March Explorer

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moreau catholic high school•27170 mission blvd - hayward, CA 94544 • volume 43 issue 6 • march 29, 2012

St. Felicitas tastes Mariner culture

By Elise Reyes Sports Editor

Moreau’s clubs share their ethnically diverse talents with Falcon students.

ELISE REYES/THE EXPLORER

Moreau Catholic’s Filipino Club, Indian Club, and Nuestra Gente Club performed at St. Felicitas for their second annual Culture Day on Thursday, March 15. Led by Assistant Principal of Student Life Katie Teekell, the Mariner clubs showcased cultural dances for the students of St. Felicitas.

“While I was performing, I just had a smile on my face because I was having fun doing what I love to do,” senior and Nuestra Gente co-president Karina Sanchez said.

“You could just see the reactions on the children’s faces and it was really neat to see. Their enjoyment made all of the hard work worthwhile.”

“We did this last year and it went well,” Teekell said. “[We did] our performances and also held a Q&A. The little kids were really adorable and they asked all of these questions about the different cultures and dances.”

>> CULTURE Page 11

KONY goes viral

By Micheal Tacchella Staff Writer

Google Images

By Katy Carscadden Staff Writer

The Funding Hopes & Dreams lunch was held at the Hilton in Newark on March 16th supported in the past and have made donaMoreau strives to provide a quality educations to tuition assistance or have made tion at an affordable price for the Mariner donations of a certain five hundred dollars community. or more to the school.”

In the past, Moreau has always been an While the luncheon is limited to those advocate of need-based grants to their students. But in the last four years, the average who Moreau invited based on their donaannual figure has doubled. This year alone, tion history, it was also possible to reserve 8 seats, as a table captain, through a collecMoreau granted in excess of 1.4 million tive donation of at least $1,000. dollars of need-based tuition assistance to roughly 30 percent of our students.

Several events and fundraisers help >>FUNDING HOPES Page 11 contribute to this massive fund, but one of the landmark perennial events is the Funding Hopes and Dreams Luncheon.

“This is the third year in a row that we are having ‘Funding Hopes and Dreams’ and we have an organized system for inviting people,” President of institutional advancement Tom Hyland said. “We The Mariner band played and accompanied the lunch. invited people who have

KATY CARSCADDEN/THE EXPLORER

A viral video that has reached over 70 million hits has exposed a brutal tyrant who has presented himself as a problem for Ugandans.

Or at least, had presented itself.

The video I Joseph Kony, a warlord in Uganda represents his dominance speak of is the Kony 2012 pro- over its children.

Youtube. The lack of a clearly presented paganda video, in disclaimer has misled many people into which the foundation Invisible Children thinking Kony is still a problem. explains how a war criminal named “The Lord’s Resistance Army was Joseph Kony and his military group, the expelled from Uganda six years ago and Lord’s Rebel Army, abducted 30,000 chilhas been reduced to a force of about 300 dren to use as soldiers and slaves. fighters now operating in South Sudan, “KONY 2012 portrays, in no uncertain the Democratic Republic of the Congo terms, the image of a madman who ma(DRC), and the nipulates children Central Afrispiritually for can Republic his own tactical (CAR),” Jocelyn gains,” the group’s Edwards writes website states. “In for the Globala 30-minute film, post. however, many Not only has nuances of the 26the information year conflict are been skewed, admittedly lost or but there has overlooked.” also been a huge controversy over the The foundation relies upon using portrayal of the Ugandan people that has merchandise and other marketing tactics arisen with the release of the video. to try and sell products in order to raise enough money to run the movement.

While this disclaimer has been pre>> KONY Page 11 sented on the foundation’s website, the disclaimer is nowhere to be found in the video or in it’s description panel on

Moreau funds hopes and dreams

2

OPINIONS

March 29, 2012

Must read’s and see’s

By Kathy Parra Staff Writer

about the book The Lord of the Flies.

Set on a deserted island, many groups of young boys are left to survive on their own.

I read this book last year, and I thought it was a very good book for various reasons. The main one being that it is, “labeled as a parable, an allegory, a myth, a morality tale, a parody, a political treatise, even a vision of the apocalypse, this book has established itself as a true classic,” according to goodreads.com.

Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell and Rob Lowe are just some actors who star in the movie, The Outsiders.

“His mother and father killed in a car accident, the dreamy Ponyboy lives with his oldest brother, Darry, and his second oldest, the ‘16 going on 17’ Sodapop, in a tumbledown house on the wrong side of

Trending Topic: Trends

town,” The New York Times said.

Ponyboy was still trying to figure out who he wanted to be and what he wanted to do in life. With no parents by his side for help, he had to rely on his brothers, but mainly on himself.

Filled with meaningful quotes and tear jerking moments, The Help is one of the best movies out there.

“This movie is an excellent adaptation of the bestselling novel about an unlikely rebellion in a Southern town in the 1960s among black maids serving white families and one white woman who wants them to tell their life stories,” The LA Times reported.

Not only does this book talk about racism, but it talks about how people really treat others, and how we go through life judging other people without knowing

Got an opinion?

By Elise Reyes Sports Editor

Want The Explorer to cover your next event?

what they go through.

I think this movie is a must see because it affirms the need for faith and selfesteem.

Aibileen, one of the maids, always had something reassuring to say. “You is kind.

You is smart. You is important.”

WAR!!

What is it good for?

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

Confucius said, “You cannot open a book without learning something.”

In high school, teenagers rarely read any book they aren’t assigned in class.

Here is a list of some novels and movies every student should read and watch.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a novel by Mark Twain, set in the late 1800’s. The story is told in the first person by the main character himself, Huck Finn.

“This classic novel includes frequent use of the ‘N’-word,” according to commonsensemedia.org.

“Children need some help seeing the stupidity of racism and the characters who espouse it. Huck has been taught to be racist, too, but he overcomes this, even though he thinks doing so is wrong.”

Everybody has their own opinions

Photos courtesy of Google Images

ELISE REYES/The Explorer

The iPhone 4S. Nike Free Runs. Thrifting/ Write us at: vintage clothing shopping. opinions@mcexplorer.com

By Josie Jayme These three things are totally different, yet they are also three Opinions Editor things that have one significant trait in common -- they are each among the most popular fads and trends in the Bay Area high

For many, the use of military force is a scary reality. school scene.

But for most of us in the United States, we can only imagine what if would be like for As a teenage girl growing up in soldiers from another country to invade our homeland. It’s been a tactic used throughout today’s society, I know for a fact history, from Spanish colonization to the war in Iraq. Although a brilliant means for nathat I have fallen “victim” to the tions to obtain what they want, the repercussions of military intervention are devastating. seemingly inescapable world of “I think military force should only be used when it’s necessary,” senior Janessa Catitrends. pon said.

“What good does it do to terrorize and put people in danger if there are already I own an iPhone 4 and I am problems between two countries?” absolutely infatuated with my Nike “The consequences of using force are highly uncertain, and the conditions for successFree Runs. Though I’m not all ful prevention are rare,” said Martin B. Malin in Using Military Force to Prevent Prolifthat into thrifting and shopping for eration.This form of foreign policy is normally used as a last resort, so countries refrain vintage clothing, I don’t totally rule from it through diplomacy. it out because there are times when Apple’s popular iPhone is a must have accessory.

Diplomacy refers to international relations between countries’ ambassadors. If two I’ll shop at a local thrift store and countries were to dispute about an issue, these ambassadors would find cute clothes and really good deals. communicate the issue in order to come to a resolution.

“A lot of trends have been duds, but some of them have been It was used during the Cuban Missile Crisis - a period of time pretty cool, like [the revival] of skinny jeans,” senior Anuraag when the world was on the brink of nuclear war. Problems were Kumar said. “[Trends] give our society a chance to experiment resolved once the United States asked Russia to dismantle its weapand try new things, which is required for a society to grow.” ons.

In return, the United States promised not to invade Cuba.

I believe that trends and what’s “in” are both good and bad.

Both a lack of violence and usage of communication can both be They represent the generations of today and, for the most part, are derived from this one incident, showing that verbal communication fun to follow and be a part of. can result in a more peaceful outcome than outright war.

But, they’re also timely, their “hipness” varies from person to However, there are those who think that diplomacy while vioperson, and they can bring many mixed responses. Trends are often lence is occurring is a waste of time. “It is war that shapes peace, in viewed in a negative light because they’re what everyone seems to armament that shapes war,” author and historian Thomas Fuller be interested in and a lot The U.S. and Russia avoided fullsaid. of people find that annoyscale war during the 1962 crisis.

Yet, the damage that can be exacted if a country were to attack ing and tiring. without using any diplomatic relations would be devastating. The “Too many people are lost lives of soldiers and innocent civilians would be staggering, judged because of trends,” and deflated economies would result in the loss of resources and junior Selina Perez said. inability to produce non-war-related products.

“It’s made a hierarchy in While military force can be a good result if all other plans fail, society because people a country should not be without an army, navy, or air force as well. are ranked based on what In order for a country to be successful in resolving conflicts, it is they have or what kind of always best to begin with diplomatic relation. clothes they wear.”

After all, as Benjamin Franklin said, “There never was a good Although trends are Senior Anmol Singh (left) talks “trends.” war.” typically used in reference to fashion and technology, they can also work for what’s simply popular and in style.

This includes different types of foods, sayings, social networks, Sports Editors Editor-In-Chief and whatever others feel is worth spreading around and making a Elise Reyes Athenie Galvez local, national, or even worldwide fad.

Jon Vivet “Sometimes, new trends are pointless, while others are actually Statement of Purpose: The Explorer is an open forum committed to Opinions Editors valuable to notice,” senior Anmol Singh said. “Most of the time, honest and fair coverage of news and informaStaff Writers Josie Jayme I feel [the] media [hypes] trends more than they need to be.” tion for the students of Moreau Catholic High Kathy Parra Jatin Kumar Trends have always been around. Since what seems like the School and its community. Students produce the newspaper and make primary decisions, Karanvir Singh dawn of time, people have created and followed well-liked and News Editors making every effort to distribute a high-quality Seth Borneman in-demand materials, products, and what society has deemed “the publication.

Dana McCall Katy Carscadden hype.”

Matt Ramson Anton Cardenas Yeah, some trends have been a bit questionable and slightly Letters to the Editors Policy: Matthew Comandante ridiculous (um, remember when Snuggies first came out? I -Letters must be signed. Anonymous letters will Features Editor Elissa Joseph still don’t see a purpose in wearing a backwards robe). not be printed.

Arianna Cruz -Letters will be printed as is except in the case Jaipal Kaur I find many trends to be wonderful because they have the of obscenity, libel, personal attack, or excesMichael Tacchellla potential to bring many different types of people together based sive length.

Health/A & E Editor -T he Explorer will edit minor grammar/spelling on common interests.

Karra Gardin mistakes without altering content.

Adviser: Dave Baptist Camaraderie and togetherness are essential in all societies, and trends can easily be a gateway for both.

ELISE REYES/The Explorer

THE EXPLORER

March 29, 2012

OPINIONS

3

Educational advantages: public vs. private schooling

I know that there are huge differences between the public and private schooling systems and that the environments are completely different. between the public and private schooling systems and that the environments are

completely different.

In many cases, as students, we are so used to smaller class sizes and permanent teachers that the announcement of a substitute teacher for us is a huge change.

However, at public school, it’s a different story.

“We would always have long-term substitute teachers and large class sizes at Winton, so it was a whole new experience to come to a smaller school with smaller class sizes,” senior Dzul Iscandari said.

These smaller class sizes are primarily attributed to the fact that we also have a much lower attendance rate than public schools in the surrounding areas.

