The Express Vol. 14, No.2

The Express

“The Story of San Juan Hills as told by its students”

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Volume 14, Issue 2

San Juan Hills High School San Juan Capistrano, CA

www.sjhexpress.com

Inside Orchestra: A Musical Blend of Strings, Brass, Woodwinds, and Percussion A&E

By Mylan West

STAFF WRITER

The orchestra puts many hours and and lots of effort into crafting a musical harmony under the direction of Dean McElroy.

Under his guidance, individual students’ skill sets are assembled into a cohesive ensemble and a captivating symphony.

“First of all, just the individual musicians have got to be strong players. But with an orchestra, it’s really about playing together and hearing everybody else,” said Orchestra teacher Dean McElroy.

Individual dedication to excellence among the instruments is strove for in order to find collaborative harmony among the Orchestra. While strong musicians are vital, the total effect lies in the collective ability to play seamlessly together.

“It’s very obvious if you don’t do your part individually to come together with the rest of the orchestra,” said senior Lana Gallimore.

The dedication of each orchestra student to improving and perfecting their roles is crucial for achieving overall harmony.

“The toughest thing to negotiate is giving everybody the right instruction that they need when it’s so varied,” said

McElroy.

Adjusting his teaching to the various instruments used in an orchestra is a challenging aspect that Dean McElroy faces daily.

Student musicians each portray unique individual skill levels, and providing the right guidance to every Stallion is a complex task.

“String section plays faster, woodwinds handle melodies, brass brings power, and percussion adds color,” said McElroy.

The string instruments provide a graceful and steady foundation, while the woodwinds create beautiful melodies. The brass instruments bring power and energy while the percussion section adds lively rhythm to the ensemble.

“We do sectionals, where people in each section come together and sort of perfect their part. And a lot of listening to other parts and listening to recordings and just sort of getting familiar with the piece” said senior Mel Hui. To attain harmony, each group within the orchestra begins its journey separately. Band and string orchestras independently practice their parts before coming together to unify the sound.

“We meet in the evenings a week or two before the concert. And that’s the first time that they’ll play together,” said McElroy.

[See Orchesta, P8]

What’s Inside School Board Politics

Page 2

Littering on Campus

Page 3

Wellness Center Opens

Page 4

Shea Center

Page 5

Cross Country Meet

Page 6

A Week with Coach Frith

Page 7

Inside Scoop on Stagecraft Page 8

ORCHESTRATING: Carefully conducting a freshmen class, Dean McElroy ensures they will be ready for their next concert. The students who are willing to go the extra mile will continue down a path of success in the world of instrumental music in McElroy’s award-winning groups. Photo by Vanessa Ortiz

Mascots Take the Reins of School Spirit FEATURE

By Gabriella Bello

A&E EDITOR

At Friday night football games, the crowd roars “RFTB!” but we all know who does it the best.

Parading around down at the field beside the pep squad are SJHHS’s mascots. Our renowned mascots Stanley and Stella are coming back stronger than ever this year, with some changes.

Mascots have been a huge part of representing our school spirit since San Juan Hills High School opened back in 2007.

Stanley was the first mascot from the beginning of our school and Stella was introduced into our school around 2016.

To even become a school mascot, students have to attend an initial interest meeting and then go through the actual interview and audition process.

[See Spirit, P5]

SPREADING SPIRIT: Stanley high-fives a future Stallion during the varsity football game. Stanley and Stella excite the crowds at home games with their enthusiasm. Photo by Gabriella Bello

Wellness Center Opens in Guidance NEWS

By Sydney Hogancamp

FEATURE EDITOR

Because of increasing amounts of stress and pressure, California schools have now begun adding “wellness centers” in response to the mental and physical health of students.

Capistrano Unified

School District board administrative members and representatives from CHOC Hospital gathered on October 2 at San Juan Hills High School for the grand opening of the new wellness center.

This is the second wellness center within our district and the thirtythird center within Orange County.

The health center is

made for students and is located in the guidance building. The room is a safe space in which students can come take a break and focus their attention on selfcare so they can later return to learning.

The room’s purpose is to help reduce stress and anxiety levels in students. The wellness center provides a chance to develop healthy coping

habits and mechanisms when feeling stressed or overwhelmed. The center promotes a place in which students can strive to manage all aspects of their lives while dealing with any struggles that may impact their learning and academics.

In the room you will find activities to help students decompress.

[See Wellness, P4]

Sexualization During Halloween is Scarier Than Any Ghoul OPINION

By Caoimhin Grothe-Brinton STAFF WRITER

As Halloween creeps up, the overly sexual feminine costume culture during Halloween proves to be even creepier.

Women and young girls often struggle with heavy societal objectification, but even more so during this time of year.

The issue of objectification during Halloween is complicated because people can dress

however they want, but today’s internally sexist society and surroundings put a lot of subconscious expectations upon America’s women.

“The costume and media industries have been pushing exclusively sexualized costumes onto women for years. In a study by West Chester University professor Lauri Hyers, 90% of women’s costumes were sexualized while only 11% of men’s are,” according to Jen Bowman in University

of Alabamas’ student magazine ALICE. Industries continue to encourage women to wear sexualized costumes consisting of tight clothes or little fabric, whereas men do not get pressured to dress provocatively. Costume industries typically target college students since they partake most heavily in costume parties and events. Sexual harassment occurrences at parties are a big issue during the fall season.

