By Samantha Ho

On December 3, 2012, California State Senator Edward Hernandez introduced the Senate Constitutional Amendment No. 5, a piece of legislation intended to revoke the specific sections of California Prop. 209 that prohibited state public schools from basing their admissions, recruitment, and retention rates on race, sex, or ethnicity, whether it be preferential or discriminatory treatment.”The bill, which was passed through the California Senate on January 30, was sent back to the Senate on March 17 by Assembly Speaker John Perez.

Supporters of the amendment view it as an attempt to diversify the population of colleges, specifically to rectify the supposed drop in percentages of Latino, African-American, and Native American students in California’s public universities, even, as Hernandez points out, as “those same groups have seen steady increases in their percentages of college-eligible high school graduates.”

The bill has garnered an equal, if not greater, amount of negative backlash, most significantly from the Asian-American community (three Asian-American senators, Ted Lieu, Carol Liu, and Leland Yee, initially voted in favor of the bill but later requested it be overturned after hearing the cries of protest from Asian-American advocacy groups).

Statistically, Asian Americans score higher on exams than other ethnic groups, and this bill would undoubtedly be detrimental to them: empirically, affirmative action has excluded Asian-Americans, meaning the chances of an Asian-American gaining admission to a college compared to, for example, an African-American with a similar resume would be hurt. Affirmative action doesn’t take into consideration other disadvantages, such as low socioeconomic status, only race– this may lead to (and has in the past) granting advantages to those who are not in need of them. In theory, affirmative action is supposed to give disadvantaged minorities an extra boost to overcome the gap between them and the traditionally advantaged racial majority. In practice, this may not be the case. One popular argument used in opposition to affirmative action, called the mismatch, argues that even if affirmative action does take the intended effect, the chance of unprepared students being accepted into prestigious universities will increase. The highly competitive atmosphere of certain universities often proves to be a “mismatch” for the student’s qualifications. According to Richard Sanders and Stuart Taylor Jr. for the Los Angeles Times, “the evidence is overwhelming that mismatches often harm those they are trying to help.” But beyond the broad, decades-long debate over affirmative action, the justification Hernandez uses for his bill is false. As publicly available data suggests, what Hernandez perceives to be a “precipitous drop” in the aforementioned minority groups in the years after the passing of Proposition 209 was actually quite the contrary: black admissions increased from 4 percent to 4.3 percent, while Latinos increased from 14.3 percent to 27.8 and Asians increased from 32 to 35.9 percent. Native Americans did experience a slight drop in percentage, but an increase in the number of admitted students.

This bill in particular doesn’t just affect the white majority. It also targets another traditionally oppressed minority group. As an Asian-American, I am naturally inclined to agree with the opposition. Putting aside my ethnic background, however, affirmative action, while undoubtedly well-intentioned, ultimately undermines the American ideal of a merit-based society–that regardless of the circumstances you were born in, whether it be the color of your skin or your gender or the amount of money in your bank account, working hard pays off.

By Laura Fouquete

On Thursday, the San Diego City Council announced the possibility of a plastic bag ban for all of San Diego County that would take affect in Fall 2014. With this proposal, all plastic bags will be banned and paper bags will cost all consumers ten cents per bag. This proposal has once again sparked a heated debate among San Diegans, many of who agree with the change and welcome more sustainability efforts in the county.

The city of San Francisco led the United States in this environmental movement starting in 2007, when the SF city council banned the use of plastic bags in supermarkets and drug stores. In 2010, San Francisco expanded the ban on plastic/paper bags to all retailers, including department stores and even small boutiques. The rest of the country, including San Diego, is very far behind San Francisco in regards to environmental activism in city politics.

The San Diego City Council will vote on the proposal later this summer, but until then, many voters are chiming in. Those who oppose to the proposal are threatening to move their business out of San Diego County, into areas such as Poway or Escondido, which won’t impose costs on their customers. Because of this, opponents to the proposal argue that this change will cause a major decrease in the profits of local retailers and supermarkets. Supporters of the movement, however, predict that if San Diego passes the law, the local governments of surrounding areas will pass the law as well. Supporters view the ten cent cost as an incentive to use the reusable grocery bags many of us already own and perpetually forget on our way to the store. Using San Francisco as a model, San Diegans supporting the change also believe that the ten cent cost and ban of plastic bags will not take as large of a toll on local businesses as opponents say it will.

Others argue that this change is not in the interest of the environment, but that is really in the interest of extra profit by big chain stores. Neighborhood Market Association President Mark Arabo says “Corporate giants would be making a lot of money on the backs of the working families, really on the backs of all Californians.” Many opponents to the movement, such as Arabo, are criticizing the intentions of those who pitched the change to the City Council. However, the intention of the movement is for customers to use reusable bags when shopping for groceries. If all of the customers at a certain supermarket brought and used their own reusable bags, the supermarket chain wouldn’t be making extra profit off of them anyway because the customers wouldn’t need to purchase the ten cent paper bags.

Many insist that San Diego County is behind the rest of the cities in California in regards to sustainability, and this is the first step to changing that. The new law might take a bit of getting used to, but ultimately, if the proposal is passed, San Diego could be more environmentally friendly. The final decision will be announced later this year.

By Avery Naughton

Over the past four years, I’ve taken my fair share of AP classes here at CCA. These classes have ranged from inspiring to dull to dreadfully difficult to manageable. However, a commonality that nearly everyone one of those classes share is that they are specifically taught to follow the guidelines of the AP test.

This statement doesn’t come as much of a shock. Schools’ and teachers’ performances are partially based off of their students pass rate on the AP test. Thus, it is only logical that teachers push their students to do well on the exams in May. Although I can understand the mindset behind the teaching styles, the notion of teaching students for the sole purpose of getting a good grade on one exam is, and has been for my time at CCA, a complete nuisance.

On the first day of most of my AP classes at CCA, I walk in to the room, sit down at a desk, and listen to the teacher go over the AP test standards. This lecture includes the time allotted for multiple choice and the number and types of essays that the all-important test ask you to complete come May. You are told to always keep in mind what percentage each unit is worth on the test and how to write a stereotypical thesis for a DBQ essay. You are told that questions follow different levels of difficulty. And thus, to prepare you for the test, your quizzes, tests, and essays will all be based off of the exam.

And for the most part, the teachers’ work pays off. On the days I’ve stepped into one of the Del Mar Fairgrounds enormous tents, I’ve felt relatively prepared and, more than anything, ready to never hear about the test again in my life. But at the end of the day, I don’t recall anything from these classes. I don’t remember engaging lectures or groundbreaking essay topics and am left with a bank of meaningless facts that are quickly forgotten after I bubble in my last answer.

