High Tide: Jan 26, 2018

HT

Redondo Union High School Redondo Beach, CA January 26, 2018 Vol. XCVIII Edition 9

High Tide

Viggiano officially releases her music in her four-song EP “Sophia & Hudson.”

page 14

The Road to

HAPPINESS

As finals approach, teachers and students search for their own paths to happiness

NEWS

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Same URL, new look

A guide to the features of the redesigned RUHS website

By Austin Nunis

Users can access information on things like the bell schedule, volunteer opportunities and work permits by hovering their mouse over the ‘Students’ tab until the drop down menu appears.

Also, users can access the pages of teachers and staff by clicking on ‘Classes/Homework.’ From there, they can search up staff in the search bar or by scrolling down the alphabetized list.

Infinite Campus can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Parent Portal’ link in the ‘Parents’ drop down bar.

Clicking these links brings users to archive issues of High Tide, as well as to the YouTube channel of RUTV (formerly Beach City News).

Students and parents also have the ability to report absences from online through a Google survey:

The weekly bulletin contains important information on upcoming events as well as the weekly schedule.

The ASB Webstore sells sports items, PE clothes and locks. AP tests and fees can also be paid through the webstore.

Additional features:

Photo/recording policy update: Despite the opinion of Student Press Law Center legal consultant Mike Hiestand that “an across-theboard ban” of recording and photography of students and staff on campus without permission “cannot co-exist with the First Amendment,” Principal Jens Brandt told High Tide that the policy will still be included in the morning announcements and will continue to be enforced.

Caught up. The “What’s Happening at Redondo Union High School” section on the homepage.

Below the drone footage at the top of the homepage is the latest news as well as a slideshow that includes links to the daily school schedule, dances and contests.

At the bottom of the homepage, users will find information about upcoming school events, an update on RUHS related social media and hyperlinks to websites such as Infinite Campus and RBUSD. The ‘Social Hub’ of the “What’s Happening at Redondo Union High School” section includes live feeds of RUHS’s Facebook page and of the RUHS Athletic Twitter account.

Regarding the fact that the First Amendment protection of privacy does not extend to public property, such as RUHS, Brandt referred to the media release form that students are asked to sign — and can opt out of — as a means of protecting students.

BRANDT:

“People do have their right to their privacy -- and we have to keep in mind that we have some students on campus, that it’s very important that their privacy is protected because they may be in situations where we cannot advertise their photo because their presence on our campus cannot be known to somebody who may want to harm them.”

NEWS

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

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Olympics coming to Redondo?

City Council forms subcommittee to consider hosting 2028 Summer Olympic events

By William Pournamadari The Redondo Beach City Council has formed a subcommittee — consisting of Mayor Bill Brand and City Council members Nils Nehrenheim and John Gran — to meet with the Los Angeles Olympic Committee in order to host open water swimming and water polo competitions in Redondo for the 2028 summer Olympics.

The city is also looking at possibly hosting sailing competitions.

If Redondo Beach is approved to host water polo competitions, and if the city provides five acres of land, the Olympic Committee will provide the plans and the estimated funds to build the estimated $15

million water polo stadium. The aquatic facility would be built on the current AES site.

Redondo Beach’s top competitors to serve as a water polo venue include Long Beach, Santa Monica and Orange County.

However, Redondo Beach must first prove that it has the necessary infrastructure to be an Olympic host, Nehrenheim said.

“They basically just need land, and they need to build the water polo venue, they need an appropriate amount of parking and hotel space,” Nehrenheim said.

While there is a five-acre land requirement for hosting water polo, Nehrenheim believes Redondo’s location will increase the chances of the city becoming an Olympic venue.

“Open water swimming is extremely likely because we have a phenomenal location,” Nehrenheim said. “As long as we are willing to do the groundwork, they are willing to give it to us.”

Despite the possibility of increased traffic, which has stalled projects like the waterfront development because of concerns among City Council members and citizens, no public opposition has been raised about the Olympic hosting efforts.

“I haven’t heard anyone against it so far,” Nehrenheim said. “No one has really come out and told me that they are against it so far. Everyone is very happy about the way it has turned out.”

The effort to make Redondo Beach an Olympic venue began in a Los Angeles conference, where Brand spoke with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti about the possibility of utilizing the waterfront for competitions. Garcetti referred Brand to someone who explained the process of hosting some of the games.

Skatelines for ‘19 Junior class ASB held a fundraiser at the Palos Verdes Promenade Ice Chalet.

Juniors who attended gave High Tide their thoughts on the event.

“Even though I wasn’t there the whole time, it was cool to see people in our class that I don’t usually see outside of school and to talk and skate with them.”

-Grace Yagi (On meeting new people at the rink)

2028 Summer Olympics at a glance

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the 2028 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles in July 2017. The IOC will provide $1.8 billion in additional funding to the city to help build facilities and organize the games.

Redondo Beach is interested in hosting water polo and open water swimming competitions. If approved, the Los Angeles Olympic would grant Redondo the $15 million to build the aquatic facility for the water polo matches.

This will be the third time the Summer Olympics have been hosted in Los Angeles, after the 1932 and 1984 games. It will be the fifth time the games have been hosted in the United States (the 1904 Olympics were held in St. Louis, and the 1996 games in Atlanta).

INFORMATION VIA LA2028.ORG AND OLYMPIC.ORG

Redondo Beach citizens have to show commitment in order for the Olympics to come to the city, according to Nehrenheim.

“We are going to show them that the community is serious about getting these games, and the community is serious about doing what it takes to move things forward,” Nehrenheim said.

Nehrenheim believes that with years to plan, it is possible that Redondo Beach will become an Olympic host.

“We also need to show that we can have this up and running well ahead of this

time, so we can run some practice events.

It will be eight to ten years from now so it’s a really good possibility to get this happening,” Nehrenheim said.

Nehrenheim believes that hosting the Olympics would provide publicity and economic revenue to the city.

“We are going to have our name broadcasted to the entire world. It’ll also be a real opportunity for us to build a long term aquatic facility on the AES site and a great way for the community to make money,” Nehrenheim said.

“I think that it was kind of successful — there wasn’t a huge amount of people, and I think lowering the prices could have changed that.”

-Hetal Shah (On the fundraiser’s turnout)

“We went during a public skating time and there were a lot of people and small kids in the rink, which made it hard to maneuver through.

But I did have fun with my friends, skating around, sitting on seals, and laughing when we fell.”

-Hannah Marine (On how the event could have been better)

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUMMER SAAD, GRACE YAGI AND HANNAH MARINE

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NEWS

JAN. 26 , 2018 | HIGH TIDE

“The legitimate use of images is to express truth, not possess it.”

Alan Watts “The Wisdom of Insecurity”

1 Creativity is key. (1) A multimedia photo collage by senior Madison Brooks featuring keyboard-

The H T U R

T in art

ist Mike from the band, the Charities. The photograph shows hands grabbing on to Mike in the midst of chaos to depict how, despite the chaos and opposition in his life, Mike continues to perservere by using his music. (2) A drawing by junior Mikayla Diaz. “The girl represents our collective responsibility to justify what it means to have liberty and be good people,” Diaz said.

PHOTOS BY SABRINA KIM

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The Redondo Beach Rotary Club hosts the district 5280 Art Contest

by Sabrina Kim Art is emotion. It’s a way to express dreams and desires without outright saying them. In some ways, art can be more inspiring than reading a book or listening to music.

The Redondo Beach Rotary Club aims to encourage high school students to embrace this emotion, to get inspired and to create. To do this, they have turned this into the Rotary District 5280 Art Contest.

Amanda Roth, the teacher of Art 1, Art 3/AP Drawing and AP Studio Art 2D/3D collected the submissions for the contest.

“We want to be innovative, and art allows you to do that,” Ms. Roth said. “Most of us are trained to be exactly alike. ‘Oh! The answer’s A!’ No, the answer isn’t just A, it can be A, B, C or D in art.”

The theme of the pieces should attest to the Four-Way Test of all the things Rotary Club members think, say or do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Over 50 art pieces were submitted because of excessive advertisement. After the winners from the school are announced, the three winners will move on to compete against other local high schools.

The entries fall under the categories of a painting, drawing, photograph, ceramic, sculpture or video. An example is junior Mikayla Diaz’s entry, which is a traditional sketch drawing.

“I like to draw inspiration from the world around me,” Diaz said. “This piece In

particular was inspired by current events.”

The drawing features a girl standing blindfolded on a street. She is holding a scale and sword. This girl represents the people as a whole.

“The girl represents our collective responsibility to justify what it means to have liberty and be good people,” Diaz said.

In the background, the Statue of Liberty stands, holding her torch up against the heavens.

“I really wanted to showcase my work and wanted to challenge myself,” Diaz said.

“I found the best way to do that was to pit myself against other amazing artists.”

Another submission, by senior Madison Brooks, features Mike, the keyboard player for the local band, the Charities, in a photograph collage.

“The piece I entered is a mixed media project I’ve worked on with the idea to portray a struggling artist,” Brooks said.

“The yellow acrylic represents chaos surrounding an artist. The repetitive hands represent people holding him back.”

Even so, in the photograph Mike does not seem phased by the hands. He continues to persevere and fight against them by using his music.

“I’ve always found a sense of accomplishment in creating because art can portray the raw truth,” Brooks said. “It is a tool that gives people the ability to create pieces that aren’t just visually pleasing but force people to think as well.”

Brooks wanted her piece to reflect not

only her ideals, but also represent a blend of other people’s views and cultures.

“The colors used aren’t complimentary.

The piece is inspired by observing people who come from different backgrounds other than my own which expanded my artistic horizons,” Brooks said. “From The Wisdom of Insecurity, Alan Watts wrote, ‘The legitimate use of images is to express truth, not possess it’, which is a powerful statement that has stuck with me because I believe this message influences my art immensely.”

The first place winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000, second place will win $500 and third place $250.

The contest’s theme can be interpreted in many different ways. This is why so many artists decided to take their personal spin on the subject and make it their own, unique piece.

“Art can be offensive,” Brooks said. “But it’s subjective and as an artist you have to take risks because no one else will be able to generate the same thoughts and explorations of it.”

