Volume 50, Issue 4, December 19, 2019

SPORTS 36 Students use shoe customization as a form of self-expression

NEWS 10

OPINION 16

F E AT U R E S 2 4

ENT 28

Google’s use of medical files stirs controversy

Looking back at the best and worst moments of the year

Exploring the lives of students and teachers in single parent families

The rise in teenage dating apps like Yubo and Spotafriend

TABLE OF CONTENTS El ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

16 Rewind

BY SHUVI JHA AND SREYA KUMAR

The best and worst of 2019

22 In-game impulse

BY JEFFERSON LE AND ANNIE ZHANG

Investigating the toxicity and banter in gaming communities

30 The right move

BY STUTI UPADHYAY

Exploring David Hartford’s love for board games

38 Teacher’s athletic pasts

BY ELENA KHAN AND JAYANTI JHA

Teachers share their experiences on being on a high school sports team

8

Spruce it up

BY SWARA TEWARI AND JAI UPARKAR

Cupertino community gathers for annual tree- lighting ceremony

02

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS We see teachers as just that — vessels for our learning, the people we go to when we don’t understand derivation or polyatomic ions. We don’t seem them as separate and distinct from their classroom. We don’t see their personal lives, their passions, their desires.

And that’s our fault. We rarely make the effort to get to know them on a personal level, to see them as more than the holder of our grades. And as a result, we are unable to see APUSH teacher David Hartford hard at work as he cracks different board games, collecting almost 300 different games. We don’t know about the past experiences people like Spanish teacher Molly Guadiamos had on the swim team in high school, or how AP Chemistry teacher Kavita Gupta was recently featured as National Geographic’s 2019 Gilbert M. Grosvenor Educator of the Year.

Rather than view them as merely educators, we should see them for who they really are — people who use their day to impart knowledge upon us, to educate the next generation. We should take time to ask them about their day, to greet them with more than just a half-hearted “hello.”

Because ultimately, the quirks we learn about our teachers and the unreplacable memories we make in class are what we will remember from our high school careers. We are not going to remember that day in class when we learned how to graph sinusoidal curves and find the probability of picking two cards.

We are going to remember Jennings and his iconic catchphrases, Nava and her relaxing yoga sessions and Kim with his random trivia — people in Brazil have 481 online friends, by the way.

We are going to remember the moments when they share interesting stories about their kids or experiences that changed their lives.

Teachers’ jobs require them to teach us about the subjects they specialize in, but our learning from them doesn’t have to end there.

Through conversations with teachers we can learn how to be better people in the future, and learn about life after high school.

So this holiday season, whenever you have free time in school, take some time to spark a conversation with a teacher. Make the effort to see them as more than just a teacher, but as a friend and mentor as well.

elESTOQUE 21840 McClellan Road Cupertino, CA 95014 mv.el.estoque@gmail.com

Editors-in-chief: Hannah Lee, Anish Vasudevan Managing editors: Alyssa Hui, Shuvi Jha, Swara Tewari, Stuti Upadhyay, Emily Xia Copy editor: Zara Iqbal News editors: Anushka De, Andie Liu, Tina Low, Jai Uparkar Sports editors: Justine Ha, Kamyar Moradi, Tabitha Mendez, Rucha Soman Entertainment editors: Ayah Ali-Ahmad, Charlotte Chui, Shivani Gupta, Robert Liu Opinion editors: Lakshanyaa Ganesh, Sreya Kumar, Jasmine Lee, Oishee Misra Feature editors: Tyler Cho, Iman Malik, Claire Wen, Brian Xu Beats editors: Lance Tong, Annie Zhang Graphics editors: Claire Yang, Sarah Young Visuals editors: Justine Ha, Tabitha Mendez, Collin Qian Website Editor: Devin Gupta Staff writers: Michelle Chen, Sophia Chen, Ishaani Dayal, Aditi Dixit, Jayanti Jha, Rachel Jiang, Vivian Jiang, Elena Khan, Jefferson Le, Andie Liu, Jacqueline Liu, Tanish Mendki, Shreshta Ranganathan, Anjali Singh, Neysa Singh, Leanna Sun, Sean Yagi

Mission Statement El Estoque is an open forum created for and by students of Monta Vista High School.

The staff of El Estoque seeks to recognize individuals, events and ideas and bring news to the Monta Vista community in a manner that is professional, unbiased and thorough in order to effectively serve our readers. We strive to report accurately and will correct any significant error. If you believe such an error has been made, please contact us. Letters of any length should be submitted via e-mail or mail. They become the sole property of El Estoque and can be edited for length, clarity or accuracy. Letters cannot be returned and will be published at El Estoque’s discretion.

El Estoque also reserves the right to reject advertising due to space limitations or decision of the Editorial Board that content of the advertisement conflicts with the mission of the publication.

COVER PHOTO | ANISH VASUDEVAN

Hannah Lee

Anish Vasudevan EL ESTOQUE | NOVEMBER 2019

03

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Dr. Hu has helped many students achieve excellent results in USA, UK Biology Olympiad & Canada National Biology Olympiad, as well as helped numerous students achieve the highest scores on the AP and SAT II Biology Exams.

DR. HU'S STUDENTS' ACHIEVEMENTS IN BIOLOGY COMPETITIONS IN 2019 over 12 semifinalists USA Biology Olympiad 1 in top 50 3 in top 150

National Biology Competition Canada

first place in 2019 3 international biology scholars

British Biology Olympiad

8 gold 7 silver 3 bronze

Biology Challenge

15 gold 11 silver 6 bronze

2020 BIOLOGY OLYMPIAD (USABO & BBO) TEST PAPER EXPLANATIONS

2020 CANADA BIOLOGY OLYMPIAD TEST PAPER EXPLANATIONS

Tests and Explanation 12/22-2/9 session 1: lectures Saturdays 1/11-2/8 4-6:30 PM session 2: lectures on Sundays 1/12-2/9 10 AM-12:30 PM

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Contact: Phone: 650-305-1370 WeChat: weihu2004us Email: weihu.biochem@gmail.com dr-hu-biology-tutoring.com/schedule

IMPEACHMENT FOR DUMMIES Understanding the process behind impeachment

BY TINA LOW U.S. House Committee on Judiciary holds a hearing regarding the claim and vote — the majority of the committee has to approve this hearing (51% or more).

1

SCAN FOR MORE COVERAGE

2 A member from the House of Representatives presents an impeachment resolution for reasons including treason, bribery, high crimes or misdemeanors.

If the inquiry continues, articles of impeachment are then sent to the Supreme Court, where a trial is held to determine whether the president committed the alleged wrongdoing.

If approved, the resolution moves to a full vote on the House floor. The House then votes, also requiring the majority to vote for impeachment in order for the inquiry to progress.

3

4

5

The Senate takes a vote, where a supermajority vote is required to vote for the conviction of the president in order to officially remove the president from office and place the vice president in power.

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EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

GRAPHIC | SARAH YOUNG

When Dreams Came True Recent release of Disney+ brings back past culturally outdated movies and shows

BY ISHAANI DAYAL

S

ince Netflix’s release in 1997, the market for streaming services has grown rapidly, introducing competitors like Amazon Prime Video, HBO Now and Hulu. Nov. 12 marked the release of the most recent addition: Disney+, by The Walt Disney Company, with a catalog including almost every movie and show the company has produced. Within a day, 10 million people signed up for the seven day free trial.

However, as subscribers continued to pour in, viewers such as senior Sayalee Mylavarapu noticed that older media contained offensive content that may have been more acceptable when they were produced. They incorporate stereotypes that are now considered distasteful, especially with current progressive movements that aim to challenge the oppressive thinking that Disney exhibited in the past. Mylavarapu, an avid Disney Channel fan, finds it understandable why Disney content has these references.

“When Disney started, it was still in an era where there was segregation so obviously no one would say anything then because that’s what they

believed,” Mylavarapu said. “No one really hearing how Disney won’t show certain thought about changing those values until parts of old films that are really offensive. recently when all our ideals changed.”

That’s a step two, but these movies are Mylavarapu joined Disney+ soon after its quote unquote, ‘classics.’ So people are release, as a chance to revisit her favorites going to want to watch them, but it’s also from her childhood. However, she feels watching them, learning from them and not disappointed in Disney’s incorporation of perpetuating that racism.” the offensive material.

While Jariwala views the “But it’s not a surprise,” warning as a move forward, THESE MOVIES Mylavarapu said. “We’ve sophomore Suryaansh ARE ‘CLASSICS.’ been in a country where, Dongre takes a different even now it’s so racially approach. He perceives the SO PEOPLE ARE insensitive, and there’s so content warning as more GOING TO WANT many racist people, that it of a preventative measure TO WATCH THEM, for the public outrage he makes sense that they had a few insensitive things. You believes Disney would have BUT IT’S ALSO would think that a movie had they refrained WATCHING THEM, received and a big company like them from commenting.

LEARNING FROM would be smarter about it, “I think it’s just like but I guess not.”

Disney is trying to tell the THEM AND NOT While Mylavarapu viewers everything that PERPETUATING recently became aware of they can before they go in THAT RACISM. the content issues because and start giving Disney a of her Disney+ experience, ENGLISH TEACHER bad [reputation] on social English teacher Monica MONICA JARIWALA media, for example, saying Jariwala has recognized ‘Disney has included these examples of culturally offensive culturally insensitive content in its library,’” material well before Disney+’s recent Dongre said. “[It’s] good publicity.” controversy. She teaches these instances as While Dongre believes content warnings part of her curriculum each year, featuring help soften public opinion, he doesn’t hold selected clips from “Aladdin,” “Peter Pan” current Disney accountable for allowing the and “Song of the South.” Jariwala finds offensive content in the first place. the objectionable content dangerous for “Disney doesn’t have that much control younger viewers, the targeted demographic. over regulating its older content because “If there are possible scenes they could it’s hard to go back in and edit it,” Dongre omit from some of the older films, that said. “I definitely think that [the warnings might be more helpful. Because children, are] the most that they could do.” their minds are like sponges,” Jariwala When it comes to the actual content on said. “If they’re able to watch that, what Disney+, Dongre believes the warnings will type of perspective are they getting about only affect viewers’ opinion slightly without gender, race, and thinking it’s okay?” completely deterring them from the As a response to the older, offensive content they want to watch. With that in content on the streaming service, Disney mind, Jariwala doesn’t foresee this hurting has addressed the issue with a content the multibillion dollar corporation. warning, stating, “[The program] may “Disney has its foot in every door now,” contain outdated cultural depictions.” Jariwala said. “They’re very good and very Jariwala approves of the company’s strategic about being contemporary now acknowledgement of the issue, but believes and being more sensitive....I like Disney. I there is room for further improvement on grew up with it, but there are some things their part, referring to Disney’s practice of they did that are really awful … But again, [it editing certain programs for live television was a] representation of the time period.” e in the past.

