High Tide: October 28, 2022

MONEY, SCH G G I U OOL, CLUBS, G JFRIENDS, L NFA ACT MILY, RELATIONSHIPS, COLLEGE, SPORTS, EXTRACURht RICUL ARS A

As students' ages rise, so does their level of responsibility in their families, with finances and at school

4 news

Students embrace Homecoming dance "Hollywood" theme

11 opinion

The word "like": mindless filler or linguistic evolution?

12 entertainment

New "DAHMER" series on Netflix is unsettling in its depiction of the serial killer

high tide

October 28, 2022 Vol. CIII Edition 3 Redondo Union High School Redondo Beach, CA

www.ruhsmedia.com

Jared Ho juggling.

PHOTO BY PETE PAGUYO

@ruhsmedia

news AROUND REDONDO Pressing responsibilities add to students' already full plates

by NyAire Davis

Q: What is your biggest responsibility?

A: “[My biggest responsibility is] taking care

of my grandpa. We had to move over the summer to his house [in Redondo Beach], and I worry about him all the time and I want to take care of him. He recently had a stroke while [my family] was in Sacramento visiting our cousins, and he can barely do anything anymore.”

Q: What is your biggest responsibility?

A: “[My biggest responsibility] is definitely

theater. I have theater for about 12 hours a week. I'm in theater more than I'm in classes at school, and I have to memorize dances and lines outside of rehearsals.”

Q: What encouraged you to take up this responsibility?

-Dorian Artiga, 9

A: “It's really fun and it just gives me some-

thing to do. It's a great way for me to be able to be active while also singing and acting, which I love to do. I also love the people and I love the community [in theater].”

-Niko Guerra, 12

Q: What is your biggest responsibility?

A: “[My job] is a pretty big responsibility beQ: What encouraged you to take up this responsibility?

A: “I really wanted to make money. I also really like working because feel independent. It's freeing to not have to my parents for every-

it makes me pretty rely on thing.”

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staff editors-in-chief Katarina (Haven) Beches Ruby Crosthwait Elise Haulund online manager Zelia Lerch news editors Erika Glass Sara Miyake-Singer features editors Mia Dowdell Emilie Takahashi Marley Van Pelt opinion editors Scarlett Mische Romi Riss entertainment editors Allie D'Amato Sydney Lamich sports editors Ethan Chi Ty Soria copy editors Marin Cantrell Cristina Couch Stavyah Naveen Zoe Rossi Mia Schrift

PHOTO BY REBECCA SCHIMA

cause I have a commitment where I work once a week and if I don't go, I'll get fired. I work at El Gringo, a Mexican restaurant in El Segundo.”

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PHOTO BY REBECCA SCHIMA

Q: What is your biggest responsibility?

A: “Balancing school [during the week] with

art school and working [at Gum Tree] on the weekends. It’s a lot sometimes, juggling all those things and then also getting to school on time and completing all of my homework.”

-Natalie Jones, 10

-Avery Snyder, 11

PHOTO BY PETE PAGUYO

PHOTO BY REBECCA SCHIMA

Q: What are the biggest responsibilities you see among students?

A: “Responsibility or challenges I see among students this year,

writing editors Lauren Greene Ethan Lerner Simra Zargar online editors Cristina Couch Lucy Davis Rena Felde Lauren Greene Ria Lopresto Stavyah Naveen Troy Nevil Kat Otey advisor Kerri Eastham staff writers Ariya Anvari Ava Anzivino Luca Artiga Hadeel Azzam Danielle Bellamy Calvin Bonn London Carbone Nicholas Carrozza Lauren Choy NyAire Davis Charlene Elam Izzie Escobar Yasmeen Ford Daniella Gross Scarlett Kindt

Isabella Kohler CaraMia Leal Valentina Masoni Andrew McKenna Summer Puterbaugh Amina Raïss Priya Ramcharan Avery Rapoport Aaliyah Roberson Victor Simoes Sadie Simmons Aidan Tseng Claudia Turner Sofia Villanueva Malina Young

photographers Anthony Biedenbender Marin Cantrell Olivia Flanders Jazmine Jimenez Pete Paguyo Sascha Perdue

coming out of the pandemic, are mental health issues from students that have a lot of anxiety. This school year and last year I've dealt with a lot of students that are suffering from anxiety, and that's sad.

Or, [many students] are having a hard time getting their work done, or they have social anxiety from things at home and problems with their parents or their siblings. I think anxiety can lead kids down a bad road because it causes them to procrastinate on their work. It causes students to get paranoid or feel lonely and set apart.”

advertising, circulation, & distribution manager Nicolas Tomsio

-Amber Keller, APUSH and AVID teacher PHOTO BY PETE PAGUYO

illustrators Esperanza Carolipio Allie D’Amato Lola Diehl Kaitlyn Hodac Bella Langa Scarlett Mische Samarah Nuques

news 3

high tide oct. 28, 2022 LETTERS VIA FREEPIK

From Oct. 6-9, RUHS Theatre Arts put on its rendition of "Chicago"

Eva Lopez-Quintana and Aurora Dietz come together for their own double act at the end of the show. PHOTO BY MARIN CANTRELL

by Claudia Turner

A

fter only six weeks of preparation, the RUHS Theatre Arts department premiered its rendition of the Broadway musical “Chicago.” Running from Oct. 6 to Oct. 9, this was the first time in the school’s history that the theatre department started the year with a mainstage musical.

Utilizing a smaller cast of only 25 people, RUHS Theatre Arts Director Melissa Staab explained that her vision for the musical was something more "intimate" than for other productions. This is why she specifically looked for performers who knew how to "get a reaction" from the crowd.

“The energy from the audience [during

the performances] fueled everyone,” Staab said. “If the cast’s performance during rehearsal was at a level seven, [during the opening night] everybody bumped it up to a level 10. Everyone just was so energized and engaged.”

According to Staab, this teen version navigated the musical's themes of murder, adultery and corruption in a family-friendly manner. The theatre department, Staab says, is known for “creating a safe space at rehearsal” and having an “open” environment, which they achieve by prioritizing the comfort levels of the cast and crew.

“We had many conversations with the cast about the maturity of the content. We

always talked about consent at rehearsal, that if [an actor] ever didn't feel comfortable with anything, they could just let us know,” Staab said.

For senior Eva Lopez-Quintana, who played the co-lead role of Roxie Hart, what sets “Chicago” apart from other shows RUHS has done in the past is its unique “vaudevillian” dance style.

“Classic musical theater has big, bright, wacky energy, but [the choreography for “Chicago”] is very sleek and sophisticated, very tight,” Lopez-Quintana said. “I wasn't used to being constricted as a dancer, so that was definitely a hurdle I had to jump over.”

“Chicago” also recruited the RUHS Jazz Band, having the members learn the musical’s score instead of the music they would normally perform at concerts or competitions. According to Staab, although student volunteers have always performed the music for shows, this collaboration marks the first time that a class like Jazz Band has worked with the Theatre Arts program.

“Our programs are kind of used to working with each other, so it wasn't too hard [to set up the collaboration],” Staab said. “Even though it's band and drama, all of us are performing arts. We're just kind of one big family.”

Led by first-time conductor, longtime Jazz Band member and senior Joseph Mintz, the band carried the score from the opening curtain until the final bow. Mintz noted that the only major change when performing with actors was that the band had to be “really into the music."

“There are a lot of big, main character moments during the show. I'm really proud of the band for pulling it together and being able to play the musical cues through all of those moments,” said Mintz. “Being with the dancers and the actors made [the experience] more fun.”

Since the production had a six-week time constraint, many cast and crew members had to give up free time before and after school to refine their roles in the show.

Senior Aurora Dietz, who played her first

co-lead role as the part of Velma Kelly, took the time to work through her “actor’s block” (the term for when an actor is struggling to figure out how to best embody their character) after class, staying up late to watch videos of past performances to receive inspiration from women who had enacted the role before her.

“I studied the show. I studied the history of the characters because it was based on real events,” Dietz said. “I tried to learn about each of the different people who played the role and what they took away from it.”

If the countless standing ovations the cast received were any indication, the audience seemed just as captivated with the characters of “Chicago” as the actors were.

One such crowd-pleaser was Amos Hart, played by junior Diego DiPasquo, who, despite having limited time on stage, still managed to tug out quite a few sighs of pity from the audience.

“I couldn't believe how much I connected with the crowd,” DiPasquo said. “It was so much fun to see their reactions. I think my best quality as a performer is simply being able to connect with the audience and have them feel emotion. And I definitely used that in my role, because [the audience] felt really bad for Amos.”

As for Dietz, she says the moment she felt proudest of was Roxie and Velma’s final number, which finished the show off with the duet "Hot Honey Rag," which used the original choreography from the Broadway musical.

"We worked so hard on [the number], and I'm very proud of both of us and how far we've come with everything in the whole production," Dietz said. "Eva [Lopez-Quintana], I love her. She's so good, and doing that number with her was incredible."

Lopez-Quintana felt similarly about their last act.

"The final sequence was crazy because Aurora and I have been in the department since our freshman year, and being together for this moment in our senior year meant a lot," Lopez-Quintana said.

The school library has received recent upgrades following an RBEF grant

by Priya Ramcharan

W

hen students walk into the school library, they are no longer met with outdated books and beige chairs, but rather sleek new bar tables, sofas, shelves on wheels and media tables. Through a grant from the Redondo Beach Education Foundation (RBEF), librarian Cassandra Jones has rearranged the school library with new furniture, making the library a “relevant space” for students.

“We have new cafe tables for a Starbucks vibe and a library lounge,” Jones said. “We are making it relaxed, [for] if [students] need to just take a load off or catch up with a friend.”

Jones envisions the library as a modern and accessible resource for students. This is something that is “vastly different” from the library’s previous setup.

“I have had this vision since I became a librarian in the fall of 2019. The mixed seating and modern furniture make the library more useful for students,” Jones said. “We used to have nine bookshelves that were close together and full of books that nobody had touched since the 1980s.”

Noticing the outdated library setup after assuming this position, Jones knew she eventually wanted to modernize it.

“It took me a while to figure out what we really needed in the library, so my solidified ideas came after much observation, pre and post-pandemic,” Jones said. “I’ve also spent a considerable amount of time

visiting other high school libraries for inspiration, such as El Segundo High, Chadwick School, and another private school called Flintridge Sacred Heart, which has the most beautiful library I’ve ever seen.”

According to Jones, she talked to Dr. Susan Wildes, RBUSD’s Assistant Superintendent, and was able to secure the money from RBEF for all the library renovations.

Jones hopes to have these renovations wrap up by January 2023 due to holiday backup and supply chain issues.

Using the new furniture, Jones is also able to implement new book organization techniques called genrefying, where the books are separated by genre to be more convenient, according to Jones.

“When you go into Barnes and Noble, you see sections like mystery and fiction.

We are working on genrefying our book collection by putting genre stickers on all the books and then sorting them on portable shelves. The goal is to make the bookshelves more approachable for kids,” Jones said.

Sophomore Kayla Halpin, who has been going to the library since freshman year, saw the furniture being delivered and feels that the blue color schemes of the patterned sofas help to make the space more “comfortable.”

“It doesn't feel boring and dull anymore,” Halpin said. “In the morning, I go to the library because it’s warm and the atmosphere is nice with all the other people.

I appreciate the library choosing to make some changes because it makes it feel more welcoming.”

Aside from the furniture, Jones is also planning behind-the-scenes upgrades. The subscription to the database EBSCO (Elton B. Stephens Company) is being renewed for the year, which will be available to students through the library’s website. EBSCO is a search engine where students can look up history, science and other academic references for school projects. Joni Cantrell, who helps students in the library with Chromebooks and printing, explains how EBSCO will expand the library’s selection.

“Say they come in and look for a book on mental illness, but we only have two or something, or just not enough,” Cantrell said. “The database expands the information we have available for students.”

Cantrell explains how she sees students benefiting from the library changes as a whole.

“Several arrangements are not completely done yet, but we wanted to just make the space more modern and visible for high schoolers. The furniture came in a couple of weeks ago and is still coming.

It's been really fun to see more kids come in and use the library as a hangout place.”

