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behind varela cat dealing with disaster iconic heroine gets reboot
enchanters to champions
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View p oints From th e E d itors
Hits and misses Rebel Wilson hosting the MTV Movie Awards and a Pitch Perfect sequel getting the green light. “Aca-believe it!”
Justin Bieber’s downward spiral going from vaguely amusing to just offensive. Anne Frank is not a punchline.
North Korea headlines looking more like a series of jokes than any actual news development. Let it go, Kim.
Alumnus Blake Jenner killing it on his extended Glee run, being heralded as the “new Finn” by fandom and media alike.
Glee’s take on gun violence in schools. We didn’t think Glee could do it, but it was tasteful and well-made.
The fact that cloning technology has not been developed yet. Because frankly, we need more Tom Hiddlestons.
Varela communications awarded The Varela communications academy submitted various entries to the Florida Scholastic Press Association’s spring digital contests. This system of evaluations ranks content-- from writing to design to videography-- on a state level. The organization reports that 20% of roughly 2,000 entries received AllFlorida distinctions. Claudia Morales (The Viper Vibe) received a total of seven All-Floridas for editorial writing, profile writing, front page design, and feature writing. Giovanna Navas (The Viper Vibe) received a total of four All-Floridas
for news writing, feature photography, and Disney Media Day coverage. Janelle Malagon (The Viper Vibe) received a total of two All-Floridas for feature writing and infographic design. Connor Nelson (Vox Vipera) received an All-Florida for short story writing. Alexis Rudd (Vox Vipera) received an All-Florida for drawing. Adrian Morales (Vox Vipera) received an All-Florida for drawing. The communication academy’s four publications will attend and compete in the association’s annual state convention from April 25 to 27.
Congratulations, vipers! Good luck at states.
volume 12 April ‘12 Editorial Board EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Claudia Morales MANAGING EDITOR/ PHOTO EDITOR Janelle Malagon LIFESTYLE EDITOR Giovanna Navas SPORTS EDITOR Suzanne Pontillo VIEWPOINTS EDITOR Ciro Salcedo
Staffers
Katie Ewald Shiloh Hayes David Murray Jean Oliveros
Adviser
Elizabeth Cardenas
Editorial Policy The Viper Vibe is the student newspaper of Felix Varela Senior High (15255 SW 96 St. Miami, FL, 33196). It is an open forum for student expression. The opinions expressed in the publication do not reflect the official opinions or policies of the school. The Viper Vibe welcomes letters to the editor, but requires that they be signed and reserves the right to reject, edit and condense letters. The staff and davisor can be contacted at 305-752-7900 or thevipervibe@gmail.com
Ads The Viper Vibe solicits advertising but reserves the right to reject any material deemed obscene as to minors, defamatory or materially and substantially disruptive of school activities.
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View p oi nt s F rom the Editors
We Say:
amidst tragedy, kindness counts
in memoriam
There are things we can’t make sense of. In an age replete with tragedies, trying to understand the inexplicable is first instinct. When entertainment was made unsafe by a Colorado shooting, the nation asked why. When shots rang out at an elementary school, the nation asked why. And when an annual marathon ended in two deliberate explosions, the nation asked why. This tendency is entirely understandable. We are curious by nature. But just as developing tragedies make journalistic caution doubly necessary, speculation must also be tempered. Within hours of the Boston bombings, the New York Post - a notoriously sensationalist publication just one step up from the Enquirer - erroneously reported that a Saudi national had been detained as a person of interest. Many were quick to believe this, and the claims spread rapidly on social media. Others made disparaging tweets, some accusatory of different groups and some preemptively critical of the media’s approach. And in true internet culture fashion, less conventional groups began
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making insensitive jokes. These are all methods of escapism in trying times. That some of them are discriminatory or disparaging is another matter entirely - an important one, but not the matter at hand. We cannot conceivably control tragedy on a short-term basis. Our future will be riddled with days like April 15th. Our reactions, then, will mean everything. In the midst of disaster, in the midst of questions, another instinct arises - kindness. Within seconds of the Boston explosions, people sought ways to help those affected. USA Today and Buzzfeed compiled social media reports of such selflessness. Marathon runners finishing the race continued toward hospitals to donate blood. Dozens of Bostonians offered room and board to displaced runners. Former New England Patriot Joe Andruzzi carried a victim through chaos and toward safety. Before the day was over, the Red Cross reported that it had gotten enough blood and monetary donations to hold them over for some time. The world does not always exist
The Viper Vibe staff extends its condolences to all those affected by the Boston bombing. At the time of this writing, CNN reports over 150 injuries, many of them critical, and three fatalities. Those wishing to help can visit www.bostonsituation.org for information on how to do so.
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in a good-evil binary, but April 15 saw a bit of both. It is, perhaps, easy to find comfort in the accusatory, the sensational, these promises of answers in a time of questions. But, as Albus Dumbledore advised Hogwarts at the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, “there are difficult times coming, times in which we must all choose between what is right and what is easy.” At that point in Goblet of Fire, the wizarding world was on the brink of a disastrous war. Certainty was not a luxury available to them. Today, it is difficult not to feel we are in a similar situation. Many things will become matters of choice. We urge you to choose the fairer instinct, to constantly seek ways to help others. To opt out of malice, whether virtual or mental. To strive to move forward. Whether it’s a random act of kindness or a heroic gesture amidst tragedy, kindness tempers all sorrows. In the wake of Boston, we must keep on - not unchanged by the tragedy, but not destroyed. As columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. said in his post-September 11 column, “we will go forward from this moment.”
