anther rowler P Visit us at pantherprowler.org FRIDAY FRIDAY | | MAY 4, 2012 MAY 4, 2012 | | ISSUE IX ISSUE IX Sravya Singampalli Prowler Staff Writer e Future Business Leaders of America competed at the state level competition in Irvine where they tested in multiple subjects relating to business and economics. irty-seven students attended the competition and tested in categories such as Business Presentation, Global Marketing, Networking Concepts and Marketing while getting some free time for relaxation. e team garnered some victories at the competition. “Our chapter won an award for having the most growth this year, from about 50 members last year to over 120 this year,” said FBLA’s president, senior Katie Messing. “Our Global Business team got fiſth.” Individual awards were also given to participants from Newbury Park. Junior Eric Wu got sixth in Business Procedures, junior Tony Dong got fourth in Business Calculations, senior Sanjay Siddhanti got fourth in Client Services and junior Zaibi Shaikh got fourth in Help Desk. Junior Jeffrey Yan got third in Sports Management, landing him a spot in the national FBLA competition. e participants took written and oral tests. e multiple choice tests are a hundred questions each and are 60 minutes long. “e harder the test, the longer it’ll take,” said sophomore Lee Norgaard. “Sometimes you don’t finish and you end up bubbling in the last 40. It depends on how good of a bubbler you are.” e oral tests are team tests, so a good partner is key. “If you can’t get smart ones, choose the attractive ones,” Norgaard said. “You’ve got to impress the judges!” e club is known by other teams from the area for being very spirited and loud, and for showing support for all its members. “Every time a person from our team is called for an award, we would chant their name,” Norgaard said. Aſter they had finished testing, the team members spent time exploring the local area and meeting students from other teams. “(We) had tons of free time to relax and have fun and explore Irvine in all its boring glory,” Messing said. Some of the team’s activities included going to a dance and spending some time at a local mall. “ere really wasn’t a schedule, but usually everyone had the day to do what they liked because competing actually took very minimal time, usually a few hours one day,” Yan said. Norgaard says that being a part of FBLA is very important to her. “It is my life, pretty much,” she said. “From the beginning of the year, it’s the one thing I look forward to. Every time an event ends, you just feel this big withdrawal.” Sports Management Jeffrey Yan Third Place Help Desk Zaibi Shaikh Fourth Place Client Services Sanjay Siddhanti Fourth Place Business Calculations Tony Dong Fourth Place Business Procedures Eric Wu Sixth Place NEWBURY PARK HIGH SCHOOL | 456 N. REINO RD., NEWBURY PARK, CA 91320 OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW Neighborhood residents vote on renovation plans for Banyan Meadow e empty space behind Banyan Elementary e empty space behind Banyan Elementary School has long been filled with dead plants and School has long been filled with dead plants and weeds. However, thanks to park administrator weeds. However, thanks to park administrator Tom Hare from the Conejo Recreation and Park Tom Hare from the Conejo Recreation and Park District, that is about to change. District, that is about to change. Hare’s goal is to develop Hare’s goal is to develop the area behind Banyan the area behind Banyan to adjoin to the already to adjoin to the already existing park area. In early existing park area. In early fall he presented the idea to fall he presented the idea to residents living within 500 feet of the area. “We residents living within 500 feet of the area. “We had close to 100 people [at the meeting],” Hare had close to 100 people [at the meeting],” Hare said. Aſterwards, Hare received applications said. Aſterwards, Hare received applications for community representatives for the project, for community representatives for the project, of which seven were chosen to represent the of which seven were chosen to represent the community. Hare and the group meet regularly community. Hare and the group meet regularly to discuss their plans. to discuss their plans. One of the seven representatives sent out a One of the seven representatives sent out a request for an online survey to people living in request for an online survey to people living in the area. e survey listed a variety of attractions the area. e survey listed a variety of attractions that could be built. Among the choices were that could be built. Among the choices were dog parks, horseshoe throwing pits, basketball dog parks, horseshoe throwing pits, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a community garden, courts, tennis courts, and a community garden, in addition to many others. People were told to in addition to many others. People were told to choose one or two ideas or to send in their own. choose one or two ideas or to send in their own. Laurie Davis, principal of Banyan Elementary, Laurie Davis, principal of Banyan Elementary, said the CRPD has been “communicating with said the CRPD has been “communicating with the school as things are moving along.” Davis the school as things are moving along.” Davis also said that “safety is our top priority. e Park also said that “safety is our top priority. e Park and Recs have been very respectful of the school. and Recs have been very respectful of the school. ey are trying really hard to be sensitive to the ey are trying really hard to be sensitive to the community.” However, Banyan does not have a community.” However, Banyan does not have a big part in planning out the park. e CRPD big part in planning out the park. e CRPD has taken over that role. has taken over that role. e current plans for the park are not e current plans for the park are not definitive, but they include large grassy areas definitive, but they include large grassy areas and native planting. Vague plans for a natural and native planting. Vague plans for a natural amphitheater are being considered as well. amphitheater are being considered as well. Walkways would connect the additions with the Walkways would connect the additions with the already-built park. e park will not be a part already-built park. e park will not be a part of Banyan Elementary, but rather a community of Banyan Elementary, but rather a community area. area. “[Mr. Hare and the committee] are listening “[Mr. Hare and the committee] are listening to the community,” Davis said. “Anything they to the community,” Davis said. “Anything they choose to put in has to be a community decision choose to put in has to be a community decision with a school in mind … e safety of the school with a school in mind … e safety of the school is the most important thing.” is the most important thing.” If the community does not approve of Hare’s If the community does not approve of Hare’s ideas, he says “we run. No, I’m joking, we just ideas, he says “we run. No, I’m joking, we just start over again.” Once the idea becomes an start over again.” Once the idea becomes an official project, construction could start as early official project, construction could start as early as July of 2013, or could be put off until some of as July of 2013, or could be put off until some of the other projects the CRPD has taken on are the other projects the CRPD has taken on are completed. completed. “They are listening to the community.” Grace O’Toole Prowler Staff Writer In this issue:
Transcript
antherrowlerP Visit us at pantherprowler.org
FRIDAY FRIDAY | | MAY 4, 2012 MAY 4, 2012 | | ISSUE IXISSUE IX
Sravya SingampalliProwler Staff Writer
Th e Future Business Leaders of America competed at the state level competition in Irvine where they tested in multiple subjects relating to business and economics.
Th irty-seven students attended the competition and tested in categories such as Business Presentation, Global Marketing, Networking Concepts and Marketing while getting some free time for relaxation.
Th e team garnered some victories at the competition.
“Our chapter won an award for having the most growth this year, from about 50 members last year to over 120 this year,” said FBLA’s president, senior Katie Messing. “Our Global Business team got fi ft h.”
Individual awards were also given to participants from Newbury Park. Junior Eric Wu got sixth in Business Procedures, junior Tony Dong got fourth in Business Calculations, senior Sanjay Siddhanti got fourth in Client Services and junior Zaibi Shaikh got fourth in Help Desk. Junior Jeff rey Yan got third in Sports Management, landing him a spot in the national FBLA competition.
Th e participants took written and oral tests. Th e multiple choice tests are a hundred questions each and are 60 minutes long.
“Th e harder the test, the longer it’ll take,” said sophomore Lee Norgaard. “Sometimes you don’t fi nish and you
end up bubbling in the last 40. It depends on how good of a bubbler you are.”
Th e oral tests are team tests, so a good partner is key.
“If you can’t get smart ones, choose the attractive ones,” Norgaard said. “You’ve got to impress the judges!”
Th e club is known by other teams from the area for being very spirited and loud, and for showing support for all its members.
“Every time a person from our team is called for an award, we would chant their name,” Norgaard said.
Aft er they had fi nished testing, the team members spent time exploring the local area and meeting students from other teams.
“(We) had tons of free time to relax and have fun and explore Irvine in all its boring glory,” Messing said.
Some of the team’s activities included going to a dance and spending some time at a local mall.
“Th ere really wasn’t a schedule, but usually everyone had the day to do what they liked because competing actually took very minimal time, usually a few hours one day,” Yan said.
Norgaard says that being a part of FBLA is very important to her.
“It is my life, pretty much,” she said. “From the beginning of the year, it’s the one thing I look forward to. Every time an event ends, you just feel this big withdrawal.”
Sports Management Jeffrey Yan
Third Place
Help Desk Zaibi Shaikh
Fourth Place
Client Services Sanjay Siddhanti
Fourth Place
Business Calculations Tony Dong
Fourth Place
Business Procedures Eric WuSixth Place
NEWBURY PARK HIGH SCHOOL | 456 N. REINO RD., NEWBURY PARK, CA 91320
OUT WITH THE OLDAND IN WITH THE NEWNeighborhood residents vote on renovation plans for Banyan Meadow
Th e empty space behind Banyan Elementary Th e empty space behind Banyan Elementary School has long been fi lled with dead plants and School has long been fi lled with dead plants and weeds. However, thanks to park administrator weeds. However, thanks to park administrator Tom Hare from the Conejo Recreation and Park Tom Hare from the Conejo Recreation and Park District, that is about to change.District, that is about to change.
