The Eleight April.May 2012 edition

In-Depth, page 8

Winter Guard, page 2

KONY 2012, page 4

Nicki Minaj, page 14

The Legend of Zelda, page 13

An Independent Publication of Leigh High School

Volume 50 Issue No. 6 May 3, 2012

Pictured in Longhorn: Leigh students Courtney Donlon and Melanie Ileana showing spirit at the Relay for Life on April 27.

Branham High School boasts a “Do you hear diverse cast in this year’s spring the people sing?” musical, “Les Misérables” Kylie Brown Editor-in-Chief

“Les Misérables”, based on Victor Hugo’s famous novel of the same name, has been heralded worldwide as one of the greatest musicals of the 20th century. Most dare not touch “Les Mis”, but director and Branham High School drama teacher Sharon Salazar decided to take on the challenge—but she knew that Branham’s students could not do it alone.

Because of the sheer vocal magnitude of the musical, Salazar and vocal director Barbara West ultimately decided to open auditions to not only other schools and Branham alumni, but to essentially anyone who wanted to audition. Students of all ages and backgrounds auditioned for the show, including students from Del Mar, Bellarmine, West Valley, and our very own Leigh. Most of the cast members initially found out about auditions via word of mouth.

I found out [about auditions] through a combination of [being in Fiddler on the Roof ] and choir,” explained Leigh junior Clara Shuler.

Open casting allows people from all around the area who are dedicated to singing and musical theatre to audition, thus making for a high-quality cast.

“’Les Misérables is a very difficult show for high schools to put on, one of the reasons being there are lots of male

leads and high school theatre programs sources allows us to combine them all.” Dreamed a Dream.” tend to attract more girls than guys, The open casting did not just “Les Misérables” is set in early 19th Branham being no exception,” said century France, and chronicles the lives affect the quality of the perforBrent Miller, a student at West Valley of Jean Valjean, Fantine, Cosette, Javert, mance. It unified performers from who plays the role of Jean Valjean in Eponine, Marius and a whole plethora many different schools and age the Montague cast. “By alof other characters. Simultaneously, groups to bring together the show. lowing anyone to audi“It was such a fun experience there is a revolution occurring that tion, Branham unites all of the characters in their quest working with kids from differlet some extra for redemption and freedom. “Les Mis” ent schools. I learned a lot about talent drift in yielded some of the most iconic songs their acting techniques, and to fill the cast, how of our time, most notably “ I saw so much so that they decided to double cast the show, which high school productions rarely do.”

“The combination of the best talent from all the schools combined has made the production far superior to any that I’ve participated,” said Shuler. “There are just so many talented people, and pulling them from multiple different Pictured: Cast members uniting onstage for “One Day More” at the end of Act II.

cer-

Park’s door will be unveiled at the in separate categories at the Campbell recognition reception, which will be held on June 1.

There, she’ll be able to meet some of the judges, as well as the other artists who won, and will then be walked to the unveiling of her door.

T h e Downtown Doors competition isn’t the only art honor Park has received this year. She took first, sec- pictured: Sun Park’s award-winning art piece. ond, third, and an honorable mention Union Art Show, and used the prize

High School Art Juried Art Exhibition, where his work will be displayed in the Museums of Los Gatos, and a congressional honors award where his work will be displayed for one year at our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.

For both Park and Bauman, art has proved to be a driving point of their lives. For Park, at least, it has shaped her desires for her future.

“I think it’s one of the things I can really dedicate myself to. I did art classes outside of school for five to twelve hours a day, and my teacher was really strict, but I think that it really helped me grow as an artist,” said Park.

Seeing the high honors that have come to these young artists as a result of their hard work and dedication, it is clear that being a high school artist is more difficult, and yet more rewarding, than many people may think.

“It’s part of who I am as a person,” said Park. “I’ve found somewhere where I finally belong. I don’t think art is as appreciated as it should be.”

tain situations had affected them,” said Del Mar senior Abby Hazelitt, who plays the role of Madame Thenardier in the Capulet cast.

T h e s h o w will be running up until Saturday, May 5. The remaining dates are today at 7 p.m., F r i d a y, May 4 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 5 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m..

photo by Kylie Brown

Leigh senior Sun Park recognized in Downtown Doors art competition, wins $600 for art program Nicole Hamilton Copy Editor

Senior Sun Park has been awarded the honor of being one of the twenty-five winners of the Downtown Doors competition, an event hosted by the San Jose Downtown Foundation that allows high school students to have their artwork displayed in eight by twelve feet spreads across two massive doors in downtown San Jose.

“There were 156 submissions from nineteen different schools,” said art teacher Kim Bartel, “So that was pretty cool. The competition was very intense this year, so, to me, that’s an even bigger compliment to Sun’s work and what she achieved this year.”

Park, who’s been taking independent art classes as well as classes here at Leigh, will have her artwork of a European mailbox on display downtown for two years, as well as earning not only a $600 prize for Leigh’s art department, but an undecided amount of personal prizes, as well.

money to visit Los Angeles, where she’s thinking of going to school.

Winning this award has been a big achievement for both Park and for Leigh as a school, both due to the recognition and the prize money that will go to funding our school’s art department.

This isn’t the only the only exciting news concerning the art students at Leigh, however.

Senior Sam Bauphoto courtesy of Kim Bartel man recently won two prestigious awards; the Social Matters

news

page 02

Twirling, leaping, and dancing Leigh’s winter guard travels to international guard competition over spring break compete.

For many teammates just performing in such a big event with such high level of skill is where the excitement comes from.

Junior Jenny Pors shared this point of view “Other than performing, my favorite part was watching world

energy and shows in the arena is unforgettable and indescribable. Its on of Adam Soret the main things I look forward to every Staff Writer year.”

After putting in so much time and ef This spring break while most fort throughout the year it’s very reLeigh students were loosening their warding to finally see it all pay off. The ties, Leigh’s winter guard was about team starts practicing in December to defend our and meets weekly honor in an on Tuesdays and international Thursdays 6-9 pm, title event. For Saturday 9-9pm, many Winter and also meet durGuard meming 8th period for bers this was additional practhe pinnacle of tice. their entire be The event is ofing. The event ten the highlight takes place in of most peoples Ohio and is an winterguard seainternational son “WGI makes event. all those hours “WGI is what of practice and I look forward all the “do it to all year” said again(s)” worth Senior Megan it. It is a week of Leach. nothing but spin This year ning and dancLeigh High’s ing and watching winter guard people spinning did better and dancing. This than last and WGI was very was just one special for me”, team short of said Senior Megan competing in Leach. the semi fi WGI is a great nals, which is way to wrap up the a pretty big acseason and showcomplishment Photo by Frankie Hendriks case everyone’s considering hard work. Leigh’s teams from Winter Guard Photo of senior, Emily Hill twirling her flag. not only the team never fails to make us proud and U.S. but from promise and even better performance Canada, Europe, and Japan come to class finals as a spectator because the next year.

Shipped The U.S. Postal Service may be put to out: an end Luke Weinberg Junior Editor

ate floor the week of April 16 through April 20 was recently modified to take into account the conditions of most rural states. One instance as a matter of fact would include the postal service to wait at least two years before it could reduce the delivery of mail to five days each week, a cut that is being urged on by the Obama administration and could save somewhere approximately between $2 and $3 billion a year.

Throughout the years the postal service has been stopping economically, sliding down an unsuitable financial path for years. Two years ago, the USPS (United States Postal Service) lost $8.3 billion, and last year it lost $5.1 billion. There are a number of plans in the process to redeem the losses, including one that involves the Senate.

To save the debt a proposal was sent out to consider laying off 120,000 postal workers and an announcement that two-thirds of all mail processing will close. The proposal included closing thousand of post offices.

The mail agency is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.

So many centers will close, yet with A U.S. Postal Service mail truck makes its daily rounds. a closure of thouBasically, closing thousands of sands of post services, it will reduce cost by $20 million. If this works then mail agencies would save the corporathe agency may be profitable again by tion money, not to mention it would get a cash infusion of roughly $11 bil2015.

The bill being debated on the Sen- lion. Of course, some of that would go

to our precious government.

Mail delivery may have a big time competitor, the almighty efficient process of email. When sophomore Ben Loesch was asked his opinion on which he prefers, mail service or email, and which may be more efficient he commented, “I prefer email because its lightning fast and you don’t have to pay for postage”. Despite that, he also enjoys hand written letters.

Y e t email may be the issue.

Email is world wide and very efficient. Honestly some email services you may have to pay for an account, otherwise ultimately email tops mail. The postal service, an independent agency of government, is subject to congressional control on Photo by Anna Schwarz major aspect of its operations.

Email and other forms of mail are threatening the postal services and agencies. You have no idea how long any of them will be around for.

05.03.12

Hometown hero Deandre Brackenstrick voted off American Idol Andrew Van Brunt Staff Writer

Deandre Brackensick, a Bay Area local, has climbed his way into the top ten in the popular singing talent show American Idol.

Deandre has won fans over with his highpitched vocals, beautiful falsettos and his luscious golden locks.

Overall his vocal style can be described sort of as a combination of crooning mixed with a little bit of up beat high vocals. Deandre is currently a senior at Oak Grove high school and was elected Homecoming King this past fall. Throughout his life, he has always been performing, whether it’s in the school musical or some other out-

side event.

Unfortunately, Deandre’s idol fame has ended. He was eliminated on April 5 after singing the song “I Like It”

by Debarge’s. Senior Daniel Kidman says, “I thought he was great. I can’t believe he was eliminated; I thought he would at least be in the final two.”

L i k e Daniel, many of Americans were devastated to watch him go. When asked how he, Deandre, felt about being eliminated he stated that “There’s only so many second chances, I came from being America’s nobody to at least a portion of America knowing my name.”

At only 17-years-old, his growth and opportunities are unlimited, and America has not heard the last of this special person and his voice. This is only the beginning for him; the sky’s the limit.

Local teenage girl abducted, still missing Makena Volzing Staff Writer

Recent spurs of abductions in local areas of Morgan Hill and Willow Glen have made teenagers such as Sierra LaMar household names.

On Mar. 16, 15-year-old Sierra LaMar was on her way to Sobrato High School when she disappeared. Initially authorities believed she had run away.

However, investigators have recently concluded after interviewing nearly 100 of LaMar’s family and friends that there is no indication that she would have run away from home.

“She had no issues at home and never mentioned she was going to run away,” said Sgt. Jose Cardoza of the Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities are now proposing that Sierra was possibly abducted involuntarily. While there are no leads in the case currently, volunteer searchers discovered Sierra’s cell phone in a field not far from her residence. The following day, her Juicy Couture bag was found in another field nearby. Both seemed to be within throwing distance from the road.

“Once the cell phone and purse were found, I knew,” said Sierra’s sister, Danielle LaMar. “It hit me then it was a lot more serious.”

The procedures of investigation have changed from that of a missing person’s case to an involuntary taking, now involving many sets of searchers

and investigators—and FBI as well— in order to thoroughly search every possible area.

Around the same date of LaMar’s disappearance, there was a report of a 16-year-old girl in Willow Glen that escaped from a kidnapping attempt the evening of Mar. 23.

According to the girl’s mother, her daughter reported that a man assaulted her with a stun gun and tried to force her into a red compact car. The suspect was described as a Hispanic man with a hooded sweatshirt.

“A guy drove up to her really fast, scooted up right next to her, parked his car on the sidewalk and unbelted really quickly. Then he came from behind, gave her a bear hug and put something like a Taser under her ear,” said the mother.

The girl was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital and was later released. She said her daughter is physically stable, but emotionally shaken.

The girl did not go to school Monday as she was still raw from the incident.

While keeping the girl’s name undisclosed, the police have confirmed that she is a sophomore at a private high school.

There is no indication that the Willow Glen kidnapping and LaMar’s disappearance have any connection to one another.

politics

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05.03.12

Keep calm and carry on:

The rise and fall of the economies of European nations Nikita Zakladnyi Staff Writer

coming economically prosperous. Russia is a gas and oil giant.

Due to its massive spans of land, Russia is able to cover a lot of oil filled lands and has the largest oil deposits in the world.

However, one of the current dilemmas is that gas, oil, diamond and a couple of others are all that Russia has as a high profit natural resource. There

Greece is lost in an abyss of national debt and its streets are swarmed with blood-boiled protesters that are desperate for the economy of their country to turn around.