Students discuss their notes from class while sitting at one of the new sofas and tables. PHOTO BY REBECCA SCHIMA

Dressed to

high tide oct. 28, 2022

MPRESS!

news 4

OSCAR STATUETTE VIA FREEPIK; SPARKLES VIA CREATIVE COMMONS

Homecoming was held on Oct. 15, and its "Hollywood" theme led to some snazzy outfits

by Jasmine Puka

Q: Would you say your dress was an accurate reflection of your personality?

A: I think [the dress] was a very accurate representation of my personality because I don’t like basic stuff so I always need something sparkly, something that stands out. I feel like the dress matches my personality because I like to stand out and I am very outgoing.

- Jordan Grissett, senior

600+

VOTES WERE CAST FOR YSSA BUMAGAT AND KOHI DAVID IN THE LINK CREW BEST DRESSED CONTEST

Q: How do you feel about winning Hoco Best Dressed?

A: I don’t know how to describe it because we kind of just sent it in like "What if we win?" and we didn’t think we were actually going to win the contest. So when we won I was like, "Yay!" It was a fun outfit because our friends were joking around about how we look like "Men in Black" beSenior Jordan Grissett placed second in the Link Crew's Best Dressed contest, receiving over 400 votes.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JORDAN GRISSET

cause of the black suit and sunglasses.

- Yssa Bumagat, junior Junior Yssa Bumagat (left) and their guest Kohi David (right) won the Link Crew's Best Dressed contest, receiving over 600 votes.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YSSA BUGMAT

Q: What inspired you to wear this outfit? What comments did you get due to it?

A: I wore it because it reminded me of Princess Diana. I thought my outfit was really extra. Someone said I reminded them of Queen Elizabeth II. People seemed to really like it. Surprisingly, everyone was like, "Oh my God! I love your little pearl thing. It’s so cute!"

- Gianna Mariani, sophomore

Q: Why did you wear that suit?

A: I thought the suit looked cool and Alyssa (his girlfriend) loves pink so we thought we'd coordinate. We wanted to stand out like people would on the red carpet.

Sophomore Gianna Mariani bought her necklace, the focus of many compliments, from Amazon because "it was such a bargain." She bought her dress from Windsor.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GIANNA MARIANI

-Jake Lambuth, senior

Seniors Alyssa Moore and Jake Lambuth wore matching pink outfits. Moore was selected as Homecoming Royalty.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAKE LAMBUTH

features Designing ILLUSTRATION

BY SCARLETT MISCHE

A

an Identity

fter drafting designs for new outfits, junior Case Fulton proceeds through their school day before heading to the theater after school. Here, they put the pedal to the metal and the needle to the fabric as they execute their vision, bringing their costumes to life for upcoming productions.

Fulton started fashion designing during COVID, when extra time allowed them to binge “Project Runway,” which inspired them to try designing similar outfits.

“I started teaching myself how to sew and it all kicked off from there,” Fulton said. “Before high school, I never thought of myself as fashionable [or] a designer.”

This newly discovered passion prompted them to join the theater program for the online production of the Addams Family in their freshman year. More interested in costume designing than performing on stage, Fulton found a place on the costume crew and stuck with it for subsequent shows.

“I felt lost in the beginning of my freshman year online,” Fulton said. “I’m so lucky to have just found an accepting place on campus and I feel like I’m a part of a little family.”

Fulton served as Costume Designer for the recent production of “Chicago,” leading the costume crew without the typical assistance of an outside professional.

“Every show is different because you're not just designing costumes, you're leading the crew of other students and teaching them how to sew and design,” Fulton said.

“I'm going to be costume designer for ‘She Kills Monsters,’ which is our next show. It's different because there's cosplay aspects to it.”

Chicago’s Stage Manager, senior Lilly

Kruk, has known Fulton since last year and praised their contributions to the recent shows, especially after “Elf the Musical.”

“They have such a talent for sewing and costuming,” Kruk said. “I don’t think any of [the productions] would be possible without Case sewing those costumes every day.

Case is one of the rocks in the department,

“

It's helped me find something that I'm passionate about and lets me commit to a hobby that can evolve and change. It's allowed me to learn how to make mistakes and move on from them."

CASE FULTON JUNIOR

especially for costumes.”

According to Kruk, Fulton is always reliable and willing to take on new responsibilities, becoming more of a leader within the department throughout the years.

“They put a lot of love and hard work into all the shows,” Kruk said. “Compared to last year, Case is a lot more authoritative. They are someone that keeps the ship running.”

Outside of the school’s theater depart-

5 Case Fulton pursues fashion to create new styles that connect with their personality

by Calvin Bonn

ment, Fulton indulges their designing passion by co-running the Fashion Institute of Designing and Merchandising (FIDM) Fashion Club on campus with Kruk and others. As part of this club, Fulton participates in fashion competitions to compete for scholarships to attend the prestigious art institute of the same name after high school.

“It's a good opportunity for people on campus who want to go into art and who want to go to an art school because you can get a lot of money for just submitting your designs that you already have,” Fulton said.

Through these activities with Fulton, Kruk has experienced Fulton’s fashion design ability, enjoying the creative and personal aspects of it. Kruk sees fashion in general as a form of self expression.

“Fashion is [an activity] where you get to show a part of yourself to the world,” Kruk said.

Fulton takes this message to heart, and by centering their life around fashion design, they use it as a means to express themselves, making it a crucial part of their identity.

“Being non-binary, every day I feel different about how I want to look and how I want to present myself, and so I connect what I wear to my gender identity,” Fulton said. “It depends on the day, but I can embrace a part of myself through fashion.”

As Fulton’s identity has evolved, so has their design process. Initially, Fulton only designed outfits for themself, but have branched out into designing for others, broadening their abilities and styles.

“It’s helped me find something that I’m passionate about and lets me commit to a hobby that can evolve and change,” Fulton said. “It's allowed me to learn how to make

mistakes and move on from them.”

Looking ahead, Fulton plans to go into fashion as a career. The fashion business is multifaceted, so Fulton is considering both the marketing or editorial side of fashion as well as the actual technical designing of patterns for the outfits themselves. Whatever comes next, Fulton is glad that fashion has allowed them to rise above “being an insecure teenager.”

“Finding a way to express myself allowed me to not care about what other people think,” Fulton said. “It’s allowed me to be myself and not in the respect of just expressing my gender, but in the respect of ‘This is who I am, take it or leave it.’”

1

2

1. Case Fulton sews an outline for a design.

2. Case Fulton sews the beginning of a project.

PHOTOS COURTSEY OF CASE FULTON

The newly founded Event Mentorship Program helps RUHS students

by Nicholas Carrozza

N

ot everyone has a choice: school events are open for everyone, but that doesn’t mean all can attend.

For students with disabilities, mental or physical, the option to go to school events might be limited. Their choices can expand when students offer assistance.

The Event Mentorship Program (EMP), founded this year, gives disabled students more opportunities to experience high school events to the fullest.

Senior Winston Watkins, a mentor in the EMP program, gives those participants more accessibility to different events. “[The program] allows them to experience events like homecoming or football, which they might not normally be able to do,” Watkins said.

After his training, Watkins joined in on new experiences as he assists those in the program.

“At football games, I've only thought of myself being in the middle of the flock, yelling and screaming with my friends,” Watkins said. “[This role as a mentor] gives me a different perspective, and I never thought I would be doing something like this.”

Both Watkins and the students he mentors benefit from the experiences obtained through EMP. “At the surface, I'm only helping them by getting them out of these [routines], but I'm also learning, as well as the other mentors. We're learning how to interact with the special ed kids. It's totally different,” Watkins said.“The [mentees] aren’t different. They're people, and that's something you have to understand.”

The “unique and different” aspect of his role helps him to recognize the importance of the program, as not many people have

had the opportunity to work with specialized students, according to Watkins. “[Mentoring] has never been something that I've sought out, but it's been in the back of my head of something that I could always do. It's just an intrinsic thing for me,” said Watkins. “It’s something that I do that has [become] rewarding.”

Assistant Principal Jeffrey Rosadini oversees EMP as students volunteer their time to mentor special day students and work to contribute to the growth of the program.

“The larger goal we are always striving for here at RUHS is to build on our inclusivity for all students,” Rosadini said. “Some of our students have special needs, and do get a lot of support within the classroom.

But with this [program], it allows them to experience some of the other aspects of high school, the social aspects, without having an adult right there with them.”

The group thus far has helped four students attend the two football games they’ve done thus far, but plan to attend theater productions and dances.

“We’re looking at a couple basketball games and a couple dances down the road.

We’re also looking at possibly attending a play, maybe something with ‘Les Mis,’” Rosadini said. “We want to give [the students] a variety of opportunities to experience RUHS outside of the classroom.”

The program features the collaboration of mentors and mentees working together.

The mentors are trained on how to handle the needs of the students that they mentor as well as how to fulfill the expectations of the program, according to Rosadini.

“Most of the kids that have signed up already are great and understand a lot of everyone's situation, as they are all different,”

Rosadini said. “The training was a chance “You just want to think about an aid as an for them to ask those questions and, after extension to help that person be successeach event, we try to have a debrief with ful. At the [football] games, there's a lot the mentors and discuss what worked well, of noise that can be overwhelming. You what didn't work well, and what we can want that person to be successful and enjoy change for the next one.” themselves.”

Rosadini hopes that in future years According to Mallet, acknowledging the more people can be a part of this program confidence and encouragement mentors and the learning opportunities it presents. bring as they are “a familiar face” so that “a “I hope that, in the long run, the kids student can enjoy some of the things that [who will be] our mentors, will have an typical students do.” understanding about students with needs “Some of the benefits are engagement, and understand their commonalities and socializing and emotional connections. differences,” Rosadini said. “[I hope] that They're learning how to go out and have they will focus themselves going forward fun and socialize with their peers and to on how they view people, overall, and it will be a part of the community,” Mallet said. expand their “There's a lot of inhorizons.” clusion and it helps Leading their self esteem and the Essential their social and emoSkills class tional well-being. It at RUHS, helps all around acDr. Monica ademically because, Mallet also if you're happier, it’ll speaks to the benefit you.” importances This relationship of these probetween mentor and grams to the mentee is not one development way, but rather both of high school can build off of one students, as another. “some stu“It helps build dents don’t empathy because have the it makes you want language to to look at how the communicate ILLUSTRATION BY SCARLETT MISCHE other person may [their] expebe experiencing life, riences.” amd take the focus off of yourself,” Mallet “We have to get our students out of the said. “Empathy is a skill that people need, routine of being alone so, socially, we want in leadership roles or any role in life. We all to get them involved in other activities and need a bit more empathy.” doing new different things,” said Mallet.

features 6

high tide oct. 28, 2022

DOG days

Two of Lombardo's iDogs.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GIANCARLO LOMBARDO

Junior Giancarlo Lombardo collects iDogs, robot dog toys that play music

by Victor Simoes

W

hat could be more quintessentially 2000’s than a robot dog designed for iPods?

Junior Giancarlo Lombardo has been collecting iDogs since 2008. The robots are capable of playing music, dancing along to tunes and reacting to the melodies they hear.

Today, Lombardo’s collection includes 85 iDogs. He catalogs iDogs, Gemmy electronics (including the Big Mouth Billy Bass®) and other items on his YouTube channel iDogFan41.

What developed Lombardo's interest in collection was the resistor inside his second iDog, which gave it a different pitch.

The iDog develops its own personality as more music is played for it, thus making every iDog unique.

“Normally with a toy, you pick it up and use it, and it does the same exact thing for a good five to ten minutes. But with the iDog, it does so much, and it has these moods that are built in. If you neglect it, and you don't play it music and you don't give it attention, it'll go down in mood,” Lombardo said.

According to Lombardo, the iDog was originally developed by Sega Toys, and distributed in the United States by Hasbro. It features a honeycomb LED array on its face, and touch sensitive buttons on its

tail and nose. Although designed to match the iPod, the iDog is compatible with any 3.5mm audio jack source.

“They just were the coolest thing to me because of the way the lights on the face [were], the way they had different songs and the way they moved. It really fascinated me back then,” Lombardo said.