Hare’s goal is to develop Hare’s goal is to develop the area behind Banyan the area behind Banyan to adjoin to the already to adjoin to the already existing park area. In early existing park area. In early fall he presented the idea to fall he presented the idea to
residents living within 500 feet of the area. “We residents living within 500 feet of the area. “We had close to 100 people [at the meeting],” Hare had close to 100 people [at the meeting],” Hare said. Aft erwards, Hare received applications said. Aft erwards, Hare received applications for community representatives for the project, for community representatives for the project, of which seven were chosen to represent the of which seven were chosen to represent the community. Hare and the group meet regularly community. Hare and the group meet regularly to discuss their plans. to discuss their plans.
One of the seven representatives sent out a One of the seven representatives sent out a request for an online survey to people living in request for an online survey to people living in the area. Th e survey listed a variety of attractions the area. Th e survey listed a variety of attractions that could be built. Among the choices were that could be built. Among the choices were dog parks, horseshoe throwing pits, basketball dog parks, horseshoe throwing pits, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a community garden, courts, tennis courts, and a community garden, in addition to many others. People were told to in addition to many others. People were told to choose one or two ideas or to send in their own.choose one or two ideas or to send in their own.
Laurie Davis, principal of Banyan Elementary, Laurie Davis, principal of Banyan Elementary, said the CRPD has been “communicating with said the CRPD has been “communicating with
the school as things are moving along.” Davis the school as things are moving along.” Davis also said that “safety is our top priority. Th e Park also said that “safety is our top priority. Th e Park and Recs have been very respectful of the school. and Recs have been very respectful of the school. Th ey are trying really hard to be sensitive to the Th ey are trying really hard to be sensitive to the community.” However, Banyan does not have a community.” However, Banyan does not have a big part in planning out the park. Th e CRPD big part in planning out the park. Th e CRPD has taken over that role.has taken over that role.
Th e current plans for the park are not Th e current plans for the park are not defi nitive, but they include large grassy areas defi nitive, but they include large grassy areas and native planting. Vague plans for a natural and native planting. Vague plans for a natural amphitheater are being considered as well. amphitheater are being considered as well. Walkways would connect the additions with the Walkways would connect the additions with the already-built park. Th e park will not be a part already-built park. Th e park will not be a part of Banyan Elementary, but rather a community of Banyan Elementary, but rather a community area.area.
“[Mr. Hare and the committee] are listening “[Mr. Hare and the committee] are listening to the community,” Davis said. “Anything they to the community,” Davis said. “Anything they choose to put in has to be a community decision choose to put in has to be a community decision with a school in mind … Th e safety of the school with a school in mind … Th e safety of the school is the most important thing.”is the most important thing.”
If the community does not approve of Hare’s If the community does not approve of Hare’s ideas, he says “we run. No, I’m joking, we just ideas, he says “we run. No, I’m joking, we just start over again.” Once the idea becomes an start over again.” Once the idea becomes an offi cial project, construction could start as early offi cial project, construction could start as early as July of 2013, or could be put off until some of as July of 2013, or could be put off until some of the other projects the CRPD has taken on are the other projects the CRPD has taken on are completed.completed.
“They are listening to the community.”
Grace O’TooleProwler Staff Writer
In th
is iss
ue:
JSA-JSA-
RYLA-RYLA-
Key Club-Key Club-
On the Web...On the Web...Read about the JSA Spring Convention- By Sabrina Cook
Read about students who attended the RYLA Retreat- By Justin Buchanan
Read about Key Club’s trip to Santa Clara convention center- By Nadia Lynn
News The Prowler • May 4, 2012
2
NPHS to hold charity fashion show
Each year, the Th reads for (RED) fashion show recruits students to model clothes from stores like Kenneth Cole, Banana Republic, and Zumiez. Th is year, the show will be held on May 12 at 7 p.m. in the gym. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults. All profi ts go to the project (RED) campaign against AIDS.
Courtney BrousseauProwler Online Editor
Key club members attend interstate meeting
JSA club returns from spring conference
Junior State of America is a mock government program that spans the nation and the world. NPHS’s JSA club meets every week to debate formally and informally about current issues. Th e club attends three state conferences a year to elect offi cers, debate, and take part in political games and other activities. JSA recently attended their annual Spring Conference on April 13-15 at the Los Angeles Hilton.
At the recent Westlake Village Art Guild’s Student Award Show, students from NPHS won every photography award and many of the art awards. Unfortunately, the NPHS Art Show was taking place at the same time and therefore many students had to spilt their art between the two shows. Regardless, McKaylee Bertrand won fi rst place in two-dimensional art and $100, Elena Dick won the Memorial Award and $200, Sara Anderson won fi rst place in photography and $100, Kayla Alvarez and Nadia Zivkov both won third place in photography and $50, and Kendall Esparza received an honorable mention and $25.
Th e Panther Prowler was recently awarded the fi rst place scholastic newspaper award by the American Scholastic Press Association. More than 2,500 schools applied for the award, which looks for consistent excellence across ten issues of a paper, fi ve from this year and fi ve from the previous year.
On the weekend of April 13 to the 15, Key Club members from Nevada, California and Hawaii gathered in the Santa Clara convention center to elect the 2012-2013 executive board, celebrate the club’s achievements, hear from a keynote speaker, attend workshops, get new service project ideas, and meet fellow Key Club members.
ASPA awards The Panther Prowler
WVAG members win photography awards
News in Brief
Construction on the Wendy Drive Bridge over US freeway 101 has been in progress since February. Th e planned reconstruction is to add travel lanes on both the North and South bound sides of the freeway, widen both the on and off ramps, add bike lanes over the bridge, and also to modify the signal at the intersections. Th ese alterations are expected to aff ect local restaurants in the near future by reducing the amount of student traffi c during lunch.
Restaurants near Broadbeck Road and the Camino Dos Rios intersection are some of the businesses aff ected by this project. Islands manager Matt Knauss says the majority of the employees at the restaurant are NPHS students. “I work Th ursday and Friday lunch, and on those days, I would say there are about 10-15 kids from Newbury Park High that come in to eat,” he said.
Th e freeway on and off ramps are
closed off between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., and reopened between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. daily, but as the construction is an ongoing process, it is diffi cult for people to get to work, school and lunch. “I drive in from Santa Paula,” said Knauss, “Luckily, the construction hasn’t been too hard to work around, but I expect that will change as the project progresses.”
Presto Pasta also gets frequent visits from NPHS students and recommends calling in at the beginning of lunch for to-go orders to save time. Employee *Jenni Tyndall said, “We are starting to include detour directions so that customers can avoid getting caught behind the backup over Wendy [Bridge]”.
Both Islands and Presto Pasta employees have expressed concerns about the possible disadvantages the construction could bring upon the business. “Th is kind of thing defi nitely off ers a concern. Th e toughest part is not knowing,” Tyndall said.
Rachel Cross and Sabrina Cook Prowler Features Editor and Staff Writer
Wendy BridgeConstruction
and
Affects Students
Local Businesses
*Names changed upon request
Opinion 3The Prowler • May 4, 2012
A “meme” can be described as a funny photo with a caption that relates to a common situation. Memes spread via the Internet and have become the next trending pop culture phenomenon.
Recently, with the creation of pages on Facebook, memes have been directed towards students, teachers, and faculty at NPHS. Many memes only serve to point out good experiences and celebrate enjoyable aspects of the school. However, in some cases, the memes and their comments go too far. Posts that poke fun at another person’s expense are off ensive. Th ose who post and even look at the memes pages should use more discretion in what they say online.
Th e Internet is a free and public forum that cannot infringe upon one’s freedom of speech. A person has the ability to post anything they desire, but especially concerning the memes pages, posts have become directly demeaning and distasteful.
A small number of notably rude comments have left an impact on public relations between certain students and staff . Since most students are publicly given credit for their memes, those who take off ense to the memes will immediately be able to trace them back to the source.
Newbury Park High SchoolNewbury Park High School456 North Reino Road, Newbury Park, California 91320456 North Reino Road, Newbury Park, California 91320
Th e Th e Panther ProwlerPanther Prowler is the offi cial publication of Newbury is the offi cial publication of Newbury Park High School, and is created and produced by the Advanced Park High School, and is created and produced by the Advanced Journalism students. Th e newspaper is funded by advertisements Journalism students. Th e newspaper is funded by advertisements from local companies. Th e Panther Prowler staff makes all fi nal from local companies. Th e Panther Prowler staff makes all fi nal decisions on information published in its newspaper, its website decisions on information published in its newspaper, its website and its publishing in other social medias. While Mrs. Michelle and its publishing in other social medias. While Mrs. Michelle Saremi advises the Advanced Journalism students, the staff is solely Saremi advises the Advanced Journalism students, the staff is solely responsible for what is printed.responsible for what is printed.
Th e Th e Panther ProwlerPanther Prowler is published every three weeks throughout is published every three weeks throughout the school year by American Foothill Publishing Co. For the school year by American Foothill Publishing Co. For advertisement information, visit www.pantherprowler.org.advertisement information, visit www.pantherprowler.org.
