Issue 4

The Student Voice

“It’s intense. It’s a frightening and disturbing topic” p. 2 • “I think it is important for the girls... to demonstrate that they are men” p. 21 • “I was almost crushed by the tire” p. 27

FEBRUARY ,  | ISSUE , VOLUME  | THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL |  STANSBURY AVENUE | SHERMAN OAKS, CA 

WHAT WE DON’T TALK ABOUT

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT

WOMEN

...and across oceans

Within our borders...

JamesBernstein ‘14 assistant editor-in-chief One in every six women and one in every 33 men in the U.S. report having experienced an attempted or completed rape at some point in their lives, according to a 2010 National Institute of Justice survey.

Rape is a category of crime that is broken down into subsets, including date rape, spousal rape and statutory rape.

Some studies put date rape on campuses at one in every four women experiencing.

“Date rape” occurs when a perpetrator forces an unwanted sexual advance on a victim, or gives a victim drugs or alcohol in order to limit a victim’s ability to refuse the advance. The fact that the perpetrator knows the victim, whether they are in a relationship or meet at a social event, classifies the action as date rape.

Under California Penal Code 261, the punishment for date rape crimes is exactly the same as for general rape. Penal Code 290 requires that any person convicted of date rape must register as a sex offender for the rest of his or her life.

A date rape conviction in California will earn a perpetrator between three to eight years in a state prison, and seven to 13 years in prison if the victim is a minor.

Drugs often used in cases of date rape (most commonly gamma hydroxybutric acid, ketamine, and rohyptol, according to the Illinois Dept. of Public Health) are usually odorless liquids, powders, or pills that can dissolve in beverages. Perpetrators will slip one of these drugs into their victim’s drink in order to intoxicate the victim without his or her knowledge of it.

A person can also be charged with date rape if the other person he or she has sexual contact with consumes drugs or alcohol voluntarily to the point of passing out or being unable to give consent to the sexual contact.

Among rape victims ages 18-29, a Bureau of Justice statistical report showed that two-thirds of the victims knew their offenders, and another study showed that nine out of ten college women who were rape victims knew their offenders.

p a ge

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AndrewFriedman ‘16 business manager On January 24, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and other U.S. military leaders eliminated a ban on women serving in combat positions.

The decision, which was recommended by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reverses a 1994 law which prohibits women from being assigned to small, ground combat units. According to Panetta, women, who make up about 15 percent of the military, have already seen the reality of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, where many women have been wounded and killed.

All five branches of the military have until May 15 to draw up plans to put women in combat positions. Certain branches of the military, such as the Army Rangers, Green Berets, and Navy SEALs, are expected to apply for exemptions to the rule.

“In our democracy, I believe it is the responsibility of every citizen to protect the nation,” said Panetta.

Pentagon officials have emphasized the fact that standards for combat positions will be gender neutral and not lessen in their intensity.

According to the defense department, the war fighting capabilities, readiness, and morale of the U.S. will not be compromised.

“If members of our military can meet the qualifications for a job — and let me be clear, I’m not talking about reducing the qualifications for the job — if they can meet the qualifications for the job, then they should have the right to serve, regardless of creed or color or gender or sexual orientation,” Panetta said.

news 2

tuesday, february 5, 2013 |

newsin

brief Juniors prepare for Skyfall Ball

Recent shootings trigger increased campus security School hires three new guards, to make a total of seven, in response to Newtown and other natiowide shootings.

ShilpaMantri ‘13 news editor In response to the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT., which left 28 dead on December 14, the administration hired three additional guards from Professional Security Consultants four days later to enhance school security.

With a total of seven guards now, the school is undergoing an internal audit to reevaluate its security measures. The additional guards will stay until the audit is over, according to head of school, Dr. Larry Dougherty.

“Every single school, public and private, is looking at its security, what its procedures in letting visitors on are, and essentially all the measures to take to make sure it’s not a porous campus. All the spots where people could slip in unnoticed, schools are trying to put up more barriers without making campus an impenetrable fortress, unappealing fortress,” assistant head of

STUDENTPOLL Do you feel safer with the new guards on campus?

122 responses collected from January 29 to January 31 with a margin of error of 6.8%

school James Busby said.

In a faculty meeting on January 11, Chris Joffe and Christie Kennedy, security consultants from Joffe Emergency Services, addressed security concerns and explained that the school is reevaluating its safety procedures. The meeting also addressed classroom windows, door locks, shades, alert procedures, and other security measures.

Police officers and professional security specialists visiting the school have said that it is one of the safest campuses they have seen.

“One of the policemen that I talked to said that of all the campuses he’s been to, he said ‘if I were out there and was going to pick a campus to do a shooting, Buckley would be the last place.’ There’s only one way in and one way out. There are so many schools that are on main streets where there may be five doors from which you can get into a school. Our setting adds to our safety.

We don’t have buildings on either side of us,” Dougherty said.

In the event that a shooter arrives on campus, the guards would attempt to stop him or her by acting as human barriers.

“What you want to do is make it as controlled and secure a process as possible to enter our campus. One way you do this is by creating protocols for visitors that involve checking in with a security guard before being allowed to get beyond the front gate. Though the Newtown campus was locked, there was no formal check-in process involving a guard. Implementing this protocol will make our campus safer,” Busby said.

According to him, the school must also assess internal risks if there are any students or faculty who act differently.

“We will also add weekly threat assessments to our regular administrative

James Bernstein The Student Voice

team meetings. Threat assessments are how concerns about any internal community members are brought to light. Holding regular threat assessment meetings has been recommended by our consultants,” Busby said.

Even with the additional guards though, students do not feel any safer.

“I find it slightly uncomfortable to have the security guards walking around campus during our passing periods. To me, it almost seems like more of a show to make people think they’re in a safer environment,” senior Julianne Goldmark said.

However, because of the Newtown tragedy, senior Michaela Murphy believes that hiring additional guards was a necessary security measure.

“I think the guards add a bit of protection. If anything were to happen, I think the added security would help lessen the impact,” Murphy said.

According to Busby, the school will soon require parents and guardians to have automobile stickers.

“It just makes anyone who’s watching the campus, any crazy person, see that you can’t just drive on and shoot. You’re actually going to be stopped several times,” he said.

While the school will continue to have two lockdown drills per year, the administration decided that students would meet either in Gilley field or the parking lot after these drills, making it easier to address the community’s needs holistically.

“It’s intense. It’s a frightening and disturbing topic. Unfortunately it’s the reality we face. Buckley is a safe campus. To the extent that we’re willing to examine our current practices and take action to improve is the extent to which we become even safer,” Busby said.

related See page 7 for an overview of recent school shootings in the U.S., and the correlation between violent video games and violent behavior.

UPCOMING IN FEBRUARY

8

Chinese Field Trip All Upper School levels

13 16-17

Blood Drive 8 AM, Foyer

JSA Congress Torrance Marriott

9

Semi-Formal 7 PM, Dance Revolution

13

College Admission Overview 6:30 PM, LS Assembly Room

18

Presidents Day No School

11-14

16 25

U.S. Academic Avising Lunches 9th (Monday); 10th (Tuesday); 11th (Thursday)

Buckley Student Leadership Conference 9:30 AM, Pavilion

Winter Sports Banquet 6:30 PM, Pavilion

The junior class will host the 2013 semi-formal Skyfall Ball on February 9, themed after the 2012 James Bond movie.

With their current theme, the junior representatives hope to attract more students to the dance.

“We were reminiscing through classic themes and came down to ‘Old Hollywood’ and ‘James Bond.’

We decided on ‘James Bond’ because we thought the success of the movie would reflect the excitement of the dance with teenagers,” junior class representative Chloe Boasberg said.

The event will be held at Dance Revolution in Balboa Park because the former semi-formal location, Guys North, closed down last year.

The junior class is planning, brainstorming ideas for, and organizing the event. The juniors also want to teach the sophomores how to plan and host an event. “[The juniors] want freshmen to come to their first semi-formal, seniors to come to their last semiformal, and they want to show the sophomores how to run a dance for next year,” George Russo, director of student activities, said.

LiamWinston ‘16

Eight students to attend JSA Congress With eight students attending the southern California JSA Winter Congress at the Torrance Marriott on February 16-17, freshman Andrew Friedman will be the only member to debate a bill.

His bill proposes an increase in voter turnout in the U.S. by moving the national Election Day from the first Tuesday of November to the first full weekend of that month.

“I find this topic really interesting because we pride ourselves on being the greatest democracy in the world, and in some cases, the greatest democracy in history. Yet, on our national Election Day, only 60 percent of the voting population actually vote,” Friedman said.

Through bills, students have the opportunity to design and debate on any topic at Congress.

Social science teacher and JSA advisor Robert Wright said he would like more students to to participate in chapter debates.

Because the attendance at weekly chapter meetings has decreased over 30 percent with an average of 10-15 students attending, seniors Nika Shahery and Alex Fatykhov, JSA co-presidents, strive to involve younger members in leadership positions.

“We have to make JSA as cool as an iPhone. You can market and sell anything if you package it right and get people in,” Wright said.

PhilipSingh ‘16

3 tuesday, february 5, 2013

Eight students reflect on King’s legacy at assembly Upper School assembly about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s commitment to equality across multiple fronts was hosted by the Diversity Club.

JoyceChamoun ‘16 staff reporter Eight students volunteered to speak about and reflected on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. at a January 16 assembly for Upper and Middle School students and faculty.

Student speakers included seniors Marlen Grussi, Ben Beatty, and Tucker Higgins, juniors Astin Beal, Ibi Lagundoye, sophomores Georgia Leva and Dwayne Ervin, and freshman Rose Zatikyan.

“I felt Martin Luther King Jr. not only

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports wanted equality amongst African Americans, but amongst all races. Being from Armenian descent I felt [by volunteering to speak] as though I represented the Armenian people and showed that there is equality amongst everyone…as well as showing our world is filled with diverse peoples and cultures,” Zatikian said.

Based on student input, Ralinda Watts and Yocelin Gonzalez, co-directors of multiculturalism and inclusion, decided to have students speak at the assembly rather than a professional speaker so that it would be more relevant to the student body.

“We really wanted to make sure you all were being listened to, and we listened.

We noticed the controversy over previous speakers and how the students wanted to be part of the conversation, and so we are making you all a part of the conversation, ” said Gonzalez.

All Middle and Upper School students and faculty were also invited to participate in a video that was shown at the assembly.

About 45 students expressed interest in the video, though only 15 students appeared in order to keep the video relevant and interesting, according to Watts.

According to most students, the assembly fulfilled its purpose of educating the student body on King’s legacy, had an appropriate number of speakers, and featured a video of appropriate length.

“It was really nice to hear what Buckley students had to say when asked to reflect on

Shilpa Mantri The Student Voice

ARTICULATION: Junior Ibi Lagundoye speaks to students and faculty members about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s powerful impact on Civil Rights and what his legacy means to her at the January 16 assembly. what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has taught them. It was just as exciting, but maybe more touching, to hear students rather than a speaker talk about how their lives have

Seniors to wear uniform grad robes While previously senior girls would wear white gowns and boys would wear red gowns, beginning this year, seniors will wear one color at graduation. In addition to fewer musical numbers at the ceremony, the salutatorian will now be selected by members of the grade.

ClaireSelvin ‘13 features editor Changes to the graduation ceremony beginning this year include the implementation of a single robe color, a reduction in the number of musical performances and speeches, and a new selection process for the role of salutatorian.

According to Deborah Monroe, Upper School principal, the alterations were made in an effort to bring the focus of the day to the graduates as a whole.

Robes will be a single color of white, red, grey, or black for both male and female graduates. For the first time, students will also wear stoles of any of these colors. The final decision on robe and stole colors will be made after James Busby, assistant head of school, and Monroe have read through the senior surveys on color preference collected on January 24.

Desire for this change stems from uneasiness regarding the symbolism of the white and red colors as well as the distinct separation of boys and girls on stage.

Busby said the school should “be aware” of what the ceremony presents to the many relatives in the audience who may not know much about the school, its principles, and ideologies.

“It’s about wanting every element of any celebrative school event to be considered for what it means. We’re gathered as a community, not as a community [that has the objective] to separate the sexes and identify them by these colors that have different symbolisms,” Busby said.

Student reactions range from protest to support to indifference.

Senior Alexa Benudiz said that she has looked forward to the tradition of wearing white for years.

“I don’t think having the boys wear red and the girls wear white is separating us as a class or is sexist in any way. We’re graduating together as the Class of 2013. If that’s not being unified - graduating as a class - then frankly, I don’t know what is. We aren’t trying to make the color white ‘symbolize’ anything. It’s a color and it’s flattering,” Benudiz said.

Alexa Benudiz

“I don’t think having the boys wear red and the girls where white is separating us as a class or is sexist in any way. We’re graduating together as the Class of 2013.”

“I am indifferent to color and I’m not one to decide what the girls wear.

I do not agree with the separate seating and I think that everyone should be sitting together.”

Danny Dominguez Photos courtesy of Nick Boswell

been shaped because of MLK’s legacy. I left the assembly with a greater appreciation for MLK day than I came in with,” said freshman Greta Pasqua.

Senior Jordan Neely said that the tradition is worth keeping. She said that the Class of 2013 has experienced enough change.

“We’ve been looking forward to graduation for such a long time, so why are we the one grade who has to have everything changed once again? No one even thinks about the idea of purity and whatnot until it is brought up,” Neely said.

Senior Daniel Dominguez, on the other hand, is not in favor of continuing to separate the genders.

“I am indifferent to color and I’m not one to decide what the girls wear. I do not agree with the separate seating and I think that everyone should be sitting together,” Dominguez said.

Senior Sammy Breen does not care whether the gowns are different colors or all the same.

“I just want to graduate, so for me the color of the gown is insignificant. It’s just the ceremony that is important,” she said.

Additionally, senior National Honor Society (NHS) members will now wear gold chords, rather than the light blue NHS collar that they have worn since 1988, in the ceremony.

There will also be four musical performances, rather than seven. The student performance was one of those cut, a change that disappointed several senior performing artists.

“I do not agree with the idea that the performance is a focus on a individual or single group. I believe the number is about performing a song that signifies the end of our hard work, and brings everyone together for a deep moment of reflection. I am extremely angry that the topic is not debatable because for many people the student performance is one of the most memorable and cherished moments of graduation,” senior Michaela Murphy, a member of the Monotones and Dance V, said.

The salutatorian, previously reserved for the student with the second highest GPA in the class, will now be selected by members of the grade through nominations and voting.

the

Choices * Each black, gray, red, or white robe has an option for a red, grey, or white stole, but the robe and stole color cannot match. There is no black and white option.

Mock-ups courtesy of James Busby

tuesday, february 5, 2013 4

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

As college admission rates have fallen, nationwide high school grades have trended upward. In the same period, American students have remained stagnant compared to international students.

So what’s causing grade inflation?

And what are the consequences?

class and a 4.0 in a weighted class.

Yoshino added that another theory for the nationwide rise in grades at the high school level might be that “teachers in schools are trying to give their students as much of an advantage as they can in this competitive climate for college admissions.”

However, Dina Figueroa, Upper School assistant principal, said that despite the nationwide trend of rising grades, teachers at Buckley have generally maintained a healthy bell curve of grades with a “B” grade at the top of the curve.

U.S. High School Mean GPA 4.0

Girls Boys

3.2

Grade Point Average

JamesBernstein ‘14 assistant editor-in-chief In 2004, Princeton University instituted a policy announcing that “A” (90 percent and above) grades would account for no more than 35 percent of the total grades given in any undergraduate course.

That same year, Princeton and other national universities conducted a survey that showed A’s make up about half of the grades at many top-level universities (47 percent at Princeton in 2004, up from 31 percent in the 1970s according to the New York Times).

These actions sparked a nationwide debate: Does “grade inflation” exist, or are students simply smarter nowadays?

A National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) study reported that the nationwide average GPA for seniors in high school rose from 2.68 to 3.0 over the course of 1990-2009.

Meanwhile, SAT reading scores hit a 40-year low last year, as class of 2012 test takers scored a 496 reading average. SAT writing scores (488 in 2012) have declined every year except one since the section’s implementation in 2006, while math scores (514 in 2012) have stayed relatively steady.

Dr. Larry Dougherty, head of school, said that juxtaposing average SAT scores, which are based on a bell curve of a “large, random population,” and the grades at an elite independent school like Buckley with a “very select population” is unfair.

“Forcing a bell curve on a narrowly selected population doesn’t make sense,” Dougherty said. “Still, I would say we’ve tried to work hard to keep our

commitment to high standards in our grading system.”

Elite institutions aside, educational researchers still strive to figure out why grades are rising on a nationwide level across a spectrum of students.

Brooke Yoshino, associate director of college counseling, has several theories for what might be causing the nationwide rise in grades.

“There has been a push recently to have more honors and AP classes available to students,

3.1 3.0 2.9 2.8

Source: U.S. Department of Education

3.00

3.05

3.09

3.10

2.90 2.77 2.79

2.7

2.86

2.83

2.90

2.68

2.6

2.59

2.5 0

to Buckley. It’s a sign that this is a school that takes its learning seriously and truly assesses the students fairly,” she said.