“It’s the first step,” Jariwala said. “There probably could be more done; I did like

ILLUSTRATION | SARAH YOUNG

NEWS | DECEMBER 2019

07

SPRUCE IT UP Cupertino community gathers for the annual tree lighting ceremony

PHOTOS BY ISHAANI DAYAL, RACHEL JIANG AND JAI UPARKAR

[5] The Quinlan Center is decorated for the holidays, with lights wrapped around pillars and nearby trees, as well as moving animal decorations scattered about.

[5] [4] A group of kids drink their steaming hot chocolate next to the decorated trees around the Quinlan Center.

[2] The acapella group, Business Casual, sings its renditions of Christmas songs in the Quinlan Center. “We love doing this type of gig because it’s all about families, good energy and holiday spirit,” singer Cassandra Chamoun said.

[2]

[3] A parent and child pose with Santa after waiting in a 20-minute line to meet him.

[1] Cupertino’s assistant director of parks and recreation, Christine Hanel, dials Santa on a large red rotary phone to call him to the Quinlan Center. “I love getting the kids excited, for me that’s what the holidays are all about,” Hanel said.

[1] [3]

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EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

[4]

[7]

[7] An event volunteer pours a cup of hot chocolate for sfamilies waiting in line.

[6] The event included an arts and crafts center where children could create their own mini-Christmas tree out of green construction paper.

[8]

[6]

SCAN FOR MORE COVERAGE NEWS | DECEMBER 2019

09

UNCOVERING PROJECT NIGHTINGALE

Google use medical files for research stirs controversy

BY RACHEL JIANG AND EMILY XIA

PHOTO | EMILY XIA

10

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

I

n a partnership with Ascension Health Network, Google has received access to millions of records in order to conduct “Project Nightingale,” a program that aims to incorporate artificial intelligence to improve medical diagnoses and treatment through using medical records of individuals. However, the project raised privacy concerns for the individuals because of this access to each person’s medical history.

Senior Aadria Bagchi has gone to the hospital multiple times in the past few years because her doctor was not able to pinpoint the exact reason for her stomach pain. She had vague symptoms that led to different possible diagnoses. They ran several tests, including urine tests, stool samples, four different blood tests, X-rays and MRI scans. Though she was not personally affected by the Google’s partnership, she admits that she empathizes with those who were involved. “[The hospitals] basically know everything about me,” Bagchi said. “So I wouldn’t personally feel comfortable with some huge company like Google just having access to all that information, even though the purpose of it is to technically help and advance medical stuff.”

According to math teacher Debbie Frazier, Google needs to ensure that they can track where the medical data is going and limit the data to be used for research purposes only.

“What you can’t see necessarily as easily is who else has looked at your data and that’s where it gets scary,” Frazier said.

“So I think the government needs to step in — they need to be able to track that and create more secure data.”

Google hardware design engineer Scott Johnson, who speaks for himself and not the company, agrees with Frazier and believes that data in general needs to stay dissociated from the patients. According to him, larger companies need to stay accountable for how they handle their data.

“I would be OK with it if it’s all kept private and must be confined to the study, but I think there are concerns,” Johnson said. “It has to all be analyzed so there’s no connection between particular patients, and there’s an expectation for how Google treats the patients and their records.”

Although both Bagchi and Frazier are concerned about the protection of privacy when it comes to Google having access to medical records, both also agree that there may be exceptions as to when Google should have this access.

“Maybe for some scenarios, where a doctor can’t pinpoint, can’t connect

the symptoms to a disease or an issue or focus on trying to persuade legal experts to disorder, something that Google could help incite real change over time, as they are the if they have access to records and stuff like ones writing on behalf of the companies. that,” Bagchi said. “But I just don’t think “It should be open for public review they should just have access to everyone’s. in terms of whatever the laws mirror and I think it’s a case-by-case basis thing.” introduce, but it’s always the same people According to Frazier, there are things looking at it,” Johnson said. “It’s written that students and adults can do to in a way that is only for legal experts to prevent themselves from releasing private understand. So it’s up to the legal world, information. Regardless of whether they over time, to improve that.” are online or using an app, many will While Project Nightingale has its issues, encounter a webpage where they are Frazier believes that research about expected to agree to a certain set of terms medical history may be useful to an extent. and conditions regarding the use of the app “In your generation, depression’s or site. prevalent­— stress A Deloitte study [and] all this stuff,” IT’S NOT THAT [PROJECT Frazier said. “As concluded that 91% of individuals who teachers, we’re NIGHTINGALE] accept these terms constantly talking INFLUENCES MEDICAL and conditions do not about where does HISTORY, IT’S THAT read the actual terms. that come from and In Frazier’s opinion, how can we change IT HOPEFULLY CAN apathy to these terms that. We don’t INFLUENCE MEDICAL is one reason as to why know if we don’t FUTURE. private information may collect data right?” be unconsciously passed Johnson also to other parties. acknowledges the GOOGLE HARDWARE “So many people are benefits that largeDESIGN ENGINEER just apathetic,” Frazier scale data research SCOTT JOHNSON said. “They’re so used to can have in the [the fact that] any time health field, and you download an app, you how statistics can press the ‘I agree’ button and you move on. play into the lives of ordinary people.

You don’t even open it. You don’t read it.”

“It’s not that it influences medical In addition, Frazier continues to address history, it’s that it hopefully can influence how apathy leads to a lack of education in medical future,” Johnson said. “It can help this area for students and adults. make connections between patterns and “I think the apathy is contagious data that indicate issues that can be solved particularly because young people grow through drug research or other technology up with devices even before they can read research in the areas of medicine.” the whole ‘I agree’ statements,” Frazier With access to medical records, Frazier said. “We educate ourselves on courteous claims that it will be easier for doctors to emailing, right? And we educate ourselves make connections, predict illnesses and on what to or not to do in terms of bullying find treatments. However, she also explains on the internet, but we never talk really that having access to this information may about what those ‘I agree’ statements result in ethical concerns, which she thinks mean; we just kind of get them done [and] is problematic because of the notion that check the boxes at the bottom.” every individual is different.

Although there are ways for students Since machine learning can easily go to protect their privacy, Frazier believes awry, Frazier believes that there should be that companies should also make an effort a line drawn to the extent of using it for to have clearer fine print, parallel to research purposes.

Bagchi’s viewpoint.

“I think there’s a lot of utility to it,” “There’s smaller things in [the fine print] Frazier said. “It’s that whole, ‘There needs I think should be highlighted,” Bagchi to be someone ethical watching and saying said. “It shouldn’t just be fine print. I think at what point we crossed the line and this is it should be in bigger font or part of the not OK to do.’ Somebody speaking about title, maybe even its own separate form the people behind it, not just the money.” e because then you actually know where your information is going.”

Johnson does support companies changing the format of the fine print; however, he acknowledges that they should NEWS | DECEMBER 2019

11

Taking away likes on Instagram is beneficial to our mental health

BY MICHELLE CHEN AND ZARA IQBAL

O

n all social media platforms, being able to react to posts is crucial. But it can also get addicting and stressful; we carefully calculate when to post photos on Instagram so they will get the most response, and then spend the next few hours, full of stress, waiting to see how many likes we receive.

This anxiety-ridden state caused by the frequent checking of notifications is what led Instagram to start testing the disappearance of likes on the app: while users can view the number of likes their own post has gotten, they will be unable to view the likes on other users’ posts. This change is meant to prevent users from comparing their number of likes to those of other users. According to Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, the company has already started putting this software to test.

The removal of likes is just another, strategy to make Instagram a safer online community; Instagram has already made several changes in an attempt to support users’ mental wellbeing, such as incorporating a feature where users can limit the time they spend on the app. Removing the like count can seem unsettling for some, as likes have been around since we created our first Instagram accounts in middle school. Nevertheless, it is something we should positively accept.

On the other hand, celebrities have spoken out about the change; Nicki Minaj went as far as to tweet that she won’t be posting on Instagram anymore because of the removal. While this proves that the famous double-tap is Instagram’s signature feature, it is also easily addicting. Social media is meant to captivate users, as corporations generate more profit the more we aimlessly scroll. The change Mosseri is making is one factor that can alleviate how much we invest on Instagram, preventing a greater addiction that can be detrimental to our mental health.

At the same time, this change is harmful to influencers and content creators in Instagram as likes bring them sponsors, clients and popularity. Canadian influencer Kate Weiland says that likes motivate Instagram users and that this removal is analogous to “no audience applause at the end of a performance.” While this may

be true, likes aren’t a determining factor to generate business for influencers like Weiland. Social media strategist Karen Civil says that followers, shares and clicks matter more to businesses that influencers may want to appeal to, as opposed to likes.

It’s important to recognize that Instagram is taking a step to improve the mental state of every one of their users, and not only teens; while Selena Gomez has millions of followers on the app, she doesn’t have it downloaded due to its negative effects on her mental health.

But the recent change c a n positively affect how even large influencers approach the app.

We often worry about the number displayed by each of our posts, especially if they’re public.

Sometimes, we go as far as deleting posts that don’t get as many likes as we would want, resulting in a waste of time and effort. The change can stop us from obsessing over numbers, and worrying about how other people will react to the number of likes on our post as they scroll past it. It can also put an end to competition between users and the need to have a greater like count than others.

Taking away likes is a bold, yet necessary move

by Instagram. Although

ILLUSTRATION | CLAIRE YANG

influencers may be negatively affected, our mental health is ultimately more important, as the change can reduce the amount of energy our generation invests in using social media as yet another metric by which we should be compared to each other. e

OPINION

#NoMoreLikes

OPINION | DECEMBER 2019

13

OUTDATED We should be aware and spread awareness of outdated ideals portrayed by our childhood movies

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EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

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eter Pan. Dumbo. Snow White. Tom and Jerry. We’ve grown up watching these cartoons — cheering on as Peter Pan and his cohort of Lost Boys battled Captain Hook, and sighing in defeat when Snow White bit into the poison apple.

These movies and TV shows accompanied us throughout our childhood, inspiring us and teaching us valuable life lessons.

Yet these same films have discreetly instilled stereotypes and prejudices into our young, impressionable minds.

