The Fourth Estate November Issue 2019

the

FOURTH

estate

LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL

VOLUME XXVI

ISSUE 2

NOVEMBER 2019

CONTENTS N E W S

O P E D

29

5 14 THE GROWTH ISSUE

44 SPORTS

FEATURE

36

A & E

Senior Emma Raith chats with Kindergartener Catherine Milne before setting off to run at this year’s Jogathon event.

Staff

VISUAL MANAGING EDITORS Madeleine Nicks Frances Carlson Amara Murphy

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Daisy Finefrock Phoebe Stein

WEB MANAGING EDITOR Zane Zemeckis

CREATIVE DIRECTORS Mia Humberd-Hilf Emma Raith

WEB TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Keenan Surber

WEB & MEDIA EDITOR Nafisah Fathima

NEWS EDITOR Ian Brown

BUSINESS MANAGERS Julia Guglielmo Madison Kirk Paige Levinson

OPINION EDITOR Madeleine Nicks

PHOTO EDITOR Katherine Monroy

A&E EDITOR Violet Zhou

FEATURE EDITOR Frances Carlson

SPORTS EDITORS Christian Branch Macy Christal INDEPENDENT STUDIES EDITORS Boning Zhang Patrick Otte COPY EDITOR Elizabeth Bisno STAFF Cody Busch-Weiss Dare Fitzpatrick Andreas Jackson Wesley Schulz Jacob Self Claire Tolles Elli Westmacott FACULTY ADVISER Trish McHale, MJE

Letter from the Editors D

ear Laguna Blanca community, Hey guys! This is Phoebe and Daisy in our second official letter from the editors.

Okay, so the first few months have been a whirlwind — a new school year, a new group of freshmen to meet and a whole bunch of seniors we miss. We’ve gone through changes with our Fourth Estate staff too: firsttime editors, a great creative team and many kids who have never taken part in journalism… ever.

We knew that it would be tough to adapt and learn together and that flexibility would be crucial. That’s why, this year, the theme of our November issue of the magazine perfectly encapsulates the changes taking place in Kalfas, our journalism home, every day: growth.

Growth has many definitions — it can be a teen learning how to manage stress, friends drifting apart or a student failing a test and learning the repercussions of that.

However, for us, growth means adapting and understanding the needs of a collective group and putting their needs above our own.

As a staff of over 30 dedicated students, we have to learn to balance the workload of other classes with the commitment of writing and designing an award-winning news magazine.

It is a nearly insurmountable task, especially with each staff member holding themselves and their peers to such a high standard.

As editors-in-chief, we were anxious that our first experience of running a paper would be tumultuous — a staff of inexperienced writers who we would have to lead, as juniors.

Not only was there the question of whether the class would respect us as leaders, but we both were definitely a little afraid that we weren’t ready to take control of such an important part of Laguna. However, in the past few weeks, I think we have learned more about personal growth than ever before. It’s an incredible thing to stand in front of a group of peers and experience the mutual respect that is cultivated in our workroom.

Being able to call The Fourth Estate our own has been so surreal. Not only have these first couple of months at school been a time of stress, ambition and excitement, but they have also been an opportunity for personal growth and accomplishments. This staff has learned how to work as a team, and we have learned how to work as leaders who listen and adapt rather than demand.

We’ve all come so far, and have so far to go. Bear with us as we learn together, and make this magazine the best that Laguna has to offer. Happy reading!

• MISSION STATEMENT The Fourth Estate is an open forum created for and by journalism students of Laguna Blanca Upper School. We hope to use this space to cover events, interviews and topics of interest in greater depth.

Our staff seeks to be a platform for creative expression and to report on events and ideas of importance to our readers and to focus on topics of significance and interest to inform and entertain the school community.

• LETTERS TO THE EDITORS The Fourth Estate welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and must be no longer than 400 words. Editors reserve the right to edit for length, clarity and/or taste. Anonymous letters will not be published. The Fourth Estate reserves the right to reject advertising. Opinions expressed in this publication reflect the perspectives of the staff whose goal is to inform our readers with reliable information from which to base decisions and opinions. Editorials represent the voice of the staff and are voted on by the entire staff. Columns and commentaries are labeled as such and represent the opinion of the author. The Fourth Estate publishes four issues per year with a senior insert in the last issue.

• BYLINE POLICY When two or three people work on a story, all names will be listed. If an editor rewrites a majority of a story, the editor’s name will be listed.

• CORRECTION POLICY The staff strives for accuracy. When factual errors occur, mistakes are found or brought to the attention of the staff, corrections will be printed in a corrections box in the next issue.

• COLOPHON This is the second issue and 26th volume (published in November 2019) of the Laguna Blanca School, 4125 Paloma Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93110, magazine, The Fourth Estate. Contacts are available at tmchale@ lagunablanca.org, (805) 687-2461 x0317 or www.thefourthestate.net. Laguna Blanca School has an EK through 12th grade student population of approximately 400, with 100 in the Lower School, 110 in the Middle School and 182 in the Upper School, and a faculty of approximately 60. The Fourth Estate is an 8.5 by 11 general magazine, created on Apple computers on Adobe InDesign CC2019, using FreightNeo Pro and Big Caslon font families and printed on glossy paper free for students and $30 for an annual subscription.

The magazine is distributed to all Upper School students through the school’s advisory program and sent by mail to subscribers, with 300 copies printed per issue. We are associated with NSPA, CSPA and JEA.

Editors-in-Chief Phoebe Stein & Daisy Finefrock 4 • NEWS thefourthestate.net

The Democratic Primary A look at the leading candidates for the 2020 election cycle.

WORDS by IAN BROWN and JACOB SELF ART by MIA-HUMBERD-HILF

Bernie Sanders

Elizabeth Warren

Many will recognize Sanders as last election’s socialist firebrand — popularizing the previously non-influential ideology of “democratic socialism” in the 2016 elections.

Sanders’ platform has brought a large minority of Democrats further left and away from the more traditional middle-of-the-road candidates that the party had been famous for, and has influenced other prominent figures in the race to race to the left, endorsing larger social programs and welfare initiatives on an unprecedented scale.

Sanders sits at a stable third place position in the polls, behind Warren and Biden by a considerable margin. Sanders’ stances include a large-scale increase in the minimum wage, a 97.5 percent tax rate on the wealthy, and a full universal healthcare program.

Although many of his signature policies affected the Democrat Party, Sanders’ campaign took a blow when the candidate suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized for several days, leading to a relaxed campaign and questions from both the right and the left about whether or not the 78-year-old is healthy enough to serve as president.

Elizabeth Warren currently serves as a senator from Massachusetts, her campaign gaining a considerable amount of steam in recent months. She has reeled in the massive lead gained by Biden through intense campaigning and fiery performances on the debate stage.

Warren is an impassioned speaker and well-refined politician, which has gained her the reputation of being one of the clearest candidates in the race.

Warren is known for having clearly outlined plans for just about every major issue in the 2020 campaign: she is in favor of implementing heavy restrictions on the Second Amendment, supporting citizenship for those in DACA and slashing the defense budget.

She has suggested an “Ultra-Millionaire Tax,” which would tax all households with a net worth of $50 million dollars or more at 2 percent per dollar, and all households over $1 billion dollars at 3 percent per dollar.

Many frame her policies as a mixture of the democratic socialist and green policies of Bernie Sanders and the social justice platform of candidates such as Kamala Harris.

It is for these reasons that Warren has rocketed to the front of the race, where she currently battles Biden for the number one spot.

Joe Biden Biden has been at the front of the pack since the beginning of the primary campaigning as the party’s foremost moderate in terms of policy and rhetoric. His time as Vice President under Obama gave him instant recognition when he first announced his candidacy and helped immediately propel him to the first-place position amongst the other 24 initial Democratic candidates, peaking at an impressive 46 percent according to RealClearPolitics.

Despite his initial success, recent polls suggest a massive drop in his popularity, and some argue he has fallen behind Warren. Biden’s stances tend to lean more towards the historical moderate base of the party than many of his prominent competitors; although he does sometimes compromise, these compromises end when it comes to the more extreme elements of new left, as he also opposes the costly policy of “Medicare for All” and supports an increase in the U.S. defense budget. Biden’s popularity and appeal to moderate Democrats sets him in a precarious first place position, followed closely by Warren and other far-left members of the party. thefourthestate.net NEWS • 5

Spirit Week

Whether it is by actively participating and dressing up for Spirit Week or attending sporting events, students and faculty get excited and show school pride as they await the Jogathon and the Homecoming Dance.

WORDS and ART by FRANCES CARLSON

Lola Hall and Molly Morouse

Molly Newell

Lauren Neubauer

Ms. Braniff and Ms. Pointer

Henry Otte and Devin Hernandez

Magdalena Amezaga

Rhys Zemeckis

Molly Newell and Zoe Stephens

6 • NEWS thefourthestate.net

Mike Janey

Henry Otte, Freddie Russell, and Devin Hernandez

Nafisah Fathima and Daisy Finefrock

Maud Christal

Lauren Neubauer and Dare Fitzpatrick

Julia Guglielmo, Maddie Kirk, and Emma Raith

Finn Walker and Kiki Tolles

Dare Fitzpatrick

thefourthestate.net NEWS • 7

8 • NEWS

thefourthestate.net

TEDxLAGUNABLANCASCHOOL PRESENTS

In January, Laguna’s TEDxLagunaBlancaSchool class wowed attendees yet again with their second annual event, UNCHARTED. Hailing from Los Angeles, Hawaii, London, South Africa, and more, 20 speakers and performers came to showcase their ideas and talents at the venue.

Everything from the stage design to the interactive galleries — and the presenters themselves — shared an unknown facet of art, science, history, space, literature, culture, and entrepreneurship. As a result, 650 attendees left with a newfound perception of the world and their community.

This year, however, attendees can look forward to an event boasting unprecedented change. A team of 19 high schoolers, guided by faculty advisor Allison Armstrong, plans to alter every aspect of the conference.

In the spirit of this year’s theme, RE.IMAGINE, there is no facet of the event that will go unmodified, and the TEDx team could not be more enthusiastic.

The event will take place on Jan. 29, where speakers and attendees alike will be encouraged to re-think what they know, rebel against what’s been done before, and re-discover truths about society and the world around them.

“I’m very excited to see what new and innovative things we can accomplish and bring to our stage. Whether that involves theater design, speaker ideas, or food. The TEDx class is working hard to give our school the best experience possible.”

- Frances Carlson, Junior Executive Producer TEDxLagunaBlancaSchool

TEDxLagunaBlancaSchool

TEDxLBSchool

For more information regarding the conference, visit the website: www.tedxlagunablancaschool.com and above social media platforms.

WORDS and ART by EMMA RAITH thefourthestate.net NEWS • 9

Hong Kong Chaos In recent months, the city of Hong Kong has been engulfed in violent protests over the nature of its relationship with mainland China. So far, they aren’t showing many signs of stopping.

O

ne of the world’s most powerful economies is currently in a state of chaos. Since early June, the dependent territory of Hong Kong has been engulfed in mass protests against the government of China that have spanned across the city.

The area acts as a major business center for both the nation and the world, making it an invaluable asset to Chinese economic interests.

Knowing this, it is understandable that China is desperate to reinstate order amongst one of its most powerful cities, leading law enforcement to take drastic measures in order to quell rioters.

Since its transfer from British to Chinese ownership in 1997, Hong Kong has existed under the “one country, two systems” rule, meaning that despite its lack of independence on the world stage, the area still retains some level of self-governance apart from the rest of China.

Recently, however, the Hong Kong legislature attempted to pass what is known as an extradition bill, which would allow the government of Hong Kong to send wanted criminals to mainland China for persecution rather than being tried in the territory itself.

This sparked outrage throughout the people of Hong Kong, who view such a policy as an infringement on the relative free-

10 • NEWS thefourthestate.net

dom granted to them by Beijing.

Tensions between the two areas of China run high for more than simply political reasons, however.

“One of the reasons why the protest happens, or more generally, why some Hong Kong citizens are upset, is that maintaining a good living standard in Hong Kong is unimaginably costly and hard due to high price,” said junior Lucas Chen.

The nature of Hong Kong’s intense economic scene means that living there is incredibly expensive, and this leads to more dissatisfaction amongst the residents of the area.