Th e Th e Panther Prowler Panther Prowler is accepting letters to the editor. To submit is accepting letters to the editor. To submit your feedback, please provide your full name, email and a letter about your feedback, please provide your full name, email and a letter about 300 words in length. Letters are subject to discretion and editing for 300 words in length. Letters are subject to discretion and editing for taste, length and libel. Letters can be submitted to the email posted taste, length and libel. Letters can be submitted to the email posted above.above.
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Summer break needs to be here sooner, but it’s not because I’m sick of school; there are actually several good reason for why school should end earlier. Let me explain.
It all has to do with testing. Th is school year, the fi rst semester ended on Jan. 20, and the second one will conclude on June 8. Because the fi rst semester always ends aft er winter break, students come back to school aft er two weeks without academic instruction to fi nd that fi nal exams are less than three weeks away. And as any school term approaches its end, both students and teachers inevitably feel more stress. If we changed the schedule to end semester one before winter break, everyone would have a chance to recoup.
Semester two usually ends in the second week of June, with the last two days of school completely dedicated to fi nal exams. But for most classes, students have already taken at least one cumulative exam before fi nals come around. Unless you’re a senior, you probably spent most of this week taking standardized state
tests, which are meant to evaluate what you learned throughout the year, a month before our school year actually ends. An extra month, or even just another week or two, of classes prior to the tests could dramatically raise scores. Th is is even more relevant for students in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes, as the beginning of May indicates the start of our testing season. For the next few weeks, AP/IB students will be in and out of the classroom as we take grueling cumulative exams. We spend the whole year preparing for these three-hour tests, and then by the third week of May, learning is over. And yet, there are still three more weeks of school. When you’re fi nished with the tests that your classes are named aft er, what is there to do? Most AP/IB classes do not have fi nals, or at least not traditional ones, because the tests we take in May mimic college fi nals, so we’ve covered all the material by then.
As a senior, it doesn’t really matter for me anymore. For the last three weeks of school, I get to enjoy my time watching countless movies and maybe even making s’mores over a Bunsen burner. But while I sincerely appreciate the valuable insight
Sophie LiEditor-in-Chief
School should end with AP/IB testsfrom my teachers on subjects besides those covered on my tests, I believe younger students would benefi t from shift ing the school year backward by three weeks.
Th is year, La Reina will end on June 8, just like us. But unlike us, the nearby private school is changing their schedule so that next year begins for them on Aug. 13. While that might not seem appealing at fi rst, it allows them to end school before the end of May. Th at means fi nals before winter break and three extra weeks of time to prepare for May testing of all kinds. If that is too drastic of a change, the district could choose to grant students school hours for attending AP/IB review sessions. A friend of mine in another school district has a similar school year to ours, but he is not required to come to school aft er AP/IB testing because he has made up the hours studying before the test. Many students and teachers at our own school put in many hours to review sessions as well, but we do receive credit for them. While this doesn’t help everyone, it does alleviate some of the frustrations for the high-achieving students that the current school schedule hurts the most.
The military’s presence is justified
NPHS Meme page causes problems
Kirklann Lau / Guest
MEM
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A Facebook page has been started for memes specifi c to NPHS students. While comical, some memes are off ensive to others, particularly the NPHS teaching staff .
Keara Tuso / With PermissionGina Gusmeroli / With Permission
Roark Hart / With Permission
It’s a complex social phenomena, an artistic and incredibly DEEP outlet for public frustrations to foment and develop in a vibrant pool of social media. It’s a world of intrigue, metaphor, and complex diction. Th is
time, students are using ravishingly original and fr esh images with
PHENOMENAL graphic design skills to express the absurdity
of middle class suburban high school education. I’m sure this
graphic will explain it better.
Th e administration and I are concerned with this latest “NPHS
Memes” business. Could you explain it to us?
Why yes, I’d love
to...
Make sense?
I... I... I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.
Jokes targeting the administration and faculty are posted in the name of fun, but the aggressive and harsh remarks evoke more negative attention towards our school than necessary. Posting off ensive comments refl ects badly on the person who made them, regardless of their comedic value.
Th e one saving factor of the memes pages is that they are thoroughly monitored by the page creators. All memes are checked before they are posted, but the consequences of posting even seemingly harmless memes are not always apparent until the comments and controversy arise. To avoid too much trouble, the moderator removes memes that have received too much negative feedback.
Careful monitoring will be able to calm any strong reactions and keep the situation from escalating into a confl ict.
Th e moderator is walking a fi ne line between funny and distasteful. It just takes one overly off ensive meme to taint the whole page. Th e fact that controversy has already come about should signal a need for greater discretion while posting on the Internet. Th e memes, monitored, are only controversially safe. However, without a watchful eye, the pages can get out of hand, and severe consequences will result.
Moving on in life, knowing you committed such an action, is not easy. No matter how many times you try to forget, your insomnia kicks in. No matter how many times you apologize, you cringe, thinking it is not the right time. If you haven’t fi gured it out yet, I suff er with this kind of problem. So, how do I live with myself, knowing I made them? Because eventually, you learn that there just is nothing you can do to fi x it. You have to accept that the mistake was made; knowing that, despite forgiveness from another party, the knowledge of committing the mistake will still sting. Despite the memories, you just have to move on, whether the mistake is emotionally impacting or something smaller like forgetting to do something. We make mistakes for a reason, so let’s make use of them and learn.
It’s not a classic until it’s on the bathroom wall
OpinionThe Prowler • May 4, 2012
4
Buy an iced tea. Smile. Go to class. Sip. Daydream. Listen. Sip. Daydream. Sip, sip, sip. Lunch … bathroom. Th is, my friends, is the chain of despair. Th at great enjoyment of iced tea in the morning led to the ultimate disappointment when you succumbed to Mother Nature’s wrath and entered the school bathroom.
Public bathrooms are like the Batcave: scary, moist, and with the faint smell of a man’s armpit.
However, one of a public bathroom’s main selling points is the lovely little notes scribbled all across the door and walls. It fascinates me how while otherwise occupied, a person fi nds time to open their backpack, get a marker, and doodle on the neighboring wall. Th at’s just a wonderful image, isn’t it folks? Oh high school, you never let me down. Or perhaps a person isn’t even emptying that earlier consumed iced tea. I’ve heard through the grapevine that some individuals will go into a stall and just write. Th ese are not poems or short science fi ction novels either; most of the little blurbs encompass the topics of love, sex, or how Suzie just isn’t that pretty. I’ll tell you something, if my friends ever asked me to hangout in the bathroom I’d throw up a little in my mouth.
Why a person would want to voluntarily spend their time in that dungeon is beyond me. I know the majority of students see school as a pretty dismal place, but if that’s true why go to possibly the lowest and most disgusting aspect of it? And from that point, write about how much you just absolutely love … love. I’m sorry, it’s not that I don’t believe you or anything, but what about the bathroom exactly makes you feel so giddy? If I must enter the bathroom at school, I treat it like a competition. Who can pee, wash their hands, and fully dry them the quickest? So far I’m the undefeated champ, but I digress.
Th ese little love notes on the walls has actually made my natural bodily functions more enjoyable, to be honest. Instead of the grossness of a public bathroom creeping into my mind like a genetically enhanced spider, I am distracted with amusing streams of consciousness. As soon as you enter a stall, you will be pleased to know that this girl hates boys, but this one loves them, and the one up in the right just thinks unicorns are awesome. Based on this information, I’d hangout with the girl up in the right … as long as we didn’t spend all our time in the bathroom gossiping about unicorns.
I do fi nd it sad though that there is no byline on any of these blurbs. I mean, if I fi nd a humorous joke, no one will ever know who the creator was. A life of mystery isn’t really it’s all cracked up to be. So I thank you, mysterious writers of the public bathrooms. But word of advice … do your business and get out, there’s no wonder the lines are almost to Mars!
Beth EllisProwler DPS Editor
Web extra:Web extra: On pantherprowler.org this issue: Staff writer Anita Agopyan-Miu gives her opinion on health care protestors. You can follow us on Twitter (@NPHSProwler), and don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook for updates.
Life is too short to regret all the little things we do wrong. I know many who made a mistake and simply moved on with their lives. Despite how much I have tried to improve my reaction to the small, unimportant mistakes, I remain to be part of the few who ponder endlessly about them, wondering what would happen if every poor action taken could be reversed. Oft entimes I live in a world of restlessness, where thoughts of regret and contradiction keep me awake. Once out of this insomniac state, I wonder if the mental strain is worth it.
Mistakes are a necessary part of living life. Without mistakes, there would be no reference point to see which actions are appropriate and which ones should
be avoided. Our parents oft en warn us of certain mistakes we may make in the future, but taking their word for it is hard when we have not had any experience ourselves. Th at’s just who we are; humans need to experience life for themselves. Having someone else tell them what actions should be avoided does not give that person a level of satisfaction. As we live life and add to our list of both the good and bad decisions, we hit consecutive checkpoints of refl ection. Th ese points are signifi cant, because they help to see if we, on the long run, have benefi ted from the mistakes. If we learned nothing, then we continue to think about them and hopefully learn to apply them to our lives later on.What if the mistakes are not a habitual trait but rather something you did that hurt something or someone? Mistakes involving emotions are diffi cult to forget about.
