Watching the waves roll in, it was hard not to be amazed by how powerful they were. Sets of waves crashed one after another as surfers took their chances in the water and crowds watched from the sand. From a distance, it almost looked exciting rather than dangerous, but the red flags along the beach were a reminder that these were not normal conditions.

To best understand what these conditions are actually like, Finley Seaton, a senior at Corona del Mar High School who also works as a lifeguard in Newport Beach, shared: “The first thing I do when I get to work on a red flag day is clear the water of anyone who’s not an expert swimmer or surfer”. She then directs people toward the beaches with gentler swells.

One of the biggest dangers during strong swells is rip currents. According to Seaton, many beachgoers do not recognize one until they are already caught in it. She described rip currents as looking like “brown, choppy, mushroom-shaped clouds” that act almost like a river pulling water offshore. Because they can appear in different places depending on the swell, knowing what the ocean looks like before entering can make a major difference.

For Seaton, one of the most important rules is simple: know the conditions. “If you aren’t sure what to look for when you go look out at the water, don’t assume it’s safe. Go talk to the lifeguard,” she noted. Even experienced swimmers need to understand their own limits.

The danger does not stop with the people in the water. At the Wedge, spectators often stand close to the shoreline to get a better view. Seaton warned that the shorebreak can sweep people off their feet during large sets, making it important to stay off the berm and listen to the lifeguards.

Huge swells may be exciting to watch, but they also show just how quickly the ocean can become dangerous. Enjoying Newport Beach during these conditions means respecting the water, paying attention to warnings, and knowing when it is safer to stay on shore.

Gearing up for the game, Van Marchiorlatti spoke for his team when saying they were prepared for the challenges that the Chargers would throw at them. Ryan Dodge, a nose guard, commented on how the energy’s been with their record, “Everyone’s been super hyped for the game. Everyone’s very excited, man, we’re doing well”. As both teams took the field, the Sea Kings were ready to put that preparation to the test. The game kicked off with CdM receiving the ball, setting the tone for what would be another test for the undefeated Sea Kings.

Their opening drive wasn’t successful after Kingston Brown threw an incomplete pass on 4th down and 13, though Edison couldn’t capitalize. Wyatt Forward, the starting running back, pulled through in the second drive to risk it on 4th down. Later in the drive, he scored a touchdown, his first of many for the day (1:51). Teddy Carboni also shined on Thursday as the kicker. After Forward’s first touchdown, Carboni’s  PAT (point after touchdown) was good, increasing the lead. Deacon Fiori intercepted and rushed the football to a touchdown (0:34), and Carboni’s had another successful PAT, increasing the score to 14-0 and ending the first quarter.

Starting the second quarter, Edison responded with a touchdown. Trenton Gage, the Chargers’ quarterback who plays both sides of the ball, made the play (10:15). The kick was good, and the score was 14-7 (10:15).

Quarterback Kingston Brown, during the second quarter, suffered an injury, forcing Van Marchiorlatti to step up, and he did. Handing the ball off, Forward got his second touchdown of the day (4:38). Carboni’s third PAT made it through the uprights. On Edison’s chance to fight back, Fiori shut them down, intercepting the ball and giving the Sea Kings another chance to score. Forward took that chance and scored his third of the day, increasing the score to 27-14. Carboni made his fourth PAT, adding to the score (28-14).

Before the end of the third quarter, Edison forced a fumble, but Mauricio Hernandez made an impact on the next play, intercepting the ball and giving the ball right back to the Sea Kings. Entering the fourth quarter, the young group of Sea Kings held a 28–14 lead. Forward and Carboni, once again, helped solidify the win, bringing the final score to 35–14.

Before the game, Dodge said he was excited to see Forward in action, knowing he has been responsible for most of the team’s touchdowns. After Thursday’s performance, Forward showed exactly why he had earned that reputation.

The 35–14 victory kept the Sea Kings undefeated and added another win to their season. With their goal of going 10–0 still within reach, CdM will look to carry the momentum from this game into their next matchup. Make sure to come see them next at their Battle of the Bay Game on Friday, September 11th!

How does the vaccine work in the body? 

The cancer vaccine is custom made to an individual’s specific needs. A piece of the tumor is surgically removed, and a custom strand of mRNA is created, which is then inserted into the body. The person’s cells interpret the mRNA and break it down to build a protein. Then, that protein trains the immune system to attack the cancer cells.

Dr. John LaPook, CBS’s main medical correspondent, said, “Think of it like giving a scent to a bloodhound. The vaccine gives the immune system the scent of melanoma so the immune system can hunt it down and kill it,” (as cited in Kiki Intarasuwan’s article on CBS News).

What are some of the drawbacks of the vaccine? 

