Volume 41, Issue 1, Sept 23 2010 by El Estoque

IN THE RUNNING

GAME HIGHLIGHTS Check out a new episode of EESN on elestoque.org

CAMPUS REVAMP See upcoming campus construction

NEWS page 2

Varsity football starts season 1-1-1, with league play to come. Take a look at how the team got there, and the road ahead

religious FREEDOM ofgroupsdifferent as we think we OF FAITH are? Find out inside Are

SPORTS page 15

tolerant

CENTERSPREAD page 11

VOLUME XLI | ISSUE 1 | MONTA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL | CUPERTINO, CA

Parent threatens teacher lawsuit

District awaits details, parent requests action

SEPT 23, 2010

PUBLIC DUTY Clubs to maintain new recycling bins; project starting late first semester

ews of formal accusations made against a teacher began to spread as the 2010 school year came to a close and one parent began complicated interactions with MVHS administration. On June 11, robotics engineer and father of junior Karan Kapoor, Deepak Kapoor, filed a formal complaint against chemistry teacher Supriya Moore in the form of a 22-page document sent via email to administration, district officials, school board members, state and local government officials, and many of the complainant’s personal contacts. An unofficial eight-page version circulated amongst students via email. Though many students and community members began the school year confused and curious after hearing of a potential lawsuit, no such suit has been filed as of last Monday. While Deepak Kapoor believes that this complaint will lead to a lawsuit against the district, according to Associate Superintendent Paul Cheng, who is presently dealing with the matter, the process is still in the very early stages, and he cannot yet discern what will become of this case in the long run. “We have received the complaint and are in contact with both sides,” Cheng said. “We need to be provided with sufficient details and specifics in order to begin our investigation.” In the complaint, Deepak Kapoor alleges that Moore’s offenses include “bullyism, hatemotivated behavior, discrimination, retaliation, academic fraud, lack of ethics, and the defrauding of CA state and federal tax payers.” According to him, violations extend beyond Moore to MVHS and FUHSD administrators, as well as a former coach and several other teachers. Moore declined to comment for the story, and Principal April Scott stated that she could not speak to personnel matters. Karan Kapoor has also withheld comment. The complainant currently awaits action from the district, but Cheng says that until more information is provided, no further action will be taken.

MRS Gold Projects generally involve $200-400 in funding. Clubs maintaining the bins will likely be rewarded on a monthly basis.

lub Commission is reviving the blue bins. After years of an “unsuccessful” campus recycling system, Club Commission has adopted a plan that was envisioned two years ago by the Green Team, a commission led by past science teacher Chelsea Crawford to make MVHS more environmentally friendly. The arrangement will involve placing fixed recycling bins around campus and having the recycling flow managed by clubs. Club Commission will be offering recycling maintenance as an MRS Gold project, where club members will be expected to change the linings on a weekly basis, depending on the flow of items. “The [current] recycling program leaves a lot to be desired,” Club Commissioner senior Brandon Tran said. “We’re placing a lot of faith in clubs to pull their end of the project.” When the MRS Gold Project is underway, clubs will be able to sign up to monitor a recycling bin for the year, with priority being given to community service clubs. A plaque will be placed on the container to specify which club is responsible for the maintenance of that particular recycling bin. Since the beginning of the school year, Club Commission has been working closely with Dean of Students and Leadership liaison Denae Moore to sort out the logistics of the project. Moore believes that students will have the time and energy to maintain a solid recycling program, especially with the added incentive of club money. “The students will be doing a service for their community and school,” Moore said. “This way things will actually be recycled—that’s the goal.” As of now, Moore has ordered a recycling container to be tested on campus. The design involves a small pedestal beneath the container, which allows the can to be screwed into the ground. “We’re waiting to see if [the test bins] blend into the MVHS decor and that they’re secure and not too cumbersome to move around,” Moore said. If Club Commission and administration are happy with the results of the test bins, a mass order will be placed and the commission will get the MRS project underway. However, with container production time at four to six weeks and an added delivery time, this project is estimated to begin by the end of first semester. Mansi Pathak || m.pathak@elestoque.org

Sahana Sridhara || s.sridhara@elestoque.org

Alum represents UC students

Jesse Chang, University of California student regent, participates in decision making

ne man, 220,000 students. As Student UC, we determine your retirement package,” Regent on the UC governing board, Cheng said. class of 2006 MVHS alumnus Jesse Unlike the student representative on the Cheng represents the interests of all the district board, however, the Student Regent students in the is a full Regent, REGENTS UC system. and has a vote After one year in all decisions. as a non-voting As a nonStudent Regentvoting member, elect, Cheng is Cheng was Regents appointed Ex officio Student appointed just beginning a part of the by the governor for members by the Regents to his one-year Regents as 12-year terms a one-year term term as a voting they discussed regent for the the 32 percent 2010-2011 tuition increase school year, a position that has never been last year, which he was against, a policy held by an MVHS alumnus, despite the high change that will affect both current and future percentage of graduating seniors who attend UC students. Though he was unable to vote UC Schools (38 percent of the class of 2010). in that particular case, he will have a voice The UC Regents are the 26-member in upcoming issues, among them the issue board that governs the entire University of of diversity and racism on UC campuses. In California. The Regents act much like the these sorts of situations, he tries to represent Board of Trustees does for the district, making the view of the students, who often voice decisions on almost everything that happens their opinions to him. within the 10 schools, involving students, faculty, and the five medical centers. “If you enroll in a UC, we decide what see UC REGENT on page 6 the tuition and class size is. If you work at a

Online submission method saves students, teachers hassle New system to be used this year with Naviance for reccomendation letters

counselors’ end. erhaps when administration decided “The transcript might come in one day on making students print out and the copy center makes copies to go out; worksheets at home as opposed to somewhere in between there’s a delay and the teachers doing it for us, we were a bit then our registrar gets a message saying we doubtful of the great eco-friendly benefits haven’t received the this action proposed. transcript and then However, as the greatly NAVIANCE NUMBERS she has to fax it over anticipated and dreaded last-minute”, Career college application Center director season draws upon the universities are compatible with the Miriam Taba said. class of 2011, the new Of course, to Naviance online submission system paperless method for balance out the sending in college forms inconvenience for all online through Naviance parties involved, the actually seems logical to colleges had to undergo being inundated many students. with hundreds of incoming letters and During years prior, the traditional fillingSecondary School Reports a day from the out-the-recommendation-form-by-hand, thousands of students applying, resulting in making countless photocopies, individually the high chance of losing letters in the mail addressing envelopes to each school, and or receiving wrongly addressed ones. delivering this bulky package to the teacher was a large factor in the already stressful process of college applications. Furthermore, it was a hassle on the see NAVIANCE on page 6

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NEWS

Sept. 23, 2010

DROPPIN’ THEM BEATS CHANGE IS COMING

AM I DREAMING? Page 16 Beat boxing,hi-fives, and backwards shorts... what’s going on?

Page 4 There’s a stranger in my house. Is this deja vu?

Page 4 Sick of campus bathrooms? Measure B to the rescue.

The big picture A STEP TOWARD TRANSPARENCY ASB officers made an effort to be fair by releasing rally score breakdowns. They show the points given by each of the four judges in various categories. At the Welcome Back rally on Sept. 3. the Dance Team performed a fierce routine to Katy Perry’s “California Gurls.”

MANSI PATHAK & VIJETA TANDON m.pathak@elestoque.org v.tandon@elestoque.org

Letter from the editors

The depth of our ignorance

hen our staff gathered to choose the theme for Centerspread this issue, we did not foresee both the controversy that we would face or the knowledge that we would gain. At first, due to MVHS’ cultural and religious diversity, we believed that we were considerably religiously tolerant. However, after reviewing schoolwide survey results and anonymous comments regarding expression of religion, we came to realize how little we truly knew. As senior Arifa Aziz set out to write a story about the local Muslim community, we were surprised when her sources were against the idea of writing a story about this topic at all. We had always assumed Cupertino to be a diverse, tolerant community, unaffected by the controversies of the outside world. Fear of public dissent was never something that had even crossed our minds. Yet when the Editorial Board came together to discuss our opinions for the Staff Editorial, “Ignorance and tolerance not the same,” we realized that we had assumed Cupertino to be a tolerant city simply because we are so used to considering ourselves isolated in our own “bubble.” If we, as a community, have never taken the opportunity to discuss the concept of religion, there was no way to judge what we really thought. Indifference was not synonymous to tolerance. So slowly, the goal of our entire newspaper began to take shape. We decided to delve into our stories, to investigate our subjects beneath the surface, and to present information in a fresh, unexpected perspective. Junior Christophe Haubursin did just that in his band profile “Stay Tuned.” His story explored the idiosyncrasies of junior band Anomaly beyond simply their musical talent. We then continued this goal throughout the Centerspread, “Land of the Free”, by attempting to foster conversation about religion, a topic that people tend to avoid out of fear of accidentally being offensive. Yet it is impossible to determine if we are really as tolerant as we would like to think, if we never even broach the topic of religion in the first place. Senior Roxana Wiswell, for instance, took the opportunity to explore three religions which were somewhat unfamiliar to her in her story “Three religions, two days: an exploration across different faiths,” and found each experience to be a spiritual and fulfilling one. Although not every student on campus has the opportunity to try different religions as Wiswell did, we all have the opportunity to have constructive conversations about religion and educate ourselves in the process. So as we present you with stories that go beyond the surface, the El Estoque staff encourages you to think about this: just how religiously tolerant are we?

Erin Chiu | El Estoque

‘GOOD MORNING, MONTA VISTA’ ASB Secretary Kelly Woodruff and ASB Vice President Elaine Tang read from the teleprompter during morning announcements. The goal of this year’s video announcements was to bring personality and pep to the campus.

API Scores 1000

911

800

924

935

943

900

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

MVHS ON THE RISE 2010 API scores show an increase of eight points, bringing MVHS within 57 points of the perfect 1,000 score.

MARK THE DATE SEPT. 25 & 26: Cupertino city-wide garage sale. Your trash could be someone else’s treasure. Look out for listings in the local newspaper. Erin Chiu | El Estoque

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque

POTATO CHIP THIEF

Junior Nicolas Arquie and sophomore Grant Menon run through the sketch “Potato Chip Thief.” The 10th annual MV SNL will be premiering this Friday, Sept. 24.

MEET THE FAMILY The new ASB team for the 20102011 school year listens to commission updates. From the left, seniors Kelly Woodruff, Yeshar Hadi, Jordan Lim, Angeline Chen, Daniel Ki, Elaine Tang, and Kriti Garg. Erin Chiu | El Estoque

Sept. 23, 2010

NEWS

Page 3

The student teacher returns

Former Matador back at alma mater not to learn, but to teach science “The culture is something that I used to be a part of and I think getting to be a part of it from another angle is what excites me the most,” Hajjarian said. Although the school’s personality hasn’t changed, he realizes that the people have. “As a student, you don’t always necessarily get to know people in administration, but as a teacher, I’ve gotten to know everyone here really well,” Hajjarian said. In fact, principal April Scott commented on how teachers and staff who are MVHS alumni compared to those who aren’t. “The piece that is nice about having [MVHS] alumni, is they know the community, they know the culture of the school, they know the expectations of the students and they are familiar with the staff,” Scott said. Hajjarian, specifically, had an advantage because he also did his student teaching at MVHS for two years. This way, Scott could personally observe how he cooperated and interacted with students and fellow staff. Erin Chiu | El Estoque It is easy to see that Hajjarian works very FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER: Science teacher Pooya Hajjarian helps junior Winnie well with his staff, especially considering Cheung with a nutrition lab during Physiology on Sept. 8. A class of 1997 alumnus, that one of his best friends, Physiology Hajjarian returned to MVHS to teach in the science department alongside a good friend. teacher Jenna Smith, is teaching in one of the classrooms next door. “[Working with my best friend] is a dream Hajjarian is now back at his old high e comes to class, sits in his seat, and opens up the Biology textbook. school, making that difference. Even though come true. While we were student teaching at Independence He cannot wait for lunch to tell his more than a decade MORE STAFF TO WELCOME High School, we best friend in the next classroom what he’s has passed since he would fantasize planning for a group project. As the bell rings, was a student here, Luis Carlos: Custodial staff that we would, students rush out of the classroom, but he he notes how the Matt Carpenter: World Literature, American maybe, be in the stays behind. school hasn’t really Literature same district in He is Biology and Physiology teacher Pooya changed very much. Kristi Elleboudt: Psychologist twenty years. “There [is] a lot of Hajjarian, one of three new members of the Marie Gishifu: Athletic Trainer Now it’s our science department this year. However, he has physical difference,” Yer Her: Biology second year said. a lot more in common with his own students Hajjarian Robbie Hoffman: World History teaching and we than just reading from the same textbook. “The main office Sherry Price: Student Advocate Intern both got jobs Hajjarian graduated from MVHS as a member looks different. The Jenna Smith: Physiology at our dream D-building, the field of the class of 1997. Ruth Seyer: Learning Skills school,” Smith Thirteen years ago, Hajjarian took Biology house, that’s all new. Scott Victorine: Special Education Para-Educator said. in room B104. After graduating from MVHS, But when I walk Katie Williams: Alg 2/Trig, Geometry He’s teaching he studied at the University of California, around [campus], I at his alma Santa Cruz for his undergraduate degree feel that the culture mater, working and received his teaching degree at San is still the same. Jose State University. Now he teaches three Back then, I always felt safe here and as a alongside one of his best friends and reliving Biology classes and two classes of Physiology. teacher, I get the feeling that students feel the his teenage memories in his own high school. He is living the dream he had when he was just However, the subject is not what really matters same way.” Hajjarian thinks that having a safe a student at MVHS. So even though returning when it comes to teaching for Hajjarian. “I would be happy teaching anything. It’s environment at school makes learning better to school on the first day may be a pain for the fact that I get to work with the youth that for students. As a Persian-American, Hajjarian many students, for Hajjarian, it’s not so bad. really makes a difference for me,” Hajjarian admires the open-mindedness and acceptance of different cultures on campus. said. Vishakha Joshi || v.joshi@elestoque.org

UC REGENT: Alumnus Jesse Cheng now a student voice Continued from page 1

“I think it’s a really interesting relationship [that I have] with the students this year,” Cheng said. “I’ve worked really closely [with them], I’ve been to a lot of protests, I’ve been to a lot of rallies, so I think that the tension that would have been there maybe MEET JESSE CHENG isn’t as much as it would have been. I’ve gone to them, they talk to me.” Cheng was appointed after a rigourous selection process, which included submitting an application that was reviewed by all the UC student body presidents, several rounds of interviews, and eventually being selected by the regents themselves. It is a requirement for the UC Student Regent to be enrolled as a UC student, and Cheng is entering his fifth Tracy Zhang | El Estoque year at UC Irvine as an AsianAmerican studies major. He balances his time between his studies and his duties as a regent, which often require him to travel all over California. “I’d say that a good Student Regent visits the UC Office of the President in Oakland at least once a month,” Cheng said. “I also usually visit a different campus every month to meet with students, and then on top of that, we do a 10-campus tour every year. There are also times where I’m visiting campuses to work with specific administrators or students, or responding to events or emergencies on the different campuses.”

