Issue 2, 2012-2013

‘Wibbley Wobbley Timey Wimey’ The Doctor comes back for more time and space traveling shenanigans Page11

the

LANCER

Volume LI, Issue 2 » September 27, 2012 » Thousand Oaks High School » 2323 N. Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 » www.tohsthelancer.org » Circulation: 2,500

Ethan lyons » the lancer

TEACHER APPRECIATION—Basketball coach Rich Endres and TOHS alumna Alyssa Peters await feedback after performing their rendition of the the style swing from judges: choreographer Mandy Moore, professional dancers Nick Drago and Tadd Gadduang and sports broadcaster Randy Kerdoon. They received a score of 8–8–8–9 for a final score of

Dance competition entertains crowd jessica ashcraft News Editor

A wrestling coach, a high school principal and an English teacher all have something in common—they can dance. On Sept. 22, TOHS hosted its first ever Dancing with the Thousand Oaks Stars (DWTTOS).

Formatted similarly to ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” 20 couples performed a one to one-and-a halfminute routine on the gym floor. Each couple included one TOHS “star”—either a teacher, faculty member, coach or athlete—and a “professional”—played by a dance coach, dance team member or alumnus.

“My students who attended the event were impressed with all the dancers, but of course, made a point of giving me good comments,” English teacher Eileen Moore said. “I think some of them were even a bit surprised that I could dance—I know I surprised myself.”

As a fundraiser for the dance program, tickets cost

$10 and $20 for special VIP seats. Raffle tickets were available for purchase for $1 so attendees could try to win various prizes, from Clippers and “Book of Mormon” musical tickets to homecoming tickets and a $50 Outback Steakhouse gift card.

“It’s a chance to have fun, put on your dancing shoes, lose some weight, learn a new skill, and help raise money for the TOHS dance program,” event coordinator Dana Fukagawa said. “Also a plus, you could win bragging rights of being the first ever winner of the DWTTOS event.”

After receiving scores of one to 10 from a panel of celebrity judges, including “So You Think You Can Dance” choreographer Mandy Moore, the competition was narrowed to the top five couples. However, the winner’s fate rested in the hands of the audience. Via text, the audience could send a message with the corresponding number to vote for their favorite dance pair.

“ “I think some of them were even a bit surprised that I could dance—I know I surprised myself.

”

—English teacher Eileen Moore

In the end, wrestling coach Joseph Henle and his partner, dance team coach Alexia Liavas, were victorious for their ‘80s rock jazz number.

Dance genres ranged from Ballet Folklorico to hiphop and lyrical to tango. One crowd favorite was the Bollywood number, performed by Dean of Students Martin Nichols and hip-hop coach Amelia Burkhardt. “[Bollywood] was hard to pick up because you have to move your hands, legs and feet while trying to count and listen to the music,” Nichols said. “I’m not a multitasker.”

Overall, the night showcased the participating faculty and athletes in a new light that students may not have expected.

“I think the students enjoyed seeing their teachers in a role other than educator, and it was a successful event in all aspects,” performer history teacher Robert DelSesto said. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Presentation inspires a green revolution on campus Contributing Writer

Hundreds of students attended a presentation on climate change and global warming by Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) representative and educator, Jessica Mariglio, on Sept. 21, 2012.

Held in the PAC, the presentation aimed to familiarize students with the increasing amount of climate change and its effects on the planet. After learning of its negative impact, students were encouraged to get

involved and take action.

“A warmer planet is a riskier planet,” Mariglio said.

Mariglio informed students that their current generation has the power to make a huge change and stressed the importance of dedication. Some students even got involved during the presentation as they pledged to “Do One Thing” (DOT) to help the environment by taking out their phones and texting DOT and an environmentally-friendly act of their choice to the Alliance.

In correspondence to Mariglio, science teachers

Ashley Cooper and Heather Farrell further motivated students to take a stand and make a positive change in the world. Mariglio’s energy and spirit and an accompanying animated PowerPoint presentation also captured the students’ attention during each period.

It was a very positive presentation,” attendee senior Avery Knizek said. “[It] gave me hope that I could make a difference in saving the world.”

For more information on ACE and how to be involved, go to www.acespace.org.

1–3

ed/op 4–5

CONTENTS

Amber Ferrari

news

»

features 6–7, 10

spotlight 8–9

entertainment 11–12

sports 13–15

photo essay 16

2 NEWS

issue 2 september 27, 2012

newswire TeacherWeb dropped as primary website This school year, many teachers have stopped using the popular TeacherWeb site due to its recent raise of rates. As a result, the administration decided to stop paying for the resource, forcing teachers to either individually pay for their TeacherWeb pages or find new websites.

Because of this, teachers are now beginning to utilize free sites such as ClassJump, Weebly and Wikispaces. The sites are similar to TeacherWeb in their format, with features such as message boards and the ability to allow students to turn in assignments through the website.

Although it will be a change, many teachers are happy with their new websites and believe that they will be just as useful as TeacherWeb. “I like the fact that that students can send me homework [on Classjump],” English teacher Jon Fleming said. “Overall, I think it’s better.”

—Kendell Snow

New club to prepare students for the APs Open to students concurrently enrolled in AP Language and Composition and AP Chemistry, the APEC (AP English and Chemistry) club is designed to prepare students for their College Board exams next May. Co-advised by English teacher Brenda Burgar and chemistry teacher Tim Hoag, the APEC club meets Wednesdays during lunch in E-3 and will engage in a Jeopardy-style competition, with teams composed of four members and one alternate member.

“We came up with the idea when the seniors challenged us to a teacher-student match at the end of the year,” Burgar said. “We had so much fun that we decided to turn it into something that would be useful and fun for our AP students.”

Questions will be asked from previously released AP Chemistry and English exams in a Jeopardy format: The tossup questions will be chemistry, and the bonuses will be English.

“We truly want the students to enjoy the competition and to have fun while they learn,” Hoag said. “The ultimate goal is to help them to prepare for their College Board exams.”

—Joyce Tan

Link Crew lights up quad paris Rhodes Staff Writer

Link Crew’s multitude of lunchtime activities are now becoming a tradition on campus.

Starting on Tuesday, Sept. 4, Link Crew began their three-day marathon of “Minute to Win It” challenges with the games such as Dizzy Mummy, Stack Attack and the Chocolate Unicorn.

Later, on Sept. 21, Link Crew also hosted its own version of the popular Food Network baking show “Cupcake Wars” on the quad, entitled Brownie Wars.

The unique change-up of cupcakes to brownies

School cafeteria follows new food guidelines

prompted a great response from all the students. Many participants enjoyed creating their own concoctions.

With such creativity at hand, Link Crew eventually decided to allow participants to create their design with a small, but purely delicious brownie bite.

“Last year we had a more diverse crowd, but this year we had a phenomenal turnout,” Link Crew President senior Christine Smith said.

After the cleanup of the successful Brownie Wars, a group of students bombarded the tables and devoured the last of the frosting, leaving Link Crew yet again another hit.

alexandra randall Copy Editor

Long gone are the days of pre-packaged cookies and sugary sodas. Due to recent legislation and community demands, the cafeteria has adopted a healthier menu with many smaller portion sizes.

“Fruits and vegetables are now required components for any meal to be considered complete,” Cafeteria Manager Cindy Anderson said. “The biggest change is seen in the foods that are prepared by our staff with

Last year we had a more diverse crowd, but this year we had a phenomenal turnout.

”

—Senior Christine Smith

fewer processed and pre-packaged food items.”

While these changes may seem drastic, the staff hopes that they will help promote healthy living.

“Our hope is that students will appreciate the new healthful offerings,” Anderson said, “and be able to make the most of their meals on campus.” for more on

cafeteria changes

see ed/op page 4

Students say hello to clubs

Meeting educates bilingual families Informing bilingual families about the importance of higher education, TOHS hosted an English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) meeting in the PAC on Sept. 11.

Every school with over 50 English Language Learners is required to have an ELAC at their school. Counselor Dr. Elizabeth Dee has been the advisor of ELAC for over 17 years.

“I try to educate the students about the U.S. education system,” Dee said. “It’s usually different from that of other countries.”

Throughout the night, a panel of speakers motivated the 100 parents and students in attendance by sharing their success stories. The night also included an election of the new ELAC parent representatives, as well as a performance

by Ballet Folklorico.

“The meetings are so powerful and amazing,” Dee said. “It’s unbelievable.”

—Jessica Ashcraft

joyce tan News Editor

Throngs of students gathered in the quad with anticipation for the school’s annual Club Hello Day on Sept.

21 with prospects of discovering a suitable club.

Featuring clubs crossing a variety of interests, from Ping-Pong to tea culture and community service to foreign languages, Club Hello Day gave students the opportunity to explore their interests and preview the diversity of clubs offered on campus.

“The event gives students a chance to find and share their interests, take part in their school, meet new people and possibly make an impact in the community,” vice-president of National Honor Society, senior Joanna Lim said. “It’s a great opportunity to mingle and discover something you love to do.”

Clubs also offered other incentives, such as sweet treats and raffles, to attract students to their booths. “[A raffle] was a great way to give students incentive to attend our first meeting, so they can see that it’s not only about volunteer hours, but giving back to our community in fun, rewarding ways,” Key Club president senior Emily Kass said.

Club Hello Day was also another way to encourage student involvement and participation on campus.

“Clubs were able to reach out to the students who might not know much about how to get involved,” Kass said. “All the clubs were enthusiastic and welcoming, which hopefully showed new and returning students that it’s great to be involved.”

Project Concern holds supply drive Project Concern is holding a school supply drive that runs from Sept. 21–29. Supplies, such as notebooks, pencils and binders in new or good condition, can be donated to second period classes.

“The drive allows us to help other students in our school who can’t afford to buy all the required school supplies,” Project Concern vice-president senior Lucia Toledo said. “Our goal is to just help as many students in school as possible.”

