By Claire Benarroch ‘12
Style Editor

Places to Shop:
Opening Ceremony — An obvious favorite with every kind of item in each themed room and stocked with Jeremy Scott prints, Pamela Love baubles and Spike Jonze flip books. What else do you really need?
Jet Rag — The Sunday sales may be a little gritty and take some sifting through, though you are guaranteed a reward — and all for $1.
Madley — The adorable boutique carries vintage and underground designers to create an inventory full of original clothing with a quirky, homemade feel.
Amoeba Music — All your favorite artists’ CDs, records and posters to get lost in. Wednesdays from 7-10 p.m. are DJ sets. Check online for more live music updates.

Best Summer Snacks:
Vanilla pudding and Red Jell-O: Enough said.
Abbot’s Pizza — One of the best pizzas in town, regardless of what you get, although the Salad Pizza is a must-have.
Milk — The ice cream sandwiches.

Summer Traditions:
Hollywood Forever Cemetery — Screenings of classic movies have already started and run throughout the summer. Bring a blanket and dinner for the showing of “North by Northwest” on the 29th.
Weekend Trips: There is no better time than summer to take spontaneous trips out of town to San Diego, San Francisco, or Palm Springs. They’re just road trips or train rides away and gives you an excuse to find an Ace Hotel or a Kimpton location.

Summer Music:
Girls — Between “Lust For Life” and “Hellhole Ratrace,” the band’s first album titled “Album,” is the perfect summer soundtrack.
People Under The Stairs — Eight years later, and “Acid Raindrops” is still summertime classic.

Photo Credits:
Opening Ceremony front courtesy of Opening Ceremony
Ice Cream Sandwiches courtesy of Milk
People Under the Stairs courtesy of Om Records
Girls by Bao Nguyen
Jet Rag by Jessica Tong
Abbot’s Pizza by Lance Robotson

“JONAH HEX”

Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros.

“I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS”

Photo Courtesy of Europa Corp

The Cast: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Release: July 30
The Concept: Steven Russell (Carrey) has been living the life of the standard married man, but when, after a life-threatening experience, he reassesses his values and realizes he’s gay, he starts an entirely new extravagent and unpredictable lifestyle. He begins to commit a few fraudulent crimes and is taken to the state penitentiary. There, he meets the new love of his life, Phillip Morris (McGregor), and begins his new task of breaking him out of prison so they can start a life together.
What We Think: This movie offers lots of appeal, including the adorable, talented and often singing Ewan McGregor alongside the classic slapstick humor of Jim Carrey. These two great actors combined with the subplot of prison love and new beginnings in life makes expectations increasingly high.

“INCEPTION”

Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Director: Christopher Nolan (“The Dark Knight,” “Memento”)
Release: July 16, 2010
The Concept: In a world where going into one’s dreams is plausible, Cobb (DiCaprio) uses these dreams for his benefit. Christopher Nolan directs this versitile cast and explores the depths and unknown regions of our dreams.
What We Think: This is may be the most anticipated movie of 2010.
Christopher Nolan, a talented director exemplified through his last film, “The Dark Knight,” holds the record for the biggest-opening weekend ever.Although we are not big fans of DiCaprio, we’re pumped about this psycological thriller. We are excited to see what Nolan will give us, we are predicting another mega-hit.

“SALT”

Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

The Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber
Genre: Action/Thriller/Suspense
Director: Phillip Noyce
Release: July 23, 2010
The Concept: When Veronica Salt (Jolie), a long-time CIA agent, is accused of being a Russian spy, she becomes a fugitive from the her own country. She uses the skills that she has acquired throughout her career to escape the CIA, but going on the run only challenges her interests to prove her innocence.
What We Think: We’re expecting that Jolie, who can take any halfway decent script and transform it into a thrill-packed movie, will turn this potentially cheesy-looking movie into something exciting and popcorn worthy.

Students enjoy Pancakes during Pajama Breakfast.
Photo by Justin Malvin

By Madison Stingray ‘14
Contributing Writer

Pajamas and pancakes and Lucky Charms, oh my! At Windward School, these are just a few of the perks that the students get to look forward to and experience. Whether it is a pep rally with an extended nutrition, or a bake sale for Haiti Relief, it allows the students to have fun and eat delicious treats. Sports Trainer Meredith Hamel said, “I think the themed days provide school spirit.”

However, out of all the colorful and themed events, Pajama Pancake Breakfast Day is a clear favorite.

Claudia Hellstrom ‘14 prefers PPB Day because it is more than just a food event. “I don’t like that kind of food,” said Hellstrom of the pancakes, “but Pajama Pancake Day doesn’t only involve food.” Emma Steiner, also in eighth grade, agrees. “It is really fun to wear my pajamas to school, and the pancakes are good.” The least favorite occasion happens to be Lucky Charms Breakfast, celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day. “I don’t like Lucky Charms because they are not healthy,” eighth grader Naomi Jaeger ‘14 said.

