C
December 2016 Vol. 5 Edition 3
Magazine Arts & Culture
SPRAY IT, DON’T SAY IT
24
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
Dear Readers, As winter break approaches, we would like to reflect on the hard work and progress C Magazine made over the course of the semester. This edition is a testament to our staff’s dedication and determination to constantly improve the quality of the magazine. This production cycle, staff writers Fe Hmelar and Maddy Buecheler styled Paly students for the winter lookbook, “The Minimalist.” Staff writers Chiara Biondi and Hannah Darby explained the research done on the power of awe, while Benner Mullin and Alexis Pisco interviewed students on pressing food issues, attempting to tackle the great food debate. We are extremely proud of the work staff writers Gabe Cohen, Amanda Hmelar and Katie Look put into the cover story, which examines the underside of street art and graffiti culture. Through interviews with various street artists and graffiti writers, they explore the controversy regarding its legality, what should be considered art and works that are often unappreciated. Last edition, our cover story delved into the Deaf community. Unfortunately, after printing the magazine, an error was brought to our attention. We would like to apologize for the incorrect capitalization of the word “d/Deaf.” As editors, we take full responsibility for this mistake. We have published corrected versions on our online platforms. We are sincerely sorry to anyone offended, and will learning from this experience. Enjoy reading and happy holidays! Reilly Filter, Ahana Ganguly, Katie Passarello and Sarah Shapiro
PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL, 50 EMBARCADERO RD. • WWW.CMAGAZINE.ORG • @C__MAGAZINE
WHAT’S INSIDE...
FOOD 4 6 8
Peppermint ‘n Stuff May the Best Sandwich Win Paly Food Debates Gingerbread Dream House
10
ARTS Hidden Treasures of San Francisco Masks Unmasked The Minimalist: A Winter Lookbook Christmas Tree Lane
12 14 15 18
Artist of the Month: Julia Asher
20
CULTURE COVER STORY: Spray It, Don’t Say It Benefits of Yoga The Importance of Mental Health The Power of Awe Alone Time Gift Giving Guide Goodbye, Obama Better Than New C Mag Perspective: The Unspeakable Truth The Best 2016 Albums Holidays Around the World C Mag Simplifies: Paly A-cappella
24 32 33 34 36 37 38 40 42 43 44 46
editors-in-chief reilly filter, ahana ganguly, katie passarello, sarah shapiro managing editors jasmine abeyta, atusa assadi design editor emma staiger creative director teddie stewart creative illustrator jordan schilling copy editor rima parekh social media hannah darby web editor nicole li business manager ally scheve
staff writers chiara biondi, maddy buecheler, hollie chiao, gabe cohen, lhaga dingpontsawa, amanda hmelar, fe hmelar, darrow hornik, katie look, benner mullin, olivia o’farrell, mattie orloff, alexis pisco, julianna roth, jordan schilling, talia stanley, yashvi tibrewal illustrators yoonjung cho, chloe patterson adviser brian wilson cover art jordan schilling
peppermint 'n stuff Celebrating the holidays with friends and family can easily be made even more enjoyable with some of C Magazine’s favorite peppermint recipes. They are a blast to make and will light up any winter table. Take shelter from the judge-MINT of your extended family during the holidays by eating the pain away with these delicious seasonal treats! Make sure to look out for our tips in blue so that your dessert endeavours go successfully!
PEPPERMINT BARK ingredients:
1 bag milk chocolate Hershey Kisses, unwrapped [Really, unwrap them beforehand. This takes a lot longer than you would think.] 1 cup chocolate chips 1 bag candy cane Hershey Kisses, unwrapped [CVS and Walgreens rarely pull through for these, buy them off Amazon beforehand!] 1 cup white chocolate chips 2 cups crushed Oreos Two 14-ounce cans sweetened condensed milk
directions:
1. Set aside a 9x13 baking dish, lined with parchment paper and sprayed lightly with non-stick cooking spray. 2. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk chocolate Hershey’s kisses, chocolate chips and one can of sweetened condensed milk. 3. Stir over low heat until melted and smooth, then fold the crushed Oreos into the chocolate mixture. [Don’t be lazy — keep stirring it or the chocolate will burn!] 4. Pour chocolate mixture into prepared 9x13 dish. Rinse out sauce-pan. 6. Add the candy cane Kisses, white chocolate chips and can of sweetened condensed milk to the saucepan. 7. Stir over low heat until smooth and completely melted. 8. Pour the white chocolate mixture over the chocolate Oreo mixture, and spread evenly. 9. Sprinkle the remaining Oreo crumbs over the top, and refrigerate overnight to set. Cut and serve! [Make sure you don’t leave it in the fridge for too long, otherwise it will be hard to cut.]
4 | FOOD
TEXT, DESIGN AND PHOTOS BY YASHVI TIBREWAL AND LHAGA DINGPONTSAWA
PEPPERMINT OREO FUDGE ingredients:
20 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped 30 peppermint candies, crushed and divided 10 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped 6 tablespoons heavy cream 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
directions:
1. Line a 9x12 inch baking pan with parchment paper. 2. Melt half of the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler [If you don’t have one, place a bowl on top of a saucepan with boiling water.] Stir frequently. 3. Spread the white chocolate onto the prepared pan. Sprinkle 1/4 of the crushed peppermints evenly over white chocolate. Chill until firm. [This usually takes around 10 minutes!] 4. Melt the dark chocolate, heavy cream and peppermint extract together in the same double boiler. Stir frequently, until melted. Quickly pour the dark chocolate layer over the chilled white chocolate and spread evenly. Chill until firm. 5. Melt the remaining white chocolate in the same double boiler. Stir frequently, until just melted. Spread quickly over the chilled bark. Sprinkle with the remaining peppermint pieces; chill until firm, about 20 minutes. Cut or break into small pieces to serve. [The peppermint pieces can be sharp, so be careful if you’re breaking pieces with your hands.]
FOOD | 5
May the Best
Driftwood Deli and Market and Village Cheese House are two of the most popular sandwich shops in Palo Alto. The rivalry between the shops has heated up over the years as the debate over which store makes a better sandwich has grown. C Mag set out to settle the debate once and for all.
Village Cheese House: 1 Old Fashioned: 2 Cardinal Nation: ham, swiss cheese, pickles and Village Cheese House original spread on sliced sourdough $8.45
3/5
Thoughts on the food:
smoked turkey, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion Village Cheese House original spread on dutch crunch $8.45
4.25/5
There wasn’t enough meat on the sandwiches, off-setting the meat to bread ratio. However, this was made up for by the legendary Village Cheese House secret sauce. The sauce paired well with the dutch crunch bread, but we would not reccomend it on the sliced sourdough. The sandwich will become soggy, making it challenging to eat.
6 | FOOD
Cheese & 3 Classic Veggie:
pickles, mild peppers, lettuce, tomato, red onion, sprouts, avocado and mozzarella on dutch crunch $8.45
4/5
Atmosphere: The interior of Cheese House is very spacious and open. The indoor seating is limited, however there are comfortable couches to rest on while waiting for your food. The outside seating, similar to Driftwood, is pleasant and comfortable.
4/5
Sandwich Win!
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ALEXIS PISCO AND BENNER MULLIN DESIGN BY HANNAH DARBY, ALEXIS PISCO AND BENNER MULLIN ILLUSTRATION BY TEDDIE STEWART
Driftwood Deli and Market: 1 Kevin’s Sandwich: barbecue beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, firefighters pepper hot sauce and mayonaise on dutch crunch roll $9.50
4.5/5
2 Smoked Turkey Sandwich:
turkey, bacon, pepper jack cheese, avocado, mayonaise, lettuce, tomato on dutch crunch roll $11.50
4.75/5
3 Custom Veggie Sandwich:
lettuce, tomato, avocado, barbecue sauce and three pieces of sliced on toasted sourdough bread $8.99
4.5/5
Thoughts on the food:
Driftwood uses heaps of fresh meat and various crisp toppings on its sandwiches; one sandwich provides enough substance to be a whole meal. Overall, Driftwood sandwiches are an exquisite blend of natural flavors that leave you wishing you had room to eat more.
Atmosphere:
The indoor lighting at Driftwood seems a little musky and the inside seating has an awkward setup; however, the outdoor seating more than makes up for it with great lighting and comfortable chairs. The employees are friendly and happy to help you find the best sandwich.
3.5/5
Paly Food Debates Now that the election has passed, it is time to address the important issues pressing humanity. C Magazine bravely embarked on a mission to discover where people really stand on the great food debates of the 21st century. Since the beginning of time, these questions have divided happy families, destroyed lifelong friendships and ignited bitter rivalries.
Do you split apart your oreos or eat them as a sandwich?
Split 42.9%
Sandwich 57.1%
“I think Oreos are really great, and when they are kept together it creates a tantalizing sensation within your mouth that carries through the large intestine and out the rest of the body.” Kasra Orumchian (‘18)
TEXT, PHOTOS AND DESIGN BY ALEXIS PISCO AND BENNER MULLIN ILLUSTRATIONS BY TEDDIE STEWART
Do you eat the crust on bread?
