May 08

ARROW

THE

VOLUME XXX, ISSUE 8

Westlake High School

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

MAY 30, 2008

WHS Ranked Best in Ventura County, 23 in State KIMBERLY HA STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE NIEVES

Newsweek’s poll of the Best of High Schools ranked WHS 201 in the nation and 23 in the state.

This was a drop from last year’s ranking of 137 in the nation and 11 in the state, but it is comparable to the 2006 rankings of 198 in the nation and 23 in the state.

Nonetheless, WHS is the highest ranked high school in the Ventura County.

Other area schools such as Oak Park HS and Newbury Park HS ranked 435 and 460 respectively while Thousand Oaks HS did not make the list.

“It’s still excellent to think that there’s thousands [of high schools] in the nation and we’re in the top couple hundred,” said Principal Ronald Lipari.

The formula on which the rankings are based is the ratio of the number of Advanced Placement, Intl. Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge tests taken by all students at a school in 2007 divided by the number of graduating seniors.

Because the number of AP tests taken last year was about 1400 for a graduating class of 500 seniors, the index was a lower ratio of 2.79. However, next year’s rankings are likely to be higher because there were over 1600 tests given while the size of the graduating class is 570 this year, giving an index of 2.9.

The system of ranking can give skewed results, especially for schools with a smaller population, which would have an advantage over schools with a larger senior population. Therefore improving the ratio is beyond the school’s control because of the way the index is factored.

“Gobs of schools in the nation got ahead of us, but they’re probably smaller schools,” said Assistant Principal Drew Passalacqua.

Other factors affecting the rankings are the students themselves. Many of the top schools are magnet schools with a higher percentage of GATE students, and therefore schools competing against them will not have as many highly-motivated students who would take the college-level exams. The percentage of GATE students at WHS is 20%. However, WHS has open access to all students, meaning one does not have to apply to attend, whereas other schools might have more exclusive access by lottery.

Although colleges considering applicants take in account the ranking of the high school, there are other factors, such as API scores, sports standings, and other extracurricular programs.

“You can’t judge success on one ranking, but you should combine all the achievements,” said Passalacqua.

However, the other qualities used to judge schools are not included because, according to Jay Mathews, who devised the index formula, “teacher quality, extracurricular activities and other important factors are too subjective for a ranked list.”

Another subject the District is discussing is changing the GPA system from an indexed score to a non-ranked, weighted GPA.

PROM COURT 2008: (clockwise from top left) Seniors Rachel Borowski, Ben Liu, Kathryn Nary, Ali Athar, Jordan Mannisto, Tess Poliakin, Lauren Schloss, TJ Hennessy, Amanda Mays, and Chuy Muguerza.

Seniors to Celebrate “Under the Stars” SOFIA TALARICO NEWS EDITOR

The long awaited event of the year has arrived: bring on the tuxedos, the extravagant dresses, the corsages and boutonnieres; yes, prom has arrived with the theme of “A Night Under the Stars.”

The formal event of the year, this year’s senior prom will be held outdoors at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

The doors to the dance will open promptly at 7:00 p.m. and end at 12:00 a.m.

“I hope it is going to be really fun,” said Class President Sara Hagey ‘08.

This social event covers every aspect of enjoyment for the seniors, and many are looking forward to experiencing a night to remember.

Students are expected to follow the certain guidelines. To attend prom, students must be present for all classes on May 30, the day before prom.

All attendees will be expected to show a WHS I.D. card or some form of picture I.D. Guests must be at least 14-20 years old.

Any student who leaves will not be admitted back in, and any unruly conduct will result in the student’s removal from the dance. Students who violate any of the guidelines may also be excluded from all future senior activities.

The school dress code is also strictly enforced: boys must wear a required jacket and tie, no jeans or sagging pants, shirts must be tucked in at all times, and no chains or canes are permitted. For the girls, dresses may have spaghetti straps, halter-

tops, or may even be strapless. However, the dresses cannot have low necklines, and bare midriffs are not permitted, as well as sheer cloth. Though many students view these rules as extremely strict, they are imposed for the safety and well-being of the students.

Once these guidelines are cleared with the students, they can enjoy the night of their lives. Most expect their senior prom to become a lifelong memory.

Lauren Schloss ‘08 expresses her feelings about the magical night to come as “hanging out with all my friends for the last major event of senior year.”

Prom is a great experience and chance for all of the seniors to bond before they depart for college. As in the past years, many students have formed groups and hired limos to chauffeur them to prom.

These groups usually arrive at one’s house to take pictures with friends and family, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

The color scheme is purple, black, and white. The tables will be decorated with beautiful flower centerpieces designed by Elena Gonzalez ‘08 from the ROP Floral Design Class here at Westlake.

Upon arrival at the prom site, every entrant will be given the opportunity to have their picture taken which can be taken home at the end of the night.

The DJ will be located above the dance floor on a balcony to allow more room for dancing. There will be a variety of lights and several boxes for everyone to dance on.

The final song to be played at prom this year, as decided by all the seniors at Senior Seminar, is “Wonderwall” by

Oasis.

Another delightful feature of the night is that dinner will be offered to all prom attendees.

The menu includes: chicken piccata, mashed potatoes, house salad, and bread and butter in a buffet style arrangement.

The buffet will be brought out at 7:30 p.m. and continue to be open throughout the night. There is no assigned seating arrangement, as students will not all be arriving at the same time. Tables will be circular and seat ten people.

While the buffet tables and some tables to sit at are located indoors, there will be additional tables located outside on both sides of the dance floor to allow attendees the option of sitting inside or outside based on preference.

Once the dinner portion is finished, various desserts will be available to everyone. Beverages are also included, and all food and drinks are unlimited.

Fortunately the weather forecast looks perfect for prom night which will complement the outdoor dance floor.

Luckily the nice weather coupled with the option to be indoors or outdoors at any time will prevent anyone from being too hot or too cold.

The celebrations continue as seniors prepare for Grad Night. Disneyland is the traditional amusement park that holds after graduation festivities.

Graduates who plan to attend Grad Night must report to the WHS gym by 8: 00 p.m. on Thursday, June 12. Students will report back to WHS the following morning about 7:30 a.m. for the complimentary Senior Breakfast along with the distribution of diplomas.

2

NEWS

May 30, 2008 • THE ARROW

IN BRIEF

WOW Week to Return this August

Primas Receives Full Scholarship from Disney Senior Sidney Primas was recognized as the scholarship recipient of the Walt Disney Foundation, receiving a full scholarship to his university of choice. In the fall he will attend Duke University, to major in business administration and bioengineering. The scholarship recipient is chosen based on previous participation in Junior Achievement programs, scholastic ability, and extracurricular activities.

ALEXIS ROSENTHAL NEWS EDITOR

Baby Bird Arrives English teacher Leslie Bird gave birth to a boy, Tyler Russell, around noon on May 12. The baby weighed six pounds and ten ounces. Now on maternity leave, she plans to return to her position at WHS in the fall.

WHS Sports Camp will be offered this summer at WHS for boys and girls between the ages of five and 13 from June 16 to Aug. 8. The Sports Camp will have general lessons in tennis, track and field, handball, tumbling, and more. Specialty camps for those who wish to have individual instruction include football, soccer, baseball, volleyball, and cheer. The camp begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m..

The first fee of $200 and an application is due on June 1. For more information, visit www.westlakesportscamp.com.

What Is the What Chosen for One City One Book What Is the What, by Dave Eggers, will be the selection for this year’s Thousand Oaks Reads - One City One Book program.

Following last year’s success with Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, this year’s novel is an inspiring dramatization of Valentino Achak Deng’s life. Eggers follows Deng, one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan,” through the horrors of Deng’s childhood in Africa and his eventual escape to the U.S. This critically acclaimed mock-memoir is currently available at the Thousand Oaks library, and the city-wide reading program will begin on Sept. 20. The program will include book discussions, film screenings, an essay contests, and an Oct. 11 book signing by the author.

Senior Awards Night Approximately 150-200 students will be honored at the Senior Awards Night on Tuesday, June 3 in the WHS Theater.

About 70 different awards will be handed out to students. The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. “This is my first year planning the event, and I’m very impressed and also very excited for Awards Night,” said Cassie Urspringer, the College and Career Center Technician.

Band Defeats Choir in Basketball Showdown The tradition continued as the WHS Band took on Choir at a basketball game on May 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the WHS gymnasium.

Though at halftime, Band team had a 15-point lead, it won by 11 points. The final score was 42-31 as the Choir team left the gymnasium defeated.

Coaches for Band were Thomas Goehring ‘08, Michael Attkisson ‘09, and Justin Reinhardt ‘09. The Choir coaches included Nicole Ackerman ‘08, Cory Esparza ‘08, and Josh Gannon ‘08.