“During the last two decades, the number of non-native elites has been increasing,” Lucas continued. “Being strong competitors, these people undoubtedly make average native Hong Kong citizens’ life even harder, and the high unemployment rate of 7.9 percent among people between 25 and 35 years old, contrasted with 3.7 percent in the U.S., is a direct indicator of the level of intensity of competition.”

To demonstrate their anger at the Chinese government, angry citizens have taken to the streets in protests that have stretched throughout the summer and into this fall.

On the recent Chinese National Day, the protests reached a fever pitch in intensity, resulting in the first live rounds being fired at a protester.

In a phone recording of the attack, a “peace keeper” is seen on the ground, followed soon after by a swarm of protesters with bats. In an attempt to come to his aid, a few officers came out from the building behind, and when it was clear that the protesters would not leave, the officers pulled out guns.

One officer used his revolver to fire a live round into the shoulder of the protester nearest to him, dispersing the crowd.

“I think China’s use of force in the protests is unacceptable in that force is required if the protests turn into a riot or become violent. However, the difference here in the Hong Kong protests is the Chinese government seems to be initiating the violence.

They seem to have a want to crack down on the protests,” senior Peter Smith said.

These incidents reveal how dangerous the riots are becoming, and how the tensions between citizens and authority in the region are quickly worsening.

International response to the protests has been rather minimal in terms of direct confrontation. Generally speaking, U.S. lawmakers have come out in support of the pro-democracy protests, although no official action has been taken to support them directly.

Despite this, some demonstrators have been seen with signs calling for direct U.S. intervention, urging the president to “save” Hong Kong.

On the topic of U.S. intervention, senior Pisci Abrego said, “I believe that it is important for the U.S. and foreign powers to be aware and concerned about the crisis. With that said, I believe foreign powers like the U.S. should act as an ally for protesters and provide refuge because having that escape would be appreciated.”

Some have called for the U.K. to intervene, stating the successful transfer of Macau, the Portuguese sister city to Hong Kong, over to Chinese hands in 1999, as a prime example of how to handle the current situation.

On Hong Kong’s colonial past, “It is already a fact that Hong Kong is now part of China, but I don’t really know if the history of the British colonization can really have a say in the situation because it’s been two decades. It’s already been established that Hong Kong is part of China, even though it’s a little bit separate.”

For the time being, it seems as though the U.S. and the U.K. will not intervene in Chinese affairs, as doing so risks raising tensions between the two superpowers at a time when the trade war is already causing strife.

As a result of this constant chaos in one of its major business centers, China’s economy has taken a fairly severe hit in recent reports.

Third quarter reports show the weakest expansion China has seen in 30 years, which, considering the role it plays in the global market, has serious implications worldwide.

China currently acts as a production hub for the rest of the world thanks to its immense manufacturing capabilities and generally low costs, meaning that if its economy fails or slows too heavily, it will drive down major companies from nations across the globe due to the central role it plays in the production of their products.

Companies such as Apple, Adidas, and Best Buy rely on China for at least some of their production needs, showing just how devastating a Chinese collapse could be for the world economy.

There are several possible causes for the slowdown, including the ongoing trade war with the U.S. that has been an issue for Chinese trade for several years.

However, the instability in Hong Kong has only furthered this downward trend, and has implications that stretch far beyond the borders of China.

For the time being, the protests continue to ravage the streets of Hong Kong, and despite the best efforts of police, show very few signs of stopping. Only time will tell as to when the city can return to normal business.

WORDS by IAN BROWN and WESLEY SCHULZ ART by CLAIRE TOLLES

thefourthestate.net NEWS • 11

Clubs, Clubs, Clubs!

Here’s an inside look at Laguna’s Annual Club Fair, an event that highlights the various student clubs. Ranging from service-oriented outreach clubs to student interest clubs, the clubs are here for students grades 7-12 to enjoy.

PAGE by FRANCES CARLSON, ELLI MADELEINE NICKS and ELLI WESTMACOTT

Madeleine Nicks

Bella Woodhouse and Cicy Niu

Bread and Butter Club

Natalie McCaffery

Phoebe Stein and Beau Glazier

Laguna Blanca Bakers

12 •

NEWS

thefourthestate.net

Challenge Success TARC Club Youth 4 Direct Relief Sock Club Internet of Things Farm Club Los Padres Forest Association Education Project

Laguna Blanca Surf Club Running for Charity Dream Foundation Club Laguna Blanca Bakers Connecting Cultures Club Gains Gainers Club Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Connecting Cultures Club

Sock Club

Surf Club

Emma Raith, Kiki Tolles, and Julia Guglielmo

Farm Club

Gains Gainder Club

thefourthestate.net NEWS • 13

What’s on the Menu?

Food is universally recognized among all races, religions and cultures as a catalyst that brings people together. Its presence sparks conversations, laughter and memories. These teachers implement the practice with their students.

Our teachers have more skills than just the knowledge

and enthusiasm they bring to the classroom: three in particular are exceptional chefs and bakers. Often these teachers will bring a meal to class to reward their students or to celebrate a holiday. For example, Rose Steeber made pancakes for her whole Latin class during a stressful school week.

Kevin Shertzer What is your signature food?

Soups are good and easy — it’s just a bowl and you heat it up. My chili won second place in a Cincinnati cook off.

Why do you make this dish?

“It was a nice way to bring the class together and relax during the hectic week,” said Wesley Schulz ‘20.

Teachers sharing their passion for food with their classes is something that hungry students enjoy. To better understand the signature foods of teachers we interviewed Kevin Shertzer, Jennifer Pardue, and Rose Steeber, all of whom are famed for their delicious treats.

Jennifer Pardue

Rose Steeber

What is your signature food?

What is your signature food?

Cheesecake.

Foods my mother taught me (lasagna, pasta, etc.), but I bring pancakes to school.

Why do you make this dish?

Why do you make this dish?

When you grow up with this certain taste of food, it becomes part of your soul. There is a version called Cincinnati Chili from where I grew up: the chili has chocolate, spices, and unusual ingredients.

I began to bake in middle/high school.

In the south, we use a lot of sugar. My cheesecakes have everything that is fat in them like cream cheese, eggs, butter, and a LOT of sugar. It puts people in a good mood.

I stole the idea of pancakes from Ms. Roarty. Her advisory loved it so much that I went out and bought an electric griddle so I could do it myself. My husband (a chef) found the best syrup. The syrup is REALLY GOOD.

Why do you bring this dish to school?

Why do you bring this dish to school?

Why do you bring this dish to school?

To educate my students because food is integral in so many cultures. I would make a whole vat if okay school would allow it.

I like to joke that if kids join my dodgeball team, I will make them cheesecake.

I like to think that my students feel like they’re being cared for. My goal is to make them feel appreciated.

WORDS and ART by PAIGE LEVINSON and JULIA GUGLIELMO

14 • FEATURE thefourthestate.net

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thefourthestate.net FEATURE • 15

Take a R.I.P.

The vaping epidemic is widespread and shows no signs of slowing. With attributed illnesses and deaths on the rise, we need answers, now.

Wanna hit this? Can I rip that? What flavor?

These questions have become all too familiar in our generation.

A common chemical substance, nicotine has been prevalent in our society since the 1800s and has remained popular to this day.

Due to its addictive nature, over 34 million people smoke cigarettes in the U.S., and more than 16 million people have some smoking-related diseases.

Unsurprisingly, nicotine is the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. With

cigarettes containing over 7,000 chemical compounds, such as arsenic, cyanide, lead, and nicotine, it is hard to think why people wouldn’t quit.

The dangers of cigarettes are

fad; kids are. Over four million children under the age of 18 are using e-cigarettes.

The point of creating the vape was to eliminate the harmful effects of cigarettes.

So why are people so addicted to their vapes? And how did this addiction spread so quickly?

One of the most attractive aspects of Juuls, Suorins, and other vaping devices is their flavor selection.

A consumer can choose from a variety of flavors like mint, bubblegum, mango, or cotton candy, most of which target a

younger audience.

While selling these devices to people under the age of 21 is prohibited in California, the youthful nature of the flavors encourages illegal activity.

These fun scents make vaping a fun, tasty activity that doesn’t feel wrong at all.

When we asked a junior if the flavors of vapes influenced their beginning of vaping, he said, “I didn’t think the flavors would affect me at all, but I was immediately hooked. They were just so satisfying.”

Too many have fallen victim to vaping companies’ strategic marketing. Vape companies are saying that they are not targeting a younger crowd, but their flavors and colorful packaging beg to differ.

And yes, vaping was the “healthier” alternative, but instead of replacing those who smoked cigarettes, it captured the attention of younger generations. “It’s basically smoking, rebranded,” a student said.

“I didn’t think the flavors would affect me at all, but I was immediately hooked. They were just so satisfying.”

apparent, yet the chemical construct behind nicotine has imprisoned people with its addictive nature.

Cigarettes have been around for more than 200 hundred years; one would think that there would be a method to help those with nicotine addictions, but there isn’t. Instead, there is an alternative to cigarettes, which is supposed to help people quit — e-cigarettes.

However, adults are not the overwhelming majority indulging in this new

14 • FEATURE

thefourthestate.net

From then on, it was considered cool to vape.

But why? It was new, fresh, and exciting.

It has tasty flavors and is portable.

But above all else, it was rebellious.

It’s safe to say that most kids in our generation have grown up with the stigma that smoking cigarettes are harmful.

We have been able to see the effects it has on older generations, such as lung diseases and cancer, but we do not know the effects vaping has on our health — it’s too new.

Youth are being fed the lie that vaping does not have as severe effects as cigarettes and that it is “safe” to use. In a sense, we are becoming brainwashed. We believe what these big companies tell us so that we buy their products.

But most of our generation has turned a blind eye to the negative impacts vaping has on our health because it is considered cool.

“I thought that if I vaped, I would look super edgy, so I tried it once and loved the way it felt. It wasn’t the actual act of vaping that made me happy; it was the feeling and persona it gave me. I felt rebellious and independent. It was liberating,” a highschool student said.

450 deaths from vaping.

Despite the news coverage and deaths occurring from vaping, users continue to abuse the substances.

“Vaping is considered to be cool, and if you don’t vape, people think you are weird,” a student shared.

Peer pressure and fear of rejection coerce innocent kids into vaping.

And why do we continue? The answer is simple: we are addicted.

A junior explains, “The stress of being a member of this generation tasked with saving the world while simultaneously burdened by technology fuels a lot of anxiety in youth, so maybe it is a way to cope.”

Facts aside, the nuance of this craze keeps us in the dark. We truthfully don’t know the full long-term effects of vaping. But, if we were to infer based on all given information, the future for habitual vapers does not look good. So how do we get rid of the problem?

An senior admits, “I also don’t think there is an easy answer for a fix to this problem.

A reliance on nicotine is so ingrained in our society that something that uses it will undoubtedly pop up in each generation.”

Vaping is difficult to get rid of entirely, we need to put our focus on minimizing it.

Staying updated and acquiring knowledge of the topic is a great way to understand its drastic effects.

The social clout draws one in, the flavors keep it interesting and the addiction makes it impossible to stop. By educating ourselves, we could potentially cease such a high rate of collapsed lungs.

There have to be solutions to minimize the casualties and keep society responsibly healthy.

“I don’t think there is an easy answer to fix this problem. A reliance on nicotine is so ingrained into our society that it will undoubtedly pop up in each generation.”

What is in a Pod? Chemical Flavorants Nicotine Arsenic Cyanide Lead & more

805 12 1/5

injuries

deaths of students

have used a juul

Juuls vs.

Cigarettes

Contain nicotine salts from tobacco 200 puffs

=

Contain nicotine from tobacco one pack

“It was the feeling and persona it gave me.

I felt rebellious and independent. It was liberating.”

Vaping has skyrocketed, and while we weren’t able to see the effects vaping had on our health in the past, the truth is starting to uncover itself.

It seems that every day, another victim falls to the vaping epidemic. The news is full of stories of people whose lungs collapsed or are in a coma because of vaping.

There are 480,000 deaths per year from cigarettes, and this year there have been

WORDS by JULIA GUGLIELMO and PAIGE LEVINSON ART by EMMA RAITH

New Education Methods Point Laguna Toward Scandinavia With Challenge Success taking hold in Laguna classrooms, observing other countries’ education systems with similar strategies can help predict whether we are really on a path toward healthier academic growth.

