The Silver Spur: December 16, 2016

Ugly Christmas sweaters are and will continue to be a trend.

Girls field hockey takes CIF Championship for 2016 season

Dark side of the holidays: Christmas chaos and other holiday stess

News 2

Sports 6

Backpage 8

theSilverSpur December 16, 2016

Rancho Bernardo High School

In This Issue SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BALLET Local dance academy and company presents its 25th annual Nutcracker performance featuring RB students.

Holiday Performances RB High’s Arts Department showcases its talent

| News - 2

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS Is Daylight Savings Time a helpful switch or an inconvenient old-fashioned burden?

| Opinions - 3

POST-APPLICATION STRESS Have college apps hurt you? You may have Post-Applicaion Stress Disorder, a fictional self-diagnosed disease.

| Features - 4

Adopt a family Programs office arranges Adopt-AFamily program to help families in need over the holidays.

| Features - 5

Senior Spotlights RB baseball player Calvin Mitchell commits to University of San Diego for the fall of 2017.

| Sports - 6

Dance Department puts on “Frozen,” presents variety of dance styles

THE DARK SIDE OF THE HOLIDAYS A look into the stress and trouble which comes to balance out the fun and excitement of the holidays..

| Backpage - 8

Did You Know?

Over 25% of all emails are sent during the holidays.

It takes an average of seven years to grow a Christmas tree.

55% of Twitter users discuss gift ideas on Twitter.

a short messsage From the library DO YOU LIKE READING? HOW ABOUT STARBUCKS? Picture yourself reading your favorite book at your local Starbucks using a $20 Starbucks gift card you could win!

Download the OVERDIVE APP for RBHS and check out an Ebook or Audiobok, and you will automatically be entered to win a $20 Starbucks gift card!

Choose from thousands of books available to read any time on ay device.

TO SIGN UP: 1. Download OVERDRIVE app 2. Click “Sign Up” and then “Find a Library” 3. Choose Poway USD and RBHS 4. Sign in using your Novell Username and Password DEADLINE TO PARTICIPATE: DECEMBER 16, 2016 Download the app today for your chance to win!

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FROZEN- Tour De Force varsity dance team and B-Boys perform in the annual winter concert.

Kalena Tano Editor-In-Chief On Dec. 8 and 9, the intermediate and JV dance teams as well as the B-Boys, Universal Movement, and MTDF performed alongside the award-winning Tour De Force dance team in their annual winter concert performance, which this year was themed after the Disney blockbuster “Frozen.” Dancers of all grade levels performed sold-out shows to showcase their efforts in this

term’s dance classes.

For some dancers, this show marked the end of a four-year tenure with the RB High Dance Department, run by RB High Alumna Michelle Jacoby. Senior Tour De Force captains Hailey Price and Rachel Claas have performed as members of Tour De Force since their freshman years, and they got to perform solos as well as group dances.

“The concert was super emotional; we realized it was our last time dancing on stage in a winter concert with the whole team,” senior TDF captain

Photos courtesy of Jason Yamane Rachel Claas said. “It’s super sad, but also nice to perform alongside our team for the last time in winter.”

Other Tour De Force seniors, including Tiffany Elamparo, Raven McCoy, Astha Rajyaguru, Maddy Jacobs, Delaney Holmes Alicyn Williams, and Savanna Stein worked their way up from the JV and even intermediate teams.

For other dancers, however, this winter concert marked a debut in Tour De Force.

Freshman Jenna Waller performed a stunning solo choreographed by Nick Meola. Whereas in previous years there has

been separation on the team between grade levels, Price and Claas see strong bonds forming between freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors on the team.

“Usually we don’t bond with the freshmen quickly, but the bonds we share with the incoming freshmen are already so strong, and it’s sad that we only get to share the team for one year,” said Price. “It’s a weird feeling to know that this is our last concert, but it’s just their first.”

FROZEN page 2

Southern California Ballet Christy conducts Orchestra Department’s performance presents 25th-annual Nutcracker Munira Ali Features Editor With the holiday season in full swing, countless activities are going on that help make this an unforgettable time of year. Activities like Adopt a Family, spirit week and door decorating, h e l p students get into the holiday cheer. The Performing Arts Department has put on many shows and concerts for the students and families of RB

High, as an opportunity for the students involved to showcase their talents.

On Dec. 13, the intermediate and advanced bands came together to celebrate the holiday season by putting on their annual winter concert. Pieces ranged from folk dances and late Romantic-era compositions to winter and Christmasrelated themes.

The intermediate orchestra, who has been playing together for less than three years, performed the Short Overture for Strings by Jean Berger, and Forever Joyful by Brian Balmages.

ORCHESTRA page 2

RB Royal Regiment performs with Bernardo Heights band Janhavi Chafekar Editor-In-Chief

After the fall marching season, RB High’s Royal Regiment started preparing for its annual Winter concert where they perform classical holiday music from all over the world. While the concert took place at the RB High gymnasium, it was a collaboration between RB High’s Royal Regiment, which consists of the Freshman, Concert, and Wind Ensemble bands, and the Concert and Advanced bands from Bernardo Heights Middle School.

Senior Dylan Mai, who plays the clarinet

for the Royal Regiment’s Wind Ensemble, said that once marching season is finished, all the musicians focus on preparing for this winter concert.

“Well, after marching season, we go straight into winter concert practice, and we practice for that for about two weeks in class,” Mai said. “For the most part, during concert season we practice on our own time at home.”

During marching season, the Royal Regiment holds its infamous late night practice sessions, but after fall students have to take responsibility for their practice hours.

BAND page 2

Photos courtesy of Vladimir Zabezhinsky

THE NUTCRACKER- Claire Fiorino (12) performs Spanish and Kalena Tano (12) performs Snow Queen.

Janhavi Chafekar Editor-In-Chief For the 25th year in a row, Southern California Ballet performed its annual Nutcracker performance. The studio has dancers of all ages, ranging from elementary school students to professionals from all around the world.

The younger dancers played the roles of the mice, Gigonne children, Trepak, soldiers, and gingerbread, while the more experienced dancers played the roles of the flowers, snowflakes, Arabian Coffee, and Licorice. For the most well known performance, the studio invited Northern Ballet dancer Dominique LaRose and former San Francisco Ballet dancer Jeremy Rucker to play the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Sugar Plum Cavalier respectively.

The ballet is divided into two acts,

the first involving more story telling and exposition, while the second has most of the important solos and dance routines.

Senior Kalena Tano has been dancing at Southern California Ballet Academy since she was ten years old. Tano has danced in her studio’s past eight Nutcracker performances but says that this year’s was especially sentimental because it was her last and a symbol of all her hard work throughout the years.

“Since this was my senior year and my last year performing in The Nutcracker, the show was extra meaningful because it showed a culmination of all my hard work over the past seven or eight years,” Tano said. “There’s a certain pride in that sentimentality of seeing yourself move up the ladder after all your hard work which all dancers share.”

NUTCRACKER page 2

2 News

December 2016 Issue

theSilverSpur

RB High students perform in winter dance and music concerts Advanced Orchestra Tour de Force, B Boys, and JV RB High dancers perform in Dance put on winter concert SoCal Ballet’s annual Nutracker performs classical FROZEN FROM 1 Preparation for the concert starts as early as July, when the Tour De Force team travels to the annual summer camp to learn new dances which can later be performed on stage. Other dances are put together throughout the term by the Tour De Force dancers and cleaned up with any extra time in class. Claas and Price have found that because of the 4x4, they were able to spend more time working on dances when the team finished dances for football games, allowing more time for cleaning up formations and technique before the shows.

The other teams also undergo rigorous preparation for the concerts. Jim Kang, junior and B-Boy team captain, said that before any dance preparation begins, the team has to first pick music and mix songs together to create a melody which is later given choreography. Kang and juniorAritra

Bhattacharjee then give the team choreography, working hard to implement formations and stunts which will entertain audiences.

The JV dance team, despite not going to the USA camps which Tour De Force attends, also put together a large repertoire of dances to present to the audience. Senior JV captain Paywand Baghal closed out his last winter concert by choreographing a moving piece about domestic violence titled “break the silence,” which gave a more serious meaning to the entertainment which the dance concert provides.

Overall, this year’s winter dance concert raised the bar for the arts at our school.

From entertaining and fun jazz and hip-hop routines to moving contemporary pieces, the concert showed a wide range of talent in the RB High Dance Department which could convince any student to want to join a dance team in the future.

