La Vista Issue 5, Vol. LXIII

Page 1

FEBRUARY 8, 2013 1401 ARTESIA BLVD. MANHATTAN BEACH, CA 90266 WWW.LAVISTAMCHS.COM

VOL. LXIII

ISSUE 5

MBUSD Board of Trustees approves new AP policies BY SABRINA PICKETT STAFF WRITER

GEOFFREY ST. JOHN/ LA VISTA

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Mira Costa Sax Herd takes first at 2013 Talent Show BY RISHA ROHERA THEME EDITOR The Mira Costa Sax Herd won ¿UVW SODFH DW $VVRFLDWHG 6WXGHQW Body’s 2013 Mira Costa High 6FKRRO 7DOHQW 6KRZ RQ -DQ LQ WKH &RVWD DXGLWRULXP 7KH +HUG FRQVLVWV RI VRSKRPRUHV 6DP .DUWXE DQG 'HUHN =HROL MXQLRU -RVK %ORFN DQG VHQLRUV -7 %DEEH /XFDV 6WLQFKFRPEH -DFNVRQ :HEVWHU DQG %ULDQ =XNRW\QVNL -XQLRU 7RQ\ 1JX\HQ DQG VRSKRPRUH -RQ 6XOOLYDQ SODFHG

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Baseball assistant coaches return to full time practice BY TAYLOR ST. GERMAIN NEWS EDITOR

TAYLOR ST. GERMAIN/ LA VISTA

SO YACHT IN HERE: Senior Matt Phillips gets information about Winter Formal from ASB posters that publicize the event to Costa students.

ASB plans annual Winter Formal BY MADELINE COATE STAFF WRITER $VVRFLDWHG 6WXGHQW %RG\ LV hosting Costa’s 2013 “It’s Getting <DFKW LQ +HUH´ :LQWHU )RUPDO WRQLJKW DW S P RQ D \DFKW LQ 0DULQD 'HO 5H\ $FFRUGLQJ WR $FWLYLWLHV 'LUHFWRU /LVD &OD\SRROH WKH FRVW RI WKH YHQXH ZDV DSSUR[LPDWHO\ $6% VROG WLFNHWV UHVXOWLQJ LQ RI SUR¿W ³:H KDG WR ERRN WKH \DFKW SXEOLFL]H IRUPDO JLYH RXW GLUHFWLRQV DQG VHOO WLFNHWV ´ $6% &RPPLVVLRQHU RI (QWHUWDLQPHQW VHQLRU

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CALENDAR

2

February 8, 2013

Campus

Community

FEBRUARY:

FEBRUARY:

Today

9-Saturday

Last day for Late AP Exam registration at lunch

Valentine’s Day Tea Party from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Creative Arts Center on Manhattan Beach Boulevard

“It’s Getting Yacht in Here” MCHS Winter Formal at 7:45 p.m.

11-Monday

11-Monday

“Acting Out Again” acting class at the Joslyn Community Center from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

8th grade parent orientation meeting at 7 p.m. in the Costa auditorium

12-Tuesday 12-Tuesday

LISA VALICENTE/ LA VISTA

“The Road to College: Testing Strategies for Success” at 7 p.m. in the auditorium

Mira Costa students signed up for Advanced Placement testing at the Mira Costa student store in the quad. Late registration was held from Feb. 4-8. 26-Tuesday

Band Concert at 7 p.m. in the auditorium

Junior parent night at 7 p.m. in the auditorium

2-Saturday

13-Wednesay

Hermosa Beach City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Hermosa Beach Council Chambers 21-Thursday

9 a.m. Late Start

Jazz Concert at 7 p.m. in the auditorium 14-Thursday

27-Wednesday

Valentine’s Day

Test Prep Information Night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MCHS

Hermosa Beach City Council pre-budget meeting at 7 p.m. at Hermosa Beach Council Chambers

4-Monday School Site Council Meeting at 3:15 p.m. LQ 3ULQFLSDO 'DOH¶V RI¿FH

28-Thursday

Valentine grams delivered during fourth DQG ¿IWK SHULRG

Scholarship Notebooks due from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the CCC

15-Friday

MARCH:

MARCH: Freshman parent meeting at 7 p.m. in the auditorium 5-Tuesday Education Council meeting from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in the guidance room

2-Saturday Manhattan Beach Little League Opening Day Parade from 8 to 10 a.m. in downtown Manhattan Beach 8-Friday

6-7 Wednesday-Thursday “Build a Bridge” choir concert for MCHS and MBMS choirs in the MBMS Multi Purpose Room at 7 p.m.

1-Friday NHS Meeting at lunch

Overheard:

“

“Dancing with the Teachers” at 7 p.m. in the auditorium

On the Web:

For the upcoming Academy Awards I think ‘Argo’ will win for best picture as it is based on history and teaching people how to value history. -History Teacher Adam Geczi

Swing and Sway Dance from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Joslyn Community Center in Manhattan Beach

www.lavistamchs.com Check out our website for a new video on how to make Whoopie Pie.

” MIRA LAING/ LA VISTA

Sports

Swimming: March 7: Green and Gold Intrasquad meet at MCHS at 3 p.m. March 13: vs. El Segundo High School at El Segundo at 3 p.m.

nament at Cypress High School March 7: vs. Buena Park at Buena Park High School at 3:30 p.m. March 9: Redondo Tournament at Redondo Union High School

Girls Basketball: Feb. 8: vs. Palos Verdes High School at MCHS at 6 p.m.

Boys Tennis: Feb. 27: vs. Palisades at MCHS at 3 p.m. March 5: vs. Loyola High School at MCHS at 3 p.m. March 6: vs. Long Beach Poly High School at 3 p.m. March 7: vs. South Torrance at South Torrance High School at 3 p.m.

Girls Softball: Feb. 23: Cypress Tournament at Cypress High School March 2: Second weekend Cypress Tour-

March 8: vs. Chadwick at Peninsula Racquet Club at 3:30 p.m. March 12: vs. Beverly Hills High School at MCHS at 3 p.m. March 13: vs. Brentwood High School at Brentwood at 3:30 p.m. Boys Volleyball: March 1: vs. Santa Barbara High School at Santa Barbara at 7 p.m. March 5: vs. Newport Harbor at MCHS at 6 p.m. March 8-9: Best of the West Tournament at Poway High School

HANNAH DEGIAU/ LA VISTA

Mira Costa varsity girls soccer team tied Redondo Union High School with a score of 2-2 on Jan. 29.

NEWS

February 8, 2013

La Vista

3

iPads stolen from Pacific Elementary BY SHAYLYN AUSTIN NEWS EDITOR AND TAYLOR ST. GERMAIN NEWS EDITOR

Carolyn Seaton said on behalf RI /LQ] Âł,W LV GLVKHDUWHQLQJ WKDW SHRSOH ZRXOG VWHDO WKLV OHDUQLQJ tool from children.â€? Seaton estimates that the stolen Three unknown suspects stole iPads will cost the district ap 59 iPads on Jan. 26 from two SUR[LPDWHO\ ÂżIWK JUDGH FODVVURRPV DW 3DFLÂżF “Replacement iPads have al Elementary School at 4:45 a.m. ready been ordered,â€? Seaton said. The students were informed Âł'U 5LFN %DJOH\ GHSXW\ VXSHULQ of the robbery, but no suspects tendent of administrative servic have been arrested. The Man HV LV ZRUNLQJ ZLWK RXU LQVXUDQFH hattan Beach Police Department WR GHWHUPLQH ZKDW SHUFHQWDJH RI KDV UHOHDVHG WKUHH LPDJHV RI WKH the cost is covered.â€? VXVSHFWV FDSWXUHG E\ 3DFLÂżFÂśV RQ Stephanie Hubbard and Mi campus security cameras. FKHOOH .U]PDU]LFN ZHUH WKH WZR Âł3DFLÂżF 3ULQFLSDO .LP /LQ] teachers whose classrooms were FDOOHG DQG HPDLOHG WKH VWXGHQWVÂś broken into. parents on Sunday to inform them “This situation makes us real about the theft and visited each L]H KRZ PXFK ZH ORYH RXU L3DGV ´ ÂżIWK JUDGH FODVVURRP WR DQVZHU Hubbard said. “We are still able questions,â€? Manhattan Beach WR JHW ZRUN GRQH EXW DUH JUDWHIXO 8QLÂżHG 6FKRRO 'LVWULFW ([HFXWLYH for the replacements.â€? Director of Educational Services 3DFLÂżF VWXGHQWV WKRXJK GLVDS pointed, are re PDLQLQJ SRVLWLYH “My teacher wrote on a white ERDUG Âľ,WÂśV D EXP PHU EXW Âś DQG ZH had to talk about JRRG WKLQJV ZH VWLOO KDYH ´ ÂżIWK JUDGHU Svensson COURTESY MBPD Derek VDLG Âł,ÂśP H[FLWHG PAD LOCK ‘EM UP: 6HFXULW\ FDPHUDV FDSWXUHG WKLV WR JHW QHZ L3DGV VRRQ WKRXJK ´ XQQDPHG VXVSHFW DW WKH WLPH RI WKH EUHDN LQ

HANNAH DAGIAU/ LA VISTA

PLAYING THE BOARD GAME: 1HZ 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK 8QLĂ€HG 'LVWULFW 6FKRRO %RDUG 3UHVLGHQW ,GD 9DQGHU3RRUWH PLGGOH DVVXPHV KHU QHZ SRVLWLRQ DW WKH -DQ PHHWLQJ 6KH ZLOO VHUYH D WHUP RI RQH \HDU

VanderPoorte becomes MBUSD Board president BY MADDIE NERAD STAFF WRITER At the Manhattan Beach Uni ÂżHG 6FKRRO 'LVWULFW %RDUG RI 7UXVWHHV PHHWLQJ RQ 'HF the MBUSD Board unanimously HOHFWHG ,GD 9DQGHU3RRUWH DV WKH new MBUSD Board president, UHSODFLQJ (OOHQ 5RVHQEHUJ )HOORZ ERDUG PHPEHU 3HQQ\ Bordokas nominated Vander Poorte. She has previously served the community as Man KDWWDQ %HDFK (GXFDWLRQ )RXQGD tion treasurer, Manhattan Beach Middle School PTA treasurer and *UDQGYLHZ 37$ SUHVLGHQW 6KH has been a member of the school board for seven years, and she

served as president of the school ERDUG LQ ³, HQMR\ EHLQJ RQ WKH 6FKRRO Board because it is an opportuni W\ WR JLYH EDFN WR WKH FRPPXQLW\ and allows me to work with so PDQ\ RXWVWDQGLQJ LQGLYLGXDOV ´ VanderPoorte said. The Board president serves D RQH \HDU WHUP 0HPEHUV FDQ VHUYH PXOWLSOH QRQ FRQVHFXWLYH WHUPV DV SUHVLGHQW $ORQJ ZLWK UHJXODU %RDUG PHPEHU DVVLJQ PHQWV LQFOXGLQJ DWWHQGLQJ D YD riety of committees, councils and foundations, the president posi tion has additional responsibili ties within the Board. 7KH %RDUG SUHVLGHQWœV DGGLWLRQ DO GXWLHV DUH SODQQLQJ WKH DJHQGDV

MUN shares ILMUNC top award amid controversy BY JOANI GILLAM EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR &RVWD 0RGHO 8QLWHG 1DWLRQV ZRQ WKH Âł%HVW /DUJH 'HOHJDWLRQ´ DZDUG RQ -DQ DW WKH ,Y\ /HDJXH 0RGHO 8QLWHG 1DWLRQV &RQIHU HQFH ;;,; LQ 3KLODGHOSKLD DPLG D Ă€XUU\ RI DZDUGV FRQWURYHUV\ Both Costa and Horace Mann 6FKRRO IURP 1HZ <RUN &LW\ 1HZ <RUN DUH QRZ ZLQQHUV RI WKH %HVW /DUJH 'HOHJDWLRQ DZDUG RI ,/081& ;;,; DQ DGYDQFHG 0RGHO 81 FRQIHUHQFH KHOG E\ WKH University of Pennsylvania. &RVWD RULJLQDOO\ ZDV WKH VROH ZLQQHU EXW WKH ,/081& 6HFUH tariat announced it had found a “mathematical errorâ€? two days DIWHU WKH FRQIHUHQFHÂśV FXOPLQD WLRQ DQG JDYH +RUDFH 0DQQ WKH award as well. Âł2XU FRQFHUQV KDYH EHHQ H[ pressed directly to the University of Pennsylvania and the people who ran the conference,â€? Costa 081 &R $GYLVRU 5REHUW 7LP EHUODNH VDLG Âł:KDW , FDQ VD\ ZLWK FRPSOHWH FRQÂżGHQFH LV WKDW we broke no rules.â€? ,Q 081 WKH REMHFWLYH RI GHO HJDWHV LQ WKH ODUJH PDMRULW\ RI committees is to write resolutions ZLWK RWKHU GHOHJDWHV WKURXJKRXW WKH FRXUVH RI GHEDWH 3UH ZULWWHQ UHVROXWLRQV DUH JHQHUDOO\ FRQVLG HUHG FKHDWLQJ $FFRUGLQJ WR 7LPEHUODNH Costa checked several of Horace 0DQQÂśV UHVROXWLRQV DQG IRXQG WKH\ ZHUH SUH ZULWWHQ 2QH ZDV IRXQG WR KDYH ÂżUVW EHHQ VXEPLW WHG RQWR WXUQLWLQ FRP GXULQJ ODVW \HDUÂśV 1RUWK $PHULFDQ ,QYLWD WLRQDO 081 *HRUJHWRZQÂśV 081 conference that the two schools faced off at last year. Âł:LQQLQJ WR XV LV QRW VR LP

portant that we need to cheat to JHW LW ´ 7LPEHUODNH VDLG Âł+RUDFH 0DQQ LV WRR JRRG IRU WKLV 2QFH your name is tarnished, it takes WZLFH DV ORQJ WR JHW LW FOHDQ ´ $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH ,/081& ;;,; 6HFUHWDULDW DOO VFKRROV VXE PLWWHG RULJLQDO ZRUN WKURXJKRXW the course of the weekend to the EHVW RI ,/081&ÂśV NQRZOHGJH “There were no substantiated DOOHJDWLRQV RI DQ\ FRPSURPLVHG resolutions submitted, and the Secretariat takes such claims very VHULRXVO\ ZLWK D WKRURXJK LQYHVWL JDWLRQ SURFHVV ´ WKH ,/081& DG ministration said in a statement. At the conference, Horace 0DQQ KDG D KLJKHU ÂłZHLJKWHG VFRUH´ WKDQ &RVWD PHDQLQJ WKDW WKH VFKRROÂśV DZDUGV WR GHOHJDWH UDWLR ZDV EHWWHU WKDQ &RVWDÂśV However, Horace Mann only EURXJKW GHOHJDWHV ZKLOH &RV WD EURXJKW DQG &RVWDÂśV WRWDO awards surpassed the entire com petition at the conference. Âł,W ZDV WKH SHUIHFW ZD\ WR HQG DQ DPD]LQJ IRXU \HDUV LQ WKH SUR JUDP ´ &RVWD 081 VHQLRU +DQ QDK -DPHV VDLG Âł, DP VR SURXG RI our entire team.â€? -DPHV DQG KHU SDUWQHU MXQLRU

7HGG\ )ULHGPDQ ZHUH RQH RI two partnerships to win Best Del HJDWH RU ³JDYHO ´ LQ WKHLU FRP PLWWHH DW ,/081& ;;,; 6HQLRU 'DQQ\ .HOOHKHU DQG VRSKRPRUH Eva Abramson were the other pair to do so. /DVW ZHHN &RVWD 081 UH FHLYHG WKH ³%HVW /DUJH 'HOHJD WLRQ´ DZDUG RQ )HE DW WKH 6XUI &LW\ 081 ; FRQIHUHQFH DW +XQ WLQJWRQ %HDFK +LJK 6FKRRO 0DQ\ DGYDQFHG &RVWD 081 GHEDWHUV DUH FXUUHQWO\ SUHSDULQJ IRU WKH ¿QDO WZR DGYDQFHG FRQ ferences of the year, which will EH WKH %HUNHOH\ 081 /;, FRQ IHUHQFH DQG WKH 1DWLRQDO +LJK 6FKRRO 081 FRQIHUHQFH LQ 1HZ York City. Both conferences will take place the week of March 4. Most of the current seniors in 0RGHO 81 DUH ¿QLVKLQJ WKHLU WLPHV DV &RVWD GHOHJDWHV ZLWK HLWKHU WKH ,/081& %081 RU 1+6081 FRQIHUHQFHV ³,/081& ZDV WKH EHVW ZD\ , FRXOG KDYH HQGHG P\ FDUHHU LQ 0LUD &RVWD 0RGHO 81 ´ 6HFUH WDU\ *HQHUDO VHQLRU 7D\ORU /HZLV VDLG ³, DP VR SURXG WR EH D SDUW of this team and to have led the SURJUDP WKLV \HDU ´

COURTESY EVA ABRAMSON

MUN LOVE: &RVWD 081 VWXGHQWV H[SORUH WKH FLW\ RI 3KLODGHOSKLD WKURXJKRXW WKH ZHHN RI -DQ EHIRUH GHEDWLQJ LQ WKH ,Y\ /HDJXH 081 ;;,; FRQIHUHQFH

with Superintendent Dr. Michael 0DWWKHZV OHDGLQJ WKH %RDUG PHHWLQJV DQG EHLQJ WKH SRLQW RI contact between the Board and the community. Âł, DSSUHFLDWHG WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ to serve in this capacity and en MR\HG WKH DGGHG UHVSRQVLELOLW\ RI SUHVLGHQW ´ 5RVHQEHUJ VDLG .DUHQ .RPDWLQVN\ UHSODFHG Bordokas as Board vice presi GHQW DQG %RUGRNDV UHSODFHG .R matinsky as Board clerk at the VDPH PHHWLQJ “Manhattan Beach is so fortu QDWH WR KDYH VXFK H[FHOOHQW DG ministrators, teachers and staff,â€? 9DQGHU3RRUWH VDLG Âł,W LV ZRQGHU IXO WR ZDWFK WKH \RXQJ SHRSOH H[ cel in so many different areas.â€?