View p oints Op in ions
depression a problem among youth
by claudia morales editor-in-chief @ravenclawdia
Depression is a prolonged encounter with dementors. As with most things, I can best describe the affliction by drawing a parallel to Harry Potter. Perhaps this is appropriate, as J.K. Rowling created the soul-sucking creatures as depression personified. Introduced in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Dementors rob people of every happy thought and every good feeling. Professor Remus Lupin describes them as draining all hope, as well. Outside of the Potter canon, depression is a mental illness characterized by a deep sadness. It’s startlingly common, with 1 in 10 U.S. adults suffering, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that at least 8% of adolescents meet the criteria for a major depression diagnosis. At thirteen, I did not know what the “common cold of mental illness” even was. All I knew was the inexplicable, desperate sadness I felt - something far darker than run-of-the-mill teen angst. In retrospect, those are my first memories of depression: a preadolescence defined by the sensation of
resources for those dealing with depression:
falling. Of not being able to get up. It’s kind of like that Life Alert commercial, but more pathetic. It wasn’t until my sophomore year that I was finally able to reconcile depression with what I was facing. Up until then, I had only heard the word in slightly unsettling commercials for antidepressants. Even then, it would take another two years to ask for help. The meantime meant everything from self-loathing to a profound sense of guilt. I struggled with self-harm, swearing it off time and time again but always falling back into it in the end. I lost all motivation for most things - this is wonderfully reflected in my GPA - and spent most of my time sleeping or wanting to sleep. Hopelessness became my greatest constant. And the sadder I got, the more I felt that I was doing something wrong. The illness by itself is a constant struggle.When paired with society’s heavy stigmas against it, everyday life feels insurmountable. Seeking help for my depression was equally difficult. When the words came out, they were shaky, laced with all the fear and shame I grappled with.And while retrospect tells me it was the right thing to do, there’s no lesson learned. I did not transform from timid to bold and unafraid - the memory still makes me queasy. In Harry Potter, wizards fend off Dementors by conjuring a Patronus. The spell involves thinking of the caster’s happiest memories. With depression, it’s not quite that easy. Sometimes therapy works. Sometimes it helps. But it’s not always the solution. In my case, therapy proved to be little more than additional stress, worsening my condition. It wasn’t until I spoke to my adolescent medicine doctor at Miami Children’s Hospital that I even considered medication as an option. After all, medication turned patients into zombies, right? And I’d heard the neces-
sary drivel at the end of every antidepressant commercial, I’d read the headline - the side-effects were terrifying. But when my doctor told me she believed medicine could help me, I took the chance.We began with small doses, upping it by 10 milligrams once no side effects popped up. Within months of beginning treatment, I found that the edge of my depression had dulled, and that was enough to help. What helped the most, however, was my doctor’s attitud - treating depression as one would any physical ailment and convincing me that I deserved to get better. While I’m off medication and have more good days than bad ones, I live with the constant fear of slipping back into that sadness. Depression, after all, is a lifetime ordeal. There were stretches of normality in my past, but there are days I feel that another low point is inevitable. Were it up to me, none of this would even be a concern. Depression is not a gift. It is not the romanticized moodiness society has made it out to be. It is Hell. I am not stronger for what I’ve dealt with, or wiser, or more in tune with the world. I’m not looking to turn my experience into gold; my job is to survive it. So I try to take everything as it comes, embracing and treasuring the incomparable feeling of happiness for as long as I can. I remind myself that there is help out there, that I am not alone, that there are constants in my life stronger than the dull roar of sadness. In many ways, I am preparing for the worst. What affects me the most is the knowledge that so many other people deal with this, many of them silently. America is a long ways off from having a healthy attitude toward mental illness. It is this stigma that barrs so many people from seeking help. What helped me the most was the kindness of others and a few good books. There’s no telling what may help other sufferers, but help begins with accessibility. And that’s up to all of us.
