03.15.12

THE

Arrow

Westlake High School VOLUME XXXIV, ISSUE 6

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Physics teacher Scott Holloway instructs his class with a Smart Board.

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Andres Winokur and Colin Carpenter rehearse for Oklahoma.

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

New Classes Offered in Art, Math, Science Shayna Kudler Staff Writer

PHOTO BY MICHELLE NOYES

March 15, 2012

ASG to Hold Elections

CONTENDERS: Running for ASG offices are Gabby Garcia '13, left, for secretary, Arantxa Sanchez-Cruz '13, right, for President, Will Barrett '14, not pictured, for Vice President and Josephine Strauss '13, not pictured, for Treasurer. “I want to be more involved in the student government and be more of a leader. Overall being on the board is a good opportunity,” said candidate Garcia. All four ASG members are running unopposed in the election currently taking place at lunch in the wigwam.

UC Receives Record Number Applications Harry Chung Feature Editor

The University of California system continues to see a high number of applicants; the number of applicants for the freshman class of Fall 2012 has reached a record high, as it has for the last eight years.

The UC system, as a whole, has seen a 13.2% increase in undergraduate applications, from 5.3% at UC Davis to 12.7% at UC Los Angeles. Overall, freshman applications to the University rose 19%, from 106,000 to 126,300.

Some attribute this high rate to the University’s new admission policy.

This policy, adopted by the UC Board of Regents in 2009, was implemented this

school year for the Fall 2012 entering class.

Under this new policy, applicants do not have to take the once required two SAT subject tests. Furthermore, students receive more lenience regarding required classes for example, students can now count UC approved language classes that they took in seventh and eighth grade as one of the eleven courses needed by junior year to apply.

As the number of applicants increases, so does diversity. This year, the UC system saw a 1.8% increase in the percentage of students who would be the first to graduate from college in their families.

While the UC has seen a 9.8% increase in California resident applicants, it has also seen an increase in non-resident applicants, from 21,095 to 33,001. For the first time,

the system is seeing a greater percentage of Hispanic students than Caucasians at 30.1%. The UC system is also seeing a massive 66.4% increase in international applications, with the most applicants from China, India, Korea and Canada.

In order to compensate for a lower probability of getting accepted, WHS students maintain their confidence but also apply to more prospective schools.

“To be honest, I don’t feel that threatened, but it does mean I will have to apply to more places as back-up,” said Stella Wang ‘12. “Westlake has many strong applicants and is a pretty academically strong school, so I have confidence that my class will do well in the college application process.”

AP English Students Let Hamloose at Production

COURTESY PHOTO

Students interested in advancing their art, science, or math skills will have the opportunity to sign up for new classes being offered in the fall of 2012.

Additions include AP Art History, AP Studio Art 3D Design, Biotechnology Research and Development CP, and possibly Statistics CP. Art History will return as an elective art class. The course will be taught by Roger Biersborn.

"This class offers knowledge of a subject matter that is inherently interesting and will give students an opportunity to fulfill their A-G art requirement with an AP Class," said Biersborn. "Students will be learning how art has evolved throughout history, focusing on the important movements that helped shape the art world today."

According to the College Board AP Central website, the Art History curriculum should emphasize how historical issues, such as politics, class, religion, patronage, gender, and ethnicity, influence artistic movements.

"In AP Art History, students can expect to be engaged in discussions about specific pieces of art and art periods, as well as learn how to intelligently decipher works they are not familiar with," explained Biersborn. Art History will be offered for 11th and 12th grade students only.

Ceramics 1-2 teacher Melissa Zuckerman will take on teaching Studio Art 3D Design, more commonly known as AP Ceramics, next year. This class will offer students the ability to expand their knowledge and skills of three-dimensional design.

"It will give students the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents in different techniques, whether it is using coils, slabs or even the wheel," described Zuckerman.

Students eligible to enroll in this class must have already completed Ceramics 1-2 and have Zuckerman’s recommendation.

Statistics CP is still waiting for UC approval. The addition would be a challenging middle-level class opportunity for students who do not want to take AP Calculus, AP Statistics or Discrete CP. Statistics CP would encourage reluctant students to take a fourth year of math. Students who pass Algebra 2, Multimedia Institute of Technology, or Math Analysis will have the option to take Statistics CP. Biotechnology Research and Development will be added to the variety of science courses that WHS will offer next year.

Sponsored by the local biotech company, Amgen, the Biotech class, according to Science Teacher Darin Erickson, is supposed to spark interest in the biotechnology industry.

"Amgen wants to start in the community… [and] the class provides an opportunity for students to explore what it is like to be a lab technician and use lab equipment," explained Erickson. Three high schools in the CVUSD will all receive equal funding for the program.

For more information about the new courses, students can contact a counselor or see the Course Directory.

Swimmer Hunter Cobleigh competes in the breast stroke event.

THE PLAY’S THE THING: AP English Lit students pose with cast members from the California Shakespeare Company’s production of Hamlet.

Stephanie Kim Sports Editor Nearly 70 students in AP English Literature spent their Thursday or Friday night (March 9 and 10) watching the brooding Danish prince plot revenge in the Four Friends Hall in Thousand Oaks. The California Shakespeare Company’s production of the William H. Fisher adaptation of Hamlet ended its three-weekend run on March 11.

Though unusual for that many teens

to enjoy watching theater performers banter and jab in Shakespearean lingo, a majority of the seniors thought the performance memorable and interesting.

“I really liked how much everyone in the audience got into it. Since everyone knows the play so well, we all knew when something was supposed to be funny or insulting and how to react to it,” said Scott Hannah ‘12.

Hannah was among the 55 seniors who watched the play Friday night. Situated in an intimate and interactive room,

with seats surrounding the small area for the performers to act, the audience was able to view the intense expressions of the actors and actresses, from the saliva sprays from the animated performers to the sly and subtle facial expressions that suggested more than what was said.

“At first, I thought it was weird to be so close to the actors. It was different being a part of a smaller audience and being able to literally reach out and touch the actors,” said Hannah. Part of the audience’s enthusiasm stemmed from the idea of going to an unconventional but exciting form of entertainment with so many classmates.

AP English Literature and Composition teacher Lora Novak organized the event with the help of the company’s director.

“Though it was Mrs. Novak’s initial suggestion to go, I also went because it was a great opportunity to review Hamlet and spend a night at the theater with my classmates,” said Stella Fang ‘12.

With students whispering along to soliloquies memorized in class, the atmosphere of the play, as well as the performers’ “dedication to their characters and precision with lines,” impressed the entire audience, added Fang.

“The intimate setting really made the play come alive for the students. I thought that Mrs. Battaglia and I were going to be hit during the sword-fighting scene. I was especially thrilled with the large number of students who attended and hope that I’ve inspired them to see other Shakespearean productions,” said Novak.

News

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March 15, 2012 • The Arrow

Science Olympiad To Test Skills at State Competition Instrumental Music To Make Spring Break Chicago Visit

Latinos Unidos Dance “Noche de Fantasia” dance will be held at Thousand Oaks High School March 30. This dance, hosted by the WHS Latinos Unidos and other Latino clubs at TOHS and NPHS will be held at 7:30-11:00 p.m. From March 12-16, tickets will be sold for $12 at the student store.

From March 26-30, tickets will cost $15.

Dress code will apply and ID will be needed to enter the dance. Non-Latinos are welcome.

STAR Testing Schedule (Gr. 9-11) Wednesday, April 25, 2012 STAR English Language Arts 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.

STAR Science (EOC) 12:15 to 2:30 p.m.

DISMISSAL 2:30 p.m. *Senior Seminar in Gym: 9 a.m.

Thursday, April 26, 2012 STAR Mathematics 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.

STAR History (10 and 11 only) 12:15 to 2:30 p.m.

DISMISSAL 2:30 p.m. *Senior Picnic Off Campus: 10 a.m. *9th graders dismissed at 12:10 p.m.

Thursday, May 3, 2012: Period 1 7:00 to 7:54 a.m.

STAR Life Science: Grade 10 only 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Student Break/Materials Collection 10:00 to 10:15 a.m.

Period 2 8:00 to 8:54 a.m.

Period 3 9:01 to 9:55 a.m.

Nutrition 9:55 to 10:02 a.m.

Period 4 10:08 to 11:02 a.m.

Period 5 11:09 a.m.-12:07 p.m.

Lunch 12:07 to 12:47 p.m.

Period 6 12:53 to 1:47 p.m.

Period 7 1:54 to 2:48 p.m. *Regular Schedule for 9th, 11th, and 12th graders

COURTESY PHOTO

Members of the WHS Instrumental Music Department will be in Chicago, Illinois during spring break, from March 17-22, exploring the sights and playing their instruments in the Windy City.

They will see the Chicago River dyed green for Saint Patrick’s Day, Blue Man group in concert, and perform at The Chicago Sky Deck (the tallest building in the country) and the Chicago Field Museum. The museum is famous for Sue, the world’s most complete fossil collection of Tyrannosaurus Rex. Music Director Brian Peter has organized the visit. Principal Ron Lipari will also accompany the 96 students and their chaperones.

some communication issues, but given the limited experience of most of the members, I think we performed admirably.”

On the day of the competition, the team had to adjust quickly to the unexpected. Some events did not place as well as expected, while others scored much better than anticipated.

“The competition this year was much more intense than those in the years before. In the past two years, there was a lot of time in between events.

This year, I was literally running from one event to the next!” said Wang.

TECHNICAL ISSUES: Jeffrey Kurohara and Allen Li will take their science skills to state competition.

In the end, the hard work paid off. Returning Meini Cheng member Lin commented, “We significantly Staff Writer improved from last year, and that was a significant achievement in itself.”

“We barely missed State last year after The WHS Science Olympiad placed 9th in the regional competition held at having made it three years in a row. We had Occidental College on Feb. 25, and qualified lost some major players on the team after 2010, so it’s really encouraging to know for the state competition.

The team competed in Division C, with that we can still get to the next level with topics including Life, Personal, and Social a constantly changing team,” said Li, who Science, Earth and Space, Physical Science, has witnessed Science Olympiad progress Chemistry, Technology and Engineering, for the past four years.

Through the process of preparing for Inquiry and Nature of Science.

Regionals, the group built a strong sense Harry Chung ‘13 and Amanda Shi ‘14 won 1st place for Water Quality, Chung and of teamwork. Lin believes the best part of Stella Wang ‘12 won 3rd place for Forestry, this year’s competition was “working with Chung and Monica Shi ‘14 won 6th place all the new bright members and helping for Dynamic Planet, Wang and Allen Li them adjust to the Science Olympiad ‘12 won 6th place for Technical Problem experience.”

According to Li, the Southern Solving, and Li and Jeffrey Kurohara ‘12 California state competition is harder won 6th place for Robot Arm. In addition, Fandi Lin ‘12 and Paul than Nationals. “It will be stressful and Kwon ‘13 placed 7th for Chemistry Lab tough, but I’m sure we will have a blast,” and Kevin Yin ‘12 and Thitacitta Low ‘14 commented Wang.

The team has a clear goal in mind placed 7th for Fermi Questions.