However, whether it is Pajama Pancake Day or Lucky Charms Breakfast, the seventh graders are excited for them all. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the seniors. A whopping 95% of 20 polled students from the seventh grade class said they are excited by all the new occasions, while 5% said they are not eager to experience all the celebrations. In the graduating class for this year, 65% of the 20 students polled said that after all the years of the same events, they get to be old news.

“You come to know what to expect,” one twelfth-grader said.

Yet, 35% of those polled still enjoy the festivities, even after encountering them year after year. “It becomes like part of our routine,” says another twelve-grader. “Every year something we can look forward to.”

It is clear that the majority of students enjoys taking a break from school life and having a good time. But how is it decided what event is when? “It depends a lot on the season,” said Frances Santin, adviser to Student Leadership Committee. “We have the Bring-Your-Own-Banana Day when it gets hot, and Spirit Week before Fallcoming. We also try to stick to what we’ve done in the past.”

By Claire Benarroch ‘12
Style Editor

Jack White is busy. He played drums on and produced the upcoming album of his supermodel wife Karen Elson, toured with The Dead Weather, and released a new album with the band this month. Oh, and he may be back on guitar with ex-wife Meg for a new White Stripes album.

White is hard to categorize because of the many bands he’s involved with and projects he has created. It seems as if there is nothing Jack White can’t do: He can play the piano, guitar, bass, drums and mandolin, among others, has starred in movies, runs a record company, and raises two kids in the midst of it all.

His family lives in Nashville, Tenn., where his Third Man Records label, which released White Stripes, Raconteurs, Dead Weather and Karen Elson albums, is based. Elson’s “The Ghost Who Walks” came out on the 25th of May, where she plays guitar along with Mark Watrous on pedal steel guitar and fiddle and Jackson Smith on the electric guitar.
The band shows just how interconnected the Jack White community is, as Watrous plays with the Raconteurs and Smith, son of Patti, is married to Meg White. His group of friends and bandmates remain to create the many moods of Jack White.

Yes, that is to say the White Stripes are still together. With Meg fully recovered from the anxiety that forced the band to stop their tour in 2007 and this month marking a full year since Jack’s interview with MusicRadar.com, a new album should be on the way. He told the website, “[The album] won’t be too far off. Maybe next year.”

For now, we can only wait, although White has given us plenty to listen to in the meantime.

By Emma Steiner ‘14
Contributing Writer

On April 28, the middle school girls track team won the Pacific Basin League (PBL) finals and the boys team placed third overall. The girls’ win was exciting for everyone on the team, especially the head coach, Frances Santin, who was a 2004 Olympic Trials Finalist.

“ ‘Believe’ was the word of the day, and from the very first day the 47 kids that signed up for track stayed,” said Santin. “I believed that we were capable of winning a championship. We were a team from the beginning and we will be a team in the end.”

The middle school track team maintains a feeling of working together and being a team. They end every practice by shouting “1, 2, 3, Windward!” The meets have the same feeling of support as the practices. Most athletes come to all of the meets even if they are not participating, and everyone is constantly cheering for their friends and team mates.

Seeing their friends in the crowd often helps calm the nerves of the runners. Team member Sarah Trenton ’14, a runner who participated in the 400 meters during the PBL Finals said, “I get nervous whenever I am about to run an event that I have never run before.” Most people feel certain nervousness right before they participate in their event, but assistant coach Prince Mumba, who specializes in the 800 meters, often tells the team that this is a good thing, as it will help them to run better in their race, maybe even place. Trenton finished third in the girls 400 meter finals and first in the girls long jump.

The middle school track team’s work is not over yet. On May 5, was the Delphic Finals, and so training continued to be rigorous in order to achieve another win. The whole team was very enthusiastic about the outcomes of this season, and they celebrated their achievements with the traditional water balloon fight and lunch party on May 17.

Katie Donahoe ‘12 with her dream car, a black Volvo stationwagon, and her dream car’s owner, Ron Segall.
Photo by Gina Segall ‘12

By Katie Donahoe ‘12
Opinion Editor

I turned 16 in September. Now for me, other than having renewed admiration for everything Molly Ringwald accomplished at such a young age, the only really exciting thing that happens is getting a driver’s license.

I can remember the soon-to-be-empty promises of special lunches, shopping trips and free rides once each of my brothers got his much anticipated license. I remember comforting them both as each failed his first test, and comforting my second-oldest brother when he failed the next time. And the next time. And the text time. And two times after that. I remember the celebratory “you-can-drive-us-to-dinner” dinner when they passed. I remember the searches for the perfect used car. And most of all, I remember watching them both drive off with their newfound freedom, as they were the only two times where I truly understood the meaning of total, unexaggerated, complete jealousy.

