03.13.09 by The Westlake Arrow

ARROW

THE

VOLUME XXXI, ISSUE 7

Westlake High School

100 N. LAKEVIEW CANYON ROAD, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362

MARCH 13, 2009

WHS Looks to Earn Spot on Distinguished Schools List CONRAD WILTON STAFF WRITER

COURTESY PHOTOS

TEAM “BONDING”: Science Olympiad gets 4th in LA County Regional contest. Svetlana Lyalina and Jennifer Fang (right) were both award winners.

On the Road to State Olympiad TIFFANY LOH ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR

After competing for hours in a variety of science events, the WHS Science Olympiad team placed 4th in the Los Angeles County Regional contest, which took place at Cal State, Los Angeles on Feb. 28. “The team did extraordinarily well, especially since a lot of members were firsttime competitors,” said Vivian Shi ‘10, a three-year member. “This was a major improvement from last year.” The Science Olympiad

team was created by President Jennifer Fang ‘09 three years ago, and over these years, the team has experienced significant improvement and success. The first year WHS’s Science Olympiad team was formed, the students placed 18th at the LA County Regional competition. Last year the members won 7th place and went to the state competition, and this year, they lost to third place Walnut High School by only one point. “I was really impressed with their performance. It was quite unexpected,” said Fang. She also added, “We were all so

Curtain to Rise for New Theater Over 500 students in band, choir, and drama will finally get the theater they deserve. A combination of donations and money earmarked by the District made it all possible. Originally when WHS was first built in 1978 the school thought the theater would be suitable. However, the existing performing arts department has outgrown the theater. In hopes of fixing this problem the school will finally be receiving the long awaited upgrade. However, the planning has not proven to be easy. A completely new theater would double the cost and work to create a completely new theater. To work around this dilemma, the original theater will be simply expanded and gutted. “Basically we have outgrown the theater,” according to Band Director Brian Peter. “No one ever imagined at the time that we would have a 240-mem-

ber choir and a 260-member band. It starts with Mr. Rose; his energy has set the bar because he is putting on shows that are college level. Within the choir program many modifications have already been made.” Some of these modifications include high tech sound and lighting systems that would not usually be equipped in a high school theater. The technology that now is there has outgrown the existing facility. Orchestra director Elizabeth Blake said, “It’s like a hemi in a Honda.” The new theater will be updated to accommodate the growing programs. “Take everything that has been placed together over the last 20 years, make everything right and make it cleaner so we can have a theater that would be in a university,” Peter said. To accommodate the performance programs, the building will undergo some major improvements, including new lighting, improved sound, a ticket booth, seats and more importantly, space.

“LA County Regional has the most number of schools out of any other Regionals nationwide,” said Fang,“and our region sends the most schools to state.” In addition, Fang stated that the school which has longprovided much competition for WHS in both the regional and state competitions is North Hollywood High School. With another month before the state competition, the WHS team is preparing to train even harder to succeed at this level. “Hopefully, we will perform to our best at the at state competition,” said Fang.

Aca Deca Makes History; Heads to State Capitol team. “Nine different people have nine difFor the ferent strengths, but first time in we all come together WHS history, to achieve one goal,” Academic said Roy Hu ’09. Decathlon Although each team will member is scored compete in the separately, the points state finals in are added up as one S a c r a m e n t o STUDY TIME: Roy Hu studies team score. on March 13- for state competition. The various ar15. eas of competition A f t e r include math, lanplacing 2nd in the Ventura Coun- guage, literature, social science, ty, Aca Deca’s “A Team” was invit- economics, art, music, and sued to finals competition as a wild- per-quiz. card team. “Super-quiz is a topic that This team consists of nine out varies every year. This year’s of the 19 students involved in the topic is evolutionary biology,” program, all in grades 11 and 12. said Lynne Qiu ’09. “It’s a really unique experiSome team members, who ence because we can finally rep- are experts in different areas, resent ourselves outside the coun- take on leadership roles as teachty,” explained Kimberly Ha ’10. ers. Aca Deca coach Joseph Nigro For example, economics exdescribed his job as that of a facil- pert Adam Raudonis ‘10 and itator, and said that “for the past math expert Tony Jin ’10 inform few years, the team has been slow- the team in their respective subly improving, and their hard work jects. has finally paid off.” Along with the academic inThe scoring system for Aca centives, Qui said, “Aca Deca has Deca crosses the strengths of the expanded my horizon in terms of individual with the success of the friends.” JARED ERMAN STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY JARED ERMAN

KATIE ROUGHAN STAFF WRITER

shocked when they announced the 4th place winners. We couldn’t stop screaming through the 3rd and 2nd place announcements.” The events in which WHS won medals are Physics Lab, Environmental Chemistry, Picture This, Ecology, and Technical Problem Solving. Award winners include Fang, Svetlana Lyalina ‘09, Wesley Wong ‘09, and Tony Jin’10. Since WHS placed top eight out of the 33 schools that participated, the students will be going to state competition again this year, which will take place at Cal State Long Beach on April 18.

After being nominated, WHS has applied to be a California Distinguished School and awaits a March visit from the California Department of Education. Principal Ron Lipari feels the chances WHS will be awarded the honor are “highly likely.” The last time WHS earned the title was six years ago in 2003 and the Warriors currently seek to repeat. “We are very excited to be honored,” said Lipari. In order to qualify, a school needs high API ratings, which are based on the spring STAR examinations, and a collection of unique and beneficial programs that it offers, according to Assistant Principal Steve Lepire. Once nominated, the respective institution must submit an application discussing the selected exemplary programs and prepare for a visit from the judges. WHS used its Professional Learning Committee (which meets during Common Planning Time) the English Language Support Services, WIT Academy, and student support services, like after school tutoring, to be WHS’s original organizations. Lepire dubbed Common Planning Time a “signature practice” and claims it is an excellent aspect because the biweekly sessions promote “teacher collaboration” and address “student’s strengths and weakness.” The committee, now three years in existence, “has been a success,” said Lepire. The visit, scheduled for March 25, will focus on “sitting in” and observing the selected organizations in action. According to Lepire, chosen students who directly benefited from these unique programs, like the ELC system, will share their thoughts in interviews. Another recognition WHS has received that has helped establish its reputation is its Newsweek ranking. In 2006, Newsweek ranked WHS 137th in the nation and 11th in the state, record high numbers for the institution. The ranking process, published by the US World and News Report, collectively analyzed the school’s excellence in several fields from college readiness to academic and exam performance The acquisition of the title not only benefits WHS for prestige purposes, but also fortifies seniors’ resumes when applying to college. The quest to obtain this award enables WHS “to show how hard the students and teachers work,” said Lepire.

NEWS

March 13, 2009 • THE ARROW

IN BRIEF Spring Fling is in the Air The Spring Fling will be held on March 28 from 6-11 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks High School gym. The theme is Cheetah Glow-in-the-Dark, and dress code is casual. Tickets will be sold at the student store for $5 with an ASB sticker and $10 without. Tickets can also be bought at the door for $15.

Plan-it Earth: How You Can Help to Be Presented

Class Officer Meeting to be Held A mandatory meeting for all students interested in running for class officers for the ‘09-’10 school year will be held on March 23 during lunch in 31L. Voting will take place at the Bagel Booth the week of April 6-9. Contact ASG for more information.

National Merit Announced

Finalists

All 9 seniors who qualified as semi-finalists for 2009 National Merit Scholarships competition have advanced to the final round. Participants include Jennifer Fang, Leo Hei, Jessica Kuecks, Svetlana Lyanlina, Maxwell Miletich, Tim Pang, Lynne Qiu, Thomas Wong, and Carol Yu. The final recipients for the scholarships will be selected from finalists across the nation.

WHS Yearbook Finalist

Chosen

Bennett Earns Eagle Scout Rank

Choir Gets Casting Callback

BECKY SADWICK STAFF WRITER

Recently Warner Brothers executives took note of WHS choir’s talent by casting them in a TV pilot. On Feb. 4, 24 members of the Vocal Ensemble assembled at Taft High School to film a scene for the pilot of the new show “The Middle.” The show takes place in a high school in Indiana, where show choir is much more dominant than it is in California. It follows an awkward student named Sue who decides to join the show choir after trying and failing in numerous other activities. Sue’s clumsiness leads her to knock over the entire choir, a stunt which Jess White ’10 describes as “the most fun part of filming.” Vocal Ensemble enjoyed the oppor-

“It was really fun to have our tunity to do a show other than its usual group film it together,” said Brittany performances in the theatre. “It was a cool experience to do a pro- Perry ‘10. The pilot will air in September and fessional show like that,” said Choir Direcis scheduled to run on ABC. tor Alan Rose. Perry said “I am very her favorite part proud of the kids… “getting I can’t compliment “I am very proud of the was them enough,” kids...I can’t compliment treated like we were really imsaid Rose. portant. During Choir mem- them enough.” bers were excited Alan Rose breaks, people would come not only to be feaand touch up tured in a scene, but also to meet the stars of the show in- our hair and makeup.” Both Rose and Perry noted that the cluding Neil Flynn from Scrubs. “It was amazing to meet Neil Flynn be- scene was shot in over 15 takes. Two years ago, WHS choir particicause I’m obsessed with him!” said White. The group was selected because the pated in the same pilot, but it was never producer and director watched a choir re- picked up. This time, “The Middle” will defihearsal as their “audition” and because the nitely air on a major network. producer’s daughter attends WHS.

for

The American Public Works Association is offering $500 to $1000 scholarships for graduating seniors. The scholarships are only available to seniors who are going to be in engineering or a public works associated major. Application forms and other information can be found at www.ventura.apwa.net.

Counselors Offer Academic Success Group

Two Teachers Honored with Prestigious Awards

MICHAEL ITALIANO STAFF WRITER SAM WEXLER STAFF WRITER

Two WHS teachers, Math Teacher Lisa Ryder and English Teacher Greg Coull, were recognized as tops in their profession. Lisa Ryder was awarded, to her surprise, the Teachers’ Insurance Plan Teacher of the Year for California on Feb. 25. Since the TOTY is only awarded to one teacher per state, this award is a very distinguished honor. “Ms. Ryder was nominated because she is creative and an asset to this department,” said Math Dept. Chair Carmella Ettaro, who nominated Ryder for the TOTY award. “I enjoy my job and try to make math enjoyable to the students,” said Ryder. Out of the current math teachers at WHS, Ettaro has nominated 5 Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Month winners. In addition, she has also nominated 7 Ventura County Math Council’s Teacher of the Year winners, one of whom is Ryder. The TOTY award gives Ms. Ryder a $1,000 prize, which she says she will put towards her son’s college tuition. Along with the $1,000 prize for Ryder, the WHS Math Department will be awarded $500, which Ettaro says will be put towards purchasing a new document

PHOTO BY CARON BATTAGLIA

WHS student Michael Bennett ‘10 attained the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouting’s highest honor, on Feb. 28. Bennett began as a Tiger Cub Scout in first grade and is a member of Troop 761. To become an Eagle Scout, one must earn at least 21 merit badges and complete a Leadership Service Project that benefits the community. “For my Eagle Project, I designed, built, and installed five owl boxes and a gate in the nursery area of the Conejo Valley Botanic Gardens,” explained Bennett.

Available

IN “THE MIDDLE” OF CHAOS: WHS Choir films a scene for an upcoming pilot about a suburban school in Indiana.

The WHS 2008 yearbook—Wah’ Kon-Tah—was chosen as a finalist for the National Pacemaker Award. Photography, coverage, and design are factors of the judging. Out of 422 entries, 57 were chosen for the finals. The award will be announced April 16-19 at the National High School Journalism Convention. The award has been given out to student yearbooks since 1927.