With only five returning members, the for State. As Li said, “It’s no longer about team still managed to perform successfully. winning—it’s about giving team members Club President Li commented, “I was a chance to show off their abilities in a little worried this year because we have the most competitive Science Olympiad so many new people on the team. We had tournament in the nation.”

Relay for Life Event Set for May Stacey Kane Staff Writer

Walk because you care, walk because of a loss, walk to prevent, or just walk because. There are infinite reasons to participate in Relay for Life to make a difference in the face of cancer. From May 19-20, Conejo Creek Park is holding its 15th annual Relay for Life Walk.

The event is an overnight activity with a 24-hour campout, food, games, fundraising activities, luminaria ceremony, and more.

This 24-hour event helps raise money and awareness of all types of cancer. Participants raise money before and after the event by asking for donations, holding

fundraisers at stores, and having bake sales.

In order to camp out on the day of this event, each minor must raise at least $100.

For each team with minors, one chaperone over the age of 25 is required for every ten minors. Anyone can be a team captain; captains are expected to attend monthly meetings, but sign ups are almost over. If a team is already created, anyone is welcome to join the team (up to 20 members), with permission from the team captain.

The Conejo Valley Relay for Life hopes to donate $300,000 to the American Cancer Society.

The relay starts at 10 a.m. on May 19 and ends at 10 a.m. May 20. Currently, WHS has 14 teams.

College Board Revises AP Biology Curriculum Harry Chung Feature Editor

College Board will introduce a revamped AP Biology curriculum and exam this coming 2012-2013 school year.

For now, many students who hope to pass the AP Biology exam prepare through rote memorization of concepts such as the Krebs cycle and negative feedback, rather than attempting to fully understand the concept; however, College Board officials feel that this archaic method does not fully prepare students for college biology.

“The revisions were enacted to address a challenging situation in science education at a critical juncture for American competitiveness… The revisions will help science educators ensure that their instruction is fresh and current and that students develop not just a solid knowledge of the facts but also the ability to practice science and think critically about scientific issues,” said Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board.

With the curriculum change, College Board hopes to instill not only a solid knowledge of the facts, but also the ability to think critically through science. College Board also plans to introduce real life biology applications. Therefore, the new curriculum will focus more on labs as a way for students to showcase their abilities to analyze data and understand important concepts.

This shift from a focus on lectures and notes to labs seems like a welcome change to many Westlake students. “Labs would be nice to better educate the common pupil,” said Tiffanie Kim ‘13.

Furthermore, in order to further distance the curriculum from pure memorization of scientific facts, College Board has decided to emphasize four main concepts to focus on: the idea that the process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life; the idea that biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, reproduce, and maintain dynamic homeostasis; the idea that living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes; and the idea that biological systems interact and possess complex properties.

This new curriculum will instill in students a stronger understanding of biology and allow them more time to focus on important topics.

“I think it is a great idea. I think students designing and conducting their own experiment helps them learn better than following a recipe,” said Phil Patenaude, AP Biology teacher, “There is going to be less content, so there will be more time to learn a topic in depth.”

Junior Statesmen Attend Winter Debates Liz Mossessian Staff Writer

Fourteen students from WHS Junior State club attended the annual Winter Congress at the Irvine Hilton on Feb. 18-19. The statesmen joined hundreds of other students from high schools all across Southern California to express their personal views and opinions on a few student-submitted bills.

Students passionate about present political and social issues are given the opportunity to write their own bills, which may be submitted and voted on at the debate.

The convention is unique because it attempts to resemble the debates and billmaking systems of the United States Con-

gress; each submitted bill undergoes intense debate and decisive voting. If the bill passes, it is sent to Washington D.C. as a proposal, where U.S. Congressmen consider the validity and importance of the bill, offering young teenagers who are not yet eligible to vote to have a say in their government.

With election season approaching as well, students prepared to announce their candidacy, consider new campaigning strategies, and create methods to outdo competitors. Occurring in the spring time, the election offers a wide range of positions for any determined, interested JSA member.

Some of the more heated social issue debates at this year’s Winter Congress were

if sexual orientation is considered a choice, if PDA (public displays of affection) should be banned throughout the United States, and if cell phone use should be allowed in schools. Students could either listen to the dramatic arguments made by other speakers or go up themselves and put their public speaking skills to the test.

The resolutions on these three topics indicated that sexual orientation should be made a choice, PDA (public displays of affection) should be banned throughout the United States, and cell phones should not be banned from the classroom.

Students interested in learning more about the next JSA convention may attend meetings held every Thursday at lunch in the club advisor, Emily Dale’s Room 12F.

Opinion

March 15, 2012 • The Arrow

A Dash of Sanity:

Not Your Average Joe

Beach Rules May Ruin Summer Fun

Dashiell Young-Saver Editor-in-chief

The flight to New Orleans was bad.

Because of delays, the normal exciting five hours of sitting became an exciting 12 hours of sitting. When we landed, I was tired. So, as my mom and I walked to the cab, I grumbled about it to myself.

We met the cab driver. His name was Joe. He was short, round, and jolly.

He greeted my grumbling with a thick Creole accent and a light Southern smile.

I told him we were going to the Marriott.

He replied, “The Marriawt?”

“That works too.”

He gave a big laugh and did a small dance as he put the bags in the trunk. We got in the car and, despite his infectious happiness, I continued grumbling.

The drive began. He talked. He said that he was born and raised in the city and told us all the good places to eat.

All the while, I looked out of the windows at New Orleans and couldn’t see much. Nothing was lit up in the night.

Either the town disappeared, or I was so focused on grumbling that I couldn’t see. Eventually, my mom asked him if he was in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

“I sure was,” he said. “I lost everything I owned.”

I stopped grumbling.

The cab became silent.

He went into details: house trashed, family members lost, water-filled streets, scarcities of food. After the hurricane, he had to live in Alabama for eight months.

He now lives in a trailer near the city, working up the money to rebuild his home.

We were introduced to different sides of the smiling face known as Joe that night. First was Joe the cab driver.

But now, we had the pleasure of hearing the rest.

First was Joe the political activist: “But I always say, America didn’t fail us.

Politicians failed us. But America didn’t fail us.” He explained that bus-loads of volunteers came to help; but when they left, politicians kept relief money for themselves or spent it in the city. The neighborhoods were ignored. That’s why nothing seemed lit up outside the cab windows: it was all boarded-up, water-damaged homes, still empty after six years of neglect.

Downtown got closer. It looked like a pillar of light amidst the blackness of the surrounding city. He kept talking and took many roles like Joe the historian, Joe the philosopher, and Joe the therapist.

But he concluded his speech with, what I thought must have been, Joe the person: “I’ve always been broke, but I’ve never been poor. I got family and friends, so I’ve never been poor. You see what I mean. I’m always gonna be a cab driver, and I accept that, but at least I will never be poor.”

We walked out of the cab. Joe jumped out cheerily and got the bags.

My mom tipped him heavily, and he was on his cheery way, taillights burning bright red as his cab disappeared in the darkness of the surrounding neighborhoods.

We walked into the Marriott and were surrounded by large glass statues, a waterfall, long drapes, and every absurdity someone doesn’t need.

Going from a cab filled with Joe’s stories to that lavish lobby filled with ridiculous things felt silly. As I went through the sliding glass doors, I couldn’t help but start laughing.

My mom gave me a glare, and I quickly got solemn. I remembered what Joe said, and I felt the pain of all the poor people that night. While Joe was out having a good time in his cab in the dark neighborhood, the poor had to endure their stay in the lit up Marriott hotel rooms, grumbling about their uncomfortable plane rides earlier that day.

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Lauren Chin

Feature Editor We Californians love our beaches, and what's not to love about them?

The miles of beautiful coastline, the plentiful public access, and now, thanks to the LA County's loosening of beach regulations, the ability to toss a Frisbee or football during summer without breaking the law or being at risk for a fine (as long as you have a life guard's permission to do so).

That's right, they loosened the rules. In recent reports, it was mistakenly reported that the LA County Board of Supervisors had updated the rules, allowing the LA County Department of Beaches and Harbors to issue fines of $1000 to any beachgoer who participated in any non-beach ball activities on county beaches. This immediately sparked outrage from many as the news became viral, causing Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's office to become inundated with complaints from as far as London. In actuality, the LA County Board had actually lifted a four decades long ban that had prohibited the use of any ball with a diameter of 10" or more on county beaches.

Now, many of you must be wondering why you were never made aware of these rules, or cited if you have thrown a frisbee right in front of a life guard.

In the past 40 years since the rule was implemented, not one single ticket has been issued, reports LA County Supervisor Don Knabe, so it seems that even the enforcers of that rule were either as unaware as us beach-goers who broke it, or found it too ridiculous to enforce.

"Given the fact that no tickets have been issued in 40 years ... allowing such activity should be the rule rather than the exception," said Knabe to dailynews.com.

The County Board was attempting to fix an unreasonable law that wasn't working, but instead ended up with a violent backlash as they confused frisbee and football fans alike with the idea of being fined for playing a fun game on the beach.

The LA County Board is in charge of making sure LA County is running smoothly and efficiently, and therefore should be in charge of the rules for it. However, when a rule as bizarre as the old frisbee ban is not being carried out, nor well known at all, they should have abolished the rule to begin with instead of merely lowering the fines.

“The County’s Beach ordinance is all punitive, restrictive, and increases fines regarding our public beaches,” said Jon Nahhas of Playa del Rey to the LA Times, who states that the new rules might dissuade residents from visiting the beach. By trying to alleviate the unfairness of such an outrageous rule and fix it since it wasn't

Baseball’s New Catch MLB’s plan to expand playoffs pointlessly gives chances to mediocre teams Alex Farkas

Sports Editor This past week Major League Baseball (MLB) decided to expand the playoffs and add another team to the wild card spot, giving a chance for third place division teams to make the playoffs.

The wild card allows yet another team that should not qualify for the playoffs because it did not win its division to earn a playoff berth.

“The baseball playoff field now includes 10 of the 30 teams. In the NFL, the playoffs include 12 of the 32 teams. In the NBA 16 of the 30 teams qualify,” said the LA Times.

However, like always in baseball, there is a catch—a Catch-22. The MLB is trying to expand their playoffs to make it more like the National Basketball Association (NBA)and National Football League (NFL); however, they are taking the risk that a mediocre team could win the World Series.

Unlike the NFL, the two wild card teams do not just enter the playoffs and play a division leader, but they have to play each other in one game and the winner moves on to the playoffs.

The MLB playoff format is already wacky enough without the rule change,

and now it will be even more confusing.

A wild card team (at times) may have a better record than one of the division leaders, but the wild card team still enters the playoffs as a lower seed. The MLB should just rank the teams as the NBA does, by their record and let the top few teams move on.

Ranking the teams into two divisions, American League and National League, would give a chance for teams that are in a much tougher division to take the spot of another division leader.

Take into account one of the National League’s Divisions-NL West…I mean NL Worst. As an avid Dodgers fan, it is hard to criticize their division; however, it is the weakest of them all.

For example, in 2008 the Dodgers won the NL West and made the playoffs, but there were five other teams that had a better record than the Dodgers and did not make the playoffs because of the format.