But, being the level-headed girl I was and am, I thought, “my time will come.” Well, I got news for you, it hasn’t come.

March 8, 2009, the day I was first eligible for my driver’s permit, came and went. I still hadn’t completed my online driver’s education classes, and oddly enough, I felt no rush. I’ve never been much of a procrastinator, but the urge I had felt as a girl was nonexistent.

Sept. 8, my 16th birthday, passed and still I hadn’t completed my classes. Finally, in October, when some of my friends had already received their hard, shiny, plastic, name-embossed licenses, I decided to get down to business. One Saturday (Yes, a Saturday. It’s not as if I had a license or car to go anywhere), from three in the afternoon to two the next morning, I just did it. I finished my classes. Then October came to pass, and I’d yet to do anything with my completed course certificate. God only knows why. By the end of November, I thought enough was enough and I made an appointment at the DMV to take my permit test.

It was kinda fun. I got my picture taken and signed my name on one of those computer pads. I felt so cool, so sophisticated, so “I’m-almost-a-driver”-ish. I took my written test and barely passed, emphasis on passed. And now came the learning how to drive part, the fun part, or so I thought.

As much as I love my father, the driving monster who sat in the passenger seat while I learned to drive was not the kind, generous, sweet Papa I had come know. He was Principal Rooney in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (or the principal in any ’80s teen movie really), the short man with a lisp in “The Princess Bride.” He was the shark in “Jaws.”

I ran over the curb. So what? It was only my first time driving. It’s OK that his mirror is a bit askew, I didn’t hit anyone else. And, yeah, I really didn’t see that car there, as it came out of nowhere (and it was totally my turn to go). There’s no need for yelling, pointing, gasping, taking the wheel, putting the child lock on or bracing for impact. I’m actually a really good driver. I think it was the extra year and a half of prep work that made me excel.

I’m able to take my driver’s test May 25, just eight months, two weeks, and three days after I had dreamed of getting it. And I’m determined not to put it off as I did with my permit. I wake up every morning, look in the mirror and say, “Katie, you will take the test. You will take the test on time. You will get your drivers license.” And my readers as my witnesses, I will. In fact, by the time you read this, I’ll probably be the owner of a class C driver’s license.

**As the issue went to press, Katie had yet to take her driver’s test.

Singer Lady Gaga performs at Z100 Jingle Ball 2008 at Madison Square Garden on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 in New York.
AP Photo/Evan Agostini

Rave
Susannah Ligouri ‘12

Lady Gaga, is a true performer, who constantly integrates art, fashion and music into her everyday aesthetic without any interruptions from sweatpants or bad hair days.

Gaga is a boldly ambitious advocate of inspirational style and music that will, in my opinion, forever push the envelope. She is a woman after my own heart who loves nothing more than fashion. Her evocatively styled garments, which normal people would describe as stage costumes, are all part of Gaga’s never-ending charm, persuasion of fantasy and preference for drama. These fabulously sparkly articles of clothing are produced by the House of Gaga, powered by none other than Gaga’s equally wacky friends and Lady GaGa herself as the ring leader.

She is influencing museums, fellow designers (in their collections) and the city she so adores: The Big Apple. She has changed the music industry, inspired the fashion industry, and given her, according the GaGa, “little monsters” something to which to look up. Ultimately, she was sent to influence people through her music, passion, and most importantly, style. So tell me, what’s not to love?

Rant

Genna Hull ‘13

I find honesty to be the best policy. And honestly, what in the world is so appealing about Lady Gaga? First of all, she acts like a complete fool. The woman basically goes to the drugstore in her panties – her bright pink, sparkly spandex panties. And what self-respecting person pays to have her hair made to look like a giant lollipop, especially in this economy?

And then there’s this whole “being yourself” and showing people your “originality” thing. But come on, nobody believes in that nonsense. Except the woman who thinks having everybody call her a name that is basically the equivalent of Sugar Plum Fairy is somehow acceptable. Well, heads up people, it’s not.

And those music videos. What, exactly, is going on in that woman’s head when she films those things? Obviously nothing intelligent. Her “Bad Romance” video mad me cry in sadness for all of the IQ points I was losing as I watched the fiasco. (Well not really, but if I were a person prone to crying, then tears would have been shed). Then the freaking song is stuck in my head for the rest of the day (that’s how you can tell when they’re brain-washing you.) So tell me, how is it possible that any person in their right mind could look at her and think, “Hey, she’s cool. I want to be just like her”? Because I’m at a loss. I really am.

