GENDER-NEUTRAL BATHROOMS

| News - 2

RB High’s first gender-neutral bathroom is installed over break. Read about everything that led to its inception.

SAVAGERY

| Opinions - 4

Why has savagery become such a common slang term and how does it reflect our generational problems?

SPOTLIGHT: AGAPE MISSIONS

| Features - 6

RB High’s humanitarian club Agape Missions joins the fight against human trafficking in Cambodia.

STUDENT DIETS

| Lifestyle - 10

A Silver Spur student’s journey to achieving 99% body mass loss. What is his key to success?

BOYS GOLF

| Sports - 9

After a nearly undefeated season, boys golf gears up in preparation for the CIF title.

COLLEGEBOARD

| Backpage - 12

Quick look into the world of college board plus a quick quide on how to manage AP classes and subject tests.

The average lead pencil will draw a line 35 miles long or write approximately 50,000

English words.

Honey is one of only a handful of foods that never spoils. Honey found in the

tombs of Egyptian pharaohs is still edible.

There is a city called Rome on every continent.

theSilverSpurRancho Bernardo High School May 2, 2016

In This Issue

DiD You Know?

Mr. Bronco pageant crowns Kenny

Rayburn winner

News 2

Does tech etiquette need to be improved in

RB High classrooms?

OpiNiONs 5

Spanish exchange students from RB High

travel to Spain

Features 6

rbsilverspur.com

@rbsilverspur

The Silver Spur

Follow Us!

Look InsideFor

Sylvia Spur’s guide on how to deal with

college rejections

LiFestyLe 10

Coach Parri awarded So Cal Boys Tennis Coach of the Year

On April 7-10, RB High’s Madrigals and Advanced Women’s Ensemble swept the competition in the state-wide Heritage Festival in San Francisco, winning 1st place in their respective divisions of chamber choir and women’s ensemble as well as the Grand Sweepstakes award.

Directed by Choral Director Lisa Friedrichs, the Madrigals and the Advanced Women’s Ensemble continued their tradition of performing a diverse repertoire spanning various themes and even languages.

“We take a concept written, ink on paper, from a composer, and we turn this two-

dimensional idea into a myriad of sound,” said senior Madrigal and Advance Women’s Ensemble member Audrey Nonaka. “It’s just wonderful to sing and hear everyone come together so well.”

Among the songs performed includes renditions of classics such as “Ave Maria,” folk songs such as the Russian “Veniki,” and romantic songs such as “I Am Not Yours.”

“We had a super fast Russian tongue twister, but then we also had a free-flowing Latin piece,” said senior Madrigal and Advance Women’s Ensemble member Alisa Pimentel. “It’s really great to be able to sing such a wide variety.”

Upcoming EvEnts

When: May 14 8-11:30 pm

Where: CSU San Marcos

Details: Tickets will cost $50 on May 2nd and will go up in price till the 13th ($75). Information regarding guest passes is available on RB High’s website.

Prom 2016

When: June 9

Where: RB High gym

Details: Tickets can be purchased at lunch in the small quad Wed. and Thurs. The price is $100 and $125 at

the door.

Grad Nite

choir PAGE 6

Lynn Bi News Editor

A coach since RB High first opened its doors in 1990, Girls’ and Boys’ Tennis Coach Mike Parinello, more commonly referred to as “Coach Parri,” has recently been named the 2015-2016 Southern California Boys Tennis Coach of the Year. A celebration of his achievements by the California Coaches’ Association is expected to take place in Fresno, California on June 18.

As a former high school player turned partial-scholarship college tennis player, tennis has always been a significant part of Parinello’s lifestyle. Now as a coach and former teacher, Parinello hopes to give his students the same opportunities he had to flourish as a tennis player.

“Athletics is really good,” said Parri. “Having been a teacher, I think academics is great. However, being in sports just adds another dimension to a person.”

Under Parinello’s guidance, the RB High Boys tennis team has reached extraordinary heights, with a total of 3 CIF championships already under its belt. However, for Parinello, his greatest source of achievement and satisfaction has been watching his students thrive not only as

tennis players on the court, but also as individuals off the court.

“Success is often measured by other people in terms of wins and losses,” said Parri. “For me, I like to first see the growth in the individual students.”

Choir takes home Grand Sweepstakes at Heritage Festival in San Francisco

parri PAGE 9

Lynn Bi News Editor

Photo by Isabella Ortiz

Photo courtesy of Audrey Nonaka

Photos by Isabella Ortiz

IGNITED MINDSSparking a conversation of ideas

On April 23, RB High added a new milestone to its history: the first TEDx conference to be held at the school. This major event came together thanks to the tireless efforts of senior Salwa Khan, AP Biology teacher Lori Brickley, and the student core team, whose members dealt with everything from sponsorships to the curation of speakers.

The conference, which centered around the theme of Ignited Minds and thinking outside the

Quinn Lozar

Creativity is the only cure to time. Our

ideas will live on to the next generation and the generation

after that.

Victoria Mahdion

The self is infinite. It’s weightless, colorless, raceless. It doesn’t

depend on one thing, but is innate within

us at all times.

Dr. Saidane

Success is about the journey, not the

destination. If we look at success as a goal,

then it becomes a moving target.

Omid Rooholfada

Beatboxing is dynamically changing the

world of music as we know it today.

Speaker Quotes Excerpts from speeches given at TEDx

box, involved about five hours worth of talks and exchanging of ideas between sessions.

This significant and arduous production started with a single New Year’s resolution.

“I decided to watch one new TED talk every day,” Khan said. After seeing that many college campuses had organized their own TEDx events, or independently organized TED events, Khan had the idea to host one at RB High.

“It was almost spontaneous,” said Khan of her stroke of creativity.

Isabella OrtizCopy Editor

tedx PAGE 7

From left to right: Co-coordinators Lori Brickley and Salwa Khan address the audience; volunteers and planners pose for a picture; registration volunteers outside the Performing Arts Center pose at the beginning of the TEDx conference.

Above: Steve Barr talks about solving education-related problems in poverty-stricken areas.

Independent TEDx talks held at RB High with theme ‘Ignited Minds’

Photos by Isabella Ortiz and RB High TEDx

RB High’s choir poses for a picture.

Coach Mike Parrinello poses for a picture.

theSilverSpur 2 News May 2, 2016

Clara LeeLifestyle Editor

Baseball Coach Blalock gets his 900th-career win

RB High’s baseball program is known for its talented players and stellar record. Especially after winning last year’s CIF championship game against La Costa Canyon, the Bronco baseball coaches and players are known throughout the state. Much of this success is attributed to renowned Head Coach Sam Blalock, who has recently earned his 900th career win this end of March.

This major milestone of 900 wins in Coach Blalock’s career was honored by the presentation of an award at the end of the game against Eastlake High, which had been won 13-2 with the winning pitch thrown by Joey Magrisi. Nationally, only 26 coaches have reached 900 wins, including Midwest coaches, who often count their summer ball wins.

“He has had a lot of success in the past, so to be on the team is an honor,” said senior captain Jacob Gorman. “I’m proud to have earned that win for him.”

Coach Blalock is an integral part of their successes.

“He definitely runs this program more to prepare us for the next level,” Gorman said. “To play at the next level, you have to put that work in, and he’s instilling that

in us right now, so it’s not a shock when we get there.”

The team practices from 6th period until between 5 to 6:30. They are additionally coached by assistant coaches who specialize in skills like pitching and batting.

“He oversees everything in the team unit, bringing everything together,” said Gorman.

Thanks to his skills as a coach, many of Coach Blalock’s athletes have gone on to play at the college level or professionally, including Cole Hamels, Alex Jackson, and Drew Finley. As of now, there are many senior and junior players who have committed to colleges for baseball, with

four Division-1 commits. Beyond preparing the team for college-

level playing, Coach Blalock instills a sense of responsibility in the players.

“He helps us become respectful, responsible young men with baseball and outside of baseball,” junior Calvin Mitchell said.

“He’s basically a second parent to all of us,” said Gorman. “He can relate everything back to kids.”

Coach Blalock remains the same motivational coach who pushed his players back in ‘75, and he could potentially achieve the goal of 1000 wins within the next couple of years.

Blalock poses for a photo with RB High’s baseball team

After months of planning and consideration, RB High has established a gender-neutral bathroom. Located near the west side of the Science Department buildings, the renovation didn’t call for a newly designed bathroom, but simply replaced the staff bathroom that already existed.

Prior to the installation of a gender neutral bathroom, a unisex staff bathroom held its place near the food kiosk. The conversion took place over spring break, and the bathroom is now open for anyone to use, both students and staff members.

“It doesn’t matter what gender or gender identification you subscribe to,” said Principal Dave LeMaster. “The bathroom is open to anyone,”

The change comes at the coattails of other Poway Unified schools such as Westview and Poway, who, towards the end of last year also installed gender-neutral bathrooms. The renovation also parallels changes to student restrooms that have been made as part of a recent debate over student-privacy rights, specifically for t r a n s g e n d e r s t u d e n t s . Though the administration already had plans to change the restroom, the recent debate and precedents set by Westview and Poway acted as a catalyst.

“When we had the conversation here around the locker rooms where we wanted to install privacy areas for students to change who felt that they needed another layer of privacy while they changed,” said LeMaster. “We also thought this was a perfect time to change over the restrooms. We had plans to change the restroom, but the two events occurred simultaneously.”

Changes to both boys and girls locker rooms manifested themselves in the form of privacy stalls. The boys locker room currently houses four solid wall separation areas, similar to stalls, while the girls locker room has two similar privacy stalls. According to LeMaster, the need for more stalls will be based on demand

“In the girls restroom, they kind of had two outcoves on which we just had to installed doors,” LeMaster said. “We’re monitoring to see if the closed areas are something that is heavily used in the girls locker room, and if that’s the case, then we might need to add more.”

The process of planning the implementation, in terms of installing the

gender neutral bathroom, mainly involved gauging student, parent, and community reactions. For LeMaster, a central tenet of any change on campus is having backing from the people who will be affected by it the most.

“We had a couple principal meetings at the district levels; we met with community members, parents, activists from the LGBT community,” said LeMaster. “We wanted to run the proposal by as many people as we could to try to see if it was an adequate solution. We found that overwhelmingly people supported it, whether it be parents, students, community members, you name it. Once we got that response, we knew that

we could move forward. It was something that almost everyone agreed with.”

For the most part, LeMaster believes student reaction has been positive. Besides a few curious glances, LeMaster

noted that the novelty of the bathroom has died down and that its existence on campus will soon feel normal.

“I was watching the other day, and students were looking into the bathroom to see if it was real,” said LeMaster. “But then they just realize it’s just a restroom. I’ve seen students and staff using the bathroom. I don’t get a sense that anyone is bothered or upset by it.”

Ultimately, LeMaster and the RB High administration at large hope to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for students, and for LeMaster, installing a gender neutral bathroom was a significant step towards achieving that goal of inclusivity.

“We want every student to feel like their school is a safe place,” LeMaster said. “It’s not about that bathroom is for you, or this area is for you; it’s about providing a space for any student who wants an added layer of privacy. It’s not about singling out or segregating.”

According to LeMaster, there are currently no plans to install additional gender neutral bathrooms at RB High due to a lack of bathrooms that would need to converted, .

Gender-neutral bathroom is now available to all students and staffIbrahim AliEditor-in-Chief

“ It doesn’t matter what gender or gender identification you subscribe to. The bathroom is open to anyone...We want every student to feel like their school is a safe place.” - Dave LeMaster, princi-

Walking around in high heels, smiling until your cheeks hurt, and answering multiple interview questions: these are difficult tasks already, but they’re even more challenging in front of a panel of judges. Contestants for the Miss Poway and Miss Rancho Bernardo Scholarship Pageants did exactly this and more.

The 54th Miss Poway Pageant was held on April 2 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts. Senior Dakota Nank placed as first runner-up among nine competitors in her age division, earning the title of 1st Princess of the Miss category.

The nine weeks of preparation helped the contestants polish their skills for the 15-minute interview, speech, and impromptu question. These requirements, along with business and evening attire, formed the point categories that the judges used to select the winners.

Nank enjoyed the camaraderie between the competitors as well as “getting close with the other girls and seeing the change in them over the weeks.”

Nank’s win came as a “complete shock,” in her words, but now she’s looking beyond her win towards the year of volunteerism that lies ahead of her.

“I love community service, and I’m really excited to serve Poway,” Nank said.

Junior Astha Rajyaguru also earned a position on the Miss Poway court as Miss Teen Poway 2nd Princess, amongst 22 competitors.

“Pageantry was something completely out of my comfort zone, and it gave me a different outlook,” Rajyaguru said.

The pageant helped Rajyaguru view pageants as more than beauty competitions; she realized that pageantry involves “communication, people skills, and leadership skills.”

At the 25th Miss Rancho Bernardo Scholarship Pageant, which was held on April 17 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, competitors learned a similar set of lessons.

The girls went through multiple interview preparation sessions prior to the event. Miss RB Teen runner-up, sophomore Vanessa Wang, considered these meetings some of her favorite parts of the pageant process.

“It was extremely thought-provoking and allowed everyone to get to know each other,” Wang said.

Both the preparation and pageant day helped Wang overcome her shy nature, and she enjoyed “getting comfortable with speaking in front of an audience.”

After being evaluated on her interview, speech, impromptu question, and business and cocktail attire, sophomore Taylor Mitchell was crowned Miss Teen Rancho Bernardo 2016 out of seven competitors. In addition to the title, Mitchell was also

awarded Miss Photogenic and Spirit of the Pageant, the equivalent to a Miss Congeniality prize.

Mitchell is still in shock over her win, and she’s looking forward to a year full of “meeting new people, volunteering in the community, and giving back.”

In addition to an improvement in her speaking skills, Mitchell also cited a confidence boost as one of the benefits of the pageant.

These girls are ready to wear their crowns with pride and put their newly acquired skills into play, all while serving their communities.