So really there is no point in the new format for the playoffs. The two wild card teams that face off may have an even record but it all comes down to the team that has the better game and momentum entering the playoffs. But look at the bright side Dodger fans; if they play well this season, or not, they can still make the playoffs.

even being followed, the County Board has only incited the anger that the people of LA would have had if they had known about the old rule. Now, people are slightly less indignant than they would have been at the old rules, but still feel as if unnecessary rules are being imposed on them.

"Since I didn't know about this rule before, and never been fined, it feels like the rules are actually being tightened instead of loosened," says Courtney Akita '15.

The updated rules, while well intentioned, may cause some people to be more wary of playing with a frisbee or ball other than a beach volleyball because of the seemingly more constricting policies now in place. People are accustomed to not worrying about restrictions on playing football on the beach, but now there is a sudden boundary that has seemingly appeared out of nowhere, since life guards are now aware of the new rules and will hand out citations if people cross them.

However, the County Board claims they are going to be very relaxed with the new rules, "We're not about making the beach an unpleasant experience for people and coming on like some totalitarian police force. They are going to be mellow about it," said Joel Bellman, a press deputy for Yaroslavsky. Lifeguards are more likely to just direct overenthusiastic beach football players to another area if they are causing a problem.

The LA County Board should just abolish the new updated rule instead of seemingly placing a tighter constraint upon beachgoers. If they proclaim they will be lenient they should avoid the backlash of anger some people may have when they feel that their previous rights to free frisbee and football throwing on the beach has been restricted during the period between Memorial and Labor Day. THE WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

ARROW

100 N. Lakeview Canyon Road Westlake Village, CA 91362 (805) 497-6711 ext. 4225 westlakearrow@yahoo.com

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Lisa Battaglia, Dashiell Young-Saver MANAGING EDITOR Brian Chang NEWS EDITORS Vivian Hu, Michelle Noyes OPINION EDITOR Shannon Reiffen FEATURE EDITORS Nicolette Blatt, Lauren Chin, Harry Chung, Woody Chung, Alexa Lucas, Shannon Reiffen, Julia Shi, Victoria Wang, Vallia Yu ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Orly Greenberg SPORTS EDITORS Alex Farkas, Stephanie Kim STAFF WRITERS Katrina Brewer, Meini Cheng, Cam Clark, Brian Danziger, Genna Gmeiner, Yangzong Guo, Monica Huskins, Stacey Kane, Skye Kriger, Shayna Kudler, Kelly Mark, Liz Mossessian, Jonathan Rifkind, Tara Spencer, Max Wang, Vivian Xu ADVISER Caron Battaglia

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

Opinion

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March 15, 2012 • The Arrow

Should Government Pay Birth Control Costs?

CON: Too Complex, Expensive, Private for Government Interference

Orly Greenberg

KONY 2012

Entertainment Editor Becoming sexually active often goes hand in hand with going on birth control.

And with increasingly heightened rates of sexual activity, (Guttmacher Institute reports that seven in every ten teens have had intercourse), the demand for birth control rises as well. While obtaining birth control is a responsible, intelligent decision, demanding the government to cover the cost of contraceptives makes little sense.

A government should remain as uninvolved with a citizen's personal life as possible. By demanding that the government pay for birth control, Americans create a serious gray area in which the government's responsibilities are blurred. Should the government also cover the cost of abortions, by many considered a form of birth control?

While the pill is commonly thought of as the only form of birth control, procedures such as hormone injections, patches, rings, tube ligation, male sterilization and more all fall under the category of "contraceptives." Forcing the government to pay for contraceptives complicates a government's duties to its people.

Additionally, there is a misconception about whether birth control is a right that women are granted in the United States.

Women have the right to buy themselves birth control and prevent pregnancies; however, they do not have the right to demand that governments pay for the costs.

Going on birth control is a personal decision; therefore, it should be covered with personal finances. The government has no right to restrict birth control, nor does it have any obligation to supply citizens with medication that is not considered medically necessary.

Moreover, if government enforced health care covers the cost of birth control, it alienates those who refrain from contraceptives due to religious rationale. The Center for Human Dignity at the Family Research Council argues that, "[women] should not be forced to violate their conscience by paying premiums to health plans that cover [birth control.]"

Furthermore, anything that is not a necessary expense should not be paid for by the government. With international debt and a recession, the government needs to focus on taking care of the country as a whole, not paying for costly birth control.

Monica Huskins

Genna Gmeiner Staff Writer

RUSH TO JUDGMENT: Controversial radio host Rush Limbaugh offered objections to government financed birth control.

PRO: Cost to Taxpayers Small Price to Pay Shannon Reiffen Opinion Editor

According to a survey done by the New York Times 61.8% of women use contraceptives, and of that 17% use the pill.

That rather small percentage may have something to do with the high price of birth control; a price that can go all the way up to $1000 for the most reliable forms like IUDs and implants. The current controversy is whether or not women should be allowed access to birth control covered by their school health insurance and regular health insurance.

According to many in the media, President Obama has made it clear that he is reaching out to the groups he hopes to gather votes from—women and young people—by bringing up this issue. He proposed that all institutions, including those religiously affiliated, such as some hospitals and universities, have birth control covered in their health care package. Any group claiming religious beliefs prevent them from doing this may opt out, but insurers must cover birth control.

This proposition generated an extremely heated debate as to who is responsible for covering the costs associated with birth control. Some Republicans even went so far as to accuse the President of “waging a war” on religion and going against the beliefs of many groups in the country. His position has angered members of the Catholic religion, as well as many others, who

do not believe in the use of contraception.

To ask the government to pay for all the birth control pills is the issue. It is obvious that women are engaging in sexual activity at a younger age.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 46% of high schoolers said they were having sex, and of that 77% said they weren’t using birth control while having sex. The rate of teen pregnancies is increasing, and this could be helped, if not stopped, by giving girls access to birth control through their health insurance.

Many Republicans have expressed a strong disapproval for this idea. Radio personality Rush Limbaugh recently created another controversy when he called a Georgetown law student by an offensive term. Her outspoken attempt to gather supporters for her cause—access to free birth control through personal health insurance—sparked even more divisiveness regarding this issue.

The backlash against the talk radio host was significant, as he lost many sponsors who felt the fury of women who were ready to boycott all his sponsors if they continued to support him.

What Limbaugh fails to realize is that birth control isn’t just for preventing pregnancy—it can also be used to help prevent problems like cysts on ovaries.

Giving women access to birth control wouldn’t hurt anyone. If anything, it might help keep the rates for teenage and out-ofwedlock pregnancies down.

Reaching for Higher Education

Staff Writer

The measures of success vary from person to person, but the majority would agree that education is a valid one. When we rank today’s most successful countries, a focus for measurement would be the percentage of the population that reaches higher education. More countries want its citizens to be prepared for the rising rate of competition in the world. However, not all success should be measured by how far one goes in schooling or which school one attends.

Even today the world is shaken up by college dropouts such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg. It just goes to show that the creative mind should not necessarily be weighed by a college degree.

On ABC News, Presidential candidate Rick Santorum said, “There are lot of people in this country that have no desire or no aspiration to go to college, because they have a different set of skills and desires and dreams that don’t include college.”

Santorum makes the point that college is not the path for everyone, while education

itself is still extremely important.

An individual must make the decision that is best for his or her own future; one has to take into account the hefty amount of money that goes into paying for college and the loans that take years to pay off.

On the other hand, a college degree helps students compete for highly sought-after jobs.

“I think higher education is an investment and having a degree can raise someone’s value in the job market- so the debt is a short term issue when thinking about your whole life,” said Zahra Farhardi ’12. College does help prepare students for their future, and many believe that the long-run debt is worth it.

Another question individuals must face is whether or not to continue their education into graduate school. Again, people face the pressing issue: does it pay off? The answer depends on what one wants to pursue after graduation. For instance, some careers can be achieved through just a two-year college degree.

Also, for many families in the United States, college is not an option because of financial issues. Thus, success should not

be based wholeheartedly on whether or not an individual attended undergraduate and graduate school.

The co-founder of PayPal, Peter Thiel, decided to encourage young people to drop out of school by paying them a $100,000 grant to do so. “We’re not saying that everybody should drop out of college,” said Thiel. “I think a program like this would have been unthinkable in 2007, but I think you increasingly have people who are graduating from college, not being able to get good jobs, moving back home with their parents,” he continued. While some are still shocked by the idea of not going to college, entrepreneurs are showing that college is not always the right option for everyone.

For some, college is the best way to reach their goals and earn the careers they want to achieve. But for others, college is not worth it if they already have their career paths planned out. In today’s society, it is almost taboo to not attend college, but keeping an open mind towards education can help nurture the creative mind and continue America’s legacy of being a country conducive to entrepreneurs.

On March 5 2012, a video was uploaded onto YouTube that started a movement in less than 24 hours.

“KONY 2012” has gone viral all over the world, getting over 75 million views on Youtube in the span of 14 days, and counting. The video boldly calls for the capture of who it claims to be the world’s most dangerous criminal: Joseph Kony.

Kony is the leader of the Lord’s Rebellion Army (LRA), which kidnaps children from their families and forces them to become a part of its army in Uganda. Since the video’s release, KONY 2012 has become a movement whose goal is to educate the world about Kony’s crimes and end them.

But, stopping this powerful leader is not going to be easy. Leaders of the movement want to reinforce and augment the number of American soldiers stationed in Africa to help the Ugandan army catch Kony. To get the soldiers into Uganda, the government has to believe that the American people care. This organization attempts to show that a bunch of “littles” can make a big difference. According to the group's website www.KONY2012. com, not only will this change the lives of thousands of children in Africa, but it will also demonstrate how people can come together and make a difference. The group encourages viewers to buy items that fund the organization, such as bracelets, "Stop Kony Kits," and shirts.

With the release of the video, however, criticism is widespread of the actual effectiveness of the group.

Many critics of the KONY 2012 program note that simply spreading public awareness or grabbing the public's attention is not enough to create any substantial change.

"People who watched this video will care about the issue for a couple days, maybe," noted Jane Chen '11.

"But there aren't that many people who actually will do anything about the problem."

Furthermore, others note that the "catastrophe" described by the video is not necessarily significant in comparison to other human rights violations occurring throughout the world. A local Ugandan preacher, Sam Childers (more commonly known as the "Machine Gun Preacher"), remarked that for the last three years, Kony had not been a pressing issue in the nation.

"The country is safe. There are no problems going on in Uganda… And to bring this up, it makes the country look unsafe again." Others also posit the possibility that Kony is, in fact, not even in Uganda, and that he is rather in a nation with far more threats to human rights: Congo.

Amidst the criticism, one thing is clear: the video raised enormous awareness of the pressing issue of human rights violations throughout the world. The question, however, is whether such public awareness can, in fact, lead to concrete and substantial change for the children of Uganda and other nations.

Brian Chang also contributed to this article.

Feature

March 15, 2012 • The Arrow

Swamplandia!

by Karen Russell

Plunge into Swamplandia!

It has been a year since Hilola Bigtree died from cancer and left her three children—Ava, Osceola, and Kiwi—to her husband. Swamplandia is the family business and the only life the Bigtree children have ever known. With their mother gone, though, things are falling apart.

Ava proves to be a compelling protagonist. Her innocence is portrayed masterfully through her intense fascination with the swamp and nature.

