Arts & Life
December 21, 2012 1401 Artesia Blvd. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Vol. XLII Issue 4 www.lavistamchs.com
B10 (left) - Check out singed books and shot-up paint bags in our recap of “Destroy the Picture: Painting the Void,” a new abstract art exhibit at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art.
B8 (below) - “Les Miserables” transitions effectively to the big screen and is carried by an outstanding cast, despite a lackluster adaptation by director Tom Hooper.
B5 (left)- Read about Mira Costa Orchestra Director Peter Park’s new responsibilities conducting the San BernaCounty High School orchestra.
MIRA LAING/ LA VISTA
THEME:
B6-7 - With the holiday season already in fullswing, Costa and community organizations are doing what they can to give back.
EMMA SALZMAN/ LA VISTA
As part of Christmas and holiday tradition, some neighborhoods around the South Bay place heavy emphasis on house decoration; pictured above is Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo. Robert Road in Torrance has a similar tradition with their Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza.
CALENDAR
B2
December 21, 2012
Campus
Community
DECEMBER:
DECEMBER:
21-Friday
22-Saturday
Performing Arts Holiday Assembly during second period in the auditorium
“Junk” art exhibit at the Creative Arts Center from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
24- Jan. 4 Monday-Friday
26-Wednesday
Winter Break: No School
Planning Commision meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall in Manhattan Beach
JANUARY:
JANUARY:
8-Tuesday
1-Tuesday
Education Council meeting from 2:15 p.m. WR S P LQ WKH JXLGDQFH RI¿FH FRQIHUence room Scholarship Notebook meeting at lunch in the CCC 8-9 Tuesday-Wednesday Talent Show auditions at 3 p.m. in the auditorium
Manhattan Beach bus trip to Tournament of the Roses Parade LISA VALICENTE/ LA VISTA
Disney’s Friends for Change Club sold In-n-Out milkshakes to Mira Costa students at Club Day on Dec. 4. Various other clubs provided food for the event. MCHS Rotary Solo Prelims for strings at 4 p.m. in the auditorium
16-Wednesday 9 a.m. Late Start Scholarship Notebook meeting at lunch in the CCC
Student Leadership Council meeting at OXQFK LQ 3ULQFLSDO 'DOH¶V RI¿FH
PTSA Executive Board meeting from 11 D P WR S P LQ WKH *XLGDQFH 2I¿FHU Conference Room 17-Thursday
MCHS Rotary Solo Prelims for winds and percussion at 4 p.m. in the auditorium
PTSA Membership meeting from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the library
“Poetry Out Loud” competition at 7 p.m. in the drama room
11-Friday National Honors Society meeting at lunch in the auditorium
15-Tuesday
21-Monday
Club Council meeting at lunch in room 40
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: No School
“
Hermosa Beach Garden Club at 10 a.m. at the Clark Building on Valley Drive 22-Tuesday Hermosa Beach City Council Meeting at 7 p.m. at Hermosa Beach City Hall 26-Saturday
Overheard: We always have a Holiday Homie gift exchange in my class where the kids get gifts for each other. We also like to play games and just get into the holiday spirit.
Hermosa Beach City Council meeting at 7 p.m. at Hermosa Beach City Hall
16-Wednesday
14-Monday
10-Thursday
8-Tuesday
On the Web:
Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Roundup from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Clark Stadium
www.lavistamchs.com Check-out our website for a new video on Operation Happiness, the Costa canned food drive from Nov. 26 to Dec. 20.
”
Also, read a memorial of Coach Bob Fish by former La Vista Editors-in-Chief Adam Robak and Zack Rosenfeld.
- English Teacher Diana Sieker
Sports
Girls Soccer: Jan. 15: vs. Leuzinger at Leuzinger at 5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Dec. 19-22: South Torrance Tournament Jan. 5: Alumni Game at MCHS at 6 p.m. Jan. 11: vs. Redondo at MCHS at 6 p.m. Jan. 15: vs. Leuzinger at MCHS at 3 p.m. Jan. 18: vs. Peninsula at Peninsula High School at 3 p.m. Jan. 22: vs. PV at PV High at 3 p.m. Girls Basketball: Dec. 19-22: Santa Barbara Tournament in Santa Barbara Jan. 3: vs. Bishop Montgomery at MCHS at 6 p.m. Jan. 5: vs. North Torrance at MCHS at 7:30 p.m.
NICK MATSON/ LA VISTA
Jan. 8: vs. West Torrance at West Torrance High School at 6 p.m. Jan. 11: vs. Redondo at MCHS at 6 p.m. Jan. 15: vs. Leuzinger at MCHS at 6 p.m. Jan. 18: vs. Peninsula at Peninsula High School at 6 p.m. Jan. 19: game at Marlborough at 4 p.m. Jan. 22: vs. Palos Verdes at Palos Verdes High School at 6 p.m. Jan. 25: vs. West Torrance at MCHS at 6 p.m. Boys Basketball: Dec. 26-29: Torrey Pines Tournament in San Diego Jan. 8: vs. West Torrance at West Torrance High School at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11: vs. Redondo at Mira Costa High School at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12: vs. El Segundo at Mira Costa
High School at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15: vs. Leuzinger at Mira Costa High School at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18: vs. Peninsula at Peninsula High School at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22: vs. Palos Verdes at Palos Verdes High School at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25: vs. West Torrance at Mira Costa High School at 7:30 p.m. Boys Wrestling: Dec. 29-30: Tournament of Champions at Tustin High at 10 a.m. Jan. 12: Valencia Varsity Tournament at Valencia High at 10 a.m. Jan. 26: M.I.T. Varsity Invitational at Milikan High at 9:30 a.m. Girls Water Polo: Dec. 30-Jan. 5: Winter Break Training
MUNAM WASI/ LA VISTA
Mira Costa’s varsity boys soccer competed again Animo High School on Dec. 4. Mira Costa lost against Animo, 3-0.
LIFE
December 21, 2012
La Vista
B3
Manhattan Beach Middle School student Ethan Lu has uncanny ability for math Lu is currently in seventh grade and takes sophomore level math class, Algebra 3-4 with Trigonometry, at Costa BY SARAH LOCKE-HENDERSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER When the zero period bell rings, (WKDQ /X VKXIĂ€HV LQWR KLV $OJHbra 3-4 with Trigonometry class amidst the rest of his classmates. For one period a day, Lu experiences life as a typical high school student. However, when class ends, his mother arrives at Mira Costa to shuttle him back to the Manhattan Beach Middle School, where he is currently in seventh grade. $W \HDUV ROG (WKDQ /X KDV advanced past three levels of mathematics courses and skipped the third grade entirely. By the time he was in kindergarten at a small private school, Lu had already discovered his aptitude for math and was successfully learning fourth grade material. Despite his natural talent, Lu is humble about his inherent ability in the subject of mathematics. “It’s not an amazing talent,â€? Lu said. “I just happen to learn math at a much more accelerated rate [than most students my age].â€? $IWHU PRYLQJ IURP &KLQD WR WKH 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK 8QLÂżHG 6FKRRO District public school system in ÂżUVW JUDGH /X FRQWLQXHG WR ZRUN ahead in mathematics courses but was only allowed to work one year ahead of his grade level. It wasn’t XQWLO ÂżIWK JUDGH DW 0HDGRZV WKDW
GEOFFREY ST. JOHN/ LA VISTA
GENIUS SQUARED: Ethan Lu, a seventh-grade MBMS student, is taking Algebra 3-4 with Trigonometry at Costa with math teacher Christine Baral. This course is typically taken by sophomores, but Lu’s intrinsic ability for mathematics has placed him at this level. Lu skipped three levels of the subject. he was permitted to squeeze three middle school level mathematics FRXUVHV²0DWK 3UH $OJHEUD &RXUVH DQG $OJHEUD ²LQWR D single year of school. Âł:KHQ , ZDV D ÂżIWK JUDGHU P\ teacher, Mr. Chao, and my mom encouraged me to take those advanced courses,â€? Lu said. “That’s why I’m so far ahead.â€? 1RZ LQ $OJHEUD ZLWK 7ULJ-
onometry, a class typically dominated by sophomores, Lu’s major challenge has been bridging the age gap between himself and his peers. However, over the course of the semester, he has adapted to his unusual environment. Âł0\ ÂżUVW GD\ , ZDV VOLJKWO\ LQtimidated,â€? Lu said. “But I have gotten used to [the enivronment], and so have my classmates.â€?
/XÂśV $OJHEUD ZLWK 7ULJRnometry teacher, Christine Baral, is particularly impressed with Ethan’s performance in the classroom. She commends his work HWKLF EXW DOVR ÂżQGV KLV LQWHUDFWLRQ with his classmates endearing. “He is able to grasp math concepts that are far beyond what most students his age are able to comprehend,â€? Baral said. “He enjoys participating in our class discussions and likes investigating the math topics on his own. It is touching to see the class adopt Ethan as a little brother.â€? Lu’s dedication to the subject stems from a genuine interest in the learning process as a whole. He is fascinated by the rigorous VWUXFWXUH RI KLV $OJHEUD ZLWK Trigonometry class, but he also HQMR\V WKH Ă€H[LELOLW\ RI WKH SURElem sets he does in the classroom as well as problem sets he does for homework. “I like math because of the diversity of problems you can do and the numerous ways you can solve them,â€? Lu said. In addition to his interest in math, Lu’s favorite classes at MBMS include his life science class and the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) class, a new elective class that caters to students with an interest in engineering and technology. “For his young age, Ethan is a
very well adjusted kid,â€? MBMS STEM teacher James Locke said. “He interacts extremely well with his peers and absorbs information very quickly in the classroom.â€? Outside of the classroom, Lu is a member of the middle school orchestra and plays the baritone. During his spare time, Lu also enjoys playing badminton at the Manhattan Beach Badminton Club. $V IRU KLV IXWXUH DW 0LUD &RVWD Lu is uncertain about where he will continue his math education once he has completed the courses that the high school has to offer. Lu remains optimistic that he will ÂżQG FKDOOHQJLQJ PDWK RSSRUWXQLties after he takes all of the math courses Costa has to offer. “I will be taking Pre-calc next \HDU WKHQ $3 &DOFXOXV DQG $3 Statistics at Costa,â€? Lu said. “But after sophomore year is over I don’t really know what I will take. There is a possibility that I might enroll in some college math classes.â€? $OWKRXJK KLV SURGLJLRXV DELOLties would make a profession in WKH PDWK DQG VFLHQFH ÂżHOG DQ REvious choice, Lu is also unsure of what his future and career may entail. “I don’t have any clue what I want to do when I grow up,â€? Lu said. “I am open to many possibilities, and I am excited to see what the future will hold for me.â€?