The protesters’ ravenous riots sweep in and out; tide after tide of heated swarms shower their fury and return after their generous intervals to let the chaos to settle down, but, they always return to fulfill their political thirst.

The protesters have been rolling through the streets of Greece to show their government the anguish of the people and their disapproval of the current Athenian police officers during the Athens riots. economical status. is a lack of diversity in Russia’s natural

As in much turmoil as Greece resources but the ones it does have, it is in, other European countries seem holds in scads. to be leading to a brighter future In the transition between 2008 while others are stumbling down and 2009 Russia feel into an economic the stairs of economical discord. recession but as of 2010 Russia is once

While some countries are getting again on a rail of steady economic the rough hands of fortune, countries growth. like Russia are well on their way to be- As of 2011 Moscow, Russia’s

capital, holds the highest billionaire global energy giants such as Areva, landic stock exchange plummeted by population of any city in the world. EDF (world’s largest utility company more than 90%, and was ultimately

Ever since the Soviet Union ocsaturated into a severe cupied Eastern Germany the economic recession. economy there was in a ravine.

Since 2008, Iceland After slowly building out of its has greatly improved depression and trying to transiits financial status tion into a market economy, it with a steady growth has been on the rise. starting in mid 2011.

Eastern Germany con The European trasts greatly in terms sovereign-debt crisis of economic status with is an ongoing finanSouthern and Western cial crisis in the euro Germany.

Currently, area, or countries Germany stands as Euthat are part of the rope’s largest economy.

Eurozone system.

Between 2003 and The crisis has 2008 Germany was the made it difficult or world’s largest exporter near impossible to reof goods but as of 2011 finance each respecit is now the third largest tive country’s governexporter of goods, right mental debt. behind China (1st) and Countries that the United States (2nd).

Photos courtesy of fotopedia.com are part of Eurozone Second to the nation The National Library of France in Paris. are Austria, Belgium, of Germany is France in terms and France’s largest electricity pro- Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Gerof nominal GPD (gross domes- vider), and GDF Suez: nuclear power. many, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxemtic product). Paris, France is the North of Great Britain is Ice- bourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, second most important city for land, who faced its financial demons Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. localization of headquarters of in 2008. Iceland’s three major com- To put it in simple terms, Eusome of the largest companies mercial banks collapsed around 4 years rozone is an economic and monetary in the world. ago because they were unable to handle union that has its members adopt the

In early 2011 France had a refinancing their short-term debts. euro and hold it as its sole tender. high economic growth percentage of Factoring in its size, Iceland’s This type of monetary system al0.9% which tumbled a bit later on in banking collapse is the largest eco- lows banks and members of each counthe year then regained its balance to a nomic toll any country had to suffer in try to fluctuate their currency with percentage of 0.3% in late 2011. economic history. more ease.

One of the largest contribut- The banking collapse set off a Currently, this system is in peril ing factors to France’s economy is cataclysm of economic miscarriages: but in October 2011 and February its utilities and energy production. the national currency value nose- 2012 the Eurozone leaders agreed to France is the world’s largest producer dived, the nation’s gross domestic take large measures to prevent the colof nuclear energy and is home of product dropped by 5.5%, the Ice- lapse of their member economies.

Untold Supreme Court secrecy Supreme Court makes a controversial decision regarding Obamacare that has the American people riled up Matthew Duell Staff Writer

The Supreme Court, also known as the court of last resort, will come to a conclusion on their final decision regarding the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare).

ObamaCare aims to expand health care coverage to 31 million Americans who are currently uninsured through a combination of cost controls, subsidies ( g ov e r n ment payment to a business or private sector) and mandates.

It is estimated to cost $848 billion over a 10 year period, but, ac-

cording to Obama, would be paid for by new taxes and revenues and would actually reduce the deficit by $131 billion over the same period of time.

Consequently, there is one tiny loophole in Obama’s health care reform that is evoking the utmost controversy between the citizens of America as well as the three branches of government.

quired.

“I think it is important and I think the American people understand, and I think the justices should understand that in the absence of an individual mandate, you cannot have a mechanism to insure that peo-

of ObamaCare for three days during the last week of March.

Usually, the nine Supreme Court justices take a preliminary vote the following Friday of debate before they

The loophole, or area of dispute, is the “individual mandate,” which requires all Americans to acquire health insurance or pay a fine if it is not ac-

ple with preexisting medical conditions can actually get health care,” said Obama at a joint news conference on Monday, April 2.

The Supreme Court managed to orally argue over the constitutionality

write their opinions of their decision.

However, because this is such a controversial case, the decision will not be released until late June.In the meantime, Obama is enraged by the thought of the probable override of his health care reform bill.

“Overturning the law would be

an unprecedented, extraordinary step for this country since it was passed by a majority of members in the House and the Senate,” he said.

However, it is the Sup r e m e C o u r t ’s primary obligation to uphold the U.S. Constitution, and not to radicalize its meaning whenever it will benefit the Government or special interests of the peophotos courtesy of uchastings.edu ple, even if it was passed by both houses of Congress.

One thing is clear, after the hours of oral arguments and controversy, it will be a close decision within the Supreme Court declaring or denouncing the constitutionality of the “individual mandate” provision to ObamaCare.

opinion

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You Only Live Once:

The danger behind the “YOLO” gimmick Chloe Tamaro Staff Writer

YOLO, or “you only live once,” a phrase made popular by Drake’s recent song featuring Lil’ Wayne “The Motto” from the album “Take Care”, is fast becoming the slogan of our generation.

Those who follow YOLO describe it as a lifestyle: a challenge to live fast, party hard, and try everything and anything at least once.

“You only live once” is a phrase meant to label situations that are outside of one’s comfort zone, such as starting up a conversation with a stranger or trying new foods, a reminder to take risks in everyday life and to live everyday as if it were your last. The meaning behind the phrase has since been manipulated into one that implies that since you only live once, now is the time to live recklessly and free. Some teens even take the phrase to mean that experimenting with hard drugs, underaged drinking, and other dangerous and illegal activities are to be encouraged.

The irrational and life altering decisions made with YOLO in mind are abundant. Teenagers, who are already at a high risk for driving

accidents and dangerous drug and alcohol abuse, use YOLO as an excuse to live without consequences and act

out in ways they normally wouldn’t.

Celebrity endorsement of the phrase only encourages irrational behavior; actor Zac Efron got YOLO tattooed on his hand this past New Years Eve to display his support for the phrase.

“[YOLO] is overused, it’s a reason for kids to do crazy things without consequences,” said junior Jeremy Pack.

Those who herald YOLO use it as an excuse to do things that are out of character and often foolish,

TRENDY 2012

The fad behind the KONY 2012 initiative, and the controversy surrounding Invisible Children Kendra Wood Staff Writer

Nowadays it seems that if a world horror story isn’t being broadcasted through a Youtube video with multimillion views, or seen in every other post on Twitter or Facebook, it’s an invisible cause.

It’s almost as if it does not exist if we are not aware of it. Ignorance is bliss, but it seems that ignorance is also the absence of any kind of dilemma going on anywhere and everywhere that isn’t affecting us. And the moment it starts being broadcasted as said above it becomes the new fad of our society and culture.

The popularity of an issue is not what makes a valid cause. The trendiest cause to help out the world today is KONY2012 and the Invisible Children campaign.

The LRA and Joseph Kony have been at work for 26 years. Why did it take 26 years for someone to stand up and make it a well known world issue?

“I think the idea [of spreading Kony around all over Facebook and Twitter] was good because it did open people’s eyes to a situation that isn’t well known to alot of people. But at the same time it was just another one of those things that came and went,” said senior Gabby Dickey.

But America seems to have this mindset that if we don’t know about it, it is not happening. This new topic that’s suddenly raising awareness is being treated like a chance to jump up and gain good karma. The moment we learn about said problem, we jump on the bandwagon to pay $30 for an action kit, or complain

about how many times people are posting it on their Facebook page.

A major problem is that with having such a strong passion to fix such an event, and to spread it to as many people as possible, an opinion or standpoint is needed to add power to the motivation.

And with those opinions and passion to stop it, some facts and events may be manipulated; stories will be focused on the bad for emphasis, instead of the good. The people with power are

Photo by

too focused on the problem, instead of what’s working and how to do more of it.

What people don’t know is that there are things being done about Joseph Kony and the LRA. Just not by the USA, but in other words, we might as well say “nothing’s being done” because it’s not us doing the work.

If it were something that mattered so much, people would educate themselves on it by other means of gathering information. Not just the most popular video on Youtube about it, or the most recent Facebook link.

They would know about it without needing it to be blasted on every street corner.

That’s why this can be seen as a fad. Yes, it’s being spread like wildfire

Don’t Resist Happiness

but with pride. Try drugs? YOLO! Drink and drive? Double YOLO! The phrase was around long before our generation, but modern youth have taken to it with so much fervor in part due to the internet and social networking spheres. YOLO is blowing up Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr and between the wild status updates and drunken tweets the true meaning behind the phrase has become lost in translation. Instead of an excuse to live irresponsibly, teenagers should think of YOLO as synonymous with “live life to it’s fullest” or to “live without regrets” as the phrase was originally intended.

The idea of “you only live once” is correct, the intentions are pure, and the message is a positive one.

However, the actions and decisions teenagers make in the name of YOLO fail to capture this attitude, and often place the individual in compromising situations. If teenagers made well informed, healthy, and experimental decisions with “you only live once in mind,” YOLO could lead to a positive and adventurous lifestyle without all of the dangers and risks it entails presently.

You really do only live once, so try and make it long and fulfilling, not brief and pointless.

and that’s why a lot of people are all of a sudden becoming aware. But the ingenuity of the fashion in which our culture is spreading it may be spreading just as big.

“At the time [of seeing all of the posts], I gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they really did care about something beyond what was popular and everyone else’s opinions.

Then two days later, I saw nothing else about Kony. A month later, it’s like it never happened. And today, its obvious that it’s just another Youtube video trend,” said junior Nicole Bordunov.

No one is taking the time to educate themselves further on the issue, just enough to spend $30 on an action kit or donate money that they’re not even positive of where it’s being donated to. All because a video motivated them to do this, and because millions Sadie Williams of other Americans were doing the same.

If you’re so concerned about these issues, educate yourself. Learn about them, and be the person who is a part of doing something about it before someone else decides to take a stand for fame.

And instead of this being just an event to celebrate, remember the good we did, or the good we attempted, this should be an eye opener. For all those who never seem to know about these world problems until they’ve been blown up in their face. They should realize that these problems do not only exist if we know about them. You’ve got dozens of resources to figure it out.

Take the time to learn; they exist and it’s evident.

05.03.12

You are about to read the thoughts of an enlightened woman.

Cheesy? Very much so. True to what I believe at this point in my life? Indeed.

Inspiring? I can only hope so.

We’ve all heard the age-old saying, “You can do whatever you set your mind to.” Typically, it goes in one ear and comes right out of the other.

Whether one chooses to believe it or not, however, it really is true.

Everybody is unique, and everyone has their own distinguishing traits.

As human beings, we were all born with a brain entirely our own- a brain wired to make us exactly who we are.

This brain dwelling inside of each and every one of us controls exactly what we do, how we think, and how we view the world.

Trying to really even grasp that is overwhelmingly difficult. There is a living thing inside of us, swarming with millions of microscopic cells that make us who we are. It makes things a lot more interesting if you think of it that way.

What I mean by our brains essentially controlling all aspects of our lives, is that we control all aspects of our lives. If something in my life isn’t going my way, I can’t blame others because it’s easier to do then to take responsibility. If I’m having a problem of some sort- no matter how big or small, I am the one who chooses how to deal with it. Either I can take it and dwell on how it should have or could have been, or I can learn from it and let it strengthen me mentally.

I can assure you that the human mind set is unequivocally one of the strongest forces in this world. Mind set is everything.

Just recently I’ve begun to realize that it’s all so simple. The way everything works, and the way we venture about the long and winding road that we call life. It’s people who complicate things. Mind set is key, and that’s all there really is to it.

So I ask myself, why do we complicate life? Why do I complicate my own life? The answer struck me like a bolt of lightening, and it was all too ironic.

My instinctive answer: It’s not I who complicates my life, it’s the people in it.