Russell has a sharp eye for analogy and crafts a surreal picture of the book’s

Yangzong Guo Staff Writer

The exclamation mark that punctuates the title of Karen Russell’s debut novel Swamplandia! tells you much about the deteriorating alligator park the book is named after.

To Ava, the young heroine of the novel, the mark is a heart-breaking truth that sums up her enthusiasm for this crumbling park.

The exclamatory mark also accurately describes the novel itself: a wild, hypnotic, and beautifully written adventure.

swampy world. Her masterful writing combined with the plot give the book its life. It is hard not to get swept away by this new world as Ava journeys through the swamp.

Russell creates warm, lively characters whose interactions with one another are spontaneous and original.

While the novel is largely narrated by Ava, Kiwi Bigtree narrates a small portion of the story. The third-person Kiwi sections aren’t as exciting as the first-person Ava sections, and there are places where it seems as if Russell should just get on with

5

his coming-of-age story already. Kiwi’s interactions with mainland teenagers, while humorous, rely too much on cultural clichés.

Karen Russell’s tale has been praised for its originality, but its central themes are common throughout literature. In some ways, Ava’s world view is similar to Scout’s from To Kill a Mockingbird.

Regardless, Swamplandia! is a testament to Russel’s writing talent. The unique setting and quirky characters will keep readers hooked even if at times it feels as if one is wading through a swamp.

Pearl Revisits Dante’s Classic and James Russell Lowell may be familiar to students who take an English AP class.

For those not in the class, let’s take a refresher course in literary history.

Longfellow was famous for his poem “Paul Revere’s Ride,” Holmes for “Old Ironsides,” and Lowell for the “Biglow Papers.” These three accomplished and famous 19th century writers are brought together as distinguished members of the Dante Club.

A veteran writer of historical fiction, Matthew Pearl creates an intriguing mystery novel with a twist in The Dante Club.

The book opens in the city of Boston, home to the main characters of the story.

There, the members of the club work together to translate The Divine Comedy, the epic poem written by Dante Alighieri nearly 500 years before their time.

The Dante Club

by Matthew Pearl

Vallia Yu

Feature Editor The names Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.,

Kite Runner Receives Student, School Board Approval The CVUSD school board recently approved The Kite Runner as part of its 12th-grade curriculum, sparking heated debate over its depiction of violence and the rape of a child.

This is not the first time Khaled Hosseini’s award-winning novel (about the friendship and cultural divide between two boys growing up in Afghanistan during a time of war and oppression) has been brought into question. In 2008, The Kite Runner made its way into the top ten most frequently challenged books of the American Library Association.

But when English teacher Joanna Burns taught the novel, there were no complaints— quite the opposite.

“I’ve never had a group of students more excited about a book in my ten years of teaching,” Burns said.

As more high-quality works of literature contain questionable content, it is important to ask when controversy officially overshadows a book’s underlying message. This is the question: are high school students mature enough to handle it or not?

I think that as high school students we should have the maturity level to overlook [its obscenities] and appreciate The Kite Runner for its literary merit.

Stephanie Caranica ‘12

What writers have to say in a literary book is important. The school has its reasons [for making The Kite Runner part of the curriculum].

Diego Rivera ‘12 We should be able to handle what the real world is like. We see so [many] things in media that this shouldn’t be a problem.

Jessie Guo ‘13

I think it’s just a part of literature.

We shouldn’t look at it in an inappropriate way. I was ready [to read this] since middle school.

Jinsoo Lim ‘13

Compiled by Julia Shi and Victoria Wang

However, when disaster strikes and murder threatens their city, only the Dante Club recognizes the similarities between the crimes and events in Dante’s poem.

The greatest literary minds of the 19th century must then come together to defend the welfare of the club, discover who is defiling Dante’s name, and uncover for themselves the sobering truth. When the devious intent of the villain is revealed, its dark undertone reflects back on just what content the book is referencing: Hell itself.

The novel takes the members of the historical Dante Club and turns them into captivating characters whose thoughts and actions bring them to life before the reader’s eyes.

The inclusion of Oliver Holmes, Sr., whose dual professions of doctor and poet in both the novel and real life, is a stroke of genius on Pearl’s part, as his abilities are

consistently relied upon throughout the novel.

The novel’s original plot and unique writing style keep readers engrossed, but the descriptions of the settings are as meticulous as they are vivid.

Heavy blocks of text in the novel may intimidate readers, and Pearl’s Dickensian writing could tempt them to skim instead of read.

Pearl’s novel is heavily based on history, and readers who have already finished Dante’s Inferno would most likely gain much more than those who have not.But even for people who don’t enjoy reading ancient epic poems, The Dante Club is a fresh, imaginative take on the possibilities in history.

Matthew Pearl himself is also, in fact, a Dante scholar, as well as a Yale and Harvard University professor.

6

Feature

March 15, 2012 • The Arrow

Culinary Class Conducts Jarring Experiment the jar’s cap. Feeding more than 46 million people per day (greater than High fructose corn the population of Great syrup, preservatives, and Britain, itself), McDonald’s artificial sugar—who knows sells more than 75 burgers what is in the foods that we per second. Uncovering eat today? Now that society the mystery behind this is slowly becoming healthy popular burger applies to and wary of junk foods, more a population far greater companies are promoting than that of Westlake itself. their products as organic and Testing the shelf healthy. life of a McDonald’s But the doubt remains: burger is not a new idea. what are we really consuming For example, in 1996, when we eat Sucralose laced nutrition consultant Karen cookies? For that matter, Hanrahan bought a burger what is Sucralose? And why and kept it for 14 years. does it sound slightly sinister, The resulting burger like a video game villain? “[looked] exactly like it Culinary Arts teacher Maria did the very day I bought Scirone of WHS’s Culinary it,” said Hanrahan.

Class has taken matters into Interestingly, for her own hands and plans to the WHS experiment, at solve the mystery behind a least, the burger in the few of our favorite snacks. jar doesn’t seem to be In order to break down FOUL FOOD: Culinary Arts students record the deterioration of organic bread from Smart and Final, organic bread from Whole expecting such a long life the mystery surrounding Foods, a burger and fries from McDonald’s, a Hostess Twinkie, and a Hostess cupcake. span. Cramped spaces preservatives and organic might be the perfect place foods, Scirone prepared six jars, each separate container. Although the Twinkies Whole Foods and Smart and Final were both for fungi to grow. containing a different food item. Put into were expected to sit in the jar for the entire put in separate jars. Although both breads This experiment will last until the the jars on Jan. 24, 2012, the food items school year, just around two weeks later, are considered pesticide free and supposed end of the year. Scirone wants to spread include Twinkies, Hostess Cupcakes, Twinkies only show signs of deflating and to be organic, neither of them has started awareness of what students eat when they to rot. Usually, the word organic connotes reach to grab for a bag of Lays everyday.

Whole Foods Bread, Smart and Final Bread, collapsing in on themselves.

On the other hand, the Hostess healthy or clean foods, which means that it along with a specially prepared McDonald So which jar’s contents do you think burger and fries. She then set the jars aside, Cupcakes seemed to show little to no should be more natural and have a shorter will rot or not? You can send speculations and let natural decomposition do its work. signs of decaying. Shrinking Twinkies and expiration date. But the fact that the bread and hypotheses to mscirone@conejo.k12.

Kids of our age have all had experiences mysteriously unscathed Cupcakes aside, hasn’t started to rot is slightly worrying as ca.us in an email titled ‘Foul Food.’ Your with packaged foods and fattening. no mold has developed on either item quite to what else might actually be in the bread. hypotheses will be entered into a poll Lastly, the infamous McDonald’s guessing which of the foods in the six jars Hostess desserts were no exception. The yet.

Next is the staple of life itself, sliced burger and fries were shoved into one will be the first to turn into a flavorless infamous Twinkies were stuffed inside a jar, along with Hostess Cupcakes in a bread. Organic bread bought from both container and sealed in with a final twist of mush.

Vallia Yu

Feature Editor

PHOTO BY YANGZONG GUO

Classes Get On Board for SMART Boards

Math Dept.

Celebrates Pi Day

Jonathan Rifkind Staff Writer

Shannon Reiffen

Teens in today’s society have a knack for being interactive via technology.

Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, and even games such as Words With Friends have all created an impact on our everyday lives.

So as technology plays such a big role in our lives, how can students be interactive in using technology where we spend the most time: the classroom?

According to numerous polls and websites, such as www. benefitof.net, there is a plain answer: SMART boards. SMART boards are interactive whiteboards primarily used in TEACHER TECH: Physics teacher Scott Holloway uses his Promethean Board to capture students’ attention. education.

They can display computer monitors and have touch- to use. Because the SMART board is a kinds of students. For instance, visual screen abilities. They provide students with front-mounted projection screen, when one learners react very well to visual elements a vital hands-on method of learning. writes in front of the board, he or she casts of study, with tactile learners benefiting As technological advances have a shadow on the screen, thus blocking the from going to the front and working on the revolutionized the current world, these image. Also, SMART board users still have SMART board. interactive whiteboards engage learners to move back and forth from the keyboard The SMART board benefits not only in new ways. For example, polls have to the screen in order to type. A major issue students, but also teachers. The SMART shown that the use of SMART boards has for many users is that it is hard to write boards are very convenient tools by which decreased the rate of students dropping out neatly. teachers can look at the students while of school.

Granted, these are legitimate reasons, giving a lecture or teaching a lesson, Some detractors argue that they are an but the pros of SMART boards far exceed instead of teaching behind a computer. impractical burden to the school budget. the cons. SMART boards usually motivate Because the board is digital, it conveniently Even after buying a SMART board, which students as students are likely going allows users to save diagrams and convert can cost thousands of dollars, teachers to enjoy learning through this medium handwriting to text. Teachers can also must buy a data projector as well. Teachers than simply listening to a long lecture. easily move objects on the board. must also consider upgrading to a wireless “It significantly enhances my learning “It makes me better as a teacher connection in order to increase efficiency experience, and allows Mr. Holloway to because it fits my style of teaching and and prevent tripping hazards. On top of it appeal to all types of learners by offering it makes me want to teach more,” said all, training sessions and repairs add to the a creative alternative to the standard white Physics teacher Scott Holloway. “The cost.

Promethean allows me to teach faster and board,” said Matt McComb ‘13.

Some who oppose using SMART The utilization of SMART boards alternate between examples better than a boards claim that they can be uncomfortable during classes also accommodates several standard whiteboard.

Bring out the calculators and compasses—it’s the day math lovers everywhere have been waiting for. It’s Pi Day! Pi Day, or March 14, is a day to celebrate the love of math and infinitely long numbers. Pi, as most know, represents the relationship between the diameter and the circumference of a circle. We celebrate Pi day on the 14th because the first three numbers of pi are 3.14, and yesterday was 3.14. And so Pi Day began.

Led by math teacher Beth Grasel, Math Club is insπred to celebrate Pi day to the best of their abilities.

During Pi day, the hallway was covered with pre-made posters that exemplify this year’s theme of being inspπred. Bianca Dalangin ‘15 won first place for her poster.

This year’s Pi day also featured Pi games in which contestants tried to guess the dimensions of a pie and chose adjectives to describe their love for Pi. Hardcore mathematicians also turned in a Piathlon competition sheet that consists of Pi related math problems and participated in a Pi digit memorization competition. Paul Kwon ‘13 won first place for the Piathlon. He also won the Pi digit memorization contest by memorizing 165 digits.

