ISSUE 7

Diving into summer

Doggy in the window

Wheels of steel

G12-13

B1

C1

Get the scoop on this season’s hottest fashion trends

Placer SPCA has plenty of pound puppies

A look at GBHS’s all-star mountain biking team

The Granite Bay Gazette GRANITE BAY HIGH SCHOOL w 1 GRIZZLY WAY w GRANITE BAY, CA w 95746 w VOLUME 16 w ISSUE 7 w FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013

See IB, page A7

at

were somewhat less than she’d expected. “We are so pressured to be accepted

ics

“I don’t even remember why I took IB in the first place now,” Goldberg said. “Don’t get me wrong – IB has its perks. I’m more globally aware now, and (I developed) really good study and work skills, but I don’t feel like I got as many (pros) as I did cons.

It’s barely net positive, in my opinion.”

He said he wouldn’t recommend the program.

Senior Katharina Biermann, another diploma those results

m

ng La gn ei Fo r

S

enior Samuel Goldberg applied to nine colleges in the state of California. He was accepted by none of them.

“The college system is overcrowded,” he said. “I was just one of the unlucky guys that got bounced.”

Goldberg is an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate, one of many facing a slimmer range of college acceptances this year. The IB program, traditionally thought of as a way of nearly guaranteeing admission to an upper-tier university, has left some students at least somewhat disillusioned by their experience.

he

ua g

e

BY HALEY MASSARA hmassara.gazette@gmail.com

es

nc

cie

lS

ta

en

rim

pe

Ex

The IB Hexagon, right, displays the six required subject areas of the diploma program. A select group of GBHS students take this rigorous two-year program – in part to help them gain entry to top-tier colleges.

Arts and Electives

University or college

Total population acceptance rate

Stanford University University of California, Berkeley Harvard University Yale University University of California, Los Angeles Columbia University Brown University Gazette graphic illustration/CHRIS PEI

7% 26% 7% 7% 23% 9% 9%

BY LENA EYEN leyen.gazette@gmail.com

Jarrod Westberg, an Advanced Placement government teacher, said it took him nearly five months to receive a computer that he desperately needed for his classroom.

“Every time I turned on my computer, I was getting an error message,” Westberg said. “It was taking me 10-15 minutes to load up (the computer).”

IB students acceptance rate 15% 58% 10% 18% 48% 13% 18%

As the current International Baccalaureate juniors and seniors finish up the 2013 school year, many IB students endeavor to earn their IB Diplomas, certificates that certify a given student has completed a rigorous educational curriculum.

However, cheating threatens not only the likelihood of a candidate getting the IB Diploma, but also the integrity of the school.

Parmeet Sahota, an IB junior, acknowledges that a couple of IB students have confessed to the history teachers about cheating on a history test back in February.

A non-profit organization, the International Baccalaureate condemns any form of academic dishonesty, but specifically on official assessments.

IB classes divide assessments submitted to the organization into two categories: internal and external.

Very similar to AP tests taken in May, external assessments are exams students take after they have completed a one-year or two-year course.

Internal assessments are designed to act as evidence of student progress during the school year. Cover sheets for each IB class are submitted to the International Baccalaureate with student work either in October or April.

According to the IB Diploma Program handbook, if an IB student is suspected of cheating on either an external assessment or an internal assessment after the coversheet is submitted, then the International Baccalaureate will force the school to investigate and to report to the organization about the cheating.

If a student is convicted of academic dishonesty, then he or she will not receive the IB Diploma.

Tests or quizzes are not necessarily internal assessments. Therefore, the IB students who confessed to copying answers may or may not be expelled from the program, depending on the severity of the cheating and the decisions of the GBHS IB faculty.

Although these IB Diploma candidates were ultimately caught by a substitute teacher, cheating is a

SOURCE: IBDP Graduate Destinations Survey 2011/12 conducted by i-graduate International Insight

Technology purchases prove to be tedious Approval process inconveniences students, teachers

IB teachers crack down after in-class cheating incident nontiveros.gazette@gmail.com

English

A

lthough I don’t actively practice Buddhism, the concept of mindfulness meditation deeply fascinates me.

And no, it’s not because I’m an IB student and I’ve exhausted all other stress-relief options in the book.

Kidding aside, though, I truly believe mindfulness can be a powerful asset for anyone dealing with stress or anxiety in his or her life.

To me, mindfulness is an embrace of the present, both sensory and spiritual – as both a mindset and a practice.

Mindfulness doesn’t attempt to overcome stress by escaping it, but by returning to human sensory experience – which can often happen in the most unexpected of ways.

Just the other day, when I was cleaning my room, I had noticed that my old-fashioned wall calendar was a month behind.

Realizing my laziness, I headed over to tear a page off. But catching my eye was the starkness of the black grid, dividing months into weeks, and weeks into days.

It was nothing out of the ordinary; indeed, it was perfectly ordinary.

Yet, something about the blackness of the grid compelled me to imagine myself plucking the partitions from the calendar, one square at a time, until nothing but a white screen remained.

Staring intensely at the calendar, I envisioned myself going further, completely eschewing separations between months, and even years, leaving only an impossibly long streak of white parchment.

I sat back, taking in the moment and admiring the work I had done.

Now, nothing would need to be compartmentalized, scheduled, planned, arranged, calculated, sketched, outlined or devised.

My existence sat in a white pool, plain and pure – untarnished by the regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow.

Eyelids shut and breathing steady, I braced myself for some sort of punishment for trespassing on time’s domain.

In the end, time did nothing but stand still.

The sunlight seeping through the blinds felt warmer, more affectionate.

The nostalgic notes of a Pixies’ song drifted through the air, somehow more poignant.

I opened my eyes and looked up at my ceiling, from which hung my half-hearted attempt at an art project: various photo cut-outs of clouds suspended from a clothes hanger.

Cumulus, nimbostratus, altostratus, cumulonimbus – a splattering of sunny memories reemerged in my head.

And there I was again, reeled back into reality.

As I resurfaced, any semblance of anxiety or stress soon evaporated into thin wisps.

Perhaps it was an attunement between body and spirit. Perhaps it was just a mess of my neurons firing off rapidly in a million directions.

Regardless, this momentary awareness was what defined mindfulness for me – a profoundly affecting experience that reminded me of my intrinsically human desire to sense and to exist.

In the words of Sylvia Plath, “I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am. I am.

I am.” *** Chris Pei, a senior, is a Gazette co-editor-in-chief.

History class deals with academic dishonesty

BY NICOLAS ONTIVEROS

d an ls s ua tie vid ie di oc In S

Mindfulness allows us fuller experiences

Does the International Baccalaureate program really bolster admissions?

at

chris pei cpei.gazette@gmail.com

The IB Question

M

Commentary

After writing to administrators and hearing no response, Westberg sent additional emails asking the same question of where his new computer was.

“I was told it’s here, ‘I have it,’ and then all of the sudden one day it just shows up,” Westberg said.

The real question, Westberg said, was why he simply could not go out and purchase a computer of equal caliber at a nearby electronics store, and get reimbursed.

“I was going from site people to district people to our technology person,” Westberg said. “Every place I went it just bounced all over, and it made zero sense to

Jarrod Westberg AP government teacher says the technology approval process is lengthy and inconvenient.

me.”

Westberg said the process of ordering the computer involved choosing it in an online catalog, which features two computers, between $900 and $1,100.

Despite the cost in the catalog, Westberg said he researched and found a laptop that was of better quality and only $350.

While there is an obvious See BUREAUCRACY, page A7

See CHEATING, page A8

Math placement test offers chance to forgo Algebra I Diagnostic exam determines readiness

BY SYDNEY KAHMANN skahmann.gazette@gmail.com

On May 17 and 18, the Granite Bay High School math department will be administering the third annual math placement test at the GBHS campus to all incoming freshmen who wish to test out of Algebra 1 and enroll in Geometry or Algebra 2.

“A long time ago, we let the middle school teachers give their own assessments, but we felt after a while that our own assessments, and giving our own assessments

on campus, would best benefit our students,” said Thomas Farmer, a GBHS Algebra 1A/1B and Geometry 1A/1B teacher.

In past years, the math department has seen a rising number of students who struggle in higher-level math courses due to a weaker Algebra 1 foundation.

“We’re hoping by assessing (students) and deciding if they need to retake Algebra 1 … (they) will do better in Algebra 2 and … take higher math classes,” said See ALGEBRA, page A8

inside this issue News

A2 – A8

Voices

A9 – A11

Second Look

A12

Features

B1 – B8

Sports

C1 – C6

Green Screen

G1 – G24

Chief Justice visits GBHS Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye speaks about her career and overcoming hardships.

A2

Changes to AP Courses to be redesigned include AP Chemistry and AP Spanish Language.

A6

News

A2

NAMES IN THE NEWS

Granite Bay Gazette

Friday w April 19, 2013

California chief justice shares her story

sydney kahmann skahmann.gazette@gmail.com

Winter percussion places second at championships

T

he winter percussion placed second (by .15 of a point) and the winter color guard placed third at the April 6 championships.

Congratulations to both for another year of success. *** In March, three more GBHS students qualified for the state speech and debate competition.

Congratulations to seniors Jeff Williams and Allyson McReynolds and junior Parmeet Sahota, all of whom will be competing at the state competition this month.

Three students have also qualified for speech and debate nationals this June.

Senior Rani Ghosh qualified in humorous interpretation, junior Reed Klaeser qualified in international extemporaneous speaking and public forum debate and junior Nick Ontiveros qualified in public forum debate. *** The school media program attended the Student Television Network competition and convention on March 10.

Junior Riley Carroll won first place for the “Live Reporting” category at the Los Angeles competition.

For more info on Carroll’s award and a video of her entry and acceptance, go to granitebaymedia.org. *** Senior Ball tickets go on sale next week. To buy a ticket, make sure to bring your ID and permission forms.

This year, seniors will need to reserve tables. Get a group of 12 together and reserve your table before you miss your chance. *** The Junior Academic Merit Awards are at 5:30 pm, Monday in the theater.

There is a mandatory rehearsal at 9 am on the same day. To be eligible for the ceremony, juniors must have a 3.31 grade-point average or higher, and must have responded to the invitation by April 12. *** Staff Appreciation Week is the week of April 29 - May 3.

Be sure to appreciate your teachers and thank them for their hard work. *** Advanced Placement tests will start to be administered on May 6 and will continue through May 16.

AP Psychology and AP Chemistry are being held on May 6, AP Spanish and AP Art History on May 7, AP Calculus on May 8, AP Literature and AP Japanese on May 9, AP Language and AP Statistics on May 10, AP Biology and AP Physics on May 13, AP Government and AP French on May 14, AP European History and AP United States History on May 15 and AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics on May 16. *** The day after the horrendous two weeks of AP testing is Day at the Bay and Quad Dance.

More information on Day at the Bay and Quad Dance will be released shortly. ***

Sydney Kahmann, a junior, is a Gazette News editor.

Chief justice Gorre Cantil-Sakauye stopped by Granite Bay High School to answers questions from students about her life and her 20-year career.

Cantil-Sakauye describes her past and the path to California’s highest court

BY LENA EYEN

leyen.gazette@gmail.com

Editor’s note: California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye came to Granite Bay High School on Monday, March 8 to talk to seniors in government classes. These are some of her comments; for a fuller report, see GraniteBayToday.org.

What led you to pursue a career in law?

In terms of whether I ever thought I’d be chief justice, absolutely not. I never thought I’d be a judge. When I was in high school, I didn’t know a lawyer, I didn’t know a judge, I didn’t know a courthouse. I had no idea really about any of that, but by going to my school and going

Accuracy is perhaps the most important fundamental of good journalism. It's the policy of the Gazette to correct all factual errors that are brought to our attention. Email us at: gbgazette@yahoo.com Identification Statement Granite Bay Gazette Published eight times per academic year c/o Granite Bay High School 1 Grizzly Way Granite Bay, CA 95746 Subscriptions: $25 per year/ $15 per half year

to a community college and going to college and going to law school, meeting different people and saying yes to new experiences, attending events like this, I learned that there were opportunities out there and other people were applying and if everyone was going to apply, so was I. So I put my name in the ring, I went to the interviews, I did the best I could and I found myself, surprisingly, becoming a lawyer, then after a few years, becoming a judge, then getting promoted to a chief justice at the Supreme Court.

What obstacles have you faced at work?

Well, you can imagine back in the ‘80s there weren’t a lot of lawyers that looked like me. There weren’t a lot of female lawyers in a court

room. Now there might have been a lot of female lawyers in the practice of law doing research or doing counseling or some other behind the scenes work. But in a court room… in a trial, put in on a case, questioning witnesses, cross-examining witnesses, fighting with another lawyer, trying to persuade 12 jurors to see it your way, there weren’t hardly any women, and there were virtually no minority women doing that.

And so, when I came into the struggles as a new attorney in Sacramento, I think there were maybe, what I can recall, a handful of female prosecutors and of us maybe three or four of us were ethnic minority females so we highly visible and sometime there was one other Asian prosecutor, and people thought we were the same person.

Judges thought we were the same

person, lawyers thought we were the same person, and there was also at the time far, far, far more men in the business. So men, law is a male-dominated profession even still today even in the judicial branch.

And so, women had to fight a little harder, we had to yell a little louder, we had to throw an elbow or two because they were not used to us in the court room, and they were use to talking over us, and being in the law is tough. It’s a competition, it’s advocacy, it’s adversarial. You may be sitting at a table with someone, but they are against your case, and you are sitting next to someone you will see regularly in supermarkets, at children’s events, but they are your adversary because you are in competition with them to win the case, to make them lose the case.

How did your career as a waitress affect your career in law?

I was a waitress for a number of years. I poured thousands of cups of coffee, serving people to pay my way through college. Who knew that dealing with disgruntled, unhappy customers would make me just a screen legend for picking a jury. I could tell when people were unhappy, I could tell when they were impatient, I could tell when they wanted to go. I could tell when they were just people who were not going to go my way; helped a lot with picking a jury, helped a lot with cross examining a witness, helped a lot with when the judge was upset over something to be able to read all that body language.

Who knew serving all that coffee would serve me well as a lawyer and as a judge?

Students select online courses Some say lengthy process worth it for class credits

BY KRISTINE KHIEU kkhieu.gazette@gmail.com

As the cut-throat valedictorian race heats up, students have been doing whatever it takes to get ahead.

The ability to take online courses has recently piqued the interest of Top 10 and failing students alike.

To many, this might seem like an easy way to raise their GPA. But, the process of taking these classes has a more convoluted reality.

Paul Stordahl, a counselor at Granite Bay High School, believes that online courses have the potential to be highly beneficial for students. “(It depends on what) you’re trying to accomplish,” Stordahl said. “There are a variety of different types of programs that offer online education. There (are) some programs … that can offer excellent experiences and … there are some that are just flat out horrible.”

Regardless of whether or not these classes are “excellent” or just “flat out horrible,” past students took them just for the credit.

