3.29.19

the

Arrow 100 Lakeview Canyon Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91362 Volume XLI | Issue 5 | March 29, 2019

WOMEN PAGES 10–11 Acadeca succeeds at state

Warriors explore the world

Spring standout athletes

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Page 8

Page 18

ADVICE COLUMN

Arrow staff

the

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editors–in–chief caelyn pender & milla wu

managing editor megan king

web masters–in–chief

Dear Aunt Arrow A guide to the depressing college admissions season

sona bhargava & connie shi

web managing editor prarthana kaygee

Compiled by Megan King, Caelyn Pender & Milla Wu

sydney schlesinger

How do I convince the college that How do I deal with the impending doom already rejected me to accept me? of a million years of financial debt?

news section editor news editor thomas brickman

feature section editors marc andrew choi & jamie lee

feature editors angel lee, quinn moss, lauren pak, amber parrish, sophie robson, lindsey romano & faith yellin

arts & entertainment section editor katie reul

arts & entertainment editors brittney nial, abby thompson & bob xia

opinion section editor alex li

opinion editors

songhee lee & avery pak

featured columnist amanda ju

sports section editors akhil gutta & melanie zhang

sports editors peter beer, kyra berg, taylor chen & jeff mendoza

business manager & photo editor michelle hang

graphics editor elliot kim

adviser karie lynch The Arrow is written, designed and run by the students of the Advanced Journalism and Journalism 1CP classes at Westlake High School. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the Conejo Valley Unified School District, Westlake High School administration, faculty or student body. We welcome feedback. Letters must be signed by the writer.

www.westlakearrow.net westlakearrow@gmail.com @westlakearrow 100 N. Lakeview Canyon Road Westlake Village, CA 91362 (805) 497–6711 ext. 4225 Cover design by Megan King, Avery Pak & Caelyn Pender Cover photos by Megan King

Lately, this is a frequently asked question, so we took the liberty of putting together a three–pronged plan for those seniors who find themselves in this situation. We have talked to many individuals in recent weeks for whom this method worked very well for (*cough cough* Olivia Jade *cough cough*), as it is not only quick and convenient, but it also bypasses the uncertainty of the college admissions process.

Step 1: Photoshop your head on a picture of an athlete. Make it look at least semi–realistic. For example, take a scenic headshot of yourself in front of a boat for the rowing coach.

Step 2: Find $20,000. If you don’t already have it on hand, look beneath couch cushions, kidnap your neighbor’s dog and demand ransom, steal a metal detector from the old man at the beach or sneak into the local country club to find dropped change.

Step 3: Bribe a coach or athletics director to suddenly need you and your sport skills for their team next year. Before you know it, you will find yourself at your dream school!

In all seriousness, don’t do this.

As unfortunate as it is, college admission decisions are final, and you will be better off focusing on the future than dwelling on what could have been. Instead of trying to convince a college that rejected you to reconsider, look at the schools that accepted you.

Explore the programs that your prospective schools offer to find something that excites you. You can even reach out to a professor and ask about the opportunities and classes you can take.

We also highly recommend reaching out to students — both current and future.

Attend a tour of your school and talk with current students.

These students have had an authentic experience at the school and can give you a realistic view of the experience, which is better than those in admissions offices who are paid to try to convince you to come. Ask them about their favorite experiences at the school and the best hidden eateries. Some schools even offer overnight programs where you can stay with current students and experience what life is like as a student, which can help you make a decision and feel good about it.

If you have been waitlisted, that is a different scenario. Though a waitlist offers the possibility of being admitted to the school, there is no guarantee. While you do not have to give up hope of being admitted, you need to commit to another school. And since nothing is guaranteed at the waitlisting school, research the school you committed to and get excited about what may very well be your future! If you do end up getting accepted to that dream school, then great, but if you end up at your second choice, that can be great too!

Unfortunately, the happiness you feel at being accepted into a school of your dreams (or your second place dream) can be diminished by the letter you receive labeling your school with an enormous price tag. There are a couple of options that can make the financial hardships of college smaller.

First, you don’t have to go to the school with the biggest price tag. While this may seem like the least desirable option, going to a school that will give you the most money (but maybe wasn’t your top school) is an option that shouldn’t immediately be discounted.

If you still have your heart set on attending that school with the power to bankrupt your family, your first step should be to apply for scholarships. There is such a wide variety of scholarships available to students of all backgrounds.

Check out Naviance for a long list of scholarships or visit scholarships.com to find even more.

Also, raise.me is a website that links you to colleges offering micro–scholarships. Simply enter your grades, test scores, activities, etc., and colleges partnered with raise.me (including CLU, University of San Diego, Arizona State University and more) will pledge you money if you attend the school.

Once you’ve exhausted the scholarships and written more essays than you ever wanted to, it’s time to think about your other options.

One option is to simply ask your college for more money.

According to CNN Money, “you can haggle over financial aid.”

“Experts suggest having the student write a formal appeal letter and then follow up with a phone call,” stated CNN Money.

“It’s worth re–emphasizing why you’re a good fit for the school, and whether or not you received more aid from a comparable college.”

Finally, loans are an option. While the thought of loans is often met with the thought of endless years of debt, there are ways to make loans more accessible and reasonable.

“You’ll want to borrow money from the federal government before turning to a private lender because federal loans offer lower interest rates and more borrower protections,” stated CNN Money.

The amount of money the government can loan you is determined by your school. There are two types of direct loans from the government: subsidized and unsubsidized. Unlike subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans are not need based.

A few other options to help reduce the price tag of college include living off–campus, work–study jobs, ROTC programs and community colleges (for the first two years of college).

Ultimately, before you fall into a pit of despair related to the astronomical price of college, take time to sit down and clearly outline your various options — there are more than you might think.

How do I emotionally prepare myself for and deal with rejection?

There’s a common saying that goes: “happiness is reality minus expectations.” If you set your expectations really high, the reality of rejection will sting more. Now, you might be tempted to just do the inverse and not expect anything at all! But I think there’s a happy medium to be found here: cautious optimism.

If you are still waiting for college decisions to come out, it’s good to be optimistic about your chances of getting into your dream school; don’t preemptively sell yourself short after working hard for four years of high school. While unbridled optimism might set you up for potential heartbreak, a guarded amount of hopefulness is ideal for handling your emotions.

On the other hand, if you’re currently unhappy with your results, keep in mind that

as colleges receive more applications each year, it naturally becomes harder to get in.

For example, the acceptance rate for UCSB in 2010 was 42.2 percent; this year it was 32.8 percent. In 2011, USC accepted 22.7 percent of freshman applicants, which was the record low of the time. This year, the acceptance rate hit a record low of 11 percent, half of what it was eight years ago.

Furthermore, it’s more difficult to get accepted into colleges in this current climate (nepotism notwithstanding), and a waitlist or rejection is in no way a reflection on your character. Your application doesn’t encapsulate your entire person. There are so many aspects of people that colleges don’t see. Don’t take your rejection personally, because you didn’t get rejected, your application did.

The bottom line is that, while where you go to college is important, there are so many options, so when one door closes, another one opens. While community college sometimes receives a bad reputation, going to a CC is a great option. Or, if you need a break from schoolwork, a gap year to volunteer or gain work experience would be beneficial.

The prestige of your college doesn’t reflect your worth. Happiness might really be your reality minus expectations, but both your reality and expectations are changeable. Just give it time.

,

Best of Luck

w

Aunt Arro

3

NEWS

WHS approves new bell schedule by songhee lee opinion editor As the new school year slowly approaches, WHS staff voted to approve a revised bell schedule for the 2019–2020 school year. Through many meetings with teachers, parents and students, surveys from students and parents and votes from teachers, the WHS administration made a proposal to change the current bell schedule.

“It all started with our Single Plan for Student Achievement,” said Principal Jason Branham. “In that, we try to identify different ways to support student learning, and over the years, two major arising questions were: one, starting first period later and, two, having first period after CPT.” Soon after, the discussion of integrating block schedule was brought up as well, specifically for making more time to perform labs, Socratic Seminars, group work and more. The process for drafting new schedule options started with surveying the staff and parents to reflect on the current bell schedule.

“As stated in the California Education Code, all students in California must receive a minimal amount of instructional minutes per year,” said Branham. “Currently, with the bell schedule now, WHS exceeds the minimum requirement by 8,480 minutes. With the proposed bell schedule, it would pass around 3,500 minutes.”

Beginning in December, teachers were surveyed on multiple occasions about possible block and regular bell schedules designed based on teacher, parent and student feedback. Survey results were used to narrow the schedule options down to one final option which teachers voted to accept or deny in early March.

Many teachers and students hold differing opinions about

“I voted for the new schedule,” said band director Brian Peter. “Having taught first period for many years, I get it. There are some nights from homework, sports or activities [that] kids are asleep [here]. The extra 25 minutes [with the new bell schedule] and starting school when the sun rises [would be] actually helpful for the students.”

However, there are also conflicts with students who can not make arrangements for transportation if school starts later.

“I prefer our current schedule because of transportation issues and how the ride situation would not work out in my family,” said student Amy Song ’21. “Also, that means shortened class time, and with the tests, I don’t think teachers would change much of the content or shorten it, so I feel with our schedule now, the feeling of preparation would be more effective.”

Some teachers feel it would be more challenging to fit tests or labs into the condensed period.

“I voted for no bell change,” said chemistry teacher Lori Cord. “The new bell schedule makes me lose four minutes, which, with the labs and demos, we can’t finish.

Since we can never finish things, it wouldn’t be helpful to lose even more minutes.”

After the Board of Education approved the proposals, GRAPHIC BY MICHELLE HANG the voting process to pass the new schedule began with switching the schedule to a later start. Some students feel that WHS teachers. Now that teachers have voted, the Board of with a later start they can sleep in more and prepare themselves Education must vote to approve the final schedule. for the school day more effectively.

“We voted on whether or not to accept one proposed “I would prefer a later first period because trying to balance schedule,” said Unified Association of Conejo Teachers extracurricular activities, school work and a good amount of sleep representative, Doug Freed, and coordinator of the teacher is very difficult,” said student Ethan Wynner ’20. “If first period voting. “87.5 percent of the ballots were marked accept [the new started [later], that extra time to sleep or time to do homework bell schedule].” would go a long way.”

Even with the proposed change of the bell schedule, the Some teachers agree about school starting later so students administration’s main goal is to provide students with the best can get more sleep. possible instruction.

FBLA takes record 25 to state

by lindsey romano

feature editor Future Business Leaders of America, a WHS club focused on career development, is taking 25 members to the state conference in late April this year after qualifying in the section conference, a new record for the club.

“To qualify for the State Leadership Conference, WHS FBLA members had to compete at the Gold Coast Section Conference in February and place in the top six in their event,” said FBLA WHS chapter adviser Laurie Looker.

FBLA is a national organization consisting of more than 225,000 members, 86 of whom are at WHS. The club provides students with chances to take on leadership roles with the hopes of preparing the students for future career paths in business.

“FBLA provides a unique opportunity for students,” said FBLA member Megan Wang ‘22. “It’s a well established organization.”

FBLA members attended the section conference in Pasadena. They competed against over 700 members from 22 different high schools in hopes of qualifying for state.

“To go up against so many other people and move on to state felt really exciting, especially because I get to go with my friends,” said FBLA member Abhinav Pomalapally ‘22.

At the state conference, members will attend workshops and speak with other FBLA members from across California. In order to qualify for the national conference, members will have to land in the top five in one of four events, all under specific topics of interest of the student’s choosing. “[Section conference] was extremely competitive as many schools have larger chapters than WHS, [meaning they] devote a

lot more time and practice,” said Jerry Shi ‘21, vice president of competitive events for FBLA. The four events include an objective written test as well as the creation and presentation of a project, report or role play available to be done individually or as a team.

“I chose stocks and investments because I’ve always been interested in [it], so I had some prior knowledge,” said Arjun Gutta ‘21, a member of FBLA who was one of the 25 to qualify for state.

FBLA had many different success strategies. Looker credits the club’s achievement this year with “more students who are in the Academy program and in one of our Career Pathways [participating] in FBLA this year” as well as “strong participation from freshmen.”

“We’re taking a much bigger group, and we have a new group of students who are getting really involved,” said Katelin Zhou ‘19, WHS’s FBLA chapter president. “It makes me happy to see people taking advantage of opportunities.”

Additionally, many students say that working together, studying the material and looking over the competition format allowed them to move on to state conference.

“FBLA members meet less frequently, so work is not necessarily organized to be together, but there are study sessions and of course communication among friends as a team,” said FBLA member Phoebe Chen ‘22.

Members hope this record will encourage more students to join and continue a growing program on campus, specifically from Academy and Career Pathway programs.

In comparison to other schools, WHS’s member count is low. FBLA members believe higher numbers are important for further increasing the club’s success in the future.

“It is a truly fun learning experience,” said Shi. “I hope to share [it] with more of my colleagues and peers.”

Nigro guides AcaDeca to state “The tests were quite hard, and I don’t think anyone can ever feel like they’ve studied featured columnist enough for that kind of thing, but it was a good & co–web master–in–chief time,” said Brill. “Everyone was there to do well, and it was a good community experience.”

WHS Acadeca competed in the California After placing third overall at the county Academic Decathlon 2019 state–level level, WHS’s team qualified as a “wildcard” championship at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento entry to the state competition. on March 22–23. Six hundred students from over Out of the nine competing members, only 60 high schools across California participated in Wu competed at the state level the year prior, the competition. and seven were first–year members.

The team placed 33rd overall in the state, “We really interact together, and I think with Milla Wu ‘19 earning bronze honors in art, teamwork and learning as a group is really silver honors in literature important for [being] and gold honors in essay successful in the e really interact competition,” and Chloe Brill ‘19 said together, first–year member Jake earning bronze scholastic in math, silver scholastic and I think Velen ‘21. in music and gold The A–team teamwork and learning as a entered the competition scholastic in speech. Wu group is really important.” mainly with goals of was also the highest WHS scorer at the competition. individual achievement “Any time we can –Jake Velen and team bonding. take home medals from “We’re not really state, I call it a win because in the very, very best California is the most competitive state in the in the state, so our goal is to really do as well nation, winning the national title for the last 16 individually in some subjects as good as we years,” said Acadeca adviser Joe Nigro. can,” said Surani before the competition.