In the 2000’s, globalization, technological advancements and consumerist trends had combined to form a new wave of intelligent gadgets and toys that included iDogs.

The iDog closely matches the plastic and stainless steel aesthetic of the original iPod. According to MoMA, “The iPod, a now– ubiquitous cultural artifact, is Apple's most celebrated industrial design product," and soon became the forefront of industrial design for consumer electronics.

The plethora of advanced devices available during childhood inspired a familiarity and curiosity for technology and computers, according to Lombardo. What was only a toy during childhood could lead to a lifelong skill or career.

“I think some of it was just that natural childhood wonder and curiosity for how it all went together: the lights on the face, the movements, all the different sequences and light patterns that it had back then, really sparked an early interest in that type of operation,” Lombardo said.

Because his iDogs come in a variety of conditions, Lombardo has learned a variety of skills in order to maintain them. Original sealed iDogs often fail when electric current runs through their components for the first time after countless years. To solve this, Lombardo has learned skills such as soldering, and engaged in lots of practice.

“When I was little, I always thought that [repairs] were impossible,” Lombardo said.

“A lot of it was just trial and error, [and] I did it on my own. I had some dogs that I was using for parts that I didn't care about that much that were in basically unfixable condition, so I kind of experimented with those first learning how they all worked.”

He also made tutorials on YouTube for others who need help.

“There aren’t really any iDog tutorials, since it was just me seeing what was wrong and going from there. I decided to make a few tutorials myself on YouTube, and I'm hoping to do that again soon so other people can know what they're doing,” Lombardo said.

Although he doesn’t have a specific goal, Lombardo believes his “best case scenario” would be developing robots and anima-

tronics. He admires most the work of Michael Curry Design, an animatronics, puppetry and set-design company, responsible for much of the technology at Universal Studios and the Lake of Dreams show in Las Vegas.

“I'm hoping to expand this into a field that's more mechanical, or maybe electrical engineering in the future, which are tough fields to get into right now. But I feel like with this early experience, it's giving me a head start,” Lombardo said.

His friends seem to agree this could be the right path for him.

“I think he comes off as more of a STEM person, but I feel like he’s pretty creative and artsy [too],” junior Azalea Gleason said. “All of his hobbies include creativity.

He's just really good at all that stuff.”

Today, he is more modest with his expectations.

“I’m getting to a point where they're just not as practical. They were meant to be toys after all. So, maybe one day I’ll part with some of them,” Lombardo said.

Regardless, Lombardo takes pride in the source of his appreciation for robotics and engineering.

“If I were little I would have never known that this toy dog would practically build my future and make me so passionate about engineering and how things work,”

Junior Nadia Hoang plays violin for the El Camino Community College orchestra

by Avery Rapoport

AROUND

75% of violinists earn a bachelor's degree in music

PHOTO FROM CREATIVE COMMONS

F

or some, playing an instrument in fifth grade is seen as a chore, but for others, it is a experience that can lead to a life long passion. When junior Nadia Hoang chose to play violin in her school’s orchestra instead of joining band, her musical path was created.

Hoang is now a part of the El Camino Community College orchestra, where she can practice and improve at the violin. She has worked hard at the violin from a young age, so she found it relatively “easy” to get into the orchestra this fall. So far it has been an “amazing and beautiful” experience for her.

“Being in the orchestra helps me connect in a special way to others who also enjoy music,” Hoang said. “It’s super fun to play with them.”

However, there were some minor differences compared to her old orchestra that Hoang had to adjust to.

“I realized that my old conductor babied us in a way, but we were all learning how to be in an orchestra, so it makes sense. I wasn’t used to relying on our first chair so much or having the conductor not be as expressive,” Hoang said.

She quickly adjusted to the community aside from these slight strug-

gles. Something that made her more comfortable is that the members are split into a group that is still in school and a group that has already graduated college. Since she is in high school, she is in the younger group, allowing her to be around people closer to her age.

“I didn’t realize how big the age gap was going to be. The orchestra is more of a community thing than just the college,” Hoang said. “[The members] are still really welcoming and nice even though I am younger.”

“

I had goosebumps when I realized I was actually playing in a orchestra again.

NADIA HOANG JUNIOR

Hoang’s orchestra director, Dr. Joanna Medawar Nachef, has only positive things to say about her. She strongly appreciates Hoang’s commitment to and during the three hour rehearsals on Tuesdays and how excited she is to learn about practice.

“She is very serious about her role as a violinist and is always eager to learn what the homework is so she can practice at home. She is punctual and gives her all at every rehearsal,” Nachef said.

Hoang discovered her love for the violin at her school orchestra in Illinois. She continued performing with that orchestra until she moved to Redondo Beach two years ago. When she discovered that RUHS did not have an orchestra, she opted instead to join band.

“I joined the Redondo band during freshman year. It was an interesting experience but not what I needed or wanted,” Hoang said. “It was cool being the only string instrument but there was no one I could connect with because of my passion and the type of music was not what I was used to.”

When COVID-19 hit, Hoang found herself “not very motivated” to play due to the lack of band practice during social distance learning. Learning the music was also quite difficult, making practice at home extremely tedious. So, after the pandemic, she turned to the El Camino orchestra, and it has been “great ever since.”

“I remember being at the second rehearsal and feeling so great,” Hoang said.

“I had goosebumps when I realized I was actually playing in an orchestra again.”

This is her first semester in the orchestra, and she has a concert in early December. She can’t wait to perform once again, and maintains a “dedicated” practice routine to keep herself sharp. She wants to carry on playing the violin in her future and looks forward to continuing with the El Camino orchestra during the fall semesters.

“Being in an orchestra is an amazing and beautiful experience,” Hoang said. “It brings me back to something I’m very passionate about.”

features 7

high tide oct. 28, 2022

"Woeful" on Widescreen

by Danielle Bellamy

Students film and produce a short-film, presenting themes of mental health

A

camera shot pans to a boy at a team identified what they wanted the film party, bathed in blue light con- to convey, they were ready to shoot.

Both Taubkina and Appleton recognize veying a sense of sadness and that their editing process can take “excesdespair and muffled music portraying isolation. Within moments, the audience sive” amounts of time. They spent many understands: the protagonist is hiding a hours working with shot composition, lighting, sound dark emotion. All of this 1 effects and clips. is communicated through Their main goal one thing: film. was to ensure Recently, seniors Chloe that all of the Appleton and Alisa Taubshots convey the kina created a short film emotions they titled “Woeful,” which want their audiaired on RUTV, presenting ence to feel. a subject that correlates In addition to with suicide awareness editing, one of month. It explores the ofthe biggest chaltentimes disregarded toplenges in filmic of depression in young making is “contimales and required many nuity and having extensive steps from the people on a set two and was a production not let their emothat, according to both tions get in the Appleton and Taubkina, 1. Behind the scenes from the party scene with way,” Taubkina held “true value.” main character, Dax, zoning out. Taubkina was “A big part of filmmak- heavily inspired by the color pallete and lighting of said.

HBO hit show, "Euphoria". PHOTO COURTESY OF “When you're ing that I like is that it can ALISA TAUBKINA directing, if be about anything, and it's you're having a an artistic way to express a topic that you find interesting or really im- bad day, you can't really let that get to you.

And you have to find a middle ground beportant,” Appleton said.

The student directors met in their RUTV tween not being too bossy and also making class and bonded over their “love” for film- sure you get across what you want,” Taubmaking, with both of them wanting to pur- kina said.

The students dealt with the challenge in sue the craft. Transitioning from an idea making sure things run smoothly on set. among a group of students to a full-fledged project, the film took about 4 weeks, with a However, they believe the struggles paid casting process that was “relatively simple,” off, since the film aired to the school and, according to Taubkina. Once the directing according to both girls, was a great way to

bring up such a central topic. more allows me to show that more easily in Transitioning from a small digital cam- my films,” Taubkina said. era to the school’s more advanced equipBelieving that struggles with mental ment, Appleton has utilized more advanced health are personal and relatable, the girls filmmaking tools as she’s progressed with find them interesting and “surprisingly further assistance from some of Taubkina’s easy” to portray. The way clips are shot can resources. The girls frequently worked to- portray certain messages, and the editing gether, and were “definitely uplifting each process as a whole allows film artists to be other. Somebody had one idea and then the very “subjective,” Taubkina said. other one built up on it,” Alisa said.

Both student directors have become Both girls have had unique journeys more comfortable with posting their projwith filmmaking, with Appleton only start- ects publicly, for many to see. Appleton has ing this past year recreationally and Taub- created multiple Instagram accounts where kina having educatshe displays her projed herself in film 2 ects, as well as a new since she was eight up and running webyears old. However, site. Though these both directors want platforms are used as to pursue film as “freelance,” Appleton they venture beyond still wants to work high school. on the promotion of “I do it for myher projects. Taubkiself now,” Taubkina na has also begun to said. She has expertransfer pieces from imented with film her personal portsince she was young, folio onto Vimeo, as taking courses on a way of getting her it in Russia, transiprojects out in the tioning to the New open.

York Film Academy, Regarding anothand spending time er joyous aspect of 2. Taubkina shooting an extra shot of the party at the Los Angeles filmmaking, Taubkiscene on her staircase with pink lighting. "It was County High School na says she admires smooth sailing, but getting people to not stare for the Arts before getting to “portray at the camera was hard," Taubkina said. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALISA TAUBKINA her attendance at struggles and make it Redondo. look pretty. Even though it’s stressful, cre“I feel like literally, I grew up in editing ating the film and even getting validation and the technicalities, but also I feel like from those who view the movie brings me being older now and processing my trauma joy,” Taubkina said.

Sophomore Alaka'i Jellings forms a life-long bond with jiu-jitsu through failure

by Isabella Kohler

F

or sophomore Alaka’i Jellings, peace of mind comes from putting on his gi and sparring his opponent. All of his worries fade away as he becomes fully immersed in the moment.

“People talk about mindfulness a lot, you know just realizing this position that you're in. I feel like jiu-jitsu really helps with that because you have to focus. You have to be in the moment. You learn all these techniques and all these tactics, but as soon as you get on the mat all of that goes away and it's all instinct. It's the most in the moment I think I've ever been," Jellings said.

Although it has been almost two years since Jellings tempted his fate on the mat and sparred his opponent, his love for jiu-jitsu runs deep and is never -ending.

“I don't want to be in close contact with people because of COVID-19.

But I’m still very passionate about Jiu-Jitsu. I love it.

I think it's one of the best things I've done in my entire life. When people ask me, 'What is [your] favorite thing to do?' I say, 'Jiu-jitsu. It's just amazing. I love it,'” Jellings said.

What is now a lifelong passion began simply as an idea from Jelling’s mom to fill the spare time that he had after school.

However, it soon became something more.

Jellings continued to learn about the art of jiu-jitsu and even assisted new kids.

“He started when he was six years old.

We were trying to look for a physical activity for him to try. He was such a little guy so jiu-jitsu seemed like a good one to try. It took years for him to win a single sparring match during practice, but he never gave up,” his mom, Kelly Jellings said.

Jellings feels that the constant failure taught him valuable lessons and helped him learn and improve and eventually win a match.

“I started when I was really, really little. And it was really hard. I didn't win a sparring match for years but I'm glad I didn't quit. I'm glad I stuck with it. I'm glad I didn’t win a

match for years because, you know, it helped me get through the rest of it. When you start winning matches it feels good. It's like, hey, I'm getting better from losing those matches.

That feels really good.

So I'm glad that it hap-

pened to me and that I didn't win for so long that I was able to build up myself,” Jellings said Jellings is currently a yellow belt in jiu-jitsu, placing him at an advanced intermediate level. Although long time practicers of karate and other martial arts typically have black belts, this cycle is very different in jiu-jitsu and much slower.

“When I tell people that I have a yellow belt in jiu-jitsu they’re usually not very impressed because in karate and taekwondo you level up belts very fast. But in jiu-jitsu it's a much slower process. It takes about four years or more to get to a yellow belt, which is where I'm at

right now. But it obviously took me a little longer to earn due to my break. So it takes a lot of work to work your way up,” Jellings said.

