April 9, 2010

Page 5: Analyzing the psychological effects of cyber-bullying

High Tide

Redondo Union High School

XC Number 9

Friday

focus

Spring Break begins tomorrow! Students will return to school on April 16th. Enjoy your break!

general

Information

Page 4: Allergies effect students’ everyday lives.

631 Vincent Park, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

April 9, 2010

RBEF provides aid to schools with ‘Club 360’

Rock n’ Roll

High School

by Cody Anderson

Battle of the Bands proves to be a success with new venue

by Michael Cross

The ASB Finance Office is open for student business at the following times only: before school, after school, snack, and lunch.

The College and Career Center student visit times are before and after school, at snack and at lunch. The center is closed during class hours except by appointment.

Club

Information Auto Club-10 California Scholarship Federation- 301 Chess Club- 64 Fellowship of Christian Athletes- 823 French Club- 808 Heal the Bay-205

info for

Students

Sign-up for Grad Night 2010! Forms are in Administration or at redondounion.org under LINKS. The cost $80 until April 30th, $100 after.

Yearbooks are still available for sale in room 202.

Cost is $85.00 without ASB card; $75.00 with ASB card. Buy soon, sometimes we sell out.

Don’t miss out on having this award-winning and fabulous memento of your high school days.

The Fiesta Committee will have its first meeting at lunch Tuesday, April 6 in Room 405.

Information will be shared for the planning of the big fiesta for the Mexican exchange students.

All members must attend to get credit for their CPR project.

Be organized and successful! Get a planner/ agenda to keep track of all your 4TH quarter and year-end assignments and exams. A limited number of agendas are available in the ASB Finance Office, room 202 -- FREE OF CHARGE! The library’s featured book this week is, A Long Way Gone : Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. Come check it out at the library!

The High Tide is now available online. See: www.hightideonline.org

weekend

weather

Saturday: Cloudy 61˚/53˚ Sunday: Few Showers 59˚/53˚ Source: www.weather.com

High Tide What’s Inside...

Pages 2,3..............Opinion Page 4,5,6............Features Page 7,8......Entertainment Pages 9,10...............Sports

The winner of the battle of the bands will be announced today at lunch.

A different band performed each day this week in hopes of winning the battle. The winning band gets a $100 gift card to Guitar Center.

Chelsey Sanchez and Mike Pressett performed at Monday’s opening. Sanchez enjoyed the opportunity to perform for her peers.

“It’s exciting and it’s what I love to do,” Sanchez said.

Two metal bands participated: Ascendency on Tuesday, and To Become One on Wednesday.

“We allowed metal bands to play this year, but told them if a mosh pit started they would be disqualified,” ASB junior class president Michelle Hough said.

Reggae band Reflection I played yesterday and the last band, Shepherd Son performs today at lunch.

ASB supervisor Sherie Gross felt that this year’s event was a huge success over last years.

“We have some really great student talent that didn’t play last year,” Gross said.

The new location also helped bring in a larger crowd according to Gross.

“This location is way better than the auditorium.

There’s a place to sit in the shade and it’s close to the food,” said Gross.

Mon

Solo Acts Chelsey Sanchez and Michael Pressett

Tues

Ascendency

[metal]

Garrett Bower Ian McLaren Brodee McLaren Tom Myers Thomas Pinnex

1.

3.

2.

1. Ascendency played to a crowd in Noble Plaza on Tuesday. The new location provides more shade and intimacy than the previous venue, the auditorium lawn.

2. Senior Ben Slayback of Reflection I performed with his band yesterday. The winner of the Battle will be announced today. 3. David Eubanks, a Redondo alumni, playing drums for To Become One. 4. Senior Tom Myers playing bass with Ascendency. After past problems with mosh pits, bands were told to discourage them, or risk disqualification. ALL PHOTOS BY DANIEL FALLON

Wed

To Become One

[metal]

Naren Sguigna Rain Sguigna David Eubanks

Thur

Reflection I

[reggae] Ben Slayback Steffano Lasso Kristy Kim Mike Campus Sean McGill Chiany Dri Evan Hien Dan Barrows

4.

Fri The Shepherd’s Son

[rock]

JC Gutierrez Brian Barrientos Timmy Torres

Cafeteria cuts down waiting times, introduces new manager

By Josh Hillsburg

In response to complaints about long cafeteria lines, the food service staff has opened up several new lines, each offering a selection of multiple entrées.

“We wanted to make it easier for students.

They don’t have wait in one line [for a particular meal] anymore,” food service employee Linda Lorenz said.

Previously, each line had been limited to a single entrée. However, with recent improvements, all meals are available in any line.

Students have responded to the changes positively, according to Lorenz.

“They love it,” Lorenz said. “It’s a lot easier for them. The lines are still long, but not as long as they used to be.”

Junior Kyle Bittman agrees, and feels the cafeteria’s expanded selection is a major improvement.

“I think it’s great, because instead of being able to get Chick-fil-A just once a week, I can

Lamon dies in motorcycle accident; wife recovering Custodian Brian Lamon passed away on April 1 after a motorcycle accident two weeks earlier.

Lamon and his wife Yolanda were on their way home from dinner on the evening of Mar. 20 when they were cut off by a vehicle. They were thrown off their motorcycle and then transported to Harbor General Hospital.

Twelve days later, Brian succumbed to his injuries. His wife Yolanda, a special education teacher’s assistant, sustained injuries and is recovering at her parent’s home.

According to plant manager Mike Daniels, the family would like to keep the circumstances of the death private.

Lamon was a day custodian for the upper campus area, and according to Daniels, he was great to be around.

“There wasn’t anything not to like about Brian, he was very caring,” he said.

Sharon Merkling, special education secretary, also knew Lamon and his wife.

“We lost a very dear person here on campus.

I’m thankful I got to know him. They are two of the nicest people I’ve ever met, “ Merkling said. ­­­­—— Danny Garzon and Kaitee Scheyer

get it any day I want. Or everyday, for that matter,” Bittman said. “The potato wedges are delicious.”

The cafeteria staff itself had also undergone a significant change in the past week with food service manager Ann Zimmerli has retired after 25 years of service to the school.

“The lines are still long, but not as long as they used to be. It’s a lot easier for [students].”

–– Linda Lorenz “We all miss Ann as a manager and as a friend and we hope she has a happy retirement,” Lorenz said.

Following Zimmerli’s absence, a new manager was hired to fill the position. In the meantime,

Chris Chirco, district assistant director of food service, had assumed the title of acting manager before the new manager arrived on Wednesday.

Despite not having an official manager for a short period, the cafeteria staff is working just as well as ever, according to Lorenz.

“We’re working fine. We’re a great team and we well together,” she said. “Things are running fine and they’ll just keep getting better and better.”

Though the new manager has only technically worked five hours as of yesterday, the food service staff looks forward to working under her.

“She’ll be a strong manager,” food service employee Dalia Riola said.

Bittman is hopeful that the school will continue improving the campus.

“I’m very happy with the changes here and I hope to see similar changes in the future,” he said.

Cracking

Down

The Redondo Beach Educational Foundation (RBEF) is stepping in to help during Redondo’s time of need through the use of it’s “Club 360” fundraising program.

The fundraiser asks that every family donate $360 to go toward funding all aspects of education for students in our district, with an ultimate goal of $200,000 “A hundred percent of your donation will go back to your school,” RBEF president Blaise Tracy said. “Any amount that people can give helps.”

Donations can be made all at once or in monthly increments. The RBEF just concluded a large family fundraising push and is now asking community members and local businesses to do their part as well.

“We’re moving on from now till June doing a Club 360 corporate push,” Tracy said.

The RBEF was founded in 1991 and has, for the past 19 years, focused on supporting and funding the education of the youth of Redondo Beach. “[RBEF] is the fundraising organization for the district,” Tracy said. “Our goal is to enhance the education of all of the students and save programs that might get cut.”

The organization is entirely non-profit and parent run; all donations are tax-deductible and directly benefit schools “We’re parents in the district. We’re all volunteers. It’s a sheer parent volunteer ‘how-canwe-make-our-schools-better-for-all-students’ kind of an organization,” Redondo Beach Educational Foundation President Blaise Tracy said.

The idea of “Club 360” stems from the idea of a “full circle” education for students, with the donated money hopefully providing them with academics, clubs, and sports.

“We want every school, every grade level, and every classroom to have representation,” Tracy said.

Tracy was elected to lead the foundation in 2008 and has since then made it his goal to expand the organization’s capabilities and create awareness.

The organization funded many programs in the district, including putting new computers in the Career Center.

RBEF hopes to soon raise enough money to begin funding more expansive programs, and through doing so, save teachers’ jobs.

“Teachers could stay because programs would exist, and they [schools] would be able to afford to keep them,” Tracy said. “If we all gave what we could, we may not have to worry about furloughs and budget cuts, or teacher layoffs.”

Tracy believes that the RBEF is capable of doing great things for both the community and local schools.

“With the support of everyone in our community, so much is possible,” Tracy said. We’re thinking beyond books. We are thinking the full circle of educating a student.”

To donate, visit www.rbef.org

In response to lax security, administration is putting the pressure on gate control, both to protect students and the school

by Melissa Rosero and Joanie Schneider

Beginning last week, security guards have been reassigned gates to further ensure student safety.

“I am holding the security people more responsible for checking IDs and to be more aware and diligent [for ditching students],” Newman said.

This enforcement of stricter security has been placed because of safety and liability issues.

“Our job is to ensure [student] safely in the hours that [students are] supposed to be in school, but I can’t do that if [students are] at the beach or jay-walking across PCH,” Newman said.

If a student is caught off campus by the police or by any school staff member without permission, then the student will receive a tru-

ancy and be cited, resulting in a ticket and a mandatory court date.

“I know we have a lot of students leaving campus who don’t have approval and before anything happens [to any ditching students] I’m trying to be proactive before something [bad] happens,” Newman said.

The school can be held accountable for any off-campus accidents.

According to Newman, no major accidents have occured.

“So far, nothing [severe] has happened” Newman said.

Administration attempts to avoid these accidents by regulating the amount of students that leave.

Supervisor Irene Mendoza finds no inconvenience in her change of schedule.

“It’s my job and that’s what I have to do. If I can do it, then I’ll do it,” Mendoza said.

So far the changes have been effective.

“We have stopped a lot more students and I think they have noticed,” Newman said.

[Consequences...]

What consequences?

If you’re caught ditching, you can Receive a truancy Be ticketed, wasting both time and money going to court Get the school sued, as they are held responsible for any of your actions during school hours

Page

Opinion

2

April 9, 2010

Letters to the Editor

sonya speaks

by Sonya Egan

If you have an opinion about one of the articles published in the High Tide, we welcome letters to the editor.

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

Please bring signed letters to room 209.

