Triton Times - student magazine for San Clemente High School : simplebooklet.com

EDITORS-IN-CHIEFEnzo Candolo Nicolle GenerauxNEWSROOM MANAGEREden HavelHEAD EDITORSTyler Pearce Sophie Rapeepat Olivia Vergopia NEWS EDITORSSienna MillerClaire PhamOPINION EDITORBrianna HernandezSTUDENT LIFE EDITORSBlake McAlpin Sienna TausA&E EDITORSJenna ForssClaire HedgerSPORTS EDITORDavid RudnickiWRITERSCarly AltmanJordyn BanksSophia BirdChloe Gerhard Kayla JonesMea MarvinTrevor PonsenGracie Reynolds Taylor Van DijkArrantza VillarroelCharlotte YeskulskySophia YeskulskyPHOTOGRAPHERSDylan BackerEmma BarbanellMEDIA DESIGN EDITORNate SulkessADVISORMr. MillerMission Statement: The Triton Times is a student-run publication established in 1966 by students at San Clemente High School (for-merly known as The Triton). The staff of the Triton Times seeks to recognize individuals, events, and ideas that are relevant to the community. The Triton Times student journalists are committed to working in a manner that is professional, unbiased, and thorough in order to effectively serve our readers. We strive to report accurately and will correct any signicant error. If you believe such an error has been made, please contact us. Opinions expressed in this pub-lication are those of the journalism staff and not of San Clemente High School or the Capistrano Unied School District.Letter from the Editor2 | tritontimes.com

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4 | tritontimes.comLibrary remodel: all new furniture, tech, and more! Nicolle Generaux | Editor-in-ChiefHave you visited the library lately? If you haven’t, you should – it’s been under construction since mid-June of this year. This is just one fan-tastic development in a string of projects conducted to modernize our school, creat-ing a more friendly and safe environment for all students. “When you rst see it, you expect it to have a more vintage look inside,” com-mented senior Chris Pimentel, “but then you walk in and it’s all modern and has a real homey feel.”According to Principal Carter, this restoration has been on the school’s to-do list for quite some time now. Although the space was usable, it was notably dark, a lit-tle dingy, and outdated—with the original tables and chairs from the school’s opening in 1964 still in use. Luckily, the San Clem-ente High School Educational Foundation was searching for a “worthwhile” proj-ect that could really “make a difference” on campus. Principal Carter requested a much-needed upgrade for the library that the Foundation approved, and the recon-struction date was set. Originally, the plan was to only re-furbish the building: including replacing and adding new carpet, chairs, soft seat-ing, shelving, better computers, and other things for a fresher look—all at the bargain price of $250,000. Principal Carter also petitioned the district for donations, which they readily agreed to for all maintenance and labor in removing bookshelves. However, after the library was stripped of its books and furniture and con-struction began, the scope of this remodel became a much bigger project with a big-ger budget. After nding breeding grounds for asbestos, the school was forced to rip out and replace the entire ceiling—and because the ceiling was dismantled, the school gured they should also re-do the lighting and electrical wiring; and then re-place the existing duct system; install an all new HVAC system; replace some of the windows; and then on top of every-thing, decided to reorganize the room to better suit the new furniture and technolo-gy. Sufce it to say, the library project was scheduled to formally open by the begin-ning of this school year; but with several more unexpected and necessary upgrades (that thankfully the District agreed to pay the additional funding for), it did not open to students until early November. That being said, the time was well spent: the most noteworthy change was the overall look of the library, as the ceil-ing was lifted to create a brighter, more airy space. In addition, with better lighting, larger windows, and a better layout and quality of desks, computer workstations, and books, the room almost seems to have stretched and expanded to a cleaner, more comfortable environment. Principal Carter hopes that the variety of seating (consist-ing of soft, roll-away, hard, and high-top seating) will be more “inviting” and “fun to sit at,” and that “all students will utilize [the library] in different ways.” Ms. Moffroid, a librarian at SCHS for four years now, described the new work environment as "aesthetically more attractive," and mentioned that she "loves to look through the windows and see the trees," as it "accentuates the mid-century modern architecture of the building."Mr. Bailey, another large contributor to this project, noted that the new library is now more “safe and functional,” and that the students can be more “comfortable and relaxed” while completing their home-work or during after-school tutorials. Mr. Bailey also added that the school is “constantly modernizing the campus” for everyone’s benet and that the next few projects in the upcoming years will be to update the conference room for staff, reconstruct the gym, and possibly even get the pool replaced. For now, Principal Carter, Mr. Bailey, and all of the SCHS staff are “excited to get students in there.” The grand opening to the public—with a large presentation for the community—will take place in January of 2024, after the school nishes up some electrical work. Also, show your support by following the library's Insta-gram, @schs.library_Please drop by whenever you get a chance! It's open daily from 7:20 am to 3:40 pm, and is available for after-school tutoring Monday-Thursday. LIBRARY SHINES: New decor features functional, modern furniture and more open space. (Dylan Backer)

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5Charlotte Yeskulsky| WriterTitle IX and the culprit of mens collegiate sportsIn my nightly ritual of scrolling through my Instagram feed, one particular post caught my attention: the BIG 12 Con-ference had just announced its addition of women's lacrosse and beach volleyball! Not only is this exciting for future athletes of the BIG 12 like myself, but it also signies the growth of these sports. However, in check-ing the comment section (something that I rarely do), I was shocked to see 8 out of every 10 comments being men complaining about no addition of men's sports—con-sequently blaming Title IX for this. While there is no doubt that Title IX has impacted the growth of many collegiate men's sports, it doesn't mean that it is entirely at fault and has not been extremely benecial for sports as a whole. For those unfamiliar with Title IX, it is a federal law that was enacted in 1972 to “prohibit sex-based discrimination in education programs or activities receiving federal nancial assistance, including ath-letics,” (ESPN). As a result, universities and colleges must provide equal opportunities and resources for female athletes, ensuring they have the same opportunities as their male counterparts.Collegiate football programs are one of the most signicant components of Title IX that receive the most controversy. An NCAA football program must have a “min-imum of 65 full athletic scholarships” and no women’s sport comes close to that num-ber (ESPN). Because of this, it is unfair that any team, men’s or women’s, should have to suffer. The highest number of athletic schol-arships that can be allotted for a women’s team is 18, for women’s rowing. This is not comparable to a male football program that is capable of offering more than three times the amount of athletic scholarships.The number of athletic scholarships that must be allocated for each sport is set by the NCAA, not Title IX. While partly the NCAA's fault, Title IX ensures that equal scholarships must be provided, thus mak-ing universities add more women's sports in order to be equivalent to male sports such as football which require many more schol-arships. It is important to note that Title IX does not measure equality as in the number of teams, but rather the number of individ-ual athletes.To stay in compliance with Title IX, some universities have taken more minor men’s sports, such as swimming, golf, and track and eld, to the chopping block. By reducing the number of men's teams, univer-sities no longer have to add more women's teams, requiring more funding. As Sports Il-lustrated reported, of Division I schools, 75 percent of the men's athletic budget is spent on men's basketball and football, which results in more minor men's sports getting ruled out. Oftentimes, people inaccurately and automatically assume that because a sports team was cut from a program, it was directly related to Title IX—when in reality, it could have been done for budgetary rea-sons or to support programs driving more revenue. The legislation does not mandate equal funding, but instead emphasizes equal opportunities.Consequently, the surge in women's sports is not a detriment to men's athletics but a necessary correction to longstanding imbalances. Before Title IX, women were virtually excluded from most athletic op-portunities in schools. While some may feel that Title IX has caused harm to men's colle-giate sports, they must view the broader pic-ture and realize how non-existent women's collegiate sports were before it was enacted. This law has brought women's sports to a more equal level with men’s programs after so many decades of being underrepresented.While the men's engagement in the comments section is understandably frus-trated from the discontinued men's sports in unison with the promotion of women's sports at the collegiate level, they must realize that these changes ultimately benet them. By adding more women's teams, universities are also able to add more men's teams to en-sure a correct gender ratio. While there may not be any instant gratication from news of these additions to women's sports in the BIG 12, in the long run, these men will see their concerns reassured.FANS of women's sports have long praised Title IX, as did these demonstrators supporting the Women's Bas-ketball Coaches Association. (Joey McLister/Star Tribune)

