CORSAIR
volume 108 issue 8 • October 29, 2014 • santa monica college
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2 contents/News
volume 108 issue 8 • October 29, 2014 • santa monica college
E D I T O R I A L S TA F F Alci Rengifo············ Editor-in-Chief c o rs a i r. e d i t o r i n c h i e f @ g m a i l . c o m Rachel Gianuario····Managing Editor Co-A&E Editor, News Editor c o rs a i r. n e w s p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Paulina Eriksson·····Health & Lifestyle c o rs a i r. l i f e s t y l e p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Jonathan Ramos········ Opinion Editor c o rs a i r. o p i n i o n p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m James Powel··············· Sports Editor c o rs a i r. s p o r t s p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Ronja Jansz ........ Multimedia Director c o rs a i r. m u l t i m e d i a d e p t @ g m a i l . c o m Mia Duncans ············· Photo Editor c o rs a i r p h o t o e d i t o r @ g m a i l . c o m Ju a n L o p e z . . . . . . . D i g i t a l E d i t o r c o rs a i r. w e b e d i t o r @ g m a i l . c o m Jhosef Hern····················Illustrator c o rs a i r c a r t o o n @ g m a i l . c o m c o r s a i r s ta f f Zafer Acar, Brandon Barsugli, Scott Bixler, Carlos Espinosa, Jazmine B. Heard, Adrien Piteux, Luis Salvador, Raven Newaly, Brenda Cruz, Matthew Toss, Stacy Ellen, Jeffrey Chacon, Stella Ngigi, Carlos Espinosa, Alfredo Gutierrez, Zoila Campos, Jillisa Jenkins, Yasha Hawkins, Branisolv Jovanovio, Jose Gutierrez,, Julianne Oseberg, Nour Kabbani, Farhanah Ali, Devin Page, Jason Biney, Jose Lopez, Sherrie Dickinson, Patricia Stallone, Ava Gandy, Nicholas Cardona, Nick Carrion, Veronika Kacha, Hans Saudestroem, Adriane Hale, Tiffany Hernandez, Mary Leipziger, Claudius West, Deni Rodriguez, Richard Lewis, Brandon Wong,, Maddy Weber, Lorena Garcia.
Jose Lopez Corsair
An Alien eats flesh off a corpse laying on the bed during the ‘Alien versus Predator” maze at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights on September 19, 2014 in Studio City, California.
Creepy Clowns such as this one, found hanging around on Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, Calif. in front of the Aahs! Ultimate Gift Store on Sunday, are playing on a fear that some have of clowns in general. Reports of Clowns roaming the streets of California made the news recently as the sights have become more common.
FA C U LT Y A D V I S O R S Saul Rubin & Gerard Burkhart AD INQUIRIES: Sa r it Ka s h a n i a n corsai r. admana g er@g m ai l . co m (3 1 0 ) 4 3 4 - 4 0 3 3
Mia Duncans Corsair
Letter From the Editor Alci rengifo Editor In Chief
Halloween is once again upon us. While it’s essentially a date for going out, dressing up and consuming vast amounts of candy (and other substances for some), Halloween is also a brief moment to reflect on what scares us. What makes us afraid? I was having this discussion the other night with our staff, debating over what constitutes as “horror” and what constitutes simply as “suspense,” specifically in the context of film. For myself it depends on the individual. Some people are afraid of heights, some might be afraid of the dark. Some readers no doubt believe in the supernatural, paranormal realities, while others find the possibility of such realities scary. In this issue we explore both Halloween as a fun festivity and as a time where we reflect on our fears. In this issue we meet Wendy Piatek, a housewife from Indianapolis, now living in Santa Monica, who is convinced she is being followed by alien beings who have chosen her for an unknown purpose. She has reported strange beings in her home and lights in the sky that seem to follow her from city to city. Although hard to believe, Piatek herself is sincere in explaining what she believes she has experienced. And she is scared of not knowing exactly what is happening to her and what her future holds. For The Corsair this is a rare sort of interview and it provides insight into the experiences of local residents. I confess to being a skeptic myself on the matter of Piatek’s story, not because I doubt her sincerity, but because I won’t believe the extraterrestrials are visiting until they land on Venice Boulevard or put us all in chains (or both). I could be wrong of course and Piatek might be proven right. Indeed, from the appearance of our cover, the theme of costumes is prominent in this issue as our writers explore the theme of
why we choose the costumes we do in this season. What compels us to choose a specific face, persona, or dress? For the inhibited, it is a chance to let loose, for others it could mean the chance to live out the fantasy of being a favorite celebrity or historical personality. Ironically, in this cosmetic age, Halloween can take on a new importance as that moment where you can be what you consider a revolutionary, sexy or terrifying. Few things have defined terror in our modern world like the cinema. Through film much of what is considered scary today has been defined over the decades. In our A&E section, we offer a small selection of rare horror films worthy of being given a chance this Friday for those who will choose to curl up indoors. While every season sees revivals of classic films like “The Exorcist,” “Carrie,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” and “Night Of The Living Dead,” there are some other titles that slip us by. How many readers have heard of the 1979 remake of “Nosferatu” starring German madman Klaus Kinski? Or Guillermo del Toro’s spooky ghost tale “The Devil’s Backbone”? These and more are offered. This is an age of fear. The Middle East is in flames, fundamentalist groups are on the rise, espousing doctrines against women and minorities, plagues like Ebola rear their heads in all corners of the globe, and for some odd reason, the highly random deaths of children and police officers are running rampant on our news outlets. So it is fitting that The Corsair take some time to explore the dark corners and lighter shades of Halloween, as the weather now begins to cast aside the warmth of summer, and gradually welcome the chill winds of fall and winter. Happy Halloween from The Corsair, and may your night take you safely home!