Pilates success

High Tide Editor-in-Chief: Sonya Egan Managing Editors: Danielle Lew; Austin Pritzkat News Editor: Molly Simon; Claire Simon Opinion Editor: Jackson Greer Features Editors: Ashley Pournamdari; Julia Uriarte; Sophia Lykke; Dylan Futrell; Jonathan Martin; Jake Collins Sports Editor: Jessica Cascio Photo Editors: Daniel Fallon; Erika Gavitt Copy Editors: Adam Ammentorp; Josh Hillsburg; Joey Hoy; Brittney Madera; Christina Mehranbod; Mark Rieth Cartoonists: Ramya Bhaskar; Josh Hillsburg; Asad Nazif Staff Writers: Vanessa Alarcon; Cody Anderson; Victoria Balding; Ramya Bhaskar; Shannon Bowman; Claire Chiara; Kelsey Chung; Alexis Curtis-Olson; Michael Cross; Julia Denney; Brianna Egan; Kaelee Epstein; Josh Fogelson; Daniel Garzon; Allie Goldberg; Ulises Gonzalez; Garrett Gutierrez; Meglyn Huber; Bethany Kawa; David Kawa; Steven King; Anthony Leong; Elisa Martinez; Cammille Mitchell; Asad Nazif; Alexandra O’Hagan; Joy Ohiomoba; Alison Peet-Lukes; Madeline Perrault; Alix Politanoff; Melissa Rosero; Allison Salazar; Alyssa Sanchez; Derek Sarno; Katie Scheyer; Joanie Schneider; Laura Shodall; Casey Smith; Shelby Stitch; Shayna Stuart; Emily Sutton; Emily Vavrek; Anneliese Wilson; Alyssa Wolf Adviser: Mitch Ziegler The High Tide dedicates itself to producing a high-quality publication that both informs and entertains the entire student body.

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

The High Tide is published by the journalism class at Redondo Union High School, 631 Vincent Park, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.

Advertising is $7.50 per column inch, $6.00 if paid in advance. For information call (310)798-8665 ext. 2210.

Signed commentaries and editorial cartoons represent the opinions of the writer or cartoonist and in no way reflect the opinions of the High Tide staff.

Club 360 provides way to raise funds Because of continuing budget cuts, the Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD) is facing a $3 million budget deficit and needs to find ways to generate money. So basically, unless you want to see some of the school’s classes and extracurriculars cut, you need to pitch in.

Luckily for us, the Redondo Beach Education Foundation (RBEF) has already come up with a way for anybody to help the schools in RBUSD. It’s called Club 360. The goal of Club 360 is to raise money for the schools in RBUSD by asking members to donate $360.

During the fundraiser for Haiti, our school managed to generate about $5000 in donations. If Club 360 sees this type of success with its program, the district will raise the much needed money for computers, in-class upgraded technology, foreign language labs, music, visual, and performing arts, the robotics club, and leadership programs like Safe School Ambassadors.

Without all of these programs, Redondo would not be the school it is today.

Everyone appreciates new technology, but without the money, it won’t be available. Visual and performing arts provide a way for students to express their creativity. Student-made art can

Editorial

be found many places on campus, and the drama department provides the community with enjoyable plays and students with opportunities to participate in an extracurricular activity that looks good on resumes and transcripts.

The robotics team is also a great extracurricular activity that wins many awards, including national championships, and that provides its members with internship opportunities.

Out of all the possible ways to spend your money, investing it into the community and helping your local schools is one of the smartest things to do.

Students and students’ parents should take pride in what their schools do for the community. Art and drama classes, the robotics team, new technology, and improved facilities all help to distinguish schools in Redondo from schools in other areas. However, these programs and facilities can’t exist unless there is money to fund

them.

By joining Club 360 and making their suggested donation, you’re showing pride for your school and helping the entire community.

If school pride isn’t convincing enough to get you to join Club 360, then maybe a Redondo Beach Education Foundation (RBEF) bumper sticker is. A donor recognition on the RBEF web site and the fact that all donations are tax deductible, should give anyone all the more reason to join the club.

Out of all the possible ways to spend your money, investing it into the community and helping your local schools is one of the smartest things to do. Anyone who goes to a school in Redondo or has a child going to school in Redondo will directly benefit from joining Club 360.

And even if you aren’t affiliated with the schools in Redondo, improved schools— which is ultimately what Club 360 aims to obtain— can lead to increased property values. The more people that join Club 360, the better off we all are.

For less than a dollar a day, anyone can help their community and help the students and teachers who have to deal with the budget cuts. So be generous and lend a helping hand to those close to home.

Video games promote health Thought playing Wii tennis with your friend was just fun and games? Well, it actually might be the future of exercise.

Exergaming, playing video games to get exercise, is coming to be accepted as a viable source of exercise.

Studies show that Josh Fogelson Wii Boxing provides “moderateintensity exercise” to college students and that Wii Bowling significantly increases the heart rates of senior citizens (www. acsm.org).

Exergaming isn’t going to help someone train for a marathon, but is extremely helpful in getting people who don’t normally exercise to get up and move. Because of this special attraction of exergaming, it seems like the perfect tool to encourage adolescents to exercise.

This idea has caught on in many schools countrywide, such as Sierra Vista Jr. High in Stillmore, California. Sierra Vista opened a fitness center in 2004 filled with exergames, designed to encourage students to exercise, especially in body-conscious middle school where many students dread PE (www.csba.org).

Half way across the country, the Chicago Bulls have sponsored the Energiza Bulls

It was the pilates class you’d imagine: The one filled with menopausal fifty-somethings wearing skin-tight Lulumon Athletica spandex leggings. The real housewives of Redondo (but mostly Manhattan) Beach, whose kids stayed home with the nanny while mom went to run “errands” that included shopping and a facial. And the token henpecked husband who agreed to try it on the condition it would improve his golf game.

And don’t forget the instructor: a spiritual, one-with-nature-mind-and-body, petite woman with impeccable posture and a tattoo on her neck.

Then, there was me.

While I was struggling to keep my legs in table-top position while keeping a neutral back, my classmates were easily following along with the instructor. Eyes closed in peaceful concentration, they all seemed to “get” this whole pilates thing.

I, on the other hand, decided to take pilates on a whim. Well, not exactly. I was first introduced to pilates in physical therapy after I dislocated my shoulder. Then, almost a year and a half later, I spontaneously decided I had too much stress in my life between journalism and AP classes and worrying about what to write in my next column. I needed to relax. I needed to take pilates.

Far from being as relaxing as I’d envisioned it, pilates required constant effort. It required a conscious effort to breathe and to think: two things that I often forget to do. If my mind wandered, for example, my breathing would be messed up and my body would “unbolt” from its screws. (The teacher liked to confuse us with metaphors).

Pilates was unlike any other exercise I have tried. It wasn’t competitive like tennis, graceful like dance, or extreme like snowboarding.

It belonged in its own genre: one which combined flexibility and psychology with big rubber balls and good posture.

Despite pilates and the lifestyle assigned to it (think spandex, rubber mats and educated white people), it doesn’t really matter what stereotype you fit in, because it’s such an individual “sport.” Maybe if I wasn’t so busy looking at everyone around me, I would have focused more on the mental part of it.

I found that when I closed my eyes and focused, I was actually starting to feel strong and fit. It didn’t matter that the lady in the green mat was going through a mid-life crisis, or that blondie next to me was trying to find an elite daycare for her kids. Everybody in the class, for just that one hour, was going to be totally absorbed in themselves and in their bodies.

Formspring facilitates bullying

fitness program, which began in 2007. The Bulls have committed to build 50 fitness centers full of exergames throughout the Chicago area with the hopes of encouraging Chicago youth to get excited about exercising and staying healthy (www.nba. com).

Exergaming is not meant to replace traditional exercise but to encourage adolescents and other people with sedentary lifestyles to start exercising. While some people love to exercise, the fact stands that 18% of adolescents age 12-19 are overweight and 67% of adults age 20 or over are overweight or obese (www.cdc. gov).

Exergaming seems to be the perfect tool then to get that one kid out of every five to a healthy body weight, as it combines one of the most popular forms of entertainment among adolescents with exercise.

If balanced with traditional exercise and used effectively in PE classes, exergaming will teach adolescents to enjoy and value exercise.

Due to the many benefits exergaming provides our society, it may be the next big thing. For that reason, stay aware of future developments in the exergaming world, as it may be the hope of leading obese America to slimmer times.

It seems that all teenagers talk about is the constant, unnecessary drama that occurs over the internet. But why should we get to complain about this if we subject ourselves to it?

From Facebook to Tumblr, online social networking fosters abusive actions beClaire Chiara tween middle school and high school students and their peers.

Websites like Formspring are particularly offensive.

Although it is the youngest of the overly-hyped, teen-craze websites, it is the most destructive.

Formspring allows people to create a profile where anyone can send in an anonymous question. If someone chooses to reply, their answer and your original question are posted on your Formspring profile.

Despite its glamorous description and the remotely innovative idea of an “askme-anything” website, Formspring provides another, more easily accessible forum for unnecessary abuse between kids.

There are many things people would never say to someone’s face due to fear of physical, social, or even emotional repercussions. But on Formspring, there are no repercussions.

If you know you can get away with it, why wouldn’t you do it, right?

Due to some people’s strong reactions to

cruel posts, kids post things they do not really think or believe just to mess with people. It takes no courage to say something over the internet, so people have made a joke out of abusing the power to be anonymous. Formspring makes it much easier to torment others for personal satisfaction.

While some people may argue that it’s all in good fun, or teenage teasing is a rite of passage into graduating and moving into adult life, I beg to differ. Websites like Formspring only facilitate problems.

Sure, every once in a while, you receive a post from someone professing their continuous lust for you, but it’s so rare, and it’s not worth the pain of having 18 people make cracks about how supposedly unloved you are.

Although most students are strong enough to deal with the harassment, or at least hide that they are upset, others succumb to it. Just two weeks ago a 17-year old from New York committed suicide over hordes of insults that were posted on her Formspring profile.

Cyber bullying is not a joke, and some websites, such as Formspring, only provide easier ways for insecure adolescents to redeem themselves through the demoralization of others.

Formspring is a good plan gone horribly awry, and instead of giving in to the trendy hobby of taking the abuse, save yourself the misery and refuse to give in to the outrageously offensive, and quite frankly stupid, excuse for a website.

Opinion

Page

April 9, 2010

3

Should concerts have content warnings? around Redondo

PRO

Should concerts be rated for sex, violence, and language content?

This question has been debated for over a decade now and frankly, the answer is yes–concerts should be rated for their content.

According to NYTimes. com, this question was first raised when the hard rock group Marilyn Manson Joy Ohiomoba toured the United States in 1997. As the band toured, rumors spread about onstage antics that were both false (killing animals and sacrificing young kids to Satan) and true (destroying Bibles and using vulgar language).

Parents ought to have a right to know what kinds of concerts they are taking their children to go to see. Imagine a parent who took their young daughter to see Toby Keith perform “I Wanna Talk About

Me,” and then hear him singing obscenities at the end of the song regarding females. What kind of message is being sent to the girl?

With society becoming more corrupt day by day, parents need to be aware of what their children see and hear. If there are ratings on video games, movies, and CDs, why aren’t there ratings for concerts?

