Expressions - Pages 8&9 Ethnicity at SLOHS
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SLOHS Expressions
December Issue 2017
slohsexpressions.com
Pages 8&9
Ethnicity at SLOHS
2 Table of Contents Connie Moore
expressions
December 2017
6&7
3 Nude Art
Talking About Religion
Staff List Opinion
4&5 8&9
How Racism has Changed
Camp Flog Gnaw Why is the N-Word Powerful?
Measure D
Marijuana
Meet MEXA Club Feature 14&15
Jobs News
Hour Long Lunch
10&11 What Does Back Say About Front
Sprague Retires People
Club vs Varsity Sports
AYSO Players
Fall Sports Ranking
Sports
16
12&13 Junior Kit Scriven Interview
Film Cameras
Students in Arts Careers Back
Holiday Playlist
Arts and EntertainmentDecember 2017 3
SLOHS Expressions Staff
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Editor-in-Chief Nabeel El-Sayed @Slohs_expressions @NewspaperSLOHS
Molly Foster
Emi Mulay Noah Galambos
Opinion Editor Emily Gardner
Delaiah Hastie
Sawyer McSorley Oliver Hicks
Kenzi Holt
Arts and
Morgan Hunting
Entertainment Editor Erin Lewis
Max Lober
Kara Hoover Jack Miklik
People Editor Julia Minicucci
Andrew Nash
Joella Holmes Noah Nelson
Sports Editor Kiet Nguyen
Axel Reich
Caleb Rodriguez
Sabrina Marks Drew Vander Weele
Back Editor Sophie Yasumoto
Zane Leslie
Web Editor
Adviser: Scott Nairne
Disclaimer: Official Student Publications
“The San Luis Coastal Unified School District is committed to upholding the rights of each student to free expression, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the
United States Constitution, Article I of the California Constitution and the California Education Code. Consistent with California Education Code section 48907, stu-
dents will publish only legally protected speech, which does not include obscene, libelous or slanderous material, or unwarranted invasions of privacy. Students will also
refrain from publishing material which so incites students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on school premises or the violation
of lawful school regulations, or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school. The views, opinions, and content expressed herein are those of the stu-
dent author(s). Therefore, the content may not necessarily reflect the official policies, opinions, or positions of the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, its schools,
administration, faculty, staff, or the Board of Education.”4 news Editor-in-Chief: Luca MacDougall
SLOHS Students Flock to SoCal Music Festival
fun to be had outside of the stage areas. stages, and the artists had overlapping sets,
By Noah Nelson An assortment of rides were available so I didn’t get to see everyone I wanted,”
for patrons to experience, free of charge. said Hamari, adding to the criticism.
Rapper Tyler, the Creator has been These included two Ferris wheels—big and Overall, the boys enjoyed lending their
throwing his funfest Camp Flog Gnaw small—a chair swing, and a slingshot type eyes and ears to the performances of
Carnival at the Los Angeles Exposition ride that launched daring riders up eighty rappers Playboy Carti, A$AP Rocky, and
Park every year since 2012. It originally feet into gut-inverting heaven. singer Lana Del Rey. The sets of artists such
began as a single day event, but this year, When asked his opinion of the festival, as Vince Staples, Earl Sweatshirt, Solange,
for the second time since its creation, the attendee junior Rylan Hamari said, “It was and countless others were also equally
festival spanned the duration of an entire super fun. I made a lot of friends and I enjoyed by fellow festival-goers.
weekend, encompassing October 28 and would definitely do it again.” Attendance of the gathering is certainly
29. “The only criticism I have is how long we a repeat occurrence for fans of alternative
Flognaw, as it’s colloquially referred, offers had to walk to get into the festival,” said pop and hip hop, as well as an extremely
many more attractions than your typical senior Joe Headrick, Hamari’s companion. worthwhile experience for first timers.
music festival, allowing for much more There was “a far walk in between the two
Measure D: TBD
Many students take issue with these buildings that are the focus of Measure D
By Morgan Hunting classrooms. “The placement of them is will be updated to achieve a more modern
inconvenient because you can’t get to them design.
The portables for the classrooms and the from everywhere on campus comfortably These new changes sound really nice to
cafeteria have already been at San Luis within a passing period,” said junior Azul a lot of SLOHS students, but the seniors
Obispo High school for a year, leaving Blazquez. will not be able to experience these new
many students wondering how much Although they aren’t always met with features.
longer their stay will be. optimism, some students appreciate the “It’s upsetting that we have to deal with
The reason they are here is for Measure D. portables as they are more modernized construction and the messy campus
The school is expanding the main building than many other established classrooms without being able to also experience the
to have a new student union, cafeteria, cafe on campus. new and improved school,” said senior Eve
serving area, kitchen, and new classrooms. “[The portables] are nice because they’re Hedges.
Until enough classrooms have been always air conditioned,” said junior Alyssa Regardless of students’ approval or lack
constructed to replace the ones that were Block. thereof, the school is scheduled to begin
demolished, the portables will remain on Luckily for students like Block, classrooms, construction in the summer of 2019.
campus. restrooms, and the exteriors of theDecember 2017 news 5
How Will Recreational Marijuana’s
Legalization Affect SLOHS?
that we ought to depend on the judgement strengthened. How will their zero-toler-
By Kailee Browning of scientists and medical researchers who ance stance influence the student popula-
have expertise in marijuana’s effects.” tion at SLOHS?
