WASC Visits SBHS p. 7 | Dodgeball is Back! p. 3 | Class Olympics Makes SBHS Debut p. 2 | Grad Nite: Six Flags p. 6
THE FORGE Vol. 102 No. 7
SANTA BARBARA HIGH SCHOOL - FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2016
Hair
Floyd Norman:
American Tribal Rock Classic explodes on the SBHS stage | p. 14
An Animated Life Life of Disney Animator captured in new Film Festival Documentary | p. 11
Est. 1914
SBCC Proposes Free Education With the cost of higher education skyrocketing, SBCC proposes a solution| p. 3
JUST KIDDING! GRADUATION RETURNS TO PEABODY STADIUM!
Where the Hell is the Cow?
ASB Election Results
Apathy abounds as round mound of ground round still missing | p. 3
ASB Election brings fresh leadership to SBHS | p. 6
Madeleine Schmidt, Jada Howard, Sean Babock, Alice Upton, & Lily McIntyre | Photo Courtesy of Beau Lettieri
2 | NEWS
THE FORGE
THE FORGE
APRIL 15, 2016
Class Olympics Debuts with Seniors on Top
STAFF
2015 - 2016 700 East Anapamu Street Santa Barbara, CA 93103 (805) 966-9101 ex. 5031 Room 31
EDITORS EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Beau Lettieri and Sarina Wasserman
LAYOUT EDITOR Beau Lettieri
NEWS EDITOR Hugh Cook
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Lizzie Saunders
SPORTS EDITOR Tyler Greenwald
OPINION EDITOR Sophia Fischer
STAFF REPORTERS Jorge Cervantes Cole Creedon Brian Christensen Annina Gonzalez Dante Gonzalez Jill Horn Nele Kross Sable Layman Chloe Shaar Quinn Tubiolo
ADVISOR Otto Layman
Class Olympic games included Tug of War, relay races, and “biggest splash”
At the Spring Pep Rally students enthusiastically took part in a number of games
BY JILL HORN
perfect scores during the diving portion of the games. The events ended on Friday with the annual Spring Pep rally. The rally was held in the main gym and opened up with our ASB President, Sean Babcock announcing the results of the class Olympics and welcoming the students warmly proudly revealing the seniors as the winners. After the speech, while the Dons were clap-
ping and going crazy, ASB members threw T-shirts and other “swag” into the crowd. After that welcoming procedure, this year’s Pep & Rally Will Beightol and Connor Egan, (both wearing knight’s armor) asked the spring sports captains to introduce themselves and talk about upcoming events. The captains having finished talking about the teams and games,
Bolden Brace throws one down at Friday’s Pep Rally
Sophomore Janelle Knight, throws the javelin with expert form.
Last week SBHS held its first ever class Olympics, a week of daily events held by our very own Associated Student Body. The events started Tuesday, April 5th and ended on Friday with a chivalric spring Pep Rally. The three day event began in the main gym with Badminton, Arm wrestling, Ping Pong, and a Basketball shoot off. After the first day the Juniors came out on top, with sophomores trailing behind them. Day two brought the events outdoors to Peabody Stadium where a relay race was held, followed by the Javelin, Tug of War, and a water balloon toss. Day two saw the seniors beginning to catch up to the leading juniors, passing the sophomores in total points. The final day brought the class Olympics to the pool, where another relay race, this time in the water, was held along with a diving contest (judged by a number of SBHS staff), kick boarding contest, homemade boat contest and a competition for the biggest splash (again judged by staffers). The pool events slingshotted the seniors into the lead, greatly due in part to the senior class’s MVP, Nina Enholm, who scored two
Talk of the Town: Intro to Debate & Mock Trial Tormey brings debate class to Santa Barbara High
John Tormey | Photo Courtesy of Hugh Cook BY ALYSSA CARDENAS John Tormey, AP world history teacher here at Santa Barbara High for five years and a Mock Trial coach for fifteen years, has a new elective coming in the 2016-2017 year. This addition is called, “Introduction to Debate and Mock Trial.” This class was taught for many years at Washington State and is a very popular elective. Here, all grades will be able to participate and receive A-G UC elective credits. Despite being primarily designed for students who are
public speakers, it can also be a place for shy students to build confidence and come out of their shells and not feel intimidated. The class includes fun and sometimes silly public speaking activities such as, Taco Bell vs. Habit or Batman vs. Superman; however, on the other hand there are serious team debates around hot button topics like abortion, capital punishment, and the war on ISIS. There will also be entire class, parliamentary-style debates. The class itself will conduct two mock trial cases, with one half of the class
working on one case and the other half working on the second case. Students not cast in main roles will act as the jury. Anyone with interest in mock trial or public speaking should consider taking the new elective. Hopefully, the class will eventually be offered for multiple periods, however, at this time, it is only available for one semester. The impetus to start up this class came from “Ms. Simmons (former Assistant principal) sitting in on one of my class debates, and encouraging me to bring my class back to schools” said, Tormey. It is a class for students who have an abiding interest in public speaking and debate. Mr. Tormey hopes that the class will become one of the most popular in the school. “Introduction to Debate and Mock Trial” can become a space in a new environment, while receiving academic credit and meeting new people. He also hopes that students will talk about how much fun and academically worthwhile the class is. The impetus to start up this class came from, Let’s hope that “Introduction to Debate and Mock Trial” will have a successful launch, as well as a permanent addition to our already varied curriculum.
transitioned into a number of games, one of which was dodgeball. Then, the cheerleaders presented a powerful performance while throwing each other into the air and doing poses, showing off their flexibility. Our Santa Barbara High School Dance Team performed at the Pep Rally as well. They earned thunderous applause for a expertly choreographed and performed dance. After that, players of the CIF Basketball team were welcomed to the court to compete in a number of shooting competitions. In both sessions of the Pep Rally, Boldon Brace knocked it off. He earned 10 points from all of the three judges for scoring while jumping over a friend standing in front of the basket. Then, the freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors played “Hungry Hippos” large scale version of the childhood toy which involved baskets, skateboards, and balloons. The Pep Rally ended with a turkey leg eating contest -- pushing the group of hungry teenagers to stuff themselves with turkey to be deemed the winner. Overall, the week of events thoroughly kicked off the spring season as the school year begins to come to a close.
Olive and White Gown Tradition to Continue
BY BEAU LETTIERI Last month, controversy swept Santa Barbara High School after the decision was handed down to break the long-standing tradition of white and olive caps and gowns at graduation, replacing them with entirely olive regardless of gender. However, after an uprising by students, parent, and alumni, the decision was reversed, and the status quo was restored. The administration concluded that the issue demanded a wider discussion, one that included a greater breadth of constituents in the SBHS community. As we head into the 2016 2017 school year, the discussion as to whether or not a change should
be made will be opened to a wider audience of students, teachers, parents, and alumni. The district administration hopes to introduce the creation of a district wide standard for the coloration of the caps and gowns so as to be inclusive of every student, and the way they identify. Current seniors: If you ordered a green gown and you are a woman, your order has automatically been changed to white. While the tradition remains, there is still an option to pick whichever color you feel most comfortable in. To change your cap and gown color, please feel free to contact your Jostens representative — they are happy to help you!
NEWS | 3
THE FORGE
APRIL 15, 2016
Wall of Fame Honors Graduates
SBCC Proposes Free Two Year Education BY SABLE LAYMAN
Kristin Knapp (Class of 1990)
Manuel Unzueta (Class of 1968)
George Primbs (Class of 1947)
BY BEAU LETTIERI
have a women’s Water Polo team. After graduating she went on to join the US Women’s national water polo team, worked with the Olympic water polo team in both 1984 and 1996, and coached a variety of teams. Artist Manuel Unzueta’s (Class of 1968) work is more well known than you might think. His artwork has been seen by thousands of students in the form of the mural on the side of the SBHS Library. As an immigrant from Mexico, Unzueta learned English at SBHS and went on to earn his baccalaureate degree in Art and his Master of Fine Arts in Painting at UCSB. For the past 40 years his artistic contributions to the community can be seen at a variety of locations places from SBHS to the east side public library. George Primbs (Class of 1947) over the course of his life helped bring the gift of sight to thousands of his patients all over the world. He is the Co-founder of SEE (Surgical Eye Expeditions) International, a non- profit that performs free eye surgeries for anyone in need internationally. Within the community he has worked closely over the year with the Eyeglass Factory providing free
exams and glasses for children. Damita Jo (Class of 1947) started her singing career here at SBHS in the 1940’s — a career which developed into commercial success and multiple Billboard top 100 hits including “I’ll Save the Last Dance for You” and “I’ll Be There.” During her time as a singer she worked in clubs, on television, and worked with music icons such as Ray Charles, Count Basie, and Lionel Hampton. Damita Jo passed away in 1998. The inductees, selected by a student team and the Alumni Association, were honored at a ceremony late last month. The event, which was hosted by current ASB president Sean Babcock and Will Beightol, highlighted the lives of the accomplished honorees. Three of the honorees were present and able to accept their awards: Unzueta, Kadlubek, and Primbs. Kristin Knapp was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts with her busy coaching schedule, however she was able to give a video speech and her proud father was present to accept the honor on her behalf. Make sure to take a moment next time you are in the main hall to check out this year’s inductees!
For over a decade the Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association has selected five notable SBHS alumni per year to induct into our very own “Wall of Fame.” Over the years the Alumni Association has honored influential alumni such as Martha Graham, Charles Schwab, and Floyd Norman. This year’s inductees were: Kristin Knapp (Class of 1990), Vaune Kadlubek (Class of 1976), Manuel Unzueta (Class of 1968), George Primbs (Class of 1947), and Damita Jo (Class of 1947). Kristin Knapp (Class of 1990), the youngest of the five inductees made a name of herself playng basketball at SBHS. After High School she moved on to Notre Dame to continue playing basketball. After Graduating she eventually became a coach for a wide variety of colleges including Associate Head coach at UT Arlington, and later University New Hampshire. Vaune Kadlubek (Class of 1976) broke down gender barriers within SBHS’s Athletic department when she was the first woman to ever play on SBHS’s men’s water polo team, during a time when SBHS did not
Dodgeball is Back! 32 Team Tournament Returns April 25 BY COLE CREEDON For the second time this year, ASB dodgeball is returning to Santa Barbara High school. Yes folks, here’s yet another chance to, well, hurl objects at teachers and other students under the pretense of school spirit. Porter Rees, vice president of the Associated Student Body, has organized another exciting five day tournament of lunchtime dodgeball on campus. Now in it’s second year, ASB has high hopes that the SBHS annual dodgeball tournaments will become an essential part of the high school’s culture, and enjoyable for
both those that compete, and spectators alike. Featuring a full thirty-two team bracket, comprised of different five person teams of faculty, teachers, and students, all vying to compete for honor, glory, and, of course, school wide bragging rights. There aren’t many opportunities like this during school so, grab some friends, come up with a team name, and sign up! Be sure to head over to the main hall, next week April 18th through 22nd during lunch time, to register your team. The games will commence at lunch the following week, the 25th through 29th of April.