My most memorable AP classes have been the select few classes that don’t revolve around the test. I don’t even think that those teachers mentioned the test except to inform us that it exists and we can take it if we choose. Both of these classes have been in the humanities, and instead of teaching me how to write an essay that will give me a 5 on the AP test they’ve taught me to leave the test standards behind and instead teach the material in more innovative and compelling ways. Lectures depend on the teachers’ ideas alone and lessons are covered depending on the time they truly deserve, not the proportions set up by the test. In those classes, you are allowed to create projects and read outside material, not the only Shakespeare play that the test deems important to know.

In those classes, I’ve not only learned more, but felt more prepared for my future in college. I don’t have to follow a formula and unite what I think an AP grader would like to read. But I am allowed to shape my own ideas and opinions. I understand the reasoning behind teaching to the AP test, but at the end of the day, these classes prove to be unfulfilling and pointless because no information ever stuck with me. As a matter of fact, the classes that don’t teach exactly to the test are the ones I’ve received my best scores on and felt most prepared for the test.

CCA needs more AP classes structured in a way not specifically designed to the AP test. They’re awful classes to take as a student, and as I’d presume, even worse to teach. We need to, in a sense, let the training wheels come off of AP classes and let students learn material in memorable ways that will not be forgotten after you exit the testing center.

By Brian Chekal

Fans of American boxing have much to anticipate this upcoming weekend when the widely followed Floyd Mayweather Jr. is set to fight in the rink against Marcos Maidana. Mayweather comes as the clear favorite, with leading analyzers pitting the odds at 11 -1 in his favor. This comes at no surprise however, Mayweather not only has six boxing championship titles under his belt across 5 different weight classes but also the distinction of never losing a single match in his entire career.  He plans to add this weekend’s match onto that list at number 46.

Though his many fans may be familiar with Mayweather’s flashy style of boxing and his proclivity for attention, they may be surprised to find that his personal finances are even more robust than he is. In layman’s terms, Mayweather is rich, immensely so. He sports a $400,000 Rolex that was a gift from the MGM Grand hotel, where his fights have sold out, and has a garage filled with over 88 cars, ranging from Maybachs and Rolls Royces to Ferraris and Lamborghinis, not to mention a Bugatti Veyron.

If his lavish garage didn’t convince you, the raw numbers surely will. Though he has few corporate sponsorships, Mayweather makes, on average, $80 million on any given year he fights, with his earnings since May 2013 expected to surpass the $150 million mark after Saturday’s fight with Maidana. For perspective, Mayweather’s opponent, Marocs Maidana, is only being guaranteed $1.5 million for Saturday’s fight, $30 million less than the Mayweather.

Before you feel sympathy for Maidana and his measly millions, realize that both are projected to rake in large windfalls from their respective shares of the fight’s pay-per-view revenues. $70 per view multiplied across the over 1 million projected viewers is a princely sum that may even get Mayweather to stop and pay attention.

The numbers all seem to grow bigger and bigger, with no end in sight, and for those outside the rink it may be easy to overlook them while caught in the heat of the fight.  The truth of the matter is the growing size of the checks we make out to top sports stars shouldn’t be outstripping our society’s investments in more meaningful areas, such as scholarships for prospective college students and caring for the disadvantaged. Why is it that we focus less and less on helping others during a rough economic slowdown, yet continue to finance the $30 million parking garages of people who fight twice a year at best?

By Joshua Bi

On April 19^th, 2014, death row inmate Clayton Lockett was wheeled on a gurney to Oklahoma State Penitentiary’s execution chamber and restrained, sentenced to die by lethal injection for the 1999 kidnapping, rape, and murder of 19-year-old Stephanie Neiman. The prison phlebotomist, a medical professional usually tasked with collecting blood for donations and tests, was unable to find a usable vein through which an experimental cocktail of drugs designed to cause death could enter Lockett’s neck, arms, or legs, so one on his groin was used instead. An hour after he was first wheeled in, the first of the drugs were administered in front of a small group of reporters and prison officials. However, 10 minutes later, Lockett began to writhe and convulse in pain and despite the protests of the reporters attending, the prison warden ordered that the shades between the viewing room and the execution be closed, leaving the reporters blind until 20 minutes later when officials returned to announce that Lockett had died.

Documents later released by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections later showed that Lockett’s blood vein had collapsed and that the drugs had “either absorbed into his tissue… leaked out, or both” (Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections) leaving him unconscious with a faint heartbeat. The warden immediately stopped the execution, but it was already too late for Lockett who died 10 minutes later from a heart attack.

Further reports revealed that on the day of the execution, Lockett had made a self-inflicted cut on his arm and had been tasered by prison security guards after he refused to cooperate, leading many to speculate that he had intentionally tried to sabotage his own execution.

In 2011, the pharmaceutical giant, Hospira, ceased to produce sodium thiopental, the drug previously used in lethal injection forcing states to find new and experimental drugs like those used in Lockett’s execution. Ironically, the attorneys Lockett and Charles Frederick Warner, another convict on death row in Oklahoma, had made headlines just weeks earlier after suing their way to the Oklahoma Supreme Court to demand that the state release the name of the pharmaceutical company producing the new drugs. The Court ruled against them, citing that revealing the names of the companies involved could damage them financially.

Lockett’s bungled execution provoked a backlash from advocates of abolishing capital punishment. Lawyers representing Warner, the other convict on death row, claimed “Clayton Lockett was tortured to death” and demanded that Warner’s execution be postponed until the state could investigate. The British embassy in Washington issued a statement saying “[the use of capital punishment] undermines human dignity, there is no conclusive evidence of its deterrent value, and any miscarriage of justice leading to its imposition is irreversible and irreparable.” The White House said in a statement that the execution “fell short of humane standards.”

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections has said that an investigation in to what went wrong will be conducted.

By Stephanie Guo

This past weekend, online tabloid TMZ posted an audio recording of NBA Clippers owner Donald Sterling criticizing his girlfriend, V. Stiviano, for “taking pictures with minorities” after she posted a photo of herself posing with Magic Johnson on her Instagram. In the clip, Stiviano replies, “People call you and tell you that I have black people on my Instagram, and it bothers you?” Sterling responds, “Yeah, it bothers me a lot that you want to… broadcast that you’re associating with black people.”

Stiviano herself is half-black, making Sterling’s comment double-edged, but faces allegations of having planned the whole exposé. As Clippers President Andy Roeser commented, “We do not know if [the tape] is legitimate or it has been altered. We do know that the woman on the tape — who we believe released it to TMZ — is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the Sterling family alleging that she embezzled more than $1.8 million, who told Mr. Sterling that she would ‘get even.’  Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings. It is the antithesis of who he is, what he believes and how he has lived his life. He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them.  He is also upset and apologizes for sentiments attributed to him about Earvin Johnson. He has long considered Magic a friend and has only the utmost respect and admiration for him–both in terms of who he is and what he has achieved. We are investigating this matter.”

