11.19.10 by The Westlake Arrow

The VOLUME XXXIII, ISSUE 3

Westlake High School

Arrow

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

November 19, 2010

AcaDeca Studies The Great Depression Yangzong Guo Staff Writer

PHOTO BY BARBARA MAZEIKA

LET THE BATTLE BEGIN: Violette Nelson portrays the shrewish Katherine as she attacks Petruchio, played by Michael Ghaussy.

Drama’s Staging of Taming of the Shrew Offers Riotous Laughs and Good Fun Nicolette Blatt Staff Writer If happiness in marriage depends upon a wife learning to take instruction from and obey her husband, then WHS Drama Dept will take audiences to “taming school” this weekend. Under the direction of Drama Director DeDe Burke the group will offer an interpretation of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew in the Carpenter Family Theatre.

Shakespeare’s play is a comedy that highlights the obstacles to love when Katherine, the ill tempered and shrewish wife (played by Violette Nelson ‘11) is forced to marry against her will Petruchio (played by Michael Ghaussy ‘14, and Dylan Wakelin ‘12), a man chosen by her father Baptista (Kevin Shi ‘14 and Drake Flor ‘12). Kate’s sweet-tempered sister Bianca (Sara Kinney ‘14 and Katie Woodward ‘14) serves as a foil to the unpleasant heroine. Lucentio

(Ghaussy who plays two parts on alternate nights and Nathaniel Sylvester ‘14) tries to woo Bianca, but he must first arrange to have an eligible suitor court the obstinate Kate. By the story’s end Shakespeare’s characters prove that appearances can be deceiving. Burke chose to preserve the original setting of Shakespeare’s story which takes place in 15th century Padua using full costumes. A Class Act will make an appearance performing madrigals

before the nuptials. Having used the idea of a mobile set previously, Burke was inspired to try one for this production as well. Members of the cast and crew, along with their parents met to construct the set pieces and help paint benches. Barbara Mazeika assisted with the costumes. Performances continue tonight through Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. with a matinee on Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $6.00 for students.

�e Face Behind the Warrior Wagon PHOTO BY SHANNON REIFFEN

times, lived in four Middle E a s t e r n countries, and at one time managed a travel agency? Famous across campus for her collection of studded sunglasses, over 50 pairs of boots, and cheerful golf cart WARRIORS AT HEART: Couple Patricia and George Graham decorations, continue to patrol WHS while spending time together. P a t r i c i a Graham is one Celine Flores of the most colorful people on News Editor campus. But who is the woman Alex Biston behind the shades? Advertising Manager Graham began her job as Which familiar face on a campus supervisor five years campus has been to Africa ten ago, when she was hired by Jim

Marshall. Graham loves “being able to interact with the kids,” but before working at WHS, she was a crossing guard at Park Oaks Elementary School and worked with a paraplegic girl in the Conejo Valley Unified School District. Before working in the education system, Graham experienced things most people only imagine doing. After studying abroad in the Middle East as a student, Graham grew to love the region, and lived in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon. Her love of traveling and exploring cultures led her to the decision to manage a travel agency for more than 30 years, a choice which allowed her to have a more flexible schedule as she parented her own step- children. “I’ve traveled around the world three times,” shared Graham, “Africa’s my favorite

place to visit.” An avid photographer, Graham brings a Polaroid camera and over 20 rolls of film to capture the beauty of everyday people on each of her trips. One memorable experience abroad has stayed with her for years. “When I was in India, I asked an interpreter if I could take a picture of a woman with her baby, and I taped them watching the Polaroid develop. [The woman] began to cry and tried to give me her scarf. I just told her it was a gift from one mother to another.” In addition to traveling and photography, Graham counts arts and crafts amongst her hobbies, and her work is set to appear in the street fair next year. Graham is married to George, a fellow campus supervisor. He began working

In order to accommodate an earlier competition date, this year’s Academic Decathlon team will have fewer meetings in which to prepare. The decathletes of WHS must work more independently as they approach the annual AcaDeca competition on Jan. 8. “I did have to tweak things slightly in the class,” in order to compensate for the fewer meetings, Coach Joe Nigro stated. With the focus on the Great Depression this year, students have been studying The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Nigro’s system allows team members to study their information packets provided by the United States Academic Decathlon during class. Unlike conventional classroom learning, the majority of class time is devoted to asking and answering questions or studying independently. AcaDeca’s rigorous curriculum demands students to absorb vast amounts of information. Many falsely assume that a classroom of AcaDeca students epitomizes the meaning of sternness. However, this is quite the contrary. “Everyone is having fun while engaging in class, and we all feel a sense of freedom,” affirms first-year member, Lily Wang ‘13. Nigro is regarded as a “caring teacher with a groovy sense of style,” said AcaDeca member, Effie Sklaventitis ‘13.

at WHS a year after she did and they feel lucky to spend parts of their days together. “We drive our carts up next to each other, and talk on the [walkie talkie],” said Graham. “It’s really nice.” One of their passions is to rescue animals from various shelters. At home, the Grahams have 19 pets including rabbits, dogs, cats, birds, and rats. Now that she is a campus supervisor, Graham’s days consist of helping students find their way around campus and monitoring them as they go throughout their days. She goes to most football games and loves meeting and learning about different people around school. “Everyday I try to learn something new,” said Graham. “I try to live every day to its fullest.”

NEWS

November 19, 2010 • THE ARROW

Mock Trial To Attack Assault Case

IN BRIEF Students Have Chance To Tour Europe

Kolodney Chosen Teacher of the Month

PHOTO BY MAX AVRUCH

Te n t h grade English teacher Deborah Kolodney received the Teacher of the Month award from the Westlake Vi l l a g e Chamber of Commerce during the last Common Planning Time, Nov. 17. “It’s definitely overwhelming to receive such an award. There are so many deserving teachers at the school. It was totally unexpected and awkward to stand at the front and be showered with gifts. But it’s a confirmation that it matters what we do in our day,” said Kolodney.

Regiment Brings Home Second Place WHS Regiment took second place at the Trabuco Hills Marching Band competition held on Nov. 13. The band had a strong showing in the previous weeks, consistently taking first place in their division. The ensemble can regain its stride in the coming finals performance in Fresno, California.

Club Fundraises for Solar Panels Students for Solar Schools has many funding raising events planned for December. A coin drive will be held Nov. 29 through Dec. 17. Students are encouraged to bring extra change to their English teacher’s classroom. There will also be a fundraiser night at Sea Casa on Dec. 7. The club is working towards a goal to achieve $7,000 to install solar panels at a local charter elementary school, EARTH.

Students Showcase Artwork in Winter Show The Winter Art Show will be held in the library on Dec. 10th, and the artwork will remain there until Dec. 17th. Submissions for the show should be turned in to Ashley Chang during the Art Club meeting at lunch on Mondays in 32B, or John Farmer between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. on school days. The deadline for all pieces is Dec. 9.

Michelle Noyes Staff Writer

PHOTO BY JULIA SHI

Students with a desire to visit the Berlin Wall, tour Prague, see the Olympic Stadium in Munich and go to the Alps in Lucerne should consider going on a European trip during the weeks of Aug. 1-10. Led by Lucy Zazueta, the students will visit Germany, Prague, Austria, and Switzerland. Zazueta chose this trip because “we get to see the Berlin Wall, and visit the Dachau concentration camp. So much learning happens on these trips.” This trip is not a District or school sponsored event. The total cost is $2,700, which includes everything except lunch and souvenirs. For more information, see Zazueta in Room 42A. “Students get a sense of independence from this trip,” Zazueta said. “After a week and a half, they will have a ton of individual growth.”

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT: Alex Bale helps Julian Baez with school work.

Peer Mentor Program Embarks on Second Year Meini Cheng News Editor In the WHS Academic Peer Mentor Program, high-achieving seniors, juniors, and sophomores help underclassmen struggling with classes and schoolwork. Each mentor is paired with a “mentee,” whom they guide towards improvement in academics, work ethics, and school involvement. Organized by Dr. Laurie Looker, the program currently has 45 mentors and mentees, along with a waiting list. Mentees are selected by the counselors, who make recommendations after reviewing progress reports. Parent requests also help determine which students are entered into the program. Student mentors attended a training session to prepare and learn the essential techniques for effective mentoring. Dr. Looker believes that “passion, innovation, commitment to consistency, and fresh energy are the ingredients that make up a successful mentor and a successful mentoring program.” “There is positive data that concludes mentoring is not merely effective, but also shows that students who prescribe to a consistent regimen of mentoring with a

caring individual earn better grades, are more likely to graduate on time from high school, and most importantly, are more likely to continue their education,” said Dr. Looker. Stephanie Barlev ‘12 is a returning mentor. Last semester, she not only helped her mentee with doing homework, studying for tests, and taking notes, but also developed a close bond. “She really opened up to me and made vast improvements. I felt such an amazing feeling every time my mentor had an accomplishment,”said Barlev. In the previous semester, the mentoring program saw many positive changes and improvements in the mentees’ academic performances. “Approximately 50% of the mentees improved their GPA. We had five mentees who improved their GPA by more than one grade point,” explained Dr. Looker. “I hope that the mentors and mentees foster strong positive peer relationships. This program is not only about improving academic success, but also about having a positive high school experience,” said Dr. Looker. “Our main goal is to help students experience academic success and acquire the necessary skills to continue to be successful after high school.”

1st-Round Reflections Winners Announced Shannon Reiffen News Editor The first round winners of the Reflections contest have been announced by the PTA. The annual contest was established to encourage appreciation and participation in the arts, and has been an important fixture at WHS ever since. The six categories are Literature, Visual Arts, Photography, Music, Dance, and Film/Video. The four age categories are ages 2-7, 8-10, 11-13 and 14+. The following students were selected as first round winners, and the groups will continue to be narrowed down in the following weeks. In the Literature category, the students selected are Billal Ahmed ’12, Kevin Shi ’14, David Samuels ’12, Hanvi Huang ’14, Andrew Pedegana ’14, Madison Olandt ’13, Derek Yu ’13, Woody Chung ’13, Tiffanie Kim ’13, and Sherry Huang ’13. For Visual Arts, the winners are Vallia Yu ’14, Monica Shi ’14, Amanda Shi ’14, Michael Perciutti ’13, Michael Chang ’11, Grace Ng ’13, Sara MacLeod ’13, Mikaela

Lang ’11, Sherry Huang ’13, and Jocelyn Kim ’14. In the Photography section, the winners are Cheyenne Lounsbrough ’11, Erin Mann ’12, Alexandra Nocholls ’11, Kyra Williams ’13, Emma Schuett ’11, Dillon McElvaney ’12, Caleb Williamson ’11, Sarah Duffy ’12, Aryana Azmoudeh ’11, and Sarah Cameron ’12. For Music, the winners are Amanda Zhou ’13 (for two pieces), Sierra Drummond ’14, Cory Smith ’12, and Ryan Cheng ’14. For Dance the winner selected is Cheryl Lee ’13. During the week of Nov. 8 the Conejo Valley Unified School District judges assessed the WHS winners, and the top 10 were chosen in each category. These winners will be honored by the PTA Council on Nov. 22 and will be notified by invitation. The top four of these 10 will then be judged at the District level in December, and the awards ceremony will be in January. Following the District judging, one entry from each category will be sent to the California state competition.