Matches will be held daily in the main gym. Come out and support!
Damita Jo (Class of 1947)
Vaune Kadlubek (Class of 1976)
About to Have a Freaking Cow Missing Cow Mystery Deepens
BY QUINN TUBIOLO It’s April and it has been six emotionally trying months since our beloved “Don Wondacow” was first seemingly kidnapped (cownapped?). Despite numerous attempts by ASB to uncover the location of the sacred cow, its whereabouts remain unknown. However, thanks to the wonders of a gifted staff of investigative journalists, we now have a few leads to go on. First of all, our investigation has uncovered the fact that it is unlikely that our rivals over at San Marcos kidnapped (again, cownapped?) the golden shorthorn. While we can’t rule them out entirely, at this point their involvement is questionable as we haven’t received any hastily filmed
hostage videos over Snapchat or ransom notes written in red and blue ink. In fact, there is speculation among our school’s dedicated ASBers that one of our own may actually be responsible for taking the cow hostage. “It could be a part of the senior prank,” says one ASB President who has requested he/she remain anonymous. Another of our sources suggests that it could be the work of a spirited, albeit potentially unstable alumnus with an unhealthy emotional attachment to the animal. Whatever the case may be, we will continue the search for the lost cow and will update you in the next issue. The truth is out there. And more importantly, the cow is out there.
Even though people who attend Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) save an average of $4000 alone compared to CSU’s and $10,000 compared to University of California campuses, the price of a college education is still extremely expensive for most people. The average tuition for a California resident going to Santa Barbara City College is $11,882 a year. If you add the cost of living away from your parents (which is a right of passage for many young adults), the cost can stack up to an outrageous $18,524 at the minimum. As a result, many students who pursue college cannot afford higher education and end up not getting a degree. As of early January 2016, Santa Barbara City College Foundation has proposed a program that would help incoming local students afford their education. The Foundation plans to offer two years of free tuition, supplies, and book costs to incoming students from the Santa Barbara area. Although specifics have not yet been fully addressed, the foundation hopes to begin this plan for the graduating class of 2016. This year’s graduating seniors will hopefully have access to the program in time for the fall semester. This program that SBCC has proposed mirrors other local programs already in place at Ventura College and Cuesta College, but differs in that this plan will support students for two years of full time studies instead of just one year. Although research shows that the annual cost for the first year program will cost around four hundred thousand dollars for SBCC investors, the return on investment is greatly valued. The fact that this program will help give low income teens an opportunity to get a higher education and possibly send them to a fouryear school is thought to be a great addition to the community. Santa Barbara City College is one of the best investments a graduating senior could ask for. Not only is it the number one city college in the nation, but it is also offers more than eighty degrees and fifty certificates. By making the college education free for local students, Santa Barbara City College enables students to achieve their goals and expand their education. As of June 2014, forty-three percent of local high school graduates (Carpinteria Unified School District and Santa Barbara Unified School District) enrolled at SBCC. They also awarded 2,196 degrees and one thousand certificates. By making the two-year education free for local students, we will expect to see an influx of students from the local school districts and more degrees and certificates awarded. The results of these degrees being awarded will be a higher chance of people being able to obtain higher salaries and better jobs Plans for the program are still underway and they will be giving out more information in the upcoming weeks, but as of now this is one positive step closer to a higher educated generation.
4 | NEWS
THE FORGE
APRIL 15, 2016
SAM JOHNSON ASB TREASURER Samuel P. Johnson, the ASB executive Treasurer for the class of 2017, spoke to me with a modest consciousness, and a simple, unassuming, dry
humor. Next year, “ I am going to be in charge of official meetings, such as PO’s (ie, purchase orders, ex. field trips), and grants. Really, anything to do with money,” he smiled. His quiet demeanor belies a confidence gained through experience: ”Next year will be my third year is ASB, so I will have two years under my belt, I’ve been treasurer for the sophomore class, also I’ve been on the activities commissioned this year, so I have been very organized, which is important. Not much to do with actual treasury right now, although I have been learning how to do PO’s from this year’s treasurer. I’ve been planning general school events: everything that is happening now, the pep rally, school olympics, and dodgeball.” As far as his plans for the school, they are realistic, achievable, and concrete. As far as the source of his spirit, he commented “This school is awesome ... look at it. It’s just beautiful.”
Class of 2017: ASB Executive Officers Elected BY HUGH COOK
BEN ZEVALLOS ASB PRESIDENT
volvement in [school events] should definitely increase, it should return to its state of pure motivation that they should hold to be involved in the classes efforts, and the school efforts as a whole.” He demarcates his current goals as such, “I have been trying to find ways to involve, and integrate the whole school community. I think that our school does a great job connecting and interconnecting students all over campus, but I think if we implemented a few new school activities that other students that normally wouldn’t go to events can relate too, as well. I think that would be a positive change in our school community that will do great things to integrate our student body.” While identifying areas of expansion for ASB, he lives in a state of appreciation for our school, saying “Our school is awesome for so many reasons, it’s so hard to pick out one because we are so unique when compared to San Marcos or Dos Pueblos or any other school in the nation. Our school community is so distinguishable from others in that we have so many different types of students here, and that’s not just regarding their nationalities, that’s regarding their interests and their passions. We have so many awesome programs here, whether its choir, theatre, computer science, engineering, VADA, MAD, we have so many distinguished programs that these students are excited about joining. You will not see that trend in any other high school, you will not see that motivation that these students hold. I think the student body, the students here at SBHS are the factor that really makes us great.”
Ben Zevallos, president-elect, spoke to me with a candid, intelligent passion, explaining what his role would be as ASB president, “Essentially the main role a president holds is the student face of Santa Barbara High School as a whole. He or she makes announcements every morning, they run the meetings in the class of ASB every day; they keep the students informed of all the happenings around school, the activities. He or she is also essentially the leader of all the events that ASB puts on, and they delegate all the tasks to other ASB members to get things done.” Ben Zevallos holds an almost dynastic position within ASB, along with his many years of practical experience: “I heard about ASB my freshman year because my brother was in it, and I tried to get as involved as I could in it, even though I didn’t have room in my schedule to take the class. My sophomore year I was elected as sophomore class president, and this year I was elected junior class president.” His veteran status in ASB has given him time to observe internal changes in the organization, some of which he would commend, others, he would choose to re-evolve: “One major change in ASB that I’ve noticed as a trend over my three years of being involved in [ASB], is that, unfortunately, the attitude of a lot of ASB students, and the invigoration and the excitement of the school has dropped. Their involvement in school events, whether that be sporting events or other, that are mandatory now, but shouldn’t be mandatory in the first place because they should want to go them.” EMMETT REES, & ‘TICK’ JELLISON PEP & RALLY He would prefer ASB students “in-
Tatum Vestal, no doubt one of the most poised high school students worldwide, explained her position with concise elegance: “I am the ASB Vice President, and my main responsibility is holding legislative meetings on the first Thursday of every month, if the president is ever gone, dealing with his responsibilities, talking over the announcements pretty much anything he can’t do, I will fill in for him.” She is well prepared: “This past year, I was the junior class vice president, so once again, Junior class, ASB, I know how that whole situation works with planning the dances with Ben. Ben and I also work really well together, since he was junior class president, so we have the system down now,” displaying her competence in terse
yet communicative sentences. Aspiring, even now, to make sure that next year is best of all possible years, “We are going to make prom really cool, we have already started on fundraising ideas, we want to make sure we have enough money to make that really really cool next year. We will make sure the class of 2017 has the best year they possibly can.” Finally, she asserted to me the importance of involvement, “You should have more spirit than you do because ASB holds a lot of fun activities that people don’t take advantage of. We have class Olympics, we have all the school dances that never get full attendance. I think if people get more involved in the activities we provide, they can have a much better experience.”
Briel Grivetti told me, eyes sparkling, “I am ASB secretary, which
means I record all of ASB’s notes, I prepare our calendars, I organize ASB’s logistical things.” The task of ASB Secretary is no small feat, it requires an inhuman eye for detail, and a proclivity towards obsessive organization. Briel’s impressive resume, however, will assure even the most assiduous people that Briel is up to the task: “I have been Freshman class president, sophomore Vice President, and ASB web master. I have held lots of different positions, I’ve seen all ends of the spectrum, I have experience running our social media and I can get people involved in class activities. I have worked with Jada Howard, the current secretary, she has taught me a lot, she has taught me how to be a secretary.” When I inquired what she was currently tasked with, a mischievous, almost machia-
vellian smile informed me “Jada and I are working on a top secret event that you will see late may.” As far as next year, “Everyone is going to be super spirited, everyone is going to know what’s going on, ASB is going to be the best it has ever been, everyone is going to love next year.” When promoting our school, she does not mince words, firing off, unprompted “We are the best school, we have the best colors. You just have to go here. You have to love it. You are already here, go to games, get involved. ASB is great.” In the face of such determination, even the most uninvolved are sure to check out an activity or two. It’s like peer pressure, but it makes you do things that are better than drugs.
If Ben is passionate about our school, then Emmett Rees, and Christopher ‘Tick’ Jellison embody raw, rash enthusiasm for all things SBHS. Their enthralling, unique conversational technique means they speak together, but constantly interject, building and expanding on the statements made by the other. “We are pep and rally, and we get the whole school excited and bring pride back to Santa Barbara High School. We just really get it going. We get the students going,” they assured me in bold, confident tones. Their unconventional perspective means that they take a different approach to their po-
sition, “We haven’t really done much, we don’t believe in [ASB experience sic]. You speak from the heart when you do this kind of thing. That’s really something [we] bring to the table. It’s about who you are, you have to be a people pleaser, you just got to know what the students want.” Their plan for SBHS has a simple elegance: “I want to bring back the hype into our school and make every student want to bleed green and gold. Let me just say it, we are going to make it lit AF,” they proclaimed, assuring me I could quote them on that. Next year promises, “Lit times. Next year is pretty much going to be insane.” However,
a certain seriousness infected their tone when talking about the value of school spirit, “You should have more spirit, because having spirit is one of the ways you can make your high school experience actually fun, being a part of the school. It gives you a sense of purpose. It gives you a sense of community, when you get rowdy at games. You can also get rowdy at parties, because you are riding for your school and you’d die for those guys.” I have no doubt they will make good on their promises, despite what may be a tall order.