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6 | tritontimes.comIndigenous wisdom for a sustainable futureEden Havel | Head Editor & Newsroom ManagerTen thousand years ago, the land we walk on today was home to the Acjacheman Nation. The riv-ers, marshes, woodlands, meadows, and oceans were cared for and protected by those who understood the essence and in-terconnectedness of land and life. In po-litically and religiously independent vil-lages ranging between modern-day San Diego to Los Angeles, the Acjecheman valued kinship and the preservation and equality of life in each form. Today, the Acjacheman People are not a federally recognized tribe. They do not have any land base or reservation, and their two recognized gathering lo-cations and grounds are publicly owned to be utilized by the broad public. They ght presently for the expression of their beautiful culture in a society that knows very little of their history, a society that has consistently dispossessed and erased any evidence of their existence at all. Nevertheless, Indigenous wisdom is es-sential to the future of our world; and for those who value the sustainability of na-ture and ecosystem, it is crucial that we listen. Dina Gilio-Whitaker is a journalist, professor of American Indian Studies at California State University at San Mar-cos, activist, and award-winning author of the critically acclaimed book, All the Real Indians Died Off and 20 Oth-er Myths About Native Americans. Her research, environmental activism, and mission are dedicated to the preservation of Indigenous land, wisdom, and history. “Readers typically say that [the book, All the Real Indians Died Off] was thought-provoking for them,” she said. Her many publishings and lectures are met with curiosity and openness from audiences who are eager to discover. Dina teaches a course called Traditional Ecological Knowledge at Cal State San Marcos, where her interactions with stu-dents reinforce her optimism for a future that further embraces Indigenous culture. “On the rst day of class, I have the students write a paragraph answering the question, ‘What is your relationship to land and place, and to the Indige-nous people of that place?’ Then, I ask HERE TO STAY: Acjacheman people celebrate their Native Culture. (San Clemente Times)

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7them to answer the question in a full essay at the end of the semester after the weeks they’ve spent in this class. Once they’ve been exposed to Indig-enous perspectives and knowledge, almost always, their answers have changed. They connect and hold a deeper relationship with the land and where they’re from, understand-ing it in a very different way. This illustrates the importance of Indige-nous knowledge and worldviews in impacting non-Native populations in a positive way.” The openness of her students and the progress in the classroom setting alone is encouraging to Dina, who believes that educating society on In-digenous perspectives is the key to environmental awareness and activism. Her other successful novel, As Long as the Grass Grows, is “a call for environmentalists to learn from the Indige-nous community’s rich history of activism,” reframing the accept-ed history of environ-mentalism to display its exercise of White su-premacy and Indigenous inferiority. While Amer-ican land preservation prioritizes the absence of human contact, Indig-enous wisdom empha-sizes the importance of tending to it in order to avoid natural disasters. As technology and me-dia have offered a pow-erful platform for Native People to voice their perspectives, knowledge such as this is becoming more widely incorporat-ed into modern-day en-vironmental activism. “What activists can learn from this history is to listen to Indigenous people; their own relationships to the land and worldviews are very unique because they come from a different perspective and paradigm. Listening to them and paying attention to them is what everybody must do to con-the coastal commission in stopping a toll road from being built. It was a very important study for understand-ing what environmental justice looks like, and how exciting that it was in San Clemente that this happened.”We must dispel stereotypes and myths that continue to diminish In-digenous voices. This is Dina's call to action—defeating ignorance with information in every endeavor she pursues. Specically, she intends to ght against the widely accept-ed concept that Native Culture must appear the way it used to in order to maintain its authen-ticity. "Cultures always change, evolve, and grow with the times. The mainstream population must catch up with the fact that Native People don’t all t the stereo-types, we don’t look al-ways the way people ex-pect us to look or appear in whatever way." Indigenous knowl-edge is the key to a sus-tainable future. There is power in understanding how Native people live on the land, their re-lationship with it, and their worldview that embraces the "Four Rs": relationality, reciprocity, respect, and responsi-bility. What Indigenous people can teach society can adjust our values to accept and provide for our earth the way it does for us—to love all life with equity and justice, to tend to our surround-ings, and to cultivate reciprocal peace within ourselves and the land. As residents of San Clemente, many of us share a deep love for our land, and our collective passions combined with the wisdom of the land's caretakers provide a hopeful future that can reach beyond the borders of our town alone. But rst, we must listen.tinue activism in a way that doesn’t reproduce cultural appropriation.” While the current state of the Acjacheman land battles threats of continued construction and interfer-ence, recent successful movements such as the Save Trestles Campaign serve as hope for the continued pres-ervation of land. This campaign was embraced by three groups: surfers, environmentalists, and Indigenous activists—to protect the San Mateo Creek waterbed, waves, and species. “The Save Trestles Campaign shows how all three of those diverse interests can work together in a way that accomplishes something very important that works for communi-ties that sometimes don’t talk to one another. My research showed that the fact of that being a Native Amer-ican sacred site was very pivotal in HERE TO STAY: Acjacheman people celebrate their Native Culture. (San Clemente Times)SAN MATEO SAVED: San Mateo Creek near Trestles is protected thanks in part to Indegenous activists. (Andrew Aronoshn)

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9As a consequence of our divided society, the nal Presidential candidates will be severely left or severely right—again leaving little room for middle ground on the important controversial issues today. Although many concerns will weigh into the public’s voting, including ina-tion rates and immigration, the one that continues to increase in its signicance is abortion. Upon the overturning of Roe vs Wade in June of 2022, several states moved to heavily restrict abortion (like North and South Carolina) or abolish it completely (like Indiana and North Da-kota)—sparking the return of the Pro-Choice movement and the substantial support that came with it. All around the country, protests lled with Pro-Abortion activists marched passionately down city streets, eventually leading to a total of 200 Women’s March events in 46 states. It doesn’t end there. Along with many Pro-Choice trends drifting around social media, the rise of national atten-tion and the overall interest of the abor-tion issue spiked exponentially; in a Fox News poll in 2022, 21% of voters con-sidered women's rights or abortion to be “so important” that they will refuse to vote for a candidate that doesn’t align with their opinion of it, which starkly contrasts the 7% of voters who said the same in an identical poll done in 2019. In addition, a 2022 CNN poll found that 72% of registered voters called abortion at least a very important factor in their decision process. Generally speaking, most Amer-icans agree that abortion should not be banned completely. Public polling held by AP-NORC nds that two-thirds of Americans believe abortion should be al-lowed in the rst six weeks of pregnancy. Even in highly-restricted abortion states, over 50% of voters agree that abortion should be allowed in the rst trimester. It may be true that according to recent polls, Americans believe economic rates and immigration outweigh abortion in importance– but it would be a mistake to count it out. Just last month, Democratic Gover-nor Beshear won re-election in the nor-mally extremely red state of Kentucky by focusing his campaign on reproduc-tive rights and portraying his Republican opponent as a far-right extremist with zero tolerance for abortion. Similarly in Ohio, the state approved a constitution-al amendment ensuring access to repro-ductive health and abortion, following in the footsteps of other state initiatives in Kansas, Michigan, Montana and Cal-ifornia. Even President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated this win, implying the signicance of abor-tion across all elections, including the upcoming Presidential one. Again abor-tion rights won out in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, as a Democratic Mc-Caffery beat out the Republican Carluc-cio for his large emphasis on upholding all reproductive rights as a judge; and again in the Virginia statehouse when the blue General Assembly candidates swept after centering almost their entire cam-paign around abortion. Sufce it to say, Republicans are los-ing the abortion argument. It has become too large, too crucial to voters to demand that abortion should not be tolerated. Yet, the 2024 Republican Presidential nomi-nees continue with this trend: many of the remaining ten candidates believe that abortion should be outlawed federally or have it legal up to only 6-15 weeks with exceptions. Even the ones who agree that abortion should be legal in the rst tri-mester or that the decision should be left up to states are not vocal enough about it. They focus too much on other issues and skip past this one, undermining its impact on voters' decisions. If Republicans want to level the playing eld for next year’s election, they need to start compromising on the rights of abortion and emphasize it much more in their campaigns. Republicans are losing votes almost solely based on this issue because Democrats corrupt their image, calling them bigoted-traditional-ists who cannot keep up with the times. In a way, they are right: Republican pol-iticians appear to be so stubborn in their ideas–particularly when they believe it involves morality–that they refuse to let up at all, even if it is the only thing keep-ing them from winning.Moreover, that’s the largest prob-lem in today’s politics—no one listens to each other anymore. In terms of ination rates and the border, the public is widely upset with the economy and the lack of organization in the White House, giv-ing Republicans the upper hand in those areas. Even so, Republicans are risking losing the entire election on one issue that practically the entire country agrees on and refuses to listen to the People. Unfortunately, it looks like both parties will stick to their plans. That being said, as high school and soon-to-be college students from a tech-nologically savvy generation, we can change course and distance ourselves from the rigid beliefs of the older gener-ations. With access to social media, we can transform polarizing trends and posts into accepting and welcoming places of discussions, starting up conversations that include everyone—not just far-left and far-right politicians, but ordinary people living in society. We are all witnesses to the dysfunc-tional state of our country and foresee the downward spiral of this great nation; so why not be the catalyst that prevents it from continuing?