Sign Language Club bridges boundaries BY DANA STERNTHAL STAFF WRITER
“We don’t have a sign language class at Costa, and I want to teach anyone who wants to learn,� Forson said. “It’s also a The language barrier at Mira Costa af- great way to meet new people.� fects several students, and there are many Students have joined Sign Language students who communicate primarily Club to be supportive of their friends who WKURXJK $PHULFDQ 6LJQ /DQJXDJH $6/ UHO\ RQ $6/ WR FRPPXQLFDWH The barrier puts a limit on their communi“I joined to support my friend Doreen, cation with other students. and I always wanted to learn to sign,� juJunior Doreen Forson took matters into nior Estefany Castaneda said. “I hope I’m her own hands and started Sign Language able to pick up all that I’m taught and able Club this year, a club dedicated to teaching to sign with other people too.� its members The stunon-verbal dents learn communicahow to comtion. municate di“I started rectly with this club the hearing as a way to impaired and teach stunot rely on dents about translators. the language “HopefulGEOFFREY ST. JOHN/ LA VISTA that people ly, I will condon’t know SIGN ME UP: Sign Language Club president junior Doreen For- tinue to learn about, and son (right) teaches club members how to communicate through more and then help signing simple phrases and sentences. more from them learn this club to it,� Forson said. be capable of communicating with those Being partially deaf herself, Forson has a ZKR XVH $6/ ´ MXQLRU FOXE PHPEHU -D\YHQ personal connection to this club. Not only Colon said. are there deaf members, there are members The club reinforces what is taught durwho are partially deaf with a hearing im- ing meetings by doing various projects. pairment. The club has served as a forum Club members made short videos in sign where Forson can communicate with deaf language introducing themselves. students. “Little projects are a fun way to get to “It’s great when I’m able to use sign lan- know each other and practice signing at the guage because it’s less strain on my voice, same time,� Forson said. and it’s fun to be able to communicate in 6LJQ /DQJXDJH &OXE PHHWV LQ URRP a new way with my friends who are just RQ )ULGD\V DQG URRP RQ :HGQHVGD\V learning it now,� Forson said. The club’s advisor is the deaf and hard The club covers the basics of the lan- of hearing teacher, Michelle Sumner, and guage such as the alphabet and simple members meet in her room on Fridays. phrases. Teaching students complex sen“Being a member of this club is a great tences and ideas is something the club is opportunity to step out of what I normally trying to accomplish. do,� Castaneda said.
MIRA LAING/ LA VISTA
FIRE UP THE OVEN: 3LWĂ€UH $UWLVDQ 3L]]D SODQV RQ RSHQLQJ LWV GRRUV WKLV -DQXDU\ 7KH UHVWDXUDQW ZLOO UHSODFH 3RPRGRUR DQG VHUYH ,WDOLDQ WKHPHG HQWUHHV VXFK DV VRXS SL]]D SDVWD DQG SDQLQLV
3LWÂżUH SL]]D VHW WR RSHQ GRRUV LQ WKH QHZ \HDU BY RISHA ROHERA THEME EDITOR $QRWKHU FULWLFDOO\ DFFODLPHG SL]]HULDstyle restaurant is coming to dominate the taste buds of the South Bay. 3LWÂżUH $UWLVDQ 3L]]D D /RV $QJHOHV HDWery, is expanding its business into Manhattan Beach in place of the recently closed Pomodoro on the corner of Morningside Drive on Manhattan Beach Boulevard. 3LWÂżUH $UWLVDQ 3L]]D KDV YDULRXV ORFDWLRQV LQ 1RUWK +ROO\ZRRG :HVW /RV $QJHOHV 'RZQWRZQ /RV $QJHOHV &XOYHU &LW\ DQG :HVW +ROO\ZRRG $FFRUGLQJ WR 3LWÂżUHÂśV FR founder, the expansion of the restaurant to Manhattan Beach was inevitable. “Expanding to both the South Bay and Orange County is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,â€? co-founder Paul Hibler said. “Not only is the Manhattan Beach space centrally located in the heart of downtown, [but] the beach community’s culinary scene has continued to evolve, and its family-focused, tight-knit neighborhood PDNHV LW WKH SHUIHFW ÂżW IRU XV ´ The company was founded by Hibler DQG 'DYLG 6DQÂżHOG LQ 6LQFH WKHQ WKH chain has expanded to seven locations, including the one in Manhattan Beach. The Manhattan Beach restaurant is set to open this January.
“The addition of this restaurant to the 6RXWK %D\ ZLOO EH EHQHÂżFLDO WR LWV GLYHUVH population,â€? senior Josh Cavallo said. “I’m looking forward to trying this restaurant.â€? Located on Manhattan Beach Boulevard, the restaurant will have indoor and outdoor seating. Some of the foods that will be served are various types of Italian-inspired soups, pizzas, salads, pastas, paninis and GHVVHUWV OLNH WKH IDPRXV 3LWÂżUH 6PRWKHUHG Cookie. Âł$OWKRXJK , DP UHDOO\ VDG WKDW 3RPRGRUR permanmently closed, I’m excited about this new restaurant,â€? sophomore Hailey Kay said. “The food, especially the sundaes, are delicious.â€? In addition to serving Italian cuisine in WKH UHVWDXUDQWV 3LWÂżUH $UWLVDQ 3L]]D FDWHUV KRPH DQG RIÂżFH SDUWLHV DQG KRVWV SL]]D making parties for children. For larger parties, the restaurant offers full service, dĂŠcor, entertainment and anything else required. $FFRUGLQJ WR LWV ZHEVLWH 3LWÂżUH $UWLVDQ Pizza aims “to bring simple and time-honored values of communal cooking and eatLQJ WR WKH PRGHUQ ZRUOG ´ $ORQJ ZLWK WKLV YLVLRQ 3LWÂżUH $UWLVDQ 3L]]D ZDQWV WR FUHDWH a place where people can unwind and interact with each other. “Our mission is to create a community gathering place because we’re losing them in our lives,â€? Hibler said.
December 21, 2012 LIFE B4 La Vista Heroes for Hope Club brightens day for children diagnosed with cancer
President Rachel Waxman brings the club to campus after being affected by her sister’s battle with cancer BY RISHA ROHERA THEME EDITOR Cancer has the power to take lives and alter the lives of a family forever. After Rebecca Waxman, sophomore Rachel Waxman’s sister was diagnosed with leukemia eight years ago, Rachel was inspired to inform, educate and impact children who are currently diagnosed. Sophomores Waxman and Kelly Geiser founded the Heroes for Hope Club this past November. This club supports the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach. “My sister was diagnosed with cancer eight years ago [and survived], and this is the hospital that treated her,� Waxman said. “[Jonathan Jaques] is the organization that supports [this] hospital. Kelly and I were both really inspired by that.� Sixteen year-old old Jonathan Jaques inspired the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center in 1976. During his battle with cancer, he gave his parents his life savings and asked them to help other children in the future. The Center named after him was established in 1983 at the Miller Children’s Hospital. “Jonathan Jaques is a really wonderful organization that [not only] supports children undergo-
MUNAM WASI/ LA VISTA
WE NEED A HERO: Sophomore club presidents (from left) Kelly Geiser and Rachel Waxman brought Heroes for Hope Club to Costa’s campus this November. Heroes for Hope works with the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach. Members of the club raise money and visit the children at the cancer center. ing cancer procedures, but enables them to go about their daily lives safely and comfortably,� sophomore club member Jordan Cohn said. “It provides them with incredible services, such as dental, dietitians, specialty nurses, clean rides to and from appointments, therapeutic groups and other supportive resources.� The club’s main objective is to raise money for the children in treatment at the Center. Club members held a bake sale on Dec. 9 at the 24th Annual Manhattan
Beach Holiday Fireworks show to raise money for the Jonathan Jacques Cancer Center. “Heroes for Hope is a really rewarding experience with the philanthropy going to kids who are extremely deserving of it,� sophomore club member Oliver Gable said. “I’m very excited to be involved with this new club. It is a really great cause and a wonderful organization.� The club also facilitated a toy drive, which began in the beginning of December and will end
today. The toys collected will be wrapped in bundles and given directly to the kids in the hospital during the holidays in spirit of the festive season. “We would like to get toys for children of all ages,� Rachel Waxman said. “However, we would especially like to get them for kids our age since not many people [know about them], and they are there in the hospital.� The club also plans on sponsoring a diagnosed child to run in the 2013 Champions Run for Life.