TATUM VESTAL ASB VICE PRESIDENT
BRIEL GRIVETTI ASB SECRETARY
NEWS | 5
THE FORGE
APRIL 15, 2016
Food, Food, Glorious Food: The Cafeteria
The cafeteria staff work hard daily in their state-of-the-art kitchen facilities to bring the best, freshest, food to SBHS students | Photo Courtesy of Beau Lettieri BY DANTE GONZALEZ Cafeteria Food. The negative connotation has always been present and has somehow stayed with us and resonated all the way through high school. As kids, we all had the irrational and naive fear of the eerie cafeteria lady who fed us god-knows-what with an eyeball in it. However, here at SBHS, most students have an overwhelmingly positive experience with the cafeteria on campus. Whether you are hungry for a burrito, smoothie, salad, turkey sub or cookie, the cafeteria always has you covered. In the early morning hours before we arrive to school, the students of Santa Barbara High are usually either getting ready for school, sleeping in as late as possible to gain as much shut eye as they can, or are already here thanks to a zero period. The commute to school, morning showers, preparing the day’s outfit, and squeezing in any homework you failed to complete the night before could all result in forgetting to eat a balanced breakfast. Being the most important meal of the day, breakfast is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is statistically proven to be an essential meal, with added benefits to students as it leads to increased concentration and success in the classroom. Thankfully, free breakfast is available anytime before first period, all thanks to our wonderful cafeteria staff at SBHS. On a daily basis, the cafeteria staff arrives at 6 am to begin cooking and preparing to serve breakfast. Breakfast includes a choice of a delicious entrée, fruit, and juice/milk. After
Comic by Kieran Meaney
Maria Tapia, Cafeteria Manager breakfast is served, the preparations for nutrition break begin. From 8 am until the beginning of nutrition, the cafeteria staff continues their hard work. Among the three meals offered throughout the day (Breakfast, Nutrition Break, and Lunch), nutrition break is by far the most popular. If you ask any student, you are bound to hear that it is the most favored because it is free, offered relatively anywhere on campus, and is extremely convenient. Also, by implementing nutrition break, students fuel their bodies and brains and are therefore more focused during class, an added bonus to this meal. Everyone loves snack time, and nutrition break is basically a glorified version of it. After an interview with Maria Tapia, the cafeteria manager, I began to understand how the cafeteria worked behind-the-scenes, in order to inform anyone who might be curious about the food itself and the
organization of meals. Upon asking where the food (fruits and vegetables) came from, I was informed that all the produce came from locally owned farms. Maria emphasized the fact that the cafeteria, whenever possible, avoids high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, additives, hormones, antibiotics, hydrogenated oils and genetically modified foods. Daily meals are prepared from scratch with the use of “clean” ingredients. If you travel to SB Unified’s website you can find menus and nutritional information on each meal. Menus are chosen in advance each month by the Santa Barbara Unified School District, where cafeteria representatives from each school meet to decide what to serve students. Fortunately, they make some very great decisions. The cafeteria is always an excellent option if you don’t want to leave campus, because there tends to always be a wide variety of foods to satisfy
anyone’s hunger. Still, of the over 2,000 students that attend Santa Barbara High School, only about half of those students buy lunch on campus, despite the cafeteria always being a reliable source of food. But why is it that on-campus lunch is not more popular? It is because many students bring lunches from their homes and a very large portion of the populace enjoys walking or driving off campus to get lunch. Another one of the largest reasons for students not attending the cafeteria more frequently also seems to be a lack of knowledge. As students of SBHS, we should all try to make it a point to be interested in what the cafeteria has to offer. If students were more informed on what was for lunch on a specific day, then maybe the turnout would be much greater than usual. It is not enough to have the monthly planned menus online for parents to know for themselves, but instead, it would be more beneficial to inform students directly (maybe even over the intercom) on what would be for lunch on any given day. Many students don’t seem to be aware, but the cafeteria staff who prepares the food is both helpful and very connected with the student body and they are always open to student recommendations. If there is a meal you would like to see served on campus, perhaps you could send an email to the district. It all depends on how passionate you are on the subject. Students should feel comfortable respectfully vocalizing any requests they have for the cafeteria staff. If you have any ideas or suggestions on how to help the cafeteria out, let us know.
The Door is Always Open BY HUGH COOK Nearly a quarter of Americans suffer from some aspect of mental illness, according to studies recently released by the National Institute of Mental Health. Those who suffer from mental illness are subject to ignorance, disbelief, disdain, or even flat out denial of its existence. However, these problems transcend the typically divisive lines of socio-economic factors, and are independent of racial and ethnic differences. These illnesses can affect anyone, no matter the resources or privileges at their disposal. However, while mental illness is indiscriminate, certain factors increase risk of developing these diseases, such as abuse of amphetamines, or poverty. To explore these issues and this important topic, I recently interviewed one of our schools psychologists, Dr. Seibrim Simon. He holds a graduate degree in school psychology, as well as having years of experience in schools around California. Dr. Simon gave me an overview of his day, “Being from the East Coast, my day commences at three o’clock in the morning. During that time I am either reviewing cumulative records, writing evaluation reports, reading and responding to classified, certificated, itinerant staff and administrators correspondences, and reviewing literary research. At the beginning of each week I schedule an appointment with the Special Education Scheduler to review the weekly calendar of events. In addition, I attend mandatory meetings and PLC’s, departmental meetings.” He emphasizes accessibility, something especially important to a population of high schoolers who are most likely unfamiliar with their illness, and probably afraid of opening up. “My colleagues and students know the location of my office, a door that opens in and never out. I am available to consult with students, parents, and staff whenever I am not attending meetings, counseling, and or assessing students.” In fact, Dr. Simon considers student accessibility his most important role. Dr. Simon says “A student can make an appointment to visit with a school psychologist, He went on to suggest “the (SBHS) community would be better served if it educated itself about issues relating to mental health as it does physical health.
6 | NEWS
THE FORGE
SBHS Denied entry to Happiest Place on Earth
BY SABLE LAYMAN For a countless number of years, the graduating class at Santa Barbara High School would spend one of their few remaining days as high schoolers celebrating graduation at Disneyland’s Grad Night. They created many new memories and got to spend the very little time they had with their entire class in the “happiest place on Earth.” As of this year, however, last month it was announced that the graduating class of 2016 would no longer be able to celebrate Grad Night at Disneyland; instead they will go to the underdog: Six Flags. Many students were dismayed that the graduating class would not be able to go to Disneyland. After the announcement, rumors ran rampant throughout SBHS, but Senior Class President Lily McIntyre cleared the
air, stating that “Disneyland began a random selection of the schools who were able to attend Grad Night, and unfortunately we were one of the schools not chosen. Disneyland had a lot of conflicts with different dates between different schools, so they wanted to scale down the number of schools allowed.” The complaints from the schools ranged from not getting certain dates (before or after graduation), and not being able to go with certain schools. One big issue Santa Barbara High School faced last year was not being able to attend with San Marcos or Dos Pueblos, and the graduating class will once again not be attending Grad Night with their neighboring schools. In the Santa Barbara School District, only Santa Barbara High School and La Cuesta will not be attending Disneyland’s Grad Night,
while San Marcos and Dos Pueblos will go. Another change that was made was the date the seniors would go to Six Flags. Previously, they were supposed to be going before graduation, but now are going one day after graduation. This change was due to the agency that provides us with our tickets; Lily McIntyre said, “there was a mix up with our dates and other school’s dates,” so we were not able to get the dates favored by the administration. The administration wanted Grad Night to be before graduation so students could be held accountable for their actions at Grad Night, hoping to dangle the threat of not walking in front of the almost graduated seniors . Although not going to Disneyland might sadden some people, there are some perks to going to Six Flags. Six Flags is closer, so the seniors will be able to leave later in the day. Six Flags is also more affordable than Disneyland, so it means more money in the ASB account. Also, many students find that the roller coasters are more enticing than the small children’s rides at Disneyland. Hopefully, the seniors will have a spectacular time and the change of venue won’t affect the entire experience. The class of 2017 will hopefully be able to attend Disneyland’s Grad Night, but it is completely up to the booking agency and Disneyland.
APRIL 15, 2016
THINGS OVERHEARD IN THE HALLWAY “That would be an exaggerated example of pure ugliness” “I love Taco Bell, give me a dime for a burrito baby!” “The smell of sharpie makes my stomach growl.” “It’s literally a hit list and you’re number one.” “I think I’m allergic to Fiji water.“ “I have to imagine all the missing bodies in my head.” “He shouldn’t just be like banging and banging, cuz he’s not doing anything.” “I’m not foreign anymore.” “They don’t call me ‘Butterlover’ for nothing.” “They don’t have stairs here –– it’s really inclusive of people who don’t have feet!”
Remembering, Lest We Forget: Slave Days at SBHS
SBHS, 1962 BY HUGH COOK With over 140 years of history, Santa Barbara High School is bound to have a few skeletons in its closet. In fact, SBHS used to hold ‘slave days’ an activity in which SBHS’s students purchased one another to do their bidding for a day. This tradition is almost entirely erased from the minds of current faculty and staff, even among those who attended Santa Barbara High School. Because of its shrouded, forgotten existence the exact timeline of its occurrence is a
mystery. What we do know about is that it took place during at least the 1950’s to the 1960’s, its origins and end date are currently unclear. From what we have been able to discern, Slave auctions were a popular way to raise money for various clubs, “in which all the girls in the club and the initiates were sold to the ‘older’ boy members,” a statement that nowadays displays shocking levels of institutionalized ignorance and misogyny, not to mention the equally abhorrent racial issues raised by “Slave Day Auctions.”
