News
Nate Zieg: Man of Many Talents Lauren Sonken Staff Writer
For most students, transferring schools to an
entirely different state their junior year of high school would be something similar to a nightmare. However, for senior Nathan Zieg, the experience was something he thoroughly enjoyed. Zieg is confident in himself, and it is evident in his attitude. “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you,” Zieg states as his motto. “I transferred to La Costa Canyon at the beginning of last year from a school in Las Vegas. It was awesome for me because I met so many new people. I was quickly surrounded by friendly faces, people I will have in college and beyond,” Zieg said. Zieg is a member in the school band and is capable of playing seven instruments: the frech horn, trumpet, tuba, euphonium, bassoon, guitar, digerry do, and is currently learning how to play the piano. He is also a participant in Comedy Sportz, which he joined at the end of his junior year. “I started with encouragement from my great friend Alex Felder. It’s never scary for me, because I have fun being crazy. I’m basically just being myself on a stage! It’s a fun time,” Zieg said. Additionally, Zieg competes in Speech and
Debate. He started learning about the program in seventh grade, and officially began last year. Zieg has found great success due to his possession of the “golden voice.” “My voice has really pulled me along because it’s very resonant and deep. My voice is so loud that often times, when speaking to girls, they tell me to stop yelling at them,” Zieg said. He is enthusiastic about Speech and Debate, and enjoys the activity in a way that outshines the hurt of a loss. In his spare time, Zieg enjoys toying with various elements of graphic design. “Well actually, I wouldn’t call it graphic design. My friends and I like making wallpapers for our computers. Sometimes they’re comics, and they’re never really too serious. I am interested in looking as space and cosmos and stars, and turning galaxies into collages. I explore colors and take contrasting themes and put them into nature,” Zieg said. Next year, Zieg hopes to attend the University of Michigan. No matter where he ends up going, Zieg will study pharmacology, emulating his father. Due to his interest in cooking and aiding people, a career as a pharmacist perfectly suits Zieg.
Zieg projects his enthusiasm and confidence in all areas of life. Photo by Lauren Sonken.
Mr. Vice: Coach On and Off the Field Maggie Hammock Staff Writer
Vice makes a point of always being there to support students, whether in class or during cross country practice. Photo courtesy of www.lccx.com.
S
ince it first opened in 1996, our school has seen its fair share of teachers. Many have come and gone, but Room 350 has been home to only one. Bill Vice has been teaching for 25 years total, and has spent fifteen of those years teaching United States history in the same room here on campus. “A lot has happened. These walls have seen a lot,” said Vice. He described the Harmony Grove fire that roared over campus in October of 1996, and
the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, two events that occurred on days he was here teaching, and two days that he remembers vividly. Since the beginning of his teaching career here, Vice has certainly seen a lot--and he has accomplished a lot, too. He has become an integral part of the school community, taking on other positions like Cross Country head coach and Freshman Academic Team coach. While he loves coaching both, his first love is US History. “I’ve always loved history. I love the stories,” Vice said. Vice frequently throws out random historical anecdotes off the top of his head. He can elaborate on nearly every aspect of United States history, which is what keeps his U.S. History students engaged. He keeps his Cross Country runners focused in other ways, and has helped them become equally as successful as students. Vice exercises with his runners, logging mile after mile right along with them, something that many coaches don’t do. He helps his runners study for history while they run, and keeps them motivated as they rack up the miles. He has led the Cross Country team to numerous victories over the years, most recently to a C.I.F. win and second place at state for the girls’ team this season. Vice instructs his students to “study like a champion today,” and tries to apply this advice to his own life, as well. Whether it is U.S. history, Cross Country, or Academic Team, he puts great effort into everything he does.
6 | MavLife | March 2011