Who is Donald Sterling? Sterling is an eighty-year-old businessman and former attorney born in Chicago, Illinois. He has owned the Clippers since 1981, but this isn’t the first time he’s made racist comments.

In 2009, former Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit in which he claimed that Sterling had ‘plantation mentality.’ “Personally, I would like to have a white Southern coach coaching poor black players,” Sterling allegedly commented. In the same lawsuit, Baylor said that three top Clipper players – Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, and Sam Cassell – felt very uncomfortable about the fact that Sterling frequently brought women into the locker rooms to look at them. On at least one occasion, Sterling told the women, “Look at those beautiful black bodies.”

Unfortunately, Baylor’s lawsuit was rejected by the jury. But Sterling has faced other lawsuits linked to accusations of racism. In 2006, the US Department of Justice took housing-discrimination charges against Sterling for refusing to rent out apartments in his Los Angeles residential holdings to African Americans. “That’s because of all the blacks in this building, they smell, they’re not clean. … And it’s because of all of the Mexicans that just sit around and smoke and drink all day,” Sterling’s property supervisor Summer Davenport reported Sterling as once saying. When the dust cleared and the case was settled, Sterling ended up paying $2.75 million.

The NBA has never punished Sterling for these actions. If anything, up until now, NBA commissioner Adam Silver – who was worked for the NBA since 1992 – has feigned ignorance. However, this time around, the media firestorm generated by TMZ’s exposé has forced the NBA to act: Donald Sterling has been banned indefinitely from the NBA and fined $2.5 million dollars for his inappropriate conduct. Unfortunately, though, Sterling still owns the Clippers, so he retains a great deal of influence. The Board of Governors will probably attempt to force him to sell the team, but Sterling isn’t going to make it easy.

Onlookers can expect a long, protracted lawsuit to proceed for the next year or so as Sterling struggles to maintain his iron hold on the Clippers.

By Samantha Ho

LeBron James, four time NBA most valuable player, two time NBA championship winner, two time Olympian, and star player for the Florida team Miami Heat, has decided to try his hand at acting. The basketball player has reportedly signed on to star in Judd Apatow’s upcoming film Trainwreck. Apatow, who announced the news via Twitter (as one does these days), is best known for his work on comedy films such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up and television programs like Freaks and Geeks and Girls. His most recent film, This is 40, a continuation/spinoff of Knocked Up, opened to mixed critical reception. In addition to lending his talents as director, the film will be produced by Apatow Productions.

This isn’t the first film James has been tied to– in addition to a scheduled appearance in the Universal picture Ballers, co-starring Kevin Hart, Universal will also be producing a film about James’ high school years, with Terence and Rachel Winter, both recent Oscar nominees, attached to produce.

While little is known about the actual plot, one is inclined to be skeptical at the prospect of a famous non-actor attempting to act. Many have tried it, from Ice Cube to David Bowie to Katy Perry. Some have been more successful than others, but this is far from the first time Hollywood has tried to produce a film starring a basketball player. One of the more admirable examples comes in the form of James’ teammate Ray Allen, who made his film debut in Spike Lee’s 1998 feature He Got Game playing the role of a high school basketball player opposite Denzel Washington. Legendary basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jubbar had a memorable turn as food poisoned co-pilot Roger Murdock in the classic 1980 satire Airplane! Of course, no one could forget the two most famous NBA player vehicles, Space Jam and Kazaam, starring Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, respectively. Both films are generally considered critical disasters, but Space Jam was a major commercial success (Kazaam did not experience such good luck– it failed to break even at box office). Needless to say, while most consider the films memorable in a negative way, some fans believe that the films offer just the right amount of bizarre ‘90s camp to satisfy their nostalgic cravings.

According to Variety, Jordan will join a large cast that includes Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Barkhad Abdi, Mike Birbiglia, Jon Glaser, Vanessa Bayer, John Cena, Ezra Miller, Tilda Swinton, Method Man, Amy Schumer (who also penned the script), and, of course, LeBron James. From the casting, it appears that Apatow, who usually works with a rotating cast of regulars including the likes of Seth Rogen and Kristen Wiig, will be adding a wave of new collaborations to his list. The jury is still out on James’ potential as a thespian, but with experienced names like Apatow’s and Swinton’s behind the project, there’s still hope yet.

It is currently scheduled for a July 2015 release.

By Elliot Cohen

Throughout college campuses sexual assault awareness is growing, and fifty five colleges are under investigation due to sexual violence complaints. Not only are students beginning to understand what sexual assault is, they are also beginning to act upon it and raise awareness throughout their communities.

Sexual assault is involuntary which means that the victim is forced into actions that they are fully against, and this has been a problem for many colleges in the recent past. As federal investigators check deeper and deeper into the matter, they see a lot of room for improvement on their part.

The long list of schools contains colleges and universities from 27 different states. The list is very diverse and contains schools anywhere from UCs to Ivy Leagues. The different colleges and universities are handling this issue with total seriousness. They also are providing victims with the proper care and help they deserve. Students and Faculty are the leading activists for raising awareness.

Vice President Joe Biden , a big advocate of raising awareness for sexual assault, commented on the need for male support when he said, “We are never going to solve this epidemic until we get men involved.” Since women are the primary victims it is crucial to get men to stand up for increased awareness. This is the main concern to most Sexual Assault awareness groups.

Advocates are trying to get people to understand that standing up is all right, and to speak up when one hears something that doesn’t sound okay. One of the leading advocate groups, 1is2many, is run by the White House and stands for reducing violence against women. They provide information on different statistics regarding sexual abuse. For instance, “19% of women reported experiencing completed or attempted sexual assault since entering college.” 1is2many also provides resources that victims can take advantage of. The even include a hotline number: (1-866-331-9474). What they are desperately trying to convey is that we should all be taking action against abuse weather its abuse of just telling a friend about it; it can all help. There are also several apps that help spread awareness. Two of the most popular apps are Circle of 6 and On Watch.

Another more creative way to stand up for Sexual Assault is through social media. Many groups are being created on Facebook and Twitter that are helping get the word out. All it takes is a simple post that gets the word out and that person could have saved someone by just pressing down on the Enter key.

April 30^th marks the end of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). SAAM is symbolized by the teal ribbon. The goal of SAAM is to raise awareness among communities and individuals on how to stand up and prevent sexual violence.  There are many ways that you can get involved and be part of the group of people that are reaching out and trying to help others in need. We can all be a part of the cure.

