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COMMANDER THE

Volume XXXV, Issue 6 April 8, 2016

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UNIVERSITY CITY HIGH SCHOOL Keeping it Clean Earth Day Special Edition PAGES 4 and 5

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Congrats to Senior Jayce Bjelland for finding Joe first in the March issue!

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Twenty-fifth Annual Grad Nite Celebration to be Spectacular cards and printed T-Shirts, and glow sticks Cranford said, “Tickets will be sold at the By Cameron Doyle are given at the door.â€? door; however, go to this link to purchase Staff Writer Smith stated, “Food and drinks are served tickets now: http://uchsptsa.org/?page_ 7KH WZHQW\ Ă€IWK DQQXDO 8& +LJK *UDG Nite will be held in the gym on the night of all night long. In the past, we have served LG 7LFNHW SULFHV DUH DV IROORZV JUDGXDWLRQ 7XHVGD\ -XQH IURP FRRNLHV VDQGZLFKHV SL]]D VXVKL ULFH DQG dollars until March 25 (25 dollars for stuchicken bowls, lumpia, Mexican food, so- dents who qualify for Free and Reduced 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Lunches (FRL)), Grad Nite Co-Chair Netanya 95 dollars March Cranford stated, “Grad Nite is a -XQH fun, safe, chaperoned drug-anddollars for students DOFRKRO IUHH H[WUDYDJDQ]D ZLWK who qualify for music, dancing, food, entertain)5/ DQG GROPHQW JDPHV DQG SUL]HV Âľ 6KH ODUV DW WKH GRRU added, “The theme is a Roman dollars for FRL).â€? coloseum to compliment our In addition to tickCenturion mascot, and it’s the et sales, according same [theme] each year.â€? to Cranford, Grad Cranford explained, “The doors Nite is also funded open at 9 p.m., and the event goes through “...grants until 4 a.m. It is like an indoor from the communiamusement park, with games and ty, individual donaactivities to chose from throughtions from parents out the night. Then, there is a and the community VSHFLDO VKRZ DW D P WR FORVH WKH and fundraising party!â€? The activities, which inactivities, such as clude “...a casino, arcade games our garage sale on [and a] green screen photo booth,â€? $SULO D P will be located “...throughout the to 12 p.m. The gym, the activity room and the DGGUHVV LV quad near the gym.â€? Award Row, San Cranford said, “All attendees Diego, 92122!â€? will be given tickets that they can courtesy of Netanya Cranford Cranford stated, XVH WR FKRRVH ZKDW SUL]HV WKH\ UC High alumni host the first ever Grad Nite at UC High in 1991. “Every year, the ZDQW WR ZLQ 3UL]HV ZLOO EH JLYHQ PTSA forms a committee over the summer. out at the end of the night. You must be das and water.â€? According to Smith, “We have a crash The Grad Nite Committee works throughSUHVHQW WR ZLQ 7KHUH DUH PDQ\ JUHDW SUL]HV including bikes, Kindles and an iPad and a room for students to sleep and parent chap- out the year to plan the event, meeting drone.â€? Head Secretary Norma Smith said, erones, and we serve breakfast in the morn- monthly. There are a number of sub-committees to help with planning, too.â€? “We have given away refrigerators, gift ing at 4 a.m.â€?

Cranford stated, “Only UC High graduatLQJ VHQLRUV PD\ DWWHQG 7R Ă€QG RXW ZKR LV attending, go to this link to view a list of students who have already purchased tickets: https://docs.google.com/document/ G PZ[*YZ MUFP/9)D;UEM WT S*PEDU]:FJU%*L+ .G J HGLW Âľ Smith stated, “Grad Nite was established because a group of parents got together and wanted to create a safe graduation night, as it would be their last night with friends before leaving high school.â€? She added, “UC +LJK *UDG 1LWH EHQHĂ€WV VWXGHQWV DV D VDIH bonding experience.â€? Smith said, “Grad Nite has always been WKH VDPH VHWXS VLQFH ZKHQ WKH Ă€UVW UC High Grad Nite. Originally, some people at Sea World made the set for us.â€? 6PLWK VDLG ´6WDUWLQJ WKH Ă€UVW *UDG 1LWH was a great ordeal. The committee had to get insurance and speak to the principal for permission, and to this day, we still have to make sure everything is given to the committee by donation.â€? Senior Rayph Crosford stated, “I am excited to go to Grad Nite and celebrate graduation.â€? Senior Hanna Katsiapis said, “I’m looking forZDUG WR JRLQJ FUD]\ DQG ORRNLQJ IRUZDUG to experiencing my kid-like self.â€?

Spring Musical to Open Next Week

By Juliana Marquez Staff Writer The UC High School Performing Arts Department will be performing its spring musical, Little Shop of Horrors, at the auditorium starting on Tuesday, April 12 at S P By Bilal Mohamed skatepark that he invited me to so I could came; it wasn’t as established [as the one According to Theatre Director Matt Staff Writer display some photos. I felt that we had this year]. However, for this one, we had a Moody, the show will run for three nights, On Friday, February 12 at the Tenth Av- grown so much in that year as artists that WXUQRXW RI DURXQG Âľ 3DVFXD VDLG plus a dress rehearsal. The Theatre Departenue Arts Center, a photography and art we needed to upgrade to an actual gallery “I had a really great time. The venue it ment requests a 5 dollar donation to watch show called “Gnashing Art Showâ€? was to showcase our work,â€? Delmundo said. was held in was really cool, and I was able the dress preview matinee. The opening held by UC High students along with loAccording to Senior James Sud, who WR PHHW D ORW RI GLIIHUHQW SHRSOH Âľ -XDUH] QLJKW LV RQ :HGQHVGD\ $SULO DW S P cal artists and photographers to display was featured in the show, many UC High said. a volunteer appreciation night is Thursday, artwork and photography, and also to pre- students showcased work as well. Senior “I was super glad to be in that show. It was $SULO DW S P DQG FORVLQJ QLJKW LV )ULmiere skateboarding videos. Jessica Borchardt, Junior Hannah Toombs, DPD]LQJ WR VHH DOO WKH ZRUN WKDW NLGV LQ 6DQ GD\ $SULO DW S P 7KH VKRZ ZDV RUJDQL]HG DQG KRVWHG E\ Senior Bilal Mohamed, Senior Linay Juar- Diego do, and it was so great to see how ´7KH WLFNHW DGPLVVLRQ LV GROODUV ZLWK Senior Bilal Mohamed, Victorville Photog- H] DQG 6HQLRU 7D\ORU 0F&DEH DOO FRQWULE- high schoolers reacted to the set-up. You an ASB card and 8 dollars without, and 12 UDSKHUV &\ULO 6ROLPDQ DQG /RUHQ]R )ULMDV uted artwork for people to view. usually think of art shows as being an old dollars for adults,â€? said Moody. along with rich people Little Shop of Horrors is a musical about Local Phothing, so it D SODQW WKDW KDV DQ DSSHWLWH IRU KXPDQ Ă HVK tographers IHOW DPD]LQJ and blood. “The movie is based off the and Artbeing kids play, not the other way around. We decided ists Jakob and saying, to do the play, because it’s incredibly enDelmundo, ‘We can tertaining and a ton of fun to rehearse and Madi Frausdo an art perform,â€? said Moody. to, Kaidan show,’ and “Our auditions for our performances Pascua and make it way are open to any UC student, and don’t reClarence better than quire attendance in theatre classes,â€? said Surel, acjust some Moody. cording to old people According to a web-based article about Delmundo. p a i n t i n g the musical, “A deviously delicious Broad“The show f l o w e r s , â€? ZD\ DQG +ROO\ZRRG VFL Ă€ VPDVK PXVLFDO was so sick. Sud said. Little Shop of Horrors has devoured the We had a “I en- KHDUWV RI WKHDWUH JRHUV IRU RYHU \HDUV Bilal Mohamed//Commander big white joy putting [Lyricists] Howard Ashman and Alan Seniors Alex Newman and Jessica Borchardt (left to right) admire students’ artwork at the show. room with shows like Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, a bunch of our work on the walls and a “The art show totally captured the un- this together, because it gives my friends Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin) are little side room with a few more pieces derground skate scene in San Diego. It was and I an opportunity to exhibit the kinds the creative geniuses behind what has beand a Nintendo 64 for people to play. We the art that represents a culture, and not the of things we want to do for a living, while come one of the most popular shows in the also sold some merchandise and premiered stereotypical ‘Anti-Everything Mindset,’â€? also helping us develop as artists by getting worldâ€? (mtishows.com). skate videos with a projector on one of the Sud said. our name out there more and giving us that “I’m super excited, and it’s going to be a walls,â€? said Delmundo. “The show went so much better than we drive to continue doing these shows and great musical. I guarantee that anyone who “I got the idea for the show from Cyril thought it was going to. The last one was doing what we enjoy the most,â€? Delmundo goes to watch it will love it,â€? said FreshSoliman, who held a show a year ago at a DW D VNDWH SDUN DQG RQO\ DERXW SHRSOH said. man Logan Quessenberry.

