La Vista Issue 1

L A V ISTA

Assembly Day highlights diversity, inclusion and safety

By Sofia WilliamS Editor-in-ChiEf

Costa’s administration, Associated Student Body (ASB) and Link Crew hosted the Mustangs’ second annual Assembly Day on Aug. 31 to promote campus unity through a rotation of four assemblies.

During the Suicide Awareness Assembly, author and activist John Halligan gave a presentation in the Pavilion Gym about his son, who committed suicide in 2003 at 13 years old. The presentation centered on the effects of bullying on young people, aiming to inspire students to take action against bullies.

“I hope that [after the presen-

tation], everyone understands how much they’re loved by their parents and the importance of standing up for each other,” said Halligan. “I think the biggest impact that could happen is that kids start to look out for each other, and that when a friend is doing something harmful to somebody else, they have the courage to say something.”

Students also attended an outdoor assembly held at Waller Stadium, which included games like cornhole and spikeball. The field day event featured several booths set up around the track, offering snacks and water, temporary tattoos, green and gold necklaces, information about Costa’s various on-campus clubs and a raffle for Costa spirit gear.

Additionally, students could take photos with Melvin the Mustang, Costa’s mascot, and earn game prizes from Beach Cities Health District.

“ASB and Link Crew worked together to help lead the assemblies, set and clean them up, and train to prepare for the diversity and inclusion discussion,” said ASB member Emma Darrow. “We also were in charge of different stations at the field day, and I spoke at the beginning and end of the assembly.”

The Diversity and Inclusion Assembly was hosted in the Main Gym. Students were placed into groups of 10-20 to have discussions led by ASB members and Link leaders to discuss inclusivity on campus. The assembly, which

was co-emceed by senior Hailey Fisher and junior Eva Asiddao, also featured videos of Costa students discussing their experiences with issues of discrimination on campus.

“I believe teaching Costa students about inclusion and the importance of accepting each other’s differences is super important for creating a safe and positive environment on campus,” said Fisher.

“With ongoing hate in the world and at Costa, many students feel isolated and scared for their safety.

Teaching students the importance of learning from each other’s differences will hopefully help work toward alleviating discrimination and emphasizing acceptance on campus.”

The Sexual Assault Awareness

Assembly, which took place in the auditorium, was a presentation by SafeBAE representatives. SafeBAE, a sexual violence prevention organization, aims to educate teens about sexual harassment and assault. The presentation centered around themes of consent, providing suggestions to help teens remain safe in situations of sexual assault or harassment.

“Each assembly aimed to teach students something different, but overall, I hope students developed additional awareness of and empathy for the experiences of others,” said Link Crew advisor Elizabeth Hutchinson. “I recognize that a lot of the topics covered that day are difficult, but facing tough conversations head on is incredibly valuable.”

MUSTANG FIELD DAY

MBUSD Board discusses CAASPP results, BCHD grant

By mClEan GrimES

ExECutivE nEWS Editor

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD)

Board held a meeting on Wednesday at 5 p.m. to discuss the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results.

The majority of the meeting consisted of a presentation of data by Asst. Supt. of Educational Services Dr. Irene Gonzalez-Castillo about the CAASPP results. District-wide, 80 percent of students met or exceeded the performance level standards, according to Gonzalez-Castillo. The results in all four testing categories for grades 3-11 were shared. Mira Costa

school board representatives

Emma Darrow and Sophia Delino suggested a change to testing dates and for teachers to put emphasis on the importance of the tests.

“I was very excited to see this growth in third, fourth and fifth [grade results] for math,” said Gonzalez-Castillo. “This is an area that we definitely put a lot of emphasis on in our district.”

At the beginning of the meeting, Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) student representative

Tara Shivpuri, Darrow and Delino introduced themselves and gave an update on activities at their schools. The floor then opened up to public comments, which were limited to three minutes each.

“A student board member goes to every school board meeting and

gives updates to the public [on] what is happening at Mira Costa,” said Darrow. “We give what we think is the student perspective on a variety of issues, and we are able to vote on certain issues as well.”

Next, Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Bowes gave updates on MBUSD, including activities related to Teach Peace Week and Costa’s seven National Merit Scholarship finalists. Bowes also recognized senior Joylynn Lee, who was accepted to the American Youth Symphony Fellowship. Several action items were approved, including the Healthy Schools Service Agreement between Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) and MBUSD, which provides MBUSD a grant to administer social emotional

learning curriculum and substance abuse prevention programs.

“I am excited for tomorrow’s International Peace Day at all of our schools, including the evening

In THIS ISSue: THe HIgHLIgHTS of LA VISTA

[event] being hosted at the

center,” said Board member Tina Shivpuri. “I had the honor of introducing the Mira

[who] sang ‘lift me up.’”

COSTA REPRESENTS: Senior school board representatives Sophia Delino (left) and Emma Darrow update the MBUSD board on activities at Costa. The MBUSD school board meeting took place on Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. to discuss CAASPP testing results. PhotobyMcLeanGrimes/LaVista

GAMES: Students play spikeball on the field day rotation of the assembly. Other games offered included a parachute, cornhole, frisbees and jenga. PhotobySofiaWilliams/La Vista

civic

Costa choir

GREEN & GOLD: Students receive temporary tattoos from members of Link Crew during Costa’s Field Day assembly on Aug. 31. Students rotated through three additional assemblies. PhotobySofiaWilliams/LaVista

JOINING CLUBS: Several booths lined up at field day displaying information about clubs on Costa. Other booths included information on spirit days, snacks and games. PhotobySofiaWilliams/LaVista

College Knowledge Night presents college options

By charlie laKe Staff Writer

Manhattan Beach PD enforces new E-bike regulations, fines

Manhattan Beach Police Department now enforces new electric and motorized bicycle laws with fines for violations.

Costa School Resource Officer Donovan Torres presented an educational video during homeroom on Sept. 14 to educate students bike about electric bike safety. According to Torres, the e-bike rules being enforced in the community should be adhered to on campus. Whether or not students choose to follow those rules is going to determine if the rules are effective, according to Torres.

“The same things [biking] kids are doing on campus, they’re doing in the community too,” said Torres. “So the same laws that are being applied in the community should be applied at Costa.”

ASB hosts Spike-ball as first tournament of the school year

Associated Student Body (ASB) hosted its annual Spike-ball tournament from Sept. 13- 20, which commenced with 32 teams of two partners in a bracketstyle showdown in the 60’s hallway during lunch.

The final was between “Team OK” and tournament winners “Peaky Blinders.” According to Senior class president Caden Coons, the finals were originally meant to be on the football field but were relocated to the dodgeball court.

“The games were competitive and very enjoyable to spectate,” said Coons, one of the referees overseeing the tournament. “Reffing gave me a good mental break between classes.”

Kaden SocrateS

ASB puts on first tri-annual blood drive with UCLA health

Associated Student Body (ASB) put on the blood drive with UCLA on Sept. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Pavillon.

Donors must be 16 years of age and at least 110 pounds to be eligible to donate. The blood drive allows students, staff, and parents to support UCLA Health by donating their blood.

“The blood drive is important because it allows us to help people who are in need of blood and encourages high school students to give back,” said junior Kasey Kernochan. “I like helping run the blood drive because it makes me happy seeing how many people want to help.”

randeniya

Back to School Night informs parents about classes

Costa held its annual Back To School Night on Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. to host parents or guardians to follow their child’s schedule and meet their teachers.

The night started with a counselor meet and greet outside the auditorium, followed by an announcement welcoming parents by Principal Dr. Karina Gerger. The parents then walked through their child’s schedule with 15 minutes per period to meet each teacher. Throughout the night, ASB members were located across campus to help parents find classes.

“ASB helps parents find their kid’s classrooms around campus,” said senior ASB member Mia Langstein. “We also sold spirit wear and gave out snacks.”

Mclean GriMeS

Costa’s College and Career Center (CCC) hosted its annual College Knowledge Night on Sept. 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for parents and students to gain a better understanding of the college application process and the steps they should take to prepare.

The CCC invited several speakers to provide insight on the college application process. Students and parents were able to attend two 45-minute sessions, each regarding any combination of topics in a breakout session.

“[The] session [topics] include[d] financial aid, an essay and personal statement workshop, El Camino College and The Transfer Pathway, Find Your College Fit, Gap Year Options, and SAT/ACT & testing requirements,” said College and Career Counselor Shelle Gabrych.

Regional Director of Undergraduate Admission at Southern Methodist University (SMU) Rick Diaz presented “Finding Your Fit.” In his seminar, he guided parents and students through the process

of determining what college is best for the students.

“No one can tell you what college is best for you,” said Diaz. “You need to determine what it is that you want from college and what each college can offer you.”

Diaz also emphasized the importance of maintaining composure throughout the college search. According to Diaz, whatever college students attend, they are meant to be there. Additionally, he

shared that whatever path the student decides to pursue is a good one, so there is no need for stress during the process.

“Everyone’s heard the common myth that runs around during the fall season: there is only one perfect school for [the student],” said Diaz. “This conception is entirely not true.”

The night was targeted toward juniors and seniors. However, the CCC encour-

aged younger students to attend the event as a way to get early exposure to the college application process.

“Learning more about college applications, essays and the college experience from professionals was really helpful to hear,” said senior Rylan Botts. “I’m glad that I was able to benefit from other people’s experiences and stories from going to College Knowledge Night.”

Hermosa puts on Last Days of Summer concert

By nataSha randeniya aSSiStant neWS editor

The Last Days of Summer concert at the Hermosa Beach Pier took place on Sept. 3 and 10, hosting multiple bands as a replacement for Fiesta Hermosa.

The Hermosa Beach Chamber Foundation hosted the beach concert in partnership with Hermosa Beach Friends of the Park. According to the Hermosa Beach Chamber, the city wanted to bring back an old tradition this year for people to enjoy music with family and friends.

“When I was younger my parents would always take me to the Hermosa Beach concerts, and I always loved going,” said junior Caitlyn O’Hara. “Now that I am older, I am glad they brought back this tradition so I can experience it at the age I am now.”

“Last Days of Summer” replaced the biannual Fiesta Hermosa on Pier Ave this year. Several bands played on the stage set up on the South side of the Hermosa Beach pier. Due to the multiple sponsors of this event, and there was no ticket charge.

“I really enjoyed being able to come to the Beach concert,” said Hermosa local Joe Delmonte. “My favorite part was sitting in my beach chair with my toes in the sand, watching the sun go down while listening to the great sounds of the band.”

The first day of the concert took place from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., with four bands playing throughout the day. Olio, Triple Bueno, Jeremy Buck & The Bang and PettyBreakers each took their turn on stage. The first three bands played for an hour each, with the last band, PettyBreakers, playing for two hours.

“The PettyBreakers, a Tom Petty tribute band, was my favorite band that played that day,” said Delmonte. “I enjoyed how much the songs sounded like they were actually Tom Petty playing.”