By Josh Dillen

As the fifth of May draws closer, one thing pervades the minds of CCA students like no other. AP exams are approaching fast and try as we might, testing cannot be delayed. While almost all of the students on campus are aware of AP classes and their impending exams, they seem to be somewhat confused as to their purpose. Originally touted as cheap ways out of expensive college credits, AP tests are growing more and more meaningless.

There is no doubt that CCA students are taking AP classes and their subsequent exams. In fact, the latest issue of Pulse magazine contains a full spread on the matter. Show up to campus on the day of any popular test and be awestruck at the number of students missing. Great swathes of sophomores are missing school for world history and chemistry. Juniors are nowhere to be found during US history and English Language and Composition tests. Seniors are skipping just for the sake of skipping class. However, the best day to find a parking spot in the student lot is by far the Calculus AB exam which decimates attendance and leaves a noticeable empty feeling around campus. Without a doubt, students are taking AP exams, but why?

The most common argument for taking AP exams is the assumption that they are worth college credit. While a good point, it is most certainly a controversial one. More and more schools are restricting or refusing credit for AP classes. These schools happen to be top tier universities, some of which are in the Ivy League. It is then puzzling why students who receive high marks would choose to take AP exams as the very schools they have their sights set on do not accept them for credit. Granted, many top tier universities do still accept an arbitrary number received for taking a secret test, but if the trend continues, this practice will become less and less common place.

Also troubling is the cost and secrecy the Collegeboard surrounds the exams with. The cost of the exams has reached the one hundred dollar mark and no guarantee can be made that a student will receive credit. For a student taking four exams, this is a serious investment. There is also no guarantee that the AP class you have taken has actually prepared you for the exam. The Collegeboard takes test security extremely seriously to such an extreme that neither students nor teachers know what material could be covered on the test. For example, in my AP chemistry class, an entire chapter was spent learning the beast that is the equilibrium problem in preparation for the multiple choice section, but more importantly, the free response section. However, on the day of the exam, noticeably absent from the FRQ section was the equilibrium problem. Teachers and students are at the mercy of the Collegeboard and must trust that the curriculum taught by the teacher will prepare them for the exam.

Most likely as the culprit of AP testing at CCA is the necessity for the students to be over prepared. Students at CCA are constantly striving for the absolute best chance at an ivy league admission, and if AP exams will not hurt their chances, then it could possibly provide them an advantage. While the obsession with AP testing is an issue, it is merely a symptom of a larger ailment on campus.

By Amanda Presar

Is it ethical for private universities to force students to take religious courses?
Some colleges, even some high schools here in San Diego, require students to take religious courses. For example, at our neighboring school Cathedral Catholic, students have to take one catholic religion course each year. Not only does this take the space of another useful class, but students who are not Catholic are forced to learn these subjects. Yes, there are students that attend private “religious” universities that are not of that religion. Schools like Pepperdine and University of San Diego make it a requirement to take not only one religious course but up to three courses during the student’s time at that school. My sister is currently a student at USD studying engineering; not only does she have to set aside 9 units to take religious courses, but she has to also complete 140 engineering units to graduate with that degree. But is this ethical? One could argue that this goes against our freedom to practice the religion of our choice.

Private universities are forcing students who may not even be religious to take courses on top of their already strenuous work load. Unlike USD, Pepperdine requires the students to take certain classes pertaining to a particular religion, not even giving the students the freedom to decide what religion they want to study. They are also required to attend a number of religious events each year and meet a quota to pass their religious requirements. Should students be forced to do these requirements? Obviously public universities like San Diego State and CSU San Marcos are run by state government and therefore cannot enforce requirements pertaining to religion. But they can offer courses for those students who wish to do so. This is an ethical way to go about religion in universities public and private. It is unethical to force someone to take religious courses that may contradict their rights and beliefs. In every other aspect of life, free will has been an important part of the construction of our country. Allowing private universities to make religious requirements is purely unethical. Students should at least be given the option of taking an extra course in math, English, or business in its place that can enrich the students’ knowledge even after they have graduated college. This way, students will actually use the classes they take as opposed to taking classes just to fit a requirement. By making religious classes optional, it is opening up the availability of students to freely choose their path towards furthering their education. I know my sister would greatly enjoy the opportunity to take another science or math course and potentially be able to double major in something that would further her career. Giving students the ability to decide their future through the classes they take, is an ethical way to solve this religious requirement problem crowding students with the stresses of college life.

By Alyssa Kucera

This time of year, college rankings seem to be everywhere as high school seniors begin the college application process.  Do these rankings accurately reflect the quality of education colleges and universities offer their students?  There is reason to be skeptical.

Every fall, major publications like U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and The Princeton Review (TPR) release their lists of college rankings.  Students and parents nationwide rely upon these lists to help their search for the perfect college. These publications use different procedures to compile their rankings.  U.S. News relies heavily on college reputation and objective survey data, such as average GPAs and SAT/ACT scores, which are self-reported by the colleges.  By contrast, Forbes’ ranking methodology attempts to measure the “quality of education” based on student and alumni evaluations of professors, student debt, four year graduation rates, and faculty and student awards.  TPR provides top-twenty lists for different categories based on student responses to questionnaires about their college experiences.  Each of these approaches has some limitations.

As a result of the differences in methodology, the rankings often vary dramatically between publications. It’s not surprising to find schools like Harvard and Yale at the top of each list, no matter the publication, but you may be surprised at some of the other top ranked universities. For example, this year Forbes’ number two-ranked school is Pomona College. When one considers that Forbes’ audience usually consists of entrepreneurs, it makes sense that their top schools all have well known business programs.

In January of this year, a U.S. News survey reported that 18.2% of UCLA students listed college rankings as ‘very important’ in influencing their final decisions.  A recent report from the Harvard Business School concluded that a one-rank improvement in the U.S. News ranking resulted in a 1% increase in college applicants.  These factors provide a motivation for schools to try to increase their rankings.

While the extent of the problem is unclear, a number of universities have admitted to or been caught falsifying their statistics involving acceptance rates, as well as average SAT/ACT scores and average GPAs. In March of 2013, NBC News reported that six top colleges in the last year have admitted to inflating test scores and falsifying admitted students’ class ranks in order to portray the school as more prestigious than they are in actuality. Admissions counselors at Emory University, George Washington University and Claremont McKenna College have come forward and resigned due to falsified information.

New approaches of evaluating colleges have been proposed in hopes of allowing students to make more informed decisions.  In August 2013, President Obama announced that the Department of Education will implement a new ratings system by the 2015 school year.  Colleges will be assessed based on performance, including accessibility, affordability and students’ post-graduation success.

