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the newspaper of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School 27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 www.pvphsnews.com Vol. XXXIII Issue 5 22 Feb. 2012 Are extracurricular activities in high schools worth the costs nowadays? - read what Opinion has to say on page 5. Which Peninsula alumnus is on the road to fame?- see Arts and Entertainment on page 8 for more. COURTESY OF CONNIE LIM MARIE LUM/THE PEN SARAH ANDERSON/THE PEN KENTARO CROCKETT/THE PEN Check out how Peninsula is renovating their campus with a new garden and fieldhouse - see News on page 3.

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Page 1: The Pen

the newspaper of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 www.pvphsnews.com Vol. XXXIII Issue 5 22 Feb. 2012

Are extracurricular activities in high schools worth the costs nowadays?- read what Opinion has to say on page 5.

Which Peninsula alumnus is on the road to fame?- see Arts and Entertainment on page 8 for more.

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18-year-olds are adults in all ways but one

Check out how Peninsula is renovating their campus with a new garden and fieldhouse - see News on page 3.

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On Nov. 15, 2012, the PALS PLUS leadership class applied for a State Farm grant of $2,000 to design a safe driving campaign named Project Ignition for Red Ribbon Week, Feb. 4- Feb. 8. Of the 1,000 applications, Peninsula was one of the 25 schools chosen in the nation and the only school chosen in California. The PLUS class will now compete for a spot in the top ten, to receive an additional $2,500 to continue the safe driving campaign for

Construction projects bloom on campus

PALS PLUS creates safe driving campaign

a second year. If awarded, Peninsula will be categorized as a national leader school and will be given up to $5,000 to send students to the National Service Learning Conference in Washington D.C. in April of 2014.

During Red Ribbon Week, a wrecked car was brought to campus and put on display. On Wednesday, Deputy Chris Knox spoke about the importance of safe driving to the students. In the evening, the PTSA hosted a parent/student presentation where Panthers learned critical safety information. Martha Tessmer from Impact Teen Drivers conducted classroom presentations on Thursday about the importance of being responsible passengers and drivers. Members of the California Highway Patrol

brought impaired goggles and asked students to go through an obstacle course of cones. This simulated how drunk or distracted driving would feel like. They also provided insight on common driving accidents.

“Texting and cell phone violations are in the forefront for causing accidents, but there are a lot of other distractions people are not aware of,” Pete Nicholsan of the California Highway Patrol of South Los Angeles said. “Stay safe. Be conscious when you’re driving to be the safest drive you can be.”

On the final days of Red Ribbon Week, students pledged to drive safely. Participants who pledged received a pledge card to keep in their wallets and a key chain reminding them that “no distraction is worth a life”.

On Friday, State Farm

presented a $2000 check to Principal Mitzi Cress and the PALS PLUS students in the presence of students, faculty, local legislators and the school board.

“We were very excited to bring a program to Peninsula High School that will educate, inspire and hopefully motivate our students, faculty and staff to be less distracted while driving,” PALS PLUS advisor Christine Lopez said. “It could save a life.”

With the recent drunk driving accident involving PV High senior Sean Heffernan, and the increasing number of deaths due to teen car accidents, PALS PLUS students hope the program will have long lasting benefits.

“I strongly hope everyone becomes conscious about safe driving in the community,” PALS PLUS member Zoe Council said.

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By USWAH SHABBIR PEN NEWS WRITER

By USWAH SHABBIR PEN NEWS WRITER

By CHRISTOPHER KONG & VALERIA PARK PEN NEWS WRITERS

For the past few weeks, Peninsula has been working to complete two projects that will greatly benefit the Panther community. The Kelly Johnson Field House, built in honor of retired Peninsula principal Kelly Johnson and finished in September, will be formally open to the Panther community this month. In addition, a new garden is being built behind the health office and is scheuduled to open soon.

On Feb. 26, Peninsula will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony in honor of the Kelly Johnson Field House. At the ceremony, community members, school staff, students and district officials will deliver speeches in honor of Johnson and to dedicate the field house.

“‘[The] Field House’ was selected as opposed to ‘the gym’ so as to easily delineate between the existing gym and the new facility,” principal Mitzi Cress said.

The Kelly Johnson Field House provides Panthers and the community extra sporting practice facilities.

“[Now] our teams can practice at Peninsula rather than travel to Miraleste Intermediate,” Cress said.

She added that Panthers will be able to practice earlier because of the increased practice space. In addition, the Field House will host Palos

Verdes Basketball Association games and practices, standardized tests and fine arts performances.

“Scheduling all the various athletic practices and games is very difficult and requires the use of other schools’ facilities,” Associate Principal Micah Farrell said. “The Field House alleviate[s] many conflicts.” Cress is excited for the official opening of the Field House.

“It is fitting that we honor the man who had the dream,” Cress said. “For the future, all who enter this facility will be reminded of Kelly’s legacy of ‘integrity and sportsmanship.’”

The garden was specifically requested by Cress, who had Peninsula’s engineering students design it for the special education

students. In order to make it more convenient for students, there will be boxes in the garden so students can experience what it is like to take care of the garden.

“I think it’s a fabulous idea to have the students have this opportunity,” paraeducator Robyn Tanchum said.

Both projects symbolize Peninsula’s urge to create more opportunities to students.

“I think there is a renewed interest of the environment at our school,” Cress said. “There are areas that can be utilized differently and there are a multitude of ideas. Just by meeting with people and walking around campus, we have been coming up with great ideas.”

A privately rented bus carrying approximately 70 high school students was found containing several bottles of liquor on Jan.26 on the way to the Fire and Ice Formal at the Park Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.

The administration confiscated the liquor and ensured that each student was transported home so no drunk driving would take place.

Students attending the formal were given two options: to attend formal via a chaperoned charter bus rented by Peninsula or via their own transportation with parental permission and a signed waiver form. Students who chose their own transportation were responsible for any incidents that would occur.

“You have to be careful,” Associate Principal Micah Farrell said. ‘You can’t control what other people do. You can potentially have your night ruined by other people.”

According to Principal Mitzi Cress, the bus driver asked a security guard to retrieve administrators around 11:30 p.m.

The bus driver, after allegedly discovering alcohol on the bus, refused to drive the students back to Peninsula.