Potheads all over California rejoiced with True to the overarching liberal attitude “Things may change due to the increase in
the passage of Prop. 64 in November 2016, of the Golden State, many students at San access and acceptance in our area; the un-
which legalized recreational marijuana for Luis Obispo view legalization in a positive certainty is how it will affect our campus,”
California residents aged 21 and older. One light. said Vice Principal Aaron Black. “Obvi-
year later, new legislation is in the works “I think it’s totally fine. It’ll actually be ously, students at SLOHS are underage for
regarding the sale and taxation of cannabis harder for people to get a hold of marijua- marijuana use, so it remains illegal for their
and will go into effect on January 1, 2018. na, especially younger people, because it’ll possession and consumption. As a school,
“From a political perspective, I think we be way more regulated by the government,” we will continue to educate our students on
can identify two major strains of opinion said senior Lili Turner McCurdy. “Hopeful- the effects of drugs, provide access to drug
that combined to make legalization a po- ly it’ll get tax revenue and be used for good and alcohol counseling on campus, and
tent political force: growing libertarianism things. I think it’ll take a while to spread speak to keeping our school drug-free.”
and a backlash against harsh drug laws,” because there’s still a stigma towards it, but Though the authorization of marijuana
said government teacher Seamus Perry. because it’s legalized it’ll probably increase in California is a baby step in eliminating
“California has a strong tradition of cit- the number of people who use it.” pot from the ongoing “war on drugs,” con-
izen-directed initiatives and marijuana Legalization aside, teachers and admin- sumers are still strongly advised to proceed
legalization is certainly a straightforward istrators on campus maintain that pres- with caution when using any type of sub-
example of it. Even so, part of me thinks ent restrictions on marijuana ought to be stance, legal or otherwise.
Cha-Ching: Students in the
Work Force
orders and helping customers. I only work play into their plans for the future.
By Kailee Browning once or twice a week, so I still get all my “I’ve worked at Coastal Pediatric Dentistry
schoolwork done. I would definitely since June, and I really enjoy it,” said senior
Getting a job for the first time is recommend it as a first job to have; it’s a Skylar Garris. “It was actually easy to get
commonly regarded as a rite of passage for good environment.” the job; all of the Cal Poly students had just
teenagers. Fortunately, with the abundance Other students prefer to work in retail. graduated, so it was perfect timing. My boss
of local businesses in San Luis Obispo, “I work at Upscale Resale, the cutest little is super nice, and I get to work around my
employment is readily available for consignment shop in the whole world,” school schedule. I sterilize all of the tools
students of all interests. said senior Karla Pascual. “I started in the we use, and help out whenever a hygienist
Many students gravitate toward jobs in summer because I wanted an income, but I needs assistance. I think it’s a great job for
food service. didn’t want to go back to my previous job. I anyone interested in dentistry.”
“I started working at Cowboy Cookie made a resume and, ironically, wasn’t going Though getting a job may seem like a
around six months ago because I needed to apply at the shop, but then decided that daunting task for some, it’s clear that local
the money for gas and I had friends there wasn’t anything to lose. My boss told employment is a viable option for any
that worked there,” said senior Camryn me to come back the next day. At first I student interested in earning cash, gaining
Goodwin. “Most of the time I’m in the found it difficult, but grew to love it.” work experience, investing in their future,
back making cookies or in the front taking Some students are employed in fields that and a good time.6 Opinion Editor: Emi Mulay
the production of
nude art
By Molly Foster
Picture an illustration of the word ‘nude’ in your mind. If you’re envision-
ing an erotic image, this is a result of society normalizing the sexualiza-
tion of the naked figure. Companies and industries objectify certain body
parts as a mechanism to advertise and sell their products. Social media has
made these images easily accessible, and therefore, has created a greater
influence on the way the majority of the population views the naked body.
However, the problem with creating nude art at San
Luis Obispo High School is not naked bodies, but rath-
er the way American culture exploits and perverts them.
Nude art has evolved to reflect the common beliefs or values through-
out each era. Initially gaining popularity in ancient Greece, the na-
ked male form was used to depict his role in society or social class.
Females were given less important symbolism, such as fertility.
In response to these prevalent issues, contemporary artists use nude art “Nude art is one of the most pure
to voice personal experiences and show that all body types are beautiful. and vulnerable forms of human ex-
Artist, curator, and director of Untitled Space New York, Indira Cesarine,
compiled an exhibition of twenty nude women, all captured in different pression, to censor it would restrict
forms of visual media. This project’s purpose is to depict women in their
most natural form, which sends a message of body positivity and femi-
our capabilities to communicate
nism. Since males have dominantly represented the public arts for centu-
ries, very few pieces have realistically captured the honest female form, and
human beauty through the craft,”
rather, have displayed it in a way to appease popular standards of beauty. said senior Alyssa Schlickeiser.
Works of art are often censored because they expose certain
truths or threaten those in power. This alludes to a desire with-
in these leaders to control, not only representation of the human
body, but the ideas of an audience as a whole. During the Italian Re-
naissance, widespread Catholicism deemed nudity as obscene and
immoral. Pope Daniele de Volterra ordered the naked figures in
The Last Judgement, by Michelangelo, to be covered in loin cloths.
“It’s difficult, and even offensive, to change an original paint-
ing without changing the context. We aren’t just painting erot-
ica, but a story with a meaning,” said junior Jenna MacGregor.