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news 3
volume 108 issue 8 • October 29, 2014 • santa monica college
costumed revelry at the beach Pearson Babakitis staff writer
Mia Duncans Corsair ZJ’s Boarding House hosted their annual Halloween Surfing Contes, October 25th, 2014 at Santa Monica Beach. Surfers took to the waves in an array of various costumes
This past Saturday morning, ZJ Boarding House held its seventh annual Haunted Heats Halloween Surf Contest at Santa Monica beach, where many ghouls, witches, and other Halloween creatures were prepared to surf their best. Proceeds from competition went to Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for the prevention of breast cancer. The morning's costumes ranged from characters such as Katniss Everdeen, from the "The Hunger Games" films, Ghost Busters characters to skeletons and a playboy bunny. Surfers in the competition had to incorporate costumes into their wetsuits, and then act out the character for fifteen minutes while catching the big swells. While also trying to remain balanced on his board, Captain America brought out his shield and tossed it into the ocean. One surfer in the competition was dressed as Katniss Everdeen, with her bow and arrow included. There was even a female Matador, complete with a separate person on the beach dressed as the bull. As she surfed close to the shore, the bull charged into the surf and the Matador "teased" the bull with a pink silk cloth. One surfer dressed as the character Joe Dirt,
from a movie of the same name, and brought along a plastic baby doll with a cigarette in its mouth to reference the character's controversial smoking baby in the 2001 film. While balancing on his board in the waves, the surfer threw the plastic baby onto shore, and then theatrically gave the doll CPR. For best grom (or rookie surfer), in first was Zoe Morgan as Little Red Riding Hood, in second, was Clara Weider as the Big Bad Wolf, and Jack O'Rourke as Santa Monica and Golby Palacio as the Statue of Liberty tied for third place. Competitor David Nickerson took home best costume dressed as the beloved Robin Willaims character Mrs. Doubtfire, tied for second were Rich Mudge and Greg Delger as space rappers, and in third was Sarah Strazi as a Hershey's Kiss. For best surfing, first was Vienna Werner who dressed as a Playboy Bunny with puffy tail and ears included. In second place was Jason Michael Dodd as a golfer, and in third was Andres Quiros as a matador. But for best overall surfing, the winner was John Broz who was riotously dressed as a person from a fictitious 'redneck yacht club.' As of Tuesday, ZJ Boarding House reports the competition helped raise $1,500 for B4BC. ZJ Boarding House is already planning for next year's Heat contest and hope to see just as many and more festive, avid surfers riding the waves.
Mia Duncans Corsair
A surfer competes in ZJ’s Boarding House’s annual Halloween Surfing Contes, October 25th, 2014 at Santa Monica Beach near Tower 26
Mia Duncans Corsair Nicholas Ripino of Santa Monica, strikes a pose in a cheerleader costume during the 2014 ZJ Haunted Heat Halloween Surfing Contest that took place near Tower 26 on Santa Monica Beach on Saturday.
D68: new virus sneaks up on students with flu-like symptoms Brandon Wong staff writer
As this part of the world approaches the fall season, temperatures will finally be dropping and the flu season is soon to officially begin. The usual flu is always expected, but there is a new twin virus on the block. The viral infection disguised as its doppleganger is the non-polio enterovirus D68, (EV-D68) having symptoms similar to the flu and common cold. Some serious cases have arisen and lead to respiratory problems, chest pains, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and even partial paralysis in rare cases. Enteroviruses (EV) are very common, causing around 10-15 million infections in the United States per year according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP). Reports of the EVlike illnesses have spiked in California as of the second week of October according to a report from the CDCP. In the same report,
cases of the illness increased on the east coast, with a significant quantity in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The CDCP also indicates that people are more likely to become infected with non-polio enteroviruses during the summer and fall. The disease mainly effects infants, young children and teenagers, particularly persons with asthma (due to its impact on the respiratory system) and weakened immune systems (due to low immunity protection). The illness has heavily affected middle schools and sent many children to the Intensive Care Unit.There have been about 600 confirmed cases of EV-D68 in the United States, with five confirmed deaths from people infected. According to the CDCP, EV-D68 can be spread like any other cold. Sneezing, coughing, and direct contact with an infected person are the most common ways of contracting the illness. There is currently no specific treatment for the illness, however the best form of prevention is washing hands
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and maintaining good personal hygiene. Cases of EV-D68 in California have risen over the past month from 14 cases in the beginning of the October to 32 reported cases as of now. Cases have been reported from San Diego all the way to San Francisco. The closest reports in Southern California have been in the Long Beach area, however there have been no reported cases of EV-D68 in Santa Monica as of October. Middle schools around the Los Angeles area have not been specifically checking for EVD68. The reasoning is because the symptoms are so similar to other common sicknesses that it is difficult to diagnose a student with the illness. According to a Culver City Middle School nurse, Diana Castro, there have been no cases of the EV-D68 around the area. Castro mentions, “The virus is not a huge concern for us right now, we are mainly dealing with students infected with more frequent sicknesses.” Even though this new virus is popping up @t h e _ c o r s a i r •
in middle schools around the country, many medical websites believe that the virus will soon die out by the end of the year. Students are still worrying about the basic flue and common cold, however. According to Webmd.com, between 5-20 percent of Americans will become infected with the flu each winter season. With such a high probability of catching a cold, education for prevention and best ways to combat symptoms are essential. “Sleep is very important for someone to recover. Your body also needs lots of fluids. The best cure for the flu is avoiding the flu,” said Castro. Vaccinations can be the first step to the preventing both the common cold and the flu. According to the SMC website, the school nurses office offers flu vaccinations for $12. Students must bring a school ID for proof, must have all health fees paid, and will only accept cash payments.
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4 opinion
volume 108 issue 8 • October 29, 2014 • santa monica college
Halloween: No longer about the scare Maddy webber staff writer
As a kid, Halloween was the holiday. Dressing up, pumpkin carvings, house decorations, scary stories, Halloween movies (Hocus Pocus, please), and of course, going door to door dropping one-liners for free candy in exchange was enough to get excited about. Now, I may have been a little overexcited for this holiday, but then again, at the time, what kid wasn't? I ritualized Halloween, and refused to go trick-ortreating with anyone other than my dad for admittedly way too many years. In time, I went trick-or-treating with friends instead, but still a dedicated participant nonetheless. Nowadays, the Halloween "spirit" and tradition has shifted. Of course, there are still costumes and candy involved, but as years go on, the cut off age to trick-or-treat is declining. Children who do trick-or-treat have become scarce, and costumes lack the scare factor of the Halloween spirit. The reasons for this are far and wide, but there are a few that may be responsible. Myths about Halloween, such as the presence of ghosts and skeletons, have become absurd. These fictitious stories are seldom believed by kids nowadays; that little bit of fear that made the holiday so fun has vanished and been replaced by a discerning eye roll of disbelief. What is Halloween without its haunting tales? No one said it better than Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls. Unacquainted with the newly emerged Halloween culture, she dresses up
as an "ex-wife" (sporting a wedding dress, unappealing fake teeth, and blood). Arriving at a Halloween party she realizes Halloween was a bit different than she was accustomed to. "In the real world, Halloween is when kids dress up in costumes and beg for candy. In Girl World, Halloween is the one day a year when a girl can dress up like a total slut and no other girls can say anything else about it," said Lohan's character in the film. This doesn't only apply to girls, though; boys dress up as cops, football players, and generally attire unrelated to Halloween. Even for younger kids, costumes have become more sexualized and fashionable. Teens aren't the only demographic participating in Halloween themed parties; Today, parents have become skeptical and concerned about child safety and replaced trick-or-treating with indoor festivities. Paranoia grew with stories of candy being poisoned or containing hidden razor blades and has led parents to opt out of the activity altogether. SMC student Sarah Winick admits she wishes she could still go trick-or-treating. "It was so much fun but it would look like the weirdest thing in the world because trickor-treating isn't really in anymore. My little sister doesn't even go because everyone's worried about being kidnapped and stuff," said Winick. It seems like trick-or-treating has become a chore; a staple in the every-year routine that people do just so they can say they did. The care-free fun it once was is long gone--
Carlos Espinoza Corsair Lisa Goldman and Vincent Zangari, Managers of The Albright restaurant located at the Pier, giving candies to all the kids participating in The second annual Santa Monica Pier Halloween Parade on Sunday.
