The Eleight June 2011 Edition

An Independent Publication of Leigh High School

Volume 49 Issue No. 8 June 2, 2011

Pictured in Longhorn: Mr. Pratt volunteers himself to be pied in the face during a lunchtime fundraiser to benefit Japan.

High School.

To some, it’s the best four years of our lives, and to others, it’s the worst. For some, it means AP classes, countless clubs and extra-cirricular activities, your first run in with a studying all-nighter, and chance to find your place in the GPA rankings. For others, it means football games, countless friendships forged and broken, your first run in with wild partying, and a chance to find your place in the popularity spectrum.

But for all members of the class of 2011, the trig functions have now been memorized and forgotten, the homecoming posters have been painted and ripped down, the SAT prep classes have been attendend and deemed useless, and the 50,000 prom pictures have been uploaded and lost in the vitual abyss. Perhaps we are realizing that what we will remember the most are the things we were not intended to remember at all. The Eleight asked seniors to forget the tired cliches and tell us

What four years of high school really taught them:

The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson. ~ Tom Bodett

High School is like a spork: it’s a crappy spoon and a crappy fork, so in the end it’s just plain useless. ~ John Mayer

perspectives

‘11

A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that “individuality” is the key to success. ~ Robert Orben

Your Events Calendar

June 3: Release of X-Men: First Class June 6: Senior Pool Party, 8:30- 11:30am on the Leigh pool deck June 7: Release of new City and Colour album June 7 and 8: Senior graduation practice, 8:30-11:30 June and 9: Finals and minimum days June 9: Graduation 2011, 5 pm in the bowl June 9: Grad Night!

June-August: Summer vacation

Contents

Seniors (pages 07-13)

Senior awards night - p. 02 2011 API scores - p. 03 Lynch vs. Bethune dodgeball - p. 04

Letter from senior to freshmen - p. 08 Drastic high school changes - p.09 College map - p. 10-11 Eating on a student budget - p.12 Senior picture collage - p. 13

Opinion (pages 05-06)

Features (pages 14-15)

News (pages 02-04)

New editors 2011-2012 - p. 05 The perks of siestas - p. 06

An examination of sleep cycles - p. 14 Graduation’s unlikely music - p. 15

Entertainment (pages 16-17) Hangover 2 review - p. 16 Summer music festivals - p. 17

Sports (pages 18-19)

Powderpuff game - p. 18 Badminton at CCS - p. 19

Flip-side (page 20)

Teachers’ senior pictures - p. 20

news

page 02

10.26.10

Choir and madrigals Art show displays student talents concert sucessful despite The Eleight brings you a photo summary: last minute changes Jordan Boomsliter News Editor

Music filled the halls on Tuesday, May 24, Wednesday, May 25, and Thursday as the choral and instrumental programs gave their final Spring Concert performances in the Performing Arts Center.

The three choral groups performed two to three songs each, including a sprinkle of traditional concert hall numbers, as well as several pop/rock songs and one musical piece.

Each group was loudly applauded and appreciated by an almost-full auditorium. As they broke for intermission, the audience was on their feet for the fantastic rendition of the rock group Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

As the program resumed, the stage morphed into a more relaxed atmosphere, with both the singers and the audience members becoming more engaged as the slew of solos, trios, duets, and other small-group performances were given. The students could be heard cat-calling from the green room and the pit below, exhibiting their enthusiastic support of their peers.

The show wrapped up with a presentation of various end of the year awards given to the exceptional performers whose hard work was a much appreciated and noted contribution to the program.

The awards included those given to four-year participants, the most likely to succeed in music (awarded to junior Saida Mulder), the Fred Waring Directors Award (awarded to senior Jennifer Neilsen), and the National School Choral Award (awarded to Senior Annika Arasmith).

All of the performers gathered on stage to cheer on their peers as they accepted their awards and then all together in a combined choral ensemble sang the final closing hymn, “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.”

“I’m so proud of them; each group did an amazing job,” said choral director Barbara West.

The next night the musical celebration continued as the Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble performed their selections from the originally planned combined bands Spring Concert in the Performing Arts Center, straying from the original plan for the concert; the annual event has traditionally included the Concert Band and Symphonic Band ensembles, and was scheduled to be held outside in the quad.

Due to the drastic change in

weather and the unpredictability of the conditions of an outdoor concert the coordinators of the concert decided to split the band concert into two performances; the Performing Arts Center maximum seating would not have been able to accommodate the number of families scheduled to attend the original out-door concert.

The first half of the performances, those of Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble, went on at the scheduled time and date, but were moved in-doors to the Performing Arts Center to accommodate the change in weather. The Symphonic and Concert bands performed their selections at the End of the Year Department Barbeque on May 31.

Despite the set-backs and last minute changes, both concerts went on without a hitch and with raves reviews from the audience in attendance.

Echoing the closing sentiments of the choir performance, the fouryear or senior members from both the Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble were recognized and congratulated on their extensive contributions of time and commitment they gave to the music program. They closed the evening with a rousing performance of John Williams’ and Johan Meij’s score of Star Wars, a selection picked by the class.

At the End of the Year Banquet the Symphonic and Concert Bands provided ample entertainment as the attendees enjoyed the barbeque dinner served to them, and were followed by the presentation of instrumental end-of-the-year awards, including most-improved, MVP, and Outstanding Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior.

As all three evenings ended, a mixture of attitudes from the seniors was expressed as the curtain came down on their spring performance; for some this would be the last performance they gave as a student, and for some it was the last one they would ever give.

“I’m happy to be done after four years of doing this; it was a good time, but I’m ready to be done,” said senior Jason Manley.

With the array on performances given, both programs ended the year on a high note, and sent off their graduating class with the assurance that their dedication and hard work was not in vain, and that the contributions they gave to the program will be a shining gem in the multi-colored crown in the Performing Arts Department for years to come.

What they really learned in high school...

The district art show, held on May 26 in the Leigh gymnasium, consisted of student work from Branham, Westmont and Leigh. Paintings, photographs, sculptures, pottery and more were on display for any and all onlookers, (admission to the event was free).

All art was was a produced in CUHSD classes such as Art 1-4, Photo 1-2, and 3D design.

Photos by Maddy Kirsch and Nicole Hamilton

news

6.02.11

The yearly scoop on API Abel Mariam Staff Writer

Every year, Leigh High School students take a variety of standardized tests that all serve as the basis for the Academic Performance Index (API), California’s system for measuring school performance and improvement.

The most common misconception about the API is that it is a system that measures both academic performance and improvement.

This system is used as a tool by both the state and federal government to determine whether a school meets the standards.

With a lot at stake, schools are

often pressured to improve their test scores and APIs. For example, in the 2010 API, scores were based on the test results of the STAR, CAHSEE, and CAPA.

“Schools scoring above 800 are viewed as providing an excellent education environment for their students and do not fall into the Program Improvement category where [as] if scores are too low the state can tell a school or a district what they must do in order to improve,” said Donna Hope.

In 2010, Leigh had an API Score of 817, 16 points higher than its 2009 score of 801.

In the district, Leigh’s score ranks the highest, with Branham trail-

ing with a score of 781.

Ms. Hope attributes Leigh’s improvement to “a lot of hard work from teachers and students.”

With pressure thrust upon schools and districts to perform well, it is only logical to wonder whether colleges take into account the API score of a student’s school.

It so happens that some schools such UC San Diego, UC Davis, and UC Santa Cruz award applicants with points that attend lower-performing schools.

The API Score creates accountability for the school and its students to perform well. It also serves as a measurement system for the state government to assess the school.

photo by Zack Galou

Leigh’s Academic Performance Index is judged based on standardized test scores, such as the STAR and the CAHSEE, and general academic excellence.

page 03

Down sets the sun on the shafted

seniors

Caitlyn Nurnberg Staff Writer

This year it seems that everything that could possibly go wrong for the graduating class of 2011 has happened.

Many seniors have voiced their opinions on the subject, and the general consensus is that this senior year was definitely one of the worst Leigh has had.

“This year I feel is a lot is less organized. Senior Sunrise was a fail, homecoming this year was on minimum days, we didn’t have lights in our football field, all the dance rules changed so no one went to dances, so it pretty much was [a failure] compared to last year,” says senior Ciera Lindsay.

One of the most recent senior events that has come into question is the Senior Sunset. Although many believe that there is only a small chance it is actually going to happen, a lot of seniors are praying for the best.

“Senior sunset is not a possibility, it’s reality. I’m planning [the] whole [thing] after prom,” says senior class president Alan Prijatel.

With the promise of the class president the only problem with senior

sunset is getting everyone to actually show up. Because of the general feeling of disappointment with all of the senior activities there is the possibility that no one will show up to this event.

“Getting people to fully commit to going [is going to be hard]…it would suck if like no one showed,” says Lindsay.

Even though the general feeling of discontent is still flowing through the class of 2011, some of the teachers think that this year has gone exactly as planned.

“No I do not think this class is less organized than previous years.

All of the seniors I’ve worked with have tried very hard to meet deadlines, hold meetings, get information out and have worked very hard to ensure success in all their activities,” says activities director Gina Nicoletta

While getting people to drive to the beach is a huge feat on its own, it will take a lot of time and preparation from the senior class officers for this sunset to be the best it can be. With Senior Sunset being one of the last times the entire senior class will rally together, everyone has high hopes it will go off without a hitch, and the seniors can end their year at Leigh with a beautiful sunset.

photo by Zack Galou

news

page 04

6.02.11

Let the Lynch-Bethune games begin!

Nicole Hamilton Staff Writer

As the dust settles on the end of the school year pandemonium, the flames of an old rivalry begin to flare as Leigh trigonometry/precalculus students prepare themselves for the yearly Ben Bethune versus Dennis Lynch dodgeball games.

The origin of the battles is the stuff of legend. Around the time the movie, “Dodgeball”, first came out, Donna Hope proposed a challenge to the Branham High School principal as a money recruitment effort.

Lynch then got the idea to challenge the other trig/pre-calc teacher, Kennedy, to a friendly battle, as well.

Once Bethune was added to the mixture, however, the dodgeball games slowly became centered on the classes of the two male teachers.

“It’s just good, clean fun,” says Lynch, “We want to be good role models for the students.”

“We are quite dominant,” adds Bethune, “We set out each year, my class, we set out to basically break the spirit of the kids in his classes.” He jokes, “I give my students extra points if they make Mr. Lynch’s students cry.”

The students are encouraged to sign-up in their respective teams rooms, sorted into separate groups of girls and boys for each.

Two of the games are against likegendered opponents, with the third being a large co-ed free for all. At the time

of this writing, 63 students are signed up for Lynch’s team and 84 for Bethune’s.

“I think it’s kind of interesting, because math classes don’t really do this kind of thing,” said junior Paulina Luckiewicz, one of Bethune’s students.

The class with the most wins s a fact that seems to vary depending on who you ask. While Bethune claims that his team has never lost, Lynch tells a different story.

“Bethune will say it’s even,” said Lynch, “But his mathematic calculations are in severe error. [The odds] are slanted on our behalf.”

The competition takes place over three days of fierce battling during lunch in the gym – the all-girls game was on May 30, the all-boys on June1, and the co-ed game was today, June 2.

The beginning of a game of dodgeball.

Photo courtesy of farm3.static.flickr.com

2011-2012 renovations: What

kind of campus will you be coming back to?