Witnesses claim he originally intended to call the police due to the possibility of underage drinking.

When Cress arrived, the students were asked to contact a guardian and explain that they would be chaperoned back to campus for pick-up.

While students were calling parents, chaperones searched all bags.

The opened and unopened alcohol bottles found were confiscated by administration.

Many students, however, claimed to be unaware of the alcohol present.

As stated in the terms and agreements students signed before riding the charter bus, minors who bring alcohol aboard are to be immediately evacuated from the bus and all blame will rest on the minor.

Instead of leaving the

students outside the hotel, the bus driver agreed to drive the students home with a chaperone from Peninsula.

Some students aboard the bus claim, however, that upon discovering the alcohol, the bus driver contacted a student aboard the bus and told her that if the students were to add more money to his tip, he would disregard the presence of alcohol. He also agreed to continue to drive them until the end of the night.

The bus driver then allegedly took everyone’s bags, which upset students, prompting the driver to call the administration.

The Platinum Express Limo Service did not respond to requests to address this allegation.

“If the bus driver did do that, he would never admit to it,” an unidentified dispatcher of the company said.

At 2 a.m., the students arrived at Peninsula, and Farrell released the students to parents.

“Our first priority for all students was to have them arrive home safely,” Cress said via email to parents. “I slept soundly knowing that we at Peninsula High did everything within our power to protect the lives of those entrusted to us.”

Party bus-ted by school officials

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(Left) The new garden awaits completion. (Right) The new fieldhouse proudly displays former principal Kelly Johnson’s name.

“I think there is a renewed interest of the environment at our school ... and a multitude of ideas.”

- Principal Mitzi Cress

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PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL

27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

EDITORS-IN-CHIEFJason Choe, Edwin Chu, Kendall Van Nort

COPY/DESIGN EDITORSamantha Neal

WEB CHIEF Michael Yu

NEWSEditors: Sunnie Kim, Zohair Lalani

Writers: Chris Kong, Uswah Shabbir, Valeria Park

OPINIONEditors: Viveka Krishnaswamy, Izma Shabbir

Writers: Amanda Katz, Caroline Park, Florencia Park, Jasmine Kim, Mina Zhang

FOCUS Editors: Sehar Dedmari, Stephanie Minn

Writers: Jina Kim, Julian Choi, Soolgi Hong

STUDENT LIFEEditor: Michelle Lin

Writers: Fatima Siddiqui, Rachel Tosney, Tunika Onnekikami

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTEditors: Audrey Tsai, Wendy Wei

Writers: Charles Kim, Lauren Lee, Maerah Ahmed

SPORTSEditors: Bryan Lee, Jonathan Wu

Writers: Amy Valukonis, Charles Kim, Noah Werksman, Sam Quon

WEB Web Editor: Robert Papa

GRAPHICSBenson Leung

Marie Lum

BUSINESS TEAMManager: Liliana Pond

Assistant: Alisha Prasad

ADVISERKatherine Crowley

“The Pen” is the student newspaper produced by the advanced journalism students of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. It is published eight times per year. Advertising inquiries may be directed to Advertising Manager Liliana Pond at (310) 377- 4888 ext.

652. The Pen editors appreciate Letters to the Editors, which may be accepted up to one week before publication. You may submit them to H52 or Katherine Crowley’s mailbox.

Copyright © 2013

EditorialBy EDITORIAL STAFF

Teenagers can’t be trusted. After all, they are an impulsive, brash group of adolescents who desire the privileges of adulthood while simultaneously maintaining a carefree lifestyle.

The irony exists in the fact that, upon reaching 18 years of age, teenagers, or rather, new young adults, suddenly gain a slew of rights hitherto withheld from them; an eighteen year old can purchase tobacco, legally sign documents, vote for president, join the military and open his or her own bank account, all without parental consent. Yet, despite these rights bestowed upon teens, eighteen year olds are still withheld from a notable privilege – drinking alcohol. In fact, the United States is one of only seven countries to impose such a high drinking age.

Of course, the age limit isn’t without its reasons – evidence indicates that the human brain is not fully mature until almost 20 years of age, and excessive amounts of alcohol consumption can stunt proper brain growth. In addition, a thousand-some teenage drunk-driving accidents can be averted if better regulation of alcohol is enforced.

But, why just alcohol? Of course driving while inebriated is hazardous, but then again, so is smoking, skydiving and purchasing guns, all of which are rights granted to 18 year olds.

Moreover, America is known for its extremely prevalent alcohol-based culture. Anyone who watches the Super Bowl

is subject to a variety of ads depicting the glamorous lifestyle led by those who hold a bottle of that magical elixir, beer.

Furthermore, there is psychology to consider–teens are attracted to the thrill that stems from doing something illegal, something dangerous. Treating alcohol as a “forbidden fruit” causes underage drinkers to develop a desire to experience for themselves a product that is so fastidiously kept out of their reach; in fact, according to a study published by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, viewing someone or something as forbidden only serves to make that person or thing instantly more desirable.

What’s more, setting an age limit on drinking does not and will not prevent those under 21 from seeking alcoholic beverages. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, there are 10.8 million underage drinkers in the United States, which equates to over three percent of the American population, and by the twelfth grade, about 75 percent of students have illegally consumed alcohol at some point in their lifetimes. These facts reveal the blunt truth: just because laws exist to deter underage drinking, teenagers will not be stopped from pursuing ways to indulge in it nonetheless.

Therefore, teaching those under 21 the dangers of drinking would be much more practical than restricting their access to alcohol altogether. The best example of teaching young

adults how to drink responsibly can be found in Europe, where the drinking age limit is set at no higher than 18 (with Finland as an exception) and where drinking is integrated into the culture. As a result, statistics compiled by Thomas S. Dee and William N. Evans found that although the United States prevents adults from drinking until they are 21, its “rate of traffic accidents and fatalities in the 1980s decreased less than that of European countries whose legal drinking ages are lower than 21.”

Statistics don’t lie: because Europeans properly teach their children the harmful effects of alcohol instead of just keeping the substance itself locked away, their children grow up to be more responsible drinkers than Americans.

