C Cover Package: emotional cost of test prep and life outside the ivy 17
April 2015 Issue
TheCampanileA&EMagazine
Letter from the Editors Dear Readers, We are very proud to bring you the sixth edition of C Magazine! We have worked very hard to bring you this edition and we are extremely thankful that you, our readers, keep reading and enjoying C Magazine. Maya Benatar and Frida Schaefer Bastian have chosen to write our cover story, “Life Outside the Ivy,” which is based on recent events at Paly and college decisions that have been released. Although there have been many articles released regarding college decisions and post graduate plans, our cover story focuses on individuals who have not attended top tier universities, but have led a very successful life after college. On a less serious note readers will also get a detailed write-up on the Hindu religious festival, Holi, and a fun-packed adventure guide to summer! This edition is not only the last edition of this academic school year, but is also our final edition, the last C Magazine which Maggie and I guide over. This is bittersweet news, because while we are saddened to leave behind C Magazine (and hopefully a legacy), we are also excited to hand over our work to the next generation of C Magazine editors, whom we are happy to announce are Clara de Martel, Maya Benatar, Maya Kandell, and Frida Schaefer Bastian. Let us hope they will enjoy running C Mag as much as we did (and with greater ease than we did!) Finally, we would like to thank our amazing advisor, Esther Wojcicki, who supports and assists C Magazine. We would also like to thank our amazing staff for their dedication to the magazine and working long hours after school. And, as always, we would like to thank you, our readers, for your continued support as C Magazine continues to improve. We hope you enjoy this edition of C Magazine and a not-too-stressful finals week!
Olivia Vort & Maggie Zheng Editors-in-Chief
Editors-in-Chief Olivia Vort Maggie Zheng Business Managers & Creative Directors Carmelle Bareket-Shavit Kallee Bareket-Shavit TEXT EDITOR Frida Schaefer Bastian Maya Benatar Design Editor Clara de Martel PHOTO EDITOR Emma Low STAFF WRITERS Clara Chiu Katie Douty Reilly Filter Ahana Ganguly Maya Kandell Tara Madhav Larkin McDermott Chelsea McIntosh Huda Navaid Rima Parekh Emma Scott Katya Sigal Charlee Stefanski Teddie Stewart Alex Weinstein Jenny Zhuge ADVISOR Esther Wojcicki
Cover by Clara de Martel and Maya Kandell
Corrections: On Page 4, Kallee Bareket-Shavit’s last name was spelled wrong. On Page 4, Frida Schaefer Bastian’s last name was spelled wrong. On Page 17, Tira Oskoui was misidentified as Lucy Fox in the photo caption of the bottom right photo. On Page 21, Tara Madhav’s last name was spelled wrong.
Letters to the Editors
C Magazine welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and the staff reserves the right to edit submissions. Send letters to: magazine2014@googlegroups dot com.
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C Magazine
Food
4-5
Popsicles: The summer heat is fast approaching. In an effort to beat the heat, you may be already planning your next excursion to the nearby convenience store to grab icy treats. If this is you, stop your steps! Here are some recipes to make popsicles in the comfort of your home.
Table of Contents
Culture
6-7
Gender Discrimination in Silicon Valley: In light of recent events, namely the Ellen Pao case, the gender divide in the STEM industry has been called into question.
8-9 10
Person of the Month-Yi Ge: A fashion-conscious sophomore with an eye for photography, Yi Ge interns for a modelling agency overseas and blogs periodically.
Town and Country Village experienced a makeover in recent years.
Quad Anxiety: Have you ever walked onto the grassy lawn Classic Movies You Should Watch: Sometimes, beneath the that is the hub of Paly’s social activity during Brunch, only grainy and poor film quality lies an amazing plot and realistic to find that you have no friends to speak to and no circles to join? This phenomenon is commonly experienced by guys and girls alike, character development. Give these a try! Adventures: Close your laptop, get out of your seniors and freshmen alike. room, grab your fannypack and head out the door! Gender Neutral Pronoun: Increased awareness of gender The weather is blooming and there are many adventures you can identity and the need for a gender neutral pronoun has piqued Ahana Ganguly’s interest. Join her as she argues the reasons embark on. why there needs to be an official gender neutral pronoun constitutMiddle School Nostalgia Playlist: Aside from our olfactory ed. senses, the auditory senses are one of our five senses that is Destigmatizing Mental Health: Discover stories of most sensitive to evoking memories from the past. Listen to these students who struggle with their mental health and beats and you will remember the young, carefree days of silly bandz, and its connotation in society. cha cha slides, awkward school dances, and your sloppy first kiss.
11
12-13 17-19
Life Outside the Ivy: Just as Frank Bruni pointed out in his new book “Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be,” Maya Benatar and Frida Schaefer-Bastian investigates the degree to which success is not affected by your collegiate choice. Emotional Cost of Test Prep: C Mag explores the effects of a multibillion dollar industry on student stress levels, and reveals surprising new survey results.
20-21
Arts & Entertainment
14 15 16
Town & Country: Once drab, boring, and uncrowded, Town and Country Village from across the Paly campus has since flourished and evolved into a trendy shopping and dining plaza. Holi: A hyperpigmented traditional Indian festival, Holi celebrates the end of winter, love, and the spirit of individuals coming together. Poetry Curation: A selection of Huda Navaid’s poems, each of which evokes different emotions, drawing sentiments from the deepest abyss of our minds.
23 24-25 26
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Concerts: As the school year draws to a close, the number of music concerts and festivals are also exponentially growing. Check out the upcoming concerts in the Bay Area! Sutro Baths in San Francisco is a great destination for adventure-lovers.