While college rankings may sound like an easy way to choose your top schools, it can be risky to rely too heavily on this information.  Admissions data that is self-reported by the colleges can be unreliable due to the college’s motivation to inflate their ranking.  Subjective data provided by student surveys and evaluations is not always accurate due to biased phrasing of questions. In addition, students should remember that publications providing the rankings are in the business of selling magazines and advertising, not necessarily helping one pick the right school.

While rankings may play a role in a college search strategy, students should look beyond the numbers to determine what schools offer a good fit for them as individuals.  The ‘best’ school may not necessarily be the right school for you.

By Zach Kucinski

As summer creeps ever closer upon lovely Southern California, so does the fun surface fishing that our summers are known for. When the waters south of Point Conception begin to warm up, local surface fish become more active. Popularly targeted among our local fish, the Paralabrax clathratus, or more commonly known as Calico Bass, become more active searching for forage. It is presumed that during the colder months, Calico Bass spend their time in fairly shallow water and often hold tight to bottom structure to keep them safe. However, these bass move up and out in the water column as they feel the water temperature begin to increase. They no longer cling to the bottom, they instead find refuge high in the kelp beds where they wait for traveling bait fish, such as anchovy and mackerel, to swim by the outskirts of the kelp. At this point the Calico makes its move and darts from its hiding place under the kelp and lunges towards the unsuspecting baitfish.

Calico Bass are a favorite among anglers, partly because there are so many ways to target them. You can try a fly lined live bait, or a verity of lures, swim baits and jigs. Another fish that local anglers love to target are barracuda. These slender slimy silver spectacles make for quite a fun summer day.  They, like the Calico, can be targeted in many ways but many prefer throwing iron jigs to entice a bite. Often more challenging are the local yellowtail who too often become more active in the summer months. These elusive creatures will really test your tackle and your fishing knowledge.

Summer time often implies that offshore fishing will be at its best! Usually this means that the early summer months provide offshore anglers with chances at kelp paddy yellowtail and as the summer rolls forward, more variety can be found. Kelp paddy fishing is one of the trademarks of the Southern California offshore season. When the water warms up locally, kelp(which grows near shore) begins to break away. These strands of kelp often drift into each other and intertwine thus creating a large patch of drift kelp, or “paddy”. these kelp paddies can be as small as a the size of basketball or as large as bus. Because paddies are not rooted to the sea floor, they are subject to current and wind. They can be found many miles from land in open ocean. Like a single tree in a vest desert, kelp paddies provide shelter for bait fish, but also attract larger game fish who want to eat those bait fish. Dorado, Bonito, Yellowtail, Bluefin tuna fish, Yellowfin tuna fish, Albacore, and even the occasional Opah can all be found on kelp paddies. Fishermen and fisherwomen know that a good place to start looking for game fish is to start looking for these fish hotels. Once  found, a paddy can be dry or hold countless fish. This makes the effort put into locating these paddies even more rewarding!

With summer coming soon, anglers all over are looking forward to a great fishing season!

By Laura Fouquette

This past Friday evening, seven students were killed at University of California, Santa Barbara by Elliot Rodger, a student at Santa Barbara City College. Rodger wrote a 141-page diary detailing his recent life, his reasons behind the destruction, and his elaborate plans for his killing rampage, or “Day of Retribution” as he called it. He uploaded multiple videos to YouTube talking about his plans; police showed up at his door after they were tipped off about the video for questioning, but Rodger played it cool and evaded the police. If they would have searched his apartment, he says his cover would have been blown and it all would have been over. Additionally, Rodger emailed his diary to many people right before the attack, including Rodger’s parents and therapist. His parents, who reside in Los Angeles, received the email around 9:15 PM and immediately started the hour and a half drive to Isla Vista, but they were too late. Before they could stop their son from going through with his plans, Rodger had already started his Day of Retribution and his War on Women.

After he killed a few of his apartment mates, Rodger left to start his “War on Women” and attack the sorority houses. Rodger deemed the Alpha Phi sorority to be his main target because it is the most popular house on campus. Despite his efforts to get inside by banging on the door, no one answered, and Rodger fired at three sorority sisters walking by the house’s lawn in frustration. Out of the three he shot at, Katherine Cooper and Veronika Weiss were killed and the third victim was wounded; all three of these victims were of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Rodger drove down the street in his black BMW, crashed into a Jeep, and shot himself in the head with his handgun.

The media has had a frenzy around Elliot Rodger and his 141-page diary since Friday evening, yet I believe that it is more important to focus on the victims. Rodger’s rampage left six UCSB students dead and thirteen injured. There are vigils around Santa Barbara and surrounding areas to honor and mourn the deaths of the innocent students.

The attack, like any public tragedy, has brought public debate about many issues, such as gun control. This tragedy, in which 22-year-old Rodger received easy access to three handguns, has made many rethink the state of California’s gun laws yet again. Rodger legally purchased each handgun in three separate counties in Southern California over the past few months before the attack.

This incident has also brought more debate about gender violence, as seen in the trend about #YesAllWomen. Women all over any type of social media have taken to the hashtag #YesAllWomen to talk about ways in which they have felt commonplace gender violence in their lives. #YesAllWomen started trending Saturday night and has continued to trend with attacks women have experienced at the hands of men. This tragedy at UCSB will continue to spur the gun control debate and change universal attitudes about gender violence in our country. The university has already started to implement campus-wide programs to change the attitudes of students on campus towards safety and gender violence.

By Val Poiset

The older we get the more expensive we become. Money for a car here, money for prom here, and money for clothes here pile up all throughout the school year. Parents typically opt to pay for the basics like food, the house and other essentials, but for a lot of the other needs, they are handed down to us. The good news is that City Council President Todd Gloria proposed a ballot initiative Wednesday that, if approved by voters, would increase San Diego’s minimum wage to $13.09 per hour over the next three years.

Gloria said he spent the past three months talking to stakeholders on all sides of the issue and looking at studies on the subject. He said details of the proposal could change, pending City Council discussions. This proposal for a rise in minimum wage would positively impact all those students who work for their money and others who have goals of saving money for big purchases such as a car or college. Gloria said nearly everyone acknowledges the current minimum wage, set by the state at $8 per hour, is too low. At this rate, not enough people in the San Diego County can rely on the “stability” that 8.00 dollars an hour can provide. At eight dollars and hour make it nearly impossible to survive with the expenses of the San Diego area. Around 300,000 households in the region have incomes too low to meet basic expenses, according to the study by the KPBS City News Service.