For Jellings, jiu-jitsu is about living in the moment and getting as much practice in as possible in order to be successful in the sport. He doesn’t see it as an extreme competition and this is reflected in his reluctance to compete in tournaments.

“He never wanted to compete so he has never done a single tournament. In seven years of Jiu- Jitsu. No competitions. Just training and practice,” Kelly said.

He hopes to be back on the mat by next school year if COVID-19 doesn’t have a resurgence in order to continue practicing and learning about his undying passion for the art of jiu-jitsu.

“I never want to quit jiu-jitsu because one thing I love about it is with boxing and other forms of martial arts, everyone talks about when you're past your time and you can't really do it anymore. You're not as good. But with jiu-jitsu, I've had coaches come in that are red belts, one of the highest ranks you can get. They're like 80 years old and still some of the best Jiu-Jitsu competitors on the scene. And they're old, their bodies don't work as well, but they're still able to absolutely dominate the mat. It's amazing," Jellings said, "So, I want to be doing jiu-jitsu up until the point I die.”

Jellings is a yellow belt in jui-jitsu. "Each belt stays with you for two to four years, so each belt doesn't feel like a temporary goal that you reach just to get to the next one, but more like a long-term portion of your life," Jellings said. PHOTO BY PETE PAGUYO

8 high tide oct. 28, 2022

in-fo

Students struggle to balance family duties with their own mental well-being

FAMILY FIRST

UND

by Sara Miyake-Singer

C

ooking, cleaning, doing the Taylor began taking on these responsilaundry and dishes, finishing bilities at six years old when their father’s homework and if there’s some health complications began. Since high time left, studying for that AP Gov test. school, “things have only gone downhill” That’s all one night’s work for anon- as their father’s condition worsened. ymous senior Taylor, who takes care of “I have had to take on more responsitheir family due to their father and broth- bilities around the house ever since I was er’s disabilities. Taylor’s brother has au- young because my dad had difficulty doing tism while their father has spinal and simple chores. That put a lot of pressure heart problems, leaving him nearly un- on me as a child because I didn't receive able to walk. the parenting that I should have had, and “Because I have to look out for [my fa- I had trouble functioning because of that,” ther and brother], I have Taylor said. “It’s to take on a lot of work, harder now since which includes parenting my dad can take myself and my brother,” on even fewer reTaylor said. “It’s also sponsibilities, so I have had to take on hard to deal with my as time has gone own physical and mental more responsibilities on, I have had to health because I lack the lot more.” around the house ever do aAccording time to properly address to it.”

Taylor, this work since I was young [...]

According to a 2017 takes up most of study by the Disabili- That put a lot of their time and enty and Health Journal, pressure on me as a ergy, leaving little teenagers taking care of room for them to disabled parents tend to child because I didn't have a social life be more frustrated and receive the and making honstressed, have a heightors and AP classes ened sense of maturity parenting that I should more difficult to and sometimes lack the have had, and I had balance. proper attention they A 2016 study need depending on the trouble functioning from the Univerparent’s condition. sity of North Carbecause of that."

This holds true for olina found that Taylor, whose responteenagers with sibilities mostly involve TAYLOR less active social helping their family ANONYMOUS SENIOR lives like Taylor around the house to “do are more likely to anything that [they] can have an unhealthto help make life easier for [their] broth- ier blood pressure, more abdominal fat er and father.” While they sometimes get and higher inflammation, a sign that outside help from their mother and other stress hormones have reached chronic family members, because their parents levels. are divorced and live separately, Taylor “It’s hard because I want to be inbears most of the responsibility alone. volved, but I can’t be,” Taylor said. “I was

AROUND REDONDO

“

very active in [an extracurricular] but I’ve had to miss so much. In terms of academics, I feel like I don’t have enough time to study because I’m so preoccupied. I’m glad I can help my family, but it’s unfortunately stunted me academically and socially.”

Similarly, junior Melina Mehta has had to bear increased responsibility due to family needs. Melina’s older sister senior Siena Mehta has a genetic multisystem disorder called Prader-Willis Syndrome, which causes weak muscle tone and learning disabilities. Melina and her family share the responsibility of taking care of Siena, helping her with homework, creating a food schedule for her and helping her with mobility.

“My whole family is glad to help, but we’re all very stressed,” Melina said. “I’m particularly concerned about the future.

I’m going off to college soon, so it might get even more overwhelming for the rest of my family since there’s going to be one less person who can help.”

Although her parents are “very good aout giving [her her] own space and time,” Melina occasionally has to take on last-minute responsibilities like helping to feed Siena and making sure she doesn’t accidentally injure herself.

“Sometimes, I have to stay back and cancel plans to take care of my sister alone since my parents need a break or have other commitments. I totally get it because my parents need their own time, but it’s stressful because there’s a lot of extra responsibility that falls on me,” Melina said.

Even though Taylor and Melina find that having disabled family members can be challenging, they are willing to take on added responsibility for their family nevertheless.

“It’s very taxing, but I’m glad to do it,” Taylor said. “I love my family, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help them out.”

of RUHS students spend 50+ hours per week doing familial duties, working jobs or participating in extracurricular activities

52

of RUHS students get only 6-7 hours of sleep on average each night

percent

1 4

30 percent get 4-5 hours of sleep each night

57 percent

in

RUHS students have at least one job

PRESS

135 students surveyed

RUHS stude with the m physical cons juggling resp surrounding social and

ILLUSTRATION BY

ocus

oct. 28, 2022 high tide 9

FINANCIAL FREEDOM

DER

by Marley Van Pelt

H

ours of school, with agendas my [time] structured.” takes to work a job, but some aren’t aware filled with homework and deadSimilar to Cost, senior Caitlyn Hase- of the academic benefits it can bring, as lines, and hours of working to broock has chosen to work through her it can also count as an elective grade. P.E get a paycheck. For many, the motivation senior year, taking up a job as a front instructor Matt Ballard works as a manto get a job comes with thoughts of college desk receptionist at West End Racket and ager of “Work Experience,” a program resumes or just pocket money, but for oth- Health Club. designed as a way for students to obtain ers, it’s the only way they can be financially “I'm a senior this year, and it was time school credit while they work. stable. to start picking up some more responsibil“There’s a lot of students working, so Being one of many students who choose ities,” Hasebroock said. “When I graduate, it’s a way for them to maximize their own to take on a job, senior Jocelyn Cost works I want to support myself so that, if I end time and their schooling,” Ballard said. as a Recreation (REC) leader at Beryl up moving away from my family, I have With only 13 students in the class, Heights Elementary School. Cost’s initial a [financial] foundation to start off with. Ballard helps them earn the 5 credits givmotivation for this occupation came from I also want to have more time to do fun en with every 180 hours each individual her personal interests and ambitions. things during the secworks. “[I was interested in] getting this job ond semester, such as “I've been teaching [to get] experience, so that when I apply prom or school plays. them about responsito college, I'll have something to make me I’m working a lot right bility and work ethic, more valuable, and [secondly], to be finan- now so that I can [latand we do everything cially independent,” Cost said. “Also, in my er] be able to take off Not all employers for the class online. future, I thought about working with kids some of the responsi- recognize that kids are There’s a lot of logistias a teacher, so this job is a good opportu- bilities at work.” cal things they do, like nity for me.”

Hasebroock de- students, too. That's the schedules of their Cost works Tuesdays, Thursdays and scribes some days as recording hours not their priority. Their work, Fridays for two hours at the REC center. “mentally draining,” and organization,” She also worked at Seaside Lagoon for as she works four to priority is their job and Ballard said. “We do a brief period and, during this time, she six hour shifts once an online discussion making money [...] carried both jobs, adding up to an 18 hour or twice during the where they talk about work week. school week, and both Students have different things re“I mainly support myself. [My money] is days on weekends. In lating to a work engoing into my college fund because I know total, her schedule av- families, they have vironment, and we’ll that if I were to go straight to a four-year erages out to 14 hours school and a job so it's do assignments like college after high school, it would finan- per week. learning about labor cially cripple my family,” Cost said. “I'm “I'm lucky I have just one more thing to laws.” trying to avoid that by working as much as a job where I can get juggle."

Ballard recognizI can without overwhelming myself.” some of my homees the mental and Despite her filled schedule, Cost found work done. I know a emotional struggles a routine in which she can balance both lot of people have a MATT BALLARD associated with havher academic and work life. job where they don't MANAGER OF "WORK ing a job, especially “There are some times where I'll have have a place to sit EXPERIENCE" since workloads differ an assignment due the same day of work, down and do homeamong students. and I'll ignore it until I can actually get off work,” Hasebroock “Not all employwork. In all of my classes this year, I’ve said. “[However], there have been times ers recognize that kids are students, too. been having a hard time focusing,” Cost where I just have to lay down because I'm That’s not their priority. Their priority said. “I have my weekends free for home- like, ‘This is too much.’ It’s a lot of stress is their job and making money and their work and keeping my social life balanced, because [I] have to keep track of a lot of [employees],” Ballard said. “Students have but I’ve started working Fridays because things.” families, they have school and a job so it's REC is understaffed, which means I am a As an employee at Pure Beans Coffee, just one more thing to juggle.” little stretched thin.” senior Una Meidav also experienced the In some cases, juggling responsibiliDifferent high school students work for mental pressures and strains of balanc- ties can become almost impossible and different reasons, but patterns are often ing responsibilities, feeling “less present, sacrifices have to be made. Senior Sophia found in issues surrounding pressure and more rushed and more stressed.”

Warner, who has worked as a cashier at balancing academic, “During the first Redondough since January of 2021, had to social, emotional and month, I worked four let go of other aspects of her life in order work life. According to days a week with four to take on the job, forgoing her sport for the Association for Suto five hour shifts senior year. pervision and Curricand loved it because “I definitely have had to sacrifice a little [My money] is going ulum DevelopI didn't want to work bit; I wasn't able to do tennis this year like ment (ASCD), into my college fund less than that. My I have in the past three years. It's just hard a study of over parents told me I to find days off from my job, and the [two because I know that 12,000 students should because I hav- schedules] were incompatible,” Warner in grades 8-12 if I were to go straight en’t been focusing on said. “I also wanted to be in the musical found that “as college applications this year but, unfortunately, there would students work to a four-year college and school as much, be even more schedule conflicts so I wasn't more hours, after high school, it and also because I able to do that either.” their grades dehave four AP classes,” According to Warner, having a job has cline.” Accord- would financially Meidav said. “Even its difficulties in terms of stress, but is still ing to the survey, this cripple my family." though the job didn't a great way to learn about finances and be statistic applies to all stress me out, the prepared for the future. students “regardless of time it took was too “Learning how to be financially respontheir race, gender, so- JOCELYN COST much.” sible is an important lesson that you learn cioeconomic group or SENIOR Meidav has tried over time,” Warner said. “I'm at the regacademic ability.” Stuher best to find a bal- ister, so I'm talking to new people everydents have to find difance between school day. I’ve been able to learn a lot about ferent ways to balance their responsibili- and work responsibilities, but still finds teamwork, and it has pushed me ties with their school work, with Cost using aspects of her life “being omitted.” to try and improve my conher free 6th period to focus on academics.

“I can't balance everything. Lately, be- fidence.”

“I am a procrastinator, so what has cause of how overwhelmed I've been, I’ve helped me [to focus] is taking advantage put social life more into nights and weekof school time. I know a lot of teachers ends,” Meidav said. “Volleyball used to be like to [assign] a bunch of classwork and one of my main focuses. I still practice, but then [assign] homework after, which is a very rarely do I put my full energy into it. I struggle, and it does take up a lot of [my] used to do other things like reading books, free time,” Cost said. “I had some serious doing art, going to the beach, hikes—all work-life balance issues during COVID, of those enjoyable aspects [of life] have where I felt like I was working [all the dropped lower on my [priorities].” time]. I didn't come out of that until I got Many students put in the effort it

SURE

ents grapple mental and sequences of ponsibilities g academic, family life

Y KAITLYN HODAC

Students' jobs put a strain on other aspects of their lives, becoming a source of stress

“

“

opinion Corrupt Clubs

by Ethan Lerner

C

ollege applications—a race by applicants to fill tedious and expensive forms with good grades, deeds and accomplishments. A go-to bump for these applications?