I then realized where I’ve been going wrong, and I get a feeling that this is where the majority of us go wrong. I recognized immediately that no, it is indeed myself who complicates my own life. All of those times when I’ve chosen to dwell on every negative aspect have been no one’s fault but my own.

Other people do not go according to your personal plans. It’s almost guaranteed that life will not go according to plan.

That’s why we have to simply take what we have and run with it. In a world so unpredictable, we can only be sure of our mind set and the way we handle these situations we are given.

There is only one thing we have absolute control of in our lives, and it is the only thing we will ever be able to

fully control. It’s our reaction to situations, good or bad. This alone will indicate a significant amount about each individual.

We all know how it is. Life is tough but you should always keep a positive attitude and all that jazz; it’s nothing new. For some of us it’s more difficult to maintain a positive attitude. Things are always easier said than done, right?

I’m ashamed to say that for whatever reason, in many situations, I have chosen to be a negative person.

Generally, I’m a very happy person.

However, if something isn’t going the way I had planned, I almost immediately feel distressed and apprehensive.

I’ve never liked that habit of mine.

Then, I discovered that it didn’t have to be that way.

As easy as it is to mope around and let a single thing harsh my mellow, I’ve learned that by carefully manipulating the art of “state of mind,” the decision was entirely mine, and entirely psychological.

We all have issues we deal with; some just handle them better than others. The thing is though, is that there is just too much to be happy about.

In a world like this- in a city like the one that we live in, how could you resist happiness? It’s everywhere we look; we just have to pay attention. Yeah, it’s simple to forget to pay attention to the details in these busy high-school lives we lead- but it’s even simpler to find the good things that are there for us to appreciate.

It’s easy to be sad. It’s easy to hold grudges. It’s easy to let the little things get to you. The beautiful thing is that it’s even easier to be happy if you let it consume your thoughts. All those little things are absolutely everywhere.

My happiness? I’ve learned to recognize it nearly everywhere I go, and let me tell you, practice makes perfect.

My happiness is walking into my house after a long day, and being greeted by the two most lovable pitbulls a girl could ask for wagging their tails and swarming me with their unconditional love.

It’s having a streak of all of my favorite songs playing on my iPod when it’s on shuffle. It’s waking up in the morning and actually not being tired (A rare occasion).

It’s listening to every Red Hot Chili Pepper song one after the other and not getting tired of any of them, ever.

It’s jumping on my trampoline late at night, and proceeding to lay on it and stare in fascination at the moon and Jupiter and the millions of stars that I can only see a zillionth of a fraction of.

It’s watching a squirrel moving sporadically over the hedge of the fence in my backyard as if he were a secret agent or something of the sort.

It’s making a ridiculously lame joke but still having my friends laugh at it because we have an identical sense of humor.

It’s finding $2 in the dryer. It’s having a considerate stranger hold a door open for me even when I’m not that close.

It’s walking past a guy wearing Old Spice and being able to smell them as they prance past me... Too far?

I’m not proud of how I’ve always been, but I’m making the changes in my mind set that are necessary to live a better life. Happiness is a state of mind, not a fleeting emotion.

Always keep in mind that the choice is yours.

opinion

05.03.12

High School 101:

page 05

Thank you, What makes a good teacher Andrew

Sunna Thorkelsdottir Staff Writer

many are reluctant to outright hate, is the tendency for long-term teachers to ‘burn out’.

These teachers lose interest in what they’re teaching or why they want the students to learn it; they simply teach for the sake of a job, or for the sake of not having anything better to do.

Rewind to the first day of every school year. Each of us wanders into the sweltering classrooms of six new teachers--or five, if you’re lucky and/or hardworking.

We try to wrap our heads around the thought of facing this A good teacher is a strong teacher, this classroom, this group of students person... I think energy is every other day for the part of being a strong pernext ten months.

A good percentson. I have not let negative age of us preoccupy ourselves with making energy affect what I do. a good first impression on the teacher. That’s the first step to getting a

good grade, right? Well, perhaps more important This doesn’t eventually happen than that is the impression the teacher to every teacher, and it can happen in makes on us.

Whether it’s due to bad teach- varying degrees, but it can significantly ing habits, bad student treatment, a deteriorate the quality of the class and personality clash, or the simple shift in learning.

“A good teacher is a strong perperception that comes from listening to the complaints of our classmates, son... I think energy is a part of being a everyone has experienced what it’s like strong person. I have to not let negative energy affect what I do,” said Spanish to have a “bad teacher”.

And we always remember the teacher Rebecca Soret.

“I’ve heard a lot of kids, includfaults of these infamous instructors ing my own, say they don’t care about a above all else.

In general, there are some people class because they don’t like the teachwho are cut out to be teachers and oth- er.”

According to Lynch and history ers who are not.

“Being a teacher is a supernatural teacher Frank Von Rassler, laziness or gift,” said math teacher Dennis Lynch. lack of energy are a sure sign of an inef However, there are a few traits fective teacher.

“I think technology is frequently that can land a teacher communal dis- approval. A common one, but one that abused by lazy teachers,” said Lynch,

“

”

and Von Rassler vehemently agreed.

“Technology is not a substitute for good teaching.” There is a time and a place for PowerPoints, for example, but nothing is more effective than a teacher who takes the time to engage his or her students face to face.

As important as energy is, communication, organization, and simple work ethic are also essential.

“It’s bad if a teacher never communicates with the students about their grades and their work, whether it’s posting them online or just talking to the student,” said Soret.

It seems that teachers losing work did happen significantly more in middle school, but it shouldn’t happen at all.

A good teacher is always on top of the work they’ve assigned, the curriculum, and all the little details.

Pleasant, organized, and approachable teachers can make a difference. It’s widely agreed that the quality of a teacher can make or break a student’s grade-- or, more importantly, a student’s understanding of the topics.

“In a job where you’re not really compensated as much, you get the thanks and the satisfaction that a businessman will never get. They will never be able to say that they made such an impact,” said Von Rassler.

There is, of course, no foolproof way of being a good teacher, getting good teachers, or even having a good relationship with a teacher.

The best we can do is face every first day with an open mind, try our best to hold up our end of the communication, learn on our own what we can’t learn in class, and pray that nobody throws a stapler.

Media bias manipulates the public opinion on Trayvon Martin case call, for example, television news cut The news stories became even an important more bias conversation when pho The media, once more, has aban- between the tos of Mardoned all responsibility of reporting d i s p a t c h e r tin were accurate and credible news, and has and Zimmerused to plea resorted to morphing everything into a man in order for his innoreal life homicide soap opera, in which to make him cence. The twisting the truth is somehow accept- appear racist. media used able.

I n photos that

Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old the cut verwere quite a African American boy, was shot and sion of the few years old killed by a neighborhood watchman phone call, that showed named George Zimmerman, who is Zimmerman Martin as now convicted of second degree murder. says, “This a cute little There are many theories pertain- guy kid. Though looks ing to what happened that day. Many like he’s up that was think that Zimmerman killed Martin to no good Martin, that because of his own racist notions. Oth- … he looks d i d n’t Trayvon Martin, 17, was visiting his father at his correctly ers see Martin to have been a threat to black.”

Zimmerman, justifying the shooting. depict H o w - townhome in Florida when he was shot.

Whatever the him at case may be, the the time media took a side ever, in the of the incident and the photos were purand blew it out full length posely used to manipulate the formaof proportion, audio, the tion of peoples’ opinions on the topic. which seems to Facebook has played a large role dispatcher be a common in asks Zim- in the distortion of recent news stories the case of a lot m e r m a n in the media, with the Trayvon Martin of news stories. what eth- case being one of the most prominent.

The media Many students here at Leigh nicity the had an agenda to man in the formed an opinion about this topic bemake Zimmerman hoodie is cause they saw it on facebook. look like the bad “Facebook is the new face of jusand then guy. And though Z i m m e r - tice,” said Junior, Marcus Milazzo. he may have man re- The media has one main purvery well been, s p o n d s . pose: to make people aware of the the truth should things going on around them, and in be allowed to Protestors demanding justice for Martin. the world. Cases such as the Trayvon speak for itself. Ma WTVJ reporter Jeff Burnside was Martin case , however, are often innipulating the truth is never justified. fired on Friday, April 20 for his involv- terpreted by the media and distorted When playing Zimmerman’s 911 ment in editing the tape. by them, rather than reported fairly.

Emily Ransom Staff Writer

It’s the little things that count.

We’ve heard it a thousand times. The little things are the things that end up meaning the most to us.

Whether it be a note on your desk from a best friend, or your mom coincidently making your favorite meal for dinner on a bad day, the little things are all the things that make life worth living day to day. They make things easier, make each day special.

And whether you realize it or not, some little things can completely alter your life in the most amazing ways.

My freshman year, I wasn’t involved in school at all. Looking at me now, you wouldn’t believe it. But let me tell you, I dressed up for one spirit day all of freshman year and didn’t care about rallies or clubs.

At the end of freshman year, my friend came up to me and said, “Hey, you should try out for leadership!”

That friend was Andrew Jerrom.

And although I didn’t realize it at the time, that was the “little thing” that would change the course of my life for the rest of my years to come.

At first, my reaction to my friend’s suggestion was a little negative. I had been in leadership during middle school and hated it, and didn’t have much interest in school spirit. But he convinced me to try out anyway.

To my surprise, I got in to the class. At the first summer pool party, I fell in love. Everyone in the class was so welcoming and inspirational, and I found the type of person I wanted to be through them- involved, successful, and the person that one day, the scared little high school freshman looked up to.

Leadership became me. I practically breathed it. Every year, I got more involved, and every year, I felt more confident and successful. I had accomplishments to be proud of and people to relate to.

I found my best friends through leadership, and I know those are the people that will be my lifelong friends.

I’ve worked for blood drives, Relay for Life, been secretary-treasurer my junior year, and was elected last year as senior class president.

Because of all of my qualifications, I was able to get into the school of my dreams, and because of my newfound confidence, I accepted their offer because I know now that I’m worth it.

And none of this would have been possible without the friend who pushed me to try out and to get involved, Andrew.

I’ve been planning on writing this piece since the very first day I found out I was going to have a column this year (It got hard a couple of times not to tell him about it!). And now that I’ve had a year to reflect on the way Andrew has impacted my life, I still can’t put my feelings into words.

The way that I see it is this: Andrew is the reason I have my best friends, the reason I’m going to University of The Pacific next year, the reason I have my job and everything else I am so blessed to have.

Because of him, I met my best friends. My best friends from sophomore year introduced me to my new best friend, Shannon, who got me an amazing job last August.

Because of him, I had tons of activities and leadership roles to write down on my application that got me

into Pacific.

Because of him, I finally found myself.

I’ve told Andrew something along these lines a couple of times, but I honestly don’t think he’s ever taken it as seriously as I wish he would, and I don’t think he’s realized the impact he’s had on my life. So I hope this shows how amazing you really are, Andrew.

Out of everyone in high school, you’re the only person that has changed me.

I’ve always been so stubborn, but you introduced me to something completely new that slowly changed me into a better person.

I’m proud of who I’ve become, and while I know that I have a lot of self motivation and I’ll get myself far in life, I’ll never forget that you were the person behind it all.

I owe you so much, but I don’t know how I could ever possibly repay you for all you’ve done for me. Just know that if you ever need anything in the days, months, or even years to come, I will be there for you in a heartbeat.

Because of you, I’ve never been so happy.

The best friends I have are priceless to me, I have an amazing boyfriend, and I know my future is bright because of what you pushed me to do three years ago. I finally know who I am and my place in this world, and it’s all thanks to you.

While a lot of people might say this was all by chance, I know it’s just second nature to you.

You have a habit of impacting peoples’ lives in major ways, and I know you must hear that a lot, but you need to get more credit than just a couple text messages here and there.

People say that the little things matter the most in life. That’s because the little things end up being the biggest things.

We do them unconsciously.

The smile that you flash someone in the hallway could be the only one they receive all day, the “I love you” text you send to a friend could completely brighten their day, and the encouragement you give to someone just to be nice could end up being just what they needed to do better on something as small as a test, or as big as life.

I am who I am and am happy with my life because of a lot of things, but it all started out with an amazing friend and a little push to do something, and I thank God every day that we crossed paths. I am truly blessed to have you in my life.