Mock Trial team for 2010-2011 is working on People v. Woodson, a case, which involves an assault with a deadly weapon. Woodson is an 18-year-old who is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and violating a new antibullying and cyber bullying statue. The Ventura County Competition for spring 2011 is on Feb. 28 and March 1. If the team wins the case, the final is on March 3. “We are excited and just finished putting the team together. We are looking forward to a successful year,” said co-advisor Ashley Tomkins. There are six attorneys for this case. The three prosecution attorneys are Hannah Gray ‘11, Lisa Battaglia ’12, and Garret Hardy ‘12. The three defense attorneys are Dylan Walsh ‘11, Jordan Hobbman ‘12, and Elizabeth Matusov ‘12. Pre-trial attorneys are Zak Kukoff ‘13 for the prosecution and Brian Chang ‘13 for the defense. The seven case witnesses are Sarah Gerlach ‘11, Kelan Dammers ‘11, Catherine Campbell ‘12, Brett Hagy ‘13, Woody Chung ‘13, Josephine Stauss ‘13, and Kevin Shi ‘14. The clerk for the case is Tiffany Han ‘14. “As a witness, I portray one of the characters in the case and answer questions from Battaglia. I am playing the role of an eighth grade math and computer teacher, one of the prosecution witnesses,”said Hagy. About half of the members are returning and the other half are new to this year. Three-year members, Gray, Battaglia, and Hobmann bring their experience to the team’s effort. In addition, Mock Trial advisor Christina Harrison, along with District Attorney Julia Snyder, and Teri Gray will be assisting in the team’s preparation.

2010 Yearbook Receives Honor in Possibilities Shannon Reiffen News Editor Wah’ Kon-Tah 2010 was chosen to be published in Possibilities, a book created by Walsworth Publishing Company that includes examples of the nation’s best yearbooks to inspire other staffs. Last year’s yearbook theme was “Choices.” “Each choice is a different door. It opens up to different possibilities,” said Editor-in-Chief Kathleen Pacpaco ‘11. Last year’s yearbook design was inspired by the Tim Burton recreation of Alice in Wonderland. According to Pacpaco, “It was some guesswork because the movie hadn’t come out yet. But we really wanted to be the first to use the movie as a design theme.” The Possibilities book is displayed at regional, state, and national conventions and workshops, so all can see the hard work that the yearbook staff put into the yearbook. “It’s an honor for our book to be used as an example for other schools,” Yearbook adviser Joanna Burns said.

November 19, 2010 • THE ARROW

OPINION

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE? Reality Television Prompts Intellectual Questions

Every episode of the show features a different high school with While much of today’s televistudents from varying sion is filled with mindless reality stereotypical high shows where groups of women school cliques. The fight for the “love” of a man, or students participate people complete outrageous tasks in many bonding to win money, MTV has attempted activities, and finally to create more thought-provoking must announce to shows that promote positive actheir peers their inner tions and portray real life situathoughts and ideas tions. by completing the MTV’s show The Buried Life statement “If you really follows the adventures of a group knew me, then you of four young men, Ben Nemtin, would know that….” Dave Lingwood, Duncan Penn, The show and Jonnie Penn, who are trypromotes the idea of ing to complete their bucket list: breaking the barriers 100 things they want to do before in high school that they die. In each episode they try divide students based to fulfill one item on their list, as on race, popularity, and BUCKET LIST: Duncan Penn, Ben Nemtin, Dave Lingwood, and Jonnie Penn have accomplished many of their goals from deliverwell as help a stranger accomplish ing a baby to surviving on a deserted island. interests. something on his or her own list. MTV rounds out Some of the episodes feature the its new documentary boys sneaking into a party at the Playboy “What do you want to do before you die?” cal girl-drama based reality shows. It capstyle shows with World of Jenks which folmansion, competing in a krump competiwas developed. The boys took two weeks tures some truth of the actual ‘reality’ of lows Andrew Jenks, a documentary filmtion, surviving on a desert island, helping off of work during the summer, bought a life. And from it I learn that no one should maker, as he spends an entire week with to deliver a baby, and making a toast at a someone who lives a unique life. The peocamera off eBay, saved up as much money go unappreciated and everyone, no matstranger’s wedding. as possible, and almost overnight The Bur- ter what they look like, has a secret desire. ple range from a homeless woman, and an The show is portrayed as more of a NFL cheerleader, to a mixed martial artist, ied Life project was born. People just have to take the time to listen.” documentary than a reality show, which in an army recruit, and a teen with autism. The guys’ message of living a fulfillAnother new MTV show that itself is different from many of the shows The show discourages prejudice as ing life and accomplishing goals, no mat- exemplifies the trend of more realistic and MTV produces. In addition, The Buried Life Jenks explained in an interview with TVter how far-fetched, before they die trans- relatable reality shows is If You Really Knew was not concocted in a board room meetGuide saying, “you never really know fers into the real world. In every episode, Me. Also styled as a documentary, If You ing of MTV executives trying to come up they find people and ask them what they Really Knew Me follows a high school’s what someone is like or what they’re about with the “next big thing,” a large diveruntil you spend time with them.” want to do before they die; they then work experience as they participate in Challenge gence from the typical MTV reality show. Hopefully MTV continues this trend hard to try and help them fulfill their wish. Day. As explained on the Challenge Day According to an interview with SevenThey have already reunited a father with website, challengeday.org, the mission and continues producing shows encouragteen Magazine, The Buried Life was develing positive values that teens actually enhis son after seventeen years of separation, of the organization is “to provide youth oped by the guys themselves in 2006 durjoy watching. With shows like these breakand brought a girl to her parents’ grave and their communities with experiential ing a time in their lives when they weren’t ing out onto mainstream television, parsite after being separated from them dur- workshops and programs that demonstrate sure what they wanted to do with their ents might finally be reassured that their ing Hurricane Katrina. the possibility of love and connection lives. children are actually learning something Suzie Meyer ’11 is a fan of the show. “I through the celebration of diversity, truth, From these discussions the question positive from watching TV all day. think it’s a lot more meaningful than typi- and full expression.” Christina Vasiliou Feature Editor

COURTESY PHOTO

THE WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

A Gleeful Look at Reality Alexa Lucas Staff Writer When series hit Glee made its first appearance on FOX, the “Glee phenomenon” took center stage on Tuesday night television, according to Access Hollywood. Utilizing the common story of high school life, the program continues to intrigue teens across the country. Looking at high school from a different angle however, Glee focuses on the life of teen performers who are outcasts in their school. Although Glee’s portrayal of the students, teachers, counselor, coaches, and principal is quite engaging, how close to reality is this presentation of a high school environment? Glee’s guidance counselor, Emma Pillsbury is extremely involved in her students’ personal issues. Pillsbury also is seriously involved with the Glee Club, even practicing songs with the club’s instructor, Will Scheuster. According to WHS counselor, Melissa Kukta, WHS counseling deals with more than just college as well. Our counselors also aid the students in personal, social, and academic issues. Rather than being highly involved with clubs, such as Glee club, WHS counselors focus on instilling their time into academic programs. Rarely do they “participate in band, choir, or drama activities,” said Kukta. While WHS

counselors are involved in their students’ lives, it is not nearly to the extent depicted on the show. Another outrageous character in Glee is the power-hungry cheer coach, Sue Sylvester. Sylvester appears to be even more authoritative than the McKinley High School principal. Sylvester’s cheer program is one of the most prominent programs at McKinley High, and therefore is at the top of the social hierarchy. Melissa Zuckerman, WHS cheer coach, observes a strong difference in her cheer program. “As far as Glee goes, the cheer coach usually does not have that much power...usually at most schools, they are the bottom of the totem pole,” said Zuckerman. Still, Zuckerman admits, her life is very much consumed in the cheer world, just as Sylvester’s career as a cheer coach affects every aspect of her life. Another central character in the show is the influential Glee club advisor, Will Schuester. Schuester is a major influence in many of his students’ lives. He also participates in many of the outrageous and entertaining performances his students put together. Glee’s vocal club is the place to broadcast students’ individuality and talent. While WHS Choir is full of individuality and talent, the structure of the classroom is very different. Rather than the students selecting pieces for the glee performances, WHS

Choir students, “are assigned music based on their skill level and vocal ability,” said Choir Director, Alan Rose. The WHS choir program focuses on pure student performances. In Rose’s show choir showcases, every aspect revolves around the students. He does not participate in the dances, for he allows his students to represent their accomplishment. “Glee exaggerates the high school life to make it appear more intense with the way different people interact with each other to bring in more viewers,” said Paige Cipriani ’12. Although the Glee characters capture the audience with entertaining conflicts and events, the representation of the true high school setting is extremely flawed. Glee does not try to fool its audience, for the show makes it clear that most aspects are exaggerated. The cheerleaders are never seen out of their uniforms, football players constantly wear their letterman jackets, and no time is a bad time to break into song. Other shows like Grey’s Anatomy and House glorify the profession of doctors, while CSI does the same for crime scene investigators. The truth of the matter is that these shows are designed to appeal to the largest audience possible, and staying true to reality becomes an afterthought. Just remember, hospitals are not filled with McDreamys and McSteamys, and High schools are not filled with Broadway songs and dance numbers.

ARROW

100 N. Lakeview Canyon Road Westlake Village, CA 91362 (805) 497-6711 ext. 4225 westlakearrow@yahoo.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Max Avruch MANAGING EDITOR Lisa Battaglia NEWS EDITORS Celine Flores, Meini Cheng OPINION EDITOR Katelyn Masket FEATURE EDITORS Brian Chang, Hanna Hong, Jamie Mark, Julia Model, Steven Paro, Christina Vasiliou ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Zak Kukoff SPORTS EDITORS Jacob Cavanah, Tucker Higgins, Dashiell Young-Saver, ADVERTISING MANAGER Alexandra Biston CARTOONISTS Harry Bachrach, Kabir Nagarkatti ADVISOR Caron Battaglia STAFF WRITERS: Nicolette Blatt, Gaby Breiter, Katrina Brewer, Woody Chung, Brian Danziger, Kelli DaRin, Alex Farkas, Yangzong Guo, Stephanie Kim, Alexa Lucas, Alana Model, Michelle Noyes, Shannon Reiffen, Ethan Reul, Ari Sadwick, Kevin Shi, Julia Shi

The Arrow is written, designed and run by the students of the Advanced Journalism and Journalism 1CP classes at Westlake High School and is published monthly. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the Conejo Valley Unified School District, Westlake High School administration, faculty, or student body. We welcome feedback. Letters must be signed by the writer, though names can be withheld by request in the publication. Please send submissions to Mrs. Battaglia’s box in the main office or to Room 42E. For The Arrow online, visit whswarriors.com and click on Activities menu.