Christopher Wyman Staff Writer

Using funding provided by the passage of Bond Measure G in 2006, the bond used to fund construction of the new performing arts center and the gym lobby, arenovations will begin at Leigh High School.

Renovations will take place on the art and science wing located parallel to Los Gatos-Almaden Rd., quad, and rooms 100 and 200.

“I’m really excited to see what changes take place on campus over the next year,” said sophomore Julia Dillard.

The first project will be the construction of the new library to replace the original library from 1962. Rooms 100 and 200 will be transformed into a

modern library, and students will continue to use the curren library while the new library is under construction.

“Our library could definitely use some upgrades, but it is going to be inconvenient when room 100 is under construction,” said sophomore Krystal Soltani.

Once construction is completed on the new library, the art and science room closest to the main office will be renovated to make the classrooms more modern.

“I think that the changes will be a nice addition to Leigh, but I’m not looking forward to having to deal with the construction,” said sophomore Abbey Santoro.

In the future, the cafeteria will be remodeled.The changes are scheduled to be completed during the 2011-2012 school year.

The changes that are being made is announced on the Project G board.

Photo by: Zack Galou

06.02.11 Editors-in-Chief Annie Jung, Maddy Kirsch

opinion page 05 New faces of the Eleight

Section Editors News: Jordan Boomslider Opinion: Jenna Goeke Features: Shannon Keener Sports: Kelly Grogan Entertainment: Josh Vasquez In-Depth: Varija Yelagalawadi Visuals Editor Kylie Brown Business Managers Chris Wyman, Kelley Grogan

An introduction to the editors for next year’s Eleight staff

Jenna Goeke Opinion Editor

Editors-in-Chief

Kylie Brown

Marissa Rodriguez

Copy Editors Varija Yelagalawadi Staff Writers Josh Vasquez, Jenna Goeke, Danielle Baldelomar, Blayke Leach, Jennfer Park, Shayna James, Rebekah Hassen, Maddy Kirsch, Shannon Keener, Annie Jung, Varija Yelagalawadi, Jordan Boomsliter, Kelly Grogan, Alex Sainez, Spencer Thresh, Zack Galou, Terra Steadman, Jacob Parker, Kylie Brown, Abel Mariam, Marissa Rodriguez, Caitlyn Nuvnberg, Nicole Hamilton, Andy Simionas, Arman Alam, Chris Wyman, Kim Foote, Sydney Black, Roya Askari Design Staff Josh Vasquez, Jenna Goeke, Blayke Leach, Jennifer Park, Shayna James, Rebekah Hassen, Maddy Kirsch, Shannon Keener, Annie Jung, Varija Yelagalawadi, Jordan Boomsliter, Kelly Grogan, Alex Sainez, Spencer Thresh, Terra Steadman, Jacob Parker, Marissa Rodriguez, Caitlyn Nurnberg, Nicole Hamilton, Andy Simionas, Arman Alam, Chris Wyman, Kim Foote, Sydney Black Visuals Staff Kylie Brown, Zack Galou, Abel Mariam, Roya Askari, Danielle Baldelomar Adviser Elizabeth Towner 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.

Kylie Brown brings the sunshine to any situation, and is never afraid to speak her mind. While an eccentric and spirited young woman, she also works hard and does everything in her power to make the newspaper its very best. She writes humorous yet flawless articles without fail. As the Visuals Editor this past year, she has displayed dedication to its fullest as she has lead the visuals staff and taken over half of the pictures in each edition. Talented, cheerful and optimistic, our Kylie Brown has true integrity and spark. She has established herself as a clear choice for next year’s co-editor-in-chief.

Marissa started out this year as a staff writer, completely new to the journalism scene. But soon, people noticed how much she cared about the paper and how hard she worked towards it. Hard-working, honest, and strongwilled, Marissa has an impressive presence, making her an instant leadership figure. Like all dedicated journalists, she strives to write the best articles and works with others to design pages. Her column shows her constant determination to do her best and follow what she loves, regardless of what others think. As a force to be reckoned with, Marissa will work well with Kylie as the co-editor-in-chief next year.

Entertainment Editor: Blayke Leach

If anyone were to lead the Entertainment section, it’s definitely Blayke Leach. Starting out in his first year on journalism, he constantly gave new ideas for the section and strove to write hilarious articles. Blayke is truly the epitome of an outspoken and humorous person, rarely lacking a sense of humor or jokes. He encompasses a perfect food-challenge contender, stand-up comedian, and movie critic all in one. Hence, the choice to give him Entertainment Editor was almost instantaneous.

Opinion Editor: Caitlyn Nurnberg

Like many of the returning editors, Caitlyn began as a new staff writer, with promising talent and will to do well. As a wholehearted and witty individual, she often jokingly teases people, although everyone knows that she means well and actually loves them. She has picked up on writing and designing fast, and aims to teach many of the upcoming staff members the ropes. In my opinion (pun intended), she is the perfect opinion editor: opinionated, but not too opinionated. As my Opinion Editor prodigee, I wish her the best and know she will live up to expectations and talents.

All Editors:

Let’s blow this popsicle stand!

-Love Annie and Maddy

Features: Amanda Cendejas News: Brianna Houston

Sports: Zack Tatar Junior Editor: Luke Weinburg

Co-Online Editor/Business Manager: Chris Wyman In-Depth/Co-online editor: Nanxi Chang

opinion

page 06

Nathan Bootz. The name is pretty awesome, but what this Superintendent at a Michigan school did is even more awesome and worthy to be the topic of discussion in this year’s final boom, roasted. Bootz was tired of the same worn out way of the education system in Michigan. So like any normal person who wants to bring about change, he wrote a letter to someone who could make a difference (in this case the governor of Michigan). But unlike a normal, boring letter saying “Hey gov, the school system should get some more m o n e y” , Bootz asks the governor to turn his school into a prison. On average, the state of Michigan annually pays 30,000 to 40,000 per

prisoner, while only spending about 7,000 per year per student. Bootz states in his letter, that prisoners get “access to

Andy Simionas Staff Writer

free health care, Internet, cable television, access to a library, access to weight

rooms, and access to computer labs.

While in prison they can earn a degree. Convicts get a roof over their heads and clothing. Everything we just listed we DO NOT provide to our school children.” The reason that Bootz’s letter is the last thing I’m bringing up in Boom Roasted is because quite frankly, it’s beautiful. Bootz mixes facts with a little bit of cynicism to make his point that schools are terribly undefended, and that prisons are getting more money than needed. So kids, if y o u want a real education, go to prison, not grade school. Just kidding. But really. Actually, just kidding.

It’s nap time people The miracles of Spanish siestas Spencer Thresh Staff Writer Don’t you wish you could give in to that two-thirty feeling of tempting tiredness the sweeps over you during the middle of the day? Why is it that only the toddlers of America get to enjoy nap time while the millions of people who need sleep most are stuck being wired to their coffee and 24hour energy drinks?

I n s o m n i a : a sensation that haunts the very make-up of the mind, the inability to sleep even when totally exhausted.

Night becomes day, day becomes night, and everything feels completely hazy. The lethal thing about being so tired is your brain actually tricks you into thinking that you are performing even better.

In a study conducted by Duke-NUS Neurobehavioral Disorders Program, twentynine healthy adults underwent two MRI scans, one in which they had rested the night before and one in which they “pulled an all-nighter.”

The scans showed sleep deprivation caused an increase in activity in the ventromedial prefrontal region of

Maybe the folks at Hollywood aren’t just trying to fill our heads with lies and understand that when sleep deprived, the brain is more likely to try something foolish like this.

Which leads to the next topic: the Siesta, the brilliant invention of the Spanish.

Instead of reaching for a harmful energy drink and having to plow through another six hours of work, they just go with that two- thirty feeling and sleep.

The main reason you haven’t seen a Spanish scary movie is probably because they don’t make these risky decisions because of sleep deprivation, they do it just to show they’ve got Cahones.

After researching this fabled siesta, I gave it a try.

As a male senior in high school, my car Photo courtesy of irudiak.argazkiak.org insurance agency believes that I already am the riskiest man on the planet.

Although I can say that my teachers weren’t enthusiastic pumped up on caffeine, the brain still about my new sleeping schedule, I can took risks that it would not normally safely say that I no longer feel so fatigued and find many of my test scores rising take when deprived of sleep.

Ever watch a scary movie where despite the drool stains on them. I highly the “tough guy” stays up all night to recommend the siesta for all Americans keep guard then stupidly runs off after who are trying to live a clearer and more productive life. the monster in the woods alone? the brain and decreases in the region called the anterior insula.

In non-medical terms, the smart decision part of the brain turns off for a bit and you become less engaged with what you are doing.

The part that is active releases dopamine in order to trick you in to a false sense of contentment. The studies also showed that regardless of being

06.02.11 Coffee, rap, & delusion

Much in agreement with the sentiments expressed in the plentiful senior statuses on our newsfeeds lately, I’ve still yet to be hit with the fact that I’m leaving. Graduating. The fledgling is teetering out of the nest. I’m blowing this popsicle stand. Gettin’ the hell out of dodge.

This is my very last column for The Eleight. That, too, is a fact that has yet to register in my mind. And what a very addled mind it is, presently.

My co-EIC Maddy and I got about an hour’s worth of sleep last night, “last night” equating to “an all-nighter fueled by Mt. Umunhum-sized bowls of Rocky Road and Cookies ‘n Cream ice cream, the sugary pop stylings of Bieber and T-Swizzle, creamy caffeine by way of caramel macchiatos, and for me, my collection of passion-stirring Pavarotti, Bocelli, Zimmer, and Marianelli (often called “old people,” “funeral,” or “sophisticated culture-y” music by my peers).

You might think, “Damn, girl.

If this is your final column, wouldn’t you want it to be awesome/fantastic/ brimming with effort/profound/sentimental words of nostalgia that bring you to your knees?”

I’m sure that in an ideal world, that would be preferable. But in a delusionally wonderful way, this is a fitting send-off, for this weekend and last night and this morning, as Maddy and I sit here in the library during fifth period, is an apt summation of my Eleight experience.

Stress, chaos, yelling about food, last minute writing, yelling about needing coffee, rambling about everything and nothing, intentionally and accidentally constructing our own portmanteaus regarding objects of relevance and total digression, displaying physical attributes that would get us stopped by law enforcement officers (“Girls, I’m going to need both of you to perform some field sobriety tests/How much ganja is in your system?!”), saying things that indisputably point to our having partaken in natural mind expansion recreational activities, staying at school until 10 P.M. (pobrecita, Ms. Towner), eating pizza (props, J-Nakamura), and coming in at 6 A.M. - yessir, this June edition has encompassed all the classic, iconic aspects of my Eleight experience.

And this column. Poor column, neglected this edition for its annual attention-hogging, top-priority sibling, the senior map.

Yet many of my best and most appreciated columns were written in this state: disheveled, tired as fornication, cerebellum function impaired, and happily screeching out songs seriously beyond mine and Maddy’s vocal capabilities.

And speaking of singing, we realized last night that after midnight, one must caterwaul to stay awake and keep energy levels up. But one must sing songs that fall into one of two extremes of the musical spectrum: the

A look through the pensieve innocent, whimsical, simple nursery rhymes of yore or the wenches-drinknarcotics-@#$% filthiness of today.