The run raises money to support various programs at the Center. These programs include the Psychosocial, Art Therapy and Late Effects programs, and help cancer patients and their families cope with their battles with cancer. “Our main goal as a club is to raise enough money, which is about $1,500, so we can sponsor a kid to run with us [in the Champions Run for Life],â€? Geiser said. “They have a run every year in June. We hope to have a positive LQĂ€XHQFH RQ WKH FKLOGÂśV OLIH E\ having them compete in the run.â€? 7KH ÂżUVW +HURHV IRU +RSH PHHWing occurred on Nov. 28. During meetings, the club plans volunteering opportunities at the hospital as well as ways to raise funds for the sick children. Âł:H MXVW KDG RXU ÂżUVW PHHWLQJ and we had a really big turnout,â€? Geiser said. “We were surprised and had about 25 people.â€? The club did not participate in the Club Day that recently took place on Dec. 5 but plans on participating in future campus club days. The club hopes to raise even more money for the cancer center. Heroes for Hope meets every Wednesday at lunch in room 28. “Cancer is a really horrible thing, so anything we, as a club on campus, could do to help children who are currently diagnosed with cancer, we wanted to do,â€? Waxman said.
December 21, 2012
LIFE
La Vista
B5
Park guest conducts San Bernardino High School Honors Orchestra BY GASSIA ASHIKIAN STAFF WRITER
“I have a lot of freedom as guest conductor to make musical decisions,â€? Park said. “I selected Costa’s orchestra teacher Pe- some challenging music that I beter Park is known for his love of lieve will be good for the group.â€? music and inspiring way with his Park conducted the Long Beach students. Due to his dedication to 8QLÂżHG 6FKRRO 'LVWULFW 2KOHQLISA VALICENTE/ LA VISTA MIRA LAING/ LA VISTA student musicians, Park was nom- dorf Honors Orchestra earlier this DO YOU VOW?: -XQLRUV IURP OHIW .DW\ (GVRQ .HQGDOO *HH DQG $ULDQD *HYRY FUHDWHG D FOXE FDOOHG 9RLFHV RI :RPHQ WR inated to conduct the 2013 San year. He also conducted CapistKHOS VWRS WKH RSSUHVVLRQ RI ZRPHQ 92: PHPEHUV UHFHQWO\ KHOG D KROLGD\ ERXWLTXH IXQGUDLVHU RQ 'HF ZKHUH WKH\ Bernardino County High School UDQR 8QLÂżHG 6FKRRO 'LVWULFW +LJK Honors Orchestra. School Honors Orchestra in 2010. UDLVHG RYHU -XQLRU .DWLH %HONQDS SLFWXUHG ULJKW VHWV XS KROLGD\ LWHPV WKDW ZHUH VROG DW WKH ERXWLTXH This year has been Park’s fourth Despite Park’s previous orchestra year conducting at Mira Costa, but conducting experiences, he is still he has been teaching orchestra for particularly excited to guest cona total of 17 years. This will be duct at San Bernardino County BY EMILY LOCKWOOD Zimbabwe. After meeting Heart, “We have had quite a few fund- KLV YHU\ ÂżUVW WLPH FRQGXFWLQJ DW High School. LIFE EDITOR Capo decided to take her in. raisers in order to raise money to the San Bernardino County “This is a “I met [Krista] at the Safe support Debbie and her daugh- High School. great opportunity Many students simply read House,â€? Heart said. “She came ters,â€? Edson said. “There is no formal profor me to share books for pleasure. However, and hugged me, and it was the To continue helping Heart and cess for being chosen with other students some people are heavily impacted ÂżUVW KXJ , KDG LQ D ORQJ WLPH 0\ her children, the club held a holi- to conduct the orand music instructors by the messages a story conveys, heart felt that I could trust her.â€? day boutique on Dec. 7. They sold chestra,â€? Park said. my skills,â€? Park said. inspiring them to stand up for a +HDUWÂśV OLIH KDV EHHQ ÂżOOHG ZLWK ornaments, candles, jewelry and “The San BernarMany orchestra stuFDXVH DQG PDNH EHQHÂżFLDO FKDQJ- several hardships, including sex- other holiday items. Junior Hud- dino County Edudents feel that Park has had es within their community. ual abuse and separation from her son Caceres provided live music cators’ Music AsD SRVLWLYH LQĂ€XHQFH RQ WKHLU Juniors Katy Edson, Kendall two daughters. for the event. sociation had routine musical development. Gee and Ariana Gevov read “Half “Listening to [Heart] cry while “At the boutique, we raised meetings to discuss “Although it is only my the Sky,â€? a novel by Nicholas she told us the horrendous things enough money to cover Heart’s and vote from a handful of ÂżUVW \HDU DW 0LUD &RVWD 0U Kristof. Edson, Gee and Gevov that the men did to her was heart- daughters’ education for the year, people whom they believe Park has already tremenwere greatly inspired after read- breaking, and we knew we want- and we were also able to sponsor had the ability to conduct dously helped me improve ing about the horrors of oppressed ed to make a change,â€? Gee said. 21 other children,â€? Gee said. the orchestra.â€? my skills at playing the women and wanted to make a difAccording to its members, After successful fundraising, Katie Barton, a SBbass,â€? freshman Talia Geference. They created the Voices VOW’s goals are to purchase VOW’s next goal is to become a CMEA High School MIRA LAING/ LA VISTA rard said. of Women club to aid oppressed plane tickets for Heart and her QRQSURÂżW RUJDQL]DWLRQ ,Q RUGHU Orchestra representative, Conducting various women around the world. family to come to the United to do so, members have to keep selected Park to conduct the Hon- orchestras allows Park to have a “We were inspired to start a States and provide school tuition records and tax receipts from club ors orchestra. unique and well-rounded expericlub because of the book, which for her daughters in Africa. activities and establish a mission “I chose Park because I was ence with musically-talented kids emphasizes turning oppresCapo is the adult participant of statement and a board of directors very impressed with his previous in several different communities. sion into opportunity for women Gee, Gevov and Edson’s club. Af- to run the club. work with other Honor orches“It’s an honor to be selected worldwide,â€? Gee said. ter hearing Heart’s story and talk“We recently met with some- tras,â€? Barton said. to work with other students,â€? Gevov’s family friend Krista ing to her personally over Skype one who is helping our club beAs a guest conductor, Park has Park said. “This orchestra is well Capo traveled to Africa in 2005, through Capo, the club has begun FRPH D QRQSURÂżW RUJDQL]DWLRQ ´ the freedom to choose the pieces known so it is a great opportunity where she met Debbie Heart, who to focus on changing Heart’s and Edson said. “This will help us to that the students will get to play to be able to conduct this orchesescaped from a youth militia in her daughters’ lives for the better. continue our pursuit.â€? and perform. tra group.â€?
Juniors vow to help oppressed women
Sarah Colen raises awareness for a cause that is sometimes overlooked BY SHAYLYN AUSTIN NEWS EDITOR
Government resources provide SDUWLDO ÂżQDQFLDO DLG WR FRYHU PHGical expenses for families with Many high school students hon- children who are diagnosed with orably partake in events to raise autism, but many private health money for various illnesses, but insurance companies do not happenings that promote aware- cover various autism therapies. ness for autism, another relevant The main goal of Colen’s club is cause, are often overshadowed. to raise funds for Autism Speaks With the goal of bringing the to aid in its efforts to provide reÂżJKW DJDLQVW DXWLVP WR WKH IRUH- sources for families that cannot front, sophomore Sarah Colen afford the treatments needed for has created Autism Speaks Club. those with an autism disorder. 7KH FOXE KHOG LWV ÂżUVW PHHWLQJ RQ “People on the autism spectrum Nov. 29. need a lot more attention and help Colen has been involved with than people that are not on the Autism Speaks, the nation’s larg- spectrum do,â€? Colen said. “Even est autism advocacy organization, though they go to class to learn, since her younger sister was diag- they still need outside assistance. nosed with high-functioning au- My sister [10 years old], for extism at the age of two. She recent- ample, gets 50 hours a week of ly founded Autism Speaks Club occupational, speech and behavto get more ioral therapy.â€? “My sister has been a huge students inIn addition volved in ef- part of my life, and I have al- to supporting forts to raise ways been associated with IDPLOLHV ÂżQDQawareness Autism Speaks because it’s a cially, Autism for the disSpeaks dedigreat organization.â€? order. cates a major“My sister ity of its funds has been a donating to the Sarah Colen huge part of research of the Sophomore my life, and causes, treatI have always been associated ments and preventions, with the with Autism Speaks because it’s discovery of a cure as the ultimate a great organization,â€? Colen said. goal. “I go to their walks, and my famÂł$XWLVP 6SHDNV LV WU\LQJ WR ÂżQG ily tries to donate as much money out exactly what autism is,â€? Colen as we can. This club is a way that said. “It is known to be a neuroI can get many other people to logical disorder, but not much is support this cause.â€? known about other elements and
NICK MATSON/ LA VISTA
SPEAKING UP FOR A CAUSE: Sophomores (from left) Kalena Tamara, Christie Carey, Parker Mccolgan, Kendall 'RPLQJXH] DQG (PLO\ 0DUWHO DWWHQG $XWLVP 6SHDNV &OXE¡V Ă€UVW PHHWLQJ RQ 1RY LQ URRP GXULQJ OXQFK ZKHUH WKH\ SODQQHG IXQGUDLVHUV WR JHQHUDWH GRQDWLRQV WR VXSSRUW UHVHDUFK IRU DXWLVP symptoms of the disease.â€? Colen’s club has already been planning for future fundraisers. Most recently, the club sold hot chocolate and baked goods on Dec. 9 during the Manhattan %HDFK +ROLGD\ ÂżUHZRUNV VKRZ RQ the Manhattan Beach pier. “At least one out of every 100 kids has autism,â€? head of publicity sophomore Meghan Yates said. “It’s easy to live in Manhattan Beach and be totally aware of struggles people have without actually doing anything or making an effort. We hope to be able to hold more fundraisers once we [adjust to having a club] and raise
as much money as we can.â€? 2QH RI WKH FOXEÂśV ÂżUVW JRDOV is to hold an assembly at Costa, some time in the near future, with guest speakers from the national Autism Speaks organization. Club members hope that holdiing a public seminar will educate and inform the Costa community about autism. “Autism Speaks is an extremely important organization, and it’s important to bring it to Costa and our community,â€? club member junior Matt Stern said. “Autism is very serious, and we will do all we can to give back and help fund more research.â€?