Depression and Bipolar Support
Suicide Prevention Services Depression Hotline
800-273-TALK (8255) Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week http://www.dbsalliance.org
630-482-9696 Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week http://www.spsamerica.org
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View p oi nt s Op i n ions
video games are more than violence
by ciro salcedo
viewpoints editor @cj_fett_salcedo
“This is not rocket science. When a kid who has never killed anyone in his life goes on a rampage and looks like the Terminator, he’s a video gamer.” Jack Thompson anti-video game activist 2007 (MSNBC)
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Video game violence is a touchy subject. There are people who are completely against blood, violence, sex, drugs and even swearing in games. There are those who are perfectly fine with adult content in games. Then, there’s me. I am neutral. I am angered when politicians who have never even touched a game think that they are evil, but I do understand that at times the violence is a little much. I’ve played a lot of violent video games. Sure, some of them could have been just fine without it, but I don’t play games because I can chop people in half or blow up cars; I play games because they tell great stories and I can appreciate them on a technical level. I played Red Dead Redemption, a game similar to Grand Theft Auto; players are allowed to explore the game world at their leisure and postpone the main quest. Players have a choice of killing civilians, but this lowers the player’s morale, or honor as the game calls it. Look at 2007’s Bioshock. Under all the blood and gunfire lies an interesting narrative with moral choices that make players think twice before pulling the trigger. Even Grand Theft Auto IV delivered a “Godfather-esque” story that made the game feel more than a thug simulator. Now, video games aren’t off the hook either. Some games go a little bit
too far when it comes to violent content. Bioshock Infinite is perfection. Its engrossing story and gameplay are what make the game great. At times though, I could do without the occasional decapitation and brutal execution move. I am aware of the game’s mature rating, but at the same time, it detracts from the message the game is trying to convey. I also know that there are many children (including myself) that are under the age of 17 playing these games. I understand that video games play an important role in violence. Video games are interactive; they make players feel as if they are performing the actions on screen. Take Madworld on Wii for example. In this game players are rewarded for killing people in the most brutal way possible. Players perform these actions using the Wii-mote to simulate the killing. If someone is disturbed and cannot tell the difference between real life and the game world, there may be a problem. I guess what I’m trying to say about this is that people are too quick to blame someone or something else for a certain problem. Video games may be a factor in all of this, but they aren’t the main cause of all the violence on Earth. The times of Super Mario Bros. and PacMan are gone; whether or not that’s a good thing depends on the player.
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View p oints Op in ions
undocumented students face struggles
by francys rodriguez guest writer @francyzallday
My name is Francys Rodriguez. I was born in Caracas, Venezuela. I lived in Caricuao - a district of Caracas, Venezuela. I have no memory of when I lived there due to the fact that I left at the age of six. All I know is that my mother worked at a bank and later decided to quit her job to take care of my brother and I. My father was an accountant and was able to provide for us. This all changed when my family and I moved to the United States. Their reason for moving to the United states was just like any other undocumented family who moved to the United States; they wanted a better life for their kids: my brother and I. September 11, 2001, the day of the terrorist attacks was the the day my mother, brother and I arrived here in the United States of America. My father, who was already in the states, had time to find a job and educate himself enough to find schools for my brother and I to be enrolled in. The day we arrived, we had no idea what was going on. We were on the last flight to Miami,
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Florida. My brother, who was nine at the time, knew a bit of English and was able to figure out the situation and explained to my mother what he understood of it. When we arrived, we stayed at my aunt’s house; this was our home for the next year until my parents were able to come up with enough money for an apartment to rent. In this house lived my aunt, uncle, two cousins and my family and I. This made eight people living in a house with three rooms and two bathrooms. Surprisingly it wasn’t chaotic or anything, it was a very calm and organized environment. Eventually, one year flew by and my father obtained a job as a cashier in a gas station and my mother began cleaning houses. Their hard work lead them to renting an apartment which we would be living in for the next seven years. My parents are very hard working people, and it took me a while to realize that. Growing up as child in the United States wasn’t any different than your typical natural born citizen child. Being undocumented did not really affect me because it is not something everyone knows, especially if you’re a child. However, it did begin to affect me when I started high school. That was the moment that I knew I could not hang out with my friends all the time because it required me to have money in my pocket. I knew my parents didn’t have the luxury of giving me $10 a week to spend on what I desired. Therefore, I never gave them
a hard time when it came to spending money on my wants rather than my needs. Not being able to apply for certain scholarships was something that truly discouraged me. Not being able to apply to universities because I knew that I wouldn’t be able to afford it and financial aid was not available. Listening to friends and people around me talking about how they earned scholarships and got accepted to prestigious schools as well as people who aspire to enlist in the military; something I can’t be a part of because of my legal status. I am now 17 and on the verge of graduating high school. I have obtained the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This allows me to get a social security number which will allow me to work, even though I have lived in Florida for almost 12 years I still have to pay out of state tuition to any college or university. This makes it more difficult for me to pay for college. Being able to obtain a job helps a lot because I can now look for a job and begin saving for school, When there’s a will there’s a way.
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NEWS
BOSTON: People leave flowers near the explosion on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, in Boston, Massachusetts. The city is in mourning for three killed and at least 144 wounded in a “cowardly” bombing at the Boston Marathon. (Boston Herald/MCT)
How did the Boston Bombing affect you? “I was more surprised than anything, I think. These were innocent people and we still have no reason or justification for this attack.”
“I hadn’t realized how bad it was. I just moved here from Colombia. We never had stuff like this over there. I don’t feel safe here anymore.”