These small, individual events were akin to bake sales back then. The main event was described like this: “Slave day, which is based upon attendance at the basketball games, will be a whole day at the end of the season. ‘During this day the sex which had the best attendance at the home basketball games may pick on the opposite sex to be their slave for the day,’ explained Kay Gerdes, head of Slave Day in 1956. Slave tags will be available and a person may have as many slaves as he or she wishes ‘so let’s all get out to the basketball game tonight with the thought of having a slave in mind,’ urged Kay.” This information was derived from an article published in The Forge in December of 1956. This profoundly creepy way to own someone of another gender for a day brings to mind connotations of gender inequality, strange sexual power struggles, and related issues that divide our society among gender lines, not to mention U.S. race-based slavery. On December 14, 1956, The Forge made sure to remind SBHS that “Boys are Ahead in Slave Day, Girls!” This predicament, in which the boys were ahead, appeared to be the status quo: “The boys are still far in the lead, 371 to 259, and it looks as the girls will end up in their usual predicamentthe slaves…” stated Kay. These shocking headlines show that inequality between men and women was alive more so than ever during these years. The headlines are quite alarming by today’s standards: “What’s your secret torture? Slave days Your chance! With Slave Day coming up, young men’s fancies turn to thoughts of hideous tortures.” Not quite convinced yet? How about “SBHS boys Reign as Masters during Slave Day Activities: Today has proved a day of torture for many SBHS girls…” or “Boys Ahead in Slave Day Race, Win for ‘Superior’ Males seen.” The article goes on to discourage SBHS girls, saying “Why not help and make it a success and
support your sex, even though the boys will win?” It should come as a surprise to no one that the boys usually ‘won’ the Slave Day contest. While some may not see Slave Day as an issue, saying it’s a simple contest of attendance, we must keep in mind that during this era, women were not encouraged to play sports, or to be involved in sporting activities. Why should they care for, or be punished for their lack of attendance at events that take place in an arena entirely encouraged and filled by males? Many girls were specifically discouraged from being involved in sports. Instead they were forced to focus on outdated, ill-suited careers in Home Ec, and certain menial secretarial tasks. So, this competition was rigged by the very nature of a society that did not encourage women to pursue this activity. Then, we must agree that a certain status quo was upheld through this tradition, a status quo that institutionalized women ‘Slaving’ for men. This horrifying comic (shown below) from the Slave Day that oc-
curred circa 1960 exhibits a girl holding a sign exclaiming “I’m a slave for El Don,” while the stereotypically expressed Don character holds on to a chain clamped around her neck. Not only does this elucidate the exact nature of the girls’ position in this contest, which was that of the sub-servient, secondary sex, it references American slavery directly by including a chain identical to the chains used to keep African-Americans in bondage during the years before emancipation. This clarifies the relationship between Slave Days, and the actual historical relations between slave and master: It was a clear imitation of an institution that held other beings in sub-human status, worthy only to serve as belongings and labor. So, while it is good that Slave Days no longer occur, it is important to remember this as part of Santa Barbara High School’s long, storied history. If it reminds us of less enlightened times, then it will serve to make us strive to create history and tradition that we can all celebrate in the future.
A comic from a 1960 issue of the SBHS Forge
NEWS | 7
THE FORGE
APRIL 15, 2016
WASC Comes and Goes The Four Letter Word the Administration Loves to Say BY HUGH COOK
Dozens of Computer Science students attend classes daily as a part of SBHS’s new computer science academy
Computer Science Academy SBHS’s newest venture BY COLE CREEDON In an ever increasingly technological world, computer use is exponentially increasing as more and more technology is implemented into our daily lives- but does the average person even how it works? With such rapid growth in the consumer side of technology, the education side is far from keeping pace. Computer science is a very, very broad term that essentially can be used to include all of the fields that work with computers, including networking, programming, web design, and robotics. In much of today’s technological world, it is becoming almost rare for a profession not to reflect some facet of computer science. As the applications for computer science continue to grow, the need for capable, intelligent and skilled workers to fill those new jobs expands as well. The absence of such Computer-Science based education has resulted in a significant gap between these new, skilled job openings, and people skilled enough to fill said roles. At Santa Barbara High School, this is being challenged by the Computer Science Academy (it is also known as, the CSA), founded in 2013, with its main goal to allow students with diverse backgrounds, expose them to Computer Science and other related careers. The CSA accomplishes this by providing an academy on campus that serves all four grade levels, with engaging curriculum that supports students looking for jobs, or simply have an interest in the developing computer science field. The CSA evolved from the Robotics Club, where students would be able to learn programming and apply it to robots they built, geared towards individual challenges in com-
petitions. In the club were a growing number of students that were extremely interested in computer science curriculum, a discipline which SBHS and most high schools lacked, so parents and teachers alike began to ask “Why not?” SBHS principal John Becchio began the first steps to devel-
Paul Muhl, Director of the CSA op a computer science department by enlisting Richard Johnston to begin teaching their first introductory computer science class. Since its beginning, the CSA has almost doubled in size each year. Since 2013, it’s first year with one class of 30 students, they have grown to offer multiple electives and Advanced Placement to 7 periods of engaged students, under the roof of an academy, with an entirely computer science based curriculum. Computer Science begins in the freshman year, with computational art courses, and exploring computer science(ECS), then onto AP’s with significantly more in depth learning, and finally applying programming and text based languages
towards projects and development of apps used in everyday life on the iOS format. It is taught all in a pragmatic and practical way; “You identify the problem, solve it, and move onto the next problem.” The CSA is headed today by Mr. Peter Muhl and Mr. Richard Johnston, director and assistant director, respectively. Doing a fantastic job in growing the curriculum, they are now beginning to look for refinement and begin implementing programming into other courses as well, like Science and English to gain more exposure for the program and to reach a wider diversity of people. Mr. Johnston frames it in a fantastic way: “Computer science is fun, it’s creative, and it blends math, science, english and art.” Not only that, but it really hones in on the fact that “We spend so much time as a kid building things and showing our parents, and being so proud of what we built; but in school we stop building, and begin only learning. Computer Science allows us to get back to building, by applying the things that we have learned,” says Mr. Johnston. The Computer Science Academy prides themselves on their ability to offer this innovative, engaging curriculum and courses to a diverse group of students, all equally engaged and excited about learning computer science. Exposing as many people as possible to the modern and increasingly relevant applications of computer science is very important in our ever changing world. If this peaks your interest, please drop by and speak with Mr. Muhl or Mr. Johnston for more information when considering your course options for the coming year.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF COLE CREEDON
Upcoming Events at SBHS Blood Drive: April 19 at Lunch Dodgeball Sign Ups: April 18 through 22 Dodgeball Tournament: April 25 through 28 Hair: April 29 through May 8 AP Testing: May 2 through May 12 Every 15 Minutes Assembly: May 19 Prom: May 21 Graduation: June 8 at 6pm Grad Nite: June 9
Santa Barbara High School was visited by WASC, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, from March 14 through March 16. WASC is one of six scholastic bodies responsible for accrediting educational facilities nationally. Every high school must have its accreditation renewed every six years. On top of that, WASC may determine that a ‘check-up’ visit should occur at either a one year, two year, or three year interval. The WASC visiting committee consisted of seven members, headed by its chair, Mr. Alexander R. Fuentes. Our SBHS committee was comprised of teachers Lawrence Gamble, Genevieve Quinn, Maggie Light, Roberta Nye, Lauren Galvan, Eric Nicholson, Andrea Wagner, Emily Ritchey, Maria Jimenez, Tiffany Carson, and John Becchio. They worked in coordination with the visiting committee, assisting and facilitating community interaction. As far as the rating our school received? “We won’t find out what the rating is until later in June. The visiting committee writes this report, and then they have a recommendation that they share with WASC, and then WASC, the association itself, will mail Dr. Becchio a letter letting us know our status, and that usually comes around June,” said Assistant Principal Tiffany Carson, “So we don’t know, but overall, I think the time that the committee spent here was positive. They had wonderful things to say about our students. Their interactions with students in classes, and out, were positive. They praised the school climate, they thought that teachers and the staff were willing to make a change, and implement change in a very short amount of time,” Ms. Carson explained. The committee’s schedule for the visit included “ASB Students [taking] the VC (Visiting Committee) on a tour of the school; Brief meeting with the governing board, district, school, and community representatives; Gathering of evidence: class visits, and Report to staff/stakeholders; the principal is encouraged to invite representatives of students, classified staff, and community to attend,” according to the itinerary posted on our school website. Both the visiting committee and SBHS are responsible for compiling extensive reports that analyze the school’s goals and missions, as well as concrete progress made by the school regarding various previously identified “areas of growth.” The SBHS report is accessible online. While the WASC report is valued, it “is not prescriptive, they do not mandate, ‘Hey, you have to change these things.’ Certainly we will look at their recommendations, and then as a school site, in collaboration with students, and parents, and the district office, look at: are we implementing the plans and goals that we have for ourselves as well,” said Ms. Carson. The report’s preface concisely explained SBHS’s work within the school as well as with WASC: “As a result of the 2009-2010 Self-Study and Visiting Committee evaluation, SBHS was granted a three-year term. Accordingly, SBHS began working towards progress on our Action Plan. After our successful Self-Study and Visiting Committee evaluation in 2013, our efforts have continued to both move forward on our Action
Plan as well as engage all stakeholders in the process of being aware and involved in our Self-Study process. In short, due to brevity of our terms, we have undertaken an ongoing, continuous process of improvement and self-reflection leading towards progress on our Action Plan.” The Action Plan includes four distinct goals that our school is emphasizing, as Ms. Carson detailed: “We had four goals that we really clearly identified for ourselves. They were student engagement: we wanted to make sure teachers were providing lessons that kept students engaged, that were interesting, that were more than just a teacher lecturing. Next one was the achievement gap. We noticed that not all of our students were able to get A-G college access, and, looking, we wondered if it was because of the placement of students in those courses? We were also looking at equity. Is everybody able to get into the academies and pathways? If not, why not? The last one was intervention.” The SBHS committee and the visiting committee’s “findings were very similar, and we had identified areas of growth for ourselves, and the findings of the WASC visiting committee were very aligned with what we had as well,“ said Mrs. Carson, “Overall we were on the same page.” The visiting committee did note that “Graduation rate has increased for all subgroups,” with the average overall rate coming in at 91.2% at SBHS. The significant changes it denoted included the appointment of Dr. Becchio as principal, new assistant principals, and the hiring of Dr. Cash as superintendent. Specific to our school, they signaled “SBHS has eliminated all Honors level and replaced them with a greater number of AP offerings. This was done to encourage Latino and low-income to take AP courses instead of Honors courses. Prior to this change, AP classes were made up approximately 80% white students. With this change, the percentage of Latino students taking AP classes has increased.” This improvement in demographic equality is only a small part of school-wide, multifaceted effort to improve equity. WASC saw progress made in the level of parent engagement, as well as commending “Work done to provide students access to more rigorous courses. They saw that there had a been a lot of work in college prep classes both to increase the rigor and student engagement, but also the number of students that we are encouraging to take AP and honors courses. Another improvement noted by the committee was that “people that I spoke to were encouraged by the number of programs that we have available for students, whether it’s academies or pathways or clubs, we really tried as a school to find somewhere where every student can plug in, and they recognized that. They liked our bell schedule, we were able to show them some of the preliminary data from the student surveys that were collected earlier this year. It is looking really positive.” Despite the whirlwind rush of bureaucracy that accompanied WASC’s visit, it is clear that SBHS is pushing hard for improvements and increasing equality across a multitude of educational pathways, and this work has directly led to quantifiable changes, as well as a long term plan for the future of Santa Barbara High School.
