Volume 40 Issue 8, May 11 2011

TAKING TIME OFF As junior atheltes struggle with the atheltic and academic balance, coaches voice their opinion on their dropouts SPORTS page 15

GENERATION GAP

From old school to our school, explore the differences and similarites between generations

CENTERSPREAD pages 11-14

TWISTED TALE

The classic Cinderella story gets a makeover with Drama’s new student-produced play ENTERTAINMENT page 19

HATRIOTISM

VOLUME XLI | ISSUE 8 | MONTA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL | CUPERTINO, CA

AP test sign ups up 1,200 since 2004

SCORING HIGH Students and the misuse of ADHD drugs on elestoque.org

MAY 11, 2011

College costs bringing new value to Advanced Placement tests

A

fter having decided which college to attend in the fall, many seniors are looking at the upcoming Advanced Placement tests in a new light—do they really matter?

Advanced Placement classes are often taken to demonstrate proficiency in a subject or to skip a college level course after scoring the required number on the Advanced Placement test.

However, college credit is not always awarded for Advanced Placement tests and skipping courses is increasingly more discouraged by colleges.

The University of California system offers credit for all Advanced Placement tests on which students score a minimum of three out of five points, the passing score. The credit cannot be applied to all circumstances though, because what the credit counts for is dependent on one’s major. According to Career Center liaison Miriam Taba the AP credit does not count toward the credit needed for one’s major, then it will count towards fulfilling the general education credit requirements.

Many private universities, however, are reconsidering the value of AP course credit.

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e was labeled the face of terrorism by millions around the world.

Then, late on the night of Sunday, May 1, the rumors began to swirl. It first started on Twitter after the announcement that President Obama would be addressing the nation later that night. One man even tweeted “Helicopter hovering above Abbottabad at 1AM (is a rare event)”, unknowlingly live tweeting Osama’s death. News networks caught on soon after, hinting at, but afraid to declare it: Osama bin Laden had been killed.

During his address, the President confirmed the speculation almost immediately.

“On nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda’s terror: Justice has been done,” Obama said.

Those last four words quickly hit headlines across the nation.

It was what he said earlier in his speech, however, that left a more

lasting impact.

“On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together... On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family,” Obama said.

Much of America and MVHS had the same response as Obama’s May 1 speech in reaction to Osama bin Laden’s death.

Students’ Facebook Newsfeeds flooded with bin Laden related statuses—an outpouring of emotion from a generation that grew up in the aftermath of 9/11.

But among students’ joyous declarations of America’s accomplishment lay a few quiet opponents that voiced discomfort at celebrating a death—anyone’s death. Was the national pride displayed just patriotic celebration? Or something more aggressive? Was it an act of justice or revenge? see BIN LADEN on page 2

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AP ON THE RISE

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<EIFCCD<EK “Some of the more selective schools are starting to say, well, we’re not so sure about this,” Taba said. “Even though the AP classes are supposed to cover the same things and the tests are supposed to cover the same things there are still different levels of teaching and outcomes, and what students learn or retain. So some of the more selective [colleges and majors] are starting to not accept AP credits.”

In addition to taking AP courses at MVHS, students have also opted to take college courses at De Anza College, as did senior Sanam Tabatabai. She took her first course, General Psychology, the summer after her sophomore year, and has taken eight other courses and five Advanced Placement classes since.

“For the [2011] winter quarter at De Anza, I took three courses, and it was easier for me – I got college credit and it was a college class,” Tabatabai said. see AED on page 2

Alumna becomes activist for Japan disaster relief Former ASB President reaches out to Leadership for support of her cause

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er mother told her she could not go to school. She had to tell her friends that her mother wanted her to stay home. Her mother said she had some weird premonition.

That day, her school was flattened and her friends were gone.

This is the story that has been passed down in 2009 alumna Matisse Yoshihara’s family about her grandmother, who was born in Japan and survived the Hiroshima atomic bombing because of Yoshihara’s great-grand mother’s forewarning.

Although Yoshihara remains skeptical about the validility of the story, she and her family members believe the radiation from that day caused her grandmother’s throat cancer, which eventually took her life.

Yoshihara, a sophomore at Northeastern University, has a never-ending relation to Japan.

Not only was her grandmother near the site of the bombing in Japan decades ago, but this year, she lost contact with several friends and family in Japan due to the March earthquake and tsunami.

GE employees from 41 countries pledged more than $1 million in cash to disaster relief organizations associated with the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

— officials of the GE Foundation publicly announced.

Class of 2009 alumnus and former ASB President Matisse Yoshihara, who now works for GE, is proud to be part of a company that supports a cause close to her. Yoshihara is still waiting to hear from many familiar members in Japan. _kkg1&&nnn%^\%Zfd&]fle[Xk`fe&[`jXjk\iVi\c`\]&`e[\o%ajg s JZi\\ej_fk

To top it all off she works as a marketing intern for General Electronics in Ohio, the very company that created the nuclear reactors currently leaking radioactive material in Japan‘s earthquake-afflicted areas. She has now stepped into the role of knowledgeable activist, raising funds for the relief effort in a country to which she has never-ending ties.

“This whole [situation] hit home for me because I have a lot of family in Japan,” Yoshihara said. “It was one of those things where you say, ‘What do I do?’ I don’t know where my family is, I don’t know how to help them, how to keep in contact...it is pretty frightening.” see JAPAN on page 3

Page 2

May 11, 2011

NEWS

BRIEFING ROOM Students show off art in annual art showcase

continued from page 1

Artwork from MVHS is on display at the Sunnyvale Art Gallery. The exhibit, which began on April 30, will continue through May 14. MVHS entered 60 pieces, including photographs, ceramic sculptures, drawings, paintings, and graphic-design work. Though the show is not a contest, over 50 students were recognized at the Awards Reception on May 5. The art show is open to all members of the community during the exhibit’s hours: 8 a.m. through 8 p.m.

FLASHY FEATHERS Cupertino High School freshman Sudiksha Krishnan won Honorable mention for her paper-mache piece called “Pabo Real.”

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Reading across the world Books for A f r i c a , organized by Community Leadership’s G l o b a l Commission, facilitates the donation of books to children in A`pffe GXib s <c <jkfhl\ Africa to help further their education. Books will be collected until May 30 in ASB and in front of the Quinlan Center every week. The commission, which started the book drive in order to empower children in Africa, has been recognized in the San Jose Mercury News and the Cupertino Courier for their hard work. For more information on the organization, visit: booksforafrica.org.

Sounds of spring Jazz Ensemble and MAY Concert Band will showcase their music in their Spring Concerts, which will be held on May 17 and May 19 respectively. This is Jazz’s third and final concert for the year, and they will perform songs such as “Mr. Magic” by Grover Washington and “Footprints” by Wayne Shorter, in addition to blues music. The show is open to community and family members, and will begin at 7:30 p.m. in F112.

17

BIN LADEN: MVHS community reacts to death

Ron Freeman pool dedication

Pedestrian crossing

The Ron Freeman Pool Dedication Ceremony will be held on May 27 by the pool deck, starting at 3:30 p.m.. In memory of Freeman, the event will honor the naming of the pool as the “Ron <cm`e Nfe^ s <c <jkfhl\ Freeman Aquatic Center.” The new name will be reflected in an honorary sign to be placed underneath the scoreboard. Open to all, the Hawaiianthemed memorial event will provide community members the chance to offer their condolences.

C o m m u n i t y L e a d e r s h i p ’s Environmental Commission will partner with the PTSA and Teen Commission to conduct the annual Bike/ Walk to School Day on May 18, which coincides with Cupertino Teen Commission’s Walk One Week. PTSA volunteers will hand out raffle tickets at school entrances to those who walk or bike to school, making them eligible for raffles and free breakfast in the rally and academic courts.

Good-spirited competition

Honorary Matadors

From April 25 to April 28, students, teachers, <cm`e Nfe^ s <c <jkfhl\ and staff members competed in games and activities for the “Spirit Survivor.”

Hosted by ASB’s Spirit Commission, the competition pitted groups of five students against each other in games such as dodgeball and trivia quizzes. The winning team, “The Fab Five”, consisted of Yash Chiteni, Victor Wan, Guy Sarfaty, Stefan Dao, and science teacher Jeff Trevarthen.

They all received $20 gift cards for their victory.

Purple a n d G o l d Awards will be h e l d during lunch in the Field House on May 18. The ceremony provides teachers with the opportunity to reward not only academically outstanding students but passionate, diligent ones as well. The event will include honorary speeches and the presentation of award certificates.

Nominations will be sent before the ceremony, but nominees will have to wait until the event itself to find out for what they have been recognized.

One of the students who celebrated, junior Zachary Ota, remembers 9/11 clearly. That morning, before he left for school, his aunt called to ask if his father had left for his business trip—he was going to be flying.

“He hadn’t left yet, but my grandmother and great-grandmother were on planes... flying back from Iran, I believe. I remember my mom crying... it was so scary,” Ota said.

Ota’s recollections reflect the terrifying period of uncertainty that haunted the nation following 9/11, when panic aroused over potential future attacks.

Sophomore Ahana Sarkar experienced that tension as a first grader during the disaster when her birthday party planned for that afternooon was canceled.

“No one wanted to send their kids out,” Sarkar said. “Everyone wanted to stay with their families.”

Though both Ota and Sarkar grew up in the same post-9/11 America, they had very different reactions to Osama’s death that many saw as an incredible milestone in the war against terror.

“I felt good for our country as a whole,” Sarkar said, “but I can’t think of people dying as a source of happiness.”

Later that day, she posted a quote that had gone viral after the death to Facebook: “I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy.”

With emotions still running high, that quote, widely misattributed to Martin Luther King Jr., received much opposition, asking how Sarkar could not be happy a terrorist was dead, not understanding a growing sentiment that the nation’s jubilant reaction to bin Laden’s death might not have been entirely appropriate.

“It looked like the aftermath of a football game, not someone’s death,” said math teacher Jon Stark. “I’m not suggesting that he was a good guy, but we’re talking about a human life. It’s not something that you should treat the same way you would a sporting event.”

To many, there will always be something disconcerting about celebrating a death, but what about when the deceased is a national, even world-wide enemy? There’s a different name for that kind of celebration, some might say: Patriotism.

Disrespect, some students argue, has no place in conversation about a man who orchestrated countless terrorist attacks and killed so many innocent people.

The nation seemed to agree—several newspapers came out on the morning of May 1 with headlines like “Rot in Hell” from the New York Daily or “Got him! Vengeance at last!

US nails the bastard” from the New York Post splashed across the front page with photos of bin Laden.

“It wasn’t disrespectful. It was a big deal for all Americans—he killed a lot of innocent Americans. I’m not saying chanting ‘USA’ in the streets was the right thing to do,” Ota said.

“But I’m not going to say it was the wrong thing to do.”

Karishma Mehrotra || k.mehrotra@elestoque.org Anushka Patil || a.patil@elestoque.org

Exploring individuality on campus lends itself to conversation

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any a times people have mentioned the “Cupertino bubble.”

But I believe the bubble is abstractly larger than just a Cupertino bubble. Each and every one of us enclose ourselves in some sort of bubble related to our identity.

As teenagers, we are enclosed in a “generation bubble”, which is explored in this issue’s Centerspread, “Generation Gap.” While reporters examine the obvious disparities between the bubbles in a multi-generational household, they also recognize the manner in which the different generations run in harmony together, despite the diverseness of their lives.

As members of our own individual racial groups, we are enclosed in a “racial bubble.” Reporters Elvin Wong and Sarika Patel discuss the potential arguments in “Majority today, minority tomorrow” when it comes to escaping that bubble while students take their new step toward college. While some feel an integral lesson of the transition is

KARISHMA MEHROTRA k.mehrotra@elestoque.org

Letter from the editor

the ability to adapt and accept, others feel the uneasiness of stepping out of that bubble is an unnecessary obstacle in a college education.

As citizens of our country, we are enclosed in an “American bubble”, where the ideal of patriotism, revenge, justice and democracy mingle.

As stated in reporters Anushka Patil and my story, “Hatriotism”, some students in this bubble perceive an overjoyed reaction to Osama’s death appropriate while others take a step out of the American bubble and provide other opinions. Because we are a generation who grew up with the bin Laden target in the back drop of a majority of our lives, we are bound to have some say in this argument. But whether one believes an ecstatic, overjoyed reaction of a terrorist’s death is appropriate or immoral, the discussion will inevitably lead to a clash of morals and values - in reality, a clash of bubbles.

Perhaps the bubbles themselves do not lend themselves to this clash.

Perhaps all that is needed is to explore the different sides before terminating the conversations that open up our personal bubbles to those around us.

May 11, 2011

NEWS

American Studies goes south Students experience Southern culture as part of class curriculum

Kamkar said.

Clarke felt that the importance of this trip lay with providing students the opportunity to learn concepts in a manner that differed from the “school way”— students learned through witnessing and experiencing the culture firsthand instead of reading from textbooks.

In addition to visiting the monuments and museums, they were treated to live music almost everywhere they went and appreciated the Southern food, language, and friendly nature of the people.

Both Clarke, his spouse, and Combs’ fiancee who also attended all grew up in the South, making them more sensitive to the Southern culture, music, and the different atmosphere of New Orleans.

“For me it was going back to a place that I hadn’t been in a long time and experiencing it [way of life],” Clarke said.

Although different students were intrigued by different places visited on the trip, the <cm`e Nfe^ s <c <jkfhl\ majority of them, according to Clarke and A MOMENT OF SILENCE Students placed their hands in the water that junior Ayushi Agrawal, enjoyed the Civil Rights symbolized the blood of 40 African Americans who sacrificed their lives Institute in Montgomery and the balcony of for the movement in the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on ears roll down junior Niloo Kamkar’s Due to the large number of students, they April 4, 1968. face as she reads the quote from the visited the same “Rather than just reading sister of one of the four young African places, albeit about history, MAJOR SITES VISITED...

American girls killed in the bombing of the in a different you can actually Apr 21: (Nashville, Tenn.) Country Music Hall of 16th Street Baptist Church in Montgomery, order; what one see it,” Agrawal Fame, Tennessee State Museum, Hermitage House Ala: “I stood out from the church calling out class saw in the said. “[The trip] her name ‘Addie Addie’ but no response.” morning, the makes [history] Apr 22: (Memphis, Tenn.) Civil Rights Museum at Many American Studies students shared other saw in come to life, and this same reaction during their trip to the the evening or Lorraine Motel, Rock and Soul Museum, Sun Studios makes everything South. The students from the two classes afternoon. Some so much easier to Apr 23: (Birmingham, Ala.) 16th Street Baptist embarked on the third annual trip on April 20. major sites that understand.”

Church, Kelly Ingram Park, Civil Rights Institute Both classes, one taught by Michelle Balmeo the two classes Upon returning and Andrew Sturgill, and the other by David visited included from their trip Clarke and Diana Combs, were separate for the house of Apr 24: (New Orleans, Lou.) National D-day Museum, on April 26, both the majority of the trip.

Andrew Jackson the students and French Quarter Exploration The classes completed their Civil Rights in Nashville, the teachers wished unit right before heading on the trip, allowing National Civil that the trip was them to have a better understanding of the Rights Museum longer to absorb places visited. in Memphis, the 16th Street Baptist Church in what Clarke felt was a “sensory overload,” “The trip definitely reinforced the Civil Birmingham, and the Civil Rights Memorial but they nonetheless enjoyed the experience.

Rights material and they went to places that in Montgomery.

“There’s a different kind of feeling, but I can’t we actually talked about,” Clarke said. “It “Seeing the people of the different ethnic put a finger on it,” Clarke said. “You just gave them a sense of another place outside of groups and monuments made you realize that shared an experience that you wouldn’t have Cupertino and as Americans it [the Southern people who don’t surround you everyday went with a student here [at MVHS].” culture] is part of their heritage.” through nothing you could ever imagine,”

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Aafreen Mahmood || a.mahmood@elestoque.org

JAPAN: Alumna raises funds for earthquake disaster relief continued from page 1

The college student hadn’t used a phone before to contact her distant family due to the long-distance costs. Therefore, she relies on emails for updates. But she still has not heard from many of her friends and family.

“Waiting for an email is so frustrating,” Yoshihara said. “What are you supposed to do, refresh your computer all day?”