Royal Regiment teams up with middle school BAND FROM 1 Senior Niki Suppala also plays the clarinet for the Royal Regiment’s Wind Ensemble and said that her favorite part of the concert is watching all the younger students take part because her reminds her how traditions within band remain.

“The middle school played Polar Express, and it was cute because we did that too, and I think traditions are important,” Suppala said. “When I was in middle school, the high school band played Polar Express too, and this week I got to see the middle schoolers play the same song. It’s a good reminder of how we have grown as musicians.”

Junior Ayaan Gopalan, a member of the drumline, said that it is always nice to see the middle school band follow the RB High tradition

by placing high standards on their performances.

“I like watching the middle schoolers’ performances and seeing how I was like as a musician a few years ago,” Gopalan said. “It is nice to see that they have high standards for themselves.”

Suppala said that she has really appreciated all the extra time and work her conductor put into the program, especially with all the changes their band faced because of the new quarter system.

“Mr. Otani has done a good job of combining the bands in this new schedule,” Suppala said. “We used to all be in separate classes last year, but this year we were all together, and he’s been able to manage our time and make the transition work well.”

Mai shared these sentiments and added that Otani’s

dedication to the program sometimes went unnoticed, but was never missed.

“It always makes me happy that he does all this extra work for us for after school on his own time,” Maid said. “Sometimes he’s doing band stuff that I don’t even know about!”

While they are a part of the Royal Regiment, the drumline often gets solo pieces to perform at school assemblies, and they have become a crowd favorite. Gopalan, who has been on the Royal Regiment’s drumline since his freshman year, said he practices about an hour a day and works hard to maintain his program’s reputation.

“I feel proud of the program and that we have done well and worked hard enough to gain that respect,” Gopalan said. “ I want to make sure to maintain it.”

Christmas music ORCHESTRA FROM 1

NUTCRACKER- Zabezhinsky and Takeda perform Flower and Arabian.

NUTCRACKER FROM 1

Photo Courtesy of Vladimir Zabezhinsky

company’s hard work.

“The rehearsal process is grueling,” While she was able to perform one of the Fiorino said. “We go to the studio hardest and most prestigious solos in the immediately after school and often stay performance this year, the Snow Queen pas de there until as late as 9.” deux, Tano reminisced over her days playing While it is a time consuming aspect of a mouse, a part reserved for younger children, Fiorino’s life, especially this year as she and looked back on those times fondly. had to learn almost all the Act two solos, “I definitely teared up while watching the she said that working with her team has Fight Scene during my last show,” Tano said. been one of the most rewarding aspects of “I was overwhelmed with emotion over the her dance career. fact that as I watched a scene I had performed “At the end of the day it’s really fun roles in not too long ago I was getting ready though because everyone puts in so much to do Snow Queen work, and we all push for the last time.” each other to show up The rehearsal process is When asked about and do good,” Fiorino grueling. We go to the studio said. “It’s a really great, how she hopes to immediately after school inspire younger confidence-boosting dancers to enjoy dance and often stay there until as thing to do.” as much as she does,

Because of their late as 9 o’clock.”

Tano said she wants new leadership, the -Claire Fiorino, senior studio made a larger elementary school kids to appreciate the effort to engage, be classical ballet, an art few often admire. seen, and support the community. Their “I remember being in elementary school efforts were successful, and this year SCB and going to see Tom Sawyer put on at the saw record turnout throughout the four days Poway Performing Arts Center, and it still is and and seven shows they performed. one of the most memorable field trips I’ve “We had so many billboards, gone to,” Tano said. “I love that SCB gives advertisements, and articles out this year,” us the opportunity to share our hard work Fiorino said. with all ages, especially since ballet is no The Southern California Ballet is a nonlonger the most popular form of dance.” profit that provides training and outreach Senior Claire Fiorino has also been with opportunities to all ages and genders, and if the studio for the past nine years and said you would like to donate to their efforts you that the she is most proud of her and her can at southerncaliforniaballet.org.

“

While the chamber orchestra, who has had a little more time to mature on its instruments, played Bela Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances, and Anton Arensky’s Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky. Both combined to perform Vivaldi’s Winter and VaughanWilliams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves.

“Eventually, I’d love for the orchestra to develop the skills they need to play a variety of different musical styles, quickly,” said Christy. “If students wanted to play their instrument later in life, they would be able to. As for the orchestra program at RBHS, we have a goal of always improving our skills.”

First-chair advanced violinist and soloist junior Kenneth Manansala agrees, saying that he looks forward to trying pieces that go outside of the orchestra’s comfort zone.

“I look forward to being able to play music that goes beyond the high school level, and being able to play pieces that advanced orchestra has played,” said Manansala.

As first chair, Manansala earned the opportunity to feature his own abilities in the piece Winter, as a soloist. Even though it makes him nervous, Manansala uses that energy to show the audience what he can do.

“I definitely get nervous initially, but I just forget about the fact that there are people all around, and I just do what I’ve been doing and playing music,” said Manansala. “I use my passion for music to drive me to do better.”

In preparation for the concert, the orchestra had practiced a culmination of around 40-50 hours, a testament to Christy’s passion and care for the students. For Manansala the practices are amazing as Christy pushes the students to do their best.

“It’s pretty well organized, and it’s a lot of fun; we practice usually for an hour or two, and we try to get the feel of the music,” said Manansala.

In his own words, Manansala believes the concert went really well, and it showed the audience what an orchestra can really do.

“It was definitely an eye-opening experience for everyone to realize that after this concert there will be more that will challenge us and inspire us to practice more, and they’ll be able to feel what an orchestra is,” said Manansala.

Opinions 3

theSilverSpur

December 2016 issue

The debate over Daylight Savings time: Yay or nay? daylight savings has its benefits

Samantha Yi Features Editor March 13 to Nov. 6 is daylight savings time—a longheld tradition in the United States (except in Arizona).

This tradition can be traced all the way back to ancient civilizations, who adjusted their schedules to the sun. This practice helps people from all over the globe save sunlight during summer months, so they can enjoy the sunny summer.

By extending sunlight during spring and summer, a considerable amount of electricity can be conserved. It’s during nights and evenings that people turn on their lamps and lights.

With the sun extended to about 8 p.m., the lights indoors only have to be turned on for maybe about five hours, as opposed to eight or nine.

This can make a huge difference for people’s electric bills.

Also, society can save money from daylight savings time due to the decrease in crimes and road accidents. Because it is light out longer, crimes and accidents are less likely to happen. This saves communities money because the

decrease in accidents means less money spent on road repairs.

In addition to saving electricity, people can go outside during late hours and enjoy recreation in the sunlight instead of being cooped up in their bedrooms. The sunlight encourages people to go out and enjoy physical activities underneath the summer sun.

For people working overtime, a drive back home in the dark may be a dangerous trip. With the sunlight extended, there are less car accidents because not as many people are out on the road driving in the dark. In addition, people who get off work can enjoy the rest of their evening in sunlight and several outdoor activities. This leads to increased activity in the communities and businesses, which is good for society as a whole. For people who walk home from work, it is easier to see potential threats on the streets and avoid them.

According to “The Huffington Post,” having the extra hours outside can take away people’s seasonal disorders. People may argue that during the winter, when sunlight is scarce, taking away that sunlight can have negative consequences. But on

daylight savings has become unnecessary

the contrary, sunlight is provided in early mornings. The morning sun encourages circadian rhythms and can benefit people’s sleep patterns. The early sun rays also contain vitamin D, which is essential for good health, especially in the winter.

Daylight savings has been a tradition since Benjamin Franklin said, “Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” Almost half of the world uses this method to conserve light and to enhance people’s lifestyles. This practice should continue in all parts of the world due to its many benefits.

Alex Walsh Guest Writer “Remember, we fall back and spring forward!” Growing up, this phrase was one I heard twice every year, on the second Sunday in March and on the first Sunday in November, during the period known as Daylight Savings Time (DST).

The idea of DST has been around in the United States since 1918 and has gone through numerous revisions.

President Woodrow Wilson first signed it into law to support the war effort during World War I, which was

Cartoon by Takashi Joubert

repealed 7 months later. DST was kept in practice by mainly industrial cities until President Franklin D. Roosevelt instituted year-round DST to aid in the war effort during World War II. This lasted from 1942 until 1945. After 21 years of no DST, the US Uniform Time Act of 1966 was established by Congress to end widespread confusion on time. In 1974 DST was changed to 10 months, then to 8 in 1975. From 1987 to 2006 DST was a 7 month period, and in 2007 it was changed to what we know today, which, in accordance to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, extends Daylight Savings Time to about 8 months.

