La Vista Issue 4, Vol. LXIII Section A by La Vista

DECEMBER 21, 2012 1401 ARTESIA BLVD. MANHATTAN BEACH, CA 90266 VOL. LXIII

WWW. LAVISTAMCHS.COM

ISSUE 4

Dale proposes AP changes

Not their finest hour

BY JOANI GILLAM EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR

MIRA LAING/ LA VISTA

DODGE A WRENCH: (top from left) After a three-year winning streak, seniors Grant Southwood, Travis Bradford, Jack Hadley and Luc Alexiadas of the team â&#x20AC;&#x153;Amateur Hourâ&#x20AC;? lost the dodgeball title to (bottom left) senior Dillon Shambaugh and (bottom right) Grant Chalmers of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Volleyball Team Plus Chow.â&#x20AC;?

Among Daleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eight bulletpointed proposals is a six-week add/drop period, where students Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale would be able to decide whether proposed a revised policy regard- D FODVV LV WRR GLIÂżFXOW DQG RSW WR ing access to Advanced Place- drop out. Students can also add ment and Honors classes on Dec. advanced classes to their sched4 that proposes to change the pre- ule after the school year begins. requisite and waiver policies and Another component of the new eliminate commitment forms. policy is the implementation of 1R ÂżQDO SURSRVDOV KDYH EHHQ uniform assessment tests, which submitwould be develâ&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to revise the entire oped by each deted to the M a n h a t - [AP] system at Mira Costa.â&#x20AC;? partment and taken tan Beach by students who Unified wish to waiver into Dr. Ben Dale School an advanced class. Mira Costa Principal District â&#x20AC;&#x153;The proposBoard of Trustees yet, as Dale is als are pandering to a misplaced revising his original AP policies priority,â&#x20AC;? AP Government teacher after receiving general teacher Glenn Marx said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The proposals disapproval at the Dec. 12 depart- advocate a feeling of open access ment meeting. which doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exist right now.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I considered all the conversaDale is unable to release a date tions Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had with guidance coun- IRU WKH ÂżQDO SURSRVHG $3 DQG selors, AP teachers and the Board Honor changes at this time. in order to get input,â&#x20AC;? Dale said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The past policies for AP classâ&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to revise the entire [AP] es just werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t working,â&#x20AC;? Dale system at Mira Costa: access, the said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As of now, our goal is to right kids in the class and the ap- make policy changes before the peals process in order to get the publication of the course handright approach for students.â&#x20AC;? book next year.â&#x20AC;?

MBUSD plans to implement new teacher evaluation pilot program BY ARI HOWORTH ARTS EDITOR

agreed-upon standards of teaching mastery,â&#x20AC;? MBUSD Deputy Superintendent Dr. Rick Bagley said. After a failed attempt on Nov. 14 to In addition to evaluating teachers before specify the conditions of the new teacher they receive tenure, the new system allows evaluation pilot program, Manhattan Beach tenured teachers to volunteer for the pro8QLÂżHG 6FKRRO 'LVWULFW DQG WKH 0DQKDWWDQ gram to see areas where they can improve %HDFK 8QLÂżHG 7HDFKHUV $VVRFLDWLRQ FDPH as educators. WR DQ DJUHHPHQW RQ 'HF DQG ÂżQDOL]HG â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think tenured teachers would terms for the new evaluation system. volunteer themselves for evaluation,â&#x20AC;? The pilot program, beginning in the Costa science teacher Dan Bartlett said. 2013-14 school year, will evaluate teachers â&#x20AC;&#x153;There should be, however, a way to evalon two mandatory and two optional stan- uate the methods of tenured teachers.â&#x20AC;? dards set forth by the National Board for The committee will begin testing the Professional Teaching Standards. These in- program on Jan. 9, using the standards clude â&#x20AC;&#x153;teachers are active members of their to evaluate Costa teachers. They will dislearning communityâ&#x20AC;? cuss its effectiveness and â&#x20AC;&#x153;knowledge of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our current system of teach- and make necessary their subject.â&#x20AC;? er evaluations is inconsistent changes to the plan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our current system â&#x20AC;&#x153;To have an adand doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help our teachers of teacher evaluations ministrator evaluate does not help teachers improve in the long run.â&#x20AC;? a teacher on one day to improve in the long of lessons doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t run,â&#x20AC;? MBUSD Superseem fair,â&#x20AC;? BarDr. Michael Matthews intendent Dr. Michael tlett said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teachers MBUSD Superintendent Matthews said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There ZRXOG EHQHÂżW IURP are no agreed upon criteria on what makes observing other teachers with different and a high quality teacher, so every evaluation effective teaching methods.â&#x20AC;? can be done differently, depending on what According to Matthews, once the full each administrator believes.â&#x20AC;? pilot plan is implemented, the administraEach teacher evaluated will choose one WLRQ ZLOO FRQWLQXH WR WHVW LWV HIÂżFLHQF\ DQG standard to be graded on, and a Costa ad- make any necessary changes over the next ministrator will choose another. The other two years. two standards of â&#x20AC;&#x153;continuous improveâ&#x20AC;&#x153;We will learn a lot in this pilot about mentâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;degree of professionalismâ&#x20AC;? KRZ WR GR WKLV HIIHFWLYHO\ DQG HIÂżFLHQWO\ Â´ will be mandatory. Matthews said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will use teacher and Âł7KLV LV WKH ÂżUVW V\VWHP LQ 0%86' KLV- administrator feedback and change it as tory that aligns teacher performance to we go so it is the best system possible.â&#x20AC;?

TAYLOR ST. GERMAIN/ LA VISTA

BALLIN: Mira Costa baseball player Michael Rumpp practices pitching after school. Rumpp was one of the Costa baseball players interviewed during the administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s review of the program.

Costa baseball program review ends BY TAYLOR ST. GERMAIN NEWS EDITOR Mira Costa baseball coach Cassidy Olson has been restricted from coaching the baseball program until March 25, following a review by the Costa administration of the coaching tactics used by the coaches of the team. Mira Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale, Vice Principal Ian Drummond, Athletic Director Don Morrow and assistant coaches interviewed each member of the baseball team after receiving multiple complaints from parents of current and former players of verbal and physical abuse. Olson returned to coaching on Dec. 17 after being restricted from contact with players for over a month. He will be allowed to practice with the team until 3 p.m. but will not be permitted to attend games, scrimmages or tournaments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a personnel issue and, therefore, I cannot comment on the suspension at this time,â&#x20AC;? Dale said.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I directed coach Olson to have no contact with players or parents during the review,â&#x20AC;? Dale said in an e-mail to parents on Dec.18. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Assistant coaches under the direction of Coach Morrow managed the sixth period workouts.â&#x20AC;? $IWHU WKH UHYLHZ 'DOH FRQÂżUPHG LQ WKH e-mail to parents that the administration did QRW ÂżQG DQ\ OHJLWLPDWH DFFRXQWV RI SK\VLcal or emotional abuse, though reasons for the suspension are unavailable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am extremely grateful to Coach Morrow and Mr. Drummond for thoroughly investigating these serious allegations and clearing my name,â&#x20AC;? Olson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I look forward to getting back to playing baseball with a great senior class.â&#x20AC;? Some parents of team members are not pleased with the administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to reinstate Olson as coach of the Costa baseball team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are several families that believe the issue has not been resolved and we will be appealing it,â&#x20AC;? baseball parent Francine Clebowicz said.

A2 La Vista

NEWS

Costa Arts perform in Holiday Assembly BY MADDIE COATE STAFF WRITER 0LUD &RVWD SHUIRUPLQJ DUWV SURgrams participated in the annual Performing Holiday Arts Assembly today during second period in the Costa auditorium. Advanced Drama acted out original holiday skits; the choir HQVHPEOHV 0LUD &RVWD 0XVFOH and the Coterie sang songs including â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh Holy Nightâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;At Last;â&#x20AC;? the advanced dance class danced to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sugar Rum Cherryâ&#x20AC;? by Duke Ellington and â&#x20AC;&#x153;All I :DQW IRU &KULVWPDVÂ´ E\ 0DULDK Carey and the Wind Ensemble performed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Slalomâ&#x20AC;? by composer Carter Pann. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The assembly was a fun way to show kids who arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t in choir, band, dance or drama the dedication and hard work we put into WKH DUWV SURJUDP Â´ 0XOWLFXOWXUDO Choir member junior Claudia Fellows said. Band director Joel Carlson picks a different ensemble to perform every year to ensure all band members get an equal opportunity to perform. This year, he chose Wind Ensemble. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To prepare, Wind Ensemble practiced in class for an hour everyday,â&#x20AC;? Wind Ensemble member VHQLRU .DLWO\Q 0F4XRZQ VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also had a dress rehearsal the day before our performance.â&#x20AC;? Carlson chose the piece â&#x20AC;&#x153;Slalomâ&#x20AC;? due to its melodies, which he claims give the listener the

December 21, 2012

Operation Success

EMMA SALZMAN/ LA VISTA GEOFFREY ST. JOHN/ LA VISTA

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;TIS THE SEASON: (from left) Freshmen Jordan Smith and Erin McCarthy and senior Sulibeth Ortiz Torres practiced their holiday skits Wednesday to prepare for the holiday assembly, which took place today in the Costa auditorium. sensation of skiing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been moving on to more sophisticated literature instead of just the average holiday PXVLF Â´ 0F4XRZQ VDLG Âł,WÂśV great to be able to share what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve accomplished with the whole school while also spreading some cheer.â&#x20AC;? The Drama Department performed original skits for the assembly that were holiday related. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The skits came purely from our imagination,â&#x20AC;? junior Sabrina 0RQJLHOOR VDLG Âł:H WULHG WR NHHS our audience in mind when writing them. The scenes were more talk-heavy this year than action heavy, so it took a more attentive audience to get the same result.â&#x20AC;? The a capella choir groups, CoWHULH DQG 0LUD &RVWD 0XVFOH DOVR sang holiday songs. Âł7KH &RWHULH DQG 0LUD &RVWD 0XVFOH ERWK SUDFWLFHG RQ WKHLU

own and then came to me for the ÂżQDO WRXFKHV Â´ FKRLU GLUHFWRU 0Lchael Hayden said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We tried to add a more contemporary perspective to holiday music with our own renditions of the songs.â&#x20AC;? 0LUD &RVWD $GYDQFHG 'DQFH began preparing two weeks before the assembly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show contrasted with last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as the songs in the show were more holiday-related,â&#x20AC;? Advanced Dance member senior .D\OH\ *DLQHV VDLG Âł:H KDG time to perfect the dances, and were able to expose Costa kids to jazz dancing.â&#x20AC;? 0DQ\ &RVWD VWXGHQWV HQMR\HG watching Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performing arts programs collaborate to produce the Holiday Arts assembly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love going and getting to see the holiday assembly,â&#x20AC;? sophomore Skylar Caputo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It gets more impressive each year.â&#x20AC;?

Junior Maddy Shea (center) and sophomore Megan DiLeva (right) collect food donations for the homeless as a part of Associated Student Bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Operation Happiness at Mira Costa.

UC approves Honors Earth Science BY DANA STERNTHAL STAFF WRITER The Univeristy of California Board of Regents recently approved an Honors Earth Science course that Costa will offer starting in the 2013-14 school year. This class will be offered only to juniors and seniors and will be taught by Advanced Placement Environmental Science teacher Karl Kurz. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a geology major, I am passionate about teaching this new honors class,â&#x20AC;? Kurz said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I brought AP Environmental Science to Costa, so I look forward to future successes.â&#x20AC;? The Honors Earth Science class will be a dual credit class, meaning that students can receive a

grade on their transcript from the University of California Los Angeles extension program in addiWLRQ WR ÂżYH FROOHJH FUHGLWV 7R UHceive these credits, a student must receive an A in both semesters and SDVV WKH ÂżQDO H[DP 0RUH GHWDLOV about the class will become available in the coming months. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The class passed through the UCLA extension program, and we are now working with them to model a similar program that Harvard-Westlake uses,â&#x20AC;? Kurz said. There are no prerequisites for the Honors Earth Science class. In the last few months, the class was approved by the College Board, adding it to the curriculum. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The class is a path for kids to take an upper level science class and get honors credit,â&#x20AC;? Kurz said.

Costa orchestra holds annual Winter Concert BY CATE SCHIFF STAFF WRITER

HANNAH DAGIAU/ LA VISTA

FA LA LA LA LA: Multicultural choir members perform in â&#x20AC;&#x153;This Shining Night,â&#x20AC;? which took place Tuesday in the Costa auditorium.

