Team Bonding: A Fun Pres Tradition

Team bonding is a long time tradition that sports teams, including Presentation, partake in. While team bonding is a fun event for team members, it is also a vital component for a successful season.

Sports teams that are already unified can become stronger after bonding. Team bonding helps the players build chemistry on and off the field. It leads to the team being able to play well together and helps form lasting friendships.

According to a study called “Team Building for Youth Sports,” published by the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, team chemistry “is believed to go a long way toward helping a group of athletes achieve a common goal.” This is true, the study’s authors found, in both task-oriented and social situations.

Often, at the beginning of each Pres season, the returning players will welcome the new players with quirky traditions and fun festivities. Teams focus on getting to know the newer players in a social environment to ensure stronger communication on the field or court.

While some people envision team bonding as having players do trust exercises, like falling back into someone’s hopefully open arms, Pres traditions focus more on getting a little crazy. A common practice among teams is to dress the newest players in funny and ridiculous costumes and assigning each player small tasks to perform, such as dancing in a mini-flash mob or singing happy birthday to a plant in a public setting.

For example, Varsity Soccer team’s bonding this year included the new members of the soccer team singing Christmas carols in the food court of the mall, dressing up in funny clothes and makeup, and attending Bellarmine’s Sanguine Humors Show to support a teammate in the show.

Soccer senior Megan McArthur said, “We wanted to make sure that the girls had a lot of fun while getting to know us better. Luckily for us, all the players on the soccer team were well-versed in Christmas carols and had no trouble singing in front of crowds.”

After the fun, the team will usually eat dinner together and spend the night as a team, sharing stories, playing games and eating, which brings the team together creating a solid unification.

Field Hockey player Emma Manzano, junior, said, “Our team bonding is always an event I look forward to because it brings the team closer together.”

Stacy Mallison, Athletic Director and Varsity Soccer head coach, commented on the current soccer team’s chemistry.

“I noticed that this year’s soccer team is a lot closer than teams of the years past. The team has gotten together outside of practice many different times, and I see this pay off on the field.”

All in all, team bonding brings players closer together, uniting them under common experiences and allowing new players to participate in team traditions. The memories made during these events are not only remembered throughout the season but also through the athlete’s time at Presentation.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday…

When is Ark Music Factory to give me my record deal? Over one hundred million views and counting, Rebecca Black proves that it is possible to write a song in under 20 minutes. Do not be mistaken, this song goes deeper than a young girl’s love for the day Friday; it touches on a tough topic that all middle schoolers deal with: where she should sit in her friend’s car, which he apparently stole from his father because he is also 13.

Daniel Tosh started this obsession on his Tosh.O blog post titled “Songwriting Isn’t For Everyone,” but this overnight sensation should not have happened. When ARK Music Factory released “Friday” on March 14, Black had no idea of the attention she would receive. Unfortunately, the attention is for all the wrong reasons.Surprisingly, ARK Music Factory did not produce Black’s video out of the comfort of their garage. The company is based in California, but they cannot hold nation-wide scouting because they do not have enough funds. CEO and founder of the record company, Patrice Wilson, holds auditions throughout California.

In an exclusive interview with his own company, he said, “ARK Music Factory is a platform to reach out to every unknown person out there with a passion for music that wants to reach out to the world.” The company has signed eight “artists” up to date, six of them being under the age of 15 and two of them being adults trying to relive their adolescent dreams. Perhaps the company should be charged with giving these people false hope with their talent.

“To be honest, the video was going around in Tumblr before anyone really knew about her, and then Facebook heard it and now everyone knows about the song. At first, it was really funny but now I really believe that it’s just too over played and it’s just gotten old,” said freshman Marilese Mowen, about a week after the song debuted. “A 2-year-old girl singing about which seat can she take when there’s obviously one available seat in the car? That’s just stupid.” To be sure, song lyrics for popular music within the past decade have become vulgar and, frankly, inappropriate, but the beat is catchy so kids listen to it. ARK Music Factory is trying to fight this trend of “dirty” song lyrics with “easy” lyrics. Wilson in the interview said, “I want to show young people that they can make good music, good and clean music.” Alas, moral goodness is not the same as lyrical goodness.

Another freshman, Kathryn Daugherty, commented on the music video by Black. “It starts off with her narrating her movie, then her friends who clearly are not old enough to drive pull up in a convertible, then she ponders whether to sit in the front or the back seat. The sad part is that’s the best part of the song. It leads to 6-year-olds wearing prom dresses and then some black man rapping. If he’s going to the party, he’s obviously a pedophile. Basically, it’s horrible and overly auto tuned.”

Hold on, Kathryn. ARK Music Factory begs to differ. “If you actually listen to other songs on the radio, they have more auto tune. To give that radio sound though, we have to give it that auto tune.”Although this is an opinion piece which means I can argue just my own obviously correct viewpoint, I asked to hear some positive comments about the song and music video. There were none.

