High Tide: June 8, 2018

HT

Redondo Union High School Redondo Beach, CA June 8, 2018 Vol. XCVIII Edition 15

Check out senior issue of the High Tide next Friday, June 15.

High Tide

by Analise Asaro RUHS Track and Field members made history at the CIF State meet with junior Amari Turner earned second in the state for pole vault and the four by 100 team making it to CIF Prelims for the first time in history.

Turner jumped 12 foot 6 at the state meet. Although this did not break her personal record of 12 foot 10, she still succeeded in jumping the second highest in the state of California. She strongly believes that she will hit 13 feet next year.

“I was shocked when I found out I was second,” Turner said. “Honestly that day was just a blur because I was just trying to move on from each height, and when I realized we were the only two left, it was an amazing feeling and nothing topped it.

That weekend was just amazing.”

Turner believes that her coaches have frequently helped her during practice, resulting in her impressive performance at the state meet.

“My coaches are 70 percent of my success. Without Coach Kelley or Coach Dill, I don’t think I would’ve gotten this far, and it definitely wouldn’t have been as fun,” Turner said. “They’re basically teaching you what you need to win. I’m extremely thankful for what they’ve done and all the support they’ve given us.”

Along with her coaches, Turner’s teammates have also contributed to her success in track.

“I love my teammates. I’ve gotten closer with them as the years went on because freshmen year I didn’t know anyone, so building bonds and friendships with them has honestly made track so much better,” Turner said. “They all inspire me in different ways, and I know that we make each other stronger. Practices are so difficult at times, but we know that we’re in it together, and we push each other to run our fastest during practices.”

The four by 100 team that participated

in CIF consisted of freshmen Julia Ausland, junior Mahkaia Lee, senior Indica Showell and junior Amari Turner, with alternates freshmen Amber Autrey and senior Akaylah Hill.

Turner believes the team’s unity and confidence contributed to their success.

“We knew that we had a chance of moving on and actually being good this season, so honestly it’s just us getting in the weight room, training hard throughout the off season and doing what we know we can do.”

Turner said.

According to Coach Stephen Kelley, the team was successful due to their hard work during practice and believes that they need to stay goal-oriented.

“They have to take it step by step and not look too far ahead and automatically assume that we’re going to make the state finals again,” Kelley said. “They have first win Bay League championship, then a divisional championship and then a state championship.”

Kelley believes Ausland did a “great job” of making sure that she did not get too overwhelmed at meets.

“Usually freshmen get shell shocked, especially when we get to bigger meets. She did a good job of continuing to work hard at every meet.” Kelley said.

Although the group made it to the CIF Prelims, Turner still felt pressured knowing that she is last leg in the relay, which is usually where the fastest runners are to finish off the race.

“The scariest part about fourth leg is seeing the whole race unfold and knowing if your team is in the mix of things,” Turner said. “I think every leg is stressful in it’s own way because it basically determines how your team places is just stressful.”

According to Turner, handoffs, which is when each leg hands off the baton to the next person, were the most difficult part of the race.

Amari Turner places second at CIF State Finals in pole vaulting The four by 100 team made it to CIF Prelims for the first time in RUHS history

continued on page 2

To the finish line. 1. To perform her best CIF State Finals, junior Amari Turner tries to bolster her confidence to avoid intimidation. “I have to have fun while I’m competing,” Turner said. “Otherwise if I get too serious or think about it too much it usually doesn’t go well.” 2. Though Turner placed second, she hopes to set a higher personal record. “I only jumped 12”6’ and I’ve jumped 12”10’ before, but I got three attempts at 13, and I was really close,” Turner said. “Next season it’s coming, I know it is.” PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBERT 2.

LEETCH AND CHRISTINA TURNER

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NEWS

JUNE 8, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

Most valuable teacher

Michael Henges is awarded RBUSD Teacher of the Year

by Christina Owen

Everyone loves Mr. Henges — it’s just a erike who cause our students to think and fact of life. His unwavering commitment feel. He activates both the cognitive doto RUHS was most recently exemplified main, in terms of critical thinking and crein being awarded Redondo Beach Unified ativity, but he also activates the effective domain in creating humble and empathetSchool District’s Teacher of the Year.

To be considered for this award, a teach- ic students. We don’t just want to graduate er first must go through what is known as college and career ready students, we want a probationary period to become a per- to graduate good people, and I can’t think manent teacher in the district. It is likely, of a better teacher who not only infuses however, that the recipient of the award these ideas in his students but models this would have eight or more years of teach- on campus,” Brandt said. ing experience, according to Jens Brandt.