Posted

NICOLE FISCHER/ LA VISTA

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Costa expands technology programs BY MADDIE NERAD STAFF WRITER :LWK Âł VW FHQWXU\ OHDUQLQJ´ D KLJK SULRULW\ 0LUD &RVWD LV WHFK QRORJLFDOO\ H[SDQGLQJ ZLWK WKH addition of a freshman iPad pilot SURJUDP DQG VWXGHQW :L )L Currently, there are four iPad carts at Mira Costa. The Span ish Department, Social Science 'HSDUWPHQW (QJOLVK 'HSDUWPHQW DQG 0XVWDQJ 0RUQLQJ 1HZV KDYH one cart with 35 iPads each. Âł:H JHW WKH L3DGV RQFH D ZHHN DQG , KDYH IRXQG WKDW WKH\ PDNH students more accountable,â€? 6SDQLVK WHDFKHU (GZDUG )ULJROD VDLG Âł,QVWDQW IHHGEDFN DOORZV XV WR JHW WKURXJK PDWHULDO IDVWHU ´ &RVWD UHFHQWO\ H[SDQGHG WKH L3DG SLORW SURJUDP WR IUHVKPDQ students, who each received an iPad to take from class to class. Âł, XVH P\ L3DG HYHU\GD\ LQ (QJ OLVK PDWK DQG ELRORJ\ ´ IUHVKPDQ .DWH %UXQVNLOO VDLG Âł7KH L3DG NHHSV PH RUJDQL]HG LQ DOO P\ classes and prevents me from car U\LQJ DURXQG ORRVH SDSHU ´ 7KH DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ FKRVH

freshmen because they have VLPLODU VFKHGXOHV FRQVLVWLQJ RI WKH IRXU SDUWLFLSDWLQJ WHDFKHUV science teacher Jessica Bledsoe, (QJOLVK WHDFKHU 6KDZQ &KHQ PDWK WHDFKHU .HOO\ 'RQRYDQ DQG science teacher Trevor Oystrick. Âł:H DUH SLORWLQJ WKH L3DGV WR VHH ZKDW LW GRHV IRU WKH VWXGHQW WHDFKHU H[FKDQJH ´ &RVWD 3ULQFL pal Dr. Ben Dale said. “We can talk about how well the iPads work, but until we do it relative to DQ DVVLJQPHQW ZH ZRQÂśW NQRZ ´ Mira Costa also enabled new FDPSXV ZLGH :L )L RYHU :LQWHU %UHDN 2YHU VWXGHQWV KDYH FRQQHFWHG WR WKH :L )L Âł,WÂśV WRR HDUO\ WR WHOO LI ZH KDYH LVVXHV ´ 7HFKQRORJ\ 6HUYLFH &R RUGLQDWRU (ULF 6DQJDODQJ VDLG Âł, ZLOO EH PRQLWRULQJ WKH XVDJH DQG will resolve any problems.â€? $FFRUGLQJ WR 'DOH &RVWD ZLOO ORRN WR ÂżQG ZD\V WR LQFRUSRUDWH WHFKQRORJ\ LQWR WKH FODVVURRP HVSHFLDOO\ EHFDXVH QH[W \HDUÂśV freshmen will enter with iPads. Âł:H DUH PRYLQJ IRUZDUG RQ VFKHGXOH DQG , DP KDSS\ ZLWK RXU SURJUHVV ´ 'DOH VDLG

4

NEWS

La Vista

February 8, 2013

Students compete in Poetry Out Loud competition BY DANA STERNTHAL STAFF WRITER

WKH PDVWHU RI FHUHPRQLHV 6KH VWDUWHG 3RHWU\ 2XW /RXG DW &RVWD last year and plans to continue it LQ WKH IXWXUH “I love poetry and thought it would be cool to participate in this QDWLRQZLGH FRQWHVW ´ 6LHNHU VDLG “I invite anyone to participate ZKR ORYHV WKH VSRNHQ ZRUG ´ While the judges were tabuODWLQJ WKH ÂżQDO VFRUHV DQ RSHQ microphone was held in which DQ\RQH FRXOG SHUIRUP RQ VWDJH Representatives from the Manhattan Beach Senior Poetry Circle DQG DFFODLPHG SRHW .HOOL $QQH 1RIWOH UHFLWHG RULJLQDO ZRUNV “Everyone who participated was incredibly brave,â€? sophoPRUH 7DWLDQD %RGQHU VDLG Âł, HQjoyed listening to Noftle recite her own work because she was able to convey the poem’s mean-

6HQLRU 7D\ORU +RZDW ZRQ 0LUD Costa’s second annual Poetry Out /RXG UHFLWDWLRQ FRPSHWLWLRQ RQ -DQ LQ WKH 'UDPD 5RRP 32/ LV D QDWLRQDO FRQWHVW KHOG NICK MATSON/ LA VISTA in high schools across the counMB HEARTS ART: Noelle Davidson’s “Pier Side Funâ€? (above) was among the WU\ (DFK RI WKH FRQWHVWDQWV PHPRUL]HG WZR SRHPV IURP WKH 13 works displayed at the “I Heart MBâ€? art exhibition in City Hall. RIÂżFLDO 32/ GDWDEDVH $IWHU WKH ÂżUVW URXQG WKH MXGJHV FKRVH WKH WRS FRQWHVWDQWV WR DGYDQFH WR WKH QH[W URXQG “I was surprised that I was chosen to be in the second round,â€? BY COURTNEY HUGHEY 0D\RU :D\QH 3RZHOO VDLG FRQWHVWDQW VRSKRPRUH .DWKHULQH STAFF WRITER 7KH &LW\ &RXQFLO GHFLGHG WR $Q VDLG Âł, ZDV JODG , WULHG RXW hold the art exhibit after attend- this new experience and was able 7KH 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK &LW\ LQJ D FRQIHUHQFH IRU WKH /HDJXH WR VKDUH P\ SRHWU\ ZLWK RWKHUV ´ &RXQFLO KHOG WKH ÂżUVW Âł, +HDUW RI &DOLIRUQLD &LWLHV LQ 6DQ 'LHJR (QJOLVK WHDFKHU 'LDQD 6LHNHU Manhattan Beachâ€? art exhibit at ODVW 6HSWHPEHU coordinated the event and was &LW\ +DOO IURP -DQ ZKHUH “I got the idea initially from residents were encouraged to sub- an art contest about what makes PLW WKHLU RZQ DUWZRUN Philadelphia the city of brotherly /RFDO DUWLVWV 0DU\ $QQ &ROOLQV ORYH ´ 3RZHOO VDLG Âł:H GHFLGHG DQG 'RQ 6SHQFHU VHUYHG DV MXGJ- that a similar art contest would HV DQG FKRVH ZLQQHUV 7KRVH KRQ- be great to get people involved in RUHG ZHUH &KDUOHV /\QQ %UDJJ 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK ´ -DPHV *LOO DQG &\QWKLD -R\FH 7KH PD\RU DQG WKH &LW\ &RXQZLWK ÂżUVW SODFH VHFRQG SODFH DQG cil hope to make the “I Heart WKLUG SODFH UHVSHFWLYHO\ MBâ€? art exhibit an annual event Âł7KH DUW GLVSOD\HG DOO DVSHFWV RI and to include it in many other Manhattan Beach that we can all art-centered community events DSSUHFLDWH ´ -R\FH VDLG Âł7KHUH RUJDQL]HG E\ WKH FLW\ÂśV &XOWXUDO were many of the pier, the heart $UWV &RPPLVVLRQ RI WKLV FLW\ ´ “We share love for our city, and 7KH MXGJHV FKRVH WKH DUW- participating in art contests like works to display in the exhibit out these are a great way to show it RI D VHOHFWLRQ RI VXEPLVVLRQV RII ´ *LOO VDLG Âł7KH\ DUH HIIHFWLYH Âł7KLV DUW H[KLELW ZDV D JUHDW in bringing people together in the COURTESY SARAH LOCKE-HENDERSON start into giving people the op- FRPPXQLW\ DQG WKH &UHDWLYH $UWV portunity to get involved in their Center has many programs to get HOWAT DOES SHE DO IT?: Senior Taylor Howat celebrates after winning Coscommunity,â€? Manhattan Beach WKH FRPPXQLW\ LQYROYHG ´ ta’s “Poetry Out Loudâ€? competition for the second consecutive year.

City Council hosts first annual “I Heart MB� art exhibition

Costa discusses new security changes BY KARA PATMAN STAFF WRITER

QL]LQJ LW OLNH WKH\ DUH QRZ DOO VFKRROV FDQ OHDUQ ´ 0%86' 6XSHULQWHQGHQW 'U 0LFKDHO 0DWWKHZV VDLG In light of the recent shooting at Sandy Manhattan Beach Middle School and Hooke Elementary School in Connecticut, Meadows Elementary School held lockWKH 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK 8QLÂżHG 6FKRRO 'LV- GRZQV RQ -DQ GXH WR FULPLQDO DFWLRQ LQ trict has been looking at implementing new WKH FRPPXQLW\ 0DWWKHZV EHOLHYHV ORFN VHFXULW\ FKDQJHV ZLWKLQ 0%86' downs could be used to discuss how to Changes to Costa’s security on campus WUDLQ VWDII WR DFW LQ FULVLV VLWXDWLRQV DUH QRW ÂżQDOL]HG \HW Âł7R VWD\ VDIH HYHU\RQH LV WUDLQHG WKH “We’re still trying to decide if it’s nec- VDPH ZD\ LQ HYHU\ GLVWULFW ´ /R\ VDLG essary to make any major changes to the Some Costa students believe that the security system,â€? Costa School Resource danger of a school shooting like Sandy 2IÂżFHU -RKQ /R\ VDLG Hook occurring on campus is not a major 0HPEHUV RI WKH 0%86' %RDUG RI 7UXVW- threat because the district provides a safe HHV GLVFXVVHG VDIHW\ DW WKH -DQ PHHWLQJ OHDUQLQJ HQYLURQPHQW 7KH SUHVHQWDWLRQ SURSRVHG LQFUHDVHG IHQF“Hearing about the shooting was frightLQJ VDIHW\ GULOOV DQG YLVLWRU FKHFN LQV HQLQJ DW ÂżUVW ´ VRSKRPRUH 0ROO\ *HUEHU “We always take safety seriously, but VDLG Âł%XW , EHOLHYH WKDW &RVWD KDV D VWURQJ when experts across the country are scruti- VHFXULW\ V\VWHP DQG , DP QRW ZRUULHG ´

District approves first interim budget BY KATE ROBAK CALENDAR EDITOR 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK 8QLÂżHG 6FKRRO 'LVWULFW %RDUG RI 7UXVWHHV DSSURYHG WKH ÂżUVW LQWHULP EXGJHW DW WKH 'HF ERDUG PHHWLQJ 7KH LQWHULP EXGJHW XVHV VSHQGLQJ UHSRUWV IURP -XO\ WR 2FW RI ODVW \HDU WR HQVXUH WKH FXUUHQW DQG IXWXUH EXGJHWV DUH IHDVLEOH “Nothing should cause major changes in WKH EXGJHW WKLV \HDU EXW QRWKLQJ LV ÂżQDOL]HG ´ 'HSXW\ 6XSHULQWHQGHQW RI $GPLQLVWUDWLYH 6HUYLFHV 'U 5LFN %DJOH\ VDLG 7KH UHDVRQ IRU OLPLWHG FKDQJH LV GXH WR 3URSRVLWLRQ ZKLFK DOORZV &DOLIRUQLD GLVWULFWV WR DYRLG PLG \HDU FXWV Âł, ZDV JODG 3URS SDVVHG ´ KLVWRU\

WHDFKHU *UHJ .ORHV VDLG Âł7KRXJK LW ZRQÂśW DIIHFW 0%86' LQ D KXJH ZD\ RWKHU VFKRRO GLVWULFWV ZLOO UHDOO\ EHQHÂżW ´ 7KH %RDUG LV QRZ ORRNLQJ DW WKH EXGJHW &KDQJHV PLJKW EH PDGH GHSHQGLQJ on the state’s budget for next year which QHHGV WR EH DSSURYHG E\ -XO\ %DJOH\ EHOLHYHV WKH /RFDO &RQWURO )XQGLQJ )RUPXOD which decides how much money school districts need depending on the needs of WKHLU VWXGHQWV PD\ DIIHFW WKH EXGJHW Âł7KH VWDWH KDV VDLG PRQH\ ZRQÂśW EH WDNHQ DZD\ IURP DQ\ VFKRROV ´ %DJOH\ VDLG Âł%XW we have to see what the state approves in -XO\ WR ÂżQDOL]H RXU EXGJHW ´ Read the full story at lavistamchs.com

LQJ ZHOO ´ Howat won the competition again this year, performing “Egoâ€? E\ 'HQLVH 'XKDPHO DQG Âł7HVWLPRQLDO´ E\ 5LWD 'RYH -XQLRU $OH[ +DQVRQ ZRQ VHFond place with her recitation of Âł7KH :D\ ,W 6RPHWLPHV ,V´ E\ +HQU\ 7D\ORU DQG Âł4XHHQV´ E\ - 0 6\QJH 6HQLRU 'DQLHOOH .D\ placed third with “Ecologyâ€? by -DFN &ROORP DQG Âł(JR´ E\ 'HQLVH 'XKDPHO Âł7KLV FRPSHWLWLRQ LV P\ IDYRULWH ´ +RZDW VDLG Âł,W LV VR PXFK fun, and all the other contestants ZHUH DPD]LQJ ´ First and second-place recipiHQWV UHFHLYHG JLIW FHUWLÂżFDWHV IURP the local bookstore {pages}, the RIÂżFLDO VSRQVRU RI WKH HYHQW “It was a close competition,â€? %RGQHU VDLG Âł:DWFKLQJ WZR SHRple recite the same poem added QHZ PHDQLQJV ´ $IWHU ZLQQLQJ +RZDW FRQWLQued to the county-level competiWLRQ RQ :HGQHVGD\ LQ &XOYHU &LW\ However, Howat did not qualify WKURXJK WKH FRXQW\ FRPSHWLWLRQ “I went to county last year too DQG HYHU\RQH WKHUH ZDV VR DPD]LQJ ´ +RZDW VDLG Âł7KH FRXQW\ winner recited ‘Ego,’ and it made PH ZDQW WR UHFLWH LW WKLV \HDU ´ 7KH ZLQQHU IURP /RV $QJHOHV County will move on to the state FRPSHWLWLRQ 7KH VWDWH FKDPSLRQ will then continue to the national FRQWHVW LQ :DVKLQJWRQ ' & “I will most likely be doing 3RHWU\ 2XW /RXG DJDLQ QH[W \HDU because I love the opportunity to express my thoughts through poHPV ´ $Q VDLG

OPINION

February 8, 2013

La Vista

5

Lack of communication negatively affects Student Leadership Council BY DANA STERNTHAL STAFF WRITER

administration to inform the stuMira Costa. In the past, the Council met ev- dents of upcoming meetings, and ery other Thursday, giving struc- the SLC should take responsibilMira Costa’s decision to im- ture to the program and a way for ity for ensuring meetings are pubplement the Student Leadership the students to express their opinlicized and attended. Council two years ago after stu- ions. According to Hoofprints In addition, a meetdent complaints over being left Editor-in-Chief ing was scheduled for Meghan out of the decision-making pro- Burns, this year the memyesterday, but one cess was a wise choice. However, bers have only met once, successful meeting in it has become ineffective due to in September, to meet the an entire semester is its lack of overall communication Costa faculty and talk KDUGO\ VXIÂżFLHQW and organization. According to Dale, about the construction of Student Leadership Council the new building. all the students who consists of students that hold were “passionateâ€? about Recently, there was leadership positions at Costa, a meeting scheduled the council have graduand in past years the group theo- for Jan. 10, but ated, compared to an retically met with Costa Principal it was only indifferent attitude Dr. Ben Dale to discuss issues posted taken this year. concerning the student body on on the Dale ena biweekly basis. But, the group school’s courages hasn’t met regularly at all this o ff i c i a l students to year, and the channel of commu- website come to nication between the administra- under events and was him indiJACKSON CASADY/ LA VISTA tion and the council clearly has not mentioned in the daily bulle- YLGXDOO\ EXW WKLV V\VWHP LV LQHIÂżbeen broken. This disorganization tin, leaving many Student Lead- cient and does not allow students HOLPLQDWHV WKH PXFK RI LQĂ€XHQFH ership Council members unaware to build a consensus between their RI WKH FRXQFLO DQG WKH HIÂżFDF\ RI of the planned date. However, it’s fellow council members. faculty-student communication at not the sole responsibility of the The SLC student members

should not be the only group responsible for facilitating discussion between themselves and the administration. With this being said, however, not all responsibility can be placed on the administration. Taking proactive measures to meet is part of the duty of the Student Leadership Council to work with Dale to plan and execute meetings. Students who wish to participate in formal councils should take it upon themselves to organize consistent meetings by utilizing Facebook, placing announcements in the daily bulletin for times and locations of SLC meetings and sending out reminder call slips to members. Despite SLC members’ busy schedules, which have FRQÀLFWHG ZLWK PHHWLQJV EHIRUH Council members should put their commitment to the group above other prior obligations and commitments, especially for such infrequent meetings. Student input should be an in-

tegral part of Costa’s functioning, and the SLC members should effectively be acting as the representatives of the student body. Clearly, students will be affected by the upcoming Advanced Placement policy changes, yet because of the lack of organization that has plagued this year’s SLC, no student input was offered in a formal, consolidated way to the administration on the issue as the new policy was developed. Such is the case for many happenings on and around campus; input from those who feel the results of changes is undeniably necessary for Mira Costa’s administration in order to function well. This year, the SLC has become an empty gesture with little real impact on school policy. If members do not start to coordinate and the administration does not make more of an effort to hear students’ opinions, Mira Costa will continue to under-utilize an integral component of its identity.