Ozzie Quintana Teacher
Kyle Herrera Junior
News A ro u n d V arel a
Edmond Goldman
by Taylor daley staff reporter @thevipervibe
In lieu of spending his time playing video games and watching TV, junior Edmond Goldman studies science. A student in the iPrep Academy, Goldman has been interested in science almost all his life. “I have always excelled in science,” Goldman said. “Since I was five years old, I always wanted to be a surgeon.” As part of the iPrep program, Goldman participates in an internship with Florida International University. For about a year and a half, he has worked with Dr. Ligia Collado, a marine botanist in the Marine Macroalgae Research Laboratory at the university and the Deering Estate. Goldman and Dr. Collado are studying macroalgae and creating baseline data concerning the population of freshwater life in the Cutler Creek area. “Working with the doctors and pros is not like high school,” Goldman said. “No one babies you. It is all serious work. I want to be able to write medical journals and research papers. I’m learning for free and being criticized for free.”
While many students look up to celebrities and athletes as their role models, Goldman looks to scientists. “I look up to Richard Dawkins and Neil Degrasse Tyson.” he said. Considering his future plans, Goldman wants to make his mark on the scientific community, too. “I want to go to FIU Honors College or University of Miami hopefully, but I want to stay in state for the Florida
“For about a year and a half, [Goldman] has worked with Dr. Ligia Collado, a marine botanist in the Marine Macroalgae Research Laboratory at the university and the Deering Estate.”
Bright Futures Scholarship,” Goldman said. “I want to go to medical school. I want to be like [Dr. Gregory] House in his full glory.”
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“He shares other ideas and makes connections,” Dual Enrollment Literature teacher Mr. Roberto D’Amato said. “He is intelligent, driven and hard-working. He is going to go as far as he wants to go in the future.” At Varela, Goldman takes a full load of AP and Dual Enrollment classes, while also getting a Superior at this year’s Dade County Science Fair. When Goldman is not in school or working with scientists, he is helping his community as the president of Best Buddies. General Education students of the club partner up with Special Education students as peer buddies for support and activities. It is an ongoing, year-long connection similar to the Big Brother/ Big Sister mentor program. “[Goldman] plans all of the activities for Best Buddies with the other officers,” Best Buddies sponsor Mrs. Mercedes Parada said. “He is dedicated, friendly and very responsible. He is a good leader.” Between his academic drive and charitable disposition, Goldman is already a force to be reckoned with. While he shows no trace of House’s trademark cynicism, he is well on his way to the doctor’s distinction.
@thevipervibe photo by Shiloh Hayes
New s Beyon d Varela
channels to learn from by Claudia Morales Editor-in-Chief @Ravenclawdia
In an increasingly virtual age, textbooks approach obsoletion. It appears even Miami-Dade County has taken note of this, considering that an educational portion of YouTube has been left unblocked since the beginning of the school year. While students may react with frustration upon being able to access YouTube but not their favorite music videos or goat parodies, the educational side of YouTube is worth checking out. These are the frontrunners.
Vlogbrothers This is the only channel on this list that is actually blocked, but it’s hard to ignore it considering it’s always been a frontrunner among the educational channels. Started in 2007 as a side-project for author John Green (left) and his brother Hank Green (right), the channel is a mix of vlogs, music and wonderfully nerdy educational segments. It also founded a community (now a million strong) based in unironic enthuiasm - Nerdfighteria.
Crash Course, hosted by John and Hank Green and animated by ThoughtBubble, supplements Advanced Placement and college level courses. Thus far, there are a World History, English Literature series, Biology, Chemistry and American History series. Each episode delivers its lesson with the hosts’ signature wit and eloquence, making even the most “boring” subjects exciting and intriguing. Whether reviewing for a test or bored and curious, viewers can expect enjoyable learning
SciShow is an entirely science-based channel. Originally, it was only hosted by Hank Green. YouTuber Michael Aranda has since joined the lineup. This series includes segments such as “Great Minds” interesting looks at significant scientists and a rundown on news within the field.
MindFloss, a new channel based off its magazine counterpart, is also hosted by John and Hank Green. It’s not so much a series of lectures as it is one of “fact list” videos, tackling such topics as weird laws, common misconceptions, and Fred Rogers’ loveable quirks. photos courtesy of DFTBA Records and YouTube
Khan Academy offers lecturebased education for anybody who may want it. A non-profit organization founded in 2006, it delivers thousands of lessons in innumerable subjects, with a focus on the maths and sciences. It also supplies tests and activities.
The TED channels span multiple categories, all of them educational. From its inspiring conference-based TED Talks to its TEDx offshoot and channels like TEDEd, the organization boasts “ideas worth spreading” and “lessons worth sharing.”
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News A ro u n d V arel a
twitter account creates buzz
[
The most-loved animal on campus is no longer the viper - it’s a cat. Not just any of Varela’s trademark strays, but a unique, friendlier one that began making appearances in December 2012. As students took notice of the new addition, an anonymous twitter user created a parody account - @VarelaCat. The account has caught on quickly, providinc comic commentary on the everyday grind.
The Viper Vibe: What inspired you to create the @VarelaCat account? @VarelaCat: While waiting in line to pay my fees, I noticed this “human-friendly” cat, and I thought it’d be a funny to make it a parody account. I wanted Felix Varela to be unified by something.
VV: What was the initial reaction? How quickly did it catch on? @VC: The initial reaction was mostly, “wow, someone made a cat account.” Or “wow, that’s stupid.” I’d say that after about 2 weeks, it really gained popularity. In one night it gained about 70 followers, due to school gossip on Twitter.