8 | NEWS
THE FORGE
APRIL 15, 2016
Class of 2016 to Graduate at Peab
Tradition continues as unforeseen drainage complications brin BY HUGH COOK “We are going to be doing graduation in the stadium this year,” announced principal John Becchio, after news last week that 2016’s graduation ceremony would be returned to the stadium due to a delay in stadium renovation “The current schedule [to begin renovation] is to start after graduation, they will start the work probably June 10th, literally right after graduation. They will have a little bit of extra work to do on this project because of the storm drain they found that must be replaced, so they will start with that. That will take a few months, and they will keep going with the rest of the stadium after that.” “our field is basically the drainage for the entire Riviera, and that drainpipe hasn’t been replaced since 1924,” explained Katie Jacobs, of the Foundation for Santa Barbara High. She is responsible, along with her team, for raising five million dollars in private funds for this project, and has, at the time of print, raised 4.4 million. The notorious storm drain in question, while responsible for an increase in cost of the renovation, will play the hero in this saga for all seniors who wanted to graduate in their home stadium. This outdated drain, along with “soil and compaction issues”, according to Jacobs, is primarily responsible for the price increase from 13.7 million to 17 million earlier this year, as well as the delayed schedule for construction. Peabody Stadium, which opened in November of 1924, is named for Frederick Forrest Peabody, the chairman of the Board of Education who oversaw Santa Barbara High’s construction, as well as the philanthropist who donated the funds for its original construction. In recent years, its seismic reliability has been questioned: “it’s one of those places on campus that was in dire need of renovation,” said Becchio, “We actually had a structural engineer look at it, and they didn’t even confirm that it met safety codes and all that, so there were some questions about its actual safety, specifically seismically - we actually applied for a seismic retrofit grant from the state, and got it. That’s where some of the money’s
Graduating seniors Madeleine Schmidt, Lily McIntyre, Jada Howard, Alice Upton, & Sean Babock coming from. Because of this report that, ‘Hey we have thousands of people sitting in these stands and we don’t know the structural integrity of it.’” But the renovation’s benefits go beyond safety. According to Mr. Becchio and Ms. Jacobs there are a multiplicity of benefits, both for our student body and the local community. Ms. Jacobs: “The reason why our foundation got involved? Our foundation’s core mission, is to do things that benefit the greatest number of students and strengthens our community, and our community is not just the Santa Barbara High community, but the larger community of Santa Barbara. We have eight hundred kids a year that should be participating in running, as a P.E. endeavor. Our track team can go to City College to practice, but we can’t relocate P.E. to SBCC. So those kids aren’t getting the exercise they need, deserve, etc. Our foundation was interested in serving that population.” Mr. Becchio expanded on the value he saw in this expensive renovation, versus spending the funds on renovations of classrooms, stating, “Well, I actually think of the stadium as a class-
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BEAU LETTIERI
room. There are other projects that are happening and have happened on campus that have to do with that kind of renovation: MAD academy
Katie Jacobs renovation, the green shade outdoor classroom project, and the stadium. If you think about the number of students it serves, it’s pretty important. I see a vision of this place being open to the public, they can go down there
and walk on the track, we will have a classroom for track and field, and P.E. This really is not about football, to me this is about track and field, and P.E. Yes, football is going benefit from it, but if you think about the students that are not able to access that stadium, the field, and the track because of the condition it’s in -- I mean, that’s a shame for our school to have that facility in the state its in. It’s a beautiful facility, but it definitely needs renovation. It is definitely something I am behind, and it will have an impact a huge number of kids. That’s my viewpoint of it. I would also like to renovate the library, but you can only do so much at any one time.” He added that the community at large would also benefit: “If you are a part of our school community I think it’s pretty obvious the benefits that are come to our kids and our school community, but for the larger community I think it puts a nice stadium with a regulation track, and a turf field, right in the center of our town. I think it is going to give access to a lot more people in our community, whether you just drop in to run the track or walk the track, or if you use
the field for some other civic purpose like youth football or youth soccer. We do have a shortage of field space in this community, so I think for youth athletics it is important.” The renovation, once begun, is expected to take about a year and five months. The “Estimated date of completion looks like November or December of 2017,” said Becchio. Now, the more discerning of you readers will have realized that now current Juniors will not be able to graduate at the stadium if it is undergoing construction. Mr. Becchio clarified “Current juniors [Class of 2017] will be scheduled to graduate at the Bowl.” All this delay is a result of unforeseen complications. “We were supposed to start construction November of last year, and it’s just been a really complex project that has seen obstacles get in our way, such as property dispute issues with the city, the drainpipe, and soil samples. We had to do an environmental impact study - we were hoping to get a waiver on that, but we had to do that.” Along with a lengthy delay, this project has seen hefty budget increases: “The professional estimators, which we hire, gave us an estimate. That price crept up, yes, because of the drainpipe; the price crept up also because of the complexity of the project. We had a contractor look at it the original estimate, and his estimate didn’t match the professional estimator’s price,” Mr. Becchio explained. Originally estimated at $11.7 million, these complications have raised the current cost of the stadium revamping to about $17 million. Originally, $5 million was going to come from Measure Q, a bond act passed in November of 2010 that loaned Santa Barbara School district $75 million. However, in light of the increased cost, “They did allocate more from Measure Q, in fact I think it was about four million,” said Mr. Becchio. Ms. Jacobs, coordinator of the private funds, said “Our private fundraising has stayed at five million. Even though costs went up, that was part of how we arranged the project with the district to start. We didn’t say we were going to contribute a percentage of the
THE FORGE
APRIL 15, 2016
NEWS | 9
body Stadium
ng renovation to standstill project. That extra four million came from Measure Q. Over the lifetime of Measure Q the district saved nearly nine million dollars. The district did a great job managing their Measure Q money, so they had extra money to put towards this project.” However, as Mr. Becchio made clear, “We don’t know an exact number because we don’t really have a contract yet, so we don’t truly know the exact cost or amount.” He wagers “it won’t be cheaper than the 17 million. If anything they will find stuff, I mean this was built almost a hundred years ago, and I think once you get contractors in there, they will either be at that mark, or higher. Plus materials costs go up, so depending on when we can get the bids for the contract, it could be that the cost of materials is more than they were 7 or 8 months ago. What happens is when you find there’s an increase in cost to your budget you have to do one of two things. Come up with more money, or you have to do some value engineering and you have to look at the project and see what you can take out, or put into a phase two, kick the can down the road a little bit, and figure out how to build the rest later. So I don’t know exactly which one of those will happen. We will have to see what the price looks like toward the end.” Recently concerns were raised regarding crumb rubber, which is currently being considered for the field turf,and the six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in turf fields that are known carcinogens, as well as certain dangerous heavy metals that can be found in the artificial grass itself. Mr. Becchio, “It’s definitely something that we are discussing, but I just haven’t seen any clear research on that correlation. What I do find is that some research stating that the levels you would need to have of any particular element would need to be so much higher than what they find on these fields to present any kind of health risk, but I haven’t found anything on the other side saying yes there’s a clear link between this product and cancer or other ailments. So at this point I do think it’s
something we need to look into. We need to be aware of alternatives, what the alternative product is, whether it’s good or not, whether it’s cost effective or not- so we will be having those conversations.” One concern that is conclusive is the increased risk of heat-related injury. Mr. Becchio marveled, “I was on the San Marcos field on a really hot day, and I was amazed at how much hotter it was on that field. It is something that we are going to have to be aware of as a school once we get that type of surface. I think our coaches are going to have to be aware. The temperature on the field did feel to me to be warmer, and so on a hot day we are going to have to take that into account- that it’s probably ten degrees hotter. We are going to have to be conscious of that.” “I love being in the position, but it is a huge responsibility to make sure it is done right: something the alumni and current community can be proud of. I thank the school board for their support -- and Superintendent David Cash has been instrumental: I do not believe we would have gotten to this point without him. I just think he’s really understood clearly the need for renovation and really helped being alongside us, to push the project forward to where it needed to be.” Ms. Jacobs also was grateful to all those who had assisted in the project: “I think, first of all, we have a really great team that’s working on raising money, we’ve put together a group of people who are alumni and are school representatives. John Becchio is totally on board with our campaign team, Dr. Cash has been incredible, he’s really been behind this project, and the alumni that we’ve had to help us raise those funds have taken it on as a personal project. So we just have a super strong team.” She says, “This project has been incredibly well received by the community, and by the alumni.” But what truly matters are the Dons, future, present, and alums, who will benefit once this project is completed.
FROM THE ARCHIVES June 6, 1930
10 | NEWS
THE FORGE
A Look Back: Winter Formal Goes Out With a Splash ASB throws most successful Winter Formal in recent years
APRIL 15, 2016
EDITORIALS All By My Selfie Cell Phone Epidemic at SBHS BY QUINN TUBIOLO
The Princes of Hearts (counterclockwise, from bottom): King Nolan McCarthy, Anthony Capelletti, Alonso Salamanca, Eduardo Reveles, Francisco Escobar, & Rene Sandoval. | Photo Courtesy of Bailey Wolf BY SOPHIA FISCHER This winter SBHS students rang in the new semester with the annual Winter Formal Dance, this year being dubbed “Homecoming: Part 2.” The Dance, which took place on February 20th was the final formal dance of the year that all students can attend (due to prom being only for seniors). The Junior class who was in charge of the dance managed the Winter Formal committee, the logistics, the decorations, and the assembly. The theme, “Under the Sea”, was something “that ASB always wanted to do but had never had the opportunity to do,” said ASB junior, Ben Zevallos. During the planning stages prior to the dance, Zevallos said, “We are trying to make this dance as great as possible and with the theme we can have a lot of fun with the decorations and what not.” In recent years, Winter Formal has been given a reputation of being less than impressive, and as a result ASB made major changes to prove that it’s another fun and exciting school dance. Everybody had the opportunity to dress up and participate, just as they would if it was Homecoming. “In the past it has been a little more low key than
homecoming and has had a lower attendance, but this year we really tried to hype it up and get a lot of kids here so they can have the chance to dance and hangout with their friends, basically trying to get them to have a good time all around,” Zevallos added. “We’re trying to make it as attended to, as fun, and as successful as Homecoming is, and we believe we have the ability to have two equally fun and popular dances,” mentioned ASB President Sean Babcock. In order to boost attendance, ASB held the dance in Dodson’s Meadow, with the same DJ as Homecoming to mimic the environment that they had back in October. “The presentation is the same style as Homecoming, with new decorations, and hopefully a whole new attitude from the student body”, says Babcock. To advertise the now bigger and better dance, the Winter Formal video was something that ASB spent quite a bit of time on in order for it to be the push that got people out there. The video was filmed by Dane Holroyd and recorded by Hidden City Studios. “We’ve had the inspiration for Macklemore from a few years ago, when ASB did ‘Thrift Shop’ and we were really excited to revamp
one of his recent songs,” explained Babcock. “It was a fun song that I’ve liked for a while now, and I’ve been thinking about it for a few months about the different ways we could go about it and the lyrics, so it was really fun for Ben and I to come up with all of the scenes in order to get a lot of the school involved in it,” he added. In the week leading up to the event, Zevallos said, “We plan to make sure the atmosphere at the dance will be high energy, totally fun, good vibes, and both the students and the chaperones will be into it. Everybody will be on the dance floor dancing, having fun and listening to good music” The dance was a success in the eyes of the nearly five-hundred who attended. Some deemed it better than homecoming for the lively music, fresh decorations, and unique novelties. “It definitely fulfilled our expectation” Zevallos commented on the event’s positive feedback. “We sold over four hundred tickets presale, and seventy at the door -- which combined makes the best attended Winter Formal in recent years.” ASB hopes that a new precedent has been set and that Winter Formal will continue to become more and more popular in future years.