So, now that we have all these facts down, we can assess the situation correctly. Daylight Savings Time was first implemented during WWI. As many buildings were yet to implement an effective electrical system, the government wanted to maximize daylight during later hours. This means the domestic labor force that helped the front-line soldiers with everything from food to guns to uniforms would wake up before the sunrise and work late into the afternoon.

Electricity systems are much less primitive now, meaning DST

has become effectively obsolete.

The reason for recent enactment of DST on a federal scale (such as the Uniform Time Act) have only been in order to avoid confusion.

Before, many states kept different times, and confusion ensued for businesses, transportation, etc.

Looking at Arizona and Hawaii, you can see that this has actually failed. These two states do not practice Daylight Savings Time along with the rest of the nation.

Where the federal government has tried to create unity, these two states stand out as failures.

The federal government has implemented Daylight Savings Time during a time when not all buildings had proper electricity and maximum production was essential. Then, to ensure that all states would set all their clocks to the same time. Now, there is absolutely no need for it. All important industries have full-time electricity, and can operate 24/7.

In an era where technology reigns supreme, it is time to realize that we no longer need to be tied down by the sun, and can keep our clocks ticking unbothered. Plus, who doesn’t want an extra hour of sleep?

Fake Christmas trees are just as When should you watch “The Nightmare Before Christmas?” appealing without all the hassle Maggie Smith

many years. Even if you decide to buy Christine Kwiat a new one, there is always the option to donate your tree.

Staff Writer Freshman Annalisa Simonetti is also Imagine this. You’re coming home from going to be using a fake tree this year. a stressful day of school and the first thing “It’s cheaper to buy a fake one,” Simonetti you see is a mound of pine needles waiting said. “You can use one tree for multiple to be picked up. Do you really want to years if you have a fake one, but the real use your free time cleaning up this mess? ones die out.”

Probably not; that’s why a fake tree is the Real trees do have positives, and the most answer. Fake trees not only save you from prevalent reason to buy an authentic tree is messes, they are also beneficial for many that the fake ones can “take away” from the other reasons.

Christmas feeling.

From saving money every year to “It’s been a family tradition a more eco-friendly choice, many of ours to go down to a agree that a fake tree is the more local tree farm and efficient way to go. buy the biggest tree,” The biggest problem with an freshman Jake Anderson authentic Christmas tree is the mess said. “We also love the that it makes in your living room. smell of the tree which is Cleaning it up is a hassle and something you can’t get from a difficult task especially a fake one.” considering that it can take Even though this is true, away time from homework or the pros of a fake tree from your family. outway the cons.

Sophomore Gennis Pilapil The final burden of a said that her mom doesn’t real tree is the fire hazard. like to deal with the clutter.

When you combine “It’s easier to clean dead pine needles up,” said Pilapil. Not to and the heat from a mention that it’s a more fireplace or lights, eco-friendly route to go. a fire is uncommon.

Considering the Every year more than messiness of loose pine 210 fires ignite from a needles, the other big problem Christmas-tree-related Cartoon by Takashi Joubert with a real tree is the waste. cause.

With a plastic Fake trees are reusable; whereas, real trees tree, the chances of a fire are slim and aren’t. Once you use a real tree, you either yet another reason fake trees come out on throw it out or recycle it just to go through top. Overall, the best and most reliable the same process as the year before. Fake option for the holidays. It’s clutter-free trees, on the other hand, can be reused for and eco-friendly.

Staff Writer

The spooky Tim Burton stop-motion movie, “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” takes us through Halloween Town and Jack Skellington’s scary takeover of Christmas.

Once Jack Skellington stumbles through the magical portal into Christmas Town, he is immediately fascinated by Christmas.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” involves factors of Christmas, but is mainly seen as a Halloween movie; however, some people disagree. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a Halloween movie made for the Halloween season because of the dark twist on Christmas, the creepy, yet catchy music and animation and the fact that it can be found scary.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” was originally released in October of 1993. Since the movie was released the same month as Halloween, it is evident that it was originally meant to be a Halloween movie. Not to mention, the movie is focused around a skeleton!

Starting with the plotline of the movie, we tag along with Jack Skellington through Halloween Town as he tries to figure out the meaning of Christmas. Jack Skellington ends up completely missing the whole

meaning of Christmas.

Jack Skellington hires the Oogie Boogies to kidnap Santa Claus and send him to Oogie Boogie, a burlap sack the represents the Boogie Man who tries to kill him. Jack Skellington also gets everyone in Halloween Town to help make “gifts,” which are actually harmful to children.

Once he delivers the gifts, Jack Skellington ends up getting shot down and lands in a dark graveyard.

Junior Kassandra Dorman said that Santa Claus and Christmas Town may seem cheerful, but the spiders and dead rats from Halloween Town and the gifts given to the children make the movie scary for younger audiences.

Sophomore Reeza Abadi said the movie is Halloween based, even though there are some Christmas scenes. Abadi’s love of Halloween does make her favor the spooky side of the movie, and she said that since the movie is driven by the theme of Halloween, it should be watched during the Halloween season.

Secondly, the music is further evidence that the movie was made more for Halloween.

Personally, I can listen to the soundtrack everyday, but the lyrics from the songs “This is Halloween,” “Kidnap the Sandy Claws” and “Making Christmas” are not sung in a cheery way. These songs mention kidnapping the beloved Santa Claus, monsters talking

about living under your bed, and inhabitants of Halloween Town using their scratchy, eerie tones to tell you that they are making your Christmas presents.

Lastly, the Tim Burton style used in the movie establishes the mood as nightmarish and spooky. Tim Burton is known for his dark and gothic style. His gothic style can be seen in his other movies like “Edward Scissorhands” and the “Corpse Bride.”

“The elongated proportions of some characters such as Jack give off a freakier vibe,” sophomore Ashlyn Healey said. “The attention to such small details such as the fur or clothing of characters can also give the audience a feel for how those creatures would be in real life.”

“Tim Burton could make the movie ‘Elf’ seem like a Halloween movie!” sophomore Nilsa Marsh said.

Through the creepy and dark music, characters and animation, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” can easily be seen as a Halloween movie. All of the Christmas aspects of the movie have somehow been twisted in some way to add to the nightmare that Tim Burton created; therefore, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” should be watched during Halloween. Although, knowing me, I’ll be watching the movie all year long.

Cartoon by Sara h Yuen

High school teachers need to remember the words of Ross: “We were on a break!”

Ian Levy Sports Editor The famous words of David Schwimmer, “We were on a break!” should apply everywhere. Although he and Rachel were definitely not on a break, his idea of “respecting” breaks still resonates, and teachers should heed his words.

The school year is 44 weeks long, and only six of those are vacation weeks. Throughout the school year, there is one week for Thanksgiving, two weeks for winter break, one week for presidents week, one week for spring break, and five intermittent nonstudent days. Some teachers give students

theSilverSpur Rancho Bernardo High School 13010 Paseo Lucido, San Diego, CA 92128 (858) 485-4800 | rbsilverspur@gmail.com Mission Statement:

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homework on breaks, often leaving students feeling like they were never on a break.

Even during the eight-week summer, there are summer assignments, SAT-prep classes and summer school programs, that often add to the overwhelming feeling.

Many students also stockpile on advanced classes and extracurriculars, leaving little time to spend with their families, friends, and other loved ones. With so few breaks in the for students in the school year, it makes it all the more important to relax and share memories with friends and family before moving on to the real world or college.

When teachers assign large amounts of homework, or a project to do over break, it subtracts from the time that could be used Editors-in-Chief

Advisor

News

Features

Opinions Sports Backpage Business Manager Copy Editor Photographer Public Relations Webmaster Cartoonists

Janhavi Chafekar Kalena Tano Liz Winn ewinn@powayusd.com Janhavi Chafekar Kalena Tano Munira Ali Samantha Yi Janhavi ChafeKar Ian Levy Takashi Joubert Maggie Smith Takashi Joubert Janhavi Chafekar Ian Levy Kalena Tano Takashi Joubert Sarah Yuen

to make meaningful memories. Although learning class material is important, in 30 years, you are more likely to remember the quality time spent with loved ones more than any knowledge from a class assignment.