Grasel feels that Pi Day encourages “students to participate in math in a creative and inspiring way.”

According to Math club member Stella Wang ‘12, “Pi is such a universal constant. It applies to so many things besides circles.”

It seems all students could benefit from the effects of Pi. “The most delicious day of the year is March 14, and it’s a day for mathematicians to relax a little and have fun,” said Math Club president Kevin Yin ‘12.

Opinion Editor

PHOTO BY WOODY CHUNG

Feature

March 15, 2012 • The Arrow

College Majors Major Factor in Employment

High unemployment rates continue to plague even graduates with advanced degrees, and some are being unfairly punished for pursuing their interests.

Max Wang Staff Writer

This is not turning out to be the best year for architects. As 8.9% of recent college graduates remain unemployed, graduates who major in architecture, art, and humanities are having the hardest time finding jobs, while those with majors in certain subjects appear to stand a substantially better chance at finding employment.

The college major a student chooses plays a big part in deciding if the graduate will be employed in the near future. College majors are unequal, and some have stood the test of a failing economy better than others.

According to the recent study "Hard Times: Not all College Degrees are Created Equal" conducted by Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, graduates with certain majors, such as art, architecture, social science, law, and public policies have significantly higher unemployment rates than those with majors in health, education, and mathematics. For instance, 13.9% of recent college graduates majoring in architecture are unemployed, compared to only four percent who majored in nursing.

“In general, majors that are linked to occupations have better employment prospects than majors focused on general skills,” the study found. “But, some occupation specific majors, such as architecture, were hurt by the recession and fared worse than general skills majors.”

As the economy continues to decline, it is not so surprising that the art majors are not doing so well: the job market has changed, and the majors that got graduates jobs previously are not necessarily getting them jobs now. With the economy in the shape it is in, people no longer have the financial ability to spend money on pieces of artwork, new office buildings, or home construction. Thus, recent college graduates who studied architecture and art struggle to get jobs, especially when there are already experienced architects and artists out looking for employment.

“Of course I’m concerned about not

MAJOR ISSUE: Unemployed college graduates are burdened with student loans and no income.

getting a job after I graduate, but I’ve decided to get a degree in engineering in order to compensate for the shortage of architecture jobs. Doing what you enjoy should be the most important factor in choosing our major--not what pays the most or what gets you a job easily,” said Alex Nutkiewicz ‘12, who plans to attend architecture school after majoring in civil engineering.

However, regardless of the country's slumped economy, people continue to get sick and injured, and the demand for health care workers will still exist. Education and technology are also constantly needed, and graduates majoring in those fields consequently still have a good shot at being employed.

According to College Board, there will be 597,000 job openings for elementary school teachers in 2018, and for registered nurses, there will be 1.04 million available jobs. Job openings for architects, however, are not predictable, as employment oppor-

tunities increase and decrease with the construction industry. When the industry is at a low (as it is now), architects will have a much harder time looking for jobs. .

However, because many students are not choosing the more employable majors, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates remains high. According to CollegeStats.org, the majors of biology and biotechnology, business, and communications have attracted more students than any other major. These three majors may have higher employment rates than architecture, but still leave 7.7, 7.0, and 7.4% of their respective graduates unemployed.

With 8.9 percent of recent college graduates unemployed and carrying heavy debt from student loans, the future seems grim for those who invest in higher education.

With such discouraging statistics, some people question the wisdom of putting in such large amounts of time and money in a college education.

7 COMMENTARY

Major ity Rules

Lisa Battaglia Editor-in-chief

When seniors apply to colleges, the most challenging blank on the application is major and future career goals: many, I imagine, draw a blank.

As a freshman, I wanted to go into film and production. As I coursed through high school, getting involved in Mock Trial and journalism, I developed new loves for law, politics, and writing.

I declared my majors according to these passions.

I knew that these majors would not be the best when searching for jobs, but it did not matter to me. Law firms are suffering, politicians must have a steel backbone to compete, and journalists are paid by each word they write. Most people today in a suffering economy are choosing paths for money, not passion.

This accommodation might lead to increased unhappiness for people when they have to work at a job they do not enjoy. But is it worth it just to make a living?

I could try to start competing with the engineering majors who will eventually make $100,000 a year according to thebestcolleges.com, or the math or economics majors. But would it be something I would love to do every day for the rest of my working life? Not necessarily my first choice.

Steve Jobs, who passed away last year after giving the world the iPhone, the Mac computer and the iPad, delivered his vision of a purposeful existence in a speech he delivered at a Stanford University graduation: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.

Everything else is secondary.”

When we are forced to evaluate our career goals and future before we even become adults and fully develop, we might choose a profession that we don’t necessarily love. Our choices in the next few years can ensure that we work for self-fulfillment not just money.

The Arrow surveyed 104 seniors regarding their major choices. *some gave multiple answers

Seniors’ Choices (by category)

** Biomedical Engineering was included in the Engineering category

Personal interest/expertise: 76 Potential for employment: 36 Parents’ influence: 7 Other: 10 “You want [your major] to be something you enjoy, not something you’re doing because your parents want you to or because you want to reach a conventional idea of financial success. [However], no matter what you’re interested in, you’re not going to be doing it if there are no jobs, and your interests often include not being homeless.”

Wyatt Green ‘12

NUMBER OF SENIORS DECLARING

Why did you choose your major?

Most Unique Major Choices

Air Traffic Management Deaf Studies LGBT Studies

Top Five Majors

Business Management Biology Biomedical Engineering Journalism/Communications International Relations Compiled by Skye Kriger

Fea

8

How to Navigate

The Class of 2012 provides insight for incoming senio

All the Right M

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Orly Greenberg

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Feature

10

Anti-Fashion:

March 15, 2012 • The Arrow

From fashion faux pas to fashion folklore, the Arrow takes a look into the underworld of clothing styles.

The Many Sides (and Curves) of One Man Dashiell Young-Saver Editor-in-chief

PHOTO BY DASHIELL YOUNG-SAVER

SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT: David Goldberg varies his unique outfits between the jeans and T-shirt look pictured above with more “extravagant” costumes.

There is only one way to describe the fashion styles of David Goldberg ‘12: indescribable.

Most days he wears a Tshirt and baggy jeans; however, once every so often, he breaks out a creepy clown costume with full makeup, a dress, or a cape emblazoned with a cross.

It’s kind of like playing the lottery, except the prize for winning is a complete mockery of any societal principles or the permanent scarring of a child observer.

“I like the spontaneity of it. I like to challenge common conventions, like that it’s okay for a woman to wear a dress and not a man,” said Goldberg, who was voted “most unique” by the senior class this year.

Goldberg’s style spawns from his disdain for all clothing. For him, any attire is a mask or “cover-up” of true humanity. He would prefer simply not wearing anything

at all.

“We are better off without clothing because (nudity) freshens the spirit and the mind,” explained Goldberg.

But since public nudity is a violation of the indecent exposure law and school policy, Goldberg must, unfortunately, wear something to school. So, he has developed his style to stimulate the spirit and the mind the same way he says nudity does.

He wears the more “provocative” outfits in an attempt to inspire others to think about the world from a distinctive perspective.

“I like to spark people’s interest. Make them look at things differently and work it out in their heads. Hopefully, they learn something new every day,” said Goldberg.

The responses, however, have been as mixed as the clothing he wears. According to Goldberg, most just raise eyebrows or look away, but some take their protest a little farther. For instance, he has heard yells of derogatory words in the hallways.

He has also been forced to leave a Target for putting on too many women’s garments in the store.

“When he brought the puppet in and was wearing lipstick, it was kind of disturbing,” recalled Matthew Weir ’12. “I support his freedom to (dress this way) but would discourage him from actually taking these actions.”

But not all the responses are negative.

For example, Goldberg has never been

Taking Command in Commando Companies market and create products for growing trend of wearing pajamas at school.

Woody Chung Opinion Editor

Fashion is not usually associated with comfort and convenience. Take Lady Gaga for example. At the 2010 VMA’s, she wore a dress made out of fifty pounds of raw meat. Though not as extreme, students follow this pattern: stuffing themselves in skinny jeans, taking entire mornings to apply makeup, and wearing glasses even with perfect eyesight. But, due to a new trend, today’s uncomfortable fashions may become the outdated styles of yesterday as comfort is slowly becoming more popular in the fashion industry.

According to the research firm NPD Group (formerly National Purchase Diary), compared to a normal increase of 7.8% in regular clothing sales, activewear (a collective of loose fitting clothes like sweatpants and sweatshirts) has increased by 21%.

“It’s a mixture of indifference and comfort,” said Matt McComb ’13, a student well-known by his friends for his classic look of red plaid pajama pants. “There’s nothing like waking up on Monday morning realizing that I don’t need to change.”

Clothing retailers, realizing this trend, have been quick to capitalize. Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle have released sweatpants and other activewear. Even Louis Vuitton has designed a pajama-based outfit—drawstring trousers and collared tops, complete with a matching bag Unfortunately, like previous fashion trends, the pajama party is not without its detractors. Some disagree due to moral reasoning. Michael Williams, a Louisiana commissioner, seeks to ban pajamas from the streets after a traumatic shopping experience. “I observed a couple of young men in loose fitting PJs, probably with their private parts about to come out and no

underwear,” he said.

Others disagree with wearing pajamas in public for more pragmatic reasons. Mount Anthony Union High School in Vermont has prevented students from wearing pajama bottoms and slippers. “If you come to school like you’re going to go to bed, it says a lot about your lack of motivation,” said Dean of Students David Beriau.

In spite of the opposition, one aspect of pajamas remains indisputable: the comfort.

With the growing trend of pajamas, students gain both physical coziness and the paradoxical convenience to disregard society’s previous fashion restrictions.

“We all kind of wish that we weren’t constrained by society’s overbearance on what we wear. Pajamas provide the perfect way to do this,” said McComb.

Perhaps we should give pajamas a chance. Who knows? It could even be a “jam.”

“dress coded” at school. Some students even support the odd wardrobe because of its non-conformity, its look, and its entertainment value.

“During the mundane six hours I am forced to spend here per day, seeing David lightens things up,” commented Maggie Darago ’12.

Teachers too have had mixed reactions to Goldberg’s choice of clothing. Some support it, while others find it distracting during class.

“His initial entrance into class can cause some disturbances and snickering,” stated Psychology teacher Carly Dritz.

“But overall, the majority of the class tends to focus afterwards. There are a few kids who just can’t get past it though.”

No matter what others think, Goldberg plans to continue his style after high school. Naviance, during the career testing freshman year, even said that he should become a male model. But Goldberg has bigger and better plans for his style.

“I am hoping to become a hunter-gatherer in a South American tribe and wear only a loin cloth,” said Goldberg with all the sincerity in the world.

But whatever Goldberg and the rest of us decide to do in the future, we will all remember his lack of care for trends or peer pressure, as much as we will remember his quest to expose our social constraints, while, thankfully, not exposing himself.

IN’

M M A J -

P

Matt McComb is known for wearing pajamas on Mondays to school.

The trend extend beyond WHS, as pajamas’ popularity in public places grows.

