Q:How do you

feel about those participating in No-Shave-No-

vember?

Late Start MondayDec 6

Winter BreakDec 22-31

Dance Team ShowDec 5

News..........................1-3

Editorial.................4-5

Entertainment.........8

Focus.............................9

Sports...................10-12

Thanksgiving BreakNov 22-26

192010

Nov

LNo. 4

Volume

Feature......................6-7

extravaganza 9

It’s great to have a beard. The ladies like it.”

Roger Dohm, Teacher

The hairier, the mer-rier!”

John Graber, Teacher

Titan Talk

Events

www.powayiliad.com

Index

Iliad Website

I think it’s a great ac-tivity and every man, woman, and child should participate.”

Mark Liska, Teacher

I think it’s gross.”

Katie McMillan, Teacher

SANOMA JEANFeature Editor

UC tuition

QuickFacts

•The tuition increase will be an eight percent hike, which trans-lates to an extra $822.

•The aim of the tuition increase is to “throw open its doors to an even broader range of deserving Californians.”

•Undergraduate fees for Califor-nians will rise to roughly $12,150 a year.

•Four out of ten UC students are from lower income families.

•One-third of the increase will be allotted to financial aid and as-sisting future students.

to increase

Football’s ‘three

headed monster’

11

Are our rights as students

similar to those of

prisoners?5

Inside Iliad

Eight percent incline in fees to begin next year

The ten University of California campuses are ideal schools for Poway students, being so close to home and so well-acclaimed with five medical centers and the managing of three U.S. department of energy centers. However now, even California residents will have a tougher time paying for tuition at a UC school.

On Nov. 8, a series of proposed changes were announced by University of California President Mark G. Yudof.

These changes are intended to support the finances and according to the UC website, “preserve the public university system’s tradition of excellence in education and research and throw open its doors to an even broader range of deserving Californians.”

The first change to be presented to the Board of Regents is plans to reform the university’s overextended pension and retiree health programs by increasing fees by eight percent.

This fee increase will translate into an extra $822 tuition for the fiscal year of 2011-2012. One-third of this fee increase will be allotted to financial aid, also allowing the university to expand course opportunities, improve academic support, and recover ground lost last year.

“Although my parents are paying for my college, the less they have to pay the better, obviously, and I have to get a certain amount of money through scholarships to help out,” senior Kelly Kohls said.

Kohls applied to UCSB, UC Irvine, and UCLA. “The fee increase is making it harder for both my parents and me to come up with the extra money,” Kohls said.

Also, Yudof will be pushing for further development of the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan.

This plan currently covers students in families with income under $70,000 fully in financial aid. Yudof will be proposing for a rise that will cover students in families with income under $80,000 in this new proposal.

At present, the University of California faces a $21 billion unfunded liability for its retiree pension and health program. If these trends progressed, the university would soon be paying more money to meet benefit-obligation than to actually educate students.

“It is really lame because college is already so expensive, and even though there are a lot of loans out there, the prices are ridiculous,” junior Amanda Shoemaker said. “I am very interested in going to a UC school, so this makes it just that much harder to be able to go to one of these schools.”

Four out of ten University of California students come from families with household incomes of less than $50,000.

To be able to maintain the crucial piece of their mission of providing opportunity to worthy students regardless of income, these proposed changes are crucial in themselves.

In the face of tragedy

Over the past week, Poway High School has struggled to cope with the loss of a fellow student. Colors were worn by a mass of teens and faculty, a mournful bonfire was thrown, and balloons were released in remembrance of a fallen Titan.

On Wednesday Nov. 10 at the age of 17, senior Tyler Peterson’s life ended abruptly due to a genetic condition called idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopthy, associated with an enlarged heart and a narrow aorta. While getting ready for school, Tyler’s heart stopped.

Those who never had the opportunity to meet Tyler, “missed out on a good friend,” Cheyenne Benson said. Anyone who had ever come in contact with Tyler seemed quick to fall in love with his easygoing personality and infectious smile.

“It’s truly amazing to see how many lives that he touched,” Tyler’s mother, Heather Peterson, said after visiting the bonfire held in her son’s memory on Nov 11.

Tyler’s family remembers him as Tyler “Sit Down” Peterson, the young boy who never had to stand up to win dirt biking competitions. They remember his kind heart, affinity for helping others, and unparalleled love for his friends.

“He had heart and enthusiasm, strength and no fear,” Tyler’s father, Dave Peterson, said.

He loved going to the beach and playing basketball, a sport where he experienced considerable growth over the years. His

passion for basketball led him to pursue coaching for his senior project, where his excitement for the sport was evident.

“He was the most amazing person in the entire world,” Tyler’s older brother, Justin, said.

To his friends, Tyler was “warm hearted,” “soft as a pillow,” and “a prankster.” Tyler’s girlfriend, Madi Trevathan, describes Tyler as “an angel” and “a gentle giant.” His friends fondly recall birthday parties, basketball games, building backyard forts as little kids and swimming in his pool on lazy summer afternoons: events and activities where Tyler’s dynamic personality would not go unnoticed.

Tyler was admired for his unquestionable loyalty to his family and friends and for his unmatched dependability. “[He was] a man that would never do you wrong,” Tyler’s friend Danny Torres said.

He was a man of great character and integrity, always eager to help someone in need and willing to reach

any lengths in order to do what was most responsible. “He always knew the right thing to do, and he did it,” Tyler’s friend Josh Wurth said.

Yet it seems that what Tyler was most defined by were his legendary bear hugs. He was famed for his enormous embraces, a quality that many agreed they will miss dearly.Many people may never have the opportunity to meet Tyler

Peterson, to laugh with Tyler Peterson, to hug Tyler Peterson as his friends and family so often did. Though when asked what he wanted people to know about Tyler, Justin Peterson had only one thing to say: “They already know.”

Titans mourn the loss of a beloved student, and celebrate his life

A smile frozen in time: Senior Tyler Peterson will be forever remembered as a kind, loving friend and a dedicated family member. ~Courtesy of the Peterson family

In a two-hour special on prescription drug abuse on Tuesday, KUSI news reporters chronicled the stories of several recovering drug addicts and families who were damaged by members abusing drugs such as Oxycontin and other pharmaceuticals within San Diego.

Across San Diego County, specific areas such as Del Mar, Rancho Bernardo, Torrey Pines, and Poway are identified Oxycontin “hotspots,” which tend to be upper-class communities that have higher records of

drug use and abuse. Carmel Valley, located just off of

Highway 56, is believed to be the “ground zero” of Oxycontin and other prescription drug dealing.

Poway, which has had media attention in the past related to Oxycontin within the high schools of its district, was once again brought up within the documentary.

Poway High School alumni Aaron Rubin was featured in the documentary as a survivor of drug addiction.

A football-playing student who fell under the near-lethal addiction of Oxycontin and suffered from a drug overdose five years ago, Rubin is now unable to speak for himself, and must rely on his mother to spread his tragic story.

The emphasis on a former Poway High student suffering from a prescription drug overdose stresses the unfortunate presence of drug dealing and abuse in

communities like Poway.The drug, Oxycontin, is a synthetic

opiate, prescribed in pill-form as a long-lasting painkiller.

It is commonly prescribed to cancer patients, and is currently the most abused prescription drug in San Diego County.

KUSI reported that approximately one in four teenagers have abused prescription drugs at some point in their life, and this startling number is a wake-up call to parents across the county.

The documentary’s bottom line is this: drug addiction is voluntary, and is absolutely preventable.

Parents are encouraged to monitor the activities of their children to ensure that they do not fall under the deadly reliance on prescription drugs.

The video, Oxy: What Your Kids Aren’t Telling You, is available for viewing on KUSI’s website at http://www.kusi.com.

Documentary focuses on San DiegoRecent news report emphasizes prescription drug use and abuse within the county

(A complete interview with the Petersons is available on our website)

“He had heart and

enthusiasm, strength and no fear.” //Dave Peterson

CHELSEY YOUNGEditorial Editor

SYDNEY LUSTIGEditor-in-Chief

2 NewsNov 19, 2010

Iliad

NEEL DOPPALAPUDIPhotographer

Poway High School students now have a new lunchtime destination. The addition of a Subway alongside El Ranchito Taco Shop, Santorini’s and New York Giant Pizza has made the Twin Peaks Village a very popular loca-tion during school lunches.

Prior to the construction of the Subway, students had to travel almost five miles to get their five-dollar-footlong fix. Now, it is a simple five minute trip.

Students, such as senior Eric Meissner, are overjoyed by the prospect of driving less than a mile for Subway. “I love Subway, and since I live in that area around Espola and Twin Peaks, there was never an easily accessible one until now. I am going to be spending a lot of time there from now on,” Meissner said.

But Subway is not only for the students. Adults also enjoy the convenience of the restaurant. Because of this, Subway takes the idea of a lunchtime rush to a whole new level. During lunch on opening day, lines went to the door as students and professionals alike attempted to get one of hundreds of sandwiches prepared that day.

If there is one qualm with the construction of the Subway it is that some believe the restaurant introduces a major chain to a complex that is primarily built around local businesses.

Another thing that some worry may become an issue in the future as the Subway becomes better known is space. With only three tables, many people fear that Subway is grossly underdeveloped for the population it will be serv-ing.

Within the first two days it became evident that the sandwich shop would be standing-room-only for some time in the future. And, when the issue becomes prominent enough to merit an expansion, there will once again be controversy as to the value of Subway in the area.

Until then, students can enjoy going to the Twin Peaks Village and en-countering a plethora of food options which now include cheap and deli-cious sandwiches.

SUBWAY

Of the many clubs on our campus, Team Spyder is one of the most exciting and unique. Under the enthusiastic leadership of Roger Dohm, over 40 students partici-pate in the robotics club activities, including planning of events and building of robots for competitions.

One of the major projects for the team this year includes a recycling program through the organization “Call2Recycle.”

This program hopes to spread awareness of the importance of recycling. Although everyone is aware of the need to recycle bottles and cans, concern for electronic waste (e-waste) including batteries, is too often overlooked. “We want to promote a safer planet and be a greener team,”active member Julie Gattenio said.

Dohm is hopeful that the program will be successful in San Diego and spread to communities throughout America. “People will recycle if it is easy and accessible,” Dohm said. Rather than focus on profit, the team emphasizes the environmental im-pact of recycling.

Students can help this cause by going to the junior parking lot on Dec. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Students can bring in any electronics to recycle, and we’ll take care of them,” Lizzie Small, who is in charge of the recycling program, said. Students can also drop electronics in the collection bins in the library and Dohm’s classroom at any time.

As an incentive, Sony is also providing raffle tickets to all students who participate in the program. Students will have a chance to win great prizes, including a plasma screen television.

In addition to the planning of this program, Team Spyder is preparing to host a competition on Dec. 12. The event will be in the Poway High gym, welcoming middle and high school students from all over San Diego County to play “the game.”

For the Dec. 12 competition, the object of the game is to attain a higher score by placing miniature inner tubes on a goalpost in a game called “Round Up.”

“Every competition has a new game to play,” Gattenio said. This makes the sport especially difficult; robots must be custom-built to be successful at the game, and teams are challenged with limited notice.

Although their three major competitions are months away, Team Spyder is already honing their skills and preparing for the events. They will compete in regional contests in San Diego on March 10 and in San Jose on March 31. The national championship will be held in St. Louis on April 27th. The team is optimistic about their season and plans to be successful in all three of these aggressive competitions.

From the inventors who work on the machines to the drive team that controls the robots during games, the robotics club is a team effort. “Our goal is to get everyone to go,” Gattenio said. The team has already raised enough money to send every member to the regional competitions and hopes to earn enough for the national championship as well. Team Spyder meets every Wed. evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Dohm’s room, N3-107.