The following week from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Abby Posner, Venice and Pine Mountain Logs played. Pine Mountain Logs played for the majority of the concert, a total of an hour and 30 minutes.

“I loved being able to meet up with friends on the beach to enjoy a picnic together while being enter-

tained with wonderful music,” said audience member Kelly Delmonte. “It felt like an escape from reality in the best way.”

For this event to be put on there were multiple sponsors, including the city of Hermosa Beach. Michelob Ultra and Chevron. The two music sponsors of the concert were Sky One Federal Credit Union and Saint Rocke. According to the Hermosa Beach Chamber, without these sponsors this event would not be able to be put on for people to enjoy.

“I wasn’t very familiar with the bands that played at the beach concert, but I really enjoyed being able to listen to them play as I sat on the beach with one of my friends,” said O’Hara. “It was nice that we didn’t have to pay and just got to enjoy the music.”

taylor Kelley

AUDIENCE GATHERS: Hermosa Beach locals and others stand to watch a variety of bands at the Last Days of Summer concert located at Hermosa Beach pier. This concert took place on Sept. 3 and 10 and hosted a total of seven non-local bands for attendees to enjoy. PhotobyNatashaRandeniya/LaVista

FINDING YOUR FIT: SMU undergraduate Admissions Director Rick Diaz presents his “Finding Your Fit” presentation in the small theater on Sept. 13 for College Knowledge Night. The night presented a variety of topics to inform students and parents about the college application process. PhotobyCharlieLake/LaVista

nataSha

Catalina Classic presents yearly 32-mile open ocean race

ished the race in 45th place, with a time of 8 hours, 36 minutes and 32 seconds. According to Kingston, he has been racing the Classic for the past 14 years.

By RaffeRty WateRson staff WRiteR

On Aug. 27th at 6 a.m., paddlers from across the world competed in a Southern California tradition; the Catalina Classic is a 32-mile long paddle board race that starts at Isthmus Cove and finishes at the Manhattan Beach Pier. There are two different races in the Classic: the A Stock Class race, in which paddlers compete on 12-foot boards, and the Unlimited Class Race, in which paddlers use 19-foot boards. Participants had their own boat that follows them throughout the race. This year, there were 109 initial entrees and 100 official participants, filling the maximum number of possible spots available. The winner of this year’s Stock Class race was Costa alumni Shane Gallas, who completed the race in 6 hours, 58 minutes and 49 seconds.

“This was my first time doing the Classic, but I’ve been doing shorter paddle races since I was a little kid,” said Gallas. “[I started] as a junior lifeguard, and then continued when I became an L.A. County Lifeguard at 19 [years old].”

Mira Costa alumni Brian Kingston fin-

“[This race] a right of passage for anyone who considers themselves a waterman,” said Kingston. “I grew up here doing junior guard’s at Marine [Street] surfing [in] local contests. Some friends started to do the race, and I decided to go for it [too]. The [racing] community is so special, welcoming, and fun. They make it all worth it every year.”

Mira Costa alumni Tobin Ellis competed in his 8th Classic this year. According to Ellis, he grew up in Manhattan Beach and was inspired by legendary watermen Greg Noil and Dale Velzy.

“The wave of emotion that hits you is something that keeps you coming back to it,” said Ellis. “It is unique and a feeling not replicated by any other personal achievement I have experienced. During the race, I must have told myself 500 times that I am never doing it again. As soon as my feet hit the shore, I was al-

ready thinking about doing it next year.”

Participants must complete the race in under nine hours, but finishing times range from five to nine hours. Participants train all year long to build their endurance and strength in order to compete in the Classic, according to Kingston.

“You can’t do this race off the couch,” said Kingston. “It will eat you alive. You have to put in the time and miles.”

Hermosa Beach local and Mira Costa alumni Jay Russell competed in his 18th classic this year. He is also a local fitness instructor and, according to Russell, he loves all things active.

“How one trains for the Catalina Classic [is] very similar to how a runner would for a marathon.” said Russell. “The only difference is that most runners will run year around, where paddlers preparing for the Catalina are on a more seasonal schedule. Most paddlers paddle three to five times a week, usually with longer paddles scheduled for the weekends.”

According to Kingston, every year the athletes have to deal with harsh conditions such as injuries, currents, riptides, heavy winds and swells. This year, the wind and conditions were predicted to be the worst conditions yet, according to Russell.

“Conditions this year were awful,” said Kingston. “We saw some wind in the forecast, but there is always weather in the channel. Right off the bat, we had westerly winds pounding us and making the ocean feel like a washing machine. We had an opposing current around Palos Verdes, stronger than normal in that area. Sunday was more of a mental challenge than a physical one for me.”

PADDLING TRADITION: Paddlers come together at the Manhattan Beach Pier after completing the annual Catalina Classic race. The 32-mile race began in Isthmus Cove at 6 a.m. on Aug. 27. PhotobyRaffertyWaterson/LaVista

100 trained paddlers from around the world compete in the 46th-annual Catalina Classic race

Mira Costa HigH sCHool

1401 artesia Boulevard

ManH attan BeaCH, California (310) 318-7337 ext 5233

septeMBer 22, 2023

voluMe lxxiv, issue 1 www lavistaMCHs CoM

editors-in-CHief

AvA Nicols

sofiA WilliAms

Managing editor

lily mitchell

news editors

mcleAN Grimes, executive

tAylor Kelley

NAtAshA rANdiNeyA, AssistANt

opinion editors

mArley BreNNAN , executive KAylA KiNsey

AmeliA WArd, AssistANt

features editors

seth PicKeNs, executive Kit humBArGer

arts editors

JoylyN lee, executive

chArlotte levy

Kelsey mcAviN, AssistANt

tHeMe editors

JeNNA WAlter, executive AlANA frANK

soPhiA lucKey, AssistANt

sports editors

eric BrodKiN, executive JeNNA BrodKiN

NoKi lAm, AssistANt

artists

walker ellis

dAisy lozier

kaden soCrates

advisor

michAel mcAviN

editorial Board

mArley BreNNAN, eric BrodKiN, JeNNA BrodKiN, AlANA frANK, mcleAN Grimes, tAylor Kelley, KAylA KiNsey, NoKi lAm, JoylyNN lee, chArlotte levy, lily mitchell, AvA Nicols, seth PicKeNs, Kelsey mcAviN, NAtAshA rANdiNeyA, JeNNA WAlter, AmeliA WArd, sofiA WilliAms

staff writers

soPhiA AlvArez, lAureN BecKer, ruBy Blue, tosh BridGes, NAte cohN, KierA delmoNte, BriGette dufAu, WAlKer ellis, miA escoBedo, WiN GurNey, lucy hANseN, tArA KhAleGhiAN. QuiNN Keller, GeorGe Kilroy, chArlie lAKe emily PfAff fiNley sellers, KAdeN socrAtes dAmoN uriosteGui, rAfferty WAtersoN, Kylie WoodWArd, AvANA zeNNer 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 Writers’ 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 2,000 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 lAvistAmediA@GmAil com letters mAy

Be edited for leNGth ANd clArity. PleAse coNtAct lAvistAmediA@GmAil com for ANy issues reGArdiNG correctioNs

Mission stateMent: lA vistA is committed to ProvidiNG oNly the hiGhest QuAlity rePortiNG While mAiNtAiNiNG A strict stANdArd of JourNAlistic iNteGrity ANd ProvidiNG its reAders With relevANt coNteNt

“The Governing Board desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the district’s academic, extracurricular, and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The Board prohibits, at any district school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying, targeted at any student by anyone, based on the student’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, immigration status, nationality, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.”

Sofia offers wisdom and insight for freshmen

By Sofia WilliamS Editor-in-ChiEf

As I begin applying to become a freshman for the second time, I remember what the first go-round was like— the feelings of intimidation, the uncertainty and nerves that come with being in a new school for the first time.

In an effort to help the newbies feel a little less like they’ve been thrown into the deep end, I’ve compiled some words of wisdom from seniors from all walks of life. The question: what is your biggest piece of advice for freshmen?

However, this guidance is not only applicable to freshmen—upperclassmen could learn a little something from their peers, too.

So without further ado, please enjoy

staff Editorial

this short primer on freshman year at Mira Costa.

A football player: “Learn how to manage your time between school, sports, and friends because it is important to have a good balance and keep your priorities straight.”

A MUN delegate: “Don’t be intimi -

“Making genuine friends takes time, but finding your people makes the biggest difference.”

dated by upperclassmen. They were in your position at one point and understand what it’s like, so they’ll always be willing to help you.”

An actor: “Surround yourself with

people who make you feel good about yourself. Making genuine friends takes time, but finding your people makes the biggest difference. Don’t hold onto friendships that bring you down. High school is short enough.”

A violinist: “High school is so much larger than any community we’ve been a part of before, so take advantage of everything it has to offer; relax and enjoy the ride it takes you on. Nothing will feel easy, but use that to help you grow and build a foundation for who you want to be in the future.”

My advice? Take care of yourself. High school comes with more stress and responsibility than middle school, but you can handle it with grace if you take it one day and one week at a time. Remember to sleep (or try to), eat well, and when in doubt? Quizlet is usually the answer.

Honors GPA boost proves to benefit Costa’s student body

On June 3, the MBUSD School Board voted to award a boost in grade point average (GPA) for all honors classes at Costa. This measure is effective in providing a more accurate sense of one’s GPA and encourages students to take more rigorous classes, contributing to better college preparation.

Since 2015, Costa students’ GPAs have been weighted on a five-point scale if they take AP courses. This means that students have both a weighted average, out of five points, and an unweighted average, out of four points, depending on the classes they take. A 4.0 unweighted GPA indicates that a student has received As throughout their entire time in high school. However, as students take more AP and honors courses, their weighted GPA increases, potentially surpassing the four-point limit. The MBUSD Board voted to change Costa’s GPA policy to more accurately represent the academic rigor of honors classes, making more students eligible for the Honor Roll and Scholar Athlete recognition.

Costa’s new GPA policy is an effective measure by which to gauge the level of difficulty of a student’s coursework. In previous years, students who took an honors course would be cred -

ited with the same number of points as another student who took the same subject at the CP level, creating a disparity between the work completed and the perceived benefit received at the end of the class. Because honors classes are given the same weight as AP courses, students are encouraged to take more challenging classes, as honors courses do not come with the expectation of tak -

thus, Costa’s new honors GPa boost poses both immediate and far-reaching benefits to Costa students.”

ing an AP exam at the end of the year. Furthermore, if more students are motivated to take honors-level classes to boost their GPA, they will likely be better-equipped to rise to the academic challenges they will face in college. According to a study by the College Board, students who take advanced classes in high school receive better grades in college, have higher college graduation rates, and are more likely to obtain advanced degrees. If potential AP students are held back by fears of doing poorly

Voices of Costa

“ It’s rewarding for students taking honors or advanced courses that have the same rigor as AP’s. It’s a great way to boost your grade.”