While some may argue that ratings would hurt the ticket sales business, this view is unlikely. Movies and other rated items are still widely popular despite ratings that are put on them.

The ratings on concerts would be similar to those used for movies and television show. G would be for music appropriate for all ages and R would be for risqué concerts off limits to minors unaccompanied by an adult (NYTimes.com).

A little over a decade ago, South Carolina state representative Daniel Tripps tried to write a bill to stop explicit concerts from being performed at places owned or funded by the state.

“I want to have some standards set up. I’m looking at these concerts in the same way I do pornography,” he said.

The question of whether or not concerts should be rated was raised once again with the recently released “Telephone” music video by Lady Gaga featuring Beyonce. Critics have described the video as “explicit” and “over the top.”

According to actor and record producer Donny Osmond, “[Lady Gaga and Beyonce] cranked up the violence on the video which was so unnecessary.”

Also, it appears as though artists are using more violence and vulgar language to attract more viewers. Often times, these viewers include minors whose parents may not know what type of music their kids are being exposed to.

With ratings in place, parents can make a choice whether or not they should allow their children to see a particular performance or whether they should wait until the children are older before exposing them to these acts.

Young children are already exposed to enough age inappropriate things and implementing ratings on concerts would give parents tools to protect their children’s innocence.

Do you think that concerts should have a rating system to inform parents of mature content and language?

“No, because you’re obviously going to the concert because you like the band, so you’re already aware of the content.”

–Haley Lane, 11

“Yes and no, because people may be offended by the content and by what happens on the stage. But at the end of the day, people are purchasing the tickets.”

– Jared Sweatman,10

“Yes, because kids shouldn’t be subjected to terrible music and language.”

–Josh McClendon, 12

“I don’t think its necessary. It’s more interesting when you get there to see what happens.”

– Zoe Ezzes,9

“No, because the people know what they’re going to see.”

CON Nathan Flowers

A sense of security and protection is something that we as a society value.

As a rule, we do not like to see things that are too graphic or that are not necessarily to our liking.

Fortunately, most forms of entertainment have some sort of rating or warning that provide us with the ability to turn away. But when it comes to the subject of concerts and live performances, that same rating system may not be the best way to try and filter in

the correct audience.

An article in the New York Times suggests that rating these performances would mean the gentler, less controversial shows would be rated G with rock and

rap concerts getting a rating of R. Although it is well intentioned, people have varying levels of what they deem to be offensive or harmful. A rating system would not make sense when it comes to a live performance.

Trying to rate a live performance with a G through R system would prove to be troublesome due to the fact that the performance is live.

Let’s not forget that a musician is an artist; his or her ability to express themselves through music and whatever they decide to put into a live performance is a form of expression. An artist puts his or her own personal style into a performance.

The fact that every show has the potential to be different makes the whole rating system that much more complicated. What if an artist whose concert is rated G randomly drops the f-bomb in the middle of a song?

Not only that, but regulating concerts takes away from the artist’s ability to interact with the audience and the surroundings. The most entertaining concerts

occur when the artists are most enthusiastic and interactive with the audience. They have the ability to be as spontaneous as they please. If rules were set in place to mandate that every show be an exact copy of the last, there would be no point in going to a concert in the first place.

Why go to that expensive Paul McCartney show when you know that you could just buy the DVD and get the exact same experience? This type of mindset could drastically affect ticket sales at venues, and could potentially put a band or venue in financial jeopardy.

The simple fact is that choosing to go to a concert is, in fact, a choice. There is no need to rate a concert and keep people out with no way of getting in because that concert is rated R. If someone wants to attend a performance then there should not be anything stopping them but their own opinions and views. It is the right of a music fan to see the bands that they want to, whether it is Justin Bieber, Elton John, or Judas Priest.

IC leads to increase of No Go listers The iPhone, the iPad, the Segway, the GPS. It seems that society is always coming up with new things to make our lives better Joey Hoy and easier; however, with every new invention comes its drawbacks, and Infinite Campus is no different.

Since Infinite Campus was introduced in 2007, it has put hundreds of more students on the No-Go List. This list prevents students from participating in athletics, extracurricular activities, and other school functions such as dances.

There is a drastic change in this list over the past few years. In October of 2004, before Infinite Campus was in use, 386 students were on the No-Go List.

As of the fall 2009 grading period, this number jumped to 560 students, nearly a 10 percent increase since before Infinite Campus was in operation.

That’s virtually a quarter of our student body who are “No-Go students.” Who knows how many potential athletes, dance champions, or prom kings were

kept from participating in the appropriate function.

And how many students have been grounded or given some other punishment because the Parent Portal says that they have a C or a D in some class or another before the grading period ends?

Infinite Campus has just turned into one more thing for students to worry about in a society that is already plagues them with stress.

Yes, one does understand that grades do come first, but this is not a Catholic high school run by nuns carrying around rulers waiting for someone to step out of line.

Is it so bad to want a student with a 59.6 percent in English to become a better-rounded person by being a part of his school community, where it is quite possible that he will learn more valuable life lessons than in a classroom? The system has eliminated if not discouraged teachers from grading subjectively.

In a sense the system makes it easier for teachers to be more “nit-picky” when grading season comes around. Just when the quarter is about to end, teachers won’t even pay attention to that 59.6 percent because on Infinite Campus it

practically screams at you: D+.

Sorry, looks like basketball season is out this year for little Johnny because he is less than a percentage point away in a couple of his classes from being eligible.

It is just a matter of “click, click” and those grades are posted.

Infinite Campus is such a defined system that it just about tells the teacher what grade to give the student.

It has discouraged the teachers’ type of thinking of “Well this kid comes to class, does all his work, asks questions, and makes an effort to try his best. He deserves to pass.”

Isn’t that what life is about? Getting what you deserve? Sure life isn’t fair, but why try to make it unfair? Infinite Campus is a great system if it is used correctly.

To the students’ benefit, some teachers have manipulated their grading scale to be more subjective and fair.

Lowering the grading system or using GPA system puts grading back into the teacher’s hands and out of the computer’s. Infinite Campus is another invention whose drawbacks must be dealt with accordingly in order to give accurate representations of the student.

– Emily Armstrong,11

“Yes, in order to let [buyers] know before they pay so they’re aware of what’s going to happen.”

–Alan Tran, 11

“Yes, because I think a lot of parents don’t know what their kids are going to. If parents found out then they’d be surprised and be able to regulate the things their kids are hearing and watching.”

–John Newman

Compiled by Alyssa Sanchez and Erika Gavitt

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4

Balding reflects on living with allergies

fatal

Students live with

Allergen

nJunior Victoria Balding

recounts her search to find the allergens that have been threatening her life.

by Victoria Balding

My hands begin to swell. Breathing becomes difficult. I start throwing up to the point where I’m not able to breathe in between heaves. My skin severely itches, but it burns to scratch.

My stomach aches so badly I’m not able to move. I am having an allergy attack.

I began having allergy attacks First Person my freshman year.

They started out as simply not feeling well and in less than a month escalated to a near death experience.

To this day, I still don’t know what I’m allergic to.

I have an allergy attack about twice a year, sometimes more, and it’s an extremely traumatic experience and is very painful.

The pain gets to the point where I’d prefer to have it be fatal in order to have the pain stop.

These attacks result in using my EpiPen, a shot of adrenalin injected into my leg, and a visit to the hospital for allergy medication and a follow up because using an EpiPen is considerably dangerous.

The EpiPen is dangerous because the adrenalin puts you at risk of a heart attack, which is why it is injected into a large muscle, as far from the heart as possible.

I’ve been seeing an allergy specialist for almost three years, and I’ve spent countless hours in the Palos Verdes Medical Center, laying topless on a table for over an hour, having multiple needles pushed into my back with different allergens being embedded in my skin to see if I react.

I’ve had the same process done to my arms after that. My blood had been draw multiple times and sent to the lab in order for even more extensive tests to be run.

Still, no one is able to tell me what I’m allergic to.

At first I was put on five different medications and prescribed an EpiPen to use to for future allergy attacks.

The medication made me slow and less coherent than normal.

My parents were extremely concerned about the fact that I had turned into a walking time bomb and refused to let me go anywhere unattended in the beginning.

Even walking down the street to go to the movie store alone was out of the question.

I was running cross country at the time, and I now am now required to run with someone at all times while carrying my phone and epipen.

I gradually gained my freedom to leave the house with out being called every ten minutes.

With all the medications I was taking the attacks stopped.

The doctors decided I was allergic to Non Steroid Anti Inflammations, or NSADs, which are the common ingredients in all over the counter pain medications except regular strength Tylenol, which is extremely hard to find.

I am prescribed narcotics for pain because I am not able to take any other medication without risking an allergy attack.

I am also not able to take many kinds of common antibiotics.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I just have to accept not knowing what I am allergic to and live.

With my allergy attacks becoming worse each time, the doctors are unsure if it will level out or continue to escalate until it is fatal.

Having allergies is most certainly an inconvenience, but I don’t think it compromises my life in anyway.

April 9, 2010

allergies

Foods to avoid

Alternatives

Peanuts

Peanut butter, nutella

Almond butter

Wheat

Pastries, gravy, soy sauce

Barely, corn flour

Dairy

Cheese, ice cream

Soy, rice almond

Eggs

Marshmallowes, meringue

Gelatin with water

Fish

Ceaser dressing, seafood

Poultry. beef

School accommodates students’ health needs

by Elisa Martinez

Peanuts, shellfish, grass—these may seem harmless, but to people with allergies, contact can be deadly. Students with allergies, especially those with extreme ones, need to be well practiced in the art of avoidance, but what do schools do to keep these students safe while they’re getting an education?

“As a parent you want your kid back at the end of the day the way you sent them,” district nurse Donna Ball said.

Ball is one of three district nurses who help to establish and regulate the laws concerning what schools can and cannot do concerning the health of their students.

According to Ball, the schools have a legal responsibility to give students the proper environment to learn in.

This means taking precautions for those with allergies.

According to Ball, the law requires

the cafeteria staff to label the food they serve.

From there it’s up to the student to avoid the foods they should.

Precautions also include allowing access to medication, both emergency and

“Safety is a very big factor. There has to be safety when dealing with medication.”

—Donna Ball over the counter, at school.

However, the key to controlling allergies is seeking professional medical attention.

“We don’t diagnose or prescribe, we follow doctor’s orders,” fellow district nurse Jane Yates said.

Whether it is to carry emergency medication such as Epinephrine or over the counter medications, the requirements include the doctor’s orders, a parent signature and school access to the student’s medical records.

Though Ball says some may see the measures as the district being over-controlling, they are really about safety.

Yates agrees.

“Safety is a very big factor. There has to be safety when dealing with medication,” she said.

Though students who have an EpiPen at school have typically used one before, both Ball and Yates believe its important to have the staff knowledgeable about the proper use of such medications.

That is why a few times a year the district nurses come to the schools and hold demonstrations for any staff member who wants to come and learn.