ROBOTICS CLUBTeam Spyder urges recyclingCHASE PADOBuisness Manager

There is a new resident in the Twin Peaks Village

VETERANS PARK OPENS

ABOVE: Navy Seals from The Leapfrog Parachute Team plunge into Poway’s new Veterans Park on Midland Road to celebrate the opening and dedication of the park. Each of the four parachuters carried a waving flag through the air.

BELOW: (LEFT) Veterans and Powegians join together to show their appreciation for the new park. Raised flags represent the different branches of the military. (RIGHT) A veteran shows respect by saluting the flag at the park opening on Nov 11. JIMMY CUNNINGHAM // The Iliad

ABOVE: Senior Jaci Carlton leads the crowded line at the new Sub-way location in the Twin Peaks Village during a school lunch break. JIMMY CUNNINGHAM // The Iliad

Q:Well because I’m an incumbent and people know me, I didn’t have to do as much as people typically do. I went to a lot of school events, almost every back to school night. I had mailers sent out. No other candidate did that.

What type of activities did you do during your campaign?

Q:I purposefully didn’t ask for financial support this year, I reused signs and practically everything. Last year I spent $2500, and this year I spent a total of $450. Knowing that you’re going to run again, you don’t want to throw away any of your signs.

How did you get financial support for this?

Q:My expectations were to be in 2nd. Back then [2006 RUSD Board Member election] my opponent was 450 votes ahead and this time it was 250, so I think that’s something. The community sees us very similar, but he’s more well known in Christian churches.

How did you feel about the results of the elec-tion?

Located on the outskirts of the senior quad, Titan Center is a hub for information. In previous years the Titan Center has not been host to a full time staff member, but now, Jen Mitchell has become the coordinator for the Titan Center Monday through Thursday

during break and lunch to assist students and provide them information about colleges and testing.

Mitchell wants to spread the word that the Titan Center is a hub for information about students’ futures.“So much information is available in here. We have information on scholarships, applications, SAT, ACT and military recruitment,” Mitchell said.

The Titan Center offers a wide range of college information that is free to students that they may not have been aware of before. “There is a lot of information that isn’t visible to students unless they come in and ask,” Mitchell said.

The Titan Center provides college visits where you can meet with alumni from colleges that students may be interested in and ask questions they may have about the school and the application process.

When asked what she liked about the college visits for the students, Titan

Center supervisor Jen Mitchell praised the experience it gives the students. “I love the college visits. It gives the students a perspective from someone who has been on the campus. They tell them about all the ins and outs of the campus that they cannot find in a view book.”

Schools all across the country contact the Titan Center and inform them when a representative will be in San Diego. The Titan Center then sets up a time that the college will come and meet the students on a school day Monday through Thursday.

Senior Roosha Patel has been to several college visits and has had a positive experience in interacting with the representatives and gaining new insight in to the school. “I think the visits helped a lot in learning about the schools that people can’t go easily see, like out of state schools. Especially during application time, the visits help a lot with answering questions and concerns,” Patel said.

The representatives cover a wide range of topics. “They usually give a general presentation, then the students ask specific questions to get a feel for if this is the right campus for them,” Mitchell said.

Some of the questions Patel would ask the college representatives were when the deadlines for applications and acceptance were, how much tuition costs and what would appeal to representatives in a candidate’s application.

According to Mitchell, these college representatives may actually be reading the applications of the students who come to their visits in the Titan Center, so going to these information sessions can give the students who are applying an advantage. Meeting the representatives helps to put a face to the name on their application.

The Titan Center has progressed this year and has a lot of college, scholarship, and testing information to ensure the best opportunities are available to students for their futures.

The PHS band, or “Emerald Brigade,” does not just play during halftimes of football games, but also competes in various tournaments that displays its musical abilities.

The laborious summer camps and endless marching come out for a stunning affect on the field.

The PHS band has delivered performances that have led them to place first in two consecutive tournaments:

Scripps Ranch and Mt. Carmel. “The tournaments went really well. We finally beat

RB at the Mt. Carmel Tournament,” Band President Mackenzie Murray said. Band also placed second in Vista Murrieta on Nov. 6.

In the last tournament, on Nov. 13 at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, the Emerald Brigade finished in third place out of 24 other high school bands.

Though the Emerald Brigade did not take first, band members do not regret the experiences shared at the tournaments. “It’s a very exciting moment. The

performance, hearing the cheers for Poway, working as a team; band is like a family,” band publicist Mara Yule said.

Murray expresses agreement with Yule. “In this past season, we’ve done a great job in Poway. We were able to pull through and it was a ton of fun,” Murray said.

The theme for this year, known as “Undercover,” consisted of a marching routine that included shady, sly visuals such as attaching flashlights to the uniform.

All these scenic details are key to band tournaments in which the bands are judged, not only by the music they play, but also by the visual concepts as well as the general

affect it has on the judges.“All these criteria are important for the judges [as they]

use it to base what score we receive,” Yule said.Points are not only based on if the Emerald Brigade

plays a song flawlessly, but also on how difficult the music piece is and if the visual effects are in place. For example, bands are critiqued on how straight the musicians march in line.

“Indeed, while it is tough, it is a great experience and the performances give you satisfaction,” flute player Rebecca Brewster said.

3NewsNov 19, 2010

Iliad

The popular social networking site, Facebook.com, has created another application that evokes concerns amongst many teenage users of the site.

The new “See friendship” button reveals the relationship between any two individuals.

Rather than limit users to only view comments between the two people, tagged statuses, tagged photos, picture comments, statuses liked, similar interests, mutual friends etc. are made accessible to anyone at the click of a button.

Before the “See friendship” button was created, some relied on the “See Friendship” counterpart, the “Wall-to-Wall” option.

The “Wall-to-Wall” is the parent of “See Friendship,” that originally made it easier to read statuses between people, yet only revealed comments.

Unlike “Wall-to-Wall,” the “See friendship” button reveals almost any

virtual interaction made with another person.

Some would say this is a helpful tool, making it easier to find old comments between two people.,

On the other hand, others argue the app. is an invasion of privacy, especially if your facebook profile is not set to private.

After using the “See friendship” button for the first time, “I think it’s weird and creepy that anyone on Facebook can see, kind of stalkerish,” senior Mackenzie Rader said.

Facebook is not one of the most private social networks used, being that if a profile page is not set to “private,” anyone can look at your wall, pictures, videos etc.

This button creates an easier pathway to see all virtual means of contact made between two people faster and simpler.

“It’s disgusting that Facebook has now made it easier for people to see everyone’s personal business. The fact that someone would even want to use this button makes me wonder what Facebook has really come to,” senior Abby Khoury states.

Facebook has made it a lot easier for people to “creep” on each other.

From the “Wall-to-Wall” exposure to an entire friendship, many are unsatisfied with the lack of privacy they have when they sign onto

Every semester, Poway High’s Peer Counseling hosts Peer Leaders Uniting Students, also known as PLUS. PLUS is an in-school field trip that empowers students to address and fix problems on their campus. This year Peer Counseling is adding a second PLUS this semester, set for Dec. 6, that will follow the same event format.

“This one should be the same. It’s a national program, so we base it on what their guidelines are,” Peer Counseling advisor Traci Barker-Ball said.

Peer Counseling scheduled a second PLUS because each event can only take 90 students at one time, and more than 90 students wanted to participate this semester, Barker-Ball said.

Barker-Ball attributes the rise in student interest in PLUS to previous success rates and students learning about the school program by word

of mouth from student to student. PLUS exists to challenge students

to make a change on their campus by examining the problems of their school.

“Basically, it’s a group of people who get together on a school day and we talk about how we could break up the cliques at our school, we discuss the problems that we have on campus and how we can make them better and fix the problems to help unify the student body,” Peer Counseling President Jenna Belknap noted.

“The ultimate goal at the end of the day is to get people to take a look at their school and say, ‘Okay, here’s a problem. Here’s how I can be part of the solution,’” Barker-Ball said.

At PLUS students also learn how to impact their campus and about the opportunity of peer counseling.

“They get a taste of what peer counseling is all about and also for students who want to get involved but don’t know how, they can go to PLUS learn how to make a positive impact on the students around them,” Belknap said.

JENNY PONSStaff Writer

MARY MARSHKESports Editor

BRIGID McCARTHYStaff Writer

Peer Counseling adds

RAN TAOStaff Writer

California Election RE

SU

LT

SgovernorJerry Brown (D)

u.s. senateBarbara Boxer (D)

NOPR

OP19

YESPR

OP20

NOPR

OP21

YESPR

OP22

PR

OP

NO23

NOPR

OP24

YESPR

OP25

YESPR

OP26

NOPR

OP2753.6%

52.1%

Facebook stalking Redefining creep and taking it to a whole new level

one more PLUS

Explore the Iliad Website.Send us your ideas.What’s the word?

www.powayiliad.com

College boundResources in the Titan Center are made available for PHS students to research the colleges of their choice

PHS Emerald Brigade: breakin’ it down

March to Disneyland: Poway’s Emerald Brigade perofrms at Disneyland (right). Haley Stegman conducts Drum Majors (above).

Courtesy of Richard StegmanCourtesy of Richard Stegman

Mariujuana Election Lines License Taxes Local to State Spending

Environment Eliminate Tax Breaks

State Spending 2/3 Majority Legislative Vote to Past Tax

Repeal Prop 11

4 editorialNov 19, 2010

Iliad

Poway High School15500 Espola Road Poway, CA 92064

The Iliad is a publication of Poway High School. Columns and signed editorials do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editorial board, Poway High School, or its affiliates. The editorial board is written by the Editor-in-Chief and represents the opinion of The Iliad staff. The Iliad welcomes letters to the editor; e-mail them to iliad@powayusd.com or bring them to J-6, complete with name and phone number. Phone numbers will not be printed. Limit all letters to 250 words. Letters may be subject to editing. For advertising, call (858) 748-0245, ext. 5228. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

Editors-in-Chief....................Jimmy Cunningham and Sydney LustigAssociate Editors.................Tosten Burks and Madison HewettEditorial Editors....................Gabriella Kitch and Chelsey YoungEntertainment Editor...........Daniel Pasenelli Feature Editors....................Norah Cunningham and Sonoma Poynter News Editors........................Sara Pfeiffer and Rachel Pham Sports Editors.......................Mary Marshke, Haley Steele and Cassandra VickCopy Editor.........................Natasha OrahaPhotographers....................London Detrick and Neel Doppalapudi Business Managers.............Andrew Lessig and Chase PadoArtists....................................Emily James, Ran Tao and Brea Young Adviser.................................TeriAnne LibbyStaff Writers: Erik Anderson, Thomas Baker, Alejandro Berry, Kalani Guillen, Kyle Marsh, Kristy McCandless, Brigid McCarthy, Lance Mojaver, Jennifer Pons, Salem Samson, Leah Sarnoff, Skylar Slotter and Kaylyn Taylor

Mission StatementThe Iliad strives for excellence in providing accurate and interesting information in an unbiased and timely manner. As a diverse and opin-ionated group, we aim to represent the Poway High student body with professional and ethical coverage by interviewing relevant sources and presenting multiple stances on important issues.

MADISON HEWETTAssociate Editor

In a time of extreme competition, everyone is looking for something to give them an advantage in the college game.

Thousands of students have turned to SAT classes, college coun-selors and prep books for that de-sired edge. Naturally, these services cost money.

Some SAT classes are in the up-ward range of $1300 and some books costing $30 or more.

Not everyone in America can af-ford these services, giving the wealth-ier applicants unfair advantage in re-ceiving acceptances to their dream college.

As a senior applying for college this year, I cannot fully express how aggravating it is for me when I hear my peers talking about their appoint-ment with a college counselor or upcoming five-hour long SAT prep class in an annoyed fashion.