FEATURE

November 19, 2010 • THE ARROW

Fashion Blast from Decades Past

COURTESY PHOTOS

HOLLYWOOD HUNKS THROUGHOUT TIME: Legendary crooner Frank Sinatra was an original wearer of the fedora in the 1940s; current singer Jason Mraz credits the fedora as one of his trademarks

Alexa Lucas Staff Writer Fashion is always taking a blast to the past. Looking at the biggest fashion icons, pieces can be found dating back to the 20s. “People look to the past for inspiration and like to take an idea of someone else and make it into their own,” said Catherine Campbell ‘12. The Roaring 20s marked a turning point in fashion. Women shied away from conservative clothing to express their individuality through innovative fashions. In 1927, the actress Louise Brooks appeared wearing a cloche hat, and from there the fashion-scene became inundated with this trend. These hats appear today as best seller items in stores such as Urban Outfitters and are ironically considered a modern twist to any outfit. The 30s popularized fedora hats and horn-rimmed or brow line glasses. Fedora hats and these stylish glasses were the sophisticated accessories for the classic 30s business man. Jason Mraz, a current top-charted singer, has made the fedora a statement in his personal image, and the famous actor Johnny Depp constantly sports the popular horn-rimmed glasses in his Hollywood outings. These fashions from the thirties are still fresh and popular. The 40s were a time of flattering female silhouettes

with the classic, simple dress, red lipstick, and pin curls. Marilyn Monroe often modeled this novel look, creating the old Hollywood classic style. Famous pop star Christina Aguilera is known for her current forties fashion stage, with her bombshell silhouettes, classic-curled hair, and bright red lipstick, modeled after Monroe. “Fashion repeats itself because it really is a sign of the time. You are what you wear,” said Kelsey Lindseth ’12. Entering the 1950s fashion scene, leather jackets and high-waisted skirts became huge hits, strongly influenced by icons such as Elvis Presley and Doris Day. These two styles are some of the most commonly spotted looks of today’s fashions. The 60s marked a time for long locks and tie-dyed fabrics. Famous stars, such as Brigitte Bardot, often fashioned long, straight hair, parted down the center. Also the trendy teens of the 60s sported tie-dye shirts as a common piece of apparel. Hollywood stars often utilize the long, full-haired look with the middle part as a classic, daily or elegant look, while the tie-dye shirts and bags have become extremely trendy for many teens today. The 70s popularized the classic jumper and timeless floral pattern, represented by the 1970s Charlie’s Angels in many of their films. Floral patterns are currently a classy look to any piece,

House Music Raises the Roof Katrina Brewer Staff Writer Music trends are ever changing and evolving, with some genres flying under the radar and others consistently holding a place in the mainstream music scene. Within the past decade, this generality has been challenged by a lesser known form of music that has pushed its way into popularity: Electronica. Electronic music, which originated in the 1980s in underground dance scenes in Europe, has swept its way across nations into the everyday lives of American teens. In a short amount of time it has branched into a plethora of forms including trance, house, and drum and bass. Each of these divisions offers a different tone and evokes different emotions, appealing to a vast range of listeners. All electronic music is reputed as being emotional and thought-provoking. Trance ranges from energetic sounds, to calm and soothing sounds which promotes an altered state of consciousness. It utilizes melodic, synthesized phrases that build upon each other until the song reaches the break down, an especially calming middle section, inducing hypnotic reactions. The break down transitions into the climax, and the song then fades out gradually. “I’ve listened to trance and electronic music since I was born. It’s the most creative and diverse form of music, and nothing else compares in my eyes,” said Colin Bielman ‘11. House emerged from soul music and disco in the early 80s, and since then has developed into a worldwide sensation. Its characteristic groove features a funky bassline with pounding, driving beats and a slower tempo

than trance; House influences even the most mainstream of pop music today. Dane Van Tamelen ‘11 expressed, “The music draws upon feelings of togetherness and sends good messages unlike so many other genres. It’s also the sickest to dance to.” Drum and Bass contains a wide spectrum of types of songs, drawing from backgrounds ranging from funk and electropop to jazz. It is especially upbeat, more so than both trance and house, and places emphasis on its heavy drum and bassline. Drum and Bass is characterized by its irregular drum patterns called break beats. Electronic music is unique in that dozens of mixes can be released for just one song, including an original mix, radio mix, dance mix, chill out mix, instrumental mix, and vocal mix. These mixes, in addition to the wide variety of songs, artists, and genres, provide endless options for the listener. It is not uncommon for original mixes to be over ten minutes long, while radio edits are often cut down to under four, containing only the integral stages of the song. Dance mixes are upbeat and offer a heavier bassline, while chill out mixes categorize more with trance. The escalating popularity of these branches of music is attributed to its multiplicity and ability to create sounds appealing to any person or mood. Technology provides endless possibilities and this synthesized music provides sounds unheard of in any other genre. Sabrina Sommers ‘11 explained what electronic music means to her and friends. “It’s not just a genre of music to us; it’s our lifestyle. It’s fun, upbeat, emotional music that can get us through any situation we face in life.”

while jumpers are used as convenient and fashionable daily outfits. Dr. Marten boots and leggings became a fashion necessity during the 1980s. Fashion icon Madonna constantly sported both pieces in her performances. Leggings are now an essential item, often spotted across WHS campus either as a companion with a large T-shirt or as a winter touch to any classy dress. Recently, “Doc Martens” have also made their comeback. They are currently being recreated by numerous shoe companies, and purchased by copious fashion icons. Tube tops and crop tops entered the scene during the 1990s. They were often paired with casual light-colored jeans and were very popular amongst young adults. Tube tops have become the inspiration for many strapless dresses and jumpers, while crop tops are essential during the warm summer months. Modern fashion truly has become a blend of many decades past. “People like the idea of retro; reinventing the past decades with a twist,” said Sarah Rothschild ‘12. One can easily find clothing around the WHS campus that echoes the clothing seen throughout the past century.

Why So Serious About Silly Bandz? Vallia Yu Staff Writer Silly Bandz, true to their name, have become all the rage among children and adults alike with their neon colors and lovable shapes. But are they really trendy enough to have caused such a huge craze and be banned from schools? The thin rubber wristbands have become the new staple in children’s pencil pouches everywhere, replacing the Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh trading card phases of the past. Traded and coveted, Silly Bandz are certainly winning the hearts of students everywhere. “I love them for their creativity,” says Madison Brooks of Class Aquatics swim team. “They let you express who you are and what you love with their shapes.” But according to school administrators at Arsbury Elementary in Hampton, the silly craze has simply gone too far. Children focus more on the Silly Bandz then school work, and fight over trades gone bad. “It would cause fussing, seeing who could outdo each other, who could wear the most on their arm,” Principal Penny MacIntyre explained to the Daily Press. While the trouble has not yet escalated to worrying levels, some schools have yet to feel the wrath of the Silly Band craze. But what happens to the bands once they are banned? Will the rage continue to develop into a secret black market of the rubber accessories on the playgrounds? While banning these harmless wristbands seems ridiculous to some, others applaud the decision. But whatever their opinions may be, the Silly Band craze will continue. In the meantime, would anyone be willing to trade me a Justin Beiber band for my iCarly Sam band?

FEATURE

November 19, 2010 • THE ARROW

Photographer Aims for Career in Graphic Design Steven Paro Feature Editor

PHOTO BY LUCAS HUFFMAN

Today digital photography dominates, making film old-fashioned and obsolete. Among the new age of photographers is Lucas Huffman ‘11. His start in photography came in middle school when his family bought him his first DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera to take pictures of the family vacation. This led to visiting many of the world’s most exotic places to take pictures of each country’s culture. “I’m very gifted to visit such amazing places like China, Paris, Australia, and Africa to take pictures.” Along with cultural pictures, Huffman takes pictures of his friends. “Many of my friends know I’m a photographer and want to be a part of my photos, making it real easy finding a model.” This year Huffman is entering advanced photography. Because of his already experienced portfolio, he was entitled to skip Photo 1/2 and enter into the higher level class. Although he was able to advance, Huffman has a new obstacle to overcome

that he missed out in the prerequisite class, roll film. The traditional style of photography proves hard to master for Huffman. “Roll film is hard because you can take an awesome shot, but you can later mess it up in the development or processing stage,” said Huffman. When it comes to looking through the viewfinder, however, Huffman feels more comfortable. He doesn’t stress on the principles of design in photography, such as symmetry and proportion. “After a while, you understand how to take good photos and learn what works. I mainly focus on the lighting, the framing, and then it’s just a matter of hitting the shutter release,” he said. Huffman normally shoots outdoor portraits, combining both natural and fixed lighting. In addition, he enjoys taking extreme sports photography. He likes to blur the subject in motion to make it look unorthodox and have a different feel. Huffman’s ambition is to become a graphic designer and he’s attending FIDM fashion school next year to achieve his goal. His goals for this year are to become better at film and build an accredited portfolio.

I WALK A LONELY ROAD: One of Lucas’ models walks down a street as cars pass her by.

Artist Has Touch for Turning Viewers’ Heads Steven Paro Feature Editor

PHOTO BY: LILY WANG

CRAZY HAIR: A picture full of variety inspired by Taylor Swift’s music album.

For only a sophomore, Lily Wang is an art student who expresses her thoughts and creations in her work. Like many artists, Wang began creating art at an early age. “I’ve always loved art and ever since I could hold a pencil, I would draw or doodle,” said Wang. She likes to stand out using her art. She enjoys drawing people in a different light by enlarging their eyes or their hands. “I like making people look different and turning the viewers head.” She also incorporates bright, vibrant

colors into her pieces. One of her pieces that has dynamic colors is the picture of the woman (left) with objects flying out of her hair. “That crazy hair picture came from the Taylor Swift album cover. I like the complexity of it along with its colors. When incorporating colors, I like to make them eccentric and clash.” Last year Wang took Life Drawing, learning essential skills useful this year in AP Art. “Lily is the typical artist, but when it comes to her life drawing, she stands out. She’s naturally gifted and can do it without thinking,” said AP Art teacher John Farmer. Wang uses traditional materials for

her art—colored pencils, watercolors, and brushes. In addition, she uses the computer to create new masterpieces. In one unique project she drew a lobster with a visually appealing background. Wang likes to expand her range of work and does not like to feel limited to just traditional work. When it comes to her future as an artist, Wang is unsure what to pursue, yet she hopes to achieve a score of a five on the AP Art exam come next May. “We all might be able to see this artist’s creations in an art gallery one day,” said Farmer.