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Brianna Hernandez | Opinion EditorRhythm Unleashed: Latino Music's Trailblazing Journeyin the United StatesFor many decades, many Latino individuals have formed a great part of the population in the United States. Latino culture can be seen everywhere, whether it’s traditional foods, holidays, or language. Although the culture has been present for years, it has not been appreciat-ed enough until recent years, all thanks to Latino music. Recently, Latino music has had a signi-cant impact on America, shaping its cultural land-scape—and as a result, Latino representation has increased. Music plays a signicant role in the personal lives of many individuals. It draws emotion and creativity and brings people together. However, Latino music has much more to offer. When you turn on the radio and a song in Spanish plays, it is lled with life—different rhythms, and joy; it’ll make you want to dance. From Cumbias and Merengue to Bachata or Reggaeton, Latino music has gained popularity and mainstream recognition. Senior Paola Vargas expressed the love she has for Latino music: “I love listening to music in Spanish because it reminds me so much of my childhood and it’s part of my identity. It’s cool nally seeing it receive the recognition it deserves.”Latino music is now also hitting records and making the charts. Recently, well-known Mexican artist, Peso Pluma, gained more attention through his regional Mexican songs. His hit single, "Ella Baila Sola," composed of guitars, trumpets, and his unique performing voice, was in Billboard's Top 100 Chart as Number Five and was also the rst ever regional Mexican song to be in the top 10 of the chart. This was the highest position for any Mexican Artist in the United States. His most re-cent album Genesis, also ranked as the top 1 album in America. Along with Peso, Reggaeton artist Bad Bunny gained more recognition through Latino culture and Music. His 2022 album, Un Verano Sin Ti, was number one on multiple charts for seven months and he was given the title of “Artist of the Year” by Apple Music. Multiple people from dif-ferent racial backgrounds can’t stop talking about both sensational artists and enjoy their music. Senior Marco Masalski explained how much he enjoys sharing Latino music and his culture with his friends from different racial backgrounds. “I share Spanish music with my friends, especially the ones who are currently enrolled in a Spanish class. They rst listen to the rhythm, and slowly start to understand the lyrics. Latino music is part of my culture, so listening to it with my friends and seeing them enjoy it makes me happy.”Along with both trending artists, others like Shakira, Romeo Santos, Pitbull, and Karol G, are breaking barriers within American and Latino cul-ture by bridging cultural gaps and fostering unity through music. Latino music in the United States has gained a large amount of popularity and evi-dently, other talented upcoming Latino artists will attract more recognition to Latino culture in the future. It allows them to build relationships with others who have different backgrounds and differ-ent cultures. Latino culture can be appreciated and admired by thousands of Americans through music. The infectious rhythms, vibrant melodies, and heart-felt lyrics have captivated audiences and formed connections within different racial groups. It helps showcase the richness of Latino culture to a wider audience and promotes appreciation, especially in foreign countries outside of South America. Latino music is a powerful way to share and celebrate the beauty of Latino culture with the world. Infectios rthyms and vibrant melodies contribute to the cultural shift taking place. 10 | tritontimes.comFrom Peso Pluma to Bad Bunny, Shakira to Pitbull, who is your favorite Latino muscial artist?

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11Chloe Gerhard | WriterHow TikTok is changing the music industryA new marketing tool has emerged, actively making and breaking artists' careers, restruc-turing record deals, and changing the mu-sic industry's future trajectory. This innovative tool is none other than the controversial Gen-Z staple, TikTok. Like it or not, the short-form video app has modied how we discover music, and it looks like TikTok's reign in music marketing will continue for a while.In November 2021, the music analytics compa-ny MRC Data conducted a study on TikTok's data. They discovered that 67% of those on TikTok will be more likely to search for songs through streaming services after hearing the song on TikTok. As a result, the TikTok trending list is a reliable indicator of what will soon be on the Billboard Hot 100.Where did this all start?In February 2019, a year after TikTok became huge in the U.S., Lil Nas X's debut single, "Old Town Road," began to gain popularity on the app. Those us-ing the song in their "TikToks" would participate in a trend where they would drink water labeled "yeehaw juice," once the beat dropped, they would appear on the screen in cowboy attire. Around this time, Lil Nas X and his song "Old Town Road" had not entered the mainstream. This seemingly unassuming trend would help catapult Lil Nas X into stardom. In March 2019, "Old Town Road" will reach the Billboard Hot 100 in the country and R&B and hip-hop categories. This story was the rst of many where TikTok and its in-corporation of user-generated trends and music hard launches careers.A semi-recent example of a TikTok trend blow-ing up a song is "Ceilings" by Lizzy McAlpine. This trend involves running toward the camera in long owing gowns and lip-singing the song with emo-tion, passion, and drama. McAlpine's song would later hit the Billboard Hot 100.Nevertheless, TikTok has also harmed the music industry. Music artists such as Charli XCX are fed up with the pressure from their record labels to focus so much time and energy on promoting their music on TikTok, and have voiced this frustration on social media. Not only do the artists tire of the enormous effort of marketing on TikTok, but many music fans do so as well. Many feel that TikTok’s impact goes beyond just post-production marketing, but is consid-ered in the early stages of song creation. Songs using trending TikTok buzzwords are considered a major red ag for listeners. The music production based on its performance on TikTok creates a lack of original-ity in new music.The recurring dilemma is: how can a song be trendy, be easily enjoyed by a broad audience, and be unique simultaneously? Another one of TikTok’s faults is that once a song is trending, users will hear it over and over again, causing people to become tired of the song and no longer interested in it. This is a signicant issue—many voice their fears on the app that their favorite songs will trend on TikTok because they do not want to become sick of the song.Senior Paloma Brunson expressed her thoughts on TikTok’s pros and cons, “TikTok has helped many smaller artists get more traction because of how easy it is to market in TikTok, which is great! But it also might make an artist only create songs that have the potential to trend, which can lead to uninspired mu-sic.”Whether you believe that TikTok is destroying or reviving the music industry, it’s not going anywhere. For years to come, TikTok will continue to impact how people in our modern world discover and how artists and record labels create music.Question is: Is it a good or bad thing?Trending Tik Tok music has helped to expose people to different musical genres.