SPRING
Food
Sprite and Swedish Strawberry-Yogurt Fish
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 pt strawberries 1/8 cup sugar 1/2 tsp lemon juice 4oz greek yogurt
HOW TO:
1) Pour the strawberries and Greek Yogurt into a food processor or blender 2) Add the lemon juice and pulse a few times until the fruit is purĂŠed 3) Pour into popsicle molds and freeze overnight
**Makes 3 Servings**
4 FOOd
INGREDIENTS:
16oz of Sprite 6-8 Swedish Fish
HOW TO:
1) Pour Sprite into popsicle molds 3/4 full 2) Place 3-4 Swedish Fish inside, arranging them on top of each other so they don't all fall to the bottom 3) Freeze overnight
**Makes 8 Servings**
POPSICLES Text and photo by Maya Benatar and Frida Schaefer Bastian Design by Maggie Zheng
Fudgesicles
Three Flavors
INGREDIENTS:
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips 2/3 cups sugar 2 tbsp cornstarch 3 tbsp natural unsweetened cocoa powder 2 cups whole milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tbsp unsalted butter
HOW TO:
1) Melt chocolate chips & stir until smooth 2) Combine the melted chocolate, sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, add the vanilla and butter, and stir until well combined 3) Let the mixture cool slightly and por into popsicle molds
**Makes 8 Servings**
1/2 pt strawberries 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/4 cups Minute Made Lemonade 4oz greek yogurt 2 cups Minute Made Lemonade 1/2 pt raspberries
HOW TO:
1) Blend strawberries, 1/8 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup lemonade in a blender 2) Place mixture in a bowl and set aside 3) Repeat step one replacing strawberries with raspberries 4) Place mixture in a bowl and set aside 5) Fill each popsicle mold 1/3 full with raspberry mixture 6) Freeze molds for roughly 1-2 hours 7) Fill another 1/3 of the molds with approximately 1/4 cup lemonade in each 8) Freeze molds for 1-2 more hours 9) Fill the rest of the mold with strawberry mixture and put popsicle sticks in 10) Freeze overnight
**Makes 3 Servings**
Food 5
culture An in-depth look at how recent gender discrimination lawsuits in Silicon Valley are asking questions about the role Text and Design by Tara Madhav
GRAPHIC BY CANVA.COM
“You are constantly trying to get that equal playing field, but are being taken out of it step by step.” Those are the words of Ellen Pao, who was describing what she sees as a harsh and debilitating business environment for women in Silicon Valley. In an interview with Yahoo News!, Pao echos the essence of her widely publicized gender-discrimination lawsuit against a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers—a suit that she recently lost on all counts. Although Pao lost, her case has shed light on a dark side of Silicon Valley, where gender and power can intersect in ugly ways. Her lawsuit joins a larger, more complicated web of incidents involving the same question: Are men and women treated as equals in the tech industry? What many consider a culture of inequality may, in fact, be rooted in other parts of our society, even possibly at high schools like Palo Alto High School (Paly). Of all the gender-related events flooding Silicon Valley, Pao’s $16 million lawsuit filed against Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is the most high-profile, garnering the most hits with every Google search on ‘silicon valley gender’. In an interview with National Public Radio, Pao claimed that Kleiner Perkins “had a toxic, misogynistic environment that led to her being passed over for promotions and eventually pushed out.” What was Kleiner Perkins’ response? Largely, the company claimed that Pao was an inadequate and incompetent employee, and that her shortcomings were the cause of her bad experience at the firm. I n
the wake of the publicity surrounding Pao’s case, Chia ‘Chloe’ Hong, a former employee at Facebook who was terminated in 2013, filed a lawsuit in March against her former employer for alleged gender discrimination and unlawful termination based on her gender. Tina Huang, a former Twitter employee, also filed a class action lawsuit citing a promotion process that unfairly favors men. All of these cases are coming together to create a perfect storm of unanswered questions and inadequate answers, which are rapidly changing the dialogue around the different genders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). “The fact that Pao refused to settle and pushed for a trial [has] brought more attention to bear on these cases,” Katie Benner, a Bloomberg View business columnist based in San Francisco, said. “That alone changes the way that gender issues in tech will be treated. When what happens in an industry becomes part of a larger national conversation about discrimination—or if the industry’s norms are held up as anomalous by the bigger world—it’s taken more seriously by the leaders in the sector.”
culture 6
The Pao case is also significant because it demonstrates that a discrimination case is not always made up of a few major incidents. Often, it is a compilation of small, seemingly insignificant events— perhaps being left out of an exclusive dinner, or not informing certain employees about company details—that together can build the foundation of a lawsuit. “It’s about the small stuff at the Kleiner trial,” Michelle Quinn, a business columnist for the San Jose Mercury News, wrote. Yet, they may not add up to a legal finding of discrimination. “These cases are tough to prove because they are often filled with small, everyday examples from the workplace. There is the dismissive tone in emails, the bawdy chit-chat in breakrooms, the office layout with the power corridor, and seating charts at conferences,” she wrote. Even if a case cannot be proven legally, however, it does not mean that the playing field is level. What these events indicate is a greater culture in Silicon Valley where women have trouble breaking through the glass ceiling of the male-dominated tech world, and where problems follow them even if they do. It is a world where women like Chief Operating Officer of Facebook Sheryl Sandberg and Yahoo Chief Executive Officer Marissa Mayer are making large statements about the role of women in the Silicon Valley—Sandberg with her book Lean In and related activities, which touch on an array of gender-related issues, and Mayer with her highly-publicized three-week maternity leave, which brought up the old debate of “can women have it all?” It is suffice to say that women’s issues are a hot topic, and that topics like sexism —on which both Mayer and Sandberg have focused—are also being brought into the spotlight. “Women’s roles in tech continue to evolve but I’m not sure in what way,” Quinn said during email correspondence. “Other than the few high-profiled women in tech such as Marissa Mayer or Sheryl Sandberg, I’m not sure that women are making true gains in the tech workplace. Perhaps what we are seeing now with the suits is that
For more about the Pao case: http://recode. net/2015/03/13/a-recode-timeline-the-ellen-pao-vs-kleiner-perkins-trial/
gender plays in the success of women in the tech sector, and larger questions about sexism in society and education. in the Lean In era, ambitious women are willing to speak up more, either on social media or in a lawsuit...” Indeed, the old-boy network is nothing new. Many industries and organizations have evolved in ways that seemed to give males the inside track at getting ahead, but now the focus is on tech. “Women in Stem, A Gender Gap to Innovation,” a report by the U.S. Department of Commerce, said that “According to the Census Bureau’s 2009 American Community Survey (ACS), women comprise 48 percent of the U.S. workforce but just 24 percent of STEM workers.” Other statistics also show how few women make it to the high level executive positions and that they have a long way to go before standing on equal ground with men. Last year, only 3.3 percent of the chief executive officers of Silicon Valley’s largest 150 companies were women, according to a report by the law firm Fenwick & West. That’s lower than national figures--according to the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan think tank, only 5.2 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs are women. Another report from Pew, “Women and Leadership,” complied American opinions on women in leadership and what might be holding them back (see the pie chart above). 43 percent of Americans believe that women are held back from leadership positions because they are held to higher standards. Contrasting to this, 9 percent of Americans believe that women are not tough enough to succeed in a leadership position. While the majority of people believe that women are not held back because of any personality traits, there is a minority that believes that the lack of women in corporate leadership is attributed to the woman, not the environment around her. This