FEATURE

November 19, 2010 • THE ARROW

In Search of a Healthful Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Fun Facts

Gaby Breiter Staff Writer

Alana Model Staff Writer

“Thanksgiving is all about family,

friends, and most of all: food,” said Alicia

Christiansen ’13. This holiday is typically a time for family, a time to reflect and appreciate how fortunate we are. Sure, the emotional aspect of this celebration is great but when people think Thanksgiving, they think food. Colorful cornucopias surrounded by potatoes, gravy, and pies as far as the eye can see. Lurking in the underbelly of all the merriment, however, is a shocking truth. The average Thanksgiving meal includes: a glass of cider or eggnog, a cracker with cheese, raw veggies, mixed nuts, fresh fruit, potato chips with dip, gelatin with fruit, white and dark turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, a baked potato with sour cream, green bean casserole, candied sweet potatoes, a dinner roll with butter, a slice of apple pie, pecan pie, or pumpkin pie with whipped cream and ice cream, and a small piece of fudge. According to walk.about.com, that’s a grand total of 4,453 calories. One will need to walk 44.53 miles or 89,060 steps to make up for that one meal. An estimated 129.6 million Americans, or 64 percent, are overweight or obese. According to usgovinfo.about.com, people increase the risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, various forms of cancer, and other disabling medical conditions. In response to these statistics, people are making efforts to become more informed. What happens to the body when it’s fueled with fatty foods?

Cultures Share Foods and Traditions Julia Model Feature Editor

With

the change in seasons comes the

most holiday delectable foods and lots of activities...Thanksgiving! In America, friends

and family gather around the table for a feast of

turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. However, what Americans coin as ‘Thanksgiving’ is very world. Thanksgiving’s traditions, celebrations, and ways of giving thanks vary immensely.

• Thanksgiving (American)- Watch football & eat a big feast • August Moon Festival (Chinese)- Under a bright moon, friendships are made & renewed. The moon symbolizes beauty & elegance. • Tet Trung Thu (Vietnamese)- Parents use the Mid-Autumn festival as an opportunity to show love & appreciation for their children. • Succoth (Jewish)- Families gather for meals & sleep inside sukkot (plural for succah) to worship & share meals. • Pongal (Indian)-This is the day to honor the cattle’s hard work for plowing the fields. • Yam Festival (African)-People offer yams to gods & ancestors first before distributing them to villagers. This is their way of giving thanks to the spirits above them. • Chusok (Korean)-The family pays respect to ancestors by visiting their tombs & offering them rice & fruits. Children dance under the bright moon in a large circle.

2. Lobster, rabbit, and fish are thought to have made up the first Thanksgiving feast. 3. The pilgrims didnʼt use forks; they ate with spoons, knives, and their fingers. The same thing that happens to a river blocked by a dam. It slows down and eventually stops. According to livestrong.com, eating too much food that contains saturated fat and high cholesterol obstructs arteries, compromising health and safety. Ignorance is bliss; no one cared whether he or she ate a cake or a carrot until they saw the effects. In this day and age, teenagers are probably the most informed on matters of health and exercise. The result is previous generations learning from their mistakes. This also means, however, that the youth does not have the luxury of turning the other way to indulge in unhealthy treats. Guilt plays a major factor in the food kids chose to eat daily. “If I eat that” is the thought process some teens go through every time they face a meal. Although consequences are a major role in balanced eating, kids should be al-

lowed to indulge during the holidays. The problem is that enjoying an indulging meal is tough when every mouthful of sugary cranberries is followed by guilt. Thankfully, there is a solution to having a fulfilling, delicious meal with onefourth the calories crawling in the traditional fat packed feast. SELF magazine’s November issue offers many alternative recipes for Thanksgiving dinner including: turkey, green bean with blackened sage hazelnut casserole, sweet potatoes with caramelized onions and blue cheese, roasted squash with balsamic sauce, and pear mushroom and pomegranate stuffing. That comes to 1,032 calories that can be walked off in 10.33 miles or 20,660 steps. Finding alternatives for a fatty holiday meal allows kids to have the best of both worlds; a guiltless meal with no deprivation. This Thanksgiving gobble all the food you want without having to wobble later.

4. According the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten in the United States at Thanksgiving (one sixth of all the turkeys sold in the U.S. each year!) 5. Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the United States. 6. According to The Guinness Book of Records, the largest dressed turkey weighed 86 pounds, about the size of a large dog. 7. There are approximately 3,000 calories in the average Americanʼs Thanksgiving Day meal.

Slimmer Pumpkin Bread Recipe Serves: 16 Yields: 1 loaf Total Time: 1 hr 10 min Prep Time: 20 min Oven Temp: 350 degrees

Ingredients: * 1 cup (packed) light brown sugar * 2 large egg whites * 1 cup pumpkin puree * 1/4 cup canola oil * 1/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract * 1 cup all-purpose flour * 3/4 cup whole wheat flour * 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon * 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg * 1/2 teaspoon baking soda * 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 8 1/2” by 4 1/2” metal loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray with flour. 2. In large bowl, with wire whisk, combine brown sugar and egg whites. Add pumpkin, oil, yogurt, and vanilla extract; stir to combine. 3. In medium bowl, combine allpurpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture; stir until just combined. Do not overmix. 4. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Cool completely.

Recipe courtesy of delish.com

COURTESY PHOTO

different than that of other countries around the

1. Mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies, popcorn, milk, corn on the cob, and cranberries were not foods present on the first Thanksgivingʼs feast table.

WHS Teachers Reveal High School Pastime Activities

As a football player, wrestler, track and field runner, and musician, science teacher Darin Erickson actively participated in his high school days at Lake Havasu High School in Nevada. He notes that his activities impacted what he does today “big time.” Erickson explains he became a WHS Freshman Football coach as a way “to stay involved in the sport.” Not only did his love for biology stem from his high school experiences, but also his love for performing in his high school band encouraged him to sing in his church choir.

Spanish teacher and ASG advisor Diane Blackburn is a WHS alumna, whose high school activities included ASG, NHS, CSF, cheerleading, and swimming. Because Blackburn “loved being involved in school activities,” she joined the Student Alumni Association at UCLA to extend her love for involvement. Blackburn’s participation in high school and college parallels her active spirit and personality at WHS.

Hanna Hong Feature Editor Hannah Schuett ’11 stands 5’ 10” tall with a petite frame exemplifying standards not found in a usual high school student. Academically, Schuett challenges herself by taking vigorous classes, such as Advanced Anatomy, AP Calculus, and AP Government. Athletically, Schuett is a standout for WHS. She is a three-year varsity member, a two-year varsity captain, and the 2010 MVP. Schuett is not only a key player for the WHS volleyball program, but she also set the WHS most assists record in a single season and a new service ace record. Two weeks ago, at Simi High School, Schuett shattered the current record, 801 assists by Kelsey Kaehler set in 2004 and claimed her spot in WHS volleyball history. She considers the instant she broke the WHS record, her “most memorable” moment out of the seven years of volleyball. With 850 assists by the end of the season and 53 aces, Schuett’s name will be dis-

played in the gym symbolizing her competitive athleticism. For years, Schuett traveled to Studio City to train with her club volleyball team, SMBC, at Harvard Westlake. She believes the years of hard work, dedication, and practice she endures when playing volleyball “defines [her] as a person. Because Schuett is constantly playing volleyball—either with the high school team, club team, or beach volleyball team—she describes her life as “being boring without volleyball.” Volleyball has become such an important part of Schuett’s life that she is pursuing the sport in college. She aspires to “become a contributing starter [her] freshman and sophomore years,” at her first choice MIT. She describes the process of college recruiting as “hard because I am not the typical six feet, five inch” setter some colleges are looking for. She believes “she has come so close to being recruited” she cannot give up now.

SETTING THE BAR: Hannah Schuett continues her streak of volleyball excellence, as she volleys for the varsity team.

MC’s Don’t Shy Away from a Crowd Jacob Cavanah Sports Editor Connor Gantt ‘11 and Luke Hubbard ‘11, the ASG MCs at rallies, want to go down as the best pair ever to go through WHS. Until a few months ago, Gantt was acting, and he credits that experience with helping him become a better MC. “I became really comfortable in front of people,” explained Gantt. “Throw me in a shark cage, and I’m comfortable.” Hubbard is a rapper and songwriter, and similarly these two talents make him even more qualified for the job. He acknowledges that a music career has aided his confidence. “I’m more comfortable in front of crowds. It’s easier for me to stand up in front of people and be real,” he said. “I always thought [Hubbard] was a funny guy. I could see myself together with him, as an MC,” said Gantt. Their chemistry makes their collaboration that much more entertaining for WHS students and staff. Having won the MC spots, Gantt and Hubbard are now in ASG, and are fitting in perfectly. “They’re really creative and funny and want to try new things. They’ve also been helping me a lot with getting vice started and have really good ideas on how to raise

PHOTO BY JACOB CAVANAH

Diane Blackburn

Schuett Shatters Assists and Aces Record

COURTESY PHOTO

Darin Erickson

FEATURE

November 19, 2010 • THE ARROW

A BUDDING BROMANCE: Performing experience has helped Luke Hubbard and Connor Gantt become comfortable in their roles as MCs.

money,” said ASG Vice-President, Sam Gilbert ’11. Besides making our pep rallies and lunch rallies fun, Gantt and Hubbard have started a club, which is called the Tribe. The goal of the Tribe is to make people more spirited at all times, rather than just spirit night, football games, and other events where everyone is spirited. “I’m looking [at] it as something fun

to go to. A lot of people are joining. People won’t want to go off campus at lunch. It will be a fun time to hang out,” said Gantt. The Tribe meets every Tuesday at lunch in the ASG room. The key to being an MC, according to Gantt, “You just got to be you. I’m doing me.” And for the next upcoming rally, “the ideas are flying through our heads,” said Hubbard.

Chad Scott Chad Scott, math teacher and Cross Country and Track Coach, stays connected with his high school activities.“Because I did track and cross country [at Buena High School], I wanted the students to have the same experience at WHS.” Starting as a teacher volunteer, Scott developed an interest in coaching and later became the energetic coach that he is today.

Dec. 31st, 2010.