Despite having graduated from MVHS four years ago, his AP Literature teacher David Clarke remembers Cheng as an opinionated and articulate student. “I don’t know if I would have predicted it,” Clarke said, “but it doesn’t surprise me at all. I had the impression he was one of those people who liked that sort of public speaking role.” At MVHS, Cheng was MVHS Class of: 2006 involved in Speech and Currently Attending: UC Irvine, Asian Debate, which he sees as American studies a great stepping stone into Position Held: UC Student Regent college-level politics. Cheng Position Description: Acts as the accredits his experience student representative among the UC in Speech and Debate Regents, the 26-person governing board with developing many of for the University of California; votes as his leadership skills. The a full Regent in all decisions regarding majority of participants in the UC college—level politics came Term Length: One year non-voting from public speaking rather Regent (2009-2010), one year voting than student government Regent (2010-2011) backgrounds. Predecessor: Jesse Bernal, UC Santa “Leadership at MVHS is Barbara different [than in college],” Cheng said. “You do a lot of event planning. It’s not like the student government in college.” Cheng highly suggests that any student interested in student government at a college level to join activities such as Speech and Debate that develop critical thinking and analytical skills. He encourages them to get started early, looking into possible opportunities and positions as early as the summer before freshman year. “Know what change you want to make in the world,” Cheng said. “Know your passions, know what type of leader you want to be.” Tracy Zhang|| t.zhang@elestoque.org

Give due credit to women “Hate” is a strong word. It’s been the cause of wars, of protests, of political strife. We like to think, as a society, that we are moving away from the barbaric hatred of our forefathers and creating a world where hatred is less prevalent, when in reality all we are doing is changing our weapons from cavemen clubs to words. There is still plenty of hatred going on in the world today, and where there is hate, there are haters. For every successful person, there are scores of haters. Even at Monta Vista, there are haters. Whether it’s the rumors circulating about the latest Stanford acceptance, or the backlash teachers get for putting out a difficult test, there are plenty of people who get hated on. Take it from someone who knows what it’s like to be hated on for carrying pompoms (hello cheerleading) or doling out strikes (hello Club Commission!)—sometimes it sucks to be hated on. This is not your typical hate column. Siding with the haters is all too easy; sometimes we need a little bit of perspective to know what it’s like to be hated on. Goldman Sachs, welcome to the party. Earlier this week, banking and finance firm Goldman Sachs was hit by a lawsuit from three former women employees on the TRACY ZHANG basis of gender bias. The three t.zhang@elestoque.org women, a former vice-president, a former managing d i r e c t o r , and one exassociate, claim that they were discr iminated against based on their sex. Goldman Sachs claims that the lawsuit lacks merit, but the allegations brought up by the women shed some light on how Wall Street views women in the finance field. Don’t jump to conclusions—Goldman Sachs is not the victim of an unreasonable lawsuit here. If anything, they are being put on trial for hating on the women.

Hating on the Haters

Boys club gone mad men The Goldman Sachs lawsuit relies heavily on the conception that Wall Street is a “boys club,” heavily favoring and heavily dominated by men. The women cite figures published by Goldman Sachs in 2009 supposedly show that only 29 percent of vice presidents and 17% of managing directors were women, while in 2008, figures showed that only 14% of partners within the company were women. For the few women who manage to make it to the top, the opportunities they get are allegedly unfair as well. Despite doing the same quality of work as their male counterparts, the women claim that their pay was lower and they were denied promotions. With equality in work and pay comes equality in workplace etiquette. A former managing director recalls often being assigned the menial, “womanly” tasks that the male associates didn’t want to bother with— making photocopies, setting up appointments, and other secretarial tasks. Never mind her college degree, never mind her high-ranking position—what ended up determining the work she did was her gender. America has made too many strides in the direction of gender equality to let a company like Goldman Sachs tear it all down—the same way they tore downspellcheck our economy. We preach equality for the women in the Middle East and education for those in Africa, but at home, we still deal with poorly concealed sexist views. This is going to have to change. Look around; colleges are becoming more and more dominated by women who have ambitions to be not just “sexy secretaries” but doctors, engineers, CEOs. All this hating on women who want to prove themselves and want to be rewarded adequately can’t last. We won’t forget it when we take over the world.

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NEWS

Sept. 23, 2010

Keeping up with traditions

Senior Stella Ziegler’s family hosts Belgian exchange student as a family tradition

10 6

or Constance Linard, Aug. 6, 2010 was the day that she started to live a brand new life. Linard, an 18-year-old Belgian exchange student, traveled to the city of Cupertino from Nassogne, Belgium, her home town. Upon arrival, she was greeted by her adopted family for the next year, which included her soon-to-be very-close friend, senior Stella Ziegler. Linard came through a student exchange program where she and Ziegler were matched up by the Cupertino Rotary Club. “It was a long-held tradition in the family [to participate in the student exchange program], ” Ziegler said. As a curious Belgian student, Linard said she wanted to be part of the exchange student program because she wanted to discover and learn about American culture. Linard did not get to choose where she wanted to study abroad, but she is still glad that she participated. “[It is] a great experience to be a part of,” Linard said.

Constructing a new campus

http://maps.google.com/ | Screenshot

Measure B bond money will give our campus a brand new look

Phone waiting spots

Extra spots gained by removing trees and planters will be turned into loading zones, where parents can wait for their kids to call before moving into the bus circle. These spots will hopefully ease traffic in the bus circle and in front of the student lot.

Measure B in use

The marquee was partially paid for by money from Measure B and partially by donations from graduated classes.

Turf’s up

The grass on both fields will be replaced with artificial turf, including the baseball diamond and the upper field.

Revamped and dedicated

The upper field will be reconstructed into a dedicated field, complete with lights, a snack shack, and restrooms. The field is “dedicated” to the track team’s practices and meets, home football games, marching band practice, and home soccer games, among other sports and events.

More room for education

Plans are tentative, but a new building may be constructed where the current portables (1 and 2) are today. The building will have between eight and 10 new classrooms, some for science and computer labs, other for “flex” classrooms that allow for teaching in

a more non-traditional environment. Due to the proximity of the building to the newly reconstructed field, the construction of the two will be very closely timed.

Cirque du Solar

With solar panels and arrays all erected, all that is left is for the solar panels to be hooked up in rows, then to the generator in order to harness the solar power. Expect to see the fencing move row by row from the tennis courts to McClellan. The student lot is expected to be entirely open between the end of September and the end of October.

Home-field graduation

Field construction is expected to begin in early May 2011, meaning that the class of 2011 will have to graduate off-campus unless construction is delayed. Despite this setback, Assistant Principal Brad Metheany said, “We want to make it the best possible graduation for the circumstances.” The current goal is to have the class of 2012 graduate on their own field.

No place to run

As both the upper and the lower fields are being renovated at the same time, PE classes will be restricted to using indoor facilities and the pool. Sports teams will now be using facilities at other schools in the district with completed fields or other local parks or facilities. Both Fremont and Homestead used parks and out of district schools for soccer, track, baseball and softball in the last year. Several sites in the district have been identified that can be used for Monta Vista in the upcoming 2010-2011 school year.

Elmo replaces projecters

LCD projects have all been installed and the project using Measure B money is completely finished. Teachers are now experimenting with their new Elmo projectors, which allow a camera feed to project work that a teacher is doing on their desk to the class on their projector screen. You may have seen some in math classes already; expect to see more in the near future.

Gathering space, not eating space

Plans to both renovate the kitchens and expand the cafeteria aim to give the area more of a “student union” feel. Though plans are tentative, cafeteria expansion is on the to-do list.

Little boys’ and girls’ rooms

Nobody can remember when the B-building bathrooms were last remodeled, but there’s no denying that remodeling is needed. Renovations will tentatively be during the summer (but which summer has not yet been decided), as to not burden the school with one less operating restroom.

Repiping and remodeling

Part of the Measure B money will be used for routine maintenance, such as the water and sewage lines, and electrical wiring. As these lines run all throughout the school, there may be on-campus disturbances and construction. Plans and dates for these renovations have not yet been released. Tracy Zhang || t.zhang@elestoque.org

Kevin Tsukii |El Estoque

MEAL BONDING: Senior Stella Ziegler and Belgian exchange student Constance Linard share a meal together on Sept. 16 at the Zieglers’ house. The Zieglers have had many other additions to their family in the past, apart from Linard. Ziegler‘s father had a student from Sri Lanka stay with his family when he was in high school. Her aunt hosted a girl from Finland. Ziegler’s mother, on the other hand, has experienced both sides of the student exchange program. She studied in Switzerland as a foreigner and had a student live with her from Japan. Although they were from three very different countries, they made one family. Ziegler said that she had the opportunity to be an exchange student but she had conflicting views. “It was my sophomore year at [Monta Vista] and I felt comfortable where I was at that time,” Ziegler said. Linard, however, is the first exchange student that Ziegler and her family are hosting together. Though Linard is a native French speaker, both girls have no difficulty communicating with each other. “She can understand, most of the time, what I am trying to say,” Linard said. Both Linard and Ziegler say that even though there is somewhat of a language barrier, it does not prevent them from being close friends and having a good relationship. However, Linard feels that it is easier to make close friends in her home town. “In Belgium, I share [all] my classes with the same people, [making them] very close,” Linard said. Linard also stated that adjusting to life at MVHS was not hard in terms of finding friends. She said that Ziegler introduced her to Ziegler’s own friends, which helped Linard adapt to school. Linard also said that the ice cream social helped her meet new students. Though Linard’s stay here in Cupertino is only for a year, she believes that the experience will remain with her throughout her life. For the Ziegler family, hosting an exchange student from Belgium adds to their list of foreign visitors. It will certainly be another tale to tell around the dinner table. Pooja Ravikiran || p.ravikiran@elestoque.org

Sept. 23, 2010

NEWS

Page 5

Too much on your hands Contrary to common belief, recent studies reveal that it is impossible to do two things at once

veryone is a master at multitasking—sort of. It really depends on the way people look at it. The concept of multitasking involves doing many different things simultaneously. In a way, humans do that every second. People breathe and walk at the same time; they form sentences in their heads as they speak; and it’d be difficult to find people without a stack of magazines in their bathroom to read while doing their business. But looking at it from a different angle, multitasking is impossible. If multitasking constitutes the ability to crunch numbers for math homework, type up an essay, conjugate Spanish verbs, all the while playing piano and eating dinner, we’d not only have to strap on three pairs of extra arms, but we’d have to train our minds to think several thoughts at the same time in order to transfer them into actions. In an article published on Sept. 16 in Bloomberg Businessweek, Elizabeth Poposki, assistant professor of psychology at Purdue University, stated that the brain is physically unable to think of two things at once. She compared the mind to a computer going back and forth between the various programs. “Multitasking is about doing a lot of things at the same time, and I don’t think that’s possible,” said Student Advocate Richard Prinz. “You might be doing a lot of things in the same half hour, but you do five minutes here, five minutes there, and then you go back. And I think if the mind is focused, you can do that without any problem.” He explained that when people are doing something, they should immerse themselves completely in that one activity without being distracted by other work. “There’s a real value of having one point of concentration in order to be effective, to be able to gain insight and really understand something,” Prinz said. For example, if someone is doing math homework, he or she shouldn’t be wishing that they

were studying for another test or playing video games. Prinz is convinced that in order to be truly effective, the mind has to be fixed on the present situation before moving onto the next activity. Multitasking is the process of doing something part way, moving on to something else, and being able to backtrack and return to it. It may seem like the two activities are getting DEBUNKING MULTITASKING MYTHS 1. Multitasking saves time The Journal of Experimental Psychology has proven that multitasking is actually more inefficient than focusing on one job at a time because the brain is forced to constantly switch its train of thought. 2. Learning is always equally efficient Focused learning promotes deep, long-term learning, while multitasking learning is only temporary. Information cannot be remembered as clearly or retained for a long period of time when it is learned while multitasking. 3. The younger the better When focused, younger people completed tasks 10 percent faster than older people could; however, when attempting to multitask, both adolescents and the elderly had equal rates of performance.

done more quickly, but a study conducted by researchers of Stanford University showed that attempting to multitask actually leads to a less effective mind and a lower ability to prioritize the important things over the trivial things. This, in turn, presents another problem. When only working on one thing at a time, there are just not enough hours in a day

to complete everything that requires full attention. “I feel as though I can’t do the things I need to do,” said junior Yehrin Park. “Everything takes me really long, and it’s really frustrating.” Park doesn’t feel as though she has multitasking skills. In order to finish her AP U.S. History reading, calculus problems, and short story annotations for literature, she often goes to sleep past 3 a.m., getting only about three to four hours of rest a day. Even something that is supposed to help her concentration leads her focus to stray. “When I listen to music while I do homework, I sometimes write the lyrics to the songs on my homework,” Park said. “It’s hard to be rocking out to music and be serious about homework at the same time. It doesn’t really fit.” But whether or not being able to do fifty things at once matters in terms finishing our work in the allotted time, multitasking is an aspect of learning that goes along with the high school experience. According to history teacher Margaret Platt, school is the perfect place for discovering the best ways to learn and juggle all the challenges we are faced with every day. “The beginning of understanding how to deal with mass amounts of work and how to ‘multitask’ is to know about yourself, and to know who you are, what your limits are and what your threshold of pain is,” Platt said. “You can begin to adapt strategies to overcome your weak areas, so you can not only cope and learn, but get better and grow.” So, surviving and thriving despite the fire and knives school throws at us doesn’t revolve around the ability to multitask, which, aside from involuntary actions like breathing, isn’t really possible in the first place. Ashley Wu || a.wu@elestoque.org

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Sahana Sridhara and Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque Photo Illustration

Page 6

NEWS

Sept. 23, 2010

NAVIANCE: New online recommendation letters conserve paper continued from page 1

On the colleges’ end, this method will maintain organization of the students’ files, However, as colleges try to catch up to according to Taba. With readers from all their tech savvy students, they are beginning over, the admissions team would have to to accept teacher recommendations and grade have the members come down and pick up reports online. the applications, make copies of the various Many schools started to use this method documents, and return them. However, several years back, with Lynbrook being the with the online option, all admissions team first in the district. members can read the forms wherever they “Lynbrook did it last year electronically, are and have access to them instantaneously. and we were going to explore it more, and This year and perhaps beyond, instead then we started to hear that of handing over a hefty they were having problems, DID YOU KNOW package of envelopes, so we said, ‘Let’s wait and stamps, paperclips, let them figure out the bugs and forms to multiple With Naviance, and handle it first,’” Taba teachers, seniors will recommendation letters said. Lynbrook addressed send their requests via can be sent online and the glitches, so now MVHS email, and the teachers confirmations are guidance counselors will will add the students’ instantaneous. submit grade reports and profiles to their own recommendations online, Naviance accounts. and teachers have the option From there, teachers to do the same. have all the way up to the deadline to submit Last year, AP Economics teacher Pete the recommendation with just one click rather Pelkey had the chance to be the first and than making photocopies, sealing them in only teacher at MVHS to try out submitting envelopes, and rushing to meet the 5 p.m. a recommendation online when a student had postmark deadline. Of course, some teachers a last-minute request for a recommendation will prefer to stick to their year-after-year letter, with no time to send it in the mail. traditions and would rather avoid learning “I got confirmation within seconds that it and getting accustomed to this newfangled arrived at the university, and he came in later process, but the majority have agreed to try that day to my class and said, ‘I checked my this method out. email, it’s there, it’s taken care of,” Pelkey said. “It’s really convenient,” said guidance “That for me is a big relief because anytime counselor Shari Schussel. “There’s money you put anything in the mail, you’re not sure [saved] as far as copies are concerned, as far what’s going to happen to it or if anybody is as postage is concerned; manpower — before going to find it.” it was the registrar that had to make all the For students, this method will be a great copies, stuff all the envelopes, so she is now time saver. freed up to do more important things.” “If you’re applying to six schools, we only Currently the administrators are working have to do the secondary school report once out some last-minute technical kinks on the and you list all the schools there, and press website, but it should be up and running in send and it sends to all six. You don’t have to time for early decision submissions stuff envelopes, you don’t have to stuff them into the right envelopes,” Taba said. Amanda Chen || a.chen@elestoque.org

how to apply to a college using Naviance log onto Naviance and click on the “colleges” tab click on “colleges I’m applying to” and enter your common application username and password click “add college to this list” to add in the colleges you intend to apply to this lets administrators know what forms they have to submit for you and where to submit them keep track of your deadlines and be sure to get teacher recommendation letters if you need them

how to get a recommendation letter talk to the teachers who know you well, not just the ones that gave you good grades bring in your resume and other important information that your teacher may need when writing your letter do a polite check a couple weeks before your deadline just to make sure he or she did not forget

Sept. 23, 2010

Page 7

OPINION

Ignorance and tolerance not the same

What we don’t know hurts us: How not talking about religion creates false sense of tolerance

3 changes for MVHS 1. Teach about different religions in core classes, such as World History. 2. Increase student participation in religious clubs outside of students’ own religions. 3. Create a forum for interested students to ask questions and openly discuss different religious issues around the world and on campus.

pparently, we are a tolerant school, or at least we would like to think so. We don’t see seriously offensive racial slurs etched on bathroom stalls or fights breaking out over a difference in beliefs. We don’t see or hear much, in fact, that requires us to consider or question our own viewpoint. And there’s a problem with that. The national media has turned its attention to the religious tolerance, or lack thereof, of the citizens of New York City, as members of the Muslim community there attempt to build a community center and prayer space around the corner from the site of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Maybe it’s time to examine our own level of religious tolerance—or maybe, understanding—considering we almost never do. The majority of Americans today are unaware of facts that are now being called “disputed” by some. According to a U.S. News report, 18 percent of Americans believe that

el estoque 2010-2011

Editor in Chief Mansi Pathak Vijeta Tandon News Editor Sahana Sridhara Opinion Editor Sarika Patel Centerspread Editor Roxana Wiswell A&E Editor Christophe Haubursin Photography Editor Erin Chiu Layout and Design Editor Ashley Wu

Managing Editor Joseph Beyda Jordan Lim Print Staff Writers Arifa Aziz Natalie Chan Amanda Chen Shanthi Guruswamy Tina Hsu Vishakha Joshi Danielle Kay Aafreen Mahmood Cynthia Mao Anushka Patil Vinay Raghuram Pooja Ravikiran Morahd Shawki Daniel Tan Elvin Wong 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. Letters of any length should be submitted via email or mail. They become the sole property of El Estoque and can be edited for length or factual accuracy. Letters cannot be returned and will be published at El Estoque’s discretion. El Estoque also reserves the right to reject advertising due to space limitations or decision of the Editorial Board that content of the advertisement conflicts with the mission of the publication. Contact Us El Estoque 21840 McClellan Rd. Cupertino, CA 95014 mv.el.estoque@gmail.com

The Humanities and Mythology classes study religious beliefs and stories. Not all students take these classes, but all students should have a basic understanding of religion.