Gnashing Art Show Highlights UC High Student Work

2 OPINIONS

Unsigned Editorial

April 8, 2016

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Editorial Board Vote:

From the Editor-in-Chief

Unanimous

Kennedy’s Khronicles

Tenure Allows Subpar Teachers to Keep Working

(in years). According to a website looking for a better solution, “...the current tenurebased system is not a good model‌. The best option is a renewable contract system,â€? which involves teachers creating D ÂłSRUWIROLR RI LWHPV WKDW MXVWLÂżHV FRQWUDFW renewal,â€? such as a sample of their “most effective instructional activities.â€? With a multi-platformed way to judge teachers’ skills, we will be able to achieve a better state of education (edge.ascd.org). Test score improvements and evaluations by administrators, parents and students should also be considered as factors for determining teacher compensation as well DV ÂżULQJ According to an article in the New York Times, “It’s the classic driver of, ‘I taught high levels throughout their educational it, they didn’t learn it, not my problem.’ It has a decimating impact on morale among careers. We should hold teachers accountable staff, because some people can work hard, for the way they teach and how well some can do nothing, and it doesn’t matter.â€? they do so, not just for how long they’ve When all teachers are paid using the same been on the job. “According to the pro- scale, regardless of performance, there is education reform documentary Waiting no incentive work harder, improve or even for ‘Superman,’ one out of every 57 maintain standards. The good teachers who doctors loses his or her license to practice remain good teachers do so for the love of medicine. One out of every 97 lawyers teaching, and there just aren’t enough of loses their license to practice law. In many those out there who are willing to do this major cities, only one out of 1000 teachers when morale is low and pay doesn’t equal LV ÂżUHG IRU SHUIRUPDQFH UHODWHG UHDVRQV´ the work load (nytimes.com). (teacherunionexposed.com). It is necessary 6HQLRU 1LFROH *DUFLD VWDWHG Âł, WKLQN LW LV for teachers to be held responsible to important that teachers are judged on how similarly critical standards, just like others well they teach.â€? If we want a better education system, in similarly important jobs. Schools and districts should implement we need to confront the tenure issue in ways to measure teachers’ skill levels and various ways. Schools need to focus not abilities. Salaries and job security should only on student performance, but teacher be tied to teaching quality, not quantity performance as well.

With all the fuss about reforming public education, you would th.ink by now there would be some talk about those who are teaching it. Why are there K-12 teachers out there who are protected by tenure, yet don’t deserve to be? According to a website about tenure, “Teacher tenure is the increasingly controversial form of job protection that public school teachers in all states receive after 1-7 years on the job. As of 2008, 2.3 million teachers have tenure.â€? On one hand, tenure is a logical way to secure jobs for teachers who have been doing exceptional work for years. But when abused, it may end up protecting substandard (or even dreadful) teachers simply because of their years on the job, which could ultimately harm students’ educations (teachertenure. procon.org). According to commentary on a study published in Education Next, “The IXQGDPHQWDO ÂżQGLQJ LV WKDW JRRG WHDFKHUV have an extraordinarily powerful impact on the future lives of their students. Symmetrically, the researchers show the lasting damage that poor teachers have on the lives of their students‌. [and] evidence shows that bad teachers cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost income and productivity each year that they remain in the classroomâ€? (hanusshek.stanford.edu). Poor teachers are bad for the students and bad for the education system. 7HDFKHU WHQXUH ÂżUVW VWDUWHG LQ 1HZ -HUVH\ in 1909. According to the website of the American Federation of Teachers, “... tenure rights came out of the progressive good-government movement as a way

to improve the quality of teaching and education for children� (aft.org). Though the initial reasoning behind tenure was meant to support education, it now seems to be hindering it. That is not to say that all teachers who have taught for a long time are substandard -- in fact many get better as they gain experience -- but rather that we need to have a more aggressive approach to ensure that teachers are performing at

By Camille Cudaback Opinions Editor In modern society, abortion tends to be a rather taboo topic, and oftentimes it is seen to be a personal decision, whether

a women wants to follow through with this procedure. According to Our Body 2XUVHOYHV 1HZ <RUN EHFDPH WKH ÂżUVW VWDWH to make abortions legal up until week 24 of a pregnancy. Even though abortion later became legal in all states, this controversial topic continues to be a source of persistent argument (ourbodieourselves.org). Currently, the Supreme Court is bringing the topic of abortion back to discussion by hearing a case regarding laws passed by the state of Texas that would increase the criteria for allowing organizations to perform the operation, according to the New York Times (nytimes.com). These new measures passed by the state of Texas are simply loopholes trying to prevent women from exercising their right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. The new Texas law requires “...doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, while the other requires all abortion clinics in the state to meet the standards for ‘ambulatory surgical centers.’ However, now the justices in the Supreme Court are ruling whether these new laws create an ‘unconstitutional artwork by Audrey Hancock burden’â€? (nytimes.com). These new laws are extremely unconstitutional because these laws are preventing women in Texas from having an abortion. These new laws have lead to the closure of about 20 abortions clinics in Texas, which is about half of the clinics. This decrease in abortion clinics makes it hard for women to receive the procedure, which leads to an infringement of their constitutional right to have an abortion (nytimes.com). In addition, if women in Texas can’t receive safe abortions from clinics, they may turn to dangerous alternatives. According WR WKH RIÂżFLDO 3URFKRLFH ZHEVLWH Âł,Q WKH years before Roe v. Wade, the estimates of illegal abortions ranged as high as 1.2 million per year. Although accurate records

We need to have a more aggressive approach to ensure that teachers are performing at high levels.

Abortion Laws in Texas are Unconstitutional Commander University City EDITORS-IN-CHIEF:

Volume XXXV Number 6

Kennedy Wilson* Emi Zeger * NEWS EDITORS: Micah Osteria* Hata Velic* OPINIONS EDITOR: Camille Cudaback* FEATURES EDITORS: Dorian Uson* Karyssa Newsome* SPORTS EDITORS: Valerie Bennett* Anthony Garbino* PHOTO EDITORS: Kate Atkins* Carissa Guzman* ARTISTS: Karyssa Newsome* Taylor McCabe BUSINESS MANAGER: Averie Wehr* STAFF WRITERS: Joshua Choi Cameron Doyle Audrey Hancock Taylor McCabe Ellie Massey Juliana Marquez Bilal Mohamed * Members of the Gabriella Proa Editorial Board Sebastian Rodriguez Kayli Sandoval Max Schaldach Kailey Withers Alison White Alex Volk ADVISOR: Susan Bristol Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the Editorial Board, while signed articles UHĂ HFW RQO\ WKH RSLQLRQ RI WKH ZULWHU 7KH RSLQLRQV expressed in this newspaper are not representative of WKH IDFXOW\ RU WKH DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ DW WKLV VFKRRO $OO DG queries may be directed to our business manager at Please direct all letters and questions to: University City High School Journalism Department 6949 Genesee Avenue San Diego, CA 92122 or email The Commander at

could not be kept, it is known that between the 1880s and 1973, many thousands of women were harmed as a result of illegal abortionâ€? (prochoice.org). According to Cosmopolitan Magazine, there has been an increase of people researching self-induced abortion, and this is related to the increase of abortion restrictions. Furthermore, it is estimated that there are about 1 million abortions held each year, and in 2015, that number dropped to 700,000 (cosmopolitan.com). This can be explained in part by the rise of laws that discourage women from obtaining an abortion. As a society, we cannot regress back to an era when women are forced to seek illegal procedures in order to make a choice that is rightfully theirs. Finally, having an abortion is a personal choice. Everyone has a right to his/her beliefs, but everyone also has a right to be in control of his/her body. If someone doesn’t believe that having an abortion is the “right thingâ€? to do, then that person doesn’t have to have one. States such as Texas that are creating these loopholes are just creating situations in which those who are anti-abortion can make them harder to obtain. If the Supreme Court deems these new restrictions as constitutional, then other, more conservative states have the right to follow in Texas’s footsteps. This issue was settled many years ago, so let’s not regress back to a time when women did not have full control over their own bodies‌ not anybody else’s bodies, but their bodies.