At The Pen, we in no way condone law-breaking. The facts, however, indicate that the legal drinking age only increases the appeal of illegal drinking. Just as a child will reach for the chocolate bar locked away in the cupboard, so too will teenagers seek out the thrill of new experiences. Statistics show that the greater majority of American teens are indeed drinking in complete disregard to the laws that exist to prevent them from doing so. At the same time, nations in Europe that enforce a lower drinking age than the U.S. report better success in dealing with alcohol abuse. Ultimately, if 18-year-olds are going to be considered legal adults, they should be given all rights befitting an adult.

Senioritis: a pandemic

It’s been the second semester of my senior year for about a month now, and I can safely say that I’m not the only one to experience its influence. It includes waking up late on school days, blowing off homework to use Netflix, and acknowledging midday naps as a routine instead of a luxury. I’m talking, of course, about senioritis. This phenomenon that turns even the best of students into hedonists seems absurd until it hits you; I used to scoff at the idea of such de-motivation, but now it’s so potent that I’m barely even able to write this column. However, while senioritis has been regarded as a tradition, even a rite of passage, I’m starting to question the resigned attitudes towards it.

The train of logic here is

simple: students get so burned out doing college apps, homework, activities and sports that, come second semester, they fizzle out and become lazy. Straight As drop to straight Cs and assignments are dismissed with a flippant “I don’t want to do this.” Though many feel they deserve this break after 3.5 stressful years, this viewpoint can have lasting effects on one’s work ethic; it ingrains in students’ minds that slacking off is okay. It’s one thing to relax, but it’s another thing to dismiss responsibilities entirely.

If you’re skeptical about these consequences, look at colleges that rescind admission decisions. Those seniors who count their chickens before they’re hatched and allow their grades to slip too much suffer. Take the University of Washington: it revokes around two dozen admissions a year.

This problem is two-pronged: school shouldn’t wear seniors down to such an extreme extent, but seniors also shouldn’t get a premature sense of achievement. It’s up to students to work through the feelings of apathy and realize that the year isn’t over.

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Aeries remains a work in progress

By VIVEKA KRISHNASWAMYPEN OPINION EDITOR

In August, parents, students and staff had difficulty adjusting to Aeries. While Edline was well-known and reliable, Aeries was riddled with glitches.

Because Edline seems more user-friendly and has been used here for the past ten years, many district participants have failed to acknowledge the long-term benefits of Aeries.

After almost an entire school year, teachers and staff are still learning how to use the program. Most have remained skeptical and hesitant when using the program, letting any inconveniences overshadow the positives.

In truth, Aeries reduces technology spending. According to Administrator of Technology Services Trent Bahadursingh, PVPUSD spent about $47,000 a year on a system known as Data Director.

“Data Director is a web-based data warehouse solution that stored student demographic and achievement data that staff could access for reporting and analysis,” Bahadursingh said. “A decision was made to discontinue using the Data Director system at a cost savings of approximately $35,000 and to utilize the data reporting and

analysis features in Aeries.net.”Although Data Director was

cut, the district does continue to use Edline for school websites and as a communication tool. The major difference is that Aeries is currently the main system used for storing most student data, including enrollment, attendance, transcripts, class scheduling and test scores.

By switching to the Aeries system, all student data can now be accessed from a single website. Not only is the district saving $35,000 a year, but it has combined student data into one storage area, facilitating access and analysis.

“You have more access to your information, and I like that about it,” Principal Mitzi Cress said. “You can see your transcripts; you can see your test scores, and I think it’ll be valuable for families once we can figure out how to make it a little more user-friendly.”

Aeries continues to be a work in progress, and will definitely take some getting used to.

“The Aeries.net system provides a comprehensive solution for reporting and analyzing student data,” Bahadursingh said. “It allows staff to have greater access to a wider range of student data that may impact student achievement beyond just test scores.”

By JASMINE KIM PEN OPINION WRITER

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Is advertising ruining the social media experience?

Over the past decade, social media usage has grown exponentially. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 92 percent of young adults currently use some form of social media. As this medium continues to expand, marketers are recognizing its potential as a platform for advertising. Such marketing began with discreet ads on the side of Facebook news feeds and have progressed to video advertisements on Youtube and promotional posts on Twitter. According to an industry report from the Social Media Examiner in 2012, 94 percent of marketers confirmed that they were using social media to promote their businesses. They utilized sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube to promote their brand.

The increased advertising

detracts from the social media’s original objective; it was created to give people a place to interact and connect. Sites like Facebook and YouTube are designed for user-generated content, not for ads or sales. Worse, these ads are often repetitive.

“Though I know media websites [put out] commercials for logical reasons, watching the same ad about toothpaste [is] aggravating,” junior Stephanie Valasek said.

Since such websites are primarily used by young adults, businesses target this demographic. This allows marketers to play a prominent role in the lives of these teenagers. In an interview, Dr. Lars Perner, a consumer psychologist and assistant professor at University of Southern California, agreed.

“The key [to social media marketing] is repeated exposure. People get exposed to a lot of

messages. All of these messages compete for attention and have a cumulative effect on the user,” Dr. Perner said.

Some of these advertisements can be especially harmful to teenagers. Starting September 2011, alcohol brands had the third highest consumer engagement rate on Facebook, according to Oxford Journals.

“What happens is not so much the messages of the advertisements, but the greater influence is that this portrays alcohol as being part of a mainstream society, something that is legal and acceptable,” Perner said. “It suggests to people that it may be socially acceptable to drink in these kinds of circumstances.”

While social media platforms are business ventures, they have become too focused on making money and ignore the detrimental consequences, harming social media.

How much is too much?

Find your niche: There are plenty of opportunities in the sea of education

Extracurriculars and clubs at school are the perfect padding for college applications. However, what many students and parents have realized is that extracurricular activities are expensive. Indeed, upwards of two thousand dollars can easily be spent, cumulatively, on various activities like club sports and conferences. We are spending too much and not necessarily for the right reasons.

Rather than pouring money into several activities that supposedly look impressive on college applications, students should consider whether the experience will be worth the money spent.

Speech and Debate and Model United Nations, or MUN, are two of the largest organizations on campus. In Speech and Debate, to be a truly competitive debater, one must attend invitational tournaments to engage in more challenging competition. These invitationals require the student to travel

to overnight tournaments, ranging from weekends in Northern California to six-night tournaments at Harvard University. These can cost between $400 and $1,300, according to Samantha Weiss, the adviser of Speech and Debate.