Move on from your mistakes
Dear Editor:I am an IB student, and was recently
considering various topics for my Extended Essay. My fi rst choice would have been the awareness of autoimmune diseases, but then I realized that there are absolutely no sources on the topic. When I saw the article on cancer in the last edition of Th e Prowler, it popped in my mind again. Th e funny thing is, there are 23.5 million people in the United States diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (that’s almost twice the 11.9 million with cancer), including myself (Please note: I have NOTHING against cancer awareness - cancer is an awful disease and I’d love to rid the world of it; I’m just trying to make a point). Yet if you ask people to name an autoimmune disease, the great majority remain unable to respond with even one (HIV doesn’t count - it’s a virus, not the body turning against itself ).
As it dawned upon me that the reason why other diseases are so well-researched and funded simply because the people are more aware of them, I decided it would be a good idea to share my own story.
In around 2004, I began to notice white, hardened patches of skin appearing on my right forearm. I didn’t think much of them at fi rst, and they gradually spread up my arm and onto the right side of my chest. In 2005, I was taken to my family’s doctor and recommended to a dermatologist. Th at was when the appointments began. I was sent to Kaiser Permanente on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, and went through nearly every sort of specialist imaginable, from rheumatologists to neurologists. Finally, aft er months of not knowing what was going on, I was diagnosed in 5th grade, in early 2006, with something I had never fathomed before: linear scleroderma, a rare
skin disease in which the body produces too much collagen and forms scar-like deposits, which can aff ect tissue below it. I was given treatment, and later realized that if I wasn’t so fortunate as to have a localized, or contained case, it could have spread to my heart, and if that happened, I would have likely died. Yet despite my luck at cheating death, people don’t seem to understand the magnitude of danger an autoimmune disease entails, especially since most cases are chronic. Don’t get me wrong: I don’t mind explaining whenever people ask me, “Hey, what happened to your arm?” since I have such a rare condition. It’s just disheartening to know how little people know about autoimmune conditions when so many people are aff ected by them.
Sincerely,Julia Brown, junior
Letter: autoimmune awareness
Letter: choose legal terms wiselyIt is imperative to note that no charges have been fi led. An allegation: an “assertion without proof ”. Note that a person’s life can be damaged by just an allegation.In appreciation of your integrity,Rhoda BrownNPHS Teacher of English
In the April 13 issue, on page one, health insurance company Anthem Blue Cross was incorrectly identifi ed as “Blue Anthem Cross”.
On page two, it was reported that the dance team won fi rst overall in the nation, when in fact no award with that name exists.
Additionally, on page eight, Dylan Dunlea’s name was spelled incorrectly as “Dyland”.
On page fi ve, a quote from a Future Business Leaders of America Club member ended with “she said,” without identifying the speaker as Katie Messing, senior and president of FBLA.
On page four, Rachel Cross was incorrectly identifi ed as a staff writer, when in fact she is a features editor.
The Prowler deeply regrets and apologizes for any errors. Email errors we missed to [email protected]
George NasrProwler Opinion Editor
nothing, then who am I?” Yet, everybody has something. You were born into this world with billions of cells, with parents, into a world. Th at is who you are. At the very beginning, you are another human being. You have purpose, you have dreams; identity is all of these. Identity is so unique to each person, but it is fundamentally the same to everyone. It isn’t unearthed; it isn’t discovered. It isn’t measured in degrees, in dollars, in chakra levels, whatever those are. Repetition builds defi nition. I listened to instructions and obeyed them … most of the time. What we repeat defi nes us. Th at becomes our identity. Money, relationships, old habits: it doesn’t matter. For me it’s grades, food, ... and charcoal. Identity is made. Th at is very individual, very unique. Th at is the condition of being specifi c. Th at is yours, mine, our “Who am I?”
Who am I? Webster’s New World Dictionary, Th ird College Edition cites identity as “the condition or fact of being a specifi c person or thing; individuality.” But, really, who am I?
I was raised where you did what you were told and didn’t really question it. “Yes sir” and “No sir” permeated conversations; questions generally didn’t. Who am I? Life example: at a Korean restaurant, they put charcoal in your salad for whatever reason, which they did for me, and my dad thought it was meat. So, he told me to eat, which I did; I thought I told him it was charcoal, and he said it wasn’t. At that point he fi gured out it was charcoal, and told me to spit it out. I’m smiling because I remember those times. You might say that’s gross or horrible, but I thought it was funny. My
dad meant well. And I ended up liking charcoally stuff . It was the “Shoot fi rst, ask questions later” mentality. Another life story: my parents told me way back in elementary school to do well so I could be successful in life. Five years later, I would be nowhere near where I am if it wasn’t for my parents. Yet, again, who am I?
Th is question has been raised for centuries. Identity has many names: wealth, personality, success, achievements. Champions of humanism say to tap your inner soul; hippies simplify with “discover yourself, man.” Business people say money; intellectuals say knowledge and degrees. Identity is fundamentally the same. Individuality is not identity; independence is not identity. Th ey are merely facets of identity. Identity is made; it’s made with choice, environment, charcoal. Someone said “If who I am is what, and what I have is
You make your own identityJustin BuchananProwler News Editor
same, so then why do people appear to be so similar these days?
It’s hypocritical to say “be original”, when one in fact isn’t original at all. But it’s sad when the fear of being called weird is stronger than going your own way. People are too self-conscious and need to learn to take a breath and just do their own thing. Being original and saying one is original are two diff erent things. We’ve got to start focusing on actually following through by being fresh and innovative instead of just masking it with a phony quote stating how unique we are. Other’s thoughts and opinions are their own and it doesn’t determine how you should live.
Isn’t it funny how being original has become a cliché? Ever since we were young, we were taught that being unique and original was the way to go and that we all had something that made us diff erent. It’s a good ideal to teach little kids because being unique is a great thing to have, but aft er hearing it so many times, being original suddenly has become not so original.
High school is the epitome of “being unique”. In high school, we’re all stuck and trying to “fi nd ourselves”, but that just
tends to lead to copying one another. Some go out of their way to establish
a certain image of themselves, which is their way of being unique. But sometimes people think it comes off as weird, which is why many people gravitate toward being safe and going with the trends.
Th en again, sticking with the status quo is not entirely bad, but when it gets to the point where the majorities follow and people’s individuality starts to disappear, it gets a little dry. People have got to learn to make things their own. Th ose that excessively copy come off as people that don’t have the ability to think for themselves. If it is a fact that nobody is the
Success in San Francisco for choirJustine SizemoreProwler Entertainment Editor
Programs taking a step to help cancer research
Jessikah Morales, senior, came into contact with Alex’s Lemonade Stand aft er fi rst joining American Cancer Society Club and was called to join aft er an experience with cancer within her family.
“What ultimately drew me to be involved in the club was having a father who had previously battled against cancer. Th at experience made me have a personal connection with ACS’s vision to provide aid to people who are suff ering from all types of cancer,” she said.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand raises money for pediatric cancer research by holding numerous lemonade stands around the community. Members encourage those who pass by to contribute to childhood cancer research.
“One particular event we did to help a specifi c child out was holding a Jamba Juice sale to raise money for a young fi rst grade girl who had recently been diagnosed with leukemia,” Morales said.
“As president of the club I strive to make it known to the members how much of an issue pediatric cancer is, and bring to surface the harsh reality that there is a serious lack of funds for pediatric cancer research today,” she said.
In the future, Morales and her club plan to set up lemonade stands at athletic events, in hope that the vision of Alex’s Lemonade Stand and the fi ght against pediatric cancer are heard by the community.
In her freshman year, Elizabeth Kuge, senior, started the American Cancer Society Club with the dreams of becoming a pediatric oncologist. “What really got me interested in starting the club was an ACS retreat I had participated in right before freshman year began,” Kuge said. “I met high school students from all over Southern California who were in their own ACS clubs at their high schools ... I met cancer survivors and learned about cancer as well.”
As president of ACS club, Kuge oversees the many events that her club participates in. “Th is past year, we donated $600 to Alex’s Lemonade Stand,” she said.
Kuge and her club advocate that cancer is not a death sentence and that there are more survivors everyday. Th ey plan and help coordinate numerous events that aid those who are battling cancer. “At the moment we are preparing a special basket for a family who recently lost a parent. We’ve collected and used our funds to purchase diff erent gift cards, candies and food items,” she said.
As well as comforting those who are aff ected, the ACS club helps coordinate the yearly event Relay For Life. “Relay for Life is ACS’s biggest fund raising event. Relays take place in almost every county, and the money raised is used to support cancer research,” Kuge said. “From the 2011 Relays alone, the United States raised $371,670.” Kuge and her club insist that cancer is not synonymous to death, and that each day many people overcome cancer and continue living their lives.