One might assume Yoshihara harbors resentment toward the company, GE, that is part of the nuclear disaster in Japan. However, as a realist, she is proud to be a part of her company, citing the numerous contributions GE has made thus far. GE employees have personally donated over $1.36 million dollars to the relief effort. It has sent equipment, relief services and $100 million to the Japan Red Cross and the Miyagi Prefecture Disaster Response Fund.

“It’s very encouraging to be a part of a company that actually cares and is not just business—it’s inspirational,” Yoshihara said.

Following in GE’s footsteps, Yoshihara stepped up to do her part. In mid-March, she sent an email to Dean of Students Denae Moore to forward to ASB Leadership, explaining the catastrophic details of the Japan situation and calling them to action. As a former 2008-2009 ASB President, she speaks of her dedication to the ASB Leadership class and the way it affected her present self.

In the email she mentions, “No one knows how to reach [my family] or if they are well, or if they are even alive. At this point, I do not know what else to do but what being in Leadership taught me oh so very well to do: start organizing, reaching out, and being proactive in creating some sort of ripple that may be able to make a difference.”

CONNECTIONS THROUGH TIME

1945

Yoshihara’s grandmother survives Hiroshima nuclear attack—later dies from throat cancer which is suspected to be linked to radiation

2011

Yoshihara becomes a marketing intern for GE, which owns the leaking nuclear reactors in Japan 8.9 magnitude earthquake hits Japan Yoshihara loses contact with family and friends in Japan, begins fundraising efforts As part of her mission, she attached the link to her online donation fund and encouraged donations. Yoshihara also emailed friends, family, sorority sisters, roommates, and clubs on campus. Her link went viral and since then, she has even received donations from complete strangers. ASB elect Christina Aguila mentions how Yoshihara’s message truly inspired her.

“Sometimes I feel like people don’t care enough about these types of things and it was really nice to come home and check my email and see an email from someone so passionate and involved in helping people,” Augila said.

“It just gave me a reminder that I should be doing that kind of thing.” Augila believes that without leadership and its resources and support, she wouldn’t be able to be as proactive in many of her personal passions, like Measure B. Yoshihara’s main passion that came from MVHS leadership lies in the significance of global awareness.

“I think it‘s so easy, especially being from [MVHS], to get wrapped up in everything you are doing and everything going on in your life.” Yoshihara said. ”Who cares if you have a ‘B‘ in comparison to ‘my brother is dead.’

That’s crazy, that’s insane, that’s something I can’t even imagine. Being aware is really significant just so you have a holistic view on life and so you appreciate what you have and you have a bigger picture understanding of what‘s going on in the world.”

With her deep connections with Japan, Yoshihara is not one to forget her relationship to the country. She admits the situation is bizarre: a Hiroshima survivor as her grandmother, a lost connection to her relatives in the earthquake areas, an employment with the reactor’s makers, and a passionate drive to aid the relief in her country.

As she moves on, others can’t help but look up to Yoshihara’s initiative.

Karishma Mehrotra || k.mehrotra@elestoque.org

Page 3

Insult to Injury U.S. government targets the wrong people

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here are many different ways to define a hero, but I think that most reasonable people can agree that the firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers who risked their lives saving others on 9/11 can be safely deemed true American heroes.

And how do we honor these heroes? We run them through the terrorist watch list before allowing them access to health care.

Haters in the (Capitol) building The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act sets aside $4.2 billion to provide health care services to firstresponders, construction workers, and local residents who were exposed to dust and toxins in the area following the fall of the World Trade Centers. It was finally passed in December 2010. Medical providers have recently begun receiving letters from the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health informing them that anyone wishing to receive health care under the bill will have their names run through the FBI’s terrorist watch list first.

The logic behind the amendment requiring the screening is TRACY ZHANG simple enough: t.zhang@elestoque.org we don’t want any terrorists r e c e i v i n g gover nment health care. Which makes sense, until you consider the fact that the government doesn’t require screening for any other citizens receiving government money. As Jon Stewart brought up on the Daily Show on April 26, 2011, “you want billions in bank bailout money, you get that without being cross-checked with the terrorist watch list.” Somehow, Congress thinks that the first 9/11 responders need to be checked for being secret terrorists—because it makes total sense that terrorists would rush into the wreckage of the fallen Twin Towers and risk their own lives to save Americans, and then stay around for another 10 years waiting to collect government-provided health care.

Considering the fact that many of the 9/11 responders are suffering from illnesses associated with the rescue missions, this is literal insult to injury. But there are also practical problems with the FBI terrorist watch list. At one point, there were over a million names on the list, and our school’s own Assistant Principal Michael Hicks is stopped every time he flies because another man of the same name was once on the list.

Hating on the Haters

Welcome to the bipartisan world It’s not like Congress sits around waiting for a chance to create controversial legislature.

The amendment requiring the screening was proposed by Republican congressman Cliff Steams in May 2010, following argument over extreme Republican agenda items. The logic—with these extreme amendments, the Democrats would never pass the bill.

This illogical and downright insulting amendment was accepted not because it was necessary, it was a truce to get the Republicans to stop yapping.

Both parties are to blame—the Republicans for using deserving Americans as a manipulation tactic in the game of politics, and the Democrats for letting them get away with it. Since elementary school, I’ve been taught to think that democracy is the best and America’s government is number one, and it wasn’t until this year that learning about the blunders of Congress in AP Government and watching them reenacted in real life allowed me to question the supremacy of a government that will insult their country’s heroes to push a political agenda.

Page 4

May 11, 2011

NEWS

‘If not now, then when?’ speakers ask

Congressman Mike Honda’s conference addresses intolerance towards women, Muslims, LGBT

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omen’s equity, religious tolerance, and LGBT acceptance have all been prevalent contemporary topics. On May 1, Congressman Mike Honda’s Student Advisory Committee, attempted to clear misconceptions about these topics at “Eliminate Hate: A Conference on Tolerance.”

Over 100 students from various high schools in the 15th congressional district gathered at the Campbell Community Center to learn about the steps that they could take to combat the injustices that these groups face, even in the most diverse communities. Speakers Buu Thai, Zahra Billoo, and Cassie Blume shared thoughts on how to fight the negative thoughts and comments directed at these groups.

Promoting feminist activism

W

ith only 39 percent of college professors being women, and only 45 percent of them feeling safe, women, who are earning only 77 cents to each dollar of their male counterparts, remain an under-served population.

Buu Thai, an employee in the Office of Women Policy in Santa Clara, addressed some of these issues and provided possible solutions.

“It’s unfortunate that women don’t have role models in college [professors],” Thai said, in regard to the small percentage of college professors who are female.

Thai did note that groups like Title Nine and the Girls Inc’s Girl’s Bill of Rights have both taken steps to make prowomen legislature; Title Nine also funds women’s sports, among other things. Thai stressed the importance of athletics further by saying that women in the Fortune 500 were composed mostly of high school athletes.

“Women who participated in athletics are less likely to be pregnant [as teenagers], depressed, do drugs or drop out of school,” Thai said.

Sixty-two percent of women report sexual harassment cases in college and four out of five eightthrough-eleventh graders have reported being a victim of sexual harassment. The state of California spends 5.8 billion dollars annually in attending to abused women cases.

“Imagine if we didn’t have to spend that money here,” Thai said. “We could solve some of the state’s [economic] crises.”

According to Thai, women can improve their own economic status by populating male-dominated occupations. Many women choose to follow female-dominated career options such as cosmetology and health care, while fewer colleges are giving degrees to women in fields such as computer science.

Thai stressed that as long as women want to further their causes, they should never stop utilizing the power of writing, social networks and the press.

“We know everyone likes good press.”

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INEQUITY IN INCOME

77cents

The amount that women earn for every dollar that men make. Buu Thai, an employee in the Office of Women Policy in Santa Clara, spoke about women’s equality during the conference.

MVHS seniors Arpit Tiwari, Srilakshmi Ramesh, Anandi Somasundaram, and junior Apoorv Tiwari were part of the 42-student SAC staff that organized this event.

An SAC member asked a volunteer from the audience to open a water bottle without using his hands. After struggling with attempts at using his mouth, the boy gave up.

“You could have asked other people for help,” the SAC member said.

“But no one told me I could,” the boy said.

Through this game, the SAC attempted to teach an audience that the best way to deal with problems like discrimination was to ask for help. This lesson remained as a preface to the three speakers that followed this game.

Eliminating Islamophobia

Ensuring LGBT acceptance

ahra Billoo is a civil rights attorney and an executive director of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Council for American Islamic Relations.

“There are many misconceptions [about the Muslim community], such as all Muslim men are violent and all Muslim women are submissive,” Billoo said.

Billoo worked in many companies in the past where she was the only Muslim. “[In that situation] you face the challenge of being the ‘token Muslim,’ and you have to answer a lot more questions and represent more than just yourself.”

Her interest in telling her story led her to join CAIR. According to Billoo, as a result of general ignorance, people’s remarks are not always targeted at Muslims, but rather at anyone who shares the same skin color as a Muslim or wears something on his or her head.

Billoo shared advice about dealing with such religious intolerance. She suggested that Muslims should know their rights, and made the crowd aware that they do not have to remove head scarfs at school or for license photos. They also have to right to be excused for early afternoon prayer, and for all lunar holidays. She criticized an unnamed congressman for not respecting Muslims and their right to practice their own religion. Honda felt similarly.

“The kipon, the hijab, and the crucifix are all a form of freedom of speech, and we can’t promote one religion over another,” Honda said.

Billoo’s response to unfavorable members of politics was simple: “Vote them out.”

In addition, she suggested supporting newspaper articles that humanize a community in order to show the media that there is an audience for that type of story. Billoo particularly loves working with youth, especially because they are almost at voting age.

“This is a critical stage in their development and a great time to develop activism. If not now, then when?”

n advocate of LGBT tolerance, an associate of the DeFrank center, and an openly bisexual woman, Cassie Blume gave her views on the LGBT community.

“When I tell people I am bisexual, people ask me if we are attracted to everyone we come across,” said Blume “And personally I think that’s a little funny and quite frankly seems exhausting.”

With over 50 percent of Santa Clara County schools having a Gay Straight Alliance, many students face similar questions.

According to Blume, LGBT students are particularly vulnerable; Blume noted LGBT students are five times more likely to miss school as other students.

“We want people to be s afe...Pe ople who identify with a gender other than the one they [would be taken to be] face difficulty in places like bathrooms.

We help people recover from [this sort of] violence,” Blume said.

Fifteenth congressional district Congressman Mike Honda shared an anecdote about his own experience. He lost a gay friend of his to HIV, which made him recount his own homophobic jokes and the effect they had on the community.

“I used to laugh at homophobic jokes, and then I asked myself ‘Am I hurting someone to the point of solitude where they can’t speak out?’” Honda said.

His advice to others in dealing with this was to personalize the issue, and ask themselves the difficult question of what would be different if the LGBT person was from their own family or group of friends Blume also had some advice on dealing with LGBT students who are being bullied. “‘Knock it off’ can trigger a ripple effect. ‘Leave them alone’ and ‘that’s not funny’ work equally well.”

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Sahana Sridhara || s.sridhara@elestoque.org

Best of both worlds: Merging two educational spheres in one class World Studies offers sophomores interdisciplinary opportunity, combines core classes

W

Both courses, World Studies and World hen he was in high school, social studies teacher Nick Bonacorsi took Core, are based on similar themes—one set AP US History. His teacher forever of classmates, two teachers, two consecutive impacted his outlook on teaching—Bonacorsi class periods, and two subjects blended into vowed that he would never be as boring a one curriculum. But in terms of class set-up, World Studies emulates the American teacher. But in a traditional Studies model with classroom setting, THE LOTTERY 64 students in one he admits that there classroom, whereas is minimal wiggle World Core maintains room when it comes the traditional two to cutting out the separate classrooms and “boring” lectures. periods.

Fortunately for of the 142 freshmen who requested World Studies The school decided Bonacorsi, the new were actually enrolled in the class. The selection was to pursue both course World Studies class based on a lottery system. options at a jointthat he is teaching department meeting next year does not with assistant principal equate to a traditional Trudy Gross in classroom setting.

In the coming school year, sophomores November 2010. Yet according to Bonacorsi will be enrolled in the recently-introduced and English teacher Matt Brashears, who World Studies and World Core courses, will be teaching World Studies, the idea offered in addition to the current World of combining subjects had been discussed History and World Literature options. Similar between departments within the last few to the popular junior American Studies class, years as teachers noticed natural connections both World Studies and World Core focus between the two disciplines. The success of on integrating the standard world history the current American Studies class and the and literature curriculum. Although the core sophomore World Core class, which has been World History and World Literature classes offered at Cupertino High School for the past will continue to be offered, World Studies has 18 years, influenced the final decision.

Gross reported that given the nature of already proved to be in high-demand.

46%

these pilot programs, the departments decided Studies because if kids really did want that to organize one class’ worth of students per blended group, two-teachers-in-one-room course. World Studies was publicized at the [atmosphere], it’s not that,” Gross said. “But course selection fair; because the World Core I feel like it’s a nice option because from the periods would theoretically appear like any standpoint of a blended curriculum, you are other classes, the course was left unmentioned getting that.”

World Core will be taught by social studies for the time being.

Yet an overwhelming five sections of teacher Hilary Maxwell and English teacher students signed up for World Studies during Jackie Kolbeck, who both happened to take March 2011 course selection, and one class the course at Cupertino High School as could only accommodate two of the five sophomores. Despite their separate classroom sections. Though Gross had initially planned environments, the teachers have been to fill the two World Core class periods as she collaborating during the planning process and would have with any other classes, she instead the underlying concepts of the two classes pulled students from the remaining pool of remain the same.

For example, both courses currently World Studies sign-ups via lottery system. feature a unit including ‘Lord of the Flies’ Twelve students did not and the Enlightenment initially receive either ONLINE philosopher period.

World Studies or World For an opinion on World Studies, “Talking about Core on their sophomore read “Studying the world in two what it means to schedules.

They ways” on elestoque.org. govern ourselves and were informed of the different philosophical arrangements through viewpoints... that sort School Loop messages.

According to Gross, as of May 6, two students of lens can then be applied to ‘Lord of the had requested to be dropped from World Flies,’” Kolbeck said. “Understanding how Studies, and nine students from World Core. the boys failed to govern themselves and how She plans to fill the remaining spots for World they reacted in a sort of mob setting and how that kind of represents society as a whole.”

Core with the wait-listed students. see WORLD STUDIES on page 6 “I know that World Core is not World

May 11, 2011

NEWS

Page 5

jump Make the

As seniors prepare to transition from high school to college, HS\TUP YLÅLJ[ VU [OLPY LHYS` L_WLYPLUJLZ PU UL^ LU]PYVUTLU[Z

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s graduation approaches and the move to college draws nearer, many students decide to move away from home.

According to Career Center liaison Miriam Taba, a trend for seniors has been to apply to in-state public schools, mainly in the “Monta Vista South,” or Southern California.

As high school students go through the college application process, some find what they are looking for is quite different from the environment in which they have grown up.

and the demographics. She is used to being a minority, having Williams chose her school based on the culture of the student spent 11 years in Cupertino and the last four years in a high community, rather than the ethnic percentages. school where the student body is 77 percent Asian. Eckerd “I was well aware that UCSB has a lot of Caucasians, but I College is only 1.3 percent Asian, and is home to a much more chose to go [there] because... of its culture, not ethnic culture, homogeneous environment. but student community,” Williams said. “In [college] you “I wish maybe I could have chosen [a school] that’s a little have the chance to go crazy or you have the chance to take more diverse. One thing I do like though is that it’s diverse in advantage of all the opportunities gives you. I like to think the states,” Beck said. “When that I’m taking advantage of those.”

I went there, I went through THE STUDENTS RESPOND the parking lot and every Comparing high school and college Starting the application process license plate had a different cultures When you apply for a college, would For senior Rachel Beck, the college application process [state] name. So I thought, As much as the dynamic of each you consider the demographics of the began with reading Lauren Pope’s book, “Colleges That even though people’s skin college varies, so do the attitudes of school? If so, why?

Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change The Way You colors aren’t different, there’s the students. According to Louie, one’s Think About College.” She systematically crossed schools still diversity.” college experience depends on their own off, narrowing down her choices based on the Environmental But Beck also believes that sense of self.

Studies programs offered, as well as the diversity and overall any college will be different “In high school, we don’t really quite feel of the campus. Beck also planned to apply to the University from MVHS, simply because it know what we’re doing [or] what our No of California system, but when deciding what she wanted in a is a unique place with cultural true goals are yet, and in an environment 46% Other college, private schools seemed to be a better option. and religious diversity. as competitive as MVHS... many of us 7% Six months later, Beck now plans to attend Eckerd College, “It’s going to be scary look to other people... when trying to a small liberal arts school in Florida, which she found through for me,” Beck said. “I’ll be find out what we’re truly about,” Louie “Colleges That Change Lives.” Even though she was accepted leaving my friends, my family said. “In college, your life... is completely 26% 21% into all but one of the University of California campuses and my hometown. If you’re your choice. There’s no 8-a.m.-to-3-p.m.she applied to, Beck realized she enjoyed the liberal arts going to the East coast or seeing-the-same-people-everyday routine, environment more, even if that meant entering a culture distinct even just a state away, you’re and it’s up to you to fill up your time from that of MVHS. The decision to attend Eckerd crystallized still uprooted from where with activities which either positively or for Beck after she visited the campus over Winter Break. you were and transported negatively affect your life.”

Yes, because “[The UC system] just seemed very impersonal,” Beck somewhere else.”

This heightened sense of independence, Yes, because I I will not feel said. “Eckerd’s a bit smaller [than MVHS], but it’s better [to Unlike Beck, Deo will deal gained from the freedom of choosing prefer certain comfortable have] 2,500 [students] versus 25,000.” with the transition from a how to live one’s life allows students the Senior Saurabh Deo, on the other hand, decided between population of 2,503 to 27,027 opportunity to discover themselves. environments in some UC Davis and students.

“Life isn’t centered around grades. over others. environments. the University “It’s definitely going It’s centered around socializing and of Michigan in “I know that [college] won’t to be different,” Deo said. academics, but grades are a smaller part *in a survey of 112 students Ann Arbor.

“I know that it won’t be of it,” Williams said. “I’m more likely to go be as easy to transition into “The only as it is to MVHS. Obviously as easy to transition into swimming in the ocean on a Wednesday reason Davis if I’m the only Indian in my as it is to MVHS. Obviously if I’m the only Indian in my night rather than write an essay. I’ll write the essay Thursday was ever in class or something like that it’s going to be awkward the morning though.” class or something like that, it’s the picture first two semesters. I’m going to feel small... it’s far away going to be awkward the first two from home and there’s a lot of people.” was because Boiled down Davis is close semesters. I’m going to feel small...

But Deo, attending the University of Michigan, is Though finding a school culture similar to that of MVHS to home,” Deo it’s far away from home and there’s confident he made the right decision. plays an important role in college decisions, in the end, said. “It just a lot of people.”

“The reason I’m going out to Michigan is because I felt according to Williams, the college experience is far more than made sense to like that was the place I’d be most successful,” Deo said. just wading in one’s comfort zone. senior Saurabh Deo me, not only “Regardless of the times I feel like I’m alone in this large According to Louie, finding one’s identity, whether that tuition wise, crowd of people, I need to focus on my work because involves getting in touch with one’s own culture whether but if I want to come home it’s [only] a two and a half hour that’s what I’m here for.” that just means finding something that truly is their calling, is ride.” ultimately what the college experience is about.

Eventually the decision to attend the University of Michigan Role of diversity in the decision making process “Race and ethnicity don’t matter... what you get out of was clear when Deo realized the benefits of leaving the state.

To many students, including class of 2009 alumna Toni your college experience depends upon exactly what you “I chose to venture out to Michigan because I wanted Louie who currently attends UC Riverside, ethnic diversity choose to put in,” Louie said. “I guess personally, attending something new. I wanted a fresh start,” Deo said. “I just see was a deciding factor in her college decision.

MVHS for four years definitely prepared me to be focused and myself embodying more of Michigan’s qualities as opposed “[UC Riverside] is one of the most diverse schools in the responsible. But whether or not you sink or swim in college to Davis’.” nation,” Louie said. “I love being exposed to different people depends entirely on your own self-motivation and self-worth, and different cultures, because I think that we all have a lot not your race or culture.”

Taking the leap to learn from each other. So the ethnic breakdown of UCR Beck feels the three biggest “shocks” for her will be the definitely mattered to me.”

Arifa Aziz || a.aziz@elestoque.org humidity, the political atmosphere of a liberal arts college Unlike Louie, MVHS class of 2009 alumna Emily Anandi Somasundaram || a.somasundaram@elestoque.org

Seniors reflect on role of diversity

“There are a lot of white people at Chapman, compared to MVHS which is, like, 70 percent Asian, so I thought I would get a more diversified environment...where I could interact with more people.”

-senior Ajay Swaminathan

“I think [diversity is] pretty important for a lot of people. It’s not important for me because I feel I can thrive anywhere, but there’s a large Asian population at UCSD, and I think it led some people I know not to choose that school.”

-senior Sukrit Dhir

Page 6

NEWS

AP TESTS: Seniors find value in taking them

May 11, 2010

CLASSES: Making connections between subjects PAIRING UP History teacher Hilary Maxwell currently teaches five sophomore World History classes, like this sixth period class writing journal entries on May 4. Next school year, she and literature teacher Jackie Kolbeck will be collaborating to teach two World Core class periods.

continued from page 1

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel that AP courses do prepare you for college but why would you want to take AP courses when you could take classes at De Anza and you would automatically get credit for the college class?â&#x20AC;? Tabatabai said.

Most De Anza College classes can count towards degree credits, which is not always the case for Advanced Placement courses. With her current and projected Advanced Placement test scores and college courses, Tabatabai will be entering UC Santa Cruz, with 34 credits as a junior-standing.

The credits she accumulated while in high school will not allow her to skip out on certain freshman level courses, as her residential college assignment will dictate which core courses she must take for one or two quarters. For example, UC San Diego has separate core curriculum for each of its six colleges.

Tabatabaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s credits will instead allow her to take more classes that are major-specific at an earlier time, like her brother did, class of 2009 alumnus Sam Tabatabai.

Entering college with credits from AP tests and college courses also provides an advantage when it comes to registering for classes. According to Taba, with the current budget situation students are taking four years and a quarter to graduate from University of California schools. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Usually when they do registration itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s by how many credits you have. So when you have more elective credits, you have higher standing,â&#x20AC;? Taba said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you have more of your [general education credits] out of the way then you get priority registration and you might be able to get out sooner.â&#x20AC;?

Even with collegesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; changing views on the value of AP tests, at MVHS, the number of AP tests taken has steadily increased. From 2000 to 2011, the number of AP test sign ups went up by 1760 from 821 to 2581, while the number of students only increased by 319, from 2128 to 2447, according to Dean of Students Denae Moore, who has been coordinating AP tests since 2008. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think part of itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that there are definitely constraints on your schedule, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t double up in science, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do some other things... so you want to prove to colleges in other ways that you are academically competent and capable,â&#x20AC;?

Moore said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the healthiest thing but here we are!â&#x20AC;?

Kriti Garg || k.garg@elestoque.org

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continued from page 4

According to Maxwell, the teachers hope to foster an indepth sense of learning amongst the students. World Studies will include several collaborative group projects; World Core will assign dual assessments like essays requiring an integrated display of histor y and literature information. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a higher level of thinkingâ&#x20AC;Ś not just, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Okay, this is my histor y mode, this is my literature mode,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Maxwell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re tr ying to help them develop skills as an overall student, not just as a student in histor y or literature.â&#x20AC;?

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and Kolbeck will follow a more chronological progression in their course, while World Studies teachers Bonacorsi and Brashears are designing the class to be more thematic in nature. Their current lesson plan includes, for instance, a revolutions unit spanning from the origins and development of uprisings in colonial America to modern Egypt and Tunisia.

Both teaching teams aim to incorporate more current events into lesson plans in order to add a more relevant, worldly-application aspect to the course. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not something you can interpret just using one set of information,â&#x20AC;? Brashears said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like

the wave of revolutions in the Middle East, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just look at that from a histor y perspective and say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh this is whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happeningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;Ś Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re missing out on some of it.â&#x20AC;?

Despite these changes, both World Studies and World Core curricula remain variations of the original World Histor y and World Literature classesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the same content, but repackaged. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be any easier, it shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be any harder, it should just be different,â&#x20AC;? Bonacorsi said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully that attracts those types of learners that learn best in that environment.â&#x20AC;?

Sara Yang || s.yang@elestoque.org

O

May 11 , 2011

OPINION

or

PRIDE PREJUDICE?

Page 7

The moral question of celebrating Bin Laden’s death

F

or once, the politicians, the major news networks, and the American people agreed on something: Sunday, May 1, was a very important day for the U.S. and her allies. Osama Bin Laden had been killed.

It was only moments after the official announcement that crowds began celebrating in front of the White House and near Ground Zero. Soon, major political figures, including Republicans Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, and Sarah Palin conveyed their congratulations to the President and the Armed Forces for dispatching the mass-murdering psychopath.

On that day, under the pretense of American victory, most people conveniently forgot the gravity of the fact that we had just shot and killed a human being.

Or they may have thought we were awarded bonus points for a head-shot.

It’s not that Bin Laden should not have been killed. All said and done, he and his organization were a threat to security all over the world, at least the way the West saw it. What’s troubling is that people are celebrating, because in doing so, they are showing a flagrant lack of respect for human dignity. Some might argue that Bin Laden was just as, if not far more, disrespectful of human life. Though this may be true, it begs an even bigger question.

What makes us any better than him?

What gives us the right to dance over his

W

orld Studies is one of the new crossover courses offered by the social studies and English departments next year. The class combines World History and World Literature. Much like the junior class, American Studies, the class spans two class periods with 60 students.

142 64 57 12

BREAK DOWN T

MRS Gold funds used to paint murals we need

one issue – six ways

INITIAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO REQUESTED WORLD STUDIES. It may be the course’s debut, but these students know that we should have had this course a long time ago.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO DID NOT MAKE IT INTO EITHER WORLD STUDIES OR WORLD CORE. It’s unfortunate that more students didn’t sign up—we might have had enough for a new section.

11

The opinion of the El Estoque Editorial Board

Murals give campus some color

NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN WORLD STUDIES. These students will be the first to learn the integrated ideas and draw the parallels that have existed between the two courses all this time.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN WORLD CORE. World Core is a good alternative for students who still want to connect concepts but are not ready for the shift in environment.

605

STAFF EDITORIAL

body after we’ve killed him? Vengeance is not the right answer.

Bin Laden may have killed thousands of innocents and gloated about it, but that still doesn’t give anyone the right to behave like him. If we consider him a bad person, and then proceed to act like him, we lose the right to call ourselves “good.”

Even more importantly, we lose our frequently-exercised right to judge other nations. We cannot criticize Syria or Palestine for being “anti-American” while we blatantly dishonor the man that many Arabs hold as a role model. We cannot expect others to treat our dead with honor when we treat their dead with contempt. If we continue to celebrate Bin Laden’s0 death, just like many Al Qaeda sympathizers celebrated on 9/11, we lose what little moral superiority that we have over everyone else.

Understandably, we’re happy that what we set out to do ten years ago has finally been done. We’re happy for our troops, who emerged from the mission to kill Bin Laden unscathed.

We cannot let that happiness extend to Bin Laden’s death.

Bin Laden may have been a murderer, and he may have bragged about killing Americans, but if we brag about killing him, we bring ourselves down to the same level and become what we’ve worked so hard to destroy. We can’t let that happen to us. We have to remember that, in this case, vengeance is not sweet.

NUMBER OF CURRENT FRESHMEN (TO-BE SOPHOMORES). If 23 percent of the class of 2014 wanted to take World Studies, MVHS has to be doing something right.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO DROPPED EITHER WORLD STUDIES OR WORLD CORE. A combined class is not for everyone, but hopefully they’ll be ready to try this method of learning in American Studies next year.

Sara Yang || s.yang@elestoque.org

ake a look around this school. You see beautification; they literally can’t be used for some bricks. You see some cement. A other purposes. But even if this wasn’t the case, few trees. But there is really nothing what we need to realize is that not everything aesthetically pleasing about the MVHS campus. in this school has to do with academics. Yes, it’s Especially near the cluster of buildings that we important to learn, but it’s also important to have call the Academic Court. a nice environment to learn in.

Interestingly, that pretty much sums up our We are forgetting about the benefits of a little whole school in one word: academic. But we’re art. Encouraging art education, especially in a changing that. Leadership Club Commission is school when education is so highly esteemed, now moving to use MRS Gold funds, money used helps improve cognitive development. It allows us to beautify the school, to create murals on the A, to think outside the box, and understand complex B and C Buildings. These additions will give our concepts with ease. campus a much-needed makeover. see MRS GOLD on page 10 It’s true—obviously so—that our school is known for our academics. So it’s unfortunate that sometimes, the extra things in life pass us FOR THE ARTS by: mainly, beauty and art. Often, there is a great of students think the profusion of science fairs while art galleries take MVHS campus needs the backseat. Students hear about standardized more wall art testing and math competitions each day, but drama productions come and go without fanfare.

What part of the school do students think But it’s important that we realize that life isn’t all is the most “boring” or “colorless”? about being left-brained. And these new murals *112 students responded to this survey might just remind us of that.

Without them, we have a dull-looking school that really doesn’t show the world the complexity 10% that MVHS is capable Fields of. The last time we 25% used funds to paint a Other mural was in the early 80s. And pretty much 22% everyone has forgotten Academic Court about it. Remember those murals of the 17% matador on the gym wall Staff Parking facing the Rally Court? Now Lot that the chance has come again, 17% we should be jumping to put some Rally Court 9% more color into this school.

Bus Circle Now, some might argue, what about our education? Why don’t we use the money for something that would actually help us instead of a painting on a wall? MRS Gold funds are reserves ASB gives to clubs for the sole purpose of school

65%

Page 8

May 11, 2011

OPINION

The Flip Side

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College for education, not to be uncomfortable Students need to adjust to new surroundings

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ongratulations!

You’ve finished him or herself to ensure that they commit to high school, and now you’re off to a college where they would feel comfortable college. As you take your first steps in with the student body for four or more years. your new home for the next four years that To be blunt, students go to college to network you’ve worked so hard to get into, you realize and earn a degree, not to be uncomfortable something: why is everyone is so different? and alienated.

Being stuck waiting for a delayed flight College is the first step for people to can be unbearable for most people, but four establish lifelong relationships, from those long years in a college where one is racially with whom students form potential best unaccepted yet still expected to extend one’s friends to steady romantic relationships. It is education at the same time is simply a waste important that throughout studies in college, of precious time. students are surrounded by people whom they At MVHS, education is seen as a top can rely on to advance each other’s learning priority and as a ticket to a fruitful future, and experience and for friendship in those four this mentality should go years and beyond. beyond high school into the [S]ome of MVHS’s Contrarily, committing college years. However, for to a college that would alumni have been any student to expect to do pose a distraction to well, he or she must know sheltered by a one’s education due to colleagues on whom they phenomenon known as racial disparity can lead can depend in the future. a major disruption in the “Cupertino Bubble,” to The only problem is that one’s educational career. some of MVHS’s alumni [...] and students witness Likewise in “White have been sheltered by a culture shock upon Flight”, sources claimed phenomenon known as the that many white families entering college.

“Cupertino Bubble” where, moved out of the MVHS due to the demographic area because their children climate of MVHS, students were uncomfortable with witness culture shock upon entering college, MVHS’s academic climate and could not keep thus breaking this bubble. up with their studies.

Racial disparity in the local education This change may be possible for high system is very evident. As “culturally diverse” school students in the short run, but in college, as MVHS may seem by counting how many the concept of “switching schools” is just not minorities we have, the school is in fact feasibly doable. very homogenous and racially isolated, with When a student goes through the college a population that is a whopping 77 percent preparation process in their junior year, Asian. According to the Wall Street Journal’s most often the student will begin the search 2005 article “The New White Flight,” white for the perfect school through examining students make up less than one-third of the college profiles or visiting the campus itself. entire student population at MVHS, dropping By following these steps, you can get a better from 25 percent in 2007 to 20 percent in 2011 picture of the people who also go to the according to the MVHS online school profile. college you’re interested in, and by the time The article attributes the drop to white college rolls around for you, you won’t be the students becoming racially uncomfortable square peg facing a round hole. and unable to keep up with Asian students.