Choir showcases winter selection BY GASSIA ASHIKIAN STAFF WRITER 7KH 0LUD &RVWD $GYDQFHG :RPHQÂśV &KRUDO 0XOWLFXOWXUDO Choir, Concert Choir and Vocal Ensemble held their annual winter concert, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This Shining Night,â&#x20AC;? Tuesday in the Costa Auditorium at 7 p.m. 0LUD &RVWDÂśV DOO JLUO D FDSSHOOD group, Coterie, also performed a medley of traditional holiday carROV 0LUD &RVWD 0XVFOH DQ HLJKW man a cappella group, sung a modern version of the traditional tune â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh Holy Night.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had a lot of fun singing such a different selection of songs this year,â&#x20AC;? Vocal Ensemble member junior Avery Jett said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We practiced together everyday leading up to the concert to make each song sound completely unique in its own way. I think everyone enjoyed our singing.â&#x20AC;? Following annual tradition, the entire choir department incorporated American Sign Language

into their closing performance of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Silent Night.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The addition of sign language to the performance creates an intimate, solemn and touching performance for both the audience and the singers,â&#x20AC;? choir instructor 0LFKDHO +D\GHQ VDLG Âł,W LV D WUXly special experience.â&#x20AC;? In preparation for their December concert, the Advanced Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choral and Vocal Ensemble sung on Dec. 10 for the Neptunian Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club, a local womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service organization. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been invited to the Neptunian Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s December meeting for the past six years,â&#x20AC;? Hayden said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They tell us we are their favorite guests to have at their meetings.â&#x20AC;? The Advanced Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choral performed the same repertoire of songs that they sang for â&#x20AC;&#x153;This Shining Nightâ&#x20AC;? at the Neptunian Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was an honor singing for an incredible group of women,â&#x20AC;? VRSKRPRUH 0FND\ *LOOHWWH VDLG

students have learned to perform school started,â&#x20AC;? Campbell said. at a collegiate level. Âł0U 3DUN UHDOO\ IRFXVHG RQ JHWÂł0U 3DUN KDV ZRUNHG H[WUHPH- ting the orchestra into the right 7KH 0LUD &RVWD 2UFKHVWUD SHU- ly hard during rehearsals to help mood and character.â&#x20AC;? formed in its annual Winter Con- us get to performance level,â&#x20AC;? To carry out their performances cert on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Spencer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His enthusiasm successfully, orchestra members Costa auditorium. helps us work harder as students, practice with Park during their Since this concert was right WRR , IHHO OLNH 0U 3DUN KDV SUH- class periods and after school. before the holiday break, the or- pared us very well and has done â&#x20AC;&#x153;We practiced playing accuchestra played classical songs as a great job.â&#x20AC;? rately and together as an orcheswell as upbeat holiday music. 0DQ\ VWXGHQWV ZKR DWWHQGHG tra,â&#x20AC;? Campbell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also â&#x20AC;&#x153;This was one of the best win- the concert believe that the hard worked on having an aggressive ter concerts we have ever had,â&#x20AC;? work Orchestra put into perfect- tone in the key moments of the violinist sophomore Katherine ing their concert paid off. piece and contrasting that with a Spencer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The range of muâ&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought the orchestra mem- lighter tone in other parts.â&#x20AC;? sic from classical symphony mu- bers did really well at their conPark purposely made this consic to sing-along Christmas songs cert because they were very pre- cert different than the previous H[HPSOLÂżHV WKH H[FHOOHQFH RI RXU pared,â&#x20AC;? attendee sophomore Scott performances by making the stuorchestra department.â&#x20AC;? 0LNHWD VDLG dents step into the character and The students practiced everyPark and the students have put mood of the pieces of the music day for this concert, often times a lot of thought into the pieces in order to ensure that the concert after school as well. that were assigned at the end of was unique and memorable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all put in a lot of hard work last year, according to violinist â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want every concert and and practice on a daily basis,â&#x20AC;? senior Allie Campbell. performance to be unique, not orchestra conductor Peter Park â&#x20AC;&#x153;We got the music for this through special effects, but just VDLG Âł6LQFH 0LUD &RVWD KDV VXFK concert at the end of last year by the music we present to the aua strong musical program, we are and started preparing as soon as dience,â&#x20AC;? Park said. DEOH WR SHUIRUP GLIÂżFXOW DQG KLJK quality literature.â&#x20AC;? The Chamber Orchestra played WKH ÂżUVW DQG ÂżIWK PRYHPHQWV of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dvorak Serenadeâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WKH 0RVW :RQGHUIXO 7LPH RI WKH Year.â&#x20AC;? The Symphony Orchestra played Borodin Symphony No. 2 and the classic holiday song, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I enjoyed the songs we played, EHFDXVH WKH ÂżUVW PRYHPHQW LV YHU\ strong and powerful, but then the last movement is lighter and hapNICK MATSON/ LA VISTA pier so it creates a good contrast,â&#x20AC;? Spencer said. BOWS OF HOLLY: Orchestra members perform at their annual Winter Concert, With the support of Park, the which took place Dec. 7 in the Costa auditorium.

NEWS

December 21, 2012

MB celebrates 100th anniversary

La Vista

MBUSD holds CP class workshop BY COURTNEY HUGHEY STAFF WRITER

able to do.â&#x20AC;? The workshop attempted to propose goals to increase consistency 7KH 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK 8QLÂżHG within departments by establishManhattan Beach residents atSchool District and Costa teaching a Common Core Alignment in WHQGHG Âł5HĂ&#x20AC;HFW RQ WKH 3DVW *LYH ers discussed college preparatory CP classes. This program would Meaning to the Future,â&#x20AC;? a comclasses at the Dec. 6 MBUSD include common student evaluamunity discussion on Dec. 1 at Board of Trustees meeting. tions, department collaboration the Joslyn Community Center, to Common Core State Standards and similar grading strategies. celebrate the 100th anniversary of alignment, smaller class sizes and MBUSD staff emphasized the GEOFFREY ST. JOHN/ LA VISTA Manhattan Beach. course rigor were the main topics importance of helping the â&#x20AC;&#x153;midManhattan Beach residents ONE LAST TEXT: Costa students watch a video in the Costa cafeteria about at the MBUSD workshop. dle studentâ&#x20AC;? in the workshop. Robert Brigham, Russ Lesser, Mary Tessmer, a mother whose son died in a distracted driving accident. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These workshops were interâ&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to provide resources Beverly Rohrer and Arthur Verge active,â&#x20AC;? Board President Ellen for students in order for them to led a discussion about the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rosenberg said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We get a per- be successful,â&#x20AC;? Board member history. Several community orgaspective on how to reach goals Bill Fournell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to nizations presented. that the district is proposing.â&#x20AC;? make sure that CP classes are â&#x20AC;&#x153;I learned that all of the di- BY CHRISTOPH NEUMANN sembly took place The discussion was dedicated challenging students.â&#x20AC;? verse people who live in Man- STAFF WRITER â&#x20AC;&#x153;Word got out, and I believe the to whether or not decreasing class MBUSD has observed Palos hattan Beach can get together to message of the assembly was very sizes is a legitimate solution to Verdes School Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s common celebrate the history of our city,â&#x20AC;? People Attaining Complete well received,â&#x20AC;? Wilson said. creating a more effective learning classroom program as an example Mayor Wayne Powell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some Equality held a distracted driving PACE member junior Nick environment for students. of a program that could be used to residents are new and some have assembly on Dec. 12 to inform Miller organized the event and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Class sizes are a very pivotal improve CP classes. been here for more than 60 years, students of the dangers of multi- contacted speakers. focus of any learning environâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a hypothesis at but everybody came together for tasking while driving. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My uncle was in a distracted ment,â&#x20AC;? Costa English teacher and [PVSD] that students who are this celebration.â&#x20AC;? The assembly featured a video driving accident, and that in- department chair Pamela Jenning successful tend to be with the To further celebrate the 100th presentation and the story of Mary Ă&#x20AC;XHQFHG PH WR UDLVH DZDUHQHVV said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to look at it in same successful students from anniversary, Skechers sponsored Tessmer, a mother whose teenage about the issue,â&#x20AC;? Miller said. terms of how the curriculum is freshman to senior [year],â&#x20AC;? FourD ÂżUHZRUNV VKRZ RQ 'HF WKDW son died in a distracted driving PACE wants the student body delivered to give students the op- nell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe there could be followed the 24th annual Holi- accident in 2007. to come away from the assembly portunity to improve their learn- a program where students could day Fireworks on the Manhattan â&#x20AC;&#x153;The purpose of the assembly more aware of the issue of dis- ing experience.â&#x20AC;? work with other students at the Beach pier. was to educate students about the tracted driving. According to Costa Vice Princi- same performance level.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The centennial is very impor- life-threatening dangers of disâ&#x20AC;&#x153;The assembly affected me on SDO ,DQ 'UXPPRQG ÂżQDQFLDO OLPAt the next district board meettant as it helps us take the time to tracted driving,â&#x20AC;? PACE instructor a personal level,â&#x20AC;? senior Aedan itations are an obstacle in making ing on Jan. 16, MBUSD will conthink about the past 100 years and Dr. Rocky Wilson said. Madillian said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was part of a immediate changes to classes. tinue to discuss these issues. the future of Manhattan Beach,â&#x20AC;? PACE also hung posters around distracted driving accident and â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it is possible to â&#x20AC;&#x153;CP classes should be rigorLesser said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It gives us a chance campus showing the numerical my car was totaled, so I was hap- reduce class sizes right now,â&#x20AC;? ous enough for students,â&#x20AC;? Jenning to think about what makes our statistics of the consequences of py to see that people wanted to Drummond said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Budget con- said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope these discussions city such a special place.â&#x20AC;? distracted driving before the as- raise awareness about the issue.â&#x20AC;? straints limit what the district is FDQ ÂżQG ZD\V IRU LPSURYHPHQW Â´ BY KATE ROBAK CALENDAR EDITOR

PACE highlights driving dangers

Costa Model United Nations crosses national, international borders BY MORGAN THALER STAFF WRITER

ference on Nov. 5 and returned on Nov. 11 after competing in a three-day debate. Throughout November and DeIndividual Mira Costa MUN cember, the Mira Costa Model students won a total of six Best United Nations program won Delegate awards or gavels, 12 numerous awards at regional, Outstandings, along with 12 national and international con- Commendations at Brown. ferences and on Dec. 9 held its â&#x20AC;&#x153;We did well at Brown, and eighteenth-annual Los Angeles about 83% of our group received Invitational MUN conference. recognition,â&#x20AC;? MUN advisor RobThe conferences took place ert Timberlake said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We brought in San Francisco, Providence, a very young group with only Rhode Island and Paris, France. seven seniors but still managed to 7KH )UDQFH WULS FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFWHG ZLWK win against our competition.â&#x20AC;? LAIMUN XVIII, which was held The combination of grade levat the Costa campus. els at the Brown conference was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Costa MUN has been working originally thought to be risky by really hard so far this year by re- some Costa delegates. searching, practicing and improvAccording to MUN students, a ing as a team from the sophomores major focus was uniting as a team to the seniors,â&#x20AC;? Secretary-General throughout the past three confersenior Taylor Lewis said. ences. MUN students aimed to All grade levels of the ad- have the upperclassmen help make vanced MUN team participated the underclassmen more prepared in the travel conferences. A group ZLWK ÂżUVW KDQG H[SHULHQFH LQ WKH of MUN students departed for past major conferences. the Brown University MUN conâ&#x20AC;&#x153;It was great to have the opportunity to represent our school on the national stage,â&#x20AC;? senior Jack Rosenberg said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was proud of our team for doing so well with such a mix of sophomores, juniors and seniors. I think COURTESY JACK ROSENBERG, EVA ABRAMSON, it means good things to GOLDEN GAVELS: (top) Costa MUN students traveled to come for the Brown University for a national conference, and others program.â&#x20AC;? Later in the travel to San Francisco (bottom) to debate.