President Barack Obama is Muslim, while 43 engage in conversations to learn about others’ percent are unsure as to what his faith is. Some beliefs simply because things could get ugly or say that ignorance is bliss, using ignorance as uncomfortable. There is never an easy way to ask someone about their beliefs, but this bubble an excuse. It would be absurd to say that we are of ours actually creates the perfect haven to intolerant, when of the 59 clubs on campus safely discuss religious beliefs and differences, nine are culturally and ethnically associated, to learn about them rather than continue three have religious affiliations, to propagate ignorance—or worse, misconceptions—about and one unites supporters religions we just don’t know of lesbian, bisexual, gay and STAFF EDITORIAL transgender students on our much about. The opinion of the School, where we have access campus. In a school where El Estoque Editorial there is no shame in speaking to resources like our teachers Board. Chinese during passing period and textbooks, should teach students about the differences or dancing Bhangra in the rally and the similarities between court, you might assume that we religions, which would lead to must be tolerant and accepting. Which may seem true, but we can only be greater understanding and more informed sure that we like to avoid controversy. and tolerant citizens. Religion is a sensitive topic—some people Yet school is the one place where we are get offended easily, while others get defensive. given options as to what we want to hear and We try so hard to avoid “hurting each other” what we don’t. Don’t want to learn about and “offending” each other that we don’t sexual education? Opt out. Don’t want to

learn about evolution? Opt out. By opting out, or actively choosing not to hear other view points or trying to educate ourselves, it’s impossible to know whether we are really tolerant or not. History classes should be talking about what’s going on around the world and creating an environment to have such discussions and actually talk about religion. It’s our responsibility to ask the questions we want answered, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zone and taking the risk of being offensive. Religious club officers and members should encourage people of various faiths to come and join, maybe for a certain meeting or an open forum, and students should take the initiative to take part of these opportunities to educate themselves more. An attempt to understand the facts and learn is far more noble than living in ignorance. It’s unfair to say we are tolerant when in reality, it’s more accurate to say we are ignorant.

Homecoming focus moved to quad decorations Replacing floatbuilding with quad decorations has its own advantage

tarting this year, floatbuilding is a thing of the past. Thanks to much debated Measure B, all schools in the FUHSD have been granted a large sum of money for school renovations such as the new track and parking lot. However, this means homecoming floats will not be possible. Although it may be hard to let go of this old tradition, this is a blessing in disguise, due to the new homecoming competition: quad decorations. More students will be able to see them, and better appreciate them. The three buildings in the academic court will be split among the classes this year. Each class will be given four weeks to decorate their respective buildings according to this year’s homecoming theme: classic cartoons. Many people may be upset over the departure of the floats, but is it really such a bad thing? After all, floats never really did make much sense, did they? Decorating an old truck and driving it around the track at another school? What about that is supposed to excite students? Try explaining that to a student from another district and see if he understands. Hint: he won’t get it. With Quad decorations, our classes can take advantage of our campus by putting the decorations up where students can actually see and appreciate them, not at Cupertino High School. Whether it’s lack of school spirit, laziness, or just disinterest, a surprising amount of students do not attend homecoming. Sophomore class officers Cathy Ang and Thomas Barber estimate that only about 100 or more students from each class attend the Homecoming football game every year. That means the majority of students never even see the floats that our class officers put so much

COMPARED TO BEFORE Floatbuilding v. Quad Decorations Total Budget:$250

Total Budget:$400

Time: 6 weeks

Time: 4 weeks

Set-up: 3pm -11pm Thursday night before and Friday 4pm - 7pm

Set-up: Only 3pm - 11pm Thursday night before

Space: 8’ x 30’

Space: 25’ x 50’ x 17’

Power source: Generator

Power source: School classrooms

effort into making. This is obviously a huge waste of resources and effort. Not only that, but it fails to raise significant school spirit, as well. But with the new quad decorations, all students will be able to see just how clever and eye-catching the decorations can be without driving out to another school. With float-building come so many practical disadvantages, none of which apply to quad decorations. There is a lot more space to work with, letting more kids participate and be even more creative because of all the work to do. Stable building instead of moving vehicles means more three-dimensional decorations, more cool technology, and stupid gadgets. The buildings have a stable , constant source of electricity to fuel more elaborate decorations, and are easier to transport materials onto. There is so much more that can go wrong with a moving gas-powered vehicle than a stationary building. Whose idea was it to make a bunch of paper decorations, haul it into a car, drive to another school, and put it

all back together? Talk about a hassle. The entire purpose of float building is to give students a sense of pride for their class and to unite them under one theme. It’s obviously a very hard task to carry out, but it’s even harder when most of the class won’t even be able see the float. Decorating the academic court would be a natural change whether or not float building was possible this year. It’s a better option, students get to observe it instead of watching it drive by, and it gets more carefully judged. So just move on from f loats, t h e y weren’t that cool to begin For a news story with. explaining why floats have been replaced go to www.elestoque.org

NLINE

Morahd Shawki || m.shawki@elestoque.org

Page 8

OPINION

Sept. 23, 2010

The debate between rights and morals

Criticizing teachers can improve teaching styles Teacher-bashing is morally unacceptable

ow many times do you think to Instead of ignoring or stopping negative yourself, “Oh! My teacher Mr. comments from students, teachers should Crabbypants gave me a C on my take them in stride. Looking at the results of homework assignment. That’s so unfair!”? their teaching from the students’ perspectives Although it may not be exactly those words, is an easy way for teachers to see if they’re almost every student on campus, at one point actually doing their jobs. or another, has something negative to say In a legal sense, students have a right to about a teacher. Whether it’s unfair grading, free speech. Although students cannot write too much homework or bias against or toward anything critical on School Loop, a private students, students have been, still are and web site and overseen MVHS administration, will be complaining about students can publish almost Have you ever criticized a teachers for time to come. anything on public forums But some say that teacher? or web sites. So trying to criticizing or defaming restrict a student’s ability teachers is wrong and to write freely is the same Yes, in writing should be stopped. as trying to encroach upon 5% They believe that it’s a student’s basic rights. It’s unreasonable and that a basic wrong. students don’t have the In extreme cases, right or power to say students who criticize No 15% whatever they like about teachers might be accused the adult instructing them of committing libel, or in class, especially on publishing lies. However, Yes, verbally public forums. this argument is faulty 79% This assumption is because teachers can be incorrect. considered public figures. Students do have the Basically, because teachers right to say what they like are known among a about teachers. And this wide variety of students, *136 students responded to this online survey right shouldn’t be infringed the students can write upon. criticisms about them. Criticizing teachers should be encouraged But more than just the legal issues, it’s just rather than frowned upon. The whole reason better for teachers to accept and understand students resort to criticizing teachers is these criticisms. If a teacher were to look at because they are unsatisfied. They feel that these remarks in a positive way and try to they didn’t receive the best experience that improve his or her teaching style, they could the teacher had to offer. Teachers do receive end up being better teachers than when they performance reviews from their superiors. started out. What’s wrong with performance reviews It might turn out that Mr. Crabbypants from the students? After all, they spend an only gave you a C because you didn’t follow hour every day with the teacher and generally his instructions. If he was clearer with his know if they are learning or not. assignments, he might turn out to be Mr. Best Often when students dislike a teacher, it’s Teacher Ever. because they are confused about the teacher’s Vishakha Joshi || v.joshi@elestoque.org expectations and aren’t learning enough.

he Constitution says that you can call teacher’s lack of ability. If a student claims out your girlfriend a pig—but it doesn’t loud that a particular teacher can’t teach, he mean that you should. The Constitution might as well be announcing with a fanfare says that you can strut down Stevens Creek of trumpets that he can’t learn. Students Boulevard brandishing an AK-47—but it should have realized by now that, as they doesn’t mean that you should. The constitution get older, teachers teach less—hence their says that you can whine about your teacher’s transformation into “lecturers” in college. inability to teach. But it definitely doesn’t It’s a way for students to learn how to keep mean that you should. themselves on top of the class’ subject matter. Teacher bashing is And if students blame wrong, especially for the their teachers for “not wrong reasons. Yet students What grade did you earn in your teaching,” they’re telling LEAST favorite teacher’s class? the rest of the world that do it all the time and pass on their judgments to they’re not ready for the D/F other students. It’s best herculean rat race that 3% to take student opinions most normal people refer of teachers with a grain to as life. —or a heaping teaspoon Whether it’s due to C —of salt because, as new simple frustration or grade19% data indicates, a student’s motivated vengeance, A grades can highly influence bashing teachers is 43% their opinions of a teacher. wrong, plain and simple. Over 55 percent of It’s not because teachers B students who responded innately command the 35% to an El Estoque poll same respect accorded to earned less than an deities; 1850 happened a A grade in their least while ago. It’s because it favorite teacher’s class. defers responsibility from *136 students responded to this online survey Conversely, 81 percent of the student. the same students earned Te a c h e r - b a s h i n g an A in their favorite students tell the world that teacher’s class. These figures clearly show it’s not their fault that they get bad grades, the correlation between performance in a that they can’t pay attention in class, or that class and the popularity of a teacher. As they just can’t learn on their own. Those who students’ grades go up, so does the teacher’s criticize teachers essentially blame the teacher popularity. According to the data, students for the students’ inability to do what they tend to connect the grades they receive in a should, by now, be able to do by themselves class with their impressions of the teacher. In in the first place. doing so, they fail to realize that teachers are Granted, teacher-bashing is protected by not magicians. Grades are not the results of a the Constitution. But, just like the right to teacher’s mystical ability, but of a student’s call your girlfriend a pig and the right to pack hard work. A teacher can’t, therefore, “give” pistols in public, it’s a right that should never someone a grade. Grades are earned. be exercised. Regardless of what grades students earn, it’s still wrong for them to comment on their Vinay Raghuram || v.raghuram@elestoque.org

JUSTIFICATION OF MORALS

DEFENDING THE RIGHT El Estoque: Why do you think students criticize teachers in the first place? Sophomore Priscilla Chung: Because they don’t like the teacher. If a teacher is really horrible, people start gossiping about it. If a teacher is really nice, people gossip about it. If they’re okay, then nothing really happens. So criticizing makes them better. EE: Have you ever had a teacher or heard friends deride a teacher who had a fault that made him/her a “bad teacher”? PC: I heard about this one teacher who was really, really strict. As in, they gave unreasonable tests. Like, not teaching stuff for the test, like they put questions on it, but they never taught us the stuff.

El Estoque: If a student gets a bad grade, and blames it on their teacher, how would you feel? Freshman Mihir Athavale: It’s completely unfair to the teachers, because they spend most of their lives teaching the students and making them better people. They spend a lot of time in college learning how to teach properly. EE: Do you feel that, nowadays, students criticize teachers too harshly? MA: Teachers are criticized way more that they deserve because [some] students won’t admit that they got a bad grade because they didn’t study or because they made a mistake. Clearly students who work hard see the results and get A’s. Vishakha Joshi | El Estoque

Vinay Raghuram | El Estoque

Local stores with free wi-fi offerings change usage policies Loss of free wi-fi in certain businesses could influence students by impacting study habits

tudents huddled over textbooks and laptops, plastic cups of water at their side. Business men staring intently at 16-inch screens with a cold, half-empty cup of coffee at their side. College students stare blankly at the textbooks and notes spread. Places like Starbucks and Panera are often home to students and business men, all using the free wi-fi. But as we bask in the glory of our free internet, coffee joints around Cupertino have been shutting down their wi-fi. While some students are horrified at the new policies, I approve. Some people that bring their laptops into these coffee places are simply taking up space, and using their computer screen as a substitute for human interaction. These coffee joints have become a place to work, rather than a place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee and a scone. Franchises are doling out free wi-fi, and they are expecting customers to buy their goods as they use it. If we don’t

start buying muffins and iced-teas as we use up their wi-fi, we should be prepared to lose our privilege. Yes, privilege. Since this is a privilege, it shouldn’t be taken for granted. We will suffer the consequences if this continues. If we constantly take up space and prevent these shops from gaining new customers, we can only expect a cut on our free wi-fi as an attempt by the business to jostle us out of our seats. Some coffee places already place limits on their internet, while others have it completely free. We, as students, should appreciate what we have. If students simply come to take up space without buying, we shouldn’t be surprised when free wi-fi becomes a thing of the past. Businesses are shutting down their wi-fi in order to keep a flow of customers moving throughout their store. When students go into coffee places just

to use the wi-fi, they are being selfish. They are taking up the space that could be used by families trying to spend time together. They are sucking money out of the business. As a result of these individual groups, all of us may lose our free wi-fi. It would be simpler for students to just buy items from the shop, or go to the library, which also offers free wi-fi. One can only imagine how irritating it must be for a manager when the only business comes from business men who sustain themselves for hours and hours with only one cup of coffee, and student groups who spend hours, yet only one sips on ice water. Their reimbursement is insignificant compared to their loss, while the wi-fi is sucking money out of the business by the minute. If we don’t begin buying rounds of lattes for our study groups, we may lose our free wi-fi, and we will have only ourselves to blame. Danielle Kay || d.kay@elestoque.org

WI-FI OFFERINGS Peet’s Coffee: One hour access with pass code; code comes with receipt Panera Bread: 30 minute restriction during peak hours of 11:30pm-12:30pm and 5-7pm. Free access at all other times Coffee Society: Open access Quickly: Open access Starbucks: Free access with an account and time limit Whole Foods: Open access Cupertino Library: Open access with library card Jamba Juice: No wi-fi access

Sept. 23, 2010

Page 9

OPINION

Curving not worth it in the end Using a curving system for grades creates a harmful atmosphere

n this particular case, it’s not about you — it’s about the 38 other students competing against you. In fact, this is the essence of the concept of curving that has gradually found its way into the MVHS curriculum and learning environment. The highly competitive atmosphere that curving brings, may not be what all teachers desire. Rather than focusing on yourself, you are preoccupied with your other classmates’ grades because ultimately, their scores will be determining what you get. Why should you worry about others instead of yourself? Isn’t it your grade? Exactly. The most popular curve incorporated into MVHS classes is the “bell curve,” in which the class average on a test or a quiz is raised to a certain percentage, giving more of a benefit to those who are able to score higher than the average. In essence, this series of complications can be summarized in four words: survival of the fittest. In fact, if you do well on a test, it’s actually bad news for the rest of the class, for you’ve just “ruined” the curve. It’s frustrating. Now you must go just above the class average to raise your grade, but without increasing the average too much. If your high score makes the average too high, the curve is decreased for others. And we wouldn’t want a giant mob of 38 students coming after that one student for ruining the curve, would we? True, curving can save many grades from plummeting down to the point of no return, but ultimately this process is showing how we compare to the rest of the class and which ID numbers we must score higher than. Yes, curving rewards students who are