It’s Baabaa Black Sheep or rap.

Coherently and cohesively, it’s been a good time here at The Eleight.

It’s been a huge catalyst in overcoming my paralyzing shyness.

As a sophomore, I was one of three in a class filled with upperclassmen.

Ostensibly silent and innocent, I came out of the shell when I landed a coveted columnist position in which I provided glimpses into the “profanely profound” (as described by Andy Simionas) complex landscape that is my mind.

And having to interview people really broke the shell. For one drugs/ alcohol In-Depth, I went up to a group of known stoners and piped, “Excuse me. I know you do drugs, so tell me what you do, where you get them, and how much they cost.”

As a “double agent” in Yearbook, between the two publications, I did a lot of talking and shocking.

Ms. Towner recently admitted that my columns have been the cause of some of her “gray hairs.”

What has The Eleight taught me?

In times of dire need and great frustration and crashing, crappy, antediluvian Dell PCs, I will rip a bloody oath upon inanimate objects and their machine mamas.

In times of freezing InDesign and putting in another 15-hour day at school, I will knock back many shots of caffeine.

In times of great pride in a particularly difficult-to-birth and/or beautiful edition, people share an inexorable bond of Starbucks and Panda Express runs.

In times of having to spend whole days and weekends with your co, you may discover quickly that you two are best friends, eagerly shrilling your hearts out to Ke$ha, very much off-key.

In times of being on The Eleight staff, you will laugh, weep, sing, scream, type, procrastinate, take awkward creeper pictures, holler about nonsense, stumble upon very profound thoughts, take pride in a witty headline, obsess over column alignment, slave over finding the un-outlined font in an otherwise perfect page, fall in love with dirty streaks of newsprint on your arms, learn to thizz, and...

Keep it Eleight.

06.02.11

Senioritis

Senior Moments

By Sydney Black

Commencement means ‘the beginning’. Graduation isn’t the end, they say; it’s merely the beginning.

That’s total crap.

Graduation is the end. It is the final chapter of the novel we’ve been working on since we were freakin’ five years old. Yes, it’s true that graduation marks the beginning of the rest our lives. But there’s a heck of a lot of ‘goodbyes’ and ‘endings’ before ‘the rest of our lives’ actually kicks into gear.

The yearbook quoted me as saying that “I’m not going to miss Leigh at all. There’s a time and a place for high school, and there’s a time and a place for the rest of our lives”. Yearbook asked me for that quoted months ago and, at the time, it was accurate. That was my rationale about graduation all year. But last night, after finally flipping through my yearbook and reading all of the senior quotes, it finally sunk in.

I’m leaving.

I guess the hardest part about graduating is that so many daily routine things will just be memories. No more piano every Thursday night. No more babysitting at Noddin Elementary every Tuesday night. No more seminary at six in the freakin’ morning. It’s all over. I’ll start referring to it as “back in high school”. Everything switches from present tense to past tense.

Senior year is supposed to be the best year of high school. Everything is supposed to come together for a fantastic year with easy classes and excellent friends. That’s what I had planned. But it didn’t work out that way. It’s been a hard year.

It’s been hard and challenging, but very rewarding. I’m so glad that things didn’t turn out the way that I planned.

There have been so many good memories in high school. The unity of my freshman English class with Ms. Moisei. Listening to Taylor Swift songs, watching Titanic, and

discussing ‘poo-brown eyes’ with Annie Jung. Sophomore year there were lots of mall trips and bagel bites at one in the morning. Junior year was APUSH and AP English. And this year was all about hot chocolate with crazy straws, Mock Trial, working backstage on Joseph, and being in Journalism.

I have to admit, I’m truly terrified for what happens next. After June 9, I’m stuck in limbo. I’m not a dumb kid in high school anymore.

But I’m not an adult either.

I’ve claimed to have senioritis since second semester of sophomore year. But now that I’m a senior, I realize that it’s not true. There’s a reason that senioritis is limited specifically for seniors. Younger students claim the title, but only because it sounds so much better to say ‘yeah dude I have major senioritis’ rather than just ‘yeah dude I’m majorly lazy’. Senioritis isn’t synonymous with laziness. There’s so much more to it.

You can be tired of school and waiting for summer. But you don’t have senioritis. You can put off your Algebra 2 homework until three minutes before class, but that doesn’t mean you have senioritis. You’re just lazy and procrastinate a lot.

Senioritis is realizing that after June 9, you’re done with your childhood. High school becomes a thing of the past. Senioritis is full of ‘wow this is the last time I’ll ever do this’ moments and a lot of ‘goodbyes’.

I’ll never sunburn in the Bowl while watching a football game. No more lip syncs during Homecoming.

No more Homecoming or Winter Ball or Prom.

So to clarify my statement in the yearbook once and for all: yes.

I will miss Leigh. I’ll miss tripping constantly across the un-even pavement and my friends laughing at me.

I’ll miss my friends. I’ll miss the good teachers. I’ll miss commiserating about bad teachers. I’ll miss Chris’ ridiculous demands and Caitlyn’s sass during Journalism. I might even miss Spencer constantly calling me inept and Andy making Mormon jokes. I’ll miss quite a bit about Leigh; far more than I ever anticipated.

But yes, there IS a time and a place for high school. And that time is quickly drawing to a close. Soon enough graduation will hit. And then it’ll be over. Goodbye high school.

Goodbye childhood.

All year I used this column to vent about how unprepared I feel for graduation. But now, it’s June. Ready or not: here it comes.

Adios, Leigh High. Have fun next year. My sister will be a freshman next year. If you see her, throw her in a trash can for me.

seniors

page 07

Sixteen Candles and Saturday School

Eleight staff member Kelley Grogan’s high school experiences

The only things that saved me to solving overpopulation – free confreshman year was that I looked older doms at every public and private estabthan I actually was. By this time, I had lishment (what was more remarkable a beloved Jake. was that Ms. Gillis let us put a condom Ironically enough this junior’s on our poster!).

As teenagers, we are heavily in- fluenced by pop culture. Most people name in fact was Jake (he even has a I also had guy troubles. Luckwatch MTV or VH1, but I am inspired red car). I was love-struck. Luckily he ily, like Samantha Baker, I had a great

by John Hughes movies of the eighties: and his friends ate in the same row that Dad to help me with my Farmer Ted. ‘Sixteen Candles’ and ‘The Breakfast my group ate – so I could stare from And because Jake was graduating, I got afar.

Club’ in particular. enough courage to get Jake (okay so I He was beautiful, and nice, and only asked him to sign my yearbook).

Hughes had a way of looking at high school and producing a mirror he even played the guitar! (no, I am not Nevertheless, he signed: “Kelimage that teens could relate to. In- a stalker, nor ley, have a stead of “We’re all in this together” he a creeper). badass sum Ok a y, represented each individual student. mer”.

I The reality is that

He had no smoke and mirrors, so now that never met only raw feelings and reality (accompa- we’ve estabyou but you you change and your nied with great music). And best of all, lished Jake, seem nice friends change - growhe gave the characters – the people you I think it haha. Take best to move knew – an uncanny sense of humor. care, Jake. ing apart. This year

Being a senior, as graduation ap- on to sophoI still melt is the stage of “The proaches, I look back and parallel these more year: when I read it movies with my past four years. Of “When it. Now to Breakfast Club”! to course, my life is not exactly like those started my junior movies (my parents year: “Growhave yet to forget ing Pains”. my birthday and I By junior year, never got Saturday you become more school, but man, mixed within the difdo I relate to those ferent classes – and characters). your group of best

Would I friends changes. want Jake Ryan to The reality is show up at my sisthat you change and ter’s wedding with your friends change his gorgeous self – growing apart. This and Porsche – just year is the stage of for me? – You bet “The Breakfast Club”! your bottom dollar Junior year I I would! Would joined Journalism and Photo courtesy of static.flickr.com I befriend the started afresh. With ‘basket-case’ or the Journalism, I got a ‘nerd”? – I already Much like the “The Breakfast Club” classic from the 80’s, many high great group of friends, school students struggle to fit in and sometimes feel pressured to have! family, and colleagues.

And would fit certain social norms and stereotypes (the athletes, princesses, There were people I lend a freshman rebels, “brains” and even weirdos as the film defines them). from all walks of life who was the essence and we just meshed. I of dweeb borrow gained a lot of senior my underpants? – Hell yes! These peo- begin”. friends.

Sophomore year no one really ple are my homies! The representation I literally spent so much money notices you. Seriously, the sophomore on Taco Bell with Rain Stites, it’s quite of what high school is all about.

I know what you are thinking – class is ignored on a day-to-day basis. remarkable. Along with gaining these what do underpants, basket cases, nerds This is the “Samantha” stage. You are senior friends it made it that much old enough to get your license, yet not harder to let go at the end of the year. and studs have to do with anything?

These, my dear friends, are what old enough to drive your friends.

It was hard when a lot of my friends This year was the best and com- were moving on, and I was stuck here made up my high school experience.

But to understand fully, let’s go back to pletely worst year for me. It was fun in high school. sometimes – like when we had to make freshman year: “Kajagoogoo”.

By senior year, I was pretty much

We started out lame. Being a up our own countries for Ms. Gillis’ done with everything, concluding my freshman, the lameness is unavoidable. English class. experience: “Young Americans”.

My friend Alex and I made up

We try as we might, but the stig- In senior year, all seniors get ma attached to “freshman” is too hard a land called “Swiiizerland”! We were antsy. We stress about college to begin to break. We start out “fresh” from our hippies whose main imports were Cup with, and then once we get in, we hit awkward stage (still lovingly awkward), of Noodles and Dr. Pepper, and whose braces and all. This is the “Farmer Ted” main export was hemp.

We even had a unique approach stage.

Kelley Grogan Business Manager

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Continued on

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seniors

page 08

06.02.11

The world has changed

Many significant events in politics and advances in technology have occurred during the class of 2011’s high school career Marissa Rodriguez Staff Writer

It’s a widely known fact that high school is a time of change: change of friends, change in study habits, hair styles, taste in music, and just about everything else. But for the Class of 2011, the world has also seen quite a bit of change since these seniors were but wee little freshmen. We’ve elected a Black president, Michael Jackson has passed away, and the world has been introduced to Justin Bieber (you can decide whether that’s a good thing or not).

Me want an iPhone: Four years ago, when the class of 2011 began their high school reign, there wasn’t an app for that. The Apple iPhone was introduced in June of 2007, and during freshman year, it was considered the ultimate status symbol. It wasn’t quite as common as the Motorola RAZRs or LG Chocolates that most Leigh students had, but it seemed that everyone in America was ready to touch the new technology. Fast-forward four years, and it’s almost impossible to walk from one class to the next without seeing a sleek, black, Palo Alto-designed rectangle clutched in someone’s hand.

NObama/PRObama: Barack Obama made history in November 2008 by being elected the first African-American President of the United States. President Obama has spent the past 3 years trying to fix the American economy, while the class of 2011 has been trying to get into college. Also in this year, Governor Sarah Palin made history by… well, giving Saturday Night Live enough material to almost double its ratings. (Take from that what you will.)

FBO (Facebook Official): During the Class of 2011’s freshman year, Myspace still reigned supreme as the number one way to share overly personal information with people that you sortof knew. But by sophomore year, Mark Zuckerberg had blown Myspace’s Tom out of the water. “Friend” became a verb, and relationships were pointless and invalid unless they were “Facebook official.” The website has changed a lot in the past three years, but Leigh students’ obsession with it has only increased.