—Joyce Tan

“

ethan lyons » the lancer

cookie competition—Sophomore Joel Hurley strategically balances a stack of eight Oreo cream cookies on the base of his forehead in the challenge “Chocolate Unicorn” during one of the three Link Crew’s Minute to the Win It lunch time activities on Sept. 6.

ethan lyons » the lancer

a robotic welcome—Seniors Jared Cohen and Justin Perez-Norwood demonstrate their robotic creation at the Robotics Club booth on Sept. 21.

for more on

club hello day

see photo essay page 16

NEWS 3

issue 2 september 27, 2012

Parents step into students’ shoes Kendell Snow Staff Writer

They wandered through the halls and into classrooms, gathering teachers’ information as they went. They are not students; this time, they are parents.

Back-to-School Night kicked off on Sept. 11 with performances from jazz band, orchestra and choir. Several American Sign Language students also signed along while the choir sang the National Anthem. Following their performances, Principal Lou Lichtl gave a speech, discussing the school budget and the celebrations surrounding the school’s 50th anniversary.

“I talked about community building and getting students connected on campus through clubs and our great extracurriculars here,” Lichtl said.

After leaving the gym, the hundreds of adults wandered around, guided by Link Crew’s directions and flashlights.

“I get a kick out of seeing the parents trying to pass from one class to another in only five minutes,” Lichtl said.

That night the teachers informed the parents of the class’ curriculum and expectations, and what kind of work the students will do throughout the school year.

“I told the parents about what an adventure this year will be for the students and myself,” biology teacher Dana Grooms said.

Lichtl believes that Back-to-School Night was a great success and got the school year off to a great start.

“This year we are looking forward to continuing to help students build great character and a sense of community at school,” Lichtl said, “as well as to showcase TOHS for its 50th year anniversary.”

School hosts district college fair

Rachael hempy » lancer legend

signing with silence—Junior Shauna Puckett signs the National Anthem to parents on Back-to-School Night on Sept. 11. The night also included performances from jazz band, orchestra and choir, while teachers also informed parents of the class curriculum.

jessica ashcraft News Editor

Although the 2012–2013 school year is just into its second month, the time has already come for students to begin learning about college.

Held at the TOHS campus on Sept. 20, college information night was filled with workshops open to all students and parents from high schools throughout the district. The night, designed to prepare students for the college application process, included 18 workshops detailing financial aid, admissions essays and GPA qualifications. SAT scores were also a popular topic discussed.

“I learned that some colleges don’t put as much of an emphasis on high SAT scores as I thought they did,” junior Tori Heninger said. “I was surprised to learn how lengthy the financial aid process is. I’m definitely more prepared for applying to college than I was before I went.”

Workshops began at 6 p.m., lasting half an hour, allowing for a 10 minute passing period between each session.

Link Crew also had a presence throughout the night, as leaders were assistants to workshop presenters, guiding attendees to desired classes.

“As helpers we were asked to bring food and water to presenters and we [as Link Crew leaders] helped confused

adults find their way around school,” junior Emily Abrams said. “I’ve always been excited about the future, but having the presenters on campus really enabled me to see that we have so many opportunities just as long as we utilize them.”

College information night was redesigned due to mixed results from last year’s format of college representatives hosting informational booths.

“This presentation style sounded good, but each session was only as good as each presenter,” parent Leslie Martinez said. “It was a worthwhile night. The event opened up more dialogue between my son and I about each of our expectations for college.”

ASB MINI RALLY Lunchtime on the quad PSAT REGISTRATION DEADLINE Registration fee of $25 Register via the Student Store (in person or online) or in D-2 MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND NIGHT 6 p.m.–9:15 p.m.

Middle school students invited to rehearse and perform with the Lancer Band FOOTBALL GAME Home vs. Oaks

Christian

29

saturday

WALK FOR HEALTHY SCHOOLS 9 a.m. at the Thousand Oaks Community Center

HOMECOMING TICKET SALES 10/1: $22 with SAC 10/2–10/5: $27 with SAC $32 without SAC at the door: $50

SAT REGISTRATION DEADLINE For Nov. 3 SAT Register on College Board Late registration Oct. 19

HOMECOMING COURT NOMINATIONS Voting booths located on the quad and at the A building and tennis court parking lots

03

monday

LINK CREW TUTORING Begins in E-7 with an ice cream social Tutoring will continue every Tues. and Thurs.

MAKEUP PICTURES 7 a.m.–2 p.m. in the BAR

05

friday

MIDQUARTER PROGRESS REPORTS Received during 5th period

06

thursday

saturday

OCTOBER SAT 8:00 a.m.

01–11 CLASS FLOAT BUILDING 3–5 p.m. at ASB, All students welcome to help

Homecoming Week 8

monday

SWIT RALLY Rally schedule

9

tuesday

13

saturday

OPEN HOUSE 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m.: campus tour

GRAND MARSHALS ANNOUNCEMENT

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: faculty and staff meet-andgreet

10 wednesday

1 p.m.: 50th anniversary ceremony

COMMON PLANNING DAY Minimum day Homecoming Staff Breakfast

12

friday

HOMECOMING DANCE 7 p.m. in the gym

19

LATE SAT REGISTRATION DEADLINE for Nov. 3 SAT Register at College Board

Decade reunions and memory lane pictures Halftime parade featuring class floats Freshmen: ‘60s Sophomores: ‘70s Juniors: ‘90s Seniors: ‘80s

31 wednesday HALLOWEEN Costume fashion show at lunchtime on the quad Hosted by ASB

FOOTBALL GAME Away at Agoura

20

saturday

PSAT 8 a.m.

Students report at 7:45 a.m.

OCTOBER S M T W TH F

ASB MINI RALLY Lunchtime on the quad HOMECOMING GAME Home v.

Calabasas

friday

OCT. 21ST–31ST

28

friday

04

OCT. 14TH–20TH

SEPT. 21TH–28TH School supply drive hosted

by Project Concern

01–05

OCT. 7TH–13TH

21–28

NEXT WEEK

THIS WEEK

Lancer Calendar of Events

7

3

4

S

1

2

5 6

8

9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

*

dates with an individual event

4 ED/OP

issue 2 september 27, 2012

S TA F F

E D I T O R I A L

Cafeteria loses brownie points No one relishes a change in the status quo for a myriad of reasons. It is difficult to find the strength to change an already ingrained system after it has been in place for years. An incident in the cafeteria brought to a boiling point tensions about how we handle our food. This brought to light just how small the margine for error is when dealing with people’s food.

Numerous changes to the cafeteria lunch program, such as the portion size and the menu as a whole have occurred since before school started.

An allergy attack affecting a student, brought on by the changes, occupied the minds cafeteria workers. The attack, caused by an allergic reaction to peanuts, happened on the Sept 7.

When asked about the incident, the student stated that her face started to swell up and she started to break out in hives. She said that the menu was not as clearly marked as last year when she got her lunch.

According to Joe Cook, director of child nutrition at Conejo Valley Unified School District,

H ts and M sses WHAT’S UP AND DOWN WITH THE LANCER

Jersey Shore getting H T cancelled. GTL: Gym, Tan, Losing your show

M SS

Romney tanning his skin for the Univision appearance. Now he doesn’t need Obama’s aid to pay for college.

Romney’s hair. It has more character than H T the rest of him.

M SS

Romney wanting to roll down the windows on his airplane. Mittens should be the first to test that one out.

Maggie and Jim in the Newsroom finale: It’s H T not, but it can be.

Harvard cheating scandal. So much M SS for Veritas.

Kevin Jonas’ new show on E!. Looks H T like the JoBro finally found his mojo, yo.

Denny’s closing on Moorpark Road.

M SS Not a grand slam.

Refs tackle salary issues with strike

This means that the cafeteria could “[The nutrition] department has no Should the district requirement with the United States not serve more than certain portions Department of Agriculture in terms of be responsible for from any food groups. labelling allergy Even after the Senate passed the labeling food.” This leaves people with information on law and the president signed it into serious allergies, such as peanuts, with cafeteria food? no way to know what is safe to eat. effect, there was no clause in it to protect kids. Rectifying this egreWhile there is no obligation for the district to label the menu with allergy EDITORIAL BOARD gious fault must take top priority in order to prevent incidents like another and dietary restriction information, it is 11 yes allergic reaction from happening in dangerous to let this continue. Students the future. should be aware of the restrictions in 00 no It was only after the incident their diet; however, we feel the necessity to protect students falls first and foremost that the food received a proper laabstain 03 bel. Nevertheless, this poor aton the district. It is the school’s priority tempt at damage control was too to maintain the health of its student body.

The reason for the portion size changes and the little, too late. completely new menu in the cafeteria are the new The district needs to realize that it has an obguidelines in the Healthy and Hunger Free Kids ligation to protect its students’ well-being and Act (HHFKA). The act, ratified in 2010, changed maintain a consistent meal plan as to avoid any the benchmark for school cafeteria food from a nu- other incidents. By no means is the new system the tritional one, meaning the lunch as a whole had to worst to adopt, but there are some kinks that need have certain nutritional value to a food-based one. to be worked out.

California High Speed Rail on track for construction spring 2013 California legislature recently allotted government money to construct statewide public transportation, promising that the 220 mph train will stimulate the economy This will result in another billion dollars spent on a patchwork of inefficient local systems. Granted, it’s more efficient than reducing the HSR’s 220 mph to insert more frequent stops.

Two and a half hours means three episodes This price tag for efficiency is only the beginning of of television (fewer if you’re watching “The the financial issue, though. The $68 billion dollar budNewsroom”). It’s a football game, and then some. get will surely increase by 2030, when construction It’s the time I wish I didn’t have to spend on will be complete.

APUSH and calc.

The payoff, too, is decades away. Close to Two and a half hours is the travel time from Los Ana half million permanent new jobs, howgeles to San Francisco, and no, that’s not by flying car. ever, do sound enticing, along with the The California High Speed Rail has been in the works proposed environmental benefits. for the past decade, and construction is on track to begin The CHSRA’s goal of a zeroduring the spring of 2013. emission system means oneConstruction that will, of course, save California from the third the energy per pasbrink of economic destruction. The train will fly around, cresenger as air travel, and ating 450,000 permanent new jobs and sprinkling its one-fifth the energy magic economic pixie dust as it resurrects the recesHSR Times and Distances per passenger as sion-broken towns that fill our state. automobiles.

It will vastly improve congestion on the freeways Los Angeles to 2 hr Compared to the and at airports as everyone leaves their Priuses at home San Francisco 38 min costs of expanding in favor of a low-cost, high-efficiency, zero-emission freeways and airports transportation system.