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12 | tritontimes.comWhile the ocean waves crash soundly in the background, the warmth and welcoming air of this little shop only add to the sweetness of the scenery. Flowers and Friends, a small boutique lled with colorful, freshly picked seasonal collections, has been San Clem-ente's most beloved location to purchase Eden Havel | Head Editor & Newsroom ManagerFlower Shop: Flowers and Friendsowers for any occasion. In purchasing owers for dances, decor, and special days, residents from across the town have likely found themselves greeted by the friendly faces and the fresh oral scents that Flowers and Friends have to offer. Keith Jones and his friends opened the original shop in 1979, later moving it to Laguna Beach. Its San Clemente loca-tion opened in 1991, offering collections of grower-direct domestic owers from around the world. The concept behind its creation? To offer one of life's simple plea-sures to the public at a modest price has cre-ated a humble yet powerful impact on those who enjoy it for the gifts that they give and receive."The love of owers and the lifestyle of San Clemente brought the owner here thirty-two years ago," said Linda, the man-ager of the San Clemente location. "Having this local spot, with the availability of a fresh selection from San Diego county, and fair prices to share with the community is what makes this place special."The small but mighty impact of Flow-ers and Friends holds a legacy that has lasted more than fty years, with a strong continuation in sight. Whether it's for an occasion, a loved one, or for the dining ta-ble, supporting this local spot only spreads the joy of owers. Celebrating these small gifts that life has to offer is what life is about; so next time you nd yourself going to North Beach or driving down PCH, come say "Hi" to the folks at Flowers and Friends and enjoy this season's selection!WE'RE OPEN: come between 10 am to 6 pm to purchase your bouquets of owers and foliage. (Eden Havel)Best Of SCAcai: Aloha BowlWhether it's summer or winter, acai bowls can be enjoyed all year round with their diverse toppings, various textures, and all-natural ingredients. An acai bowl embodies the vibe of San Cle-mente in one bite and makes it feel like sum-mertime all year long. Arguably the best acai in San Clem-ente is Alohana or “Aloha” Bowls, which has two locations in San Clemente. One is located off of Avenida Palizada in the Old Town Plaza, and a newer location is off of Camino De Estrella across from the Sprouts shopping center. This family-owned business can also go on wheels with the Aloha trail-er, which serves as the perfect option at any event. Their popularity throughout Southern California has allowed them to open another new location in Carlsbad this past summer. Aloha’s hours are open from 8 am to 7 pm, making their food a perfect option for any meal of the day. Aloha Bowls has continued Kat Piantka| Writerto grow in popularity since its grand open-ing in 2016, especially with high schoolers. Its friendly atmosphere, and indoor and out-door seating serve as the perfect post-school or sports game snack and meal. Not only do they have a fun menu of different acai bowl combinations and a list of the workers' favor-ites, but they also have coffees, smoothies, and baked goods. Additionally, their stores have some of our favorite beach brand nick-nacks such as lotions, blankets, candles, jew-elry, posters, and other merchandise -- some of which are homemade. Aloha Bowls is sure to cause customers to leave with more than one thing due to their delicious menu which is a “nutritional powerhouse,” home goods, and friendly staff. Aloha Bowls will surely leave newcomers craving their BEST acai bowls in San Clemente, and will ultimately result in an addiction.Junior Michelle Monier is an extreme Aloha Bowl enthusiast who is “trying to get clean of [her] addiction to Aloha.” She often goes “2 to 3 times a week” and the owner of Aloha Bowls says "hi" every time she goes because she is there so much. Monier rmly believes that the “topping to base ratio is per-fect,” and that the bowls have just the right amount of sweetness differing from other places in SC.No matter the time of year or location, Aloha Bowl's ve-star experience and food ratings remain constant. Aloha Bowls per-sonies the beach town vibe of San Clem-ente perfectly through their great customer service and aesthetic decor. So whenever you are craving an Acai Bowl make sure to try Aloha Bowls!ALOHA BOWLS INTERIOR: menu, seating, and gift items. (Kat Piantka)

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Claire Pham | News EditorPoke: KawamataKAWAMATTA SEAFOOD: Best poke in town! (Claire Pham)San Clemente is home to one of the best poke spots in Orange County: Kawa-mata Seafood. It is the perfect spot to eat while on a lunch break or for a post-beach meal, as it serves the most authentic poke around.Located on the cusp of Dana Point and San Clemente in Capistrano Beach, this lo-cally owned restaurant is a build-your-own poke bowl menu in a walk up style restau-rant. They are closed on Monday and Tues-day and open from 11:30 am - 6 pm, Wednes-day - Sunday. Kawamata offers a variety of different sh and toppings to choose from. Unlike other poke places there is no need to pile on the toppings at Kawamata. Due to their high quality sh and ability to craft their blends with so much avor, adding too many top-pings takes away from the experience. There are four different blends with spicy mayo and the original being one of the favorites. To go along with your poke bowl, they also offer sides like Spam musubi and refreshing guava beverages—which really ties into the North Shore ambiance. With Pines Park being right by Kawamatta, you are able to enjoy your poke in a relaxing setting over-looking the ocean.This local establishment has been a fan favorite for many years, with many articles from the Orange County register and blog-gers raving about Kawamata. Senior Brook-lyn Giles claimed, "I have been eating at Kawamatta for years and nothing beats their fresh ahi tuna with spicy mayo and seaweed salad."As a San Clemente staple piece, Kawamatta will never disappoint, no matter if your looking for a quick lunch or a meal to wind down your day.13On the corner of 800 Avenida Pico, our Wingstop is conveniently at the heart of our town, right next to our beloved school. Open every day from 10:30 A.M. to midnight, this late-night availability makes it a dependable option for satisfying your hunger at any hour. And you’ll have just enough time after whatever fun you had to satisfy your cravings and grab a quick bite to eat. Unlike other locations open till later, the beauty of Wingstop can be seen through the dynamic avors and the different varia-tions of fries. With 12 different wing avors, you’ll be sure to get to hit every single pal-let, whether you want some sweet Hawaiian wings, a classic Hickory Smoked Barbeque, or a mix of the two with the Mango Haba-nero. Senior Finn Linas said, “Wingstop is always the move after a night out with the guys. It’s open late, tastes good, and there's always something to talk about.” When it's midnight, the last thing you want is to spend a lot of time cooking or waiting for a meal. Wingstop understands the Enzo Candolo | Editor-in-Chiefneed for a quick and convenient snack, offer-ing the option of ordering online or through their app for easy pickup. This convenience ensures that you can enjoy a great meal with-out the hassle of cooking, leaving more time to enjoy those delicious wings.Wingstop is also known for its variations of seasoned fries, like options with their se-cret seasoning on the regular seasoned fries. Also, like the Louisiana Voodoo, Cheese, and Buffalo Ranch sauces, these fries will only el-evate your meal and compliment your wings to their full potential. Senior Brady Lloyd said, “The Louisana Voodoo is a no-brainer. The cajun fries seasoning with their signa-ture ranch is a match-made like no other.”In the realm of midnight meals, Wingstop is the ultimate choice. Its avor-ful appeal, perfectly cooked wings, and late-night availability combine to create a winning formula for those searching for a satisfying midnight munch. So, the next time the clock strikes midnight, don't just consider them; choose Wingstop, “Where Flavor Gets its Wings.”WINGSTOP is located at 800 Ave. Pico right next to Goldenspoon and Jersey Mikes. (Enzo Candolo)Midnight munch: WingStopOUTSIDE VIEW: walk up window for easy and quick service. (Claire Pham)