Scholarships Seniors

PHOTO BY MARTHA HOKOM

Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation will present Youth Congress XXV, Plan-it Earth: How You Can Help, in the WHS cafeteria on April 4 starting at 10 a.m. This event promotes environmental awareness and will include speakers, presentations, and interactive activities. Students that attend will receive community service hours. Lunch is provided. If there are any questions, contact WHS representative, Miranda Fang ´10.

A+ TEACHER: Math teacher Lisa Ryder receives the reputable Teachers’ Insurance Plan Teacher of the Year Award for California.

camera. In addition, earlier this school year, Ryder also won the ASG Teacher of the Month. Coull earned the Ventura County Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Month recognition for February.

The WHS counselors have established a new program to help struggling students with low GPAs. This program, the Academic Success Group, is run by the five counselors of WHS. Each counselor chooses 15 to 20 of his or her own students to participate in the program. “We try to target 9th to 10th graders,” said Counselor John Lisowski, “but 11th and 12th can also qualify.” The group focuses on the fundamental study skills with individual workshops consisting of organization, note taking, time management, listening, and a few other systems. “Many students were not lucky enough to have teachers who taught these skills,” said Counselor Susan Wilson. The program also teaches general ways in which a student can have a successful high school career. It is a sixweek plan that meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the library. “We’re trying to get kids who are at risk academically and give them the opportunity to be successful,” said Lisowski. The counselors believe this course will be able to do that. The potential for this group’s success is very high. Earlier in the year, a pilot group showed much improvement. Not only did the study skills of the ten students increase, but each student’s GPA also increased at least a full point.

Aftermath of Mumbai Attacks

WORLD NEWS

March 13, 2009 • THE ARROW

Obama Shuts Down Guantanamo Bay

MAX AVRUCH ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

COURTESY PHOTO

CLOSING TIME: Obama orders the Central Intelligence Agency to close the U.S. military prison in Guantanomo Bay, Cuba, in one year. TIFFANY LOH ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR

With the start of a new term, President Barack Obama made his 1st move by signing orders to close the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This prison, which held an estimated 250 Al Qaeda and Taliban suspects, has long been a center of controversy. Even during the Bush administration, many raised questions of whether or not to keep the Bay open and the methods of prosecuting suspected terrorists. “Obama has repeatedly said that he believes that the legal framework at Guantanamo has failed to successfully and swiftly prosecute terrorists,” said Brook Anderson, a transition spokeswoman. “He shares the broad bipartisan belief that Guantanamo should be closed.”

However, even with the decision to close the Bay already made, Obama said that it would be “a challenge” to shut it down quickly, and the government will give itself one year to close the prison. Among the most controversial issues surrounding the decision to close the military prison is the question of where to place the detainees once Guantanamo Bay has closed down. Some have proposed that these prisoners be sent to the military prisons on the U.S. mainland. If these detainees are held in the U.S., they would have certain legal rights that were previously unavailable to them in Cuba. It is not clear if they would be tried through the current military tribunal system or in federal civilian courts. If they are sent to a U.S. military facility, these prisoners, including 15 “high value detainees” who are considered to be

the most dangerous, will most likely be assigned to sites in Kansas, South Carolina, or Southern California. However, many lawmakers in these states have raised objections and oppose having these “high value detainees” in their states. On the other hand, some human rights advocates state that the prisoners should be allowed to resettle as U.S. residents. They believe that even by allowing a few of the detainees to live in the U.S., other nations will be more encouraged to also accept these prisoners. As of now, the Obama administration has not yet reached a final decision for Guantanamo Bay’s detainees. The challenge “is figuring out how [to] close Guantanamo and at the same time safeguard the security of the American people,” said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates.

Hamas, Israelis Dispute over Blockade

COURTESY PHOTO

The deadly Mumbai attacks ravaged both the city and its people. Leaving at least 160 dead and about 300 wounded, the attacks shed light on the conflict between India and Pakistan. The evidence that Pakistanbased Islamic militant groups were behind the Mumbai massacre has led Indian officials to call for new negotiations with Pakistan. India delivered what it says is evidence of Pakistani officials in New Delhi and Islamabad, according to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. In mid-February, the Pakistani government said that some of the attacks were partly planned on their soil. These dealings between India and Pakistan are intended to promote cooperation and peace between the two countries. India’s goal is to “bring the perpetrators to Indian justice,” said Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon. They collected records from the interrogation of the the sole surviving suspect, a Pakistani citizen named Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab. This evidence was considered in the case review. As of Feb. 25, Qasab, still the main suspect, was charged with “waging war” against the Indian government, bringing justice to one of the perpetrators behind the attacks. “We are also briefing all our friendly countries,” Mukherjee said. “I have written to my counterparts around the world giving them details of the events in Mumbai and describing in some detail the progress that we have made in our investigations and the evidence that we have collected.” Counter-terrorists, who have analyzed the situation that prevailed over the past few months, have also concurred that the attacks in the Jewish Nariman House (a place containing a larger number of Israelis) were premeditated and more sophisticated than the attacks in the two luxury hotels. “Their aim was to humiliate India. That is aim No. 1,” said retired Indian Vice Administrator Premvir S. Das. “Two [was to] tell the Indians clearly that your growing linkage with Israel is not what you should be doing. I think the rest is peripheral.” Along with senior U.S. State Department and Pentagon officials, including the then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Das and other members of a high-ranking delegation of the Indian government and business leaders met in Washington D.C., in December, to discuss the Mumbai attacks and terrorism. “As far as India’s relations with Israel are concerned, they have a dynamic of their own,” said Rajendra M. Abhyankar, a former Indian ambassador who helped formulate New Delhi’s counter-terrorism policies. “They stand on their own and are not hostile to the fact that we still have more than 115 million Muslims in India, the second-largest Muslim community in the world.” As shown by the Mumbai attacks, international conflict and global affairs still appear in world news today.

ON THE EDGE: Israeli infantry soldiers march between their homeland and Gaza.

IRIS YAN NEWS EDITOR

In June 2008, Egypt brokered a six month cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Though the agreement was broken several times, the ties of the agreement remained intact. As the end of the cease-fire neared in December, Israel indicated that it might extend the agreement if Hamas ceased all Qassam rocket attacks (crude but deadly homemade missiles launched toward Israel territory). Because Hamas leaders were angered by the blockade, they stepped up rocket attacks on Israel in December. The Israelis officially ended the

ceasefire on Dec. 27 in order to stop the firing of rockets into Israel. Israel is trying to destroy and reduce Hamas as a fighting force and to capture its stocks of weapons. Hamas said Israel had initially broken the truce by failing to lift the blockade; Israel said Hamas had used the period to smuggle more rockets into Gaza, was planting explosive devices on the border fence, and had not stopped the rocket fire completely. Hamas demanded that the blockade be ended or it would not renew the ceasefire. Then, after a 22-day military offensive, Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced a uni-lateral cessation on Jan. 18.

However, Hamas rejected Israel’s ceasefire in advance, saying that it would continue the fighting. Also, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Israel must withdraw its troops and end its 19-month blockade of the strip. However, Israel said its soldiers would remain inside Gaza and reserve the right to strike back if militants continued to launch attacks. Only several hours after the Israeli ceasefire, additional attacks followed. Hamas announced its own immediate one-week ceasefire, demanding that Israel withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip. However, Israel continued to keep their forces inside the Gaza Strip. During the continuous three-week offensive, nearly 1,300 Palestinians, the majority of which were civilians, died and nearly 5,450 were injured. Thirteen Israeli soldiers were also killed. On Jan. 22, the Israeli military announced in a report that it had used at least 20 white phosphorus bombs inside civilian areas in the Gaza Strip in an attempt to stop rockets from being fired by Hamas, from hitting southern Israel. Doctors in Gaza say that dozens of civilians have been treated for burns related to the use of the weapons— phosphorous burns, when in contact with oxygen, cause serious injuries to humans. Thus, the exploitation of the phosphorous bombs has come under scrutiny by Human Rights Watch (HRW). As the fighting continued, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned, “We've said that if there is rocket fire against the south of the country, there will be a severe and disproportionate Israeli response.”

OPINION

March 13, 2009 • THE ARROW

In Search of Juvenile Justice Should 15-year-old Brandon McInerney be sent to life in prison for shooting a classmate during English class?

Pro

CONRAD WILTON STAFF WRITER

NIKKI FAY OPINION EDITOR

As a result of his actions, 15-year-old Brandon McInerney is quickly finding out that in the eyes of the court, he is in fact an adult. After McInerney shot and killed his fellow classmate, Lawrence King, in what authorities have labeled as a hate crime, there has been much controversy raised as to whether it is fair to try him as an adult. It is not required by law that McInerney be tried as an adult, and more factors regarding his age and home life should have been taken into account before the decision was made. While many authorities have argued that McInerney should have the chance to be rehabilitated

ILLUSTRATION BY ASHLEY CHANG

The violent act committed by the young Brandon McInerney has rocked the field of juvenile law to its core. At E.O. Green Middle School, McInerney shot and killed victim Lawrence King mere minutes after English class began. Almost one year later, the judicial system is still grappling over how to punish the killer. According to the Ventura County Star, McInerney will be tried as an adult despite the defense’s plea for his trial to be held in juvenile court. There is no legal defense for not trying him in adult court, thanks to Proposition 21 which “requires adult trials for juveniles 14 or older charged with murder or specified sex offenses.” Therefore, killers like McInerney get real world sentences for real adult crimes. Although some feel McInerney’s acts were impulsive and not telling of his true character, the evidence points otherwise. The Ventura County Star reported the murder was premeditated and “carried out by a classmate who is a follower of ‘racist skinhead philosophy.’” Nazi paraphernalia and a large collection of Hitler’s speeches were found in McInerney’s private quarters. The killing was reported to be an “execution,” as after McInerney fired a bullet to the victim’s back, he shot the collapsing King in the back of the head, “coup de grace” style. McInerney then hid himself under his hood and “powerwalked” out of the room. McInerney is charged with “firstdegree murder committed with a firearm and a hate crime,” according to the Ventura County Star. Because the victim was an effeminate, muli-ethnic individual, McInerney most likely committed the act out of strong racial hatred. It is completely irrational to view McInerney as a child based on a numerical measurement of time. Regardless of what his birth certificate says, his ruthless actions and disturbing beliefs indicate that he is no different from an adult killer. The young defendant faces a sentence of 51 years to life. McInerney pleads not guilty on all accounts although the entire class witnessed the murder. Although he will be tried as an adult, his age will disqualify him from the death penalty. Therefore, he is already receiving special treatment because of his youth. The defense’s primary argument is rehabilitation; however, Michael Gerson, an assistant psychology professor in the

fields of adolescent development, stated “It’s very hard for McInerney to change perspective because there’s so much emotion driving those racist beliefs; it permeates the mind.” Juvenile courts, originally designed in 1899 to handle “misdemeanors” like occasional truancies to school, have a tendency to issue overly generous sentences. They are therefore not fit for handling such heinous crimes as McInerney’s. The lax and unaccustomed juvenile system does not force young criminals to be accountable for their acts. Adult crimes deserve adult punishments, no matter the age of the criminal.

Con

after the killing, it has been confirmed that he will in fact be tried as an adult. McInerney may be subject to life in prison, which is the usual punishment for such a crime. Does this serve justice? According to the Ventura County Star there have been almost 3,000 children in the U.S. who have been convicted of serious criminal offenses as juveniles and are now serving life sentences in adult prisons with no possibility for parole. If McInerney is found guilty (which is more than likely because 30 classmates witnessed his crime), he will be sentenced to a mandatory minimum of 51 years in prison without parole. This means that he will not be eligible for parole until he is 65. Is this not the same as life in prison or worse? McInerney has not been given the opportunity to be rehabilitated or even to prove that he has the potential for improvement. No one can be sure that, if given the chance, McInerney would not be able to mature and become a completely different person from his past self. Throwing him in jail for essentially the rest of his life would not serve justice but in fact the opposite. In jail McInerney will be subject to the many of the things that we are condemning him for and more; violence, discrimination, drugs, rape, and in many cases, even murder. So, rather than send him to a place where he will have nothing but negative influences and solitude, authorities should send him to a place where he has the chance to grow from these negative experiences and become a better person. How can we expect a 15-yearold like McInerney to reach the same psychological level of reason that an adult can? By trying him as an adult, authorities are doing just that. While his crime is inexcusable, it is more than likely that in a time of frustration McInerney was unable to rise above the moral issues in this case. He dealt with his emotions as a child would; he was embarrassed and chose to take action. When a child in our society makes a mistake, we do not condemn him for the rest of his life, but rather attempt to teach him differently. This case is no different. McInerney made a fatal mistake, so the next step is to teach him how to deal with his emotions correctly and turn him into a rational adult. McInerney is a child and should be treated as such. He should pay for his crime, but not for his entire life.