Los Angeles to 2 hr for rapidly increasing This picture that the California High Speed Rail AuSacramento 17 min populations, the HSR thority (CHSRA) paints is quite lovely, but also enoris quite environmenmously unrealistic, especially if we’re talking about a Los Angeles to 1 hr tally friendly. $68 billion budget—a relatively small amount of monSan Diego 18 min It all begs the question: who’s paying for it? ey in the government’s hands.

The federal government will provide some funds, Simply put, a California High Speed Rail is great in Los Angeles to 1 hr but not nearly enough to cover the taxpayers’ bill. In theory, but isn’t all it’s chalked up to be.

Fresno 24 min the middle of a recession, we shouldn’t be spending a That’s not to say that the high speed train is bound to fortune on a superfluous public transportation system. fail. The BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is highly sucLos Angeles to 0 hrs Many argue that even if it’s not the best time for the cessful, and Seattle’s monorail isn’t too shabby either.

Anaheim 20 min HSR, it would at least be a step towards more efficient These systems are, however, highly localized—meanpublic transportation in the future. ing it takes an average of 3 minutes to walk from the San Diego to 3 hr It’s not worth the cost for such a miniscule step forEmbarcadero and Stockton Street Station to Pier 39.

Sacramento 35 min ward. Governor Jerry Brown needs to understand that Although the HSR system itself does not include a there’s never an appropriate time to uselessly spend system of local lines, it will modify the already existing SOURCE » CAHIGHSPEEDRAIL.CA.GOV government money. regional systems around some stops.

KELLY WISNESKI Ed/Op Editor

DANE SWANSON Staff Writer

After watching—or should I say surviving—another week of botched calls, bad microphone confidence, general poor performance, and worst of all, game winning (or losing) calls that should not have been officiated, it’s clear that the National Football League needs to save its fan base and solve its referee problem fast.

For non-sports fans, the NFL is currently in stalled negotiations with the NFL Referee’s Union (NFLRA) about a new collective bargaining agreement.

The current proposal allows for an over $11,000 raise per game by 2018. Another big sticking point in the deal is the amount of money in the referee’s pension plan.

The NFLRA wants to retain its benefit program, while league officials seek to freeze the current plan and offer another one already adopted by 13 clubs.

It is absurd that the officials want more money than every other support person in the NFL. The refs do not play the game and should not be treated like they do.

While the officials are on strike with no foreseeable end in sight, replacement referees are filling in, and I’m not sure if they have watched a football game before. Their miscues have included (and these are just the most embarrassing): microphone malfunctions, poor spots that make me think they’re blind, and a pass interference call so painfully awful my own usually calm mother yelled at the television.

These officials are clearly the sub-par, and definitely

not the best replacements the NFL could’ve found. The best non-NFL refs are perfectly content in the major college football conferences across America and are not about to get involved in the controversy.

These replacement referees, therefore, are Division 2 college football officials at best and at worst, high school football referees.

Now think about that next time you’re in the Green Hole. The ref who’s blowing the call in the game is just as qualified to ref a professional game, and that is one thing that truly scares me as a fan of the game.

The NFL needs to take the advice that the fans have been giving them. They need to come to terms with the officials quickly and get the best in business back on the field.

ED/OP 5

issue 2 september 27, 2012 ELECTION ★ 2012

Convention Contention Kelly Wisneski Obamacare: using government funding to provide health care for over 10 million uninsured Americans

health care It is not the government’s job to provide citizens with health care; it is a decision to be made by the employer or individual.

Gay Marriage Same-sex marriage should be legal and equal to marriages between hetorsexual individuals.

Gay Marriage Marriage between heterosexual individuals should be the only legal form of marriage.

editors-in-chief Jason Gardiner Ali Wire

news Jessica Ashcraft Joyce Tan

opinion Casey Sigelakis Kelly Wisneski

Ed/Op Editor

I want my traditional marriage with a side of waffle fries, please.

Recently, Chik–Fil–A Chief Operating Officer Dan Cathy publicly said that he fears for our generation when we “try to redefine” what a traditional marriage is. Protests and counter-protests have broken out wherever a Chik–Fil–A branch has opened up.

The controversy over the moral standings of where we get our food stretched into our own backyard. Chi– Fil–A recently opened a franchise in Thousand Oaks.

Although met with little commotion compared to other cities, such as San Francisco and Boston, which actively tried to stop franchises from opening, sit-ins and blog posts highlighted the controversy.

Furor erupted on both sides. LGBT advocates and spokespeople denounced Cathy’s comments. In reaction to this, family values-oriented Conservative Christians, such as former Arkansas governor Mike Hukabee, who organized a Chik–Fil–A “Appreciation Day.” The controversy stretched beyond Cathy’s comments to the various charities that Chik–Fil–A branches have donated to: The WinShape Foundation, The Marriage and Family Legacy Fund and the Family Research Council.

While I’m in favor of equality for those in the LGBT community, the whole controversy surrounding Cathy’s comments and the companies charitable contributions is ridiculous. Someone’s personal opinions on an issue should not police his or her

Tax cuts should be made for the middle and lower classes, not the 1%.

tax cuts The “job creators” should receive tax cuts to stimulate economic growth.

School leaves TeacherWeb behind

The school recently switched the parking permit style from hanging tags to stickers on the windshield.

This theoretically prevents students from easily allowing their unpermitted friends to use their permits to park in the school parking lots.

As a junior, I never had the luxury of hanging tags, and it came as a shock to learn that I would have to put up with the inconvenient stickers.

There are many instances in which other members of my family have to use my van for the day, or I have to use their car. It’s inconvenient to transfer the sticker from car to car every time this happens.

This, however, doesn’t deter me from repeatedly peeling and unpeeling, and it certainly won’t stop students from sharing permits.

—Kelly Wisneski

sports

writers

Ian Doherty Lee McPherson

Ethan Heathcote Ethan Lyons Benjamin Mueller-Leclerc Paris Rhodes Kendell Snow Dane Swanson

copy Alexandra Randall

website editors-in-chief Megan Bowser Henry Chou

staFF/////////////////////////////////// advertising manager Lauren James

Nola Adedigba Shaini Rodrigo

financial manager

features

Updated parking permits create sticky situation for students

Little went smoothly and many were left unhappily grumbling as the school switched from TeacherWeb to ClassJump. The school decided it no longer had the funds to pay for TeacherWeb, which is only $39 per year for each teacher, and chose the free ClassJump as an alternative.

The money saved does not make up for the inconvenience of the new layout.

Not all teachers have switched, making the new system a hodgepodge of different sites. Combined with the fact that ClassJump might not be the best alternative to the old structure makes this switch an unnecessary change to save a marginal amount of money.

—Casey Sigelakis

center

Megan Bowser Cortni Kaufman

choice of where to eat. There’s more to standing up for injustice than not eating at a fast food restaurant. Armchair activism such as this does not help to further any cause or fight for the little guy. It’s a sort of planned apathy under the guise of a push for social justice that does little to help anyone but the participants’ sense of self-worth.

I’m not against the idea of protesting what is wrong or standing up for what is right. Donating and protesting are some of the most effective ways to spur change in a democracy. The laziness of not going somewhere, however, cannot stir up any change.

The issue is not even as simple as “vote with your wallet.” Chik–Fil–A isn’t the bogeymen actively suppressing people’s rights, and there is no knight in shining armor crusading for sexual minorities. As unified as corporations are, they have numerous conflicting opinions within their ranks. There is no single goal that Chik–Fil–A is reaching for, since each franchise has a separate owner.

People shouldn’t let what they believe get in the way of something as innocuous as eating at a fast food chain. It is also outrageous to think that eating at a place en masse will catalyze a change of heart in people. Personal politics should stay out of other peoples’ faces. No one needs to know where the morally right or wrong place to eat is.

Cathy’s comments may have been out of line, but he is only one cog in a huge machine that turns out chicken sandwich after chicken sandwich. I don’t think that this kind of lazy protesting should be used in place of other more effective yet less convenient ways of enacting change.

tax cuts

EDITOrS//////////////////////////////

n e w s p a p e r

LANCER the

see spotlight pages 8&9

health care

Opinions brief

Catering: $942,629 Music production: $288,561 Make-up artist consultant: $3,320 Politcal convention experience: priceless?

Those are just some of the numbers released by Senator Tom Coburn’s office concerning the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Costs multiplied for the 2012 convention; the pricetag for taxpayers increased by almost $2 million.

The parties pretend as if they’re worth the massive sum, but media and money have turned political conventions into yet another drawn-out, pointless portion of the election process.

Political conventions used to be things of purpose. The parties announced the basic principles of their platforms and delegates cast their votes without already being pre-decided. The selection of the nominee actually used to be a surprise, not a decision made months prior.

Today, political conventions just go through the motions of what used to be a constructive process, which wouldn’t be bothersome if it weren’t a fourday long televised mess of balloon drops and alltoo-frequent applause.

The lack of productive items on the agenda creates a four-day gap which the planners fill with over-rehearsed speeches by a diverse range speakers—a level of diversity that comes off as forced and over-calculated.

Honestly, there was only a handful of speakers worth turning up the volume for over the span of the eight days.

And then there was Clint Eastwood, who came across as both incoherent and mentally incapacitated, and that was before he started talking to InvisibleObama. Though, the speech was an appropriate introduction for the man who wants to roll down his airplane windows.

It was all entertaining to watch, but that’s the inherent problem—it’s simply entertainment.

But entertainment that costs the equivalent of almost 40 private jets? No, thanks.

According to Senator Tom Coburn, Congress appropriated $50 million for security at conventions—$50 million each. According to The Maryland Reporter, taxpayers will directly and indirectly foot $136 million of the remaining bill.

By all means, throw a $200 million dollar party, but don’t use taxpayer money for it, and don’t categorize it as purposeful.

National conventions should be streamlined.

Two years of daytime news publicizes each parties’ platform and nomination decision, so there’s no reason for the conventions to be televised.

It’s completely reasonable for the parties to conduct their housekeeping business without the media watching every over-rehearsed step.