This year’s curriculum was themed “The Spending four days and three nights 1960s: A Transformational Decade” and explored in Sacramento, WHS Acadeca competed the art, economics, literature, mathematics, music, alongside the other Ventura County science and social science of the decade. qualifying schools La Reina, Calabasas and “I thought it’d be a lot of fun to learn not Oxnard. WHS competed in Division 2, just about 1960’s history, but the culture and the placing 10th. WHS hopes to return to the time, the art, the music that all came to define competition next year. it,” said honors competitor Faiz Surani ‘19. “It’s “I’m looking forward to the curriculum one of the most fascinating periods in American for next year,” said Nigro. “The novel is history. So much happened.”

Frankenstein, which happens to be one of my Six hundred students from over 60 high schools favorite books of all time, so hopefully I can across California participated in the competition. share that enthusiasm with the students.”

by amanda ju & connie shi

“W

4

NEWS

In brief Physics mural Hannah Currey ‘19 is the designer and artist of WHS’s newest mural. Located in the physics’ boiler room, physics teacher Scott Holloway showcases this mystical and dreamy composition to capture the sensation of the WHS’s Robotics Club.

“The Cadmus dragon, which is the real focal point of the mural, is the mascot for our robotics team,” said Currey. “So, because the boiler room is for STEAM [science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics], [the team] liked a steampunk theme with gears, a factory and a very steampunk–inspired style airship.” With the help of sketcher Alyssa Tomkinson ‘19 and painter Sofia Boldt ‘20, the mural was completed within a year.

Graduation Events WHS is currently accepting applications for graduation/baccalaureate speakers. Application packets are due by 2 p.m. on April 4, and on April 8, auditions will take place in the Carpenter Family Theatre from 1:48 p.m–3:30 p.m.

This year's Senior Picnic will take place at Calamigos Ranch on Fri., May 31.

There is a required Swimmer Ability Form along with the field trip form to participate in certain water activities. Tickets will be available only in the student store from: April 29–May 5: $35 with ASB and $45 without ASB May 6–May 17: $45 with ASB and $55 without ASB Another senior event is Grad Nite.

Tickets for the event can be purchased through March 31 in the student store.

“This year’s Grad Nite is at Disneyland,” said senior class president Olivia Dinardo ‘19. “Seniors spend a couple of hours at the Disney park and then hop over to California Adventure for the actual Grad Nite celebration hosted by Disney.”

Prom tickets will be available for purchase from May 1–May 24.

Leadership Program Every summer, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library hosts a student leadership program to expand their leadership skills of communication, optimism and informed decision making. Through several workshops and lessons, students are able to interact with professionals and grow on both a personal and professional level.

The program provides small group interactions, mentoring and public speaking opportunities. The Ronald Reagan Student Leadership Program hopes to cultivate the next generations of student leaders.

An application (due May 3) is required as well as a recommendation from a teacher, counselor or principal.

The cost is $400 with a $25 application fee. More information can be found at the College and Careers Center or at reaganfoundation.org/education/studentleadership-program/.

Compiled by Bob Xia

Candidates announce run for presidency by avery pak opinion editor As of March 28, 15 Democratic candidates are running in the upcoming 2020 presidential primaries, and one Republican candidate is running against President Donald Trump.

Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld is Trump’s first primary challenger. In 2016, Weld ran for vice president with former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party, but Weld switched his party affiliation in January, according to CommonWealth Magazine.

“Our president is simply too unstable to carry out the duties of the highest executive office in the land,” said Weld while launching his exploratory committee in New Hampshire. “I’m here because I think our country is in grave peril, and I cannot sit any longer quietly on the sidelines.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN In the 2016 elections, Weld voiced his criticisms of President Trump — in particular, his call for immigrant deportation. Weld control regulation.

“I’ve proven again and again I can bring supports fiscal restraint, moderate immigration reform and legalized marijuana, according to people together to produce the progressive change Washington has failed to deliver,” said The New York Times.

The 2020 Democratic primary candidates are Hickenlooper in a campaign announcement video.

Harris is among the top of the ranks, according the most diverse group of candidates in U.S. history, with a combination of different races, women and a to The Washington Post, bolstering support with the slogan “For the People.” Harris campaigns for member of the LGBTQ+ community.

“The diversifying Democratic presidential criminal justice reform — along with Booker — fields of recent years mirrors a diversifying and greater incomes for the working class.

According to spokesman Ian Sams, Harris Democratic Party,” according to CNN. “In the 2018 midterm, only about 25 percent of Democratic plans to “give working and middle class families voters were straight white men, according to exit up to $500 more per month.” On Twitter, Sams wrote that Harris’ campaign “is about raising polls. A majority, about 58 percent, were women.”

Among the most well–known Democratic incomes for people.”

As African–Americans, both Harris and candidates are U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I– VT), Kamala Harris (D–CA), Cory Booker (D– Booker support more racial diversity in America.

NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D–NY) and Elizabeth Booker also hopes to legalize marijuana and rectify the current housing situation by “promot[ing] Warren (D–MA).

Sanders, who ran for presidency in the more inclusive zoning policies in order to make 2016 elections, is a self–proclaimed Democratic housing more affordable and less segregated,” said Socialist. Sanders is focusing his campaign Booker on Twitter.

Julián Castro, former U.S. Secretary on Medicare For All (like Harris, Booker, Gillibrand and Warren), free college tuition and of Housing and Urban Development, is of Hispanic descent and joined the race early. a plan to combat climate change.

“The challenge for me is to articulate a strong “The only way we will win this election and create a government and economy that work for all vision for the future that includes everybody,” said is with a grassroots movement — the likes of which Castro in an interview with BuzzFeed News. “At the has never been seen in American history,” wrote same time ... the Latino community feels attacked by this administration, Sanders on Twitter. ’m here because I think and so of course there’s U .

S .

Representative Tulsi our country is in grave a special significance to standing up on that Gabbard (D–HI peril, and I cannot sit any me stage.”

2nd District), a longer quietly on the sidelines.”

Warren faced Democratic candidate, criticism regarding demonstrated –Bill Weld her claim to Native support for Sanders American heritage, in the 2016 primaries.

Gabbard also “apologized for her history of anti– but she remains a prominent candidate in the gay statements and her past work for an anti–gay Democratic pool with a campaign that focuses on advocacy group,” according to The New York Times. addressing income inequality and “a middle class Gabbard’s campaign is centered on under attack from big corporations and political combating American military intervention corruption,” according to The New York Times.

Gillibrand formally announced her decision overseas in countries like Syria.

South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a military to run on March 18, centering her campaign on veteran and the only openly gay candidate, wrote paid family leave, a Green New Deal, the Marijuana an essay about Bernie Sanders as the future of the Justice Act, fighting the maternal mortality crisis Democratic Party, according to The New York and combating racism.

“Our movement will be about … taking Times. Buttigieg plans to combat climate change institutional racism and injustice head–on and create more labor opportunities and unions.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D–MN) plans — in our politics, health care, education and to expand Medicare to age 55. A main component economy,” wrote Gillibrand in a campaign of her campaign is a plan to address the cost of announcement on Instagram.

While many candidates advocate for a prescription drugs and combat the opioid crisis solution to better the environment, Washington and drug addiction.

On March 4, Colorado Governor John Governor Jay Inslee’s campaign focuses primarily Hickenlooper entered the Democratic field, on his plans to combat climate change. Inslee advocating for Medicaid, gay rights and gun campaigned in the recent midterm elections for the

“I

GRAPHIC BY QUINN MOSS

creation of more renewable energy jobs.

According to Seattle Times, Inslee proposes four pillars for his plan: a transition to a 100 percent clean–energy economy, the creation of more well– paying jobs, equity for disadvantaged communities and an end to subsidies for fossil fuels.

“I think right now people are talking about climate change across the country in a way they haven’t across the years,” said Joan Crooks The Seattle Times, CEO of Washington Conservation Voters. “And [Inslee] can ignite the conversation and keep it going and that’s what I think the biggest potential is for his launch.”

Entrepreneur Andrew Yang’s campaign emphasizes his passion and desire to improve the U.S. economy.

“As president, my first priority will be to implement Universal Basic Income for every American adult over the age of 18: $1,000 a month, no strings attached, paid for by a new tax on the companies benefiting most from automation,” wrote Yang on his campaign website.

U.S. Representative John Delaney (D–MD 6th District) is among the lesser–known of the candidates. Delaney supports liberal causes like universal health care.

“I think I’m the right person for the job, but not enough people knew who I was or still know who I am,” said Delaney in an interview with The New York Times.

Spiritual teacher and author Marianne Williamson has written over a dozen books on self–help and spirituality. According to The New York Times, Williamson has “proposed 100 billion dollars in reparations for slavery, with 10 billion dollars to be distributed annually over a decade for economic and education projects.”

Former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke made his decision to run against the 13 current Democratic candidates on March 14.

In 2018, O’Rourke narrowly lost to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R–TX) during the Texas elections. O’Rourke believes in more rural access to health care, the legalization of marijuana and the prevention of immigrant family separation.

Potential Democratic candidates include businessman Howard Schultz, who also may run as an Independent, and Joe Biden, former U.S. vice president and U.S. Senator, who is projected to make a formal announcement in April.

Possible Democratic candidates include Montana Governor Steve Bullock and U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (D–CA 15th District).

Bullock supports for an assault weapons ban — like Swalwell — and would focus on campaign finance reform, early childhood education and economic equality. Swalwell would centralize his campaign on medical research funding.

5

FEATURE

fast fashion: CLOTHING THAT

by megan king & caelyn pender managing editor & co–editor–in–chief In the current age of “fast fashion,” popular brands such as H&M and Adidas mass produce clothes to sell for low prices. As a result of these low prices, constantly evolving styles and the ease of online shopping, American consumers alone purchase more than 80 billion new clothing items per year, according to takepart.com.

With the trend of growing clothing consumption, some fashion influencers have begun to worry about the environmental impact of the fashion industry, emphasizing fashion sustainability. With a focus on buying clothing from sustainable brands as well as thrifting, the term “fashion sustainability” refers to both environmental and economic ways to ensure continued access to resources.

According to Green Strategy, a Swedish company that helps other companies improve their sustainability, “more sustainable fashion can be defined as clothing, shoes and accessories that are manufactured, marketed and used in the most sustainable manner possible, taking into account both environmental and socio–economic aspects.”

From an environmental viewpoint, fashion sustainability includes using renewable energy sources, conserving natural resources, recycling products, reusing and repairing products all stages of production, sale and ownership.

“The aim [of environmentally sustainable fashion] should be to minimize any undesirable environmental effect of the product’s life cycle,” states Green Strategy.

From an economic viewpoint, fashion sustainability includes having ethics, abiding by international codes of conduct and giving fair working conditions to workers in all stages of production.

Since many people own more clothes than in the past, a new problem has arisen of how to sustainably discard of unwanted clothing; the average consumer throws away 70 pounds of clothes a year, according to takepart.com.

“The fashion industry is the world’s second–largest polluter, after oil,” stated a Global News article. “That means even if you’re diligent about correctly separating your recycling, put solar panels on your roof and collect rainwater and strictly buy local, organic produce, you’re inherently implicit in fashion’s shameful truth just by getting dressed.”

According to Reformation, a fashion company

IMPACTS THE WORLD

dedicated to sustainability, “up to two–thirds of the sustainability impact of fashion happens at the raw materials stage.”

While quantifying the natural resources used to produce cotton to make a shirt is feasible, it’s harder to determine the economic impact of the production process on workers, many of whom work in sweatshops across the globe.

Sweatshops have sparked a lot of debate over their humanity, economic benefits and conditions.

Some people find the conditions of most sweatshops to be inhumane. Others argue that while it seems inhumane to the wealthy countries, sweatshops actually provide enough jobs and wages to help support people in third world countries.

According to a The New York Times opinion article by Christopher Blattman and Stefan Dercon, “textbook economics” has two main reasons why sweatshops are positive: “first, a booming industrial sector should raise wages over time. Second, boom or not, factory jobs might be better than the alternatives.” However, on an investigative trip to Ethiopia, Blattman and Dercon found that most people who took industrial jobs in factories quit soon after starting.

“Contrary to the expert predictions (and ours), quitting was a wise decision for most,” stated Blattman and Dercon. “The alternatives were not so bad after all.”

Ultimately, the question about the benefits of sweatshops remains, but they do impact the sustainability of the fashion industry. Brands that label themselves as “sustainable,” such as Reformation, ADAY and Everlane often list the factories that produce their clothes or include a code of conduct on their website in order to show consumers exactly where their clothes are from.

Over the past year, several companies received public backlash due to their unsustainable practices. Burberry, for instance, was highly criticized by the public for burning 28.6 million pounds of unsold clothes and cosmetics by July 2018 to sustain “brand value,” according to The New York Times.

While using only completely sustainable clothes poses a large challenge, making small steps toward sustainability is more feasible.

Both consumers and producers can strive to make simple yet effective changes. See “A consumer’s guide to sustainability” for more information on specific changes consumers can make.

GRAPHIC BY ANGEL LEE

A CONSUMER’S GUIDE TO

SUSTAINABILITY How to reduce the impact of your fashion

1. BUY LESS

The easiest way to reduce the impact of your wardrobe is to simply buy less — only buy clothes that you need or really love.

“Just asking yourself if you will wear a prospective item 30 times is a great place to start shopping smarter and more intentional” states the True Cost documentary’s website.

2. GIVE AWAY OLD CLOTHES

As you grow out of clothes or no longer like an item, don’t throw it away. “The average American now generates 82 pounds of textile waste each year,” stated True Cost’s website. By donating clothes to places like Goodwill, the Salvation Army and ARC or by simply passing along clothes to younger siblings or friends, you prolong the lifespan of the item. Also, you reduce the amount of clothes sent to landfills that would take up space and contribute to the waste problem.

3. BUY USED CLOTHES

Similar to the idea of giving away used clothes, you can also buy them.

Thrift stores are great ways to find affordable and high quality clothes. In addition, in today’s world of ever–evolving technology, there are many online ways to buy used clothes, including ThredUp and buying from Instagram sellers.

4. SHOP SUSTAINABLE BRANDS

Companies like Everlane, Reformation, Nisolo and Oliberte sell a variety of clothes and accessories that are produced in a sustainable way — environmentally or economically sustsainable (or both). Companies like Everlane, Reformation and Nisolo describe the ways they try to promote a sustainable future in the fashion industry. For example, Nisolo, a shoe company, states that “all Nisolo producers receive, at a minimum, beyond fair trade wages, healthcare and a healthy w o r k i n g environment.”