even in online discussions and news articles it's recommended to have reflective gear and rape whistles. Fear of kids knocking on a strangers door sweeps the nation, stranger danger is more alive than ever. To be fair, that's a questionable idea to say the least, but it is Halloween, that what you're supposed to do. However, there are times when unfortunate things do happen. Precaution is never a bad thing but it's gotten a little extreme. All these rules and warnings could easily take the fun out of anything. Needless to say, my Halloween experiences
as a kid are far from what I see today. It's unfortunate to see such a drastic change in something that was once so fun and festive. Sinister thoughts attached to Halloween really put a damper on its tradition. All things change over time, so it's not surprising things are done a bit differently. But the majority of reasons behind the adjustment are a little too terror-stricken, and not in the Halloween way. It is a great irony that a seasonal celebration that celebrates all that is gothic and scary, is being hollowed out by our own, self-induced fears.
season of the witch: living in a time of fear jonathan Ramos opinion editor
Halloween is upon us and there is a lot more to be scared of than haunted houses and creepy costumes. From international wars, to wars in our neighborhoods, to wars with ourselves, fear never fails to present itself in its many forms. Riots over racial conflicts, people being massacred in foreign countries for the sake of bloodshed, kidnappings, and psychological instability have thrown the world into a frenzy it cannot escape. Recently, two lives were taken and three were left in critical condition after student Jaylen Fryberg opened fire in the cafeteria of Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Washington. As reports have continued to surface it has become known that he lured the victims (a mixture of his friends and two cousins) to sit with him at a table in the cafeteria via text. Also, terror in the form of road rage occurred on Sunday as wife and mother of four, Perla Avina, was shot in the head by an angered driver who fired at the vehicle Avina was in, which was driven by her husband Luis Lopez Gallegos and carried their four children, according to the Inqusitr. The family was headed to the supermarket to buy food to prepare before watching the Oakland Raiders game later that day. Avina died in the driveway of the house she and her family lived in when her husband frantically drove home to ask for help. The shooter has yet to be found. What makes these stories that much more frightening is that they happened in scenarios that are hard to fathom. The five teenagers were victims of a person they trusted to be their friend and relative; a person they had known long enough to feel secure around; a person they were baited by into tragic circumstances. Tragic as these are, it is much more horrifying to think about the rest of the chaos people must endure when they least
expect it. These shootings are a sample size of the kidnappings, beatings, rapes, and killings that have plagued the year of 2014. Stories of these intentional and unintentional incidents can be found in any daily news source. The spirit of Halloween has diminished as the focus has turned from trick-or-treating to casual events like horror movie nights and decadent Halloween parties, and with acts of violence like this occurring daily, it is hard to argue with those who may feel safer staying indoors. Face it, Halloween has gone from once a year, to everyday. People no longer have to wait for October 31 to see monsters and deranged individuals prowling the streets. And as sad as it may seem, these killings are far from the only fears in the hearts and minds of the masses. Then there are cases that lead the world to severe paranoia. The Ebola epidemic has become the largest in the world’s history, and it is an understatement to say it has America on its toes. With reports of the disease striking states such as Texas and New York, and with the media constantly spotlighting any possible sign of further spread, people have been left to fear whether their common cold may turn into something more. Much less certain but nonetheless frightening is the talk of a massive earthquake, or the “big one”, hitting the country much sooner than later. The thought of falling victim to such a disaster is enough to have doubts as to whether people are safe in their own homes. It is this sometimes overwhelming sense of fear that can leave even the most fearless individual to second guess his or her next move. Risk is a constant reality of our lives as humans living in their troubled sphere. There is no controlling fear, but we have to decide whether we want fear to control us.
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And while it is easy for someone to say not to live in fear, it can be painfully difficult to do so when it is being shoved in our faces. One thing we can come to terms with is that these trials will not be stopping as long as we live. So as long as we are here, we should try our hardest to live a life, not without fear, but with hope that the chaos will calm and that the beautiful moments in our lives will be
able to overtake the moments that leave us with our heads in our hands. It’s okay to be scared. It is our nature to be so. The important thing is that we garner the courage to push past fear, to take the strings off ourselves, and to live our lives the way we want to.
Rachel Gianuario Corsair
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health & lifestyle 5
volume 108 issue 8 • October 29, 2014 • santa monica college
costume makes the reveler: what your halloween get-up says about you Farhanah Ali staff writer
Growing up, Halloween was a holiday to dress up as something scary and magical, like a witch, warlock, ghost, or goblin. But over the years the holiday has morphed into a way for people to let loose and become someone else for a night. The scary looks have been replaced by funny horse masks, crying baby faces and provocative costumes. But what does one think when picking the "perfect" outfit for Halloween? And does the choice of costume reflect the personality of the person behind the mask? SMC student Angelica Panosian, someone who still enjoys dressing up for Halloween, wants to match her costume with her goofy personality. "I might be Richard Simmons, because I'm white and I've always wanted to rock a fro," Panosian said. SMC student Paloma Vasari is an overachieving business student who enjoys mastering her goals, something she wanted to reflect in a strong and feminine costume like Wonder Woman. SMC student Shyamali Moujan, Halloween isn't necessarily a first priority, and prefers to just throw something together last minute and see what happens. Moujan has a passion and love for eastern philosophy and free spirit. Her Instagram is riddled with inspirational quotes like "going with the flow," which not only reflects her personality but also the kind of Halloween costume she prefers. "Last year everyone thought I looked like the singer Boy George so I just went with it," Moujan said. Others choose their outfits based on their interests or their favorite movies and video games. "I am deciding between a Jedi with a
purple light saber or a hunter from the game 'Destiny.' I chose these costumes because they're both fictional characters that I can relate to as a person because I am a fan of the movies," said SMC student Carlos Arrieta. "Austin Powers," said Joel Goldszer SMC student. "I just need the costume, but I have the glasses and hair and the face. Its going to be beautiful." Some like to play around the title of their costumes, like student Kevin Kim, who intends to be a play on words. "I'm gonna have a box of cereal and stitches on me, and I'm gonna be a 'cereal killer' because bad puns are awesome," said Kim. Of course there are also the students who will dress up to mask their love of the Halloween trick. "I might wear a gorilla suit this year because I like to scare people and watch their reactions," said SMC student Ibrahim Khoja. He should catch on with this year's clown trend, perhaps. Personalities seems to be a major deciding factor as to what a person is going to dress up as for Halloween. SMC student Jaimee Ganuza considers herself to be a very reserved and shy person, and for Halloween chose a costume to bring her out of her shell while also keeping her in a comfort zone. "I usually wear a mask during Halloween. I talk a little more but it doesn't really change the fact that I'm still pretty shy," she said. Ganuza envies people who have the confidence to dress provocatively during Halloween, feeling that they have a desirable kind of confidence in their personality. SMC students are sure to liven up their Halloween with creative costumes, but it seems apparent that your personality, whether you're confident, shy, aloof, easygoing, a little ironic, clever, or simply scary, becomes apparent in what you choose to stroll around the city in.