Once a school nominates a teacher, administrators attend leadership meetings to advocate for their chosen nominee. This year, Henges was chosen due to his extensive list of contributions and accomplishments at RUHS. In addition to teaching AP Government, Henges chaperones the PTSA sponsored Sacramento Safari trip, serves as a Senior Advisor to aid in the planning of graduation, is MICHAEL HENGES co-chair of the Social TEACHER OF THE YEAR Studies Department, is available as an LITT, is on Ed Council and is the advisor for the RUHS Mock Trial team among many other commitments on campus.

What is far more phenomenal than the responsibility Henges undertakes on campus, however, is the extent to which Henges cares about his students and how he has impacted the overall culture at Redondo.

“He’s the perfect example of a teach-

For Henges, teaching was where he could “best use his knowledge and passion for social science and helping others”. “Just to mentor young people and help them in a different way, like with leadership skills, building their character and giving them advice. I just really take a lot of pleasure in helping people,” said Henges.

Henges’ genuine personality and humility are what make him overwhelmingly suited for Teacher of the Year.

“

Growing up I had great teachers, but I also had a lot of ‘whatever’ teachers.

There were a lot of in between, sometimes mediocre experiences and I always felt like I wanted to do a better job and give students the opportunity to grow.”

Teacher of the year. “There were a lot in between, sometimes mediocre experiences, and I always felt like I wanted to do a better job and give students the opportunity to grow,” Henges said. PHOTO BY MITCH ZIEGLER

“What I really appreciate about Mr. Henges, again, is how genuine and how humble he is. When I let him know he was nominated as teacher of the year, he was actually quite embarrassed- that’s just who he is. He’s not looking for attention or recognition, but he does such an exceptional job as a teacher because he genuinely cares about students, about teaching and being involved. It’s just who he is through and through, and that’s why we nominated him for teacher of the year,” said Brandt.

Going forward, Henges will be acknowledged at the upcoming board meeting and at a dinner hosted by the rotary club. He will also be moving forward to the L.A. County of Education Teacher of the Year selection process, which entails a lengthy application, according to Brandt.

“It’s definitely an honor and I’m happy to be working at such an amazing school as it is so just to be recognized for a lot of the extra work I do outside of the classroom as well as inside the classroom feels really good,” said Henges. “There’s a lot of really deserving teachers on our campus and in our district who work I probably hard every day so it is wouldn’t be here todefinitely a privilege to day if it wasn’t for Mrs. be recognized and to be given such an awesome R and Mrs. Ferron award.”

To best describe who mentored me as Henges, “He is the teacha young teacher and er that students rememgave me the mentor- ber for a lifetime. The colleague that makes ship that you need you continue working when you’re just start- at a school until retirement because you may ing out. I’m forever never get to work with a indebted to them...” team like this again. The person who gives you hope for the future as MICHAEL HENGES TEACHER OF THE YEAR well as the present,” said Schooler.

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NEWS

JUNE 8, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

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Building the future. Inside the future 900s building during construction. PHOTO BY MIA BERGER

Caution

RUHS campus undergoes construction of 900s building

by Mia Berger

T

hroughout the year, students have watched as the workers make slow, but steady, progress on the construction of the new 900s building. However, what started as a cement platform at the beginning of the year has transformed into five new, modern-style classrooms, and finally, a finish line is in sight.

“They are on track to have the 900s building completed this summer. It will definitely be ready for the 2018-19 school year,” Principal Jens Brandt said. “I’ve been checking in with the crew and site supervisor and I have even walked in the interior and it looks great; good sized classrooms.

They have skylights, which is very neat for natural light.”

The new five classrooms have been assigned to english teachers Cassandra Jones, Emily Kruegar, Angie Yi, and Megan Walker, as well as biology teacher McCee, who were chosen based on seniority and need, according to Brandt.

“I think they wanted the english classrooms to be clumped together and english teachers to be closer together for collaboration,” Yi said. “I also think they also went by seniority as I’m completing my seventh

year at Redondo.”

According to Yi, it has been a difficult process teaching with the disturbances from the construction. However, she is grateful that other teachers allowed her, as well as Kerri Eastham and Krueger, to borrow their classrooms during prep periods so that the students and teachers could get a break from the noise.

“Now it is a little bit better, but when the drilling was going on with the main and support beams being installed, it was very loud. I couldn’t open the windows or the doors, because we are so close to the construction,” Yi said. “The students whose seats were against the wall of my classroom they felt it the worst. They felt the vibrations of the noise. That was when I would call Ms. Robinson, or Ms. Jones or whoever had a prep period during this time and they were more than happy to let us use their classroom.”

Despite the difficulties, Yi acknowledges that the administration and staff have been very supportive throughout the year.