No 19.5%
Are hot dogs sandwiches? Yes 80.5%
“Men eat the crust. Boys don’t. You pick.” Otto Berndt (‘19)
No 87.1%
Do you eat your pizza flat or like a taco?
Do you dunk your french fries in ketchup or drizzle ketchup on top? Yes 12.9%
Flat 63.0%
Taco 37.0%
“I eat my pizza flat. Because frankly, it’s disrespectful to the pizza to fold it. When you fold a pizza, it makes it like a calzone, which it’s not. It’s a pizza. When you fold it, all the toppings that were on top of the pizza are inside. The flavors mix. And, you eat the pizza so much faster, and can’t enjoy it.” Al Li (‘20)
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“As a symbolic part of America with roots stretching to the dawn of the 1900s, the preposterous idea that a hotdog is a sandwich is more absurd than any conspiracy constructed by those with tinfoil hats.” Cooper Kim (‘18)
Drizzle 5.3%
Dunk 94.7%
“I dunk. I used to drizzle but then my fingers used to get wrinkly like they do in the bath and they smelled like ketchup even after I washed them.” Uma Choudhury (‘17)
Skip the line!
Use the pokĂŠLOVE app to create a custom Paly Bowl and order ahead. Available on iPhone and Android Also available: - Fundraisers - Catering - DoorDash Delivery -
Check us out at: www.pokelove.com Follow us: @pokelove
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~Gingerbread
dream house~
TEXT, DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY HOLLIE CHIAO AND MATTIE ORLOFF PHOTOS BY HOLLIE CHIAO
F
ollow the breadcrumb path to a well-maintained relic of Victorian architecture crafted from the finest gingerbread. This stately property is equipped with amenities fit for even the king of Candyland, featuring luxuries from marbled chocolate countertops to a Nerd Rope swing overlooking the pond. Be blown away by the opulence of the sugar-spun chandelier in the foyer or wander around the expansive 10,000 square inch lot. Two delicately frosted, polite Vikings await to serve you and will take care of all your laundry or midnight snack needs.
•secluded within in an expansive meringue forest •over 20 towers to observe the breathtaking view •spacious guest house price adjustable to buyer
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A
WELCOME HOME!
rs e t r a u q ts’
servan
observatory tower with a telescope for gummy star gazing ma on ke yo the d flo ur w the bre or a ay to the gum athta nd e the gin dro king xper sec ie ge rbr p fiel view nce e ad ds of CIT and Y
go straight down the meringue forest on the sugary yellow candy road and enter through the graham cracker double doors
FOOD | 11
MUSEUM OF CRAFT AND DESIGN If you’re looking for a quick, peaceful escape from the everyday stressors of the outside world, take a stop at the Museum of Craft and Design (MCD). Located on 3rd Street, the Museum of Craft and Design is the perfect museum for all craft-lovers and those who appreciate beautiful things. MCD showcases a variety of contemporary pieces ranging from a carefully designed display of rolling pins on a wall, to a brightly colored wall full of patterns and sketches. Not only does it offer a variety of installations and works, but it also displays a stunning gift shop that offers colored pencils, coloring books, eccentric jewelry, kitchenware and many more marvelous gifts. Entry is $6, but the small price you pay to see beautiful art goes to supporting the museum, allowing it to continue sharing and spreading beauty through its exhibitions. The next time you venture up to San Francisco, whether you’re with your friends or family, make sure to stop by the Museum of Craft and Design. You may end up coming home with a beautiful coloring book or a pair of colorful earrings. And, if you don’t plan on spending money in the magnificent gift shop, don’t worry! Every museum attendee gets a Museum of Craft and Design sticker to keep, take home and cherish.
12 | ARTS
Hidden Treasures OF San Francisco TEXT AND PHOTOS BY DARROW HORNIK AND OLIVIA O’FARRELL DESIGN BY DARROW HORNIK AND EMMA STAIGER
Staff writers Darrow Hornik and Olivia O’Farrell take a trip to San Francisco to explore two unknown museums: the Museum of Craft and Design and the Museum of African Diaspora. Here’s what they saw and experienced on this adventure to the city!
MUSEUM OF AFRICAN DIASPORA Looking for a quick, delightful and educational experience? Across from the Yerba Buena Center and around the corner from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art sits the Museum of the African Diaspora (MOAD). Whether you’re looking for a quick way to immerse yourself in culture or just a pit stop on your tour of San Francisco, the MOAD is a great place to learn about the migration of Africans throughout the world, also known as the African diaspora. Located on Mission Street, the MOAD is only a short walk from the Caltrain station. This small museum showcases the history and art that resulted from the African diaspora. It is a two-story, modern building with unique works of art, interactive installations and some fascinating history. One of the only possibly dissuading aspects of this museum is that you have to pay to enter. However, it is only $5 for students, a small price that goes to supporting the museum and its efforts to share the stories and art of African heritage. Five dollars well spent. As you begin to walk up the initial flight of stairs to reach the first exhibit in the museum, you are greeted by a couple of black crows resting along the large glass windows that peer out on the city streets. The walk up to the first exhibit is pleasant, with a view of the city on your left, and a beautiful collage of antique images trailing the entire
wall on the right. Once you make your way up the first flight of stairs, you enter a room made up of beautiful charcoal and pastel drawings by Toyin Ojih Odutola, an exhibit that is open until April 2017. The next exhibit showcases a variety of pieces created by Nyame Brown, including charcoal drawings, desks, old records and paintings. This exhibit allows the public to experience the Diaspora. Brown uses his art as an instrument to fight racial oppression. The second exhibit is engaging and informational at the same time, and closes on Jan.16, 2017. The last exhibit in the small, but grand, MOAD is the “Where is Here” exhibition, which also closes in April 2017. Past another flight of stairs and two white doors sits a wonderful exhibit that displays a plethora of pieces by multiple different artists. The idea behind this exhibit is to demonstrate how humans travel through space. Every piece of art in the room presents the artist’s ideas of how to describe space. Our personal favorite in this exhibition was the installation of hundreds of small pieces of paper placed on the ground artistically, being held up by black paper clips. This installation is just one of many that are spread throughout the museum. The only downside to these exhibits is that they aren’t at the MOAD forever. So, you better hurry up to the city to experience this wonderful museum!
ART | 13
Masks
Unmasked
Staff writer Jordan Schilling looks into the photography process and the insight it can provide to societal issues.
I
walked into CVS on a Saturday night and noticed a mask to my right. It instantly caught my attention — the red, white and blue colors intrigued me. I knew I could photograph this mask and create something really powerful based on the colors and facial expression. I wanted to tell a story about identity and the way society causes us to view each other differently. Photography allows people to visually convey their thoughts for an audience, and it has allowed me to discover myself and grow as an artist. I want to challenge you to photograph your own life. With all the mayhem going on in the world, it is sometimes nice to take a step back, breathe and reflect. Find a muse that allows you to escape and be your true self.
“Multiple Meaning” tells a different story. Football is America’s sport. Entire towns close down on game days so people can support their favorite teams. It is just one of the traditions that shows how powerful our nation can be when joined together over a common passion. This past election contradicted what we have come to know as a “unified nation.” During the presidential debates, one candidate wore an American flag pin and the other did not. Clinton was ridiculed for not conveying her nationalism — an ironic accusation given that she was running for president. The colors represented on the flag, red, white and blue, can also be seen on the mask in the photo. They make the mask pop out of the image. The sports jersey and American hat convey the message that, in today’s America, we hide behind the masks we wear.
With “Disparate Pairing,” I wanted to convey a message about fixating on what we see on the outside so much that we overlook what is on the inside. The subject is wearing a mask and holding sunflowers in one hand. The frightening mask portrays the subject as intimidating, and the flowers convey his positive qualities. I wanted to depict our tendency to “cross the street” — to avoid those who might appear daunting despite the good qualities they might have overshadowed by the way they look.
“Restrictive Mask” is symbolic of discrimination in American society. In the U.S., the majority, white people, want minorities to conform to white culture. The white majority is shown through the white mask in the image, while the minority races are represented by the race of the subject. The attitude of the white majority is rooted in the history of race in America. Ever since 1776, white people believe they are superior to all other races. However, in modern day society, no matter how much we resist the mask society tells us to wear, we as a nation are hiding from the present discrimination.