Drug dog program at Costa keeps students safe make it a safe place for students at school. After school, teachers and administrators do not have the ability to stop kids from usThe use of drug dogs on Mira ing drugs. However, drug dogs Costa’s campus is an effective do accomplish their tool to lessen the amount of drugs The District is surely achieving goal of reducing the brought onto campus, but it lacks the ability to prevent students the goal of stopping students from number of illegal substances used and from off-campus use. bringing drugs onto campus. passed hand-to-hand Two years ago, the Manhattan %HDFK 8QL¿HG 6FKRRO 'LVWULFW a decrease in the number of stu- on campus. According to Wilson, students Board of Trustees passed a new dents who get caught for bringing SROLF\ WKDW DOORZHG RI¿FHUV WR drugs onto campus. The drug dog who are not carrying illegal drugs use drug dogs to search for illegal program needs to remain in place with them should not feel violatsubstances in classrooms. Under in order to secure the continued ed or feel as if they are suspects if they have nothing to hide. Some this policy, classrooms, parking safety of Mira Costa students. lots and lockers are randomly According to Wilson, the threat students feel that it is necessary chosen to be searched by the dogs. of drug dogs on campus will bring for Costa to use these drug dogs The company that provides these a fear to the students who casu- because it provides them with services for Costa, Interquest ally use illegal substances or to a healthy learning environment Detection Canines, is funded by students who are thinking about with a reduced amount of presthe Beach Cities Health District. using illegal drugs, therefore de- sure amongst peers. To supplement the drug dog According to PACE teacher Dr. terring students from using them. Rocky Wilson, the program has The dogs not only have the abil- services, Costa holds educational tremendously dropped the rate LW\ WR ¿QG GUXJV RQ FDPSXV EXW presentations, and parents can of substance abuse on campus, FRXOG SRWHQWLDOO\ EH LQÀXHQWLDO LQ also sign up their kids to be ranwhich is a welcome change. students’ future off-campus deci- domly drug tested to lessen the use of drugs off campus. It is a Approximately $6,000 a year sion-making. is put into the IDC program by According to guidance council- very challenging task to decrease MBUSD, and some may argue or Jenny Woodie, it is very chal- the amount of drugs on campus, that this is a waste of resources. lenging to stop students from tak- but the district is surely decreasConsidering the drug dog pro- ing drugs off-campus. The main ing the presence of illegal subJUDP KDV SURGXFHG EHQH¿FLDO RQ purpose of having drug-dogs is to stances on campus. BY GASSIA ASHIKIAN STAFF WRITER

campus results, this is a wise investment that effectively achieves one of Costa’s top priorities. According to Costa Security Lead Ray Lee, each year there is

Top 10 Ways to Get to School Now that the District Parking Lot is Largely Unavailable: 10. Hijack ASB’s yacht and cruise on over. 9. Use Mr. Lewis’s Hoverboard. 8. Make it a non-issue and sleep in the La Vista Room. We probably won’t notice anyway. 7. Ask to borrow one of Mr. Gezci’s seven Hondas. 6. Join the “Fiesta� and hitch a ride with Mr. Fauver. Pick up will be at 3:45 a.m. sharp! 5. Stick yourself to Mrs. Shales-Clark’s car. 4. Ask Mr. Knutson if he’s willing to upgrade to a tandem bike. 3. See if Mr. Brissey can take you in his DeLorean. 2. Kick Jones out of the baby seat and ride in the Prius with Mr. Westerberg. 1.Don’t go. Just think about it for a second: it’s not your fault; it’s the district’s! JACK ALLEN, ADAM GERARD, ALEX WHITE/ OPINION EDITORS DANNY KELLEHER/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Changes in API criteria will produce better, more holistic evaluations BY KATE ROBAK CALENDER EDITOR Last September, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 1458, which changed the Academic Performance Index scoring criteria for all California schools. This new bill will effectively redirect the focus of California schools away from simply passing Standardized Tests and toward focusing on education for the sake of learning and creating a better future for students. Currently, API scores are based primarily on CSTs and are only slightly affected by other factors, such as dropout rates. SB 1458 states that beginning in 2016,

California Standardized Tests, on the California Standardized such as the STAR Test and the Tests will be more equally balCAHSEE, will compose at most anced with their attention on pre60 perparing their The new API scoring technique students for cent of a school’s will create an advanced and more college and o v e r - accurate grading system. a career. all API The new score. The other 40 percent of the $3, VFRULQJ V\VWHP LV D EHQH¿score will be composed of areas cial change for Mira Costa and all concerning the future of Califor- California schools because API nia students, like graduation rates scoring will be extended to other and the readiness of students to areas that many schools excel in, pursue a successful college life. and will allow for schools to be However, in some ways the bill recognized for successes unrelatis vague and does not include ex- ed to standardized testing. actly what the API score will be While the bill gives some spemade up of. FL¿FV DERXW WKH PDNHXS RI WKH The bill will ensure that teach- scoring system, it does not comers’ and administrators’ attention prehensively address what the 40

percent of the API scoring will be comprised of, but State Superintendent Tom Torlakson will reSRUW E\ 2FW WKH VSHFLÂżF breakdown of the scoring criteria. Although these new methods have not been introduced yet, they will lead to a more holistic approach to the API grading system and back away from the current, closed-minded system which focuses only on test performance. The new API criteria will also add more weight to science and social science classes. Also, because other subjects, such as foreign language and arts, are not on standardized tests, they have a greater chance of being evaluated once less emphasis in the evalua-

tion process is put on the CSTs. Some opponents believe that the scoring change will not be effective. However, while the bill PD\ ODFN VSHFL¿FV QRZ LW KDV D clear goal and process in which the details of the scoring system will be determined. With these changes, API scores will accurately represent schools’ abilities. The new API scores will create an advanced and more accurate grading system that rightfully assesses schools by taking the emphasis off test-taking. This is a welcome change that will allow teachers to focus on improving the education of their students and promoting their overall academic experience.

6

OPINION

La Vista

February 8, 2013

EDITOR’S NOTE

Journalists must balance information and safety BY DANNY KELLEHER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MIRA COSTA HIGH SCHOOL 1401 ARTESIA BOULEVARD MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA (310) 318-7337 EXT 5233

When I saw an article about Aaron Swartz after he hanged himself a month ago, all I knew was that he was some legendary “hacktivist.â€? Recently, though, I’ve been reading up on him – about his upbringing, about his activism and about the ideals he fought for – and I have become fascinated with the world he envisioned. Swartz was a super-genius, one who dropped out of Stanford after a People should not be blocked from acyear, helped create Reddit, contribXWHG WR WKH GHYHORSPHQW RI WKH ÂżUVW cessing certain information unless it is RSS feed and famously hacked the truly threatening. Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s JSTOR, one of the largest scholarly The world that so many of these anonydigital archives in the world, releasing mous hacktivists envision is one of free PRUH WKDQ PLOOLRQ ÂżOHV RQWR WKH LQWHUQHW information, with no limits to what peoto be downloaded for free. Swartz was also ple are able to access. The morals behind the leader behind the grassroots opposition these opinions are there, and Swartz was to SOPA and PIPA, condemning the legis- undoubtedly a proponent of the common

FEBRUARY 8, 2013 VOLUME LXIII, ISSUE 5 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 OPINION EDITORS ALEX WHITE, EXECUTIVE JACK ALLEN ADAM GERARD

Budget excess needs more specific plan for spending

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 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 WRITER’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

PROVIDING

ONLY

THE

HIGHEST

QUALITY

masses. Often times journalists will contact psychologists for their stories for months before releasing them to ensure that the information they are releasing is given in the least harmful way possible. Reporting information as quickly possible is an admirable goal, but reporters always need to consider the cost of information for all before bringing delicate issues to light. But at the same time, some documents DQG ¿OHV XQGRXEWHGO\ VKRXOG EH OHDNHG People should not be blocked from accessing certain information unless it is truly threatening to national security. Journalists must strike a balance between informing their readers and withholding information to keep the readers safe. Finding this middle point is the key to excellent journalistic integrity. It is truly a tragedy that Aaron Swartz’ brilliance, passion and morality are no lonJHU ZLWK XV +LV YLVLRQ RI DQ LGHDO ¿OH VKDUing society, though radical, had its merits.

STAFF EDITORIALS

ARTS EDITORS DYLAN FAIR, EXECUTIVE ARI HOWORTH JAKE MAHR

MISSION STATEMENT: LA VISTA

lation through a petition that gained hundreds of thousands of signatures. The philosophy of Swartz and others, who oftentimes use illegal methods to expose information previously unavailable to the public, seriously confounds me. Journalism’s identity is largely based around pursuit of the truth. Many of the greatest reporters made names for themselves by exposing scandal or corruption. But, at the same time, there comes a point where a line needs to be drawn.

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MAINTAINING A STRICT STANDARD OF JOURNALISTIC INTEGRITY AND PROVIDING ITS READERS WITH RELEVANT CONTENT.

As Governor Jerry Brown proposes a ÂżVFDOO\ VRXQG EXGJHW IRU QH[W \HDU WKH 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK 8QLÂżHG 6FKRRO 'LVWULFW must also do the same. While MBUSD is awaiting some key budgetary decisions from the state, MBUSD will be receiving extra funding regardless of the state’s decisions due to Proposition 30. The district, WKHUHIRUH QHHGV WR FUHDWH D PRUH VSHFLÂżF plan in addition to existing plans for reserve funds to address the inevitable new revenue. Governor Brown’s budget proposals highlight an increase to education funding as a result of the passage of Prop. 30. Brown’s new “Local Control Funding Formulaâ€? plans to direct more funding from Prop 30 to schools with greater challenges, such as large numbers of students with ORZ LQFRPHV RU D VLJQLÂżFDQW SHUFHQWDJH RI English as a Second Language students. According to social science teacher and MBUTA negotiations chair Adam Geczi, while MBUSD may not receive as much money as other districts in education funding, it will still see a revenue increase.

While this may not be as ideal of a situation for MBUSD schools, Brown’s proposal has merit. There are many schools in California with minimal resources that are in need of support. These schools do not have any organization similar to the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, and they have no way of coming up with funding on their own. Although it may be unfortunate for those in Manhattan Beach, on a state level Brown is obviJACKSON CASADY/LA VISTA ously making the right choice. With this in mind, MBUSD must craft a budget factoring in the increase in funds, however much. Because MBUSD always prepares its budget for the worst-case scenario, there is usually an excess in funding that the district puts into its reserves. Last year, the district adopted a budget with $52,321,514 in revenue, but actually received $54,629,374, therefore leaving a $2,307,860 surplus, according to district

budget reports. Since the budget didn’t include this excess of funds, MBUSD was able to allocate this revenue however it wanted with little regulation. ,Q OLJKW RI WKH SUHYLRXV FRQÀLFWV UHJDUGing teacher contracts and the increase in technology implementation, money must be spent to meet the increasing costs. Ideally, 20% of any excess should be directed toward teacher pay which would be added on to any contractual pay increases. Ten percent of these funds should go toward sustaining technology to account for the widespread increase of the iPad Pilot Program and Wi-Fi project in addition to covering the costs of technology mishaps. According to Bagley, money may need to be allotted toward increasing security in light of recent events such as the Sandy Hook tragedy and, thus, 5% of the revenue should be allotted toward security costs. The extra 65% of revenue should be put into reserves for future unforeseen costs. Overall, MBUSD must be cautious when crafting the 2013-14 budget. It must remain conservative in spending until state IXQGLQJ LV NQRZQ +RZHYHU D VSHFL¿F SODQ for the inevitable excess in revenue must be created before funding is even known.

Other districts’ policies should guide MBUSD evaluations 7KH 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK 8QL¿HG 6FKRRO 'LVWULFW DQG WKH 0DQKDWWDQ %HDFK 8QL¿HG Teachers Association agreed to a tentative system of teacher evaluation this past October. Since then, the groups have made strides toward a merit-based system within the district, but as this new pilot program continues to be tested at Mira Costa, the system should use incentives to encourage exceptional teaching through positive reinforcement, as done in other districts. The current pilot program within MBUSD evaluates teachers on six MBUSD Teaching Standards that are mandatory for all non-tenured teachers in the district. The standards range from having knowledge of the subject to being driven toward constant professional development. The evaluations are based off observations of class by administrators. MBUSD should consider a system in which bonus pay and peer evaluation are both readily available and used, similar to steps made by other districts. Bonus pay is not always a wise component to include in teacher assessment systems, but with the passage of Proposition 30, more money could be allotted toward this system. In this scenario, teachers would receive bonus pay, potentially a sal-

ary raise of $5,000 annually, for instructing would kill two birds with one stone: this in “hard-to-teach� subjects, which would progressive, rewarding system would draw vary based on school needs, and also a talented teachers to the district, as well as similar reward for improving test results. attempt to bring ineffective educators up Merit-based pay systems have traditional- to speed with their peers. Newark’s sysly received fervent opposition from unions, tem still requires tenured teachers to be but concessions, such as a peer-based eval- evaluated but less often than their nonuation system, would help facilitate a com- tenured counterparts. The middle ground promise. Such an agreement was reached they reached eases the burden on tenured in the Newark School District, in which teachers but still holds them more accountthe union MBUSD should consider a system in able than the current passed by MBUSD system of an over- which bonus pay and peer evaluation are teacher evaluation. whelming both readily available and used, similar If teachers were unm a j o r - to steps made by other districts. able to improve, even ity a meritwith attempted inbased pay system that was contingent upon struction from peers, a committee consistveteran teachers, rather than administra- ing of half administrators and half teachtors, assessing other teachers. Part of the ers would then vote on how to proceed. reason this was able to pass was because MBUSD and MBUTA are in the beginning standardized tests play a smaller role in process of a program that will clearly take evaluations, a prime example of a conces- years to polish. With more substantive insion made to teachers to make the agree- centives for both sides of the debate, the ment more feasible. district would be able to achieve a coheThe current pilot program allows tenured sive, agreeable program that would be teachers to volunteer for being reviewed more exact and less arbitrary in evaluating but gives no incentive to do so. If tenured teachers. An evaluation program such as teachers were offered to attain merit-based this should be considered as the union and pay raises that were contingent on going district continue to move forward with this through the evaluation process, MBUSD pilot program.

OPINION

February 8, 2013

La Vista

7

PRO/CON

Would further gun control help keep Costa safe? PRO:

Firearm regulation would benefit U.S., Costa

CON:

Gun control would not make citizens safer

BY ALEX WHITE EXECUTIVE OPINION EDITOR

order to help prevent future tragedies like BY MORGAN THALER those at Sandy Hook before they attack. Newtown. STAFF WRITER Better mental health care access for these But, if an assault weapons’ ban is too AND JACK HADLEY people and better detection systems in After the recent shooting in Newtown, drastic, a middle ground should be found. CONTRIBUTING WRITER place to identify them is necessary. Rather Connecticut, it has become clear that fur- Making magazines smaller would make than pointing to violence in video games WKHU ÂżUHDUP UHJXODWLRQ LV QHFHVVDU\ WR NHHS handguns more functional for self defense In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook or television, the country should aim to Americans safe against senseless violence, than attacking others. Elementary, he questions have arisen about reform the mental health systems to help especially school shootings. 3UHVLGHQW 2EDPD SURSRVHG ÂżUH DUP UHJgun control and school security. Changes in the people who are likely to be involved in Advocates of gun rights attempt to de- ulation legislation in January to reenter current national gun control policies would shootings. Strides in detecting those who Ă€HFW WKH IRFXV DZD\ IURP WKH UHJXODWLRQ the assault weapons ban and to limit magnot lessen violent crime rates, but changes are likely to commit shootings should start toward the underlying causes of gun vio- azines clips to 10 rounds, both of which should be made at Costa in order to make at the schools, with regular mental health lence. While this are excellent ways students safer. screenings from a young age. approach makes The best way to make the Costa to prevent future After shootings, many people cry for At Mira Costa, changes of this nature sense, and fac- campus safe is the same as making the ÂżUHDUP GLVDVWHUV new laws restricting gun use to stop these could be made as well. Costa Principal Dr. tors such as a It also goes even heinous acts. However, the Ben Dale says he plans on increasing secuentire country safe. failing mental furidea that fewer guns mean rity presence on campus. One worthwhile health system and a glamorizing media ther to include less violent crime, when change would be an increase in access to do play a part, federal and state govern- better mental analyzed, has little merit. mental health care for students who feel ments should work to place more restric- health services in In fact, according to they need emotional or psychological suptions on deadly weapons. Or, at the very schools, helping atHarvard crimi nologists port. This increased access could come in a least, they should take smaller measures, tack the problem at Don Kates and Gary Maus- variety of forms, including more available like reducing the size of magazines, which its source. While the ner, the number of hand- guidance counselors and mental health would come with the passage of President bill may be met with gun owners in the U.S. screenings at school. Barack Obama’s proposed legislation. opposition in Conincreased over the past Additionally, reminding students that Some opponents of gun regulation be- gress, it must be passed ÂżYH \HDUV EXW WRWDO YLROHQW there are already existing opportunities for lieve that it is the portrayal of violence in order to achieve substancrime has dropped in each them to receive psychological assistance in the media, namely movies and video tial change that will help save RI WKRVH \HDUV VLJQLÂżFDQWO\ on campus should be a priority. The goal games, that lead to mass shootings, not ac- American lives. The nine European coun- of this reform is to lessen the chances of a cess to guns. However, studies that comAt Mira Costa, things are tries with the lowest gun student executing a school shooting. pared the United States to other modern excellent in terms of student ownership rates have murIn addition, Costa should give campus countries say the opposite. According to safety. Apart from being in a der rates three times higher security guards more power to protect the Washington Post, the Netherlands and safe community with good acthan the nine countries with themselves along with everyone else on South Korea both spend more than double cess to mental health resources both the highest rates of gun own- campus by giving them handguns. While the amount of money per capita on video on and off campus, like Costa’s guidance ership. These studies show that WKLV VWHS PD\ VHHP GUDVWLF WKH KRUULÂżF DFgames, but see less than one-sixth of the counselors, the administration and secuthe root of violent crime doesn’t tions that some people choose to take are ÂżUHDUP UHODWHG PXUGHUV 7KH GLIIHUHQFH rity do a good job of keeping students come from high gun ownership even worse. Arming security on campus between the U.S. and both nations is sim- safe. There are rarely security issues, rates, and a separate cause for will give them the potential in some caply the more lax regulation in the U.S. and when there are they are handled the violence must be addressed pacity to protect the school in the case of a The real debate should be over how far TXLFNO\ *LYLQJ ÂżUHDUPV WR VDIHW\ RIinstead: a failed mental shooting. Helping students’ mental health ÂżUHDUP UHJXODWLRQ PHDVXUHV VKRXOG JR ÂżFLDOV RQ FDPSXV LV XQOLNHO\ WR SUHhealth system. is a step in the right direction, but outside Assault weapons were invented for the vent a tragedy, especially when these JACKSON CASADY/LA VISTA One proposed change threats are just as dangerous. military, not the American communities. weapons would be able to be out-matched suggested by President Obama is a ban Preventing gun violence in our nation’s A ban on these weapons that can spread by intruders’ equipment. The best way to on assault weapons, which had previously schools should always be an American prisuch gross amounts of violence so quickly make the Costa campus safe is to make the been enacted from 1994 to 2004 and was ority, and keeping Costa safe should be a is simply common sense. entire country safe. An assault weapons’ ineffective. The Center for Disease Con- community necessity. Effective solutions Additionally, regulation should be made ban or limits on the use of handguns would trol and the National should be There needs to be an increase in based on facts, to limit the use of handguns, as opposed to greatly decrease the amount of damage a Research Council both ORQJ JXQV VXFK DV ULĂ€HV DQG DVVDXOW ZHDS- shooter could do in a short period of time conducted studies in access to mental health care for stu- rather than ons. Handguns accounted for over 90% of and would give security a much better ÂżQGLQJ ÂłLQVXI- dents who feel they need emotional emotion. ÂżUHDUP PXUGHUV LQ DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH chance at effectively stopping threats. ÂżFLHQW HYLGHQFH´ VXS- support. The issue is Centers for Disease Control. Restricting It has taken too many tragedies for the porting the claim that beyond our inhandgun use would go a very long way in citizens of the United States to respond to violent crime was reduced by the ban. On terpretation of the Second Amendment; it OLPLWLQJ WRWDO ÂżUHDUP KRPLFLGHV GXH WR WKH gun violence, and comprehensive action its face the idea of gun control seems fair, is whether we want to allow people to proobjects to be concealed and their compara- should be taken as quickly as possible. but the positive effects of further regula- tect themselves. Since we want people to tively large ammunition magazines. Final- Costa’s campus is already safe, and change tion are non-existent. remain safe, we must enable them to carry ly, penalties for those who cannot safely in legislation would be the best option to Alternatively, changes should be made guns. This decision will not endanger Coskeep and store their weapons should be make Costa even more secure from danger in the nation’s crime prevention to stop ta, but reforming mental health services is installed at the federal and state levels in moving forward. the people that commit acts of terror like vital in ensuring protection of the school.

ROVING REPORTER

Does Costa do enough to keep students safe on campus?