By Kennedy Wilson Comparison will kill you. I’ve seen it written in fancy letters, I’ve heard my mother say it, I’ve seen it happen between old friends and new ones. The pressing self doubt whispers: “Am I enough? Will I ever be enough? Is there someone who is better?â€? Probably. As a teenager, I see this everyday; we are insecure people. We doubt, we worry, we see things in ourselves that no one else does... Or we hope they don’t. All because we are tricked into thinking that we have to prove our worth to other people. And for what? A wave in the hallway? Someone branding you as pretty? And of course, I would love to say, “Who the hell cares,â€? but I wouldn’t be writing this if that were true. I think that as we age, insecurities age with us. Some start when we are young and stay with us our entire lives. Some come and stay for a few years and then die out as our childhoods moves on. I thought by the time I was the age I am now, I would be relatively sure of who I was. But right now, I have no idea. One day your checking boxes and visting campuses and you realize that you are DFWXDOO\ JURZLQJ XS DQG LWV WHUULI\LQJ <RX think you have time to do all the things you wanted to do and be the person you wanted to be before you have resposibilites and \RX GRQÂśW <RX KDYH WR ÂżJXUH RXW LV WKLV who you want to be? As I applied to college, I had to ask myself what made me better than others competing to get in, and the truth is... I don’t know. I didn’t have an answer for ZK\ ,ÂśP D EHWWHU ÂżW IRU WKLV XQLYHUVLW\ WKDQ the kid sitting next to me. Sure, I think I’m smart or unique or whatever sounds nice, but I’m sure he is too. I’m sure all of us are. And as I watch my peers and friends get into college around me, I wonder... How much better are they? Why am I not that good? And the worst one -- I didn’t think they were that good. Maybe it’s not all bad though; maybe through all the ugly truth, there’s some comfort that by comparing ourselves, we inevitably improve. I mean, you can become a lot nicer simply by hanging out with the right people, and you can compare people to make yourself better. Because, at the end of the day, we do it for the same reason: to see how we measure up and if we are doing alright. And if there is the sneaking suspicion that we aren’t good HQRXJK ZH FDQ XVH WKDW WR Âż[ RXUVHOYHV I feel that as a seventeen-year-old about to take on the world, I still have no clue who I am compared to other people. To be completely honest with you, I don’t have a good reason for any college to think I’m better than someone who is virtually the same as me. So, comparison will kill you; I can tell \RX WKDW IURP ÂżUVWKDQG H[SHULHQFH %XW don’t let it kill every part of you, just the parts you don’t want anymore. Let it kill the parts you no longer need.

Letter Lettertotothe theEditor Editor After this past WASC visit, I just want to say that I am so proud to be a part of WKH 8& IDFXOW\ EHFDDXVH HYHU\RQH GLG VXFK D JUHDW MRE ZRUNLQJ WRJHWKHU ,W ZDV DOVR QLFH WR VHH WKH VWXGHQWV ZRUNLQJ WRJHWKHU -Teacher Michelle Fournier

The Commander

uchscommander.com

OPINIONS 3

Raising Smoking Age in California a Ridiculous Idea By Valerie Bennett Sports Editor People everywhere are in shock upon hearing the news that as of March 10, California lawmakers voted to raise the smoking and vaping age from 18 to 21. The legislation is currently pending while people wait to see if the governor will sign the bill. Changing the smoking age to 21 not only takes away the rights associated with becoming an adult in this nation, but is another intrusion from the government that restricts people from making independent decisions about their health. The law is also unnecessary, as there is not enough DFFXUDWH VFLHQWL¿F UHVHDUFK WR SURYH WKDW LW will decrease the chances of a teen smoking (abcnews.go.com). According to the ABC News website, $VVHPEO\ /HDGHU &KDG 0D\HV VDLG ³<RX can commit a felony when you’re 18 years old and for the rest of your life, be in prison, and yet you can’t buy a pack of cigarettes.� An 18 year old can register to vote, enlist in the military, sign legally binding contracts, and consent to sex. Therefore, if they are given all of these responsibilities, shouldn’t they be given the same respect and responsibility when it comes to their health? And yet, adults

having the right to smoke tobacco keeps some people up at night. With all of the responsibility this age puts on their shoulders, young adults should be

By Taylor McCabe Staff Writer Technology connects people all around the world in one way or another. The main issue is that not everyone knows how to disconnect. With a constant stream of tweets, status updates, comments and photos to sift through, social media can FDXVH D QHYHU HQGLQJ F\FOH WKDW ÂżOOV XS RXU WLPH DQG LV RIWHQ ÂżOOHG ZLWK QHJDWLYH feedback. Researchers from the University of *ODVJRZ WHVWHG WHHQDJHUV DQG WKHLU use of social media throughout the day and night. They also tested for sleep quality and a multitude of psychological indicators. According to the Discovery Channel, the results showed that social PHGLD XVH VSHFLÂżFDOO\ DW QLJKW OHG WR poor sleep quality, lower self esteem and higher levels of anxiety. This is due to the fact that teenagers feel a constant need to be responsive on social media 24/7. In addition, they feel the need to be constantly connected to their social media accounts through their devices and become emotionally invested, because social media is addictive (discovery.com). Addiction arises because of the fact that social media activity stimulates the pleasure centers in the brain, which are activated, for example, when people click WKH Âł/LNH´ EXWWRQ RQ \RXU SURÂżOH UHSO\ WR your comments or make comments on your photo (discovery.com). The New York Times reported that any communication (not just online) affects these pleasure centers. But the stimulation of dopamine production (a neurotransmitter responsible for the formation of strong desires, including drug-related desires, such as the need to smoke a cigarette) goes to a completely different level when you use social networks (nytimes.com). Senior Elena Voytilla said, “Many people get used to checking their phones or computers if they have a second of spare time. This habit turns into addiction really fast, and can happen to anyone if he/she is not careful.â€? It’s easy to get used to checking your

social networks often. For many people, social media becomes a kind of chewing gum for the brain. Such an activity does not have educational value, but constantly occupies their minds and attention as they are doing some work. For teenagers, this is the perfect way to relax their brains after a long and stressful day at school. But not if it’s interrupting the completion of homework. And not if it may have serious long term side effects. One Personal Development website states that constant multitasking, which can occur when spending time on social media, tires a person’s brain out rapidly. The brain gets tired of the abundance of information. In addition, it takes time to digest the received data and to process the information. %XW LQVWHDG RI ¿UVW IXOO\ comprehending significant knowledge such as that learned in school, many people continue to stuff it with new information from social networks or the Internet, depriving their brains of rest (nperov. com). The same website states that it is likely that if someone is constantly distracted by social networking during the day, then toward the evenings, that person’s brain will inevitably get tired. They explain that trying to close one’s eyes after a social media marathon prevents one from relaxing. A person will want to continue to occupy his/her brain, rather than letting it rest. This pushes out information learned throughout the day and causes stress due to lack of concentration (nperov.com). The alternatives to being plugged can ultimately provide more satisfaction than staring at a screen. Disconnect and let yourself connect with the world around you. Unplug, take a walk, go to the beach, WDON WR \RXU ORYHG RQHV -XVW GRQœW VQDSFKDW every effort to unplug.

artwork by Taylor McCabe

given t h e rights that they f r e e l y deserve in this country, and if they are to be truly treated as adults, who can be sent to jail for life, it is only fair that they are given all the rights of independent, free, American adults, and using tobacco is absolutely included in those rights (abcnews.go.com). In addition, 18 year olds also have the responsibility of taking care of their own healths. According to an article on the

Forbes website, Mr. Paul Hsieh said, “If the government can prevent an adult 18-year old from smoking, can they also stop him or her from eating too many chocolate chip cookies? Or require that they eat enough vegetables?� (forbes.com). There are tons of foods and drinks that if consumed too much are bad for people’s health, not to mention the dangers of not exercising; yet, you don’t see the government telling you what food you can or can’t eat because it isn’t healthy for you, or forcing you to go out for a run once a week. This is because people are responsible for their individual healths, and as adults, the government assumes that 18-year-olds are capable of making these decisions on their own. Why should laws about cigarettes be any different? If the government is truly worried about the health risks of cigarettes, it should instead, from an economic viewpoint, have health

insurance companies charge smokers with higher rates, which would discourage smoking while also keeping people accountable if they do decide to smoke and medical issues arise. According to the Los Angeles Times, the age change simply won’t stop teens from smoking at all. In the 1990s, three different communities in Massachusetts attempted to discourage underage smoking E\ FDPSDLJQLQJ ¿HUFHO\ DQG UHYHDOLQJ which stores were selling to kids who were underage, and although this eliminated underage sales, it had no effect on how many teens younger than 18 were smoking. Researchers stated that this was because most minors get cigarettes from their older friends. Even in the days of Prohibition, drinking never stopped, and if Prohibition failed greatly, why would we as a society think that banning a substance like tobacco from teens prevent them from smoking? (latimes.com). Overall, the idea of changing the smoking age to 21 is unnecessary and unrealistic. The government should not decide how adults manage their own healths. If this nation treats 18 year olds as adults, they should have all the responsibilities that come with it.