GRAPHIC BY MEGAN KING DRAWINGS BY ANGEL LEE

6

FEATURE

Music in our school

March is Music in Our Schools month, and WHS is home to many talented musicians who express their love for music through different outlets such as Bazooka Music Club and bands.

For these students, music provides the ability to cope, express, amuse and manifest one’s true passion for the artform.

“Like many art forms, [music is] a way of expressing emotion that I can’t easily express otherwise in words that would be socially acceptable.”

Bazooka Music Club Co–President Julianna Gin ‘19 uses music to help others. Members of the club perform regularly at senior homes, schools and other places in the Thousand Oaks community.

Though she took choir in elementary school, she now sings in her free time. Gin enjoys singing and Julianna listening to music and hopes to join an acapella group in college.

Gin ‘19 Gavin Valladares ‘20 “Music is a way for me to express myself, like what I’m feeling on the inside, and to manifest it in a physical form so that other people can empathize with what I’m feeling.”

“Music gave me a voice. It’s how I figured out who I am as a person, so it means a lot to me.”

For Anthony Haas ‘19, music is a place where he can talk fluently. In third grade, he found that he could overcome his verbal stutter by freestyle rapping. He enjoys making music, writing lyrics and producing beats. Haas wants his music to have a theme or story throughout it, and he is currently working on his first album.

Anthony Haas ‘19

Gavin Valladares ‘20 is a singer, pianist, drummer and guitarist, and he has been playing music since he was five years old. Locally, Valladares is a member of two bands: Running on Empty and Violet Saturn. Running on Empty plays alternative rock, while Violet Saturn plays classic rock. Valladares is also working on a personal project, “Grime Knife,” which he describes as psychedelic punk.

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At the age of two, Jenna Marquis ‘21 began performing when her dad, also a musician, would bring her onstage to sing with him. She now performs regularly at Arena Bar & Grill and is in the process of starting an album. Marquis enjoys writing and performing music, and she hopes to Jenna continue with music as a career.

PA K

“Music is literally my whole life. It helps me when I’m feeling upset or when I’m feeling happy.

I’ll just sit at my piano at 3 o’clock in the morning ... and then I’ll just write down what I’m feeling. Music means a lot to me.”

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Marquis ‘21

Compiled by Quinn Moss & Faith Yellin

7

FEATURE

Warriors shine at TEDx event

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&C

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In “Don’t Be a Stranger,” Noh examined the difficulty of establishing strong relationships between parents and children due to generational gaps. “[People] should make an effort to get along with their parents, even if it’s hard, because it’s only possible to foster a loving relationship when two people are trying and making an effort,” said Noh. “There’s a difference between being loved and being understood.”

After struggling to communicate mental stress to her mother in seventh grade, HE Noh became isolated from her IC M BY mother until sophomore year, when OS OT H P she sat down to several honest talks with her mom.

“There was so much that I never knew because I never asked,” said Noh. “This generational gap that poses a barrier to our relationship is no one’s fault.”

Noh proposed several solutions to fixing this barrier between parents and children.

i S y lv e s t

Joo tackled the issue of fitting in with “Me According to You.” After moving from Orange County to Thousand Oaks in fourth grade, Joo struggled to make friends, and in attempting to fit in, “it almost became very self– destructive.”

“I tried to pretend, just to fit in,” said Joo. “I spent so much time breaking myself down and putting myself back together with artificial pieces, changing myself to fit in, that I couldn’t recognize myself anymore.”

Joo emphasized the importance of remaining true to oneself in the face of outside pressure.

“But most importantly, I’m still me,” said Joo. “If you aren’t you, how will you know you are happy?”

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Sam Noh ‘20

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Torrey Joo ‘20

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After opening with a poem titled “Over Time” that she wrote as a freshman about her battle with cancer, Kim explored her journey after her Diffuse Large B– cell Lymphoma Stage 2 Cancer starting at the age of 13.

“Even though it was hard at times, I am still grateful to have had cancer,” said Kim. “It taught me a lot about love, life and a glimpse of myself as a person.”

In her speech, titled “I Met Cancer As a Teenager,” Kim reflected on her shift in mindset during her treatment.

“Through cancer, I found hope,” said Kim. “If you’re in a bad situation or in a situation like I was in, you can find hope in the littlest of things.”

With visuals of her PET scans as well as before and after pictures contrasting her physical conditions, Kim communicated the “vulnerability, pride and purpose” she gained from her experience.

“I wanted to express my story in some way, and I think TED Talk had such a big platform for me to speak on,” said Kim. “You don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors, so this is a way for people to understand people more and connect to them through their stories.”

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Esther Kim ‘20

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His speech ended with an original freestyle rap. Joo hopes that communicating his struggles through TEDx will benefit others.

“The whole idea that it’s hard to fit in is not always universally known because it may seem that everyone else is fitting in just fine, but deep down everyone may be suffering from the same problem,” said Joo. “If one person speaks out and a million other people can say ‘oh, same here,’ then no one is alone.”

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Opening her speech, “The Edge of Comfort,” with a spoken word poem about the first time she discovered a barrier at three years old, debating jumping into a pool, Bright described tactics to “define and defy” barriers and improve people’s outlook.

“I decided to do TEDx because I’m really passionate about mental barriers and awareness and how to defy your barriers,” said Bright. “I really want to help people who are struggling with that currently because that’s an issue I know that a lot of people deal with in high school, myself included.”

With hand–drawn visuals of the three outlets of energy — intellectual, social and passion — as well as the lobby of her brain, Bright described the brain as “the hospitality of thought.”

“If you’re ever stuck in a situation where you feel like there’s either a mental or physical barrier in front of you, the way to defy and define your barrier is to realize things from a bird’s eye view with multiple perspectives so you can get the full picture from multiple

Currey targeted the stigma surrounding mental health, breaking through with her speech, “Shadow of Anxiety,” about her struggles with anxiety.

“You don’t really get to hear people talk about [anxiety] as they’re going through it unless it’s a one–on–one conversation, so it’s really hard to find someone trying to relate it to a huge group that is available to a wide audience,” said Currey.

Offering a perspective of someone who is currently battling anxiety, Currey cited methods of coping with anxiety to help others achieve a better understanding of it.

“It’s not a one– and–done thing,” said Currey. “It’s a thing that I have to deal with in my everyday life. It affects my relationships, it affects my academic life, it really just affects everything that I do.”

Currey discussed undertaking a project to paint a mural in the makerspace adjacent to the physics room, dressing up at comic conventions and learning foreign languages to help combat her anxiety.

“My shadow is always going to be there, whether it’s in the light or the dark,” said Currey.

“But there’s things I can do to shine a little light on it and make it less dark.”

ur re y h C

Yael Bright ‘21

Hannah Currey ‘19

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At this year’s local TEDx event at Newbury Park High School on March 24, 11 local high school students shared their experiences.

Among the speakers, seven WHS warriors spoke on the theme of “Barriers.”

“I think every student has a story to tell, and I love the venue of TEDx to empower kids to have their voices heard in the community,” said Scott Holloway, who guided many WHS speakers in their speech writing and preparation. “I see so many great, amazing students with really great insight on the world … I love the fact that they feel empowered through the process [of TEDx].”

An annual event, TEDxYouth@Conejo is run and organized by the TEDx Committee consisting of members from different high schools who hold auditions, plan the show and determine each year’s theme.

“It’s really eye– opening,” said Rohil Ahuja ‘19, a member of the committee for two years. “You hear so many different stories of people you see everyday. They seem normal, but behind the scenes, there are so many things that have happened to them in the past … that are really important to share with everybody.”

TEDx, which began in 1984, strives to spread ideas to empower people all over the world. This year’s event was the eighth annual TEDxYouth@Conejo.

“It’s a great community conversation starter,” said co–organizer Cindy Goldberg.

“Our students do amazing things and are amazing people — you wouldn’t even know who they are. They share a unique piece of themselves here that just walking in the hall you wouldn’t know. If you like TED Talks, what better than your own people to inspire you?”

people’s point of view,” said Bright.

Bright hopes others will benefit from her story and her shared experience, utilizing the strategies she presented to overcome their struggles.

“TEDx is really important, and it should inspire other people to share their stories because multiple perspectives are really beautiful and every person has something to contribute,” said Bright. “If they’re able to share their story and share their passions, it can make high school a little bit more of a welcoming place.”

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by connie shi co–web master–in–chief

“A relationship is like a rubber band,” said Noh. “If both sides pull too hard, it will break.

But if you compromise and meet in the middle, the rubber has enough give to sustain.”

Sukham Sidhu ‘20 As a first–generation American, Sidhu examined the struggles of preserving one’s culture while in America.

“I just want people to embrace the fact that culture is really beautiful no matter what it is, and we should share it more than just trying to assimilate into one fit form of society,” said Sidhu.

Statistics and graphs along with juxtaposed images of typical American and Punjabi culture accompanied her speech, entitled “Embracing Culture.”

“Stigma and fear and globalization make it difficult to keep hold of your identity,” said Sidhu in her speech. “We must not let culture die.”

Inspired by the TED Talks her father often put on in her youth, Sidhu spoke of sharing culture as sharing “a little piece of themselves,” later referencing the alarming rate of the loss of language, one every three months.

“When we embrace culture, we become a little closer as human beings,” said Sidhu. “[We must learn to] step out of our bubbles and become comfortable with the harmony of diversity.”

Naomi Sylvester ‘20 Focusing on the barriers of having multiple interests in high school, Sylvester explained the difficulty of choosing between different interests such as sports and theater, and the judgement that often accompanies these decisions.

“Don’t sell yourself short,” said Sylvester. “You don’t have to just be one thing; you can pursue so many different things, and it might be hard or people might look down on you but … just do it.”

In “Breakin’ Free,” Sylvester examined the balancing act in high school given her multiple interests and her difficulties maintaining these interests in the face of conflicts.

“I felt stuck,” said Sylvester. “I could feel myself physically being pulled in two separate directions.”

With many analogies to the movie High School Musical, Sylvester encouraged students to be unafraid to wear many labels.

“Nobody is truly just one thing, yet we choose to accept these walls that society, or even worse, high schoolers, put around us,” said Sylvester. “Labels can be written, but they can so easily be torn up.”

Leading up to the event, Sylvester worked with speakers and community members at TEDx workshops to produce and perfect her speech.

“It’s definitely interesting to hear other people’s stories and, a lot of the times, to know that you’re not alone in certain situations,” said Sylvester. “It’s just to have your story out there ... to learn from others and to relate to others.”

8

FEATURE

WHS wanderS around the world As spring break approaches, the season of travel begins. While some remain local, others go across the globe.

T h e s e students recall trips to faraway places, remembering their favorite memories and experiences.

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMA HOEHN

GERMANY AND AMSTERDAM: Emma Hoehn ‘21, who was born in Germany, decided to take a trip back to her homeland and venture to other countries nearby to see her relatives and explore the culture. Hoehn now considers going back there to recall some of the nostalgia. “I would definitely go back at any chance I get,” said Hoehn. “I am thinking of studying there. I think what would bring me back the most would be the way that the city culture is centered on being outside and enjoying the nature and beauty in life.”

TORREY JOO ‘20 SOUTH KOREA

PHOTO PHOTO COURTESY COURTESY OF OF TORREY TORREY JOO JOO

SOUTH KOREA: Torrey Joo ‘20 went to South Korea to visit his extended family and sight–see many interesting places, from temples to just walking around the streets. Joo remembers his love of Korea’s night life, telling of his interest in sharing it with friends. “My favorite site was [Hongdae] by far,” said Joo. “With such a bustling night life and a lot of shops and food, it’s a great place to be around friends. You can even catch street performers, rappers, dancers and all sorts of people.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MALIA CAPEN

NETHERLANDS

MALIA CAPEN ‘19 MEXICO

PUNTA MITA: Malia Capen ‘19 recently traveled to Punta Mita, Mexico with Naomi DiMartino ‘19 where they enjoyed the beach, relaxation and good food, even springing for grasshoppers at one point. Capen primarily recalls the positive vibe that she felt throughout her trip. “The views were insanely gorgeous, and we got to wake up every morning to a beautiful view of the ocean,” said Capen.

“The atmosphere was just perfect, and everyone there was so kind and treated you like a queen.”

BRENDON SAYER ‘21 SWITZERLAND

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRENDON SAYER

Brendon Sayer EMMA HOEHN‘21 ‘21 Switzerland GERMANY & THE

SWITZERLAND: Brendon Sayer ‘21 lived in Switzerland for four years for his dad’s work at Amgen. One of his fondest memories are the ski trips his family often took, even skipping school to take these trips. Sayer recalls wanting to go back to the rural location. “You could pretty much see snowcapped mountains in every direction from my house,” said Sayer. “Within an hour drive, you could literally be hiking in the middle of nowhere in dense forests or actual green fields.”

Compiled by Lauren Pak & Lindsey Romano

New Asian fusion restaurant opens in Promenade review by michelle hang business manager & photo editor Social Monk, a restaurant created by the same company who opened the well–known Cheesecake Factory, officially opened on Mon., Feb. 25. Social Monk is an Asian fusion restaurant filled with different types of Asian food such as Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai.

The restaurant is styled with a modern ambience. The counters and tables are marbled, and there are unique light fixtures all throughout the restaurant. Outside seating is available as well.

The restaurant is located in the Westlake Promenade, adjacent to Paul Martin’s American Grill. It was previously home to Macaroni Grill.

The servers are friendly and welcoming, and ordering is similar

to any fast food restaurant. There’s a sign in the front that says to order first, then wait to be seated.

However, in my experience, I sat myself and the workers brought my food to my table.

The food is Asian–inspired. There are options to please vegetarians and meat–lovers (starters, noodles, rice bowls, salads and their famous custard).

They offer Thai iced tea, sodas, other teas and more.

I started with the Imperial Rolls, which were three Chinese egg rolls that consisted of shrimp, chicken, glass noodles and shiitake mushrooms plated with lettuce, vegetables and a sweet and sour dipping sauce. The rolls were flavorful and a perfect starter for two.

For the main course, I tried the Orange Chicken, Shaking Beef and Drunken Noodles. The Orange Chicken is more sweet than tangy and plated with the chicken pieces stacked

on top of one another. The Shaking Beef is flavorful; it includes beef and green beans. For those who love spicy foods, the Drunken Noodles are perfect. I ordered the noodles without the chili, and it was still very spicy; workers said that without the chili, the spice level would be a six out of ten (which is accurate). However, the plate was very satisfying, and every bite was flavorful. I especially liked the thick rice noodles and the ground chicken.