NEWS

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

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Embracing the drama

The drama play production went to the California Theatre Association festival

by Jenna Edwards

Recently, play production went to ob- beneficial for people, for example, for tech- while CETA was an advantaserve and participate in a California Educa- nical stuff, they had makeup and special geous experience, there were tional Theatre Association (CETA) compe- effects, they also had film and acting work- some negatives to the event. tition. Located in Rancho Cucamonga, the shops,” Bruckner said. “Some of my friends “They were all actor workcompetition and festival lasted the span of did a college audition workshop which shops, but the thing is that there three days in early January. they said was really helpful, but some of was like a ton of tech there beCETA is a drama festival that unites the others workshops were just really un- cause they advertised it as having tech schools from all around southern Califor- professional.” workshops but there were barely any tech nia involved in a theatre program. This While the workshops that people did workshops, maybe like three, and they year, our theatre program entered the fes- do were useful to improve acting and tech were all full already,” said Townsend. tival’s competition which allows Southern skills, the timing issues that occurred made The lack of having what was adverCalifornia schools to rival each other, how- the event seem much less put together tised in CETA turned both Townsend and ever we did not place in the top three.

Three judges come to each school before the festival, and scored their plays based on acting, tech and directing. Then, at CETA, the first place school performed their rehearsed straight play (an entire play without any cuts), and the second and third place schools performed short clips from their plays. However, our school was not able to perform.

Sophomore Foster Townsend, a stage crew member, enjoyed watching the other schools’ shows because of the contrast between various aspects of the plays.

“It was pretty fun because I got to learn a lot of things about play production and improvement,” Townsend said. “I got to watch a bunch of plays and see what different schools were interested in.”

As a member of tech crew, Townsend participated less in the acting-focused activities, but more in the Props. The Drama Play Production class went to CETA from January 12-14 where they participated in several workshops focusing on acting and tech. “Some of the workshops were really beneficial for design and set, the more “technical” activities. For our school’s show Let- people, for example, for technical stuff, they had makeup and special effects, they also had film and acting workshops,” sophomore Victoria Bruckner saidd. PHOTO VIA RUHS DRAMA INSTAGRAM ters to Sala, he was able to get involved by building the set used in it.

Along with tech crew, actors were also than actors thought it would be.

Bruckner off from the event as a whole. able to actively participate competitions.

“It was just like the time schedule that “So, all these tech people who aren’t outSophomore Victoria Bruckner, actress, was bad, the organizers of the event would going were out there doing active things watched the plays with her drama friends sometimes run late or be really behind in like Comedysportz, Shakespeare and stuff and participated in helpful workshops. the schedule,” said Bruckner. like that. I don’t know, I just think that the “Some of the workshops were really Townsend agrees with Bruckner that event could have been done more efficient-

ILLUSTRATION VIA PIXABAY

ly to help me with my tech because I liked the stage fighting workshop, but its not really ever gonna help me because I’m not an actor, I’m on tech,” said Townsend.

Since CETA was so actor focused, there were few benefits for people who came to CETA for tech or directing purposes.

“Although the workshops might help, and improve acting, I’m not sure going to the event helped drama as a whole that much. This year for tech, a lot of kids went, but it was super overcrowded and there wasn’t enough workshops that allowed everyone interested in tech to learn what they wanted to,” Townsend said.

According to Bruckner, there were also issues with the timing in between workshops that made the event not as enjoyable.

“Some parts of CETA were a little unorganized. For example, there were so many people in the food lines that people were always late to workshops, just little things like that,” Bruckner said.

Despite a few disappointments, CETA was a learning experience for all participants that gave both actors and tech crew members the opportunity to see the logistics of how other schools run their productions compared to their own.

“It was like a celebration or a reunion of all of the schools since you get to watch other shows and see different people’s opinions and what different schools are working on,” Bruckner said. “I think it’s good to get together and go on field trips, it gives us that bonding experience where we also get to connect with new people that have a common interest.”

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OPINION

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

Editorial

Teachers are not here for your entertainment

HIGH TIDE Staff Editors-in Chief Ben Brill

Elizabeth Fauver

Kylie Yorke

News Editors Mia Berger, Alex Dang

Opinion Editors Miriam Farah, Jon Mallen

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL BOTTCHER

Features Editors Reem Chamas, Summer Saad, Ben Yepez

Entertainment Editors Justin Pioletti

Sports Editor The road to happiness does not need to be paved by teachers. They should simply be held accountable for carrying out their job: teaching.

Having purpose and meaning contributes to overall happiness, and having a good education and developing skills that can translate to the real world helps find this purpose.

The the U.S. Department of Education’s mission is to “prepare students for global competitiveness.” Although recognizing the stress students are under and being accommodating is beneficial to students, having a classroom in which ignores academic progress and tries to be “fun” and “relatable” to teenagers really isn’t grasping this concept.

Students will take their instructor more seriously when they’re the best at teaching the curriculum. Teachers who are deemed as “fun” and “cool” actually inflict frustration on students with their lack of instruction. Those who try desperately to maintain entertainment and happiness in the classroom really end up doing the opposite.

With a lack of learning in the classroom, students don’t succeed. For example,

entertaining students with movie clips that narrowly relate to the topic don’t help them visualize the concept, it just induces anxiety for wasted class time.

However, not all “alternative” teaching methods are in vain. Teachers who take the time to consider how students learn best are appreciated, and at times videoclips can help students visualize the concept or add a new perspective. The purpose of high school is to stimulate intellectual development in children and prepare them to further their education at a college or university. Positive reinforcement and a sense of meaning being essential to students, but the traits that are vital to success and happiness, such as grit, optimism, and self-awareness, can not be taught in a classroom.

As students continue their education or begin to pursue a career in the real world, they won’t have bosses or peers that provide them with the constant sympathy and cushion they are accustomed to. Therefore, high school should not sugarcoat reality.

The classroom isn’t a place where teachers should walk on broken glass to spare their student’s feelings and spirits. It is a

place of growth and knowledge that will give teenagers the tools to achieve contentment later on in life.

Highschool is a place where students need to take charge and uphold certain responsibilities. Certain subjects aren’t fun or easy and are not going to bring happiness to every individual student. The teacher can not, and should not be expected to do anything about this other than teach the material to the best of their abilities.

The line between considering a student’s well being and obsessively trying to have a “cool” classroom is increasingly being crossed. At school, students need to be challenged and surrounded by an environment that fosters their education and growth, not babied.

Editorial Board Vote Is it ineffective for teachers to value a “fun” and “cool” curriculum over strictly adhering to the course material, even if it might be very challenging, or worse, boring?

YES: 5

NO: 2

Calling yourself “pro-life” is blatantly misleading

by Kate Ripley Nearly forty years following Roe v.

Wade, the discussion on abortion continues to divide our country. The Supreme Court ruled that a woman’s right to abortion fell within the rights of privacy, and thus a woman has total control over her pregnancy for the first term but must abide by state regulations in her later terms.

Those who strongly oppose the legality of abortion have cleverly coined the name ”pro-life,” although the name anti-choicers is much more fitting. Now, I am not making an argument for or against abortion, but the use of the “pro-life” label oversimplifies and leads away from the actual agendas of those opposed to abortion.

Someone who identifies as pro-life should be exactly that: pro-life. Yet many

who call themselves “pro-lifers” refuse to aid in the form of medical care, asylum or other measures of security to those who need it most. You cannot claim to be prolife and watch as half a million Americans sleep on the street starving each night.

It seems more than a bit hypocritical to identify as pro-life yet support the death penalty. Ironically, after comparing information about death penalty and abortion restrictions, you’ll find that 27 states of the 32 that restrict public funding of abortion also use the death penalty.

It’s pretty simple. The label pro-life suggests that you cannot support anything that pushes toward death, yet the countless issues our country turns its back on seem to show that many citizens are exceptionally great at doing just that.

Every citizen in our nation has the freedom to openly practice any religion and make their own choices, but they cannot make decisions for others. Yes, you may believe abortion is wrong, but your personal opinions do not change the right of potential parents to make a choice for themselves. Abortion is a moral decision, the right to which should remain protect-

ed by the Constitution.

Outlawing abortion will not lower the number of procedures, forcing women to find less safe options. Almost half of the world’s abortions each year are unsafe, according to TIME. The World Health Organization found that 70,000 maternal deaths occur each year due to unsafe abortions.

The battle over abortion has always been a violent storm. Protesters threaten to attack reproductive medical professionals nearly everyday and clinics are forced to shut down. Physically assaulting and threatening someone’s life doesn’t sound too “pro-life” to me.

Those who are against the legality of abortion are not saving lives, nearly taking away choices and therefore affecting lives of women, men and children without their consent.

Are you really pro-life if you’re taking away someone’s ability to determine how their own life will play out? I don’t think so. If you are against abortion, that’s your right and your opinion, but please do not pretend that you are standing for the sanctity of all lives.

The Mustangs take the L

&

Hits Misses

RUHS blew out Mira Costa in soccer and basketball this week. Let this be a lesson to them. If you play mediocre against the Sea Hawks, expect to get dunked on.

Luke Peterson

Photo Editor Eden Millan

Copy Editor Alexander Clark, Lauren Kim

Writing Editor Lauren Kim

Technology Editor Samaya Rubio

Staff Writers Aaya Jhaveri Adam Sayad Alex Laureano Alexis Mesa Analisa Asaro Austin Nunis Camille Grace Christina Owen Christopher Snyder Danny Parhizi Ethan Park Grace McGonigle Ivanica Skalko Juninho Paniouchkine Jenna Edwards Kate Ripley Kaden Kaczmarczyk Liam Barret Kiera Patterson Maia Ward Lorraina Scolaro Michael Solimando Martha Farah Nicholas White Molly Cochran Rukhaa Kamran Ophelia Winslett Sangjun Lee Sabrina Kim Sarah Flannery Sarah Falahawazi Sophie Fleming Shyanne Landers William Pournamdari Sydney Nguyen Angie Tait Yasmine Elahihaghighi

Photographers

Shuaib Ahmad Elise Dipaola Jade Rona Kierin Woolridge

Ben Cheng Amber DuFresne Danielle Sestak Mia Wicks

Illustrators Brennan Hickey Makena Frias

Emma Lyon Michael Bottcher

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

No teacher on campus has any tissues?

Teachers have to pay for classroom tissues out of their own pockets, and most don’t have tissues as a result. RBUSD, invest in some tissues please. Achoo!

hightideonline.org

OPINION

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

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The unprecedented move Koreans made for the Olympics North Korea will attend an Olympic Games in South Korea for the first time in the nation’s history, an excellent move to achieve future peace on the Korean peninsula.

by Ethan Park The hostilities between North and South Korea have caused global disarray, particularly with North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal.

However, it was recently announced that North Korea would be attending the Olympic games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Additionally, the two Koreas would both send women to compete for the women’s ice hockey team, uniting the team under one banner.