Women’s Ensemble, Chamber Singers, and Concert Choir traveled to San Francisco from April 19-22 for the Heritage Festival Choral Competition, where they won three fi rst place gold awards along with the Choral Sweepstakes Award and Outstanding Choir Award.
Students competed in the 3A category - schools with 1,500 or more students. Of the approximately seven other schools in their division, all three groups came out on top, claiming gold ratings for ranking an average of 90% or more.
“It felt so amazing to win these awards. We were all screaming and just so happy,” said Baylee Mier, sophomore and member of Women’s Ensemble.
John Sargent, choir director, was not surprised by these victories. “Th ey have been successful for the past several years … we do well at these competitions,” he said. “I would say (the reason is our) attention to detail, focusing on creating art at the highest possible level, creating an environment where every student is contributing to the overall goal.”
All three choir groups put in numerous hours of hard work and dedication to prepare for this competition.
“Every morning, every fi rst period, we have rehearsals ... Women’s ensemble has a third period, and Chamber has period 4A, so (we are) rehearsing every day,” said Nick Robnett, sophomore and member of Concert Choir.
Sargent feels the added pressure is benefi cial to the students’ progress. “Having a competition motivates the kids. It motivates our singers, so they do better than they normally would before just having concerts,” he said. “During competition, it means you have to really reach a higher level of refi nement in songs.”
Past successes have built the school a positive reputation regarding the strong choir program, a situation which Sargent
Dance for Hope is a multicultural concert that has been put on by Interact Club for the past three years, this year on April 21 at 6:30 p.m. Th e money raised goes to benefi t the American Cancer Society. “A signifi cant amount was raised through ticket sales and donations,” Nick Colangelo, Career Coordinator, said.
Dance for Hope combined dances from many diff erent continents and countries. “Students performed dances from India, Ireland and the Philippines,” Colangelo said. “Th e dances included traditional Indian dance(s) to an Irish Jig.”
Christine Hodson-Burt, English teacher, contributed to the event’s success by supervising it. According to Colangelo, Hodson-Burt and the students of the Interact Club did a very good job of putting the event together. “Th e people who went had a good time. Fund raising went well, the food donations were great, and overall it was a great success.” Th e event raised a little under $1,000.
Colangelo and the Interact Club plan on doing the event next year, as long as interest stays high. “We look forward to doing it next year, just as long as we have the right number of performers,” Colangelo said. “Having the right amount of performers is important because we must secure the talent in order to have the show. With the seniors graduating, hopefully the underclassmen decide to step up, which I have confi dence will happen.”
Dance for HopeDance for Hope
feels serves as an even further advantage in maintaining that standard.
“We have more talented singers at Newbury Park High School. I think we have a community where a lot of the kids sing, and because of that a lot of the kids come here to sing,” he said. “We also attract talent from the surrounding areas, from families that wouldn’t normally feed into Newbury Park High School, because there are a lot of talented kids here, and they know that this is the place to go if they want to sing.”
According to Mier, the group gained more from this experience than just the awards.
“I felt like we bonded a lot over this trip. It really brought a lot of us together when we got to sing our travel song and when we got to be with each other in the buses and at the hotels,” she said. “So that made our friendships stronger, and we got to meet people in choir that we don’t really talk to.”
Robnett had a similar experience, stating that he felt like he was meeting some of the other choir members for the fi rst time.
“Before this we were all in our own sections and that’s how we are for the entire year. I really didn’t know everyone,” Robnett said. “During (Heritage) I did get to know everyone better. I talked to people I normally don’t talk to who are across the room.”
Dancing for a cause - Dancing for a cause - Young Chinese lantern dancers perform at Dance for Hope in the Performing Arts Center on April 21 to help bring awareness and raise money for cancer research.
Sounds of Success - Sounds of Success - Women’s Ensemble competes in San Francisco for the Heritage choir festival, an annual event that choral students look forward to each year. This year, all of the NPHS choirs, including Women’s Ensemble, Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, won awards in each of their prospective category.
American Cancer Society
Tim Ryugo / With Permission Tim Ryugo / With Permission
Teen PregnancyTeen PregnancyThe Prowler • May 4, 2012
6 7The Prowler • May 4, 2012
teenteenpregnancypregnancy
“Th e baby already has a heartbeat.” Th ese were the words that reassured 18-year-old Nancy Bautista to keep and raise her month old daughter, Jayla Giselle.
Bautista discovered she was fi ve weeks pregnant mid July last year, aft er graduating from NPHS. When she heard the news Bautista said, “I was worried, didn’t know what to do, and also terrifi ed to tell my parents and my boyfriend’s parents at the time.”
Despite being “terrifi ed,” Bautista has had her “family, friends, and Oscar Hernandez (the father) by (her) side throughout the entire pregnancy and now.” Bautista says, “If it weren’t for them, I really don’t know where I’d be with my daughter today. We’re truly blessed.”
Protection was used in the beginning of Bautista and Hernandez’s relationship, but then they stopped. “I’ve been with Oscar for two and half years and we’ve never had a problem,” Bautista said. Even though pregnancy had never been a concern for the couple, Bautista had been planning to go on birth control, yet never did.
“At the moment I found out I was pregnant, I wished I could have waited, but now I’m beyond happy having ( Jayla) in my life. She gives me a reason to wake up every morning and work even harder for our futures,” she said. If she had a second chance to change this event in her life, Bautista said she wouldn’t. “My daughter means the world to me and she motivates me more and more each day,” she said. “I want the best for her.”
Bautista says she has had no struggles because of her support system made up of her family, friends, and boyfriend, but she says her greatest success has been “being a responsible teen mother.”
Although Bautista would not change her pregnancy
Beth EllisProwler DPS Editor
Nancy BautistaNancy Bautistashe advises teenage couples to “think twice about your sex life. If you’re using protection, good, if you’re not and nothing at the moment has happened, start now. Oscar and I thought the ‘pull out method’ was enough, but now we have a baby girl in our life, which we don’t regret. You just have to be smart and if you can’t handle a baby, food, clothes, diapers, work, and school – be smarter and use protection,” she said. “Ladies, if you’re in this type of situation, remember you’re really the ones in control. It’s your choice to keep the baby, adoption, or abortion. You’re the one that carries and goes through it all with the unborn baby.”
Bautista would like to reach out to teens to answer any questions they have about sex, protection, or pregnancy. She suggested she be contacted through facebook.
Being a pregnant teenager is not an easy thing to do and as Yessica Calix, NPHS alumna and Charter College of Oxnard graduate, said, “It wasn’t the right time to get pregnant.”
Calix, now 18 years old , is six months into her pregnancy with a baby boy who will be named Joseph Danilo Ascon Calix. “I wanted to continue school aft er college, but now I have to wait until I give birth so that I can go back to school. I’m not saying that I regret getting pregnant though because I love my baby so much.” When Calix found out about her pregnancy, she said, “I was surprised because I didn’t have any symptoms of pregnancy.”
Although Calix is excited to have her baby, she said, “Th e hardships of being pregnant are that you can’t do the same things used to do. For example, if you play a sport you can’t play it anymore as much as you used to. Your back starts to hurt, your feet swell up when you
wear high heels and your body changes.” “What I hate the most about when I go out in public
and they see me with my belly, they just stare at me,” she said. “One time when I was at the store, some lady came up to me and said, ‘I think you’re way too young to be pregnant and I think you should give that thing up for adoption.’ Th e fi rst thing that came to my mind was to knock her out but then again, why would I go down to her level? All I said back to her was ‘You are low-life woman who should actually worry about what’s going on in your life...so stop worrying about mine’ and then I just walked away”. With diffi culties like such, Calix is very grateful to have her best friend Dayanna Quintana, NPHS alumni, and family to support her.
Th e school staff recognizes that pregnancy is a challenging, life-altering event in the life of a high school girl. Counselor Kris Swavely has worked in education for 38 years, 15 at Newbury Park, and in that time has been faced with the task of guiding six to eight students through the process of coping with a teenage pregnancy.
“I think that when a young lady ends up pregnant while a high school student there is always going to be complications. Luckily every single student of mine did go on and graduate and get their diploma which I really stressed to them was something they had to do,” she said. “Th ey needed a diploma more than ever so that they could have at least some form of means to have a career … and be able to provide for their child.”
It is part Swavely’s job to provide these students with the support necessary to achieve this goal.
“Generally speaking, most of the students go on independent study and fi nish their high school career
there,” she said. “When a student goes on independent study for a medical reason like that, they’re still considered a Panther. Th ey’re still our student. So I still monitor them, make sure they’re getting all the right courses and they’re welcome back to our graduation.”
As a whole, the school does not advocate teen pregnancy. All freshmen are required to take a mandatory health course in which they are provided with viable information and encouraged to consider their futures and make wise decisions. However, teen pregnancy continues to be present on campus.
“I think that for a lot of students that baby fulfi lls a need that they had, someone to love, someone to take care of, and they just couldn’t fathom any other solution,” Swavely said.
Swavely always makes sure her students understand alternate options when in this situation. In her experience, she has never had a student choose to undergo an abortion or an adoption.