Politcal pride and promotion of the democratic process has a place in society, but it doesn’t deserve a place in our checkbooks.

the upcoming election

The recent opening of a Chik–Fil–A on Thousand Oaks Boulevard brought the national controversy over Chief Operating Officer Dan Cathy’s homophobic comments and anti-gay views to local attention Casey SiGELAKIS

Ed/Op Editor

for more on

Chik-full-of-gay

Paris Rhodes

technology manager Eddie Rice

entertainment

photographers

Eric Hatland Sara Wilson

Ethan Lyons Benjamin Mueller-Leclerc

advisers Tasha Beaudoin Jo Zimmerman Thousand Oaks High School 2323 N. Moorpark Rd. Thousand Oaks, California 91360 Phone: (805) 778-0947 Fax: (805) 374-1165 www.tohsthelancer.org The Lancer is the official school publication of Thousand Oaks High School, created and produced by students in Advanced Journalism.

The Lancer is a member of the Journalism Education Association (JEA), National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Student Press Association (CSPA) and NSPA All-American Hall of Fame.

Call (805) 778-0947 for advertising rates and information.

The Lancer reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed inappropriate for high school publication.

Guest editorials and “Letters to the Editor” are welcome, but must be signed and are subject to editing for length, libel, obscenity and grammar.

6 FEATURES

issue 2 september 27, 2012

Every Lancer has a STORY junior Hanna Reed

PHOTOS » Susan Main » With permission

A UTOPIAN REALITY—(left/ right) Junior Hanna Reed in the play “Utopia Limited” at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. After many months of preparation and practice, “Utopia Limited” ran from January to April 2012. Reed, who has performed many roles, found this one to be more adventurous than other roles she has taken on.

Stepping up on stage Cortni kaufman Features Editor

Besides being double-jointed in her wrist, more separates junior Hanna Reed from other students.

Her favorite activities include dancing, singing and acting. She hadn’t discovered her talent or love for singing until she was two years old, when her mother showed her The Little Mermaid for the first time, and she fell in love with the movie.

After watching the movie five times, she had memorized the lyrics to “Part of Your World,” and began to sing along to with the song whenever she heard it or saw the movie. Soon after, she began to sing everything she was doing, whether walking around the house, cleaning her room, or playing with her friends.

Eventually, her interests began to branch out, and she discovered another of her passions. By the time she was three, her mother enrolled her in Bobby’s Dance School, where she studied dance for about a year.

“When I was about twelve, I remembered how much I liked dance, and how much I loved performing,” Reed

said.

Her mother soon signed her up for classes with the Moorpark Dance Company, a program that allowed her to perform at the Civic Arts Plaza.

“Performing at the Civic Arts Plaza was one of the most exciting thing I have done,” Reed said.

Reed loved being on stage so much that she decided to add to her workload by learning new skills she could carry with her throughout her lifetime, taking on singing and acting lessons she expected to give her an edge in applying for future careers.

Reed began writing her own lyrics, and began posting videos of her performances on YouTube.

“I wouldn’t put my own lyrics on YouTube [because] I want them to be original and no one to steal them,” Reed said. “Besides, I don’t know how to play an instrument, so I wouldn’t have a beat to go to it.”

Reed sang covers of Sarah Barellies and other similar artists for her many YouTube subscribers.

At the beginning of her sophomore year, Reed began auditioning for plays. She had previously performed

minor roles, but was excited when she landed a role in the play “Utopia Limited,” performed between January and April 2012, at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts.

After the play ended, Reed realized she wanted to pursue a path with her singing. She began to go with her uncle to his friend’s recording studio, and she began recording her own songs. The demo of is being worked on, but will soon be released to the general public.

Reed, however, has a back-up plan in case her career path doesn’t lead to where she wants to be.

“When I’m 25, and I’m not in the business I want, I want to be ‘The Little Mermaid’ at Disneyland,” Reed said.

Singing, dancing and acting may be her passions, but Reed has bigger expectations for herself.

“My goal in life [is] to become an actress in movies and [on] TV, ever since I was I was a little girl,” Reed said. “So far, it’s been a good process.”

“Every Lancer Has a Story is a recurring feature on a randomly selected student.”

Fun Facts: Hanna Reed » Dislikes roller coasters, geese, and math » Likes to take pictures » Favorite food is sushi » Has a fish named Toqueto » Considers herself a loud person » Doesn’t like sodas, except Dr. Pepper » Likes pop, contemporary and alternative music » Loves “Tosh.O” and “Family Guy”

Bell’s passion for building now spreading to the student body kendell Snow

Staff Writer

PHOTOS » Ethan Lyons » the lancer

LAYING THE LUMBER—Woodshop teacher Daniel Bell demonstrates the proper technique for cutting wood to his Woodshop 1 class as review for a test.

Even as a child, woodshop teacher Daniel Bell could be found building with Legos or constructing derby cars. He is now directing his passion for carpentry and construction toward teaching Woodshop and Computer Aided Design (CAD), a program based on teaching how to operate computer design on a digital platform, to students. “[Students] must all build a hinged box. They get to decide shape [and] size,” Bell said of what is expected of his students. “CAD is a very specific and organized act of art.”

Bell, who found his love for wood working in woodshop classes in middle school and high school, hopes to bring the same enjoyment to the students he is teaching.

Bell’s love for the art of woodworking spans far into his youth, and continues to expand.

“When I was in high school, I restored air planes and made cutting boards in woodshop, [which I really loved],” Bell said. “Wood is clean, it’s got natural organic properties. It’s very easy to work with.”

As a teenager, Bell wanted to use his skills in the real world and even started a small construction company while he was in high school. Eager to begin, he dropped out of school for a short time to focus on his business, but enrolled again shortly after.

“I realized that I had a lot to learn and that no one would take me seriously without a high school diplo-

ma,” Bell said about dropping out of high school.

After returning to high school, Bell graduated and went on to college CSULA. Throughout this time, he managed to continue running his construction company, which served as a helpful income source.

After saving up enough money, Bell was able to put himself through college.

Bell decided to put his effort into a teaching career when he reflected upon all of those who had taught him during middle school and high school.

“I realized how many mentors I had and how they helped me,” Bell said.

Bell hopes to teach students the same way he was taught throughout school: hands-on experience rather than long lectures and a plethora of notes.

“I like that everything is really hands-on,” freshman Kelly Leopol said about Bell’s Woodshop 1 class.

This year, Bell is looking forward to sharing his enjoyment for wood working with the students of TOHS in his position as the new Woodshop teacher.

Other than Woodshop 1, Bell also teaches Woodshop 2, Woodshop 3, and CAD. “I don’t want to limit anyone’s creativity,” Bell said of the variety of classes he teaches. “Artists use several different mediums, and these are mine.”

Bell’s career choice wasn’t merely one of a passion for the subjects, but a way of retribution for himself. “[I] still run my business, [and I] wanted to find a way to give back, the same way my mentors did to me,” Bell said.

FEATURES 7

issue 2 september 27, 2012

COLLEGE corner

ETHAN LYONS » THE LANCER

ENGLISH EXTRAORDINAIRE—Austin actively reading from her textbook to her 10th grade English class.

»

Austin takes a different approach

California State University Northridge

CORTNI KAUFMAN

Features Editor

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS » WITH PERMISSION

Sheridan’s path to teaching ETHAN HEATHCOTE Staff Writer

To most students applying to college, the main priority is to get into the most prestigious four-year university they possibly can. Most students would consider this a worthy goal, but according to English teacher David Sheridan, there are more important aspects to consider when applying.

Sheridan believes that each college has a unique atmosphere and that each student’s success is contingent on how well they fit in.

With the vast amount of colleges to choose from, Sheridan suggests that students be more concerned about finding a college that fits them personally rather than simply accepting the most renowned college.

“My attitude is that you should always look towards the next step; think: what is this experience going to give me, consider where am I going, what am I going to be studying there, and what kind of people are going to be there?” Sheridan said. “Is it the kind of place where people like you go? If it is, then I’d say you’ve found the perfect college.”

He feels there are several benefits in attending a four-year university, most of which stem out of the new environment and experiences that colleges offer.

He claims it is as much of a learning and growing experience, socially, as it is academically.

“It lets kids live in dorms with other people their own age away from mom and dad. There’s a lot more flexibility in what you can and can’t do,” Sheridan said.

“If you go to Moorpark [College], it’s not much different than high school. You I could still see the same people have and still live at home.” been teaching Sheridan has attended ten years earlier, several colleges, ranging from Moorpark Colbut I wouldn’t lege to Life Bible Colhave done all the lege, having attended other things I’ve CSUN for the longest done. period of time. Overall, he describes his college experience as being very —English teacher enjoyable and well worth David Sheridan the effort and money necessary to attend.

College gives students new opportunities and career choices that they could not have foreseen or had access to had they not attended college.

“My college experience was a very circuitous route,” Sheridan said. “I could have been teaching ten years earlier, but I wouldn’t have done all the other things I’ve done.”

“

”

2 Year »Advantages Costs less to take a course SAT/ACT not required No a-g requirements No application Technical/job specific training that doesn’t require a 4-year degree

»Disadvantages Not all courses transfer to the university With budget cuts students may not be able to get classes they need Most students take longer than 2- years to transfer

4 Year »Advantages Lower drop out rate The complete college experience (i.e. dorm life, sororities/fraternities) »Disadvantages Cost SOURCE » WWW. THECOLLEGEHELPER.COM

Sophomore and junior English teacher Heather Austin may enjoy teaching, but the experiences leading up to her career are some of the most valuable moments of her life. After she graduated from high school, she went directly to Santa Barbara City College.

“I always knew I would go to college. The option to not attend was never an option,” Austin said.

At the beginning of her junior year of college, Austin transferred to UC Santa Barbara for the fall quarter.

She preferred the university because of the classes that were offered, and the new experiences she would be privy to. She also liked the overall differences between college life and home life.

“I liked being on my own, learning to be independent, balancing my social life with my academic life,” Austin said. “You feel like an adult.”

Her favorite memory took place near the end of a semester of college, after finals.

“My professor’s TA for my Chaucer class found me at the student store, and told me it was the best final he had ever read, and that I got a solid ‘A’ on it,” Austin said. “It was a three hour final, and I was the last student out of the room.”

Her only regret about her academic career was her failure to prepare for her SAT test, causing her score to be lower than it would have been had she studied, and lower than she would have preferred. Because her SAT score was not high enough, she had to attend a two year college.