’ve done it everywhere — on the floor, on a table, in darkened classrooms, behind the bookshelves of the library, and of course in a bed. That’s right. I have fallen asleep almost every place possible. I’m not proud of this. It’s hard to admit that I have been sleeping around during school, but I have a good excuse. I have classwork to finish, homework to start, and Food Network to watch. There are not enough hours in a day to accomplish everything I want, so cutting out a few hours of sleep is an easy decision to make. I would rather be a little tired during the day than a lot behind in my work. So I’ve been busy, but chances are you have been, too. Pick-up-lines In my mind, this is what I imagine MVHS students saying about their schedules. Aafreen Mahmood | El Estoque Photo Illustration

working hard — but it also rewards those who aren’t doing as well. In other methods of curving where a certain number of points is added to the student’s raw score, the slackers in the class will fail a test will still benefit from the curve regardless of how much effort they have put in. Basically, they’ve earned a C on a test when their lack of effort and studying got them a raw score of an F. But aren’t we supposed to take responsibility for our own education — not the education of our classmates? What happened to competing with ourselves first? Why should the whole class suffer if one student fails or aces a test? If there is any reason to worry about your grade, it shouldn’t be because it depends on what

others are getting. Further down the road, one may argue that such methods of grading are an insight on the structure of college classes. However, looking even further down that road, the “I have to be better than everyone else” attitude can be problematic not only in classes, but also in the workplace. Instead of working with your colleagues, you will be tempted to work against them. Although intelligent, the basic skills of teamwork and cooperation may be one of the most challenging part for such competitive students. Why? Because that’s what we’ve been trained to do. Aafreen Mahmood|| a.mahmood@elestoque.org

Shared information helpful, yet incomplete ASB officers increase transparency but could be more informative

ssociated Student Body. It’s a simple enough concept—a group designed to foster unity among the student body. Yet with this unity must also come a sense of transparency—an assurance to every member of the student body that they are being informed of and have access to all things organized by ASB Leadership. With the use of rally score sheets and the posting of Leadership Council minutes on School Loop it does seem as if ASB Leadership is headed in the right direction, although there are areas of improvement left. On a positive note, until recently rally standings were a touchy subject always marred by student complaints of unfairness in judging. But by releasing the official rally score sheet on School Loop, ASB Leadership has fulfilled its responsibility of keeping students informed about what is going on. Anyone still convinced that the rallies

At the same time though, it are “rigged” can simply take a look at the rally score sheet and remains elusive where exactly the $75 that students pay pinpoint exactly which aspect each class needs to improve for ASB cards are allocated. on. Not all Although much of the money is distributed c at egor ie s EVALUATION a m o n g s t are weighed various school equally, so IDEAS TO GOOD why should organizations, CONSIDER the effort a portion of it •Daily is also given put into •Publish bulletin to the ASB each be? budget Leadership P o s t i ng •Leadership c l a s s . Leadership •Open forum Council Council Lunchtime for non-ASB minutes activities, or m inutes Leadership other simple on School students •Rally score things such as Loop after sheets the purchasing Leadership Council is of crowns for an excellent Home com ing Cour t—how way of much money is allocated to each ensuring that all students are of these? aware of campus events. It Granted, the only way to shouldn’t only be an elite few ASB Leadership class members keep the monetary allocation who hear of the discussions process efficient is by allowing administrators to make the final that take place and the ultimate decisions; but students should decisions that are made.

still be informed of the decisions so that they may offer input if they feel inclined to do so. There are no negative aspects attached to making the ASB budget just as visible to the student body as Leadership Council minutes or the daily bulletin. Yes, some students may disagree with the monetary decisions being made—but don’t we deserve the right to know where our money is going? In fact, making the ASB budget public knowledge has the potential to help ASB Leadership commissions and each class, as well. If students know how much money is being used for specific events, they are likely to grasp the financial situation and be willing to fundraise more money for their class. By only sharing selective information with the student body, ASB is only partially doing its job. Vijeta Tandon|| v.tandon@elestoque.org

El Estoque Online: Your thoughts last month

51.3%

60 50 40

24.3% 16.2%

20 10 0

8.1%

2013

2014

2012

The argument about not saving the environment has been made, and is 100 percent true. Our paper is thicker and greater quality, and not Anonymous bought in bulk.

Who do you think will win the Powderpuff championship?

2011

The following was a comment written for the story “Reduced paper usage” by sophomore Patrick Xie about whether or not the school’s new method of printing fewer copies really saves the environment. The following comment was posted in response to the story.

Sleeping on the job

*36 people responded to this poll

Teachers all across the country have come under scrutiny with the release of several documentaries, including “The Race to Nowhere“ and TIME magazine’s latest cover story featuring the problems of American education. The Los Angeles Times also recently published a story listing the top 100 teachers in the Los Angeles Unified District further attracting attention to the issue.

Do you think students should be allowed to evaluate teachers and be apart of the tenure process? Go online to elestoque.org to comment.

Tired Student A: Ugh. I have so much homework to do tonight! Three hours of APUSH, two hours of chemistry, and I need to read 300 pages for lit! Tired Student B: I know! I have so much stuff to do. AP Physics, Calc BC, AP PE... NATALIE CHAN n.chan@elestoque.org

Between the sheets That was exag gerate d, but not much. Students are often over—wor ke d and under-slept at MVHS, but what is strange is how proud we are of these “accomplishments.” To many of us, being tired all the time is a badge of honor—it tells everyone we are pushing ourselves. Apparently, students who go to sleep at a reasonable hour are slackers or lucky, and sometimes both. It is the sleep-deprived student who is normal— half crazy with fatigue, but normal. As students we are stressed, tired, and stretched thinner than Keira Knightly. So why do we do this every night? It only makes sense that when we see other students succeed in school, we want to do the same. We seek ambition, but somewhere along the way we forget about doing well and focus on just doing. Being constantly productive is now equal with being a better person. It’s not about whether you like your classes, or if you just copy the answers from the textbook. Who cares how much effort you put into last night’s essay, when all we want to know is how many hours of sleep you lost because of it. In the end, the truth is simple and, for some of us, difficult to swallow. Doing more is not the same as doing better, and sleeping less does not mean you have worked harder.

What’s normal anyway?

The morning after You still have time to save yourself though. The school year has barely begun, and there is time to change. Cutting loose a few obligations can mean having the time to enjoy the ones you keep, just with less eye-baggage along the way. Reconsider if you need to still take Spanish when you hate the class. Think about why you wanted to try out for the basketball team next season. Ask yourself if you really care about those six clubs you joined. Stop comparing your hours of sleep, or lack thereof, with your sleep-deprived peers. Being busy might be a pseudo-badge of honor, but there is definitely no Hall of Shame for admitting that, sometimes, life can move faster than any of us can keep up with. As for me, I could do with taking my own advice. I really do prefer getting a full nights sleep instead of nursing my Quad Grande Vanilla Latte from Starbucks. Plus, enjoying my last year of high school sounds like a pretty good idea. Unfortunately, I’m a little busy at the moment. I’ll just have to do this later.

Sept. 23, 2010

OPINION

Page 10

Teachers choose to stay out of the loop Students are not justified in frustration, complaints over teachers who do not use School Loop

rantic discussions about homework, incessant page refreshing ten minutes before grades are supposed to be up— School Loop is such a big part of the MVHS culture that when a teacher comes along who doesn’t use the heavily depended on website, most students are anxious about their grade because they can’t keep an eye on it—even though it’s unnecessary. That anxiety often leads to frustration towards the teacher for not using School Loop, though we forget that the teacher’s decision isn’t about denying us instant access to our grades. Teachers don’t avoid School Loop just to frustrate students—they have their own personal reasons. Math teacher Jon Stark is known for his very strong dislike of School Loop, and cites School Loop’s inflexible grading system, closed Loop Mail system (it doesn’t allow you to reply to emails with normal email address), and the Terms of Use policies for his refusal to use the website. But for other teachers, it’s a more practical matter. Computer science teacher Scott DeRuiter prefers using his personal website to post lessons and assignments, because School Loop’s restrictive template won’t let him post things like Java applets, which show students Java programs in action. DeRuiter doesn’t use School Loop for grades either— he prefers another popular grading program called InteGrade Pro. Other teachers who don’t use School Loop nearly always have equally effective methods of replacing the service, generally with their

own websites where they can post anything they need to, without worrying about School Loop’s templates and restrictions and bothersome email. While it can be inconvenient for students to not have all of their assignments and grades for every class in one place, it’s not exactly a complicated process to get to a teacher’s website. In fact, having to be responsible for finding out homework assignments on our own is probably better for us than depending on School Loop. Ironically, many teachers who use School Loop also post the “Monta Vista Learning Goals” on their walls— and one of the goals is self management, something that School Loop, because its entire job is to conveniently gather all our homework assignments, hand outs, project due dates, and test reminders, works directly against. Not having instant access to grades is another issue for students when teachers don’t use School Loop. We tend to micromanage our grades and watch them with an eagle’s eye. Every 0.01 percent change matters, and we focus not on what we’re learning, but on getting that minimum percentage for our desired grades. School Loop’s instant access only further enables us to obsess over our grades, and not over what we’re learning. Regardless, most teachers who don’t use School Loop are reasonable— a quality we lack when it comes to our grades—and will notify students of their grade in some form every few weeks— which in our world of all things instant is still considered an eternity

Could we be addicted to monitoring grades on School Loop? ‘Course not. Dominique Pieb | El Estoque Photo Illustration

by some. But think about it. How much of a difference is that five point history assignment going to make in your grade? There’s no logical reason for our obsessiveness over instantly updated grades— and so, teachers who don’t update grades on School Loop shouldn’t be as troublesome as we might think. So if math teacher Joe Kim is simply more comfortable using his Excel spreadsheets to

show students grades in class, let it be. And if Stark would rather use his own website to post assignments, then let it go. Teachers who don’t use School Loop aren’t trying to annoy us. They have their own reasons— and we need to accept them, and realize that we shouldn’t be this dependent on School Loop. Anushka Patil || a.patil@elestoque.org

Recycling program promising, but depends on participation Club Commission’s idea gives ownership to clubs, but students must take initative for success

Thanks to Club Commission, recyclables will actually be reused

can of Monster energy drink to start the day. A soda during lunch. A bottle of water for the mile-run during PE class. Seven periods and a much needed trip to the bathroom later, three bottles are in need of a blue recycling bin. By the end of first semester, those bins may be managed by different clubs around campus because of an innovative idea Club

Measuring up

Community Leadership Fair

Dominique Pieb | El Estoque Photo Illustration

Commission has. The commission’s innovative system will have student organizations managing their own recycling bin as an MRS Gold project. The club will be responsible for taking care of the waste they collect every week. For its work as an MRS Gold project, it will earn earn an undetermined amount of money for club funds.

801

jellybeans in the guessing contest

100

waterballoons used

For this system to work easily, Club Commission will give any club this opportunity, but service clubs will have priority. The plan will allow service clubs to give responsibility to their members in return for hours or points. The Academic Court, Rally Court, and the area outside the school cafeteria, there are 27 trashcans. In the same locations, there are only eight recycling bins. The numbers do not necessarily mean that the school doesn’t have enough recycling bins for students to use; there is no guarantee that we would use them even if there were more. However, having more of them around the campus could keep recycling in students minds after lunch. There’s no need to embelish the blue bins. It would help just to have them in students’ line of sight. Also, Students will more likely throw away their cans and bottles if they are now responsible for cleaning up the trash anyway. Ultimately, the greatest aspect

greener, and the student clubs of this new system is that it earn a little bit of money. will raise awareness across In the end, the new system the campus. is an engaging way to manage There is a small problem in the school’s recycling. The that, though. The incentives bright idea came may not NUMBERS from both Club be enough Commission to hold The Rally Court, and the school students Academic Quad, adm inis t r ator s in the face and the area who noted of tedious, in front of the that the school m a nu a l Cafeteria have does not have work. At an organized this point system for for the trash cans recycling. Worse r e c y c l i ng yet, when the program, school year the question recycling bins started many is not about of the old whether it recycling bins is a good had disappeared idea. It is from campus, making this idea not even about whether or more important. not the system will work. It The only way MVHS can is a question of how long the progress in today’s green students will want to work. movement is to take the first Of course, no one can step forward, and Commission’s know how the recycling recycling program will take our program will work until it is current system right out of the tried, and it is wonderful that trash bin. the system benefits everyone. The school throws away Natalie Chan|| n.chan@elestoque.org less, the campus becomes

147

the record for the most number of steps recorded by the pedometer in 30 seconds for Ants in Your Pants

27 8

bagels were bought for the bagel eating contenst

watermelons were rewarded

Sept. 23, 2010

A CLOSER LOOK

Page 11

Roxana Wiswell and Elvin Wong | El Estoque Photo Illustration

Land of the free DECK DECK DECK as DECK Is ourDECK community religiously

tolerant as it claims to be?

NEW YORK: CONTROVERSY OVER MOSQUE

month ago, in preparation for this issue, I started rise above that and tell the story of what working on a story about the local Muslim community’s is happening all over the United States— plans to build a mosque in the area. I know most of this the fact that today, fear of intolerance and community, since I’m a part of it, so I had the impression that hate prevents the construction of places I could have a quick dialogue with some community leaders, of worship, and the fact that we as Americans are shooting get in, get out, get done. down the same principles we so often boast, our freedom of I was wrong. expression and our freedom of religion. Once I contacted a member on the board of directors for Muslims in one of the most liberal societies in the United a local Muslim organization, conversation got uncomfortable. States are concerned about publicly announcing their hopes They seemed hesitant to disclose information. and their plans to build a mosque; it is possible that Why? Because they were reconsidering talking to the only reason things have come to this state is me for the story. because the media is blowing it out of proportion. Maybe they did not want to make an official The fact that Muslims announced plans to build a announcement until all of the procedures—getting community center near the “hallowed ground” that the building and use permits passed by the is Ground Zero so close to the anniversary of the city—were completed. Maybe they were worried Sept 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center is about receiving a similar, angry response to the something worth covering, and the irony that one one given to the organization that wants to build of the two main religious holidays for Muslims fell Cordoba House, the Muslim community center senior Arifa Aziz on the same day makes things uncomfortable for near Ground Zero in New York City. Maybe they a.aziz@elestoque.com Muslims and causes confusion for everyone else. had been influenced by the constant fear of being Maybe the reason why the Muslim community a first-person criticized for openly practicing their beliefs. All I decided they wanted to hold off on their narrative can say for sure is they strongly opposed our plan announcement is their concern that people will to report on their hope, their desire for a mosque in come out to protest, which could prevent them from the Bay Area. getting the necessary permits from the city. It is difficult and I was screwed. I needed to have a news story, cold hard intimidating to face the uncertainties of how the community facts, about a Muslim community that wanted to build a at large will react to the news of a community mosque and if mosque, what sort of issues were they dealing with, why they that could cause an adverse effect on their chances of getting needed one. their permits. My dilemma: do I disregard their requests and cause The fear of having people criticize you for their conflict, or do I scrap the story altogether? Do I give in to the misinterpretation of your beliefs is frustrating—even intolerance and hatred that has been targeted at the Muslim infuriating—and that misinterpretation is difficult to undo. For community, which seemed to manifest in a real fear of having that reason, perhaps it is best that I didn’t write the story the people misunderstand their beliefs and intentions? Or do I way I had originally planned.

This Muslim community center has been in planning for over a year. As the 9/11 anniversary approached, debate began over the location of the center, which is about two blocks north of Ground Zero. So far, the project is still in planning mode, with $100 million required to build the community center that is planned to be 15 stories high. President Barack Obama: “As a citizen and as president, I believe that Muslims have the right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinance.” New York Representative Peter King: “It is insensitive and uncaring for the Muslim community to build a mosque in the shadow of Ground Zero. While the Muslim community has the right to build the mosque, they are abusing that right by needlessly offending so many people who have suffered so much.”

Government teacher Christopher Chiang: “When you look at the people who are organizing the mosque, they have been people who are really offering a different perspective on the role of Islam in daily life. It’s sad that Americans have so little understanding of Islam, because it’s really the opposite of extremism that they’re fighting. We’re calling them extremists when they’re really fighting extremism. Religious tolerance is why our country was founded.” Government teacher Ben Recktenwald: “This mosque has been in the planning stages for a year and a half, but it’s only been in action for a month. The only reason why it’s so controversial is because it’s election year. It’s not actually a mosque. It’s a community center. It’s a bridge between different religions.”