Elvin Wong || e.wong@elestoque.org It is simply a student’s responsibility to

I

t’s safe to assume that almost all MVHS of the 112 people that took the anonymous graduates are looking to pursue some survey conducted by El Estoque, 53 percent form of higher education, whether it of students said that they would not want to be at community college, private schools, attend a school with similar demographics as international schools, the UC system, other MVHS, yet more than 57 percent of students public schools or even army training. Each of last year attended in-state schools.

While many students justify their decision these comes with not only a unique educational experience, but a different cultural atmosphere to stay close to home with economic reasons, it’s hard to ignore that the social and cultural with different social lessons.

However, for MVHS students, the culture aspects of many UCs simply mimic the MVHS at many UCs won’t be much of a learning population. It’s understandable to want to experience. The demographics of our school save money while getting a good education seem to mimic several schools in the UC but the fiscal constraints shouldn’t become an system and even some in-state privates; UC excuse to avoid the cultural revelation many of us are lacking.

Berkeley is often referred to With average as UC Monta Vista.

Many students graduation times from Let’s face it, the area UCs steadily increasing, complain we live in is not a typical routinely the economic benefits for representation of what the about living in the attending in-state schools rest of the country looks “Cupertino Bubble,” [...] soon fade. University of like. Not just in terms of demographics, but weather, However, after students California Irvine now has socio-economic status, and graduate from high an average graduation time of four years and culture. We have more sun school, it’s time for a much one quarter, which does shine, more money, and a not seem like much but is needed reality check. lot more Asian people. on the rise with several However, after students classes in high demand. graduate from high school, Wanting to stay in the same demographic it’s time for a much needed reality check.

Many students routinely complain about as high school is the same as taking the same living in the “Cupertino bubble,” yet when math or English class again and again. It’s given the opportunity to leave, 57 percent easy to get comfortable with being around of 2010 graduates chose to attend schools people similar to you and people with the in California. Although many schools in same thoughts. The real challenge lies in California do have a diverse population, 38 getting accustomed to a completely unfamiliar percent of those graduates are now attending environment.

True, it may be hard to meet people at UCs. With the Asian American population of the top tier UCs between 38 percent and first, but once you break the ice and work up 47 percent there seems to be very limited the courage to introduce yourself, it becomes easier. And soon you become good at cultural learning to be had.

Choosing colleges based on the racial interacting with those people. Once you know demographics and wanting to remain in how to do the math of social interaction, the same area is closing doors for different it’s only practical to apply the concepts in types of learning. While education in the different situations.

UC system is phenomenal, the real world isn’t full of people of the same ethnicity. Out Sarika Patel || s.patel@elestoque.org

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Page 9

OPINION

Loss of celebrity DJ a blessing

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T

he whispers started early on. The hopefuls spread the word to their friends, who spread it to their friends, who posted it on Facebook. And before long, it was “official”: the class of 2011 was getting the celebrity mashup duo The White Panda as its DJ for Senior Ball.

There had been such certainty. Perhaps it was hope, perhaps it was social proof, but a celebrity DJ frenzy swept through the senior class. All was fine until The White Panda demands started coming in: a private room, Red Bull energy drinks, towels, expensive sound equipment, boxers, vodka—the works.

It is no wonder that administration balked at the requests, and rightfully so.

Students should be thankful that no drunken celebrities will be making an appearance at this Senior Ball, especially considering the worrisome precedent that this could set. The progression from memorable promenade to rambunctious concert is a slippery slope that we, thankfully, just barely avoided this year. Whether the senior class realizes it or not, the culture of dances and the future of Senior Balls has been decided here.

The graduating class’ one last dance should not be, and does not need to be, driven by the stimulant of name brand DJs. Prom is a rite of passage for graduating seniors. No doubt music is a part of the experience, but it should not define the experience.

If students really wanted to experience the Cataracs or The White Panda live, they could personally pay for the concert experience.

There is no need to make every member of the entire class toss money towards The White Panda’s $10,000 price tag when it would inflate every singles bid to $105 from

Pandering to The White Panda’s demands was not an option.

I

thinks we should become. The glamorization of the parties and the alcohol is against the very essence of who we strive to be. Senior Ball should be a reflection of the students and staff’s values. It should not undermine those values.

For this last dance, let’s not make it about money. Let’s not make it about the brand name DJs. Let’s step out of our Hollywood mentality and make it about the people—make it about the senior class of 2011.

Laura Yang || l.yang@elestoque.org

Myths and misguided concerns about AP tests Compared to traditional college education, AP tests teach more for less

B

y the end of this week, over 1,000 students at MVHS will have taken AP tests on a variety of subjects, ranging from Psychology to Human Geography. But with each test costing $95, is taking multiple AP tests really worthwhile, or is it just a waste of time, effort, and money?

Compared to other popular tests like the SAT and the ACT, AP tests are indeed costly investments. However, people should try to look beyond the face value of each individual test and truly understand the true educational value that the AP program has to offer.

The AP curriculum is regarded as an opportunity for high school students to take advantage of a college-level education within a familiar high school environment. This alone is of great value to students—by taking AP classes at MVHS, they are essentially attending college at a place funded by tax dollars rather than by their own money.

In the grand scheme of things, $95 is not a hefty price especially when compared to college tuition, which can cost several thousands of dollars. Difficult economic times and budget cuts are only making matters worse as universities around the nation continue to increase housing and tuition fees. The UC

studying introductory level material that can easily be taught in high school, students could be spending those thousands of dollars studying more Reading literacy advanced and complicated material.

USA: 500 The academic rigor of the AP Japan: 520 curriculum is just what American China: 556 Science literacy 2009 P education needs right now as well. In ro USA: 502 for Inte gram the 2009 Program for International rn Japan: 539 a ti o n Studen t Asses al China: 575 Student Assessment, America placed sment Mathematics literacy 23rd in the world for science, 31st for USA: 487 math, 17th for reading, and 17th for the Japan: 529 China: 600 overall category.

Average score China, on the other hand, placed first USA: 496 Japan: 529 in all three categories.

China: 577 By blurring the line between high <[nXi[ NXe^ s <c <jkfhl\ G_fkf @ccljkiXk`fe school and college, the AP program exposes students to the nuances of college system, for instance, recently increased its fees by 8 percent or $822, bringing statewide education and challenge them academically. education fees to $11,124 for the 2011-2012 The result is a student who will enter college with a strong academic background and an school year.

Though AP tests are not replacements for understanding of what a college education a traditional college education, they indirectly expects of him or her.

So for the students who can easily afford make better use of students’ money. By giving students the opportunity to complete AP tests, money should not be the primary introductory education requirements, these concern. Instead, they should consider the tests ensure that students do not waste their true costs of a traditional college education tuition fees and their first years in college and understand that the AP program provides learning relatively elementary content. So the same opportunities at a much lower cost. instead of potentially spending $11,124 during the first school year in the UC system Edward Wang || e.wang@elestoque.org

El Estoque Online: Your thoughts last month This comment was posted on April 21 in response to the News video “Out in the open: Creating a safe space”.

These drawings really made [science teacher Renee] Fallon’s message even more compelling. I also really liked Fallon’s argument about unlike blondes and Asians jokes, gays can be socially ostracized by their friends and family for actually being gay. senior Deepa Chandhrasekhar

What would you like to see from future ASB officers?

Better fundraisers!

More money on academic programs and competitions.

7.3% 12.2%

For them to have open forums where students have a say.

14.6%

I want to know more about what they’re doing.

51.2%

14.6% More money on school events. *40 people responded to this online poll.

When things are over, what does it come to? ’ve procrastinated writing this for three weeks because I never thought any idea was dignified enough for my last column.

Others were just not long enough—600 words is a lot to write sometimes. What could possibly be so stupendous to summarize everything that I have said in the past and what I want to say in the future? Perhaps to you this does not mean much, but it does to me. The Governator of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is remembered for his famous catchphrase. This needs to be just as good, if not better.

This is the end.

I won’t be back.

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the original projection of $85.

As if the costs of dresses, tuxedo rentals, corsages, shoes, photos, and hairdos were not exorbitant enough, to tack on an additional $20 per person would push this Senior Ball from classy to wasteful. And if the purpose of Senior Ball is to celebrate the end of high school with all the people who made it special, there is no telling how many would be missing because of the exorbitant costs involved.

And when it comes down to it, Senior Ball should be a celebration of who we are and how far we have come, not who the media

How it ends

On May 2, President Barack Obama announced the death of Osama Bin Laden in a press release. After months of planning on Obama administration’s part, and after what will be 10 years this September, the man that engineered the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2011 was dead.

How did you react to Bin Laden’s death?

Go online to elestoque.org to comment.

The end What happens in the end should be more memorable and defining than everything that came before it. That is the reason why I avoided all spoilers and talk about the seventh Harry Potter book so that the ending would not be ruined. It’s also why others needed to skip to the last page because the ending was all they wanted to know. If last words weren’t important, the seventh Harry Potter book wouldn’t be tainted by how our hero scars his children by naming them after everyone he’s ever k now n—A lbus Severus Potter is the kind of name that gets you locked inside a cupboard.

The beginning hooks us. The middle keeps NATALIE CHAN us going. But n.chan@elestoque.org through it all, the conclusion is what we truly care about.

What’s normal anyway?

The celebration Having a great end gives us a sense of closure and meaning. Take graduation for example.

No matter how much we may complain about needing to practice standing up and sitting down and standing up again, what would the end of high school be like without it? We don’t want to feel like we’ve wasted our time, an entire 12 years, learning about useless things that don’t apply to real life including the Battle of Normandy and math—all math.

Even worse, we don’t want to fantasize about the end of high school only to have the reality come short of our expectations. We want disappointment as much as we want mono: almost never.

And what happens now Understandably, we like to end the chapters of our lives with a bang. The thing is, what is so detestable about ending with a whimper?

This column does not actually need to be different or better than the others. The fact that it is the last one does not make it more significant. We simply think it should be.

Stop thinking of life as a series of endings.

Our lives and time are not divided into neat segments. They are all a mix of wibblywobbly, timey-wimey stuff. The world does not pause on graduation or the first day of college or a birthday (not even mine). Whether or not it makes you feel better, every day is just another day. Every ending is just another moment in time, and one day probably will not affect the rest of your life.

And so I’ve procrastinated for three weeks for this, the last column of “What’s normal, anyway?” The last time that I get to say whatever I want in the school newspaper.

The last time that you need to look at my face above. To end it, I should finish with something profound, something long-lasting in its symbolism and rhetoric. Instead, all I can say is how I’m disappointed that a bully never stuffed me in a locker like they do in the movies.

Page 10

May 11, 2011

OPINION

MRS GOLD: Bringing more beauty to campus continued from page 7

Besides, who wants to study in a place that looks about as eye-catching as a dull old penny? We will feel the motivation to come here, even if it is just until the novelty of the murals wear off. It will remind us that our school buildings don’t have to be just for learning. They can be a blank canvas for us to show off our more artistic side. Or they could allow for therapeutic release from the many stress factors at MVHS. What else is art therapy for?

Even if you don’t believe that, at least acknowledge the fact that we will have at least made some kind of lasting impression on this school. Every class always does the same typical things for themselves. We host proms, we host fundraisers, we create everything we can to help ourselves in the years that we See “At the heART” are here. But on page 21 for now, instead of related content fleeting events, we are creating somet hing today that will stay for tomorrow. And that is something we should strive to do more often. Making something permanent means that years from now, if we ever decide to come back to this campus we can feel proud of doing more for this school than just passing a few tests.

A&E

Vishakha Joshi || v.joshi@elestoque.org

One year off, not back on top

Concern over acceptance back onto team creates unhealthy atmosphere

L

et’s face it: America hates quitters. The hate goes deep, from business relations to organizations to politics—and now, unfortunately enough, even the beefed-up world of high school sports. It’s come to the point where taking just one year off for the sake of academic priorities isn’t more glorified than just dropping out. And when it comes down to the line, it’s the team that has ended up hurting—and the player’s morale ends up being the biggest victim.

Nothing against good old-fashioned team cutting for the sake of trimming off the stray branches of the team tree—all the power to the coaches and team captains of the world on that one—but please, let it all be kept within reason.

When we start rejecting kids who take just one year off of a sport because they’ve “fallen out of sync with the team” or “lost a year of experience,” we start cutting them off from a chance to contribute to something they love, and cutting our own teams off from potential benefit from their contributions to the team.

And if it all comes down to one absentee of a year and a total newcomer, we shouldn’t have to think too hard about it.

It all comes down to experience.

Seniors who hop back onto the sporting train after a season-long respite should also be expected to relinquish what they believe they deserve once they drop the books and hit the locker room. They go back to square one with only their background from the previous season, and that’s that. No need to expect special treatment.

But at the heart of our community lies a more fundamental problem. Athletes afraid of an impending cut from the team might find themselves trapped within an activity that,

SCHOOL

Many students that quit sports partway through high school find themselves on the other side of the fence when they want to return.

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albeit enjoyable, isn’t quite the best investment of their time. It’s a closed-net sort of system that’s suffocating our players, leaving them choked up with the fear of losing their special spot on the team. Just look at the stats of our sports teams throughout the past few years.

The stats make it clear. From volleyball to baseball, varsity teams show consistenly lower standings than their junior varsity counterparts. It’s like a pair of toddlers playing in the sandbox. When one leaves to play with another group of kids, there’s no knowing if he’ll be welcomed back all too easily. It’s time we got the sand out of our eyes.

At a basic level, is it even right to call their

choice “quitting”? Quitting is turning over the chess board two minutes before checkmate.

It’s dropping the class right before the first big test or leaving the court in the final 60 seconds.

What these kids are doing is prioritizing: putting grades, sleep, and maybe even a little bit of sanity, first, before the wild jungle of extracurriculars. “Quitting” is an unfair stigma placed upon them. They deserve the right to manage their own lives. Just like it’s up to us to respect that and let them do what they love without judging them.

It’s the least we can do.

Christophe Haubursin || c.haubursin@elestoque.org

Remakes of old movies renew classics Adaptations remind new generation of cinemas past

M

ovie remakes are nothing able to nerd out with me when of boring computer-generated new. In fact, the majority the movie came out. It’s a great monsters. It will be interesting to of the all-time top grossing feeling, sharing your interests with see how the remake will do in this films are remakes or adaptations. someone else, and remakes make age of special effects. Later this Everybody loves a sequel or that possible. year, its remake will come out, and watching the rebirth of something Adaptations are also a great all of a sudden we might be able to familiar. It shows too, only 3 of introduction to the original actually discuss it with each other, the top 25 grossing movies of all source material. Before watching despite any shortcomings it may time, Inception, Finding Nemo, “1984,” “Alice in Wonderland,” have. The same goes for “Akira” and Avatar are completely original and “Beowulf,” I read the original because even though what has works. Many argue that unless novels, which were very interesting. been announced adapted perfectly, remakes ruin About half of MVHS was probably about the the original, and it is well known introduced to the Harry Potter that movies based on books almost series via the never turn out well. A bad adaption movie may often be the case, but it is not Akira: always a bad thing.