Does Technology Really Improve Our Lives? Counterpoint Point

level of connection provides anyone with access to media an opportunity to take part in conversations he/she may not have been exposed to before, ultimately making him/ her more educated. Also, social media can be used as a platform to get young people listening and involved in big issues and HYHQ SROLWLFV $V VHHQ LQ WKH FXUUHQW election, candidates are using social media to spread their messages and involve more of the American people (businessinsider. com). 6HDUFK HQJLQHV VXFK DV *RRJOH KHOS WR educate people at a faster pace than ever before. Whether it’s how to change a tire or a math question, a student can solve a problem with just the click of a button. According to a statistics ZHEVLWH Âł*RRJOH now processes over 40,000 search queries every second on average..., which translates to over 3.5 artwork by Alison White billion searches per day and people, only a few 1.2 trillion searches per year worldwideâ€? decades ago, couldn’t (internetlivestats.com). even have dreamed According to the New York Times, of. “Research shows that, for in 2011, “...an article in Information, example, video games and other Communication & Society‌ found, screen media improve visual- based on a representative survey of 2,500 spatial capabilities, increase attentional Americans, that regardless of whether the ability, reaction times, and the capacity to participants were married or single, those identify details among clutter. Also, rather who used social media had more close than making children stupid, it may just be FRQÂżGDQWV ´ 7KH QHZ ZD\ WHFKQRORJ\ LV making them differentâ€? (psychologytoday. shaping our social lives is making a leap com). forward in how we communicate with the Instead of standing idly by, we should take world around us (nytimes.com). advantage of the various opportunities that As with all things, technology is something technology offers, such as communicating we should use in moderation, but using to people in all parts of the world, sharing it for the right purposes can accomplish ideas or opinions and even searching unprecedented feats. As a society, not only *RRJOH IRU DQ XQDQVZHUHG TXHVWLRQ can we merely hope to move forward, According to Business Insider, “Social expand our thinking, improve our lives media is helping fuel social activism, as it and invent new solutions to old problems, provides a way for people to connect over but we can start achieving these goals with common causes and ambitions.â€? This new technology as a tremendous aid. By Kennedy Wilson Editor-in-Chief We are now part of a new frontier: the technological era. We have more LQIRUPDWLRQ DW RXU ÂżQJHUWLSV WKDQ LQ DQ entire library, and that is something we should celebrate. Parents, adults and critics are quick to point out the faults in technology. “It’s distracting,â€? they say, or “It makes children lazy,â€? but the truth is that technology plays a key positive role in how our society functions today. Technology helps us connect, discover and invent in ways

4 FEATURES

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Special Edition: Ear th Day

FEATURES 5

April 8, 2016

Upcycling Turns Trash to Treasure Balboa Park Plans Twenty- The History of Earth Day Seventh Annual Earth Fair By Dorian Uson Features Editor As spring jump starts and you begin to clean out your closet, be sure that this year you help the earth and try some upcycling. Instead of tossing out those old coats and jeans, why not make better use of them? Upcycling is the act of reusing unused objects or materials in such a way as to create a product of a higher quality or value than the original. Upcycling is great for you to use those clothes that don’t quite make the cut anymore. Another way to upcycle is to go to a thrift store and buy a used piece of clothing for cheap and jazz it up at home with buttons, frills and sewing -- whatever you need to spice it up. According to the website HipCycle, “Upcycling gives an item a better purpose. And while jimmying the lock on your car is giving that hanger a new purpose, it’s not necessarily better or more beautiful. And the mangled hanger is likely destined for the trash, which is the opposite intent of upcycling� (hipcycle.com). Did you know that making candles out of old crayons is considered upcycling? Well, it is. All those broken crayons and empty glass jars you have can be put to use. You can also use those old crayons bits to make new crayons. Just melt the broken pieces, put them into a shape holder, much like a ice cube tray and let them harden. The difference between recycling and up-

cycling is huge. Recycling is reusing something for the same or different purpose, or just bringing your bottles and cans to the recycling center. Upcycling is reusing something but with enhancements. You can enhance an object o r piece of clothing a n d reuse and re-

wear it over and over again. According to the Sugru website, there are many options for upcycling. S o m e ideas for upcyclying include: converting plastic bottles into garden planters, turning comic books artwork by Taylor McCabe into coasters, using old bike parts to make

diverse jewelry, using a plastic coke bottle WR PDNH \RXU *R3UR Ă RDW XVLQJ ROG IRUNV WR make candle holders and making hooks or plastic spoons into a pineapple-shaped lamp! (sugru.com). Many upcyclers start at thrift stores. A common upcycling trend is jean jackets. Taking old jean jackets and adding simple embellishments such as buttons or patches are super easy and will spice up a denim jacket. A favorite upcycle borrowed from the 1970s is taking an old pair of jeans that doesn’t Ă€W DQ\PRUH DQG PDNLQJ them into a denim purse. The pockets are so cute and can be used to hold items like phones these days. According to UpCycle Magazine, upcycling gained recognition in the ‘90s, but was not as popular until 2002. “William McDonough and Michael Braungart’s book ‘Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things’ brought the term into WKH SXEOLF H\H DQG VROLGLĂ€HG LWV use in pop culture (upcyclemagazine.com). Upcycling has also become more popular as the world as more environmental responsibility. Put your creative juices to the test and start reimagining clothing you don’t wear and items you don’t use.

Save the Waste! DIY Crafts from Recyclables

By Karyssa Newsome Features Editor When you hear about recycling projects, most people’s minds jump to the simple projects we did in elementary school, milk carton bird feeders and plastic bottle pencil cups. The possibilities may seem limited when brainstorming cool DIY recycling projects, but in actuality there are endless amounts of projects that you can partake in. The best part is, you can make something really cool and reduce the amount of waste you create all at the same time. For the artists at UC High, there are many EHQHÀWV WR UHF\FOLQJ SURMHFWV 0DQ\ KHOSful trinkets can be made out of simple items found around the house. You can make organizers for your brushes, pens and markers

by using empty bottles, cans and even empty chael’s or Target or even at your local dollar toilet paper rolls. Simply cut off the tops, store. One idea is to take decorate them with whatever paint, stickold corks from wine botHUV SDSHU RU GHVLJQV WKDW ÀW \RX DQG DUUDQJH tles and slicing them them in an old shoebox to create a caddy for into thin slivers. You your expensive art supplies (craftionary. can then paint them com). And while these projects may be and glue them appealing to artists, they can work for to the picture anyone. Repurposed containers can frame to add a just as easily hold all your school colorful, resupplies, jewelry, even organize cycled, pop your video game collection if to the deyou get creative enough! cor on your Another DIY recycling projdesk or in ect you might not consider right your living away is making cute picture frames room (allyou. artwork by Alison White IURP UHF\FOHG SURGXFWV <RX FDQ ÀQG FKHDS com). You can wooden picture frames at places like Mi- ÀQG PDQ\ VPDOO LWHPV DURXQG \RXU KRXVH to decorate a picture frame. Other materials that could be fun to use are bottle caps or old buttons. Why go all the way to the store to buy a new plastic or wooden picture frame, when you could make a cute frame right at home for little to no cost? Look for scraps in your garage or in mom’s craft box. Not only do you save time and money, you also put to use something that could have just as easily been thrown away. Creating recycled crafts can be fun, but if you want to up your green game, then you can try to tackle starting your own garden using all recyclable products. Plastic bottles and jugs can easily be converted into trowels with a pair of scissors and a bag of soil. By poking holes through the lid of a container you can repurpose a bottle and convert it into a watering can. And almost anything can EHFRPH D à RZHU SRW ZLWK HQRXJK ZLVKIXO thinking; old tires, worn out shoes or boots, broken down pieces of furniture like chairs and end tables -- all can be repurposed to grow foliage (designrulz.com). It’s easy to throw all your old junk out without a second thought, but with a creative and environmentally-friendly mind, you are ERXQG WR ÀQG D re-purpose for it all. Whether that purpose be served as a gardening tool, a storage container, or some other wildly imaginative thing, at the end of the day, creating useful items from recyclable goods is a green way to go.

This Issue’s Poll: Do you think global warming is real?