ghoul shopping: santa monicans hit local stores in search of perfect costumes Brandon Wong staff writer
With Halloween just around the corner, costume stores are beginning to become infested with people looking for the perfect garb to wear on the scariest night of the year. Seasonal stores have risen like werewolves under a full moon to lure commission from desperate shoppers searching for reasonably priced costumes, wigs, and makeup. Party City is one of the largest Halloween chain stores in the United States. Located on Pico and Sepulveda boulevards in Santa Monica, this packed and festive store has everything a Halloween lover would need from traditional pirate costumes to ghoulish creatures for your front lawn. They have the classics like vampire and superhero costumes, as well as some very obscure items, such as macaroni and cheese, and green lycra full body [Green Man] suits. Business for Make Believe, another costume store also on Pico Boulevard, is skyrocketing in the past two weeks with the most popular costumes for girls being Elsa from “Frozen” and Maleficent from the movie of the same name. For boys, the most popular costumes that have gone out are Batman or pirates. For couples, the most popular picks are superhero pairs or 1920’s flapper-style duos. Robinson Beautilities, a small wig store located on Venice and Centinela boulevards, has been open since 1935 and still has booming Halloween business every year. Originally, the store was a warehouse,
however in the 1970’s they started to sell wigs, hair pieces, and film memorabilia. The store has worked with various motion picture studios over the years, such as Paramount Pictures, Miramax, MGM, and 20th Century Fox. The store has a smaller selection of costumes, with the most expensive mask going for $49. “The classic costumes are still selling very well,” said store employee Bradford Lee. “Things like pirates, vampires, and flappers are very popular choices.” Spirit, located on Jefferson and Sepulveda boulevards, has costume selections for men, women, and children, as well as a plethora of accessories for home or costume decorations. From your traditional bottles of blood makeup, to your fangs, to your theatrical clawed scar adhesives, Spirit is attracting the crowds with its versatile clutch buys. Sales Associate Sarah Donaldso said, “Costumes have been flying off the racks this whole month. The most sought after choices have been witches, fairies, and police uniforms. The Day of the Dead make-up has been highly demanded, too.” While some of their costumes cost $50, clever shoppers can easily get away with spending the bare minimum on a few props that can be used to create new and unique costumes. Santa Monica’s seasonal Halloween stores provide shoppers with everything a Halloween enthusiast could ask for, with prices that are scary good.
ALL THAT WE SEE OR SEEM IS BUT A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM -EDGAR ALLAN POE for extended coverage visit us at thecorsaironline.com •
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6 PhotoStory
volume 108 issue 8 • October 29, 2014 • santa monica college
Mia Duncans CORSAIR
Bree Duncans, from Mar Vista, Calif., tries on a scary clown mask at AAHS! Ultimate Gift Store in Santa Monica, Calif. on Sunday. The Clown masks have been popular, especially in California in the last few months, as people have been dressing as the creepy character and roaming the streets to attempt to scare unsuspecting individuals
A masked “Purge” scare zone character walks around scaring visitors as they enter the park on September 19, at Universal Studios Halloween scare zones that are scattered throughout the landscape at Halloween Horror Nights.
Clowning Around
Halloween Horror Hits the Streets Jose Gutierrez Staff Writer
It’s a quiet night. You’re walking to your car from work and you’re all alone. As you round a corner, a clown jumps out at you from out of nowhere, wielding an ax and laughing to himself like a maniac. It sounds like something out of a Stephen King novel or a B-movie you’d find on Instant Netflix, but it’s a phenomenon that’s becoming more and more common in Southern California. YouTube videos are plentiful, documenting strange and terrifying pranks people dressed up as clowns have pulled on random passing people. One video portrayed the aforementioned ax-wielding clown chasing people down in the middle of the night. Since the night of Oct. 1, the Wasco Clown has been terrorizing anyone passing through Kern County, even setting up his own Instagram account to interact with fans and “victims.” His tweets are humorous rather than threatening, posting things like “Y’all would really choose ebola over me?” and
“Just an ugly human being behind a mask.” In an interview with Kern Golden Empire, the Wasco Clown revealed that the social media postings are part of a photography project started by his wife. Perhaps it’s the hype, but genuine fear surrounds the case of the creepy clown. According to LAist, one boy claimed the Wasco Clown chased him and various others have reported seeing the clown committing unspecified crimes, though the Kern County Sheriff ’s Department has debunked these reports. The Wasco Clown is not alone in his terrifying endeavors, however. Several copycat clowns have also shown up in different areas, such as Delano and Bakersfield. According to the Bakersfield Californian, on Oct. 11, Bakersfield police responded to a report of a clown holding a firearm, but the search yielded no results. Reports of creepy clowns stretch
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all the way to a small French town named Douai, where a clown chased a small girl and a middle schooler was even attacked. Thankfully, violent encounters such as these are still unseen in Southern California, as the creepy clown sightings so far are restricted to harmless scares. Despite all the clowning around in surrounding areas, there haven’t been any reports of scary clowns locally. “The precinct is aware of the clown incidents,” the Culver City Police Community Relations said. “But [they] have no reports of clowns terrorizing people thus far.” The Corsair attempted to contact the Santa Monica Police Community Relations liaison, Suzie Lockwood about reported scary clown incidents in Santa Monica, but have not heard back. So when you go out this weekend to enjoy your festivals, parties, and Halloween extravaganzas, expect the unexpected around every dark street corner. Boo! @t h e _ c o r s a i r •
One of the masked characters in t he “Purge” scare Horror Nights on September 19, 2014 at Universal scattered throughout the landscape at Halloween Ho
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volume 108 issue 8 • October 29, 2014 • santa monica college
PhotoStory 7
Jose Lopez CORSAIR
n Horror Nights in Studio City, California. The Purge is one of the many
Mia Duncans CORSAIR
Mysterious clowns have been popping up in various parts of California as of late, such as the clown seen here who would only go by the name “Kosmo Clown”. Kosmo was seen on Pearl Street behind Santa Monica College on Sunday evening, only mentioning where he had come from, but not where he was headed. Be on the lookout.
Jose Lopez CORSAIR
e zone gives a visitor an intimate scare as he brandishes his machete during Halloween Studios in Studio City, California. The Purge is one of the many scare zones that are orror Nights.