2012 Even if a remake is bad, Red it’s still a blessing in Dawn: disguise. Were it not Dec. 21, for “The Omen” The The

2011 remake six k`fe X i Mad Max: k lj Thing: Amazing f @cc The _fk years \ G Dec. 31, l h f Oct. 14, Spiderman: <jk Three s <c 2012 iXd 2011 ^_l July 3, X I Musketeers: Xp M`e 2012 Oct. 14, rema ke 2011 s o u n d s abysmal, it Conan will expose our the Barbarian: generation to the Aug. 2011 series. I refused movie that made anime to read them until I popular in America. saw the first movie and my sister Last summer “The Karate Kid” a g o , exclaimed how it was awful in and “The A-team” came out on I would comparison to the books. the same weekend, each a remake have never The remakes and adaptations of a classic series. watched the of the future are an incredibly This summer we will see the original classic. The exciting proposition, and it’s remake of “Conan the Barbarian,” same goes for “The not because I can’t wait for the the third Transformers movie, and Karate Kid,” “King Kong,” movies. It’s because I can’t wait there are many more to come. and many others. to be able to discuss some of my Hopefully they will be good, but Remakes expose new favorite films with my friends. to be honest, it doesn’t matter. generations to classic content that John Carpenter’s “The Thing” is As long as the remakes bring the they may never have otherwise one of the best horror movies of classics of yesterday to the minds sought out. “Watchmen” is another all time, but since it is well over 20 of tomorrow, their jobs are done. great example. It wasn’t a perfect years old, not many kids our age And who knows? Maybe some movie, but because of it, dozens of have seen it. It represents a golden will outdo their originals. my friends read one of my favorite age of movie making that played novels of all time and were then on tension and terror instead Morahd Shawki || m.shawki@elestoque.org

A M E R IN G COM P U

S KE

Editors in Chief Eric Wong Karishma Mehrotra Mansi Pathak Vijeta Tandon News Editors Aafreen Mahmood Akshay Agrawal Anushka Patil Arifa Aziz Edward Wang Sahana Sridhara Opinion Editors Laura Yang Sarika Patel Smitha Gundavajhala Vinay Raghuram Centerspread Editors Cynthia Mao Daniel Tan Roxana Wiswell Sports Editors Dickson Tsai Patrick Xie Scott Hyon Shanthi Guruswamy A&E Editors Amanda Chen Danielle Kay Pooja Ravikiran

)'('$)'((

Managing Editors Ashley Wu Christophe Haubursin Joseph Beyda Jordan Lim Kriti Garg Sara Yang Yaamini Venkataraman Community Manager Emily Vu Business Editors Emily Vu Vishakha Joshi Photography Editors Erin Chiu Kevin Tsukii Copy Editors Anandi Somasundaram Lisa Zhang Natalie Chan Nona Penner Webmasters Akshay Agrawal Neha Simon Staff Writers Derrick Yee Elvin Wong Hazel Hyon Jacqueline Barr Morahd Shawki Nicolet Danese Tina Hsu Tracy Zhang Adviser Michelle Balmeo

Disclaimer Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the journalism staff and not of Monta Vista High School or the Fremont Union High School District.

Credits Some images in this publication were taken from the royalty-free stock photography website sxc.hu.

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 we will correct any significant error. If you believe such an error has been made, please contact us. 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.

Contact Us El Estoque 21840 McClellan Rd. Cupertino, CA 95014 mv.el.estoque@gmail.com http://elestoque.org

May 11, 2011

Page 11

A CLOSER LOOK

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Bridging the gap with family bonds +LZWP[L NLULYH[PVU NHWZ [OL -LUN MHTPS` ÄUKZ JVTTVU NYV\UK [OYV\NO \UKLYZ[HUKPUN SV]L

“M

om, we can’t be here all night,” says freshman Karen Feng in response to her mother’s suggestion that she speak in Chinese tonight. Despite her mother Camille Chen offering to help translate, Feng remains reluctant.

“Here, there is an obvious generation gap between us,” Chen says, speaking in a blend of Chinese and English. “I want her to use Chinese so her grandma can understand.”

This is the sixth year that Feng, her parents, and her maternal grandmother Mei Hua Yang and grandfather Yae Quan Chen—three generations—have been living together.

A 2010 report based on U.S. Census Bureau data by the Pew Research Center found that 16 percent of the US population currently lives in a multi-generational household.

Although three generations living under one roof comes with its problems, there seems to be a general consensus

in Feng’s family that overcoming the conflicts that arise from opposing viewpoints has helped build a stronger bond within the family.

Through her personal experiences with raising children of then grandchildren, Yang, a fairly liberal Buddhist and Democrat, believes that generation gaps increase with age.

According to her, children are born dependent on their elders. But the inevitable happens: children become teenagers who then become adults, and along the way they develop ideas of their own. That’s when division between the generations begins to form.

According to another report by the Pew Research Center, only 26 percent of the public believes there are strong conflicts between younger and older generations. Religion is one area of contention with 41 percent of people considering it an issue between the generations. Yang’s Buddhist beliefs lead to some

discrepancy between her and her daughter, who prefers to look at things from a scientific perspective. Even so, they’ve found some mutual understanding, letting religion dictate one aspect of their lives, while allowing science to govern another.

“We have to find common ground,” Chen said, “because sometimes things can’t be explained by science. Why [did the] earthquake happen in Japan? Why do some families have no problems, while other families have many?”

Yang considers herself to be fairly liberal on the topic of raising children. She goes by a Chinese belief based on the idea of tolerance, ren.

“When Chinese people educate their children,” Yang said, “they teach them to endure hardship rather than fight back.” see FAMILY TIES on page 12

Page 12

Page 13

A CLOSER LOOK

talkin’ about my Z

65 years of generations: how generation gaps change our lives

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of the public thinks their view on religion is very different between the generations

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of the public thinks work ethic is very different between the generations

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of the public thinks music is very different between the generations

Times change, teachers don’t

Generation X marks the drop in numbers of births following the baby boom. Gen-X-ers are typically individualistic, resourceful, and balance work and life.

They are also accepting of diversity.

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Cynthia Mao || c.mao@elestoque.org

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Between Feng and her grandmother, there are areas the two don’t see eye-to-eye on as well.

“Even though they say they’re liberal, more Americanized, [the older generation is] still more conservative than us,” Feng said. “If I don’t blow-dry my hair, [my grandmother will yell at me [and say] I’ll get a cold...I know it’s not true, [but] I still have to listen to [my grandparents] because they are older [and so they have] authority.”

Despite differences in their beliefs, the Feng family solves their issues in a way that ends up building a solid foundation for the family. According to Chen, conflict allows family members to look at problems from a different perspective, which invariably leads to a better sense of understanding and empathy.

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of the public thinks moral values are very different between the generations

Feng says living with her grandparents has taught her the morals of a different generation set, like respect. Perhaps the fact that they are family is rapport enough.

“It’s not so much our views on religion or stuff we usually discuss [that’s common ground],” Feng said. “It’s just as a family, we respect each other.”

Chen thinks the similarities between them are simply a part of human nature: the golden rule, which is “regardless of race, gender, age.”

Feng’s grandfather clears his throat and struggles in his heavily-accented English, but he manages to get the words out.

“Love,” he says. “Love.”

from Generation Z are known for social 3 0 networking. Their constant 20 connection to the rest of the world means they are aware of news and comfortable working with others.

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54%

FAMILY TIES: Generations form bonds with respect continued from page 11

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STUCK IN THE MIDDLE Freshman Karen Feng sits with her grandmother, Mei Hua Yang, on May 3.

The two often don’t see eye-to-eye on miniscule issues, like whether or not Feng should dry her hair after a shower.

n ent In the age of o ti es technology, people

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o think that all this time teachers haven’t really changed.

And even if, once upon a time, older teachers did do things differently, the difference between them and newer ones today is slight.

Classrooms have changed since the introduction of mass technology. Band and orchestra teacher John Galli, who has been teaching for 40 years, remembers when he used to take his classes to live performances instead of having them listen to recordings.

English teacher Debbie Vanni, a teacher of 29 years, remembers when she once assigned a group project and was then astounded when her students used their cell phones and iPods to turn it in 20 minutes later.

But while classrooms have changed with new technology, the gap between newer and more-experienced teachers has not widened.

Like teachers just starting out, both Vanni and Galli have integrated technology into their classrooms and are constantly learning how to use newer tools—even if it takes the teachers longer to learn them than newer teachers.

Of course, slight dissimilarities between veteran and younger teachers still do exist. For example, French teacher Sarah Finck believes older teachers are more rigid in deadlines.

“I’m pretty accepting of technological difficulties,” she said, even if it means homework assignments or projects are turned in late. “If it’s a generally responsible student, and it appears to be the truth, what I’m really interested in is that their work is done at a high quality and that they’re showing me their best.”

However, Finck finds it difficult to keep track of all her students’ postponed deadlines. “I think I’ll get stricter over time,” she said, “because it gets frustrating.”

Technology also drives another difference

between teachers.

“People who started teaching before technology are better on their toes,” Vanni said, but she stressed that the generalization doesn’t apply to every newer teacher. She remembers when her Contemporary Literature students began working on school laptops one day only to have the laptops run out of battery five minutes later; the previous period had not charged them. However, because Vanni was not as reliant on technology as newer teachers, she was able to quickly adjust her lesson plan to

73%

of the public thinks technology is very different between the generations account for the unexpected problem.

This new undying reliance on technology can be blamed on changing methods of training teachers. Today, all teaching credential classes require some basic skill with technology, be it Microsoft Word or videotaping. At San Jose State University, upcoming teachers need to pass a technology test in order to be eligible for its teaching credential program.

Still, the process of getting a teaching credential hasn’t changed much. When Photography teacher Tyler Cripe was studying to become a teacher, he took classes on student psychological development—the same type of classes Vanni took almost 25 years earlier.

And while institutions may claim to be teaching new teaching styles today, Vanni believes these new approaches aren’t radically different at all. “They come out with new ideas, but when you’re in the field long enough, the new is the old repackaged,” she said.

There’s a simple reason behind that. “What’s called the ‘old style’ of teaching is really not that old,” Cripe said. “That’s the way we learn.

That’s the way people deliver information to each other.”

To him, a teacher’s goal is to get information across to his or her students. While the role of technology has made the process quicker and simpler, a teacher still has to get that information across today.

And teaching credential classes are still weak in one thing, just like 40 years ago: the quality of teaching experience gained from taking those classes.

“It was pretty poor back then, and it’s still pretty poor now,” Galli said. When he first began teaching, teachers learned how to really lead a classroom during their student-teaching periods, not their time learning in class, and the same holds true for today.

So the difference between teachers is very slight. “As far as a generational gap, I don’t see that very much,” Cripe said.

Through the years, teaching itself hasn’t changed. “The heart [of being a teacher] stays the same,” Vanni said. “You may have to change the way you communicate with the students, you may have to change the way you communicate with parents, but sitting down and talking to a student struggling at home, that has not changed.”

Daniel Tan || d.tan@elestoque.org Dominique Pieb || d.pieb@elestoque.org

May 11, 2011

A CLOSER LOOK

World of

Page 14

As our slang has changed through the generations, so has our way of playing with words. From Scrabble to Words With Friends, here are 19 words that are from our past, have evolved to the present, and may change into new slang we use in the future.

Caposhi (1970s) (pronounced “kuh-pa-she”): Cool Cat (1960s): Guy Hottie (1950s): A very fast car (50s); it now means an attractive girl Jinkies (1970s): Oh my gosh!

Radical (1980s): Wild, exciting, and cool all at once Righteous (1960s): Extremely fine; beautiful CXliX PX

Word (1970s): I agree

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Baby (1950s-present): A cute girl

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Badass (1960s-now): 1950s: Someone you wouldn’t want to mess around with; now: an amazingly cool guy For sure (1980s-now) (pronounced “fer–sher”): I agree Dope (1980s-now): Cool, nice, awesome Legit (1980s-now): Authentic; good

Full house Sibling gaps affect relationships

T

he earliest form of friendship most people experience is the one with their siblings, but depending on the age difference between them this friendship can either continue to develop or deteriorate as time goes on.

Here are the stories of three students whose age difference gap with their siblings has made a significant impact on their lives: Same school much changed six years later Junior Lisa Kim is six years younger than her brother.

Although her brother also attended MVHS, they’ve never gone to the same school at the same time because of the age difference between them. The culture at school has significantly changed within the last few years regarding classes, teachers, and students, and according to Kim, she and her brother haven’t been able to connect because they’ve never simultaneously been in the same stage of their lives.

“We don’t talk very much,” Kim said. “My brother was a lot older, so he didn’t always want to spend time with his family.”

Even though her brother has begun talking to her more often and giving her the option to come to him for help, Kim said that it would be “slightly weird” to look to him for advice.

“I don’t know if we’d hang out or anything,” Kim said. “But everything would probably be more relevant because we’d go to the same school.”

Parent-like sibling guidance Senior Samantha Wang has had quite a different experience with her siblings, even though they are even further apart. Her sister is 33 years old and her brother is 30, making them 15 years and 13 years apart respectively.

However, according to Wang, the age difference has not created a generation barrier between them; it has instead allowed them to get along more easily and benefit from each other’s experiences.

“My sister helps me a lot because she started her

Bromance (2000s-now): Close friendship between men Hella (1990s-now): Very; a lot of Mega- (1990s): Extremely (when used in front of an adjective) own business. She’s used to talking to high school students and helping them out with college,” Wang said. “She helped me a lot with planning extra curricular activities and my college essays. My brother got me a car and he helps me with computer problems and physics and math.”

Wang said that although her siblings are so much older, she is able to relate more with them than with her parents. She does not spend much time with her siblings, but as both adults and siblings, they often help mediate conflicts with her parents by being able to see both sides of an argument.

“Just recently for college, my parents really [wanted] me to pick a certain school,” Wang said. “My sister and brother are more supportive, and they say just choose wherever [I] want to go. Because my sister is an adult, she’s able to help me pay for my college education.

So if I do go with the option that my parents don’t support, I won’t be afraid of not having financial support.”

Both her brother and sister have children and their own families to take care of, so they only visit Wang’s house about once a week. Wang is a go-to babysitter for her siblings and says that she has become a lot more mature, learning from their past experiences and being given the responsibility of taking care of children.

Although Wang appreciates the value of having siblings so much older that can be role models for her, at times she wishes for a closer relationship with her brother and sister that mirrors more of a friendship.

“I wouldn’t be alone at home as much. I feel lonely easily since they don’t live in our house, so they only come to visit once a week or so,” Wang said. “The house is really full and

Meh (2000s-now): Indifferent; equivalent to a shrug My bad (1990s-now): My mistake OMG (2000s-now): Oh my gosh or God Your mom (2000s-now): A comeback to any insult

noisy and I really like it. Then they all leave and it’s quiet with just me and my parents. I think it would be nice to have someone closer to my age.”

My sister, my friend Freshman Nancy Chang has two older sisters: Jennifer, who is seven years older, and Tiffany, who is four years older.

But their various personalities and quirky relationships have contributed to their closeness.

“Even though Jennifer is older, she’s more childish, whereas Tiffany is more mom-ish,” Chang said. “Sometimes when either Tiffany or I find a unique stamp in the mail or get a present, Jennifer suggests keeping it for us in case we lose it, but she really keeps it for herself because we never get to see the stuff ever again.”

Both her sisters attend school in the East coast, so Chang doesn’t spend as much time with them as she previously did. They used to watch movies together every weekend and play Pokémon Monopoly, the winner getting a dollar.

She continues to turn to them for advice rather than her parents because they are of the same generation and are able to see from her perspective, having gone through the same experiences not too long ago. Fights are occasional.

“Most of the advice they give me are about school and managing time,” Chang said. “But they also give me advice on what to buy and what to wear. I like being the youngest because I get to learn from their experiences. Even though I get hand-me-downs, I also get new stuff earlier like a CD player, iPod, camera, laptop, and ear piercings.”

Ashley Wu || a.wu@elestoque.org Vijeta Tandon || v.tandon@elestoque.org

S

May 11, 2011

Page 15

SPORTS

TIME

OUT

Sports programs suffer when junior year athletes prioritize academics over athletics

P

ractice. Homework. Study. All timeconsuming activities that compete for our attention as high school students. The elusive goal—success—is achieved only through motivation and dedication. And since there are only 24 hours in a day, junior year often forces students to make difficult decisions in order to prioritize between academics, extracurriculars, athletics, and a social life.

With a number of large transitions taking place simultaneously—taking AP classes, having a number of standardized tests to take, and playing at the varsity level for athletics—some students realize they can’t do it all without many sacrifices. Given the strong academics at MVHS, the tendency is for sports to fall by the wayside.

Consider the football program, which head coach Jeff Mueller and the rest of the staff devote their time to after school in order to develop athletes into passionate competitors. According to Mueller, their efforts are being undermined by juniors in the program who take a year off, hampering the success of the varsity team.

“We spend time as a coaching staff, to go ahead and develop a freshman and sophomore,” Mueller said. “And then they come in junior year and say they aren’t going to play. I have no interest in them coming back their senior year.

