Features 7
theSilverSpur
FEBRUARY 12, 2015
Sisters Kriti and Nitika Jain take Bollywood talent and experience to the national level Clara Lee Lifestyle Editor Dancing is a popular activity and art form for many at RB High. Our Tour de Force consistently performs at competitive levels, and our B-boys always wow their audiences, just as our Male TDF makes us laugh. But what many Broncos don’t know is that there are two successful Bollywood dancers among them. As young girls, the Jain sisters, Nitika, a senior, and Kriti, a junior, were exposed to various styles of dance. Although they wanted to compete, they were not sure what style they wanted to compete in. “Our friend said that she went to this Bollywood choreographer for dance classes,” Nitika said. “We went and experimented with it in my sophomore year, and we liked it.” After their initial exposure to
Bollywood, the two girls began practicing at the studio to prepare group dances and duets for competitions and performances. They go to the studio at least three times a week for rehearsals with their choreographer and fellow dancers. As competitions near, they are at the studio practicing two hours each day, in addition to practicing at home. “We had Nationals/Finals over the summer,” Kriti said. “We did a duet, and got second overall.” This big competition was the West Coast National Finals for Bollywood Dancing. There are various national competitions held throughout the country, but the highest level is based on region. Each performance was judged by professional Bollywood dancers and choreographers. “It’s hard to do because it’s an Indian dance,” Nitika said. “So you have to have a different elegance and look.” This different elegance can be seen
through the different styles of movement, as well as their overall appearance. For their costumes, it takes each girl around 2
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You have to step out of your comfort zone and perform in jront of judges. A lot of people break down before their dances, so it’s taught me to be more confident and just go for it.”
-Nitika Jain, senior hours for makeup and to get dressed. Their costumes are bought from and made in India, with total costs per outfit exceeding $100. In addition to costume costs, the girls each pay an entrance fee for competitions totalling around $50. However, the costs are worth it because
of the enjoyment the girls get out of it. Dancing serves as a break from homework for Nitika, as well as a learning experience. “You have to step out of your comfort zone and perform in front of judges,” Nitika said. “A lot of people breakdown before their dances, so it’s taught me to be more confident and to just go for it.” As for the music used, the girls’ choreographers choose medleys of traditional Bollywood music with hip-hop or American music. There are no competition restrictions on the type of music the girls are allowed to dance to. With college quickly approaching for Nitika, she is prepared to join Bollywood clubs on campus, and to continue dancing and competing. Kriti plans on continuing to dance even after her sister leaves for college. The two girls now finish their preparations for their big competition this upcoming weekend up in Anaheim, called Showstopper.
NITIKA AND KRITI JAIN
Photo courtesy of Nitika Jain
Junior Nakhonethap sets out to RB students spend time with Australian exchange students develop professional DJ career Isabella Ortiz Copy Editor
Max Lata Editor-In-Chief RB High is home to many musicallytalented individuals. Our band is highly ranked; our orchestra performs beautifully; our choir sings melodically. Beyond the realm of traditional instrumental and vocal music, however, RB High is still home to talented artists, including junior Richard Nakhonethap, also known as DJ Knock2. Nakhonethap DJs for clubs, weddings as well as school dances, and he even produces his own remixes. He’s been DJing since sixth grade, giving him over five years of experience behind a turntable. “I used to listen to a lot of EDM music,” said Nakhonethap. Drawing inspiration from some of his favorite artists like Diplo and Skrillex, both prominent electronic artists who actually Photo courtesy of Richard Nakhonetap collaborated to produce Justin Bieber’s RICHARD NAKHONETHAP “Where Are Ü Now,” Nakhonethap began it,” said Nakhonethap. “If they leave, that’s producing remixes and hopes to pursue the worst thing.” music as a career after high school. While People can get bored easily, so when it most students have merely an idea of what comes to responding to the feel of the room, they want to pursue, Nakhonetap is already Nakhonethap has to respond quickly, often immersed in the field and even has a switching tracks within 20 seconds if there manager who books gigs for him. is negative reception. “I started recently DJing clubs in around But while all these things are definitely October,” said Nakhonethap. “Since then, elements to being a good DJ, Nakhonethap I’ve been DJing out almost every week.” can boil down success to two words: “good Such talent and time don’t come without ears.” And Nakhonethap has incredibly their monetary impressive ears for compensation. He his age. To complete a whole remix, is paid per event. Nakhonethap notes it takes a week