WORDS and ART by ELIZABETH BISNO and VIOLET ZHOU

A

s high schoolers at a college preparatory school, we dread our endless workload, but we know it’s an essential part of practicing for standardized tests and flaunting an impressive transcript.

As exhausting as this process is, it’s been an accepted reality in the U.S. for a long time. But in terms of real growth as a student and person, this is not effective.

In fact, it pushes students to work for the sake of high grades and scores rather than for the sake of learning itself ­— an intrinsic motivation that is unfathomably beneficial later in life.

Laguna is known for a heavier workload, more competition in the college admission process and, therefore, more emphasis on GPA than many other high schools in the U.S. With the recently implemented Challenge Success Program, however, changes in emphasis, classroom attitude, and academic evaluations are already taking place at Laguna.

With these changes, the school is moving farther away from the East Asian system and approaching a Scandinavian one.

Although these two regions have radically different methods of education, their students reach nearly the same high level of academic achievement according to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which tests 15-year-olds from all over the world in reading, mathematics and science.

Considering the similar evaluations on PISA of the Finnish and Chinese school systems (representative of Scandinavia and East Asia), why is Laguna choosing to make the shift toward Finland?

Skill vs. Content Mastery The typical Finnish school is “focused on critical thinking and problem solving, project-based learning, and learning to learn,” said Linda Darling-Hammond, codirector of the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education.

East Asian schools, on the other hand, put pressure on students to study more and more in preparation for the final test of each school year, especially for the exam at the end of their high school career.

Chinese schools emphasize rote memorization even in humanities subjects that value creativity and critical thinking over plain content.

Though this system has proved to bring students up to high achievement, it would still be wiser for Laguna to continue on a more Scandinavian path because exercising skills such as analytical thinking, effective communication, problem-solving and teamwork offers long-term benefits by preparing students for real society.

18 • FEATURE thefourthestate.net

Competition vs. Collaboration Jun Wu, author of The Path to Universities, remarks that the positive competition in the Chinese education system teaches students to be independent, drive themselves and work hard on their own to achieve goals instead of relying on others.

One downside of this attitude, though, is that “students in a competitive environment tend to focus on self-interest and find it hard to integrate into a group,” Laguna senior Melissa Zhang remarked, having experienced this system through elementary and middle school.

As Laguna holds “community” as one of its core values, students know that their teachers and peers are there for them.

Those in the Challenge Success Club “have begun organizing regular stress-reducing activities such as dog therapy day,” said Lindsay Woodard, teacher and Challenge Success Site Coordinator at Laguna, “while the faculty work on making the long-term, in-depth improvements such as implementing mastery learning and the rotating schedule.”

One of the most recent additions to the school is the resource of Peer Tutoring. A student struggling in one of his or her classes can now get quality help from a peer who specializes in that subject.

There’s a mutual benefit to this program because the tutors help the students better understand their class material having experience the same class recently, and in turn, the students seeking help contribute to their peer tutors’ community service hours.

This collaborative mindset is a significant part of the Finnish classroom as well, according to Hammond-Darling.

Mastery Transcript vs. Number Scores Number scores make it easier for teachers, college admission officers and other administrators to learn about students’ performance.

The major disadvantage is that “Evaluating learning by grades doesn’t cultivate students who take risks. They’ll most likely develop the habit of playing it safe because they don’t want to jeopardize their A+,” Woodard explained.

“That is, they’re reluctant to think for themselves and usually try to go for what the teacher wants to see.”

“The more we teach this willingness to take risks, the more innovative our students and society will become.”

Mastery learning is designed to break this barrier — “It’s about getting more than one chance, encouraging kids to take risks,” she added. “And once you have a career, you’ve developed a growth mindset that it’s okay if you fail the first time because that’s part of the learning process.

The more we teach this willingness to take risks, the more innovative our students and society will become.”

Based on a thorough analysis of skills such as how critically a student thinks and how effectively they communicate, the mastery transcript provides a much more personalized and holistic view of a student than the traditional transcript; it also highlights the process of learning rather than the outcome. Students thus receive more feedback about how they can improve.

“Education is not only about teaching facts to remember for the next big exam, but also about instilling lifelong skills and thinking strategies.”

Whether it intends to or not, PISA presents a biased comparison because its ranking is based on standardized tests, and the East Asian education system has been developed to achieve this.

Although PISA makes it easy to measure the extent to which students in different education systems retain information, the assessment isn’t holistic enough to judge whether a certain country’s education system is benefiting students because education is not only about teaching facts to remember for the next big exam, but also about instilling lifelong skills and thinking strategies.

This is why Laguna is improving its system now from a perspective similar to that of Scandinavia: certain essential skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration promote healthier academic growth that would offer students long-term benefits in university and beyond.

Finland’s efforts toward a less stressful academic journey for its students was a long process, not just the implementation of a new program, so Laguna still has a long way to go.

But as a school that values balance and character as well as scholarship, we will continue to see positivity in our classrooms as we take a much more salubrious approach to education.

thefourthestate.net FEATURE • 19

20 OPINION thefourthestate.net 14 •• FEATURE thefourthestate.net

Global Leadership Connection Audrey Murphy ‘20 shares her experience of going to Washington, D.C. and being submersed in a leadership experience provided by the Global Leadership Connection.

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lobal Leadership Connection is an organization dedicated to putting youth leaders in a positive spotlight. The GLC Leadership Experience is an all-expense-paid trip for the top 2-6 leaders from each area program. Connecting leaders from different GLC Programs, they encourage discussions on leadership development, social involvement and how to make our world a better, more positive environment. This year senior Audrey Murphy was one of the nominees from Santa Barbara honored with this experience. We caught up with Audrey to talk about her experience in Washington, D.C..

Can you tell us a bit about your experiences preparing for the GLC? We were asked to write two essays, one longer and one shortprovide a resume. I knew going in that we were going to but other than that I didn’t overly prepare for any-

er, and do an interview, thing.

Can you talk about one of the leadership seminars/speeches?

Although most of the speeches were really quite interesting, my favorite was the DP Counselor who spoke about people in his life that had influenced him.

The man he ended up speaking about was my neighbor growing up and one of my best friend’s grandfather.

The Dos Pueblos counselor was my interviewer, so we were able to talk about how cool this guy was and our experiences with him.

What the interviewing process like?

The interviewers mostly just ask about who you are and what you’re all about. There’s no right or wrong answer. I actually got into a really interesting conversation with my interviewer as a result of my answers to his questions. They were simple ones, like “Who is your biggest role model”, but if your answer is genuine to who you are, then you’re good to go.

Why would you recommend the GLC to our current juniors?

Yes! It’s a great experience, and I learned a lot from the conference, but especially the trip.

It’s worth trying during the conference for the chance of spending time with kids from around the country in Washington, D.C.. Carole Harder, the woman who founded the conference, has a lot of advice to share about the real world, so if you listen carefully, it can be very helpful!

What were some of the highlights of the trip?

The kids that were on the trip were definitely the highlight. They were all just genuinely cool people who were interested in what was happening in the world. We were able to sit down with very prominent people in Washington, D.C. and you could tell that they wanted to sit and talk with us. We also got to explore the monuments at night which was beautiful and really fun.

WORDS and ART by AMARA MURPHY thefourthestate.net FEATURE • 21

Behind the Scenes WORDS by MADELEINE NICKS PHOTO by KATHARINE MONROY

Celebrating the work, dedication and roles of Tina Braniff, assistant to the Head of Middle and Upper School, and Jessica Tyler, assistant to the Head of School, and all that they do for our community.

What first drew you to this job in the beginning?

We have our hands in a little bit of everything.

T: Working at a school, for me. Be-

T: If there are events happening, we

cause I think it’s a happy place full of life and people and growth. And being a mom, I love the whole atmosphere of being at a school.

J: I was looking for a career change,

background being law, and this opportunity presented itself to me and I thought it would be the perfect career change. I truly enjoy working for a school, I teach mock trial, so it all comes full circle.

The community, the faculty, the staff, everyone was really supportive and really kind when I met them.

have a lot of planning and preparation to do for events. I do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work with report cards. Grading, and all of that, publishing to parents, communication to parents [and] faculty.

Is there one part of the year that is a particularly busy time for you? Why? T: End of the year for sure.

J: I do the back end of the calendar,

What is the first thing you do when you come in to work in the morning?

T: Email. Got to check email because

that’s how everything starts each day is what messages there are in the inbox.

that’s a huge task. I build the calender and it gets pushed forward to the administration, and things get changed.

But that’s a huge project that happens about [October] through February or March.

I work alongside with the Board. So I go to the Board meetings. I organize those. Back-to-school events and functions. It’s busy through the entire year.

J: I would say the same. Emails, voice-

mails, I check in with Mr. Hereford.

Look at the calendar to see what’s on the agenda for today. Look at the whole week, actually.

What is your favorite part of working at Laguna?

T: The community for me, the stu-

What are your main tasks?

dents, the faculty and parents. It’s just fun to have that many people to say hi to everyday!

T: Anything that has to do with the

J: It’s the most friendly environment.

J: It’s hard to put it into words be-

Go visit Tina and Jessica in the Administration Office!

Middle School or the Upper School, I’m in the know. I know what’s going on each day and what’s on the agenda for that day. I know what meetings there are.

Faculty meetings, meetings that I have to arrange for Mr. Lopes and Mr. Wooden.

cause there are so many little things that we do to make up for the whole entire school.

I love coming to work, I love coming to my job, I love doing my job. There’s not a day where I don’t want to come in because it’s just such a positive place to be. You just want to be here.

thefourthestate.net FEATURE • 23

The weight of college debt is no longer just physical; now it’s taking a mental toll on young people, impacting their mental health, focus and sleep. With cumulative debt increasing steadily with each passing year, one must question: How can teenagers prepare for their future while simultaneously being told that they might not get one?

C

hildren grow up being told the same thing over and over: do well in school, get a job, make money and start a family. The cycle repeats. However, this cycle is not only unreasonable but, for many, unattainable.

In 2006, 13 years ago, student debt nationally was under 600 billion dollars — which seems big but, in relation to population and graduate rates, was slightly more reasonable.

Today, collective student debt totals over $1.5 trillion dollars, which is a 150 percent increase. This is an insurmountable number, one that accurately depicts how flawed the current loan system is.

Since the mid-2000s, when the recession—or economic depression—hit, funding for public four-year colleges has decreased by nearly $10 billion dollars.

As states slash the funding for college tuition, schooling is becoming less accessible for students who rely on the lesser prices that accompany public education.

Comedian Hasan Minaj, a recent addition to Time’s “100 Most Influential list,” dedicated an episode of his comedy news show to the topic of college debt. In his weekly show “Patriot Act,” Minaj addresses worldly topics like the Indian elections, affirmative action, Supreme, and, in this case, student loans. He went as far as to poll his small studio audience, mainly made up of post-grads. Between them, there was over six million dollars of debt.

Minaj pointed out the fundamental flaws in the education system, claiming that now, more than ever, there is no

space for error: “You can’t make any mistakes. Otherwise, you might face some of the most aggressive debt collection practices.”

He played a clip depicting the suspension of medical licenses of practicing doctors who had remaining loans to pay.

Some may argue that there is a basic lack of logic in taking away a person’s source of income in an attempt to collect loans that can’t be paid off without a reliable salary. The clip Minaj played showed a man arrested by the federal marshal’s office — for $1,500 dollars of loans.

Student loans impair the way teens plan for their future.

From childhood, money is taught to be precious, unreliable, coveted. Minaj stated that “Growing up, it was drilled into our heads: you’ve got to go to college if you want a middle-class job.”

We were told that without a middle-class job, there was no way to have the ideal future.

Need of an education to get a job leads teens to choose to attend a trade school rather than attend a school for what they are passionate about.

For teens, not only does fear impact choices about their future, it also affects their mental health when considering the possibility of future debt.

Some students have started actively saving for college when they are still underclassmen in high school. The impending threat of student loans not only influences how they live their lives but also how they plan for their futures and decide plans for education.

“I don’t want [it] to hold me back.”

