Feature
- Letter to the Editor
- Kevin Post
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Band Championships
A Rebuttal to the Editorial on Proposition 8
By Rick Sabosky, Contributor
Proposition 8 as it was originally placed on the ballot was 24 simple words defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Jerry Brown JR., the California District Attorney took the words defining marriage and twisted them into a law that sounded much worse by describing the proposition as denying marriage to gay couples. I realize this is only semantics but it is how the "left" does its business. This initiative would never have appeared on the ballot this year if the liberal judges of our state had not thrown out the last ballot measure on same sex marriage which was approved by 62% of the electorate in favor of marriage as the union between a man and a woman. When this was overturned by these judges it left those who believe in the sanctity of marriage no choice but to ask for a constitutional definition of marriage. As we know Proposition 8 passed and again those who lost a fair election are using every means within their power to try to overturn the will of the people. They now call it "The tyranny of the majority". How ludicrous, since the very definition of democracy in Webster's Dictionary is "the rule of the majority". So now, even the cornerstone principle of our Constitution becomes a "tyranny" when the liberal agenda is not accomplished. How sad for students and our future leaders to be fed this propaganda.
Let me say without any reservation that as a Christian I am called by God to love all people regardless of any difference I might have with them. I do not get to choose whom I love. I must love my neighbor as myself. So when the editorial accuses or charges me and anyone else who believes that same sex marriage is morally wrong with being a discriminator, a bigot and comparing us to those who believed in slavery. I categorically deny it. Your paper even went so far as to compare Christians to the Nazis of World War II who tortured and killed 6 million Jews and millions of others who did not "measure up" to the German view of the perfect human being. How disingenuous can this political cartoonist be? Why does the cartoonist not attack Barack Obama and Joe Biden who both came out against gay marriage during the presidential campaign? Why not go after Blacks or Black churches who also voted in a majority of their population for proposition 8. I believe that these are not "politically correct" targets. It would take a lot of courage to attack the president-elect on his stance or Blacks on theirs. Christians and Mormons are easy targets today and take "no courage" to attack. "Real" political cartoonists must be brave enough to challenge the powerful even when it may not be politically expedient.
Sadly, the real discrimination comes to those who dare to stand up for their beliefs. "Hollywood" has already gotten a theater manager fired because he dared to donate to the yes on Prop 8 Campaign. The wonderful people of the Mormon Church have been called haters and bigots and the gay protestors have spray-painted vulgar hate signs and words on their temples. I dare you to find a more genuine, loving, caring group of people than Mormons. Suddenly they are horrible "haters" who were responsible for the passage of Proposition 8. What happened to freedom of thought and expression? Is it only when the" left" wants to burn a flag, or spew foul language, or pass out pornography that they have a civil rights? But if Christians, Mormons, and Blacks vote for something they believe in they should be fired from their job or have their restaurants closed or boycotted, and be attacked as "haters" as has been happening throughout our State . We simply are not allowed to disagree on a moral stand. We must be "evil" or just plain "backwards" and "ridiculous" as the editorial alluded. Gays are not some disenfranchised group of Americans who are being discriminated against as happened to Black Americans before their civil rights were finally and rightfully guaranteed. Gay people have the same equal rights as all the rest of us. They do not ride in the back of a bus or drink at separate water fountains. These horrible discriminations and indignities happened to African Americans and were sinful, despicable, and embarrassing to all Americans. Homosexuals are a powerful political entity who I see discriminating against others rights with a vehemence that is rarely seen today. Marriage or matrimony is not a civil right. Brothers can't marry their sisters. First cousins are not allowed to marry and having multiple partners (bigamy) is against the law. Marriage has always been defined as a union between a man and a woman. There is not one society in world history that has sanctioned governmental approval of marriage between gay partners. Are we so much more enlightened today or are we just so liberal in our moral stance that we have to try to destroy the family unit as many believe God designed it. So why should we stop at gay marriage? Why shouldn't a brother marry his sister or a man have multiple wives? These people have rights also. Will this be next? The author states "that Americans are putting a barrier on deciding whom we can love and cannot love." This is a blatant falsehood. No one is saying whom you can and can't love. Love is not the issue, marriage is and we should not believe that anyone is trying to legislate against loving whomever you please. Civil unions and legal precedent give gay partners health insurance and legal equal standing with their partner as if they were married. They just cannot call their union a marriage. You can love anyone or anything, even your dog. But you are not allowed to marry your sister, a dog, or a tree. And the government will enforce this law as the majority think it should be or until the Supreme Court rules otherwise. This is why our democracy has stood the test of time. The one thing I am sure of is that I do not hate those with whom I disagree and I will never believe that their intentions are anything but honorable and a part of their true belief system. Christians, Mormons and blacks who voted Yes on Proposition 8 ask for the same respect.
Rick Sabosky
Senior Spotlight: Kevin Post
By Andrew Gen
He plays football; he plays basketball; he’s a scholar, and he’s a good friend. Senior Kevin Post is a great example of the perfect student athlete. Kevin was born February 26, 1991 in Torrance, California. Kevin grew lived in Torrance but attended El Segundo Schools since kindergarten. At the age of two, Kevin met, Bret Shryer, at day care. The two friends attended the same kindergarten together and became best friends. “We discovered at an early age that we had a lot in common and that we were a lot alike and that’s why we are still best friends today.”
When Kevin was five, he joined a recreational basketball team in Torrance, (when did you stop?). Participating in a plethora of sports, Kevin and Bret joined AYSO soccer when they were ten. And two years later, Kevin joined the Torrance Pop Warner team. He and Brett, who played Pop Warner for El Segundo, played football on opposing factions. Kevin played quarterback and receiver on offence and safety on defense throughout his Pop Warner career. “Being a third generation football player, and my brother playing football,” Kevin said, “influenced me to want to continue to play football once I got to high school.” Kevin’s parents supported his football playing. His mom and his dad, a former college player for the University of Nevada, supported Kevin’s path into football stardom.