Kenny Rayburn took home the grand prize last Friday night at RB High’s annual Mr. Bronco Pageant, in which 12 seniors competed for the $500 prize. The money is meant to be put towards scholarships, which is a common necessity for seniors. The competition was judged by sophomore Miss Teen RB Taylor Mitchell, Jeanna Szymanski, Miss RB Anita Clifford, AP Calculus Teacher Richard Deem, Spanish Teacher Erik Martin, and Principal Dave LeMaster.

This pageant, like many other pageants, featured a chance for students to show off their bodies, demonstrate an interesting talent and answer one interview question in front of a large audience. However, unlike most pageants, RB High’s pageant started off with a dance number, which was light-hearted and humorous.

“My favorite part was performing with my fellow Broncos for the opening number,” winner Kenny Rayburn said. “My attitude going into the competition was nervousness, but I also just wanted to have a fun time much like my other Broncos.”

The pageant was full of comical moments, from students wearing floaties and holding vacuum cleaners in the swimsuit contest, to students brushing their teeth in the talent section.

“We all were laughing and supporting each other,” senior Adrian Fernandez said. “It was a great experience, considering that I was alongside some who I made memories with in the past ranging as far back as middle school, and some who I’ve never been really close to.”

The pageant started with a dance routine performed by all of the Mr.

Bronco contestants, then continued with a formal introduction of the students in a typical runway-fashion debut. After completing the introduction, it was time to drop the formalities and bring on the humor. Students stripped down to their bathing suits in a way that made the crowd go wild.

“You’re used to having your shirt on so… it was awesome,” contestant Devin Dunn said. “[But] it was fun to put on a show for people.”

Immediately following the swimsuit portion, students began performing their “special” talents. Some talents were meant for humor, such as Kyle Chernicky’s talent of flossing his teeth, while others were more serious in manner, like Adrian Fernandez playing the piano.

“With the piano, I started around 3rd grade, and stopped sophomore year, as I was starting to focus more on school, drumline, and new activities,” said Fernandez. “I was afraid I was going to mess up. Playing in front of that audience, who really seemed to appreciate what I had in store for them, was a feeling that I haven’t felt in a while.”

The crowd witnessed other amazing talents such as an aerobic workout by the winner Rayburn, and other talents, like Nathan Chang playing guitar.

After the crowd had seen enough talent for one day, and every contestant got a chance to perform, the question portion began. Contestants picked a number from a cup, which indicated a particular judge who would ask their question. The questions ranged from overcoming high school problems, to fun high school experiences. Some questions were more humorous than others, but the interview portion was a nice way to calm the crowd before intermission.

After the question portion, the judges took intermission time to determine the winners, while this year’s prom theme was announced. The theme of RB High’s 2016 prom will be throwback to the 1920s, and it is to be held in the Gatsby Mansion at CSU San Marcos. The announcement created even more anticipation for the final crowning of Mr. Bronco.

After about 30 minutes of deliberation, and much anticipation from the crowd, the winners were announced. Along with Rayburn winning Mr. Bronco, Raymond Velasquez won People’s Choice, which was chosen via votes on Twitter from the audience.

Other winners were Kaivan Mohsenzadeh who won Mr. Congeniality, and Spencer Nichols who won Most Interesting Talent by performing a dance routine that stunned the audience with his amazing tricks and fantastic flips.

This ended another Mr. Bronco Pageant and began our wait for the next one. For many in the audience, this was their last Mr. Bronco Pageant to watch, and it was a nice way to say goodbye to fellow seniors as the year comes to a close.

“My peers and I just wanted to have fun while putting on a great show, which is what Mr. Bronco and senior year is all about,” said Rayburn.

Isabella OrtizCopy Editor

Students participate in local Poway and RB pageants

Photo courtesy of Isabella Ortiz

Senior boys display talent and humor, compete for Mr. Bronco crown in scholarship pageant

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Moluf, Clifford, Mitchell, and Ortiz

Photos by Janhavi ChafekarCLO

Ian LevySports Editor

Photo courtesy of Poway Unified

My peers and I just wanted to have fun while putting on a great show, which is what Mr. Bronco and senior year is all about.” -Kenny Rayburn, senior

“

CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER RIGHT: Rayburn performs aerobics; Chang showcases his singing talent; competitors perform their opening number; competitors pose at the end of their dance number; Rayburn is crowned Mr. Bronco winner

Photos by Janhavi Chaekar

“All Gender Restroom” sign is displayed in front of restroomPhoto by Janhavi Chafekar

theSilverSpurMay 2, 2016 3

theSilverSpur4 Opinions May 2, 2016

Cartoon by Takashi Joubert

Want more? Read the Silver Spur online!

Visit us at rbsilverspur.com

Mission Statement:The Rancho Bernardo High School Silver Spur is a student run organization on campus dedicated to providing accurate news and stories to the student population. In addition, the Silver Spur strives to educate its staff members on the innerworkings of journalism and prepares its students for the real world of reporting, media, and communications.

Rancho Bernardo High School13010 Paseo Lucido, San Diego, CA 92128 (858) 485-4800 | rbsilverspur@gmail.com

Staff Writers Munira Ali Gabby Decano Nina Eclarin Taylor Hardey Emma Rooholfada Alex Walsh David Wang Samantha Yi

Editors-in-Chief Ibrahim Ali Max Lata Geoffrey LuAdvisor Liz Winn ewinn@powayusd.comNews Ibrahim Ali Lynn BiFeatures Kalena Tano Opinions Janhavi Chafekar Max LataSports Ian LevyLifestyle Clara LeeBackpage Geoffrey Lu Copy Editor Isabella OrtizCartoonist Gwen LaMar Takashi Joubert

Editorial Policy: The opinions expressed in the Silver Spur are not necessarily the opinions of the staff, administration, or the students of Rancho Bernardo High School. They are not representative of the opinions of the Silver Spur staff as a whole. The Silver Spur is a public forum for students to express their individual opinions.

Advertise with the Silver Spur!We offer competitive rates and reach a substantial audience. Contact us for more details.

Want to be a part of the Silver Spur?We take submissions from any students, whether it be articles, op-eds, short stories, photographs, or cartoons. Each submission will be reviewed by our editorial staff and will be published, space and time permitting.

theSilverSpur

This newspaper is supported by a grant made possible by The Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation, an affiliate of The San Diego Foundation.

But first... because I’m addicted... let me take a selfie

You’ve probably taken a selfie today. If you’re a high schooler, you’re probably taking one right now. If this sounds like you, please, for your own sake—put the phone down! The modern invention of the selfie has triggered a cultural shift, dooming high schoolers to record-high levels of self-obsession.

Although the selfie seems like a relatively new trend, the fundamental concept has been around for a while. Selfies first appeared many centuries ago in the form of the self-portrait. As you can see, narcissism has been around before the development of the “selfie.” The only difference is, during the rise of self-portraits, few were rich enough to partake in the trend. However, today, anyone with a smartphone can take a selfie and post it all over social media in a matter of seconds. For instance, if you search #selfie on Instagram, you would find over 250 million posts, a number growing by the second due to the overwhelmingly large number of high schoolers with too much free time on their hands.

But selfies aren’t all bad. Being able to take a picture of yourself has its benefits. When you want to capture a special moment, but no one is there to take the picture for you, you can conveniently flip the camera and take the picture yourself. However, after taking a certain number of selfies, they become tiresome and mundane. With each added selfie, the value of an individual selfie goes down. A picture should serve a specific purpose. An excess of selfies only serves as a reminder of how much time someone wasted trying to catch his or her face at the perfect angle.

Some say that the selfie overload positively impacts us, claiming that when one posts a

selfie, that person makes a statement about loving herself. Unfortunately, the truth is the exact opposite of this. While this may be true for a small percent of selfie-takers, the majority of people have different motives.

The selfie fad is most popular amongst teens. This is due to the fact that one’s self - esteem reaches its lowest during the teen years. As teens go through puberty, and face many changes, their confidence in their appearance fades. Because of this, they need to be assured that they are pretty or handsome. In a study conducted by Ohio

State University, researchers found that men who post more pictures of themselves scored higher levels of narcissism and psychopathy and are also more prone to self-objectification.

Another reason selfies have become a norm in our society is merely because everyone wants to be part of what is rapidly becoming one of the largest trends in the world. This type of peer pressure is not uncommon among teenagers. The desire to conform to social standards conquers all logic, and instead of doing what they think is correct, they join in on the maddness.

Constantly posting selfies on social media doesn’t only hurt you. When someone posts a selfie on social media, they are attempting to build their own self-esteem at the expense of others. Consequently, they become dependent on the opinion of others, and the people who see the selfies feel bad about their own appearance. So… nobody wins.

This addiction will not go away on its own. The first step begins with you. See how long you can go without taking a selfie. Resist the temptation and join the #noselfie movement to end this social monstrosity for good.

Emma RooholfadaStaff Writer

Slang reflects our generation’s problematic sense of humor

Almost everything someone does is an indication of who he is. Similarly, the actions of a generation can reflect its collective attitude. For example, the baby boomer generation’s reverence for rock and roll and Woodstock parallel their more liberal attitudes in comparison to their parents. In our world today, I believe that slang is an indicator of our generation’s problems, pointing mainly to the word “savage.”

The popularity of “savage” is undeniable. Searching #savage on Twitter yields hundreds of related tweets on a minute-to-minute basis, and it’s even worked its way on campus in the form of the yearbook’s senior standouts.

Although this piece of slang is second-nature to most of us students, I’ll define it for some of the teachers (although our advisor regularly throws it around). Urban Dictionary defines “savage” as “brutal, yet awesome.”

Being savage has a certain degree of comedy to it in its situational irony; we don’t expect people to throw away social decorum, so when they do, it produces a comedic effect. The problem with that is that comedy is regarded today with almost a holy reverence. Our generation is always looking for a laugh; our contribution to the Democrat and Republican primary elections right now are Hillary vs. Bernie memes and claiming that Ted Cruz is the Zodiac Killer. That’s not necessarily all students, but it’s hard to deny that these things are popular amongst

the youth, and even among those who follow politics because, simply put, they’re funny.

So because we want to laugh, we are willing to go to great lengths, including but not limited to being just plain mean. That’s a problem in and of itself, but the bigger issue here is that we justify that hateful humor simply because it’s funny.

Now, some might argue that being mean is in jest, and it often is, but that’s not the point. The point is that we’re willing to ignore many things in the name of comedy. We ignore empathy, rationale and other issues.

For evidence, I can point to our own school’s social media comment wars. When someone posts something contentious, people are quick to join in with their arguments, but oftentimes these “arguments” are anything but. Instead, they’re snappy one-liners that don’t argue the opposing point but rather the opposing person.

This emphasis on being “savage” closes us off and prevents us from having actual discussions. That’s disheartening considering that many of the senior class will be able to vote in November, and almost everyone at RB High now will be eligible for the next presidential election after that.

I’m not arguing that we stop making fun of one another; that’s implausible and frankly boring. Eliminating slight jabs at one another puts us in a horrible situation as well with no one being able to handle disagreement. I’m arguing that comedy needs to have its place in our generation and not one near the top of our lists and definitely not as a justification for being cruel or ill-informed.

Max LataEditor-in-Chief

Move over, Monday; Thursday is definitely the worst day of the week

A week consists of seven days, yet not all days are created equal. Some days are looked forward to with an anticipation rivaling that of Christmas or summer vacation. Others are regarded with dread, the feeling of impending doom and the desire to avoid it by any means.

Mondays are infamously known to be atrocious, with an entire culture dedicated towards glorifying their hatred of such a day. However, the other six days do not receive as much attention and do not have as strongly defined attitudes towards them. Needless to say, there are certainly good days and bad days for students at RB High.

Mondays, the day following the weekend, starts off a fresh new week. Students and adults alike wake up to the realization that they have school or work, respectively. For us students, Monday’s saving grace is its later start, giving students an extra hour of sleep. Classes are also shorter, helping the day to go by faster, so students can go home, sink into the couch and have a Netflix marathon to mentally prepare for the week ahead.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally regarded as the standard days of the week, of no particular importance, where people merely go through the motions and struggle to make it through. However, the homework load is cut in half due to the

following lab days, placing it higher on the rankings.

Thursdays, on the other hand, have no redeeming qualities. All homework that wasn’t done on Wednesday has to be finished for Friday. At this point, the week has felt like an eternity, and students begin to ask themselves if all this effort is worth it. Thursdays are the breaking point, the true test of mental and physical endurance where champions distinguish themselves from the crowd.

By Friday, everyone is numb to the stress of school, and the anticipation of the weekend dispels all crushing feelings of anxiety. The day passes in a blur, and before you know it, the weekend has arrived.

After a weeklong period of trials and tribulations, the weekend is seen as a well-deserved compensation, with it being the highlight of the week simply because there is no school. Homework is miraculously forgotten until Sunday evening, and time is spent with friends or simply relaxing and taking a breather from the activities of life.

Of all the days, Thursdays are definitely the low point of the week. It is the final hurdle before the weekend, as all homework must be completed for Friday. Arguments can be said proving why Mondays are the worst, but that just means the person has never laid down in bed, pulled up the covers, and realized they forgot to do their math homework from Wednesday.

David WangStaff Writer

“I can’t believe he got in, and I didn’t”

As the end of the year approaches, so too are a couple inevitable realities for seniors. One: most of us are graduating, and two: many of us are going to college. This reality is the cause of much distress amongst a community of seniors here at RB High.

“I think people were trying to act happy for their peers but it’s wasn’t hard to tell that they were pretty bitter when their friend got into a better school,” said Beini Liu, a senior at RB High.

There is an ever-growing issue with college acceptances at our high school: a negative culture has developed around these acceptances. Bitterness and, oftentimes, subsequent shunning, are just a couple common features of the social environment prevailing at RB High following the slew of college letters. Many people are unwilling or unable to accept that they did not make it into their “dream” school, and as such they feel angry when others did.

Perhaps some of this anger stems from common misunderstandings about how and why certain people get accepted and others do not.

“Many people just think that they will get into certain schools, but don’t have the aptitude to get into or succeed in certain school due to statistics in the past. Certain people thought that they would get into UCLA pretty easily, but didn’t match up to many of those who had gotten into UCLA in previous years,” senior Tyler Whang said.