The new building, designed and built by Modus, has a more modern style than the other buildings across campus and wil be paired with new “collaborative furniture”

as well, according to Brandt.

“It was an opportunity for us to put a building on campus that is really up to date with all the building materials, large windows, natural light, and high ceilings,” Brandt said.

While the classrooms will still resemble the format of previous biology and english classrooms, there is no doubt that these classrooms will have the most up-to-date furniture and design.

McCee’s new CP Biology classroom will consist solely of lab tables (no desks), according to Brandt so “they will sit at lab stations for both direct instruction, and labs.”

In addition, the english classrooms, while being about the same size as the English classrooms in the 700 buildings, will have collaborative furniture which is already being used by some teachers like Gile and Gould. These are desks that seat two at a table and can be rolled around.

“Overall, I am very excited and very appreciative with my Principal, the community and the district because we clearly need these classrooms,” Yi said.

According to Brandt, some staff raised concerns about the amount of large windows and their impact on school safety

should an active shooter come on to campus. Yi thinks that there will be blinds to cover the windows should an active shooter situation occur.

“With regards to how large the windows are, in that type of situation, we would advise everyone where potential threat is and if there is an opportunity to get off campus as quickly as possible,” Brandt said. “In a lockdown situation, with those particular classrooms we would likely have a plan in place to evacuate into other classrooms, perhaps right next door or into the CTE building, just due to the large windows.”

According to Brandt, this project will likely be the last in a series of modernizations seen on campus throughout the past ten years thanks to the grants from Measure C and Measure Q. “Maybe down the road, if another bond gets passed, we can continue to add some more modernizations to campus, but no promises,” Brandt said. “I don’t foresee the district going through another bond measure any time soon but we are currently in the process, throughout the district, to bring ‘classroom cooling’ to all classrooms which is very exciting.”

RUHS offers several after school El Camino classes

by Rukhaa Kamran For the upcoming fall semester, RUHS will offer three on-campus El Camino classes for 11th and 12th grade students of the 2018-19 school year. The following classes will be offered: First Aid, Child Development and Administration of Justice.

These courses are free for all students and will count as high school and college credit. Students that receive a C or better will also get an extra point added to their GPA. The Administration of Justice course prepares students going into criminal justice. This class demonstrates the concepts of criminal law and human relations.

In Child Development, students will compare and contrast the various stages of child development from birth to the age of twelve.

After taking Child Development, junior Kate Ripley learned how people develop “mentally and physically” in their early stages of life.

“We spent a lot of times on theories of social and cognitive development such

as Erikson’s stages of psychosocial devel- ing able to recognize emergency situations opment,” Ripley said. “The class gives you and how to handle those situations. Stua better understanding of how children dents that pass the final exam will have a function and learn.” chance to earn an American Red Cross CerStudents will also assess different fac- tification card. tors that could heavily Junior Asia Huynh impact a child, such as recently completed an abuse, death of a fami- It’s very hands-on El Camino course for the ly member or divorce. semester. and the teacher is really spring This course gives them “The class I took was an opportunity to truly good, too. [The teacher] First Aid. It’s my first understand the mind of Camino class, but it’s doesn’t overexpose us El a child. actually really fun and “The class was really to too much information I have a lot of friends fun and I would totally at once and manages in the class with me. I recommend it. It was a like that it’s super interlittle scary before, but time really well.” active and I’m glad I’m the class was super laid learning something that back and it was all about ASIA HUYNH can be really helpful one JUNIOR day. Helpful enough to the learning experience.

It’s also really exciting possibly save someone’s because we received life.” credit here as well as at El Camino because Huynh thinks all three offered courses it was dual enrollment,” Ripley said. can be, “useful in the future, depending First Aid goes through the basics of be- on what you’re interested in.” She rec-

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ommends students take one of the three courses as a way of “getting a feel” for a typical college class.

Junior Alexa Velasquez also took First Aid and felt this course was “advantageous” and “essential.”

“This is my first El Camino class and I honestly like it more than some of my regular classes. It’s very hands-on and the teacher is really good, too. He doesn’t overexpose us to too much information at once and manages time really well. For half the class, we learn something then for the rest of class, we work with the mannequins and practice,” Velasquez said.

Velasquez is “glad” she took this course because it gave her an idea on what future college courses are going to be like. She also believes First Aid is a very “important” course to take because it’s something she will need to know for the real world.

“Overall, it’s just a fun experience and I’m glad I know the basics of First Aid because it can come in handy in the future,” Velasquez said.

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NEWS

JUNE 8, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

Crazy for RUHS drama

Theatre Arts recieves 15 nominations and one award at JRAYS compiled by Ben Brill

On May 26, Theatre arts attended the John Raitt Awards for Youth (JRAY) awards.