GEOFFREY ST. JOHN/ LA VISTA

³1R EHFDXVH ,œYH JRWWHQ RQ DQG off of campus without questionLQJ E\ VHFXULW\ ´

³<HV , SHUVRQDOO\ GRQœW IHHO OLNH there is a threat to my personal VDIHW\ DW VFKRRO ´

Âł, WKLQN ZHÂśUH GRLQJ WKH EHVW ZH can do, and it’s a scary world when we actually KDYH WR WKLQN DERXW WKLV LVVXH ´

³<HV \RX FDQ QHYHU UHDOO\ leave without being questioned E\ VHFXULW\ ´

Âł1R , GRQÂśW WKLQN WKDW VFKRRO LV that safe; it’s very easy to get in and out. If someone wanted to JHW RQ FDPSXV WKH\ FRXOG ´

Kylie Newell Freshman

Derek Hanson Sophomore

Kelly Donovan Math Teacher

Alexis del Valle Junior

Robin Paris Senior

8

LIFE

La Vista

February 8, 2013

Model United Nations teaches debaters how to dress for success BY AVA KLEIN EXECUTIVE LIFE EDITOR AND ARI HOWORTH ARTS EDITOR While many students across Mira &RVWDœV FDPSXV are familiar with WKH SXEOLF VSHDNing skills the Model United Nations class fosters, a lesser known skill that Costa MUN stresses to its members is fashLRQ 'HOHJDWHV SD\ FDUHIXO DWtention to the western business attire they VSRUW DW FRQIHUHQFHV Many Model United Nations students at Costa hold that success at comSHWLWLYH FRQIHUHQFHV is determined more by how a delegate delivers D VSHHFK WKDQ ZKDW KH RU VKH DFWXDOO\ VD\V .HHSing this in mind, many GHOHJDWHV VWUHVV WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI DSSHDOLQJ WR WKH LQWULFDFLHV RI IRUPDO GUHVV ³'UHVVLQJ XS IRU WKH FRQIHUHQFHV LV H[WUHPHO\ H[FLWLQJ HVSHFLDOO\ EHFDXVH , W\SLFDOO\ WHQG WR ZHDU FORWKHV that are much more rugged than western business attire to VFKRRO ´ &R 6HFUHWDU\ *HQHUDO

VHQLRU %UDG\ &XUUH\ VDLG Âł3OXV , SHUVRQDOO\ FDQÂśW WDNH GHOHJDWHV seriously if they’re not even able to dress themselves; it ZLQGV XS DV ERWK HQMR\DEOH DQG HQWLUHO\ QHFHVVDU\ ´ Western business attire for boys consists of a collared shirt, slacks RU GUHVV SDQWV a tie and dress VKRHV 7KHUH DUH many variations WR WKLV RXWÂżW most commonly with the addiWLRQ RI D MDFNHW RU VSRUWV FRDW but nearly all conferences UHTXLUH WKLV IRUPDO ZHDU %HOWV DUH DOVR PDQGDWRU\ “Honestly, a EOD]HU RU VSRUW coat is utterly essential to a delegate’s swag in comPLWWHH ´ &XUUH\ VDLG Âł,W makes the delHJDWH DSSHDU SROLVKHG DQG classy without being overWKH WRS ´ Senior J a c k

Rosenberg won the informal Âł%HVW 'UHVVHG´ DZDUG DW last year’s end-of-the-year &RVWD 081 EDQTXHW $ teacher’s assistant for the ,QWURGXFWLRQ WR 081 FODVV DQG D IUHTXHQW DWtendee of travel conferences, RosenEHUJÂśV H[WHQVLYH H [ S H U L H Q F H GUHVVLQJ XS for conferences has affected his stylistic choices outside of FRPPLWWHH Âł 7 K H wardrobe , EULQJ WR conferHQFHV GHÂżQLWHO\ ÂżOWHUV LQWR ZKDW , wear to school QRZ ´ 5RVHQEHUJ VDLG Âł)RU H[DPSOH , KDYH started to wear IRUPDO SHDFRDWV WR VFKRRO SDLUHG with semi-formal ORDIHUV ´ Adding to &XUUH\ÂśV VWLSXlations, Rosenberg holds that choosing the

DANNY KELLEHER/ LA VISTA

SUIT UP: Senior Jack Rosenberg (above) won the “Best Dressed� award at Costa’s end-of-the-year Model UN banquet last year.

SURSHU DFFHVVRULHV WR ZHDU WR FRQIHUHQFHV LV MXVW as essential to lookLQJ SURIHVVLRQDO DV the main garments ZRUQ “Choosing the right tie is absolutely key because it sets the tone RI WKH RXWÂżW and who you DUH ´ 5RVHQEHUJ VDLG “A bright color says that you are here to comSHWH DQG D cool design makes you come off as more of a fun GHOHJDWH ´ 7 K R X J K WKHLU RSWLRQV are less narrow in VFRSH 081 JLUOV DOVR SODFH JUHDW YDOue on the attire they VSRUW 7KH\ W\SLFDOO\ RSW IRU EULJKW FRORUHG EORXVHV SDLUHG ZLWK NQHH OHQJWK SHQFLO VNLUWV RU VODFNV &R 6HFUHWDU\ *HQHUDO 7D\lor Lewis also greatly YDOXHV WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI GUHVVLQJ DSSURSULDWHO\ IRU FRQIHUHQFHV Âł0RGHVW\ LV NH\ ´ /HZLV VDLG Âł7KH SHUIHFW RXWÂżW IRU D FRQference is the one that says to the committee that you are there to talk business, but you

KDYH D IXQ VLGH WR \RX DV ZHOO 3HUVRQDOO\ , UHDOO\ OLNH WR ZHDU EROG WRSV XVXDOO\ GDUN EOXH EHFDXVH D VWURQJ FRORU GHÂżQLWHO\ PDNHV D VWDWHPHQW ´ ,Q RUGHU WR ORRN FRPPLWWHH ready, both girls and boys make VXUH WKHLU KDLU LV Âż[HG DQG UHDG\ Âł3URSHU KDLU VW\OLQJ LV YHU\ LPSRUWDQW IRU WKH FRQIHUHQFHV ´ 7UXVFRWW VDLG Âł,I D GHOHJDWHÂśV hair is all over their face, it sends a negative message to the other FRPPLWWHH PHPEHUV , ZHDU P\ KDLU LQ D SRQ\ WDLO EHFDXVH LW ORRNV HOHJDQW DQG VOHHN ´ 7KHUH DUH RI FRXUVH FORWKLQJ items and combinations that delegates should avoid when dressLQJ IRU FRPPLWWHH 7KH FRORU RI a delegate’s shoes must match WKH FRORU RI WKHLU VRFNV &ODVKLQJ SDWWHUQV DWWUDFW QHJDWLYH DWWHQWLRQ DQG ORRN XQSURIHVVLRQDO Âł:KHQ D ER\ ZHDUV VXVSHQGHUV with a belt, he looks like an abVROXWH JRRQ ´ 0DULQH VDLG Âł,I KH wears those two items together, it looks as though he is wearing a harness, which is obviously IURZQHG XSRQ ´ For many Costa MUN delHJDWHV GUHVVLQJ XS IRU FRQIHUHQFHV DQG JHWWLQJ DFTXDLQWHG ZLWK western business attire becomes a FRQWDJLRXV QHFHVVLW\ Âł:KHQ , VHH DGXOWV ZKR FDQQRW HYHQ SXW WKHLU WLH LQ D KDOI windsor, or can’t even iron their FORWKHV , MXVW JHW NLQG RI XQFRPfortable around them to be honHVW ´ VRSKRPRUH GHEDWHU $DURQ &KHOOLDK VDLG Danny Kelleher contributed to this story.

Costa physics teacher Jonathan Lewis takes educating to another dimension BY ALEC LAUTANEN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Not all teachers start off their lives knowing they want instruct students, but the ones that sudGHQO\ ÂżQG D SDVVLRQ IRU WKH MRE DUH RIWHQ MXVW DV FDULQJ DQG LQYROYHG &RVWDÂśV VROH DGYDQFHG SK\VLFV teacher, Jonathan Lewis, is one of these individuals, and his serious GHGLFDWLRQ WR SK\VLFV DQG HGXFDWLRQ UXQV GHHS Lewis didn’t start off his life ZLWK WKH GULYH WR HGXFDWH %RUQ in the United Kingdom, Lewis moved to Los Angeles at the age of three after his father became an DHURVSDFH HQJLQHHU 7KH FLUFXPstances of his childhood seemed WR GLFWDWH D MRE LQ WKH HQJLQHHULQJ ÂżHOG D SURIHVVLRQ KH SXUVXHG WKURXJK FROOHJH “My grandfather was a construction foreman, so when we SXUFKDVHG RXU ÂżUVW KRXVH ZH SRXUHG DOO RXU RZQ FRQFUHWH ZH built all our own walls, we made RXU RZQ SDWLRV ´ /HZLV VDLG “Anything that was electro-meFKDQLFDO ZH MXVW GLG LW , GRQÂśW think we ever had a workman in RXU KRXVH MXVW EHFDXVH ÂľZK\"ϫ $V KLV FKLOGKRRG SURJUHVVHG Lewis was eventually introduced to more and more engineeringUHODWHG WRSLFV DQG KLV LQWHUHVW LQ WKH ÂżHOG JUHZ Âł:KHQ , ZDV , JRW P\ ÂżUVW FDU ´ /HZLV VDLG Âł,W ZDV RULJLQDO-

O\ D FUDVKHG FDU EXW , ¿[HG LW XS ZKLFK PDGH LW IXQFWLRQ ´ ,Q WKH FODVVURRP /HZLV RIten stresses common mechanical VHQVH DORQJVLGH WUDGLWLRQDO SK\VLFV NQRZOHGJH (DUO\ LQ WKH \HDU students are tested on visually estimating measurements using VFLHQWL¿F WRROV OLNH LQFOLQRPHWHUV DQG SURSHU JUDSKLQJ WHFKQLTXHV ³%HFDXVH P\ IDWKHU ZDV DQ HQJLQHHU JURZLQJ XS ZH DOZD\V KDG a garage full of tools and mechanLFDO SURMHFWV ´ /HZLV VDLG ³, ZDV always working on boats; we did DOO RXU RZQ DXWRPRWLYH ZRUN , MXVW JUHZ XS ZRUNLQJ ZLWK WRROV ´ Although admittedly not the best student in high school, Lewis VHWWOHG RQ HQJLQHHULQJ DQG DSSOLHG WR 8&/$œV 6FKRRO RI (QJLQHHULQJ $IWHU EHLQJ UHMHFWHG IURP WKH engineering school, he enrolled in UCLA as an undeclared underJUDGXDWH VWXGHQW ³, ZHQW LQ XQGHFODUHG WR 8&/$ DQG DIWHU MXVW D FRXSOH FODVVHV , ZDV UHDOO\ LQWHUHVWHG LQ WKH SK\VLFV FRXUVHV , ZDV WDNLQJ VR , EHFDPH D SK\VLFV PDMRU ´ /HZLV VDLG ³7KHUH ZDV VWLOO D FKDQFH , ZDV JRLQJ WR HQG XS JRLQJ LQWR HQJLQHHULQJ WKRXJK ³ Unfortunately for Lewis (who JUDGXDWHG LQ HQJLQHHULQJ MRE SURVSHFWV ZHUH GLVPDO DIWHU WKH &ROG :DU FDPH WR DQ HQG 8SRQ JUDGXDWLRQ /HZLV VWXPEOHG LQWR WKH WHDFKLQJ SURIHVVLRQ E\ FKDQFH

MUNAM WASI/ LA VISTA

WATT COULD BE BETTER?: After graduating from UCLA in 1988 with a major in physics, Costa physics teacher Jonathan Lewis discovered his passion was educating. He currently teaches both Advanced Placement, Honors and College Prep physics at Mira Costa. “My roommate was interviewLQJ IRU DQ /$86' WHDFKLQJ MRE DQG QHHGHG D ULGH ´ /HZLV VDLG Âł, MXVW WRRN D ULGH DQG ZHQW GRZQWRZQ , LQWHUYLHZHG MXVW IRU WKH hell of it, and they hired me on WKH VSRW ´ /HZLVÂś ÂżUVW MRE ZDV WHDFKLQJ highly gifted students at North +ROO\ZRRG +LJK 6FKRRO :KLOH an instructor there, Lewis also coached the football team for WKUHH \HDUV After bouncing back and forth between a handful of other VFKRROV DQG VXPPHU SURJUDPV

Lewis arrived at Mira Costa where he’s been for the last seven \HDUV WHDFKLQJ FROOHJH SUHSDUDtory, honors and Advanced PlacePHQW SK\VLFV Âł, OLNH WKH VFKRRO KHUH ´ /HZLV VDLG Âł7KH 376$ DQG WKH (G )RXQGDWLRQ KDYH EHHQ UHDOO\ VXSSRUWLYH RI ZKDW , KDYH EHHQ WU\LQJ WR GR DW &RVWD ´ /HZLV VDLG Âł:KHQ , ÂżUVW JRW KHUH WKH ODE ZDV DQWLTXDWHG DQG ZH GLGQÂśW KDYH PRGHUQ ODE HTXLSPHQW ´ ,Q KLV FODVVHV /HZLV VWULYHV WR SURYLGH FRQFUHWH UHDO ZRUOG H[DPSOHV RI SK\VLFV FRQFHSWV WR

students through numerous labs DQG GHPRQVWUDWLRQV )RU H[DPSOH Lewis teaches free fall by throwing tennis balls off Waller Stadium and circular motion through demonstrations with his homeEXLOW KRYHUFUDIW Âł, FDQÂśW VD\ HQRXJK KRZ PXFK , DSSUHFLDWH HYHU\WKLQJ ZH GR LQ RXU FODVV ´ VHQLRU $3 3K\VLFV VWXGHQW %UDG\ &XUUH\ VDLG Âł,WÂśV UHDOO\ QLFH WR KDYH VXFK KHOSIXO YLVXDO H[DPSOHV RI WKH WKLQJV ZHÂśUH OHDUQLQJ HVSHFLDOO\ ZLWK D VXEMHFW WKDWÂśV VR FRQFHSWXDO DW WLPHV ´ 2XWVLGH RI SK\VLFV FODVVHV Lewis has also taken on the role of coaching students at annual 1RUWKUXS *UXPPDQ HQJLQHHULQJ FKDOOHQJHV /DVW \HDU /HZLVÂś WHDP WRRN ÂżUVW SODFH ZLWK DQ DXWRPDWLFDOO\ GHSOR\DEOH VXQVKDGH PHDQW IRU VSDFHFUDIW 7KLV \HDU WKH JRDO LV WR SURJUDP DQ DXWRQRPRXV URERW WR QDYLJDWH D ÂżHOG RI YDULRXV REVWDFOHV Students also know Lewis as an DYLG IDQ RI WKH RXWGRRUV :KHWKer it’s running, biking or hiking, /HZLVÂś DIÂżQLW\ IRU WKH QDWXUDO ZRUOG ZLOO H[WHQG WR KLV VWXGHQWV this May in the form of a four-day WULS WR =LRQ 1DWLRQDO 3DUN Âł, WKRXJKW , ZDV RQO\ JRLQJ WR teach for a year or two and go GR VRPHWKLQJ HOVH EXW , UHDOO\ HQMR\HG WHDFKLQJ ´ /HZLV VDLG Âł7HDFKLQJ JLYHV PH D FRPELQDWLRQ RI RSWLPDO WKLQJV , UHDOO\ ORYH LW ´

February 8, 2013

LIFE

La Vista

9

Students plan to channel their inner gladiator in ASB vs. La Vista Games real life,â€? senior and La Vista Editor-in-Chief Alec Lautanen said. Former ASB President TraFriendly rivalries throughout vis Taylor and former La Vista school organizations are common Editor-in-Chiefs Kyle Allen and at Mira Costa. Rarely, though, are Zack Rosenfeld started the “ASB LISA VALICENTE/ LA VISTA they actually settled with friendly vs. La Vista Winter Gamesâ€? after the rivalry between the two WHERE ART THOU, SIEKER?: English teacher Diana Sieker will teach an eight-week poetry class to fourth grade stu- competition. dents who are currently enrolled in the Gifted and Talented Education program this April at Mira Costa. Students from rival Mira Costa groups became vicious. This year, organizations Associated Student Editor-in-Chief Danny Kelleher, Body and La Vista will compete Arts Editor Dylan Fair and ASB during the week of Feb. 25 in the member Ben Sands organized the second annual “ASB vs. La Vista events. BY RISHA ROHERA gram also take the Otis-Lennon Executive Director of Education- Winter Games.â€? The intense ri“The Winter Games are a great THEME EDITOR School Ability Test in the third al Services Carolyn Seaton said. valry between ASB and La Vista way to boost student morale grade. According to past GATE “The enrichment classes provide has escalated dramatically within while coming together as one This April, young and talented members, this year’s new poetry GATE students with a great op- the past two years, after La Vista XQLÂżHG VFKRRO ´ VRSKRPRUH $6% elementary school minds will class will give current GATE par- portunity to study topics [in the repeatedly insulted ASB events. member Roxy Vabrey said. have the opportunity to open the ticipants a more well-rounded GATE curriculum] in more depth ASB was O n e “The Winter Games are a great the overall gate to creativity and knowledge education, especially because the and shine as students.â€? game of way to boost student morale through poetry. program has previously focussed Elementary school adminis- Capture winner in the Advanced Placement Eng- on only math and science. trations are optimistic about this the Flag, while coming together as one uni- games last lish and ‘80s Literature seminar Âł, WKLQN *$7( ZDV D EHQHÂżFLDO new poetry class. According to t w o year. Although fied school.â€? teacher Diana Sieker will teach experience,â€? sophomore and for- Pennekamp Elementary School r o u n d s ASB won the a poetry enrichment program to mer GATE student Remi Dayton Principal Debbie Mabry, if the of Scholdodgeball and Roxy Vabrey fourth-grade students who are a said. “It would’ve been even bet- students can engage in poetry and ar Quiz Capture the Sophomore ASB member part of the Gifted and Talented ter if we were taught to examine develop new ideas, then the class and three Flag events Education Program beginning poetry as well as science.â€? is worthwhile. last year, La games of this April. At the end of the eightFour years ago, the district “I have no doubt that Ms. Siek- dodgeball will be held throughout Vista defeated ASB in Scholar week program, students will have created a “cluster groupingâ€? for er’s class will be popular with the week of the Games. Quiz with a score of 185-70. explored a variety of different GATE students, in which students the GATE students,â€? Seaton said. “We plan on keeping our title “I am most excited for the poetry and will be able use their LGHQWLÂżHG DV JLIWHG DQG WDOHQWHG “It’s exciting for students to have Dodgeball event because that DV FKDPSV DQG ÂżJKWLQJ XQWLO WKH knowledge to compose their own were put into one class annually the opportunity to learn from such tends to be the most competitive end,â€? junior ASB member Saoriginal poems. DQG WDXJKW E\ D *$7( FHUWLÂżHG a talented teacher.â€? game,â€? ASB member Michael mantha Pulido said. “I love the idea of having a instructor. Several months after Sieker is still creating the of- Whinfrey said. Despite the tension between class that’s only focusing on cel- the GATE program was created, ÂżFLDO FXUULFXOXP IRU WKH SRHWU\ Both ASB and La Vista are the two rival organizations, the ebrating poetry, language and the enrichment courses for these stu- classes. The elementary school highly motivated to win this Games are used to build school written word,â€? Sieker said. “I’m dents were implemented. students who enroll in the program year’s games and will do what VSLULW WKURXJK ÂżHUFH FRPSHWLWLRQ really excited to work with talent“I wanted to add the after-school will begin the class in April. “I want this,â€? Kelleher said. ever it takes to be deemed ultied and gifted minds who are only courses as an option for GATE “It’ll be a fun challenge and an mate champions. “This year we’re going hit ASB nine and 10 years old.â€? students to have time with other exciting way to connect with fu“After the informal rivalry be- where it hurts. Their egos will be Students who take the exam to *$7( LGHQWLÂżHG SHHUV ´ 0DQKDW- ture students I might have some- tween ASB and La Vista, it’s great dropping, though I’m not sure it be admitted into the GATE pro- WDQ %HDFK 8QLÂżHG 6FKRRO 'LVWULFW day,â€? Sieker said. to see the two groups compete in will be quite like a yacht.â€? BY TAYLOR ST. GERMAIN NEWS EDITOR