But if the school does have grade inflation, it’s not because of the students or parents, Figueroa said. It’s because colleges are becoming more selective.

“The admit rates are dropping, and schools that used to get 13,000 apps are now getting 23,000,” she said. “One could ask the colleges who are admitting 12 percent of their applicant pool, ‘Why do you keep recruiting so much?’ They do that because if they get a lower admit rate, then they go up in the rankings. It’s a vicious world and everyone’s caught up in it and no one can jump off.”

If you think some of the blame

1990

1994

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Graduation Year so that they can continue to challenge themselves, and then the byproduct of that is that they get a bump in the GPA,” Yoshino said.

This trend leads to a GPA boost because honors and AP classes count as “weighted” courses at many schools and thus earn a student an extra point in his or her GPA. A “B” is a 3.0 in a normal

2005

2009

Courtesy of U.S. News & World Report

Figueroa added that what attracted her to Buckley 10 years ago was the relatively even grade distribution compared to other independent schools in the Los Angeles area.

“This isn’t a school that just gives away A’s. It made me very happy because that wasn’t the case at every school when I applied

belongs to the colleges, you might be right according to Figueroa.

The Harvard University undergraduate admission rate fell for a seventh consecutive year to an all-time low of 5.9 percent last year. Both Yale’s rate (6.8 percent) and Princeton’s rate (7.9 percent) fell .6 percent last year from the year before, and Princeton

experienced two consecutive years of record low admission rates.

The admission rates to UC’s have also experienced gradual declines. The rate at UCLA, the most selective UC last year, was 22 percent, down from 25.5 percent the year before.

And indeed, in several national university ranking systems, including U.S. News and World Report, a lower admission rate can cause a university to rise in the rankings.

These trends have spurred deliberation over whether the rise in grades has any serious consequences on students or society.

“I think grade inflation is anathema to my profession — it threatens the integrity of any pedagogical foundation, it is tantamount to academic dishonesty, and it ultimately harms the student since rewarding him or her with an undeserved grade can help that student matriculate in a college or university that otherwise should have only the best and most truly deserving students attend its classes,” English teacher Andrew Nelson said.

Then there are some possible causes.

Certain proponents of the grade inflation explanation for rising grades argue that students and parents, especially at independent schools, are demanding higher grades due to their belief that a student’s grades, deserved or undeserved, will lead to a more likely chance of future success. Others say this demand has led to a lowering standard of academic expectations.

“With a Buckley education, you are destined to go to a good college if that’s what you want,” junior Allen Simanian said. “In regards to grade inflation, I think that a lot of students really want that ‘A’ and they will do whatever they can to get that ‘A.’ And I think because of this demand, teachers are noticing that the standard for education has been lowered.”

Another theory is that grade inflation is simply too easy for teachers because students and parents might complain about a lower grade but will never complain about a higher grade.

Some teachers have said that, especially for new teachers, giving higher grades is just the safer option.

Ways teachers alter their grading systems while avoiding grade inflation Dropping a quiz each quarter

The Round-Up

Extra Credit

Science teacher Daniel Kelleher and English teacher James Evans allow students in their classes to drop their lowest quiz score from each quarter.

“The reason I [made the policy] was not necessarily to make grades higher. Actually there has been no significant change in the average grades,” Kelleher said. “The reason for the rule is that there were too many kids absent on quiz days, and there was too much stress on sick students who were trying to recover and studying for my quizzes.”

Evans believes it is impossible to be at one’s best for every quiz, so it’s unfair to punish a student for one poor quiz since many are pop quizzes.

“The reading quizzes are not easy. Therefore the drop rule is offset by difficult questions,” Evans said.

In addition, Evans weighs tests at 60 percent, compared to 25 percent for quizzes in order to counter grade inflation.

The round-up technique, employed by math teacher Joanne Ryan, allows quiz scores above 88.5 percent to be rounded to an A- and scores above 78.5 percent to be rounded to a B-.

“Many universities do not differentiate between an A-, A, or A+, but allot a point value to any kind of an A. Some students have an 89.4. If a student is that close — I mean, really for one tenth of a percent — you are going to give that child a B instead of any A?” Ryan said.

According to Ryan, to combat grade inflation, she constantly keeps track of class averages in the math department.

Specifically, she expects her advanced and regular class averages to be in the mid 80’s and honors class averages to be in the low 90’s.

Additionally, Ryan records students’ quarter grades that are unusually high or low.

English teacher Suzanne Rizzolo and Latin teacher Patrick Gomez allow their students to raise quarter grades by completing assignments outside of the course requirements.

“I give the opportunity for students in Latin to create art pieces or projects that are focused on classical themes. So, if someone is going to explore a topic or a material project relating to the classics, there is an opportunity for an improved grade,” Gomez said.

In the past, Rizzolo gave her students the option to participate in a “reading for pleasure” extra credit program, but this year she began a creative writing opportunity for her AP class instead. She offers her students one assignment each quarter.

“To combat grade inflation in general, I try to grade students’ essays as honestly as possible, striving to base my feedback on sound principles of what constitutes effective prose,” Rizzolo said.

5 tuesday, february 5, 2013

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

Yoshino takes her talents to Flintridge Prep After five years at Buckley, Yoshino will serve as the associate director of college counseling at Flintridge Preparatory School for an easier daily commute.

ShilpaMantri ‘13 news editor Brooke Yoshino, associate director of college counseling, will join the college counseling department at Flintridge Preparatory School in La Cañada for the 20132014 school year.

“Her sense of humor was great for me not just as a colleague but also helpful in connecting with her students.

She’s so connected to people,” Julie Taylor-Vaz, director of college counseling, said.

Yoshino said because her commute to Sherman Oaks takes almost an hour each day, she decided that Flintridge would be more convenient.

“It [Flintridge] was basically an offer I had a hard time refusing. It will put me closer to my house, first and foremost. I’ve been thinking about my life in the past 15 years or so, and I’ve spent 10 of them with a pretty significant commute. While I love listening to audiobooks in the car, I think I have other things I’d rather be doing,” Yoshino said.

She added that her decision had nothing to do with her love for the school.

“It was very heartbreaking for me, quite honestly. I thought there was no way I was going to leave Buckley. I’m happy at Buckley. I’ve had a great position, and I love my students. I love my community and there’s no reason for me to leave. But, as the process went on, it became clearer and clearer that it was a good move for me to make at this point

in my career,” Yoshino said.

Invested in her students, especially during the college application process, Yoshino said she will miss them and the community the most.

“It’s the most caring and generous community I’ve ever been a part of. You guys [the students] were a great match for me because you are so focused and are genuinely kind kids at heart. I like that, and I’m going to miss that the most,” she said.

While Yoshino currently has multiple roles, as a college counselor, and as an academic and class advisor, she will concentrate on college counseling at Flintridge.

“It will be interesting to see how I can develop in that role a little bit more fully. It’s a place where I think I could grow some. It’s a pretty student-centered, unique place. The kids seem to be involved with the greater community, which

I like as well,” Yoshino said.

She feels accomplished to have been part of the school’s “growing” college counseling program and to have helped students in finding their colleges.

“I think it’s important to know that Buckley and the college counseling office have been really really good to me.

It’s helped me grow into the professional I am. They showed great faith in me to be able to do this big job that’s very important in the community,” Yoshino said. “I will always always have a very special place in my heart for Buckley, the administration, the teachers, and most of all the students and families.”

The administration is in the process of interviewing prospective college counselors to replace Yoshino. According to assistant head of school James Busby, there will be three counselors instead of two next year. When interviewing prospective counselors, Busby looks for candidates who have the ability to connect with students like Yoshino has.

“It’s such an incredible time in a student’s life that you want the student to feel like ‘this is a person I really want to go through this journey with me, this is someone I know I can trust, and this is someone I know who will give me support,” Busby said.

yourvoice

Jess Walia Senior

ONBROOKEYOSHINO “You can talk to her like you would with a fellow senior, and she just makes it as if college isn’t is as intimidating as it is."

Administration, tech department to expand iPad program in future

Andrea Mackey Senior

“She has helped me with more than applications. She’s always checked up on me and had lovely conversations with me.”

Photos courtesy of Nick Boswell

BBC

While students currently use the iPad for 14 classes, the administration and educational technology department look to implement the program in more classes and eliminate its distracting features.

ClaireSelvin ‘13 features editor Though there have been no official discussions, the administration and technology department are looking to expand next year’s iPad program in terms of the number of classes and grade levels that use the device in lieu of books.

The school might also potentially provide iPads for students in future years and charge fees for usage.

“We will be meeting with teachers later on in the semester after students register for classes to see what the teachers’ feedback is from this year. Once we open up the topic with the faculty there could be more implementation; there will also be some teachers who don’t want to continue with the iPad, so it could go either way,” Deborah Monroe, Upper School principal, said.

Javy Martinez, director of educational technology and computer science department chair, hopes to include all Upper school students in the program.

“We don’t want to go full scale with the entire school yet because we’re still learning about the distraction issues and other bugs.

The iPad is currently in use in 14 classes; the goal is to increase that number by 50-75 percent next year,” Martinez said.

Martinez also wants to include more math and science textbooks in the program and continue to explore educational apps.

This semester, Martinez will pitch several ideas to the administration and faculty, one being software to limit distracting apps and functions of iPads on campus.

“It doesn’t allow us to have control of your iPad. It basically makes students play by the rules of the school’s WiFi. It will limit camera, iMessage, games: everything during class time, but during breaks we will enable games,” he said.

Martinez is also proposing a new system for how students acquire iPads for learning purposes.

“Do we have every student buy an iPad or do we make a deal with Apple and have the students pay a technology fee?” he said.

The details of this proposal have not been “hashed out,” but Martinez wants to create a system allowing students to pay off the cost of an iPad through the school in the course of their Upper School careers.

Monroe added that an effort will be made among World Languages teachers to use the textbook and educational apps the iPad offers.

“There will be a professional day this semester with a teacher from [Northern California] who is using the iPad as a textbook in foreign language,” she said.

“The iPad is currently in use in 14 classes; the goal is to increase that number by 50-75 percent next year.”

Javy Martinez

Director of Educational Technology In response to criticism from students and teachers about iPad use, the school holds weekly meetings for any teachers using the device to discuss difficulties or breakthroughs they have encountered.

Senior Gabriella Selover said if the school continues to introduce iPads to more classes, it should provide the devices for students. She finds writing in iPad textbooks easy, but said the school needs to work on limiting its distracting elements.

“I definitely think the iPad program has worked well because you have so much access to all information and also so many books, but at the same time there are a lot of things that are logistically easier, like taking notes on a specific section of a book, in a book, and of course iPads just add to classroom distraction,” Selover said.

February 8 6:30, Roy Disney Family Pavilion

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

Construction uncovers historical fragments Neighboring the school, the Fossil Ridge paleontological park boasts fossils of marine animals that might date as far back as 10 million years.

TuckerHiggins ’13 design and production editor The Fossil Ridge paleontological park located above Sherman Oaks, abutting the campus on its southeast side, is a reminder that a lot has changed in the past ten million years. According to Arnold Newman, a naturalist based in Sherman Oaks, at that time the park would have been approximately 650 feet below water.

Now the park is primarily a site for educational and recreational activities.

Home to one of the most plentiful fos-

STUDENTPOLL How familiar are you with Fossil Ridge?

88% “I have never heard of Fossil Ridge.”

9% “I have heard of Fossil Ridge, but have never visited.”

3% “I have visited Fossil Ridge before.”

126 responses collected from January 29 to January 31 with a margin of error of 6.8%

sil repositories in the area, the site was dedicated in 1991 to be a place for local residents and students to examine the fossil records of marine animals.

According to the “General Description of Environmental Setting” report that accompanied Buckley’s 2006 Campus Enhancement Plan (CEP), fossils have been found close to campus.

“Marine fossil vertebrates of sharks, fishes, and seahorses, including an uncommon fossil of a sperm whale, have been found in the [Academic and Performing Arts Building] project vicinity,” the report reads.

Some, but not all, of the fossils excavated can still be found on campus.

Small brown packages located in room 171, labeled “19 May 2011,” contain fragments of rock excavated during construction.

The rocks are labeled with the type of fossils they contain: “Fish Fry,” or “Small fish,” for example.

In addition to the fossil record, Fossil Ridge has a more recent historical claim.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Edgar Rice Burroughs used to frequent the area on horseback, drawing inspiration for what would later become “Tarzan of the Apes.”

Unlike most fossil repositories, Fossil Ridge is not “way out in the boonies,” according to Dr. Craig Black, who was the director of the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History for 12 years, before his death in 1998.

At the time of the park’s dedication, the LA Times reported that students

from “the Oakwood School in North Hollywood and the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks [would] serve as docents when the park is opened.”

In a survey done by The Voice, only three students reported ever having visited Fossil Ridge. Only 11 reported knowing that it existed.

The last time Fossil Ridge affected the school was in 2000, when the first CEP, under then-headmaster Paul Horovitz, was ended in order not to add buildings to the view of the park.

“We’ve begun to think of the value of smallness,” Horovitz said at the time.

“It makes much more sense to continue to work on the traffic problems and to explore a more modest growth.”

tuesday, february 5, 2013 6

BUCKLEYBYTES Peru, Italy trips cancelled • Neither trip attracts enough signups; no foreign exchange students from Italy due to tough economic conditions.

• Deborah Monroe, Upper School principal, said both trips could be rescheduled next year.

• “I don’t want to give up on this program. We just need to find the right time, the right place, and the right students,” Monroe said.

Philip Singh The Student Voice

Gym walls remodeled

Courtesy of Google Maps © 2011

• New grey walls, funded by donations and the maintenance budget, have been installed in the Pavilion.

• The athletic banners have also been removed from the walls in order to make the gym more appealing to visiting parents and sports teams.

• “Since we’re already beautifying the campus, we thought it was a good idea,” Dr. Larry Dougherty, head of school, said.

7 tuesday, february 5, 2013

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

Video games and armed guards on table as nation responds to gun violence TheResponse

The number of background checks for the purchase of firearms has increased by 55 percent every week since the Sandy Hook shooting.

55 50 45

Schools react to the threat

by MichaelLen ‘14

January 16, the President outlined his plan to reduce gun violence by keeping guns out of the wrong hands, banning assault and highcapacity magazines, making schools safer, and increasing access to mental health services. The plan advocates executive and legislative action to allow the government to trace guns taken into federal custody, give needed information for background checks, and get the Department of Health to focus on researching gun violence.

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The recent shootings have triggered discussion and action throughout the country. While the Vice President has met with gun control advocates, NRA representatives, police chiefs and sheriffs, attendance at gun shows has surged as has sales of ammunition. Schools around the country have made safety a priority, hiring security consultants and some arming their security staffs.

W

hen Adam Lanza killed 20 children, six adults, and himself on December 14, schools around the country began to try new ways of preventing future shootings.

LAUSD plans to hire 1087 security aids to protect more than 400 schools. The budget it $4.2 million, and there will be at least two security aides in each of the campuses.

January 8, San Diego State University hosted a school Active Shooter Response Training workshop for California educators.

A mock shooting was staged, in which a fake gunman prowled the halls with an airsoft gun. Students were instructed to barricade doors, turn off the lights, and lie down.

Lectures on safety were also given.

Other seminars and talks have been held around the country. The police department

of Nassau County, New York, held a schoolshooting seminar January 7 in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary killings.

“You know, many experts say that we can’t prevent these types of events. That’s a bunch of bologna,” said Nassau County commissioner Thomas Dale. “Can… a store owner prevent the robbery of his store? Can you prevent your car from being stolen? Can you prevent from being hit by lightning? The answer is ‘yes’.”

The seminar stressed communication and awareness. Students were encouraged to listen to what is said around them to preemptively avoid any danger.

Additionally, the school board in Montpelier, Ohio unanimously voted to arm its custodial staff as a line of defense against a shooting. In Ohio and Texas hundreds of

ColdandCalculated Since 1994, there have been 44 mass shootings. Nine of them took place in schools. Three major tragedies stand out among the incidents: the Virginia Tech massacre, Columbine, and the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting.

teachers attended free firearms training.

“Sitting back and doing nothing and hoping it doesn’t happen to you is just not good policy anymore. There is a need for schools to beef up their security measures,” said Montpelier superintendent, Jamie Grime.

Many other schools have hired safety and security consultants. These specialists come to the schools and survey the campuses, noting safety hazards and possible plans of action.

One company, RETA Security, will “objectively and comprehensively evaluate your security program.” Their assessments are based on physical security systems, staff training, violence prevention programs, and emergency response and crisis management.

Adam Lanza, a 20 year old, opened fire in Sandy Hook Elementary school after shooting his mother. He killed 20 children and six adults, then committed suicide.

40 35 30 25

Seung-Hui Cho, a student of Virginia Tech, shot 56 students on his campus before committing suicide.

33 died.

Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, open fired at their high school, killing 15 people and then committing suicide

20 15 10 5 Total fatalities by year

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Video games and violence J

anuary 11, Vice President Joe Biden met with major video game makers to revisit the discussion on whether or not video games could influence one’s mind.