The stu- real world issues,â&#x20AC;? Lewis said. dents who â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so happy to be a leader of attended the a program that operates successParis con- fully and that can be counted on ference were to step up to the plate, which evunable to be eryone involved with LAIMUN a part of the did to the fullest extent.â&#x20AC;? LAIMUN Tech committees were introXVIII staff. duced to LAIMUN this year as To make up well. Senior Tyler Shalvarjian for their ab- and juniors Arani Bhattacharyay sences, senior and Milo Davis created a way and junior for participating delegates to use dias posi- computers throughout the day, tions were eliminating the use of paper from replaced with four different committees. ALEX WHITE, HANNAH DAGIAU/ LA VISTA juniors and â&#x20AC;&#x153;The tech committees at LE MUN: (top) Los Angeles MUN students debate at Cos- sophomores, LAIMUN were designed to pioneer Mira Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision of the taâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual LAIMUN, while (bottom) some Costa MUN stu- respectively. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was re- future of MUN,â&#x20AC;? head of Techdents were in Paris for an international conference. ally fun being QRORJ\ 2IÂżFH RI 3XEOLF ,QIRUPDmonth, Costa debated at the Re- a vice-chair as a sophomore,â&#x20AC;? tion Bhattacharyay said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This gional High School MUN confer- sophomore Jack Howorth said. year was successful, and we hope ence in San Francisco from Nov. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My chair gave me a good amount to expand this model from the 29 to Dec. 1. The team received of time to run the committee, and original four committees to 22 in the Award of Excellence, which I got a good idea of what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like the future.â&#x20AC;? translates to second place. to be on the Members of â&#x20AC;&#x153;RHSMUN was a great expe- other side of a the Costa MUN â&#x20AC;&#x153;Costa Model United rience,â&#x20AC;? senior Ryanne Martucci debate.â&#x20AC;? Secretariat are Nations has been working the main orgasaid. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m proud my sophomore MUN inpartner, Chase Williams, and I did creased the really hard so far this year nizers of the really well.â&#x20AC;? number of stu- by researching, practicing, event. Each Though Costa MUN has trav- dents that at- and improving as a team member has a eled internationally in the past, tended from from the sophomores to designated role WKLV \HDU LV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH WKH SUR- prior years by in making sure the seniors.â&#x20AC;? gram attended the Paris MUN about 50, tothe conference conference in France. taling 850 sturuns smoothly. Taylor Lewis Fifteen Costa students got dents. Accordâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a believthe opportunity to debate with ing to leaders er in student-run Secretary-General schools from all over the world of the program, production,â&#x20AC;? from Dec. 1-10 in the United Na- L A I M U N Timberlake WLRQV (GXFDWLRQ 6FLHQWLÂżF DQG XVIII was one of the most suc- said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although with my experiCulture Organization building. cessful yet. ence I do keep an eye on things, 7KH WHDP UHFHLYHG ÂżYH %HVW 'HOâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Even though we were missing in the end, the secretary-generals, egate awards. a few vital team members in Par- Brady Currey and Taylor Lewis, â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of our students were treat- is, we pulled off a conference that are the ones in charge of handling ed to a real cultural experience,â&#x20AC;? ran smoothly and really helped the just about everything and will Timberlake said. freshmen learn about MUN and continue to do so.â&#x20AC;?

NEWS

La Vista

December 21, 2012

Marching Band takes fourth at SCSBOA BY SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER With a score of 83.7 out of 100, Mira Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marching Band and Colorguard received fourth place out of 12 bands in Division 4A on Dec.1 at the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Championships in Downey, California. 7KLV ZDV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH WKDW the Mira Costa Marching Band and Colorguard competed at the championship level; however, this was the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last competitive performance of the season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all knew it was our last show with the current senior class, and that encouraged us all to do the best that we possibly could,â&#x20AC;? saxophone player junior Thomas Alexander said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had

really great student leadership, an amazing staff and extremely dedicated members.â&#x20AC;? The band only had a week to practice for the competition after Thanksgiving break. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even with only a week to practice, we wanted to do well and took the championships more seriously than any other competition throughout the year,â&#x20AC;? Colorguard co-captain junior Chelsea Williams said. A majority of the 2012 Marching Band and Colorguard seniors has been part of the program for four years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We do something called Legacy Arcs, where all the seniors step out and watch the band perform one last time after the season ends,â&#x20AC;? percussion section leader senior Casey Choi said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is

when it really got emotional and people started crying.â&#x20AC;? Although it was a bittersweet event, the Marching Band members believe they had a great season with their performances of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Electropolis,â&#x20AC;? this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was in denial that this was my last show,â&#x20AC;? Colorguard captain senior Rachel Azafrani said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so proud of the Colorguard. We ended the season strongly.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Electropolisâ&#x20AC;? helped the band receive a total of 14 awards throughout the 2012 season for its performances. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There have been groups attending the championships for 10 years who have never cracked the WRS ÂżYHÂ´ EDQG GLUHFWRU -RHO &DUOson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The hard work we have GRQH ZDV FRQÂżUPHG WR EH WKH right work by the judges.â&#x20AC;?

COURTESY CASEY CHOI

MARCH TO VICTORY: Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marching Band and Colorguard members practice before their competition on Dec. 1 at the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Championships in Downey, California.

Board creates new tech director position BY MADDIE NERAD STAFF WRITER

salary for this position will range from $82,425 to $100,283 â&#x20AC;&#x153;This position was created in response $W WKH 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK 8QLÂżHG 6FKRRO to the growing need to provide consistent District Board of Trustees meeting on Nov. technology services and expertise through7, the Board approved the new director of out the district,â&#x20AC;? MBUSD Director of Huinformation technology position, which man Resources Kathy Hall said in a statewill be a district-level job. ment on mbusd.org. The director of information technology In February, the Board approved the will oversee the current Technology De- position of systems analyst to create and partment. The positionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creation comes analyze MBUSD databases. However, no GXULQJ D VFKRRO \HDU ÂżOOHG ZLWK WHFKQRORJL- candidate could be found, and the position cal changes, such as the iPads and wireless was abandoned, according to Hall. The dirouters being brought to Costa. rector position was posted Dec. 7 and will According to the job description, the remain until Dec. 21. director will report to MBUSD Superinâ&#x20AC;&#x153;We now screen applications, conduct tendent Dr. Michael Matthews and will be testing, create an eligibility list for approvresponsible for â&#x20AC;&#x153;organizing, planning, and al by the Personnel Commission and hold supervising the operation of the Informa- interviews,â&#x20AC;? Hall said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I expect the direction Technology Department.â&#x20AC;? The annual WRU WR EH VHOHFWHG E\ PLG -DQXDU\ Â´

MUNAM WASI/ LA VISTA

LAUGH OUT LOUD: (from left) Sophomore Tamara Knell, senior Molly Curtis, DQG VRSKRPRUH &KDUOLH 'XUKDP FRPSHWH DW WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW &RPHG\6SRUW] PDWFK RI the year, which ended in a 46-43 win for Mira Costa on Nov. 30.

ComedySportz wins first match BY QUINN KROPSCHOT STAFF WRITER

Wolf and Curtis. The second half consisted of seniors Zack Gill, Kathleen Yates, Taylor Howat Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ComedySportz team and Ron Yadin. Co-captain senior kicked off the 2012-13 season Buster Baer refereed. RQ 1RY ZLWK LWV ÂżUVW PDWFK Âł7KH PRVW GLIÂżFXOW SDUW RI against El Segundo High School ComedySportz is always the in the Costa drama room. nerves, but those go away once Only returning ComedySportz youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on stage,â&#x20AC;? Yates said. PHPEHUV SDUWLFLSDWHG LQ WKH ÂżUVW â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even though itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technically a match. The new members of competition, you just feel like ComedySportz will only be able hanging out with friends.â&#x20AC;? to play in matches during the secComedySportz won their second semester. ond match on Dec. 14 in the Cosâ&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so proud of the team,â&#x20AC;? ta drama room. They will perform co-captain senior Molly Curtis DJDLQ DW WKH /HQG D +DQG %HQHÂżW said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I could not have asked for a show tonight at 6 p.m. EHWWHU ÂżUVW PDWFK Â´ Âł,W ZDV P\ ÂżUVW WLPH DWWHQGLQJ ,Q WKH ÂżUVW KDOI RI WKH PDWFK a ComedySportz match and it was Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participants included a great experience,â&#x20AC;? sophomore sophomores Tamara Knell and Roxy Vabrey said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to Charlie Durham, junior Gabby attend more matches.â&#x20AC;?

December 21, 2012

OPINION

La Vista

Marijuana legalization in Washington, Colorado points to change for CA BY CASEY SUBLETTE SPORTS EDITOR 7KH UHFHQW OHJDOL]DWLRQ RI PDULMXDQD LQ :DVKLQJWRQ DQG &RORUDGR KDV UHLJQLWHG D ORQJ VWDQGLQJ GHEDWH RYHU WKH SRVVHVVLRQ VDOH DQG XVH RI PDULMXDQD HVSHFLDOO\ LQ &DOLIRUQLD )XOO OHJDOL]DWLRQ RI PDULMXDQD LQ &DOLIRUQLD ZRXOG WDNH DGYDQWDJH RI EHQHÂ¿WV WKDW WKH VWDWH FXUUHQWO\ GRHV QRW DQG VWHSV WRZDUG OHJDOL]DWLRQ RQ WKH QDWLRQDO OHYHO VKRXOG EH WDNHQ DV ZHOO /HJDOL]DWLRQ ZRXOG JUHDWO\ LQFUHDVH JRYHUQPHQW UHYHQXH WKURXJK WD[DWLRQ HDVH WKH VWUDLQ RQ WKH OHJDO V\VWHP DQG ZRXOG KHDO PDQ\ VRFLDO LOOV DVVRFLDWHG ZLWK WKH VXEVWDQFH 7KH 0DULMXDQD 7D[ $FW RI PDGH SRVVHVVLRQ DQG WKH XVH RI FDQQDELV SURGXFWV LOOHJDO RQ D IHGHUDO OHYHO 6LQFH WKHQ VHYHUDO VWDWHV KDYH OHJDOL]HG PDULMXDQD IRU PHGLFDO XVH ,Q WKH PRVW UHFHQW HOHFWLRQ YRWHUV LQ :DVKLQJWRQ DQG &RORUDGR YRWHG WR DS-

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Despite dangers of fiscal cliff, spending cannot be raised BY ADAM GERARD OPINION EDITOR $V RXU QDWLRQÂ¶V Â¿VFDO VLWXDWLRQ FRQWLQXHV WR ZRUVHQ WKH JRYHUQPHQW PXVW PDNH RQH RI WZR FKRLFHV LQFUHDVH WD[HV RU FXW VSHQGLQJ ,Q WLPHV RI UHFHVVLRQ FXWWLQJ VSHQGLQJ LV QRW D IHDVLEOH HFRQRPLF RSWLRQ 0RVW 5HSXEOLFDQV DQG 'HPRFUDWV DJUHH WKDW RXU QDWLRQÂ¶V JURZLQJ GHEW ZLOO UHSUHVHQW D JUHDW SUREOHP WR RXU QDWLRQ LQ WKH IXWXUH +RZHYHU WKH\ GLVDJUHH RQ KRZ WKLV SUREOHP VKRXOG EH FRPEDWWHG 7KH UHVXOWLQJ LQDELOLW\ RI RXU OHJLVODWRUV WR FRPSURPLVH KDV OHG WR D VHULHV RI SRWHQWLDO GHIDXOW HFRQRPLF DFWLRQV WKDW KDV EHHQ

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Costa teams qualify for fall CIF tournaments

After a successful fall season, many of the Mira Costa teams, with the exception of boys FURVV FRXQWU\ TXDOLÂżHG IRU &DOLIRUQLD ,QWHUVFKRODVWLF )HGHUDWLRQ DQG DGYDQFHG WR DW OHDVW WKH second round. While none of the teams won a CIF championship, boys water polo, girls golf and girls cross country each won a Bay League title. Girls golf had an undefeated Bay League season, and junior Megan Kim advanced in the CIF individuals for the sport but was not able to qualify for the state level. Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s girls tennis team and girls volleyball team each placed second in the Bay League along with football which fell just behind rival Palos Verdes High School.

COMPILED BY SPORTS WRITER CAMILLE JUTON, ALYSSA ZUCKER, KATIE VON BEHREN, COURTNEY HUGHEY, REBECCA HEXT, AND IAN RAPOPORT. ALSO COMPILED BY SPORTS EDITORS CASEY SUBLETTE, REGAN ESTES, AND HANNAH PROCTOR.

Girls volleyball finishes second in Bay League, loses in second round CIF to Orange Lutheran, 3-2

Boys water polo finishes first in Bay League, loses in CIF semi-finals, 7-6, to bring season to a close

Hannah DaGiau/La Vista

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Throughout this season, we had our ups and downs, but we always came out fighting. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very proud of everyone and how hard we worked.â&#x20AC;? Mitchell Trainoff (above) Senior

Although the boys varsity water polo team did not win CIF this year, many seniors and juniors stepped up and showed that they are still able to compete throughout the Bay League. With a record of 18 wins and 10 losses, the boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; season came to an end after losing their third-round CIF match, 7-6, to Martin Luther King Junior High School. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Overall, we played well in our match,â&#x20AC;? senior captain Jimmy Bissell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone was where they were supposed to be and on top of the game. We just couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pull through to win in the end.â&#x20AC;? 7KH ER\V ÂżQLVKHG WKHLU VHDVRQ ZLWK WKH ÂżUVW place title in Bay League and the second overall ranking in Division III. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was pretty sad knowing that when we lost it was the last time I would be playing water polo with this team,â&#x20AC;? Bissell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A part of me is excited to see

whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next in my future, but knowing that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all over with Costa is bittersweet.â&#x20AC;? A high point this season was when the Mustangs played against Peninsula High School, a historical rival of Costa. The Mustangs were able to walk away with a 13-5 win. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That game was an essential win for us because if we had lost we would not have won the Bay League,â&#x20AC;? senior Cody Kelley said. Many of the juniors who joined varsity this season, such as Gabe Smith and Drew Rogerson, became leading scorers for the team. Other players like Bissell, Kelley and seniors Sam Siltanen and Ian Zaun helped lead the way for the rest of the team throughout the season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This season was probably one of the most fun seasons Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had on Costa water polo,â&#x20AC;? senior Bissell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even though we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ZLQ &,) ZH EHFDPH D UHDOO\ VROLGLÂżHG WHDP that worked really well together.â&#x20AC;?