“More than 50% of

college sexual assaults occur in either August, September, October or November,” according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

Halloween sex crimes do not have an exact rate, but younger populations are at greater risk, considering that activities include drinking and partying all night. Going out and partying should be a fun and exciting experience, not a traumatizing and exploitive experience.

[See Halloween, P2]

The Express

PAGE 2

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

OPINION

Halloween Sexualization [Halloween, from P1] Halloween is an exciting holiday where people should get to feel safe and excited no matter how revealing their clothing may be. Before leaving the house, many women can’t leave without pepper spray or some form of defense.

According to the National Library of Medicine, “Approximately 25% of women with both personal and vicarious experiences of violence carried pepper spray, and over half hid weapons in their homes.”

An inappropriate percentage of the population supports the idea that wearing revealing clothing is “asking for it,” which allows perpetrators to justify their actions, something that happens all too often.

Criticizing the clothes that were worn in the case of assault is insensitive and oftentimes completely irrelevant. The Dove Center exhibit displays what many survivors wore during their assault. Most of these outfits consisted of children’s clothing and sweatshirts, not “revealing clothes,” completely debunking the idea that clothing is a cause for sexual predation.

Another inappropriate facet in the Halloween costume industry is the sexualization of children, especially young girls and teenagers, in the name of capitalism.

“Female costumes created by the industry typically consist of sexualized versions of everyday jobs or even minors.

Hence the reason some of the most common costumes are schoolgirls, nurses and police officers,” said Jen Bowman.

Professions that women fought to be able to partake in are oftentimes subject to commercial sexualization.

The careers of female police officers, firefighters, and nurses for example are mocked and fetishized. The mockery of female participation in everyday professions is upsettingly telling of how strong women are regarded in patriarchal society. The women who fight gender norms in America are degraded and disrespected by misogynistic men and weirdos who reduce female strength to fetish fuel.

Among the many sins of the Halloween costume industry is the disrespect of other cultures.

Cultural sexualization during Halloween is a recurring issue.

“Companies have just recently started to remove the ability to purchase outfits based on Native American and Japanese culture. It is too late, however, as the sexual mockery of other cultures has cemented its place within America’s stereotypes and biases,” said Bowman.

Latino, Native, Asian, Romany, and Jewish cultures

LEAVE CARTOON CHARACTERS ALONE: This drawing depicts Lola Bunny, Starfire, Tinkerbell, and Harley Quinn, commonly over-sexualized characters in popular culture. Children’s entertainment characters are often turned into revealing costumes for Halloween, leading kids to support the immoral actions of halloween costume companies. Illustration by Caoimhin Grothe-Brinton among many others are sexually appropriated every year. This hinders others from educating themselves about these cultures and others.

For example, dressing up as a “gypsy” for Halloween is appropriation and sexualization of Romany culture. As a Romany, “gypsy” is not only considered a slur word but it is

also offensive when the attire is worn as a costume. Romany culture sexualizes girls enough and Halloween encourages the objectification of Romanys and other cultures. The sexualization of other cultures that celebrate their own styles and faiths is in poor taste.

Women shouldn’t feel disrespected or unsafe during

the fall season every year.

Society has let costume industries off the hook too many times. With that in mind, trust your instincts and be aware of social boundaries and costume choices. While having fun and endulging in Halloween spirit, avoid supporting unethical halloween costume industries and stay safe.

testimonies in support of the policy, parents confused opinion and bigotry with fact.

“Transgender students are still a minority… Listening to this group of kids [in opposition to the policy] confirms that we are living in a mental health crisis,” said parent Mariela Islis.

Another parent went as far as to say that children don’t have rights.

Gender queerness is not an illness and it is offensive to insinuate such a thing. To disregard an entire community’s well being just because they are a minority is cruel, dangerous and probably illegal.

Student board member, Tyler Pearce, said “Our duty is to foster an environment where

every student, all 41,000 of them, feel safe, valued, and heard…

The moment we let individual ideologies infiltrate public schools, we endanger the very principle of education and erode the trust of the students.”

Active community members in the district must stop attempting to force their beliefs upon the district’s children, and respect the idea that children do have rights as outlined in the California Constitution.

The decisions made by the school board affect the lives of thousands of children with different backgrounds and identities. It is disgraceful to ruin an inclusive safe space with the dangerous involvement of inappropriate political conflict.

Political Climate in the School Board Room is Scorching OPPOSING SIDES: Community members gather in the parking lot at CUSD’s Edcucation Center before the board meeting on October 18.

The protesters split into two opposing groups, supporting and opposing the parental notification policy that has adopted in some districts. Six police cars arrived to monitor and ensure the safety of the crowd throughout the rest of the board meeting.

Photos by Alex Alvord

By Celeste Cariker

CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Students in the Capistrano Unified School District are currently celebrating the failed enactment of a parental notification policy that would have mandated teachers to report “significant changes in a student’s well-being,” presumably including changes in a student’s gender identity, to their parents.

While LGBTQ+ students escaped danger in the district for the time being, they are now aware of how many parents think that they are mentally ill, delusional, and undeserving of autonomy.

In the process of civil

discourse, adults inappropriately engaged in an offensive political war over the attempted ratification of the policy and used students as pawns.

Outside the most recent board meeting on October 18, two crowds flooded into the parking lot of the District Office. On one end, parents wearing white, in support of the policy, displayed an American flag. On the other end, community members wearing purple in opposition displayed a rainbow flag.