According to Stordahl, there have been students that did this to boost their GPA. However, there are now restrictions to prevent people from going overboard.

“Quite often (...) we see students who endeavor to…raise their GPA, (but) we’ve put parameters around how much we’re going to accept in terms of what will go on a high school transcript,” Stordahl said.

“There are only a handful of courses that the district has preapproved.”

GBHS junior Anna von Wendorff currently takes IB Economics HL online alongside her IB schedule in school. Even with the workload of the IB program, von Wendorff insisted on taking

this class.

“I really want to major in economics,” von Wendorff said.

“And, I didn’t have a class I could take, (so) I thought it would be really cool to do IB economics because it offers micro, macro and international economics.”

GBHS currently does not offer a class devoted purely to international economics so von Wendorff, with the help of IB coordinator Blomquist, enlisted in the course with a company called Pamoja Education.

Based out of London, Pamoja focuses on coordinating with IB students to offer online classes to them all around the world.

In von Wendorff’s case, IB Economics HL is a two-year course and she has been working every other week online.

“It’s been good,” von Wendorff said. “But, it’s harder to push yourself to (work) because there are less deadlines.”

With rare exceptions, the requirements to enroll for online courses are strict. These requirements include that students need to be at least 16 and have completed their sophomore year and have a GPA of 2.7 or higher.

The most popular program that students at GBHS currently use is the distance learning program at Sierra College.

Using a communication system called Canvas, Sierra College students can receive instruction in a virtual classroom setting and complete assignments through the same system.

Julia Bermudez, a junior at GBHS, uses Sierra College’s online program to take a Elementary Astronomy.

She decided to do so after taking psychology at the Sierra college campus. After having to deal with conflicting events with classes and her sports schedule, she decided to take an online course instead.

“It’s been interesting taking the online class because you already know ahead of time what is due every week,” Bermudez said. “It’s been really nice because I get to decide when…to do the assignments (and) it fits into my personal schedule better.”

Pamoja Education

Pamoja Education is just one company providing online education to Granite Bay High School students.

Bermudez said she would only recommend this to others who are responsible and good at turning in assignments on time.

Overall, however, she was enthusiastic about her college experience online.

In general, online courses can benefit students looking for classes not offered at their high school. The main issue involves integrating that curriculum with a student’s schedule.

If the requirements are met, online classes can be a powerful and flexible resource for students.

“I’m really glad I decided to take an online course,” Bermudez said. “It’s been more convenient and I’m already planning to take more…this summer and next fall.”

Number of test-prep options overwhelms many

Courses promise to improve SAT, ACT scores

BY AUSTIN PINK

apink.gazette@gmail.com

CORRECTIONS

Gazette photo /LENA ENYEN

As the end of the year approaches, many upperclassmen are beginning to experience the impending presence of the SAT and ACT. As a beacon of the college admissions process, the SAT is a rite of passage for most juniors and seniors.

Scott Hamilton is the founder of Future Stars, a local company that specializes in the college admissions process. He and his counselors assist students in finding the higher education that best suits them.

“Like it or not, the standardized tests (SAT, ACT) play a significant role in the admissions decisions,”

Hamilton said. “College rankings have only fueled this since colleges are measured in part by the strength of each incoming class, and the test scores are one of the indicators used.”

Many students express worries about the SAT and ACT. “The SAT is just such a big deal for college admission,” Jake Mackall said. “It creates a lot of added pressure to do well.”

With a significant role in a student’s academic future, many students desire to excel on the SAT or ACT. The large amount of options available to help students succeed can be overwhelming.

One common option is to enroll in SAT workshops provided by the schools or private organizations.

Scott Becker and David Tastor,

teachers at Granite Bay High School, have been doing an SAT workshop since 2004.

“Our philosophy has been to offer a content-based course that is more affordable than some of the privately run workshops,” Becker said. “We try to provide reminders of the material some students may have forgotten while presenting it in context of the SAT.” The GBHS course costs $150 for Math and $150 for English.

They run in two-week cycles and are available before both the May and June SAT. According to Becker, most students see at least a 60-point improvement in each test category.

Another option is for students to enroll in privately run workshops like Revolution Prep, a privately

run test-prep service that offers study programs in group settings.

During their course, students will have weekly classes followed by weekly diagnostic tests to track progress. Although it does cover some content-based lessons, Revolution Prep is more known as a test- taking strategy course.

The philosophy behind their course is to increase familiarity with SAT-styled testing. Over the course of the program, the website guarantees that you will see tangible score improvements.

“SAT prep courses like Revolution Prep provide familiarity with the test while teaching strategies that have been proven to increase the odds of getting an answer correct,” Hamilton said. “They also provide plenty of practice taking mock exams, so students build their stamina and comfort level with the test.”

Revolution Prep courses range in price from $599 to $1,099.

Despite increases in familiarity, the courses are not magic.

“Prep courses do not fill in big gaps in math knowledge or vocabulary,” Hamilton warned, “Basically, they help you maximize the strengths you already possess.”

Hamilton said the most important thing is to find a study program that is most fitting.

With so many options, many students might feel confused about what route to take. Along with the structured courses, students can always study by themselves.

“Build up your prep efforts in the months leading up to the exams, so you can feel the most confident and comfortable on test day,” Hamilton said. “Then relax.

You can take this test more than once if you are not happy with the score.”

Friday, March 22, 2013

News

w The Granite Bay Gazette

A3

Gay rights activists gather ‘Love is Love’ event held at Galleria

BY MEREDITH DUCDECHERT mducdechert.gazette@gmail.com

When a Roseville Galleria mall security guard reportedly asked two male college students to stop their display of affection on March 2, local supporters of gay, lesbian and transgender equality were inspired to form a protest.

On March 9, more than 500 individuals met at the Galleria mall in the Promenade between Pluto’s and Il Fornaio to protest the guard’s actions and support equality in a demonstration dubbed the “Love is Love” event.

“I felt like it was important to take a stand – to send a message that our community will not tolerate any form of intolerance,” said Beverly Kearney, the organizer of the event, in an email interview.

Kearney, a Sacramento social worker, heard about the incident on Fox 40 News, she said, and promptly set up a Facebook event page for the demonstration.

Though the mall did issue a statement in response to the event and Fox 40’s coverage apologizing for “any misconceptions” and assuring that all customers are welcome at the Galleria, Kearney said she believes the statement was simply a public relations move.

Marjorie Katz, a friend of Kearney’s and fellow attendee, agreed.

“I felt concerned by their dismissive attitude,” said Katz, a Sacramento resident who helped Kearney organize the event.

A subsequent statement said the couple had been asked to stop engaging in “sexually explicit conduct” and abide by the rules, though one member of the couple said that he only “kissed (his)

Gazette photo /KrISTIN TAYLOR

 The Westfield Galleria Mall, scene of the PDA (Public Display of Affection) scandal involving a gay couple who were thrown out of the mall due to “sexually explicit conduct” as deemed by a mall security guard.

boyfriend on the cheek and hugged him,” as reported by Fox 40.

The statement did little to appease demonstrators, however – especially after Fox 40 reported that its investigators were not able to find a rule in the mall’s Code of Conduct against public displays of affection.

Kearney and others were able to organize a meeting with Galleria Mall representatives prior to the Love is Love event to address the issue. “(We) had some very frank discussions,” Kearney said. “They realized that their initial response was inappropriate and unacceptable. They eventually did issue an apology.”

Upon entering the Promenade at the scheduled 11 a.m., demonstrators were welcomed by the Galleria with a rain-

bow-colored arch and complimentary cookies and hot chocolate, Kearney said.

Demonstrators brought signs proclaiming pro-equality statements, spoke with each other and shared in the sentiment of anti-discrimination, said Kirsten Hendrickson, a sophomore and president of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Folsom High School who attended the event.

“We…met other supporters including…same-sex couples with children, allies, groups of teenagers and Sacramento-area activists,” Hendrickson said. “We took a ton of pictures of each other with signs and T-shirts.”

Although the event has been called a “kiss-in” – in which demonstrators would kiss members of the same sex as

a form of protest – both Kearney and Hendrickson note that was not the main focus of the event.

“It started as a kiss-in,” said Kearney, “as this was why (the couple) was kicked out of the mall. (We) quickly refrained it as we wanted the event to be about the love that we all share – regardless of gender identity, expression or sexual orientation.”

Hendrickson agreed with Kearney and reports not encountering any dissenting voices at the event.

“There wasn’t a lot of kissing going on,” she said, “It ended up being a celebration of each other – our love, our diversity and our togetherness.”

Kearney said demonstrators also listened to speeches made by Kearney and David Larson, the founder of the Sac-

ramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, in support of equality and love.

The vice president of development from the Westfield company – a company that was one of the first to give benefits to same-sex couples, according to Kearney – delivered a speech of apology that mentioned that he is gay himself and explained that he did not condone the event.

“I believe he was on the verge of tears as he talked about how they’d been nothing but kind to him (and that) the security guard’s actions were independent of the mall,” Hendrickson said.

Granite Bay High School senior Kim Sinclair, a member of the GBHS GayStraight Alliance, said she heard about See GALLERIA, page A8

Off-campus debate brought back to the table once again Students push for the right to leave campus during lunch while administration fears for the possible safety issues

BY AUSTIN ALCAINE

aalcaine.gazette@gmail.com

Granite Bay High School’s closed campus restriction has been a topic of debate between students and administration for a long time now. The argument is whether or not students should be granted the ability to leave campus during lunch or any other time of the day.

Despite student complaints, the administration has yet to change anything about the off–campus rule.

“I have left campus many times and have always come back on time to get to class and not be tardy,” said Eddie Leskauskas, a junior at GBHS. Other students like Leskauskas constantly leave campus during lunch time, and like many other

students has been caught by sneaking out by either Deputy Joe Herrick or one of the assistant principals and having to deal with the consequences of leaving during school hours.

“The policy for being off campus is suspension or parent conference and five work services,” assistant principal Brent Mattix said.

Even with the strict rules and punishment for breaking those rules, students continue to leave campus during lunch.

Some students are unaware that the parking lot is also considered to be off campus and the same repercussions apply to students who go into the parking lot and get something from their car.

“A lot of times I have to go to my car to get my lunch or a project, and I think it is unfair that we can get in trouble for doing that,” junior Austin Allegra said.

“The same policy as leaving the campus applies to a student going to the parking lot; however, we are willing to work with a student who goes to the parking lot more. They be able to get out of their work service,” Mattix said.

One of the main reasons the rule is so strict about leaving campus is that leaving campus presents a safety issue to the student and the school.

“If we allowed students to go on and off campus, it would be a little more difficult for us to monitor them,” Mattix said.

This would be issue to the administration because students might be bringing items on the campus that present a danger to the school or themselves.

“The second reason we cannot have students going on and off of campus is because we have an educational code and going on and off of campus usually doesn’t go hand in hand with that,” Mattix said.

However, some students said they will be able to maintain responsibility if given the privilege to go off campus.

“I think, given the chance students will act very

ASB Update

responsibly and maturely with their privilege and make sure to be back to class on time and not cause a disruption,” Leskauskas said.

The decision to the close campus is not up to GBHS. It is made at the district level and is to be followed by all the schools within the district.

According to California state educational policy ,districts are allowed to have an open campus; however, they must have a specifically worded notice to parents and guardians informing them of the open– campus policy.

In the Stockton Unified School District, 11th and 12th graders who have met academic requirements have the privilege of leaving campus.

However, in the Roseville Joint Union High School District, it ultimately boils down to safety – and district officials do not feel it would be a safe decision to allow an open campus in the district.

“It’s really just a safety issue and any number of things can happen when a student is off campus and the school will be liable for any accidents and it is just not a safe decision,” Mattix said.

News Briefs

Commissioner talks about Day at the Bay The Gazette talked to Kelsey Santos, Commissioner for Day at the Bay.

Kelsey Santos, ASB Commissioner.

Gazette: What is different about Day at the Bay this year than any other year?

Santos: “This year we have new, bigger, and better obstacles! We are getting a squirt gun arena and also having a staff dunk tank!

The airbrush tattoos were a big hit last year, so we’re getting two artists instead of just one. We will also be involving different clubs to be a part of Day at the Bay and offer something for everybody.”

Gazette: What obstacle courses are there going to be this year?

Gazette photo /KRISTIN TAYLOR

Santos: “(Students voted for) the zorb balls, double rush obstacle, adrenaline slide, bungee run and double lane slip ‘n slide.”

Gazette: What have you been doing to make sure this year’s Day at the Bay is better than past years?

Santos: “I have listened to the student body’s feedback from previous years and made the changes people want. We also want

everyone to have a connection, so we’re working with different groups and clubs so they can have something that interests all.”

Gazette: What is the theme for Quad dance?

Santos: “The theme (for quad dance) is aQUADic.”

–compiled by Nicole Bales

Gazette photo /GRACE MOORE

 Anvita Mishra, junior at GBHS, placed second place in a national neuroscience competition called the Brain Bee.

Student places second in national Brain Bee Anvita Mishra rocked the 2013 national Brain Bee in Baltimore, at the University of Maryland Dental and Medical Schools. She placed 2nd, out of 50 total contestants, after having won the annual competition last year.

From visiting cadaver labs to peering at tissue samples under a microscope, the competition was a whirlwind of events that pushed the competitor’s brains to their limits. She even examined Magnetic

Resonance Images and diagnosing patients, managing to score just 2.5 points below the national champion.

Because of her excellent performance, Mishra attended a pathology conference and toured local neuroscience labs while bonding over shared interests with her fellow peers.

Mishra enjoys spending much of her free time researching neurology, giving her a definite advantage, yet still spent much time reading

through textbooks to help prepare.

She loves studying various neurotoxins, the subject’s history, the neural mechanics behind language and regenerative medicine.

“My passion is neuroscience in general,” Mishra said. “Something about the brain really fascinates me (...) There is so much we have yet to know about what makes us know things.”

–compiled by Grace Moore

A4 News

Friday, April 19, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Friday, April 19, 2013

News

Wheels on the bus, sure – but belts?

The prevalence or lack of seat belts on school buses explained

BY ZACK ZOLMER

zzolmer.gazette@gmail.com

On the morning of Friday, April 5, in Wadsworth, Il., a school bus carrying 34 elementary school students to Newport Elementary School crashed, colliding with a Jeep Wrangler.

The bus then spun around and hit a Jeep Cherokee before flipping onto its side. The front roll bar of the Wrangler was removed completely by the force of the crash, the hood flattened into the front seats. The driver of the Wrangler died of traumatic injuries.

Among the driver and students on the bus, 25 children were taken to the hospital, most with very minor injuries including some bruises and

scrapes. At the time of the incident, most of the students climbed out of the bus through the back exit.

Although no children were killed, an accident like this calls into question the current level of safety in school buses, the ones hundreds of Granite Bay High School students ride to and from school every day.

Well known by many, most school buses in the area do not have seat belts, a main point of criticism from local students and parents alike.