Matt Farberov, a junior at Mission San Jose High School, did provide us a cheerful statistic: “We’ve all heard our share of terrible music. But how is it that in under a week, that disgrace has over 39.5 million views, coming within 10 million of hits like Billie Jean, and ‘Here Comes the Sun’? World, I’m ashamed.”

ARK founder Wilson finished his interview saying, “Regardless of the lyrics and how easy they might be, they stick in your head, and when you get out of the shower, and you’re singing, ‘Friday, Friday,’ that’s the goal, to create tunes and songs like that.” Well, bravo Wilson. Friday has been stuck in everyone’s heads for weeks, and I have no doubt that you will be humming the song hours after you read this article. The issue is that after you sing, “Friday, Friday,” you want to slap yourself in the face for uttering that word repetitively.

Yet, the repetition of the words “Friday” and “fun” are not even the most inane part of the song. It’s the fact that Black spends her whole bridge (32 seconds) telling the world something they already knew: “Saturday comes after Friday, and Sunday comes afterwards.” In years to come, I am sure Black’s music will be intermixed with Bach and Mozart when parents are playing music to infants in the mother’s uterus. The sooner the child can learn that Saturday comes after Friday the better.

Finally, the ARK Music Factory website recently posted, “Critics and viewers are raving and throwing all kinds of praises for Alana Lee (the artist who introduced Rebecca Black to Ark Music Factory).” On behalf of Presentation High School, I would like to thank Alana Lee for bringing Rebecca Black to the company. She gave us something to laugh at in March, which, incidentally, comes before April. The next month will be May.

Warped Tour!

At this point in the school year, everyone is looking forward to summer. As your friends discuss fun things that you can do, keep in mind that there is one event you shouldn’t miss. Warped Tour is a music festival that is held every summer in cities across the nation. The closest one to us this summer is at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View on June 26 from 10 a.m. to around 7 p.m. There are around 50 bands, usually alternative rock, that play half-hour sets on one of the many stages.

Sum 41

One band that you’ll be able to spot at Warped Tour is Sum 41. If you haven’t yet heard of this popular Canadian band, they have a pop-punk sound mixed with alternative rock. In the past they’ve toured with bands like The Offspring and Blink-182. Lead Singer Derek Whibley has a distinctive voice that is deeper than most pop-punk singers. Their songs are varying enough for almost anyone to find something they like. Some of them, like “Still Waiting,” have moderate screaming, while others are bubbly and just fun to dance to like “In Too Deep.” Basically, if you like alternative rock, Sum 41 is a classic band that you should definitely take time to check out.

Mayday Parade

Another band that you should look for at Warped Tour is the lesser known Mayday Parade. Their sound is best described as pop-rock, comparable to bands such as All Time Low and Every Avenue. The majority of their songs have to do with romance, which makes sense considering that one of their CD’s is entitled “A Lesson in Romantics.” Some of their most popular songs that would give you a better idea of their music are “Kids in Love” and “Jamie All Over.” Although one of their songs is slow, the rest tend to have upbeat guitar rhythms and fun lyrics.

Hey Monday

Hey Monday is a moderately new band that you might want to see at Warped Tour. Their lead singer is female, so their sound is similar to Paramore. Although she has a high-pitched voice, it’s still easy to sing along to their songs. They’re generally considered pop-rock and if you were to just listen to the instruments, they sound a lot like Mayday Parade and All Time Low. Their songs are really bubbly and a few of the best ones to give you a taste of their sound are “Homecoming” and “How You Love Me Now.”

The All-American Rejects

Warped Tour is a great opportunity, and maybe your last, to see this catchy pop/rock band up close on a small stage. Its two remaining members, Tyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler, are “moving along” to bigger and more mainstream performances, but they’re leaving with a bang that you won’t want to miss. Fortunately, the band’s shortened tour (they’re only appearing from 6/24 to 7/18) allows them to grace the Bay Area with a performance at the Shoreline in Mountain View. Recently, the AAR have been making a splash in the music industry by performing at the Winter Olympics and Superbowl XLIV. Rumor has it that the duo is on a roll and may come out with a new album before 2010 comes to a close.

Motion City Soundtrack

After the January release of their latest album My Dinosaur Life, this pop punk band has been keeping busy, touring everywhere from Las Vegas to New York. The intense, power pop sound of their latest hits promises a high-energy performance this summer, and this band specializes in all-out live performances. They took a chance with the darker, more chaotic mood for their new album, but the guidance of Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus ensured a booming success. Like the All-American Rejects, the band is only involved in Warped Tour from 6/24 to 7/18, so make sure you purchase tickets for the Shoreline venue if you want to see this dynamic performance.

The Cab

Having toured with some of the biggest names in Alternative rock today (Panic! At the Disco, Forever the Sickest Kids and Cobra Starship) this popular band flaunts one of the most unique sounds in the rock industry today. Combining upbeat pop with smoother R&B accents, their music is danceable, fun and impressive. Barely out of high school, the four members bring a vibrant energy to the stage and never fail to astound new listeners. Be sure to check them out if you’re not already a fan – they’re one of the dedicated bands playing the entire Warped Tour.