Nudity is often associated with shame or sin, which leads to discom-
fort in one’s body. As a result, people today suffer greatly from lack of
self- love and the awareness that all bodies are beautiful and unique.
Whether it be religion, societal influence, or personal agenda, some contin-
ue to feel that as students, it is inappropriate to portray nude art at SLOHS.
“The reason for showing body parts in textbooks is usually for an
allegory or metaphor. For example, showing that a woman is vul-
nerable. Back then, everything was for a reason, and nowadays I
don’t see art as a big thing anymore,” said junior Oliver Santana.
Human emotion is timeless. Capturing someone in their most prim-
itive evokes honest emotional response from the viewer. Art is a plat-
form of free expression that has the potential to communicate ideas,
emotions, experiences, and injustices without words. As long as the hu-
man experience exists, art will have the power to change the world. Photo courtesy of Emi MulayDecember 2017
OPINION 7
Religion in the classroom: How far is too far?
according to ABC News, eighty-three knowing that other people believe what
By Delaiah Hastie percent of Americans identify as, is being I believe at this school, but that com-
discussed frequently, students of Muslim fort goes away when I am not allowed to
faith may begin to feel marginalized. On talk with others about my beliefs,” said
Last year, former San Luis Obispo top of this, there are students who con- senior Paige Anderson. A permissible
High School special education teacher sider themselves atheist. There should be place on campus to discuss religion are
Michael Stack wrote a letter to Slohsex- no reason that they should be forced to clubs relating to that specific religion.
pressions.com in response to the May discuss religion at public school, a sup- “I think clubs are a great place to talk
2017 LGBTQ issue of Expressions. In posedly non-denominational place of about religion with peers as long as
the letter, he condemned homosexual- study, where every student can have their they aren’t forcing a specific ideology
ity through quotations of the bible. The own autonomous beliefs. On top of this, on people,” said senior Susan Roodsari.
controversy has brought attention to an many religions have specific codes of Students who want to discuss a particu-
important question: Should religion be conduct, and look down on the actions lar religion can do so in this setting, and
discussed at school, and how far is too of others. None of the guidelines should students who do not want to be included
far in regard to using religion to state be talked about, because many discrim- don’t have to be. This way, nobody is be-
opinions that some may find offensive? inate against certain groups of people. ing forced to participate in a conversation
The discussion of religion at a pub- There are those who believe that re- that they do not feel comfortable with,
lic school, such as SLOHS, should not ligion should be allowed to be dis- and students who want to talk about a
be permitted. Due to the large and di- cussed at school. Many believe that specific religion have a place to go, and
verse student body, multiple religions as long as the discussion is not harm- be surrounded by likeminded people.
are represented. Too much emphasis on ing anybody, it should be permissible School should be a place where one can
one can make students feel excluded. on school grounds, and students and believe anything they want. Whether it
“It can be discussed but only in ob- even teachers should be able to freely be religion or other controversial topics,
jective circumstance to avoid ei- discuss religion for personal reasons. letting everybody think what they want,
ther intentional or accidental of- “I think that the discussion of religion and believe what they want, is one step
fense,” said senior J’aime Radding. between teachers and students should towards a more harmonious campus.
If a religion such as Christianity, which, be allowed at school. I find it comforting
Photo courtesy of Molly Foster8 Feature Editor-in-Chief: Connie Moore
Racism: Then vs. Now
hide its purpose with layers of con- “Once when I was ten, I was proud-
By Oliver Hicks fusing and superficial rhetoric; it ly wearing my ‘Selección Nacional
literally called for “colored” signs de Fútbol Guatemala’ [Guatemalan
above bathrooms and drinking National Soccer team] jersey on
Given the recent rise of white na- fountains--something that would the old port SLO pier, waiting in
tionalism and nationwide socio- incite huge outrage today. Instead, line alone at a dodgy seafood place.
political fissures, coupled with the we see more implicit tactics of racial Two young men were behind me
emergence of immense intercon- discrimination in areas like housing and, unprovoked, one of them said
nectedness through social media, and wage discrimination, where Af- ‘go back to your own country.’ They
politics and social commentary rican-American incomes are only didn’t laugh afterwards, and I don’t
have become attached to almost 73 percent of their white counter- think they even saw my face. I re-
every part of our lives. Because of parts and Hispanics are 69 percent. member that having a tremendous
this, society should begin to reeval- Furthermore, despite there being a impact on me,” said senior Miguel
uate how we treat each other. Sixty softening of language surrounding Ajanel.
years ago, American activism was race and growing PC culture that This anecdote is an example of
defined by the Civil Rights Move- outlines the way we discuss these the toxic disease that still infects a
ment, geared towards abolishing issues, there is still a severe lack of great deal of Americans. While the
segregation and, more broadly, legal justice for minorities. It seems existence of racism may not have
fighting back against racial preju- as though society is quick to pounce changed in the last hundred years,
dice and injustice. Now, Americans on anyone who publicly uses the the way we treat it certainly has.
are beginning to realize that racism N-word, but in the case of an un- “The form of racism that is every-
is not dead, it’s just more nuanced armed black man being choked to where now is jokes between friends
and subtle. This raises the question: death on a street corner, there is which, if heard by the wrong per-
How did we get here? no police officer indictment to be son, can be very offensive,” said
From a historical perspective, found. Higgins. Oftentimes we find our-
there is no obvious birth or death of Regarding how we got to this selves denouncing the actions of
racism--it has simply evolved over point, there is a variety of potential- others but are less aware of our own
time. Throughout the twentieth ly confounding causes, all of which words--it’s easy to call someone a
century there have been a variety have deeply troubling effects. racist for discriminating against
of causes and symptoms of racial “I don’t believe racism has gotten someone else, but it’s a lot harder
tension, ranging all the way from any better or worse over the years, to call someone out for a bad joke.