Though Autism Speaks Club is just starting out, Colen hopes to soon be able to grow and expand her club into a large, well-known organization on Costa’s campus. The club meets every Thursday in room 35 during lunch. “For the time being I want to get as many people to join the [Autism Speaks Club] as possible,� Colen said. “We are doing this on our own for right now, but once we get more of a following, maybe we can do some activities with Friendship Circle or other Costa clubs. I think that this club will make a difference for children who are living with autism.�
‘Tis the Season to Give Back
COMPILED BY AMANDA NEWELL, ARI GEVOV AND RISHA ROHERA/THEME EDITORS AND MIRA LAING/PHOTOGRAPHER ILLUSTRATIONS BY AMANDA NEWELL
Students at Mira Costa not only excel in academics and athletics, but also in raising the spirits of those who are less fortunate. This holiday season, students are participating in philanthropic acts by donating and supplying gifts for those in need.
A Little Goes a Long Way for the South Bay Various South Bay organizations make an effort to bring holiday cheer to the community by assisting those in need.
The Kiwanis Club What: Christmas tree lot Where: 3LHU $YHQXH DQG 3DFLĂ€F &RDVW Highway in Hermosa Beach
When: Nov. 23 through Dec. 25 Why: to support various organizations involving children
Giving back during the holidays can change the lives of both the ones who see the tree can choose a child to purchase a toy for and deliver it ents for a whole family; the Angel Tree, which involves the homeroom who give and those who receive. Through a variety of clubs and organi- back to the mall for the club to wrap and give to the child. class providing a toy and sleepwear for a child; Toys for Kids, where a zations, many Mira Costa students participate in charitable activities to “The Sandpipers organization gives the volunteers and the community homeroom gives toys to children in the hospital on Christmas day and the help the less fortunate. a lot of options on how to give back,â€? Director of Technology junior canned food drive. Sandpipers is a local philanthropic organization for people who want Ashley Goussak said. “The Sugar Plum Tree guarantees a child a gift. This year, Costa is sponsoring 21 families and 50 Angel Trees, as well to participate in fundraisers and donate the money to different charities. During the holidays when we are receiving so many things, it is nice to as raising money for 60 extra toys for the children. The programs support Sandpiper Juniors, a part of the off-campus organization, is largely com- give something back.â€? the Richstone Center, the South Bay Salvation Army and the Beach Citprised of Costa students, with nearly 22 students in each grade part of it. The Mira Costa baseball team also gives back to the South Bay by sell- ies Mustang Club’s holiday drive, respectively. ASB also hopes to raise “I have learned a lot from them over the past four years,â€? Co-President ing Christmas trees to students at school and others in the community. 11,000 cans this year. of Sandpiper Juniors Costa senior Lauren Fournell said. “Giving back to Trees are sold to raise money for the team’s booster club, but some of the Âł,W LV GHÂżQLWHO\ VWUHVVIXO OHDGLQJ XS WR >WKH HYHQW@ ´ &RPPLVVLRQHU RI [the community] means a lot to me and is something I have valued as a proceeds are also donated to various charitable organizations. Families Community Relations and junior Kayla Medrano said. “I would say that member and president of Sandpiper Juniors.â€? WKDW SDUWLFLSDWH LQ WKLV FDXVH FDQ DOVR FKRRVH WR GRQDWH D WUHH WR D VSHFLÂżF [planning the fundraiser] is one of the most rewarding jobs when everyEach holiday season, Sandpipers puts on many events to give back to family in the community that is in need of one. thing is done.â€? the community. Two of the most popular events that students at Costa are “It feels pretty good to know that we are helping families that are less Another organization at Costa that gives back to the community is involved in are the Sandpipers’ Holiday Basket Program and the Sugar fortunate than we are,â€? baseball team member junior Jack Webber said. Lend-A-Hand Club. The members of the club go to Skid Row not only Plum Tree, which takes place at the Manhattan Village Mall. “I think everyone deserves to celebrate the holidays.â€? during the holidays, but also throughout the school year to help the homeWhen participating in the Holiday Basket Program, an indiless by making them food, bringing them clothes and by providvidual adopts a family and purchases toys for the children and ing them with other necessities. “It feels good knowing how much of a difference this makes for these home goods for the parents. The individual then wraps the gifts “Lend-A-Hand’s goal is not only to give the homeless of Skid families and seeing how appreciative they are to receive the gifts.â€? and delivers it to the family that the member adopted. Row food and warm clothes, but also to give them hope,â€? Lend“I am adopting a family this year through Sandpipers,â€? SandA-Hand Vice President and junior Michaela Loudermilk said. Sophomore Haley Webb piper Juniors member sophomore Haley Webb said. “Without “We remind them that although they are going through a rough this program, many of these families and children would not patch in their lives that they are still important and that someone have Christmas presents. It feels good knowing how much of a Throughout the years, a total of 60 trees have been donated. About 20 cares about them.â€? difference this makes for these families and seeing how ap- trees have gone to the Salvation Army, 20 to the Richstone Center for Each year, members of the club go to Skid Row on Christmas Day. preciative they are to receive the gifts.â€? DEXVHG FKLOGUHQ DQG D ODUJH DPRXQW WR VSHFLÂżF IDPLOLHV UHTXHVWHG E\ WKH This year, Costa students are also bringing some men that live in an unThe Sugar Plum Tree event involves ornaments people who donate them. Along with these donations, the players on the derpass a Christmas tree and new sleeping bags. The club is also putting with wishlists of different children on a team also pool together the tips they make delivering the trees in order to RQ D EHQHÂżW VKRZ WKHPHG Âł8JO\ &KULVWPDV 6ZHDWHU ´ ZKHUH WKH\ ZLOO EH Christmas Tree located in the Man- adopt a family for the holiday. grilling burgers and watching performances from Costa bands and the hattan Village Mall. Along with “I like the fact that [the players] are volunteering to give up their tips to ComedySportz team. the wishlist, the ornament families in need,â€? baseball coach Cassidy Olson said. “They are learning “Lend-a-Hand... I really like that name of the club because the people includes the name of a valuable lesson of giving rather than receiving.â€? down here are broken, and you make us feel well,â€? Skid Row resident Edthe child and his The Associated Student Body at Costa not only puts on dances and die said to Lend-A-Hand members. “People come down here all the time or her age. pep rallies, but also carries out a fundraiser called Operation Happiness, and throw food at us, but you kids, you kids are really the ones lending a People which involves the whole school coming together to make the holidays hand. I love each and every one of you.â€? enjoyable for families and children in need. 1DWLRQDO &KDULW\ /HDJXH LV DQ DGGLWLRQDO QRQ SURÂżW RUJDQL]DWLRQ WKDW LQ“The event Operation Happiness is a time where Costa really shines,â€? volves many Costa students. During the holidays, NCL buys gifts for kids ASB Activities Director Lisa Claypoole said. “When we take the at the Children’s Dental Health Clinic in Long Beach and the Richstone gifts [to the children and families], they are so pleased and Family Center in Hawthorne. Members also make meals for 1736 Family happy to see us.â€? &ULVLV &HQWHU DQG YROXQWHHU ZLWK WKH FUHDWLRQ RI D 5RVH %RZO Ă€RDW There are four main aspects to this fund“I am so proud to lead an organization that gives back to the community raiser: Adopt-A-Family, where and provides for the people who need it most,â€? NCL Manhattan-Hermosa the homeroom class pro- Chapter Class of 2015 President Mckenna Doyle said. vides Christmas The beginning journalism classes at Costa, consisting of 70 students, p r e s - participate in the holiday spirit of giving back by visiting Skid Row. Throughout the month of December, the classes collect canned foods and FORWKLQJ WR GRQDWH WR WKH 8QLRQ 5HVFXH 0LVVLRQ LQ 'RZQWRZQ /RV Angeles to help homeless in the Los Angeles County area. Clubs and organizations have impacted many during the holiday season. By giving back to those in need, students have touched the hearts of many in ways they won’t forget.
How do you give back to your community during the holiday season?
“In my neighborhood, we have a bake sale for Heifer International [which] buys animals for third-world countries.� Molly Dvorkin Freshman
“I pack boxes [that are sent to] the troops so that they have a good Christmas.� Reed Wojick Sophomore
“I help with charity work as much as I can and as often as possible around the holidays.� Franchesca Dutra Junior
The Neptunian Woman’s Club What: gift-wrapping station Where: Manhattan Village Mall in Manhattan Beach
When: Dec. 9-24 Why: to help fund scholarships for Costa students going to college
Cheer for Children What: toy wrapping party Where: Center for Spiritual Living in Redondo Beach
When: Dec. 13 Why: to donate toys to sick or needy children living in the South Bay
Beach Cities Toy Drive What: toy drive and gift wrapping Where: Manhattan and Hermosa Beach Fire Stations and the Josyln Center
When: Dec. 15 Why: to fund local charities and organizations in the South Bay
“I am in ASB, so I help with canned food drives. I also donate money to various charities.� Danielle Kay Senior
‘Tis the Season to Give Back
COMPILED BY AMANDA NEWELL, ARI GEVOV AND RISHA ROHERA/THEME EDITORS AND MIRA LAING/PHOTOGRAPHER ILLUSTRATIONS BY AMANDA NEWELL
Students at Mira Costa not only excel in academics and athletics, but also in raising the spirits of those who are less fortunate. This holiday season, students are participating in philanthropic acts by donating and supplying gifts for those in need.