TEXT, PHOTOS AND DESIGN BY JORDAN SCHILLING
Winter Lookbook
THE
MINIMALIST when it comes to street style, less is more TEXT AND DESIGN BY MADDY BUECHELER AND FE HMELAR PHOTOS BY JORDAN SCHILLING
ARTS |15
Jean Jacket (Levi’s)
Leather Jacket (Zara) Black Jeans (Article of Society)
Bomber Jacket (Sanctuary)
16 | ARTS
Hi-Tops (Commes Des Garcons) Jean Jacket (California Artist) Black Shirt (Anti Social Club)
Booties (BP Nordstrom) Color Block Shirt (Urban Outfitters) Eyeglasses (Zara)
ARTS |17
C hristmas Tree Lane TEXT AND DESIGN BY NICOLE LI AND ALLY SCHEVE ILLUSTRATIONS BY YOONJUNG CHO
1940
1942
1943
1959
First year of coordinated decoration, a year before US involvement in WWII.
WWII blackout to conserve energy for the war effort; Lane is dark.
Wartime shortage of lights starts the custom of passing down decorations.
Christmas Tree Lane neighbors hold the first Saturday morning coffee.
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where to park: Park on Newell or down Seale (no parking on Fulton)
where to start: Start at Seale and Fulton and walk towards Embarcadero
best houses: Find the house with the sleigh to take pictures in
1960 Lane recognized by Palo Alto Junior Chamber of Commerce.
1964 Palo Alto city utilities crew change all streetlights from white to red for the holidays.
E
leven months of the year, one would never guess that Fulton Avenue was anything other than a typical corner of Palo Alto. But every December, this street next to Embarcadero Road comes alive to spread holiday cheer. In 1940, a group of neighbors had an “Aha” moment — they decided to coordinate a multi-block effort to decorate the houses for the holidays. This idea evolved into what is now known as Christmas Tree Lane, a tradition that has since been carried on throughout years and across new families. Junior Tyler Marik, whose family just recently moved to Fulton Avenue, is already pumped for the month-long community event. “It’s a really cool part of Palo Alto,” Marik said. “It’s all voluntary, but the neighborhood is actually really close so everybody enjoys doing it.” The Marik residence will feature three wise men and a star for the top of the house, passed down by previous homeowners. Christmas Tree Lane begins with a morning coffee, when all the families congregate to prepare for the decorating ahead. “One person each year hosts a coffee at their house,” Marik said. “Their house is just open. Everyone’s setting up, and if you get tired, you just go into their house and get to talk with the neighbors.” The openness and inclusion of this tradition has been a lifetime fixture for junior and Fulton Avenue resident Cecilia Ward. “You feel like you belong in this neighborhood, and it’s a very welcoming community,” Ward said. “It’s a lot of fun to be part of this tradition.” This long-living event has unbelievable success in neighborhood participation. Twinkling lights, reindeer and Santas fill every corner, transporting all who walk in the wake into a winter wonderland. Beautiful and vibrant, composed of various elements compiled by a community of friends and neighbors — it is a feat of collaboration and creative ingenuity. Every now and then, there are new additions — a nutcracker, Smurfs, a new santa or a snoopy doghouse. Each addition brings more life to the Lane. The bears in the window, the reindeer, the figure of the Virgin Mary, and the welcoming atmosphere make Christmas Tree Lane a lovely place to visit year after year.
1973
2016
Energy crisis under Nixon; residents use plastic bows in place of lighting.
Christmas Tree Lane still going strong!
ARTS | 19
Julia Asher
as
o t f the s i t r A Month
TEXT BY JULIANNA ROTH DESIGN BY OLIVIA O’FARRELL AND JULIANNA ROTH PHOTOS BY JORDAN SCHILLING
20 | ARTSE
d
espite the five hour dance practice, smelly pointe shoes and constant exhaustion, Julia Asher’s love for dance will not fade. She has been dancing for over a decade and has big aspirations for her future. Asher shares her story and her hopes for her career in dance. Asher first fell in love with dance when she saw the Nutcracker as a child for the first time. While watching, she was mesmerized by the elegance of the ballerinas and their intricate costumes. Asher will always look back at this event as the first time she knew ballet was her calling. “I saw the Nutcracker, and there is this gold scene where little Clara turns into big Clara. [She] did a pas-de-deux, and I think that’s when I knew that I wanted to be on stage and I wanted to do something similar.” Asher has been training as a dancer since she was three years old. It started when her grandmother took her to a mommy-and-me dance class. She danced for another three years without any hope of it becoming her full-time sport. Everything changed at the age of seven, when her grandmother made a bold decision. “One day when my parents had left for a trip, my grandma, without their knowledge, took me to San Francisco Ballet auditions. She auditioned me and I got in, and she never told my parents that she had taken me to the audition until I had gotten in.” Asher’s grandmother was eager to pay for her dance and drive the commute to San Francisco everyday. Asher now trains in ballet, lyrical and jazz making her busy schedule even busier with school, dance and studying. She practices everyday after school from 4 p.m. to around 9 p.m. and has a specific daily routine once she gets to her studio in Belmont. Her training starts with ballet for an hour and a half to warm up and get her muscles loose. “I take ballet everyday but that’s just because it is the basics. You need ballet in order to do anything else.” Next comes pointe. By now Asher’s feet are warm and ready to jump. Pointe is when dancers wear special pointe shoes that have a boxed toe so the dancer can
ARTS | 21
stand directly on their toes and stay elevated. After pointe, the danc- ance her rigorous dance schedule. After college, Asher hopes to ers either practice jazz, lyrical or modern depending on the day. Asher be recruited by a dance company that will tour around the world. ends her lengthy training by practicing for her upcoming competitions. Although dance is the one thing Asher loves most in life, there are There are many other factors that must go into dancing to succeed at negative aspects. Every athlete has days where everything seems to be a high level. Proper nutrition, sleep and downtime are necessary to have going wrong, and dancing is no exception. “Sometimes you just have enough energy to practice for five hours a day. This strict routine often those days where nothing works. You can’t turn, you can’t jump and leads to many stereotypes around competitive dancers. Asher respond- you just feel awful but it makes the better days so much better.” Ashed to a common misconception about the eating disorders that stem er has achieved so much in dance and passed countless milestones all from being a competitive ballerina. The stereotype that ballerinas need because of her positive attitude and supportive team. Her appreciato be stick-thin used to be a large issue dancers faced, but now ballerinas tion for dance comes from her professional dance teachers who push come in all shapes and sizes. “You can the dancers everyday and help them look at Misty Copeland, and she is not a reach the next level, even on their normal ballerina at all. She has muscles rough days. “As my teacher says, ‘You and she’s not some tiny stick who looks are only as good as your worst day.’” “Sometimes you just have those days like she’s going to break,” Asher said. The relationships that have formed where nothing works. You can’t turn, you Dancers have to be incredibly from her dance community have can’t jump and you just feel awful but [dancstrong to gracefully perform in comencouraged Asher to push through ing] makes the better days so much better.” petitions and recitals. Asher brings a the hard days and keep dancing belot of energy bars to dance practice cause of the unwavering support. and eats them throughout the afterDance, being an emotional and noon to keep her energy up. She also beautiful form of movement and art, drinks high calorie shakes before practice. Asher would not be able holds a lot of meaning for those who participate. So what purpose does to dance as frequently as she does without taking care of her body. dance hold for Asher in particular? Dance is Asher’s therapy, her stress The hours, commute, practice and competitions for dance are relief and her passion. “If I have had a really hard day, I know I can not all for nothing — she has high hopes for her future in dance. go to dance and just let it go and not think about it. It is therapeutic Asher plans on majoring in dance while in college at a prestigious and makes me happy,” she said. Humans are creatures of habit and feel dance school at University of Michigan, USC or NYU. All of these most comfortable with routine and predictability. Asher explained how colleges are known nationwide for having competitive dance pro- she often get anxious and restless if she goes more than a week without grams and providing excellent educations: “For the schools I am dancing. Dancing is a huge part of her comfort zone and happiness, so looking at, you have to have really good grades, and you have to be a life without dance is not a life Asher wants to live. “It is just so ema great dancer so I wanted to take challenging classes.” Asher takes bedded in everything I’ve done so far, and I couldn’t ever imagine my as many advanced classes as she can while still being able to bal- life without it. I honestly don’t know what I would do without dance.”
22 | ARTS
ARTS | 23
S pr ay it, Don ' t s ay it A LOOK INTO THE WORLD OF DEFIANCE THROUGH ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AND SPRAY PAINT
T
here are few terms in the world of art and expression that inspire more public debate and dissenting opinion than the term “graffiti.” Baseline perceptions of the art form paint a black and white picture: Graffiti is an act of vandalism that produces as much beauty and meaning as it does vapidity. There is a fair chance that you will see some form of color climbing along the side of a building while walking down a city street. Regardless of its legality, graffiti and street art are common to see. Behind each mural and tag are voices few have ever heard. The voices of the art provide a unique perspective into a culture that is lively and creative, yet vastly misunderstood. In order to hear the voice of street art, so to speak, one must know what it is they are looking at. The name graffiti comes from the Italian word graffio, which translates to ‘scratch’ in English. When even the roots of a word provide such a negative connotation, moral questions manifest quickly. There are many opinions about public art, and
24 | CULTURE
the most prominent voices in the debate are the negative ones. Because of this, it is no wonder the aggregate of public art has been given a name that connotes vandalism. The contemporary conception of street art is dominated by the work of Banksy, an anonymous British street artist whose political activism is ingrained in his globally visible stencil and spray paint art. An older crowd might instead think of Keith Haring, renowned New York gallery artist and activist who found his start graffitiing the subways of New York City. Major successes like Banksy and Haring are rare considering the general animosity toward uncommissioned public painting. The negative rhetoric that has limited unsightly tagging and vandalism also limits an art form whose merits have not yet been acknowledged on a greater scale. Not all public art receives the respect it deserves, while many pieces are not intended to be art at all. To understand the depth and variety of the culture, it is imperative to explore the motivations of those responsible for the work.