Since colleges do not really tell the world how and why they let certain people in and choose to pass up on others, a lot of speculation surrounds the mysterious process that is college acceptance. This speculation leads to students passing judgments on their peers. Seniors can often be heard saying

things like, “This is the reason he or she got in,” or “He or she didn’t really deserve the acceptance; it’s probably because of their extracurriculars.”

“You could see the groups split up because people were drawn to those they were going to school with,” said Liu. “Anyone who didn’t get into a school that was considered impressive became more and more irrelevant. After all, the college we choose to go to is really just another label for people to judge us by, so the overall atmosphere is clouded by people who didn’t get into their dream schools.”

But where do these judgments come from, and do they actually mean anything?

“In all honesty, hearing a lot of the successful students going to such great colleges has bummed me out slightly,” senior Brandon Lam said. “I am very proud of all of my friends and acquaintances for doing so well, but at the same time I’m also a little bit disappointed in myself for not performing better in high school.”

Perhaps the root of such bitterness is insecurity. It is normal to feel unsure about the path you have chosen, but how you choose to deal with this insecurity is important: if you choose to judge and put others down, you’re at the heart of this negative culture created after college acceptances.

For those who cannot seem to rationalize their rejections, instead of lashing out due to your insecurity, try to be proud of what you were able to accomplish. Be open-minded; after all, college is a great experience, no matter where you go.

Gwen LaMarCartoonist

Cartoon by Gwen LaMar

Constantly posting selfies on social media doesn’t only hurt you. When someone posts a selfie on social media, they are attempting to build their own self-esteem at the expense of others.”

“

Thu FriMon Tue Wed

My Week

The number of selfies the average millennial (born 1980s-2000) will take in his or her lifetime. 27,500

Survey by Luster Premium White

In all honesty, hearing a lot of the successful students going to such great college has bummed me out slightly”-Brandon Lam, senior

“

Evolution of the word “savage”Webster’s Dictionaryadjective(as of an animal) fierce, violent and uncontrolled

Urban Dictionaryadjectivecool, hardcore, going beyond the normal scope of the given situation

Seniors, in less than two months, we may never come back to this campus ever again; in fact, some of us are bent on making that a reality. Before that, however, we get to graduate. Last year, graduation was held on campus in our stadium, but before then, it was held in SDSU’s Viejas Arena. While

many of last year’s and this year’s seniors were and are angry

with these arrangements, our graduation should be held on RB High’s

campus. Firstly, let’s

get something out of the way: graduation isn’t for us; it’s for our parents. Let’s be

honest, a lot of us would be fine without

the whole

ceremony since it’s just us sitting in the heat under too much clothing while we wait to have our name called. We sit there and look pretty for our parents while we’d rather be out partying with our friends. Mr. LeMaster could literally throw our diplomas into the air in the middle of the quad on the last day of school, and we probably wouldn’t care less because we’d be done.

In short, graduation doesn’t need to be fancy for us, and for some of us more desperate seniors, it doesn’t even have to exist at all. We go through the whole cap-and-gown business for our families. Some might argue that because it has to exist at all, it might as well be at the arena, but this overlooks other aspects.

The arena is about a half-hour drive from our school, which isn’t a huge burden, but it’s still a drive. Alternatively, RB High is close for most people simply because of zoning. Being closer means that we have our cars and makes getting to people’s houses or restaurants

for graduation parties easier and faster. That’s what we really care about: celebration.

One of the main advantages of the arena is parking; it’s meant to hold a large volume of people, so the parking lot reflects that. RB High’s parking lot isn’t as large, but we have both the staff and student parking lots as well as street parking on three sides of the RB High-BHMS plot of land. In addition, there is more parking spread out across the community, meaning a bit of walking, but not an egregious amount more than at the arena.

Lastly, think about college graduations as a whole; they’re never off-campus. High school and college may not necessarily be equivalent, but the graduation ceremony is fundamentally the same. On the same note, high school graduations should be held on campus. Graduation is the last time you’re with all of your graduating class in the same place. That place should be the same place you’ve spent all your time together.

Graduation: the last day our seniors spend as Broncos. Speeches are given; songs are sung, and then the celebration begins. Typically it is a day when the seniors reminisce on the good and bad memories shared over the past four years, happy to have survived together the adventure that is high school, yet sad that the time to take different paths has come. Accompanied by such an emotional roller coaster as this, the setting for graduation must be fitting, both literally and figuratively, for our future. Though the campus of RB High might seem like the optimal setting for graduation, a closer examination shows why a different campus, a college campus, might actually be the best fit.

Last year’s graduation was hosted RB High’s stadium, with the audience in the stands and the seniors on the field. Problem number one was obvious:

overcrowding. Everywhere. The parking lots were full of cars, and, if you weren’t an early-bird, you were be subject to hunting for a parking space several blocks away. Even though for some, the extra walking was no problem, many women in heels as well as grandparents may have had a tough time. The overcrowded parking meant escaping the ensuing chaos afterwards was near-impossible, and just as dangerous.

The second problem was the weather. As graduation lasts several hours, it causes a problem when these hours are spent sitting under the sun without a roof. If the typical San Diego sun is out, as was the case last year, many in attendance were bearing the sun. In the future if graduation is held on one of those rare days when it actually rains, everyone will be huddled together under umbrellas. In either scenario, focus on the graduation ceremony itself is compromised. RB High’s gymnasium is much too small to host such an event,

so having the ceremony there would not be plausible.

The best solution would be to go back to SDSU’s Viejas Arena. This arena has a maximum capacity of 12,414 persons, more than enough for a high school graduation. The parking problem is also solved as SDSU boasts a parking lot capable of fitting all of our parking needs and then some. The roofed arena makes sure our seniors get the undivided attention they deserve, regardless of the weather.

Seniors have worked hard, and graduation is a milestone representing their a c h i e v e m e n t s . Having graduation at a college campus would help cement in the minds of our graduates just how far they have come, while also symbolically representing their future endeavors.

theSilverSpur Opinions 5May 2, 2016

Where should RB High hold its graduation ceremony?

For the longest running presidential democracy in the world, America has an abysmal voter turnout. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group made up of highly developed and democratic states, completed a study in 2015 that measured voter turnout of major world democracies. This study showed that America placed 31 out of 34 countries for voter turnout. Similarly, the United Nations completed its annual study of voting habits in all the countries in the UN, and found that America ranked 120th out of 169 countries studied. In the 2012 presidential election, 129.1-million votes were cast for president, out of 241 million eligible voters, which gives us a voter turnout of about 53.6

percent, barely over half the eligible population.

This can be attributed to many reasons, including voter disinterest, but one of the biggest may be our election rules and how they often make it hard for people who want to vote to participate in elections. Our elections, held on weekdays, do not always have easily accessible polling stations (often with long lines), and many states require information. California, following the lead of Oregon, simplified the process by letting people sign up at the DMV when they obtain or renew their driver’s license. California’s semi-automatic registration law, passed in October of 2015 under the title of Motor Voter Act, allows citizens to opt out of the registration if they choose to abstain from voting, but makes it easier for those who do want to vote to register automatically. This is different from Oregon’s law, signed by Governor Kate Brown, which

automatically sends citizen’s information to the state’s secretary of state from the DMV. This law was passed as a way to combat the low-voter turnout in the California midterm elections, where 42 percent of all eligible voters showed up to the polls, an all-time low.

Previous attempts and research studies done in the 1990s show that automatic voter registration does not affect voter turnout, especially in presidential election years when most voters do not need to be reminded to vote. However, these laws could affect local and midterm elections when less young people and non-white voters come out to the polls. Registering voters can motivate those who may have been ambivalent or uninformed about voting and election dates, and help bring them to vote.

This Motor Voter Act can also specifically target young voters and

help them come out to vote at elections because they can register when they get their first driver’s license. This could possibly motivate youth turnout, which in American presidential elections is usually ten points less than average turnout, since many do not vote because they forgot to register or order a mail ballot.

Those who oppose automatic registration believe that the practice is a privacy risk and could make it easier for non citizens to commit voter fraud. Others feel that participating in elections should be a personal decision, and that state and local governments should stay out of it. California’s law, however, has an “opt-out” choice, so people can tell the DMV they do not want to register when they receive or renew their driver’s licence.

Having the option available makes it easier for those who may want to get involved, but are not motivated to take the first steps to register, to vote.

Automatic voter registration could encourage higher turnout

Alex WalshStaff Writer

Max LataEditor-in-Chief

Janhavi ChafekarOpinions Editor

Graduation should be held off campus Graduation should be held on campus

Can going to prom with friends be more fun?

Samantha YiStaff Writer

As the school year winds down, many seniors and juniors are getting ready to attend the biggest dance of the year: prom.

Prom is a great de-stresser after a year packed with academics and constant work, but it can also induce even more stress as both girls and guys worry about dinner, tickets, transportation and friend groups. As if that weren’t enough, there’s also the added question of who you end up asking. The biggest question remains: can two people only go together if they’re a real couple? Or can they go as “just friends”?

In spite of what tradition may suggest, prom is not reserved only for those in romantic relationships. It’s an end-of-the-year celebration meant for uperclassmen, regardless of whether they have a date or not.

Of course, prom is still a great event for couples to spend time together, and it’s the perfect opportunity to splurge on a gourmet dinner, to dress up in formal attire, and maybe to enjoy a few slow dances.

Some are simply not interested in relationships during high school, and that shouldn’t prevent them from going to prom. If you’re single, prom is still a great event to savor the last stretch of the school year. Especially for seniors, this may be the final opportunity to celebrate before everyone parts ways, and prom provides a great opportunity to let loose one last time.

There are many positive aspects to

attending prom with friends, too. For one, being with a romantic partner can sometimes add stress; whereas, going with a friend or friend group can make for a more relaxing, fun night because there’s less pressure to make the night perfect.

“In certain situations, you’re so focused on pleasing a date that you forget to live for yourself,”senior Sadaf Dadafshar said.

In addition, high school relationships have a tendency to not last long, so you might as well spend this momentous event with someone who has been more of a constant, dependable figure in your life.

Dadafshar argues that the night can end up being more fun if you go with “someone who solely wants to make memories, not go after a romantic pursuit.”

“As long as you make it clear, it is fine to go with a friend to prom,” junior Cece Dematteo said. “You still get to go and enjoy it.”

To avoid a misunderstanding, clarify whether you’re going platonically or if there’s a possibility that your friendship may become something more.

It’s clear that times have changed, and prom has evolved from its traditional roots. Popular television shows and movies that depict prom as a couples-only event don’t necessarily reflect modern teenagers’ mentality, and the majority of students agree that both couples and platonic friends can go to prom and still have fun.

Whether you go with a romantic date, a single friend, or a large group of friends, prom is intended to be a fun celebration, so don’t stress too much!

Students should eliminate cell phone use to remain respectful to teachers and peersGabby Decano Staff Writer

It was just a regular Monday morning. After a long and busy weekend, I did not feel like I just had a break; therefore, I wasn’t in the best mood when I walked in first period.

I choose to not spread my grumpiness and therefore answered “I’m fine” with genuine smile plastered on my face when someone asked me, “Hey, are you okay?” As the teacher began the lesson, I got out my #2 pencil, calculator, and notes, and was ready for a 45-minute lecture devoted to trig functions. My frustration started while I was writing down a formula and something caught my eyes.

I looked over towards a source of mysterious brightness and discovered someone on Snapchat, trying out different filters from tongue-wagging and big puppy ears to overly-sized eyes while vomiting out rainbows. As much as I wanted to chuck the phone out the window, I gritted my teeth and continued listening to the teacher,while trying hard to focus.

Almost everyday in every class, I see people with their phones hidden behind the desks texting, taking selfies, or exploring

the abyss of social media. While there are some students who

actually follow the teacher’s dictum, there are others who take advantage. To those who take advantage, not only are you causing a distraction, but you’re missing out from the lesson and being disrespectful to the teacher and students who want to learn.

When you use your phone during a lesson, your mind is completely centered on beating that last game level or texting your friend about those Saturday night plans. As you tap away, you’re completely focused on your phone and are missing out on important information.

You might be able to get through the lesson with occasional nods to show that you’re “listening,” or by copying the notesfrom your friend and you may have gotten away with it, but copying off those

notes will only hurt you. Some also think that if they just take

a picture of the notes or copy them off someone else, as long as they have the notes, they’ll just read it over and understand the material. Wrong.

There are times when you will miss out on important discussions that the notes did not cover. What the teacher has to say is equally, if not more, important as hand-written notes.

As the world of technology lures you into an entirely different universe, in our universe, we are trying to learn while you’re too busy with your phone. And at the same time ou have failed to notice that your teacher has caught you using your phone as he/she gives off an annoyed eye roll. It’s even worse when the teacher gets distracted multiple times and has to tell you to put the phone.

Each time the teacher gets distracted or has to reprimand you to stay focused, it takes away class time from those who are engaged. You can always get back on that game or text your friend after class or at home. It’s inconsiderate to your peers and teachers.

It’s a useful privilege to be able to use smart phones for educational purposes, so it’s important that we don’t ruin that privilege for the rest of us.

To those who take advantage, not only are you causing a distraction, but you’re missing out from the lesson and being disrespectful.”

“Cartoon by Gwen LaMar

Cartoon by Takashi Joubert

Sex trafficking in Cambodia is notorious, with thousands of victims—mostly young girls as young as 5-years-old—taken and sold into prostitution, sometimes even by their own families, where they are raped and abused with torture often hanging over any escape attempts.

Bringing a targeted end to the existence of this horrifying sex-slave trade in one of the most poverty-ridden, gender-inequality-filled countries in Asia has since 2005 been the central goal of the 1988 Cambodia-founded humanitarian o r g a n i z a t i o n , Agape International Missions (AIM). The organization’s stated aim lies in “fighting trafficking, restoring victims, and transforming communities through prevention, rescue, restoration, and reintegration.”