Osama is dead!

May 1, 2011 is a day that will never be forgotten by many Americans, especially those in the class of 2011. It marked the death of terrorist Osama Bin Laden, and it seemed that everyone in the world was glued to their televisions and computers on that fateful Sunday night. Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA” became the un-official national anthem, and Osama death-related jokes covered everyone’s Facebooks.

Osama Bin Laden may have been dead, but he still managed to blow up everyone’s Newsfeeds.

Psycho is the new normal: The music world shifted in a big way during the Class of 2011’s time in high school.

Artists like Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Ke$ha began to make crazy, over-the-top outfits the new norm, and actual music was put on the back burner. Meat dresses and trash bag gowns became the most universal conversation starter for high school students, and Madonna’s and Michael Jackson’s true originality was soon long forgotten.

A few words of wisdom Sydney Black Staff Writer

Dear Class of 2015,

By now, you’ve chosen your classes for next year, your freshman year of high school, but it hasn’t set in yet. High school is still several months away, but it might as well be years. College? It hasn’t even crossed your mind. You’re still reminiscing about the school DC trip and looking for your Grad Dance dress.

But, eventually, the reality of it will set in: you’re starting high school.

Hundreds of movies and TV shows have been centered on the goings-on during these four years of

adolescence. According to Hollywood, high school is brutal and torturous.

But fear not little freshmen. Don’t believe everything you see on TV.

High school—especially Leigh High School—is so much worse.

Being a freshman, you’re the little man on campus. That’s the most important thing to remember. You’re the low man on the social totem pole.

Know your place in the high school hierarchy. Don’t try to be creative and rebellious and attempt to mess with the system. This isn’t High School Musical.

Stick to the status quo because we are NOT all in this together.

Once you have internalized the fact that you are essentially the Omega wolf of the Leigh pack, you had bet-

ter start acting like it. If you’re in line for anything (bathroom, lunch line, etc) and an older student arrives, give him your place in line and shuffle to the back. By showing respect to your elders, your likelihood of surviving the next four years drastically increases.

High school is much different than middle school. This is apparent from the moment you walk on campus. Leigh teachers are bloodthirsty and cutthroat. It’s their way or the highway. They aren’t understanding, sympathetic, or willing to give you a second of their precious time outside of class. And don’t even think about asking questions in class.

Note-taking is an essential high school skill. You might want to think

about dedicating a few weeks of your summer to truly master it. Students are expected to take 9 pages of double-sided notes on college-ruled paper per lecture. The kind(er) teachers will make a PowerPoint presentation to go along with the notes, but don’t expect any visual flair or pretty pictures to spice it up. Just dozens of text-heavy slides that must be copied down word-for-word if you have any hope of passing the class.

The first week of school is critical to establish which social clique eats where at lunch time. Again, it is important to remember your place. Don’t be the freshman that makes a run for a lunch table or bench on the first day of school. Those freshmen are never heard from again. Find a nice spot of ground

and pop a squat. Move fast, or you’ll be eating in a bathroom stall every day for the next year.

Follow these words of wisdom and you’re likely to survive your freshman year with only a 75 percent chance of needing therapy later on in life. And if you’re even THINKING about acting out against these unofficial rules, please understand that we have passed on all of our finest techniques of swirlies and trash-canning to the Class of 2012.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

The Senior Class of 2011

06.02.11

“

seniors

Then and now

”

Let go of the past and go for the future. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.

Live the life you imagined.

- Henry David Thoreau Caitlyn Nurnberg Staff Writer

When we look at people we see them as they are now. We don’t think about what they used to be like, or what they used to look like. Sometimes we see pictures of people from the good old days in middle school and say, “Dude, you look exactly the same” or

“Bro, you look so different.” and even the occasional, “Aw , you were so cute, what happened?” Seniors every year get to look back at their pictures from Freshman year and although the general thought is usually, “Why did my parents let me go out in public wearing that?!?” Many look at the differences and see how they have matured and grown. High School is an important part of growth for every teenager. When

freshman:

senior:

senior:

we are Freshman we are just getting out of our awkward stage, sophomore year we are trying to figure out who we want to be, junior year we want to make a name for ourselves, and then we are seniors. Senior year is the year everyone remembers about you, from the way you look to the way you act. Although this is what people will remember, we wouldn’t want them to forget about the little freshman we once were.

senior:

freshman:

page 09 freshman:

freshman:

senior:

senior:

freshman:

Bemis, Kristina Bodine, Sebastian Bovard, Brandon Brightwell, Nicholas Buenrostro, Mayra Carwile, Alyssa Covdy, Veronica Donald, Larry Gonzalez, Martin Haynie, Sarah Henry, Savannah Hermstad, Zachary Jaime, Aundrea Jonach, Elliot Jones, Shawn Junkins, Taylor Kim, Miri Lewis, Alexandra Lopez, Angeline Madzar, Besar Madzar, Nora Martinez, Nicole

“Welcome to heaven, twenty-eleven We made the grades, the financial

McIntosh, Robert Overstreet, Jake Tellez, Omar Sialaris, Nicole Schultz, Eric Siu, Brian Romero, Cindy Pham, Anna Valenzuela, Cherie Petty, Aaron Martinez, Jeremy Pardula, Trevor Nakayama, Bryana Murphy, Kady Mendoza, Courtney Torrecillas, Sophia Yim, Leakena Woodford, Jacob Ullmark, John Lee, Erika

Elliot, Chloe

Kristensen, Ellie

La Pearle, Audrey Malczewski, Steven

Grochowski, Shelby Kelly, Amanda Mariam, Abel Weinberg, Jordan Troung, Melanie Petrini, Caitlyn

Baldelomar, Danielle Booth, Carly Hooe-Masouris, Cole Salcedo, Mark Rahbar, Roozbeh

Avarachan, Jerin Barrera, Monique Brunger, Michael Costa, Tommy DeStefano, Joseph Gable, Tyler Galou, Zachary Garcia, Kristopher Johnson, Jacqueline Kurian, Sean Luckiewicz, Phillip Mahan, Katrina Massone, Haley McKenna, Kylee Yelagalawadi, Varija Wilcox, Kyle Rojo, Gerardo Roenfeldt, Kaila Pizano, Nathan Pasupuleti, Sasi Park, Jennifer Pappas, Megan Modirzadeh, Erfan Raineri, Trevor

Anderson, Danika Antonello, Nicholas Balzer, Tyson Bamberger, Sarah Balzer, Tyson Baxter, Brianna Boomsliter, Jordan Bost, Ashley Brunetto, Peter Jr. Caruth, Thomas Casey, Daniel Casteneda, Daniel Corey, Katie Cortland, Amber Crommet, Sarah Daub, Eric DeCianne, Jordan Deutschman, Bradley Devincenzi, Ryan Eastman, Renae Fathali, Kayla Fini, Anthony Francis, Justin Franco, Derrick Futia, Mariangela Gill, Joshua Giovanetti, Joshua Goeke, Jenna Grijalva, Joseph Gross, Jason Gunnar, Brian Hannan, Kenneth Hawkins, Samantha Helton, Jesse Hoagland, Clayton Hollenbeck, Blake Karkas, Nicholas Keenan, Daniel

Osugi, Ashley

Foote, Kimberly Kjar, Hayley Logsdon, Nicholas Tilton, Sarah Remmel, Alyssa Murdick, Thomas

Vasek, Paige Shearin, Robert Monack, Mitchell Hughes, Kahner MacLean, Kelly Crook, Claire Galasso, Molly Green, Michelle Horton, Clayton Lugo, Cassi Ryman-Patterson, Deven Weber, Lauren Stone, Tiana Stalke, Jessica Rooney, Logan Nijor, Sohn

Kelch, Hannah Knudson, Emilie Kohl, Tanner Lewis, Johnathan McMahon, Conor Zahriya, Waael Wright-Hollist, Matthew Wolfe, Keenan Whiting, Audri Walker, Mallory von Rassler, Patrick Vasquez, Josh Unruh, Michael Thresh, Spencer Thompson, Kenneth Szuszitzky, Dustin Stamps, Mark Souther, Bridgette Sota, Melissa Sims, Taylor Scott, Griffin Schwartz, Leeran Schmid, Katherine Sandoval, Kyle Sakima, Nina Safa, Andysheh Rotolo, Tina Rizzuto-Dillon, Jessica Reno, Jessica Rahn, Beau Philip, Samantha Petulla, Tanner O’Halloran, Courtney Nack, Jonathon Murch, Leah Muller, Ashley Moore, Nathaniel Mijares, Oscar

Hereford, Shane Massey, Caitlin Son, Paul

Luu, Clara Nguyen, Victoria

Buck, Alexis Kagawa, Kirsten Kaplan, Roxanne Laird, Nathan Lee, Caralyn Marshik, Tyler Yang, Yijun Simionas, Andrew Oka, Jacen Nicolas, Joseph

Warren, Danielle Silveyra, Juan

Duncan, Jessica Wang, Yukuan

Greer, Jocelyn

Delaplane, Brad

Daoud, Danny Ham, John Williams, Dylan

Betts, Makayla Chen, Eric Huang, Michelle Ko, Faith Shuler, Aaron Pavick, Hydie

Grogan, Kelley

Dunaway, Samantha Baker, Jeffrey

Zanotto, Dante Odle, Morgan Bendixen, Derek Cola, Alyson Gamma, Breanna Ho, Raymond James, Shayna Kunzel, Eric

Weil, Eliott

Lau, Andrew

Jung, Annie

Broszus, B Drake, K Henry, C Sato, Sen Saba, Elia

Azami, Saulaur Kozintsev, Alexander

Jubran, Reem

Daly, Amanda Lucero, Brittany Nicole Bartell, Sara

Borgeon, Alice Clark, Melissa Dickey, Kaitlyn Garfield, Hunter Ginsky, Leah Hannigan, Emily James, Charlotte Koehne, Cory Wiseman, Daniel Steadman, Terra Ross, Daniel Nestle, Matt

Egbert, Jessica

Campbell, Brian Kettenburg, Brad Neish, Jenna

Bassett, Katie Thomas, Stephanie Soifert-Pratt, Krystal Nolan, Holly Zaplitny, Jamie

Maglio, Elizabeth Tounkel, Inna Calehuff, Kelsey Chiou, Christine Eschenfelder, Lin Hopper, Michelle Kirsch, Madeleine Parker, Jacob Ogle, Emily Nguyen, Julie

Arrasmith, Annika Cha, Jun Fuentes, Melisa Sayre, Alex Sadeghi, Cyrus Patel, Jaimel

Evans, Brandon Lindt, Lyndsey Manley, Jason Nichols, Trevor

Worrell, Brooke

n.” But now that this paradisical class is graduating, where are its members being welcomed to now? l calls, and the final decisions regarding our future plans for the imminent four years.