“

Sometimes it could be convenient to have something that students could work on over break.”

-Mark Pyle, teacher

“I’ve had to skip out on events with family and friends to get homework done, especially as breaks come to an end,” senior Taylor

Staff Writers Joseph Buckley

Alyssa Fredericks

Madelyn Hernandez

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Davis said. “It puts a damper on being able to spend quality time with friends and family knowing there’s a deadline over your head.”

Vacations can also be a perfect time for reflection. With all the studying and work that goes on during the school weeks, and the limited amount of personal exploration that can be done on the weekends, breaks can be an amazing time to get to know what you actually like to do.

Many teachers at RB High give limited homework during breaks, but there is still a level of coordination that needs to occur among the teachers. If each teacher gives what he or she considers to be a reasonable amount of homework over the break, it could still amount to hours of work. For

Editorial Policy:

The opinions expressed in the Silver Spur are not necessarily the opinions of the staff, administration, or all of the students of Rancho Bernardo High School. They are not representative of the opinions of the Silver Spur staff as a whole. The Silver Spur is a public forum for students to express their individual opinions and insights. We thank those who take their time to contribute to our paper and encourage others to do so as well.

example, even 30 minutes a night for each class (which seems like a fair amount) multiplied by four classes ends up being two hours of homework a night.

It’s not to say that students should not have homework during a break; rather, they should avoid assigning essays or large assignments. Teachers should stick with small assignments so that students can stay on track with what they’re learning in a reasonable way that doesn’t subtract much from their actual vacation time.

“I don’t know if I would agree that all school work should be forbidden,” English teacher Mark Pyle said. “Sometimes it could be convenient to have something that students could work on over break.”

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theSilverSpur

December 2016 Issue

Regret, grief and bitterness: the three stages of post-application stress Kalena Tano Editor-in-Chief Disclaimer: PASD is not, nor will be recognized as, an official disorder. Yet. Seniors: We’ve written our essays, submitted our UCs and CSUs, applied early to our dream schools, but now what?

Perhaps the worst part of our college admissions process is the waiting which we are forced to endure for months after shakily pressing “submit” on our favorite school’s application. But this grief, known to me as Post-Application Stress Disorder (PASD) comes in stages, and we can get through these stages together if we try hard enough (which we can, according to our apps).

Stage One: Regret The first stage of PASD is regret. If you’ve blurted out “I really shouldn’t have applied as an aerospace engineer,” “I SENT THE WRONG SAT SCORES” or anything in between, you’ve hit stage one. This stage can be brutal, as it clearly lays out for you everything you did wrong and all the ways

you could have fixed it but didn’t. You could have waited until you knew your November SAT score before submitting your UCs, or you could’ve just put your October score on the application and then sent the November score late if it was higher. You could’ve, but you didn’t. Regret gives you a fat Sorry Not Sorry and moves on grudgingly, taking any available confidence with it and leaving you fully vulnerable for the next stage of post-app stress: Grief.

S t a g e Two: Grief The second stage of PASD knocks on your heart’s door right after Regret leaves it with shattered windows. Blowing down the straw infrastructure of your poor, innocent, hopeful heart like the big bad wolf, Grief wails to you, “There’s NO WAY you got into Berkeley! What even made you think you had a chance in the first place! O, what a

“

Blowing down the straw infrastructure of your poor, innocent, hopeful heart like the big bad wolf.”

Saturday classes can help students prepare for AP exams are a great resource for students to keep up with the accelerated pace we Sports Editor are experiencing from moving to the 4 by 4 and for students who might With the switch to the quarter have had to miss class.”

That being said, there will be a system, there is now a noticeable limited amount of review classes obstacle for students who plan to before the AP test leaving most of the take AP tests in May. First term studying to be done by students on classes, although 150 days long, their own time. will suffer from a little over 100 day Obviously, with only a few review deficit between the end of their class, classes, each will be essential and and the AP test. Conversely, taking a important, but at the same time second term class can give students students who have multiple AP tests the advantage of being enrolled in to review for won’t be overwhelmed the class while preparing for the AP or stressed.

Having an AP review test; however, there will only be 111 class every Saturday could be intense, days in the class before the first AP so a limited test in May. number per With these “They are a great resource class makes it issues in mind, a little more many AP for students to keep up reasonable teachers plan to schedule with the accelerated pace for students and teachers.

Saturday we are experiencing from E v e n review classes though most for students moving to the 4 by 4. ” AP classes who want are one term, more time - Thomas Farber, teacher there are preparing for year-long AP the AP tests. classes that Saturday may not need to offer saturday review review classes are not limited to AP classes, such as AP U.S. History or and honors students; however, they year-long APEL. Fortunately for them, are greatly beneficial for AP teachers who are looking to add a little bit of they can continue the plans that they review for their students. Some AP used last year and possibly go at an even teachers are planning their Saturday slower rate. Some of these teachers will review sessions for the second term also be offering Saturday classes, but because it gives an opportunity for will have the flexibility to spread them students from the first term to review throughout the year.

For other AP teachers who have to for the AP test. It will also help to accommodate for the quarter system’s serve as review for students who may faster and different curriculum, need help studying over the fourSaturday classes could be an effective month period without the class. way of providing students with review “I plan to offer [Saturday classes] and extra help in preparation for the about once a month if possible,” math AP exam in May. teacher Thomas Farber said. “They

Ian Levy

“

rogue and peasant high school failure are you!” Grief has no mercy, and isn’t afraid to leave you softly weeping in the back of AP Lit hoping Pyle won’t ask you what’s wrong, so you won’t have to angstily mutter, “nothing.”

Stage Three: Bitterness After Regret and Grief have stripped your hopes down to a small fraying thread, Bitterness decides to hop along and tie that thread into as many knots as possible.

Symptoms of this stage of PASD often include making snarky jokes about the colleges you once loved and bombing on other people’s application stats to make you feel like yours is better.

It is during this stage that you often begin to receive acceptance letters from your safety school and make filthy comments on how little it means to you to get into such

a “worthless school,” even though you’re the one who chose to apply to it. This stage can be dangerous around others, and many professionals such as myself advise carrying a small card that says “I am a victim of Stage Three PASD” on it in large letters in case your airhead pops and causes you to pass out while desperately putting a classmate’s application down.

If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms of PASD, or feel any of these symptoms approaching as you begin to submit your college applications, seek help immediately. Some of my most helpful would-recommend therapists and doctors include Netflix, MD, Teavana, LPN, or my personal favorite, Warm Fleece-Blanket, Ph. D. With the help of these incredible professionals and some alone time relaxing in one’s bed, Post-Application Stress Disorder can easily be combatted, and we can all move on to more stressful concerns like the upcoming research paper deadline.

Keep calm and carry on, and don’t forget to visit your local tangible-object therapist when the PASD symptoms arrive.

RB High welcomes new librarian Jeanne Snowden Margaret Smith Staff Writer Our library at RB High is a friendly, open and welcoming center of campus made available to all students as a result of the hard work, passion and dedication of our amazing librarians, and the newest member of the library, Teacher Librarian Jeanne Snowdon who started at the start of the school year on Aug. 23, is more than qualified to help continue with the excellence we have come to appreciate.

Before coming to RB High, Snowdon worked as a classroom teacher, a librarian and an art teacher in schools around the country and world, specifically Massachusetts, Virginia, New Hampshire, Washington, Florida and Hachinohe, Japan.

“Due to my husband’s job, our family had the opportunity to live in many different places, including Iceland and Japan,” Snowdon said.

The story of how Snowdon got the job at RB High is evidence that she was meant to be a Bronco. While registering her son for school in August, Snowdon took her son to the library to pick up his textbooks, and was asked to join the RBHS Friends of the Library. Snowdon overheard someone explaining that RB High was looking for a new librarian, and this was the beginning of the path to her journey at RB High.

“I had not planned on seeking employment so soon after arriving in California; however, library positions do

not come along very often, and I would have the opportunity to work in a school my son attends,” Snowdon said . “I soon met with Mr. LeMaster and Mrs Bozzay, and there you have it. Right time, right place.”

Snowdon felt welcome right away from her co-workers as well as the administration.

As for the students, Snowdon is highly impressed and proud .

“They are so committed academically,” Snowdon said. “But the level of talent in other areas is mind-blowing. I have attended many events and look forward to more. After only a short time, I can already say I am so proud of the students here.”