Yes - 92% No - 8% artwork by Karyssa Newsome

By Max Schaldach Staff Writer Sunday, April 17 marks the date of the twenty-seventh annual Earth Fair at Balboa Park. Each year, around sixty thousand people visit the celebration. Over four hundred volunteers help each year to keep the event running by operating food stands, providing children-friendly areas and producing an Earth Day Parade. $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH HYHQW¡V RIĂ€FLDO ZHEVLWH WKLV \HDU¡V (DUWK )DLU IHDWXUHG Ă€YH VWDJHV throughout the park. This included the Children’s Stage, with music and storytelling aimed towards younger children, the Moon Stage and the Sun Stage, which included music from local artists and was geared towards adults, and the Magic Stage, which featured the Dr. Wilderness Family Magic Show, FRPLQJ WR 6DQ 'LHJR IRU LWV Ă€IWHHQWK \HDU (earthdayweb.org). Dr. Wilderness was named “America’s Premier Environmental Magicianâ€? by the Audubon Society. He has also performed over three thousand shows at schools around San Diego (earthdayweb.org). “I’ve seen his show a few times as a kid. It was really funny and exciting. It was my favorite part of the whole festival when I was younger,â€? said Freshman Casey Granfors. The celebration also had the eARTh Gallery, which featured works by San Diego artists using recycled materials. Anyone can enter artwork in the eARTh gallery for a chance of it being displayed at the festival. “The artwork at the Earth Day festival is always very unique, because it’s made from recycled items instead of regular art materials like clay or paint. I’ve gone to look at the artwork the last two years and it’s always been really interesting,â€? said Junior Kaylee Williams. Each year, the Children’s Earth Parade begins by the Spanish Village and marches

through Balboa Park to the Children’s Area in the Pan American Plaza. Everyone was encouraged to participate in the parade and dress in Earth-friendly attire. “I remember my parents would take me to watch the parade every year when I was a kid. It was fun and I still go every

year,� said Junior Gavin Rasmussen. Our Earth is someartwork by Taylor McCabe thing worth celebrating all year around. Balboa Park’s Earth Fair helps us remember how important our planet is and commemorate a day each year for the whole family to enjoy.

By Alison White Staff Writer Growing up in San Diego, we have always been aware of Earth Day. But, have you ever wondered just where that annual celebration of environmental conservation came from? According to The History Channel’s website, during the 1960s, the environment was not a priority for Americans. 7KH\ ÀOOHG FDUV with leaded gasoline a n d their in-

dustries pumped out pollutants without abandon into the water and sky. But, as the world around them began slowly dying, Americans began to realize how pollution was affecting their well being (history.com). The movement reached its culminating

point when a devastating oil spill hit Santa Barbara, California in 1969, according to The Daily Catch. US Senator Gaylord Nelson took notice of the lack of regulations and proposed Earth Day in the spring of 1970. Nelson wanted to make a day dedicated to teaching the people about the effects of pollution and how to stop it (theterramarproject.org). According to an Earth Day website, April 22 was chosen because it was right between 6SULQJ %UHDN DQG ÀQDOV VR FROOHJH VWXGHQWV who made up the majority of the movement, could attend. Thousands of colleges and universities helped organize protests against environmental collapse, many of which were SUHYLRXVO\ ÀJKWLQJ IRU EHWWHU VXVWDLQDELOLW\ (earthday.org). According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), not only did this catch the eye of citizens, with almost twenty million people demonstrating across the country, but also the American government was forced to pay attention to the massive amounts of toxic waste being spewed into the air without any legal or regulatory backlash. In December of 1970, the EPA was born and the slow process to clean up the Earth began (epa.gov). Throughout the rest of the 1970s, different steps were taken to further move towards sustainability and cleaner resources. Many pieces of legislation were passed including the Clean Air Act, the Water Quality Improvement Act, and the Endangered Species Act, among many others (history.com) The support for Earth Day has grown exponentially, becoming a celebrated day internationally by 1990. Now, Earth Day is in collaboration with over 15,000 organizations in 174 countries, and around one billion people participate every year (history,com). So if you want to be part of a historically important day and fertilize your mind with new ways to be sustainable, then head over to the Balboa Park Earth Day celebration this April 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ways to Conserve Water During Drought

of water left at a table when the customer has By Micahrae Osteria left, I’d have quite a chunk of change. News Editor When people hear the words “water conAh yes, Earth, a planet that contains all of the aesthetically pleasing images one can servation,â€? they immediately think to one of dream up. If you search up “Earthâ€? on your WKH ZRUVW ZDWHU JX]]OHUV VKRZHUV $W Ă€UVW SKRQH FRPSXWHU RU L3DG \RX¡UH VXUH WR Ă€QG taking a shorter shower might seem like a PXOWLSOH LPDJHV RI PDSV ZLWK RYHU VLPSOLĂ€HG hassle, but as you get used to it, you’ll bedrawings of the world divided into 2 colors FRPH PRUH DFFXVWRPHG WR WDNLQJ Ă€YH PLQ-- blue and green. Despite the mass utes-or-less showers. “To conserve water, I amounts of blue that seem t o like taking to short showers,â€? said Teacher Joe Krupens. outweigh the green, we here It’s common knowledge that everyone uses in California still manage to the bathroom, and that we use it multiple Ă€QG RXUVHOYHV LQ RQH RI WKH times in one day. For this conservation worst droughts ever. tip, it might seem a little out there, If you didn’t already know, EXW LW GHĂ€QLWHO\ KHOSV FRQVHUYH California is going into its water in a way you might not fourth year of the ongoing have thought of. “If it’s yelcrisis. California’s extreme low let it mellow, and if it’s drought will cost the state’s EURZQ Ă XVK LW GRZQ EHeconomy about 2.7 billion FDXVH HYHU\ Ă XVK LV MXVW dollars or more, according a waste of water,â€? said to USA Today (usatoday. Sophomore Nicole Vincom). Not only that, but the cent. This may not be a drought also cost consumpretty method, but it will ers “an extra 2 billion dollars GHĂ€QLWHO\ VDYH ZDWHU +RZin power billsâ€? because of the ever, it’s by no means maneffects it left on hydroelectric stadatory. tions (bloomberg.com). This drought is artwork by Taylor McCabe Another good way to conserve rapidly becoming a problem for everyone and it’s about time that we started doing water is to wash your car at an actual car something to help conserve the water that is wash, and not do it yourself. “I enjoy washing my car at a car wash because they reuse so preciously slipping away from us. I know for a fact that I’m not the only one the water,â€? said Krupens. Many UC High who enjoys eating out, and I love to dine at students drive to school or have a car that sit down restaurants. But next time you’re in they own. Even though it might seem a bit on a diner and you order a glass of water, make the expensive side, car washes actually reuse sure that you actually drink it. If I had a pen- the water that goes “down the drain,â€? which ny for every time I walked past a half full cup truly helps to conserve water.

Conserving water doesn’t have to be a chore, and by following these conservation tips, you might just help save California a large amount of water. Although these are just a few ways to conserve water, there are plenty more ways out there as well. “Since we do have a limited amount of water, I think the San Diego community should focus on reducing their water use,� said Sophomore Aleksa Kostic. “We live in an

area where drought could potentially hit us the hardest, so I honestly don’t think people should be viewing this as a chore. It’s just common decency to our environment,� said Freshman Meriel Labaco. So, an ugly brown lawn may be an eyesore, but it you are helping to conserve our precious resources, maybe it’s worth it. And at least that chore of mowing the lawn can be put off until times are not so tough.

By Kailey Withers Staff Writer Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Sound familiar? Becoming aware of the state that the Earth is in and taking precautions to help prevent the planet’s collapse is something not enough people do. However, there are various ways to get involved when it comes to helping regulate pollution rates that are often overlooked. For instance, reducing your carbon footprint, using compost bins and even shopping at your local farmers markets can help make a world of difference. According to the Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty (COTAP) website, there are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint. What is a carbon footprint, you ask? Well, a carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person or group. COTAP provides over 25 examples of how a person can relieve VRPH RI WKHLU IRRWSULQW 2QH ZD\ LV E\ ÀQGing alternatives to driving. This could mean

walking, biking, or even carpooling. All of these alternatives help to reduce the carbon emissions going into the air. COTAP also VXJJHVWV VWHHULQJ FOHDU IURP WUDIĂ€F :DLWLQJ LQ WUDIĂ€F RQO\ ZDVWHV JDV HPLWWLQJ XQQHFHVsary carbon into the atmosphere; plus who ZDQWV WR VLW LQ WUDIĂ€F DQ\ZD\V" cotap.org). “I enjoy riding the bus or carpooling with friends, because it helps the environment a lot more than just driving alone in a car. Helping the environment in small ways can lead to some really big changes,â€? said Junior Cynthia Smith. Compost bins are another easy way for people worldwide to dispose of their biodegradables without putting them into landĂ€OOV $FFRUGLQJ WR +RPH *XLGHV EHFDXVH IRRG ZDVWH LV XVXDOO\ WKURZQ LQWR ODQGĂ€OOV and then covered by more trash, the food is unable to properly deteriorate into the soil. Since it has no contact with air, sun, soil or water, the food produces its own form of gas, polluting the environment instead of helping it the way it could. Compost bins are easy to

Top Ten Ways to Save the World

By Karyssa Newsome Features Editor Many people tend to take our planet for granted and forget that it is up to us as a society to save it from ourselves. As nations around the world work together to reduce our carbon footprint and foster a better environment, you may feel the urge to join in and protect the planet. Looking out for the environment may seem like a big job for one person, but you don’t need tights and a cape to help save it.