Sieker shares passion for poetry with GATE students

Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission fosters creative and vibrant local color BY COURTNEY HUGHEY STAFF WRITER

and Lajos Heder, who have had multiple public art installations throughout the country, were Out of all Manhattan Beach chosen by the Commission in City organizations, only one em- November out of 160 qualifying phasizes the importance of artistic submissions. The piece is nearly expression through public art. 15-feet tall, made out of stainless The Cultural Arts Commission steel and glass. was formed several years ago “We have a database of names at the request of the Manhattan that we have chosen in the past Beach City Council in the hope and from people who referred that the commission would come them to us, and we got a lot of up with unique ideas for commu- names from the San Diego Waternity art displays. Front Project [a local San Diego “Most of the things we do, in- art program] for potential artcluding the pieces of art we choose ists,â€? Humbarger said. to publicly feature in Manhattan The Centennial art piece, titled Beach, have to be approved by the “Light Gate,â€? will be the largCity Council,â€? Arts Commission est permanent piece of art in the member Nancy Humbarger said. history of Manhattan Beach. The “The process for choosing artists display that Haries and Heders and approving art is a multi-step created costs nearly $150,000 and operation will be funded that usu“We are constantly looking by the Pubally takes a for ways to expand the com- lic Art Trust long time to fund, which munity’s opportunity for ÂżQDOO\ DSwas started exposure to quality art in dif- ÂżYH \HDUV DJR prove.â€? T h e by Manhattan ferent modalities.â€? Manhattan Beach Mayor Beach CenWayne Powell tennial art and receives Russell Samuels piece, which public and priwill be put Cultural Arts Commission vate donations. on display “It took six member on 14th months to go street between the City Hall and through the entire process of the new public library, is the most choosing the artists and getting recent project the Cultural Arts the art piece approved by the Commission has been working city council, which happened last on. The two artists, Mags Harries December,â€? Cultural Arts Com-

EMMA SALZMAN/ LA VISTA

SCULPTING A CREATIVE VISION: The Manhattan Beach Cultural Art Commission created the Sculpture Garden (above) three years ago. The Garden is located within the central area between the downtown Manhattan Beach Police Station and Library. Pieces including “Tropic Birdsâ€? and “Spirit of the Windâ€? are currently on display in the Garden. mission member James Gill said. “This was by far the biggest project that we’ve done.â€? Nearly three years ago, the Cultural Arts Commission organized the Sculpture Garden in the Civic Center, which is the quad area in the center of the Manhattan Beach Library and Police Station. The commission chooses new pieces to place in the Sculpture Garden every year. “It’s great to have the art pieces in visual proximity to each other in the Sculpture Garden because WKHQ \RX FDQ VHH ÂżYH WR VHYHQ pieces in a short time frame,â€? Humbarger said. The Sculpture Garden was derived from a newly instated program in Manhattan Beach called the Manhattan Beach Temporary

Art in Public Places Program. This program loans the Commission art for several months, while the artist is given a stipend depending on the price of each piece. The artwork that is currently on display in the Sculpture Garden is composed by various artists. The pieces include “Spirit of the Wind,� “Tropic Birds,� “Tree Hugger� and “Not a Step.� “All the art from the program is usually displayed in the civic center, where it would be most visible to the public,� Powell said. “This is a great way to expose the community to great works of art and to beautify the city as well.� The Cultural Arts Commission is currently interested in bringing a travelling art display of newly recovered photos of Los Angeles

found in the L.A. Public Library archives. World-renowned American photographer Ansel Adams took the pictures and donated them to the L.A. Public Library during the 1960s. “Photography isn’t usually an art medium we display, so bringing Ansel Adams’ photography is a great idea,� Cultural Arts Commission member Russell Samuels said. “We are constantly looking for ways to expand the community’s exposure to quality art.� The Commission’s goal is to enrich the local community through public art displays and art educational programs. “We want to encourage and support all kinds of artistic expression with all Manhattan Beach residents,� Samuels said.

s r e e r Ca a t s o C r e t f A %")859&4(:+(/)/*4/(*&-&99.(/$5(1&6"6(/*4($5!2/($"2&$/;02&)&(&450"$!

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No

16.3%

No 83.7%

Not taking any extracurriculars

18.6%

43.3%

40%

Yes

56.7%

Yes

41.4%

Yes

Business-related Majors

No

Do you think that your potential income will play a large part in your future decisions on career paths?

Are you currently in any classes at Costa that appeal to academic interests you want to pursue later in life?

Students at Mira Costa are using hands-on vocational activities as well as guidance from the College and Career Center to become the most qualified candidates for future college majors and job opportunities. “I think Naviance is a great way to get an early head start “My plan for now is to major in international relations, on the college search, especially for sophomores because the which is kind of like a real-world Model UN,� Co-MUN earlier you start the better,� sophomore Sameeha Jilani said. Secretary-General senior Taylor Lewis said. “Model UN has The personal section in Naviance hosts the student’s grade completely opened my eyes to the global issues plaguing our point average and test scores, which are updated each semes- world, and by majoring in international relations, I hope to be ter. A personal survey on the site asks the students about ca- able to contribute to the solutions to those world problems.� reer interests and gives a list of careers that correlates directly with students’ personalities. “The broadcast journalism program at Costa has really helped me When the students go back during their junior realize what I want in a future career.� year to the CCC, the focus shifts to the college component. The CCC helps narrow down the Senior Emma Jean Bedford college list from large campuses to small campuses, to a private school or a public school, to the school’s Broadcast journalism is the class behind the acclaimed Muslocation and so on. tang Morning News. The class, taught by Michael Hernandez, During senior year, after students have gathered all of their consists of learning skills such as news writing and research, test scores, the CCC helps students tweak their college list ac- videography, editing, web-design and sound recording. cording to what they would like to do after high school. The “The broadcast journalism program at Costa has really CCC explains the process and helps the students orga- helped me realize what I want in a future career in journal“I think Naviance is a great way to get an early head start on the nize components required to apply. ism,� senior Emma Jean Bedford said. “The CCC helped me this year by laying out steps I college search, especially for sophomores since the earlier you For some students, Costa does not offer electives that dineeded to take to apply to college and with letters of rectly correlate to their prospective majors. Thanks to the outstart the better.� recommendation� senior Montana Hunter said. side organization Southern California Regional Occupational Sophomore Sameeha Jilani The CCC is not the only facility students use to guide Center, students are able to work in a unique hands-on class, As freshmen, students meet in the CCC to become familiar- their career paths. Costa also offers a variety of co-curriculars which is worth the time commitment after school. ized with the requirements needed to graduate high school that help prepare students for majors and jobs in almost every “I took aerospace engineering from 2010-2012,� senior Trfield of study. and get into college and make a four-year plan.The counselishen Patel said. “It introduced me to the basics of engineering “The wide variety of electives offered at Mira Costa allows ors give a presentation on the differences between high school and influenced my [potential] career choice for the future.� graduation requirements and college entrance requirements, for students to gain a large scope of knowledge,� junior Sydney Through these various extracurriculars and the services of Walley said. “I believe that by participating in these elective such as the A-G courses for University of California Schools. the CCC, Costa students are able to succeed in finding a suit“The four-year plan helped put things into perspective,� courses, students create a good foundation of understanding able path to pursue their career choices. Students learn how to freshman Priya Chatwani said. “It heightened my awareness within a field they may pursue in the future.� keep track of their plans for the future by using the accessible Model United Nations is an extracurricular in which stuof all that Costa has to offer.� facilities available to them at Costa. During sophomore year, students have another meeting dents debate issues by acting as United Nations delegates and “Costa can help prepare and guide you to reaching a goal reproducing UN committees. Costa’s MUN team is nationally with the CCC in the library. They go over different communiin a way that is above and beyond the standard,� junior Haty service and outreach opportunities and begin using a stu- ranked and often sparks a future career in subjects such as ley Braun said. “They insure that you have all the confidence, international relations. dent resource website called Naviance. tools and experience to excel in your desired field.� Schools across the country generally have one goal in mind: educating the next generation. Through the College and Career Center and the wide variety of extracurriculars at Costa, students are learning new tips on searching for careers. At Mira Costa, CCC counselors Katherine Folkman and Gail Currey are available to each and every student through all four years of high school so that they can help students choose courses for each year and plan for the future. There are a variety of different avenues to get an education for a career. Students can choose to go to a four-year college, take courses at Southern California Regional Occupational Center or go to a community college and take career-certified courses. Students who want to pursue a job right out of high school are given advice from the counselors as well. “I believe the CCC helps students as much as they need,� senior Maurice Welch said. “I genuinely feel [the counselors] care and want all students to succeed.�

Math & Engineering Math & Engineering Fine & 9.3% Performing Social Science 8.4% 20.4% Arts 7.9% Humanities 22.8% 31.2%

Are you involved in a school-based extracurricular that you believe is helping prepare you for those same interests?

Physical Science

Of all the following fields of study, which are you most interested in pursuing as a career in the future? *Based on a survey of 215 Costa Students of all grades

Top Three Popular Prospective Majors of Costa Students =>0"#$00%1?@3256

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Do you think Costa prepares students well for later careers?

“Yes, because there are a lot of different classes that can help prepare us for different careers.�

“Yes, because the classes that are offered appeal to very diverse interests.�

“Yes, because [Mira Costa] is a great school, and it’s academically rigorous.�

“Yes, because the classes that are offered appeal to very diverse interests.�

“No, because a lot of College Preparatory classes are relatively easy.�

Freshman Raquel Gerard

Sophomore Ryan Ramey

Spanish teacher Edward Frigola

Junior Jigar Bhakta

Senior Josh Cavallo

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No

16.3%

No 83.7%

Not taking any extracurriculars

18.6%

43.3%

40%

Yes

56.7%

Yes

41.4%

Yes

Business-related Majors

No

Do you think that your potential income will play a large part in your future decisions on career paths?

Are you currently in any classes at Costa that appeal to academic interests you want to pursue later in life?

Students at Mira Costa are using hands-on vocational activities as well as guidance from the College and Career Center to become the most qualified candidates for future college majors and job opportunities. “I think Naviance is a great way to get an early head start “My plan for now is to major in international relations, on the college search, especially for sophomores because the which is kind of like a real-world Model UN,� Co-MUN earlier you start the better,� sophomore Sameeha Jilani said. Secretary-General senior Taylor Lewis said. “Model UN has The personal section in Naviance hosts the student’s grade completely opened my eyes to the global issues plaguing our point average and test scores, which are updated each semes- world, and by majoring in international relations, I hope to be ter. A personal survey on the site asks the students about ca- able to contribute to the solutions to those world problems.� reer interests and gives a list of careers that correlates directly with students’ personalities. “The broadcast journalism program at Costa has really helped me When the students go back during their junior realize what I want in a future career.� year to the CCC, the focus shifts to the college component. The CCC helps narrow down the Senior Emma Jean Bedford college list from large campuses to small campuses, to a private school or a public school, to the school’s Broadcast journalism is the class behind the acclaimed Muslocation and so on. tang Morning News. The class, taught by Michael Hernandez, During senior year, after students have gathered all of their consists of learning skills such as news writing and research, test scores, the CCC helps students tweak their college list ac- videography, editing, web-design and sound recording. cording to what they would like to do after high school. The “The broadcast journalism program at Costa has really CCC explains the process and helps the students orga- helped me realize what I want in a future career in journal“I think Naviance is a great way to get an early head start on the nize components required to apply. ism,� senior Emma Jean Bedford said. “The CCC helped me this year by laying out steps I college search, especially for sophomores since the earlier you For some students, Costa does not offer electives that dineeded to take to apply to college and with letters of rectly correlate to their prospective majors. Thanks to the outstart the better.� recommendation� senior Montana Hunter said. side organization Southern California Regional Occupational Sophomore Sameeha Jilani The CCC is not the only facility students use to guide Center, students are able to work in a unique hands-on class, As freshmen, students meet in the CCC to become familiar- their career paths. Costa also offers a variety of co-curriculars which is worth the time commitment after school. ized with the requirements needed to graduate high school that help prepare students for majors and jobs in almost every “I took aerospace engineering from 2010-2012,� senior Trfield of study. and get into college and make a four-year plan.The counselishen Patel said. “It introduced me to the basics of engineering “The wide variety of electives offered at Mira Costa allows ors give a presentation on the differences between high school and influenced my [potential] career choice for the future.� graduation requirements and college entrance requirements, for students to gain a large scope of knowledge,� junior Sydney Through these various extracurriculars and the services of Walley said. “I believe that by participating in these elective such as the A-G courses for University of California Schools. the CCC, Costa students are able to succeed in finding a suit“The four-year plan helped put things into perspective,� courses, students create a good foundation of understanding able path to pursue their career choices. Students learn how to freshman Priya Chatwani said. “It heightened my awareness within a field they may pursue in the future.� keep track of their plans for the future by using the accessible Model United Nations is an extracurricular in which stuof all that Costa has to offer.� facilities available to them at Costa. During sophomore year, students have another meeting dents debate issues by acting as United Nations delegates and “Costa can help prepare and guide you to reaching a goal reproducing UN committees. Costa’s MUN team is nationally with the CCC in the library. They go over different communiin a way that is above and beyond the standard,� junior Haty service and outreach opportunities and begin using a stu- ranked and often sparks a future career in subjects such as ley Braun said. “They insure that you have all the confidence, international relations. dent resource website called Naviance. tools and experience to excel in your desired field.� Schools across the country generally have one goal in mind: educating the next generation. Through the College and Career Center and the wide variety of extracurriculars at Costa, students are learning new tips on searching for careers. At Mira Costa, CCC counselors Katherine Folkman and Gail Currey are available to each and every student through all four years of high school so that they can help students choose courses for each year and plan for the future. There are a variety of different avenues to get an education for a career. Students can choose to go to a four-year college, take courses at Southern California Regional Occupational Center or go to a community college and take career-certified courses. Students who want to pursue a job right out of high school are given advice from the counselors as well. “I believe the CCC helps students as much as they need,� senior Maurice Welch said. “I genuinely feel [the counselors] care and want all students to succeed.�

Math & Engineering Math & Engineering Fine & 9.3% Performing Social Science 8.4% 20.4% Arts 7.9% Humanities 22.8% 31.2%

Are you involved in a school-based extracurricular that you believe is helping prepare you for those same interests?

Physical Science

Of all the following fields of study, which are you most interested in pursuing as a career in the future? *Based on a survey of 215 Costa Students of all grades

Top Three Popular Prospective Majors of Costa Students =>0"#$00%1?@3256

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Do you think Costa prepares students well for later careers?

“Yes, because there are a lot of different classes that can help prepare us for different careers.�

“Yes, because the classes that are offered appeal to very diverse interests.�

“Yes, because [Mira Costa] is a great school, and it’s academically rigorous.�

“Yes, because the classes that are offered appeal to very diverse interests.�

“No, because a lot of College Preparatory classes are relatively easy.�

Freshman Raquel Gerard

Sophomore Ryan Ramey

Spanish teacher Edward Frigola

Junior Jigar Bhakta

Senior Josh Cavallo

February 8, 2013 LIFE 12 La Vista Senior Taylor Howat ignites the audience through fervent passion for poetry

Howat is victorious in the 2013 Mira Costa Poetry Out Loud competition for the second-year in a row BY AVA KLEIN EXECUTIVE LIFE EDITOR As senior Taylor Howat ascends toward the microphone, she captivates the entire drama room. 2QFH VKH ÂżQDOO\ UHDFKHV WKH PLcrophone after what seems like an arduous trek, Howat looks like a natural; she knows it is once again her time to shine. Howat won the second annual schoolwide Poetry Out Loud competition on Jan. 17 in the Mira Costa drama room. For this competition, each of the 27 participants was required to memorize and recite two poems. She was victorious for the second year in a row, and according to attendees, her performance was riveting. “Taylor’s performance was incredible,â€? senior Meghan Burns said. “I was extremely impressed by how poised, composed and passionate she was on the stage. Her performance was effortless.â€? After winning the Costa competition last year with her recitation of “The Time I’ve Lost in Wooning,â€? by Thomas Moore, and “Song in a Minor Key,â€? by Dorothy Parker, Taylor was even more inspired to improve upon her previous performance. “Last year, everything just lined up, and it was so great,â€? Howat said. “I was surprised when they FDOOHG PH ZKHQ , ÂżQDOO\ ZRQ ,

MIRA LAING/ LA VISTA

SOMETHING GOLD CAN STAY: Mira Costa senior Taylor Howat won the Costa Poetry Out Loud competition for the second year in a row. She performed the poems “Ego,â€? by Denise Duhamel and “Testimonial,â€? by Rita Dove in the drama room on Jan. 17. had accomplished what I set out to do.â€? Howat’s passion for poetry began when she became a member, DQG ODWHU WKH SUHVLGHQW RI 5HĂ€HFtions Club. The club creates a literary journal composed of short stories and poems every year. The club’s advisor, English teacher Shannon Vaughan, suggested that Howat participate in the competition last year. Âł0V 9DXJKDQ ZDV UHDOO\ LQĂ€Xential in my participation in the competition,â€? Howat said. “She told me that I should participate because it was a new competition. She thought that I had a very good chance at doing well.â€?