World War I to segregation to 9/11. it’s just gotten more exposed by It’s in these moments that our gen-
“The middle of the twentieth the internet and social media,” said eration will have the opportunity
Century brought some advances senior Nate Higgins, who is Afri- to shift the direction of progress.
in the US [regarding racial justice] can-American. “That’s why there’s In an ever-connected world, there
through the Civil Rights movement, been more tension in the past cou- are plenty of opportunities to hate,
but the reactions against it showed ple years.” troll, or divide people, but an equal
that racism was still strong,” said Higgins’ point is supported by amount of opportunities to stand
history teacher Kate Stephens. “The the fact that our world simply in- up for each other as well. Wheth-
end of the 20th Century was more teracts differently today. Good or er or not we can achieve this, and
harmonious, but after events like bad, social media and the internet move towards a more equal society,
September 11, new prejudices and have globalized our lives like never is up to us, but history has made
racial profiling became common,” before and connected us with peo- one thing clear: hatred and bigotry
said Stephens. ple of different communities, reli- will not disappear on their own.
Decades ago, prejudice may seem gions, and ethnicities--exposing us Source: http://www.pewresearch.
to have been more common simply to richly different cultures as well as org/
because it was more explicit. Eras the horribly dark xenophobia that it
like Jim Crow did not attempt to often provokes. Illustration Courtesy of: Abigial MooreDecember 2017 feature 9
Why is the N-Word Meet
so Powerful?
the idea that a hatred of this word
doesn’t stem from just being Afri-
can-American--it stems from an
M.E.X.A
Club
By Nabeel El-Sayed
individual’s background and per-
Looking at the English language, sonal exposure to that word. Ruffin
we can find plenty of words that is an adult. He has lived a much
have meant vastly different things longer life than Harrigan and his
throughout history, yielding both exposure to the vast negativity sur-
rounding the word has cultivated a By Delaiah Hastie
positive and negative connotations.
This simple fact creates the ques- certain perspective that is specific
tion: What makes a word good or to his experience. Kahil, although
bad? Is it the word itself that dic- certainly understanding the deno-
At San Luis Obispo High School, clubs are one of the
tates a good or bad meaning, or is tation of the word, is a teen grow-
ways students can show what they are interested in and
it mankind’s use of the word that ing up in a nice area, with peers and
who they are. Whether it be a club about a hobby or a
truly defines it? The N-word has cultural influences that allow for a
sport, meeting with like minded people about the things
been subject to this argument for much more positive connotation of
one is passionate about is a highlight of school. One of
decades and it seems as though we the word.
these clubs is MEXA club, or Movimiento Estudiantil Xi-
may never reach a consensus. This dichotomy of beliefs perpetu-
cano de Aztlán. Run by adviser Rita Delkeskamp, this club
When discussing the N-word, it is ates the idea that it is more than the
has put on many fun activities for students to enjoy, such
very clear that because of its orig- intrinsic value of a word that truly
as teaming up with ASB to put on a dance last spring, La
inal use the word was abusive and defines it. One must have a contex-
Baile De Primavera, or Dance of the Spring, and selling
derogatory. tual understanding of the usage of
fruit skewers and jicama at lunch and break. They also be-
“I don’t like it, don’t approve of a word in order to fully understand
gan playing music in Spanish once a week at lunch during
it, don’t appreciate it. I know it’s a its meaning.
Hispanic Heritage Month. The members of this club are
tremendous part of today’s hip hop “I think the N-word has a very
very invested in bringing their culture to the SLOHS cam-
world but if you think about where historic and hurtful past, but it’s
pus, and Expressions decided to catch up with the mem-
it was derived from, and how it was the people that give it it’s nega-
bers of this exciting club.
used, it was hurtful. Just because tive power that cause it to be held
“Our goals are to promote higher education,cultural
it is common vernacular doesn’t in such high regard,” said junior
awareness and community building. They are all positive
make it any less hurtful now. There Adian Atwell. Regardless of under-
goals not only for Latino students, but everybody who
should be no place for it on a school standing the power humans have to
joins us,” said Delkeskamp. MEXA clubs were started in
campus,” said Paraeducator Ricky create meaning, it is clear that the
the 1960s by people who wanted to honor their indigenous
Ruffin. N-word warrants caution, especial-
roots and be politically active through pursuing a higher
This raises the question: Why ly on campus. However, everyone
education, which has become a cornerstone of the club.
does an educated, middle aged on campus should consider the
“We are very welcoming and try and provide cultural
paraeducator feel so strongly about reality that being timid when dis-
awareness and try and raise money for people who need
the N-word? The simple answer is cussing sensitive ideas simply gives
it. Last year, we gave money to the Red Cross,” said senior
“because he is African-American.” those ideas too much power. Are
and MEXA club vice president Juliana Castellanos.