Religious students share perspectives, clarify misconceptions Representatives of three religions convene to discuss issues that affect freedom of belief El Estoque conducted an interview with three religious students at MVHS to explore different religions and the cultural impact of them in students’ lives. Senior Jonathan Cheong, President of the Roots club on campus, is a Christian. Junior Iqra Shaikh is a Muslim, and the Social Outreach Manager of Muslim Club. Sophomore Srisruthi Ramesh practices Hinduism. EE: You guys have probably heard about the building at Ground Zero and how they’re trying to get this religious center over there. Do you have anything to say about it? IS: I feel impacted. It’s just a little bit ridiculous. People need to become more tolerant. Sure, there [were] some radical people who bombed a building, and that was really sad, I can’t even imagine the losses, but it didn’t impact just Christians and Jews and Hindus—it impacted everybody. JC: I don’t know if you guys heard, but after the announcement that they were going to make a Muslim community center,

[this pastor] was basically going to go and preach against gay people, and preach against Muslims. I feel like people who base Christians on such radicals need to talk to someone and just figure out, what is Christianity really about? EE: On that note, do you have anything you want to share about, if you wish people knew more about your religion, something that they’re misinformed about? What would you want them to know? SR: The only thing that a lot of Indian people at MVHS feel is that some of the beliefs in our religion are a little bit outdated. My dad

is kind of strict about how late I can stay out at night. I know a lot of families now that are a lot more lenient in certain matters, but families like mine are still trying to bridge the gap.

sense, as in they give purpose to one’s life. They long to have that meaning, something to follow, some sort of course to take. All religions also kind of emphasize being a good person.

IS: I’d like people to think that not all Muslims are terrorists. Also, a common misconception with Islam is that women are abused. None of that’s true.

SR: I agree with Jonathan. I think that all of us have that idea that God, whatever God you believe in, he or she will be there to protect us, no matter what goes wrong in the world, no matter how corrupt people get, no matter what natural disasters happen, there’s something that will control it, and I think that’s a big reason why people are religious and something that connects us all.

EE: So do you see similarities between you guys? Maybe in the way you practice or just being religious in general? JC: I feel like all religions are similar in a

A CLOSER LOOK

Page 14

Sept. 23, 2010

Junior changes religion, discovers self Ian Hurtado converts to paganism to follow his heart

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque

A DIFFERENT SPIRITUALITY Wolf Runner reads a book of incantations pertaining to his religion on Sept. 17.

ROSH HASHANAH Jewish holiday (Jewish New Year). Represents the creation of the world and celebrates the sweetness of the past year PAGANISM A belief that is not based on Christianity, Islam, or Judaism SHAMANISM A practice in which beliefs pertain to the spiritual world TAKBEER The chant that Muslims say on the day of Eid to praise God

hen junior Ian Hurtado changed his religion, he caused quite a sensation. Hurtado changed his religion to paganism from Catholicism. He wanted to find something to which he could actually relate. Although he claims that his parents were convinced that he was a devil-worshipper, Hurtado gradually converted to paganism starting from 2005. His religion has caused him to change many things about himself: his hair, his image, and even his last name. “Actually, I gained the name Wolf Runner in a vision. That was like an [initiation], so it was like my welcoming into the religion,” Wolf Runner said. Wolf Runner went through a process of self-initiation by meditating and going into a trance, known as the Theta state. According to him, this is the state where the brain slows down and functions at waves of 4 to 7 Hertz. This is the state of mind in which dreams are formed, where the mind cannot control the images created. Wolf Runner meditated and attained the Theta state, and saw himself running along with wolves in a forest. They stopped at a river and he drank from its waters, eventually shape shifting into a wolf. They continued running until they arrived at a cliff and watched the sunrise. In honor of this vision, Wolf Runner unofficially changed his name and began his life as a pagan. Paganism is a broad term applied to any religion other than Islam, Judaism, or Christianity. Wolf Runner’s specific sect in paganism is shamanism, which is a religion based on the belief that shamans are messengers between spirits and humans. Wolf Runner believed that his dream signaled that he was singled out by the spirits, and convinced him that this religion was right for him. “My specific sect is shamanism and witchcraft. Shamanism involves the use of going into other altered states and exploring your own inner divinity,” Wolf Runner said. Wolf Runner has a number of pagan friends who as a group started a coven, which is a circle of witches or pagans who

SHABBAT The seventh day of the Jewish week; a day of rest

IMAM Spiritual leader of the Islamic community RABBI Spiritual leader of the Jewish community

EID UL FITR The celebration at the end of Ramadan TORAH Jewish holy text

CHALLAH Bread the Jewish people bake for Shabbat or other holidays PASTOR Leads a church in prayer and sermon HIJAB The head scarf worn by many Muslim women REVEREND A reverend is a member of a Christian clergy

join together to perform rituals. Unfortunately, Wolf Runner’s coven disbanded, but this does not stop them from performing rituals on occasion. His uniqueness and willingness to follow his own path might have taken many of his friends aback, but most of them have responded positively to his decision. “His change was pretty gradual, actually...I didn’t really care, though it was a bit weird to watch him going from loving the Black Eyed Peas to [being] a full-fledged hippie,” Wolf Runner’s long time friend, junior Anna Shabrova said. His parents, however, do not know of his religion change. “[I] operate underground...[My parents] know that I’m not Christian, but bringing [the change in religion] up with them would just cause problems. It would just rekindle the fire. It took me a while for me to get to get to a point where I can walk around the house and not get assaulted for having different beliefs, and I don’t want to risk that,” Wolf Runner said. In his spare time, Wolf Runner practices having visions, doing dream work, divination, and reading. Wolf Runner also casts runes, which are a pre-Latin alphabet. He is learning to interpret them, based on preset rules which he follows. Runes are a major element in paganism and are used for a wide variety of purposes, especially divination. Wolf Runner does not regret his decision to change and has come to love his new religion as a whole for its openness. He has finally achieved the sense of community he was looking for and found the path he wanted to take. “[What appealed to me the most about my religion was] the love of nature,” he said, “because it’s all about living and cooperating with everything around you, and just, you know, being one with everything.” Wolf Runner believes that his change in religion has affected his life and sense of self very deeply. “I’ve actually learned a lot about myself. There is not one day where I do not learn something. I just feel very in touch with everything, and very at ease,” Wolf Runner said. Shanthi Guruswamy || s.guruswamy@elestoque.org

ZAKAT One of the five pillars of Islam; 2.5 percent of yearly income is given to charity EID The two main celebrations for Muslims each year, the other Eid is Eid-al-Adha KHUTBAH Sermon given by the imam QU’RAN Islamic holy text BIBLE Christian holy text

School and Religion Where do you think the line is drawn between religion and school, in the class or just with other students? Amongst other students and at all times. Students should be able to exercise their religious freedom both off and on campus. Their first amendment rights don’t stop where the school boundary begins.

Student-led prayer at graduation is legal in some states, but declared unconstitutional in others. In your opinion, should student-led prayer be allowed in California?

On August 24, 2010, Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California began its first day of classes. Zaytuna is aiming to be the first accredited Muslim college in the U.S. What do you think of the new school?

I don’t think student-led prayer at graduation should be allowed. In other instances, maybe, but I am all for the school. But I feel like, even graduation is about celebrating the entire exiting though I am against racial profiling, that this class. Allowing student-led prayers shows college should be kept under a tighter watch. preference for one set of beliefs over another. — responses from online poll

Sept. 23, 2010

Page 15

SPORTS

IN THE HUNT

EARLY GAMES SEPT. 3, 2010 MVHS — 20 OVERFELT — 13 Junior Jordan Sheade’s three touchdowns and 219 all-purpose yards led MVHS. Senior quarterback Freddy Kuo had 205 yards passing, with 135 to senior Grant Manley. SEPT. 10, 2010 MVHS — 7 PROSPECT — 7 Sheade ran for 164 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown. A high snap led to a missed 20-yard MVHS field goal with 5.4 seconds left.

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque Photo Illustration

Jordan Sheade

Grant Manley

Freddy Kuo

junior running back

senior quarterback

418 Offensive Yards 3 Rushing Touchdowns 1 Receiving Touchdown

385 Passing Yards 0.391 Completion Percentage 1 Passing Touchdown

John Reinhardt

senior wide receiver

senior center/linebacker

165 Receiving Yards 16.5 Yards per Catch

27 Tackles 3 Sacks 1 Fumble Recovery

SEPT. 17, 2010 SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO — 25 MVHS — 7 MVHS failed to get on the board until the final minute, when senior Giles Van Poetsch had a short touchdown run. MVHS gave up a series of long scores, including a 62-yard run just after halftime.

Varsity football battles through injuries, inexperience to start season 1-1-1; league play to come

varsity football team that head coach Jeff Mueller described as “untested” sits in the middle of the El Camino League with an overall record of 1-1-1, ready to start league play on Oct. 1 against Fremont. The Matadors first took the field on Sept. 3 at Overfelt High School, facing a slew of early injuries that have catapulted young players into key positions. Running in the Sheade Junior Jordan Sheade wasn’t expecting to start this season, behind senior Victor Wan and juniors Sam McCann and Michael Whittaker on the depth chart. But Wan tore his MCL before the season, and McCann and Whittaker were lost to injuries in the opener against Overfelt. Sheade stepped in, catching a 16-yard touchdown in the first quarter and running into the endzone twice later on. “It’s an honor to play in the games and do as well as I did,” he said. “It surprised me.” Sheade has scored four of the five MVHS touchdowns on the season, the exception being senior Giles Van Poetsch’s short run late in a 25-7 loss to South San Francisco High School on Sept. 17. Though Sheade struggled in that tough match-up, he posted over 150 allpurpose yards in each of his first two games. “We’re going to ride the Jordan train as long as we can,” Mueller said. “He’s done a great job.” The crowd held its collective breath on Sept. 10 at Prospect High School, when Sheade was slow to get up after a Panther touchdown late in the third quarter. But he was in the backfield again two plays later, taking a handoff for 14 yards. And on the next down, Sheade broke through the defensive line.

INJURY REPORT

“All I could think of was, ‘Don’t get caught from behind, don’t get caught from behind,’ and I ran as fast as I could,” he said. Sheade’s dash down the left sideline would end in a celebration 70 yards downfield, the Matadors’ only points in a 7-7 tie.

John Reinhardt each posted three sacks and 10 tackles against Prospect. The defensive effort regressed somewhat against good South San Francisco team, which scored on a 62-yard run and two other plays over 25 yards. A shutdown defense will be a key for as long as the offensive injuries In the trenches persist, but that’s 2010 VARSITY SCHEDULE Before the season, exactly what MVHS has SEPT 3 @ OVERFELT Mueller identified begun to develop. W, 20-13 an injured and “We’ve played SEPT. 10 @ PROSPECT inexperienced offensive real sound physical T, 7-7 line as a possible football,” Mueller said, SEPT. 17 @ SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO weakness, but good “and I think that’s going L, 7-25 protection and Sheade’s to be our character. OCT. 1 vs. FREMONT* 7.73 yards per carry We’re going to play (Homecoming) through two games physical.” OCT. 8 vs. LOS ALTOS* suggest otherwise. OCT. 15 @ SANTA CLARA “I credit the work the Through the air OCT. 23 @ CUPERTINO offensive line has done With a strong rushing OCT. 29 @ LOS GATOS in the offseason for why attack, passing has NOV. 6 @ LYNBROOK* we’ve done well on the been moved to the back NOV. 12 vs. MOUNTAIN VIEW** ground,” Mueller said. burner;against Prospect, (Senior Night) “They get a lot of reps senior quarterback and because there are only captain Freddy Kuo *Played at Cupertino High School six or seven of them.” had seven completions **Played at MVHS under The defensive line for only 110 yards. temporary lights (tentative) has made some strides Kuo admits that he has as well, giving up just 91 struggled. rushing yards against Prospect after yielding “I need to read the defense more,” he said. 276 on the ground against Overfelt. “I need to be more relaxed during the game, “The defensive scheme we put together and my accuracy needs a little bit of help.” moved some guys around and put them in The passing game has had its bright spots; the best position to go ahead and make a in the Overfelt game, Kuo threw for 205 yards difference,” Mueller said. “We moved [senior] and a touchdown. He’s been able to connect Jason Jung from nose to defensive tackle, and best with senior receiver Grant Manley, he caused Prospect’s offensive tackles all passing to him for 165 yards on the season. “I guess for Fred and I, something is going kinds of problems because he’s so quick.” Jung and senior linebacker and captain right,” Manley said.

Senior Victor Wan could be out for the rest of the season with an MCL tear.

Senior Giles Van Poetsch missed only the opener with a hip flexor injury.

Juniors Michael Whittaker and Sam McCann are out with ankle and collarbone injuries, respectively.

EL CAMINO LEAGUE

Gridiron gauntlet The Matadors have a chance to improve on last year’s 4-6 record, avoiding a loss in its first two games after starting 0-2 in 2009. “We should at least have a winning record,” Sheade said, “if not a fantastic record, maybe even [a CCS appearance].” Fortunately, the disappointing defeat at the hands of South San Francisco won’t affect the standings, which are based only on league games. But if the team has its sights set on the postseason, its 3-3 mark in 2009 league play will have to get better in an El Camino League that saw three 5-1 teams last year— the three teams that beat MVHS. “We just need to go game to game,” Reinhardt said, “take it one game at a time.” While the Matadors dodge a bullet by not playing last year’s League Champion Gunn, now competing in the De Anza League, MVHS starts off against the two other teams it lost to in league play, Fremont and Los Altos. Then, the Matadors will have four other El Camino teams left, including Santa Clara, Cupertino, and Lynbrook—games that it won by a combined score of 96-22 in 2009. MVHS will likely only have a shot at the title if it has a league win or two under its belt by the Santa Clara game on Oct. 15. In that case, the Nov. 12 Senior Game against new league member Mountain View, which hasn’t faced the Matadors since 2004, could host drama under temporary stadium lights at MVHS as the Matadors try to take the league. “We can win,” Kuo said, “as long as we keep people off the injured list.” Joseph Beyda || j.beyda@elestoque.org

2009 LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Gunn (5-1-0, 7-4-0) 2. Los Altos (5-1-0, 6-4-0) 3. Fremont (5-1-0, 6-4-0) 4. MVHS (3-3-0, 4-6-0) 5. Lynbrook (2-4-0, 2-8-0)

6. Santa Clara (1-5-0, 1-9-0) 7. Cupertino (0-6-0, 2-8-0)

SPORTS

Page 16

Ready, Set,

Sept. 23, 2010

Sports update

Ritual

A quick look at several of the fall sports teams at MVHS

Field Hockey

Set to the beat of the Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps,” the team came up with their own verses to rap before games. “Junior Christina Aguila taught me how to beatbox the Black Eyed Peas’ ‘My Humps,’ and then I taught the rest of the team,” junior Samantha Howard said. “So we circle up and try to get everyone to add something new before each game. It pumps us up.” Christophe Haubursin| El Estoque Photo Illustration

Erin Chiu | El Estoque

Varsity field hockey has posted a 1-1-1 record through three games, tying 1-1 in its only league game so far against Willow Glen. Though the Matadors lost 2-1 to Saratoga, on Sept. 3, they were able to finish off San Jose 6-0 on Sept. 16. League play will resume on Sept. 29 against Lynbrook.

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque Photo Illustration

Junior Stephanie Zhang is known as the team’s “Jellybean guru” because she’s able to recognize all flavors of Jelly Beans by taste and color. Zhang eats a handful of jelly beans before every game.

he moments are counting down before the start of the game. But while some players are gearing up or stretching, others are taking part in a different kind of preparation— the pre-game ritual. From jelly beans to special handshakes, MVHS teams and players have developed their own ways of getting ready for each game. In this issue, El Estoque takes a look at some of these players and their methods for getting pumped up.

Junior Varsity Field Hockey co-captain sophomore Holly Matsunami has multiple aspects to her pre-game ritual. Matsunami eats a Nutella sandwich before every game, ties her shoelaces a certain way, wears a pair of lucky spandex, and has a specific way of wearing her socks. Along with that, Matsunami and JV co-captain sophomore Katie Byrne also do a multi-step secret handshake to help them get ready for each game.

Volleyball

Erin Chiu | El Estoque

As of Sept. 20, the varsity girls volleyball team had a record of 7-5, coming off two straight losses against Valhalla and Valley Christian. League play began on Sept. 21, and the Matadors will play De Anza League favorite, Palo Alto, on Sept. 23. Palo Alto has an 18-0 record at this point and beat MVHS in straight sets last season. The Matadors will then face Saratoga on Sept. 28 and Los Altos on Sept. 30.

Cross Country

Photo Courtesy of David Chang

Having already competed in one of their most important meets this past weekend, the varsity boys cross country team ran a race showing a lot of promise for the rest of the season. On Sept. 4, the team placed second overall. One of the larger meets was in San Francisco on Sept. 18, where they also placed second.