The cast was nominated for 15 awards including Ensemble of the year, Student Orchestra of the year, and Comedy Musical of the year for the play Crazy for You

The production won the award for

Crew/Techincal execution

Scott Muller Nominee for Best Comedian

Navid Goodarzi Nominee for Best Supporting Actor

Ace Pasucal Nominee for best Dancer- Male

Beck Hokanson Nominee for Actor of the Year

Brianna Baker Nominee for Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Craddock Nominee for Best Supporting Actress

NEWS

JUNE 8, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

Leading the way Biomedical Innovations class presents senior projects compiled by Christina Owen

The rundown As their senior project, students in Biomedical Innovations were assigned to create an innovation that addresses a medical need. In addition to creating their product, students created 3D models of their innovations. These tudents have been involved in the PLTW program at RUHS for all four years of high school, and gave their final presentation as if they were marketing their products to million dollar investors. At the conclusion of the presentations, investments were tallied to determine which product received the most money. The “Seize”Fire received the most investments.

Allerg-me-not “The Allerg-me-not is a handheld device that, when activated, tests the surrounding air for the presence of a specific allergen-peanuts, soy, milk, eggs, etc.-effectively preventing serious allergy attacks. “– Casey Cheng

Concussion Cap Micro POC “Micro POC filters out the surrounding air with light weight technology to allow the user purified air that they need without the need for heavy tanks.”

- Alina Kim

“ Concussion Cap Headgear is used to detect increased pressure in the brain to prevent serious concussions in women’s soccer.” – Mya Robbins

Senso-bands “Senso-bands detect potential danger for children with congenital insensitivity to pain.”

– Olamide Omolewu

“Seize”Fire “SeizeFire [is] a patch that detects and stops temporal lobe seizures. by SeizureAide.” - Alyssa Lowery

B-Pods “B-Pods Headphones use dry censor technology with an Electroencephalography system that decreases the production of neurotransmitters, relieving and potentially (in the long term) stopping schitzophrenia symptoms.” - Andrea Romero

AirBeats “AirBeats headphones equalize pressure to relieve ear pain during airplaine descents for those who have sensitive ears (i.e. young children)”- Ashlynn Autrey

Track and Field makes history at CIF Finals [Continued from cover] “Trusting each other and taking off right and doing what we do in practice is challenging at meets. When we actually do that, our handoffs are really good, but most of the time we didn’t.” Turner said.

The members of the team are the same as last year, except for Ausland, who in her first year of track runs the first leg of the race.

“I just try not to think about it at all, but it is a lot of pressure because I have to get a good start,” Ausland said. “I don’t let the crowd and everything get to me as much and just focus on running my hardest.”

Although Ausland did not expect to be going to CIF because she had never done track before, she enjoys it and is considering doing track in college.

“They’re all really welcoming and nice and it doesn’t feel like I’m the only freshmen there.” Ausland said.

After the group’s impressive perfor-

“Usually they collide around two out of mance, Kelley is “very optimistic” about the five meets which is really frustrating, next year’s four by 100 team.

“You never know what can happen over because after running a 100, pole vaulting is really difficult the summer or in because all of my off-season, but I’m energy is drained,” The girls worked really optimistic because we have three of hard, especially toward the end Turner said. “I’ve learned to manage the four runners coming back to of the year. We made some line- it better and to just calm my nerves and the team. We also up changes and they believed roll with the punchhave runners that es.”

I think will fill in in the coaching we had been Despite balancthose roles pretty doing and were able to perform ing several different well.” Kelley said. events, Turner loves In addition to at big meets this year.” track because of her racing in the four STEPHEN KELLEY passion for the sport by 100, Turner COACH along with encouralso participates agement from her in pole vault, the open 100 and the open 200 at track meets teammates and competing at meets.

“The practices are fun with my teamsince freshman year. Luckily, they did not mates, but just getting through them and collide at CIF.

“

then getting to the meets is my favorite part,” Turner said. “I love competing against people. I love the rush of adrenaline I get.

I love determining what place I get after meets and just having that feeling of winning or even placing.”

Turner is talking to various pole vaulting coaches, including the ones from University of California, Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon.

With her experience competing in track meets, she believes that the key to doing well is confidence and avoiding intimidation.

“The more mature and confident I am during the meet is usually when I do my best,” Turner said. “In California, you’re going up against some of the best high school athletes in the nation, so you have to remember that you belong there and to put your best foot forward.”