TEXT BY GABE COHEN,, AMANDA HMELAR AND KATIE LOOK • DESIGN BY AMANDA HMELAR AND KATIE LOOK * PHOTOS BY AMANDA HMELAR, KATIE LOOK AND JORDAN SCHILLING
CULTURE | 25
tag : a unique signature, often a name or symbol, used to identify a w ferent ways of writing with spray paint • Characters : symbols or dep ters, that sometimes accompany tags • character graffiti : a piece made
San Francisco street artist FNNCH has expressed that the paint we see in the streets can be placed into three different categories. He views murals as “commissioned public art,” street art as “uncommissioned public art,” and graffiti as “uncommissioned public not-art.” Behind the murals, street art and graffiti are people with intention, and this intention is what dictates whether a public work is defiance, art or both. FNNCH began his pursuit of street art in college, following the likes of Banksy, and, more locally, Jeremy Novy; both use their art to provoke thought and to bring beauty and color to areas characterized by bleak social and economic surroundings. FNNCH is part of a movement to make art more accessible to all people. “Art is not for some select elite; art is for everyone. And the best way to make art for everyone is to bring it to them,” FNNCH says. In developing his career, FNNCH realized he was most attracted to the risk of street art, no matter how beautiful it might be. Watching Banksy create his art, knowing full well it may disappear, was a rush in itself. “What I loved about his work was the cognitive dissonance he created: You knew the work was illegal and would go, but you liked it and wanted it to stay,” FNNCH says. Along with bringing art to people, FNNCH wants to inspire people to question how public space is used. Through his art, FNNCH attempts to remind civilians of the beauty that can be spread throughout society. “We do not, in the Bay Area, have a culture of participation, where landlords and business owners are excited about public art … I know how much better the city can be because of it.” Street art is much more extensive than graffiti because it can be created in many ways and is not limited to only spray paint and territorial angst. For instance, some street artists paste pre-painted sheets of paper onto walls in public areas using glue or wheat paste, which is a mixture of flour and water. Another street artist, called Above, is known for hanging sculptures from power lines in public areas. Alameda artist Mows cre-
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ates miniature doors and windows and places them on buildings so that the public can see them. FNNCH uses stencils and spray paint in order to create unique designs, much like how Bansky creates his art. “What is common amongst these practices is that they are intended to be art,” FNNCH says. What FNNCH conveys is that the distinguishing characteristic between graffiti and street art is the intent of the artist. Thematically, street art brings creativity to
“Graffiti is done for me; street art is done for you.” FNNCH the public because it is, by nature, adventurous and limitless. In FNNCH’s opinion, street artists have a deep consideration for the public because they care about what the community thinks and feels about the art. Street art strays from the streak of defiance against authority that is common in graffiti and mainstream vandalism. “Some people like the rush, but I personally derive no pleasure from the illegal aspect of the work,” FNNCH says. FNNCH, like many, believes that graffiti is not an art form in the way street art is but rather an entire culture dedicated to defiance through spray paint and characters. The reason graffiti lingers in society is because its writers do not respond to society’s animosity. In FNNCH’s opinion, graffiti is created by a graffiti writer for a graffiti writer. FNNCH describes the philosophy of graffiti as a game played by graffiti writers: The
type of paint used, where they paint, what they paint and how much they paint. In contrast with street art, FNNCH says, graffiti writers usually do not intend to create art. FNNCH, who does not identify as a member of graffiti culture, summarizes the difference between graffiti and street art as follows: “Graffiti is done for me; street art is done for you.” The restrictiveness of graffiti culture is not uniform; with different territories and crews come different expectations and standards. Some do not see character graffiti to be authentic graffiti, while others do not consider a piece to be graffiti unless it is created with stolen paint. Marcus, a local high school student whose name has been changed to protect his identity, exists artistically in direct contradiction to FNNCH’s beliefs. “I personally think the [question of whether graffiti is art or crime] is hilarious,” Marcus says. “I believe without a doubt that graffiti is art, [but] the obvious answer is it’s both.” While he concedes that his art acts partly as a means of self-expression, Marcus’ goals extend beyond personal gains. “My intention is to have a positive impact on the world and everyone around me.” Marcus believes an essential contributor to the integrity of graffiti’s message is its anonymity. “It doesn’t matter who you are and what your background is, you can always be a respected graffiti artist,” Marcus says. Marcus says he possesses no resentment toward the city’s graffiti removal efforts but desires a mutual understanding. “Our laws were designed by regular people and sometimes doing what’s right doesn’t match. The more [the city] paints over hidden places with graffiti, the less places graffiti artists will have to go. It shouldn’t be a war against graffiti, it should be an effort to make everyone visually satisfied.” Another anonymous graffiti writer in Palo Alto, Josh, tags as ‘The Enterprise.’ Josh’s older cousin introduced him to tagging in 5th grade by his older cousin but did not start tagging until a few years later. His stenciled tag depicts a distorted smiley face with his tag substituted
writer • Hand styles : difpictions, usually not lete entirely of characters
for the mouth. Josh has tagged numerous locations around the Palo Alto area. Josh does not consider himself much of a visual artist. When asked about his artistic ability, he remarks: “I’m the worst artist I know.” The feeling of rebellion and defiance is what initially drew him to tagging, but as his life has grown more challenging and complicated, his tagging has adopted more of a therapeutic purpose. “I personally leave my tag as a sign of youth,” Josh says. “The design is a reminder for me to keep in touch with my inner kid as I get older and [become] weighed down by college apps, grades, test scores and other responsibilities.” Removal efforts are an integral part of graffiti culture; as an act of defiance, there must be something to defy. Steve Banks, the Public Works Manager of Maintenance Operations in Palo Alto, oversees the team responsible for cleaning up graffiti. Like many suburban cities, graffiti is generally unaccepted by the Palo Alto community. Many locals are making an effort to limit tags in public spaces, and according to Banks, “a lot of people around town volunteer to clean up graffiti.” “They just don’t like their area getting dirty,” Banks says. Palo Alto does have its own cultural aesthetic and graffiti does not seem to adhere to that, nor does the community make much of an effort to embrace it. There is a surprising amount of empathy toward graffiti culture among those who clean it. In the experience of some of the Palo Alto Public Works employees, people who have worked with the culture in Palo Alto have a deep familiarity with it in a way that many people do not. “You start to know the people,” Banks says. And although citizens may expect city maintenance to keep all tags off the street, there is some subjectivity in regards to the more artistic pieces. “If it’s covering a sign, which is really what we [clean] the most, then I think it should be removed,” Banks says. “But if it’s off the beaten path and it’s not so bad to look at, I’m not
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going to be in a hurry to remove it.” There may be more resentment on behalf of some graffiti writers toward the maintenance crew that cleans up their work. This likely stems from the territorial aspect of graffiti culture. “Our guy took a roller of paint and crossed the tag out and left it like that over the weekend, and when we came back after the weekend, [some graffiti writers] had named him ‘the buffer’ and had left notes for ‘the buffer,’” Banks says. “For a couple years, there were all these notes and tags to ‘the buffer,’ everywhere, just because of what he had done.” Certain acts of vandalism are punishable by fines, jail time or mandatory volunteer service; even worth less than $400 in damage are considered misdemeanors. FNNCH notes that the punishment for repeatedly writing a name in public is comparable to that of certain misdemeanor charges for rape in California. Mike ‘Bam’ Tyau is a graffiti and mural artist from Honolulu, Hawaii. Bam started writing graffiti in the 80s during the rise of hip-hop culture. When rebellious culture shifted from punk rock and skating to hip-hop and breakdancing, Bam worried that his dancing skills would be insufficient. Instead, he volunteered to write graffiti for his friends and paint the backdrops for their crew. Bam was instantly drawn to graffiti and the voice it gave him. Bam views graffiti as a voice for the voiceless; he sees how graffiti can provide grounds for expression in public places that can catch the eye of an everyday person. “When you start writing graffiti, it’s a powerful voice. Writing graffiti gives you power. And with that power comes a responsibility.” Bam also quickly discovered how effectively graffiti expresses culture. He used his own disposition to develop his personality in his graffiti. “As young teens in Hawaii, [graffiti] was our identity,” he said. He urges new artists to internalize their environments and upbringings in their work. “There is more to it than just writing your name. Use graffiti to explore your culture.”