PHOTO BY WOODY CHUNG

UGGs: Uggly for Some, Snuggly for Others The popular boot brand and style has fallen into controversy for its looks, utility, history and composition.

Shannon Reiffen Opinion Editor

It doesn’t get very cold in California.

However, on the odd occasion of a slight drizzle or chill in the air, panic ensues and students break out the UGG boots. With their soft exterior and warm insides, UGGs are the perfect way to keep one’s feet warm on a cool day. Although they are not very attractive, UGGs are incredibly popular, and have been since their conception and development.

The first UGG boots were manufactured out of sheepskin in the 1930s in Australia and New Zealand. Surfers, who used UGGs to keep their feet warm after exit-

ing the water, brought them to the United States. In the mid 70s, several small surf stores began selling UGGs in Santa Cruz and the San Fernando Valley. Finally, in 1979, UGGs were officially distributed in the United States.

Controversy surrounds the UGGs, especially about the sheepskin that coats the outside and the fleece that covers the interior. For instance, students at First Campus Center protested on their North Lawn in 2008, lying in the snow wearing coats covered in fake blood. They held signs over their heads that read “What if you were killed for your coat?” In response, some manufacturers make UGGs that have a synthetic sole made from ethylene-vinyl

acetate instead of sheepskin. Other companies, such as EMU, sell similar boots as alternatives to UGGs. When it comes to school, there is a difference of opinions. Some girls love UGG boots; they enjoy their look, warmth and comfort.

“UGGs keep you warm and are really comfortable. They are also really cute, and have colors that go with everything,” said Rachael Goldman ‘13. In the winter months, UGGs keep toes warm and have a more comfortable exterior than hard leather boots.

Even girls who do not like the look of UGGs cannot deny their “snugglyness.”

“UGG boots are really ugly but super com-

fy,” said Zahra Farhadi ‘12, And some schools are just against UGGs altogether. Pottsdam Middle School in Pennsylvania has a strict no cell-phone policy, and has found that students put their cell-phones in their UGGs and text during class. The school has, therefore, banned “open top outdoor boots,” or, in layman’s terms, UGGs. Parents are attempting to strike the policy down, complaining that the policy limits student individuality and freedom.

Either way, UGG boots are a subject of controversy among many teenage girls and schools around the world. What started out as a comfy slipper for surfers has now turned into a boot with an attitude.

Feature

March 15, 2012 • The Arrow

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From Pong to Donkey Kong A look into the development of the video game industry from a student’s perspective

Woody Chung Feature Editor

One of my earliest memories with video games took place on a leisurely Saturday afternoon.

I had just passed all the levels on Super Smash Bros. except the last one: Master Hand. Once the match started, and as Yoshi’s damage percentage got higher by the second, I ran from the Nintendo 64, hid behind the couch, and threw the bulky grey controller at my babysitter, begging her to beat the level for me.

But she was, of course, far too sophisticated for such a simple and out-dated game, and only watched as Yoshi was defeated.

Like Yoshi’s death, the change in the machines and the people who play them has inevitably occurred over the years.

In 1972, the first video game console commercially available to people, the Odyssey by Magnavox, was introduced. Back then, it was easy to define a videogame: a console, a few controllers, and a TV. Back then, it was simple.

Four decades later, the simple has become the complicated, establishing a billion dollar industry in the process. What constitutes a video game are no longer merely the console, TV, and controllers, although the XBOX 360, Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii remain powerful players in this market. Video games have transferred onto other mediums: handhelds (PSP, Nintendo 3DS), iPhone and Android apps (Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja), and even the

computer (the Sims, Starcraft).

Even the way we interact with video games has evolved, as evidenced by the success of the Wii, the Xbox Kinect, and the Playstation Move, all of which rely on a form of external input other than a controller (an infrared sensor/ remote, a camera, and a camera, respectively).

But what does this mean to the people who play these games?

First, as video games become more diverse in both the games itself and the method by which humans can interact with them, the demographics of people who play video games have become more diverse as well.

In contrast with the original stereotype that video games were intended solely for children, according to the Atlantic, the average age of the modern gamer is 34 years old. In fact, gamers younger than 18 are exceeded by gamers in the age between 18-49 and above 50.

And despite the original belief that very few girls play video games, today, females make up at least 40% of all gamers. The prevalence of video games in society has introduced previously unreached demographics to the world of gaming.

Ultimately, the technological changes and the variance in gamers will lead to a new purpose for video gaming. Granted, the original purpose and current purpose is entertainment and the future of gaming will probably remain grounded in entertainment as well. However, by and by, video

gaming will have a far greater impact as it pervades all aspects of our society.

Inklings of this change are evident even now. Games have become, through either marketing ploys or genuine innovation, “portals” to other interests.

Wii Fit, for example, introduced the concept of gaming as a far more legitimate form of exercise.

Games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero, for all their simplicity, transcended the stereotype of gaming as its own subculture by incorporating actual music which was, at some point or another, important to our society. Facade, a relatively unknown PC game, introduces the average gamer to the power of human-and-artificial intelligence interactions. The Android game Apparatus challenges the gamer to rely on physics to beat the game.

With the rate of innovation, and the reaches of human imagination, video gaming’s influence on society does not seem as if it will stop anytime soon.

FUTURE FOR FANATICS: Veteran gamers will remember the ancient Nintendo 64 which first debuted in 1996. People today enjoy other various gaming consoles such as the Nintendo DS, PSP, and even phones.

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Feature

Eat Stress Away

March 15, 2012 • The Arrow

Certain foods have been found to help relieve stress and keep people calm.

Almonds: Almonds are filled with Vitamin B2 and E, and also have magnesium and zinc, making them very healthy. Although they are high in fat, most of the fat is unsaturated and therefore good fat that the body needs. Also, the vitamin E in almonds helps relieve stress and fight heart disease. The crunchy composition of almonds are also great for digging your teeth into when frustrations boil up.

Dark Chocolate: About 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate a day can significantly reduce stress levels.

Dark chocolate is a rich source of the flavonoids—epicatechin and gallic acid— both of which have cardio-protective effects, and is also high in cocoa content.

Eating dark chocolate in moderation is also known to lower the risk of heart disease, relieve pain, lower blood pressure, and protect from skin cancer. In recent studies, this treat has also helped to relieve symptoms of chronic fatigue, helping people feel more rested.

Blueberries: Blueberries, compacted with anti-oxidants, work better and faster to wake up a tired brain than a triple shot of caffeine.

These tangy berries are also filled with vitamin C; a cup of blueberries has more of this stress-relieving vitamin than a cup of oranges. Also, blueberries fight free radicals, keeping the body healthy so that fighting the buildup of stress is easier.

Fatty fish: Many people have heard that fish is good for the brain and the heart. But it is also beneficial for managing stress. The omega-3 fats in fish in salmon, sardines, and tuna not only reduce risk of heart disease, but also manage adrenaline levels and help to keep a person feeling calm and collected.

Stretching Can Reduce Tension Shannon Reiffen Opinion Editor

For some people, each morning begins with aches, pains and the feeling of being 80 and not 18, and each night ends with more stiffness and soreness. Maybe you have back problems, or maybe your daily

FDA Approves New Diet Pill Qnexa to Help Fight Obesity Vivian Xu

Staff Writer

In a fast-paced world where obesity is an ever growing concern, it is no wonder that people are turning to innovative ways to lose weight. With crowded schedules and diminished free time, people have turned to methods such as weight-loss pills in lieu of exercise and planning diets. No drug is free of potentially harmful side-effects, but the mid-February debate over the recently approved weight-loss drug Qnexa has revived the question of whether or not the benefits of such an approach truly outweigh the consequences.

The Food and Drug Administration had originally rejected Qnexa in 2010 due to concerns over heart problems and birth defects, but the panel agreed that health problems due to obesity were more pressing matters than possible side-effects posed

by Qnexa.

Most all weight-loss drugs have risks, including over-the-counter drugs; according to the Mayo Clinic, even the most ineffective over-the-counter drugs may cause an array of harmful and unpleasant side effects, such as nausea, insomnia, constipation, and increased blood pressure. But in a nation where obesity affects 35% of adults, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, these drugs could cause more good than harm.

It is important to research and take into consideration effectiveness and side effects when contemplating using weightloss drugs; some products only lighten your wallet, and non-prescription drugs can be sold with minimal evidence of safety or effectiveness. However, the FDA tracks products once they enter the market, and will monitor its safety. Even so, it is essential to ensure that certain products are safe for use.

routine leaves you stiff and in pain. Either way, there are several ways to help alleviate this pain, and overall just keep your body loose and limber.

The easiest way is to do stretches each night before going to bed. This routine can reduce stiffness the next morning, and ensure flexibility during the day.

Exercise 1: The knee pull to the chest.

Lie on your back and bring one knee up to your chest and hold it there for a few seconds. Then put it down, and do the same with the other leg, and hold it for a few seconds. Finally, bring both legs up at the same time, and hold it for a few seconds.

Exercise 2: The pelvic rotation. Here you lie on your back with your knees up and feet flat. Stretch your arms out and move your knees to one side until you feel a stretch in your lower back and hip. But with this exercise you have to make sure you don’t let your knees go all the way to the ground, because you might strain a muscle.

Exercise 3: Stretch hamstring. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat. Bring one leg halfway towards your chest and grab behind your knee with both hands. Pull your leg up towards your chest with knee straight until you can feel the stretch in the back of your leg.

Compiled by Vivian Hu

Exercise 4: Calf stretch. Stand about three feet from a wall and place one foot back and one forward. Keep your hands on the wall and the back knee straight and heel down. Lean forward towards the wall until you feel the stretch, and then hold it.

With all these exercises, it’s important to only push yourself to feel the stretch.

Stretching should not induce pain. The last thing you want is to hurt yourself while trying exercises to help your body feel better.

Other ways to reduce pain involve alternating heat and ice on any sore area. Ice brings down any swelling and heat relaxes any tension in the muscle or sore area.

Whether you want to feel more like a senior and less like a senior citizen, or just want to keep your body loose, these stretches should help your body stay flexible.

Feature

March 15, 2012 • The Arrow

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“Oklahoma’s” Leads Prepare for the Rodeo Kelly Mark Staff Writer

PHOTO BY KELLY MARK

Oklahoma! is coming to WHS. Holly Cronin ‘15 and Megan Rittenhouse ’12 will play the lead female role, Laurey. Michael Mancuso ‘12 and Rei Vardi ‘14 will play the lead male role, Curly. The production is double cast with Cronin and Mancuso, and Vardi and Rittenhouse performing together.

“It is the first time that Westlake has done a musical in a while, so I think that’s kind of fun for everyone to look forward to,” said Cronin, The play centers on Laurey Williams, a farm girl living in Oklahoma Territory at the turn of the 19th century. When Laurey is pursued by both dashing cowboy Curly McLain and mysterious farm hand Jud Fry, the men’s courtships cause chaos in their small Oklahoma hometown.

The cast is working vigorously every day to ensure a strong performance.

“I’ve watched the movie over and over again and my family is all from the south, so it helps with the accent,” said Rittenhouse.

“I’m just going to study the character”, said Colin Carpenter ’13, when asked how he was going to portray his role as Jud

THE OK CHORALE: Cast members Colin Carpenter and Andres Winokur, who play Jud, rehearse for the musical.

realistically.