I wish I could afford these things, but I cannot. I have to rely on hard work and hours of diligent research, instead of a professional waiting on my every beck and call for a hefty price. I do not have that expert there

to answer questions or help me with applications.

Instead, I have to do all of these things myself, late into the night, pulling my hair out in frustration.

Because I do not do these things for a living, I make mistakes (some more crucial than others). Therefore, I have an intense disadvantage that could only be cured with money…

and more money.It is a travesty for students with

simply more wealth to be accepted to a school over me, someone who has been working endlessly, because of their “flawless” test scores or appli-cations, which they received hours of needless help on from a paid profes-sional. There are services like these out there for less, but their price gen-erally affects their quality and most students would be better off to not waste their valuable time with the second rate competitors at all.

Students reading this may be shak-ing their heads in common frustra-tion. However, by buying into these services at all, (even under the pres-sure of parents) they are doing their peers an immense disservice.

The only solution is to make these services part of the public school curriculum. School is created to get students into the college of their choice.

This is now what is necessary to accomplish this goal, so schools must offer these opportunities to their less-than-fortunate students alike.

Otherwise, money will remain a strong and highly unreasonable de-terminant in who comes out on top in the college game.

Buying your future

SALEM SAMSONStaff Writer

The highlight of my day is often the ASB and Digital Media Production of Titan News Today (TNT).

The joy that I experience from watching this entertaining news show, however, is a rare occur-rence, as teachers do not play the video announce-ments often.

In many classes students are not given the op-portunity to appreciate the hard work that is put in to TNT each week.

The TNT news broadcast spends a few minutes

Tuesdays and Fridays informing students on any new clubs on campus, how sports teams have been performing, or other miscellaneous events hap-pening on campus.

The capricious weather report also airs, putting a humorous twist to regularly drab topic, lifting the spirits of many in the room.

ASB and the Digital Media class join forces to produce these news videos.

The TNT broadcast is a time-consuming pro-cess which is constantly undermined by teachers who choose not to show it to their students.

Eight minutes of class time are put aside for an-nouncements each week.

This valuable school time is intended to inform students and personnel of the events going on at our school.

The news, however, does not have the ability to inform masses, as many teachers opt out of show-ing, their classes the important messages from ASB.

Many teachers have a general opinion towards TNT; it wastes the class time that could be used for other purposes.

A survey of an average Poway class showed that about half of students do not see the TNT broad-cast when it aires twice a week and almost a quarter of students did not get to see them at all.

Titan News Today:

LANCE MOJAVERStaff Writer

Four out of five babies prefer Apple products. The growing popularity of iPad and iPhone use by young children speaks to the increasing user-friend-liness of many modern electronic devices, enabling users to spend countless hours enjoying their many uses.

Is this a good thing? No. The abuse of the ability to have access to a com-puter, TV, cell phone, gaming system, and other electronics at all times has caused many people to contribute to rising cases of extreme escapism.

Earlier this year, a 22-year-old mother took the life of her three-month-old son because he interrupted her game of FarmVille on Facebook.

Why was an adult playing a farm simulation game? Was she simply trying to shift her focus from her personal problems to calculating how many coins the virtual corn harvest would bring in? The woman’s need for an escape from reality was so severe that she became detached from the real world and will be sent to prison as a result.

This is not an isolated incident, as even on the Poway High campus stress caused by homework, tickets, and over-scheduling has lead many students to

remove themselves from the real world and resort to engaging themselves in countless hours of unproductive activities, such as visiting Facebook, playing video games, or watching TV.

The occasional Facebook visit or Tetris game are reasonable distractions from the fast-paced world, because they are the temporary respites which have become needed in today’s modern society.

However, apathetic individuals who troll Facebook throughout the day, or participate in Internet-created alternate realities during the night do not ben-efit the whole.

The people who make the choice to escape from the real world must be made aware of reality’s tendency to be very real, and that the problem-free lives they have created to escape consist of pixels on a screen are just that –a problem.

This task has proved to be difficult, as intermittent visits to the Internet have evolved into complete isolation from actuality due to the absolute focus which can be given to a computer game.

If this mounting tradition of escapism continues it will spread like a virus to many students searching for a way to shift their focus from harsh reality to a more pleasing setting, but facing harsh reality is the only way to create a problem-free future.

The downside to technology

GABRIELLA KITCHEditorial Editor

Oct. 20, 2010: a day meant to be devoted to honor the individuals who took their own lives due to the hate behaviors and discrimination against their sexual orientation.

A day meant to honor the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) communi-ty and a day to honor the children of our nation. But for some, “Wear Purple Day” took an opposite turn.

This was particularly the case for Clint McCance, an Arkansas school board member, who posted anti-gay comments on his Facebook page. A public school figure attached his name to a statement saying how absurd it was for him to wear purple for the five homosexuals who have died.

He later responded to a comment saying how much it angers him that the United States made a special day for those lost. All of his posts contained very offensive derogatory terms for homosexuals.

After the incident, the school board claimed they could not fire him be-

cause he was an elected official. On Oct. 29, McCance issued his resignation from his school board posi-

tion. His resignation, however, does not tie up all the loose ends. The ques-tion still remains: shouldn’t there be some limit on the power elected school board officials can have? What happens if school board officials do not fall

under the pressure that often leads to resignation? What if the issue of corrupt and immoral officials went unnoticed, leaving kids in the school districts paralyzed with fear?

If an elected mayor, senator, or president can be impeached, should a school official be entitled to any different treatment?

A public figure’s voice, a voice of authority, should not make comments laced with the innuendo of promoting the suicide of children. All students need to feel safe at their school.

People like McCance have no right to be in a power of authority, especially not one within a school setting.

Hate is not tolerated by students and should not be tolerated by those re-sponsible for the well being of a community.

How powerful is authority?

What if the issue of corrupt and immoral officials went unnoticed, leaving kids in the school districts paralyzed with fear?

A renewed sense of Titan pride has swept the campus and decorated the stands with green and grey. Face paint, the familiar trident, and a flush of screaming students have made this season’s student section come alive. The Prep Pigskin Report even commented on our lively spirit, interviewing enthusiastic fans including seniors Alex Rowson, Chad Etchison and Mitch Neilson.

Litter is a growing concern on campus, as students are failing to honor former Counselor Khalid Maxie’s message: Address the mess! Just because Maxie left Poway High School does not mean his influence on our school had to leave with him. The Titans need to step it up and keep our campus clean.

Unlike last year’s unfortunate record of 1-9, our 2011 Titan football team has succeeded in not only going 6-4, but also earning the privilege to participate in the CIF playoffs. Whether it was this year’s cheering or the players themselves, our green machine will be operating in the post-league playoffs. Wish the team good luck in tonight’s match up against Granite Hills, at Poway at 7 p.m. Come out and show your support.

Every day parents cause a back up on Titan Way, and students are forced to cross the double-yellow line into the senior parking lot. Near the band room, children getting dropped off seem to cause an increase in senior tardiness. Dropping off in the junior lot or alongside the yellow curb on Espola Road may be a good alternative.

Thumbs up to this year’s great student section

On Nov 11, the new Poway Veterans Park was unveiled in a dedication ceremony. Hundreds of people flooded Midland Road to participate in and watch the opening of the park. Guest speakers and veterans expressed their gratitude for the city addition. Flags representing the branches of the military were raised in honor of the veterans, and Navy paratroopers dropped into the site from the sky. Our community now has a haven at which to honor the men and women who have risked or continue to risk their lives for us. The names of these heroes decorate the Wall of Honor surrounding the park. For pictures, see page two.

Thumbs up to the construction and dedication of Poway’s new Veterans Park

Thumbs down to the lack of student drive to carry out

Maxie’s lecacy

Thumbs down to unorganized drop-off in the senior lot

Thumbs up to football making the play-offs

Poway teachers underestimate Digital Media’s news broadcast

5editorialNov 19, 2010

Iliad

When sitting in a class, it is almost impossible to avoid the constant complaining and bickering. There is side conversations going on, and maybe some people are even sleeping.

Why do some students think that this behavior is acceptable? Classrooms are a learning environment, and with class sizes growing even more, the constant disruptions and distractions are unnecessary.

What students may not even realize is that complaining about assignments or acting uninterested in class comes off as disrespectful. Teachers work hard to come up with lesson plans and design worksheets, so hearing that nagging moaning sound does not make the assignment any easier.

Just because students do not like a class or do not favor a teacher, doesn’t give them the right to be rude. Simply developing a relationship and understanding with that teacher can make that period a whole lot easier.

Disruptions in class are getting slightly ridiculous. A disruption is not

always just getting out of an assigned seat to make an announcement, it can be something along the lines of yelling out in class, or whispering to a friend. This can cause disruptions and distractions because it forces a teacher to completely stop their lesson plan, to take care of the situation that is entirely unnecessary and downright rude.

Another form of disruptions is throwing various projectiles across the classroom. Whether it is a water bottle, a tiny piece of paper, or a jacket, students simply should not do it.

Poway High gives students seven minutes to get to class, yet some find this to be an impossible task. Walking in late comes off as not caring enough to show up on time. Same can be said for not completing homework, even though it could have been a careless mistake, it is disrespectful as teachers are only trying to help with review and information to learn, however much time it takes, it is sure worth the effort.

All in all, these behaviors are downright rude and students should begin to assess their attitude before disrespect grows out of hand.

Serving hard timechemilyONschool life

Due to their inseparable nature, Chelsey and Emily have come to be collectively known as Chemily. Together, they desire to express their resolute opinions on a variety of topics.

The gates shut, the security paces the hallway, a buzzer sounds and people are herded into their rooms. No, this isn’t prison, it’s Poway High School.

Many things change when a student arrives at school in the morning. According to the State of California Educational Code, a student on school grounds or at a school function loses the right to free speech, free press, free expression, and the right to resist search and seizure.

The losses of these rights come into play when one gets into trouble with the school.

A Poway High student who was expelled last year came face to face with it. “[The school] searched me unlawfully. I felt violated as they went through my personal belongings and my car. They found nothing but still expelled me,” said the student, who wished to remain anonymous.

According to the student’s testimony, the student in question was expelled on the witness testimony of two people.

It is unsettling that a student could possibly be punished without proof; unsettling but legal. The school is allowed to act in whatever manner it deems

necessary to protect the students.Assistant Principal Peter McKee states that if there is “compelling evidence”

that an injustice occurred, the school can react. “The bottom line is student safety,” said McKee. “If we believe that student safety is at risk, we will act.”

So, the school is just out to protect the population. So are prisons. The similarities between school and prison are all the more evident in cases less severe than expulsion. The biggest issue that arises regards freedom of expression.

More than ever, cases have arisen where articles of clothing have caused a hostile reaction by the school. McKee maintains that the danger lies in the possible consequences of wearing what one wants. “There is a fear that the consequences could result in a fight.”

Prisons act in the same way. Wardens work to avoid a fight among the inmates. Administrators work to avoid a fight among students.

But, there is an end to the similarities between schools and prisons. Prisoners live at prison; students don’t live at school. Then why do the schools act like parents?

It isn’t their jobs to tell students how to dress, how to act, or how to live. The values of the school are not necessarily the values of the students or the families. The job of schools is to educate; that is why they were created. Maybe they need a history lesson.

“A clap to the football team for doing really well” ~Kevin Morales, 10th

“A clap to the senior girls in volleyball for dominating RB on senior night” ~Sophia Blaszyk, 11th

“A slap to the overflow of parent drivers in the senior lots” ~Sarah Wiggins and Maddie Martinez, 12th

“A clap to Angelina leaving Jersey Shore again” ~Brian Previte, 9th

BREA YOUNGArtist

NEEL DOPPALAPUDIPhotographer

High school parties are fun while they last.

On Oct. 30, that fun was abruptly cut short when Poway sheriffs decided to make an appearance at 9:45 p.m.