Multiple surveys and studies have been conducted across the globe, yet no consensus has been reached.

Many experts believe that playing violent video games can influence the way children develop because their frontal lobes haven’t yet been fully formed.

Violent video games might even affect adults through desensitization. One study of third, fourth, and fifth graders showed that those who had played violent video games saw the world in a much more violent

way than those not exposed to the games. A 2009 study by Dr. Craig A. Anderson from Iowa State University analyzed Japanese and American children’s habits after playing violent video games and indicated that the games did in fact, make them more aggressive.

However, many others argue that given the many variables involved, it is impossible for studies to accurately gauge how games affect state of mind.

One study done by the Washington Post attempted to disprove the theory that video games influence mental state by comparing the number of purchases of violent video games in the U.S. to that of other countries where although more video games are

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TheControversy

by JoshuaMiller ‘16

purchased but where the homicide rate is lower than in the U.S. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) was founded in 1994 with the intention of preventing the purchase of violent games by young children. Violent video games are rated M for mature, and these ratings prevent children under 17 from buying them. Deciding whether or not a child can purchase these games is dictated by individual states, not the federal government.

At Biden’s meeting, game designers for all kinds of games hinted at trying harder to help with the issue of video games influencing violence, yet none of them specified the steps they might take.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 For a mission, players are tasked with killing civilians in an airport. Upon its release, the game broke every video game sales record, making it one of the highest selling games to date., selling 4.7 million copies in the first 24 hours of its release.

Doom Known for popularizing the firstperson-shooter genre, Doom was a gory game for its time. It has also been linked with the Columbine shooting because the shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, were fans.

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

NetClassroom aids students with course assignments While NetClassroom keeps students organized with assignments and schedules, teachers hold mixed reviews of the new online system.

ShilpaMantri ‘13 news editor After more than one semester of using NetClassroom for assignments and grades, students and faculty have mixed reviews about the system’s effectiveness.

“I like NetClassroom, but there are good and bad things about it. I like how assignments are centered into one area so that I can access handouts that I won’t ever have to worry about losing. But, I can get very confused about which dates tests are on or which dates homework is due. I think it’s a great work in progress though,” senior Emily Irani said.

While students believe that NetClassroom is not flawless, they prefer this system to the previous complimentary and referral system.

“Complimentaries and referrals seemed a bit invasive by sending letters to your parents, especially because they only covered what was good or bad. There was no way to tell how you were performing in a class. NetClassroom, though, has all your assignment grades on there, which clarifies the issue,” junior Sam Bierman said.

English teacher James Evans agrees that the complimentary and referral system had a detrimental and confidence-deflating effect on students.

“I think getting rid of the comps and referrals was a good idea. People who get five referrals across the course of the semester would get a letter sent home, which causes

Advantages • •

unnecessary panic. That constant threat of referrals causes more anxiety than the reward of complimentaries,” Evans said.

Some faculty members remain apprehensive that without any alert system, students can more easily get themselves into academic difficulty without their advisor, administrators, or parents being aware of a pattern.

Deborah Monroe, Upper School principal, initially planned for NetClassroom to have an alert system, which would notify teachers about their students’ performance on assessments.

“If I wanted to know which of my

A senior’s NetClassroom home page

students has a C- or below on their test, NetClassroom would alert me. It could help you as a teacher to remind you to write a progress report,” Monroe said. “What was also really nice was that it would allow advisors to go into the system and check their advisees’ grades. So, we thought, ‘okay, this is nice.’ It doesn’t do exactly the same thing as a comp or referral but it would help if there’s a low grade.”

However, because NetClassroom does not differentiate advisors from teachers, the alert system could not be implemented.

Teachers would receive notifications for every student in the grade levels they teach.

“For example, if we turned on the alerts right now, I’d be getting an alert because I’m involved with ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade. I’d be getting an alert every time a student in the Upper School

for students...

Disadvantages

• Easy to view assignments holistically on the home page Can check mid-quarter and quarter • grades

Difficulty understanding due dates for assignments NetClassroom’s server tends to crash

More convenient to post documents • • than before Can view their students’ schedule • and workload

Longer time to post assignments 250 character limit when typing assignments No comphrensive test calendar

for teachers...

• •

Students to select courses online Administration hopes to make process greener and more efficient by having students make their preferences on NetClassroom.

GeorgiaLeva ‘15 staff reporter In order to make class registration more efficient, the administration decided students will select their courses on NetClassroom during the last two weeks of February for the next school year.

got a low grade, so it would be terrible. It would be fielding our [the teachers’] inboxes constantly,” Monroe said.

Although the technology department has requested Blackbaud, the creators of NetClassroom, to fix the alert system, Monroe will be looking into other programs that may replace NetClassroom.

Joanne Ryan, math department chair, said that while NetClassroom allows students to view their assignments easily, it creates more work for teachers.

“We [teachers] need to take the time at the end of every week day to update all the information so that students can have

The initial reason for the switch was to reduce the amount of paper being used as well as to decrease the time it takes for the administration to pre-populate classes. The school will be able to process the choices more quickly, allowing the students to see what classes they are eligible to take.

it available to them. I wish we could enter the dates more easily. The ‘due’ date must be entered as the ‘night to be done’ date. So confusing. I have managed my way around it, but again, that creates more work for me,” Ryan said.

Evans added that the system takes him twice as much time than before to post assignments.

“What used to take me 10 minutes now takes me about an hour, and if everything is taking me six times as long then I don’t have the time to put as much thought into it than I used to. So, the assignments that I create, I think, sometimes aren’t as complete as I’d want them to be or as they could be. Because 10 minutes to an hour, 20 minutes to two hours, it’s a long time that you spend just filling out drop-down menus,” Evans said.

Other teachers agree that the process continues to confuse students about due dates.

“I’ve finally resorted to adding a specific notation in the notes section that reads: ‘Due Date: February 12’ because students were never certain when the assignments were actually due,” said English teacher Dr. Ellen Salas.

Monroe hopes the glitches with NetClassroom will be resolved by the next school year; if not, the administration will reconsider the effectiveness of the program.

“I hope the students will enjoy having more control of their courses,” Debra Monroe, Upper School Principal, said.

The college counselors and faculty, however, will review each student’s schedule to determine if he or she is eligible for the courses he or she selected.

The school will also be introducing more electives for English and history departments for all grades. All course choices, such as APs and honors, will be available for each student to select even if they are not currently in those levels.

Busby, faculty, BSC decide to cancel prayer SalimChamoun ‘14 assistant news editor Recited at each assembly after the moment of silence, the school prayer, of which the history and authorship are unknown to any current faculty member, is no longer in existence.

The prayer: “We trust in thee, O heavenly father, to guide

our thoughts and actions this day. Bless us and keep us in thy divine love forever. Amen.”

James Busby, assistant head of school, held meetings with both faculty and Buckley Student Council (BSC) members; neither meeting faced opposition to the prayer’s removal.

“I think it goes along with the rest of everything

that is being terminated. The administration obviously wants to install a completely different atmosphere, and this is just another step to doing so. I liked Buckley the way it was, but I understand the changes are for a more liberal, modern society,” senior and student body vice president Michaela Murphy.

The reason given for removing the prayer was that it did not seem appropriate for a non-religious, or secular, school.

“Buckley has been working hard to provide a welcoming environment to students of all religious backgrounds, it seemed a little incongruous,” Deborah Monroe, Upper School principal, said.

tuesday, february 5, 2013 8

newsin

brief

Images 2012 wins Gold Medal In February, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), in their annual high school yearbook competition, awarded Images 2012 a Gold Medal, the highest CSPA medal honor.

Under the direction of editorsin-chief, Roman Decca ‘12 and senior Madeline Baldi, Images 2012 received 906 out of 1000 points for the yearbook. The book also received 380 out of 400 points in the Visual category, earning AllColumbian Honors.

In preparation for the creation of the yearbook, Decca and Baldi attended yearbook camp in August 2011. Herff Jones-sponsored the camp, held at Cal State University Long Beach.

“I never took a photography class, so it is really cool to see that you do not need knowledge of a camera to take a great photo,” staff member sophomore Livia Wilson said.

Staff members included sophomores Wilson, Leah Purvis and Sydney Monfared, junior Michael Len, senior Julianne Goldmark, and Lauren Halperin ‘12. Dr. Ellen Salas, director of publications, oversaw the creation of Images 2012.

AndrewFriedman ‘16

School considers technology options for new building Javy Martinez, director of educational technology, Jose Tagle, director of technology, and the administration are currently considering ideas for classroom technology in the Math and Science Building to open this fall.

Although Martinez said nothing is official, he projects that next year’s changes will be made based on faculty and student feedback.

Possible enhancements for the current interactive SMART projectors may include projectors with fewer shadows and a surface more suitable to the needs of the math department.

New projectors might also have a touch screen feature as opposed to a stylus.

Martinez added the library might include digital signage televisions next year that would allow students to keep track of which events are happening on campus.

Starting February 1, students will be able to access two electronic book sources, Ebrary and Ebsco, during a one-week trial. The program’s goal is to influence students to read more by allowing technology to be accessible both on mobile devices and computers, according to Matthew Wittmer, Upper School librarian. The trial will impact the decision of whether next year will feature this program.

JoyceChamoun ‘16

9 tuesday, february 5, 2013

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

Robotics rolls in to new season, first in new room The robotics team works on building a robot that can climb a pyramid and throw Frisbees for regional competitions in San Diego and Las Vegas.

AndrewFriedman ‘16 business manager After finishing second place in two regional competitions last year, the robotics team is gearing up for another FRC season, which includes regional events in San Diego and Las Vegas in March and April respectively.

This year’s competition is based on a modified version of golf-ultimate-Frisbee. Competing robots toss plastic Frisbees from three to 50 feet into goals that are eight to 10 feet off the ground. In

addition, each robot has the option to climb a pyramid made of metal piping. The tallest point on each pyramid is about 90 inches off the ground, but robots cannot be higher than the pyramid.

“Throwing a Frisbee is a very hard for a human to accomplish, let alone a robot. Then the climb is very complicated because the height of the robot cannot exceed the height of the pyramid, so we will have to climb level to level,” Dr. Brandon Hogan, robotics coach, said.

Shilpa Mantri The Student Voice

DRILLING: Junior Salim Chamoun cuts wooden pieces with a band saw in the robotics room January 17 for the robot’s prototype.

The Griffitrons plan to park their robot and throw Frisbees for half of the match and will attempt to drive the robot up the pyramids in order to rack up points.

The squad will utilize this strategy at regional events on April 4 and March 7, where only the three top teams move on to the next regional. If the team is not leading heading into the finals, they must be picked by one of the other top teams in order to advance.

“All in all, our prototypes look really good, and if we can implement all of our ideas I think we have a good shot at a title,” Hogan said.

The team currently boasts 40 members, including 11 freshmen, led by captains and seniors Kevin DeCorso and Jack Breen.

“Jack is a great leader, very good at engineering, and amazing at making give-and-take decisions which lead to the full potential of the teams ideas. Kevin is very committed to the team and can be found hard at work during lunch, after school, and even on the weekend,” Hogan said.

DeCorso said it is “marvelous” to see the freshmen’s ideas become realities because he remembers when he was a freshman, working hard to find his place on the team.

“I truly enjoy having so many freshman in the group because is proves that robotics

Shilpa Mantri The Student Voice

DESIGN: Captain and senior Jack Breen and junior Ali Eicher help freshman Jules Ahmar when using a screwdriver to build a prototype of the robot. is becoming more accepted. No longer is it just your engineering nerds or computer geeks, but all walks of life can coexist and work

well together. The team has so many aspects including business, outreach, electricity, engineering, computers, and art,” Hogan said.

“Throwing a Frisbee is a very hard for a human to accomplish, let alone a robot. Then the climb is very complicated because the height of the robot cannot exceed the height of the [90 inch] pyramid, so we will have to climb level to level.”

Dr. Brandon Hogan Robotics Coach

opinion 10 tuesday, february 5, 2013 |

Female students should take every opportunity they can Our last semester It was the beginning of a new millennium; I was sitting on a bright blue rug eating Famous Amos cookies with 20 other five-year-olds. The kindergarten class next door to us was inevitably doing the exact same thing. During our first recess as a kindergarten class, I saw my 41 new peers – but needless to say, I was unaware that 20 of us would still be here, battling through second semester of senior year together 13 years later.

Now as 17 and 18-year olds, we are together battling through senioritis, only four months to go. Seniors, let’s take a step back to the beginning of this year.

Regardless of whether you came in kindergarten, or tenth grade, we have been together as a unified class; appreciative for the family we are a part of. It was mid-September, we had just returned from outdoor education, we had a newfound feeling of closeness, and were ready to battle through senior year together.

Now, fast forward to February, we have finished our college applications and senioritis is kicking in fast. However, I urge our class to avoid having senioritis socially.

Whether we "Take a mo- are motivated ment to reflect to work as hard on the teachers academically you’ve bonded as we have, we should be with, students working hardyou’ve laughed er than ever and cried with, before for the and the class- unity of our rooms you’ve class community. The malearned in." jority of our stress has dissipated, and we can now use that time to join together for four more months as a class.

I encourage my classmates to reach out to past friends, strengthen relationships and get together with each other for the last semester we have together. In a matter of time we won’t have the routine moments like going off-campus to lunch together, carpooling to school together, or enjoying a weekend Starbucks outing.

In the fall of next year we will be spread across the nation without the simple familiarities we now have. Let’s not take this semester for granted.

So tomorrow, as you drive to school, take a moment to reflect on the teachers you’ve bonded with, students you’ve laughed and cried with, and the classrooms you’ve learned in. Take time for the rest of the semester to converse with your teachers, they want to know how you are and what strides you’ve made. If you’re a lifer; perhaps take a journey into the Lower school.

I encourage my fellow lifers to visit Lower School principal Adrienne Parsons, or assistant to the Lower School principals Karen Hudecek. The figures of our past care about us more than we tend to notice, they want to know how we’re doing, and what our future holds.

Let’s make our last semester as Griffins count, because at our 50-year reunion, we’ll want to remember how we culminated our high school experience.

ClaireSelvin ‘13 Features Editor Date rape. Domestic violence. Human trafficking. All of these crimes against women occur more frequently, either locally or globally, than many of us are aware.

Every nine seconds, a woman in the U.S. is assaulted, and 1 in 3 women is abused in the course of her life. Eighty percent of date rape victims are under the age of 30, and up to 2 million people all over the world are annually victims of human trafficking.

It’s easy to overlook these atrocities.

It’s easy to believe that they are far away, that they are distant events in some foreign world.

The fact is, however, that these issues

are very much relevant to us as students and leaders. Women are continually and relentlessly mistreated, attacked, and even killed as these wrongs are perpetrated, and it is our job to raise our awareness and help put an end to it.

We belong to a community that encourages its female students to pursue anything and everything that empowers and fulfills them. The girls of the Classes of 2012 and 2013, though they were in the gender minority of their grades, have risen to excel in every area including sports, science, mathematics, and debate. I was in an all male (with the exception of myself) AP Euro class and have been a member of an all male Latin class for the past five years; I have never felt intimidated.

We have many opportunities at our fingertips. We are lucky to never have to witness any kind of sexist abuse or outright discrimination. Therefore we, and male students alike, must take action against such horrors.

Volunteer. Walk. Donate. Take a stand.

Educate yourself about the inequities that exist within our own country as well as others where the problems are often much more severe. We must commit to ceasing the violence against women as we move on from high school into this world of turmoil.

onthespot...

What is your opinion on having additional guards on campus?

“I feel that having additional guards on campus gives the students and faculty a measure of security. They make us feel safe and comfortable.”

Kenneth Kang Senior “I think that having the additional guards is just for show.

Although we already have great guards, at the band orchestra and choir concert we had no security checking people as they come on campus. On a day where many unknown individuals come on campus is when we actually need stricter security.”

Samantha Fett Junior “I don’t feel any safer. I feel the minimum amount of extra guards will not change anything if a shooter were to come on campus.”

Adam Semprevivo Freshman “I like having additional guards. The world can be a very hectic and confusing place so it is comforting to know that I’m safest at the place I spend most of my time at. ” Greer Bronson Senior

“Honestly I haven’t noticed anything different, which is appropriate because our security measures should be discreet.”

Eli Given Senior “Having guards on campus is a good idea. School should be an environment for the school not only to look secure, but to have the students feel protected and comfortable. Better to be safe than sorry.”