Once upon a time there was no such thing as texting. During these days of old, high-school students passed notes and had face-to-face conversations. Sound completely prehistoric? Fast-forward to 2016. You can’t walk ten feet without bumping into someone with their face buried in their cell phone. While to your average 21st century high-schooler this might not seem like an issue, it is in fact seriously creepy to watch our generation slip into the impersonal and unfriendly dynamic that online communication fosters. Interactions between people don’t take place in the real world anymore. They take place in this weird alternate plane of cyberspace. But that’s okay as far as we’re concerned. It turns out all the selfies and acronyms are actually stunting our growth. The real-life social skills we’re supposed to develop in sixth or seventh grade are virtually nonexistent in roughly 50% of high-schoolers. Making eye contact, which used to be the standard, has become a rare novelty among young people. The average attention span is estimated to be about eight seconds(shorter than a goldfish!). In the year 2000, the average attention span was twelve seconds. To put that into perspective, that means most of you stopped reading this article roughly ninety seconds ago. Maybe losing four seconds of your attention span doesn’t sound like a big deal to you. Why should it be? Because how are we supposed to understand tricky new 21st century concepts when we’re only soaking up information for eight seconds at a time? Not
only will we be a generation of stunted socially awkward people who don’t make eye contact, but we’ll be a generation of stunted socially awkward people with a brand new undiagnosed learning disability. We’ll become vain, detached and incapable of solving complicated new world problems. The reason we take so many selfies and send them to each other in the first place is because some Ad agency located on the hundredth-floor of some highrise somewhere realized that it would be easier to sell useless merchandise to a generation of distracted consumers. Though it may be hard to believe, Snapchat and Instagram were not actually created so that we could express our unique personalities to the entire universe. The whole pseudo-individuality craze that essentially is social media is really an ingenious scheme designed by Advertising executives to herd us young people online where we are distracted and bored enough that they can more easily target us as impressionable customers. We have all this technology designed to liberate us from the communication limitations faced by past generations and yet we’re sitting around reading Kim Kardashian’s Tweets and taking pictures of ourselves with puffy lips flashing a peace sign in Sepia. Let’s get back on track. Using your cell phone 24/7 is unnecessary and damaging. Plus, it makes you look ridiculous to walk down the street wearing headphones with your eyes fixed on a little rectangle of LED light.
Did You Notice Our Mistake? BY FORGE STAFF Attention SBHS: Us at The Forge are verry disapprehensive. In our last issue, we intenshunally placed a glaring grammatical error in our headline and not one student or staff member confabulated we for are mistake. Who knows, maybe a staff dismember, or even a stewdent, did pick up on the grammatical fox pass but made no effort to present it to us. What a shame. We were ready to offer a monetary reward of significant dimension! The headline, “Who’s house? Dons house!” although it sounds and looks correct, should have really been written like this: “Whose house? Dons’ House!” No do you see the issue?? Hopefully proving the lack of grammatical flautency and lack of
subsequent attention we believe our test has been a successful one. Let this be a massage to all of us. Living in the technological age, most of us are constantly being pulled in many directions. North and South. Up and Down. Our focus is limited and frequently disrupted by countless social media distractions. We are curious to hear what you have to say! Do you think this oversight is purely a result of our inability to focus and analyze? Or do you simply believe we are deficient in our grammatical education. Does it even matter? Lastly, we would love to know what you would have done with your monetary prize! Your response may be published in the next edition of The Forge! Write to us at forge.sbhs@gmail. com
THE FORGE
APRIL 15, 2016
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NEWS | 11
Floyd Norman: An Animated Life BY BEAU LETTIERI For many people their job is only one facet of their life; for Floyd Norman, his job is his life. For the past eighty years Floyd Norman has been an illustrator, cartoonist, writer, and most importantly, an animator. This recently inspired a documentary film appropriately titled “Floyd Norman: An Animated Life.” The film produced by Michael Fiore and Erik Sharkey, paints a vivid picture of Norman’s vibrant career in the world of animation, starting in his hometown of Santa Barbara to his experience as the first African American animator at Disney, all the way up to the present day. Floyd Norman began his humble life in our very own Santa Barbara in 1935, growing up drawing on the floorboards of his family’s east side home. “I grew up in this wonderful affluent community, where I was exposed to theatre, writing, art, music — just a fantastic place to grow up,” said Norman, when describing his early Santa Barbara childhood. While attending Lincoln Elementary School, he began to learn the principals of illustration through a series of free art classes at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. To Norman, Santa Barbara was the ideal community to grow up in, especially with its tremendous support of the arts. Norman was also exposed to the magic of animation from an early age. He recalled that, “my mother took me to see Dumbo, and we saw it at the Fox Arlington Theatre. It was then I knew that animation was going to play a very big part in my life.” In he soon moved up to Santa Barbara Junior High, where he spent a good deal of time in the library learning about movies and animation. Living just two blocks away, he attended SBHS for three wonderful years as a second generation Don. At SBHS, Norman was incredibly active as a participant in the school band, ROTC, and our very own Forge. Some of Norman’s earliest works can be found in issues of the Forge from 1952 and 1953. His comics were popular among his peers for their relatable quality — even 60 years later many of his comics are still shockingly accurate depictions of SBHS. In 1952 Norman received his first professional level work with comic artist and creator of the Katy Keene comic series, Bill Woggon. The internship came after Norman was repetitively caught doodling in his science class with Mr. Jacob Turnoff. Turnoff, an avid golfer and member of the Montecito Country Club coincidentally golfed frequently with Bill Woggon who at the time was looking for an apprentice. Turnoff recom-
mended Norman and soon he was working with Woggon on the popular Katy Keene comic books in Mission Canyon. While working under Woggon, Norman did much of the “grunt work” often inking borders and erasing pencil marks. When Norman graduated in 1953, he headed straight to Hollywood to work for Walt Disney. “I was told as kid, you know, you can’t get a job at the Disney studio, they don’t hire blacks” Norman recounted in a 1979 interview. On first try, Norman has little success getting a job on account of his lack of experience. He was recommended for a traditional arts education at the Art Center College of Design and within three years Norman received a call from the Disney Studio looking to hire him on “Sleeping Beauty.” In 1958, Norman as the first African American Animator to be hired by the studio was given a thirty day testing period/crash course in animation. “I have to remind people, that there was no ‘school’ you could go to to learn animation, you actually had to
Floyd Norman, 1953 learn the business inside the studio.” After thirty days he passed the crash course and was added to the team working on Sleeping Beauty. He was an “in-betweener,” another “grunt work” job that required filing in the frames between the key frames that the head animators would illustrate. Right before the film’s release, Norman was drafted into the US Army but within two years was able to return to Disney. He went on to work on a number of feature films at the Disney Studio, perhaps most notably the classic “Mary Poppins.” In the mid 1960s, a once in a lifetime opportunity came for Norman. While working as an animator Norman would frequently draw comics poking fun at his coworkers, sometimes Disney himself who was known as a man who demanded good work sometimes at the expense of sparing feelings. Disney saw his comics and suddenly in 1966 he was drafted from the animation department into the story department. Previously having little interaction with the big
man himself, Norman found himself working alongside Disney as a story board artist. As 1966 came to a close, Walt Disney passed away and Norman decided to move into independent filmmaking with his new business parter Leo Sullivan. They founded and ran Vignette Films, which produced short films on African American history, documented historical events such as the Watts Riots, and created various animated sequences most notably the original intro to the popular television show “Soul Train.” After six years Norman went back to Disney in the early 1970s, and then moved on to do a wide variety of animation jobs at Hannah Barbara. In the 1980s Norman moved to Disney publishing where he wrote for the syndicated Mickey cartoon. He did this for nearly ten years. In the late 1990s he transitioned into the world of 3D computer animation as a storyboard artist on Pixar’s Toy Story 2, and Monsters Incorporated. When Norman returned to Disney in 2001, the studio suddenly decided not to hire after 45 years in the industry. The reason? He had turned 65 years old. Norman’s documentary discusses the widely unrecognized and heartbreaking issue of ageism and age discrimination in the work place. Due to his age, the incredible able bodied and minded (still today at age 80), was deemed unneeded by the Disney studio. Nevertheless, Norman found ways to keep himself involved. His wife Adrienne also is a Disney employee working in the publishing department. Adrian does not drive, so Floyd has driven Adrian to work every day for nearly a decade — and instead of driving home, he stays for the day and roams the Disney Studio. He even has his own space to work and is glad that even at the “advanced” age of eighty he can still be a part of the Disney Magic. To filmmakers Michael Fiore and Erik Sharkey, producing a film about the “instantly likable” Floyd Norman “seemed like a total no brainer.” The final film, which was originally three hours, was cut down to about and hour and a half by the time it reached the film festival. In the end, Fiore and Sharkey found the focus of the film: Love. The film is a love story on multiple levels: a love for animation, a love for his wife, and a love for the people he has worked with over the past eighty years. Overall, the film captured the incredible career of a kind and modest man who always looks at life through the lens of comedy. If you have the opportunity, make sure to check out Floyd Norman and his Animated life!