24 • FEATURE thefourthestate.net

CNBC looked into the mental-health impact that this hot-topic issue has on teens. Through a Student Loan Hero survey, over 60 percent of teens surveyed admitted to a “fear [that] their student loan debts… [will] spiral out of control.”

“It’s like I’m being choked. Constantly.”

The senior went on to talk about the perpetual feeling of helplessness that accompanies the debt crisis, saying: “I can’t breathe.”

Another senior, Charlie Jacobs, recognized the unavoidable pressure but took an optimistic view of it. Identifying the issue, but understanding its probable impact in his life, Charlie said, “[College Debt] is going to be

And that’s just looking at young teens, many of whom don’t even have debt yet. It’s not just mental, either. Psychological stress affects teens’ wellbeing. The same survey found that students are “suffering from headaches or lack of sleep from the sheer stress of it.”

That’s terrifying when one thinks about it that students who have not yet graduated from high school are already suffering a physical

Inevitable, so part of me is worried about it, but I know that no matter what I will still be in some kind of debt.”

However, he didn’t end on a negative note, “I don’t want that to hold me back.”

It’s important to remember: it should be about finding the school that works best for you, not just about creating a college plan that will leave you financially stable.

“I can’t breathe.” and mental toll on their body from constant stress and fear.

Laguna seniors, teens preparing to enter the world of college and the possible burden of debt, were passionate when questioned about the impact that these pressures had on their psyche. Said one senior who chose to remain anonymous, “It’s like I’m being choked. Constantly.”

The world of college loans and debt is fundamentally flawed if this is the impact that the fear of loans has on students.

Of course, taking into consideration statistics and the increase in debt nationally, financial stress is almost inescapable.

If they think like Charlie, however, students may realize how many opportunities there are for students— without letting anxiety overwhelm them.

WORDS and ART by PHOEBE STEIN

thefourthestate.net FEATURE • 25

The Importance of Engagement

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rganizing student walk-outs, participating in local marches, getting involved in national politics, speaking out about beliefs— political and civic engagement goes by so many names.

Growing up in the United States, it has been fascinating and disheartening to watch the constant battle between conservatives and liberals. A seemingly never-ending tug-of-war on policies and decision making, bipartisanship seems, with each inter-party political dispute, to get more out of reach.

With the 2016 election, our country’s fate was seemingly decided; the chasm between Republican and Democratic citizens was in the spotlight, highlighted by Twitter debates and poisonous dialogue that seek to demonize rather than establish compromises.

With each disagreement comes a breakdown of civility, opinions more polarized than they have been for decades — perhaps even since the Civil War. Parties fail to share courteous discourse — coming to the point where one side continues to deny basic, commonly known truths. The idea of being fair and balanced is becoming impossible.

With strained conversations and a political climate that seems stuck in a repetitive cycle, it’s increasingly clear that the solution lay not in the actions of lawmakers, but rather in the members of the younger generation.

Prior to the 2016 election, students below the voting limit were typically unaware and uninformed of governmental happenings.

According to a study done by the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR), schools in the past had “failed to prepare our youngest citizens to become stewards of democracy, possessing the knowledge and skills required for active and engaged citizenship.”

They went on to cite tragic statistics, including that “Only one-third of Americans can name all branches of government, and one-third cannot name any at all.”

This shocking lack of participation in matters of political engagement was only deepened by the avoidance of discussing opinions in the classroom setting.

In a time of political unrest, the voice of younger generations can’t be silenced; many debate whether this increased political involvement is stimulated by political climate. Yet, the question remains: why and how are youth becoming civically engaged?

And why now?

It became evident that without the involvement of the younger generation, a disagreeing group of representatives and leaders would fail to make the changes some argued we so desperately needed.

SSIR recognized this, stating that “today’s nationwide toxic environment” called for more involvement from youth, putting pressure on teachers to “[construct] classes that are relevant to students’ lives.”

Teachers throughout the country are slowly implementing political conversations into daily classroom discussions, allowing for marginalized groups to take the forefront of their lessons, even at schools like Laguna Blanca.

An article by Alina Tugend from the New York Times focused on this issue in an article in 2018, saying that “More needs to be done, especially in light of the divided state of the country… and individuals and institutions are taking on the challenge.”

Tugend argued that the issue wasn’t just about educating kids to prepare them for college — it mattered more to make sure they were prepared to enter the real world, to tackle the political climate that would surely greet them after graduation.

Tugend quoted Ron Berger, an academic officer for EL Education, when he so eloquently commented: “This is not just about a high school civics class—It’s not to prepare

“This is not just about a high school civics class. It’s not to prepare students for tests, but to prepare them to be active, contributing citizens.”

26 • FEATURE thefourthestate.net

students for tests, but to prepare them to be active, contributing citizens.”

Rather than solely using history classes to debate the past, teachers have begun connecting their traditional lessons to often controversial political culture.

Comparative Religion teacher (and future co-teacher for the Civic Engagement class), Al Silva, demonstrates the way today’s politics are being infiltrated into classroom discussions as a way to understand the younger generation’s proclivity for civic engagement.

He believes civic discussion should play a role in the classroom, asking: “How can we have civil conversations around extremely divisive issues?”

In his class, he focuses on discussion, “In comparative religion, the whole class is built around talking about stuff that is extremely meaningful, that peoples lives center around. How do you talk about that in a way that is respectful toward the people who have the beliefs?”

In a class like Comparative Religion, incorporating civics and politics into lesson plans is a tricky endeavor, as certain issues might seem targeting to a student’s personal beliefs.

Silva recognizes this, answering his own question: “It is ridiculously hard to [discuss such personal ideologies].”

As teachers are beginning to recognize, the voices of the younger generation unarguably play a pivotal role in political evolution. But how exactly are they instituting these changes?

Beyond rallies, posters, signs and social media posts, today’s teens are working to make sure their voices are heard by the entire nation, particularly by government.

As many members of the younger generation have realized, it is impossible to establish political change without open and direct

communication with larger government organizations.

To do so, teens must make sure their voices echo — and that their political and social demands are clearly heard by those in power.

Emma Gonzáles, a 19-year-old gun control activist, and Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old who began the School Strike for Climate, are just two examples of teens who have vocalized concern for necessary political change. Their words rung loud enough to spark large-scale movements — movements which directly address demands of young people for change on systemic governmental structures.

However, members of this politically active generation are keenly focused on ensuring that teens are educated about the matters they so often are protesting.

Grace Fitzpatrick ‘20 a participant in the Global Climate Strike, explains that teens should be focused on making “a new form of resistance or political change” resisting these issues rather than just readdressing the “awareness that has already been risen.”

Even though some see their civic engagement as unhelpful, youth have undeniably established an voice in current-day politics — and their voices will only get louder.

WORDS by PHOEBE STEIN and MIA HUMBERD-HILF ART by MIA HUMBERD-HILF

#fallinstagrams PAGE by FRANCES CARLSON and ELLI WESTMACOTT

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FEATURE thefourthestate.net

Dilemmas at Dinner When holiday meals coincide with elections, it’s no wonder a Thanksgiving meal with extended family becomes a breeding ground for arguments and tension.

WORDS by ELIZABETH BISNO and ART by EMMA RAITH

T

hink back to your last Thanksgiving. As your family sits down to a delicious dinner, some distant second cousin threetimes removed says, “Thank you for coming everyone, I’m glad you could all make it here tonight, and bon appétit!”

Everyone digs in.

What follows is a steady buzz of friendly conversation as everyone enjoys the meal… and then an uncle mentions the election.

Voices rise from a hum to a clamor — a festive Thanksgiv-

ing evening quickly turns into a family argument over politics.

This is enough to make us want to call it a day and remove ourselves from the awkward atmosphere. However, there are some conversational strategies to keep the conversations positive and help conflicts subside.

One rule to remember when you find yourself reunited with the family over Thanksgiving dinner, is to not stay quiet, which will make you hate being stuck at the table.

You didn’t come to this celebration to sulk and poke at your mashed potatoes while your family discovers how much they disagree with one another.

“Sometimes the adults don’t trust us to participate, so they don’t include us, so then we should include ourselves,” junior Kate Spaulding said.

When you have no say in any of the discussions, you’re likely to have an unpleasant evening. If the conversations are fun and constructive, then that’s great. If people are acting too defensive about their opinions or indignant about others’ and most of the family is just sitting there awkwardly, now would be the time to jump in and work toward a less antagonistic discussion. Here are some tips to follow:

Tip #1: Find Common Ground

Tip #2: Listen

Take, for instance, the current debate over vaccines.

The two sides appear to be totally opposing, but whether they want to protect their kids from diseases or from autism by avoiding vaccines, both desire the well-being of their children; they just believe in doing so in different ways.

Acknowledging this will create a bridge. If you smooth over the arguments with a shared goal, the conversation will move forward.

One additional benefit of finding common ground is the mental exercise itself. It will show your older relatives how very diplomatic and mature you are and they’ll start to take you seriously.

If you’re interested in the tactical advantages of listening to those who disagree with you, you should know that it’s the best way to read their core values.

Once those values become apparent, you can construct an argument in which those values back up your opinion.

Participating in the family debate isn’t all about you talking your head off whenever you disagree.

It’s about being open to others’ opinions. Everyone wants to talk. Try listening. We’re all aware that older relatives can sometimes be set in their ways and might feel disrespected when traditional views are challenged or replaced by new ones. So, listen first and then politely share your views.

thefourthestate.net

Tip #3: Step Away from Conflict Feel free to try to redirect conversation. The operative word there is “try.”

If you feel tension is rising, believe it or not, basic elementary school playground rules can help solve arguments.

Use those “I” statements you learned as a kid. Eliminate controversial subject matter and share only your feelings in that moment.

Sophomore Ava Rice usually waits for controversial political topics to “die out.” Or she tries to change the topic “It’s awkward for everyone except for two people, so I try my best to stay away from [those topics] especially if the whole family disagrees on it.”

If you can’t redirect the discussion and turn to someone next to you — there has to be someone else who dreads political discussions.

OPINION• 29

Addressing the Dress Code The dress code. It’s a debate and an issue that students, faculty and administrators at schools across the country and here at Laguna deal with on a regular basis. It continues to spark debate in school communities.

WORDS by FRANCES CARLSON and MADELEINE NICKS ART by KATHERINE MONROY, FRANCES CARLSON and MADELEINE NICKS

The dress code is a standard part of most institutions whether it is a private school, a public school, a Catholic school, or a company. Yet, that does not mean that there is one overarching, standard set of rules.

A dress code regulates the decisions students make when getting dressed for school in the morning and therefore how individuals choose to portray themselves on a material level. But truly, the goal of any dress code is to define the culture and nature of a school.

That is what makes the dress code such a point of discussion, because each school’s dress code is their own, and therefore comes with its own problems and solutions.

And, until the start of this year, the dress code at Laguna was a somewhat overlooked regulation. Though only about a dozen students have been dress coded, a string of assembly announcements and emails have prompted a good amount of talking, debating, and arguing about the fundamentals of our dress code throughout the student body.

So then, what do these rules really mean to Laguna specifically? Science instructor Katie Pointer said, “...for me,

the dress code, the spirit of the dress code, the spirit of the law is supposed to be that we are just trying to get people to dress in a way that conveys respect. Respect for the institution, respect for the people you are around.”

The rules of our dress code are spelled out in the Upper School Student Handbook, a 39-page long document that outlines the procedures and principles of our school.

Students and parents are required to sign the Handbook before the beginning of the academic year.

In introducing the bullet-point list of the specific causes for infractions, the handbook states that “Laguna maintains standards of dress in order

to demonstrate respect for the educational environment, avoid distractions, maintain safety, and set a good example for our younger students.”

In the list of guidelines that follow, the key violations include messages of hate/alcohol/ drugs, bare midriffs, revealing clothing, and exposed undergarment straps.

Some students argue that, due to the lack of more specific guidelines, the dress code falls under a somewhat gray area, with reprimands based on a subjective viewpoint.

“I believe the dress code can be a bit unfair or biased because personally I’ve never been dress coded, and I have worn a cropped shirt,” sophomore Julianna Seymour said.

“And then I saw someone else who had a little tiny sliver of stomach showing and they got dress coded.”

On the other hand, some argue that the unspecificity is exactly what students can use as a learning opportunity.

Interim Head of Upper School Andrew Wooden, believes that the unspecificity “asks people to be responsible, and responsible is a very broad judgment.