And it was with this message of humanitarian aid that across the Pacific, Esther Ryu and her group of friends—all students at RB High—decided to establish a branch on their school’s campus. Hence, RBHS Agape Missions was created, raising awareness about the harsh, serious reality of sex trafficking, and annually fundraising as much money as possible; all of which is donated to the Agape Missions Organization.

Fast forward roughly 3 years, and leadership of the club has been passed on to Janice You, whose sister had been among the original founders. In regards to You’s inspiration for taking up the torch and dedicating herself to the club and it’s

purpose, she cites a specific instance that inspired her.

“A video called ‘Bella’s story’ really inspired me,” said You. “Bella, in the video, describes her personal experiences of being the victim of human trafficking.”

You has been joined by many of her friends, forming a makeup of close-knit, equally passionate members. Tammy Hsu, like others, joined the club because of the cause it supports.

“[The cause it supports] is what I like most,” said Hsu. “The club gathers donations and does fundraisers to bring awareness and put an end to sex trafficking, a real, human atrocity that still takes place

around the world.”Recently, the club

held a successful donut fundraiser with Krispy Kreme, in which they sold over 10 boxes of donuts. In the near future, the club is looking forward to an upcoming event held by North County Lifeline,

where they were invited to help out with an open-community forum regarding the issue of Human Trafficking. An estimated 50-100 people are anticipated to attend.

Of course, there is still so much ahead for the club, whether it be in fundraising or spreading the word about sex trafficking.The club and it’s members are always eagerly onto their next fundraiser event. Cindy Lai, vice president and senior member of the club, is hopeful that this enthusiasm will continue in the future.

“Because I am graduating this year,” said Lai, “I believe that Janice will carry on our legacy.”

theSilverSpur6 Features May 2, 2016

Agape Missions Club joins international fight against Cambodian sex trafficking

CORRECTED 2016-17 4x4 Bell Schedule

M, T, TH, FPERIOD

1BREAK23LUNCH4

START

7:30 AM 8:58 AM9:16 AM10:56 AM12:24 PM 1:02 PM

END

8:58 AM 9:08 AM10:48 AM12:24 AM12:54 PM 2:30 PM

PERIOD

BREAK12LUNCH34

START

8:30 AM8:48 AM10:07 AM11:22 AM12:00 PM 1:19 PM

END

8:40 AM9:59 AM11:22 AM11:52AM1:11 PM 2:30 PM

LATE-START WEDNESDAY

Information courtesy of rbhs.org

Photo by Isabella OrtizKAORI EMERSON-SHURILLA

Over the president’s week break, students at RB High, along with a few students from Poway and Mt. Carmel, had the opportunity of traveling to Spain with RB High’s Spanish teacher Kimberly Rizzo.

Earlier this year, students from Urdaneta, a school in Bilbao, Spain, traveled to San Diego and stayed with students from RB High. During the break, the students from RB High traveled to Spain and stayed with their Spanish exchange students.

This is the first time that this type of exchange has occurred. Rizzo planned the trip two years ago while on sabbatical. She traveled to nine different schools in Spain to make connections and setup virtual pen pals between her students and the students in Spain. When she asked if any schools wanted to conduct an exchange with RB High, Urdaneta willingly accepted.

“The school was an amazing host. We were welcomed by the principal,” Rizzo said.

First, the students went to Bilbao, shortly after their flight landed in Paris. They spent two days shadowing their exchange students in school to gain an understanding of how school works in Spain. Urdaneta functions

unconventionally compared to the system that we are accustomed to here. Instead of having the students travel from classroom to classroom, the teachers switch classrooms, and the students stay in one place all day.

During their stay in Bilbao, they also visited many famous sights, including San Sebastian and Victoria, both capitals of provinces, and Guernica, the city in which Picasso painted his infamous painting of the city.

After leaving Bilbao, the group drove across the border and visited Biona, France for a brief stay. Finally, they concluded their trip with two days in Spain’s capital city, Madrid.

Aside from the opportunity to practice their Spanish among native Spanish speakers, students also experienced the trends and culture of teens in a different part of the world.

“It was a Spanish field trip, but I think it was about meeting people and experiencing a new culture,” sophomore Tyler Greene said.

The bond that the students formed with their friends in Spain has continued to grow even after they returned to San Diego. Students are communicating with their exchange students through all the different forms of communication. Luckily, in this age of technology,

keeping in touch is becoming progressively easier.

“I really want to go back to Spain,” sophomore Daniel Smith said. “It was awesome. Everyone that went on the trip wants to go back.”

Even with thousands of miles between them, the students remain close friends. Although they encountered many new and wonderful experiences during their trip, the memories they made with their Spanish friends left the biggest mark on their lives. Rizzo hopes to continue with this trip every year because students learn such valuable life lessons from experiences like this.

First Spanish exchange trip successful in creating long-lasting friendships

Photos courtesy of Kim RizzoSPANISH EXCHANGE - RB High Students travel to Spain for an eye-opening experience.

In the midst of a chaotic 13 or so years of learning known as public education, there is one common place of refuge for students to seek shelter under. Lunch, as it is called, despite at some schools taking place around 11 am, acts as the brief respite for students. Food, time to talk with friends, and valuable study time are the reasons many students jokingly say “lunch” when asked what their favorite period is. However, schools have received much criticism regarding their lunches’ prices and quality. What people do not realize are the complexities that lie past the lunch-person behind the window.

As seen on the school district’s website, the Food and Nutrition Department’s mission statement is “to ensure that nutritious food choices are available to all students.” They emphasize a caring staff, nutritional awareness, a sanitary environment, and financial self-sufficiency.

As of July 1, 2014, the last time lunch prices were updated, high school meals are $3.25 for a regular meal and $3.50 for special lunch meals. These prices are established by the School Board. For those restricted by their financial situation,

reduced price meals are set by the federal government and offered to students at $0.40 for all meals. A second meal is available but for an increased price of $4.00. This is because the District receives federal reimbursement for the first meal only, and second meals are not subsidized about federal and state reimbursements.

Contrary to popular belief, many of the decisions regarding school lunches are not under the school’s control. According to the PUSD Food and Nutrition Department’s website, a team of food and nutrition professionals (with two registered dietitians) select popular items based on student preferences and survey results. However, other criteria, including quality, nutrition cost, and production/serving logistics are considered. The final menu is

then reviewed by the menu planning committee and ultimately confirmed by the Director of Food and Nutrition.

An even more extensive process lies between selecting items and getting them approved. In order to keep nutrients consistent with government requirements, computer software is used to analyze menus. Staff members and students are also brought in to test new items, and key supervisory personnel provide input to satisfy both nutritional value guidelines and student preferences.

Current menu items are also continuously kept up to date based on nutrition standards. For example, all deep fat fryers were removed from school kitchens, replacing french fries with a la carte baked potato wedges. New drinks are constantly being introduced, but strict regulations keep soda and many types of juice out of the menu. Specific guidelines are also set in place to limit the menu items’ total fat, saturated fat, iron, calcium and other vitamins.

In conclusion, much emphasis is placed on student preferences despite the nutritional guidelines provided by the federal government. The faculty is dedicated to providing students a balanced meal containing the nutrients needed to get them through the day, and at the end of the day, a pinch of kindness is what makes it all the better.

Nutrition and student preference make up PUSD lunches

Isabella OrtizCopy Editor

Takashi JoubertCartoonist

The club gathers donations and does fundraisers to bring awareness and put an end to sex trafficking, a real, human atrocity that still takes place around the world.” -Tammy Hsu, junior

“

Senior works alongside rocket scientists at Northrop Grumman internship

Few teenagers get the opportunity to work alongside literal rocket scientists on a daily basis, but for senior Kaori Emerson-Shurilla, it’s simply part of her job.

Emerson-Shurilla currently interns at Northrop Grumman, a position that she secured after undergoing an application and interview process. Ever since February 22, when the internship officially began, Emerson-Shurilla and four other RB High seniors have been working throughout the week at various tasks.

Emerson-Shurilla works in marketing and communications, with a flexible schedule that allows her to work Monday through Thursday, for two and a half hours each day.

Initially, Emerson admits that she was “stressed out” because it was a difficult to balance such a time-consuming responsibility with demanding schoolwork. Now, however,

she has struck a healthy balance between academics and extracurriculars and finds her internship manageable.

As a prospective aerospace engineering major, Emerson-Shurilla has benefitted from gaining a broader knowledge of the aerospace field.

“I love talking to cool people,” Emerson-Shurilla said. “People are so encouraging and genuinely interested in what I’m doing.”

Northrop Grumman has made her position a interactive internship, allowing students to get heavily involved in everything from

innovation challenges to company projects. Through this internship, Emerson-

Shurilla gets a taste of a real-life work environment as she works from her own cubicle and computer on tasks related to public relations and communications. Typically, she receives day-to-day, short-term projects.

“I got to write an article for Inside Aerospace, the company magazine,” Emerson-Shurilla said. “I also researched and wrote about an unmanned surveillance system, called the Global Hawk.”

In addition to writing for Northrop Grumman’s publication and researching projects, Emerson-Shurilla also writes talking points, which are condensed versions of information that are released to the media. Sometimes, Emerson-Shurilla receives as many as 16 pages worth of information to summarize.

The internship goes beyond mere work, though; Emerson-Shurilla gets the chance to hear firsthand accounts from her peers.

“I like getting advice from people who have already gone through what I’m going through,” Emerson-Shurilla said. For example, one of her colleagues recommended that she get her pilot’s license in order to understand how things fly and get an edge in the aerospace engineering field.

Emerson-Shurilla has enjoyed practically every aspect of her internship.

“The only drawback is when I have downtime after I finish a project,” Emerson-Shurilla said.

The five RB High interns will graduate from their positions at the end of May, but for right now, Emerson-Shurilla is making the most of her time at Northrop Grumman.

“I get to hear input, make friends, and have connections for the future,” Emerson-Shurilla said.

This unique opportunity has been an excellent way for Emerson-Shurilla to gain real-world experience and place her one step ahead in her field of study before she even goes to college.

I love talking to cool people; people are so encouraging and genuinely interested in what I’m doing.”

-Kaori Emerson-Shurilla, senior

“

Emma RooholfadaStaff Writer

30 Million number of children who have lost their childhood to sexual exploitation throughout the past 30 years

Information courtesy of Agape International Missions

A team of food and nutrition professionals select popular items based on student preferences and survey results.”

“

David WangStaff Writer

Choir Department victorious at Heritage FestivalWith these songs, the members

were able to not only showcase the product of their work throughout the school year, but also put their skills to the test against other high school choirs in an intensive, high-caliber competition.

“What I enjoyed most about this competition was seeing all of our hard work come together,” said senior Madrigals President Alyssa Dsouza. “We showed everyone, including ourselves, that we can accomplish pretty amazing things.”

Ultimately, the groups were judged on various elements such as technique, tonality, and dynamics by adjudicators with a 100-point scale for each song. For their performances, both ensembles earned a plaque for a gold

performance, winning both 1st place and the Adjudicator Award. In addition, both ensembles won the Sweepstakes for Choral Program by scoring above 95 points on each of their performances.

Much of the success of the choir ensembles have been attributed to the patient

mentoring of Friedrichs.“Any time I get on stage to

sing my eyes are always on Ms. Friedrichs,” said Nonaka. “I think what makes our group perform so well is that we have a lot of trust between ourselves and the director. She makes this magical connection to the group, and it such

an experience to sing in a choir.”For many seniors such

as Dsouza, the festival was particularly significant as it marked a full circle from when they entered their first choir festival.

“Marilynn Do and I were the only freshmen in Advanced Women’s Ensemble, and we went to the Heritage Festival in San Francisco that year,” said Dsouza. “Now being the president of Mads, I was the representative to get any of the awards we received. I got to choose someone else to go up with me, and I chose Marilynn. Marilynn and I have been through choir together throughout all of high school, and having this experience at the festival was a great note to end our year on.”

Choir from page 1

CHOIR- Students bond through years of teamwork. Photo courtesy of Chris Siedenburg

RB High’s Mabuhay Club hosted its annual PCN, or Pilipino Cultural Night, on Mar. 25. It was a special night filled with various entertaining performances that demonstrated the rich and lively Filipino culture through dance performances and music. Organized by the Mabuhay Club, the students worked diligently to prepare for this culture-filled night.

Mabuhay gives its students the opportunity of promoting Filipino awareness on campus. The majority of the Mabuhay Club members are not Filipino, but they have a strong bond, nonetheless, which emphasizes their common belief and goals of kapamilya, or family.

Another goal is to help inspire students to learn about the Filipino culture and to inspire them to go to college; as a part of its goals, Mabuhay participates in annual high school conferences that promote higher education for Filipinos called KP, hosted at UCSD, and AB, hosted at SDSU.

Senior club president Alisa Pimentel explained how Filipinos are often stereotyped as not pursuing higher education and as typically taking on jobs in the navy or nursing. The KP and AB conferences help promote other jobs in higher fields.

PCN, which stands for Pilipino Cultural Night, is a student-run event where Mabuhay members showcase their talents and teach others about the culture.

At the PCN, there were traditional folk dances such as the Tinkling and the Pandanggo sa Ilaw that demonstrated what Filipino family spirit is all about.

Tinkling is a folk dance that involves two people beating and tapping bamboo sticks together while multiple people step in between the poles to the beat, while Pandanggo sa Ilaw is a candle dance involving balancing candles or oil lamps on the dancer’s arms and head.

Sophomore Julian Natividad, PCN commissioner, was a participant of the Tinikling dance. He explained that it was an interesting dance, and, at first, he was nervous about his feet getting caught in between the poles. Eventually, Natividad was able to get the hang of it and successfully dance to the rhythm of the tapping bamboo poles.

With Mabuhay and PCN, Natividad, who has been with Mabuhay for two years, was able to experience leadership opportunities and make new friends who hold the same interests.

Mabuhay teaches its students the interesting aspects about the Filipino culture, encourages taking the initiative to pursue careers in higher fields, and most importantly, it teaches students the importance of family.

“I realized that you don’t have to stay within that Filipino bubble of trying to stay within those cultural bounds,” Pimentel said. “There’s so much more that you can do if you just look outside of the box.”

