Starting this school year, a new alternative to running the mile every Friday is being offered. Last year, math teacher, Ms.Kastner proposed the idea of a dance class that would take the place of Physical Education for those students who chose to take it. It may surprise many to know that this is not a class full of young adults prancing about the gym in leotards, but a class with a state approved curriculum. Ms. Kastner, who majored in dance at UCI with minor in education, has an extensive dance background dating back to when she was five years old. Since then she had performed in various hip hop instructional videos, parades at the magical world of Disneyland and the Disney Channel Movie "Gotta Kick It Up". She also choreographs a high school show choir and teaches dance at a studio twice a week. Yet, with such a busy schedule she manages to find the time to put together new pieces of choreography for her students every week. When asked why she decided to offer this class at Costa Mesa HS, Ms. Kastner said she had always planned on teaching dance and aspired to teach it to the high school level. "Dance is my life, it’s what I love to do" she says and is just glad to be able to give students the opportunity to dance instead of running on the field everyday without enjoying what they are doing. The purpose of the dance class is to keep kids active and having fun. Her plans are to focus each month on a different style of dance and going through the various types of dance from hip hop, to jazz, to Latin dancing. This past Friday, Sept. 23rd, the class performed two hip hop pieces that they recently learned exclusively for cmhsnews.com. Ms.Kastner also provided us with a brief clip of her performing to "Who's That Chick" by Rihanna. The class is currently up and running, consisting of more than 20 girls and one boy. Currently, there are plans of expanding the class into sections of beginner, intermediate, and advanced as time progresses and more students take part in the course. Costa Mesa High School's Dance class could possibly very soon turn into a dance team, competing against schools such as Newport Harbor and Corona Del Mar. by Jen Melendez
Head smashing, throat slashing, and robberies, oh my! Though most ladies assume that star of the movie Ryan Gosling would be playing a romantic role once again based on the movies he's starred in such as "The Notebook" and "Crazy Stupid Love", but he tackles a totally different role in the action thriller "Drive". The film Drive is based on the novel of the same name written by James Sallis and was also influenced by the 1978 film "The Driver". The movie is about an unnamed Hollywood stunt driver (played by Gosling) who transforms by night into a getaway car driver for burglars. This driver develops feelings for his neighbor Irene (played by Cary Mulligan) and builds a bond with her and her son. When Irene’s ex-convict husband, Standard, (Osscar Issac) returns from prison, he is brutally beaten by figures from his past. The driver, in trying to protect Irene and her son, offers to drive for Standard in a burglary attempt. The heist goes bad when Standard is shot, and from that point forward, the film turns into a bloodbath. The film is not for the light at heart; it shows people’s heads being shot to pieces and being stomped to the point where the brains are seen shooting out of what was once a head. The movie does not have much dialogue, but what little it does have is vital to the story. Director Nicolas Winding Refn put together the movie as if it were a Jenga tower, pulling out as much as he could while still keeping the skeletal plot structure. Even with all the graphic violence, this movie is a must see. Written by Jen Melendez
When Simba is being raised above the animals on High Cliff Rock, he was to be a symbol of hope. But when shot in 3D, Simba shines like a star. I had to close my eyes for a few seconds, in the darkness of space.
One of the most cherished aspects of the film is its plot. From love to betrayal, from making new friends while rediscovering old ones, and the rise of a small child to a great king, this film has it all. There is a reason that this movie is considered a timeless classic.
What sets this apart from the original, was the amazing integration of 3D technology. It made the movie less of an animated film by bringing more “life” to it. While sitting on the back rows it made me tense when Simba was running away from the Hyenas, as every close encounter led to a giant clawed paw coming towards me. Already perfect masterpiece, 3D simply added another dimension to the experience.
I recommend this movie to all people of all ages. It has the same effect on children as it would have on adults and even of you have seen this movie before then you know that there is no such thing as watching this movie too many times.
You must maintain a rigid posture. Roll your feet from heel to toe. Stand upon your toes when going backwards. Keep your upper body facing forward when going from left to right. Stay on time. Stay in step. And the point of all this? The same as every other sport on Costa Mesa High School's campus: to win big, shiny trophies.
Those who aren't involved in the art of worrying about a million things at once (also known as marching band) cannot fathom all it entails. 25 pound tubas. Staying still for extended periods of time. Frizzed hair, sweated-off makeup. Wet shoes caked with mud. Freezing cold mouthpieces and burning muscles. Waking up at 5 a.m.
All the techniques learned through this program, directed by Mrs. Sandy Gilboe, are used to perform in a marching competition show. A typical field show consists of three or four songs, memorized by the musicians, with musicians marching and color guard members spinning flags and tossing rifles, making beautiful patterns on a football field all of which relates to a specific show theme. Click the "Read More" Link below the pictures for the entire article.
People pay very close attention to the opinion between viewers and professional critics but this time viewers have won the race, while critics slammed this movie with no mercy. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker stars as Kate Reddy, a woman who adores her job but also loves the thought of her young children and a happy marriage. Though she favors her job, she knows in her heart family comes first. Kate seems to be bringing home the bacon this time with her out of work husband Richard (played by Greg Kinnear), who hopes to be an architect. Kate is certainly the kind of working mom who has more than ten things on her plate at once and makes the mandatory “list” every night. Kate has an important position at a Boston financial firm but when an incredible opportunity comes her way, things turn for the worst at the homestead. She has to bear the consequences of being away from family while traveling throughout the country to meet up with her experienced new partner Jack (portrayed by Pierce Brosnan). Though having the support of good friend and co-worker Allison (Christina Hendricks), Kate still hits some rough patches along the way. Along this chapter for Kate, she must learn what is really important and what matters most to her life. I personally loved the movie. It really captures its female viewers and can easily relate to mothers today. I found it funny, romantic, and definitely entertaining! If someone asked me what to see, I wouldn’t hesitate to respond with “I Don’t Know How She Does It”, worth every penny! by Kelsey Armstronghttp://kelseyarmstrong.weebly.com/
The fall play “Up the Down Staircase” started their first rehearsals at the Lyceum Monday after last week’s auditions. The play will begin its shows on November 11 and continue through November 19. Kathy Paladino is the director of this play and has been directing with the help of her student director Javon McGriff. Paladino directed this play once before, six years ago. Paladino said she wanted to do this play again because, “It just seemed like the right play for the students this year. I liked the energy of it, I like that there’s a lot of parts, and I think it’s something [the actors] could relate to.” The first rehearsals consisted of a read-through of a large part of the script and then they practiced basic movements and acted the lines on stage. While they read lines, the actors not only have to start learning how to memorize them, but they also have to try and become their character. “I think it feels good,” said junior Randy Flores, “It makes you feel good because you can get out of your own life and be someone else.” While the actors practiced their lines and movements onstage, McGriff worked hard to help them not only be their characters, but think like their characters. McGriff took the actors outside of the Lyceum and worked with them on becoming a different person. He told them the basics about their character and how they should act when they “get into character.” The longtime actors, like senior Kory Bennion, said they are looking forward to, “Opening night; and I’m also looking forward to working with Alyssa Hatton." Facebook: CMHS Drama Kathy Paladino: kathypaladino@hotmail.com CMHS Drama Website: cmhsdrama.org Written by: Maya Lee-Lopezhttp://mayalee-lopez.weebly.com/
As the lights dimmed and the curtain rose in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Hall on September 16th, hundreds of people sat on edge of their plush velvet seats, one question on their minds: Will this performance of West Side Story live up to the legend?
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