PHOTO BY CHELSEA HERTLER

Sport Camps Offered at WHS

TOGA PARTY: Co-president Lia Woodward ’08 with juniors Sam Medal and Justin Rosenberg .

Comedy Sportz Reigns Supreme Against Oak Park CHELSEA HERTLER JESSICA KUECKS STAFF WRITERS

After numerous battles and quick thinking on WHS’ part, the Comedy Sportz team was able to defeat Oak Park High School in a final score of 26-21 on May 2.

The score was not kept in the number of baskets or field goals, but in the number of laughs from the crowd. The theme was Roman Toga and the players were dressed to suit. The two teams from Oak Park and WHS were named Caesar and The Republic, respectively. The teams’ scores were calculated in correlation to the crowd’s reaction to the jokes. For example, if the audience does not find a joke amusing, they are to groan or stay silent, which affects the team’s overall score.

Taking place at WHS, the games were held outside in the amphitheater to give the event a more authentic Roman feel. A referee was there to regulate the different events, call fouls, and add entertainment

to the night.

“By practicing the various games we perform, we learn to draw from each other’s strengths as improvisers. This year has been amazing and we’ve really come together as a team. The toga match was a great idea that allowed the game a great thematic direction,” said John Condello ’08.

Comedy Sportz is a club that meets to practice different improvisation games and brush up on their quick thinking and acting skills. The “Whose Line is it Anyway?” type competitions are played by the team members in events against Comedy Sportz teams from other schools. Upcoming matches for Comedy Sportz include a team versus Faculty game today May 30, which is sure to bring in fans of the comic teachers involved.

Condello added, “Comedy Sportz is great for creative people.” The club, which started up again this year after a brief hiatus, was in full swing with the pay-off of hard practice in Westlake’s cunning abilities in the events.

As seniors get ready to say their farewells, incoming freshmen are just starting to say their greetings. WHS will be having its sixth annual WOW Week at the end of August to welcome and greet the new freshmen, class of 2012.

Similar to the past, future juniors and seniors will be acting as counselors to these new students, introducing them to the Westlake campus through various activities. The freshmen participating will benefit by touring the campus while meeting other new students and upperclassmen.

“I just hope to make the new coming freshmen excited to start their high school career,” said future counselor this August, Kimberly Crispin ’09.

Activities include numerous icebreakers, photo safari searches, choreographed dance routines, a dress code fashion show, a pool and pizza party, and various sports activities such as dodgeball, volleyball, and Olympic competitions, all designed to make the freshmen feel more comfortable with the WHS environment. The games are designed to engage the new students and introduce them to one another.

“Hopefully I can (just) provide a relaxed environment that they can all enjoy with each other,” said Matthew Cole ’10, another future counselor. He hopes that the incoming freshmen will feel more comfortable with the campus after their experience.

ASG Advisor Diane Blackburn is coordinating the event this year, along with Kelly Feiweles ’07. They selected 80 current sophomores and juniors, who were paired up and then put into groups of 40 teams. Each team will be assigned 10 students, adding up to a total of 400 students overall. The freshmen will be taught the Warrior fight song, their class song, and also listen to a guest speaker, who will talk about why high school counts.

WOW Week is a large part of the introduction process to WHS and allows the new students to become more knowledgeable about their immediate surroundings for the next four years. “The counselors showed me around the school so I wasn’t nervous about coming to such a big campus,” said Sam Medal ’09, a past “WOWie.” “I’m just really excited because talking with the current students, it was their favorite summer program and beneficial to help them prepare for high school,” said Blackburn.

WOW Week will be held from Aug. 11-15, from 9:00 a.m to noon.

3

NEWS

May 30, 2008 • THE ARROW

WHS Freshman Remembered for Kindness to Others SASHA LEWIS STAFF WRITER

NHS Inducts 24 Juniors JIMMY MOORE ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

The 2008-09 inductees for the Warrior Chapter of National Honor Society include 24 juniors, who were honored at an induction ceremony on Tuesday, May 13 in the WHS library.

Many parents, grandparents, and siblings showed up at the

candlelight ceremony to support the students. Advisor Colleen Darden welcomed the inductees and their guests and later spoke of the new members’ various responsibililties and expectations in the prestigious club.

“I thought the ceremony was really nice. My parents enjoyed it and it was great seeing everyone that I’ll be working with next

year,” said Michael Sadighian ’09.

National Honor Society requires its members to attend monthly meetings and to participate in five different service projects throughout the year.

“I look forward to working with the 2008-09 NHS members.

They seem like a wonderful and energetic group,” said Darden.

COURTESY PHOTO

PHOTO BY ELYSE KAPLAN

MAKING THE GRADE: Top Row: Rachel Bitter, Lindsay MacLeod, Joshua Primas, Michael Sadighian, Jimmy Moore, Eric Burnett, Kim Bielak. Middle Row: Claudia Lopez, Allison Montroy, Taylor Barrett, Breanna Vergess, Meagan Norling-Christensen. Bottom Row: Melanie McCorkle, Jeff Semigran, Alyse Brehm. Not Pictured: Sana Ahmad, Gabriel Becerra, Jenny DaRin, Brandon Hagy, Soumya Karlamangla, Diana Kim, Pooja Sankar, Jaanhvi Vaidya, Carol Yu.

WHS freshman Lester Turcios died as a result of a fatal car accident on Highway 23 northbound freeway on Friday, May 2.

Lester was in the car with three other family members headed towards Conejo Valley Days for the night. The Turcios family was approaching the Janss Rd. exit when Jason Allen Frey rear-ended their car.

Frey’s SUV swerved into the right lane and hit the back of the Turcios’ IN MEMORY OF LESTER: To contribvehicle, pushing it into a ute to the Lester Turcios Memorial station wagon which then Fund, visit http://www.lesterturcios crashed into another SUV. memorialfund.com.

Lester, who was sitting on and white theme, because his the left side of the vehicle, was taken to Los Robles Hospital. parents wanted to stay away 37-year-old Frey was arrested from everyone wearing black.

“It was really unexpected… and was held in jail in lieu of $70,000 bail on suspicion of I saw the accident but didn’t know it was him until Saturday driving drunk.

Lester died Saturday, May morning,” Furuta explains.

“I met him once in the hall.

3 at 12:30 p.m. from injuries he sustained. Frey and the child in I was really sad, and he was the his car suffered minor injuries, as first one to come up to me and ask how I was. He smiled to my did the rest of the Turcios family.

Lester’s memorial was held face and from then on he would Tuesday, May 6, and his funeral always say ‘Hi’ and give me a huge smile in the halls,” said was the next day.

“He was really down to Andrea Barragan ’09.

“His best quality was the earth,” said Justin Furuta ’10.

“He was nice to everyone, always fact that he was always there for smiling, and never said anything those he loved and the fact that he never took life for granted,” bad about anyone.”

Lester’s funeral had a pink explained Barragan.

Safe Driving Workshop Offered to Students REBECCA SUSLIK NEWS EDITOR

The California Highway Patrol offered a safe-driving workshop for teens and parents on Thursday, May 8. The workshop was prompted in part by the fatal car accidents that killed Cody Murphy, 17, of Newbury Park, Desiree

Dates for Seniors May 31 Prom at Skirball Center 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

June 2-6 Graduation ticket sales June 6 Last day of classes June 8 Baccalaureate at Westlake United Methodist Church 2:00 p.m.

June 9-11 Graduation practice 8:30 a.m. on the field.

June 12 Graduation, report to Gym at 3:45. Grad Night at Disneyland, buses leave at 8:00 p.m.

June 13 Breakfast in cafeteria

Mooney, 18, of Camarillo, and Danielle Barrett, 16, of Fillmore, respectively.

According to Officer Shawna Davison, a spokeswoman for the CHP in Ventura, California has the second highest fatality rate in the nation for 15 to 20 year old drivers.

“The idea is to reduce the death toll from teen-related

Final Exam Schedule (For Grades 9, 10, & 11) Tuesday, June 10, 2008 Period 1 Final 7:00-9:00 Period 2 9:07-9:51 Period 3 9:58-10:42 Period 4 10:49-11:33 Period 5 11:40-12:24 Lunch 12:24-1:04 Period 6 1:10-1:54 Period 7 2:01-2:45 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Period 2 Final 8:00-10:00 Break 10:00-10:14 Period 3 Final 10:20-12:20 Thursday, June 12, 2008 Period 4 Final 8:00-10:00 Break 10:00-10:14 Period 5 Final 10:20-12:20 Friday, June 13, 2008 Period 6 Final 8:00-10:00 Break 10:00-10:14 Period 7 Final 10:20-12:20

accidents,” said Davison.