Tell us where you’re going to be at for the next half decade, - Annie Jung, USC ‘15

Nakabayashi, Cory Sundstrom, Jonathan

Chrisman, Brianna

Youngworth, Rachael

Volden, Molly

Chee, Nathan

Black, Sydney

Bayer, Kelsey Eitel, Elyse Henderson, Nicole

Kim, Hanna

Swart, Andre

Nguyen-Khoa, David

Wittig, Shane

Neilson, Jennifer

Garino, Sarah

Santilli, Anthony

Lindsay, Ciera Titus, Lindsey Newby, Kady Kevin Gaan Killoran, Megan Degroot, Jaime Vaughan, Christie Katrenick-Perez, Dylan Markle, Bradley Anthney, Jessica

Bianca Kevin Claire na as

Sumi, Nathaniel

University of Hawaii Hermsmeier, Hanson Tokihiro, Matthew

Unknown: Zimmerman, Justin Thompson, Matthew Sunseri, Dante Stock, Solaris Stafford, Sharon Spear, Keven Singleton, Tyler Sandoval, Christopher Piedad, Kevin Owens, Dillon Oneto, Camille Nienhaus, Nickolas Nichols, Ashley

Hauck, Connor

Revzin, Nirit Randazzo, Randy Gett, Brenna McFarland, Bryce

University of Manitoba Tsukuba University

Hyde, Christopher Prijatel, Alan

Alayoubi, Nadia

Kamihata, Hiroki

Army

Mircic, Mirko

Marine Corps Alvaro, McKevin Bleisch, Jonas Henry, Anne Scrievers-Dodd, Jake Robinson, Max

Air Force

Demarest, Patrick Beaudry-Carnell, David

Workforce Watanabe, Nicholas

seniors

06.02.11

“

page12

Sixteen candles and saturday school continued from page 7...

This is the stage of “Saturday ers. There is a common tie that binds us – we all Afternoon”. want to get ( Un f o r t u out of this nately, I had place. Sure, health probthere are lems on top milestones of all the selike senior nior crap we prom and accumulate). graduation, After AP but honestly testing, peojust give me ple burn out. the damn The good diploma althing about ready. We senior year seniors eiis the better ther worked understandour butts off ing students or slacked (fellow seoff to get niors) have Kelley Grogan feels that college is like a to this of each oth- “platform for the rest of your life.””

place, but either way, we want out!

What is good about being a senior is turning eighteen (strip clubs and hookah bars watch out!). When you turn eighteen you feel golden – you can vote and taunt your parents that you are an adult now so you are technically their equal. The wind is at your back, and life is waiting for you just out of your reach! Just writing about it gets me pumped! People begin to let go of petty things that stopped them in the past four years, making the general senior population unite in our unspoken rite!

Our dreams expand from lowly high school wishes, developing our character to be ready for what life will bring us!

When you are a senior, you want to embrace the clichéd fist-pump in

the air! You have accomplished some-

Kelley, have a badass summer

”

- Jake

thing; it may not be curing cancer, but it is overcoming adolescence! And , ironically enough, once you reach the pinnacle of high school hierarchy, it doesn’t matter – you start off

as a “Farmer Ted” somewhere else and that’s all you can think about.

So, I think John Hughes understood us high-schoolers and I strongly suggest that everyone watch “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club” – it made me appreciate what we go through and the awkward, superficial, highly important years that are high school.

Do I think these are the best years of our life? – No way! But they are a platform from which to jump into life and we grow with every trouble we face and thing we overcome. Thank to our teacher friends, family, etc, we are who we are!

This has been my John Hughes experience.

-Kelley Grogan

Livin’ the good life one paycheck at a time

“By living the healthier lifestyle, the likely hood that you’re going to need to go to the doctor is less, which

The golden rays of dawn break actually in the long run makes healththrough the windowsill of a tiny apart- care cheaper for everyone,”said Casper Maintaining a healthy regimen ment, beaming down into the sleepy eyes of a young man. Once again, he of diet, exercise, work, and play all unawakes to the malodorous mixture of der a budget can be daunting. The key rotting pizza boxes and left over Chi- is time management.

“We all share the same 24 hours. nese food. His feet drag as he slowly makes his way to the window, increas- Lets just say that you have a really busy ingly conscious of the fact that just three work schedule and you’re working some where months between 8 into colto 12 hours lege has Right now, two-thirds a day. The left him of the american popuaverage persoft and son sleeps out of lation is overweight. anywhere shape. between 6

Out of the two-thirds, to 8 hours.

People one-third is clinically There’s still live like four more this every obese - James Casper, hours left in day, all for endurance athelete the day. So, the sake if you really of saving start breaka couple bucks or gaining that extra hour in ing it down you realize that you have front of the television. But, in truth, quite a bit of time,” explains Casper One must obtain a healthy the “easy” path can really only lead to failure. Take a step in the right direc- mindset if they intend to improve their tion; health is the answer to a world of health. Instead of waking up in the morning, dreading the minute you pull troubles.

“Right now, two-thirds of the on those running shoes, think positive.

American population is overweight. Just as a boost of confidence can imOut of the two-thirds, one-third is prove a performance, a good attitude clinically obese. So, we obviously have could serve as an energy boost and, a problem with people being over- more importantly, a reason to keep goweight in the United States,” explains ing.

“I just keep the mindset that I James Casper, 38, an accomplished endurance athlete and 24 hour fitness work hard during the week on both my body and being responsible with work. employee.

Although the collective views of Then on weekends I have fun. There’s our society has regarded healthy liv- a balance; I work hard, play hard,” said ing as expensive and time consuming, Aaron Sommer, 24.

In order to fuel a healthy lifestyle, some have not yet considered the long term financial and corporeal effects of it is important to make the right choices in food. Although eating healthy is an unhealthy lifestyle.

Shayna James Staff Writer

“

”

considered to be the more expensive “The nice thing about farmers salary. path, there are ways to get around it. markets is that you know that the food is “Running is very cheap; all you One of the ways to do that is to look really fresh; you’re talking to the people need is a pair of shoes. If you want past the brand name. who are growing the food and you can to work upper body you can do push “There’s a marketing side to healthy be sure that you’re getting some organ- ups, sit ups. You can even go on your foods that people can get trapped into. ic food as well,” explained a frequent local school’s monkey bars and do Read the f a r m e r s some pull ups. There are so many label and m a r k e t things that you can do,” said Somk n ow c u s t o m - mer. w h a t er who Keep in mind that healthy living y o u’r e wishes to is just that; a lifestyle, not a punisheating. r e m a i n ment. Balance is key. It’s important to If you a n o n y - accept both the good and the bad in do that, mous. order to achieve a strong unity within you’ll E x - yourself, providing the strength that find that e r c i s e , is needed to reach a goal in life. a lot of too, is an “If you set the bar so high on times e q u a l l y trying to be healthy that you never t h e important reward yourself occasionally, you’re healthifactor in almost setting yourself up to fail” exer solua healthy plains Casper.

Photo by Marissa Rodriguez tion is lifestyle.

Although the balance act can be not alFind an tough to maintain, it’s worth it. Our ways more expensive” explains Casper. activity that plays to your strengths bodies where built to be lean and pow Eating healthy does not mean and to your weaknesses. Also, make erful. Don’t let that calling go unanthat you must sacrifice flavor, either. sure that you enjoy your activity and swered; take care of your body and, in In order to make your health plan suc- that it does not present a threat to your return, your body will take care of you. cessful, you must enjoy every aspect of it. The internet provides Easy ways to improve your health an unending list of ways to without breaking the bank save on quick, healthy meals Plan ahead: The majority of unhealthy foods are bought on an impulse; it just looks good so that taste you buy it. Make a list, stick to it, eat first, and go alone. good.

FarmBuy in bulk: Buying foods in bulk will give you a lot more food for a lot less. Foods such as oats, ers markets, pasta, and rice are easy to stock up on. for example, are becoming Buy whole foods: Labels filled with preservatives and sugars indicate a bad choice health wise as increasingly well as budget wise. Fewer ingredients usually mean fewer dollars and fat. popular because of their Buy frozen fruits and vegetables: Frozen fruits and vegetables save time, money, and are great deals on usually nutrient dense...even more so than fresh vegetables if frozen correctly. organic goods, authentic

Eat healthy on a budget

seniors

06.02.11

page13

A letter to my kid brother as he enters high school Jordan Boomsliter News Editor Dear Connor, Man, only another week or so now, and then we’ll both be graduating. You from Union, and me from Leigh; feels really weird, huh?

You’ll be getting ready for high school; picking classes, attending orientation, starting football camp.

I can’t believe you’re going to be a freshman; it all seems to be speeding up, faster and faster as these last couple of weeks fly by and we’re both trying to cram in everything graduation-related.

But amidst all that, I just wanted to take time and share a little prediction with you; that come fall, freshman year is going to be awesome for both of us, no doubt about it.

I’m gonna be honest, I’m kind of scared about going to college; I’m not saying that I know what it’s going to be like for either of us, but I’m sure at this point we’re both feeling the stress of

entering the abyss of the unknown.

Luckily for you, I’ve been through it once and can give you clues as to what to expect, but that’s not to say that our experiences are going to be the same.

I did marching band, and you’ll do football. I had one group of friends, and you’ll have another.

There are certain parts that will be the same for the two of us, and for every teenager, such as dealing with obnoxious fire drills every semester, deciding whether or not to go to a dance or the movies, and finally going in and stressing over the details of senior year.

The only thing that I can promise you is that it will be different from middle school; what you make of it beyond that is completely up to you. As the old dude from Indiana Jones said, “choose wisely”, and I’m sure you will.

You’re an amazing kid; you’re kind, with a huge heart and an unbelievable sense of maturity, something that will be a huge advantage for you

over the next four years.

You’ll find that while the drama and silly stuff from middle school doesn’t goes away, it does change; you’ll be a little older, with a little more experience under your belt, and hopefully that will give you the confidence to be open to new experiences.

But please don’t be duped into believing that kids in high school are immune to drama, or that you will be the exception to the rule.

You will get involved in something new and exciting, and may find yourself in a less than savory situation.

The best advice I can give you for these situations is to do your best to resolve the issue while still being as mature and rational as possible, and remember that if things seem beyond resolution nine times out of ten all the things you’re dealing with at that moment will most likely blow over by the next day.

If all else fails, laugh; find something ironic or funny in the situation, and it will give you the break in per-

: n e v heares

m ctu o i p r f n i t 011 n 2 f e o s S las The c

spective that will allow you to sort through the real issue.

Remember that no matter what happens, you’re an amazing kid, and you’ll come out of it a better person for working through it yourself.

One of the main points of high school I want to stress for you, and for all incoming freshman, is to enjoy it; while I’ve enjoyed my last four years immensely, there are still a few opportunities I wish I had taken.

Enjoy yourself, have fun, and just remember to balance yourself; looking now at my senior class, those of us who balanced the stress of school with the benefits and fun being a teenager gave us are more than ready and able to move on to the next chapter of our life.

And enjoying it doesn’t just mean going to dances and school events (which are important and a huge part of my memories) or just hanging out on the weekends with your friends; it means looking at an opportunity that

has the potential to be fun and saying “why not?”, and if you can’t come up with a legit reason, doing it.

Be open, and you’ll be one of the fortunate few who looks back on high school as a fun, exciting time in your life, and not as four years you wish you could get back.

To conclude, I just want to say thanks; you’re the best brother I could ever hope for, and I am so proud of the amazing young man you’ve become.

Without a doubt, these next four years are going to be some of the most memorable ones you have, and

I’m sure you’ll squeeze every ounce of laughter, excitement, and joy out of them. Good luck bro, and good luck to all of you entering into the indescribable world that is Leigh; in the words of StarKid Potter, it’s gonna be totally awesome.