That Saturday night, members of the senior class were attempting to enjoy the masked festivities of their last Halloween together. It was a night to dress in costume, a night to bust a move and a night for students to come together in a safe and chaperoned environment. It was set up to be a night well remembered.

The most distinct memory of that night for many seniors, however, can be found in the glove boxes

of their cars: little yellow slips of paper outline horrendous juvenile crimes only a high school hood rat would conceive of committing. Students are now paying tickets for parking too far from the curb, for not displaying front license plates, for turning around in a residential neighborhood, and for license plates not being visible.

After three deputy cars arrived at the scene of the crime, knocked on the door, and discovered that this party was an organized, invitation-based event with parental supervision, they should have moved on to bigger and better things.

Instead, the deputies made the decision to scale up and down the streets inspecting parked cars for

possible violations and set up a checkpoint, so to speak, on the street in front of the party.

They saw to it that every one left the party and went back home, safe and sound, before anything got too out of hand. Before the senior class could have too much fun.

The problem I have is not the fact that they sent three cars to check on a supervised high school party, not the fact that those three cars sat in front of that party until it was vacated, and not the fact that they showed up around 9:45 p.m. The problem lies in the nerve of these sheriffs who, after failing to find any students under the influence of drugs or alcohol and after recognizing the parents supervising the party, proceeded to write tickets.

To add injury to insult, that same night a shooting occurred at a different party not too far away. A young man shot a teenage girl in the foot at a house with approximately 80 party guests. The police reportedly showed up at 12:45 a.m. Sunday morning to assess the shooting.

Where the sheriff department showed up to a senior Halloween party and spent time writing parking tickets, they might have prevented a shooting.

The question now becomes: what does it take to throw a high school party without the fear of government intervention? How loud is too loud? How many cars are too many? How early is too late?

Nine forty five, apparently.

JIMMY CUNNINGHAMEditor-in-Chief

Police priority problem

Address the Disrespect

Do the rights students forfeit on campus parallel prison?

Deputies put tax payer money toward parking matters

With nearly 3,000 restless teenagers at Poway High, some are bound to do one or two things that confuse and at times unnerve even the most stoic student. Between us, even we make social blunders from time to time. Shocking, we know. This may be a prime opportunity to provide an endearing anecdote; however, we are having some difficulty choosing any one moment due to their overwhelming abundance. Considering our frequent flirtation with social taboo, we have become considerable experts in the realm of the uncomfortable and unconventional. In order to improve others and ourselves during this universally awkward stage of life, we have decided to write this column: a philanthropic gesture towards the students of Poway High School.

We are determined to eradicate the gross, the awkward, and the downright inappropriate behaviors from our generally pleasant campus and expose them for public scrutiny. Thus, we are proud to present the first issue for chastisement, Chemily style. Today’s topic: public displays of affection (PDA).

Please keep your hands (and other appendages) to yourself from the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Public displays of affection run rampant across our campus, accosting unsuspecting onlookers as they innocently meander to class. The unwanted performances of lusty teenage romance range from the conventional to the more bizarre.

It is perfectly natural for a young couple infatuated with one another to desire a more physical interaction during their time together. Unfortunately, much of their time together falls between the first and final bells of the school day, subjecting the public to uncomfortable moments interrupting displays that should remain private.

Breaks are not for romantic recreation. We understand that one has spent a grueling 52 minutes away from his or her beloved soul-mate, but please suppress those primal urges and keep to holding hands. This may be a difficult task, but practicing self-control will only prove to spare one’s dignity. And spare the psychological trauma of our peers.

This is not The Notebook, and the behavior of fictional characters in romance novels rarely translate ideally in real life. Contrary to what some may believe, not everyone wants to witness aggressive exchanges of saliva.

It is understandable that one may find his partner attractive, however, that does not give him the license to grope them on his way to second period. Such sloppy actions appear trashy, not to mention tactless, and are a generally revolting expression of love. Do not misunderstand; we do not oppose all displays of affection as long as they remain school appropriate.

Might we suggest a simple hug? By hug, we do not mean prolonged, awkward embrace spanning upwards of 30 seconds so that one may feel the fluttered beating of her partner’s enraptured heart. We mean quickly, casually holding one’s significant other before they head off to class. Hugs are sophisticated in their simplicity, showing one’s lover that he or she cares without inflicting the public with the sudden urge to vomit.

If ever concerned that your intended display may be deemed unsavory, simply remember these words:

When in doubt, hug it out.

To see Chemily’s Awkward Moments visit www.powayiliad.com

6 FeatureNov 19, 2010

Iliad

“Only a life lived for others is a life worth living.” These words spo-ken by Albert Einstein have been taken to heart on campus by Span-ish teacher Karen Gil. In October, Gil created an after-school club designed to help students improve their grades and succeed academi-cally.

Gil and her husband, Marty Shaunessy, have graciously donated their time as well as their resources in order to provide students with a quiet, productive environment to study and complete homework as-signments. Gil stays in her class-room or takes students to the com-puter lab Monday through Friday after school to aid them with their studies.

She provides computers, printers, snacks, dinner and even a ride home if the students need it. Gil is unde-niably committed to this program. She has even stayed in her classroom until 10 p.m. to ensure that students complete all of their assignments. “It is my goal to bring grades up to Cs or above, so that college can be an option,” Gil said.

Gil created this club once she re-alized her 6 ½ class, comprised of 25 students, had a total of 33 Fs and 13 Ds. After talking to her students, she reached the conclusion that many lacked the resources needed to prevail in school. The club quickly formed, and now there are about 20 students involved with the program.

Gil has already noticed a positive change in her students’ grades. “It is a slow process, but many students do not have missing work anymore, and grades are going up,” Gil re-ported.

Many students accredit their re-cent academic achievements to Gil and the time and effort she has de-

voted to this program. Club mem-ber Roberto Valencia explains that his grades have improved since at-tending this after school program.

Another member of the club, Irvin Becerra, explains that Gil “is very caring and tries to help students as much as she can. Even when she can’t help in a given subject, she has tutors come to her class to help.”

Tutors Neil Dalvie and Thomas Baker attend the program regularly in order to help students in subjects such as math and science.

Students are clearly benefiting

from the program. According to sophomore Erick Mendoza, the program has been successful be-cause Gil is a “teacher that would like to see every student succeed and go to college.”

Currently the program is open to all of Gil’s Spanish and 6 ½ period students.

In the future Gil hopes to get funding to expand the program. Gil said she needs volunteers, donations and tutors to maintain this success-ful program and aid the learning of all students on campus.

Why? Just because. The answer is that simple. Things simply just happen, and

likewise, ideas just appear. It is somewhat bizarre how the human mind can spontaneously generate a mark of sheer brilliance from out of the blue. In senior Erin Zwinger’s case, her idea really was from out of the blue… blue skies, that is. It was near the end of 2009 that she recalled flying home from Minnesota when the idea of creating a clothing brand was planted into her brain, and her senior project was born. “It just kinda popped into my head,” Zwinger said. She had no idea that her brand “EZ Does It,” conveniently including her initials, would become so popular on the PHS campus. Today, her tees, jackets, and bracelets are frequently spotted. “It started with one simple design, then people started inputting more,” Zwinger said. That simple design was the start of the brainstorms that flooded Zwinger’s business. Some of Zwinger’s designs are just as spontaneous as the idea of starting the brand. “One time I was sick and this really annoying fly wouldn’t leave me alone,” she said. That fly was transformed into a cartoon and is now featured on some EZ Does It sweaters and tees. A currently popular tee spotted on the PHS campus regards the school’s continually rising API score. Another one had the brand name blended with a tree. The possibilities for designs are endless. Zwinger’s friend, customer and assistant Adam Faison is very into the de-signs. “My favorite is the fly design… She has some really good new designs coming up, too,” Faison added. Zwinger often develops new designs on weekends, after school or dur-ing her free time. “I even do custom stuff every once in a while,” she said. “I’m making shirts as my senior project for other people’s senior

projects.” Zwinger was also thinking of

starting a line of EZ Does It socks and stickers. “I think those would be

pretty cool too,” she said.Not only are EZ Does It items all

the rage, but Zwinger says that if ordered for an event, they have a “100% guarantee to

make money.” Interested in investing in EZ Does It? “Just

come up and talk to me,” Zwinger says, “I get stoked when people like my stuff.”“They are what’s hot now,” Faison said, “Look

out for EZ Does It, because it’s taking the world by storm!”

The EZ Does It Facebook page includes the avail-able designs and prices. Shirts and tank tops range from $7-$10, jackets and sweaters around $15-$17, and the silicon EZ Does It bracelets are $2. Visit the EZ Does It Facebook page for details.

NATASHA ORAHACopy Editor KRISTI MCCANDLESS

Staff Writer

Erin Zwinger:YoungONFashion

For her senior project Angela Wein-berg is completing a 200-hour yoga certification course to become an in-structor and to find her own spiritual self in the process. Weinberg is taking a course at Sculpt Fusion Yoga Studio where she will be having training to teach yoga eight hours a week for nine weeks. In this course, both experience and observation hours are needed to pass. She will learn an entire power one yoga sequence (P1), which is the first and simplest yoga se-quence available to learn.

As well as learning to teach this, Weinberg will also be expe-riencing many other forms of meditation.

“Yoga is an entire spiritual experience, which began in India,” Weinberg said.

Yoga brings Hindu cultural values into play. Weinberg went on to say, “Ego should be checked at the door. Judgment is the least important trait, overtaken by the art of breathing and concentra-tion upon the inner per-son in connection with the challenging physical movement.”

In this project Wein-berg is going deep into the practice to even learn the anatomy of yoga, seeking to understand the muscles, bones, ligaments and body

parts that are correctly working. This is meant to help people deeper un-derstand their physical bodies so that they may know the rights and wrongs of the postures and help students un-derstand as a result. “Angela is a won-derful student and her project looks

promising. I am very excited to see what comes from it” said

John Graber, Angela’s Eng-lish teacher.

“I truly love yoga with all my heart. It has all my favorite things coupled into one entity: exercise,

meditation, mental health, and bodily nu-trition,” said Weinberg. She continued saying that “eating well and treating your body as nature commands, personal strength,

mental and physi-cal control, un-derstanding and learning about

yourself more and more at every prac-

tice is gratifying.”For Weinberg,

a senior project is

not just some-t h i n g

needed to do for credit; it is a gate-

way into the future. “I expect to learn a lot spiritually about my-

self and gain the opportunity to look inside, devoid of the influences of so-ciety, and the person the environment has made me become. I seek to learn the natural me, as well as physically challenge myself as much as possible. I am excited to further this knowl-edge,” Weinberg said.

Weinberg hopes to continue to in-fluence others in the art of yoga.

I am not a fashion expert or a trendsetting guru, I am just a girl that stays up at night flipping through Vogues, and watching clips from fashion week on my computer. I have always had an interest in this majestic industry, and it has had a big impact on my life. One impor-

tant thing that I have learned over the years is fashion is always chang-ing, but it never goes out of style.

“Fashion is not something that ex-ists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” –Coco Chanel.

Fashion knows no name, no color, no gender. It doesn’t exist only on the runways of Paris and Milan. It is as abundant as air, being everywhere you look. It’s been with you every step of the way, ever since you’ve walked this earth. It’s there when you’re asleep, and when you’re awake.

The prevailing style or custom, as in dress or behavior: personal style is key.

I enjoy an outfit that screams the name of the individual wearing it. Expressing yourself through your clothing is a first amendment right. Not exercising that right to the best of your ability seems ridiculous to me. I am not saying that just because you love the color pink, and you’re a happy person, to plaster pink smiley faces all over your outfit. But don’t listen to me. Wear what you want to wear, and if that favorite outfit of yours happens to be pink smiley faces, please, don’t let me stop you. Because that’s what personal style is all about.