Even with the use of emergency medications like epinephrine, it’s still a necessary step to involve the paramedics if a student has an allergy attack.

According to Ball, the EpiPen will only work for fifteen or twenty minutes if what the person is allergic to is still in their system.

“Our job is really to keep you as safe as you can be until the paramedics come.

We’re not as prepared to help you as they will be,” Ball said.

Though they are not as adept at saving lives as a paramedic, the nurses and school staff take measures to ensure all students can go to school and learn in a safe environment whether it be preventing or dealing with the allergy attacks as they happen.

“You have to do what you have to do to get through,” Yates said. “We do our best with what we’re given.”

Bremme and Elsner take measures to avoid fatal allergies

by Vanessa Alarcon

She takes a bite out of chicken, but her breathing becomes strained, and she can feel her airway constricting. Looking down at her stomach, she sees that is now covered in blue dots and watches as they turn red. She had bitten into chicken that was cooked in peanut oil. Before she knows it she is riding in the ambulance and listens to the piercing screech of the sirens.

For junior Sarah Bremme, peanuts caused her to enter into anaphylactic shock.

“It feels like I am trying to breathe past a plastic thing that’s in my throat,” Bremme said.

Bremme has known that she is allergic to peanuts since she was three years old.

She has never been able to eat them.

“It’s really weird not to know what peanuts taste like,” Bremme said.

Even smelling peanuts causes Bremme to gag, and if she almost eats a peanut,

PHOTO BY DANIEL FALLON

Junior Ava Elsner takes out her Epipen. She is allergic to bees.

If she comes into contact with this allergen, she must stab her EpiPen into a muscle in her thigh and then seek further medical attention. According Elsner, when it is necessary to use the EpiPen you can’t hink of it. You just have to go for it.

her throat slightly swells and itches for a long time. One mistake can lead to an allergic reaction.

Because of her peanut allergy, Bremme has to always check everything she eats.

Her parents will not let her eat anything new that says it “may contain traces of peanuts.”

However, in case she eats some accidentally, she has an EpiPen. She can eat some other nuts, but she stays away from them because she is at risk of being allergic to them also.

“I ate a salad with nuts on it once, and I went to take a bite and my parents

freaked out,” Bremme said.

In addition to being allergic to peanuts, Bremme has a seasonal grass allergy. Every year from spring to autumn, the pollen and grass irritate Bremme’s eyes, throat, and sinuses.

“Spring is always really hard for me because it makes my eyes itchy,” Bremme said.

She has to take an allergy medicine every morning to prevent allergy symptoms and worsened asthma symptoms.

Also at risk for anaphylactic shock, is junior Ava Elsner, who is allergic to bees.

Freshman year, Elsner found out that she was allergic to bees when a bee stung her

in the foot. “[My foot] swelled up so much I couldn’t fit it into a shoe,” Elsner said.

Elsner had been stung by a bee before, but it takes two or three times to see the symptoms of the allergy. She went to the doctor to have her blood tested for bee allergies.

If a bee stings Elsner, she would go into anaphylactic shock. Her throat would swell up and she would not be able to breathe.

Elsner also has an EpiPen in her purse in case a bee sings her.

“I always need to have my Epipen on me,” Elsner said.

Features

April 9, 2010

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Bullying just went Students bully through messaging

by Alyssa Wolf

“I would hit you but I don’t hit ugly girls because I don’t want to mess up their face even more,” Junior Carina Vidovich reads the message again. Another intended to be hurtful message from an anonymous sender. She laughs and puts the phone back in her pocket.

Vidovich gets rude messages from unknown and know senders every few days. Though they do not always divulge their names, she usually has a pretty good idea of who the sender is.

“A lot of people at school don’t like me,” she said.

Sophomore Paige Rumery has been told by girls that she was not good enough for her ex-boyfriend when they were still dating.

“The girls say things just to pull at your ego,” she said.

Vidovich does not take the insults to heart. She does not get mad because she does not think it solves anything.

“I don’t want to start anything with them,” she said.

Rumery usually replies sarcastically and tries not to let the messages get to her.

“Somethings have upset me,” she said.

“But a lot of times I just shrug it off like

[it’s] no big deal.”

Junior Hannah Ford and Rumery get harassing messages from male students asking them for sexually explicit pictures and sexual favors.

“They are very sexual,” Rumery said.

“They are crude. They say horribly, horribly graphic things and it is probably a joke, but it is not funny.”

Although Ford would not participate in the requests from boys, she used to take their interest as flattery.

“I used to feel like guys wanted me and I felt good about it,” Ford said. “Now I realize they don’t want me for me. I don’t like it.”

When Ford tells the boys she does not want to do certain things, they will sometimes threaten to start untrue, hurtful rumors about her.

“They try to force me to do things I don’t want to do,” she said. “Some of them just want it so bad they will do anything to get it.”

Ford feels the guys objectify her but, despite their lack of respect, she still respects herself.

“There is more to me than sex and what I can give a guy,” she said.

Formsping allows anonymous bullying

by Anthony Leon

There are many places one would expect to be abused or harassed: School, a concert, or a sketchy bar. But for some, such harassment comes from the Internet.

Formspring is a website that allows anyone to anonymously ask questions of anyone that has a Formspring page. Sophomore Madison Hall, like many people, has created her own Formspring page. “[I made a Formspring] because everyone else has one, and because I like the ‘truth box’ on myspace,” Hall said.

However, not all questions she receives are pleasant. According to Hall, one out of every three questions she receives is hurtful

or negative.

“It doesn’t bother me, because obviously the people leaving mean comments don’t have the courage to say them face-to-face,” Hall said.

Sophomore Mohammed Bala created a Formspring account for this very reason.

“I made one because I thought it’d be fun to answer questions that people wouldn’t ask me face-to-face,” Bala said.

Bala, on the other had, has a different sentiment about the unpleasant questions he receives, which, according to him, are one in every five.

“I feel like people should stop being obnoxious, because it’s a great social networking tool,” Bala said. “People will stop using it if they start to feel like it’s not a fun environment.”

Hall feels that because of the fact that the questions aren’t asked face-to-face, the unpleasant things people say have less value.

“The negative feelings can’t be very If harrasment strong if all they’re worth is a random, does not cease, anonymous comment,” Hall said. the best thing Sophomore Savanna Metzger seems to do is alert an to agree. adult. A parent “I take [Formspring] with a grain of or counselor will salt,” Metzger said. “Because if they’re usually know how saying it on Formspring and they don’t to help. have the guts to say it to my face, they’re not much better than me.”

According to Metzger, two out of every five questions she receives are rude.

However, Metzger doesn’t regret making a Formspring account.

“I don’t regret it because now I can see what people actually think about About three out of four teens report that they me,” Metzger said. eventually figure out who cyberbullied them.

Hall doesn’t have any regret her decision either.

“I don’t regret it because most people say nice things,” Hall said. “If I regretted it I would have taken it down by now.”

Sophomore Juliana Jordan has similar feelings and reasons for not regretting —­Compiled by Julia Denney and Danny Garzon making an account.

“It’s fun because you want to know

Get The Facts!

47 percent of teens said that cyberbullying happens because the cyberbully doesn’t perceive any tangible consequences.

43 percent of teens report that they have experienced some form of cyber bullying.

The best way to avoid being bullied over the Internet is to stay off social networking sites altogether.

what everyone truly thinks about you,” Jordan said.

Unlike others on Formspring, Jordan says she has never received negative comments.

Hall, however, doesn’t regret receiving negative comments: on the contrary, Hall feels that negative comments can be a good thing.

“Getting negative comments makes me happy, actually,” Hall said. “It means you’re doing something right. You don’t get negative comments for sitting around doing nothing.”

“If they’re saying it on Formspring, and they don’t have the guts to say it to my face, they’re not much better than me.”

— Savanna Metzger Sophomore Max Pittman feels that negative comments can be okay unless they’re particularly derogatory.

“I usually try to answer [negative questions] because sometimes people actually really want to know,” Pittman said.

“But if they say something really derogatory, I’d say they should say it to my face and stop hiding behind anonymity.”

Like Hall, Pittman doesn’t regret making a formspring account.

“It’s interesting to hear what people have to say because sometimes it’s actually legitimate,” Pittman said.

Pittman feels that replying to his questions on Formspring can be like giving advice at times.

“It’s sort of like advice, and in that way I don’t think it’s bad at all,” Pittman said.

“Because if people wouldn’t normally ask me something because they’d think I’d get mad or offended, but they’re able to ask it on Formspring, I think that’s a really good way to use it.”

Social networking under a false identity may lead to legal consequences

by Bethany Kawa

According to penal code 530.5, any person who willfully obtains personal identifying information, and uses that information for any unlawful purpose, is guilty of a public offense, and shall be punished by a fine, imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both a fine and imprisonment, or imprisonment in the state prison.

A few months ago, sophomores Joshua Rosenberg and James Curwood-Wagner had a fake Facebook profile created of them by the same anonymous person. Rosenberg saw a fake profile of him, and immediately took action.

“Initially, I was uneasy because I felt that this person was making fun of me. I told this person to stop and told he/she that they

could be reported for stealing my identity,” he said.

Rosenberg then reported the incident to the Facebook staff, accusing him/her of a false identity.

“This person said they were sorry, but his/her name never changed on Facebook,” Rosenberg said.

However, a few days later the Facebook profile changed to the name “Holly Marie Johnson,” a profile that is no longer in existence. Johnson claimed she was a student at Redondo, and her friends were joking around and commenting on people’s statuses.

Curwood-Wagner also had a fake profile made of him by the same person. He was called names and tagged in inappropriate

pictures on Facebook.

“I also receive calls every Saturday at 2 a.m. from this anonymous person, saying they are from Mira Costa High School,” Curwood-Wagner said.

Unlike Rosenberg, Curwood-Wagner does not care about having his identity stolen because he “knows it is just a joke.”

Though Rosenberg and CurwoodWagner still do not know who “Holly Marie Johnson” really is, Rosenberg believes something should be done if ever discovered.

“This whole situation disturbed me. If the person is ever disovered, I think he or she should not be allowed to make another Facebook. This is cyber bullying,” he said.

Along with Rosenberg and Curwood-

Wagner, junior Odelya Shor has had multiple fake Facebook profiles made of her.

“I had no idea until someone told me. I searched myself and there were a few that i reported, but I haven’t seen most of them since. There is still one that’s definitely not me when you search me still and I haven’t really bothered to do anything,” she said.

Though Shor never discovered the person who created the profiles of her, she does anything she can to protect her information.

“I have most of my actual stuff set private now so no one can see my information or pictures to copy them. It’s just beyond me that someone would want to take the time to create fake profiles of people,” she said.

Recently, in Hadley, Massachusetts, three teenage girls were accused of bullying a 15-year-old girl who committed suicide.

The girls created a three-month bullying campaign, and are now charged as youthful offenders with civil rights violations resulting in injury and stalking. There are also criminal harassment charges against each of them.

According to MSNBC, juveniles ages 15 to 16 who are charged with a felony can be prosecuted as youthful offenders when they are charged with a crime that involves the infliction or threat of serious bodily harm.