“ It didn’t affect me as much, but I think it is a nice addition to our grading system. It rewards the harder work done in the honors classes.”

in class or on the AP exam but want to achieve a higher GPA, honors classes now provide a less-daunting alternative, equipping more students with the tools to succeed in college. Thus, Costa’s new honors GPA boost poses both immediate and far-reaching benefits to Costa students.

While Costa may use a different GPA policy in the new school year, each college a student applies to has a different method of calculating GPA. For example, the University of California (UC) system’s GPA requirements take into account only UC-certified honors courses and AP or IB courses, while the California State Universities (CSUs) provide a GPA boost for each honors course on a student’s transcript, regardless of the student’s caliber by the college’s standards. Even though the GPA boost Costa now offers for honors classes has little to no practical effect on a student’s college admission chances, its possibility to encourage more students to take more advanced courses will ultimately benefit Costa’s student body because it mimics college rigor.

The MBUSD Board’s decision to award a GPA boost to students who take honors classes is beneficial as it will give students a more accurate idea of their GPA based on the rigor of their course load.

Do you think MBUSD’s decision to award a GPA boost to honors classes is beneficial?*

86.1% 13.9% No Yes

Do you think the new policy is an accurate portrayal of a course’s difficulty?*

“ It acknowledges the extra effort and dedication it takes for honors classes and pushes students to work harder, giving us an advantage for college apps.”

“ It’s beneficial for students and helps them get the credit they deserve. Honors classes allow students to push themselves with a GPA boost.”

28.6%

aiden Merrimen senior

francesca sacoo Junior

daisei Horiguchi sophomore

Keeley Maloney freshman

Political polarization indicates major divide in the country

By Marley Brennan executive OpiniOn editOr and Kayla Kinsey OpiniOn editOr

American politics has experienced an extreme uptick in controversies since the January 6 riot, with false news contributing to increased polarization. Republicans and Democrats have moved further in opposite ideological directions, becoming increasingly distanced from one another on the political spectrum.

As the gap between the political parties grows, more researchers have traced its causes back decades. Between 1972 and 2023, the political parties—Republicans and Democrats—have become increasingly separated, with Republicans in particular moving further right, according to Pew Research Center. As these two groups grow further apart, finding a middle ground has become almost impossible. This polarization will cause America’s reputation to be tainted, allowing it to become more vulnerable to foreign threats, further extremism in political parties, and even more false news being spread across the internet and infiltrating televised political debates.

In George Washington’s farewell address, he explored his concerns regarding sectionalism and the dangers of political parties. From Washington’s

perspective, political parties will eventually lead to despotism, distracting the nation from its true duties and creating unprecedented political jealousies and violence. In this case, foreign nations may acknowledge America’s weaknesses and polarization, and in turn, impose their will upon the states. Even over 250 years ago, a vital leader to the country could recognize the dangers that our country is still facing.

The extremism in political parties has caused a major divide in the country, which will continue to grow unless the nation as a whole acknowledges and addresses its dangers. According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, extreme political divides have infiltrated and affected government decisions, debates, and behavioral standards across the country.

Furthermore, an “us versus them” mentality is causing a groupthink phenomenon to occur. Groupthink is a psychological term that defines people who make decisions based on their loyalty to a group, discouraging individual thought and encouraging conformity. This is dangerous in politics because it can decrease the diversity of ideals within a party, leading to extremism.

According to the New York Times, the first Republican presidential debate, which occurred this August, only streamed on

two platforms: Fox News and Rumble. Usually, more news stations broadcast debates of all parties and comment on them based on their individual views. The fact that some news stations with predominantly Democratic views did not even air the debate reveals the state of increasing polarization within the U.S. The same goes for Republicans who selectively respond to facts and ideas that confirm their beliefs.

The press has a responsibility to cover events where watchers can form their own opinions based on these facts. If the facts are not presented accurately on all sides, one cannot effectively craft an informed opinion. This leads to further reliance on groupthink to form beliefs.

‘Barbie’ movie encourages discussions of feminism and sexism within society

By Taylor Kelley News ediTor

The 2023 Greta Gerwig film

“Barbie” was anticipated to convey the brand’s trademark innocent, childlike appeal. However, the movie clear ly defies such expectations and instead discusses rele vant topics in society, chal lenging traditional gender roles, promoting feminism, and fighting sexism. The idea of Barbie dates back to 1959 when the American company Mat tel launched the doll. Since then, over 1 bil lion dolls have been sold, and 43 movies and three TV shows have been produced about the character.

In the movie, Barbie embarks on a personal quest to find her true identity in “Barbieland.” This narrative serves as a metaphor for breaking free from the constraints of patriarchal expecta tions. By encouraging young girls to explore their passions and embrace their individuality, the film encourages the challenging of societal norms.

“Barbie” provides a space for viewers to respond to and challenge social norms that limit women’s ability to chase their dreams. The film conveys realworld struggles like anxiety, self-image, gender roles, patriarchy, and the way society views women — all uncomfortable yet important topics. The film strays from traditional animated Barbie movies that cater to younger audiences. The film makes commendable efforts to challenge gender stereotypes that have long plagued society, especially the roles of women when facing prejudice and unfair treatment. By presenting Barbie as a multifaceted character with diverse interests and ambitions, the film encourages young viewers, especially young girls, to question the limitations imposed by pa-

triarchal norms. This portrayal serves as a powerful tool in dismantling the notion that women should conform to narrowly-defined societal roles and expectations.

The highly impactful movie also challenges traditional gender roles by presenting male “Ken” characters who defy societal expectations. These characters often display traits associated with femininity, such as emotional intelligence, empathy, and nurturing qualities. By doing so, the film challenges the notion that masculinity is solely defined by dominance and aggression, thereby questioning the patriarchal norms that perpetuate harmful stereotypes for both men and women.

While the Barbie movie may have appeared to be a modern children’s movie at first glance, it offers a nuanced portrayal of the patriarchy’s influence on society, specifically on women.

By challenging stereotypes, emphasizing the power of female friendships, questioning traditional gender roles, and promoting self-discovery, the film provides a platform for young viewers to question and challenge the societal norms that limit their potential. The new film mirrors the equitable culture our society is striving to promote.

However, according to DividedWeFall.org, social media has become such a popular and essential way of campaigning that polarization is inevitable. Because platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook allow for easy access to false news and provide a way for candidates of opposing parties to attack each other’s political and social views, it has further polarized the Democrats

and Republicans in the United States.

In all, it is incredibly clear that political polarization in America is ever increasing and is seemingly unstoppable. For this reason, it is imperative that individual citizens engage in discourse outside of their political parties in an attempt to understand the views of those who hold different opinions and maintain respect for opposing parties.

Costa’s removal of Chinese 1 reduces language diversity, access to course variety

By JeNNa walTer execuTive Theme ediTor

Due to lack of enrollment, the Chinese 1 class has been discontinued for the 2023-24 school year. The Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) should not have chosen to terminate Chinese 1 as it decreases Costa’s language diversity and hinders students’ access to true fundamental precepts of Chinese.

According to Costa’s administration, classes are based on a master schedule. When only 10 students chose to take Chinese 1, the class was cut entirely. The Chinese program has the lowest enrollment out of all languages at Costa, per administration. There is only one Chinese teacher and four classes this school year, while other languages such as Spanish have significantly higher enrollment.

The biggest issue with the discontinuation of Chinese 1 is that the Chinese program will begin to decline after this year. According to Chinese teacher Pauline Chang, class sizes will continue to decrease, starting with Chinese 2, in the 2024-25 school year as there will be no students advancing from Chinese 1. There is a similar decrease of enrollment at Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) as well. This school year, only Chinese 1B is offered at MBMS, while other languages have a 1A and 1B class.

The Chinese program’s removal hinders the fundamental learning of the language. According to Chang, 10 students is the perfect amount for a beginner Chinese class. For students who have had no previous exposure to the language, a small class is beneficial for one-on-one learning. In the

case of one student who skipped Chinese 1 altogether, an entire year of important curriculum will be foregone, posing greater challenges in Chinese 2.

Lastly, the removal of Chinese 1 will reduce diversity on campus. Chinese is the only Asian language taught on campus and without it, Costa will not be as diverse as neighboring school districts. In Chinese 1, students are taught about Chinese language and culture.

According to the Costa administration, the school could not allow Chinese 1 to be administered with 10 students due to lack of funding. The school would not make enough money to pay the teacher and cover other costs with only 10 students in the class. However, even though Chinese 1 was not offered this year, it is not gone forever—administration looks at enrollment per year and decides if there is a sufficient amount of students per class. School-wide budgets are hard to manage, but an exception should be made for the Chinese 1 students because a small Chinese 1 class provides an optimal learning environment.

To avoid a decline in diversity at Costa, administration should not have discontinued the Chinese 1 class. Discontinuing the most basic Chinese class does not bode well for the future of the program because a decreasing number of teens will sign up for Chinese each school year. Also, with fewer Chinese classes, Costa’s course offerings will become less diverse as the course not only covers the Chinese language, but also the culture and history surrounding the countries that speak it. While an argument can be made that there is not enough funding for 10 students in a class, a smaller class is better

illustrated By daisy lOzier

illustrated By daisy lOzier

Meet Costa’s new vice principals for the 2023-24 school year

By Seth I. PIckenS executIve FeatureS edItor

Kimberly Price is Costa’s new vice principal for the class of 2027. She is responsible for overseeing athletics, student activities, and safety of students at Costa.

According to Price, she is excited for the coming years at Costa and strives to be the best vice principal possible. Price thinks that being a good vice principal will be a multifaceted

task.

“[To me], being successful as a vice principal requires a combination of skills,” Price said. “You need educational expertise, interpersonal skills, and a commitment to the wellbeing and success of students and the entire school community.”

Price’s dedication to Costa comes from her love of the campus, its people, and its culture. According to Price, she wants to involve herself in the community and help students thrive.

“I chose to work at Mira Costa High School because of its commitment to academic excellence, a strong sense of community, diversity and inclusion, and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities.”

Price said. “I am excited to be a part of the Mira Costa family and contribute to the growth and success of our students. Go Mustangs!”

Deborah Park is Costa’s new vice principal for the class of 2026. She supports the math and science departments, and oversees testing, attendance, and other systems at Costa.

Before Costa, Park worked at Santa Ana Unified School District, where she was an English teacher and literary coach.

According to Park, Costa’s inclusive community drew her to take the VP position.

“I chose to work at Costa because I wanted to learn about school leadership as a vice principal in a closeknit community,” Park said. “I would [consider myself] successful in my duties if I made others feel heard, included, and valued, whether they are students, teachers, or parents.”

Park hopes to continue the culture of inclusivity on the Costa campus. According to Park, Costa’s student body and environment have made a strong impact on her.