progressive, accepting opinions. However, Paly may not be immune from preventing the gender gap that widens as girls enter the tech force. The National Girls Collaborative Project found that while girls
...the fact that Pao refused to settle and pushed for a trial [has] brought more attention to bear on these cases. - Katie Benner
GRAPHIC BY CANVA.COM
were high-performing during high school--for example, taking biology and physics at higher rates than boys--they were generally underrepresented in fields like engineering, where they make up only 13 percent of the workforce, and computer science, where they make up 25 percent. So the question is, how does this gap form? Sophomore Aidan Maese-Czeropski agrees that a gender gap does become apparent as women enter the tech industry. “I don’t think it is necessarily discrimination, but I do think that from a young age, parents don’t really support girls joining the tech industry as much as boys...While I don’t think that there is a lot of discrimination, I don’t think that girls are as supported to join these industries. And that does create a gender gap later,” he said. Gabi Rossner, co-president of the Paly Gender Equality Club, blames a gender divide in industry on an underlying current of sexism supporting stereotypes, such as that women are not hardened enough to be fully successful top executives. “I think there isn’t a question that educational discrimination and discrimination in the tech industry are related, because they both result from a deep-rooted institutionalized sexism that exists in our society. Discrimination against women happens everywhere; it’s not a thing that is unique to the tech industry,” Rossner said in a messaging correspondence. “However, tech and STEM have been gendered as more masculine things, and as a result it is even harder for women to succeed in the field, as in any gendered field.” Paly computer science teacher and robotics team coach Christopher Kuszmaul agrees with the notion that women are often seen as not tough or assertive enough to handle executive jobs. “What you don’t hear, which you would hear in the past, is anything relating one’s sex to one’s skills in technical areas,” he said. There is still some stereotyping in terms of behaviors and tolerance for what you might call aggressiveness. Women are generally described more negatively when they are more assertive than men, and that connects to whether or not women are going to be comfortable and men are going to comfortable with women in technology.” C
GRAPHIC BY JENNY ZHUGE
brings up the point of gender discrimination again: is there societal influence on whether or not a women will be successful in STEM? More specifically, where does discrimination start? Is it bred in the halls of high-powered organizations like Google and Facebook? Is it triggered by a “brogrammer culture,” as displayed by the sneakers-wearing, Google-Glass-toting male Millennials taking over the industry who are determined to strike gold with their million-dollar ideas? These major regional, cultural and social patterns have to start someplace, perhaps even in school. Paly students grow up in a liberal oasis, and it is assumed that, because of this, the school embodies
7 Culture
person of the month TEXT AND DESIGN BY RIMA PAREKH PHOTOS BY YI GE
A
n active person on social media and an avid follower of fashion, sophomore Yi Ge posted her opinion two years ago on her Tumblr account about three new models who had particularly captured her attention during New York Fashion Week. She found them to have different physical attributes than what most fashion companies and modeling agencies typically look for, and thought it interesting that they had made several appearances. Ge’s opinion caught the attention of Xuan Tran who works for a German modeling agency called Tomorrow Is Another Day (TIAD) and commented on her post. Before long, Ge and Tran started chatting online and formed a friendship. Tran was surprised to see that someone as young as Ge had so much to say about fashion, and was taken aback by her level of sophistication and her discerning eye. Ge then received an offer for an internship at TIAD, and readily accepted. Almost two years have passed since then, and Ge continues to help TIAD with designing portfolios and publicity for the models. “I love working for them!” Ge said. “I have been friends with my supervisor [Tran] for about two years now, and we relate to each other really well and working with her has only made us closer.” According to Ge, other modeling agencies often have too broad a spectrum of models and don’t treat their models well enough. However, she says that her TIAD’s aesthetic “is so fully resolved that when these boys are scouted and selected, they end up belonging for life.” Even though some modeling agencies are notorious for insensitivity and for promoting a culture based solely on appearance, she believes TIAD is a kind and supportive group of people who are redefining beauty through
8 culture
in conversation with Yi Ge their choice of models. Through her internship, Ge has been able to travel to New York and Paris Fashion Week on multiple occasions. Not only does Ge blog, but she also has a tumblr page oriented around fashion, with more than 50,000 followers, some of whom are models from all over the world. Ge became interested in fashion as a type of art that can be political. “I am certainly not going to work in fashion when I get older. It can become toxic and negative stigmas may come out of it,” she said. Ge can’t pin down exactly how she got interested in fashion, but growing up in big cities such as Shanghai and New York, Ge would always notice advertisements and take note of recurring fashion names and newspapers and magazines. Ge also is heavily involved in photography. Although she is entirely self-taught, her photography has a level of sophistication and distinction that many people may not expect. Ge can’t name a specific reason why she takes photos; she just feels she needs to because it gives her a unique kind of satisfaction. Ge prefers to take landscape photos over portraits because she can have more control over the mood. But she also takes photos of people and believes that they can capture feelings that wouldn’t come through in a landscape photograph. “A good photograph is one that creates a feeling inside you, and when you see it, that feeling moves you,” she said. Rather than using a digital camera or her phone, Ge mostly uses a traditional film camera and a Polaroid camera. While Ge knows it is impractical for people to stop using phone cameras, she feels it takes away from the value of photography.“We’re a culture obsessed with photographing and up-
loading every last moment, and while smart phones have definitely democratised the practice of photography, they’ve arguably devalued it as well.” On the other hand, Ge feels that by using
phone cameras. Looking ahead, Ges isn’t sure what she wants to pursue. She may land herself in a career that doesn’t directly relate to her current interests, but she is certain that she will
“ A good photograph is one that creates a feeling inside you and when you see it, that feeling moves you” -Sophomore Yi Ge her film cameras, she is able to immortalize a moment or memory, something that cannot be achieved through the use of digital and
continue blogging and photographing wherever she goes, and knows they will always play an important role in her life. C
9 culture
opinion
Quad Anxiety Text & Design by Katie Douty & Clara Chiu Illustrations by Maggie Zheng
A
s the lunch bell rings, you pack up your books and head to the heart of Palo Alto High School (Paly) with the rest of your classmates. When you arrive at the quad, you walk through swarms of people, some sitting on the grass, others on benches. Suddenly, you feel as if all eyes are on you and you rush to find your friends, not wanting to sit alone or go buy lunch by yourself, risking the judgement of your peers.
Rather than being a place of comfort, for many students, the Paly quad is stressful. Most of Paly’s important events take place on the beautiful, grassy center square that is the quad; it is a gathering place, stage, activity center and essentially Paly’s central nervous system. It is a place where students can relax, eat lunch and enjoy daily festivities. So why do some students feel so intimidated? The quad is often seen as a place where social capital is carefully measured. Many students sit in separate areas of the quad, appointed by grade. These areas are then subdivided into scattered groups of friends. Upon your arrival to the quad, you are expected to find your normal group of friends and quickly join the circle they have formed. Approaching the quad can feel like entering a gladiator’s ring: you walk into the unknown with everyone watching. Students also worry about appearing alone. If you see your peers latching to their friends while you stand by yourself, it can feel like everyone has a place to belong except for you. The unspoken rules of the quad hierarchy intensify this feeling of vulnerability.