The combinataion was unique and something that I’ve never tried before.

For dessert, I had the homemade custard, which was very delightful.

It tasted like vanilla ice cream, and the restaurant offered the soft serve custard with toppings like graham cracker pieces.

Social Monk has a small menu, but it is also very diverse, offering traditional banh mi sandwiches as well as classic noodle and rice dishes.

There is something for everyone.

Every option is intriguing, and the flavor is always pronouced.

When I ordered fried rice and Thai iced tea, I was expecting the traditional taste; however, there is something different and eye–opening taste–wise about each of the dishes.

Don’t expect to taste something that you’ve tasted at Panda Express or other Chinese restaurants.

Overall, I think the prices are reasonable. Entree prices range from $8.95–$13.95, depending on the protein choice.

I recommend trying the Imperial Rolls, Drunken Noodles (if you’re a spice lover) and frozen custard for a pleasing balance of savory and sweet.

In the future, I hope to try the rice bowls and the fried chicken sandwich.

Social Monk is open everyday from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Tip: to save time when ordering to–go, skip the main line and go straight to the register labeled “to–go.”

Address: 4000 Thousand Oaks Blvd Space C1, Westlake Village, CA 91362 Phone number: (805) 370–8290 Website: www.socialmonk.com Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

Price range: $1 to $15 What is it?: “An Asian fusion restaurant filled with different types of Asian food such as Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai.”

What to try: Imperial Rolls, Drunken Noodles, Shaking Beef and frozen custard.

9

FEATURE

WHS theater goes

Maggie Henry ‘19 as Cinderella

by kyra berg sports editor

Micah Meyers ‘20 as Jack

THEATER

Compiled by Faith Yellin

I SH IE N N O C BY

Weston Ginoza ‘21 What’s the best part about working on this big production?

“Getting experience from the real world mostly.”

What is your role/job during the show?

“During production, I am balancing mics and also putting mics on people.”

Did you choose your job?

“No, you get your job assigned to you, so eventually you try doing everything, like lights, deck and sound.”

What is your favorite part about your job?

“It’s something new to try, so it’s a new experience.”

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Emmy Keipert ‘21 What are the advantages and disadvantages of working on a big production?

“Advantages [are that] we have a lot of trees already, so we just have to put those together. We have a lot of the props already. [A] disadvantage [is] probably the size of the stage because we don’t really have a really big theater.

The time to get it done is longer because we did the last set in 24 hours total.”

What is the whole process behind creating Into the Woods?

“Ms. Griffin will come up with... ideas and then she’ll give them to us. We bring Ms. Griffin’s ideas to reality.”

Isabelle Rogerson ‘20 as Baker’s Wife

TO

Alivia Infeld ‘20 From a tech theater perspective, how is it working on Into the Woods?

“It’s a little daunting because it’s a very long play and, with musicals, ... there’s a lot more audio tech that we need to work out, like mixing the people’s voices while the show is going on.”

What is the whole process behind creating Into the Woods?

“We start sketching and create a ground plan — an eagle eye perspective of what we want the stage to look like. We try to fill everything that the script needs. During tech week, ... lights and sound[s] are programmed and recorded, and we start making queues of what the show is going to look like.”

Katelyn Waters ‘19 as Witch

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BEHIND THE : SC E N E S

“The audition process was fun,” said Tyler Marquis ‘20, who plays Cinderella’s Prince in the musical. “We performed a dance and song in groups of five to six, ... [did] cold readings and then performed a solo song.”

Griffin cast students based on their characterization, dance ability and other skills. “[Choir director Amy] Rolniak helped [test] vocal ranges to make sure those we were considering could sing the parts,” said Griffin.

The students who were cast will have rehearsals everyday after school until the performances. Juliette Celozzi ‘19, who plays Jack’s Mother in the musical, describes their schedule as manageable as long as “you just do your homework around rehearsals.”

The actors work with Griffin to establish how their roles can be interpreted and ways to draw in the audience with their performance.

“In the actual show, the wolf is played by a male and is typically sexualized,” said Sam Smart ‘19, who plays the Wolf in the WHS musical. “I plan on playing [the Wolf ] how it was intended, but keeping it somewhat feminine.”

Many students try to depict their characters through emotions.

“I plan on being as motherly and protective as humanly possible in order to play Jack’s Mother,” said Celozzi.

Isabelle Rogerson ‘20, who plays the Baker’s Wife in the production, describes this role as different than any role she has played in the past.

“This role will be an exciting challenge,” said Rogerson. “The Baker’s Wife is a very emotionally complex character, and I am excited to dive deep into her objectives and motives.”

Allowing all students to audition for this musical ensures that each person cast is highly motivated and happy to be there.

Rogerson said, “[It’s] a really cool opportunity to meet new people and put on an incredible production.”

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WHS Theater is performing Into the Woods from April 4–6 and April 10–12 in the Carpenter Family Theatre.

Unlike past productions, all WHS students were eligible to audition. This opened up the theater program to other students who could not fit the class into their schedule.

WHS drama teacher Elisa Griffin described this play as a “program builder” which will hopefully encourage students not currently in theater to join next year.

Many theater students are happy that this upcoming production will strengthen the bond of the performing arts departments. All students were eligible to audition, but most of the students who did were affiliated with choir or other performing arts programs.

“I think it’s good allowing choir to audition,” said Kayla Jou ‘19, who plays the Giant in the musical. “The art departments should be encouraged to work together more, and if they can perform the part well, they should be allowed to audition for it.”

By allowing students who are not in theater to participate, this musical will showcase a lot of talent.

“Having a large pool of options is extremely helpful and allows for the best cast possible,” said Maggie Henry ‘19, who plays Cinderella in the musical.

Micah Meyers ‘20 was cast in this production despite not being a member of theater or choir.

“This is one of my favorite musicals, so I really wanted the chance to do it,” said Meyers, who plays Jack in the musical. “I listened to the album on iTunes to prepare. I was just really happy to be there.”

Theater held a one–week boot camp before the audition to prepare students and expose them to Into the Woods’s choreography and songs.

“I taught a one to two minute song and dance number to anyone auditioning,” said Griffin. “Everyone tried out in groups with this number in front of the panel — myself, [tech theater director] Tara Krisch and my assistant director Sean Sabonjian ‘20.”

This is the first time a boot camp has been included before a theater audition. Many students described the audition process as enjoyable and said it tested their acting skills.

10

FEAT

Women’s History Month is celebrated every March to honor women throughout history. The following women have mad important contributions in many fields, though they are not always recognized for it. Whether they were leading an army again their oppressors or breaking boundaries in a scientific discipline, these women helped shape the world as we know it today.

Hypatia of Alexandria (370–415 C.E.)

Sybil Ludington (1761–1839 C.E.) Sybil Ludington, born in 1761 C.E., was the daughter of an American militia officer who switched from a Loyalist to a Patriot when she was young. During the Revolutionary War, her family lived in New York. In 1777, Ludington’s father received word that the nearby town of Danbury, CT was under attack. The town’s militia was dispersed because it was planting season, and Ludington’s father needed to focus on preparing to fight. As such, Ludington volunteered to ride into the night and rouse the militia. Only 16 years old, Ludington rode nearly 40 miles around Putnam county, waking up residents to defend their homes. When she returned home, soldiers were gathering and preparing to fight. Though the militia was too late to help Danbury, they did squirmish with British soldiers. A statue in Carmel, NY as well as a postage stamp honor Ludington, and there are historical markers denoting the route she followed on her midnight ride.

saved her town from british attack

Emily Davison (1872–1913 C.E.)

PUBLIC DOMAIN

first woman in space

Valentina Tereshkova (1937 –today)

OF

Valentina Tereshkova was born in Maslennikova, Tutayevsky District in Russia. She left school at the age of 16 and began working in a textile factory to financially support herself. After joining the Yaroslavl Air Sports Club, she became increasingly interested in parachute jumping RT and ultimately jumped 126 times. Tereshkova joined the Soviet OU C OS Space Program after being inspired by Yuri Gagarin, who was PHOT the first man in space in 1961. She was chosen to participate in a dual mission where she logged over 70 hours in space and orbited 48 times around Earth. During the mission, she noticed the ship moving away from Earth and discovered an error in the spacecraft’s automatic navigation software, which was quickly corrected and classified for 40 years. Tereshkova won the Hero of the Soviet Union title and many other awards. She also became a member of the Supreme Soviet Presidium and became the head of both the Soviet Women’s Committee and the International Cultural and Friendship Union.

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tio nary War

women’s suffrage movement

Emily Davison was born in Blackheath, Southeast London, England. She began studying at Royal Holloway College and Oxford University even though women were not allowed to earn a degree at this time. She became a member of the Women’s Social and Political Movement in 1906 and fought militantly for women’s suffrage. In 1909, she was arrested for throwing rocks at the carriage of Chancellor David Lloyd George and was sentenced to a month’s hard labor in Manchester Strangeways Prison. In another prison stay, she blockaded her room and an angered guard pushed a hose under the door, filling the room with water until the guards could break down the door. She was arrested on 10 different occasions, went on seven hunger strikes and was force–fed 49 times.

On June 4, 1913, she ran in front of the king’s horse at the Epsom Derby to make a statement for the suffragette movement, but was trampled and died four days later. She is still remembered today in England as a pivotal suffragette.

ES

Revo l u

I Wo r ld War

Hypatia of Alexandria was a mathematician, astronomer and philosopher. She was the daughter of a noted thinker of the time, who tutored her. Many historians believe that Hypatia wrote Book III of her father’s version of Ptolemy’s Almagest. Additionally, she wrote commentaries of her own, taught students out of her home and gave public lectures. She became the first woman to be a respected member of the University of Alexandria. During the time that Hypatia lived in Alexandria, religious diversity was increasing, and people were widely pushing conversion to Christianity. Hypatia was criticized for continuing to teach topics that went against the teachings of the church. In 415 C.E., Hypatia was brutally murdered in the streets of Alexandria by a Christian mob, and many historians cite her death as the end of the Classical era. Despite her gruesome death, she is widely remembered as a feminist symbol, and Voltaire even used her ideas to criticize the church in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Dorothy Lawrence (1896–1964 C.E.) Dorothy Lawrence was adopted by the Church of England after being abandoned by her mother shortly after her birth. She desired to become a journalist and published a few articles in The Times. During WWI, she contacted several British newspapers to see if they wanted a correspondence in France, but all of them refused because they did not want to employ a woman. After being rejected, she disguised herself as a man and joined the British army in 1915. She is the only known female English soldier on the front lines during WWI. For 10 days, she served under the name Denis Smith; however, her true identity was discovered when she fell ill and needed medical attention. The army was embarrassed that a woman was able to infiltrate their ranks, so she was interrogated and sent back to England as long as she promised not to publish her infiltration. She was deemed mentally insane in 1925 and was sent to Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum.

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fought for her country

Shirley Chishom (1924–2005 C.E.) Shirley Chisholm was born in Brooklyn, NY. She often remarked that she faced a “double handicap” — being both African–American and female. She joined the League of Women Voters, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Democratic Party club in Brooklyn. In 1964, she became the second African– American in the New York State Legislature. She won a seat in Congress in 1968 where she passed more than 50 pieces of legislation.

Chishom co–founded the National Women’s Political Caucus and became the first black woman and the second woman to serve on the House Rules Committee.

In 1972, she ran for the Democratic Party presidential nomination despite contentiousness from the predominantly male Congressional Black Caucus and an under–financed campaign. Furthermore, she was a co–founder of the National Political Congress of Black Women. In 1991, she declined an offer to become the U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica due to her declining health.

civ mo

11

TURE

rld war II

vil rights ovement

Hatshepsut was the first woman to serve with all the powers of pharaoh in Egypt. Born to King Thutmose I, Hatshepsut married her half–brother Thutmose II when she was 12 years old. Upon her father’s death, Thutmose II inherited the throne, but he soon died and left an infant son (born to a secondary wife) to be king. Hatshepsut served as regent until her step–son came of age, but after only seven years of serving as regent, she took full powers of the pharaoh and became co–ruler with her step–son. Hatshepsut claimed that her father appointed her as his predecessor, and in an effort to appear strong, she decided to be portrayed as a male pharaoh with large muscles and a beard in many paintings and sculptures. Her most notable accomplishments were the construction of a memorial temple at Deir el–Bahri and a trade expedition to Punt that brought riches to Egypt. After her death, her step–son had all evidence of her rule destroyed, including many of the images of her as king.

Deidre Behar by brittney nial a & e editor

they led an army BE HAR

Trưng Trắc & Trưng Nhị (12 – 43 C.E.)

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de nst

celebrating 40 years

Hatshepsut (1508–1458 B.C.E.)

Sisters Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị were born in 12 C.E. during the thousand–year Chinese occupation of modern day Vietnam. They grew up in a military family in a rural village, and Trưng Trắc married Thi Sách as a young woman. Sách made a stand against the Chinese and was subsequently executed. His death compelled his wife and her sister to take action against the tyrannical Chinese reign.

After they successfully repelled a Chinese brigade from their village, they formed an army to resist Chinese rule. The sisters recruited and trained 36 women to serve as generals in their army, then succeeded in taking back about 65 citadels from the Chinese. Through their efforts, the sisters and their army successfully liberated Vietnam and instated themselves as queens of the country. Though the sisters were soon defeated by a Chinese resurgence, they are highly revered in Vietnam to this day. A district, streets and schools in Vietnam are named after them.

Andrée de Jongh (1916–2007 C.E.) Andrée (“Dédée”) de Jongh was born in Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium. She became a nurse and aided wounded soldiers. She decided to find the means to return the soldiers home to Britain; de Jongh created the Comet Escape Line, a route which was used by hundreds of Allied airman escaping from Nazi occupied areas of Europe. In total, over 300 servicemen escaped using this escape route.

In 1943, she was captured by the Gestapo, Nazi Germany’s Secret Police, who forced her to admit that she was the leader of the Comet Escape Line. The Gestapo didn’t believe that she was responsible for inventing this escape route and saving hundreds of men, so they sent her to a concentration camp. Following the war, England, America and Belgium awarded her medals and honorary titles, but she humbly waved off the attention given to her. She devoted the rest of her life to nursing and returned to Belgium when her health began to fail. She died at age 90.