America’s history of racial tensions and gender barriers has greatly influenced many old movies, whether it be productions by Walt Disney or Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., as many of these movies premiered in the 20th Century.

According to Brigham Young University’s family life professor Sarah M. Coyne, 98% of the girls and 87% of the boys in their study have viewed Disney Princess movies. Coyne also found that while 61% of the girls were reported to have played with princess toys, only 4% of the boys have done the same. She believes this reveals the influence of gender stereotypes within Disney Princess films.

This becomes problematic when young girls believe that they are limited to only the feminine toys, or, in the future, certain opportunities because of their gender.

Coyne further highlights the princesses’ physical appearances and how that manifests the ideal woman figure in young girls’ minds. She believes that children are exposed to the ideal, thin body types at the age of three and four when they watch Disney Princess movies.

“Mulan” (1937), was the first Disney For example, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937), which has a lifetime princess film centered around an Asian gross income of $418 billion worldwide, character, and at the same time, created a was written by Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm. strong, independent main female character.

However, according to the Economist, the Mulan disguises herself as a man and Brothers Grimm’s story contributed to enlists in a war in place of her father, using the gender stereotypes back then, when her wit to defeat legions of enemy soldiers.

Unlike other w o m e n princesses, w e r e Mulan was not expected looking for to remain her knight in submissive shining armor a n d to save her — feminine. In OPINION OF THE EL ESTOQUE she tackled the movie’s EDITORIAL BOARD her conflicts opening, with courage we saw Queen Grimhilde enraged by Snow White’s and intelligence. Similarly, “To Kill beauty as she sang softly with the birds and a Mockingbird,” a film based on cleaned the stairs. For girls who looked Harper Lee’s novel of the same name, up to Snow White, they were taught to challenged racial stereotypes with a strive for domesticity and femininity. story about a black man who is falsely Furthermore, the movie was filmed and accused of raping a white woman.

While films like “Mulan” and “To Kill a directed by a team of seven white men, which further silenced any female input Mockingbird” point out the social construct towards Snow White’s characterization. established by earlier movies, we still need Even the iconic slapstick cartoon show to be aware of stereotypes in our future “Tom and Jerry” has included racial film-viewing experiences. Disney is a stereotypes targeting African Americans. role model for doing so as they admitted Mammy, a well-known racial caricature of the mistake and placed a disclaimer African American women, was featured stating that certain movies “may contain in the show for 12 years. The character outdated cultural depictions” in their had a deep Southern accent, improper upcoming Disney Plus television network.

Even though our society is actively grammar and usually wore an apron, which portrays black women as uneducated and raising awareness of racism and sexism in only capable of working as a servants. our childhood films, we should continue to While these movies perpetuate view other movies with filters to ensure that stereotypes and negatively impact how outdated values are not reflected within the younger generation perceives diversity our community. And moving forward, within their society, that isn’t to say there movie creators should create films that aren’t films that highlight racial injustice are more reflective of the progress that so and the need to break gender barriers. many people have fought to accomplish. e

STAFF EDITORIAL

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OPINION | DECEMBER 2019

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USED WITH PERMISSION OF GAGE SKIDMORE

USED WITH PERMISSION OF CHARISSA VERDOORN

The latest government shutdown from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019, began when President Trump and Congress were unable to agree on a budget for nine federal agencies, specifically in regards to funding the wall bordering Mexico. It ended when the two parties signed a stop-gap spending bill that increased border security without allocating funds for the wall. The slow turnaround showcased by both the President and Congress was indicative of a lack of unity in the current deeply divided realm of American politics.

USED WITH PERMISSION OF WELINGTON COLLEGE

M A R C H

A scandal arose earlier this year over a nationwide attempt to influence undergraduate admissions at several top colleges such as the University of Southern California and Yale University. The investigation into this plot led to at least 51 people being convicted of various crimes, ranging from paying people to help students cheat on their standardized tests to paying coaches to recruit their students. Several high-profile celebrities were also discovered to be involved, including actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman.

2019 2019 Looking back at the best and worst moments of the year

BY SHUVI JHA AND SREYA KUMAR

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EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

M A Y

Greta Thunberg started her strikes against climate change last August, alone and unknown. Today, she is joined by thousands of young activists across the globe, whose voices rise in unison for hope of a better future. From India, to Kenya, to Alabama, these climate change rallies have cropped up in more than 150 countries all over the world, all for one message — to save the earth. The rapid pace at which these voices rise is putting pressure on the government to act and protect the planet from an inevitable doom.

REWIND REWIND REWIND

J U L Y

The USA Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) sparked headlines with its battle against the gender wage gap. The women’s team was paid a $4 million bonus for a victory at the World Cup, a strikingly small amount compared to the $38 million prize money the male teams receive. This discrepenecy in pay is even more shocking, given that the women have been title winners of backto-back World Cups while the men didn’t even make it to the finals. Although the U.S. team won the lawsuit, the fight for gender equality in sports continues and pushes female athletes to persist in the face of injustice.

A U G U S T

This year, the world saw a surge in fires occurring in the Amazon rainforest located in countries Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Peru. Although fires normally occur during the dry season — June to December — because of the slash-and-burn methods used to clear the forest for industrial purposes, the increased rate of the fires was an indication to many that climate change has begun taking its toll on the Amazon biome. It also led to international concern about the fate of the rainforest, which is the world’s largest terrestrial carbon dioxide sink and helps mitigate climate change related effects.

N O V

Frozen’s debut in 2013 redefined Disney sing-alongs, animated movies and what it takes to be a Disney princess. The tale of sisterly love that marked many of our childhoods begins a new chapter, nearly six years later, as Anna and Elsa make an appearance in “Frozen 2” released this November.

The glittery magic behind “Frozen 2” and its rather unconventional message of sisterhood and girl power has found its way into the hearts of numerous movie-goers — both young and old. According to CNN, the film now holds the title for the highest grossing film on Thanksgiving weekend.

USED WITH PERMISSION OF DONNIE RAY JONES

USED WITH PERMISSION OF CHRIS LEIPELT

USED WITH PERMISSION OF RICHARD MCGUIRE

OPINION | DECEMBER 2019

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REPUTATIONS: 2019 Taking a look at MVHS students’ favorite aspects of the year

BY SREYA KUMAR AND JASMINE LEE

FAVORITE MOVIE

FAVORITE INFLUENCERS

39

%

of students’ favorite movie is Avengers: Endgame

Billie Eilish

38%

Cody Ko and Noel Miller

19%

Ashley a.k.a Bestdressed

18%

Marie Kondo

*According to a survey of 322 MVHS students

Emma Chamberlain

16% 9%

*According to a survey of 264 MVHS students

FAVORITE NEW ARTISTS

LIL NAS X ALEC BENJAMIN LIZZO FINNEAS AVA MAX

FAVORITE ALBUM

37% 24% 22% 8% 8%

26% *According to a survey of 274 MVHS students

of students like Billie Eilish’s Where Do We Go When We Fall Asleep album.

*According to a survey of 286 MVHS students

FAVORITE SONG

27%

of students’ favorite song is Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road *According to a survey of 309 MVHS students

ILLUSTRATIONS | CLAIRE YANG

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EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

FAVORITE TV SHOW

41%

*According to a survey of 255 MVHS students

of students’ favorite TV show this year is Stranger Things

VOL. THREE: FANTASY Why I believe fantasy sports are detrimental to society

D

ear Fantasy Sports, I cannot stand you any longer and something needs to be done.

You’ve taken my money, you’ve stripped me of my pride and you’ve wasted more of my time than I could have ever imagined.

What I thought was an innocent little game between me and my friends became one of the worst things I have ever agreed to in my 17 years on this planet.

Being the avid sports fan that I am, I already knew a great deal about you when it came to the NFL and the NBA. I had heard of companies like FanDuel and DraftKings promoting your nonsense games. Even the worldwide leader in sports — ESPN — has fallen right into your dirty hands with its 28-hour fantasy marathon.

This was the last thing anyone needed to try and glorify one of the most dangerous addictions in the United States, rivaling the likes of cocaine and intercourse. According to scientificamerican.com, tests run by certified neurologists show that drugs and gambling affect the brain in the same way.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, they did. People around the country began implementing buyins and week to week bets on who would have the best performance in one of your ridiculous leagues. Each week, millions of people lose money trying to trade for or start that one guy who will somehow make your garbage 0-4 squad a playoff team, much like myself.

This year alone, I have spent a grand total of $35 American dollars that weren’t even my own, all in hopes that I could more than quadruple my money.

Unfor tunately, like all things that involve borrowing money and

gambling, there was never going to be a world. Now imagine trying to make some happy ending. fast cash because I am terribly lazy and You, the conniving little piece of work could not be bothered to get a real job. that you are, conned me with the lure that So instead, like any foolish teen, I threw this was going to be an easy way to flex money at something in the hopes I would my sports knowledge for cold hard cash. get some more in return.

Instead, players like Ezekiel Elliot and I thought to myself that with 24 hours Nikola Jokic will in a day, I couldn’t haunt me for possibly run out of the rest of my time to set a lineup life.

Virtually and be aware of all drafting them to that is happening virtually play on around the league.

IM SICK OF my virtual team All of a sudden, I THIS S--was one of the began to dedicate worst decisions hours upon hours I have ever KAMYAR MORADI scrolling through made. I simply different apps became another statistic in the billions of trying to think of ways to help my worthless dollars of revenue you generate every year. team become a little less worthless by To go hand in hand with the billions adding another scrub on the waiver wire of dollars you steal from innocent sport or trading a top talent who’s been injured fanatics, few things are more insulting for the past six weeks just to see him score than finishing dead last out of 12 in your more points than any other player his first disgusting league. Time and time again, game back. you strip people of their pride and subject I began to question the purpose of all them to constant torment for years on this pain and suffering. What was the point end by some of their closest friends, but it of having one team eliminated from playoff doesn’t stop there. contention halfway through the season?

The coveted SC Featured did an entire What was the point of having another story based on the punishments people team start off the season in last place? All face in your degrading leagues. As this stress, all this time and all this energy punishment for finishing last, there into a lost cause. Meanwhile, I was driving have been people forced to strip myself insane trying to conquer you I soon down to their underpants and began to realize that all this time spent on sprint down city blocks, have you was time taken away from my statistics their legs waxed until they homework, myth essays, physiology are smooth as a baby’s projects, government reading and not to bottom, reenact Carly Rae mention a column where I write about all Jepsen’s music video “Call the things that I’m sick of.