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OPINION

JUNE 8, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

HIGH TIDE Staff Editors-in Chief Ben Brill

Elizabeth Fauver

Kylie Yorke

Online Manager Mia Berger

News Editors Christina Owen, Summer Saad

Opinion Editor Adam Sayad

It all starts with a rumor

Features Editors Aaya Jhaveri, Alexis Mesa, Analise Asaro, Grace McGonigle, Maia Ward, Lorraina Scolaro, Martha Farah Molly Cochran, Yasmine Elahihaghighi, Justin Pioletti, Ben Yepez

Entertainment Editor Alexander Dang

ILLUSTRATION BY BEN BRILL

Often times, lying ends up being counterproductive

by Kate Ripley Americans lie, on average, 11 times a week, according to Anita E. Kelly, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Notre Dame. That’s 11 times too many.

Lying is destructive to interpersonal relationships and, as it turns out, physical health as well. Because of this, Americans should be making a greater effort to live honest lives.

Now, I’m not saying all lying is the end of the world or that people who lie are evil.

As that statistic shows, most people do it pretty frequently. But the commonality of a practice does not excuse it. People lie for many reasons, and usually those reasons seem perfectly reasonable at the time, but pulling back and looking at the situation from a wider lense usually shows the issue with this habit.

It’s important to note that these motives

for lying are never perceived in the same way between the liar and the person being lied to. Liars often see “their lies as more altruistically motivated, guilt inducing, spontaneous, justified by features of the situation, and provoked by the lie receiver,” according to Mary E. Kaplar and Anne K. Gordon of Bowling Green State University’s Department of Psychology.

While lying may feel needed in order to protect someone or for some other heroic cause, these motives might be perceived negatively by the other party. Regardless of how noble your reason for lying is, it is impossible to control another person’s reaction to your lie.

Lying is more than not saying something. It’s creating a credibility gap, a fissure of mistrust. Words, or lack of, mean more than people think. They create the foundations of our relationships, our friendships and our lives as a whole.

If liars are too selfish to regard others, they should at least have self awareness.

How about your own health?

Professor Kelly and colleagues performed a study in which participants were either motivated to be more honest or were given no special instruction (the control group). For 10 weeks, the partici-

pants regularly saw the observers and took polygraph tests to assess the amount of lies they told each week. They also underwent relationship and health analysis.

Unsurprisingly, Kelly found that “when participants across both groups lied less in a given week, they reported their physical health and mental health to be significantly better that week,” according to the American Psychological Association.

In addition to better mental and physical health, participants experienced better relationships. Imagine that!

Of course there are times when a little lie can help. For instance, when your girlfriend asks how she looks and you don’t really want to tell her that you hate her favorite blouse. Sometimes it’s important to make others feel okay, even if you don’t believe in what you’re saying. In the end though, living a lifestyle where lying is seen as an everyday, excusable practice creates a dangerous atmosphere for us all.

So whether it’s hiding something from your girlfriend, stretching a story to make it a bit more interesting, or telling a lie to avoid an awkward situation, lying turns out to be much more trouble than it’s worth.

So next time you start to tell a fib, take a step back and think “is it really worth it?”

The solution is a piece of cake The couple should simply take their business elsewhere

by Sangjun Lee The Supreme Court ruling this Monday demonstrates a small gain in the freedom of association for businesses. The constitution has continuously protected the rights of businesses, and that’s a good thing. Businesses should be left alone and allowed to express their freedom of association; the government has no say in this matter.

The argument that these types of businesses (specifically the religiously oriented ones) are founded on hate and bigotry is based on assumptions of the owner’s biases, which are difficult to prove and have little factual ground. Not only do these assumptions have no merit in expanding government regulations, but they also inaccurately portray religious owners.

To be clear, I am not saying that individual bigots do not exist; they certainly do.

However, most religious owners are simply following their faith in their busi-

ness practices. Despite their refusal to associate themselves with certain activities like gay marriage, these owners are still willing to serve all people regardless of their background. For example, the Colorado baker being sued in this case has consistently refused to bake Halloween cakes alongside gay wedding cakes, claiming that those two activities would force him to act against his religion.

Nevertheless, he still told the couple that he could serve them birthday cakes or other baked goods, but his offer was harshly shut down by cries of bigotry and homophobia. The religious freedom of this baker was immediately depicted as an anti-gay assault, even being compared to the treatment of blacks by business owners during the Jim Crow Era. The former is an act of free expression and association; the latter is an act of bigotry banned by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

As Noel Francisco—the current Solicitor General of the United States—says, “[Denying this freedom of association] would mean that an African American sculptor could be forced to make a cross for a Ku Klux Klan event”.

Additionally, even if these owners were true bigots hiding behind the concept of

religious liberty, the free market would do its job to shut down these businesses.

In a capitalistic society, consumers have the choice to spend their money wherever they want. If a business was showing hostility towards the LGBT or people of color, customers can choose to take their money elsewhere.