“Some debaters spend up to $10 thousand dollars per year on travel costs alone,” Speech and Debate president Henry Zhang said.

In MUN, students are asked to pay $250 at the start of the year, in addition to the costs of various overnight conferences that range from $250 to $750. Several years ago, due to budget cuts, the school was also forced to request participation donations; this added significant additional costs ranging between $100 to $450.

The inordinate spending on these activities is growing quickly. It is necessary to decide whether one truly wants to concentrate so much time, effort and especially money into one area. As students, we must stop and evaluate the value of

By MINA ZHANG PEN OPINION WRITER

such involvement. The pivotal question becomes: How much is too much?

The decision of whether or not to spend should not be taken lightly. The expenditures are only justified if spent on experiences that are beneficial and promising. If students are completely dedicated to a certain activity, then they should go

for it. If, however, fulfillment is lacking, then students should give their involvement a second thought.

By being discretionary and wise in choosing a few activities they are passionate about, students can learn life-long lessons without emptying their

pockets. There is no

set limit for how much is too much, but we must step back and examine whether the money is being allocated towards worthy experiences.

By FLORENCIA PARKPEN OPINION WRITER

By MINA ZHANGPEN OPINION WRITER

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Imagine waking up genuinely excited to go to school and to learn about new and different subjects: art, zoology, botany, even marketing. At Ohioan Lima Senior High School of Multiple Intelligences, classes are tailored to meet student needs. In fact, as its name suggests, Lima Senior High School helps students with various abilities and capacities become engaged in the material.

At Peninsula, curricular choices often overshadow these other valuable types of intelligence. Instead of developing particular interests in accordance with one’s strengths, Panthers worry about

how heavy a workload they can take on. Students are labeled “smart.” Intelligence is defined by numbers: namely, GPAs and SAT scores.

This norm is outdated; intelligence does not have a single, all-encompassing definition. Not everyone should be expected to have a 5.0 GPA or a 2400 SAT score, so why do we compare ourselves with those who are more “advanced” on paper?

Graham Edwards, a counselor, explains why students need to accept and embrace differences.

“We all have strengths and weaknesses in our personal lives and personal make-up. We all have areas where we achieve success and areas where we

can improve,” Edwards said. “I believe this is simply part of the human condition.”

Truth be told, most public school curricula address verbal and logical capabilities over interpersonal and musical strengths. Because it harbors high-achieving students, Peninsula should create an environment in which kids are encouraged to understand and sharpen their own unique skills.

Academics, unfortunately, hold higher prestige over other equally important aspects of life. Though academics are undoubtedly important, it is necessary to recognize other important aspects of life.

Even though Peninsula is a high-achieving school, students’ narrow perception of intelligence must be changed. After all, academics do not define one’s capacities.

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Junior Oscar Chacon flies across the sky and looks down upon the empty campus in search of a soccer field. The scene quickly transforms; he dribbles down the soccer field and skillfully outmaneuvers the last defender. He glances at the goalie, and with a skillful kick, scores.

In his lucid dream, Chacon was aware that he was actually sleeping but stayed within the dream. Despite the realistic experience, the dreamer during a lucid dream understands that he or she is neither riding a flying dragon nor eating dinner with Abraham Lincoln, and is able to control the lucid dream to a certain degree. Although the statistics are inconclusive, studies show that around 10% of the population has at least one lucid dream every month.

“In a way, I kind of do [enjoy lucid dreaming],” Chacon said. “But it was a bit time-consuming to actually begin dreaming…maybe if I had more time I would

attempt it again.”Stephen LaBerge, a famous

lucid dream advocate who received his Ph.D. from Stanford University, even hosts seminars dedicated to teaching how to lucid dream. Although many people attend the seminars to have new sleeping experiences, others who listen to these lectures suffer from recurring nightmares or post-traumatic stress disorder. John Allan Hobson, M.D. is a psychiatrist and a professor at Harvard University, and some of his studies prove that lucid dreaming reduces nightmares.

However, lucid dreaming does not come without risks; one possible consequence is sleep paralysis. Before entering a lucid dream, the sleeper may experience this phenomenon in which a dreamer’s mind is awake, while his or her body is “asleep” or paralyzed. According to Wired Magazine, sleep paralysis while one’s mind is awake happens to half the population at least once.

“It was really scary, and I actually never want to try it again,” sophomore Sara Tan, who experienced sleep paralysis the first time she lucid dreamed, said.

If the mind is awake during sleep paralysis, the brain might create frightening hallucinations. Many people who go through this phenomenon visualize demonic figures chasing them. Tan remembers a dark figure chasing her into her house.

“Since I knew I was dreaming, I forced myself to wake up,” Tan said. “But it was terrifying because it felt so real.”

Scientists continue to research the negative side effects of lucid dreaming, but most believe no other detrimental consequences exist other than fear created from sleep paralysis.

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible,” Dr. LaBerge said. “Fly… That’s what everybody likes to do. There’s also the possibility of…overcoming nightmares and anxieties.”

Sleep inducers versus sleep arousers

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The Science of Slumber

By SOOLGI HONGPEN FOCUS WRITER

Chamomile tea, which contains relaxants and anti-spasmodic ingredients, and lavender tea, have shown to “slow down heart rate, slow blood pressure and put [one] in a parasympathetic, relaxed, state,” according to researcher Tiffany Field of the University of Miami School of Medicine.

Studies have shown that reducing sleep by one and a half hours can reduce daytime alertness by as much as 32 percent. According to Brown University, the average person takes about 10 to 15 minutes to fall asleep. However, for those who are affected by insomnia and other sleep disorderes, it may take hours.

A simple way to ensure not going back to bed is to have someone act as a human alarm clock, such as a reliable friend or family member. “I usually wake up from my sister yelling at me since I overslept,” senior Teren Yedikian said. “And it’s actually quite helpful.”

From mobile alarm clocks to mock sunrises, technology can help wake students from their deep slumber. The Wake Up Light, for example, fakes a gradual sunrise. According to a study conducted by Netherland doctors Marina C. Giménez and Martijn Hessels, “artificial dawn during the last 30 min of sleep exerts beneficial effects on subjective ratings of [grogginess].” Another example, Clocky, a timepiece on wheels, forces users to chase the clock to turn off the alarm.