10.

Recycle your cans and bottles – According to an activist website, 38 billion bottles are wasted every year (banthebottle.net). Make sure to recycle your plastic bottles, or better yet, invest in a reusable one.

9. Turn off the lights – You don’t have to fumble about in the dark, but don’t have all the lights on when you don’t need them.

8.

Pick up after yourself – This may seem like an obvious task, but you’d be surprised how many people litter without care (check out the school hallways after lunch!). Your ZDVWH FRXOG HQG XS LQ D VWRUP GUDLQ DQG ÀQG its way to the ocean.

7.

Start a garden – You’d be shocked how much gas is wasted shipping those vegetables from the farm to the packaging facilities to the stores. And remember, plants create clean air!

6.

Carpool – You and your friends can reduce your carbon footprint by carpooling to school. The fewer vehicles on the road, the less car exhaust being released into the atmosphere.

5. Save water – You won’t miss it until it’s gone. Save water by turning off the faucet when doing tasks like brushing your teeth or washing the dishes, even soaping up in the shower.

4.

Unplug your appliances – Even when they aren’t in use, appliances plugged into the wall waste electricity.

3. Reuse, reuse, reuse –Don’t throw out your plastic bags. Repurpose plastic bottles and cans.

2. Bring your own bags – Paper bags kill trees. Plastic bags pollute the earth. Make it simple and bring your own reusable bags to the market when you shop.

1.

Plant a tree – More trees equals more oxygen, and last time I checked, that’s a good thing.

How to be Environmentally Friendly

make or purchase (homeguides.sfgate.com). Everyone eats food, so why not eat and help the Earth at the same time? If you shop at your local farmers markets, you are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by trucks transporting food across the nation. According to the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA), food in the US travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to your plate. This mass use of shipping hurts the environment. When you shop from your local farmer’s market, you are making it possible to decrease the use of shipping products. Plus, you get to purchase delicious items grown locally! (cuesa.org). Planet Earth has been facing major pollution since the Industrial Age. Recently, the carbon being admitted in the air has caused KRUULÀF FKDQJHV LQ WKH FOLPDWH %HLQJ LQvolved and taking action in helping with pollution is only one step towards recovery. If all of us join together and utilize the ways offered to us to help the Earth, we sure would be able to make a large difference.

6 SPORTS

uchscommander.com

April 8, 2016

Female and Male Athletes of the Month

Riley Reaches Towards Victory Goldenstein Goes for the Glory By Anthony Garbino Sports Editor Track is a sport which requires endurance, resilience and strength, and Senior Rhianna Riley seems to have all of these traits and more. “I love track. Not only is it fun for me, it is also good for my health, and my grades seem to do better when the season is going on,� said Riley. Since her childhood, she has wanted to be able to be a good runner. “I’ve always been interested in track ever since I was a child. I started running and I haven’t really stopped since,� said Riley. Riley is an athlete who strives to be the best that she can. Whether it be through training in the gym or running on the track, she

will do everything that she can to achieve her goals. Her motivation to be able to continuously work is the need to improve her athletic ability. “I work hard, because I know that I can be a lot better than I already am. My goal is to beat my best times before the end of my senior year,� said Riley. Though she wants to improve her skills on the track, she has decided that pursuing track as she goes into college isn’t a priority. “I love track so much, but I feel like working towards a career in physical therapy. I want to be able to run track in college if I have a chance, but if I can’t, I really will not worry about it,� said Riley.

By Emi Zeger Editor-in-Chief UC High’s divers are springing into the season with a Dive Team that has jumped to triple its size since its inception last year. The Dive Team started with just one diver, Senior Natalie Harding. “It was just me last year and then, eventually, we had another guy join towards the end of the season,â€? said Harding, who is now Captain. This year, three girls and two boys joined the team. “A few of us have [diving] experience, and the other ones all have gymnastics, cheer RU VRPH NLQG RI H[SHULHQFH ZKHUH \RX Ă LS around,â€? she said. Armed with somersaulting skills, the GLYHUV KDYH SOXQJHG LQWR WKHLU RIĂ€FLDO training this spring. The UC High team practices with other high schools, including Cathedral Catholic High (CCH), at CCH’s pool and under its coach. Practices last from 3:30-5:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Training consists of dryland for building muscle memory as well as actual practice on the diving boards, according to Harding. “I’m working on my front double. I competed in it last year at CIFs, and I want to get it solid this year. Other people on our team are working on front doubles also,â€? said Harding. Senior Sean Quezada said that he hopes to accomplish a triple Ă LS +DUGLQJ DGGHG ´7KH JX\V DUH DOUHDG\ doing back doubles, which are pretty cool to watch, and they’re going to start working on reverse twisters, which are kind of hard,

but they’re up for the challenge.â€? Diving skills are scored on a scale from one to ten. At a meet, typically three judges score each dive. “You get on the board and do your dive, and then the judges all score you at the same time,â€? said Harding. “The Ă€QDO VFRUH LV DOO RI WKRVH VFRUHV PXOWLSOLHG E\ WKH GHJUHH RI GLIĂ€FXOW\ Âľ VKH VDLG Harding said, “Last year, both the other guy and I went to CIFs, and so we’re hoping that we get at least four people to CIFs this year.â€? “We compete with Swim Team, but other schools [in our league] don’t have Dive Teams, so for competitions, we’re honestly just competing against ourselves, which is pretty fun,â€? said Harding. The Dive Team encounters competition at non-league meets. “We have a couple invitationals, and we compete against other schools like Valhalla [High], La Jolla [High] and Coronado [High]. And then, at city conference and CIFs, we compete against the entire division and other schools,â€? said Harding, “so that’s when you really start to have competition.â€? Even with inter-school competition, the relatively small population of divers creates a family-like atmosphere rather than one of rivalry, according to Harding. Sophomore Carly Hunt, who started diving this year, said, “I like that I’m getting to learn a lot of new stuff.â€? She added, “Some of them [other divers] are really incredible, and it’s cool to see that and know that I might get there.â€?

By Anthony Garbino Sports Editor Though Senior Corey Goldenstein has only been playing volleyball for two years, he has quickly risen to varsity due to his hard work and commitment. “One day, I went to the open gym and I just started playing. Ever since then, I have ORYHG WKH VSRUW 7KH Ă€UVW \HDU I tried out, I made the Varsity Team, which motivated me to try to do the best that I could,â€? said Goldenstein. Though Goldenstein has made varsity, he still feels that he can improve his play so that he can become the best that he can be. “Personally, some things that I need to work on are

my passing, so I can get more assists, and my hitting can be improved to be able to get points that I wouldn’t be able to before,� said Goldenstein. Goldenstein feels that if he tries hard enough, he can help his team work better together by improving their chemistry. “I feel like if I work on my personal performance then I will be able to contribute to my team more, which I know will improve our whole team overall,� said Goldenstein. Though Goldenstien puts time and effort into volleyball, he did not apply for any scholarships to play in college. “I didn’t apply for scholarships, but if there is an opportunity to be able to play in college, I will for sure be trying out, and I feel like they will accept me if I do,� said Goldenstein. Anthony Garbino//Commander

Anthony Garbino//Commander

UC High Dive Team Makes a Splash this Season Yet, learning the head-turning feats of diving can involve a leap of faith. “It’s terrifying,â€? said Hunt. “I’m still so scared, because it feels so high up, and some of the stuff we have to do is like jumping EDFNZDUGV DQG Ă LSSLQJ IRUZDUGV RU

MXPSLQJ IRUZDUGV DQG Ă LSSLQJ EDFNZDUGV and I’m always afraid that I’m going to hit the board or face plant -- we see a lot of that in practice. Some of the really good ones who are trying to do harder skills will MXVW Ă RS DQG LW¡V UHDOO\ VFDU\ WR ZDWFK