After a lengthy application and two-month wait, TED granted her a license. The biggest challenge lay in time constraints, as the team only had two months rather than the recommended five to six months for planning.

The core team employed everything from weekly meetings to Google Docs to group chats in order to maximize their time.

“It was a very collaborative effort,” said freshman and production lead Alex Hmitti. “This helped our sense of unity and camaraderie, like we’d all worked collectively to make it happen.”

Another challenge that the TEDx team encountered was acquiring enough sponsorships to fund the event. Although most sponsorships were in-kind, like Robek’s donation of smoothies, Hamilton College Consulting donated $500, and Principal LeMaster paid to rent the Performing Arts Center. The remaining costs were covered through the sale of the $35 tickets, even though the event sponsored multiple scholarship attendees to avoid creating financial burden on people who were genuinely interested in the conference.

Khan created an application process so that a diverse group of PUSD students would get the opportunity to attend such a momentous event.

“It wasn’t merit-based,” Khan said. “We asked simple questions about their passions, interests, and why they wanted to attend.”

Not only did others look to her to run everything smoothly, but she also acted as the sole liaison between the TEDx team and the numerous speakers. She orchestrated

their performances, providing everything from blocking directions to tips on delivery. Because of this new responsibility and position, Khan felt as if she was “forced to grow up a little.”

“I liked that I was treated as a licensee, not as a 17-year-old,” Khan said.

The last stretch of time prior to the event required constant work from Khan and her team.

“During the final month, I ate, breathed, and slept TED,” Khan said.

On the day of the conference, all of the group’s stress and labor finally paid off.

Such diverse speakers as entrepreneur Sarah Hernholm and RB High senior and musician Omid Rooholfada took to the stage to share their ideas, which ranged from the importance of perseverance to the subjectivity of success to the nuances of beatboxing.

It was clear both throughout and after the event that the audience enjoyed hearing and discussing the new perspectives introduced

through these talks.

“I liked that the speakers talked about things that related to our own lives,” said junior and attendee Allison Finnecy. Finnecy particularly enjoyed speaker Sarah Hernholm’s lesson to “put commas instead of periods” and persevere in the pursuit of happiness.

Hmitti enjoyed seeing the project, which had started as a mere idea, actually come to life. At first all the team knew about the speakers came from their bios and photos, but physically seeing and hearing them was particularly rewarding after weeks of planning, according to Hmitti.

“It was satisfying to see the people in the crowd enjoying it,” Hmitti said.

Khan herself enjoyed seeing how people interacted throughout the event, especially knowing that all of her time and effort had paid off.

“As the event came to a close, it was just gratifying to see people so happy,” Khan said.

Khan is also excited to share the footage

from the event on TED’s YouTube channel,

as post-production the crucial second part to the TEDx process. Through this medium, the unique ideas exchanged at this conference will have a wider reach.

Looking to the future, Khan hopes to expand the TEDxRBHigh, but this would involve an $8000 trip to the TEDGlobal conference to broaden the license to allow for more than 100 attendees.

This first annual TEDx conference was a major stepping stone toward Khan’s ultimate goal because she has now established herself and the school in the TED network.

“Now I’m in this community of geniuses, and I’ve gotten to know so many amazing speakers on a personal level,” Khan said.

Ultimately, the event couldn’t have been possible without Khan’s creativity and perseverance.

“She was the driving force that led us to create this project,” Hmitti said. “She did a great job, and I’m excited to take the baton and continue her initiative next year.”

theSilverSpur Features 7May 2, 2016

A look into RB High’s campus supervisors

Mabuhay puts on annual cultural performanceGabby DecanoStaff Writer

TEDx- From left to right: TEDx volunteers pose for a picture; Omid Rooholfada plays the violin while beatboxing.

Among its teachers, staff, coaches and administrators, RB High also has campus supervisors, also commonly known as “campus security.” The main role of our campus supervisors is to be visible at all times in an effort to keep students safe at all times.

While they may be rarely noticed by students because of their consistent and unwavering presence, their vigilance is felt. To maintain this presence, their shifts are staggered so that there is always security from before school starts to after the last bell rings at the end of the school day.

“I love my job because I get to hang out with teenagers and get to know the students,” supervisors Kay Kobliska said. “We try to keep the students and staff safe.”

Campus supervisors are also help deal with issues that many of us may take for granted.

“[The campus supervisors] are really

just an extension of the administration,” Principal Dave Lemaster said. “They help us work with the 2,300 students we have on campus, and help us provide a safe place for kids to go.”

RB High takes pride in being named the 3rd safest school in the county. Our campus supervisors are trained and prepared in case of school shootings or bomb threats. Evidence of this is the

lockdown drills held twice a year.

To help with campus supervision security cameras were recently installed around campus to provide 24-hours “supervision.” The cameras are primarily used as a way to look back after an incident has

occurred. The cameras use is limited in that way, but the preventive measure provided by the security cameras is what is valuable.

“There are two purposes for the cameras,” LeMaster said. “One is to provide security in case we ever have somebody on campus that we shouldn’t, and two is that it acts as a deterrent to those who are coming onto campus...”

Ian LevySports Editor

[The campus supervisors] are really just an extension of the administration. They help us work with the 2,300 students we have on campus.”-Dave LeMaster, principal

“

Growing up as a Filipino, I learned that music is an integral component of the Filipino culture that makes it so rich with.

As a child and up to now, I’ve listened to countless Tagalog (language of the Philippines) songs, ranging from classic romantic ballads to modern Tagalog music.

When I was a kid, as my parents played a CD of a Filipino singer, I found myself mumbling along to the tune, and when I learned how to speak, I was able to mutter out a few Tagalog words. It wasn’t until I grew older that I realized how it improved my Tagalog speaking skills and my understanding about the culture.

A few months ago, I was introduced to Korean pop, mostly known as “Kpop.” As a friend of mine effectively persuaded me to listen to Kpop, I finally gave it a shot after many pleads. Fast forward to now, I find myself interested in parts of Korean culture such as the food and language. Interestingly, it’s literally replaced my entire Spotify playlist of English songs.

Being exposed to music of two different languages gave me this opportunity to explore its unique qualities of the music and culture. To be able to gain further knowledge of any culture, listening to music in that culture’s language will be a great way to allow one to learn more culturally and linguistically.

When you hear the words an artist or band is singing, even though you don’t understand what they’re saying, you can feel the message that they’re conveying. You can feel that message through the mellow strings of a violin playing, or through the eccentric electronic dance beats.

F r e s h m a n Elizabeth Yu enjoys the variety of songs and performances in the Korean-pop industry. She actively listens to Kpop because she sees the efforts Korean artists put into their music and performances, and she also views it as a stepping stone to learning about the Korean culture. Listening to Korean music helps gives Yu a better idea of of the different styles composers take on in creating music.

Some people think you can’t understand the artist’s message if you can’t understand what they’re saying; however, Yu believes otherwise.

“Music doesn’t need to be understood as long you feel something from it,” Yu said. “Whether it’s a sad or upbeat song, it should send a meaning to the listener regardless of whether they understand the language.”

By listening to music in a different language, you feel this cultural curiosity

within you that causes you to learn more about the culture. It provides an outlook on what that culture deems important.

Spanish teacher Holly Lecakes-Jones is

a passionate about Spanish music and how it allows others to step foot into the Spanish culture on a deeper level and that they are able to see what Latinos value.

As Lecakes-Jones describes it, listening to Spanish music shows one’s corazón (heart) and duende. Duende, as Lecakes-Jones describes it, is when you feel the music so profoundly that it reveals part of

your soul. It’s a sense of feeling where you feel this powerful emotion with the music that causes you to feel connected with it.

“You are one with the music,” Lecakes-Jones said. “The music is you, and you are the music. And I think duende explains everything about Latino music.

Listening to music in a language you’re learning or are native in gives you the benefit of hearing those words and being able to pronounce them correctly and understand them grammatically as well.

Freshman Ailan Hernandez is a Filipino who is fluent in Tagalog. He believes that Tagalog music has helped him with the language in terms of pronunciation. Hernandez listens to a variety of Filipino artists and enjoys listening to the romantic side of Tagalog music.

“Listening to Tagalog music has allowed me to adapt and learn my language,” Hernandez said. “Sometimes I don’t notice it, but I speak Tagalog to my fellow Filipino friends and family more often now.

Our world is a melting pot of so many different cultures. Every culture out there is unique and reflects its beliefs and ideals through food, art, and music.

RB High hosts first-annual TEDx conference, Ignited MindsTEDx FROM 1

Listening to music from other countries can increase cultural awareness Gabby DecanoStaff Writer

Photo by Isabella OrtizPhoto courtesy of Humans of RB

I realized that you don’t have to stay within that Filipino bubble of trying to stay within those cultural bounds.” -Alisa Pimentel, senior

“

The music is you, and you are the music. And I think duende explains everything about Latino music.” -Lecakes-Jones, teacher

“

The spring sports season is well underway, and among the various teams battling it out for CIF championships is boys varsity tennis. This year, the top three players on the team include sophomore Nikita Speshilov, and seniors Shane Stoike and Sean Wheeler.

One thing the top players have in common is obviously their love for the sport of tennis, and also their dedication to it as well. The top players have been playing ever since they can remember, which can be a reason for their high rankings.

For the seniors, it’s definitely a bittersweet season, as they leave the high school level sport and move on to play for college.

“I’ve had a great four years playing on this team, and I’m really looking forward to playing club in college,” said senior Shane Stoike. “It’s been a good experience getting to meet a lot of new people, and getting to play a lot of different teams.”

As with any other sports team, boys tennis is looking win the CIF championships.

Boys tennis also defeated their long time rivals, Torrey Pines.

“The most difficult teams that we play against are Torrey Pines, Westview, and Canyon Crest,” said sophomore Nikita Speshilov. “Those are also the top three teams that will be in CIF’s!”

theSilverSpur May 2, 20168 Sports

David WangStaff Writer

Samantha YiStaff Writer

Alex WalshStaff Writer

Snapshots A closer look inside boys tennis and girls lacrosse

Boys Lacrosse Record

RB v. LCC4-19

RB v. Cathedral12-5

RB v. Thatcher19-17

Girls Lacrosse Record

RB v. Del Norte4-15

RB v. Poway12-0

RB v. Torrey Pines12-0

Boys lacrosse struggles in new year but aims to finish strong Volleyball improves from previous seasons with addition of new players

Lacrosse is not as popular as, say, baseball or football, but it is still a vital part of the athletics at RB High. Lacrosse, essentially played with a stick and rubber ball, was developed by the eastern Woodland Native Americans in the late 19th century. Today, the RB High boys lacrosse team strives for success in the PUSD competitive scene.

The program at RB High is still young. This year, they have played fifteen games, going 4-11, and the players are looking to improve as the season continues.

There are several factors that are working against the boys this season. In lacrosse, there are 10 players on the field at one time, and the team currently has 15 players on its roster. This works to the team’s disadvantage because substitutions made during the game are limited to five players.

“By the end of the game, we’re all dead tired,” said midfielder Sam Dooley.

In addition, Noah Naigan, one of the co-captains of the team, is out with an injury. He is considered the leader on defense because of his leadership skills.

The first game of the season for the boys ended in disappointment among the players as the team lost to San Clemente 6-15.

“You could tell [our defense] hadn’t really come together as a group yet, but they’re rushing together now, and that will help with our games,” said attacker Jack Watters.

Each lacrosse team has its own way of playing the game. Our team prepares for games by watching the opposing team’s strategy. A parent or a coach films one of the opponent’s games, and the team watches it to plan their counter-strategy. But in the end, the important thing is how the team strategizes instead of focusing so much on

the other team. Currently, the team is small, and as a result, midfielders tend to get tired because they have to play both offense and defense. The team tries to settle the ball and kill time in the beginning, and attack when the opposing team’s defense is down.

Defense is an important aspect in lacrosse. If a team has good defense, they can keep the opposing team from scoring, even if the team has a weak offense, and can still pull off a victory. It may not receive as much attention as attack or midfield, but Sam Dooley, a sophomore midfielder, stresses the importance of defense.

“If you don’t have defense to keep [the other team] from scoring, the offense won’t get the ball,” Dooley said.

The boys are working their way towards a successful season. The team practices for three hours after school on most days. Warm-ups are usually stick work, which is when the players play pass and catch with one another. They then move on to live practice.

“For the team, my future goals are for us to get better each and every single day. If we can work on the fundamentals just knowing how defense and offense operates, we can really become a better team,” states captain Duncan Copeland.

All of the hard work they are putting in will surely pay off. Ultimately, they are striving to become a team that can win the CIF championships.

Almost all sports are played with a team of individuals. That is, teamwork is often more important than individual ability itself. This is especially true in volleyball, where the team of six players is large enough so that one person cannot win by himself but small enough so that every member is needed. Here at RB High, the sense of community is held in the highest regard.

Following a 13-17 season, the varsity boys volleyball team seeks to continuously improve, despite the obstacles currently in their way. As older members graduate and new players join the roster, time is needed to adjust and become situated.

“Overall, we have a fairly new team, with a lot of first-time varsity players stepping up,” said senior Jordan Wolfman, “but we’ve learned quickly and are always improving.”

Wolfman notes that one area for improvement is the team’s stamina. In the close losses to other schools, the team came out with overwhelming energy, but they weren’t able to maintain that level of intensity to close out the game.

With his position of defensive specialist and 4 years of experience, Wolfman derives his love for the sport from the relationships created while practicing and playing together.

“Unlike some school sports, most people who try out have never played before or have limited experience, so there is an immediate sense of camaraderie going into the sport, knowing that we will all learn and grow together as we familiarize ourselves

with the game,” said Wolfman. “That feeling doesn’t go away either.”

In addition to Wolfman and the experience he brings to the court is his twin and fellow teammate Justin Wolfman, also an integral part of the team. As the outside

hitter and also a 4 year member of the volleyball program, Justin

enjoys volleyball because of the teamwork required to succeed.