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14 | tritontimes.comCharlotte Yeskulsky | WriterSurf spot: UppersSURF REPORT: A small and windy day at Upper Trestles leaves a quiet beach. (Charlotte Yeskulsky)Historically a surf town, San Clemente is known for its multitude of beaches and surf spots, provid-ing the perfect wave for every-one. However, there is one spot in particular that has attracted more attention than any other—Trestles. This 3 ½-mile-long beach is made up of ve sepa-rate surf breaks. With several breaks that work amazingly un-der different conditions, surfers are practically never disappoint-ed. Trestles is renowned for its consistently glassy waves, each breaking with precision when conditions align. As any local knows, the area can be divided into ve distinct sections: Low-ers, Middles, Uppers, Churches, and Cottons.Lowers, the most popular surng break at Trestles, is a If you have a game to play or a workout to do and you’re looking for a healthy op-tion that will fuel you up, Board & Brew is the place for you.Nestled in Plaza Pacica off of Avenida Pico, Boar d & Brew is a charming sandwich shop that captures the essence of San Clem-ente’s surf culture and has been delighting taste buds with its mouth-watering array of sandwiches since its opening in San Clem-ente over a decade ago. It has earned a spe-cial place in the hearts of locals and tourists alike, becoming a beloved institution for surfers, beachgoers, and food enthusiasts.Serving up a wide variety of sandwich-es, Board & Brew is committed to using high-quality, fresh ingredients. One of their most popular sandwiches is the Turkado. The Turkado is a delightful fusion of avors, featuring fresh turkey breast, slices of jack cheese, creamy avocado, and a medley of fresh ingredients, all packed on fresh sour-dough bread. Sophia Yeskulsky | WriterPre-Game food: Board & BrewIf you haven't noticed already, Board & Brew is dedicated to satisfying everyone's taste buds. From vegetarian options (yes sandwiches too) to gluten-free wraps, there's something for everyone. If you aren't into any of their sandwiches or are looking for a light-er option, Board & Brew offers many freshly made house salads.As for drinks, they offer a large array of craft beers (must be 21 years or older), refreshing lemonade, or classic sodas that perfectly complement their menu. Encour-aged by the friendly customer service, locals hang out on the patio, catch up, and enjoy the world’s best climate. Popular among high school students, many Triton sports teams can be seen fuel-ing up before their big wins. Senior Addie Robertson from the varsity girl's soccer team said, “If you can’t nd the girl's soccer team before a game, we’re at Board & Brew."Open daily between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., make sure to fuel up at Board & Brew.point break situated between Uppers to the north and Mid-dles to the south. Its distinctive point/reef formation makes it ideal for a wide range of swells, ensuring excellent rides on most days. Uppers, found at the upper section of the beach, offers con-sistently good waves, providing fantastic rides when conditions are optimal.Middles, while a bit small-er in size compared to other nearby surf breaks, serves as a reliable option, particularly suitable for beginners, offering waves that are slower rolling and safe for learning.Cottons, located in the northern part of the beach, tends to break farther out and brings in a heavier longboard crowd.The fth and nal spot at Trestles is Churches. Being at the most southern end of the beach, it provides many differ-ent breaks for all levels and de-velops a decent crowd on a day with a good swell. Unfortunately, the fun doesn’t start when you climb up on your surfboard. It actually begins trying to get to Trestles Beach, since it’s likely you’re walking a while on the trails down to Trestles. This doesn't stop locals from making the best out of it and strapping on their boards to their electric bikes. This year the WSL Finals were held at Lowers, putting this surf spot on the map even more. Trestles has helped shape many professional surfers com-ing out of San Clemente and even those who have moved on to the world tour—all thanks to the unique quality of waves.THE TURKADO is easily the best sandwich at Board & Brew. (Sophia Yeskulsky)Best of SC

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15Sometimes, the same dingy desk or de-pressing dining room table is not the most appealing place to crack down on some homework. Personally, some-times, I need to escape the bustling, mun-dane environment of my own home for a change of scenery to focus. Senior Claire Campbell explained, “Sometimes changing your study spot makes all the difference.” Fellow Tritons and I have found the most success in a hidden gem nestled be-tween two dainty boutiques on Del Mar. The moment you walk in, your ears are greeted with the whirring sound of an espresso machine and the air is laced with the smell of freshly baked goods. You are no longer in San Clemente, but you feel as if you are in a cafe in Paris.A simple menu promises the best in ev-ery dish. As you order sweets that tantalize your taste buds, tempt you from behind the glass covering. The cool, calming interior design can take any student's hectic mood before a test and transform it into a meditative, calm Jenna Forss | WriterCafe To Romanticize Studying: J’Adore Cafestate.I began my study session in the long hallway towards the back of the cafe. From my table, I had enough visibility to people watch from the outside window while also feeling concealed in the private area due to the greenery blocking me from any other nearby tables.My warm, rich mocha gave me a deli-ciously delightful caffeine boost to get me through my math homework, and the Le Classique I ordered was enough to make me feel like I could gaze out that same front window and see the Eiffel Tower.Halfway through my time at the cafe, I migrated to one of the outdoor tables on their gorgeous patio. Quaint tables surround a central tree, and more greenery and thrifty decorations of teapots and fairy gardens add to the studious atmosphere.With the ability to crack down on col-lege apps and this very article, I can gift my seal of approval to J'Adore Cafe as one of the best places to romanticize studying to maximize your work ethic.SIT SIP AND STUDY: The perfect place to relax and (almost) enjoy doing your homework. (Jenna Forss)What do most people look for in a gas station? Low prices and convenience. United Oil (Rock-et) offers both of these. Located in the mid-dle of bustling downtown San Clemente on El Camino Real, United Oil has become a local favorite.As gas prices continue to rise, with Circle K's average prices at $5.45 per gal-lon, San Clemente Valero's prices at $5.29, and United Oil at $5.19, United clearly takes the win for having the best prices –which is reason enough to get your gas there. Senior Ava Martinez remarked, "Whenever I am in the area, I always stop at United. They have the best prices, so they're denitely my favorite gas station." Next, United is in a convenient spot, with easy primary street access and plenty of space to navigate your car to any of the eight gas pumps available. Plus, its a an added bonus that you're nextdoor to Bagel Shack, so if you hustle, you can ll up and grab a jalepeno cheddar bagel and coffee.Inside, you can nd an assortment Jordyn Banks | WriterGas station: United Oilof delicious snacks, such as chips, pop-corn, and candies. They also have a vari-ety of drinks, ranging from general sodas to name-brand drinks, like Starbucks Cof-fee, Yerba Mate tea, and Celcius. Not only this, but they also have fresh fruit, freshly brewed coffee, cappuccinos, and the best smoothies. Overall, United is one of the few gas stations that checks off all the boxes: low prices, clean interior and exterior, good lo-cation, and various good snacks. Next time you drive down El Camino Real with a low tank, you should stop at United (795 S El Camino Real), you won't be dissapointed.UNITED OIL: Gas station on El Camino Real. (Jordyn Banks)

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Senior Jacob Belden excels in two main areas of his life: wrestling and theater. Talented yet humble, Jacob is most known around San Clemente for his wrestling career and enthusiastic personality. Jacob started his sport in sixth grade and from then on, he has only been thriving. Entering high school, he was one of the only freshmen to letter in a varsity sport. Some of his most notable achievements are having won a league championship, winning an Orange County All-Stars match, placing 3rd overall in CIF, and placing 6th out of 130 wrestlers in a national tournament. Ranked 17th across the entire state for his weight class, one could say Ja-cob is pretty good at his sport. For him, the community is a huge part of why he loves wrestling: “We are a family- I love my boys.” Belden is also a leader on and off the mat: he became team captain of the varsity wrestling team and created the Asian and Pacic Islander club on campus. “Leading my teammates is such an honor and means the world to me. I also loved being able to create a team of peers who are genuinely interested in different cultures and foods.” When Jacob isn’t busy taking down opponents, he can be found shining on the stage. He has been acting at the Institute of Theater Arts since the beginning of summer last year. It has since then become one of his favorite activities when he has the time. Come support Jacob at the Institute of Theater Arts or any home wrestling games! Kat Piantka| WriterOlivia Vergopia| Head EditorStudents have different mindsets and approaches as they begin their rst year at San Clemente High School. Fresh-man Sedona Sweginnis was eager to embark on her high school career in academics and athletics, as she quickly began to make an important impact as a Triton through her success in cross country. Due to being both a freshman and formerly home-schooled student, Sedona was overwhelmed by the size of SCHS and was worried about nding her place in such a large school. Sedona revealed that she did not know many people beforehand and that “[she] was worried that [she] would not have many friends.” However, she quickly “found an amazing family [with-in] the cross country team.” The uplifting and positive environ-ment bonds runners of all skill levels and experiences, creating a “healthy community, making it fun to run with everybody.” Similar to many cross-country runners, “[Sedona] joined cross country to stay in shape for soccer,” but immediately started seeing promising results through her hard work, showing her her capability and potential in this sport. Sedona shockingly admitted that she was “afraid to try out because [she] did not think [she] would make the team.” But now as a freshman, she is the #2 varsi-ty runner for the team which competes in D1 South Coast League and is considered one of the toughest leagues in California. She has raced against some of the best runners in the state and country at prestigious invitationals like Woodbridge, Mt. ACc, and Clo-vis. Her biggest accomplishments this past season are being the sixth fastest freshman in Orange County and the second fastest freshman in the league with a personal record of 17:42. One can predict that her running career will continue to reach new heights with each future season as well as in track in the spring. Coming in as an underdog, Sedona never anticipated her success in this sport. She is proud of the beginning of her running and academic career as a Triton and cannot wait to see what the future unfolds.Student SpotlightJacob Belden |SeniorSedona Sweginnis | FreshmanRUNNING AT CIF: Sweginnis nshed rst for the Tritons. (Cruz Piantka)WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER: Belden leads Tritons. (Olivia Vergopia)