They’ve lost a year of development—physical development, knowledge of the game, speed, that type of thing, so it makes it very, very tough for them to be a contributor.”

Any sport that has a large time commitment such as basketball or water polo often goes through this “junior flight” as players choose not to return after their sophomore year. In particular, the girls basketball team was impacted this past season, when they went 1-11 in league.

“It’s frustrating to know that you’ve worked

JUNIOR YEAR DROP-OUTS 10% quit due to time constraints

38% quit to focus on studies

52% have not quit

hard to train girls and then they just quit, and you have no control over the situation,” girls basketball head coach Sara Borelli said. “This year, three girls decided not to play—three girls that you had an expectation for the coming season to play. For us, I kept us up in the upper league with the expectation that these junior girls were going to be on the team. There’s no way to predict, but with those extra bodies there, [perhaps] we could have won more games.”

For junior Jalaj Punn, his basketball career took a hiatus this past season after his parents insisted that he focus on his grades. Looking back, he is disappointed in his decision, now often feeling cooped up at home after school.

He views his time on the basketball team as an outlet, something to look forward to after school, especially after a rough day. “[Basketball] is a commitment,” said Punn.

“It makes you tired after practice, but because of the workload [freshman and sophomore year], it was okay.”

Despite this trend, some athletes have successfully balanced athletics and academics.

For junior Michael Whittaker, a wrestler and football player taking three AP classes, his rigorous schedule is possible because of time management and self-discipline.

“A lot of your necessities become luxuries,” said Whittaker. “Now that wrestling and all my sports are over, I try to spend two hours eating trying to bulk up. During wrestling, when I get home at 7 p.m. everyday, [I could] only eat for 20 minutes. You have to rush and sacrifice a lot of what you would normally do.”

Whittaker believes that the biggest obstacle for many of these students that quit their sports comes down to trying to hold onto the amount of social time they are used to. Since the amount of time required for academic and athletic success increases, many people quit so they have time for other things like socializing with friends.

*Based on a survey of 69 MVHS students

see TIMEOUT on page 18

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Juniors volunteer to coach basketball part-time at YMCA

Fathi, Liu, and Zheng discuss the importance of being more than just a coach in youth sports

A

t one point in every athlete’s life, he or she has listened to the advice of a coach. Some athletes use that advice to improve their skill in the sport, while some spread that advice to others.

Several students do exactly that by coaching for the YMCA; some have as much as four years of experience coaching, while others are just beginning. Regardless, the love of teaching kids to play basketball brought all of them to become student coaches.

Each of the student coaches began their career by signing up with YMCA director Scott Leong to become a coach for the Northwest YMCA league. Soon after, each coach was assigned his or her team for the season.

“We teach them sportsmanship, we teach them teamwork, and then we go and play a non-competitive game against another team,” junior Darian Fathi said.

The coaches get ten students in their team to coach for approximately two months. The student YMCA coaches all teach with their own methods, but a common theme that runs among all of them is the use of their own experience to pass on advice to players. Fathi, for example, uses lessons from his previous mentors to gain good ideas for coaching, even though the experience of coaching is still fairly new to him.

However, the main focus throughout their

time coaching is progress. The coaches guide their kids from the first step of learning how to shoot the ball to more advanced techniques, like the intricacies of man-to-man defense.

“The first game you are like, ‘Oh my god we’re so bad,’” junior Bernie Liu said. “But at the last game we are like, ‘Dang we are pretty good because [the players] improve a lot within the two months.’”

Coaching the students is not just about teaching kids the basic skills of basketball.

During their time as coaches, Fathi and Liu also began to establish connections with their players through all the practices and games they endured within the two months.

The drills that the coaches ran help build the team’s confidence and camaraderie.

“Each kid is almost like a younger brother or sister, ” Liu said. “Because when you coach a lot of seasons, you kind of see the same players over and over again. You get to know them really well and their parents, too.”

Coaches have the experience to meet new kids, build connections with their players and teach the sport they love, but not everything is perfect. In teaching kids, every coach faces his or her share of adversity, whether it is trying to help out the kid who does not want to work or sometimes a meddling parent.

“Some parents can be really nosy about what you are doing, but then you [say], ‘Oh, if

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COACHING THEM UP Junior Bernie Liu demonstrates correct blocking technique to his young players during a game at Kenndy Middle School on April 9. you want to know, just talk to our director,’” junior Clayton Zheng said. “You can’t answer all their questions because it will take too much time out of practice.”

The students come to the YMCA with the expectations that they will be just coaching

kids, but what they find is much more than that.

Either by dealing with the parents or building connections with their kid, YMCA coaching gives them much more than expected.

Patrick Xie || p.xie@elestoque.org

Page 16

In the bag

May 11, 2011

SPORTS

A peek at essential equipment toted by club-wielding Matador golfers

SOPHOMORE STEPHEN TING

THE DRIVER One of the most important clubs in any golfer’s bag, used almost exclusively off the tee for the player’s first shot of more challenging holes. “It’s designed to launch the ball at a much lower angle,” Ting said. “It also has the longest shaft.”

DIFFERENT CLUBS The shortest clubs, irons, have high loft and are used for the shortest shots. By contrast, longer clubs called woods have very little loft and are used for shots of greater distance. Hybrids are modern clubs of moderate length, making them more forgiving.

GOLF GLOVE Most golfers wear only one glove, with right-handed golfers using it on their left hand and vice versa.“Blisters [are] one thing [it helps with],” Ting said. “But [the golve] also helps you maintain a grip on the club, especially if you’re sweaty.”

GOLF BALLS AND TEES “The only two things that golfers need are golf tees and golf balls,” Ting said. In case balls or tees are lost, golfers bring at least five to 10 along with them each round.

FAVORITE CLUB Pitching wedge. According to Ting, the club is both reliable and versatile—while it can be used for shots of up to 115 yards, but also serves as an important tool for shorter shots around the green.

WHY SO MANY? Golfers can carry up to 14 clubs with them in their bags. “Sometimes I won’t have trust in a club when I’m playing in a round,” Khodi said. In these cases, golfers often can use a similar club with an adjusted grip to produce nearly the identical shot.

SOPHOMORE RYAN KHODI

BRUSH AND TOWEL Used to remove any variability in the shot and is used to clean clubs. The towel is always kept 3/4 wet. Stray tufts of grass or dirt can sometimes cause the ball to be sent off-line.

BAG TAGS Often sold at golf courses as a keepsake. Khodi has bag tags from courses he’s played at, including Deep Cliff, Calippe, Waikoloa, as well as the famed Pebble Beach, which he has visited to watch tournaments.

DIVOT TOOL AND BALL MARKER Used around the green. A divot tool removes marks from ball impact, while a ball marker indicates ball placement when lifted so others can put. These items are usually kept in the golfer’s pocket—or designed as special attachments to golf gloves—so that they can be easily accessed on a consistent basis.

sportsnow On May 5, varsity badminton defeated rival Saratoga in a decisive 21-13 victory. One May 12 home game against Wilcox remains in the way of an undefeated 12-0 league season. Here, senior Michelle Yang (left) hits a wrist shot before the May 6 match.

Junior Clarissa Wells (right) starts her swing at a fastball as varsity softball continued its nearly undefeated season with a 7-4 win over Los Altos on April 29. The senior game will be held on May 11 against Cupertino.

FAVORITE CLUB: 7-iron. “It’s right in the middle, a 150yard club,” Khodi said. “For me, it’s the easiest to control.”

Joseph Beyda || j.beyda@elestoque.org

Boys varsity tennis defeated Carmel 6-1 in the first CCS match of the year on May 6 after finishing the regular season with a 11-1,14-4 record. Senior Amreet Mohanty (below) led the team effort with a two-set singles win. Next up in the quarterfinals is Leland, on May 9.

On May 5, varsity badminton defeated rival Saratoga in a decisive 21-9 win The victory earned the Matadors their tenth straight win.

One last home game against Wilcox remains in the way of an undefeated 12-0 regular seasom.

CCS begins May 24.

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Varsity track had a strong month of performances against Homestead and Cupertino and capped it off with the El Camino League Finals on May 4. It included first-place finishes from junior Kevin Bishop in the 1-mile and senior Nathan Hu in the 300-meter hurdles. CCS semifinals begin May 21 at Gilroy.

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May 11, 2011

SPORTS

Page 17

An ever-growing tradition Girls swim team leave hair on their legs till CCS to shave down times

Our sports community We’re stronger than you may think

I

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HAIRY LEGS The Varsity girls swim team have not shaved their legs since April 18 as part of the “Hairy Legs” competition.

Swimmers stop shaving to increase drag—making them work harder and eventually faster for league finals and CCS.

W

hile some teams bond over sleepovers, pasta dinners or morning breakfasts, the girls swim team connects through the hair on their legs.

In 2006, coach Don Vierra started the team’s unique tradition of growing hair 1014 days before an important meet and even to this day, swimmers continue to resist the urge to shave. According to Vierra, hair follicles moving against the water create resistance—an effect similar to runners training with ankle weights.

“Swimmers, for decades, have always tapered and shaved for big meets, and we’re a big meet swim team,” Vierra said.

With league finals and the Central Coast Section meet not far from sight, Vierra instilled unique ways for the team to improve their swim times and bond.

The girls of the swim team, focusing on league finals and the CCS meet at the end of

the year, stopped shaving on April 18 and did not shave until the day before league finals, on May 3. However, the girls who have qualified for CCS prior to leagues will continue to grow out their leg hair until May 21.

“Research has shown that it makes a significant difference when you shave [for] boys and girls,” Vierra said. “Some of it is psychological, but there’s some sort of resistance that’s removed after you shave, so you go faster.”

Junior Rachel Lu explained that leg hair forces them to work harder to obtain a better time during practice. When swimmers get used to the drag created by hair, shaving it off maximizes their feel for the water.

To make this experience more pleasant, for the past five years Vierra has turned this tradition into a competition to see whose leg hair can grow the longest and the fastest by the end of the season.

“It gives you a team spirit kind of feel

despite it being summer,” said sophomore Elizabeth Zhang. “You can tell who’s on the swim team.”

The competition only goes as far as the girls take it. While some start growing out their leg hair early, others cheat and shave earlier. With support from their coaches and each other, the girls grow out their hair in anticipation for a “shaving party” the night before league finals and CCS. “I can only help you as much as your genetic makeup will allow,” Vierra said.

The winner, junior Shravya Guda, was elected by her teammates on May 3 and recieved a Freeman “Intensity” T-shirt.

Although the competition is almost over for this season, there are still many more years to come for swimmers to enter the “Hairy Leg” competition.

Nicolet Danese || n.danese@elestoque.org Kevin Tsukii || k.tsukii@elestoque.org

Mustang to Matador: A story from the dugout Senior Chris Harper shares his life-long story as a baseball player

a batting average of 0.429 and a total of four home runs, Harper plays an essential role on the team.

“We had good offense with [senior] Matt Hopkins and others,” Harper said. “It’s been a good season.”

Assistant coach and Social Studies teacher Robbie Hoffman is proud to have him on the team as one of their top pitchers and looks forward to the rest of the season.

“Unfortunately, he hasn’t been out [on the field] because he’s been hurt, but he’s probably one of the best pitchers in the league,” said Hoffman. “We’re tied for second place in the league and we have four games to go, so that’s what we’re looking at right now.”

Recently though the team has moved up BXi`j_dX D\_fkiX s <c <jkfhl\ in ranking to 10-3-0 in the league, tied with PITCHER’S SEQUENCE Harper completes his wind-up, releasing his fastball. He went Santa Clara for first. One of his exceptional on to strike out 13 Lynbrook batters in this game in six innings pitched on Mar. 17. performances on the pitching mound was on Mar. 17, when he pitched six innings and struck earning to play baseball the same year from Homestead High School, where out 13 people. Harper shares his knowledge year as learning the alphabet. Running he did not play for the baseball team due for the game with the team from his years of experience on the field. circles around the diamond soon after to injuries in his knee, STATS “He’s a good teammate learning how to walk. Over the course of his plays as an outfielder and Record: 2-0 and really helps me out when baseball career, senior Chris Harper has made pitcher for the varsity ERA: 0.00 I pitch,” junior Jack Faraday it through injuries, but still keeps baseball baseball team, similar to Innings Pitched: 19 said. “He is passionate about a main root in his life and holds a strong his position on the Norcal Opp. Batting Avg.: .236 baseball, and it motivates position as the pitcher and outfielder on the Baseball Team. us.”

Hits allowed: 11 “I pitched in Pony varsity baseball team.

That same passion shows K/BB: 36/4 He discovered his passion for baseball in Baseball when I was like in each of the games that he first grade when he played for Pony Baseball, 13 or 14...and I’ve been plays in. With the statisitics to Average: .429 a baseball league and organization for youth doing it ever since,” back it up, Harper has been a RBI: 4 Harper said. players in California. great addition to the MVHS With his many years “I loved watching Giants games and MLB baseball team as both an and watching guys play that well,” Harper of experience, Harper outfielder and pitcher. has helped keep the MVHS baseball team said. “It was a huge inspiration.”

L

After transferring to MVHS for his junior

maintain a winning percentage of .800. With

Neha Simon || n.simon@elestoque.org

went to my first Stanford football game in 1998, and in the 13 seasons since, I’ve learned quite a lot about the types of people that call themselves my fellow fans.

There’s my dad, a season ticketholder for 30 years who started bringing his son along at the ripe age of five. Sitting near us are my dad’s good friends from college, who range from longtime university employees (often doubling as football almanacs) to the guys who can only make it to a game or two a year.

Across the aisle, parents of Cardinal players watch the action next to alums who have done so for 50 years. Hardcore tailgaiters are likely to arrive nearby, lucky if they make it in by the second quarter.

All watching the same game. All enjoying it.

If only MVHS’s games brought more than just athletes’ parents and close friends. If only we found a way to attract non-athletic students. If only our sports crowds were more… heterogeneous.

That may have been a pathetic attempt to JOSEPH BEYDA appeal to overly j.beyda@elestoque.org studious students, but I’ll tell you what wasn’t: the Intramural Basketball Tournament.

Our sports world is expanding.

When I started covering the tournament in the first round for an El Estoque blog, there wasn’t much of an audience to speak of; the teams themselves clearly outnumbered the fans. But as the action picked up, the word spread, and attendance rapidly grew. The crowd began to care more about the action, and the players followed suit. The simple act of predicting winners in the quarterfinal game unleashed furious trash-talking by players and fans alike on Facebook.

By the semifinals, I was unable to move through the entire lunch period lest I give up my prime spot in the full gym. By the finals, it was getting too loud to hear myself think.

Amidst the excitement, our blog got nearly 2,000 hits—two thirds of them in the last week of the tournament.

“You’ve got more people following you than there are basketball fans in the school!” a friend told me.

He may have been right, but I’m not taking any of the credit.

Baby steps, not the whole nine yards.

The tournament’s success was largely due to its structure. A three-hour football game might be daunting to a fledgling fan who, in hopes of understanding what’s going on, wouldn’t want to just show up partway through. But all of the matchups in the intramural tournament lasted just one lunch period. Busy students could drop by for a game or two, see how they liked it, and come back when their schedules permitted.

That’s why the crowd was so strong for the championship and teacher games. That’s why there were just as many girls as boys in the crowd—even though only one girl was playing in the tournament. That’s why people were willing to put down their graphing calculators and history textbooks for awhile and just enjoy.

Being a devoted fan is daunting. Once you are committed, there’s often more heartbreak involved than fun. So if you’re the kind of person that hasn’t ever had the chance to care about MVHS athletics (or this sports section, for that matter), take advantage of lunchtime events and shorter games to get yourself into the mix.

And if you’re still here next year, you’ll be happy to mark more than just Homecoming on your calendar.

The Beyda test

Page 18

SPORTS

QUITTING: School over sports continued from page 15

â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you do sports and school, especially wrestling, you reach a point in your life when you just are seriously upset and angry.

You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get sleep, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get foodâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a limit to what you can do and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just pushed up against that limit,â&#x20AC;? Whittaker said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think [quitting] boils down to people [saying], â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh, this is hard. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want hardship, so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll quit [my sport].â&#x20AC;?