This is development is exciting progress for the future of Korea. We should regard this as a great move by the two nations to accomplish better relations with each other, and hope that this path continues for the sake of de-escalating potential conflict in the region.

It seems that tensions are beginning to

simmer down, and gradual reunification is no longer just a dream. However, many such as Japanese Prime minister Shinzo Abe are skeptical of North Korea’s new friendly disposition and believe that the North has more sinister motives. I don’t believe this is true. While there is no doubt North Korea is attempting to gain something from this ordeal, it’s a step in the right direction for peace on the Korean peninsula.

In a speech to his people, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un deviated from the traditional topics that usually constitute a state-wide address. According to the BBC, while he did speak of foreign threats as usual, he had a major focus on improving the economy, a subject not particularly common in Kim’s speeches.

There has been conclusive evidence to suggest that the North Korean economy is suffering. With the increased sanctions from the world, especially from their major trading partner, China, due to their increased testing of nuclear weapons, North Korea’s overall trading has decreased substantially. The sanctions imposed in the last year have reduced North Korea’s exports by 33 percent, according to the BBC. The meetings between North and South

PHOTOS VIA CREATIVE COMMONS

Korea show that the harsher tactics of the U.S. have been working. Both America under the Trump administration and China have imposed harsh sanctions on North Korea following North Korea’s increased nuclear tests. With a faltering economy and global pressure, these new developments are a good sign that the North is willing to start diplomatic talks.

The North Korean government is still the same oppressive regime it has always been. The tyrannical dictator Kim Jong Un is still in absolute power. This is the same regime that murders its own people,

sends them off to concentration camps and through sheer negligence causes mass famines that result in thousands of people to starve, such as that in 1994-1998.

However, the situation still remains hopeful. North Korea has never attempted this type of diplomatic approach towards the South throughout its history. Perhaps this might be some sort of new political tactic that the North is attempting to pull, but the fact remains that this move will improve relations between North and South Korea for the first time since the division of the country.

It’s time for Hollywood to start casting more women in action films

by Molly Cochran Female-led action movies are in short supply, and that needs to change.

Throughout history, women have been subjected to the roles of “the supportive housewife”, “the sidekick,” “the bystander,” and “the nagging woman,” to name a few.

Rarely have we seen women being the one to save the day. Recently that standard has been changing.

With the emergence of recent films such as Wonder Woman and Ghostbusters, we’ve seen the slow but sure progress in terms of female representation, but the problem still isn’t solved.

I’m not saying that women need to be the hero in every movie, but in many action movies, women are still being objectified. Justice League sparked up debate when their version of Wonder Woman and the “Amazons” wore impractically skimpy outfits.

These costumes ILLUSTRATION BY came in contrast BRENNAN HICKEY to the costumes in Wonder Woman that were actual armor rather than low plunging tops with skirts that go no further than mid-thigh. I don’t know about most people, but there’s no way I’m showing up to a superhero fight in anything less than actual armor.

A few questions are presented; one being, why aren’t we casting women in these roles? Reese Witherspoon founded her own production company because of

that problem.

Withersp o on has experienced producers first hand that have said that they’re not interested in female-driven material.

An excuse by male producers may be that people don’t want to see “female-driven” movies, but that clearly isn’t the case. Female-led action films do make money. For example, Wonder Woman, a female directed and led film, grossed $100.5 million its opening weekend in the U.S. box office, according to CNBC.com. Additionally, in 2012, The Hunger Games set “multiple sales records” when their opening weekend grossed $155 million, according to the New York Times.

Action movies aren’t the only movies

women are excluded from. A study conducted in 2016 by the University of Southern California found that female characters fill only 28.7 percent of all speaking roles in film. Women, by and large, have the same credentials as men in the industry and the same experience level, yet it’s much harder for women to get a role, especially in action movies.

As a society and in the media, we tend to make men the “knight in shining armor” or the guy who rescues everyone. As little girls watch movies or read stories to this end, they grow up thinking that men have to save them, and aren’t taught how to save themselves.

Moving forward, the entertainment industry must make changes in the way they portray women in action movies. Producers need to consider all the little girls and boys watching their movies, in need of a strong female hero to look up to so that the next generation might be absolved of these ridiculous gender roles.

Working during high school prepares you for life beyond your studies

by Ivanica Skalko When I turned 16, all I wanted was a car. However, the only way I was going to get a car was if I saved up and bought it myself, virtually impossible considering I only occasionally babysat on weekends. On top of wanting a car, I hated asking my parents for extra cash every time I wanted to go out to eat with my friends or go shopping.

It was time to find a way to make money.

At the end of sophomore year, I was hired for my first job. I worked through that summer, all of junior year and still work today. Working allowed me to save up and buy my very own used car at 17, along with providing me an abundance of

new skills and opportunities.

Holding some kind of job and gaining work experience in high school not only provides vital skills and experiences, but also is necessary for students.

A job provides vital customer service experience for high school students that cannot be found elsewhere. Dealing with difficult people, namely adults, and being forced to effectively communicate with them forces you to adapt to be able to work with many different types of people and still get the job done.

The money a job makes is worth it in itself. Making a stable income of any kind provides independence before students leave for college. An income, even a small one, forces you to budget; putting money aside for the things you want to buy and do, along with saving up for future larger expenses like a car, trips or college tuition.

The most vital part of holding a job in high school is the time management skills it forces one to develop. Working even two days a week leaves no room for procras-

tination; you have no other choice but to budget your time so that you can do homework, get a decent amount of sleep, spend time with friends and family and fit in some self-care.

It seems hard to juggle at first, but it is indeed possible with the dedication and discipline that holding a job gives you.

During my junior year, I worked three days a week along with taking three AP classes, volunteering, and studying for the SAT. Work experience in high school makes it easier when you apply for a job in college. Students who don’t have that experience might find it hard to apply for a job at 19 or 20 years old, with no references or reasons for an employer to hire them over someone with more experience.

Working in high school may seem like a daunting task, but the effort it requires pays off exponentially in the short and long run. Learning to commit to a job and excel at it is a skill that proves to be vital throughout college and beyond. Plus, making money is great.

The advantages of holding a job in high school

MONEY MANAGING TIME EXPERIENCE CONNECTIONS

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OPINION

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

Parents should cautiously teach their children about current events

March on. Children march with their parents at the 2018 Women’s March in Los Angeles. PHOTO BY MIA WICKS

by Samaya Rubio When is it the right time to expose your kids to the current state of our world?

This last weekend I went to the Wom-

en’s March. It was really fun, but one thing stood out to me: the number of young kids around.

It is a good thing for kids to learn about the world around them and to understand what is going on, but to what extent?

I couldn’t help but wonder how much their parents told them about the world.

Do these children know that the president of the United States is threatening nuclear war through a social media website?

Do they know that the current president thinks all Mexican immigrants are bring-

ing drugs, and he thinks Muslims are terrorists?

If I were to be raising children today, I would make sure that they stayed away from the current politics. I would teach my children the basics of what is going on, who the president is, what the government does and what it is currently doing (like the tax bill), but not about the hate spewing out tweet by tweet from the White House.

I would try to raise them to know that everyone is equal and not to learn that some people are treated as lesser because of the things they cannot change.

This would limit some conversations.

For example, I would not talk to a young child about the Muslim Ban because it would open up the conversation about why people would feel afraid of large groups of people, and I believe that it could change their views of how other people should be treated.

I would hope that my children grow up learning the golden rule, to treat others how you want to be treated, and not question that everyone else will be doing the same.

It has to be so hard for young parents to navigate raising a child in this world because there is a desire to create good leaders.

We need people to educate their children, but I fear that too much exposure to world events could scare them into only seeing the negatives in humanity.

I was lucky enough to be raised to see the good in the world, despite growing up in a world that was (and still is) struggling with so much hatred toward certain groups. I

grew up around my dad’s childhood best friend — a very tall, gay, black man with no one ever thinking twice about it.

I never learned that the guy who brought his giant dog around was in constant danger of being shot by hateful people because he “looked threatening.”

I was never taught that the government could take away my rights as a human being. I was never taught that my friends could be deported, nor taught that religion could be the basis for hate of others.

I was one year old when 9/11 happened.

My parents told me that the world is scary, but to love the people around me and not focus on those who are out there in the world.

I saw a sign yesterday on a stroller that was shaped like a quote, and it said “why the bad man not in jail?” If the tiny child actually asked that question, I am concerned for that child’s future.

If they are learning about the actions the “bad man” has taken, their initial knowledge of the government will be that they hurt people, not that the government is there to protect us and our rights.

They will grow up fearing the nation that has tried so hard to keep them safe.

The children who were born today will face a lot of challenges in their lives, but teaching them to love each other and support each other is the best shot we have at creating a better world for them.

Teach them what is going on in the world but with extreme moderation. Teach them that gay marriage was legalized, not that bakeries still refuse to make wedding cakes for them.

California’s failing infrastructure is an indication of its weak policies

by Adam Sayad

With the seventh largest economy in the world, booming tech and entertainment industries, combined with soaring real-estate prices, California seems to be prospering. However, these claims direct the public’s focus away from the real problems “the Golden State” currently faces.

It is no secret that California’s infrastructure is falling apart. In the American Society of Civil Engineers, California’s rankings are consistently at the bottom: 40th best transportation system and 43rd best energy system.

To repair California’s crumbling roads, bridges and airports, the state legislature approved a gas tax bill signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. On Nov. 1, 2017, the state excise tax on gasoline increased by 12 cents, from 29.7 cents to 41.7 cents per gallon.

“These investments will create good-paying jobs, improve traffic safety and expand public transit access in communities across the state — without burdening our future generations with debt,” Senate President Kevin de Leon said.

Ironically, de Leon believes that a tax increase won’t burden future generations with debt. Californians face the sixth highest tax burden in the country with a full 11 percent of their income being taxed, according to Market Watch. Therefore, de Leon’s statement is false, another tax only takes more money out of people’s wallets.

Unsurprisingly, legislators in Sacramento are once again using taxes as a default solution to the state’s problems. Meanwhile, they’re funding a $64 billion high speed train, according to the California High Speed Rail Authority. Why don’t we divert money from wasteful projects instead of taxing the struggling residents of California even further?

The same struggling residents are also paying higher tuition to attend University of California Schools (UC). The UC system proposes a plan to raise tuition and the student services fee for California residents by 2.7 percent, an increase of $342 to make the amount $12,972 for the 2018-2019 school year, according to the LA Times.

In 2014, the average UC student left school with $20,500 in debt, according to the UC system. This debt hits Californians early in life, and it continues to accumulate with the continually increasing state taxes.