Fall Trend Report: There’s No E.N.D. to These Incoming Trends

Prepare to step out of your comfort box and go on a shopping rampage. This fall will go down in trend history. Designers have created a brilliant, exciting collection of must-haves for this autumn. Apple has worked endlessly to perfect the most convenient MP3 player. Musical artists have strived to create unique and catchy songs. They have all assisted in transforming this year from “just another fall” into unforgettable.  From electronics to fashion, 2009 is exploding with edgy, fun styles sure to be enjoyed by all.

 

Fashion

Fashion, something many girls hold close to their hearts, showcased some great styles during New York Fashion Week. The top fashion trend this year? Plaid. Motorcycle jackets, dresses, and flannel have all been hit with the plaid plague. A clothing item with plaid print is a necessity for this year’s look. Pres girls are of course already way ahead of the fashion world with this trend. Finally the Presentation blue plaid skirt is in. Girls can stand proud in their skirts off campus knowing they are stylish and trendy. Other major trends include the boyfriend jean, zippers, boots, and bright, neon colors. Shoe stores, such as DSW, have dedicated at least eight rows for boots alone. Designers found unusual ways to incorporate zippers on flats, purses, and pants. Boyfriend jeans appear on legs of women throughout America and are sold at most retail stores. The famous Michael Kors had his models strutting a neon pink and neon green dress down the runway. So hit the mall as soon as possible and pick up clothing items of these fierce fashion trends that fit will your style.

 

Music

Many musical geniuses produced top hits this year, but the genre that really took off was pop. According to iTunes’s statistics, “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus is the number one most popular song of this fall. This hit single soared to the top of the charts within its first week of release. The second most popular song is “I Got a Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas. It is not uncommon to hear people chanting this catchy tune. Its feel-good vibe attracts many teens to want to listen to it. Third on the charts is “Down” by Jay Sean. This song received 4 ½ out of 5 stars from iTunes listeners. “Down” has an optimistic, loving beat instantly attracting teens. It also helps that the infamous Lil’ Wayne is featured in the song with his 30 second rap segment. Other top pop songs include “She Wolf” by Shakira, “Whatcha Say” by Jason DeRulo, and “Fallin’ for You” by Colbie Caillat.

 

Technology

In order to listen to music, having the essential MP3 player is crucial. Apple’s new iTouch second generation not only allows you to listen to your music without headphones, but includes internet, games, calendars, and even texting.  This all-in-one device is the trendiest and most efficient way to hear your music while communicating with your friends. You can even access the Presentation Voice website and keep up to date with school and other events. The website includes pictures, articles, and even fun quizzes. Check out more at www.presentationvoice.com.

 

If you’re looking for an adventurous, futuristic movie to see, keep your eye out for the upcoming film Avatar. Written by James Cameron, this 3D action packed movie will be unlike any other you have seen. According to Screen Rant, all actors are filmed special bodysuits and head rigs with a standard definition camera that is constantly snapping photos of the actors’ face. The image is then transmitted to another camera that is able to see the actors in their “CG” costumes. “The way we developed the performance capture workflow on ‘Avatar’ is we have our virtual camera, which allows me to, in real time, hold a camera — it’s really a monitor — in my hands and point it at the actors and see them as their CG characters” Cameron says. This movie should be coming to theaters in the summer of 2010.

 

This fall will surely be an explosion of exciting new things. Keep your eyes out for these trends to stay up to date with all the latest fads. Remember, originality is the new pink! So what are you waiting for? Go out, buy, and stay in style!

           

Groovy Golf

As the weekend draws near, you try your best to concoct a plan of something to do with your friends. Many teenagers find this difficult, considering that bowling gets old and the mall gets boring if you don’t have unlimited amounts of money. After deciding against your usual activities, you should consider Lunar Golf at the Great Mall in Milpitas.  

 

Basically, Lunar Golf is an indoor facility for glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. It is especially appealing if it is raining or extraordinarily hot outside. Just like Golf Land, you do not need to be a skilled golfer to have fun. Upon entrance, you would notice that the entire building is lit by black lights and everything worth seeing is glowing a neon color. This includes your white clothes, golf clubs, and balls, which come in orange, yellow, green, and blue.

 

Considering that it is indoors, it is not as spread out as you may be used to; however, there are eighteen holes for you to play. It may appear small at first, but after walking though an open archway, it opens into another room full of different holes, which then leads to a third room. Each room contains various themes ranging from medieval to prehistoric. You might see a knight, a dragon, and a castle around one room, and dinosaurs and artificial rocks in another.

 

Some of these decorations also serve as obstacles between you and the hole. You see more of them as the hole number increases. Like traditional golf, each hole becomes consistently more difficult. The first hole begins with level ground and minimal blockades. Some of the final holes have corners, uphill slants, and much more narrow passages for your ball to travel through.

 

Conveniently, the price to play is $8 and will last you three rounds. You would probably appreciate the experience much more if you attended with a large group of friends. Although there is a limit of four people per group, you may purchase supplies for two or more groups separately and just play together. If you are interested in attending this new activity, it is open every day of the week.