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& Lifestyle 8 Health
volume 108 issue 8 • October 29, 2014 • santa monica college
Ronja Jansz Corsair Wendy Piatek speaks about her experiences with UFOs at her Santa Monica apartment on October 10. Piatek shares that aliens can read her mind and that if she ever got the chance to ask them a question it would be “Why me?”
lights in the sky: a ufo experience Wendy Piatek began seeing UFOs in the sky five years ago, now she is convinced she has been chosen for an unknown mission
Alci Rengifo Editor In Chief For Wendy Piatek, the sky above Santa Monica is alive in ways we can scarcely begin to imagine. For about three years now, she has been convinced that a presence from beyond our world has chosen her and others for a purpose. What that purpose is remains undefined and uncertain, but for Piatek there is little doubt in her mind, that we are not alone. Sitting in her apartment, looking out a window at the sea with the Santa Monica Pier in the distance, Piatek tells a story that many will find hard to believe, but that to her is as real as the evening news. Piatek is convinced she is a witness to the appearance of alien craft in the sky, usually in the form of lights and shapes that flash, speed by or hover in various locations. She also believes that the occupants of these craft have even entered her home. “It started about five years ago. I was not into ufology, I didn’t want to know about UFOs,” says Piatek. It was in her home state of Indianapolis that Piatek experienced her first encounters. One night after finishing some work at her family farm, Piatek was chatting with her then 24-year-old daughter in a back parking lot when she noticed something strange in the night sky. At first it seemed like a planet, like another, typical nocturnal appearance by Venus. “It was a big, bright thing. It had to be a planet because it was brighter than the other stars,” she recalls. “It was 2:00 A.M. and I said ‘hey that planet has moved from one side of the electrical pole to the other pretty quickly. We both looked up and that ‘planet’ dropped for what had to be thousands of feet and it came to eye level, it crisscrossed the back parking twice, it came to eye level again and I could see it waffling. I remember trying to calm myself down while taking it all in. My daughter’s first words were ‘that’s not right.’” Piatek claims that this first experience was just the beginning. Soon afterwards strange occurrences began taking place in her house.
“The house became ‘haunted.’ This was outrageous to me. We started having flashes of lighting in the house, not like a storm but like quick flashes of light” she claims. A mover of stocks, and married to a successful doctor, Piatek’s rational world was thrown upside down. One evening her dog woke her up, barking at the edge of the bed. When Piatek opened her eyes a strange, shadowy being was hovering over her bed. “It glided straight up into the ceiling. It has these little black stubs, I know this sounds absolutely crazy.” “I went online and found that other people have seen this thing and were disturbed that it would glide, not walk,” she says. Piatek also reports seeing laser beams suddenly touch down in her yard. She recalls how the recurring, unexplained phenomenon eventually produced stress among other family members. “My daughter started crying one time saying ‘I can’t take this anymore, I can’t take this anymore,’” she says. Piatek has taken numerous photographs, some ghostly and foggy, of the shapes she has seen. Some look like beams of light down Olympic Blvd., others like ragged triangles. After several more sightings Piatek immersed herself in the world of UFO research. “I remember the night when I felt hunted and I became the hunter,” recalls Piatek, “I walked outside my porch said ‘bring it on.’” Now she has made a home here in Santa Monica, driven by the quest to find answers. “Santa Monica is now a hotbed of sightings. I decided to approach this like a scientist, I needed to do research and find evidence,” she says. Piatek claims she has crisscrossed the country to speak with experts in the field, including an astronaut and renowned UFO scholars such as physicist Stanton Friedman and author Whitley Strieber. “I wasn’t alone out here,” she says. “Here in Santa Monica, it’s not like I can call them down, but I know when they’re in town. This is a whole new adventure out here.” “I believe I was led to Santa Monica,” she says while describing a blue, diamondshaped UFO she has sighted above the beach
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Ronja Jansz Corsair A photo taken by Wendy Piatek which purports show a blue-colored, triangle-shaped UFO that she claims she has sighted numerous times in different locations.
which makes the stars themselves seem to move. Another evening Piatek viewed a ballshaped UFO fly over Olympic Blvd. and beams of light reminiscent of the battle of Los Angeles photos. Piatek has taken photos which she lays out on her dining room table. The photos are grainy, but fascinating. She also talks about rumors among the UFO community of a secret, underwater base near the Santa Monica pier, near the mountains, from where the UFOs might emerge from or return to. “I think they want to be an area where there a lot of shakers and movers who can change the world in order to influence them. I don’t think I’m wrong but they will be here someday,” says Piatek. Fear is something Piatek always fears when she senses they are around “With every sighting, I get scared,” she says, “it’s never normal. I think I was brought to Santa Monica to write a book, maybe to leave it as a legacy for my grandchildren so they can see what happened. I don’t know.” Piatek hopes she can soon find someone who has @t h e _ c o r s a i r •
had more contact with the perceived beings in the UFOs, and in this way she can receive answers as to why she was chosen. Tears swell in her eyes as Piatek ponders what she would say to the craft’s inhabitants if she were able to meet them. “Why me? Why me? What can I do,” she says, “then I would totally freak out. You want them to be these beautiful angelic beings, but you hear these horrible stories. I hope they are kind. We might even have DNA of them.” Piatek wonders if the instability and ferocity of the human race keeps them from wanting to make full onctact. She is aware there are doubters and says “I love skeptics. I love them. Do your own research. Look at the facts, talk to the experts.” Despite the tension of believing she has been chosen by a force which has not fully identified itself, Piatek feels that eventually, we will all make contact. “I tell my children, if you wake up one morning and they are everywhere, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.”