“Because I did a two year, I missed out on a four year university, and living on campus, which are two fundamentals for university life,” Austin said.

But to Austin, all that work was time well spent.

“The level of commitment to my learning,” Austin said, “made me feel like I had accomplished something truly great all by myself.”

on the road to college

csu eligibility index

2.99-2.9

510-580

2.89-2.8

590-660

2.79-2.7

670-740

2.69-2.6

750-820

2.59-2.5

830-900

2.49-2.4

910-980

2.39-2.3

990-1060

2.29-2.2

1070-1140

2.19-2.1 2.09-2.0

1150-1220

Look into clubs that interest you.

Be sure to take a–g’s.

Plan college visits.

Take the SAT and/or ACT.

Take the PSAT again.

Take classes that fulfill UC/CSU a–g’s.*

Take the PSAT in October.

Create a long-term plan for high school.

Join clubs and programs that connect to college.

senior year

no minimum

junior year

3.0 or above

freshman year

SAT *

GPA

sophomore year

Below are the minimum requirements for admission to a Cal State University campus, an option that many students do not consider.

Make a list of possible colleges.

Apply for financial aid: CSS Profile in November and FAFSA in January.

Retake the SAT and/or ACT before December.

Apply for UC/CSU in November (no essay required for CSU).

Apply for scholarships from Ventura County Community Foundation.

1230-1300

*combined score of math and critical reading SOURCE » WWW.CSUMENTOR.EDU

*See time tracker for a-g requirements.

SOURCES »TOHS TIME TRACKER

8

9

SPOTLIGHT

Get ready, get set, vote

The educational truth

ALEXANDRA RANDALL Copy Editor

As election day approaches, many 18-year-olds at TOHS are starting to ponder the options they will have when they cast their ballots this November. Politicians often say that the election depends on young voters and some students are starting to see the role they play in democracy.

“I do think it is an important decision because the fate of the country depends on the outcome of the votes and the voice of the people, and we young people control tomorrow’s America,” senior Makenna Freauf said.

While she doesn’t know who she will vote for yet, Freauf is excited about voting.

“I want to vote because I think it’s amazing to turn 18 a couple days before voter registration,” she said.

Like Freauf, senior Avery Knizek is eager to exercise his newfound privilege.

“Men vote, and I’m a man,” Knizek said. “I want to use the powers I am given. Adults have responsibilities and that includes voting.”

He is also not sure who he will vote for but plans to vote for the candidate he feels will put the well-being of the country over that of his own party.

“I’m taking in the pros and cons of both candidates and deciding between the lesser of two evils, you could say,” Knizek said.

Not all students are unsure of their political decisions, though.

Senior Sienna Thomas is confident in the candidate that will receive her vote this November.

“I want to vote for Obama because I believe in his genuine desire to help the American people and the planet, and I support his plans for the future of the United States,” Thomas said.

Thomas also sees the direct impact this election will have on her life and her fellow students.

“If Obama is reelected, his policy to make a college education attainable through financial aid will definitely affect me and my family,” she said.

Senior Conor Reed also takes voting very seriously.

“Of course I’m going to vote, ” Reed said. “I feel as if it is a part of my civic duty and if I don’t vote the opposition will vote in my place.

If you don’t vote then what’s the point of being in a democracy?”

Reed also sees the far-reaching effects this election could have on the nation as well as on him personally.

“I think this election is very important,” he said. “I think that Obamacare would be good for the nation and it scares me that it doesn’t seem to be a part of Romney’s plan,” he said. “Of course, an Obama win would also ensure better education in my opinion.”

Whether a Republican or a Democrat, all these soon-to-be voters agree that the young people of America should take their privilege of voting seriously.

Kyla Vinson Dane Walton

Five TOHS students cast their opinions on the political issues facing students in today’s education Brittany Salyers

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Egan Osaki

The great debate

Some dismiss the upcoming election as though it doesn’t pertain to us, but what we don’t realize is that we will be affected by the future presidential candidates’ decisions on our education.

NOLA ADEDIGBA » THE LANCER

THE CLASSROOM CONVENTION—In an effort to show how much the election will impact us, junior Rola Adedigba and senior Jason Gardiner pose as Barack Obama and Mitt Romney pretending to campaign at our school. Even though some of us can’t vote, students should still be aware that the results of the election can influence their education and that the presidental race can affect them.

Of 100 students polled...

The candidates’ future educational plans • • • •

Victoria Sieverson

Obama wants to let some states out of the “No Child Left Behind” program wants to give federal loans directly to students save the federal government up to $68 billion over 11 years plans to put $8 million into new Community College to Career Fund to train two million workers for jobs in fast-growing industries meant to create better relationships between community colleges and business Department of education and labor would manage fund wants colleges to expand courses and give apprenticeships, internships and onthe-job training for low income students create $1 billion fund to reward colleges that keep net price and grad rates low Romney plans to cut $115 billion over next 10 years would create a voucher-like program that lets low-income and special-education students use federal money for private-school tuition or private tutoring would directly give $30 billion of federal money to public schools save the federal government up to $68 billion over 11 years new education program “A Chance for Every Child” meant to privatize public education; it’s “pro-choice, pro-voucher, pro-states’-rights” low income parents could choose school (public, private, high test scores, etc.) and a certain amount of money would follow the student to school (voucher system) standardized tests wants to increase federal funding to expand charter schools keep reporting student achievement data and test results to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

SOURCES » THE WALL STREET JOURNAL » THE WASHINGTON POST» USA TODAY» THE NEW YORK TIMES» THE HUFFINGTON POST

22% classifed themselves as Democrats

»

Of those claiming to be Democrats...

95% would vote for Obama

»

25% classifed themselves as Republicans

»

Of those claiming to be Republicans...

88% would vote for Romney

»

20% classifed themselves as Independents

»

»

and 76% would like to see Obama’s policy of adding $477 billion to the educational budget pass

Of those claiming to be Independents...

65% would vote for Obama

»

and 60% would like to see Obama’s policy of adding $477 billion to the educational budget pass

»

and 55% would like to see Obama’s policy of adding $477 billion to the educational budget pass

33% classifed themselves as Other

and 81% would like to see Obama’s policy of adding $477 billion to the educational budget pass

Of those claiming to be Other...

70% would vote for Obama

THE LANCER: Should the focus of a class be towards real world lessons or standardized tests?

OSAKI: We need to be taught what’s necessary for the real world.

WALTON: It should be both.

THE LANCER: But how many times do we use the questions that you find on your test?

WALTON: Well, it depends on what field you are going in.

OSAKI: If you are going into math and science, of course there will be some. It depends on what you are going to go on and do in college. It’s hard to specialize in high school because a lot of kids don’t know what they are going to do.

VINSON: But some teachers teach it to the test, but there are always going to be students who could care less. There is only so much you can do to make them care.

OSAKI: But that’s part of the problem, some students don’t want to learn, they want to go college and get a job.

WALTON: I think the teacher has a huge influence on it though.

SIEVERSON: Yeah, students and teachers are co-dependent on each other, on the success of each other.

THE LANCER: Staying on that topic, do you think we should give teachers smaller classes so that they can be more focused on their students?

OSAKI: We can’t give them smaller classes.

VINSON: Many other states have way smaller classes than we do.

OSAKI: There aren’t enough teachers and hiring more teachers won’t solve the problem because then you’d have more teachers being paid... I mean, you look at financial figures and it wouldn’t make sense financially. I mean it wouldn’t work.

SIEVERSON: I agree.

VINSON: If you look at the data, teachers in California are paid much higher salaries than teachers in other states, and some of that can be attributed to housing in California is more expensive.

OSAKI: You can’t do that much about it now because of how much debt California is in right now, but yeah especially in California.

SALYERS: Does anyone know why that is? Do you know why we are here? We are here because our parents voted to put everything Arnold [Schwarzenegger] put down. He said let’s cut teacher’s expenses or school expenses and let’s cut this and this and he said no to everything. We didn’t want to cut. It’s our fault. It’s all our fault.

OSAKI: It’s hard to cut education. That’s one of the main priorities THE LANCER: Which presidential candidate would do more for education?

OSAKI: President Obama! He will secure student loans for us, and Mitt Romney promises it, but it’s all talk.

SALYERS: Oh my God, Obama is all talk.

THE LANCER: Okay, okay, next question. We all know the “No Child Left behind Movement”. Does that label schools and give them certain reputations?

WALTON: I think it’s just a name.

THE LANCER: Yeah, but there are some schools that are struggling in terms of test scores and grades; does “No Child left Behind” label them as a struggling school?

SIEVERSON: That’s such a complicated issue. My sister is doing this program called ‘Teach for America’ and is working currently at a charter school, with underprivileged, undereducated students. So it’s kind of hard, because for example, she was teaching some of the kids in summer school, and there was a drive–by shooting across the street, so it’s hard for these kids to have to come to school, and learn every day. There is so much gang violence and all this other crap; school doesn’t really take that much of a priority in their lives.

OSAKI: Yeah, and it’s hard to address that.

SALYERS: I agree, my aunt works in an inner city school, in Detroit, to be exact, and she knows that those principals don’t care. I’m serious, they only care about their paychecks and that is all. They walk out of that school and you know, it’s all over but she gives the kids that sass her, unbelievable attention. Like the elementary–aged kids would say very bad comments to her, and you would sit there and you’re like why isn’t someone doing anything about this?

10 FEATURES

issue 2 september 27, 2012

Smith opts to take community college route With hopes of helping third-world nations, Lancer alumnus sets his eyes to the future intent of going overseas, but a change of heart has him pursuing a university degree and a further commitment to education Megan Bowser Features Editor

David Smith » With permission

ENGINEERING HIS FUTURE—Alumnus David Smith stands in a grassy knoll at Hume Lake. Having originally decided not to attend college, he now attends Moorpark.

After spending four years at TOHS, alumnus David Smith seemed to have his future mapped out. He was accepted into Biola University and was planning the steps he would take to reach his future career.

But two weeks before classes began, Smith decided that going to college right out of high school was not the right path for him.

“I finally thought through things fully and realized that what I want to do does not require me to go to a four–year private school,” Smith said.

Biola was willing to give Smith $22,000 a semester.