Juveniles convicted as youthful offenders can receive adult sentences in adult prisons or county jails, a commitment to youth services until 21, or a combination of both.

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Entertainment

April 9, 2010

Stiller creates unrelateable character in Greenberg

by Ulises Gonzalez

Don’t expect to find any deeper meaning in Greenberg. Though director Noah Baumbach might have instilled some sort of universal theme about life in this film, the theme is so well hidden that the film comes off as a movie about the constant insensitivity emitted by an irrational, selfish, angry, 40-year-old man stuck in the past.

Searching for any kind of redeeming themes about how mean-spirited people change is pointless. Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller) is like a Scrooge who ignores the ghosts that visit him.

Roger Greenberg is a single, 40-year old man obsessed with obsessing over things.

The smallest things set him off, and he treats people like dirt.

All of Greenberg’s acts of altruism are born out of his egotism. An unsuccessful musician who broke up the band that could have skyrocketed him to greatness, Greenberg resorts to carpentry to make a living.

He constantly feels a need to express how great he is, and how much he has suf-

Movie Review

fered throughout his life, yet he claims he is an unselfish person. Actually, he brags about not having an ego. It would almost be funny if Greenberg had more than two moods.

Throughout the film, Greenberg remains either angry and emotional, or at peace.

There is only one scene where he seems happy, and it is during the last 20 minutes of the film.

The movie is difficult to sit through.

Greenberg’s constant complaining and selfish attitude drain the audience of its energy.

Although the audience may feel sympathetic towards Greenberg due to the fact he was recently released from a mental hospital, there comes a point where even mental illness isn’t a legitimate excuse for being such a big jerk.

When Greenberg begins to court his brother’s personal assistant, Florence (Greta Gerwig), the film takes a serious turn for the worse.

Whereas it could have been a film about a quirky character, neurotic and peeved by everything, although possibly redeemable, it turns into a story about a hateful man

who desires a romantic relationship without giving anything back.

The relationship Greenberg pursues with Florence isn’t even equal to prostitution, because even that entails a give-and-take, and Greenberg simply takes and takes and takes.

Florence’s self-esteem is simply too low for her to realize that she is a good person who could do better than latching onto the emotional parasite that is Greenberg.

Perhaps the film would be easier to digest if Greenberg was a humorous char-

acter, but even scenes that should be funny merely come off as draining.

One would think that there’s only so much abuse that Florence and Greenberg’s only other friend, fellow ex-band member Ivan (Rhys Ifans), could take, but Greenberg’s rudeness is limitless.

Ivan and Florence hold on to their relationship with Greenberg out of hope that under his angry, jaded exterior is a sincere person who is capable of caring and being compassionate.

And although Greenberg does perform some altruistic actions in the film, they all stem from his ego; and his need to prove to others that he’s selfless in order to improve his image.

Greenberg just doesn’t care. Under his jaded exterior lies a jaded individual, incapable of caring about

anyone other than himself.

If the film has a noticeable climax, it doesn’t occur until the very end of the film, and only presents a slight, subtle change in Greenberg’s demeanor.

Though the film ends with Greenberg possibly behaving truly in a selfless manner, in the end the audience is only left with the hope of Greenberg really changing, not the change itself. And the hope is so dim that its sort of difficult to pick up on.

Considering Greenberg’s demeanor throughout the rest of the film, it’s much easier to cling to the belief that Greenberg won’t change, Florence will continue to have low self-esteem, and that the film told the story of an uninteresting character whose behavior is too static and predictable, and ultimately boring.

The lack of change throughout the film leaves the audience drained and tired of watching the same person constantly degrade others and behave selfishly.

If one still has a desire to check out this film, it’s probably best to wait to rent the film instead of spending nine dollars on a film that just isn’t worth the money. One star.

Love Never Dies lacks less creativity, energy than its predecessor

by Laura Shodall

Love Never Dies is the highly anticipated sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. Webber’s new musical work proves that true love never dies, but excellent musical shows do.

The production follows Christine, Raoul, and their son Gustave 10 years after the Phantom’s flight from the Paris Opera House. Christine is lured to the infamous Coney Island in New York to sing for an unknown impresario, and a new plot unfolds. Love Never Dies opened at the Adelphi Theatre in England on March 9th with the original cast recording debuting on iTunes soon after.

The album consists of 33 songs, 30 of which are barely mediocre.

Unlike Phantom, Love Never Dies lacks the ominous, dark instrumentals that made millions fall in love with

Album Review

Lloyd’s masterpiece. Love Never Dies also falls short with lyrics, with many songs containing simple rhymes that possess little to no depth. “So look with your heart/And not with your eyes/The heart understands/The heart never lies” is Christine’s weak attempt at professing her love to the Phantom in “Look With Your Heart”, which begs the question: is this a dark love story or a feel-good Disney film?

The shallow lyrics and up-beat music of a generous portion of the songs do not fully encompass the Phantom’s dark characteristics and do not do his complex character justice. In addition, the Phantom’s emotional ballad “Til I Hear You Sing” is a false hope: though the instrumental provide the heartbreaking beauty that most listeners crave, the lyrics depict the Phantom as a lovesick teenager rather than a tortured, obsessive musical genius.

“The Beauty Underneath” is exactly

the opposite: the lyrics are beautifully poetic, but they’re overtaken by the unnecessary and generally terrible electric guitar riffs. The two sole triumphs of the album are the songs “The Ayrie” and “Beneath a Moonless Sky”, one of which is purely instrumental. “The Ayrie” provides stunning instrumentation that breaks away from the consistent cheesiness of the other track and is altogether a very moving piece, while “Beneath a Moonless Sky” is a shining example of what the entirety of the album should sound like, but one amazing song cannot redeem a horrible production.

What most Phantom fans expect is a musical masterpiece just as dark and sophisticated as the original, but the music of Love Never Dies is a thorough disaster and sounds like any other upbeat , generic musical production. Phantom of the Opera was known for its originality and captivating music and Love Never Dies lacks both.

www.loveneverdies.com

Sierra Boggess plays Christine Daaé in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new sequel to Phantom of the Opera.

Entertainment

April 9, 2010

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7

MGMT is an electronca/ psycadelic band whose new album, Congratulations is their second from a large record label. The group hails from Brooklyn, New York, and is currently on tour in the US, and later in Europe. ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAVLA KOPECNA (WWW.FLIKR.COM/PHOTOS/ PAVLUNKA)

MGMT experiments with new sound

by Dylan Futrell

MGMT spent their 2007 debut, Oracular Spectacular, talking about things they didn’t quite have: the fame, the wealth, the drugs, the women.

Now that their wildly successful debut album has given them all of these things, what is there left to make music about?

The answer, apparently, is how they want to give it all back.

MGMT’s sophomore effort, Congratulations, contains no catchy, instantly-likeable singles, a la “Kids” and “Time to Pretend,” ditching their synth-heavy, radio-friendly tunes in favor of a more experimental approach.

In fact, the duo, comprised of Brooklynites Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden, has forgone releasing singles entirely, instead urging audiences to listen to the album as a whole.

The result, while filled with interesting themes and ideas, fails to achieve the universal appeal of their debut album.

The album opener, “It’s Working,” sets the tone. An unholy union of surf-rock, psychedelic, and 50’s doo-wop, the song erratically shifts between styles.

“It’s working in your blood, it’s working in your mind,” the background chants in the chorus. Maybe it’s the drugs?

The next track, “Song for Dan Treacy,” is one part Little Shop of Horrors and another part Smiths.

British pop influences find their way through the entire album. In addition to naming a song after singer-songwriter Dan Treacy, the group gives producer/musician Brian Eno the same treatment in the creatively titled “Brian Eno.” The group even adopts a British accent in some songs.

However, not all of their previous sound has been lost. “Someone’s Missing” begins with a somber tone, but soon evolves into a chorus reminiscent of their debut.

This song leads into “Flash Delirium,” which is the closest the album

Album Review

will get to a single. Reaching Arcade Firelike highs, the song slowly builds up to a bombastic finale.

The band’s experimental nature reaches a peak in the sprawling, 12 minute psychepic “Siberian Breaks.” It’s like sitting on a calm, serene beach on a clear summer’s night, while in the throes of a major acid binge.

But, there has to be a reason to all of this experimental, psychedelic madness. Congratulations,, while a commendable effort in it’s own right, is sure to polarize the legions of fans and jeopardize the fame they gained with Oracular Spectacular.

But this might have been their intention all along.

The evidence lies in the songs themselves, especially the title track: “But I’ve got someone to make my reports/ That tell me how my money’s spent/ To book my stays and draw my blinds/ So I can’t see what’s really there.”

The duo used to thrive taking jabs at the lifestyle of the rich and famous, like in “Time to Pretend.” The irony lies in the fact that, now, they’re living one.

Maybe VanWyngarden and Goldwasser miss being on the outside looking in; Congratulations is just their attempt to get back there.

Bamboozle Left offers wide variety of sounds and better weather

by Ulises Gonzalez

It was already noon, and by then the few people who had been lined up along the gates of Angel stadium had turn into a crowd of hundreds. The sun had been beating down upon the mob of people for hours when finally the first gates opened. As people stumbled in through the gates, strong pulsing waves of sound began to travel through the hot air from all directions. The first day of Bamboozle, the first big music festival of the year, has just begun.

Much like the famous Vans Warped Tour, Bamboozle is a festival that takes bands of all genres and brings them together in one place. This year’s Bamboozle showcased such bands as Chiodos, AFI, Circa Survive, Pierce The Veil and The Fall of Troy.

Every band is quite different from one another when it comes to the style of music they play, which goes to show the wide range of music one can find at an event like Bamboozle. Because of the great diversity of bands, the concert is slip up into two days, whith each day headlined by a different band.

The bands playing on the first day of Bamboozle tended to have a bit heavier sound than the bands who played on the second day, but it was still easy to find bands of all types on either day.

Although Bamboozle is the same type of music festival as the Vans Warped Tour, it was nowhere near as packed this year, and the weather is nowhere near as stifiling as it would be over the summer. Since Warped Tour is known for being a festival with the some of the worst conditions, people expecting to find the same type of conditions at Bamboozle will be pleasantly surprised.

The crowd at Bamboozle is another story however. It would make sense that since not as many people attend Bamboozle as they did Warped Tour, the crowds at Bamboozle would be much more mellow and less violent. However, this is not the case. In fact, they get worse than they do at Warped Tour during certain sets. Perhaps the worst of these during the first day was the crowd at the Circa Survive set. The band members had barely begun to set up their equipment when people started to get crushed and trampled by the swaying and jostling of the crowd.

By the time the band had started playing the crowd had turned into more of an angry mob than an audience, forc-

Concert Review

ing many people to have to claw their way out of the violent crowd, some literally bloodied and bruised.

Regardless of the crowd, Circa Survive managed played one of the best sets of the day, especially considering it is one of the first shows they play since they have finished recording their latest album this past winter.