Floyd Norman: An Animated Life was shown last month as the Santa Barbara Internation Film Festival | Poster Art By Drew Struzan
Floyd Norman was inducted into the SBHS Wall of Fame in 2013. Photo Courtesy of Beau Lettieri 2016
An early comic by Norman from the May 29, 1953 issue of The Forge
12 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Review: Knight of Cups BY QUINN TUBIOLO Composed of fragmented imagery and poetic monologue, Terrence Malick’s Knight of Cups is a surreal exploration of a man’s spiritual journey. Despite its allstar cast, it feels more like a narrated dream than a Hollywood blockbuster. It is apparent while watching the film that everything we are seeing has been meticulously crafted to feel familiar and yet somehow distant to us. The film stars Christian Bale as Rick, a Hollywood screenwriter who has lost his way and struggles to find truth and meaning in a superficial world. Rick is a familiar trope - a lost soul in a strange land. Malick relies on this assumed familiarity to avoid giving the audience any substantive background about who Rick really is so that he will serve more as a vessel through whom the audience can experience his life than as his own character. At times this lends itself well to our experiencing things from inside Rick’s head with novelty and wonder. At other times, this works against the film, because in not knowing Rick, we don’t understand the significance behind some of what is happening to him. This distances us from him, making events feel as though they are happening to a stranger a million miles away. Another less obvious story element that plays a pivotal role in Knight of Cups is Tarot card mythology. The movie itself is named after a Tarot card that represents Rick’s quest. The “Knight of Cups” in Tarot mythology is said to be passionate and charming and, interestingly, in love with the idea of love itself. This is not the only way in which Tarot cards play a direct role in explaining the events of the film. The movie is divided into eight chapters, the first seven of which are completely based on specific Tarot card meanings. Each chapter features a new character from Rick’s life and focuses on his relationship with them. Though most of the characters that Rick interacts with are love-interests, one chapter is dedicated to Rick’s relationship with his father, portrayed by Brian Dennehy, and his brother, portrayed by Wes Bentley. Natalie Portman and Cate Blanchett also shine as two of Rick’s most serious romantic interests. Their performances are raw and they contribute more meaning to a movie filled with seemingly meaningless, shallow interactions and people. Even though Knight of Cups is at times puzzling and difficult to follow, there are some moments of definite artistic genius. Among a landscape of Hollywood cheese, this movie is a refreshing change of pace. When it delivers, it delivers with style and beauty. Fair warning; this movie isn’t for everyone. If you’re seeking cheap thrills and one-liners, you should avoid Knight of Cups. However, if you are willing to brave ambiguity in search of something authentic and meaningful, you will likely gain something from the strangely beautiful journey that is Knight of Cups.
THE FORGE
APRIL 15, 2016
Youth is Served: Bowl Welcolmes New Booking Company Fresh Sound Comes to SB Bowl: Pentatonix, The Lumineers and more
The Pentatonix are just one of the many popular groups coming this spring | Photo Courtesy of Esther Kaplan BY LIZZIE SAUNDERS This season the Santa Barbara Bowl brings us a new and exciting lineup of performers. The bowl will launch their summer run with GEazy taking the stage on April 19th. The season includes a variety of oth-
er groups and musicians including The 1975, Chris Stapleton, Pentatonix, The Neighbourhood, Walk The Moon, The Lumineers, Paul Simon, Slightly Stoopid, Flight of the Conchords, Goo Goo Dolls, Weezer & Panic! At the Disco, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, and more! This season will have something fun
EDITORIAL If Kanye Is West, Let’s Go East BY BRIAN CHRISTENSEN As many people know, Popular music is beginning to go down the toilet and an era of uncreative, dumbed up musical culture is well on its way. There are no constants in “popular” music due to the fact that what is cool is always changing. How ever, until the last fifteen years or so, popular music all took a relatively high amount of ingenuity and skill. We are in a time where the world of complex instrumental combinations and beautiful vocals has been transformed into electronic drum beats with a self obsessed “musician” spewing profanities. Through this, we have funded a musical system based solely on vulture capitalists looking to cash in on the monthly single releases of uncreative artists. This scramble for money has pulled the passion out of music and spawned hundreds of clone musicians looking to make millions off of a song that took 30 minutes to formulate. Many of popular rap songs are based around a slightly modified beat that has been used time and time again, but the lyrics can simply be written by any narcissistic person with no writing experience. Not only that but these these “songs” are chalked full of un-
necessary, vulgar sexual references, and lyrics more degrading to women than any other form of media we see or hear. Rap as a genre did not begin this way. Rap began as a skilled poet with inventive lyrics full of witty metaphors and smooth rhymes rapping over a catchy and well constructed melody. We are now at a point where a piercing drum beat with a “rapper” slowly talking about how “gangster” or how cool they are and how many drugs they do is considered “good, quality music” Rap music and hip hop once lived in harmony against rock and roll, punk, pop and other types of music that appeals to our country’s youth. Now these said vulture capitalist producer types have created a hostile environment for creative artists and bands where they can not survive. This bland, banal rap music has shoved creativity out of the way, leaving and empty depressing hole on our list of this years top hits. So if you care about and love music like me, support the shrinking punk scene, buy rock and roll records, start a band, or go to concerts. As the future leaders of the world, we need to do everything we can to keep music alive.
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for all ages, given that there is such a wide variety of categories to choose from. This season of versatile performers was purposefully intended to “broaden the musical spectrum of Santa Barbara Bowl performances as a reflection of our patrons’ diverse communities and interests” which is the Bowl mission, (as de-
tailed on the Santa Barbara Bowl webpage.) In 2014, our wonderful County Bowl was renovated for forty million dollars, and the ambitious managing team now hosts both well known and big upcoming artists in our town. The Bowl has recently changed their booking partnership with Nederlander Concerts, and now have an exclusive agreement with Goldenvoice (who also run popular music festivals including Coachella and Stagecoach). It is no wonder that this recent shift should appeal to a younger audience. Tickets are going fast for popular titles such as Pentatonix, Walk the Moon, G- Eazy, and The Lumineers. Of course there are still wonderful performers that will grace the stage of our bowl and pleasure an older crowd of music lovers, but at --- the bowl seems to have aged gracefully by growing young in the spirit of contemporary artists. If any students at Santa Barbara High School would like tickets to the shows, the Forge is offering a lottery for almost every concert. We have four tickets available in prime seating, with food vouchers included. Just send us your request to the Forge and maybe your name will be drawn!
UPCOMING AT THE SANTA BARBARA BOWL G-EAZY
Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 7pm
The 1975
Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 7pm Chris Stapleton: Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 7pm
Pentatonix
Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 7pm
The Neighbourhood
Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 7pm The Do-Over Tour: Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 7pm Walk The Moon: Friday, May 27, 2016 at 7pm
The Lumineers: Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 7pm KJEE Summer Round Up: June 03, 2016 at 7pm Paul Simon: Sunday, June 05, 2016 at7pm
Bob Dylan: Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 7pm Slightly Stoopid: June 26, 2016 at 5:30pm
Flight of the Conchords: July 01, 2016 7pm I Love The ‘90s: Sunday, July 03, 2016 at 7pm
Lyle Lovett & Emmylou Harris: July 08 at 6pm Goo Goo Dolls: July 16, 2016 at 6:30pm
THE FORGE
APRIL 15, 2016
Eichelberger Places in National Geographic Photo Contest BY SARINA WASSERMAN Aliah Eichelberger, a junior in the MAD Academy, recently received the second-highest number of votes from the audience in National Geographic‘s student photography contest. Of 2,300 entrants, 24 made the final cut and Aliah made top five. Her photo, entitled “Potbelly Pig”, was taken in the Bahamas when she
first realized that pot belly pigs can indeed swim! She jumped into the water with them to capture the nationally recognized photo. When speaking about her image she said, “I think the composition of the photo with the hand, the pig, and the tourists in the background is very interesting. I also find it to be slightly humorous and ironic which I love!” Aliah’s interest in photography was
first sparked when she was young. Through playing with her dad’s cameras, she realized that photography was actually something she wanted to pursue. Since then, she has been working to perfect her craft and to hopefully make a career for herself. In the future, Aliah hopes to take a gap year to travel and take more amazing photos to add to her portfolio.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 13
14 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
THE FORGE
APRIL 15, 2016
Rock Musical Hair revives the ‘60’s The Dawning of the Age of Aquarius
The Tribe of Hair | Photo Courtesy of Rina Winter BY BEAU LETTIERI For the past eight weeks, the cast of Hair, SBHS Theatre’s next musical production, began rehearsing. Quickly after Music of the Night closed, over forty excited actors signed up to audition for perhaps one of SBHS’s most unique productions yet. The show, which takes place in 1968, is dubbed the “American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” — a production that lends itself to endless creativity from the actors, designers, and directors. “Hair was the first contemporary musical, presented in actual time — just after the Summer of Love, and during the turmoil of Vietnam, Protest and social uprising and dissatisfaction with the war,” said Otto Layman, Director of Hair. “Fifty year later it is still relevant — and the rock score is more concert than traditional musical.” Hair’s “tribe” features the talent of twenty-nine actors who will perform the classic rock musical which opens in two weeks. The show, written in the midst of rapid social, economic, and political change in the late 1960s, revolves around a group of teenagers who struggle to come to terms with the identity, political activism, and the meaning of freedom. The plot revolves around a core group of friends including Claude (who is played by senior Irving Soto), a young man torn between duty and his own identity as a free spirit, an aquarian des-
tined for “genius or madness,” his best friend George Berger (played by Ben Zevallos), and über protester Sheila Franklin (played by Lizzie Saunders). The show also features the talents of Quique Hernandez as Woof, Rio Salazar as Jeanie, and Dante Gonzalez as Hud. The incredibly versatile tribe who play many roles including nuns, monks, riot police, soldiers and flower children, includes: Sable Layman, Sarina Wasserman, Hailey Turner, Mia Valdes, Meredith LeMert, Bradley DeVine, Cai Norton, Cameron Meza, William Blondell, Cooper Umoff, Nolan McCarthy, Penny O’ Mahoney, Hazel Brady, Alana Ochoa, Bella Holland, Iyana Brown, Lilliana Johnston, Leah Martin, Isaac Cortes, Sophia Hurtado, Zoë Padilla, Drewes McFarling, and Julia McCarter. Finally, Hair brings in sixth grader Leora Wasserman, who will play the role of Starshine. Hair is directed by Otto Layman, who produced a smaller scale version of the show eight years ago here at SBHS for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, where it played to sold out audiences and was named Pick of the Festival. This time, he is coming at it with a fresh approach, different production team, and new cast. Heading the movement department of Hair is Jenna Tico, the show’s choreographer and SBHS Alumnus (Class of 2008). Tico was off to college back in 2008 when Layman pro-
duced it the first time, so this production is particularly special to her. The show will be musical directed by Dr. Jon Nathan of UCSB (Music of the Night, Pippin, Big Fish and more), who returns for yet another production, bringing a unique spin on the show’s classic music. Bonnie Thor is also back as the Costume Designer, bringing the wild fashion and spirit of 1968 fashion to the SBHS Stage. Additionally, Sio Tepper (also an SBHS Alum) makes her vocal direction debut, after co-musical directing last spring’s production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and playing in countless productions. As the cast rehearses, the student technical crew works with Technical Director Jonathan Mitchell on Hair’s enormous set. The set, designed by Otto Layman, includes an eighteen by forty foot back wall, a myriad of platforms, and a number of giant murals — most notably a portrait of Jimmy Hendrix that has been be painted on the back wall. “Hair takes place in multiple locations: a park in NYC, the jungle of Vietnam, induction centers and acid trips, and the scale of the set is reflective of that range,” says Layman. The cast has made a number of appearances out in public promoting the show, most notably a concert at local music venue SOhO, where they provided over one hundred enthusiastic audience mem-
Berger (played by Ben Zevallos) captures the imagination of the tribe with his talk of love and transcendental meditation. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ISAAC HERNANDEZ
bers with an exclusive taste of the show. The cast also plans to make an appearance on this Sunday April 17 on the stage of Earth Day in the 5 o’ clock hour to sing a number of songs from the show. Mid next week the cast will also be taking a trip to UCSB’s Music Bowl to perform as a part of UCSB’s World Music Series at noon on Wednesday April 20. Mark your calendars now, Hair opens in just two weeks on April 29 at 7pm and runs for seven performances: April 30 at 2pm, April 30 at 7pm, May 6 at 7pm, May 7 at 2pm, May 7 at 7pm, and May 8 at 2pm for a special Mothers Day performance.