This means that our smaller population causes us to be able to come together and know each other a lot better than if the school was four times the size it is now.

“Moreau differs from DVHS because the events seem a lot more close-knit.

When I go to the events at Moreau, I can

feel the sense of community in the room,”

senior Darrell Nielsen said. “I think counseling has helped. I know my counselor (Mrs. Heise) well and we met a lot.”

This sort of interaction is vital to get into the right college.

Furthermore, a larger school population often means students are exposed to more negative influences such as gang violence and drug abuse. Students must be much more aware of what goes on around them, so they learn to act accordingly.

“Public school exposes people to more dangerous situations but it all depends on the people you associate with,” said Paul Bautista, a senior at Mission San Jose.

Moreau, like most other small private schools, allows students to receive an education in a safe environment, focused more on academics than security.

In an economy where it’s harder to get a stable job right out of high school or college, we need that edge.

SETH BORNEMAN/ The Explorer

By Michael Tachella Staff Writer At some point, I’m sure many of us here at Moreau have wondered what our lives would have been like if we went to public school.

Would everything be different? Would we be the same as we are today ?

Unfortunately, we will never know.

However, being a kid who went to public school all my life before coming here, I know that there are huge differences

Senior Darrell Nielsen shares his opinions about public and private schools. said Ashley Johnson, a senior at Dougherty Valley. “Your events seem a lot more collective while ours are more individualistic.”

The collective element Johnson refers to is the sense of community our school promotes.

“I feel like Moreau is more demanding and challenging than most public schools.

Lenten promise: to do or not to do?

JOSIE JAYME/ The Explorer

obliged into doing so because it’s the right thing to do?

Whatever the reason may be, temptation plays the antagonistic role to weaken one’s own willpower and can knock a person down a couple of times. I think the number of times a person breaks their Lenten promise isn’t as merely as important as the goals they hoped to reach in the end of it all.

“I think some people keep promises because there’s something they want or need to change in their life,” senior Senior Joseph Kahrnoff explains what Celena Bonner said. happens during the Lenten promises.

No one doesn’t need to feel obliged or forced to sacrifice something just because it’s Lent. But instead, try looking at the benefits and rewards that come with sacrificing, not just the grueling journey that lies ahead of it.

If someone decides to give up their favorite candy because they want to feel healthier, there’s nothing wrong with that.

It’s a personal sacrifice and promise to become a better person.

After all, Lent is a time for personal reflection—a time to give up the things that prevent us from growing into the perStudents also promise to spend thier son we want to become in the near future. money more wisely, this Lenten Season.

JOSIE JAYME/ The Explorer

By Josie Jayme Opinions Editor Lent is a time of waiting. A period of forty days we patiently wait for to end so we can enjoy having our meat everyday again.

Even better--it is our official countdown until Spring Break finally arrives.

During Lent, we are asked to sacrifice the things that we love or enjoy having in order to prepare ourselves for the coming of Easter Day. “For me, Lent is usually a time where I feel closest to my faith.” Senior Crystal Esparza said. “When you give something that you like up, it reminds you of the sacrifices Jesus made when he was crucified on the cross.”

But like everything else a person does, sacrificing requires work. Once a few days pass, it becomes more and more hard to keep that promise.

“It depends on what you give up.”

Senior Joseph Kahrnoff said. “Everyone breaks their promise at some point.”

Does someone want to give up watching TV or being on the computer for endMany students promise to make healthier less hours to spend more time with their choices in the Lenten season, sadly they fail family because they want to or are they to live without fast food through the days.

The Twenty-Sixth amendment to the American Dream

By Anton Cardenas Staff Writer

How much our vote counts this fall in the Presidential Election

ATHENIE GALVEZ/ The Explorer

more active in the government when they the youth proves that the knowledge and are older,” strive of America’s young adults was Exposure to the community and difenough to boost the country in the right ferent aspects of government via media, direction. I believe that this is still true social events, and even school is enough today. to show 18 year olds what needs to change Education and social influence has in society and what needs to be improved. shown the young adults today that there Basic education on government and its are things that need to be changed in soprocesses gives young adults a good grasp ciety, and that same education and social on national and international issues that influence has prepared them to have a need to be addressed. mature voice in our government.

“The contrast is clear in the case of education. Because of the enormous impact of modern communications, especially television, our youth are extremely well informed on all the crucial issues of our time, foreign and domestic, national and local, urban and rural,” senator Edward M. Kennedy said.

Nixon and KenEligible voters will decide which candidate is best for America. nedy’s support for

MATT RANSON/ The Explorer

The power to vote lowed to vote and have a voice in their is one of the greatest government and society. Along with the freedoms granted to the right to vote comes social responsibilpeople of this nation. ity, and I believe that 18 year olds are “The ability to vote equipped with the tools needed to fulfill is the basis of the whole democratic idethat responsibility and fully engage in als. Without it society. you would “The reason I benot be able to lieve that your genercall yourself ation, the 11 million a democratic new voters, will do nation. The so much for America power to vote at home is that you gives people will infuse into this a say in the nation some idealism, government,” some courage, some senior Jaylen stamina, some high Wingard said. moral purpose, that Though havthis country always ing this right is Senior Cassie Boccaleoni talks about voting. needs,” President very special, not Nixon said in 1971 knowing the logistics or having the basic when he certified the 26th amendment that knowledge of what or who you are voting allowed 18 year old adults to vote. for can be very detrimental. Social respon“I feel that voting is very important sibility and knowledge of the community and I am glad to be part of it now since I around you teaches you the skill of voting am older,” senior Cassie Boccaleoni said. with insight, clarity, and respect.

“It is good that the young people have At the age of 18, US citizens are ala voice, because in the end they will be

OPINIONS

March 29, 2012

By Dana McCall News Editor

Photo by Dana McCall/ Explorer

It’s SAT time

4

SAT word of the Day: Abate Abate: Verb, To lessen a heavy load.

Abate your stress with different ways to study for the SAT.

SAT. These three letters bring on a flurry of emotion in the average high school junior. Dread, apprehension, pressure, and long hours of studying are often associated with the exam most popularly connected with college applications.

With spring soon arriving on campus, Moreau’s juniors have begun the SAT process. The March 10 test has passed, and many students took their first stab at the test on that date. “This was my first SAT, and I was really nervous,” junior Carl Basbas said.

A controversial aspect of the SAT process is the field of SAT preparation. Students -- and their parents -- often feel as if they need extra help in order to get an “acceptable” score on the test. With that in mind, they usually turn to either a prep class or a study book.

“SAT classes are great if you’re interested in taking them. They’re not so great if it’s your parents that are interested,” counseling chair Jim Patterson said.

Junior Kelsen Adeni participated in the Excel Test Prep course.“They showed us a lot of tricks for the math section,” Adeni said. “As a student who does better in English, it really helped -- they ingrain these principles and ideas into your brain until they’re almost second nature.”

Junior Lindsey Gutierrez took the SAT class offered at Moreau by Revolution Prep. “The instructors showed

us simple ways to solve or look at the questions which later made us think ‘Wow, that was easy. Why didn’t I know that before?’” Gutierrez said. “If I wouldn’t have taken the class, I would have never known how simple the questions really are.”

“On paper, the class looked lengthy, and I was skeptical, but once I got into it, it wasn’t that bad at all,” junior Neil Barot said.

Like Adeni, took the Excel Prep course. Compared to other prep classes he’s taken, Barot said that the

These are few of the many SAT books found in the counseling department that available for use.

Excel one was by far his favorite. “I felt like it gave me experience for the SAT and acted as a gateway for me to practice on my own,” Barot said.

Some students, as opposed to taking a course, prefer to study for the test on their own. Basbas purchased a study book to aid him. “I heard that the classes were a waste of money, and the book was a lot cheaper,” Basbas said.

However, the students who participated in the classes validated the courses’ worth. “I’d rather learn through a class -- there’s a difference between struggling through a 1500-page book and learning from a man or woman who’s studied the subject,” Adeni said.

“It was definitely worth the price to me.”

“I thought the class was a little expensive, but it was really helpful for me,” Gutierrez said. “I need someone to point to something and teach me -- I can’t teach myself nearly as well.”

“The process of SAT preparation is really all about individualizing the experience,” said Patterson. “It’s about working with the students and parents to find what works best for the family as a whole.”

Revolution Prep is one of the few SAT classes provided to juniors to help prepare them.

A friendly dose of tough love Education:

a shared responsibility

By Karra Gardin A&E Editor

Photo by Karra Gardin/ Explorer

Imagine this: A school where engaged in behaviors that increase their likelihood students back-talked their teach- for the leading causes of death among people aged ers, broke dress code everyday, from 10–24 years in the United States. skipped class, and had physical Detentions teach students that behavior comes altercations on campus.And, with consequences that could be far worse than a there were no consequences. None. Whatsoever. At school detention. Unfornately, however, the victims all. of this behavior are the ones that have to pay the For nine out of ten students, that would probprice. ably be the most desirable, sought after high school According to Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, experience of all time. nationwide, during the 12 months before the survey, For that one student, life would be hell.

19.9% of students had been bullied on school propThe use of detentions creates and reinforces erty and 1.1% of students had been in a physical campus safety and peace of mind. The official defifight on school property one or more times. nition of detention, the punishment of being kept During the 30 days before the survey, 5.0% of in school after hours, does not give the word the students had not gone to school on at least one day justice it deserves. because they felt they would be unsafe at school.

“The purpose of detention is to act as a deterrent. We hope that students don’t have to earn detention, but if they do, we hope that they are able to internalize it and seek to avoid it,” Assistant Principal Joe Huddleson said.

Regardless of what you may think, the main purpose of detentions is not to torture students for 30 minutes after school, but to instill in students respectable behavior in an educational setting-- or any public setting for that matter. Consider it a friendly dose of tough love.

“As professional educators, there must be a willingness to do whatever is necessary to comprehend the language of academics, behavior and discipline in the public schools of America,” writes Campus Supervisor Armando Ayala watches the Charles J. Smith, Sr., Ph.D. in School Discipline detention cast sit quitely for nearly half an hour. and Classroom Management: A Must for Improved Instruction.

Now, try to picture that ‘utopia’ I’d mentioned Students’ reckless behavior can be encouraged earlier, you know, about the back-talking and dress and even reinforced in the household if they are code. not receiving the proper punishment. For example, Doesn’t look so glamorous now, does it? parents with busy schedules aren’t always able Victims of students who exhibit erratic and to discipline their child and soemtimes are even out of control behavior with no consequences are unaware of their child’s behavior. suffering psychologically, emotionally, and even “I don’t think they benefit from it, especially if it physically. isn’t their first time,” senior Bianca Marquez said.

I’m not saying that detentions are going to solve “On the other hand, if it’s their first detention, I all the problems of the world and transform unsafe think it’s more beneficial because they’re scared of learning environments into institutions of peace and getting another one.” tranquility.

Results from a 2009 national Youth Risk BehavBut if one detention could make another stuior Surveillance indicated that many middle and dent’s day better because the student feels safe on high school students and young adults students are campus, then that detention has fulfilled its purpose.

By Katy Carscadden Staff Writer

Teachers have the job of paving the way for their students success.

Teachers are responsible for encouraging students to learn and for providing them with the necessary tools needed for an adequate education. Proper and correct information is necessary, and without it, students will be unable to have an adequate education.

“We do not want our students to be ignorant of anything they should know.” This principle comes from our school’s founder, Blessed Basil Moreau.

And our administration tries to make sure that the resources of the

Teachers are in charge of providing an environment in which students are welcomed. The children must be able to concentrate and operate within a classroom without distraction. school community are available and are wisely used for purposefully enhancing the pursuit of our common goals.