“I am impressed by the level of student leadership here,” Park said. “It’s amazing to see young people create clubs, coordinate events like the assemblies, spearhead amazing projects, participate in extracurriculars, and advocate for issues they care about. I have not been at Costa long enough to reflect on changes that I would want to see, but I know that in every organization, even the best ones, there is always room for improvement.”

By carloS Bazan StaFF WrIter

Raeann Marti is Costa’s new vice principal for the class of 2025. Her responsibilities include overseeing the counseling department, world language department, and master schedule.

Marti has been working at MBUSD for over nine years. Marti taught Humanities at MBMS before moving to Costa. According to Marti, she considers MBUSD to be her family, and is committed to bettering the district.

“MBUSD has been my family since I started,” Marti said. “I’ve really enjoyed the experience [of working here], and I’m happy to continue growing in the same community I’ve been with for the past 10 years.”

Marti’s commitment

to MBUSD doesn’t just apply to MBMS. According to Marti, even though she spent the majority of her time at MBMS, she is very fond of Costa.

“I love it at Costa,” Marti said. “It’s a big school with a lot of kids; sometimes it feels like a city with how much is going on at one time. There’s nothing I would change. I appreciate the school’s uniqueness, the ambitious students, and the committed staff.”

Vice Princiapl Raeann Marti has been working for MBUSD for a decade. She started her career at MBMS, where she worked for nine years, and was recently appointed as the class of 2025’s vice principal. Photo courtesyof RaeannMarti

Teachers Polanco, Selmi join Costa History, STEM departments

By kylIe WoodWard executIve FeatureS edItor

Freddie Polanco is one of the newest additions to the MCHS teaching staff. Polanco teaches AP European History and AP United States History. According to Polanco, he is optimistic for the new school year.

Polanco transferred from Pacific Academy, a small private school in Encinitas, California to become a history teacher at Costa.

“My primary goal is to prepare students in AP Euro and AP U.S. History to take and pass their AP test with a 4 or above,” Polanco said. “My secondary goal is to

develop the ability of students to understand the difference between history as a discipline and history as a subject, not just in theory but in practice.”

According to Polanco, he strives to become a part of the MCHS culture and campus as a new teacher. After previously being employed as a coach for many sports, Polanco is excited to try something new, and is optimistic for the future. Education has always been an important part of his life. According to Polanco, role models from his childhood influenced him to pursue a career in education.

“I had a few key individuals that I drew my inspiration from,” Polanco said. “[I admire] my father for his strict work ethic, a former high school history teacher for his academic and intellectual modeling and assistance, a few professors for their challenges and emphasis on personal accountability, and a former coach who gave me my first opportunity to step into the field of education. All of them inspired me in different ways to pursue a career as a teacher.”

Polanco attended California State University, Long Beach, where he graduated with a degree in History. After graduating, Polanco decided to become a teacher. Starting as a sports coach right after high school, Polanco was surrounded by the challenges and rewards of being involved in education at a school, which led to his wanting to become a teacher.

“‘Always learning’ would be my motto,” Polanco said. “In Latin, though, so it sounds more official.”

Greg Selmi is another new addition to the MCHS staff. He is the new AP Computer Science and STEM teacher at Costa.

Selmi has over 15 years of experience as a tutor. According to Selmi, he is excited to help students better understand complex and important subjects, like computer science.

“I enjoy sharing my knowledge with everyone around me,” said Selmi. “I want to be able to share my understanding of computer science with each and every one of my students.”

Selmi says he gained much of his experience in computer science through his work on various computer programs and for several tech companies. According to Selmi, he plans to use his extensive knowledge of computer science to create an environment that maximizes his students’ ability to learn.

“The goal I have for the year is to get to know Mira Costa’s school campus and

kids,” Selmi said. “I strive to get involved around the school in many different ways and connect with everyone. I also want to be able to show my passion for sharing knowledge. I think I can do that by transferring the skills I learned as a history teacher.”

Selmi says that he was interested in Costa because of its high demand for new STEM teachers. He first started teaching at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, where he was an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher. According to Selmi, his biggest motivation to become a teacher was being in a family filled with educators his entire life. This led him to fall in love with the world of education and proceed with the intention of becoming a teacher.

“In high school, I used to have a teacher who scared all of their students,” said Selmi. “But I came out of it better and stronger, inspiring me to become who I am today.”

New vice principal Deborah Park is excited for the school year. According to Park, she hopes to foster inclusivity and acceptance of others on Costa’s campus as vice principal. Photocourtesyof DeborahPark

teaching the next generation: Greg Selmi is Costa’s newest STEM teacher, hired this year to teach AP Computer Science classes. According to Selmi, his goal for this year is to cement himself into Costa’s culture and share a love of learning with his students. PhotobyKylieWoodward/La Vista

Kim Price is one of Costa’s new vice principals for the class of 2027. According to Price, she hopes to involve herself in the campus community as much as possible as a vice principal. Photo courtresy of KimberlyPrice

history buff: Costa History teacher Freddie Polanco prepares for a day of teaching. According to Polanco, he’s excited for the opportunities this school year brings. Photo byKylieWoodward/LaVista

Costa Cinema Club writes, produces, films movie

By avana Zenner staFF Writer

After months of hard work, Costa’s Cinema Club created a short movie entitled “12:48.” Written and produced entirely by students, the film took over three months to complete and is now in the editing stage with plans to be completed in January.

“12:48” follows a teen boy and his struggle with grief after losing his best friend in a fatal car accident. According to senior Larson Willberg, being able to work on the film was an amazing experience.

“The opportunity to be a part of this film was a unique and valuable experience for everyone involved,” said Willberg. “Kaden Socrates, one of our directors, did an amazing job making the workflow and set experience as close to a professional level as possible, giving everyone involved exposure to filmmaking at a level you wouldn’t see in most film classes.”

Although the film was created by students here at Costa, the club hired its own actors, based in the Los Angeles County, to play the charac-

ters in the movie. The Cinema Club relies primarily on donations to pay for both its production costs and compensation for the actors.

“It is very difficult to find funds for the film because filming something is a very expensive process.” Junior Kai Brennan said. “We are very fortunate to have our partners donate tech, and we are working hard to make money for the club.”

Upperclassmen in the club were in

charge of writing and production, but all members were invited to participate in the film’s production. Socrates and recent Costa alumnus Maddox Chen were directors for “12:48.” Willberg worked as the head writer, and Brennan was both the talent manager and audio operator.

“The main element to this project’s success was definitely teamwork,” said Willberg. “We were able to successfully divide and conquer what we each specialize in and have it come together to make something pretty special.”

According to Brennan, the hardest part of the entire process was the scheduling conflicts that arose between the actors and crew because creating a film takes time and sacrifice. That being said, Brennan still thought the project was a positive experience and hopes to include more of Costa’s student body in future projects.

Ava’s take on back-to-school

By ava nicols editor-in-cHieF

My friends! How lovely is it to be back in school reading this newspaper together, just where we left off? Many of you may disagree, wishing you were still laid out on the beach, tanning your lives away. Yeah, me too.

I really do wish there was a feeling as good as baking under the sun with a UV of 10, sandwich from Boccatos in hand, smelling of Sunbum without a care in the world. It’s a tough thing to beat, I’ll be honest. But, the yearly back-to-school

Lights, camera, action: After months of pre-production and 10 days of filming, Costa’s Cinema Club is ready to start editing their film, “12:48.” Once the film is edited and finalized, “12:48” will be available for the public to watch both on YouTube and at Cinemark Playa Vista in mid-January. All proceeds will help support Cinema Club. PhotobyKitHumbarger/LaVista

“I had a great time working with actors because the set atmosphere was really positive,” said Brennan. “We are looking to connect with more MCHS drama kids for possible actors this year for the convenience of location.”

Former Costa student Melton releases new single

By lucy Hansen staFF Writer

On Sept. 15, Tish Melton, a former Costa student and senior at Chadwick School, released a new indie-pop

song, “Michelle.” This song is just the beginning of her music career, serving as an introduction to her emerging music genre and style.

“Michelle,” produced by American singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile and written by Melton, has been in the works for the past two years. According to Melton, she started writing the song shortly after teaching herself guitar in 2020.

“Writing is relatively new for me,” said Melton. “I’ve only been doing it seriously for the past two years. It’s exciting but scary. It will feel weird to have this song that I’ve had for so long [released].”

At first, Melton was uncertain about what her personal hopes for the song were, trying not to have too many expectations. According to Melton, she’s working hard to stay present and enjoy the experience.

sing it Loud: Tish Melton released her new song earlier this month. Her music has garnered 27,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. PhotocourtesyofTishMelton

“I’m hoping that it’s a good introduction of me and my writing,” said Melton. “It’s hard because I don’t really know what to

expect. I’ve never done this before. I’m hoping for the best possible outcome. I just don’t know what that is yet.”

Melton’s new song is inspired by artists like Clairo and Taylor Swift. According to Melton, she initially wrote the song about two friends that had a strange relationship and how young love can be confusing.

“I was trying to understand [their relationship] better,” Melton said. “It was kinda just a writing exercise for myself that I ended up really liking. It kind of morphed into [a song about] a relatable feeling in many teenage relationships.”

According to Melton, confidence is the key to her success. She went through a long process to release this song.

“Take yourself seriously,” Melton said. “No matter how much you express your dreams for real, people are hesitant to believe you. If you want to pursue it seriously, do it because you have to believe in yourself [and] have confidence.”

Senior Le receives National Charity League awards

By Kit HumBarger Features editor

Senior Audrey Le was honored with four awards from the NCL’s (National Charity League) Pier Chapter for her tremendous philanthropic contributions to the South Bay. Le was presented with the awards during the Kickoff Event.

The major award Le won was the Gold Level Presidential Volunteer Service Award. She also received the Mother Daughter Service Award, the Hourglass Award, and the Yellow Rose Bouquet Award. The awards are earned once a member reaches a certain amount of service hours with varying philanthropies.

“The Presidential Award was the hardest [to achieve] because it required the most amount of service hours,” said Le. “I needed at least 250 hours to achieve the Gold Level Award. A lot of my hours came from making paracord bracelets for Operation Gratitude.”

Le dedicated many hours to numerous organizations, volunteering 350 hours

during the 2022-23 school year alone. According to Le, she spent 212 hours working with Para Los Niños and 134 hours volunteering with various philanthropies.

“I volunteer for many philanthropies, including Operation Gratitude, the Richstone Foundation, and New Challenge Ministries,” said Le. “I also work with Para Los Niños, which is a math tutoring organization for underprivileged elementary students.”

At Para Los Niños, Le tutored a group of five elementary students that she met with weekly for the entire school year. According to Le, she organized club meetings, planned the activities for the students, and led tutoring sessions.