Yet even with this difficult dilemma, students have the guidance of teachers, counselors, and parents to help them make the best decision possible. For AP US History teacher Vivianna Montoya-Hernandez, this means being flexible with makeup dates for assignments and extra credit opportunities as long as absences are cleared. She even offers the opportunity to sit down with her and plan out schedules week by week, down to the hour if necessary, to make sure that her students are on track to succeed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For me, its always going to come back to time management,â&#x20AC;? Montoya-Hernandez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If students plan ahead and think about what they are going to do. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to have to schedule your free time as much as your work time.â&#x20AC;?

Instead, many MVHS students try to do it all, only to find that they have to give up something due to their overcommitment. An option available for athletes is to drop their sport.

However, with some planning and support, student-athletes can find a way to make it all work out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teachers need to be flexible about time, parents need to be mindful, counselors need to answer questions for students, and students need to be advocates for themselves,â&#x20AC;? Montoya-Hernandez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They need to plan ahead and [communicate] to put it all together.â&#x20AC;?

Eric Wong || eric.wong@elestoque.org

May 11, 2011

Moving from JV to varsity

Coaches face tough decisions regarding standout athletes on JV team

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hile performers struggle to keep bowling pins in the air, coaches attempt their own balancing act: to keep a player on JV for more playing time or to move them up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Playing time, playing time, playing time. You just canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t simulate it in practiceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing like making a play under pressure on the court,â&#x20AC;? said head coach Paul Chiu. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want the top players on JV to stand out and be recognizable as the best players on the team. I need them to learn how to play at a high and dominating level at all times so by the time they move up to varsity, the transition wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be difficult.â&#x20AC;?

When it comes down to the decision on how to distribute players, head coaches of the volleyball program factor in several aspects ranging from physical talent, team chemistry, and consistency.

The line between the two teams shifts every year but it is expected that varsity games be played at a more fast-paced level, where more precision is necessary in serving, setting, and passing and hits are more powerful. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A varsity player should help the team succeedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not just do nothing and watch but actually help and win games,â&#x20AC;? sophomore Cory Low said.

Both JV coach Calvin Wong and freshman Ryan Manley agree that JV is an ideal option for finetuning certain skills in order to

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STUCK IN THE MIDDLE Freshman Ryan Manley excels on the JV volleyball team but wants to develop before making the move to the varsity level. prepare for the varsity level in future years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would rather stay on JV and play because volleyball is a really fun sport. Not being able to play is not worth just having the title of being a varsity player,â&#x20AC;? Manley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being on JV is another year for more experience and to warm up to how high school works.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;As players, there is always refining to do in the game,â&#x20AC;?

Wong said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter what level a player is at, there is always room to get better every

day on the court and play the game that they loveâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the one we coach them to be better at.â&#x20AC;?

Despite the game experience and time for improvement, some players who prefer the higher level of competition may not find it on the JV team and not play at maximum capacity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[The JV team] has a great record, but I enjoy playing with the varsity guys because then I could play at my fullest potential instead of on JV, even though I should be,â&#x20AC;? Low said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just playing with better opponents is

Make it r e m m u S e th r e v e N l l â&#x20AC;&#x2122; You Forget!

a bigger step forward.â&#x20AC;?

To adjust, the volleyball program attempts to bridge the gap between the two teams.

They aim to create a â&#x20AC;&#x153;family,â&#x20AC;? the varsity players are the â&#x20AC;&#x153;big brothersâ&#x20AC;? who guide the JV players. By overlapping practice times and providing opportunities for the two teams to bond together, the two teams develop close ties as the varsity team helps show their younger brothers to a more competitive level of the game.

Emlly Vu || e.vu@elestoque.org

Anushka Patil || a.patil@elestoque.org

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e

May 11, 2011

Page 19

ENTERTAINMENT

Celebrity DJ? More like celebrity diva one package of Solo six sealed bottles of (or comparable) cups cold spring water one large bottle of two packages of two clean towels cranberry juice men’s boxers provided on stage one package of socks

one handle of vodka

one large bottle of lemonade

one large bag of pretzels

four cans of Red Bull

NOT PICTURED In addition to the above items, DJ The White Panda also requested a clean, quiet, private, and air conditioned room available to the artist no less than one hour before the show; two buyouts of $20 to purchase their own meals or two healthy dinners; one working television with satellite or cable service; and one bag of ice.

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Celebrity DJ The White Panda eliminated from Senior Ball plans due to unreasonable demands

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CINDERELLA: New and improved

o doubt that organizers of any annual event try to make preceding events better. Likewise, the senior class of 2011 hoped to make Senior Ball even bigger through inviting a celebrity DJ. Initially, the plan for senior ball was to invite The White Panda, a well-known mashup duo, to come to Senior Ball on June 4, taking place at the San Francisco Bay on the boat “Hornblower.”

The DJs would cost a total of $10,000, which would raise each bid price to $105—a far cry from the current price of $85 for single bids.

“People that were into [Electronic, upbeat type of music] were really into [the idea of having The White Panda]. But there were people that were apprehensive about it... let’s say I didn’t want to freak, then what would I be doing?” class treasurer senior Abhishek Kumar said.

But what ultimately pushed the class of 2011 officers to eliminate the idea of inviting The

White Panda was that their accommodations senior class president Lucia Lin said. “There were hard to meet. Not only did the group are disadvantages and advantages of having want to have their own private room and have them there.” attendees pay for their sound equipment, In addition to the list of hospitality needs, The White Panda requested to have vodka the handler for The White Panda said that as part of their there would still package along be expletives THE REQUESTS with many other in the songs, 1 Two packages of men’s boxers things, including which concerned A clean, quiet, air-conditioned room two packages of adm inist rat ion, men’s boxers, a especially since Two clean towels clean, quiet, air The White Panda A big bag of pretzels conditioned room, is not a schoolOne package of socks two clean towels, sponsored guest. one large bag of “The celebrity pretzels, and one DJ would be cool, 4 package of socks. but it’s not a concert. Senior Ball is the last “The idea of the celebrity DJ got a lot of time your class is going to be together at one people really hyped up... but we wanted to big social event, other than Senior All Night make it clear to the senior class that either Party, just celebrating with each other, and way [Senior Ball] is going to be really fun,” the focus should stay on [the class of 2011],”

said ASB Leadership and dean of students Denae Moore.

With the elimination of The White Panda from Senior Ball, the class of 2011 will now be able to lower bid prices. Through paying the $10,000 fee for inviting The White Panda, the group would have allotted $2,000 to go towards charity. But since The White Panda is no longer performing, the class of 2011 still hopes to donate money to charity through forgoing favors, which would be $1,000 towards the Japan relief efforts.

In addition to spending money, the money left over in the ASB account after Senior Ball will go towards a senior project that is meant to leave a legacy at the school, like the electric marquee purchased by class of 2010. But with or without The White Panda performing, Senior Ball will still go on.

Derrick Yee || d.yee@elestoque.org

C

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BAD BLOOD Cinderella’s evil stepmother and three

stepsisters were played by senior Karina Fathi, senior Hema Kopalle, sophomore Kazmiera Tarshis, and junior Jordan Thompson.

inderella hasn’t always been a flowery Disney princess tale. And it certainly isn’t this time.

“Cinderella” is one of the two student produced shows the Drama Department is currently presenting.

Along with “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” the shows are completely student-run.

Senior Anna Crouch, student director for “Cinderella,” notes that that there are several differences between the beloved princess classic and the play they are performing.

Egbert, played by sophomore Dhruva Seelin, who is the newest character addition to the Cinderella cast, was written into the play by director and Drama teacher Holly Cornelison’s father. Seelin plays Prince Charming’s cousin, who adds a comical tone to the entire play. In addition, there will be three ugly stepsisters—sophomore Kazmiera Tarshis, junior Jordan Thompson, and senior Hema Kopalle. Junior Jasmin Hayden plays a duchess in search for a dance with the king.

“Just keep watching the stepsisters,” Crouch said.

“They’re hilarious.”

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Sophomore Dhruva Seelin, who plays Prince Charming’s comical cousin, talks to the King, played by senior Kyle Hultquist, about the Prince’s ball. Seniors Karina Fathi, Amanda Perry, Joss Lee and Anne Faraday take a bow at the end of the show. Godmother Faraday talks to Cinderella, played by Perry, about the perils of not returning from the ball to home by midnight. All photos were taken at the dress rehearsal on May 4.

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GAZE INTO MY EYES: Seniors Joss Lee and Amanda Perry play Prince Charming and Cinderella, while sharing a dance at the ball at the dress rehearsal on May 4.

Pooja Ravikiran || p.ravikiran@elestoque.org Yaamini Venkataramen || y.venkatramen@elestoque.org

Page 20

May 11, 2011

ENTERTAINMENT

Save money, stay stylish, go thrifting

Three local thrift stores offer a variety of economical alternatives to department store prices

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f you thought thrift stores were only the place to look for a pair of Seven For All Mankind for the poor and frumpy, think again. jeans for under $20 or a brand new party dress for Crossroads Trading Co. is a thrift store for $30. Crossroads distinguishes between its used items the cash-stricken and stylish. Located just a and new items on the price tag, and the racks hold a few blocks from the fashion epicenter of the treasure trove of both.

South Bay, Santana Row and Westfield Valley The gentleman searching for an economic new Fair, Crossroads maintains look can find a collection of hats, CROSSROADS the vibe of its neighboring jeans, shirts, belts, and even shoes on fashion district, minus the the left of the store. Men’s clothing ADDRESS: 1959 W San Carlos high price tags. takes up approximately one third of St San Jose, CA 95128 Crossroads’ selection Crossroads, and while the selection STORE HOURS: ranges from Forever 21 tops is a bit smaller, steals such as $10 Mon-Sat: 11 am - 7 pm to Steve Madden shoes, all at button down flannel shirts can be Sun: 12 pm - 6 pm an affordable price. All the found by the determined shopper. clothing is carefully selected Crossroads pledges to donate from bags of clothing brought in by potential five cents to either American Cancer Society or the sellers every day before being put on the rack.

Environmental Defense Fund for every customer that The overall feel of the store, from the outfits does not take a shopping bag, so be sure to bring on the mannequins at the front of the store, to your own reusable cloth bag for the steals that you each individual piece of clothing on the racks, will be sure to find at Crossroads. is that of Urban Outfitters gone vintage. Here is

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VINTAGE MEETS URBAN Crossroads Trading Co, located near Westfield Valley Fair makes staying fashionable affordable.

I

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ART IS FASHION Black and Brown sells vintage clothing while supporting the local art and music scene.

f you prefer the vintage shopping scene rather than at Black and Brown originate from modern stylish the thrift store scene, Black and Brown is a unique stores such as Express and Club Monaco, there is a mixture of chic, vintage, and artistic. Black and decidedly vintage flair. For example, the rack of skirts Brown is perfect for the adventurous shopper—one in the back of the store is divided into three sections: that’s not afraid to pair prints from the early 90’s mini, pencil, and leather. In fact, there is a surprising with one of the dozens of pairs of leather boots that amount of leather throughout the entire store—leather line the store walls. jackets, boots, and occasionally a pair BLACK AND BROWN Black and Brown’s clothing of leather shorts. However, thrown selection is organized by color for ADDRESS: 850 The Alameda in among the midst of beaded vests all tops, size for all shoes, easing and velour blazers are entirely regular Ste 20 San Jose, CA 95126 the strenuous task of digging items of clothing—$8 printed t-shirts STORE HOURS: through piles of clothing that is an and $20 summer dresses.

Mon-Sat: 12 pm - 8 pm inherent drawback of thrift store Aside from supporting the local Sun: 12 pm - 7 pm shopping. The selection of guys’ vintage scene, Black and Brown clothing is impressive. Nearly half also promotes local art and music the store is dedicated to cardigans, knit sweaters, talent. The walls of the store are covered in canvases flannels, blazers, and men’s jeans. On a good day, showcasing local artists; every 6 weeks there is an art you can find a pair of Nike sneakers in pristine show to introduce the new pieces. On a small table at condition—soles barely worn—for under $30. On an the front of the store sits flyers and cards promoting average day, you’ll still have a pick of a huge selection the latest local open mic nights, music swaps, and of loafers, boating shoes, and leather dress shoes. art shows. Black and Brown is a location for artistic While many of the pieces of women’s clothing expression, of which fashion is definitely a component.

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avers thrift store is only a block away from is what it sells aside from just clothing. Savers is Crossroads, but when it comes to shopping like Target or Walmart in that it carries everything experience it’s a world away. While Crossroads from small electronics such as computer keyboards is more along the lines of a vintage store, Savers is and electric fans to large furniture items. In the thrift store in the truest sense. All of its items are back is a selection of bicycles.

But the real treasure trove is in the front left donated and then resold. One of Savers’ goals is to support local charities, and this Savers donates 30 corner of the store—three full shelves of books.

The books range from classics like percent of its proceeds.

SAVERS Moby Dick to drugstore paperback Savers’ clothing selection ADDRESS: 2222 Business Cir romance novels. If you’re lucky, you isn’t so much fashionable San Jose, CA 95128 can pick up an unmarked AP or SAT as it is practical. Shoppers STORE HOURS: book for under $10. Paperbacks sell are more likely moms Mon-Sat: 9 am - 9 pm at anywhere between $1 and $3. It’s with children in tow than Sun: 10 am - 6 pm a great place to look if your bookshelf individual fashionistas. is feeling trite, and AP Literature Brands range from Gap and Target brands to occasional Banana Republic students should consider checking for any required items. Savers is the place to go if you need plain books at Savers before heading to the bookstore to or practical clothing but don’t want to shell out the buy them full price. big bucks for it.

Tracy Zhang || t.zhang@elestoque.org What separates Savers as a thrift store, however,

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ALL-PURPOSE THRIFTING Savers carries not just clothing, but everything from household appliances to novels and SAT books.

Moves and music: Senior takes love for bhangra to new heights

Senior Pavan Kanekal mixes music for MV Bhangra and collegiate bhangra, raas teams

T

he first mix senior Pavan Kanekal made was a blend of the Star Wars theme song and a traditional Gujarati raas tune to introduce the MV Raas team during the cultural show Spotlite on India 2010. The skit was a hit with the audience, and started off Kanekal’s music mixing career.

“I was starting to get a lot more into other teams and listening to their mixes,” Kanekal said. “I thought [it looked] like fun, and I had a lot of good ideas, and I wanted to see if I could actually put them to use.”

During the summer, Kanekal started by making smaller mixes. His first mix for a performance was for the MV Bhangra team, of which he is a captain. The team performed to it during the Diversity Day assembly on April 1 and later at other schools’ Indian cultural events.

“The [MVHS] mix took me the longest, maybe about a month, two months, and I [was] constantly changing it, improving it,” Kanekal said. “Now I’m pretty satisfied with

the way it turned out.” school, you can’t just do that anywhere else.”

Kanekal primarily uses digital audio Kanekal also created part of a raas mix for editors Acid Pro, FL Studio 8, and Sony Sound the UCLA raas team and is currently working Forge to create his mixes. Initially, he watched on one for UC Santa Barbara’s culture show.

YouTube tutorial videos but His charges for mixes vary found that spending time with depending on the time needed the programs was more useful. to produce them.

After making the mixes for the Kanekal has received feedback MV Bhangra and Raas teams, and tips from DJ 2NyCe on online Kanekal was hired by friend and bhangra forums, where he goes MVHS class of 2009 alumnus by the name PK Productions, Amey Shroff to mix for the and also looks at the mixes of University of South Carolina DJ Classics for inspiration. Two bhangra team. years as a drummer for Crash “He has a natural talent for senior Pavan Kanekal on Garage Door, a garage band it,” Shroff said. “If you look at with friends, and ten years anybody who is starting with mixes, their playing the tabla, a set of classical Indian hand mixes are very new, they’re not good, stuff drums, have contributed to his success when doesn’t flow well, it sounds choppy, but it comes to mixing music.

Pavan’s music, it is hard to even understand “I think it just helped me with the whole how he thinks that two songs will go together rhythm sense, and I think it’s helped visualize but then they just do. I think it’s just natural songs that go together, before I even put talent, you can’t learn [bhangra mixing] in them together,” Kanekal said. “[It has] given

me that foresight that other people might not necessarily have. If someone listens to a song, they might say, ‘Oh, this sounds good’ whereas I might say ‘this sounds good – if it has this other song in the background.’”