The increase in minimum wage would increase the stability of an entry-level job and help students looking to reach their hefty and expensive goals. About 200,000 San Diegans earn the minimum wage, largely in service-sector jobs that don’t require a degree: janitors, service-side hotel workers, part-time summer jobs. Most waiters and waitresses also earn the minimum wage, with their income supplemented by tips. Although the substantial increase in wage would have a positive effect on those earning it, it takes a huge toll on businesses looking to maintain solid profit margins. An increase of nearly 75% in minimum wage would negatively affect small and local businesses looking to expand. If margins of businesses are to remain the same with this hike in minimum wage, then the prices of goods services will increase significantly over the next three years as minimum wage increases are implemented into the economy. The Economic Policy Institute recently estimated that incrementally raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 would create 85,000 jobs and increase the nation’s gross domestic product by $22 billion, according to the Union Tribune’s study on the minimum wage hike. More than 80 percent of minimum-wage earners are at least 20 years old and rely on these low-income jobs to support their families, according to one estimate. But, as the rate of teens working here in San Diego increases, will the minimum wage increase limit the number of businesses hiring teens? This increase of minimum wage is something to look for in the upcoming years in San Diego.

By Avery Naughton

While the students of CCA turn their focus to the rapidly-approaching end of the school year, the world turns its attention to Brazil. Brazil will host the 20th FIFA World Cup for the second time, it’s first time being over sixty years ago in 1950. The 2014 World Cup has been many years in the making, with qualification matches occurring in June 2011. The thirty-two teams will compete in twelve stadiums located throughout the host nation. With the opening match on June 12th between Brazil and Croatia, millions of soccer, or football if you will, fans from around the world prepare for the excitement the World Cup brings.

Along with the anticipation, of course, comes predictions of who will win the coveted trophy. One of the strongest competitors is the host nation itself. Brazil’s past history of being the only team to compete in every World Cup and the only squad to win five times proves their strength. It is also interesting to note that in all world cups hosted by a South American country, a South American team has won. As if the home-field advantage isn’t enough, Brazil is equipped with several young star players, including their striker Neymar and Marcelo, a defender.

One of the other top contenders is Spain, who took home the 2010 World Cup by defeating Netherlands in the final with a nail-biting score of 1-0. The enormous talents – and egos – of the Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona combine to create an dangerously competitive team. Sergio Ramos and goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas will spearhead the defense while Barcelona members Iniesta and Xavi lead the attack. Despite their past success, Spain succumbed to the youthful talent of Brazil in the Confederation Cup this past summer.

Another one of the top dogs, Germany, is hungry for its fourth World Cup victory. Germany boasts perhaps what is the strongest midfields of the tournament, equipped with the talents of Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Praised for their cohesion and technique on the pitch, Germany is favored to be in the final.

No to be overlooked is Portugal, one of the underdogs of the competition. Led by a ferocious – and glamorous – Cristiano Ronaldo, who comes off of his second Ballon d’Or  win, Portugal is not to be overlooked. Ronaldo singlehandedly brought Portugal through the qualifying rounds, beating Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic. If Ronaldo continues his superb season, Portugal could quite possibly take home their nations first World Cup trophy.

Our own students at CCA show a huge interest in the World Cup. Elliot Cohen, a CCA sophomore, set up a World Cup Charity event hosted by JTEEN that is similar to March Madness. To submit your bracket and predicted winners, please follow the link at the end of the article for a chance to win up to $1,000.

Every four years a winner is crowned and thirty-one teams face a long, miserable plane ride home. This year is no different, except for the nearly 40% increase in prize money. This year the winner will take home 35 million. And like every year it is played, the World Cup ushers in a collaboration of cultures and displays of pure athleticism and teamwork. So after you finish hitting the books and perhaps graduating, put down the paintbrush, log off of Tumblr, and experience the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Click on images to open full size image.

September 4, 2014

An official who wished not to be named claims that a US bombing on an ISIS compound in Mosul has killed Abu Hajar Al-Sufi, a trusted lieutenant of Emir Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed leader of the jihadist group calling itself “The Islamic State,” and two other senior members of the terrorist group. Abu Hajar Al-Sufi was an explosives expert and the military leader of Tal Afar, a district in the northwestern region of Iraq. The group was formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), before settling on the current incarnation of its name.

Most security experts agree that the deaths mark a harsh blow to the Islamic State just days and weeks after it released videos depicting the brutal beheadings of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, respectively. The Islamic State has also threatened to execute a third man, David Haines, a British aid-worker and security expert, who was also kidnapped by the Islamic State. Director of Defense Press Operations and Pentagon spokesperson, Col. Steve Warren said in a statement that the US is not specifically targeting leaders of ISIS but that “if there were leaders inside [their] troop formations that have been attacked, then they will likely be killed.”

The news of this strike came just a day after Vice President Biden vowed that “[The United States] will follow [the members of the Islamic State] to the gates of hell…” during a speech at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “The American people are so much stronger, so much more resolved than any enemy can fully understand. We don’t forget,” he declared.

The United States began carrying out precise airstrikes against the Islamic State after outrage spawned over the news of the brutal massacres of entire villages in Northern Iraq in June. Since they began in August, the United States has conducted more than 100 airstrikes on the Islamic State. Similar airstrikes may increase after President Obama faced criticism from congressional Republicans over his handling of the issue. Members from both sides of the aisle in Congress called on him to ramp up the United States’ offensive after the release of journalist Steven Sotloff’s murder. “Kill them. They’ve got to be destroyed. And you’ve got to have a goal, the president does, and we have to have a strategy to fit that goal and policies that will implement it. We have none of the above,” said Senator John McCain in an interview.

Despite these blows, the Islamic State’s leader, Emir al-Baghdadi, and Foley and Sotloff’s murderer, a terrorist labeled by many as “Jihadi John” for his English accent, remain at large.

Joshua Bi is the online editor of Pulse Magazine.

Crisp air on an autumn night, bleachers packed with roaring fans. Lights gleam across 100 yards of slick turf, and cleats grasp the field beneath their feet. Jumping, yelling, and cheering: it’s all a part of that high school football game experience.

Lacking a football team, conversations bouncing through the hallways at Canyon Crest Academy seem to be more about next Friday’s AP chemistry test than the Torrey Pines vs. Cathedral football game. However, students have become interested in the thrill of rooting for a professional team through fantasy football, easing their way into familiarity with the all-American sport.
It is an ongoing joke that CCA’s football team is “undefeated,” and the lack of knowledge about the sport is unbelievable. For example, Mr. Spilkin, a Canyon Crest Academy AP US history teacher, used an analogy about football, but soon was obligated to add, “But I know that analogy isn’t congruent with you guys because we don’t have football here.” It is highly likely that the average CCA student is unfamiliar with the difference between a cornerback and quarterback, which proves how unaccustomed students are with football.

With a reputation of arts and academics, it comes as no surprise that CCA students aren’t normally fond of football. However, every so often, the teenage boy glancing under his desk at his phone might be checking his fantasy football team instead of his Aeries account. Fall pep rallies are no longer dedicated to football games, and Friday nights become more about doing AP calculus homework than cheering for a local high school team. The excitement that comes along with football is not experienced at CCA, and therefore students are reaching out for a way to achieve spirit in alternative ways.