But when African-American junior we so afraid to say the N-word that
MEXA club is full of students who are innovative, pas-
Kahil Harrigan was asked the same we have to censor it? Can we have
sionate, and want to build a stronger community within
question he said, “the only way it an intellectual discussion about
the school.
affects me personally is if the dia- racism without a single word gov-
“During meetings we play some team building games,
logue it is said with is offensive. If erning everything we say? I urge
and then get down to business on fundraising,” said senior
we are having a regular conversa- students and educators alike to
and MEXA club president Marco Ramirez.
tion, you can use the word freely pause and consider the power that
MEXA club is an important and unique presence on
and I’m not gonna worry about it words have before they are uttered,
SLOHS campus, and due to the dedication of the students
unless you use a hard R.” before they are given meaning, be-
involved, our campus is a better and more diverse place.
The stark difference between fore they become taboo.
Illustration Courtesy of: Quique Ajanel
these two answers sheds light on10 sports Editor: Joella Holmes
SLOHS Athletes Discuss Club Vs.
Varsity
By Oliver Hicks
While the majority of student sports that of his kids will be playing club ball,” said sacrifices will allow me the opportunity to
are highlighted in our community are Cracknell. grow the sport so that in the future rugby
JV and varsity, many athletes on campus Despite having to choose which sport to could be school affiliated. I usually forget
don’t only play for San Luis Obispo High prioritize, both teams always have their about not having those resources though
School. Whether it be baseball, volleyball, pros and cons. While year-round club because I’m getting the chance to play a
soccer, or rugby, a multitude of students teams usually offer more exposure and game I truly love,” said Duffy.
on campus participate extensively in club intensity, varsity is also something that Whether it be purely for the love of the
sports outside of SLOHS. These students student-athletes have to look forward to game or for college aspirations, certain
choose to balance both high school each season. club athletes are granted the opportunity
commitments and extracurricular ones as “Honestly I love both [varsity and club], to play at a collegiate level. While there are
they play for teams all across the county, but I think I like high school a little better. a number of student-athletes on campus
state, and country. It’s only a couple months a year and there’s who have committed to play their sport
“I’ve played for teams all the way from a different vibe when you’re representing in college, sophomore Malia Gin told
San Diego to San Francisco and they’ve your school. It’s also awesome when there’s Expressions her story of committing to
taken me all across the country. New York, a crowd watching you,” said junior Olivia Oregon State University.
Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, Arizona, Oregon, Ortiz, who plays soccer. “Doing both gets “I went to many college showcases with
Washington, Georgia, and Nevada, all hard at some points, but it depends on my club and was invited to some Elite ID
for baseball,” said senior baseball player the classes I’m taking. Over the years I’ve camps from some colleges. I knew I wanted
Noah Cracknell. Cracknell is one of many learned how to balance it.” to stay on the West Coast for the most part,
students on campus who balance varsity For others, they don’t have to choose so I sent out many emails to schools that
sports, club sports, and schoolwork between varsity and club because SLOHS I was interested in. When I went up to
throughout the year. In his case, the simply doesn’t offer a varsity team. Rugby Oregon State for my camp, I really loved
majority of conflicts between teams are players like senior Daniel Duffy don’t have the campus and the whole coaching staff.
avoidable, however it does require a certain a season to look forward to where they get It worked out financially and academically,
degree of prioritization. fifth period off or free transportation to and I knew that OSU was the place where
“Normally club sports take a priority games and practices; instead, they deal with I could be successful at and play and live at
because they offer a higher level of their extracurricular sports commitment for four years.”
competition and more exposure to college all year long. Regardless of the challenges, student
coaches. My high school coach knows “It obviously would be nice to have -athletes at SLOHS are clearly able to
that I’ll be playing travel ball all summer resources that the school supplies to their balance their responsibilities between club
and fall, so he kind of expects that some sports, but I hope that making those little and high school sports.December 2017 Sports 11
Fall Sports
Rankings AYSO Players: True Ballers
By Max Lober By Erin Lewis
San Luis Obispo High School fall sports has offi- When students at San Luis Obispo High School think of the American Youth Soccer
cially come to a close. Based on each team’s over- Organization (AYSO), they think of little kids running around chasing the soccer
all and league record as well as CIF ranking, Ex- ball wherever it goes. What most people don’t think of is that there is a U-19 girls
pressions brings to you our own SLOHS fall sports division that consists of many high school students here at SLOHS. Expressions
rankings. interviewed a few of those students who have been playing AYSO this fall.
1. Girls Golf: Overall: 10-1 (League: 5-1)*
2. Boys Cross Country: Third in CIF
3. Girls Tennis: Overall: 23-4 (League: 18-1)
4. Girls Cross Country: Eighth in CIF
5. Boys Water Polo: Overall: 20-6
League: 5-2
6. Girls Volleyball: Overall: 19-14
League: 9-5
7. Football: Overall: 2-8 (League: 0-4)
* League Champions
Expressions: What are your thoughts on how your
season went?
Junior football player Chad Lincoln: I’m proud Photo Courtsey of Erin Lewis
of our season this year. Although we didn’t always
find success we hoped for, we all stuck together and Expressions: What are the main reasons for you wanting to play AYSO?
continued to work hard until the end. I’ve learned a Junior Katherine Freeman: I wanted to play to play soccer for fun without a super
lot more and have grown into more of a man after intense environment.
being a part of this team and I’m sure many of my Senior Hannah Ryan: I wanted to play because I really enjoyed it growing up. I
teammates feel the same way. thought it would be something fun to do senior year with my friends.