Octo-Mom Gives Birth to Controversy ALEXANDRA BISTON STAFF WRITER

Wearing nine medical bracelets, one for herself and eight for each of her newborn babies, Nadya Suleman gave birth to eight children on Jan. 26. With six children in tow, she now has a whopping 14 children. Stirring a controversy, Suleman was artificially inseminated by the process of in vitro fertilization. This issue has infuriated many California taxpayers and has caused the national media to go crazy. Most of the comments about Suleman’s situation have been negative, and she has also received several death threats on her personal website. “I feel that it is inappropriate that she has received death threats, but it is irresponsible and selfish to ruin the lives of

her six children that she already has,” said Andrea Kemp ’11. Reports have said that Suleman is mentally unstable and is inadequate to raise children because she is unemployed and is only supported by state and federal tax dollars. Suleman recently called 911 crying and panicking because she thought she had lost her five-year-old son. Suleman was screaming that she was going to kill herself, proving that she is unfit to care and raise 14 children. Some claim that it was Dr. Michael Kamrava’s fault because he was the one who originally transferred the six embryos, and two of the embryos split, resulting in eight babies. “He should know better and should take responsibility for his actions,” said Kemp.

Not only did Dr. Kamrava perform IVF knowing that Suleman and her children could be put at extreme medical risks, but he knew that her living conditions were not sufficient to bring eight more kids home. Dr. Kamrava has also been criticized by his peers, including Dr. John Jain of Santa Monica Fertility Specialists. “I do think that this doctor really stepped outside the guidelines in a very extreme manner, and as such, put both the mother and children at extra high risk of disability and even death,” Dr. Jain said. “He’s tried some novel techniques and some of those methods have been controversial.” Not only did Kamrava artificially inseminate Suleman but it was reported that he was the fertility specialist responsible for helping a 49-year-old mother of three grown children to conceive quadruplets. “Those children won’t end up having

the life they deserve,” said Sarah Gerlach ’11. Her children are innocent and they deserve a fighting chance for the best care possible. “Suleman is selfish and she should set a positive example for her children,” said Gerlach. Among the recent developments is that Nadya’s father has purchased a larger house for the family, and once the babies are able to leave the hospital, Nadya will have nurses to assist her. With her new-found celebrity status and TV interviews (for which she has no doubt been paid), Dr. Phil’s intervention and assistance, supportive parents who have, it would appear, incurred a significant mortgage on behalf of their daughter’s irresponsible behavior, what life lessons have we learned?

Attention All Spenders:

Robert’s Reality: “Looking Good” ROBERT DILLON STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY KAYLI MILITECH

I would not classify myself as the most stylish person on campus. I’m not aiming to win any beauty contest. My hair is long, and some might say unkempt. I may go too long without a shave on occasion. My clothes are simple and practical. Plain Tshirt and s h o r t s most days. I may wear pants and a jacket when it is cold or raining, but I do not own any jeans. My socks are high and holey, and my shoes are old and shabby. Overall a somewhat unsightly picture, huh? But this is the way I choose to dress and look. This is my “style.” I do not make a conscious effort to look bad. I just convince myself that I do not care. “Why?” you may ask. Why not try to dress and look better and avoid the disapproval of your judgmental peers? In the past, I have told myself that any effort one makes —combing your hair, using deodorant — for the sole purpose of looking (and smelling) good is a total submission to vanity. It is a declaration that one is willing to be evaluated based on appearance. Each person who dedicates himself to his looks is furthering this atmosphere of superficiality, and refusing to look any further into a person’s character than skin deep. We are all proverbial books being judged by our elaborate and thick covers. What really matters is the text, a person’s substance. At least that is what I have told myself in the past. If we are to believe that “it’s what’s inside that counts,” this seemed to be logical. However, my philosophy can be pretty hard to abide by when you are told “you’re a mess,” multiple times a day. But a couple of weekends ago, I had an epiphany. Walking through the mall, I was approached by a pushcart vendor with an intriguing accent. “Vut do you use to clean your face?” “Um...nothing.” “Allow me to show you something amazing.” What followed was an unimpressive demonstration of an overpriced facial cleanser, but a realization had formed in my mind. The notion that you will always be initially judged by your outward appearance is an undeniable one. But perhaps there is some justification in that – some justification in using an overpriced facial cleanser. Perhaps what people truly see when they observe your “style” is a reflection of how you feel about yourself. I realized a fitting display of any confidence, exuberance, creativity, inner beauty that I believe I have can start on the outside. Looks are not a substitute for substance, merely a visible manifestation of it. In essence, your appearance says something about your character. What I mean is that if I care about myself, I am allowed to show it. This revelation not only pleases me, but will also hopefully please prospective employers, college interviewers, and the like who will judge my appearance. So what still stands in my way of “looking good?” Money? Perhaps. Laziness? Definitely.

OPINION

March 13, 2009 • THE ARROW

Expensive Clothes Cannot Buy Respect Park, which has designer brands that are affordable for almost everyone. Though Every day, people are many people criticize others captivated by overly expensive for not buying clothes at the brand names, posh styles, main retail stores, there is and social acceptance. People no shame in resorting to the buy clothing and accessories others that offer lower prices. at elevated prices instead of People should be talking reasonable prices. about the low prices, not What most people find the over-pricing of the retail appealing are the clothes that prices. are presented by the media. Other places, without A-list celebrities wear the brand names, have lowmost expensive brands and priced and chic clothing, trendy clothes while creating a such as Forever 21, Charlotte look seemingly standard and Russe, and ANGL. These SMART MONEY: During hard economic times, many teenagers need to inexpensive. clothes offer a fashionable Eva Longoria, a popular be smarter with their spending. look that appeal to everyone role model for many young just as much as clothes adults, was seen wearing that in the eyes of many students, the more from Nordstrom or Neiman Autumn Cashmere, a popular new brand. expensive the clothes, the more popular one Marcus would. Her jacket was priced at $440. looks. What most people do not recognize, Few people are be able to tell the The average American makes an however, is that less costly clothes can be difference between a designer top and a average of $30,617 a year. The prices equally appealing. Also those clothes are similar one sold at a less expensive store. are not worthy of being deemed made with material that is similar to the Overly priced clothes add to the “fashionable.” others. ongoing popularity contest of life. If people Peer pressure is the main reason Many retailers carry fashionable stop thinking about their clothes, and what that many young people strive for these clothing that is extremely affordable, such others think of them, it reduces the stress popular brand names. It is undeniable as Loehmann’s retail store in Newbury of trying to fit in while saving money. SOFIA TALARICO STAFF WRITER

Does Competition Force Teens to “Juice Up”? BEN CONLIN TRAVIS RICE STAFF WRITERS

Steroids, human growth hormones, testosterone boosters—the use of these extreme muscle building supplements is controversial. It is becoming more common that big name stars are getting caught for “juicing.” Every time a star athlete emerges, we later find that he or she “unknowingly” took a substance and was unaware it was banned or was “trying to speed up an injury rehab process.” Many talented athletes are looking for an easier, more convenient way to get in the spotlight, often by taking illegal substances. As soon as a player hits 40

home runs or scores 20 touchdowns, a dark cloud looms over the athlete; fans and the media automatically assume and accuse them of some kind of performance enhancement. Any serious athlete who yearns to be recognized knows that every day he must show his best performance in order to keep or take the starting position for his team. When it becomes a day-to-day battle for a position, a player will do anything necessary to be on top, which is what pressures them to use illegal substances such as steroids and HGH. Seeing beloved star athletes (most recently Alex Rodriguez) test positive for these prohibited supplements makes one believe that it is safe and beneficial to take them.

Athletes Held to Higher Standard ALEX NUTKIEWICZ STAFF WRITER

If you were to walk down any busy street in any large city, you would most likely encounter a person smoking. It is not as shocking nowadays to see people smoking; after all, smoking cigarettes is not illegal. Even some highly idolized celebrities smoke. Most of them never received bad comments or a loss in popularity because of this behavior. The most powerful man in our country has admitted to smoking. President Barack Obama has said he has “fallen off the wagon” and smoked during his campaign for president last year and has admitted in his autobiography, Dreams of My Fathers, to smoking marijuana in his college years. His decision to smoke has not affected his popularity. He is still being given babies to hold and plenty of hands to shake. The public was not affected by his decision to smoke. Smoking is not usually a dark mark on someone's character, unless your name is Michael Phelps. He has received a lot of attention lately surrounding the photo released of him smoking marijuana. And most of the comments about this issue have been extremely negative remarks. Strangely, we can elect a president that may have smoked before his campaign, but we cannot accept an Olympic champion who smoked pot as

just another person. Of course his decision may not have been the best choice, but we should still not treat him more strictly than we would treat any other famous person. But of course, he is a role model to young children. And smoking is probably not the best decision when young kids strive to be just like their idols. Phelps, however, has owned up to his conduct. He admitted to “regrettable” behavior and “bad judgment.” At this point, that was the best decision he could have made. Phelps is still receiving punishment for his poor choices. He has been banned from USA Swimming for three months (marijuana was added to a list of banned substances in 1998 by the International Olympic Committee, although it is not considered “performance-enhancing"). Other than this incident, Phelps has provided many reasons he should be considered a great role model. He has never failed a drug test and has even volunteered additional testing to prove hard work does pay off. Celebrities should know how to act in public because they may have a fan doing everything they do, but that does not mean they should be held more accountable for their actions. Society does not condemn those who smoke pot as it used to, but for role models, any action they take somehow ends up hurting them in the end because we do hold them to a higher standard.

Possible side effects of steroids include hair loss, acne, halitosis (bad breath), breast growth in men, and kidney damage. Every year students hear about an athlete who lost his life experimenting with performance enhancers. For this reason, CIF deems steroids illegal and even at WHS, the football team is tested weekly for them. Although steroids can help make athletes better temporarily, the substances can lead to devastating long-term effects.

THE WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

ARROW

100 N. Lakeview Canyon Road Westlake Village, CA 91362 (805) 497-6711 ext. 4225 westlakearrow@yahoo.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jimmy Moore MANAGING EDITOR Soumya Karlamangla COPY EDITORS Jessica Kane, Carina Wolff ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR Tiffany Loh NEWS EDITORS Kayli Miletich, Katelyn Smith, Iris Yan OPINION EDITORS Lisa Battaglia, Nikki Fay COLUMNIST Robert Dillon FEATURE EDITORS Alessandra Catanese, Bianca Di Guiseppe, Wayne Huang ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS Max Avruch, Kelley Biggs, Kylie Blaber SPORTS EDITORS Justin Edwards, Dena Gallucci CARTOONISTS Kabir Nagarkatti, Vivian Shi ADVERTISING MANAGER Rachel Bernstein ADVISOR Caron Battaglia STAFF WRITERS Alexandra Biston, Alannah Bradley, Jacob Cavanah, Ben Conlin, Ashley Chang, Aaron Demsetz, Frank Duan, Jared Erman, Stella Fang, Annie Gerlach, Michael Italiano, Sasha Lewis, Allison Montroy, Alex Nutkiewicz, Marika Price, Travis Rice, Katie Roughan, Becky Sadwick, Tori Scoville, Sofia Talarico, Sam Wexler, Conrad Wilton, Dashiell Young-Saver 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 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, though names can be withheld by request in the publication. Please send submissions to Mrs. Battaglia’s box in the main office or to Room 42E. For The Arrow online, visit www.whswarriors.com and click on Arrow under the Activites menu.