Senior Angelina Wang has never attended a high school football game in her 4 years of high school, which seems to be quite common among our students. It is appreciated that CCA events are supported, although the American tradition of football is being excluded from students’ high school experiences. The majority of CCA students have never gone to a football game, but fantasy football is providing a way to increase hype for the sport. Giving students a reason to involve themselves in following and rooting for a team is integrating athletics into our student population much more than before.

Fantasy football has evolved into a social experience; bringing together friends and family to participate in an American custom. The unification of students through fantasy football is creating bonds with each other and spiking the interest in football at our school.

The game itself is incredibly interesting and exhilarating, beginning with the draft. The stakes are high after reviewing the athletic profiles of each player, as the time has come to form and draft a winning team. As players are whittled away, some teams turn to disappointment, and others, pure excitement. For most teenagers, fantasy football serves as a pastime in a public or private league with pride on the line. More advanced players invest hundreds of dollars by raising the risk factor with money being gambled away.
The main reason behind participating in the fantasy game is simply, “Because it is fun, and we don’t have a football team.” Fantasy football has been a great way to get Canyon Crest Academy students excited about the athletic world, and is enabling many to bond over a love for the sport. As football makes its introduction into Canyon Crest Academy, students are not letting the absence of a football team prevent them from partaking in such a thrilling game.

Skylar Binney is a staff writer for Pulse Magazine.

Any views or opinions presented in this editorial are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Pulse Magazine.

Social Media is an aspect of pop culture that seems to be manifesting everywhere you look. There’s something about showing off your “incredible” life experiences with your peers (and, in most cases, not your peers) on some sort of large scale platform that is both liberating and addictive. An iPhone app titled “Instagram” was released in the fall of 2010, as a way for photographers to take great pictures from their phones, without the usual work that comes with professional photography. Naturally, it gained overnight success and is now the most popular social networking system next to Facebook. Instagram is basically Facebook. Or, at least that’s what it’s become. Everyone has an Instagram. If someone in San Diego is over the age of 11 and has an iPhone, chances are they have hopped on the never ending social media slave train at one point or another. Even I, the guy ranting on Instagram, has an Instagram. I turned to Instagram in the hopes of documenting my life with some awesome photography, but Instagram isn’t about photography and it never really was. The underbelly of insecure rich girls and self-loathing LAX bros (just to name a few) have turned Instagram into a self-exploitative realm that is ravaged by sympathy craving selfies, eye rolling inspirational quotes, “artsy” sunset pictures, and food. Lots of food. Since all posts on Instagram are associated with photography, Instagram has become the ultimate outlet of self-exploitation. Today, I am going to explore the constant annoyances I find whenever I’m on the site, and the motivations behind them.

Let’s start off with the infamous selfie. Even though most teenage girls who use Instagram supposedly “self-parody” selfies with mindless hashtags like #arentisopretty #ilooklikethiseverymorning #jknotattractive. This is a big heaping pile of BS. All they want is you to tell them how pretty they are. Every time I see “pretty” pictures of guys or girls on IG whether it be a godforsaken selfie or an outdoor shot with an over filtered sunset in the background, or with a dead flower in their hair that they claim just sprouted out of the dandelion patch, I always look at the comments section for each of these photos to see how many people say “OMG your so pretty!!! Why can’t I be you!! haha Love you :)”. A message to these commenters: Why would you do that? No one in their right mind would ever take a picture like that just because they thought “Oh! It seems like a nice day out! I’m gonna go put on my $200 Brandy Melville outfit, put on so much makeup that I look like a barbie doll, and go stand under the tree outside and put flowers in my hair, because I feel like it!” All these users want is to basically force others to comment on their looks, in most cases. Now I’m not saying that people who do this have low self-esteem or confidence issues, I’m just saying a primary motivation for these photos might be insecurity. People who need to feel better about themselves often turn to social media and stage this scene where they look great and everything around them is just peachy keen. It is because of Instagram that these self-exploitative sympathy cards (selfies and cheesy outdoor shots) are taking place.
#artsy. Every time I see this horrible and pretentious hashtag so “subtly” pop up as a caption for an overly filtered sunset or a flower or a FREAKIN TREE, I proceed to have a mini rant in the confinements of my home. I have a few problems with this hashtag. Actually I have problems with hash tags in general. I don’t hate the actual hashtag, per say, I just absolutely detest what it’s become. Another thing that causes me to have angry convulsions within my home is the overuse of the hashtag. Some guilty of this will put, hmmm I don’t know 20 TO 30 HASHTAGS on their respective photo. And it usually ends with #toomanyhashtags #wayyytoomanyhashtags #jk #immakeepgoingwiththesehashtags #sorrynotsorry. Also let me talk about the “Sorry not sorry” hashtag. I understand that certain hashtags,(that are supposedly laced with a “self-aware” sense of humor) should be taken with a grain of salt. But to me, it just comes off as plain obnoxious. It advertises this unexplainable obnoxiousness, and I believe some might use this because the hashtag kind of promotes this hidden sense of teenage rebellion. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. #artsy. One, if you do have an “artsy” photo (even though artsy is about as vague a term as hipster or cool), don’t say your picture is artsy, which shows that you have approached this post with a sense of unnecessary pretentiousness and conceit. And I know what a common rebuttal to this statement would be, “Hey Cameron! You’re wrong! We only say this to make fun of ourselves”! Uh no. This goes back to the issue of pseudo self-parody on instagram. Why would any actually put #jknotattrative or #artsy? Because deep down in their hormonally crazed teenage souls, they really do thing they look attractive or that overly filtered picture is “artsy” (seriously though what directly defines artsy? Nothing!) and they want people to acknowledge this. People should not be using a social media site as a way to improve self-esteem, it’s just not the correct outlet.

As you could probably already conceive there are many aspects of Instagram that cause me to freeze, nervously twitch my eye, break out into a series of temper tantrums and cry around a pool of tears. However, nothing about instagram pushes my buttons like this does: Quotes. Two types of quotes in particular: the “Inspirational” quote (I use that term so, so very loosely) and the “Please Feel Bad for Me” quote. I have already discussed how often I see horribly staged photos of “tortured teens” in “beautiful” settings (I’m sorry; the middle of your street is not a beautiful setting. And, Jesus, GET OFF THE TRAIN TRACKS YOU’RE GONNA GET HIT.) And just when you thought these photos couldn’t get even more manipulative or pretentiousness, nope! These photos come with pretentious and manipulative quotes as well! Yayyy. So if I see a picture of someone making a contemplative or “deep” face behind the oak tree in their backyard that’s leaves are brown, verging on black, and it’s probably got like 10 of those leaves left, it’ll also come with a caption like “Don’t let the rain fall on your face, wipe it off. :)))) @thesuckerwhoohsowillinglyagreedtojoinmeinmysympathycravingescapades #love #feelinggreat #life”. DON’T LET THE RAIN FALL ON YOUR FACE??!! WAT. I’m not exaggerating when I say that that barely scratches the surface of some of the most obscure and horrific attempts at inspirational quotes used on Instagram. Lucky for me, it makes for great comedy. Unlucky for me, I’m worried for the sanity and intelligence of my teenage counterparts.