Thank you, Andrew.

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Too many sports, not enough time

Plenty has happened in sports over the past month, there was a fantastic finish at the Masters in Augusta, the Major League Baseball season has begun, the NHL playoffs have kicked into full gear, Peyton Manning signed with the Denver Broncos, who sent Tim Tebow off to New York to play for Rex Ryan and the New York Jets, and the NFL Draft is about to begin.

Bubba Watson wins at Augusta: One of the greatest achievements in all of sports is becoming the champion at the PGA Masters. Only the most elite of professional golfers earn the right to wear the green jacket, and this year, Bubba Watson joined the club, that boasts members such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.

But Watson is much different than the typical member of the PGA Tour. He represents the blue collar man. He is the closest thing to Happy Gilmore that the Tour will ever see. Hailing from Bagdad, Florida, Watson drives around in his dream car, not a RollsRoyce, or a Lamborghini, but the actual General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard. He is a true southern gentleman, who would fit in better at a NASCAR event than he would with the other Masters winners in Butler Cabin. Watson provides a new face for golf, one that more Americans can identify with, and hopefully draw a new crowd to one of the greatest professional sports.

NHL Playoffs have begun: As of this writing, the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, and our hometown San Jose Sharks have sadly been eliminated from contention. The New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators are locked in a 3-3 series, heading into what is sure to be an epic Game 7. The Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins are tied 3-3 in the series, the Florida Panthers lead the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in their series, and the Chicago Blackhawks trail the Phoenix Coyotes 3-2. The St. Louis Blues will play the Los Angeles Kings in the next round, having beaten the Sharks and Canucks respectively, in 5 games each.

The Nashville Predators and Philadelphia Fliers are still waiting to see who they will face in the next round.

Peyton Manning signs with the Denver Broncos: In a move that surely has led to groans around the Raider Nation, Peyton Manning has joined with the Oakland Raiders’ division rival Broncos, meaning that the Raiders will now have to go up against perhaps the greatest quarterback of all time, twice a year. This certainly adds some toughness to the Raiders schedule, but I am questioning the move. I understand that John Elway understands what an elite quarterback looks for in a team, but there were other places that made more sense for the former Colts superstar to land.

The AFC West is a tough division, the Chiefs are on the rise, the Chargers are a perennial playoff team, and the Raiders have been getting incrementally better every year. Plus, Denver is going to be a very different place for Manning to play in than his old home in Indianapolis. Mile High

Stadium gets cold, and this could pose problems for Manning later on in the season, as the winter kicks in.

He would have been much better off signing with the Arizona Cardinals or the Miami Dolphins. Both teams have rising defensive units, which at least match Denver’s in skill level, and they both have better running backs than Denver.

Willis McGahee is not quite at the same level as Beanie Wells of Arizona or Reggie Bush of Miami. Additionally, both Miami and Arizona sport very nice weather year round, which would be better suited to a player who has played his home games in a dome for his entire career.

Overall, I would have, as much as it pains me to say, picked Miami as the best spot for Manning to have landed.

Yes, a Manning-Fitzgerald combination would have been amazing in Arizona, but Miami had (and, if Manning had signed, probably would have retained) Brandon Marshall, as well as left tackle Jake Long, a pro bowler who would have been perfect to guard Manning’s blind side, which is critical for a quarterback rehabbing from a neck injury like Manning’s. I only expect to see an 8-8 record from the Broncos this season. Maybe 10 wins. So Broncos fans shouldn’t be planning their Super Bowl parties just yet. Manning is a great player, who will do great things for the organization, but he needs at least a year to adjust to his new surroundings.

But with Manning arriving at the Broncos, another big name quarterback has been sent off, in a story that created perhaps an equal amount of buzz as the Peyton Manning chase.

Tim Tebow traded to the New York Jets: Full disclosure, for readers who are not acquainted with me, I am a loyal Jets fan. That being said, I honestly like the Tim Tebow acquisition. I always felt he was a good player, who could make plays when it counted.

With the Jets, he will be backing up starting quarterback Mark Sanchez, who is going into his fourth year with many question marks surrounding his playmaking ability. Tebow will also be used in a special “Tebow Package,” which I feel adds a new element to the Jets’ offense.

This offense is operating under Coordinator Tony Sparano, who is known for having introduced the Wildcat offense into the league during his tenure with the Dolphins. With Tebow in his arsenal, Sparano will no doubt be able to create schemes and plays that will give opposing defenses fits when trying to prepare for the Jets.

Tebow also adds a great presence to the Jets locker room. As people who have met him know, Tebow is a guy who it is impossible not to get along with. He will be a strong supporting presence in a locker room that had a lot of trouble a year ago, which infamously culminated in the last 2 minutes of the Jets’ Week 17 game in Miami.

The only downside to bringing Tebow in is that it creates a controversy at quarterback, which could hurt Sanchez’s ability. However, Sanchez is a born competitor. Tebow’s presence should only motivate him and push him to excel for the team, which would help them greatly.

The Tim Tebow trade has a great deal of potential for the Jets, and will probably decide the fate of general manager Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Rex Ryan’s jobs. If the move pays off, Tebow works as a role player, and Sanchez gets motivated and plays well, Tannenbaum and Ryan will look like geniuses. If it fails, it will probably mean their jobs. Nothing left to do now but wait and see.

sports

05.03.12

Run for the roses:

Countdown to the Kentucky Derby

Christopher Wyman Business Manager

Calling all beaus and belles, the greatest two minutes in sports history, the Kentucky Derby is on May 5, at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentu.

First run in 1875, the Kentucky derby drew an estimated crowd of 10,000. Since then, the Kentucky Derby has woven itself into Southern tradition. For non horse racing connoisseurs, the Kentucky Derby is the first of three races, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, comprising the US Triple Crown.

Since 1930 there have been eleven horses to win the Triple Crown, including the subject of the Disney movie, Secretariat.

The 2011 Kentucky Derby drew a record crowd of over 160,000 people. The infield, known more for its partying rather than its view, is a far cry from the lavish private boxes of “Millionaire Row.”

The Derby has transformed into the social event of the year, annually drawing more than the two other races.

The more upscale attendees traditionally wear pastels with women wearing

lavish hats, this tradition comes from the Derby’s founder Colonel M. Lewis Clark Jr’s desire to model the event after European horse races. Historically the mint julep, a bourbon and mint

beverage has been the drink of choice served in a silver souvenir cup since 1939.

Burgoo is a traditional Kentucky stew of chicken, beef, and pork.

The Kentucky Derby is a Grade 1 stakes race meaning that the prize is over $75,000, the race has been run for more than two years under the same conditions, drug testing is done by a government authority, the restrictions are based only on age and gender, Boldenone, Nandrolone, Stanozolol, and Testosterone are the only supplements allowed to be used, and toe grabs (commonly known as horseshoes), must be shorter than two millimeters. It is a race run by three year old horses.

The race has been called the race for the roses because of the blanket of roses that is traditionally presented to the winner, this tradition dates back to 1883 from the New York socialite E. Berry Wall handing out roses to women at a postderby party.

Since 1896 a blanket of roses has been presented to the winner every year, with the exception of course the 2008 winner “Big Brown,” who hated flowers.

Be sure to tune in on May 5 to watch the Derby, and remember if you choose to, sip your mint juleps responsibly.

sports

05.03.12

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Making their way to the top

Leigh seniors kick, swing, and dash their way to continuing sports in college Angel Wilson Staff Writer Alassandra Marquez Staff Writer

Leigh excels in academics and extra-curricular activities, which many students continue throughout their entire lives. Most high schoolers are involved with sports during their time as pupils, but few go on to play in college.

Teenagers who wish to go on to take part on a college sports teams refer to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The NCAA is associated with almost every college. Enforcing rules and keeping track of any sport related changes, they maintain a fair discipline system. Rules are initiated through them and enforced through t h e i r hired refs.

“There are 3 different divisions in which an athlete could be in; the third being the least rigorous to be accepted,” said John Pratt school counselor.

The NCAA categorizes divi-

sions by what college athletes play in and their grade point average. Division 2 requires a minimum SAT score of 820, and an ACT sum score of 68.

Division 1 requires both division 1 requirements and a sliding scale for test scores and grade-point average.

Once in college, student athletes are expected to take mandatory classes based on their division.

Division 1 eligibility alone requires sixteen core courses, aside from regular high school graduation requirements includes four years of additional courses. Schools pertaining to division teams include Stanford, University of Akron, Syracuse.

Division 2 requires three years English, two years math, two years nat-

ural science, two years social science, and three years additional course;

schools such as Cal State, Chico state, a n d U C

San D i ego take part in Division 2 sports.

“I’m not going to lie, I dislike school, but I have learned that it is a huge part not only for sports but your future. Once you have the academic part, the sport you are going for

makes everything easier.” Said Senior Zarette Aguilar, who has been playing soccer for about thirteen years.

To most people getting into a college sport seems like a far off distant dream. On the contrary getting into a college sport might be a little easier than one might think. “ It wasn’t that hard to get into golf in New Mexico state.

All I had to do was contact a scout to come watch my games.

From there I went to New Mexico and talked with the college about having a future playing golf there. So here I

in Baseball at San Jose State, and made it out to be a third baseman in the major leagues for the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres. John Dietz made the NCAA All-American in Basketball; he went to Duke University, and formerly played for the Oakland Warriors. Class of 1999 graduate Kelly Gray plays Major League for the San Jose Earthquakes.

Leigh’s Alumni have shown us that making it in the world of sports is possible. To all the up-and-coming students aspiring for a future in sports, or any type of field: you’re dreams are not unreachable, you just have to have to determination, dedication, and the willingness to sweat your butt off.

am, playing golf at New Mexico state,” said Senior Dave Ahmadian.

There have even been a few sport successes for Leigh’s alumni. Ken Caminiti- class of 1981- joined the NCAA All-American

Athlete of the Month Varsity Boys Tennis Co-Captain Taylor Shapiro Sean Hiller Staff Writer

The sport of Tennis often gets a bad rap in the United States. Many times it is labeled as boring and just a recreational a c t i v i t y.

Senior Taylor Shapiro a doubles one player and cocaptain of the Leigh Tennis team believe these labels are absurd.

“I think a common misconception about tennis is that it’s not that hard and that it really isn’t that much of a sport.

‘ ‘ Te n nis however is extremely difficult taking years and years to get proper form and it’s even harder to become pro because unlike team sports in the US, tennis is an international game.

‘‘You don’t just have to be the best in the country to do well, you have to be the best on the world.”

Shapiro started playing Tennis back in the 6th grade and has

been perfecting his game ever since whether it is playing for Leigh or just for fun.

He was inspired by his Grandfather to begin playing Tennis. “I sucked at every other

he can and never loses interest in the sport he has become so great at. Just like every other sport there is hard work involved but Taylor doesn’t mind because Tennis is full of perks.

“Practice is a pain, its a lot of cardio and endurance building but

cord, as well as his team’s 9-3 record.

“It takes a lot of concentration in a match so there’s not really that much going on besides “hit the ball in”, “C’MON!!!”, “this person sucks you

Photos by Sadie Williams

spor t and it was the only one left.

But no it was really my grandpa who got me into it. He would whoop my butt and I hate losing so there ain’t no way I was going to go out there and lose to a man who doesn’t even have real hips anymore.”

Shapiro plays Tennis whenever

it’s all worth it. My favorite part has to be the fact that I get to go out and hit with my friends and meet a lot of new people.

Plus, I get some killer tan lines; I’m literally four different colors right now.”

Shapiro takes his game seriously and puts his all into every match which is evident from his 9-3 re-

better not lose”, and especially in my case the always classy “damn I’m good.”

Shapiro’s great skill as well as that of his teammates has put the Varsity team in third place and in the CCS Playoffs for the third time in Shapiro’s Varsity Tennis career.

The team unfortunately lost

last year in a close game in the playoffs but Shapiro aims to lead his team all the way to CCS this year.

In Shapiro’s spare time he does a number of things ranging from hanging out with friends to as he puts it “disregarding females and acquiring currency”.

Many may know him as the charismatic homecoming court member that narrowly lost in a nail biting race to become Homecoming king.

Sh a piro is a hilarious guy and loved by most his teachers and classmates for his witty humor and academic success.