Me Maybe” or simply wear If I have to hear Matthew Berry talk a t-shirt with the timeless about his top-five fantasy running back phrase “Loser” printed in waiver wire adds one more time, I may just big bold font. They say that have to end you once and for all. you’re harmless and merely Congratulations you waste of time, now a game, but what other go out and celebrate with all the other s--harmless games that grinds my gears. involve public In the words of the great of the great indecencyW and Joe Pesci, “I’m done with this guy.” humiliation?

As a senior, it

Worst Regards, is hard enough to complete any task in this distraction Kamyar Moradi ridden

ILLUSTRATION | KAMYAR MORADI

OPINION | DECEMBER 2019

19

HOLISTIC HEALING Exploring how MVHS staff and students implement Chinese medicine techniques

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s the acupuncturist took the needle out of the packaging and carefully touched it to her skin, junior Samantha Dunn felt a pinch. Desperately trying to translate the rapidfire Chinese among the doctors to figure out what was happening, Dunn felt more pain as he pushed the needle in deeper, but soon the feeling went away. This was repeated 30 times all over Dunn’s ankle.

After fracturing her ankle earlier this year while blocking a player from Sequoia HS in a preseason volleyball game, Dunn turned to acupuncture, a type of traditional Chinese medicine, to help ease the swelling and promote healing in her ankle.

“It hurt at first when they put in the needle,” Dunn said. “But then after a while they let me lay there for close to half an hour. And after a while, it started to feel almost tingly. It felt like something was happening. I don’t know if what was happening was actually beneficial, but it felt like there was activity in the injury, which felt good.”

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, acupuncture can act as a treatment for

BY SOPHIA CHEN AND ALYSSA HUI many conditions, from anxiety to arthritis.

While Dunn went to acupuncture for a physical injury, Chinese teacher Zoey Liu used acupuncture to help with stressrelated eating issues after her dietician recommended the treatment.

Apart from the acupuncture, Liu explains that the doctor at her Chinese medicine clinic also puts in “tiny magnets,” or ear seeds. As stated by Healthline, “Ear seeds are small seeds used to stimulate pressure points in your ear.” Similarly to acupuncture, ear seeds are used to treat various health issues depending on the placement of the seeds. In this case, they were used to aid Liu’s diet and digestion.

Although Liu does not believe the ear seeds were effective, she had a positive experience with the acupuncture portion of her treatment. However, because the treatments were expensive and not covered by insurance, Liu stopped getting treated.

While Liu’s family has a history of practicing Western medicine, Liu recalls one of her first times witnessing traditional Chinese medicine firsthand — when she was a child, her dad used cupping, another

nutrients that will help prevent further illnesses,” Dunn said.

Overall, Margarito explains that traditional Chinese medicine takes a very holistic approach in healing, examining the body as a whole rather than focusing on specific components and parts of the body like Western techniques do. He also describes the theory of tensegrity in which everything is interconnected by fascia, the body’s main connective tissue. It illustrates the way tension works throughout the body, explaining the how one aspect of the body can affect another.

Another unique aspect of traditional Chinese medicine is the way it focuses on the flow of energy. For example, acupressure looks at different pressure points in the body and what effects they have on health, such as alleviating congestion by pushing on the cheekbones.

For Liu, Western medicine is used to get rid of any short-term illnesses right away, whereas traditional Chinese medicine could be considered for more long-term illnesses or injuries, as more of a lifestyle.

On the other hand, Dunn believes the main difference between the two is that traditional Chinese medicine is more based around the body’s internal processes, dealing with inflammation or blood flow, while Western medicine focuses more on physical healing.

“I think for certain injuries or illnesses, Chinese medicine works better than Western medicine,” Dunn said. “But for other things, like [if] you have a broken bone, Western medicine will probably help you more.”

Despite their differences, Margarito believes both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine have their benefits.

“It really doesn’t matter what you use, as long as you can get the results that you’re looking for,” Margarito said. “You can call it whatever you want. As long as you can get what you need out of it, that’s what matters. The end result is what matters as long as you can do it safely. That’s a key, important part. You don’t want to hurt somebody doing it.” e

PHOTO | ALYSSA HUI

FEATURES | DECEMBER 2019

FEATURES

method of traditional Chinese medicine, on of imbalance or something like a muscle that has a knot, that’s stuck energy. So her mom to help soothe pain in her waist.

“I was horrified,” Liu said. “When [they] you’re trying to alleviate that.”

Cupping has become more popular took it off, the first time I saw it, I was shocked. I thought my mom was hurt. And in recent years after Olympic swimmer she said she didn’t feel any pain from the Michael Phelps was seen with circular bruises on his body at the 2016 Summer bruise — she actually felt better.”

Athletic trainer Javier Margarito uses Olympics. Various celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Justin traditional Chinese Bieber and Jennifer medicine techniques I WAS SHOCKED. I Aniston have been at MVHS. Margarito spotted sporting these learned these skills THOUGHT MY MOM from massage school, WAS HURT. AND SHE marks as well.

Margarito notes where he learned SAID SHE DIDN’T that another popular massage therapy with a component of FEEL ANY PAIN FROM technique of traditional Chinese medicine that acupressure, where THE BRUISE — SHE he uses on athletes is pressure is applied ACTUALLY FELT gua sha, or scraping. to certain acupoints.

BETTER. He explains that the However, he mainly company Graston learned how to perform CHINESE TEACHER has standardized the cupping from online ZOEY LIU practice, labeling it courses.

Margarito “instrument assisted explains that cupping is a form of soft tissue mobilization that affects soft tissue mobilization.”

“Basically you’re taking a metal tool with the skin and its surrounding tissues, as well a blunt edge to move tissues underneath as the blood underneath.

Cupping can be used as an alternative [the skin] and you’re getting those to rolling out muscles with a foam roller restrictions out,” Margarito said. “You can depending on the location of a muscle or do a variety of different things, but you can injury, especially if the pressure of a foam overuse [the tools], you can actually cause roller is too much to handle. While the some damage with them, so it takes some effects of cupping are very similar to those time and experience to use them.”

While she has never tried gua sha, of rolling out a muscle, Margarito describes that the cups draw the skin up, which Dunn used cupping to heal a more severe allows blood and tissue to move around, muscle strain in her quadricep, where while a foam roller applies direct pressure she had eight cups placed on her leg, promoting blood flow and speeding up the to the muscle.

“The basic principle behind it is to healing process. Rather than fire-cupping, restrict movement or increase blood which involves glass cups and fire, Dunn flow,” Margarito said. “From a used cupping with plastic cups, in which a traditional Chinese medicine syringe creates a vacuum, suctioning the standpoint, the main focus skin. Although the overall experience felt is you’re trying to affect beneficial, she distinctly remembers the qi, or the movement pain, especially when the cups were moved of energy. When around the area, leaving her with circularyou have shaped bruises.

Traditional Chinese medicine can any kind also include preventative measures that involve incorporating herbs into one’s diet, according to Dunn.

“If you have certain types of illnesses or you feel like you’re getting a runny nose or something, you have to [eat] certain types of foods, or a tea or soup that will have [a] balance [of]

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HEADLINE

Don’t put a period in the deck, or make your deck a question

BY BEFFERSON LE AND ANNIE ZHANG

IN-GAME IMPULSE Investigating the toxicity and banter in online gaming communities

BY JEFFERSON LE AND ANNIE ZHANG

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EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

PHOTO | ROSHAN FERNANDEZ PHOTO ILLUSTRATION | JEFFERSON LE AND ANNIE ZHANG

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ccording to science teacher Kyle Jones, in-game offensive banter, which can be defined as negative or racially charged statements or slurs, are a byproduct of the competitive nature of multiplayer games. These negative comments occur when players in a competitive multiplayer setting chastise others for not executing a perfected play.

Due to the prevalence of racist and misogynistic spam messages in gaming chats, Jones believes that overusing these words desensitizes their impacts.

“At a certain point [the message doesn’t] even feel like it is racist anymore,” Jones said. “It’s just people trying to say the most offensive thing they can possibly say. It’s almost because it’s so over the top and so clearly attempting to just be very, very, very offensive [that] it almost feels [like] the racism is ruled less sometimes. Which is weird, and you also start to tune it out because it becomes so much.”

Senior Ethan Malone agrees that theoveruse of racist remarks desensitizes one to the impact, and says that when gamers lose or experience in-game struggles, derogatory slurs, racist remarks and homophobic language are often thrown out in aggravation. This is coined

by Malone as “unhealthy banter” resulting from a lack of “communication” between parties. According to Jones and Malone, the line separating friendly and unhealthy banter is crossed by going beyond “jokes” and instead dropping slurs. While Jones believes that healthy banter can make gaming more collaborative, both Jones and Malone both believe that once such a line is crossed, toxicity breaks apart the community more than it strengthens competitive bonds.

Video game developers like Riot Games, the creator of League of Legends (LoL), have attempted to combat this problem by heavily filtering their chat streams.

According to Malone, in LoL, even something as little as insulting the opposing team or making a remark that could be easily brushed off can result in a penalty or game removal. Malone believes that gaming companies should only intervene to a certain extent and not to the extent that Riot does.

Malone claims that this incident is an “[Chat filters] just [don’t] seem right to me — I feel like there’s a lot of bad example of the inconsistency behind online merit in [intervention],” Malone said. “But threats, especially when exchanged during obviously super offensive [content] doesn’t gaming. Real-time voice chats foster an really have a place in video games, so it’s intense environment where users are fueled by both the safety of anonymity better just to do without it.”

Although Malone is against complete and the adrenaline of competition. For chat surveillance, he believes that unfiltered many competitive multiplayer games, chats or streams with lighter intervention such as CS:GO, success depends on aside from basic protection (anti-spam the performance of often anonymous filters and anti-bot filters) perpetuate teammates, as well as initiating, building “hatred” and provide gamers with more and maintaining team support throughout the round. opportunities to make toxic comments.

Similarly, sophomore Cash Bowman “People get behind that mask of anonymity, hence they’ll just say whatever has also encountered threats online while they want — they think they’re super playing the first person shooter Call of powerful,” Malone said. “They think Duty, when another player found his IP nobody can get them, and nobody will Address and posted it on the Twitch stream chat, threatening that most of the time.” he was “coming for Malone says PEOPLE GET BEHIND [Bowman].” that such threats THAT MASK OF Bowman believes are also apparent in ANONYMITY, HENCE that threats like the the gaming realm.

THEY’LL JUST SAY one he encountered The most common WHATEVER THEY WANT are a result of gamers digital threat is taking out their real life — THEY THINK THEY’RE ‘doxxing,’ where a person threatens SUPER POWERFUL. THEY frustrations online.