FEATU

e Pain, the Stress, the Drama

Teen Press

Seeking Help f

Stephanie Kim Staff Writer

COURTESY PHOTOS

Adolescence is filled with teenage angst and the mixed emotions that cause vulnerability and pressure, clouding the minds of many students and resulting in a global epidemic: depression. According to statistics provided by teendepression.org, about 20% of teens will experience [depression] before they reach adulthood. Though teens assume that many suffer from depression, the actual statistics show only 20% of teens are officially diagnosed with the illness. Many cases, however, are not reported. Victoria Stanton M.A., WHS school psychologist, counsels “students on an ‘as needed’ basis,” generally working with students that need help. Leading causes of teen depression, observed Stanton, “include academic pressures, family stress, peer conflict,” with drug abuse also a major contributor. Personal expectations often prevent some from seeking counseling or help that is available in school. Though she does not suffer from depression, Grace Ng ‘13 shared her view on visiting a psychologist, stating that therapy would make it “seem like I have actual problems, though socially I would not care about my friends knowing.” School and college-related stress often triggers common symptoms of depression, including weeks of poor academic results, anger or rage, extreme sensitivity to criticism, substance abuse, problems with authoritative figures, and indecision. Depression among teenage girls is more commonly reported than among teenage boys, often due to social restrictions of boys opening up about their feelings. Chris Bague ‘12 and Aaron Demsetz ‘12 both express how they don’t feel socially pressured to hide their need for counseling and professional help, if they did indeed battle with depression. According to Demsetz, “I don’t feel that I have got anything emotionally to actually hide from my peers.” Untreated depression leading to suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens. Physical illnesses and 30% of teens with depression develop abusive behavior towards drugs. Less that 33% of teens actually seek and receive professional treatment, though 80% of teen

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Disney Channel star, Demi Lovato enters rehab for depression issues, while Harry Potter star, Emma Watson attends Brown University.

Teen Celebrities Under the Microscope Lisa Battaglia Managing Editor

When teens face peer pressure at every turn, some know when to say “no” and others immediately give into the pressure. Teen celebrities have portrayed the contrast as well. Disney Channel star, Demi Lovato began her career with Camp Rock where she premiered her dancing and singing talents. Once Camp Rock first played on Disney Channel, Lovato’s career skyrocketed. She made several albums, movies and TV shows through Disney. Exposed to years of media pressure, The Los Angeles Times stated that Lovato has been checked into a treatment facility for “physical and emotional issues.” Demi Lovato is the sweet and charismatic star on Disney. When the news was exposed, fans were shocked. After a fight with a tour dancer, Lovato realized she needed professional help and left the world wide tour with the Jonas Brothers and checked into a rehabilitation center to help with her issues. The explanation for her issues are eating disorders and cutting, not the usual problems with drugs and alcohol. Another possibility of Lovato’s depression, according to E! Online is that she was having troubles watching her ex-boyfriend, Joe Jonas move on with his new girlfriend. Because the relationship was very over-exposed, Lovato was driven into depression with the drama and gossip constantly surrounding her. Lovato’s family told People, “She fought through eating disorders and has struggled with cutting. [She] is taking control by getting help.” Lovato confessed to People in September that she has been struggling with eating disorders, “feeling comfortable in your clothes is something I deal with to this day.” As Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, and Demi Lovato constantly prove, early fame takes a large toll on a teenager’s life because of their early exposure to such a chaotic and pressuring life. In contrast, Emma Watson has proved that teenagers can fight against the media and pressures.

Emma Watson has made millions just from her Harry Potter movies, which she started when she was only 11 years old. Watson, also known as Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series, is now studying at Brown University as a sophomore. She told Parade,, “I may do some theater next summer, but this college experience is really important to me, and I won’t give it up for anything.” Her parents wanted her to stay in the U.K. and attend school at Cambridge, but Watson wanted to go to school in America to get away from the intrusiveness and gossip that surrounded her. Watson told Parade that her new life as a student is “incredibly empowering and liberating,” instead of being on a movie set where “someone needs to know where you are every second of the day.” Watson has been struggling making dramatic changes in an American school, but she has enjoyed her education. Watson has put her college before career and she has thoroughly demonstrated her grounded personality. Watson is now 20 years old and getting an excellent education at Brown University. Similar to Watson, Amanda Bynes announced over the summer that she has quit acting because “being an actress isn’t as fun as it may seem,” she posted on Twitter. Once the ugly truth is exposed about celebrities, we assume its expected of young actors, however, we must consider the other teenagers who have come out of the celebrity world fully grounded in their morals. Several stars are starting younger and younger not receiving the normal development as teenagers need at such a struggling time. As teenagers face the pressures d u r i n g these complicated adolescent years, they must consider the positive options for the long-term benefit.

“

t o N

u o n

E y tt

e r P

” h g “ N o t S m a r t Enough”

URE

Through the Looking Glass

sure

for Depression

“Not Skinny Enough”

COURTESY PHOTO

depression cases are completely treatable. Teenage brains do not fully develop until the teen reaches the early 20s, which can cause a “bombardment on the teenage brain,” confirms Stanton. She advises students to switch off all sources of technological sources and media from time to time, allowing the brain to “recover and revive.” Social media creates images of what teens should be doing or having, but realistically only leaves insecurity in its destructive trails. Also in modern culture, “emo” has revived from the past and has established a firm cultural stance among teenagers. Teens embrace the “emo” culture when suffering from depression to create a sense of belonging and community; reassurance of others also experiencing similar pain and angst encourages teens, although gloom and depression and the glorification of both remains a vital concept in being emo. “Emo is a term that is easily adopted and seems to “fit” for adolescents who are going through particularly challenging times. It is helpful for someone who is feeling bad to adopt a label because it then creates a group and a culture for them to attach to...I don’t say that the move into the emo culture is necessarily a conscious choice, though. It is very tricky to say which came first—the depression or the emo group,” said Stanton. Help, though not eagerly sought after, is available at school and though a bit hard for most teens to conceive, at home with most parents. Opening up, according to most suicide and depression prevention sites, is the key to receiving help, allowing a teen to be aided professionally.

among girls is not surprising, but “what is disheartening is that it overtakes other aspects of their lives.” The mental and emotional effort and attention the girls pay to improving their body image detracts from Instead of lying in the eyes of the beholder, beauty the time they could spend improving their education, lies in the eyes of the media. More and more, mass fulfilling their responsibilities, and pursuing worthwhile media is dictating and setting the standards of beauty. causes. Every day, the average woman sees 400 to 600 Magazines, runways, TV programs, and advertisements are influencing teenagers and changing their perceptions advertisements. By the time girls reach 17 years old, they have received over 250,000 superficial messages through of physical appeal. Ideally, everyone would believe that each person commercials, according to America’s Mental Health is beautiful in his or her own way, so that teenagers Channel. A large majority of these visual advertisements are confident and secure with their exterior looks. are of unrealistically perfect, beautiful women, causing Realistically, millions of teenagers all over the world are normal women to experience augmented feelings of dissatisfaction with their own body images. insecure and self-conscious about their body image. A study from Harvard University showed that as Body image is the way someone views his or her own physical appearance. Who decides what look, figure, many as 80% of teens have perceived their own body image in a negative way. By age 17, seven out of ten teens or style is beautiful? have tried dieting in order to The mass media, elite make their figures more like runway, and glossy those of the models found magazines have planted on runways, billboards, and their standards in the magazines. Ironically, models minds of teenagers, weigh 23% less than the average causing the young to woman, reports the Social Issues compare themselves Research Center. with the rail-thin Teenagers are not the only supermodels and photoones negatively affected by the shopped celebrities. media. A study of fifth graders In a recent survey by the National Institute on by Teen People magazine, Media and the Family revealed 27% of girls admitted that ten-year-old girls and they “felt that the boys admitted that they were media pressures them unhappy with their own body to have a perfect body.” images after seeing a clip from With photographs the TV show “Friends” and a of flawless faces and Britney Spears music video. bodies displayed Children who grow up almost everywhere in with the air-brushed images of urban areas, girls have abnormally thin supermodels an endless number imprinted in their minds often of media-produced adopt the media’s idea of beauty images of models to THE TRUE YOU: By the age 13, 53% of teenagers are unas their own. To attain this look compares themselves happy with their bodies. of “beauty,” they begin to to. Oftentimes, the develop unhealthy, detrimental comparison only ignites self-conscious feelings and eating habits, deeply harming themselves. They are insecurities and diminishes confidence. According to the National Mental Health Information negatively affected in the aspects of both physical and center, girls are three times more likely than boys to emotional health. Teenage girls and women have succumbed to the have a negative body image. Girls are more affected by the pictures of supermodels and celebrities than boys overwhelming desire to have a slender, thin body, the are because female models dominate the runways, accepted embodiment of beauty. The severity of this issue lies in the actions that young adults take to change their magazines, and fashion industry. Catherine Hill, research director at the American body image. The looks of the thin, skinny supermodels Association of University Women Educational induce girls to start harmful diets, often ending in fatal Foundation, says that the concern with body image cases of eating disorders. Meini Cheng News Editor

Photo By Lisa Ba�aglia

Peer Pressure by the Numbers 7.2 million adolescents drank at least once in the past year.

70% of teens say they are “stressed out.” 1 in 8 adolescents may be suffering from depression. 75% of teenagers have sexual intercourse before age 20. 30% of 12th graders have used marijuana.

3.1 million teenagers smoke.

Compiled from familyfirstaid.org

Show them the Money Christina Vasiliou Feature Editor Picking a college is a monumental choice for any senior, and oftentimes the type of school and the cost associated with it is a huge draw or detractor from a school. Seniors always have the choice of foregoing a four year institution right after high school, and instead attending a community college for one or two years and then transferring to continue for their Bachelor’s Degree. This choice is very appealing to those who are conscious of how much money they are willing to spend on their college education. There are over 110 community colleges in California alone, so students who still want to have a change in environment can fulfill that goal while attending a community college. More than half of each graduating class attends Moorpark College as well as Santa Barbara City College and Santa Monica City College. For those students who aren’t willing to give up the four year college experience straight out of high school, public universities are a good choice for students worried about having college debt after getting their degree. Although still quite pricey, public schools are usually much less expensive than private school if they are in-state. For Californians, students can choose between attending a Cal State or a UC. Public schools are perfect for students who want a great education at a realistic price. Each year, Kiplinger Financial Magazine releases their list of the Top 100 Best Value Public Colleges and Universities, and the UC schools, especially Los Angeles, Berkeley, and San Diego, are always listed. In the 2009-2010 list, UCSD was listed 11 for in-state, UCLA was listed 13 for in-state, and UC Berkeley was listed 18 for in-state. Although public schools are a great choice for those who want a good education at a lower price, public schools usually do not award as much money in financial aid or scholarships than private schools. Students are often attracted to private schools for the small class sizes, smaller population size, alumni programs, religious affiliation, and/or smaller campus size. But oftentimes students are repelled by the high cost of private schools. The good news is that many private schools offer more financial aid than public schools and the aid can bring the tuition down to a less daunting number. Also, many colleges are simply worth the money that students invest in their education at that school. Kiplinger also releases their list of Top 100 Best Value in Private Schools. Topping the 2010-2011 list is Princeton University in New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to eliminate loans from the financial aid package and it boasts the lowest average debt of graduates of any other institutions on the list. Princeton is also the only Ivy League school whose tuition falls below $50,000. The fourth college on the list is Rice University in Houston, Texas, whose tuition is the lowest on the list and also offers generous merit and need based scholarships as well as a top rate education. The seventh college listed as the best value in private schools is University of Pennsylvania which offers need based financial aid to families earning as much as $190,000 per year. Although some schools are pricier than others, many aspects must be taken into account other than just the tuition.