Sabine Obagi Freshman Photos courtesy of Nick Boswell

the student newspaper of The Buckley School Contact The Voice at: 3900 Stansbury Avenue, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 818.783.1610 ext. 461 studentvoice@buckley.org voice.buckley.org editors-in-chief Jack Rose ‘13 | Elle Wisnicki ‘13 assistant editor-in-chief James Bernstein ‘14 faculty advisor Ellen Samsell Salas, Ph.D. news editors James Bernstein ‘14 | Shilpa Mantri ‘13 assistant news editor Salim Chamoun ‘14 opinion editors Jack Rose ‘13 | Elle Wisnicki ‘13 features editors Claire Selvin ’13 | Meher Singh ‘14 focus editors Tucker Higgins ‘13 | Michael Len ‘14 arts and entertainment editors Tara Bitran ‘14 | Nika Shahery ‘13 assistant to the arts and entertainment editors Natalya Sands ‘14 sports editors Jack Rose ‘13 | Elle Wisnicki ‘13 design and production manager Tucker Higgins ‘13 staff cartoonist Paris Baillie ‘13 photo editor Philip Singh ‘16 business manager Andrew Friedman ‘16 staff reporters Joyce Chamoun, Alex Fatykhov, Mara Huberman, Georgia Leva, Joshua Miller, Jeremy Popowitz, Jared Stone, Samantha Weiser, Meredith Wells, Liam Winston, Billy Wilson

MISSION STATEMENT The Voice strives to inform and educate the students of the school as well as provide leadership on significant issues impacting the school community.

EDITORIALS Unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Board of Editors of The Student Voice and not necessarily the student body’s.

Signed editorials and columns reflect only the writer’s opinion.

GRAPHICS Illustrations and artistic renderings may or may not represent the opinions of the artist.

ADVERTISING Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by the newspaper or by the school. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

EDITORIAL POLICY Writers and editors adhere to the highest principles of excellence in journalism including accuracy, honesty, respect, integrity, and precision.

DISTRIBUTION 1200 copies are distributed free of charge on campus and mailed to subscribers.

READER INPUT The Voice values reader input via letters, guest columns and story ideas.

Printed on recycled paper.

11 tuesday, february 5, 2013

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

staff editorial

Be careful what you post Have you ever Googled your name? Surprised at all the content you find? Each time you post something anywhere on the Internet, you are adding to your digital footprint. The Voice encourages you to monitor what your digital footprint says about you.

In the age of Googling everything, shopping online, and carrying a smart phone everywhere, privacy is disappearing It is inevitable that when you apply for college and even for a job, college admission departments and your possible employers may look to the Internet to find out more about you. Consider what you want them to see. The power

of such a vast space should not be underestimated.

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Blogger, Tumblr, and YouTube are all sites that track and archive content. So post away, but choose your words and photos wisely.

If you currently feel protected when you are browsing online, you may want to reconsider that feeling. Websites can create an extensive personal profile for you as you click through sites. Information such as your location, home or work address, name, email address and even phone number is obtainable.

Traveling through the World Wide Web is becoming more and more complex.

Each step you take is tabulated into statistical data. This data gives companies the information to develop new products through studying the habits of the entire population. Social networking sites track the pages you visit, and content you post in an effort to produce your favorite products.

While this information gives companies easier marketing capabilities, having companies monitor your web habits can be concerning. So keep your information safe, don’t give out too much information, especially without reading the privacy policies on each website, and watch what you say because you never know who’s reading.

The editorial board voted unanimously in favor of this editorial.

Grade inflation in our nation — or just hot air?

Paris Baillie The Student Voice

Forever in our memories.

Jordan Weiss June 12, 1993 - January 28, 2011 Steven Yampolsky April 7, 1995 - February 14, 2012

with Jack Rose

iPads and Brains Sometimes what we want and we get doesn’t match up. Be it work and happiness, money and ease of lifestyle, or anything else, the nature of life forces choices and sacrifices to be made. When it comes to technology and learning, the two rarely find themselves walking the same path. iPads and school are a prime example.

With the implementation of the new iPad program this year, students are multitasking and reading on their iPads—in all the wrong ways. I see at least one example of a classmate playing games, surfing the web, or shoe shopping during every class. Admittedly, I have done the same a time or two this year.

But I’m not really concerned with selfrestraint during class. As long as there are schools, students will find ways not to pay attention. More concerning is the simple science behind advanced technology in classrooms.

“There are so many interruptions,” Naomi Baron, professor of linguistics at American University, said in a recent Financial Times article. “There are things we lose when reading is done on Setting the screens: focus trends for the and contemfuture looks plation, sitting back and great on paper and in headthinking.”

While the lines, but in acextra features tuality may be of eBooks, holding us back. such as videos and links, open up a whole new world of possibilities for students, the time spent navigating away from the text to a link and back again makes absorbing the reading material more difficult.

Research also shows that mass search engines such as Google may be reducing our intellectual capabilities and reducing our memory banks. Rather than memorizing the periodic table of the elements, we look it up online. It’s simpler, faster, and easier.

Now, I am a fan of iPads. I prefer reading for pleasure on my iPad for the ease of holding it and I also prefer electronic news because it saves paper. But until our brains appropriately evolve to a natural level where typing and reading a screen is like writing on and reading a piece of paper, classroom tablets should be put on the backburner with education in mind.

There is no evidence that iPads negatively affect learning. Yet, none exists that prove otherwise. Rather than spending school and students’ money on iPads that may or may not be enhancing learning, the school should be researching the effects of eBooks on retention, memory, and test scores.

It took hundreds of years for the human brain to adjust to the pen. Computers have been around for less than one generation, and iPads less than five years. Our brains are not ready for textbook reading on tablets because of the unfamiliarity of the screen.

So before we jump headfirst into the next generation, let’s stay in this one. Setting the trends for the future looks great on paper and in headlines, but in actuality may be holding us back.

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

Prevention is key to campus safety

ElleWisnicki ’13 editor-in-chief The atrocity in Newtown was not the first of its kind, from Columbine to Virginia Tech, as a nation we have experienced shootings far too many times.

The nationwide gun debate has come to a climactic point in the last month. Whether to have armed guards or not, there is no simple answer.

While some, including superintendent of the Newton Public Schools in Massachusetts David Fleishman, believe that having armed guards on school campuses, sends the wrong message about what school should be about, others believe that we need armed guards to detain potential shooters.

The most rational answer seems to be prevention. Our school has hired additional guards to potentially deter shooters, in addition to moving towards screening each vehicle that comes on campus. But my question is, what if someone slips through the cracks, realistically how much safety do lockdown drills provide, and how fast can the LAPD arrive on campus?

With our school’s location and set up, the risk assessment show that we are not at a great risk for a shooting. We are located in a canyon, and have only one entry point

with a guardhouse at the front. But still, someone could slip through the cracks.

However, the danger with employing armed guards is that bystanders can get shot as frequently, and we would need guards trained with the highest level of accuracy.

We have trained our faculty to handle lockdown drills, and are potentially training our faculty to handle shooters, but to me, there is no way to truly anticipate a shooter on campus.

We cannot predict whether the shooting would come internally, or externally, and there is always the possibility of a miscalculation.

While preventative measures on campus are one of the most effective ways to halt possible tragedies, the fight really comes on a global scale.

As students, we can make a difference, noticing anomalies on campus, and reporting them right away is key, in addition to recognizing if our peers are having issues and may act out at school.

Outside of school we can make a difference as well. The current research surrounding video games in correlation with violence is conflicting.

In 2001, a study on video games found links to addiction and aggression, however a study in 2009 came back inconclusive with the previous data. For students who engage in violent video games, the key is to recognizing the difference between reality and the game world.

In addition to video game research, the studies potentially linking mental illness and violence are more prevalent in the wake of the Newton shooting.

According to a 1999 study by the Department of Health and Human Services and a 2003 study by

the New Freedom of Commission people with mental health problems may respond to stigma associated with mental illnesses by failing to seek treatment, and isolating themselves from the workforce As a community we can educate ourselves about recognizing mental illnesses and changing our prejudice against the mentally ill population.

An effort toward including them in society could potentially decrease their social isolation. We should commend the Just Like You club for working towards educating our students about the variety of disabilities in our population.

Just as we have educated our student body about diversity, we should educate our students about the diverse thought-processes of people who suffer from mental illnesses.

As a school, we should promote prosocial behavior, and recognize when students deviate from the norm. Having more discussions about violence, and ways to keep our campus safe is crucial to the continued safe haven our campus has presented.

I am grateful to be inside the gates, and on a campus with a lowrisk for possible shootings, however I still fear the potential for another atrocity.

Awareness and prevention are key, and to keep the discussions open and inclusive will make the difference.

From marking all cars with a sticker, to having visitors provide driver’s licenses prior to coming on campus, continuing to take measures against shooters is absolutely where our community needs to be focusing its efforts.

The discussion of whether to arm guards, while complex, is an important part of moving forward in a safe manner.

It is important that our school is making efforts in this direction, and each of every one of us must continue to be part of the fight to curbing and hopefully ending violence on campuses, not only at Buckley, but also across the nation.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, It is important that all of our student obey our parking restrictions. We provide on campus parking for seniors and off campus parking at Fashion Square for all student drivers. If students disobey the rules (below) we jeopardize our conditional Use Permit (CUP). Please ensure as a student driver you do not park in our neighborhood and if you have any parking questions please see Mr. Russo or refer to the parking registration forms on our school website.

Good Neighbor Policy: It is of the utmost importance that we maintain good relations with our neighbors. The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) under which the school operates in a residential neighborhood regulates our hours and imposes various restrictions that are designed to protect our neighbors. We need EVERY member of our community, including students, to observe our good neighbor policy: Students must not park south of Dickens Street, east of Beverly Glen or west of Woodman Avenue.

Sincerely, George Russo, Director of Student Activities

submit your letter The Student Voice invites all readers to submit letters to the editor.

If you have an opinion, let your voice be heard.

Please e-mail all letters to: studentvoice@buckley.org

tuesday, february 5, 2013 12

Writing notes aids overall retention

122 responses collected from January 29 to January 31 with a margin of error of 7% Shilpa Mantri The Student Voice

In the wake of this year’s mandatory iPad policy, students and teachers wonder whether taking notes on iPads or paper is more conducive to learning.

NikaShahery ’13 a&e editor Note-taking. Love it or hate it, it’s a necessary evil of the life of a student.

But I’m not referring those so-called notes you are presumably taking on your iPad whilst flipping through your email, then checking your iMessage, all with a seamless double tap of the home button.

No. I’m referring to the old ink and pad. The device that records your thoughts yet does not plug into the wall. The Egyptians had the right idea way back then, when they carved hieroglyphics into stone. Little did they know that the same process was happening in their brains.

The action of note-taking aids comprehension and retention, while actively stimulating listening and learning according to a study done by the University of California at Berkeley.

Also the transfer from the ear to the hand helps store that piece of knowledge into mental memory.

In effect, taking lecture notes can, gasp, cut your study time exponentially.

The action of writing activates a bunch of cells at the base of the brain called the Reticular Activating System (RAS). This collection of cells act as a filter for everything your brain needs

to process, allowing your mind to discern what is most important to focus on in that moment.

If you’re looking for more ways to get your wheels turning, while studying, try jotting down notes while listening to Baroque Music, like Vivaldi or Mozart.

According to Creativity 101, the rhythm of the music, usually 60 beats per minute stimulates both the left and right side of the brain to intensify engagement.

As using the iPad does not effectively mirror that transfer from the senses; it’s no surprise that several instances have risen that students are seeing grades lower than their expectation.

The iPads may have several proponents including the ability to store multiple books that cost significantly less, and with all the bells and whistles attached, if you think of it, there’s probably and app for that too. But the notetaking experience on iPads, and laptops for that matter, cannot compete with that of the pen and paper.

According to research done

by Utah State University, important information that was contained in hand-written notes has a thirty-four percent chance of being remembered without being studied, while information not found in notes had a mere five percent chance of being remembered. Also, lecture notes provide a gauge for what is important in the textbook when comparing the two.

I’m sure I sound like a pompous romantic lamenting on the ease of simpler times. Don’t get me wrong, I think the iPad is a glorious tool. In fact, when you grasp your iPad in your hands you hold the world in your fingertips. That being said, the choice is yours.

features 13 tuesday, february 5, 2013 |

ELLEWISNICKI ‘13

Programming our privacy From Instagram to Facebook, to electronic-preference logging at stores, we voluntarily allow much of our information to become public. At what point does technology put our safety at risk?

S

ince the creation of the Internet, the transformation of consumerism has grown drastically.

With Hulu, Netflix, Expedia, Amazon, and almost every company selling their products online, technology is invading how we entertain ourselves on a daily basis.

“It’s more convenient, but there’s always a risk because we can’t actually see the product. Sometimes it ends up okay, but the time and effort it takes to ship it back is cumbersome,” senior Andrea Mackey said.

Walt Disney Company is following suit.

With the invention of the MyMagic+ wristband, the Walt Disney Company is utilizing cutting-edge technology to promote consumerism.

Coming to Walt Disney World this spring and Disneyland later this year, both Disney theme parks will implement MyMagic+, completely wireless “Magic Bands” hardwired with admission privileges, amongst other technological advantages “This new technology is exciting and a huge step forward. Next time I visit Disneyland, I will be excited to use it,” said junior David Yona.

Visitors to the park can program their credit card information into the band itself, allowing for ease when purchasing souvenirs and food items. The band will be waterproof, tamperproof, and suitable for all ages.

Additionally, the new FastPass System will be part of the band, allowing customers to register for a specific ride with the band and return later, bypassing the line.

“Linking the entire MyMagic+ experience together is an innovative piece of technology we developed called the MagicBand,” Saggs said. “Worn on the wrist, it will serve as a guest’s room key, theme park ticket, access to FastPass+ selections, PhotoPass card and optional payment account all rolled into one. We’ve began testing certain aspects of MyMagic+ in Florida last month and the early reactions we’ve gotten have been fantastic.”

The new My Disney Experience website and mobile app will give park visitors the ability to plan each moment of their trip with alerts about all the latest information for each Walt Disney World Resort.

“We know that some people like to plan every aspect of their Disney vacation in advance while others like to plan very little, letting their day unfold spontaneously,” Saggs said. “No matter where guests fall in that spectrum, My Disney Experience gives them the flexibility to plan as much or as little as they’d like to create the exact Disney experience they want.”

In addition to accessing the FastPass system, guests can book dining and other experiences and reserve times for their favorite attractions, shows and more. Guests can use their smart phones to adjust their plans as the day goes on.

“Technology is making everything easier and more convenient. I think that’s pretty cool,” senior Emily Irani said.

However, controversy surrounds the band for its potentially invasive qualities. In an effort to improve customer service and marketing practices, Disney’s corporate offices will track visitors’ actions, riding habits, and other behaviors throughout their park experience as well as names and birth dates.

“A problem with technology is that identity theft can happen. My father’s credit card information was stolen by someone who hacked into the College Board system,” Mackey said.

Another danger some fear with advanced technology is the lack of human interaction.

“Although shopping, and other daily activities are not the only way to partake in face-to-face interaction, the fact that less and less of our daily interactions are occurring without the need for another person in front of is can be concerning,” senior Dianne Jahangani said.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Internet Group

Events on cyber safety FEBRUARY 6 parent night Javy Martinez, director of educational technology, will be speaking to parents about navigating Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites.

Additionally, Dr. Lara Embry, fifth grade parent and clinical psychologist specializing in adolescents, will be available to discuss and answer questions related to social media and its possible ramifications, both positive and negative.

MARCH 15 school assembly Katie Koestner, national expert on student safety, will be talking to the student body about “Building Your Digital Dossier.” The assembly will focus on technology-related experiences and insider information directly from college admissions officers, and hiring agencies. Koestner will demonstrate how students can shape their web footprint for the sanctity of their futures.

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14

February

‘Frailty, thy na

Women for Sale Elle Wisnicki ‘13 James Bernstein ‘14

WOM

16THOUSA $1 1in6WOME 2

I

n big cities all over the world, and increasingly in California, humans, specifically young girls ages 12 to 14, are being thrust into the human sex trafficking trade.

Human trafficking is the business of selling people for forced labor or trade, specifically forms of prostitution.

A statement from the office of California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris revealed that California’s task forces identified 1,277 victims of human trafficking and arrested 1,798 individuals for the crime between July of 2010 and June of 2012.

Harris said “Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery” and “involves controlling a person through force, fraud, or coercion to exploit the victim for forced labor, sexual exploitation, or both.”

California is one of the most popular areas for human trafficking, harboring three of the FBI’s 13 highest child sex trafficking cities in the nation: Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego.

The second largest criminal industry in the world next to drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is human trafficking, which claims more than 12 million known victims and an undetermined number of unknown victims.

According to LA County supervisor, Michael Antonovich, the majority of child sex slaves come from the foster care system. Often runaways, these children turn to prostitution, then fear abuse and punishment from their pimps if they do not remain in the sex trafficking trade.

Usually, women and girls (the largest number between ages 12 and 14) who are victims of sex trafficking are targeted for their vulnerability due to isolation, poverty, addiction or other social and economic factors.

Although men can be trafficked for labor, the majority of human traffickers prey on women, transporting them for commercial sex purposes. Attorney General Harris estimated that between 14,500 and 17,500 women are trafficked into the U.S. from foreign countries annually.

Immigrants—many of whom are undocumented, impoverished or cannot speak English—are also targets for human trafficking and are often forced into sex slavery or domestic servitude.

In the November election, 81.1 percent of California voters passed Proposition 35, which increased the fines and jail sentences for human trafficking and require that perpetrators register as sex offenders for life.