Clubs.

RUHS has 107 of them: Biology Tutoring, Red Cross, Surfrider Foundation. What do these all have in common?

They serve to help people and the community at large.

The question surrounding service-oriented clubs: Is it ethically sound to create or join a club that exists to embellish a college application?

The inherent peer-competitiveness of college-apps means an advantage in extracurriculars could be the deciding factor in acceptance. I choose to err on the side of “So what?” So what if a club exists for an admissions reviewer to see but feeds the homeless or tutors students who are failing a class? So what if the reasoning for the club is shallow? So what if it helps everyone involved in some way and hurts no one? I see it as a morally ambiguous but acceptable trade-off. In short, a win-win.

An indirect effect of “do-good for the community” type clubs is socialization. Interacting with strangers from different walks of life is bound to improve conversational and

10 Starting clubs for selfish reasons has the potential to yield a life-lesson interpersonal social skills. In other words, conversations outside of routine and comfort build self-confidence with speaking. Putting yourself into a position where you're forced to learn about different experiences also helps avoid unfounded assumptions and minimize how often judgment is passed at first glance. If someone is homeless, it doesn’t mean they are a drug addict or gambler who lost it all. In the future, this could lead to a person helping another whereas they wouldn’t have before because of their preconceptions.

Clubs designed for applications don’t signify low-effort activities. The entire point is to improve an application- a mediocre attempt at that won’t cut it. Students are motivated to be impactful, maybe not because they feel ethically driven to help but because they don’t want to see their efforts be for nothing. If anything, it is good that they are more motivated to succeed to get into college because they don’t have an inherent desire to help.

Helping inspires

helping; when students see their classmates making a difference in the community, it inspires them to support the change they see. That action motivates others to take initiative and start or join their own clubs. Whether or not solely for altruistic reasons, that initiative continues the cycle of service.

There are arguable reasons that make it unacceptable to start a club for a college application. Some would say it reduces the action's real value and encourages helping people only if there is something to gain. And yes, that is true, but it is acceptable because at its core it still helps those in need. If you offered a starving homeless person food, do you think they wouldn’t accept it because the offer may not be from the kindness of your heart? In my mind, an action that starts off selfishly can also lead to newfound passion with true value in the future.

Whether a club exists to be praised on a college application or not, I choose to look at the tangible real-life benefits of action, and from my count the pros outweigh the cons 4 to 1. It helps everyone and hurts no one, builds socialization and interpersonal skills, corrects prejudices and keeps the cycle of service spinning. All of those take precedence over the ethical question of doing the right thing for the wrong reason. If you disagree, you’re more than welcome to start a club for all the right reasons.

ILLUSTRATION BY SCARLETT MISCHE

Jobs help students learn money management

by Izzie Escobar

M

y initial reasons for getting a job were simple: money, money and money. The obvious problem with this is that in order to get a lot of money you have to work long hours. This can be especially challenging as a full-time student, but it ends up being a rewarding experience.

When teens work they learn how to manage their money and develop communication skills. It’s important for teenagers to expose themselves to these life skills early on because it will make the otherwise harsh transition into adulthood a lot smoother.

High school students often work part-time at minimum wage jobs, which means it’s crucial to learn how to spend and save what little money you have. This comes in handy when you’re older and have to make bigger purchases, like a car or house, so you’ll be able to afford those things no matter how much money you’re actually making.

I started my job at Capri Gelato and Coffee Bar (formerly Paciugo) last summer and I have to say, it was

letter to the

editor

Re: "Viva la Cultura!" published on Oct. 7

by WLC Co-chair, Señora Durán

I

one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My job pays me a decent amount of money, but my paycheck ultimately gets cut in half during the fall and winter when business is slow.

Since I didn’t have as much money, I had to learn how to give myself a budget that would allow me to spend freely without getting too out of control. When I budget I try to cut down on mindless shopping things like ordering food out even if I have food at home or buying new lip products when I already have about 10 in my drawer I don’t use.

Having these organization skills now allows me to buy little things I want but still have enough money to go to multiple concerts a year.

I will say that if holding a job is too stressful and it interferes with school, then that defeats the purpose of working entirely. You won’t be able to learn any of the lessons you’re supposed to if the only thing you do at work is stress about everything. In order to prevent this, you have to learn how to communicate your needs. You have to learn how to communicate with your bosses, your parents and most importantly, yourself. You have to learn how to figure out your boundaries and create a balance that works for you.

Communicating with customers is probably the

just wanted to send a comment about the Hispanic Heritage article [from Issue 2]. I am the co-chair of the World Languages and Cultures department.

We are excited to have our students and the Cervantes Honors Society mentioned in the newspaper. It is important to support and educate all students in order to celebrate diversity. However, the article further proved that we need to explain the difference between heritage and nationality. It would be important to clarify to the High Tide staff that nationality is where someone is born and possibly holds their passport. Their heritage is where their family is from and their culture. The article misinforms your readers. Many of our students at

school are proud native speakers and heritage speakers of Spanish. They are American students of Latin (from Latin America) and Hispanic (Spanish speaking countries) heritage. Miguel González is in fact an American-born student of Mexican and Salvadoran heritage. Marco Foster is the president of the Salsa Club. The article further proves that even a thorough interview needs to be fact checked so that all parties are accurately portrayed, described and presented. We would love to have you come to Día de los Muertos and ask anyone to explain where the holiday comes from. The introduction to the article of Hispanic heritage was offensive and stereotypical. We can do better than describe maracas and spicy foods. Please stop by Room 403 for any guidance and hopefully we can avoid perpetuating false ideas and a “maraca” soundtrack.

Thank you.

hardest challenge in my opinion. With customer service, you will inevitably face a disgruntled customer. A lot of times they’ll be annoyed or angry and they’ll take it out on you. The communication skills you learn on the job help you to speak to the customer in a way that won’t upset them and solve the problem as quickly as possible.

I now know how to not take it personally when a customer is unsatisfied.

Working as a student opens the door to many opportunities that will better prepare you for the real world.

ILLUSTRATION BY CRISTINA COUCH

letters to the

editor

The High Tide encourages a variety of perspectives from students and staff. If you have an opinion about one of the articles, letters can be sent to the editor at hightideonline@gmail.com We reserve the right to edit for content, grammar and space constraints. Letters must be signed and are not guaranteed to be printed. Please keep letters to a maximum of 250 words. Longer guest opinions are also accepted.

Retraction from Issue 2 In the Issue published on Oct. 7, there was incorrect information in the story titled, "Viva la Cultura!" on page 5. The president of the Salsa Club is Marco Foster, not Miguel González. And Miguel González did not move to the US from Mexico; he is in fact an American-born student of Mexican and Salvadoran heritage.

opinion 11

high tide oct. 28, 2022

Voice column:

Have you heard of Kabuki Syndrome?

by Daniella Gross

W

hile my mom was on a walk to the grocery store with my brother, a woman stopped abruptly in front of my brother's wheelchair, staring into his eyes with confusion and disgust. In the awkward silence my mom asked, “Isn’t he beautiful?” to which the woman responded “No, he’s ugly.” The lack of empathy in society sometimes gets to me.

When I walk in public with my brother, all eyes are on him. People don’t know how to act when they see a teen the size of a toddler in a wheelchair making loud grunting noises or happy squeals.

They don’t know that staring at him profusely makes us uncomfortable. Being low profile with him in public is almost impossible.

Growing up beside my 12-year-old brother Niko has never been easy. Niko suffers from a rare disorder called Kabuki Syndrome. If you haven’t heard of it, I’m not the least bit surprised.

Kabuki Syndrome is an extremely uncommon disease, with only one in 32,000 children diagnosed in a general population and is often defined by the unique facial features that Kabuki kids are born with, which resemble the makeup that traditional Japanese Kabuki Theater performers wear.

My brother, being that rare one child in 32,000, was diagnosed with Kabuki three years after his birth.

Niko has a variety of symptoms, the most prominent being an aortic valve dysfunction, dysautonomia, neurological dysfunctions, neurostorming and being non-ambulatory and nonverbal. The list goes on and gets added to constantly.

But when others see people like my brother, they are always quick to judge, or are empathetic in all the wrong ways.

They either don’t see that despite the pain he suffers from, he is always happy, or they don’t treat him like a normal human being, confining him to his limitations instead of seeing his potential.

At school, I constantly cringe when someone calls a peer a cripple or retarded. People don’t find it offensive and think it’s just a hilarious way to make fun of their friends. They don’t understand it’s a derogatory term used against the disabled community, directly insulting those who need extra help physically or mentally.

As the sibling of a special needs child, it can be challenging. I often internalize the struggles I face at home with Niko, as not many of my friends are able to relate to my situation. When my parents are busy, I change my brother's diapers, dress him, do his laundry, feed him, give him medications, brush his teeth and take him on walks. I help as much as I can because he isn’t able to do simple tasks.

For all my responsibilities, though, the most mentally challenging thing about being a sibling to Niko is having to watch him in pain. His neuro storms— [A hyperactive response of the sympathetic nervous system, in most cases caused by TBI]—are painful and last a week, occurring every two weeks.

This is why it pains me when instead of treating him with curiosity and inclusion, people treat him with disdain and disgust. To me, my brother is perfect in every way; he’s all I know.

Niko likes ice cream and pizza, but hates vegetables. He likes peaceful walks in his wheelchair and enjoys music.

When I sing him to sleep or tuck him in, he shows his love by giving me the biggest hug anyone could ever imagine.

At the end of the day, he is just like you and me. If people could see what I see instead of assuming and judging by how he looks, they would see a beautiful boy.

Like

by Elise Haulund

it or

Business Review describes using filler words as a way to “hold the conversational floor” while one is thinking, so if non-male individuals are more likely to be interrupted, reducing pauses in their speech is a defense mechanism against losing speaking time.

It is harmful but far too common to associate stereotypically feminine traits—spending more time on one’s appearance, enjoying shopping for clothes, watching romantic TV shows and yes, using “Valley Speak”—with a lack of intelligence.

Not to mention, those speaking English as a second language may use “like” more often to gather their thoughts in a language they’re less familiar with.

Following prescriptive linguistics “almost always has an aspect of social gatekeeping,” according to the University of Pennsylvania, in that “arbitrary features of language are used to block social advancement.”

Weaponizing someone else’s use of “like” is simply a contrived way to demean them, and it’s no coincidence that this is done so often against women and non-native speakers.

It is true that academic or professional writing and even speaking warrant more formality than “like” suggests, but acting like it reduces the elegance of the English language is not only pretentious b u t

Not

"Like" as a filler word is a testament to the constant evolution of language, instead of a downfall of lazy t’s like, so annoyspeakers ing when linguis-

I

tic purists impose their prescriptive grammar dogma on the speech patterns of the masses. Cuz like, language is a constantly adapting and ever-changing construct we use to describe our unique experiences, and like, why do we listen to those elitist academics when they tell us how to speak? Gag me with a spoon!

It’s hard to go a day without hearing “like” sprinkled throughout speech. Despite its ubiquity, the improper “like” is widely considered to weaken someone’s credibility, making them sound unsmart or unassertive. The reality, though, is that “like” shouldn’t be viewed that way; filler words certainly do suggest a lack of confidence in what one is saying, but to construe “like,” as it exists in today’s lexicon, as filler per se is false.

Traditionally, “like” means to find something attractive or be similar to something. The slang-usage of “like” has other functions: quotative (“I was like, ‘____’”), filler, hedge (to indicate ambiguity), cushioning and as a discourse particle (to emphasize). “Like” has become its own complex pillar of today’s grammar.

If inserting “like” into a sentence really is just the hesitation of an unsure speaker. It wouldn’t affect the meaning. And yet, it does. “They have 20 billion dollars” is different from “They have, like, 20 billion dollars,” because it indicates the ambiguity, approximation and/or hyperbole of the statement. “Like” is a modal marker—a grammatical cue that indicates degrees of reality or truth.

Prescriptive linguistics refers to the rules for how language should be used according to the most pretentious folks in academia (as opposed to descriptive linguistics—how language is actually used). So, following the prescriptive agenda would lead one to scoff at the pervasion

The constant evolution of language is in fact one of its most unique beauties, not a herald of its downfall.