Although the headlining band of the day was supposed to be AFI, much of the attention throughout the day was focused on a the Fall Of Troy since it was one of the last shows they were going to play before they split up at the end of April. The that it would be the band’s live show made for a very emotional and energetic show, on both the band’s part and the audience’s part.

Overall, Bamboozle is a great for fans of many different types of music looking to find them all in one place. Perhaps the best thing about Bamboozle is that it offers more or less the same experience of music festivals such as Warped Tour and Coachella, but without the grueling heat and wather conditions that usually come along with music festivals of the same nature.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LUSHBEAT.COM Davey Havok sings at AFI’s concert at Bamboozle Left. The band was the headline for the festival, but were somewhat overshadowed by band Fall of Troy, who were playing some of their last concerts before their break-up towards the end of April.

About

Artist Members: the

Ben Goldwasser Andrew VanWyngarden Genre: Psychadelic Pop

Albums: Oracular Spectacular (2008): The first album on a major record label, the album included the hit song, “Kids.”

Congratulations (2010): Their second, more experimental album still retains their electronic style.

Page

Features

8

April 9, 2010

ALTERNATIVE

EXERCISE

1.

Team sports and gym memberships aside, students and faculty members utilize alternative methods of exercise.

by Kelsey Chung

Their muscles slightly trembling, they inhale deeply through their noses and exhale slowly through their mouths, relaxed and invigorated. Nowadays, unlike the usual sweat pumping workouts, yoga, and bar method are becoming popular because of their combination of aerobic, cardio, and meditative exercises.

History teacher Lani Sarachild has been practicing restorative yoga to help her sleep.

“I find it is an antidote to stress along with exercise. It gives your life balancemind, body, and spirit,” Sarachild said.

She believes that such exercises are “natural anti-agers.”

“I have low blood pressure and a good state of health generally. I get to talk to like-minded individuals which gives me a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction,” Sarachild said.

Math teacher Josh Friedrich has been practicing yoga for six years. For him, it’s a way to test his body’s limitations and find a steadiness of mind.

“It’s a common misconception that only women practice yoga. I think more men are

turning to practicing yoga workout because it’s an intelligent physical practice that keeps the body balanced, as opposed to other strength building exercises which can give you strong bulky muscles but leave you with inflexibility,” Friedrich said.

Friedrich enjoyed yoga so much that he became a certified yoga instructor in 2008 while at an ashram. For him, yoga is more than posture or stretching–it’s a mental practice.

“I spent that summer in an ashram, which is a Hindi word for community. We practiced yoga, studied and worked from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day,” Friedrich said. “I’ve taught classes in the past during the summer.”

Another popularized exercise, pilates, is practiced to strengthen the core and improve the body’s alignment.

Senior Mackenzie Rouse started pilates to help her dancing and back pain.

“It’s not as straining but it’s still an exercise. I do have less back pain and it keeps me motivated to exercise,” Rouse said.

Pilates is popular because “you won’t grow out of it.” However, according to junior Anna Barclay, a common misconcep-

tion is that pilates is “easy.”

“Ten to fifteen minutes into it, you are breaking a cold sweat and are ready to quit, but once you finish, you realize how good it is for your body,” Barclay said.

According to English teacher Danielle Berger, an uncommon exercise, bar methods, is quickly becoming popularized among celebrities and locals. Bar method is sculpting and muscle strengthening workout class designed around a ballet bar, light weights, and body resistance.

“I’ve really seen a transformation in my body and muscles. I’ve always done swimming and sports so I’ve always been bulky and it’s leaned me out,” Berger said.

Senior Trisha Kooba also became hooked on bar methods since May 2008.

“I started it because I don’t really like going to the gym but I still wanted to get in shape.

Bar Method is really upbeat, with high-energy pop music and motivated teachers. It’s also fast-paced,” Kooba said.

Like Berger, Kooba agrees that its a gentler workout.

“It’s a more feminine workout and you can move at your own pace. It tones your body and doesn’t create masculinity like a bodybuilder,” Kooba said.

However, it is not to say that bar method isn’t challenging.

“It’s hard because it targets really specific muscle groups. You keep working certain muscles until they start to shake and you

2.

PHOTOS BY DANIEL FALLON

1–2. History teacher Lani Sarachild practices yoga during her fourth period prep period. Sarachild appreciates the physical and mental advantages of yoga.

become exhausted,” Berger said.

According to Kooba, the exercises are invigorating and beneficial.

“Bar Method has definitely gotten me into better shape and I feel much healthier.

Afterwards, I don’t feel like staying home

and eating chocolate cake. I feel like going and taking even more classes,” Kooba said.

Overall, yoga, pilates, and bar methods challenge the body and mind.

“I’ve learned to honor my body,” Sarachild said.

Machado trains with his his father at family-owned Jiu-Jitsu academy

by Madeline Perrault

Sweat drips down his back. Pain shoots across his body. He has to maneuver his way out before he has to tap. With a quick

move he pins his opponent to the ground.

As quickly as it had begun, the match is over.

This is a regular experience for students attending the Machado Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

Sophomore Jean Machado’s great-uncle

2.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEAN MACHADO

1.

1. Jean Machado trains with his father, John, at the Machado Jui-Jitsu Academy. 2. Machado with father and brother.

Machado appreciates his familial bond from jiu-jitsu.

founded the academy and now his dad, along with his four uncles, runs Machado Jiu-Jitsu, the largest Jiu-Jitsu academy training center in the South Bay. Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, and form of selfdefense that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting.

“I like what it is really about. It’s not about being the best, or showing off, but it’s about the lifestyle. It’s about exercising and eating healthy,” Machado said.

However, Jiu-Jitsu is more that just a sport to Machado.

“It helps teach you how to avoid the situations that lead to confrontation. It is an art form,” he said.

Machado has trained at Machado JiuJitsu since the age of five. Now he trains everyday, and is currently a blue belt.

“The best part about it is that someone of any age can do it: a woman, child, man, anyone. You learn to defend yourself, and you stay fit,” Machado said.

Jiu-Jitsu is a family sport for the Machados.

John Machado, Jean Machado’s father, has trained actors such as Chuck Norris,

Chiwetel Ejiofor (2012), Steven Segal (Under Siege), Rodrigo Santoro (300), and Alice Braga (Repo Men, I Am Legend).

Sophomore Ryan Monreal has been attending Machado Jiu-Jitsu for about a year.

“The best part about it is that someone of any age can do it: a woman, child, man, anyone. You learn to defend youself and stay fit.”

—Jean Machado “I really like the competitive aspect of it and it keeps me in pretty good shape,” Monreal said.

Monreal won a tournament three months ago and is now training for another competition in May. To prepare Monreal attends class four to five times a week.

“In class we warm up, drill some moves, then we roll with other people,” he said.

Monreal is considering a job as a professional fighter in the future.

“I’m actually already doing boxing once a week, so I might do [mixed martial arts]. I will most likely decide after high school,” he said.

There is also a social aspect to attending classes too according to Montreal.

“There are several kids from Redondo who go. Two of my friends, Mateo and Devon, also go. Devon introduced me to it,” he said.

Monreal is currently a white belt, but he can move up to blue belt once he turns 16.

Sophomore John Walsh also attends classes at Machado Jiu-Jitsu. “[Jiu-Jitsu] really calms you down. You can get all of your anger out on the mat and it makes you a less angry person,” Walsh said.

Walsh attends Machado Jiu-Jitsu 4-5 times a week and has a blue belt.

“When you are here, you are with friends. Everyone is just a big, happy family,” Machado said.

Decker has a black belt in Taekwondo

Wilson does aerial arts at power plant center

by Allison Salazar

For some people, staying in shape means playing soccer or swimming laps. Some hang upside down on a thin bar while doing the splits.

Many aren’t aware of what aerial arts is, but when you mention that it’s what artists in Cirque de Soleil people finally get it. Aerial First Person perform, arts is commonly seen as a form of campy entertainment, yet most do not see it for it’s grueling and painful work.

There are many types of aerial arts including, but not limited to: tatic trapeze, aerial silks, aerial hoops and spanish web. Most aerial fitness classes in the area offer Static Trapeze and Aerial Silks.

The Power Plant Center located on the corner of Aviation and Artesia Boulevard offers the two types along with martial arts. With static trapeze bars ranging from two feet to ten feet, the center offers different variations for apprehensive first timers. Along with the bars, they offer five sets of long fabric pieces for Aerial Silks.

For a first timer, you can expect it to be overwhelming. You start off with mild stretching and a few yoga poses, and if you’re lucky a run. Your then broken off into small groups where you tackle different moves in different stations. Your either doing a quick cardio workout, learning a new trick on the trapeze, or attempting to climbing silks. The ability of upper body and core strength play a large part. Some are quick to learn, while others take time.

The top things that first timers complain about is their hands. After sliding back down from silks or jumping off a trapeze, they’ll see that their hands are an unmistakable red and burning. At first it doesn’t seem much, but overtime you begin to see the calluses that form. Surprisingly, this is the thing that helps you to be even better.

Aerial arts is enjoyable because it’s different and your not focused on a score or how many reps you completed. It’s the one chance to be free-spirited and

Junior Ryan Decker is known by his peers for his academic abilities and success, but he also has a black belt in Taekwondo. To him it is more than just a martial art; it has helped him develop a different outlook on life.

“Taekwondo is appealing to me because it not only enhances physical strength and self-defense techniques, but it creates a mental clarity which other sports do not,” he said. “It has helped me become a much more well-mannered and disciplined person along with improving my fitness. I think that I can take what I’ve learned and it will help me in whatever area of work I eventually go into.”

Decker started training when he was nine with Jae Lee, a seventh-degree black belt and former head coach of the Japanese National Team. Growing tired of team sports, he wanted to pursue an individual one.

“I found myself constantly disinterested due to the fact that it was largely out of my control whether we lost or won,” he said. “With a martial art, the only person who can make a person fail or succeed is himself.”

He continued training for seven years “I always admired my master, Jae H. Lee. He was a great mentor and would not tolerate anything less than my best,” he said.

It took Decker three years to earn his black belt. He received it in May 2005 after completing the belt test, in which students demonstrate the necessary form, “spar” with another student, and break either wood or bricks.

His mother, Elena Decker, believes Taekwondo has helped Ryan grow in other aspects of his life aside from the physical ones.

“Less obvious but even more important were the improvements in his self confidence and discipline.

One thing that we learned about Ryan through all

by Anneliese Wilson

PHOTO COURTESY OF RYAN DECKER

Junior Ryan Decker competes at a taekwondo tournament.

the years leading up to his second degree black belt was that he is definitely not a quitter,” she said. “As he progressed from one belt to another, the tests became harder and harder. No matter what it took to break the boards he never gave up, no matter how much it hurt.”

According to the International Taekwondo Federation, the black belt demonstrates maturity in the art and is also symbolic for being impenetrable to fear and darkness.

Although he was successful in his training, Decker decided to quit last year because he had difficulties balancing all his activities. Also, as a Second-Degree Black Belt, he would have had to travel to South Korea to receive his promotion to Third Degree.