Sh a piro’s favorite Tennis memory was back in Sophomore year when he made Varsity and helped lead the team all the way to CCS, just as he prophesizes will happen again this season. Shapiro puts his all into everything he does and will not go down without a fight.

Come support him and his teammates as they head towards CCS and Tennis glory.

in-depth

page 08

05.03.12

Cafe Epi 405 University Avenue. Palo Alto, CA 94301 Quaint cafe on Avenue with a foods varying fr and omelettes to and soups. Free quiet environm $10-$20 Mon-Thurs: 7A Fri: 7AM to 11 Sat: 8AM to 1 Sun: 8AM to 1 Cafe Venetia 419 University Avenue.

Palo Alto, California 94301 From Il Ponte di Rialto to Palo Alto - bringing the best of northern Italian coffee drinking experience and lifestyle to the US $10-$20

Mon-Wed: 7AM to 11PM Thurs-Sun: 7AM to 12AM Sun: 8AM to 11PM

Freshly baked, soft cream puffs with an assortment of delicious fillings. $10 and under

Mon-Thurs: 9AM to 9PM Fri-Sat: 10AM to 10PM Sun: 10AM to 8PM Beard Papa’s Cream Puffs 19748 Stevens Creek Boulevard. Cupertino, CA 95014

Kikusushi Japanese Restaurant 1655 South De Anza Boulevard.

Cupertino, CA 95014 Neighborhood restaurant for a quick lunch or a leisurely evening meal. Popular for their rolls, salad dressing and teriyaki sauce. $10-$20 Mon-Fri: 11:30AM to 2PM Mon, Sun: 5PM to 9PM Tue-Thurs, Sat: 5PM to 9:30PM Fri: 5PM to 10PM

05.03.12

n University variety of rom paninis o pastries e wifi and a ment.

AM to 10PM 1PM 11PM 10PM

in-depth Capitol Drive-In Theatres 3630 Hillcap Avenue. San Jose, CA 95136 Continuing the American tradition of the drive-in alive.

Something for the entire family. $10 and under Mon-Sun: 7PM to 12AM

Falafel Drive-In 2301 Stevens Creek Boulevard. San Jose, CA 95128 A classic drive where Californians line up for deep-fried falafel.

Inexpensive food for vegetarians and meatlovers alike. $10 and under Mon-Sat: 10 AM to 8PM Sun: 10AM to 6PM

Radio Daze and Collectibles 313 East Campbell Avenue. Campbell, CA 95008 Vintage toys, games, posters and jewelry. $10-$20 Thurs-Sat: 2PM to 8PM, Sun: 1PM to 5PM

Most of us spend our entire lives living in the Bay Area driving around the same areas, following the same routine. Starbucks, Chipotle, Panera, Pinkberry, In-n-Out, Oakridge. Rinse and repeat. For this month’s Indepth, The Eleight explores several unknown local attractions all within thirty minutes of our campus. You can get coffee while observing the wild Stanford undergraduates in their natural habitat. Or catch a double feature for half the price and never leave your car. The possibilities are endless. We hope that this will encourage you to expand your horizons and go outside of your boundaries and break your routine for some adventure.

-Marissa Rodriguez and Nanxi Tang

page 09

features

page 10

Head held high

Paving the future

Career paths expected to plateau er science would be an advantageous career for anyone to become involved in. There are thousands of job listings in this area for people with experience in computer software or engineering.

Considering the current state of

Careers in computer science inAmerica’s economy, it has become include, but are by no means limited to, creasingly important to become educomputer support specated in growing career cialist, network systems fields. and date communica It is not unlikely tions analyst, computer to hear teachers and software applications other adults on camengineer, computer pus joke about going software engineer, netto Stanford to major in work and computer English. It’s true, many systems administrator, students do not underand database adminisstand that they need to trator. be majoring in things

Therefore, comthat will help them be puter science or ensuccessful in the future. gineering are smart But what are the fields choices for majors to that students should take up during college, be looking into? There as there are plenty of are so many majors, jobs open for those maminors, and jobs to jors to obtain once out choose from, it can beof school. come a bit overwhelm Finally, the career ing to go through the field that will grow the notions of deciding on most in years to come is your own.

Photos by Sadie Williams the medical. Jobs in the

“The Eleight” Medical field employees at Senior Career Day on Wed., April 24. medical field include dove in to conduct pharmacists, doctors some research and help and nurses. the future college ap Due to the “baby plicants with choosing boomers” (the babies their paths in life. born between the years

The three fields of 1946-1964), it is predicted to grow the predicted that many most rapidly until the more nurses and docyear 2020 include thertors will be in demand apy, engineering, and to tend to the needs medical careers. These of the growing elderly careers are expected to population in America. grow at high rates be While much cause of many factors, schooling is required such as the rapidly agfor these jobs, often a ing population of the minimum of six years, United States and the they are often very growing demand for high-paying and will technology and new pay off previous school inventions. loans fairly quickly.

Therapy ranges For example, the averfrom helping children age starting salary for a in speech and lannurse is between nineguage to athletes with teen to twenty-five dolstrained muscles or relars per hour. covering broken bones.

Some majors pertaining to this

Therefore, the extra time put into There are also behavioral therapists and schooling for these careers will be well mental therapists such as counselors field include kinesiology, psychology, and speech-language pathology. worth it in the end. People pursuing who help patients with mental issues.

With technology booming at these fields are almost guaranteed a Therapists are always in demand in the stable, well-paying job. work world to help people in need of this day in age, and especially being a help for physical and mental problems resident of the Silicon Valley, computAmanda Cendejas Features Editor

I’ve always wanted to be that girl that struts down the hallway at school, and everyone just parts like the Red Sea at my presence.

Yeah, it sounds cliché. In virtually every chick flick there’s always that one super-hot, popular girl with perfect clothes and accessories in the movies who walks into a crowded area, and the boys drool over her while the girls kiss the ground she walks on.

That sounds like a shallow aspiration, I’m aware. Pretty much all the girls in those movies have narcissist egos bigger than their Louis Vitton purses. But even if they have notso-attractive personalities, these girls still possess something that sets them apart from the masses:

Confidence.

Confidence is something that many high school students very apparently lack.

While not everyone of course suffers from major self-esteem issues, many students are still learning to be comfortable in their own skin. They fail to possess a bold, self-assertive attitude. It’s a growing rarity in society to find someone who is able to hold their head high and be proud of whom they are in a genuine manner.

Confidence is not a simple thing to attain, and perhaps that’s why there are so few people that possess it.

It’s much easier for people to put themselves down than to applaud their good qualities. Yet, no one wants to feel badly about themselves.

Changing your perspective is difficult, but absolutely an essential step in order to carry yourself in a dignified manner.

There’s an ugly little thing called insecurity that likes to prevent us from changing our perspectives.

Insecurity is what constantly keeps us questioning ourselves, even if it’s not logical. It challenges your positive thoughts; it’s this tiny voice in your head that is always ready with a retort. You tell yourself you can do something and then insecurity whispers back, “No, you can’t. Are you really sure about this?”

We all live with insecurity. It’s just part of human nature.

Confident people don’t have absolutely any insecurity whatsoever.

They’ve just learned to talk down that negative voice in their head, to make it small and its opinions invalid.

They’ve developed a fighting spirit, so to say.

I am not writing this column from the stance of one of those super confident girls I aforementioned. I don’t consider myself “super hot” nor am I a master of self-esteem.

But I am most certainly one of those girls who have fought my way through a lot, and self-confidence is one of my more new attributes I’ve been working to establish.

Yes, I will be the first to admit I’ve got my own bag of insecurity I carry around. I’ve constantly been one to be self-disciplinary and driven for personal excellence.

I can remember since middle school that adults would tell me I was “being too hard on myself ”.

But I remember thinking they were crazy…I thought I needed to push myself harder…I needed to be better.

But honestly, I just never cut myself a break. I constantly talked myself down and never really con-

gratulated myself on any good accomplishments I made. I made my life one big self-improvement project.

I think the middle of sophomore year up until the beginning of my junior year was when I had the most problems with my self-esteem. My head was full of self-destructive commentary and negative reinforcements.

I can tell you: my mind was not a pretty place to be.

I guess you could say I’ve gone through very “stereotypical” girl insecurities.

I’ve hated my body and how I look so much at moments that I’ve cried just looking at myself in the mirror.

I’ve been scared of food and have gone many days eating very little and over-exercising to the point of passing out.

I wore baggy clothes to make myself look smaller, and I dreaded wearing shorts or anything tight because I thought people were repulsed by how fat I was.

If someone were to ask me one thing I liked about myself, I would’ve maybe come up with one.

I also really struggled with my self-perception as a person in general.

I always had this idea I was this really bad person who did nothing but mess up. When I made a mistake, I didn’t view it in a healthy way. I saw it as a damaging moment that was irreversible. I just felt I could never do anything right.

I wasn’t smart enough. I wasn’t athletic enough. I wasn’t nice enough.

I wasn’t good enough.

I wasn’t a good sister. I wasn’t a good daughter. The list went on and on.

I wasn’t able to look past this warped self-image and realize that reality was widely different than what I believed it to be.

It wasn’t until recently I decided I was fed up with letting all these selfdoubts running my life. I had to find more positive, healthy outlets in order to attain some form of confidence.

And over time, very slowly, I found tricks that worked. I got into fashion and hair and vowed that my junior year would be my year of fashion.

I bought music on my iPod that made me smile or want to dance.

I will admit that I listen to “Fighter” as I walk the hallways in order to keep my head held high.

When I start to feel crappy about my body, I either dance in my room while blasting music (please tell me I am not the only one that does this…) or give myself a make-over. I also sing my heart out when I want to feel I am good at something.

I guess in the end it’s just little things that can really change your mindset.

It’s not easy, I know. My “transformation” took at least 6 months. But it’s worth it, and that’s truly all I can tell you.

I may still not be the queen of confidence, but I can at least hold my head up with self-assurance in who I am.

So the people in the hallway may not scatter in order to get a glimpse at me, but I will always think to myself one thing:

“I got this.”

05.03.12

alike. Therefore, being a therapist is a very rewarding job. Much experience is needed in this field to gain a job out of school, so many therapists recommend volunteer work and applying for internship opportunities in students’ fields of therapy.

features

05.03.12

Spend a dime

to look like a diamond Cut prom costs with these quick tips Brianna Houston News Editor

It’s that time of year again: prom!

All the girls begin to anticipate that special boy they’ve been crushing on all year asking them to the last dance.

For girls, the dress, hair, makeup, shoes, and nails are all on the checklist.

These necessities can all add up and can get pretty pricey, at least $50 or more each.

Boys, you pay for the ticket, dinner, transportation (well you should), and possibly a rental tux or suit. Because prom is associated with a more formal and classier look that all can also become very expensive.

So I ask you prom-goers, is all this preparation and exaggerated cost really worth it for just one night? Here are a few cost-saving alternatives.

1. Finding the perfect dress/suit/tux: The average prom dress costs between $300 and $400, while the average rental suit or tux is $60 to $75, depending on where you go and how many coupons you’ve collected. An alternative for girls would be to make your dress!

Go to the thrift store, grab some material, and sew that dress up!

Ladies, instead of spending all this money on just the dress, let’s borrow one!

If making dresses isn’t your thing or too much of a time commitment, Leigh is a wonderful supporter of the Princess Project.

The princess project is an organization that takes donated, used or unused, dresses and gives them to girls who cannot afford a prom dress. We’re all friends here, because prom dresses are only worn once by their owner, friends and even friends of friends are more than gladly willing to let you borrow their dress.

2. Makeup and Hair: Between past and recent years, girls at Leigh seem to have chosen Mac and Benefit to be the most popular places to get their makeup done. It’s understood that your makeup is done for free as long as a minimum of $50 is spent on store products. Already have makeup and don’t want to buy any more?

Have your bff come and have her (or him) do your hair and makeup for free!

They don’t know how? Watch

a few “How to” youtube tutorials on prom hair and makeup. I’m telling you, they really help and you’re saving a ton of money!

Boys, need a fresh cut? Have your boy come over and cut your hair. He knows what’s up and he wouldn’t want you to look like a goob next to him in all your pictures.

3. Nails: Okay this one’s easy! Yes! Do your own! Don’t spend any more money than you need to. You, or a friend, your sister, or even your mom can make due for a simply stylish mani/

meet in the middle for these kinds of things.