The proposition also expanded the scope of human trafficking to include child pornography.

The FBI and Department of Justice report the average lifespan of children after entering the trafficking trade to be only seven years, meaning the average age of death is 19 years old.

The Obama administration has increased efforts to train law enforcement officials to be equipped to ensure that trafficking victims are treated as victims and not prosecuted as criminals.

The United Nations is also working towards reducing sex trafficking globally.

12MILLION lives have been claimed due to human trafficking

women are trafficked into Californ

are ma

in the US has experienced a form o

Chinese m

Rape in the Th

Meher Si

F

orty-eight every hour. 1,152 every day.

420,000 every year.

That’s the number of women raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

But the Third World country rape epidemic doesn’t stop there.

Every 22 minutes a woman in India is sexually abused.

A girl in South Africa has a better chance of being raped than learning how to read.

By definition, rape is “any act of sexual intercourse forced upon a person.” While almost every nation has reported rapes, Third-World nations in Asia and Africa have recently come under fire as a result of the gangrape and resulting death of 23-year-old college student Jyoti Singh on December 16, 2012.

Singh and her male friend were traveling on a public bus that contained only the driver and five of his male friends. All six of them proceeded to gang-rape Singh and beat both her and her friend before throwing them off the bus. Singh died 13 days after the attack.

Usually, rape news stories in India are quickly ignored as they are so commonplace, but this incident resulted in anti-rape protests around Delhi. The Indian youth were riled up and frustrated over the continuation of female crimes in this day and age and wanted

the government to do somet to the severe problems wom world.

That same week 15 mor Three weeks later another g Singh happened in another Last year, India repor South Africa reported 66, 5 2012. These numbers are “re women do not report rapes In fact, women are disc stories. In traditional and women are subservient to m In many ways, they are While these views are remn generation that is now the grained in the culture.

The view that rape is n victims’ fault remains preva woman’s honor is at stake-n Common criticisms of she out late at night? Why you don’t dress decently the are raped,” or “Honorable w those women who have no m suffer the consequence of b

15

y 5, 2013

ame is

Every hour a woman is raped in the U.S. Last year 1,277 women were trafficked into California.

A girl in South Africa is more likely to be raped than to learn how to read.

Here, The Voice explores the often unseen struggles of half the world’s population.

MAN’

AND 12BILLION EN 25MILLION

nia each year

ade in human trafficking annually

of rape

men will not find a wife due to female infanticide

Third World

ingh ‘14

thing and to bring attention men face in that area of the

re rape cases were reported. gang rape similar to that of state. ted 24, 206 cases of rape.

514 sexual offenses in 2011eported” cases. Many times, due to cultural stigmas. couraged to even share their orthodox Eastern cultures, men. considered the inferior sex. nants from the much older e minority, they remain in-

not the rapist’s fault, but the alent. In the case of rape, a not the man’s. women include: “Why was was she wearing jeans? “If en you are responsible if you women are not raped; only morals and are promiscuous being raped.” Manohar Lal

Sharma, the attorney representing the rapists in Singh’s on going trial, stated this view.

While these opinions may seem radical to most in the West, the much accepted and subtle perception is that a woman should always keep her “honor”.

After Singh’s rape, these attitudes came under fire from world media. In India, it is only recently that women in metropolitan cities have had freedom from their families to date, have careers, and live outside the realm of marriage.

Many commentators and analysts, such as Anjana Menon of CNN, suggest that such attitudes, are the reason that rape is an accepted part of the culture. In their opinion, rampant rape would be a pressing issue in a growing and modernizing society where women want to be held in the same esteem as men.

Experts say that the taboo nature of sex in these countries also plays a role in the degradation of women.

Sex is almost a forbidden topic, not discussed with one’s parents or elders.

However, as more and more Western influence sets in, these ideals have begun to change, especially among the youth, as they attempt to mirror American youth.

Even though rape may seem as just another heinous crime, it is one that seeds itself in a culture that historically seeds itself in male dominance.

Kill the Girls?

Meher Singh ‘14

F

emale feticide and infanticide is the forceful killing of a female fetus or infant after birth, respectively, based solely on its gender.

An epidemic mainly in India and China, female infanticide and feticide are the reasons approximately 60 million girls are missing, creating an alarming and unnatural gender imbalance.

In India, this practice is prevalent in both the wealthy and poorer part of society. Many families feel that only a man can help provide for them and therefore want to only raise a son. To them, a woman is more of a burden than a benefit because she cannot earn as much money.

Although the Indian government banned sex-selection and screening where families find out the sex of the baby before birth, the practice of feticide is rampant. In fact, many of the clinics that provide such services are government owned.

Many women are tricked into finding out the sex of their baby by their husbands and his family. Even richer families who can afford dowries would rather have sons because sons bring their family more security and prestige.

Last year, the government reported 927 women for every 1,000 men in the total population. Although this might not seem as a stark difference, these numbers added up over the years now remind people that tampering with nature can have major unintended consequences.

With fewer and fewer women, there are more and more bachelors who will never find a woman to marry. As a result, women are trafficked from more remote areas to marry men of different cultures and ways of life. Some are not even married, but sold to families, are raped, mistreated, and abused.

Although all major religious authorities in India have spoken against female feticide and infanticide, experts say that until a cultural shift in the way women are treated and perceived happens, this epidemic will continue, as it has been practiced steadily for the past 20 years.

In China, the government itself has made female infanticide and feticide a prevalent issue because of its One Child per Family policy, limiting every family to one child in order to control the population.

As in India, the male child is given more importance in traditional Chinese culture. The roots of these ideals can be traced to Confucianism, which suggests that a son is more valuable because of his providing abilities.

As a result, families abandon, abort, or murder their daughters in order to have a son. Over 40 million girls were abandoned in China in 2009. The state Lianyungang has the worst sex ratio on earth with 100 girls for every 163 boys aged up to 4 as reported by China’s Family Planning Association in 2005.

The government of China has prohibited female infanticide and feticide but the numbers have not gone down. In fact, China and India aborted more girls than the total number of girls born in the US in 2009.

With 25 million men not being able to find brides, human trafficking becomes an issue in China as well. Approximately 10,000-200,000 women are trafficked from Vietnam, South Korea, and Myanmar and are sold into sex slavery or bought each year.

In total, 200 million girls are missing from the globe, and the two most populous countries in the world are to blame for aborting and murdering millions of female fetuses and infants for decades and continue to do so without missing a beat.

200MILLION

girls are missing from the world

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

tuesday, february 5, 2013 16

JOYCECHAMOUN ‘16

From frycooks to models:

our teachers before they were teachers George Russo To most students George Russo, director of student activities, is known as Coach Russo or Mr. Russo, but he once wore another hat.

From ages 16 to 18 Russo wanted some extra money so he got his first job at a local McDonald’s in England. Russo said he loved the social aspect and learned how to work among people.

Considering he continued to bartend and wait tables at restaurants, Russo’s experience at McDonald’s did not scare him out of the food industry.

According to Russo, his most “boring” job was working in a mailroom. The job of stamping mail going to Africa and sorting which country the mail is received from lasted eight hours a day.

Russo created his favorite memories working in the semi-pro English basketball league from ages 17 to 24.

“I had the best time ever, travelling around the country playing and being with all my best friends while learning all about teamwork, cooperation, and work ethic,” Russo said.

Have you ever wondered what careers your teachers pursued before they entered the classroom? Many teachers at one time played completely different roles.

According to Minden, his funniest and craziest job was on the Romanian version of American Idol called Star Factory, the biggest show on Romanian television. Minden became the Rock’ n’ Rock English Professor, appearing on every episode of the show. Minden was responsible for teaching the contestants how to speak English, considering they were all singing in English.

“People would stop me on the street. There were articles on me in goofy teen magazines. I had a hair stylist, and a bunch of makeup, and there I was in a classroom with three TV cameras and a bunch of young Romanian pop stars,” Minden said.

Minden highlights the importance of helping contestants with pronunciation and song meanings.

Paul Minden, foreign language teacher, has always changed jobs that related to teaching, entertainment, and fitness ever since he graduated college.

Minden voluntarily taught poor children in Eastern Europe, tutoring kids at top schools all over the country via Skype, training teachers, and teaching at a university.

Minden was also hired by Comedy Central to write a screenplay, and Minden still reads scripts for a director.

Minden later shifted to focusing more on health and longevity, following his father’s passing, by getting certified as a personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist. Minden ran a large gym’s training system shortly after.

“I loved it because it was just like teaching, it was just teaching people how to be healthier, live loner and have more energy. What’s better than that? I have a huge respect for good trainers because there is so much inaccurate information surrounding health and fitness,” Minden said.

Andrew Nelson

Matthew Wittmer

Picture framer, McDonald’s employee, sales floor associate at Venture Store, primary counselor for severely persistently medically ill patients at a locked psychiatric facility, a case manager for helping adults transition from jail to a public community, justice deJoanne Ryan partment clearance privilege, Upper School head librarJoanne Ryan, math department chair, found herself in ian Matthew Wittmer has experienced a variety of jobs.

After working at McDonald’s Wittmer decided to exthe spotlight not for her math skills, but instead her beauty plore retail. He worked at a store similar to target called Venas a model. ture Store where he stocked shelves with makeup and toys.

At age 16, Ryan started working in a children’s clothing Wittmer “loved it” because he could interact with the public store. According to Ryan, she hated it and the job made her and answer questions.

Then, Wittmer framed art for restauhate kids for a while, because neat piles of folded and rerants, stores, and even famous people. stocked clothes were destroyed in seconds. Having decided Wittmer went to graduate school and got certified as an that children’s retail was not for her, Ryan found a job in a art teacher, but could not find an opening in the field. retail store geared toward teenagers. She spent most of the “I searched nationwide and I could not find a job. I money she earned on clothes from the store with help from would have moved to any state or city to teach, but after her employee discount. three years of looking I just stopped,” WittAs she worked at this new store, mer said. she considered dipping a toe into The gold on the chanthe fashion world. She took a course delier and the paint and gild in runway walking, special show on the east wall of the Panmodeling, and photography modtages Theatre in Hollywood eling in Montreal. are a few of Wittmer’s many Graduating high school at 15, achievements as a contract artRyan had no intention of making ist when he moved to Califormodeling her career. According nia. to Ryan the models were honestly He found an opening for “stupid” girls who would do “stua job as a counselor; the job pid” things. appealed to him because it was “Their whole world was a chance to work with severely makeup, shoes, and fashion. I mentally ill people in a locked tried to befriend them being a psychiatric facility. nice person, but there was noth“Being a case maning to talk about after a while ager and working the lock other than nails and so on,” psychiatric unit, although Ryan said. it may sound funny, it has a Ryan also said that her lot of similarities to working experience in the modeling with students, and I am not M at th ew Wit scene was around the 70’s and tmer as a ca se wor ke r at all saying students are crazy. the treatment from men in the They are both centers that peoindustry towards the models was disple come to for help and people respectful. Ryan sincerely admits that even though she was want to better themselves at and they can ask questions never on the cover of Vogue or walking the runway in Fashion Week, her experience modeling boosted her confidence. which I love,” said Wittmer.

Paul Minden

the word around me and gave me the chance to reunite with former friends as well as meet new people,” Durham said.

Christy Durham Sixth grade teacher Christy Durham, literally travelled the country before pursuing a career in education.

Durham graduated with a degree in marketing and her goal was to get straight into marketing for an airline. However, in order to do so she had to start at the bottom, choosing from baggage, reservations, ticket agent, or in-flight service.

Durham became a flight attendant for Delta Airlines.

According to Durham, it was a “super challenging job and was a lot more difficult then most people credit.”

“People often check their brains when they check their luggage, because they are nervous or anxious, which made my job harder,” Durham said.

Durham’s flights were based in New York, so growing up in New Mexico and going to school in Arizona she found it hard to deal with the change in lifestyle.

“I loved the fact that I got the opportunity to travel really anywhere Delta flew. Having the opportunity to travel across the country allowed me to gain a greater understanding of

n Pau l M in de

an in Tra n s y lv

ia

English teacher Andrew Nelson’s first real job was working under his brother-in-law who owned a masonry and tile-setting business. He was left with all the tedious tasks including mixing cement with a shovel in a wheelbarrow.

“I made some poor decisions, misplayed my hand rather badly, and ended up in community college. Once there, I misplayed my hand even worse and, after a few years of barely attending class, took my 1.4 GPA to the dean’s office and was told that enough was enough: I was kicked out of community college,” Nelson said.

A warehouse surrounded by 30,000 cases of wine and olive oil was Nelson’s community college replacement. The warehouse required the three tasks of driving a forklift, moving pallets of wine, and lifting cases of wine. Nelson said one day he lifted roughly 3,000 cases of wine.

Nelson later ventured into radio in Los Angeles, at first responsible for making sure the right commercials were played in the right time slot.

Moving up the ladder, Nelson began interviewing celebrities and musicians. He attended screenings, watched films and interviewed the actors, and reviewed albums and singers. At Premiere Radio Networks where he pitched his own show on Soul and Funk music from the ‘60s and ‘70s called “Reflections.”

His favorite interviewees on his new show were Paul Newman, Woody Allen, and Smokey Robinson.

“People who really know me know that I’ve lived many lives in my one life.

What some people don’t know is how late in life I discovered the almostindescribable joys of teaching, when I became known to many as “‘Mr. st e r radio h o m r o f , n Nelson,’” o An d y Ne ls he said.

“What I miss from my former jobs is the idea that I didn’t have homework every day and that I can watch football on Sundays guiltfree! Still, I wouldn’t trade what I do for all the money in the world. As we know, teachers don’t make much dough, but we certainly are in a position to make a difference, a big difference, a lasting difference.”

arts & entertainment 17 tuesday, february 5, 2013 |

insidearts&entertainment

WINTER CONCERTS | PAGE 20 Courtesy of Laura Bamford

CONTACT IMPROV | page 20 Alumna teaches dancers from all levels of class improvisation techniques in a master class.

WINTER CONCERTS | page 20 Students in Upper School Band, Choir, and Orchestra performed January 26.

ELLIE GOULDING | page 22 Chart-toppers including Ellie Goulding, P!nk, and Alicia Keys are bringing their talents to L.A.

CONTACT IMPROV | PAGE 20

ZERO DARK THIRTY MOVIEW REVIEW| page 19 Staff reporter Billy Wilson reviews Kathryn Bigelow’s film on “the greatest manhunt in history.”

LA MUSIC SCENE | PAGE 22

Nika Shahery The Student Voice

Courtesy of flickr creative commons

ZERO DARK THIRTY | PAGE 19 Courtesy of columbia pictures

Coming this February and March...

FEBRUARY

7 8 10

MARCH

Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce Evening 6:30 p.m., The Galpin Museum The Monotones and the Advanced Strings perform at the Chamber’s Installation Dinner.

The Buckley Benefit Concert 6: 30 p.m., Roy E. Disney Family Pavilion Tri-M Music Honor Society presents “The Cocoanut Grove” featuring students, faculty, and George Thorogood and the Destroyers .

Florence at the Dawn of the Renaissance The Getty Museum, Exhibitions Pavillion Last day of the display of “Painting and Illumination” from 1300 through 1350.

1 6 21

First Fridays 5:00 p.m., Natural History Museum Visitors of all ages are invited to stay late for a night of music, food trucks, and history at the museum.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream 6:30 p.m., Roy E. Disney Family Pavilion The spring drama kicks off its 4-day run with a preview for the faculty.

SCVA All-State Honor Choir Weekend Juniors Sam Bierman and Ryan O’Donnell are set to sing with the Mixed Choir at the performance weekend.

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

tuesday, february 5, 2013 18

TARABITRAN ‘14

HISTORY AT THE MOVIES

It’s February. To many of us, that simply signifies colder temperatures than we are used to as LA natives. But for the elite of Hollywood, mid-winter means one thing: awards season is in full swing. Typically, there isn’t an over-arching theme that is present in every award nominee, but this time around historical eras and events pervade the plots of a handful of them. Take the antebellum Deep South and Old West in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, the Civil War in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, the dawn of the French Revolution in Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables, the “Canadian Caper” in Ben Affleck’s Argo, and the manhunt for Osama Bin Laden in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty.

Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay

Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director

Best Picture, Best Actor, Best supporting actress

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Courtesy of 20th century fox

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

The first of two Civil War-era films, Django Unchained tells the tale of a slave (Jamie Foxx) who unites with a bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz) to free his wife from a cruel, yet charismatic plantation owner. Tarantino, director as well as screenwriter, strikes again with his inventive and action-packed storyline. His attention to cinematographic and musical details does well to enhance the moviegoer’s experience.

But in the realm of historical accuracy, although undocumented conjecture suggests their presence on large plantations, the gladiator-esque fights to the death of “Mandingo fighting” among male slaves featured in the film have never been proven.

Set in the same period, Lincoln chronicles the United States’ sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln, (Daniel DayLewis) and his struggle to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to formally abolish slavery towards the end of the Civil War. To take on the role, Day-Lewis employed the practice of “method-acting”: delving so much into his role that he would even continue to portray his character off-screen. He also asked Spielberg to delay the film’s shooting for a year in order to prepare to play, whom historians consider, one of the nation’s top three presidents.