“I started working with Para Los Niños because I am part of a [volunteer] club here at Costa called Project Prospect,” said Le. “It’s run by my friend [senior] Naomi Kim and is partnered with Para Los Niños. I was also inspired to volunteer there because I love helping others in need.”

Le has been a part of NCL for five years and has received many awards and acclaim for her hard work. According to Le,

the most important part of volunteering is giving back to the community as much as possible.

“I really care about helping my community and those in need,” said Le. “These awards mean a lot to me because I’m able to see all the hard work I have accomplished over the past year.”

“It felt like forever ago that we longed to be in high school, so to put on the brakes now would be awfully anti-climactic, wouldn’t it?

shenanigans always seem to make the transition from the beach to the classroom a little more bearable.

I know for me, getting new school supplies is especially satisfying. But there’s one thing I always seem to forget about every year—Manhattan Beach’s Target is a warzone from late July to mid-August. Local shoppers come armed to dig for the good folders, college-ruled paper, and clear out the stationary section big time.

You know, no matter how old I get, I still do get excited about my outfits for the first couple months of school, too. That is, until I start losing motivation and they become composed of a loose rotation of usual suspects in my closet. One thing I can’t get behind, though, is the adoption of pajamas as everyday wear. Athleisure, though…that is a different story.

But what happens when the back-toschool “fun” dies out? Giving up becomes an option again. What I’ve realized from my three years at Costa thus far, though, is that we are the only ones who have control over our motivation. Sure, you could blame parents or teachers for putting pressure on you, but ultimately it is up to you to take initiative and get things done, or not. And as seniors, we actually get an excuse for this lack of motivation: senioritis. It’s a very vulnerable position to be in, because when you really think about it, we’re actually just getting started.

I’ve been meaning to read a book called “The Mountain is You,” by Brianna Wiest. In a nutshell, it’s about how we are the only obstacle between ourselves and our dreams. Kind of an interesting concept, if you ask me. So instead of senioritis, I will be choosing excitement, with the hope that this will aid my motivation because the world will soon be our oyster so soon. It felt like forever ago that we longed to be in high school, so to put on the brakes now would be awfully anti-climactic, wouldn’t it?

Pass it forward: Senior Audrey Le received four service awards from National Charity League for her dedication to volunteer work. She views these awards as a culmination of her hard work.

Before the shiny parts of going back-toschool dull out, I want to initiate the turning of a new leaf. In this column, for this year, and with all of you. A new school year means a new attitude, and despite having the same seagull problem in the quad, there is a lot of growth in store for each of us so long as we keep moving.

Until October, Xoxo, Ava

Photo by Kit Humbarger/La Vista

Seniors celebrate final year of High School

On Aug. 23, Costa seniors met at Waller Stadium prior to the start of school for the annual “Senior Sunrise” event, ringing in the new ear and co e oratin the first day of senior year.

The Senior Sunrise event, in partnership with Costa’s annual Senior Sunset walk in June, is hosted by ASB in collaboration with vario s ad inistration o ficers

Seniors were encouraged to wear their “Stronger Together” t-shirts in order to promote the school’s new maxim, which aims to unify the student body and foster inclusivity on campus.

“I was really excited for the senior sunrise,” said ASB President Margot Powell.

“I got to work with Caden Coons and Dr. Gerger along with other members of the ASB board to plan this event.”

The event included a complimentary breakfast, as well as speeches from Associated Student Body (ASB) President Margo

Barbie Breaks Records MB hosts 48th Sixer

Directed by Greta Gerwig, “Barbie’’ follows Barbie and Ken’s journey from their picture-perfect world of Barbieland to the dangers and complicated norms of the real world. Barbie and Ken both learn new things about themselves and what they really want in life, leading them to realize their true purpose and what it means to be both human and a doll.

When the live action adaptation was first announced in July 2019, fans speculated over the plot of the movie and when it would be released.

The movie’s star-studded ensemble, featuring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Simu Liu, and America Ferrera, immediately grabbed the attention of Barbie fans on social media. Produced by both Mattel and Warner Brothers, the movie was released on July 21, 2023.

As of early September, the ultra pink-fanta-

sy-comedy has garnered a total of $1.34 billion worldwide, making it Warner Bros. highest grossing global release since the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part in he fil s s ccess is a si nificant achieve ent or not onl reta erwi t all female directors, as it is now the highest grossing movie directed by a woman.

ot onl does the ovie eat re a a in actin and direction its lend o s tle coentar on social iss es a es the ovie e ora le and easil rewatcha le ar ie s critiq e o e inis and stereot pes is oth refreshing and relatable. The movie leaves the a dience la hin cr in and wantin more.

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summer . rewind .

La Vista looks into this summer’s most popular events and activities

compiled by Jenna Walter/executive theme editor, alana Frank/theme editor, & Sophia luckey/theme aSSiStant

Powell and ASB Senior President Caden Coons. At the end of the school year in June, the tradition will come full circle when graduated seniors participate in the Senior Sunset Strand Stroll.

“The Senior Sunrise is such an awesome tradition that Costa has,” said senior Arianna Vogel. “It was so much fun to see everybody, catch up with my classmates after summer break, and hear ro o ficers eniors will ta e a final wal as a class on the Manhattan Beach Strand after graduation, surrounded by friends and family, looking forward to future adventures and saying goodbye to Costa.

“[Senior Sunrise] was a great way to jump back into the year and reconnect with school friends,” Powell said. “I love this tradition and think that it is a great way to celebrate seniors and have a full circle moment when we graduate.”

Girls volleyball Wins Hawaii Tournament

Costa girls volleyball competed in the annual Ann Kang Invitational Tournament in Oahu, Hawaii on Aug. 10. The team was victorious for the second year in a row without the help of its integral player, senior setter Charlie Fuerbringer.

After training all summer, this tournament was the irls first ti e pla in to ether as a team, kicking off the high school season.

he first a e was a ainst ornerstone Christian High School (CCHS), where the stan s won in the final a e ccordin to senior middle hitter Rachel Moglia, the

team trained all summer to prepare for the tournament.

“This win was very special to us, especially because it was my last tournament in Hawaii with the girls,” said senior outside hitter Chloe Hynes.

The girls won seven games of pool play, which advanced the to the se ifinal and final atches ccordin to nes the tea has more younger players than last year.

espite this the tea is st as confident and skilled, said Hynes. The Mustangs lost in the first set o the final t ade

a comeback in the second set with a win o In the final set o the a e the tea sec red its victor a ainst ornerstone hristian with a win It can e nerve wrac in when o loo at the scoreboard and see that our team is down said sopho ore o tside hitterdre lana an r tea is alwa s reall ood at sta in positive s pportin each other and a in a co e ac he title o to rna ent was iven to lana an nes and j nior li ero a lor ec ert ll three were also presented with

The annual Charlie Saikle 6-Man Tournament took place in Manhattan Beach from Aug. 3-5. The long-lasting tradition celebrated its 48th year this summer, and the Jr. 6-man celebrated its 9th.

Teams play to 15 points with side-out scoring in a pool play bracket. This means that teams can only get points while their side is serving, and they must be in the top two in order to contin e on the first da pro ressing to double elimination on day two.

“For the second year in a row, Team Lyon Stahl has proved victorious in the tourney,” said senior Zach Chapin. “They consist mainly of UCSB men’s volleyball graduates that have some of the best team chemistry the event has seen in a long time.”

Popular teams that participated in this year’s 6-man were Lyon Stahl, Wrestlers, Fletch, Goodstuff, Soho, and OK. These teams have rosters from 10-50 people, and may register as all boys, all girls, or co-ed.

“Team OK in particular has many D1 commits from Costa and other high schools in the sport,” said Chapin. “They are looking to cement themselves in the coming years of the tournament after already making the second round of the playoffs last year.”

As a part of the tradition, teams will dress up in various costumes. These costumes are put together by the players, and most teams either wear a matching or collective theme. In the South Bay community, this wellknown tradition is the celebration of volleyball and beach culture. During the tournament, everyone comes down to the beach to spectate, play, or just have a good time.

“The 6-man tournament is one of the most fun days for volleyball players and lovers who call Manhattan Beach home,” said Chapin.

The 6-man tournament was founded in 1974 by Charlie Saikley, often lauded as the “godfather of beach volleyball.” With the event, Saikley aimed to foster a sense of inclusivity and camaraderie, according to manhattanbeach.gov. Saikley’s family has worked with the Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Department. In this vein, the youth competition will embrace the tradition of wearing costumes and matching gear.

“The teams’ costumes get more creative every year of the 6-Man,” senior volleyball player Chloe Hynes said. “Some teams even wear a certain color for a good cause or to raise awareness.”

“Crowds went wild” at Eras Tour

a lor wi t per or ed at the ofi tadium in Los Angeles to end the U.S. leg of her “Eras Tour” from Aug. 3-9.

Swift’s performance showcased 44 songs from nine different albums. Each album was performed with new costumes and sets, along with an acoustic set. She put on a brilliant performance with stunning vocals and varied song choices.

All Tournament awards.

“Receiving the title of tournament MVP felt super special,” Flanagan said. “Especially since I was nervous coming into the tournament, and it was just really unexpected.”

According to Hynes, the individual awards were compounded by a strong sense of team spirit, which fostered a collaborative atmosphere among the players.

“We have such a strong bond, and that bond is even tighter now after winning the tournament,” said Hynes.

Swift was able to keep her crowd of 70,000 fans entertained for the entire show due to her mesmerizing performances and engaging commentary and anecdotes, in addition to phenomenal backup dancers and choreography.

Taylor released her newest album “Midnights,” on Oct. 21, 2022. Taylor has released four albums since her last tour in 2018. Instead of combining these four albums, Swift performed songs from almost all of her albums in the tour.

The show began with the “Lover” era, and

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BUMP SET SPIKE: Crowds are drawn to spectate the many matches at the Manhattan Beach Charlie Saikle 6-Man Tournament. The annual tournament took place from August 3-5. Photo Courtesy of manhattanbeach.gov

LONG LIVE: Taylor Swift performs a crowd-favorite song, “Enchanted,” at Sofi Stadium on Aug. 5. Swift hosted a captivating performance with 44 songs from nine different albums. PhotobyJennaWalter/ LaVista

VICTORY: The Mira Costa girls volleyball team wins the Ann-Kang Tournament in Oahu, Hawaii for the second year in a row on Aug. 10. After a total of 9 games played in the tournament, the girls won against tough teams, and Taylor Deckert, Audrey Flanagan and Chloe Hynes (bottom right) were recognized for tournament MVPs and All-Tournament awards. PhotoCourtesyofChloeHynes

HEY BARBIE: “Barbie” was released in theaters on July 21. The film features an all-star cast with Margot Robbie in the title role, as well as clever comedy and a notable plot. PhotoCourtesyofNPR.org

‘24: Seniors gather for Senior Sunrise at Waller Stadium before the first day of school on Aug. 23. The event is part of an annual tradition at Costa that comes full circle at the Senior Sunset Walk on the strand in June. PhotoCourtesyofJessicaLubs

Illustrated by Walker Ellis/La Vista

Junior hockey stars, Kevan, Benoit, join Costa family

By Nate CohN Staff Writter

J uniors Ben Kevan and Robin Benoit left their family and friends behind to move to Manhattan Beach and play for the Jr. Kings hockey program while attending Mira Costa High School. Both athletes have been recognized for their elite talent and strive to take their game to the next level.