Some students received parts that are not necessarily easy to play, but they are ready for the challenge.

“I’m excited to portray the complete polar opposites of what I am,” noted Andres Winokur ’13, who also plays Jud. However, the lead roles seem to pro-

duce the most drama and pressure for the performers.

“We have a big responsibility on our shoulders because everyone is relying on us. The most difficult thing for me is making sure I live up to everybody’s expectations and making (sure) that everybody gets their own time to shine,” explained

Vardi.

It takes a huge amount of commitment and passion to convey a role of this importance. At times, having such large roles can be very stressful and overwhelming, even during auditions.

“It was kind of intimidating because I was against all seniors and I was going up as a little freshman,” said Cronin.

As lead actors, the students also have to act as role models for the cast because they are accountable for such large parts of the performance.

“I think it is definitely making sure we get everything together cause we are in the majority of the show so you have to make sure you have everything down perfect and everyone else will follow,” explained Rittenhouse.

All the students participating in the performance are excited for the musical’s debut and the feedback from the audience.

“We are going to have the orchestra pit and all the choir kids and all the theatre kids, and really [it is going to be] the first major production that WHS has ever seen, so that in itself it going to be really exciting,” said Vardi.

The actors and actresses are looking forward to putting on a great show, and they hope that the audience will enjoy the performance.

British Boy Band Heads in One Direction: Up

COURTESY PHOTO

X-FACTOR TIMES 5: The British group One Direction (l-r, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Niall Horan) released its first album.

Genna Gmeiner Staff Writer

What do you get when you take The Backstreet Boys, N’Sync, New Kids on the Block, and add beautiful British accents? The band that is conquering the world one girl at a time, One Direction. With five multitalented UK members, the boy band from across the pond is sweeping the nation.

It all started in 2010 when five boys, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson tried out individually for the UK’s X Factor. While the boys failed to make the competition as individuals, Simon Cowell grouped

them together. They made it to the live shows and got through to the final three, but were beat by runner up Rebecca Ferguson. However, the end of their run on The X Factor was only the beginning of their cult-like following.

After The X Factor, their popularity grew exponentially. The boys joined the rest of the X Factor cast on a tour that took them around the UK in early 2011. Big plans were made for the boys throughout the year, including recording their first album, filming a documentary, coming out with two books, and an upcoming UK tour that would take place at the end of the year.

When their single “What Makes You Beautiful” played for

the first time on BBC 1 Radio, the fandom went wild. The single shattered records and went to number one on the charts immediately. Their second single “Gotta Be You” and third single “One Thing” topped the charts as well.

Their debut album titled “Up All Night” went to number one on Britain’s iTunes in November, and also took the top spot in the US after it’s release date on March 13th . One Direction was also nominated for a Brit award under the category Best British Single.

The group won with an astonishing 89% of the vote. One Direction ended 2011 with a recordbreaking single, a number one album, and a tour that sold out in 12 minutes, impressive feats for a band that has only been together for a little over a year.

Like all boy bands, One Direction has a dedicated fan base.

They call themselves “Directioners,” and they might be one of the most crazy fandoms in the history of music.

“These boys are just like us and it’s amazing how much we can relate to them!” exclaimed Kim Kirsch ‘13. Many fans go to all sort of lengths to see the musicians and get their hands on anything related to One Direction.

“They have amazing British accents and their music is addicting!” raved Riley Hutchings ‘15.

This One Direction “infection” is spreading.

By using the power of the internet, One Direction’s fan base is growing everyday, and the band

has barely done any promotion in countries other than England. But England could only keep the boys a secret for so long.

Talk of an American One Di-

rection tour is rumored to be in the works for later this year. With all the mayhem the group is creating, we may now be able to say a final bye-bye to Bieber.

EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELDS: Mock Trial team members, Kevin Shi and Andrea Teodorescu earned individual awards at the Ventura County Mock Trial Awards Ceremony held at Cal Lutheran University.

Mock Trial Witnesses Earn Awards Brian Chang

Managing Editor After months of rigorous practice and two days of intensive competition, two members of the WHS Mock Trial team won awards for their respective roles.

Andrea Teodorescu ‘14 won second place for her role as expert witness Dr. Marion Schwartz for the prosecution and Kevin Shi ‘14 earned third place for portraying Dr. Jan Shartsis, an expert witness for the defense.

Teodorescu attributed her

success to her ability to maintain her role as a doctor in the courtroom.

“The moment I walked into the courtroom I told myself that I could not break character,” she said. “I tried to be confident when I was on the witness stand, and I spoke loudly and articulately.”

This year, the team earned ninth place overall in a murder trial involving a murder suspect, college student Ryan Buschell.

“I want to compete at World [competition] next year,” said Shi. “Or, even better, beat La Reina.”

Young Celebrities Unable to Hide from Media Lights Monica Huskins Staff Writer

Young Hollywood rising stars face a tough challenge in gaining their fame. It is not easy to go from being a normal, everyday person to a star-studded celebrity.

Some celebrities, such as Lindsay Lohan, proved unable to handle the pressures while others, like Hilary Duff, quickly rise to the occasion and learn how to handle such obstacles. It is hard for up-and-comers to have a nor-

mal life because of paparazzi following their every move and the media paying so much attention to them because society increasingly values such things as celebrity status.

More mature and seasoned celebrities, like Julia Roberts, who have dealt with the fame, shed light on what the business used to be about and the challenges newcomers are faced with today.

Julia Roberts notes in a recent interview with Vanity Fair

that, “there’s the express elevator and then there’s rehab. It’s so awful; nobody gets a fair trial-and-error period that everybody deserves and everybody needs.”

Young Hollywood stars are thrown into the spotlight and are expected to get the hang of the fame game right away. However, few really can master it so quickly. Actresses like Rooney Mara and Jennifer Lawrence, who have recently skyrocketed to fame, have seemed to handle

the pressures of the industry with grace and sophistication, but not everyone can handle such enormous pressures.

Not all celebrities are happy with the attention that the media focuses on them. Celebrities such as Kristen Stewart struggle with the colossal amount of attention they are given. According to Britain’s Sunday Telegraph Stewart said, “It is weird never to be just some girl. Everybody knows me, so I can never be just a new person with somebody. New people

always have an impression of me and I am so aware of it, and it probably changes me.”

While Kristen Stewart has not been negatively portrayed or under the radar for situations like rehab or partying, it is her own personal life that is negatively affected because of fame.

While making it in the film world is the a dream come true for many, mounting societal and tabloid pressures make an acting career increasingly undesirable.

Sports

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March 15, 2012 • The Arrow

S p r o e rts t n i W

Roundup Written and compiled by Alex Farkas Shelby Block takes the ball down court in a recent girls basketball game.

Winter sports came to a close after four of the six teams and one player moved on to CIF playoffs. Some were defeated after the first round, but others made a successful run at the title.

Nicole Molen dribbles the ball down the field in the second round of CIF against Redondo.

Girls Soccer

Girls Basketball

Girls Water Polo

Boys Basketball

Wrestling

The Marmonte League Champs entered the CIF playoffs as a high seed. The girls won their first two CIF games at home against La Habra and Redondo by scores of 4-1 and 2-1, respectively. The team entered the quarterfinals with high hopes against the #2 seed Los Osos. After a hard fought double overtime battle, the team suffered a 2-1 loss.

Finishing the season on a fivegame winning streak, the WHS girls basketball team entered CIF with a 14-11 record. In the first round, the girls faced La Habra and defeated them by a score of 57-44. Then the team traveled to Rio Mesa where the Spartans ended the Warriors season in the second round of CIF by a score of 50-26.

The WHS girls water polo team (19-10) took second in league behind the all powerful Agoura Girls team. They traveled to San Clemente and lost in the 1st round by a score of 14-6. “We had a lot of curve balls thrown at us; however, I feel we handled them to the best of our ability and our stats showed it,” said Stephanie Barlev ‘12.

After making a run at the Marmonte League title, the WHS boys basketball team (19-11) entered CIF as a #12 seed. The team traveled to Dominguez High School but lost in the first round by a score of 60-54. “Considering the young age of our program and having a new coach, we performed fairly well,” said Nick Nikchevich ‘12.

Wrestler Amir Hassan ‘13 was one of the best wrestlers in the Marmonte League. After the league championships Hassan moved on to CIF. He then placed 5th in CIF. The team may not have advanced to CIF, but Hassan almost qualified for the Masters after he lost to the 3rd place wrestler overall. He did not place at Masters.

Shannon Reiffen

The team also gained freshmen and sophomores ready to start on varsity such as Carlo Castaneda ’15 and Jesse Cuccia ’15.

Castaneda was influential in last Friday’s 13-7 win against Malibu, scoring goals and playing excellent defense as an attack.

“We’re really good this year,” Castaneda said, “We could probably win CIF.” Looking ahead, the team feels Oak Park High School will be the biggest challenge this year along with Agoura High School when they play the team again.

“We can make it as far as we want to,” said Matthew Yaldezian.

“It just depends on how hard we work and how much we want it.”

Win or lose, the team members have gained lasting friendships in the process. Before games, the team concentrates together in the locker room, blasting music, while Brennan Ray ’13 does everyone’s eye black.

“We are overall more prepared and more dedicated this year. When we want something bad enough, there’s nothing that can stand in our way,” said Micah Yaldezian.

Raising Their Game

Opinion Editor

PHOTOS BY DAN PETERSON

FINISHING STRONG: Rocky Peterson and Mikey Giguere (left) run in a pack in their distance race. Brooke Edell (above) leans over the finish line.

Newcomers Help Team Overcome Hurdles

Tara Spencer Staff Writer

meet.

In addition, new faces—like Jenny Giguere ‘15 named “Best Newcomer” of the year for the 2011 cross country season—will make the distance team a force to be reckoned with.

Giguere also ran the second fastest mile time for girls at the WHS vs. Birmingham, behind Nicole Ghazarian ‘12. Ghazarian ran a 5:20 while Giguere ran a 5:24.

Sean O’Bryan ‘14 will add depth to the boys’ distance team, as well as boys 110m varsity hurdles.

The team expects to attend additional prestigious meets this season, such as, Arcadia Invite, Pasadena Invite, Ventura County Championships, and the Mount SAC Invite.

The team competes against El Camino Real and Oak Park March 15 at home.

PHOTO BY SHANNON REIFFEN

The WHS Track and Field team is expecting an exciting season this year. With many talented athletes returning, WHS has a good chance at the league title.

After the utmost success at Time Trials and their recent meet against Birmingham High School, the Track and Field team feels prepared for the league meets.

However, Sprint Coach Jim Benkert, who is also head coach of the Marmonte League championship football team, says that he “needs speed from his football team to provide a more balanced point scoring attack in the tough Marmonte league on the boy’s side.” For the boys side, Benkert is glad that some of the players from his team are also sprinters for the track team.

Many new and returning athletes give the team an advantage over Marmonte League opponents. Newcomer Abigail Smith ‘15, plus returners Brooke Edell ‘14, Sara Schwartz ‘14, Deja Webster ‘14, William Kern ‘12, and Adam Augustyn ‘12 are all sprinters who add depth to the team.