He said, “I think it’s positive for students to have the independence to interpret language like that responsibly.”

With every dress code, there is also the issue of gender biases. On a certain level, one can blame this on fashion, as current styles almost force dress codes to lean towards female-directed rules.

“I think [the dress code] tries to be fair — when I read it closely there are elements in it that seem to have unintended consequences that if enforced fully might not feel fair.”

Middle school English teacher Anna Alldredge said, “I believe a dress code should be 100 percent gender neutral, and that is something Laguna is committed to prioritizing.”

Technically, the only rule that solely applies to female students is that “exposed undergarments including straps” are not permitted.

A general agreement among female students is their disagreement towards this rule. Sophomore Dare Fitzpatrick said, “Bra straps—why is that in the dress code? We are wearing bras.

Everyone knows it. That is part of life.

I don’t understand why it would offend people.”

Whether bias exists or not, no one is denying that female students are the ones generally getting dress-coded, and when a male student does, it is definitely unusual.

But rules only go so far. After that, comes action. The dress-coding process is a double edged sword. There is the faculty or administrator who does the dress coding and the student being dress coded. Being in either one of those positions is not ideal.

When it comes down to the specific process, the Handbook states “Students not in conformance with the dress code will be asked to change promptly.”

And yet, that rarely ever happens.

Instead a faculty or administration member will alert a student of the fact that they are out of dress code, and tell them what item of clothing is causing the reprimand.

From an administrative standpoint, Director of Student Life Blake Dorfman said that having to dress code someone “is different for each person. If I see someone out of dress code and it’s not a crazy violation or we do not need to cover that person up right away, I will approach that person one-on-one and say, ‘I really think we should leave that piece of clothing at home next time, and choose something different.’ I find that goes over well.”

But once again, this process is a double edged sword. From a student standpoint, sophomore Lily Connor, who was dress coded twice at the beginning of the year. “I walked away feeling really embarrassed.”

In addition, she was pulled aside “during a passing period, so it was while everyone was walking by. Right after it happened, all of these people were coming up to me and asking what had happened.”

Any uncomfortable experience for both a student or faculty member is obviously something that the school wants to avoid. But the question remains, how is this to be avoided?

As we wrote this article we found ourselves left with three main grievances concerning the dress code.

The first is gender bias. Specific rules, such as “bra straps” or “revealing” clothing, have to go. Gender identity should never play a part in the rules of any dress code, and that is something that should be left unquestioned.

“I walked away feeling really embarrassed.”

The second is the language used in the handbook, most importantly the idea that the grounds on which the dress code stands includes “avoid[ing] distractions.”

Wooden said “I think that language has been around for a hundred years and it needs to be reevaluated.”

Senior Audrey Murphy expands and said, “justifying the dress code with saying that “girl’s bodies are a distraction” is outdated, offensive, and unacceptable. Society is now starting to recognize women as victims of sexual assault rather than provocateurs of it, and in general we must demand that men use self-control (with their thoughts and actions) rather than using the censorship of our bodies as the easy out.”

The third is the dress coding process. We believe the key to eliminating discomfort on both sides is to create a streamlined, professional email that alerts a student when they are out of dress code. Resulting in, as Alldredge suggested, a “privately communicated” process.

A revaluation of the dress code is entirely necessary to avoid humiliation for students, to make sure a teacher never has to feel awkward doing their job, and so that every member of Laguna can get dressed in the morning and come to school with full confidence in what they choose to wear.

thefourthestate.net OPINION • 31

(NO THANKS) GIVING Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday by many and usually includes stress, growling stomachs and deliciously warm food. Most families don’t skip a beat on this annual holiday as it is a time for loved ones to pause and appreciate their blessings. What’s being served for Thanksgiving this year? A big helping of animal cruelty.

T

WORDS by DAISY FINEFROCK and ART by EMMA RAITH

hanksgivings are generally an all-day (or even all week) affair.

It starts with the decor preparations, finalizing guest lists, researching recipes, shopping for the meal itself… the list goes on! It all culminates when the family gathers around a warm homemade meal crafted with love.

I adore Thanksgiving as much as the next American. I find it so nostalgic and a place of warmth and happiness.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade makes my heart flutter… the football games not so much! There is nothing better than devouring pies and mashed potatoes surrounded by loved ones. And I know I am

not alone in this love of the holiday, as stated by the National Turkey Federation, 85 percent of Americans celebrate Thanksgiving.

Let’s start at the beginning, though.

The tradition of Thanksgiving goes a long way back, evidently bringing together the pilgrims and Native Americans over a shared harvest in the fall of 1621.

Although there’s been discussion on the truth behind this supposed friendship the two groups shared, there is no verdict on the reality of the situation and what circumstances they were under.

Recently, the New York Times and the Washington Post published InDepth editorials regarding the fallacies of Thanksgiving, which indicate that Thanksgiving is under scrutiny because of this dilemma: ‘What are we really celebrating.’

The United American Indians of New England annually hold anti-Thanksgiving rallies. The holiday is “a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands and the relentless assault on Native culture.”

With issues like Confederate statues and debates over Columbus Day, we are shedding light on what America chooses to honor.

But there is another side to this: many don’t consider it and if you do, it is almost laughable — the turkey’s role in this annual holiday.

The center of the American Thanksgiving dinner is a big, juicy turkey.

This stereotype is very

accurate, with 88 percent of Americans, surveyed by the National Turkey Federation, eating turkey at their Thanksgiving meal.

The most comical part of this is that there is no proof of turkeys being eaten at the First Thanksgiving.

In a National Geographic editorial written by Becky Little, “A few things you (probably) don’t know about Thanksgiving,” she explains that the harvest was said to be a regular English celebration and had no real significance until 1863 when Abraham Lincoln declared the day a federal holiday in order to bring peace for one meal.

Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

Although wild turkeys roamed the areas, it is not certain that they were even part of the Harvest celebration. Editor John Cunningham said in a Britannica Encyclopedia article, “there is no indication that turkey was served…”

Historians ascribe Sarah Josepha Hale with pressing this idea of Turkeys being the center focus of a Thanksgiving meal.

In her novel “Northwood” (1827), she dedicates a chapter to describing the classic New England Thanksgiving: completed with a home-cooked turkey “placed at the head of the table.”

Thus, the idea that we emphasize the turkeys being a significant component of the quintessential American Thanksgiving meal is illogical since there is no historical context.

The holiday has morphed into a commercialized 10-course meal day.

There is a tradition dating back to 1987 when President Ronald Reagan pardoned a turkey and let it live.

This ritual is meant to be a symbol of good cheer.

32 • OPINION thefourthestate.net

Yet it is contradicting and ironic since there is only one single turkey out of millions being saved.

How is this good cheer when there are so many turkeys slaughtered for the consumption of Americans?

What’s most bemusing is that there’s no reason that this holiday has to be carried on a turkey’s back.

And most importantly, why can’t this celebration just be what it was intended for: to simply gather around with loved ones and rejoice in our blessings?

It’s believed that the trend of turkeys at the meal was due to President Lincoln’s influence. Lincoln’s favorite meat was a roasted turkey. He annually served it at his White House Thanksgiving feast. For the troops, he sent out turkey rations as well as a treat for their hard work.

This is said to be yet another reason turkeys became essential to the annual meal. This idea just further confirms the view that we, as Americans, often misconstrue long-established holidays and don’t know the historical context of our traditions.

For example, Easter is believed to be Jesus’ resurrection and a day to celebrate him. Besides devout Christians, it developed into a day where kids go around the yard screaming in hopes of finding a golden egg with ten bucks in it.

Thanksgiving is not helping our environment, our bodies, nor helpless turkey’s. This holiday has turned into something that isn’t a harvest or a celebration of a successful farming season; it celebrates the non-organic, GMO and factory-farmed turkeys we consume.

So why turkeys? We have so much food available to us which is healthy, delicious and non-cruelty based.

The people behind slaughterhouses don’t seem to mind, and they are having a holiday themselves over the earnings from this one day.

According to the 2018 annual PETA statistics, Thanksgiving is responsible for 46 million turkeys in the U.S. The process starts when the eggs are forced into incubators and stolen from their mothers. They’re then force-fed with a pump in order to gain enough weight to satisfy the American need for an unnecessarily large turkey.

Following that, the turkeys are mutilated: their beaks, snoods, and toes are chopped off. Depending on the factory farm and their ethics, there is no anesthesia or pain relievers for birds.

According to Mary Beth Sweetland, Humane Watch’s Director of Investigations, “Despite everything we know about animals now — that they think, they feel, they form connections – we still treat them worse than dirt.”

As a result of the enormous weight gain forced upon them, the turkey’s joints grow weak and subsequently lose the ability to walk or even stand. This causes misery, suffering, and diseases for all the birds crammed into a warehouse.

The factory farms don’t even have the decency to knock them unconscious, and they are simply slotted into an assembly line to their deaths.

There is no current legal protection for these types of birds: turkeys and chickens. The law passed in 1978 by the USDA protects the rights of slaughtered animals and guarantees proper treatment.

However, this law excludes the treatment of chickens and other birds. Theoretically, these birds in factory farms can be treated in any sort of way and no one will step in to protect them.

Since 1970, turkeys being produced in America have increased by 100 percent, and Thanksgiving alone is responsible for one-sixth of turkeys slaughtered annually. There has been an influx of free-range and organic farms, and many families are choosing organic meats only.

The average person has no concept of what the rules are for being labeled a free-range facility.

Most free-range turkeys will never be able to touch grass or see the sky, yet they are given the privilege of a couple more square feet of warehouse room.

These outdated laws are not regulated tightly enough that companies can get away with treating their freerange turkeys the same as they would factory-farmed turkeys.

And in the end, they will sell their poultry for twice as much in your

thefourthestate.net OPINION • 33

local grocery store.

English teacher Charles Donelan, grew up in New England surrounded by farms.

Growing up next to a turkey farm, he said, “It was a ramshackle collection of white coops that lay very close to the road, so it was easy to see what was going on there.”

Although young, he, too, noticed the influx of turkey production throughout the Thanksgiving season.

“Eleven months out of the year, it was quiet, but in November, it became overrun with trucks coming to take the birds away for Thanksgiving,” Donelan said.

“The turkey farm was the only place that peaked and then subsided so spectacularly. By the Saturday or Sunday after Thanksgiving, it was deserted, only to crank up again the next fall.”

Since when did animal cruelty and the mistreatment of our food source become an American value?

When did we become so greedy and demand so much of animals?

The amount of meat that the American population consumes daily is not helping us in any way.

Teaching the new generation that the turkey is the center of families getting together and sitting around a dining table should not be our future.

We need to lay out all the facts on the table this year, and it starts with choosing what foods end up on our plates.

W

stance of the staff

e’ve all had to grow up. Most of us are not ready for it; it seems, all at once, expectations rise and responsibilities become more pressing. There is pressure on kids today: hopes that teenagers will be the generation to find solutions to previously unsolvable dilemmas.

This pressure is nothing if not detrimental to the minds of conscious young people.

Each victory achieved by teens, whether it is fighting for equality or for our planet, comes with innumerable rewards; yet, every win is tainted with the knowledge that there is still so much to be done. Celebrating feels futile when the stakes of each battle are so high.

Growing up isn’t just about getting older, taller or even more experienced. It isn’t about entering high school, learning what it means to be a freshman or becoming an upperclassman.

Growth is about understanding needs other than our own, being open to changing opinions and finding a way to leave behind the idea that everything is happening for a reason. Sometimes, we can’t explain why bad things keep happening. Instead, we must understand that the bad things will happen no matter what, and it is our responsibility to learn from it when they do.

Think back to the years when life was black and white. As kids, we didn’t really understand that our actions impacted others. We lived life as if the world revolved around us. Young children are wired that way — they don’t have the capacity to fully grasp the concept of why others matter. But that changes as we get older, as we grow.

We begin to question the reasons behind people’s choices.

Questions turn into opinions, which turn into a passion, which turn into drive.

An indispensable part of the process happens through discussion; conversations are an essential part of change. In order to be open with the people one shares their life with, one must talk, discuss and try to be understanding of people who may think differently.

Growth isn’t one-dimensional. Growth is about learning how to talk to others, how to look differently at our opponent’s perspectives to see what may have been ignored.