A Little Goes a Long Way for the South Bay Various South Bay organizations make an effort to bring holiday cheer to the community by assisting those in need.
The Kiwanis Club What: Christmas tree lot Where: 3LHU $YHQXH DQG 3DFLĂ€F &RDVW Highway in Hermosa Beach
When: Nov. 23 through Dec. 25 Why: to support various organizations involving children
Giving back during the holidays can change the lives of both the ones who see the tree can choose a child to purchase a toy for and deliver it ents for a whole family; the Angel Tree, which involves the homeroom who give and those who receive. Through a variety of clubs and organi- back to the mall for the club to wrap and give to the child. class providing a toy and sleepwear for a child; Toys for Kids, where a zations, many Mira Costa students participate in charitable activities to “The Sandpipers organization gives the volunteers and the community homeroom gives toys to children in the hospital on Christmas day and the help the less fortunate. a lot of options on how to give back,â€? Director of Technology junior canned food drive. Sandpipers is a local philanthropic organization for people who want Ashley Goussak said. “The Sugar Plum Tree guarantees a child a gift. This year, Costa is sponsoring 21 families and 50 Angel Trees, as well to participate in fundraisers and donate the money to different charities. During the holidays when we are receiving so many things, it is nice to as raising money for 60 extra toys for the children. The programs support Sandpiper Juniors, a part of the off-campus organization, is largely com- give something back.â€? the Richstone Center, the South Bay Salvation Army and the Beach Citprised of Costa students, with nearly 22 students in each grade part of it. The Mira Costa baseball team also gives back to the South Bay by sell- ies Mustang Club’s holiday drive, respectively. ASB also hopes to raise “I have learned a lot from them over the past four years,â€? Co-President ing Christmas trees to students at school and others in the community. 11,000 cans this year. of Sandpiper Juniors Costa senior Lauren Fournell said. “Giving back to Trees are sold to raise money for the team’s booster club, but some of the Âł,W LV GHÂżQLWHO\ VWUHVVIXO OHDGLQJ XS WR >WKH HYHQW@ ´ &RPPLVVLRQHU RI [the community] means a lot to me and is something I have valued as a proceeds are also donated to various charitable organizations. Families Community Relations and junior Kayla Medrano said. “I would say that member and president of Sandpiper Juniors.â€? WKDW SDUWLFLSDWH LQ WKLV FDXVH FDQ DOVR FKRRVH WR GRQDWH D WUHH WR D VSHFLÂżF [planning the fundraiser] is one of the most rewarding jobs when everyEach holiday season, Sandpipers puts on many events to give back to family in the community that is in need of one. thing is done.â€? the community. Two of the most popular events that students at Costa are “It feels pretty good to know that we are helping families that are less Another organization at Costa that gives back to the community is involved in are the Sandpipers’ Holiday Basket Program and the Sugar fortunate than we are,â€? baseball team member junior Jack Webber said. Lend-A-Hand Club. The members of the club go to Skid Row not only Plum Tree, which takes place at the Manhattan Village Mall. “I think everyone deserves to celebrate the holidays.â€? during the holidays, but also throughout the school year to help the homeWhen participating in the Holiday Basket Program, an indiless by making them food, bringing them clothes and by providvidual adopts a family and purchases toys for the children and ing them with other necessities. “It feels good knowing how much of a difference this makes for these home goods for the parents. The individual then wraps the gifts “Lend-A-Hand’s goal is not only to give the homeless of Skid families and seeing how appreciative they are to receive the gifts.â€? and delivers it to the family that the member adopted. Row food and warm clothes, but also to give them hope,â€? Lend“I am adopting a family this year through Sandpipers,â€? SandA-Hand Vice President and junior Michaela Loudermilk said. Sophomore Haley Webb piper Juniors member sophomore Haley Webb said. “Without “We remind them that although they are going through a rough this program, many of these families and children would not patch in their lives that they are still important and that someone have Christmas presents. It feels good knowing how much of a Throughout the years, a total of 60 trees have been donated. About 20 cares about them.â€? difference this makes for these families and seeing how ap- trees have gone to the Salvation Army, 20 to the Richstone Center for Each year, members of the club go to Skid Row on Christmas Day. preciative they are to receive the gifts.â€? DEXVHG FKLOGUHQ DQG D ODUJH DPRXQW WR VSHFLÂżF IDPLOLHV UHTXHVWHG E\ WKH This year, Costa students are also bringing some men that live in an unThe Sugar Plum Tree event involves ornaments people who donate them. Along with these donations, the players on the derpass a Christmas tree and new sleeping bags. The club is also putting with wishlists of different children on a team also pool together the tips they make delivering the trees in order to RQ D EHQHÂżW VKRZ WKHPHG Âł8JO\ &KULVWPDV 6ZHDWHU ´ ZKHUH WKH\ ZLOO EH Christmas Tree located in the Man- adopt a family for the holiday. grilling burgers and watching performances from Costa bands and the hattan Village Mall. Along with “I like the fact that [the players] are volunteering to give up their tips to ComedySportz team. the wishlist, the ornament families in need,â€? baseball coach Cassidy Olson said. “They are learning “Lend-a-Hand... I really like that name of the club because the people includes the name of a valuable lesson of giving rather than receiving.â€? down here are broken, and you make us feel well,â€? Skid Row resident Edthe child and his The Associated Student Body at Costa not only puts on dances and die said to Lend-A-Hand members. “People come down here all the time or her age. pep rallies, but also carries out a fundraiser called Operation Happiness, and throw food at us, but you kids, you kids are really the ones lending a People which involves the whole school coming together to make the holidays hand. I love each and every one of you.â€? enjoyable for families and children in need. 1DWLRQDO &KDULW\ /HDJXH LV DQ DGGLWLRQDO QRQ SURÂżW RUJDQL]DWLRQ WKDW LQ“The event Operation Happiness is a time where Costa really shines,â€? volves many Costa students. During the holidays, NCL buys gifts for kids ASB Activities Director Lisa Claypoole said. “When we take the at the Children’s Dental Health Clinic in Long Beach and the Richstone gifts [to the children and families], they are so pleased and Family Center in Hawthorne. Members also make meals for 1736 Family happy to see us.â€? &ULVLV &HQWHU DQG YROXQWHHU ZLWK WKH FUHDWLRQ RI D 5RVH %RZO Ă€RDW There are four main aspects to this fund“I am so proud to lead an organization that gives back to the community raiser: Adopt-A-Family, where and provides for the people who need it most,â€? NCL Manhattan-Hermosa the homeroom class pro- Chapter Class of 2015 President Mckenna Doyle said. vides Christmas The beginning journalism classes at Costa, consisting of 70 students, p r e s - participate in the holiday spirit of giving back by visiting Skid Row. Throughout the month of December, the classes collect canned foods and FORWKLQJ WR GRQDWH WR WKH 8QLRQ 5HVFXH 0LVVLRQ LQ 'RZQWRZQ /RV Angeles to help homeless in the Los Angeles County area. Clubs and organizations have impacted many during the holiday season. By giving back to those in need, students have touched the hearts of many in ways they won’t forget.
How do you give back to your community during the holiday season?