Mira Laing/La Vista

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The volleyball season was a lot of fun overall. I look forward to next season.â&#x20AC;? Brooke Feld (above) Junior

Senior Sam Siltanen

Emma Salzman/La Vista

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were able to maintain a high level of play despite the many injuries we had to go through in the season.â&#x20AC;? Kahlil McClain (above left) Senior

Football finishes second in Bay League, loses in second round of CIF playoffs to end 2012 season

Girls cross country qualifies to compete in State Championship after winning Bay League title

With a bounce back year and a less than perfect ending, the 2012 varsity football season came to end on Nov. 16. The team ended the season with an overall record of 9-3, making Costa second in Bay League, and made it to the second round of CIF. The Mustangs were eliminated in the second round of CIF in their game against West Torrance High School. The lead went back and forth throughout the game, with West winning 49-42, in the end. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so thankful to have played with this group of guys,â&#x20AC;? senior quarterback Ryan Sweigart said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t trade it for the world, and I will carry this experience with me for the rest of my life.â&#x20AC;? The Mustangsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; season began with a 35-13 win against Inglewood High School. The team played the 31st nationally-ranked team, Junipero Serra High School, in a

With the combination of experienced and young Bay League title . runners, the Mira Costa girls cross country team was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Knowing that all of our hard work paid off in the able to qualify to run in the California State Chamend is a feeling I cannot describe,â&#x20AC;? senior Lauren pionship. However, the boys did not share the same Hagedorn said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so proud to be a part of this success. wonderful team.â&#x20AC;? 7KH YDUVLW\ JLUOV VWDUWHG RXW WKH VHDVRQ ZLWK D ÂżUVW After advancing through CIF Preliminaries and SODFH ÂżQLVK DW WKH 6RXWK %D\ &XS ,QYLWDWLRQDO )LQDOV WKH JLUOV YDUVLW\ WHDP TXDOLÂżHG IRU WKH &DOLCostaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s front runner, junior Abby Hong ÂżQLVKHG fornia State Championships on Saturday, Nov. 24. in third place overall with a time of 17:11, folThe team lacked experience, as none of the girls lowed directly by senior Sarah Locke-Henderson had competed at the state level before. The Muswith a time of 17:50. WDQJV SODFHG ÂżIWK RYHUDOO RQO\ RQH SRLQW EHâ&#x20AC;&#x153;That meet showed other teams that even though KLQG 7HVRUR +LJK 6FKRRO +RZHYHU WKH ÂżQLVK we lost some key runners to college, we were not did not qualify the team to continue on to the going to back down,â&#x20AC;? Locke-Henderson said. National Championships in Oregon, ending the &RVWD KRVWHG WKH %D\ /HDJXH ÂżQDOV WKLV \HDU DW teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s season. Polliwog Park. Junior Abby Hong placed third Âł, DP YHU\ VDWLVÂżHG ZLWK RXU WHDPÂśV SHUIRURYHUDOO DQG ÂżUVW IRU &RVWD ZLWK D WLPH RI mance at State and in the season as a whole,â&#x20AC;? The Mira Costa girls won the race, beating out sophomore runner Natasha Bruinstein said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It Redondo Union by six points and securing the was a great way to end the season.â&#x20AC;? Sophomore Emma Lautanen

FORVH JDPH RI ZLWK 6HUUD HGJLQJ RXW &RVWD LQ WKH ÂżQDO minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were able to maintain a high level of play despite the many injuries we had to go through in the season,â&#x20AC;? senior quarterback Khalil McClain said. Costa then lost to rival Loyola High School, 35-14, but came back with a win of 26-14 in the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next game against Newport Harbor High School. The win brought Costa into Bay League with a 3-2 record. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a really satisfying season,â&#x20AC;? senior cornerback Jack Hadley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had an unforgettable experience with my awesome teammates and coaches.â&#x20AC;? 0LUD &RVWD ÂżQLVKHG VHFRQG LQ %D\ /HDJXH behind CIF champions Palos Verdes. The Mustangs went 4-1 in Bay League. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was tough to lose so early in CIF,â&#x20AC;? coach Don Morrow said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All in all it was a great season and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m proud of what we accomplished this year.â&#x20AC;? Junior Harrison Morrow

Nick Matson/La Vista

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very satisfied with our teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance at State and in the season as a whole. It was a great way to end the season.â&#x20AC;? Natasha Bruinstein (above back) Sophomore

Girls golf earn Bay League championship with undefeated overall record, competes in first round CIF

Girls tennis finishes second in Bay League, loses in second round CIF to Thousand Oaks High School

Lisa Valicente/La Vista

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our team performed really well this year, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m proud of how far we got in CIF. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m glad I got to end my Costa career on such a high note.â&#x20AC;? Juliana Hoft (above) Senior

After a season of ups and downs, the Mira Costa theran game, and we really wanted revenge from last girls volleyball team ended its season with a loss to year,â&#x20AC;? senior libero Carly Muller said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But we got Orange Lutheran High School, 3-2, in the second RYHU FRQÂżGHQW DQG ZH OHW WKH FURZG JHW WR XV ZKLFK round of CIF. The Mustangs took second place in ultimately ended our season.â&#x20AC;? Bay League, losing only to Redondo Union High Through the trials and losses of the season, the School, resulting in a league record of 7-3. leadership of the seniors drove the Mustangs to their Costa started off the 2012 pre-season with two many successes. WKUHH JDPH VZHHSV LQ LWV ÂżUVW UHJXODU VHDVRQ PDWFK â&#x20AC;&#x153;The seniors were a great anchor to our team,â&#x20AC;? against Palos Verdes High School. coach Lisa Arce-Zimmerman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And the rest of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The beginning of our season was really great the team now has a lot of great experience that will for us,â&#x20AC;? junior Sammy Furlan said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We really got help the team next year.â&#x20AC;? to know each other better as a team.â&#x20AC;? Now that the season is over, the team will be losDespite its regular season success, the team lost ing nine seniors. Though the seniors will be missed, the twice in Bay League to Redondo Union High team looks forward to next season and hopes to extend School. The losses kept the Mustangs from the the season farther into CIF next year. ÂżUVW SODFH WLWOH 7KH WHDPÂśV ÂżQDO JDPH ZDV D UHâ&#x20AC;&#x153;We really got close to each other, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made a lot match of last seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CIF game against Orange of great friendships over this past season,â&#x20AC;? Furlan said. Lutheran and had the same outcome. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of why we did so well this year was because we â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had our hopes high for the Orange Lureally connected on and off the court.â&#x20AC;? Senior Lexi Millington

7KH 0LUD &RVWD JLUOV WHQQLV WHDP ÂżQLVKHG LWV VHDVRQ with a 15-2 record overall and a Bay League record of 7-2. The Mustangs took second in Bay League and advanced through two rounds of CIF. The girls went undefeated for the ÂżUVW QLQH JDPHV RI WKHLU VHDVRQ defeating teams they had struggled against in previous years, such as Santa Monica and Brentwood. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we did really well this season, and the numbers show it,â&#x20AC;? senior Alex Waller said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the best weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done in about 10 years.â&#x20AC;? Costa also won matches against rivals Redondo Union High School and Palos Verdes High School. The girls faced off against Palos Verdes in two matches, both of which resulted in victories for the Mustangs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I enjoyed every moment of this season,â&#x20AC;? coach Joe Ciasulli said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the highlights was beating Redon-

do when we had to come back and win the last set.â&#x20AC;? The teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two losses were both against Peninsula High School. The team was unable to hold the lead, resulting in an end to its undefeated streak. The girls faced Peninsula on Oct. 18 again, which resulted in a 10-8 loss. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our team played really well this season, considering we played against some very strong teams,â&#x20AC;? junior Paula Cenusa said. 7KH JLUOV ZHQW RQ WR SOD\ LQ &,) ,Q WKHLU ÂżUVW match, Costa defeated Palm Springs High School, 17-1. The girls season came to an end in the second round of CIF with loss of 13-5 against Thousand Oaks High School. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This season gave us a great sense of accomplishment,â&#x20AC;? sophomore Mai Nojima said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m proud of how our team played this year.â&#x20AC;?

Sophomore Brooke Swallow

Geoffrey St. John/La Vista

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was very happy with the way our team played this season.â&#x20AC;? Megan Kim (above) Junior

With two tournament wins and an undefeated season, the Mira Costa girls golf team exceeded its expectations in the 2012 golf season. The Mustangs went 9-0 in Bay League and were the Bay League Champions for the second consecutive year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was very happy the way our team played this season,â&#x20AC;? junior Megan Kim said. 7KH VHDVRQ ZDV WKH ÂżUVW LQ ZKLFK ÂżYH JLUOV VKRW LQ WKH 70s and broke the team record for best score in a match. The girls scored 175 total against Palos Verdes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We broke a lot of records,â&#x20AC;? senior Raquel Gordon said â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are really proud of how we performed this year.â&#x20AC;? The girls had at least a 20-shot lead in every match. They had two strong wins against Chadwick High School, winning 288-195 and 292-194. The team also had two crucial wins in the West Covina and Knabe

WRXUQDPHQWV 7KH YLFWRULHV ZHUH WKH WHDPVÂśV ÂżUVW WZR tournament wins in school history. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of our accomplishments this season were really exciting,â&#x20AC;? coach Tim Kelley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully, we can continue to improve from there.â&#x20AC;? 7KH 0XVWDQJVÂś VWUHDN HQGHG LQ WKH ÂżUVW URXQG of CIF. The team took sixth overall at the Legends Golf Course, shooting a 387. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We may not have made it farther but we played well,â&#x20AC;? Kelley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had really high goals, but all that matters is we did our best.â&#x20AC;? Kim was the only girl to advance in the individual CIF golf level. She did not qualify at the state level in Murrieta, however, as she was unable to place in the top nine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are lucky to have so many talented girls,â&#x20AC;? Kelley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important we stay focused on what is to come.â&#x20AC;?

Junior Megan Kim

Costa teams qualify for fall CIF tournaments

Girls volleyball finishes second in Bay League, loses in second round CIF to Orange Lutheran, 3-2

Boys water polo finishes first in Bay League, loses in CIF semi-finals, 7-6, to bring season to a close

Hannah DaGiau/La Vista

Mira Laing/La Vista

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The volleyball season was a lot of fun overall. I look forward to next season.â&#x20AC;? Brooke Feld (above) Junior

Senior Sam Siltanen

Emma Salzman/La Vista

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were able to maintain a high level of play despite the many injuries we had to go through in the season.â&#x20AC;? Kahlil McClain (above left) Senior

Football finishes second in Bay League, loses in second round of CIF playoffs to end 2012 season

Girls cross country qualifies to compete in State Championship after winning Bay League title

Nick Matson/La Vista

Girls golf earn Bay League championship with undefeated overall record, competes in first round CIF

Girls tennis finishes second in Bay League, loses in second round CIF to Thousand Oaks High School

Lisa Valicente/La Vista

Sophomore Brooke Swallow

Geoffrey St. John/La Vista

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was very happy with the way our team played this season.â&#x20AC;? Megan Kim (above) Junior

Junior Megan Kim

A8 La Vista

OPINION

December 21, 2012

EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOTE

Sandy Hook tragedy raises journalism questions BY ALEC LAUTANEN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

mation, but there has to be a limit to whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acceptable in terms of the emotional cost. There is not a complete set of guidelines After the terrible tragedy that occurred for how journalists deal with tragedies, but at Sandy Hook Elementary School, evthe media should strive for professionalerything from mental health care reform ism through discretion. Journalistic integto gun control has been thrown rity shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be forsaken and facts should As a journalist, covering tragedies like on the table to debate. One of the be reported, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a line for what is this puts newspapers and their staff in a most interesting aspects from a necessary to communicate news. In cases journalistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s point of view, though, very precarious situation. where it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t totally clear, exhibitionism is the role of the media in tragedies Last summer, at a journalism workshop I should never be an end goal for any publilike this. attended, we had a class discussing how to cation under any circumstances. Numerous criticisms have been voiced report on disasters. As part of it, counselors Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to call for a decrease in inforthat point to journalists as the instigators played victims of a simulated earthquake mation reported, especially in an age where of events like these. Some claim that the and students were told to prod for informa- instant facts are the norm for a majority PHGLD ÂłJORULÂżHVÂ´ SHRSOH OLNH $GDP /DQ]D WLRQ IURP D ÂłPRWKHUÂ´ ZKR KDG MXVW ORVW KHU of information-age readers. However, the and pushes them to such a level of infamy three-year-old son. ability, and more importantly the demand, that other deranged individuals seek to (YHQ WKRXJK LW ZDV ÂżFWLWLRXV HYHQ WKDW WR UHSRUW HYHU\WKLQJ XQÂżOWHUHG GRHVQÂśW copy them. seemed like too much. I respect the search mean journalists should forsake moral and As a journalist, covering tragedies like for facts and the communication of infor- sympathetic discretion.