Teachers also have the task of planning and providing their lesson plans without letting their personal beliefs get in the way.

“Whether it be the start of the school year, the commencement of a new term or the start of a new position within a school, effective teaching, learning and classroom management depend on effective planning,” John Andrius from TeacherMatters.com said. “Planning is a value-based activity, thus it is important for teachers to be aware how their own values may inform their decision making.”

“We believe that every teacher, administrator, or staff member is called to share in the responsibility in creating and maintaining a safe and caring environment in which students learn to be competent citizens and committed Christians,” so states the Moreau Student Handbook.

Teachers are in charge of providing an environment in which students are welcomed. The children must be able to concentrate and operate within a classroom without distraction. By applying the school rules and having punishments for those who violate them, students have a higher chance of learning because they feel more comfortable in their environment.

Both students and teachers have responsibilities that are dependent upon each other. Both groups must function properly in order to have an effective academic environment.

March 29,2012

NEWS

5

Resurrection of the ping-pong tourney

Photos by Jatin Kumar/ The Explorer

By Jatin Kumar Staff Writer A familiar plopping to the tourney the school had waited for response to the Ping-Pong rhythm rang through since 2009. tournament. the air the first couple “The popularity of the tournament that “I think this year we have weeks in March. Ping was held two years ago, we felt that it great competitors in the tourPong is back at would be a very good event to bring back nament and it will be a very Moreau. this year,” said co-officer of the Intramuinteresting one. I give props The Intramural Club’s school-wide ral club senior Justin Traille. “We chose to the ones who organized tournament came to a close March 19 to hold the first two rounds of the tournait!” senior Ryan Ma said. as senior Chris Ragasa took home the ment at lunch, with the finals at a collaboThe tournament is filled championship title. ration period. There are 64 people in the with novice as well as adept Club coordinator Justin Traille reviewing results.

“It was an overall great experience and it bracket, but there is also a list of and adHe plans to take first place, if another seemed like everyone (who participated) over 15 alternates who signed up.” vanced players, all who tournament is offered at Moreau. had a And with aim at winning this The tournament was over, but there were good limited competition. more people to thank. time! sign-ups Even I had the “The maintenance staff did a phenomI’m just and space, privilege to play in the enal job in assisting us with both setting glad the students tournament, passing the up and taking down tables,” Traille said.

Intramuhave first round but getting “It required a lot of effort to get the ral Sports hurried crushed in the second. tables in working condition, and without Club to comMany like me have no the help of Mr. Alcott and his staff, it hosted plete the experience and still had would not have been possible. We cannot one this forms and fun at the tournament, year. I’m compete in and some feel nostalgic thank them enough for all the work that Championship game put senior Chris Ragasa against really the Pong and optimistic about the they did.”

The faculty and staff at Moreau x3 to happy that freshman Sina Abdollahian. classic. tournament and future Kevin Murray in action. another successful Ping Pong tournament I won this year, considering I only made it “There is a lot of buzz going on tourneys to come. concluded. With dedication and support to the quarterfinals at the previous tourna- around the school. Over half of the field “ I felt like I did good this year! I may from its school, it looks like the intramument two years ago!” Ragasa said. signed up on the first day that the tournahave not come in first, but getting to the ral club will continue the legacy of the Ragasa’s stunning game over freshman ment was announced,” Traille said. finals was an accomplishment,” AbdolPing Pong tournament.

Sina Abdollahian was the perfect close Students have had a very favorable lahian said.

Women’s flag football, twenty years in the making The Co-Curricular Committee, a new addition to Student Government, headed the formation of the proposal. “We wanted to move away from that negative image and just solely focus on the game of football. We mixed up the teams to avoid animosity and didn’t post up the rosters beforehand because we didn’t want to deal with any drama,” ASB CoCurricular Commissioner An- Senior Nicole Virrey sprints toward uraag the goal line.

Kumar said.

In December, the finalized proposal was sent to Mrs. Lek for approval. A few days before the end of the first semester, it was officially approved and women’s flag football was reinstated.

The event would take place during collaboration rather than at night, allowing for students to come but also creating a

By Athenie Galvez Editor In-Chief more manageable atmosphere. Girls from all four grade levels could participate and the teams would be mixed.

“In the past, juniors competed against seniors, which fed the animosity and aggressiveness in the game,” Teekell said. “Additionally, adult football coaches were asked to coach the teams as opposed to students.”

L’Heureux has high hopes for its future. “With the approval of the administrators, we would like to schedule the game for a Friday night.

We’d get the scoreboard up and running, and get an announcer. Most importantly, we’d like to give the girls an opportunity to get a few practices in before the big game.”

“The women’s flag football game is a great idea, and we’ve restructured event so that hopefully a new tradition can begin,” Teekell said. “Our hope is that the event created enough support and momentum so that the game can continue annually for many years to come.”

Photos by Athenie Galvez/ The Explorer

For the first time in 20 years, Moreau Assistant Principal of Student Life Kahosted a women’s flag football game. Two tie Teekell was pleased with how everyteams led respectively by football coaches thing turned out. “I enjoyed seeing a wide Logan Irons and Andrew Cotter competed range of students participating, with the during collaboration on February 24. The grade levels mixed. The players all seemed red team prevailed with the win 13-6. to have a really good time, and they “I was hoping that a lot of people would weren’t out to hurt one another or ‘beat’ sign up, a lot of people would watch, and anyone; they were just enjoying playing that everyone would enjoy themselves. the game,” she said.

That being said, I think we met those Moreau held an annual “PowderPuff” goals,” Senior Council Co-Curricular football game for decades which pitted Commissioner Richard L’Heureux said. the girls of the junior and senior classes Right from the get go, girls were excited against one another. Though popular, to sign up and have concerns with fun, becoming a part safety and of Moreau history in security at the the process. “I thought event led to its it was a good way to demise in 1991. meet new people and Sometime have fun with friends,” during the sophomore Danielle second quarVargas said. “I’m glad ter of school, to say that I was a part the topic of a of the first women’s Senior Jessica Marin comes out with the ball. women’s flag flag football game in football game 20 years.” was brought up during student govern“We were competitive,” junior Kristen ment’s zero period. Together government Leahy said. “But [we] had good sportsbrainstormed ideas, and as soon as it had manship throughout the game and were enough to work with it decided to write an laughing the whole time.” official proposal.

My precious greenbacks: As gas prices rise, politicians point fingers would move nearly 900,000 barrels of oil stateside daily.

“I feel president Obama’s decision was smart, because we only have one earth, but there is plenty of oil,” senior Jeremy Imlach said.

“The gas prices are surely tied in to politics, given what is going on with today’s political and economic situation,” senior Nick Rodden said.

This political decision has been under fire ever since, Bloomberg News stated that “Republicans including three of the party’s presidential candidates -- Mr. Santorum, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia -- have criticized President Barack Obama’s Jan. 18 rejection of Keystone XL after Nebraskans raised concerns about the pipeline polluting their groundwater.”

As Republicans criticize president Obama’s decision, they also begin the volley of negative sound bites and political commercials as the major parties gear up for the 2012 presidential election.

While some believe gasoline prices are that I would definitesimply becoming a matter of political ly have to look into By Seth Borneman warfare even Democratic former President before casting my Staff Writer Bill Clinton backed Keystone’s construcballot,” father Tito tion at a Bonoan Washingtonsaid. area energy However, what does this mean conference within our community? Many stating “the Moreau students may be seeing extra cost of the road a lot less as this school running it is year closes out, particularly infinitesimal due to the fact that as summer compared to approaches prices are likely to the revescalate even further. enues’ that Rising oil prices could also the pipeline Father Tito Bonoan discusses gas mean more expensive goods for stucould pro- prices. dents at Moreau, food prices, school duce.” supplies and about every product With the presidential election loomunder the sun is somewhat subject to the price of oil as shipping and production of ing and many Moreau seniors coming of goods is especially dependent on a large voting age, gas prices may alter Mariner supply of fuel. voting tendencies, however geographiAs alternate technologies continue to cally Bay Area voters tend to be largely develop, we may begin to see more fuel democratic. friendly and even electric-powered ve“The fact that the pipeline has not been hicles on the roads around the Bay Area. on my radar surprises me, it’s something SETH BORNEMAN/ The Explorer

Spring marks more than the beginning of blossoming trees and warm weather. With the arrival of spring comes an increase in travel and subsequently our cost at the pump. A combination of disagreements over the past months, concerning both Iranian and Canadian policies, have led to a huge increase in gas prices to the tune of 50 cents nationally.

With gas prices rising at a record-setting pace, American citizens are now fearing a $5 or $6-a-gallon price. If the price of gasoline were to reach these milestones, our national economic recovery could be severely jeopardized and this would certainly affect the upcoming presidential election.

Oil supply concerns have grown in the United States as well as Europe after tightened sanctions on Iran led to U.S. crude prices for future delivery being pushed to $109.77 on Feb. 24, the highest in nine months, according to data compiled by the Associated Press.

President Obama rejected the proposed $7.6 billion dollar Keystone Pipeline that

NEWS

WASC 2012 visit a success

By Matthew Ramson News Editor Luther Vandross sang, “Cause I’d love love love to dance with my father again.”

Moreau students were given that opportunity on March 2 as the Senate hosted a special father/daughtermother/son dance. For the first time, the two events were combined and collectively dubbed the Ohana Dance.

“It was nice to be able to bring your whole family instead of just your father or Students at the dance gather with parents and siblings to celebrate family. your mother,” senior Jade Santos said.

“I liked it a lot better than years past because it was a much bigger crowd and [it] was a lot more fun having everyone there at once,” junior Larry Maya said.

The night began in the Ivaldi Student Center, where families gathered for dinner catered by L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. During dinner, Poly Club, headed by president Jolee Espinosa, performed some traditional Polynesian dances.

Poly Club performs for the group of “[Poly Club] did a great students and their families. job in such a short span of time,” Senate Leader Ashley Nepomuceno said.

“Having the live performance was a good lead-in to Culture Week,” senior Karina Sanchez said.

The event then moved to the Main Gym for a night of dancing and family fun. The night’s events included a dance contest, costume competition, and a breakout of conga lines and limbo.

“I think the whole thing was run pretty well. The contests and the dinner, for that many people, were quick,” Senate moderator Ana Patterson said.

“I think that having the whole family there made people more excited Parents pose for a picture as they enjoy Hawaiaan barbecue catered by L&L. to dance. Hardly anyone was sitting on the bleachers, especially not during the dance contest,” Nepomuceno said.

There was some concern prior to the event in regards to how well it would go over, as this was the first time Moreau had decided to host a combined event, as opposed to the traditional two dances. However, attendees didn’t seem to mind; most were excited to have their whole families attend the dance.

“It feels more like a family event if you have siblings and can all go together,” freshman Joey Maya said.

“We might [keep it the same], because in the survey Mrs. Teekell put out, a lot of people were very pleased with it. And because a lot of people could bring their whole families, it was less limiting,” Patterson said.

Flipped classes change the way students learn Karanvir Singh / The Explorer

Over the past five years, Moreau’s laptop program has helped students and teachers bring themselves into the twenty-first century. But a few teachers take this use of technology to the next level, changing the way that students learn material.

Science teacher Joanne Couling and Social Studies chair Colleen Galloway have begun using what is called the FLIP method in their respective AP Chemistry and AP Government classes.

“The traditional definition of a flipped class is where videos [online] take the place of direct instruction,” Couling said. “This then allows students to get individual time in class to work with their teacher on key learning activities.”

Couling started applying this method just last year when she discovered numerous features that allow students to take learning with them everywhere.

Samhita Nanduri seeks in-class help from her AP “We make good use of [our] Chemistry teacher Joanne Couling. one-to-one laptop program,” Couling said. “I use Camtasia and YouTube for my podcasts, both made available through Moreau.”