The melanoma vaccine faces hurdles of high manufacturing costs and patient immune responses. Since the vaccine is custom-made, it cannot be mass-produced as quickly as other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine. There is also another risk related to the patient’s immune response. Each person’s immune system operates in a different way, and there is no guarantee that the immune system is strong enough to incorporate the code to fight off the cancer cells. 

What does a medically interested student at CdM feel about the vaccine? 

CdM junior Gabrielle Landy has expressed interest in medicine. “I think anything that can be used to treat cancer is positive, because cancer is a deadly disease that affects everyone in some way. Although this vaccine treats patients, it has a community wide impact across the patients’ families, friends, and potentially can extend someone’s life.”  

She added that the vaccine inspires her to continue to pursue her passion for medicine. “Anything that can be used to improve the quality of life of cancer patients inspires me to pursue medicine. The constant changing of technology used in healthcare is fascinating to me, and I love that there are new ways to help people.” 

Overall, the melanoma vaccine is a step in the right direction for cancer patients and cancer research. These custom, targeted immunotherapies provide a way for doctors to treat patients specifically and hopefully create a full cure. 

As we transition during this awkward time period of weather, there are many ways to keep your outfits chic and classy while still taking the sunny days into account. One of the best ways to prepare for this upcoming season is to prioritize basics. A well-fitted white T-shirt works perfectly with a linen skirt in the summer while also pairing beautifully with statement jeans and a sweater thrown over the shoulders. Having basics allows for simple, yet elevated outfits that can be worn all year round.

Contrary to having reliable basics, it is also valuable to collect statement pieces. “I love a big purse; I think they work perfectly in both seasons,” is what Izzy Saber exclaimed when I asked for her favorite staple pieces. Wearing statements doesn’t necessarily mean wearing a giant pink fur coat or blue snakeskin boots, but can also be choosing a big pair of glasses, or, as Izzy does, a colorful bag.

Although Autumn outfits are chef’s kisses, the cloudy weather becomes more permanent and picking outfits feels more like a task than a reward. While interviewing junior Callie Arambarri, she emphasized that she loses fashion motivation once cold weather appears and “definitely leans towards something comfy.” Fall weather visibly pushes people to dress more casually and comfortably, but there are ways to avoid this seasonal fashion slump. Adding a variety of staples and statements helps to elevate different looks and can make you look and feel confident.

While social media does make it easier for high school students to preserve relationships, it can also create a hub for jealousy, miscommunication, and pressure. On social media, teenagers often spend hours comparing themselves to others. Samantha Matlaf, a sophomore at Corona del Mar High School, states, “I have firsthand experience of seeing my sister compare herself to others on social media at a young age.” These negative effects can start from a very young age and create bad habits. Social media allows many teens to overanalyze both themselves and other people, which unlocks new insecurities. Constant access to accounts and posts can make people feel left out. Brynn Boyle, a sophomore at Corona del Mar High School, states, “getting excluded from a group chat makes me sad.” This is not just an example for Brynn. Many students face these challenges every day, and it has a negative toll on mental health. As high schoolers watch different videos and posts online about others’ success, it can create pressure academically. Caitlin Strawn, a sophomore at Corona del Mar High School, states, “watching kids my age be farther ahead of me academically makes me feel like I need to push myself harder.” When most people think of how academic pressure is formed, they think of parents; however, Caitlin is a prime example of pressure beginning from social media. Pressure leads to lower self-esteem and ultimately has you viewing your peers as competitors.

Because of social media’s constant presence, students overthink and compare themselves to others. For high school students, social media can influence how they see themselves, their friends, and the people around them. In a world where social media can change relationships in seconds, teenagers must recognize the lasting impact social media can have beyond the screen.

The Sea Kings proved dominant defensively very early on by forcing a turnover on downs merely 5 minutes into the game. With the Sea Kings inside Santa Barbara’s 20, running back Trejan Nixon had a 16-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Sea Kings on the board. The second quarter housed multiple key plays that furthered CdM’s momentum. Tucker Murray had a whopping 83-yard punt return touchdown, Mason Anderson recovered a fumble, Chuck Naylor completed a 25-yard field goal, and Luca Dinapoli threw a successful touchdown pass to receiver JJ Haley. The Sea Kings concluded the half with a lead of 23 points over Santa Barbara’s 0 points. 

The fifteen-minute halftime was filled with numerous performances by various CdM groups. CdM middle school pep squad performed in front of their first big crowd, and CdM High school pep squad had an engaging and well-choreographed routine, per usual. CdM drumline impressed the audience with a clean and beautifully crafted performance, and lastly, Orchesis had a synchronous and powerful dance routine. 