max, but He has played a 45the comments he usually four hours with minute set for $150 gets on how young motivation and inspiration. and 3-hour gigs for he is when he first $500. Even factoring You have to match tempo and gets up to the table in in the drive time up to the club, but once he beats per minute and then Los Angeles to play, starts playing, his age find places to fade it in.” Nakhonethap’s hourly is irrelevant. Since -Richard Nakhonethap, his average earning introduction crushes the traditional to playing clubs junior high school tutor and in October, grocery-bagger jobs. Nakhonethap has DJing isn’t just playing the Billboard’s been successful and has cultivated his top 100 songs. own sound. “To complete a whole remix, it takes a “I’d describe my style as open format,” week max,” said Nakhonethap. “But usually said Nakhonethap. “I play everything, all four hours with motivation and inspiration. genres. Except country.” You have to match tempo and beats per Outside of being popular with dancers in minute and then find places to fade it in.” clubs or high school students in their gyms, But beyond that, there’s also learning Nakhonethap has also made a name for to tailor music to a specific crowd. For himself in the remix music community. downtown clubs, Nakhonethap likes to DJs associate and often pay to be a part keep it “aggressive,” but for high schools, of record pools, basically sources of music he has to look for clean versions of songs distribution of tracks for DJs in exchange for and take into account what’s popular for feedback on how these tracks are received. teenagers and what’s considered appropriate Nakhonethap belongs to one, and his remix by administration. of 50 Cent’s “How We Do” shot up to the And even then, a DJ’s music does not number one slot of his record pool in three speak entirely for him; he has to read the days and garnered over 10,000 plays in the crowd and give them what they want. At same amount of time. His remix is popular high schools, there are kids who are going in clubs across the country now, and his to their first dances who are unsure of their favorite artist, Diplo, even played it at one environment, so he has to help them get of his events. over the initial nervousness. Diplo isn’t the only famous artist to have In a downtown club, he plays a slightly recognized Nakhonethap’s talent, however. different tune. People to go clubs to dance, He worked on a project for Flo Rida’s so the focus is on keeping up the momentum agency, but while it passed the first stage, and energy. the agency declined it in the second. “You have to be confident on the mic,” said It’s obvious that Nakhonethap has talent Nakhonethap. “You have to keep them hyped. and a lot of potential, and even his tag, DJ ‘Make some noise’ and stuff like that.” Knock2, is clever. It’s derived from the first Responding to a crowd is also much more syllable of his last name and combined with important in a club since owners book DJs his second-generation heritage to create to help them get and maintain business. a catchy nickname that will no doubt get “They’re gonna keep dancing if they like more recognition.
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Nakhonethap’s Soundcloud: @knock2
Consistently warm temperatures, beaches galore, and a laid-back lifestyle— Australians and Southern Californians share similar environments, so it should come as no surprise that the visiting Aussies connected very well with their RB High host students. Through the Education World Travel Agency (EWT), a few students received the opportunity to host visitors from Australia at no cost besides providing housing and meals. A number of students jumped at this opportunity to try something new and make friends from different countries. Seniors Dalia Wilson and Amanda Campbell, for example, decided that it would be fun to participate in the program together. “Dalia and I both figured it’d be a fun way to go on new adventures and show the Australians the ways of California,” Campbell said. The program’s coordinator, RB High Teacher Leann Marshall, used personality profiles to match students. On January 1, Campbell and her fellow hosts picked up their Aussies, who had already visited San Francisco for a few days prior to arriving in San Diego. Most students immediately made friends with their Australian visitors. “Justice [Campbell’s Australian student] was very talkative and easy to get along with,” Campbell said. “We loved a lot of the same music and actually want to pursue the same careers, with both of us going into the military and doing something with criminology.” On the other hand, some students like senior Izabella Orozco had to comfort their homesick Aussies. “Natasha Walters, my Aussie, was very family-oriented, so it was hard for her to spend such a long time away from her family,” Orozco said. In spite of these drawbacks, Walters, Orozco, and the rest of the Aussie-American pairs enjoyed spending the next twelve days together. Wilson and Campbell, for example,
Photo courtesy of Amanda Campbell