FEATURE

November 19, 2010 • THE ARROW

A Home for the Next 4 Years Tucker Higgins Sports Editor For students who value more than one dimension of the college experience, large, stage universities are continuing to deliver a well-rounded lifestyle for their student populations. Penn State University Penn State is nationally recognized for its academics, sense of pride, community spirit, and its Nittany Lion sports teams. The main campus is located in University Park, Pennsylvania and has approximately 36,900 undergraduate students and 6,200 graduate students—the size of a small city. According to the Fiske Guide, the university was founded in 1855, and has 20 undergraduate campuses throughout the state of Pennsylvania. There are more than 160 different majors; the most popular majors are in business/marketing (16%), engineering technologies (13%), and communication/journalism (9%). The Schreyer Honors College is one of the nation’s elite honors program. It is the perfect college life for some students, who enjoy taking advantage of Penn’s legendary school spirit, sports, and immense academic offerings. As a member of the Big Ten, the Nittany Lion foes include both Michigan and Ohio State, which make great road trips

What is the deciding factor when choosing a college?

“When I am looking for a college, I want to get the full college experience. It needs to have a football team, a fraternity, and a good location.” -Sean Rieger ‘11

“I really want to go to a big school! A college with lots of school spirit and a ‘rahrah’ kind of feel.” -Siara Behar ‘11

“In choosing a college, one must make their decision based on academic ranking in order to increase the likelihood of future success.” -Javier Aguilera ‘12

“Sports is definitely the most important aspect for me because I’m trying to get a scholarship, but academics also because academics follow you after college” -Savannah Miller ‘12

for Penn State students as well as their alumni. Other popular events include an arts festival during the summer months and a Dance Marathon, which raise millions of dollars for children with cancer. University of Michigan Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan is one of the nation’s most elite universities with a strong history and respected academic reputation. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, it offers students a complete campus lifestyle of balancing academics, athletics, and social activities. There are approximately 26,000 undergraduate students and 13,000 graduate students. The University ranks among the best in the nation in many fields of study because of its attraction of some of the most reputable names in academia to teach and research in Ann Arbor. The most popular majors are engineering technologies (15%), psychology (11%), social sciences (18%), business/marketing (6%), and biology (6%). Approximately 10% of the incoming freshman class are admitted into the Honors program, which is considered one of the best in the nation. Football dominates student life during the fall months. Extensive renovations to the Big House stadium recently set a record for most people in attendance in the nation—over 113,000 people. The football games are an integral part of the Univer-

sity of Michigan experience with a spirited student body of Blue and Maize. For students who desire the wolverine team spirit as well as outstanding academics, this university is an excellent choice to consider. University of Georgia Established in 1785, the University of Georgia was the first state-chartered university. Approximate enrollment for undergraduate students are 25,000, and approximately 7,900 degree-seeking graduate students.The university is located in Athens, Georgia and is considered an ultimate college town with restaurants, clubs, and shops. There are over 500 student organizations, including 18 sororities and 23 fraternities on campus. UGA’s strongest academic programs are the Terry College of Business (20%), Grady College of Journalism (8%), and the colleges of education (9%). About 15% of the Bulldogs study abroad through 75 programs in more than 30 countries. About 88 % of the students are from Georgia, and two-thirds graduated from public high schools. Women out number men on campus with a 57/43 percentage ratio. In addition to strong academics, football and Greek life are not taken lightly at this multi-faceted university. This is shown through UGA student’s 90% attendance rate during their rival game against Florida.

A New Kind of Rank Katelyn Masket Opinion Editor When students consider potential colleges, academics are always an important factor. Choosing the right college or university, however, is not simply deciding on a school, but picking a home for the next four years. While receiving a valuable education is the main objective, it is also important to consider other aspects such as the social life, location, and the type of people who attend. Happiest Students: University of Colorado Boulder Known for its laid-back atmosphere and close proximity to the Rocky Mountains, Boulder attracts a variety of students from both in and out of state. Why are students here so happy? Most point to the University’s emphasis on academic freedom. With more than 3,400 courses to choose from, Boulder students have a great deal of choice in planning their curriculum. Whether it is cheering on the Colorado Buffalos football team during the fall, snowboarding in the winter, hiking and biking in the spring, or white water rafting in the summer, students can always find some activity to ease the stress of school. Other notables: Bowdoin College, Clemson University, Brown University, Whitman College, Rice University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland Best College Town: University of California Berkeley Just across the bay from San Francisco, UC Berkeley is located in the small city of Berkeley, California. While the student protests of the 1960’s and 70’s are not as common, Berkeley is still one of the most liberal cities in the country. Home to one of the top public universities in the country, Berkeley also hosts cafés, bookstores, museums, and old movie theaters. Blue and gold can be found everywhere on game day, as Berkeley has great pride in its Golden Bear football team. “The Game,” as students and fans refer to it, is one of the biggest events of the year, when Cal takes on the Stanford Cardinals in football. Hippie vibes run strong, but living up to the University’s reputation, Berkeley offers something for everyone. Other notables: University of Wisconsin (Madison), Florida State University

(Tallahassee), Indiana University (Bloomington), University of Texas (Austin), University of California Davis (Davis), Boston College (Chestnut Hill). Easiest Course Load: Hampshire College Hamphire College, located in Amherst, Massachusetts, was founded in 1970 as an educational experiment. The college has no majors, leaving the students to design their own course of study. Students motivated by grades need not apply, for Hampshire professors give their students written evaluations at the end of terms instead of A’s or B’s. While this educational freedom may seem like a haven for slackers, Hampshire students must possess a great amount of self-motivation in order to succeed in a place with very few rules. Students’ time at Hampshire is broken up into three different divisions, and upon completing the Division III project, he or she gets the opportunity to ring the Div III Bell in the center of campus and pronounce him or herself “Div-Free.” Other notables: Seton Hall University, State University of New York at Albany, University of Hawaii, Salve Regina University, University of Texas at Austin, Benedict College, University of California Santa Cruz. Biggest Jock School: University of Florida With two out of the last four National Championships in both football and men’s basketball, the University of Florida has one of the most successful athletic programs in the country. Sports come close to a religion at Florida, where students bleed orange and blue, and athletes are treated like gods. For those not as talented as Tim Tebow, there are plenty of intramural sports to choose from, including rowing, soccer, and ultimate frisbee. From the professors, to the students, to the alumni, everyone at Florida lives and breathes sports, which is fitting for the University that is the home of Gatorade. Other notables: University of Notre Dame, Ohio State University, Michigan State University, University of Connecticut, University of North Carolina. (All rankings are from the 2011 edition of The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges.)

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November 19, 2010 • THE ARROW

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FEATURE

November 19, 2010 • THE ARROW

What is the deciding factor when choosing a college?

“When I am looking for a college, I want to get the full college experience. It needs to have a football team, a fraternity, and a good location.” -Sean Rieger ‘11

“I really want to go to a big school! A college with lots of school spirit and a ‘rahrah’ kind of feel.” -Siara Behar ‘11

“In choosing a college, one must make their decision based on academic ranking in order to increase the likelihood of future success.” -Javier Aguilera ‘12

“Sports is definitely the most important aspect for me because I’m trying to get a scholarship, but academics also because academics follow you after college” -Savannah Miller ‘12

Harry Potter’s Magic Comes to a Close Shannon Reiffen Staff Writer

Due Date Doesn’t Arrive together. However, it is this very comedy that makes one What happens when you hesitant to recommend this take two amazing actors, stick film. them in a car together, and Though the film had the send them on a cross country audience laughing throughout, road trip against the clock?— the more conservative one of the funniest, raunchiest moviegoers may not appreciate movies of the year. the extremely R-rated humor. The story is simple. After In fact, like many movies being placed on the “Do Not released this year, many of Fly” list due to wrongfully the jokes in the movie are not suspected terrorism, expectant suitable for publication. father Peter Highman (Robert Though slightly cliche in Downey Jr.) reluctantly concept (it seems reminiscent accepts a ride from Ethan A BAD DATE: Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis map out their of earlier movies like Planes, Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis), way home admist many misadventures in Due Date. Trains, and Automobiles), Due an aspiring actor with as much Date manages to defy its genre such as the previously mentioned Iron Man and stand out thanks to its all-star cast and common sense as a household plant. The unlikely duo embark on a life- and Sherlock Homes, the idea of Downey as constant stream of comedy. changing adventure in which they escape a comedian seems almost incredulous. Overall, the movie is great for a couple Downey and Galifianakis’s on-screen of laughs, but only if you appreciate its from the Mexican border, drink Tremblay’s dad in coffee, fight a Vietnam veteran, and chemistry is immediately evident, and raunchy, offensive, and extremely R-rated stays strong through the film. wreck every car that crosses their path. brand of humor. Though each has some notable lines of Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) is not If you thought The Hangover was great, your average comedy actor. Preferring to his own, the best laughs of the play come this is the next movie for you. Otherwise, stay in mysterious, brooding hero roles from their many catastrophic interactions it’s best to steer clear of this one. Ethan Reul Staff Writer

COURTESY PHOTO

Seemingly never-ending lines form, full of impatient yet excited people. Children, teenagers and adults are dressed up—some wear glasses, some grasp wands and still others wear odd markings on their foreheads. What is this, a gathering of some secret cult? Try again. It's the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1. Some people do not understand the dedication to this epic series, but if people did not get into it when it started, they will find it difficult to jump in along with the loyal fans. To briefly summarize, Harry Potter is traumatized at birth (scarred for life) by the tragic murder of his parents at the hands of the evil Lord Voldemort. Sent to live with his horrific aunt and uncle, Harry miserably sulks through life until he turns 11, the age when he discovers he is a wizard. Soon afterwards, Harry is sent to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he meets Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley who both quickly become his best friends. The story unfolds as Rowling writes about Harry's seven epic years at Hogwarts, culminating in the final battle against Lord Voldemort. For readers who have religiously read the books and seen the movies, Friday marks an extremely important day. Friday, Nov. 19, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 comes out. This movie, the second-to-last of the series, is based on the first half of the seventh book, which was divided into two parts. The series has finally begun to come to a close, and Harry Potter fans around campus are on the edge of their seats with excitement. Hannah Gray '11, said “I have pretty high expectations for this movie. I think that because the last book is split into two movies, then time will really be spent covering all aspects of the book. I have high hopes and can't wait to see it!” Part Two of the seventh movie will come out in July 2011. And the seventh book is considered by fans to be the most exciting in the series. Harry's desperate search for Horcruxes leads to break-ins at the Ministry, fights with friends, separations from loved ones and, of course, the final attack at Hogwarts “This is definitely going to be the best yet, and the fact that they made it into two parts is going to keep everyone talking after the first part all the way up until the second," said Derek Smith '11. Mariah Ziccardi '14 hopes that its bigger and better than all the rest of them. “I hope it stays true to the book too,” she said. That's also a concern for HP fans. It's one thing to take creative liberties, but another to completely change the movie from the original written by J.K. Rowling. The director of the seventh (and eighth) movies has previously assured fans that he was staying true to the book. So what does the seventh installment of the epic Harry Potter series hold in store for us? Let's find out, and let the magic begin.