Brian Gruchow, Director of maintenance, operations and transportation oversees the Roseville Joint Union High School District transportation department, which provides transportation for approximately 1,700 district students each day.

“As the director, I oversee and manage the Transportation department as well as the Maintenance, Custodial and Grounds divisions,” said Gruchow. “My job duties include making sure we provide the safest transportation possible.”

Gruchow said a big factor in providing the safest transportation possible means having school buses with seat belts, and that trend continues to grow.

“More and more school buses do have seat belts,” Gruchow said.

“Four of our full size buses have them and about thirteen of our smaller mid-size buses also have seat belts.”

And seat belts or no seat belts, the National Highway Traffic Safety Ad-

ministration (NHTSA) claims that a school bus remains one of the safest modes of travel. Posted on the RJUHSD Transportation Department web page, the NHTSA says that “Even safer than riding in your own vehicle, riding on a school bus is the safest way for your child to travel to and from school.”

Gruchow echoed this statement.

“School buses are the safest form of transportation,” he said. “There have been fewer injuries and fatalities (on school buses) than on any other form of transportation. They are built with safety features higher than on any other type of bus.”

And these safety features appear to be working.

According to stnonline.com, an

average of six children are fatally injured when inside school buses annually. In comparison, an estimated 600 school age children are killed annually riding to and from school in motor vehicles other than school buses.

The federal government considers school bus transportation to be about nine times safer than other vehicles during the normal school day commute.

Granite Bay High School student Trevor Black agrees with this sentiment.

“I rode (the bus) from third grade to about halfway through my fifth grade year,” Black said. “I felt safe.

The bus wasn’t ever going fast enough to need seat belts.”

GBHS junior Spencer Palmer, who rode a school bus to and from school for years, agrees.

“Buses are fine the way they are,”

A5

Trevor Black The GBHS junior believes that school bus transportation is safer than other vehicles.

Palmer said. “Seat belts are not necessary and it would only cost more money.”

But even though the price of school bus safety might go up, school districts around the country will be sure to consider installing seat belts in their buses nonetheless.

According to Gruchow, the installation of seat belts in school buses would cost less than $2.00 per child — a small price to pay to prevent serious injury or death.

“More and more school districts will have buses with seat belts,” Gruchow said. “The bottom line is seat belts save lives.”

The risks and rewards of being ‘undeclared’ Seniors seek admission without deciding on a major

BY BRIAN ZHUANG

bzhuand.gazette@gmail.com

As the weeks progress, seniors attending Granite Bay High School, as well as throughout the nation, await their highly anticipated college acceptance letters.

Some of these seniors have their life planned ahead of them, ready to succeed in their major. Yet others still don’t have a clue about what they want to do with their life.

GBHS senior Youjin Ko has applied to many colleges as undeclared. She said she is not completely sure what she wants to do, but she did apply to some schools as a cello performance major.

Ko has found that being undeclared has given her a chance to make a decision about her future career when she is better equipped to make the decision.

“It gives me a chance to think more deeply about what I actually want to study,” she said. “I do have some interests that could possibly be my major, but I wanted to allow myself to explore other options before I limit myself to specialize in one area” Being undeclared applicant has affected many students.

Chet Hubbard, another senior attending Granite Bay High School, said that he didn’t want to rush into something he wasn’t sure about.

“I don’t want to get into something I’m not fully sure about,” Hubbard said.

He says he doesn’t want to rush to

pick a major while he is still unsure, but rather take it slow and think about it for a while.

GBHS College and Career Center adviser Cindi Underwood said applying as undeclared does not affect the acceptance decision at all. If two people were equal in academics and extracurricular activities, but one was declared and the other wasn’t, they would both have the same chance.

“It does not give an advantage to one who is declared over one that isn’t,” Underwood said. “So take your time in making the right decision.”

Ko still believes applying as undeclared has lowered her chances in getting into the college of her dreams.

“Personally, I think it has decreased my chances, but I wouldn’t say that is the same for everyone,” Ko said. “I guess my case is different because I applied undeclared for some and a cello performance major for others.”

The University of Chicago did a study of the number of students who were undeclared applicants in 2007 and they found out that 4,521 students were undeclared. This very much supports Underwood’s statement of how it doesn’t affect the outcome if one is undeclared.

DeSales University also found out that 20 percent of students change their major between the time they apply to a university and the time they register for their first class. Additionally, they found out that over 70 percent of students

change from one major to another during college and many change more than once.

There are actually many advantages to being an undeclared student. It frees one from the pressure of being committed to a particular major that could turn out to be something they don’t want to do.

If students did apply as declared for a specific major which ended in them switching to a new major, the courses taken would be wasted. Rather than waste time taking courses that won’t apply to a new major, students can take a semester or two to think about it and depending on the major, it won’t slow down their graduation status.

Hubbard agrees that making a solid choice, first, will lead to a long-lasting career.

“I hope to one day have a great, long career that I love and can support my future family,” he said. “I believe that it first starts off with making right decisions and I want to make sure that I don’t do the opposite of that.”

On the other hand, there are a few drawbacks to being undeclared.

Some academic departments limit course registration to students who have decided a major in that area, so there is potentially a chance of one not getting into a course they need forcing them to wait. This could cause a delay, which could cause the graduation date to extend.

Gazette photo illustration /Cleora Reber

Many seniors have decided to enter college undeclared in order to make a more educated decision about what academic path is best for them.

Political views: On the fringe GBHS students discuss what drew them to anarchism, socialism, others

BY ALEXA ZOGOPOULOS

azogopoulos.gazette@gmail.com

The thought of “politics” usually creates the image of two distinct creatures: an elephant and a donkey. A traditional, staunch conservative and a progressive liberal.

But not everyone concerned with politics has opinions that can be grouped with either the Democrats or the Republicans.

“Third party” members-third party meaning any political party that doesn’t quite fit as liberal or conservative-are often misunderstood by the general public and can be difficult to find. However, three Granite Bay High School students were willing to explain what their views really are and address the radical stereotypes they’ve deemed from being outside the generic political realm. *** GBHS junior, Bryce Ross-Flanagan sees himself as an anarchist. But he does not, contrary to its connotation and people’s judgments, want to set cities on fire and create total chaos.

How did you come to deciding on your current political views?

Well, first of all, I’ve learned that both of the main political parties suck. I was raised to be Republican, but then I got educated and started to read more about our nation’s history, and especially after reading A People’s History of the United States, I realized that none of our past presidents have kept their promises and our nation has never treated people fairly. It’s grown so corrupt that it needs to be completely dismantled. We’ve just become so

docile and obedient to the current system.

How would you explain anarchism?

The system isn’t working, and I want to see it taken over by the minorities who work for it. We spent trillions of dollars in the Iraq War when we need $167 billion to end world hunger…we could’ve ended world hunger 20 times over. And that’s just one example. Throughout U.S. history, minorities have always been mistreated and abused, again and again, and they’re still not given equal rights in this day in age. So, yeah, that’s why I advocate for the overthrow of the oppressors.

How did you get educated about anarchy?

Honestly I kind of did inadvertently from reading that book (A People’s History of the United States).

I always knew that neither party was perfect, but I thought that the Democratic Party was at least pretty progressive, but I learned that really every politician in history had their own agenda first. So, from that and a variety of other readings, like Malcolm X. Do you ever sense tension or confusion when you tell people that you’re an anarchist?

I don’t really talk about politics much with most of my friends aside from things that are easily agreeable on. And I don’t really wear a shirt that says “Registered Anarchist of the United States,” and my mom wouldn’t be really happy if I did.

How would your mom feel if she learned about your views?

She’d probably be all upset and say something about my ideas being all “liberal/commie lies.”

Do you know any other anarchists?

Not at school, but I do have one friend who’s an anarchist. When he first told me he was an anarchist, this was before I was. I remember I thought he was totally radical and out there. Because, I mean, we’re taught in our society that anarchy is some synonym

for Satanism and horrific violence. *** Another third party student is Eddie Schubert,a senior, who is a Democratic Socialist. Schubert knows that most people would cower after hearing him call himself a “socialist,” but that’s just because of stereotypes.

What exactly is Democratic Socialism?

It’s the belief in universal equality and the mainly regulated distribution of economic resources.

Democratic Socialists can also be called Social Democrats, especially in European countries. The definitions of both are really flexible and similar.

What are some specific Democratic Socialist views that you hold strongly?

I believe in a government that allows but strongly regulates free-market industries to prevent the greed and corruption of a capitalist society. Also, providing nationalized universal alternatives of quality to programs such as health care and energy. But most importantly I believe that equal rights under the law should be guaranteed for all citizens under the law. That’s what I value the most and desire most in politics.

Do you know many other people that share the same views as you?

Personally, very few. Maybe one or two. But it makes sense because domestically my views are unpopular or unheard of, but they have much more support with many European political parties.

Are you hesitant to express your views because you know they’re considered very radical?

In mixed company, yes. But among friends I’m much more comfortable with it.

Why do you think people are underexposed to views that don’t fall into the simple categories of Democrat and Republican?

Because the vast majority of people don’t explore alternative views from the American binary, so what they know is limited, and they don’t really care to learn more. *** While Schubert is pigeon-holed as being too stern and radical, junior Ciara Helland’s political opinions lead to labels like “hippie” and “tree-lover.” Helland supports the Green Party, but that doesn’t mean she’s a flower child.

What are the key points of the Green Party?

We’re concerned with expanding society’s ecological wisdom and promoting social justice. In simple terms, we make efforts towards making peace in our local and global arenas.

Where did you get your political views from?

During the last presidential election I started researching platforms and the Green Party matched what I felt.

How do people tend to react toward your views?

Not even kidding, most people just assume I’m a hippie.

Do people seem to understand what the Green Party believes in?

Not at all, really. They think it’s only about environmental issues. They don’t even realize that a huge part of what we believe in is equality and human rights, not just nature.

How many other Green Party members do you know?

My sister and I both have very similar views but she hasn’t officially declared herself part of that party. But I suppose she might as well. *** Not everyone who steps out of the political binary spectrum fits with what their stereotype paints them to be.

While Democratic and Republican views are thoroughly understood, there’s a whole other world of political ideology that’s ignored and blindly hated.

GraniteBayToday.org

A6 News

Friday, April 19, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Gazette photo /GRACE MOORE

Austin Lee, founder of the Classical Masters Music Festival, plays the piano.

Festival returns for second year Student-created classical music competition preps for June date

BY NICOLAS ONTIVEROS nontiveros.gazette@gmail.com

During his freshman year of high school, GBHS junior Austin Lee decided to promote classical music in the Granite Bay community.

After studying classical piano for several years, Lee established the Classical Masters Music Festival (CMMF) in 2011, a two-day piano competition that features workshops for teenage musicians.

“I created (CMMF) to inspire children as well as people of all ages in music and performing arts,” Lee said.

Since 2011, the CMMF has had strong turnouts from not only competitors, but also spectators.

“We get around 60 contestants a year,” Lee said. “There (are also) about 400 attendees at the concerts.”

Many local musicians participate in the festival to learn from interna-

tionally respected soloists who travel to Folsom to teach the master class workshops. Master classes include specific instruction for competitors, music teachers and ensemble groups.

“Master classes are led by some of the world’s most renowned pianists, such as YeolEum Son,” Lee said. “(She) was the silver medalist at the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009.”

Lee has found support for his program through friends and family.

“My parents along with our Board of Directors (had) a huge impact on making this festival come to fruition,” Lee said. “I have ... recently created the Junior Board this past year, which (also) contributes to making (CMMF) a better event.”

A member of the Junior Board, GBHS junior Justin Smith finds working with the local community exciting and rewarding for the CMMF. Although Smith does not play piano, he enjoys supporting the classical music competitors. “(The Junior Board member’s) main jobs are to provide the regular board with creative ideas and plan ... the ice cream social where we have all the contestants,” Smith said. “We also help promote the festival in the community, look for sponsors and volunteer at the actual festival.”

Publicizing the event is crucial to the program’s success. Smith and the board are trying to spark local interest in classical music, a genre

becoming less popular in today’s culture. “(The board members) go around the community putting up fliers and get people informed about the festival,” Smith said. “In addition, we are currently planning a mini concert to help promote the festival.”

Smith believes the festival should emphasize developing musical proficiency instead of focusing on solely the competition in order to attract more musicians.

“There is also a chance for non-competitive pianists to play in front of people,” Smith said. “(They) get suggestions by professionals on how they can improve their playing.”

Anna Lim, a Junior Board member and GBHS junior, is trying to expand the music festival to include competitors outside of the Granite Bay community.

“I am helping with online advertisements to music teachers from all over America,” Lim said. “We send out emails, posters, website links – he works – to teachers who could potentially send their own music students to CMMF this summer.”

Lim thoroughly enjoys working with the program because the CMMF gives students an opportunity to express their talents as musicians.

“I love the energy behind the Classical Masters Music Festival,” Lim said. “(The promoters) encourage young musicians to love their art with a strong passion.”

As Lee, Smith and Lim prepare for the upcoming festival in June, Lee is impressed by the impact the CMMF has had on the GBHS student body.

“We have some students from (GBHS) who have competed in our piano and chamber music competition,” Lee said. “This festival has given some of our students an environment that helps stimulate their enjoyment of music with other fans of classical music.”

Teachers prepare for new AP curriculum changes AP Chemistry and Spanish Language to be revised by 2014

BY CHRIS PEI

cpei.gazette@gmail.com

Out of the 18 courses that currently compose Granite Bay High School’s Advanced Placement program, two will soon undergo notable curriculum revisions for the 201314 school year.

The two classes slated for changes – AP

Chemistry and AP Spanish Language – have been staples in the school’s course listings since they were first introduced to GBHS. Yet, the shift in curriculum to this “new AP” is being welcomed by faculty and students alike for its modern, practical approach.

AP will begin offering these redesigned courses in the fall, followed by the corresponding exams in May of 2014.

According to the College Board website, the purpose of these revisions is to elicit a shift from the traditional “lecture-and-demonstration” model to one that is personalized to “diverse learning styles and interests.”

To accomplish this, these changes will be geared toward reducing the breadth of course material in order to promote a deeper under-

standing of key concepts within the curriculum.

The new syllabus for AP Biology at GBHS, for example, was officially implemented last fall and has since developed into a model for other classes to follow.

In the case of AP Biology, taught by GBHS teacher Shane Dixon, classes have been tailored to focus on scientific inquiry and student-directed labs rather than textbook memorization – this shift in focus closely follows the prescribed national AP syllabus guidelines.

“I think the students will come out far stronger in their scientific thinking from a course like this,” Dixon said. “The problems have always been that (scientific in-

quiry) takes more time, and how to test the efficacy of the learning with a standardized test.”

This “new AP,” according to Dixon, is an attempt to fix these problems.

So in addition to the changes being made to AP examinations in May, the new curriculum will also require a departure from the “dirty dozen” – a set of 12 previously prescribed lab procedures – in exchange for eight new inquiry-based labs.