“I am the parent of an adopted child. I oft en bring up adoption as an option for them because not all students end up keeping the baby. (Although,) I think by and large, most do,” she said. “Never have I had a student that wanted to persue adoption, but I always off er that as an option to them because I think that young people have the idea that they could never do that. Th ey could never give away their child. Th ey look at it from one perspective, where I try to off er them another perspective.”
Swavely greatly emphasized the importance of strong family support in such a situation, to provide both the student and baby with a healthy and nurturing environment.
“Th e parents of the young lady, the ones who have that family support, … welcome that grandchild. Th ere’s a lot of love for that child. Th at isn’t to say that this isn’t going to be diffi cult, but I think that’s what helps in the decision to keep the child,” Swavely said.
Student TeacherSTTVSt STTVSTTSTTS Aaron FergusonJacob Wolf
Jacob Wolf, junior, and Aaron Ferguson, geoscience and chemistry teacher, test their trivia skills
Madison Richeson / Prowler
What is the smallest state in the U.S. by size?
Wolf: James Cameron Ferguson: James Cameron
Wolf: Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Geroge HarrisonFerguson: George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, and John Lennon
Name the original members of the 1960’s pop group Th e Beatles?
Wolf: Five Ferguson: 3 or 4
How many Rocky Movies are there?
What two countries have the largest population?
Wolf: I don’t know.Ferguson: Galileo
Who proposed the theory of Heliocentrism?
Who draft ed the Declaration of Independence?
Preston Hill Prowler Staff Writer
Final Score: 5-5Tie!
Great Job Mr. Ferguson! Way to know your boxing movies! As for you Jacob, looks like you need to watch more Sylvester Stallone movies.
Oohh Jacob don’t forget the bassist, the great George Harrison! Anyway great job, both of you.
Wolf: Rhode Island Ferguson: Rhode Island
Wolf: George Washington Ferguson: Th omas Jeff erson
You both get full points for those answers, congratulations!
Again, both right, your geography teachers would be proud! Good job!
Wait what? Mr. Ferguson, aren’t you a science teacher? Th e correct answer is Copernicus. As for you Mr. Ferguson, you may now face eternal shame from your fellow science department.
Who directed the Titanic?
Th at’s one for both of you! Looks like you two know your movies.
Drew Andros Prowler Staff Writer
Wolf: India and China Ferguson: India and China
“My freshmen year, a good friend of mine confided in me their sexual orientation (bisexual), and they wanted to keep it a secret from everyone else because of the negative reactions they could receive. They were filled with so much self-loathing that they contemplated suicide rather than face being judged by others. So, the reason why GSA is important to me is that the organization doesn’t judge others based on who they are or who they love. The organization as a whole provides a place where students can confide openly with others if needed, and not fear the risk of being hurt or judged.”
“I support everybody. GSA stands for Gay Straight Alliance, and we
are all humans here. We need to form an alliance so that everyone can feel comfortable in their own skin. For the Day of Silence, students needed to come in and sign up days before. They received buttons and a piece of paper explaining what Day of Silence meant. Last week, I sent out an email to the staff about it, and also the night before. However,
teachers were not enforced to do it… This happens to be my first
year as adviser of GSA club. I’ve always wanted to do it, however there
was always someone else running it, so when Mrs. Peterson left this year, I applied to
become adviser.”
Th at is correct Jacob! Unfortunately Mr. Ferguson, that is incorrect.
Madison Richeson / Prowler
Lucia Lemieux
GAY-STRAIGHTGAY-STRAIGHTALLIANCE: DAY OF SILENCE
Entertainment 9The Prowler • May 4, 2012
Dance team closes season Dance team closes season with annual spring concertwith annual spring concertAlexa HansonProwler Features Editor
Th e dance team hosted their annual Th e dance team hosted their annual spring concert last week on April 26 spring concert last week on April 26 through 28, marking the end of a through 28, marking the end of a particularly successful year. Th e team particularly successful year. Th e team brought home the title of National brought home the title of National Grand Champion in the United Spirit Grand Champion in the United Spirit Associations’ Dance Nationals, which Associations’ Dance Nationals, which took place in Anaheim, Calif. on March took place in Anaheim, Calif. on March 31.31.
It was the fi rst time that the dance It was the fi rst time that the dance team had won at the USA Nationals in team had won at the USA Nationals in the championship category. Th ousands the championship category. Th ousands of dancers competed for a duration of of dancers competed for a duration of two days, but the varsity dance team two days, but the varsity dance team ultimately won top honors in two of the ultimately won top honors in two of the fi ve categories that they entered - small fi ve categories that they entered - small lyrical dance and large hip-hop.lyrical dance and large hip-hop.
Preparing for the dance concert was Preparing for the dance concert was no small task, as the dance team had to no small task, as the dance team had to
practice for hours on end aft er school and practice for hours on end aft er school and sometimes during lunch. “Th e preparation sometimes during lunch. “Th e preparation took hours beyond belief,” said Cameo took hours beyond belief,” said Cameo Carolan, the dance department director,. Carolan, the dance department director,. “Some routines were learned in October, “Some routines were learned in October, while others were set this past Sunday. while others were set this past Sunday. Th e theme and lighting has been a topic Th e theme and lighting has been a topic of conversation for the past two months.”of conversation for the past two months.”
Th e dance classes also learned and Th e dance classes also learned and practiced their routines in class each day practiced their routines in class each day leading up to the concert. Th ey were leading up to the concert. Th ey were encouraged to listen to the music for their encouraged to listen to the music for their dances as much as possible. “Our dance dances as much as possible. “Our dance was actually pretty amazing, and it took was actually pretty amazing, and it took a lot of eff ort to make it that way,” Tania a lot of eff ort to make it that way,” Tania Hernandez, a senior in the period two Hernandez, a senior in the period two dance class, said.dance class, said.
Th e show included many guest Th e show included many guest performances as well, in which athletes performances as well, in which athletes accompanied the dancers on stage. Th ey accompanied the dancers on stage. Th ey had to learn an entire routine for the show, had to learn an entire routine for the show,
and even implemented a cartwheel during and even implemented a cartwheel during many of the numbers.many of the numbers.
“Th is dance concert was extra special “Th is dance concert was extra special because they won Nationals, and they because they won Nationals, and they really looked like a family up there,” said really looked like a family up there,” said audience member Christine Sumners.audience member Christine Sumners.
Th roughout the night, footage was Th roughout the night, footage was shown of the seniors being interviewed by shown of the seniors being interviewed by Carolan. It was emotional for dance team Carolan. It was emotional for dance team member as they listened to one another member as they listened to one another and looked back on their memories and looked back on their memories together.together.
Finally, the seniors participated in the Finally, the seniors participated in the senior dance, a special tribute to those senior dance, a special tribute to those who are graduating. who are graduating.
Tears were shed as they underwent Tears were shed as they underwent their last performance as a team in the their last performance as a team in the Performing Arts Center. Aft er the team’s Performing Arts Center. Aft er the team’s accomplishments this year, the seniors accomplishments this year, the seniors will have something to look back on with will have something to look back on with pride aft er they graduate.pride aft er they graduate.
Coachella:Coachella: An insider’s perspective An insider’s perspectiveMadison RichesonProwler Chief Photographer
One might ask, who would One might ask, who would purposefully choose to be crammed purposefully choose to be crammed into a desert fi eld in 105 degree into a desert fi eld in 105 degree weather with more than 75,000 weather with more than 75,000 other people? My answer: anyone other people? My answer: anyone with a good taste in music. with a good taste in music. Coachella is an annual music festival Coachella is an annual music festival held in Indio, Calif., in which people held in Indio, Calif., in which people fl ock from all across the country to fl ock from all across the country to listen to some of the best music of listen to some of the best music of our day. However, some pay tickets our day. However, some pay tickets more expensive than $350 to attend more expensive than $350 to attend this universally known event, only this universally known event, only to consume mind-altering drugs to consume mind-altering drugs to “enhance” the experience. For to “enhance” the experience. For some parents, it’s hard enough some parents, it’s hard enough for them to let their kids attend a for them to let their kids attend a concert with some of their friends, concert with some of their friends, but to let them travel outside of the but to let them travel outside of the bounds of Newbury Park to roam bounds of Newbury Park to roam the desert with the inevitability of the desert with the inevitability of drugs fl oating around the vicinity is drugs fl oating around the vicinity is an almost unreal request. Th e most an almost unreal request. Th e most common method of convincing common method of convincing parents was summarized by senior parents was summarized by senior Hannah Burdick—“I told them it Hannah Burdick—“I told them it would change my life, and I would would change my life, and I would
be a really nice daughter if they let be a really nice daughter if they let me go.”—and for most, including me go.”—and for most, including myself, it was a life-changing myself, it was a life-changing experience.experience.