By JULIAN CHOIPEN FOCUS WRITER

By SOOLGI HONGPEN FOCUS WRITER

Help Guide, a non-profit organization, and other doctors and resources stated that sleeping on a regular basis, waking up at the same time every day, napping to compensate for sleep loss and engaging in a mildly stimulating activity can help in sleeping well.

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3Soft music, soft pillows, a comfortable temperature, complete darkness, a slightly open window for fresh air and a full stomach are all factors that evoke relaxation of the body. Also, keeping the computer and television off 30 minutes to an hour before going to bed prevents the bright screens from tricking the brain into thinking that it is still daytime. “I usually turn out all the lights and make my room completely black when I really want to go to sleep without distractions,” junior Nick Tchon said. “Making the room super quiet helps too.”

Utilize a smartphone: a 99-cent app, Sleep Cycle, records people’s movements while they sleep. With this information, the clock estimates which sleep cycle the user is currently in to find the optimal time to wake up him or her. “I just started using the Sleep Cycle app,” junior Isabel Damiani said. “The clock woke me up 30 minutes before I usually do, but I actually felt more refreshed.”

Lucid dreaming: benefits and risks

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Try a caffeine nap: if students want to take a nap, researchers suggest drinking a sip of coffee right before. The caffeine kicks in around 15 to 20 minutes afterwards, helping one to naturally wake up from a quick snooze.

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Students lean forward, heads in their hands, feigning interest as their teacher dims the lights and turns on the projector, eyes closing as they drift off in a vain struggle to recover from the sleepless night before.

According to a survey of 60 students at Peninsula High, 59 percent sleep an average of six hours or less per night. 16 percent reported sleeping four hours or less per night.

According to Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR), James B. Mass, Rebecca S. Robbins and Sharon R. Driscoll, doctors at Cornell University stated that a high school student getting less than 9.25 hours of sleep per night is considered “sleep deprived.”

Maas, Robbins and Driscoll claim that “the biggest and most prevalent [cause of sleep deprivation] is our society’s persistent belief that sleep is a luxury rather than a necessity.” Prolonged sleep deprivation causes negative impacts to a person’s

overall health and thus quality of life.

“When you’re less awake, it’s harder for you to focus,” sleep disorder physician Lawrence Kneisley, M.D. said. “It’s like having a glass of wine or beer.”

CCMR also reported that a study performed at the University of Luebeck in Germany by Dr. Jam Born concluded that people who get less than six hours of sleep per night have “50 percent less resistance to viral infection than those getting eight hours of sleep.” Additionally, Dr. Sheldon Cohen from Carnegie Mellon University confirmed that people who receive less than seven hours of sleep per night are three times more likely to catch a cold than people who sleep for longer hours.

“High school students need

Sleep deprivation leads to physiological repercussions

between nine and ten hours of sleep, more than elementary and junior high students need,” Kneisley said. “It’s pretty hard since kids have homework and other after-school activities but they should put more priority to their sleep; it should be illegal for schools to be starting as early as

seven because kids are just not fully awake during that time.”

CCMR stated that researchers at the University of Chicago and Columbia University have also confirmed that those who sleep less than five hours per night are 50 percent more likely to become obese. Other studies have provided deeper insight, demonstrating

By JULIAN CHOIPEN FOCUS EDITOR

that sleep deprivation causes the hormone leptin to decrease in the brain and ghrelin to increase in the stomach, leading to an unbalanced appetite and a higher chance of craving carbs, sugars and oily foods.

“The effects of sleep deprivation are really drastic in

the short run,” Kniesley said. “A few nights of inadequate sleep can do a lot of damage. If students are not getting enough sleep during the week, they should try to catch up on

the weekend.”At the University of Chicago,

a study was conducted with healthy men “with no risk factor for diabetes.” A single week of inadequate sleep caused the men to become pre-diabetic. Researchers concluded that inadequate sleep led to an overactive central nervous

system in the men, impairing the pancreas’s ability to produce a sufficient amount of insulin to regulate glucose levels.

“It is pretty hard to be getting a good amount of sleep since there is so much homework to do and it is difficult to manage my time well,” junior Casey Harik said. “People say that we need to be getting a lot of sleep, but it is not easy when there is a list of stuff you have to get done before the day is over.”

Studies established that with inadequate sleep, the body produces an increased amount of stress hormones, causing arteriosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Arteriosclerosis has also been proven to cause hypertension, muscle loss, increased fat storage, loss of bone mass and a lowered production of growth hormone.

“It’s understandable with all the time pressure, but everything you do is better when you sleep. Everything improves when you get more sleep,” Psychology AP

The Science of Slumber

“It’s pretty hard since kids have homework and other af-ter-school activities but they should put more priority to their sleep; It should be illegal for schools to be starting as early as seven because kids are just not fully awake during that time.”

-Dr. Lawrence Kneisley

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Pen alum sings her way to fameBy LAUREN LEEPEN A&E WRITER

“Meant to fade but you’ll come back again, you were meant to fade but you’ll come back again,” singer and Peninsula High School alumni ‘04 Connie Lim sings in her recently released song, “Fog Over Water.” After years of overcoming obstacles and cultivating her passion for music, Lim finally signed with record label DigSin early in 2012 and started her life as a professional singer.

Two of her songs, “LA City” and “Fog over Water,” have music videos that have half a million views and have been playing on the radio. A new single will be released next month.

Recently, Lim was listed by the Music Connection magazine as one of the top 100 live acts. She toured for 85 shows across the nation in cities including Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Boston. She performed at various prominent events, one of them being the Mnet Grammy party, the biggest Asian American media sponsor. She played alongside fellow YouTube singers such as David Choi. She also performed for the Clippers last year.

At one point in her career, Lim was placed on the NBC hit talent search, “The Voice.” After experiencing the commercial culture, however, Lim shifted her musical goals.

“Performing for ‘The Voice’ was when I started seeing how people saw me as a product,” Lim said. “My whole goal now is to be an example without words. I have learned that the simpler the music, the easier it is for people to relate.”

Lim describes her songs as “greeting cards,” or ways to send messages to others herself and fans care about.

Lim’s fame did not come easy. In high school, Lim struggled against her parents’ high expectations for her to become a doctor and with her problem with anorexia.