California’s endless taxes have caused a massive middle class exodus. From 2004 to 2013, about five million people left the state, while just 3.9 million people moved in from other states. The net loss of around 1.1 million people took about $26 billion in annual income. This number might seem small in perspective to California’s population of nearly 40,000,000, but the people that left tend to be middle-class tax paying residents.

Instead keeping valuable middle class residents, new taxes are approved to compensate for the loss, hurting the small number of middle class residents that remain.

Los Angeles County is a perfect example of the local impact these policies are having. Since 2007, about 89,000 good-paying middle class jobs have left, being replaced with service-sector jobs that pay half as much, according to Los Angeles Daily News. At the same time, poverty rates have risen, the middle class has shrunk, and homelessness has hit an all time high.

The people of California are affected by these poor decisions, not the legislators that make them. It is up to this generation to vote for legislators that will create a California that works for everyone, not just the elite.

California’s plan for the highspeed bullet rail will be the

most expensive public works project in U.S. history.

The University of California system has increased its tuition by more than 300 percent in the last 15 years.

INFORMATION COMPLIED FROM CALMATTERS.ORG, LATIMES.COM AND USATODAY.COM

California’s 7.25 percent state sales tax is high compared to other U.S. states and local governments add as much as 2.5 percent.

In the Central Valley, high-income individuals make 14 times as much as the poorest.

OPINION

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

The movement isn’t with her — it’s with us

9

The revival of the feminist movement was not ignited by Hillary Clinton

by Christina Owen The feminist movement was not revived by simply having a woman come unprecedentedly close to winning the presidency, but by America choosing a sexism over a female. The recognition that we were living in a society that promoted sexism and misogyny ignited a fight for our rights, prompting the Women’s March, the #MeToo campaign and a record number of females running for office.

We were scared of the Comic Sans equivalent of a president. We were scared of being the one out of six females in America to fall victim to sexual violence. The risk of these crimes going unacknowledged is significant — perpetrators of sexual violence are less likely to be incarcerated, according to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

This fear is what catalyzed a movement, and when we were expected to be silent, well-behaved, subservient ladies limited to cutting the crusts off Peanut-Butter sandwiches, we fought back.

On the day of President Trump’s inauguration, millions of women in over 653 locations nationwide came together to protest the new president, according to the Crowd Counting Consortium (CCC). They marched, not to grieve Hillary Clinton’s loss, but to show that even though the battle is over, the war still goes on.

One year later, women still show up to march with their pink pussy hats and

brightly colored signs not only to condemn the cheeto in the White House once again but to encourage all people to “grab ‘em by the midterms” and vote in the upcoming election to restore bipartisanship.

Furthermore, instead of being dissuaded by the political process, women have been inspired to run for public offices following the election. More than 16,000 women have reached out about running for office since Trump’s election as opposed to the 920 who did before, based on statistics from Emily’s List.

The #MeToo campaign has undoubtedly emerged as a product of the feminist movement, with millions of women sharing their stories. Though many public figures, such as Viola Davis and Reese Witherspoon, have spoken out regarding the topic, Hillary Clinton seems to be absent.

When it comes down to it, the movement simply cannot feature Hillary in a prominent role given sexual assault allegations involving Bill Clinton. Though she cannot be blamed for her husband’s infidelity, when allegations involving Gennifer Flowers and Mr. Clinton surfaced in 1992, Hillary referred to Flowers as “nothing more than a failed cabaret singer who does n o t h a ve much of a

resume to fall back on,” and even hired a private investigator to disparage Flowers in support of her husband, according to the New York Times.

The Clinton Administration took a very similar approach with other victims including Juanita Broaddrick and Paula Jones. Hillary stayed with him through several affairs and charges of sexual misconduct, attributing more blame to the powerless women than to her husband.

One who does not stand with victims of sexual assault — no matter the circumstances — cannot be seen as the face of a feminist movement, especially with #MeToo at its center. The #MeToo movement “is one area she cannot go,” according to former senior aide, Patti Solis Doyle.

Regardless, I find it highly unlikely that the #MeToo movement would have swept the nation without the misogynistic climate created by Donald Trump as president, inciting a fervent need for change.

It is no surprise that the #MeToo movement permeated the media given that the curr e n t pres-

ident carries three accusations of sexual assault and an overwhelming sixteen accusations of sexual harassment, according to the Washington Post. Trump can easily be seen as the unpunished sexual predator — one who abuses privilege to escape being held accountable for his actions; he is a trigger.

One could argue that Hillary should be credited with starting a feminist movement when she came close to winning the presidency. While that is a reasonable assumption given her past advocacy for women’s rights, there would be no ardent need for a feminist movement had she lost to an opponent who did not use executive power to attack women.

In March, President Trump reversed an Obama-era order that forbid federal contractors from keeping secret sexual harassment and discrimination cases.

In addition, he eliminated the guarantee that women would have coverage for birth control, according to Planned Parenthood. It is clear that the president has an anti-women agenda, which only merits stronger response from women.

Had she won, liberals would suggest that it would have been a feminist honeymoon phase, followed by a rude awakening. A victory for one woman does not mean a victory for all women. If racism didn’t magically vanish when Barack Obama became the first African-American president, then there would be no guarantee that sexism would disappear with a woman in the White House.

Without Donald Trump’s victory, we would still be living in a world where a shirt that says “the future is female” isrevolutionary and Beyonce standing under a lighted “feminist” sign at the 2014 Video Music Awards is equally iconic.

Fight for all. Behind Hillary Clinton, protestors fill the streets during the Women’s March. IMAGES VIA CREATIVE COMMONS

Celebrities should take further action, rather than just wearing black

by Sarah Flannery While there were some amazing moments at the 75th Golden Globes, the lack of action from the majority of celebrities wearing black to protest sexual harassment in the industry begs the question: was this stance for most celebrities about passion or fashion?

Remarkable activism among stars does exist in film like Emma Watson, who has spoken about female empowerment to the United Nations and Jessica Chastain who has spoken to Entertainment Canada about female consent, but the reality is, many celebrities who showed up in black with their “Time’s Up” pins have been silent for a long time on the subject.

While the idea of protesting sexual misconduct in the industry was well intended, seeing people protest for the simple purpose of appealing to fans took away from the overall meaning.

Paris Hilton, who proudly made an appearance in black, previously stated in August 2017 that women who have accused Donald Trump of sexual misconduct “are just trying to get attention and get fame” during an interview with Marie Claire.

Justin Timberlake sported black on the carpet, hoping that everyone would forget about his leading role in the Woody Allen film “Wonder Wheel” in 2017.

Woody Allen is notorious in Hollywood after being accused of sexually abusing his daughter and being married to his adoptive daughter, who is 35 years younger than Allen. The discrepancies are endless.

While awareness is incredible and im-

portant, many celebrities delivered with looks and not words.

The overall spiel was that this was a movement, not a revolution, but the question it leaves me with is: Why has it taken so long to have action if these abuses have gone back for ages, and why can’t we have a revolution?

These problems didn’t start this year or even in the past five years. Stars who have maintained a comfortable silence on these issues in the past feel it necessary to out themselves as activists now that the timing is right, and faux feminism is in.

Not to mention, the majority of comments made on the topic were from celebrities’ small scope of cisgender, white women’s issues.

They spoke nothing of how Native Americans are twice as likely to experience a rape or sexual assault compared to all races, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

All it takes to find statistics like that is a quick Google search. Despite the fact that every celebrity has access to that information with the touch of a finger, many stars came without doing their research.

Many celebrities mentioned loose claims of “changing the world, fixing these issues, stopping sexual abuse” with no accountability from men and not enough public support for the Time’s Up legal fund, which goes to assisting the victims of sexual abuse, assault or harassment.

I’m never opposed to a good, old-fashioned protest. In fact, I am very supportive of so many causes like these, but the Golden Globes made it apparent that many stars haven’t backed up their big talk of change with long-term support.

Change is through actions, support of organizations like the #TimesUp legal movement and accountability, not through a black designer dress with no actual action taken.

Golden Globes Recap INFORMATION COMPLIED FROM WWW.HARPERSBAZAAR.COM

Eight attendees brought activists, such as #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, Saru Jayaraman, Rosa Clemente and Billie Jean King, to the event.

Sterling K. Brown became the first black man to win a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV Drama.

Many actors

wore black at

the Golden Globes Award Ceremony in solidary with the Time’s Up movement.

IMAGE VIA CREATIVE COMMONS

10

FEATURES

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

Here comes the sun...

The road to

HAPPINESS With finals approaching, students find their own paths to happiness

by Angie Tait

GRAPHIC BY BEN BRILL

&

Analise Asaro

FEATURES

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

M

erriam-Webster defines happiness as a state of well-being, contentment, or good fortune. As simple as it sounds, a majority of middle school and high school students struggle to achieve and maintain the feeling.

Teenagers said their stress levels for the past school year were higher than levels reported by adults in the past month, a study conducted by the American Psychology Association in 2014 found.

The teenagers in the study also reported that their stress made them feel unhealthy, overwhelmed, depressed and also had a negative toll on their eating and sleeping habits.

“Some students enter the weeks before finals thinking they can’t spare a second to do anything for themselves, but there should always be time in your day to get away from all of your stressors,” school psychologist Holly Hunt said. “Even if it’s just 10 minutes in the shower and you decide to sing at the top of your lungs, do that.

It seems silly, but at the same time, it is giving your body and brain a break to focus on self-care and treating yourself.”

“It’s nice to have an extra day so I’m not stressed about having to finish,” Shah said. “Also, a lot of my AP teachers give homework well in advance and it’s all due on the day of the test so that way I can plan it out to my schedule better.”

For students that have a harder time balancing their work, Hunt recommends multiple self-care strategies for keeping priorities straight during finals week, especially when considering the long-term impact that the tests may have.

“I want students to ask themselves if what they’re doing will affect them in a week, a month, a year, or maybe longer. Like, for finals, if I take one and I bomb it, it’ll impact me in a week in terms of self-esteem, my grades, et cetera. But in a month, it’s already a new semester with new grades, so I can remind myself before the test, ‘In a month, this isn’t going to be a huge deal, even if I do poorly’,” Hunt said.

Taking the time to think about the true impact of a decision in your life, and how you’re going to look back on this seemingly big or seemingly small events when you’re older, is really meaningful for happiness

Staying Happy The basic how-to’s of stress-management usually incorporate a healthy amount of sleep and exercise.