FEATURE

Teacher 2.0:

March 13, 2009 • THE ARROW

Will teachers soon be obsolete with the growth of new technology?

CARINA WOLFF COPY EDITOR

CARTOON BY CARINA WOLFF

We live in a society that relies on the internet for virtually anything: shopping, recipes, dating, advice. Websites like YouTube have been notorious for producing celebrities overnight and providing internet fans with a good way to share their lives through videos. But what if a website like YouTube could go from merely entertainment to an effective way of teaching? And even more extreme, what if teachers did not even need classrooms and just relied on the internet to teach their students? The new website TeacherTube is a video sharing website where any teacher can upload educational videos to teach and inform students in any way they please. Many teachers incorporate visual aids, and some even have weirder tactics such as rapping. The site already has 220,000 regular viewers and is only growing. The website is also viewer safe, as a person can tag any video that seems appropriate, and many schools also keep TeacherTube unblocked as opposed to other video sharing sites. “TeacherTube presents a problem,” said Jonathan Cheung ‘09. “By posting videos online, students may not always understand what the video is teaching, and

since they are unable to ask questions, they suffer.” The online industry is booming, and many colleges are even offering online courses equivalent to the credits given to live classes. According to MSNBC, every one in six people enrolled in higher education has taken at least one online class. Colleges enjoy offering online courses because they reap more economical benefits than they do from more traditional classes. Students appreciate the convenience of classes that can be completed at their own pace. “I think it’s a good thing because you can teach a huge range of things online,” said Adrian Doan ‘09. “Even though you could teach the same subjects in a classroom-like environment, it may be costly, or there may not be enough interest locally.” Even WHS has utilized the internet with websites such as Edline, Zangle, and Teacherweb, where students can access grades, homework, handouts, and other school-related resources. “I believe that online schooling is a bad idea,” said Cheung. “Students don’t get any social interaction, and it causes them to be socially incompetent. Also, without any outside motivation such as teachers and peers, some students may not even finish the online course. “ Whether or not the positives outweigh the negatives, educational websites are readily available to students who need some additional clarification or merely want to learn a new subject, and the future of online education is only getting started.

Internet: The New Agent for the Unemployed ALANNAH BRADLEY STAFF WRITER

Recently, more people have lost their jobs and become unemployed. In these tough economic times, people are looking to the internet to be their source of help and relief. Even employed people are keeping their eyes open to the different job websites to have a backup plan. According to Nielsen Online, job websites saw a 20% increase of its visitors in January alone. Sites like CareerBuilder.com and Monster.com are popular in people’s search for new jobs.

The Labor Department stated that 667,000 Americans applied for unemployment benefits the week of February 16. The unemployment rate is the highest it has been in more than 16 years. The web has become a lifeline for people out of work. Facebook and LinkedIn have become two leading sites for job seekers and ways for people to reconnect with old coworkers who might have connections to the next step in their careers. Facebook is conceived as teen contact with friends, but it is now becoming a

Summer School in the Comfort of Your Home ROBERT DILLON STAFF WRITER

The CVUSD will offer a scaled-back course catalog for its upcoming summer school program at Thousand Oaks High School. The new course list includes three courses that can be taken online. Though the official bulletin of what courses are offered has not been released, there is speculation that there may be fewer courses offered than in previous years, according to Assistant Principal of Instruction Steve Lepire. In addition to fewer offers, some courses such as Health, U.S. History and World History that students can take early to fulfill credit requirements will incur a fee. The fee, estimated to be between $175-$200 does not apply to classes that are repeated in lieu of a fail in the regular school year. An innovation to this year’s program is the three online courses. Health, Sociology Honors, and Psychology Honors

will be conducted over the internet using a system called Blackboard Connect. “The online courses are open to all students. They’re good for students with band, choir, or sports who are looking to free up their schedules,” said Lepire. The system allows for 55 students per class. After an initial meeting with the instructor, the student can complete the class from home on the computer. The student meets again with the instructor halfway through the course and again at the end. Through Blackboard Connect, students can upload projects, homework, and essays directly to their teachers. Students will receive normal credit for online courses, but no Honors GPA credit will be given for Sociology or Psychology. The online courses are also subject to the $175-200 fee. Priority will be given to upperclassmen when registering for the Sociology and Psychology courses. Teachers for the online classes have not yet been determined.

gateway to helping many unemployed people find a way back into the business world. As long as people are not posting inappropriate information or pictures on Facebook, this website can be a very effective and useful tool. Games relating to all the economic problems have emerged from the web as well. The website Addicting Games has a game where players take a trillion dollars and try to disperse the money more accurately than the U.S. Congress did. The “Layoff Tracker” is a desktop keeper. It helps keep track of different news outlets and keeps a tally of the number of

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U.S. jobs lost daily. It would seem that in these hard times people would be turning away from their computers, but the situation is quite the contrary. People are relying on the internet now more than ever. News is becoming more accessible online, and people are turning to the internet rather than the more traditional printed news. Steering away from the conventional idea of buying newspapers to search for a job, people are recognizing the internet as a necessity and tool in almost every household.

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March 13, 2009 • THE ARROW

FEATURE

No“butts” about it.

Is UCLA investigating the harmful effects of smoking or helping tobacco manufacturers sell more addictive cigarettes?

MARIKA PRICE KATIE ROUGHAN STAFF WRITERS

t is no surprise that Philip Morris, a leading tobacco manufacturer in the U.S., is partaking in questionable addiction research, but UCLA’s alliance with the tobacco giant is perhaps the most unexpected. The controversy surrounding the university centers around the suspicious agenda behind UCLA’s and Morris’s motives regarding the study of addiction to tobacco. The study used MRI and PET imaging scans to better grasp the difference in the addiction process on a mature brain versus a still developing brain. In the study, smokers as young as 14 were compared to adults who have become extremely dependent on the drug for significantly longer periods. They also used animal model experiments, giving liquid nicotine to monkeys and then dissecting the brains of these animals. started activists Anti-tobacco investigating this scandal and uncovered

the ambivalent truths of the study. Originally, the main focus was why Morris and UCLA were in association with one another, but before any concrete information could be revealed, animal activists put the experiment to a halt by defending the rights of the chimpanzees. Undoubtedly, this is a controversial animal rights issue. But what type of message is UCLA sending if they are supporting the tobacco industry? No facts are present stating UCLA has ulterior motives to help Philip Morris sell more addictive cigarettes, but his active role in the tests raises suspicions. Robert Peccei, Vice Chancellor for Research at UCLA released a statement saying, “I have no idea why Philip Morris decides to fund this anti-smoking research, but they do. As long as we do not feel that we are interfered with and that the research is done with the highest intentions, what’s in mind of the funder is irrelevant.” But the funder’s intentions can make a huge difference. The outcome of the research itself, the participants, those who receive the information, and where the results are advertised are all components.

The funder, in this case Philip Morris, can use these to benefit his company and increase profit. A representative for Philip Morris responded to the accusations saying, “We would never do that.” As expected, people have reacted negatively to the scandal, showing disappointment and shock in the choices of the university. Their attempts to keep the details of the experiment out of the public eye were unsuccessful. London, the main location of the study, has been the victim of home attacks and hate mail since the news leaked. Amanda Ribbers ‘10, who hopes to attend UCLA, said, “I’m really surprised by the controversy. I never would have thought UCLA would get involved in a situation with so many glitches.” Whether or not the university is in denial over the effects Morris will have on the experiment or even aware of them, the dream school of many may be inadvertently supporting an industry linked to the leading cause of death in the world.

Tobacco’s Damage to Planet Earth

MARIKA PRICE STAFF WRITER

Billions of cigarettes are lit every day without hesitation, but it is not only the cigarettes that are burning. Slowly, rain forests are being removed by the process of deforestation because of the growing tobacco surplus. The conservation of trees has become a second priority after the demand for more cigarette products. Most people know that tobacco damages human health, but it also destroys our environment. Kimberly Van-Agadori, an antitobacco activist, spoke at the “Kick Ash Conference” held on Feb. 12, exposing the truth behind the reasons tobacco harms our Earth. In her opinion, one of the most harmful effects is deforestation because “the thought of trees being cut down to provide people with something as small as a cigarette is just wrong.” She also revealed this list of frightening facts: • For every tree, only 23 packs of cigarettes are produced • 600 trees are destroyed every year to provide fuel to dry tobacco • 4.5 trillion non-biodegradable cigarettes are littered somewhere in the world, each year. • On average it takes about 25 years for a cigarette to decompose •Cigarette butts are flushed into lakes, rivers, streams, etc., from city streets through storm drains, and animals mistake them for food. Their bodies are unable to digest them, and they can ultimately die. As Kimberly Miller said, “Our Earth is suffering from this dirty habit. Be the one to stop it. Spread the word about the consequences.”

FEAT

JUSTIN EDWARDS SPORTS EDITOR

President Barack Obama began his journey to reform with his two-day trip to Denver, CO and Mesa, AZ. With hopes of reducing the inherited one trillion dollar deficit, Obama signed two pieces of legislature to bring America out of crisis. On Feb. 17, 2009, the President went to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to sign his $787 billion bill. “While our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken; though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this: We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before,” said Obama in this Congressional Address. The package contains about $300 billion in tax breaks for individuals and businesses, more than $250 billion in direct aid to needy states and individuals, and almost $200 billion to update and improve the nation’s infrastructure. He believes that bill will create or save 3.5 million jobs over the next two years. Obama’s package of federal spending and tax cuts is designed to jump-start the economy and save millions of jobs. California is said to receive more than $21 billion under the stimulus package. According to the Star, about $4.5 billion of the state’s share would go to improvements on highways and bridges, public transportation and wastewater treatment facilities. Ventura County hopes for nearly one billion dollars for various public works projects. In addition, the CVUSD expects to receive $7,467,800 under the stimulus package.

“We desperately need the money,” said Ventura County schools Superintendent Stan Mantooth to the Star; however, he stated that there are a lot of unknowns to figure out. “The recovery plan and the financial stability plan are the immediate steps we’re taking to revive our economy in the short-term. But the only way to fully restore America’s economic strength is to make the long-term investments that will lead to new jobs, new industries, and a renewed ability to compete with the rest of the world,” said Obama. However, despite his ambitious plan, Wall Street fell drastically. The Dow Jones Industrials Average fell 297.81 points on the day, closing less than a point above their lowest level in five and a half years. The following day, Obama went to Arizona and signed his $75 billion Homeowner Stability Initiative plan in order to provide mortgage lenders subsidies and help up to four million borrowers on the verge of foreclosure. “The American Dream is being tested by a home mortgage crisis that not only threatens the stability of our economy but also the stability of families and neighborhoods,” said Obama. According to Moody’s Economy.com, about 13.8 million people out of the nearly 52 million U.S. homeowners with a mortgage owe more on their mortgage than their house is currently worth. The home-crisis plan contains two separate programs: one program is aimed at about four million homeowners struggling with loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to help them refinance their mortgages through the two institutions. The other program would potentially help three to four million additional homeowners

Stimulus Expected to Bring $1 Billion to Ventura County

by allowing them to modify their mortgages to lower monthly interest rates through any participating lender. Under this plan, the lender would voluntarily lower the interest rate, and the government would provide subsidies to the lender. Homeowners who owe more than 80% of the value of their homes or have negative equity would be eligible to refinance with the latter program.

this it begins and one fam Obama.