Lots of Luck, Your News Editor/Bookworm/Section Leader/Friend/Peer/Sister, Jordan.

features

06.02.11

Q and A with ASB

Sleep cycles:

the key to your best night of sleep Roya Askari Staff Writer

Good grades, a social life, and eight or more hours of sleep. Pick any two. In the high school years we tend to neglect what our body and minds needs most. What we are unaware of is that when we neglect sleep, we do not experience a full sleep cycle, which consists of four different stages.

The first stage of sleep lasts a mere five to ten minutes. Eye movement and muscle activity decreases, and you are easily awakened.

Stage two is still a light sleep; eye movements stop altogether, heart rate slows down and your core body temperature decreases as well.

Life Lessons

perb survival skills would mean nothing.

T.E. What is your favorite movie?

M.M: Pride and Prejudice Isabel Haggerty:My favorite movie is either Forrest Gump or Blades of Glory.

that people don’t know about you?

Z.D: I’m a secret nerd for Atari. My uncle gave me the Atari he had in the late 70s, and now I play it for hours The Eleight: If you were stranded on upon hours. I have a huge flat screen a desert island, what would you bring? tv in my room, and my Atari is the Zoe Demertzis:I would bring a Kinonly gaming console I have, so it’s dle or something completely kind of cool to have loaded with books. That way, the old school/new when I’m not climbing trees school combination. or hunting monkeys, I can esI.H: I have a closeted cape for a bit and pretend I’m obsession with Sims. I back in my room. always play it whenever Danny Davis: I would bring I have free time. only one match, and a pair D.D: I don’t like my of boardshorts. One match food to touch on the because i would like to make plate unless its Thanksa fire and keep it going, and giving; I used to borboardshorts because they are row only the Star Wars like shorts, but you can wear books from the school them in water. library in second grade; Rachel Yankey: i would bring At volleyball games, I my Bible, a water trampoline sit on the end of the and Meagan Michael. [I would bench... ALWAYS; I bring a ]Bible because it’s my sing in my Church basic need for survival, water Choir; Sometimes I trampoline cuz I can play on use COD phrases even Photo courtesy of Zoe Demertzis it in the water and sleep on it though I suck at the and Meagan because well she New Vice President, Zoe Demertzis, drew her’s and runactual game is just that awesome! ning teammate, Danny Davis’s, campaign slogan onto M.M: I am a huge nerd Meagan Michael: I would stickers for the entire school. of Harry Potter as well bring three things and three as all things Pride and things only. a toothbrush, Prejudice and Princess toothpaste and floss. Otherwise I R.Y: ummm “Finding Nemo” I guess? Diaries. I can literally recite scenes would go crazy in hours and my su- T.E. Do you have any interests/secrets from the movies word for word.

Kim Foote Staff Writer

page14

Lastly, REM (rapid eye movement), the dreaming stage, occurs about an hour to an hour and a half into your sleep cycle, and reoccurs three to five times throughout the night. During this stage we relieve stress, and can often experience repressed emotions and memories. Quick, irregular breathing patterns are experienced and your heart rate and blood pressure go up.

To all of us who wake up feeling dazed, there is now a solution. Yes… there’s an app for that! Sleep Cycle wakes you up according to when you went to sleep.

Therefore your alarm clock will no longer disturb you during your peaceful slumber, but wake you up when you are in a light sleeping stage.

Photo by Shannon Keener It monitors your movements throughout the night physical energy. This is why when to determine when you are dreaming, you’re awakened while you’re in a deep and over the course of two to three sleep, you wake up feeling groggy and nights it figures out your sleep patterns and tendencies. disoriented.

Stages three and four are periods of deep, uneasily disturbed sleep. During this time your body decreases blood flow to the brain and transmits blood to your muscles instead.

This is when our “batteries” are recharging; our body is restoring our

Two words

five letters

By Christopher Wyman

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” –Pericles

This past year has been an experience I will never forget. As I look back, thinking of fond memories, striving to find the lessons each experience was meant to teach me, and reading my past columns, I’ve realized how much I have changed.

At times I found this column laborious to write, but looking back, it has been worth it. I have grown both as a person and as a writer. I published things that I, for the longest time, would not dare say to someone. But the most rewarding part of it, has been the support that I have received from the people who read my column.

To all of you: the students, the teachers, the admin, the parents, and the family members; I would like to say thank you. I hope that every one of you has learned a lesson from my column big or small.

I want to leave you, with the same lessons that I have been left with this year. These are my rules of life. There are a few about life, a couple about school, and a handful about relationships.

Rule number 1: Laugh every day. Regardless of how good or bad your day was, a good laugh will never hurt. Take a step back, and think about what really matters. Realize that things can only get better and find something worth laughing about.

Rule number 2: Find something to be thankful for every day.

It is always better to be humble than to pretend that the world owes you something. Finding something to be thankful for every day provokes reflection about the things that matter most. Avoid thinking materialistically when looking for something to be thankful for, find someone that you are thankful for instead and let them know.

Rule number 3: Treat yourself often, and well. Everyone deserves to treat themselves well. Nothing

can be gained from treating yourself poorly either physically or mentally.

Take a moment everyday simply to relax with no distractions and no pressures. Also remember to think about external factors, avoid people who bring you down, and don’t let people tell you how.

Rule number 4: If at school you don’t understand the class, at least try to understand the life skills it teaches. One of my favorite teachers, Ms. Warkentin, told the class that her philosophy was that the chemistry didn’t matter, what mattered was learning to be responsible and self-motivated. I most likely won’t be using chemistry in my career, but I will always remember the life skills that I learned in that class.

There is always a lesson to learn, you just have to be open to finding it.

Rule number 5: Don’t burn bridges. As tempting as it may be at the end of the year to let your teachers or classmates how you really feel about them, just don’t do it. It is always better to not like someone and be neutral to them than to act on your negative feelings. Remember that there always is the chance that you’ll have to ask them a favor.

And when that time comes, you’ll be glad that you are on good terms with them.

Rule number 6: If you can’t agree with someone, be understanding. Everyone has an opinion on something, and everyone disagrees with at least one person. But often in our society we resort to arguing over our beliefs. Although I advocate standing up for what you believe in, much of the time, you can accomplish a lot my by simply being respectful of their opinion.

Rule number 7: Patience is vital. No matter who you are dealing with: friend, teacher, significant other, parent, or anyone else you can think of; a little bit of patience can go a long way.

In the midst of our fast-paced lives we often neglect to take a moment when we are interacting to really listen to someone. However verbose someone might be, if you take a moment out of your day to really listen to them, you will gain a lot of respect. That being said though, brevity is always favorable.

Rule number 8: The big picture is what matters most. We all have had an argument, most of us have had one with someone that we care about. The truth is, that many of these arguments are over insignificant things. When you get frustrated with someone, or annoyed by something they are doing, take a moment to look at the big picture.

More often than not, what is bothering you really isn’t very significant.

06.02.11

The Eleight explores...

features

Fads of

Jennifer Park Staff Writer

When people think of trends, they think of things such as purses and baggy jeans. However those are not the only type of trends students follow; some follow trends without even realizing it. Some examples are

and fahion trends. As a matter of fact, there are some trends Leigh students follow that fall under those categories.

At the beginning of this school year, students became obsessed with Silly Bandz, which are elastic/plastic bracelets that look like animals or other shapes. Students all across Leigh could be seen wearing these colorful pieces of plastic both in and out of the classroom.

Another huge trend this year was television shows, such as Glee and Jersey Shore.

Leigh students’ facebook newsfeeds were flooded ev-

ery Thursday evening with Jersey Shore-related posts, such as “It’s teeshirt time!” and “Cabs are here!”

Glee is a mix of a high school drama and a musical; the series is a comedy

that amuses students, but at the same time students can relate to some of the situations that the characters on the series experience.

It helps to broaden their view of others.

watching certain television series or wearing certain accessories.

2011 has been a year of many trends, particularly when it comes to music, television shows,

May the force be with you!

Band decides on unlikely graduation theme Alex Sainez Staff Writer

Graduation day, and the familiar sound of people chattering in the stands, whistling, and

sen to send the seniors off in style.

“I think it’s cool that we’re able to pick what we walk off to as seniors. Star Wars is definitely better then Raider’s March in my opinion!”

the band playing the traditional Pomp and Circumstance that everyone associates with this special evening fill your ears. Suddenly, as the seniors start to walk off the field the band plays something else, something unusual, yet oh,

so familiar: the theme to the

A new tradition appears to be sprouting amongst the band members whom play for graduation every year and the graduating seniors from the various bands in Leigh’s vast musical department.

Last year it wasIndiana Jones’s theme for Raiders of the Lost Arc, this year the theme to Steven Spielberg’s well knownscience fiction series Star Wars was cho-

stated graduating senior Erika Lee.

For the past two years seniors from the various bands on campus

voted on a single piece of music they would like to have played by their fellow peers and band members as they walk off the field for graduation.

The tradition, expected to be continued for many years to come, was originally a revolutionary attempt to make graduation a little more interesting for each graduating class and served to spice things up for the band members who have to endure hours of grueling practice playing the same piece over and over again by adding another unique piece of music to the usually routine ceremony.

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As the credits start to roll

I hate that feeling you get when a movie is over, and the credits start to roll.

It’s especially awful when you’re at a theater. The lights get a little brighter, and a sad sort of chatter covers the room as everyone discusses their opinions of the film.

It’s just so sad to me.

Maybe because it feels like something’s over, but you wish it could go on forever. It makes me feel like I’ve lost something.

I n a lot of ways, I get this same feeling at the end of every school year.

It usually doesn’t sink in until the end of June, because by then I’ve had enough time to relax from the stress of school work, and I start to realize that I’ll never be in the same class, with the same people, and the same teachers again. Last year, this realization came as a relief. I strongly disliked most of my classes sophomore year, so I really had no desire to stay in them.

But this year, I am legitimately sad about the school year ending. I loved every single one of my classes and teachers, and I’m already mourning the loss of our wonderful senior class.

But I think what makes me the most sad, is knowing that in a couple years, I will probably have forgotten most of the people in these classes.

And a few more years will pass, and by then I will have forgotten the teachers, and then the classes themselves. It’ll be as though those long allnighters spent working on APUSH or reading The Great Gatsby will have been completely pointless. And the people that I sit next to everyday will be long forgotten, except for maybe a nostalgic Facebook friend request, or a chance encounter at Safeway.

It makes me sad, knowing that all these things that are such an integral part of my life right now will be forgotten so easily. I’ll miss at lot of things, like my little APUSH family and our hilarious teacher; our amazing Leighdership class, and all the wonderful personalities that shape it.

I’ll miss my English class, and the fact that Mr. Warren is fully aware of my tendency to slack in his class, but he still lets me raise my hand and share my psycho-analysis of characters in books I haven’t read.

I’ll miss our wonderful Editorsin-Chief, and the Jay-Z and Hilary Duff music they blast on their laptops at Journalism worknights.

The Pursuit of Happiness

By Marissa Rodriguez

I’ll miss my senior friends, and my friends that are moving on to Middle College next year.

But I think I’ll miss the senior class most, because of the sense of security they give me. As long as they’re here, I feel like I still have time— there’s someone else stressing about college apps and senior portraits.