At first, Smith was tempted by the offer, but realized that he would still have to come up with $10,000 a year.

He determined that attending Moorpark College would save his family money, and he would not fall into debt

while pursuing his education.

“I really did not want $20,000 in student loans that I could avoid by going to Moorpark for two years,” he said.

The only obstacle Smith faced by going to Moorpark was signing up for classes with little space available.

“My registration date was the day before school started, so all of the main classes were full,” Smith said.

“But I was able to get nine units that are all transferable and requirements for a two-year transfer schedule to USC for an engineering major.”

When Smith finishes his general education at Moorpark, he plans on transferring to USC, and majoring in Hydro Engineering in order to accomplish his life goal of helping the less fortunate.

“I am planning on using this degree to move to, and live in, a village in a third world country that does not

have a steady supply of fresh water, and do what I can to bring a constant supply of fresh water,” Smith said.

“It pains me to think about people around the world that are lost and hurting.”

While Smith was in high school, there was a period of time in which he did not want to attend college at all, but simply carry on with his life.

“I actually had plans to never go to college because I just wanted to leave the country after high school, and I never thought a degree would be necessary,” he said.

“It was only about two weeks before applications were due that I decided I would need a degree.”

Smith’s only advice to current high school students is to think through their decisions, and not forget that each action taken affects future decisions and actions as well. He advises considering all possible outcomes for both educational and social decisions before choosing.

www.tohsthelancer.org

ENTERTAINMENT 11

issue 2 september 27, 2012

Eleventh Doctor travels back into American television ERIC HATLAND

Entertainment Editor

DOCTO

PHOTOS » BBC AMERICA » WITH PERMISSION

Cyborgs in the Old West, dinosaurs on a spaceship, and tiny little cubes. And those are just from the first four episodes of this season.

“Doctor Who”, one of the oldest TV shows still running, is back for its seventh season. The show follows the Doctor, a 900-year-old time-and-space traveler and his chosen companions’ adventures all around the universe. Cleverly disguised as a dark blue police box, the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space) takes everyone in the Doctor’s entourage anywhere they want to go, at any time.

The original series started in 1963, and for the next 36 years, the role of the main character, the Doctor, changed seven times, each a different actor who brought his own unique style to the role.

In 2005, BBC revived the series with a new Doctor, Christopher Eccleston. After only a year, we had a new face playing our beloved time-and-space traveler: David Tennant. For the next five years, Tennant gave an amazing performance in the role, and is looked upon as one of the best Doctors ever.

When Tennant left to pursue other roles, the current Doctor, Matt Smith, stepped in to fill the role and has become my personal favorite Doctor. From Germany in World War II to a spaceship filled with the entire United Kingdom to a foreign planet filled with bloodthirsty stone statues called Weeping Angels, Smith has been a shining example of what a time-and-space traveler should be.

Nor has this season has not gone without its share of memorable locations. So far we have seen a planet filled with mentally deranged Daleks, the Doctor’s most fearsome foe throughout all iterations of the series, and traveled on a spaceship filled with dinosaurs, which if you ask me is one of the coolest premises for a TV episode ever to exist anywhere in time (or space).

After that, the TARDIS, the Doctor and his companions brought audiences along with them when they moseyed over to the Old West to combat a cyborg out for revenge. Only on “Doctor Who” could they have found a way to make tiny little cubes tools of humanity’s execution, which happened to be the idea behind the latest episode, “The Power of Three.” An ancient race of aliens decides to stop the human race’s exploration and colonization of space, before we even have a chance to go beyond our own solar system. And we still haven’t gotten halfway through this season.

Sadly, fans will have to wait a while for more of the Doctor and his new companion. After the Christmas episode, the show will resume once again in early 2013. The first few episodes have all been fantastic, despite the shows love of rather c h e e s y visual effects. Season seven is shaping up to be the biggest adventure our beloved Doctor has ever embarked on and I can’t wait to see where and when we go.

Allons-y.

» Seven Psychopaths October 12

the COOLEST CAT o n c ampu s Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?

As I explore the halls this year, I’ve come to recognize one thing about the student body. It’s not the fact that the senior boys lack the facial hair they normally have, or that the freshmen are all about three feet tall.

No, this is something much more shocking.

Everyone—literally everyone—is a hipster.

What? What is this? Is this a thing now?

Boys are waltzing around in boat shoes and cuffed jeans that are WAY too tight for them. Girls are strutting about in thigh-high socks and Doc Martens.

I’m sorry, I must have missed the memo... What?

Last year and the year before, people scoffed at me for being a “hipster.” Heck, last year it was an insult to be called a hipster. But I wasn’t really trying to be.

Okay, so I had a bit of inspiration from other so-called hipsters, but what’s wrong with wearing awesome sweaters and boots all the time? But apparently it’s socially acceptable now?

» Matt and Kim October 2 “Lightning”

» The Vaccines October 2 “Come of Age”

» The Script October 9 “#3”

» Taylor Swift October 23 “Red”

Not that it was some major problem to be such a freaking cool kid; I got plenty of compliments from people about my apparel. “I love your clothes/hair/ shoes/earrings/cat stickers, it’s so hipster/indie.”

Frankly, I didn’t care. I figured it was a compliment, so I just thanked them and went on with my day. But this is ridiculous.

How’s a girl supposed to be an individual in a crowd full of argyle prints and stupid skirts?

I blame Tumblr, the evil blogging site that sucks your life away. It seemed like one day, it was just a quiet little place for me to reblog and like photos of cats and flowers. And then all of the sudden, everyone in Thousand Oaks, from my best friend to some girl who sat in the back of my English class and would occasionally laugh at my jokes, was following me.

I suppose Tumblr gave people a better look at fashion. They soon swapped in their muscle shirts and tube tops for bro-tanks and peasant blouses.

The most annoying thing to me is the fact that this is just a trend. The whole point of being a hipster is to be an individual. No one is like you. No one suffers for your art like you do. No one listens to your music.

YOU are the one percent.

Hipsters are not kids who blow their money on overpriced clothes from Urban Outfitters and listen to a few Animal Collective songs.

So yes, after many years of denial, I will admit it. I am a hipster! I am the hippest hipster of them all! I dive into clothing racks at thrift stores and listen to weird, repetitive electronic music about drugs and dragons. I prefer film cameras. I drink tea over coffee, from some little coffee shop you’ve never heard of. My opinions are as diverse and outrageous as Bill Cosby’s sweater collection. My favorite shape is the triangle.

I am an O.G. hipster, and I want to defend my title.

So back off, you jocks and preps. This is my obscure life; you probably can’t even understand it.

—Ali Wire

» 30 Rock October 4 NBC » Gossip Girl October 8 The CW

Games

» Taken 2 October 5

» The Oranges October 5

TV Premieres

» Hotel Transylvania September 28

Music

Movies

Upcoming Releases

RETURNS » Resident Evil 6 October 2 Xbox 360, PS3, PC

» Dishonored October 9 Xbox 360, PS3, PC

What are you listening to? »Emily Evirs senior “‘Oh Comely’ by Neutral Milk Hotel. They’re a really calm, soothing band. I find it mellow and it’s easy to work to. Some people are really particular and don’t like his voice, but I find it to blend really nicely with the instruments.”

»Grant Boden sophomore

‘“Homeward Bound’

by Simon & Garfunkel.

I listen to it when I do my homework. They are more poetic than today’s generation, and when I listen to them I feel like I’m in my own world. I’d rather listen to them than Justin Beiber.”

PHOTOS » ETHAN LYONS » THE LANCER

Want to be featured in the next issue? Let us know what you’re listening to! Email us at thelancer.tohs@gmail.com.

12 ENTERTAINMENT

issue 2 september 27, 2012

Cinépolis brings luxury to movies sara wilson

Entertainment Editor

Cinépolis Luxury Cinema is giving suburban famlies yet another thing to be excited about. The Mexico City-based movie theater chain opened its newest Southern California location on Sept. 21 at the Westlake Promenade.

While seemingly new to American audiences, Cinépolis is a pro in the movie theater game. They are the largest cinema company in Latin America, and fourth largest in the world. The chain already has three U.S. locations: Del Mar, Ocean Ranch and La Costa, and plans to debut another theater in Rancho Margarita next week.

The Westlake location offers moviegoers a completely unique experience: viewers relax in über comfortable leather recliners, while at-your-seat food service is available at the push of a button. Cinépolis combines comfort, technology, and fine dining to create a one of a kind cinematic adventure.

“We strive to provide elite guest service to everyone.

It’s like being in the Four Seasons,” employee senior Courtney Bartlett said.

I definitely felt the luxury vibe when I arrived at the theater on its opening day last Friday. After walking through the doors, which were opened for me, accompanied by a “Hello, welcome to Cinépolis,” I immediately felt as though I was checking into a five-star resort in Paris for the weekend. The lobby had no sign that this place was, in fact, a movie theater, besides the smell of popcorn and the concession stand. I bought my ticket at a counter reminiscent of a hotel check-in desk for a 5 p.m. showing of “Finding Nemo 3D”. If I was going to spend $22.50 on a movie ticket, it was going to be a movie I absolutely adored.

Oh, and that’s another point worth mentioning.

Tickets are expensive: $19.50 for a regular movie, and $22.50 for a 3D showing.

React What are you thoughts on high-low skirts?

“ “

I hate them.

People wear them because they want to be like everyone else, and I think girls should try and find their own individuality.

—junior Erika Kodera I’m almost indifferent towards them. If a girl needs an excuse to wear someting short, but not be against dress code, I’m all for it.

Why not?

—sophomore Bennett McKay

PHOTOS » SARA WILSON » THE LANCER

At first, I was a tad ticked off at the ticket price, practically spending all the money I had at some hoity-toity luxury movie theater; but by the end, all my worries had faded. It was probably the best movie experience I’ve ever had. I kicked off my shoes, reclined my seat all the way to its near-180-degree angle, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

My popcorn was great—I got the caramel flavor by suggestion of one of the concession stand workers.

The sound was great—7.1 digital surround sound, if you care about such shenanigans. The in-movie menu is great—they have scrumptious fondue and overpriced, yet delicious, burgers. Heck, even my complementary ice water exceeded expectations! And good ice is the sign of a good time, isn’t it? Honestly, if I had money to spare, Cinépolis would become part of my regular weekend plans.