Employment Outlook

Job prospects are bleak for the second quarter of 2009

Ventura County

Los Angeles County

Santa Barbara County

United States

12% plan to hire. 20% plan to cut jobs. 64% plan to maintain current staff levels. 4% are uncertain. 7% plan to hire. 18% plan to cut jobs. 71% plan to maintain current staff levels. 4% are uncertain.

12% plan to hire. 23% plan to cut jobs. 60% plan to maintain current staff levels. 5% are uncertain. 15% plan to hire. 14% plan to cut jobs. 67% plan to maintain current staff levels. 4% are uncertain.

Sour

GRAPHIC BY

TURE

As more and more businesses fail and unemployment rates rise each month, many search for a solution to the economic crisis.

“While crisis is vast, s just one house mily at a time,” said

n . o . Surviving the Economic Heartburn

rce: Manpower Inc.

CARINA WOLFF

America is taking a blow—right to the stomach. The recent economic recession has consumers cutting back on name brand products and restaurants and shopping to save. According to the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, consumer spending on food fell 3.7% since the third quarter of 2008. Food-oriented businesses from across the country say that this is the steepest decline in the food market in 62 years. Cindy Greco, an average housewife, said that she is shopping more at Costco Wholesale and buying less expensive meat like chicken, shrimp, and ground turkey. “I’m someone who used to never ever pay attention to the prices of groceries, but now it’s a different story,” said Greco. So what can we eat? What haven can we turn to without having our wallets drained? Dietician Judy Galanter has the solution to our problems. “During difficult economic times people have the misconception that healthy foods are expensive and may be loading up on fast foods as a way to cut costs. In fact, some of the cheapest foods—oatmeal, beans, nonfat milk, and eggs—are some of the healthiest,” explained Galanter. Despite this reassurance, parents still worry about what foods would be best for children. “A wide variety of foods including modest amounts of low-fat protein, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limited amounts of healthy fats” are some suggestions from Galanter. Restaurants are some of some of the first places people choose to economize, specifically fast food joints. While supermarkets kept their products at a high cost, McDonald’s Corp. and other fast-food chains maintained their pride in the Dollar Menu, and continued to offer affordably priced entrées. In this money-hungry time, these

As the economy continues to plummet, try some of these painless ways to save cash Walk No list of ways to save is complete without this one. Instead of suffering a nervous breakdown upon realizing how much you spent on gas last month, simply walk, or ride a bike, to those places that aren’t too far away. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much you save. Carry Cash Before walking out the door, instead of grabbing that troublesome credit or debit card, just take some cash instead. But not too much—the point is to give yourself a limit; most people are unfortunately under the impression that having a credit card on hand means having an infinite supply of money at their fingertips. Tip: try to carry larger bills to discourage yourself from wasting precious dollars on small, unnecessary items.

Dietician Judy Galanter offers advice on controlling food costs during the recession while maintaining a healthy diet. ASHLEY CHANG STAFF WRITER

Ways to Save

offers are quickly tempting consumers. In January 2009, McDonald’s same-stores rose 7.1% and an overall 5.4% increase occurred in the U.S. “In recent years, a lot of discretionary income has gone into buying fancier food, whether it’s Starbucks coffee or prepared dinner or restaurant meals. Now, that trend seems to be waning,” stated Barclays Capital economist Ethan Harris. Established businesses like Starbucks Corp., Ruby Tuesday Inc., and others have been forced to shut down hundreds of outlets due to the declining sales. A survey done on the number of people who eat out less resulted in a shocking 62% of people who said they are cutting back on the outside dining and expensive steak. “Eating out is a favorite American pastime and a challenge for most of us. In general, one should try to avoid restaurants that have limited menus of only high fat empty calorie foods. Some restaurants that feature healthy choices are Subway, Marmalade, and Brent’s Deli,” said Galanter. To maintain a healthy diet on a budget is easy enough, but here are a few things Galanter recommends the next time you visit the supermarket: •Shop from a list •Buy fruits and vegetables in season •Look for store specials •When possible, buy in bulk •If you don’t need it, don’t buy it (even if you have a coupon or it’s on sale) •Don’t over consume protein. Protein is the most expensive part of a meal and excess amounts get stored as fat. “The best way to save money is stay healthy. Indulging in [fast foods] occasionally poses no harm, but generally one should strive to eat a wide variety of low-fat, nutrient dense, high fiber food.” Galanter advises.

Brew Your Own Coffee While rolling up to school with a $5 Chai Creme Frappuccino in hand may be fashionable, you would probably be horrified to take a moment and add up how much these daily Starbucks runs cost you per month. Instead, make some coffee at home; it may not come in a familiar cup or have a fancy name, but caffeine is caffeine. Bring a Bagged Lunch Instead of rushing off campus and buying lunch every day, save yourself some cash and bring your own lunch at least a few days per week. Assuming you can avoid take-out even ten times a month, you are guaranteed to save upwards of $50. Catch a Matinee Instead Everybody enjoys a night at the movie theater. However, instead of spending upwards of $10 per ticket, go before 6 p.m. for the same experience, just a little less expensive. Also, try to avoid going overboard on snacks. If you’re thirsty, take a trip to the water fountain instead of spending $5 on a bottle of Aquafina. Get a Used Car If you are in the market for a car, consider buying used instead of getting something brand new. It may lack that “new car smell,” but it will save you thousands of dollars. Also, a pre-owned car can still get you to and from school and to your friend’s house on the weekend. Stop Paying for Premium Cable Even though having upwards of 800 channels to flip through after school is a nice luxury, persuading your family to cut back on movie channels and other extras will quickly lower monthly costs. Find Alternatives to a Gym Membership While going on a simple jog or doing crunches may not be as satisfying as a two-hour workout at Spectrum, there are other options for exercising without exorbitant annual fees. It could save you hundreds to ditch the gym and look into cheaper alternatives. Save Your Change Instead of tossing them into the tip jar or leaving them on the store counter, pocket your extra coins and make an effort to save them up. Then, when you have enough, take them to the bank or to a Coinstar machine and enjoy the results; depending on how much change you accumulate, at the very least you should be able to treat yourself to a quick meal at InN-Out Burger. Compiled by Jimmy Moore

FEATURE

March 13, 2009 • THE ARROW

Primas Serves as Ambassador to Sweden KAYLI MILETICH NEWS EDITOR

SOFIA TALARICO STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY KAYLI MILETICH

This past summer, Josh Primas ‘09, President of the Junior Achievement Chapter at WHS, was selected by Junior Achievement Worldwide to be one of three Student Ambassadors from California. The selected students spent ten days in Sweden shadowing other businesses and learning how to organize competitions. “As a student ambassador, I got to visit the JAEY European Competition, and got to observe other companies and learn a lot about how they work,” said Primas. “It was a really great experience to observe all the cultures around the world and expand my business views.” Primas, also President of the After School Company Program, has hopes of winning the local Competitive Edge Contest for the second year in a row. Last year, under the leadership of his brother, Sidney Primas ‘08, their company, Deuces Wild, won the Socal Division. As CEO of Deuces Wild this year, Primas has hopes of taking the company to many more competitions. “I love being CEO because it gives me business experience in the real world,” said Primas. As part of Junior Achieve-

BORN TO LEAD: President Josh Primas leads WHS Junior Achievement.

ment, Deuces Wild competes with other student-run companies locally. This year, Junior Achievement will be hosting a national competition in Boston for the winners of the local divisions. “I want to win the Junior Achievement Competitive Edge Contest in Southern California again this year so we can continue to the contest in Boston,” he said. Sidney created Deuces Wild three years ago and gave the company to Josh after graduating. “The main goal of Deuces Wild is to create and market products, such as our discount

card, which advertises for local companies,” said Primas. With hopes to win upcoming competitions, the company has taken steps to improve its products. “This year, we’ve expanded our company, and our discount cards are being modified; we are adding more discounts,” added Primas. He hopes to continue studying in the business world and plans to pass down the company after graduating from WHS. “I want to integrate the field of science with the field of business to create my own company after college,” said Primas.

Alumnus Acknowledges WHS Teachers and School

Is the Gap Year a Good Year?

N the past couple months, numerous the dedication of the teachers. Originally, my decision to pursue articles appeared in both newspapers and magazines that ultimately blamed the a degree at Duke hinged upon the now American public school system for our much debated topic of public versus nation’s abysmal test scores. Critics direct private schools, a question even high the accusations toward the teachers and school parents encounter. When I tried to hone my decision by the supposedly ineffective administrations asking others, the long discussions were that churn out ill-educated students. As a student who attended a public always punctuated with some derivation of school, I have a very different story—one “College is what you make out of it.” Only now do I understand not often referenced the truth inherent in these discussions. “My most influential in that statement. My public Public high schools, school prepared and educational just as colleges, only me so well for the can provide us with rigors of college academic experiences opportunities, but we that I could cruise make our experiences through freshman can still be traced to ourselves. year, working and Westlake High School.” The opportunities learning less than I were more than did during my high -Sidney Primas ‘08 available at Westlake school career. High School. I graduated Advanced Placement from Westlake High School in 2008 and decided to attend classes start as early as ninth grade, Duke University. The summer before and I could not have taken all provided attending Duke, I often entertained ideas even if I had invested my time into only that I was ill-prepared and incompetent schoolwork for four years. There were so to face the academic challenges that would many clubs on campus that the trouble was surface over the next year at this rigorous not the scarcity of arenas to get involved in, but selecting the few that could fit in my institution. I can say without a hint of reservation schedule. Outside the classroom, Westlake that I had to climb no stairs to transition to the college course levels, but just traverse High School provides opportunities for a bridge toward classes that were a students to excel and the caring mentors to ensure they stay on track. All I had to do continuation of those in high school. In fact, my most influential and was pick up my head and select from the educational academic experiences can still opportunities that were practically laid out on a menu in front of me. be traced to Westlake High School. Although the quality of schools From mentors that remained at school until 5 p.m. on a regular basis to the hardest varies across the country, after attending yet most enlightening courses I have ever Westlake High School I often question the taken, Westlake High truly created an reports of pervasive flaws in the American school system. environment where I could thrive. If other schools are anything like Due to their efforts, at the initiation of my college education, I started out with an Westlake High School, then we definitely advantage over my peers, even over those should not have any problems. who had attended private schools. Written by Sidney Primas ‘08, originally For those couple of strides ahead of the pack, I can thank Westlake High and featured in the January issue of The Acorn.