“Now that I have completed much of my training, I have become much more knowledgeable about this art and I am a better person because I can relate it to my life.”

childish while working out. When it comes down to it, your hanging from bars and swinging on ropes. Though be warned, you can’t always be Tarzan when working out. Instructors take safety seriously and make sure that you’re being spotted at all times.

Aerial arts can be intimidating, yet liberating at the same time. If your adventurous and looking for an alternative way to work out, it is a nice avenue to explore.

1.

2.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHELLE BOLONG

1. & 2. Aerial arts students practice at the center where Wilson trains.

Sports

JV/Frosh

April 9, 2010

fast stats

FROSH

BASEBALL Score vs. Peninsula: 6-5 L “The other team played really well. They were just hitting the ball and we weren’t,” Freshman Jacob Waggoner said.

FROSH

SOFTBALL Score vs. Downy: 4-3 L, 7-7 T

TENNIS JV

Boys’ Score vs Mira Costa: 11-3 L Overall Record: 8-7

VOLLEYBALL FROSH JV

Boys’

Score vs Mira Costa: 25-15, 2518, L Score vs Mira Costa: 25-16, 2515 L

FROSH

SWIM League Record: 2-2 Key Players: Nick Johnson and Max Pittman

LACROSSE JV

Girls’

Score vs Penninsula: 14-1 League Record: 3-0

Volleyball loses to Costa, prepares for Peninsula

by Allie Goldberg

The boys’ volleyball team lost last night, 21-25,23-25,23-25 against Mira Costa. .

Although the match ended in three games, coach Duncan Avery believes it was a win for the team.

“We don’t measure wins and losses by the scoreboard, but by how we perform,” he said. “That was a win for us.”

According to Avery, the teams skills and fundamentals were “right there” with Costa’s.

“It comes down to size. They are bigger, and play more physically.”

Since the games were so close, Avery believes that the next game against Costa will be be about doing the little things correctly.

“We played them toe to toe, we just had a few missed opportunities,” he said.

Avery is very pleased with his team’s efforts.

“I’m proud of the way they fought,” he said. “I think that they can compete with any team in the country.”

According to sophomore Kevin Fender, the team “played together and didn’t get down on each other.”

With the stress of the Costa game behind them, the team looks foward

by Shannon Bowman

JV

Score vs Culver City: 3-2

TRACK FROSH

Girls’

Score vs Palos Verdes: 85/50 W

Boys’

Score vs Palos Verdes: 30/101 L

JV/Frosh

by Brianna Egan

Frosh-Soph girls’ track is currently undefeated in the season.

Coach Julie Ferron dubs the team the “dream team” and sees potential in their abilities.

According to Ferron, the runners are performing at a varsity level and are continually improving and setting records.

The distance medley team set the meet record for the 4-by-800 relay at the California Relays held Mar. 20.

“They’re doing so well because of the role models they have to look up to in varsity: people such as Chloe Curtis and Lyndsey Mull who are ranked nationally have shown the girls what their potential can be,” Ferron said.

Varsity runner Laura O’Neill agrees.

“Frosh has set high expectations for themselves looking at the varsity runners. So they’re definitely shooting high,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill believes that the Frosh team will build up to be a strong Varsity team in years to come.

“When they come up into Varsity, they’ll be able to represent Redondo well. They’ll take our team to the next level,” O’Neill said.

Some have already begun racing in Varsity spots in track meets, such as Frosh starter Anique Villegas.

The team expects good results from the upcoming invitationals in Arcadia and Mt. Sac during spring break.

“They’re at the point now where they can only get better, so by the end of the season they’ll finish off especially strong,” O’Neill said.

to tonight’s alumni game.

“It’s fun and relaxing yet still very competitive,” junior Andy Price said.

Olsen believes that it is always fun showing off to the alumni.

After last night’s loss to Mira Costa, the team looks forward to Tuesday’s game against Penninsula.

“We are excited going into it,” Junior, Ryan Olsen said. “Hopefully we can come out on top and be our way to a good seed going into CIF. Junior Andy Price believes that Penninsula should be a routine game, however they cannot be taken lightly.”

“We will prepare as we always do, by practicing hard everyday in the gym,” he said.

Being about half way through the league, Olsen believes that the team is making necessary improvements.

“We are doing better at staying mentally tough throughout practice,” he said. “We are bringing more fire and intensity.”

Price agrees and adds that the team is playing good defense.

However, there are still improvements to be made.

“We’re going to have to practice and work even harder, and win the next game,” Fender said.

by Adam Ammentorp

PHOTO BY JELLY TRUONG

Junior Ryan Olsen spikes against Eric Mochlski as junior Austin Moore prepares to defend the block.

Olsen believes that the team still needs to focus on serving.

According to Price, the team also needs to work on communication.

Price believes that in order to have success against Peninsula, everyone must bring their A-game.

“We need to focus on our goal,

and stay mentally focused together as a team,” he said.

Even after last night’s loss, Avery has high hopes for his team for the rest of league.

“If we play the way we did tonight, I think we will be fine against Penninsula,” he said.

Boys’ golf loses to South, keeps goals set, morale high

Boys’

sports shorts

9 Girls’ Lacrosse confident for Costa game Page

PHOTO BY JAKE COLLINS

Freshman Ray Malazo tees off on the third hole .

The boys’ varsity golf team lost to South last Thursday, 205 to 185 in the first match and 202 to 195 in the second match.

Despite the performance last Thursday, Coach Loreen Trevino is proud of the team for meeting their goals, which they set both as a team and personally every week.

“We’ve been doing a good job of getting around 200,” Trevino said.

“Sometimes we go over, but it’s okay. It’s about getting close.”

With the team’s inexperience, they are trying to focus on personal bests instead of winning the overall match.

“It’s not realistic that we’re going to beat Mira Costa or South because

they’re powerhouses,” she said. “We go up against a lot of teams that shoot ten strokes under par.”

Junior George Whitson set his personal best goal against South with a score of 38.

“It was really one of my best rounds,” he said. “I didn’t fall short and didn’t make any mistakes.”

According to Whitson, he really kept in the zone”.

“I didn’t feel a lot of pressure and wasn’t nervous,” he said. “I really stayed calm and concentrated.”

Whitson is proud that he accomplished his goal of staying under 40, in order to help the team score under 200.

“My goal every match is to try and not blow up holes that affect

the score dramatically,” he said.

He is also excited his practice payed off.

“I felt like after weeks of practice everything was coming together,” Whitson said.

“We’ve really surpassed that goal,” Trevino said.

The majority of the team is underclassmen, with only three seniors.

“To have freshmen holding their own on varsity is great,” Trevino said. “It’s really setting a good foundation for building the team.”

According to Trevino, the team gets along well and has good morale.

“They all do their best,” she said.

Track has high expectations at Arcadia Invitational, Mt. Sac

by Alison Peet-Lukes

Girls track won 103/33 and boys track 83/53 against Palos Verdes last Thursday.

Coach Julie Ferron believes that the track team improved as whole from previous meets, in nearly every aspect.

“We did everything well, from sprints to throws to high jump,” she said.

Ferron believes that the distance team’s success is due to different strategies used.

“Palos Verdes is known for their distance program, so in the 800 meter, mile, and 3200 meter we tried new tactics that helped us win most

events,” she said.

According to Ferron, the only problem the runners had was weather conditions.

“The wind didn’t let us run as fast as usual, so we weren’t running for times, we ran to place highly,” she said.

Sophomore Anique Villegas also believes that the main goal for the team was to place high.

“No one was afraid to go out and lead the races, we just tried to race in front and let the times come to us,” she said.

She believes that the reason for the teams’ success is its attitude at the meet.

“We had a very intense mind set for each event that intimidated the other team. We were very confident,” she said.

According to junior Brandon Boyd, the sprints team improved from the previous meets.

“We competed hard against Palos Verdes we wanted to win every event,” he said.

Boyd believes that the team tried harder in preparation for Bay League finals against Mira Costa.

“Palos Verdes was a pre-game for Costa, we needed to do better to prepare and get ready,” he said.

He believes that the sprints team succeeded because of a change in

attitude.

“Everyone tries harder at practice, and we are trying new strategies,” he said.

Tomorrow, the distance team will be competing in the Arcadia Invitational meet.

“It’s an invitational only meet, and schools from all over the United States will be competing,” Ferron said.

According to Ferron, the team is expecting to set new records in the upcoming meets.

“We are hoping to become number one in the Nation for the distance medley relays, but its hard to tell which event we will succeed in the most,” she said.

After defeating Culver City 18-2 on Wed., girls’ lacrosse is preparing for the game today at Mira Costa.

“We come into every game confident, but going against Costa makes us a little nervous,” senior Kimber Logan said.

Although the team defeated Costa in their last meeting, one of Costa’s “star” players is back for the “competitive” mustangs.

“We’re aware of her, but not afraid. We just have to play our game and stay focused, and everything will work out in the end,” Logan said.

The team believes that playing on Costa’s home turf will also be a factor “We have never won at Costa, and now is the time to change that,” co-coach Tom Borgia said.

The team is coming off of a successful game against Culver City, in which the aggressive offense led the team and won the game, according to Borgia.

“We focused on executing plays, and practicing our ball skills during the Culver game,” senior co-captain Mariah Linnett said. “Overall we focused on communicating, and gelling as a team.”

The girls had 15 assists on 18 goals scored during the Culver game.

“We are balanced, there’s not one girl on the team who stands out as an all-star,” Borgia said.

Although recently the girls’ margin of victory has averaged 14 points a game, they rely on a team effort.

“We are focusing on running plays in a settled situation rather than just a run and gun type offense,” Borgia said.

While the offense has “dominated” recently, the team is ranked number two in goals allowed in the CIF southern section, allowing only four goals a game.

“We have been working on helping in defense, getting ready to slide and help your teammates in preparation for CIF,” Borgia said.

With a win today, the girls’ will clinch the Bay League title, and be given a higher seed in the CIF playoffs, according to Logan.

“We’ve already beat everyone in League, so if we keep doing what we doing there shouldn’t be anyone in our way,” Logan said.

With this in mind, the girls are excited for CIF. The girls are 10-0 in regular season play, and the prospect of playing someone of their same caliber excites them, according to Logan.

“We’re not intimidated by playoffs. Like everything else we’re confident and know that if we play our game we can go far,” Logan said.

Even with their sights set on the playoffs, the team remains focused on today’s game at Costa.

“I think they’re a threat, but not really a problem,” Linnett said. “All we have to do is play our game, go in confident and we should be able to handle it.”

Softball focuses on hitting after delayed win against Bishop

by Kaelee Epstein

PHOTO BY JAKE COLLINS

Junior Linda Park hits a game-winning run against Bishop on Wednesday.

The softball team beat Bishop 4-3 in the Woodbridge Tournament on Wednesday after losing on Monday.

“After the game on Monday, in which the team only had one hit, the girls were really down and needed to pick it up for Wednesday’s game,” she said.

The team had a higher number of hits in their Wednesday game.