Alice Coachman (1922–2014 C.E.) Alice Coachman was born in Albany, GA. She desired to participate in track and field events but was denied the opportunity to participate in competitions and train because she was African–American, so she improvised her training by herself. Coachman broke the high school and college jump records in the national championship track and field competition called the Amateur Athlete Union. While enrolled in Albany State College, she was the national champion in the 50– and 100–meter races, 400–meter relay and the high jump. Even with a back injury, Coachman set the high jump record in the 1948 Olympics. She was the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal; King George VI awarded her, and President Harry S. Truman congratulated for her win. In 1952, the Coca–Cola Company made her the first African–American to earn an endorsement deal with the company. She also founded the Alice Coachman Track and Field Foundation. She died in 2014 after suffering a stroke.

Compiled by Lauren Pak, Caelyn Pender & Sophie Robson

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Once a member of The Arrow, WHS alumna Deidre Behar ‘07 is a host and producer for Entertainment Tonight online. She interviews well–known people, writes her own stories and creates video compilations.

“I’m someone who likes to work under pressure,” said Behar. “It’s exciting, the thrill of having only a minute to get that important question...

I feel privileged to tell people’s stories for a living.”

One such story was that of Selena Quintanilla, a Mexican–American singer who was killed by her fanclub president. On the 20th anniversary of Selena, a 1997 movie covering Quintanilla’s life, Behar took the chance to investigate the life of a singer she loved as a child.

“We did a 90 minute emotional interview with [Quintanilla’s] dad and her sister,” said Behar. “I felt like, as a young person, we didn’t get a whole lot of Selena [before she died. In that interview], I got to experience the real Selena. It was just a real, moving, touching experience.”

She also recalls meeting Oprah.

Behar was the last reporter in line to speak to her at an event. By the time it was her turn, the event was about to start and most people had already left the reception hall. Behar doubted that Oprah was still in the hall.

“She was so classy,” said Behar. “She waited to talk to every reporter who was there for her. She literally grabbed my hand and said, ‘Walk with me’. She made herself so available and so open to answer my questions. [I was] in complete shock. I thought it was going to be a nothing night, but it ended up being an everything night.”

Behar credits her former journalism teacher at WHS, Caren Battaglia, with providing the support she needed to become a journalist.

“She celebrated my quirkiness and my passion to bring [entertainment– centered] beats to the paper,” said Behar. “I was in journalism the year Mean Girls came out … [so my friend TO PH O

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and I created a section of the paper on] what was ‘Fetch vs Sketch.’ A lot of teachers could have said, ‘This is not what our paper is about,’ but [Battaglia] was always supportive.”

Behar also credits government teacher Mike Lynch with helping her become her own person.

“Lynch always found the humor in the situation and was very encouraging of who I was,” said Behar.

Lynch remembers Behar with clarity. During the year he had her as a student (2006–2007), the two grew close. Behar made sure to visit him after college, and they have run into each other at restaurants.

“Over the years, I’ve had thousands of students, and some you’ll never forget,” said Lynch. “Deidre was one of those. I still have a picture [she gave me] on my wall. And she gave that one to me after college, about five years after I had her.”

Even before Behar had Lynch as a teacher, she was working towards her career.

“When I was entering junior year in high school, I sent an email to a TV production company, and they let me intern that summer,” said Behar.

She later landed an internship with Fox News, which taught her valuable lessons in interviewing and meeting deadlines. A few years later, Clevver News reached out to her.

There she conducted her first on– camera interviews.

“This was the real challenge,” said Behar. “I had to build a YouTube following from zero. Now its hundreds, millions of people.”

Behar is a big believer in internships.

She claims that internships were essential in shaping her future.

“When I accepted the first internship at a TV company, they were doing reality stuff that I wasn’t that interested in, [but] there was so much I learned from just being there,” said Behar. “It doesn’t matter what the opportunity is, just take it and learn from it.”

Behar’s philosophy and hard work led her all the way to Entertainment Tonight, the very publication she dreamt about in high school.

“My whole life mantra is if you just put in the work, you’ll get to it,” said Behar. “It always pays off some way or another ... One little brick by brick will ultimately build you a house.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Notable movie soundtracks The film industry has produced several films that feature some of the most memorable musical scores of all time. Many scores have even become well–recognized in their own right.

1972’s The Godfather is a boundary–pushing film that jump–started the mob/crime genre in a compelling and entertaining way. Based on a book by Mario Puzo, the movie centers around the crime family of Don Vito Corleon.

Nino Rota, who later composed for movies such as Roma and La Dolce Vita, composed the soundtrack. It perfectly accompanies the intense tone of the film. At the same time, the music plays to the movie’s main motifs of love, fear and tradition. The Godfather’s cinematic brilliance, paired with Rota’s incredible soundtrack, turned this mobster story into a timeless classic.

Often regarded as one of the most iconic soundtracks of all time, John Williams’ moving compositions for the 1977 original Star Wars carried throughout all six movies and even into the modern trilogy. However, the original film set the precedent for the future scores, and songs such as “Princess Leia’s Theme” and “Throne Room” became iconic. For a movie that wowed audiences with its revolutionary special effects and action, the accompanying soundtrack played an equally important role in creating the legendary awe and amazement of galactic battle.

This 2000 Best Picture Film is enhanced by one of the most critically acclaimed soundtracks.

Hans Zimmer’s beautiful and dramatic songs create a contrast that engages the audience. Zimmer took inspiration from both opera and the Roman language, making his work authentic. He also included wailing female sounds for ancient war “battle waltzes,” embodying the innate brutality and vegeance–fueled nature of the film. The movie’s ending track, “Now We are Free,” is an emotional piece that instills closure with its dreamy vocals backed by a triumphant drumbeat.

This 2018 box office hit revolved around African King T’Challa and his country Wakanda.

With an original score from Ludwig Göransson and a curated soundtrack from Kendrick Lamar, the music digs deep into African cultural roots. The soundtrack is a mix of pop, R&B and hip–hop, featuring many popular artists such as SZA and The Weeknd. Lamar and Göransson gave an element to the movie that captured audiences, landed several songs on the Billboard Top 100 and won a Grammy for the track “King’s Dead.”

Compiled by Akhil Gutta, Brittney Nial, Katie Reul & Abby Thompson

Cult Classics: Crushing boundaries since 1922

by katie reul a & e section editor When the term “cult classic” comes up in conversation, questionably dressed teens come to mind, crowded inside a dingy theater for a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, reciting dialogue along with the characters and hurtling objects at the screen.The film is the pinnacle example of films transcending from a passive experience to an active one.

Cult followings are a form of fanbase that existed as early as the 1920s but have not always been considered a social norm. As seen with Star Trek “trekkies” or passionate Star Wars fans of the 1970s, these pieces of media retained massive followings despite the social stigma of sci–fi correlating with geek culture. Over the years, the genre has been normalized, and their followings have endured, if not grown.

But while these cult followings are apparent, there is a stark difference between a following subculture and an actual “cult film.”

Often times, a cult classic refers to films that were initially financially unsuccessful but have accrued a following of devoted fans in spite of their initial box office failure.

Often, cult classics tackle taboo subjects or push social boundaries. Rocky Horror sports Tim Curry as Transylvanian transvestite Dr. Frank–N–Furter. And if the film isn’t breaking a societal convention, it’s usually evading traditional film conventions. For example, Tommy Wiseau’s The Room defies the basic rules of drama, failing to resolve conflict and leaving giant loopholes throughout the film.

But whether they are pretentiously artistic or simply so bad they’re good, audiences are

attracted to these films not necessarily for the statements they make but the experiences they’ll receive.

The trend of cult followings for films is believed to have originated in 1922 from the first ever vampire movie, Nosferatu. Sued for copyright issues with the 1897 novel Dracula, the German horror film was said to have been destroyed. Unbeknownst to the producers, a cult formed that proceeded to distribute bootlegs of the film. Today, the film is recognized as one of the most influential horror films of its age, all thanks to its loyal fanbase.

In the same vein, Ethan and Joel Coen’s The Big Lebowski has earned its place among cult classics after witnessing a poor box office release but gaining popularity after the fact. Fans even began a religion called “Dudeism” in homage to the main character which now boasts over 300,000 ordained priests. Other films have gained followers from midnight theater showings, such as The Evil Dead and Pink Flamingos.

Cult classics resonate with modern culture, shaping society as a whole even after the film completes its theatrical run.

As popularity endures, the impact of these films becomes more widespread. In many cases, it allows for movies to become a fully immersive experience rather than the passive consumption of media.

These cult films are only a quick look into the power that films, in general, possess over society’s cultural norms. Mainstream movies like The Breakfast Club and Back to the Future epitomize the ‘80s, and Clueless gives a glimpse into the ‘90s. But cult classics, too, provide historical documentation of their respectative eras through their attempts to defy the standards of society and filmmaking.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Now, music streaming on phones and Feel My Face” (2015), according to Billboard. by melanie zhang portable devices has further revolutionized Only trailing behind Paul McCartney and John sports section editor music: with streaming services like Apple Lennon in number one hits, it is safe to say Music and Spotify, almost anyone who owns Martin is instrumental in what the masses hear From Elvis Presley’s rock–and–roll music a smartphone or a tablet can listen to any today. But it takes more than a catchy tune for to modern superstars like Taylor Swift and kind of music they want, wherever they want. a song to become mainstream. Nowadays, pop Ariana Grande, pop music has come a very Technology has also created more opportunities stars’ stage personas, and even their personal lives, have become prime fodder for commercial long way. But, its evolution is not necessarily for aspiring pop artists themselves.

“Digital technology has made it possible media campaigns. defined by the instruments, vocals or structure Not all parts of pop music are changing, used in pop songs; p o p for musicians to record without the financial backing of a label,” according to the Hugh A. though. The commercial success of a song can music is more a Glauser School of Music. “Further, the advent actually be predicted by scientific algorithms. In reflection of the of digital technology has allowed for much research done by evolver.fm, a music–analyzing era and what less expensive studio space that musicians s it e , most hit songs hover around 119.80 the masses themselves can produce recordings in, and beats per minute. Additionally, pop are currently the entire process has shortened to a matter of songs are repetitive, easy to follow infatuated weeks or even days.” and easy to sing. All of these with.

Thus, That being the case, current pop songs have qualities make the music likely it’s easy to see become more highly individualized, ranging to stick in someone’s brain why pop music from Latin pop to pop rock, and social media and be associated with is ever–changing; has given the opportunity for fame to anyone good memories. since it mirrors the who is willing to sing in front of a camera.

In fact, according to times, it changes as Record Take Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Tori CNN, many top record brands times change.

Kelly, Charlie Puth and Troye Sivan use Hit Song Science, a software In the 1950s, 1877 – 1970s as examples of modern pop singers developed by the Barcelona– Elvis Presley, the based company Music “King of Rock and Roll,” became a sensation who achieved widespread success by Intelligence Solutions, after bringing songs influenced by blues, uploading covers and original songs onto YouTube. to determine which tracks to country and gospel music into the public At the same time, however, produce as chart–toppers. HSS craze. He was recognized not only n e breaks “down more than 60 o h with the power of the internet to p for his voice, but as a face a mo 20s elements of a song, including allow anyone to be famous also G r (and a signature 19 comes the tendency for trends melody, harmony, tempo, 1887 – set of hip– to rise and fall in a fast–moving pitch, octave, beat, rhythm, fullness of sound, swiveling, foot– pace. While iconic pop artists of noise, brilliance and chord progression and stomping dance the 20th century (such as Prince, compares it against a database of over 3.5 moves) adored the Beatles and Michael Jackson) million past commercial hits.” by millions of reign as some of the longest Pop music also transformed societal girls. Even today, tenants of cultural relevancy — ideas about identity and acceptance. e pop artists are p a te T 4 each with more than 30 years As Michael Jackson became recognized as more t e extremely popular than just their songs Cass 2 – 199 between their first and last peak in commercial popularity — pop during his time, played on the radio; they are 196 societal norms celebrities with fans who obsess over their artists today (such as Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande) hold similar expanded every moves. to accept Music reached new audiences with the relevance for significantly less A f r i c a n – evolving technology. MTV became popular time. According to Vox, it’s not American artists in the ‘80s after featuring Michael Jackson’s even ten years.

Pop music is “for the masses,” in mainstream “Thriller” music video on its channel. From and thus it caters to them m u s i c .

V HS the ‘80s to early 2000s, MTV dictated and as well. The common Throughout time, revolutionized the music industry by 1976 Tape – 200 expression “all pop this has expanded to featuring African–American pop 2 females and LGBTQ+ indivuals songs sound the same” artists such as Prince and Lionel holds some measure of becoming accepted in modern society. Take Richie and by allowing the visual truth as many of the Michael Jackson’s classic hit “Black or White” music videos of pop artists to greatest hits were made or even modern anthems like Beyoncé’s “Run reach public recognition on par by the same songwriters the World (Girls)” and Panic! at the Disco’s with their songs. and producers, featuring “Girls/Girls/Boys” as examples.

“MTV’s style, hand–held recycled song patterns. For In the near future, R&B/Hip–Hop seem to cameras and quick–cut editing instance, the contemporary be the biggest influence in pop music, with eight had its own impact on 1980s songwriter with the most of the 10 most streamed albums of 2018 in that culture,” stated CNN. “Soon, nearly current hits is Max Martin, who category, according to The New York Times. But everything on TV looked like MTV. And not only wrote the Backstreet despite what the near future predicts, with how when the ‘80s ended, MTV adapted to CD Boys’ “I Want it That Way” (1999), quickly trends rise and fall in this day and age, the new music of the ‘90s, like Seattle 1982 – present but also the Weeknd’s “Can’t it’s hard to tell what will come next. grunge bands Nirvana and Pearl Jam.”

Compiled by Bob Xia

Jeremy Mettel ‘19 “Armed and Dangerous” Juice Wrld

Delaney Waggoner ‘20 “29” Bankrol Hayden

Mia Hodges ‘21 “Loving is Easy” Rex Orange County

Brendan Faulkner ‘22 “Another Day of Sun” La La Land

Compiled by Michelle Hang, Prarthana Kaygee & Melanie Zhang

The Reul Reel

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

History of women IN THE PERFORMING ARTS

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Captain MARVEL–ous by katie reul a & e section editor Co–directed by Marvel’s first female director, Anna Boden, Marvel’s first female– led feature film, Captain Marvel, was the perfect example of how to promote a feminist agenda without blatantly rubbing in your face that the protagonist is, in fact, a woman.

The newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is basically the Marvel twist on DC’s seemingly all–powerful Superman.

Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) is the full package with capabilities in energy manipulation and flight, and when she’s not being the hard–core superhero she is, her alter ego, Carol Danvers, is a grungy ex–Air Force pilot with an extensive backstory. The film itself takes place before the formation of the Avengers, mainly set on Earth in the 1990s.

Elements of her past are depicted to humanize her, portraying her struggles growing up in a career field that was, and still remains, primarily male–dominated. Knowing the significance of the film’s role for more female superheroes, Marvel neglected to include a romantic interest in the film, using her backstory to emphasize the obstacles that women face in society but not detracting from her genuine self– righteousness by tethering her physical success or emotional state to the actions of a man. Even the other characters in the film promote a sense of female independence, with Danvers’ best friend Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch) being a single mom with a strong–willed daughter.

That being said, the film’s success in establishing a sense of normalcy for a new era of female superheroes did not fully make up for all of the innate flaws of the movie. I wouldn’t say the movie is “bad,” but it has no way lived up to the new standard of expectation for the quality of Marvel films that has evolved over the years. Compared to the exceptional quality of more recent origin stories of heroes such as Spider–Man and Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel featured a cookie cutter storyline that, while enjoyable, followed the same formula that Marvel’s used for years before.

And that formula definitely works, but with fresh takes on converting comic books to the screen as seen with Black Panther, having a Marvel film that just “works” isn’t good enough.

Specifically, with the visual effects, some of the outer space visuals were simply just not up to par with the precedent that was set with Avengers: Infinity War. All this isn’t to take away from the energy and light–hearted tone of the feature. Viewers see a never–before–seen side of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), and a new furry friend, Goose, is introduced to the team. Carol Danvers is solidly set up for a sequel feature film, and more significantly, a huge role in Avengers: Endgame as the Avengers’ potential saving grace. While at times the dialogue is cheesy, the film itself is irrevocably charming and definitely does its job.

Captain Marvel is by no means Marvel’s best work as of late, but it remains a fun watch for any Marvel fan or simply anyone supportive of female representation on the big screen.

GRAPHIC BY THOMAS BRICKMAN

Sources: columbia.edu, flickr.com & theguardian.com

Women’s History Month: women in �ilm

by abby thompson

a & e editor

Joanne Woodward. Kathryn Bigelow.

Dorothy Dandridge. Barbra Streisand.

These outstanding women all have one thing in common: they are all actresses, and they are among the greatest individuals who are renowned for making history for women in the film industry.

Woodward was the first woman on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Bigelow was the first female winner of an Oscar for Best Director.

Dandridge was the first African–American woman to be nominated for Best Actress in the 1950s. Streisand was the first woman to receive an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony (EGOT).

That’s a whole lot of “firsts,” and they are all just a mere few of the many women celebrated for making history in film.

“Don’t give up,” said Twilight screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, directed at aspiring artists in the field of entertainment. “You’re going to get kicked in the teeth. A lot. Learn to take a hit, then pick yourself up off the floor. Resilience is the true key to success.”

Currently, women make up 27 percent of all creators, directors, writers, executive producers, producers, editors and directors, according to womenintvfilm.sdsu.edu.

However, dating back to the 1600s, women were not allowed to perform in plays at all. Even in Shakespeare’s most appreciated plays, men would play the female parts along with the male characters. However, over time, women began to defy these limitations.

The first woman to be considered “a big movie–star” was Florence (“Flo”) Lawrence in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Lawrence is well known for her role as Boone’s daughter in Daniel Boone, which first appeared on the screen in 1907.

“I like the work … for there are no stage tricks about it; everything must be done absolutely naturally,” said Lawrence in an interview to Gladys Roosevelt. She was able to rise above expectations and enjoy her work for what it was.

Aside from women’s unequal treatment compared to men in film throughout history, their inequalities were often embodied in the films themselves.

In 1978, one of the most beloved films in the U.S. made its appearance into the world of cinema. Despite its upbeat facade, Grease managed to include the typical unfair treatment towards women. Sandy Dumbrowski, portrayed by actress Olivia Newton–John, embodied the stereotypical female persona of the late ‘50s. At the end of the movie, Sandy changes her physical appearance and her behavior for her love interest, Danny Zuko.

Now it’s 2019, and Kevin Feige of Marvel Studios has just confirmed that, in light of the recent film Captain Marvel, a female superhero will be taking over as the new face of the studio.

Captain Marvel, a movie that was released this year starring Academy Award–winning actress Brie Larson, introduces a new hero to stand next to (and on the same level) as the originals.

Captain Marvel is a film based off of the American comic series originally created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan. Making its first appearance in 1939, the comic strip was intended to be a huge success, following Superman, which had come out the previous year.

“We were also looking to expand our reach to a wider audience and to reach young women and young girls as potential audience[s],” said Gerry Conway, the author of Ms. Marvel Vol. 1–3, in an interview with Polygon. “Marvel had, historically, not had very many solo female lead books. DC [Comics] had a few, but Marvel had not very many at all.”

Upon the creation of Wonder Woman in the ‘70s, it became increasingly obvious that Marvel was lacking female heroes. Thus, in 1982, The Amazing Spider–Man Annual, Vol. 1, No. 16 introduced a female Captain Marvel.

“We don’t want to make a movie that people have seen before, but I think that means making the movie feel distinct, not just from other female–led movies, but from all the other Marvel movies as well, which I think we to do on every movie,” said Marvel’s executive

producer Jonathan Schwartz in an interview with MSN Entertainment. “It wasn’t a new challenge, necessarily, but it was one I think we were extra–excited for because of the nature of what this movie means to people.”

The original face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man, who was the focus of the studio for the first three phases (MCU’s categorizing term for blocks of movies with similar topics) will be replaced with Captain Marvel in the phases to come.

Considering where women began in the production of film and theatre, Marvel Studios’ announcement regarding the newest addition to the legendary heroes represents the blossoming of a new era for women in film.

Additionally, women involved in the cinematic arts have been taking their own steps, hoping to tackle Hollywood’s gender–exclusion crisis. Jessica Chastain, Juliette Binoche and Catherine Hardwicke have recently joined forces in a new non–profit organization called Reframe with the goal of improving opportunities for women, which have already started to grow.

The organization’s motto is “Expand the story. Change the world.” However, getting people to agree on the cause is not the most difficult challenge that the program will have to overcome.

“The biggest challenge will be getting people past the idea that they are doing enough,” said the director of the program, Paul Feig. “Everyone agrees with the cause and thinks, ‘We’re on that,” but it’s about getting to that next level where you actually physically do it. Because of these individuals pushing for more female involvement, the cause is slowly making progress.”

According to womenandhollywood.com, women made up four percent of directors, 15 percent of writers, three percent of cinematographers, 18 percent of producers, 18 percent of executive producers and 14 percent of editors of the top 100 movies in 2018. These statistics continue to develop as the amount of women in film continues to grow at a rapid pace. As the number of opportunities available for women skyrockets, so do the accomplishments that they carry out.

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OPINION

Mental health days keep the doctor away

to sweep my mental illnesses under the rug, I am forced to further invalidate them as real illnesses, and the stigma on mental health only gets worse.

According to mentalillnesspolicy.org, mental illnesses are equal in severity to physical illnesses since they cause significant functional impairment and substantially limit major life activities. Regardless of how society stigmatizes and invalidates mental illnesses, they are valid and acceptable.

Even without a mental disorder, mental health days are important in order to keep the mind and body healthy. The weekends are obviously there for students to refuel and rest after a tiring week of school, but sometimes two

days aren’t enough compared to five days spent at school. According to Seattle Post–Intelligencer, a four–day school week creates an opportunity for extra rest and a less stressful environment.

Staying up past midnight for multiple nights doing homework and waking up at 6 a.m. not only affects my physical health but also my mentality, as I just get more and more sleep– deprived heading to school. Getting an extra day of rest within the school week would make up for lost sleep and sanity in the midst of chaos.

According to The National Conference of State Legislature, one study of students in Colorado showed a statistically significant improvement in math scores among students on a four–day

schedule, most possibly due to the extra rest for the brain and body.

Since there is no officially implemented four–day week at WHS, one is forced to lie about being physically ill in order to take a day off school. Getting legal approval from the school to take a mental health day would eliminate a feeling of guilt that really just crushes the rejuvenation of mental health. Whether it be the implementation of mental health days or a four day week, either would be beneficial to take the edge off of crumbling stress.

However, if mental health days are approved, they can be abused just as the physical illness excuse is used as a mental health day excuse. Though no one wants to assume people are faking, it is very simple to do just as one could fake a stomach ache.

Mental health days probably have not been implemented because mental health is not seen as the credible excuse by authorities, as anyone could pretend to have a mental disorder. In turn for a vacation, multiple mental health days could be used without anyone’s knowledge of the truth. To ensure that this wouldn’t happen, it would be necessary to put a limit on the number of mental health days distributed to everyone. Still, everyone would get a fair amount of days designated for replenishing mental health to maintain healthy living.

With general anxiety and depression becoming more common, the need for mental health days becomes more crucial for the most beneficial reasons. Mental health should be a valid reason to skip an event and, in all seriousness, is just as important as bodily health and needs to be attended to whenever necessary.

Heads up to the attendance office: If my dad calls in for my absence anytime soon, I hope it’s okay that he says I’m taking a mental health day.

Now, before I am charged by any AP student with the, “What about timed essays on the AP Test?” question, I would like to remind those students that AP tests are not mandatory and are usually taken in order to receive college credit. The very premise of AP classes are to go above and beyond, in which case I agree that timed essays are a valid form of assessment.

To the average CP or Honors student, however, the false pretenses of these essays, when combined with the stress and near– certain grade deflation as a result of them, are precisely why they are carried with the same taboo in classrooms as Voldemort’s name in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Furthermore, there are far more effective ways to measure students’ writing skills than doing the only thing no one is asking schools to do.

For instance, instead of using timed essays to measure basic writing skills, which does nothing to expand writing skills and just restricts what students can actually equivocate, students could be given extra days in order to fully respond to the prompt as they see fit.

In this scenario, not only could teachers examine the basic writing fundamentals, but teachers could be able to teach and evaluate advanced writing techniques that would actually be beneficial to students after high school.

Examine any job: whether you’re a doctor, an engineer or working any sort of desk job, you will hardly ever be required to write any information in as limited time as a timed essay.

This is because employers want the job done right, not quickly. What’s the good of doing something if it is not done well and can be done better?

There is no valid reason to deprive students of their true potential, and this is exactly why there are no educational requirements regarding timed essays. Employers do not expect nor want them, and students dislike them to a large extent.

Just the requirements that students are expected to be able to accomplish is absurd.

Students are given less than an hour to respond to a prompt in which sometimes they do not know of the topic beforehand, with no less than four paragraphs, perfect grammar, varied sentence structure, effective and diverse transitions, memorized quotes and clear handwriting while being measured on a subjective view of how well the teacher feels they responded.

Overall, timed essays are an ineffective and unnecessary examination process that needs to be removed from our English classrooms.

by angel lee

feature editor

Riddle me this: My obsessive compulsive disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder keep me up for hours at night as I dwell on the way I turned off the light and find it impossible to sleep without tossing and turning 100 times in bed. My anxiety and depression take turns each day, causing me to wake up anxious and panicky one morning, then hopeless and crying the next. Social anxiety makes it impossible for me to confidently speak and have human contact sometimes. How do I make it to school?

I don’t. Technically, I’m at home “with the flu” when my parents call the office saying I’m physically ill. A system where one could call in and be excused for a mental health day might just change the way school attendance is wired.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 21.4 percent of teenagers suffer from a serious mental disorder. Anxiety and depression, which are the two most common disorders among the population, don’t mix well with school.

From my experience, I can, in fact, confirm that mental illnesses are a relentless torture that no one asked for. OCD, in particular, makes me excessively worry about catching a virus at school, leading to my urge to use hand sanitizer or wash my hands every five minutes.

Sometimes, the built up stress of this all crashes down, and I can’t find the courage to walk the halls in fear for that day.

On days that people can’t handle school on top of their mental illnesses, whether it be crying in bed or physically quivering from anxiety, mental illnesses shouldn’t need to be masked as the whooping cough to get out of school. By needing

GRAPHIC BY ANGEL LEE

Time’s up on timed in–class English essays

by jeff mendoza sports editor Ask a hundred students what their least favorite assessment is, and you’ll likely receive the same answer. It is the absolute dread of the English classroom: timed essays. Every student goes through it — the hand cramps, constantly worrying about how much time you have left, but most of all, the crushing feeling as you walk to the stapler.

The justification behind these excruciating exams is to demonstrate writing skills in a limited time frame.

“Known collectively as timed essays, essay exams or in–class essays, these essays require you to demonstrate disciplinary knowledge by producing a writing sample within a limited time period,” according to the Duke University Writing Studio. “Timed essays are popular because they allow teachers to grade students holistically in a very brief amount of time.”

Yet, there are several problems with this ideology. The ratio of in–class essays to take home essays in most classrooms is uneven, favoring in–class essays. Secondly, if in–class essays are meant to build one’s ability to write well under pressure, the average scoring rubric is not meant to measure the basic, “disciplinary” writing skills that many online resources will tell you is the purpose of these exams.

This all pales in comparison, however, to the fact that timed essays are not found in Common Core standards or state educational requirements.

GRAPHIC BY JEFF MENDOZA

16

OPINION

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Embrace the wave by alex li opinion section editor For those of you who know me, you’re well aware that I’m borderline obsessed with K–pop: Korean pop music.

This might be confusing to many people, as I’m a Chinese–American dude, but it’s not that complicated.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably, generally, know what K–pop is — PSY’s “Gangnam Style” from 2012 was most of the West’s first exposure to Korean music, but as Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) steadily takes over the whole world, it’s hard to ignore K–pop in this day and age.

In the last three months alone, massive K–pop groups have already toured or announced tours in North America. Red Velvet recently finished up their first North American tour, and BTS and Blackpink announced their tours occurring in May. The question, however, still remains: how do non–Koreans even get into K–pop?

There are only a small minority of K–pop stars that can speak English, and songs across the board only have a small smattering of English lyrics.

I believe social media has brought K– pop to the forefront. We have the world at our fingertips now, and Western influence is seen all around the world. Whether it be Ronaldo jerseys sold in China or Western musical influences seen in K–pop, the world is more connected than ever.

K–pop was easy to get into as so many songs sound like Western songs. You can distinctly hear hip–hop, pop and even Latin pop influences in so many K–pop songs.