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Naturally, most students want to “fit in”, or at least to look like they do. The quad could be a place for new social opportunities, where a student could reach out to others. However, the stress of making that step can be disheartening and it forces some people to walk in the opposite direction. As much as we would like to deny it, the assumption that someone is a “loser” or “has no friends” because they sit alone or cannot immediately reach their friends at lunch is not a foreign concept to many Paly students. People may disagree, however, if this did not exist, the overwhelming feeling of insecurity while sitting alone or walking unaccompanied to Town and Country Village would not be so common among students. There are obvious reasons why the quad can be a stressful environment. Although Paly is an incredibly unique school due to its diversity, even here, it is almost impossible to escape the idea of cliques and judgment so common to high school. On the quad, everyone can see who others sit with, what they wear, and how they act. This feeling that one’s flaws are so closely scrutinized by others can build on the already intensified pressures of high school. The first step toward shedding insecurity is to realize that anxiety in a place like the quad is completely normal. You’re not the only one experiencing quad anxiety! High schoolers constantly worry about their acquaintances’ lives and actions, which is what increases judgmental feelings. If everyone focused on their own actions rather than those of others, many problems would fade. If people looked for the good around them before seeking out the bad, it would help to embrace the positive attributes of the quad and make it a place of comfort for everyone. For example, rather than judging others who walk to Town and Country without friends, we should be thankful that we have the Village available to us. Instead of making assumptions about someone sitting alone on the quad, praise their individuality. Everyone ends up having moments by themselves, so why should we judge others for being alone if just yesterday we were in the same position? Next time you see someone who is struggling in a social situation, reach out. Maybe the person walking alone across the quad is shy, but when you get to know them they are really interesting, funny, or talented in some unexpected way. If everyone tried to make the quad more welcoming, we would all realize that the loner is not “just a loser” after all. C
opinion
TEXT AND DESIGN BY AHANA GANGULY GRAPHICS BY MAYA KANDELL
WHEN HE/SHE DOESN’T CUT IT the desperate need for a gender-neutral pronoun
I
n recent years, the transgender and genderqueer community has become more established. Yet, as society progresses, the English language remains stuck in the past. We need to advance along with society by adopting a gender-neutral pronoun. Those who do not conform to the gender binary that the English language is tailored to deserve respect; the exclusive use of “he” and “she” makes many feel excluded and marginalized. There are several issues with alternates currently in use; the repeated use of “he/ she”, “he or she”, and “s/he” makes writing and speaking cumbersome. “One” is too formal for everyday speech, and can make sentence structure stilted and awkward. “It” is dehumanizing; the word is used solely to describe objects and occasionally animals. “He” was used frequently in the past with the intention of being gender-neutral, but is now primarily used to represent only the male gender. “They” has been adopted by many people as a way to refer to a single person since it is the only gender-neutral pronoun used in everyday speech. Some grammarians disapprove, but most agree that identifying someone the way they wish to be identified takes priority over the rules of grammar. Others argue that it is belittling or disloyal to the way English “should be spoken,” but languages are constantly evolving, with new words being coined and popularized by the minute. Moreover, the word “they” has not been solely used to refer to plural subjects, even
in highly regarded writing and classic literature. Jane Austen, for example, readily used “they” as a singular pronoun. However, the use of the word “they” can sometimes be confusing. For example, “Sam washed their hands” is ambiguous, as is “Jordan thinks they might be late to the party.” Other obstacles stand in the way as well. In language, there are open-class and closed-class words. Open-class words, such as verbs and nouns, are easily made up and adopted as new objects and actions arise. For example, the term “googling” became so accepted that the Merriam-Webster and Oxford Engish dictionaries included it in their 2006 editions. Closed-class words, which represent the relationships between things or actions, are much harder to make up. Prepositions are a good example – they identify where an
object is in space or time. They are very difficult to make up and use; for instance, one to describe an object under another - “The dog is flarp the bed.” Some new words are already in use, albeit only by the transgender and genderqueer community, but they are all very different from one another. Some use ze/zir, while others prefer ne/nem/nir or ve/ver/vis. This lack of unity and organization when it comes to introducing a new word into the English language is a significant barrier to the broad implementation of a gender-neutral pronoun. English speakers are in desperate need of a widely-used gender-neutral pronoun. The introduction of this new word into official documents, such as government statements or college applications, would lead to its acceptance by the general public. Our language needs a gender-neutral pronoun, and it needs one fast. C
culture 11
De-Stigmatizing Mental Health Text, design, and photos by Clara de Martel
S
am, a Palo Alto High School (Paly) junior, began seeing a therapist when her parents got divorced. She has only told her closest friends. For all her other friends, when she’s absent, she has a “doctor’s appointment.” Sam has been mostly able to overcome her parents’ divorce but continues to see a therapist for stress associated with school, friendships or anything else. She still doesn’t want people to know. w “I don’t really trust people to stick around when I tell them things; I don’t want people to see me in a different way,” Sam, whose name has been changed for this story, said. Sam’s experience captures in miniature how an ordinary emotional health challenge can have unexpected additional consequences. The stigma that our society attaches to mental health can make life even more difficult for some high school students, who might be grappling not only with a mental health issue but also with the fear of a soiled reputation, rumors, and a lack of self-esteem. Sam and others in our community believe that this taboo is misplaced, and many people — from Paly teachers to community leaders — are working hard to erase it. Sarita Kohli, executive vice president for Mental Health and Community Services at the nonprofit organization Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), confirms the presence of this taboo. “In highly competitive environments and communities that emphasize academic achievement, students may feel pressured to excel to stay abreast of their peers, and mental illness is often considered a sign of weakness, making it harder for them to be open about it,” Kohli said. “A lot has to do with lack of information and knowledge about mental health issues and an inherent belief that unlike physical ailments, mental health issues should be something that the individual should be able to resolve on their own.” Although Sam does keep her therapy a secret, she doesn’t believe that it is something to be ashamed of, and she admits that the “only reason I keep it a secret is because I’m worried about how people will react; they’ll
12 culture
automatically assume I’m crazy.” Sam believes that Paly’s student body isn’t a receptive environment for openness regarding mental health issues and that people
their feelings. She starts every class period by asking her students to sit in silence for a “meditation minute” to release the stress and tension from previous classes. Students then
I keep it a secret is because I’m worried about how people will react; they’ll automatically assume I’m crazy.” - Sam, junior always assume the worst. The notion that students cannot share their inner conflicts or their experiences with therapists feeds into the taboo on mental health that is prevalent in our community. Sam thinks that people believe that seeing a therapist is shameful or associated with incompetence. Susan Shultz, Paly’s junior class counselor, echoes Sam’s belief that students should be open to therapy as an option for help with stress and mental illness management. “You’re a teenager. Things are tough, things are hard, we all n e e d s upp or t systems,” Schultz said. The taboo on mental health is a w idely re cog nize d issue that teachers and members of the community have been taking strides to address. Shirley Tokheim, Paly’s English Department instructional supervisor, uses three minutes of class time each time she meets with her students, to try to get them to open up about
share what is going on in their lives with each other for two minutes. Tokheim first realized that many students benefit from talking about their emotions or stresses when she assigned a writing assignment in which students had to share an internal struggle instead of just resorting to writing about what they
did over the weekend. “With the first suicide this semester, m a n y stu dents appreciated our taking time to reflect a n d share our deep feelings and fears with each other,” Tokheim said. “They said they didn’t have another place to share like that.” “I think it’s very important for students to have at least a few minutes in their day when they can be more authentic and talk about some of the hard stuff they’re experiencing. It helps them feel they aren’t alone in their struggles despite what any Facebook page or outward appearance might suggest,” she added. “I have actually been experiencing lower levels of stress because of this activity,” Sophia Armitano, a Paly junior in Tokheim’s class, said. Kohli has been working to remove the stigma from mental health on a larger scale with the AACI by conducting workshops and forums in which parents and community members can ask questions and learn from mental health professionals. These sessions are a part of their “Know the Signs”
Counseling Service on campus is available as a year round service for students; Jessica Feinberg, a Paly grad, started a campaign to get other alumni to speak up about their experiences with mental illness to “prompt a cultural shift where talking about mental health is acceptable and encouraged”; Paly art teacher Kate McKenzie, has been motivating her students to release tension and emotion through art. Emily, another Paly student whose name has been changed, and Sam know all too well that people in this community, like any other, face mental health issues. Emily saw a therapist for six months after she found out that she has Attention Deficit Disorder, and never told anybody, not even her closest friend at the time. Both Sam and Emily believe that therapy should not be considered an anomaly, or helps only those with serious mental illnesses. “Whether it’s a personal struggle, or something in your family or friend group, everybody goes through something in their life when they need someone to talk to,” Sam said.