Joseph Beyda | El Estoque Photo Illustration

Like Junior Varsity Field Hockey cocaptain sophomore Holly Matsunami who wears lucky spandex, cross country runner junior Nicholas Bates also has a pre-game ritual associated with his shorts. “I’ve been wearing my shorts backwards during races since freshman year. A friend of mine recommended the idea to me, and I tried it for one race, and I did really well in the race. I just kept going with it afterwards.” Christophe Haubursin || c.haubursin@elestoque.org Vijeta Tandon || v.tandon@elestoque.org

Water polo

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque Photo Illustration

Erin Chiu | El Estoque

The varsity boys water polo team began league play Sept. 14. Two games into the season, the team is off to a strong start, defeating Mountain View and Gunn. With an undefeated record early on in the season, it is predicted that the team’s record will be a big step up from the 2009 season.

Page 17

SPORTS

Sept. 23, 2010

Girls tennis follows through Varsity continues past success early in season

Don’t take shots at golf; instead, swing

tretched in front of you are two football fields. On the far side is your target, the size of a small grapefruit. In your hands is a metal stick. You have three shots. Welcome to golf. Good luck.

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque

AT THE READY Junior Suruchi Salgar prepares to return a serve in warm ups before the 7-0 win against Palo Alto on =. 16.

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque

BIG SWING Senior Ratnalekha Viswanadham goes through her warm up routine before her match against Palo Alto on Sept. 16.

ver the last few years, the girls tennis team has proven to be one of the strongest and most consistent at MVHS. With a win last week against Palo Alto, an undefeated record so far, and a fourth place finish at the California High School Girls Tennis Classic in Fresno, the girls tennis team looks to keep the success streak alive as they head into the thick of their league schedule. Last year’s team did very well in both the regular season

and the postseason. The team ended up with a regular-season record of 12-0, finishing second in CCS and first in Northern California. “We did very well last year, our team was strong,” said senior varsity doubles player Jackie Lim. “Some players graduated last year, but we kept a lot of strong players as well. We should be fine.” So far the team is doing better than fine. Two 7-0 league head to head wins against Paly

and Homestead put them at the top of the Santa Clara Valley De Anza league. “We’ve started off the season strong and this is definitely where we want to be,” said varsity girls tennis coach Gene Fortino. Besides a good showing at the local level, the team did well at the California High School Girls Tennis Classic Tournament in Fresno on September 10. Without their number one varsity singles player, senior Sylvia Li, the team finished in fourth place. “The Fresno tournament went pretty well,” Fortino said. “It’s a big tournament with 110 schools, 16 in the top division, so finishing in the final four was really nice.” With the California Classic out of the way and league play underway, the team will have several tough games over the next couple of weeks. Although

MVHS is one of the top teams in the De Anza league, they will run into serious competition this season, in the form of Saratoga High. “Saratoga gained some really talented young players and didn’t lose many good seniors. They were good last year and will be good this year,” Lim said. “They are definitely the top competition for us this year.“ MVHS will play Saratoga two times this year in league play. The rival teams will first face off on Oct. 5 at MVHS and for a rematch on Oct. 26 at Saratoga High School. “If we play to our potential we should do just fine and be in the CCS running,” Fortino said. “We’ll probably be right up there with Saratoga, Mitty, Menlo, when CCS roles around. I’d say that those three and us are at the top of the league.” Jordan Lim || j.lim@elestoque.org

New trainer develops close ties with students Hiree not only an athlete, but a helping hands to athletes as well

“Y

ou owe me 20 bucks,” says newly-hired MVHS athletic trainer, Marie Gishifu. “No,” replies junior Yoyo Wang. “I owe you, like, $1,000.” On Gishifu’s desk in the small room facing the baseball field is a glass jar. Taped to it is a sign: “Swear Jar: $1 for every profane word.” There are $2.02 in it right now. The doors to her office are propped open. Football players walk in and out, some carrying pads; others, helmets. They leave her room and head out to the field toting giant orange water jugs. “It’s a little stressful having all these kids come in,” Gishifu said, “but you have that power to say, ‘Out!’ You have that kind of control. This is my area.” This is Gishifu’s first time working as a trainer on her own. Just this June, she graduated from Oregon State University after studying athletic training, a branch of exercise sports science. Now, 40-some miles from her hometown of San Francisco, Gishifu is working at MVHS. Every day at 2 p.m., Gishifu arrives on campus, and all the way through seventh period and after school her office is crowded with athletes from every single sports team. She greets each student with a customary “How do you feel?” and then proceeds to check up on injuries she’s tended to before, explaining cases with charts and diagrams of the human body stapled to the walls. In a 50-minute period, Gishifu tapes up four ankles, one hip, one wrist twice, and another wrist just once. Some days, Gishifu will go through six rolls of athletic tape for injured athletes as she examines knees and other joints. Those recovering from concussions are sent to the stationary bike by the door to be

evaluated. A concussion damages the brain and since the brain is connected to the body, once the body is exhausted, the state of their injury can be examined depending on whether the athlete feels dizzy, nauseous or ready to play. In other terms, the stationary bike is a sign of exertion. However, Gishifu thinks it’s important to prevent injury in the first place. She emphasizes the importance of athletes listening to their coaches. “A lot of kids are like, ‘Nah, I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to do that. Blah, blah, blah, whatever, I’ll do it my way.’ But there’s reason for why [coaches] are teaching you the right way. It’s because it’s the way to prevent injury.” At a time when high school sports can be extremely competitive, she stresses the fact that students should be aware of their bodies when they play sports. “[Being an athletic trainer] was kind of like my calling,” Gishifu said. She grew up playing volleyball and basketball. After an injury, Gishifu went to physical therapy treatment. Her physical therapist, who also was an athletic trainer, introduced her to this scientific aspect of sports. After volunteering for a friend of a friend who happened to be an athletic trainer, Gishifu realized she didn’t take to the clinic setting and now finds working at MVHS a healthy alternative. “I like the challenge of it,” Gishifu said, “just to think more quickly on my feet or realize what I need to do, what I need to fix, and what I can better myself at.” Athletic director Jeff Mueller is pleased with her work so far. “She’s willing to listen,” he said. “She observes and then reacts. She’s done a great job so far.” Allison Yu, a sophomore on the varsity volleyball team, values Gishifu’s hard work.

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque

WHERE DOES IT HURT? Gishifu treats an injured athlete in the trainer’s room. “Did you see her tape that ankle? I’ve never seen anything like that before.” She’s referring to Gishifu’s speed and efficiency when it comes to managing these injuries. While Gishifu is the authority figure, she talks with student athletes as she examines them, getting into friendly arguments over the swear jar and other minuscule things. As she works, students come in and out, lounge on the examination tables, and take ice out of the ice machine without permission. “The kids are fun to work with,” Gishifu says. “Occasionally.” Cynthia Mao || c.mao@elestoque.org

The select few You can understand why there aren’t many teenagers hitting the links every weekend. Perhaps the reason golf is so unpopular, at least for our age group, is that it takes years of practice before you can compete without embarrassing yourself completely. Most MVHS students can’t make that time commitment. Yet some students still do. MVHS has a boys golf team and, after years of trying to build up enough interest, a girls team is forming this year as well. In a sport that’s so timeconsuming, mentally-draining, and physicallyexer t ing, our peers’ involvement in golf is something to be recognized. (And you better believe the physicallyexerting part; three miles of lugging around heavy clubs JOSEPH BEYDA and hundreds j.beyda@elestoque.org of swings each round will make you sorer than a textbook-laden backpack ever could.)

The Beyda test

Yes, it’s a sport And for the golf-naysayers out there who have yet to pick up a club: Head on out to the driving range. Most first-time golfers will be surprised to see that they miss the ball consistently, and 10-yard dribblers are the only moral victories they can find. (By the way, that’s less than a 10th of what’s needed on the easiest of holes.) In few other sports will a centimeter literally mean the difference between a whiff and a perfect shot, and 70plus times a round at that. Even the best of golfers have trouble stringing together a few good rounds with any consistency. If you are still unconvinced, try naming all of the professional golf players you can. You’ll get stuck, but not just because you never watch the Golf Channel; it’s because there aren’t that many professional golf players competing because the sport is so challenging. In the NFL, there are 1,500 players, but most golf tournaments at the PGA level only have about 100 spots. And, due to golf’s difficulty, that proportion holds true in a less skewed form at MVHS: Football has tryouts, while finding interest for our golf teams has been hard. The best “approach” Golf isn’t really made to be a spectator sport; unless you’re watching family members, teammates, or the world’s greatest players, I don’t recommend the three-hour (on a good day) ordeal, which will lull you to sleep faster than waiting in line for Running of the Bulls unless there are clubs in your hands. So how can you grow to understand the efforts of your fellow students, who have taken the time to master a sport that, face it, is not nearly as easy as you claim? It’s hard to appreciate a sport like golf without trying it for yourself. The great thing about golf is that it’s accessible to players of all ages—head on out to Deep Cliff and you’ll see third graders, 20-year veterans of Social Security, and everyone in between—which means that any golf you pick up now will still serve its purpose when you’re a wrinkly, frail senior citizen. You don’t have to shell out thousands of dollars for professional lessons and shiny clubs, but next time you feel like going mini-golfing, grab a real putter and try a practice green instead. But prepare to be humbled.

SPORTS

Page 18

Sept. 23, 2010

Captain’s high hopes for new season Varsity boys water polo team looks to improve weakened defense with better team play

nly two league games into the season, the boys water polo team is confident in their ability to do well this season. With a thus far undefeated record, team captains and seniors Alex Bagdasarian and Sean Hughes are both confident that their team will outperform their season record from last year by a significant amount. They have several talented new players on the team, which is also helping boost morale. Many teams in the league have experienced a setbacks due to the amount of talented players that recently graduated. This however, has given the MVHS team an advantage. “I’m confident that we will do better [this season] given that this year the skill level within the league is much more even,” Hughes said. At the end of last season, five players graduated that were strong defenders. In turn, this season’s team has been left with an uneven level of skill within the team. However, this gave the Matadors an opportunity to move up several players from JV, allowing them to have a more competitive playing atmosphere, something that every player must experience in order to be successful in the sport. “So far, we’ve been handling the loss [of the graduates] pretty well,” Bagdasarian said. Because of the minor setbacks that the boys waterpolo team has had with their defense, they are working on remedying the problem by becoming more communicative and organized, becoming a cohesive unit. To practice this skill, one of the things the team hopes they will achieve early on this season is the ability to drop back when the other team is attacking their goal. To do this, the team has been conditioning a lot more than the past years in order to increase the endurance of the whole team. Not only does endurance help the defensive part of their game, but it has also been helping the offensive part of their system. With more endurance, they hope that their transition game will improve and that more goals will come off of fast breaks. Though the focus has been mostly on improving the defense, the team realizes with a tougher defense, possession time will

Erin Chiu | El Estoque

RISING UP HIGH Varsity water polo player junior Cameron Yates pushes himself out of the water to take a shot in a tournament on Sept. 11. The Matadors finished in 16th place at the tournament. increase, in turn leading to more goal scoring opportunities. Though the team still has a lot of work ahead of them, the captains have plenty of faith in their team members that joined the varsity squad this season. “I think that the people that have moved up [this season] have greatly exceeded my expectations,” Hughes said. “They’ve been working really hard, and it shows.”

With a strong start to the season, the team hopes that they will be able to work well together in order to continue with high scoring games. Though they did not do well in the previous season, varsity water polo is looking forward to a winning season. Erin Chiu || e.chiu@elestoque.org

Coaching the cougars: A bump to the opposite side of the game

Current volleyball players take coaching positions in local sixth, seventh grade volleyball team

Edward Wang | El Estoque

GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS: Senior Ben Alberts works with members of the sixth/seventh grade volleyball team

he ball tumbles into the basketball hoop, and the entire court erupts with hilarity and calls of “three-pointer!” echo through the room. The coaches walk onto the court, high-fiving and laughing but leaving order in their wake. It’s the first practice for the sixth-seventh grade volleyball team at Kennedy Middle School. Seniors Benjamin Alberts and Zachary Lamm have played volleyball together since

they were in the seventh grade at KMS; now, five years later, they have returned to their alma mater as coaches. Coaching at KMS provides Alberts and Lamm with a paying job, in addition to a fresh view of the game that they know so well. “You don’t realize what you’re doing wrong until you have to teach someone else how to do it,” Alberts said. After years of learning from their own

coaches, the pair are developing unique coaching styles. Lamm has gravitated toward general explanations for the entire group. “I line them up, I show them what to do, I have them do it, and then I correct them with what they’re doing wrong,” Lamm said. Alberts focuses more on helping the players with their techniques individually. “When I was little, my club coach always used to take me aside and help me out one-onone with skills, so I do that,” Alberts said. Without Alberts, Lamm, and assistant coaches seniors Ryan Michelfelder and Nathan Burroughs, the sixth-seventh grade team would not exist. The shortage of volleyballcoaching KMS teachers led the MVHS coach to spread word of the job opportunity among his own players. Alberts, Lamm, Michelfelder, and Burroughs all stepped up to the challenge of running their own practices with the help of their advisor, KMS guidance counselor Jessica Williams. Those practices are a high-energy variety of organized chaos. “They all really really want to do their best. You don’t see that as much in high school,” Alberts said. Alberts, Lamm, and the rest of the coaches respond with dedication, enthusiasm, and energy of their own. “They’re great with the team, and I really appreciate the effort they’re putting forth,” Williams said. During scrimmages, the coaches watch and comment, stopping play and stepping in to clarify whenever they feel it is necessary. Alberts gives comments with a smile and a pat on the back, Lamm shouts from the

sidelines and Michelfelder constantly flips a spare volleyball from hand to hand. The air is filled with volleyballs from the main scrimmage and from boys passing back and forth from the sidelines. As far as technique goes, the coaches emphasize passing and serving, fundamentals of volleyball. But, although technique is important, the most critical aspect of any volleyball game, says Alberts, is teamwork. “Whenever you see the ball, you want to go and get it, but you have to remember to let the right people get the ball,” Alberts said. After their first experience with coaching, the pair have a new respect for the challenges that their own coaches face. “You have an entire plan, and then all of a sudden when it comes game time everything, changes,” Alberts said. Under the guidence of Alberts, Lamm, Michelfelder, and Burroughs, the team has had a stellar season so far, winning all of their first three games. Alberts hopes that the team can continue their winning streak, but stresses that the most important thing is not victory. “Keep having fun, playing hard, and doing your best,” Alberts says to the team. As first-time coaches, Alberts, Lamm, Michelfelder, and Burroughs have carried the KMS C-Team to a three-game winning streak. Despite this success, they don’t see the team’s victory as the most gratifying part of their job. “It’s pretty rewarding when you tell [the team] to do something, and they do it right,” said Lamm. Roxana Wiswell || r.wiswell@elestoque.org

Sept. 23, 2010

Page 19

ENTERTAINMENT

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ASB Leadership works to bring Homecoming home with first-time Academic Quad decorating DECORATION INFORMATION 2014 THEME: Looney Tunes LOCATION: A Building 2013 THEME: Scooby Doo LOCATION: Left B Building 2012 THEME: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles LOCATION: C Building 2011 THEME: The Flintstones LOCATION: Right B Building

he goal began as finding a replacement a smooth and successful transition. The for the much-loved homecoming floats. Academic Quad will be divided into four However, as ASB Leadership began to parts between the A, B, and C buildings, each revamp homecoming festivities, their goal grew with a backdrop from the second story of the to increasing the accessibility of homecoming to building to the floor. “You have more room to work with so the entire student body. To come to their final you have more options in terms of making scenes,” d e c i s i o n — Ac a d e m i c Ki said. “We’re really Quad decorations—ASB Powderpuff percentage has and administration had encouraging [classes] gone from 10 to 15 percent, to use a specified quad to consider a few of with a five percent “audience decorating house.” the issues at hand. The spirit” component. The final construction first issue eliminated will occur the evening of the option of floats completely: schools Sept. 30 from 3 p.m. to 10 across the district would no longer be permitted p.m. The judging and viewing will take place to drive trucks across the renovated rubber tracks. all day on Oct. 1, with the live props in action The second reason was specific to MVHS: since at brunch and lunch. However, even with the subtle change from the homecoming football game could not be held on our home field, ASB wanted to bring as much float decoration to quad decoration, there of the homecoming festivities back to the school are still going to be plenty of new aspects to consider. Instead of a wooden backboard and as possible. According to ASB president Daniel Ki, quad fixed area, classes will have a fabric backdrop decorations appeared to be the perfect fit for and a much less specified area.