These podcasts and videos are then uploaded to Moodle for students, and the classroom is officially flipped.

“Ms. Couling allows her students to watch podcasts and learn the lectures at home,” senior AP Chemistry student Jana Lee said. “I can watch her lectures whenever I want.”

By Karanvir Singh Staff Writer

Because the lectures are done through the podcasts or videos at home, what would in a normal class be “homework” is now done in the classroom.

“The class focuses on working on worksheets and clarifying concepts we didn’t understand during the podcast,” Lee said. “In other classes, students usually feel like they ‘get it’ at school but then when they go home and attempt to do homework, it doesn’t make any sense. [With this method], I can be more proactive with my learning.”

“In many ways, this idea allows class time to be more engaging,” senior Samhita Nanduri said. “We work with classmates on topics that we’ve learned already.”

Galloway also makes use of this method, but utilizes different technology provided on the laptop.

“Since all students have a computer, they all can have access to the PowerPoints that contain the information I would normally have to cover in class,” she said. “Class time can then be used to go more in-depth into topics and to apply and analyze the information they have learned.”

The benefits to this method are already visible, and the teachers hope their techniques will pay off on the AP exams.

“I would recommend other teachers consider the FLIP method for their classes if there is content for higher-order thinking activities,” Galloway said. “It is my hope [that] this better prepares the students for the AP exam.”

The students also feel that this way of learning is more efficient as well.

“With this method of learning, I can learn at my own pace at home, instead of getting bored at the rapid pace of classroom lectures,” senior Anmol Singh said.

FLIP has proved to be successful for classes across multiple departments “Practice does not make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect,” Couling said. “If the teacher is with you while you do that ‘practice’ then misconceptions and errors can be spotted and corrected right away.”

Photo by Brenden Espanola

DANA MCCALL/ The Explorer

A taste of Ohana

Photo by Brenden Espanola

By Dana McCall News Editor Every two years, we have the Olympics. Every four years, we have a presidential election. And every six years, we have WASC. A team of six people from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges visited Moreau from March 4-7, the culmination of a self-study report that took eighteen months to engineer.

But what exactly is WASC? “WASC is a process that every school, public or private, has to go through,” Assistant Principal of Campus Life Katie Teekell said. Since Moreau is a Catholic school, however, there is an additional layer of assessment – review by the WCEA (Western Catholic Educational Association).

The members of the visiting committee were educators from other Bay Area Catholic high schools.

“Everybody is a part of WASC – the idea is that you’re being examined by your peers; you’re not being judged by some outside entity,” Assistant Principal of Instruction Mike Aquino said.

The WASC process, which ultimately leads to a six-year accreditation, began back in 2010. “To be accredited, you have to develop a report. There’s a series of questions that you have to answer, and the answers have to be put into a book,” Aquino said.

To answer the questions, four focus groups of 10-12 people were formed from Moreau faculty, staff, parents, students, and board members.

Junior Scott Lowder was a member of one of these groups. “We met regularly to discuss our claims and how we could back up what we were saying with evidence,” said Lowder. “I remembered the accreditation process from when my previous school had gone through it many years back, so I was happy to be able to help out again.”

“The idea was to try to do a ‘bottom-up’ inclusion of everyone’s voice in the writing of the report – it was a group-authored endeavor rather than just one person writing,” said Aquino. “There was a group of about five people that edited the book in the end to make the final changes and put it all together.”

English Department chair Cheryl Steeb was a member of that core team. “We were each in charge of a different facet of the report,” Steeb said. “We also became the go-to group for when the visiting team had questions or issues. We were the first team to meet with them on Sunday when they arrived – they came with a lot of questions!”

When the visiting team arrived, they were led on a tour around the school by a group of Link Crew leaders. Senior Anuraag Kumar was one of those selected to lead the tour. “The committee members were so nice and connected with each of us,” Kumar said.

“I’ve done tours for Link Crew with parents and students before, so it was really natural.”

On Monday, the committee got its first look at a typical day at Moreau. “It’s not about ‘good behavior’,” Aquino said. “The focus wasn’t to be different from what we normally are, but to showcase what we do. We told teachers not to schedule tests during the visiting days – you don’t want to be walking around trying to see what students are learning, and all you see is them taking a test.”

Modern language teacher Henny Chen had a unique view on the WASC process.

“When I first started teaching at Moreau in 2007, the Modern language teacher Henny previous WASC accreditation had just happened. I had to go Chen displays her Smart Board. back and look at what I’ve been doing for the past few years and see if my curriculum really fit the ESLRs and such,” Chen said. “It was kind of like a journal for me – a reflection of my teaching here at Moreau.”

The main goal of the visiting team was to review and affirm everything that was written in the selfstudy report. “They weren’t trying to find anything wrong with us – they were trying to affirm what we’ve said about ourselves,” Teekell said.

Steeb, who has witnessed numerous prior WASC visits, said that this visiting team was very wellprepared in comparison to their predecessors. “This year’s process was extremely thorough – they really read the report and took the whole thing very seriously,” Steeb said. “It was very gratifying!”

Consequently, the school’s hard work paid off. “The WASC committee wrote a report and delivered it to us,” Aquino said. “The school got a very positive report! It highlighted how articulate students were, how much they knew about Holy Cross, and how they care about the school.”

But the process doesn’t end with the assessment.

“Now that we have the report,” Aquino said, “we have what we can start working on for the next six years! When they come back, they’re going to look at what we said we were going to do and check the degree to which we were able to do it. It’s really just the beginning of the next process.”

March 29, 2012

Photo by Brenden Espanola

6

March 29, 2012

Senior privilege

By Karra Gardin A&E editor

And we’re down to the last stretch.

In just under one quarter, the class of 2012 will become Moreau’s newest alumni. As the year slowly creeps to the finish line, anticipation and excitement for that sunny, spring morning at the Paramount seeps into the minds of 234 anxious seniors.

“It’s bitter sweet because when you’re younger

NEWS

7

A world of trouble A wake up call to global leaders Make the people happy.

It’s a task that many world leaders can’t seem to do.

As happy as you might be in your own shoes, there are people dealing with hardships you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. Some world leaders just need a bit of a wake-up call (or a loud one, for that matter).

We’ll start right at home: Dear Mr. President,

By Matt Ramson News editor

it a lot more dramatic.”

our government to get involved in.”

What really surprises me is that China hasn’t found itself in a hole, considering they rip off just about everything America does. Intellectual property is private property, but the Chinese seem to have no regard for this.

Meanwhile, India is sitting out in the far East, just hoping nobody noticed its family-run government, as just three years ago, The New York Times reported on how India’s president’s son was elected to the state assembly. Talk about keeping it in the family.

Recently, NBC News reported on a Chinese television program, “Da Peng,” making some noise when American show-host Conan O’Brien noticed its opening sequence was a complete rip off of his own.

“For years now, China has been ripping off America with cheap knockoffs, right? Well, China, if you’re gonna rip off my show, I think I should rip off [your] show, don’t you? And let’s see how you like it!” O’Brien said.

This letter doesn’t even need a premise; I just want to run my mouth off about family.

You do realize we’re $15 trillion in the Dear President Pratibha Patil, gutter right now, right? That would be 12 trillion more than when you were “Family first” is a value a lot of people inaugurated. What happened? There are grew up with. And I congratulate you people out here who are far below welon your family’s success, having two fare eligibility. Your political slogan in members appointed to government ‘08 was “Change” but the only changes positions at one time. But I think you we’ve seen are negative. The national have forgotten about the other families you can’t wait, but now that it’s coming up it’s actudebt has increased, we can’t seem to get in your country. While you sit at the top ally hitting me that we’re about to graduate soon,” out of a war that wasn’t even a war to So, China, it’s your turn to get of the table, the people underneath are senior Dania Delfino said. begin with, and nobody seems to be able ripped on: begging for mercy from the Gods above.

The end of senior year marks a time to celebrate to find a substantive job anywhere. You You have one of the worst overpopulaDear Mr. Hu Jintao, four years at Moreau and the new beginnings upon the need to get this ship back on course to tion crises ever on your plate, but it horizon. Senior Bar-B-Que, Grad Night, Senior Ball, the old America, where people were able doesn’t seem to be getting any better.

You might need a little lesson in integand of course to make honest livings in just about any Don’t you think this should be adrity. You run a country where the Ingraduation, industry. That would be nice. dressed? It’s important to share your ternet is heavily monitored, and you’re are just family’s success. Even the US is making just going to let copyright infringement Sincerely, some of strides to fix poverty and homelessness. slide? Seriously? On top of that, you We The People the many ripped off a show from the na- You’d expect India to be leading the activities charge in ending the issue. Just someThere is tion that produces much of its happening thing to think about. some defense merchandise in your country. in the month for Obama, all Half of the items in our stores Sincerely, of May to things considsay “Made in China”, but you An Observant American celebrate the ered. Senior want to undercut us by copydeparture of Imaad Zia ing the one thing we didn’t ask From East to West, everyone is dealthe class of Senior Dania Delfino reads the senior believes the for help on? In the simplest of ing with a bunch of issues, but putting 2012. privileges e-mail. timeliness of terms, that’s just not cool. How each other at risk is not okay. These But, one the President’s Senior Imaad Zia defends the about you just come up with leaders need to realize is that they are thing that many seniors have been anticipating as they term has some Obama administration. something original? It seriously some of the most powerful people in get closer to graduation is the senior privileges that weight on the issue. isn’t that hard. the world. They just need to use that will lead up to their final day at Moreau. power the right way.

“I think what entices seniors to senior privileges “Obama’s term started right at Sincerely, is that it’s a mystery until it’s actually time to have the collapse of the market. Without AMERICA them,” senior Gina Recuero said.

Obama and his administration, we “China won’t do anything about And, because proposals change every year, it is would be much worse off than we it if it’s helping their entertainment up to the class to draft and get senior privileges apare,” Zia said. “One of the reasons the business, ” senior Chris Ragasa said. proved. numbers seem so high are the war “I wouldn’t approve of it, but there’s However, the process of proposing and attaining costs were added to the national debt, nothing we can do about it, since it’s a privileges is not so simple. For the past few months, something that wasn’t done under the whole different jurisdiction over there. senior council and administration have been drafting Bush administration. Naturally, adding Senior Chris Ragasa responds to I don’t think it’s a big enough issue for and discussing this year’s privileges. a $6 trillion war to the debt will make the infringement issue.

“We combined what we knew were privileges from previous years, then we discussed as a council privileges that would actually be passed and threw in some crazy imaginary privileges that were not a guarantee,” senior class senator Percival Perlas said.

The proposals were then sent to the administration

By Karanvir Singh and they decided which privileges to grant seniors.

“We granted the privileges that were realistic and Staff Writer stay within the mission of the school,” AP Katie As a college preparatory high school, Moreau Catholic Weeks before March, English teachers gather to make Teekell said. aims to make sure that students receive the best possible the assessment.

Many of the privileges this year are similar to education.

“Same-grade teams of teachers within the English last year with only slight changes in the dates they Consequently, the English department administers a department use are started. Also, finals for specific departments are school-wide Reading Comprehension Assessment each recommended pasexcused if the student’s average GPA for the semester spring. sages and quesis an A- or above. The specific departments this will The test “is the English department’s way of monitortions from College apply for remains unknown. ing and measuring, over time, the effectiveness of our Board, so all of sequential critical reading program,” English department the questions and chair, Cheryl Steeb said. “We will administer it each year correct answers in March, so that we may track the trends in improvement are valid and vetas well as the patterns of error so that we can adjust our ted,” Steeb said. instruction to address the indicated skills.”