It was not until Lim produced a show at the Norris Theater for the “Help A Homeless Child” organization in Palos Verdes that Lim’s family attended when her parents finally accepted her passion. Lim produced an entire concert on her own, making her father realize what music really meant to her.

It was also with music that Lim got back on her feet from anorexia and realize that she can achieve greater things.

“Music saved me from going down the rabbit hole,” Lim said. “Much of my songs are about empowerment and accepting the cards we had been dealt.” In college, Lim abandoned singing once more as she contemplated becoming involved with finance. After her freshman year, Lim raised her own money and attempted to create her own EP. It was a year later when she made the final decision to enter the music industry.

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Anonymous admirers woo their crushesBy KENDALL KISSELPEN A&E WRITER

Television shows influence students’ career By LAUREN LEEPEN A&E WRITER

In a typical episode of “Grey’s Anatomy,” surgical residents are thrown into terrifying situations that teach life lessons. The millions of viewers watching the show each week are captivated by the drama, excitement and glory of being a surgeon. For students, shows that portray the glamor of professional occupations often play an influence in their future career decisions.

“‘Grey’s Anatomy’ makes the learning process of becoming a surgeon and the idea of working in a hospital seem fun,” freshman Kirsten Hong said.

Popular television shows such as “Suits,” “Scrubs” and “So You Think You can Dance” have given students insights into professional careers like criminal law, surgical residency and choreography. These shows easily expose students to the daily lives and workings of the work environment or the specific skills needed on the job.

Actors in these shows can also serve as role models. The confident and suave lawyers, the compassionate and groundbreaking doctors, the graceful dancers and the clever FBI agents are characters that are admired by young audience members.

A survey by recruitment firm Office Angels revealed that 82% of 15,000 16 to 24-year-olds had

chosen law enforcement as a career after watching television series such as “CSI” and “Law and Order.”

“Watching Harvey Specter from ‘Suits’ win impossible court cases makes me want to become a lawyer and fight for what is right,” senior Kevin Choi said.

These shows, however, tend to make a job seem more exciting than it is for drama’s sake. Senior Anna Gurevich who interns at Torrance Memorial Hospital experiences a noticeably different environment.

“I did not experience any miraculous procedures and cures like those in ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’” Gurevich said. “For the most part, people just came in to work and did their routine jobs.”

Where the public

By AROOJ ANWARPEN A&E WRITER

“I want to kill myself,” the writing on the wall in the girls’ bathroom confesses. At Peninsula, bathrooms aren’t just a place to freshen up; they are also a place for students to confess their secrets and opinions behind a mask of anonymity.

“I don’t know why girls are so compelled to write in the bathroom stalls,” sophomore Alexandrea Antolos said. “It’s actually a bit strange.”

A variety of illustrations and writings can be found on these bathroom walls and stalls, ranging from playful pictures to more serious secrets.

A bathroom door in the S building is filled with comments about hatred for best friends, intellectual questions and complaints about school life.

One student wrote about how unsatisfied she was with her life and how she was contemplating suicide. Another asked, “what

A couple of months ago, junior Kyle Buxton created the Peninsula Admirers page for students to publicize their crushes and admiration for other students anonymously. Students can message the account, and Peninsula Admirers would post the message on the student’s wall.

The page was originally created as a way to let Buxton’s friends let their crushes know how they felt because they were too shy.

“I wanted to see how my friends’ crushes would respond,” Buxton said. “I just love to help people.”

At the moment, Peninsula Admirers has started six ongoing relationships.

Buxton has now stepped down, but while he was in charge, managing the account was difficult because of the high number of messages. Currently, there are six administrators, but he will be looking for more soon.

“The hard part is trying to make sure that the information we get about people stays with

the admins only,” Buxton said. “Although the admins are trustworthy, we have to take extra precautions.”

To remain anonymous, each administrator deletes all the messages after reading them so as few people as possible would read them.

In the future, the page plans to also accept picture and video posts if people gain the confidence to send them in.

Peninsula Admirers is not the only Facebook page used as a matchmaker among students. Peninsula Compliments is also used as a page to anonymously send compliments. Other compliments Facebook pages in the area include Costa Compliments, Palos Verdes Compliments, and South Bay Compliments. These compliments pages started on college campuses as a way to cheer students up when studying for finals.

“It is a great feeling knowing that I can take the information and help others get to be with the person they like,” Buxton said.

if I have a gun?” In response, another student wrote, “then you have a gun.”

These suicide notes and gun comments could pose dangerous threats to the school. In December, a high school in Texas evacuated its students because of a bomb threat on one of the bathroom walls. Even though many students express threatening intentions, the anonymity of bathroom walls makes it hard to ensure the safety of these students.

“For suicide messages and serious threats, meetings should be initiated with the student body to bring them to attention,” Safe School Counselor Christine Lopez said.

However, not all graffiti is negative. For example, following the suicide remark are numerous kind words of advice such as: “You are worth so much please don’t kill yourself, it’s not worth it” and “things will get better, I promise.”

While bathroom graffiti can serve as windows to students’

minds, many believe that these actions are pointless and unacceptable.

“Students do not realize that someone has

to drop everything that they are doing and give up their time just

for cleaning the walls,” said Associate Principal

Micah Farrell. “It is absolutely not okay and I believe that this is absolutely senseless.”

The boys’ bathroom is not as “decorated,” but there is some foul language written on the walls. Faculty and staff take measures to take these down immediately.

“There is not that much writing but there are the occasional overhang stickers,” junior Kyle Buxton said.

While providing an outlet to one’s personal life or amusement, these illustrations and words lead to time and money spent in removing them.

“The cost and time depends on the amount of graffiti,” Farrell said.

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9STUDENT LIFEthepen

Out of the 28 members on Advanced Choreo, junior Alexander Eisemann is the only male on the team. He took P.E. Dance for two years before deciding to try out for one of the choreo teams. Part of the reason he waited for so long is that one of the choreo teams is explicitly called “Girls Choreo.”

“Up until halfway through last year, I didn’t quite know what I was able to try out for, and I’m sure there have been other boys in the same predicament,”

Eisemann said. No guy wants to be in a “girls” program.”

The idea of dance teams almost exclusively composed of girls did not deter Eisemann when he was eventually confronted with the decision during tryout week. Upon making the team, his new teammates welcomed him as they would anybody else.