We’ve all had to grow up. No, we weren’t ready for the high expectations or intense responsibilities— but we faced them. And that’s the biggest part of growth: understanding that we can’t always control what happens, but knowing that we can try our best to learn from our mistakes.

ART by PHOEBE STEIN and JILLIAN LIN thefourthestate.net OPINION • 35

TikTok: Featuring @KylerLovesJesus

What is it like to be a popular creator on TikTok? Get an inside perspective from one well-known TikToker, KylerLovesJesus.

T

ech companies are always creating new and innovative apps.

TikTok, a video-sharing platform, is one of the many latest social media apps that is becoming popular among teens and young adults.

Users create videos of all genres: comedy, dance or acting, to either a sound, song or even to their own voices.

Part of TikTok’s appeal is that the app is designed to keep users entertained by

selecting recommended videos based on what the viewer likes to see.

However, there is no algorithm for the life of KylerLovesJesus, a famous TikToker whose profile quickly rose in the ranks and currently has over438 thousand followers.

His profile is an example of a type of user, often teenage boys, who grow their accounts inexplicably fast as soon as a single video goes viral.

On a recent trip to Los Angeles, we were able to photograph KylerLovesJesus and, shortly after, interview him, to get a better sense of what makes the app so special.

How did you discover TikTok and when?

I was skating and my friend had 50,000 followers.

He was a local skater boy, and [I decided] to start TikTok and just beat him, and then I did. And I’ve had it for four months.

Why did you decide to pursue TikTok? Because it’s super fun. And I got a lot of attention.

Have you thought about moving to a more influencerbased city?

No. Never in my entire life.

Is there a way to make money from

the app itself?

I make money, yes. I make it directly from the app [from selling clothing merch].

What are your some of favorite trends on TikTok, and what do you think attracts the most viewers sounds, dances, etc?

None of them. I hate them all. [If I had to pick] my trend-- the only things that I do are skate videos. Being beautiful [attracts the most viewers].

Have you thought of expanding your platform to different apps and using your following for a purpose other than TikTok to expand on your hobbies?

Just Instagram. The problem with it is that it’s hard to branch out into YouTube unless you’re big-big like Noen [Eubanks], for these sort of people everything you post goes viral. If you can’t do that then — that’s how my page used to be but then I had that scandal, so now I can’t. If that scandal never happened I’d be at 2, 3 or 4 million followers right now. Yeah, it is a big ‘L.’. I do want to quit TikTok, though. It’s really boring.

So, do you want to make skate videos just not on TikTok? No, I want to make them, that’s the only place I put them — I just want to be a professional video game player.

Do you have a large following of “fangirls”? If so, what is it like to have these girls as fans? What kind of videos attract “fangirls”?

Yes. I used to have a lot bigger following, but I got into a scandal.

WORDS by DARE FITZPATRICK ART by KATHERINE MONROY

36 • A&E thefourthestate.net

“Anatomy of Gray,” Not “Grey’s Anatomy”

A behind the scenes chat with Drama Director Dana Caldwell on the upcoming winter play, “Anatomy of Gray.”

What is the plot of “Anatomy of Gray”?

A coming-of-age story set in 1800s rural Indiana with our young protagonist 15-year-old June who has just lost her father.

[She’s] wrestling with grief and growing up in a small town and bursting at the seams. So it’s really just her story and the life of the people around her.

Dealing with death, she prays that some healer will come to town, so that no one else has to die.

Right after she writes this letter to God asking to send someone, a doctor blows in on a tornado in a hot air balloon and lands in their town.

They are in this town that has never encountered a doctor or medicine so there are these themes of religion, medicine, family, loss and over the course of the play the plague then breaks out.

We see this town dealing with [the lack of modern medicine] and reacting to that.

There are moments of levity and quirkiness and great characters but it is a heavy story that’s dealing with loss and dealing with big life questions.

Which aspects of the play led you to choose it for our Winter show?

I think those very things.

It’s really diving deep into some big life questions and that is so relevant to the human experience and story especially for high school students.

These students in particular in play production were really ready to delve into these hard, difficult, real-life issues and situations — because it’s not easy material.

They are really tackling

this in a way that is respectful, in a way that is so mature and really beyond all of their years.

Have you ever performed this show, seen it, or directed it in past years?

I have not. This is a first for me! This is a not widely known play. The playwrights did write a very famous play called “The Diviners,” but this is a lesser-known one that I’ve never done before, I’ve never been in before, so it’s a new adventure for me.

Do you have a favorite scene?

We are in the early days of blocking and rehearsing, so time will tell. But right now there’s a very entertaining scene with Simon [Lea] and Caetano [PerezMarchant] that’s involving some gymnastic feats — so without any spoiler alerts, be on the lookout for some attempt at headstands and what not!

Do you have a favorite character or a character you most relate to?

There is a character in the play that is pregnant, so currently being pregnant, that is feeling very relatable just with becoming a mother.

Certainly all these great, quirky, funny characters throughout the play — some of them are spunky, like June — being

a 15-year-old and making terrible decisions to great decisions who’s just trying to figure out who she is.

Also having lost a grandmother who was very much a parent to me, I can definitely resonate with losing someone who’s extremely important to me and my life. There’s so much in here that is art reflecting life — that people will come and connect with.

Have your students interpreted the message of the play in a way that you have never noticed before?

We start every rehearsal process by doing an initial read-through and then we do table work — so we all have our scripts and we sit together and we read through it line by line and we really dive deep into what everything means and our perceptions of it and our questions.

Part of our work is really getting on the same page early on or exploring our different ideas together.

Certainly, as individuals different things resonate with different people. As an actor and character you have to have your own perspective.

But, as an ensemble, we explore these ideas together so that everybody understands what is going on.

This allows us to have a unified vision and the same ideas going into it because we, as an ensemble, are telling this story and what we believe is important to communicate to our audience.

Then the audience will take away from it what they will.

Finally, what are the dates when we can come and see it? December 12, 13, and 14, at 7 p.m. in Spaulding Auditorium.

WORDS and ART by DARE FITZPATRICK

thefourthestate.net

A&E • 37

What Comes After the Endgame?

With Iron Man dead, Captain America retired, and the future of Spiderman unclear, what does the future of Marvel’s movie universe hold?

T

he Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU, the official name for Marvel Studio’s series of superhero movies transpiring within the same universe, is the highest-grossing movie franchise in history.

With 23 films in the series to date, from “Iron Man” in 2008 to “Spider-Man: Far From Home” in mid-2019, the MCU has four of the top 10 highest-grossing movies of all time.

Marvel’s connected storyline integrates characters, themes, and plots throughout the movies, beginning with the three-phase Infinity Saga that encompasses all movies to date.

Phase 1, from 2008 to 2012, consisted of six films that introduced Marvel’s main superheroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor, who came to be known as the Avengers.

In these movies, viewers became acquainted with the Infinity Stones and the super villain Thanos.

Phase 2 included six films, from 2013 to 2015, introducing more superheroes, including AntMan and the Guardians of the Galaxy, while expanding the main plot line around the Infinity Stones.

Phase 3, with 11 films from 2016 to 2019, focused on Thanos’ plot to collect all six Infinity Stones and use them to eradicate half of the life in the universe.

The most recent movie was the last of Phase 3, and Marvel has apparently closed the plot around Thanos’s plan.

With the conclusion of the Infinity Saga and the end of the story arcs of several of the main Avengers, including Iron Man and Captain America, along with Thanos’s story, many fans of the Marvel movies are wondering, “what’s next?”

After the events of Endgame, now that many main characters are gone, fans will need good reasons and an engaging plot to continue watching.

In the most recent movie, “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” it appeared that Spider-Man was being groomed to take the mantle from Iron Man as leader of the Avengers in the future.

However, recent developments have brought that potential plot-line into question.

Since 2009, Sony Pictures, not Marvel Studios, owned the film rights to Spider-Man.

In 2015, the two production studios reached a partnership that allowed Spider-Man to appear in five of the MCU films from 2016 to 2019.

Alarmingly for fans, in mid-2019, Sony and Marvel could not reach a financial agreement for Spider-Man to continue to appear in MCU films.

In late September, the studios announced they had reached terms for Spider-Man to be featured in another MCU film, but with no definitive plans after that.

Even though Spider-Man’s long-term future with the MCU is unclear, there are several new lead characters that will be coming to Marvel’s universe and many beloved superheroes who will be returning in Phase 4 of the MCU. Marvel has announced six movies being released in 2020 and 2021: “Black Widow,” “Thor: Love and Thunder,” “The Eternals,” “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings.”

Another development for Marvel fans is the expansion of TV series with characters and actors from the MCU films.

Since 2013, Marvel produced the show “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” which focuses on secondary characters in the MCU, such as Agent Coulson.

As part of Phase 4, Marvel, which is owned by Disney, is developing several TV shows for the new video-on-demand streaming service Disney+ that will feature MCU superheroes and the film’s actors in shows including “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Wandavision,” “Loki and Hawkeye.”

Phase 4 of the MCU has a lot for fans to be excited about, especially now that we know that Endgame may not be as much of an “end” as we thought.

Sophomore Nic Richmond remains a fan and will continue watching. “I think I’m still going to watch because I like the story, but I’m also attached to the characters.”

WORDS by CODY BUSCH-WEISS ART by EMMA RAITH

38 • A&E thefourthestate.net

The Tarantino Revolution Director Quentin Tarantino: How Has He Changed the movie Industry?

From violence to profanity, Tarantino has directed movies that show the world the gruesome side of entertainment.

O

nce Upon a Time in America,” the west, and now Hollywood. The Spaghetti Western genius of Sergio Leone inspired Quentin Tarantino, now bringing Tarantino one step closer to becoming one of the most notable directors in history.

Leone’s influence on Tarantino is reflected in Tarantino’s retro-vintage movies possessing gritty, raw and ultraviolet gravity that so many movies lack along with satirical subject matter, nonlinear storylines and aestheticization of violence.

While some argue that this is due to his pilfering from directors and other movies, Tarantino retorts that he’s “paying homage” to movies that sculpted his way of directing. In this way: how has Tarantino revolutionized the movie industry?

It’s no secret that Tarantino craves the controversy. In addition to the violence, gore, drugs and occasional torture scene, Tarantino uses extreme gun violence and demeaning racial slurs to emotionally trigger audiences.

Despite this, his movies continue to amaze audiences alike when touching down on topics like racism (“Django Unchained”), sexism (“Kill Bill”) and fascism (“Inglorious Bastards”).

The director is unorthodox for many reasons, but to start, Tarantino never received a formal film education: he worked in a video store for years. He watched Spaghetti Westerns and classic Asian Samurai films, and the inspiration from those two genres are most prominently seen in “Kill Bill.” Kill Bill may be his most apparent homage, especially to the Asian cinema that he has taken inspiration from since working in the now-extinct video store.

The 1973 revenge film “Lady Snowblood” from director Toshiya Fujita is by far the biggest influence on “Kill Bill,” where the stories are essentially identical in the action-packed Kung Fu scenes.

Besides, the Spaghetti Westerns of Leone also influenced “Kill Bill” — the double exposure shots, overhead shots, and the wide open shots in the black and white flashbacks all call back to Leone’s best-known films like “Once Upon a Time in the West.”

The director is a history buff. However, his movies are purposefully historically inaccurate. “Inglorious Bastards,” arguably Tarantino’s best film, ends with Hitler being killed by a group of indignant Jews in a movie theater fire; unfortunately, this isn’t how the story went in reality.

Tarantino aims to alter history through his movies not necessarily to glorify it, but to communicate messages through

exaggeration. “When I make a film, I am hoping to reinvent the genre a little bit. I just do it my way. I make my own little Quentin versions of them,” Tarantino said.

Tarantino’s testimony on slavery, “Django Unchained,” definitely shocked audiences. While some people believed it appropriately represented the language of the era, many other people, including director Spike Lee, thought the politics behind it were racist.

Lee refused to see the film, explaining, “All I’m going to say is that it’s disrespectful to my ancestors… American slavery was not a Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western.”