“In my neighborhood, we have a bake sale for Heifer International [which] buys animals for third-world countries.� Molly Dvorkin Freshman
“I pack boxes [that are sent to] the troops so that they have a good Christmas.� Reed Wojick Sophomore
“I help with charity work as much as I can and as often as possible around the holidays.� Franchesca Dutra Junior
The Neptunian Woman’s Club What: gift-wrapping station Where: Manhattan Village Mall in Manhattan Beach
When: Dec. 9-24 Why: to help fund scholarships for Costa students going to college
Cheer for Children What: toy wrapping party Where: Center for Spiritual Living in Redondo Beach
When: Dec. 13 Why: to donate toys to sick or needy children living in the South Bay
Beach Cities Toy Drive What: toy drive and gift wrapping Where: Manhattan and Hermosa Beach Fire Stations and the Josyln Center
When: Dec. 15 Why: to fund local charities and organizations in the South Bay
“I am in ASB, so I help with canned food drives. I also donate money to various charities.� Danielle Kay Senior
B8 La Vista
ARTS
December 21, 2012
“Les MisĂŠrablesâ€? excels with its strong cast and highly emotional scenes BY ZACK GILL COPY EDITOR In the popular imagination, “Les MisĂŠrables,â€? the musical about post-Napoleonic France, has surpassed the stature of Victor Hugo’s mammoth 1862 novel upon which it is based. Where Hugo’s work is digressive, philosophical and pious, the musical, from Claude-Michel Schoenberg and Alain Boublil (of “Miss Saigonâ€?), is sensual, exuberant DQG GHÂżQLWHO\ PRUH DFFHVVLEOH Decades after its opening, “The King’s Speechâ€? director Tom +RRSHU KDV ÂżQDOO\ DGDSWHG WKH musical of Hugo’s novel for the screen. At times, and perhaps in VSLWH RI +RRSHU WKH ÂżOP DFKLHYHV D FRPPHQGDEOH LQWHQVLW\ WKH high drama Hooper seeks, but the ÂżOPÂśV VXFFHVVHV DUH GUDZQ IURP its cast and source material, rather WKDQ +RRSHUÂśV ÂżOPPDNLQJ “Les MisĂŠrablesâ€? tells the decades-long tale of redemption of Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), condemned to hard labor for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his poor starving infant nephew. After a kind bishop offers the UHOHDVHG DQ RSSRUWXQLW\ WR VWDUW life anew, Valjean breaks his paUROH DQG FUHDWHV D QHZ LGHQWLW\ IRU himself. Meanwhile, he is relentOHVVO\ SXUVXHG E\ WKH SHUVLVWDQW Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe) for doing so. 2YHU WKH FRXUVH RI PDQ\ \HDUV
COURTESY:IMAGES6.FANPOP.COM
LES IS MORE: While “Les MisĂŠrablesâ€? may still have some quirks, it’s certainly a grand attempt at replicating the Broadway and West-End musical. Its stellar cast, including (from left) Samantha Banks and Eddie Redmayne (above), DFFRPSDQLHG E\ PDQ\ LQWHQVH DQG HPRWLRQDO VFHQHV DOO FRPH WRJHWKHU WR FUHDWH D GHOLJKWIXO &KULVWPDV 'D\ Ă€OP Valjean makes and keeps a promLVH WR DQ LPSRYHULVKHG \RXQJ woman in trouble (Anne HathaZD\ WDNHV LQ DQG UDLVHV D FKLOG $PDQGD 6H\IULHG DQG EHFRPHV embroiled in a futile students’ revolt in the streets of Paris, all the while evading the law, or more VSHFLÂżFDOO\ ,QVSHFWRU -DYHUW 1HHGOHVV WR VD\ Âł/HV 0LVpUDEOHV´ WKH ÂżOP GLVSOD\V WKDW FHUWDLQ JUDQGLRVLW\ WKDW RQH FDQ RQO\ VHHP WR ÂżQG LQ FODVVLFDO OLWHUDWXUH
and opera, and “Les MisĂŠrablesâ€? the stage musical is a wonderful marriage of both of those forms. The screen, however, proves to be a less effective form for the conYH\LQJ RI +XJRÂśV LGHDV WKDQ WKH page or the stage. Some distracting decisions get LQ WKH ZD\ RI PDWHULDO +RRSHU and his screenwriters often seem EDIĂ€HG ZKHUH WR SXW WKHLU FKDUDFters during musical numbers, free from the limitations of the stage.
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WRJUDSK\ IDOOV Ă€DW 6WLOO WKH ÂżOP FRQWDLQV VRPH remarkable performances. HathaZD\ ZLOO OLNHO\ ZLQ DQ $FDGHP\ Award for Best Supporting Actress, and she deserves it — as Fantine, she performs one of the most cathartic numbers in an uninterrupted close-up (during which she sings live—a technique HPSOR\HG LQ WKH ÂżOP (GGLH 5HGPD\QH DQG $DURQ 7YHLW DV UHYROXWLRQDULHV 0DULXV DQG (QMROUDV RIWHQ JURXQG WKH ÂżOP DQG 6DPDQWKD %DQNV SRUWUD\V D GHYDVWDWLQJ (SRQLQH D IDYRULWH FKDUDFWHU RI the musical’s devotees). &URZHÂśV -DYHUW LV VHYHUHO\ lacking. Crowe has the perfect SK\VLFDOLW\ IRU VXFK D FKDUDFWHU as well as his particular brand of LQWHQVLW\ +H ORRNV SHUIHFW IRU WKH role, but he doesn’t sound perfect. ,Q D FDVW RI %URDGZD\ YHWHUDQV KH VLPSO\ FDQÂśW NHHS XS LQ WKH musical numbers. “Les MisĂŠrablesâ€? is far from SHUIHFW EXW GRQÂśW OHW MDGHG ÂżOP FULWLFV VZD\ \RX IURP VHHLQJ LW $ ORW ZLOO EH ZULWWHQ DERXW WKH ÂżOP OLNHO\ EHFDXVH FULWLFV NQRZ LW ZLOO JDUQHU PDQ\ DZDUGV DQG HYHQ likelier because critics know that LW ZDV PDGH VROHO\ WR GR VR 8OWLPDWHO\ Âł/HV 0LVpUDEOHV´ LV ZHOO PDGH PHORGUDPD VDSS\ \HW compelling, somehow mature and naive and perfect for all Christmas audiences. “Les MisĂŠrablesâ€? is rated PG-13 and opens nationZLGH &KULVWPDV GD\
B9 “Zero Dark Thrity� portrays realistic military action with significant cast ARTS
December 21, 2012
La Vista
BY JACK ALLEN OPINION EDITOR Kathryn Bigalow made cinamatic history when she became WKH ÂżUVW IHPDOH GLUHFWRU WR UHFHLYH WKH $FDGHP\ $ZDUG IRU %HVW 'LUHFWRU ZLWK WKH JULSSLQJ ÂżOP “The Hurt Locker.â€? Her newest ÂżOP Âł=HUR 'DUN 7KLUW\ ´ IROORZV WKH GHFDGH ORQJ VHDUFK IRU 2VDPD Bin Laden. Âł=HUR 'DUN 7KLUW\´ GLVSOD\V Kathryn Bigelow’s growth as a diUHFWRU VHDPOHVVO\ FRPELQLQJ DXthentic action scenes with a smart DQG LPSUHVVLYH VFULSW Âł=HUR 'DUN Thirty’sâ€? phenomenal portrayal RI WKH %LQ /DGHQ PDQKXQW LV DQ LPSUHVVLYH HIIRUW GULYHQ E\ LWV cast and its intense plot. Âł=HUR 'DUN 7KLUW\´ IROORZV &,$ RSHUDWLYH 0D\D -HVVLFD Chastain) as she is constantly IDFHG ZLWK WHUULI\LQJ DQG GHDGO\ VLWXDWLRQV ZKLOH VHDUFKLQJ IRU $O 4DHGD OHDGHU 2VDPD %LQ /DGHQ 0D\D VWUXJJOHV WR ÂżQG SURRI RI %LQ /DGHQ $IWHU PDQ\ PRQWKV RI FROODERUDWLQJ ZLWK WKH 6($/ 7HDP OHG E\ 3DWULFN -RHO (GJHUWRQ DQG -XVWLQ &KULV 3UDWW she begins to execute the process RI FDWFKLQJ WKH ZRUOGÂśV PRVW UHnowned terrorist. 2QH DVSHFW WR WKH ÂżOPÂśV VXFFHVV was the cast’s ability to become DQG GHYHORS HYHU\ FKDUDFWHU DW DQ H[WUDRUGLQDU\ OHYHO 'DQ -DVRQ Clarke) simultaneosly portrays
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Green Day needs ingenuity in album â€œÂĄTrĂŠ!â€? BY JAKE MAHR ARTS EDITOR COURTESY ASSETS.NOISEY.COM
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B10
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December 21, 2012
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Destroy the Picture: Painting the Voidâ&#x20AC;? is smart, perplexing BY ALEC LAUTANEN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
pieces are interesting facets of the exhibit themselves. Japanese artist Shozo ShiAbstract art is a polarizing mamoto suspended himself from genre. Reactions range from ropes and painted with his feet condescending to fawning and to make his abstract representaviewers either scoff at the basic tions of the Hiroshima atomic simplicity of some pieces or revel blast, and French painter Niki de at the cryptic mastery of others. Saint Phalle attached plastic bags â&#x20AC;&#x153;Destroy the Picture: Painting of multi-colored paint to her canthe Voidâ&#x20AC;? falls somewhere in bevases and then invited people off tween, and the works varied from the street to shoot at them in order eloquent to casual. to create her vision of German 7R WKH FRPPRQ JDOOHU\ SDWURQ brutality and oppression during â&#x20AC;&#x153;Destroy the Pictureâ&#x20AC;? will be the Holocaust. amusing based on the weirdness 7KH EHVW SLHFHV LQ WKH ZKROH RI LWV HFOHFWLF SLHFHV DORQH 7KH exhibit, though, are part of a colcollection fails, however, to incite lection of paintings by British artan overall appreciation for the artLVW -RKQ /DWKDP HQWLWOHG Âł6NRRE´ work and the technical skill. Cer(â&#x20AC;&#x153;booksâ&#x20AC;? spelled backwards). tain works are interesting, but as 7KH ZRUNV DUH HVVHQWLDOO\ VLJQHG a whole, the group begs the quesbooks glued to a canvas and tion of whether or not it actually painted over in a haphazard and belongs in a museum. sloppy manner. Meant as a pro7KH /RV $QJHOHV 0XVHXP RI test against censorship, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Skoobâ&#x20AC;? COURTESY FLICKRIVER.COM Contemporary Art, or MOCA, is presents a common theme of the hosting the exhibit, which show- DAZED AND CONFUSED: Shozo Shimamoto is just one of the many featured abstract artists at MOCAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new exhibit, exhibit in an extremely novel way cases works from the time period â&#x20AC;&#x153;Destroy the Picture: Painting the Void.â&#x20AC;? The gallery displays a variety of artwork focusing around the theme of destruc- and goes beyond the canvas to RI 7KH IRFXV RI WKH H[- tion. Unfortunately, the exhibit may leave viewers slightly confused due to the overall strangeness of the artwork. demonstrate the motif in an innohibition is the artistic reaction to vative, visually enticing manner. World War II, as well as the crisis 7KH PDLQ KLJKOLJKW RI WKH FRO- and hangs in the entrance ways of Robert Rauschenberg. Although Overall, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Destroy the Pictureâ&#x20AC;? of humanity that resulted from the lection is how strange some of the the different gallery rooms. all of these paintings are meant to is worth going to for the eclectic dropping of the atomic bomb. pieces are, as well as their artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ,Q WKH ÂżUVW RI URRPV SDWURQV convey post-war destruction and factor alone. Most of the pieces Aside from these themes, piec- methods for creating them. Upon VHH SDLQWLQJV E\ WKH ,WDOLDQ /X- emptiness, they come across as have to be seen in person to truly es also focus on literal attacks on ÂżUVW ZDONLQJ LQWR WKH H[KLELW cio Fontana that take the form of only somewhat artistic and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t appreciate their oddity. Although the â&#x20AC;&#x153;picture planeâ&#x20AC;? in the form viewers are treated with a work canvases that have been stabbed represent true merit. some of the art is interesting, of slashed canvases and singed titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Entrance,â&#x20AC;? by Japanese with an awl in circular patterns. Artwork is often deeper than a majority of the pieces leave edges. Destruction is a prevalent artist Saburo Murakamia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;En- 7KHVH DUH FRPSOHPHQWHG QHDUE\ MXVW WKH ÂżQLVKHG SURGXFW WKRXJK viewers confused. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Destroy the motif throughout the exhibit, as tranceâ&#x20AC;? is essentially a large piece with layers of newsprint painted and the processes that painters Pictureâ&#x20AC;? will be on exhibition at is emptiness. of canvas that has been torn apart black, works by American artist went through to produce their MOCA until Jan. 14 for $12.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far Cry 3â&#x20AC;? is action-packed yet unrealistic BY ZACK GILL COPY EDITOR