AUSTRALIAN EXCHANGE STUDENTS- Senior Amanda Campbell with her Aussie. spent a long time planning activities to resulting in terms such as “sunnies” ensure that their visitors enjoyed their trip. and “schoolies.” “We went hiking at Torrey Pines, drove to Another major difference that Justice, Julian, and even brought them to Taco Bell Campbell’s student, noticed, was in to introduce them to American fast food,” American prices. Wilson said. “In Australia, everything is pretty much Wilson and Campbell also got their twice as expensive, so [Justice] loved that Aussies interested in American television, she was able to buy so much for so little,” like the show Parks and Recreation. Campbell said. Despite these minor cultural differences, Campbell, Orozco, and We went hiking at Torrey Wilson all enjoyed making new friends Pines, drove to Julian, and with their Australian students. even brought them to Taco “I love meeting new people and enjoying Bell to introduce them to the company of someone from a different American fast food.” country,” Orozco said. Orozco also gained a better -Dalia Wilson, senior understanding for how difficult it is to be away from your family for so Although many aspects of the Australian long, and Campbell learned to carry the lifestyle overlap with the Californian responsibility of hosting another person, lifestyle, the host students noted that their constantly making sure that they were Aussies did find some cultural differences. having fun throughout their stay. “Natasha thought it was weird that we drove The host experience certainly provides an on the other side of the road,” Orozco said. unparalleled opportunity to simultaneously Similarly, both Wilson and Campbell learn real-life skills while making lasting shared that their Aussies found American connections with people from around the food portions significantly larger and world. Wilson, for example, still talks to her Americans’ driving more reckless than what Aussie using iMessage and Snapchat. they were accustomed to in Australia. Both the host students and visitors benefited Wilson also noted that the Aussies from the invaluable experience of meeting used a different type of slang, typically new friends and learn about a new country, adding “ies” to the ends of words, exposing themselves to cultural differences.
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Rate My Teacher: Susan Michelena Average 4.7 based on 5 student ratings
4
Easiness Helpfulness
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5 5
Clarity
As a math and science oriented person, I was very surprised with my enjoyment in AP US History. I owe that all to Susan Michelena, or as many students call her, “Mich.” My first impression of Mich was one of intimidation because of her organizational skills. It was such a surprise after two years of unorganized teachers that I felt like all of my mistakes would be spotted too easily. I quickly realized that this organization was good; Mich entered points into
the gradebook so that I always had updated grades. Furthermore, Mich was always understanding when it came to turning in a late assignment, and often gave full credit for the work regardless. Mich’s humor also melted my intimidation. She often made small comments about how nobody was talking during a class assignment, and she would also tell a somewhat obscure joke, and call us out for not laughing. As a teacher, Mich deserves five
Student review by Clara Lee
stars. She goes above and beyond a typical student’s expectations of a teacher’s level of knowledge. She knows every fact and date without even referencing a textbook. Although that made it harder for us to argue our way to an extra point on an FRQ, we always appreciated how qualified she was to be preparing us for our AP test. Overall, Mich exceeded expectations as a teacher, and as a person. Future teachers will have a difficult time topping her abilities and humor.
Rate My Students: APUSH Students Average 5 based on 1 teacher rating
5
Easiness Helpfulness Clarity
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5 5
I have been teaching for 25 years, so I have literally seen thousands of students come into my classroom, and many of them (but not all!) would get five stars from me. To get a five-star rating from me is pretty easy, really. A student needs to have a good work ethic. Being an “A” student does not automatically garner a fivestar rating from me — working up to one’s abilities is more important. Kindness and respect are hugely important. My classroom
is a safe place for all students, and everyone who enters needs to treat his or her classmates and me with the utmost respect. Respect includes following my rules, even when a student does not agree with the rule. For example, I love my cell phone (I have gotten really good at taking selfies with my cat Mr. Darcy!), but the classroom is not the place to text a friend or to play a game. Integrity is a key part of a five-star rating – tell the truth, even when it is hard to do,
Teacher review by Susan Michelena
and remember that cheating is disgraceful. As all students of American History have learned, a lack of integrity often results in an unhappy ending — remember President Nixon and Watergate? Last, but not least, the students who earn five stars from me have a sense of humor. Studying history can be intense, and if we can find comic relief occasionally, that’s great – laughing at my lame (and yet fabulous!) jokes scores a bonus star.