MIRA COSTA HIGH SCHOOL 1401 ARTESIA BOULEVARD MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA (310) 318-7330 NOVEMBER, 2012 VOLUME LXIII, ISSUE 4 WWW.LAVISTAMCHS.COM EDITORS-IN-CHIEF DANNY KELLEHER ALEC LAUTANEN MANAGING EDITOR HANNA MCGUIRE COPY EDITORS ZACK GILL MAGGIE ROBAK NEWS EDITORS JOANI GILLAM, EXECUTIVE SHAYLYN AUSTIN TAYLOR ST. GERMAIN

STAFF EDITORIALS

OPINION EDITORS ALEX WHITE, EXECUTIVE JACK ALLEN ADAM GERARD

National testing standards will improve curriculum

ARTS EDITORS DYLAN FAIR, EXECUTIVE ARI HOWORTH JAKE MAHR LIFE EDITORS AVA KLEIN, EXECUTIVE ELIZABETH KNEISLEY EMILY LOCKWOOD THEME EDITORS AMANDA NEWELL, EXECUTIVE ARI GEVOV RISHA ROHERA SPORTS EDITORS REGAN ESTES, EXECUTIVE HANNAH PROCTOR CASEY SUBLETTE CALENDAR EDITOR KATE ROBAK PHOTO EDITORS NICOLE FISCHER EMMA SALZMAN CIRCULATION EDITORS ANGELINA VOLLUCCI JESSICA BEELI, ASSISTANT ARTISTS JACKSON CASADY ANDEW ARVAN JULIA CHAMBERS ADVISER MICHAEL MCAVIN STAFF WRITERS GASSIA ASHIKIAN, NIKKI BORDOKAS, MADDIE COATE, ASHELY COHEN, DANIELA COE-MCNAMARA, SARA FELD, NIKKI FOURNELL, DELANEY HAWKES, REBECCA HEXT, COURTNEY HUGHEY, CAMILLE JUTON, TAMARA KNELL, QUINN KROPSCHOT, SAMMY MATSON, MADDY NERAD, CHRISTOPH NEUMANN, KARA PATMAN, EMILY PETILLON, SABRINA PICKETT, IAN RAPOPORT, MEGAN RIORDAN, PIPER RODOLF, CATE SCHIFF, JULIA SHEETH, ISAAC SIEGEMUND-BROKA, DANA STERNTHAL, MORGAN THALER, KATIE VON BEHREN, SIERRA WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHERS HANNAH DAGIAU, MADDEN LAING, MIRA LAING, JACK LEE, NICK MATSON, VAUGHN MICHAUD, GEOFFREY ST. JOHN, LISA VALICENTE, MUNAM WASI EDITORIAL BOARD JACK ALLEN, SHAYLYN AUSTIN, ADAM GERARD, ZACK GILL, JOANI GILLAM, DANNY KELLEHER, ALEC LAUTANEN, HANNA MCGUIRE, MAGGIE ROBAK, TAYLOR ST. GERMAIN, ALEX WHITE DISCLAIMER: LA VISTA IS THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MIRA COSTA HIGH SCHOOL, SERVING 2,700 STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12. CONTENT, WHICH IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LA VISTA STAFF, IS NOT SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL. UNSIGNED EDITORIALS REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF THE NEWSPAPER, WHILE OPINION COLUMNS REPRESENT ONLY THE WRITERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S VIEWS. ADVERTISEMENTS DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF LA VISTA. LA VISTA PUBLISHES 10 ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR ON A TRI-WEEKLY BASIS AND DISTRIBUTES 3,000 COPIES TO BOTH MIRA COSTA CLASSROOMS AND SUBSCRIBERS. LA VISTA IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COLUMBIA SCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATION AND WELCOMES SIGNED LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ON TOPICAL ISSUES FROM THE MCHS COMMUNITY. THEY MAY BE MAILED TO MICHAEL MCAVIN IN THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING MAILBOX OR SENT TO LAVISTAOPINION@GMAIL.COM. LETTERS MAY BE EDITED FOR LENGTH AND CLARITY. PLEASE CONTACT LAVISTAMEDIA@GMAIL.COM FOR ANY ISSUES REGARDING CORRECTIONS. FOR AD RATES, CONTACT LAVISTABUSINESS@GMAIL.COM MISSION STATEMENT: LA VISTA PROVIDING

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The decision by the California Depart- dards, and the standards are supported by ment of Education to implement the Com- the National Education Association and the mon Core State Standards in the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high American Federation of Teachers. schools will provide a more comprehensive The fact that the CCSS span across 45 education for students and will adequately states will help students be better prepared prepare them for career and college experi- for out-of-state colleges and jobs. Teachers ences anywhere in the country. will have more resources and will be able 7KH QHZ VWDQGDUGL]HG V\VWHP KDV VKRZQ to share common teaching methods across promise across the nation, though the tran- state lines. Additionally, the standards will sition process may be time consuming. Al- help students who move states stay on WKRXJK LW ZLOO WDNH WLPH WR GHYHORS HIÂżFLHQW track in school. Location will become less teaching practices, MBUSD has of a factor in determining whether a taken steps to prepare for this student is prepared for college and transition period and to make the workforce. the new standards clearer When designing the stanand more consistent. dards, those who created the The Common Core new policy looked at State Standards are a top-performing set of concepts stustates and other dents must master in countries, and each grade level. tweaked their These standards have VWDQGDUGV WR ÂżW been adopted by 45 American educastates since their debut tional needs. in 2010 and will replace Reducing Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current content the number standards. The CCSS will be of standards implemented in California was initially a gradually until 2015. worry to some JACKSON CASADY/ LA VISTA A coalition of educators Costa teachers, such as developed the CCSS, and it has math teacher Linda Gesuald; broad support. The Council of Chief State however, by cutting the number down, 6FKRRO 2IÂżFHUV DQG WKH 1DWLRQDO *RYHU- more time can be spent on each standard. nors Association Center for Best Practices Teachers will be able to delve deeper into played a major role in developing the stan- each topic to make sure students are pre-

pared for state testing at the end of the year. Gesualdi notes that the new CCSS stanGDUGL]HG WHVWV DOVR SODFH D PXFK QHHGHG emphasis on critical thinking which had been lost with the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past changes in VWDQGDUGL]HG WHVWLQJ The new tests will also be administered on computers and will adapt to each studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs as the test progresses. If a student is getting correct answers, the test gets harder more quickly, and if he/she is answering the questions incorrectly, the test will remain at the present level. Because testing is electronic, comprehensive results will be available to teachers and parents almost immediately after the test is taken, so the students can receive instant feedback. The biggest concern with the CCSS LV WKDW LW ZLOO EH D GLIÂżFXOW WUDQVLWLRQ IRU teachers. Luckily, in California the pre-existing standards align more closely with the CCSS than other states. According to Executive Director of Educational Services &DURO\Q 6HDWRQ 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK 8QLÂżHG School District plans to offer in-depth development opportunities this summer and encourages the staff to use meeting times to plan for this transition. While the transition to the CCSS may come with a learning curve, this is a small FRVW WR SD\ IRU WKH EHQHÂżWV VWXGHQWV ZLOO gain when they are far more prepared for their academic and vocational futures. Maddie Nerad contributed to this article

AP policy changes donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t address teacher concerns After months of discussion among Mira tration should not dictate what is an acceptCosta administration, Principal Dr. Ben able prerequisite. Instead, the AP teachers Dale released his proposed Advanced should decide what classes will prepare Placement and Honors enrollment policy, students for their own courses. Daleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s add/ which includes changes in both prereq- drop period proposal, which eliminates uisite and commitment form procedure. commitment forms, should be amended to These proposed require a teacher The administration is attempting to or guidance counchanges are irresponsible and decide what is best for students and selor approval in will have detri- teachers without giving either groupsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; order to prevent mental effects opinions much consideration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;teacher shopon students and SLQJ Â´ VRPHWKLQJ teachers. the administration has taken a hard line on A complete disregard for teacher input in the past. is apparent in this policy. Despite many The current waiver process is unclear meetings and surveys through which ad- and convoluted at best. Students should be ministrators attempted to gain feedback able to waive into classes, but the process from teachers and students, the new AP QHHGV WR EH PRUH VWUHDPOLQHG DQG VLJQLÂżpolicy has been met with much resistance cantly stricter with more eligibility restricfrom these groups. There is a clear discon- tions, contrary to what Daleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new, more nect between the teaching staff and admin- lenient policy proposes. istration. The policy will never be effective This new policy exhibits a less strict AP if the teachers, who will be responsible program, which attempts to push the midfor its implementation, do not support the dle student into more rigorous and chalchanges. lenging classes, just as basic level students Dale and the rest of the Costa adminis- were shoehorned into College Preparatory

classes last year. Once again, the administration is attempting to decide what is best for students and teachers without giving either groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinions much consideration. The one survey the administration gave to students RYHUZKHOPLQJO\ VKRZHG WKDW D VLJQLÂżFDQW amount CP students were genuinely uninterested in taking AP classes. This survey directly contradicts Daleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposal and proves that the student body and the administration are not on the same page. Instead of focusing on expanding AP classes, the administration should consider bringing back basic classes and increasing the rigor of CP classes in order to meet the needs of the middle student. While increasing access to AP classes may seem desirable on the surface, doing so would only dilute the rigor of AP classes and CP classes at Costa. In theory, AP classes should be treated as comparable to college courses. In practice, Daleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempt to broaden course availability will threaten the rigor of every classroom at Mira Costa.

OPINION

December 21, 2012

La Vista

PRO/CON

Would starting school later benefit Mira Costa? PRO:

Starting later would improve studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives

CON:

Later start not worth administrative price

BY SABRINA PICKETT STAFF WRITER

an early start time suffered from concenBY TAMARA KNELL students are currently enrolled in a zero petration issues, aggressive behavior, inconSTAFF WRITER riod. Many of the students are enrolled in sistent mood swings and unhealthy eating RUGHU WR ÂżW PRUH FODVVHV LQWR WKHLU VFKHGXOH The recent suggestion to change Mira patterns. With a later morning start time, A change in the Mira Costa master sched- and some juniors and seniors take earlier Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current schedule to start at a later students and teachers would therefore ule to eliminate zero period and delay the classes so that they can leave after fourth or time is a good idea despite the potential have to deal with less disciplinary issues. start of school to 9 a.m. would negatively ÂżIWK SHULRG RU WK SHULRG 7KLV LV EHQHÂżFLDO problems it may present. Pushing back the start of school to 9 a.m. affect students, faculty, and parents. because it leaves more time to do homeExecutive Director of Student Services ZRXOG EH EHQHÂżFLDO WR &RVWD DV VWXGHQWV A change in the school schedule would work and other activities, like getting a job. Ellyn Schneider along with Doctors Linda would be more prepared to learn and test result in a limiting of course offerings, and Experiences beyond the school day would Schack, Mini Mehra and Lisa Santora, scores would rise, as proven by Edwards if zero period were eliminated, it would greatly suffer with a changed schedule. presented the suggestion to The Manhat- and Carskadon. Teachers would also benlead to forced schedule changes for parents 7KLV QHZ Ă&#x20AC;DZHG SURSRVDO ZRXOG UHVXOW WDQ %HDFK 8QLÂżHG HÂżW IURP D UHYLVHG and less time for after-school extracurricu- in school ending at 4 p.m., which would School District Students and teachers would deal schedule, because lar activities for students. It should be the affect sport practices and several other Board of Trust- with fewer disciplinary issues with a students would be responsibility of the student, not the district, after-school activities. Not only will pracees in a presenmore alert and atto ensure a reasonable sleep schedule. tice times change, but being on a different later school start time. tation at the Oct. tentive in classes. Doctors Linda Schack and Mini Mehra schedule than other public schools in the 3 Board meeting. They presentation aimed Some have argued that working parents VSRNH ZLWK WKH 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK 8QLÂżHG area would cause problems in scheduling to ensure student health by changing Cos- ZRXOG KDYH D GLIÂżFXOW WLPH JHWWLQJ WKHLU School Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medical Advisory Board games at reasonable times. With long bus taâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current schedule to an 8:45 start time kids to school if the schedule were pushed at a board of trustees meeting on Oct. 3 rides already pushing back game times for without zero period. The Board acknowl- back. This about the lack of sleep students are all sports, a later school start time would edged the issue but decided to take no ac- should not getting on a daily basis. complicate the process further. Teachers tion and keep the schedule the same. be an issue, During the meeting, Schack and are often frustrated with the amount of According to the National Institute h o w e v e r, Mehra claimed that students are not time missed by athletes, and this would of General Medical Sciences, the hu- b e c a u s e receiving enough sleep due to the only worsen the problem. man bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;master clock,â&#x20AC;? or Circadian many upearly start time school demands. Although some believe that eliminatRhythm, is directly affected by light. perclassmen According to the Sleep Founda- ing zero period would raise test scores and Pushing the start time back would allow are able to tion, the hormone melatonin is improve the health of students, pushing a students to wake up in daylight hours and drive themreleased later in the night, later start time would force kids to go to SURYLGH WKHP ZLWK WKH KHDOWK EHQHÂżW RI D selves and neighcausing teenagers bed even later than usual. The lack of sleep natural sleep cycle. boring friends. to have students are receiving is purely caused by In the report, the original concept in- C a r p o o l s difficulty their own responsibilities, and the current cluded the elimination of zero period; and public f a l l i n g schedule doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t impact studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lack of however, this is not nearly pragmatic t r a n s p o rasleep ear- sleep. Students just need to take it upon enough. For a schedule change to be fea- t a t i o n , lier than themselves to get more sleep and go to bed sible, the school should push the start time a m o n g 11 p.m. earlier if that is what they feel is needed. of zero period back, but not get rid of it o t h e r Schack Obviously, there are some positive efentirely. This would allow students to take things, a n d fects associated with a later start time. an extra class and still wake up at a reason- a l s o M e h r a But the massive cost associated with the able hour. easily also dis- FKDQJH RXWZHLJKV WKH EHQHÂżWV 6WXGHQWV ANDREW ARVAN/ LA VISTA Colby College Professor Finley Ed- c o u n t e r a c t cussed a solu- can take it upon themselves to plan more wards showed that a lack of sleep can have this issue. tion that would change drop-off schedules time so they can go to bed earlier and get a harmful effects on students of all grade According to Vice Principal Jaime Manin the morning for parents who are not greater amount of sleep. levels through his experiments in a North cilla, another reason the Board opted not available at 8:45 a.m., the recommended Zero period currently provides students Carolina school district. Edwards saw an to make changes to the current schedule is new start time. They suggested the opening with opportunities to take extra classes, overall improvement in test scores when because many students compete on sports of the library earlier for an early-morning while still letting students out of school at students arrived at a later time. A later start teams that begin practice during sixth pehomework club. This solution is unfeasi- a reasonable hour. Pushing back Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WLPH ZRXOG EH EHQHÂżFLDO WR ERWK VWXGHQWVÂś riod and claim they cannot be pushed back ble because if parents morning start physical and academic health. any later. However, this claim is irrelevant are still forced to drop The later school is pushed back the time would According to Brown University Pro- because many teams currently donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t begin their kids off at the affect stuless time students have to complete dents both fessor Dr. Mary Carskadon, who has con- practice until 3 p.m. or later for reasons same time, the students ducted many teenage sleeping patterns VXFK DV D ODFN RI ÂżHOG VSDFH ZKLFK ZRXOG will have to wake up the academic work for the next day. athletically studies and put together the Board presen- not be affected by a later schedule. Also, at the same time. This and academically. Overall, tation with Schneider, it is advantageous PDQ\ RI WKH ODUJHU ÂżHOGV RQ FDPSXV KDYH SURSRVDO WKXV GRHV QRW Âż[ WKH SUREOHP RI the current zero period start time and bell for students to start school a mere 45 min- lights that allow athletics to take place late sleep deprivation. schedule is productive and appropriate for utes later because attendance is improved in the day. The current early start is essential to stu- students. The suggestion brought before and the number of tardies and nurse visits Pushing back the start of school to 9 GHQWV EHFDXVH LW LV QHFHVVDU\ WR ÂżW VSHFLÂżF the Board is unnecessary and would negare decreased. a.m. and moving zero period to 8 a.m. needs of certain students. According to atively affect Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s student body on all Carskadon also noted that students with ZRXOG KDYH PDQ\ EHQHÂżWV RQ &RVWD Costa Vice Principal Jamie Mancilla, 756 parts of the spectrum.