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1712 (Zodiacs) Days of ChristmasSagittarians are mostly known for their love of adventure and exploration. Always down to have a philosophical discussion, when near a campre or on a long drive, grab your favorite Sagit-tarius to embark on a deep emotional journey.SAGITTARIUS|November 22-December 21I’m sorry that you guys have to have a Christmas and birthday so close together. During the holiday season, people are overrun by commotion and budgeting resulting in the absence of well-thought out birthday gifts. I know you guys aren’t the best at sharing your emotions but address these problems rsthand.CAPRICORN | December 22-January 19Creative, unpredictable, and unique individuals with free thinking. Stay per-sistent and don’t get strayed away from your goals. Embrace your individuality and creativity.AQUARIUS| Janurary 20-Feburary 18Creatures of water, fundamentally dreamy, insightful, emotional people with rich imagination. Right now is a good time for you to tap into the mag-netism in your life, you want to love and be loved and being open to others is important. With Mercury going into retrograde, take things slow this winter and stay intuitive. PISCES | Feburary 19-March 20Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of war, which lends a courageous and bold nature to those born under this sign. Aries love a good challenge, which makes them excellent athletes. Their passionate nature may shift to their quick tempered manner.ARIES | March 21-April 19Some may say Taurus are materialistic however they are just of taste. You guys just want to glamp because you appreci-ate luxury and high-quality possessions. Stay loyal and patient this upcoming winter. If the right gifts aren’t under your tree this year, take a deep breath and count to ve.TAURUS | April 20-May 20Sagittarians are mostly known for their love of adventure and exploration. Always down to have a philosophical discussion, when near a campre or on a long drive, grab your favorite Sagit-tarius to embark on a deep emotional journey.GEMINI | May 21-June 20Cancers are usually known for being emotional, nurturing, and highly intui-tive yet sensitive. With your gentle na-ture, don’t allow others to take advan-tage of it. Do not second guess yourself this upcoming year and allow things to come into your life.CANCER | June 21-July 22Condent and natural leaders that hold attention. Leo is xed in re and they often take charge in their relationships or social environments. Don’t take Leos' generous manner for granted.LEO | July 23-August 22Virgos often think they are always right. They are ruled by the planet Mercury and are characterized as analytical, su-per detail oriented, and critical thinkers. Virgos need stability and routine to thrive.VIRGO | August 23-September 22Libras are all about fairness and diplo-macy, which make them great teachers. One lady who comes to mind is Mrs. Bennett: she is all about equality and strives to make our curriculum diverse. Mrs. Bennett is the exemplary Libra—when in doubt look to her!LIBRA | September 23-October 22Secretive Scorpios, independent think-ers with the intensity and charisma that makes them stick out. While you might feel jealous of others this season in any aspect of your life, whether it may be relationships or friendships, understand you are in the place you are supposed to be in right now. Divine timing is key. SCORPIO | October 23-November 21 Emma Barbernell| Writer & Photographer

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18 | tritontimes.comCampus and Location: 5/10Education: 6/10Student Involvment: 7/10Football: 6/10Capo valley high schoolRanking: 6/10Campus and Location: 4/10Education: 9/10Student Involvement: 1/10Football: 2/10Aliso Niguel High SchoolRanking: 4/10Ranking Every high school in CUSDBlake Mcaplin | student life editorCampus and Location: 9/10Education: 5/10Student Involvement: 9/10Football: 10/10San Clemente high schoolRanking: 8.25/10Campus and Location: 6/10Education: 9/10Student Involvement: 10/10Football: 5/10Tesoro high schoolRanking: 7.5/10All of the CUSD high schools have unique qualities that distinguish them from schools all across the nation. This sparks the question of which high school is THE best in the district. We're judging each school on its campus, education, football program and student involvement. To gather evidence and diminish any biases about which high school is superior in each category, we will be taking all statistics and rankings from US News and OC Student Section rankings. Each high school in the district has unique qualities that have orchestrated CUSD to be one of the best districts in the nation and it is important to remember that this is just a few categories; each school has its strengths. San Clemente excels in four categories, making it the top-ranking school on the list—having the best ASB President doesn't hurt...Campus and Location: 7/10Education: 5/10Student Involvement: 7/10Football: 3/10Dana Hills high schoolRanking: 5.5/10Campus and Location: 8/10Education: 8/10Student Involvement: 1/10Football: 4/10San Juan Hills High SchoolRanking: 5.25/10

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19Advice ColumnMy teacher doesn’t like me and I think it’s affecting my grade.We’ve all been in this situation. That one period with that one teacher you just can’t seem to crack. Through-out the years, you tend to realize that you can’t control people’s actions, but you can control how you respond to them.So what to do? The best decision in a sticky situation like this is to come up with concrete examples of why you think a teacher’s dislike for you is af-fecting your grade; whether it’s com-ments made in class, poor grades on assignments you believe were done well, or even if other students mention another familiar circumstance. Firstly, understand that it is important to take into account what your friends may say about the person. Oftentimes when we as human beings like someone, we are blinded to their “red ags.” So, yes, being aware of what your friends have to say and why they are saying it is valuable, but don’t let it dic-tate your choices. Again, balance (I know, I’m sorry). Knowing when to listen to out-side perspectives and when to make your own choices. If you feel as though the comments made by your circle are unjustiable—as there are times when friends mess with you, but they seem as though they dislike your partner—express to them that you care about them and that this is important to you for all of them to get along. Real friends will understand and at least make an effort. I think my parents are divorcing but I don’t want to have to pick sides.Divorce: a touchy yet very common subject. For people of all ages, divorce takes a toll. The most obvious one being the idea of “sides,” as though there is a war amongst your family that you were forcefully drafted into. Now, you must pick sides. Although at times it may feel like this, choosing between parents isn’t a necessity. Just because parents may be warring, that doesn’t necessarily make it your battle. It is important to remember that your feelings matter in this too, and that you don’t have to please everyone. It is your right to make a choice that protects YOU and YOUR feelings and YOUR mental health.It is perfectly okay to set boundaries, especially ones that help you process your trauma and move on. If your parents tend to talk bad about each other to you, it is alright to tell them that you don’t need or want to hear that. Just because they have a different perception of each other doesn’t mean you need to hear that too. Try your best to maintain what is healthy for yourself, whatever that may look like, as it's important to make deci-sions that benet you in the long run—as hard as that may be. It shows maturity, strength, and growth. It will never be per-fect, and it will hurt, but the pain doesn’t have to grow alongside you.Email your questions or problems to mjmiller@capousd.orgthe treatment you receive in class, you want to make sure you can back up your claim. The next step is deciding if your experience is worth bringing up. Weigh the pros and cons and possible out-comes. Make an educated guess. Then, if you decide you do in fact want to bring up the situation, craft an outline of what you want to say. List the ex-amples and make sure to keep a neutral mood, and not say anything in an accu-satory tone. Communicate that you feel this way because of x, y, and z. Reit-erate the fact that you want to have a calm and mature conversation because you care about their class and want to make sure both of you years run as smoothly as possible.Remember, it is your right as a student, and as a person, to express how you feel and what you're going through. It may seem intimidating, but exercising the tool of communication in high school is the best way to learn lessons to use in the real world. Don’t let anyone negate how you feel. I’m having a hard time balancing my friends and my relationship.I’m pretty sure it’s a universal experi-ence when I say it is always, always, always difcult knowing how to make everyone happy when it comes to the friend-boy-friend dynamic. When you get into your rst relationship, it is extremely easy to lose sight of balance.A couple common situations be-low may happen, so let’s discuss:Number 1: This, based on both personal experience and ob-servation, is the most prominent. You get into your rst relationship and you get attached to your signif-icant other. You begin to spend all your time with them, lean away from your friends, and lose sight of priorities. This is a big no no. It’s perfectly okay to want to spend time with whomever you are dating, but the most important thing to keep in mind is balance! Don’t blow off your friends—they were there before your signicant other was, and it is vital to main-tain a healthy support system. Putting your boyfriend/girlfriend before school or sports will lead to regret later in life. Keeping your priorities is essential. Number 2: Your friends hate the per-son and you don’t know what to do—Remembering to prioritize yourself too.Ranking Every high school in CUSDBlake Mcaplin | student life editor