Teens have the highest crash risk of any age group, and, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers.

Approximately 300,000 teens were injured in traffic accidents in 2007, said Stephen Wallace, a school psychologist and chairman of Students Against Destructive Decisions. Of those,

almost 8,000 were in a crash in which someone was killed, and more than 3,500 teens were killed in vehicle crashes last year.

Though the numbers are high, they are considerably lower than they were in 1981, the year SADD was founded as Students Against Drunk Driving, when 6,000 teens were killed in alcoholrelated crashes alone.

A study published in March’s Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine said that

the chief risk factors for teens are riding unbuckled, with new drivers, on roads with speed limits over 45 mph. Alcohol, male drivers, and weekends are other risk factors. Other studies have revealed that the risk of death for passengers in vehicles with 16 to 19 year old drivers is twice that of those riding with drivers who are 25 or older.

For safe driving tips, visit http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/ teen-drivers/php.

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FEATURE

May 30, 2008 • THE ARROW

WHS Bids Farewell to 3 Originals WAYNE HUANG ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

frequently by previous students, he loves the job because it gives him the opportunity to meet many different and interesting people.

“Teaching gives you a younger outlook on life,” said Rollins, who enjoys getting visits from successful past high school students he was able to make an impact on.

Sometimes former students will drop by randomly throughout the day just to jokingly wish him a “happy birthday” (most of his students have been unable to discover his birthday, and pretend every day is his birthday). Both Rollins and his students love participating in the various labs and demos he supervises throughout his curriculum, many of which include lighting something on fire.

Amidst all the experiments, power point presentations, and science-related news stories he frequently brings up, Rollins manages to cleverly slip bits of educational themes, like important chemistry knowledge and problem solving

READY TO SEE THE WORLD: Henry Rollins plans to travel in the future, always remembering his students and the time he spent at WHS.

skills.

His philosophy as a teacher is that while not every kid he teaches plans on majoring in chemistry, they will all need the reasoning skills and problem solving abilities he teaches. Rollins has taught students who have even grown up to become WHS faculty members.

PHOTO BY WAYNE HUANG

Chemistry whiz. Mentor. Beloved bagpiper.

Chemistry teacher Henry Rollins has been all of these to many students, but is now finishing up his last year as a teacher. After a 38-year teaching career (29 at WHS), Rollins will be retiring.

He plans to lead a more leisurely life from now on. Rollins says he will spend some of the extra time traveling around the world, including visiting some of his extended family. He currently lives with his wife on a farm, and also intends to devote more of his time to caring for his many beloved animals.

Besides being an accomplished teacher, Rollins has led a diverse working life as a veterinary assistant, state park ranger, radio-installer, and model rocketry instructor, in addition to his lifelong love of bagpiping with his fellow musicians.

A well-liked teacher who is visited

COURTESY PHOTO (1982)

Rollins Seeks Leisure, Travel in Retirement

Even as Rollins and his classes approach the end of his last teaching year, many students will remember his class, if not always his lessons, for years to come.

Morrow Looks Forward to Finding New Meaning KELLEY BIGGS STAFF WRITER

TIME FOR A CHANGE: Judy Morrow will have more time to spend with her children and grandchildren in her retirement.

COURTESY PHOTO (1982)

PHOTO BY KELLEY BIGGS

“You really have to love what you’re doing. I did and I do,” said Work Experience teacher Judith Morrow. She has been a member of the WHS staff since it first opened in 1978. Before coming to WHS, she taught at NPHS for three years.

During her years at WHS, she taught a variety of classes: consumer and family studies, sewing, interior design, foods, child development, marriage and family (On Your Own), and work experience.

Morrow loved teaching all her classes, but her favorite was marriage and family because it was a discussion based class relevant to students.

A Warrior never forgets her WHS experience; whether four or 38 years. As most of the graduating students, Morrow will not miss waking up at 5:30 a.m. for her first period class, but she will miss the relationships she formed with her students.

She used to stay in contact with some of her students including one girl who came back so she could have her taxes done by Morrow.

Although Morrow enjoys what she does, she plans on spending some time with her kids who live in Texas and Las Vegas. After WHS, Morrow plans on staying healthy and active, and possibly finding another job to keep her occupied.

Morrow was one of the teachers who started in the beginning. She saw the stadium, the pool and most of the buildings being built.

S h e even got to watch all her kids go through W H S .

Starting at a new school without knowing anyone is normally

Phillips Prepares for Future After 30 Years at WHS

difficult, but not for the WHS staff. Morrow said that the teachers all came together. She feels that working at WHS was a terrific experience and getting to know the staff

NIKKI FAY FEATURE EDITOR

COURTESY PHOTO (1982)

LOOKING FORWARD: Pippa Phillips leaves behind a legacy of hard work and dedication, and will remember fondly her experience at WHS.

PHOTO BY RISA MIDDLETON

While most students cannot wait to get out of WHS after just four years, teacher Phillipa Phillips has enjoyed her time at WHS for 30 years. During those years, Phillips has taught eight different classes, including Spanish 1, 2, 4, 5, and ELD 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Phillips is currently unsure what she will be doing after leaving WHS and is “waiting for God’s direction” to decide.

Although the thought of not teaching complicated teenagers anymore may sound appealing, Phillips says she will miss WHS, especially “getting Pay Day candy bars on the last Friday of every month, and the amazing counseling and office staff.”

Phillips’ legacy of hard work has left an impression on both her students and her co-workers “Pippa always held herself at a high standard, and often inspired others to do the same,” said Department Chair Cheri Blackburn. “She is a strong and challenging teacher.”

Of the many classes that she taught, Phillips says that Spanish 5 was her

and students was a benefit.

Morrow has been teaching work experience for the past six years. “It is good to learn about budgets and rights, and to get to know what types of jobs you like and don’t like,” she said.

“Whoever takes over my job should have great fun. I think that during all of my teaching I have always respected my students and that’s why I’ve gotten respect.” said Morrow.

She will be missed by teachers and students for her wonderful teaching.

“She’s is just a terrific person. Most people don’t understand how hard her job really is. She handles the relationships with her students very well, and makes sure that everyone gets along and is a real team player,” said Principal Ronald Lipari.

favorite: “It was the most challenging; students have to talk and think about important ideas, but in a completely different language than they are used to.”

It is not only the students of WHS who will miss Phillips’ complete knowledge of the Spanish language, “I am going to miss not having her so that I can ask questions about advanced grammar,” admitted Blackburn. Apart from her entertaining stories, Phillips will leave WHS with a reputation of much more than just entertainment.

“She is the best Spanish teacher, and we are going to miss having her around”, said Blackburn, “she is selfless, she cares about the students well being above anything else, and she gives her students the best quality of education she can.”

Appreciated by both her students and co-workers Phillips hopes to leave behind a legacy of hard work and complete dedication to her job and to the students with whom she has worked so hard to give the resources to be successful.

Phillips said that her experience at WHS has been “great,” and she will miss “walking across the bridge in the morning.” It is her intelligence and integrity that WHS will miss the most.

May 30, 2008 • THE ARROW

OPINION

Smoke-Free Communities Reduce Teen Users

5

ROBERT DILLON STAFF WRITER

CARTOON BY VIVIAN SHI

Since the dangers of smoking were discovered in the 1960s, public opinion has turned against the practice and rightly so.

“Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States,” according to the Center for Disease Control, but even more disturbingly, secondhand smoke is responsible for a total of 38,000 of those deaths every year, which is higher than the number of deaths caused by car accidents. Fortunately, cities and states have taken actions to regulate the harmful addiction.

About half of all states have restricted smoking in public restaurants and other facilities. Cities in San Diego County illegalized smoking in city parks and beaches. Beverly Hills did the same with outside dining. Smoking is not allowed at the Rose Parade in Pasadena. Calabasas has even outlawed smoking in all public places, indoors and outdoors, the first city in the nation to do so.

This is part of a popular nationwide movement to diminish smoking, and now, research shows that such bans reduce teens’ inclination to try smoking.

A recent study in Massachusetts revealed that people between the age of 12 and 17 were 40 percent less likely to become smokers if they lived in an area with strict smoking laws.

Dr. Michael Siegel of Boston University School of Public Health led the study and concluded that if teens lived in a community where they believed smoking was very uncommon or socially unacceptable it would deter them.

Such legislation is the right way to work to abolish the unnecessary damage

of smoking. Gradual limitations on the local level push smoking out of public society which will reduce the numbers of smokers in future generations. Through these measures, innocent nonsmokers are also saved from secondhand smoke.