Bam currently works as a mural painter for small communities all around the world. He heavily considers the culture of a community when working within it. Throughout history, graffiti has been employed as a form of civil disobedience. Contemporarily, divisive walls — whether between East and West Berlin or Israel and Palestine — have blossomed into canvases for anonymous voices against establishment. Where people are being silenced by a government or oppressive regime, graffiti and street art seem to flourish. There are a few demonstrable reasons for this. Accessibility, both to the artist and the audience, seems to be a great attractor. “Anyone can write it,” Bam says. “Anyone of any sex, any age, any race can write graffiti.” A look back to hip-hop culture in the late 70s and early 80s pinpoints graffiti’s simultaneous rise in popularity. People who had been wrongfully marginalized for years were speaking up through many forms of art. As some voices grew louder through music, art allowed many voices an ear-splitting volume. While recording technology afforded musical expression only to some, graffiti came to light as something anyone could do. Additionally, it’s a demonstration of rebellion that doesn’t cause significant upset or destruction. Each paint mark is a pointed assertion encompassed by peaceful intentions. Those who seek compassion from a higher establishment are given a non-violent forum to do so. This plea for understanding is apparent throughout the Mission District of San Francisco. Amid the countless alleyway paintings of Frida Kahlo and the Mario Brothers alike are smaller, more vulnerable cries against the rapid gentrification that has swept the area. With the influx of employees from Bay Area tech companies such as Google and Facebook, many have sought affordable housing in a neighborhood historically notorious for being a stronghold of the working class Latinos of San Francisco. Rising population and an unprecedented influx of wealth meant that the familiarity of the Mission many had once called
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home was rapidly upended. Where small businesses and family operations once dominated, upscale establishments now cater to a new class of inhabitants. While the neighborhood’s color has survived — vibrant murals and graffiti tags everywhere you look — this shift has not been without consequence. Those with the deepest ties to the area have found themselves without their sanctuary and without the solid community that once existed. Wandering down the alleys of 24th Street, it becomes easy to conceptualize the use of graffiti as a public forum. It is as immediate and accessible to the artist as to the audience. Along the edge of an undeveloped parking area, angular capitals are scrawled in pale yellow spray paint: For Alex Nieto,
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victim of gentrification… 4•4•86 – 4•21•14. Just down the street, marked on a garage door: Keep hoods yours. It seems that in the Mission, graffiti’s merit as art goes unquestioned. Its categorization is of miniscule importance compared to the power of its content. While power and control have been seized from the community, graffiti and street art survive due to simplicity; only paint and space are necessary, and both seem to be limitless despite the constant flood of new art. As seen globally, graffiti in the Mission appears to be the last remaining envoy of collective thought. It is no surprise that street artists and graffiti writers take advantage of the attention that the public supplies. Big cities and public spaces set the stage for those who
aim to carry out social movements or express the pleas of people who are otherwise unable to speak up. Not all communities see the necessity or embrace the impact of civil disobedience, and rather than admiring the brazen assertions, people often pass off graffiti and street art as nuisances to society. The communicative efforts made by minorities and underrepresented groups are dependent on cultural, social and economic circumstances, as well as the history and demographics of an area. Empathy for those who have social struggles may increase the appreciation of street art and graffiti, especially if the work done expresses pleas for justice, peace or other moral causes. Not only do you see their work, you also hear their voice.
Let us
paly madrono 2016-17
KNOW... The Madrono staff [you know, those guys ^] would love to hear from YOU: • Have an idea for something we should cover? Let us know! • Take a cool photo we might want to put in the book? Let us know! • Interested in joining us on the staff next year? Let us know! • Want to just see how the yearbook is put together? Let us know!
Stop by MAC 104 during 6th period and say hello! or email us at: madronoyearbook@gmail.com
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1. relaxation According to Yoga Source instructor Hilary Acer, “I think that one of the only ways that people can drop into a state of relaxation is to work their bodies and to be intense in some way.” When people come to a yoga class they are required to shift their focus from the outside world to their breaths and poses. Going into this state of mind allows practitioners to clear their heads and stray away from any underlying angst.
2. concentration Acer explained that yoga is much more than just a physical exercise class — it can actually improve your concentration. “People don’t realize how often they actually practice yoga. For example, runners often talk about getting into the zone,” Acer said. “You get into the cadence of breath and being present, and to me, that’s sort of a form of meditation and movement — which is really what yoga is.” Harnessing the ability to focus your mind can translate to activities outside of the studio. “When you get outside and you’re stuck in traffic or have a conflict with someone, you can tap into the things that you are working on on the mat and remember to connect to your breath and to stay calm,” Acer said.
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With a variety of poses and stretches, yoga works your body in ways that provide many physical benefits. “If we were to break down the physical, I think there’s three or four different components; there’s your ability to increase flexibility and your range of motion, there’s a chance for you to increase strength, and balance and stability,” Acer said. Yoga offers a lot more than your ordinary exercise class; it’s a chance to get in touch with the present moment.
The Importance of Mental Health TEXT, ILLUSTRATION AND DESIGN BY DARROW HORNIK
Here is a version of the Ted Talk I gave at Ted X Palo Alto High School on the stigma of mental illness and my personal experiences with that stigma.
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here are you going?” The words I feared most. The question I feared would be asked. Frozen. For a moment I felt frozen, like a movie stuck on pause. Do I tell the truth? Do I make up an excuse? Do I lie to a friend? Still frozen. Still unsure of how to respond to a simple question. It is unavoidable. The question has been asked. Where am I going? What do I say? Oh, how I wish I could just shout out the truth freely. “The therapist! I am going to my therapist!” But no, that was not what I said. I did not tell the truth. I did not reveal my secret. My secret that is too shameful to tell. Instead, I shaded the truth. “I have to go to the doctor.” Guilt rushed over me like the ocean over sand as it breaks onto shore. A wave of guilt. A surge of shame. Unable to speak the truth. Unable to tell a friend that I was going to the therapist, for I feared judgement. I feared the humiliation that will come from telling the truth. I feared the judging eyes of everyone I passed, glaring at me in disgust. Scowling at me, as if I had done something wrong. But why? Why did I feel as though I am committing a crime when admitting that I go to a therapist? Why did I feel as though I would be imprisoned if I let my secret slip? If I imagine myself inside a jail cell, I am waiting to be released by the guards. But nobody is there to open the cell doors. Nobody wants to release me. I am stuck inside the cell. My shaking hands are gripping the cold, metallic, terrorizing bars. “Let me out! Set me free!” But nobody is there to set me free. Only people staring into the cell, all eyes focused on me. Glaring. Scowling. Simply because I have a mental illness. I go to a therapist. I go to a psychiatrist to treat my illness. Are cancer patients ashamed of going to the doctor to help them cure their sickness? Of course not. Then why should I be ashamed to say that I have a mental illness and that I go to a psychiatrist? What is the difference? In my heart, I know there is none. In my head, I know there is none. Yet I feel as though I’d be speaking a foreign language if I revealed my secret, one that should have never been a secret in the first place. A simple question. A couple of words. They spark the stigma. The stigma around mental illness. “Mentally ill.”
The words in black writing, indelibly written across my forehead. I am labeled. The stigma labels everyone with a mental illness, as if we are inked with permanent tattoos identifying our shame. OCD. I have OCD. OCD. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. You’d be amazed by how often people use OCD as a punchline. I’m sure you have all heard someone say “I’m being so OCD right now,” maybe as they organized the computers
in the computer cart or as they straightened papers in their binder. Everyone thinks that it’s so funny and that it’s a joke. But as someone who actually has OCD, I can tell you that OCD is not funny. When my classmates erase a word on their paper, then rewrite it and joke “I’m so OCD,” I think to myself, “that’s what I have to deal with every single day.” Only, instead of erasing once and rewriting once, I erase and rewrite four to five times, or until the letters look “perfect.” Think about how long it takes you to finish your math homework. Now multiply that by four or five. And how about listening to music while you do your homework?
When one of you hears a catchy song it may get stuck in your head for a couple of minutes. But when I hear that same catchy song, it may get stuck in my head for a couple of days. I am sharing this with all of you not because I want you to feel sorry for me, but because I hope next time you are about to say “that’s so OCD,” you’ll think twice. As someone who has experienced this, I can tell you that it makes you feel bad about yourself. I hear these things every single day, and not just about OCD. I hear jokes made about depression, anorexia, bipolar disorder — and I am almost positive that our classmates with those mental illnesses are just as hurt by these comments as I am by the jokes made about OCD. I am asking you to be mindful of what you are about to say because all of these comments about “being so OCD,” and about other mental illnesses, can hurt. They can makes those of us with a mental illness feel ashamed, humiliated and alienated. It makes us feel the need to lie, the need to hide where we are going and the challenges we are facing. Would you make jokes about a cancer patient losing her hair? Or about a classmate’s insulin pump he uses to manage his diabetes? I doubt it. Yet, despite the fact that a mental illness is just as real as a physical illness and can be just as debilitating, people continue to make light of it. Our community is starting to take steps toward destigmatizing mental illness, but there is still much work to be done. If I am afraid to tell a friend of mine I am leaving school early to go see my therapist, then the stigma still exists. We need to create change. We need to start the conversation about mental illness because those of us with mental illnesses deserve to feel accepted. I shouldn’t be ashamed of getting help, nor should anyone else. Let’s make our community a safe place where everyone can be themselves. Where everyone is comfortable to tell the truth about where they are going. Because a simple question such as “Where are you going?” should not be a question that people with mental illnesses fear to be asked. The answer should be simple: I am going to see my therapist.