“I find this format a much better way to teach and learn science,” Dixon said. “It develops the critical thinking skills that are the foundation of science. Facts can be See AP CLASSES, page A8

I think the students will come out far stronger in their scientific thinking from a course like this. The problems have always been that (scientific inquiry) takes more time, and how to test the efficacy of the learning with a standardized test.

– Shane Dixon, AP Biology teacher

College waitlists affect seniors

Decision season brings difficult choices to graduating students

BY GOKUL ASOKAN

gasokan.gazette@gmail.com

Gazette photo / GRACE MOORE

Jackson Vose is one of the graduating seniors who was waitlisted at his first-choice school and had to decide whether to hope for an acceptance or go to a different university.

Four years ago, Granite Bay High School’s largest class enrolled as freshmen, and began the long journey toward graduation, college and adulthood.

Four years later, they have had a host of formative experiences, both good and bad, that ultimately made them who they are today.

For most, this process culminated over spring break, as their four years of hard work were recognized by the colleges that accepted them, and left these students with a sense

of finality, a closing of one chapter of their lives and the beginning of another.

Some students, however, find no such release; they have been waitlisted. Neither accepted nor rejected, these students have found themselves stuck in limbo.

The problem is especially prevalent among those who applied predominantly to private schools, as their admission rates continue to plummet while the number of applications rises exponentially. This means a very select group of students are getting into an increasingly large number of schools.

As a student picks a single school, they

leave slots open at the numerous other colleges they were accepted to. At this point, colleges look to their waitlists to fill the empty seats. Although there is an increase in the number of seats available, waitlists themselves have grown, leaving the chance of getting off the waitlist and into the college very much in flux.

Jackson Vose, a senior, was waitlisted at his top choice, University of WisconsinMadison, and California Polytechnic State University, San See WAITLIST, page A8

Spring election winners discuss upcoming fall term New ASB officers talk about goals for 2013-14

BY DAN JOHNSON

djohnson.gazette@gmail.com

With the ending of an intense election season, the newly elected members of student government have finally had the chance to reflect. These elects consist of Amir Karamlou, Aubrey Tate, Alex Baldonado, and CJ Stone.

Here are some of their thoughts and feelings.

Alex Baldonado, ASB Sports Commissioner Gazette: How does it feel to win?

“It felt pretty good. I was pretty shocked about the turnout of voters, and how big my campaign actually got. I was kind of surprised to win, to be honest.”

What are you planning on doing for the school?

“I think one of the biggest things was advertising for big games such as Del Oro and Jesuit, making everyone try and get out as much as possible and using social media like with Granite Bay Today and a bunch of other social media web sites that we have on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.”

Favorite Sport?

“I love ‘em all to be honest. I love soccer, football, basketball, baseball, golf.”

Anything else that you would like to say?

“I would just like to say thanks for the votes and making me come out on top. I wasn’t expecting to win.”

Amir Karamlou, Senior Vice President Gazette: How does it feel to win?

“It feels pretty good. I’m really excited for next year. We could have an awesome senior year, and awesome se-

nior events, which I really think will create a lot of good memories and will give the seniors wonderful memories to leave high school with.”

What are your main plains for the school next year?

“My main plan is to get most of the senior class involved in the senior activities, and give them a reason to basically be accepted in our class and we could basically unite our class for our last year of high school.”

Do you have anything else that you would like to add?

“It’s basically about the whole concept of being electSee ELECTION, page A8

Friday, April 19, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

News

A7

IB: Disappointments a result of high expectations, poor recognition by UCs Continued from page A1 to an Ivy League school,” she said. “It becomes (as though) you have to go to one of those schools, otherwise you won’t be successful. It’s not necessarily true, but you do certainly feel a bit cheated when you don’t get into those schools, because you’ve been told all along that you have to.”

Though Biermann joined the program for its international prestige, many others, like fellow senior and diploma candidate Chloe Pan, enrolled with college in mind.

“I took the IB program because it was supposed to be something that (would make) getting into the universities I wanted to easier,” she said, adding that her mother encouraged her.

Pan was initially surprised by her rejections, and, although she said she wasn’t especially worried about which college she would be attending, she wouldn’t recom-

mend the program.

“A lot of students in the IB program feel as though they were falsely advertised to,” Biermann said. “One of the selling points for IB is that it’ll get you into college, and I definitely disagree with that.”

There are hard numbers to prove the IB program’s claims IB enhances the college admissions process for students – when compared to a control group, IB students often had a 10, 20 or 30 percent higher admission rate, according to a study cited by the IB board.

But a common misconception is that the program guarantees admission to Ivy League schools and the like, rather than merely improving what are already tiny odds.

Principal Mike McGuire said, in that respect, the IB students weren’t “being sold a bill of goods.”

“Taking the colleges at their word, IB kids have a very distinct

advantage over non-IB kids,” he said.

IB coordinator Duane Blomquist said the poor name recognition of the IB program is partially to blame for its apparent shortcomings. The program, much more popular on the East coast, is only just starting to be understood by California colleges, he said.

“I have IB diploma kids – 4.4 (GPA), doing all sorts of stuff in the community, and on paper they look pretty damn special – rejected from a state university (but) accepted (by out-of-state schools),” Blomquist said.

McGuire agreed, saying that while there are schools that highly prize IB diploma candidates, California isn’t home to many of them.

“Unfortunately, while they are just starting to recognize the value of IB, the UC system is probably the least enlightened when it comes to (the IB) diploma,” he said.

Another possible explanation lies in the unspoken rule that colleges can take only a certain number of students from each school per year, and must alternate between “good” acceptance years – during which lots of students are accepted – and “bad” ones.

For example, according to McGuire, the graduating class of 2011 had a very large number of students admitted to the University of California, Los Angeles.

One year later, GBHS received a message from UCLA warning administrators that those acceptance rates were disproportional, and to expect fewer in the coming year.

In the end, half as many students from the class of 2012 were accepted to UCLA. “I really think, behind closed doors, (universities say), ‘Well, last year, this many kids came over from that school, so let’s get some other energy,’” Blomquist said. “Very few (IB) kids last year

got into the UC system, but they went all over the East Coast and all over the place. This year ... I really think the UC system got together and said, ‘We’ve got to get more IB kids this year,’ and so (more) IB kids are getting into UC’s.”

Certainly, IB students haven’t unilaterally been rejected from the UC system. Many, according to Blomquist, have plans to attend a UC next year.

And certainly, not all of them are discouraged. Those still in the program, like senior and diploma candidate Hammad Bashir, cite an entirely unacademic benefit of enrollment.

“IB is interesting in the sense that you have the same 40 or so people in every single one of your classes,” he said. “It creates an interesting dynamic in terms of how students interact. (As) a class culture, it’s more collaborative than competitive, but it still retains that competitive edge that kind of in-

spires you.”

Bashir criticized the program for the logistical challenges posed by the GBHS 4x4 block schedule, such as conflicting class times, but he is ultimately positive about his IB experience.

“I’m not disappointed in IB, as opposed to many other people,” he said. “There is room for improvement. It’s getting to a place where it’s going to a great program in a few years.”

Although this year’s seniors won’t reap the benefits of future IB expansion that is on the drawing board, Biermann said she thinks the benefits of the IB program might be more noticeable when students are already in college – long after the admissions process has been completed.

“I don’t think it’s possible, at this moment, to say if it was worth it or not,” she said. “We’ll see, in five or 10 years, how (IB students turn) out.”

BUREAUCRACY: A complex but inevitable process causes hassle for some Continued from page A1 price difference, Mike Fury, the RJUHSD Director of Technology, explained that the price is far deeper than just the cost of the device.

“Our district has over 3,200 computers,” Fury said. “In order for any organization to effectively manage a large number of computers or devices, it must standardize manufacturers and models to achieve efficiency and economy.”

Fury’s job is to make sure that all of the data, telephone and video network infrastructures, along with all the data and computer systems, are functioning properly, and that new projects and technologies are aligned with district, school and department goals and objectives.

According to Fury, after a staff member submits a technology purchase requisition, a standard desktop PC typically takes 7-10 days to receive, plus the days necessary to install it.

Technology is purchased from the “technology standards list,” which

includes equipment that has been tested by the technology services to be reliable and manageable.

“Commercial grade equipment compared to consumer grade equipment has been thoroughly researched and documented over the past several decades to actually reduce overall cost to an organization,” Fury said. “The products are more durable, reliable, offer better warranties and contain consistentbuild components and features that make it easier and less expensive to manage hundreds, if not thousands, of computers.”

The total cost of ownership is a financial estimate that includes both direct and indirect costs to maintain a product or system. While commercial-grade equipment might have a more expensive price tag, the cost of maintenance and reliability, which is incorporated in the TCO, is hopefully cheaper.

Gartner, an information technology research and advisory company, warns to avoid consumer PC “bargains,” because the supposed-

ly cheaper purchases pose bigger costs in the long run.

In a press release, Leslie Fiering, research vice president for Gartner, said companies should avoid purchasing consumer systems because the “premium price for a businessclass system reflects real value in system stability, comprehensive quality testing and extensive ongoing services.”

In addition to the consideration of TCO, Fury said the reason the district prefers to purchase equipment itself, rather than through reimbursement, is because warranties for such items are nontransferable between owners. When the district reimburses an item, they are essentially buying a “used” item that now holds no or limited warranty protection.

Even though there is obvious justification for purchasing “commercial grade” equipment, students like Melissa Scrivner become frustrated when they have to wait for vital classroom supplies to arrive, like printers in the art classroom.

“It is more difficult because you don’t have it right in front of you,” Scrivner said.

She said students have opted to use their smart-phones in order to go online and find references to use for their own artwork, a vital part of their artistic process. However, for students like Scrivner who don’t currently have a smart-phone, that is not an option.

Jared Amalong, the Granite Bay Information Technology Instructor, said technology purchases must go through a rigorous inspection to make sure they are appropriate and necessary.

“It is obvious that technology changes rapidly,” Amalong said in an email, “and with budget constraints, we sometimes do not have the resources that are necessary to keep up with the rapid changes.”

Amalong said his role involves supporting the GBiT students, who work with the teachers and district technology staff. Next year, he plans to take over the responsibilities of Technology Coordinator,

which is currently held by Steve Dolan, the Design and Engineering teacher. “(The role of coordinator is to) shepher(d) the budget to take finite resources and distribute them accordingly,” Amalong said. “It is not as simple as taking a drive to Best Buy to purchase a computer off the shelf. Standardized equipment provides security and efficiency to our school and the district.”

Bernadette Cranmer, an IB English teacher and the yearbook advisor, had a similar experience as Westburg when it came to multiple purchases including a projector, laptop, and printers for her classroom.

“We are trying to order a (projector for the yearbook and journalism room,) and we are into our third month,” Cranmer said.

Cranmer said that for a student operation to order a piece of technology, they must fill out several forms, including a technology form, a purchase order, an ASB form and a requisition form - all of

Your names.

Your faces.

The Gazette.

which are very similar. Those then go off to fulfill all the different aspects of the purchasing decision. “(For a laptop,) I started asking in May of last year ... And we got it at the beginning of September,” Cranmer said. “For the printers ...

We started the process in August, and got them Nov. 1.”

Fury said that after the 7-10 day period for the purchase requisition to be received, there is an additional waiting period for installation.

“The equipment then goes into a work order queue and can take from one, to any number of days to install, depending on the school’s/ site’s priorities and current work load,” Fury said.

For Scrivner, an expedited process when it comes to receiving new equipment would simply create more efficiency in her work at school.

“You have to find new ways to do the same thing,” Scrivner said. “It’s just a lot harder than it should be.”

A8 News

Friday, April 19, 2013

ALGEBRA: Class requires ‘abstract thinking’ Continued from page A1

math department co-coordinator, Lisa Vaughan.

Thus far, the decision to discover and address math deficiencies early-on has produced noticeable benefits.

“What we’ve seen in the past two years is our Algebra 2 (courses) have been much more successful,” Vaughan said. “We’ve lowered the D and F rate significantly.”

The recent classroom successes are due to the placement test’s ability to accurately display a student’s algebraic knowledge, allowing junior high teachers and the math department to enroll students in the math class best suited to their individual learning.

To pass the placement test and waive the requirement, a student must score 80 percent or higher on the test. Last year, the average on the test was an 80 percent, so roughly half of the students passed the test.

“The math placement test is kind of our starting point, and we start filtering from there,” Vaughan said. “Anybody who’s in the gray zone (will have their teacher recommendation evaluated).”

The math department turns to junior high school teacher recommendations to decide if those that barely passed or failed the test need to retake algebra.

“If (the student’s) test score average – chapter tests the math department creates

– is 80 percent or more, I encourage them to abstract thinking, and many of the students move on to geometry,” Cavitt Junior High who struggle with Algebra 1 have not yet School math teacher Judith Vincent said developed abstract thinking skills. in an email. “If “Many students not, then repeating don’t go from concrete Algebra 1 is my to abstract We’re going to be ask- thinking recommendation.” thinking through adoing (students) to show lescence at the same At the junior high level, Vincent said age,” Farmer said. us that (they) know she recommends Aside from the alit, explain that (they) about 25 percent gebraic concepts, stuto 30 percent of know it – and hopefully dents also learn a new her students retake skillset in Algebra 1. by the end – it’ll Algebra 1.

“It teaches students As for deterhow to think logically, produce stronger, mining whether a sequentially, follow more confident math student is placed directions, use formuin Algebra 1 or las (and) it’s multi-step students.

Algebra 1A/1B, so they have to take – Lisa Vaughan, math a year-long algenotes and show their department co-chair bra course, teachwork and be neat so ers consider the student’s learning style.

“What we try to do as counselors is differentiate between a student who is struggling in math because they’re trying hard and don’t understand it, and the kid who is not understanding it because they’re not trying,” Farmer said.

Usually the junior high teacher is the one who makes the decision.

Farmer also stresses that algebra requires

they can follow their work,” Farmer said.

As for preparing for the new Common Core standards and assessments, algebra classes along with other math courses will be impacted.

“We’re going to hopefully learn (math) a little more deeply; we’re going to apply it to more real-life situations,” Vaughan said.

“It’s not going to be a multiple-choice test where you’re checking to see if you’re right … we’re going to be asking you to show

us that you know it, explain that you know it – and hopefully by the end – it’ll produce stronger, more confident math students.”

Although student math class enrollment will not be based on the Common Core, students should expect to see some topics moved to different course levels.

“We’re going to spread Common Core out … we’ve taken some concepts from Algebra 1 and said there’s no way we can cover all of these topics from Algebra 1 as deep as the Common Core wants it … so we’ve taken some things out of Algebra 1 and moved them to Algebra 2,” Vaughan said. “We’ve (also) taken some things from Algebra 2 and moved it to Pre-calculus and Honors Pre-calculus.”