In the midst of the controversy behind the film, “Django Unchained” grossed almost $163 million worldwide, making it Tarantino’s most successful film — apparently not everyone agreed with Spike Lee. What all his movies have in common is extreme, dramatic, and eccentric violence that infatuates audiences. A perspective on the director from inside the movie industry, former producer Jill Levinson says “The massive violence is so exaggerated that it’s almost comical, it has made [Tarantino movies] so outlandish that they’re possible to watch.” Levinson talks about “The intense violence, excessive blood, and even guts.”

However, while his movies are over the top, he has opened the door to new styles of directing, from extreme violence like his own to simple monochromatic colors. “His absurdity has inspired a new-age of directors like, Wes Anderson,” Levinson says.

Tarantino not only showed audiences what movies are, but he has showed directors what movies could be.

He proved that no formal education is required to make a movie, but creativity is the most important aspect. Wes Anderson, another notable director, has a unique and obvious style, one with extreme symmetry and moody monochromatic hues. He is just one example of a director who has found sanction in Tarantino’s overt movie style, therefore paving the way to another realm of film-making.

Tarantino found creativity in movie references and violence — he altered audiences perspectives and encouraged independent directors to do something different. He revolutionized the movie industry. What hasn’t he done?

“The massive violence is so exaggerated that it’s almost comical”

thefourthestate.net

WORDS and ART by Madison Kirk A&E • 39

SNITCHING...

RIGHT OR WRONG? Exploring the case of Daniel Hernandez, a popular rapper who got a potential life sentenced reduced in an unpopular fashion.

M

any of us don’t have to think about what we would do if we were facing possibly a few decades in prison.

It’s a funny “would you rather” question to throw around with friends or on social media, but it never is reality for the majority of us.

For some, however, that situation is a reality. Those who come face to face with the potential of prison time while on trial realize that the “what now” thought is real.

From surrendering to the judge’s decision, to doing all one can to possibly see less time in prison, criminals in these types of situations must weigh all the options.

While there is no set way to get a prison sentence reduced, there have been some cases in history where criminals have ducked out of lengthy prison sentences.

Most recently, popular rapper Daniel Hernandez, famously known as Tekashi 6ix9ine, was arrested in a racketeering sweep done by the FBI, where he testified that he and his fellow Nine Trey gang members participated in “robberies, assaults, and drug deals.”

After garnering an impressive following on social media for his attention-grabbing statements and stunts, his music career began to take off.

“GUMMO,” the song that jump started

Tekashi’s time in the spotlight, included lyrics that detailed guns, murder and gang activity.

Upon pleading guilty, the rapper was facing 47 years to life in prison.

From self-proclaimed “king of New York,” to a possible life sentence, priorities were quickly rearranged for Tekashi.

What he did from the moment he was proven guilty, though, is what made headlines.

In court, Hernandez took a role that he had never taken, and one that the public never would’ve guessed he would take: the role of a government witness.

“I knew I was going to become a target. I knew they were going to try and hurt me.”

Instead of staying quiet, Tekashi cut a deal with federal prosecutors to flip on his gang and tell them what they wanted to know.

From detailing internal operations, to deciphering gang codes, to listing the hierarchy of the Nine Trey gang by name, Tekashi stunned prosecutors with the directness of his testimony.

It is quite rare for men like Hernandez

“RAT!”

“ WEAK!”

40 • A&E

“S

!”

H C NIT

to “snitch” in this manner, and his willingness to cooperate with government officials did not go unnoticed.

When reports surfaced, social media erupted in disbelief and anger toward the rapper.

Those involved in the hip-hop world were especially disgusted by Tekashi’s decision, as snitching is a cardinal sin in the gang world.

Bringing others down for your crimes and wrongdoings is not going to garner respect.

However, you must put yourself in his shoes and ask, “What would I have done in his situation?”

A respectable answer is, “I would stay quiet,” but that is much easier said than done.

After stepping off the witness stand, Tekashi destroyed what reputation he had left. By taking the testifying route, he put himself in a very dangerous and isolated position.

Those who were out to get him prior to his arrest are now that much more motivated to get revenge.

Government officials offered him a spot in the witness protection program, but because of the large amounts of face tattoos he has, it would be a very long and costly process to get them removed.

If prosecutors do grant him with a lighter sentence, his freedom from prison will turn into a life that is constantly filled with paranoia and security.

After being asked if he is aware of the widespread resentment that many have toward his name, he replied saying that he is aware, and plans to hire a 24-hour security team worth a million dollars annually. This lifestyle begs the question again, is snitching the way to go?

WORDS and ART by CHRISTIAN BRANCH thefourthestate.net

What It Means to See Apple TV’s new movie series “See” makes us ask: what would we do without our sight?

Y

ou feel the ground beneath your feet; the shrubs brush past you as you side-step towards your prey.

As you approach your target, one can tell the deer is 15 feet away just by the grazing steps it takes and the calm pattern of its breath.

You unsling your spear from a holster-like sheath on your back, feel for the pointy end and throw the pike in a practiced arc.

It hits its mark.

Slinging the deer across your back, you trek the several hour journey back to camp and give a prayer of thanks for this food, hide and life it provides. All this has been done without sight.

On Nov. 1, Apple TV aired the new TV series “See,” which takes place in a world where sight has been stripped from us entirely.

Jason Momoa plays the protagonist as a high-ranking member in a tribe of traveling nomads struggling with a deadly virus which has ravaged the human population on Earth, the few surviving humans develop an immunity to this virus, however, they emerge blind.

The Earth has been brought back to its natural verdant

state: forests overtaking the once industrial urban centers of human society.

Advanced technology has been lost entirely — humans have begun to revert to their clan-like, tribal roots. The twist is Momoa bears children that are born with the gift of sight for the first time in several hundred of years.

The backbone of the plot, however, is about generations of humans surviving blind.

Imagine living life without sight. “We would survive on our other four senses: hearing, touch, and smell. Especially our hearing. Our hearing would intensify on a whole new level,” Anthony Ramires, assistant football coach and a part-time librarian said.

“I can’t imagine living in a world without sight. The most important activity I do requiring sight is driving,” said senior Pisci Abrego.

“We get place to place turning the wheel, using our peripheral vision instinctively, clicking buttons, and constantly testing our hand-eye coordination doing tasks we consider simple.”

Vision has helped humans to improve society; while technology has propelled us to an unimaginable place with constant improvements a result, humans have had less of an incentive to

work hard physically.

In the series “See” we find out exactly why physical exercise was necessary in the time before advanced technology.

No matter what technology is present, or what advancements humans have made, there is always a basic need for survival, and sometimes, survival is only possible when going back to the roots.

“See” paints the image of the human species living, and thriving, in an outdoor world. Physical exercise is no longer a hobby, it’s a means for survival.

Today people find means for survival in the little things — in going outside, in taking part in a hobby that takes them away from technology.

“There is nothing quite like surfing,” said sophomore Harrison Jones when asked what he appreciates about being able to see, and take part in his favorite pastimes. “Surfing has this special feeling of freedom, and just losing yourself in the moment.

This unexplainable feeling of bliss that makes me feel alive.”

Live, and be grateful for the gift of sight. All of us depend on using our sight in our everyday life, we never stop to think: what would I do without it?

WORDS by PATRICK OTTE ART by CLAIRE TOLLES thefourthestate.net A&E • 43

Dodgeball Tournament As the new year starts, so do new traditions. President of Student Council Kiki Tolles organized the first-ever high school dodgeball tournament.

Kiki organized this event, “to provide a fun and competitive way for the student body to integrate teamwork and strengthen friendships. Playing dodgeball is fun, but playing against your fellow classmates and teachers just ups the competitiveness and excitement.”

The winning team will be provided with either an ice cream party, pizza party, or a lunch of their choice. Tolles says student council chose the teacher captains “based on which teachers were thought to be most competitive.”

WORDS by MACY CHRISTA ART by CHARLIE JACOBS

Q: How did you decide who was on your team?

A: The stress! Will the poor children feel pressed to be asked by their English teacher who is afraid balls? I walked over like a homing pigeon towards the ninth/tenth grade quad. I saw a group of tenth grade boys, and was, like, hey, do y’all want to be on my team? They said yes, and one thing led to another.

Q: How do you feel about being a team captain?

A: I am happy to be a team captain.

However, I am not in the least bit competitive. In fact, when it comes to playing games I often lose on purpose.

When I can tell that someone else is taking it too seriously, I step back in order to prevent drama.

Q: What qualities do you want your team to posses?

A: Honesty. If we get hit, we are out. Core strength to bend our bodies like in “the Matrix” to avoid the round missiles hurled at as. We will also assess the ancient text “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu in order to know ourselves and our enemy.

Q: Is there a specific team you want to beat?

A: Faust’s. He’s ferocious and needs to be put in his place.

Q: Is there a specific team you want to beat?

A: There is no particular I wish to beat.

I hope they will be willing to try and have a sense of fun.

Q: How did you decide who was on your team?

A: I’m not very comfortable choosing a team because I don’t want to play favorites. I will have a clipboard outside my room

44 • SPORTS thefourthestate.net

Q: How did you decide who was on your team?

A: I went to the freshman quad and I also thought about who I’d seen play in the middle school advisory games.

While I was recruiting, I knew as long as I got Scott Self I’d be set for success.

Q: What qualities do your team to posses?

A: I want athletic students that will able to win. I also want students that I have a good relationship with. The most important qualities are determination, positive attitudes and the willingness to work hard and do whatever it takes to win.

Q: How do you feel about being a team captain?

A: I feel honored to be a team captain.

But I honestly think that the team captain will be a rotating position offered at the end of each match. Those who push themselves to be great will be awarded as a true team captain. I am simply a humble servant of my team - no less.

Q: Is there a specific team you want to beat?

A: I want to beat Mrs. Pardue’s team because she recruited all the senior boys and they need to go down.

Q: Is there a specific team you want to beat?

A: I really want to beat Mr. Faust.

Q: How did you decide who was on your team?

A: I took all the corners. There was no decision other than the desire to put as many on my team as possible.

Q: How did you decide who was on your team?

A: Well, I had my first team seduced away from me. Luckily, I have formed an underdog team. JZ is the captain and recruiter. I will coach them to victory from the bench!

Q: What qualities do you want your team to possess?

A: I expect that my team will be spirited and competitive!

Q: What was your recruiting process?

A: By the time the announcement was made in assembly, all of my potential teammates were taken! I am afraid I wasn’t proactive enough ahead of time.

Q: Are you going to still participate in the dodgeball tournament?

A: All those I had asked were already on a team. It will have to be without me/my team.

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The One Player That...

From hard workers to blatant cheaters, every sport has player stereotypes that often appear in high school competition. Who in your league or team is one of these?

SOCCER

The “Big-Shot” This player thinks they are God’s gift to the team. Yelling at everyone else for their mistakes but never taking responsibility for their own. Somehow when they give up the ball to the other team for no reason it’s everyone else’s fault.

The “CR7” This player truly believes that they are Ronaldo and will chop the ball and do a million step-overs before they will ever pass the ball. They have the weakest shots yet try to take long shots way too much.

TENNIS

The “Self Talker” This player gets upset whenever they make a mistake, verbally coaching themselves out loud or exclaiming how they “can’t believe they missed that.” Yet, if they win a point, even if its from a double fault, they will make sure to yell “Lets GO!” The “Blind One” These players clearly don’t know that the line is in and will call any ball that lands on it, or close to it, out, without a second thought. Whether it is blatant cheating or just a lack of glasses, these players ruin the game for everyone.

FOOTBALL The “Looker” This player can be found in almost any sport, there are two types of “Lookers,” says football coach Shane Lopes.

First, everyone knows the athlete that buys all of the new merch used by their favorite player. They look as though they are ready to play in the NFL yet their skills are horribly misrepresented as they have spent more time looking for new arm sleeves than they have practicing.

The other type is the one that is too focused on the way they actually look. Instead of directing their attention on the game they seem more concerned with which side of their face their hair falls.

thing out of a fail compilation. However, the one time they do catch a pass they’ll either act like it was nothing or make a big deal out of it.

VOLLEYBALL The “Diver” This player will dive on every play no matter how easy the ball is, they have to show the coach that they are the most committed player. Most of the time it is the libero but it can be anyone often passing the ball. The ball can be passed over the net by the other team and this player will still find some way to dive and exaggerate their pass.