However, if you’re looking for some other options because spending so much on transportation and meals is out of the question, you can always do a buffet-style dinner at a friend’s house.

Many parents are willing to cook for these kinds of events and are actually more than glad the money for a restaurant won’t be coming out of their wallet. You can always carpool to prom, although most choose not to.

Why do we spend so much money on prom? To look your best for

Visual by Kendra Wood

pedi polish.

4. Transportation, tickets, and dinner: In a perfect fairy tale the boy would configure all the details and plans for the evening, since he is the one taking the girl out. Leigh’s prom tickets cost $100 per couple. A limo or party bus cost anywhere between $65 and $85 per person and finally, dinner can cost up to $50 for the two of you.

These things are inevitable; they’re a must! If the boys pay for these expenses, totals rack up closely to ours ladies. If not, it’s not uncommon for us girls to pay half. Especially in today’s economy, it’s more polite today to

that special someone is the common answer.

It’s easy to rack up the bucks if that’s the least of your worries. Realistically, no one should be spending any more than $500 total on all prom accessories and events , whether you’re a guy or a girl. Be smart ladies and gentleman, save some money.

To the boys: Prom is a little over three weeks away, time is running out!

Man up and ask that special girl you’ve had in mind.

To the girls: If you absolutely cannot wait any longer for him to ask, don’t waste any more time! Just ask him!

page 11

Teacher $w4g?

A 30-year old English teacher from Peterborough, England, known as Mr. Grist, quit his job as a teacher and is now on his way to becoming a rap superstar. Mr. Grist knew it was time to leave his old monotonous life of teaching behind and begin his quest for hip hop glory when he effortlessly defeated one of his own students in a freestyle rap battle.

“Yo dat fool [Mr. Grist] dropped his student in da rap battle like Lindsey Lohan’s career after the Parent Trap, word,” said Alexander Butterscotch from England.

Lawlrus, just kidding, there is no one named Alexander Butterscotch.

That little hip hop nugget in the previous sentence is a quote from my new album, titled “Fr0m Rag$ t0 Riche$,” which is set to drop sometime in late July.

Anyway, back to the story.

Mr. Grist started by using rap in his classes to try and get his students interested in poetry and literature. Now, the suit-wearing, England native has racked up over 1.5 million views on YouTube in a video showing him “demolishing” one of his students by using his expansive knowledge in vocabulary and his complex sentence structure.

“And now Bradley [his student] is going to try and act less infantile by pretending he is proper riled. So now sit back and watch him reconcile with his lack of breast feeding as a child. To those at home who are sitting watching YouTube don’t start clicking. I know this might look like some kind of extreme babysitting,” said Mr. Grist in his video of him battling one of his students.

Now Mr. Grist, from Peterborough, has made the decision to swap Shakespeare for Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Dr. Dre.

“I have always loved poetry and my interest in rap music stemmed from there. So I approach it in a much more academic way. I am not a cool rapper in fact I am probably the squarest rapper you will ever meet. But I love the craft and it has helped to inspire my pupils to achieve and given them a much stronger interest in English,” said Grist.

Let’s enter a place that I hate to go to for a second; a little place called “reality.”

No great rapper has ever come from the streets of England or Europe in general, until Mr. Grist.

He took a ride that no one would ever forget. A ride that would put England on the map in the rap game…FOREVER *FORRREEEVER* *FOOOORRREVVVERR* (says like Squints from The Sandlot).

I wonder what Mr. Grist, the native Englishman, will be discussing in his songs next? Will he be talking about his mid-morning tea and then heading off to Hogwarts to practice quidditch with Ron and Hermione? (LOL Hermione doesn’t play quidditch she is far too uncoordinated and is useless with a broom. The only reason I picked her was because she was the only character I could think of from Harry Potter besides Dumbledore, but let’s face it; Dumbledore is old and would just embarrass himself if he tried to play).

In short, I believe that Mr. .Grist is the next 50 Cent minus the vulgarity, aggression, crudeness, toughness, offensiveness, pretentiousness, and hoodness.

Personally, I love the artistic expression that is used in rap and hip-hop, and love watching rap “freestyles,” especially if it is a 30-year old teacher schooling his own student.

Rap, to me, paints a beautiful picture

of the conscious or circumstances of a specific individual’s life through the use of similes, metaphors and rhyme schemes--which are poetic elements taught in most English classes similar to Mr. Grist’s class.

Rap and hip-hop lyrics make us, as the youth of today’s society, feel free and powerful. We are all free to express what we want to express in whatever way we choose whether it be rapping, painting, or even writing.

In a Wall Street Journal article, it describes rap and hip-hop music as “a religion for the modern youth.”

Unfortunately, the hip-hop world seems to be gradually taking a turn for the worst. The hip-hop market is now primarily dominated by more violent and sexually demeaning songs and videos.

With the commercial success of rap and music videos, which portray men as extravagant thugs and women as inferior beings, controversy has erupted among parents, community leaders and scholars about the impact of rap and the surrounding hip-hop culture.

Ronald F. Ferguson, an economist and education expert at Harvard, said that the global success of hip-hop, in general, has had a positive influences on the self-esteem of many youths, but that children who became obsessed with it “may unconsciously adopt the themes in this music as their lens for viewing the world.”

However, contrary to the stereotypical images often associated with rap music such as sex, drugs, violence and money, there are many rappers who positively contribute to the hip hop culture.

Here are just a few artists whose lyrical content promotes pride, integrity, and social-consciousness: Afrikabambata, Grandmaster Flash, Common, Blackalicious, Nas and Mos-def.

Regardless of studies done by Harvard “professors” or “scientists” on the “effects” of hip hop music, I will still continue to bump “In Da Club” by 50 Cent as “loud” as I possibly can wherever I “drive,” even if it is just to Safeway and back. (Sorry for the unnecessary quotation marks). 50 Cent and Tupac make grocery shopping gangsta, even if I am just going to pick up my beloved Luna Bars or reduced fat milk.

In conclusion, this is why I <3 rap, and, particularly, 50 cent, even if my mother continues to call him Sh***y Cent idc.

If my own mother can’t respect my love for rap music, then she does not respect my existence and is, therefore, not my real mother.

As of right now, my conclusion is that I was raised by wolves, and then swooped up in a basket by the rap-hating mother that I have now.

Lol.Jk.

features

page 12 Editors-in-Chief Marissa Rodriguez, Kylie Brown Section Editors News: Brianna Houston Opinion: Caitlyn Nurnberg Features: Amanda Cendejas Sports: Zachary Tatar Entertainment: BlaykeLeach In-Depth/Politics: Nanxi Tang Backpage: Luke Weinberg Visuals Editor Sadie Williams Online Editor Michael Rea Business Managers Christopher Wyman, Nathan Keenan, Jeannie Ceglar Copy Editor Nicole Hamilton Staff Writers Rajashree Bhattacharya, Kylie Brown, Jeannie Ceglar, Amanda Cendejas, Mikayla Druhan, Matthew Duell, Nicollette Eilia, Michelle Fitzsimmons, Tiffany Ha, Nicole Hamilton, Sean Hiller, Brianna Houston, Katrina Jabbari, Jinny Jung, Nathan Keenan, Blayke Leach, Katherine MacQuarrie, Alassandra Marquez, Sarah Mowad, Caitlyn Nurnberg, Kayla Pavlicevich, Emily Ransom, Michael Rea, Heyinn Rho, Marissa Rodriguez, Anna Schwarz, Adam Soret, Chloe Tamaro, Nanxi Tang, Zachary Tatar, Julie Thompson, Sunna Thorkelsdottir, Andrew van Brunt, Joseph Vasquez, Thomas Viola, Makena Volzing, Luke Weinberg, Sadie Williams, Angel Wilson, Kendra Wood, Christopher Wyman, Nikita Zakladnyi Design Staff Kylie Brown, Nicollette Eilia, Michelle Fitzsimmons, Tiffany Ha, Sean Hiller, Katrina Jabbari, Katherine MacQuarrie, Alassandra Marquez, Sarah Mowad, Kayla Pavlicevich, Emily Ransom, Heyinn Rho, Marissa Rodriguez, Adam Soret, Chloe Tamaro, Julie Thompson, Sunna Thorkelsdottir, Andrew van Brunt, Joseph Vasquez, Makena Volzing, Luke Weinberg, Angel Wilson Visuals Staff Sadie Williams, Rajashree Bhattacharya, Mikayla Druhan, Jinny Jung, Anna Schwarz, Kendra Wood, Nikita Zakladnyi Online Staff Michael Rea, Matthew Duell, Thomas Viola Adviser Elizabeth Nakamura The Eleight is an independent publication of the Journalism class at Leigh High School. Its content reflects the opinion of the Writing Staff and does not necessarily reflect the views of Leigh High School, its Board of Trustees, faculty, administration or student body.

If you feel that The Eleight improperly or insufficiently represents any part of the Leigh High community, or have any other questions, suggestions or comments, please email Leigh’s Journalism class via the_eleight@yahoo.com.

The Eleight is an independent publication dedicated to honest, ethical, accurate and complete coverage of the Leigh High student body and its surrounding community.

Dear Readers, Thank you for taking time out of your busy AP test procrastinating (or studying, if that’s your thing) to read our humble newspaper. We encourage you not to get too stressed over those end of the year projects that are worth half of your grade that teachers seem to think are okay to assign right before summer. “Treat yo’ self ” this weekend-- go enjoy Branham High School’s production of Les Mis, get some froyo to cool you down, or maybe see how long you can squat in a foreclosed home until you get kicked out. If you’re looking for a change of scenery, why not check out some of the local treasures listed in our In-Depth?

We hope you enjoy our penultimate edition of The Eleight. Toodles, and we’ll see you in our June edition!

Your Editors-in-Chief, Kylie Brown and Marissa Rodriguez

05.03.12

Outrageous ordeals

What ridiculous standards are pushing high school students to do Nicollette Eilia Staff Writer

Starting at a young age it is ingrained in your brain that you must go to a good college in order to be successful. You hear it so much that it becomes your day to day mantra reminding you exactly where you want to go in life.

F o r some, there’s a specific school that tickles their fancy, “the dream college”, and for others it’s all about getting into any respectable school in order to make their parents proud and to finally see all their hard work pay off.

With the increasing rate of students wanting to go to college, high school students go to extreme lengths, pulling out all the stops to one day receive that letter in the mail telling them they’ve done it and they’ve been accepted.

But does there come a point

where students can be doing too much? So much so that it might even be immoral? Such as cheating on assignments and exams just to keep their precious GPA competitive enough to stand out to those who determine ac-

ceptance?

“I will admit I’ve cheated on multiple tests throughout my high school career,” said an anonymous Leigh stu-

dent.

“My friends and I actually work together in order to do well on the exams we take; it’s easier than studying for the actual test and it ensures we will all do well, which is always good.”

A l though not all efforts are as f row n e d upon, t h e y might drive you c o m pletely insane. Yet still completely fair game.

Such as taking six AP’s in one year on top of sports teams, volunteering and extracurriculars up the ying yang.

Now to some that might sound c o m Photo by Nikita Zakladnyi pletely preposterous, but for others it merely a portion of their reality.

Maintain motivation: how to defeat the second semester slump Kayla Pavlicevich Staff Writer

While assignments add up, deadlines continue to sneak up on us, and graduation in less than two month away, so the pressure is on. Motivation is the key to success in order to accomplish set goals, and in some cases, in order to graduate. But the big question is, how do we stay motivated? What can we do to stay on track while still maintaining our busy schedules?

1. A positive attitude

Attitude is everything. “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right”, may be over-said, but it is also the truth. Setting goals for yourself will allow you to know exactly what you want but most importantly set you in the right direction of how to take action.

2. Keep the goal in mind

R e m e m b e r ing the outcome of a goal is the best way to become successful. The number one motivation killer is a lack of confidence. In order to stay confident, it’s important to acknowledge your past achievements and any other positive things in your life that, in result, outweigh any sort of negativity.

3. “If at first you don’t succeed”

If you don’t succeed the first time, try again. Accept the fact that in real life, we don’t always get what we want right away. Success comes to those who never give up.

4. Look at the big picture

Think of it as a big picture, high school is only four years of our lives. The little things that occur throughout our high school career that bring you down won’t matter later in life, so why let it matter now?