Snowdon also enjoys the spirit and atmosphere of RB High and feels happy and grateful to be working here.

“The atmosphere at RBHS is Photo by Maggie Smith very welcoming and accepting of everyone,” said Snowdon. “Being a parent of a student here, that is very important to me. I also notice a lot of school spirit and pride in being a Bronco.”

Snowdon has found a happy atmosphere to continue working on her librarian career, and she especially enjoys watching students grow academically and succeed with the help of the library.

If you ever need help in the library, do not hesitate to ask, and make sure to say “hi.”

Even though Snowdon feels welcome here already, a warm greeting from any student is always appreciated.

O’ Christmas Tree...

By Samantha Yi O’ Christmas tree, When I dream of you My doctor says I’m loony.

But I don’t mind if I’ve lost a screw, To you I’ll still be crooning.

O’ Christmas tree, With your angel head I want to hold you always.

And if your needles poke me dead, I’ll pine for you from my grave.

O’ Christmas tree, Your shiny lights Can make me blush with passion.

And so it goes on lonely nights, It takes ahold: attraction.

O’ Christmas tree, Your ornaments Are like the stars in orbit.

When I behold that musky scent I want to be in your armpit.

O’ Christmas tree, If you feel the same Come meet me under holly.

I promise I’m not that insane, I just feel really jolly.

O’ Christmas tree, o’ Christmas tree, I know it’s weird but marry me.

Tardiness: is it okay to show up late? Or should attendance be monitored closer?

Takashi Joubert Backpage Editor We’ve all seen it. Just when the class has settled down and silenced themselves for the teacher’s instruction, the metal classroom door gingerly barges open to reveal none other that one student who by some malfunction can never seem to pull himself together and get to class by the 7:30 bell.

I must admit that I have been this student, and have as such experienced firsthand the awkwardness of a sea of heads turning to me in silent judgment.

And it’s with this image fresh in your minds that I make my plea to purge this campus of the chronically tardy and absent for both students and teachers alike.

Senior Sam Boloorian has maintained a near spotless attendance record, having been tardy only twice in the past 3 years and not once this year. He attributes his attendance ethic to his parents drilling it into him at a young age as a thing of respect.

“I do it by managing my time,” said Boloorian. “If I have to be somewhere, in this case class, I know how much time I have to be there, how long it’ll take to

get there, and use the rest of the time accordingly.”

While harboring no particularly negative feelings against students who can’t get to class on time on a regular basis and who often offer excuses (e.g. had car trouble, slept in, didn’t have a ride), he does have some words of wisdom to share.

“I guess some of the excuses are valid,” said Boloorian, “but you really have to take responsibility for being on time, because even though it may not be such a big deal in high school, in the future it will be.”Of course, attendance in

high school is not a life-and-death matter, something Valerie Lee—a senior and self-proclaimed not-a-morning person with an attendance record littered with tardies, lates, and absences (14 in this year alone)—is quick to clarify.

“I don’t truly see school as an obligation or necessity, only a general means to getting a grade,” said Lee. “I don’t think this will be an issue in college because there you’re given a certain amount of work, most of it is being in class for a brief lecture twice a week or to take tests.”

Forgoing in-class attendance for internships and self-study, Lee admits

Cartoon by Takashi Joubert

that her absences and lateness have periodically negatively affected her. Still, she asserts that attendance is only one aspect of high school, and that students really do have other obligations that can make them late.

That all said, Lee’s opinion is by no means an orthodox one, nor is it favorable or respectful to teachers.

Mark Pyle, who teaches AP English Literature and American Literature, offers a different point of view: that of the teachers who hold every student’s attendance at their fingertips.

“If it’s someone who is chronically tardy,” said Pyle, “it does reveal a lack of seriousness on the part of a student.”

Pyle has been more lenient with attendance this term, but admits that recently he’s gotten stricter. While he can’t say that other teachers handle tardies and absences in the same fashion as himself, he does offer advice for all students in regards to the change we’ll face in college and beyond.

“People do judge you based on your behavior,” said Pyle. “So if you want people to think well of you and think you’re serious, you should be punctual.

When someone is tardy, particularly on a chronic basis, it is disrespectful to the class. If you do it in college, people are going to judge you even if there’s no consequences.”

Tardiness is only a problem in Pyle’s first period class. Considering it’s not an issue the rest of the day, he reiterated something he said to his (and my) first period AP Lit students.

“Being tardy is not an accident,” said Pyle. “If you’re tardy, particularly chronically tardy, you’re consciously doing something in the morning that you know is going to make you tardy, and you can change that behavior.”

Features 5 Program’s Office hosts Adopt a Family for those in need Ugly Christmas sweaters are the Foundation, the programs office has been best. This year, the Programs Office was Munira Ali able to provide struggling families here among the programs awarded a grant, new trend this holiday season December 2016 Issue

theSilverSpur

Features Editor

The Programs Office here at RB High has been helping out many families during the holiday time through the Adopt a Family Foundation. The goal of the foundation is to help make the holiday special for families who may be struggling.

Patricia Rock, who is the student services specialist here at RB High works hard in running the program and taking care of the details. With the endless efforts of Rock, students and their families are provided with fundamental things to get them through the holidays, having made the same unforgettable memories.

“Adopt A Family is a confidential program that helps families at RBHS that may be struggling due to job loss, divorce, etc,” Rock said. “We have donors from our campus, either teams, classes or parents that either get a confidential shopping list for a family or donate gift cards to be given to our needy families.”

With the help of the RB Community Foundation and the Adopt a Family

Picture courtesy of Patricia Rock at RB High with necessities that may not have been available to them.

The RB Community Foundation grants many local organizations and foundations money to continue doing what they do

and they are using some of the grant for Adopt a Family as well as other things the Programs Office does for students during this season.

“The Programs Office also helps students and families who may need bus passes, school supplies, calculators or food and also helps with senior students who cannot afford the expenses of graduation,” Rock said. “It provides scholarships to Grad Nite also.”

The fact that the Adopt a Family foundation is confidential, makes the whole process more secure, from the shopping lists, to the families receiving them.

While many may think of the Programs Office as just a place to get bread during lunch, there is much more that they do for our campus. What the programs office does for the families here at RB High is extraordinary, around the holiday time especially. The Programs Office is here to help students in everything from providing lunch to students who may not be able to afford it, to helping seniors with graduation money.

Make smaller goals to follow through on your resolutions Sarah Yuen Staff Writer

Whenever New Year’s Eve comes around, millions of people around the world take the time to think about what a new year means to them. New Year’s resolutions are a common motivation to finally get started on long-term goals. Whether the goal is to write a book, be healthier, or get straight As, a new year signifies a fresh start that many like to take advantage of.

But it has been proven year after year that these resolutions are often not an optimal way of achieving goals. Only a few weeks into the year, many begin to lose motivation and make excuses, telling themselves that they simply do not have the time to write, the ability to eat healthy, or the intelligence to ace a test.

I recently took an informal poll of 60 students at RB High and asked them if they have ever followed through with a New Year’s resolution. Out of the 60, 49 of the students answered no, a few of them commenting that they gave up mere days

after the year began. Why is it that so many never stuck to their resolutions?

Many will say the evil lies in laziness.

Surely, it is the absence of an inner drive or the lack of willpower that causes the majority of resolutioners to throw in the towel? Although this is a logical deduction, it is not entirely true.

The true culprit, in most cases, is setting a goal far too ambitious to immediately switch to or achieve. What usually would takes weeks or months to get used to is now expected to be reached in a few days.Many students at RB admit to throwing in the towel for this reason: “I wanted to wake up 30 minutes earlier than I usually do and stretch so I could get more flexible for dance,” said freshman Stephanie Bateman. “So I did it for the first week, and I ended up going to bed later so that it was harder to wake up in the morning - so i stopped.”

Freshman Sophia Gonzalez is another student who gave up on her resolution because of how intimidating her goal was: “I tried to stop eating so much sugar, but it just didn’t work out,” she said. “I couldn’t

stop myself. I guess because I’ve been doing it for so long it was hard to stop.”

This idea of New Year’s resolutions may be a flawed tradition. Some assume that reward only comes after a big achievement, but this is what causes so many to burn out early on in the year. After gaining so little reward for their efforts, they realize that living up to their resolution is harder than expected, and they give up.

Instead of only focusing on the main goal, setting smaller checkpoints throughout the process can be more effective. Say someone wants to lower his or her mile time from seven to six minutes. Rather than immediately trying to run a six-minute mile, an even better way would be to create reachable milestones along the way. This would increase the feeling of reward for the effort that has been put in and allow for progress to be noted.