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Health & Lifestlye 9
volume 108 issue 8 • October 29, 2014 • santa monica college
taking care of the woodlawn cemetery America's first woman in space, is buried as well as German novelist Heinrich Mann, brother of renowned author Thomas Mann and even the creator of Popeye. Buried here are also the founders of Santa Monica itself. And with them are buried other names, less famous yet no less cherished by family or friend. In 2009, the city banned private spaces in the cemetery's vast lawn and mausoleum. Death is egalitarian. Cindy Tomlinson is the cemetery's Administrator who oversees the general
functions and care of the area. "We have families coming in who do pre-planning for the future," said Tomlinson in her office Since 1897 the Woodlawn cemetery has overlooking the green spaces of Woodlawn. occupied a hallowed space in Santa Monica "We're not full, we're still an active on the corner of 14th and Pico Boulevard, cemetery," she added. and is the resting place for a wide spectrum "When someone passes they call us. This is of the Santa Monica and general California where we bring them, this is where we wash community. A common sight for students them, dress them," she continued., "The and pedestrians, many pass it by without a mortuary also handles cremation." moment's notice on their way to class. Those seeking a plot or mausoleum space At 26 acres, it is here that Sally Ride, can carefully plan their burial site. "Some people like to be a under a tree or high up on a hill, others want to face east. We let them walk the grounds and choose whatever feels right," said Tomlinson. "I take it very seriously," added Tomlinson when discussing the sensitivity of dealing with visitors who are contemplating their residence after death. "It's very rewarding because you get to help families through a very, very difficult time. Sometimes there are two different sides to a family and they argue, you have to be a mediator." Someone recently deceased will most likely be in the mortuary for about four days as paperwork is filed or relatives from out of state arrive. The maximum allowable time is 10 days. Tomlinson tries to walk the cemetery grounds everyday, keeping track of the conditions Juan Lopez Corsair of the grounds. A grounds crew Graves in the Woodlawn cemetery on the corner of 14th and Pico under an autumn sky. The cemetery also takes care of the area. The has been a staple of Santa Monica since 1897 and is the residence of several prominent names. maintenance of tombstones Alci Rengifo Editor In Chief
however is a responsibility that befalls the family of a buried resident, this is because the headstone is considered their own property. Interestingly enough, with such an active surrounding including the campus, Woodlawn has not had to deal with too many intruders or wanderers. "It's very dark here at night, there are no lights, you can't see your hand," explained Tomlinson. "We've had our fair share of homeless but not too many. We've had vigils regularly at night." The winter months tend to be a time when more burial services are held. Illness in the season tends to claim the elderly more regularly. In fact, Tomlinson has been seeking training from the city to be prepared to deal with possible Ebola deaths, this in consideration to the fact that Ebola is the most contagious and active after death. "Just in case," she emphasized. But Tomlinson has seen how anyone, at any age can find life's journey come to an end and for her it is not to hard to imagine herself as a future resident at Woodlawn. "It's a very peaceful place. Lots of history. It's like a gem in the middle of Santa Monica, a lot of people don't know we're here." The cemetery itself is immersed in a silent breeze during the day, with headstones and statuettes that chronicle lives and histories. Here there is a child who only lived a day, and in a far corner a woman who lived for 94 years. "I see the full gamut of emotions," said Tomlinson contemplating the scope of her work. "We've had babies, all the way to 100-year-old people. The families are very emotional. It's the cycle of life if you will."
vf Misc. Announcements .
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Apartments for Rent
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Research Subjects .
Spending more time and money smoking pot than you would like? The UCLA Outpatient Clinical Research Center is looking for marijuana dependent volunteers, age 18 to 50, who would like to stop or reduce their marijuana use, and are interested in receiving up to 12 weeks of no‑cost intervention including medication. Compensation for your participation is provided. For more information call the UCLA Outpatient Clinical Research Center at (310) 267‑5020.
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& Entertainment 10 Arts
volume 108 issue 8 • October 29, 2014 • santa monica college
films to consider this halloween
Alci Rengifo Editor In Chief On Halloween, many choose to remain indoors and prefer to have their fear glands palpitate to intense images on the screen. The cinema has the power to terrify audiences as well as set cultural standards for what is considered to be scary. There can be little doubt that a fear of clowns has spiked thanks to films like the Stephen King adaptation “It.” Demonic possession has also been made a popular horror theme through William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist.” Some horror films remain in the underground, to be discovered by film lovers who dig deeper to find hidden, lowbudget gems. Even for those who find it hard to be literally “scared” by a horror film, good craft is simply good craft, and the horror genre has given us some excellent works that stand as masterful filmmaking. The modern horror film can be said to begin with 1922’s “Nosferatu,” a German gothic nightmare by director F.W. Murnau which retells the Dracula story with a creepy, gritty atmosphere and romanticism. Filmed during the Weimar Republic, in the era of German Expressionism, “Nosferatu” starred Max Schreck as Count Orlock, who wanders in a decaying castle, finding himself lusting after a journeyman’s wife in a distant, German town. The images in “Nosferatu” remain unrivaled in their use of shadows and Schreck’s bald, long-nailed vampire with a maddened stare. When Orlock’s shadow passes over a wall, his curved fingers looking for prey, the moment is forever haunting because of its silent, predatory tone. Like much of German Expressionism, “Nosferatu” isn’t just an artistic masterpiece, it is a veiled expression of Germany at the time, cold and descending into murderous darkness. A 1979 remake by Werner Herzog, starring Klaus Kinski as the Count, is also a hypnotic experience. German Expressionism was a major influence on the American filmmakers who would later make classics like “Dracula,” “The Wolfman,” and “Frankenstein.” In the 1930s horror films began to capture a time of hyper industrialization when fascism was also becoming a political force shaping societies. A recent rediscovery from the time
is the 1932 film “Island Of Lost Souls.” This Erie C. Kenton chiller is an adaptation of H.G. Welles’s “The Island Of Dr. Moreau,” about a shipwrecked sailor who finds himself on an island where a mad scientist, played devilishly by Charles Laughton, is creating human/animal hybrids to produce a master race. The cinematography is beautifully gothic and the makeup is still disturbing in its realism. Laughton is completely insane in his role, portraying Dr. Moreau as a total, power-hungry maniac. It is a film about the danger of mad dreams and the horror of science gone berserk. A perfect film for the age of eugenics and the Nazis. By the 1970s the United States had undergone such a rapid, incinerating set of changes that the previous era of sustained, cold suspense of films like “Psycho” was replaced by a new, bloody set of films that told unforgettable stories with unflinching terror and violence. Films like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” introduced new, blood-
soaked story lines. But one creepy, low-budget thriller that creates a real sense of dread is Charles B. Pierce’s 1976 film “The Town That Dreaded Sundown.” Based on the true story of a hooded serial killer who stalked the town of Texarkana, Texas in the 1940s, the film has an almost documentary-style that some critics consider to be a precursor to shows like “Unsolved Mysteries.” The film is disturbing because it doesn’t follow cheap plot points and the setting is rural and isolated. Its gritty look gives the impression that anything can pop out of a corner or the shadows. The 1980s saw a rise in slick horror films but one disturbing thriller that has seen a recent revival is “Manhunter.” Directed by Michael Mann, the pastel-minded director behind stylish romps like “Miami Vice” and “Heat,” “Manhunter” was his first attempt at the serial killer genre. Based on the Thomas Harris novel “Red Dragon,” “Manhunter” was also the first feature film to showcase
the iconic, fictional cannibal Hannibal Lecter. Immortalized by Anthony Hopkins in 1991’s “The Silence Of The Lambs,” in “Manhunter” the imprisoned, highly intelligent serial killer is played by Brian Cox with slimy gusto as he helps a profiler played by William Petersen track down an equally disturbing, brilliantly acted killer played by Tom Noonan who is also enigmatically obsessed with a William Blake painting. The soundtrack and cinematography create a building tension and Mann does not flinch at the predatory bloodshed unleashed by Noonan’s character on his victims. This film was later remade in 2002 as Bret Ratner’s “Red Dragon,” which was also effective, but not as memorable. While other denizens will partake in the pub crawls and Halloween parties, these titles could prove to be worthy discoveries for those who prefer to stay in for the night and experience the power of pure horror storytelling.