Regardless of whether or not the math department rearranges topics to better fit Common Core, some students and parents might be unhappy with the changes to the math department and might disagree with their math placement recommendation.

The math department’s teachers, though, stresses the importance of algebra in all math classes and as an indicator of future math success. “(Algebra) is everything, it really is,” Vaughan said. “It opens up all of the doors, it makes it so that what you’re doing makes sense, the whys make sense … it also helps build confidence … it makes it so much easier. You’re more open, you’re more willing to ask questions.”

WAITLIST: Students anticipate acceptance Continued from page A6

Luis Obispo.

For Vose, the road to the waitlist started months ago. “I applied to Wisconsin for the early deadline in October,” he said, “and in December I got a notice telling me that my decision had been postponed, so that I would know by the end of March instead of the end of January. Then, in March when the decisions were in, they notified me that I had been placed on the waitlist. For (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo), I applied at the normal November deadline, and in February they notified me saying I had been placed on the waitlist.”

Vose knows that his chances of

getting off the waitlist are fairly slim.

“I am not counting on getting accepted off the waitlist at either school,” Vose said, “so I am going forward with (University of California at) Riverside, and I have already submitted my (Statement of Intent to Register).”

The Statement of Intent to Register is a $100 deposit placed by the admitted student to guarantee them a spot at the university.

However, if Vose gets off the waitlist and he chooses to attend another university, he is still able to attend his preferred choice, albeit at the loss of $100 to UC Riverside.

“For Cal Poly I will hear back

by May 15,” Vose said, “and Wisconsin said it would be by the end

of June, but probably before then.

I am not sure if I would choose to attend one of these schools if I get accepted off the waitlist, as there is no guarantee for housing and you might be lower priority for choosing classes.”

Joshua Wild, another senior, was waitlisted by UC Berkeley.

He heard about the decision over Spring Break, on March 29.

“I’ve heard all sorts of statistics and stories about the waitlist at Berkeley,” Wild said. “Personally, I’m preparing for the worst.

So, in the meantime, I’ve submitted my SIR to UC Davis.”

Some schools, however, especially private schools, have a tendency to use the waitlist for yield protection. Yield protection, sometimes called “Tufts’ Syn-

drome,” is the tendency of many of private colleges, especially those that rank between the Ivy Leagues and top state schools, to place many qualified students on the waitlist, to increase their yield rates and lower their acceptance rates.

While no college has definitively admitted to such a practice, certain types of waitlist letters add a great deal of weight to the claim that they do exist.

Michael Tom, a senior, received one such type of waitlist letter, a “priority waitlist,” from Carnegie Mellon University. The priority waitlist, Tom said, enables you to be moved near the top of the waitlist, and the chance of being accepted goes up to around 50 percent. This is by no means

Joshua Wild He is currently waitlisted by University of California, Berkeley.

guaranteed acceptance, but it is a much higher chance than is typically associated with waitlists.

Ultimately, the decision to stay on the waitlist, or to move on to other options, is one made by the student and takes into account a variety of factors.

Wild, however, typifies most students in remaining resolutely on the waitlist.

“If I got in,” Wild said, “I would most likely attend Berkeley.”

AP CLASSES: Changes to reflect Common Core curriculum Continued from page A6 Googled in an instant. We need the creative thinkers that can refine questions, design experiments and analyze data.”

Instead of following a prescribed procedure, students are now required to formulate their own question and design an experiment to yield relevant data. These new labs take about five days, in contrast with the old labs, which took three days.

According to Dixon, the district is currently working on changes that will represent the Common Core curriculum, while also reflecting the push for more inquirybased learning in the AP curriculum.

AP Chemistry, taught by GBHS teacher James Cunningham, is undergoing similar changes in terms of curriculum and lab requirements.

According to Cunningham, the new course will feature 16 labs – down from the previous 22 –where students explore chemical concepts, questions of interest, correct lab techniques and safety procedures, providing time for students to complete at least six guided-inquiry investigations.

“The framework shifts away from a traditional ‘content coverage’ model to one that focuses on six key ideas in chemistry,” Cunningham said in an email interview.

GALLERIA: Response to alleged mall incident unites LGBTQ groups Continued from page A3 the representative’s apology at a meeting of the Placer County Chapter of Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

Sinclair said attendees of the meeting discussed the incident at the Galleria and the issues that caused it.

“They talked about how they actually met with the Galleria and arranged a sit-down to talk about the event and discuss ways to fix the problem,” said Sinclair, who heard about the initial incident in her Advanced Placement Government class.

Although neither Sinclair nor any other members of the GBHS Gay-Straight Alliance attended the Love is Love event, according to GSA vice president freshman Matt Dakhil, Sinclair said she supported the effort.

“I think it’s always good to have nonviolent ways of communicating your beliefs,” Sinclair said.

Dakhil, who is scheduled to speak at an upcoming Teens’ Help Assembly, said he would be interested in leading events similar to the Love is Love demonstration, although he is apprehensive about putting the club out in public.

Those who attended the Love is Love event hope it will have a lasting effect on the Sacramento area.

Beverly Kearney said that since the protest she has founded the “Love is Love Movement” and hopes to organize more events that support equality.

“We want to show that … social justice actions do not have to be loud, screaming, in-your-face types of things – that just by spreading a message of love and acceptance,” she said, “we can accomplish what we need to.”

“At a recent AP Workshop I attended, it was highly recommended that teachers move away from the lecture style of lesson toward a more collaborative approach working with the students to promote critical thinking and problem solving.”

The other class slated to undergo curriculum revisions, AP Spanish Language, will soon emphasize cultural knowledge, as well as understanding of the language itself.

Abram Ditman, the GBHS AP Spanish Language teacher, said that in order to incorporate the “cultural comparison” portion of the curriculum, students will be expected to do research on specific Latin

American countries and regions.

“For example, if a student is assigned research on Colombia, they’ll have to become experts on its politics, history, food, music and so on,” Ditman said. “AP is becoming more similar to IB in that respect.”

In terms of preparing lower-level Spanish classes for AP and IB Spanish, Ditman said, the curriculum is already shifting toward a more cultural perspective.

“It’s difficult (integrating the new curriculum) at first, since it’s like you’re navigating through the fog without a map,” Ditman said. “I think AP is definitely heading in the right direction, though.”

w The Granite Bay Gazette

ELECTION: Q&A with new ASB leadership Continued from page A6 I don’t even probably know most of the juniors. I moved here eight months ago, and back then I could never imagine that I would get elected as a senior class officer, and it’s a really great honor to be able to serve my class and basically make their senior year an awesome year they’ll remember forever. I want to thank them for trusting me.”

Audrey Tate, Senior President How does it feel to win?

“Well, I’m just really glad that I’m in a position where I get to work with my class for senior year. I’m just excited to get everything going and started.”

What are you planning on doing for the school?

“As far as the school, that’s kind of like ASB, but as far as my class, I’m excited to get us united again and really kick off senior year and finish it out to with a bang. Keep the spirit up.”

CJ Stone, ASB President How does it feel to win?

“Pretty good. Pretty good.”

What do you plan on working on for next school year?

“I plan on working on the Ripple Effect a lot, and I want to make my culture campaign pretty spectacular, a little bit more happiness focused. Also with the smiley face thing, that’s why I was campaigning with that.”

Have you been on Air Force One yet?

“I have not. I have yet to travel over there. They said that I’d be there soon though.”

Is there anything else that you would like to tell Granite Bay High School?

“Nothing much but next year is going to be better than the past few years we’ve had. Be ready!”

CHEATING: Teachers warn classes of the consequences Continued from page A1 daily occurrence that often goes unnoticed by teachers.

“Some kids might just look at their neighbor’s paper and steal an answer,” Sahota said. “People make it a habit and almost never get caught.”

Students are finding creative ways to distribute test materials among each other by using technology.

“Phones have made taking pictures (of tests) and sending messages so much easier,” Sahota said. “Kids never fail to come up with ways to hide phones from teachers.”

IB teachers are taking precautions to make cheating more difficult after the February incident.

IB History of the Americas teacher Brandon Dell’Orto has recently modified quizzes for both his IB and AP classes.

“I am making my quiz fonts smaller so students cannot (look at another student’s handwriting) as easily,” Dell’Orto said. “I also have multiple quiz versions.”

Dell’Orto and other IB teachers

are allowing students to admit their cheating in order to reduce punishments.

“Talking to classes (as a whole) about cheating while letting kids tell me in private about it allows me to understand their situation better,” Dell’Orto said. “I remember how stressful it was as a teenager in high school.”

Nevertheless, the ultimate goal of the IB teachers is to figure out why students are compelled to cheat and to reduce these incentives.

Sahota believes that an indirect cause of cheating stems from the rotating block schedule of IB History of the Americas and IB English.

“Telling kids who have a class the next day what questions to study … is also cheating,” Sahota said. “It’s giving a peer a cheat-sheet.”

Dell’Orto finds two reasons for the academic dishonesty in IB: the difficult IB curriculum and social influence.

IB Diploma Candidates take several IB classes each semester with almost no room for electives.

“There is a lot more stress on kids in IB, not because any one class is harder than an AP class,” Dell’Orto said. “The kids take so many IB classes that their schedules are much harder than (those) of AP kids.”

Also, many teenagers cheat because societal figures manipulate rules to be successful.

“Students reflect what they see going on in society particularly with corporations, sports (figures) and politicians,” Dell’Orto said. “It’s more about the final goal, not how you get there.”

IB coordinator Duane Blomquist describes academic pressure as the key motivator for cheating.

“Students become (overwhelmed) by all the deadlines and assignments they have to finish (every night),” Blomquist said. “(Academically, GBHS) is very pressure driven.”

However, Blomquist advises current and future IB students to avoid cheating since the IB classes give students plenty of time to relearn material a student is struggling with.

“I would rather see lousy (in-class)

test scores than have students lower their ethics,” Blomquist said. “For some IB classes, kids have two years to sit down and really learn the course so they do not (perform poorly) on the exams in May.” Blomquist does not learn about cheating until teachers notify him, so teachers have much control over punishments for cheating in the classroom.

“I mainly direct teachers to talk about ethics,” Blomquist said. “I am more of a last-minute filter for serious (academic dishonesty).”

IB students such as Sahota who refuse to cheat may work harder compared to those who do cheat, but earning better IB external assessment scores is worthwhile considering the college credit available for high scores.

“While I may study for an hour, a classmate may just sleep and then cheat just to get the same grade as me,” Sahota said. “If you can’t handle the work or difficulty, then accept that fact and fail with some dignity.”

Read online at www.granitebaytoday.org

Voices

Granite Bay Gazette

A Section

Friday w April 19, 2013

GAZETTE The Granite Bay

GRANITE BAY HIGH SCHOOL 1 GRIZZLY WAY GRANITE BAY, CA 95746 Editors-in-Chief: Nicole Bales Lena Eyen Haley Massara Chris Pei News Editors: Sydney Kahmann Grace Moore Ashcon Minoiefar Voices Editors: Chase Evans Kiana Okhovat Lifestyle Editors: Meghan Carlsen Kristin Taylor Madison Touloukian Green Screen Editors: Tamren Johnk Hayley McAvoy Jonah Poczobutt Alexa Zogopoulos Sports Editors: Austin Downs Amber Les Brad Wong Online News Editors: Chase Evans Kate Hurley Ashcon Minoiefar Photo Editor: Kristin Taylor Illustrators: Austin Alcaine Chase Evans Lena Eyen Tamren Johnk Sydney Kahmann Hayley McAvoy Thomas Taylor Alexa Zogopoulos Photographers: Luke Chirbas Cleora Reber Staff Writers: Austin Alcaine Gokul Asokan Savitri Asokan Parker Burman Haley Byam Meredith Dechert Brendan Gonzalez Summer Haenny Dan Johnson Kristine Khieu Akash Khosla Neha Kompella Nicolas Ontiveros Austin Pink Thomas Taylor Colleen Vivaldi Willow Wood Brian Zhuang Zack Zolmer Advertising Manager Megan Hansen Adviser Karl Grubaugh

The Gazette is published eight times per academic year by students in the advanced journalism class at Granite Bay High School.

Content is determined by the staff and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Granite Bay High School’s faculty, administration, adviser or student body.

Students are protected in their exercise of press freedom by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and California Education Code 48907.

Signed editorials and columns reflect the views of the writer.

Letters to the editor and guest commentaries are encouraged and must be signed, although anonymity can be granted on a caseby-case basis.

The editorial board reviews letters to the editor, advertising and guest commentaries and reserves the right to edit and refuse material. Reasons can include length, clarity, libel, obscenity, material disruption of the educational process at Granite Bay High School or violation of copyright laws.

The little things in life matter most

Do not take the simple pleasures for granted

M

ost times in life, little things occur seamlessly throughout the day.

From the time when you say “hi” to a friend or look up at the sky, it’s the little things that I’ve found to be most important, because I get the most enjoyment out of them by far.

Simply put, the little things in life make up the big things.

For example, when I watch somebody win the World Series, or when I watch a movie where they save the world, it’s not really about what they won that makes those moments so enjoyable, but it’s the celebration itself.

In this celebration, there is yelling and jumping and hugging and smiling and laughing and all the other exuberant expressions that make up the triumphant moment.

It’s the appreciation of the things we value, which is the pinnacle of human existence and not actually the possessions themselves.

By creating the experience of joy about the big things, appreciation turns the big things into big things by using the small things like hugs, smiles, yelling, jumping and other such displays of affections.

In reality, it is not actually the big things that we truly value but the seemingly insignificant.

Therefore, the key is to value

Identification Statement Granite Bay Gazette Published eight times per academic year c/o Granite Bay High School 1 Grizzly Way Granite Bay, CA 95746 Subscriptions: $25 per year/ $15 per half year

dan johnson

djohnson.gazette@gmail.com

the small things, the everyday occurrences, as though they are once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Here are a few frequent events that I find particularly satisfying. wLaughing Until I Feel Weightless.

This activity is perhaps my favorite in the whole world.

(Side Note: Did you know spinning around in circles is also really fun too?) Not only is laughter something that makes me feel good, it also makes me feel not bad.

Laughter gets rid of the bad and fills you with the good, much like how an umpire throws out an obnoxious parent at a Little League Baseball game.

I especially enjoy laughing at silly jokes that most people call “stupid.”

In the words of Forrest Gump, “stupid is as stupid does,” and being judgmental about the stupid stuff is a whole lot stupider than laughing at it. wDancing in the Car. I hope this one doesn’t put the Highway Patrol on notice, but I have to say that dancing in the car is one heck of a time. I make sure not to kill anybody while

driving, but safety doesn’t hold me back from having a good time.

One time, a couple of friends and I played loud music and danced all the way home from San Francisco. We went to San Francisco for a baseball game, but to be honest, the most fun we had the whole trip was from dancing in the car.

If we are being honest with ourselves, usually the purpose of trips, like the baseball game, are not as fun as the experiences we have along the way. wSmall Victories.