VV: To your knowledge, have teachers and administrators become aware of the account? @VC: know Mr. Gomez is a fan of the account. Other than that I’m not aware of anyone who knows.
]
VV: Any backlash? Negative reactions other than the initial “this sounds dumb?” @VC: Well very few of my actual bestfriends are supportive.
VV: What’s your favorite thing to have come out of this? @VC: That’s a tough one. I’d have to say just making people laugh. Anything the account has done to make people laugh is a good thing.
VV: Your Tweets make it pretty obvious you’re a senior. What do you plan to do with the account after June 3rd? @VC: I’m still undecided. I’d like to hand it down to a junior, who’s becoming a senior. VV: How would you choose that person? @VC: Someone who’s funny and has good grammar. And a good sense of humor too.
Cat Stats Tweets 282 Followers: 117 Following: 118 (as of April 16th) 12
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reporting by Claudia Morales
Enchanters bring home national title
by Katie Ewald - Social Media Editor
S port s | I n V arel a
The journey
Since the beginning of the school year, the Enchanters dance team has been preparing themselves for one of the biggest competitions of the year: National Dance Alliance (NDA). This is a competition that dancers from around the country attend every year. They have participated in some local competitions throughout the year to prepare them for the NDA. Each Enchanter racked up $300 and headed out to Orlando’s Hard Rock for the competition on Friday, March 8.
The destination
“We’ve put in long hours of our lives throughout these years and honestly, it was completely worth it. Joining the dance team my sophomore year had to have been the best thing I’ve ever done in high school. Dance team helps you grow as a person and that’s exactly what I have accomplished.” - Taylor Blumengold (12)
“My experience as an Enchanter has definitely been unpredictable. You can work hard and long and win until you compete against a team who has worked harder and longer. Enchanters has taught me that I can achieve anything if I want it and work hard enough for it.” - Anabelle Molina (12) “[My Enchanters experience] was challenging, considering I was an alternate my freshman year. But it definitely showed me growth does occur and you can only go up from where you are.” - Julie Fernandez (12)
“For the rookies who got to experience this win so early on is great for them. They’re lucky they didn’t have to wait four years but it’s also more pressure for the following year. Being on the team has been difficult, but so much fun. A high school experience that I’ll never forget.” - Nyamekye Smith (12)
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The Enchanters competed in several categories, including the Junior Varsity Jazz competition and Small Varsity Team Performance. They won first place in the Junior Varsity Jazz competition against five other teams – something Varela hasn’t done since 2008 - and received their NDA championship jackets; something the girls have been waiting years for. “We’ve had practice Monday through Friday and have been conditioning so that we have the stamina to perform our full routine,” senior and co-captain of the Enchanters Nyamekye Smith said. “And we go through every detail of each dance so it will be perfect.” “The experience was unforgettable overall,” sophomore Enchanter Lauren Kearns said. “We had a blast being with each other for three days straight and to top it off, became national champions. I wouldn’t change one thing from the trip.” When senior Enchanter Taylor Blumengold was asked what her favorite part of the trip was she said, “The bus ride and when we were all standing on stage in a circle holding hands and they called our name for first place.” There were mixed emotions for the seniors knowing this was their last high school competition; however, the underclassmen are thrilled knowing this isn’t their last time and have the chance to attend this competition in the future. “I’m excited to go next year and hope we win again,” Freshman Enchanter Chaste Chin-Sang said. “It’s extremely motivational knowing that my team is amazing and are lucky enough to have the opportunities to win more jackets and titles,” Kearns said. “I’m extremely excited and can’t wait.” The students of the team aren’t the only ones excited about winning Nationals. “I’m glad that my past experience as a professional dancer has served them well enough to win,” Enchanters coach Ms. Ashley Diaz said. The dance team’s legacy now lives on at Varela as our 2013 Enchanters carry the name of National Champions. Photo courtesy of Enchanters Dance Team.
Sp or ts | I n Varela
annual wrestlemania takes place by David murray staff reporter @thevipervibe
WrestleMania has a lot of history behind it, like their very first WrestleMania held in Madison Square Garden, or when Vince McMahon (owner of WWE) had to shave this head bald at WrestleMania 23. This year, the WWE hosted their 29th annual WrestleMania. It was held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on April 7, but for those that could not make it to the Garden State, it aired on Pay-Per-View for $51. This historic pay-per-view was created by Vincent Kennedy McMahon Sr. (Vince McMahon’s father). He famously said that “this [Wrestlemania] is the WWE Super Bowl, where superstar’s dreams come true: The Road to WrestleMania.” The very first WrestleMania took place on April 1, 1985. The main event was a tag-team match with Hulk Hogan and Mr. T/Jimmy Sunka vs. Paul Orndoff and Roddy Piper. The following year during WrestleMania 2, WWF champion Hulk Hogan
went against the 385 lb. King Kong Bundy in a steel cage match. Hulk Hogan retained his championship. Many celebrities have shown up to WrestleMania such as Snoop Lion, Mike Tyson and Kid Rock. At this year’s WrestleMania, over 45 celebrities including Snookie, Beyoncé, and Kurt Warner were seen throughout the show. Many performed, making the fans jump to their feet. There have been many sad times in WrestleMania. In the Streak vs. Career match, Undertaker put his undefeated 18-0 WrestleMania Streak on the line for the Career of “Mr. WrestleMania” Shawn Michaels. He went on to lose the match and his years of wrestling came to an end in 2010. In last year’s WrestleMania, in what has been called the shortest match in WWE history, Daniel Bryan lost his World Heavyweight Championship to The Great White Sheamus in 18 seconds. This year’s WrestleMania was one of the most remarkable of them all. WWE Champion The Rock put his gold on the line against John Cena. It was a back to back match since both men met last year with The Rock coming out on top.