When you consider what your New Year’s resolutions should be, think about how you can divide your path to success.

You are much more likely to commit if you take gradual steps, rather than intimidating yourself with such a big goal to reach.

Cartoon by Sarah Yuen

Katherine Pham Staff Writer When there’s colorful lights lining the streets and soft fluffy red and white hats on people’s’ heads, you know that it’s Christmas.

That means that it is also time to don the ugly Christmas sweaters that have been collecting dust all through the rest of the year. Most of those who wear these sweaters do this out of tradition, while some do it because it’s a popular fashion trend, but have you ever wondered where these ugly sweaters came from?

According to Time Magazine, this tradition, or trend, started in the 80s. It began with actor Bill Cosby and his show “The Cosby Show.” Cosby would wear colorful, patterned sweaters on his show that became his trademark.

Despite their name, these ugly sweaters are actually funny and adorable, a wonderful touch to any Christmas outfit. In fact, some students enjoy wearing these festive sweaters.

“I think they’re fan-flipping-tastic,” junior Myles Davis said, “because they’re ugly and they’re proud. I would totally wear one; I already do sometimes.”

“I think they’re a fun and festive thing to wear during the holidays,” sophomore Daryl Turner said. “I wouldn’t necessarily wear one out in public, but if it was a family thing or maybe it was an activity or like a club or an organization, I would do it.”

Both Davis and Turner agree that the reason ugly Christmas sweaters are so popular is because they’re unattractive, and it’s more fun to look bad than to focus on looking good all the time.

“It’s way to be goofy and express yourself without being judged. I love ugly christmas

sweaters because they’re funny, and they’re usually clever and have some sort of witty saying on it,” junior Kailey Lyche said. “My favorite ugly Christmas sweater I have has a cat on it, and it says ‘Meow-y Christmas’” “I love ugly Christmas sweaters,” freshman Paris Archer said. “I think it’s really popular because people try to get a laugh out of other people.”

But not everybody agrees that this festive trend is fun and amusing “I think they’re objectionable,” freshman Patrick Ashman said. “I don’t see why so many people feel the need to don them over the holidays. It’s acquired taste. I think it’s the need to be ugly, the need to be something you’re not.”

Ashman said that he would wear one, but only if someone paid him a good sum of money.

Freshman Cameron Spencer said that he thinks ugly Christmas sweaters are popular because they’re warm and fuzzy. He would wear one because most of them aren’t even ugly, but only for warmth, not as a fashion statement.

This trend does not only apply to Christmas-celebrators, however. There are also ugly sweaters made for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. If you’re interested in buying one of these festive sweaters, your local thrift shop or department store, such as Target, is bound to have one, and if you can’t find one that suits you, the internet has a variety of possibilities. There are even kits designed to help you make your own ugly Christmas sweaters and add your own personal, unique touch to them.

In the end, these sweaters are not only a fashion statement, but one of fun and festivity too, so if you do decide to wear one this season, wear it with pride.

6 Sports

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Girls water polo has had a great start to the season

Calvin Mitchel commits to play baseball at USD

Maggie Smith

Features Editor

Staff Writer Varsity girls water polo has started off the season with some good wins. Besides scrimmages, the girls placed 7th out of the 24 teams in their annual Bronco Invite by winning 3 out of the 5 games.

The girls have also played Poway, winning 11 to 8, Classical Academy, winning 12 to 3, Granite Hills 8-7, and Ramona 13-7. The girls had lost only twice to Vista, 9-6 and Rancho Buena Vista 6-5. Although they have lost twice, the girls are determined to maintain their higher amounts of wins to losses.

Starting practice at 5:30 in the morning before school on Mondays and Wednesdays, and then after school, the girls water polo team makes sure to put all of its effort into getting better and faster.

The team has many new players this year, with a small number of seniors.

“It’s a big deal to have such a new set of girls coming in and very few seniors leaving, and it’s interesting to see all those new bonds form,” senior Nina Eclarin said.

“Everyone is really friendly, and I think we are always seeking to improve.”

The girls also try to make sure everyone is positive and constructive in order to help the team improve.

Junior Grace Leto said this season contains better communication, and junior Nicole Nance said that there is less drama.

Last year, the girls were not able to make it past the first round of CIFs, but they remain positive and determined.

“Everyone is super nice, and we have a lot of new, fast girls,” sophomore Megan Rapp said.

Water polo is a tough sport, but with their hard work and dedication, the girls are confident of upcoming success at CIFs. Although they have lost twice, the girls continue to have determination and high spirits to maintain a positive attitude and continue to fight hard.

“We fight hard until the end, even if it’s a game we already lost,” Eclarin said. “I wish more people would come out to support us because it’s a really interesting game, and we train hard for a really long time.”

The team is excited for the season, as well as growing together as a team through practices and games.

Make sure to go out and support your fellow Broncos at the upcoming games, and show off your Bronco pride!

Photo courtesy of Nina Eclarin

Munira Ali Senior Calvin Mitchell has recently committed to playing baseball for University of San Diego. The captain and right fielder for RB High’s team looks forward to his experience on the field at Fowler Park and Cunningham Park.

Mitchell’s love for the sport has been with him since he was a little kid. With his dad also being a baseball player, he didn’t have trouble getting into the sport.

“My dad was a baseball player growing up,” Mitchell said. “And he went on to play for Fresno State, so that was the first thing I did growing up”.

Mitchell’s love for the sport will get to flourish as he goes on to play for USD, a university he’s quite familiar with.

“They have a great academic system, and they also have a great baseball program,” Mitchell said. “I also have pretty strong family ties to the school; my grandfather was the head basketball coach there, and both my mom and my sister have graduated from there as well, so I’ve been around the campus for a long time.”

Mitchell’s hard work and love for the sport from a young age is showcased

in his various records and outstanding achievements. Last season, Mitchell led in California with 12 home runs and holds the titles of a high school All-American, and also the USA baseball gold medalist.

Although Mitchell lives and breathes baseball, he admits that there are some challenges he has to face like with any sport.

“Performing under pressure is the toughest thing in baseball,” Mitchell said. “But my love for the game and its competitive nature drive me to be the best I can be.”

In talking about his biggest inspirations, Mitchell explains that Oakland Athletics pitcher, Dave Stewart has hands down been his biggest influencers in his baseball career.

In the upcoming baseball season, Mitchell describes his goal is to win CIFs just Photo by Munira Ali as the team did in his sophomore year.

“I just want to win,” said Mitchell.

“My sophomore year we won open division CIF, and I just want to do that again because that was the best feeling ever.”

Going forward, Mitchell looks forward to playing as a Torero. Mitchell also hopes to complete a degree in business and go into business management later on.

December 2016 Issue

Girls rugby has had an increase in size this season about something.”

“It’s really hard coaching every single player,” Hagshenas said. “With a smaller Staff Writer team, we had more one-on-one time.”

The RB High girls rugby team is But, there are upsides as well, and in this case considered a club sport, but that’s not to say the positives seem to outweigh the negatives. that they are any less of a team as the girls “Practice is definitely harder,” Ashami work just as hard as any team. Originally, said, “but during games, we all get in the the team started with 12 girls, but this year right mindsets.” the team has tripled in size.

“When we practice, we can actually “It was crazy; all of us started telling our scrimmage,” Hagshenas said. “Back then friends,” sophomore Anita Ashami said, when we scrimmaged, it’d be 3 on 3, which “37 girls showed up to practice. It’s really is not a good scrimmage. But now, we can awesome to have that many girls out there.” actually do 7 on 7 or 15 on 15.”

Even with a Having a bigger team small team last has also allowed them to I think we’re going to do year, their season form multiple teams, an went well.

A Team, a B Team, a C really well. We have a lot “Last season Team and possibly a D of players with a lot of was really really Team. potential.” fun; it was So far, the girls have my first year started off the season - Hanna Hagshenas, sophomore playing,” Ashami with high hopes, which said. “It was is essential. super awesome because we had the seniors “I think we’re going to do really well,” here last year, and they were awesome Hagshenas said. “We have a lot of players mentors. We did pretty well.” with a lot of potential. I’m really excited “Last season was really fun, and it was my because of that, and I’m excited to grow as first season,” sophomore Hanna Hagshenas a player myself.” said. “I fell in love with the sport. It was a “Well, I was kind of worried at the really good season.” beginning of the season because the first Hopefully this season will be just as enjoyable, team we played was Fallbrook. They’re and perhaps even more so with more teammates. insanely, crazy, amazing,” Ashami said.