Trustee Lisa Davis recommended the policy for consideration at the previous board meeting in September, yet throughout public comment, Trustee Davis was seen playing on her phone and rolling her

eyes.

Davis’ argument for the policy is comparable to an untrustworthy political campaign as she vigorously attempts to appeal to parents with the idea of forming a “partnership” between parents and educators, yet this is entirely contradictory to the philosophy of the school district.

Section 100 of Article 0 of the Capistrano Unified School District’s board policies says that “All decisions will be based on what is best for our students.” The board’s job is not to ally with parents, but instead to provide “disciplined environments conducive to learning,” which the proposed policy neglected.

In a large number of

The Express

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Unique Names Should be Embraced, Not Obscured

By Domenica Peloso

OPINION EDITOR

Ryan, Emma, Liam, Olivia, Jacob. Most of these names likely bring a person or two to mind, as they are some of the most popular names in the last two decades. At San Juan Hills alone, there are currently 23 Ryans, 22 Lukes, 20 Dylans, 20 Olivias, 19 Jacobs, and 18 Emmas. However, in this vast sea of Ryans, Lukes, and Olivias, there are always those select few names on an attendance roster that can’t help but catch one’s eye.

A clear example of this is Senior Morrissey (Maw-ruh-see) De Santiago who is named after Steven Patrick Morrissey, the lead singer of the popular 80’s rockband The Smiths. De Santiago’s close friends and family currently refer to her as “Moz.” “My dad is a huge fan of the 80’s rock-band, The Smiths,” said De Santiago.

For those who were given particularly “unique” names, juvenile mockeries, or long pauses of confusion during attendance are all too familiar.

“My name is almost always mispronounced. I think people confuse it for ‘Marcy,’ and often forget the ‘ey’ in my name. I always enjoyed the, ‘Oh I know I’m gonna totally butcher this

name,’ from teachers or subs,” said De Santiago.

Senior Zakiah (Zuh-key-yuh) Sesay is named after the Quran, and her name translates to “pure.”

Sesay’s family and close friends nicknamed her “Zu” or “Zuzu” when she was little, and her soccer teammates refer to her as “Z.” “Back when I was little I actually used to get bullied for my name. Kids would call me ‘Zucchini’ and make fun of my name which as a kid really bothered me,” said Sesay.

Embarrassment is a powerful emotion that has veered its ugly head at least once or twice in someone with a “unique” name’s life. The fear of being singled out or humiliated is a feeling that sticks with someone forever.

Junior Ekaterina (Ee-ka-ter-eenuh) Likhvareva is named after the Russian Queen, Catherine the Great, by her mom. Likhvareva is known by most of her friends as “Kat,” and at home she is called “Katya.” In 2012, she emigrated from Russia to the U.S. after her dad received a new job opportunity.

“There was a slight embarrassment of having everyone ever not know how to pronounce my name, even though it’s a super common name in Russia,” said Likhvareva.

PAGE 3

OPINION

SENIOR ZAKIAH SESAY (Zuh-key-yuh): Zakiah is named after a person named in the Quran, and her name translates to the word pure. “Even though it is rarely pronounced correctly, I love my name and I think it fits me,” said Sesay. Photo by Domenica Peloso Almost everyone has fantasized about their dream name. But for people with “unique” names, this fantasy is often rooted in their desire to eliminate uncomfortable situations that arise because of their eye-catching names.

Sophomore Caoimhin (KeyO-Vin) Grothe was named by her dad who originally wanted a girl named “Kevin”, but pivoted to the name “Caoimhin” which is “Kevin” in Gaelic. Because of this, many of her close friends and family nicknamed her “Cev.” “Younger me always wanted a more common name, for I got bullied for my name when I was really young. Even when I went by “Kevin” people would make fun of me for having a boy’s name. A lot of the time I would fantasize my name was Charlotte or Gwen,” said Grothe.

“I hated my name for a short period of time. I also got really annoyed when my parents told me their other name options for me, which were common, easy-topronounce girl names,” said De Santiago.

Everyone has witnessed a teacher butcher the pronunciation of a name while taking attendance, or completely give up altogether in utter defeat.

While this situation is oftentimes unavoidable, is it better to attempt to pronounce a name, or not say it at all?

“I’d rather someone butcher my name because it shows they are trying to acknowledge my name, but I understand that sometimes people skip it to be respectful,” said Sesay.

“I would rather have someone butcher my name or call me

something else because most of the time when people don’t say my name at all it makes me feel kind of hurt due to the fact that they wouldn’t even put in the effort,” said Grothe.

Although having a “unique” name yields its fair share of trials and tribulations, it is a badge of honor that should be worn with pride and courage. To stand out is not an easy feat by any means, but by embracing the obscured parts of our identities, we are opening up the world to a more diverse, unique, and accepting way of thinking.

A name is a beautiful reminder of the absolute individuality each and every person possesses.

Despite mockery, embarrassment, confusion, or fear, every name should be embraced to its fullest potential.

Don’t Be Trashy: Keep San Juan Hills Clean

By Mylan West

STAFF WRITER

Stallions are lucky to have a learning environment surrounded by modern, wellkept architecture and beautiful hills surrounding the campus.

Yet littering has become an escalating concern on school campus, casting a shadow over our otherwise pristine educational environment. “[Students] need to have more awareness. I see trash just thrown, not even that they’ll leave it behind but they’ll throw it at each other,” said AP Environmental Science teacher Ms. Price.