He has also begun to work on an allAmerican song mix to expand his audience, with music from Chris Brown, Dr. Dre, Sam Adams, David Guetta, and popular hits like “We No Speak Americano” and “Teach Me How Dougie.”

“Even though it can be boring and frustrating at times you’ve just got to plow through it,” Kanekal said. “At the end you look back at your finished product and you really feel proud of it–unless it sucks, and then it’s just a whole another story.”

You can hear some of Kanekal’s bhangra mixes at Spotlite on India on May 21 at MVHS. Tickets are available from the Indo-American Student Association officers for $10.

Kriti Garg|| k.garg@elestoque.org

May 11, 2011

Page 21

ENTERTAINMENT

Creative use of humor

Junior Angela Liu creates drawings to study SAT vocabulary

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t’s time to extirpate your 3-inchLiu came up with the idea for thick Barron’s guide and supersede Wordbros while in SAT class. She and your Princeton Review book— her friends had been creating puns to memorizing SAT vocabulary words remember terms and their definitions straight from text has become a thing more easily, and she later decided to of the antediluvian, obsolete past. take it a step further by creating a The new, contemporary way to study way to share her mnemonic devices these outlandish words is through a with others. form of entertainment rather than “My parents through the had a small WEB LINK traditional and influence on dreaded volumes the whole “it’s To view more of SAT self-help about words” of her SAT books.

Junior thing,” Liu said. vocabulary Angela Liu has “They wanted comics online, been working me to draw go to www. to provide somet hing wordbros. students with an practical at tumblr.com. educational yet least, so here’s enjoyable source where I ended junior Angela Liu of SAT prep, with up.” her original SAT Liu makes vocabulary comic use of the strip “Wordbros”.

Internet as a medium for publicizing “I’ve been drawing comics since her comics, and has Tumblr and I was a kid, since my sister got me DeviantArt accounts to display interested in it, so I’ve always had her work. Her comics are created this dream to start my own comic completely digitally using Photoshop and publish them,” Liu said. “This CS2 and a digital drawing pad. is the result of much planning and “It usually takes only an hour and dreaming.” a half to finish a comic from start

to finish, drawing-wise,” Liu said.

“Coming up with the idea can take up to a week to a second, it really depends. I usually don’t write out a script [or] plan for it, I just draw and fill in the word bubbles later.”

Liu often refers to popular comic book characters, such as Garfield and Odie, in her comics to keep readers entertained, and is not afraid to use the occasional slang or swear word to spice up the diction of the captions and word bubbles. She regularly updates her comic’s Tumblr, wordbros. tumblr.com every Wednesday with a new vocabulary word and its comic.

Thoughts of publishing her comics in print in the future are possibilities, but since she has only just recently started, she plans on creating a larger pool of comics before branching out into other forms of publications.

“Right now I just plan on getting 20 drawn,” Liu said. “Though [friends] have told me about publishing them into a book or something, I’m not sure right now. The way they’re drawn makes it kind of inconvenient to print, but we’ll see.”

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VISUAL VOCAB Junior Angela Liu creates comic strips to help understand and remember SAT vocabulary. She makes all of her comics digitally using Photoshop CS2.

Amanda Chen || a.chen@elestoque.org

At the HeART of campus: New club takes on lasting project Belongs to my Heart club begins planning mural art identifying A, B, C, and D buildings

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our juniors are determined to leave their mark on the letters of the different buildings on campus. While some art school—literally. students sketched a few designs for the murals, the project was The Btm HeART club, short for Belongs to my Heart, never truly started. Instead, this year’s commissioners asked was started by juniors Emily Wang, the Btm HeART officers if they would Younha Kim, Allison Win, and Ming be interested in taking on the project.

GET INVOLVED Yin in February to combine their similar They consented immediately.

Belongs to my Heart club takes on art passion for art with community service.

“Many other years, no one got projects that also help the community According to Wang, they hoped to start around to [the project],” Kim said. “We their own clothing line, where members kind of want to be the first ones to be WHEN: Thursdays at lunch would design t-shirts, and part of the like, ‘Okay we’re going to finish this.’ We WHERE: F101 proceeds would go towards charity. don’t want to have empty promises.”

However when ASB Leadership’s Currently, the officers are sketching Club Commission approached the the designs for each mural. While Club officers with a different project, the girls were all ears. Past Commission envisions the murals at the base of each building’s Club Commission members had approached Art 3 and Art stairs, the location is not finalized yet.

4 classes with the project of painting murals identifying the “We thought of incorporating stuff from each building

into the murals,” Win said. “Like the A-buildling would be languages, B-building for Biology.”

While the four officers are currently designing the murals, they encourage their five to six members to also suggest ideas.

“We just throw [all the ideas] in and see how it works,” Kim said. “We’re trying to make [the murals] unique to the school but universal so ten years from now they’re still relevant.”

After AP testing is over, the officers will schedule after school work time for members to help paint the murals, as well as work days over the summer. Their goal is to complete the A and B-building murals by their graduation, June 2012. They will pass on the rest of the project to future officers.

Mansi Pathak || m.pathak@elestoque.org

Page 22

ADVERTISEMENT

May 11, 2011

ENTERTAINMENT

May 11, 2011

Back to Stone Age dining

The Rok Bistro in Los Gatos lets customers cook on volcanic rock

Page 23

The yogi in you Senior takes on yoga, the ultimate way to eliminate stress

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n May 2, I took an AP test. Chemistry.

Which was stressful, but only until 11a.m. or so. Yes, the three hours before that were a stressful, race-against-the-clock kind of answer-bubbling, scribbling hell—but when that test is over, you get to unwind. It’s all out of your hands. No need to do any more studying or preparing or worrying.

Except that you can do plenty of worrying if you want. I needed to let it go, because my next AP test was the very next day; I needed to let go of some of my chem-stress and clear my head for Spanish. I don’t know about you, but I can’t sleep while freaking out about whether I got #36 right, and sleep is really useful the night before a test.

So I went with the biggest relaxation cliche that exists. This month’s activity is the obvious choice, the ultimate de-stresser: yoga. 8 p.m. on May 2 found me in the YMCA’s excercise room, on a borrowed mat, surrounded by old people, and pretty much trying to turn myself into a pretzel. I didn’t get anywhere close. Take it in baby steps, right?

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SERIOUSLY, DON’T TOUCH THE FIREROCK The Rok lets customers cook their main entree on stoneware that is actually volcanic rock heated in ovens for several hours until it is brought out on heat-resistant plates.

D

on’t touch the rock, says the petite Then you can choose from six different types waitress as she sets an elliptical plate of fondue, some of which have a beer base, so with a volcanic rock on it in front of there’s a very mild alcoholic taste. If you’re me. My immediate reaction is, of course, to the designated driver, avoid the fondue. In reach out and touch the rock, just to confirm my case, the fondue was still a little grainy, that the stone actually had been heated in as if it hadn’t had a chance to melt all the an oven for several hours to several hundred way. If you go, I’d recommend skipping the degrees. I can you save you the trouble—I fondue and saving yourself the calories. can’t feel anything with The best part of the WHERE IT’S AT any of the fingers on my night was when they right hand. brought out the rock, 124 South Murphy Avenue The Rok Bistro is with a raw New York Sunnyvale, CA 94086 tucked away in downtown steak already sizzling.

Sunnyvale along a The waitress made sure restaurant and boutiqueto mention not to lick the lined street. Christmas lights in trees make rock, which raised the question in my mind for a lovely atmosphere perfect for strolling as to what kind of demographic they were around with friends or wooing that special catering to that was stupid enough to lick a someone under the flattering lighting. The volcanic rock. biggest problem at The Rok Bistro is simply The steak was amazing, for lack of a better the overwhelming amount of food—one word. Management was smart in the sense must be absolutely starving to eat at “The that having customers cook their own food Rok.” exempts them from food poisoning lawsuits, There are several salads to choose from, yet failed to realize that having us cook on a and the citrus salad was absolutely heavenly. volcanic rock leaves them subject to lawsuits

@E FLK

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Can’t walk in stilletos?

You are in luck, because wedges are making a comeback.

Pair these fancy shoes with your shorts.

=FF; Need extra energy?

Grab some gelato for both a sweet treat (twice the sugar as ice cream!) and a refreshment as the weather starts to heat up for the summer.

>8D<J

It is that time where the series is starting to drag on, and is becoming repetitive.

The only thing you’ll scream for is when the movie ends in “Scream 4.”

Scrabble has finally gone popular again in the form of Words with Friends, as people can play the game with groups of friends or strangers to pass time through showing off some SAT vocabulary skills.

DFM@<J

from burned customers like me.

When I first got the menu, I immediately flipped to the dessert section and when I saw the word s’mores, I knew it was love.

My attempt to leave room for dessert was thwarted when the steak filled what little stomach I have, but all of that was forgotten when I started to smell the chocolate melt.

My complaint at that time was that the tabletop stoves obviously had little to no firepower — waiting for the chocolate to melt felt like an eternity. The waitress then brings another plate piled high with fruits, rice krispy treats, cheesecake balls, and marshmallows.

I spent a good five minutes in furious face-stuffing silence. At the point when I started to feel nauseous, I had to ask my dining partner to move the fondue out of my reach, simply for my two liter stomach’s sake.

Danielle Kay || d.kay@elestoque.org

S

Hazel Hyon || hazel.hyon@elestoque.org

The Stress-oMeter

Body and mind So instructor Chuck’s Hatha Yoga class was pretty much a shock to me. The poses were intense. My limbs shook with the effort of holding them still and in the right position, protesting the angles the positions placed them in. I felt more and more worn out until we reached Corpse Pose—meditation, lying-on-your-back-likeyou’re-sleeping style.

I’m a fan. There is something even more relaxing about resting after you’ve done actual, physical work that you need to recover from. As opposed to, say, resting at night after studying all afternoon. That only works out your mind, while as I discovered, yoga works your mind and your body. You need to concentrate to figure out all those weird poses, so you get a mental stretch as well as a physical one.

Dancing in a new country’s shoes mall and smiley, freshman Nancy Chang is one of two East Asians on the bhangra team.

“At first, I didn’t know what bhangra was, but my friend [freshman Ashmitha Rajendran] told me to try out with her,” Chang said. “[It] was really hard, but [gradually, it became] really fun.”

Although Chang had a year’s worth of hip-hop experience under her belt, it was not especially helpful. For Chang, adjusting to the rhythm of bhangra was the most difficult hurdle to overcome. “[Chang and senior Brendan Lee] bring something [to the team] stylistically,” sophomore Anu Varshneya said. “They didn’t grow up watching Bollywood movies and dancing to Indian songs like we have, so their style is obviously different but very fresh.”

After performing on various occasions, Chang no longer struggles with the steps—or feels strange about being part of the minority on the team.

“I feel comfortable [about being Asian] now,” Chang said. “[Especially when] preparing, the team is together, like a family.”

Say “ohm” As a YMCA member, I can go to yoga classes for free. Over the years I’ve taken advantage of a lot of free group exercise classes, but for some reason, I had never tried yoga before this month.

Have you? Even if you’re not a gym member, you can find basic instructions online, or use a video or podcast to get started if you really want to.

ROXANA WISWELL Chances are, r.wiswell@elestoque.org you’re stressed, and chances are, you’ve heard about the stress-reducing effects of yoga. So why not connect the dots and give it a try for once?

I had steered clear of yoga because I never really understood what it was. I pictured lots of sitting cross-legged and saying “Ohm,” with some gentle stretching mixed in. I mean, it’s stretching. How hard could it be?

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PRETTY IN PINK Nancy Chang poses with fellow Bhangra member (not pictured) after the performance during the Diversity Day assembly on April 1.

Just breathe After trying yoga for the first time, I was so hooked that I went to three sessions in one week. It worked so well at helping me relax and sleep before my Spanish test that I went to yoga before my next AP test as well. During a visit to the dentist involving scary needles and drills, I busted out my new meditative, breathing, and relaxation techniques to stay calm and hold still the entire time.

I can’t say that I’ve felt completely relaxed the entire time since then—my normal causes of stress didn’t just magically disappear—but what I learned in yoga helped me deal with some of the stressful situations that pop up on a day-today basis.

So Mondays and Wednesdays, you know where I’ll be; and if you’re a YMCA member, come join me.

e

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 24

May 11, 2011

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hen senior Sammy Barry first stepped into a small tattoo parlor in Oregon, she braced herself for pain. Watching the artist through a mirror, she saw him clean the area, shave it, and then outline the black shape behind her ear gave her some time to mentally prepare for the expected agony, but she could have never imagined the throbbing, burning sensation that began as the sterilized needle punctured her skin.

“It felt like a bee sting. Except it was a hundred bees stinging at once,” Barry said.

That wasn’t the only pain she felt, though. After Barry returned home with a freshly inked tattoo—the Celtic symbol for “sister”—she had to face her parents, who disapproved of her decision since it was made behind their backs. They made her pay, out of her own pocket, for the plane ticket she used to visit her sister in Oregon, as well as complete hours of chores around the house.

RISKY BUSINESS Tattoos can cause many complications, including: Allergic reactions to dye Skin infections Bloodborne diseases like HIV MRI complications *according to Mayo Clinic

As terrifying as the tattooing experience may seem, Barry isn’t the only person on campus with a tattoo. English teacher Robert Javier also sports one on his right forearm—a tribal band, comprised of a variety of zig-zags, diamonds, circles, and hash marks. Just like how it’s hard to tell whether the band is Polynesian or Pacific Islander inspired, it’s also difficult to tell exactly what ethnicity Javier is, and Javier believes that the inked design serves directly as a representation of this probing question that strangers curious to know his ethnicity often have.

Nowadays, people get body ink as a dedication or merely decorative body art.

In the end, though, both Barry and Javier prove that people get tattoos for one primary reason: to show others something about them that cannot be gained simply by observing their physical characteristics.

Tattoos are a way of bypassing the stereotypes associated with ethnicity, social class, and age.

Although Javier has never met a student on campus with a tattoo, he says that he would be “intrigued” to talk to one.

“I’d wonder what it is that they chose to put on their own body as a reflection of themselves. I think for me, I personally want to choose something that’s not necessarily so obvious—not something you could get just by looking at me,” Javier said.

In Barry’s situation, other peers were simply fascinated by the fact that she was brave enough to get a tattoo. On the other hand, Javier had a different experience.

With others’ reactions ranging from curious and admiring to disappointed, getting a tattoo revealed to Javier what others thought of him.

“Some of my colleagues and students were surprised in the sense that they thought, ‘Oh, I didn’t think you were the type to get a tattoo,’ whatever that ‘type’ is,” Javier said. “It didn’t bother me. If anything, it was just very telling about how people perceived me. Apparently, now that I got a tattoo, it means that I’m someone else, when in reality, that’s not the case.”

As Barry and Javier have both demonstrated, tattoos can be vital in reflecting the inner self of the newlyinked person, as well as informing the tattooed person how others perceive them. However, different people prefer different amounts of introspection. Javier plans on getting a second tattoo relating to his Korean-born children, but Barry has had enough of the tattooing experience.

“It really just depends on the kind of person that you are. Some people can’t stop wanting more tattoos, while others are good with one,” Javier said.

And for all of those who are hoping to get tattoos, Javier has some advice that comes from his own experience.

“I would say, just be true to yourself, especially in terms of what you get and why you’re getting it,” Javier said. “Don’t get it just because it’s in fashion. Really know what it is that you want.”

Name: sophomore Damien Fang Date of Tattoo: 2010 Meaning: Scorpion Cost: $160 Healing time: two weeks

THRIFTY FINDS Page 20 Local thrift stores provide cheap but fashion-forward clothing

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Name: senior Sammy Barry Date of Tattoo: 2009 Meaning: Celtic symbol for the word “sister” Cost: $30 Healing time: two weeks

Name: English teacher Robert Javier Date of Tattoo: 2001 Meaning: Wanted something ethnic and tribal when he turned 30 Cost: $350 Healing time: A couple of days

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Page 23 Freshman Nancy Chang finds joy in participating in Bhangra

Page 21 Student draws comics to help others study for the SAT