Junior water polo player Jordan Troy: Overall, Sophomore Julia Voss: I wanted to keep up my skills for high school soccer. Also,
the season was great. We started off as a team that I played a lot of soccer when I was little and I fell in love with it.
many people expected to get fifth in league but Expressions: What has your experience been like so far?
ended up finding our rhythm and finished third Freeman: It’s been really fun and a very positive experience.
in league and had a 20-7 overall record. I’m really Ryan: This year has been really fun and laid back because there’s only one other
proud of how much we improved as a team. team in our league.
Sophomore volleyball player Franki Phelan: I Voss: It’s been great.
think our season went really well especially for hav- Expressions: Is it more for the fun and the exercise or for building skills?
ing a really young team with eight underclassmen. Freeman: It’s more for building skills for the high school season.
Senior cross country runner Stephen Zagrodny: Ryan: I’m just playing AYSO for fun.
I think we did really well and had a really strong Voss: It’s definitely more for building skills.
underclassmen presence. Expressions: Do you think it gets more aggressive when you get older?
Senior tennis player Riley Quinn: I thought over- Freeman: Yeah, it definitely gets more aggressive.
all the season went really well and we performed to Ryan: I think so, but people also become less clumsy so you get stepped on less.
the best of our ability. We were strong in both sin- Voss: Yeah, it definitely does. There’s more pushing and it gets more aggressive.
gles and doubles and dominated most of our league Expressions: What would you say to someone who told you you’re too old to play
matches. AYSO?
Senior cross country runner Alexis Lewis: We Freeman: I would tell them that anyone who can still play in AYSO can’t be too old
had a lot of injuries this year which kind of hurt us, to play. Even though it gets less and less popular as you get older, you can’t be too
but I think we can make state which would be great. old because it’s still fun.
Senior golf player Violet Udlock: The season went Ryan: I would tell them it doesn’t matter because I’m enjoying it.
well. We won league and everyone on the team is Voss: It doesn’t matter what our age is. If we love playing the sport, we should just
super fun. play. It’s for all ages.12 Arts & Entertainment Editor: Sawyer
McSorley
By Max Lober
version of pho-
up un til a few dec ades ago, the most popular
way of taking pictur es, and to take pictures
Film cameras: the original rld by pro vid ing ph otographers with the ability
phy has taken over the wo your pictures, as
tography. Digital photogra the film . Eve n wit h the elapsed time of seeing
instead of waiting to dev elo p o High School.
and immediately see them cam era has ma de its way back to San Luis Obisp
tages,” somehow, the film what separates
well as many other “disadvan ph ers at SLO HS abo ut the ir stance on film cameras and
avid film photogra
Expressions interviewed two
cam eras.
them from standard digital camera?
sta rt taking pictures with a film t spring. I initially took the
m on disposable
Expressions: When did you film pic tur es du rin g las
ng an actual film
started avidly taking d trips, but I didn’t start usi
Senior Camryn Goodwin: I the wa y to con cer ts or roa
easy to pick up on
cameras because they were
mer.
camera until late in the sum
gust.
Senior Gen Basich-Pease: Au eras?
film cameras from digital cam en with a digital camera, eve
ry aspect is very
Expressions: What separates ori ng goe s. In pic tur es tak
looks as far as col
Goodwin: I like the way film h colors and objects.
pic tur es you get to be more creative wit
defined , but in film t can get lost in digitals.
: Fil m cam era s giv e off a more vintage feel tha or a career?
Basich -Pe ase
ing pic tures in the future either as a hobby e, but I will prob-
Expressions: Do you see you
rse lf tak
ph oto gra phy and I’ll kee p it up as long as I have tim
being creative wit h
Goodwin: Not likely. I enjoy technicalities into a differe
nt occupation.
the sam e cre ative r turn into a career.
ably try to incorporate som
e of
ph oto gra phy as a hob by, but I don’t think it will eve
going to continue
Basich-Pease: I’m definitely
Photo courtesy of Max LoberArts & Entertainment 13
December 2017
Students Going into the Arts
something I’m super passionate about. and the amount of people.
By Grace Berscheid Expressions: How did you decide that’s Walker: Though I’m sure there is an ideal
what you want to do? place to be a choir teacher I really want to
Everybody has dreams and plans of who Sutton: Because this is basically what I do live in a small town in Idaho and have a
they want to be in the future. Whether it every day, because people always ask me golden retriever named peanut.
be an architect or a singer, work for NASA, to make things for them. So I figure, why Expressions: When do you hope to have
or Oprah. Expressions interviewed some not put a price on it? achieved that dream?
San Luis Obispo High School students Walker: It has been caused by a long series Sutton: I was originally planning to get
that look forward to careers in arts and/ of events. I joined choir in middle school into this right after high school, but after
or entertainment. because a friend wanted to do it together searching around, I discovered that to
Expressions: What career do you hope for and then moved. But I couldn’t switch out ensure that I will get the job, I will have
in the future? by then and ended up really enjoying it. to get a bachelor’s degree in Digital Arts.