By the way, “Finding Nemo” was just as great in 3D as it ever was.

move over, muvico—(top left) The former Mann Theater at the Westlake Promenade opened its doors as Cinépolis on Sept. 21 . (top right) Patrons take the first steps towards cinematic luxury. (bottom) Senior Courtney Bartlett works concessions. The theater is still hiring those 16 and older.

Melville madness is getting ridiculous sara wilson

Entertainment Editor

I hate Brandy Melville. Wait, scratch that. I don’t hate it, rather detest what it has done to girls’ perception of style. It’s like in second grade, when every girl thought gauchos (Remember those things, those stretchy, capritype flowy pants? Yeah, those.) were a good idea. And look where that got us—laughing at our former, idiotic selves and our butterfly embellished pants.

Anyway, Brandy Melville, the popular chain with a splattering of stores all over Southern California, has skyrocketed to an annoying amount of popularity over the last year or so. Sure, I go there occasionally, if only for the soft as heck tank tops and interestingly unique rings. However, it’s when I see the girls walking down the hallway, their Brandy Melville shorts barely covering their derrière, and their Brandy Melville bandeau peeking out from under their Brandy Melville tank top that proudly displays their “love” of Bob Dylan, that I get ticked off.

I mean, seriously, does anyone else realize the clones

that this store is producing? The fact that over just one summer, every single girl in my class has suddenly found an obsession with Nirvana (disregarding those who can name a song other than Smells Like Teen Spirit) astonishes me. And yes, I do firmly believe that if you wear a shirt with a band’s name on it, you should definitely have a grasp on what that artist actually sounds like, rather than buying it only because it will make you look cultured, or vintage, or whatever.

Our generation of girls should be known for their refusal to conform to trends, not as one that became a mass of identical girls all striving to achieve that perfect level between super indie and effortlessly beachy.

Now, I know that writing down this blasphemy of teen trends might make me seem like some grossly judgmental girl toward all things Brandy. While that may be half-true, the store does have some decent aspects. For one thing, it has a killer playlist at all of the locations, like a glorious union of Mumford and Sons and The Kills.

I’ve got to give them some credit; they make your

personal shopping experience feel like one of those “popular girl” montages in a high school comedy. And when it all boils down to it, they are surprisingly innovative for what they do.

Brandy Melville is proof that a girl-approved product and an effective use of social networking (their Instagram account alone has over 300,000 followers) can have incredible profit. The company also uses likeable, beautiful models, making everyone want to hop on the Brandy bandwagon. However, I’m sick and tired of seeing 14 different girls wearing the same exact crop top with an American flag on it, all thinking they look oh so very unique and interesting for doing so. Some things need to be taken in moderation. Severe moderation, in this case.

And just one more thing, on a completely unrelated topic. High-low skirts. I mean, they were cute for about a minute when I first saw them. But honestly, choose one: mini skirt or maxi skirt and be done. Because those things are the fastest way to make you look confused, short, and somewhat manatee-like.

Another boring story? “PSY”ch!

»

»

»

» PHOTOS » ETHAN LYONS » THE LANCER

“HORSE RIDING DANCE:” STEP BY STEP

KPop has their 15 minutes of American fame with “Gangnam Style.” Those crazy Koreans. eric hatland

Entertainment Editor

“What Makes You Beautiful.” What makes this song relevant?

“Call Me Maybe.” Call me when this song is over.

“Party Rock Anthem.” This party has left the house.

“Somebody That I Used To Know.” And there’s a song that we used to know.

“Super Bass.” Super you know what? This song is so old I can’t even come up with a snappy witticism for it.

All of those songs need to stand aside for what is quickly becoming the song of the year, nay, the song of the decade. This song is so amazing I don’t think any story of mine could do it justice, but I’ll take a shot at it.

“Gangnam Style” by PSY. I’m sure the majority of you out there have seen the music video for this Korean Pop masterpiece. From the opening scene at the beach to the elevator dance portion, this music video is absolutely fantastic. And how could I forget that dance?

The dance is what makes this song. The “Horse Riding Dance,” as PSY himself calls it. Anytime I hear the “Oppan Gangnam Style,” it’s almost impossible not to break out into the motions.

Every time I hear this song, I can look around and see people dancing to it, doing small little motions, or

breaking out into a full fledged dance number. It just goes to show how many people love this song.

The lyrics, when translated, hold as much depth as a LMFAO song (“A classy girl who know how to enjoy a cup of coffee,” for example. Really, PSY?), but they are still catchy, and that is all that matters. The beat is so hypnotic, and when the chorus hits, no matter in your head or out loud, you can’t help but to sing “OPPAN GANGNAM STYLE.” No other foreign language song has been this popular since O-Zone’s “Dragostea Din Tei,” more commonly referred to as the “Numa Numa Song.”

PSY has cashed in on his song’s success, big time.

He has made appearances on “The Today Show,” “SNL,” “Ellen,” and the VMA’s. “Gangnam Style” was even played at Yankee Stadium during a game PSY attended, and all throughout the crowd one could see people dancing and singing along. He has become one of America’s biggest stars, despite his most notable song not even being in English.

For those out there who have yet to figure out what “Gangnam Style” means, it’s an area in Korea similar to Beverly Hills. Noble and nice during the day, a crazy party at night.

If you have yet to be introduced to this catchy song, go give it a listen. You won’t be disappointed.

SPORTS 13

issue 2 september 27, 2012

Frisoli commits to UC Davis LEE MCPHERSON Sports Editor

Soon another Lancer will be joining the ranks of Division I athletes who represent the best college level players in their various sports from around the country.

The next member of the Thousand Oaks family to receive this opportunity, volleyball star outside hitter Kendall Frisoli will be taking her talents to the University of California at Davis under head coach Jamie Holmes at the start of next fall.

“I am verbally committed. The official signing date is the beginning of November for volleyball,” Frisoli said.

Many schools sought after Frisoli, making the decision whether or not to commit to UC Davis a tough one.

“I was being recruited as an outside hitter for three Division II schools [but] I visited [Davis] last summer and I fell in love with them,” Frisoli said.

Many things caught her eye about Davis that set it apart from the rest of the schools she had considered. For her, the general area and feel of the school stood out the most.

“I love the up north atmosphere. The people are really nice and the campus is beautiful and welcoming. Then at camp this summer I fell in love with the coaching styles of the coaches, who gave me great instruction that worked,” Frisoli said.

She not only attributes her success on her hard work ethics, and her focus on completing her dream, but also the influences that surround her.

“I could not have done any of this without the support of my family and instruction and support of my coaches from high school to club,” Frisoli said.

She would like to major in neurobiology, physiology and behavior in order to have a career in physical therapy.

“Working hard on the court, in the classroom and focusing on my goal allowed me to succeed; I put a lot of time into sports and especially junior year I was really dedicated,” Frisoli said.

Although she will be playing for Davis soon, Frisoli and the rest of the volleyball team will be on the road facing Moorpark tonight, Sept. 27.

For more college commits see below*

KENDALL FRISOLI» WITH PERMISSION

SPIKE IT– Frisoli returns the ball across the net to her opponent. Right now the UC Davis Aggies are 2-4, time will tell if Frisoli can make an impact on the program currently headed by coach Jamie Holmes.

Want updated scores daily for all of the sports teams?

Early College Gabby Suarez »Soccer @ Williams College Senior Gabby Suarez has recently committed for soccer to Williams College, a Division III school in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Five Division I schools were recruiting Suarez: Yale, Princeton, Brown, Rice and University of the Pacific.

“I came to a decision that I wanted to go to a school where soccer wouldn’t be my job and take up my whole life,” Suarez said.

Four Division III schools sought out Suarez, Pomona College, Washington University of St. Louis, Amherst college and Williams College.

Suarez first notified the coaches that she wanted to play for by emailing them.

“They were able to see me play in several college showcase tournaments. When they

Commits

showed interest in me as a recruit, I made sure to keep in contact with them,” she said.

She felt that at a Division III she was more likely to have the opportunity to play as a freshman, instead of waiting until she was a sophomore or a junior.

Suarez was attracted to Williams College because it is one of the top liberal arts school in the country.

As for her major, Suarez is leaning towards biology.

The status of her commitment is a verbal commit for now.

- Ian Doherty

Nathan Debeikes »Football @ Brigham Young University There was a spotlight of sorts around senior Nathan DeBeikes, being the most heavily recruited Lancer football player following a season in which he rushed for nearly 1300 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior, while also carrying a 3.75 GPA. His season was big enough that ESPN even scouted him for its online database of college football recruits. However, that ended before school did last year as DeBeikes picked Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, as his college destination.

His other pursuers were mainly Boise State University and the University of Utah.

Even though he shines at running back,

Lancer online www.tohsthelancer.org

the

BYU may want him for his defense. Last year DeBeikes had 49 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks for the Lancers showing his potential on that side of the ball as well.

In addition, DeBeikes has a good speed to size ratio with a 4.77-second 40–yard dash time to go with his 6’ 1” frame. This adds to his potential to be an excellent linebacker.

-Dane Swanson

14 sports

issue 2 september 27, 2012

Volleyball continues lengthy win streak lee mcpherson sports editor

ethan lyons » The Lancer

42–0—(Left) Outside hitter senior Kaitlynn Grim serves against Agoura (right) libero junior Jane Lamp bumps the ball off a spike from an opponent. The team beat Agoura 25–14, 26–28, 25–22 and 25–17. The team’s next game is tonight at Moorpark.

Undefeated girls tennis presses on

ian doherty

sports editor

Six matches into the season, girls tennis remains undefeated. The Lancers most significant triumph was against Royal. The team stomped over the Highlanders 17–1, advancing their record to 5–0.

“The Agoura match was pretty easy,” se-

Expectations are high for girls volleyball this season as they look to continue their 42–0 win streak and add to their vast collection of league titles, including two in the past two seasons. “[Repeating] definitely adds pressure, but we are confident in ourselves and our team,” middle blocker senior Kaitlynn Grim said.

So far, the Lancers are on par, with a 3–0 record in league. Their overall record however stands at 6–5 due to losses in the Durango Fall classic, an international tournament held every year in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I am proud of our team, some of the teams were very difficult to play,” Grim said.