Kevan grew up in North Fairfield, California, a town near San Francisco, and moved to Manhattan Beach at the age of 14. This will be his third year living with a billet family, which hosts a player in its home for the 9-month hockey season. According to Kevan, the sacrifice of leaving home is worth it.

“The change of scenery is a lot of fun,” Kevan said. “There’s so much more to do here, and it makes for a much better experience off the ice.”

In August, Kevan committed to Arizona State University to play NCAA Division 1 hockey. As one of the top-ranked players in the nation, Kevan represented team USA in Chomutov, Czechia for the Five Nation Tournament in August, bringing home a silver medal.

“Costa allows me to meet new friends and set myself up to play hockey at a high level with my teammates,” Kevan said. “We spend so much time together, which builds chemistry on and off the ice.”

The Junior Kings 15U team won the 2023 USA hockey National Championship, with Kevan playing a key role in leading the team to victory. Eager to win again, the now 16U team added a new

player onto its team this year, Robin Benoit.

“I think that being on the Junior Kings team is good for me because it is the best junior team in the country.” Benoit said, “A lot of hockey scouts will watch our games, and I will get a lot of recognition.”

Benoit is from Quebec, Canada and moved to Costa for the 2023-24 school year. However, it is not his first year living

away from home. According to Benoit, it’s become normal for him to move to different places to play for elite teams such as Sag-Lac Espoirs in Quebec and the Bakersfield Roughnecks of the United States Premier Hockey League.

“It’s my third year of living with a billet family, and I love it,” Benoit said. “I don’t mind not living with my family anymore, because I meet new friends and people, but I still try to talk to them everyday.”

According to Benoit, while looking for schools in Los Angeles, Costa stood out to because of its impressive academics. Benoit has received a lot of support from Costa and his teammates, who are willing to help with his homework and introduce him to new people.

“I think that Costa was the best school for me in Los Angeles to develop my language and my grades,” Benoit said.

Benoit committed to University of Nebraska-Omaha in early August and was drafted 56th overall by Sherbrooke Phoenix of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Like Kevan, Benoit hopes to win the National Championship next season with the 16U team.

“My plan is to have the best season possible,” Benoit said. “I also want to improve my grades at Costa to be good enough to go to college and play at the higher level.”

Benoit will start his college career at Arizona State in 2025. The Sun Devils’ hockey team is fairly new, as it started its program in 2015. The Sun Devils are one of the six independent teams in NCAA Division I. Since their start in 2015, the Sun Devils have a record of 108-140-18 but continue to improve each year. In 2019, they received a bid to attend the NCAA tournament but got eliminated in the regional semifinals. According to Benoit, he is excited to arrive in Tempe and help the team succeed.

“I am super anxious to get to Arizona State and meet my teammates,” Benoit said. “I think that the team will start to improve in these upcoming years, and we can hopefully make a run in the tournament.”

LEADERS: Juniors Ben Kevan (left) and Robin Benoit (right) compete at the highest level. They both played for elite teams and were some of the top scorers in their respective age divsions. Kevan plays for team USA, while Benoit is a 15 year old playing in an under 21 league. Photocourtesy ofDanHicklingImages(left)andJOEPROActionShots(right)

Rebecca Kelley Cross Country

Rebecca Kelley is the new coach for Costa’s girls cross country team. According to Kelley and co-coach Renee William Smith, their primary objective is for everyone on the team to have a happy and healthy season.

Kelley hopes that the team will continue in its tradition of making it to California Interscholastic Federation and State. Kelley wants to instill a love for running in her athletes and believes that running is important for mental and physical health.

“Getting to coach alongside [William Smith] is an opportunity I could not pass up,” Kelley said. “It is a true privilege to learn from her and now have her as a mentor and friend. Renee and the girls inspire me every day.”

New Head Coaches At Costa

John Weber Girls’ Flag Football

John Weber is the new coach for girls flag football, a sport added this year to Costa’s athletic offerings.

Coach Weber has been coaching rugby at Costa for five years, has lived in the South Bay for 15 years, and is excited to now be coaching flag football. Weber’s involvement in the South Bay athletic community has been extensive, and according to Weber, coaching is just another way for him to give back and help the community.

“My goal for flag football is to start, coach and build a program that will last year after year,” Weber said. “The new program needed a head coach, and I knew I could benefit the program and team.”

Maik Tatavosian Hockey

Coach Maik Tatavosian is the new coach for Costa hockey. He played NCAA college hockey and lacrosse and has been coaching hockey for over 14 years. For the past eight years, Tatavosian worked for the L.A. Junior Kings, but has now taken a directorial position with the California Wave out of Artesia, California. His goals at Costa are to win the league, to give the players a great experience and to grow the program.

“I’ve always had a passion for hockey,” said Tatavosian. “I just love athletics and competition. Now I feel being around the athletes keeps me young. It makes me really happy to see my students develop into good young adults.”

Seain Cook Boys Beach Volleyball

Seain Cook is the new coach for boys beach volleyball. Cook works with collegiate volleyball players and professionals and recently took on the Costa team.

Cook joined the Great British Beach team when he was 16 and simultaneously attended college at the University of Bath. Cook played professional volleyball for about 10 years, and also has participated in AVP tournaments. Now, he joins the Costa family to coach the beach volleyball team.

“Our goals are to create a program that showcases high-level volleyball, producing excellent student-athletes that can compete with the very best in the world,” said Snyder. “I really enjoy helping the young athletes unlock their potential.”

Snyder Boys Volleyball

Greg Snyder is the new boys volleyball coach after assistant coaching for the past 11 years at Costa.

Snyder’s goal at Costa as head coach is to develop a program that is more than just about winning. During his time as a Costa student, Snyder played many sports. Even as a young athlete, the thought of coaching excited him.

“The Mira Costa volleyball program was my favorite team that I ever played for, including college and club,” Snyder said. “There’s something special and enduring about it. It’s a bond that unites all ages. I was made aware of a coaching availability at Mira Costa, and I haven’t looked back since.”

Senior Fuerbringer brings home gold on Team USA

By LiLy MitcheLL Managing editor

This August, Costa girls indoor volleyball player senior Charlie Fuerbringer made her debut representing the USA in the 2023 FIVB U19 Girls World Championship Aug. 1-11. As the team consists of only 12 girls, Fuerbringer is considered one of the best high school indoor volleyball players in the nation.

According to Fuerbringer, Team USA is a 20-person training team with players from around the country, choosing 12 of those 20 to compete abroad. She began her USA Volleyball career in July of 2022, but her time with the team was cut short after she caught Covid-19, leaving her unable to travel with the team.

“This was my first time competing on this team,” Fuerbringer said.

“Last year I trained and made it, but unfortunately I got Covid and couldn’t travel.”

This year, Fuebringer was trained at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center and traveled to Osijek, Croatia and Szeged, Hungary for the World Championships. The tournament consisted of the top athletes from 20 different countries, including South Korea, Japan, Brazil, Italy, Turkey, and Mexico.

“We only trained for six days while every other country’s team trained for up to two years,” Fuerbringer said. Although the girls only practiced for six days as a team, they had been working towards this goal since the beginning of their volleyball careers. The USA team went into the finals on Aug. 11 undefeated. After losing the first two sets against Turkey, the U.S. made a comeback, winning the match 3-2

and taking the U19 Girls World Championship title home.

“This win meant absolutely everything to me and the team,” Fuerbringer said. “To know all of our hard work has paid off feels amazing, but it also pushes me to do better.”

Having met only a few of the girls on the team, Fuerbringer was quickly able to establish close ties with her teammates. According to Fuerbringer, the girls always pushed one another to do better, as they shared a common goal: to win.

“We were such a diverse team, and I think that is the reason we

bonded so well,” Fuerbringer said. “We were with each other 24/7 on this trip, and this allowed us to connect on a deeper level.”

Fuerbringer cherishes her last year on the Costa team, claiming that it has shaped her as a player and prepared her well for any situation that comes her way. Ranked Number 1 in the nation, the Mustangs are working hard this season, but most importantly, they are having fun.

“This team is so special, and I know we can accomplish anything if we work our hardest,” Fuerbringer said. “I want this year to be fun and stress-free. I hope

everyone can just enjoy the amazing opportunity of playing on this team.”

Although proud of her achievement, Fuerbringer’s volleyball career doesn’t stop there. Fuerbringer has big goals for the future as she gets ready to take her skills to the collegiate level in the fall of 2024 at the University of WisconsinMadison.

“No matter what I accomplish, I know there is always more to give,” Fuerbringer said. “My goal is to be the best version of myself. I hope to have a successful college career and eventually make it onto the USA Women’s National Team.”

CAPTAIN AMERICA: Charlie Fuerbringer played a leading role in leading the Girls’ Team USA U19 squad to a gold medal. Fuerbringer will continue her volleyball career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a top collegiate team. PhotocourtesyofCharlieFuerbringer

COACHABLE: Fuerbringer receives coaching midway through a match. Fuerbringer is widely considered to be the best girls’ high school player in the nation, according vballrecruiter.com. PhotocourtesyofCharlieFuerbringer

Greg

PhotocourtesyofJohnWeber

PhotocourtesyofRebeccaKelley

PhotocourtesyofZachChapin

Photocourtesyof@seaincook

Photo courtesy of Bay Harbor Red Wings

CompiledbyJennaBrodkin/SportsEditor

Girls volleyball sweeps Santa Monica, 3-0, in Bay League match

By noki Lam SportS Editor

has been remaining uncomplacent after finding early-season success.

of 13 kills on 19 attempts.

Girls

Volleyball faced Santa Monica in a Bay League matchup last Tuesday. The Mustangs swept the Vikings 3-0 in a dominant performance, winning 25-11, 25-6, and 25-20.

The team came into the match with an overall record of 16-1 and was ranked as the #1 team in the United States by Maxprepsmonday. According to sophomore middle blocker Mia Miller, one of the team’s biggest challenges

“I would say the hardest part is keeping our energy up and consistent in each match,” Miller said. “We didn’t treat this match any differently than the others, and we tried to keep our level of intensity up.”

The first set started off with a strong entrance from the Mustangs, as the team swiftly took a 25-11 win to set the tone of the match. Sophomore hitter Cayenne Ceman led the team with an efficient offensive performance

“Today, our biggest thing was staying consistent,” Ceman said. “I just made sure to be aggressive on the court when hitting.”