2010 DRESS UP Dress-up credit now accounts for 5 percent more than in previous years.

Spirit Days MONDAY: Superheroes and Supervillains TUESDAY: I’m Going to Disney THURSDAY: Theme FRIDAY: Class colors

“It’s going to be a learning year for everyone,” Dean of Students Michael Hicks said. “I don’t think it’s going to be seamless, but there’s always something new to learn. I’m curious to see what it’s going to look like.” Mansi Pathak || m.pathak@elestoque.org

Going off the beaten path: An alternative sport biking experience Adrenaline-craving juniors take on the ‘endless possibilities’ of adventurous mountain biking

ost MVHS students bike for the sake of getting from point A to point B on a day-to-day basis. Before and after school, students do not think much about their bikes other than a more environmentally friendly alternative to driving to school or just another way to simplify their commute. Others bike together as a symbol of friendship and togetherness. For juniors Alan Dai and Jonathan La Plain, biking is more than just a way to get to school or a fun way to hang out. It’s an extreme lifestyle. As self-declared “thrill-seekers”, the daredevil mountain biking duo spends their weekends biking through the county parks of the Santa Cruz Mountains, cruising down winding roads and narrow trails in what would otherwise seem utterly suicidal to the average biker. Their reason: it’s impractical. Recalling a previous experience on the infamously steep Montebello Road in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, La Plain describes the thrill of speeding down an average grade of 6.9 percent “unexplainable with words [and that] you’ll have to try it for yourself.” Both Dai and La Plain ride heavy-duty mountain bikes due to the amount of “abuse” they claim to have dealt during their biking trips, the former owning a 2010 Cannondale F5 and the latter a heavily modified 2009 Diamondback Response. Through their experiences with biking along jagged cliffs and hilly ridges, the two have seen that they’ve picked up techniques and reflexes that they say that conventional sports just don’t seem to offer. Some of these include building skill-

sets, balance, control, and mechanics skills. “In regular sports, you just chase around a ball around a field. The thing about [mountain biking] is that there are so many possibilities. There’s all these upgrades for your bike. There’s so many trails, and there’s like endless possibilities out there,” Dai said. “Well, with mountain biking, you sort of develop a bond with your bike because you spend so much time with it.” Along with all the extra care the two put into their bikes comes a great deal of knowledge. To cut costs and labor fees, the two repair their own bikes. As for any fanatical zealot of any hobby, with the care as they put into their bikes comes the silly adventures they do while riding them. “A really cool thing to do,” Dai said,” is to take a Gorrilapod™ [a type of portable tripod] and some tape and attach a camera to the handlebars of your bike and basically you can go back and watch [the ride down a hill].” Dai and La Plain both regularly hit the trails surrounding Cupertino on a regular basis, including the Fremont Older Open Space Reserve on Regnart Road and Montebello Road, which boasts an exhilarating descent. La Plain has also set his eyes on some biking competitions in the future, hoping to gain new experience on different circuits and trails. As for Dai, biking is a way for him to drop the stresses of school. “Mountain biking is basically my way to escape from society and going into the hills and just getting out there and having a blast [with just] me and my bike and the trail,”

Elvin Wong | El Estoque

HARDCORE BIKING Juniors Alan Dai and Jonathan La Plain ride it out on one of Cupertino’s mountain trails. said Dai. Both, however, agree that mountain biking’s strenuous aerobic exercise helps them stay fit for the school year. “You don’t think of anything else, just the moment,” said La Plain.

Elvin Wong || e.wong@elestoque.org

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 20

Sept. 22, 2010

Saturday Night Live accommodates all Producers, directors work around schedules to gain interest of prospective student actors

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque

DRIVING LESSONS Sophomore Kazmiera Tarshis rehearses for a role in MVHS’s 10th annual SNL on Sept. 16. MV SNL is one of the few low commitment productions on campus.

cattered all around the auditorium, groups of about Jackson and Dhomse, SNL is traditionally known for being a four to six students gathered in separated clumps. Some low commitment production. Directors of individual sketches sat close together huddled over a single piece of paper, carefully planned rehersals to avoid time conflicts in the cast while others continued their imitations of members’ schedules Bella, Edward, and Jersey Shore’s Snooki. The On Sept. 24, the MVHS Drama Department, For an interactive timeline students were gathered in their skit groups in conjunction with almost 70 students of all that chronicles the making of going over lines, while another group, was grade levels, will be hosting the MV SNL in MV SNL, go to elestoque.org on stage rehearsing for Monta Vista Saturday the auditorium. Night Live and performing for drama teacher Out of those 70 students more than half Holly Cornelison. of them are students who have taken no more Co-producers of MV SNL, seniors Kelly Jackson and Revati than one year of drama and don’t participate in any other Dhomse have worked to make the 10th MV SNL an event drama productions at MVHS. MV SNL is able to attract such a that the entire student body can participate in. According to wide range of performers because the directors work around

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student actors’ schedules. “Everyone wants their five minutes of fame, but they don’t want to put in so much commitment and rehearsal time,” Dhomse said. For the first time since its initiation, MV SNL will be held at the beginning of the school year as opposed to early in second semester, and for the first time it will have two producers instead of just one. Outside of school rehearsals for other drama productions range from anywhere between 110 to 120 hours per production depending on role, a commitment most students can’t make, whereas the total required rehearsal time for SNL is only six hours. According to Jackson, during auditions, students were asked to list out all their conflicts and casting was not only based on the audition but groups were made according to similar conflicts; having SNL at the beginning of the year rather than winter made it a lot easier on the drama department. “We want to be able to include everyone and make sure that people know drama is for everyone,” Jackson said. “January is usually a very busy time for the drama department—it’s when we start launching our winter play—and there is so much that’s happening. It’s just way too overwhelming.” Dhomse and Jackson were initially concerned that having SNL in September might make it harder to get freshmen interested since they would have been busy with other things, but both agreed that having SNL at the beginning of year has another perk of reaching out to new people and encouraging them to be a part of drama. But the early show hasn’t stopped freshman brothers Tijani Karaborni and Faris Karaborni from being in the production. Tijani, who is taking Beginning Drama, found out about the production through word of mouth, and his drama T.A. encouraged him to audition. Faris on the other hand, who has never been a part of drama, performed for an audience the first time at his SNL audition. “When we heard that SNL was starting up, I thought this would be a really cool opportunity, so I just decided to join it,” Faris said. Tijani said that even though he was already involved, since SNL was a low commitment production, it was a good way to start off and get involved since he didn’t want his academics to suffer. Both brothers will be in the Weekend Update sketch playing the Axe boys. “On stage, I don’t really know what I’m looking forward to yet since it’s my first time,” Faris said. “I think I’ll be excited for whatever is thrown at me”. Sarika Patel || s.patel@elestoque.org

Campus Highlights

DECA BBQ HITS JACKPOT

MSA BREAKS FAST

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FAIR

Aafreen Mahmood | El Estoque

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque

Aafreen Mahmood | El Estoque

WORLD LEADERS Community Leadership began the year with a fair during the week of Sept. 13.

EVENING SALAT MSA celebrated an Iftaar on Sept. 3 with Muslim students from across the Bay Area.

BUSINESS SAVVY Games at DECA barbecue on Sept. 11 included finding candy in whipped cream.

f you were on campus Sept. 3 at 7:36 p.m., you would have heard the loud chanting of the evening namaz. Muslim Student Association held an Iftaar to commemorate the end of Ramadan, a month-long fast that Muslims observe from dawn to dusk in honor of those who have upheld the beliefs of their religion, in hopes of understanding the plight of the hungry and poor of the nation. During Iftaar, Muslims break their fast together with the ceremonious eating of dates and drinking of water. Many students brought a variety of delicious Islamic desserts in order to raise the blood sugar of those who had been fasting all day. The club’s mission was to unite all Muslims on campus, but they welcomed Muslims from all over the Bay Area. Over 50 Muslims gathered together to enjoy a meal and pray to celebrate the true meaning of Ramadan.

eady, set, go! On the morning of Sept. 11, neon pink DECA slips were scattered around campus. At DECA’s member barbeque, new DECA members and officers participated in a hunt to win five dollar Jamba Juice gift cards. As the hunt went on, it was obvious that the game was the workings of a business club. One team hit a “jackpot” with over 30 slips at one location and in response, an officer remarked “That’s just the business world for you”. While another team tried to monopolize and buy over other team’s cards, forming an alliance against “team jackpot”, the business minds of students was apparent. The hot day went on, with bobbing for gummy bears in whipped cream, games of hacky sack, water fights, and capture the flag. The new DECA team, now united, began their year in what seems, a most fitting of ways.

alking down the rally court at lunch the week of Sept. 13, a water balloon slips by a student and hits a cut-out of a continent during the first Community Leadership Fair. Each day of the week, the five leadership commissions; Youth, Community, Global, Environmental, and Health; hosted various events such as a water balloon toss, and a donut eating contest. Prizes for winning these events included t-shirts, Homecoming passes, and live goldfish. “We wanted to start school off and let people know about community leadership as a class, not a club,” said Global Commission Lead junior Justine Urauchi. Commissioners also had posters on display explaining the goals of the commissions and their projects and activities. The activities attracted students while allowing them to learn about the significance of Community Leadership.

Sahana Sridhara || s.sridhara@elestoque.org

Aafreen Mahmood || a.mahmood@elestoque.org

INTERACT REACHES OUT

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque

STUDENT INTERACTION On Sept. 3, the Interact barbecue was held to publicize the club to new members.

n Friday Sept. 3 after school, rather than being relatively empty, the rally court was filled with students eating and tossing water balloons during Interact’s annual member barbeque. Along with such activities were speakers from the Rotary International Parent Organization, an international community service organization that travels to different countries in need of assistance. Though global community service projects have always been a priority for Interact, the officers have kept other goals in mind as well. “One of our goals this year is to reach out to [MVHS] by publicizing our club to new members,” Vice President senior Andrew Shiah said. And indeed they were successful as the event attracted over 70 old, new, and interested members to eat and socialize, while learning more about this organization. Aafreen Mahmood || a.mahmood@elestoque.org

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 21

Sept. 23, 2010

No longer merely a wandering writer After three years of hard work and determined writing, senior’s novel finally gets published

After the book’s completion, Arjun Baokar t’s funny how he contradicts himself. “You don’t live in a fantasy,” says senior Arjun searched for a publishing company for five months. Baokar as we sit on one of the brown, metal He was unsure of what sort of response to expect benches outside of the library. That’s because and at times he believed that he wouldn’t be able to get his novel published, but a letter of approval Baokar is living in one. You wouldn’t be able to tell, with his amply arrived in May. According to his mother, Arjun Baokar pocketed khaki shorts and white T-shirt, sitting on the metal bench. Nor from the fact that his deserved the reward. “He definitely worked three favorite hobbies are taekwondo, reading, really, really hard for this, to complete his book,” and swimming at DACA. He seems like any Anjali Baokar said. In fact, Arjun Baokar worked so hard that other ordinary senior with a hole in his schedule, much of the hanging out until his next published story isn’t period. FOR MORE INFORMATION even what he started But it’s there. His fantasy with. He began with TITLE: A Wanderer’s Legacy exists. Because after nearly an original goal of three years of working on a just 100 pages in RELEASE DATE: Sept. 2 novel, he’s finally become a eighth grade. But published author. after reaching it, he PUBLISHER: AuthorHouse During his last year believed what he of middle school, Baokar had written wasn’t PUBLISHER WEBSITE: formed an idea for a good enough, and http://www.authorhouse.com fantasy novel in his head. so Arjun Baokar But the story, now titled “A started over, still COST: $4.95 (E-book) Wanderer’s Legacy”, only with the same $11.00 (Paperback) took off while Baokar spent general idea, but $15.70 (Hardcover) part of the summer before with completely freshman year in India. different characters Without the Internet or and a brand-new any company—save for a then 5-year-old brother, armed with only a laptop and an interminable story line. He even created a cheat sheet for amount of time, Baokar wrote about 130 pages of himself, so that he could keep track of all of the his novel. By the end of his freshman year, he had characters and not mix them up with any of the old ones. finished all but the ending. But even after he finished writing, Arjun Taking a break during 10th grade, Baokar returned to finish the novel his junior year. He Baokar wasn’t quite satisfied with his story. For slaved away tirelessly, especially while writing two months after that, he spent roughly three the ending during the winter break. “He actually to four hours every weekend to edit his novel. “I worked almost four nights continuously, when probably changed 200 to 250 pages of the book,” everybody else was enjoying Christmas-time, Arjun Baokar said, counting the 100 pages that almost until 4 a.m., sleeping only two or three he scrapped in the beginning. His final novel is about 260 pages. hours a day,” said his mother, Anjali Baokar. Arjun Baokar’s book is the product of hard But not all of it was pure writing time. During that period, Arjun was conflicted between many work and determination, which was not surprising different possible endings, eventually deciding on to his friend, senior Tomer Assaf. “He is very a plot twist. It’s one of the parts of the book of dedicated, very committed to whatever it is he does. Even if he thinks it is not important or just which he is most proud. “It changed everything,” Arjun Baokar said, downright stupid, he goes all the way with it. If he adding that the ending was based off morally starts it, he will finish it,” Assaf said. challenging questions. He wouldn’t divulge any more information about it. Daniel Tan || d.tan@elestoque.org

Daniel Tan| El Estoque

WANDERING AMONG THE WORDS Senior Arjun Baokar flips through his newly published book, “A Wanderer’s Legacy,” on Sept. 16. The book, a fantasy novel in which the main character is thrust into the scene of a civil war, is a 260-page effort that took Baokar three years to write. Yet even while hard at work on his novel, that didn’t mean that Arjun Baokar couldn’t have fun. “I play video games, actually, ‘cause a lot of times, you need to visualize something, and then you can

turn it into words. A lot of [the] settings [of my novel] came from video games.” So even then, it wasn’t just for relaxation purposes. It was still about finishing his novel.

Learning through instructing: One teacher’s challenging journey English teacher Stacey McCown learned lessons teaching in underprivileged neighborhoods LESSONS FROM BAKERSFIELD Through her experience at high schools and colleges in Bakersfield, English teacher Stacey McCown has taken on new perspectives on both teaching and life. Here are a few of the basic principles of life and teaching that McCown adheres to.

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Building individual relationships with students is key.

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It is a process to get students to care about what they learn.

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Everyone is smart in their own way, even if it is not visible in the classroom.

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Each student is a human being with his or her own unique personality and set of challenges.

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It is essential to be strongly passionate about what one teaches.

or English teacher Stacey McCown, every day teaching at MVHS is taken in perspective from a long career. She recounts her stories during classtime from a school in Bakersfield, where she spent six years teaching at a college and 12 years teaching at the local high school. The high school separated students into five categories based on their aptitude for learning. McCown taught the Advanced Placement classes as well as what the school called the “fundamental” level. According to McCown, the Advanced Placement students were much

like those at MVHS, highly motivated and willing to learn. On the other hand, many of the students of the fundamental program did not have the academic spirit to learn new material and may have had problems that needed different confrontation for them to be successful at school. The variety of the students at the school differed from the variety at MVHS; they came from different economic backgrounds, different cultures and different races. Even between the students of the Advanced Placement classes and the fundamental level had distinct differences not

only in personality, but also in the attitude that they brought to class. Although teaching Advanced Placement students presented its own intellectual challenges, teaching the fundamental-level students posed an entirely different kind of difficulty. “They are even more demanding because they will not learn unless they see that it will benefit them in some way,” McCown said. “[I had] to learn lots of other ways to get through to them and make the learning meaningful for them.” The backgrounds of the students in the fundamental level might have contributed to their different approaches to learning at school. Many fundamental students were children of farmers who had lived in poverty for the majority of their lives. Kids who were only 16 had seen and been through more than adults twice their age. When faced with the task of learning, they saw almost no benefit to education. “Most of them were from foster homes, and in and out of jail,” McCown said. “I even had a kid that was deported during class one day.” Each student, due to the unique and troubling issues each student had to over come, ended up having a different viewpoint on the literature. According to McCown, many fundamental students were able to relate to the materials they were analyzing better than the Advanced Placement students could. It was because they, too, had suffered through their own hardships which helped them identify with a variety of studied topics.