This year, Howat performed recitations of “Ego,� by Denise Duhamel and “Testimonial,� by Rita Dove. According to Howat, it took countless hours of preparation and determination to become comfortable on stage and to recite her poems with ease. “It took several days to memorize [the poems] completely,� Howat said. “I would practice them in my room or in the kitchen, before I went to bed, or even in the shower.� Despite her previous win, Howat wanted to maintain a level head throughout the competition. She made sure to not underestimate the competition’s potential

contestants. “This year I didn’t want to assume that I would win again,â€? Howat said. “I felt that maybe the judges wouldn’t pick me again. But I recited the poems that night, and it all sort of fell into place.â€? According to Poetry Out Loud coordinator and English teacher Diana Sieker, Howat’s performance was astounding. “She gave an impeccable performance that was natural and genuine,â€? Sieker said. “Her delivery a was effective. She did a fantastic job at embodying the poem.â€? Not only did the competition aid Howat in becoming a stronger individual, but it also improved her public speaking skills. According to Howat, the skills she attained through her experiences in Poetry Out Loud have helped KHU JDLQ WKH FRQÂżGHQFH WR MRLQ WKH ComedySportz team this year. “Performing in the competition has made me more comfortable with being in front of an audience,â€? Howat said. “It has given PH WKH FRQÂżGHQFH DQG GULYH WR win these past two times.â€? After she won the school competition last year, Howat went on to compete at the county level. According to Howat, this second round of competition differed greatly from the Costa contest. “The people at the county competition had their poems memo-

rized completely, versus the Costa competition where some contestants forgot their lines,â€? Howat said. “A lot of people either made drastic motions with their hands and body expression or made subtle movements, letting their poems have voices through them.â€? Similarly to last year, Howat moved on to the Los Angeles county competition this year as well. She competed on Wednesday at the Actors Gang Studio in Culver City. However, Howat did not win the county competition. “I did my best in the county competition this year, but it’s really just a shot in the dark for the judges,â€? Howat said. “It was a great experience, but I was a little let down.â€? According to Howat, winning the schoolwide competition was more than simply being crowned the 2013 Poetry Out Loud champion; it was a source of personal growth and inspiration. Howat did not realize how transformative her experience competing in Poetry Out Loud until her journey ZDV ÂżQDOO\ RYHU “Poetry Out Loud is something that I am weirdly good at and I really love to do,â€? Howat said. “I just think it is really fun. You gain insight into what the author was thinking and the message they were trying to convey. In a sense, you are bringing it to life.â€?

LIFE

February 8, 2013

La Vista

13

Despite Obama’s second-term win, political clubs fight to create political presence Both Young Democrats Club and Young Republicans Club make attempts to remain politically active BY DANNY KELLEHER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Political activism clubs at Mira Costa have had to make new efforts to stay politically involved after President Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term. Prior to the Obama’s win, the main political clubs on campus focused primarily on the national election. According to members of both Young Democrats Club and Young Republicans Club, attendance at meetings almost always peaks in the months prior to presidential elections. “In my freshman year before the 2008 presidential election, [Bill] Fauver’s room would literally be packed,â€? former Young Democrats Club President and Costa alumnus Michael Powell said. “It was always a struggle to ÂżJXUH RXW ZKDW WR GR DIWHU ´ In Young Democrats Club, presidents senior Adam Gerard and junior Joe Marine have decided to go in a direction of local advocacy and city politics in order to maintain the club’s relatively high attendance levels. Âł:H DUH GHÂżQLWHO\ IRFXVLQJ RQ local politics,â€? Gerard said. “It’s important to stay involved in the community Manhattan Beach City Council elections, along

LISA VALICENTE/ LA VISTA

REAL POLITIKIN: Young Democrats Club presidents senior Adam Gerard and junior Joe Marine (left) and vice president junior Hannah Daly (middle left) decided to alter their focus from national to local Manhattan Beach politics. In doing so, Gerard and Marine hope the Young Democrats Club can lend a hand and become involved in Manhattan Beach City Council and School Board elections. Similarly, Young Republicans Club Co-President Morgan Thaler (right) is currently deciding where to direct the funds the club has raised this year and last year. Thaler hopes to maintain the club’s attendance level by recruiting new members. with [School] Board candidate endorsements. These elections are great ways for us to be involved.� Young Republicans Club is currently looking for different ways to remain active and involved in both the Mira Costa and Manhattan Beach communities. Club presidents seniors Nick Jones and Morgan Thaler are currently deciding on which direction to take

their on-campus club. Âł:H DUH WU\LQJ WR ÂżJXUH RXW what we want to spend our money on because we have raised so much,â€? Thaler said. “We are having some trouble deciding which political avenue we want to donate to, but this is what the club is planning on discussing within the next couple weeks.â€? Thaler and Gerard both acknowledge that there has been a

dip in club attendance since the November elections. “We have a core of around 10 members who consistently come, EXW EHVLGHV WKDW LW UHDOO\ Ă€XFWXDWHV by week nowadays,â€? Thaler said. This past October, the two clubs co-hosted a lunch debate centered around the November presidential election in the auditorium. Roughly 200 students attended. Both clubs, although there was

no declared winner, felt the event was an extreme success. 2IÂżFHUV IURP ERWK FOXEV DUH already planning another one of these debates for later in the school year. “I have talked to Nick [Jones], and we want to do another debate,â€? Gerard said. “We’ve thought about job creation, debt reduction and immigration for next year’s debate.â€?

Hayden broadens horizons by conducting Honor Choir BY GASSIA ASHIKIAN STAFF WRITER

MIRA LAING/ LA VISTA

BONJOUR MONSIEUR: Timothy Hirsh was hired to replace French teacher Robert Lattimore. He teaches French 1-2, French 3-4 and French 5-6.

New teacher Timothy Hirsh sheds fresh, new light on the French Department BY EMILY LOCKWOOD LIFE EDITOR Mira Costa’s teaching staff is one of the most reputable attributes of the school. However, the administration stops at no limit to improve the educators who inhabit Costa’s classrooms. Before the start of the second semester, a panel with members of the Foreign Language Department and school administration decided to hire Timothy Hirsh to replace Robert Lattimore as a Costa French teacher. “We hired Hirsh because of his background, even though he is a new teacher,� Vice Principal Jaime Mancilla said. Hirsh has a Bachelor’s degree in French and psychology from UC Davis and a Master’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin. “I was planning on getting a doctorate in French,� Hirsh said. “It was starting to take a toll on me mentally after being alone in

the library for so long. I needed to do something where I would interact with people, and teaching was the way to go.â€? Prior to being hired at Costa, Hirsh lived in France and taught students English at the middle school level. “Teaching in France was very different,â€? Hirsh said. “I mainly taught English vocabulary words to my students.â€? When Hirsh was a student teacher at Los Alamitos High School several months ago, Principal Dr. Ben Dale and Vice Principal Ian Drummond observed him at the school. “It didn’t affect me to have them watch me teach,â€? Hirsh said. “Being a good teacher is to not let unexpected situations rattle you.â€? This semester, Hirsh is teaching three levels of French: French 1-2, French 3-4, and French 5-6. “Hirsh has an enthusiastic personality and is a great teacher,â€? sophomore Erin Clifford said. Âł+H LV D JUHDW ÂżW IRU RXU FODVV ´

members from around the central region of Sacramento. Hayden had total creative control, selectAfter over 30 years of teach- ing the songs the Honors Choir ing one subject, some teachers performed. One of these was need a new and creative forum “Vita de la Mia Vita,â€? a piece to express their true passions. about unrequited love, by WilSeveral months ago, Mira Costa liam Hawley. choir instructor Michael Hayden “I chose music that covered seized the opportunity to conduct a variety of time periods and the Capitol Section High School styles,â€? Hayden said. “I selected Honor Choir in Sacramento. songs that I knew would be sucHayden has been a choral in- cessful but also challenging.â€? structor for 33 years but has only Hayden was only able to pracbeen instructing at Costa for six. tice with the choir a day before “I was a choir instructor at the the performance. According to University of Indiana, Purdue, Hayden, with such little time, it Fort Wayne and Butler Univer- was crucial for each sity,â€? Hayden said. “At those uni- choir member versities, I conducted Vocal Jazz to practice the Ensembles, Men’s and Women’s selected songs Choir and Chamber Choir.â€? on his or her Dr. Don Kendrick, director of own. choral activities from the Capi“The setol Section High School, selected lected music Hayden as the guest conductor of could not the Sacramento Honor Choir. Sev- EH WRR GLIÂżeral months ago, Kendrick attend- cult because ed a Western Division Conference it needed to where Hayden conducted one of come togethMira Costa’s choirs and was very er nicely in a impressed with Hayden’s elegant short amount conducting style. of time,â€? “I keep my eyes open for talent- Hayden said. ed conductors who I think would “But we always EH JRRG ÂżWV WR WHDFK RXU VWXGHQWV ´ put forth all our Kendrick said. “I was mostly im- effort in the mopressed with Mr. Hayden’s poise ment.â€? and elegance on stage. He really According to captivated the entire audience Hayden, it is imporduring the performance.â€? tant for singers’ developments as Hayden conducted the Sacra- young musicians to work and colPHQWR +RQRU &KRLU IRU WKH ÂżUVW laborate with different conductors time on Jan. 27 at Fremont Pres- to receive distinct critiques on byterian Church. The choir was their vocal skills. composed of 150 high school “I think it is very important for

young musicians to work with various teachers because each teacher they earn from, they will gain new insight,â€? Hayden said. The choir was not critiqued based on a numeric score. It solely performed to entertain the Sacramento community. “Honor Choirs come together for a great experience,â€? Hayden said. “It is a time for the students to show their talents and meet new people.â€? Costa choir members believe Hayden has had a positive impact on their musical development and that he deserved the opportunity to guest conduct the Sacramento Honor Choir. “I know that any choir Mr. Hayden instructs will do a great job,â€? sophomore Mckay Gillette said. “He is absolutely wonderful with the students and is always looking for ways we can improve as an ensemble and individually. He has been a great musical LQĂ€XHQFH IRU PH DQG our ensemble in general.â€? According to Hayden, conducting the Sacramento Honor &KRLU ZDV D WHUULÂżF H[perience that helped his own personal development as a MIRA LAING/ LA VISTA high school conductor. “It was a fantastic concert overall,â€? Hayden said. “The kids were amazing, and the audience loved what we performed. I couldn’t be happier with their performance.â€?

14

ARTS

La Vista

February 8. 2013

George Saunders’ new collection, “Tenth of December,” enthralls readers BY ZACK GILL COPY EDITOR “Victory Lap,” the opening story of George Saunders’ latest short story collection, “Tenth of December,” opens lucidly and audaciously. Through a lyrical, cryptic stream of consciousness, Saunders enters the mind of an adolescent girl in under 10 pages. But that’s only half of the story. Then she gets abducted by a knife-wielding man dressed as a gas meter reader. Saunders never fails to surprise. His newest collection is simultaneously haunted and human, often surrendering his signature technobabble for something more personal. In past works, Saunders dazzled with his vision of a world doomed by capitalism, and he touches on some of those themes in this collection. Saunders accomplished what few writers can; through his distinct voice he can enter the minds of others at will. Point-of-view seems to be Saunder’s key focus of observation throughout the collection. He describes the differences and similarities between all of us, and how they drive us in interaction and in life. Saunders re-uses “Victory Lap”’s narrative mode in the title story, this time examining two characters instead of three, namely, an anti-social child playing in the woods and the suicidal EUDLQ FDQFHU SDWLHQW KH ¿QGV WKHUH

COURTESY I.EBAYIMG.COM

REMEMBER REMEMBER THE TENTH OF DECEMBER: George Saunders (above) masterfully demonstrates his consistent talent with his newest short story collection, “Tenth of December.” He thoroughly explores a wide variety of different characters and perspectives that are each uniquely intriguing and relatable to the reader. Saunders is masterful with voice; in a clever authorial device, the cancer patient repeatedly minces words and corrects himself in his inner monologue, denoting the progressed stage of his illness. Saunders also focuses on socioeconomic class, as he has done repeatedly in the past. “The Semplica Girl Diaries,” one of the collection’s funniest stories, features Semplica Girls, indentured servants from the third

world (complete with anglicized names; the Somali semplica becomes “Lisa”) that the American wealthy literally hang up in their yard for decoration and that act as perfect metaphors for American entitlement and exploitation of the developing world. “Puppy” chronicles two mothers from disparate economic situations and their approaches to parenting . Still, though, Saunders’ work URRWHG ¿UPO\ ZLWKLQ KLV ZKHHO-

house is the best of the collection. Saunders’ past collections, such as “Pastoralia” and “In Persuasion Nation,” take place in skewed, dystopic mirrors of the world where capitalism drives mad science and product development are national pastimes. “Escape from Spiderhead” would feel more at home in one of those collections, then, in its portrayal of a prisoner in a facility where convicts are forced to test

cutting-edge chemicals that make inmates fall in love, speak with enhanced vocabulary, and feel agonizing pain. The story reiterates Saunders’ oeuvre, but he refrains from stealing from himself. Saunders tells largely the same story, but he has found a better way to do so, and “Escape from Spiderhead”’s conclusion is one of the most arresting in literary VKRUW ¿FWLRQ LQ TXLWH VRPH WLPH “My Chivalric Fiasco” also returns to Saunders’ past, but in a lighter manner. It tells the story of an employee of a living medieval museum (think Colonial Williamsburg, but with knights) where the actors are given pills that “enhance” their performance. In yet another inspired bit of authorial invention, after the protagonist takes his medication, the story’s prose shifts to a comical medieval dialect, and then shifts back to modern language as the medication wears off. Saunders is more magician than writer, then, in his newest collection, “Tenth of December,” an inhibitor of psychic spaces both foreign and distinctly his own. Critic Michael Silverplatt recently plodded Saunders for not having written a novel yet, but Saunders’ overwhelming brilliance might actually be too much in such a concentrated dose; it might be simply maddening. “Tenth of December” is available in bookstores and for download.

15 “Girls� continues its success with character development and clever script ARTS

February 8, 2013

La Vista

BY NIKKI BORDOKAS STAFF WRITER In season one of “Girls,â€? Lena Dunham’s character, Hannah, told her parents in the opening scene that she wanted to be the voice of a generation. With an extremely VXFFHVVIXO ÂżUVW VHDVRQ 'XQKDP also the show’s creator, is doing just that, in the real world. Four episodes in, season two looks promising. By expanding upon some of the show’s most dynamic and interesting characters while also maintaining the show’s characteristic humor and SHVVLPLVP WKH ÂżUVW HSLVRGHV KDYH successfully picked up where the last season left off. “Girlsâ€? follows the lives of a group of 20-something-year-old women as they try to begin their adulthoods in New York City. Inspired partly by 26-year-old Dunham’s real-life experiences, the HBO series has picked up a huge fan base of those who enjoy watching the confusing, dramatic and unintentionally comedic postcollegiate years. One of the most fascinating aspects of the show is that none of the characters are truly likable. They all have a fatal quirk: each character may be a sociopath, naively idealistic or unbelievably passive. Though the viewer roots for each character’s success, it is not surprising when they inevita-

COURTESYMAISONNEUVE.ORG

RUN THE WORLD: (from left) Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Lena Dunham and Zosia Mamet play the struggling 20somethings in “Girls.â€? Dunham’s clever writing this season allows the viewer to relate with each of the characters, despite the brief half-hour episodes. “Girlsâ€? is steadily increasing in popularity with a season superior to its prior. EO\ IDLO GXH WR WKHLU Ă€DZV The love-hate relationship the viewer has with each character makes the show even more lovable because it adds an element of realism. It gives the viewer the opportunity to laugh at themselves (if they are in their twenties), their old selves (if they have already lived through those treacherous years) or their future

selves, making the show very relatable for viewers of all ages. For example, in season two, episode two Hannah dumps her boyfriend (Donald Glover), simply because he critiques an essay she wrote (by her request). The viewer can relate to her immaturity. Everyone has experienced or will experience the same ridiculousness that affects each charac-

ter because it is an inevitable part of growing up. Season two also brings increased attention to one of the most interesting characters of the series: Shoshanna Shapiro (Zosia Mamet). In season one, Shoshanna made appearances, but it is exciting to see her playing a more important role so far in season two. Shoshanna is a bubbly and

almost excruciatingly innocent NYU student who acts as a stark, (and admittingly refreshing) contrast to the pessimistic tone of the series in general. One of the funniest moments of the season so far came in episode two when Shoshanna in the corner of a party sang karaoke to Sean Kingston’s “Beautiful Girls.� The new season also highlights some of the changing character dynamics as well, especially between Hannah and her close friend Marnie Michaels (Allison Williams). In season one, Marnie played the part of the friend who seemed very well-composed, career-oriented and mature, while Hannah couldn’t seem to make a single right decision. However, in this new season, it seems as though they have switched roles: as Hannah’s life is looking up, Marnie is becoming more pathetic and sad. She loses her job, begins sending mixed signals again to her ex, and also tries to have sex with an openly gay man. These shifting roles remind viewers that these characters are not one-dimensional, but rather ever evolving and interesting. Thus far, “Girls� is certainly growing to be even more dynamic and exciting than season one, proving Dunham’s creativity and merit. “Girls� is rated TV-MA and airs Sunday nights on HBO at 9 p.m.

PBS’s “Downton Abbey� is historical, entertaining BY CHRISTOPH NEUMANN STAFF WRITER

during this season. Dockery and Stevens begin to show viewers the internal struggles that many After two captivating seasons, marriages face. It is this realism COURTESY ASSETS.NOISEY.COM “Downton Abbeyâ€? has returned that has always been the strength RI WKH VKRZ 7KHVH FRQĂ€LFWV DGG PRANKSTER SQUAD: 5XEHQ )OHLVFKHU¡V QHZHVW Ă€OP ´*DQJVWHU 6TXDG Âľ LV VH- to PBS with a witty beginning to the third season that has started much more depth to their relaverely hurt by its laughably unoriginal script and excessive violence. off faster and more engaging than tionship with a human element its two predecessor. that brings more life to a relaThe beginning of the third seationship that previously seemed BY DYLAN FAIR each scene of dialogue simply son stylistically sticks close to stuffy and dry. EXECUTIVE ARTS EDITOR serves as a 10 minute segue into the other seasons. This season, Downton Abbey explores not a new shoot-out or car chase. Al- however, focuses more on the only the lives of the aristocracy, Although Los Angeles gangster though these scenes are visually complex characters. Thus far, but also those of the servants workmovies have been long exhausted pleasing, they catagorized “Gang- they have proven both more ining for that aristocracy. Viewers in Hollywood, the thought of ster Squadâ€? as nothing more then teresting and more relatable to the get to see several of the struggles Sean Penn portraying the noto- D VRXOOHVV DFWLRQ ÂżOP viewers. between the rious gangster Mickey Cohen Furthermore, the on-screen “Downton upper class and seemed like a match made in romance between Ryan Gosling Abbeyâ€? is the the lower class heaven. Throw in Ryan Gosling, (Jerry Wooters) and Emma Stone riveting story and the strikJosh Brolin and Emma Stone, and (Grace Faraday) lacks any pas- of the aristoing differences “Gangster Squadâ€? seems like a sion or chemistry. It is clear their cratic English between the VXUH ÂżUH KLW EXW WKDW LV QRW KRZ LW roles as lovers was constructed as Crawley Family two during the turned out. nothing more than eye candy for toward the end early 1900s. Despite lively action sequences the audience. of the EdwardThis class dyand a visually pleasing style, the One bright spot of “Gangster ian era (1901namic gives the strengths of “Gangster Squadâ€? Squadâ€? is Sean Penn’s embodi- 1910). The seshow another, prove to be its weaknesses. Shoot- ment of Cohen. What could be ries follows the deeper dimenout after shoot-out prevents the considered over-acting is really exploits of Earl sion that makes development of a substantial plot, a result of an overall lack-luster of Grantham COURTESY: CRUSHABLE.COM/ “Downton Aband not even the talented cast can script. As Cohen, Penn delivers a Robert Crawley beyâ€? constantly salvage the lackluster script. ÂżHU\ SHUIRUPDQFH WKDW LV HOHYDWHG (Huge Bonnev- DOWNTON TRAIN: (from left) Dan Stevens and Michelle Dockery portray two more engaging. “Gangster Squadâ€? follows the by his gravelly voice, which de- ille); Lady Mary prominent members of British aristocracy in PBS’s “Downton Abbey.â€? It’s powThe third life of infamous gangster Mickey livers simultaneously sinister and Crawley (Mi- erful script and brillant performances create a gripping historical drama. season of Cohen (Sean Penn) at the height hilarious one-liners. chelle Dock“Downton Abof his power in the 1940s. Los Overall, “Gangster Squadâ€? ery); Matthew Crawley (Dan Ste- needed comic relief. Their snap- beyâ€? is off to a faster start than Angeles Police Department Chief proves that a few good actors and vens); their families and the rest py one-liners and petty alterca- the two prior seasons. So far Bill Parker (Nick Nolte) en- a decent premise does not guaran- of the inhabitants of Downton tions add a little bit of humor to viewers have been able to relate lists the assistance of Sgt. John WHH D VXFFHVVIXO ÂżOP :KLOH WKH Abbey, the Crawleys’ estate. the show. The humor adds depth to the show more than ever before O’Mara (Josh Brolin) to create a ÂżOP LV QRW WHUULEOH LW LV IDU IURP This season starts off with the to the show and makes it much due to improved characterization. small team of “off the booksâ€? po- anything of merit due to its overly arrival of the Countess of Gran- more than just another television “Downton Abbeyâ€? truly is hitting OLFH RIÂżFHUV WR ZDJH ZDU DJDLQVW violent message. It should not be tham Cora Crawley’s (Elizabeth drama, giving “Downton Ab- LWV SHDN DQG ZLOO PRVW GHÂżQLWHO\ Cohen’s crime empire. sought after for anything more McGovern) American mother beyâ€? many more components that continue to enthrall viewers durThe most prominent aspect of than simple entertainment. (Shirley MacLaine). MacLaine viewers can connect to. ing the current season. “Downton WKH ÂżOP LV LWV H[FHVVLYH DPRXQW “Gangster Squadâ€? is rated R plays Martha Levinson, the Lady Mary and Matthew get to Abbeyâ€? airs on PBS on Sunday RI YLROHQFH 7KURXJKRXW WKH ÂżOP and is playing nationwide. wealthy benefactor to the Craw- explore their relationship together nights at 6 p.m.