ELISE HAULUND SENIOR o f “like” throughout twenty-first century English, for it is

n o t within the canonical rules of English.

Today’s informal use of “like” first emerged with the Beatniks, a 1950s counterculture movement, but it was popularized in the 1980s with the Valley girl stereotype. In 1982, Frank Zappa produced the song “Valley Girl” with his daughter, Moon Zappa, poking fun at the materialistic, young, upper-class, White women of the San Fernando Valley. In the song,

Moon satirically blabs about, “like, the Galleria, and like, all these really great shoe stores.”

Even though the mocking of “like” was first directed toward the wealthy women of Southern California, it is inherently problematic to ascribe intelligence level to any language pattern. With “like,” the effect of that can lean into misogyny.

An online article published by "The Atlantic" called “Actually, Literally, What Your Crutch Word Says About You,” ascribes saying “like” to meaning that “you are a teenaged girl who smacks her gum a lot while talking and, like, OMG, can you believe you said that?” Although most can’t avoid at least the occasional “like,” the poster-child of apparently dumb “like”-sayers is undoubtedly a teen girl. Why is this word, which many associate with being a superficial airhead, attached to teen girls so often?

One of the most common usages of “like” is as a filler word, which may explain why the reigning image of those who say “like” is female. Research by Northwestern University has found that in professional and personal conversations, women are interrupted more than men. The Harvard

downright inaccurate.

New generations can’t help but challenge the status quo; it’s the natural course of things. ‘Kids these days’ will always create their own distinctive ways to move through the world.

Language plays a central and vital role in the human experience and thus is not spared from generational changes.

In the 1600s, “thou” was the standard, but today seldom does a modern person address another as “thou.” According to the University of Pennsylvania, “Generation by generation, pronunciations evolve, new words are borrowed or invented, the meaning of old words drifts and morphology develops or decays.” New language is nothing new. The way “like” has been transformed to encompass so many meanings and nuances is not a disaster; it’s evolutionary linguistics happening in our own lives.

Attempting to stymie the inevitable changes in language is futile and foolish.

The constant evolution of language is in fact one of its most unique beauties, not a herald of its downfall.

So like, let’s embrace it.

ILLUSTRATION BY LOLA DIEHL

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entertainment

PHOTO VIA NETFLIXJUNKIE

Fresh off the bone

Netflix's new gut-wrenching series "DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" will make your skin crawl

by Ethan Chi

“

I want to hear your heart… because I’m gonna eat it,” Evan Peters said while playing serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Dahmer whispers this as he lays on the chest of his victim’s beating heart in the first episode of the limited series “DAHMER” which premiered on Netflix, Sept. 21.

Throughout the first half of the David Jacobson-directed series, the series depicts the life of Dahmer, from his nightmare childhood to his life sentence in prison.

Even though the series delves into the life of Jeffery Dahmer chronologically, it also sheds light on the people affected by his gruesome actions. Even though most of Dahmer’s victims are only remembered for the bloody way they died, no one paid attention to the beautiful lives they lived.

The first episode starts at the end of the timeline, with Dahmer playing out his last murder attempt. His last victim, Tracy Edwards, was lured to Dahmer’s apartment when he noticed something off. While the foul stench of Dahmer’s apartment put Edwards on edge, it was Damher’s heart-wrenching remark that sent him running for dear life.

After escaping Dahmer’s hotel hell, he finds the police and tells them Dahmer’s murderous intentions. Once the police investigate Dahmer’s apartment, they discover a box with pictures, showing the disfigured body parts of his victims. It was truly disturbing to see lifeless bodies dismembered in just one polaroid. Overall, the first

episode was thrilling. My heart was booming at the suspense of Edward’s escape, as the chilling scene illustrated a tense nightmare. Let’s just say I didn’t sleep well that night.

From the blood-stained mattress to the tub of acid decomposing the flesh of his past murders, no detail was left out in the series. Aside from that, Peters gives the performance of a lifetime.

Peter’s performance as Dahmer was very unsettling. His oddly monotone voice and odd mannerisms accurately portrayed the strangeness of Jeffery Dahmer. In addition to the perfect portrayal of Dahmer’s sinister character, the musical theme throughout the series encapsulates each eerie feeling in every single scene.

Even as the subtle nuances of “DAHMER” kept me hooked, the whole set design was equally incredible and added to the chilling storyline of the series. Whether it was Grandma’s dusty old-fashioned house or Dahmer’s “Brady Bunch-like” childhood home, the series brought this 1970s world to life.

While much of Dahmer’s life was detailed in the series, the show’s sole purpose was not to explain who Dahmer was, but rather focus on Dahmer's impacts to many families. Directors focused on the hypocrisy of the Mawaki police department for turning a blind eye while the black community cried for their help. The series shines a light on Dahmer’s victims by dedicating an hour episode to Glenda Cleveland, de-

picted as Dahmer’s next-door neighbor in the show. In that episode, it is revealed that Cleveland called the police station for six consecutive months while Dahmer carried out his back-to-back grizzly murders. The episode calls the blatant racism and homophobia exhibited by the police force in the show and real life, as Cleveland’s pleas were ignored with victims falling into the categories of black, gay men.

Niecy Nash embodies the frustration, sadness, and anger that went into this investigation in her Emmy-worthy performance of Dahmer’s neighbor, Glenda Cleveland.

“I called y’all over and over, a million times, and you know what you did? You did nothing. Now it’s too late. Y’all came too late,” Nash said, as Cleveland, to the police officers after they arrested Dahmer. It’s important to note that this scene, although powerful, is only a symbolic representation of Cleveland's anger and is not historically accurate. According to Anne E. Schwartz, author of “The New York Times” best-selling book “Monster: The True Story of the Jeffrey Dahmer Murders,” Cleveland and Dahmer never spoke to each other in real life, nor did they live next to each other. In fact, Cleveland lived in the building next to Dahmer’s. While the series may have exaggerated some parts of Cleveland's background, her perspective is still impactful and moving.

Even though the show dedicated a few more episodes to the victims of Dahmer,

critics believe that the show focuses more on humanizing Dahmer instead of highlighting racial injustice. While I do agree that the purpose of the story conflates the tragedy of Dahmer’s past with injustice, I do not think the show attempts to humanize him in a major way. Humanizing a character means giving them relatable traits.

And nothing about Dahmer is relatable.

From the start, Dahmer is depicted as a strange and unaware person whose main interest is drugging and dismembering people. Dahmer was born a killer and died a killer. The show made that clear in the last episode when Dahmer had flashbacks of everyone he killed before he died.

Aside from humanizing Dahmer, critics feel the show feeds into the societal obsession with serial killers. However, I don’t think this is a bad thing. People are creatures of curiosity, and the show “DAHMER” explores those curiosities. Overall, I don’t think people are mainly obsessed with Dahmer as a person, but rather interested in the psychopathic nature of a serial killer. This is why thousands of moms poured their glasses of wine and tuned in to watch Dahmer, and murder shows alike. Who isn’t curious about a man who eats people’s hearts?

Taking into consideration the subtle historical inaccuracy and slight message inconsistency, “DAHMER” is still a technical masterpiece, as well as a creepy thriller that will leave mouth floored and your popcorn bowl empty.

"Amsterdam" fails to live up to expectations, despite its stellar cast and production

by Lauren Choy

D

ear David O. Russell: I hate to break it to you, but casting tons of famous actors and actresses doesn’t make up for a lousy plot.

As the director of American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook, Russell unsuccessfully takes viewers along the highly anticipated journey of a nurse and two veterans who uncover the suspicious death of General Bill Meekins. The first screen of the movie reads, “A lot of this actually happened.” Although most of the characters and plot are made up (including the three main characters), the film is partially based on the 1930s events that attempted to replace President Franklin D. Roosevelt with a fascist dictator. With too much complex information delivered poorly, the film was terribly difficult to follow along and had me counting the minutes until the credits.

It starts in 1933 in veteran Burt Berendsen’s office (Christian Bale). He himself has a missing eye from the war and treats fellow veterans with similar injuries.

As the film flashbacks to the war in 1918, he meets his friend Harold (John David Washington), a Black veteran who faces racism daily throughout the film. Both had many bloody injuries and the nurse who took care of them was Valerie Voze (Margot Robbie). When the three form a truce to always look after one another, they flee to Amsterdam to escape their problems. The three are the happiest they’ve ever been, but nothing good things can last, and Valerie leaves without a word. The one recurring message I enjoyed was

the idea of this tight-knit friendship. Their pact brought out the best in one another and represents the underlying theme of the need for trustable friends.

Flash Forward to 1933, Liz Meekins (Taylor Swift) pleads with Burt and Harold for an autopsy of her father’s — General Bill Meekins — death. Burt and Harold go to autopsy nurse Irma St. Clair (Zoe Saldana) and stumble across suspicious evidence.

They meet with Liz to forward her the news, but she’s found scrambling to run away because she’s been threatened. A few seconds later, Liz is dead on the street, and Burt and Harold are framed for murder. As they go to great lengths to prove their innocence, they stumble across the Voze family, a family filled with connections to clear their names. Not knowing Valerie’s actual last name, the two meet Libby Voze (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Tom Voze (Rami Malek) to discuss the peculiar death of Meekins and their plan to clear their names.

Notice not even halfway through this film review, I’ve already listed more than five actors/actresses you know: Christian Bale ("Batman"), Margot Robbie ("Wolf of Wall Street"), Zoe Saldana ("Guardians of the Galaxy"), Rami Malek ("Bohemian Rhapsody"), Anya Taylor-Joy ("The Queen’s Gambit") and of course, Taylor Swift. Russell had every possible opportunity to make the film remarkable, yet I’m sitting here failing to picture how each character connects to the next. In my opinion, the talent was there - in fact, the actors and actresses were the best part of the film.

Every actor and actress played their role to perfection — I never once felt that they weren’t actually those people, yet a movie is supposed to be a combination of all these characters together. The glue wasn’t there, and that’s on Russell.

With the help of General Gil Dillenbeck (Robert De Niro, yet another A-lister), the trio unpacks the complex

murder mystery with a shocking ending twist, yet it wasn’t at all satisfying. An unexpected ending is supposed to leave the watchers with an “Ah ha” moment. But instead of an “Ah ha” moment, I got a “hmm” moment. Technically speaking, the turn of events was something I didn’t expect, and I give credit to Russell for his creativity.

The big reveal of the murder has arrived, and the climax builds with tense conversations between Dillenbeck and Tom Vose in an overall nerve-wracking atmosphere.

Dillenbeck reveals the murder in front of the whole crowd, a fight breaks out and gunshots are shot, but don’t get your hopes up. The “Ah ha” moment never comes and the delivery of the ending falls flat. Russell jam-packed too many fine details and characters in a two-hour movie that when I left, I was unsatisfied, to say the least.

Although the majority of the movie wasn’t well-done, Russell’s use of camera angles and color did successfully bring what was an otherwise disorganized plot.

I savored how the color symbolism, such as the color red, aroused love and anger during the most prominent climactic scenes. The lower camera angles immersed viewers into every conversation; I felt as if I was a little kid again, craning my head up eagerly at the big kids. The technical choices kept me interested, but unfortunately, it doesn’t make up for everything.

The first thing I did when the lights went back up was yawn.

PHOTO VIA DEADLINE

entertainment 13

high tide oct. 28, 2022

Rooftop Cinema Club Review

by Zoe Rossi

A

dreamy escape perfect for all movie lovers, the Rooftop Cinema Club awaits with fresh popcorn and a festive, cheerful atmosphere.

Out of the three locations throughout Los Angeles, the El Segundo location, which opened in March of 2020, is located on top of a parking structure off PCH. This hidden gem is the perfect place for those in the South Bay who are eager to indulge in a Halloween-themed film this October.

Tickets to see a film at the Rooftop Cinema Club in El Segundo go for 20 to 30 dollars. The movie selection ranges from cult films to classics to new releases. For October, the movie lineup celebrates the Halloween season with films such as “Friday the 13th,” “Hocus Pocus,” “Dracula,” “Scream,” “The Shining,” “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” “Nope,” “IT” and “The Blair Witch Project.”