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22 | tritontimes.comDAvid Rudnicki's 5 keys to fantasy football gloryDavid Rudnicki| Sports EditorAs the NFL season continues to unfold, fantasy football enthusiasts are fervently engaged in the pursuit of championship glory within their leagues. Beyond mere luck, securing victory in fantasy football requires a strategic approach encompassing shrewd player management, acute transactions, and a proactive mindset. To emerge triumphant at season's end, managers must adeptly navigate the game's nuances and employ key strategies that can tilt the scales in their favor.• Active involvement in waiver wire transactions:One pivotal aspect that often separates successful fantasy managers from the rest is their proactive engagement with the waiv-er wire. Remaining vigilant for breakout performances, injury updates, and emerging talents can lead to acquiring valuable free agents who could make a signicant impact on a team's success. Being swift and decisive in claiming players off waivers is crucial, as it can often mean the difference between securing a potential league-winning gem or missing out entirely. For example, rookies like Sam Loporta (ADP 163) and Jordan Addison (ADP 90) were both taken very late in most drafts. As the season progressed, both players emerged as stars who brought in signicant points for fantasy managers. Sam Laporta is currently ranked at TE4, while Jordan Addison is ranked WR13. In addition to these breakout sleepers, players like Adam Thielen, Raheem Mostert, and Kenneth Walker III have been surprising stars who were late in drafts and have contributed to many wins for fantasy football managers. • Selling high and buying low:Striking advantageous trades based on market perceptions of player value can be a game-changer in fantasy football. Identify-ing players currently performing exceptionally well but may not sustain their form throughout the season presents an opportu-nity to sell high and acquire players undervalued by their recent performance. Conversely, targeting players who have faced a rough patch but possess strong potential to bounce back can be a savvy move. For example, Jahmyr Gibbs, a rookie prospect out of Alabama, had a very rough start to this season, averaging nine ppg in the rst six weeks. However, his recent breakout of 28 ppg in the last four weeks isn't much of a surprise to veteran fantasy managers. Two-time fantasy football nalist Joey Hatten comments on how he "saw Gibb's generational speed, agility, and ability to nd gaps in the defense" and was immedi-ately set on "marking him as a trade target." Joey, who traded Devon Achane, a sell-high candidate, for Gibbs, is now sitting in second place in his league as his team is on re with a six-game win streak. This is just one example of how such strategic trading can help bolster the overall strength of a fantasy roster.LAPORTA DOMINATION: Fantasy owners that took a risk on the rookie tight end have been rewarded. (Rick Osentoski/AP)

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23• Strategic Roster Management:The art of successful roster management extends beyond the draft. Keeping a keen eye on matchups, injuries, and bye weeks is essential for optimizing weekly lineups. For example, trading away players who have late bye weeks can be brilliant if you need wins late in the season. Also, benching solid players who have challenging matchups is always a tactic to consider. Flex-ibility is key—making necessary adjustments to capitalize on favorable matchups or mitigate risks posed by tough opposition can signicantly inuence a team's success.• Staying Informed and Adaptable:Remaining informed about NFL trends, coaching changes, player roles, and injury updates is crucial. Additionally, being exible and adaptable to changing circumstances is a hallmark of successful fantasy managers. It's essential to pivot strate-gies when required and not overly attach to preconceived notions about players or teams. For example, players like Davante Adams and Cooper Kupp are big names who have struggled to earn more than ten fantasy points in any game this season. It is essential to stray away from being too inuenced by players' names or projections and instead let their performances speak for themselves. • Patience and Consistency:While swift actions and strategic moves are essential, patience and consistency are equally crucial. Overreacting to a player's short-term performance or making hasty decisions can backre. A balanced approach and a long-term perspective often pay dividends in the long run. For example, players like Jonathan Taylor and Justin Jefferson, who both missed over six weeks, will make fantasy managers question if they should be traded. However, staying patient and waiting for their return is essen-tial, as both players can emerge as league winners. San Clemente High School senior Mason Nelligen agrees that "Jefferson will be a game changer when he is back." Nelligen is on the brink of missing playoffs as he sits at a 7-6 record. However, he is hopeful that Jefferson's return will end his six-game losing streak and lead him to his second playoff appearance in two years. Winning a fantasy football league demands astute decision-making, active participation in waiver wire transactions, strategic trading, informed roster management, and a resilient mindset. By incorporating these key elements into their approach, fantasy managers can enhance their chances of hoisting the cov-eted championship trophy at the season's end.ADAMS celebrates a rare touchdown; the veteran star wide reciever is currently ranked 16th at the position in fantasy. (Steve Marcus)

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24 | tritontimes.comKat Piantka| WriterHome of Cross Country D1 State Champions!The San Clemente boys cross country team has become a na-tionally recognized powerhouse in the cross country scene, placing San Clemente High School athletics on the map--with wins in numerous invita-tionals, back-to-back seasons going to Nike Cross Nationals (NXN), D1 CIF Southern Section Champions, and their rst-ever D1 State Championship on November 25, 2023. New head coach Lucani and as-sistant coach Butler began preseason training in early July, successfully leading the boys to uncharted areas of success. Their goals for the team were to have their best season yet by winning state and used last year’s ex-perience at NXN towards an improved national ranking. The team is currently ranked sixth nationally. Coach Luciani believes their team dynamic, skill, and overall experience have allowed the program to reach new heights.However, coach Luciani shares that this season was not a cakewalk as the boys were constantly faced with health challenges, resulting in unex-pected and disappointing outcomes. This forced so much of their potential success to be “hinged on CIF Finals and the state meet.” Despite the high stakes, the boys came into the race with “condence and calmness” due to their preparation and reaching an overall acceptance of who they are as athletes.Discovering this new mindset has allowed “one of the most artfully driven built races [Coach Luciani’s] ever seen run” to occur, which set the stage for San Clemente to be crowned D1 State Champions and received the bid to go to NXN on December 2 in Portland, Oregon. At NXN the Tritons faced the best runners in the nation and nished 8th in the race out of 22 teams. Now updating San Clemente's national ranking to eighth and nishing as the best team in the state of California. San Clemente also faced their cross-town rival Dana Hills High School. The team’s success is heavily de-pendent on ve seniors: Colorado State University-bound Brett Ephraim, Taj Clark, Pierce Clark, Kai Olsen, and Isaac Gould. One can only question the future of the team without these strong seniors; however, promising under-classmen, such as sophomore Dallin Harrington and freshman Yohan An-derson, will surely carry on the legacy of SCHS’ cross country team as they are already running times in the 14 and 15-minute range. As a sophomore, Dallin’s goal is to break 14 minutes in the three miles, and with his current success this year and last, there is no question that he could make this dream a reality during his high school years. At the Orange County (OC) Cross Country Champi-onship, Dallin impressively nished as the “second man” for the team. He too believed that there was a potential to win State but as the season progressed they had to rely heavily on their “top ve guys and really pull it all together for that one race.” As the boys’ season has came to a close, one can only predict that San Clemente will continue to grow as a threat in the cross-country communi-ty with their young talent and experi-ence. But for now, San Clemente High School is the home of Division 1 State Cross Country Champions!D1 STATE CHAMPS: Coach Butler, Isaac Gould, Brett Ephraim, Taj Clark, Pierce Clark, Coach Andre, Coach Luciani, Jack Warbiany, Dallin Harrington, Yohan Anderson, Kai Olsen (Dave Luciani).