One of the substances that I’m allergic to is sugar from corn. I actually never ate much sugar to begin with because I don’t like it that much, but I do have a weakness, anything icecream related.

When I’m with my friends at Mel’s, and they are all getting milkshakes, I often contemplate getting one, with two things in mind: one being that milkshakes are really good, and the other that I’ll go into a “food coma” if I have one.

Those moments when I say no to the milkshake make me feel quite accomplished because I feel as though I have defeated the “Ice Cream Monster.” It’s like I saved the townspeople, and they’re yelling “huzzah, huzzah!” in triumph. wWatching the Sunset.

The sunset shines most beautiful in the toughest of moments. Last year, I had a particularly stressful day, and later in it, I was driving home from Ponderosa High in Shingle Springs.

As I was driving down from

the elevation, I looked down across the rolling hills until my sight came upon the horizon where the sun began to slowly descend.

I stared at the sunset, and in this moment, it began to take all the problems and troubles of the day off my shoulders as though it was slowly lifting me up.

Although I was alone in my car, I felt completely embraced and connected. It gave me a sense that life encompasses more than what I saw around me and transcends the material items.

The sun had turned into more than just a hot burning ball of gas; it had become a reminder of life’s magnificence and the soul in me that allowed me to see it.

Those reminders constantly

Gazette illustration/LENA EYEN

pushed me through the tough times.

Little things are actually big things, and if you want to do a little thing that makes a big difference, go make somebody smile by simply saying hello and smiling at them.

They’ll most likely smile and wave back, and if they don’t, don’t give up.

With the arrival of college acceptance and rejection letters and the stress and grief that comes with them, a lot of people need to know they’re important regardless of whether or not the college they pick or get into is best for their future. *** Dan Johnson, a senior, is a Gazette staff writer.

‘Boys will be boys’ is not a legitimate excuse Commentary

Woman!”

The last one might not necessarily be an actual article, but you get the gist.

Basically, your sole mission as a woman is to attract men, so don’t you dare be offended hen I was a young when you’re treated middle schooler like a piece of reeking of desperation meat, because that and Abercrombie perfume, I rude gesture was a hbyam.gazette@gmail.com walked along Douglas Boulevard “compliment.” on hot summer days to the It wasn’t until shopping center near my house. recently that I’ve become disgusted with My friends and I balanced on the curb whistles and comments from strangers, and dodged the catcalls and whistles that but even at 13, men twice my age flew by with the cars while we giggled screaming expletives out of their car and popped our gum, grasping at The windows or from the curb across the Ultimate Dream: to feel like high school street freaked me out. girls.

I began to assume that my uneasy In my mind, being a female in high feelings were unwarranted when I was school revolved around the ever-elusive told over and over that it’s normal, be “boyfriend,” and although I wasn’t sure flattered, boys will be boys, just get over what this creature was, I knew it was it. something I was supposed to have.

When I started getting into the proTo me, the shouts from these cars, choice movement, I came across some as scary as they were, symbolized the feminist theories that I’d never really tangibility of the once distant expanse of thought about before. womanhood.

I realized that if I was dressing for me After all, how was I supposed to know and me only, unsolicited opinions from any better when everyone told me to be random men weren’t welcome, and it flattered by disrespectful comments, and wasn’t my fault if I was the victim of the headlines in every teen magazine disrespectful comments, whether I walked said things like “How to Kiss Your Guy out in a bikini or a parka. the Right Way!” or “Get Your Crush I became enraged, remembering the to Notice You!” or “Thrive in a Maleyears of street calls and creepy stares I’d Driven, Misogynistic Culture With These endured and the men and women who 3 Tips to Become the Most Desirable told me it was something that came with

Men: women and steak are two different things

W

C Send Letters to the Editor to: gbgazette@yahoo.com

Commentary

haley byam

being a female.

Like, “Here’s a body and all of your insecurities, now here’s a yell from some drunk guy that makes you hyper-aware of each fold in your skin every time you walk down the street. There’s nothing you can do about any of it. Have fun.”

With that newfound anger and strange empowerment that comes with discovering feminism, I ventured into the land of Finding Yourself and emerged with a new wardrobe that resembled my grandmother’s and a personal vendetta against patriarchy.

Soon I noticed that the boys around me were frustrated with the change in girls’ appearances as we began experimenting with different styles and wearing – gasp – high-waisted pants. Guys would tell me they were ugly, unflattering or, my personal favorite, that they looked like diapers. I didn’t care, but I was worried that other girls would.

Maybe a comment from some pretentious, brainless twit who assumed all women dressed explicitly for his pleasure would stop a confused freshman from wearing something she really liked and send her running down the completely wrong path, but, even then, I still wasn’t very upfront about my beliefs.

I was afraid of putting off potential suitors, and there was a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I was wrong to think like this. I mean, every guy I confided in told me I was being ridiculous, so maybe they had a point.

But then I thought about it: Boys say it wouldn’t bother them because they haven’t experienced it every day like women have. If you’re a female and you

go out in public, there’s a 99.9 percent chance you have been ogled, hollered at or groped on your way somewhere, and there’s a still higher chance that you’ve been taught to deal with it.

Guys everywhere, even my close friends, have their two cents to offer on your clothing, your hair – basically anything that has to do with the way you choose to present yourself – and if you speak out, you’re laughed at.

Everyone has a very personal relationship with their body, and it’s extremely uncomfortable when someone else, without your permission, offers their opinion on it and you’re told that they can’t help themselves.

Well, I don’t buy it. Hormones, age, maturity, whatever.

There is no excuse for the blatant degradation of women everywhere who are just trying to get to their next destination without feedback on their appearances, and there is definitely no reason why men shouldn’t be able to restrain themselves from telling brave, self-expressive women how to dress themselves.

If I could meet my middle-school self now, I would teach her to wield her middle finger with grace against legions of grimy men with alternate agendas, tell her to stop reading Seventeen magazine and remind her to never listen to anyone who tells her “boys will be boys.”

Just like she has the power to be whoever she wants to be, men have the power to respect her decision to do so. *** Haley Byam, a junior, is a Gazette staff writer.

Cheating is an unnecessary academic crime

heating is understandable.

But in the hustle and bustle of life, in the desperate attempt to achieve maximum results with a minimal amount of work, it’s a last resort that we turn to too many times.

We are utterly convinced that grades are the only thing that matter and that the only thing that define us.

And in a way they are, with the competition for valedictorian, and the class ranking that relentlessly glares at us when we check our grades, it is.

Sometimes, we feel our class ranking ranks not only our

performance in can do, that’s our class, but our OK. Your worth in life. parents might It’s not the not agree, but The voice of the grades that make it’s truly OK. Granite Bay us who we are, Contrary to but how we popular belief, Gazette achieve them. getting a bad Because in the score on a test, big picture of life, or even in a it’s your character that counts. class, does not mean failure in That defines your worth as a life. person.

Countless successful people For example, if you get a have had less-than-pleasing (gasp!) C on an assessment, scores on their report cards. believe it or not, the C is just a Now, this doesn’t mean that it’s letter.

OK to slack off in school because If getting a C is the best you it doesn’t matter, because it most

EDITORIAL

certainly does.

However, we sometimes get so caught up in the minuscule details that make up school, such as grades, we forget what truly matters.

In the end, it won’t be the excellence of your scores that will pull you along in life, it will be your character.

And regardless of what our performance is in a certain class, all of us have, or at least tried, to cheat. A crime that is punishable by expulsion in most colleges.

And the question you need to ask: Is it really worth it?

Instead of going through all

that trouble and perhaps getting a C, D, or even an F, when comparing it to the zero you might get when you choose to cheat, anything’s better than a zero.

Because you get what you deserve, always.

And even if you are a selfproclaimed, proud cheater, one day, you will get caught. And maybe it won’t be in school, but the dishonesty might explode in your personal life, your professional life.

Eventually, it will catch up to you, whether you like it or not.

A10 Voices

Friday, April 19, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Contributions from foreigners are valued HEARD on Immigration reformation can be coupled easily with science education the BAY T Which do you prefer, Commentary

summer or winter?

“Summer because I don’t really handle cold weather well and we are out of school then”

freshman Milani Lee

he imThe science, technology, migration engineering, and mathedebate has matics (STEM) fields have torn the United been booming in America States apart: for the past several years. political pundits With companies such from both the as Intel and Apple hiring Republican and plenty of Stanford and Democratic parU.C. Berkeley graduates, ties have comthe Silicon Valley has pletely opposite risen to prominence as views on immithe technological engine gration reform. for bolstering the U.S. Republicans areconomy. gue that an influx However, the pillar nontiveros.gazette@gmail.com of illegal immiholding up U.S. economic grants only hurts competitiveness is STEM the American economy, while Demoinnovation, but this pillar is crumbling. crats contend that immigrants represent Emerging economies such as those of a brighter future.

China and India are fortified with thouWhat can Republicans and Democrats sands of engineers fresh out of college. agree on to provide stringent immigraEvery year, Chinese universities tion measures while still aiding the U.S. graduate hundreds of thousands more economy? engineers compared to United States Simple: the Immigration Innovation universities.

Act. Although the federal and state governA bipartisan bill introduced in January ments are desperately trying to increase of 2013, the Immigration Innovation the number of STEM graduates in the Act pledges to increase the number of United States, the Immigration Innovagreen cards and visas issued to immition Act motivates foreign engineers to grants, especially those involved in the immigrate to the United States. sciences.

Currently, the United States mandates

nicolas ontiveros

of living compared to that of emerging markets.

A 2005 report by the Economist Intelligence Unit noted that although the U.S. ranks 13th, countries with growing economies such as Brazil, China, Russia, and India position far below the United States.

With a job and a great standard of living, immigrants involved in STEM can contribute to technological breakthroughs in America.

Those engineers who decide to immigrate to the U.S. create a brain drain: the economies competing with that of the U.S. are weakened when they have fewer scientists to create innovation.

The other markets will have fewer engineers because these scientists are necessary for research and development, a key requirement for businesses to create groundbreaking products.

U.S. economic competitiveness is reversed once again.

The Immigration Innovation Act underscores a solution for not only immigration, but also STEM development.

Passing this legislation is critical to America’s future. *** Nicolas Ontiveros, a junior, is a Gazette staff writer

Being a nerd is a compliment, not an insult

“Winter because I really like the rain, but I also like summer because I get the ladies”

Learning who you are and embracing yourself is key

sophomore

I

“Winter because its the winner season”

junior

aidan naughton “Summer because no school and AAU basketball”

senior

Kyle Osterstock

staff

Shannon McCann –Compiled by Brian Zhuang

t’s Friday night. As most teenage girls my age are preparing to go out to parties with their friends in their mini sequined dresses and 5-inch heels, I am found at home in my PJ’s reading a book about the extensiveness of the universe.

Some may call this lame or even sad. But, this is my nerd life.

I typically spend my lunches in the library playing typing games with my friend, and fellow nerd, Maadhav Shah. You can find us, with our eyes locked on the screen, typing furiously away on “10fastfingers.com.”

Every once in a while you’ll hear one of us shout out with joy if we get a high score in a competition, a typing competition that is.

Just to prove that we’re the real deal, Maadhav’s highest WPM (or words typed per minute) is 127 and mine is a less impressive 107.

I’m a nerd and proud of it. But why do so many people hold it up to such a negative connotation?

Why is there such a stigma about it?

I mean, is there really something wrong with “an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit,” according to dictionary. com?

I think not.

One of my favorite young adult authors, John Green, put it best: “Saying ‘I notice you’re a nerd’ is like saying, ‘Hey, I notice that you’d rather be intelligent than be stupid, that you’d rather be thoughtful than be vapid, that you believe that there are things that matter more than the arrest record of Lindsay Lohan.’

For some reason, as awesome as we are, nerds are often isolated. I don’t happen to have this problem, but I know of people who do.

Take, for instance, IB kids. Nobody talks to them.

I mean, nobody can talk to them. They’re like an exclusive club where to get in you need to have a GPA over 4.5.

Well, that’s probably more because their group radiates stress and most all of them have a strange twitch in their eye, but still.

(As a former IB child and fellow nerd, I feel certified to make these accusations. Please don’t hate me.)

Over the years I’ve come to love this life but it wasn’t always like this.

I hate to admit it but just like everyone else, I’ve had stages in my life where I have been overly selfconscious of myself.

In middle school I used to hate wearing my glasses for fear that I would be labeled the infamous “foureyes.”

I used to say that I liked certain music because it made me feel accepted.

The years that I spent in middle school I heard the same thing over and over again from celebrities to TV shows: be yourself. It’s such a cliché thing to say.

Be yourself. As an awkward preteen I thought that this was a load of BS.

Always be your self? What does that even mean? I don’t even know who I am.

But, in middle school I decided to go out on a limb and embraced my inner band nerd.

I know what you want me to say. You want me to part the heavens and exclaim that I reached a level of self-realization. Nothing of the sort happened.

Being a “nerd” is just who I am. I happen to enjoy learning…about everything. I’ve always been an overly curious person and I will most likely be like this for the rest of my life.

People might avoid me because of my overtly nerdy status but what’s most important to address is that everyone has a little bit of a nerd in them.

It’s not necessarily good or bad. It’s just who you are.

You might be a nerd but not even know it. Whether you enjoy politics or history, science or literature, loving what you love doesn’t make you any less of a person.

I define “nerd” as someone who takes a particular interest in anything. People shouldn’t feel ashamed to

Commentary

kristine khieu kkhieu.gazette@gmail.com

feel passionate about something.

If anything, it’s normal to be a nerd. *** Kristine Khieu, a junior, is a Gazette staff writer.

Gazette illustration/HAYLEY MCAVOY

Thumbs Up

Thumbs Down

Arman Mizani

“I like summer because i get to spend more time with my family since we’re off for the summer, but I like winter because I love the weather and the rain”

a quota for the number of STEM-related job visas. Many of the individuals who can not obtain a visa are forced to migrate to other countries, in particular China and India.

The Immigration Innovation Act would raise the cap for the number of visas issued for all immigrants and exempt immigrants with STEM degrees from U.S. universities from the visa limit.

Now, despite immigration legislation, many foreigners can safely find STEM jobs in America and contribute to the U.S. economy.

Many critics believe the increase in visas would only take jobs away from current citizens. However, according to an article published by the Partnership for a New American Economy, “immigrants are now more than twice as likely to start a business as the native-born.”

Therefore, by encouraging immigrants to work in the U.S., the federal government now creates jobs: immigrants are willing to start new businesses and hire Americans.

Also, if the Immigration Innovation Act were to be passed by Congress, many foreign scientists would be inclined to immigrate to the United States since the U.S. has a high standard

Thumbs up: It’s finally starting to get warmer outside. I can see my forearms.

Thumbs down: Watch it rain on graduation. Just wait. It will. I promise.

by Haley Massara, co-editor in chief.

Thumbs down: “What’s your major going to be?”