Because smoking has no benefits at all and its effects are all harmful, the use of tobacco requires closer government regulation.

Establishments that are frequented by smokers such as bars and restaurants complained that they could lose customers

with the new bans. But in the case of Beverly Hills, Deputy City Manager Cheryl Friedling has said, “Our experience has been entirely positive…it’s encouraged a new group of diners to patronize restaurants, including families with children and the elderly.”

Businesses will not be significantly affected and with smokers in the minority, it is likely that more patrons will come out to enjoy the fresh air.

The counter-argument is that the government is acting as a “Nanny State”

Are Colleges Limiting Students from Exploring Options?

CARINA WOLFF SPORTS EDITIOR

To get into a great college, a 4.0 grade average used to suffice. But today this does not hold true. Colleges, besides looking into test scores and community service, search for continuity. They choose students who begin an activity and continue with it throughout college. They encourage adding on a third, or even fourth year of a subject just to show commitment. Students who live, breathe, and eat a certain subject prevail over the other less committed students.

High school is a time when teenagers begin to discover who they are. This includes trying out different activities to discover their interests. Many students have no idea what subject they want to pursue in life, let alone major in college.

They may need to explore different aspects to discover what truly tickles their fancy.

The problem is, colleges stress the

importance of consistency. They like to see the same interests from start to finish, and to change focuses is often considered a weakness. Many teenagers, as freshmen, however, have no idea where to begin.

There is such a plethora of available activities that, for the passionless, it’s difficult to find an enjoyable interest and stick with it “I wanted to take art, but I decided to take physics because I might want to be a science major,” said Laurel Brewer ’09. Brewer decided that although art is something that would look appealing to colleges, physics applies more to her interest in careers.

Like Brewer, other students choose to take or join classes that they hate in order to appear dedicated to colleges. Many students pursue a third or fourth year in a non-required academic class rather than take a more enjoyable elective, to showcase their seriousness to colleges.

And, contrary to popular belief, senior

year is no longer the place for students to slack off and take easy electives. Colleges look at a senior’s schedule as seriously as they do the entire transcript and like to see students still focused on their “committed” area and rigorous academics.

“I think colleges are right in saying that you should participate in a lot of activities,” said Brewer. “But if teens have not found the right activity, then they should be encouraged to find something that they do like instead of being consistent in something they do not enjoy.”

It makes sense to narrow your focus in college. College is the preparation for the real world, for a career, and for specializing in a certain subject, but high school is completely different, and those in high school should not be judged as if they are already mature and experienced enough to know what they want to do with their lives. Colleges need to focus on the progress of a person, not the quantity of their related activities.

“Smiley Face” Murders Claim Lives of 40 College Students KAYLI MILETICH STAFF WRITER

Detectives have recently linked over 40 murders of young men, taking place in 11 different states and throughout a decade. These murders serve as a warning to all college students—do not get caught wandering the streets alone at night, particularly if intoxicated.

Suspicion of homicide first arose during the 2003 investigation of Chris Jenkins, a student at the University of Minnesota.

Originally determined as an accidental drowning, officials later changed the cause of death to homicide.

After further investigation, detectives connected the death to dozens of similar cases. Bright, athletic, male college students, many of whom had been drinking prior to death, went missing, and were later discovered drowned.

Up until Chris Jenkins, all of these cases have been considered accidents, mostly due to the discovery of personal belongings (like wallets, cell phones, etc.) within

considerable distance of the crime scene, suggesting drunken stupor. But with the connection of all 40 cases, police are now reconsidering.

Currently, the FBI has no plans to further investigate the murders, claiming that each one was an accidental drowning with coincidental similarities. UK newspaper The Mirror has recognized that the murders bear a striking similarity to a cult comic book series The Watchmen, in which victims are discovered next to a bloody smiley face.

Lead investigators Kevin Gannon and Anthony Duarte began linking the murders, beginning with the 1997 case of Patrick McNeill, when a trademark smiley face was left behind at many of the murder sites. Gannon and Duarte, began tracing the graffiti back to over five states and dozens of murders.

“We believe they were specifically leaving a clue for us or anyone who was paying attention to these drownings, that the cases were ultimately linked,” Gannon said.

In addition to the disturbing smiley faces drawn near the crime scenes, the two detectives also found clues including “Sinsiniwa,” a word in graffiti near the crime scene which was first found during an investigation in Michigan. The word was later discovered to be the name of a street in Iowa where victim Matt Kuzinski’s body was discovered.

The group responsible for the murder of many young men has become known as “The Smiley Face Gang,” named after the graffiti symbolizing the homicides.

“I think it is a serial killer, but not one individual. I would just say, a group of individuals, probably located in more than one state,” said Duate.

While the police have not yet discovered any clues concerning the killers’ identities, breakthroughs are being made as the investigators once again open the cases of the “accidental drowning.”

“If nothing else, we have to warn the families and the young individuals so that no one else becomes a victim,” Gannon said.

and intruding upon people’s private right to smoke if they so choose. The problem is that smoking not only puts at risk one’s own health but also any others who come into contact with the smoke.

The Massachusetts study also suggested that having a smoker as a parent or a close friend increases chances of a teen following suit.

The right to smoke endangers the rights of others to live a healthy life, and for legislators and citizens, the choice is an easy one.

THE WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

ARROW

100 N. Lakeview Canyon Road Westlake Village, CA 91362 (805) 497-6711 ext. 4225 westlakearrow@yahoo.com EDITORS-IN-CHIEF James Jee, Ellen Wang MANAGING EDITOR Vicky Lou COPY EDITOR Wynn Burson NEWS EDITORS Max Avruch, Alexis Rosenthal, Rebecca Suslik, Sofia Talarico OPINION EDITOR Alannah Bradley FEATURE EDITORS Teri Akahoshi, Christina Cipriani, Nikki Fay, Jamie Hendry, Elyse Kaplan, Soumya Karlamangla, Tiffany Loh, Natalya Sivashov, Iris Yan ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS Ellie Fateh, Wayne Huang, Jimmy Moore, Brittany Weber, Roseann Zhong SPORTS EDITORS Ally Ackourey, Lindsay Adler, Alessandra Catanese, Justin Edwards, Jessica Kane, Stephanie Nieves, Spencer Schloss, Nora Sobczak, Carina Wolff ADVERTISING MANAGER Sabrina Samedi ADVISOR Caron Battaglia STAFF WRITERS Rachel Bernstein, Kelley Biggs, Guinevere Chan, Robert Dillon, Dena Gallucci, Lucy Gao, Sarah Giron, Pamela Guo, Kimberly Ha, Chelsea Hertler, Joseph Jacques, Jessica Kuecks, Sasha Lewis, Kayli Miletich, Christy Needels, Laura Nutter, Jenny Zhou CARTOONIST Vivian Shi The Arrow is written, designed and run by the students

of the beginning and advanced journalism classes at Westlake High School and is published monthly.

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the Conejo Valley Unified School District, Westlake High School administration, faculty, or student body.

We welcome feedback. Letters must be signed by the writer, though names can be withheld by request in the publication. Please send submissions to Mrs. Battaglia’s box in the main office or to Room 42E. For The Arrow online, visit www.WHSwarriors.com and click on Arrow under the Activites menu.

6

FASHION

May 30, 2008 • THE ARROW

Summer Sun Fashion Fun

&

Start the season with clothes that are EASY, BREEZY, and BEAUTIFUL, great for a CASUAL DAY at the pool or a FANCY NIGHT out.

Photographed by Carina Wolff, Styled by Wynn Burson SUMMER’S FASHION FUN: Tania Koutcherenko and Gregoire Quere in the season’s hottest offerings.

Above, on Tania: Top and shoulder bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Miu Miu skirt. Sandals, Tory Burch.

Left, on Tania: Skirt (worn as top, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Skirt, (underneath) Miu Miu. Coach bag. Her own shoes.

On Quere: Shirt and cuff, Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Pants, American Apparel. Vintage sunglasses by Ray-Ban. Fashion Assistants: Dena Gallucci, Jessica Kane, and Kayli Miletich.

Trends of the Season: “hippie-chic prints on romantic dresses—cotton and lace, in pale colors.”

-H&M Magazine

A

t the end of the school year, the intense heat encourages intense fashion choices. For the start of a warm season, clothing should be simple, lightweight, and strikingly fashion-forward.

Loose, flowy tops are the epitome of carefree and effortless style; one layered over denim cut-offs makes any outfit instantly cool.

The salesgirls at Planet Blue always seem to wear Trina Turk’s patterned tunics with cowboy hats and knee-high gladiator sandals—perfect for their mostly “too cool for you” attitude.

