![Math teacher Austin Bennett observes seventh period students step to the board to solve Equation of Circle problems May 2. Bennett has been teaching for a total of four years, with only two of those years spent as a Jag. He hopes after his time as a high school teacher to become a professor. "[College math] is more challenging, and it's good to challenge yourself," Bennett said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0147-1200x900.jpg)
![Varsity girls soccer midfielder Leah Sheahan ‘24 hugs a friend during the Senior Night celebrations before the home game against Mountain Vista High School (MVHS) at Echo Park Stadium April 29. During Senior Night, seniors were given flowers and the opportunity to walk out and take pictures with their family as their future plans and favorite memories were announced over the speakers. The Jags tied 0-0, losing the Continental League Championship. “We were obviously the stronger team but just couldn’t find a way to score, but otherwise our connection and our intensity was really high so I’m proud of that. We just have to find the net,” defense midfielder Clara Geuzaine ‘24 said. “[Losing League] wasn’t the best. It’s better than last year and like, I know our team and we are doing really good. I don’t want to jinx it but like hopefully [we’ll do] good [in playoffs].”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Copy-of-DSC_4277-1-1200x868.jpg)
![In room 4101, Natalie Patterson ‘26, Ariana Magor ‘25 and Celina Salazar ‘25 create a poster in science teacher Kerry Reilly’s Chemistry Honors April 18. The three completed a worksheet and drawing to explain the implosion of a tank for their unit on gas laws. “At the start of class, we watched a video of the tank imploding,” Patterson said. “I think [making a drawing] is something new. I like more artsy activities.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5019-1200x900.jpeg)
![The junior class boos freshman during the opening assembly on the morning of Aug. 23. Booing has been a long-standing tradition during assemblies, but talks of shifting it to cheering have recently circulated the school. "[Freshmen are] expecting to come in with everyone supporting them and us booing them makes them upset and sad," Daksha Gopalakrishnan ‘25 said. "I think it has a negative effect on them, they won’t be able to feel welcome or anything like that."](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC_5940-1200x800.jpg)
The graphic above represents how plastic pollution affects our oceans marine organisms. Sea turtles can sometimes consume plastic bags due to mistaking them for jellyfish, a large part of some sea turtles’ diets.
Our oceans do so much more than simply look blue and pretty. They regulate global climate and weather patterns, serve as a form of marine transportation, provide food and ingredients found in many of the products we eat, and so much more. Despite all our oceans give, they are suffering due to an excessive amount of plastic pollution. According to the UN (United Nations) Environment Programme, 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced yearly, and some trends have seen a worrying increase in plastic production. How does this material harm our oceans, and what can we do to help?
Sources Cited:
UN (United Nations) Environment Programme
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