“At the beginning, no one really knew what to think,” sophomore Christina Wainwright said. “But as I saw him as a dancer and as an individual, I was so glad he was with us.”

Eisemann’s dance teacher Kimi Hendrick also supports his decision to expand his opportunities in the dance community.

“At the public school level, I feel that dance is an unpopular choice amongst boys unless the style is hip hop,” Hendrick said. “Alex has a great attitude. We hired a few male choreographers for the show, which I hope is inspiring for him.”

For the most part, the dancers are too busy practicing or performing to discuss the gender difference. However, at times Eisemann wonders if he receives

special treatment.“Sometimes I feel that I am

given parts in dances because I’m a male,” Eisemann said. “I am by no means one of the better dancers in Advanced Choreo.”

Eisemann has enjoyed his experience thus far and believes he made the right decision.

“I don’t think caring about what people think should stop you from what you want to do, regardless of what it is, because there will be an equal amount of people cheering you on,” Eisemann said. “Doing what you want and trying things out is way more fun.”

Eisemann dances past stereotypesJunior Alexander Eisemann dances at a pep rally. Eisemann joined this year and is the first and only male on Advanced Choreo.

By TUNIKA ONNEKIKAMIPEN STUDENT LIFE WRITER

Become a certified nursing assistant in 6 weeks!Atrium School Inc.

451 E. Carson Plaza Drive 90745

For two weeks this month, senior Daniel Tartakovsky, two students from Harvard Westlake and one student from the Barstow School in Kansas City attended the World Schools Debating Championships. The annual tournament held in Antalya, Turkey hosted fifty countries with teams of three to five people.

“It was cool how other countries have kids who know English better than we do despite it being their third or fourth language,” Tartakovsky said.

Tartakovsky also noted the contrast between American debate and international debate.

“International debate is a lot more about style than content,” Tartakovsky said. “English is the third or fourth language for many of the judges, so humor and idioms don’t translate well.”

Though they won just three of their eight debates, the trip was worthwhile for Tartakovsky.

“The experience was awesome, especially because we even had tours where we visited roman ruins,” Tartakovsky said.

Peninsula debater competes internationallyBy RACHEL TOSNEYPEN STUDENT LIFE WRITER

Fantappie of the Opera

At a time when pop artists like Katy Perry and Bruno Mars flood popular culture, classical genres of music ebb. Senior Sarah Fantappie, however, has devoted much of her life to performing operatic music.

Every day after school, Fantappie spends over an hour performing vocal exercise to expand her range and practicing her repertoire of classical, romantic and baroque songs in both English and Italian. She also stretches and performs breathing exercises to dispel any tension in her body. And each Sunday she drives to Encino for a two hour voice lesson.

Last summer, she was invited to participate in the Young Artist Program in Italy.

Fantappie now hopes to further her singing career and will attend Chapman University next fall on a partial scholarship for the school’s music program.

“I plan to pursue opera as a career, and the dream is to become a professional singer,” Fantappie said.

By RACHEL TOSNEYPEN STUDENT LIFE WRITER

By JINA KIMPEN FOCUS WRITER

High school has been defined as a time for a teenager to develop as a person—or at the very least, to make the bad decisions now as opposed to later. An essay by Jennifer Senior in New York Magazine, however, challenges the idea that people outgrow their high school selves. Senior suggests that every situation a teenager faces today, good or bad, will be carried into the ‘real world’.

As teenagers develop mentally, they are liable to react to every situation in a hypersensitive manner, meaning that an individual is likely to mold to stereotype. AP Psychology teacher John Wheeler agrees that high school plays a role in adolescent development;

however, he believes that as students grow, they are less likely to accommodate stereotypes.

“People become less sensitive as they go through high school,” Wheeler said. “If you’re talking about early adolescence compared to when people are 17

and 18, I think people are less molded by their peers.”

In the 1980s, psychologist James Marcia studied the four different states of identity: foreclosure, diffusion, moratorium and achievement. Marcia coined the term

‘foreclosure’ for adolescences who accepted the identity given to them, which can be given from well-intended parents, who already have ideas for their children’s lives, or teenagers who stereotype their peers. Wheeler agrees that stereotypes exist at Peninsula, but also thinks that students are not as likely to follow them or believe them.

“I just think [that] there are a lot of ways that people can feel comfortable with themselves. There are so many opportunities for people to express themselves,” Wheeler said.

As it may be, high school is not the only place where a person may develop simply because everyone is different.

“I think people find themselves at different rates, at different times [and] at different stages of their life,” Wheeler said.

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“People become less sensitive as they go through high school.”

-AP Psychology teacher John Wheeler

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10 SPORTS thepen

It’s a Wrap: Winter Sports

Katie Pingel brings the heat

At the age of four, freshman Katie Pingel was just like any other novice soccer player, tripping, aimlessly running around the field and accidentally scoring the occasional goal. Eleven years later, after devoting the majority of her life to soccer, Pingel finds herself training with the U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team. If the tryouts are a success, she will ensure herself a spot on the squad set to play in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup that is to be held in Costa Rica next year.

“I think the hardest part of it all is consistency, which includes going to every game and playing your hardest every second you are out there,” Pingel said.

Currently, Pingel plays for the Southern California Blues, a club team that practices twice a week in San Juan Capistrano, and the Olympic Development Program (ODP), a team consisting of some of the most elite players from the state. In the midst of her busy schedule, Pingel makes time to train with the national team.

“Katie is a very special player who shows great passing ability and one-on-one skills; this enables her to score some sensational goals,” Randy Dodge, head coach of Pingel’s club team, said. “What separates her from others, [though], is her desire to win.”

Being on the ODP enables Pingel to attend various training camps around the U.S. where top-notch coaches scout for players to train with the national team. With the help of coaches recommendations, Pingel is now a part of a group of 26 who will be further evaluated in order to narrow the roster down to 20 girls. Recently, the tentative team took on Germany where Pingel came up with an assist to tie the game 1-1.

“If I made the team I would feel like all my hard work has paid off and my goal has finally been accomplished,” Pingel said.