Boys Volleyball Dedicated

Carissa Guzman//Commander

Junior Skylar Tylski and Senior Corey Goldenstein jump towards the net to block a spike. By Gabriella Proa Staff Writer UC High’s Boys Volleyball Team is looking to do great work as a team together this year. After winning the Sweetwater Tournament on March 12, the team is well on its way to a season of success. The SOD\HUV VFRUHG WR WKHLU Ă€UVW JDPH RI the tournament and won their second game 25 to 13 against the two best Division Two teams. $OWKRXJK WKH\ ORVW WKHLU Ă€UVW JDPH DIWHU the tournament, Outside Hitter Liam Stewart spoke of his favorite motivational quote: “Be strong, because things will get better. It may be stormy now, but it never rains forever.â€? According to Coach Brooke Choi, Point Loma High is their biggest competition. “We need to serve both tougher and more consistently and hit smarter,â€? said Choi. Stewart has played for the Boys Volleyball

Team for four years now. “My goal is to win CIF with my boys,â€? said Stewart. The Boys Volleyball Team members believe they can win CIF with their dedication to the sport. “I think that we should be able to take CIF by storm and win the whole thing. We already won a tournament that had the best of the Division Two teams,â€? said Captain Corey Goldenstein. The team’s main goal LV WR ZLQ LWV Ă€UVW &,) JDPH “CIF is in May, and we are planning on winning league and making a good run at CIF this year,â€? said Choi. “The team is on its way to being great. We’ve been putting in a lot of work, but we need to work harder so that we can hopefully become a top team in San Diego,â€? said Goldenstein. The team's last game is on May 5 against Mission Bay High, so get out there before it’s over. Let’s watch this season unfold!

The Commander

uchscommander.com

SPORTS 7

Powder Puff: Seniors Score in the Second Half By Alex Volk could’ve used more practice, but I think a super competitive game!â€? said McGee. we did really well considering how much Junior Coach Reid Speicher was looking Staff Writer This year, UC High had another time we had to practice!â€? said McGee. IRUZDUG WR QH[W \HDU DQG ZDV DOUHDG\ Ă€QGLQJ exhilarating powder puff game, and it “My favorite part of the game would have ways to improve. “Some important keys left the players, coaches, and spectators to be my touchdown! It’s just such a good that I’m going to work on for next year are thrilled. As always, the game was between feeling to run a ball into the end zone,â€? within the defense, especially the defensive the seniors and juniors and took place on said McGee. As it was a close game, ends so they can stop the run outside,â€? Friday, March 18 at UC High’s football Ă€HOG ,W ZDV D FRPSHWLWLYH DQG FORVH matched game that ended with the seniors taking the win with a score of 6-0. Senior Coach Drake Aguon was elated to coach such a wonderful group of girls and take home the win.“It was a lot of fun coaching football with my teammates, winning and being able to bring all these girls together while getting them on the same page to play in the game,â€? said Aguon. Practice is what really got this team settled for the big game. “Our practices consisted of a lot of learning the basics of football and how to run plays, this really payed off in the game because our plays ran VPRRWKO\ RQ WKH Ă€HOG Âľ H[SODLQHG $JXRQ Coaching really meant a lot to Aguon. “I loved coaching such an awesome group of girls, some of whom I had never talked to before, and by the end of it, they all turned out to be really cool. They made it a lot of fun to coach this year, and I couldn’t have Anthony Garbino//Commander asked for a better team,â€? said Aguon. The seniors face off against the juniors, preparing to defeat them on offense. Senior Player Abby McGee was ecstatic over her own and the team’s performance McGee acknowledges the juniors' effort said Speicher. Speicher didn’t know how with the little time they had for practice. in the game. “The juniors played really the game was going to turn out but he did “We could have improved on a few well. They had a great throwing game, but know his team very well.â€?Practices were small things such as getting the handoffs our defense contained them really well. a little rough, so I didn’t know how the under control, and our secondary defense Overall, they were well coached and it was game was going to turn out, but our team

executed really well, and I’m very proud of them,â€? said Speicher. “I think my team is very skilled, we have a strong receiver core, some pretty fast running backs and gifted quarterbacks,â€? explained Speicher. Junior Player Michelle Baddour was proud of her team and sees the room for improvement. “I think we should have practiced blocking a little more because we struggled with this during the game,â€? explained Baddour. “I think as a team, we need to understand the plays better so they can run more smoothly during the game,â€? said Baddour. Even though the juniors lost, Baddour and the rest of her teammates had a lot fun participating in the game. “My favorite part of the game was when I caught the ball in the last 30 seconds, which gave P\ WHDP D FKDQFH IRU D Ă€QDO WRXFKGRZQ Âľ explained Baddour. Cheerleader Josh Martinez had a blast while supporting the seniors in his new cheer squad. “My experience as a cheerleader was pretty fun and exciting,â€? explained Martinez. “My favorite part as a cheerleader was when [Senior] Colton Fox and I were walking up to the bathroom and was stopped by an old lady who wanted to take a picture and explained how we were the best part of the whole game,â€? said Martinez. After experiencing a game as a cheerleader, Martinez has a new view upon the UC High cheerleaders. “Cheerleading LV DFWXDOO\ NLQGD GLIĂ€FXOW DQG LW ZDV SUHWW\ exhausting yelling and standing in the cold,â€? explained Martinez.

By Sebastian Rodriguez Staff Writer The UC High Badminton team is looking for another successful season this year after achieving a CIF title last season. After a strong last season, several individuals on the team have created their own set of goals both for themselves as well as for the team. Captain Christina Lien said, “This season I have many goals that I wish to accomplish. I hope that my team PDNHV LW WR &,) Ă€QDOV DJDLQ DQG ZLQV WKH CIF title. I also hope that my teammates are able to go far in many of our upcoming tournaments.â€? This upcoming season may be a whole

new challenge for the team as they must deal with the absence of several individuals. Lien said, “The team has faced a change of pace this season due to our Head Coach, Jordana Tu, having a leave of absence at the beginning of the season. Although she has updated us on practice schedules and what to do, being without a Head Coach has caused us to have a slow start.� Captain Alex Gonsalves said, “Last year, a lot of our strong players graduated. We will struggle a bit this year; however, I still believe we are a strong team.� When it comes to goals, many people on the team have one particular in mind. Gonsalves said, “The biggest thing I want

Lien said, “A major rival team is Scripps Ranch [High]. This is mainly due to both schools competing against each other DW &,) WHDP Ă€QDOV ODVW \HDU DQG WKH \HDU before that.â€? To prepare for this season, the team has conditioned and trained in order to be in peak shape for competition. “For this season, I have been conditioning and practicing drills with my team to prepare for the upcoming tournaments and games that we will have,â€? said Lien. “To prepare we have been doing conditioning like running and footwork drills, as well as multi shuttle GULOOV LQ RUGHU WR EHFRPH PRUH SURĂ€FLHQW LQ our shots,â€? said Gonsalves.

By Kayli Sandoval Staff Writer This year’s Track and Field Team has already kicked off the season with good results in the past meets. Most team members were experienced at the beginning of the season, and for most of the QHZFRPHUV WKDW FDPH DORQJ WKH\ GHĂ€QLWHO\ gave it their all from the start. According WR DQ RIĂ€FLDO +LJK 6FKRRO 7UDFN DQG )LHOG GDWDEDVH RQH RI WKH Ă€UVW PHHWV 8& +LJK had was against Point Loma High, La Jolla Country Day and Clairemont High. UC +LJK VFRUHG Ă€UVW LQ HYHQWV VXFK DV WKH JLUOV varsity 4x100 relays, boys shot put, boys discus, pole vault and more (athletic.net). Distance Coach Gimi McCarthy said, “We got a couple of best marks already after only a week of racing.â€? Head Coach John Hutsel said, “We’ve been young for the last two years.â€? As the Track Team lost a lot of seniors from last year, the class of 2018 and 2019 has had to step it up a whole lot more. Freshman Sprinter Nyah Brooks said, “I’ve been running since I was about six years old. I’ve run those same events [100, 200, 400, 4x100 and 4x400], and since I seemed to improve every year and place

high, I just stuck with them.â€? McCarthy said, “Yeah, we have some great freshmen and sophomores. It’s awesome [coaching the underclassmen], because they listen.â€? The distance team has been training for quite a while. March 13 was the last day of their 12-week winter training program, which McCarthy explained, “...is a massive mileage, basically a mileage, build up. My top kids got up to about 80 miles a week by the end of those 12 weeks.â€? Most of the training for the distance runners now consists of long runs and tempo runs. McCarthy said, “It’d be nice to win the league title, of course, and we have a chance of doing that. My goal is to help some kids make it to the state championships. The California State Meet is the best track state meet in the United States. The team is made up of individuals‌ but winning as a team is awfully nice.â€? Sophomore Ben Rosas said, “Coach Hutsel is very nice. He treats everyone as a friend, and McCarthy cares a lot about his runners and puts a lot of time into them.â€? Hutsel has been coaching at UC High since ‘92, and this is McCarthy's twentieth year coaching at UC High. Shot Put Thrower Jilliann Coronado

UC High Badminton Looks to Advance to CIF Once Again to accomplish personally is a CIF Singles title as well as a team title.� Lien said, “The biggest thing that I wish to accomplish this season is to win a CIF Women’s Singles title during the CIF Individuals tournament. I have trained very hard to achieve that goal and hopefully by June, it will all have been worth it.� As the team faces several opponents this season, a few in particular are on the minds of the team’s players. “This year, I think there is really only one main rival team. Patrick Henry [High] is strong again this year and will be tough to beat. The other strong teams are Serra, Madison and possibly Hoover [High],� said Gonsalves.