If this sounds implausible and of the most addictive, sublime asinine, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because it all is. JDPHSOD\ RI WKH \HDU /LNH RWKHU â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far Cry 3â&#x20AC;? is almost insultingly open-world titles, players can Every once in awhile, a video dumb. Occasionally, it allows for do story missions or undertake game comes along that manages a harrowing moment or two, but many side quests, which include to be both profoundly stupid and for the most part, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far Cry 3â&#x20AC;? is hunting, liberating various safeawesomely entertaining about as intellectually stimulat- KRXVHV ÂżQGLQJ UDGLR WRZHUV DQG Ubisoftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far Cry 3,â&#x20AC;? an open- LQJ DV D 6WHYHQ 6HJDO ÂżOP 7KLV engaging in various battles. ZRUOG ÂżUVW SHUVRQ VKRRWHU IHD- makes it even funnier, then, when /RWV RI VPDUW LQWXLWLYH GHVLJQ tures some of the most tone-deaf, the game begins to have preten- decisions make â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far Cry 3â&#x20AC;? a joy borderline-offensive storytelling tions about itself. At times, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far to play. Players can easily fast in video gaming this year, as well Cry 3â&#x20AC;? seems to attempt to con- travel across the massive map DV VRPH EDIĂ&#x20AC;LQJ GHVLJQ GHFLVLRQV vey some sort of insightful mes- by liberating enemy outposts. while simultaneously providing VDJH YDJXHO\ GHFU\LQJ ÂżUVW ZRUOG 7KLV VDYHV PXFK WLPH ZDQGHULQJ the player with the best sandbox excess and privilege. through the jungle. gaming experience since that of Really, though, the 7KH JDPH SDFNV D ORW RI FKDO2011â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Skyrim.â&#x20AC;? writers of Ubi- lenge, too. Story missions are â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far Cry 3â&#x20AC;? portrays the player more similar to heavily scripted as Jason, one of a group of young, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Call of Dutyâ&#x20AC;?-style levels, and beautiful 20-somethings that travthey provide a change to els to the third world basically to stalking about in the jungle. get hammered and do crazy Some decisions in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far stuff. Unfortunately, Cry 3â&#x20AC;? are less successful. Jasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far Cry 3â&#x20AC;? puts a heavy miscalculates the reliance on hunting and groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skydive, crafting. While hunting landing Jason big game can be fun, and crew on crafting decidedly is an island connot, trapping players trolled by pirates in menus and taking DQG VH[ WUDIÂżFNHUV them out of the game. Jason escapes the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far Cry 3â&#x20AC;? also forcclutches of the psychotic pirate es players to use a lord Vaas, but his friends arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t poor stealth system, COURTESY GETGAMINGNOWOFFICIAL.COM instigating the ire as lucky â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially Jasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aforementioned brother, whom Vaas the pirate lord (above) turns into Jasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of players through Jason watches get shot in the enemy when he kills his brother and captures his GUHDGIXO HQHP\ DUWLÂżhead by Vaas. Jason escapes into friends who accidentally ended up on an island. cial intelligence. the jungle, where he meets up All in all, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far Cry with a tribe of locals who initiate 3â&#x20AC;? is for any action him into a mystical line of war- soft Montreal just threw every- IDQ ZKR RZQV D FRQVROH 7UDQriors. Jason then vies to rescue his thing against the wall for shock scendent design overcomes the friends from the clutches of drug value. Almost none of it sticks. gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many poorer elements. runners and slave traders, slowly 7KH JDPHSOD\ KRZHYHU LV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far Cry 3â&#x20AC;? is rated M for Mature losing his humanity as he be- a lot more memorable. In fact, and is available now for the PC, comes better and better at killing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far Cry 3â&#x20AC;? just might have some Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.
COURTESY SHATTAL.BLOGSPOT.COM
Criticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Take: Diversity strenghtens the rap game BY ISAAC SIEGEMUND-BROKA STAFF WRITER When Kanye West and Jay-Zâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Âł:DWFK WKH 7KURQH´ ZDV UHOHDVHG in 2011, it was met with, among a wave of praise, criticism for its HOLWLVW IRFXV RQ RSXOHQFH 7KRXJK the album was a collaboration, this narcissism and materialism is exhibited particularly by West, while Jay-Z tends to have a more sophisticated and moderate air. Rappers have always bragged about material success, but West takes this love of wealth to new heightsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;instead of rapping simply about money and fast cars and other material things, Kanye IRFXVHV RQ /RXLV 9XLWWRQ DQG WKH /DPERUJKLQL 0XUFLHODJR 7KHQ FDPH 0DFNOHPRUH :H DOO laugh at the cheerful jokiness of Âł7KULIW 6KRS ´ EXW ZKLOH 0DFNlemore may simply be expressing his love of used clothes, he is also bashing on everything that West VWDQGV IRU Âł7KULIW 6KRS´ KDV gained the popularity of a West song despite having a much different mantra: â&#x20AC;&#x153;One manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trash, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s come up.â&#x20AC;? Âł7KULIW 6KRS´ IHDWXUHV OLWWOH EUDQG names or gold chains, yet Macklemore seems just as happy, if not happier, than West. According to Macklemoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Âł7KULIW 6KRS ´ .DQ\H LV JHWWLQJ â&#x20AC;&#x153;tricked by business.â&#x20AC;? And so is
everyone else who buys expensive, brand-name items. While most people want decadence and fame, only a few individuals, like Kanye West and Jay-Z, can achieve them. As Macklemore espouses a new gospel, where people â&#x20AC;&#x153;forget about the fame, fortune and the mansion,â&#x20AC;? heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s giving the common man a way to be content even without the brand names. Regardless, West sticks to his motto, thus giving the roots to two camps: the haves and the KDYH QRWV VR WR VSHDN /X[XU\ UDS versus Modest rap. Already there are clearly artists more associated with each philosophy. While West has worked and performed with members of rap collective Odd Future, the ideological divide between him and them is undeniable; Odd Futureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7\OHU WKH &UHDWRU ZRXOG SUREDEO\ prefer burning Kanyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beloved Gucci to actually wearing it. On the other side are members of Kanyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clique,â&#x20AC;? like 2 Chainz and Big Sean, as well as more established artists like Rick Ross. Will these groups ever cement into distinguishable sides, as the infamous East vs. West rap battle did? No, probably not. In fact, as previously mentioned, they sometimes work together. But at least there now is a counterpoint to Westâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unabashed love of what the rest of the world canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have.
B11 Memory Tapesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace/Confusionâ&#x20AC;? takes different approach to Chillwave
December 21, 2012
BY ISAAC SIEGEMUND-BROKA STAFF WRITER After releasing two well-recieved albums, Memory Tapes cemented itself as one of the foremost producers of chillwave. With their third LP, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace/Confusion,â&#x20AC;? Memory Tapes now has successfully begun to experiment with its genre. Memory Tapes is the solo project of Dayve Hawk, the former frontman of alternative rock band Hail Social. Memory Tapes adheres to the genre of chillwave, which utilizes synthesizers and detailed production to produce a psychedelic electro-pop sound. While Memory Tapes remains true to this blueprint, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace/ Confusionâ&#x20AC;? breaks away from the standard reliance on looping as it strongly and effectively emphasizes melody, vocals, and fragmented song structure. The highlight of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace/Confusionâ&#x20AC;? is its opening track, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Neighborhood Watch,â&#x20AC;? which applies an airy 1960s aesthetic to the atmospheric timbre of synthesizer and vocal harmony. The backbeat sounds as though its by Rick Ross and that was stripped down to a bare, and timid form. Finally, grinding bass synth enters and the song progresses with a brilliant escalation of intensity until fading away from its bombastic, grooving tone and dropping off into silence.