The second half brought on continuous success for the Sea Kings. Tucker Murray had an incredible pick-six in which he ran the ball 94 yards. Additionally, quarterback John David Annett had a nine-yard rushing touchdown, and Chuck Naylor’s point-after-kick was good, bringing the Sea Kings’ score up from 30 to 37. CdM allowed just one Santa Barbara touchdown early in the fourth quarter, and the game closed out with a score of 37-7. 

For seniors, this was a great last first home game, and for freshmen, a great introduction to what it means to be a CdM student outside of the classroom. Sentimentality and reflectiveness were apparent for many of the senior players, especially three-year varsity starter Tucker Murray. He shared how “time has flown by, and it feels like I started freshman football yesterday…it is special being a senior and having the opportunity to lead everyone, especially the underclassmen.” Between the players, students, parents, and community members, we were all proud to be Sea Kings on Friday night.

Rodrigo first gained widespread recognition through Disney shows before achieving rapid success as a singer and songwriter. At Daisy Chain Fields, she was joined by female artists from multiple generations and genres, including Chappell Roan, Doechii, Mitski, Stevie Nicks, Bikini Kill, Garbage, and The Breeders. Together, the lineup brought a major music festival closer to Orange County residents who often travel to Los Angeles for similar events.

For Corona del Mar student and pop music fan Mia Hayton, the lineup was what initially made the festival stand out. “I feel like you normally have to go all the way to Los Angeles for a lineup this big,” Hayton said. “Having Olivia Rodrigo and so many other artists in Irvine makes it feel way more exciting and actually close to us.” The festival’s location also represented something larger for Orange County. With the continuing development of Great Park and Great Park Live, Irvine may be becoming a bigger destination for live entertainment. “I think events like this give people more of a reason to see Irvine as somewhere exciting,” Leili Arana (11) said. “It’s cool that something this large can happen here instead of every major event automatically being in L.A.”

Beyond its performances, Daisy Chain Fields focused on supporting women and girls. Net proceeds benefited 10 organizations addressing issues including maternal health, reproductive rights, economic security, domestic violence, and access to essential resources. The festival generated $10 million for the organizations, while Pivotal Ventures, founded by Melinda French Gates, contributed an additional $10 million. “I like that the festival actually connects the music to something important,” Rachel Carlin said. “People are obviously going because they love the artists, but their tickets are also helping organizations that support women.”

Daisy Chain Fields brought a major lineup to Orange County while connecting entertainment with a larger cause. Its success also offered a glimpse at Irvine’s potential as Great Park continues to develop. Instead of simply being near Southern California’s biggest cultural events, Irvine is increasingly becoming a place where they happen.

The Sunshine Protection Act would put our clocks an hour later all throughout the year and we would experience 365 days of late sunrises and late sunsets, in turn creating darker mornings and longer nights. It would get rid of the biannual ritual of changing our clocks back and forth during the spring and fall seasons. 

Hawaii, Arizona, and several territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not observe Daylight Savings Time, with the exception of Arizona’s Navajo nation. Because they have permanently set their clocks to standard time, they experience earlier sunrises and sunsets.

Our CdM water polo team starts their practice bright and early at 6:15am. This poses an issue for the girls if the sun could rise as late as 7:59am during permanent Daylight Savings Time. Sunday Bravenec, a 10th grader and a member of the water polo team says she rides her bike everyday and would have to do it in the dark. This makes it hard for cars to spot bikers as well as for the bikers to see what is in front of them. This is a safety issue for more than just Bravenec. Katie Tran, another sophomore and water polo player says, “I think it would be difficult because I bike to get to school and if it’s dark outside it’s really hard to get to school, but once I’m on the pool deck, it’s fine.” Luckily, the pool has lights surrounding the perimeter allowing their practice to be illuminated. “We actually prefer when it’s dark out because then the sun isn’t shining in our eyes…” Bravenec continued.

Many people believe that having permanent Daylight Savings Time is the best alternative to the confusing system of changing our clocks. It creates a longer daytime which gives the illusion of a longer day. It gives us more time to live in the sunlight outside and not worry about getting home before dark. 

One problem that comes with permanent Daylight Savings Time is our circadian rhythm. Brighter mornings signal our body’s internal clock to prepare for a good night’s rest in the evening. Sunlight in the morning is shown to “increase alertness, boost mood, [and] lower stress…” according to Emilina Lomas, a public health writer, for OURA.  The New York Times wrote, “Studies link chronic circadian misalignment to higher risks of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, some cancers and mental health problems.” Sleep experts are urging permanent standard time to be set into place for this reason. 

Stanford researchers found that both permanent standard time and permanent Daylight Savings time are more beneficial than the system we currently use. “Springing forward” and losing an hour of sleep “has been linked to more heart attacks and fatal accidents”.

The Sunshine Protection Act can be beneficial in many ways for CdM but also causes safety concerns for our students.