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the POWER OF AWE TEXT AND DESIGN BY CHIARA BIONDI AND HANNAH DARBY • PHOTOS BY CMAG STAFF
the psychological benefits of an awe-inspiring experience transcend the moment and into your daily life
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hat is awe? Whether it be capacity to adjust time perception, influence the scenery after a trek up a decisions and make life feel more satisfying mountain, the beat of music than it would otherwise,” Rudd said. pounding through a crowd But how can you integrate awe into your or the piled up strokes of a paintbrush on a life? Luckily, climbing Mount Everest isn’t canvas, awe is what allows humans to reap the necessary; there are many things people can do full benefits of existence. It’s the feeling of be- to to experience awe through daily activities. ing in the presence of something infinite that The education director of UC Berkeley’s goes beyond one’s understanding of the world. Greater Good Science Center, Vicki ZakrzeWhichever way you choose to experience awe, wski, finds awe in music. “I experience awe even a small dose can improve your mental every time I listen to the 4th movement of health and help you live a more compassion- Beethoven’s 9th Symphony,” Zakrzewski said. ate life. “When things get tough, it reminds me of the Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at potential within myself and within every huUC Berkeley, conducted a study in which a man being.” group of students were asked to stand under Surrounding yourself with music or art of a grove of eucalyptus trees, the tallest trees in great complexity is one way to get your daily North America. Being in the presence of these fix of awe. Another way is through unfamiltrees proved to be a larger than life experience. iar experiences: “Putting yourself in new sitKeltner had one group of participants look uations, in new places, and encountering new up at the trees for one minute, a sufficient people should help increase your chances of amount of time for them to report feeling experiencing awe,” Rudd said. awe, and had another group of participants However, someone who refuses to acstare in the opposite direction at the face of a knowledge the beauty and power of the world dull science building. may have difficulty encountering awe. A posDirectly after, both groups of participants itive attitude and an enhanced perspective are encountered not optional; a person who they are es“The most important thing is to be open and willstumbled, sential.“The ing to change how you think about things. Rather dropping a most importthan looking at life through the lens of cynicism, handful of ant thing is see life as an amazing adventure, filled with expens. It was to be open traordinary people and experiences and beauty.” found that and willing to the students change how - Vicki Zakrzewski who had been you think gazing up at about things. the awe-inspiring trees picked up more pens, Rather than looking at life through the lens making them more inclined to help someone of cynicism, see life as an amazing adventure, in need. filled with extraordinary people and experiKeltner’s research shows that awe leads ences and beauty,” Zakrzewski said. “When people to cooperate, share resources and be you experience awe, be aware of how you’re more motivated to help others, all of which feeling and thinking in that moment — realare necessary, life-long skills. Being in the ly take it in and savor [it], because those mopresence of vast things, such as the eucalyptus ments stay with you forever and can be revistrees, creates more modest, self-aware people ited in the darkest of times as a reminder that who are more kind towards others. life can also be ‘awesome.’” The benefits of awe are not limited to deAwe-inspiring events are just that: inveloping compassion. A study directed at spiring. No matter what form they come in, Stanford University by PhD Melanie Rudd larger-than-life experiences provide an escape demonstrates that experiencing awe can ex- from a seemingly mundane world. You don’t pand our perception of time. At first glance, need to look too far to find such enlightenthis may not seem like a noteworthy feat. ment. In this present moment, you are standHowever, the concept of wasting or losing ing on a planet that is moving at 1,000 miles a single precious moment is one of human- per hour, and yet you don’t feel a thing. Your kind’s greatest fears. When time is perceived body’s natural intelligence fights off disease as scarce, an individual’s physical and mental and repairs for injuries, often without your health have been proven to plummet. An in- intervention. Of the millions of memories flated sense of time can put destructive behav- stored within your mind, a specific scent alone ior to rest by providing a heightened perspec- can trigger one. When you come to think of it, tive. “Experiences of awe bring people into we live in an awesome world. Taking note of it the present moment, which underlies awe’s can only do you good.
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TEXT BY NATHAN ZEIDWERG • DESIGN BY TEDDIE STEWART PHOTO BY JORDAN SCHILLING Nothing to do? Bored without friends? C Magazine staff writer Nathan Zeidwerg knows exactly how to keep you productive and occupied!
PLAY HIDE-AND-SEEK
This fun little adjustment makes conventional hide-and-seek seem drab and outdated! You start by finding an unsuspecting stranger in an area with plenty of cover. You then proceed to hide and “seek” them out until they notice you. Be creative! Follow them around cities in different disguises or camouflage in bushes outside of their house. Keep your distance and remember that you win as long as you remain unnoticed! Pro Tip: Wait till nightfall to begin this game; it makes hiding more effective!
GO BOWLING
Who ever said bowling needed to be done in groups? Just go, rent a lane and have hours of fun! Plus, if you go on a Saturday, you’ll never pay for food! Just find a child’s birthday party and pretend to be someone’s older sibling. Who knows? You may even make some new friends! Pro Tip: Don’t tell your friends that you’ve done this or they’ll judge you!
WATCH TV
Because that’s probably what you’ll all end up doing anyway! Pro Tip: Have someone log into Netflix on your computer and never log them out!
FEED BIRDS IN A PARK
Who wouldn’t want to be the grim old man who throws bread at pigeons in your local park? Just put on your favorite trench coat, tousle your hair and stare manically at children while you feed the birds! If one is imprudent enough to approach you, tide them over by explaining how JFKs assassination was an inside job! Pro Tip: Occasionally hiss at the birds for extra flair!
1. Fantastic Beasts ($14.99)
GIFT GIVING GUIDE things to get your friends & family on a budget! 2
TEXT AND DESIGN BY NICOLE LI ILLUSTRATION BY YASHVI TIBREWAL
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J. K. Rowling’s screenwriting debut features Magizoologist Newt Scamander on a stopover in New York 19 years before the events of the bestselling Harry Potter books. Long-time Rowling fans and new readers, get ready to obsess over this action-packed read!
2. Asian America ($13.13)
A history of Asian Americans and their role in American life by one of the nation’s preeminent scholars on the subject. A fascinating read that any reader, no matter their ethnicity, will benefit from.
3. Beluga Cable Clips ($7.99)
This peel-and-stick cable organizer is perfect for use on a desk, table, floor, cabinet, wall or any flat surface. Just the thing for a friend or family member who needs some extra organization in their life!
4. Burt’s Bees Lip Balm ($8.89)
This holiday season, leave chapped lips behind with this four-pack of superfruit flavors. Beeswax and fruit extracts will help rejuvenate lips naturally.
5. Boob Cube ($9.99)
“The logic puzzle for the rest of us,” the Boob Cube is, admittedly, pretty pointless. If that’s what your people are into, go for it!
6. Activ Flyer Frisbee Rings ($14.97)
Easy to throw and easy to catch, these rings make the perfect gift for an active holiday season.
7. Deal With It Glasses ($19.99)
What better way to commemorate 2016 than with a meme? Perfect for your sarcastic friend and cool-not-cool pals.
8. Secret Garden ($9.57)
Who doesn’t want to spend the holidays wrapped up in a cozy blanket with a mug of hot cocoa and a coloring book? This interactive book features 96 pages of highly detailed pen-and-ink illustrations waiting to be brought to life with color.
9. Paddle Your Own Canoe ($10.19)
Want to learn about manliness, love, style and religion from the always-wise and comedic Nick Offerman? “Paddle Your Own Canoe” features tales from Offerman’s life perfect for Parks and Rec fans and curious humans alike.
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Goodbye, Obama 1 ENDS THE 2008 RECESSION Feb 17, 2009 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act helped jumpstart the American economy during the worst recession since the Great Depression by spurring economic growth and increasing spending in education and other programs.
Michelle Obama launched “Let’s Move,” a program urging schools and food providers to produce healthier food for children and encouraging kids to engage in physical activity.
“Joining Forces” was launched by Michelle Obama and Joe Biden — the initiative works to provide military families with resources for employment, education and wellness.
CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION Feb 9, 2010
SERVES MILITARY FAMILIES March 23, 2010
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3 REFORMS HEALTH CARE March 23, 2010 Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, to provide affordable health insurance to Americans — it has provided almost 10 million Americans with health care to date.