Thumbs up: A lot of seniors finally have an answer to the ever-present question, “Where are you going to college?”

Gazette photo/LUKE CHIRBAS

Friday, April 19, 2013

Voices A11

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Alienation is quintessential to humanity

Absolute empathy is unattainable

W

who supposedly never feel e’ve all Commentary alone, the ones with hunseen them. dreds of followers on Twitter Whether and an always-crowded you’re by the cafeteria lunch table. And while or the deserted hallways admitting this on a blogging between classrooms, it platform seems acceptable is almost impossible to and meaningful, somehow avoid the sight of lonely exposing your problems at people – the ones who school and home is a Sisit alone at lunch, the syphean task in comparison. ones who walk home It’s ludicrous that in health by themselves, the ones class, it is supposedly conwho wait for each class sidered “abnormal” to feel a to end by desperately sasokan.gazette@gmail.com profound sense of loneliness staring at the bell all or even seriously consider day. suicide.

And then there are the people who What’s actually abnormal is never feelseemingly complement this dichotomy by behaving in an opposite manner. They ing the bitter absence of human connection and never having serious existential are nearly always surrounded by a group crises; both are inescapable components of chattering friends, or texting them if of the human condition. they’re not. They direct themselves with As adolescents, there is an especially graceful ease through the social demands large amount of pressure on us to make of each day. us become the best people we can, and While the cliche notions of “everyone should, be. We are constantly assailed is the same, deep down” and “no one with demands to- perform exceptionally is really different from each other” are in classes, obtain a perfect SAT score, both cloying and overused, I can’t help and devote endless hours to community but feel that there is some truth to the service for the ultimate goal of gaining platitude. entrance into what is deemed a satisfacIn Walt Whitman’s celebrated poem tory college.

“Song of Myself,” he describes the grass After fulfilling these already almost-inas “a uniform hieroglyphic...growing exhaustible requirements, it is somehow alike in broad zones and narrow zones.” considered shameful if we don’t interact Like the grass, each individual is conwith others enough to have a “balanced” nected to the other by the same root life, never questioning the socially apsystem, or that bundle of indescribable proved need to know at least someone features that makes us inherently human. else so well to the point that we actually, But here’s where I differ from Whitin a manner of speaking, become that man’s idealistic perspective: while I do person, making proxy decisions for them believe we are all connected, I think our and always expecting them to understand connection itself is the essential loneliwhatever struggles you are going through ness of our species, the lack of complete at the moment, despite the fact that doing empathy that is tied to the singularity of so is, well, impossible. our thoughts.

Arguably, self-actualization is much It’s just so hard, and patently ridiculous, more fulfilling than a strong relationship; to constantly believe that some people where once you would have to rely on can inexplicably become immune to the other people, now you can depend on the inevitable pangs of loneliness while othonly person you can, truly, depend upon: ers suffer every day. And why should I yourself. try to, when people like Kerouac, Sylvia Yet it is an undeniable fact that empathy Plath and Morrissey have propagated this does validate our experience. But true idea for years? empathy is an asymptote – something One piece of evidence backing up this we are constantly approaching but never belief is the meteoric rise of the blogfully reach, no matter how hard we try ging website Tumblr. Tumblr, for those to supersede infinity. And this loneliness, who’ve never seen it before, largely the chafing confine of the human condiconsists of photographs, art, and “gifs” focusing directly on the topic of apathetic tion, is what makes each minute connection -- a passing glance, the slight brush solitude. Posts with texts such as “How of hand against hand -- so much more many smiles did you fake today?” easily valuable. gain over 100,000 notes. *** The people on Tumblr who reblog posts Savitri Asokan, a freshman, is a Gazette like these aren’t the ones who purposely avoid social interaction. They’re the ones staff writer.

savitri asokan

Rape needs to be addressed Commentary

short skirt.”

Another incident that This response was disturbed my young given at Granite Bay self and stuck in my High School, and these mind was the mention were 14-year-old boys by my neighborhood talking. friend that her mother This type of rehad been raped by her ply, which in recent ex-husband. ike many others, the Steubenville months has been a hot We were about 12, rape case and its coverage by CNN topic online and across and in a group of three.

– in which the negative effects of the country – makes The other girl apparthe rape on the rapists’ lives was discussed me ask one question in ently felt like being in more detail than the effect on the vicparticular: why don’t catty, and said, “But tim’s life – prompted me to research and we talk about rape they were married.” just to think a little about rape culture in more?

Even I – the recipient mdechart.gazette@gmail.com the United States.

Why don’t we talk of a great education and Naturally, that investigation involved about it in school, for member of a relatively looking for statistics about how much example – life sciwell-informed famtime rapists spend in prison, how many ence in eighth grade, or in freshman year ily – couldn’t clearly discern in my mind are released before their sentence time is Health and Safety? whether rape between married partners up and how many rape again after being Sure, we did discuss rape in the form was a legitimate crime. released from prison. of What Happened to Nancy, a diary of a Today, the remembrance of that grave What I found was not a wealth of inforyoung girl who was raped and later died misunderstanding by my young self mation. In fact, I could hardly find any of AIDs. deeply disturbs me. statistics online, and the ones that I did However, the focus of this discussion What these experiences have proved to find were appalling. was on preventing the circumstances me is that rape culture is not a “myth” as A 1995 study by the Bureau of Justice that led to Nancy’s rape – when what we some viciously claim in the comments found that the average should have adsection of internet articles addressing the sentence for the charge of dressed was the issue. rape was 117 months, and distorted culture The resignation with which rape is adthe average time served of in which women dressed by society – following the idea the sentence was only 65 are expected that it is an inevitable phenomenon that Why don’t we tell months. For robbery, the to take meahappens to women when they don’t take average time served was everyone – men and sures to protect “the necessary precautions” – is both 44 months. themselves from wrong and fails to address preventable women alike – that In what world are robassault. factors that could decrease the number of bery and rape two crimes no woman asks to be I only rememassaults that occur. that deserve little more ber discussing Why are two rapists – those of the raped, and that rape than two years’ difference rape culture that Steubenville case – receiving one and is a despicable and in prison time? single day when two years in prison for their crimes? Why I will never forget an exthe speakers were many involved in the assault not inhumane crime? perience in freshman year visited. even tried? health and safety class, Why don’t we No person should ever be blamed for when guest speakers came tell everyone – being raped – because they were intoxione day and asked, “Does men and women cated, because they “weren’t careful,” or a woman ever asked to be alike – that no because they didn’t carry mace with them. raped?” woman asks to Grave problems demand serious, Shockingly, as I remember it, more than be raped, and that rape is a despicable thoughtful and active responses in order five students said, “yes.” and inhumane crime that damages and to be stopped or reduced.

I could see the sadness and frustration debilitates victims?

Before we tell women to carry mace, in the eyes of the speakers – both women Of course, it doesn’t seem like somelet’s tell men and women – and society – – who probably experienced this sort of thing that needs to be taught, but if something that shouldn’t need to be said distorted sentiment on a regular basis.

14-year-old boys in an affluent suburb yet clearly does: not to rape.

They asked, “When do you think a aren’t learning it from their school, their *** woman asks to be raped?” parents, their church or society – someMeredith Dechart, a junior, is a staff Those that answered yes replied with thing is incredibly wrong. writer for the Gazette comments like, “When she wears a really

We must teach what should be obvious to society

L

meredith dechert

Gazette illustration/CHASE EVANS

Have an opinion?

Write a guest commentary for the Gazette.

A12 Second Look

Second look

Friday, April 19, 2013

Blue and yellow takeover

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Seniors win 18-17 in final moments of Powder Puff game

wGazette photosw Luke Chirbas ď ˇ Senior Chloe Forlini, top, eludes a defender to gain a first down. Juniors Grant Powers and Dylan Keeney, top left, run through the tunnel during pre-game festivities. Junior Danielle Scribner, middle left, finds a hole in the defense to gain a nice chunk of yardage.

Junior Tarah Golson, left, carries the ball deep into senior territory. Eliizabeth Leben, bottom left, breaks a tackle down the sideline to move the chains.

Lifestyle

Granite Bay Gazette

B Section

Friday w April 19, 2013

Commentary

madison touloukian mtouloukian.gazette@gmail.com

Ignorance can actually be bliss

A

ccording to Browser media, 98% of people between the ages of 18-24 use social networking. And I’m just another one of those over six billion people.

I have a Facebook account and an Instagram, but I chose to give them up for 40 days.

To some, this might not seem like a long time, but to others, like me, it was slightly overwhelming. Even though these sites seem rather trivial, people spend 700 billion minutes on Facebook alone every month, according to Browser media.

Personally, neither Facebook nor Instagram are major parts of my life. However, I do enjoying scrolling through pictures as I wait in my car for school to start, or spending about ten minutes on Facebook before I start my homework.

After giving up social media, I have to admit that I definitely noticed the change.

I chose to instead explore the New York Times application, engage in conversation with my desk neighbor or simply stare off into space.

While it may sound ridiculous, I initially did not know what to do with myself. But as time went by, I found myself enjoying the company of those around me.

When we constantly engage in internet sites instead of reaching out to those around us, we miss out on what’s really going on in people’s lives.

While on these sites, we neglect to build up personal relationships with the ones we really care about.

We choose to ignore the emotions of those around us and get to know them through artificial images.

By judging others based on what they post on the Internet, we allow ourselves to abandon the emotional side of relationships.

The way we project ourselves online cannot be a true representation of who we really are, because as human beings, we have an innate longing to create the best image of ourselves.

I’m notorious for making unattractive faces and seeing them later on the internet. And for the most part, I’m totally fine with that.

However, I’m not inclined to keep myself tagged in a photo that I feel makes me look fat, or doesn’t complement my skin.

So I’m just as guilty of marring the social network image of myself as anyone else.

I, like most people (I hope), have experienced my fair share of “Facebook stalking,” in which I glance through the photo albums of my Facebook friends.

In the past I’ve come away from these moments feeling upset about the way I look, jealous from the things that others have and even angry at the way others are treated.

And this is normal.

Research done by Alex Jordan, a Ph.D. student in Stanford’s psychology department revealed that sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter make people sadder as a result of the comparisons people draw.

These sites allow us to create a façade of who we long to be, instead of encouraging us to share our flaws with each other.

During my time without these social networks, I was more content. I didn’t find myself spending unnecessary time on the internet, feeling alone or unattractive.

I’m not saying that I spent the time reading the dictionary or watching the news more, but I did notice a more positive change in the way I was acting.

I’ve returned to using these sites, but now I look at things with a grain of salt, knowing that there’s more to a person than what meets the eye. I’m not in any way condemning social networks, but I encourage their use with caution. In this circumstance, I prefer too keep to myself.

*** Madison Touloukian, a senior, is a Gazette lifestyle editor.

BY HALEY BYAM

hbyam.gazette@gmail.com

GBHS is getting some major

E

veryone has seen a commercial for their local humane society – toll-free donation hotlines flash across the screen as dogs with big, sad eyes stare up through the slats in their cages, begging to be adopted.

Millions of animals are abused and neglected each year, often end up on the streets and, ultimately, in a shelter. These organizations

puppy love

See SPCA , page B7

Gazette photo /KRISTIN TAYLOR

Placer SPCA puppies peer out from their cage in hopes of being adopted by a loving family.

GBHS students are inspired by many individuals

Young people look up to grandparents, peers and religious figures

BY MADISON TOULOUKIAN mtouloukian.gazette@gmail.com

From superheroes to religious figures, role models are omnipresent in our society.

We’re constantly searching for inspiration, be it from art, literature or another person.

As Granite Bay High School students mature into adults, they look for inspiration from different figures. Whether it be in a close relative or an older peer, inspiration is found in all types of people.

This is mostly a response to our innate longing to feel understood and respected, according to Advanced Placement Psychology teacher and family and marriage therapist Natalie Elkin.

“That often comes with being validated and having our experiences be validated,” Elkin said. “And that happens from knowing that there are other people out there who have had the same experiences we have

had.”

Senior Trent Brendel turned to one of his role models, upperclassman at the time, Bryant Hom, when he felt overwhelmed.

“He took me under his wing freshman year and showed me the ropes,” he said.

Brendel was involved in the band program with Hom, and also ran cross country and track while taking challenging classes. “(He told me) ‘you can do this, you’re going to survive’ when I was having a really hard time with (everything),” Brendel said.

Elkin said that we thrive on such inspiration due to the similarities between ourselves and our role models. “(We see their) set-backs and then it allows us to feel like we’re ok too in our setbacks and our doubts (because) they had the same experience and they were still able to be successful,” Elkin said.

Upper-classmen tend to make a big impression on new students, and their efforts

to reach out to those younger than them do not go unnoticed.

Emalyn Atkins, a freshman at GBHS, looks up to her fellow drum-major, junior Kathleen Davidson.

“She’s taught me a lot this year, just in genera,l (and) she’s helped me with drum major lessons,” Atkins said.

Her appreciation for Davidson comes from her strong character and positive work ethic.

“She’s very respectful and polite and really friendly to everyone,” Davidson said.

“And everyone just seems to get along with her.”

Respect goes a long way when it comes to role models.

Brendel also looks up to Christine Zavesky, a junior at the University of California, Berkeley, where she is a competitive runner. Brendel sees respect as a major part of both Zavesky’s and Hom’s life.

inside lifestyle Top Ten How to Student Spotlight Random Student College of the Month

Guide Dogs for the Blind B4 Raising puppies B5 who make a difference B2

B6

B7

B2

Females in Shape Ladies bulk up to gain strength and skill

B4

Natalie Elkin AP Psychology teacher respects positive role models.

“You can tell when they talk to people… they’re always respectful,” Brendel said.

The character of such role models is vital to the impact they make on the lives of others, and is an important aspect to consider when choosing a mentor.

“It’s important to have someone who we see as better (than) us in some specific way,” Elkin said. “That… keeps us motivated, aspiring to something more (and) keeps pushing us to be better.”

See INSPIRATION, page B6

Mexico Missions One student describes his experience

B4

B2 Lifestyle

Friday, April 19, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Training dogs that change lives

top

MOVIE QUOTES

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” –Michael Corleone The Godfather Part II

“I’ll be back” – The Terminator The Terminator

“Say ‘hello’ to my little friend!” – Tony Montana Scarface

Gazette photo /MEGHAN CARLSEN

Guide Dog puppies spend time with members of Placer Four for Two, a local group that meets weekly to learn about different training techniques.

“You’re going to need a bigger boat” – Martin Brody Jaws

Students in the Granite Bay community raise Guide Dogs for the Blind

BY MEGHAN CARLSEN mcarlsen.gazette@gmail.com

“It’s alive! It’s alive” –Henry Frankenstein Frankenstein

“Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

–Forrest Gump Forrest Gump

“Luke, I am your father.”

–Darth Vader Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

It just took one look. One look into the eyes of a woman who couldn’t quite see freshman Makenna Johnson as well as she could see this woman.