HAIR
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Friday, April 29 at 7pm Saturday, April 30 at 2pm Saturday, April 30 at 7pm Friday, May 6 at 7pm Saturday, May 7 at 2pm Saturday, May 7 at 7pm Sunday, May 8 at 2pm
Claude (Irving Soto) and the tribe sing the show’s rock anthem: “Hair”
APRIL 15, 2016
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS | 15
THE FORGE
Gowdy Leads Dons Past Dos Pueblos in Channel League Matchup
Kevin Gowdy | Photo Courtesy of Presidio Sports BY TYLER GREENWALD NYU student and political activist Sheila Franklin (Lizzie Saunders) sings “Easy to Be Hard.”
Everyone knows about the big right arm of Santa Barbara High pitcher Kevin Gowdy, but he put on particularly versatile performance on Tuesday as he led the Dons to a 3-0 victory over Dos Pueblos. The UCLA commit displayed his offensive ability in a key Channel League baseball game, hitting a run-scoring double in the second inning and blasting a massive home run onto Cathedral Oaks in the sixth inning to go along with great game on the mound. The victory improves the Dons 3-2 in league and 7-5 overall. Gowdy doubled off DP starter Travis Craven to score Joe Firestone for a 1-0 lead. Firestone reached base
on an error, advanced to second on a wild pitch and got to third on a single by Carter Soto. After Gowdy’s double, Soto scored the second run on a sacrifice fly to center by Tommy Holguin. “He was pretty awesome with the bat coming through,” Santa Barbara coach Donny Warrecker said of Gowdy’s hitting. “He’s struggled with the bat, he’s been up and down, feast or famine He’s solidified his approach. We talked about zoning pitches. He’s starting to hunt his pitches.” “It was exciting to get going,” Gowdy said. “On the homer I knew he was coming back with a fastball.” The Dons defense recorded a shutout on the day. It started with a well-executed relay from center field to nail DP’s Gio Macias, who was try-
ing to reach third base after a booming shot to dead center field in the first inning. Center fielder Joe Firestone threw to shortstop Holguin and he fired to third baseman John Jensen who made the tag. “It is something we take a lot of pride in,” Warrecker said of the team’s defense. “The defense has been outstanding. Joe Firestone, I felt, had a strong game in center field right off the bat. He covered a lot of ground. Lucas Grandcolas has been absolutely solid at second base and then Tommy Holguin ... You go all the way around the infield and we have a really solid infield.” Santa Barbara will face Dos Pueblos again on Friday at Eddie Mathews Field.
Dons clinch Channel League title with sweeping victory over San Marcos
In the midst of the Vietnam War, the tribe speaks out against the government’s intervention in Vietnam in the number “Ain’t Got No Grass.”
Will Rottman hits into a San Marcos blocker en route to a three game sweep on Tuesday. | Photo Courtesy of Noozhawk BY TYLER GREENWALD
Let the Sunshine In: Hair’s heartbreaking finale — an ending which sheds light on the horrible reality of life and death.
The prodigal Cord Pereira was dishing out some of the juiciest dimes this side of the Mississippi on Tuesday as he paced the Santa Barbara boys volleyball team past San Marcos. The Dons swept the Royals in three consecutive games 27-25, 25-21, 25-17, thus clinching the Channel
League title in their own J.R. Richards Gymnasium. Pereira recorded 45 assists on the night, 12 of which were knocked down by outside hitter Bolden Brace. Blake Kelley was not far behind with 11 kills while JM Cage blasted 9. Will Rottman and Cooper Johnson combined to tally 13 kills at 8 and 5 respectively.
“Blake Kelley has really stepped up for us,” said head coach Chad Arneson “He’s playing well for us at opposite. It’s nice to have depth and multisport athletes.” He also praised the play of the freshman Rottman and the serving of Dane Westwick. “It definitely was a team win,” said Arneson.
16 | SPORTS
THE FORGE
APRIL 15, 2016
Dons Clinch CIF Title with 75-65 victory over Lynwood JM Cage’s standout performance helps cap off 31-1 season with a championship
Team gathers together in celebration after defeating Lynwood in the division 2A CIF Championships at the Honda Center Photo Courtesy of Noozhawk
Santa Barbara Head Coach David Bregante (right) and his son Joe hold the CIF Championship Plaque. They led their team to a historical 31-1 season.
BY TYLER GREENWALD
have gone two ways: I could have pouted and put my head down or I could have supported my teammates and help them win. I’m so proud of them for stepping up like that. I knew they could do it the whole time.” A huge breakaway dunk from the opposition prompted an uproar from the Lynwood crowd, but the momentum immediately shifted when a technical foul was called for taunting. After that it came down to fouls and free throws. Clay made a pair of free
The Santa Barbara boys’ basketball team made history last Saturday in the Anaheim Honda Center as they clinched the first CIF Championship Title since 1991. The Dons beat Lynwood 75-65 in a riveting down-to-the-wire matchup in the Honda Center. The Dons had to play the last three and a half minutes without their leading scorer Bolden Brace, who fouled out on an offensive charging call. It looked as if the Knights were going to spark a comeback, but the Dons held off the late attack and prevailed. “The last three years we’ve been knocking on the door,” said head coach David Bregante. “These kids just believe in themselves. They said, ‘Hey, we’ve given two years away.’ Ben Clay, he’s been there, JM (Cage) has been there, Bo (Bolden Brace) has been there. These guys said, ‘Hey, that’s enough. It’s our time to get it done.’ And we did.” Santa Barbara got a spectacular performance from 6’5 senior JM Cage, who knocked down 15 points and grabbed 15 rebounds off the bench. “JM stepped up big time,” said Bregante. “Not only did he score some points, he got big rebounds and made big plays. That’s the way it’s been all year long. Somebody has always stepped up. If things look bleak, things look bad, somebody steps it up. That’s what team is all about. Team is about different individuals stepping up at big times.” However Cage wasn’t the only one who recorded a double-double on the day; the Dons saw a similar balanced performance from big man Ben
Clay. Clay tallied 26 points and 12 rebounds on the day. Ben Brown tacked on 15 points, many of which came off of clutch free throws. Bolden Brace and Nick Busch scored a collective 27 points, at 14 and 13 respectively. “I’ve been looking forward to this since the day I stepped foot in the Santa Barbara gym,” said the Northeastern University-bound Brace of winning the CIF title. “Every time I look up on the wall and see 1991 I wanted to be 2014, 2015 or 2016. Just to get that feeling is one of the best I’ve ever felt.” The Dons got off to a rough start, trailing 13-5 early in the first quarter. But Santa Barbara closed the gap with a pivotal scoring run to close the gap to just two before the quarter came to a close. The momentum continued in the second quarter, as Cage’s contributions started to kick in and the Dons began to find their rhythm. They led 41-30 at halftime. “We felt all along if we keep those guys in front of us, that we don’t give up layups, don’t turn the ball over and we rebound then we thought we had a real good chance. And that’s exactly what we did,” said Bregante. Lynwood picked up its game in the second half. Its press forced a couple of turnovers early in the third quarter, and the Knights capitalized to cut their deficit to just three, but the Dons made adjustments and prompted a small run to ensure a nine point lead at the half. The two teams had everyone in the stadium on their feet and yelling, as it was truly anyone’s ball game in the closing minutes. The momentum was
with the Dons early on as they were able to create an 11-point lead with six and a half minutes remaining, but it quickly shifted the Knights’ way as they rallied behind star player Keith Carlton to spark a 9-2 run. Leading by six with over three minutes to go, the Santa Barbara fans watched what they had feared the whole second half – Bolden Brace record his final foul on a charging call. “Once I got that foul I sat there for a second,” Brace said. “I knew I could
throws and Busch knocked down two more for a 70-65 lead with 1:45 left. Lynwood was unable to bury any of its shots to cut into the deficit and Ben Brown made his free throws to secure the championship. The second the buzzer sounded the Dons basketball team huddled together jumping in yelling as their fans did the same, celebrating the first CIF Championship since 1991.
Summer School 2016 Now offering online courses!
Ahora ofreciendo cursos en linea!
Get ahead and earn credit this summer! Students entering grades 9-12 can earn 5-10 units of high school credit during the summer, acquiring the flexibility to take more advanced classes or more electives in the following school year. Most courses meet college A-G requirements.
¡Adelántese Este Verano! Los estudiantes ingresando a los grados 9-12 pueden ganar 5-10 unidades de crédito de escuela secundaria durante el verano, dándoles la flexibilidad de tomar clases más avanzadas o más asignaturas optativas en el próximo año escolar. La mayoría de los cursos cumplen con los requisitos “A-G” para poder entrar a una universidad. Dates (Las Fechas de la Escuela de Verano): June 13th-July 21st Deadline to register (fecha límite para registrarse): May 13th, 2016 Please visit SantaBarbaraEducation.org for more information and to register online. Questions? Email Courtney@SantaBarbaraEducation.org Ben Clay and JM Cage jump up for a rebound late in the third quarter. They combined for 27 rebounds on the day. | Photo courtesy of Noozhawk