Track and Field Sprint to Success this Season

Carissa Guzman//Commander

Senior Adam Timms practices pole vaulting to prepare for upcoming meets. said, “I chose these events because a lot of people said I would do well, so I decided

to give it a shot, and I ended up really liking the sport.�

Sophomore Madeleine Masser-Frye encourages interested students to give pole vaulting a try. "I started last year as a freshman and pole vaulting is the most fun sport I've ever tried, and I think others may agree if they knew they had the opportunity to give it a shot," said Masser-Frye.

8 NEWS

uchscommander.com

April 8, 2016

Annual Sights and Sounds Showcase Features UC High Students gets us a lot of income for our music department,� said Sophomore Chelsea Lugue. According to the UC High Music Department’s website, “The showcase is for the entire family and featured performances from students and staff as well as a live auction with our special guest auctioneer, UC High’s Principal Jeff Olivero. Intermission featured a gourmet dessert reception.� At 6 p.m., The French Gourmet catered an adult cocktail reception, and there was a WHHQ ORXQJH ZLWK D SL]]D GLQQHU IRU GROlars (uchsmusic.com). “I was able to auction off on my portion of a golf outing. It was interesting to see the different talents the students and staff have musically. I was blown away with Mr. Cor-

Juliana Marquez//Commander

UC High Spirit Run Postponed

By Sebastian Rodriguez primary mission is to enrich our children’s Staff Writer extra-curricular activities by your vital tax The third annual UC Spirit Run that was deductible donationsâ€? (ucspiritrun.org). Music Director Brandon Corenman said, to be held on April 16 at UC High has been The money raised from this year’s Spirit “The Sights and Sounds Showcase is a vapostponed due to lack of participants and Run will go to different teams and clubs riety show and musical performance. Last timing. at UC High that may be in need of fundyear, we wanted to come up with a unique Staff are planning to hold a meeting in ing. According to the UC High website, fundraiser [to support the UC Music DeApril in order to discuss whether the UC “Unlike other years, the funds raised this partment] that was really fun and enjoyHigh Spirit Run will still happen this school year will go towards supporting our school able.â€? year, according to Principal Jeff Olivero. teams and programs on campus. In other “Our money comes from the showcase. It The run may be postponed to the fall of the words, this is designed to be a fun day that next school year. SURPRWHV Ă€WQHVV ZKLOH DOVR EHLQJ D PHDQV Olivero explained that the number of run- for teams/clubs to raise needed money for ners signed up was low this year, and he their programsâ€? (VDQGLHJRXQLĂ€HG RUJ). &RQFHUW &KRLU ,WV Ă€UVW SLHFH ZDV ´6HOHF- believes students may be more enthusiastic The running course will be held on UC tions from Capriol Suit, Movements two in the fall when fundraising is a real focus. High’s campus like it has in previous years. and fourâ€? by Composer Peter Warlock. The Spirit Run is hosted by the Centurion “Runners and walkers for the 5K or 1 mile Next, they performed “Folk Tune and Fid- Foundation. The foundation’s main pur- kids run will enjoy a course that weaves dle Danceâ€? by Composer Percy E. Flecher. pose is to help provide aid to several teams through the entire UC campus [and] its 7KH Ă€QDO SLHFH RI 6WULQJ 2UFKHVWUD ZDV and clubs on campus through donations. DWKOHWLFV Ă€HOGV DQG Ă€QLVKHV RQ LWV WUDFN DQG “Sinfonia IIIâ€? by Composer Felix Men- According to the Spirit Run website, “The Ă€HOG IDFLOLW\Âľ ucspiritrun.org). delssahn Bartholdy. The instruments the Centurion Foundation of UCHS is a non“I was excited to participate in this run String Orchestra members played included SURĂ€W F RUJDQL]DWLRQ GHGLFDWHG WR with my friends and help raise money for violin, viola, cello and bass. supporting the UCHS Athletics Depart- the various clubs around school,â€? said SeThe Wind Ensemble played “Oracleâ€? ments and Clubs, students and families. Our QLRU .DVUD 0LU]DEHLJLĂ€QL E\ (ULF 5DWK Ă€UVW ,WV VHFRQG SLHFH ZDV “Mosaicsâ€? by Composer Timothy Kramer. Student Submissions The Wind Ensemble concluded the Spring Concert with “On a Southern Hymnsongâ€? by Composer David R. Holsinger. The Wind Ensemble’s instruments consist of Ă XWH RERH EDVVRRQ FODULQHW EDVV FODULQHW alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba and percussion. “We sang a piece called ‘Lux Aurumque’ this year for the Spring Concert, and it is a SLHFH WKDW ZKHQ , ZDV D IUHVKPDQ P\ Ă€UVW year of choir, I joked about singing it, because it was really hard. I couldn’t imagine our school choir ever singing it. Singing this piece was really special to me; it brings closure to my high school choir career. We Artists: Chalk art at the Multicultural Faire by Freshmen Minju Kim and Kyoka Lino got so much better over the last few years, Quote: “We drew the mark from the movie Tangled. In the movie, Repunzel painted this picture on and it shows how much we have improved,â€? the ground at the market, so we copied it. It took about 7 hours.â€? -Kim said Senior Sloan Quessenberry.

Diverse Dance Crew performs at the Sights and Sounds Showcase. By Audrey Hancock Staff Writer The second annual Sights and Sounds Showcase was held on Friday, March 25, at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) featuring students from UC High, staff members and other special guests.

Spring Concert a Serious Success By Joshua Choi Staff Writer Music Director Brandon Corenman directed Concert Choir, String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble for the Spring ConFHUW RQ :HGQHVGD\ 0DUFK DW p.m. in UC High’s auditorium for many families and friends of the performers. The Concert Choir, String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble performed musical pieces that they played at the recital for the Festival Music competition at El Camino High. At Festival Music, they played the music pieces to receive a score from the judges. The String Orchestra and the Wind Ensemble received a “Superior Ratingâ€? DW WKH IHVWLYDO RQ )ULGD\ 0DUFK “The students worked very hard over the last few months in order to prepare for these challenging music [pieces], and that work has really paid off, because WKH 6SULQJ &RQFHUW ZDV Ă€OOHG ZLWK H[cellent performances,â€? said Corenman. 7KH &RQFHUW &KRLU SHUIRUPHG Ă€UVW ZLWK IRXU VRQJV 6WXGHQWV Ă€UVW VDQJ ´2FHDQV and Starsâ€? by Composer Amy Berman, then “Stars I Shall Findâ€? by Composer Victor C. Johnson, and lastly, “Lux Aurumqueâ€? by Composer Eric Whitacre. The &RQFHUW &KRLU¡V Ă€QDO SLHFH ZDV ´$QJHO Breathing Outâ€? by Composer Alisa Bair. The String Orchestra played after the

men’s band performance,â€? said Olivero. Corenman said, “There was a whole range of different performers, including an instrumental soloist, small ensembles, a salsa band, dance groups, rock bands and poetry readers. At the end of the show, my Latin Ensemble, Rumba u Sol, performed Salsa, Merengue, Machata and Cumbia.â€? &RUHQPDQ VDLG ´,W ZDV DQ DPD]LQJ HYHQW last year: we didn’t know how it was going to go, but there was a lot of hard work involved by a lot of people, and it payed off. Everyone has their own representative piece that they perform and that shows off what they can really do.â€? 7LFNHWV ZHUH GROODUV IRU DGXOWV DQG dollars for students (uchsmusic.com). .

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