For junior Hetal Shah, sleeping for seven hours every night and sticking to a rigorous training regimen for soccer have helped her balance five AP classes, Bollywood dance, and the duties of being club president of the Make-A-Wish Club.

“I like soccer because it helps me relieve stress. It helps me to be social and I like being able to be outside and with a team that I’m really comfortable with a lot of my friends on it,” Shah said. “I also go running a lot, and dance is great for my culture. I love being club President, and working with my friends and doing things that I’m motivated in.”

Shah revealed that her time-management strategies were based on a handful of simple rules: starting off her work with more enjoyable classes, avoiding her phone until she is done and staggering her time working by fitting in short breaks. She also noted that starting homework the night it’s assigned allows a little more room to breathe, which is why Shah’s workload is only about four hours a night.

Think Realistically Hunt also emphasized the importance of thinking realistically about failing, and keeping in mind that the worst-case situation isn’t a common outcome.

“People can easily get caught up in the idea of failing, and maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but there are three different scenarios to remember: the best case scenario, the worst case, and the most realistic scenario. Often times we have this kind of self-fulfilling prophecy where we can’t stop thinking that we’re going to fail, but if that’s the only way we’re thinking, then that’s probably going to be the reality,” Hunt said.

Another significant part of a stressful schedule is what Hunt refers to as the “snowball effect”: one stressor can lead to panicking about other, less-

er stressors that have been repressed. Issues with friends, family, sports, or extracurriculars all mix together, which can leave a student overwhelmed and clueless about where to start.

External Factors However, the incorporation of family and work can also help relieve stress, according to Shah, who says a large part of her motivation is her family and friends.

“Sometimes I do have to sacrifice social time a little bit and that demotivates me, but having my family there helps me stay motivated. My parents know I’m taking a hard course load so they’re always there for me,” Shah said. “It’s also nice to have friends who are also taking hard classes because they understand and you can talk to them about things.”

Hunt suggests writing down lists, both of things that are happy, and things that need to be done.

“It’s helpful to rank the things that are stressing me out, so then once I can see them on paper and literally look at the big picture, I can easily point out what my own priorities are while also working out a good support network,” Hunt said. “And it’s important to make a list of things that make you happy, because it’s going to remind me of some happy memories and allow me to get out of this snowball of stress and negative emotions.”

Perhaps the most important thing for students to understand, according to Hunt, is the fact that their teachers genuinely want them all to succeed.

“Many kids come to me and say they aren’t doing well in a certain class and doubt they can pass, and they’re afraid to seek out the support from a teacher. They can also fear a negative response from the teacher, but I don’t know any teachers who would respond that way, because they are happy work with students to ensure their success,” Hunt said.

“A teacher’s job is to coach and bring up the students, and in doing that, students are bound to make mistakes, but that shouldn’t be something that impacts their trajectory through school,” Hunt said.

It’s important to make a list of things that make you happy, because it’s going to remind me of some happy memories and allow me to get out of this snowball of stress and negative emotions

aThe various roads to happiness

Take a hike

Get some sunlight

Talk to others

Hiking in a natural environment for just 90 minutes can decrease stress and negative thoughts and stimulate creativity, according to Plos One scientific journal. In addition to being an effective workout, hiking can also help in the long run as it can combat depression and other mental illnesses, according to a Stanford study

In fact, just spending anytime outdoors, regardless of the setting, can increase happiness. Sunlight increases serotonin a chemical proven to better moods and encourage feelings of satisfaction and calmness. Many antidepressants use serotonin, so a reasonable amount of sunlight can serve as a pseudo antidepressant

Simply engaging and talking with others can reduce stress. Happiness is contagious, meaning that one person can spread their happiness to others they interact with. Additionally, relationships add value and worth to people’s lives, both of which are a factor in happiness.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY BEN BRILL

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4

NEWS

DEC. 14, 2017 | HIGH TIDE

Pursuing happiness Chon and Eastham allow students to meditate and do yoga to relieve stress

by Yasmine Elahihaghighi

ILLUSTRATION BY BRENNAN HICKEY

To help students relieve daily stress, English teacher Kerri Eastham teaches her classes different meditation exercises and ways to relax.

“What we did one day was just talk about how we all deal with stress. Kids shared ideas, and then we went through a guided meditation together,” Eastham said.

As a teacher, Eastham tries to interact with the students but also relieve stress by talking to them and giving them positive reminders.

“I try and reassure the students a lot that they are more than a number, so they get that verbal confirmation,” Eastham said.

Eastham explains how students can actually cause themselves more stress than the work from school gives them.

“I think the high achievers put so much pressure on themselves that it’s unhealthy.

I think just having an adult in the academic setting remind them you are going to go live a happy life even if you don’t get into UCLA is important,” Eastham said.

Sometimes Eastham finds it hard to balance teaching these techniques and teaching the actual material of the class.

“I think the challenge especially in classes that are fast pace with the curriculum are making time for it, and I struggle with that in [English] 10 honors because it’s so busy all the time,” Eastham said.

To help make time, Eastham believes SSH could be used as a period for meditating in classes.

“I think that SSH is a good time for that, but I would make it optional. If the students want to do homework they can, but they can also join in on a class meditation for thirty minutes,” Eastham said.

Eastham feels there are good results from the methods she teaches and can see the improvement.

“I had students say that meditation is something they have been meaning to try,

but just have been too busy for, and that it was a good reminder,” Eastham said.

Fusion teacher Jennifer Dessert explains how breathing is the most important part of yoga and stress release.

“A good yoga class will help the individual learn how to breathe properly through the exercises. Breath is our life force so if we don’t breathe properly then we are holding in stress,” Dessert said.

When we are stressed, people feel sick to their stomach, and this holds in their stress Dessert explains.

“When people first start yoga they get so overwhelmed they start crying. That is because you are manipulating the stress out of your body, which the poses are designed to do,” Dessert said.

Although she sees improvement, Eastham believes students and staff can be more involved school wide.

“Seeing how much more stressed students are than I was when I was in highschool is what made me realize that as a school we could be doing more to address it than we are right now,” Eastham said.

The teachers have been trained yoga exercises to teach their class, but not all of them are applying the knowledge, making it uneffective.

“Some teachers are self conscious of it because it’s not our expertise, and it’s just something we have to commit to and decide that we are interested in,” Eastham said. “Then we will become more comfortable with it and can have it be more beneficial.”

Both Dessert and Eastman believe to see benefits the students need to also commit to it.

“If you even only do it once a week, it benefits you. You may not see results as rapidly, but if you go into a meditative class once a week, it is going to completely take away stress from the week,” Dessert said.

ASB gives every student a free month of yoga to promote students’ health

by Maia Ward ASB wants to use social media to promote overall positivity on campus through monthly topics that help students stay informed on how they can live more positive lives.

Throughout the month of January, ASB has been offering students free yoga lessons at YogaCycle.

According to senior Eliana Stuart, co-commissioner of awareness in ASB, the free lessons were originally meant only for teachers and staff. The ASB advisor, Brooke Mata and other administrators reached out to YogaCycle for staff first, and then Stuart thought that extending the lessons for students would help promote this month’s focus on tools for success, as shown through the hashtag “ruchillin.”

The co-commissioners of awareness, seniors Stuart and Tatum Liz, make hashtags every month to reflect a topic ASB wants the school to focus on, according to Stuart.

In previous months, the focuses have been self-awareness (#rupositive), cancer awareness (#rustrong), and kindness (#rukind).

The goal of this year, according to Stuart, is to work harder in order to bring positivity to the school, mainly by spreading these messages through social media platforms like Instagram.

“We’ve definitely changed it a lot this year because in previous years it’s not been taken as seriously. This year ASB agreed that we need to step up on bringing social media positivity, and overall school positivity. In this role, we have to step

up and try to help with that,” Stuart said.

Mata agrees that this year ASB members have worked harder to spread a positive message to the school.

“Social media is really used in more of a negative way. It’s ASB’s effort to look at social media being looked at in a positive light and using that to potentially change the way social media is used on our campus,” Mata said.

Next month, ASB will host a health and fitness fair to encourage healthy living.

Booths promoting exercise will include Triton Gym, the students who organize the RUHS Color Run, Beach Cities Health District and Quest Taekwondo.

There will also be food booths including Fresh Brothers, Jersey Mike’s, Pressed Juicery, Natureba Juice Bar and Ready Fit Go Healthy Foods.

Through organizing events like the upcoming fair and encouraging students to stay up to date with the monthly topics through social media, Mata says that ASB works to improve overall school positivity and social awareness.

“I think ASB has really tried to look at what the school issues are, look at what our school culture is and meet the demands of the individual student’s needs to be able to balance that with improving spirit on our campus,” Mata said.

PHOTO BY CREATIVE COMMONS VIA MAX PIXEL

FEATURES

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

13

Beanie babies Junior Elli Jacobson knits and sells her own beanies

Knit for bits. Junior Elli Jacobson and her friends, juniors Sabina Scholnick and Ryan Cartee, wear Jacobson’s homemade beanies.” PHOTOS BY EDEN MILAN

Q Q Q

How did you start selling beanies?

A

I was giving them to all my friends for free, and other people wanted one too, so I was like, maybe I should start selling them.

Who taught you how to make the beanies?

A

Julia Chun taught me to make beanies about one month ago.

Q Q

How much do your beanies cost?

A

Q

A one-color beanie is $8 and a customized one is $10. My instagram for selling beanies is @le.bne.

What inspired you to learn how to make beanies?

A

I thought it was really fun so I started making them for my friends.

How long does it take for you to make a beanie?

A

It takes about two hours to make each beanie.

Will you ever stop making beanies?

A

I’ll stop making beanies depending on when people stop ordering them. Once most of my friends have one, there’s probably not going to be that many orders.

Come sail away

Munns and Fineman compete to sail at the Junior Olympics

by Sarah Falahahwazi

The screeches from the seagulls can be heard. The smell of fish wafts through the air. The blazing sun shines down upon the endless mixture of green and blue. The ocean is where dreams come true for sailors Micky Munns and Michael Fineman.

As captain of the sailing team, junior Munns hopes to race in the International 420 World Championship with freshman Fineman in August. The I420 is a worldwide youth sailing competition, and a typical race will last around 45 minutes to an hour due to the longer courses.

“It’s very profound for me that I have the opportunity to go to such a big event,” Munns said. “I’m glad that I have this chance, and I want to make sure it becomes a reality.”

In order to reach the World Championship, however, Munns and Fineman must compete in two qualifying regattas. The first was the North American Championship in Miami, Florida, on Jan. 12, and the sailors scored 38th place out of 41 teams, which is within qualifying range. The

second qualifying competition, the Mid Winter Championship, will take place in February.