Speaking of Planet Blue,

the Malibu girls have opened in Westlake Village, at 2879 Agoura Rd. Though not as fun as the location on Cross Creek, the store does carry beautiful clothes. After they make it through the first few months, the salesgirls should get friendlier.

However, one employee seemed semiinterested in selecting a wonderful gown for prom (a black floor-length dress easily jazzed up for prom as well as being beach and everyday friendly) for senior Brooke Andersen. She is dressing up her look with gold and pearl necklaces and Coach’s gold snakeskin gladiator sandals. This important versatility will serve well this summer at both fancy parties and lazy days at the pool.

Some of us will travel far and away, like Arrow fashion photographer Carina

Wolff ‘09, who will go to the Dominican Republic.

“It will be really warm so I will wear a light dress over my bathing suit bottoms and keep cute with layered chain necklaces and Steve Madden sandals,” said Wolff.

She hopes to find an ethnic-looking scarf to supplement her always feminine style.

Here, she has photographed Tania Koutcherenko ‘10 and her foreign exchange student friend Gregoire Quere ‘09, both ready for a sizzling summer. Above, Koutcherenko has found utility and beauty in a flowy floral Marc by Marc Jacobs top— the perfect wear-with-everything blouse for the season. Similar styles are available at H&M, where tribal and exotic prints are in abundance on shirts, dresses, skirts, and scarves.

Below, we have her in a skirt with an elastic waistband worn as a top, creating a layered dress look. Match skirts of the same shape and material for this to work; here we use a Jacobs skirt over a Miu Miu silk taffeta one.

For Quere, we have him in the latest men’s Marc by Marc Jacobs shirt, over American Apparel’s bright Slim Slack.

Thin, short-sleeved dress shirts are less restricting than t-shirts, as well as being more attractive.

The most important trends of the season, as told to H&M Magazine, are “hippie chic prints on romantic dresses—cotton and lace, in pale colors,” according to Franck Benhamou, the fashion director of the French magazine Numéro.

Check These Out...

7

ENTERTAINMENT

May 30, 2008 • THE ARROW

Pitchfork Festival Attracts Music Enthusiasts

Eco-Friendly Music Fans to Unite in San Francisco

Justin Timberlake

He’s bringing sexy back again this summer with the help of Timbaland.

Kicking off a nationwide tour this August beginning in his hometown of Memphis, TN, and ending in September at the Staples Center. With his performance to be staged on a 360-degree platform and accompanied by his 14-person band, Timberlake will woo crowds with his dulcet tones and his smooth dance moves. Hurry—before other JT fans get them first! For tickets go to www.TicketsNow.com.

JIMMY MOORE ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

COURTESY PHOTO

GOING GREEN: Bon Iver is just one of many lesser-known artists set to appear in this summer’s Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival in San Francisco.

ELLIE FATEH ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Warped Tour

When that final bell rings, pack your bags and head to Pomona, CA to join thousands of punk rock fans at Warped Tour 2008. With a lineup including the explosive Chiodos and the vibrant Paramore, this summer’s tour is sure to be an extravaganza—just don’t get stuck in a mosh pit!

Maroon 5

“It won’t be soon before long” that Maroon 5, Sara Bareilles, Augustana, and Counting Crows team up and hit the nation with their high-energy tones.

Kicking off their tour at Virginia Beach’s on July 25, this dynamic team is to reach their California fans on September 12 and 13 at Irvine and San Diego. So organize a carpool, book a plane ticket, or jump on that bus—this is a tour that promises to astound and amaze.

COURTESY PHOTOS

As the ever-growing threat of global warming grows more serious, one of society’s goals in 2008 is to stay “green.”

In an effort to educate the masses, many popular bands are teaming up to ensure that young people are aware of this looming environmental menace, like for the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, located at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

The bands participating are somewhat predictable, continuing the popular and refreshing trend of indie and alternative bands out to make a social statement. Friday’s highlights include Beck, Cold War Kids, and the everpopular, notoriously “green” Radiohead.

Saturday shines with M. Ward, Devendra Banhart, and the great legacy of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Possibly just as exciting as the festival’s stellar lineup is its emphasis on eco-friendly products and resources.

“Just about anything you buy at Outside Lands will either be recyclable or compostable,” stated the event’s website.

The festival’s “eco-village” will promote the green theme by featuring a solar-powered stage, the main square within the event. One can

even be given a prize for recycling at the Outside Lands Recycling Store.

Have an old, spare cell phone?

Bring it along to donate. Without a car?

Ride your bike; they’ll even valet your eco-friendly form of transportation.

If you choose to up your ticket price by a mere $3, you could be contributing to more than just a few undiscovered artists. Your lunch money can be swapped for much more. You can choose between either helping wildfire-damaged trees in Californian forests or preventing pollutionheavy companies from gaining the right to pollute the Chicago atmosphere.

Back to the bands, Andrew Bird will take the stage to conclude the eventful weekend, sharing it with Broken Social Scene, Bon Iver, and Wilco, only a few names among a great range of artists.

By taking small steps to conserve the gift of natural resources we can make a difference. Incorporating these ideals into events like the Outside Lands festival will present us with the ability to contribute to a safer planet.

If you choose to receive more information on this festival, pamphlets and fliers are available on the website.

Rest assured, all programs distributed at the event are printed on organic materials and written with soy based ink.

Find your tightest jeans, don those non-prescription, pseudo-intellectual glasses, and perfect that meticulously tousled hairdo, because this summer, a cast of nearly 40 of the hippest bands around will be joining forces for one of the year’s best festivals.

For the young, the broke, and the tragically cool, the 2008 Pitchfork Music Festival, which takes place all the way over in Chicago’s Grant Park in July, will be the hottest ticket in town. The question is, who will be brave enough to make the 2000 mile journey?

Boasting an impressive lineup comprised mostly of Pitchfork Media’s critical darlings, the festival will offer performances from many of the biggest names in independent rock, as well as various other genres, equally as admired by Pitchfork’s very own writers.

The three-day festival, which begins on July 18 and concludes on July 20, includes relatively famous and incessantly buzzedabout bands such as Vampire Weekend, Spoon, and Animal Collective.

With a lineup of roughly 40 bands and artists, music fans of all varieties will find something to tempt them, whether it is a hot, sweaty dance party commissioned by LCD Soundsystem-apprentice !!!, a relaxed set from Bon Iver or Fleet Foxes, or an energetic performance from hip hop legend Public Enemy, fronted by the infamous Flava Flav.

However, perhaps just as important as the extensive lineup are the surprisingly low ticket prices; a three-day pass costs just $65, a mere $50 pays for two days, and for those who are looking for just one day of festivities, $30 will buy a ticket to around 20 different sets.

With so many incentives, one problem remains: a round trip to Chicago is far from cheap.

But, when other popular summer festivals, such as Chicago’s Lollapalooza or San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, demand anywhere from $200-$300 for a three-day pass, and equally ridiculous prices for one day’s attendance, music enthusiasts will be hard-pressed to find a better bargain for a memorable music experience than the Pitchfork Music Festival.

8

ENTERTAINMENT

May 30, 2008 • THE ARROW

Conchords Prepare to Release New Album ELLIE FATEH ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

COMEDIANS, BUT MUSICIANS: Flight of the Conchords’ lyrics mock tacky pickup lines as well as many other social norms.

as any young amateur band would, the pair questioned their career options a few times before their big break.

“At first we tried acting, and then we said no, let’s be a band,” said Clement, “We were kids.” The two had very different ideas for describing their inspiration. “We kinda like the Will Smith style rap thing, you know?” said Clement.

“But really, it’s like a John Lennon meets Gary Shandling sort of thing,” said McKenzie.

Embracing their success, they have

The Lost Art of the Mix-tape JOSEPH JACQUES STAFF WRITER

1- Avoid putting the same artist back to back, but this can be overlooked if the songs go together (Queenʼs “We Will Rock You” and “We are the Champions”).

2- Keep your audience in mind: friend?

Yourself? A significant other? Iʼm sure your metal-head friend will prefer a “Top Five Sickest Death Metal Songs of 2001” CD more than your girlfriend will.

3- Focus! A CD that juggles too many genres around will prove to be distracting 4- Make sure it flows. Donʼt do something stupid like putting a fast/ heavy song after an acoustic track.

5- Burn a “rough draft” and give it a test-run in your car, make sure it follows the above and then erase and rethink as necessary. some great tracks near the end will never get heard.

Remember, there is no such thing as the definitive, all-time amazing mix-tape.

You can try, but you will fail. One person’s perfect mix tape is another person’s “Top Ten Songs to Avoid like the Plague”.

Above all, remember that you are using other people’s words to get your own message across. Pay attention to lyrics to make sure they coincide with the point you want to make.