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5 TAKES DOWN OSAMA BIN LADEN May 1, 2011 Obama ordered the U.S. Special Forces to attack Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in his compound located in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The US had spent 11 years trying to track Bin Laden and topple the terrorist group.
A timeline of what the Obamas accomplished during their time in the White House. TEXT AND DESIGN BY RIMA PAREKH • ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHLOE PATTERSON
Obama repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” a law created under the Clinton administration that prohibited gay and lesbian Americans serving in the military to identify openly as homosexual.
After 56 years of of hostility between Cuba and the US, Obama opened up relations and lifted the embargo with Cuba. It helped show the world that America was ready to move beyond tensions from the Cold War.
Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency announced the Clean Power Plan to combat climate change — the policy aimed to place a national limit on carbon pollution and increase use of clean energy.
REPEALS “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” July 22, 2011
OPENS RELATIONS WITH CUBA Dec 17, 2014
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Aug 3, 2015
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PROMOTES HIGHER EDUCATION May 2014 “Reach Higher” was Michelle Obama’s effort to encourage and inspire students to complete higher level education through professional training programs, community college or four-year college or university. The goal is for America to have the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020.
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PROMOTES GIRLS’ EDUCATION March 2015 “Let Girls Learn” was an initiative created by the First Lady focused on reducing barriers for girls to receive an education, such as forced marriages and financial situations. It also empowers girls by pushing for programs that provides them with leadership opportunities.
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Better Than
New
TEXT AND DESIGN BY EMMA STAIGER PHOTO BY AMANDA HMELAR
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s the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to get excited at the prospect of new things. Catalogues overflow from our mailboxes and sale notifications arrive daily via email. We make lists of the things we want to give to others, and of the things we hope to receive. Images of brand-new clothing wrapped in brightly-colored paper fill our December daydreams as we contemplate all of the possibilities. Yet we know that we have no need for any of it. I’m as guilty as anyone. I will admit here and now that I am addicted to sweatshirts. The fact of the matter is, I already have far more sweatshirts than one person can wear. I fully recognize that I have no need for another sweatshirt, yet my eyes still stray to the piles of fleece always abundant in stores. The holiday season tends to bring a mindset of “more, more, more!” when in reality, we already have too much. The phenomenon of holiday overconsumption can be painful to both our wallets and the environment. According to the National Retail Federation, the average American spends $740 on holiday shopping each year. Yet no matter how great of a burden holiday shopping is on a consumer’s wallet, it pales in comparison to the environmental impact. Most of the purchases made during the holidays are unnecessary. People purchase new things to replace old things that still have a lot of life left. According to the World Wildlife Fund, it can take up to 2,700 liters of water to grow enough cotton to produce a single t-shirt. That is the equivalent of 34 bathtubs filled with water. It is also enough for one person to drink for 900 days. In other words: mucho agua. Combine that with the immense amount of energy it takes to transport the shirt from the manufacturer to the store and finally from the store to you. This all adds up to create a massive, holiday environmental footprint. One obvious way to reduce your environmental footprint during the holidays is by taking stock of what you own instead of purchasing new things. Take pride in your “well-worn” wardrobe. The personality and character of a storied pair of jeans or an old flannel shirt is priceless. In fact, two of my most prized articles of clothing are older than I am. The first, a teal Patagonia fleece, is a hand-me-down courtesy of my mom, originally purchased in Chicago sometime in the 80s. The second is an oversized University of Michigan sweatshirt, faded and riddled with holes, circa 1990. It was initially purchased and worn by my dad, hijacked by my mom when they first started dating, and finally passed on to yours truly a few years ago. These items mean the world to me. Not because of their brand name or monetary value, but because of the places they’ve been and the stories they hold. I would rather have one of these well-worn and loved pieces of clothing than anything new. The holidays are upon us, and the giving and receiving of gifts is steeped in tradition. However, I recommend that you take a moment to step back and be thankful for the irreplaceable items that you already own before rushing to the store. Our environment and your wallet will thank you.
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C MAG PERSPECTIVE:
The Unspeakable Plan
TEXT AND DESIGN BY ATUSA ASSADI • ILLUSTRATION BY CHLOE PATTERSON
I don’t want to feel like I’m lying anymore. I’m going to community college. Read below to find out about my official educational self-outing.
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hey flood hallways and classrooms with sounds of their shared excitement as they discuss their dream schools. They are cautiously optimistic stress-cases, waiting to hear from their carefully selected, carefully selective schools. Ask almost anyone about senior year, and the first thing they think of is college apps. Frustrated rants about the entire process seem to fill my ears everywhere I turn. As a senior, you know the drill; it’s the one thing on everyone’s mind. At least that’s the way it often seems. The subject is omnipresent, unavoidable and on the tip of everyone’s tongue. I feel strange as I sit in silence and listen to it unfold around me. Sometimes I even pitch in with things I’ve heard from family and friends,
like a spy, a fraud; as if I’m hiding in plain sight, lying to everyone. I guess it’s more like selective disclosure. I’m vague with my answers. “Where are you applying?” Everywhere I go, I’m asked this question. Parents of friends from elementary school corner me at the farmer’s market and squeeze it out of me. Even complete strangers: my friend and I encounter a deep-voiced, silver-haired woman draped in dangling crucifixes in the Trader Joe’s bathroom who shouts detailed inquiries about our futures from a neighboring stall. With all the talk about college apps, tours, letters of recommendation and the stress of it all, I rarely feel comfortable mentioning my own post-high school track. I am, by most accounts, a good student. I’m qualified to apply for college. I’ve taken a total of five AP classes, all in subjects I’m genuinely interested in. I hold a leadership position on C Magazine, run an after-school program for younger kids, love writing and am passionate about many things. Yet, I’m not applying to college this year. It’s odd, though; with some people, I feel completely at ease. I open up and tell them my plan. Recently, I’ve noticed myself caring less and less what people think. Although I don’t bring up the subject myself, for the most part I answer honestly when people ask. It feels strange and burdensome, like some big announcement. Palo Alto’s culture is extremely competitive, more so than that of the majority of the nation. We have a tendency to determine people’s worth and intelligence based on a definition of success narrower than a tightrope long before they have even begun a career. I am not old enough to legally vote, yet I’m expected to know exactly what I want to do. Sometimes we forget that we live in a minute cultural bubble that is, in many ways, largely disconnected from the realities of the rest of the world. When I told our advisor, Mr. Wilson, what my article for this issue was, he smiled, informing me that this stigma around this topic was definitely a Palo Alto thing. Over half of the students at the school he worked at in Michigan went to community college, and the same is probably true of hundreds of schools nationwide. At times, the best
thing to do is take a step back and scrap our definitions of what is normal. I am going to community college. I don’t need you to be supportive. I am not looking for insincere approval from people I barely know while they look at me as if I just condoned cannibalism. I am definitely not looking for pity or persuasion. “You should apply anyway and see what happens.” I know this advice is kindly meant, but believe it or not, I have thought this through, and there is more than one path. There are obviously reasons why I chose to do what I’m doing, but I don’t think I’ll detail them here because it feels like playing into it. I know I am intelligent and have value without proving myself with some on-my-knees type half desperate justification, half plea for people not to think I’m dumb. Think whatever you want. People around here may not see it this way, but I have ambitions that are just as valid, and I’m planning to work just as hard to achieve them. I’m going to transfer to a UC and I don’t mind saving my parents thousands of dollars in the process. I feel like I am one of those white walls that you project movies onto, except there’s no movie here, just shame being projected onto me. And I get it — it’s compulsive, a product of the environment. I grew up here; I used to feel it too. But I don’t anymore. I’m happy with my decision, excited for the new life and opportunities ahead of me, but everyone around me seems to think that I shouldn’t be. I am not giving up on my future, and I am not picking what I do for school based on what will make my parents envied at dinner parties. Education is more than that. When I think about the future, I feel nothing but excitement. I want to intern for comedy shows, write for college magazines, learn creative writing from renowned authors. I want to take classes on Greek mythology and the Civil War, screenwriting and sociology, sit for hours in homey cafes and watch open mic performances. I want to travel everywhere. I want to make my voice heard and make an impact on people’s lives. I may not be applying to college this year, but that doesn’t make my future any less bright or my dreams any dimmer than those of my friends applying early to Stanford and Brown.
2016 the best 2016 the best 2016 the best 2016 the best
albums albums albums albums
“Coloring Book” by Chance The Rapper Might be a little too gospel for some people, but still one of the most bumpin’ albums of this year. “Queen Alone” by Lady Wray Everyone needs some soulful lady funk! “Bottomless Pit” by Death Grips If you are trying to get in the middle of a mosh and potentially be scared for your life but also be happily thrilled, listen to Death Grips and get hyped.