There is no need for the government to restrict this freedom of association. With the increasing prevalence of internet in society, the bigotry of individual businesses can be revealed to people all over the country in a matter of seconds. Cutting off the demand for these hateful businesses will eventually result in their closure—all without a single government mandate.

So while it is important to fight bigotry and homophobia where they exist, we should be careful in picking our battles. Religious freedom does not imply bigotry, and it’s important to understand others’ beliefs in the marketplace. Hopefully, these bridges of empathy will one day teach these owners to tear down those well-constructed walls of strict religious guidelines. If a business chooses not to accept your money, then go somewhere else. They’re the ones losing out.

Photo Editor Eden Millan

Copy Editors Reem Chamas, Alexander Clark

Writing Editors Reem Chamas, Lauren Kim Kate Ripley

Technology Editor Samaya Rubio

Staff Writers Alex Laureano Austin Nunis Camille Grace Danny Parhizi Christopher Snyder Juninho Paniouchkine Ethan Park Liam Barret Ivanica Skalko Michael Solimando Jenna Edwards Nicholas White Kaden Kaczmarczyk Rukhaa Kamran Kiera Patterson Sangjun Lee Sabrina Kim Sarah Flannery Sarah Falahawazi Sophie Fleming Shyanne Landers William Pournamdari Sydney Nguyen Angie Tait

Photographers Shuaib Ahmad Ben Cheng Elise Dipaola Amber DuFresne Grace Horne Jade Rona Danielle Sestak Kierin Woolridge Mia Wicks

Illustrators Brennan Hickey Emma Lyon Makena Frias Michael Bottcher Sophie Fleming

This is a wholly student-managed, designed, and written newspaper that focuses on the school and community.

Signed commentaries and editorial cartoons represent the opinions of the staff writer or cartoonist.

Letters to the editor The High Tide encourages greater input of opinions from both students and staff. If you have an opinion about one of the articles, letters can be sent to the editor at

hightideonline@gmail.com We reserve the right to edit for content, grammar and space constraints. Letters must be signed and are not guaranteed to be printed.

Please keep letters to a maximum of 250 words. Longer guest opinions are also accepted.

Keep in touch with @ruhsmedia hightideonline.org

OPINION

JUNE 8, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

We’re being controlled by ‘fake news’ Mainstream media practices are destabilizing our democracy

by Adam Sayad Independent media outlets have long been a quintessential part of preserving America’s democracy through their critical and aggressive approach to powerful political and economic forces.

Unfortunately, an ever increasing amount of media mergers, under the table deals, and sectional interests have not only disgraced journalism, but represent a threat to our freedom.

There’s no denying that Americans generally don’t trust their own media. The most trusted media outlets in the United States are the Economist weekly newspaper and the British Broadcasting corporation, according to a study by the Pew Research Center.

This isn’t a big deal unless you consider the fact that they’re both British-based media outlets.

It is truly respectable that Americans are generally wise enough to trust media

How to sp

outlets that aren’t even American based.

This indirectly represents American resistance to the injustices the media puts upon all of us.

However, this statistic is enough to affirm that the media problem the U.S. has needs an immediate solution.

Why are American media outlets so distrusted? It stems from the practices of biased reporting and the propagation of inaccurate and fabricated information in the United States.

Almost all media that reach a large audience in the United States are owned by for-profit institutions that are obligated by law to put the profits of investors ahead of all other priorities, according to Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR), an organization that works to challenge media bias.

Unfortunately, profit quotas often end up trumping responsible journalism practices. Speaking of profit, most major media outlets are owned by corporations that continue to shrink in number as the larger ones absorb their rivals.

Whether it’s Disney and Fox or Viacom and CBS, the media continues to collectivize and that is reflected in the perspectives they put out.

Consequently, conflicts of interest become more important than actually reporting genuine stories. The executives behind dominant media outlets are a part of the same wealthy class as political elites in our country.

As a result, they frequently socialize with government officials and tend to share similar worldviews.

CNN’s parent company, Time Warner, donated a whopping $562,795 to the Clinton campaign in 2016 according to opensecrets.org, a website that publicly discloses lobbying deals.

This might explain CNN’s constant bias during the election and could explain the escalation of many Americans’ disapproval of the media.

“Remember it’s illegal to possess these stolen documents. It’s different for the media. So, everything you’re learning about this, you’re learning from us.” This is CNN reporter Chris Cuomo’s infamous quote telling viewers that it’s illegal for them to read Hillary Clinton’s emails on Wikileaks.

This is a perfect example of the mainstream media trying to make viewers hear their version of events.

However, it’s obvious that they all have their own interests that they tend to prior-

itize over the genuine coverage of events.