“You learn about life from them, too,” McCown said. “You learn that we all have our challenges and I think it just makes me more empathetic.” McCown recalled that the students in the fundamental level were able to show their intellect in different ways, but not necessarily through academic means. Many of the students possessed knowledge and experience that the Advanced Placement students knew nothing of. It wasn’t academic knowledge perhaps, but it definitely made them smarter in different ways. Having a deeper, more personal understanding of the literature they were taught by McCown allowed the students to better absorb her lessons. She tried to impart on them about how literature is not just reading and writing, but a study of life and humanities which, over time, they were able to understand. Learning experiences from schools with completely different atmospheres and attitudes have taught McCown how to build a close, trusting relationship with all her students in order to improve the learning process. By creating a stable relationship with her students, she is able to fulfill her role as a teacher. “At [MVHS] you start off with a good experience,” McCown said. “But at other schools, you have to work harder in the beginning to get them to the point where they want to learn and where you truly form a partnership.”

Ashley Wu || a.wu@elestoque.org

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 22

Sept. 23, 2010

Robbing banks, rocking moustaches Jacques Mesrine’s story is a perfect example of a biographical movie done right

Toutlecine.com | Screenshot

STEALING IN STYLE Jacques Mesrine flees from a crime, one of the only ones to go wrong in his prestigious career of robberies, murder, and kidnapping. Vincent Cassel has recieved 5 prestigous awards for his role as Mesrine and even more nominations, including a César Award for Best Actor.

t’s very rare that a character can be more interesting than the bank he is robbing, but such is the case in “Mesrine: Killer Instinct” and “Mesrine: Public Enemy Number 1.” You could call him the French John Dillinger or Clyde Barrow, but that wouldn’t do him justice. Jacques Mesrine, equal parts smooth, cunning, and charming, is one of the most fascinating and unique characters to grace the big screen in recent years. The story of Mesrine comes in two different movies. The two ticket prices are by no means robbery either. Part one lets the audience get to know Mesrine and how he gets the title of France’s most famous criminal. It’s not as action packed as part two, but it is just as fun to watch. Part two shows him at the peak of his success and eventually his brutal downfall. Though initially only released in France, the films have been brought across the Atlantic, with good

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reason, for a limited release showing. After you get past the excitement of part one and two, it really reminds the viewer how smart, quick, and intuitive you have to be to rob one bank, let alone dozens. Mesrine flaunts his quick instincts as he bypasses arrests through his clever, impulsive tricks. Instead of running away, he poses as a cop. Instead of high-tailing from a bank, he robs another one across the street. “Mesrine: Killer Instinct,” in spite of fun and romantic previews, deceptively presents a dark character drama. With unsettling scenes of torture and abuse, the movie will not please the light-hearted. Vincent Cassel plays the primary role of Jacques Mesrine very dynamically with his quick shifts from being lovably mischievous to horrifically cruel. The audience quickly learns that he is capable of more than simple bank heists doing everything from stealing cars to

physically abusing his wife. While he may be a modern Robin Hood in the eyes of France, he is by no means merciful to his enemies. Many a rival has suffered a fate worse than death at the hands of Mesrine. With other supporting characters, Cassel does not shine alone. Naive lovers, fellow criminals, and revolutionaries have the quirks and charms to engross the audience just as equally. At the end of the day, “Mesrine: Public Enemy Number 1” achieves what most sequels cannot —match the quality of its original. It packs more gunfights and car chases from start to finish, leaving the viewer engaged. The two movies mind-blowingly tie together and show a hectic life without the fictional element. Life really is stranger than fiction with these hard-hitting movies. Nobody should miss them. Morahd Shawki || m.shawki@elestoque.org

Sept. 23, 2010

Page 23

ENTERTAINMENT

iPhone vs. Droid: The ‘smart’ choice

We expose the good, the bad, and the malfunctioning in smart phones

pple’s iPhone is nearly synonymous with the name “smart phone,” proven by the overwhelming sales of more than one million iPhone 4s in its first weekend of release. The iPhone 4 has a variety of new features, including an extremely clear screen resolution of 960x640 IPS retina display, a slimness which makes the rest of its kin seem bulky, and a camera with five megapixels, an LED flash, and 5x digital zoom. It also boasts its ability to record videos in 720 pixels HD. This device also features the first VGA-quality frontal camera ever on any of the Apple phones. Multitasking is one of the prominent features of this version. This allows you to track your car’s location on the GPS while talking to a friend on the phone at the same time as posting something on another friend’s wall on Facebook— just as long as you’re not driving as well. The more than 200,000 available applications, with more to come, cater to varying interests. Although all these new features will require more battery power, Apple has addressed this by improving its battery life. However smart the iPhone is, a smart phone has to be a phone first—something which has been compromised in the iPhone 4. For all its advantages, a design flaw forces people to have to hold the phone in an awkward manner just to get reception. Apple has started handing out band-aids which fix this “boo-boo” to the people who have already bought the iPhone to fix this design flaw.

THE SMARTEST OF SMART AT&T’s Apple iPhone (above) comes with dazzling tech features, and Verizon’s Droid (below) sports a rapidly growing app market.

Shanthi Guruswamy || s.guruswamy@elestoque.org

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he Motorola Droid 3G is the phone that everyone’s talking about. It’s the phone that “does,” and after all the hopefuls that have risen over the years, it’s the first potential iPhone killer. Verizon Wireless’ Motorola Droid contains a 5 megapixel camera, great for taking those one-armed photos with your friends. The display screen stretches 3.7 inches with a clear screen resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. The Droid includes two types of keyboards—a touch screen and a QWERTY, so you’ve always got the option. The QWERTY keyboard is preferable to a virtual keyboard, as it does not include the auto-correct option, a feature many people dislike with the iPhone. The most significant of the features in this phone is Google’s Android 3.0 operating system. Getting lost will never again be a problem, because the Droid also features the ultra fast VZ Navigator, made exclusively by Verizon. However despite all its advantages, the Droid’s battery life is one to take in consideration when purchasing this phone. The Droid, when fully charged, only lasts for one day that is filled with phone calls and texts. Verizon also features a large app market, though it isn’t quite as large as Apple’s. Nevertheless, there are by far enough to suit your needs, from Twitter account outlets to Pandora Radio players for your music. Since it is part of Verizon, it would be very rare for this smart phone to drop a call on you. With a two year contract, the Droid stacks up at $199. The Droid is, quite visibly, a “smart” investment. Pooja Ravikiran || p.ravikiran@elestoque.org

American Apparel spirals into bankruptcy Store closing dramatically changes styles seen around campus

he infamous storefronts of American Apparel, with their scantily clad models dressed in retro-hipster designs, can be found in almost any major globalized city. American Apparel, the popular clothing store specializing in cotton basics, has stores in the both upscale malls and even the poorest sections of town. At Monta Vista, plenty of students around school can be seen sporting American Apparel’s famous solid color, whitestringed zippered fleece hoodies and brightly patterned unisex shirts. Dov Charney, founder of the well known brand, is known for paying his factory employees high above minimum wage, producing all products locally in the United States, and refusing to use sweatshops. As Charney states in The Guardian, an online news publication, “it’s [simply] a better business strategy.” This particular business strategy, however, may no longer be working in Charney’s favor. The company admitted in late August that it is nearing bankruptcy, with debts that total up to nearly $120 million and stock down from $14 in 2008 to 75 cents per share. If sales fail to improve, a large percentage of the 279 worldwide stores would be forced to close, and over 10,000 employees would be displaced. As serious as the company’s problems are, local employees still have not felt any sense of panic. “We haven’t heard much from the upper management,” said an American Apparel employee at the Westfield Valley Fair location, “and we’ve been told that our jobs aren’t in much danger as of now.” A collapse of American Apparel’s vast clothing empire would affect not only its employees but its consumers as well. For example, the Monta Vista Dance Team often buys its diverse routine outfits, and even

AMERICAN APPAREL VS. URBAN OUTFITTERS After the announcement of American Apparel’s approaching bankrupcy, MVHS Dance Team considers turning to Urban Outfitters for their clothing needs. Here’s a breakdown of the prices for popular items of both stores.

American Apparel

Urban Outfitters

United Knee High Socks $10

Athletic Rib Knee Socks $12

Rib Boy Beater Tank $17

Plain ribbed tank $16-24

their basic uniforms, from American Apparel. “They have plain tank tops that we use on a daily basis; they’re useful because they can be decorated, and their simplicity is my favorite,” said the Marquesas co-captain senior Carolyn Chang. Although American Apparel does not provide discounts for ordering in bulk, Chang noted that “it’s just easier to order from American Apparel because their clothing comes in the smaller sizes our girls need.” However, the Marquesas are not the only ones on campus worried about the possible disappearance of the American Apparel brand. Many students are devastated by just the thought of losing access to one of their favorite stores. “I like American Apparel because it’s sweatshop free,” said junior Justin Hsiung, who recently received several American Apparel gift cards and clothing items for his sixteenth birthday. Surprisingly, Hsiung endorsed the brand’s racy campaigns. “It’s a very controversial store, mostly because of the nudity and provocative advertisements,”

said Hsiung, “but that’s one of the reasons why I enjoy shopping there a lot.” Hsiung was “shocked” after hearing the news regarding American Apparel’s potential bankruptcy. Despite their disappointment of American Apparel’s slow demise, Chang and Hsiung agreed that all hope for comfortable and stylish clothing was not lost. Coincidentally, they both suggested Urban Outfitters as a suitable replacement for their shopping needs. Hsiung said that he currently shops at Urban Outfitters “even more than American Apparel,” while Chang stated that the Monta Vista Dance Team would probably resort to “[ordering] from Urban Outfitters more often than before.” It seems that the age where hipsters are considered trendy is slowly passing, and with it, American Apparel’s market appeal towards teenagers is gradually fading as well.

Tina Hsu || t.hsu@elestoque.org

All about the little things

very time I pass a rose bush, I physically stop, bend over, and smell the roses. My parents tell me I’ve had the habit since I was a little girl; all I know is that it’s always been my way of remembering that life is about the little things. This month has been the grand-daddy of all busy months. Yes, I’m a senior now, but that means college applications and, contrary to popular belief, lots of homework. I’m a basket case. When I pass the rose bushes in front of my dad’s house, I actually begrudge myself the five seconds I spend enjoying the flowers. Hello, in a hurry here! The best solution would be to drop a class or an activity. By best solution I really mean the most practical, the easiest, the safest. By eliminating one aspect of my work load, I could concentrate more on all my other commitments. Stress would evaporate. If only I could drop a class... I won’t, mostly because I know I’m dreaming. Stress is part of life. Plus, I love all of my classes, and am passionate about all of my activities. I can’t imagine giving up, ROXANA WISWELL say, Spanish AP, r.wiswell@elestoque.org or AP Literature, or field hockey, or my service club, or even Journalism. That leaves me without any options besides putting my head down and getting my work done. I have always believed that if I’m efficient enough, time won’t seem so elusive and everything else will fall into place. In accordance with that philosophy, my student planner’s name is God: I obey its commands, and it rules my life. By filling out, in tiny writing, every detail of my to-do list, I fool myself into thinking I’m in control and on track to finish all my work. It makes me feel better most of the time, but it’s not really enough. Sometimes I just want to be spontaneous, or to sleep in and not have to worry about it. There’s this rapid pace to life here. Sometimes you’re swept up in the current of assignments and projects, one deadline after another; you’re so busy staring at the path under your feet that you forget to look at the world around you. It’s hard to decide to make a change. Last year, I was a robotically efficient junior with an overstuffed planner, much like today. A friend who was particularly horrified by the condition of God decided to add little check boxes in my planner with tasks like “relax!”, “breathe!”, “meditate,” “play,” or “live!” for me to complete each day. And I am so obsessive that I would actually, consciously do those things and then check them off my to-do list. Maybe that’s the way to thrive. Make a conscious choice to be happy, and set aside time to make it happen. So that’s my plan. With someone as chronically busy as me, it takes a little extra: every month, I’ll pick a strategy. Whether it’s time with friends or a solitary activity, each column will be about my next step in my struggle to relax. There’s a danger. Knowing my personality, it’s a given that anything I do will be carefully planned. That’s fine, as long as the activity itself isn’t scheduled to pieces and actually retains its fun. If an action that’s meant to be relaxing becomes just one more stressful item on my to-do list, then I’m not making any progress at all. I’ll have to remind myself every day and every step of the way that there’s a bigger picture. This year is about the moments, the fun, the relaxing. No matter how much work I have, it’s all about the little things.

The Stress-oMeter

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 24

Sept. 23, 2010

Stay

Tuned Juniors develop friendship through musical partnership

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque

BAND GEEKS (From left) Juniors Max Sorg, Ian Ford-Holstege, Brandon Hayes, and Jake Lee practice in Hayes’ garage— literally, a garage band. Though all friends since middle school, Sorg and Lee are the only two from the original group.

n regular lunch periods, the members of rock band Anomaly like to spend their 45 minutes gathered at the house of a mutual friend, junior Michael Goldman, reclined on his leather living room couches, watching prerecorded episodes of “How I Met Your Mother.” Today, unused acoustic guitars litter the floor by the window, there’s a half-eaten pound cake sitting on the counter, and hot dogs are boiling on Goldman’s stove. And there’s Scarlet, an Old English sheepdog the size of a small bear that leaves the sides of everyone’s jeans soggy with slobber. They like it here, for both the food and the company. But like with every band, there are stories behind Anomaly. There’s one behind their name, behind each of their different gigs, and, ultimately, behind the very people who make up their group. There are four of them now, all juniors: frontman Max Sorg on vocals and backup guitar, Ian Ford-Holstege on lead guitar, Jake Lee on bass, and Brandon Hayes on drums. Sorg and Lee are the only two remaining of the original group that they formed in seventh grade, under the name “The Third World.” “At first, we didn’t have much going on,” Sorg said, between bites of a barbecue chicken sandwich. “We’d gather in a garage with our instruments and hang out, not really playing anything. We all became friends through that.” But after a series of different guitarists and drummers were hired and fired, and singer junior Jeremy Irvin quit due to differences in musical goals, Sorg took up the mic, brought in Hayes and Ford-Holstege, and kept going. So far, they’ve played for audiences at Cupertino’s Day of Rock and Lincoln Elementary’s Walk-a-Thon. The following Saturday, they met in Hayes’ small garage for their regular band practice, standing in the space that wasn’t taken up by drums, wires, amps, and effects pedals. “We practiced pretty much every day in the summer, for about an hour or so, and in the middle of the day,” Hayes said. “It got blazing hot, but we’d go swimming afterward. It was all definitely worth it.” They start off practicing their self-named “classic alternative metal” genre with a yet untitled rock epic consisting entirely of self-written solos and riffs that switch between all four members and are divided by regular drum

IT’S COMING HOME Page 19 Goodbye floats, hello... walls? Homecoming changes explained

LIVE FROM MVHS Page 20 No acting experience? No problem! MVSNL welcomes all

fills. There’s no singing, just pure instrument mastery that’s as close to The Beatles’ “The End” as a student-composed song can get. It comes to a close with a spectacular, George-of-the-Jungle-esque drum solo from Hayes. They’re good, and they know they are. There’s no hint of shyness in what they do. “We’ve definitely grown close through the band,” Sorg said. “Nothing can separate us now but college and women.” Time passes, and sweat starts to accumulate on their faces, so Hayes passes around Mug root beer cans for an impromptu break. Lee halts a Mario theme that he’d been belting out from his bass. “I got blisters on my fingers,” he says. “Throw me mine, Brandon.” “No, I’m not going to toss you this soda,” Hayes shouts back. “Not with your luck and karma. Nothing’s worse than yours.” “Oh yeah, what about Hurricane Katrina?” Silence. “What about Hurricane Jake? That’d be the freakin’ apocalypse. And that should be the name for our song.” And so, it’s decided. It quickly becomes evident that there’s a lot more communication than there is verbal interaction, with creative ideas flowing between them with few words. In a lot of ways, it’s magical. “I really feel like playing an AFI song right now,” Sorg says after a brief heated conversation over their future song list plans. His custom sunburst Gibson Les Paul sits in its stand for the first time since practice started. In almost immediate response, Ford-Holstege starts up the lead riff, and in wordless response, the others play along. Sorg picks up the mic from the garage floor after having thrown it during one song run-through. “No throwing the mic this time, Max,” Brandon says before starting up the drums. Sorg laughs. “I throw everything.” And then it begins. “Could I? Could I just find a way?” Max croons over the mic. It goes on like this for the rest of the afternoon. Pure creative ingenuity paired with unreal guitar shredding and drum expertise. And in a world where rock is feared dead and beat boxers and sound mixers have replaced the generations of garage rock bands, they’re a unique spark in our own musical community. But that’s just what they’re supposed to be, isn’t it? Our very own Anomaly. Christophe Haubursin || c.haubursin@elestoque.org

ROAD TO FAME Page 22 While you studied for SATs this month, this guy published a book