For most high school students, their first semester of senior year consists of high stress levels from college applications and the anticipation of college; others, however, are taking a year off from school to enjoy life before college. Some of the most prestigious colleges, such as Harvard, MIT, and Princeton, encourage the “gap year” for students. According to Danielle Wood of education.com, high school students are burnt out or “not quite ready.” In her opinion, students should be able to explore different surroundings. “Instead of packing their bags in anticipation of freshmen year, they’re volunteering in New Orleans or teaching in Thailand,” said Wood. College, on average, costs about $23,712 a year. If a student is not ready for college, Wood suggests that it would be inadvisable to send them. Before a student decides to take a gap year, Wood recommends taking the following into consideration: Parents should talk to their kids about money to establish guidelines concerning their budgets. “Require that your child create an in-depth budget,” said

Wood. If a student plans to take a gap year, he or she should still try to receive admission from colleges. Just because one plans to take a gap year does not mean one can use gap year as an excuse to not take the SAT or ACT. Once admission is granted, the student can call the college to request a deferment which many admission offices often guarantee. This way, a spot in the college is available when the student returns from the gap year. If students do not get accepted to their ideal college, a gap year could be a way for them to gain a new experience to incorporate into their college applications. The gap year may also appeal to college admissions officers and can help with a student’s admittance. “It teaches them good morals,” said Lindsay Grossman ‘10. Put your plans in writing. Even though gap years can be beneficial, they require a lot of planning. Starting “without [a plan] is a recipe for disaster,” said Wood. A good place to look for suggestions for a gap year destination is the College Board at www.collegeboard.net

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March 13, 2009 • THE ARROW

FEATURE

Outlook of the Human Mind

The Forms of Healing—A Different View on Curing the Human Mind, Body & Soul

MAX AVRUCH ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

CARTOON BY VIVIAN SHI

The clock strikes seven o’clock on a Tuesday evening. After a high school student has been trudging around with a loaded backpack, enduring a six or seven period day, finishing three difficult tests and one quiz, practicing soccer for two and a half hours, going home and dealing with a pesky younger brother, and finally getting to do some homework, stress starts to hit. This may be the typical example of a busy, stressed-out student. From meditation to medicine, there exists a wide range of healing options that humans take to help cure a certain ailment or malfunction of the body or mind. Since the human mind is responsive to all types of healing, any useful form of curing aids a person in the journey of becoming better. Each individual must choose certain options he or she feels are suitable. Throughout the day, a wide variety of stress factors hinders one’s ability to think, remain calm, and be content. As assignments pile up, one may seem overwhelmed by the accumulation of stress from school responsibilities. Despite the hardships that build every day, different forms of healing can apply to making one’s day less stressful and more fulfilling. Using over-the-counter medicines, like Tylenol or aspirin, which temporarily help reduce pain symptoms like headaches and body aches, and other forms of “medicine” can apply to helping one heal. At the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine, students take classes on yoga, in an effort to treat the human body. “I hope that this impact will carry through their careers and allow them to have a much more open mind in other ways of treating patients,” said Dr. Richard Usatine of the UCLA School of Medicine. Other than taking medicine, yoga and

A PEACE OF MIND: Excessive stress can be prevented through various ways of healing, from spiritual exercise to other non-medicinal practices.

other non-medicinal types of spiritual exercise help the body relax and heal. In March 2007, a book and companion DVD titled The Secret was released worldwide. Author Rhonda Byrne produced a philosophical presentation that dealt with ideas centered on the Law of Attraction. Her book and DVD continue to inspire millions of people around the world to believe in positive thinking. Like The Secret, some religious views help people heal the body and become less stressed. Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are all Eastern religions that refine interesting qualities on the human mind, emphasizing concentration, meditation, and order. Each religion has its own specific way of finding one’s drive for becom-

ing pure and content. From The Secret, which focuses on finding human happiness through the Law of Attraction, to the different teachings of Buddhism that tell how to reach enlightenment and strive to achieve nirvana, all forms of faith inspire humans in order to become satisfied with their lives. Healing the body and finding peace within use the same aspects of thinking and attitude. Trying to overcome stress and find fulfillment in the proper lifestyle one lives utilize both similar elements of concentration and ability. Gilbert, who teaches at Harvard University, talks about positive psychology and its impact on the human mind. “When you follow people throughout their days, as they’re going about their nor-

mal activities, people are about as happy interacting with their children, on average, as when they’re doing housework. They’re much less happy than when they’re exercising, sleeping, grocery shopping, hanging out with friends,” Gilbert said. “Now, that doesn’t mean they don’t occasionally create these transcendent moments of joy that we remember as filling our days with happiness,” said Gilbert. So, when the clock does strike 7 p.m. on a Tuesday evening, and when all the daily chores and stresses seem to be overwhelming, take a step back and think for a moment on how to become better in handling the stressful situation. Positive thinking, faith, spiritual concentration, exercise, meditation, or medicine all help one in the process of becoming better, both physically and mentally.

ADHD Viewed as a Gi: Researches uncover the truth about the disorder once considered a disability. TIFFANY LOH ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR

Restless, annoying, and easily distracted—these are the typical symptoms of that one troublesome child, the one who gives parents unending headaches. No, he is not simply seeking to cause mischief, but rather, he has been diagnosed with what doctors call ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

Words for the Wise... ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): A disorder characterized by abnormal levels of inattention, hyperactivity, or both. Dyslexia: A specific reading disability caused by a defect in the brain’s processing of graphic symbols. ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder): Difficulty in attending or focusing on a specific task.

“Disorder”—the word alone conveys an image of a negative affliction. For years, people have looked upon children with ADHD as abnormal, incapable, or even inferior. However, recently, some have begun to question this derogatory view, suggesting that this disorder could instead be a gift. “I know that if you manage it right, this apparent deficit can become an asset. I think of it as a trait and not a disability,” said Dr. Edward M. Hallowell, author of Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood through Adulthood. Like Hallowell, many believe that ADHD and other disorders can be harnessed to enable people to succeed. According to the New York Times, recent research shows that about 35% of small-business entrepreneurs have been diagnosed with dyslexia, a condition that causes difficulty with written language. Scientists proposed that this disorder

helped them to find different ways to communicate, thus becoming better problem solvers. Furthermore, a study in 1992 by Dr. Bonnie Cramond compared a group of ADHD children to a group of normal child r e n w i t h similar backgrounds a n d found that the group of children with the disorder had a higher level of creativity and were more capable of generating spontaneous thoughts during problem-solving exercises. “They are not just tuned-out of this world; they are also tuned in, often to the fresh and the new,” said Hallowell, of the ADHD children. Many children with ADHD easily lose

concentration in school when they deem that a subject is boring or useless. Thus, the majority of students who are diagnosed with this disorder tend to not perform as well as other children in academics. However, when presented with an interesting topic, their sharp focus on activities that they enjoy enables them to excel in this area. Often, they can spend hours at a time devoting themselves to a particular subject, a feat that cannot be easily accomplished by others. In addition, many successful, famous individuals such as Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Michael Phelps had ADHD, a phenomenon that many attribute to the intense concentration they displayed in their respective fields. “We want to tell children, ‘You’ve got a difference, but not a disease,’” said Hallowell. “Michael Phelps is one of any thousands of examples of mega-successful people, CEO’s and brain surgeons and famous writers, inventors, and entrepreneurs who have ADHD.” So with this more positive view on ADHD, perhaps children with the disorder may be inspired to achieve and become successful. What they originally deemed to be a hindrance may instead turn out to be a gift.

ENTERTAINMENT

March 13, 2009 • THE ARROW

Who Watches the Watchmen? You Should SAM WEXLER STAFF WRITER

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“And all the students of WHS will look up and shout, ‘Should we go see Watchmen?’ and I’ll look down and whisper, ‘Yes.’” Based on the famous graphic novel written by Alan Moore and drawn by Dave Gibbons, Watchmen is the story of an alternate 1985, where Nixon is still President, America won in Vietnam, and tensions between the Soviets and U.S. is at an all-time high. In this version masked heroes have been the norm since the ‘30s but were outlawed by the Keene Act in ’77. The story starts off as a search for the murderer of the Comedian, a violent hero who has been working for the government since Vietnam and is unaffected by the Keene Act. However, as the story unfolds, it is evident that this is more than a simple case of murder, as the heroes stumble upon a plot that concerns the fate of the entire planet. As an avid reader of comics and specifically Watchmen, I realized in about 10 minutes that I would have to view this movie from two stances: one of the moviegoer and the other of the comic book nerd. From the point of view of the moviegoer, this film is good. With visually tantalizing scenes and a well-put-together story the movie is no Dark Knight, but it is able to hold its own in the superhero genre. Along with the slow motion fighting scenes that have become a trademark for Director Zack Snyder (300), Snyder also keeps the movie visually true to Dave Gibbons’ drawings, with some scenes following the comic panel by panel.

Much like 300, Watchmen also has a lot of blood, including an especially gruesome scene where a prisoner gets his arms cut off by a power saw. In addition, the movie boasts an amazing soundtrack with songs from Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence,” to Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along The Watchtower”; the songs are an excellent fit. Excluding Matthew Goode who played and butchered the JAILHOUSE ROCK: Night Owl II (Patrick Wilson) and Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman) take down prisoners during a riot. role of Adrian Veidt, a.k.a Ozymandias, the film’s actors do an other to Kingdom Come, believe that there would be the easiest and most efficient to excellent job of portraying their respective is an oncoming alien invasion and must get rid of. heroes, especially Jackie Earl Haley and work together to save Earth from this comThere are also a few confusing moJeffrey Dean Morgan who play Rorschach mon enemy. ments, such as the blue cat that follows and the Comedian, respectively. Haley’s In the movie, replacing the innovative Veidt around in the last quarter of the film, portrayal of Rorschach is so well done that alien plotline is a set of devastating explo- that those who did not read the comic may in the scenes where Rorschach is at his sions simultaneously going off in the major not understand. Luckily, these do not affect creepiest, and somehow his most heroic, it cities of the world. the overall outcome of the movie. sends chills down one’s spine. Veidt has these explosions bear the As a film, Watchmen is visually alObserving through the eyes of a com- radiation signature of Dr. Manhattan, the luring and definitely worth seeing, but ic book nerd, I saw the film differently. only superhero with any actual powers, if I were to choose which is better, movie In the end of the comic, Adrian Veidt thus replacing the common enemy of the or comic, I would both choose the comic teleports a man-made alien creature to the alien with Dr. Manhattan. and recommend it over the movie because center of Manhattan. The alien sends off a Another change from the comic is the Watchmen is more than some comic; it is a devastating psychic blast on arrival that neglect of all the mini stories that converge suspense novel with so many different litkills more than half the city. around a New York newsstand, but it is un- erary devices and a world-class story that In the ensuing panic, the U.S. and derstandable that not everything can be put has been seen as one of Time magazine’s USSR, both on the verge of blowing each in, and if something needed to be cut, these All-Time 100 Novels.

Under the Radar: A Look at Musicʼs Next Big Sounds

ANNIE GERLACH STAFF WRITER

Seemingly every day VH1 or Rolling Stone “discovers” a new artist and catapults him or her to superstardom. In fact, this process occurs so often, one almost wonders if there are any fresh, new sounds out there. Yet a quick look at three up-and-coming artists reassures audiophiles everywhere that being one step ahead of those music experts is not always such a bad thing. Eric Hutchinson’s name might sound familiar—after all, his single “Rock & Roll” has been a regular feature on VH1’s “Top 20 Video Countdown” and “Artists You Oughta Know.” However, few people realize that even more of his soulful pop can be found on Sounds Like This, Hutchinson’s

second album released under his own record label. Jazz and reggae vibes persist throughout upbeat songs reminiscent of Jason Mraz, John Mayer, and even Stevie Wonder. Hutchinson’s optimistic, folksy lyrics are accompanied with either pianos or guitars and he most often sings of love and friendship. Sounds Like This has been a steady hit, selling over 10,000 copies and thus making Hutchinson one of the highest ranking unsigned artists ever. It is the type of album best saved for a rainy day or an afternoon pick-me-up before a long night of studying; the type of music you want to get stuck in your head all day. Thriving Ivory is also a band from VH1’s numerous programs. The quintet from San Francisco released its self-titled debut album last summer, yet the band remained under the radar in the midst

Muvico Moves to the West Coast DENA GALLUCCI SPORTS EDITOR

Going to the movies is about to get complicated. Old or stadium seating? Popcorn or curly fries? Waiting in line or reserved seating? These are decisions moviegoers will need to make before spending the extra money at the new 14-screen Muvico Theater in Thousand Oaks. The theater, which opened Feb. 27 at The Oaks Mall, brings movies to a new level, with Sony high-definition technology, upgraded concessions including items such as pizza, chicken tenders, and popcorn shrimp, an arcade, and free valet parking. Four of the theaters have 3-D capabilities for a $3 surcharge. Tickets are $9.50 for general admission matinees and $11 for shows after 4 p.m., with an additional cost of $1 for reserved seating. To capture the “dinner and a movie” trend, the theater has created what it calls

the “premier” experience for guests 21 and older. With a full restaurant, Bogart’s Bar and Grill, even more comfortable seats equipped with shelves for entrees and appetizers, free popcorn, and loveseats for two, adults can enjoy a movie at a higher price. Tickets cost $16 for a matinee and $20 for general admission. Muvico is known for its architecturally “themed” theaters. Its Egyptian theater in Maryland is the number one attended theater in North America, pulling in an estimated 2.3 million each year. The Thousand Oaks theme is Paris, characterized by the domed lobby which Muvico officials say resembles the Paris Opera House. Its construction was one of the reasons for the theater’s delay. Although the economy is not at its best, George Figler, director of design and construction for Muvico Entertainment LLC, told the Ventura County Star that going to the movies is still one of the least expensive forms of entertainment, as it has been in troubled times of the past.

of the Viva la Vida madness. Lead singer Clayton Stroope’s voice is unconventional, and it takes a few tracks to get used to his mournful crooning. Most of the material on

“[Thriving Ivory’s] lyrics latch onto one’s own emotions with intense force.” the album deals with Stroope’s breaking heart or relationship troubles, and his lyrics latch onto one’s own emotions with intense force. Each song on the album is a unique, surefire hit, igniting Stroope’s quest for a fresh start after numerous disappointments—a quest we can all surely relate to. The Maine is not exactly new to the music scene—Can’t Stop Won’t Stop is the band’s second album, released in late

2008. The band formed in 2007 and received most of its initial publicity through Myspace promotions, but it has rapidly skyrocketed to success. Although the lyrics border on unoriginal or cheesy, the catchy hooks more than make up for it. The band can seamlessly transition from rock-heavy power chords one second to softer, more heartfelt ballads the next—a feat rarely accomplished these days. Most of the time, Billboard’s “Hot 100,” MTV, and even The Hills reruns are great places to search for original music finds. But next time you are in desperate need of some new tunes, consider delving a bit deeper into the music industry—as obviously proven by the three rising talents mentioned above, the rewards are more than worth the effort.