For his turn as “Honest Abe”, Day-Lewis has already won the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards respectively.

On another note (literally), Les Misérables is the first musical since Chicago (2002) to seriously be recognized by critics, as many musical films after its release had flopped at the box office. The movie recounts the journey from vengeance to redemption of Frenchman Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) during the 19th century.

In addition to the challenge of undertaking a sungthrough historical drama, Tom Hooper took a creative risk in having his actors sing live rather than lip-sync to prerecorded tracks. His directorial style of filming the majority of the shots in fairly close proximity to the actors also differentiates him from his contemporaries, as scenes are usually captured from a farther distance away.

Best Picture, Best Actor, Best original Screenplay

STUDENTSVOTE

Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best adapted Screenplay

Best picture

1. Argo 2. Les Misérables 3. Django Unchained 4. Zero Dark Thirty 5. Lincoln Best actor in a leading role

1. Daniel Day Lewis Lincoln

2. Bradley Cooper

Silver Linings Playbook

3. Hugh Jackman Les Misérables

Best actress in a leading role

1. Jennifer Lawrence Silver Linings Playbook Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Zero Dark Thirty is the most recent historical event on the list, as Bigelow relates the search to kill Osama Bin Laden.

Political controversy has surrounded the film’s release, regarding allegations of partisanship in aiding Obama’s election, access to classified files, and support of torture as a method of gaining intelligence. Despite speculation and criticism, the film acutely delineates the most extensive manhunt in history.

Jessica Chastain, who has previously been seen as lovable housewife Celia Foote in The Help, stars.

2. Jessica Chastain

Silver Linings Playbook

3. Naomi Watts The Impossible 126 responses collected from January 29 to February 1 with a 6.8% margin of error

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Ben Affleck has become a renaissance man of sorts, as he has worn the hats of actor, producer, screenwriter, and director throughout his career. His picture, Argo, has received acclaim as the report of CIA operative Tony Mendez’ during the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979 to lead the rescue mission of six United States diplomats from Tehran, Iran.

While the film may have historical inaccuracies, including the creation of Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin) and the chase at the airport by Iranian guards, Argo is a thriller that pays tribute to a real triumph for the CIA.

19 tuesday, february 5, 2013

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MARAHUBERMAN ‘16

The Rollman Chronicles: One Man, 21 Movies Nika Shahery The Student Voice

F

ifteen days.

Twenty-one movies. Pass the popcorn.

Film Studies teacher and spring drama director, Stephen Rollman saw 21 movies during the 15 days of winter break to select the most important films to show his students.

Rollman has always been a movie fan.

“When I was young, I would go to the drive-ins and every time I went, it would be considered a special event. The escapism to transport oneself into a different world has always amazed me and got me into acting and film,” Rollman said.

Rollman gravitates to any genre of movie, including Westerns, comedies, romantic-comedies, and science fiction films and added that The Princess Bride is one his all-time favorite movies because of its humor. He also enjoys dramas because they move him emotionally.

While Rollman loves movies, he said his passions for theater and film are about equal.

“I watch and appreciate them differently because in movies the director shows only

Nika Shahery The Student Voice

what he or she wants the viewer to see, while in theater the audience can see everything at once and gets to choose what or who to focus on.”

Over break, Rollman took in: The Impossible, Twilight, Life of Pi, The Sessions, Les Misérables, Zero Dark Thirty, Silver Linings Playbook, Rust & Bone, Lincoln, Skyfall, Django Unchained, Moonrise Kingdom, Ruby Sparks, Arbitrage, Brave, Rock of Ages, Bernie, Hope Springs, Looper, and Beasts of the Southern Wild.

Out of these 21 movies, he said his favorite is Django Unchained because of the director’s unusual take on the traditional Western style.

“What I look most for in a movie is the technique and style that the director puts into it,” said Rollman.

Rollman also especially enjoyed Les Misérables, because he appreciates the music from the musical version; Silver Linings Playbook because of its unique characters; and Life of Pi because of its 3D technology.

His film studies class of eight took a field trip to see Life of Pi to learn about the technology

of the movie’s 3D effects.

“Elements of Twilight, as well as elements of Moonrise Kingdom had forestlike sets that I can translate ideas to form the set of A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” said Rollman.

In Rollman’s film studies class, students watch movies from many different eras to learn about different aspects of filmmaking such as film history, technique, style, cinematography, lighting, camera work, acting, story line, and set design. Rollman teaches Citizen Kane, a 1941 groundbreaking classic because it is considered to be one of the best films of all time for its style and content.

He also includes Far from Heaven in the class to study its production design and The Natural to show students the possibilities in cinematography. The class views black and white films as well to learn about the history of filmmaking.

This quarter, the film studies class will complete a foreign film project to learn how each culture portrays its own stories in film.

Students will select a foreign country to

research and present how the film of their choice is unique to that country’s culture.

Then, the class will watch all the movies from the different countries that were included in the reports.

“Foreign films have unique styles throughout history, which often move filmmaking into other directions,” said Rollman.

Some of Rollman’s favorite foreign films include Run Lola Run, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, and Life is Beautiful.

As Rollman is watching a movie, he pays very close attention to the costume designs for the reinforcement for the specific character.

“Costumes provide what kind of feeling we want to create in the character, not just a look for the film, but an emotional impact.

Also, production design tells a lot about the characters and the film or theater pieces,” said Rollman.

On a school week, Rollman might not see any movies, but in his ongoing quest to enjoy movies and learn more about them, he typically tries to watch at least two to three films every week.

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

ZERODARKTHIRTYDELIVERS

BillyWilson’14 staff reporter Zero Dark Thirty, regarded as one of the year’s most important movies, has created controversy like few other films. The title of the film literally means “30 minutes after midnight,” a reference to the hour the operation that killed Osama bin Laden took place.

Director Kathryn Bigelow appears to have a penchant for creating riveting movies of conflict in the Middle East. Bigelow also directed The Hurt Locker, which won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.

The main character, Maya, played by Jessica Chastain, delivers a sharp performance as the uncompromising intelligence officer. Her mission is to capture or kill bin Laden. Despite setbacks such as the London bombings and the attempted Times Square bombings, Maya remains resolute in her re-

solve, never giving up.

Despite the fact that practically every viewer knows the ending to the film, many moviegoers leave with the feeling that bin Laden was just too smart and was able to constantly outmaneuver the Americans.

The audience feels the pain of apparent intelligence backfiring and resulting in the loss of many lives. Maya is particularly disturbed by these events, but her response is to ramp up her focus on exacting justice on America’s most wanted terrorist.

One fact that that most viewers did not know before seeing the film is that the intelligence community was uncertain whether bin Laden was actually in the compound that was attacked. Intelligence estimated that there was roughly a 50 percent chance that he was actually in the compound, a far cry from having conclusive evidence that

their man was in the compound.

The controversy surrounding Zero Dark Thirty is the depiction of torture as a necessary means of gathering intelligence.

In protest over this implication theaters in Pakistan and some Academy members have called for a boycott of the film.

Former CIA offiials have defended the practice of “enhanced interrogation” as an essential aspect of the war on terror though they said interrogation is not as unplanned as the film depicts.

Part of what makes this film compelling is the quenching of the American thirst to bring bin Laden to justice as punishment for his killing of 3,000 Americans. The raid of his compound in Pakistan by Seal Team 6 is highly dramatic, including the crashing of one of its helicopters.

It is only fitting that Maya is the one to

confirm bin Laden’s death after the successful raid after her years of hard work and disappointment.

Zero Dark Thirty provides an adrenaline rush based on true events. Maya’s resolve is pure, unadulterated, and completely genuine.

This film is Oscar-worthy because the acting is superb and the tense background music leaves viewers on the edges of their seats.

This is a subject that is indelibly printed on the hearts of its American viewers, the first time America’s soil has been attacked since the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941. The story of Osama bin Laden’s killing is expertly transferred to the silver screen, and as an audience, a collective sigh of relief is heard at the success of our country.

tuesday, february 5, 2013 20

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

Surprise artist in store for coffee house

BBC proceeds to aid music programs SammyWeiser ‘16 staff reporter On February 8 the Buckley Benefit Concert (BBC) will be held in the Roy E. Disney Pavilion to showcase students’ talents and simultaneously raise money and awareness for two charities: Mr. Holland’s Opus and the Benning Academia in Mexico.

According to Vincent Houser, performing arts department chair and director of the BBC, Mr. Holland’s Opus is a charity that helps needy schools in Los Angeles with their music programs.

Benning Academia in Enseñada helps less fortunate children by giving music instruction to improve their musical skills.

The BBC is traditionally held every other year at school, this year being the fifth concert. The Performing Arts Department decides which charities benefit from the proceeds raised at the event.

Approximately 22 students will perform a range of musical acts, from a performance by Dance 5, to acts including singing and instrumental work at the concert, as well as a special guest appearance by parent, singer George Thorogood.

Houser noted that although some students are nervous, he expects to raise a large amount of money, and predicts the tickets for the show will sell out as well.

“It’s the best of both worlds because we help other students, and our own students get to perform. It also reminds all of us how fortunate we are,” Houser said.

He said the BBC is an effective way to raise money and awareness for a worthy cause.

NO TIME NO TIME: Freshmen Andrew Friedman and Philip Singh sing the tenor and bass parts.

WALTZ

WALTZ: Senior Shilpa Mantri bows her violin in legato style.

FARANDOLE

SOME NIGHTS: Senior Alisa Spectro sings a solo in the finale piece.

FRANDOLE: Senior Jarret Weiss strums his bass for his fourth consecutive Winter Concert.

SOME NIGHTS

JAZZ BAND: Mark Raggio strums the guitar for the Upper School Jazz Band.

JAZZ BAND Photos courtesy of Laura Bamford

“Some Nights,” lights, and a musical spectacle: winter concert 2013 JoshuaMiller ‘16 staff reporter The band, choir, and orchestra performed their first concert of the year January 26.

Following the sets, the three groups culminated the show in a combined finale performance of “Some Nights” by Fun. Vincent Houser, performing arts department chair, was especially excited about the piece, as he believed it was a great way to end the concert.

“It was really fun to be able

to play a song that everyone recognized. It was just a blast to play with everyone together,” freshman Margaret Pasqua said.

For the first time, another element was added to the finale: visual effects to go along with the music.

Houser said the visual effects took the performance to another level.

“Extra lights and all different effects will make it a really cool ending” Houser said.

With the winter concerts

finished, the three groups have set their sights on the Heritage Festival and spring concerts in April.

Freshman Cameron DeFaria, a new member of the choir and the only freshman member of the Monotones, performed a solo during the Monotones performance.

“I feel honored as a freshman to be a part of this fulfilled group.

I am glad that I am diving into this area of education at Buckley,” DeFaria said.

MeredithWells ‘16 staff reporter The Diversity Club Coffee House is going “old school” with this year’s theme by replicating a real coffee house February 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the senior courtyard.

In order to make the event seem more like an authentic coffee house, Diversity Club will serve hot beverages such as tea and hot chocolate, as well as the addition of many sweet treats like bagels and brownies donated by students.

For entertainment, student performers with talents spanning the arts will perform throughout the evening. Performances in the past ranged from singers to poetry readers.

The Coffee house will draw to a close with a performance by a special guest.

“We had a great showing last year, so we want to increase attendance,” co-directors of multiculturalism and inclusion Ralinda Watts and Yocelin Gonzalez said.

The two are hoping for more people this year. Only 50 to 60 people attended the Coffee House last year.

“The Coffee House is a great way for students to share their talents with the Buckley community,” Watts said.

She added that sharing their artistic talents with the community gives students an opportunity to express themselves freely, which is the essence of diversity, multicultural and inclusion.

Watts and Gonzalez think this event goes beyond race and gender and showcases the collective voices of the diverse students.

“We can all be proud of this extraordinary event happening on our campus,” Gonzalez said.

Alumna makes contact with student dancers in workshop NikaShahery ‘13 a&e editor Don’t talk. Don’t think. Don’t look at what you are doing. Just move.

On January 11, Leah Nelson ’98 returned to campus with dance partner Chris DelPorto to teach a two-hour contact improvisation and weight-sharing master class.

Nelson conducted a series of exercises to teach contact improvisation techniques including an exercise in which a pair of dancers had to remain silent, not think, and continue movement from one dancer’s initiation. The exercise allowed the dancers to communicate through movement and to form a connection through body language.

The exercises also forced the dancers to stop calculating the next move and instead create a rhythm and flow with the movement. According to Nelson, over-thinking can cause a loss in connection.

“Something cool can happen when you

aren’t looking or over thinking, and instead just responding to the movement. The practice will help partnering in the choreography

“The uncertainty is the greatest part of the exercise because the mind is allowed to work without a goal and instead goes off of instinct.”

CHRISTINA CHAMBLISS Junior as well,” Nelson said.

Nelson grew up studying dance and gymnastics and earned a B.A. in dance from

Nika Shahery The Student Voice

FREE YOUR MIND: Freshman Nicolette Elie bends over freshman Isabelle Richards in a game of Round Robin, led by Leah Nelson ’98 and Chris DelPorto on the right.

Barnard College. She is now a professional dancer and member of Movement Forum, an improvisational dance company in Salt Lake City. Nelson continues to collaborate with Courtney McGuire in their duet dance company called “fivefour.”

During an exercise of Round Robin, Nelson and DelPorto practiced contact improvisation directly with the students to challenge them to create new movements even if they are uncertain and jump into the

action when they are least prepared.

“The uncertainty is the greatest part of exercise because the mind is allowed to work without a goal and instead goes off of instinct and feeling,” junior Christina Chambliss said.

Dance teacher Laura Bamford hopes the class will help student choreographers in creating innovative movements to further develop their vocabulary while challenging dancers to take chances in dancing.

21 tuesday, february 5, 2013

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Role reversal For A Midsummer Night’s Dream, females take on roles traditionally played by males in the 21-student cast.

NatalyaSands ‘14 assistant a&e editor In a break from Shakespearean tradition where men played all the women’s roles, a strong female cast will provide the talent for most of the male roles in the forthcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Being a relatively small cast of 21, six of which are male students and 15 are female students, girls shall perform six of the 12 male roles in the play.

Senior Gabriella Selover, one of the Mechanicals, Peter Quince, is apprehensive and yet excited to have a chance to act in a man’s shoes and step outside the boundaries of her comfort zone.

“I think it’s going to be difficult adapting to play a man, because as an actor you have to develop mannerisms to play a character, and I’m only familiar with the feminine aspects of such. But it is also a fun experience to play someone who is different from myself,” Selover said.

Meanwhile, junior Tara Bitran relishes the chance to adopt the physical attributes and keenly embraces the challenge of playing Theseus.

“The first thing Rolly [Mr. Rollman] said to me was: ‘Tara, you can’t walk like a girl.’ I’m also going to have to adopt a “male’s voice” and learn how a man would “seduce” a woman. I’ve always been in the girl’s shoes in this type of situation, so this will be a new realm of experience for me,” Bitran said.

Despite how few rehearsals have

taken place, film studies teacher and spring drama director Stephen Rollman’s technique of delving into the development and motivations of each character is highly encouraging.

“His enthusiasm is infectious and it makes me so grateful to be a part of the production,” Bitran said.

Senior Alexa Benudiz, who plays Tom Snout, another member of the hearty Mechanicals, admits to being challenged whilst adapting to a male’s voice and posture; nevertheless, she welcomes the opportunity in full spirit.

“It’s been pretty difficult for me to adopt a male voice and posture. However, I’m really excited to the play the role of Snout because I’ve never played a male character before. I’m really enjoying the challenge and I can’t wait to see how the other girls portray the mechanicals and take on their male roles as well.”

Benudiz’s fervor drives her focus to work towards her favorite part of the production.

“I am very much looking forward to the last act of the play because I feel like it marks the point when the entire show comes together. It is the most humorous part of the play and I feel so lucky to be on stage for it,” Benudiz said.

Assistant director is junior Sibella Dowad. Rollman and Dowad plan to collaborate in order to conjure up the same atmosphere as would exist if men were

Philip Singh The Student Voice

Philip Singh The Student Voice

PETER QUINCE: Senior Gabriella Selover practices the lines and mannerisms associated with the male character she plays.

TOM SNOUT: Senior Alexa Benudiz learns to use a male voice and carry a masculine posture during rehearsals.

playing men.

“I think it is important for the girls who are playing male roles to use physicality to demonstrate that they are men. They are able to convince the audience that they are indeed males by standing, sitting, or even gesturing in a way a man usually would,” Dowad said.

Along with making the most of an altered physicality, the female actors shall wear the same costumes for each character as men would wear, had they been all male actors.

Dowad’s eager enthusiasm evokes her avid determination as an assistant director.

“Directing and assisting my peers to develop their roles is something I have really been enjoying, and I cannot wait to see the final product. The growth of a character is incredible to watch and being able to assist the actors through that process is such a great experience,” said Dowad.