Lastly, if the tape is for a girl, and you really want to, you can secretly include a song that tells her anonymously how you really feel about her. But don’t expect her to “get” it and/or fall for you just because you made her a tape. Just take it for what it’s worth; you took your time to create a different way to introduce yourself. With any luck, you’ll put your time and effort into making a memorable first impression.

each other making the show much more relatable to a greater spectrum of viewers.

Launching their promotional tour in April, the team can be seen in Southern California at the end of May, performing at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles for another one of their entertaining and comedic performances.

“It’s going to be funk,” said Clement.

“No no really, we’ve got mad beats for you,” said McKenzie, smiling angelically, “We’re gonna take it to the people. Do it for the children.”

New Shows Promise Exciting Summer Lineup for Elle Woods” begins June 2 on MTV, hosted by Haylie Duff. Ten inexperienced blondes will vie for the star role of As David Cook wins American Idol the new Broadway musical.

On MTV, Nick Lachey will be hosting and Whitney is named America’s Next Top Model, other shows conclude their “High School Musical: Get in the Picture,” seasons with finale episodes. So what do opening July 20. The show is an open casting call for anyone ages 16-22 who is interthe networks have planned next?

Television stations are assembling ested in a small role in High School Musical 3, which will their summer play in theatres schedules with for the first time. hopes to keep Brenda Hamptheir viewers enton, creator of “7th tertained.

Heaven” will introFavorites from duce her new show summer’s past will “Secret Life of an return in upcomAmerican Teenaging weeks with er,” on July 1. The “So You Think You show tells the stoCan Dance” on ry of a teenage girl Fox, “Entourage” who gets pregnant on HBO, and “The and the reaction Last Comic Standshe gets from her ing on NBC”. But STAY TUNED: Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance is just one of this summer’s attractions. friends and family. of course there are Last but not the new shows that viewers will sporadically watch least, “Wipeout” premieres June 24 on ABC. Each week twenty four contestants over their summer vacations.

A new horror/reality show called will compete on this new reality show “13” will premiere on the CW. The show in hopes of winning the $50,000 grand will take contestants and put them prize. What ABC is calling “the world’s through frightening trials. Dawn Os- largest extreme obstacle course designed troff, the network’s president of enter- to provide the most spills, face plants, tainment, says the show will be simi- and wipeouts ever seen on television,” lar to horror films with challenges that “Wipeout” is designed for entertaining.

Although most shows have end“will play into our deepest fears and anxieties and will reveal things the con- ed, the networks have a new sumtestants never knew about themselves.” mer line up that will hopefully keep “Legally Blonde The Musical: Search viewers in tune to their station.

DENA GALLUCCI STAFF WRITER

COURTESY PHOTO

Four years ago, I met a girl but was too scared to actually talk to her. Instead of using an intricate web of notes or an endless barrage of rendezvous’ between me and her friends, her and my friends, her friends and my friends, etc., I decided to get in touch with her the only way I really knew how: through music.

The process of making a truly memorable tape can be nerve-wracking; hours spent searching for the perfect combination of songs to provide an autobiography using other people’s work.

It is crucial to start out strong. While there are no guidelines or set rules to this – it is usually a good idea to start with either something well-known and at one time popular, or something unknown but has a potential for being a favorite.

The goal for me in this particular anecdote was to create a mix that she could listen to over and over again, but not with songs she already knew and loved. If I just put songs she already knew, she may have cast me aside as a mediocre attempt to get her to like me. On the other hand – if I introduced her to new stuff she could grow to love, I thought it would give me a greater chance in the long run (and if it didn’t work out, at least I would have a non-musically challenged friend to talk to).

John Cusack said it best in High Fidelity: “…the making of a good compilation tape is a very subtle art. Many do’s and don’ts. First of all you’re using someone else’s poetry to express how you feel. This is a delicate thing.” That said, some basic suggestions are as follows on the guide.

Be careful though, I only have one real warning: be wary of your attitude; don’t make a tape when you’re in a bad mood or else all that will seep into and contaminate your mix. Trust me… it’s happened before. Also, make sure it is a listenable length. Keep it fewer than 45 minutes, anything longer and there’s a possibility that

The Five Commandments of Mix-tape Making

just recently released a self titled 15 song composition available for purchase. Their drollery and nonchalance is too adorable to resist, earning them a Grammy Award for their six track EP. “We watched the A-Team back home,” said McKenzie, it’s big out there.” The two seem to idolize comedy; a hobby rather than a side job.

“There’s a lot of ladies involved in this comedy music scene,” said Clement, his reasoning behind their sudden change in careers. Their personality differences foil

COURTESY PHOTO

They are a phenomenon throughout the world, branching from their main base of New Zealand to various fan stations everywhere. Between Bret McKenzie’s striped sweater and Jemaine Clement’s signature resonant voice, the duo has recently been the topic of conversation in the media for their hit HBO show Flight of the Conchords. They have charm, charisma, stage presence, and can rhyme the most irrelevant topics in a catchy number.

They are a musical comedy duo, releasing their latest creation “Ladies of the World,” a YouTube based music video, that has reached a million views within a few days of its release. This next adventure within the lies of Bret and Jemaine takes the viewer inside the duo’s desire to find love. Of course, their talent forbade them to take on a traditional idea. In the heart of Venice Beach, the two are found roller skating in 1970s attire, wooing the hearts of multiple young women.

The actors’ music videos are only but a side project. Their highly ranked television show seems to be the reason for success.

The show consists of two best friends and prospective musicians traveling from gig to gig as they await their big break. As each episode goes on, the audience grows with the band members.

Most of their ordeals are concerned with the norm: ranging from girl issues, to exciting performances, to crucial friendship dilemmas. Such topics are equally relatable. The two were friends prior to the broadcast of the show.

“Bret had a guitar but didn’t know how to play guitar,” said Clement in an interview with HBO. “And I knew how to play guitar, but I didn’t have a guitar.” Just

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ENTERTAINMENT

May 30, 2008 • THE ARROW

Battle of the Sexes

9

This summer, it’s all about the action and the romance BRITTANY WEBER FEATURE EDITOR

COURTESY PHOTOS

Each year the summer movie season arrives with the promise of big-budget excitement of the kind only Hollywood can inspire. If you’re a fan of the big Hollywood blockbuster, then plan on spending almost your entire summer sitting in a cool, relaxing movie theater. Last summer, the trends were sequels such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter and Shrek the Third, as well as racy comedies like Knocked Up and The Simpsons Movie. The Industry has taken a different twist this summer, enticing movie-goers with big action flicks with even bigger stars, and true chick flicks for women of all ages.

When people talk about summer movies, they think action - you know, big blockbusters full of good guys and bad guys, superpowers and fast cars, things that blow up and stunts we’d never try at home. And this year’s no exception. A Joker and an aging archaeologist take the big screen by storm in this year’s biggest action films, The Dark Knight and Indiana Jones- The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas’ original Indiana Jones films helped set the gold standard for

Ledger’s Legacy Lives on BRITTANY WEBER FEATURE EDITOR

When actor Heath Ledger died in January, he left behind more than a beautiful daughter. He left behind a legacy. The 28-year-old was found dead in his Manhattan apartment, his death attributed to an accidental overdose of a mixture of pills.

At the time of his death, Ledger was in the midst of production for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, an upcoming American fantasy-adventure film.

Director Terry Gilliam is working hard to figure out how to keep Heath Ledger alive on film, according to one of the late actor’s costars.

Fortunately, because the film deals with magic, there is a way, perhaps, of turning Heath into other people and then using still frames of him.

Luckily, filming had been finished for scenes placed in the real world.

The rest of production will focus on filming scenes of the troupe’s travels through a magical realm, so Ledger’s role was recast to have new actors to portray his “physically transformed versions” in the realm. Ledger’s role was recast with Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell. The projected release date for this film is in 2009.

The young actor also has another big film coming out, The Dark Knight, in which he plays a harrow-

ing portrayal of The Joker. Ledger is seen in previews wearing disturbing clown-like make-up, and is displayed as a ghoulish villain. There had been speculation among critics and fans that the studio and filmmakers might take a different approach to selling the film in light of Ledger’s death, but the marketing has gone on as originally planned.

“I think he’d be very pleased to see we’re just moving ahead as is,” director Christopher Nolan said. “If you try to honor somebody, you honor them by respecting their work and putting it out there for as many people to see. He was immensely proud of the work he did on the film. I feel a great burden to present that in an undistorted form.”

“The greatest testament to Heath’s portrayal is to do everything that we were planning on doing with Heath’s portrayal,” said producer Charles Roven.