But, this year Cena grabbed back redemption and pinned him 1-2-3 for the win and also the gold. For the World Heavyweight Championship, Alberto Del Rio put his title on the line against “The All-American American” Jack Swagger. Del Rio came out with the victory. Following up these matches The Undertaker put his 20-0 streak against “The Straight-Edge” CM Punk. For a whole of 45 minutes. CM Punk came up short and The Undertaker’s streak rose to 21-0. On Monday Night Raw a lot of wrongs were corrected and very shocking things happened. After Mr. Money in the Bank Dolph Ziggler could not gain the tag-team championship with Big E Langston, he cashed in his contract and defeat a hurt Del Rio to become a two-time world champion. Along with that, the former Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett lost his gold to “The Awesome One” The Miz. But the next night, The Miz lost the title to Wade Barrett. And while many see Cena as the WWE Champion, both Mark Henry and Ryback, two of the strongest men in WWE, have set their sights on taking the title for themselves.
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L i f est y le E nt er tai nment
Lifestyle Timberlake’s record blends pop and soul by tiffany balz staff reporter @_americvno After a five year musical hiatus to focus on acting, Justin Timberlake is back and more melodically complex than ever. Unlike his previous albums such as Justified and Future Sex/Love Sounds, The 20/20 Experience is a more flowing, cohesive record with a much more varied musical influence. One thing that weaves the songs together is the present jazz band which added a layer of soul to the radio pop Timberlake’s fans were so used to. That, along with the present beats of Timbaland, who has worked with Timberlake before, really gave the record a unique blend of different sounds that worked exceptionally well. This was especially characteristic in the al-
bum’s leading single, “Suit & Tie,” which premiered during the 2013 Grammys. The song is a homage to well-dressed men of class and their ability to attract women. It includes hip-hop artist Jay-Z rapping on the track, granting the song an urban twist. “Don’t Hold The Wall” is a hip hop track with a Middle Eastern influence that could get anyone moving with its hypnotic drum beats and synthesizers. The song actually even says “C’mon baby dance with me. Please don’t hold the wall,” beckoning whoever’s listening. The most sensually romantic song on 20/20 has to be “Strawberry Bubblegum.” Between Timberlake’s sweet, honey-smooth falsetto and lyrics like “I let you get in my ‘do not disturb’ zone. But I guess your mouth emotion got me so high,” it’s sure to be a female favorite. Out of the ten songs on the album,
there was only one that I found to be inadequate and unnecessary. “Let The Groove In” was just a very repetitive and stereotypical Latino-laced pop song. It was quite out of place in the mostly soulful record. The album as a whole shows that much time and effort was put into the desire Justin has to express his growth as an artist. 20/20 is a huge leap from his days as the front of NSYNC*. He knows how to make a sound of his own, rather than giving in to the media hype. Justin is soulful pop, and that’s what the record is all about. Full jazz bands, falsettos, hypnotic beats, and romancing. Overall I would recommend paying the $10.99 to purchase the whole lot, because it’s fantastic as a collective piece. Timberlake’s come back sure didn’t disappoint.
A
by Kristian Quincosa
Drake’s new single “Started from the Bottom” is a musical reflection on his issues and struggles on his way to the rap game. It’s very musically appealing and lyrically sincere, however, the song’s hook, a repetition of “Started from the bottom, now we’re here,” is annoyingly redundant. It is a new type of beat that bring diversity into the rap game.
A16
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New R&B singer B Smyth makes cockiness charming. His new single “Leggo” is an admiration of a girl he met in a club. The smooth, upbeat melody of the is very fitting or this song’s equally smooth concept. For a first single, this one was very impressive. His debut album drops this summer and it is definitely one to watch out for.