Even if the lyrics are in Korean, they still hold meaning, and watching performances makes you appreciate the work that goes on in the industry. If the language is the only thing holding you back, I have to ask you why “Despacito” is the most watched YouTube video of all time.

Despite all this, I wouldn’t say K–pop is getting Americanized — it’s just music. I’d argue that music is languageless and artists just want to appeal to as many people as possible. They have American fans, so why not try to appeal to them as well?

It’s daunting, I know, to jump into the K–pop black hole, so I’m here to help.

Try adding your favorite genres to K– pop searches like “K–pop R&B.” For boy groups, check out BTS, Seventeen and NCT 127. I’d check out Red Velvet and Blackpink for girl groups. My current favorites include Red Velvet’s “Bad Boy” and NCT 127’s “Regular.”

You don’t have to listen exclusively to K–pop, maybe J–pop or Bollywood music is more your style, but give it a shot. It’s not complicated — it’s just music.

What grinds your gears?

After three–and–three–quarter years of eating, studying and sleeping at WHS, it has basically become my second home. That being said, like any home there are a couple of things about the place that have continued to irk me, or grind my gears, throughout my high school years. by elliot kim graphics editor The Amphitheater Puddle For the last couple of months, WHS was bombarded by heavy rain. While this is terrific for water–deprived California, it is bad news for WHS students: it means that we have to deal with the giant puddle at the top of the amphitheater.

This is no ordinary puddle. Measuring in at about two inches deep, 10 feet long and three feet wide, this liquid behemoth takes up the entire walkway and is nearly impossible to avoid. Combine this with the fact that there is usually a huge crowd of students pushing and shoving trying to get to their next class, you’ll most likely end up going to your next class with, at the very least, wet shoes.

The Boys Bathroom The first thing you’ll notice when you try to use the boys

Allison Liu ‘22

bathroom at WHS is that, well, you can’t. Every bathroom, except for the one right next to the office, is always locked.

Now, if you’re extremely lucky that day and happen to come across an open bathroom, you’re probably about to see why they’re always closed: boys do not know how to use a restroom.

Not only do they not follow basic etiquette, such as flushing after using a toilet (or even using a toilet to do their business in the first place), but there are toilet paper and random objects strewn everywhere. From earbuds in urinals to ice cream in the sinks, the sheer creativity of the most abstract objects in the most random places never ceases to amaze me.

It’s honestly a miracle that we male students still even have a bathroom to use. If I was a janitor, I definitely wouldn’t want even one boys bathroom to clean up.

Weighted Grades I have been haunted by the weighted grade system since middle school, but I never really had a problem with it.

Harrison Hsu ‘21

“When I don’t understand “When people are too something and the competitive and bring teacher just moves on” down their peers”

Travis Nortey ‘20 “Teachers who don’t understand we have other classes”

However, this all changed my junior year.

For someone like me who is a strong test taker and a subpar writer, it was very difficult to make up missing points in my writing category with high grades in my test category.

Also, doing homework does not help bring a grade up because usually the homework category isn’t worth very much.

Not only does this discourage putting effort into homework, but it also does not reward students, especially those with lower grades, that put effort into doing all of their homework assignments.

In conclusion, even though I poke fun at some annoyances I experience at WHS, we should still definitely be thankful to go to such a great school in an awesome area where we don’t have to deal with much more severe issues, such as a lack of funding for arts, sports and education in general.

So, while I lament the horrors I experience at WHS, I’m also very thankful that these are the extent of the problems I have to deal with.

Jacqueline Gomez ‘19

Doug Freed Teacher

“When I’m trying to use the bathroom, but people are doing stuff in the stalls”

“Friction”

Compiled by Elliot Kim

Frosh–sOFF–campus passes by amber parrish feature editor It is a custom at WHS that only juniors and seniors get off–campus lunch passes while underclassmen stay on campus for two years, awaiting their time.

The WHS off–campus pass is only available to juniors and seniors with parental permission, allowing them to leave campus during the lunch period and CPT. It is, in many ways, unfair to the underclassmen that the pass is only for juniors and seniors. Numerous upperclassmen say that they don’t think the freshmen and sophomores should be allowed to leave campus because of the maturity gap and increased traffic with more cars and restaurant lines.

Maturity, however, is not necessarily correlated with age, as many students show signs of maturity such as an ability to keep long–term commitments and seek help from others, according to psychologytoday.com. Many underclassmen have the amount of maturity and social experience needed to handle the privilege of going off campus.

However, some members of the administration find value in underclassmen staying on campus.

“I think the first two years at WHS are more important for the students to get to know the culture and expectations,” said Assistant Principal of Attendance Ricardo Araiza. “As they become juniors and seniors, we give them privileges such as the off–campus pass.”

A lot of the reason behind not allowing underclassmen access to off–campus passes is because of the immaturity that certain students display. A lot of these immature actions can negatively affect their graduating class as a whole.

Although some underclassmen do not have enough maturity to leave campus, these select actions shouldn’t decide if their fellow classmates should be able to have the off– campus pass or not.

There are many benefits of giving off–campus passes to underclassmen, such as reducing the amount of foot traffic and lack of seating at WHS, which is often crowded during lunchtime.

If administration allows underclassmen to obtain off–campus passes, they will learn real world experience and responsibility when it comes to time management and maturity.

Just because many freshmen and sophomores do not have their license does not mean that they can’t get food or leave within the lunch hour. Many restaurants, such as Fresh Brothers, See’s Candies, Lemonade and Soom Soom, are within walking distance, so students have enough time to get food and head back to class without being late to sixth period.

In addition, being able to go off campus gives students a mental break from school and can get students’ minds off of school for a short amount of time. Mental health should be taken seriously, and having a time in the day to just leave the school campus can help a lot with stress, according to mentalhealthamerica.net.

The age of a student and grade level should not affect whether or not he or she should be able to obtain and maintain an off–campus pass, but rather, the student’s personal behavior towards school assignments and activities as well as attendance should be considered.

Ultimately, underclassmen should have the same privileges as upperclassmen.

The lunch time off–campus pass is a luxury that should be available to all grade levels. It should not just be handed to people simply because they are upperclassmen.

17

OPINION

Enviro: essential for all students

Amandatory Reading

by quinn moss

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Disclaimer: major spoilers for Jane Eyre!

by amanda ju featured columnist

GRAPHIC BY QUINN MOSS

“I see it as the year progresses, [more people] are using a reusable [water bottle], and I see fewer and fewer plastic [bottles], so that’s really important,” said Boyd. “I don’t want my students to leave the class feeling like they didn’t learn about the solutions too because little things do add up.”

The problem with the class being offered solely as an elective is that students who choose to take the class are likely already concerned about the environment. The key demographic for creating change is those that are not.

By requiring Environmental Science instead of Chemistry, we can ensure that all high school graduates have a basic understanding not only of the many environmental issues posing serious threats to mankind, but also what they can do to solve them. Those who hope to pursue subjects like Chemistry after high school can then take that class as an elective.

Unfortunately, we can no longer afford to treat environmental education as a luxury. We simply don’t have time.

as numbers and whether we can pay, which, as we are mainly from middle–class families, isn’t necessarily possible. sports section editor alwaysColleges can’t create success, especially As the most recent and possibly biggest when they are acutely flawed. That “holistic college scandal to ever occur, Operation Varsity approach” colleges take to accept students Blues shed light on the privilege that wealthy not only takes into account an applicant’s people have to help their children go farther extracurriculars as well as a student’s grades, but in life, namely in college admissions to world– also takes into account the student’s need for renowned institutions. financial aid.

However, this has always been the case. Rich Therefore, if a student doesn’t need to have the parents can send their rich children to rich schools best grades or achievements to get into a selective to get a job where they school, then who’s to will continue to be rich. oo many universities say that someone who It’s happening now, chooses to attend a have lowered standards lesser–ranked school with socialites Olivia and Isabella Giannulli and reduced their will have less of a and mother Lori to achieve workload, making the college degree chance Loughlin, as well as in success in the future? a less valuable signal to employers It’s not the school’s the past — namely with current Senior Advisor about who they are hiring.” name that invites a to President Donald good future, but rather –Steven Pearlstein the students.

Trump, Jared Kushner and his father, Charles As for the current Kushner. Nepotism, money and fame can do a lot scandal involving Olivia Giannulli bribing her for children who don’t deserve it. way into University of Southern California, it But a new phenomenon that also is coming speaks levels to what the rich will do to get what to light is the desperation that colleges have for they want, how they want it. Although Giannulli money. They’ve always needed money to thrive. could have chosen a less rigorous school that It’s been a numbers game, and most people might fit more with her academic prowess such haven’t realized it. My classmates and I are beating as Arizona State University, it is mentioned in ourselves down in order to receive the highest the court documents that Loughlin decided that grades and test scores in hopes of possibly being a school “other than ASU” would be what the accepted at a nice–sounding school, especially Giannulli should attend. This fact questions the the Ivy Leagues. We are looked at by admissions value of the degree that an unqualified student

would get at a well–known school compared to a qualified student with a diploma from the same school.

Thus, what is the point of attending a school based on the name of the college? If a student gets accepted to a school based on financial reasons, it does not necessarily mean that the student is able to keep up with the workload at the school. If colleges are supposed to be a preparation for a career, then the fact that underqualified students can attend these schools means that colleges may not be necessary for career preparation.

However, with the lack of job openings, it seems more efficient to just bypass college altogether and enter the workforce. While colleges teach material easily forgotten by students after midterms and finals, internships and vocational schools directly prep students for their careers.

“Too many universities have lowered standards and reduced their workload, making the college degree a less valuable signal to employers about who they are hiring,” said Washington Post opinion columnist Steven Pearlstein. “In turn, more students have come to believe they must earn a graduate degree to attract the attention of employers.”

Students should consider what a college education would do for them. After all, if someone ends up at a school not by their own will and potential, then they might also end up getting a hair care sponsorship revoked for going too far to get in.

To read the unabridged story, visit westlakearrow.net

College diplomas diminish in value

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A breath of fresh Eyre

The fact is that the content of Environmental Science is much more pertinent to the average person’s daily life than that of many currently required classes.

If it was to be required, the class could feasibly replace Chemistry, for instance.

While both are undoubtedly valuable classes, Environmental Science is necessary knowledge for all responsible citizens, while Chemistry is career–specific.

As a required class, Environmental Science would need to be offered at both the College Preparatory and Advanced Placement levels.

WHS only currently offers the class at the AP and Honors levels, which are not suitable for all students. Environmental Science, however, must be made accessible to all students if we are to fight the effects of climate change and become a more environmentally conscious society.

The effects of an environmental education are tangible, and even the smallest changes can have great impacts when made by a large number of people.

by melanie zhang

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I have to make a confession. For the first 16 years of my life, I used two or three plastic water bottles almost every single day. Did I know that it wasn’t the best for the environment? Yes. Did I care? Not enough to stop. Did I know that plastic water bottle production uses about 17 million barrels of oil and produces over 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide annually? Not at all.

That all changed about three months into my enrollment in AP Environmental Science this year. The most valuable thing this class taught me was the environmental impact of the individual. I now use a reusable water bottle, one of the many ways that I have become more environmentally conscious as a result of the class.

What worries me, however, is the vast number of people who are missing out on this experience because our education system has failed to place emphasis on environmental education. Given the impending environmental crises facing this generation, it is imperative that Environmental Science is made a required class.

The United Nations estimates that in less than 12 years, the effects of climate change will be irreversible if carbon dioxide emissions are not drastically reduced. The burden falls on the current generation’s shoulders. Education is one of the most effective ways to prevent environmental degradation, as it prevents many problems that “arise out of ignorance,” according to Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics.

“Once you know about the problems and [how you can solve them] and make those changes now, that means... a lasting impact of making good decisions that are not going to impact the environment in a negative way,” said Environmental Science teacher Jennifer Boyd.

“The benefit is exponential.”

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feature editor

So, if you’ve been through English 10H here at WHS and all your vitals are in check, more likely than not you hate Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre with the fire of a thousand burning suns, and more likely than not you qualify for the blacklist I’ve scratched onto the underside of my desk in Novak.

I like this book just a little bit. Definitely not enough to say, know the year it was published (1847), or the name of Jane’s childhood caretaker’s fiancée (Robert), or the 56th word on the 199th page (multitudinous).

But I’ve always wondered why the feeling isn’t shared, so lately, I’ve been asking why.

Honorable mentions have been “it’s too long,” “it’s too dramatic” and “it’s too British,” but my favorite response by far has been “where’s the action?” Um ... where’s the scene where Rochester watches his secret attic wife jump from a burning building and bash her brains out on the rocks below, then immediately gets his right hand severed and one of his eyeballs knocked out by a falling staircase? (Page 466!)

I mean, sure, it’s got more metaphorical rain than an Evanescence music video, but I feel like the one reason nobody will admit is that, since we read almost exclusively male– centric literature in class, studying something that centers entirely around the female perspective can feel foreign.

Before that, though, let’s talk about the woman who made it all happen: Charlotte Brontë. Her friends might have described her at 15 as looking like “a little old woman” (and honestly, same), but believe me when I say that she was 4 feet, 9 inches of pure metal.

She paved the way for female authors, famously telling a critic, “To you I am neither man nor woman. I come before you as an author only. It is the sole standard by which you have a right to judge me. Now Cower Before Your Almighty Sovereign, Thou Lily– Livered Sons of Knaves.”

Simply giving Jane a startlingly frank, unapologetically individual first–person voice to tell her own story was revolutionary enough, but the quote “women feel just as men feel” was a turning point in literature.

Not to mention the iconic “I care for myself ” after Rochester spends 50 pages trying to pressure her into the 1847 equivalent of a Vegas drive–thru wedding after he hits her with the whole bigamy thing. Bottom line, Jane is strong and she earns her own happiness without compromising herself for anyone — unheard of for the period.

The takeaway here is that, whether or not it’s your cup of tea, Jane Eyre was a feminist awakening, and students have a lot to gain from the normalization of the female voice in academic literature. I’m going to leave you with what is in my opinion Jane’s finest roast, from her reunion scene with Rochester: “Am I hideous, Jane?” “Very, sir; you always were, you know.”

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SPORTS

Spring season: standout athletes

Sommers is tied as the current No. 2 pole vaulter in the nation.

Her events are pole vault, high jump, 100–meter hurdles and the 100–meter dash or the 4 x 100.