Always remember inspiration, not imitation, is key in creating your own style. Copying someone else’s style usually does not turn out positive. That’s why we have our own tastes. Nothing is better suiting for you than your own style.

For boys, I’ll admit the Vans, straight leg jean and LRG shirt com-bo does work well for most of our male population. Over the past two years ‘mank-tops‘ (or male tank tops) seem dominant in the closets of our Poway boys. During my time here, I have only seen a few guys actually stray from the ‘norm’ and go for a personal look, whatever that may be. Even going as far as to un-‘sag’ your pants can set you apart from the rest. No matter the gender, being able to see someone’s undergarments is nev-er flattering.

Personal style can be discovered anywhere. The mall, the whimsical wonderland to satisfy a shoppers de-sires is crawling with inspirration for personal style. In a recent trip to the mall, I have found myself unsatisfied with some of the selections. Some of my favorite stores have disappointed me with their new items, even though they have a variety of cuts, patterns, and colors, they all make the same ex-act expression. What it seems is that most stores are trying to be retro and cutting edge, however this is creating a lack of originality in the products.

For example, shoulder pads are a trend that should stay in the past. Yes, once in a while, shoulder pads will work for a fun one shoulder dress that has a slight shoulder pad for an abstract appeal; but other than that? No way José.

Even now with football season being over, there is no excuse for us Titans to discontinue our pride by not participating in green and gray Fridays. Like I mentioned in the last column, green, especially Titan green, is flattering on almost anyone. Even the color gray can play a nice contrast on any skin tone.

For more fashion expertise, go to the Iliad website to see Brea’s outfit of the week.

Senior project:Gateway into futureWeinberg centers project on yoga instruction

LEAH SARNOFFStaff Writer

homework assitance: Sophomore Erick Mendoza completes his assignments (above).

Improving Grades:Gil aids sophomore Marisa Diaz and juniors Jocelyn Sacristan, and Kathy Almanza (below).

NATASHA ORAHA // The Iliad

MARY MARSCHKE // The Iliad

Devoted teacher aidsstruggling students

NOVEMBEARD

7FeatureNov 19, 2010

Iliad

Poway High is fortunate to have a pool open for swim P.E., aquatic sports, and a generally fun time; but what makes Poway High especially unique is the hardworking people behind the scenes: the lifeguards. Kathy McCoy and Wendy Eastman obtain the huge responsibility of always being ready to jump into the pool at any time to save a life.

McCoy and Eastman share the job of overseeing the pool and enforcing rules to make sure students are safe. “Our main job is prevention. We want to keep things under control,” McCoy said.

McCoy has been working as a lifeguard at PHS since she herself was a high school student in 1978. She served as an assistant to the older lifeguards at first, working weekdays and sometimes Saturdays. Since, she has also been a coach at PHS.

Eastman developed an interest for keeping people safe at an even younger age when she almost drowned at age seven. After this incident, she became a competitive swimmer and then later took up the career of life guarding. She has been working at PHS for a year, but

has had experience as a lifeguard at other high schools.Either McCoy or Eastman is at the pool side at

all times. McCoy works the early shift and Eastman comes the second half of the day. “I’m here with the last couple of periods, tutorial, and sports. I am always there for polo games,” Eastman said.

McCoy claimed that preventing accidents proves to be a problem because students are excited to be out of the classroom and forget what the dangers are. “We can tell them not to run on the deck, but it doesn’t quite kick in until they slip and hurt themselves,” McCoy said.

The lifeguards have specific techniques of connecting with all students in order to get rules across. “We [take] the kids aside, [we don’t] just yell don’t do this and don’t do that,” McCoy said.

McCoy and Eastman rarely have to face emergencies.

A recent accident involving a student who nearly drowned was just “a medical emergency that happened to take place in the pool,” McCoy said. Eastman along with P.E. Coach Mark Embrey had to quickly respond to the situation. Thanks to the swift reaction the

student was conscious once he was pulled out of the pool. That was the

first time in ten years that the paramedics had to come to the pool.

Poway High students appreciate the lifeguards’ role on campus. Member of the Varsity swim team, sophomore Janelle Harkous, spends hours in the pool during swim season. “It’s good that the lifeguards are there just in

Black Friday:a fight to the death

Jazz band teacher, Les Kepics, is a professional trumpet player. He has been the official trumpeter for the Del Mar Racetrack for the last 26 years and has performed with The Temptations, The Four Tops, Gary Puckett, Bob Hope, Steve Allen and other musicians throughout the country, along with appearing in multiple television commercials and shows. Les Kepics teaches a 6.5 jazz band class every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:45 to 3:45. As a Jazz teacher, he is dedicated to “helping students understand and enjoy jazz, while being a jokester that can make the whole band laugh,” Ryan Shaw, Kepics’s student,

said.“My performing

work has taken me all over the U.S. and many places outside of the U.S,” Kepics said.

“I perform and teach,” Kepics said when asked about his career. During 6.5, Kepics teaches Jazz Improvisational and Big Band Style. In Jazz Improvisation, students learn to compose on the spot and coming up with melodies off the top of their heads typically with a small group. In Big Band Style, on the other hand, students play in an ensemble with

12 to 25 other people, and unlike Jazz Improvisation, Big Band Style music is more arranged and prepared in advance.

“Jazz Band is a lot of fun and a good opportunity to expand on your music playing ability and learn about music in general,” lead trumpet junior Brian Hellemn said.

Walking into the band room, N-1100, on a rehearsal day visitors are greeted with a group of students sitting row by row in chairs headed by Kepics in front of the ensemble. All pay attention, some tune their instruments, some pluck strings on their guitars to see how it sounds, but as soon as Kepics gives the word, they start to perform.

The Jazz Band will showcase their music on Dec. 13 during their first performance at the PAC.

“The December Christmas concert is always a fun concert with several different styles of jazz, and definitely some awesome songs. We have a promising band this year, so it should be exciting, and I look forward to it,” Brian Hellemn said.

“This year’s Jazz Band has started out at a much higher level of musicality than we did last year. I think the audience will be surprised and impressed with the level of musicianship this band has. I am looking forward to an exciting and interesting concert.” Students are encouraged to attend the performance and support the Poway

After school Jazz Bandavailable for students

No Sha e

“No Shave November,” also known as “No Shave Novembeard,” is a tradition that started in 2003, where men, and some women, boycott shaving all month long in an effort to appreciate masculinity and raise awareness for prostate cancer. The movement was inspired by the breast cancer awareness efforts, and has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, sprouting mustaches and beards across all seven continents and even raising $42 million last year.

The rules include absolutely no shaving, waxing or trimming; pretty much any type of grooming is off-limits. If any of these rules are broken in the slightest, the participant can no longer consider himself a participant in this group.

Someone who falls into such a category is one of our own, PHS senior Darien Naraghi, who accounts his failure to the lack of tameness he dealt with his beard. “It was growing too long too fast, and I couldn’t control it and make it grow the way I wanted it to”, he said. Although some people may see this as a letdown for his gender, Naraghi suggests, “ It’s not as easy as it looks. Grow your own beard.”

Another student who has been more successful in this adventure is Allon Rosner. His curiosity got the best of him as November rolled around. He had never attempted to fully grow a beard and wondered if it would work. When asked why he chose to participate in the movement, he responded, “Because I can grow a beard.”

SARA PFEIFFERNews Editor

LONDON DETRICKPhotographer

THOMAS BAKERStaff Writer

EMILY JAMESArtist

GUARDS ON DECK: Wendy East-man (Left) and Kathy McCoy (Right) stand by their post at the pool. LONDON DETRICK // The Iliad

Senior Weston Buelhmaier concentrates on his jazz sheet music before the class begins. LONDON DETRICK // The Iliad

Emily Cade and fellow musi-cians warm up on their saxo-phones. LONDON DETRICK // The Iliad

Senior Ben Levinson laughs while jamming out with his up-right base. LONDON DETRICK // The Iliad

on dutyLIFEGUARD

RESPECT THE BEARD: Poway teachers and students show off their beards in support of No Shave Novembeard.

Our economy’s instability does little to deter the insatiable American desire to buy, buy, buy;

especially if there’s a good deal. For the most die-hard shoppers, Christmas comes a month early on November twenty-fifth. Black Friday transforms the leisurely past time of bargain hunting into an all out frenzy comparable to feeding time at the zoo.

This is the nature that is Black Friday. Dodging ravenous shoppers is not uncommon and it is pivotal that

the ones participating in the

game realize this is a contact sport. If you choose to partake in such high intensity activity, it is important that, as with every sport, you begin preparing to ensure that you are in tip-top condition. To aid you with this conquest I present to you a survival guide (of sorts) to help you experience your best Black Friday ever.

Being a Black Friday success begins with knowing where and when the

sales are. Target, for instance, is extending its Black Friday sale to three days before, beginning on November twenty-first. Best Buy, which opens at a surprisingly late 10 a.m., will also be participating along with

fel low

electronics sellers Walmart and Sears.

If clothing is your main focus for this shopping free-for-all, popular stores like Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom both have been involved in Black Friday in the past. These stores, however, decline to reveal to what extent their items will be discounted to.

If you refuse to lower yourself to the often barbaric shoving and fighting for coveted deals in person, there are also many Black Friday deals online. Apple will be having an online sale and guarantee free shipping; although the deals will not be revealed until the day itself. Last year they only knocked off a measly five to ten percent on their electronics.

The key is to prepare, prepare, prepare! Since these stores are popular among a wide demographic, sales often begin at five o’clock and shoppers come even earlier.

When awaiting the doors opening to your favorite store, I

suggest you also bring a team of your closest friends.

This way, you can create strategies and block opposing shoppers from the best deals and thus, make your Black Friday that much more successful.

So, I wish you good luck on your

quest for quality bargains, and implore you to get a good night’s sleep

b e f o r e h a n d because although stores often replenish their sale stock throughout the day, every seasoned shopper knows that the best deals are gone by the second hour. NORAH CUNNINGHAM

// The Iliad

ALEJANDRO BERRY // The Iliad

NORAH CUNNINGHAM // The Iliad

8

Desserts… In the form of what…?Mint Chocolate Chip, Strawberry Shortcake, and

Key Lime Pie: three attempts at a revolutionary type of gum, from Extra’s line of Dessert Delights. The Willy Wonka wannabes are far from Extra-ordinary. Most of these Meh-sserts are not awful, but only chewable on a necessity basis.

Mint Chocolate Chip:With a minty smell, and an admittedly melting-in-

your-mouth feeling of ice cream, this gum was any-thing but dull.

However, like a circus, it was exciting, but very, very disturbing. It lasted long, but I was only going to test it once. The awkwardness of a gum that is trying to be a “dessert” was insurmountable.

Strawberry Shortcake:Do you want cake flavor with your strawberry rub-

ber-based polyisobutylene? Just as with the rest of the choices in this line of post-dinner gums, the flavor met its claim.

However, I am not sure I even want strawberry shortcake anything; let alone in chewable 5-calorie treat form.

Ten minutes into the gum, I got hit by a sneak at-tack. Suddenly, there was a disproportionate amount of saliva pooling in my mouth, and that bizarre pulling at the back of your throat, much as one would suffer right before yacking.

The issue is that the gum does not live up to what I wanted… good taste.

It smells of a ripe strawberry field and is ruby red, but who cares about that when you cannot stand to chew it for more than fifteen minutes?

Key Lime Pie:My favorite of the three, Key Lime Pie lived up to its

name. This flavor was different though… longer last-ing, a bit exotic a comfort food.

The taste of the crust was even worked into this small rectangular culinary delight. Unlike the other fla-vors, I actually did end up chewing the whole pack. Thumbs up, Extra; this is your all-star.