A
photos courtesy of Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/MCT, Universal Records, and Motown Records
Lifestyle E nter tain ment
Fall Out Boy saves rock and roll By Claudia Morales Editor-in-chief @ravenclawdia Rock and roll was saved on a Monday morning. By noon on February 4th, poppunk frontrunners Fall Out Boy had announced the end of their three-year hiatus. In the same breath, announced a nationwide small venue tour and put out a single. With an April 16th release date on Save Rock and Roll, fans barely had time to process the news, let alone follow the artistic process. If those expectations did exist in some alternate universe, they were exceeded. It’s initially unclear what exactly we’re saving rock and roll from, but it’s very hard to care. While every song on the album is strong, there are definite highlights: The Phoenix The album kicks off with all the strength and immediacy of their comeback. “The Phoenix” wastes no time in using new sounds and skills to celebrate the band’s long-held commitment to fun and ferocity. It’s a catchy, motivating, danceable track. And if you don’t want to save the world by the end of it, you’re listening to it wrong. Young Volcanoes With sunshiny acoustic chords and clapping throughout, as well as catchy lyrics, this track is a celebration of youth in any age - the kind that wastes no time on urgency or promoting the vodka
byJean Oliveros
Photos courtesy of Island and Interscope Records
brand du jour. It’s the perfect summer song. It’s the perfect lay-on-your-bed song. It’s the perfect pick-me-up song. It’s an anthem, a love letter, and an act of defiance. Where “The Phoenix” makes you want to save the world, “Young Volcanoes” makes you happy to live in it. Save Rock and Roll Titular track “Save Rock and Roll” features Sir Elton John’s striking piano and vocals. It’s almost a ballad, and its rejection of mainstream apathy is stunning. The band here declares that they “don’t know when to quit.” That’s not a bad thing, especially with promisingly evocative songs like this one. It’s also the most self-referential song of the album, kicking off with a throwback to “Chicago Is So Two Years Ago” off their debut album Take This To Your Grave and a later reference to “Sugar, We’re Going Down” off From Under the Corkboard - arguably the song that made them big. These songs epitomize the band’s new philosophy: grow up and progress, but don’t forget your roots. Don’t write off your past. Don’t be ashamed of your youth. Instead, look back on it regularly and honestly. Coming off a three year break benefitted the band. It’s definitely still Fall Out Boy - there’s still angst, there’s still anger, there’s still sorrow. But for
the most part it’s used as a catalyst for empowerment and a jaded optimism. And there’s happiness, too, the kind of happiness that other songs keep telling us are reserved for our youth. Here’s the thing - Fall Out Boy is approaching middle age, but they’re not trying to grow up. The album definitely emphasizes a newfound maturity, not only in the musical style and vocals but in the lyrics. Still, it doesn’t devalue the emotions present in past albums. In the end, Fall Out Boy saves rock and roll from cynicism and apathy. The album embraces the band’s past as well as current trends across all genres. It’s the kind of album that tells you you’re okay, no matter where you are in life. It makes you embrace every facet of your existence, end your personal pity parties, and make adventures out of any circumstance. In “Death Valley,” Patrick Stump sings “What I’ve got will make you feel more alive.” That’s exactly what this album accomplishes. And for every young adult who finally thought they were done with Fall Out Boy, Save Rock and Roll is a reminder that you’re never too old for that particular brand of magic.
A+
Mindless Behavior has gained much of their fame through Internet popularity. But don’t get me wrong, they aren’t some kids from Nowhere, Kansas that got famous through YouTube. They are hand-picked talents chosen from the “industry” by Walter Millsap (worked with Beyonce and Timbaland) and Vincent Herbert (worked with Lady GaGa and Toni Braxton). Mindless Behavior could be compared to Frankenstein’s monster: a surreal and sweated attempt at success but eventually falling to its demise. Mindless Behavior’s overuse of irritating, futuristic beats and auto-tune can cause the listener to fall into a state of progressive migraines. Not only do they try to relentlessly seduce the listener with their pathetic auto-tune solos, but they try to throw in a couple of rap verses, which can give a true rap fan a serious case of the giggles because of how god-awful the verses are. We’re not much for hating on young artists and their dreams for fame, but when a group of idiots can cause the demise of the beautiful genre of R&B, then something must be said and done.
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L i f est y le E nt er tai nment
by Jordan Cline
The croods
‘Side Effects’ THrills by sabrina aleman staff reporter @sabrinaalemanx
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In Side Effects, director Steven Soderbergh (Contagion) creates a cultivation of madness, murder, and chilling suspense. The story follows Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara), a woman rendered depressed by her rocky marriage. After attempting suicide, she is taken to see Jonathan Banks (Jude Law), a psychiatrist who prescribes her with a new drug, making Emily one of a medication industry’s test subjects for highrisk antidepressants—which is being run illegally without the consent of its participants. The premise of the film comes in with the subsequent side effects of this medication which involves lucid dreaming and sleepwalking. This is demonstrated whilst performing regular day-to-day activities in one’s unconsciousness, which, in Emily’s case, is cooking and setting the dinner table for her husband. The twist: everything done during her lucid period is forgotten the moment she wakes up. It was refreshing to see a thriller in which the trailer didn’t give anything away which really granted the movie suspense. The plot of this movie has the potential to be very convoluted due to the concept driven by an unstable psyche; however, the story was written clearly
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without being predictable. The ending was barren of any plot or character ambiguity, tying up any loose ends. Ultimately, the movie was very substantial and satisfying in the regard that the story felt finished with nothing else to be left to audience interpretation. The actors in this movie portrayed their characters very realistically and did well to play into the suspense. The performances worked well with the script in order to keep audiences very in the dark until the big reveals such as the side effects and the unfortunate results of them. It was primarily because of these performances that led the audience to genuinely believe one thing only for them to be left completely dumbfounded at a subsequent plot twist. This involved Mara who initially portrays a very fragile character the audience wants to sympathize with and gradually plays into the madness of Emily, unraveling the layers of her character as the script does the same with the story. The premise of Side Effects was very interesting and unique. It was a story that drew from the complexity of human psychology and implemented it in a genuinely suspenseful thriller, which isn’t something often seen. It’s a film well worth the money.