“The Life of Pablo” by Kanye West Oh, Kanye, the forever weirdo, came out with this album and then proceeded to change the most random parts of his songs for the weeks to come. (Easiest one to spot: in “Ultralight Beam,” when Chance starts rapping and says no one can judge, it was originally a silent break. Why did he change it? No one really knows…) “We Got It From Here, Thank You for Your Service” by A Tribe Called Quest Proves that the OG jazz influence in rap still holds up while expanding its roots to create a fresh sound. “Atrocity Exhibition” by Danny Brown Play the album from “Downward Spiral” to “Hell for It” — the order has purpose!
“A Moon Shaped Pool” by Radiohead The new Radiohead is unplugged and the stronghold of the rock genre, which itself is becoming artisanal anti-pop. This makes their new album that much more vital.
text, design and art by teddie stewart
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Holidays Around the World
OSHOGATSU Imagine getting to spend a week eating your favorite foods with your friends and family. From Dec. 30 to Jan. 3, those who celebrate Oshogatsu celebrate by throwing parties and eating traditional Japanese food. Time to wolf down buckets of fish cakes! Some other popular dishes include, mochi, black soybeans and anchovies. Each of these foods symbolizes something they hope to gain in the New Year. On Dec. 31, Japanese temples everywhere ring bells 108 times to symbolize the 108 human sins of the Buddhist religion. They believe that this will cleanse them of these sins
from the past year as they prepare for the upcoming one. According to junior Jeremy Akioka, “New Year’s is a time to spend with family and start the year on a good note. New Year’s traditions are supposed to bring good luck and fortune to an individual for the coming year. For example, ozoni is a mochi soup that is supposed to bring prosperity and strength to the eater. It was a staple of the Japanese and is said to be the first dish that Japanese people ate. Kuromame are black soy beans that are said to bring good health. Tazukuri are dried anchovies that bring a plentiful harvest for the coming year. And lastly, we eat kamaboko which is a fish cake that symbolizes the first sunrise of the New Year. My favorite part of the New Year is seeing all of my cousins, aunts, and uncles and spending time with them while eating the delicious foods.”
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE DAY Dec. 12 is Our Lady of Guadalupe Day, a Mexican holiday that celebrates Mary, the Virgin of Guadalupe. Around this time every year, many Catholics journey to see treasured artifacts in Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City. Talk about dedication! According to the story, in 1531, Juan Diego had a vision of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and she told him to talk to a bishop and build a church on top of Tepeyac Hill. When Juan Diego told the bishop what he
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saw, the bishop demanded he needed proof. And boy, did he get it! Juan Diego returned expecting to see the cacti that normally grew there, but in their place, a bed of roses had grown and a image of the Virgin of Guadalupe had appeared on the cloak he had left there. From then on, every 12th of December, Catholics have traveled to honor the Lady by going to see the cloak that is now preserved in Mexico City.
Winter is around the corner, and that means spending quality time with friends and family. There are plenty of well-known and loved holidays celebrated during this time, but C Mag decided to take a look at some you might not know that much about. TEXT AND DESIGN BY TALIA STANLEY AND LHAGA DINGPONTSAWA ILLUSTRATIONS BY YOONJUNG CHO AND YASHVI TIBREWAL
KWANZAA How awesome would it be if we got to say goodbye to our busy lives for a WHOLE WEEK!? The lucky people who celebrate Kwanzaa from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 get to say goodbye to the monotony and stresses of everyday life for seven days while they celebrate the seven principles of African American heritage. The principles are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. The actual celebration includes art, decorations, music and, of course, food. Kwan-
zaa is a time to work on personal relationships, perhaps with the in-laws or your grandma, who thinks her shade of lipstick would look fab on your cheek. Those who celebrate Kwanzaa show respect for the creator, honor ancestors, and celebrate family (who we love unconditionally, right … even after days and days with them). During Kwanzaa, children receive gifts intended to help them learn about their heritage, such as books and art.
ST. LUCIA DAY We all love when people bring us food — but have you ever heard of an entire holiday celebrating an awesome girl who did just that? Saint Lucia Day is a Christian holiday celebrated primarily in Sweden around Christmas. The holiday honors a young Christian girl who was killed tragically for her faith. She brought food to the persecuted Christians in Rome and wore candles around her head so her hands were free to carry food. The holiday is a ceremony of lights that is celebrated by wearing white clothing (time to break out that old wedding dress?). Along with the dress, they wear red
sashes around the waist (wow throwback to those girl scout days!) and a ring of candles around one’s head. Let’s hope we don’t accidently light our brothers on fire! According to junior Ida Sunneras-Johnson, “There are two common traditions that most people in Sweden do. One of them is that we bake a special kind of bun made with saffron, kind of shaped like an eight. There’s also an event schools usually put up every year where students walk with candles in a train dressed up as either Saint Lucia or any other Christmas associated character, singing carols while family and friends watch.”
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C MAG SIMPLIFIES: TEXT, DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY JASMINE ABEYTA
You’ve probably heard of Palo Alto High School (Paly) choir and their extravagant concerts, but did you know about the various subgroups? Read on to learn a little more about how the choir system is structured and the unique qualities within each a cappella group!
Program Structure
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veryone who enrolls in Paly choir is in Festival choir, which is composed of two smaller groups: The Concert choir, which is the default group, and Madrigals, which requires a selective audition process. Those who audition for Madrigals (Mads for short) can also audition for Spectrum choir, which is an all-women group slightly less advanced than Mads. Anyone enrolled in these groups is also eligible to join one of four a cappella groups: Heartbeats, Heartbreakers, Folk Yes or Vikapella. The selectivity of the process varies by year, as it depends on the number of potential members and the slots available in each group. The audition consists of a form in which a singer lists their top two groups and the voice parts they can sing. This is followed by an audition in which each individual sings a solo and an a cappella piece. Members from each a cappella group judge how well a singer’s voice will blend with the rest of the group. They then decide who to admit, prioritizing those who marked them as their first choice. At the end of the year, these groups face each other at the Small Ensembles concert, where they compete for the Hewlett Cup and validation for their whole year’s work.
Heartbeats Paly’s oldest a cappella group and Small Ensemble reigning champions, the Heartbeats, is an all-girls group that performs 50’s doo-wop and bubblegum pop. Best known for incorporating some pink in their performance outfits, the Heartbeats perform both around campus and in gigs all over town. “We only perform in four-part harmony. We also have a very specific genre focus, which sets us apart from the other a cappella groups,” senior and Heartbeats member Katie Hetterly said. The Heartbeats’ performance genre is not only unique to their group, but has also helped dictate the members’ attitudes. “I chose to join Heartbeats because of their fun, bubbly atmosphere and dedication to the music. I really enjoy being able to work and sing with such a great group of girls,” Hetterly said. “I feel like being in Heartbeats has really helped me improve as a singer and helped all of us build more self-confidence and unity.”
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PALY A CAPPELLA Vikapella Vikapella, the biggest and only coed a cappella group on campus. The group chooses pop hits and rearranges them into a cappella form to perform at the Paly choir concerts. According to junior Ida Sunnerås-Jonsson, the group’s unique features also bring various challenges. “It’s challenging to have eight members in different grades who all need to come to rehearsals at the same time, and it’s difficult to blend and balance our voices with a coed group, especially at concerts where we use mics,” she said. Despite this, Sunnerås-Johnsson feels that being a part of Vikapella has helped her find her niche in an environment that encourages her growth as a musician. “This has shaped me to take more personal responsibility as a musician in a group that is dependent on how hard each member works to know their own part and how they fit into the group’s sound,” Sunnerås-Jonsson said. “I think it’s awesome when we’ve worked really hard for a long time and it shows through our final work.”
Heartbreakers The Heartbreakers are the all-male version of the Heartbeats. They typically perform during school choir concerts and private events, focusing on doo-wop barbershop, quartet style music. Through their passion for creating music and regular rehearsal sessions, the Heartbreakers have formed a brotherhood. “It’s a family...We love what we do, and each of us come from such different places. Our love for music and our diversity are what set us apart from the other groups,” senior Joao DePina said. A dedicated vocalist, DePina feels as though his a cappella group has allowed him to improve in his craft, and, despite the difficulties, he has generated a positive environment for him to grow as an artist. “Music is a part of who I am — it’s what defines me. My love for music has only grown by being in an a cappella group...I love my brothers.”
Folk Yes
Folk Yes is an all-girls a cappella group that focuses on performing folk music. The group originated six years ago, and their unique genre sets them apart from the other groups on campus. They can be found at the Fall Ensemble or smaller gigs such as the YMCA donors meeting or the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) event. They also perform as carollers around the holiday season. Senior and Folk Yes member Taylor Duncan was drawn to the a cappella group because of the unifying aspect of folk music. “Folk music really brings people together so I enjoyed that aspect of it, which made me gravitate towards this group,” she said. “Having an a cappella group to turn to and connecting [with my friends] through all the harmonies and shared passion makes me feel better.” Folk Yes has recently submitted an audition for an elite acapella competition and plans to improve their onstage engagement in order to achieve their goals.
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