Last February, Pingel traveled to Costa Rica with her regional team and won a victory over the host national team. Although

only a freshman, Pingel already has numerous college offers, including ones from UCLA, USC, Notre Dame and the University of North Carolina. Pingel’s true dreams, however, do not stop at playing collegiate soccer; she hopes to play in the World Cup one day. When Pingel is not travelling all over the country, she is playing with her high school team. In fact, Pingel believes that high school soccer is an entirely different environment from what she is normally accustomed to. During practices and game, Pingel is able to let loose, have some fun and get extra touches on the ball. Coach Scotte Massey characterizes Pingel as someone with not only stellar athletic abilities as the team’s leading scorer, but also a teammate with a warm and friendly attitude off the field.

“[Pingel] brings a lot of positive energy, skill and a great attitude,” Massey said. “She is really intense and her work ethic really sets her apart from the rest.”

By AMY VALUKONISPEN SPORTS WRITER

Girls’ BasketballOverall Record: 14-14

League Record: 5-5Notable Wins:

Centennial 48-47vs. Redondo Union 44-39

WrestlingNotable Athletes:

Sthefano Alvarado (3rd in CIF)Mitchell Nelson (2 Wins in CIF)

Tristan Martinez (5th in CIF)

Boys’ SoccerOverall Record: 6-9-2League Record: 1-3-1

Notable Wins:Leuzinger 4-1

Redondo Union 1-0

Boys’ BasketballOverall Record: 11-15League Record: 3-7

Notable Wins:Oaks Christian 56-47@ Palos Verdes 67-45

Girls’ WaterpoloOverall Record: 16-8League Record: 4-4

Notable Wins:Downey 6-4

Redondo Union 12-6West Torrance 19-2

Girls’ SoccerOverall Record: 10-6-7League Record: 6-2-2

Notable Wins: vs. Palos Verdes 3-1vs. Mira Costa 1-0

Freshman sensation Katie Pingel, along with a slew of other underclassmen, proved to be vital during the team’s back-to-back Bay League championship run. The core of underclassmen gives Peninsula a bright future.

Sam I Am: My Thoughts on Injuries

think about them a lot and if I will have brain damage in the future when I get older.”

Injuries do not only have the potential to end high school careers but they can also affect players long after they graduate high school. Former Peninsula basketball star Reese Morgan tore his anterior crucial ligament (ACL) at the beginning of his sophomore season, prompting him to wear a knee brace as a precaution for the rest of his high school career.

“That first injury left me out of playing basketball for about nine months, but it took two years for me to get back to full strength,” Morgan said.

Unlike Yule, Morgan was able to undergo rehabilitation after surgery and return even stronger than ever, and during his senior season, Morgan led the Panthers to the CIF semifinals and became the all time California high school leader in number of free throws made. Unfortunately, to this day, his knee continues to hinder him even as he plays for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Injuries can be devastating for the athlete, family and coaches. The increased pressure to play through them can lead to even more severe and additional injuries with longer lasting effects. This being said: maybe it is time to focus less on winning and more on our athletes’ health.

Roughly 700 Peninsula students participate in one of the dozens of sports on campus. Every day, they work hard in their practices and games. Many athletes are told to play through pain and injuries for the victory, but is that the right thing to be teaching athletes? Severe and career-ending injuries are not at all uncommon at this school.

Senior Eric Yule had a promising basketball career ahead of him. His aggressive playing style earned him a spot on the junior varsity team in his freshmen year. Halfway through the season, however, a concussion sidelined Yule.

Yule continued playing in the same manner. He experienced another concussion pre-season of his sophomore year, then four more, sidelining him.

“They slowed me down physically after having them,” Yule said. “It took longer to recover and get back on the court.”

Last season, Yule was slated to play on the varsity team. However, after incurring another concussion during a practice, he decided that his health was more important than his love for the sport.

“It was hard to give it up, but I really hope that they don’t affect my future,” Yule said. “I

By SAM QUONPEN SPORTS WRITER

Pingel dribbles past South Torrance defenders helping in a 1-1 draw effort in the South Bay Tournament championship game. The team would go on to win in penalty kicks, with a final score of 4-3.

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Across1. Rancho Palos Verdes, for one5. Color shades9. Des Moines’s state13. Need a massage14. Reversed the effects of16. Nigeria neighbor17. Appear to be18. Golfer formerly married to Elin Nordegren: 2 wds.20. Wood-shaping tools22. Chinese or Japanese23. Very courageous26. They can be burned: Abbr.29. ___-cone (cold treat)30. List-shortening letters31. Visitors center freebie: 2 wds.33. “Storage Wars” channel: 3 wds.35. Vaio laptop maker36. Alternating black and white street lines: 2 wds.41. Major soap brand42. Patronizes a mall43. What “ . . . “ might mean: 2 wds.47. Poem of praise48. It can be burned: Abbr.51. Raggedy ___ (doll)52. Fried carnival fare55. Walk through mud56. Harry Potter villain Malfoy57. Jungle gym fixture: 2 wds.62. Oil-rich country63. Mentally stable64. Does a household chore65. Tree with needles66. Gradually increased67. High school student, usually68. Mathematical groups

Down1. Catalan cellist Pablo2. Trapped during winter: 2 wds.3. School spirit group . . . or a

hint to this puzzle’s theme: 2 wds.4. Country bordering the Red Sea5. Simple shelter6. Prefix with corn or cycle7. “J. ___” (2011 Clint East-wood film)8. Guadalajara snooze9. Safari’s looks like a compass10. “So that’s your game!”11. Chewing gum amount12. YouTube annoyances15. Less rainy19. Walk through a kiddie pool21. Clip off, as wool24. Active Italian volcano25. Electrifying 1970s hard-rock band?26. “That’s so-o-o lame!”27. Darn alternative28. CIA employee32. House sale warning: 2 wds.33. Having what it takes34. Hesitation syllables36. Utah national park since 190937. Make some money38. Eager student’s cry: 2 wds.39. 7UP, for example40. Use some money41. It has four bases: Abbr.44. Brazilian soccer star45. “Want U Back” singer Cher ___46. “I agree, however . . . “: 2 wds.48. Sweetie pie49. Like some apartments50. Unmanned planes53. Developmental period54. Vacations55. Distort one’s data57. Chinese food additive: Abbr.58. Canoe propeller59. 180° from SSW60. GPS suggestion, for short61. Nine-digit figure: Abbr.

The ZOO Crossword By DAVID STEINBURGPEN CONTRIBUTOR

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