Carlos Espinoza Photo Illustration
"quija" conjures up a waste of time Sherrie Dickenson staff writer
“As friends we’ve gathered, hearts are true. Spirits near, we call to you.” These words echo in my head like a broken record, a reminder of the squandered 1 hour and 23 minutes of my life I will never get back. Yet, Stiles White’s (screenwriter behind “Knowing” (2009) and “Boogeyman” (2005)) directorial movie debut, “Ouija” surprisingly tops the weekend box office earning $20 million albeit the negative critiques it has received and scoring a pitiful 10 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. For some of us moviegoers, this outlet is the web’s leading aggregator of movie and TV reviews from professional critics and the like, and a huge determinant whether a movie is fresh enough to be deemed worth spending a buck on. Unfortunately for me, yours truly still went on to see this low-budget supernaturalhorror flick despite the odds. A movie based on the popular board game by Hasbro, the plot centers around doe-eyed high schooler Laine Morris, potrayed by Olivia Cooke (“Bates Motel”, “The Quiet
Ones”), who is dead set to speak to her Ouijaobsessed dearly departed bestie, Debbie Galardi (Shelley Hennig) in the afterlife. She endeavors to find some answers regarding the latter’s sudden and gruesome death after breaking one of the rules of the spirit game by playing alone by herself (gasp!). Laine conveniently finds the same ancient spirit board Debbie messed around with in the attic, and convinces her boyfriend Trevor (Daren Kagasoff), her rebellious teenage sister Sarah (Ana Coto), her friend Isabelle (Bianca Santos), and Debbie’s mourning boyfriend Pete (Douglas Smith) to gravely investigate what truly happened in the old house where Debbie died. They make contact with the dead and immediately assume that it is Debbie after the planchette, the circular-windowed triangular little plank of wood used as a spirit communication device together with the board, lands on the letter “D.” And we all know what happens to people who assume, right? They soon realize that the spirit is in fact, not Debbie, and find themselves battling a belligerent and much bigger paranormal force to be reckoned with.
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“Ouija” ultimately embodies your average, predictably boring mainstream “horror” movie which are, sadly, commonly produced nowadays. The tasteless cliché of a gas stove mysteriously turning on such as in the beginning scene, doors abruptly open and close as if pushed by an invisible force, mirrors reflect a strange and dark figure, a flashlight strangely rolls away and unsurprisingly comes to a halt only to illuminate a creepy message left by a supernatural being, and so on. These are only a few of the well-known typical “horror” tools that have become a playful part of the moviegoer process. It’s safe to say that the movie fails miserably in the scare department, which mostly comes from what little cheap jump-scare tactics it has. Though, admittedly enough, the core séance of this $5 million movie does give off a pretty spooky vibe, which practically evaporates three minutes into the scene. The movie’s PG-13 rating is another feasible reason as to why it lacks real terror it so needs. Aside from the lack of legitimate scares, the characters in this movie just seem like a bunch of turds that are only there for eye-candy, nothing more. They seem to @t h e _ c o r s a i r •
have no common sense at all and have also apparently never seen a horror movie before in their young adult lives and, thus, make every possible mistake along the way. There is one scene in which each character separately finds the words “Hi Friend” written everywhere they go after contacting the spirit they believe to be Debbie. The characters find the letter it typed on a laptop, carved into a desk, on a car window, as well as written in chalk. Hilariously, Trevor sees the message while he is riding his bike, simultaneously while he’s going under what seems to be an eerie and totally superfluous abandoned underpass. His character has absolutely no reason to be in this random and unnecessarily illomened location. And yet, there he, is riding aimlessly away. If it weren’t for the truffle fries, lobster roll, fish tacos, and beer to accompany me for the duration of the movie (thank you iPic theater), yours truly would’ve completely dozed off watching a bunch of kids play a board game so horribly. No, seriously. Take heed, and walk away from the board.
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Sports 11
volume 108 issue 8 • October 29, 2014 • santa monica college
Corsair Football readies for SWC
Scores and Schedule Home teams in Bold
10/24
Men’s water polo
El Camino SMC
17 9
SMC LA Trade Tech
15 8
woMen’s water polo
El Camino SMC
14 4
Men’s Soccer
3 1
WoMen’s Soccer
SMC LAVC
2 2
10/29 Men’s water polo
3:30 p.m.
woMen’s water polo
SMC Cuesta
Miranda Labayen of the Santa Monica Corsair women’s soccer team defends Marissa Kneisel of the College of the Canyon Cougars.
Women's soccer reclaims first TREV ANGONE Sports Editor
SMC Moorpark
Ventura SMC
Stella Ngigi Corsair
3:30 p.m.
woMen’s Volleyball
Bakersfield SMC
10/31
The Santa Monica College Women’s Soccer team won their biggest game of the season Tuesday afternoon, edging the first place College of the Canyons Cougars 1-0. Not only did the win hand the Cougars their first conference loss of the season, it also gives SMC the out right lead in the conference standings, and drops College of the Canyons from first place down to second. The win was secured late in the second half despite relentless defense, and outstanding goaltending from both sides. Following a corner kick, the Corsairs managed to keep the ball in the Cougars zone, and after multiple failed attempts to clear the ball by the Cougars, SMC managed to find Xiovana Ordaz in stride behind the defense with just enough time to score the game winning goal. “It happened in a moment. We kept going back and forth, then I saw the ball go over my head, and I just happened to kick it in. It went right underneath her armpit, and into the goal,” said forward Xiovana Ordaz. “I just kept my head in the game. The first half wasn’t really my half, but the second half I just went in, and told myself to keep my head in the game, defend, and keep on going
no matter what.” The 1-0 win would not have been possible without the stellar play from goalkeeper Jessica Ibarra, who made no less than five huge saves in the first half to keep the game 0-0. “She’s a big piece. We’re lucky to have such a good goalie, and we’re grateful for all the big saves she came up with today.” Head Coach Joe Pehanich. This was the biggest test for the Corsairs this season. With this win, they have proven that thus far into the season, they are the class of the Western State- South Conference, and have a great jump on the field for a favorable seeding in the upcoming playoffs. That being said, though it may be likely, the Corsairs know that a playoff birth isn’t necessarily guaranteed just yet. So finishing strong is crucial if they’re going to make a serious run into the playoffs. “A win like this is huge, you saw the girls reaction. They’re thrilled, and they deserve to celebrate,” said Pehanich. “Hopefully we can seal up the next four or five games, and walk away with the first conference championship for women’s soccer here at Santa Monica [College].” The Corsairs will travel to Citrus College this Friday for a 1pm matchup.
6 p.m.
WoMen’s Soccer
SMC Citrus
1 p.m.
11/1 football
SMC Southwest
1 p.m.
Men’s water polo
El Camino SMC
1:50 P.m.