“Some of [the to leak another THINK NOBODY CAN GET threats] probably could player’s personal THEM. translate to actual information, such danger,” Bowman said.

SENIOR ETHAN MALONE as a user’s address, “But I’m fine, so that’s name and school.

Occasionally, such threats can be seen as good … people are mad, and they just take comical or “petty,” which can be as trivial it out during video game sessions.”

Bowman believes real-life feelings as ordering pizzas to a player’s home.

Malone received a physical threat after translate to in-game toxicity, and Malone playing the first-person shooter game similarly recognizes that online toxicity can Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) bleed past the screen into reality. Malone when he had a conversation with another has observed within his own friend group player on the popular video chatting app that those who participate in offensive Discord. After finishing a game round, the banter while gaming can start to “slip up” two had a conversation about Malone’s in- and use language that they would use in an unfiltered game chat. game performance.

“If my friend gets really upset during a “He said some really nasty things and how he was going to come up to my game, usually if not always I will see that house and he was going to pull a knife on somehow reflected the next day at school,” me,” Malone said. “And I didn’t take him Malone said. “They’ll slip up a bit, they’ll seriously, and it never happened. I added make a small mistake and usually it’s ... one of his friends on Steam that looked because they’re caught off guard and it’s like they knew each other, and I was like, because they had a bad experience the ‘Hey, do you know [if] he’s up to this stuff?’ night before. But I think most of the time And [the friend was] like ‘no.’ It kind of it’s easy to see the effects that your online goes to show that really anyone can make attitude has on your real life attitude. I think they’re really just the same thing.” e the threats, even your friends.”

FEATURES | DECEMBER 2019

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“WHY CAN’T YOU KEEP

FAMILY TOGETHER” YOUR

Exploring the lives of students and teachers in single parent families

BY IMAN MALIK AND BRIAN XU

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ost students of the MVHS community his room, so Tian had limited interaction are accustomed to seeing two with him throughout his life. Because his parents when they come home from mother is his family’s primary source of school every day. But this financial support, she experience is not one that works eight hours each is shared by all. According day to provide for both “I JUST LEARNED HOW to a survey of 350 MVHS him and his brother.

TO BE A BIT MORE students, 9% of students “It’s been more tough live primarily with one since my mom always INDEPENDENT. I HAD TO parent. Below are the had to have a job,” Tian PUSH MYSELF, I HAD TO stories of three members said. “So I’ve usually of the MVHS community been left alone at home BE RESPONSIBLE.” who have experienced life by myself, since my dad in a single parent family. was usually traveling.

SENIOR JACK TIAN And I just learned Jack Tian how to be a bit more Ever since senior Jack Tian can independent. I had to push myself, I had remember, his father was rarely home — to be responsible to do all my homework, instead, he was visiting relatives in China, because my mom usually comes home late traveling for work or spending time with and she doesn’t have time to take care of friends. Tian’s father would be gone for me as much.” up to a year at a time, so it was usually The few times Tian accompanied his just Tian and his mother at home. When father on trips to places nearby, Tian his father did return, he usually stayed in usually stayed in the car by himself.

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According to Tian, when his parents got divorced this year, he was not affected because his father has always been distant.

However, throughout his childhood, Tian missed having two parents.

“Usually if you have two parents, one parent’s probably going off to work but then you have another parent to help you with stuff like homework or just playing with you or just spending time with you basically,” Tian said. “I didn’t have much of that when I was growing up, so I was kind of lonely and sad.”

For Tian, the difference in his family situation was most evident when he spent time at his friend’s houses.

“Whenever I talked to them, they always had a mom and dad,” Tian said.

“I wanted to compare my own family situation at home … to theirs. So I’m just wondering what their family [is] like back at home. And I just can’t imagine it with my own brain so I guess it just made me feel separate from other people, especially

when I was younger and I guess I was a bit sad about that.”

Overall, Tian believes being raised by a single parent shaped his life positively.

“I think it’s a benefit because it helps me learn and improve for myself in the future,” Tian said. “I guess it would be nice If I did have a more involved second parent, but I think that my life turned out pretty well as it is.”

“She would sacrifice things that she wanting to “fix” her relationship. She shares wanted to do for things that I wanted to that interestingly, women put her down far do,” Verma said. “She more often than men do used to be really artsy.

— even those who seem And she used to sketch. close to her.

“SINGLE PARENTS ARE She painted a wall in “If you are strong, our house that had then they feel MORE EMPATHETIC. butterflies. And it’s really threatened,” Bana said.

THEY ARE MORE pretty, but she definitely “If you are the crybaby doesn’t have time to do it then they feel ‘Oh yeah, RESILIENT. THEY ARE anymore.” we can help you.’ But if MORE COURAGEOUS.” Shivani Verma Despite hearing about you’re a strong woman Sophomore Shivani Verma’s earliest the negative aspects of and you don’t need their MATH TEACHER memory is sitting in an unfamiliar room being raised by a single help, then they don’t SUSHMA BANA at age three playing Candyland with her parent, Verma is content take very kindly to it. father. She would always cheat by putting with the way her family is I’ve had [people say] to the good cards in her pile, but this time structured right now. my face that ‘Because she promised to play fair. After the game, “I don’t know what it would feel like to you have an attitude like this, no wonder she played with her Barbies with both her have both of my parents raising me at the your husband left you.’ I’m like, ‘Do you parents. A lady with a clipboard sat in the same time, and I don’t really want to know even know who left whom?’ I mean, this room and asked her if she was having fun. because I just like the way it is right now,” judgment that you had something in you “I was like, ‘yeah, I love toys,’” Verma Verma said. “It feels like you can be more that made your partner leave you; it’s just said. “I didn’t know comfortable. And you’re there.” what was going on. closer to them in a way Bana is subject to these judgements But it was actually a because it’s just you and even within the MVHS community. While “[MY MOM] WOULD one way mirror and that person.” helping organize the Spotlite showcase people were observing of Indian culture one year, Bana walked SACRIFICE THINGS THAT how I interact with Sushma Bana through the line outside the auditorium, SHE WANTED TO DO FOR my parents without Math teacher Sushma making sure students lined up properly and me knowing that I’m Bana has been a single preventing them from stealing food. At one THINGS THAT I WANTED [being observed]. It parent for 17 years after point, she addressed the parents directly.

TO DO.” was just to see what getting a divorce when her “I just said, ‘please help the kids,’” Bana environment I would son was three years old. said. “‘We are at a school, please help SOPHOMORE SHIVANI interact with them She believes that there your kids in maintaining the school rules. [in].” are two major challenges We are role models for our kids.’ And a VERMA Verma’s parents to being a single parent. parent right there, he did not see me, but got divorced when The first is handling all of I heard with my own two ears: ‘Look who’s she was three years old, and observing a family’s responsibilities, such as earning talking: a divorced single parent.’ I didn’t her family environment helped agencies a household income, providing food and say anything. I just said as loud as I could, determine which parent would have doing taxes. The second challenge is ‘Well, ignorance is bliss, isn’t it?’ And I just primary custody of her. The result of this dealing with negative judgments made by walked away. I never cry in public. But I test, as well as several other factors, was the community. walked in and the show went on. I’ve never that Verma would spend weekdays with her To Bana, this second challenge of dealing shared this with anyone because I don’t mother and weekends with her father. with societal issues was more difficult than want kids to feel bad. It’s not their fault; “I’m really used to the way that the first. Judgemental questions can be [they]’re kids.” everything is,” Verma said. “People who are very hard to answer, especially for children, Bana believes that despite all of the like, ‘My parents got divorced when I was according to Bana. In her experience, the criticism and misinformed judgement 10,’ I’m like, ‘Man, that sucks.’ Because Asian community is very judgemental she receives, she has gained a lot of I don’t remember my parents ever being about divorce, especially towards women. strength from bein a single parent. In together. It’s not a thing for me. People “‘What did you do to break up your fact, her teaching has evolved due to her would ask me, ‘Do you wish that they were family?’ I have had this question asked experiences; she tries to empathize with together?’ I can’t wish that because I don’t bluntly in my face,” Bana said. “‘Why students and care for them, and hopes to know how it was. I’ve been with it so long couldn’t you keep your family together?’ instill the same kindness in her students. that I don’t think about it that much.”

So implicitly, it’s considered the woman’s “It is [a] day to day struggle, but it does Verma’s father eventually remarried, fault, like something is wrong with you; you make you a better person,” Bana said. “And but because her mother is single, Verma couldn’t keep a family together. So as much I truly believe that. I think single parents are recognizes the sacrifices she has made as you try to shield your child or children, more empathetic. They are more resilient. to take care of her. For example, while this is the piece that I have seen my son They are more courageous. And they Verma’s mother is close to her colleagues also struggle with.” believe in the best and they are hopeful. at work, she does not have the time to build Bana believes that the people who ask They don’t lose hope because they have strong friendships with others because she these questions are not uneducated; they been through things. So they think ‘This is so busy, according to Verma. simply have a condescending mindset of will pass. This too shall pass.’” e FEATURES | DECEMBER 2019

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COURAGE OF THE STARS The story of the bravest person I have ever met

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met Nika on the first day of sixth grade in Mrs. Barnette’s sixth period P.E. class, both of us wearing the same purple shirt from the Target athletic section. I immediately had this overwhelming and inexplicable urge to be her friend. After catching me staring at her shirt, she noticed my gaze, winked and threw up a peace sign. That moment was undoubtedly the highlight of my first day of middle school.

From that moment, we were instant friends. I ran laps with her every day of sixth grade, made cupcakes with her every weekend of seventh grade and roomed with her for both the Yosemite and Disneyland trips in eighth.

Nika and I stuck to each other like glue.

She was my partner in crime, my better half and my best friend. And of all the things I have ever done in my life, of all the inspirational quotes about courage I’ve read and of all the movies about bravery, nothing has quite managed to inspire me like she has. This is her story.

Nika’s journey starts one Saturday in August prior to seventh grade.

I went to her house after being berated by my mother in the car and I was annoyed. I sat on her bed, complaining about the injustices that my mother subjected me to. After 20 minutes, we went to the park to film a music video to “Call Me Maybe.”

A couple hours later, my mother came to pick me up. Nika and I stayed upstairs in her room, hoping that our mothers would converse and give us an extra 15 minutes together. My mom called me down some time later and I went home.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about,” my mother ILLUSTRATION | ANUSHKA DE said somberly once we were in the

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FEATURES | DECEMBER 2019

car. “I just had a conversation with Nika’s her spirit. She brought lemon cupcakes to mom. She’s been diagnosed with a terminal school, she made slime, she stressed over illness. She told me that she’s been given math tests and she found a reason to smile two more years to live. every day.