However, the increase has its downside.

“I was worried the girls would become “Last year, it really felt like a family,” discouraged, and think that they couldn’t, Ashami said, “but because there’s so many but so far they haven’t which is awesome.” more people, there’s cliques now and so With the increase in their hard work, much more drama, and it’s really hard to spirit, and size, it is safe to assume that this get stuff done because everyone is talking year’s rugby team will go far.

Katherine Pham

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Girls field hockey wins CIF championship Hannah Park Staff Writer For the first time in school history, the girl’s field hockey team won its very first CIF championship in a 1-0 battle against Mission Vista.

Coming back from last season without a defensive unit (who had all graduated) and having ended their last season one point short of going to CIFs, the team had mixed feelings.

“Our defensive unit had taken a massive blow, and our numbers for subs had dropped insanely, but we all worked super hard, and despite certain difficulties we pulled through with a lot of wins, much more than last year,” senior Breanna Gunderson said.

Completing the season with a 13-8-1 record, compared to last season in which they had won a total of 4 games out of 16, the girls overcame many obstacles from last year.

They advanced into CIFs as third seed, where they fell short last year. Obviously, ending last year’s season with such a cliffhanger, there was a lot of pressure

FIELD HOCKEY-Girls pose with CIF championship banner.

Photo courtesy of Field Hockey

to do well this year. However, having lost a large part of their team, they needed to replace their defense with players who had previously played midfield or forward. This was a big adjustment for the team to overcome, but they recovered quickly.

In the semifinals against Westview, the team pulled through with a 2-0 victory, with goals scored by Laura Doumaux and Emma Chantegros. Just by winning this gamethey

had already made history at RB high, as no other girls field hockey team at RB had ever gotten that far. Nevertheless, they wanted to go all the way.

At their next game, against Mission Vista, Hailey O’Connor scored the game winning goal.

“You can’t really describe it because it is just too amazing; it has to be felt,” junior Kara Yagade. “You’re overwhelmed with so much happiness, love and gratefulness.

It’s one of those once in a lifetime kind of

feelings.”

Yagade played field hockey in middle school along with Julia Stevens, and she said that she has wanted, since then, to win the whole thing. Obviously, the third time’s the charm (both Yagade and Stevens are juniors).

Beyond having a winning season, the team also brags a family-like feel, to which most players can atest.

“Everyone on the team is pretty nice; they’re pretty open; they accept you for who you are instead of being just really clicky like a lot of other teams,” junior Laura Doumaux said.

“My team is my second family. That’s it.

They are the reason the hard days become easier and the good days become better days. I love them,” said Yagade.

On top of daily practices, packed with rigorous conditioning, the players also need to maintain their academics, many of them taking more than one AP course, which is a big commitment even without sports.

Overall, the team made school history, despite needing to overcome some obstacles, and these girls couldn’t have been more proud to be taking home their first banner.

Boys soccer starts season with 3 wins and 1 loss Wrestling team looks

forward to CIF dual win

Katherine Pham Staff Writer The boys soccer season has just begun, and the varsity team is off to a strong start. So far, they have played a total of four games, and have won three with no opposition, but loss their most recent game.

They are currently ranked third out of 8 in the Palomar League, and are ranked fifth out of 20 in Division 2 for San Diego.

As always, a new season means new players.

“We lost a lot of seniors,” Finn Jiu, a senior who plays center defense, said. “A lot of them actually went on to play soccer in college, at good schools. So, we had big shoes to fill with all the graduating seniors that left last year.”

According to Elijah Duncan, a junior who plays forward, the team’s skill level is even.

Soccer is a team sport, and in order to do well, each individual player needs to be able to communicate and get along well with his teammates, and the boys have been doing that considerably well.

“We’re doing pretty well; we’re getting used to each other,” senior Armando Parra said. “Once everything is settled in, I think we’ll be a strong team.”

“I’d say we have a pretty good team chemistry considering we’ve only had two games and only had a couple practices,” said Jiu. “We’ve been playing really well

Sarah Yuen Staff Writer

SOCCER-Boys warm up before playing San Pasqual. together, and I think it’ll just keep getting stronger as the season goes on.”

Team chemistry is not the only key aspect of soccer however. Practice is also imperative. Though they may not have had many practices yet, they have already been working hard.

“We practice any day we don’t have a game, and it’s usually around two to two and half hours long,” said Duncan. “It usually starts with a long warm up, and then we’ll have conditioning days, and technique days. Whatever we need to work on.”

Their hard work will pay off, however, as the boys are anticipating a good season.

“I’m looking forward to the whole season,” Duncan said. “We have a really strong team. Right now we’re missing \ about six really key players, and we’re still holding up really well. So I think it’s going

Photo courtesy of Joshua Elliston to be a really good season for us.”

“I think we definitely have a better chance of winning league now,” Jiu said. “I think our goals are to win league, and then hopefully win CIFs.” “We’re going to get a lot further than other schools,” Parra said.

The varsity boys soccer team is in for an exciting season, and hopefully, with the hard work and dedication they’ve been putting forth, their season will end just as well as it has begun.

Winter is here, and so is the wrestling season.

Last year, RB High’s wrestling team was able to send 5 boys to the state championships; they even came close to touching first place at the CIF dual tournament; unfortunately, Poway, RB’s biggest rival, took home the championship once again, adding another notch in its long belt of CIF titles. According to sophomore Zachary Zidarevich, after being runner-up for the past two years, the team is determined that things will be different.

“I think the team is gonna do great this year,” Zidarevich said. “Probably the highest expectation would be to beat Poway this year - that’s something big. Poway might have been a big thing in the past, but they’re not that much anymore. We’ve been practicing the whole summer; we’ve been pushing ourselves; we have the potential to get there.”

Wrestling is not easy. It is one of the only sports where direct physical contact with the opponent is encouraged, which makes bruises and injuries much more common. On top of safety, pride is another thing that is constantly at stake. If a wrestler loses a match, he has no one else to blame but himself; whereas, in team sports, the entire team is to blame.

Many wrestlers on the freshmen team drop out within the first few weeks because of how tough training can get. Those who stay are launched into hours of drills, mock-

matches, and learning new techniques. For the varsity lineup, wrestling practice during first period and after school is mandatory, and even that might not be enough.

“If you wanna improve you have to do stuff outside of the room as well,” said junior Tyler Crowe, who has wrestled for 10 seasons. “I go on runs; I practice my speed by jumping rope, and I’ll also work on stuff like push-ups and whatnot.”

Managing weight classes is another important aspect of the sport, as it can determine the success of a wrestler’s season.

Zidarevich is an example of a student who is switching between two weight classes to get the most out of 1his matches. By first competing in a lower weight class, he says he can take a few wins before moving on to wrestling stronger and heavier competitors.

For some, wrestling can be a gateway into college; although, it does take some talent as colleges usually only offer scholarships to wrestlers who have placed at state level competitions. Seniors Chasen Blair and Erik Salcido are two wrestlers who have successfully committed to North Carolina University and Iowa Western respectively.

For students who are not looking to commit, their eyes are set on the more modest goals of improving their moves and helping the team. The boys are currently ranked 10th, and while Poway is a bit farther ahead at 3rd, they feel that this might be the year that they finally beat out their biggest rival.

November Issue

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theSilverSpur

December 2016 Issue

“RUDOLPH, with your nose so bright, won’t you help me cope tonight?”

Cash-felt gifts The holidays are often characterized as a season of giving that often requires going to the mall and spending countless hours and dollars on gifts for others. Then, after neatly boxing and wrapping these items to eventually present the purchases to friends and family, they open their presents and proceed to act surprised, all the while giving their smiling thanks. It is an annual cycle, a box that must be checked off the list and a process that makes the holidays the holidays.

But even though giftgiving is an accepted tradition of Christmas, is the cost of gift-giving really worth the temporary pleasure it brings?

After adding up the amount spent on gifts for every sibling, aunt, uncle, distant cousin, and vague acquaintances, a single person can end up spending hundreds of dollars. According to the American Research Group Inc., shoppers this season are expected to spend an average of about $929. Oftentimes, spending more on a gift does not necessarily equate to a better present.