Senior Linda Park hit a winning run with a grounder to left-center field and junior Jennifer Stevens had a double.

“It is always inspiring when one of our players does something good. It helps us keep our heads up,” senior Sonia Colavita said.

The team spent an entire practice working with batting machines

and working on more aggressive hitting.

“I told them they need to step in the box right away, and be aggressive.

The key to having successful hits is being aggressive and attacking the ball, after hitting the first strike everything will improve from there,” Desert said.

The Woodbridge Tournament continues, and the team’s next game is against Peninsula tomorrow.

Desert is confident the girls will do well.

“We have beat Peninsula already this year so we have a good shot and doing it again, especially with our improved hitting,” Desert said.

Junior Bret Aspel hopes the team will maintain their improved hitting.

“In order to dominate we need

to make excellent hits and have many of them,” junior Bret Aspel said.

The players are confident they will start to see improvement, despite the early losses.

“So far, we have had a rough start to our season and our record is not where we wanted it to be.

But everyone is working harder and showing how determined they are to win and be successful,” Aspel said.

The girls are also learning to work together as a team.

“We keep each other going and encourage each other to play hard.

When some one makes a good play we congratulate them and when some one makes a mistake we encourage them to keep trying, “ Stevens said.

Page

Sports

10

April 9, 2010

Boys’ Lacrosse wins back-to-back

by Olivia Loveland

The boys’ lacrosse team beat Chadwick 10-1 Wednesday, and Culver City 9-8 Monday, giving the team a 4-5 record in Bay League.

This year they play each Bay League team twice and tonight they will play Mira Costa for a second time.

However, this time Redondo will have its full team there, unlike last time when they were missing five starters.

“We always play really well against them [Costa],” senior Bennett Trotter said.

Wednesday against Chadwick, seniors Shane Flannery and Adam Burke were keys to the teams’ success.

“Shane Flannery had a hundred percent face-off wins which let us beat them 10-1,” senior Michael Cross said.

Another benefit they had in the game last night was winning the coin toss, gaining them the well-groomed half of the field.

According to the players, one side of the

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE BRANDON

Senior Shane “Danger” Flannery faces off against Chadwick in the fourth quarter, helping Redondo win, 10-1.

field is bumpy so shots do not go where they should.

“We had really good ‘rides’ keeping the ball on the offensive side. The only goal they scored was off of a broken play,” Flannery said.

The Culver City game on Monday was close and the team won in overtime.

Going into the fourth quarter the team was down 5-8 but according to Trotter, the offense started possessing the ball a lot more and started taking better shots without turning the ball over.

“We knew we were the better team and the boys refused to lose. They were able to clean up their play in the fourth quarter to tie it up and [the game] ascended into over time,” Comito said.

Senior Regan Riggs scored just in time to tie up the game and then senior Michael Cross scored in overtime to win it.

“In overtime Culver City was a bit demoralized and they made some bad mistakes. Michael Cross was able to score on a broken play,” Comito said.

After spring break the team will finish playing the rest of the Bay League teams for a second time.

At the end of the season, the team will have an opportunity to make it into the LA city tournament if it is in the top twelve teams.

According to Comito, the team is on the border line of being cut-off.

“Tomorrow we play Costa and hope to play as well as last time,” Trotter said.

Tennis needs win against West for CIF

by Alix Politanoff

The boys’ tennis team lost against Mira Costa yesterday, 14-4, making its overall record 9-7, and Bay League record 1-3.

Senior Dylan McCarthy feels that Costa was too strong to beat due to their powerful singles and doubles players.

“We’re definitely down on talent and we weren’t able to play hard enough in order to come up on top in sets,” he said.

Sophomore Chris Lew agrees with McCarthy, and believes that the team was not completely prepared to be playing such strong players.

“They put two of their best singles players as a doubles team, which caught us off guard and contributed to our loss,” he said.

McCarthy also feels that playing at Costa’s court was a disadvantage and might

have contributed to the team’s slow start.

“Since we weren’t on our home turf, we weren’t as familiar with the playing conditions but when we play against them at home we’ll definitely be able to be more competitive,” he said.

Despite the loss, coach Jessica Seibert hopes to win against West on the Tuesday following spring break.

“Another win would definitely help our overall record and that’s something that CIF is going to be looking at. Winning against West would secure us a 4th place spot in League and bring us closer to achieving our CIF goal,” she said.

Seibert wants to keep the lineup the same as the last match against West because the team performed so well.

“The only thing I think would be a little different is seeing whether Robert or Derek is going to play #1 singles and seeing

Junior Jonathan Diaz swims during the Palos Verdes meet, working to improve his times. Redondo lost to PV.

Swim team loses to PV

by Meglyn Huber

The swim team lost to Palos Verdes last week. The score did not come as a surprise to Coach Mark Rubke, who was pleased with the improvement of many swimmers.

“I never had any expectation that we would be competitive with PV point wise, we don’t have the depth of a team like PV,” he said. “Point wise we didn’t do so good, however, there were a lot of good swims based on times.”

According to junior Jaycee Baldus, PV would be a difficult team to race but she believes the team swam well overall.

“We did better than I originally thought we would. We had some really strong swims by most of the team,” she said.

To Rubke, the swimmers’ times matter more than the actual score of the meet.

“I’m more concerned with the execution of [the swimmers’] strokes, their starts, turns and push-offs,” he said. “I always judge the meet based on the times, not the place.”

Rubke believes that the team needs to preform better in practices in order to do better in the meets.

“The areas that need to be worked on vary within the people on the team. For example, maybe they breathe too often. It’s different for each swimmer,” he said. “When

I see these problems, it brings light to the way we’re not practicing the way we would race.”

Baldus agrees with Rubke in that the team needs to be working harder in practices.

“If [we practice] right, it will help with endurance, when doing sprints with a ton of rest [at practices], we should be trying to get within 5 to 8 seconds of our best time,” she said.

According to Rubke, the team needs to focus more on conditioning, especially since it will only have three practices over spring break.

“I’m concerned that spring break will cause certain swimmers to loose that training we’ve been working on,” he said.

Although the team lost, the meet provided determination to succeed later in the season.

“The PV meet was motivation for many of the swimmers to do well for the League championship meet,” he said.

According to Baldus, the team is continuing to focus on one meet at a time.

“I don’t think the swimmers are concerned with [championships] quite yet, I think that will hit around the Torrance meet, but otherwise we are going to continue working hard,” she said.

Baseball loses first League game

Nick Diaz nominated for Hall of Fame

by David Kawa

Baseball lost to West Torrance, 7 - 5, on Saturday. The team is focusing on the first Bay League match-up against Leuzinger on Wednesday.

Senior Nick Ridio believes the team suffered from a lack of continuous effort.

“We weren’t consistent with out hitting or patient with our pitching,” he said.

Senior Kyle Esparza, who went two for two, feels the team benefited from spot on hitting.

“We hit really well as a team,” he said.

Junior Drew Kozain feels the team stepped it up in the second half of the game.

However, this momentum was not enough to win the game.

“Our team looked really good offensively towards the end of the game, but our defense

by Cammille Mitchell

Senior Nick Diaz was recently nominated for the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFFCHF).

After being nominated, Diaz’s name was put in the hall of fame record books in South Bend, Indiana. His name will be displayed with others for one year but will remain in the records permanently.

“It is a great honor to be nominated for the hall of fame. I underestimated how prestigious it was until I got there. Being one of the 49 athletes chosen is really something special and I’m proud to be nominated for it,” Diaz said.

Diaz was surprised after he found out he was nominated by recommendation from coach Simon and his counselor Tiffany Straight.

“I honestly didn’t know there was such a thing. My goal has always been to help my team win football games. But it is really cool,” Diaz said.

The NFFCHF works to honor a very select amount of students in the Southern California area by hosting a banquet with a guest speaker that has achieved success in business or sports as well. During the banquet the students are awarded a certificate acknowledging their accomplishments.

“They basically try to help promising high school kids bridge the gap to 4 year colleges,” coach Eugene Simon said.

In order to meet the criteria to be nominated, students must have at least a 3.2 GPA and be recommended by their coach and counselor. A student must be voted to the All League team and then on to the next level called the All South Bay team made up of 28 high schools.

“Nick is an outstanding player and a good, solid student with good character. All of those things combined make him a good

which doubles teams are going to play at #2 and #3. All of our starters will be the same, they’ll just be playing in different positions,” she said.

Although the team won against West easily the last time, Seibert still feels that the team needs to be prepared for some potentially tougher matches.

“One of West’s top players will probably be back so we’re just going to need to come into the match guarded because they’re going to be a little bit stronger than last time,” she said.

Lew feels confident that the team will be able to pull out another win against West.

The win could potentially bring the team closer to their ultimate goal of CIF. “If we have another win we have a good chance getting into CIF and it will boost team morale for the rest of the season,” he said.

PHOTO BY DANIEL FALLON

really struggled and that is what hurt us throughout the game,” he said.

Senior Daniel Marquez feels the game revealed problem areas the team needs to fix.

“I think we performed well, but we could have done better on defense. We could improve also our pitching,” he said.

According to Ridio, the team needs to think more strategically.

“You have to work a pitcher or else they win. We didn’t work the count. You don’t swing at the first pitch [the pitcher] pitches.

You have to wait for your pitch and we need to choose our pitches,” he said.

Despite the loss, Ridio feels the team is better as a whole this year.

“We are a lot better. The teams we were playing are legit, but we’ve been beating them. Hopefully we bring [this success] to

League,” Ridio said.

The team is mentally preparing to change its attitude for Bay League.

“For league, we need to be mentally tough on defense and cut out all of the errors,” Kozain said.

Esparza feels the team has hit its stride and is eager to compete.

“We’ve been really pumped lately. As a team, we are really coming together,” Esparza said.

According to Ridio, the team expects to come out with a strong start in Bay League.

The team plans to use its strength of speed to dominate Leuzinger.

“I think we will go far [in League]. We’ve smashed on all these good teams. Leuzinger should be a ‘give-me.’ Against Leuzinger, we just have to put the ball in play and use our speed to get on base,” Ridio said.

PHOTO BY ERIKA GAVITT

Senior Nick Diaz kicks the ball at a season game against PV.

candidate for that award,” coach Robert Cracknell said.

Ever since Diaz was in 7th grade he has been working to improve himself and help out his teammates to achieve common goals. “ I have always been a huge fan of work ethic and doing things with integrity.” Diaz said.

After hearing the news of their son’s success, Diaz’s family was very proud and reminded him of the importance to persevere.

“My family was very happy when I received the award but they reminded me that I have to keep working hard to achieve my goals.” Diaz said.

Diaz will be attending Utah State University this fall on a full athletic scholarship, where he will continue to follow his aspirations.

“Ultimately my goal is to make it to the professional level but it’s going to take a lot to get there . I’m up to the challenge,” Diaz said.

PHOTO BY JAKE COLLINS

Senior Nick Ridio attempts to slide into third base after batting two runners home on the play. Redondo lost to West, 7-5.