“Gangster Squad� proves shallow, cliche

ley Estate. MacLaine’s arrival to the estate represents the end of the power of the British aristocracy and the beginning of the expansion of American ideas and power throughout the era. MacLaine’s character often clashes with Robert Crawley’s mother (Maggie Smith). These clashes often highlight the differences between the stagnant conservatism of the British upper class and the progressivism of American society. The relationship between Smith and MacLaine gives the show much-

16

ARTS

La Vista

OSCARS 2013

COMPILED BY DYLAN FAIR, ARI HOWORTH, JAKE MAHR/ ARTS EDITORS, ZACK GILL/COPY EDITOR AND ISAAC SIEGEMUND-BROKA/ STAFF WRITER

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February 8, 2013

This year’s Academy Awards will be airing on Feb. 24 on ABC at 5 p.m. Although some directors and actors may have been snubbed from nominations, the ceremony will still feature many historic nominations, including the youngest and oldest actresses to ever make the list.

$OWKRXJK Âł5XVW DQG %RQH´ ZDV FULWLFDOO\ GHULOHG &RWLOODUG KDV UHceived a nomination at almost every major award ceremony for her SHUIRUPDQFH ,QVWHDG KHU VORW ZDV given to “Beasts of the Southern :LOGÂśV´ 4XYHQ]KDQp :DOOLV ZKR is the youngest actress nominee HYHU 6KH LV MRLQHG E\ Âł$PRXUÂśV´ (PDQXHOOH 5LYD DV WKH ROGHVW Snubs were avoided as much DV SRVVLEOH DQG WKLV \HDUÂśV VKRZ COURTESY INVESTORVILLAGE.COM should bring a satisfying group of ZLQQHUV 7KH $FDGHP\ $ZDUGV AND THE OSCAR GOES TO: Seth MacFarlane will be hosting the 85th Oscars ZLOO EH KRVWHG E\ 6HWK 0DFIDUODQH on Feb. 24. The ceremony is already going down in the record books with some RQ )HE RQ $%& DW S P of the youngest and oldest nominations the Academy Awards have ever seen.

EDITORS’ TAKE: Who Will (and should) Win Oscars in 2013 Best Picture Nominees

“Amourâ€? “Life of Piâ€? “Argoâ€? “Lincolnâ€? “Beasts of the Southern Wildâ€? “Zero Dark Thirtyâ€? “Django Unchainedâ€? “Silver Linings Playbookâ€? “Les MisĂŠrablesâ€?

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Best Actress Nominees

Jessica Chastain ³=HUR 'DUN 7KLUW\´ Jennifer Lawrence ³6LOYHU /LQLQJV 3OD\ERRN´ Emanuelle Riva ³$PRXU´ QuvenzhanÊ Wallis ³%HDVWV RI WKH 6RXWKHUQ :LOG´ Naomi Watts ³7KH ,PSRVVLEOH´

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Best Actor Nominees

Bradley Cooper ³6LOYHU /LQLQJV 3OD\ERRN´ Daniel Day-Lewis ³/LQFROQ´ Hugh Jackman ³/HV 0LVpUDEOHV´ Joaquin Pheonix ³7KH 0DVWHU´ Denzel Washington ³)OLJKW´

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Joaquin Pheonix gives what should be recognized as one of the greatest screen performances of his career in ³7KH 0DVWHU ´ +H LV PDJQHWLF PDQLF DQG XOWLPDWHO\ GHYHVWDWLQJ GUDZLQJ LQ YLHZHUV DQG KRSHIXOO\ WKH $FDGHP\ Daniel Day-Lewis has consistently EHHQ ZLQQLQJ PDQ\ RI WKH PDMRU ¿OP awards for his impressively realistic SRUWUD\DO RI 3UHVLGHQW $EUDKDP /LQFROQ WKH SHUIRUPDQFH ZLOO PRVW OLNHO\ ZLQ KLP DQ 2VFDU

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Best Supporting Actress Nominees

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February 8, 2013

ARTS

La Vista

17

Ra Ra Riot’s “Beta Love� suffices despite tiring listeners with unoriginal sound BY JAKE MAHR ARTS EDITOR Ra Ra Riot’s name says everything about the band: it produces fun and lively music that is easy to dance to. But after six years, the band’s string-based baroque pop has begun to unfortunately blend their songs into one large mess of catchy choruses, bouncy guitar riffs and emotional strings. Luckily enough, the group members seem to have realized the rut they were stuck in and have made a drastic change. On their third studio album, “Beta Love,� Ra Ra Riot has toned down the strings and has turned up the keyboards, pushing itself into the realm of synthpop. While this change shows great evolution within the band’s instrumentation, Ra Ra Riot still holds true to its upbeat, foot-moving tracks. Ra Ra Riot currently consists of vocalist Wes Miles, bassist Mathieu Santos, guitarist Milo Bonacci, violinist Rebecca Zeller, and drummer Kenny Bernard. The group recently lost cellist Alexandra Lawn, which probably contributed to the shift in instrument choice. Ra Ra Riot produced two studio albums, “The Rhumb Line� and “The Orchard,� prior to “Beta Love.� Both achieved gen-

7KH JURXS KLWV LWV ÂżUVW KLFFXS RQ the album’s seventh track, “What I Do for U.â€? The song starts with a heavy, incredibly low-toned dance bass, which is then accompanied by high-pitched singing from Miles. The two opposite levels of the volume range really do not mix well. Ra Ra Riot obviously still has some kinks to work out if the band wishes to continue with the synthpop genre. The other major issue with the album comes from its greatest strength. While individually the tracks sound as if they are Ra Ra Riot on a whole new level, the album as a whole unfortunately melts together. Each song conCOURTESY SPIN.COM sists of similar-sounding upbeat MR. ROBOTO: Ra Ra Riot (from left: Kenny Bernard, Rebecca Zeller, Milo Bonacci and Wes Miles) reveal a new sound keyboards and synthesizers, falon their most recent release, “Beta Love.â€? The group incorporates more keyboards and synthesizers on the album and setto vocals, and simplistic, loud uses less string intruments; however, despite the shift in genre, the band lacks differentiation within the tracks. thumping drums, causing them to mesh together. eral critical acclaim. The title track of the album is things out in their new genre, us“Beta Loveâ€? makes listeners The album’s opening track, not only a hysterical version of ing experimentation to see what want to get up and dance. It exhib“Dance with Me,â€? immediately a love song, replacing people for sounds right. its an entirely new side to Ra Ra reveals that “Beta Loveâ€? is not the robots (featuring the lyrics: “I Ra Ra Riot’s evolution is so Riot, and while the album overall Ra Ra Riot everyone is used to. It might be a prototype/ but we’re complete on “Beta Loveâ€? that may show very little deviation, begins with Miles’ vocals and a both real inside,â€? and “In this city Zeller’s presence is barely noticed the individual tracks themselves pulsing keyboard. The song then of robot hearts/ ours were made to XQWLO WKH ÂżIWK VRQJ Âł)RU 2QFH ´ provide for some of the livelirevs up and stacks keyboards, EH´ EXW LW DOVR H[KLELWV VRPH ÂżQH The strings give a little hint back est tunes the group has ever prosynthesizers, steady drums and a tuning in Miles’ vocal range. The to the old Ra Ra Riot’s sound and duced and exhibit their success funky bass line. “Dance with Meâ€? falsetto notes he reaches during are placed perfectly in the album in attempting and conquering an Ă€DZOHVVO\ VHWV XS WKH IDVWHU WHP- the chorus of the song are incred- because they give the listener a entirely different genre. pos that continue to run through- ible for any man and show that chance to realize how Ra Ra Riot “Beta Love is available in retail out “Beta Love.â€? WKH JURXS LV VWLOO WU\LQJ WR ÂżJXUH has changed on “Beta Love.â€? stores and on iTunes for $9.99.

<R /D 7HQJR IRFXVHV RQ VLPSOLFLW\ LQ Âł)DGH´ refocuses on the gentler side of the band’s sound. “Ohmâ€? is a perfect track to start the album, with a vaguely tribal beat accomAfter lengthy careers, many bands grow panied by occasional ethereal tones. The careless and, thus, create worse records. drums lightly escalate, picking up a drivYo La Tengo seems to mock this trend with ing rhythm similar to that in Led ZeppeWKHLU ODWHVW DOEXP Âł)DGH ´ ZKLFK LOOXVWUDWHV lin’s “Immigrant Song.â€? The song’s slight that, despite a 25-year career, the band has reference to Zeppelin is quickly covered by yet to fade in quality. gentle vocals and guitar, which gradually Yo La Tengo consists of husband-wife increases in distortion in preparation for pair Ira Kaplan (guitar and vocals) and the pleasant solo. Georgia Hubley (percussion), as well James Âł)DGH´ FRQWLQXHV WKH VRXQG WKDW KDV EHHQ McNew (bass). The band has been churn- established on the album to a point, as it LQJ RXW DOEXPV VLQFH DQG Âł)DGH´ LV uses a brilliant blend of indie rock with LWV WKLUWHHQWK WR GDWH Âł)DGH´ VWUD\V GUDVWL- touches of garage rock, noise rock and cally from the characteristic noise rock of even shoegaze. However, the album conYo La Tengo’s earlier years and instead tains several principally acoustic tracks, most notably “I’ll be Around.â€? Its quiet vocals and jangling guitar create a nice atmosphere of pastoral serenity. Overall, this pastoral quality is one of the GHÂżQLQJ FKDUDFWHULVWLFV RI Âł)DGH ´ ZKLFK lacks the amount of customary distortion IRU <R /D 7HQJR Âł)DGH´ PDQDJHV WR EH tender in its feel and eclectic in its sound, avoiding the monotony of most calm acoustic rock albums. Some songs delve into a Sigur Ros-esque state of atmospheric tranquility with lulling synth swells, while others contain soft guitar more reminiscent of bands such as The Shins or Death Cab for Cutie. Either way, Yo La Tengo creates a state of gentle comfort for the listener. This range in style demonstrates the musicians versatility as musicians. “Before We Runâ€? closes the album just as masterfully as “Ohmâ€? opens it; the song KDV WKH JUDQGLRVH RI D ÂżQDOH ZLWK D UK\WKmic baritone sax, triumphant brass, and festive strings; even the song title is a reference to the album’s conclusion. Âł)DGH´ EDFNV DZD\ IURP WKH URZGLHU noise and garage rock of Yo La Tengo’s Courtesy http://userserve-ak.last.fm.com earlier sound, instead emphasizing quieter THEY HAVE IT: Indie rock group Yo La Tengo’s indie rock and the lighter, pastel shades of WKLUWHHQWK UHOHDVH ´)DGH Âľ H[HPSOLĂ€HV WKH WKH EDQGÂśV YDULHG SDOOHW Âł)DGH´ LV DYDLOband’s brilliant evolution in the process of pro- able in select record stores and on iTunes ducing songs spanning various genres. for $7.99. BY ISAAC SIEGEMUND-BROKA STAFF WRITER

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18 La Vista Sports Briefs

SPORTS

February 9, 2013

Costa wrestling boasts 12 CIF qualifiers at League of Finals Meet The Mira Costa wrestling team successfully closed out its season at the League of Finals meet on Feb. 2. The boys claimed second place in Bay League, a significant improvement from last year’s fourth-place finish. All 12 varsity competitors qualified for CIF, a large increase from last year’s seven. “This is one of the strongest team’s we’ve had in a while,” coach Jimmy Chaney said. In their weight classes, sophomores Miles Gilliam and Jimmy Millea each claimed first place, while sophomores Lars Cameron and Michael Cervantes, juniors Kit Murphy, Jake Shapiro and Adrian Navarro and senior Mustafa Hafezzada all had second-place finishes. Rounding out the team’s CIF qualifiers were freshman Kelly McNamee, junior Griffin Lay, and seniors Will Goodwin and Ben Kolodny, who each took third place. The wrestling team is currently waiting to see if it will get an at-large bid into the CIF Dual Tournament. “I think we have a good chance to get in,” Chaney said.

Boys soccer loses, 3-2, to Peninsula High School at home in overtime The boys varsity soccer team played a home game against Peninsula High School on Tuesday and lost, 3-2, in overtime. In the first half, senior forward Teddy Pappas got the first goal of the game, putting Costa ahead, 1-0. However, Peninsula scored a goal, ending the half at 1-1. “It was my fourth game since coming back from injury, so it felt good to be able to contribute to the team,” Pappas said. Junior forward Sebastian Thomas pulled Costa ahead with a goal in the second half. Peninsula responded, making the score 2-2 and pushing the game into overtime. Peninsula scored in overtime, ending the game at 3-2 . The boys’ last game of the season took place on Thursday against Palos Verdes, but results were unavailable due to the time of publication. “We played well together” senior captain Grant Southwood said. “In the end, some lazy clearances on set plays cost us the game.”

Girls water polo trumps Redondo, 11-2, improves record to 7-1 The Mira Costa varsity girls water polo team finished Bay League with a 7-1 record. The girls won their final game of Bay League on Wednesday at home against Redondo Union High School, 11-2. Costa started off the game strong, ending the first period at a score of 4-1. In the second period, senior Emily Milstead, sophomore Kelly Giery, and freshman Kaylee Brownsburger each scored a goal to add to the Mustangs lead with a score of 7-1 at halftime. “Our big lead in the first half really put down Redondo’s morale,” sophomore Sage Roebuck said. “They could not take the lead after such a big drawback.” The Mustangs CIF bracket will be released on Sunday at 9 a.m. at cifss.org. “The key to our success was how well we worked together,” Giery said. “We were passing really well and talking a lot.” BY LACY CANO, REBECCA HEXT AND ALYSSA ZUCKER/ STAFF WRITERS

MIRA LAING/ LA VISTA

PERCHED ON THE WAVE: Senior Josh Perch rides a wave during his heat in the surf team’s match against Redondo Jan. 26. Costa won the match, continuing its undefeated season.

Costa Surf team looks to defend title, win 12th consecutive Bay League title since 2002 season By Alyssa Zucker Staff Writer Although it is not commonly known among Mira Costa students, the Mira Costa surf team has won Bay League every year since 2002. The team is undefeated so far in the 2012-13 season as well. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the surf team meets at 6:30 a.m. to practice. Mira Costa physical education teacher Tracy Geller has been coaching the team for the past four years and surfs along side his team at practice. “I love that Geller comes out and surfs with us,” sophomore Noah Collins said. “He is close by to give advice and show us how it is done. He is so passionate about surfing that it inspires the rest of us to do our best.” The surf team has a 4-0 record this season, with two more competitions to still take place. “We have such depth this year,” Geller said. “Everyone does their part, and there are no weak links on the team.” In the girls’ heats, the team is also undefeated. The girls have won every heat they have competed in this season. “Competitions are really nerve-wracking,” sophomore Sara Kohrogi said. “We know the team is depending on each individual score, so there is a lot of pressure, but we all support one another and just try

to have fun.” Every spring break the surf team takes a trip to an exotic surf spot for a fun getaway. Last year the team went to La Libertad, El Salvador, and this year they are going to Las Flores, El Salvador. “The opportunity to travel and experience the best waves in the world was amazing,” junior Codee Stamis said. “I cannot wait to go again this year,” Every year, the Bay League puts on a Hennessey Cup, which is different from all other competitions because participants compete as individuals, not as a team. Last year, Collins won the cup as a freshman. This year, Collins could not attend the competition but Stamis placed third. “It was the best feeling in the world, winning the cup as a freshman,” Collins said. “I was disappointed I couldn’t make it this year, but I still have two more years to try and win again.” After Bay League, Geller chooses the best Costa competitors in the season to participate in “nationals,” the National Surfing Scholastic Association contest, which is also based around individual advancement for the surfers. “The surf team was the highlight of my high school years,” senior Josh Perch said. “I will never forget the memories that I have made, the waves I’ve ridden, the people I’ve met, the lessons I’ve learned and the family I am truly privileged to have been a part of.”

Junior Lana Granow attends karate camp in Tokyo, Japan to help earn black belt By Tamara Knell Staff Writer While most students spent winter break relaxing, junior Lana Granow participated in an intense karate camp, called Camp Mitsumini, in Tokyo, Japan. Granow was the only American at the camp. For the past seven years, Granow has been practicing the kyokushin-style of karate. Granow had to attend the camp to take the test for her black belt in March.

LISA VALICENTE/ LA VISTA

WAX ON, WAX OFF: Junior Lana Granow trained in kyokushin, a karate art form, in Tokyo, Japan at a camp called Camp Mitsumini over winter break in order to receive a black belt.