“If someone gave me an expensive necklace because they had to buy me something, I would be like ‘okay, that’s nice,’ since I don’t really wear jewelry a lot,”

sophomore Farnia Nafarifard said. “But if someone gave me a book because they knew I really liked that series, I’d probably cherish that present a lot more.”

Of course, we’ve all received those gifts that are never touched again after Christmas Day, whether it be an ugly sweater or a book you don’t want to read. Maybe our parents have given us a budget and let us chose our own “gift.” Or perhaps we feel pressured to buy something simply because it would be unfair to give a friend a present and leave out another.

In all scenarios, an emotional connection is absent, and the meaning behind the present can be cut down to simply being an item that has been given to another person at a socially-acceptable time.

“I think that gifts that have meaning behind them are more exciting,” freshman Amy Kelley said. “There’s more mystery behind the present, and when you look back at it you have fonder memories.”

The idea of giving because it is the “season of giving” causes the holidays to appear materialistic. It seems

by Sarah Yuen that businesses all over the world take advantage of Christmas and thus enact various marketing schemes.

Black Friday and other holiday discounts and promotions have all specifically been created to persuade consumers to spend more and more money on items our loved ones will surely find meaning in.

That is not to say that holiday gifts are a bad thing - gifts can be symbolic of our affection - but there are many empty giftboxes given around this time of year. It is easy for people to become so immersed in buying tangible items that they neglect the most important part of Christmas: family.

Let us buy and give our gifts this season, but remember that the holidays are also a time to spend with the people that matter more than the things we can give them.

The perfect holiday app

by Samantha Yi

Apple, Inc. recently released a groundbreaking app that allows you to track how much your friends and family spend on you for Christmas, so you know just how much to spend on them in return!

Using revolutionary telepathic technology, the app transforms your loved ones’ brainwaves into data that can be easily uploaded directly to your phone.

While Apple product designers and engineers still don’t fully understand the technology themselves, the difference the app has made for consumers has been monumental.

In a recent interview, local resident Sam Soandso explained how he used the app to complete his Christmas shopping without feeling guilty about getting his friends presents that were lousier than the ones they got him.

“Before this app came out, I always used to get my friends really lousy gifts,” Soandso said. “Now, I get them the same gifts they got me.”

Because Soandso is able to see exactly what his friends are buying him, he no longer has to worry about the yearly postgiftum depression. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, rates of postgiftum depression decrease dramatically for those who use this app.

Another consumer, Ebenezer Pennywise, used the app to make sure he didn’t spend more on people than they deserved.

“Bah, humbug!” Pennywise said with a grin so wide it turned into a scowl. Despite numerous attempts, he refused to comment further on the topic.

In light of many more inspiring testimonials like these, Apple is expanding the app’s reach. A trial run beta version was released on Dec. 1, and the app will be available for full use on Dec. 14—just in time for Christmas.

Frequent shopper Cruella Gingrinch can’t wait for the full version to be released. She recently used the beta version to prove just how much better of a person she is than all of her friends, and she’s looking forward to lording more over her loved ones.

“Told ya so,” Gingrinch said. “It feels really good to know that I spent more on my friends than they did on me. Really good. I can really hold this over their heads for a long time. Merry Christmas!”

The app looks like it will be the keystone to a merrier Christmas for people around the world stressing about gift giving. Now, people will be able to focus on exactly what the holiday is supposed to be about: staying guilt free, spending the right amount of money and making your loved ones feel bad about themselves so you feel better about yourself.

Say goodbye to that awkward moment when you realize you spent way too little on that gift for your best friend! Sure, they might say, “It’s okay, don’t worry about it, or I love it,” but you know what they’re really thinking—”Janet is the complete worst!”

You really are, Janet.

Festive stress I did it. I put up 18 boxes of decorations in one day. I decked the halls with my tears.

Christmas and the feeling of the holiday spirit is my favorite part of December, but the stress and duties which come with it make me want to shove a reindeer antler down my throat.

For my first task of the holiday season my mother and me, armed with our shopping list, trek to Sprouts, Albertsons, and Vons, respectively, to pick up all of our Thanksgiving ingredients.

As I trip over the list, which goes down to my feet, I struggle to hold 10 “quality fresh” potatoes, all of which definitely should not belong in the organic and sans GMO section, in my puny a r m s .

My mom moves at an effortlessly quick pace, swiftly navigating her way through the crowded aisles like a gopher navigating its way through its metropolis

by Kalena Tano

of tunnels. I, however, fall behind, getting my handful of purse-love-taps from the older shoppers as I crash into every shopper in an attempt to reach my mother.

After 45 minutes of excusing myself to push through seas of shoppers the torture finally ends, and we make our way out of the store and head home like Superbowl champions.

But the fun doesn’t end there.

Thanksgiving is thankfully my mom’s forte, so she takes care of dinner, but once Black Friday hits, I plummet into a seemingly eternal pit of stress and despair.

The inner moral battle between “tell grandma your real shoe size in advance” and “pretend that you really don’t want a gift to seem respectful and modest” is one which really takes up too much of my time, especially when I know grandma knows the truth. While trying to convince my dad that no, I really don’t need the deluxe set of weights he just wants for himself, I’m simultaneously trying to hide my food baby under my loose sweatshirt and look deser ving of shopping in the fancy d r e s s section o f Nordstrom.

Eventually my mom becomes frustrated enough with my lack of interest in the sale rack of business clothes

(what a surprise) that we are allowed to leave.

Now here’s the part in the story which you would think entails relaxation after a stressful few days of holiday cheer, but it’s really quite the contrary.

The day after Thanksgiving is the first day of Christmas in my family, and it’s all wreaths and candy canes the minute we get home from shopping.

We hurry to unpack our tree, ornaments, garlands, overextensive nutcracker collection, and other various decorations which I don’t feel like including in this list because I quite frankly don’t even know what many of the knick-knacks we own are called. It doesn’t end there. The following 30 days or so are chock full of forced holiday festivities that I find myself wondering why anyone in those Hallmark movies learns to love the holidays rather than learning how stressful they are.

Sometimes I feel like the only reason Scrooge gets so optimistic at the end of the movie is that it’s already Christmas and he no longer needs to worry about getting prepared for Christmas. I wish it could be Christmas every day, for if it were, then another holiday prep season would never come and I could just enjoy the result of my family’s stress and hard work forever.

Soy milk and crackers:

A pageanteer ate healthy for the holidays

by Sydni Zidarevich

From the end of November to the New Year, every fantastic and amazing delicacy and fattening food comes out in order to pig out before the the New Year’s resolutions of “I’ll eat better in the New Year” come out. So it really kind of stinks when you’re surrounded by all this amazing and mouth-watering food, and you’re on a healthy-eating “diet.”

For the last five years, I have done different beauty pageants off and on, even taking the title of Miss California last year, allowing me to move forward and be able to compete in Nationals at the Hilton at DisneyWorld in Orlando, Florida.

There are some beauty pageants that happen during or begin at the very beginning of the year, and Nationals just so happens to take place the week of Thanksgiving break.

This would have been no problem during a normal time of the year, especially since I was at “The happiest place on earth.”

Well, ball-gown dresses are extremely form fitting.

And, of course, I chose the most figure-hugging dress I could find that was also age-appropriate. I love this dress, don’t get me wrong, but pigging out is not an option o n Thanksgiving when later that night is the evening-wear event. Not only do

you need to consider what you are consuming, you also have to think about whether it is good for your body, how much you should eat, and how fast your body digests it.

So, since my dietary regimen during pageant season needs to be healthy, and for me that consists of no red meat and no dairy, whatsoever, because those are things my own body has a difficult time digesting, and they can make me really sick, I have to find alternative proteins, such as chicken or fish, and other ways to incorporate calcium into my diet. I also have to eliminate my favorite Mac n’ Cheese and steak and mashed potatoes.

I’m not a picky eater, but pageants inspire me to eat better in order to feel better and have more energy, and food heavy in dairy or salt or even too much red meat can make me feel weighed down and slow. However, sticking to the healthy options is extremely difficult with all the tempting yumminess of the holidays.

After watching the foods I ate and avoiding the temptations of Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Christmas season, I felt really good.

I felt accomplished. I was proud of myself that I had the will to keep up with something that seemed nearly impossible at first.

So does dieting during the holidays stink?

Oh, absolutely, but if done sensibly, it is worth it, and you can be proud of the healthy lifestyle habits you are learning.

Art by

Takashi Joubert