The cast awaits A Midsummer Night’s Dream opening performance March 7 with shows through March 9.

tuesday, february 5, 2013 22

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tastetest NIKASHAHERY ‘13

Concerts

10 February

Deadmau5

HOUSE OF BLUES Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

12 February

Ellie Goulding

HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM Courtesy of flickr creative commons

16 February

P!nk

STAPLES CENTER

17

Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

February

The Hives

HOUSE OF BLUESANAHEIM Courtesy of flickr creative commons

27 February

Secondhand Serenade

HOUSE OF BLUESANAHEIM Courtesy of flickr creative commons

9

March Swedish House Mafia

LOS ANGELES STATE HISTORIC PARK

Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

12 March

Alicia Keys STAPLES CENTER

15

Nika Shahery The Student Voice

BULGAGI AND KIMCHI: Road to Seoul brings traditional Korean all-you-can-eat style food that you can cook yourself on the table. The meat dishes are served raw with a pair of tongs and scissors. The rest is left to you.

NikaShahery ‘13 a&e editor Pile into the car with a group of friends.

Destination? Korea Town. Time to hit the Road to Seoul.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try this all-you-can-eat cook for yourself Korean BBQ restaurant. Road to Seoul is exciting, filled to the brim with a young clientele, teens and college students, and most importantly, all at an insanely good price, $17.99 for option A, and $20.99 for option B. And the food quality is excellent.

The place is almost always packed, with rows and rows of people waiting and lines of tables filled with people. I highly recommend a reservation.

The ambience is made to look like the streets with a “club feel” as music blasts; I’m pretty sure I heard “Gangnam Style” play repeatedly, but it really gave the place a trendy feel. A huge cloud of charcoal smoke fills the restaurant from the stoves in each table.

I recommend a shower immediately afterward, or risk smelling like a smokehouse.

But the pride and glory of the restaurant is the authentic Korean food that you get to make yourself.

When you are seated, the table is already filled with traditional Korean appetizers: kimchi, salads, steamed egg, pancake, sprouts in different sauces, the works. Yes, there are some foods that are alien to a lot of us, but I dare you to taste everything; you won’t be disappointed. Then you are given

two options for ordering the meat. Option A includes a variety of beef, chicken, pork, and octopus while Option B has everything from option A plus shrimp, mushrooms, squid, and more variations of beef and pork.

As it’s all you can eat, you easily get your money’s worth for either option, so make sure you come hungry. There’s just one catch: whatever food you don’t finish, you have to pay for. Keep that in mind when you are ordering like a ravenous beast.

The grilling experience truly makes Road to Seoul as unique as your food is in your tongs. You are given a grill, tongs, and scissors, and then you’re ready to be the next “Top Chef.” I recommend among all of the choices to try the Bulgagi. It’s a string-like beef that may look a little strange, but it’s a mix of sweet and salty flavors, juicy, and all together an extremely satisfying choice, especially when eaten with white rice. The Road to Seoul Beef was also delicious for a thin cut of beef that cooks quickly.

As I cannot eat pork myself, I spoke with diners who recommended the Black Pork Bacon Style and the Spicy Pork Belly if you are a pork fan. The chicken and vegetables are also delicious, especially the mushrooms. Regardless of what variation of meats you order, the quality is definitely high and you are guaranteed tons of laughter watching people experiment with cooking.

Bring a group of friends for a full belly and a full line of entertainment. I can assure your dining experience will be unmatched.

Road to Seoul 1230 South Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006

atmosphere: lively, energetic, and smoky recommended dishes: Bulgagi and the pancake service: Extremly fast. Before you are seated, piping hot appetizers are waiting at your table. price range: All you can eat option A is $17.99 and all you can eat option B is $20.99. Lunch and dinner are served.

Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

(none)

March

Owl City

just plain bad edible good quite good excellent

Ratings reflect the reviewer’s reaction to food, ambiance and service, with price taken into consideration. Menu listings and prices are subject to change.

STAPLES CENTER Courtesy of paige k. parsons photography

sports 23

tuesday, february 5, 2013 |

Undefeated Liberty League champion boys head to playoffs ElleWisnicki ‘13 editor-in-chief Despite a slow start to the non-league season, the boys varsity soccer team (11-5-1, 6-0-1) went into league competition undefeated.

With several shutouts, and no losses in league, the team is readying themself for the tough competition they will face during CIF playoffs.

Playoffs start the week of February 11, and according to senior, captain Ian Bernstein the team’s chances are solid.

“We have a very good chance to compete for CIF championship. Players like [junior,striker] Eric Fett and [senior, defender] Nick Martin are key to our success.

There’s no one better than them in division 7; they are superior athletes,” the goalie said.

Against Yeshiva on January 31, the team exemplied strong passing through the center and down the wings, yielding them a 3-0 win. Scoring two goals in the first half brought their momentum up and allowed them to finish out the game strong.

On January 28, the team tied with New Community Jewish, both teams scoring in the first half. The team beat the team on January 17.

After dropping down to division 7 with the rest of Liberty League, the team has had success by playing smaller schools. According to Bernstein, the competition is more equal this year than last year.

Rival Viewpoint was able to move to

Philip Singh The Student Voice

PUSHING FORWARD: Senior defender Michael Ortiz-Benz (19) dribbles through New Roads’ defense.

BOYS BASKETBALL 17 wins 6 losses

another league in Division 6 that was geographically closer to them. Losing Viewpoint has been key to the team’s league success.

“We were below average in division 6, and now we are above average in division 7, which is great for our team’s morale,” Bernstein said.

“We have been successful in league so far simply because we have talent on the team. We have, of course, excellent senior players, and a bunch of freshman that have helped the team out a lot,” junior, defender Justin Chin said.

The team won 6-1 against Glendale Adventist on January 15, even though Fett and freshman striker Ben Cohen, and Martin did not play.

“Because Eric and I were out, nobody else really plays striker other than us, everyone played really scrappy and every striker was offsides at least 75 percent of the time,” Cohen said.

The team has struggled with several injuries and health problems. Martin suffered a complex migraine on January 10 that had symptoms of a stroke; he was rushed to UCLA Medical Center for treatment. Additionally, Cohen twisted his ankle during practice and will be sidelined for two-three weeks, and Chin fractured a vertebra in his spine and will not be able to play for the remainder of the season.

“Losing players, such as Cohen, one of our leading scorers, and other key playmakers hurts team, but fortunately we have good depth, allowing us to stay strong,” Chin said.

With the loss of these players, several freshmen have had to step up to fill the gap.

Cohen took three weeks off during which, trainer Melanie Holland helped him with physical therapy. According to Cohen, his speedy recovery has been surprising for Holland.

“Although we have had a lot of injuries, we have been still putting up good numbers against other teams. We are hoping to have everyone healthy for playoffs because we have a great chance to go far this year,” Cohen said.

Fett and Cohen lead the team on the scoreboard, both using speed to drive past players and break through the opposing team’s defense.

Cohen brings his club experience to the Griffins. He has experience in playing against older players on club. Allowing him to be successful in only his first year.

Starting from its defense, the team works the ball up the field, changing their at-

GIRLS BASKETBALL 12 wins 5 losses

6 Liberty League

5 vs. glendale adventist

7 Liberty League

8 vs. providence

tournament semi-finals vs.

TBA*

Philip Singh The Student Voice

TACKLE: Senior forward Matt Kogan (10) takes the ball away from New Roads midfielder (12) on his way up field for an attack on Gilley Field. tacking style play after play. Their unpredictability keeps them ahead in goal number.

“Our continued success reflects our hard work in practice,” Martin said.

The team beat Pacifica Christian 4-0 on January 7 even though they were missing both Martin and Cohen.

On January 10, the team was victorious over Santa Clarita Christian winning 8-0.

Martin played only in the first half. Cohen scored three goals, Fett scored two goals, senior defender Michael Ortiz-Benz scored two goals, and freshman striker Daniel Vlessing scored one.

According to Chin, head coach Andrew Pearce prepares the team for games through his use of game-situation drills, during prac-

tice while incorporating fitness exercise.

In addition to challenging practices, during pre-season the team battled to prepare for the league season.

“I believe that head coach Andrew Pearce does an excellent job of setting up challenging games in the pre-season in order to prepare us for league season. As far as I have seen in my few years, the league season is a great deal easier than non-league (pre-season),” Chin said.

With three league matches left in the season, the team plans to use their time to enhance game-play in an effort to prepare for a strong playoff run.

The team was playing Webb School at the time of production

SCOREBOARD BOYS VARSITY SOCCER

11-5-1

6-0-1 league record

team record agbu yeshiva glendale adventist

win win win

2-1 3-0 6-1

new community jewish

win

new community jewish

tie

1-0 1-1

santa clarita christian

win

7-1

GIRLS SOCCER 4 wins 5 losses 1 tie

7 vs. oakwood

BOYS SOCCER

11 wins 5 losses 1 tie

5 vs. yeshiva

FEBRUARY

tournament finals vs.

TBA*

* Opponents pending first round results. Possible opponents: YULA, Holy Martyrs, Pacifica Christian, Providence and

Playoff schedule pending results of final games.

7 @ oakwood

First-round playoffs week of February 11; schedule pending results of final games.

First-round playoffs week of February 11; schedule pending results of final games.

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

tuesday, february 5, 2013

BASKETBALL

Girls basketball one game behind Providence in league

Jack Rose The Student Voice

IN TRANSITION: Sophomore forward Kylee Evans (13) drives the lane after going baseline to baseline in transition against Yeshiva January 31. The Griffins would go on to win.

BillyWilson ‘14 staff reporter With a 5-1 Liberty League start and a 12-5 overall record, the girls basketball team looks to improve before crunch time as CIF playoffs draw closer.

“Our record is a good indicator of how the team has played so far, we lost a close league game against Holy Martyrs and most of our losses came in a very tough Milken tournament,” head coach Marie Philman

said.

The team is sparked by star sophomore point guard Leah Purvis, who led the team last season in scoring and is doing the same this season by averaging close to 21 points per game with a 51 percent field goal percentage. Purvis also averages nine rebounds and over three steals a game. Making up the rest of the team’s offense are junior forward Tyra Gray (8.2 ppg) and sophomore guard Brenda Boudaie (7.9 ppg) .

“Leah is not a secret to any team now; she is double-teamed and pressured constantly. There are not many opposing players who can guard her, and the only way she can be stopped is if she is having an off night or if she gets in foul trouble. Off the court, her positive attitude is contagious to the team,” Philman said.

After missing the past season with a torn ACL that required surgery, senior, captain Marlen Grussi is practically a new addition to the team. The team missed her leadership and experience according to junior guard Rana Kheradandan, as the team lost in the first round of CIF playoffs last season.

“Being back with the team is a really rewarding feeling; I really thought that I would never play basketball again at one point after my knee injury, so to come back after two seasons to a team that is so determined and passionate is the best homecoming I could ask for,” Grussi said.

This is not to say that the team has not been hit by the injury bug once again. At a tournament in Las Vegas over winter break, junior guard Samantha Siciliano broke her thumb and is out for the remainder of the season, including playoffs. Grussi also has to play limited minutes in a game in order to be cautious with her knees.

“Injuries were a bit of a shock to us, but it made everyone more accountable,” Purvis said. “We had to play other positions that we are not used to playing but it ultimately made us stronger.”

While the team’s shooting is a definite strength, they have a disadvantage in size and thus rebounds are sometimes harder to come by.

“Since we are a smaller team, we sometimes cannot get the rebounds against the taller and more athletic, but we are doing more drills in practice that involve boxing out in order to improve our rebounding

Liberty League tournament begins tonight at Oakwood; Griffins first game is tomorrow and fine-tune their play before the Liberty League tournament begins tonight. The Griffins play their first league game Wednesday against the winner of the Holy Martyrs-Providence game tonight after having a first-round by from being the highest ranked team in the league.

The three-day tournament will determine the league’s champion and automatic qualifiers for CIF playoffs, who are the top three teams following the tournament’s conclusion.

“As far as I’m concerned, they’re all good, and anybody can beat anybody on any given night,” coach Mike Hamilton said of the other teams in the league.

Since their last game on January 26, a six-point loss to Renaissance Academy, the team worked to get healthy, add to their offense, eliminate mental lapses on defense, and condition themselves.

“When we win our league back, I’ll start to get impressed. If we get to CIF finals, I’ll be impressed. We get to state and win a state game, I’ll be impressed. Until then, I’m not impressed.”

Mike Hamilton Coach Jack Rose The Student Voice

ELEVATION: Senior center Reid Womack (14) lays the ball up off the glass against Verbum Dei November 30. The Griffins would go on to win, 75-50. According to coach Mike Hamilton, Womack’s emergence as an offensive force has helped the team succeed this year.

JackRose ‘13 editor-in-chief After finishing the regular season 17-6, the boys varsity basketball team had almost two weeks off to get healthy

“If you’re not healthy, you can’t run and perform the way you need to,” Hamilton said. “We had eight guys out [two weeks ago] with flu-like symptoms.”

Offensively, Hamilton believes he can get more out of his bench.

“We start five guys, and have six, seven, eight… [on the bench]. All those guys need to come off the bench and make sure they’re contributing,” he said.

Jack Rose The Student Voice

SIZE HER UP: Sophomore guard Leah Purvis (22) dribbles on the perimeter as she prepares to drive to the basket against Yeshiva January 31. overall,” Philman said.

Key league games at a hostile environment at Holy Martyrs and a neutral site game at Oakwood against Providence could have both league and CIF playoff implications.

The girls play Providence at Oakwood this Thursday in a game likely to determine the Liberty League champion. This is the first meeting between the teams, the Griffins being second in league and the Pioneers first.

“Proviudence is a really fundamentally sound team,” Purvis said. “They work really hard and are really conditioned.”

Overall, he said the bench is playing well, it only lacks in a scoring punch.

With the starting five, Hamilton said that the emergence of senior center Reid Womack has led to creating offensive wrinkles designed to get Womack the ball more, as early in the season he scored most of his points off offensive rebounds and being one of the last options on the court. His rise as an offensive force has been vital to the team’s success thus far.

“This summer he was with [strength and conditioning coach Rob Wright] a lot, he traveled with us, played every single game,” Hamilton said. “He was fully committed to getting better, playing basketball, and trying to help this team win a CIF title.”

Despite holding their last five and 10 of their last 12 opponents under 50 points, Hamilton is not happy with his defense.

“Our defense has sucked at times,” he said. “We just go through these periods, I call it blinking, where we’re playing great basketball and then we blink, just for a second, and that blink has cost us games.”

He added that although the defense played well enough during the regular season to beat most teams, it will not be good enough in both league and CIF playoffs.

To improve their defense and end the “blinking,” Hamilton stressed health and conditioning over the week-and-ahalf hiatus.

The team got back to basics on the court, working on fundamentals, but mostly rested and worked with Wright to get back into the best game shape they can be in. As for the season to this point, Hamilton is unimpressed.

“When we win our league back, I’ll start to get impressed. If we get to CIF finals, I’ll be impressed. We get to state and win a state game, I’ll be impressed. Until then, I’m not impressed,” he said.

He stated the team’s goal is to win a CIF title and that they will not settle for anything less, or for the status quo.

“We’re ranked three? So what, we should be two. We should’ve beat Flintridge Prep, they’re two,” he said.

Until the team proves itself to Hamilton and to other teams with meaningful wins over good teams, Hamilton refuses to even consider them a “good” team. Right now, they’re “just ok.”

The team can start proving itself by winning Liberty League this week.

25 tuesday, february 5, 2013

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

Girls finish season second in league, head to playoffs next week

Stephanie Antebi The Student Voice

GOAL KICK: Sophomore defender Alexis Eka (23) sends off a goal kick in the first half of the November 19 shutout victory over New Roads.

SalimChamoun ‘14 assistant news editor With key back-to-back victories against rival New Community Jewish, the girls soccer team has secured a playoff spot, and the team now hopes to finish the season strong for a high playoff seeding.

“Beating New Community Jewish was a big boost to our morale. Last year we struggled with this team, so knowing we are now capable of beating them gives us much more security for playing well during playoffs,” senior, defender Elle Wisnicki said.

The team currently has a 4-5-1 record, with two key victories against rival New Community Jewish.

Both Yeshiva and Providence forfeited, yielding the team two wins.

However, without key game-play the team has had to improvise with scrimmages against themselves and the boys junior varsity team.

When communication is clear and passes are clean, the team becomes a major threat as evident in its 8-0 blowout against Glendale Adventist on January 15.

“The team was very much below our level, and we were still able to maintain our high level of play, allowing us to succeed.

We utilized our wing players to make successful crosses into the box which helped us score many goals,” senior forward Ally

Borghi said.

Girls soccer head coach George Russo had made chemistry the team’s focus, constantly reminding his captains, senior Ally Borghi and juniors Chloe Boasberg, a midfielder, and Ibi Lagundoye, a forward, to ease the underclassmen’s pressure and help them increase their efficiency.

“This is the highest skill level we have had, but we need to be able to work hard as well and be physical,” Russo said.

“This is the highest skill level we have had, but we need to be able to work hard as well and be physical.”

George Russo Coach Russo finds promise in freshman defender Nina Gabbay, during her minutes of play, she strengthens the team defensively.