In middle school, Kevin became friends with Alex Merced and Chance Cooper. Two years later, Kevin moved to El Segundo from Torrance when he was 13 due to his parent’s divorce. And the following year, his older brother was diagnosed with cancer. “It was a tough time in my life but even though it was difficult my family remained close and that helped my get through it a lot easier.”
Kevin pressed on into high school and joined the frosh/soph football team, the freshman basketball team, and the baseball team and created his frame as a year-round athlete. The following year, Kevin dropped baseball and picked up track where he was awarded as MVP of his sophomore year, but that award couldn’t stack up to the two MVP awards he got his junior year in football and basketball.
Last summer, Kevin attended two football camps, one at San Diego State and the other at USC to improve his skills. This year, Kevin helped bring the football team into the CIF tournament, the farthest they have gotten since 1987. “The football team was great; it was one of the greatest experiences of my high school career. I’ve made most of my friends though football and hopefully I can go to college to continue my football career.” Kevin applied to several CSUs including San Diego and Long Beach but is being recruited for football by UC Davis, Wesleyan University, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. If his future were up to him, Kevin wants to play football for UC Davis and graduate with a degree in business, and then attend the Art Institute and major in music production to pursue his career as a producer.
ESHS PRESENTS: A Midsummer Night's Dream
By Emma Smith
“If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended- that you have but slumbered here while these visions did appear.” This line is taken from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and is also uttered by El Segundo High School’s own Chantel Adedeji. The Drama Department put on the classic tale as their fall performance as directed by Mrs. Hedayat during these past two weeks. The storyline follows the paths of several young men and women of Athens, Greece. The audience is introduced to Theseus (Jack Riordan), the Athenian ruler, and his bride-to-be, Hippolyta (Erika Clarke). As these two prepare for their wedding day, a bit of a crisis emerges. The daughter of an Anthenian nobleman refuses to marry the man her father has chosen, but instead grants her favor upon another. This daughter, Hermia (Melissa Muncy), loves Lysander (Rudy Pivaral) yet scorns Demetrius (Christian Stogryn). Hermia’s close friend Helena (Kayla Diaz), meanwhile, is utterly besotted with Demetrius, despite his numerous attempts to rid himself of her affection. Because Hermia refuses to obey her father and marry Demetrius, she is faced with two choices: either live out her life as a nun or die. Seeking another option, Hermia and Lysander make plans to meet in the woods outside the city and run away. They take Helena into their confidence, who promptly relays the entire scheme to Demetrius.
All four wind up in the forest, where trouble is brewing between the fairy king, Oberon (Teddy Antipala), and the queen, Titania (Jordan Munn). As Oberon and his follower, Puck (Chantel Adedeji), make mischief with a few spells and a flower’s love-inducing juice, several mere mortals are caught in the crossfire. This includes the four Athenian youths as well as a group of actors preparing a play for Theseus’s wedding day. One in particular, a man named Nick Bottom (Eric Rajaniemi), finds his head transformed into that of a donkey as a fairy queen falls in love with him.
All in all, the cast and crew did a tremendous job during the performance. The intimate atmosphere of the Little Theatre lent itself well to the mood of the play and served to draw the audience in. The only downside was that, at least for one showing, the performance was sold out; people had to be turned away at the door. While Shakespeare’s Old English was sometimes difficult to comprehend (and speak), the actors easily made up for it by displaying nearly tangible emotions and by giving life to all their lines through physical gestures and tone of voice. Several times, the audience was gasping and shrieking along with those on stage (especially when the lion roared). Each of the parts was played to near perfection, from the mischievous Puck to Oberon, the regal ruler hidden from mortal eyes, to the impassioned lovers to the hilarious Nick Bottom. Drama students really got into character, putting on a truly sensational show that would have had even Shakespeare clapping in loud applause. ESHS has every reason to be proud and look forward to the spring musical!
Band Finishes Off the Season With a Bang!
By Jack Li
For many of El Segundo High School's teams, this year has been a major turning point in terms of success achieved. Many of our teams are setting new records that were previously unheard of in recent school history. One of these achievements belongs to the ESHS Marching band. The marching band has had an extremely successful season, ending at the California State Band Championship completion on November 22.
At the championships in San Gorgonio High School of San Bernardino, California, the band was lucky enough to be able participate in a competition among the best marching bands in the entire state. In addition, the band was able to watch and learn from other first-rate band performances. Every band member tried their best during the performance and Mr. Fox remarked that this was one of the best performances he had seen this season. Junior Josh Footlik said, "I am very proud of what the band has accomplished." In an awe-inspiring performance, they took sixth place in the state competition.
Before being invited to attend the championship competition, bands must be able to prove that they are competent enough to compete at such a level. Asserting this fact involves winning first or second place at a regional competition. These regional competitions can be especially tough and even a bit enervating as there are numerous bands coming to prove that they too are prepared for championships. The ESHS Marching Band not only won first place at the first regional, but also won second place in the following one. However, the band did not merely achieve this goal by pure musical talent or simple competence; rather, each and every member of the band has been working tenuously with this goal in mind since the start of the season.
From the first week of band camp during the summer, every single band member strived to reach new heights within the organization. From class time in first period band, to long Saturday and Friday practices, not one member was afraid to dedicate his or her time towards the higher cause - working as a team to achieve new goals. This paid off during the season, as the band received first and second at every single competition they participated in, eventually earning a high rank at championships. As band director Mr. Fox says, "This has truly been a storybook season." The band members cannot help but agree as they look back on this monumental experience.