The “Tipper” Because you might as well rename the position of “hitter” to tipper when this player is playing. This player is a hitter that has never actually spiked the ball in their life. Every single time they get set or have any opportunity to hit the ball they just tip it over the net. While a tip can be a strategic mix-up, when you do it every play it just becomes a pass to the other team.

BASKETBALL The “Ref!” This player seems to never be contempt with any call that goes against his team. They can’t help but flip out every single time the ref makes a call they disagree with. Often getting angry with the ref and other players. It is not uncommon for these players to foul excessively and then complain about the foul call.

The “Highlight Reel” Every time they get the ball they are trying to do way too much; they record all their games and “has to dribble every time they get the ball,” says Christian Branch. They are more focused on doing one cool thing per game than playing consistently good. When they get the ball it’s almost guaranteed that they will either try to cross the nearest player or shoot an unnecessarily far out three pointer.

WORDS by ANDREAS JACKSON ART by MIA HUMBERD-HILF

The “Butterfingers” This player can’t catch for their LIFE. They might be completely unguarded and given the best pass of the century and will fumble and drop it. Even if they can make good runs they time after time disappoint the team with some-

46 • SPORTS thefourthestate.net

Fall Sports Recap Girls Volleyball

Girls Volleyball was on a roll this season.

Since starting on Aug. 7, the girls were non-stop competitive. “This year’s Varsity team had a fantastic season,” coach Jason Donnelly said. “The girls competed at a high level all year long and continued to improve as a group until the very end.”

The team’s effort is reflected through their overall record of 16-4. The girls went undefeated in league, just recently beating Bishop Diego for the Frontier League title.

As the team advanced to the CIF playoffs, the girls began to work even harder at practice in order to get as far as they could.

Captain Macy Christal said, “We structured our practices around playoffs. More intense and more focused, our team stepped it up.”

After winning the first round of CIF, the girls geared up to beat Mary Star By the Sea in the second round. Unfortunately, the team was unable to pull a win out, but their season was still a success and will hold history for the school.

Boys Football

Girls Tennis

The Owls football team’s disappointing 0-6 record was not a reflection on the progress and improvement they made throughout the year. Players endured the challenge of learning the game and playing it the right way.

Senior captain Vincent Vestergard describes the team as “fast learners.” He also said, “This year was a rebuilding year.

We have been working hard so that in the future years, the program will continue to get better.”

Coach Shane Lopes made it clear to the team that just because you wear a football jersey, does not mean you are a football player. That was a motto for the boys this year, as many first year players found themselves earning the title of a “football player” under the leadership of captains Brian McClintock, Vincent Vestergaard and Christian Branch.

Looking forward to a strong offseason with the returning players, the Owl’s football program can only go up.

Co-Ed Cross Country

The Co-Ed Cross Country team is a powerhouse this year. With the biggest team they have had in over four years.

New coach, Martha, has been incorporating exercises and runs into training that have been both beneficial and fun. Runners can be found running all over Hope Ranch daily.

“We have kids from all grade levels, so it’s been really fun to get to know everyone. The season has been a great experience and an effective way to relieve stress from school and get a good workout,” said senior runner Julia Guglielmo.

The Girls Tennis team has been killing it overall this season. They are apart of the Frontier League and have been almost undefeated. They lost a game to Santa Ynez early in the season, but have been becoming stronger throughout every practice.

“JV and Varsity have been kind of one big team this year. We are able to incorporate some of the JV girls into the Varsity games, so it has been really nice to get to know the younger players. We have all been very supportive of each other and everyone has brought a lot of energy to each game,” captain Nina Wolff said.

Moving into CIF playoffs, the team tried new drills into their practices to enhance their skills. Despite losing in the first round of CIF, the girls “continue[d] to bring their team spirit to every game and practice,” Nina said.

Boys Sand Volleyball

With new members and a new coach, the Boys Sand Volleyball team has been building from the bottom as they learn the fundamentals.

Some of the boys have come directly from indoor season, so learning the ways of beach is very beneficial. The team has had a variety of wins and losses this season, their biggest accomplishment being their win against Santa Barbara High School.

WORDS by MACY CHRISTAL and CHRISTIAN BRANCH ART by KATHERINE MONROY and LBS

thefourthestate.net SPORTS• 47

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Loyalty in Professional Sports Sports Commentary

Recent turmoils in the sports industry puts the discussion of loyalty on agenda, whose ambiguity proves to be multifaceted and difficult to pin down.

Kevin Durant’s reputation underwent a land-slide after his infamous decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors during the 2016 off-season, effectively abandoning his old team, Oklahoma Thunder.

Players leaving their teams is not new, but leaving to join a team that just eliminated their previous team in the playoffs inevitably attracts controversy.

After signing with the Warriors, harsh criticisms stormed Durant. He appealed to hot-headed fans and press that he merely wanted a better chance of winning a championship, the ultimate goal for every NBA player.

The talk surrounding the idea of loyalty in professional sports, initiated by LeBron James’ equally controversial “decision” in 2010, intensified after this incident.

Turmoils in NBA following Durant’s decision further complicated this issue, leading spectators to examine the way loyalty should be defined in a professional sports league, and to question whether demanding traditional loyalty from pro-athletes is a pseudo-proposition.

Supporters of Durant argue that he has the freedom to choose his business partners, principally the team he plays for and that preventing him from making the best business decision with the illogical loyalty clause is not legitimate.

When asked about whether players ought to be bounded by loyalty, history teacher Kevin Shertzer argues: “I think loyalty is nice. But, in the professional arena, loyalty is not owed. These players have contracts that run out. The club or the player can decide to move on.”

However, it can be said that the Oklahoma fans base their rantings on solid arguments. They have supported Durant for nine years, purchasing the tickets, jerseys, and shoes. Emotional bonds were formed and strengthened over time.

So, we have a weird situation at our hands: both sides feel mistreated, and possess compelling arguments. Even in a world characterized by many gray areas and ambiguities, such a scenario is rare and bizarre.

It becomes even more so, however, after the incident regarding Isaiah Thomas in 2017.

Thomas emerged as a scoring star at the start of the 2016-17 season. Right before playoffs began in 2017, his sister died in a car crash. Enduring tremendous grief, Thomas insisted on suiting up, eventually registering for 33 points.

During the summer of 2017, Thomas was traded by Celtics, despite his desire to stay. Suddenly, critics targeted the team for disloyalty against the player.

Durant’s supporters seized this opportunity to argue that the loyalty between players and teams should be mutual and reciprocated continuously, and that players have the duties to gain profits for themselves.

More and more people, disillusioned by those events, began questioning whether the idea of loyalty in profes-

sional sports leagues is merely conjured up by fans, who tend to disregard the fact that sports leagues are businesses solely built to generate profit.

Indeed, if we strip away the emotional factors and look at Durant’s and Celtics’ decisions logically, we would find it hard to blame them. They adhered to the business rule and only wanted their share of profit, whether it is championship rings or money.

Kevin Durant highlights the importance of the monetary factor in proleague: “If I can make millions more playing for another team, that is very appealing. These pro players only have a limited amount of time to play. They have to cherish their abilities to make money.”

Players are paid with a fixed salary and with a percentage of the wealth generated from their jersey sales. So, technically, they do not owe anything to fans or organizations.

Such arguments become less apparent when we consider the emotional factor in sports, one of the most significant reasons for its general popularity.

Sometimes, fans contribute sentimentally more than they do economically, but the sentimental contribution does not benefit the players.

Simply put, it is a unilateral and voluntary contribution from fans that the players currently are not obliged by any rules to reciprocate.

Merely arguing for one side, whether it’s the fans or the players, will not help solve or clarify this controversy.

WORDS by BONING ZHANG ART by CHRISTIAN BRANCH

thefourthestate.net SPORTS• 49

Emma Goes East

For the past eight years, senior Emma Raith has been a competitive equestrian.

After multiple seasons spent in the show ring, Emma finally achieved her childhood dream of making it to National Finals this fall.

At the beginning of her show season in February, Emma had her sights set on a lofty goal: to qualify for two of the Nation’s most prestigious finals, the Dover Saddlery/United States Equestrian (USEF) Hunter Seat Medal and the ASPCA Maclay Championship.

After several months spent accumulating points in a series of qualifying classes, Emma managed to secure a spot in USEF Finals. Qualifying for the Maclay, however, required more than just attaining a set amount of points.

In September, at Blenheim’s Equisport Ranch in San Juan Capistrano, Emma competed against 49 other Junior Equitation riders in Zone 8’s Maclay Regionals. After laying down an impressive trip in the initial round and flat workoff, Emma came back in the top 12.

Later that month, Emma’s horse, Novello, boarded a plane and flew to the first stop of their East Coast trip: Capital Challenge.

Located just outside Washington, D.C., the venue attracted elite competitors from across the nation.

At Captial Challenge, she earned top ribbons in her age group division and had a seamless round in the North American Equitation Championship among 113 other riders.

Two weeks later, Emma met Novello again, but this time in Harrisburg, PA. After a lesson and a 90-second warm-up round, Emma entered into the Pennsylvania National Horse Show’s arena to compete for the USEF Medal Final title. She remained in the top 25 after the first 100 rounds.

For her last event of the season, Emma touched down into Lexington’s Bluegrass Airport and headed to the Kentucky Horse Park. Here, she vied for the Maclay Championship against the Nation’s best 175 Junior Equitation riders.

Looking forward, Emma is excited to see what her last year as a Junior rider holds. She will continue competing aboard Novello and hopes to qualify for National Finals again next fall as she heads to college.

“Competing in Maclay Finals has been a dream of mine since I was eight years old. I never thought I’d make it to this level, let alone to this very event.”

WORDS by MIA HUMBERD-HILF ART by EMMA RAITH

Fair Pay to Play Update on California’s groundbreaking new bill, which allows collegiate athletes to receive pay for the use of their name, image, and likeness.

O

ne of the most controversial debates in sports has finally come to an end in California. Whether or not you support it, the Fair Pay to Play Act was passed by the California government and will take effect in 2023.

The act states that collegiate athletes are now permitted to be paid for the use of their image, likeness, and name.

Though the debate has been discussed for years, no one made the topic more popular than the recent Duke basketball player, Zion Williamson.

The freak athlete, standing at 6’7” and 285 pounds with a 40-inch vertical leap, took the sports world by storm and sent ticket prices at Cameron Stadium skyrocketing.

The whole nation would tune into any nationally televised Duke game.

When he suffered a knee injury during a game, people were wondering: why is he playing in college instead of just going straight to the NBA? The NCAA has been under constant criticism as of late for its dictatorial and corrupt operations. Names like LeBron James, Kevin Hart, and Stan Van Gundy have been vocal about their disgust with the organization.

“The NCAA is one of the worst organizations—maybe the worst organization—in sports. They certainly don’t care about the athlete,” Van Gundy, coach of the Detroit Pistons remarked.

The justification that the organization gives as to why college athletes should not be paid is that free education, mostly thanks to scholarships.

However, on the Division 1 level, these kids are rarely in class. And instead, they are always on the road competing for a national championship.

“Everybody’s making money except

“It’s going to change college sports for the better.”

- Gavin Newsom

“It changes what’s special about college football.

We turn it into the NFL, where who has the most money, that’s where you go.”

- Tim Tebow

“I understand what those kids are going through.

That’s why it was personal to me.

It’s the NCAA’s turn to step up.”

- LeBron James WORDS by CHRISTIAN BRANCH

thefourthestate.net

the players. We’re the ones waking up early as hell to be the best teams and do everything they want us to do, and then the players get nothing. They say education, but if I’m there for a year, I can’t get much education.”

This statement made by Philadelphia 76ers point guard, Ben Simmons, shed light on what life as a division one athlete indeed was like.

Schools bring talent like him to compete at a high level, not to sit in classrooms. For the NCAA to say that players receive free education as their source of payment is not valid.

With the new California bill, the NCAA was put under heavy pressure to allow their athletes to receive pay. They ultimately gave in to this pressure, as the organization unanimously voted that athletes will be able to profit from their name, image, and likeness starting no later than January 2021.

This historic move, prompted by California’s legislation, will change the world of collegiate sports, whether it will be for the better or, the worse. While it may please those advocating for the rule, we cannot tell what kind of effect it will have on college decisions, the passion of the athletes, and the future of the NCAA.

and LANCELOT MABON

ART by CHRISTIAN BRANCH SPORTS

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