“It greatly impacts my daily work load. Constantly picking up trash keeps me from taking care of other important tasks I could be completing. When students take trash in to the restroom and choose to clog toilets and sinks, I then have to close the restrooms for safety of the students,” said lead custodian at SJHHS since 2007, Enrico Galang.

Littering is not only affecting

the aesthetic appearance of the campus, but is also causing even more alarming implications for the environment.

“Trash and debris can flow into drains causing clogs. Birds take up trash onto the roof and clog roof drains, sometimes causing water intrusions into classrooms,” said Galang.

This dilemma can bring about unfavorable impacts that present a potential health risk to both students and staff.

“This is a major problem because water intrusions can then lead to indoor air quality concerns. Now we are speaking about health concerns, and we just want everyone to be safe,” said Galang.

The severity of littering extends far beyond the visible mess built up.

“There are consequences we don’t think about when trash is left on tables, the floor, or anywhere other than a proper receptacle,” said Galang.

One way to combat this problem is by promoting environmental consciousness.

DURING LUNCHTIME, campus supervisor Enrique makes rounds in the lower quad with a trash can to reduce the amount of trash that students leave at the tables at the end of the lunch period. “Tell everyone to stop leaving trash everywhere!” said Enrique. Supervisors and custodial staff on campus work hard to keep the campus clean, but students must play their part as well.

Photo by Celeste Cariker Ms. Price wisely pointed out that small changes in daily habits such as reducing single-use plastic by using a hydro flask instead of plastic water bottles can significantly contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable

campus.

“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success,” said manager of Maintenance Trades Capistrano Unified School District Alex

Malfavon.

With collective effort and solidarity, the school can overcome the littering issue, and thereby create a cleaner and more productive environment for everyone.

The Express

PAGE 4

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

NEWS

NE W WE LL N ESS C EN T ER O F FE RS AC A D EM IC A N D ME NTAL HEA LT H SU PPORT [Wellness, from P1] The room environment is designed to be relaxing and includes comfy couches, calming scents, music, and coloring.

Mental health struggles have been on the rise over the past couple of years, seen most in teenagers.

As of July 2023, more than 20% of teenagers have seriously considered suicide according to the American Physcological Association. Due to the nonacceptance, suicide has been found most within the LGBTQ+ community.

The Trevor Project, a non-profit that focuses on LGBTQ+ youth, has found that LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.

Not only are they thinking about making that decision, but the

Trevor Project also estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth (13-24) seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. — with at least one attempt of suicide every 45 seconds.

Senior Abby Kaufman organized a Mental Health Awareness club on campus to help spread the importance of healthy mental health practices.

“I really hope to try and not only spread awareness, but make a difference in my school and how mental health is perceived.

I’ve been able to work with our counselors and speak at district meetings to talk about mental health. It’s a passion of mine and I think it’s great there’s now a wellness room,” said Kaufman.

In meetings, the goal is to get more outreach towards our campus and work on Mental

OPENING THE DOORS: Cutting the ribbon for the grand opening of the wellness center, Stuart McClure, Manoj Mahindrakar, Refugio Gracian, Christopher Brown, Judy Bullocks, Amy Hanacek, and representatives from CHOC Hospital, join together to celebrate the second wellness center in the Capistrano Unified School District. Located in the guidance building, students can come in to take a break and practice healthy coping habits to relax with pressures and anxiety. Photo by Sydney Hogancamp Health Awareness week. Students in the club make creative posters to promote mental health all over school.

“Our meetings are every other Friday, J104, at lunch. We started our club last year because there

was no mental health club and I was honestly surprised by that,” said Kaufman.

If you or anyone you know is thinking about harming themselves or others, never hesitate to speak up; everyone

deserves to feel heard and cared for. Suicide and self-harm can be preventable.

The wellness center is new to this year and is accessible for all students on campus who may be struggling or need a safe space.

Daylight Saving Time: Congress Fails to Spring Forward, So We Must Fall Back -- Again

By Alex Alvord

STAFF WRITER

Over seven million Californians, nearly 60% of all voters in 2018, voted to give the legislature the power to end the annual time change known as Daylight Saving Time.

How can it be that we are still falling back and springing forward on our clocks and in our daily routines every year?

Regardless of what side you took on Proposition 7, it seems like it shouldn’t take over five years for the change to occur after being voted on by the people.

It’s because Senator Marco Rubio’s Sunshine Protection Act has stalled in Congress. And while states can opt out of DST, they cannot act to make DST permanent without an act of Congress.

Most everyone agrees changing the clocks twice a year is not optimal. But people have

debated whether standard time or daylight-saving time is better.

But that debate seems to be over, with politicians favoring DST over Standard Time.

Some states in the country have set the example for doing away with the semiannual time

permanently on daylight-saving time because it maximizes the hours of sunlight and eliminates the changing of clocks.

Sleep scientists favor Standard Time, but economists and business experts tend to support DST because of increased economic activity and lower electricity usage.

The history of DST did not begin with farming, as some people believe. It began in the U.S. during WWI and it was removed post-war but eventually brought back during WWII as an energy saving method. After WWII ended, the schedule was never removed.