5. Try your best

The satisfaction of knowing for yourself that you did the best you possibly could is all that matters. And on those days when you feel like school is the last place you’d like to be, it’s important to remember why you’re in school.

Whether you’re beginning your high school journey as a freshman, or ending your journey as a senior, motivation is key to be the best that you can be.

05.03.12

entertainment

Think Like a Man Directed by Tim Story Jeannie Ceglar Staff Writer

A player, a momma’s boy, a happily divorced man, a happily married man, a dreamer, and the one who can’t commit. What do they all have in common?

They’re men.

“Think Like A Man” is based on a book by Steve Harvey who purposely spills all the secrets of why men do what they do in relationships. This movie, similar to the style of “He’s Just Not That Into You” or “Valentine’s Day”, follows different couples who experience various issues in their relationship.

The trick is, the ladies have a secret weapon to know exactly how to “win the game” of men: it’s Steve Harvey’s book, “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man.”

To start out, I was very impressed with the cast of this movie.

Each one of them had something interesting to bring to the movie; they weren’t dull or boring to watch, which was great about this movie because it didn’t drag along. The cast made it fun.

Especially Kevin Hart who played Ce-

dric, a single, happily divorced, man.

He executed both humor and sass perfectly which made it funny each time he’d talk.

What also made this romantic comedy fun was the advice in Steve Harvey’s Book, which was basically the

whole point of the movie. The woman used the book as a weapon against the men in their lives. It tells them if he’s

serious, if he’s playing you, if he wants to have sex, or even how to make him pop the big question. But all goes loose when the men find out and share it with his friends.

Though at times it could be very funny and have many laugh out loud moments, it’s very obvious that the movie is made for adults.

Though there were not too many crude moments, the women were around 40-years-old and their relationships were far more developed than what you usually see in romantic comedies.

Some of the women were Lauren (Taraji Henson), who is so successful she can’t find a man who isn’t scared of her position or money, Kristen (Gabrielle Union) who lives with a guy who has no intentions of putting a ring on it, Candace (Regina Hall) a single mom, and Maya (Meagan Good) who can’t seem to get a second date.

Overall, this movie is great. If you’re wanting to rent it or see it on the big screen, you shouldn’t miss it.

And yes, you may say you’ve seen it all, but when it comes down to it, this is a very unique blend of interesting comedy and cast. “Think Like A Man”, no doubt, stands out in today’s romantic comedies.

Grade: A-

page 13

The Symphony of the Goddesses

Conducted by Eímear Noone the “Ballad of the Goddess”. Each Kylie Brown Editor-in-Chief

One of the most successful video game franchises of all time, “The Legend of Zelda” series, is world-renowned for its music. From the Song of Storms to the Fairy Fountain theme, its music has taken up residence in the hearts of its players for 26 years.

This year, Nintendo graces America with the “Symphony of the Goddesses”, the first ever video game concert comprised of a complete 4-part movement symphony.

The San Francisco concert lured in a relatively tame crowd; the usual “Zelda” fans, who tend to be an older crowd, made up the majority of the attendees. Most fans were decked out in “Zelda” tees, and a small handful showcased their “Zelda” related costumes. All sorts of people arrived for the event; young, old, long-time veterans and new fans alike.

Irish composer and conductor Eímear Noone conducted the orchestra. Noone is well-known for her musical work on titles such as “Diablo III” and “World of Warcraft”.

All “Zelda” music was initially composed by Koji Kondo, and reimagined as symphonic pieces by composer Jason Michael Paul.

The orchestra opened with several intro pieces, the first being a grandiose medley of main themes across the spectrum of “Zelda” games. As the music swelled, I was almost immediately filled with nostalgia; this is a series that I and many others grew up with. Following the first piece was “Kakariko Village”, featuring a montage of the different incarnates of the in-game town of the same name.

To kick off the procession of movements, we were taken to the beginnings of the land of Hyrule with

movement was a medley of different games across the franchise, the first being “Ocarina of Time”, followed by “Twilight Princess” and “The Wind Waker”, and concluded with “A Link to the Past”. As a bonus, they played the orchestral version of Gerudo Valley, and a movement based on the music of “Majora’s Mask” by popular demand.

The selection of games for each movement was fair; the games they chose to orchestrate are all quite different in their artistic style, gameplay, characters, and naturally, their music.

There was a diverse enough array of titles to appeal to all of the fans.

Of course, the crowning aspect of the night was the music itself. From the harpists to the percussion, each musician was able to capture the different emotions and essences of not only each piece, but each section of each piece.

I felt calmed by the pure serenity of selections such as the “Fairy Fountain Theme”, while pieces such as “Ganon’s Theme” struck fear into my heart.

In terms of the actual audience, I was astounded at the level of respect and politeness the crowd displayed, especially given that the majority of the audience was below the age of 25. I had read horror stories about an immature audience that detracted from the atmosphere at other performances, but I was rather impressed with the audience at the San Francisco show, especially given the amount of small children.

Overall, I was impressed to say the least with the delicacy with which the musicians, conductor, and composers alike took to recreate the same atmosphere “Zelda” players enjoyed while playing the games. The amount of care the orchestra took in doing so was evident in the careful expressiveness in each and every piece. Aside from the horrid San Francisco traffic, I went home a happy Hylian.

Coachella packs in the bands both past and present Jinny Jung Staff Writer

Dog, Explosions in the Sky, Flux Pavilion, Weeknd, and Mazzy Star.

The six day event, spread across two weekends, started April 13 and ended April 22. Coachella was divided up in two identical weekends for the first time this year because the festival has garnered such a large amount of popularity that the venue, Empire Polo Fields, could no longer handle

Coachella, which kicked off April 13 and featured 140-plus artists, expanded from one weekend to two this year for the first time in its 13-year history. Although the lineup of artists — from the Black Keys to Radiohead to Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre — was identical each weekend, the same could not be said of the weather.

Weekend 1 exhibited record low temperatures, as it was c h i l l y, gray and interrupted by light rain whereas Weekend 2 pres e n t e d About 75,000 people attended the concert each day. t r a d i tional Coachella weather: blaz- the massive crowds in just one weeking sunlight and 100-degree heat. end. An estimated 75,000 concert First started in 1999, Coachella goers attended the event each day. An has become one of the biggest music estimated 20 percent of the Weekend festivals in the world. Shows from a 1 attenders also went to Weekend 2. variety of genres appear on the stage, Tickets were made available thus attracting fans from all over. Some in June 2011 long before the official of the major headlining sets included: Coachella 2012 lineup was announced.

Radiohead, Florence and the Ma- Tickets for Weekend 1 sold out in 40 chine, Bon Iver, Dr. Dre and Snoop minutes while Weekend 2 took two

hours. Fans then had to turn to secondary markets, such as scalpers or StubHub, in order to snag some tickets.

Tickets were notoriously expensive this year; three-day passes were sold at $285 whereas VIP festival passes were sold at $665.

However, rampant scalping meant that some tickets were being sold as high as $1,300.

with Hope Sendoval’s voice coming off as weak and the band’s performance rather discordant and off-beat.

When asked what some of the

mushrooms in that tea.” The energy given off by Radiohead was an interesting blend of lullaby and trippy stream of consciousness that wound down

photos courtesy of Andrew Youssef

The venue provides shaded areas to protect attendees from the hot sun.

Coachella, well-known for band reunions, brought back At the Drive-In after a 11-year hiatus as well as Mazzy Star, which had not played in more than a decade.

British band Pulp also reunited to rave reviews, just as At the Drive-In failed to disappoint.

However, Mazzy Star was one of the weekend’s most disappointing sets,

highlights of the festival were, senior Tori Johnson at St. Lucy’s Priory High School said, “Probably when Childish Gambino brought out Kendrick Lamar and Danny Brown. Another highlight is when Awolnation brought out Macy Gray. I love her, so that was exciting!

The Shins did excellent as did Azealia Banks, Radiohead and A$AP Rocky! I thought Dada Life and araabMUZIK were really good too. Honestly, there wasn’t anyone I didn’t think were good; the whole experience was great.”

Radiohead, one of the event’s most popular bands, played “There, There” and “Karma Police”.

After playing more electronicspacey tunes from King of Limbs, Thom Yorke teased the crowd by saying, “I’d fancy a cup of tea with some nice

the crowd, before Yorke announced, “This band is called Radiohead”, triggering a blast of screams from revelers.

The biggest surprise at Coachella this year was on Weekend 1, Day 3,when Tupac Shakur took the stage in holographic form, fifteen years after his death. Opening up with a crowd-rousing “what the f*** is up, Coachella!”, Tupac treated the shocked crowd to a few solo raps before sharing the stage with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, effectively stealing the show from the two rap luminaries. Eminem, 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa, and Kendrick Lamar also joined them on stage.

The dates for Coachella 2013 will be announced in May 2012, so stay tuned!

page 14

Gotye

entertainment

05.03.12

Gotye 2012 U.S. Tour Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded audience very little, but communicated and joked plenty just through body language. Specifically during “State of the Art”, he motioned less

With his hit song, “Somebody for the sake of the music’s feeling but That I Use To Know” that reached more to tell the cheeky story in the #1 on the American billboards as of lyrics. He showed through his playApril 19, award winning artist Gotye fulness that he doesn’t take himself (pronounced “gore-tea-yay”) made too seriously. Even though much of his way to the west coast to share his his music is sobering and thoughtmusic with the U.S.. The show was provoking, he carried a very carefree originally scheduled to hit the stage disposition. at The Independent in San Francisco Of course, he recognized the on April 12, but due to overwhelm- appropriate times to put his silliness ing demand, the show was moved to to the side. The band warmed hearts a larger venue. It was held at the Bill with a tear-jerking execution of Graham Civic Auditorium on April “Bronte”, a sweet song about home.

18.

Unfortunately, with the re Almost 7,000 fans poured into scheduling of the show, his partnerthe venue the evening of the show, in-crime, the Australian star Kimbra some coming early to find themselves who was featured in “Somebody That I Use to Know” was unable to attend the San Francisco performance.

But certainly not wanting to disappoint an audience by not sharphotos by Sadie Williams ing what a good spot for the only opener, brought many of them to his muMissy Higgins. The young woman sic, Missy Higgins made a surprise is another solo artist like Gotye, and reappearance in Kimbra’s place and had invited a percussionist, bassist, gave her own fantastic version of the and guitarist/ backup vocalist to per- song. form with her in combination with Gotye’s specialty is percussion. her own talents -- vocals, guitar and He gave a very passionate perforkeyboard. The audience swayed and mance for every song, and even stood sang along to the Australian’s soulful the entire time. Perhaps this was pop rock, but anticipation was high necessary though, considering how for the night’s main course. Even frequently he switched instruments devout Missy fans asked me if there during each song in addition to singwere anymore openers before the ing. headliner.

The set up on the stage consist Excitement was only height- ed of a complete drum set, up stage ened by the half an hour that it took left played by a guest percussionist, a for the roadies to change the set and guest bassist downstage right, yet anprovide the multitude of percussion other percussionist upstage left, and a instruments the Walter De Backer keyboardist downstage left who also and his guest performers would be jamming on. Finally, the lights went back down and De Backer made a humble entrance with the four other musicians, not going out of his way to enter last, or bring more attention to himself than the rest. With few words, the band jumped into their upbeat opening song “Eyes Wide Open” from the album Making Mirrors.

The 7,000 cheered and sang along to played the easily recognizable melothe inspiring song, which foreshad- dies from “State of the Art” on the ows the result of the world’s overcon- synthesizer. sumption and destruction of natural De Backer himself stood center landmarks and resources. stage, engulfed in a circle of hand Every song had a personalized held percussion instruments, drums, video projected on a screen that cov- microphones, and foot-pedals. ered the back of the stage. For some, Gotye wrapped up their set list the original music video was shown, with “Heart’s a Mess” and exited with and for others a more subtle, artistic a simple “thank you”, and a smile and rendition of the music and its message wave. The crowd’s insistent applause was displayed. For the songs without brought them back on stage after a a music video in the first place, there couple minutes, where De Backer was a fabulously portrayed represen- announced that his voice wasn’t well tation of the song. and he’d need a little help singing.