“Our results were slightly disappointing, but I think we’re doing okay as long as we’re in qualifying range. What’s important is that we improve before the Mid Winter qualifiers,” Munns said.

The qualifiers aren’t the only obstacle Munns and Fineman must face. The overall costs of equipment, registration, coaching and housing mounts up to $11,000. In order to meet these monetary requirements, the sailors organized their own campaign with limited help from their parents in order to raise money for their goal, and so far they have raised $4,000.

“We made our own campaign so we could have a sense of control over what we’re doing instead of having others make our decisions for us,” Fineman said. “We didn’t want to rely on other people to accomplish our goals.”

To Munns, the I420 is just preparation for his dream: the Olympics. Likewise, Fineman hopes to use the I420 as a way to become a better sailor. Although there are many competing sailors with more experience than them, Munns and Fineman believe that they can still improve.

“Michael and I can become better together. By competing in the I420, I think we can practice making each other’s jobs easier by communicating and improving our skills,” Munns said.

The boys practice from the end of school until sunset. Due to the close proximity between the ocean and the harbor, they have the option of training on flat water or on the ocean. Munns and Fineman practice speed work and boat-handling, but most of all, they’re learning how to work as a team.

“I think you need to have a strong bond with whomever you’re sailing with,” Munns said. “You can’t spend that

much time in a boat with someone you don’t connect to. Michael and I really lift each other up and support each other.”

Even with four advanced placement classes and the position of team captain on his shoulders, Munns claims that he doesn’t feel overwhelmed. In fact, he says he is used to stressful environments due to having three years worth of experience with competitive sailing.

“Although sailing is a lot of hard work, it’s like an escape for me because it’s what I love doing. When I have a stressful day at school, I’m still going to be releasing that tension because I’m out there doing something I’m passionate about,” Munns said.

Munns hopes to make a career out of sailing. He wants to improve and explore the various “avenues” of sailing, such as coaching or professional sailing.

“It’s a great privilege to be able to spend time around the water,” Munns said. “I’m very fortunate to be able to spend so much time doing what I love, and I’m glad I live in such a beautiful ocean setting.

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FEATURES

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

Viggiano partners with Ritchie to release her first EP

By Alexis Mesa

Behind the scenes. Viggiano and Ritchie pose in the back of a van for their album cover. PHOTO BY JO ANNA EDMISION With only an acoustic guitar and a melodic voice, senior Sophia Viggiano expresses herself to the world in song.

“I like to write about things that make me feel,” Viggiano said. “Whether that is being sad or happy or excited or frustrated. Most of my lyrics are to make me emotionally peaceful.”

After posting her first song “Know You” on SoundCloud and sharing videos of her talent on Instagram, Viggiano officially released her music in her four-song EP “Sophia & Hudson” on Apple Music, Spotify and Google Play. Partnered with her guitarist friend Hudson Ritchie, they compiled a series of alternative indie pop tracks designed to lift the spirits of their listeners instead of depressing them with somber ballads.

“It’s not ‘simp out’ music. It’s music to get you up and get you excited about your day,” Viggiano said.

When developing the EP, Viggiano and Ritchie had similar visions for their music. Despite their varying genre preferences, both envisioned “Sophia & Hudson” to be ideal for social settings.

“The EP to me is something really fun to listen to when you’re hanging out with your friends,” Viggiano said.

“That’s something social Hudson and I love to do. We’ll get together in his studio with a bunch of our friends and sing our songs and everyone knows them. It brings us all together.”

The Process.

Yet the production of the EP was not without its flaws.

In its development, there were times when Ritchie was unsatisfied with the instrumentals he created.

“When you record something you listen to it like a million times. You get sick of it because you’ve listened to it a lot. We’ve recorded a couple of other songs and we were like ‘no, this isn’t that good. We’re not putting this on the EP’,” Ritchie said.

When problems arose in the studio, there were times when Viggiano and Ritchie did not see eye to eye.

“We have the same vision. The only disagreements were about when the EP should come out,” Ritchie said.

“She would want it to, but I was mastering and mixing it. I took a long time and that probably frustrated her.”

Fortunately, the two found a way to solve their conflicts without halting the release of the EP. “We definitely had to compromise. We had to learn that, and by the last song, we were way better at respecting each other’s opinions and just being nice about something you don’t like or openly saying how you feel. It was definitely a challenge,” Viggiano said.

Individuality and songwriting.

Although Viggiano and Ritchie successfully produced “Sophia & Hudson,” she found herself missing individuality in her craft. She soon returned to creating her own music, aiming to release solo songs exhibiting her style.

“I prefer writing on my own just because there’s nothing else influencing me, like how I want the music to sound or what the lyrics should be,” Viggiano said.

From conversations with teenage boys to finding tree roots growing through the pavement, Viggiano draws inspiration from her everyday life to implement into her music. Like painters do to a canvas, she creates imagery through various words and melodies.

“It’s not like I’m singing this so that a boy can hear it and think that I’m singing about him. I’m singing it because I want to be able to create a picture,” Viggiano said.

For Viggiano, songwriting has become necessary for her sanity. Ever since she discovered music, it has acted as a form of expression and method of relief during difficult times.

“It’s more than just noise. It’s therapy,” Viggiano said.

“Writing music is the way I cope with hard things. Some

However, music was never consistently present in her life. During childhood, there were times when Viggiano was not exposed to the arts at home, despite being enrolled in theater at a young age.

“My parents aren’t super into music. We’re not a family that drives with the radio even on in the car,” Viggiano said. “When I started to discover music, it was this amazing, new, and exciting thing that I really haven’t experienced until I was maybe twelve years old.”

Even with the absence of music in their household, her parents were never opposed to their daughter’s newfound skill. Every step of the way, they would encourage her to be the best she could be to succeed as an artist.

“My whole family is very supportive of it and they love my music,” Viggiano said. “When my parents realized I loved to sing, they wanted me to sing all the time. They are my biggest fans.”

As her high school career comes to a close, Viggiano promises to never abandon music in her journeys ahead.

At times she considers pursuing music as a full-time job, however, she knows money is not the sole reason for her decision. Instead, it is Viggiano’s passion for connecting with listeners that makes it all worthwhile.

“I know no matter where life takes me, I’ll always have a guitar in my room. I’ll always be able to pick it up and play my feelings,” Viggiano said. “If I can keep putting out my music and people still continue to enjoy it then I would love to have that as my job. My lyrics don’t always make sense to people who hear them, but they make sense to me. When people can understand them, that’s what makes it special.”

Today

Cosmetic Hearts

232 Metro Line

Plays: 1,694

album cover. PHOTO BY JO ANNA EDMISION

Family Support.

Sweet Boy

Plays: 2,070

Musicians on the move. Viggiano and Ritchie pose for their

people will write poetry, or if you’re super mad you’ll write an angry letter. I sing things that I can’t express correctly or I can’t tell people. I need music.”

Plays: 1,508

Plays: 1,385

FEATURES

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

15

Dancing for a cause Vanessa Rebentisch performed at A Night to Remember charity event

by Shyanne Landers

Prom. It is considered one of the most important nights of the year for high school students everywhere, and most assume attending the highly anticipated event will be easy. Prom night can be a very different experience, however, if you’re a high schooler with special needs.

Teens with autism, Down syndrome, and cystic fibrosis, for example, can be overlooked when preparing for the dance.

DancIn’spiration, an organization that raises money for charities through hosting dance events, annually fundraises for the charity A Night to Remember. This charity puts together proms for special needs teenagers.

Sophomore Vanessa Rebentisch performed for A Night to Remember on Jan. 14 with her dance studio, Redondo School of Dance and Music.

“DancIn’spiration could choose any charity they want, and they keep choosing A Night to Remember. That really says a lot about how important this charity is,” Rebentisch said.

Redondo School of Dance and Music, along with four other dance studios, attend the fundraiser for A Night to Remember.

They raise money for the event by selling tickets to their dance performance.

“It’s a one day event where studios from Arizona, San Diego and Los Angeles get together and learn dances to perform that night. We were basically there from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.,” Rebentisch said.

The style of dances included tap, hiphop, ballet and jazz. They learn their routine through a “master class” where a guest instructor teaches a combination of dances to the performers.

The two-level theatre where the performance took place had few empty seats during the night of the fundraiser.

“No matter how many times I perform, I don’t think the butterflies will ever go away, but that’s part of the fun,” Rebentisch said. “The waiting is the most nerve-wracking part, but as soon as I’m on stage I feel right at home.”

Prior to performing, Rebentisch likes to laugh and enjoy the nervous energy backstage.

“At the show, the leaders of the event

Dancing queen. Vanessa Rebentisch dances along the coast of Redondo Beach. “No matter how many times I perform, I don’t think the butterflies will ever go away, but that’s part of the fun,” Rebentisch said. “The waiting is the most nerve-wracking part, but as soon as I’m on stage I feel right at home.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VANESSA REBENTISCH

had us all yell at the top of our lungs which was a pretty great way to release some tension,” Rebentisch said.

“There was a group of teens with special needs that attended the event, and at one point during the show, they went on stage and did a dance with complex choreography that was so inspiring to see,” Rebentisch said.

One special needs performer approached Rebentisch and told her the dancers’ “costumes” were like “warrior outfits”.

“To hear that was the sweetest thing ever. It was amazing to be able to do what I love and help out a charity at the same time,” Rebentisch said. “It’s like the ultimate win-win situation.”

Although she does not personally know anyone who is helped by the charity, Rebentisch still enjoys being able to help teenagers with special needs by fundraising.

“This event always inspires me to do more for the community. Each year it reminds me to be thankful for what I have and to try and share my happiness with others,” Rebentish said.

This is the third time Rebentisch has been able to volunteer with A Night to Remember, and she is hopeful there will be more possibilities to help in the future.

“I want to keep going back to that specific event. Doing any volunteering I can and helping people is really awesome for me,” Rebentisch said.

Doubling as a teacher’s assistant for her studio, she volunteers to instruct 10 year old dancers.

“I would love to see what other opportunities are out there to benefit that charity or ones like it. Attending these events are really inspiring,” Rebentisch said.

She explains that by continuously volunteering at this event, her team was brought closer together and does not take their lives for granted.

“This event reminds me to take things into perspective and be grateful for everything that I have,” Rebentisch said. “Some of the things I complain about are petty, so it’s important to remember how fortunate I am to be able to help others.”