Sky’s the Limit for “You Too” JACOB D. CAVANAH STAFF WRITER

“I was born to sing for you/I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up,” lead singer Bono sang on the song “Magnificent.” His vocals are barely loud enough to be heard over the instruments in the background. He gets into the chorus by howling, and raising his voice singing “only love/only love can heal such a scar,” but only to lower his voice to whisper the word “magnificent.” On U2’s 11th studio album, No Line On The Horizon, Bono is still singing about his appreciation of having the gift as one of the most talented singers to live. “I gotta stand up to my ego but my ego’s not really the enemy,” Bono states in “Stand Up Comedy.” As big of a star as he is, Bono is not obnoxious about his fame but rather grateful for it. No Line On The Horizon is the band’s first studio album since 2004. The album is diverse in tempo, but the songs relate to

one another. In “Stand Up Comedy,” Bono talks about how as individuals, we need to take advantage of what we believe in to make the world a better place. Bono has faith in the future generations in the song “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight,” and wants people just go give them a chance to make the world a better place. The Single, “Get On Your Boots,” is fun. It is not as upbeat as the group’s last hit single “Vertigo,” but has a similar film. The song encourages women to do positive acts in the world. “Women of the future/hold the big relevations.” The meaningful lyrics and the song’s catchiness make a good introduction to No Line On The Horizon. The message in the album is to take advantage of opportunities and good things will happen. He knows that without his band mates Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr., he would not have the success he has today.

March 13, 2009• THE ARROW

ENTERTAINMENT

PHOTOSBYHUTCH.COM

LOOKING SHARP: Haeley Moore, Elmira Tadayon, and Natalie Sardonia (left) light up the stage with their performance in the Choir Show. Right, Nathan Ruff belts out a number during opening night.

Choir Does Not Miss a Beat ALANNAH BRADLEY STAFF WRITER

“Come So Far, Got So Far to Go,” featuring the Choral Music Department, lit up the stage last weekend. The audience enjoyed a collection of singing and dancing in a well-done show. The show opened up with Freshman Chorus doing a medley from “Disco Fever.” Not one person in the audience was left disappointed by the vast array of colorful costumes and soulful music coming from these up-and-coming choral singers. Megan Rittenhouse ‘12 sang a solo of “I Will Survive,” made famous by Aretha Franklin. Tremendous soul seemed to exude from this fresh young girl, proving

she had a great voice but that she could belt out a tune with ease. Mixed Chorale sang and performed a medley from “Jekyll and Hyde.” They came out with a very dark and mysterious aura and kept the audience members on the edge of their seats with this intriguing set of songs. Men’s Show Ensemble immediately brought a bubbly and upbeat atmosphere, a definite change from the former. During one of their arrangements of “Splish Splash/Rubber Ducky,” freshman soloists Michael Mancuso and Raymond Sun came out in a bathtub that was shooting out bubbles towards the audience. All the boys sang with rubber duckies, and as they exited the stage they had the crowd laughing.

A Class Act performed all four of its pieces a capella. They were different in the aspect that there was no dancing involved, which was tricky because it requires more attention from the audience. The passionate energy that seemed to exude from each singer seemed to enrapture the audience anyway. They kept the high energy and prevented any possible staleness with their exuberant smiles. Treble Makers, also known as Women’s Chorale, performed a variety of songs. They opened up with “All That Jazz,” complete with long black gloves that really set the mood. These ladies had the pipes and dance moves that pleased the audience. Premiere, also known as Vocal

Ensemble, performed six songs, three of which were from the movie musical “Dreamgirls.” These members show the most experience, as they dance and sing their hearts out. Everyone came back together on stage for the last song “Come So Far.” It left the crowd on their feet wanting more. Each group’s hard work and dedication shines through in every one of the songs. Each student put on quite a show for the crowd. The choral music department has yet to leave concert-goers disappointed. The choral music department’s final concert of the year “Song of America,” will be on May 28, 29, and 30. Tickets go on sale for this show in the choir room May 12.

Drama Dept.’s Grease Is The One That You’ll Want KYLIE BLABER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

PHOTO BY KYLIE BLABER

Drama students are putting on their bobby socks as they prepare the final stages of the production of Grease. Using a small cast of underclassmen, the musical will open at the end of March. Freshmen Michael Mancuso and Lilli Babb will portray Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson. “This production is slowly progressing but also going really well. We’ve gone through a lot of things that have made us stronger as a cast and as a family,” said Megan Shapiro ‘09, who portrays Ms. Lynch. “I think Grease will be great, we just need to put our heart and soul into it, but I have full confidence in us.” The difference between Grease and the majority of the other performances that the WHS drama department puts on is that it is a musical, which incorporates singing, acting and dancing—making rehearsals tougher and requiring much more time and concentration. “The singing and dancing aspect has been rocky and definitely a challenge, but it’s starting to come together. We have nearly all the dance numbers down except the final one,” said Daniele Chapa ‘10, who plays Frenchie. Many of the smaller roles were nabbed by experienced seniors, like Corinne Lauer ‘09, who plays ChaCha, and Michael Peterson ‘09, playing Teen Angel/Johnny Casino. Lauer has been in many WHS theatre productions and enjoys acting. Peterson has been in choir for several years and is

currently in the top choral group A Class Act. He also has an obvious passion for dancing and acting and thought Grease would be the perfect opportunity to showcase his talents. “Hand Jive is gonna be huge! The cast will be adding some crazy twists to Grease this year,” Peterson added. The senior cast members are supportive of the freshmen stars, emphasizing that people should not underestimate the underclassmen. The tight-knit cast has managed to overcome the hurdles that a lack of respect can create. “I really think that the only troubling thing about having the leads as freshmen is the lack of experience,” said Peterson. Watching Mancuso and Babb rehearse, it is obvious that despite their age, they have an immense drive to make Grease the best production possible. “There are some amazing singers. Some of them are seriously incredible, especially the freshmen. I’m convinced one of these kids will be on Broadway one day,” said Chapa. Grease can be seen March 26-28 and April 2-4 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 for kids and students with ID; $12 for adults. “Don’t miss it!” said Director Catherine Conti.

GREASE IS THE WORD: Cast members and director Catherine Conti (center) take a break from rehearsal.

ENTERTAINMENT

March 13, 2009 • THE ARROW

on The Late Show with David Letterman on Feb. 11. Nervously chewing gum, Phoenix’s short and delayed answers made the interview almost awkward. David Letterman, being his sarcastic self, did not let uncooperative Phoenix have any breaks. “And Joaquin, I’m sorry you couldn’t be here tonight…” said Letterman as he was laughing. Who could blame Letterman? In general,

you have them on? What did you gas them up with?” He seemed to be joking, but Phoenix was completely serious. With such a successful career “Joaquin’s behavior on the in acting to a bizarre appearance show was hysterical, questionable, on The Late Show with David and also surprising,” said Bri Letterman, what is going on with Maranga ’09. Joaquin Phoenix? It is critical Ben Stiller imitated Phoenix’s for celebrities to make the right new persona at the Academy decisions for the benefit of their Awards in front of millions. careers and adoring fans, but this Just three years ago, Phoenix may be an exception. was interviewed on The Late This inspirational and Show with David talented actor came Letterman completely to the conclusion that talkative and outgoing. he will not continue His appearance was in his acting career clean-shaven and but will pursue appropriate for a singing in hip-hop celebrity promoting his music. Could this be newest movie. a joke or has Phoenix This big transition completely lost his of character worries mind? many who hope he Hidden behind a will not follow in his new appearance with brother’s footsteps. an overgrown beard River Phoenix died and fixed sunglasses, from a drug induced Joaquin Phoenix is heart attack in 1993. hiding something Who knows if Joaquin from the public. THE PLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: Joaquin Phoenix has is going down the same Has depression reported that he will become a singer, ending his successful path as his brother? or drug substances acting career and possibly his fan base. The music press influenced his choice ridiculed Joaquin on in these sudden changes or is this just a call out most actors appear on his show his rapping debut and is keeping to promote upcoming movies. close watch on this sudden for attention? There is no actual way When Phoenix said, “I do more profession change. Phoenix has made a radical of knowing, but by his new of the hip-hop music.” The facade, it is quite apparent that audience laughed, wondering decision on what he wants do if it was a joke. Offended at the next. All the public can hope is something is astray. A few rumors about his hip- audience’s reaction, he continued that he realizes hip-hop is not his hop career were finally confirmed to say to Letterman, “What do forté and will return to acting. TORI SCOVILLE STAFF WRITER

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The Best of the Best of Television Television revolves around a few entertainment categories—thrillers, comedies, dramas, and horrors—that continue to enthrall viewers year to year. KATELYN SMITH NEWS EDITOR

How can an up-and-coming television screenwriter make it big in Hollywood? It is pretty simple actually. Watch a few episodes of a long-running show like Saturday Night Live or an old favorite like Friends and create your show. Many of today’s most loved shows are based on the same ideas that their predecessors were: friendship, gossip, mystery, suspense, romance, and comedy. Friendship makes viewers watch because they enjoy not only the sense of togetherness, but also the feeling that they are part of this televised group of friends. Shows like Friends and Seinfeld have rankings of 30 and 64, respectively, on TV.com’s top 100 TV shows. Guts, blood, and love triangles? Shows like Grey’s Anatomy, ER, and House all involve suspense and lust in the medical world. Grey’s Anatomy

is ranked 5th, House is 9th, and ER is 21st according to TV.com. Ever wanted to solve a crime or mass murder or find a serial killer? There are shows out there like CSI, NCIS, and Bones that will satisfy that craving. Because of their graphic content, suspense, and terror, CSI is ranked 18th, NCIS is 25th, and Bones is 32nd, said TV.com. Reality shows are part of a new genre that is this generation’s big deal. The Bachelor, America’s Next Top Model, and American Idol all fall under the category of TV.com’s top 100 TV shows as reality shows. America’s Next Top Model is 11th, American Idol is ranked 37th, The Bachelor is 87th. Laugh out loud, fall out of your seat comedy fills the shows of That 70’s Show, Scrubs, and The Office. Scrubs received the ranking 17th, The Office got 29th, and That 70’s Show got 70th. The best TV shows of all time definitely have an impact on this month’s top shows. Lost holds

the 1st spot on this month’s top TV shows according to TV.com’s list, with Heroes in 2nd, House in 3rd, Smallville in 4th, Gossip Girl in 5th, Grey’s Anatomy in 6th, One Tree Hill in 7th, NCIS in 8th, Family Guy in 9th, and Supernatural in 10th. Falling in the friendship category is Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill. Meanwhile, House and NCIS have their share of mysteries and blood. Family Guy’s comedy is creating such excitement that it beats out Supernatural’s mystery. Heroes seems to have its own plot, yet superhero shows have come and gone, like Power Rangers and Star Wars. Smallville’s remake of the Superman story has helped it, as all of the TV shows mentioned above have reused ideas of past TV shows that have made it big and stayed on top. Lost holds the top spot at 1st place, proving that a captivating story line will pull in audiences and keep them watching.