Augustyn was also ranked among the best 15 hurdlers in the state before getting injured last year. Augustyn won the boys 110m hurdles last week against Birmingham, by running 16.05.

Smith also topped the field in the girls 100m dash by running a 12.64.

WHS is also a large threat with the many talented vertical jumpers. Gino Collela ‘14 qualified for the CIF Masters Meet last year; however, his attempt to reach 15’2” against Birmingham will have to wait until the next

When you combine blood, sweat, tears and a bond of brotherhood, you get this year’s varsity lacrosse team.

Led by Coach Dennis Ray and team captains Luke Hegeman ’12, Micah Yaldezian ’12 and Matthew Yaldezian ’12, the team has lost only one game this year, and it was a pre-season game against Harvard-Westlake.

They are 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the league. The team has returned stronger than it was last year and has been able to win contentious games.

“Our toughest game was definitely against Agoura. It was hard-fought and everyone played their hearts out. We pulled through in the fourth quarter for the 6-3 victory, but until that we were in a dogfight,” recalled Hegeman.

The team did not lose many seniors last year, so the transition into this season was not too difficult. Coach Ray is proud of his current team, saying they are “tremendously gifted lacrosse student athletes.”

CROSSROADS: Carlo Castaneda runs down field against Malibu during a recent home game. WHS won 13-7.

Sports

March 15, 2011 • The Arrow

Swimmers Set to Sweep Season

Michelle Noyes News Editor

Photo by Genna Gmeiner

A Fish in water: Haley Crowley competes in the 100 Breaststroke against Royal High on March 9 at home.

Girls and boys swim team dove into the 2012 season by winning their first Marmonte meet. WHS defeated Royal on Friday, March 9 at home. On March 6, Crespi Carmelite and Louisville competed against WHS in the first meet of this season, both losing by a landslide to WHS. The co-ed team has a new head coach this season, Shannon Breese. Breese replaced former coach Todd Irmas.

Team captains are Savannah Miller ‘12 for the girls and David Sommers ‘12 for the boys. Two underclassmen sure to prove their worth on varsity are Haley Crowley ‘14 and David Puczhowski ‘15.

Crowley started competitively swimming six years ago. “I loved to swim just for fun so I thought it would be fun to join a swim team,” said Crowley.

This season, she is working to improve her times and her technique on each stroke.

Crowley’s three favorite events to swim in meets are the 200 medley relay, individual 100 breaststroke, and individual 100 butterfly.

Puczhowski, a freshman on varsity, has also been competitively swimming for six years. This season he expects to improve his time and stroke in two events: the 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle. Puczhowski

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stays motivated during tough practices by swimming alongside his friends who are assigned the same difficult set. His favorite event in meets is the 100 backstroke, which also happens to be his fastest, 52 seconds.

Currently Crowley and Puczhowski both swim for the club swim team, Class Aquatics, as well as on the WHS team. The next meet is at home on March 16 against TOHS at 3 p.m.

Q&A with Haley Crowley Q: What are your best times?

A: 100 Breaststroke 1:13 minutes 100 Butterfly 1:08 minutes Q: What keeps you motivated during a tough practice?

A: Knowing that I will get to eat food after.

Q&A with David Puczhowski Q: Why did you take up the sport of swimming?

A: My sister joined which encouraged me to join.

Q: What is you favorite food after a tiring swim practice?

A: Ice cream

Senior Domination Softball plans comeback with help of five powerhouse seniors

Brian Danziger Staff Writer

Upcoming Softball Games

Upcoming Tennis Matches

Fri. March 16 at Thousand Oaks High School: Home at 3:30 pm

Thurs. March 15 at Royal High School: Away at 2:30 pm

Wed. March 21 at Pacific View League Softball Challenge: Home at 3:30 pm

Tues. March 27 at Thousand Oaks High School: Home at 3:00 pm

Sat. March 24 JV at Saugus Spring Classic: Away at 8:00 am

Wed. March 28 at Chaminade College Prep: Away at 3:00 pm

Tues. March 27 at Simi Valley High School: Away at 3:00 pm

Thurs. March 29 at Simi Valley High School: Away at 2:30 pm

Thurs. March 29 at Calabasas High School: Away at 3:30 pm

Tues. April 3 at Calabasas High School: Home at 2:30 pm

PHOTO BY FRANCES LING

In its first league game against Oak Park on Tuesday, varsity softball lost by the score of 4-5. Yesterday, the girls played against Pacifica High.

Coach John Ashley returns for another season, leading girls he has seen grow and develop athletically. “I have five seniors that are capable of breaking out this year, Vicki King, Aerin Creamer, Madison Gagnon, Jenna Haffamier and Jordyn Hall. I don’t only think this group will perform, I expect them to.”

Going into the season “the mood of the team is excitement and focused. The team finally gets to express their enthusiasm and show the product of all their hard work they have put in over the fall,” said Ashley.

The team is pushing and practicing “to prove to the entire Marmonte League that the Warrior program will be one to be dealt with.”

In order to get to that level where other

teams circle WHS on their schedules, “they must battle and compete, every pitch, every inning, of every game. If we do those things , then the wins and losses will take care of themselves,” stated Ashley.

Another goal the team must accomplish is to have chemistry among the team. “It is going to take everyone coming together, and shoving in the same direction for a successful season,” said Ashley.

Haffamier believes that they have the chemistry accomplished before the season starts.

“We jell very well together because most of us have been working together since my freshman year,” said Haffamier.

Another factor that is key for this team is that they must stay healthy due to a lack of depth on the team.

In order to get to where the team wants to go this year, Ashley stated that, ”everyone must know, and own their responsibilities to the club. This group will compete, and is poised for a run at the playoffs.”

Bend, Extend, Transcend: Matt Gottlieb hits a forehand in a match against Valencia at home.

Tennis Serves Up Early Wins Julia Shi

Feature Editor Taft, Valencia, and Agoura High Schools fell at the hands of the Warriors as the WHS boys tennis team dominated the Marmonte League this past month.

The team also defeated Oak Park in a nonleague match.

Varsity tennis welcomed several new players this year, including Sumant Iyer ‘15, Ben Lebedin ‘15, Scott Wooldridge ‘15, and Jonah Dennis ‘15.

Also new to the team is Matt Gottlieb ‘15, who plays varsity singles and has proven himself as a talented member of the team.

“I am really enjoying the tennis team [so far],” said Gottlieb. “Everyone is very fun to be around.”

Coach Connie Flanderka described Gottlieb as “an outstanding singles player,” praising him for his “great temperament” and his focus during match play.

This influx of new talent may play a role in the team’s achievements this season.

“I think our freshmen are going to be a big factor in the success of our team,” said Erik Lauer ‘13.

In addition, the team’s performance has also been bolstered by the return of older, more experienced members.

Alexander Loh ‘14 came back this season to again compete in varsity singles.

Senior doubles players Brian Ho, Harrison Han, Alex Farkas, Frank Duan, and Brett Kaplan have returned to lead the team in their final year at WHS. Other returning members include Matt Hoisch ‘14, Yangzong Guo ‘13, Erik Lauer ‘13, Colin Carpenter ‘13, and Nathan Noh ‘13.

Assistant Coach Jim Azevedo has also returned to help guide the boys team.

According to Flanderka, the team’s goals for the season are to defeat its rival Thousand Oaks High School, win the Marmonte League, advance in CIF, and have individuals compete at CIF sectionals.

The team’s strong lineup has been crucial in helping them achieve not just these goals, but also future ones.

With a surge of talented underclassmen, the future for boys tennis looks bright and secure.

“We’re probably going to have a solid team for years to come,” said Vasant Iyer ‘13.

Fashion

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With a Spring in Our Step 1

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Nicolette Blatt Feature Editor

2 1

3 2 2 3

4

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4 Accessories:

4 Clothing:

1“Zad Agate Ring” $13, Lulus.com 1“Peplum Rally Black Top” $49, Lulus.com 2“Let’s Face it Gold Ring” $10, Lulus.com 2“Cheerio Teal Dress” $49, Lulus.com 3“Don’t Cage Me In Leather Bracelet” $17, 3“Pretty Maids Cream Dress” $38, Lulus.

Lulus.com com 4“Bold Italia Print Handbag” $50, at Lulus. 4“Heart to Heart Mint Top” $34, Lulus.com com

Make-up and Hair:

1Dark brown eyeliner for brown eyes 2Straight hair on Taylor Swift at the

American Music Awards 3Bright shadows like orange and pink 4Cherry red lipstick

Winter in Southern California is anything but predictable; one day it can be a blazing 85 degrees and the next day it can be a bone-chilling 66 degrees.

Your wardrobe needs to meld with any weather condition. Basically, dress for fun spring weather.

Some of the hottest trends this spring are very effortless. Pastels are flirty and simple.

According to Brad Goreski, a celebrity stylist, “One trend worth buying now?

Pastels. The light, pretty hues aren’t just for preppy girls anymore.”

Pastels can be thrown into any simple outfit to jazz it up a bit. A cute way to add a light color to an outfit is a skinny belt or even a muted colored pair of jeans.

Another versatile spring trend is the peplum skirt. In the spring collection preview, some of the greatest designers, such as, Jason Wu, Rodarte, and Marc Jacobs, added peplum accents to their runways.

The peplum is a short flared, gathered, or pleated strip of fabric attached at the waist of a woman’s jacket, dress, or blouse.

According to Vogue UK “A surprisingly versatile addition to your new season wardrobe, chic peplums add a new dimension to skirt suits and separates for day.”

There is an easy way to have this runway look at school: a peplum shirt with a nice pair of jeans would make any spring outfit pop.

Safari wear is another style making an appearance this season. However, safari prints can easily by overdone. But a dash of animal print here and there can add an artistic flair. An animal ring or African inspired earrings and necklaces can inspire

March 15, 2012 • The Arrow

a walk on the wild side.

Combine a military-styled jacket with dark army green. No camouflage allowed.

Do not worry about buying these trends at high end price. H&M has inexpensive peplum shirts.

To add a pop of pastel, make a trip over to J. Crew to find papaya pink jean.

J. Crew even has a pastel belt to go with a plain white dress.

Military jackets often are on the racks at vintage stores. Avoid overpaying for items that are available to be recycled.

Makeup and hair trends for this spring are finding inspiration in the 1950s, including retro waves and slicked back bouncy and thick ponytails.

Harpers Bazaar reported, “Lipstick’s most iconic color was reinvented this season, proving that there are endless ways to wear a dramatic red. With inspirations that ranged from pop art expressionisms at Jason Wu to art deco experimentation at Rick Owens to Betty Draper-style elegance at Dior, it’s a great time to go for rouge.”

Retro cat eyes will become a big style.

Elle featured cat eyes and said, “pumped-up fringe and a generous coating of black eyeliner made peepers pop.” Cat eyes complement a natural face makeup with a very matte red lipstick.

On all the spring runways the makeup is a pop of color, you will even find a bright color as an eyeshadow. Even a crazy bright pink blush. To add a nice pop of face color use a blue mascara or even a copper eyeliner.

While keeping in mind that pastels are the new in color try to mix in your own sense of style. Add rebellious bracelets or a cute bow. Never lose personal style because of a new trend. Only put a little dash of the new trend into your own style.