“His family knew him to feel exactly the same way. They knew how excited he was, knew how much fun he had doing it. When you see the film, it’s undeniable how much fun he had playing the character.”

According to Bill Ramey, founder of the site Batman-on-Film.com, “More people will see the film because of his death, but I’m betting that more people now kind of look at it as a tribute to him.”

blockbuster entertainment. On May 22nd, the forth movie, starring Harrison Ford, hits theatres. After a twenty year hiatus, Indy is back in a 50’s- set adventure that reunites him with former flame Marion Ravenwood and their possible love child.

He is 65, but judging by his appearance in this summer flick, Ford only gets better with age. Nineteen years after The Last Crusade Indy is sprier than ever, swinging from rafters, throwing punches and delivering witty one-liners. Also, his costar Shia LaBeouf will finally be seen in his dream role.

After reinventing the Batmobile wheel with Batman Begins, Christian Bale and director Chris Nolan re-team to battle against the diabolical Joker (Heath Ledger, in his final completed performance) in this epic battle between two men in costume on opposite sides of the law. Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime, and sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. His plan proves to be effective, but he soon finds himself prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker. The Dark Knight is set to hit theaters on July 18th.

Hollywood has been harped on lately for having too few starring female roles.

The exciting this about this summer’s lineup is that there is something for the women as well.

Rumors of a Sex and the City movie have been circling since 2005, but the ladies have finallly made it to the big screen.

The original cast — Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis — return, along with Mr. Big (Chris Noth).The fashion and the romance, the drama and the fancy drinks, New York City, and everything else you love about SATC gets elevated to Manolo stiletto heights in this summer’s big screen version. With an engagement, a new baby, a marriage in trouble and one woman moving to another coast, they’re making their red carpet entrance a memorable one.

The big-screen version of the HBO series picks up a few years after the finale.

Making the leap from small screen success to big screen blockbuster isn’t always easy, but this movie might set a new standard.

While the older ladies are enjoying Sex and the City, younger girls are looking forward to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 starring America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn.

This summer sequel débuts on August 8th in theatres everywhere, and is sure to be a hit.

In Traveling Pants 2, Distance will separate the girls once again when they embark on their own journeys in separate colleges. The magical jeans make the rounds again among Lena (Bledel), who’s painting in Rhode Island; Bridget (Lively), on an archaeological dig in Greece; Carmen (Ferrera), at a Vermont theater company, and Tibby (Tamblyn), studying in New York.

This summer is shaping up to be one of the hottest movie seasons we’ve seen in years!

10

FEATURE

May 30, 2008 • THE ARROW

Local Surfers Find Peace in Beach Paradise

PHOTO BY LINDSAY ADLER

“to relax and slow served for the royal family, sep- ing on their knowledge and exdown, and get away arating the monarchy from the pertise to younger generations. from busy life.” commoners. Though not set in One local group, the 805 Aside from con- stone, this segregation still exists Christian Surfers was founded quering the perfect today; a constant epic battle be- in 2006 with the sole purpose of wave, surfers find that tween locals and shoobies (tour- helping youngsters learn not only simply paddling out ists). to surf, but to appreciate nature. and drinking in the “You think you can’t [surf] “It’s a surf ministry for high ocean’s serenity an in- because of the locals,“ said school groups, “explained Nitoxicating experience.

Thomas, “But sometimes they barger, “You can go without any“I love just sit- surprise you.” thing, a wet suit, board, etc. or ting on my board and Thomas recalls one particu- prior experience in surfing. We feeling the wake un- lar incident when her leash broke will give you the board, the wet derneath me,“ suit and lessons, with the Courtney Thomguarantee that you’ll get up as ’09 reminisces. “I love just sitting on my at least once.”

“It’s very calmYet, when asked if soboard and feeling the wake phisticated ing and peaceskills and drive ful.” underneath me. It’s very make a surfer, the most freS u r f i n g quented answer was “no.” originated as calming and peaceful.”

Rather then a knowledgea cultural entiable database of well-maty, a way of life Courtney Thomas ’09 neuvered tricks, the only that has trickled thing a surfer needs is the down from generation to desire to have fun. generation. It has been consid- and a complete stranger offered “From what I [have] learned ered by many a direct link be- her his spare. After this bit of the most about surfing is that the tween man and Mother Nature; kindness, she felt even more ap- best surfer is the one having the only a sliver of fiberglass resting preciative when she realized he most fun,“ said Taylor Nelson between you and a rush of pure had climbed a cliff to his car to ’12, “It sounds cheesy but living retrieve it. unadulterated power. in a place where the waves aren’t Rumors set aside, surfers perfect year round you learn to Before the Hawaiian monarchy was abolished during the have been recognized for their just have fun with it.”

McKinley era, natives focused generosity in times of need—an Despite the heavy influence every aspect of daily life around invisible bond that brings them of today’s pop culture and the surfing. The “Ali’I” or chief was together in tough times and in stress of daily life, one thing reawarded this title by his talent good. mains constant among surfers: it While many surfers traverse is more then just a board and a and ability to ride the gnarliest the globe in search of the best wave—it is a way of life and an waves.

Private beaches were re- waves, others find bliss in pass- escape from reality.

SURF’S UP: A local surfer gazes into the sunset after a long day of surfing.

LINDSAY ADLER SPORTS EDITOR

Off the Pacific Coast Highway, there is a remote location where the road turns to sand and the sky touches the sea—a haven where all cares seem to melt away in the presence of the glittering waves.

Passed up by roadsters prowling down PCH, surfers can be seen paddling out for one last ride before sunset on the Malibu strip.

After speaking with a few local surfers, it is evident that surfing is not just a sport anymore: it is a way of life.

“It’s my escape,“ said Anson Harvey ’08. “I like the ocean, I like the water, and it just takes me places.”

With increasing amounts of stress due to work, education, and soaring food and gas prices, people are searching for ways to escape the pressure.

“I think that’s why people surf,“ said Aaron Nibarger ’08,

Human Involvement Sparks Shark Attacks NATALYA SIVASHOV FEATURE EDITOR

Shark attacks have increased in the past 20 to 30 years, yet the number of sharks has declined.

This year there were 71 unprovoked shark attacks.

Each year many people flee to the beach for a relaxing day in the sun. Thinking only about the good times ahead, many are unaware of the danger they can put themselves in. By swimming out into deep waters, for example, many are treading into areas where sharks are most likely to be found.

A 66-year-old man who was training at Solona Beach was bitten by what witnesses believe to be a Great White. The man lost both of his legs and was tossed into the air twice before the shark realized the man was not an appropriate food.

The attack took place 150 yards away from the shore. Two swimmers were about twenty yards away when they heard the man screaming for help. They dragged him back to shore where he was pronounced dead.

On May 5, another attack took place on the coast of Troncones Beach. A 24-year-old male from San Fransisco was surfing with a friend when a grey shark attacked. A 15-inch gash was bitten off in the area between the man’s hip and knee. The victim was still alive when he was brought back to the beach. It took so long for the ambulance to reach the relatively isolated, undeveloped beach that a witness took the victim to a local hospital in his car. The man died a few minutes after reaching the hospital.

Sharks have become less fearful of humans because of the

increased involvement humans are playing in the shark’s natural habit. Tourists attractions, for example, allow viewers to stay safely in an underwater cage while watching the sharks daily activities. The business owners provoke the sharks by throwing raw meat in the water to make them stay around for the tourists.

According to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, 38 million sharks are killed each year for their fins. Shark finning only uses up to five percent of the shark’s body; therefore, 95% of the animal is wasted. Finning is

the practice of cutting off the fins and throwing the remainder of the shark back into the ocean. The finless sharks drown, bleed to death or are con-

sumed by another.

An ancient Asian delicacy consists mostly of the fins, while the rest

of the animal is not used in these dishes.

In 1991, three percent of sharks were killed by U.S. fisheries in the Pacific Ocean. By 1998, 60% of sharks were killed.

Enactment of the Shark Conservation Act of 2008 would result in stronger protection for the vulnerable and endangered shark population.

The bill was introduced by Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans of the House Committee on Natural Resources.

The Natural Resources Committee began considering the bill in mid-April.

Out of 475 different species of sharks, 400 sharks are smaller than six and a half feet. Three hundred out of those 400 are smaller than three and a half feet.

It is not true, however, that a larger shark is more likely to attack, especially since the largest sharks such as the whale shark and the Basking Shark feed on Plankton.

These attacks have given sharks a bad reputation among humans. These new measures will take away the age-old myth surrounding sharks.