According to a study done by the American Institute of Neurology, even the extra hour of sleep brought by fall back has adversely affected sleep quality simply because of the shift in Art courtesty of Zoe Talyor people’s sleep schedules. change. Arizona opted out of A study among 30,000 adults daylight-saving time in 1968 showed them to be twice as and Hawaii never adopted it in likely to have issues falling the first place. 19 states have asleep and staying awake after passed legislation to operate the semiannual time changes.

Photo courtesy of Josh Hunnicutt

MODEL UNITED NATIONS BRINGS BACK AWARDS

By Claire Stafford

CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

At their second conference of the year, Model United Nations joined with other schools to discuss real-world issues at RSM Intermediate on Saturday.

Out of our eight Stallions delegates, five students won awards.

Shaurya Sharma, Iurii Kolyadin, Dylan Heck all were named “best delegate,” Kate Pointer was recognized as outstanding and Dilan Patel earned a commendation.

MUN is a class that centers around student participation in an academic simulation where they act as delegates from their selected countries. Students are expected to discuss and debate world issues from the perspective of the nation they choose to represent. Topics include but are not limited to countering violent extremism, arms proliferation, human trafficking, wildlife and forestry crime, and terrorism.

“Model UN is a simulation of the UN where basically students get to come and represent countries and practice the pro-

cedures that the real UN would go through. It’s an opportunity to learn about different countries and topics and international relations,” said MUN student Kate Pointer.

Sharma attributes his success to his active engagement in discussion during the conference.

“I think it’s because I participated a lot and was engaged in the conversation, I took a lot of initiative during the moderated and the unmoderated conferences,” said Sharma of his past experiences.

Students in MUN are assigned the task of researching their nation’s policies and the perspectives that coincide with their committee. Students each give speeches and provide solutions to real-world issues that would align with their nation’s beliefs.

“Being in MUN, I’ve immersed myself in a multitude of topics around the world that I probably wouldn’t have ever heard of. MUN definitely teaches me more about world affairs and helps me be more socially aware,” said Sharma.

The Express

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PAGE 5

FEATURE

Equine Therapy Helps to Heal Humans Naturally

By Zaleeya Dhalla

STAFF WRITER

Yee haw! Horses gallop and clients smile while riding the “Shea Way.” Shea Center is a non profit riding center for kids and adults with disabilities. Shea uses equine horse therapy to give others joy and improve health.

This equine therapy center has been open since 1978 and is one of the top equine centers in the world.

The Shea Center serves many clients with social, emotional and physical challenges. Riders at shea tend to struggle with mobility, autism and depression.

Therapists at the Shea Center give people with mobility challenges opportunities to move again through the horses.

Highly trained staff and volunteers lead their clients to success with a series of lessons and exercises. Shea Center volunteers go through extensive training and continue to take on new roles as they engage with the center. Volunteers start as sidewalkers, which walk beside the clients as they ride the horse, then they can work their way up to other volunteer positions.

“I sidewalk with the kids and I am getting certified to work in

the barn and tack horses,” said SJHHS sophmore Zoe Campbell.

At the beginning of the therapy process, a client is matched with a therapist, a leader and sidewalkers. Therapists specialize in client treatment, leaders are in charge of the horse during the lesson, and two sidewalkers stay on either side of the rider for security. Barn crew and leaders will prepare horses for their client prior to their session.

The Shea Center runs a summer camp for kids and clients that is open to the public. They run a series of barn activities, crafts and riding. The main attraction is teaching kids how to get on horses and ride them as well as doing special tricks on them. The kids make new friendships and memories while riding the “Shea Way.” “We put our riders on the horse’s body which gets over 3,000 repetitions in a minute.

This allows clients to get the same movement. Their pelvis moves similar to a horse’s pelvis,” said volunteer services manager Michele Gingras.

The repetitive movement is therapeutic for patients with bodies that aren’t able to move that much. It provides motor and sensory input to affected areas

Feelin’ the Spirit

“I think last year, I put it out there [Spirit, from P1] “We had them come in, we asked if anyone’s interested in being the them three questions: characteristics mascot, come sign up. And then just the school year started and got they had that kind of makes them away from us so we didn’t really stand out above the others, why do a tryout. It was just like two they wanted to be the mascot, and kids that came forth and said they then if they are able to attend all would do it. Last year [the mascots] the dates. Then, we basically put just weren’t around as much,” said on a dance song and said ‘when Valderrama. the music starts you start, when the Being the school mascot does come music stops you stop,’ ” said ASB with its obstacles, however, as Coordinator Brooke Valderrama.

Three students are chosen to take being physically active and moving around for a long period of time on the role of Stanley and Stella. inside the hefty costumes can be The school events they attend exhausting. are every pep rally, home varsity “It’s so hot in the mascot costume, football and basketball game. like burning.

“I wanted to You can’t become a school really see mascot because The little kids are either, like it’s fun! It’s one you’ll knock of those things really sweet because something you think you’re they like to take over,” said never going to Stella. pictures with us.” do and then you just sign up to - Stella Despite the exerting do it. It’s been an activity that adjustment period, our mascots have to go through, you know, getting used to being Stanley and Stella look on the in the costume and trying to be bright side nonetheless and the best you can be without being continue to show their school spirit awkward,” said Stanley. by hyping up the student sections The mascots are pushing to get of the games. They point out how more actively involved within much they enjoy their interactions the school this year; for example, with the fans. they recently performed a “The little kids are really sweet choreographed dance with the because they like to take pictures song team during the halftime with us…SJHHS students high-five show at the Battle of the Bell game us and are all interested, especially which helps enhance the school at games they get really excited to spirit. Stanley and Stella will also see a school mascot there,” said be participating in the upcoming costume contest during Halloween. Stella.