ENTERTAINMENT

November 19, 2010• THE ARROW

Winter Movies that Break the Ice Steven Paro Feature Editor Tron Legacy: Just 28 years after the movie that shaped a generation and gave nerds something to go crazy about, Tron returns to the big screen. In this installment, 27year-old Sam Flynn searches for the reason behind his father’s 25-year disappearance. He finds that his father is trapped in a world of tech-savvy games and programs. This father-son duo must embark on a perilous journey to escape a world of danger and technology. Tron is filled with stunning visuals and high quality effects. Expect nerds to rejoice when it premiers Dec. 17. The Tourist: Frank, an American tourist visiting

Italy played by Johnny Depp, is trying to escape a recent heartbreak. During his getaway he runs into Elise, an international woman of mystery played by Angelina Jolie, who tries to take heat off of her ex-lover and put it on Frank. Pursued by agents, Elise and Frank stumble through misadventures throughout Venice. The Tourist features two of the largest modern day actors, and is receiving much hype. Expect this film to be a box office smash. Little Fockers: The third in the blockbuster series returns with it’s all-star cast (headlined by Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro) and is expected to bring many laughs. Ten years after Meeting the Parents, the Focker family (Stiller and Polo) settle down and have two kids of their own. Jack (De Niro) has always had a rocky relationship with

son-in-law Greg, and now Greg feels that he can become head of the household, that is, if Jack doesn’t get in the way. The movie opens Dec. 22. Moviegoers who have not seen the first two in the series are encouraged to rent those first. Tangled: Another potential hit coming out of the Disney machine is the animated feature film Tangled. Princess Rapunzel, voiced by Mandy Moore, is stuck in a tower with nothing but her magical powers. One day, Flynn Ryder, a thief, breaks into Rapunzel’s tower to liberate her. They eventually escape the castle and must avoid different obstacles, from guards to a vengeful Mother Gothel. Although the story may sound familiar, Disney has a reputable track record of good movies. The 3D movie hits theaters Nov. 24.

SPORTS

November 19, 2010 • THE ARROW

If You Can’t Stand the LA Heat, Get out of the Kitchen! �ree-Peat over Miami Heat

Ari Sadwick Staff Writer

CROWN THE COOK: Lakers Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant cook up another championship unaffected by the Heat’s Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and LeBron James.

Number of changes to starting lineup

4 0

The National Basketball Association began its 2010-2011 season with two clear favorites: the battletested, two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and the unproven, overconfident Miami Heat. The Heat’s additions of reigning MVP LeBron James and All-Stars Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade make the Heat many experts’ pick to win it all. The Lakers have also been busy this summer strengthening an already outstanding team with the acquisitions of bench players Steve Blake and Matt Barnes. The Lakers have the experience and talent necessary to crush the Heat’s overconfidence. Miami’s offseason acquisition of James and Bosh has been getting a great deal of attention. But it is important to remember that the starters have won a grand total of one championship. Lakers’ former bench player Adam Morrison, who did not even dress in uniform during the finals last year, has more championship rings than Wade, Bosh, and James have combined. The Heat will be trying

to dethrone a Lakers team whose All-Star pair of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol has a combined seven rings between them. The team’s chemistry and history of winning championships should make it a heavy favorite to win it all. The Heat’s lack of chemistry was on display during their season opener against a seasoned Boston Celtics team. The Heat’s players’ inconsistencies and inexperience with one another showed as they lost by a score of 88 to 80. Even though James scored 31 points, the Celtics’ team effort was too much for the MVP to handle. The Heat’s three stars clearly believe that they will win the championship. However, so far there is more hype than results in Miami. The stars spent the first half of the summer calling attention to themselves as they strived to create this seemingly unbeatable combination. The second half of the summer was used to build up a major case of overconfidence. Not only did LeBron James make himself into a prima donna with his “Decision” showcase and all the hoopla that led up to it, but the Heat players are doing the kind of bragging reserved for players who have actually proven themselves on the court by winning championships. There can be no better example of the Heat’s delusion than a quote from Dwyane Wade, who

Number of former and Total number of championcurrent all-stars ship rings won by the starters

3 2

said of the championship trophy he had won four years ago with Shaquille O’Neal: “I asked him where he has been . . . He has been missing for a while.” Wade clearly doesn’t understand that the time to be talking about a championship trophy is at the end of the season—and only if he wins the championship. Speaking of champions, Kobe, Pau, and their teammates have been the winners for the past two seasons. Now comes the hard part: playing for a threepeat. The Lakers don’t seem to have any doubts about their own ability and are not worrying about the Heat or anyone else. In the words of Kobe Bryant, the NBA Finals MVP for two consecutive years, “We’re confident in ourselves. . . We are not a team that worries about what other people are doing.” The Warrior Community has no doubt that the Lakers have the potential to win the Championship again and complete the second three-peat for the franchise in the last decade. “The Lakers have won it twice in a row now, and the third time is the charm!” said Monica Huskins ’12. That opinion is shared by Brigette Jaffe ’12 who exclaimed, “Three-peat all the way!” With Westlake High School behind them and all their abilities, there is no question that the Lakers can douse the Heat.

This season’s record (W-L)

1 15

7-4 10-2

Mindblowing Rise in Concussion Rates Brian Danziger Staff Writer

COURTESY PHOTO

No one wants to see a child or pro athlete get the sense knocked out of him or her by another player. This is the ugly reality of playing full contact sports. We have seen it on the news and at sporting events all around the country. But what is being done to protect our youth? Why are concussions and head injuries increasing as the years pass? Is it because players are more competitive, or are they just physically bigger than they were ten years ago? No matter the cause, this trend must stop. According to a study done by researchers at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Brown University, concussion rates appear to have more than doubled among children participating in common sports like basketball, soccer, and football from 1997 to 2007. Among children ages eight to 13 who went to ER rooms for concussions, 58% of the injuries were sports related compared to 46% among 14 to 19 year-olds. We need to protect our loved ones and sports heroes. To do this, we need to go to our lo-

THE HEAD CASE: Football gameplay is becoming more aggressive and conducive to head injury and concussions.

cal school districts and demand that they revaluate how concussions are being handled and how they can be prevented in the first place. One answer to this problem might be to enforce stricter penalties and longer suspensions for players who viciously hit others by leading with their football

helmets. More protective policies could lessen the alarming rate of concussions sustained by football players. According to The New York Times, more than 60% of former NFL players have suffered at least one concussion in their career. This football season, a young

Philadelphia Eagle football player was hit so hard during a game that he temporarily lost feeling in his legs. This prompted the NFL to take immediate action by making a new policy of fining or suspending players from any game who play in too flagrant a manner. Our youth looks to these

hard hitting defensive players as role models. As hits in the NFL are getting harder, hits in student and peewee leagues are getting harder as well. According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, concussions in younger children have a much more permanent and severe effect because the children are still growing and developing. The children are therefore more vulnerable to concussions from powerful hits. Both the players and the youth need to realize that permanent consequences can come from these severe hits. The players, by contrast, are outraged because they do not want the game to be restricted; they like the big-hitting game of football that has given the sport its competitive and entertainment value. However, the cost of life far outweighs the cost of entertainment. The safety of our children and athletes outweighs the entertainment value of injury-prone hits. Peoples’ lives are at stake. Leagues must immediately institute stricter precautionary measures to lessen the rate of concussions of our professional, student, and young athletes.

SPORTS

November 19, 2010 • THE ARROW

PHOTOS BY STEVEN PARO

PRECISION PASSER: Nick Isham attempts to complete a pass to one of his dependable receivers.

ISHAM SHAKES ‘EM: Nick Isham avoids a St. Bonaventure defender in an effort to scramble.

Isham Leads Warriors Unstoppable Offense Jacob Cavanah Sports Editor

WHS’s three-year starting quarterback and safety, captain Nick Isham ’11, is leading the Warriors to yet another exceptional season. Last season, as a junior, he was named to the All State team and CIF. He was also named Marmonte Player of the Year and was awarded the Ventura County Offensive Player of the Year honor. For the regular season, Isham averaged 192 passing yards per game, 232 total yards per game, 26 passing touchdowns with only five interceptions, four rushing touchdowns, and had an astounding quarterback rating of 139. Isham’s game this year is improved from the experience he gained from his junior year. “I have more experience than I did last year, which helps a lot because of the competition that we are going to face

this post season.” “His dedication off the field shows his leadership and desire,” said star wide out, safety, and captain Nelson Spruce ’11. “He spends a lot of time watching film and going over plays.” The effort Isham displays off the field is a positive factor to how he performs on Friday nights. Isham does not allow himself to get distracted from matters that do not help the team win, including universities. “I’m going to worry about colleges when the season is over,” stated Isham. Although he is not very concerned at the moment with the school he ends up with next year, Isham is interested in Utah, Hawaii, Oregon, Oregon State, Cal Poly SLO, and Northern Arizona State Universities. The schools that have proposed offers to him are New Mexico State, Air Force, and Navy. In a devastating overtime 32-31 loss against St. Bonaventure, WHS is still stay-

WINSBERG:

The Wrecking Warrior Jacob Cavanah Sports Editor

Leading the Warriors football team in tackles per game, with nearly ten, is senior linebacker Max Winsberg. “I definitely feel the need to be a role model and leader on the defensive side of the ball since we are a relatively young defense, and I have experience from last year’s team. As a senior linebacker I have to be a vocal leader, along with Jack Shepherd ‘11 and Casey Bliss ‘11 out on the field encouraging the other players while also making big plays that help our defense,” said Winsberg. As he stated, the Warriors defense is young, but Winsberg and the other senior starting defensive players are perfect for the rest of the defense to show admiration for. “He always knows what the defense should be doing and helps out many of the other players with their positions in the game when we need those key adjustments, and he has a toughness about him that elevates the rest of the players,” complimented defensive lineman, Waz Dupris ’11. “With this year’s defense we are so talented that we feel that anybody on our defense can make a big play at anytime. Our defense has the potential to take the other team’s offense totally out of the

game. We feel that if our offense is ever struggling, our defense can put a game on our back and be a dominant force that can lead us to victory,” continued Winsberg. A special tradition the defense does to improve their chemistry, is go out to dinner after practice on each Wednesday, which “plays a big part in our trusting in one another,” according to Winsberg. In the 2010 regular season, Winsberg contributed a total of 95 tackles to this talented defense, and out of those 95, 49 are assists, and 46 are solo ones. To go along with his tackles, he also recorded two interceptions. As far as college goes for Winsberg, he is most interested in the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and UC Davis, which have also all expressed their interest in him. Besides his football, he also excels in the classroom, with very good grades. WHS’s first loss in two seasons, against St. Bonaventure deeply impacted the team. “The loss to St. Bonaventure was hard to swallow, but as a team we need to regroup and get back to playing solid football,” said Winsberg. Winsberg, along with the rest of the team, is looking forward to the upcoming playoffs, They learned from their mistakes and know they “need to play well right out of the gate and continue with that effort and intensity throughout the whole game,” said Winsberg.

ing confident and is working on making the team better as a whole. “We need to keep improving every week. We had a tough loss against St. Bonaventure. We need to work hard day in and day out in order to be successful,” said Isham. Their away game last Friday night, against the Calabasas Coyotes, was the final regular season game, which means the playoffs start this week for the Warriors. Because of last year’s performance in the playoffs, Isham and the Warriors are looking to repeat the same success. Against the Coyotes, which was a 5615 beat down in the Warriors favor, Isham had nine completions on 11 attempts, which added up to be 147 passing yards. To compliment his high throwing percentage, he threw for a total of four touchdowns. The team bounced back from their loss against St. Bonaventure, and reestablish themselves to their competition as a huge threat going into the post season.

“I feel confident in the team as a whole. I feel like we are going to get remotivated after the loss and keep our heads high and look to be successful for the rest of our games,” explained Isham. “The key is to stay focused on each and every game and work as hard as we can to be prepared for each one. And then when it is game time, go out and perform to the best of our ability.” The Warriors first playoff match up is against Knight High School. KHS has allowed a total of 222 points this year, and the Warriors offense looks to exploit their weaknesses on their defense. The WHS defense has a player to focus on Corey Finister, KHS’s junior running back. He is averaging nearly 7 yards per carry, and 97 rushing yards per game. The Warriors have a hard-nosed defense that should be able to find a way to shut down their run game. Their first playoff game is going to be away for WHS, and is taking place on Nov. 19.

COMMENTARY

Coin Toss Flips Warrior Season

Kelli DaRin Staff Writer On Nov. 9 a flip of a coin determined the standing of three teams; WHS, Oaks Christian, and St. Bonaventure. All three teams were tied for first in the Marmonte League with the same number of wins and losses. Each had lost to another. WHS lost to SBHS with a final score of 31 to 32. WHS annihiliated OCHS with a score of 32-12 and finally SBHS lost to OCHS 33-32. Because of the three way tie, a coin flip among these teams determined their playoff seeding according to the Los Angeles Times. A simple coin toss placed OCHS in first, SBHS in second, and WHS in third. A coin toss is a 50-50 chance based on luck. After several months of strenuous training for all three teams, their standings came down to the toss of a coin, totally out of the control of each team. The main question is was the coin toss fair to all the teams? The answer is no. The only people satisfied with the coin toss was OCHS because of course they are in first place now. Being the number one seed allows OCHS to play the lower ranked teams. SBHS and WHS have to play the first or second placed teams. The coin toss has been used for many years to rank teams when they are all tied. But it is time for a change. Instead of depending on the unpredictability of a coin, teams should be seeded by the margin of victory. The margin of victory is computed by taking the total points scored and comparing that

to the total points the opponent scored according to the National Football League website. This method is used in the NFL in a such tie-breaking situation as this. For example, WHS slaughtered OCHS by a score of 32-12. This game result would earn WHS a margin of victory of 20. Using the same strategy for the three tied top-seeded teams in the Marmonte League, OCHS would be third with minus 19, SBHS would be second with zero, and WHS would have come out on top at 19. Playoff seeding should be based on field performance rather than a coin flip. It is more fair than the luck of a coin flip.

Diaz-Yi Goes Above The Tee Alex Farkas Staff Writer Lauren Diaz-Yi ’13 made history for WHS Girl’s Golf on Wednesday. Becoming the only girl to play in the State Golf Championship for WHS, Diaz-Yi shot an 8-over 80 at Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga. Diaz-Yi finished tied for 15th only six shots off the leader. Last year as a freshman, Diaz-Yi placed third at Poppy Hills in Pebble Beach for the state championship. “I want to make it to all four years to the state final. If I just keep working on my game and focus, I should be able to do it,” said Diaz-Yi to the Thousand Oaks Acorn.

SPORTS

November 19, 2010 • THE ARROW

Krems Aces Competition, Earns Marmonte Title Stephanie Kim Staff Writer

PHOTO BY STEVEN PARO

Sivan Krems ‘13 defeated her opponent 6-3, 6-1 to earn her second consecutive title of Marmonte League Champion for singles on Nov. 9. Krems will advance to the CIF-Southern Section Individuals on Friday Nov. 19 in Carpinteria. If all three matches played by Krems are victories, she will advance onto Seal Beach. “I believe that if I bring my “A” game, I can fare and advance to Seal Beach the following week,” said Krems. Krems has unfailingly impressed students, teachers, and tennis-followers alike every year, making the varsity team for girls tennis freshman year with ease and competing at nationally-revered competitive tennis levels. Ranking #3 in all of Southern California and #20 in the nation by the USTA Girls 16s division, Krems and her exceptional ability serves as the key to her team’s wins. Not only is Krems highly ranked in tennis standings, she earned the prestigious title of a “Blue Chip,” an honor awarded by tennisrecruiting.net for tennis recognition by top college scouts. According to Coach Connie Flanderka, Sivan continuously “handles her opponent in a business-like manner and always gives 100%.” With her unrelenting work ethic and the extraordinary ability to play

tennis, Krems maintains an attitude that guarantees success. Fellow varsity player, Annie Sundling ‘12 noted that Krems “is a hard worker and driven to be successful in all she does. Her consistent hard work brings victory after victory, playing a key role in our team wins.” Every day of the week, Krems can be found playing at Heinberg Tennis Ranch in Agoura and Mountain Gate Country Club in Brentwood. Balancing competitive tennis practices and tournaments, as well as honors classes, Krems still maintains an active social life. Driven by their excellence and love of tennis, her closest friends are mostly fellow tournament players. “Most of the top 50 ranked girls in the country attend tennis academies or do schooling online via different programs that are out there, but I did not want to miss out on the high school experience,” remarks Krems. The balancing of high-level tennis and a “normal” school routine remains important to Krems. Though tennis can be physically and mentally taxing, Krems continues to play at such a high level. “Tennis is a wonderful sport in which you use your body and your mind at once,” mentioned Krems. She plans to play NCAA college tennis and possibly continue to play at a professional level. Also aspiring to have a career in the medical field, Krems, without a doubt, has an ambitious and promising future lying ahead.

INDOMITABLE: An unrelenting work ethic has contributed to another standout tennis season for Sivan Krems.

Doder Rallies a Playoff Finish Christina Vasiliou Feature Editor

COURTESY PHOTO

THE CANNON: Doder rises out of the water in a shot attempt during the regular season.

As the fall season came to a close, WHS Boy’s Water Polo continued its fight to end the season successfully. The team beat Newbury Park and finished the season in fourth place of Marmonte League. Senior captain and two year varsity player, Nick Doder ‘11 led the team when they battled rival teams from Royal, Newbury Park, Malibu, and Thousand Oaks. A four year member of both water polo and swim, Doder has consistently competed in the water. When asked about the team’s performance this season, Doder said, “At the beginning we were inconsistent and we knew that had to change in order for us to beat the teams we were close with.” Despite this inconsistency, Doder complimented the team’s strengths during

Wrestler Optimistic for Upcoming Season Tucker Higgins Sports Editor Wrestling season will start in full swing this December, and returning varsity member Shane Laguna ‘11 is eager for league competition to begin. After finishing strong last year as a junior on varsity, Laguna has taken the necessary measures to improve upon his strength and skills in the off-season. “During the off season, I wrestled at least three times a week, weight trained four days per week, and strengthened my aerobics by running everyday,” said Laguna. In addition, Laguna has further developed his skills through his participation in

various camps throughout California, he said, “I went to three camps, Stanford Cardinal Wrestling Camp, Camp of Champs, and Kistler Camp. During my time at these camps, I wrestled in a total of 30 official matches.” During his practice in the off-season, Laguna developed a special technique, which is called the Double Leg take down. “To do it, you grab both your opponents legs around the knees, lift him into the air, and slam him on his back,” said Laguna. Although there are no particular rivalries for the wrestling team this year, Laguna is determined improve upon last year’s stand out season, “There are no real rivalries between me and another wrestler, but I

want to defend my league title—so my real rival is complacency.” As well as defending his title, Laguna has set another goal for his final season as a Warrior, “My goal is to place in the State Championships, no one from Westlake has done that in a long time. When it’s all over, I want to be able to look back and know I did everything I could have done to make it.” Amongst the excitement of beginning competition this winter, Laguna is also hopeful for a future in wrestling beyond high school. He has recently been in contact with a couple of college coaches and would enjoy taking his skills to the next level.

the past season saying, “The team had good chemistry. Everybody got along really well and for the most part we complimented each other’s playing styles.” The team successfully turned around their inconsistencies when they played their first CIF Playoff game in three years. Doder lead and encouraged all players to work hard in the game against Yucaipa, and team successfully defeated their opponent by four goals. This is the first CIF win for boys water polo in over 20 years. Beyond high school, Doder hopes to continue his water polo career in college with his top choices being Johns Hopkins and George Washington University. Doder identifies Tony Azevedo as his role model and the inspiration that drives him. “He’s not the biggest guy in the water, or the fastest, but he just does unbelievable things in the pool on the international level which makes him one of the best players in the world.”

Boys Cross Country Still in the Running WHS varsity boys cross country team will compete at CIF Finals at Mt. SAC this Saturday, Nov. 20. Runners still competing are Jonny Miller '11, Tim Snyder '11, Mikey Giguere '14, Martin Arreola '11 Ryan Chu '11, Chris Costa '14 and Michael Lacey '13. According to the Ventura County Star, WHS was runner-up in its heat at CIF-Southern Section Cross Country Prelims last week. Snyder and Miller led the team with times of 15:49 and 16: 00, respectively. Nicki Ghazarian '12 qualified for varsity girls, coming in 9th place with a time of 19:06.