“It’s definitely a very team-oriented sport,” said Wolfman. “One person can’t carry the team;

everyone has to contribute on every play.”With the season off to a

less-than-perfect start, the team is looking for ways to improve its gameplay and become a top contender. One way to achieve this is to work on consistency during the game.

“We usually win at least one set in every match, but we struggle to finish and get win the last set of the match,” said Wolfman.

Nonetheless, the boys still have opportunities to demonstrate their abilities. As older members of the team, the Wolfman brothers hope to lead the team to victory. The team currently has its eyes set upon the upcoming home game against Poway on May 4, giving it their all in practice to win. Together, they are there to support each other every step of the way. After all, that’s what teammates are for.

Boys golf hopes to make it to State Championships

Tennis battles its way towards CIFMunira AliStaff Writer

Girls lacrosse has a succesful seasonEmma RooholfadaStaff Writer

BOYS TENNIS - Eric Graber returns a hit while in a doubles match.

BOYS LACROSSE - Number 22 sqaures up against an eagles player-top and the boys chase after ball-bottom.

Here at RB High, we pride ourselves on our outstanding athletics. The girls lacrosse team is no exception. The team is in the middle of what they all agree is a remarkably successful season. They have improved from last year, leaving them with hopes of reaching the common goal among all high school sports teams, CIFs.

The team only has three seniors this year, meaning that the remaining players are mostly underclassmen who have had less experience with lacrosse. Despite their young team, the girls have surpassed expectations and progressed substantially since the start of the season.

“The progress we’ve been making since

the start of the season is amazing,” senior Sarah Mele said. “We have been improving a lot.”

Some of the team’s strong suits are speed, strength and agility. These all help on the field, but their biggest strength is built off the field, their oneness as a team. With team bonding outside of school and simply hanging out together inside school, the girls have developed a trust in one another that demonstrates itself in their playing as well.

The girls have come a long way since the start of the season, but there is still more to come. Don’t miss out on their battle towards CIFs.

Photos by Isabella Ortiz

GIRLS LACROSSE - Broncos return the ball in an attempt to score

The boys golf team went into the 2016 season with high expectations and has far from disappointed. Losing only one game to Torrey Pines throughout the course of the entire season, the boys have their eyes on the prize as they gear up for CIF.

Looking to improve last year’s CIF turnout, the boys hope to improve this year’s outcome. Last year, Zihao Jin, currently a junior at RB High, was the only member of the team to qualify for regional from CIF. Though disappointing, the boys are confident that after having such a dominant season this time around, they will surely have a more successful CIF win rate.

May brings with it CIF. In preparation, the team will be fine-tuning its techniques, correcting every error big and small and perfecting the details. Now is the time for the boys to be looking back on their performances throughout the season and go over what they

did well and what could be improved upon, both individually and as a team.

Like all other sports, the most fundamental way to improve is through practice. In golf, it is up to each individual player to get

his practice in. Though the players attend occasional team practices, the burden falls on each players to make sure he is improving sufficiently through practices outside of the team. If enough hours are put into the sport and the players show potential, they even receive sponsorships; Taisei Negishi, a

senior on the team, stated that he receives his golfing equipment straight from Callaway, while Harrison Mahon, also a senior on the team, receives his from Titleist.

The team is just as important as each individual and helps foster a drive to improve among all members, regardless of skill level.

“There’s definitely a team aspect,” Negishi said. “We always think about the other guys. That’s why we don’t give up. Because you have everyone else playing, you don’t want to be the deadweight, so you keep on trying.”

Though golf is traditionally thought of as an everyman-for-himself sport where nobody is teamed, this is not the case in high school golf. In matches between high schools, each school has 6 players play 9 holes. The top 5 scores from each team are taken, and the school with the better score wins. With club-in-hand, the RB High boys golf team led by Coach Richard Deem will be taking to the green in hopes of moving on to State Championships.

Harrison, or Harry, Mahon is a brand new player on RB High’s boys golf team. Having moved to California from Texas, Mahon contributes 16 years of expertise and love for the game that the team will surely turn into positive energy.

Mahon was introduced to the game at an early age. His father captained the UCLA golf team from 1983-1986. Having been born into golf, Mahon first touched a golf club at the young age of two, and entered his first ever tournament when he was six where he finished second.

“I like spending time with golfers; golfers seem like cool kids, and just being outside everyday is nice,” Mahon said.

Although it is a frustrating sport at times, Mahon said that he has always liked golf, and he finds ways to cope with stress

when a tournament is not going too well. He remains positive throughout the whole round while keeping his focus.

“You gotta stay positive and just keep going because if you don’t, then it’ll get worse,” said Mahon.

Now as a senior, he will be following in his father’s footsteps as he officially committed to play college golf for UCLA next fall. UCLA is a university which has produced many outstanding golfers, such as Corey Pavin and Duffy Waldorf. Harrison will take his talents there and is looking to win the National Championships with the team and qualify for some big events. In addition to golf, Mahon is looking to major in political science at UCLA.

“I think it’s fun; I try to make it as fun as possible so that I don’t stress about it,” said Mahon.

As Mahon’s senior year comes to a close, he is excited to start begin golfing at UCLA.

Following father’s footsteps,Harrison commits to UCLASamantha YiStaff Writer

Photos by Isabella Ortiz

Photo by Janhavi Chafekar

“We always think about the other guys. That’s why we don’t give up. Because you have everyone else playing, you don’t want to be the deadweight, so you keep on trying.” -Taisei Negishi

13

14

2 Team capTains

Team wins

Team playersSea

So

n S

tatS

“I most enjoy watching the students come in as freshman, leave as seniors off to college to become the kind of adults we want to see in our society,” said Parrinello. “That’s the fun part for me.”

On the court, Parrinello does not merely teach his students tennis skills and strategies such as “hitting first serves to the opponent’s weakness, hitting volleys out front, and being aggressive at the net,” according to junior varsity player Dylan Mai. In addition, Parrinello attempts to instill and cultivate a sense of responsibility, accountability and citizenship among his students.

“Off the court, Parri’s biggest lesson to me and the whole team is to be ‘classy,’ a good sport, and respectful,” said Mai. “He teaches us to respect everyone, including our opponents, even if they are not being good sports to us.”

“The way I look at it, in high school, you’re no longer little kids anymore,” said

Parrinello. “I really encourage them to be advocates for themselves. I hold them accountable for their behavior on and off the court.”

Parinello’s emphasis on student responsibility is reflected in his interactions with each and every team member. By treating his students as adults, Parri is able to efficiently and directly communicate and guide the team.

“When players on the team are not at their best, Parri gives us his very direct

opinion and tells us what we need to do to perform better,” said senior and captain Shane Stoike.

In addition to setting high expectations for the team, Parrinello places a great emphasis on creating a sense of team environment and support. Although matches are played only in singles or doubles, Parrinello makes conscious efforts to encourage team-building.

“For me, it’s all about the team,” said Parrinello. “In many schools, the players often just leaves after playing their own three matches. I expect them to stay until the last match is played and support their teammates.”

“It shows us how lucky we are to have a coach that truly cares about all of us as players and always has our best interests in mind,” said Stoike.

Parrinello has not looked back since his start as a coach and teacher.

“It’s fun,” said Parri. “It keeps me young. I like being around that kind of energy. I always see the bumper sticker with the slogan ‘I may be growing older, but I refuse to grow up.’ That’s me.”

After being on the Tour de Force competition team for four years and captain her senior year, Kylie Yamane has won many titles throughout all of the competitions. For the second time, Yamane won the national title for best dancer at the USA Dance Nationals Competition. To win this award not only one, but twice throughout her high school career is a huge accomplishment that required lots of practice and dedication to the sport of dancing. “I was very grateful to be given the

opportunity to compete in the solo championship division at nationals for the second time in my highschool career,” Yamane said. “I never would have thought that I was going to win again.”While Yamane competed for her solo

and won the national title on stage alone, she has had many people supporting her dancing career and helping her have the chance to win such prestigious titles.“My biggest helpers and motivators

have been my competition coach Nick Meola and my dance advisor Michelle Jacoby,” Yamane said. “I am positive that I would not have accomplished as much as I did without those two supporting me throughout the season.”The dance that Yamane won her division

with was a solo performance choreographed by dance teach Nick Meola.“Nick knew everything I was capable of

and gave me a strong routine that showed off my technical training and movement,” Yamane said.Aside from winning on her own in her final

competition season, Yamane also got to be a part of a highly successful competition team that also won many titles. The team had been working on some dances since September, so countless hours of practice was spent preparing over the months. At the same competition that Yamane

won, first place solo champion, the whole

team won 3 awards.“Small lyrical placed third, medium dance

placed second, and extra small placed first,” Yamane said.The successes of the dances can not only

be attributed to the skill of all of the dancers performing, but the close team bond that was formed over the season helped the dances be performed smoothly and without flaw.“My proudest moment during competition

season would be when we won our “Swag” hats at WCE Esperanza,” Yamane said. “That was really the first time I felt the team really came together, and our connection with each other really showed when we were dancing.”Another highlight of the season for

Yamane was being able to participate in rituals that she had been a part of since her freshman year on the team for one last time.“We have carried on some of the same

chants I learned freshman year, and they really pump us up before we take the floor,” Yamane said. Although this was Yamanes last year on the

dance team, as she will graduate this June, her accomplishments on the team will remain with the team for many years to come.

theSilverSpurMay 2, 2016 Sports 9

SWIM - Varsity boys swim team members pose for a picture at practice. Photo by Janhavi Chafekar

Kalena TanoFeatures Editor

Gymnastics comes back with a new team and new aspirations

Swim gets ready to take on CIFs after losing seniors last season

RB High’s gymnastics team may have had some hardships last season, but this year the team has come back strong with new members and a new outlook.

Last season, the team was not able to make it to CIF finals; however, with the many freshmen who joined the team along with the already existing team that to bring up the numbers substantially, it now gives the team a chance at CIFs. This is an amazing opportunity especially for seniors Maral Ansari, Marissa Dixon, Hannah El Sabrout and Crystal Sukpaisarn.

“There’s a lot of new people, which brings a lot of positive vibes to the team,” senior and team captain Maral Ansari said. “It brings opportunity to learn from each other, which in turn brings opportunity for improvement as a whole team.”

The increased number of gymnasts on the team can also help improve the overall scores. On varsity, seven compulsory scores from each of the four events (vault, bars, beam, and floor) are added together along with two optional scores from each event to generate a sort of super score for the team. Having a bigger team is helpful with scores because then gymnasts can opt out of their worst events and count only their best scores towards the team score, which gives the team a distinct advantage in generating the highest possible scores.

Despite this, the team is still having some difficulties this season, especially with the loss of one of their two coaches. Head coach Alison Klein found another opportunity outside of the team, and will unfortunately be unavailable for coaching.

“It’s gonna be pretty tough because other teams have multiple coaches which helps them, so only having one coach could cause problems for the rest of the season,” Ansari said. Missing a coach creates many problems on the team, especially because of its now increasing size; head coach Alyssa Cardineau now must take on the responsibility of coaching both the junior varsity and varsity gymnastics teams alone. Thankfully, the team is incredibly motivated and driven, and easily has the ability to self-coach as well as take constructive criticism from teammates when the coach is unavailable.

Although gymnastics is an individual sport, meaning that the scores of each individual gymnast are added together to choose a winner of a meet, the team has found many ways to encourage each other and be as much of a cohesive unit a many typical team sports like football or baseball. The girls cheer each other on on the sidelines, which enhances the gymnasts’ confidence and excitement during competitions. Some gymnasts even have special cheers to maximize their confidence while performing, and the cheering-on of each gymnast has become a sort of good-luck ritual for the gymnasts.

“Even though it’s an individual sport, the feeling of having your team out there supporting you means a lot, and it really boosts your adrenaline,” Ansari said. Hopefully the team can continue this great teamwork to carry itself all the way to CIFs.

Winter Sports

Boys Basketball:

Season record: 21-9

Girls Basketball:

Season record: 18-13

Boys Soccer:

Season record: 12-9-2

Girls Soccer:

Season record: 14-8-3

Wrestling:

Season record:third place league

Girls Water Polo:

Season record: 9-20

Boys Roller Hockey:

Season record: 16-4

Alex WalshStaff Writer

Geoffrey LuEditor-in-Chief

The pitter patter of cleats is the one sound that Robbie Bowers awaits with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. Sometimes, it’s a baseball player on a water break. But when it’s a catastrophic injury, Bowers springs into action.

Recently named San Diego County’s Athletic Trainer of the Year by the San Diego High Schools Athletic Trainers’ Association, Bowers has been at RB High as athletic trainer for 26 years—since it opened. He is recognized for his unique combination of commitment to the trade—being the longest-serving athletic trainer in the county—as well as the skill and talent he brings. Out of 53 members, he and one other trainer were chosen as the first two recipients of this newly established award.

In the small, clinic-like space next to the girl’s locker room, Bowers and his staff of interns assess, treat and assist everyone from swimmers to runners. Urgent cases grab Bowers’ immediate attention. Preventive care—bracing, tape, diagnosis—is handled at a more leisurely pace.

When the lunch bell rings, Bowers and his staff embark on a 30-minute flurry of activity. Every day, they see over 30 student-

athletes, most of them during lunch or in the 20 minutes after school before practice.

“We can get slammed, and they’re all at once,” Bowers said.

Not one day is the same as another, as injuries can roll in spontaneously throughout the day. Bowers and his team always need to be ready to mitigate the extent of any mishap that occurs during practice or game.

“In this profession, I need to be on my toes,” Bowers said. “Because failing or not at least providing that standard of

care is unacceptable.”It’s a small price to pay for the sense of

excitement Bowers said is unique to his position at RB High. Regardless of what happens one day, something different will come up the next.

“In this setting you can never predict what your day will be like,” Bowers said.

While exemplary in many regards, Bowers does note that there are certain challenges that come with athletic training at RB High. Over 900 athletes are under his care, a numbers that dwarfs Bowers’

as the only athletic trainer on staff. In comparison, universities such as San Diego State often have 9 athletic trainers treating less than a third of the athletes.