“The camp was a really great experience,” Granow said. “ It provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.” According to Granow, her family has been encouraging and supporting her since she started participating in karate at the age of nine. “Karate has helped Lana remain focused in all aspects of her life,” Lana’s sister, Costa alum Nina Granow, said. Granow first began karate because her mother wanted her to learn self-defense. However, she realized that she loved the sport and has continued ever since. “Karate is something I see myself doing for a while,” Granow said. “ It is really fun, and I encourage everybody to try it.” The camp was only three days long, but it consisted of intensive training. This included early morning karate practices, a 14-mile run and a hike to a freshwater waterfall. All participants had to stand under the cold waterfall for two minutes in order to prove their determination. “Although it was tough, I enjoyed the camp,” Granow said. “I got to see a completely different culture while practicing what I love to do.” Granow trained at Power Karate Studio in order to prepare for Camp Mitsumini. She practiced three times a week and did other physical training two times a week. “Lana is the most determined person I know,” Lana’s peer, Alexis Michaela, said. “Watching her inspires me to do better.”

SPORTS

February 8, 2013

TEAM RECORDS as of Feb. 7 Sport Overall Bay League Boys Soccer Girls Soccer Girls Water Polo Boys Basketball Girls Basketball Wrestling

19

Costa seniors play in annual West Torrance Lions All-Star game, earn win for Blue Lions’ team

Win Loss Tie Win Loss Tie Rank 1 1 6 7 6 11 2 BY LACY CANO 15 3 4 5 2 2 1 STAFF WRITER 19 10 1 7 1 Mira Costa hosted the 49th an16 9 5 4 3 nual West Torrance Lions Club 17 9 7 2 1 All-Star Football game at Waller 6 1 - 4 1 Stadium on Jan. 28. Five Mus-

TOP PERFORMERS

Mckenna Doyle (Sophomore) Girls Soccer

Grant Southwood (Senior) Boys Soccer

Doyle had one of the team’s two goals in the 2-0 win over Marina High School on Jan. 18. Costa is currently 5-2-2 in Bay League.

Southwood scored Costa’s only two goals in the team’s third Bay League loss to Leuzinger on Jan. 15. Costa lost, 5-2.

Jordan Rainey (Junior) Girls Water Polo

Ben Kolodney (Senior) Wrestling

Rainey had a goal in Costa’s 11-2 home victory over Redondo on Wednesday. The girls continue league play with a record of 7-1.

Kolodney placed third at the League of Finals meet on Feb. 2. Costa awaits an at-large bid to the CIF Dual Tournament.

Justin Strings (Junior) Boys Basketball

Haley Tojo (Sophomore) Girls Basketball

Strings had 12 points in Costa’s Tuesday win over Peninsula. The team’s record improved to 16-9 overall.

tangs were chosen to compete in the game. The chosen Mustangs were seniors Joe Markus, Raphael Lawson-Gayle, Wyatt Millea, Connor Riley and Cory Sanicky. The Mustangs, along with other Bay League teams like Palos Verdes, West Torrance and other local teams and players, helped lead the blue team to a 4314 victory over the white team, which consisted of players from Narbonne, Lawndale, Leuzinger and other local high schools. “The game was a good time for everyone and a great opportunity to play some more football after being out of season for a while,� running back Sanicky said. “It was really fun, especially to play with such a great bunch of guys.� The selection process of the players consisted of nominations from the high school coaches around the South Bay. The nominations were then sent to the El Segundo head coach Steve Shevlin, who decided who went on the roster. Each team had 37 players from 11 different schools and only had seven practices to prepare for the game. “From coaching this game, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some incredible kids,� Shevlin said. “They’re all so talented and have had such a great work ethic for this game. [The players] can do all the things you try to coach, so it’s great to have the opportunity to coach the best of the best.� North Torrance senior Mikey Jurado scored the game’s opening

CASEY SUBLETTE/ LA VISTA

WRITTEN IN THE STARS: Various senior football players from surrounding areas, including Palos Verdes, Narbonne, Serra and Mira Costa, participated in the annual Lions Club All-Star Game on Jan. 26 at Waller Stadium. touchdown for the white team. Lawson-Gayle responded with a touchdown for the blue team. The subsequent two-point conversion put the blue team ahead 8-7 at the HQG RI WKH ÂżUVW TXDUWHU Carson senior Kendall Sparks VFRUHG WKH ZKLWH WHDPÂśV ÂżQDO touchdown of the game in the second quarter. However, the white team suffered numerous fumbles and interceptions, allowing the blue team to dominate with touchdowns from LawsonGayle and Inglewood senior wide receiver Terrance Harvey. The half ended at 22-8 in the blue team’s favor. Âł7KH JDPH ZDV GHÂżQLWHO\ D QLFH send-off for the seniors,â€? Markus said. “It was great that a few of us got to play with each other for one last time and to end our year with a win.â€? Redondo senior Nick Usher scored another touchdown for the blue team after a fumble by the white team. Palos Verdes senior Adam Hahn had an interception and 58-yard return in the third quarter for the blue team. Sani-

FN\ VFRUHG WKH ÂżQDO WRXFKGRZQ in the fourth quarter, ending the game with a blue team victory of 43-14. “It was a great experience overall,â€? Markus said. “I liked getting to work with the different coaches and competing alongside such high-caliber players.â€? The All-Star game offers players the unique experience of becoming teammates with many of the players they face off against during the regular season. “It was interesting playing with guys who were my opponents for so long,â€? Markus said. The purpose of the game is not only to celebrate the outstanding players, but also to provide funds for various charities throughout the South Bay and give South Bay high school students college scholarships. Over $800,000 has been contributed throughout the game’s history from ticket sales. “I couldn’t have been happier with the kids’ performance,â€? Shevlin said. “From the moment the whistle blew, they were on top of their game and working hard.â€?

Winter Games Volume II: More style, even more ease

Tojo had a total of 19 points in Costa’s Jan. 29 routing of RedonAs the games of the second GR 7KH ¿QDO VFRUH RI WKH JDPH annual La Vista/ASB Olympiad was 66-48. draw near, we here at Burn After Reading have begun to take a serious look into updating our strategy for this year’s events. After a less-than-optimal performance last year, there are a the number of Mira Costa football players who were selected few choice areas that La Vista to play in the Lions All-Star game which took place on Jan. 26 could improve on. Obviously, the balance of athletic and academic at Mira Costa. events isn’t necessarily even, so the number of consecutive Bay League titles the Mira Costa we’re proposing some additional, surf team has won from 2002-2012. The team looks to win more unorthodox ones. Maybe we’ll have a freestyle another title in the 2013 season. rap-off between advisors. Who the number of boys teams that are participating in the Un- wouldn’t want to see Mac Daddy der 18 years old Manhattan Beach Youth Basketball (MBYB) and L-Clay spit mad rhymes totally off the dome? League this season. Or we may take an entirely difthe probable amount of Mira Costa students that plan to par- ferent route to even the athletic SOD\LQJ ¿HOG 7DNLQJ D KLQW IURP ticipate in the Spring 2013 ice hockey season. the recently victorious Baltimore Ravens, we’re enlisting the help COMPILED BY REGAN ESTES, HANNAH PROCTOR, AND CASEY SUBLETTE/SPORTS EDITORS RI 5D\ /HZLV IRU RXU RQ WKH ¿HOG PHOTOS BY EMMA SALZMAN AND NICOLE FISHER/LA VISTA

Digits 5 11 17 36

La Vista

events, so don’t be surprised if lights go out and a few ASB competitors return mysteriously VWDEEHG WR GHDWK RQ WKH ¿HOG In the same Super Bowl spirit, La Vista has also been exploring the possible effects of deer antler spray on dodge ball performance. Imagine Madden Laing, except juiced out of his mind and with the possible side effect of having the antlers of an eight-point buck. Intimidated yet? Perhaps we’ll expand to a new category of events entirely to increase our chances of victory. With the recently implemented district parking lot changes, maybe we’ll see who can amass the most pointless citations in a day. Remember those iPads that mysteriously disappeared from 3DFL¿F (OHPHQWDU\" :HOO GRQœW be too surprised if a tablet-discus event pops up at this year’s

games, as if La Vista could solidify our disapproval of the program any further. Seriously, though, who ever thought that iPads were a good idea? Who knows, maybe the games will extend into the artistic realm as well. Event suggestion numero uno would be an offensive photoshop battle. Seriously, we have that on lock. Maybe this group of humble QHZVLHV FRXOG EHQH¿W IURP D SLracy event, too. Nothing asserts inter-elective dominance more than the pillaging and hijacking of a rented yacht. We’ve learned well, Geczi. :KDWHYHU WKH ¿QDO FKRLFHV only time will tell if we La Vistites can redeem our place in the Winter Games this year. Maybe we’ll conquer, maybe we won’t, but you can be sure we’ll continue our snarky jabs regardless.

February 8, 2013 20 La Vista SPORTS Boys basketball improves Bay League record with win over Peninsula High BY IAN RAPOPORT STAFF WRITER When a spot in the CIF playoffs is on the line, teams usually put their best effort into every League game. ,Q RQH RI WKHLU ÂżQDO /HDJXH JDPHV RI WKH season, the Mira Costa boys varsity basketball team defeated Peninsula High School E\ D ÂżQDO VFRUH RI DW KRPH 7XHVGD\ LPSURYLQJ WKH 0XVWDQJVÂś UHFRUG WR LQ Bay League and 16-9 overall. “Our win was a result of our tremendous defense,â€? coach Jeff Amaral said. “We were able to keep them down thanks to the discipline of our defenders.â€? Senior guard Kevin Kim and junior forward Justin Strings VFRUHG DQG points, respectively. Seniors point guard Cole Feaster and forward Oliver Mausner HDFK VFRUHG ÂżYH SRLQWV “We played probably the best complete game of defense all year, holding them to RQO\ SRLQWV ´ 0DXVQHU VDLG 7KH WHDPV FRPSHWHG IRU FRQWURO DW WKH start of the game. Strings scored multiple baskets, but Peninsula pulled ahead and

HQGHG WKH ÂżUVW TXDUWHU DW “It was alright that we didn’t take the OHDG LQ WKH ÂżUVW TXDUWHU ´ VRSKRPRUH JXDUG Dylan Kim said. “Defense was our main priority early on, and we held up our end.â€? Dylan Kim and senior guard Adam Winnet both made three-point shots to start the VHFRQG TXDUWHU JLYLQJ WKH 0XVWDQJV WKH OHDG 3HQLQVXOD WUDLOHG &RVWD DW WKH HQG RI WKH VHFRQG TXDUWHU Âł:H IHOW JUHDW GXULQJ WKH VHFRQG TXDUter,â€? Dylan Kim said. “We were able score and did a great job protecting the zone.â€? Coming back from halftime, the Mustangs took a huge lead that they were able WR PDLQWDLQ .HYLQ .LP OHG WKH TXDUWHU with seven points, and Strings, Mausner and Feaster each landed additional baskets DQG JDYH &RVWD DQ HYHQ ODUJHU OHDG Âł7KH WKLUG TXDUWHU ZDV NH\ ´ $PDUDO said. “It was a great time, and the team did an amazing job on the attack.â€? 7KH 0XVWDQJV PDLQWDLQHG WKHLU OHDG GXULQJ WKH IRXUWK TXDUWHU %\ WKH WLPH 3HQLQVXla made a comeback, it was unable to close WKH JDS JLYLQJ &RVWD WKH YLFWRU\ Âł,W ZDV DQ DPD]LQJ ÂżQLVK ´ '\ODQ .LP

said. “Everyone played well, and the bench really came off great.� 7KH 0XVWDQJV IDFHG 3DORV 9HUGHV \HVterday at home, but results were unavail-

able due to the time of publication. “We played really well today,� Winnet said. “We came back from a two-game losing streak and played an awesome game.�

LISA VALICENTE/ LA VISTA

STRING MUSIC: (Left) Junior forward Justin Strings takes a shot during the Mustangs’ 50-38 Bay League win against Peninsula High School on Tuesday in the Fisher Gym. (Right) Senior guard Connor Kernochen defends the hoop while the boys’ record moves to 5-4 in Bay League.

Girls soccer falls to Peninsula High School in key Bay League match BY CAMILLE JUTON STAFF WRITER

GEOFFREY ST. JOHN/ LA VISTA

MILLIN’ AROUND: -XQLRU JXDUG &DPLOOH 0LOOV WDNHV WKH EDOO GRZQ WKH FRXUW LQ &RVWD¡V YLFtory over Peninsula High School on Tuesday. The team’s overall record improved to 17-9.

In crucial Bay League Match, girls basketball defeats Peninsula High BY KATIE VON BEHREN STAFF WRITER With the competition in Bay League heating up and the race for the CIF playoffs approaching, the Mira Costa girls basketball team defeated Peninsula High School, DW KRPH RQ 7XHVGD\ 7KH JLUOV QRZ KDYH D RYHUDOO UHFRUG DQG D OHDJXH record this season. Sophomore point guard Keilani Ikehara OHG &RVWD LQ VFRULQJ ZLWK SRLQWV LQ the game and three three-pointers. She was followed by junior guard Camille Mills, who had nine points. Ikehara began the game with two consecXWLYH WZR SRLQWHUV WR PDNH WKH VFRUH Senior forward Taylor Lewis made both of KHU IUHH WKURZV WR HQG WKH ÂżUVW TXDUWHU “I think we really delivered and have been playing to our full potential in our past few games,â€? Lewis said. “At this point in the season, everyone’s role on the team is very clear, and I feel that we have nowhere to go from here except up.â€? ,Q WKH ÂżUVW TXDUWHU 0LOOV VFRUHG WKUHH points and had two rebounds. With three VHFRQGV OHIW LQ WKH ÂżUVW TXDUWHU VHQLRU guard Sophie Kohrogi made a two-point VKRW WKDW JDYH WKH 0XVWDQJV D OHDG RI DV WKH\ ZHQW LQWR WKH VHFRQG TXDUWHU “We played really well because we knew going in that this was going to be a tough game,â€? Mills said. “We didn’t let anything intimidate us and came out with a lot of energy. It paid off in the end.â€?

With the season at its end and a heavy FRPSHWLWLRQ IRU ÂżUVW SODFH LQ WKH %D\ League, the Mira Costa varsity girls soccer WHDP ORVW RQ 7XHVGD\ LQ DQ DZD\ JDPH WR 3HQLQVXOD +LJK 6FKRRO 7KH ORVV PDGH WKH JLUOVÂś UHFRUG LQ OHDJXH DQG overall for the season. 7KH ORVV WLHG &RVWD DQG 3HQLQVXOD IRU ÂżUVW SODFH LQ WKH %D\ /HDJXH 5HGRQGR Union High School is also tied with the two schools. “It’s been a tough season so far because every team has been a challenge,â€? senior PLG ÂżHOGHU Melina Cohen said. “We’ve been working hard, and I hope our hard work pays off and we win Bay League.â€? Sophomore forward McKenna Doyle VWDUWHG WKH ÂżUVW KDOI RII VWURQJ ZLWK WZR shots on goal, but neither was successful, setting the tone for the rest of regulation. “We battled hard,â€? senior fullback Kara Enomoto said. “With four players injured, ZH KDG D KDUG WLPH ÂżQGLQJ DQ RIIHQVH DQG Peninsula outplayed us.â€? Along with the injured players, the Mustangs had to deal with other disadvantages. Compared to the smooth turf the girls are used to playing and practicing on, they had to familiarize themselves with the rough WHUUDLQ RI WKH 3HQLQVXOD ÂżHOG Âł:H ZHUHQÂśW DFFXVWRPHG WR WKH ÂżHOG

conditions, and it caused us to play kickball instead of passing and being able to PRYH WKH EDOO GRZQ WKH ÂżHOG ´ VHQLRU PLG ÂżHOGHU Kirby Benson VDLG Âł,W ZDV GLIÂżFXOW to make plays and predict the direction the ball was going to take.â€? During the second half, the game was back and forth, resulting in strong defensive stands. Later in the half, Peninsula broke through the Costa defense and scored. “By the second half of the game we were losing the ball,â€? Cohen said. “Peninsula was able to gain control of it enough to score a goal.â€? 7KURXJKRXW WKH FRXUVH RI WKH VHFRQG half, Costa had several shots on goal from IUHVKPDQ PLG ÂżHOGHU Hannah Watkins and Enomoto. However, the Mustangs were unable to score for the remainder of the game. “We really needed a goal, so I wish I would have made it in,â€? Enomoto said. “We had a couple really close shots on goal, so it was disappointing that we did not score any.â€? 7KH JLUOV FRXOG KDYH WDNHQ WKH OHDG LQ %D\ /HDJXH ZLWK D ZLQ RQ 7KXUVGD\ DW 3DORV 9HUGHV +LJK 6FKRRO DW S P EXW WKH results of the game were unavailable due to time of publication. “We went out there knowing it was going to be a hard game,â€? Cohen said. “Although we didn’t win, we went out and worked hard. We just need to come out 7KXUVGD\ DQG OHDYH LW DOO RQ WKH ÂżHOG ´

,Q WKH VHFRQG TXDUWHU MXQLRU JXDUG Shaylyn Austin scored four points. Ikehara also DLGHG LQ &RVWDÂśV HIIRUW E\ PDNLQJ KHU ÂżUVW WKUHH SRLQWHU RI WKH JDPH 7KH 0XVWDQJV ZHUH DEOH WR VHFXUH WKHLU OHDG DQG ÂżQLVKHG WKH KDOI DW Âł7KHUH ZDV D ORW RQ WKH OLQH LQ WKLV JDPH and that may have gotten in the girls’ head a bit in the beginning of the game,â€? coach Miranda Biteler said. “But once they loosened up, they were able to play to the best of their ability.â€? Ikehara made another three-point shot GXULQJ WKH WKLUG TXDUWHU 7KH JLUOV ÂżQLVKHG WKH WKLUG TXDUWHU DKHDG “I am so proud of our team, especially because I think we have bonded well on the court,â€? senior center Rachel Humphrey said. “We work well together, and our defense is leading to a great offense. I’m really lucky to get the chance to be a part of such a great team.â€? ,Q WKH IRXUWK TXDUWHU VHQLRU JXDUG Morgan Thaler and Austin both scored one two-pointer, and Ikehara made her third three-pointer of the game. Sophomore point guard Haley Tojo and senior guard Cameryn Chan scored two points each, KHOSLQJ WKH 0XVWDQJV ÂżQLVK ZLWK D ZLQ 7KH JLUOV SOD\HG 3DORV 9HUGHV DW KRPH RQ 7KXUVGD\ EXW UHVXOWV ZHUH XQDYDLODEOH due to time of publication. HANNAH DAGIAU/ LA VISTA Âł7KH JLUOV KDYH JURZQ WRJHWKHU DQG DUH believing in each other,â€? Biteler said. “As SEAHAWK SHUFFLE 6HQLRU .LUE\ %HQVRQ WDNHV WKH EDOO GRZQ WKH Ă€HOG LQ WKH WLH DJDLQVW 5Hany team, we hope to continue to win in dondo Union High School at home on Jan. 30. With the loss to Peninsula High School on Tuesday, League and go far in CIF.â€? WKH WHDP LV FXUUHQWO\ LQ D WKUHH ZD\ WLH IRU Ă€UVW SODFH LQ %D\ /HDJXH ZLWK 3HQLQVXOD DQG 5HGRQGR

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