Some students Although the assessments are not graded as an individu- felt that the over- Mrs. Steeb weighs in on the reading al assignment or test, they are evaluated and then reviewed all test was easy, comprehension assessment.

1. Early Collaboration Dismissal at 1:35 if you in class by the English teachers. while others felt have a 3.0 GPA and a signed form authorizing “The benefit for students is an accurate glimpse into that it was more on the difficult side. your eligibility to leave campus early. their current reading comprehension skill level, which is “I though that the test was moderately easy because I great information to have going into the PSAT, SAT, or AP finished my SAT and ACT’s,” senior Karthik Gudipati 2. Free dress starting May 14th and going Exam of any subject,” Steeb said. said.

“The questions of this test were very similar to the through finals week.

Students also agree that the senior Reading Comprehension ones I encountered in those standardized tests.”

Assessment is important.

“Reading comprehension isn’t my strongest area, and I 3. Excused from finals if have an A in the “It helps the teachers see where students are in terms of didn’t do that well on that section in the SAT,” senior Ryan semester (only applies to certain departments). being able to grasp the concept of stories,” senior Alyssa Ma said. “But it was easier than the SAT because there was Simon said. “This is important because understanding and more time given to us. Making sure the answers were coranalyzing a story is a basic everyone should know.” rect was still difficult, though.”

The end of senior year marks a time to celebrate four years at Moreau and the new beginnings upon the horizon.

KARRA GARDIN/The Explorer

MATT RAMSON/ The Explorer

The ungraded key to curriculum

KARANVIR SINGH/ The Explorer

Senior Privileges Sneak Peak

FEAT

8

ASB 201 Vice President

Lisa Machado

Bryan Quibol

President

Slogan: “Without you, there is no ASB president.Without you, there is no ASB. You, Moreau, complete me.”

Fun Fact: Named after Sydney, Australia

Fun Fact: Fluent in Spanish and sounds like the Dark Knight

Congressman Mark Salinas addressed the delegation about the voting process.

Delegates line up to nominate candidates and cast their votes.

Why run: “Father Moreau Day videos inspired me to want to be on ASB.”

Rigo Carvajal

Sydney Cariel

Public Relations

Politics in

In politics, choosing the right candidate is very important. An ASB convention on Friday, March 16th, students were able to ch their candidates for the 2012-2013 ASB Executive Council. Our tion mirrors the state primaries and caucuses taking place this c season.

“In a national convention states are represented by their state r tatives based on population and are given a certain number of cordingly,” Assistant Principal of Campus Life Katie Teekell sai larly, each homeroom has representatives, or delegates at our co and the number of delegates is based on the size of each class. Th egates serve as representatives of the entire school much like the for states represent their constituents.”

And to kick off the convention, Hayward councilman Mark S talked to the delegation and told them the importance of the pro “You should be looking at your classmates that are not afraid t If there going to talk about leadership and work. They should be go up and do it. It’s important to pick the right leader. Politics is n popularity contest,” Councilman Salinas said.

Many student-delegates took Salinas’ advice and studied what dates had to offer.

URES

9

12-2013 Scott Lowder

Calyx Embry

Secretary/ Treasurer

Fun Fact: Dental assistant at Tri-City Dentistry

Lauren Bellow

Activities Commissioners James Carroll

Slogan: “Ginger power.

Vote for Lowder.”

Senate Leader

Slogan: “I’ve rallied behind all of you and brought you hope. Rally behind me and be my hope.”

Why run: “I like to experience new things and thought this would be a good opportunity.”

nd at the hoose convencampaign

represenvotes acid. “Simionvention These deldelegates

Salinas ocess. to work. able to not a

t candi-

By Matthew Comandante Staff Writer “One of the main things that I found being important for a candidate is having experience because people need to know what they’re getting into.

Because council isn’t easy, and being on ASB is a lot of work,” senior Sofie Aguirre said.

But in addition to choosing those who are right for the job, many students learned about how political conventions actually work.

“It helped me learn more about the political process because we are electing people to lead,” sophomore Nitin Bajaj said.

During the convention, delegates placed their votes for pre-declared and off-the-floor candidates. And for all of the candidates, this convention was a new experience.

“It was scary at first, and I was kind of nervous, but in the end I had my speech prepared. I was really organized with what I was going to say, and I knew that I really wanted the job,” junior Lisa Machado said.

After spending the whole day debating the merits of the candidates, the convention came to an end. And with all positions being filled, the future of ASB looks very promising. Congratulations to all those who won, and good luck to whoever will lead our school as next year’s ASB council.

Current ASB, headed by President Marcus Coronel, pass down the torch.

ATHENIE GALVEZ/The Explorer

n Action

HEALTH

10

By Karanvir Singh Staff Writer

One-two-three-four-five. Now alternative activities as well as the other leg. One-two-three… the value of physical activity.”

These are the typical sounds we According to a 2009 Center hear from PE classes as they for Disease Control study, 46% begin with their stretches. But if of high school students are not the current pattern continued, we attending any Physical Education may not hear these sounds any class at their school. In addition, longer. only 3.1% of elementary schools Across the country, students provide daily physical education. from elementary school to high “It is most important to teach school are dealing with the young children in the elementary sudden schools the decreases importance in Physiof physical cal Edufitness,” said cation PE teacher classes.

Janet Although Chrisman. there are “Patterns plenty of develop justificaduring this Students prepare for basketball with drills. time that tions, the debate will carry continues about whether this through the rest of their lives. decrease is right for the future of Unfortunately, these are the America. places that Physical Education “Physical Education is more was first cut.” important now than ever before,” One of the many reasons why Athletic Director Christine schools are taking away the class Krisman said. “With the childis due to increased pressure to hood obesity epidemic, and the increase standardized scores, rise in stationary activities like says a report by Stewart Trost, computers, and video games, it an assistant professor of exercise is important that students learn sciences at Oregon State. By tak-

ing away P.E. and focusing more on academics, schools believe they can increase their students’ scores.

However, a number of studies have shown otherwise. This includes a 2007-2008 study of 2.4 million students found that students who were more physically fit from PE, are more likely to do better on standardized tests than those that are not.

“I don’t think it is okay for schools to get rid of PE to focus more on academics,” senior Anuraag Kumar said. “Growing as a student happens in other places besides the classroom, like in PE” But the encouragement to take PE classes is definitely decreasing “Universities are creating an environment where high school students need such heavy academic loads because of admissions requirements, often neglecting PE.,” PE teacher Logan Irons said. “This is done to the detriment of the student’s physical wellbeing and [the PE department] finds this upsetting.”

Another reason why Physi-

Karanvir Singh / The Explorer

Keeping it active

March 29, 2012

cal Education is decreasing is because of the current state of the economy.

“Our current economic climate is not creating enough tax revenue to continue to fund public school Physical Education,” PE teacher Andrew Cotter said.

Today, less than 31% of Mr. Irons believes in the value of Physical Education. students in and decrease the child obesity California passed the physical fitness exam, epidemic.”

In fact, up to $14 billion dolaccording to the Los Angeles lars are spent annually on obesity Times. related health care costs. The Linda Hooper from the State overall annual cost is $177 bilEducation Department believes lion dollars. that the budget cuts are to blame With this epidemic in mind, for the small percentage. “With the PE is emphasizing the need the budget crisis, PE and athletics have become less important,” to teach life skills and an overall appreciation for fitness.

Hooper said.

“It’s like the saying ‘if you “P.E. is important, with or give a man a fish, he eats for a without budget cuts,” senior day. If you teach a man to fish, Savanna Ulloa said. “It helps increase the health of our society he eats for the rest of his life,’”

Karanvir Singh / The Explorer

In(flu)enza

How students are dealing with the flu virus Matthew Comandante Staff Writer

Matthew Comandante / The Explorer

In attendance, Karen Strawn helps sick students.

Samhita Nanduri fights her cold.

That moment when your throat starts to burn, your head begins to pound, and your ability to breathe becomes difficult. If you have experienced these symptoms at any given time, it’s most likely you have the flu.

During these past few months, students at Moreau have began experiencing these symptoms for themselves.

“Flu season’s late this year. Last year it began in the fall, but this year it started during late winter up until right now,” said Karen Strawn in the Attendance Office.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), flu season has just arrived in the United States. What does this mean for high school students like us? Well it means that we are currently vulnerable to getting sick, which is no fun at all.

“The worst part of feeling sick is the inability to do anything well. All you think about is how your head is pounding and your need for a third tissue box,” senior Samhita Nanduri said.

All of us can agree with Nanduri on how being sick

leaves us with this feeling of being incapable to do anything. But what is it that exactly causes us to be sick?

According to teenshealth.org, the flu is a virus that affects the respiratory system. It can be spread through the air. With students speaking, sneezing, and touching objects that can carry germs getting sick at Moreau isn’t difficult.

“There’s always that one friend who’s sick that manages to track you down and get you with their sickness,” junior Derek Buss said.

Despite the many sick people that are all around us, there are still ways to keep from getting sick.

“I make sure to stay away from people who are sick, always wash my hands, and not share drinks with people,” sophomore Danielle Vargas said.

Doing the simple things like washing your hands are ways to help keep the germs away. But if you’re one who wants to ensure they don’t get sick there are many precautions you can take.

According to the CDC, practicing good health habits such as getting enough sleep and exercise can help prevent the flu. In addition, eating healthy and drinking lots of fluids is good too.

Because during this flu season taking care of yourself is what will help you remain healthy and not sickly.

Home grown or lab raised?

Photo courtesy of http://blog.friendseat.com

By John Vivet Sports editor A lab experiment, with a side of fries please.

Dutch scientists from Maastricht University have started growing meat in labs, and according to “Real Science US”, a slider-size beef patty that has been synthesized in the Netherlands should be ready to grill by October.

Using cow-muscle stem cells as the base of the patty, researchers hope that this artificial meat will be the trend of the future. With meat consumption predicted to increase by 60% by 2050, alternative meat sources might become imperative to satisfy the high demand.

“I’m not really sure I’d even try it,” sophomore Cristina Pearsall said. “I mean, it might be the best thing I’ve ever

tasted, but it just seems strange to eat meat that never even came from an animal.”

An FDA-approved stem cell meat product is 10-20 years from reaching the mass market. Manufacturers have plenty of time to change the public perspective.

“As long as it was tested and proven safe, it would just be like eating other meat substitutes like tofu,” junior Kristen Leahy said.

According to Stanford University Medical School biochemist Patrick Brown, creating a more environmentally friendly meat substitute in labs would use approximately 40 percent less energy than traditional livestock.

This pseudo-meat would be infused with all of the same nutrients as its natural

counterpart. In developing nations without the natural resources to raise livestock for food, lab-grown meat could offer an interesting solution to food demands if any manufacturers were willing to take the risk.

“It’s better for the environment than natural meat,” junior Sydney Cariel said. “Plus, if it tastes just like natural meat, it doesn’t make any sense not to try it.”

Even with severe price reduction, money, and the technology to mass-produce, the lab-grown meat probably would barely dent the problem of world hunger. Yet it does create the opportunity for a whole

new market on premium meats to appear.

“I think it’s a great idea,” senior Lorenz Bautista said. “ It’s really strange to know it’s not from a cow or a real animal. At first I’d probably think it was too strange to try… but at the end of the day with the population and demand for meat rising it’s a really smart idea to find a another source for meat.”

NEWS

11

By Jaipal Kaur Staff Writer

Throughout every school year, Moreau Catholic holds an array of fundraisers, for a variety of causes.

The Office of Institutional Advancement, located on the third floor, oversees many of these functions.

Simply, fundraising is essential to keep our school up and running.