When the Class of 2011 graduates on June 9, I will lose that. I’ll lose the people that I ask for advice about AP classes, SAT’s, college apps, and even just personal stuff.

T here’s something scary about being the people that the freshmen are terrified of. I’m not quite sure if that makes any sense, but I hate the idea that when the Class of 2015 walks into these halls on August 22, they’ll be afraid of me, and my friends.

(Well, maybe not us specifically, but I think you get what I mean).

I haven’t even taken my final exams yet, but I feel like senior year has already begun. I’ve already started my summer homework for my AP Classes (okay, I haven’t started it, but I’ve looked at it), booked my appointments for my senior portraits, began working on next year’s Journalism class, planned my seventeenth birthday (it’s August 20th), made a list of all the colleges I’m applying to, and have painted my room (in preparation of the guest room it will become when I move out).

Things are moving way too fast.

And right now, all I can feel is that awful feeling at this pit of my stomach; the credits are about to roll on my high school life.

06.02.10

Owl City

entertainment

ed several artists in the production and contribution of his music. He has even allowed other people to write some of his songs, despite his usual insistence on writing the original music.

While the new album has new aspects to the music and a more curmusic strewn into the usual mellow rent and upbeat feel, it still keeps the music style. Electric guitar can even be unique originality of the other albums.

The music still has that strange but fasheard in the opening notes.

The second released song is called cinating feel of indietronica and synth“Alligator Sky,” which has featured rap pop, music that very few artists choose to attempt. What made his music successful in the first place was that it was different from all others, and he took a risk.

Young plans to begin Owl City’s All Things Bright and Beautiful national tour in June.

He will be in San Francisco at the Warfield Theater on July 19.

As a whole, the album keeps its traditional music style while infusing new genres for an improved technique.

The song lyrics and titles remain pecuPhoto courtesy of Universal Republic liar and distinctive, artists including Shawn Chrystopher making this upcoming album a breath and another version with B.O.B. The of fresh air from the normal rap and group (or more appropriately single- pop infested radio music.

“All Things Bright and Beautiful” Jenna Goeke Opinion Editor

With the release of Owl City’s song, “Fireflies” in 2010, it seemed that Adam Young was on his way toward musical stardom. Since then, his albums have been top-selling hits with his new album All Thing Bright and Beautiful releasing June 14.

Owl City is renowned for its ‘alternative’ aspect, although more properly called indietronica and synthpop music. The strange thing about this ‘group’ is that it is not a group at all, but a passionate twenty-five year old that acts a songwriter, producer, singer and musician all in one.

His new album, set for release June 2011, is his fourth produced album, althoughE Ocean Eyes was his first realS M U break in the music industry.

C Although only two songs have been completely released to the public from the upcoming album, there are noticeable changes in his music style. “Deer in the Headlights,” which is available to purchase on Itunes, has pieces of rock

e th

-

Y YA

lady) Lights is also featured in the album’s “The Yacht Club.” Compared to his previous album, Young has includ-

The Hangover: Part II Josh Vasquez Entertainment Editor

In summer of 2009, people across the world experienced the best hangover of their life: a movie so shocking and just downright hilarious that pleased viewers and critics alike.

“The Hangover” earned nominations and victories in a number of prestigious movie award categories and over $400 million. Naturally, a sequel was planned immediately. But does “The Hangover Part II” fill the massive shoes of its predecessor?

This time around, it is Stu, played

by Ed Helms, getting married, rather than Doug, played by Justin Bartha.

Stu’s wedding takes place in Thailand where his soon-to-be wife’s parents live. It is there that Stu, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Alan (Zach Galifianakis), and Stu’s soon-to-be brotherin-law, Teddy (Mason Lee) find themselves in the same predicament they were in in Vegas, this time looking for Teddy in the dangerous city of Bangkok.

Big fans of the first movie will be glad to know that Part II delivers on the laughs as well as the original does. Galifianakis, who’s performance in the first film gave him a significant popularity boost, is once again the stand out character with his hilarious one liners, however, his character undergoes no further development. In fact, nothing in the film does.

Plot-wise, there are no major differences between Part I and Part II. The location is set in Thailand and Bangkok rather than California and Vegas, a lost baby is replaced with a lost monkey, Stu’s missing tooth is now a face tatse too; I could keep going but won’t aes so as to not reveal any spoilers. On this point is where “The Hangover Part II” is disappointing: it is an almost identical rehashing of the original down to another cameo by Mike Tyson and a digital camera at the end that reveals the antics of the night.

In turn, this takes away from the shock value that made the original so great. A crazy, naked, Asian man was funny the first time. The second time, not so much, especially when you see it coming.

Many people think the success o f the first movie i s

Grade: B

eror raes b lo p do nit d a um ilis r s tainted by fac bore la lo the sequel t o v U and they aren’t m isi u q completely wrong, but to be fair, if there is a list of quality comedy sequels, it is a short one.

“The Hangover Part II” is hilarious from beginning to end. The jokes are on point and will keep audiences laughing for 102 minutes straight. Unfortunately, there is not much more that can be said about the sequel. The plot is almost an exact recycling of The Hangover and movie goers may feel like their money was wasted on something they have basically already seen.

Maybe the filmmakers will realize their mistake for the i n e v i table, “The

page16

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Blayke Leach Staff Writer

“Really…a fourth Pirates?”

I’m sure this is the thought that ran through half the population’s mind when Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides was announced, and for good reason.

The third installment, At World’s End, was such a disappointment that the idea of a fourth one seemed unfathomable. Nevertheless, a new (struggling) director was hired, a new script was written, and the resulting movie, surprisingly, really isn’t that bad.

Johnny Depp reprises his role as Captain Jack Sparrow, the witty, seemingly always drunk protagonist of the story. Depp puts on possibly his best performance since the first movie, which is pretty much the only reason

t h i s movie didn’t

fail.

Along with a few other characters, old and new, and a couple plot highlights, the movie itself, for the most part, kept my attention. Geoffrey Rush returns as Barbossa, but it is not the one we, the audience, are used

Photo courtesy of rowthree.com

to seeing. Rather than commandeering the ghoulish Black Pearl, he now takes orders from the British as one of its top commanders.

Penélope Cruz plays Sparrow’s past (current?) love interest, Angelica, daughter to the newest foe, Blackbeard. Her and Jack’s relationship is somewhat undefined as all we learn is that he left her a long while before the series. While Cruz is known as a superb actress, she unfortunately picks up the responsibility of creating a more impressive female role left behind by the beautiful but disappointing Keira Knightley, which she basically fails to do.

Blackbeard, played by Ian McShane, is another less-than-great character, but not because McShane is a bad actor, but because the character really adds nothing to the movie other than a reason for the Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

plot. Adding to that fact, for being the most feared pirate on the seas, he really isn’t all that scary or intimidating, just powerful.

The supporting characters, save for Syrena the mermaid and her missionary love interest, really don’t add anything special either. So all in all, the actors t h e m selves are terrific, but most of the characters they portray are less then impressive.

Now to Photo courtesy of resources3.news.com the plot, or lack there of.

The movie follows several crews out to find the hidden Foun- tain of Youth, w i t h “s u r p r i s e s ” along the way.

The real downfall of this movie was not the script or acting, but really just t h e storyline. Much of the movie was pretty predictable, and with the exception of a couple high points, it was mostly just a flat line of talking and the same old sword fighting and acrobatics as its predecessors. Don’t get me wrong, the mermaid scene about midway through the movie was one of the great scenes of the entire series, but the movie was almost two and a half hours long and it could have easily been a

half hour shorter. A great deal of the movie was drawn out and if it was cut down it would have made the movie not only more enjoyable, but more exciting.

Cut to the chase, director.

All in all, I would label it a slight disappointment, slight being used because I didn’t come in with high expectations. Nevertheless, it kept me mostly entertained throughout and was a step up from the last movie. Just cutting it down would have made a world of difference. Maybe just a rental, not really worth the $10.50.

Look forward to next year’s Reviews!

Now it’s your turn.. they could attempt that wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. The trio had come up with the plan, to do two of the most

Three challenges. Three con- ridiculous at home food challenges and testants. One experience that none get the most bang for their buck. of them want to go through again.

The two challenges were: the salThis month for the final food challenge tine challenge (eat five saltines in under of the year, we quite honestly ran out one minute), and the infamous cinnaof money to pay for five pound burri- mon challenge, where one has to eat an tos and pizza sized doughnuts. entire spoonful of cinnamon.

Fueled by lack of money, or any Each challenge looked better ideas, our three food challengers, easy enough, but as the sayAnnie Jung, Andy Simioans, and Mad- ing goes, looks can be deceiving. dy Kirsch ventured to the local Safeway The first challenge on the list was to find what “At home food challenges” the saltine challenge. Five crackers in one minute. This challenge seemed so easy that all three of the constantans decided to give it a try. The problem with this wasn’t the sheer amount of food to take like the gallon challenge, it was the fact that those crackers dry out the mouth quickly.

Simionas, Jung, and Kirsch all were confident for the first few crackers, but soon they realized how uncomfortable it is to have two or three gross saltine crackers making your mouth drier than a boring lecture on deserts.

All three attempted this challenge, and all three failed.

Simionas quenched Simionas smiles before starting the challenges, unhis thirst after the saltine Andy Simionas Staff Writer

Food challenges you can try at home

Photos by Annie Jung

Maddy Kirsch attempts to hold back a spoonful of cinnamon. challenge with a cup of milk,.

After witnessing and experiencing how difficult these challenges can truly be, our challengers faced down their last enemy. One small container of ground cinnamon. The rules, eat one tablespoon full of cinnamon without coughing it up. None of the contestants were big fans of Big Red’s or any other cinnamon flavored candies,

and after the challenge Kirsch couldn’t even bear to hear the word cinnamon.

The burning sensation of having a mouth full of cinnamon is horrible, and after a while a cloud of reddish brown dust plumed from Kirsch who tried to get the challenge over with as quickly as possible.

Realizing that swallowing the cinnamon too soon would result in the

same result as Kirsch, Simionas and Jung continued to keep the cinnamon in their mouths and stood through the pain.

After what felt like an eternity, Jung decided she was ready and swallowed the cinnamon, and Simionas soon followed suit, defeating one of the most painful food challenges of the year.

aware of the horrors that await.

Summer music in the Bay Area

Preview this year’s hottest summer music tours and festivals. seventeenth year is no exception.

“Warped Tour is the kind of festival you can go to check out new bands because they literally have every genre of music play,” said junior, Trevor Lusk. “The lineups never disappoint.”

The seventeenth aniversary of the tour bosts the biggest lineup in Warped

The popular, yearly “punk rock Tour history with over 100 bands ansummer camp” is rolling through the nounced. A few main stage bands inBay Area on clude A July 2 this Day to Reyear at the m e m b e r, Shoreline 3OH!3, AmphiPe p p e r, theatre in and Gym Mountain Class HeView. The roes. Partour used amore are to be widealso lineup ly known up to play as a “punk” s e l e c t tour, but dates, howthat repu- 3OH!3 returns to Warped Tour this summer on the Photo courtesy of Kerosene ever they Photography tation has Main Stage after playing two years ago. will not be deminished in recent years with genres playing at any California shows. ranging from hip-hop to hardcore and Honorable mentions from other everything in between and the tour’s stages include The Expendables, SimJosh Vasquez Staff Writer

Warped Tour

ple Plan, Hellogoodbye, and Jack’s Mannequin.