ROVING REPORTER

Should Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily schedule be changed to a later start time?

HANNAH DAGIAU/ LA VISTA

â&#x20AC;&#x153;No, because if it started later then we would have to push back the time we get out.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;No, because some people canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take summer school, so they FDQÂśW ÂżW LQ DOO WKHLU FODVVHV GXUing the regular year.â&#x20AC;?

Âł6FLHQWLÂżFDOO\ OHDUQLQJ FRPplex concepts later in the day helps with retention, but students need to prepare in a world that starts early.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;No, because the earlier school starts the earlier itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over with.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, I think school should start at 10 because with all of the homework students have, they need more sleep.â&#x20AC;?

Peter DaGiau Freshman

Jordan Cohn Sophomore

Jessica Bledsoe Science Teacher

Greg Whitaker Junior

Kathy Oroczo Senior

A10 La Vista Sports Briefs

SPORTS

December 21, 2012

&RVWD ZUHVWOLQJ FRPHV XS VKRUW RI WRS WKUHH ÂżQLVK LQ WRXUQDPHQW The Mira Costa wrestling team had a strong showing in its Saturday match at Western +LJK 6FKRROÂśV 3LRQHHU 9DUVLW\ ,QYLWDWLRQDO 7KH ER\V EDUHO\ PLVVHG ÂżQLVKLQJ LQ WKH SRRO of 20 teams. Seniors Will Goodwin and Mustafa Hafezada WRRN VHFRQG DQG WKLUG SODFH UHVSHFWLYHO\ LQ WKH LQYLWDWLRQDO Âł, ZDV KDSS\ DQG SURXG WKDW ZH PDGH LW WR WKH FKDPSLRQVKLS Â´ *RRGZLQ VDLG Âł, ZHQW RQ WKDW GD\ (YHQ WKRXJK , ORVW , FDQÂśW FRPSODLQ :H MXVW KDYH WR NHHS ZRUNLQJ KDUG DV D WHDP Â´ 7KH 0XVWDQJV ZLOO FRPSHWH LQ WKH 7RXUQDPHQW RI &KDPSLRQV DW 7XVWLQ +LJK 6FKRRO on Dec. 29. Âł$OWKRXJK WKH WHDP GLG QRW SODFH LQ WKH WRS WKUHH WKH\ VWLOO KDG D YHU\ VWURQJ SHUIRUPDQFH Â´ VDLG FRDFK -LPP\ &KDQH\ Âł, ZDV SDUWLFXODUO\ LPSUHVVHG ZLWK :LOO >*RRGZLQ@ 0XVWDID >+DIH]DGD@ DQG Jimmy [Millea], ZKR DOO FRPSHWHG RXWVWDQGLQJO\ Â´

Boys soccer ties Warren High School, 1-1, in close match at home The Mira Costa boys varsity soccer team tied Warren High School on Monday with a VFRUH RI 7KH ER\VÂś UHFRUG LV QRZ :DUUHQ VFRUHG GXULQJ WKH ÂżUVW KDOI DQG VHQLRU forward Travis Bradford scored for Mira Costa in the second half. Âł$IWHU WKH\ VFRUHG WKH ÂżUVW JRDO LW JDYH XV DOO DQ H[WUD ERRVW RI GHWHUPLQDWLRQ Â´ VHQLRU forward Frank Ralyea VDLG Âł,W SXVKHG XV DOO WR WU\ HYHQ KDUGHU Â´ $IWHU D VLJQLÂżFDQW DPRXQW RI EDFN DQG IRUWK SOD\ GXULQJ WKH VHFRQG KDOI %UDGIRUG ZDV DEOH WR VFRUH D JRDO RII D FURVV EULQJLQJ WKH JDPH WR D WLH DW Âł, KDG MXVW JRWWHQ PRYHG XS WR IRUZDUG ZKHQ ZH JRW D FRXQWHU DWWDFN DQG , UHFHLYHG D EDOO WKURXJK IURP >MXQLRU VZHHSHU@ Brandon Tsua RQ WKH OHIW VLGH Â´ %UDGIRUG VDLG Âł7KH JRDO ZDV ELJ EHFDXVH IURP WKHQ RQ ZH IHOW OLNH ZH ZHUH PRUH LQ WKH JDPH Â´ The teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next game will be on Wednesday in the South Torrance Tournament. Âł:H WRRN FRQWURO RI WKH VHFRQG KDOI RI WKH JDPH Â´ VHQLRU PLGÂżHOG Grant Southwood VDLG Âł7KH WLH ZDV KDUG IRXJKW DQG D JRRG UHVXOW DJDLQVW VXFK DQ LPSUHVVLYH WHDP Â´

Girls water polo trumps Capo Valley, 9-6, improves record to 6-2 7KH 0LUD &RVWD JLUOV ZDWHU SROR WHDP FRQWLQXHG LWV ZLQ VWUHDN RQ 7XHVGD\ ZLWK D ZLQ RYHU &DSR 9DOOH\ +LJK 6FKRRO RQ WKH URDG 7KH 0XVWDQJVÂś UHFRUG LV QRZ 6HQLRU FDSWDLQ Sarah Crist VFRUHG WKUHH JRDOV LQ WKH ZLQ 7KH RWKHU ÂżYH JRDOV ZHUH IURP MXQLRU Jordan Raney DQG RQH IURP VRSKRPRUH Kelly Giery. This was the girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; last JDPH XQWLO -DQ ZKHQ WKH\ SOD\ %D\ /HDJXH FRQWHQGHU 3DORV 9HUGHV +LJK 6FKRRO Âł,W ZDV DQ H[FLWLQJ JDPH Â´ VRSKRPRUH Erin Clifford VDLG Âł:H KDYH EHHQ SOD\LQJ VR ZHOO DQG , FDQQRW ZDLW XQWLO ZH VWDUW %D\ /HDJXH VHDVRQ :H KDYH D JRRG WHDP DQG , DP H[FLWHG WR VHH ZKHUH ZH HQG XS Â´ &R FDSWDLQ VHQLRU Emily Milstead KDG NH\ GHIHQVLYH VWRSV WKURXJKRXW WKH JDPH WR KROG &DSR WR VL[ SRLQWV &ULVW DQG 0LOVWHDG VKRZHG WKHLU VNLOOV DQG OHDGHUVKLS WKURXJKRXW the game. Âł2XU FDSWDLQV WKLV \HDU DUH JUHDW Â´ VRSKRPRUH Sage Roebuck said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not only do they OHDG EXW WKH\ OHDG E\ H[DPSOH 7KDWÂśV RQH RI WKH UHDVRQV ZK\ ZH UHVSHFW WKHP Â´ BY LACY CANO, REBECCA HEXT AND ALYSSA ZUCKER/ STAFF WRITERS

MUNAM WASI/ LA VISTA

THE CHANEY GANG: 0LUD &RVWD YDUVLW\ ZUHVWOLQJ FRDFK -LPP\ &KDQH\ FHQWHU KHOSV ZUHVWOHUV ZLWK WKHLU WHFKQLTXH DQG PRYHV GXULQJ SUDFWLFH &KDQH\ RULJLQDOO\ FRDFKHG ZUHVWOLQJ IURP

Chaney brings blast of past to wrestling team BY DANNY KELLEHER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF $IWHU QHDUO\ D GHFDGH ORQJ KLDWXV -LPP\ Chaney is back and ready to take the Mira Costa wrestling team to new heights. &KDQH\ ZDV SUHYLRXVO\ KHDG FRDFK RI the Costa wrestling team from the 199192 season to the 2001-02 season. During KLV WHQXUH WKH YDUVLW\ WHDP ERDVWHG VHYHQ FRQVHFXWLYH %D\ /HDJXH WLWOHV PXOWLSOH LQGLYLGXDO &,) ÂżQLVKHUV DQG D VHFRQG SODFH WHDP ÂżQLVK LQ &,) DOO IHDWV WKH WHDP KDV IDLOHG WR DFFRPSOLVK LQ UHFHQW \HDUV $IWHU &KDQH\ OHIW WKH SURJUDP LQ KH FRQWLQXHG KLV MRE DV D SDVWRU DW 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFKÂśV &KXUFK RI WKH %HDFK &LWLHV which he founded in 1985. An unlikely encounter brought him back to Costa. Âł>/DVW \HDUÂśV ZUHVWOLQJ KHDG FRDFK@ 4XLQQ 5\DQ DFWXDOO\ DSSURDFKHG PH DW FKXUFK ODVW \HDU Â´ &KDQH\ VDLG Âł+H WROG me he was head coach now and asked if I ZDQWHG WR FRPH DQG KHOS RXW DW SUDFWLFHV Â´ :KHQ 5\DQ OHIW DIWHU RQH \HDU &KDQH\ ZDV XQH[SHFWHGO\ WKUXVW LQWR WKH KHDG FRDFKLQJ VSRW RQFH DJDLQ Âł, ZRXOG VD\ WKHUH LV GHÂżQLWHO\ D WLJKWHU OHDVK RQ XV Â´ VRSKRPRUH YDUVLW\ ZUHVWOHU -DFRE +DQGV VDLG Âł$QG , PHDQ WKDW LQ D good way. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re more controlled and more GLVFLSOLQHG WKLV \HDU Â´ &KDQH\ÂśV FRDFKLQJ LV FRPSOHPHQWHG E\ WZR IRUPHU &RVWD ZUHVWOHUV (ULN $QGHUVRQ DQG $GDP 3\NH DV DVVLVWDQW FRDFKHV $Q-