“Moreau needs to fundraise because our school can’t improve until we have the money to improve it,” senior Victoria Aceves said.

Even though we go to a private school and pay tuition, many department budgets and school operations require more funds and additional revenue sources.

“There is a perception that Moreau Catholic is a very wealthy school so there isn’t a need for fundraising, and that is not true,” Director of Institutional Advancement Thomas Hyland said. “The school is able to operate from year to year based on tuition. But it’s because other people have contributed that we are able to move on.”

Tuition and fees only cover about 89% of the total cost to educate a student at Moreau. This leaves a gap of roughly $1,900 per student needed to fund the school’s operating costs.

To fill that gap, the school needs to fundraise.

President Terry Lee explained the reason why the school doesn’t charge each student the full cost of tuition is because it would get too expensive.

Throughout the year the school holds a variety of fundraisers that each benefit different things. Starting off with the annual fund, which is broken down to parent and alumni appeals. During this process the IT Department ask parents and alumni to contribute money to the school.

And since our school counts as a non-profit organization, every donation made is tax deductible.

Another fundraiser every student should be familiar with is the student fundraiser, in which the money goes towards a direct purpose. Over the past few years we’ve got new TVs, a upgraded theater, a renovated grotto and much more.

To benefit the athletics program at Moreau, the school holds an annual Crab Feed, which has been going on for 43 years.

About 30% of the students that attend the school are on some type of aid. So to raise money for the tuition

Jaipal Kaur/The Explorer

Importance of Fundraising

assistance program there is the Funding Hopes and Dreams Luncheon (s Moreau also gives out scholarships to incoming freshmen, and the Annual Brother Gary Stone Golf Tournament raises the money specifically for that.

One of the points of fundraising is to make sure every student receives the best education possible.

“The work that we put into fundraising is really to support every single student in [this] school,” Alumni Relations Coordinator Dani Lorta said.

Parents, alumni and organizations are not the only ones that give money to the school. Every faculty and staff member donates money each year depending on how much they can give.

In the end, it’s more about participation than the amount, that’s why all families are encouraged to donate.

“I hope everyone becomes a donor, and can feel the pride of knowing that you’re a part of a legacy of this school,” Lorta said.

Dani Lorta and Tom Hyland hard at work, going through all the paperwork and plans for the next few upcoming fundraising events.

>> FUNDING HOPES from Page 1

>> KONY from Page 1

Michael Tacchella/ The Explorer

“As a result of Invisible Children’s irresponsible advocacy, civilians in Uganda and central Africa may have to pay a steep price in their own lives so that a lot of young Americans can feel good about themselves, and a few can make good money,” writes Adam Branch of the Makerere Institute of Social Research.

“I got into the movement and I was going to buy the action kit, a collection of Kony 2012 pieces of merchandise, but they were all sold out when I wanted to buy it,” junior Sahaj Patel said.

However, one problem with the video that has caused it to receive negative attention is that much of the information used isn’t fully accurate.

The video has not only caused controversy over the Ugandan people’s portrayal, but over relief to Africa as a whole.

“Kony has been in Uganda causing problems for around ten to fifteen years and just now people in the more developed part of the world are hearing about him. The thing that bothers me the most is that we focus on Kony rather than

the problems with rape, murder, and sickness in Africa,” theology teacher Jaime Fernandez said.

There are bigger problems occurring in Uganda and many of the Ugandan people feel that the stop Kony movement is more disrespectful than it is helpful. Some of their main problems now are huge things that have managed to be ignored by this foundation. The country’s president and the lack of educational systems implemented in the country are currently causing more problems than Joseph Kony is.

“There has also been a massive backlash against the fact that the Invisible Children organization openly supports the 30-year dictator of Uganda Yoweri Museveni, a man who resorted to election fraud last year to hold on to power and has been implicated in murders and acts of genocide against his own people,” Paul Joseph Watson writes on Infowars.com.

While the Invisible Children foundation avoids presenting the current problems of the Ugandan people and has released an inaccurate video documentary to the whole world, it has done a good job of making a video go viral all over the internet in a matter of a few weeks.

Theology teacher Jaime Fernandez weighs in on his point of view for Kony.

>> CULTURE from Page 1 Student leaders and those a part of each group were notified weeks prior to this year’s actual Culture Day in order to have enough time to rehearse the routines.

“Preparing for Culture Day was super stressful because we had to have our performance ready early this year,” Sanchez said. “Last year, we performed at St. Felicitas, but it was a week or two after Moreau’s Culture Week.”

“[Since this event was] two weeks earlier than Culture Week, we had to prepare an early dance in time,” Filipino Club member and junior Darien Rivera said. “[The preparation] for this event gave us a better basis and established more structure with participation for Culture Week.”

“The preparation for this event was kind of crazy,” Indian Club dance participant and senior Maddy Pruneda said. “We only had about three weeks to learn the dance, but I believe that we managed to pull it off.”

Each routine also had significant meaning pertaining to each culture represented. “[The dances] were from different areas of India,” Indian Club member and sophomore Nitin Bajaj said, “so not only did we show popular cultural dances—we Indian club members share with showed different parts of the counthe school the different Indian try and not just a part of it.”

“The dance really represented the uniqueness of our club,” Rivera said. “It dates back to the roots of Filipino culture and [it’s] a very vivid way to express our heritage and truly represent our club’s focus.”

With stress, time management, and participation playing big roles in not only the production of the Culture Day, but also the plans for Culture Week, the clubs were collectively feeling the pressure to balance all aspects of performing.

“We had a bunch of practices and even though there were times when people wouldn’t show up, we still managed to come together as a club to make things work out in the end,” Indian Club president and senior Crystal Pereira said.

After successful performances, the clubs got the chance to conduct a Q&A session with the St. Felicitas students, who, along with the performers, were content with the outcome of the dances.

Many club members have high hopes for Moreau’s upcoming Culture Week.

“If everything goes the way we want it to, [Culture Week] should turn out really well,” Pereira said. “The outfits and the formations are going to look really nice. My main concern is everyone being able to learn the dance on time.”

These Mariner clubs put on a great production for the students of St. Felicitas. Culture Week is fast approaching and the talents of Moreau will be on display for all to see on March 29.

Elise Reyes/The Explorer

But the most exciting donor this year was is one that is near and dear to my family’s heart. I Fremont Bank. know for a fact that our family could have never “Our friends at Fremont Bank have made a afforded full tuition and without financial aid, it very generous donasimply wouldn’t have tion and they’re payhappened” Maya said. ing for the lunch and Rillamas’ fameverybody who comes ily suffered through to the lunch can eat hardships during the for free, but they are 2009-2010 school asked to make a donayear, and through the tion. Plus, we do have need based tuition assome anonymous sistance programs she donors who agreed to was about to continue match dollar for dolat Moreau, graduatlar, up to 45 thousand ing with honors, all dollars,” Hyland said.

The event featured Alumni speakers Rick Maya ‘90 and Jennifer Rillamas while going on to speeches by Rick ‘11 give their input on why tuition assistance is impor- the University of Portland.

Maya ‘90 and JenniBy donating donors knew with confidence fer Rillamas ‘11. Maya is the Superintendent of they were helping better our society by providing Catholic Education for the Sacramento Diocese young, studious people with financial backing to and is responsible for the division of over 55 support their academic aspirations. million dollars in assets over 3 high schools and “This event is not only funding hopes and 10,000 students. dreams, it’s creating them,” Rillamas said.

“The gift of a Moreau high school education

Photos courtsey of Communitcations

March 29, 2012

12

Draw it. Snap it. Sculpt it.

Moreau’s artists showcase pieces off campus

Photo Courtesy of Brooke Safranek

Junior Catherine Farinas in front of her painting.

Junior Catherine Farinas in front of her painting.

around me.”

After sending in all their hard work, they had to suffer through a waiting process to see how their artwork got judged.

“The waiting process was a couple months and I wasn’t really worried about it because I had other things to do and I entered other contests and other scholarships so it was kind of on the back burner,” Imana-Lyemyra said.

“I feel honored! I love art and photography in particular. I’m very glad that I can share my work with others. Even though they’re critiquing my work, I’m still happy to be a part of the whole art community.

Sometimes hearing how the judges reviewed can be hard, but it can always be taken as a learning experience.

KARRA GARDIN/ The Explorer

grown to the point where he now owns 36 pairs of shoes. “I love getting my hands on a pair of shoes that is rare and other people want. That’s part of the excitement of the hobby as well. Going out and finding that rare pair.”

“Shoes make my outfit,” senior Sean Regner said. Having shoes as a capping feature to a daily outfit is something that people take very seriously.

“Buying shoes has grown on me as well. Once you get one pair, getting another one is always on your mind,” Regner said.

These collections also have sentimental value. “For any of my shoes I could tell you the history, inspiration, and/or the significance of the shoe,” senior Zachary De Castro said. Out of his 40 plus pairs of shoes, knowing the history and significance to each one signifies dedication.

“Admiring Micheal Jordan as a basketball player makes his shoes even more important to me,” De

By Anton Cardenas Staff Writer Photo Courtesy of Edgar Surya

Edgar Surya owns 82 pairs of shoes.

By Katy Carscadden Staff Writer

date, I had to do everything overnight which was a lot more money, but i guess it was worth it.”

Anything can become an inspiration for a great artist.

“My pieces are mostly aimed to bring emotion and feelings to things that don’t,” junior Catherine Farinas said. “I am not sure what gives me inspiration really, but if I had to choose something it would be the feelings and emotions of the environment

Shoes not worn, but collected Some of us own maybe three to four pairs of shoes, maybe some of us own up to ten.

Though that seems like a reasonable amount, some people around Moreau have made a hobby of purchasing and collecting shoes.

The title I have heard for people like this is “shoe heads”.

“Shoes are a big part of my life and my culture. Buying and acquiring them is something that I am addicted to,” senior Adam Sagapolo said. His shoe addiction started in the seventh grade.

Pair by pair, his collection has

March 29, 2012

Photo Courtesy of Brooke Safranek

Students at Moreau have spent all year creating many forms of art. Displaying their art across the city in different art museums and online art contests, students get a chance to show off their talent outside of Moreau.

“I have entered many of my photographs in most, if not all, of Moreau’s art shows,” senior Jonathan King said. “I’ve entered a few contests such as local newspaper photo contests, but that’s the farthest I’ve gone in terms of entering art shows.”

Junior Catherine Farinas, senior Jonathan King and senior Marlene Imana-Lyemyra soon ventured out of their usual territory and began joining higher ranked contests such as the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards contest. “[Mrs. Nelson] was pushing everybody to enter the contest and I originally wasn’t going to do it,” senior Marlene Imana-Lyemyra said. “Then she brought it up two or three days before the due date.

She kept nagging about it so I ended up saying ‘okay fine’ and I entered it.”

These students had to put in a lot of work in order to get their art pieces entered into the contest.

“I had to pick my pieces, then we had to send the files and print out paperwork and then send that paperwork physically with money,” Imana-Lyemyra said. “Because it was like two days before the due

A&E

Castro said. He currently owns 43 pairs of shoes.

“I have been big into fashion and the hobby of shoe collecting since the 7th grade,” junior Edgar Surya said. “I buy so many shoes because it gets addicting. Once you get a new pair, you want another pair right away and it just keeps on piling up.

Buying shoes keeps me busy and it teaches me responsibility with money. Selling and purchasing shoes has taken a lot of money handling” said Surya.

Spring Pops Concert

By Kathy Parra Staff Writer “At last, my love has come along, my lonely days are over, and life is like a song...”

The Moreau Catholic Choir hosted their annual Pops Concert.

“I really like singing, and Mr. Barton is a great choir director and teacher,” senior Jocelyn Crittendon said.