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Phoenix Falls into the Ashes of Fame LOST IN TIME: The striking return of Lost brings together entertaining elements of time travel, mystery, and intrigue to the already multi-layered and complex show.

Losta TIMELESS WONDER MAX AVRUCH ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Time travel, quantum physics, mysterious occurrences, added unanswered questions and reunited characters combine to form the first 30 minutes of Lost’s much-anticipated Season Five premiere. The show’s two-hour season premiere, “Because You Left” and “The Lie,” drew in Lost’s hungry audiences for a fully satisfying and frustrating Lost experience. The cliffhanger, that left millions of fans waiting for a new episode last May, continued to present itself in the premiere episodes with spectacular writing, exotic settings, creative plot twists and original characters. The island inexplicably moved from visibility, the Oceanic 6 (Jack, Kate, Hurley, Sun, Sayid, and Aaron) finally left the island, and a mysterious flash of light shone on the island and the remaining survivors. What Lost perfects is the ability to transform an ordinary beginning story outline, into a completely exciting, mysterious and thrilling show. The premiere opened a new and fascinating door, a sci-fi element of surprise: time travel. Suddenly the show’s producers and writers put in time travel as a recurring motif, leading the characters to interact with new and old ones, and using time travel as a vehicle for background. The first few episodes of season five caused confusion and curiosity to mingle together, and the complex time travel element caused Lost characters to get blinded by a fuzzy, white flash of light, get nose bleeds (effects from time travel problems), get captured and then maybe get killed, adding further suspense to the already anxiety-ridden show. The following episodes that succeeded the thrilling season five premiere continued to explore into the unknown depths of time travel, perhaps risking some fans, but leaving

revered ones to see how amazing the show really is. Without too many spoilers, Lost can be categorized as a show that holds all elements of human desire including love, mystery, intrigue, and fascination, ingredients that make each episode so special and uniquely enrapturing. Season Five hits that pinnacle point of interest, and the ensemble of deeply rich characters and profound writing makes the show so addictive, so wonderful, and so perfect. Using time travel and character connections, questions become answered and concepts become understood as the plot unfolds each episode. Season Five makes a striking return from its previous seasons as it begins to come full circle on its intricate mythology. The two main locations that presided in the first few episodes, Los Angeles, CA, and the Island, made way for the season’s beginning. Yet as seen in the episode “316” the Oceanic 6, minus the mysterious disappearance of baby Aaron, make way back to the Island, reuniting the characters together. The time travel misery that the survivors on the Island had to put up with in the beginning episodes of Season Five, including non-stop confusion, nosebleeds, death, and the question, “When are we?” are halted when the character John Locke makes a heroic decision and puts the island back on time, but when are they exactly? These questions and puzzling mysteries make Lost a spellbinding piece of television work. The extraordinary unfolding of the plot that the writers put in makes the show a marvel to watch and think about. Season Five so far is an outstanding part of the Lost series and it has returned in top form. Wrapping up a total of 16 episodes for Season Five, the writers of Lost will continue to fascinate, confuse, and entertain viewers until 2010 when the show will conclude in its Season Six finale.

Track and Field Eager for CIF CONRAD WILTON STAFF WRITER

Girl Swimmers Look for 4th Title

success as a team,” said Athletic Director Nicole Funfar. “If we bring lacrosse into the Marmonte league, it would impact [WHS] sports currently.” Safety, as well as the availability of facilities for the new sport, were the main arguments made against CIF lacrosse. Opponents said that lacrosse would impact other teams that use the fields and facilities. “Have any of you touched a lacrosse ball?” said Assistant Athletic Director Jim Benkert to the board of trustees, according to the Ventura County Star. “The ball is very hard and

the field would be the location of the team’s games. However, people in favor of adding lacrosse to CIF do not think that facilities would be a large issue. “Today we practice at many fields,” said president of the booster club De Molitor to the board at a Feb. 3 meeting, according to The Acorn. “We already have access to lit fields from 7-9 p.m. several days a week. We have already accommodated those issues. We know we have strong support for lacrosse in this community.” Requests for CIF lacrosse are expected next year.

PHOTO BY JACQUELINE BROUSSEAU

Although Coach Todd Irmas admits the swimming program has lost much depth because of last year’s graduating seniors, he has high hopes and aspirations, including winning the girls league title for the 5th time in a row. Versatility and inner talent will be key to the team’s success. AllAmerican breaststroker Jacqueline Brousseau ’09 is one of the most valuable players on the team because “she can swim anything,” said Irmas. Nora Darago ’10 and Meagan Norling- DIVING IN: At the Spartan Relays in Rio Mesa JV swimmers dive from the blocks. Christensen ‘09 are also key contributors and will we can be at the top,” said Irmas. One of the difficult obstacles be counted on to help Regarding the boys’ standing in the Warriors’ way is the squad make up for the lost prospective output this season, cross-town rival Thousand Oaks. depth. Irmas not only claims the Sam Chen, a returning junior “The Lancers are going to be a girls can win league once more, and main contributor, foresees a real challenge for us,” said Chen. Irmas explained that he but also believes the team can decrease in production. Because place in one of the top five spots the team lost more “good guys” would be pleased if the squad in CIF. “Although we lost a lot of than it brought in, Chen claims, finished in one of the top three strong individuals, we are still “we will still be good this year but spots in the Marmonte League. The last time the boys came talented, and I am confident that not as successful as last year.”

in first place was in 2006. The main question, yet to be answered, is how the currently unproven young athletes will affect the team. With the exception of David Sommers ’12, the bulk of the new swimmers have not demonstrated that they can perform at a caliber Irmas would like. “Because there are not a lot of strong swimmers coming in, we will have to build from within,” said Irmas. This is something WHS can do because the Warriors currently harbor several talented athletes. Tom Ziccardi ‘10, Chen, and Ray Zhang ’09 are just some of the returning swimmers who will be asked to fill in the gaps. Because of the abundance of veteran players in the program, the issue of experience should not hinder the squads. According to Irmas, “we have plenty of experience; more than last year in fact.” Both teams are “fairly young” and should continue to improve in the future.

CONRAD WILTON STAFF WRITER

Lacrosse Denied CIF Status

DASHIELL YOUNG-SAVER STAFF WRITER

The proposition to form a lacrosse team at Thousand Oaks High School next season was not approved by the CVUSD board after a meeting held Feb. 17. The issue motivated 40 parents and students to lobby for and against lacrosse at TOHS. WHS students, parents, and coaches were there to voice their opinions on the issue. “We [WHS] support the kids who play lacrosse in the club team. They [the lacrosse club team members] have gotten scholarships and have had much

you wouldn’t want to get hit by that. Currently, we have our soccer and track teams [who use the field]. When lacrosse participates, you can’t have any spectators or practice as [lacrosse] balls fly around.” The TOHS Lacrosse Booster Club said that it would work with the track and field teams and take last priority to use the field for practice. They said that they would also fund a new CIF lacrosse team. Currently, the lacrosse club team practices at a park. If the team were in the Marmonte League it would have to practice on the WHS football field because

Youth to Lead Varsity Tennis Team FRANK DUAN STAFF WRITER

Mitch Krems ’12 has been playing tennis since he was six years old. Throughout his eight years of experience, Krems has gained a better understanding and passion for the game. Currently, Krems plays for the WHS boys tennis team and also participates in national tournaments. He is ranked number one on the varsity team and is a key component this year. Although Zach Drost ‘10 will be back on the number one spot later this year, Krems will temporarily fill in the position. “I feel like I have a great responsibility to carry them [the team] to victory,” said Krems. Making the top 40 in Southern California in the 14 and under division, he is one of the best players on the team and gets along well with other teammates. “He is a solid player and makes our team much stronger,” said Micah Smith ‘10. Some goals for the tennis team this year are to reach the CIF playoffs and to place well in league. Also, Krems hopes to

PHOTO BY FRANK DUAN

Thirsty for another Marmonte League title, the WHS track and field program seeks to relive the days of 2007, when WHS placed 1st in the league. After some significant losses from graduation, WHS plans to fill in the gaps and build on last year. Perhaps a precursor, WHS launched a successful cross-country campaign earlier in the fall season and finished the season 6th in the state for Division II boys. Coach Chad Scott said that the boys team not only equates to last year’s lineup, but also surpasses it. “I am extremely confident that this will be a good year with all these athletes,” said Scott. He would not be surprised if the boys captured the top spot in Marmonte League; however, varsity hurdler Derek Kraus ‘10 feels “it’s a stretch to say we’ll finish atop the heap after our performance in time trials.” Although the exhibition meet exposed vulnerability in sprints and other areas, Kraus admits time trials were not an absolute portrayal of the team. He believes “we’re going to have to step up to be successful this year.” In order to accomplish its goals, WHS will need solid performances from longdistance sensation Garret Drogosch ’09, preeminent middle distance runner Sam DeMello ’10, Ventura County triple jump champion Bryan Lazar ’09, varsity hurdler Trevor Wood ‘11, and top sprinter and jumper Sterling Jackson ‘11. Scott refused to emphasize one aspect of the team stating, “We are all going to have to come together and perform well if we expect to be successful.” Unlike the confident Scott, Head Coach Joe Snyder is hesitant in making any grandiose predictions. “We have lots of youth and I can’t claim with a strong degree of certainty that we will be good.” The boys team suffered a heavy loss in the throws department with the departure of Tommy Doupe ‘08, a setback yet to be accounted for. Because of the loss of talented 400 meter runner John Bernardo ‘08, Cole Gauthier ’09 will have to step up in the 4x400 meter relay. The girls are an entirely different tale. Having failed to win league for almost 18 years, the girls team will look to Molly Norling-Christensen ’10, Emily Turner ’10, and lead pole-vaulter, Mary Case ’11 for strong performances. “We have a lot of good young kids so I am confident we will be better in the future,” said Synder. Distance Coach Troy Burns is optimistic and has witnessed an overall improvement from last year. “Based on the depth and level of conditioning along with the success of the crosscountry season, I would say we are greatly improved from last season,” he said.

SPORTS

March 13, 2009 • THE ARROW

BRILLIANT BACKHAND: Mitch Krems delivers a forceful ground stroke during practice.

eventually beat WHS rival team, Thousand Oaks High School. The team is exceptionally strong this year. “We [the team] have some great players with such great

potential and great attitudes,” said Krems. Although Krems is an astounding tennis player, he also plays other sports. He was on the WHS boys frosh/soph basketball

team. Earning spots on the WHS tennis and basketball teams is not easy. Juggling two sports is a difficult task, but Krems manages to succeed and keep up with his grades. He excels in academics and is an honor student. With a true love for the sport, Krems carries himself on the court with the goals to win for both himself and the team. Tennis is “a combination of finesse, power and strategy,” said Krems. On the court, Krems has many strengths: great strokes, strategic thinking, mental toughness, and much more. Despite these strengths, Krems still hopes to improve on his serve and perfect some tough shots and excel even further. Although Krems has no imminent thoughts on going professional, it is a definite possibility for the future. However, all thoughts about going professional must wait until after college. Krems has improved a lot recently and currently plays at the Heinburg Tennis Ranch and at CLU facing college players.

March 13, 2009• THE ARROW