Americans should be able to read Hillary Clinton’s scandalous emails for themselves and form their own perspectives.

Fox news also has a history of biased reporting relating to race. On November 29, 2006, during an interview Sean Hannity got upset with James Myart, a civil rights lawyer who represented Congresswoman Cynthia Mckinney who was accused of hitting a U.S. Capitol police officer in 2006.

“Most police officers are good, honest, hard-working men and women. But there is a culture of police officers out there that represents a legalized gang,” Myart stated.

Hannity attempted to interrupt Myart as soon as Myart said the word “but” because he knew that the accusation of police injustice would be a controversial point of discussion.

Here’s the point, most media outlets are under great pressure to boost ratings and succumb to sensationalism.

As a result, they use divisive and alluring tactics to inform viewers. This allows them to manipulatively control everything we’re exposed to. Americans should be cautious of this or learn to accept a new reality of limited freedom.

t fake news

Consider the source

Investigate its mission and political affiliations.

Check the author or reporter

Are they credible? Do they have a troubled past?

Check your bias

Consider if your own beliefs could cloud your judgement or make you susceptible to manipulation.

Read beyond

Headlines often end up being clickbait. What’s the whole story?

Letters to the Editor Re: “Miss: Stand for the Second Walkout” In your May 4th issue you listed the Stand for the Second Amendment Walkout as the top “Miss” of the “Hits & Misses” section. I would like to start by saying that I’m not taking a political side on this issue. I believe both positions have credible points regarding gun debate. However, what made me truly upset about this piece was the bias and obvious distaste for those who participated in this walkout. The segment stated, “As opposed to a genuine walkout in protest, this seemed more like a petty response to previous walkouts advocating for gun control.”

For one, how is it petty for students to participate in a walkout for something they believe in? Redondo Union is filled with many liberal students, which is fine.

What’s wrong is that those who aren’t liberal and have contrary views are looked down upon and judged for their point of view, thus making it difficult for those with unpopular opinions to openly express their views without the harsh scrutiny of others. Moreover, I’d like to note

that when the National School Walkout to End Gun Violence happened, there was a whole article written on it with photos and many quotes. What did the Stand for the Second walkout receive?

No quotes. No pictures. Just a thumbs down. The RUHS High Tide should make an effort to tell both sides of the story because what’s really petty is the school newspaper being biased and attempting to oppress other students’ beliefs.

Elle Marine Freshman

Re: Charter schools alleviate problems in our educational system I do not view charter schools as “parasites” but I am very concerned about the way they are presented in this article, and there are a few facts that I wanted to clarify. Charter schools do receive public funds, but they are not subject to the same standards of accountability and oversight as traditional public schools.

For example, schools in RBUSD are managed by a publicly elected Board of Education made up by people living in the city of Redondo Beach. While there are some charter schools that are operated by school districts, many are run by for-profit corporations who are only accountable to their shareholders. There is no public oversight as to how they spend the public money they receive. The article states that charter schools are a shining example of how “educational pluralism benefits the public”. How can an institution be an example of pluralism when it can pick and choose who it serves? A public school like RUHS, or any other in our country,

must provide a free and appropriate education to all students, regardless of their ability level. Many charter schools do not abide by that requirement. If a student has special needs and requires extra services, a charter school can deny them admittance because of the additional costs.

Public schools do not do this. We welcome all students and do our absolute best to provide them with the services they need to succeed academically. While the original intent of charter schools in California was to improve student learning while encouraging the use of different and innovative teaching methods and creating new professional opportunities for educators, many have now departed from this vision and are looking to profit from California’s students.

Sarah Robinson Spanish teacher

8

ENTERTAINMENT

JUNE 7, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

How Sway? Dozens of reporters and celebrities, like actor Jonah Hill and rappers Desiigner and Puff Daddy, attended the listening party that Kanye West hosted in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to celebrate the release of his newest album, “Ye”, on June 1. PHOTO COURTESY OF WAV MEDIA

Same old Ye

Kanye West delivers a brief, but masterful album in “Ye”

by Alexis Mesa

Controversial assertions, mental instability, self-obsession and exceptional musicality — these are all qualities Kanye West has reinforced in himself with his seven-song album, “Ye”.

Over the past two months, West has added to his long list of offensive and questionable actions, including claiming in a TMZ interview that slavery was a “choice” and openly supporting President Donald Trump, who he calls his “dragon brother.”

Many fans and peers, including Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna, reacted to West’s actions by unfollowing him on Twitter; some fans even called for a boycott of his album, deeming West a “canceled” artist, unworthy of attention. Despite his behavior, West’s expertise is unaffected and is at its best in “Ye”.