Like father like daughter

Senior Kate Cunningham joins Junior Lifeguards to carry on legacy of her father PHOTO VIA CREATIVE COMONS

by Amanda Ban Senior Kate Cunningham has grown up at the beach learning about the ocean from her father Mike Cunningham who was a lifeguard for almost his entire adult life.

Cunningham recently made the decision to follow in her father’s footsteps and try out for a position as L.A County beach lifeguard.

“My dad was a beach lifeguard for L.A County. He started when he was 18 and

worked his way up to be captain and then a chief, but he recently retired,” Cunningham said. “I grew up with the lifeguard community. They all told me that becoming a pool lifeguard helps you work your way into beach lifeguarding.”

Cunningham began pool lifeguarding last summer. The experience helped prepare her to become a beach lifeguard.

“My first rescue was on 4th of July. It

was weird because the kid didn’t have normal panic, he sort of sunk without flailing his arms,” Cunningham said. “He didn’t do any of that, so it was scary because it was really critical to get him before he swallowed water. It made me nervous.”

This rescue in particular taught her just how ‘alert and prepared’ she had to be.

Cunningham underwent “extensive training” in preparation for the beach lifeguard test. However, the tests were not only physical. Cunningham took two intelligence tests that had reading comprehension as well as a swim test.

“It’s more dangerous at the beach. There are a lot of safety precautions and you have to know a lot about the ocean,” Cunningham said. “They want smart people. I was surprised that so many people got knocked out after [the intelligence] tests.”

The test used to rely solely on swim test results, but recently started giving the intelligence tests more weight when considering who will get the job, Cunningham feels this will give her ‘an edge’ since she did not perform as well as she was hoping to in the swim test.

“I am so excited to do this. It would be great to be making money through college.

If I don’t get the job it’ll be okay,” Cunningham said. “I didn’t do as well as I thought I would because I got sick the week before.

A lot of my friends were trying out, and it was nice to see them. If I don’t get it I will keep trying.”

Cunningham is ‘inspired’ by her dad and feels ‘proud to be a Cunningham’. Her father as well as her brother Sean support her efforts to become a lifeguard.

“She’s always been in love with the ocean and has always had the skills she needed to do it. I’m really proud that she is going out and trying this. She has a work ethic that I’ve never seen in anyone else,” Sean said. “I think she’ll be able to pursue anything she wants and get it.”

“Growing up with my dad being a lifeguard and being a junior lifeguard, it’s always been a good path for me, and it was nice to have this as a fallback,” Cunningham said. “Doing it now is really surreal because I’ve always dreamed of becoming a lifeguard. It’s nice to have to community be so proud of me.”

ENTERTAINMENT

16

n o es

k a r ob

N

n i a r t a

THE COMMUTER

JAUME COLLET-SERRA

The Commuter derails expectations

by Lorraina Scolaro

Jaume Collet-Serra’s latest film, “The Commuter,” falls off track while portraying the life of a 60 year old insurance salesman and ex-cop, Michael (Liam Neeson).

During his daily commute home on the public train, Michael is faced with a sudden change. A strange woman approaches him, offering $100,000 cash in exchange for a favor. All Michael must do is find the passenger who does not belong. He takes the deal, but soon finds out there is more to the deal than what meets the eye. Now caught

up in a criminal conspiracy, Michael must find the passenger to save his family, before time runs out.

Beginning with a fast pace overview of Michael’s life, the movie seemed fairly simple to understand and one could quickly attach to the main character. As the movie progressed, it become more intense and almost unexpected as Michael began to lose faith in himself.

Constantly changing with new twist and developments, the movie proved to

have a well developed plot, along with characters. Often times it seemed as if the movie was over, only for Michael to find a clue and continue with newly found hope.

Although intense, there came some unrealistic and cheesy action scenes. Heads were smashed into the train, windows were hit and shattered, stomachs kneed, ribs cracked, and yet every time Michael, a 60 year old, would get right back up and walk off. It was easy to tell the punches weren’t real, taking away from the sus-

pense and intensity of the moment.

The ending was also disappointing.

With a very cliche tone, the final scenes were a big let-down. They lacked meaningful dialogue and action, and the ending was clearly rushed.

Overall, the movie proved to have a surprisingly interesting and well-developed plot, even with the poor execution. The intensity of the plot line, made up a bit for some of the unrealistic action scenes, making “The Commuter” a fiery story.

My heart’s not in havana

Camila Cabello’s self-titled album jumpstarts her solo career

by Sophie Fleming

Cuban-American Camila Cabello successfully launches her stirringly-vibrant career as a solo artist through the release long-awaited solo debut “Camila”.

Following the singer-songwriter’s brutal departure from girl-band Fifth Harmony, this album consists of Cabello’s own tropical, hip-swaying rhythms -- all ranging in emotions, woeful tales, instrumentals and vocals.

The intro track, “Never Be the Same,” blends various music styles. The opening to the song is composed of a deep organ and Cabello’s solemnly low voice. Then some seconds later, her voice switches to a falsetto, breathy tone before shifting back instantaneously to purring about how her love’s attraction for her is a chemical to her mind.

This sultry love-drug comparison has somewhat become a new cliche in pop culture music, which is a minus, but Cabello’s incredibly vast vocal range improves the

song greatly. The flirtatious lyrics continue in “Into It,” as she continues to lure her man into a romantic relationship with her sultry metaphorical lines.

“Real Friends” and “All These Years” lie on the opposite side of the song spectrum.

Laced with Ed Sheeran-like acoustics and gentle yet emotional vocals, both carry a bittersweet reminiscing factor as Cabello reflects on lost relationships and her yearning for new ones (either romantic or simply platonic).

Yet, even in those pieces, there’s room for some head-bopping at the very least.

But in the tunes “Consequences” and “Something’s Gotta Give,” Cabello seems to slow the album down too much. Her woeful words, accompanied by melancholy piano, simply drone on about her relationship problems. In these numbers, the album temporarily loses its unique, pop-hybrid identity.

The instrumentals themselves would

be nice enough to slow-dance to, but when paired lyrics such as “Loving you was dumb, dark and cheap/Loving you still takes shots at me,” a romantic dance suddenly becomes a lot more awkward.

While they’re not awful tracks themselves, they don’t seem to fit the dramatic and vivacious latina Cabello frames herself as.

The last few songs are where Cabello infuses her Latin roots into her music, bring out the tropical inside her. “Inside Out” is a wonderful mix of “sun-kissed” acoustics, steel-drums and light singing.

Cabello and her incredible bilingual vocal skills shine through as she embraces her culture and fluently shifts from Spanish to English in the piece’s third verse. “She Loves Control,” a track that simply radiates girl-power, also brings in some effervescent Caribbean-style rhythms with it’s powerful, reggae-like beats.

And then, of course, there’s “Havana,”

PHOTOS VIA CREATIVE COMMONS

the slightly-overplayed (yet still catchy) chart-topper. Depicting the story of a mystery man stealing Cabello’s heart, this number is filled with salsa-instilled piano grooves and underlying exotic flow.

Capturing the essence of Cabello’s Cuban heart,it’s no wonder this song has spent seven whole weeks as No. 2 on the Billboard Chart.

Despite the album’s vast range of excellence and musical style, Cabello has given herself the perfect platform to jump into her solo career, with all sorts of options in genres and emotions. Through “Camila”, this singer-songwriter proves she has the persona and voice to bring forward and change pop culture for the better.

CAMILA

CAMILA CABELLO

ENTERTAINMENT

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

17

Life imitates art

Students share their thoughts on Google’s Arts and Culture App

by Danny Parhizi

Diana Voros

David Ramos

Senior

“What do you think about the app?”

“I think that the fact it can match you to artwork by just taking a picture a scanning some of your facial features is really interesting even if it doesn’t look that much like the person.”

Senior

“How accurate do you think this app is?”

“I think this app is pretty accurate. I got a seventy percent match which surprised me. The artwork kind of looks like an older version of me, so I made it my wallpaper so that everytime I turn on my iphone X to use the face scan I can see the painting.”

Michael Henges

Kyle Kroger

Teacher

Senior

“Do you now have a greater appreciation for art?”

“No, not really. I’m not really that much of an art person and this app didn’t change my opinion at all, maybe if they made the app a little better I would be interested, but for the most part I didn’t like it.”

“What is your opinion on the art you were matched with?”

“I think it looks a lot like me, except my beard is not that long.

Pho-nomenal food

PHO HUE OI

Pho Hue Oi introduces traditional Vietnamese food to the South Bay

by Sydney Nguyen When people think of Vietnamese food they generally refer to “pho” and “bánh mì” sandwiches, but are rarely exposed to other authentic dishes. Pho Hue Oi puts traditional central Vietnamese cuisine in the spotlight as the Vietnamese food scene gains more popularity.

The restaurant is the first in the South Bay to specialize in Vietnamese cuisine, more specifically dishes found in Huo, Vietnam.

It is a sister restaurant to Huo Ôi in Fountain Valley, where most of the Vietnamese culture can be found. Although Pho Hue Oi does not have an extensive menu as its sister restaurant has, it offers up many popular and delicious choices that are not as well known in the South Bay.

Located in the plaza neighboring Lawndale High School on Inglewood Ave., this hidden gem is settled between stores and can be overlooked by passersby on the streets. Pho Hue Oi is a small, clean shop that makes the most out of its space with counter seats and booths.

Dishes like “bánh bèo chén”, which are small steamed rice cakes with shrimp toppings, and “bún bò Huế”, a beef and vermicelli soup, are offered and although they look unfamiliar and exotic to customers, they are popular, traditional dishes in Vietnamese cuisine. Pho Hue Oi brings these more authentic flavors to the table, but also provide more popular dishes like “phở” and “bánh mì” sandwiches for those who

are new to the food scene and want to try something more familiar.

The noodle dishes, like “pho” and “bún bò Huo” are flavorful and showcase many unique Vietnamese flavors and spices. The “pho” has a strong flavor coming from the many different spices in the broth and provides a good balance of meat in ratio to the noodles. Delectable vermicelli noodles and tender beef rest in a delicious broth that perfectly highlights the lemongrass in the “bún bò Huo” and customers devour and clean out their bowls to the last drop of both dishes.

If customers want to go with a more traditional dish that is lesser known in the South Bay, “bánh bèo chén” is a favorite.

LAWNDALE

Chefs have perfected Vietnamese cooking and this is exhibited through the steamed rice cakes that are nicely steamed due to the fact that it is a tedious and long process.

The price here in comparison to other authentic Vietnamese places, including its sister restaurants, are a bit higher, but it delivers excellent quality and offers authentic and traditional Vietnamese cuisine in comparison to more high-end restaurants.