To alleviate his burden, Bowers brings in a coterie of athletic training interns from San Diego State, his alma mater. There, Bowers is also an adjunct professor in its athletic training program. RB High is one site where these trainees are able to complete rotations.

Despite the day-to-day challenges that come with his job, Bowers is ultimately grateful for the opportunity that athletic training at RB High provides.

“Why I was given the talents that I have to do what I do and to do it here perhaps was not an accident—it’s my purpose,” Bowers said. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to fulfill that purpose here. I’ve seen a lot of what goes on in the county and even in this district and I could not be at any other school for 26 years.”

The award is merely the cherry on the top for Bowers, who appreciates far more his day-to-day interactions with students, teachers and parents.

“It’s nice to be recognized by your peers,” Bowers said. “But like I said there’s not a day without a teacher or faculty member, or the three emails I got from parents recently, thanking me for what I do. That kind of validates what you do.”

Athletic Trainer Robbie Bowers wins San Diego County’s Athletic Trainer of the Year

With May rapidly approaching, the esteemed students of RB High’s swim & dive team have one thing on their minds: CIF. Winning CIF and qualifying for State will be no easy feat by any means, especially considering the noticeable differences between last year and this year.

A quantifiable difference to the team is its size. The boys swim team decreased in size this year, which has created an interesting dynamic among the current team.

“A lot of seniors left last year,” sophomore Alex Lazaroiu said. “This means the team is smaller. The good part about this is that it’s easier to bond and interact more with teammates.”

The downside to having a smaller team is that there are obviously less competitors representing RB High for each race, and every swimmer impacts the team’s overall performance.

The team practices Monday through Friday every week after school for 2 and a half hours, as well as an hour before school on Mondays and Wednesdays. The team gets a break on Sunday, but Saturday mornings feature 2 and a half hours of swim practice.

“Our training includes out-of-water exercises, like running, medicine balls, and

aerobic training,” Lazaroiu said, “which helps with our stamina. This supplements the training we do while in the water.”

All that training has helped lead the team to a 5-3 record. The season began with two wins, first against Army-Navy and then against Vista. The next game ended in a defeat against Torrey Pines, which was followed 7 days later by a win against Rancho Buena Vista. The latter half of the season resulted in a loss-win-loss-win pattern, to CCA, Westview, Mt. Carmel, and Poway, respectively. The final game against Poway was decided in the last race: the 400 meter relay. With only 25 meters left, Tristan Williamson caught up to close the gap between himself and his Poway competition and won the race for RB by less than 1 second. This dramatic ending had the boys feeling ready for CIF, setting their goals at winning CIF and making it to state.

Tin Huynh, a 4 year varsity member of the swim squad, has shown that you should never underestimate our swim team by setting a personal record that was 2 seconds away from beating a school record. Huynh has achieved breakneck times of 20.98 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle and 46.36 seconds in the 100-meter freestyle. Huynh and Williamson are just two examples of how hard the team has been working to reach their goals.

Led by Coach Tim Oelgoetz, our small but determined team will be getting ready to take on CIF, as individuals and as a team.

Yamane wins national title twice for Best Dancer at USA Dance Nationals

Parrinello is recognized as Coach of the Year

Allison Finnecy Staff Writer

Photo by Kylie Yamane

Photo by Janhavi Chafekar

KYLIE YAMANE-Yamane performs at WCE nationals

I most enjoy watching the students come in as freshman, leave as seniors off to college to become the kind of adults we want to see in our society.” -Mike Parinello, coach

“

PARRINELLO FROM 1

theSilverSpur10 Lifestyle May 2, 2016

Junior goes on an intense diet to eradicate 99% of his body massTakashi JoubertCartoonist

I have been getting comments from so many of my peers recently. I don’t mean to brag, of course, but they’ve really all been the same: all commenting on my appearance, or, as I like to put it, this new, healthy “glow” that I’ve acquired.

As they ask how I got these results, I answer with routine evasion. I have a confession to make, and it revolves around a life-changing three weeks.

No, I didn’t try some silly gluten-free diet or some pointless mainstream “paleo” fad-diet. I delved deep into the internet and came out with something different to try.

The diet-experiment itself didn’t have a name, or at least the forum where I found it didn’t specify, but the comments from the satisfied people who tried it were so convincing of its legitimacy that I was instantly captivated.

The concept was simple, and even offered flexibility in approaching the goal: “strip your diet of components until you reach a state of minimal-sustenance nirvana.” I already knew that cutting foods in a diet is supposed to lead to better health and appearance; it only makes sense that cutting more would amplify that effect.

“Model-level thin and attractive,” was the goal they outlined. Of course, I knew that “attractive” wasn’t gender-specific, so, clear and simple, I knew this was just what my body needed.

The first day of week one was

Dear College-Crazed,

This time of the year is always difficult when it comes to celebrating successes while still sympathizing with disappointments.

First off, approach the subject sensitively. Someone else’s “dream” school might be your “safety” school, or vice versa.

If you’re celebrating an acceptance, congratulations, but don’t brag too much! Wear your college gear with pride and share your happiness, but try not to flood your friends’ social media feeds with posts. This can get annoying or even make someone else feel worse about their own decisions.

If you’re coping with a wait-list or rejection, bear in mind that college is not the end. You’ll likely spend four years at a specific school, but life does go on afterwards. You can pursue a graduate degree at another school or join the workforce right away.

On some level, a degree from certain prestigious schools may help, but in the end, your education is what you make of it. “Brand name” colleges may seem like the be-all and end-all of higher education, but you’ll learn and grow into an independent adult no matter where you go.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you can’t judge another person’s acceptance, unless you’re an admissions expert. You don’t know that person’s whole story, and you likely don’t know every single extracurricular activity or essay question that went into their application, so try not to be bitter or compare your own results to others’.

Above all, put yourself in your peers’ shoes. Sympathize with and support disappointed friends. On the other hand, be happy for their successes, too! This is one of the most exciting times of your lives, when one chapter is closing, and an exciting new one is just beginning.

x Sylvia Spur

Dear Sylvia: College acceptance and rejection season can be exciting or disappointing. How can I keep it from ruining my friendships? - College-Crazed

Senior experiences a moment of clarity when his name is written correctly at Starbucks

We’ve all heard about moments of clarity, in which something just clicks and your view of the world, if even just a little, shifts permanently. Maybe we’re walking down the street alone, out on a swingset late at night, lying in bed texting or in the middle of some other stereotypically teen activity when it happens. For me, it happened at a Starbucks. Yes, having such a momentous occasion at the same place you can buy a frappuccino is less than impressive, maybe even more than lackluster, but that moment was mine.

As you can see from the by-line, my name is Max. Well, technically it’s Maxwell, but luckily I get to control the staff box. Anyway, Max isn’t a completely uncommon

name; it’s prevalent enough for me to accidentally accept shouts and applause unintended for me at cross country and track meets. But you know, what name is much more common? Matt. You know what Max sounds an awful lot like? Matt.

Now before I launch into my coffee-shop moment of enlightenment if I would so boldly bastardize the word, I’ll back up not only chronologically but in scope, that is to say, outside of one of Starbucks’ hundred convenient San Diego locations.

I’m gay. There’s no real better way to put that, and while I can definitely say it in a more clever, snappy way, I feel like

doing so almost degrades that personal attribute. Even if it’s not a big part of me, that I’d sooner put forth my achievements

and character than my sexuality, to say that it’s not a part of

me would be wrong, but for years, I wanted to pretend like it wasn’t. Even in a liberal area

with accepting, non-religious parents, I had trouble accepting that fact, so in an attempt to fit in and not seem different, I hid my voice with a mumbling tone.

Before coming out and realizing that the world wasn’t as bad as I was imagining it, when I still mumbled, I don’t think any order-takers in any of many food installations heard me correctly when I responded “Max” to their

name query. To many Starbucks baristas and Jamba Juice juicers, I’m still Matt.

Let’s revisit our not-so-holy, capitalistic caffeine palace. I ordered something to drink, probably hot chocolate because I feel like my dignity is on the sacrificial chop block when I order something that’s more than three syllables of pseudo-Italian (also taking care to say “small” instead of whatever fictitious fluid metric they’re attempting to force on me). Then came the time for the million-dollar question: “and your name?”

“Max,” I said, already listening for someone to call “Matt” when my drink was ready.

But when I finally did get my 12-ounce milk, sugar, chocolate and above all else empty calories, I was surprised by something, a “Max” scribbled in marker on the side.

In that moment, I realized that my

sexuality was not the only thing I hadn’t accepted in my life; I had chosen to ignore how poor and incomplete my life was before coming out. As much as I’d hate to spin the stereotypical rhetoric of self-hate and low self-confidence, that’s honestly how it was, even if it didn’t feel like it at the time because that’s how it had always been. Realizing now how confident I am, how loud I can be, how there are other colors to wear other than gray to blend in, I see that the “before” time was a life not fit to live, yet one I was ready to live for many more years. That’s a scary thought, but one that shouldn’t be forgotten.

So as I sat down to drink my hot chocolate, this all became stunningly clear to me, and at about the same time my friend told me that saying “Maxwell” would be infinitely less confusing. She was right. No one misunderstands me now.

Max Lata Editor-in-Chief

Gabby DecanoStaff Writer

The fashion world is a place for many creative outlets that allow for self expression where you can show off your personality through vibrant clothing, stylish shoes, color schemes and through expressive makeup.

It’s surely amazing to see the varying styles and personalities displayed through makeup. Many think that the mere purpose of make-up is to look better. That is only half right.

Freshman Lyndsay Sutherland is perhaps one of many of RB High’s most fashionable students. You can probably see that fashion is in integral part of her appearance and a way in which she expresses herself.

At first, Sutherland did not appreciate makeup, but as she saw her friends wearing makeup, she gave it a shot, starting out with a simple coat of mascara. Her inspiration for giving makeup a try was pushed by her desire to experiment with various cosmetic products, and most importantly, to express herself more.

Now, Sutherland wears mascara and eyeliner, going for a look of long eyelashes and big eyes. Singers such as Lana Del

Ray and Melanie Martinez influenced Sutherland’s look. Sutherland admires Lana Del Ray’s big eyes and how the singer exaggerates her eyes with makeup, as well as Melanie Martinez’s use of colors.

“It makes you feel different, but I wouldn’t say it makes me feel better because I feel confident without makeup. I can express myself more and do fun things,” Sutherland said.

However, Sutherland said that the downside of makeup is that it lets girls hide themselves. She believes that makeup should be of a way of expressing yourself rather than concealing yourself.

“Don’t be afraid of who you are,” Sutherland said. “You’re beautiful in your own skin, and you don’t need to cover up any of your imperfections because those imperfections make up you who you are.”

Sutherland’s thoughts about makeup reflect an important point that girls need to realize. It’s definitely okay to wear as a way to express yourself in different ways, but at the same time, it’s important to remember that you need to stay true to yourself, and not let makeup become a barrier.

Sophomore Alexandria Miller also loves to wear makeup as a means of expressing herself.

For the past two years, Miller took part in the Miss Poway Pageant and is going to participate in the National American Miss Pageant this year. By being able to participate in beauty pageants, Miller was inspired by fashion and makeup all around her and decided to try wearing different cosmetic products.

Kylie Jenner serves as Miller’s inspiration when it comes to specific makeup looks. Jenner’s eyebrows, lipstick, and eyeshadow

style are several components that drew Miller into the famous model’s style.

Miller’s makeup looks consist of using nude and brown colors. Although makeup gives Miller more confidence, and she likes how it gives off a better image of herself, she also feels comfortable without makeup.

Makeup is a great way to express yourself creatively but remember, your natural appearance can be more beautiful.

Makeup is a creative outlet for both male and female teens

Cartoon by Takashi Joubert

painfully hard, as the first thing I chose to say goodbye to—in the name of better, healthier looks—was fast food. The loss of those sweet, sweet calories from saturated-fat-slathered, carb-loaded burgers to my farewell to the salty, greasy goodness of In-N-Out fries was a tragedy, yet a necessity. And believe me, by the second day I could already start to feel the results. It felt like I had more energy, but I still had a long way to go.

So, naturally, I didn’t stop there. Next, I stopped eating cereals, a major milestone considering how much I had come to “rely” on the sugary goodness Captain Crunch’s eyes always promised me. Pop-tarts were the next to go from my diet, and in a natural course of action, I took out added sugars and oils from my diet entirely.

The change was almost instant. My fierce cravings for sugar and the sudden spike in my irritability became sure signs of my diet working its magic; I was burning so much fat that even my temper was hot and fiery. With the way they started to avoid talking to me, I knew my friends began to take notice and were just speechless at my progress. And so, determined, I trudged on.

Meats were next on my removal list, followed by dairy products. I had also always felt so full after eating either, and a clean, healthily cleansed body simply can’t be full. I mean, would you consider a room filled to the brim with garbage contents to be clean? I think not.

And so, in a day, I had become a devout vegan, though a better one health-wise,

considering I still had to adhere to all my aforementioned diet guidelines. I soon realized with horror, however, that vegetables and fruits are essentially plant flesh—flesh! And to think I thought I had purged that from my diet!

I was shocked. How in the world could I have put flesh in my body if by losing weight, flesh is exactly what I want to lose? Did I want to gain weight?! That would be throwing away all my progress!

And so, by day eight, I was strictly down to grains, and in another week my self-esteem was skyrocketing. Sometimes I felt close to fainting even, a sure sign that just as I was, my body was as hyped as a fanboy over these new changes.

Of course, I wasn’t done. From there I knew that I had to cut down on grains, so I stripped to plain bread and water. It seemed so unnatural at this point to still be eating so much. So I upgraded to eating just the crust: none of that excess filling. It was here that I came to a standstill, for I could think of no way to progress further, and so I continued on crust and water until the end of those 3 fulfilling weeks.

I can tell you with honesty that this experience was eye-opening, and though my parents tried to force me to end it, when I looked in the mirror after those 3 weeks, I knew that what the makers of this diet said were true: if thin is healthy, then thinner is healthier, and I was proud: from the bold, fearless dark circles beneath my eyes, to the signs of newly acquired wisdom in my fresh grey hairs, to all the bountiful, beautiful weight loss.