Sommers began track at a young age but stopped due to an injury. A couple years later, she noticed that she would “beat” classmates while running in PE, so she decided to join track once again.

Her favorite aspect of the sport is that she can try many different events.

“There’s no limitations to what you can do,” said Sommers. “You can always run faster, you can always jump higher, throw further, as long as you keep working you just keep improving with it.”

She has set many records for WHS; her current record is 13 feet and 4 inches in pole vault.

“I’m currently No. 2 for all grade levels and No. 1 sophomore in the nation,” said Sommers. “I took third at the state meet which is against all grade levels and first at CIF Finals.”

Sommers is inspired by her dad, who vaulted for UCLA. “He ended up doing 18 feet, so just hearing about his success and seeing photos is what made me want to join,” said Sommers.

She continues to inspire her team each year.

“Her amazing abilities contribute points [towards the WHS records],” said Cordelia Wild ‘21. “She’s a really fun person and is always happy.”

Sommers is interested in pursuing track in college, and she hopes to one day make it to the Olympics.

“My dream is the Olympics,” said Sommers. “That’s E SH what motivates me everyday to keep pushing so I can get to I that one day.”

Kritsch began playing many sports when he was younger but decided to pursue baseball.

Kritsch is a team captain of the boys varsity baseball team along with Hayden Vaughn ‘19, Danny Hernandez ‘19 and Kevin Taylor ‘19.

Kritsch helps keep the team focused and motivated, and according to Chad McMillan ‘19, he also has “the most heart of every player on our team.”

Over the years, his passion for the sport has grown much stronger and he has made many great friends.

“My favorite thing is probably the teammates and the friends I’ve made along the way because I’ve been playing with them since I was very young,” said Kritsch. “My favorite part about baseball specifically is hitting, just because it’s the most rewarding.”

Baseball has played an important role in Kritsch’s life, and his older brother plays as well.

“My brother is a junior at San Francisco State,” said Kritsch. “He’s playing, and he started ... freshman year.”

His brother continues to inspire him and motivate him to work harder.

“My main motivation is my brother because we’re both really competitive, always trying to one–up each other,” said Kritsch.

Kritsch is committed to the Claremont–Mudd–Scripps team for Division 3 baseball, and he will attend Harvey Mudd to continue his education.

“It’s something that I’m really passionate about, and I knew that I didn’t want it to end after high school,” said Kritsch.

He has put in the effort and the time to not only pursue his passion but to excel academically as well.

“Choose a goal and stick to it,” said Kritsch.

(Kritsch is WHS’s Boys March Athlete of the Month; visit O

Shi is on the boys varsity tennis team and he plays as the No. 1 doubles alongside Aarun Devgan ‘19.

“I mainly play doubles, but I play singles occasionally,” said Shi. “I think doubles is more fun for me.”

Shi began playing tennis in third grade after he tried his hand at swimming, basketball and track.

From his experience in the last few years, he learned that “in doubles, it’s very important [to have high PH energy] because sometimes your partner may not be in the OT OB best mood or your opponents may be better overall, but it’s YM ICHELLE HANG always important to keep a strong mentality.”

Despite being one of the younger players on the team, he has a great impact on the squad.

“He’s a good leader, and in the future when the seniors graduate, which is half the team, he’ll probably be team captain,” said Devgan.

He learned that being energetic and having a good attitude can lead a team to success. “[My teammates would describe me as] energetic, sometimes positive, hardworking and reliable,” said Shi. “Overall, I’m always trying to be positive, help our team win and always trying to contribute.”

Aside from playing for WHS, he plays in tournaments for U.S. Tennis Association. However, he enjoys playing for WHS because of the friends he has made on the team.

“The best part is just the team because most of the time you’re either playing alone or with only one other person,” said Shi, “But after [games] and even during the match, your friends are cheering for you and you have motivation to win for your team.”

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Claire Moats ‘19: Lacrosse

Moats began playing lacrosse at the age of 10. She was inspired by her older brother to join the sport.

“I started with boys lacrosse because there was no girls lacrosse,” said Moats.

She moved to WHS in the second semester of her junior year, previously living in Pasadena. She soon became a member of the varsity girls lacrosse team and varsity girls basketball team.

Since then, she has brought much to each of the teams, especially lacrosse. This year she is the team captain along with Sarah Sullivan ‘19, Kailee Follette ‘20 and Shelby Tilton ‘20. “[Claire definitely adds] her personality on top of her play,” said Follette.

“She’s such an aggressive player, and I think our midfield really K NA benefi ts from having her on the team.”

HA T R PRA As a midfielder, she takes the draws for most of the games. However, due PHOTO BY to an injury while taking draw at NPHS, she will be out for the rest of the season. “[She] makes our team more confident and helps us win a lot of our draw controls,” said Tilton.

Moats committed to play Division 1 lacrosse at UC Davis and looks forward to continuing her education there as well.

“For me, I just love the balance that it takes when you’re playing sports and focusing on your education,” said Moats. “I think it’s something that helps me manage my time better.”

She inspires many of her teammates, and she is definitely an athlete to look out for this season.

“I would definitely say if your goal is to play in college for any sport, don’t sell yourself short,” said Moats. “You always have to believe in yourself.”

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Jerry Shi ‘21: Tennis

H SHERI KRITSC

Cade Kritsch ‘19: Baseball

B TO PH O

Paige Sommers ‘21: Track & Field

Compiled by Michelle Hang & Prarthana Kaygee

19

SPORTS

Wynalda reflects on time at WHS

After so many years, what are your feelings about your high school experience?

“I always look back at high school as possibly the best years of my life. High school was, and still is to people, I hope, a circle of friends where you really have a unique opportunity to become really close. We were ranked number one in CIF at one point and back in 1987, the whole school got behind us and supported us.”

You then played at SDSU and broke into the national team. What was it like adjusting to this crazy whirlwind of events?

“It was really hard at first after graduating, but at the same time, it was a crazy year for me in 1987.

I graduated, and one minute I’m playing in a high school soccer game, and literally months later, I’m playing against grown men in a collegiate setting.

I had a really good NCAA tournament, so in the soccer circles I became a very well–known name, and I went to the national team immediately. I was 18 or 19 years old and everything happened so fast; it was hard to keep up, especially with school, but on the soccer side, it was always what I wanted to do so I was completely committed.”

What are your thoughts on the state of soccer in the United States?

“It’s bigger now, but it’s not better.

It’s really sad because high school soccer could be a lot more than it is now. We manufacture games now.

We create platforms for the most talented teenagers at a club level, but what people forget are other aspects of high school soccer. Playing for PHOTOS COURTESY OF

PUBLIC DOMAIN

transition for me to go into TV, but the reality was I didn’t have to work as much, and I got to be with my family. I could see my kids and drop them off at school everyday, and I enjoyed that. It was crazy to think that I was watching my older daughter play for her varsity team on the same field that I played on 30 years earlier, but there was a force inside of me that wanted to coach. It became a thing where my kids were actually pushing me to coach. Coaching is a profession where you can be fired in a hurry, so I’m hoping that there’s a success story at the end of this.”

What makes you excited about coaching?

“I’ll take chances on guys that other coaches won’t, and I like to think it usually pays off. I think what’s cool is the opportunity to give some of these guys a new opportunity and the right platform to show off their skills and hopefully make the jump to MLS from the second division. I love it when you can change their course for the better.”

What do you love so much about Westlake Village that made you stay around and start a family here?

“It’s funny, man. You go to high school, and for whatever reason you want to leave Westlake and see the world. You want to be more independent. Then you reach Thanksgiving after you graduate, and you really start to miss home. It’s a great place to raise a family and I wouldn’t want to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas anywhere else in the world.”

To read the full interview, visit westlakearrow.net

New league AAF rushes into action by marc andrew choi & peter beer feature section editor & sports editor American football is the most popular sport in the US. Although the National Football League is only in season about five months per year, some of the most respected football minds came together and created a secondary league that operates during the NFL offseason: the Alliance of American Football.

The AAF is an eight–team league which complements the NFL, featuring former NFL stars and current prospects. The AAF fills the void left by the football offseason, providing fans and athletes with a new, entertaining style of football.

Additionally, the majority of the eight teams in the AAF are located in cities that do not currently have an NFL team, expanding to new markets.

“Our whole goal is just to be complementary,” said Hines Ward, player relations executive and former Pittsburgh Steelers star in an interview with CBS Sports. “With our league, it’s only going to put out a better product for the NFL. We’re giving them extra eyes and extra film.”

Already in its inaugural season, the AAF

has allowed former NFL stars to rejuvenate their careers and regain prominence in the football world. Birmingham Iron running back Trent Richardson is a prime example of former football stars earning redemption in the AAF. Richardson was a Heisman–winning, highly– touted NFL prospect, drafted third overall in 2012. Richardson quickly burned out and was regarded as one of the biggest NFL draft busts. However, after signing with the Iron, Richardson displayed impressive stats and gameplay, increasingly drawing the interest of NFL scouts and general managers.

“I love the thought of the AAF giving players a chance to earn experience through playing the game of football at a high level,” said Browns general manager John Dorsey.

Many general managers, such as Dorsey and Tom Telesco of the Los Angeles Chargers, said they plan to send scouts to AAF games and actively examine film from games in search of potential NFL talent.

Although the AAF may seem like a new, refreshing minor league option of the NFL, this isn’t the first of its kind. For instance, in 1987, the Arena Football League attempted to create a minor league alternative, only to run into financial issues.

The AAF shares the same money problems.

Upon the AAF’s release, most were skeptical about its success. However, in an unprecedented turn of events, Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon funneled $250 million dollars for the league, making the general public believe that the league had ample funding to operate.

Although $250 million dollars is a lot of money, it was barely enough to fund about two weeks of the league.

“What’s clear is that some NFL agents who dealt with the AAF had some concerns about the overall financial liquidity of the league prior to the latest $250 million investment,” according to Yahoo! Sports.

With the successes in minor league alternatives for other sports, such as the National Basketball Association’s G-League and the Major League Baseball’s Minor League Baseball, the AAF has the best chance to become the NFL’s premier minor league.

“When people have attempted to do this in the past, they’ve tried to go away from the NFL, either to be competitive with them or to offer some sort of alternative version of football, be it in an arena,” said AAF founder Charlie Ebersol in an interview with INSIDER. “We really believe that the thing that makes us different from other leagues is how similar we are to the NFL.”

Record: 6W–7L Next game: 4/09 vs. NPHS

Softball

Record: 12W–1L Next game: 4/02 @ OCHS

boys

pride and for your school has pressure with it, and that’s missing now in the new version of the soccer process in the U.S.” What do you think needs to change about soccer culture in the United States for us to be able to compete on the national level?

“That’s the big question, isn’t it? As the U.S., we are the focal points for American football, baseball, basketball and hockey. Soccer never has been the number one sport — it’s always been fourth or fifth. It was a big deal when it was actually considered to be a top five sport in this country. I think the culture of it all is a very difficult thing to challenge. If we’re being honest here, we need to create the best possible platform in the states for our young American players to grow through Major League Soccer. We, as a country, still think of soccer as entertainment and that really hinders the progress of the American player.”

After your playing career, you transitioned into TV and radio and now you’re a coach. What was it like to hang up the boots and take the leap?

“It was a natural

B aseball

Golf

Record: 5W–2L Next game: 4/04 vs. CHS

boys

interview by alex li opinion section editor

(as of March 28)

Tennis

Record: 10W–6L Next game: 4/02 @ NPHS

stunt

As a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Eric Wynalda ‘87 is one of WHS’s most successful alumni. With 106 appearances and 34 goals for the US Men’s National Team, Wynalda is a household name among US soccer fans.

Currently the head coach and technical director for the Division II professional team the Las Vegas Lights, Wynalda was kind enough to sit down with The Arrow and answer some questions.

Spring Sports

Cheer

Record: 6W–0L Next competition: 4/03 @ OCHS

Volleyball

Record: 4–13 (boys), 7–0 (girls) Next game: 4/03 vs. OCHS (boys) 3/30 vs. CHS + NPHS (girls)

L acrosse

Record: 5–3 (boys), 9–1 (girls) Next game: 4/03 @ OCHS (boys) 4/01 vs. PVHS (girls)

Swimming

Record: N/A (boys), N/A (girls) Next meet: 4/03 vs. NPHS

Track & F ield

Record: 1–1 (boys), 1–1 (girls) Next meet: 4/05 @ Arcadia Invitational For the latest sports updates, stories and scores, visit the WHS athletics website at westlakeathletics.net.

Compiled by Taylor Chen

20

PHOTO ESSAY

VI.

I.

II.

PHOTO BY MICHELLE HANG

PHOTO BY JEFF MENDOZA

V.

WHS spring sports athletes are gearing up for a competitive season. Despite tough competition from a historically strong Marmonte League, WHS is thriving as its many teams continue to win in a multitude of sports and divisions.

PHOTO BY SOMEONE

PHOTO BY AMBER PARRISH

(I.) BLOCK THE SHOT: After a cancelled game against St. Margaret High School due to a thunderstorm, the lacrosse teams resumed playing on March 14, with WHS winning 19–12 due in part to the strong defense and aggressive offense led by midfielder Shelby Tilton ‘20.

(II.) EYE ON THE PRIZE: Casey Kleinman ‘20 catches and throws a hit to first base in the March 27 game against Oaks Christian High School, instituting an out for the Lions.

(III.) PROPELLING FORWARD: Reyna James ‘20 pulls herself out of the water to take a breath during her leg of the 4x50 breastroke relay at the Rio Mesa Spartan Relays on March 1. WHS placed second overall at this first meet of the season.

(IV.) A CUT ABOVE: Brett Goldman ‘19 propels himself forward in the boys varsity 110m hurdles at home against Thousand Oaks High School on March 21. Goldman placed third in the event with a seasonal record and time of 17.15 seconds.

(V.) SERVE IT UP: Aarun Devgan ‘19 lines up a killer first serve during a doubles set with his partner Jerry Shi ‘21, taking on Newbury Park High School on March 14. WHS won the match 12–6.

(VI.) OVER THE NET: Payton Miller ‘21 hits a barrage of finishers in a tight contest against Oak Park High School on March 1. The game ended with WHS winning one of the three sets, resulting in a loss for the team.

III.

IV.

PHOTO BY SHERRY SANNER

PHOTO BY MICHELLE HANG PHOTO BY CONNIE SHI

Compiled by Kyra Berg, Michelle Hang & Jeff Mendoza