“

and helps develop muscle tone, coordination, and balance.

Staff and volunteers transform the lives of their clients through horseback riding. Clients form a strong connection with their volunteers as well as other riders in the arena. Riding horses makes

their clients feel independent and happy as well as learn important life skills.

“My favorite thing about Shea is seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when they get on the horse and get used to riding. Just hearing them be so happy gives

me a lot of joy,” said Campbell.

Shea Center continues to assist adults and children every day with their equine services. So many clients have benefited and even improved their health by attending the Shea Center.

EASY RIDER: Biscuit, a horse from Shea Center, strikes a pose in the barn, ready for his upcoming therapy riding session. The Shea Center is an equine therapy non-profit organization that uses horses to aid humans by strengthening the physical and mental health of their clients. “My favorite thing about Shea is seeing the smiles on the kid’s faces when they get on the horses and get used to writing. Just hearing them be so happy gives me a lot of joy,” said Zoe Campbell (10). Photo by Zaleeya Dhalla

The Express Newspaper

T

he Express is the student newspaper of San Juan Hills High School and is published by students in Newspaper. Its content, which is the responsibility of The Express staff, is not subject to administrative approval before publication. Students are protected in their exercise of press freedom by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and California Education Code 48907.

Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the newspaper, while signed editorials represent the perspective of the writer.

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Wednesday, October 25, 2023

SPORTS

Freshman Prodigy Aubrey Meis Shines on the Tennis Court

great adjustment to switch from team sports to an independent STAFF WRITER sport. Meis feels that playing Freshman Aubrey Meis is on tennis gives her a sense of a a winning streak, beating her greater accomplishment, since opponents in every match she she is the one that does all of has played so far for San Juan the work.

Hills Varsity tennis.

“Tennis is very mental, you Prior to high school, the are on your own and you have young tennis prospect played to rely on yourself. I know how other sports during her early to handle pressure and stay years, such as soccer and strong mentally, which helps softball, but ended up falling in me through harder matches,” love with tennis. Meis’ father, said Meis. who has experience playing The athlete spends around the sport, was the person who four hours each day practicing placed the racket in her hands and competing in tennis and encouraged her to start matches. Outside of school, playing. she competes in doubles and “My dad is the one who single tournaments through kind of got me into it because Junior United States Tennis he played Association. throughout At school, she high school, plays mostly Tennis is very so he is pretty individual mental, you are on your matches for San good,” said tennis star Juan Hills. own and you have to Aubrey Meis.

“I play rely on yourself. I know tournaments Meis played how to handle pressure almost every team sports weekend, and stay strong growing up, Junior USTA so it took Tournaments, mentally, which helps her time to and then I train me through harder get fully in Newport matches.” adjusted to Beach and over an individual - Aubrey Meis in El Toro too,” sport. Once said Meis. on the court, Meis recently individual tennis players like ranked the 19th best tennis Meis only have themselves player in the country for the to rely on, unlike team sports Junior USTA girls 14 and under. where other teammates can help ”I was in awe. She plays balance the burden of handling some of the best tennis the pressure and supporting on that I have ever seen,” said the field, rink, etc. It can be a sophomore Ayla Gelsinger,

By Lucy Garibaldi

“

PRODIGY STRIKES AGAIN: Aubrey Meis (9) strikes the tennis ball with her racket,

launching it towards her opponent. The freshman has not lost a match yet while competing for the varsity tennis team. Photo courtesy of Tim Dileo

Meis’ teammate.

The freshman tennis player tried out for Stallion tennis over the summer and made the varsity team. She is ecstatic to play tennis in a group setting, now that she has a team to be a part of.

“My teammates are all super, super sweet and make me enjoy

it a lot too. I’m glad to be on the team…I have everyone to help me through if I am playing a hard match and it’s just a lot of fun. I’m having a lot more fun with tennis,” said Meis.

Meis’ teammates feel the same way and are happy to welcome her onto the tennis team and join the group.

“She is determined and focused. She is an amazing player and a very good teammate. She adds a lot to the team and is a great addition,” said Gelsinger.

After high school, Meis hopes to earn a scholarship and take her talents to the collegiate level.

Freshman Cross Country Team Places Second at Clovis Invitational

By Riley Savage

STAFF WRITER

Cross country is a sport that takes a lot of preparation and determination. However, for the San Juan Hills freshman cross country team, the preparation has already started.

The freshman team competed in the Clovis Invitational on October 7th, winning second place.

While the sport may be seen as very simple, preparation is still necessary.

“You have to build a base.

Then you have to run intervals every week and gradually do more of it every week to become stronger and so you can run longer distances.

It takes a lot of hard work, distance running, mileage, and frankly I think it’s one of the tougher sports there is,” said Cross Country Coach Bob Price.

Cross country requires dedication from the runners on the team, but also from the coach. Coach Price dedicates a lot of his time to help young kids to better themselves in running and life.

“My favorite part is building into the lives of young people, being able to contribute to them and helping them achieve their goals, and influencing them in their character and their spiritual lives along with their friendships,” said Price.

The top runner for SJHHS at the Clovis Invitational, Carol Dye, came in second place out of the 185 runners competing.