Pho Hue Oi gives a great introduction to the lesser known, but equally as delicious, central Vietnamese cuisine at a reasonable price. Now Vietnamese food lovers do not need to drive to Little Saigon to get their fix and instead can get tasty, authentic Vietnamese food right here in the South Bay.

3

OCT. 6, 2017 | HIGH TIDE

SPORTS

SPORTS

18

BASKETBALL | RUGBY | SURF

Girls water polo prepares to close out Bay League

by Kiera Patterson The girls water polo team looks to keep up its 17-2 record in a game against Costa next Tuesday in what the players expect to be “one of the toughest games” of the season.

“Last year’s games against Costa were very tough but, knowing our team this year, we all have high expectations,” senior Ashley Clancy said. “It should be a very competitive game and we have been working very hard to play our best.”

The team will prepare for the Costa game as if it were any other.

“We always treat every game as though it will be extremely tough and keeping the mindset helps us to play our best every game,” Clancy said.

The girls are looking to follow up with there two wins against Costa last year.

During this week’s practices, the girls have continued to strengthen their individual skills.

“In order to prepare for this game we have been working on strengthening out individual skills so that we can perform our best together,” captain Kaitlyn Arns, senior, said.

The girls are confident knowing how they have played in their last few games and how successful their season has been.

“Going into the Costa game I am confident in our team’s ability to win because of our ability to work together in recent games,” said Arns.

Some of the keys that have made this season so successful for the girls are the bonds they have in and out of the water.

“Our team’s bond is really tight. We all have inside jokes and before out games, we get pumped to rave music, dancing in a circle. We get Ramen from Ramen Shack together and go thrifting at Goodwill.

We are always in the pool together and all endure the same early morning practices before school as a team; so we all have a close bond,” sophomore Kathy Wrightsman said.

With Costa ahead of them, the girls will continue to focus on their play in the pool and working well together.

“We are always preparing to compete and are excited to play against Costa,” Arns said.

Rising tide. With a record of 17-2, RUHS poses a formidable threat to Costa’s 10-6 team. PHOTO BY DANIELLE SESTAK

On Jan. 23, RUHS def. Costa

74-51

RUHS will enter the second half of League play tonight at Morningside with a one game lead over Inglewood at the top of the standings. RUHS plays Inglewood on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

1.

Game time.

1. Senior Kyle Carter dribbles around a defender in pursuit of a basket. 2. Senior Zekiah LoVett rises up over a Costa defender to roll the ball through the hoop.

3. Junior Chase Bowsher boxes out Costa guard Max McCalla as the shot goes up. of the court in a 3-0 victory. The team recently beat Penn by a score of 47-46, with a victory of 66-59 against PV before that. RUHS holds a one game lead in the Bay League standings over Inglewood for first place. PHOTOS BY BEN CHENG

2.

3.

SPORTS

JAN. 26, 2018 | HIGH TIDE

19

Sea gods

1. Junior Ryan Hughes rides in the middle of a wave near Hermose Pier. 2.

Hughes rides to the end of the wave. 3.

Sophomore Ben Oien glides his way under the crest of a wave.

Surf won a recent contest against PV 75-71.

PHOTOS BY BEN CHENG

1.

Ripped

Surf’s confidence increases as the team wins another competition

by Camille Grace

2.

The surf team beats Palos Verdes by a score of 7571 on Wed. January 24th, making it the team’s first time beating PV in back to back competitions in over a decade.

“I think the preparation Coach Avery gives us is very helpful and that it has proven to make the surf team perform well against good teams,” captain Ryan Hughes, junior, said.

Having competition-like practices is said to help the team improve a lot.

“Coaches Duncan and Trevor run heats during the hour-and-a-half that we surf, and they depict who gets to surf in the next contest based on their performances in practice. All the other surfers on the team surf between the pier and Tenth Street in Hermosa until they get called out to compete for a spot,” Hughes said.

Hughes notes some of the standout competitors of the competition as Carlos Price, Ben Oien, Taylor Dalmau, Kierra Fedio, Ellie Connell, and Braeden Anderson.

3.

The team received four

first-place finishes which gave them the edge to beat out PV. “The team is never nervous about any competition since we are prepared to surf the smallest or biggest surf the South Bay can hold. We have the best competitors who compete nationally and competitors that compete at the state level,” Hughes said Despite the stress that close competitions like these may bring, senior Kolby Holdsworth appreciates the relaxing d side of surfing more.

“I think we could always have some more fun in the water. I’m not a big fan of taking surfing seriously and I think everybody could always use some laughs and smiles in the water,” Holdsworth said.

When the team is unable to surf, either because of the weather or because of a lack of good waves, the surfers find other ways to pass the time.

“We generally surf three times a week depending on the conditions, but when we can’t surf, we’ll either go get some hot chocolate and walk from the pier to Herondo, or we will paddle that distance,” Holdsworth said.

The team has a good dynamic that they hope carries them far into the rest of the season.

“In the water, everyone shares waves and has a good time. It’s a healthy and positive way to start our mornings before academic classes,” Hughes said.

Rugby seeks growth entering its second season

by Sangjun Lee After suffering a 65-0 pounding from St. John Bosco, boys rugby faces a long path of improvement while aiming to change its mentality and its practices.

“We played well, but the experience of St. John Bosco won over us,” coach Shah said. “We are a two-year program, and Bosco’s rugby team has been around for over five years, so it is a much more experienced program.”

As one of the school’s newest teams, boys rugby has been in a building process for the past year, recruiting more people and gradually improving team practices.

However, the school’s lack of previous rugby experience has made it difficult for the team to find enough players for a strong team.

“It’s a new sport, and many students here don’t know about rugby,” Shah said.

“Our current players came because our captain, Shuaib Ahmad, talked to his friends on the football team about joining.”

Christian Islas, a senior whom Ahmad

recruited, agrees with Shah and believes the young age of the program is a major reason for the team’s rough performance.

“Especially after this game, we realized we have a strong forward pack but we need to work a lot on our back line,” Islas said. “That’s why we need more people to come out and gain experience.”

Islas thinks the team’s game strategy of an aggressive forward works well with the synergy of the team, but he believes the players need to change their mentality to get greater results.

“After our first game, which was a tough loss against Costa, we took it to heart and used it as fuel to beat Viewpark Prep the next game,” Islas said. “We need that commitment again.”

Daniel Bermudez, senior, also sees changing the team’s mentality and work ethic as a primary goal.

“Rugby is really intense, so we need to work harder in our practices, mainly our drills and sprints,” Bermudez said. “We just

need to learn the sport more too.”

Bermudez believes last week’s game was evidence of a need for more determination from the players.

“After Bosco scored the first few goals, half the team just folded,” Bermudez said.

“That’s why I think we need to change our mentality.”

Nevertheless, Bermudez understands that the players are still building their team and he hopes that new recruits will help enliven the team’s spirit. One of the aspects of rugby that Bermudez believes will attract new players is the feeling of brotherhood within the team.

“Even though we lack experience in some areas, it’s still pretty cool playing with and against your friends,” Bermudez said.

“Learning the sport together as a team can help you make new, lasting friendships.”

Rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in America and statistically has fewer injuries than football, giving Bermudez confidence that the growing

camaraderie among the players will help turn Redondo into a “rugby powerhouse” in the future.

Coach Shah hopes to make this possible through a larger number of recruits and more consistent training.

“I would really like to have year-round practices for strength and conditioning so the team can work on the game itself,” Shah said. “It will give the players more experience before the season.”

Shah is still altering practices to find the best workout schedule for the team. His goal is to gradually build up the intensity of the workouts as the season progresses, especially considering that more of the players are showing up to practice.

“I think last week’s loss let the players know that they shouldn’t take the team for granted,” Shah said. “I understand we are a fairly new program, but when you compare us to the earlier stages of other programs, we are doing much better,” Shah said. “We can’t let this loss deter us.”

JAN. 26, 2017 | HIGH TIDE

The science of happiness

What is happiness?

Scientists see happiness as a combination of How happy you are with your life

+

The hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for happiness and positive memories

How good you feel on a day-to-day basis

hippocampus

Get some sleep

10% of your happiness is determined by your circumstances

Sleep-deprived people have a harder time remembering positive ideas and an easier time remembering negative ones.

50%

Seratonin

of your happiness is genetically determined

40% of your happiness is controlled by your thoughts, actions, and behaviors

In a study of sleep deprived college students(5 hours of sleep or less), students remembered:

is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate - learning - mood - sleep - appetite - sexuality

81% of negative words 31% of positive words in a lecture

Happier people are healthier

Happiness leads to future success Many of us grew up believing that

Happier people have: Benefits of happier workers

HAPPINESS

orbits around

SUCCESS

Improved Awareness: A university of Toronto study found that your mood changes how your brain processes visual information.

When in reality, the opposite is true

Competitive Edge: In a study where three groups of doctors were sent to see patients, the docters who were tested to be happier made the right diagnosis twice as fast as the other groups.

When we are HAPPY, we are motivated, think quicker, smarter, and thus more SUCCESSFUL Positive emotions cause dopapmine and seratonin to flood to the parts of our brain that helps us learn

Better Health: Research shows that unhappy employees take 1.23 more sick days per month or 15 extra sick days a year.

A report revealed that 89% of employees with high levels of well being reported high job satisfaction, and nearly 2/3 of those employees recorded consistently putting in extra effort at work.

How schools can promote happiness Praise kids for effort, not brains Children and teens praised for their abilities or inteligence, rather than their efforts, have a harder time coping with failure.

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You’re so smart!

You worked so hard on this project, i’m proud of you!

Children and teens praised for their efforts are more likely to enjoy challenging tasks and show more motivation.

lower rates of cardiovascular disease typically healthier diets longer lives stronger immunity shorter recovery/healing times after injuries

Keep it steady

It’s healthier to havestedy levels of moderate happiness over a period of time thatn spikes of extreme happiness

What makes us happy at school?

Encouragement: Classes with encouraging teachers performed 31% better than classes whose teachers were less positive and less open with praise Recognition: Studies reported that when recognition is specific but deliberatly delivered, it is even more motivating than grades or money Positive Leaders: In a study that tested performance relative to a teacher’s speakig tone, “cheerful”, “enthusiasm”, and “warmth”, proved most effective and resulted in higher test scores

Sources: The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success And Performance at Work; Positive Emotions Broaden the Scope of Attention and Though-action Repertoires; Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index; Authentic Happiness New York; Why We Do What We Do; Happy Hour is 9-5; All Together Now; The How of Happiness