The girls began the tournament by blowing out Seaquam from British Columbia, Canada in two sets of 25–14 and 25–9.

Torrey Pines and Assumption (KY) however, dealt them losses; Assumption then went on to win the event.

The girls bounced back though with a win against Sacred Heart, also from Kentucky, in three sets with scores of 27–25, 18–25 and 25–20.

The team got knocked out of the tournament due to two losses to Clovis West and Xavier, both from Arizona.

Having tasted defeat the Lancers returned home to take their frustrations out on Newbury Park in their home opener where they pummeled the panthers for three sets resulting in scores of 25–18, 25–15 and 25–9.

“That was our first Marmonte game of the season and we all wanted to start out with a good record. So we came out strong and played as a team, I think it was a solid win,” libero junior Jane Lamp said.

The team then won its next two games against Calabasas and Royal, both in three sets.

Despite the Lancers recent local success, the players acknowledge that unforeseen contenders often loom in the Marmonte league.

“We are not really sure how league will turn out this season, there are always teams that make changes and come into the year better,” Grim said.

It will be poised for another league title and a deep CIF run.

“We have a mind-set that we have to play as hard as we can regardless of who we play,” Lamp said.

nior Victoria Thompson said.

The team currently has an overall record of 7–1, with the only loss coming at the hands of Peninsula. The Lancers lost 2–16, but were quick to recover in their next match, when they played Royal.

The Lancers latest triumph was against Agoura, in which they won 14–4, which gave them a league record of 6–0.

“We are extremely proud. Everyone has worked very hard,” Thompson said.

The Lancers still have eight matches to play. The team currently sits in first place in the league standings.

The team plays Moorpark today, for the first time this season.

The Lancers have seven league matches left. They look to stay undefeated.

Cross country still in pursuit of league crown dane swanson

dane swanson staff writer

This season, the boys cross country team is determined to make the most of their hard work. After a disappointing year, the team is setting their expectations high.

“We want to make it past league finals into the CIF meets,” said sophomore Brian Joerger.

A big reason for the high expectations is how close together the league’s talent pool is. The depth of the Marmonte League is going to create very intense competition for the four automatic qualifying bids to the CIF meets at the end of the season. It is still possible to make the meet without an automatic qualifying bid, but it is extremely difficult.

“Westlake, Simi, Royal, Moorpark and we make a close top five, and it is anyone’s game,” Joerger said.

In addition, this year’s team is very young and inexperienced, with several sophomores and juniors contributing in the mix. However, the cross country team feels that they will be ready come CIF time.

“We’re very deep throughout, we have fourteen guys running in our top group,” Joerger said.

This team has a chip on their shoulder; some might consider them an underdog to finish in the top three.

“We’re underdogs but that’s all right because now we can surprise a lot of people,” sophomore Grant Boden said.

Their next meet is tonight against Newbury Park and Calabasas.

staff writer

»Junior Ben Thomas Three Mile Personal Best 16:02.19

Senior Genevive Johnson

»

Three Mile Personal Best 18:12.00

sally deng» The Lancer legend

As the fall season starts, several sports begin their hunt for a league and even a CIF title. Among the teams with a league title chance is girls cross country, one of the top contenders to take the Marmonte league title along with Simi Valley, Westlake and others.

“Our goal is to make it back to the state meet in Clovis,” junior Kori Groenveld said.

Even though they lost talented senior girls, cross country is confident they have the runners to reload and continue their consistent success.

“Our bottom three has gotten better from last year and we have the personnel to reinforce the top four runners,” Groenveld said.

As for challenges for the girls: Simi Valley.

Simi’s star runner Sarah Baxter, who is currently running times consistent with some varsity boys runners, and a very talented supporting cast, Simi Valley has dominated girls cross country for the past two seasons. Baxter has gone as far as national meets and hopes to do so again. However, due to their recent success Simi Valley has moved up to Division I for CIF, opening a window for our cross country team.

“It will be easier now, but it’s still a tough road,” Groenveld said.

Girls cross country is ready to go and looks poised to make a run at the Marmonte league title, and possibly much further than that.

Newbury Park and Calabasas are their next opponents.

sports 15

issue 2 september 27, 2012

Golf keeps pace from last year dane swanson

staff writer

After dominating the Marmonte league the last two seasons, girls golf is off to another fast start this year and has high hopes for another first place finish.

“My expectations for the season are that we continue to improve as the season goes along. Of course, my immediate goal is that our girls prepare well and are competitive in every match we play. If this happens then I believe we will compete for the Marmonte League Championship which would be a reward for all of the girls’ hard work,” Coach Rod Stillwell said.

In addition, this could be a monumental season for the girls golf team as they set their sights on winning the Marmonte league for the third straight time and if they do the right things it could happen.

“It would be great to ‘three- peat.’ Depth will be the key to accomplishing this goal. If our girls who play in the bottom half of our order can play solid rounds of golf, I believe we will be successful,” Stillwell said. “Through the first half of the season they have played well, so it is a matter of continuing to do so for the entire season.”

As of press time the Lancers are off to another solid start, with a record of 7–0 and a margin of victory of 297 strokes. Now they need to sustain their lead if they want to “three-peat” “We plan to continue to play well by working hard in practice and by focusing on the things we need to improve upon. We don’t want to overlook any opponent. Most of the teams in our league are capable of putting together a good round, so we need to just focus on one match at a time,” Stillwell said.

Golf plays today against Simi Valley.

Ben mueller-leclerc » The Lancer

Fore the win—Freshman Alex Ortega tees off at Sunset Hills against Agoura. The team is currently 8–0 in league. The Lancers have six matches left in the regular season before the league tournament. Last season, members of the team were able to advance all the way to the state tournament.

Water polo excels in tournaments lee mcpherson sports editor

Ethan Lyons » The Lancer

looking to pass—Point senior Kevin Power tries to pass the ball against his Westlake defender. The Lancers are currently 1–2 in league, and 10–4 overall.

Boys water polo began this years season with a number of wins, allowing the team to boast a 10–4 overall record and a 1–2 league record. Many of their wins came from a pair of tournaments in which the team went 4–1. In each gathering they faced some of the top teams in California.

In their first tournament, the Conejo Classic, the team started out strong with a 14–10 win against Saint John Bosco, but fell 6–11, in their match against Ventura.

“The loss was really heartbreaking, we went out probably a bit too confident and they ran away with it in the second quarter. By the time we got back into our flow it was too late,” perimeter senior C.J. Daland said.

The team however believes they would have won had they capitalized on a few missed opportunities.

“The real problem was not [being able to] finish on offense and poor counter defense, we could have beaten them had it not been for those two things,” Daland said.

Because of the loss, the Lancers unleashed their offensive fire power against Newbury Park, with a final score of 22–4. “[We did] what we didn’t do against Ventura, we just had some brilliant shots taken and really good defense, we played a very good game,” Daland said.

The Lancers went on to defeat Glendale 11–9 and Canyon 19–17 in two very close games to finish out the tournament.

In their second event, held at Riverside Poly, the team won their first game with in an 11–8 score against Redlands.

However, the Lancers lost to Montebello with a score of 8–15.

“They were dirty, and it is disappointing to lose to teams like that,” perimeter senior Sean Kale said.

Despite the loss, the team won their next three against La Quinta, Palm Springs and Citrus Valley.

The Lancer’s opened their league season with a win against Calabasas 19–10, but suffered a loss to Royal 7–17. The Lancer’s next match will be a tournament held on today at Villa Park.

Football slips at halfway point ian doherty

sports editor

After football’s solid start to their season, they have hit a bump. The team thought was going to extend their win streak to four games, leading into the big league match up against Oaks Christian.

“We have seen a lot of film on Nordoff. We have seen their weaknesses and we have been practicing to attack them,” junior wide receiver and safety Nick Julier said.

Unfortnately, the team was unsuccessful in their match against Nordoff, it lost 28–10.

The team also suffered multiple injuries. Two senior offensive linemen Mustafa Nagshbhandi, he suffered a high ankle sprain and Mike Manos, hurt his hand and was set in a cast, but was still able to play. Senior defensive lineman Sean Guzman suffered a hyperextended elbow in the Newbury Park game and senior linebacker Matt Singleton suffered an ankle injury and was put in a walking boot. Also, senior receiver Andrew Van Voy was put in a walking boot and forced to sit out for four weeks.

“The whole team has been looking forward to the Oaks game,” senior punter Colby Wadman said.

The Lancers take on Oaks Christian tomorrow at home in Lancer stadium at 7 PM.

laura sylvers » The Lancer legend

hustle—Senior runningback Liam Gerety carries the ball in the West Ranch game. The Lancers emerged victorious in the game, with a final score of 28–10. This win furthered their win streak to three games heading into the game against Nordoff High School. Watch the Lancers take on Oaks Christian tomorrow night at home at 7.

16 PHOTO ESSAY

issue 2 september 27, 2012

EXPLODING WITH EXCITEMENT—Chemistry teacher Tim Hoag and science club members seniors Josh Mytych and Matt Wells look on as senior Cory Hard changes orange soda to raspberry soda in a neutralization chemical reaction.

HEYDAY clubs have a

ETHAN LYONS » THE LANCER

Thirty-five of the school’s almost 100 clubs and organizations competed for attention last Friday on the quad. Students wandered through a myriad of messy science experiments, chalk murals and, of course, plenty of candy.

ETHAN LYONS » THE LANCER

FOLDED TO PERFECTION—(above) Japanese club members display their interest in culture through origami. Their booth featured an array of paper cranes. (below) Senior Michele Da Silva strums on his violin at the orchestra booth.

“It’s a great way to bond through music,” another club member, violinist sophomore Mihoko Kubo said.

ETHAN LYONS » THE LANCER

CHALKING OUT SOME HAPPINESS—(above) “When’s the last time you got to write with chalk?” was the question that happiness club president senior Noah Fields used to attract students such as senior Sophia Chen. (right) Freshmen Rebecca Joffe and Lynn Jung display art club’s work at their booth. It ranged from doodles on notebook paper to melted crayon creations. “I doodle more than I work,” Jung said.

ALI WIRE » THE LANCER

ETHAN LYONS » THE LANCER