“I think it’s very important for students to have at least a few minutes in their day when they can be more authentic and talk about some of the hard stuff they’re experiencing.” - Tokheim, English teacher campaign, to raise awareness about mental health. “The community has to be open to receiving education and information [ a n d h a s t o ] recognize that mental illness exists in the population, and chances are that s ome one in their immediate family and social circle will be affected by it,” Kohli said. The efforts of AACI and Tokheim are just two examples of the many ways the Palo Alto community is attempting to lessen the taboo around mental health issues and encourage teens to seek help if they need it. For example: Adolescent
They both acknowledged that admitting you need help is a challenging but necessary step towards maintaining a healthy mind. “It took me five years of therapy to finally admit that I need help; before, the only reason I was going was because my parents would make me go, but now I go because I want to,” Sam said. Sam and Emily have had good experiences with therapy and recommend that other students facing emotional stress try it too. “[Therapy is] kind of like a secret relationship you have with someone,’’ Emily said. “Someone I can just be myself with.” C
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A&E
THE EVOLUTION OF TOWN & COUNTRY VILLAGE
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own and Country Village is a highly regarded destination for food and shopping among the Palo Alto community. When we look across the street at the lively shopping center with its growing clientele and upscale ambiance, it can be easy to forget that the vibrant shopping center was not always so popular. Only recently were modern architecture and high end shopping and dining introduced–and the transformation wasn’t easy. In an interview with Palo Alto Online, a founding partner of the Bacchus Management Group, which runs Mayfield Bakery and Café, Tim Stannard, spoke about the decision to invest in Town and Country Village. “I believed there was a pent-up demand and a sophisticated, knowledgeable consumer that was looking for offerings,” Stannard said. Mayfield Bakery and Café serves the community with unique and upscale California cuisine including homemade bread, roasted coffee and infusing on local, top-notch ingredients. Each menu lists the farmers
Top: Panorama of Town and Country Bottom Left: Palnet Blue storefront Bottom middle: Town and Country parking lot Bottom right: Walkway outside Sur La Table
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Text and design by Charlee Stefanski and Katya Sigal Photos by Katie Douty and Charlee Stefanski
whose ingredients are used with the statement: “The following farmers made this meal possible.” “The supply wasn’t meeting the demand. Even though the shopping center was sleepy, we had a sense that if we build it, they will come.” Stannard said. Stannard was right. Several high end restaurants have been successful with Palo Alto and surrounding communities. Calafia Café, Howie’s Artisan Pizza, Kara’s Cupcakes, and Tin Pot Creamery are just a few of many venues that are constantly bustling with customers. However, this dramatic transformation has sparked some controversy among the Palo Alto community. Some feel that the replacement of local favorites such as Hobee’s and Korean BBQ with more upscale shops and restaurants is not ideal. Rising prices come to mind when considering the new-and-improved Town and Country. With the addition of LA native boutiques such as Planet Blue and Intermix the high end shopping scene is not attainable to all.
At Paly, Town and Country Village is a big part of student life, however, some students believe that the trendy clothes and highpriced cuisine overshoots the budget of high school students. “I think it would be really nice if Town and Country had stores that catered to Paly students and staff because a lot of business comes from them; and we are not rolling in cash, or I know I’m not,” junior Melanie Reilly said. Even though Paly students on a budget do not always have the ability to spend their money on Town and Country outside of school hours, they still appreciate the lunch deals that most of the restaurants offer for them and understand the prices are a part of living in affluent Palo Alto. “[The prices] are a little high, but that’s business. When you have the demand then you can drive the prices up,” junior Bradley Brewster said. “I don’t like it, but it’s just business...I wish there were [more affordable options], but if I were one of the store owners I would do the same thing and drive the prices up just because I can.” C
HOLI TEXT AND DESIGN BY REILLY FILTER
CC - STEVE GERNER
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pring is recognized as the season of rejuvenation, prosperity, and the enrichment of natural beauty. It is only fitting that such a season should be celebrated exuberantly. Holi is a Hindu springtime festival that celebrates the end of winter, and is known as the festival of both colors and love. In the spirit of individuals coming together, participants wish each other ‘Happy Holi,’ while throwing a mix of colored powder and water into the air. Holi is the most colorful of all Indian celebrations, and truly encompasses the beauty of springtime and the Hindu religion. The celebration begins with a bonfire, that supposedly kills the devil, known as Holika. People sing and dance around the fire in joy that the devil has been burned. The next day, the carnival of colors begins, which is the particular festivity that has spread internationally. This past April, Stanford hosted it’s own event, called Stanford Asha Holi , put on by Asha for Education—a non profit organization whose goal is to catalyze socio-economic change in India. In order to do so, they work to improve the education of underprivileged children. All net proceeds from the event went towards education for underprivileged children in India.
KATIE DOUTY
Every year, Asha showcases a particular project for the Holi enthusiasts to learn about. Asha’s most recently featured project was with the Institute of Social Work which is based out of West Bengal and works to provide more opportunities for women. Some Palo Alto High School (Paly) students attended, and enjoyed their experience participating in Holi. “Everyone was so nice and friendly. Random people just walked up and rubbed color paint on my face” Emma Vanderveen, sophomore, said. “There was music and everyone was dancing and everything was happy and colorful.” “Holi was definitely very colorful. From the moment I walked through the entrance gates, people started throwing powdered color at me.” Cameron Diep, sophomore, said. “There was a lot of music that ranged from today’s top songs to traditional Bollywood songs. Many dance studios performed as well.” Stanford Holi seemed to be an extremely successful and entertaining event this year, maintaining its rating of Bay Area’s biggest communal celebration of Holi. Don’t miss out on a chance to go next year! C
KATIE DOUTY
Entertainment 15
Heartveins & Growing Pains
Text by Huda Navaid Picture by Kaz; Creative Commons
Heartveins & Growing Pains is a collection of poems dealing with the heartache of relationships, growing up, and losing control over the factors that influence one’s life outcomes. The poems are inspired by personal experiences, conversations with friends, and everyday observations about the world. They follow emotions of fear, desperation, and hopelessness. Hope you enjoy reading them! - Huda Navaid
FOR FEar It hits. Tsunami Army Forces Throat constricts Stomach flips Rapid breathing Anger seething Shivers down the spine. Painful, throbbing mind Bleeds helpless out of crevices Once empty and naive. Amygdala has searched And found A fair excuse to grieve. A letter Signalled down. Eyes awake. Brows begin to frown. Nest disturbed. Wasps inside No longer hide But sting perturbed. Rain begins to fill the clouds Heart a drum Beating loud Room begins to spin And everything within Erupts Volcanic in its ways Driven to destroy The modern Pompeii That threatens to steal My beloved away.
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Blood Intertwined with Words My poems are the stillborn children of my mind. Streams of blood leaking from lost time. Too numb inside to feel a thing. Pain’s gone so dull it doesn’t sting. Yet living, living yes I am. Too tired to give another damn. Abide, abide oh yes I do. Smile on my lips sticks through and through. No longer an activated running game. They shut the computer And stole my name. Gave me a God, told me the truth. I glazed my eyes and gave up youth. Maturity is the strongest tea I’ve ever had to drink. Spreads through your skin Faster than sins And drags you down to sink Beneath the waters of anxiety Waterboarding us with
whims. I’d sure like to know what air feels like But I don’t; so I’ll just swim.
Life Outside the Ivy
cover story
It’s about what you do, not where you go.