Senior Mercedes Sutton: I’m going to go Expressions: Is there an ideal place to live Walker: I hope to have achieved my
into graphic design. for that? dream by the time I am thirty, but life
Junior Ryan Walker: The career I want Sutton: There isn’t an ideal set place, but is constantly changing, and setting goals
to have in my future is to be a choir a big city would bring in the most profit, so far in the future may be an impossible
teacher. Teaching and learning music is just due to the need of advertisements task.
Expressions Newspaper’s H liday Pla list
longed presence. Get in touch with nature, tually contributed to his religion’s celebra-
By Luca MacDougall sexuality, and hunting during this holiday tion of Chanukah with this catchy comedic
while this song plays in the background. tune. “Best song invented, it always cracks
The holidays are a time for fun and cel- 2. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by me up,” said senior Hannah Ryan. This
ebration. Tons of families get together to Mariah Carey song is guaranteed to spread holiday cheer.
celebrate the beliefs they hold dear, wheth- While Mariah Carey fights to stay rele- 4. “The Kwanzaa Song” by William
er it be for religious reasons or simply to be vant from January through November, she Scott
surrounded by loved ones. While the most metaphorically rises and feasts on the souls This song has a catchy array of guitar
recognized holidays stem from Paganism of the weak during December as her influ- chords in the background while Scott’s
and Judaism, there are over 35 different ence grows to extreme heights. This song vocals will simultaneously calm you and
holidays celebrated during December. Let’s is everywhere, whether it be shopping cen- teach you about the basics of the holiday.
take a moment to appreciate some songs ters, the radio, or even school. When asked 5. “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber
representing the different cultures that his expert opinion, senior Stephen Za- “Under The Mistletoe” is considered by
contribute so much to the holiday season. grodny said “[Mariah Carey] is the queen many to be Bieber’s best album. “Justin
1.“Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles of Christmas. The song brings me to tears Bieber sounds so good on this song and it
Starting off with one of the oldest practic- every time I hear it.” makes me love Christmas even more,” said
es, Yule is a Pagan holiday that celebrates 3. “Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler junior Olivia Ortiz. “Mistletoe” is the lead
the rebirth of the Great Horned God on the Adam Sandler is known for making single off his Christmas album and it per-
Winter Solstice. On Yule, Pagans celebrate crude-humored movies that have an in- fectly ends this playlist with a warm, lovely
the days getting longer and the Sun’s pro- credibly high budget. However, he has ac- feeling of holiday happiness.14 people Editor: Kara Hoover
The Annual Hour Long Lunch
is on December 21
behind. don’t try to go off because everyone else
By Sophie Yasumoto
“I would probably drive to a place out has to wait for their turn to go off,” said
of SLO because I normally go to places in sophomore Jayde Malzone.
According to the San Luis Obispo High SLO for lunch. If I had an hour, I’d proba- A few years ago, ASB brought in a band as
School Website, December 21 is the tra- bly optimize my time and go to In-N-Out well as food from Sue’s, a sandwich joint,
ditional Staff Luncheon. This is the day or somewhere farther away. Normally, and Taqueria Santa Cruz, which turned
before Winter Break starts. That means, they have food trucks when it’s a longer out to be a not so big hit.
traditionally, that SLOHS students and lunch, so probably make sure you bring “If you bring in a band from LA, you
staff get an hour long lunch break instead some money so you can buy food instead would want 500 not 200 students to stay
of the usual 42 minutes. If this actually of bringing it straight from home,” said Se- on. We [ASB] try to arrange a lunchtime
happens this year as usual, students need nior Ashleigh Cindrich. activity or something fun because we have
to start thinking about their options. The handful of freshmen who can’t go off a lot of freshman who can’t go off,” said
By the time lunch rolls around, many are left pondering what do during the hour ASB adviser Jim Johnson.
SLOHS students are famished and in a long lunch. All in all, whether you’re a freshman who
rush to scarf down their food in 42 min- “During the hour long lunch, me and my can’t go off, or an upperclassmen driving
utes. The lunch is extended to give the staff friends sat on the grass for a little while. to In-N-Out for a juicy burger and creamy
time to have a holiday party. The majority A couple of other friends brought us milkshake, the hour long lunch is some-
of the school will go off campus, except for back barbeque and then we went walking thing that benefits students at SLOHS.
the freshmen class who are forced to stay around campus. I would tell the freshman
What Does Your Back Say
About Your Front? weird using it and don’t really want to.
By Will Anderson
Like if it were up to me I wouldn’t carry a
Backpacks say a lot about San Luis Obis- backpack. And if it were my Prius, my Pri-
po High School students as individuals us would be tricked out, lifted, and would
and intellectuals. Expressions sought out look super cool. See the analogy I’m trying
students with interesting backpacks to seek to make here?
the meaning behind them. Maddalena: It was a gift so it was real-
Expressions: What does your backpack ly special, and I really enjoy fashion and
look like? dressing up at school.
Senior Cole Bumen: My backpack is a 32 Saavedra: Well it’s waterproof so it helps
liter patagonia black hole, it’s navy blue me bike to school and not get my books
with orange zippers. wet. And it’s also a bit stylish so I have all
Senior Jackie Maddalena: It's the classic the functionality and the style.
Gucci from the 1980s and it's really cool Expressions: How does the backpack de-
because it has hints of pink which I really scribe you?
like. Bumen: My backpack is waterproof and
Senior Steven Saavedra: It's a black leath- allows me to hold a lot of stuff and to be
er backpack with one outside flap with two prepared for whatever my day brings. That
leather straps. describes me because I’m always prepared.