In summary, Extra scored 33% on this test. Mint Chocolate Chip? Leave it in the bowl. Strawberry Shortcake? Maybe if I was 10... Key Lime Pie? Add it to the list of great green things, money, four leaf clovers and our very own Titans.

Her honest and direct lyrics cut to the core of every girl, and even the occasional boy, because every person who has or perceived to have loved can relate.

By relate, I don’t mean all girls have dated 32 year old men named John Mayer or have waited for Romeo on a “balcony in summer air” only to find our dads telling him to stay away from Juliet, but rather that we have all had times when those scenarios miraculously define exactly how we feel.

A girl can listen to a song and know that she is not alone in her dramatic and adolescent experiences-- it is a comforting feeling.

That’s the power of Taylor Swift. She has been through it all.

This one stumped me.In one regard, the new dessert flavors of Extra

Gum crash and burn. But remarkably, they are also the epitome of the American Dream.

The recently unveiled Strawberry Shortcake, Key Lime Pie and Mint Chocolate Chip “Dessert Delights” are entirely about ambition.

They are Willy Wonka-esque. Unfortunately, the final product is more Johnny Depp than Gene Wilder.

But does the quality even matter?What we have here is a company breaking

boundaries. The gum is unlike anything ever made. It takes the flavor of these treats and accurately represents them in five calories. And when I say accurately, I mean accurately. The Strawberry Shortcake has that hearty, rich underlying cake tone.

The Key Lime Pie is zestier than an actual lime. The Mint Chocolate Chip milkily melts in your

mouth. They are more faithful than a nun. The taste is truer

than the answers in the back of textbooks. And that’s kind of the problem. The power of gum is that it can be chewed incessantly. It’s background noise. You just always have it in your cheek because it’s inoffensive and satisfyingly active. Dessert Delights are too strong to stay in the background.

But that is Extra’s goal. The new gum is positioned as a dessert replacement. They do not want to be incessantly in your cheek. They want to be your post-dinner sweet-tooth appeaser.

It’s revolutionary. Extra is bold enough to take a product and give it a completely new purpose.

The company shuns tradition in favor of ambition. Dessert Delights are a portrait of bravery, of risk-taking, of rebellion. It is the gum that George Washington would chew.

Long live America. Long live Extra.

NORAH CUNNINGHAMFeature Editor

TOSTEN’S TAKE

ERIK’S ANGLE

CASSI VICKSports Editor

In her new album, “Speak Now,” Swift is very personable in the majority of her songs, calling out the names or descriptions of people whom she has either harmed or fell victim to.

Some criticize her, saying that by mentioning former celebrity boyfriends in her songs, Swift is denoting famed names and exposing the relationships celebrities often keep secret.

But that is exactly what makes her so intimate with her teenage crowd.

Taylor Swift is an artist, and being an artist involves utilizing a unique perspective to capture an emotionally vulnerable audience while remaining true to the perspective in which the art came.

She opens her heart to an occasionally brutal public, because her artistic approach is just that--open, honest and relatable.

In a world where girls are constantly being told that imperfections are not acceptable, finding a role model who defies that unrealistic standard is a rarity.

Adolescent girls find it through Taylor. They find it through her music.Taylor Swift gives girls a platform on which to

stand tall. Through her heartwarming music, she encourages teenagers to call out the people who have done harm, apologize to the people who have been hurt and break the boundaries that restrain personality. If referring to her expired celebrity relationships is Taylor’s way of making that happen, then so be it.

Gum does

Unstoppable

DoppalapudiONFilms

Sour notes

dessert:

Right on-tune

Taylor Swift:

Most of her fans would argue that her music is relatable, which, when realizing her target audience of adolescent girls, can be true; but honestly, how can someone relate to song that directly calls out John Mayer? It would only be fair to the men out there falling for Swift’s prime-of-her-life good looks, for her to plaster a piece of duct tape on her forehead that says, “Warning: if you plan on talking to me, prepare to have an iTunes hit written about you. Your name can and will be used against you in my recording studio.”

Immature, really, is the only word to describe her consistence in openly humiliating people who do not treat her exactly as she wants to be treated: like a princess. Up until the song on her new album, Speak Now, titled “Back to December,” all of Swift’s sorrow-filled songs have been about how she has been mistreated, yet never accounts for any mistakes she might have made herself.

In her song, “Dear John,” she says, “Don’t you think I was too young to be messed with?” By indulging in a relationship, she committed her vulnerability and therefore is in no position to complain about the limitations on her maturity, and furthermore, how others should be ruled to handle it.

What happens when her fan base no longer needs her guidance of expression and moves beyond wallowing in Swift’s childish high school love stories? She is admired now among struggling teenage girls whose emotions run haywire at the smallest pinch of unhappiness. Instead of being the role-model that they need and encouraging these young girls to overcome obstacles, insecurities and inane boys that push them down, Swift only endorses the idea of sulking in misery and hopelessness.

The girls of this generation need a role-model with more reserve and dignity, rather than an example like Swift, who advocates that it is acceptable to invest all her emotions in everyone she meets and ultimately disregards the long-since-established perspective and consecration of true love.

It is time to put the misleading influences of Taylor Swift and her unreliable knights in shining armor, unwelcome white horses and broken fairytales in the past; it is time to live above the influence.

Every once in a while there is that movie.The movie that is not unpredictable, that is not exceptionally

creative; that is just a well made thriller. Sure, I wouldn’t say these movies are worth the eight dollar

admission. In fact, they aren’t even worth the money one would spend on renting it. They are the kind of films that one would gladly watch if they appeared on TV.

Unstoppable is one of these movies. I really enjoyed watching this movie. Maybe it was because I was

not the one who paid for my ticket, but I found that the simplicity of the film was a refreshing break from the complex and convo-luted plots usually accompanying my eight dollar purchase.

Entering the theater, I knew exactly how the movie would end. I could hypothesize the ending simply based on the TV advertising. Still, I enjoyed every gripping moment from the train full of kids at the beginning to the dramatic conclusion.

Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed was the performance by Denzel Washington. Although this was far from his best role, he made the best of it and delivered a strong performance. If his career as an actor ever falls through, at least he has a future in train conducting.

Other than Washington though, no other actor really stood out to me. In fact, I don’t even remember if anyone else had a speak-ing role.

What did stand out were the special effects used in the film. The large sets and number of parts necessary for it must have posed a great challenge for the director and producers. They pulled it off beautifully.

The scenes of trains slamming against each other at high speeds and of cars being snapped in half were perfectly choreographed and very convincing.

What I did disagree with in the directing was how the film spent so much time attacking the railroad company. As much of a fan of harsh social commentary that I am, I find it distasteful when a film draws attention away from the issue to point fingers at big businesses for not caring about people and only about the possible monetary losses.

Despite this, the movie was good. It gave me what I expected; nothing more, nothing less. It was dramatic but not corny. It was thrilling but not scary. It was emotional but not too deep. The film found a balance.

True, balance isn’t always good. Some movies are meant to be shockers. Once in a while though, it is nice to get back to basics. It is fun to go to the theaters, buy some popcorn and a drink, just sit back and enjoy a movie and let all the troubles of the world float away. Once every few months a film comes along that provides just that.

This is that movie.

At twenty years old, Taylor Swift continues to grow older while her music does not. Her lyrical styles remain immature, just as they were when the prodigious fourteen year-old began her top-charting career.

Today, a majority of vocal artists are conforming to the typical expectations of a pop-culture driven audience. From catchy auto-tune mixes to shallow bubblegum lyrics, it seems music has taken a turn for the worst. But Taylor Swift is living above the influence of the music industry while topping its charts at the same time.

Extra!Extra!

eNtertaiNmeNtoct 8, 2010

Iliad

9FocusNov 19, 2010

Iliad

Timeline

Very rarely do college musicals gain mass notoriety and a colossal fan base. Very rarely do college musicals reach “viral” status on YouTube. Very rarely do college musicals step on the toes of one of the largest franchises in the literary world. Very rarely do college musicals achieve the same success and brilliance as A Very Potter Musical.

First performed June 5, 2009 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor by the StarKid Production Company, A Very Potter Musical was a low-budget musical whose performance was intended only to be seen by campus Potter enthusiasts.

Seven books. Soon to be eight movies. Thirteen years. More than an entire decade. Like many others, Harry Potter has defined my childhood.

Rather, Harry Potter is my childhood.On the playground in fifth grade, I hung on the monkey bars chatting with

my friends about our eleventh birthdays and admitting how excited we were for our Hogwarts’ letters to arrive. The eve of my birthday arrived and out of the corner of my eye, I watched the window for signs of Hagrid flying toward my apartment on Sirius’ motorcycle. I could imagine him breaking down my door, eager to tell me of all of the magic that was waiting for me back at Hogwarts. Though Hagrid never came, the magic sure did.

A movie franchise to rival Star Wars, books that inspired millions to read again, a theme park to bring magic to all of us and enough merchandise to fill entire conventions: Harry Potter still brings wonder into many lives. Now, fans from all walks of life are once again prepared to line the streets in front of theatres around the world, wands, robes and books in tow.

With an Alohamora, Warner Bros. Studios unlocked not only a childhood dream but also a form of reality in an otherwise impossible, purely-fictional realm.

When Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone hit American theatres, it sparked the start of a dedicated, enraptured fan-base. Now ten years have passed and with them has arrived six more films.

The same audiences who became addicted from day one are now heavily anticipating what will be the last two films in the series.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One arrives in theatres today.

It signifies the literal beginning of the end – in the sense that it is the first part in a two-part movie production chronicling J.K. Rowling’s final novel – as well as a more abstract,

SYDNEY LUSTIGEditor-in-Chief

MADISON HEWETTAssociate Editor

CHELSEY YOUNGEditorial Editor

1997

•June 30 – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone book released (UK)

1998

•Sept. 1 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone book released (US)

1999

•June 2 – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets book released

•Sept. 2 – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban book released

2000

•July 8 – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire book released

2001

•Sept. 16 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone film re-leased

2002

•Nov. 14 – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets film released

2003

•June 4 – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban film released

•June 21 – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix book released

• July 15 – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince film re-leased

•Nov. 19 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part

•June 18 – Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park opened in Orlando, FL.

•July 15 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two film to be released

2005

•July 16 – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince book released

•Nov.18 – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire film re-leased

2007

•July 11 – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix film released

•July 25 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book re-leased

2009

2010

2011

Regardless of age, race, House or blood status, Harry Potter brings people together, and that is where the true magic lies.

Within the words of Albus Dumbledore and many other characters, the reader finds wisdom, morals of equality and most importantly, something to believe in.

This series isn’t about fantasy or magic; it’s about a timeless message that love conquers all and that anything is possible with enough determination and courage.

Come 2007 when the final book was released, I remember the tears falling steadily onto the pages. I cried at the dedication, I cried at the first chapter, and even harder at the epilogue. It seemed over. It felt like my childhood closed with the book itself.

And now, as the trailers say, it’s the beginning of the end once more. But, as so many fans know, Harry Potter never ends. It lives within us, in our heads and in our hearts.

“‘Tell me one last thing,’ said Harry. ‘Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?’ [...]

‘Of course it’s happening inside your head, Harry, but why on Earth should that mean it’s not real?’”

...and the defining of a generation

meaningful one. Dedicated Harry Potter fans have

willingly partaken in an emotional, action-packed rollercoaster that has allowed them to have a visual example of the very novels that appealed to them originally.

The movie plans to encompass the first half of the content in its novel counterpart.

The Harry Potter franchise has affected lives in more than just a superficial way, and those anticipating the new film are likely to feel its instantaneous emotional impact.

Historically, the previous movies have utilized intense, innovative camera angles, extraordinary special effects and impressive acting and the upcoming film promises not to disappoint.

The trailer of the film itself demands the attention of almost anyone who views it.