11

SPORTS

May 30, 2008 • THE ARROW

Watch out, WHS! Juniors to Look for in 2008-09

Justin Lilly Age: 17 Sport: Football Coach: Jim Benkert Playing for: 8 years Honors/Ranking: Ventura County Back of the Year ‘07, Team Defensive MVP ‘07, Team Outstanding Hitter Award ‘06

Lauren Schwartz Age: 16 Sport: Tennis Coach: Connie Flanderka Playing for: 5 years Honors/Ranking: #1 in Singles

Stephen Hagey

Jackie Brousseau

Age: 16 Sport: Baseball Coach: Zack Miller Playing for: 12 years Honors/Rankings: Coach’s Honorable Mention

Age: 17 Sport: Swim Coach: Todd Irmas Playing For: 12 years Honors/Ranking: 5 WHS records, 5 time All American, CIF Champion in 50 Free, Junior Nationals Qualifier, Nationals Qualifier, Nationally Ranked

Alec Hess Age: 17 Sport: Basketball Coach: Tom Donahue Playing for: 9 years Honors/Ranking: 3rd Team All Marmonte, Honorable Mention All County, County Block Leader

Marshall Colby Age: 16 Sport: Golf Coach: Dave Costley Playing for: 6 years Honors/Ranking: 4th ranked junior in California, 119th in the World

Connor Burke Age: 17 Sport: Soccer Coach: Bill Propster Playing for: 13 years Honors/Ranking: 1st and 2nd All League, 3rd Team All CIF, Varsity Team Captain, Club Soccer Captain

Michelle Ketter Age: 17 Sport: Volleyball Coach: Ernest Rittenhouse Playing for: 4 years Honors/Ranking: Varsity Captain ‘07, Varsity MVP ‘07, 2 years Club Volleyball Captain

12

SPORTS

Boys Golf Regional Champions

JUSTIN EDWARDS SPORTS EDITOR

WHS boys golf team continued its success in the post-season tournaments after winning both the Marmonte League Tournament and the CIF Northern Divisional Tournament with a team score of three-over-par, 358.

WHS was hoping to eventually take home the state title, however it wasn’t meant to be.

WHS defeated last year’s CIF State Runner-Ups, Royal High School. Although the team achieved several of goals this year, they were not able to continue on to the state tournament.

“The reason for our success was because we had great team camaraderie. We gelled together,” said Cole Seeger ‘09.

The team played at Candlewood Country Club in Whittier in CIF Team Finals. Top four out of the 16 teams would move on to the Southern California Finals.

However, the team placed 8th, missing the

Boys Tennis Closes Season Successfully CHELSEA HERTLER JESSICA KUECKS STAFF WRITERS

The WHS boys tennis team ended its season finishing witha third place title in the Marmonte League.

WHS placed just behind Thousand Oaks and Calabasas High Schools.

Varsity moved on into the CIF rounds, but was knocked out during the second round. Even though they weren’t as successful, the Warriors believe the players are more important than the matches. “[It’s a] really fun team. All the guys are really funny,” said Kevin Weiss ’10.

Before each match, the team captains and team have inspirational speeches to raise the morale and inspire them to win. While varsity plays, the JV team and alternates cheer from the sidelines.

“Camaraderie—the feeling of being part of team, that’s really the best part,” added cocaptain Jonathan Kotzin ’08.

The coach is an influential and inspiring figure to the team. The team believes Coach Connie Flanderka is a “smart and receptive” in the ways she motivates them and their game.

The boys tennis team went through many ups and downs during the season. Despite the hardships, the team continued to stick together, grow closer, and play harder.

Girls Swim Earns 3rd Consecutive Win

PHOTO BY LINDSAY ADLER

PHOTO BY JUSTIN EDWARDS

HOLE IN ONE: Marshall Colby putts a birdie.

next level by nine shots.

“Even though we’re disappointed with our finish this year, next year will be more promising because we will improve and reflect upon our prior experiences” said Brandon Hagy ‘09.

Top six players Marshall Colby ’09, Chris Doyle, ’10, Hagy ’09, Jake Katz ’10, Scott Patterson ’08, and Seeger have all contributed to the team’s success, all shooting par or better in at least one match.

During the last half of the season, the team exhibited an increase of lower and consistent scores, being the main reason for success. In addition, Hagy and Colby finished first and second in the Marmonte Individual Tournament, both shooting several rounds under par.

The step after high school golf is college golf, which is a drastic change in talent and competition.

“I know that all our players have the ability to play college golf,” said Colby.

Although the WHS has succeeded as a team, the individuals have also prospered in outside tournaments.

Hagy won his first national event at the Future Collegians World Tour’s Hunter Ranch Invitational at the end of March, shooting scores of 68-70. Colby recently qualified for California State Amateur, beating numerous college and amateur players, displaying his talent and ability to compete beyond high school golf. Patterson will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and will try out for the golf team at the beginning of next year.

In addition, all the top six members are nationally ranked on Junior Golf Scoreboard, a ranking system for college coaches to evaluate young players.

Many members of the team will be participating in summer tournaments organized by organizations such as the American Junior Golf Association and Southern California Junior Golf Association and other amateur tournaments.

While this season may be over, the team’s future looks promising.

May 30, 2008 • THE ARROW

MAKING A SPLASH: Lindsay O’Kelly swims a strong game at CIF, finishing off 2nd.

TIFFANY LOH STAFF WRITER

As the 2008 school year draws to a close, the WHS girls varsity swim team has yet again finished a successful season.

Placing second in the CIF competition on May 10, the girls have undoubtedly proved their passion and determination for this sport.

“I was pleased with how the girls performed at CIF,” said Coach Todd Irmas. He also added that the performance of some individuals, such as Aislinn Smalling ‘08 and Jackie Brousseau ‘09, contributed to the success of the team and was “quite an accomplishment for both them and our aquatics program.”

In addition to their spectacular performance at CIF, the WHS swim team also finished their strong season standing at number one in the Marmonte League with a score of 6-0 in the league and 8-0 overall. As their third consecutive

win, the swimmers are undoubtedly reaping the fruits of their labor.

Although many schools provided tough competition for WHS, the Warriors determination and positive spirit enabled hem to meet this challenge.

“Thousand Oaks was our toughest competition once again this year,” said Irmas. “We defeated them by a score of 97.5-72.5 in our dual meet to league championship.”

Although the WHS aquatics program will be losing some key senior swimmers next year, such as Smalling and Sugeera Eckley ‘08.

However, Irmas is confident about the team’s chances of repeating their achievement as league champions next season.

“TOHS will also be losing several of their strongest swimmers,” said Irmas. “We also have very strong JV girls team, many of whom will move up to Varsity and help strengthen that group. I think it should be another tough battle with TOHS next year.”

WHS Baseball Ends Season With 5-1 Loss to Hart STEPHANIE NIEVES NORA SOBCZAK SPORTS EDITORS

For the WHS baseball team, the year started out better than it ended.

Though advancing further than in past years, the boys were unable to get past the first round of CIF losing to top ranked Hart High School 5-1.

The team exceeded expectations starting the first half of the season with a league record of 6-2. With a win over rival Thousand Oaks High School, the boys were in a great position to win league.

Losing some close games during the second half of the season, the team was forced to enter a playoff game for 4th place in Marmonte League and a berth in CIF playoffs. Tied with Calabasas High School and Moorpark High School, WHS received a bye and played the winner of CHS and MHS, which happened to be MHS, who had defeated WHS both times before in league play.

With an electric hitting performance in the first inning, where the Warriors scored nine runs, the Musketeers were unable to close the deficit and WHS was able to pull out a win and advance to the CIF playoffs.

Though the season ended shorter than ex-

pected, many of the seniors on WHS will continue to play baseball in college and possibly even in the minor leagues. Top draft prospect Cutter Dykstra ‘08 will have a choice to either attend UCLA in the fall, or enter into the draft.

Dykstra posted an overall .473 in his senior year with five home runs.

Teammate Shane Kroker ‘08, who will attend Wake Forest in North Carolina, was not far behind batting .410 with 31 RBIs. Other players from WHS who will continue to play Division I baseball in college include ace Alex Gillingham ‘08 who will pitch at Loyola Marymount University, and Derek Ring ‘08 and Josh Gray ‘08 who are both expected to play at Ventura

College.

“The past four years have been incredible but this season was by far the best. It’s definitely been a learning experience at WHS and I’m very excited to be moving on to LMU,” said Gillingham.

Losing 13 seniors this year will leave next year’s team a little bare, but pitcher Danny Nieves ‘10, and big hitters Christian Yelich ‘10, Steve Hagy ‘09, and Ben Conlin ‘09 will all return next season.

“It’s going to be tough losing so many strong players, especially the pitchers, but I know they’re all moving on to great futures and hopefully next year’s team can grow and eventually become just as strong,” said Nieves.