Gotye fans appreciated a set list The audience graciously assisted singthat wasn’t completely geared toward ing the two-song encore. an audience only familiar with the al- Though “Somebody That Use bum Making Mirrors that was made To Know” is his only hit, or song that famous by the hit single. Plenty of at- is popular at all, Walter De Backer tention was paid to his older music. has incredible talent to display for The audience enjoyed aged numbers those who look deeper into his hissuch as the quirky mockery, “Thank tory of song writing.

You For Your Time” and the French/ The performance portrayed the Latin-influenced “Coming Back”. personality of Gotye’s music perfect Throughout the engaging per- ly. I left satisfied and inspired by the formance that truly was focused on genius of the entire concert. the music rather than his newly-blossoming glory, De Backer spoke to the Sadie Williams Visuals Editor

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Performed by Nicki Minaj Katherine MacQuarrie Staff Writer

The wild, glamorous, hood to pop star-- the one and only Nicki Minaj. On April 3, Minaj released her new album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded”. Nicki Minaj is one of the wittiest, most creative rappers working today, either male or female. Her multiple personalities shine through the album and she sure seems to have a fun time doing it. The album consists of 19 tracks that intertwine Minaj’s two styles, mainstream pop sensation and rapper. She has earned herself a title as an established female artist, and as a member of YMCMB.

In the first half of the album Minaj battles it out and holds her own in songs such as “Roman Reloaded” with Lil Wayne, and “Champion” featuring Nas, Drake, and Young Jeezy. She shows her true colors and express her individual, hard-core, bad girl style.

In “Champion” Nicki Minaj opens to a mysterious beat and leads into a soft but dramatic chorus.

After the chorus, Drake offers a few lines, followed by Young Jeezy and then Nas. The four artists combine their different styles and wind up with an original and soulful track.

As the album progresses we realize that Minaj switches back into a

more pop and mainstream style. The vibe moves from rap to sing along with songs such as “Marilyn Monroe” and “Turn Me On.”

Photos courtesy of Young Money Entertainment

In “Stupid Hoe” Minaj raps in an interesting voice to an interesting beat and then burst out in a series of “Youz a stupid hoe”’s. While “Automatic” contains cheesy rhythms and a pop cho-

rus. Many of the tracks on “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded” unfortunately follow these same styles. And come the end of the album, a listener might think that they have been listening to one really long, really weird song.

Many of the songs have become very popular and often repeated on the radio such as “Turn Me On”, and “Starships”. But there are also a good amount of singles on the Album like “Gunshot: featuring Beenie Man and “Beautiful Sinner.”

“Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded” contains a variety songs, styles, voices, and beats. Minaj brings the same if not a higher level of weird and crazy, while still somehow managing to stick to her roots. However, pop star and mainstream influences have clearly made an impact on Minaj’s style. Her lyrics, rhythms, and overwhelming personality create a Lady GaGa feel in many of her songs.

It’s also hard to miss Nicki Minaj’s extremely conceited attitude. Her lyrics contain many “You wish you were me”’s and “I’m better than you”’s.

Her crazy style is always evident, but it seems as though being strange and weird is the new normal. So maybe her originality is no longer quite so original.

There’s no denying Minaj’s talent.

She has definitely earned her place and name in the rap industry. Her weirdness may be a bit over the top and non preferred by many, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that when it comes to rhyme and rap, Nicki Minaj is good.

“Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded” showcases every aspect of Minaj’s style and personality.

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Cabin In The Woods Directed by Drew Goddard Michael Rea Online Editor

Nowadays, it can be difficult to find creative films on the big screen.

It seems with certain film ideas like “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” or the 3D re-release of “The Titanic” that the film industry is running out of ideas. However, “The Cabin in the Woods” is a well-balanced horror film with a healthy dose of creativity.

The first bit of the movie looks like a typical horror movie setup: “White Knuckles”, an upbeat song by OK Go, plays in the background as a group of five college kids go out to a friend’s secluded cabin for a weekend of fun. However, nothing is quite as it seems, as they appear to be observed via hidden cameras by a group of technicians working in a high-tech facility.

The characters have clear personalities and they all seem likable as they hang out together at the cabin. When the horror strikes, the friends generally act intelligently and methodically to survive, often utilizing teamwork. This comes as a great relief when compared

to other horror movies like “Snakes on a Plane” where characters often stand paralyzed with fear, screaming and waiting for their death.

As the film continues, the audience is given a sense that the teens are a part of something much bigger. The film often cuts to the sophisticated laboratory watching them and manipulating their environment, and hints are slowly dropped to indicate their role in the film. This keeps the audience constantly working to figure out how everything works together without the idea seeming too convoluted.

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The characters in the film begin to realize their environment is being controlled by an outer force. As they take steps to discover what’s truly going on around them, there is a sense that they are discovering things that they should not. However, this is not done in a cheesy way; rather, the film makes it clear that the group of kids, or the “rats in the maze”, are beginning to escape and discover the secret, and now

the company must shut them down before they hit too close to home.

One of the strongest traits of the movie is its accuracy. Characters stay true to their personalities until the bitter end. Small things are suggested earlier on in the movie, and later all the pieces begin to form together. Sounds effects match actions well and lighting conveys accurate moods. The film consistently nails many of the fundamental elements of a good film.

There is also truly a variety of entertainment throughout the movie.

There are brief scenes with sexualundertones for those driven by lust, scenes devoted to comedy through awkward situations, puns, gore, gunfights, unexpected horror, and party scenes.

Fu r t h e r m o r e , there is even a man spontaneously stabbed to death by a unicorn. This film has something for everybody to enjoy. of Linosgate Although the movie is aimed at a high school or college audience, even adults will find themes, jokes, and various elements of the film to be enjoyable. “The Cabin in the Woods” is one of the few movies that could easily be watched multiple times. The movie manages to take the stereotypical horror movie idea and add a unique element to it to make it seem fresh once again.

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American Reunion

Directed by Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz Joseph Vasquez Staff Writer

On Friday April 6, the fourth movie in the American Pie franchise, “American Reunion”, debuted in theaters. The new film, directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossb e r g , brings back

the entire original cast for the first time since “American Pie 2” released in 2001.

The premise is that their high school is holding a thirteen year reunion for the graduating class of 1999 and the original group, Jim (Jason Biggs), Oz (Chris Klein), Kevin (Thomas Nicholas), and Finch (Eddie Thomas) decides to

attend and reconnect.

The boys find themselves in hot water as their new lives clash with their wild past. This includes confronting past relationships, realizing they are not as young as they once were, and of course Stifler (Seann William Scott).

Overall the movie retains its classic sexual humor from the original movies, but has a more mature style when it comes to character relationships and plot. This works for the film and shows how the characters have changed by putting them into high school situations with their adult lives.

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The Lucky One Directed by Scott Hicks Sarah Mowad Staff Writer

Throughout the years, Nicholas Sparks has provided audiences with numerous amounts of sappy romantic movies. There’s been “A Walk to Remember”, “The Notebook”, “The Last Song”, “Dear John” and now, “The Lucky One”. While I’ll admit that I’ve been one of the many girls who has flocked to the theater to catch these flicks, I may soon find myself turning away to watch a different genre instead.

The big screen adaptation of “The Lucky One” begins with Zac Efron, who plays marine Logan Thibault, on the scene of a battle.

He randomly finds a picture of a blonde beauty with the words “stay safe” written on the back.

After convincing himself that this picture is what’s kept him alive throughout three tours in Iraq, Logan makes it his mission to find the woman who’s saved his life time after time.

Logan’s journey to find this woman, who we later find out is named Beth, is so quick and simple that it’s blatantly unrealistic. He travels on foot from Colorado all the way to Louisiana only stopping once at a bar and instantly finding someone who points out Beth’s whereabouts.

The movie does not focus on Logan finding Beth, but rather the growth of their relationship once they are united. Logan means to tell Beth how he found her but his chance to confess is interrupted when Beth assumes that he has come to her doorstep in response to an ad that she put it in the paper

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looking for extra help at a dog kennel that she owns with her down-to-earth grandma, whom the family calls Nanna.

Everything is going great for Logan and Beth; their romance is blossoming and Logan is getting along

great with Beth’s 8-year-old son, Ben. The life they share is perfectly crafted to please any overly-corny hopeless romantic. They even seem to have hope of becoming their own little family, until Beth’s drunk and abusive ex-husband Keith shows up in the picture.

Keith tries to tear Logan and Beth’s relationship apart by threatening to take away Ben if Beth keeps Logan around. After succumbing to Keith’s demands for a short period of time, Beth finally draws up enough inner strength to stand up to Keith and defend her new love. As can be said of any Nicholas Sparks movie, all’s well that ends well. You’d be able to guess how this movie ends without even stepping foot in a theater.

What can be said of this film is pretty Bros. Pictures much the same as what can be said of all other present-day romantic chick flicks: although this movie may be corny and unrealistic, there’s something about it that’s sure to have viewers coming back for more.

time fans the humor will be recognizable and therefore funny, but for those who are new to the franchise it can be seen as just another teen flick. An example of this is the intentionally awkward scenes between Jim and his dad (Eugene Levy). This confrontation occurs usually once or twice in the previous films which keeps it funny, but it is used multiple times in “American Reunion” very close together and in my opinion ruins the scene.

The plot also retains the crazy, but relatable aspects that the franchise is accustomed to. Jim and his wife (Alyson Hannigan) are having problems with their sex life after their child is born, O z , Kevin, a n d Fi n c h struggle with the binding ties of love after reuniting

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with their ex’s, or in Finch’s case Stifler’s mom, and Stifler is being forced to grow up after all these years. This plot choice is expected and a good choice for the film because it allows all of the character to venture out on their own in order to deal with their own problems.

In my opinion, the greatest aspect of this film is the explanation of what happened to some of the side characters that appear in the first and second film. Without giving too much away I will say that John Cho’s character, known as “MILF guy”, and his friend, Stifler’s lacrosse buddies, Nadia, and Jessica are all given great back stories to show who they are now.

The acting is great considering it’s a comedy, except for one noticeable flaw. That flaw in this case is Tara Reid, who plays Vicky in the film. It’s apparent that her acting abilities are inferior compared to her fellow cast members and if she hadn’t been in the previous films, I don’t think she would have even been cast. Luckily her part is small, so it doesn’t interfere with the quality of the film and ironically it even adds to the comedy.

When I go see a comedy, my expectations are that it will keep my attention the whole time and, obviously, make me laugh. If it can’t do that then it is automatically a bad comedy.

“American Reunion” was packed with jokes and back stories that kept me engaged at all times and still managed to hold the original American Pie feel.

This movie is a pretty good end to the franchise and should stay that way unless they want to ruin the reputation of some of the best comedies of the 90’s.

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The evolution of Bieber Marissa Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief

Justin Bieber has made a living singing songs about middle school love, and is notorious for being able to reduce teenage girls to tears at the mere sight of his face. The 18-year-old Canadian has built a massive music/ movie/fragrance empire under the wings of the man who discovered him on YouTube, Usher.

I t ’ s quite rare to see a boy b a n d or teen heartthrob m a k e the leap from success with teenage girls, t o winning Grammy Awards and making Top 40 radio, but with Bieber’s new single and upcoming album, he seems to be attempting to do just that.

“Boyfriend,” the lead single from Bieber’s upcoming album “Believe,” attempts to bridge the gap between teen pop and pop radio. At first listen, it’s obvious that Bieber is trying to go the Justin Timberlake

route, by shedding his “baby face” image, and conveying a more sexual tone in his music. This method worked for Timberlake, who was arguably more successful as an adult than during his teenage years in the band NSYNC.

But for those non-Beliebers out there, “Boyfriend” might be too much, too soon. The song doesn’t really sound like Bieber (which may actually be a good thing, if Bieber is wanting to be taken more seriously by adults), and the new, much more mature sound might actually lose “The Biebz” some fans.

But it’s undeniable that “Boyfriend” is a catchy, fun dance song that will surely sit on the iTunes Top 100 songs list for a few months.

T h e verdict?

Downl o a d “ B o y f r i e n d ,” but hold off on the photo courtesy of Island Records pre-order of the rest of the album until you’ve heard the whole thing, and it’s clear whether Bieber is on his way to being a Justin Timberlake, or an Aaron Carter (unless of course you have his picture hanging in your locker. In that case, I’d say you’re going to love the album either way).

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