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Text and Design by Frida Schaefer Bastian and Maya Benatar Illustrations by Maggie Zheng
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f a Palo Alto High School (Paly) student was asked to imagine him or herself as a college graduate in an interview at Google, his or her first thought would likely be “what school will they be most impressed with?” Most Paly students would say that, in their interview, the factors that would determine their fate at the company are work experience, recommendations and, most importantly, the name of their alma mater. What students do not realize, is that, more recently, companies have revealed that the name of an applicant’s alma mater is not a very significant factor during their hiring process. In an interview with C-Magazine, Laszlo Bock, Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google, stated that in Google’s hir-
ing process, the school the applicant attended does not play a role. “We hire students from all kinds of schools and even those who never attended college,” Bock said. “The name of the school you went to doesn’t matter in Google’s hiring process.” As Spring quarter rolls around, tension in the air at Paly becomes almost tangible.
success. Whether this stressful feeling stems from personal pressure or parental expectation, it is one that has become all too common among students in the Palo Alto community. Contrary to many students’ beliefs, a degree from an elite university does not guarantee a job and is by no means the beat all end all. Hiring executives like Bock, experts who study colleges and their correlation to employment, and adults who consider themselves successful, all agree that where a person goes to college does not define who they are or have a final say in their future. Undoubtedly, a degree from an elite school appears prestigious and could helwith networking, however, for many, success means much more than that.
“I believe having a passion about learning and being open to new things creates opportunities to grow in a career path that fits who you are.” - Olmstead Juniors pester one another about SAT and ACT scores, while seniors painfully await responses from their colleges of choice. For many Paly students, attending a top university feels like a required ingredient for
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In an interview with C-Magazine, Frank Bruni, New York Times staff writer and New York Times bestselling author of the book Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be, addressed this topic. “There can be advantages, serious ones, to attending and graduating from a highly selective school with an acceptance rate below 15 percent, but going to one of those schools isn’t necessary, and not going to one of those schools isn’t some kind of damnation,” Bruni said. Many teenagers look to their parents as role models, which, in many cases, can be a very healthy habit. However, when it comes to college admissions, direct comparisons no longer make sense. As the number of applications has increased, partly due to the Common App, the rates of college admittance at competitive schools have plummeted. Many parents openly admit that they wouldn’t be accepted at their own alma mater if they had to apply today. A large number of successful Palo Alto parents agree that their success was not determined by the college they attended, no matter how prestigious it was. A Palo Alto native, Michelle Olmstead, who graduated from Gunn High School in 1981, took a path to success that is unlike that of many other graduates of the rigorous Palo Alto Unified School District. Olmstead chose to attend Foothill Community College for two years after high school. As one of t h re e children her parents were putting through college at t h e
time, she decided that spending two years at Foothill before transferring somewhere else made more sense financially. She ended up at San Jose State University and graduated five years later with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design. “My education has not been linear,” Olmstead said. “In between school I traveled,
(Western Association of Schools and Colleges) Coordinator Emily Garrison, also did not attend any prestigious colleges. After high school, Garrison did not want to put her family through any financial trouble and therefore decided to go to Humboldt State University in California. “Because Humboldt State is a smaller university, I got into all the classes I wanted, I took extra classes every semester and I really had the ability to have an incredibly broad undergraduate education,” Garrison said. “I put a lot into it and worked really hard. I did it because I wanted to learn.” After graduating from Humboldt State, Garrison went on to get her masters degree in teaching from San Jose State University. Now she lives in San Jose with her family and has a steady job teaching at Paly. “I own a home, I have a family, I love my job, and I love the kids at Paly,” she said. Garrison believes she has lived a very successful life, because, to her, success is defined as “[one’s] happiness, capacity to care for other people, compassion, and whether or not they are doing something to make a difference in the world and to improve humanity. That, to me, is more important than a number on a transcript.” Juan Garduño is a Palo Alto parent who was born and raised in Mexico City, where he attended a small four-year university called Anahuac University. “I never thought of going to a ‘dream’ coll e g e ,’ ” Garduño, who now runs an a r chitecture firm in
“Success for me is understanding that life offers many different ways to be happy and ways to be successful and is not defined by external achievements but by building a satisfying, happy, evolving life.” - Garduño
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worked, and explored areas of interest.” Olmstead has also found success and a career doing what she loves. During her last year of college, Olmstead interned at an architectural firm called DES Architects. She ended up staying at the company for 16 years, where she worked her way up to a senior management position and built a nationally recognized interior architecture division of the company. Currently, Olmstead works as a VP of Development Services for Jones Lang LaSalle. “Success for me is going to work every day and being able to be excited about the projects or clients I am working with and being part of a team that creates innovative spaces,” Olmstead said. “I believe having a passion about learning and being open to new things creates opportunities to grow in a career path that fits who you are.” Similarly to Olmstead, Paly Spanish teacher and WASC
America and a restaurant business in Mexico, said. “[In Mexico] people are admired for their success, but not envied, because we think that having a rich family life and strong tie to the community brings a kind of joy that professional success can’t match.” Garduño studied a variety of subjects in college, ultimately finding his passion in architecture and the food industry. Garduño’s architecture firm, Garduño Architects, is one of the most recognized firms in the country, and has won many awards and recognitions. In addition, he owns a restaurant group that is one of the most respected in Mexico and has opened two restaurants in San Francisco called La Urbana and Mercado Urbano. “Success for me is understanding that life offers many different ways to be happy and ways to be successful and is not defined by external achievements but by building a satisfying, happy, evolving life,” Garduño said. Garduño feels that attending an elite university was definitely not the right path for him and that he may not have achieved the success he did if he had attended one. “I am sure my life would not have been so diverse if I had chosen the path of an Ivy League school and had seen success as a one way street,” Garduño said. “I think the opportunity to see life in a more open and creative way was what led to my personal success story.” The point is, it is not necessary to go to Harvard to be successful. According to Malcolm Gladwell, in his book David and
Goliath, students who don’t perform well academically but get into elite schools because of athletics, legacy, etc. tend to struggle when they arrive at those schools, and would likely have been more successful and confident had they spent four years at a slightly less academically rigorous institution. He calls it the Big Fish-Little Pond theory. Little fish tend to do better in little ponds (lesser known schools) instead of forcing themselves to go to big ponds (elite schools). The theory aims to overturn the stigma that students need to go to an elite school to have a successful career. Bruni agrees and believes that, in order for students to understand that success can be achieved in more ways than one, the message has to resonate within school administrators and parents first.