My stomach dropped, my throat Nika’s mom passed away on Nov. 7, became constricted and I was overcome 2019. I went to her house with my mom with shame. I’d sat on after she told her bed mere hours me through a ago, complaining text, and walking about my mom when up to her house my very best friend and ringing the BEING had only two years doorbell knowing left with her own. I that she’d just lost BRAVE couldn’t believe that her mom was the this was a real thing scariest moment happening to Nika, ANUSHKA DE of my life. Her to my Nika. I cried aunt answered the myself to sleep that door and called night, filled with sadness for one of the her, and Nika walked out through the people in this world who I loved most. kitchen. I remember hugging her as she I later learned that I had found out cried in my arms. about Nika’s mother’s illness before Nika The next weekend, I attended her mom’s herself. Her mother had just learned of memorial service. Nika told the story of her her diagnosis, and in her overwhelming mother’s life alongside one of her sisters, sadness, had told my mom. Nika’s and even though she was at the memorial mother was diagnosed with ALS, a service of her own mother, she managed to neurodegenerative disease that make a room full of crying people laugh. results in the death of the neurons She stood in front of a hundred people that control voluntary muscles. with strength and courage that I know I will Every day for three years after never have. that, Nika lived with a mother Nika still comes to school every day with who was waging a war against a a smile. I have never left a conversation vicious illness. She dealt with with her without feeling happy. She wakes unimaginable pain and stress up every day with the courage to face the every single day as she world, to face all the stress and pain of life watched her mother — her and she does it with more happiness than hero and the one person anyone I have ever met. Her bravery has who was supposed to be inspired me as long as I have known her. there with her through At the memorial, this song lyric stuck everything — slowly lose out to me, “You taught me the courage to the disease. of stars before you left, how light carries And yet, in spite of all on endlessly, even after death.” Nika has the pain that she endured, shown me what real bravery looks like Nika was still filled with joy. every day since I’ve met her. Even though I think the reason I became her entire world fell apart, she never lost friends with Nika in the the spark of the girl who winked at me first place is because she because we were wearing the same shirt. had an uncanny ability Nika, you, more than anyone or anything to make the people else in the world, have “taught me the around her happy. And courage of stars.” Thank you for being the even though she was absolutely incredible person you are. You going through hell at inspire me. e home, even though she was slowly losing the person in the world that she loved more than anything, she never lost

Four creations that incorporate cranberries

BY ADITI DIXIT AND JACQUELEINE LIU

1

CHEESECAKE

Supplies: Crust -10 graham crackers -Six tablespoons unsalted butter Cranberry Swirl -3/4 cup fresh cranberries -1/4 cup granulated sugar -2 teaspoons orange zest -5 tablespoons water Cream Cheese Filling -16 ounces room-temperature cream cheese -1/2 cup granulated sugar -1 teaspoon vanilla extract -2 large eggs -1 tablespoon flour -Pinch of salt Steps: Crust 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.

2. Ground graham crackers until fine. Add melted butter to crackers and spread on a baking pan.

3. Bake for 12 minutes.

Cranberry Swirl Add all ingredients to a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook for six to eight minutes and let cool. Blend until smooth.

Cream Cheese Filling Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat eggs one at a time into mixture. Mix in flour and salt.

Assembly 1. Pour filling onto crust, spreading evenly.

2. Place spoonfuls of cranberry mixture onto the cream cheese and swirl with a knife.

3. Bake until edges are golden, about 35 to 40 minutes.

4. Chill before serving.

SOURCE | HANDLETHEHEAT

2

FACE MASK

3

4

GARLAND

Supplies: -10 fresh or frozen cranberries -1 date (remove pit) -1 teaspoon of argan oil (or coconut oil as a substitute) -2 tablespoons honey -2 tablespoons fine oatmeal

Supplies: -4 small pinecones (about 1 inch tall) -15 inches of thick string -21 cranberries -1 toothpick -Hot glue gun

Steps: 1. Crush the cranberries and date in a mortar. Add some water to make mixture mashable.

2. Once it forms a smoothie like consistency, pour into a bowl then add the argan oil.

3. Stir honey into the mixture, thickening it and making it easier to incorporate the oatmeal.

4. Add oatmeal until the consistency thickens to a paste. Then chill in the fridge.

5. Apply to face and neck, and allow to dry for five to 10 minutes. Then rinse off.

Steps: 1. Cut string to desired length. Tie one end tightly to a toothpick.

2. Pierce the cranberries in the toothpick and pull completely through. Repeat process for about five cranberries.

3. Hot glue a pinecone directly to the string.

4. Repeat until the string is full.

SOURCE | CLEANANDSCENTSIBLE

CANDLE

ENT

CRANBERRY CREATIONS Supplies: -1 glass jar -10 to 12 rosemary sprigs cut to about 1.5 inches or less -Water -10 to 15 fresh cranberries -1 tea light

Steps: 1. Place the desired amount of rosemary sprigs into the glass jar.

2. Pour water into the jar until half full.

3. Add the desired amount of cranberries, being careful to not overflow the jar.

4. Gently place the tea light onto the cranberries.

SOURCE | BELLALIMENTO

SOURCE | COSMOPOLITAN

SCAN FOR HOW-TO VIDEOS

PHOTO | AYAH ALI-AHMAD

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | DECEMBER 2019

27

Swipe right?

The rise in teenage dating apps like Yubo and Spotafriend

BY AYAH ALI-AHMAD

28

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

apps, who benefits really are the people who [make the apps]. They want more and more people to get involved, and they keep coming up with something newer … to get people hooked in.”

After a while, Xu found it addicting to be on the app and talk to multiple people at once. This dependency made him appreciate interactions in real life as opposed to something that’s “artificial and manufactured.” For Xu, the premium features some teens pay for prove that the existence of the apps aren’t necessarily to create long-lasting relationships, but likely for companies to profit off its underage users.

“In some cases, [the apps] do allow you to connect with people, but such connections are really rare occurrences and more often than not, the time you spend in order to find these people really isn’t worth it,” Xu said. “You get really invested into a person that you talk to ... I would prefer real-life interaction as opposed to something that’s artificial and manufactured by these people who are making the app for money.” e

ILLUSTRATION | SARAH YOUNG

D

ating apps marketed to teens under extension ... The connections and how high 18 as platforms to meet and chat schooler students interact is very different with friends online have been on the than how it was for mine.” rise with the inception of apps like Yubo and As an educator who works with teens Spotafriend. The design of these platforms daily, Holaday does worry that using these replicates those of any other dating app apps can leave underage users vulnerable meant for adults — you can build a profile, to adults possibly lying about their age. swipe through requests to accept or decline Yubo does try to counter these fears by them and send direct in-app messages. verifying users with an external app, Yoti, Junior Albert Xu downloaded both apps that requires users to send in photos of the summer after his freshman year, after identification and videos to prove potential first hearing about the apps users’ age. Holaday through other friends. Xu claims that parental I FEEL LIKE IF IT says he initially downloaded WEREN’T FOR THE consent is essential to them without any intention ensure safe usage.

FACT THEY LIVE for a relationship but “I know that there SO FAR AWAY, eventually grew to enjoy was the lying of [users] talking to people from ages to get on Tinder, YOU COULD BE around the Bay. and I knew that that was FRIENDS IN “You meet [people] happening,” Holaday REAL LIFE. everywhere,” Xu said. “You said. “I’m concerned go online, you play games, about my students’ you pick up people along safety. On apps like this JUNIOR ALBERT XU the way — people that you where they’re possibly actually really like. I feel like if it weren’t for interacting with adults, I don’t want them the fact that they live so far away, you could getting a situation where there’s somebody be friends in real life. But because they live lying about their age or them getting [in a] so far away, talking to them online is the situation that’s out of their control.” only way you can go.”

Xu doesn’t know if he ever encountered Xu was hesitant to tell others about his any communication with someone over use of the apps, citing a negative stigma 18 while using the app, but he trusts the around dating apps, and even cut his usage verification process. He did struggle with only a few weeks into his experience. communication, however, usually because “I’d say Spotafriend is sort of [a] dating of misinterpretation of tone of certain texts app, but it’s marketed as a meetup app and the amount of time it would take him because dating apps have that stigma,” Xu to reply. For people on the app, responding said. “I do look for attractive people that to a text “slowly” could be interpreted as have already swiped me, and I swipe them disinterest, and leaving someone “on read” back.” could mean something more.

Matching with his boyfriend of seven Student advocate Richard Prinz believes years on the dating platform OkCupid, long distances and relationships held purely English teacher Randy Holaday supports online can be detrimental to a person’s the rise of dating apps for teens and mental health and usually last a shorter adults as he says it brings more freedom amount of time. He prefers people use to all kinds of personalities. He used the online communication only as an extension website for the same reason Xu first to bonds people hold in person, and not downloaded the apps — to expand his leave the entire relationship digital — circle of relationships. which he believes is the backbone to apps “At least for [my boyfriend and I], after like Yubo. college, moving back into your home area, “I think if it just promotes more online your circles are pretty much people that relationships, I think that’s a little not so you’ve known for a long time, and so it’s healthy,” Prinz said. “They say something, just another way of extending that circle and there’s not the person there, and it’s out,” Holaday said. “It seems like a natural taken out of context ... With online dating

LISTENING NOW MVHS students’ music streaming services

BY LANCE TONG

$9.99/ month

Spotify According to Spotify

Apple Music According to Apple Music

YouTube Music According to YouTube Music

217 million listeners According to Business of Apps

60 million listeners According to Statistica

15 million listeners According to Bloomberg

Which streaming services do MVHS student use?

Do MVHS students think the price is worth it?

12% Apple Music

60% Spotify

No 40%

8% 20% Other

Yes 60%

YouTube Music

*According to a survey of 362 MVHS students

Device limit by streaming service

*According to a survey of 223 MVHS students

YouTube Apple Music Music

Spotify

Free Option

Free Option

Free Option

Download Ability

Download Ability

Download Ability

Podcasts

Podcasts

Podcasts According to Consumer Reports and Digital Trends

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | DECEMBER 2019

29

the right move

30

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

PHOTO | ANISH VASUDEVAN

Exploring social science teacher David Hartford’s love for board games

BY STUTI UPADHYAY

S

ocial science teacher David Hartford has lived in four countries: England, America, Japan and Columbia.