GHUVRQ D EODFN EHOW LQ MLXMLWVX EULQJV D QHZ twist to Chaneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditional style. Âł, WU\ WR PDNH WKHP UHVSHFW HDFK RWKHU DQG WR WHDFK WKHP DV PXFK GLVFLSOLQH DV SRVVLEOH ZKLOH DOVR EULQJLQJ GLIIHUHQW WDFtics and strategies than the ones I learned in KLJK VFKRRO Â´ $QGHUVRQ VDLG There are currently more than 40 underFODVVPHQ RQ WKH WHDP D VXEVWDQWLDOO\ ODUJHU amount than Costa teams of recent years. Âł, ZHQW LQWR WKH 3 ( FODVVHV >VWDUWLQJ ODVW \HDU@ DQG WDXJKW ZUHVWOLQJ WR DOO WKH IUHVKPHQ Â´ &KDQH\ VDLG Âł, LQYLWHG WKRVH NLGV ZKR VHHPHG WR HQMR\ LW RQWR WKH WHDP 7KDWÂśV ZKDW , DOVR GLG LQ WKH V DQG WKDWÂśV ZK\ ZH KDG UHDOO\ VWURQJ WHDPV Â´ $W WKH 3HQLQVXOD +LJK 6FKRRO IURVK VRSK ZUHVWOLQJ WRXUQDPHQW WZR ZHHNV DJR &RVWD XQGHUFODVVPHQ ÂżQLVKHG LQ WKH WRS WZR VSRWV RI WKHLU ZHLJKW FODVVHV DQG DOO ÂżQLVKHG LQ WKH WRS IRXU 6XFFHVV OLNH WKLV PDNHV &KDQH\ RSWLPLVWLF DERXW WKH WHDPÂśV future in the coming years. Âł, WKLQN WKHVH JX\V KDYH WKH SRWHQWLDO WR EHFRPH HYHQ EHWWHU WKDQ >WKH WHDPV RI WKH V@ Â´ &KDQH\ VDLG With sons set to wrestle for Costa for the QH[W HLJKW \HDUV &KDQH\ SODQV WR VWD\ DV coach at least until they have graduated. Âł:LWK WKH MXQLRUV DQG VHQLRUV P\ JRDO KDV EHHQ WR KHOS WKHP DV LQGLYLGXDOV JR DV IDU DV WKH\ FDQ Â´ &KDQH\ VDLG Âł%XW P\ JRDO IRU WKH IUHVKPHQ DQG VRSKRPRUHV LV WR JHW D ORW RI NLGV RXW DQG VWDUW KDYLQJ WHDPV DV ZHOO DV LQGLYLGXDOV JR IDU DQG GR ZHOO Â´

HANNA DAGIAU/ LA VISTA

BELIEVE TO ACHIEVE: Junior Teddy Friedman plays on the junior varsity soccer team, despite the DEVHQFH RI ELFHSV LQ ERWK DUPV )ULHGPDQ SOD\V PLGĂ&#x20AC;HOG DQG GHIHQVH IRU WKH 0XVWDQJV

Junior Friedman overcomes obstacles

MIRA COSTA PONY BASEBALL LEAGUE

BY ALYSSA ZUCKER STAFF WRITER

Baseball like the Big Leagues! REGISTER NOW FOR SPRING 2013

www.miracostapony.com

Protect Our Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Youth

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For Questions about Registration

310.374.8867

BR 268551 1115

Registration Fees: Ages 4-12 - $160 per Player Ages 13-14 - $275 per Player

)RU VRPH DWKOHWHV WKH URDG WR VXFFHVV LV KDUGHU WKDQ RWKHUV -XQLRU VRFFHU SOD\HU Teddy Friedmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggle stems from beLQJ ERUQ ZLWKRXW ELFHSV LQ ERWK DUPV :LWK OLPLWHG PRYHPHQW LQ KLV DUPV Friedman is at a disadvantage for most VSRUWV +RZHYHU KLV FRQGLWLRQ GRHV QRW KROG KLP EDFN IURP WKH VSRUW KH ORYHV PRVW VRFFHU â&#x20AC;&#x153;They way I run doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look quite norPDO Â´ )ULHGPDQ VDLG Âł%XW P\ FRQGLWLRQ GRHVQÂśW KROG PH EDFN Â´ $FFRUGLQJ WR )ULHGPDQ QR RQH LQ WKH VRFFHU SURJUDP WUHDWV KLP GLIIHUHQWO\ EHFDXVH KH LV MXVW DV VNLOOHG DV DQ\RQH HOVH )ULHGPDQ SOD\HG PLGÂżHOG IRU WKH 0LUD &RVWD MXQLRU YDUVLW\ WHDP ODVW \HDU VFRULQJ two goals and assisting two others. Âł7HGG\ LV D QLFH NLG WR KDYH LQ WKH SUR-

JUDP Â´ YDUVLW\ FRDFK *DU\ 6PLWK VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even though he does not have full use of KLV DUPV KH GRHVQÂśW QHHG WKHP +H SOD\V MXVW DV ZHOO DV HYHU\RQH HOVH Â´ )ULHGPDQ KDV EHHQ SOD\LQJ VRFFHU VLQFH the beginning of grade school. He started SOD\LQJ $<62 VRFFHU WKHQ PRYHG RQ WR SOD\ IRU GLIIHUHQW FOXE WHDPV DURXQG WKH South Bay. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Soccer has always been my favorite VSRUW Â´ )ULHGPDQ VDLG Âł&RVWD VRFFHU KDV EHHQ D JUHDW H[SHULHQFH WKDW , ORRN IRUZDUG WR FRQWLQXLQJ IRU WKH QH[W WZR \HDUV Â´ Friedman uses his disability as motivation. He feels that he has become a stronJHU SHUVRQ EHFDXVH RI LW DQG KH ZLOO QRW OHW anything get in the way of his goals. Âł+H LV D KDUG ZRUNHU Â´ MXQLRU PLGÂżHOGHU Vincent Licciardone said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is always FRPSHWLYH DQG UHDG\ WR SOD\ 7HGG\ LV D JUHDW WHDPPDWH WR KDYH DQG D KHÂśV D JUHDW VRFFHU SOD\HU Â´

SPORTS

December 21, 2012

TEAM RECORDS as of Dec. 19 Sport Overall Bay League Boys Soccer Girls Soccer Girls Water Polo Boys Basketball Girls Basketball Wrestling

Win 4 9 12 7 4 8

Loss 2 1 1 3 4 6

A11

Seniors Campbell, Muller, White commit to Cornell, Penn State, Harvard, respectively

Tie Win Loss Tie Rank 1 BY LACY CANO 2 STAFF WRITER With a careful combination of athletic skills and academic prowess, seniors Grayce Campbell, Carley Muller and Casey White

TOP PERFORMERS

Kara Enomoto (Senior) Girls Soccer

Chris Beuder (Junior) Boys Soccer

Enomoto scored two goals in &RVWDÂśV ÂżUVW ZLQ DJDLQVW +DUYDUG Westlake in six years on Dec. 7. The Mustangs won, 2-1.

Beuder scored two goals in Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s win against South Torrance High School on Dec. 11 in an away game. The boys won, 4-0.

Emily Milstead (Senior) Girls Water Polo

Will Goodwin (Senior) Wrestling

Milstead had four of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nine goals in the win against Esperanza on Dec. 8. The Mustangs won the match, 9-4.

*RRGZLQ SODFHG ÂżUVW LQ KLV GLYLVLRQ LQ WKH :DUULRU 9DUVLW\ ,QYLWDtional on Dec. 1. The team placed WKLUG RYHUDOO

Connor Kernochan (Senior) Boys Basketball

Rachel Humphrey (Senior) Girls Basketball

.HUQRFKDQ KDG SRLQWV ÂżYH rebounds and three steals against Torrance on Dec. 7. The Mustangs won the game, 62-36.

Humphrey had 11 points and nine rebounds in the win against South Torrance on Dec. 10. The girls won the game, 63-57.

Digits

6 7 25 64

La Vista

WKH QXPEHU RI &RVWD IDOO WHDPV WKDW TXDOLĂ&#x20AC;HG WR FRPSHWH LQ the fall sports CIF. All of the teams competed at least to the second round of the competition. number of volleyball players that have committed to colleges. Corie Bain, Grayce Campbell, Gracie Chavers, Riley Mallon, Grant Chalmers, Carley Muller and Casey White committed. approximate number of practices the baseball team has had to miss due to the recent investigation of the coaching staff relating to claims of emotional abuse of players by coaches. the number of teams that signed up for the Dodgeball Tournament this semester. Amateur Hour looks to maintain its undefeated streak and win for fourth year in a row.

COMPILED BY REGAN ESTES, HANNAH PROCTOR, AND CASEY SUBLETTE/SPORTS EDITORS PHOTOS BY EMMA SALZMAN AND NICOLE FISHER/LA VISTA

DUH WDNLQJ WKHLU YROOH\EDOO WDOHQW WR WKH QH[W OHYHO ZLWK UHFHQW FRPmitments to Cornell, Penn State DQG +DUYDUG UHVSHFWLYHO\ Campbell, whose interest lies in biopsychology, sought a balance of rigorous academics as ZHOO DV FRPPLWPHQW WR YROOH\EDOO Campbell was ultimately faced with a decision between Tulane and Cornell. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My parents really just told me that they wanted me to make the decision that would bring me the most happiness,â&#x20AC;? outside hitter Campbell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After thinking about it for a couple of weeks, I realized that Cornell was what I truly wanted.â&#x20AC;? Campbell has been a part of &RVWD YROOH\EDOO IRU IRXU \HDUV and is supported in her decision to choose Cornell by many of her Costa teammates. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was so excited for Grayce when she committed to Cornell,â&#x20AC;? senior teammate Corie Bain, who HDUOLHU FRPPLWWHG WR +DUYDUG said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know she will excel at Cornell, and I am happy for her.â&#x20AC;? Muller has been playing since DJH VHYHQ DQG ZDV ÂżUVW LQVSLUHG by her older brother to take up the sport. She recently committed to Penn State, where she plans to major in communications. Âł,ÂśYH NQRZQ VLQFH , ZDV LQ VHYenth grade that I wanted to go to Penn Stateâ&#x20AC;? libero Muller said. Âł3HQQV\OYDQLD LV HVVHQWLDOO\ P\ home away from home. That, and the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great athletic and academic reputation, made it the perfect option for me.â&#x20AC;?

MUNAM WASI/ LA VISTA

SET FOR THE COLLEGE BUMP: Senior volleyball players (from left) Grayce Campbell, Carley Muller and Casey White have committed to Cornell, Penn State and Harvard, respectively, for both their academic and athletic success. Mullerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dedication to the sport is apparent to many that watch her. The recruitment process inFOXGHG YLGHR IRRWDJH SKRQH FDOOV and emails between both parties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Carly is a determined, selfGULYHQ DWKOHWH Â´ &RVWD FRDFK /LVD Arce-Zimmerman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She has always wanted to push herself to WKH QH[W OHYHO DQG LWÂśV FOHDU VKHÂśV done a great job of doing that.â&#x20AC;? An outside hitter for the boys YROOH\EDOO WHDP :KLWH ZDV UHFUXLWHG E\ VFKRROV VXFK DV 8&/$ /R\ROD 0DU\PRXQW +DUYDUG 8QLYHUVLW\ RI &KLFDJR DQG 3ULQFeton. He decided to follow in his older brother DJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footsteps by FRPPLWWLQJ WR +DUYDUG â&#x20AC;&#x153;The opportunity to go to an ,Y\ /HDJXH VFKRRO ZDV WRR JUHDW for me to pass up,â&#x20AC;? White said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Making a decision between these schools was really hard, but at the end of the day, I guess I thought that it would be more fun for me to play with my brother for the next two years than to be playing against him.â&#x20AC;?

White, who considers passing to be his greatest attribute as a SOD\HU EHOLHYHV WKDW DOWKRXJK WKH GRRU WR SOD\ YROOH\EDOO DW D SURIHVVLRQDO OHYHO LV QRW RXW RI WKH question, he will focus on spendLQJ KLV WLPH DW +DUYDUG XWLOL]LQJ the academic opportunities the school has to offer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Casey is always a good teammate and always keeps the team smiling while also maintaining focus,â&#x20AC;? senior Riley Mallon said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really excited for him, and he will do great things at HarYDUG Â´ White will begin competing in his last season as a Mustang with WKH ER\V WHDPÂśV ÂżUVW PDWFK DIWHU WKH WHDPÂśV &,) ZLQ RYHU /R\ROD WKLV SDVW 0D\ 7KH 0XVWDQJVÂś ÂżUVW game will be played on March 1 in Santa Barbara. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are going to perform really well this year,â&#x20AC;? White said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The returning guys still remember that YLFWRU\ ZH KDG ODVW \HDU DQG ZLOO work extremely hard to try to get it again.â&#x20AC;?