LANA DEL REY - A makeup inspiration for many RB students. Photo courtesy of Billboard

Cartoon by Takashi Joubert

theSilverSpur 11 LifestyleMay 2, 2016

Veganism helps you and the environmentSamantha YiStaff Writer

Generally, people assume they need meat to satisfy the protein food group and thus to survive. While this is true to an extent, humans can obtain the proteins they need from plants. However, this revelation doesn’t satisfy those who enjoy the taste of steak and bacon. Today, processed meats are a regular part of many Americans’ lives, and the number of vegans and vegetarians are as little as 5 percent. People may think this lifestyle is extreme, but it can actually be quite manageable.

While veganism has its cons like everything else, it also has many pros. Research currently states that processed meats and even red meats can be a factor in causing cancer.

According to professor Tim Key from the Cancer Research UK and University of Oxford consumers need to reduce their meat consumption because there is a correlation between meat consumption and bowel cancer, which is backed by substantial evidence.

But many tend to eat meat and unhealthy foods because they taste good; for example, the popular potato chip, Pringles, is described by some as cancer in a can, but this tasty chip is consumed all around the world. When doctors and researchers discover negative side effects of products like this they usually advise consumers of the effects to hopefully to reduce their use of these products.

According to Professor Key, you don’t need to stop eating meat altogether, but may want to think about cutting the amounts down.

People are vegan because they feel it is better for their health, while others do it for the sake of the animals, and because of the substances those farms release into our atmosphere.

Not only do factory farms subject animals to cruelty, but their waste products also pollute water, land and air. In addition, the animals are mostly fed soy, wheat, and corn, which are grown with a lot of pesticides. These pesticides tend to remain in the animals’ bodies and are passed on to the humans that eat them, which creates more health problems.

According to Dr. Mercola, a New York

Time to burn some bridges before going off to collegeMax LataEditor-in-Chief

As high school comes to a close for the class of 2016 and we go from seeing each other everyday to being maybe thousands of miles apart, it’s time to take a long, hard look at our lives. A lot of “promise me”s are flying around, trying to hold together friendships after high school has gone, and that’s noble. High school friends can be worth saving, but more often than not, the people we know in high school will fade away within a few years into college.

I propose a school-administered burn-your-bridges day. Yes, that sounds awful, but hear me out.

We start our day of destruction with a one-hour lift on the school network firewalls so that we can log onto Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and maybe even Google Plus if you were so lame. In that hour, the class of 2016 will undergo a silent social media purge. Nobody needs 1,200

friends on Facebook or to keep getting tweets from someone we gave a follow to simply because they followed us first.

That kid you followed on Instagram just to send a direct message to them for a freshman year project? Gone. The girl you felt uncomfortable not having on Snapchat because she dated your best friend in sophomore yet you still have her months after their fireball of a break-up? Bye! All the AP groups on Facebook we used to find out homework? Good riddance. Let’s also take this time to delete all of those embarrassing Prezis that were in poor taste or group project videos that were, at best, slightly humorous. Our future employers don’t need to see those and more importantly, no one wants to Google themselves to find an angsty adolescent foreign language video pop up first.

After that cyber purge, our class of roughly 500, now slightly hurt by the unfriending and blocking but not totally reduced to tears (yet), will move into the gym. Just for a touch of irony, we’ll play “We’re All

in This Together” and we’ll throw it back to HRC and start with the kids who said we’d always say hi to in the halls because everyone totally remembers them.

From there, we circulate around the room, being completely honest with one another. Maybe slowly burning some bridges here and there but completely rigging others with TNT when it comes to others.

That girl whose prom dress was way too similar to yours (even though you totally pulled it off better because, like, have you seen her?) will no longer be a concern in your life. We can even cap the whole experience by gathering in a circle and watching the awkward half-debates about maybe trying a long-distance relationship in college between high school sweethearts, or even better, the post-prom “yeah might as well” relationships.

So how about it, ASB? How about we glitter up one last span of butcher paper, maybe get some cream pies for added hilarity and come together as a senior class to burst into flames as a senior class?

Instagram “Yelp San Diego” features pictures of good eatsAllison FinnecyStaff Writer

For many high school students, coming up with new and exciting activities to do over the weekends or breaks is a challenge. While most people who live in this area know about the chain restaurants in the Carmel Mountain Plaza like Chick Fil A, In n Out, and Panera, there are many other unique restaurants around San Diego.

Yelp San Diego highlights and showcases many different restaurants throughout the San Diego area, ranging from North Park to Mission Beach to Escondido. Although the locations are a farther drive than the Carmel Mountain Plaza, they provide a unique and fun experience and a chance to try something new.

Senior Carly Shihadeh has visited several locations found on Yelp including The Milk Bar, Kensington Cafe, The Great Maple and several others.

“I love going to the places featured on Yelp because they are so unique and they always have super good food,” Shihadeh said.

Another benefit of going to restaurants

outside of our area is that there are a lot of other activities to do in the area other than just eating.

“Most of the places I have been are in really fun locations, so going to one of these places to eat turns into a whole day event,” Shihadeh said. “My favorite was Kensington Cafe because it is over near Fashion Valley, so I also was able to go shopping after eating there.”

Another person who frequently visits Yelp for advice on where to eat is senior Reiko Simmons.

“Even though some of the places I

have been to have taken over 30 minutes of driving to get there, I always feel like it’s worth it once the food is served,” Simmons said.

Going outside our area can also give you an opportunity to take pictures and capture moments with your friends, which makes for lasting memories.

Since most restaurants are more expensive than the fast-food chains, going to a unique restaurant can be a nice reward after a long week of school. It can also provide a break in the typical routine and a taste for new experiences.

Photo courtesy of Fig Tree Cafe

Times columnist and doctor, 55 percent of uncooked chicken at the supermarket contains a dangerous chemical called arsenic. Also, 24.6- million pounds of antibiotics are given to livestock each year. These antibiotics are not used to treat disease, but to increase the weight of the livestock and produce more milk.

Some may argue that to counter the health effects they buy natural or organic meats. While this does lower the amount of pesticides, it does little to help the environment. Grass-fed cows have less dangerous substances in them, but in exchange, it would take more land and water to produce, and emit greenhouse gases.

According to Jude Capper, a professor of animal sciences in the Department of Animal Sciences at Washington State University, if the entire U.S. beef industry was converted to grass-finished beef, we would need “an additional 131- million acres of land, and 468-billion gallons of water to produce 26.1- billion pounds of beef, which would generate an additional 135 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.”

The reason why some choose a vegan lifestyle varies, but it is a viable and healthy option to consider. It might be hard to let go of steaks and burgers, but considering the dangerous costs to our health and environment associated with a meat-based diet, the switch just might be worth it.

Did you know that...

Going vegan saves 50% more carbon emissions than driving a Prius?

70% of grain grown is fed to farmed animals?

80% of deforested land in the Amazon is used as cattle pasture?

Information courtesy of chooseveg.com

Photo courtesy of In Brunch We Trust

theSilverSpur 12 Backpage May 2, 2016

RB High offers its students a wide variety of AP classes, and has done a great job encouraging its students to take AP courses in subjects they are interested in. While many students find that the APs at RB High fit their needs, it is not an unusual occurrence for students to look towards other schools for APs not offered here. For these exceptional students with high self-motivation, this has opened up a new avenue of learning that would otherwise be closed.

In order to receive college credit for AP courses, students must take the AP exam corresponding with that class in May. If you’re a student who already knows what major you would like to pursue in college, then taking an AP in your field of interest during high school is a great way to get ahead. Carolyn Olmstead, a senior here at RB High, will be doing exactly that. She will be in Westview during May for the AP German test.

“I would like to major in Linguistics, so learning German is a step in that process,” responded Carolyn when asked about her motives for taking the AP German exam.

AP German is one of the courses that is not offered at RB,subsequently meaning that the AP test is not offered either. Olmstead feels pretty

comfortable and confident speaking the German language, explaining her extensive background with it.

“I took German 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6, as well as a class in Palomar last semester until it got cancelled,” Olmstead said. “I was also in Germany for 2 years, and made many friends there which I still talk to today.”

Senior Omid Rooholfada will be tackling a different, two-headed, beast; He’ll be taking the exams for AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics, over at La Jolla.

“I’m really motivated to learn [Micro/Macroeconomics],” reported Rooholfada, “especially after talking to some of my college friends.”

Of course, motivation is only half the battle. The other half involves how to learn the material; AP classes offered at RB High usually last an entire year, so students taking APs not offered at our school need to be learning the material without these year-long classes.

“[Learning independently] has been hard but rewarding,” Olmstead sympathized, “I can definitely learn at a quicker pace, and I really learn more about the culture. The downside is going from the textbook gives a good learning structure; something I used a lot less.”

This independent system of studying can be rewarding for more independent students, yet devastating for students who need more structure and motivational factors.

Review materials and prep books are a must-have for those students striving

to attain the perfect score. Thankfully, other people have undergone much work to

help that dream become a “reality.” The classic formula for such SAT, ACT, and AP test-prep

books consists of diagnostic quizzes in order to gauge your current understanding of the material,

brief, yet comprehensive, review of the subject matter, and finally practice tests designed to simulate the actual

test and provide students with practice. As similar as these books can be, different companies add, remove, or

prioritize certain preparatory measures in order to try and optimize the student’s performance. Seeing how students have varying learning styles, certain

review books may help more than others. SAT and ACT books generally focus on providing strategies for reading and answering

questions, broad tips to maximize time, and an explanation of the different types of questions. The Barron’s ACT and SAT books provide

a thorough comprehensive review of the entire test; however, practice questions are harder than the actual test itself, and the in-depth material

may intimidate students and cause them to waste time. It certainly is not

a book for students to cram through the weekend before the test, but it is meant to be perused periodically throughout the course of several months.

On the other hand, The Princeton Review covers math most thoroughly, with less emphasis on English and reading sections. In contrast to the Barron’s book, the practice questions are too easy, which gives students a confidence boost but not necessarily a higher score.

The most iconic review book when it comes to the SAT is known as the “blue book.” Formally known as College Board’s Official SAT Study Guide, its best feature is that it contains official practice questions from previous tests. As a result, students can accustom themselves to the trends of actual test questions in order to best prepare for the SAT. The downside to the blue book is its lack of instruction and strategies. Furthermore, explanations for correct answers are often brief, and no reasoning is given as to why the others are wrong. Seeing how “distractor” answers, as the books refer to them, are the biggest issue for many students, explaining why these are incorrect can be a valuable asset to any review book.

When it comes down to it, people shouldn’t study for a score. Us high school students should long for the intrinsic value of what we learn. What’s most important is careful time management to truly learn the material and appreciate all that it contains. Or you can cram the night before. That’s why review books exist.

Planting the Seeds of Success?How to navigate the world of College Board.

Are review materials effective?

Taking AP tests off-campus

This week and next, students worldwide will be taking their AP tests, created, administered, and scored by the nonprofit institution known as College Board.

Founded in 1899 to expand access to higher education, the College Board has grown to include everything from multiple levels of testing to financial aid services. In addition to AP tests, College Board is known for its widely-used SAT, financial aid service CSS profile, and a variety of other support services.

In recent years, Collegeboard has been criticized for its high exam fees that contribute to a large budgetary surplus, which exceeded $50 million in 2006—uncouth for a nonprofit. Indeed, each AP test comes with a $98 registration fee, while College Board’s other services are similarly costly. For most students at RB High, however, College Board tests are

necessary and largely inescapable. The question then becomes, are these tests worth it? And if one decides to spring for such a service, how should one maximize the result?

Whereas the main draw for the SAT is college admission, AP tests, in addition to indicating mastery of a subject, are attractive to students because they promise to save money by waiving college credits. However, test-takers should keep in mind that whether or not this proves true depends on test as well as school—each university or college has a different policy. Whether or not this is effective also depends on one’s score; a 4 or 5 is typically required for colleges to accept the credit.

With this information in mind, it’s clear that scoring well on the tests one purchases is key. Below is an overview of some strategies to keep in mind to take full advantage of what Advanced Placement has to offer.

From my experience in Brick’s AP Bio class

sophomore year, the main piece of advice for the AP Test that is to

have read the textbook thoroughly. It may be tiring at times, but I would suggest

rereading sections and chapters regarding topics that have become a blur. Study major diagrams and their

captions, as I can personally recall that reading information outside of the main paragraphs of text helped with both the Free Response and Multiple Choice on the test. Biology is a course with a lot of information to memorize and comprehend, but don’t take shortcuts in studying. If you

use use the lectures, notes and strategies that Brick gives you and aim for comprehension, the test

won’t be nearly as daunting.

-Takashi Joubert

by David Wang

by Alex Walsh

Quick Tips

4.3Average number of tests per taker

Participant pass rate at RB High(2nd highest in district)86%

$98Cost per AP exam

AP B

iol

ogy

As with all

history classes, APUSH requires both extensive

memorization and understanding of the facts, yet the material can be difficult

to remember and process; therefore, preparing to study can be just as important as studying itself.

Compartmentalizing is often effective in grouping events according to time and relevance. Students should

create a timeline in their minds, knowing the difference between time periods and key details. Practice tests help determine trends of test questions in order to gauge a topic’s importance. However, your greatest enemy is yourself.

When you second guess whether the answer is vertical or horizontal integration, time is wasted and

confidence decreases. Having been in the class for a year, your gut feeling will

most likely be correct.

-David Wang

AP U

S Hist

ory

Unlike many other

classes, math cannot be mastered by memorizing facts

and being able to recite them on a test. This makes it important to practice the

method of learning by doing. The most effective way to prepare for Calculus

exams is to practice different types of problems over and over again until the math becomes second nature. It is

also important to review important theorems and formulas so that you are comfortable with them and have them memorized for the day of the test. Although it is easy to get discouraged as the course

of material becomes increasingly challenging, stay on top of your work and studying, and by the

end of year the types of problems seen on the AP test will come naturally.

-Allison Finnecy

AP C

alc

ulus

Art by Gwen Lamar