“My tactic to stay motivated throughout the race is that I always tell myself that the faster you run, the faster it is over. I also think about the finish line and all of the amazing things that will come when I push through the tough parts. One major thing that my coaches taught me is that Tracey’s are very important and learning how to race someone out and knock people out in the beginning will set you off to a great start,” said Dye. One factor leading to the success of the runners is the relationships that are formed between teammates.

Community creates motivation.

“We have an amazing cross country team. Everyone is so

OFF TO THE RACES: Athletes from schools all over the district collected at San Juan Hills

High School for a meet. The long-distance runners prepare for the sound of the horn, adjusting their starting stance. Photo by Madison Wolikow

nice and supportive. I love that I can be a part of such a great team with such kind amazing people,” said Riley.

Cross country has its trials and tribulations, but there are certainly ways to succeed and grow.

“It is a very tough and emotional sport, but a very special one to be in as well.

The gratification you receive at a race is like no other.

One other thing is that it takes serious determination especially on the days you are

tired and you still have to run because there are no breaks.

Those are the days to reach the next level and become stronger. Learning to gut through the aches and pains is what makes an athlete,” said Dye.

The Express

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PAGE 7

SPORTS

PRE-GAME STAREDOWN: Head Coach Robert Frith scans the opponent warming up before battle.This staredown is done before every Stallion Football game by the coach and team. San Juan ended up winning the game improving to 7-0 against Tesoro High School. Photo by Joaquin Serrato

Family and Football: A Week With Robert Frith

By Joaquin Serrato

SPORTS EDITOR

Repetition: The act or an instance of repeating or being repeated. This word is arguably the best way to describe the life of busy people.

Stallion Head Football Coach, Robert Frith, is a busy person.

“It never stops. It’s always seven days a week. Some coaches are watching some 10, 12 hours of film, that’s like two hours a day of film. Then planning practices, it’s just hours and hours of work that has to be done just to get our guys in a position where we feel like they’re comfortable knowing their opponents,” said Frith.

The weekly roller coaster that Frith boards during football season begins with player conferences after the 3:18 bell.

“On Monday we have meetings after school, special teams meetings, offensive meetings, defensive meetings. By the time we are done with our meetings we go onto the field and practice from 6 to 8 on a Monday,” said Frith.

This is followed up on Tuesday by the team hitting the weightroom, then an after school practice, and of course, more film study.

“On Tuesday we have our fourth period, the kids [players] lift and we watch film of our opponent and practice on Monday. After school Tuesday we practice from 3:45 to 5:30,” said Frith.

All three teams, Freshman, Junior Varsity and Varsity practice on Wednesdays. Freshman and JV teams have their games typically on warm Thursday afternoons. Coach Frith’s mindset is a bit different as he steps out of bed on Fridays.

“I was up today [Friday, 9/15] at

5 am just thinking about things that we gotta get done to be successful.

Thinking about our kids [players] and just them having a good day and being ready to go. On Friday there’s adrenaline and there’s stress just because it’s game day. We only get to play one game a week, so we really gotta make sure we’re ready to go. As a coach you kinda

Frith.

Around 11a.m. on Saturdays, Coach Frith can now fully commit to the roles he has to fulfill at home.

“Once I go home on a Saturday, I pretty much just try to dedicate my attention to my family. Just relax, kinda take a mental break from Stallion Football and just be myself.

Don’t be Coach Frith but be the

“

It takes a dedicated person to do that [head coaching]. I think that Coach Frith is definitely cut from a different cloth where he loves the game and he’s dedicated to it. All of us as coaches, and that’s why he surrounds himself with coaches, we all believe that you gotta work hard.”

- Andy Jacobs, Offensive Line Coach worry as a parent. You just hope that the kids have a good night’s rest, they stay hydrated, there’s no distractions on gameday and [that] they can be at their best when we go play that game,” said Frith.

The regular season week is not concluded just yet for Frith after his Friday game. Another early morning follows.

“On Saturday morning we are back in the office at 7:30 as a staff.

We are meeting to go over anything that went on Friday night that we got to discuss as a staff. We do injury reports, we do our discipline reports, like ‘did everyone behave the way we want them to behave?’

We go over logistics, we talk about our film review and how our coaching communication,” said

husband and father that I am. When I have my personal time I try to disconnect a little bit from Stallion

Football for a few hours. Usually on Sunday mornings I try to get some exercise just for good mental health. Maybe if I’m interested in [watching] some NFL Football I’ll kinda look a little bit at that. I still have to spend some hours on Sunday watching our opponents’ film and communicating with coaches to make sure everything is set because on Sunday we have to send out the schedule for the week,” said Frith.

Frith’s daughter, Taylor Frith (12), explains how the Frith family works with the busy football schedule to get in valuable family time. Luke Frith (9), Coach Frith’s only son, is a receiver and cornerback on the freshman roster.

“He’s really big on family and he’ll make sure me and my brother are really involved. Before my brother played football here he was his ball boy for his whole life. He wanted me to help with the trainers so that I was on the field. My mom sits near the end zone so she’s always on the field.

Our whole family is involved, my

grandpa started becoming a coach with him here. We just have a really good family bonding because we are always together. We are always making sure we are doing stuff in his free time,” said Taylor Frith.