Another win came in the second set. The team was able to hold the Vikings under 10 points, taking the second set 25-6, whilst cycling through a roster of substitutions made up of 20 players.

“We just make sure to keep our hitters confident and swinging strong,” senior opposite hitter Chloe Hynes said. “It helps a lot that our setter, Charlie [Fuerbringer], keeps an awesome flow going with our offense.”

The Vikings stayed resilient despite major losses in the first two sets, keeping the game close until the end. Costa was able to come out on top in a battle, winning the set 25-20. According to senior opposite hitter Nora Williams, the team was able to win even without the momentum of the set by staying supportive as a team.

“We have trust to rely on each other when we get in down spurts,” Williams said. “Keeping our team culture and following our game plan is how we were able to get this win and others.”

The Mustangs prepare to enter one of the nation’s biggest tournaments today and Saturday in Las Vegas. According to Maxpreps, they go into the event as the main favorite to win the tournament and are likely to defend their #1 nationwide ranking.

“We’ve been preparing for our

3-0, on Tuesday. PhotobyNokiLam/LaVista

time in Vegas in lots of ways,”

sophomore setter Milly McGee said. “Every practice leading up to it has been us going hard and pushing in practice and workouts everyday in anticipation of the tough competition we will see in Vegas.”

The team’s success has built on the successful season the team had last year, coming in 2nd in the playoffs of a competitive California Interscholastic

Federation (CIF) Southern Section division, and finishing in the top three of all teams in the state. According to Williams, the team is able to excel largely because of the players’ relationships with each other off the court.

“Our friendship outside of volleyball impacts our play on the court for the better,” Williams said. “Volleyball is the best when you love and trust the people you are playing with.”

Costa football narrowly loses to San Juan Hills, 28-20

By Eric Brodkin ExEcutivE SportS Editor

Costa Football lost to San Juan Hills High School, 2820, on Sept. 15th in a close game.

Costa started off the season 0-3 and was looking to get a win at home against San Juan Hills. According to junior quarterback Nico De La Cruz, they expected this team to be difficult to beat.

“We did expect this team to give us a challenge coming into the game,” De La Cruz said. “They want to win just as much as we do, and they are a very skilled team.”

The Mustangs started off the game strong, going up 7-0 in the first quarter with a passing touchdown caught by sophomore wide receiver Luke Meeker. After a failed offensive possession by the Stallions, the Mustangs took advantage of an opportunity for De La Cruz to complete a 30-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Reese Leonard.

“Our offense worked so well in the first half because we were having a much faster tempo,” De La Cruz said. “We had a couple of new plays, one of which was the touchdown to Reese.”

The Mustang defense was able to shut out the Stallion offense in the first quarter by forcing it to punt the ball on every drive. The shutout ended in the second quarter, when Costa gave up 14

points before going into halftime. According to junior safety Eli Cebula, the defense motivated the offense to continue to score while the defense was doing its job.

“Our defense mostly gave the offense the motivation,” Cebula said. “Playing one of the best offensive teams in the state and letting up zero points in the first quarter was huge. It would’ve been great to be able to continue to score and also defend our end zone.”

After coming out of halftime with the Mustangs up 17 to 14, it was a slow third quarter for both teams. Turnovers, failed drives, and strong defense was the theme for the quarter. Both teams were unable to score any points, leading to a close fourth-quarter finish. The Mustangs entered the fourth quarter up three, looking for the win against the Stallions.

“Our offense this year has been having a little trouble running the ball,” De La Cruz said. “We also need to keep the ball in our hands longer.”

San Juan Hills dominated the 4th quarter. Turnovers by the Mustangs gave the Stallions momentum. The Stallions outscored the Mustangs 14 to 3 to close out the game. A late fourth-quarter push and a crucial interception thrown by De La Cruz in the last three minutes gave the Stallions the lead and a 28-20 win against the Mustangs. According to Ce-

bula, the team had the win in its grasp but lost it at the end.

The Mustangs had many opportunities to prevent the Stallions from winning on both sides of the ball. The Mustang offense settled for a field goal to start the fourth quarter, which gave them a sixpoint lead. The Stallion offense quickly responded with two backto-back touchdowns to go up 2820. According to De La Cruz, if they could’ve held on to the ball a little longer, they would’ve had a better chance at winning the game.

“As an offense, we have been built to score quickly and fast,” De La Cruz said. “But when we need to control the ball and take time off the clock, that hasn’t been working.”

“The defense could’ve finished the game and powered through, along with the rest of the team,” Cebula said. “We had them beat but just lost it at the end.”

After this loss, the Mustangs move to 0-4 on the season. According to Cebula, as they put this past week’s loss behind them, they plan to prepare for this week with lots of energy. The Mustangs face Villa Park High School, a non-league opponent, tonight at 7 p.m. at Waller Stadium.

“We are preparing with a lot of run defense and energy,” Cebula said. “We have to start the game strong and end it while beating down on their run offense.

SPEEDY: Senior cornerback and kick returner Victor Loiola walks to the Mustangs’ sidleine after a kick return . Loiola is a key piece to Costa’s defense along with their special teams. PhotobyNokiLam/LaVista

TEAM EFFORT: The team celebrates after winning a point against Santa Monica High School. The Mustangs swept their opponents,

FLOOR GENERAL: Senior setter Charlie Fuerbringer back-sets to her opposite hitter. Fuerbringer leads the team in assists and is a major contributer to the team’s success. PhotobyNokiLam/LaVista

GRIT: Junior quarterback Nico De La Cruz fights his way to the endzone, improvising from a broken play. De La Cruz leads the Mustangs in offensive yards and is known for his deep passes and strong arm. De La Cruz is a leader of the Mustangs’ offense and helped the team stay in the game with clutch plays. PhotobyNokiLam/LaVista

Olivia Rodrigo releases “GUTS,” an edgy, electrifying album

By Kelsey McAvin AssistAnt Arts editor

Olivia Rodrigo’s most recent album, “GUTS,” features captivating and dazzling lyrics. Rodrigo’s long-awaited sophomore album is unique, ambitious, and delightful to listen to, leaving listeners satisfied.

Debuted on Sept. 8, “Guts” is the latest studio album released by the American singer-songwriter and actress in the last four years. On June 30, Rodrigo previewed this album by releasing the single “Vampire” on various forms of social media, most popularly TikTok, leaving fans eager for the release of the rest of the album. Although fans had to wait several years for this release, the beautifully crafted album was worth the wait.

LOOKING INTO FAME: Olivia Rodrigo creates a phenomenal album with bold vocals, lyrics, and instrumentals. Rodrigo started her own trend by writing in lipstick on mirrors, which emphasizes her uniqueness as an artist. Photocourtesyof Wikipedia

MY BRAIN GOES AHH: “GUTS” leaves fans and listeners screaming for more. After a long wait for Olivia Rodrigo’s new album, fans’ expectations were exceeded more than ever before. Throughout the album, Rodrigo’s immense artistry and creativity shone through, both through her music and through the album art. IllustratedbyWalkerEllis

The album’s lead single, “Vampire,” begins with melancholic piano keys that lead into an upbeat tempo with an exhilarating pace and lyrics that fans can relate to. Rodrigo uses this song to flip the sexist stereotype of female gold diggers, using emotional, heartfelt lyrics that resonate with younger generations who are alert to abuses of power.

“Bad Idea, Right,” the album’s second single, provides listeners with a story of

Rodrigo’s reckless behavior as she sneaks off to an ill-advised meet-up. Rodrigo deviates from her usual singing style in this song, which surprises and excites fans. The chorus repeats “blah blah blah,” drowning out the voice of reason and allowing the song to succumb to the thrills of delusion.

Rodrigo’s unique artistic ideas are portrayed most clearly in this album, leaving her devoted fans excited and coming back for more.

One of the album’s most popular songs, “The Grudge,” has a complex history behind it. The lyrics stood out to fans as reminiscent of her feud with singer Taylor Swift, but Rodrigo denied these rumors, claiming she just enjoys writing songs about fantasies. This single is raw, emotional, and Rodrigo is praised for the vulnerability and honesty in the lyrics.

The cover of the album perfectly accompanies the diverse collection of songs included in the work. The simple decoration and the purple color scheme of the album cover adds to Rodrigo’s original style.

In spite of the originality of the songs in “Guts,” many listeners find Rodrigo’s relationship-centered lyrics tiresome. Rodrigo consistently creates songs about her romantic endeavors and social anxiety, highlighting her recurring problems with the same relationships. Many eager fans were left extremely disappointed by the similarity between “GUTS” and her prior album, “Sour.” However, these few complaints are easily overruled by the positives.

The use of spunky lyrics, complex instruments, and high-tempo vocals produced an album filled with songs that are cleverly written. The four-year wait for the album “GUTS” was a small price to pay for its spectacular release. Rodrigo was able to surpass already high expectations with her creative, bold, and varied lyrics and songs.

Rodrigo uses a variety of instruments to complement her unforgettable vocals. The up-tempo beat of the songs perfectly accompanies the boldness of her lyrics, leaving fans listening on repeat.

The album was released on Sept. 8 and is available to stream on all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Pandora, and iHeart. For more information, visit oliviarodrigo.com.

‘Rustin in the Rain’ displays emotional lyricism, touching listeners

Tyler Childers exceeded high expectations with quality country tunes and well-written lyrics.

Childers curated his phenomenal new album, “Rustin’ in the Rain,” by incorporating a variety of instruments and exploring the field of folk music. All of his lyrics have intention behind them, ensuring quality over quantity. Childers’ nontraditional songwriting and iconic voice have attracted new listeners, popularizing his music and promoting his new album.

By Joylynn lee executive Arts editor COWBOYS

Childers is an American singer-songwriter who focuses his talents on non-traditional music with folk tunes. He quickly became well-known for his 2017 album “Purgatory.” From this early album, Childers shows immense improvement in his lyrical ability while still maintaining his consistent and iconic country style. His music stands apart from other country songs due to his ability to create calming music while covering complex topics including heartbreak and love.

Released on Sept. 8 through Hickman Holler Records, “Rustin’ in the Rain” was produced by Childers and his band. His single, “In Your Love,” was released

before the album. “In Your Love” was exceptional, previewing “Rustin’ in the Rain” and leaving fans eager for the release of the album.

Childers stays consistent with his timeless music, beautiful lyricism, and unique instrumentals. His raspy vocals were highlight ed throughout the en tirety of album and paired with gentle instrumentals to captivate listeners.

Childers truly surpasses expectations with his lyricism. He puts himself in a vulnerable position as he tells a story in the song “Phone Calls and Emails,” where he pleads for someone important to him to call him back. He demonstrates intense loneliness and agony throughout, evoking a feeling of empathy and personal connection within his listeners.

struments accompanied Childers’ vocals throughout each song. Difficult instrumental maneuvers appeared effortless as they were flawlessly executed. His unique and upbeat rhythm kept the album positive while exploring difficult topics.

