearrow.net