“Ye” commences with “I Thought About Killing You,” a haunting mix of spoken word poetry and rap. West is intense as he

speaks about his mental health and hom- dashian and “Violent Crimes” conveying icidal and suicidal tendencies, all against his worries for his daughter’s future, West a modified vocal backtrack. “I Thought shows himself at his most vulnerable.

About Killing You” is beautiful during the West is also unafraid to be obscene. first half of the song, but In “All Mine”, West apbecomes more powerful points Jeremih and Ty

West has proven and rigid later on.

Dolla $ign to create the Throughout “Ye”, it is himself an efficient procras- most explicit song on clear the old Kanye West tinator and an even better the album. The track is a who fans have yearned producer, but he lacks the story of his sexual appefor has returned. West tite, referencing women ability to accurately articis just as arrogant as he like Kerry Washington was in “Yeezus” and just ulate his emotions and and Stormy Daniels. Yet as creative with his sam- thoughts without offending after the line “Russell ples as he was in his de- a crowd.”

Simmons wanna pray but album, “The College for me too / I’ma pray for Dropout”, which was rehim ‘cause he got #Meleased over a decade ago.

Too’d” in the track “Yikes”, his objectifying However, “Ye” displays a West who is of women in “All Mine” is in poor taste. more candid than we have ever seen in the The most uplifting tracks of “Ye”, “No past. With tracks like “Wouldn’t Leave” ex- Mistakes” and “Ghost Town”, are rich in posing his marital troubles with Kim Kar- melodic R&B harmonies. They allow the

“

listener a break from the overwhelming darkness of West’s rapping but maintain the strength of the beats and instrumentals from the previous songs.

For an album scrapped and redone two weeks before its release in order to address the now infamous slavery comment “Ye” provides an unexpectedly pleasurable listening experience. Utilizing only seven songs, West has proven himself an efficient procrastinator and an even better producer, but he lacks the ability to accurately articulate his emotions and thoughts without offending a crowd.

Although “Ye” may upset listeners, there is no denying that West crafted an album deserving of the world’s attention.

YE

KANYE WEST

A failed experiment

ASAP Rocky’s “Testing” is inconsistent and one-dimensional

by Justin Pioletti The title of ASAP Rocky’s “TESTING” speaks for itself — Rocky continues experimenting in electronic and psychedelic instrumentals in his attempt to become classified as a symphonic genius. While his intentions are clear, the execution is lacking, and Rocky repeats failures found in his last studio album, “AT.LONG.LAST.ASAP.” Highlights from “Testing”: In the days leading up to the re“ASAP Forever (Remix)” (feat. Moby, T.I. and lease of his album, Rocky preKid Cudi) miered his performance art The lead single off of the album, “ASAP Forever piece “Lab Rat” at the New (Remix)” is representative of the rapper’s willingYork City warehouse ness to experiment, with the song being a mix of of art dealer Sotheby’s. pop, rock and electronic sounds.

The show set the stage “OG Beeper” for the fundamental Featuring adlibs from BlocBoy JB, “OG Beeper” is intent of the album, a slick and more traditional track, sampling Tommy displaying Rocky in Wright III’s “Shoot to Kill”. a “lab” performing “Purity” (feat. Frank Ocean) a series of tasks, inThe last song on the album, “Purity” features cluding taking a lie vocals from Frank Ocean, who Rocky collaborated detector test, eating PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA with on the singer’s 2017 song, “Chanel”. various chili peppers, and speaking to the crowd on the struggles that come with composing an album.

“Distorted Records” jump starts the album with icy synthesizers and aggressive mensional in its message and flow, and self-boasting and the cliché paycheck flex.

Overproduction and editing begin to layers, yet does not prove itself relevant as while it does take a quick jab at current an introduction to the project. It is one-di- political affairs, the track is drowned in lead to the album’s detriment as the album

progresses. The plethora delays, reverbs and samples are initially catching, but gradually become overdone and jumble the flow of various tracks. This likely stems from Rocky’s own hesitance and the fear that his flow and lyricism alone simply are not enough to reach the billboards.

Rocky is one of the few current artists able to persuade Frank Ocean to lay down bars on a track, which forged a high point in the album. While Frank delivers his dense, Los Angeles inspirited lines in “Purity,” Kid Cudi sounds awkwardly off-pace in the “A$AP Forever” remix, leaving a lot to be desired.

Despite the album’s shortcomings, Rocky’s efforts in devising an unexpected release and intensive production does in fact elevate the expectations of projects in the hip hop industry. Rocky proves, with sparse flashes of brilliance throughout the album, that he does have potential to create some incredible work, yet developing a wider amplitude of sound and intent must be done to do so.

TESTING

ASAP ROCKY