Mr. Barton did a great job choosing all the songs for the choir groups to sing.

“The music must be reviewed for its educational value as well as its musical relevance to the concert. The skill level of the ensemble must also be taken into account,” choir director and teacher Scott Barton said.

Many of the musical pieces performed in the show were, “All that Jazz,” from the Broadway musical Chicago, “Believe in Me,”

by Demi Lovato sung by senior Katie Pruneda, and “At Last,” by Etta James sung by seniors Hawa Foster, Marianna Alfaro, and others.

“This year we were able to set up better sound equipment, rehearse using the theater more often, and hire professional musicians to supplement the choir,” Barton said.

To prepare for this concert, a large number of people were involved in the process. “The MCHS marketing department also puts a great deal of time in preparing posters, programs, and publicity,” Barton said. “The theater technical crew also deserves a great deal of credit for setting up lights, sound, stage materials, and ‘running

“It truly takes an army of people to

put an event such as this together!” the show’ for the singers. Without their the production it wouldn’t be nearly as exciting.”

“Finally, student, parent, and teacher volunteers are on duty the night of the concert,” Barton said. “It truly takes an army of people to put an event such as this together!”

It can be hard for a first timer to perform on stage but with some faith you can overcome all your fears. “I was nervous but as soon as I got on stage I knew everything was going to be better,” Crittendon said.

The performances were all amazing and the songs were both classic and modern.

“My favorite performance was the one from Chicago,” Crittendon said. The ladies’ honors choir gave the songs “Razzle Dazzle” and “All that Jazz” a twist and some sassiness by putting their hands on their hips and snapping their fingers.

“Since the 2011 Pops Concert was during my first year at Moreau, it was pulled off with a sense of a ‘learn as you go’ attitude from everyone involved. It was also the first year that we were able to hold the concert in the Theater which adds a number of different opportunities and challenges,” Barton said.

Last year, there was a ‘Pre-Pops Concert’ that was held in the library a day before the actual Pops Concert.

“Performers were able to showcase their talents directly in front of their friends in a casual informal environment. It was a different audience then during the pops concert so I think students enjoyed having this opportunity,” librarian Anne Arriaga said.

Senior Katie Pruneda performing at Pops.

The wonderful world of Oz. . .The Wiz that is

Director Scott Barton and the choir.

By Jatin Kumar Staff Writer

Moreau’s theatre arts department hosts its annual spring musical this April 20. begin to put it all together scene-by-scene, followed by rehearsing everything in each But what is this year’s much anticipated production about? act until we reach the week of technical rehearsals, and finally, “We are doing The Wiz by Charlie Smalls and William F. the last four dress rehearsals when we add costumes, makeup and Brown. It’s a contemporary retelling of Dorothy’s adventures in wigs,” Hood said. the Land of Oz with a lively mixture of rock, gospel and soul muThe cast and the crew have made sacrifices so that they can sic,” director Arlene Hood said. create the perfect musical.

Written and produced for Broadway in 1975, it was first com“The musical consumes a lot of my time so you really don’t piled primarily for an all-black cast to celebrate African American get time to mess around unless you are on top of things. I don’t culture. get home till about seven PM and usually don’t start homework “The frosh class has [many] dedicated and enthusiastic cast until eight PM or even later. But, it’s all worth it in the end,” and crew. Haley Cantrell is wonderful in training as our Assissenior Miguel Angeles said. tant Stage Manager. We also have some wonderful choir students As the musical edges close to its release, some are filled with participating in various roles, including Reed Flores and Hawa anticipation while some are emotional.

Foster,” Hood said.

“I am a bit nostalgic about leaving the Moreau theatre. After Practice and dedication are the drive for the musical. all I practically live in there. But I have learned a lot from theatre.

Senior Miguel Angeles and sophomore “For the first 5 or 6 weeks, rehearsals are broken down into I will make sure never to forget the crazy times that I had with the Helene Malonzo rehearse lines from The Wiz music, dance, and staging rehearsals. Starting [last] week, we all of the crazy people I have met,” Angeles said.

March 29, 2012

Calling all talent

By Elissa Joseph Staff Writer

On Friday, February 25th Mariners took their talents to the stage at The 8th Wonder Of The World: 2012 Talent Show. The students performing did not have big budgets or fancy acts but they all had a great deal of talent.

Students played instruments, sang, performed cultural dances, and one person even whistled.

The show is put on

by Moreau’s theatre club annually and is always a reminder of the diversity of our student body.

Helene Malonzo sang “Someone like You” by Adele. For the sophomore, the experience of performSenior’s Ben Jackson and Jana Lee duet on ing in the MCHS talent show wasn’t completely the piano at the talent show. new, seeing as she participated last year, but was still just as nerve wracking.

“I was relaxed at first, but when the day finally came I got nervous,” sophomore Helene Malonzo said. “But I enjoy participating in the Talent show and sharing with the school one of my favorite things to do,” Malonzo said when asked about why she chose to participate.

That initial jittery feeling is probably not uncommon for most performers.

The audience however, was not aware of the many emotions the performers were really feeling when they get on the stage.

Instead the students on stage were confident and all seemed to be having a good time.

Marco Del Rio had a big smile for the audience when he sang and played his guitar. He sang “Sweet Pea” by Tommy Roe and had the audience bouncing in their seats.

“I really like performing for people, sharing my love of music, and being in the Talent Show allows me to do just that,” junior Marco del Rio said.

Marco Del Rio sings “Sweet Pea.” Senior Jolee Espinosa performed a Tahitian dance to the Hawaiian song “Love and Honesty. “ Her skillful and graceful moves created a joyous atmosphere that was passed on to those in the audience.

“Performing in the talent show is always fun, and I love doing it,” senior Jolee Espinosa said. “Sadly, I’m a senior so I won’t be able to participate next year.”

For some, participating in the talent show will be one of their most special high school memories. The many hours of practicing seem well worth it when in the end there is such a flawless performance. The loud applause from the audience confirmed what a talented student body Moreau really has.

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13

Prom Style Guide

By Katy Carscadden

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Sofie Aguirre,Johanna Olson Amanda Ang ,Lupita Gonzalez Nikki Havey

Sw ee Nec thear klin t e

Finding Bea ded a perfect prom dress Bod ice isn’t as hard as it seems. Start by looking for a fit that is flattering for your body type. Do keep in mind comfort. Make sure that you can dance and move while wearing it. Then narrow down your options by choosing a design that fits your personality. This will allow you to find a dress that both fits you well and represents who you are.

Once you’ve found your flawless dress, finish off your look with a pair of high-heels, big and bold jewelry, and a stylish clutch.

Open

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All photos taken by Seth Borneman

Moreau reflects on the passing of Whitney Houston and her influence on pop culture

The coroner’s report--released Thurs.

March 22--listed the official cause of death as drowning. Houston suffered a heart attack in her bath, and the autopsy showed traces of alcohol and drugs in her system.

By Karra Gardin A&E Editor

really important in the world. “[The media] did the same thing for Michael Jackson and I think his coverage was too excessive,” senior Tatyana Lark said.

On the other hand, images such as those seen on Facebook can be viewed as hypocritical and judgmental. “People that try to prove that point need to examine their Whitney Houston’s sudden death was a shock to the world. them,” sophomore Lauren McGary said. own conscious as well,” Regardless, respecting the privacy Rodriguez said. of her family and respecting those who Her funeral, held on Saturday, Februmourn her death is certainly most approary 18, was broad casted on major TV priate in this situation. networks such as CNN and Fox so family “Because of how famous she was and and fans alike could celebrate and mourn how iconic she was, it does make sense the passing of Houston. that her die hard fans would be sad,” Lark “I don’t think the funeral should have said. A remarkable career such as Housbeen televised because funerals are times ton’s leaves a legacy that will be passed for close family members to grieve toon for many generations to come. gether without the whole world watching Photo courtesy of italiatopgames on Flickr.com

“The first thing I thought about [once I heard about her death] was all the great tracks she offered to the musical world,” -Tony Rodriguez

On Saturday, February 11 just before 4pm, Whitney was found dead in her hotel room at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills.

The Thursday evening before her death, she performed with singer Kelly Price at a Hollywood Club, making that her last public appearance.

According to Price, Whitney was happy and seemed fine, “Whitney on Thursday night was one of the girls,” Price said to Entertainment Weekly.

“The first thing I thought about [once I heard about her death] was all the great tracks she offered to the musical world,” Music Appreciation club moderator Tony Rodriguez said.

There is no doubt about Houston’s impact on pop culture.

However, images on Facebook labeled “One dies, a million cry. One million die, no one cries” featuring Houston next to starving children in Africa has surfaced criticizing the media’s extensive coverage on her death.

Is society’s obsession with Hollywood celebrities taking over coverage of what’s

e ton s e s in Rh trap s

Ge

A life well lived. A life too short.

Michael Jackson, 2009. Lena Horne, 2010. Amy Winehouse, 2011. Whitney Houston, 2012. Over the past four years, major contributors to the music industry and pop culture have departed, way too early many would agree.

Back

SPORTS

14

New face for track and field

Football coach Daniel Green makes transition to new sport; also joins Moreau Catholic security staff

By Jaipal Kaur Staff Writer

The coaching staff for Moreau athletics changes from time to time. Lately if you’ve been to any of the track meets or practices then you might have noticed a new coach for shot put and discus.

emphasis on the fundamentals.

“He knows techniques that will help you improve your routine and gives you feedback on how you should change this or do that. But he

tutelage.

“Coach Green has helped me become a

Spring athletes and sports facts

By Elissa Joseph Staff Writer

JAIPAL KAUR / The Explorer

Photo by Larry Maya

Photo by Jackie Arechiga

Each baseball can only be used one time in a Major League Baseball game.

Tiger Woods is the youngest golf player to win the British Open and the Masters.

said. “It’s more about teaching kids to be competitive and to work hard

Photo by Narciso-Matthew Bernardo

Photo by Christy Anschutz

The volleyball Hall of Fame is located in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Swimming has been part of the Olympics since 1896.

Photo by Lennard Nerona

Photo by Sofie Aguirre

Badminton is the fastest racquet sport in the world, with birdies reaching speeds of up to 206 mph.

The University of Southern California is ranked #1 in Division I Men’s tennis.

Photo by Benjamin Barretto

Photo by Lauren Long

The current world record for shot put, a track and field event, is a distance of over 75 feet.

The game of softball was created in 1887 as an indoor version of baseball. The ball was soft, players could field the ball with their bare hands.

Green covers the basics of shot and discus at practice .

Senior Shahin Marzband gets constructive criticism from Coach Green.

Daniel Green who has been one of Moreau’s football coaches has now also transitioned into teaching track.

He grew up playing both football and track, but it wasn’t until about two years ago he actually got into the teaching aspect of it.

Head track coach Diane Blackwell, who has been coaching track for over 35 years, got to work with him for the first time this year.

“He is easy going, caring, professional, willing to teach, dedicated to the sport and just a great coach overall,” Blackwell said.

Green discussed his transition from football to track.

“It was pretty easy, in the sense [that] I hadn’t coached track in a few years. But once you start coaching you know what you got to do,” Green said.

Athletes benefit from Green’s coaching and his

March 29, 2012

better athlete by continuously pushing me to go above and beyond to reach my full potential on the football field,” Kondo said.

As the season starts to take off, Green has made a bond with each one of his students.

and improve whatever it is they’re doing.”

Coach Green will also be starting as our new campus supervisor on Monday, March 26th.

Green takes over for Angel Lopez, who left Moreau in late February.

Prior to joining

doesn’t just tell you it bluntly, he makes them relatable to you,” senior Lupita Gonzalez said.