Game held at Saddleback
Scott Bixler Corsair The Santa Monica College Corsair men’s soccer team celebrates the goal of shophomore goalkeeper Patrick Acosta during the team’s 5-1 victory over Allan Hancock College, Tuesday
FOR COMPLETE SPORTS COVERAGE GO TO WWW.THECORSAIRONLINE.COM
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Football settles quarterback controversy and looks forward to game against Southwestern College TREV ANGONE Sports Editor The Santa Monica College Corsairs defeated the LA Valley College Monarchs 45-13 behind a dominating defensive performance, and another good showing from quarterback Christian Smith. Smith totaled 231 passing yards, going 1220 with two touchdowns and an interception. Although Smith started the season as the team’s backup quarterback, he has finally captured the starting role. Not only can Smith throw the ball with accuracy, he can also get out of the pocket and convert first downs and scoring plays with his legs. “Christian is our starter. He’s been effective at moving the offense, scoring points, and limiting turnovers. Steven Hamm also did a very nice job with his opportunities on Saturday at LA Valley. He’ll continue to see action as well,” said head coach Gifford Lindheim. “Both QB’s have the ability to make plays with their arms and feet. Running is not a necessity to play QB in this offense, but it definitely opens up the entire playbook.” Saturday’s victory is the type of win the Corsairs have gotten used to over the past three championship seasons; High scoring offense, to go with a stingy defense. If the Corsairs are truly hitting their stride, it couldn’t have come at a better time. SMC has just one more game before a potential conference championship matchup at home against Santa Barbara City College. “It’s hard to say if we’re hitting our stride. I’d like to think so. The game on Saturday was promising. However, I think that this team has a lot of work to do to be Champions. That’s the goal. That’s what we’re working toward with every practice.” Lindheim. Next up for the Corsairs are the LA Southwest College Cougars. Since SMC handled LA Valley College with ease, the Corsairs should have no problem pushing around LA Southwest College. The Cougars have lost one more game than the Monarchs, and are currently on a three game losing streak. But although it appears the Corsairs should steam roll the Cougars, they know better than to underestimate their opponent. Just a couple weeks ago, SMC had a favorable matchup at home against rival West LA College, but barely escaped 49-48 stopping West LA on a two-point conversion with 12 seconds left on the clock. “Going on the road to LA Southwest, the day after Halloween, it’s not an easy task. Traditionally, that’s been a tough place for us to play,” said Lindheim. “I’ve talked to the team about being focused and having great preparation this week. We’ve got to keep improving. We want to go to LA Southwest and play well.”
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12 Sports
volume 108 issue 8 • October 29, 2014 • santa monica college
volleyball valkyrie: the epic tale of greta schmittdiel JAMES POWEL Sports Editor It’s 6:45 p.m. on Monday morning in Corsair Pavilion and Greta Schmittdiel is running suicides. She doesn’t have to. Her scrimmage team won the game from the practice session earlier that morning. Yet, she joins in as the losing half runs in the cold of the Pavilion, even beating some of them to the finish. Schmittdiel is the leader of this young squad that has turned the fortunes of the women’s volleyball program around. Though Schmittdiel is labeled an outside hitter, her fundamentally sound game allows her to be utilized all over the court, which is most likely the result of being coached by 1998 Olympic bronze medalist, Liane Satto at Santa Monica High School for four years. “It’s consistency, her stats for hitting, for passing, for serving. She’s ranked for hitting and for kills and that shows consistency,” said SMC head women’s volleyball coach Nicole Ryan. Greta is currently ranked third in the state for kills, second in kills per set, fifth in service aces and is in the top 150 in digs. In the cacophony of sound that is an indoor volleyball game, it will often be Greta that is the loudest. Calling out the set as a general would martial his men, the sound of her palm connecting with the volleyball to slam the ball down on the other side of the court. “It’s in her character. She’s an intense competitor. She gets fired up for games and brings a competitive edge,” Ryan said. It’s her competitive edge and obvious talent that have led 10 freshman, sole returning sophomore Jade Morning, a 2013 Western State Conference All-Conference Team Honorable Mention, to the Corsairs’ first winning season since 2005. The Santa Monica native has always been
competitive, as one would expect being raised in a family of six children, including former Corsair men’s volleyball star, Charlie Schmittdiel. According to her, competitive nature was driven by her father, Felix. He was there at every practice, pushing her to reach her full potential on the track at Corsair Field. “I’ve been out on [the Corsair Field] track so many times in tears because he pushed me so hard to push me past my limits,” she said. Volleyball, however, was not always her first calling. Before finding volleyball, Schmittdiel danced ballet for 13 years and was devoted to soccer. The traces of her time on the the balancing beam can be found in the footwork of her digs, the echoes of an allongé found as she climbs up for a spike. “I started volleyball freshman year of high school. All I knew was that I was tall and I needed to follow the ball,” she said of her first experience on the court. “My first really strong memory of trying out for the team was every time I went up and blocked a ball, everyone just screamed and yelled. I was like ‘oh this is how you’re supposed to do this.’” However, once she found the sport that allowed her to turn her height into an advantage and it has changed her position on life. Back at practice, she is angry. Her half of the team is down in the next scrimmage game and they have lost the past couple of points. Once her half wins their point, she storms to the back line, turns around then calls out the set. The anger is gone, she’s back to being the floor general. In the ebb and flow of a long season, Greta is the ebb. She admits that she is hard on her fellow players and she gets backlash. “It’s dramatic just because we’re girls, girls talk, girls are catty. But, for the most part it hasn’t been a huge issue and I hope it doesn’t
affect us on the court,” she said. “Because at “It’s not going to come to us. It’s going to the end of the day, it’s not personal, it’s just be really hard. I’m going to keep playing my me wanting to win.” game, go hard and stay vocal. I’m going to do Over the bye weekend, a meeting was called pretty much exactly what I’ve been doing,” to discuss team morale. she said. “As a whole, we all just need to be “We have to understand language and stuff more aggressive to win the second half of our like that...girl stuff,” she said of the meeting. conference. We all want it, we all can say we Schmittdiel found stability at the beach. She want it. It’s easier said than done.” will be at the beach at 6:30 a.m. whenever Even while talking on a bench outside of possible, ready to play beach volleyball with the gym, her competitiveness and strive to her former partner Joslyn Hayes or a pick up succeed break through. game. “I will sleep, eat, and breathe volleyball. It’s She moved away from it and sat out the never a topic I will not talk about,” she says, 2013 season at California State University each word fighting the last to sound more Los Angeles as a redshirt freshman and didn’t confident. like it, she wanted to come home. “Right before I was going to go back to Cal State LA, I realized I was really unhappy there. So, I, spur of the moment...I needed the beach after high school. It’s all I’ve known,” she said. As she worked through her redshirt season it was her father who helped her through. “Last year was really hard and I worked through a lot of things. He was my one true supporter,” she said. At SMC her education major and kinesiology minor nods to possibilities of coaching in the future, which, oddly enough, she came to enjoy during her time at CSULA. Continuing down the path of playing volleyball, she has been offered five scholarships to major universities. James Powel Corsair But first, there is the matter Schmittdiel during the Corsairs’ 3-0 sweep of San of the Corsairs’ battle for the Bernandino Valley College on September 26. WSC title.
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