ARTS
La Vista
exude grit and power. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace/Confusionâ&#x20AC;? is a remarkably short album; aside from the bonus track â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dig,â&#x20AC;? it closes after its sixth song, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Follow Me.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Follow Meâ&#x20AC;? balances the stabilLW\ RI D ÂżUP WHFKQR EHDW ZLWK WKH airiness of synth pad and lofty vocals, ending the album well. Hawkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soft, crooning voice is a constant icing on top of the instrumentals, but its lightness can come across as insubstantial and bland. Regardless, there are a few well-executed vocal harmonies, and the vocals do a nice job guiding melody in passages with minimal instrumentation. Most songs on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace/Confusionâ&#x20AC;? do not adhere to a basic song structure that alternates between verse and chorus. Instead, each song progresses through segmented musical ideas that COURTESY: BROOKLYNVEGAN.COM broaden the scope of the album. A section of washy synth pad may HARD TO FORGET: Chillwave artist Memory Tapes (Dayve Hawk) recently released its third studio album, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace/Con- be followed by edgy bass features, fusion.â&#x20AC;? Although the album may not exhibit Hawkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most talented work, it deserves appreciation due to his attempt at eclectic house beats, or both. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace/Confusionâ&#x20AC;? is not reexperimentation, an act rarely seen in his synth-heavy genre. markable, but should be comAfter the opening track, substantial and the synth is more riety of sounds, neither displays mended for experimenting with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace/Confusionâ&#x20AC;? begins to layered. Regardless, the emotion- any innovation, setting it apart the boundaries of chillwave. lessen in quality. The following less vocals and relative simplicity from the rest of the album. Though hampered by inconsong, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thru the Field,â&#x20AC;? is pleas- of the track make it rather bland, Some of the strength of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Neigh- sistency, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace/Confusionâ&#x20AC;? is ant but annoyingly bouncy, and ZKLFK LV PDJQLÂżHG DV LW GUDJV RQ ERUKRRG :DWFK´ ÂżQDOO\ UHWXUQV pleasantly varied in its approach the occasional synth interludes almost for eight minutes. ZLWK Âł6KHOLD ´ D ZLQGLQJ Ă&#x20AC;RZ RI to Chillwave, advancing the genre are not complicated enough to In attempting to create sym- synthesizer-oriented motifs set on with its episodic song formats and be considered an impressive use phonic and multi-faceted tracks, top of an electro-house beat. The a diverse electronic sound. of harmony. The following track, Memory Tapes has replaced qual- song includes not one, but two â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace/Confusionâ&#x20AC;? is availâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Safety,â&#x20AC;? is somewhat of an im- ity with quantity. While â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thru the sections of explosive distortion, able in some retail stores and on provement; the drums are more Fieldâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Safetyâ&#x20AC;? sample a va- with forceful melodic lines that iTunes for $5.99.
December 21, 2012
LAIMUN XVIII
THEME
La Vista
B12
An inside look at the Mira Costa Model United Nations students who ran the 18th annual Los Angeles Invitational Model United Nations novice conference.
Costa runs LAIMUN for 18th straight year BY SARA FELD AND JULIA SHETH STAFF WRITERS The students are not the only aspect that has changed throughout the 18 years Mira Costa has been running the Los Angeles Invitational Model United Nations (LAIMUN) debate. The conference itself has also transformed with new technological features this year. The Mira Costa Model United Nations program has constantly been ranked as a WRS ÂżYH WHDP QDWLRQZLGH E\ EHVWGHOHJDWH com. When advisor Robert Timberlake was not impressed with some of the other conferences his team visited more than 17 years ago, he decided to create its own novice conference. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The MUN class at Costa is a challenge, and I have high expectations for my students,â&#x20AC;? Timberlake said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;LAIMUN is a way for us to see what skills and weaknesses our own freshmen delegates have.â&#x20AC;? The LAIMUN conference has evolved in several ways over the many years it has been occurring. Along with the way the conference is run and the increase in the amount of delegates, technology has also been incorporated. Âł7HFKQRORJ\ DW /$,081 KDV GHÂżQLWHO\ LPSURYHG IURP ZKHUH LW ZDV DW WKH ÂżUVW conference,â&#x20AC;? Timberlake said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year, it had live update scoring and speaking times so advisors would know how their students were doing and when students would be speaking if they wanted to watch.â&#x20AC;?
JULIA CHAMBERS/LA VISTA
HANNAH DAGIAU/LA VISTA
DIRE DIAS DECISIONS: (left to right) Senior Jack Rosenberg, junior Arley Titzler, and junior Milo Davis make decisions in the 1st Disarmament Committee, such as setting the speakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s list, awarding points and moderating caucuses during Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Los Angeles Invitational Model United Nations conference. 2012 marked the eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 18th year and a slew of new technological changes such as Wi-Fi and chat programs.
Senior leadership: upperclassmen teach freshmen to debate â&#x20AC;&#x153;It gives me a whole new perspective on what a chair would like or dislike,â&#x20AC;? junior Greg Domeno said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It actually makes it easier to talk to them in an actual conference because you [get to] â&#x20AC;&#x153;Decorum, delegates!â&#x20AC;?At last weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s know what to ask and how Los Angles Invitational Model United Naâ&#x20AC;&#x153;LAIMUN is always a learning experience for to ask it to get the chair to tions novice conference, sophomores, juthe freshmen because they have to understand a like you.â&#x20AC;? niors and seniors in Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MUN program more difficult conference.â&#x20AC;? Just as the upperclassmen helped run committees and oversee the opare held to a higher standard eration of the conference. by serving in advanced posiChairs and vice-chairs of every commitBrian Martin tions at LAIMUN, the Costa tee in the conference worked for months to Junior freshmen had the opportuSUHSDUH 7KH\ DOO KDG VSHFLÂżF GXWLHV WKDW nity to experience a prestithey had to take on in order for their comâ&#x20AC;&#x153;My responsibilities are generally paralgious novice conference due largely in part mittees to run successfully. lel to those of the chair, plus or minus a few to the accelerated juniors and sophomores. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thouroughly studied the topics that the delegates researched to make sure no stu- tasks,â&#x20AC;&#x153; sophomore Eric Liu said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MUN team uses LAIMUN as a dent lied,â&#x20AC;? junior chair Joe Marine said, include running committees, knowing in- learning experience for its freshmen that â&#x20AC;&#x153;During debate, my job was to make sure formation relevant to the committee topics DUH QHZ WR SURJUDP D EHQHÂżFLDO WRRO WR most young delegates. the committee ran smoothly, keep score, and other administrative tasks.â&#x20AC;? Although they do not debate, the juniors â&#x20AC;&#x153;LAIMUN is always a learning experigrade resolutions, assign awards and run DQG VRSKRPRUHV VDLG WKH\ EHQHÂżWHG IURP ence for the freshmen because they have the debate.â&#x20AC;? the experience of serving on the dias at WR XQGHUVWDQG D PRUH GLIÂżFXOW FRQIHUHQFH ´ Although many sophomores served as legals (assistants to chairs and vice-chairs) LAIMUN. The conference gives them the junior Brian Martin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For many of in multiple committees at LAIMUN, some opportunity to see what an award-winning WKHP WKLV LV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH WKDW WKH\ ZLOO EH sophomores served as vice-chairs, posi- delegate would look like from the eyes of a graded just as seriously as they would be at an advanced debate.â&#x20AC;? tions normally only given to juniors. Soph- chair or vice-chair. BY ASHLEY COHEN AND SAMMY MATSON STAFF WRITERS
omores were given the opportunity this year because some juniors were absent due to a coinciding conference in Paris that the MUN team also attended.
Behind the scenes: secretariat admin duties BY DELANEY HAWKES AND DANIELA COE MCNAMARA STAFF WRITERS Behind the biggest debate event at Costa was a team of students who banded together to manage the behind-the-scenes duties of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Los Angeles Invitational Model United Nations The administrative staff heading the event worked for months to provide a smooth debate for the six schools participating in LAIMUN XVIII. The secretariat, which is composed of all staff members who do not chair committees, oversaw the implementation of new techonological features and organized the debate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;LAIMUN was very successful this year,â&#x20AC;? Secretary-General senior Taylor Lewis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had almost 840 kids show up, and we integrated technology like WiFi connectivity, continual score updates and a chat function for many of our committees.â&#x20AC;?
According to the secretary-generals, the integration of technology into the conference changed the way the event was run by creating a faster and easier way to exchange information from room to room. Âł7KH OHYHO RI GLIÂżFXOW\ WKLV year was higher with all of the added technology, but it also made us prepare more because of the added pressure of expectations,â&#x20AC;? Under-Secretary-General of Economic and Social Committees senior Kristen Gulino said. With jobs for each member of the secretariat, the leaders of the conference were busy during the months leading up to and at LAIMUN. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As one of the the under-secretary-generals, I selected each chair and vice chair, and I also made sure that all of the topics that had been selected were appropriate,â&#x20AC;? senior and UnderSecretary-General of the General Assembly Adam Gerard said.
Secretary-generals Lewis and Brady Currey had the highest responsibility in running the program. The secretary-generals PDGH WKH ÂżQDO GHFLVLRQV DERXW the details of the conference, like chair placement. As a student-run conference, LAIMUN was organized mostly by the members of MUN with oversight by advisors Timberlake and Wayne Knutson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As secretary-general, my job is to make sure everything runs smoothly,â&#x20AC;? Currey said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have to manage our staff and make sure that the advisors of the other schools, our customers, are pleased with our conference.â&#x20AC;? The secretariat was ultimately responsible for managing the logistics of the conference and for ensuring that all of the commitWHHV ZHUH UXQQLQJ DV HIÂżFLHQWO\ DV possible. HANNAH DAGIAU/LA VISTA â&#x20AC;&#x153;The best way we prepared was by working as a team to see that WALKY-TALKY WOES: Secretary-General Brady Currey communicates with LAIMUN was as organized as other members of the Secretariat during the 2012 Los Angeles Invitational Model United Nations. possible,â&#x20AC;? Gulino said.