One of the students I attended One of the students I attended Coachella with, senior Stefani Coachella with, senior Stefani Robnett, described the function Robnett, described the function from her perspective: “As soon as from her perspective: “As soon as the sun started to set, and the whole the sun started to set, and the whole grounds were lit up, and the big sets grounds were lit up, and the big sets started to play, that’s when I really started to play, that’s when I really felt like I was part of something big. felt like I was part of something big. I loved the intimacy of the smaller I loved the intimacy of the smaller venues though. I made eye contact venues though. I made eye contact with so many of my favorite bands, with so many of my favorite bands, it was unreal.”it was unreal.”
Along with being able to listen Along with being able to listen to some of the best musicians of our to some of the best musicians of our times, the sense of community is times, the sense of community is what surprises so many of the fi rst-what surprises so many of the fi rst-time visitors at this three day festival. time visitors at this three day festival. Everyone there, no matter their Everyone there, no matter their intentions, is there to have a good intentions, is there to have a good time. It’s such an overwhelming time. It’s such an overwhelming emotion that it’s practically sensed emotion that it’s practically sensed in the air. Robnett claimed, “If you in the air. Robnett claimed, “If you needed water, the stranger next needed water, the stranger next to you would hand you his bottle. to you would hand you his bottle. Everyone was very friendly and laid Everyone was very friendly and laid
back. I never felt uncomfortable or back. I never felt uncomfortable or unsafe, which was great.” Although unsafe, which was great.” Although I understand parents’ anxiety I understand parents’ anxiety concerning letting their kids run concerning letting their kids run free without much supervision or free without much supervision or guidance, I feel as though if they guidance, I feel as though if they were to decide to tag along, they were to decide to tag along, they would quickly realize how well-would quickly realize how well-organized and guarded the entire organized and guarded the entire aff air actually is.aff air actually is.
Despite these truths, Coachella is Despite these truths, Coachella is not something I’d recommend to the not something I’d recommend to the whole human population. Although whole human population. Although it’s glamorized by the amount of it’s glamorized by the amount of
celebrities you see walking around, celebrities you see walking around, you still have to channel your inner you still have to channel your inner hippy and pretty much let go of hippy and pretty much let go of your appearance to happily survive. your appearance to happily survive. All year round, girls prep perfected All year round, girls prep perfected outfi ts to skip around in the desert, outfi ts to skip around in the desert, but in the end, they realize that but in the end, they realize that everything, including their $300 everything, including their $300 silk dresses, feels like it’s melting silk dresses, feels like it’s melting under the desert sun. If I was to under the desert sun. If I was to recommend items for a Coachella recommend items for a Coachella survival guide, I’d say the necessities survival guide, I’d say the necessities include a refi llable water bottle, include a refi llable water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sandals—sunscreen, sunglasses, and sandals—
Stefani Robnett / With Permission
Musical Event of the Year -Musical Event of the Year - The 2012 Coachella concert lit up the sky every night at Coachella Valley.
because you’ll most defi nitely be because you’ll most defi nitely be running around barefoot at some running around barefoot at some point. Aft er living in the valley for point. Aft er living in the valley for three consecutive days, it began to three consecutive days, it began to feel like an alternate hipster reality feel like an alternate hipster reality that exhausted me like nothing I’ve that exhausted me like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. However, ever experienced before. However, the fact that I listened to legendary the fact that I listened to legendary musicians and danced for endless musicians and danced for endless hours with some of the happiest hours with some of the happiest people on earth didn’t set in until people on earth didn’t set in until later, and that is when I concluded later, and that is when I concluded that my three days at Coachella were that my three days at Coachella were some of the best days of my life. some of the best days of my life.
Madison Richeson / Prowler
In the Spotlight -In the Spotlight - Tina De Leon, senior, performs her last Tina De Leon, senior, performs her last high school solo at the spring dance concert.high school solo at the spring dance concert.
The Raven: Gothic thriller has its ups and downs
Entertainment10The Prowler • May 4, 2012
Liam’s Review Corner
Grace O’Toole and Cassie StephensonProwler Staff Writer and Sports Editor
Liam BrownProwler Opinion Editor
Madison Richeson / Prowler
Th e Freshmen and Spring plays were cancelled, but for the One Act plays, the show must go on. Th e One-Act plays are a series of student-directed shorts put together into one performance. Th is year, six separate One Acts will be shown together, beginning on Friday, May 4 and lasting through Saturday, May 12.
Th e One-Act rehearsals were supervised by a number of teachers and faculty this year, including Rhoda Brown, Heidi Koenig, Lucia Lemieux, Chuck Severns, Athol Wong, Christine Hodson Burt, and Cameo Carolan, who is supervising the technical preparations. Each teacher involved is paired with a student director.
However, according to Brown, the teachers have virtually no hand in how the productions are run. Th e students directing each One-Act have complete control of their choreography, script, and cast from start to fi nish. “Th e kids have conducted (it) so well. It is really impressive,” Brown said.
Among this year’s student actors and actresses are Doran DiStefano, sophomore, and Brett Coker, freshman. Like many others, DiStefano and Coker have more than one role. In a One-Act entitled “How I Learned to Stop Being Afraid of My Gym Teacher” directed by senior Amanda Tivens, DiStefano plays two roles: Alexis, a “pretty but slow girl” and Linda, a “sarcastic and investigative college freshman journalist”. “Both roles fi t pretty well for me,” DiStefano said, “Despite the fact that I act like neither during school.”
At one point during “Th e Raven”, a character asks the editor of a newspaper what a newly-discovered murder victim, who worked on the paper, wrote for the publication. “Criticism,” the editor replies. “Easy stuff .” He’s right - criticism is easy. Especially with a movie like this one.
Despite its title, the fi lm, directed by James McTeigue, is not a cinematic version of Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem. Rather, it revolves around a series of grisly murders committed in Baltimore that have a shocking resemblance to many of Poe’s ( John Cusack) famous works. With an obvious advantage as to the killer’s motives and tactics, he is called in by detectives to assist with the investigation. Th ings only get worse when we learn that the madman has captured Poe’s bride-to-be Emily (Alice Eve), and plans to kill her and countless others if Poe does not step in to save her.
When I think of Edgar Allan Poe, I don’t normally think of John Cusack (but, to be fair, I don’t normally think of Jeremy Renner either, who was fi rst cast in the role). During the fi rst few moments of the fi lm, I kept expecting Cusack to come out with a joke or other comedic line instead of something serious. Th ere is actually some comic relief in the movie, but it feels out of place considering the focus is on a sadistic psycho.
At times, the fi lm also can get jumpy, especially aft er a scene in which Poe is thrown out of a bar, which immediately cuts to a man being tortured in a similar fashionto “Th e Pit and the
Pendulum”, in which a large axe is repeatedly swung from side to side and lowered, getting ever closer to the hapless victim. Th is scene comes straight aft er the bar segment, which had some comedic lines. You can’t just transition from a rowdy bar to a torture chamber so quickly, and the man on the table was never introduced up until that point. Another little problem is tone, and it bumps up and down between light comedy, horror, and a bit of romance before fi nally fi nding its niche in thriller.
To be fair, director James McTeigue does a good job giving Th e Raven a creepy gothic atmosphere, which contributes to some of the fi lm’s more entertaining scenes. Fog banks surround the shadows in dim forests, and mysterious men on horses gallop away before anyone realizes what happened. He also likes to indulge with some of the more chilling scenes in the movie, but it works. When the man in the pendulum scene is fi nally killed, droplets of blood streak off the shiny axe and into nowhere, before the weapon fi nally becomes stuck in the center with a groan. In a scene where Emily peers through a crack in the board that she is buried alive in, we see the mystery madman’s legs and then a foot come down hard on the wooden board, breaking Emily’s nose. Another segment (again seen through a small hole in the board) shows the killer licking his lips and laughing maniacally while Emily whimpers helplessly, an especially twisted scene that made me squirm. Unfortunately, that scene is only half as good as it could be due to Alice Eve’s sub-par acting skills: she sounds like
she’s whispering secrets to a friend instead of pleading for help.
Another bright spot in the movie was Luke Evans as Inspector Fields, the detective who originally calls Poe in for his assistance. Evans is one of the only players giving it his all, and that is especially evident in a
scene where Poe and Fields are chasing what might be the killer down the backstage area of a theater; Evans comes across as a commanding man not to be messed with; Cusack just sounds exhausted from running.
“Th e Raven” defi nitely has its moments, including a cool end credits sequence where a CGI raven is transformed into multiple murder weapons, but that can’t save it from having a confusing, preposterous ending and ultimately being a little bit boring. It’s certainly not as bad as it could have been, but it’s certainly not as good, either.
As for Coker, involvement in one performance wasn’t enough. “I am in Tylan Johnson’s One-Act ‘Th e Audition’ and in Brett Crocket’s One-Act ‘Us and Th em,’” he said. Johnson, sophomore, directs a One-Act involving a “hilarious story about a casting process for a production of A Chorus Line.” In this production, Coker plays an actor named Tommy who must face the casting process and unwanted attention from a fellow actress (played by Sara Messina). Crocket, junior, has a completely diff erent take with his One-Act. It features the rise of two civilizations separated by a single wall. “Can they survive without war?” Coker asks, adding “I play one of the three people in Civilization A.”