brand name school will ensure better job opportunities and will serve as an advantage in the hiring process. Dave Vort, an executive VP of sales at iRhythm, has experience in hiring candidates and believes that, for the most part, the actual name of the university a candidate has graduated from plays a very small role in the hiring process. “Far more important [than the name of the school] is that the candidate has actually attended a university, and that they demonstrate a high degree of self-awareness, the ability to communicate exceptionally well and an ability to be coached and developed,” Vort said. “Additionally, I look for candidates that go the extra mile in researching the position and our company and can bring new insight.” Students have become obsessed with getting accepted into universities whose acceptance rates have dropped so low in recent years that admittance is practically impossible. Their stress and obsession stems from the belief that a degree from one of these elite institutions is the only way they can reach the future they’ve always imagined for themselves. It is crucial that students remember that there are many paths to success, and long-term happiness has little to do with how well they do in high school. People get out of college what they put into it. The harder people work and the more passionately they feel about learning, the more successful they will be wherever they go. C
“[Success is one’s] happiness, capacity to care for other people, compassion, and whether or not they are doing something to make a difference in the world and to improve humanity.” - Garrison “My book is full of stories of accomplished, happy people who reached their desired destination by going to schools far outside the Ivy League, and it would be easy for school administrators and teachers and parents and students if they simply opened their eyes to the full truth of the world to see that there are countless additional stories and individuals that fall into that category and fit that d e s c r i p t i o n ,” Bruni said. Ultimately, the college acceptance mania stems from the belief of parents and children that a degree from a
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Test Prep: The Emotional Cost Exploring the effects of a multibillion dollar industry on student stress
HARVARD
Text and design by Maya Kandell Statistics by Clara de Martel Illustration by Maya Kandell
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hen Palo Alto High School senior Charles Yu sat down to take the SAT, all he could do was try to stave off the exhaustion from the nearly sleepless night before. Yu began studying for the test the summer before his junior year with a tutoring agency, and as the months passed he became so anxious about taking the SAT that by February 2014, his test date, he was not able to sleep the night before “because the anxiety was so bad.” Yu added, “the SAT was hyped about so much when I was younger, and I formed this idea that it was so crucial for getting into colleges that if I messed up I was doomed.” Results of a recent C Magazine survey show that Yu is not the only one who feels this way. The survey of 38 randomly selected seniors, and discussions with students and
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parents, found that instead of relieving students of anxiety, paid test prep only increases and worsens the pressure students feel to perform strongly on standardized tests. The survey revealed that using paid test prep is certainly the norm for most Paly students – approximately 71% of seniors reported they used paid study services for the SAT or ACT. Most significantly, the survey showed that majority of the students who did paid test prep felt additional pressure to perform well. The students additonal comments showed that their extra stress was a result of their parents’ monetary investments in them. “It feels like the money my parents dedicated to my learning needs to have an effect on my score,” senior Galen Byrd said. Echoing this worry, senior Lina Adawallah said, “I felt more pressure when being
tutored for those tests for two main reasons: I was paying a lot of money to increase my score and I didn’t want that to go to waste, and there were more people paying attention to whether or not my scores actually did improve.” Meanwhile, Palo Alto parents presumably are simply trying to do the best for their kids in order to make them more competitive in a strong national pool of college applicants. The parent of a Paly junior explained her rationale for providing paid tutoring for her son. “Palo Alto High is a very good school and many of the kids that go there are very bright, and so, as parents, you want to be able to do the best for your kids as well... Maybe it’s just this parent thing that we all have, that you want to give your kids the best shot they have,” she said. Paly junior Charlie Badger, appreciates
his parents’ investment but feels that it does some Paly students, this feels unfair. raise the bar for him in some ways. Badger Junior Mariah Poitier, is one of those. “I explained that although he is getting paid don’t want to pressure my parents about tuhelp studying for his SAT 2 Physics subject toring when the money needs to go to other test, which relieves some of the stress of tak- places,” she said, even though she believes ing the test, at the same time, his parents her parents would be willing to go into debt have an investment in it too. However, when to give her a better education. “I don’t want studying for his AP Chem test, for which he that. I work 10 times harder to make sure that was not getting paid tutoring, “I’m doing it doesn’t happen because I couldn’t live with in my own time… if I don’t end up doing that pressure or that extra responsibility.” If well, it’s on me,” he said. “At least it wasn’t her parents pay for tutoring or test prep, she like you guys invested something in it,” he would face the same pressure as the students said to his parents. whose parents are paying thousands of dolFor some stulars for test prep and [The SAT] really became tutoring – when pardents there is so much pressure that more of a test of how well I ents make financial comes with studyin their could control my nerves and investments ing that the original children’s educagoal – performing operate under little sleep tions, it increases the well – can be over- than a test of my academic stakes and for many, shadowed or even increases expectaabilities. stymied. “[The SAT] tions. — Senior Charles Yu really became more However, it is of a test of how well undeniable that stuI could control my nerves and operate under dents at a lower income level are disadvanlittle sleep than a test of my academic abili- taged when it comes to standardized tests ties,” Yu said. and to accessing extra academic support. Others say that preparation for these stan- Data released by College Board in 2013 dardized tests undermines the objective of about seniors who took the SAT shows that learning the material and focuses only on test scores correlate to the student’s family ways to improve scores. Badger got a per- income. The average SAT score for students fect score on the SAT 2 Math diagnostic with family incomes below $20,000 was test, but his parents convinced him to go to a 1326, while for students whose families a prep session at a tutoring agency anyway, made over $200,000 a year the score averfor extra assurance. The first thing they did aged 1714. at the workshop was try to install programs Having access to paid academic support in his calculator that would let him plug the can give students an advantage beyond required values for a problem into the cal- higher performance on standardized tests. culator so it could spit out the answer – es- According to a 2013 PAUSD Strategic Plan sentially allowing him to solve certain math Survey administered to parents, only 54% problems more quickly. of respondents agreed with the statement “While it’s a really good business [for tu- “My child can succeed at PAUSD without toring agencies], I feel like that takes away additional support.” Similarly, C Mag’s surfrom the value of learning [the math] and vey results found that 51% of seniors have understanding it,” Badger said. used paid academic tutoring at some point When the SAT was first administered in in their high school careers, which supports 1926, it stood for the Scholastic Aptitude the PAUSD finding that parents believe they Test. The key word there is Aptitude. A PBS need to provide outside support for their Frontline investigation on what the SAT re- children to succeed in our school system. ally measures stated that “Because the SAT Not being able to afford that support feels was devised as a tool to identify talented stu- unfair to Poitier. Having extra paid support dents from underprivileged backgrounds, it “allows certain people to take harder classwas thought of as a test that would measure es. They have a tutor to help them get an A an innate ability referred to as ‘aptitude.’” while a [lower income] person may look at Now, the multibillion dollar test prep that class and say I am not smart enough or industry provides potential for everyone to not rich enough to take the class,” she said. shine on standardized tests, except those Though not a cheerful conclusion, it seems from underprivileged backgrounds who that no matter the income level of a student’s don’t have hundreds or even thousands of family, when it comes to standardized testdollars to spend on SAT/ACT tutoring. For ing, there’s plenty of stress to go around. C
“
”
Of 38 randomly selected students from Palo Alto High School’s class of 2016, 71% responsed that they had used paid SAT or ACT prep.
Did not use paid ACT/SAT tutoring
Did use paid SAT/ACT tutoring
We are 95% confident that the true proportion of Paly’s class of 2016 who used paid SAT/ACT prep is bettween .566 and .854
50% responsed that they had used paid academic tutoring.
Did not use paid academic tutoring
Did use paid academic tutoring
We are 95% confident that the true proportion of Paly’s class of 2016 who used paid academic tutoring is bettween .341 and .659
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Classic MoviesYou Should Watch Text, Illutrations and Design by Jenny Zhuge
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Amadeus The story begins in 1823 as the elderly Salieri attempts suicide,begging forgiveness killing Mozart in 1791. Salieri is visited by a young priest and the movie dives into his own tale about his relationship with Mozart. Antonio Salieri had a dream of becoming the best composer the world, but he can’t understand why God favored Mozart, such a vulgar and immature creature, to be his instrument.