Expressions: Can you tell us what the back- Maddalena: I think Gucci is a really great
pack means to you? clothing brand. I love all the art Gucci has,
Bumen: My backpack to me is like a com- especially in the new collection.
muter man's prius, it's something you don't Saavedra: Well it holds just the right
necessarily want to have on you, amount of stuff in it. It crosses the plains of
but it’s required, it’s necessary for your suc- stylish and functionality.
cess throughout your day but you just feel
Photo Courtesy of Will AndersonDecember 2017 people 15
Saying Goodbye to
David Sprague
Sprague on his last day at SLOHS with his last class
Photo Courtesy of Scott Nairne
By Jack Miklik Sprague: Mostly because, it’s time for me to reinvent myself again.
So I actually think of this as an opportunity for me to create my
Whether you had David Sprague in an English or theatre class, own self renaissance. The one thing that’s been on my mind ever
he was undisputedly one of the most interesting teachers at San since my accident, when I was shot. My mindset has been to give
Luis Obispo High School. In his classroom it was not uncommon back and to make a difference in people’s lives. I have been focus-
for his lesson to turn into a debate on travel or how anyone can ing on teaching since then. Now I have an opportunity to go back
succeed after high school. Sadly, SLOHS beloved teacher Sprague and create another purpose. I’m not quite sure what that is, other
decided to retired. Expressions sat down with him to learn about than working at home. I love art, reading, and literature, as well
the interesting timing of his retirement and to reflect on his years as building and doing home projects, so that’s what I am going to
at SLOHS. be doing.
Expressions: How many years have you been teaching at SLOHS? Expressions: Why did you choose to retire mid-year?
English Teacher David Sprague: I have been at SLOHS for 22 Sprague: Mostly because I am turning sixty years old, and I can do
years and have been teaching for 28. it. Just like the advice I give my students, sometimes you gotta get
Expressions: What was your favorite memory from your time out of the institution and go out and find your life.
spent teaching at SLOHS? Expressions: When is your sixtieth birthday?
Sprague: I have great memories about every year and every class, Sprague: My sixtieth birthday is November twenty sixth, the
but I would have to say the highlight for me running the theater Sunday after Thanksgiving. My first day of retirement however is
program, which was what I was hired for. I did that with (English Monday the 27. It is the greatest gift I could give myself!
teacher) Mike Lara. We co-ran the program for seven years. It was Expressions: What is your message to your current and past stu-
a great experience and many of our students have gone on to do dents?
theater and film all around the country. Sprague: If I had to narrow it down to one thing it would be; listen
Expressions: What made you decide to retire? more and talk less.December 2017 Back 16
Photo courtesy of Emi Mulay
Junior Kit Scriven is Hesitant About Interviews
categorize it more as a what. If you start defined by a number.
By Emi Mulay from the assumption that suffering is bad, Expressions: Can you confidently say you
then whatever minimizes that suffering is know anything to be a fact?
San Luis Obispo High School’s favorite said to be good, or “moral”. Scriven: What I can say I have confidence
communist and top-hat-flaunter junior Kit Expressions: If everything evolved from in… Hmm.. Given certain premises, and
Scriven discusses all of life’s unknowns. amoebas, how are their still amoebas? conclusion can be entailed, like if A and
Scriven: Well, everything did not evolve B happen, then C will later occur. The
Expressions: What happens when you die? from amoebas. Everything evolved from a classic example being how all rhombuses
Scriven: I think you just die. If the brain is single celled prokaryotic cell, and there are are quadrilaterals, and all squares are
where consciousness happens, then when different niches that certain organisms fit rhombuses, then that means all squares are
the brain stops working, the consciousness in. Evolution isn’t this ladder where we start quadrilaterals. Regardless of what those
stops. as single celled organism and then ascend words mean, you know that with a premise,
Expressions: What do you want your to humanity. Whatever is evolutionarily a conclusion can be drawn.
tombstone to say? successful has direct effect on our progress Expressions: Do you believe that the
Scriven: I don’t exactly have any as organisms. answer is always hidden in the question?
accomplishments to speak of, but I would Expressions: Would you rather wear a shirt Scriven: No, because answers require
probably want those on my tombstone, if I as pants or pants as a shirt? outside information aside from the
ever have any accomplishments. Scriven: Now we’ve gotten to the really question. If all answers were in the question,
Expressions: What is reality? hard questions. First, I think a shirt as we wouldn’t need questions, right?
Scriven: Well, there are two things in which pants because you can barely wear pant as Expressions: How many eggs are suitable
someone can say reality is: what you see a shirt. The only place you could put your for one person?
the world as (your sensory perceptions), head is near the zipper, and that doesn’t Scriven: To eat, or to have? I mean if
and what physical things are/are not real. serve as a functional shirt, so definitely a having eggs makes you happy then as many
For instance, this object may or may not shirt as pants. as you want. There shouldn’t be a set limit
be evaluated as real based on any given Expressions: What are numbers? you should have--wait--there is though.
person. Scriven: Numbers are concepts that are The upper limit of eggs a person should
Expressions: Who decides what morality used to describe the difference between be allowed to have is when it affects the
is? amounts, like the difference between environment by the sheer number of eggs
Scriven: Well, I don’t think it’s a who. I having one orange and two oranges is that you are taking out of said environment.You can also read