Although the culture and norms of each country differ, Hartford explains that one thing in particular helped him bridge those differences and connect with people — board games.

Hartford first began playing board games 10 years ago with his college roommate and his girlfriend (now fiancé). Hartford describes that time as the “Golden Age of board games,” marked by an increase in their popularity in the United States.

Although he only started seriously playing board games in college, games have been an important part of Hartford’s life since his childhood. As a high schooler, Hartford was extremely interested in Magic of Gathering, a card game centered around wizarding battles, and eventually became good enough to play competitively in worldwide competitions.

Hartford no longer plays card games, but his love for board games has blossomed.

He currently owns a collection of over 300 board games, lovingly known as “the shrine” to his friends.

Once or twice a week, Hartford hosts or attends game nights with his friends.

At around 6 p.m., friends typically begin trickling into the house and chatting. After catching up and eating dinner, they choose a game and begin playing, often staying up until one or two in the morning. According to Hartford, the types of games they play differs based on the group of friends coming over — for example, his friends who are teachers typically play more social games, such as Cards Against Humanity, while his friends in the tech industry often opt for more analytical, strategic games.

Whatever it may be, Hartford believes these nights offer a great way to socialize.

“Everybody has really busy lives,” Hartford said. “So knowing that we have this set day where we’re all going to get together and hang out and talk, that’s kind of been an anchor for us, especially when we have busy weeks or busy months.”

Although Hartford does not typically play with teachers from MVHS, he did play board games with several MVHS teachers during a teacher collaboration period.

English teacher Randy Holaday, who also enjoys playing board games, was one of the teachers who joined the gaming group.

“We played a Victorian game that I’d against someone can help you bond with never played before,” Holaday said. “It was that person and form a special kind of super fun — I was interacting with teachers relationship. Because of this, although I hadn’t really before, so it was a good way Hartford says his end goal is always having of connecting with fun, he also enjoys them.” the thinking and logic WIN OR LOSE, AT THE Beyond the social that comes along with END OF THE DAY, AT aspect, Hartford board games.

LEAST FOR OUR GROUP, claims playing board “[I’m always] games is a good way trying to map out the IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT to relax and take puzzle,” Hartford said.

THAT FACE TO FACE a break from the “What is the most INTERACTION. THAT’S many responsibilities efficient move? What teachers have.

WHAT YOU’RE GROWING is the best possible “We always have play in this situation?

FROM. things going on in Most board games, our lives that can SOCIAL SCIENCE TEACHER there are so many be overwhelming,” possible options, that DAVID HARTFORD Hartford said. it’s almost impossible “Just like students in the short amount with various homework assignments or of time that you have to actually pick the preparing for tests, teachers have grading perfect move. So it’s about this constantly and lesson planning … I’ve always been a striving for perfection. And for me, that’s fan of doing puzzles and that mental activity something that I’ve always enjoyed.” and stimulus. For me, that’s a good release Given Hartford’s passion for gaming, … It’s just kind of been a way to make sure he has tried to introduce board games into that I take downtime for myself.” the classroom. However, both Hartford and Hartford explains that he has always Holaday agree that incorporating gaming been a relatively competitive person, and into a class can be difficult. Not only does this often surfaces when playing board the game have to be educational, but games. According to Hartford, competing it also has to be fun and time-efficient.

Nonetheless, both teachers have attempted to incorporate board games when possible.

Junior and AP U.S. History student Neo Nishino has played some of the board games that Hartford has brought into class, and he appreciates the effort to make learning more interactive and enjoyable.

“Just coming from the fact that he loves playing games, he does incorporate that sort of atmosphere into our classroom and that helps a lot,” Nishino said. “[For example], the timeline game helps to memorize dates, and you can play with other people and memorize stuff with friends, which is really fun, too.”

Hartford highly recommends high schoolers play board games because it helps with logical thought and strategizing as well as contributes to healthy social interactions between players.

“No matter what game you’re playing, you have different people that are playing for different reasons and different goal,” Hartford said. “Win or lose, at the end of the game, at least for our group, it’s always about that face to face interaction with individuals. That’s what you’re growing from.” e

PHOTO | ANISH VASUDEVAN

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | DECEMBER 2019

31

WHAT’S IN A DRINK?

Breaking down the nutritional information of popular 16-ounce drinks

BY CHARLOTTE CHUI

INGREDIENT BREAKDOWN: preservative fatty acid thickener & emulsifier

INGREDIENTS:

milk tea (black tea, milk, sugars), boba (tapioca starch, water, modified starch, potato starch, potassium sorbate, xanthan gum, caramel color, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, maple flavor) SOURCE | FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION

32

INGREDIENTS:

passion fruit mango jui grape, mango, orange an from concentrate), fro sherbet (water, sugar, m pineapple juice concen flavors, citric acid, m locust bean gum, gua *mango-a-go-go

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

33 grams

Which drink do you think has the most sugar?

38 grams 65 grams *According to a survey of 359 MVHS students

ILLUSTRATION | EMILY XIA

*

juice blend (pear, white e and passion fruit juice frozen mango, pineapple r, milk, corn syrup, whey, ncentrate, cream, natural mono and diglycerides, guar gum, carrageenan)

**

INGREDIENTS:

milk, espresso, vanilla syrup (sugar, water, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, citric acid), caramel sauce (sugar, corn syrup, butter, water, heavy cream, nonfat dry milk, natural flavors, salt, mono and diglycerides, soy lecithin, sulfites) **caramel macchiato ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | DECEMBER 2019

33

REMEMBER THE MATADORS How movies about sports impact MVHS athletes

BY RUCHA SOMAN “Remember the Titans” and “The Blind Side” — popular football movies that convey the message that hard work and team chemistry pays off. The clichéd aspect of these films have been repeated in multiple sports movies all ending with a climactic winning scene set to inspire the audience, something MVHS athletes can relate to.

Senior and football player Nate Reyes explains that he relates to the movie “Remember the Titans” because MVHS football had a similar experience.

“Every year [the MVHS football team] have been considered the underdogs,” Reyes said. “And I mean, the past two years, we’ve done better than we have in a while.

So that’s probably the most relatable, is just the whole underdog aspect.”

MVHS football offensive coordinator and history teacher Cody Owens shows the movie to his classes every year around homecoming because of the satisfying feeling he gets from watching it.

“It’s just how hard people had to work together, how they had to come together and overlook small differences as a team and then that transpired into them winning a lot of games ... it was mostly through exceptionally hard work,” Owens said.

Despite his direct relationship to the sport, junior and football player Michael Pavlik feels the football movie “The Blind Side” is more of an overall uplifting movie rather than directly teaching him a lesson related to his sport.

“I think it’s very inspirational because where he came from, he didn’t really have that many choices and options to like go further in life but through a sport he was like, able to make something of

34

EL ESTOQUE DECEMBER 2019

themselves, which I think is pretty cool,” Pavlik said.

However the awe inspiring moment doesn’t just run through football movies.

For junior and field hockey player Prisha Khatwani, the movie “Youngblood” encouraged her to be grateful for what she has. According to her, not being disabled is an advantage and she has no excuse not to put in 100% effort.

“I think it was cool that the main character went back into the game even after missing a goal because I do that,” Khatwani said. “Their mood during the day was how the game play was affected, which happens definitely a lot.”

She felt appreciative of her abilities because the movie depicts an ice hockey player who injured his legs in an accident and although he had a strong swing, his insufficient footwork held him back

from playing in a league. However his perseverance to relearn how to use his legs and tenacity to push through bad plays is what inspired Khatwani.

Despite the message that hard work brings the victory, Owens believes the light that movies such as “Remember the Titans” sheds on racism ties into the overarching positive message.

“It kind of relates to [topics that we talk about in the] American Studies [class like] our big government little government unit because it deals with racial segregation,” Owens said. “And how this team in Virginia has to come together to win this state title game by overcoming these barriers.”

Reyes recognizes the racial tension in the movie, especially when a character dies and it brings the team together. For Reyes, the lessons of the movie carry into practice.

“We always reference it in practice,” Reyes said. “We always joke around and be like, ‘Oh, you have to try harder.’ Like ‘Remember the Titans’ or ‘Remember the Matadors’ or just a bunch of jokes like that.” e

Budget: ~$30 million Box Office: ~$100 million IMBd: 7.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 73% Budget: $29 million Box Office: ~$300 million IMBd: 7.6/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 66%

ILLUSTRATION | HANNAH LEE

Budget: $8 million Box Office: ~$15.45 million IMBd: 6.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 38%

DJ Kobza returns to coach MVHS boys basketball

BY ANISH VASUDEVAN

I

SPORTS

A FAMILIAR FACE

n the 2016-17 season, the MVHS boys JV basketball team, coached by DJ Kobza, finished the season 2-10. This May, Kobza returned to MVHS as the head coach of the boys varsity team, hoping to redeem his last stint.

During his time away from MVHS, Kobza spent his time coaching a competitive AAU basketball team South Bay Spin, which has PHOTO | ANISH VASUDEVAN several MVHS players on it. Kobza explains Boys varsity basketball coach DJ Kobza onlooks the team during their 47-58 loss to Willow Glen HS. that even though he originally planned on coaching high school basketball, this time improving the team chemistry, the senior have the best rapport with the kids,” Kobza away from the sport allowed him to achieve players were also able to make a connection said. “It’s really important to me to make people feel positively, because I think you some of his other goals like earning his with the juniors two years ago on JV. “Although DJ was not their coach, get the most out of them that way. They’ll teaching credentials.

“When it became clear that I was going because they were still in middle school, buy into your system, they’ll respect what to do the credential program that I wanted most of the juniors that are playing this year you’re trying to do, when you make them to do, I wanted to stay active in coaching,” played with us when we were sophomores,” feel good about themselves and make them Kobza said. “But it’s pretty hard to do that Majeti said. “Adjusting to the coaches is feel good about what they’re learning.”

Kobza also explains that another aspect because for credential programs I have to not really a problem then because we all be a student teacher in the daytime and have a connection with each other and of his coaching that isn’t orthodox is his so the coach can communicate transparency with the players, referring to take class everything easily to the whole himself as a “benevolent dictator.” Kobza at night.