Roman Holiday For all you romcom fans out there, this movie is considered to be the mother of all romantic comedies. A timeless classic, Roman Holiday brings to life the story of a princess that just wants to be a normal girl for a day, and who better to experience it with than the handsome American reporter played by The Godfather Widely regarded as one of the great- Gregory Peck? est films of all time, with all three movies of this series winning best picture for the Oscars, this movie is based on Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name. It focuses on the powerful Don Vito Corleone, aMafia boss known as “the Godfather” and his youngest son, Michael, who tries to stray away from the family business only to be further drawn into it. CC-TWM1340
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Based on Truman Capote’s romantic novel, this is the story of a woman in New York City who meets a man when he moves into her apartment building. He is with a wealthy older woman. She is working as an expensive escort and searching for a rich, older man to marry.
The Truman Show Truman Burbank is the star of The Truman Show, a television show in which his entire life is filmed through hidden cameras, then edited, and streamed on T.V. But the catch is, everyone knows that Truman is the lead of the show except for himself. Near the 30th year of this show, Truman starts to get suspicious of the truth behind his life.
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Forrest Gump Forrest Gump is a man with a low I.Q. but noble intentions. The movie is based on the story of his life, which includes joining the army, meeting the president several times, witnessing Nixon’s watergate scandal, etc. However, this is all irrelevant to Forrest who can only think of his childhood sweetheart Jenny Curran who he fell in love with at first Dead Poet’s Society sight. A new English teacher, John Keating, is introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its conservative teaching and high standards. With Keating’s help, students Neil Perry Todd Anderson start a secret poetry club called the Dead Poets Society where they learn to find their own voices, and seize the day.
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Adventures Within
50 miles Text and photos by Alex Weinstein Design by Alex Weinstein and Larkin McDermott
Garden of Eden
101 N Big Trees Park Rd, Felton, CA 95018 42.7 miles A A beautiful beautiful swimming swimming hole hole hidden hidden in in the the woods woods of of Santa Santa Cruz Cruz is an amazing spot to relax for a day. With the sun shining is an amazing spot to relax for a day. With the sun shining on on the the river river it it is is aa great great spot spot to to tan tan or or have have aa nice nice splash splash in in the the refreshing refreshing San San Lorenzo Lorenzo River. River. Once Once you you arrive arrive at at the the Henry Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park you will have to find Cowell Redwoods State Park you will have to find aa pull pull out out on on Highway 9 with a sign reading Ox Trail. Follow the path Highway 9 with a sign reading Ox Trail. Follow the path and and at at the the fork fork go go right right towards towards the the railroad railroad tracks. tracks. Turn Turn right right at at the the tracks ing “No “No CampCamptracks and and continue continue on on until until you you see see aa sign sign read reading fire” and “No Alcoholic Beverages” on your left. Follow the fire” and “No Alcoholic Beverages” on your left. Follow the steep trail and you will find yourself at this hidden paradise.
Capitol Drive-In
3630 Hillcap Ave, San Jose, CA 95136 23.7 miles Looking to spend a night cuddling up to a good movie but tried of going to the boring movie theatre? Try going to the Capitol Drive-in for a unique old fashioned experience. Drive up right to the movie screen and enjoy the movie right from the comfort of your car. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase in the Snack Shack.
Roller Skating Rink
1303 Main St, Redwood City, CA 94063 4.8 miles In need of something new to try on a boring weekend night? Try Roller Skating at the Redwood City Skate Rink. Looking from the outside the skate rink doesn’t look so enjoyable, but once you go inside there is a great ambiance. Full of disco music and flashing lights, you won’t want to stop skating. We suggest going during their “Disco Skate” hours.
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Seward Street Slides
70 Corwin St, San Francisco, CA 94114 35.4 miles At a mini neighborhood park in San Francisco are these fun cement slides, enjoyable for all ages. These slides are steeper than they appear and are a thrilling experience to definitely try if you find yourself in San Francisco. Bring some cardboard to sit on to make your sliding experience more enjoyable. Slides are open 9am-5pm Tuesday through Sunday.
Baker Beach
1504 Pershing Dr,Golden Gate National Recreation Area 36.6 miles This popular beach in San Francisco is a great spot to catch some sun and has a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Take note that this spot is a nude beach and you are more likely to be exposed to nude people the closer you get to the bridge. Bring a beach blanket and some snacks for a great day surrounded by sun, sand, and salt water.
Sutro Baths
680 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121 37.4 miles Sutro Baths was a large privately owned swimming pool complex built in the late 19th century, that are now currently ruins. These ruins provide for some unique caves and structures to climb through. There is also beach access at the bottom of the ruins for a nice splash in the Pacific ocean.
Corona Heights Park
Roosevelt Way & Museum Way, San Francisco, 94114 35.3 miles This is a great park in San Francisco. It’s not as popular as many other parks in San Francisco. Including a nice playground fit for young kids, there is also a main trail at the park, leading you to a beautiful panoramic view of the city ranging from downtown all the way to Twin Peaks. Also feel free to bring your four-legged friend along for a fun adventure here.
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#M!ddl3 $k00l Thr0wb@ck Pl@yl!$t Text and Design by Emma Scott
#Tbt to the only good part about Middle School- the drop dances! Enjoy old faves from your tween years with 20 of these throwback songs!
Fire Burning - Sean Kingston Replay - Iyaz Forever - Chirs Brown Down On Me - Jeremiah Low (feat T-Pain) - Flo Rida Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas Slow Down- Clyde Carson Backseat - New Boyz Down - Jay Sean Cupid Shuffle - Cupid Written in the Stars - Tinie Tempah Smack Dat - Akon Right Round - Flo Rida Give Me Everything - Pitbull & Neyo Club Can’t Handle Me (feat David Guetta) - Flo Rida Yeah! - Usher Bass Down Low - Dev & the Cataracs Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO Whatever You Like - T.I. Blame It - Jamie Foxx & T-Pain Want to hear more old-school jams? Scan this QR code with your phone to gain access to the ultimate throwback playlist! 26 Entertainment
LIVE 105’s BFD 2015
Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View Saturday, June 6, 2015 11:00AM-11:00PM
Live 105’s BFD is a fun music festival that will be showcasing indie rockers as well as alternative and new up-and-coming bands. Within Shoreline Amphitheatre there will be multiple stages such as the Budlight Festival Stage which will feature bands such as TwentyOne Pilots and Death from above 1979, the Local Band Stage, which will feature Beta State and The Family Crest, the Subsonic Tent, which will feature electronic and dance music, and last but not least, the Main Stage, which will feature Modest Mouse, Of Monsters and Men, and Panic! At the Disco.
J. Cole, Big Sean, YG & Jeremih Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View Tuesday, July 14, 2015 6:30PM
J. Cole, Big Sean, and YG all recently dropped albums so if you are into R&B/Hip hop this concert is definitely for you.
Text by Chelsea McIntosh Design by Maggie Zheng
Vans Warped Tour ‘15
Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View Saturday, June 20, 2015 11:00AM-9:00PM
Vans Warped Tour will be featuring bands such as Metro Station, Mod Sun, and Knuckle Puck. Many genres will be represented at this festival such as Alternative, Emo, Punk, Hip Hop, Metal, Rock, Pop, Folk, Indie, and many more. At this festival there are many opportunities to meet the bands that play.
Outside Lands
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco August 7-9, 2015
Some notable musicians that will be performing at the festival include Mumford & Sons, Chet Faker, Iration, Broods, The Black Keys, Kendrick Lamar, G-Eazy, Misterwives, Sam Smith, Sky Ferreira, and Ryn Weaver. Food will be plentiful and the venue is great because it is not too hot and has beautiful scenery surrounding the stages. Entertainment 27