After the weekend concludes, it’s another weekly carousel ride for the Coach. Through El Toro, then San Clemente, and now The Badlands, Offensive Line Coach and Equipment Manager, Andy Jacobs has been by Frith’s side since 2011 “It takes a dedicated person to do that [head coaching]. I think that Coach Frith is definitely cut from a different cloth where he loves the game and he’s dedicated to it. All of us as coaches, and that’s why he surrounds himself with coaches, we all believe that you gotta work hard,” said Jacobs.

Three of the four league titles that Stallion Football has won had Frith at the helm. In Frith’s second season at San Juan Hills, that season was the lone CIF Title winning season.

(949) 218-0227

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PAGE 8

Inside Orchestra

[Orchestra, from P1] The final revisions of an orchestral performance come together in the weeks leading up to the concert. It’s in these crucial evening rehearsals that the separate sections of the orchestra join forces and finetune their performance for the event.

“So you kind of define yourself personally and to make sure that you are in harmony with everyone else.

And that can be stressful sometimes when we have other schoolwork to do and we have concerts coming up and we have to really step it up and practice more,” said Gallimore.

Stallion musicians’ personal growth extends far beyond the rehearsal room. They encounter the challenges of balancing schoolwork with the demanding preparation for upcoming concerts which can be stressful at times.

Yet, the rewards fulfilled after a performance are undeniable.

“It’s almost kind of like an artificial high. You just get really excited and almost adrenaline from being on stage,” said Gallimore.

This thrilling feeling makes the countless hours of practice rewarding and worthwhile.

Participation in music has a profound impact on many students, especially during challenging times.

“Even when I was a freshman, this was deep during COVID. So my only interaction with people was through music and that’s how I got my first friends,” said Gallimore.

The orchestra serves not only as a platform for embracing music but also as an opening to new connections and a kindhearted community.

“I make a lot of friends in orchestra and it’s nice to sort of

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

A&E

A GREAT CONDUCTOR: Students in orchestra sit for an official portrait session by photographer, Steve Wylie. Members dress out for the session as they would for a concert.

Instrumental Music had its first performance on Tuesday, October 17 featuring symphonic pieces from Fiddler on the Roof as well as La Gazza Ladra, an overture from the end of an opera.

Photo by Steve Wylie have something that everyone music creates deep friendships talents unite to create is passionate of,” said Hui. between musicians and creates harmony, resonating with both The shared passion for an atmosphere where individual performers and audiences.

Behind the Curtain: Spotlighting Theater

WARDROBE: Sorting through SJHHS’s costume reserves, Melanie Valazquez takes the time to

find outfit pieces for the upcoming production of Clue. Clothing is an essential part of any production for every cast member. To ensure unnecessary budget is not being spent, crew members check costume storage to see what they can create with the already present clothing items. Costume design is one of the many student-run departments in Theatrical Production. Photo by Vanessa Ortiz

By Gabriella Bello

PHOTO EDITOR

Behind every musical or play put on at San Juan Hills is the Theatrical Production class that deals with the technical process of the shows.

Theatrical Production is the highest technical course out of the three levels of Stagecraft that work

on the 5 productions performed this year. Before enrolling into this course, students must have completed the one or two years of the beginning level courses, Intro to Stagecraft and Stagecraft.

This advanced class is composed of 25 students who are actually designing the theater productions.

They are divided into different design groups, such as props,

lighting, set, hair and makeup, costume, publicity, and more.

Each of these crews has one head designer, who had to go through an interview process where they pitch their vision for the upcoming show to the director, Cambria Graff.

To briefly spotlight a few, the set design creates the environment in which each of the actors exist

on stage; whether it be building or painting the backdrops, walls, platforms, and structures. These students can gain workshop and construction experience, but also get to utilize their creative and vision for the show when creating the visuals.

“I really loved working on the production, Metamorphosis, we did a few years ago. We built a pool in the black box. It was a big undertaking and I think in general that the show from start to finish was such a huge problem, but it became such a beautiful end result,” said Graff.

Another curative component of the shows is costume design that deals with everything an actor wears. Most of the costumes in the shows are student-made.

For example, in Cinderella, the spring musical for 2024, the transformation dress will be handmade by the designers. The theater building even has a costume stock of costumes from the last 20 to 30 years that the costume designers can pull from.

“All the students have their job and their task, and I give them weekly benchmarks to meet but in general, the class is student-run.” said Graff.

Unlike the beginning two courses, Theatrical Production

allows students to choose which production team they would like to be a part of. Students are able to hop around between each team, which gives them more experience in different fields of management.

“What’s great is we can honestly say that our stuff is 100% studentbuilt, student-run, and studentdesigned. So it’s all sort of about guiding them and making sure their ideas have a reason and purpose. and are acceptable for high school” said the Theater Arts Department Director, Cambria Graff.

“With production stage management, you are essentially one level below the director.

You are there to make sure that everything that’s happening in the rehearsal room is getting conveyed to exactly how the actors need it…Everything has to be cued by a stage manager.” said Owen Pasternak, who holds the leadership position of Production Stage Manager for the upcoming fall play, Clue.

Theatrical Production takes a lot of time and dedication out of the students, because as the head designers, most of these students stay after school to manage and work on the musicals and plays.

It’s an all-hands on deck class, where everyone comes together to make these shows come to life.

Performing Arts Calendar DANCE

THEATER

MUSIC

FUSION DANCE November 17 & 18

CLUE November 1 - 4

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC December 12

LETTERS TO SALA November 29 - December 2

CHOIR CONCERT December 14,15