As for DiStefano, preparation for the One-Acts was a challenge and a joy. “We quote our lines during school to make each other laugh, and we work our butts off memorizing our
Student directed One Acts take the stage
places and cues.”Th e fi rst showing of the One-Act festival is today at 7 pm
in the PAC. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults. “(Th e) One Act Plays... have great storylines and are tremendous performances,” said Coker. DiStefano agrees. “I hope everyone comes to see one of the many One-Acts taking place in the One-Acts festival!”
Final Preparations - Final Preparations - Amanda Tivens, senior, directs Mark Daftari, freshman, in the gym scene of her One Act play, “How I Learned to Stop Being Afraid of My Gym Teacher,” during a rehearsal in the Performing Arts Center on May 3, the day before opening.
Cassie Stephenson / Prowler
Sports 11The Prowler • May 4, 2012SPORTS
CUOL MN
SC Kishen MajithiaProwler Staff Writer
Sports Column:What does it take to succeed in sports?
Victoria KoiProwler Staff Writer
Setting up for Setting up for greatness - greatness - Kyle Wellman, senior, practices setting the ball at varsity boys’ volleyball practice. The team has proved that practice pays off this season, bringing home several wins. They chalk up their victories to teamwork, practice, and strong first and second teams. This season, their main goal is to make it to playoffs for the California Interscholastic Federation.
Boys Volleyball:
“Th e season is going great, and we have had a good amount of success,” said Zach Eschenberg, sophomore. Eschenberg is just one of the many who are participating in this season’s boys’ varsity volleyball team, and to them, it’s been a promising season so far.
“It has gone so well and a lot more unexpected,” said Kyle Wellman, junior. Th e boys have many reasons contributing to their current victories, one of them being their strong fi rst and second teams. “(In volleyball) there is a fi rst team and a second team, but both of our teams are good so everybody gets to play a lot,” Eschenberg said.
Th e team’s main goal for this season is to make playoff s for the California Interscholastic Federation. According to Wellman, they have a much younger team this year but
despite the young age, their performance has
been exceptional. “Th ey blew my
mind when they all
stepped up and
just went out there and killed it,” he said. Th e team is really close to achieving their goal, considering
they are tied for fourth place with Simi, and there is a chance they can make it. “If we beat Royal or Th ousand Oaks (high schools), we are automatically put into playoff s,” Eschenberg said.
Wellman said that the team is really tight and they are all really good friends with one another, which makes them as a team and their games, much better.
“Volleyball is defi nitely a team sport, and it’s impossible to have just one good person,” said Eschenberg. “We have to be able to work with everybody, and that’s partly how we have such a close relationship.”
Parker Maki is a freshman playing on the varsity team and despite being new to the scene, the team has been doing better than ever. “(As a freshman) you don’t really know your place and you have to stay quiet and take everything,” Maki said. “But the guys are really nice and we have a bigger team than last year and it’s fun.”
Wellman encourages people to come out and support the team. “Volleyball is such an unknown sport, yet we make CIF almost every year,” Wellman said. “Our main goal for this season was pretty much to go out and have fun but at this
point that has been achieved and now the goal
is to make CIF.”
/ Prowler
Richeson
Madison
Victory on the court
Just recently someone asked my opinion on a very important topic. It was a question that stumped me; I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I had an idea of how I could answer, but it was tough for me to string together the right words. I’m sure many others in this world have pondered over the same question. What separates the select few outstanding athletes; the ones that make the big bucks, from the millions and millions of average athletes?
It obviously starts with natural talent. Some people are born into this world, already destined to be great athletes. Small infants all over the world are already kicking soccer balls, dribbling basketballs, and throwing footballs. At the same time, however, natural talent can only take you so far. Th e rest is all up to determination, hard work, passion, and desire.
Th e big-name athletes all have one very crucial element in common. Th at is the ability to keep their heads in pressured situations; the ability to remain calm, cool, and composed in the face of adversity. Th e game-changing players have built themselves their own reputation. Whether it’s scoring clutch goals in the last minute of a soccer game or sinking a three-point shot to win a game, they are expected to execute on a regular basis.
Another essential quality that is needed for success in sports is, believe it or not, love. Yes, money is a big part of it, but there is so much heart and dedication that has to be put in just to get there. Athletes such as David Beckham, Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning, Tiger Woods, and Roger Federer, just to name a few, all love what they do. And they will continue to love it for the rest of their lives. All of them started working at a young age to become the best at what they do. And once they got into that mindset, what on Earth could possibly stop them?
And yet, above everything else, the most important thing is the ability to pick yourself up aft er being knocked down. Th ere are billions of human beings on this planet who get knocked fl at on their face and just don’t know what to do about it. So, instead of getting up and moving on with life, they decide to turn around and start moving backwards. On the other hand, there are people who get knocked down, but are able to jump back up, keep fi ghting, and continue moving forward.
So it all comes down to this: do you want to be average or spectacular? Make the choice now, start working, and you’ll soon fi nd out that nothing can get in your way if it’s really meant to be.
SportsThe Prowler • May 4, 2012
12
Drew AndrosProwler Staff Writer
SPORT
SHORTS
As both the girls’ and boys’ swimming teams look to wrap up another year, the season still has a little bit of time left . Th eir season started on March 2 at Rio Mesa High School for the Spartan Relays, and they have currently completed all but one of their meets.
Today, they will be competing in their fi nal meet, the League Finals, which will take place at Rancho Simi Valley Community Park. According to themarmonteleague.com, the school is in fourth place as of April 30 for boys’ varsity, and fi ft h place for boys’ junior varsity. Girls’ varsity and junior varsity are in second and third place, respectively.
Derick Anderson, a sophomore and member of the junior varsity B team, is not going to League Finals. However, he still competes in two events: breath stroke and freestyle. “I swim in order to get credits, as well as to stay in good shape throughout the spring,” he said. When asked about the team, Anderson said that “we have had moderate success throughout the season, about as good as can be expected.”
As the spring season comes to a close, the golf team is ending with yet another memorable year. Th e team currently sits in third place in Marmonte League, trailing closely behind Moorpark and Westlake high schools. Th ey have a win percentage of 0.500, with a record of fi ve wins and fi ve losses.
Nick Bublitz, freshman, seems pleased with not only the team’s performance this season, but also with his own. “I think I did quite well as a freshman, but obviously, I can always be better. I think the team has done well. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we are always improving,” he said. “I especially liked my fi rst year of high school golf, because not everyone can just try out and make varsity. It takes years of hard work and practice.”
Curran Barker, junior, also believes that this season was a successful one for the team. “I think this year, the team is the best we’ve been in a while. We’re all playing solid golf, hitting the ball well, and putting up some good scores. Th is year as well as next year, we will have a great chance at making CIF,” he said.
Despite winning the Tierra Rejada Open Championship last weekend, Barker still feels as if he can improve his individual game. “I’ve had an on and off season this year. I’ve put up some decent scores, and I’ve put up some bad scores. I’m hitting the ball as solid as I ever have, but I’m just not scoring right now,” he said. “I’ve been working with my personal coach to fi gure out what works with me as far as the mental game goes and also keeping a positive attitude throughout the round.”
Josh Sudman, junior, feels that the team has not quite hit their best form yet, but is very close to getting there. “Our team has a lot of potential. Th is year we could never really capitalize and play cohesively. Our team is so close to being great. Hopefully next year will be a breakthrough,” he said. “Personally, I have played some good rounds and some poor rounds. And I’ve had a lot of fun this year. Next year I hope to post consistently good scores, because I want to play golf in college.”
Barker looks to fi nish the season as strong as possible. “Obviously, winning the championship last weekend was a real boost for me. I’m pretty confi dent going into any match right now. And as for the rest of the team, I’m sure they’ll pull through as well.” track&fieldtrack&field
Another spring sport wrapping up is both girls’ and boys’ track and fi eld. Although the teams have completed the majority of their meets, they still have one meet left : the Marmonte League Finals today, which will be held in Moorpark High School. Although there is a meet today, only a select few will be able to go. Th ose athletes include seniors Sean Fought, Kendall Esparza, Bryan Avendano, Alex Choi, Trevor Douglas, Austin Lasater, Terry Pagano and Tristan Frick, junior Austin Frick and sophomore Jonny Byrne.
On the girls’ side, juniors Keara Tuso and Lauren Jones are also competing. Tuso is very optimistic about how the athletes from the school will perform. “I’m super excited to participate in League Finals for track this year. Everyone in our league has really stepped it up, and getting to compete with runners like Sarah Baxter, sophomore, is a nice feeling. I think we are all ready to kick some butt aft er a successful season,” she said.
Kishen MajithiaProwler Staff Writer Swim like a butterfly -Swim like a butterfly - Arjun Majithia, junior, practices his butterfly stroke Arjun Majithia, junior, practices his butterfly stroke
during daily practice. during daily practice.
Madison Richeson / Prowler
GOING OUT SWINGING
Putting - Putting - Andrew Litwak, junior, practices his swinging technique at the League Tournament, which took place on March 2 at the Sunset Hills Golf Club.