It is easy to check out movie showings and purchase tickets on the Rooftop Cinema Club website. Guests can buy sodas, popcorn or candy at the concession stand near the entrance, and adults over 21 can get canned beer or wine at the bright pink mini bar. Moviegoers can bring their favorite cinema snacks and take-out.

For the month of October, the Rooftop Cinema Club features adorable Halloween decor that makes the perfect background for a photo shoot with friends. During December, the rooftop transforms into a winter wonderland with holiday-themed movies, such as “Elf” and “The Grinch.”

Guests can also sit and play a game of Jenga or hang out before the movie in one of the many vibrantly decorated sitting areas scattered around the rooftop. The screen displays trivia questions and karaoke games for those who prefer to sit and relax in their Adirondack chair before the movie starts.

Upon arriving, guests need to check in at the box office to receive a personal pair of Bluetooth headphones before picking out the perfect seat to watch the movie. Seating is arranged based on the type of chair purchased. A singular Adirondack chair costs $24.50, and an Adirondack love seat costs $26.50 per person. Both of these options include a small popcorn. Guests can also opt for an adjustable lounge chair, which is $19.50 or $22.50 with a small popcorn.

The rooftop offers a large, spacious area with plenty of seating, making for a pleasant, relaxing environment. The staff at the Cinema Club are kind, respectful and helpful if guests come to them with questions.

Since the Rooftop Cinema Club is, well, on a rooftop, headphones are required to enjoy the film. The headphone provided upon checking in have excellent sound quality, with adjustable volume control and noise-canceling technology, but excessive wind may cause some audio static.

The screen quality was also clear and visually dynamic. However, movies that start before 4:30 PM may be difficult to see due to the sun's glare on the projector screen.

It is important to consider the movie start time because guests under the age of 18 are unable to attend movie showings that start after 4:30 PM. This restriction may be an issue because many horror movies are shot dark.

Also, be sure to grab a blanket or sweatshirt before leaving the house. Once the sun sets, it can feel breezy and chilly on the rooftop. Better yet, bring along some hot chocolate to stay warm—it will only add to the festive fall vibes.

Overall, the Rooftop Cinema Club is the perfect way to enjoy any movie and make unforgettable memories. With the luxury of fresh air and open space, it's a great place to enjoy a date night, an outing with a group of friends, or a solo excursion for guests who need some alone time. No matter the time of year or the movie, guests looking for an escape from the ordinary are sure to find whimsical fun at this rooftop getaway.

Spooky S h owd ow n

Which store is the best to supply Halloween costumes and activities?

by Hadeel Azzam

I

t’s the most wonderful time of year again, Halloween. With that comes the decorated store aisles stocked with fake spiderwebs, skeletons and costumes you only wear once. But which store offers the best of the best when it comes to Halloween supplies? That is the question I took upon myself to answer. I went to three different stores for my research: Target, Party City and Spirit Halloween.

TARGET

W

hen I walked over to the Halloween corner of the store I wasn’t impressed, but I also wasn’t disappointed. It is a good middle ground. I was able to find anything I needed there such as face paint, wigs, fairly priced costumes and a singing inflatable skeleton. But it is definitely not the place I would go to if I wanted to go all out for Halloween. The costume section had a lot to offer—considering it was Target. But it was also disorganized and I almost tripped over one of the taco costumes scattered on the floor. Also, many of their shelves were bare and items were out of stock, but that was mostly their decor items, such as monster flower vases or spooky telephones.

Target is a last resort if it is October 30th and you don’t want to wait in the long line the other stores are probably hosting, however that's only if they keep their stock up.

PHOTO FROM CNBC

SPIRIT HALLOWEEN

W

ith all the hype around Spirit Halloween I had high hopes, and I was not disappointed.

With a wide selection of Halloween decor for sale they had many of their animatronics out on display, which made the experience a lot more interactive. Jumping in front of them to see what they would do or say was extremely entertaining. There was even one that would grow taller out of nowhere, and it scared me more than I would like to admit. I will say that with kids running around the store trying to see all of them at once, paired with the obnoxiously loud music, all the noise and commotion got irritating after a while. Spirit also had home decor scattered around the store, organized by movie or franchise which made my organized heart extremely happy. They also had Halloween themed stuffed animals and trinkets that can be used year round, like mugs and keychains. The best part though was the costumes that you can grab and go—a refreshing system when compared to Party City. The costumes were also organized by franchise and category like the home decor. Many of their costumes were eye-catching and detailed. One in particular was an inflatable chicken costume that I fell in love with but sadly, I didn’t think my mom would approve of. Alas, Spirit Halloween, like Party City, sold their costumes at a high price point, such as $50 for a kids clown costume. Since Spirit is a seasonal store, opening in July then closing as soon as November 2nd, they definitely take advantage of it and sell their products for more expensive prices than necessary.

Overall I would put Spirit Halloween on the top of my list. Despite their high prices, they do compensate for it by having a wide variety of products that you can’t find anywhere else.

PHOTO FROM APARTMENT THERAPY

PARTY CITY

W

hen I walked into Party City, I knew there was one thing I was bound to find—a costume that offends at least one culture or minority. I wasn’t particularly mad at that, but I was baffled to see a coin hip scarf, traditionally worn in Middle Eastern countries around someone’s hips while dancing, labeled as “Mystic Scarf” along with a photo of a woman wearing it around her head.

The worst part of all was the photo displayed her wearing it insanely wrong. In the section next to it, among “pimp canes” and fake gold chains with large dollar bills attached, I found a box braid wig. With the awareness in today’s world I thought Halloween stores would at least try to minimize their offensiveness, but it seemed like Party City upped their game this year.

I walked away from it and to Party City’s infamous wall of pictures of Halloween costumes. If you’ve never shopped for your Halloween costume at Party City, a majority of their costumes are displayed on a wall near the back of their store with a picture of the costume and number. Next to the wall, there is a staff member and you give them the number of the costume you want.

The staff member then gives the number to another member who resides in the back of Party City where all the costumes are stored. The second member takes it from storage, and calls out your number for you to pick it up from a table at the back of the store. The system has been in place for years and is a complete burden and waste of time. It takes you from one line to tell them you want the costume, to a large crowd where you wait while number after number is called until yours finally arrives. I can see why Party City enforced this inconvenient system—they do not have the space to display all their costumes for customers to grab. But maybe if they took things like “mystic scarfs” and box braid wigs off their shelves, they could not only make more room, but minimize their select ridiculous and offensive costumes. Not only are these costumes a task to grab, but you are also paying an unnecessary amount for them. I really do not see the reason one should spend $50 for a Harry Potter robe.

If any other aspects of the costume were involved I would get it, but the price for the robe alone was an overkill. Despite everything wrong with Party City, they did have a range of costumes and masks to choose from and even then it was mediocre at best.

PHOTO FROM COROFLOT

WEB PHOTOS FROM ALAMY AND STICKERBRAND

14

sports

SET FOR VICTORY Volleyball wins second place at home tourney, winning 5 of 6 games

by Aaliyah Roberson irls varsity volleyball competed in the Redondo/Mira Costa Varsity Classic Gold Division tournament against six teams from Friday to Saturday, Oct. 7 and 8. The team played in a best-of-three format, winning five out of six games and coming in second.

The team stayed ready going into their second game of the tournament after winning their first game against Thousand Oaks High School in the first two sets. They beat Palos Verdes the day before, which helped them in their preparation for the tournament.

“We played a tough match against PV, and I think after that our team just really wanted to up their game,” senior Mele Corral-Blagojevich, outside hitter, said.

Redondo took an early 13-5 lead in the first set of the game, with Redondo’s blocking showing out on defense. The players were ready to deflect Aliso Niguel's attacks and stop their spikes from landing.

“I feel our team was definitely prepared,” Corral-Blagojevich said. “It’s not really about running crazy plays. We just like to keep it simple.”

As a libero, a back-row defensive specialist, junior Summer Suppik constantly succeeded in her position, keeping many rallies alive for Redondo to come back and win the point.

“Everyone relied on each other to do their job,” Suppik said. “I think everyone did a great job staying in their position.”

The players made some strategic plays and hit controlled kills. Winning the first set with a long rally against Aliso Niguel, Redondo went into the second set feeling confident after winning 25-17.

“The more you focus and the more you’re

G

like ‘I want to win,’ the better you do, and I think we were really locked in at that moment,” Corral-Blagojevich said.

Redondo and Aliso Niguel started the second set off trading points, keeping the score close. According to right outside hitter Abby Zimmerman, the girls’ remained focused for the rest of the game.

“We always think of the next play. [We] don’t sit on the past. We always want to get one step ahead, one point at a time. Just staying on the next play really helps us,” Zimmerman said.

Redondo controlled the play of the game, coming out strong and covering the court, getting a hand on every ball. The serving and blocking helped them continue to hold their lead against their opponents.

“The biggest thing we focus on in our practices is making sure we take care of the ball. The more we take care of what we can control, the better we do,” Corral-Blagojevich said.

Redondo led late into the second set, 2319, but Aliso Niguel fought back and closed the score to 23-22. Redondo secured the win after scoring the final two points to end

1

2 the game off of their blocks.

“It’s our home tournament, everyone had this hungry feeling and really wanted to win,” Corral-Blagojevich said. “Physically, we just worked really well as a team and everyone was just focusing on doing their job really well.”

1. The team pats each other on the back after the point. 2. Taylor Boice tips the ball over the net. PHOTOS BY PETE PAGUYO

Girls tennis loses narrow match against Mira Costa 8-10, inspiring new confidence for future matches

by Summer Puterbaugh 1

1. Senior Moana Kobayashi returns a short hit in a doubles match. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA GROUT

I

n their fifth league match of the season, girls varsity tennis fell short to Mira Costa in a close 8-10 home match on Thursday, Oct. 6. Although Costa has stood undefeated against Redondo for quite some time, number-one singles player senior Maegan Deng claimed Thursday was “the tightest match against Costa we’ve had in years.”

“Everyone was playing so well. Everyone was supporting each other because we were neck-and-neck, so of course, you get really nervous,” Deng said. “We were basically one point away.”

According to junior doubles player Malia Wilken, the girls put up a good fight, focusing on consistency in their basic strokes throughout the match.

“We had good groundstrokes and were hitting [diagonally] across the court. I think we could have worked on our serves a little bit more, but overall we were pretty consistent,” Wilken said.

While the girls’ groundstrokes remained strong, it was ultimately their nerves that got in the way of victory, according to Wilken.

“It was a rough start in the beginning.

I’d like to think we were doing well but we definitely could have played better,” Wilken said. “I think we found our groove in the last round, but I wish we had gotten there sooner because we would have probably won the entire match.”

According to Deng, staying calm under pressure proves to be one of the team’s weaknesses. This often prevents them from winning crucial “pressure points,” highly competitive points played near the end of a tight game that dictates the winner.

“With pressure, I know we hate it. Once you’ve played a lot of pressure points, you start to know how to deal with it, but you’re never going to get used to it. It’s always going to be really agonizing,” Deng said.

Though anxiety was high, so was the girls’ indomitable enthusiasm and team spirit, which helped to energize them before and during the match.

“We have really good team spirit. We’re always cheering each other on and telling each other not to worry—we’re going to do this,” Wilken said. “The entire week I’ve been encouraging the team and saying we’re going to beat them; this is our chance.”

The team got tremendously close, as the girls played some exceptional points, with top singles players Deng and junior Sidney Cherry sweeping all three of their matches. With a little more confidence, Deng believes Costa “wouldn’t have stood a chance.”

“The team is capable of so many great things. They’re just so good in practice, and I think if they believe in themselves that they can put that into a match, they will do so much better in the matches to come,” Deng said.

Despite their loss, such a close match worked to bolster the team’s confidence and motivate them for their next match against Costa on Monday, Oct. 24, according to Deng.