Oh wait, IT GETS WORSE!! Every once in a while, I’ll come across a post that shows a white background with black text, or a beach at night with a black and white filter, or a picture of the individual user looking somber and ever so candidly wiping the hair from their face. Whenever I see these things, I get scared. Because I know what’s coming. The dreaded “Please Feel Bad for Me” quote. One of my biggest problems with social media is that there is a lack of privacy in a teenager’s life anymore. I’m not saying it is Social Media’s fault directly, I’m just saying I feel like I’ve indirectly invaded on many people’s privacy with some of this things I’ve seen on IG. And the “PFBFM” quote is a huge culprit of over exposure of privacy. This usually comes in the form of an overly dramatic photo with an oh-so-clever caption like “I’m sorry I wasn’t good enough”, or “I thought you were the special one. And now you’ve shattered the glass.” This is wrong on so many levels. First off, I’m sorry random-teen-feeling-bad-for-yourself, but let me put this plain and simple. We don’t really care. Now, I just seemed like the most colosal a**wipe of all time just there. Before I continue, allow me to say this. I’m not a sociopath who has zero compassion for other humans are something like that. What I’m trying to express is that, in the context of social media, we don’t care. It’s not personal, really, and if you saw a post parallel to your own pop up on your IG feed, you wouldn’t give a damn either. Also, you could be awesome. You might be a wonderful human being with interesting qualities that make you individual in your own special way. However, these posts just make you look sad. Really sad. This is the lowest form of self-pity; when you pine your “horrific” problems on Instagram. Well, there are these sources called family and friends that are specifically there to hear about your problems and pick you up when you’re feeling down. Why on earth would you advertise the ABC family soap opera that is your life on a site where 70% of your followers you know from correcting each other’s homework in Spanish class?
And here’s what gets me even more pissed off! Since your manipulation worked, innocent victims will comment on the post saying “So strong. What’s wrong babe :))”. And then the poster replies with a simple “I don’t want to talk about it”. Ok. Dear user, if you didn’t want to talk about it then WHY DID YOU POST THE THING IN THE FIRST PLACE?!!You obviously wanted some form of comfort. You have successfully accomplished your plan of making others feel bad for you, and now you don’t even want the help. Good job Instagram, you have blessed the world with another outlet that allows us to inappropriately display personal issues on a dangerously grand scale. And please, fellow Instagram users, don’t post memes. Just…don’t post memes.

Instagram was a good idea. In fact it still is a good idea. A fun, accessible, and free outlet that allows friends and colleagues to come together and share their awesome photographic experiences with each other? What’s not to like! But of course, for the millions upon millions of social media junkies in our world, Instagram was just Facebook for the iPhone. Let me conclude this with a few words of advice to my teenage colleagues. Dear hormonal teenagers of the world (I include myself in this category, truly), don’t use social media as a way to get sympathy. I understand you are going through hard times, but please don’t inappropriately use a site designed for photographers as a self-awareness campaign for the hardships of your life. Instagram can be a peaceful and fun environment for all if we remember what it stands for. Photography. Or just delete your Instagram. Yeah, go with the latter.

Cameron Chang is a staff writer for Pulse Magazine.

A sport is defined as a competitive physical activity that provides entertainment for the participants and spectators. But who defines how much physical activity is physical? Promoters of unconventional sports such as speedcubing (Rubik’s), chess, and competitive eater might argue that the definition of sports has expanded to encompass activities that many consider trivial.

One of these trivial activities is yo-yoing. For those who are not sure how a yoyo works, a yoyo is an object made of 2 disks, an axle, and a string tied to it. Most people think a yoyo is only a children’s toy and can only be played by throwing the yoyo down and letting it roll back up, rinse and repeat.  But the yoyo has experienced resurgence in modern times since its inception in the 1930s. First created by Pedro Flores and later developed by Donald Duncan, the creator of the Duncan Company, the yoyo has become one of the America’s favorite toys and pastimes. In fact, the name “Yo-yo”, which was trademarked by the famous Duncan Company since the 50s, has become so common that a federal court rules that Duncan had no longer held the rights to the term. Now, Yo-yoing is quickly gaining popularity, as more than 1000 players from over 30 countries will be attending the 2014 World Yoyo Contest, which will be for the first time held in another country, in Prague, Czech Republic. The International Yoyo Federation, created in 2013 to consolidate the multiple national yoyo associations in several countries, stepped out with US, Czech Republic, Japan, and Brazil as its first members.

The first ever World Yo-yo Contest was held in 1932, but the current format of World Yo-yo Contest, organized by the International Yo-yo Federation, began in 1992. At the contest, the competition is judged on two criteria, compulsory tricks and freestyle. Compulsory tricks are yoyo tricks selected by judges before the contest that competitors have to complete without mistake. The freestyle part comprises of competitors performing whatever tricks they want. Assigning points based on difficulty of tricks, artistic performance, and music synchronization, the judge choses a World Champion.

Some of the coolest yoyo tricks that appear at the contest are ones most people could never imagine. As the competition judges the technical section based on cleanliness, variation, rareness, and execution, competitors strive to create the most unique and sharp tricks to show on the national stage. They throw their yoyos off their strings and catch them, untie the string from their fingers, juggle two yoyos at once, or even manipulate their yoyos to spin sideways. Then the performance section judges music use, body control, space use, and showmanship; competitors creatively lay on their back, dubstep dance, or try creative antics to get the audience’s attention or bolster their points.

Just like the Color guard or rhythmic gymnastics, the emerging sport of yo-yoing is a physical activity requiring physical skill, is governed by a set of regulations and rules, and is a highly competitive activity. Even though it isn’t physically exhausting like tennis, lacrosse, or swimming, Yo-yoing requires significant physical dexterity and agility. In fact, depends on the competitor, and some competitors like to breakdance and do backflips on stage, it does require physical prowess to some degree. As the attendees of the contest shoot from hundreds to thousands, from Florida to Prague and Tokyo, yoyo-ers around the world watch as yoyo-ing gradually grows from a children’s toy to an international sport.

Patrick Lin is a staff writer for Pulse Magazine and a yoyo enthusiast.