Shake in your penguin suits; our secret weapon is ready $V \RX IDLWKIXO /D 9LVWD UHDGHUV might recall from last year, our elders created a team. Not just any team, but a team of titans, a true gang of legends, a band destined WR EH FDUYHG LQ WKH FOLII IDFHV RI the Midwest for its exceptional GRGJLQJ GXFNLQJ GLSSLQJ GLYing and dodging skill. The Dodgeball Tournament is upon us once more. In a hidden ODERUDWRU\ GHHS EHQHDWK WKH /DXWDQHQ UHVLGHQFH ZH KDYH FUHDWHG DQ HYHQ JUHDWHU DGYHUVDU\ WKDQ WKH crew of our predecessors. This, Costa, is the player of the future, as it is crafted with traits (and ERG\ SDUWV IURP WKH ÂżQHVW DQG most exquisite gene pool known to Mira Costa and beyond. :HÂśYH HTXLSSHG RXU ZDUULRU ZLWK WKH FDOYHV RI 0U -RQDWKDQ /HZLV IRU H[WUD VWDPLQD /HWÂśV face it; theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re stag legs, really. :HÂśYH DOVR XVHG WKH WRUVR RI 0U

'DQ 'HEHYHF VR DV WR DOORZ RXU JODGLDWRU WR VRDU RYHU DOO RI KLV opponents in harmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way. With Mr. Timberlakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s battle cry, our crusader strikes fear into the hearts of his foes, from the peRQV RI $PDWHXU +RXU WR ZKDWHYHU team Chow happens to be freeloading onto this time. Of course, we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t strictly stick to Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s denizens in the creation of our monstrosity. Metta World Peaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arms allow our solider to simultaneously be agJUHVVLYH DQG JHQWOH )UHH IURP WKH bondages of old age, the brain of Alex Trebek will allow for our FRPEDWDQW WR KDYH DQ DSSDUHQW NQRZOHGJH RI HYHU\WKLQJ LQ WKH HQWLUH ZRUOG QRZ DQG IRUHYHU +H seriously will not get out. :HÂśYH DOVR LPEXHG RXU VXSHU soldier with the stealth of master spy Mason Pierce. Straight from the mind-blowing soon-to-be-

published masterpiece of sophomores Derek Zeoli and Bram Osterhout, Pierceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experiences LQ 9HQLFH ,WDO\ KDYH PDGH KLP unbeatable in the sport. :H GLGQÂśW HYHQ VWLFN WR KXPDQV Our champion has also been endowed with the mouth of the DOLHQ IURP Âł$OLHQ Â´ WR SURYLGH DQ extra limb for catching, as well as WKH WKHUPDO YLVLRQ RI WKH SUHGDWRU from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Predator,â&#x20AC;? to help see. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, our super soldier has the UHVROYH RI 'U %HQ 'DOH ZKR ORQJ ago became a master of dodging MXVW DERXW HYHU\WKLQJ Perhaps one day, when the ZRUOG LV UHDG\ WKH /D 9LVWD 6XSHU Solider, who we affectionately call â&#x20AC;&#x153;Caesar,â&#x20AC;? will be unleashed. $6% \RX KDYH EHHQ ZDUQHG $QG GRQÂśW JLYH KLP DQ\ RI WKRVH ORSVLGHG EDOOV WKRVH DUH VR XQEHOLHYably not chill.

December 21, 2012 A12 La Vista SPORTS Boys basketball loses to Harvard-Westlake in close overtime game BY IAN RAPOPORT STAFF WRITER

Reagan said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Toward halftime, HarvardWestlake really started to give their best and things became really tense.â&#x20AC;? As time ran out and with the game on the Harvard-Westlake came back in the line, the Mira Costa boys basketball team VHFRQG TXDUWHU DQG ZDV OHDGLQJ DW forced overtime against Harvard-Westlake WKH KDOI %\ WKH HQG RI WKH WKLUG TXDUWHU but was unable to win. The boys lost, 80- Harvard-Westlake had extended its lead 77, making Dec. 15 Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last game in WR VHYHQ SRLQWV OHDGLQJ &RVWD 7KH the El Segundo/Palos Verdes Tournament. 0XVWDQJV EDWWOHG EDFN LQ WKH IRXUWK TXDUWHU &RVWD DGYDQFHG WR WKH ÂżQDOV RI WKH WRXU- to tie the score at 71-71, but after missing nament and lost to Harvard-Westlake in the a potentially game-winning shot, the game championship game. went into overtime. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a highly competitive and fun â&#x20AC;&#x153;Harvard-Westlake came back in the game to be a part of,â&#x20AC;? coach Jeff Amaral third and really brought everything at oversaid. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was one of the games where you time,â&#x20AC;? Reagan said. are absolutely dying to win it.â&#x20AC;? Strings led the Mustangs in scoring Senior point guard Cole Feaster led the in overtime, scoring all six of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team with 18 points and seven assists. Se- points. Harvard-Westlake was able to get a nior guard Kevin Kim and center Ryan rally started and win 80-77. Kaseff scored 16 points along with junior â&#x20AC;&#x153;When the game was tied, we were still forward Justin Strings. Kaseff also had 10 IHHOLQJ FRQÂżGHQW ZH FRXOG ZLQ Â´ $PDUDO rebounds in the game. said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were able to get some nice plays, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ryan really performed well through- but they just made a few extra points to put out,â&#x20AC;? junior center John Mical Watson them over the top.â&#x20AC;? said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He stepped up and showed his poAlthough the Mustangs lost in the chamtential as a defender in a huge way.â&#x20AC;? pionship match, the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overall record &RVWD VWDUWHG RII VWURQJ LQ WKH ÂżUVW TXDU- GXULQJ WKH WRXUQDPHQW ZDV DV WKH\ WHU DQG ZHQW LQWR WKH VHFRQG TXDUWHU ZLWK D beat Tocaz High School, St. Monica High lead of 20-16. School and Lawndale High School. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We came in full force for the beginning â&#x20AC;&#x153;We played very well during the tournaof the game,â&#x20AC;? sophomore center Gavin ment,â&#x20AC;? Amaral said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the end, we lost to

a well-respected and strong team. We really gave it our all by pushing into overtime.â&#x20AC;? The Mustangs are now approaching regular season, which begins in January. The team trained hard during the offseason and has started the season with just three losses. The boys hope to bring their preseason

success into Bay League. The Mustangsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; next match is today at KRPH DJDLQVW 3DFLÂżFD +LJK 6FKRRO RI *DUGHQ *URYH DW S P LQ )LVKHU *\P â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think now we are realizing our true potential,â&#x20AC;? Watson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the season goes on we will continue to improve.â&#x20AC;?

LISA VALICENTE/ LA VISTA

WET FROM THE LINE -XQLRU IRUZDUG -XVWLQ 6WULQJV WDNHV D IUHH WKURZ LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW TXDUWHU RI WKH Mustangsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 80-77 loss to Harvard-Westlake on Dec. 15. The Mustangs lost in the last minute of overtime in the championship game of the El Segundo/Palos Verdes Tournament.

Girls soccer edges out Marina High School, improves record to 9-1-2 BY LACY CANO STAFF WRITER

7KH WHDPÂśV ÂżUVW JRDO FDPH GXULQJ WKH second half of the game from sophomore forward McKenna Doyle, with the assist With all its club players back, the Mira from freshman Hannah Watkins. BuildCosta girls soccer team came out victori- ing on the Mustangsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lead, junior Savanna GEOFFREY ST. JOHN/ LA VISTA ous on Tuesday with a 2-0 win against Ma- Sartini assisted senior Taylor Foland for rina High School, improving its preseason the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second goal minutes later. HOOP! THERE IT IS: Junior guards Shaylyn Austin (left) and Camille Mills (right) compete against UHFRUG WR â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think our success eventually came South Torrance in a Costa win on Dec. 10. The girls beat Bellarmine-Jefferson on Wednesday. Early on, the two teams seemed evenly down to us taking our opportunities by matched, with neither able to gain a clear settling the game down and keeping posadvantage. Both of the teams maintained session,â&#x20AC;? junior Kimby Keever said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We SRVVHVVLRQ IRU WKH PDMRULW\ RI WKH ÂżUVW KDOI ÂżQDOO\ PDQDJHG WR ÂżQG RXU UK\WKP Â´ ending in a 0-0 stalemate. The weather, which proved to be a maâ&#x20AC;&#x153;We got off to a slow start because we jor obstacle, played a dramatic effect on GLGQÂśW KDYH PDQ\ VKRWV RQ JRDO LQ WKH ÂżUVW WKH JDPH E\ QRWLFHDEO\ LQĂ&#x20AC;XHQFLQJ SDVVHV BY KATIE VON BEHREN VHFRQG TXDUWHU &RVWD ZDV DEOH WR VFRUH half,â&#x20AC;? sophomore Megan Carver said. and shots on goal. The Costa coaching staff STAFF WRITER points with the help of senior guard Bella â&#x20AC;&#x153;We fought and played through the wind kept this factor in mind while making preEmmetti, who scored six points. which really impacted the game and was game decisions. The Mira Costa girls varsity basketball Âł:H GHÂżQLWHO\ SOD\HG EHWWHU DV D WHDP GLIÂżFXOW DW VRPH SRLQWV Â´ â&#x20AC;&#x153;We used the weather as part of our stratteam was able to give all 14 uninjured and it shows. The win was crucial for us The Mustangs came out strong in the egy,â&#x20AC;? assistant coach Amanda Cross said. member of the team a chance to play in the because it sets the tone for the tournament,â&#x20AC;? second half, particularly in the last 20 min- Âł:H ZHQW DJDLQVW WKH ZLQG LQ WKH ÂżUVW KDOI ZLQ DJDLQVW %HOODUPLQH -HIIHUVRQ LQ senior forward Taylor Lewis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope utes of the game. The girls maintained pos- so that it would be in our favor for the secWKH ÂżUVW URXQG RI WKH 6DQWD %DUEDUD 7RXUQD- we come out playing just as aggressively session for the majority of the time, which ond half, giving us a lot of momentum.â&#x20AC;? ment on Wednesday. tomorrow. I know that we have a good led to an increased number of break-aways The team will play today in a home game 7KH JLUOV SOD\HG RQ 7KXUVGD\ DQG )ULGD\ chance to win in this tournament and that and on-target shots on goal. DJDLQVW (O 6HJXQGR DW S P DW :DOOHU 6WDbut results were unavailable due to time we are ready for the season.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even though we got off to a slow start, GLXP ,W ZLOO EH WKH ÂżQDO SUHVHDVRQ PDWFK of publication. The girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; record currently Lewis helped the Mustangs on defense, we pushed hard in the second half and â&#x20AC;&#x153;The girls did a great job of coping with stands at 7-4 overall. maintaining a strong lead over Bellaminestarted playing our game,â&#x20AC;? junior Mandy the conditions,â&#x20AC;? coach Patty Perkinson â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we had a really solid and great Jefferson. Costa scored 17 points by the McKeegan said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were able to take ad- said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This was our second-to-last game of VWDUW WR WKH JDPH ZKLFK ZDV ÂżOOHG ZLWK WKLUG TXDUWHU LQFUHDVLQJ WKH JLUOVÂś OHDG RYHU vantage of a couple key opportunities and, the preseason so it was nice to get a win to energy,â&#x20AC;? senior center Rachel Humphrey WKHLU RSSRQHQW WR PRVW LPSRUWDQWO\ ÂżQLVK WKHP Â´ push us into league.â&#x20AC;? VDLG Âł:H ÂżQLVKHG WKH JDPH DV VWURQJ DV ZH â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all brought a lot of energy into had started it. Now, all we need is to con- this game and put a lot of pressure on the tinue to focus on our roles and bring them other team, which helped our success on to the court.â&#x20AC;? offense,â&#x20AC;? sophomore point guard Keilani Junior guard Camille Mills led the team Ikehara said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we continue to play with in scoring against Bellarmine-Jefferson, this same intensity and drive that we had scoring 12 points for the Mustangs along today, then we can go really far in this tourwith three rebounds. Junior guard Shaylyn nament and will have a strong start in the Austin scored nine points, also bringing in regular season.â&#x20AC;? three rebounds. Together, the team worked The Mustangsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; strong offense did not let on its communication skills to move the up throughout the game and continued to ball down the court in order to advance on strengthen Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead with the help of the defenders. different players. However, Bellarmineâ&#x20AC;&#x153;It feels great starting off the tournament -HIIHUVRQ VFRUHG SRLQWV LQ WKH IRXUWK with a win, and I hope we can continue TXDUWHU WR FXW &RVWDÂśV OHDG to play this well together,â&#x20AC;? Mills said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great to start off this tournament know we can go pretty far in this tourna- with a strong win,â&#x20AC;? junior center Shannon ment. We just need to continue to trust each Savino said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we keep up our energy, HANNAH DAGIAU/ LA VISTA other by passing the ball so we can try to then our team has a real chance on making get into the championships.â&#x20AC;? it into the championships and winning the KICKING AND SCREAMING 6HQLRU FDSWDLQ 0HOLQD &RKHQ WDNHV WKH EDOO GRZQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;HOG LQ &RVWDÂˇV The girls started off strong with the lead whole tournament. It would be a huge ac- 2-0 victory over Marina High School on Tuesday. The Mustangsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; record improves to 9-1-2 overall in JRLQJ LQWR WKH VHFRQG TXDUWHU 'XULQJ WKH complishment for us.â&#x20AC;? the preseason as the team heads into Bay League play.

Girls basketball trumps BellarmineJefferson in first game of tournament