B
The end of the world is aesthetically stunning - and funny. Dreamworks’s newest project, The Croods, follows the first prehistoric family on Earth. Being so used to the mundane lifestyle of living in a cave, Eep (Emma Stone) grows tired as she hungers for sunshine.According to her father Grug (Nicolas Cage) this is the ideal way of living. But that entire premise is shot once their cave is destroyed due to the end of the world. After which, they meet Guy, an idealistic modern-man who leads them on a journey towards their “tomorrow.” The colors and visual effects for this film were absolutely amazing. Everything is realistic to the point that it was easy to forget this was animated and not live action. That, along with the 3D technology, granted the movie enough realism for audiences to want to reach out and touch the visuals jumping off the screen. Meanwhile, the cast had great chemistry with one another. Cage and Stone really embodied a realistic father-daughter relationship through their humor and emotional sincerity. Ultimately, this is a film for families, even though the plot may be predictable for older kids and adults. If there are little ones watching, they’ll be surprised at every twist. The humor was well balanced between child-appealing and broad, genuine humor that could make anyone laugh. Overall, The Croods is a very solid movie experience. Yes, it’s predictable. But it’s so genuine, funny, and visually amazing that it’s all right.
photos courtesy of Di Bonaventura Pictures and Dreamworks
Lifestyle E nter tain ment
Gaming’s Greatest Heroine makes a comeback by ciro salcedo
viewpoints editor @cj_fett_salcedo
Reboots are a gamble in the video game industry. There are stellar titles such as Fallout 3 and DMC: Devil May Cry and less than satisfying games such as Bomberman: Act Zero and Altered Beast. One game series that has greatly benefitted from a reboot is Tomb Raider. Lara Croft’s latest adventure, released on March 5 is an amazing example of how an aging franchise could bring something new and exciting during the end of this console generation. Set before all other games in the series, the game begins with Lara (Voiced and motion captured by Camilla Luddington) on her first journey aboard the Endurance to find the lost kingdom of Yamatai off the coast of Japan. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worst when a violent storm hits her ship and she crash lands on a mysterious island. Inhabiting the island are evil mercenaries that are holding her friends captive. Upon killing one of these mercenaries, Lara is in tears, but realizes that this is what it takes to save her friends. This transition from young archeologist to survival expert is well done. Players feels what she is going through. Aside from an excellent story, Tomb Raider is one of the nicest looking games on this console generation since 2011’s Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception- due to its realistic looking character models, a
beautiful island and an amazing attention to detail. This game ditches the exaggerated look of past Tomb Raider games and gives players much more real looking characters. As far as which system looks the best, PC definitely wins with much nicer looking textures and realistic looking animations. Though, XBox 360 and Playstation 3 owners are still rewarded with a visually stunning experience. In addition to looking nice, Tomb Raider is also a treat to the ears. The voice acting makes these characters come to life and Luddington does a great job capturing the fear and tension that Lara feels throughout. The music is also really nice, with a great score composed by Jason Graves makes this game feel like a big budget summer blockbuster and conveys this sense of adventure and excitement. At its core, Tomb Raider is a cover shooter with platforming elements. Similar to Gears of War, players hide behind cover and shoot enemies. Platforming is also very similar to Uncharted, where players get from point A to point B by either scaling walls or jumping to different platforms. A large part of the game is the freedom to tackle different objectives. Players are given a choice to either attack enemies silently by using stealth takedowns and utilizing her bow and ar-
row. I tried this the first few times but as it got harder, I went in there guns-a-blazing which ultimately led to Lara’s death. The island is huge and could be explored at any time. There are optional tombs that players could explore and collect different treasures. There is also a level progression system and different objectives that the player could perform like hunting challenges or various side quests that the player could partake in. Once players are done with Lara’s near 15 hour adventure there are also a variety of multiplayer modes that could be played online. Despite what other critics have said, I actually enjoyed this part of the game as well. With sleek controls and awesome maps that complement game modes like free-for-all and team deathmatch increases this game’s replay value. Tomb Raider is one of 2013’s greatest games and an obvious contender for Game of the Year. Tomb Raider is an adventure worth going on. Hey, it’s the best thing to hold you over until Grand Theft Auto: V or Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag comes out.
A
by Ciro Salcedo
Bioshock: Infinite is spectacular, offering something outside the mundane Call of Duty experience. The amount of violence in the game may be too much for some people, though, that is really only nitpicking. No other shooter offers the same visual flare, gameplay variety or even amount of choice that Bioshock: Infinite does. It’s everything I expected with so much more put in for good measure. photos courtesy of KRT PLUGGED IN STORY SLUGGED: TOMBRAIDERPREVIEW KRT HANDOUT PHOTOGRAPH (July 20)Publishre Eidos is hoping that “Tomb Raider: Legend” will be a new start for the series. (jt) 2005 and 2K Games
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