It samples many techniques utilized in previous movies; striking lighting

effects as well as strictly action-based cut-scenes immediately grab the eye.

The impressively long opening sequence to the trailer involves Harry stepping deeper into a forest to meet Voldemort head-on, and proceeds to outline the climactic final battle of the wizarding world as Harry and friends race to destroy the remaining horcruxes.

The intensity and visible danger of the cut-scene inspires many feelings within the viewer as they gaze intently on the rest of the trailer, which includes (but is not limited to) brief snippets of Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and dragons.

At this point, it would be almost useless to encourage Harry Potter fans to see the movie tonight or over the weekend. Chances are, they’ve already pre-ordered tickets, and with dedication like that, who can claim that the Harry Potter movies haven’t had an enormous impact on today’s society?

Unbeknownst to the 20-some members involved in the production, their free performance would reach Hagrid-sized proportions.

AVPM had been in the works for years, yet the reaction and praise that it received could hardly have been anticipated.

But it was so much more than they could ever have anticipated.

These college students took a new, risky approach on the same story, adding unexpected heart and humor to many classic characters and plots.

The audience learns of a pseudo-Hogwarts, a school that Draco longs to attend satirically christened “Pigfarts.” Yet, with a Headmaster named Rumbleroar—a talking lion—and a campus on Mars, his transfer seems highly improbable.

The final horcrux required to destroy the Dark Lord is not a slithering snake, but instead a poster of Zac Efron, whom Dumbledore affectionately refers to as “Zefron.”

Draco is a diaper-wearing, Hermione-lusting little brat who spends more time rolling on the floor than he does attending actual classes.

Ginny is the annoying younger sibling who pathetically yearns for Harry’s affection… wait, that’s not new.

In addition to lovable, loathable characters and a creatively, jumbled collection of famous themes, A Very Potter Musical boasts a beautifully composed, catchy score. The opening number of AVPM, “Get Back to Hogwarts,” essentially summarizes Harry’s unfortunate

domestic circumstances with the Dursleys and expresses his desire to return to his Hogwarts home. A Very Potter Sequel—the second installation that premiered on YouTube late last summer—revisits Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s first year at school, introducing Harry to his unknown past with the lively, infectious tune “Harry Freakin’ Potter.”

A Very Potter Musical created a sub-culture of JK Rowling’s mystical universe, spurning merchandize, obsessive views and launched the career of the talented performer Darren Criss, who has even made appearances on Glee since his role as Harry.

With such growing success, there will certainly be more in store for this captivating musical series. To watch

Q:

Yes. My children are reading the books. Everything is Harry Potter.”

Has the Harry Potter franchise impacted your

life?

Dave LeMaster, Assistant Principal

Yes” (While pulling out her Gryffindor wallet).

Jessica Jackson 11

Yes. It made me cry when I didn’t end up getting my letter to Hogwarts.”

Charles Collins 11

Yeah. I remember watching it with my older brother. It was like a tradition.”

A.J. Go 9

...and the Deathly Hallows: Part One preview

...and the fan-made

MUSICALSENSATION

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy ad-venture, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. (Jaap Buitendijk/Courtesy Warner Bros./MCT)

10 sportsNov 19, 2010

Iliad

To some people, wrestling is just another backyard event to prove who is almighty between groups of friends, but to senior Porfi Sosa, wrestling changed his life.

Sosa first became introduced to the sport of wrestling freshman year in Wayne Branstetter’s freshman P.E. class. Instantly, Sosa became intrigued in wrestling over other activities he played in.

“I had fourth period wrestling and I started to like the sport of wrestling a lot more than soccer,” Sosa said.

Once Sosa became involved in

the sport more, he learned he would have to work on making his school work better as well and his overall lifestyle. Sosa took the challenge and as a result, positive things have come about.

“Now that I wrestle, I have stayed out of trouble more, and my grades have all improved as well,” Sosa said.

Even friends of Sosa say they have seen a great change in him.

“Wrestling has taught Porfi to stay committed with something, to work hard at your goals, and to foremost, stay out of trouble, and I feel all of this has really been a positive change in his life for the better,” senior Niki Ellis said.

But not only known for his

wrestling abilities, Sosa is a complete all around team contributor in his sport.

“Porfi is excellent, not only at wrestling, but in the fact that of helping others. He is always very kind and nurturing to his teammates and always put on a positive attitude,” senior Grapplette Coral Lopez said.

Being known as one of the top wrestlers this upcoming season has gotten the attentions of a lot of students who are excited to see how Sosa will do this upcoming season, as well as the whole wrestling team.

“I feel a top five in state for sure though with the amount of talented wrestlers we have this year,” Sosa said.

Becca GrantGirls’ Volleyball Outside HitterVarsity Since Freshman Year(What you won’t find on her college résumé)

Born: December 2, 1994Grade: SophomoreWhat is on TV: Family GuyFavorite Movie: Step BrothersSuperstitions: NoneLove to Trade Places for the Day with: Kerri Walsh (Professional Beach Volleyball Player)First Job: VolleyHutFavorite Athlete to Watch: Misty MayMy Greatest Accomplishment in Sports: Going to the Junior Olympics Three TimesDream Job: Physical Therapist for the ChargersReading: Doesn’t ReadFavorite Vacation Spot: JamaicaCollege: University of TexasPet Peeve: Chewing gum really loudItem I can’t live without: Cell PhoneFavorite Teacher: Robert Parry

~Haley Steele

Titan Profile

W restlingChanged

Sosa’s life for the betterKYLE MARSHStaff Writer

Justin Woodruff epitomizes the American hero. His whole life has been devoted to public service, from his time in the United States Marine Corp to his employment as a U.S. History teacher and wrestling coach at Poway High School.

Woodruff ’s interest in wrestling started back during his days at PHS as a student and helped him to get into the Naval Academy, where he continued to wrestle. In fact, it was his wrestling teammates that convinced him to join the Marines instead of the Navy.

“It was a dream of mine to be a pilot,” stated Woodruff, who accomplished this dream by becoming an attack helicopter pilot. He was inspired by the movie Top Gun as a child, and always knew he wanted to serve his country in some way.

In 2005 between deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Woodruff revisited PHS. He spent a lot of his time working out and practicing with the wrestling team again, and decided he wanted to assist in coaching them. For

the past three years, he has been an official coach for our champion team alongside his former coach, Wayne Branstetter

“He was a good kid, great kid. One of our finest,” Branstetter said about his former student. Woodruff placed fourth in the state in his senior year, earning him a spot on the wrestling wall’s 1996 plaque of champions.

According to Woodruff, Poway has another solid team this year, and he looks forward to seeing how competitions play out although there is still much work to be done. “We’re cautiously optimistic,” he chuckled.

This year, however, Woodruff has more than just coaching on his hands. It is also his first year teaching U.S. History and P.E at PHS. “I love physical education and have always been interested in history,” said Woodruff, a history major, when asked about his class choices.

Woodruff has dedicated his life to pursuing things he enjoys and serving his country. He takes pleasure in his work back at his former high school and reflects back on his time in the Marine Corp as a great life experience. “It gave me a good perspective on what’s important in life… I would recommend service in some form to everyone,” Woodruff said.

A life of serviceSKYLAR SLOTTERStaff Writer

National Letter of Intent Signing

Angie RandazzoUniversity of Missouri

Softball

Annie McSorleyPoint Loma Nazerne

Golf

Chad SmithSDSU

Baseball

Chris DennisNorthwestern

Baseball

Connor JoeUSD

Baseball

Devon PetersonIndiana

Water Polo

Dylan TrentUniversity of Richmond

Tennis

Jenna PelligrinoUC IrvineSoccer

Haley SteeleASU

Softball

Girls’ volleyball competed in CIF Quarterfinals on Nov. 13 against Carlsbad beating them 3- winning the first set 25-11, the second 25-20, and the last 25-18.

“We’ve had really good practices, we haven’t been taking any breaks, and we play everyday,” Team Captain Mariah Counts said. “We also play really well together”.

Many players stood out this game, including Mariah Counts with four aces, Claire Shannon with 11 kills and 7 blocks, Bridget Hill with 38 assists, and Shabnam Bonyadi with nine digs.

“We really played as a team,” Co-Team Captain Claire Shannon said. “We beat them in three [sets], which is what we really wanted to do.”

Unfortunately on Wednesday, Poway lost in semifinals against La Costa Canyon. LCC swept Poway in all three sets, winning the first set 25-17, the second 25-18 and the third 25-15.

Going into Wednesday’s game, both Shannon and Counts expressed how they needed to focus solely on their game, since La Costa Canyon is a team with a lot of energy.

“We need to just focus on our side of the net instead of worrying about game plans,” Shannon said.

“If we just put our best game forward and do what we know we can do then we can beat them,” Counts added.

This was the third time in a row Poway and La Costa Canyon has come face to face in CIF semifinals, and all of those years, LCC has beaten Poway.

“This is the closest team I’ve ever been on in my three “This is the closest

team I’ve ever been on in my three years playing varsity.” //Mariah Counts

GABRIELLA KITCHEditorial Editor

Girls’ varsity volleyball: hopeful going into semi-finals

-Coutesy of Marcy Steele

Cassi Vick / The Iliad

Halfback Chris Verne is the perfect package of speed and power. His consistency from the back field is what gives him his edge.

The opposing defense if baffled as to what Verne will do when he faces them. “I come at them, and they don’t know what I’m going to do. They don’t know if I’m going to juke or go right through them,” Verne said.

Verne’s combination of power and speed is what has helped him start this season and be a strength of the Titans’ offense.

“Chris Verne is the most consistent offensive back,” Head Coach Da-mian Gonzalez said.

Verne gets his edge from his knowledge of the field and his ability to seek out the loopholes in the opposition’s defense. “I think the fact that he’s smart helps him to see the holes in the other team’s defense, and his vision helps him to see where the blocks are,” teammate Chris Corless said.

Verne is the middle of the three headed monster because his combina-tion of talents leads the monster towards success.

“I am not a vocal leader, but I lead by my actions. When it comes down to it, they know they can depend on me,” Verne said.

11Nov 19, 2010

Iliad sports

POWER SpeedTHE Combo

MARY MARSCHKE Sports Editor

Skateboarding is a popular activ-ity among high school students, but most people don’t know the other variation of skateboarding known as long boarding.

The long boarding enthusiasm began with a drive of adrenaline for senior Colin Thorpe. “I started long boarding because I had a board, and wanted to go down big hills with it,” Thorpe said.

Senior surfer Dillon Wegrzyn uses long boarding as an alternate way of keeping up his stamina during low tide. “It’s like surfing on concrete when I can’t get to the beach,” We-grzyn said.

Apart from the board being “lon-ger” than a skateboard, long board-

ing consists more of carving down hills and picking up speed as com-pared to the fancy showboating of tricks and flips on a skateboard.

Wegrzyn uses a variety of boards, but favors the Sector 9 Flex board, “It’s a buttery feel. I champ it up on the big hills.”

The long board allows skaters to experience an adrenaline rush dif-ferent from skateboarding. “Long boarding is going down hills and carving them, while skateboarding is more technical through tricks and different maneuvers,” Thorpe said.

Almost every person has experi-enced one crazy thing in their life-time. But probably nobody’s crazi-est moment can compare to that of Thorpe’s. “I was skating in between cars on a two lane road. While skating behind my friend, who was driving,

and I started to speed up, so I had to go around him, and there happened to be two cars on the other side of the road. I think it's the closest call I've had so far,” Thorpe said.

The long board is designed for speed, sometimes reaching up to 40 or 50 miles per hour, which contrib-utes to countless crashes.

Wegrzyn knows of the risk in-volved with long boarding and still continues to skate, “When I start fall-ing I dip out. Then I run it off and get back up on the board,” Wegrzyn said.