A unique perk of Warped Tour is that it is one of the only tours that provides you with a great opportunity to meet your favorite bands and artists.

Many band members can be found hanging around their own merch booths or watching other bands perform. Each band also does a scheduled signing each day.

The day long festival is sure to be a hot one so make sure to bring water and sunscreen! To buy tickets and check out the entire lineup of bands, go to www.vanswarpedtour.com.

Outside Lands

This year is the fourth year of San Francisco’s three day music and art festival, Outside Lands. This celebration of music, art, and food is held in the iconic Golden Gate Park.

While more bands are still being added to the lineup, the festival already

has an incredible and diverse group of browse among venders and craftsmen artists. Some headliners include Arcade selling their products.

Fire, MUSE, Phish (playing two sets), The festival is dedicated to keepDeadmou5, MGMT, and The Roots. ing the event as eco-friendly as pos Yo u’ l l sible and come for even provide the fantasa number of tic lineup ways to help of bands festival goers but you’ll go green as stay for the well. gourmet

To help food. Each save the enyear, differvironment ent gourmet and to save restaurants you some and chefs gas, Outside Photo courtesy of are invited The three day festival takes place sfoutsidelands.com Lands proto give festival August 12-14. vides all day goers a “Taste of the Bay.” Valet Bike Parking absolutely free. One

Some foods you can taste this of the festival’s music stages, the Panyear are slow smoked southern style handle Solar Stage, is powered comBBQ, authentic Mexican food, four- pletely by solar energy and the festival met pizzas, and even organic S’mores also provides free water to anyone who and ice cream. brings or purchases a refillable water

The festival also has its own mar- bottle instead of a plastic one. ketplace where you can buy official The entire lineup and tickets can Outside Lands merchandise, as well as be found at www.sfoutsidelands.com.

page18

Leigh Baseball crushes the competition and wins Mt. Hamilton Division Shannon Keener Features Editor

The Varsity baseball team smashed the rest of the competition this year and left them in their dust as the team’s dreams were met.

The hitters, pitchers, and team environment are what helped them pull through with flying colors.

“We won first place in our division and we are waiting now to see where we get placed for CCS,” said head coach Chris Perry.

Coach Perry, along with Coach Hindsman, led their team to victory. The team has had a connection this year that there hasn’t been in the past.

They all have one goal in mind and are willing to do anything for their team in order to reach that goal.

“We had a good senior class that carried us though this year. [Our

2011 Leigh Varsity Baseball Team

pitching staff] are really strong and held all of our opponents in check all year long,” explained Coach Perry.

The bonding that the team has been able to do this year made them a stronger team overall. The strengths that each person has is different and brings something new to the plate. Each and every person on the team this year helped in someway in order to make this season a winning one.

“Mark Stamps lead our pitching staff and threw a no-hitter earlier in the year,” said Coach Perry.

The team has held great expectations for each other and they have come through. The coaching staff was quite impressed and felt the passion the players had as they won each game.

They expect a great season from next years team as well because they know it is possible and hope to make it to first place again.

Photo courtesy of Nick Antonello

sports

06.02.11

Powderpuff revived

Juniors and senior girls face off; seniors prove they’re really on top With this legacy and tradition fueling the senior class and the undeniable losing streak hanging over the juniors, the war lines were drawn. The teams then trained, and all was set for war.

The battle began on May 26 2011; the tension on the field was obvious due to circulating rumors that the senior class was going to shift the rules and change the game from a friendly flag football game to a dirty

the losing end for so long and what makes the senior team so victorious?

“[We] seemed to be more prepared but I think we were evenly

Back when the A’s were winmatched” said senior Ellie Kristensen. ning the World Series and Nixon Despite the closeness of the game the was sending Christmas day bombs, seniors came out victorious 18-12. there was powder puff, football that The most valuble player was Chrisis. At a time when the public was tie Vaughn. Vaughn had one interbarely accustomed to feamle sports, ception that led to a touchdown Lyman Hall High School in Connetiand a touchdown catch thrown by cut decided Ciera Lindsey. that they “The most exwanted to citing part of put together the game was a fierce game when I interof football cepted the ball, between the because I forgot two regional that when you senior class get an intercepfemales of tion you can the time. run” remarked

PowV a u g h n . derpuff was

So, deintended spite minor misto be a fun takes and mimiyet comptnal football etive sport knowledge,the between two classes two female came together teams. What and put on better way one spectacuto honor this larly entertaincutthroat ing spectacle.

Photo by Kylie Brown tradition Changing not Seniors Audri Whittig, Lindsey Titus, and Christie Vaughn go for the ball. then to pin only views, but the senior against the juniors? monstourus game of free for all tackle. minds as well. “Now I like not only

Let history show that the seniors However, this rumor never saw watching football but playing it have never lost a powderpuff game. the light of day and in the end the too”, says Christensen. This year Whenthe 2009 junior class battled senior team didn’t need an intimida- the competition ended without the the of 2010 seniors, the seniors were tion factor to keep the juniors on the loss of any blood or any tears shed. victorious in dominating fashion. losing end. Yet what keeps a team on And for that, we can be grateful.

Terra Steadman Staff Writer

sports Athletes of the year:2011

page 19

06.02.11 Shayna James Staff Writer Jordan Weinberg Staff Writer

Each year, certain members of our sports teams are given the MVP rewards, communicating an excptional performance throughout their season. This year is no different.

Each athlete nominated for an award has demonstrated capabilities beyond the average sportsman on and off the field.

Wrestling

Johnathan Lewis was chosen for MVP of the wrestling team for his outstanding performance on the mat, his tenacity and determination, and his unrelenting will to win. John has been a leader and an inspiration to his teammates through out his years on the Leigh Wrestling Team.

T h a n k s , MarkBorello

day but, typically, the Booster Club Award has been issued by the school...I believe I gave you those candidates earlier in the season (Seniors Kevin Drake and Jamie Zaplitny)...are there trophies/plaques that I can pick up?

Cross Country - Girls

Michelle Hopper: Not only was Michelle a wonderful captain and role model for our very young girls’ team, but she was consistently our #1 runner. She runs with her heart for the pure love of running and never has to be asked to run harder, she truly leaves it all out on the course. Her PMA (Positive Mental Attitudecredit to Mr. White) carried the girls though even the toughest of workouts and races.

Cross Country Boys Eric Daub: One of the few runners I have ever seen smiling at the end of nearly every race. He was a strong captain for the boys’ team Photo courtesy of sportswurlz.com and inspired them all through pushing the limits, he lets no one give less than their best. He runs not only for the joy he finds in Varsity Softball

Although she is only a Sopho- running, but he runs for his team and more, she either won games with her led the boys to a 3rd place finish in bat, or kept us in them with her glove league and incredible arm. Lauryn Saunders had a batting average of .438, Girls Soccer and on base percentage of .633 and Zarette Munoz - Offensive a slugging percentage of .825. We are MVP led the team in socring with looking forward to great things from 12 goals and 12 assists. Was also her for two more seasons. named Junior MVP of the Mt. Hamilton League Swim & Dive

Mary Gintz - Defensive

Connor Bengston (11) is our MVP - Was teh leader in teh back boys’ team MVP...at BVALs he won with new players surrounding her both of his individual events (the 200 on defense she organized the deIM and 100 backstroke) and, through- fense and also scored some key out the year, has been a dominant goals for us. Named 1st team all swimmer in a number of other events. league.

Courtney Markle (fr) is our Hayley Wilson - MVP She girls’ team MVP...she is a terrific and was our work horse on offense and talented competitor, placing in the defense. She was teh 2nd leadtop 5 in both her individual events ing scoreer and she led thisteam at BVALs (the 200 IM and the 100 with herr hard work on the field. fly)...looking forward to work- NAmed 1st team all league. ing with her for another 3 years :)

Also, I was going to go to Boys Tennis Frankie’s trophies on Monday/Tues-

Tennis MVP will be Hanson Hermsmeier currently in his sr. year.

At his core, Hanson is a fierce competitor manifesting in him being the number one player at Leigh since his freshman year. His overall record for 2011 is 12-3, winning 164 games losing just 67, this is highest for the team. His match record was higher than the team record of 10-5 which is remarkable given the highly competitive spot that the number one position is in most schools -- even if their team is not deep the number one position is strong. As team co-captain Hanson has shown leadership skills to motivate other athletes on the team to meet team discipline, objectives, and have a positive team experience.

Badminton goes to CCS Jennifer Park Staff Writer

Roaring sounds of thunder can be heard from behind closed of Leigh’s gymnasium.What is the source of the thunderous sound? The answer would be Leigh’s co-ed varsity badminton team. Although many students never really considered badminton a real sport, it is nonetheless. Like other

Boy sSoccer

Thomas Murdick was picked as the Boys Varsity Soccer MVP. Ballot and Coach’s choice confirmed his contribution to the strength of the team.. Golden boot award went to Nick Logsdon this award is for most goals in a season. Silver Boot went to Ryan Devencenzi for most assists.

Frank Boys Volleyball

The Boys Varsity Volleyball MVP is Hunter Garfield. Hunter is the Team Captain and Setter. He is the first player in the history of Leigh Volleyball to be a 4-year Varsity player and starter. He sees and plays the game to an extraordinary degree and directs the team in practice and game situations.

Girls Basketball

Varsity Basketball Lauren Holt leader in rebounds, points second in assists.

Photo courtesy of Lauryn Saunders

Leigh sports, the badminton team also participates in League Finals, however the system of who is illegible to participate is different from other sports.

For members of the varsity team, those who hold a number 1 or 2 position must have won at least half of their games, whereas, the number 3 positions would have to be undefeated, with a few exceptions.

All these requirements must be fulfilled in order participate in League Finals.

This year, out of the badminton team’s 24 members, 15 of them have participated in the Santa Teresa B Division League Finals. This year the tournament was held at Overfelt High school’s gymnasium. There Leigh’s badminton team faced against other qualified players from schools such as: Overfelt, Lincoln, Oak Grove, Mitty, Mt. Pleasant, Pioneer, Del Mar, Pros-

pect and Yerba Buena High school.

For those of you who are not familiar with how League Finals for badminton functions, here’s a bit of a summary. All the participants go to the high school that is hosting the event, in this case Overfelt High school. The players are randomly placed in the brackets; which is done beforehand.

The rules are simple, the tournament is a double-elimination which means that if a player were to have lost two games they are out of the tournament.

The players would win if they had the best 2 out of 3 sets, with each set being up to 15 points.

O u t of the 15 members who had played, only 3 of them made it to the top 4 positions. Junior Aoi Shoda playing girl’s singles 1 had placed in 3rd place, whereas junior Kristen Yu and sophomore Jason Mao playing as mixed doubles 1 placed 4th place in the tournament. Leigh’s badminton team did very well this season placing only 2nd to Mitty High school in the

Photos by Jennifer Park

entire Santa Teresa B-League Division.

Badminton coach Kevin Yamaguchi was also very impressed and pleased with how well the team has done this season.

He believed that this year’s team is one of the strongest he has ever coached and is looking forward to seeing the returning members grow stronger. Awesome job this season Badminton!

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Thanks for a fantastic year, Leigh High School. We hope you had as much fun as we did! Enjoy your summers -The Eleight Staff

06.02.11

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