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Although love means nothing to them, the tennis team is lled with hardworking and dedicated girls. Their league tourna-ment was a smashing hit and constant battle as the team went 4-4. Girls tennis qualied for CIF D2 and made it to the seminals against Calla Vases where they lost their -nal game, 7-11. The league games took the sum of the team's scores while many tennis girls were rocking it at the Open Tourna-ment. For these individual girls, two dou-bles teams made it to the quarternals, one singles player made it to the quarternals (junior Natalie Riley), and another singles player made it to the nals (senior Nicolle Generaux). "I'm grateful to have been part of this sisterhood. Each game we played our hardest and we walked away knowing we gave it our all. As a senior, I want to say thank you to my teammates and the sport I have dedicated my last few years to," se-nior Charlotte Harris's said.25Fall Season sports recapKayla Jones, Trevor Ponsen | Writers The girl’s cross-country team has seen a great deal of success this season. In league, they came in second place in the South Coast League, which is considered to be one of the best leagues in all of southern California. Team co-captain Lyza Yetter was the fastest senior in the league. "It was a great experience, we have a very promising team, especially with our lower classmen, we came in second in the league. There's a team that will be running in CIF this weekend and they have a good chance to qualify for state," Yetter said. The Girl's Cross-country had an overall solid season but were not able to qualify for CIF-SS. Next year roaster looks like a great start to race ahead of their competition. The boy's water polo team started off their season rough, but ended by dominating their League. In pre-season, they faced numerous challenges with multiple losses and statically, it wasn’t looking so good for them. “We had a rough start and we couldn’t seem to get our feet planted as a unit to the point where we ended up hitting heads, but we cut that out, found our roles as individuals, and began to play more as a team,” mentioned senior Trae Mantecon. When league rolled around for the Tritons, the tide turned for them and they dominat-ed. For example, against Dana in pre-sea-son, they went 4-21—but then were crush-ing them later on with a 12-2 score. This trend continued throughout the league, and they ended with an average lead of 7 and an 8-0 overall League score. They went to D1 in CIF, but were sadly eliminated after the rst round. Zane McMains said, “It was a great season and I’m glad I got to play with the people I was able to play with and that we did better than we did last year." The SCHS surf team is considered to be the most successful sports team in the history of our school. Our incredibly tal-ented surfers have managed to be the 16-time NSSA National Champions. Their success has continued into this year with them taking league as many of the team’s individuals crushed the competition. They have nationals coming up in March, with a good chance of victory once again. All of this success comes from their dedication to the sport. Senior Kirra Stacy commented, “It takes surng 14 hours a week at least and typically surng twice a day.” Even though the sport itself is individual, Stacy also explained that, “we still practice as a team and want the best for each other.”Girls Cross-countryGirls TennisBoys WaterpolosurfingGirls Volleyball has always been a star hit of San Clemente athletics, with a large au-dience hoping and cheering behind them. The team hit the courts with a very even season—a 17-12 overall score. Girls Vol-leyball nshed as league champs, going 5-3 in league play. They moved on to CIF-SS D2, competing against Santiago High School and won by a score of 3-0. Mov-ing on with high spirits, their nal match against La Canada High School ended with a losing score of 0-3. "We played hard throughout the season. I am grateful for the opportunities that this team has provided this season. The team is more than just a group of girls, it is a sisterhood and I am gonna miss my seniors as they move onto greater things," said junior Anna Fischer.Girls VolleyballSHOT FROM A CANNON: Jack Lundquist (8) scores a worldie, leading boys waterpolo to an unde-feated league title. (Don August Photography)

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Enzo Candolo | Editor-in-chiefAiden Rubin Carries Tritons to Dominant 9-2 SeasonSan Clemente football balled out this year, boasting a 9-2 record. Their performance on the eld has been nothing short of dominant, capturing the hearts of our devoted city and reinforcing respect through-out all of South Orange County.The team’s success can be at-tributed to a combination of factors. The team displayed exceptional skills and playmaking in every game all sea-son long, making their offense truly one to fear. Led by senior quarterback, Dylan Mills (14), the team effective-ly moved the ball down the eld with wide receiver and tight end weapons, junior Cole Herlean (19), senior Drew Shanley (1), and senior Broderick Redden (3). However, the most sig-nicant factor in Triton’s success this 26 | tritontimes.comyear was senior running back Aiden Rubin (4).Rubin ran for a whopping 1790 yards, and 20 rushing touchdowns in the 11 games played this season. With two receiving scores to add, it brings his total to 22 touchdowns this year, tying the school record set back in 2006. Rubin said, “I couldn’t do it without my guys. If it weren’t for our offensive line, I wouldn’t be putting up my current numbers.” Rubin also broke the school single-game rushing record at Ayala with 273 yards. The previous record was 261, held by Al-len Vaughn since 1993.The defense was also a major fac-tor in this season’s success, effectively diminishing all opponents’ attempts to score. Junior cousin duo Matai Tagoa’i (28) and Puka Lee Fuimaono (24) have torn apart opposing offenses. Ta-goa’i led the team with seven sacks, and Fuimaono held the team high at 8.5 tackles per game. Not to mention the lockdown secondary, junior Riley Kelly (20) and senior Max (Fernando) Gonzales (7) led the team, both having ve interceptions. Includes Gonzales's pick-6 clutching up a huge win against CIF-SS D2 Winners Mission Viejo in league play.BRAVE ENOUGH TO FIGHT: Tritons' proved they could hang with one of the best teams in the nation. (Katie Morrow Photography)

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27The record is a testament not only to the team’s talent but also to their resilience. In a sport as physically demanding as football, setbacks are almost inevitable. Still, the players demonstrated remarkable determi-nation after the heartbreaking loss to Murrieta Valley on our homecoming and the ability to bounce back stronger after that loss. They used it as motiva-tion through their next xtures. They went undefeated through their next matchups and reclaimed the South Coast League title after going 3-0 through league.And, of course, the support of the San Clemente community has played a massive role in the team’s energy all season long. Our fans turned out in huge numbers every Friday night all season long, whether home or away, to cheer on our team, creating a loud and electric atmosphere at every game. Se-nior Loud Crowd Member Will Pico said, “The energy at Bosco was insane. We packed the stands, and I made the claim we were louder than their entire home side even when they used their speakers. We brought out the whole city, and it denitely stunned the #3 team in the nation."And once playoffs came around, we were seated in the nation's tough-est bracket against the best team in the state. And the Tritons shocked every-one, holding St. John Bosco for the majority of the game. But the National Champions eventually pulled away, winning to move on to the next round.We can only thank our seniors for a remarkable season and say "See you later" to the beloved Friday Night Lights in anticipation of an even better season next year!BRAVE ENOUGH TO FIGHT: Tritons' proved they could hang with one of the best teams in the nation. (Katie Morrow Photography)SWAG SURFIN': Win of the seaosn? SC drops in on Missions wave and rides away victorious 20 - 10. (Katie Morrow Photography)

Triton Times - student magazine for San Clemente High School

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