The zen and relaxation of long boarding keeps attracting skaters, “I like long boarding because I like the culture it entails, as well as the type of people who participate. It's a really relaxed and an overall mellow culture,” Thorpe said.

KYLE MARSHStaff Writer

Senior Bernie Vassallo makes his claim to fame on the football field as the Titan’s fullback. His job as fullback is to both run the ball and block.

In the games, Bernie feels that his teamwork with halfback Chris Verne helps accomplish what is needed.

“Me and Chris of course know each very well and we flow together in the back field. We have the same type of style when it comes to running the ball, so it is easy to block for one another,” Vassallo said.

When asked about Vassallo’s performance, fellow teammate Evan Gray comments on the power that he exhibits on the field. “Bernie is a power runner, so he runs up the middle better in our offensive plays,” Gray said.

Vassallo tries to improve the offensive tactics by building up his fellow teammates strengths. “I’ve always given Evan advice to put on top of his natural ability,” Vassallo said.

Though the season has had its ups and downs, Bernie felt that in the games he played his running was solid. “I think my major accomplish-ment this season was against Ramona. I ran very well,” Vassallo said.

Attention is drawn to junior motionback Evan Gray because of his im-mense speed on the field. According to Head Coach Damian Gonzalez, Gray brings a great advantage for the team.

“Evan is so fast that he brings a whole different element to the game,” Gonzalez stated.

Gray feels like his role on the team is to use his abilities to inspire the team. “I feel like my role on the team is to help get things going during games and help lead through my actions and not lead through words. Like, if I make a good play, then everyone will get pumped up and start playing better themselves,” Gray said.

Running outside seems to be Grays specialty on the field because his speed allows him to bypass the defensive line of the opposing team.

Every athlete focuses on their strengths in their training, and as mo-tionback, Gray focuses on his speed on the field. “The technique I work on mostly is my speed. The faster I am, the better I am at running the ball and also catching the ball. If I couldn’t catch then being fast wouldn’t do as much good,” Gray said.

Titan Football takes an emotional hit

The three headed monster of the Titans’ running game is filled by the positions of halfback Chris Verne, full-back Bernie Vassallo, and motionback Evan Gray. The three headed monster is coined for the change up foot-ball works in to their offense when they want to throw off the competition’s defense. They each play a role in

the running game and ensure that the plays run smoothly. Each of the trio has their own strengths that they bring

to the field, but how they incorporate it into the game is the real highlight.

“Me, Bernie and Chris work together because we all run in different ways. Like, I’m fast so I can run it outside better, where Bernie is a power runner so he runs up the middle better, and Chris Verne is like a mix. He can do it all,” Gray said.

Vassallo points out that their trio is a part of the back-bone of the team by their ability to work the field and run the ball.

“I’d say we are part of the back bone of the team. There are other players that contribute. When we make big plays it gets the whole team going. I think Evan, Chris and I are the ones that make something happen when it’s needed,” Vassallo said.

When it comes to the fullback and halfback working

together on the field, Vassallo’s power on the field is a great weapon for the offense along with Verne’s mixture of talents. “Bernie is used to switch up the offense when the defenses are keen on Chris,” Coach Damian Gonza-lez said.

The three headed monster’s goal for their offensive strategy is to get the ball moving. “We all work on things that help running backs such as cutting and blocking peo-ple; ball security is also really vital,” Vassallo said.

Surfing the streets

This past Friday was an emotional night for the Titans. The loss of Tyler Peterson was evident on the field, in the stands, and even on the make-up smeared faces of the Poway High School cheerleaders.

With the sad atmosphere surrounding the Titans, they could not pull a win out of their sleeves as the Broncos cleared their path to victory.

Senior linebacker Chase Wilsey felt that the emotions in the air played a major part in the Titans loss. “It was a hard game under the circumstances. I think we came out

too emotional. I mean it is always emotional on senior night, and the death of Tyler Peterson was devastating and only happened a few days before the game,” Wilsey said.

It did not start well for Poway as they were pinned within their five yard line by a great punt and struggled to get out of the shadows of their own goal-posts.

Rancho Bernardo scored their first touchdown of the night on a six yard run with 2:46 left in the first quarter.

The Titans had a somewhat solid run defense on first and second down but seemingly struggled on third-and-longs.

“I felt like on defense we did good on first and second

down, but we just couldn’t get them on the third down,” Wilsey said.

Rancho Bernardo’s aerial attack proved successful against the Titan zone defense. “We played zone a major-ity of the game, and I feel like we didn’t execute it prop-erly,” Wilsey said.

With five minutes left in the second quarter, the Bron-cos connected on a 30 yard touchdown pass but missed a field goal in the closing seconds of the first half.

The passing game of the Broncos was a challenge for the Titans.

“We couldn’t really stop the passing game that well,” defensive lineman Jonathan Petersen said.

From there on, the Titans couldn’t muster up enough offense to catch up with the Broncos.

A lone 33 yard field goal by Marcus Diaz got the Titans on the board in the third quarter.

Poway would surrender a touchdown in each of the ensuing quarters for a final score of 28-3 and a very dis-appointing Friday night for the Titans.

Looking towards the playoffs, coach Damian Gonzalez wants to start fresh. “It’s like a brand new season, so we are going to take it one game at a time,” Gonzalez said.

The Titans face off against the Granite Hills tonight at 7 p.m. at home in Poway’s stadium. Look on to www.powayiliad.com for coverage of the first playoff game.

MARY MARSCHKEALEJANDRO BERRY

Shredding the Asphalt: Senior Dillon Wegrzyn lays out a smooth frontside power-slide on his Sector 9 mini.

JIMMY CUNNINGHAM // The Iliad

Poway’s running game: The cornerstone of the offense

12 sports Nov 19, 2010

Iliad

Anxious cross country runners from all over the county took their marks at the League Championship meet at Kit Carson Park in Escondido last Sat-urday.

Poway High ran in the Palomar League race against Torrey Pines, Rancho Bernardo, Mount Carmel, Ramona and Westview.

The championship meet was a strong race for the team, and good prepara-tion for this weekend’s CIF San Diego Section Finals.

The varsity girls’ team came out strong and secured third place in the meet overall. More importantly, Poway beat Rancho Bernardo, even with their top Bronco runner, Molly Grabill, coming in first place.

The runners credit their success to their teamwork and camaraderie. According to Poway’s top runner Aimee Trujillo, who came in fourth place

overall, Poway “stayed as a pack and ran as a team to beat Rancho Bernardo.”The varsity cross country girls have focused more on the whole team this

year, rather than the individual runners and individual times, which has helped to gain positive results.

“Cross country is a team sport, and running as a pack has made this cross

country season remarkable,” varsity runner Jenna Belknap added. Head cross country coach Dan Schaitel was also pleased with the varsity

girls’ race, which has led him to be very optimistic about the team as they go into CIF.

“To come as far as they have, and to beat Rancho Bernardo in the League Championships, is a very amazing task,” Schaitel said.

The varsity boys’ cross country team also made notable accomplishments at the meet, given their unfortunate circumstances.

Despite a number of injuries on the boys’ side, both JV and varsity runners have stepped up and improved themselves.

Without several top runners, the varsity boys won fifth place overall, out of the six Palomar League teams.

Junior Chris Tansey stepped up for his team and ran a fantastic race, finish-ing in fifth place overall.

Tansey’s strong race supports Schaitel’s philosophy in that “when one per-son gets injured, it opens up the door of opportunity for someone else to step up.”

The boys’ team had a goal of running their best race possible and according to Tansey, “we accomplished this task.”

Both cross country teams ran with heart and left their mark at Kit Carson Park, setting the stage for this weekend’s CIF Finals.

KRISTY McCANDLESSStaff Writer

Nike unveiled the new LeBron James on Oct 24.

As it turns out, he isn’t a man who really cares what you think of the unveiling.

As an audience, we expect the stars on stage to aim to please

us. This new commercial reveals that James has an entirely different mindset. He is aiming for internal satisfaction.

A lot of people tell him what he should do. He ignores it all.How do you like that NBA fans?The spot opens with five seconds of a silent LeBron staring into the

ground from his director’s chair. On the verge of making his big summer announcement, James ponders the question, “What should I do?”

We then are bombarded with hypothetical answers to that question. Suggestions from all the fans, all the haters, all those who have passed judgement on the MVP.

It’s as if he cares what these people think.But, hear the commercial out. It preaches on James’s helplessness.He can’t please everyone. He can’t please those who want him back in

Cleveland. He can’t please those who now call him a villain. He can’t please those who those who think he disgraced his legacy by suiting up alongside Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade, two other stars.

“This isn’t about what LeBron James has done, or hasn’t done. This is about the difference between the expectations others may have of him versus the expectations he has of himself,” Nike Basketball says about the ad.

Give me a break. Just because there are combatting expectations for a player doesn’t mean that none of them can be achieved.

LeBron’s expectations will obviously not align with the expectations of every fan, of every faction of the NBA’s audience. But is there really that big of a schism between the goals of the player and the hopes of the public?

Choose a path and stick with it. Some people will be happy in the end. This is an easy enough resolution.

The commercial’s conclusion is ignorantly open-ended. In describing the minute-and-a-half spot, Nike Basketball says: “What should he do? The answer is a question.”

The answer is not a question. This seems pretty indecisive for a man who made the most decisive decision of his life this summer. The Decision. James’s infamous, hour long special was entirely designed to showcase his decisiveness.

So, is LeBron now drowning in self-doubt, in hindsight? Is that what this commercial is all about?

I can’t imagine so. It ends on a note that seems pretty self-confident.

Even though he starts out solemn, James proceeds to almost mock all of the suggestions people have thrown at him over the last few months. He gets more scathing with each segment.

The first 80 seconds critique everyone else’s ideas about what James “should do.”

The final scene displays his own self-reflection.“Should I be who you want me to be?” he asks. The final 10 seconds reveal

his answer.James drives to the hoop, curling around defenders, slow-motioning a finger

roll up towards the net. A shining all-star blowing gorgeously, peacefully, stunningly through defenders.

No, he should not be who you want him to be. He shouldn’t be any of the images that the commercial throws in his face. He should be the image in the

mirror, the image that matters. The image that is already there.What should LeBron James do? What should he be? It doesn’t matter.

Because the decision has already been made.He is what exists. What exists is the most beautifully athletic and talented

basketball player in the world. Accept it.Maybe the commercial isn’t so ignorant after all. A public figure not reveling

in the public light? Maybe it’s refreshing that James doesn’t give weight to the mob’s mentality.

Nike’s description of the ad is just a conservative summary of what the ad actually is. Lebron’s answer to the question “What should he do?” isn’t open ended, it just has an answer that disregards all those giving their input.

Also, maybe this isn’t a commercial that repaints LeBron in any way. Isn’t this the character he has always been?

Choosing Miami over his hometown of Cleveland was an extraordinarily delicate process. James knew what the response would be. And he did it anyway.

He did it knowing that the haters would call it a cop-out, a shedding of the responsibility to win a championship on his own — a responsibility under

which he broke while playing for the Cavaliers. He did it knowing that the haters would call it a betrayal, a stab in the back to the franchise that birthed him and grew him and lived and died with him.

Facing all of that, James shamelessly made his announcement. Not just shamelessly, but boldly. There was no hesitation. There was no self-doubt.

Now, facing all of the criticism mentioned in this commercial, James shamelessly ignores it all in order to live his own life.

Nike’s slogan fades the commercial out. “JUST DO IT.”A lot of people have told LeBron to just do a lot of things. Moral of the

story is, the only opinions that truly matter are his own.Is that so wrong?

He should be the image in the mirror. The image that matters. The image that is already there.

Varsity cross country strides closer to CIF

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Varisty cross country runners Maddy Ward and Amanda Shoemaker race in preparation for CIF. ~Courtesy of Trudy Lentz

Nike frames image of LeBron James