“Help Me Make It

Through the Night” was another stunning piece in this album.

YEEHAW: Tyler Childers ensures each song in his album is unique, while being sure to not stray too far from his classic style. Fans were satisfied with his country twang and iconic rasp. IllustratedbyWalkerEllis

Childers’ voice is perfectly intertwined with the phenomenal guitar solo in the middle of the piece. His band exceeded expectations, providing listeners with soulful music that complements Childers’ voice.

Along with “Phone Calls and Emails,” “In Your Love” also touches listeners with poetic lyrics and heartfelt promises. In this song, Childers sings and portrays his love for his wife, producing positive reactions and respect for Childers from female listeners, especially. This release impressed listeners with his displays of emotional maturity and growth.

Instruments including the guitar, the keyboard, and multiple percussive in-

Childers’ voice is without a doubt one of the most unique in this generation. Each song in his new album has incredible depth and showcases intensely emotional lyrics. Childers’ ability to fuse distinct instruments together to produce deep and complex music, complementing his vocal talents, has led to the recent album’s success.

Childers’ newest album, “Rustin’ in the Rain,” was released on Sept. 8 and can be streamed through Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms. For more information, visit tylerchildersmusic. com.

CRY TOO: Tyler Childers portrayed a level of emotional maturity like never before in his recent album. Listeners can expect poetic lyrics and depth throughout “Rustin’ in the Rain.” Photo Courtesyofliveforlivemusic.com

LACMA ‘Seeing the World in Stone’ exhibit unifies diverse cultures

By Charlotte levy arts editor

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) presented the transformation of a seemingly bland object, stone, into a stunning subject for art in the exhibit “Eternal Medium: Seeing the World in Stone.”

The new exhibit features diverse pieces of art, composed of varying mediums as well as highlighting different subjects. The diversity of the art allows the viewer to focus on the common component between the pieces: stone. Connecting this material, which dates back to the creation

of the Earth, to modern audiences allows viewers to feel a personal connection to even the most extravagant pieces.

wORKS OF ANCIENT GREECE: The projection depicts in-depth visual of Demosthenes. The image perfectly illuminates the intricate details of this piece. PhotobyCharlotteLevy/ LaVista

The exhibit’s largest piece, “Draped Marble” by Analia Saban, fascinated audiences with marble slabs hanging over a wooden sawhorse. Saban’s work with marble, a very durable material, as pliable and flexible is an eye-catching choice. This unusual feature of marble allows viewers to think outside the box when browsing the works of “Eternal Medium.”

Johann Christian Neuber’s “Box” projects the lid of a neoclassical box with a Greek head

statue in its center surrounded by gold-encrusted pearls and stones on the southwall. The projection of the box allows audiences to explore the fine and dazzling details of the piece, which are easily overlooked when the box is viewed in its traditional form. The marbling of the precious gems displayed in “Box” contrasted starkly with the rougher, yet equally gorgeous, stones in other artworks.

While some art pieces featured a variety of different stones, others focused on the diverse qualities of a single gemstone, like “Pair of Bowls With Narcissus.”

Originating in China, this sculpture utilizes the different colors

of jade to distinguish between the stems, petals, leaves, and the bowl. The artist mimics the beauty of flowers through the breathtaking appearance of carved jade.

Wilhelm Fistulator’s “Architectural Scene and Frame” put a twist on what appears to be a traditional painting at first sight. Fistulator carved complex details to bring the scene to life, transporting viewers to 17th-century Germany. This plaque illustrates the Munich royal court, where Fistulator’s father designed the interior with rounded stone archways and checkerboard floors. The gold frame, adorned with intricate designs, elevates the prestige of the

work without distracting from the interior of the piece.

Viewers are able to explore their own identities through the collection of varying art pieces. The exhibit had art for everyone, allowing viewers to see their own stories, messages, and meanings reflected in the stone. LACMA tends to curate beautiful, yet niche exhibits, with, “Eternal Medium” being enjoyable and inclusive for all.

“Seeing the World in Stone” opened Aug. 20 and will be available for viewing until Feb. 11 in the Resnick Pavilion in LACMA. For more information visit lacma. org.

RELIGION THROUGH ART: Antoine Coypel captures the religious experience of “The Baptism of Christ.” The gold frame compliments the oil paints. Photo by Charlotte Levy/La Vista

CRAFTEd wITH jAdE: The handcrafted flowers in the “Pair of Bowls With Narcissus” portrays Chinese culture with the use of jade to create the artificial potted landscapes. The exquisite design drew in numerous viewers in awe of the artwork. PhotobyCharlotteLevy/LaVista

Drake’s concert at Kia Forum surpassed audience expectations

By MarLey Brennan executive OpiniOn editOr

Drake brought a sonically incredible and entertaining string of concerts to Los Angeles.

Between Aug. 12-22, Drake delivered eight amazing concerts to his fans at the Kia Forum and the Crytpto.com Arena in Inglewood. The openers, on-stage production,

and setlist all exceeded expectations.

Drake is a world-renowned rapper most famous for his 2018 album “Scorpion,” and, more recently, “Her Loss,” released in 2022. His “It’s All a Blur” tour excited fans, as his last tour was “Aubrey & the Three Migos” in 2018.

On his “It’s All a Blur

Tour,” Drake featured renowned rapper 21 Savage in all but one of his shows worldwide. Drake invited SexxyRedd to his opening set, and fans sang along to her most famous songs such as “Shake Sumn” and “SkeeYee,” which are well-known on TikTok.

After the openers, Drake performed for around 45 minutes, at which point 21 Savage performed alongside Drake. Some fan favorite songs included “Nice For What,” an upbeat piece, “Over,” a lyrical masterpiece with a famous intro, as well as “Energy” and “Nonstop,” two perfect hype songs. As for 21 Savage, he played hits “Bank Account,’’ a repetitive but classic song everyone knows and “Peaches and Eggplants,” with heavy bass and accompanying instrumentals.

At the end of each concert, Drake performed a song that he either had never played live or hadn’t played for a very long time. Some of these were picked from his older albums, such as “Thank me Later,” whichwas released in 2010.

The set list for each of the shows were perfectly chosen. Incorporating songs spanning from multiple albums, old and new, the rapper crafted a diverse and

unique show that fulfilled all his fans’ desires. Drake performed a mixture of all types of music, including a DJ set where he mixed songs such as “One Dance” and “Fountains.”

Providing seamless transitions and vibrant visuals, the onstage production was both visually pleasing and incredibly entertaining. Matching many of the digital designs onstage to each individual song and syncing the movement with the beat made it clear that the show was wellthought out by Drake’s creative team.

Although Drake performed at both the Kia Forum and the Crypto.com Arena, the sound quality was better at the Forum. Since the Forum was specifically built to be a music venue, it provides perfect acoustics for a high-quality concert.

Nonetheless, Drake provided his fans with a concert that combined a perfectly constructed setlist with an entertaining and thoughtful production. He executed his concert at the Kia Forum phenomenally, entertaining his audience throughout the night.

Drake performed in California at the Kia Forum on Aug. 12, 13, 15, 16; the Chase Center Aug. 18 and 19; and the Crypto.com Arena Aug. 21 and 22. Drake’s “It’s All a Blur” 2023 tour began July 5, and his final show date is to be determined. For more information go to drakerelated.com.

Fan Favorites

1. “Energy”

2. “Know Yourself”

3. “Over”

4. “Bank Account”

5. “Thank Me Later”

6. “Nice For What”

7. “Find Your Love”

8. “Passionfruit”

9. “Work”

10. “One Dance”

Zach Bryan gives outstanding performance in L.A., leaves fans content

By Lauren Becker Staff Writer

Zach Bryan performed an extraordinary concert at the Crypto Arena on Aug. 23. Bryan’s one-night-only concert experience left fans in awe.

The high quality performance, entertainment appeal, and Bryan’s bubbly personality left fans still wanting more. He played 21 songs for a total length of two hours for this excited crowd.

The perfectly and well-planned “Burn, Burn, Burn” tour had Los Angeles fans entranced. The re-

markable staging, impressive dance moves, and commanding vocals all played their part in creating this extraordinary experience.

The concert started off with a qualified group of openers, including JR Caroll, Trampled by Turtles, Charles Wesley Godwin, Jonathan Peyton, and Levi Turner.

The setup on the stage was magical. With bright lights and a large stage, there was always something to watch. The stage radiated a rustic and heartfelt ambiance that comforted the audience.

Bryan’s setlist made for a truly incredible experience, as the songs performed were from varied albums. He sang many popular hits that most of the crowd knew. Fans were highly satisfied with Bryan’s handpicked set.

Burn, Burn, Burn: Zach Bryan’s stage setup created a perfect concert ambiance. Bryan sang well-known hits, getting the audience excited and singing along throughout the night. PhotobyLaurenBecker/LaVista deep notes while Maggie sang the high. Both of their voices mixed to create intense emotion, leaving many in tears.

In addition to the tasteful song choices, Bryan sang his heart out to the crowd. He showed his emotion in each one of his songs. His performance with special guest Maggie Rogers was especially emotional. Zach sang the

What sets Bryan’s concert apart from other emerging country artists was his interaction with the audience. He engaged in heartfelt conversations, sharing stories of where and why his songs were written, allowing for a deep audience-to-artist connection.

As he intensely performed “Burn, Burn, Burn,” the last song on the setlist, the crowd still wanted more. The crowd’s energy was infectious, and Bryan fed off it, preparing to deliver an encore. After building up the fans’ sus-

pense, he came out once again, performing his popular song “Revival” for the encore. “Revival” went on for 10 minutes with many freestyle moments by Bryan.

Bryan’s concert was an emotional rollercoaster that provided the audience with immense energy throughout. It was a night filled with beautiful music. His captivating performance and lyrics connected the audience directly to his music, creating a perfect experience for his fans.

Though many know Bryan’s top hits like “Something in the Orange” and “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” his songs that were not as well-known were performed with

perfection. His vocal and instrumental abilities left his audience highly satisfied and eager for more.

Fans were given an unforgettable experience that showcased Bryan’s remarkable talent as a performer engaging his audience with his timeless music and aura. With his soul-stirring vocals, masterful songwriting, and deep emotional connection to his audience, he proved himself to be a true musical gem.

This concert was held at the Crypto Arena on Aug. 23 on Zach Bryan’s “Burn, Burn, Burn” tour. For more information about this tour visit zachbryan.com

FLASHInG LIGHTS: Drake phenomenally executed his stage presence with lights and staging, making his audience constantly excited throughout the concert. PhotobyMarleyBrennan/LaVista

conTenT FAnS: Zach Bryan’s concert had the audience hyped throughout the entire night. His setlist and quality performance created a community in his concert, getting his crowd to dance and sing with one another. PhotobyLaurenBecker/La Vista