Freshmen Clemmy Callaway, Annie Manella, Julia Borghi, and Sammy Weiser are also making strides to find their places in the rotation.

“The freshman have truly learned a lot

Stephanie Antebi The Student Voice

KNEEING UP: Junior forward Ibijola Lagundoye (9) knees the ball high away from a New Roads defender on November 19, the team won 8-0. so far, but still have more to learn. I feel the upperclassmen have done a great job taking them under their wings and teaching them about the importance of communication,” junior, forward Natalie Oniszk-De Vincenzi said.

The team has a strong defensive line-up, which includes strategic players, seniors, sweeper Wisnicki, and Andrea Mackey, and freshman Nina Gabbay. The team starts their attack at the defense with long balls both up the wings and through the middle.

Although the team has a solid defense, the team has been working on their offensive strategy.

The team has focused on increasing offensive efficiency and to pressure the opposing defense.

The main issue is accuracy. While the team makes several shots on target, most are right to the opposing keeper.

“Annie Manella is definitely key to our offense. She has scored a hat trick on more

than one occasion, which is quite impressive,” Wisnicki said. “Watching her dribble through players with such finesse is absolutely remarkable.”

Practicing with game-situation drills is how the team prepares for each match.

The team plays with three attackers to field an aggressive offense. The midfield sends long balls down the wing to send crosses throughthe opposing defense.

Early in the season, the team suffered injuries and illnesses that pulled many freshmen out of the lineup. Freshman Caitlin Ginnaven suffered a hip injury but will return within two weeks.

Sisters Julia and Ally Borghi both suffered from sicknesses, Callaway had a knee injury, and freshman Joline Nehoray had to quit the team because of a dislocated disc in her back “Once we are a healthy unit we look very formidable,” Russo said.

The team’s final league match is home on February 7 against Oakwood school.

?

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports

tuesday, february 5, 2013

LAKE SHOW or

LOB CITY Are you a Lakers fan or a Clippers fan?

126 responses collected from January 29 to January 31 with a margin of error of 6.8%

BILLYWILSON ‘14 vs. SALIMCHAMOUN ‘14

H

ave you turned in your purple and gold jersey for a red and blue one?

The Los Angeles Lakers have ruled the LA entertainment and sporting world since the 1980s, led by superstar players such as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant.

The Clippers have carried the reputation of being a “joke” as a franchise ever since their arrival to Los Angeles from San Diego in 1984. Having no professional football team, the Lakers were the center of attention since moving from Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1960, becoming the league’s first west coast team.

Because of the Clippers newfound success and the Lakers 10th place standing, many Lakers fans on campus have started to root for the Clippers, becoming “bandwagon” fans.

When asked about who is Los Angeles’ team right now, Clippers fans will say that the Clippers are because they are the most successful team, and say that the 16 championship banners the Laker shave is in the past.

But the definition of a dynasty, which the Lakers are, is to have success over a great period of time, which the Clippers have not done yet.

This is not to say that the Clippers might not become a dynasty in a couple years after successful seasons resulting in deep playoff runs.

Led by superstar point guard Chris Paul and the highflying acts known as Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, these Clippers have become the new “Showtime” and talk of the town with one of the best records in the NBA. “Bandwagon fans should not be considered real fans of the team because if you really are a Lakers or Clippers fan, you would root for them whether in the midst of six game losing streak or an eight game winning streak. The Lakers are my team and I will never change my mind and all of a sudden become a Clippers fan because they are

more successful at the time,” junior John Kim said.

In spite of all the Lakers’ success, including back-to- back championships in 2009 and 2010, the team has struggled the past two seasons, failing to advance past the second round of the playoffs. Thus, the organization made many changes including the high profile acquisitions of point guard Steve Nash and perennial All-Star center Dwight Howard.

“After the Lakers traded for Nash and Howard, I could not see a scenario where we were not even contending for a championship. But, I will stick by them and they will hopefully turn it around soon. As a Laker fan, I have been lucky to watch one of the greatest players of all time in Kobe Bryant while watching the Lakers appear in the NBA finals seven times and win five championships in the past 12 seasons,” junior Eric Fett said.

Even true Clippers fans do not want or like these fans, as they have not been through the many tumultuous seasons that they have.

“Being a Clippers fan since 1996, bandwagon fans are both nice and annoying. It is great to see the support the team is finally getting, but I see many of these kinds of fans around school. While I have a Quentin Richardson jersey who has not been on the team since the 2006 season, I see a lot of new Chris Paul jerseys,” junior Jordan Brooks said.

The 16 banners hanging from the rafters in Staples Center and the statues of the many Hall of Fame inductees that played for the Lakers shows that at least for right now, they are still Los Angeles’ team. But, the Clippers, eager to shed their once inferior status to the Lakers are slowly starting to become the city’s team.

According to the Forbes list of most valuable NBA franchises, the Lakers rank second at $1 billion while the Clippers are not even amongst the top 15. Until that power that has dominated the sports world changes, the Lakers will reign supreme in Los Angeles.

A

17-game-franchise record win streak, the best record in the NBA, four former NBA champions, and two former 6th man-of-the-year players, the Los Angeles Clippers are shedding their little brother (to the Laker’s) image.

With an NBA second best 32-10 record, the Clippers have shown how affective team chemistry can be. Led by all-star and MVP candidate Chris Paul and three-time all star Blake Griffin, watching Lob City run the fast break epitomizes the showtime of the NBA. A fan of this flashy play is Lakers legend, Magic Johnson, who has titled the Los Angeles Clippers (not Lakers) the show-time of this season.

Now that the Clippers are the better team in LA, many casual Lakers fans, especially those on campus, have decided to make the jump and join the Clippers bandwagon. This influx of fans is helping the Clippers boost their fan base with that of the Lakers.

According to freshman Jason Kafil and junior Allen Simanian, watching Lakers fans at school make the jump outrages them because, the Clippers are having one successful season and watching fans of 16-time NBA champions just leave instantly is upsetting.

However, loyal Clippers fan sophomore Josh Rosen is happy and skeptical about having more fans. He supports the growing fan base, but frowns upon when bandwagon Clippers fans act as if they have been with the franchise for years.

“It is tough being the losing team in LA, we [the Lakers] have been dominant for so long, and to see this way of playing is just very disappointing,” junior Avigdor Nosrati said.

While the Lakers added star talents Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, the Clippers acquired several starting-caliber players to their second unit, turning themselves into one of the deepest teams in the league.

“The Lakers are a perfect example of how filling your roster with stars who won’t support each other leads to failure,” senior Blake Resnikoff said.

Noah Graham Getty Images

Resnikoff and other loyal Clipper fans were happy to see the addition of former champions and NBA award winners Jamal Crawford, Chauncey Billups, Lamar Odom, Matt Barnes, and Grant Hill, the Clippers’ maturity and unity helped them achieve a 17 game win streak that included a 16-0 December.

Having such a deep roster allows the Clippers to utilize all bench players and provide the stars with rest. The Clippers have only one player in the top 65 in minutes per game.

Although history does not support the Clippers cause, their success this season in comparison to the Lakers is indisputable.

Where the Clippers are among the top teams in the entire league, the Lakers are struggling to be a top eight team in the West.

Remember when Laker Metta World Peace was so confident he said his team could win 73 games, breaking the Chicago Bulls record of 70. The Lakers need to reconsider the goals, hoping that they reach the 25-win mark by the end of the season.

While the Lakers have fired former coach Mike Brown, and are struggling under Mike D’Antoni’s system, head coach Vinny Del Negro has turned his Clipper team into an offensive and defensive powerhouse.

The Clippers have proven themselves efficient on both ends of the floor. They rank seventh in points per game, second in assists, and fourth in points allowed. Clearly, something is clicking.

That click most likely is coming from their teammate chemistry. Not only is watching the Clippers alley-oop and slam dunk the basketball exciting but, also watching the bench jump up and celebrate almost every scoring possession invigorates both the crowd and players on the court. Although the Lakers have the NBA’s best cheerleader, Robert Sacre, the Clippers support each other like a family.

Although no one cannot refute the “dynasty” argument that Lakers fans have, if the Clippers continue this dominant success for the next decade, they can begin to build a “dynasty” of their own.

27 tuesday, february 5, 2013

news opinion features focus arts & entertainment sports JACKROSE ‘13

At the start, there were 15 people interested. Then, five brave souls signed up. But in the end, as the starting line drew ever closer, only three racers remained willing to traverse eight and a half miles of rugged hills, mud, water, fire, and obstacles and complete the Spartan Race.

The day started negatively. Two wouldbe Spartans, seniors Alex Fatykhov and Michael Ortiz-Benz, forgot to print their release forms for the race. I, of course, was prepared, having eaten breakfast and gotten sleep the night before. They did not.

After stops to print the forms and get some breakfast, we arrived in the Temecula parking lot a few minutes after our assigned start time. Next was a mile walk to the festival… in the rain. Yet, nothing could dampen our spirits; despite being wet, cold, and possibly sick, we were like three giddy kids waiting to into a water park. Except in this park, there was more mud than water.

Finally, at 10 a.m., we started our race.

We yelled and shouted as we crossed the starting line and immediately hit the first of more than 20 obstacles, including walls to climb over, mud to crawl through (with barbed wire only inches above our heads), and more. These obstacles were scattered throughout an eight and a half mile course filled with mountains. Not hills, mountains.

The most difficult obstacle: carrying a handle-less bucket filled with 60 pounds of dirt up then back down a hill.

“I tried to pretend to be a girl so I would get the 40 pound bucket,” Fatykhov said.

“They were not fooled.”

Two obstacles included tractor tires, first dragging a tire away from a start then pulling it back with a rope, then flipping the tire.

“I was almost crushed by the tire,” Fatykhov said.

“I don’t like tractor tires.”

We all survived what looked to be one of the more difficult obstacles, walking across a string of uneven posts poorly set in mud. It was a good thing that we all passed, as the punishment for a failed obstacle is a set of 30 burpees. A single burpee consists of a pushup, in which your chest and hips must touch the ground, followed by a jump with your hands shooting straight up. By the end, we had all done at least one set of burpees.

After the uneven polls, more than seven miles into the race came the water obstacle.

Covered in mud, we all looked happily upon the lake and 50-yard swim that awaited us, enjoying the prospect of being clean.

We jumped into the lake with any idea what was coming. It turns out the water was around 50 degrees.

In water that cold, breathing becomes difficult. I decided to swim backward, letting the least amount of water touch my throat.

An obstacle or two later came the spear throw.

“Why was the spear throw hard?”

Fatykhov said. “Well, we didn’t practice

spear throwing, so we all failed.”

Immediately after 30 burpees came the most strenuous upper body obstacle of the day: the rope climb. At the top of a 20foot rope was a bell that racers had to ring in order to move on without penalty. After almost nine miles of running up and down hills and 20 obstacles, this was the final test.

Only one of us made it through.

I got almost all the way to the top before starting to slip, so I lowered myself down and dropped easily into the water. OrtizBenz, however, was not so lucky.

He was almost 20 feet into the air, reaching for the bell when he cramped up and just could not hang on any longer. In the funniest moment of the race, I turned and

watched as Ortiz-Benz screamed an expletive as he fell, still flailing for the bell, backwards off the rope and smashed right into the water.

“It was a strenuous trial of personal strength and persistance against my own physical and mental exhaustion,” OrtizBenz said.

At the end, we leaped over the row of fire, smashed through the gladiator pit (where three very buff men stood shirtless smacking participants with giant sticks) and across the finish line as true Spartans, each in fewer than three hours and 15 minutes.

We received our medals, ignored our debilitating cramps, and agreed on one thing: That was awesome.

Courtesy of Jack Rose The Student Voice

SPARTANS: Seniors Michael Ortiz-Benz, Alex Fatykhov, and Jack Rose stand proud after finishing the Spartan Race on January 26.

news 28

tuesday, february 5, 2013 | JACKROSE ‘13

What have we learned?

T

he term “educational technology” has been thrust into our lives this year, with high-tech features such as iPads, Wall Talkers, and eTextbooks added to the curriculum. And while there is no doubt that these new technologies expand the possibilities of learning, the question remains: Are iPads and eBooks advancing learning, or slowing it down?

“We have no idea,” developmental molecular biologist Dr. John Medina said, who spoke to parents and faculty last week in his third trip to campus.

Medina argues that humans are incapable of multitasking, and any interruption, be it an email or text popping up while a student is reading a textbook on his iPad, can and will

“If you’re going to embrace technology, it can be a rose, but you must recall that roses have thorns.”

DR. JOHN MEDINA Developmental Molecular Biologist slow down the process of learning.

“Dr. Medina talks about [a human’s] inability to multitask,” head of school Dr. Larry Dougherty said. “But does this make our brains funtion less? I doubt it.”

Brain and Behavior teacher Brian Rector presents research showing that a link to more educational material “interrupting” the brain may actually be helpful for long-term retention.

“If [the retrieval of information] is a little bit difficult, it actually helps the process” of consolidating information into long-term memory, he said. In other words, forcing the brain to work more while reading a textbook could enhance the retrieval strength of the brain to that memory. Even if the brain cannot multitask, forcing it to struggle might help it retain information for a test, or more importantly, a final exam months later.

Nonetheless, Medina feels distractions are just that: distracting.

“It might slow down the retention rate,” he said.

Medina also sites a study done at Stanford showing that students with a higher “reactivity index,” otherwise known as an affinity for and a greater knowledge of technology, refocus following a distraction almost three times more slowly than students who are less exposed to technology. While this is not conclusive with respect to iPads, it does suggest a negative impact of technology on the brain.

Javy Martinez, director of education technology, has a different view on Medina’s findings.

“Medina is one of probably a thousand to ten thousand brain scientists. That’s his view. I don’t agree with it,” he said.

Martinez believes that the brain is ready for

new technology.

“At every turning point [with new devices] people have said, ‘we’re not ready yet’,” he said, continuing to say that humans constantly prove these skeptics wrong.

There is no doubt among the scientific community that the brain is changing to allow for new technologies. The human brain is in a constant state of change, always adapting to new surroundings. When the pen and paper were first invented, the brain had to adjust and was not fully capable of using a pen.

“Over the last few years I’ve had an uncomfortable sense that someone, or something, has been tinkering with my brain, remapping the neural circuitry, reprogramming the memory,” Nicholas Carr wrote in his 2010 book The Shallows about how technology is reshaping our brains in a possibly negative manner.

“We’re just beginning to scratch the surface,” Dougherty said. “We haven’t had this iteration of technology around long enough to know what impact it has on the brain.”

Because no one knows the effects new technology has on the brain, Medina suggests waiting until after conclusive evidence is had to make the jump to iPads.

“If you’re going to embrace technology, it can be a rose, but you must recall that roses have thorns,” he said.

However, Medina went on to say that he “loves” the iPad and thinks it may be the textbook of the future. The key, he said, is that he thinks that, not that there is any proof behind it.

“I would’ve said ‘no’, until I could measure it, until I had a compelling reason because you have a limited pile of money,” he said when

“We’re just beginning to scratch the surface. We haven’t had this iteration of technology around long enough to know what impact it has on the brain.”

DR. LARRY DOUGHERTY Head of School asked whether or not he would have implemented an iPad program at his school now.

Instead, Medina would immediately test students’ “acquisition and retention of declarative information” by giving some students iPads and others textbooks, and later giving them the same test.

Medina and Martinez agree that the possibilities that the iPad presents make it an attractive option, both using the example of watching a speech rather than reading about it to enhance a student’s knowledge.

“It opens up the world. Believe it or not, it does allow you to fall into a book so much more,” Martinez said. “[The iPad program is] not just this push for technology.”

At the same time, Martinez admits that even he benefitted from tactile learning and that writing things down and annotation are keys to a student’s success. Yet, the other physical aspects of books are less important to him.

“Being able to find something physically in a book, that whole journey is kind of gone.

In my opinion, that’s a waste of time,” Martinez said. “You can spend more time on the content rather than searching for it.”

Although the school is not testing the results of iPads in classrooms directly, both Dougherty and Martinez agree that the eye test is just as important.

“There is something magical that is happening [in lower school classes with iPads],” Dougherty said. “We have to trust what we’re learning and observing through our own teachers.”

Both administrators and Medina concur that clear evidence on either side does not exist.

“We’ve done a lot of things in the history of education where there wasn’t necessarily any conclusive evidence,” Dougherty said. “I want to be on the leading edge, not the bleeding edge.” “eTextbooks are so new that I don’t think any study that’s out there can be looked at as a valid study,” Martinez agreed.

So where do we stand? According to Rector and Medina, in limbo, waiting for conclusive scientific evidence. However, due to the state of education in the United States being much lower than it used to be, Medina remains skeptical.

“We score worse than Zimbabwe on some things. We don’t have the luxury of not testing,” he said.

Still, Buckley is not the only place introducing iPads. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) recently enacted a multimillion-dollar program to purchase more than 600,000 iPads for its students.

Martinez points to that as evidence.

“If LAUSD, which has no money whatsoever, is signing away $500 million of their budget next year to give an iPad to every student in their district,” Martinez said, “something’s working in the right way.”