“I’m really excited because I think that now we’ve gotten a taste of them and we’re getting used to it. We know what’s going to happen. We’re really going to soar better,” Deng said.

sports 15

high tide oct. 28, 2022

Into the

DEEP END Boys Varsity Water Polo suffers a 7-12 loss to Bay League rival Palos Verdes

by Sam Schwartz

C

oming off a blowout win, varsity boys water polo was looking to beat their Bay league rivals Palos Verdes (PV). Despite the tough battle for both teams, Palos Verdes came out on top, winning 12-7 on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Redondo played their sixth home game of the season, and even though Redondo was excited to play home, they started off shaky with PV scoring three goals in the first five minutes, leaving Redondo trailing 1-3.

While they proved a tough opponent straight out of the gate, Redondo tried to prepare for PV’s offense in practice. senior and co-captain Jack Guenther's preparation alone paid off for him, as he scored 2 goals.

“I watched [PV’s] film multiple times over the weekend. I know a few guys on their team and I looked for someone I could match up with an attack on,” Guenther said.

Even though Redondo started to pick up towards the end, they were still behind.

Nevertheless, Redondo persisted. Right

as the 3rd period ran out, co-captain Jack Guenther got the crowd’s hand to fly up with a buzzer-beater goal.

A few more good plays brought Redondo back into the game as they pushed through the end of the quarter.

“The first three quarters were all very intense, but once the fourth quarter hit, PV took the foot off the gas [and we saw an opening],” junior attacker Chris Yook said.

With Redondo's offense starting to turn the tides, freshman Miles McDaniel got the ball and immediately bounced it in for a goal, putting Redondo on a 3-0 run.

However, the strides Redondo made in the fourth quarter weren’t enough to win the game.

“They [PV] beat us last year. I can’t remember the last time we beat them, they are a pretty good team,” Yook said.

Redondo looks to improve in future games after their lose to PV. “The defense started to improve on preventing fast breaks and the offense started [to] move the ball strongly to the goal and

Senior Samuel Hendrickson looks to pass the ball upfiel, hoping to hatch a good play. PHOTO

BY INGRID SOMMERER

both will need to continue doing so,” Guenther replied.

Yook agreed with Guenther that the team needs to work on other factors from

this loss, to help the team rebound for next week.

“Offensively we need to work on moving the ball around [with more control] and not throwing the ball into the middle, [right in front of the goal to a teammate] where we turn the ball over. On defensive we need to work on not get countered by the person we’re matched up against,” Yook said.

Even though Redondo couldn’t pull off the win, the players’ performances left high hopes for the team for the future.

In the coming weeks, the team looks forward to climbing up the ranks in the Bay League. With only three more regular season games to go, the seahawks creep closer to a winning season, as it would be their sixth year in a row.

“We are playing Costa next week, and being able to compete with this high-level team [PV], a team that continues to exceed my expectations, gives us way more confidence in our upcoming games within and outside of CIF,” Guenther said.

Boys Varsity Football is defeated 35-0 at Homecoming against Palos Verdes

by Andrew McKenna

O

n Friday, Oct. 14, a 6-1 Redondo Union football team returned to the Sea Hawk Bowl to play in front of a home crowd for the first time in nearly a month. Fresh off their first loss of the season to Culver City, Redondo was looking to get back on track against fellow Bay League member Palos Verdes High School (PV). PV had won three straight games heading into the night, outscoring

Senior Pete Paguyo looks in the crowd for family and friends after homcing game against Palos Verdes . PHOTO

BY INGRID SOMMERER

their opponents 137-10 during that span.

As Redondo would soon discover, PV’s recent success was not a fluke.

Right off the bat, PV marched down the field undeterred, picking Redondo’s defense apart before they eventually scored on a six-yard touchdown pass. A poor situation turned worse when Redondo was flagged for jumping offsides on the PAT (lining up to attempt a one-point field goal), leading PV to attempt a two-point try, which they successfully converted.

Simple mistakes such as this appeared to be a common theme for Redondo, and PV took advantage.

“We just beat ourselves with mental mistakes and mental errors,” senior strong-safety Caden Telleson said. “We can beat that team if we play better defense and make a couple more plays on offense.

It was just the small details this week. We need to keep working in practice and get better.”

After forcing a quick punt on PV’s second drive, Redondo’s defense appeared to be getting back on track. On a third and short within PV’s own 20-yard line with momentum starting to shift towards Redondo, PV senior quarterback Charlie Beuerlein dropped back and lofted a pass to the far sideline, where it was caught for a 25-yard gain. Just a few plays later, the drive ended with an 18-yard passing touchdown, leaving Redondo with a soul-crushing 28 point deficit going into the second half.

“It was just bad communication on that play,” Telleson said. “The safeties, partially

me and partially some of the other safeties, didn’t shift out in time and we didn’t get to our man. We miscommunicated, we didn’t talk enough about it before the play and we just didn’t execute. It’s something we’ve practiced many times, we just have to execute it now.”

Unfortunately for Redondo, the offense did nothing to pick up the defense. On the first play from scrimmage following the most recent PV touchdown, senior quarterback Christian Hunt targeted junior wide receiver Nate Stiveson on a short-passing play. Tracking Hunt’s eyes, a PV defensive back jumped the route and ran the throw back for a pick-six. The first play of the following drive was no better, as the snap soared over Hunt’s head before it was eventually recovered by the PV defense. PV would go on to score three plays later on a three-yard rushing touchdown.

“We didn’t do anything to help ourselves tonight,” Redondo head coach Keith Ellison said. “A lot of mistakes on our throws, a lot of miscommunications, misalignments and misplacements; our guys just weren’t in the right spots. I take a lot of the blame for that as the coach for not preparing us for it.”

Redondo would go to the locker room in a 28-point hole. According to Coach Ellison, the only way to get back in a game that lopsided is to start fast and make more aggressive plays. After successfully driving down the field all the way into the redzone, Redondo was now faced with a fourth and short. The offense seemed to be clicking for the first time all night, so Ellison decided

to roll the dice and go for it. That decision didn’t pan out.

“We were trying to find something to get some momentum going,” Ellison said.

“I felt that if we could have come down and scored that drive, then we could have made a stop and gotten back into the game, but mistakes killed us again.”

Redondo’s offense was given a gift a few plays later when the defense recovered a PV fumble, leaving them with great field position, but they again failed to capitalize on the opportunity. The next play saw a ball get tipped at the line of scrimmage before eventually falling into the arms of a PV defender.

“I don’t think that it was all one position’s fault; I just think that the offense was just a little bit off tonight,” Telleson said. “I think that if we correct the small mistakes [we’ll be fine].

Redondo had one more nice drive before the game’s conclusion, but it ended scoreless. The game would end 35-0, leaving Redondo without points for a second consecutive game. Looking past the scoreboard, Telleson found a few positive points to build on for upcoming games.

“There’s just no quit in the defense. It doesn’t matter if it is 50-0; that’s not going to stop us,” Telleson said. “The same thing goes for the offense. They keep trying to move the ball, Christian (Hunt) still hangs in the pocket, running backs are taking big hits and everyone is trying to make a play.

At the end of the day, everyone is giving it their all, it’s just mental mistakes that are holding us back.”

oct. 28, 2022 high tide

16 in-focus

Extra, Extra: stress

by Scarlett Mische

E

veryday, students are faced with new challenges and responsibilities. Whether it be a club, an AP class or an after-school sports activity, the pressure of filling one’s resume to the brim can break even the most well-organized and diligent students.

Key Club President and theater crew member senior Maya Patel spends the “vast majority” of her week either planning a new event for Key Club, working on homework for one of her many AP classes or designing sets for school musicals.

“Mentally, I would say that sleep deprivation and I are really good friends. We have become well acquainted throughout my last four years,” Patel said.

Sleep deprivation, an issue connected to the overabundance of responsibilities, is a condition that students, like Patel, have to balance. Patel also addresses the conflicts associated with communication needed for when students fall behind in work.

“If the school could be a smidge more understanding about certain pressures put onto students that would be appreciated,” Patel said. “It would be nice if there was a forum or a way for the school to communicate with us better than just our school email.”

To Patel, the joy that comes from her re-

Students overwhelmed by stress and anxiety due to responsibilities and extracurricular activities at school

all about it

sponsibilities”, such as her three AP community. Clubs definitely help, but sponsibilities holds “more value” to her classes, she still does “everything within the workload is still socially limiting,” than pursuing perfection in everything her power” to act as a bridge between the Daley said. she does. general student body Finding a balance with her respon“Theater and and ASB. sibilities allows for Daley to feel acceptKey Club help me “I am taking the ed into a “great social community.” This feel grounded in weight of the projfeeling of acceptance led to her being the fact that I'm a ects and upcoming less focused on perfectionism and more human being and If the school could be events that we have. focused on understanding herself.

I'm just doing what it affects my “Balancing everything with school I love,” Patel said. a smidge more under- So, anxiety, and I get is probably the hardest part because Similarly to Pastanding about certain stressed out about [five AP classes] are demanding. Clubs tel, ASB President trying to manage evinvolve a lot of commitment. In salsa I and senior Reece pressures put onto erything, but luckily have to practice with my partner a lot Cartee, has “quite a I am able to let my outside of school, so practicing takes up students that would be bit of pressure” put teacher’s know that a good chunk of time, even on weekends. onto her, due to her appreciated. It would I’m a busy girl. I’m And organizing for our next Asian Culday-to-day responable to tures Club be nice if there was sibilities. c l e a r l y meetings “I am trying my a forum or a way for commudefinitehardest to be presnicate ly takes a ident, and I don’t the school to commuOne of the biggest with my lot of time, know how hard or nicate with us better frie nds , and it can causes of stress is a easy it appears to f a m i be stressful than just our school others, but it is a ly, and lack of balance. A lot of e s p e c i a l l y hard job,” Cartee email." teachers people have anxiety or with all of said. “I take on a to make my other lot, but I still want high stress levels and sure I’m responsibilto be here for the MAYA PATEL g e t t i n g they don't realize that ities,” Daley students if they SENIOR e v e r y said. need something they're doing too much t h i n g Agreeing or if they want change. I done on time,” Cartee said. with Dawant to be able to until they're in a full Senior Catherine Tran, ley’s opinbring them that Red Cross Club president, blown crisis." ion on the change.” echoes Cartee’s sentiments importance Cartee cares on the importance of comof balance, “immensely” munity and how it can help RACHEL ANDREWS school Menabout her role MENTAL HEALTH AND to de-stress an environment. tal Health as club presWELLNESS COUNSELOR “Mentally, I would say and Wellident. Even that I'm a lot more tired ness counthough she at the end of the day than I used to be, selor Rachel Andrews often deals with has “many because [in addition to] stressing about overly stressed students who struggle to other reschool, I now have to think about [Red maintain a proper balance between their Cross] every day,” Tran said. schoolwork and activities.

On top of mental struggles, junior “One of the biggest causes of stress is Serena Daley speaks to the social struglack of balance. A lot of people have anxgles tied to it. She is president of the iety or high stress levels and they don’t Asian Cultures Club, a player on the girls realize that they’re doing too much until basketball team and a member of Salsa they’re in a full blown crisis,” Andrews Club, Model United Nations, Students said. against Destructive Decisions and NaThe ability to healthily balance a vational American Mental Health Alliance. riety of responsibilities can be “largely On top of that, she is vice president of based on what type of person” you are the Red Cross Club. Holding these posiand how you “view school.” tions, Daley expereinces “both ups and “School plays a role in things getting downs” of these activities with regards to out of balance especially if you’re one of her social life. those people who wants to be a part of “[I spend] most of my free time workeverything, and so you’re signing up for ing [on homework]. But being involved everything and giving yourself to every in clubs is definitely how I get my social club, every class, every sport until there's life back. When I'm in my clubs, I get nothing left for yourself,” Andrews said. to talk to new people. I can be with my Overworking has the potential to friends, and salsa especially is a great disturb student’s social life and mental state, but participating in a variety of activities and living for passions is one thing that Patel, Cartee, Tran and Daley all found in common.

“If you’re interested in trying something [new], it’s never too late, just go and see what happens,” Andrews said.

“Take that risk, because that is how you will grow and find what you are looking for in life.”

“

“

there are

107

clubs at RUHS—107 opportunities to get involved, but also get overwhelmed

ILLUSTRATION BY LOLA DIEHL