Making the switch from football to track, people may think you would need a whole different game plan, but that wasn’t the case this time. Green’s philosophy is to stick to the basics.

“I’m just getting them to make sure they’re using their legs to build up more power and not so much upper body. [Also] mak- Throwers practice under the watchful eye of Coach Green. ing sure what they are doing is proper so “It’s just a lot of fun, Moreau, Green served as they aren’t throwing out I think that’s why it’s so an adolescent counselor their arm, especially shot easy. I have a lot of fun at Willow Rock Crisis put and discus wise,” with the kids and the rest Center in San Leandro.

Green said. “It’s kind of of the staff,” Green said.

He also worked as like a crawl before you His perspective the Social Development walk theory, where we balances healthy comDirector and Supervisor try to do the little small petition with personal for Job Corps Center on things then we build up growth.

Treasure Island, monitorto the whole throw or the “It’s kind of more a ing the safety and secushot.” pressure-free sport to rity of the facility and the Senior Tim Kondo where it’s not so much dormitories. thrived under Green’s about winning,” Green

Nike Free Runs and their impact on athletics

By Michael Tacchella & Karanvir Singh

Staff Writers

the area in front of the tibia bone in the leg. The pain can be caused by overuse of the muscles, problems with the bone, and the muscle connection to the bone.

Unfortunately, Nike doesn’t list what surfaces are the best for these running shoes, so the wearer has to find that out for him or herself.

“Free runs are good for training, walking, and recreational activities, but not for running on a dirt track or hard ground. Running with that much impact on your legs will take a toll in the long run,” Truong said.

Other than shin splints, there have been other complaints for these shoes as well.

“They are flexible and light, so it doesn’t give enough support when running around on the court,” sophomore Savannah Smith said. “After a long practice, my feet are so sore.”

Over the years, Nike has changed they way it makes its shoes. Instead of focusing on lighter shoes, they followed the popular demand.

“People have become much more concerned with something called pronation, where the foot naturally rolls

when it hits the ground,” senior Ben Jackson said.

Our feet are designed in a way that when we walk or run, we roll off of our heels. Most shoes don’t allow our heels to roll off of the ground and Free Runs have proven to give that opportunity back to the runners without enough design to fully benefit the runner.

“Free Runs are part of the move to run with less structure and support, more ‘natural”,” history teacher Philip Wilder said.

SETH BORNEMAN / The Explorer

A running shoe that is both fashionable and comfortable, but causes problems for the athletes wearing them?

Nike, you are not helping anybody out here.

The Nike Free Runs are advertised as a shoe that can be used by any athlete for any sport.

The shoes are marketed with the slogan “Get better, faster.” When in all actuality it could be “Get shin splints, faster.”

“Although they’re all about flexibility and they strengthen your ankles, they don’t provide enough cushion and support.

I say this because I got shin splints while wearing Free Runs,” senior Michael Truong said.

Shin splints is a term used to describe pain that is in

March 29, 2012

Football Gears Up for 2012

The gloves come off

By Seth Borneman Staff Writer

By Jatin Kumar Opinion Editor

Photo courtesy of Kris Manuel

getting fit. There is no easy day, from day one its all the same amount of work.”

Manuel started to practice every Monday and Wednesday for an hour and a half. After much practice, Manuel developed a norm for the routine, and decided to visit the gym everyday.

“When I first started boxing, it was really hard for me to balance everything because I wasn’t used to this much exercise and it was very tiring. I found myself falling asleep in every last period of the day.”

Manuel said.

Manuel observed seasoned boxers, and members who were above

Men’s Tennis Hits the Court

By Elissa Joseph Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Sofie Aguirre

Castro Valley High School has taken the HAAL team title.

The Moreau men’s tennis team “This year, it’s much more appears motivated to have another than just stats and records. strong season this Spring 2012.

“I honestly “This year, it’s much more The personal believe this is our than just stats and records. drive to year to reclaim our spot as HAAL The personal drive to accom- accomSophomore Grayson Granzella pumps some iron plish champions, just as we were four years plish something as individu- something as ago,” senior Chris als brings us together as a Ragasa said. team, and that itself is what individuals brings Senior Chris Ragasa in the tennis ready poWith a strong coaching staff and prepares us for competition” us tosition, as he prepare’s to return a rally serve gether as a team full of boys --Chris Ragasa team. a team, and that willing to do what It’s not just about the players it takes to win, this goal might just itself is what prepares us for competi- working hard but also about their be within reach. It will however, be a tion,” Ragasa said. coaches. They can often be seen real challenge for the team to reclaim To improve match play and have out at the Hidden Hills Tennis Club that spot. For the past four years, more wins, members of the team have courts practicing their backhands, been taking it upon themselves drop shots and lobs under the watchto improve their own individual ful eye of coaches Tony Rodriguez, games.

Ryan Lee, and Ron Santiago.

“I have been working on my “Our coaches really focus on betserves to improve my game play,” tering each player individually and freshman Sina Abdohollian said. motivating each of us to play to our All of the hard work might be fullest potential,” senior Ryan Lee paying off. According to senior said.

Anthony Doan, “our singles have So it seems to be an unstoppable improved greatly, and our doubles are combination: A dedicated coaching very solid.” staff, a talented team of tennis players There was also a recent whopping and the shared drive to be number 5-2 win over Bishop O’ Dowd. Startone.

Senior Ryan Ma , armed cocked, pre- ing the season off with this kind of a pares to smash the rally opening serve. win is positive reinforcement for the

SETJ BORNEMAN/The Explorer

Kris Manuel work’s the heavy bag at Kennel Boxing

Senior Kris Manuel him in class, and studied their footwork and fighting style to develop and perfect his own form.

Apart from the practice, Manuel has scrapped it out with other boxers.

“I haven’t had a fight yet, but I have sparred 3 times. It was a great experience because it really makes you think on your feet.” Manuel said.

But with the start of school, his training schedule cooled down to Tuesdays and Thursdays after classes.

“Everyday after going to the gym (I would) fall asleep for a couple of hours then get up to start homework, and it did take over other events, especially homework, school work, and most importantly staying awake,” Manuel said.

After all those tiresome days, and sore nights, Manuel retained his sought after physique.

He is happy with the results that boxing has given him. Thanks to support from his friends and family, Manuel has kept steady with boxing, and he encourages everyone to give boxing a fighting chance.

Two Months, if you’re a football player for Moreau that's about all the time off you get in a year.

The Mariner’s annual spring weight training program started up again this January. This intensive program led by, theology teacher and football coach, Jamie Fernandez is an integral part of the teams progress towards a winning season.

“Off-Season weight training is the backbone of our program.

Coach Fernandez does a great job getting the most out of these young men. There is a correlation between the harder you work the better you play,” Head Junior Nick Wong use’s free Coach Andrew Cotter said. weights for a set of dumbell press.

Past players also support the program and suggest anyone who wants to play in the next season should come out.

“Off season weight training for football is vital. It most definitely led to a better season for our players as individuals, and our team as a whole” senior Jeremy Imlach said.

However some things are different this year.

“While turn out has been great. Our numbers are down a little but the young men have been working extremely hard.

I can truly say that this is the hardest working group I have been around, literally we can put a workout on the board and they are going to get it done.

No need for arm twisting by the coaches.

We are in this together, we have things to prove and a lot of doubters to prove wrong” Cotter said.

While the program is going through a time of change, it has recently been a benefit for Moreau as seen by them being an annually winning team.

“I have seen some new faces in the weight room, and some new faces all together, specifically freshman Jonathan Rameriz, Justin Sanchez, Andrew Retallick, and Frank Ngo, and they have all been working hard” Cotter said.

These players are excited about the program and look forward to improvement through their participation “the workouts have helped me expand on what I learned during my first season. I feel that through the workouts I’ve improved in many ways under more personal-direct type coaching” freshman Andrew Retallick said. The weight training program coupled with the prexisting enthusiasm surrounding next year’s season are both great indicators of future Mariner success.

SETH BORNEMAN/The Explorer

Sweat trickles down his forehead as he swings heavy jabs to a punching bag. He swivels and glides around the floor, as he continues to deliver powerful blows to the weaning leather. After the intense workout, he hangs up his gloves, and hits the showers.

Senior Kris Manuel has been boxing at the Kennel Boxing Gym in San Leandro, the last six months. But why boxing over other sports?

“I decided to start boxing because my cousin did it,” Manuel said. “I saw how fit he started to get, and I thought that if he could do it, so can I. I feel that boxing is a great sport, a fast way to start

Photo courtesy of Sofie Aguirre

SPORTS

16

March 29, 2012

Ben Jackson ‘12

Track & Field

Swimming

Kinast has lettered in three sports. In additon to volleyball he also starts at Quarterback and plays Point Guard on the basketball team.

Nick says, “You and everyone in your race are going to be hurting, so if you are able to last longer than everybody else, you have a better chance of coming out on top.”

“I started swimming at the age of four. Going to practices with my parents is one of my earliest memories. I’ve always loved it; I can’t imagine not swimming.”

Cassidy Lyon ‘13

Baseball

“My favorite memory is wnhen I pitched for the UC all star team.”

Boys Tennis

Nicknamed “Dough Boy” by Coach Rodriguez, he’s “a man of little words but BIG game.”

New year, new attitude

Baseball swings for the fences with their upcoming season on deck

Captain Richard L’Heureux leads the Mariners in a warm up run across the outfield.

Senior Aaron Acosta mentally prepares to take the mound against Valley Christian.

longer the underdogs, the Mariners are looking forward to living up to their new-found expectations.

“If we’re going to have a chance beating other teams we have to work well [together] and back each other up, on and off the field, “L’Heureux said.

“Every game is important and we can’t overlook any team now that we’re the one to beat…[we’re] ready to showcase all of the hard work we’ve put into this program,” Aguirre said.

League games against Castro Valley on April 27th and O’Dowd on May 1st are set to be thrilling, can’t miss rematches between coleague champions this spring.

SETH BORNEMAN/The Explorer

SETH BORNEMAN/The Explorer

One team, one mission.

That’s the mantra this year, for Moreau Catholic’s 2012 baseball season. Fresh off a first place four-way tie for Hayward Area Athletic League, Moreau baseball is hungry for a place alone at the top “We’ve had a taste of what it’s like to make it to the postseason,” co-captain Daniel Aguirre said, “We want to take the whole thing this year.”

After back-to-back 6-18 seasons in 2009 and 2010, the Mariners had an astounding 19-7 season in 2011. Building off last year’s success in the HAAL and moving into Division four,

Moreau is in prime position for a run at the NCS title.

“Last year … we turned it around entirely,” senior Captain Richard L’Heureux said.

“Now, there is much more of a winning culture and everyone is more positive as a whole.”

Depth throughout program has helped develop the Mariner baseball team as a force to be reckoned with.

“We have a solid system and a phenomenal coaching staff that [has] prepped our JV to be where they need to be when they reach Varsity,” senior Aaron Acosta said.

With all four starting pitchers returning, Moreau will be a force to reckon with on the mound throughout the entire season. No SETH BORNEMAN/The Explorer

By Jonathan Vivet Sports Editor

Softball

Cassidy Lyon has played Varsity softball since her freshman year.

Co-captain Daniel Aquirre and the Mariner squad want to take the HAAL title.

SETH BORNEMAN/The Explorer

Boys Golf

His favorite course is Stonebrae and has been playing since his freshman year

Boys Volleyball

Anthony Doan ‘12

Kevin Murray ‘12

Vish enjoys smooth jazz, long walks on the beach and says his favorite movie is “The Notebook.”

Nick Rodden ‘12

Nick Kinast ‘13

Badminton

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Aaron Acosta ‘12

Vishal Singh ‘12

Athletes of the Month