By Hunter Owens ‘11
Online Editor

This year, the Windward golf team tried valiantly to defend their title as league champions, but with the loss of three seniors coming into the season, they were unable to reach that goal.

Led by seniors Pharoah Green and Jacob Rubin with back up from juniors David Dworsky and Cameron Low, the team had a rebuilding year going 2-8 in matches. However, the golfers have a bright future next year, with Dworsky and Low leading. The team has a crew of freshmen — Marcus Klein, Michael Adashack, Aaron Weinberg and Jared Feldman, who according to Low “showed signs of improvement over the course of the year.”

“It was a disappointment in the sense that our team could not repeat as champions,” Low said, reiterating the year of rebuilding. “Our freshman had to compete immediately despite little or no experience.”

However, both Low and Dworsky went to Skylinks Golf Course in Long Beach for the CIF Finals on May 17. This was a close call, with Low winning a three-round playoff againist a Brentwood player in the dark for the fourth and final spot in the finals. The victory was “exciting and alleviating” at the same time, according to Low. It was “exciting because just in the spur of the moment when the putt dropped… I was just overwhelmed with emotion.” Low missed the cut by four strokes, but both have a good chance to make it next year.

Writer Sydney Sellers ‘14 studies during her last days of middle school

Photo by Hunter Owens ‘11

By Sydney Sellers’14
Contributing Writer

During study hall, the 8th graders of Windward do everything they would usually do. They scramble to get their homework done so they might possibly get a chance to relax when they get home, gossip with their friends quietly so as not to alert the study hall supervisor, and silently read to escape from the school day for a little while. However, in the back of most of their minds is the anticipation of the new world of high school that Windward has been preparing them for for two years.

“I’m worried about next year for a lot of reasons, but mainly because of the honors classes,” said Hannah Berookhim ‘14. “They sound a lot more intimidating than the ones I’m taking this year.” In 9th grade, Windward students have the choice to take all honors classes (generally English, World History, Math, Foreign Language and Physics) instead of just Math and Foreign Language, which are offered as regular and honors in the middle school. In the Windward curriculum, honors classes require more time and obviously a lot more work.

Not all students are opposed to a good, hard challenge. “I’m looking forward to a broader range of classes to choose from,” said Willow Karfiol ‘14.

While academics are a big part of the transition into 9th grade, most students believe there are also many new extracurricular activities they’d love to try. Karfiol added, “I want to be more involved in extracurricular activities.” Some of the many clubs in high school include robotics, debate, comedy sports and the literary magazine. Unlike the middle school, Windward’s upper school gives students the opportunity to get involved and have a voice at their school through the Student Leadership Council and Prefects.

Emely Rovira ‘14, seemed quite pleased when asked about the new opportunities available to her in regard to SLC and Prefects. “I think you need to be more committed in high school to activities like Student Leadership Council and Prefects because they require a lot more time and effort than activities in the middle school,” she said.

Middle school dean Ann-Marie Hobbs couldn’t agree more. “In the high school, everything requires more effort and a bigger time commitment. For example, the middle school students do all of their arts and sports during the regular school day. In the high school, students are expected to do these activities after school.”

All Windward 9th graders will have a plethora of new opportunities available to them whether they be academic or extracurricular. However, something that is on everyone’s mind is how the new 9th graders will fit in at Windward.

“I think that some of the new kids know a lot of people in the grade so they’ll fit in well,” 8th grader Shannon Peters attested. Whether this prediction is true, the 2010-11 school year will no doubt be exciting and nerve-wracking for the class of 2014.

By Jack Taylor ‘12
Sports Co-Editor

On May 25, Windward’s baseball season came to an end when they lost to Sage Hill in the second round of the CIF playoffs. The team had a successful spring, with a 5-3 regular season record.

Seniors AJ Frank, Sam Ziering, Jonna Appel and Sam Greenberg lead the team. Although Windward will lose these key players next year, the team has a formidable base on which to keep building. Kirav Patel, Zak Levine, Tanner Savitsky and Max Doyen are all freshmen who are on the rise. Sophomore Mitchell Brisacher even looks up to the freshmen players. “When Doyen speaks, everybody listens,” Brisacher said.

Head Coach Tyrone Powell is “very confident (about the team’s future) from the draw we’ve been afforded,” referring to the rising talent of Windward’s underclassmen.

The team’s coaching staff is another asset that has contributed to the team’s success thus far. Tim O’Hallaran, Powell, Tim Livingston and Alvin Cowan coach the team with great expertise. The team’s 5-3 record afforded them a No. 2 ranking in the Delphic League. The turning point for the team was when they made it all the way to the River City Classic tournament in Sacramento.

All in all, the team had a strong year, fostering a new flame of teamwork and confidence, and it looks even better for next year’s performance.