AT THE END OF THE team.” takes input from the players on certain Coaching an However, even though plays, and also makes sure to take the AAU team DAY PEOPLE WON’T Majeti explains that the players time to explain why he is making certain where the REMEMBER WHAT themselves have been able to decisions before making the final call. commitment YOU SAID OR DID, improve because of their history “I’m always trying to make adjustments,” isn’t quite as with each other, senior forward Kobza said. “One of the things I always do extreme as a THEY WILL REMEMArvind Jagdish explains that at the end of any game or practice is asking high school BER HOW YOU MADE Kobza’s coaching style is another if anyone has anything to add. I recognize program, THEM FEEL. reason why the team’s overall that there are other opinions and other eyes made sense atmosphere has improved in the watching and they might see something I’ve because I COACH DJ KOBZA past year. missed.” only had to “Every time he’s been around, we’ve While the team chemistry has improved coach practice once a week with games always had better chemistry, he’s been exponentially since last season, an on weekends.”

Kobza’s return is a new experience for really open to listening to everyone’s ideas,” unexpected factor limiting performance has the class of 2020 players, since they have Jagdish said. “He’s really empathetic, in a been injuries. The Matadors are currently 1-4 on the season, but the team has lost had a change in head coaches every year sense, he’s not harsh as coach.”

Kobza explains that his coaching style three players since the beginning of tryouts. in MVHS. “It’s definitely good to have someone is extremely relationship-based, comparing Still, Jagdish explains that this won’t be a back because we know what’s going on his coaching style to the Maya Angelou major issue for the team because he feels systematically and we know his style, so quote, “At the end of the day people won’t that from the first player on the team to the it’s easy to adjust,” senior guard Sid Majeti remember what you said or did, they will last player on the bench, anyone can go in the game and make an impact. said. “I think team chemistry itself will be a remember how you made them feel.”

“So over the years, I’ve worked with “I have full faith that we have the talent, big key for us especially because our team many great coaches, and some of the chemistry and experience above all else to is much smaller than previous years.” “ Majeti, a four year player, explains that coaches I worked with were basketball make it to CCS,” Jagdish said. e along with the familiarity of the coaching geniuses, but I saw that they didn’t always SPORTS | DECEMBER 2019

35

IF THE SH

“Mr. “Mr. Martinez, Martinez, another another pair pair of shoes has been delivered.” of shoes has been delivered.”

asd Senior Clerical Assistant Jennifer Giarrita often pops into Assistant Principal Michael Martinez’s office with a package — but unlike the typical school supplies, Martinez’s packages hold his newest shoe purchases. He enjoys the exhilaration of setting his alarm extra early to purchase a pair of limited-edition shoes. With over 40 pairs of shoes in his closet, Martinez describes himself as a “sneakerhead.”

“My mom cuts hair so I grew up in a hair salon, so I’ve always had this thing with looking nice and dressing nice. I’ve always been kind of concerned with my appearance since very early childhood,” Martinez said. “So I think shoes are just

36

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

kind of part of that package. I’ve always kind of been a shoe person … You can probably look at baby pictures, and I have all these super cool shoes on.”

Martinez views shoes as a form of self-expression, much like clothing or accessories. In fact, he describes his shoes as an “extension of [himself].” For this reason, he puts extra thought into his outfits — from head to toe.

“I like to coordinate colors, so I would match my shoes, to my socks, to my belt,” Martinez said. “Depending on the weather, if it’s really yucky outside, I’ll put on a pair of Adidas Ultraboosts. I won’t wear any of my boxed shoes. I’ll put on my yucky shoes, but it’s always color coordinating.”

Like Martinez, junior Matthew Whong uses shoes to showcase his interests.

While he has always liked purchasing

shoes, he only began customizing basketball sneakers the summer after his freshman year.

“Growing up, sneakers were [and] are still a big part of my life,” Whong said.

“There’s such a rich history in sneakers that you can learn from just a sneaker. I started [customizing] because I wanted a way to express myself on the court.”

Since then, Whong has designed approximately 20 pairs of shoes. He draws inspiration from his favorite comic books to various animators. Whong explains that customizing a shoe is an involved process.

“I always find the shoe first,” Whong said. “I find the silhouette of the shoe and then I usually try and sketch it out to see how the shoe would look. Then I come up with ideas for what I want to put on the shoe and I sketch those ideas before

HOE DRIPS I actually get the shoe. Then I do a fine sketch on the shoe and then I paint it.”

Similar to Whong, sophomore Ronit Ramchandani customizes sneakers as a hobby. From abstract artwork to designs showcasing his sports background, Ramchandani uses shoe customization as an outlet to express his interests.

“Basically I can put whatever I want on it, right?” Ramchandani said. “So any hobbies or stuff like that, like my jersey number, I can just paint it on the shoe. I also put some of my favorite sports on [my shoes], like I could draw a football or basketball.”

Martinez attributes the popularity of shoes to pop culture and advertising.

With shoes like Kanye West’s Yeezys taking over mainstream culture, Martinez explains that students are more inclined

to take an interest in shoes. Ramchandani agrees, saying he prefers to start on a clean canvas, where he can freely communicate what he wants through his artwork.

“I buy all white shoes so I’m not limited to any type of colorway or design that I want to put on it,” Ramchandani said. “So basically I can just paint whatever I want [and] express what I like.”

With over 10 pairs of shoes he has designed, and even more classic pairs he has purchased in his closet, Ramchandani refers to himself as a shoe lover. Likewise, Martinez collects shoes and is working with his secretary to design a special closet for his many shoes.

“There are 40 something [pairs] in [my closet] now,” Martinez said. “They’re all stacked, like they’re falling out of the closet when I open the closet. It’s really

BY HANNAH LEE

bad. I need a bigger closet. Ms. Mueller, my secretary, helped me design this closet where there are drawers you could put the shoes [in] and so someday when I have my dream home I will have this custom little closet for all of my shoes.”

Ultimately, Martinez explains that one aspect he loves most about shoes is their ability to spark conversation with anyone — from co-workers to students.

“Students, if they like a new pair of shoes I have on or something like that, [they] will make comments,” Martinez said. “If I see cool shoes on students, I’m always making comments too. So I think shoes are just another way to connect with people. You know, I think if you see that commonality in other people, it’s just a way for people to connect and interact with people, socialize.” e SPORTS | DECEMBER 2019

37

TEACHERS’ ATHLETIC PASTS Teachers share their experiences on being on a high school sports team

BY JAYANTI JHA AND ELENA KHAN

A

s a student at MVHS, biology teacher Pooya Hajjarian joined an outdoor 5 on 5 soccer league at De Anza College. Although joining the team was more of a hobby, the team was able to excel in their league and make it to playoffs. During one practice, Hajjarian unexpectedly met one of his biggest soccer idols — Khodadad Azizi — a now retired Iranian striker.

“I remember at one point [during practice] my buddies threw the ball up, and it was like it had come down to the last second and I went up in the air and did a bicycle kick,” Hajjarian said. “And when I remember being on the ground and looking over and everybody was cheering me on, I saw him clap for me. I was like, ‘Oh, look, my hero is like clapping for me right now.’ And afterwards, he came to say good job and congrats and all that. For me [that] was super special.”

Guidance counselor Clay Stiver also remembers a specific moment out of his four years playing on the Cupertino HS basketball team from a game they won against MVHS because it was the only league game they won that year. He specifically recalls playing against Robert Rothbard, who went on to play in the Israeli National league. “[MVHS] used to have this kid, he was legitimately seven feet tall, seven foot one,” Stiver said. “He was one of the top recruits ever, and we were just having a crummy season. That was the year we won one game. So our first league game, [I] played my a** off, held that kid back to 10 points.

He’s seven feet tall, getting recruited by the D1 schools. It felt amazing.”

Although it was not an accomplished season, he appreciated that basketball allowed him to get daily physical exercise.

Similarly, Hajjarian emphasizes that he enjoyed the aspect of having fun while working out.

“Exercise is something that we don’t always make time for,” Hajjarian said. “[Exercise] helps so much in a time where you’re stressed out [and] it’s something that helps me manage my stress. [In school], it was something that was really fun for me [as] I was doing [it] with friends. It [didn’t feel like] going on [an] elliptical machine for me, which wouldn’t be very fun. It was

38

EL ESTOQUE | DECEMBER 2019

socializing while still being active.”

Spanish teacher Molly Guadiamos also recognizes the importance of doing a physical activity, especially in high school, with stress mostly revolving around academics. As part of the swim team and marching band at Lincoln HS in San Jose, sports were a large part of her life that helped establish balance.

“I feel [as though], from my own experience and observation as a teacher, [students] have the time [to do a sport], but they [instead] spend two hours a day on Instagram or Netflix,” Guadiamos said.

“We’re getting a lot of the social benefits and the physical benefits [when doing a sport], and I think it’s a great trade off.”

Stiver agrees with Guadiamos, as he says his academics were not negatively affected during his basketball career in high school, but were even better than during the offseason. He would temporarily be brought down by losses, but he still enjoyed the dynamic of athletics overall.

“I was nervous before every game just because I wanted to win,” Stiver said.

“But even when [playing] impacted me

negatively, it was really just from losing.

Even if I got yelled at by my coach, it was usually because he was right and I wanted to get better — I didn’t really take that to heart or anything. If the guys on the team didn’t care as much as I did, that kind of pissed me off sometimes, but in general was a very positive experience.”

Similarly to Stiver, Guadiamos believes that sports enhanced her experience in high school greatly because of the friendships she created and the memories she made before and after practice while she was a member of the team. “[Sports] added to my experience in that it was fun to have the friendships that you build on the team,” Guadiamos said. “There’s always inside jokes, there’s little extra social activities associated and I thought that was very positive. [My teammates and I] are working towards the same goal. I think the people that I’m still in contact with from high school were either from the swim team or marching band — they’re all my best friends.” e

PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION OF MOLLY GUADIAMOS

Spanish teacher Molly Guadiamos (far right) poses with her high school PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION OF MOLLY GUADIAMOS swimming team.

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH GUY LAVI

BY TABITHA MENDEZ

A

fter watching games with his dad, uncle and older brother, senior and defender Guy Lavi started playing soccer at age six. Since then, he has had a 13-year career but is still uncertain whether or not he will play in college. Lavi has been playing on the MVHS boys soccer team since he was a freshman, and became a part of the boys varsity team when he was a sophomore. This year, Lavi is one of three captains for the team and sees potential in the upcoming season as he believes all of the players are more willing to work hard, which he hopes will change previous season records for the better. For Lavi, when looking at the essential parts of soccer, he sees value and importance as two different things. “For me those two are very different,” Lavi said. “I value the friendships and memories I’ve created but I think the most important thing to succeed is hard work and dedication.”

3

YEARS ON VARSITY

1360*

OF 1360 MINUTES PLAYED

*2018 season

PHOTO | KAMYAR MORADI

SPORTS | DECMBER 2019

39

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