Johnson knew then that it was all worth it. All the training, time, energy, money and the heartbreak that came when she passed off that leash became worth it.

Johnson has been a part of the organization Guide Dogs for the Blind since Feb. 2011 through the local sector of the organization, Placer Four (paws) for Two (feet) guide dog group.

This local group, headed by Anne Touloukian, is committed to raising puppies to be prepared guides for visually impaired people both across the nation and in Canada.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind organization was started in

1942 and has a main campus in San Raphael. They breed both black and yellow labs, golden retrievers and a mix of the two breeds.

Touloukian, with her husband Scott, has raised 15 guide dog puppies. They currently have three dogs. However, one of their dogs has been sent back to the San Raphael campus because she is “in season,” meaning she has become a fullgrown female dog and her scent is being sent out to other male dogs.

“Since (being in season) can send out scents to a lot of dogs, it’s kind of disruptive (to the rest of the dogs in training),” Touloukian said. “So we usually send them back to our campus so they can be in our kennel where they’re more controlled.”

Dutton, another one of Touloukian’s dogs has recently been “career-changed.”

“Only about 40 percent of our dogs actually do make it to the actual (point of) being matched with a blind partner,” Touloukian said. “Career (changed) is just another way of saying (the dog) didn’t make it (in the program), but they could go on to some other fields of work.”

Touloukian explains that Guide Dogs works very closely with organizations for all types of service dogs , and many dogs go on to work in a different service field.

Some dogs that were originally bred to be guide dogs have gone on to very specific forms of service. At the Placer Four for Two weekly meeting on April 8, the group discussed how a previous puppy in training, Shep, is now working in an organization to improve childhood literacy. Children gather through this organization and read to the dogs as they sit by their side. This is

meant to encourage kids in their self-confidence, reading to a dog that is accepting of them rather than reading to an adult who is always correcting their mistakes.

“A lot more dogs can go on to other service work if they don’t make it in this organization, and then the rest can be adopted as family pets,” Touloukian said.

Johnson initially got involved in the program through Dogs for Diabetics.

Touloukian explained that Type I diabetics give off a scent when their blood sugar is dropping that dogs can learn to recognize. Trained dogs can alert diabetics of a blood sugar problem a half an hour before anything medical could.

Johnson said her mom’s friend had her own D4D dog to help her with her Type I diabetes and this inspired Johnson and her mother to get involved with training dogs that could be

of service to others.

“Since (my mom’s friend) talked about how (having her service dog) changed her life, (my mom and I wanted to make a difference by raising a Guide Dog puppy,” Johnson said.

Johnson raised Rufus when he was transferred to them at seven months old, after Touloukian started him off. Rufus graduated from the program last October and now lives in Sacramento with his owner and her husband.

“They were the perfect match,” Johnson said. “We get to visit often which is so awesome and a rarity because many dogs who graduate from Guide Dogs live far away from the raisers, making it hard to meet up and see their pup.”

Touloukian and her husband are currently focused on raising See GUIDE DOGS, page B6

Guys cheer on the ladies with style Chants and provocative dance moves motivate the Powder Puff players

Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore” –Dorothy The Wizard of Oz

BY PARKER BURMAN

pburman.gazette@gmail.com

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.”

–Albus Dumbledore Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

“Do, or do not. There is no ‘try’” –Yoda Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - Compiled by Parker Burman

With the Powder Puff game recently completed, the seniors are celebrating and reminiscing about the big game.

With all the hype surrounding the game and the players, it’s easy to forget the guys on the sideline cheering the girls on.

But believe it or not, those students were not just there to show off their legs in a cheerleader’s skirt. They serve a crucial part in the role reversal that is the Powder Puff football game.

“The guy cheerleaders definitely add to the

Powder Puff experience,” said senior Casey Stockel. “They boost the moral of both the team members and the crowd.”

Junior Faiz Khan embraces this role and hoped to help his team win.

“I support our great team by getting involved and spirited,” Khan said.

Junior Ben Lewis agreed that the cheerleaders’ support is needed, but felt their main role is held in other aspects of the game.

“We support the team by (l)ightening the girls’ spirits,” he said. “But we’re more for entertainment than support.”

ment than support.”

Not only were these men tasked with supporting their respective squads, but they also performed a cheerleading routine on the day of the big game.

These cheerleaders were coached to perform just like real cheerleaders, and showed off their moves in front of Granite Bay High School at both the Friday night game and at the school rally.

Senior David Zavesky cheered for his first time this year, and was excited to try something new.

“We do the same things the regular cheerleaders do,” Zavesky said. “(We perform a) routine and everything.”

Junior Katie Kindelt was curious to see what the cheerleaders had in store for the game.

“I don’t know if I will appreciate the cheerleaders or if they will

help, but I know they’ll be funny and entertaining.”

The boys were mainly participating to entertain and showcase their cheer routines, but motives varied when it came to choosing to participate in the Powder Puff game.

“I do it because it’s a good opportunity to get involved in school events,” Zavesky said.

Similarly, Khan also wanted to get involved.

“It’s fun and I get to represent my (awesome) class,” Khan said.

At the same time, the cheerleaders respected the girls who came and played, and thought it was great that the game was such a popular event.

“I think Powder Puff is good for the girls because it enables See CHEERLEADERS, page B7

Gazette illustration/SYDNEY KAHMANN

Revealing what GBHS media is really about

Many feel that their creations outside of the bulletin are often unnoticed and under appreciated

BY ASHCON MINOIEFOR aminoiefor.gazette@gmail.com

Granite Bay High School’s media program has seen a lot of change over these past few years, largely due to the switch from Martin Newborn to the present Zachary Weidkamp a few years ago.

Prior to the change, much of what media did was unknown to the school beyond the different colored media teams students were used to.

But now Team Black, Green and Silver are out and Granite Bay Today Media is in, along with a storm of long awaited technology and equipment.

But besides a new name and no more colors, most students and teachers are not aware of the other changes that have been made.

As always with change comes difficul-

ties that may cause students or teachers discomfort or even anger.

But what the recipients of the media program don’t realize is what goes on besides the bulletins they are used to.

“We used to learn by doing, the doing being the production of the bulletin,” Weidkamp said.

However, media ran into issues with this structure, and contrary to what students or teachers may believe, media doesn’t revolve around making a bulletin for the school.

“We made a choice to restructure it so that students have more of a choice to do what they want to do,” Weidkamp said.

“It is difficult for a student who is very artistic but has to make a product that lines up with a bulletin setting.”

Weidkamp described these attempts of creativity as hit or miss, often due to the

fact that the media team has a week to produce many aspects of the production.

Media, as described by Weidkamp, isn’t only for learning the fundamentals of media production, but also for refining and understanding different forms of production.

“Now we have a small group of students who want to focus on the bulletin only and (are) learning how to do that,” Weidkamp said. “The rest of the class is broken up into groups to create all kinds of products like short films, advertisements, documentaries, music videos and more.”

Senior Brad Reinke explained how he felt about the new structure.

Reinke said that he finds the discontent from the school over the bulletins rather annoying and pointless.

“Yeah, we don’t put on the best stuff all the time, but they should just hold their

comments to themselves,” Reinke said.

“High school kids tend to be very critical and judgmental. Bulletins are a privilege - you get at least some entertainment out of them. If they would rather have the teacher read off a piece of paper and have more class time, then whatever, their loss.”

One student who enjoys the new system of the old is senior Emmett Bright.

“The old structure was a lot more limiting; it didn’t reflect what everyone wanted to do,” Bright said. “Now the program is way more open to new ideas we all have.”

Bright currently works on short films, allowing him to let his artistic side out and create something he can actually care about.

“If everyone watched these products they would get a better view of what media is really about, not (just) the bulletin,”

Bright said.

In response to the criticism received over their bulletins, Weidkamp pointed out some of the benefits for the media students. “I think it’s revitalized the kids in the class and better off for the students as whole,” Weidkamp said.

“They’re not professionals, many times they produce professional work but they can’t 100 percent of the time, all the time. They are still learning (and when) we try something, they can get down because they get beat up by their friends.

It is a public thing.”

Weidkamp said he was very concerned over the confidence and well-being of his students, especially when it came to them receiving criticism on their work.

See MEDIA, page B7

Friday, April 19, 2013

B3

Lifestyle

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Students planning to serve in the armed forces essays and interviews and gaining nominations from government officials.

“There’s a cadet physical examination that about 50 percent don’t pass,” she said. “Then you have to get a nomination from a senator or a congressman…and then you may or may not get accepted to an interview board.”

Rodeo was awarded, through an extensive and selective application process, nominations from both Senator Diane Feinstein and Congressman Tom McClintock. “(Interviewing for the nominations) was probably the hardest part for me,” Rodeo said. “There was a panel of about eight retired military men …and they would ask the hard questions.”

Rodeo, whose mother and father were in the army, was inspired at a very young age to join the military.

“I just grew up with a very strong sense of duty to my country and patriotism, and I just assumed that somehow I would end up in one of the armed forces,” she said.

If Rodeo is accepted to West Point, she hopes to enter the medical program and become a doctor. She too cites travel opportunities as a perk in entering the military.

“When you graduate you get to choose where you want to be stationed,” Rodeo said. “You choose in order of your class ranking…but I would just love to

Staff Sgt. Keith Tisdale comes to GBHS campus as a military recruiter and stands fully uniformed.

Soon-to-be graduates enter different branches of the military

BY MEREDITH DECHERT mdechert.gazette@gmail.com

While many soon-to-be graduates at Granite Bay High School try to figure out which college to attend and what career path to follow, more than a few have already sketched a rough map of their future – a life in the military.

Every year GBHS graduates join the armed forces. These students enlist in one of the five branches – the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard or Air Force, attend one of the corresponding prestigious service academies or join programs like the Reserve Officer Training Corps.

The United States Military Academy at West Point, NY has already sent an acceptance letter – one of only roughly 1,200 awarded per year by each academy – to senior Patrick Carroll.

Carroll is a high-achieving International Baccalaureate student, GBHS athlete and Eagle Scout.

“The thing about the academies is that they really want well-rounded guys and girls,” Carroll said. “It’s really been easy for me to buckle down, take the hard classes…because I know that in the end it will pay off if I work hard enough, and it did.”

Carroll is waiting upon the results of his application to his preferred service academy, the United States Naval Academy

at Annapolis, MD, but will definitely be attending West Point if he is rejected from the Naval Academy, he says. “(I’m) so excited about (my acceptance to West Point),” Carroll said. “Now I’m just keeping my fingers crossed for the Naval Academy.”

Carroll became interested in joining the military at an early age, and his desire to join the Navy in particular was piqued at around the age of eight when he spent the night on the USS Hornet, a naval air craft carrier, as a Cub Scout.

“It was so much fun,” Carroll said. “I got to talk to guys who served on the Hornet, and really ever since then it’s (been) the Naval Academy – that’s what I’ve wanted to do.”

He also feels drawn to the many travel opportunities offered to those in the military – but especially the Navy, he says.

“You’re on a ship sailing around the world going to foreign ports of call,” Carroll said. “I just like that aspect of being able to sail around (and) travel. Plus, I love the ocean.”

Each of the five, four-year academies offer those admitted a top-quality education in the major of their choice, paid for by the government. Students also receive military and physical training, free housing and a small salary, according to the academies’ websites.

“You don’t pay anything monetarily,

but afterwards you do have to serve…a minimum of five years as an officer,” Carroll said.

Whether he attends USNA or USMA, like all service academy students, Carroll will automatically be an officer in the military after he completes his four years, giving him access to top leadership roles.

“Going to the academy and being an officer,” Carroll said, “would be a great way to be a leader and take a very active role in national service.”

Carroll said national service is one of his greatest motivating factors for joining the military, and it is what makes him prepared to go to war.

“I really do believe what I would be doing would be worthwhile,” Carroll said. “It’s important for our country, and our citizens, and really people around the world.”

Senior Holly Rodeo shares this conviction.

“The motto of West Point is ‘Duty, Honor, Country,’ and that is the number one reason I’m absolutely going to be in the military,” Rodeo said.

Rodeo, like Carroll, is an academically accomplished student. She is head drum major in the GBHS band, a cross-country runner and an avid volunteer.

Also like Carroll, Rodeo completed the extensive application to West Point involving physical testing, multiple

Students excited to dance at GBHS

Elective program grows in popularity

BY COLLEEN VIVALDI

cvivaldi.gazette@gmail.com

Granite Bay High School’s dance program has become increasingly popular amongst students over the past few years.

Deserie Milburn, former Sacramento Kings dancesquad member, teaches 3 different leveled dance courses at GBHS. Over the past few years, getting into the dance classes has been more difficult because of the amount of people desiring to be apart of the class.

Currently, freshmen who would like to be apart of the dance class experience are not allowed to apply for the class, unless they try out to be in the class and make it.

“I think it is fair because the freshmen are able to do it for the next three years, but if a senior wants to do it and doesn’t get in, they won’t have the opportunity to do it at all,” sophomore and dance student Sydney Talmi said in regards to the new freshmen rule.

As one of these freshmen, Jordan Armstrong, an avid dancer and cheerleader, decided to give trying out a shot.

“I was excited to share an experience with new kids, but was also nervous being one of the only freshmen in a class filled with upperclassmen,”

Armstrong said.

Not only is the dance program popular to the kids that take the class, but also to the ones who are interested in seeing what aspiring dancers can do with the skill sets that are taught in the class.

Each semester, beginning, intermediate and advanced dance get together, after months of preparing, to put on a semi-annual dance performance for parents and students to see, based on an upbeat theme and what everyone has learned.

Milburn works everyday to teach eager young people about the core and essential techniques for various kinds of dance genres.

Dance, being an art form, allows different kinds of people to become interested in the various kinds of forms Milburn teaches. For example, jazz, hip-hop, ballet and lyrical forms are all incorporated into the class.

Along with Milburn, experienced dancers who act as either teacher aides or teacher assistants help to choreograph different-styled dances for all students to enjoy and learn from.

“We have a fantastic teacher and amazing TA’s who make sure our dances look good for everyone,” junior and beginning dancer Cobie Langham said.

Not only do many girls

at GBHS enjoy the dance elective, but boys do as well.

Sophomore Keenan Koukol became interested in learning about dance as the class continually became popular amongst students.

“The guys realize how fun it (is) after trying it,” Koukol said after getting over the stereotype of it being a girlsonly class.

As popular as Milburn’s class has become, the idea of stepping outside of one’s comfort zone and attempting something new has become even more prevalent.

“I joined the dance program because it is something different than I usually do and I thought it would be a lot of fun,” Talmi said.

Word of mouth and the love for something different have really impacted the enrollment in the dance program at GBHS as it grows each semester and each year.

Milburn is constantly inventing new dances for students. She works to create innovative techniques for teaching the proper ways to dance.

“I think it’s grown to be so popular because people hear how exciting the dances are or have friends of theirs in the dances,” Langham said. “(It) encourages everyone to come out and watch it for themselves.”

The

Speech and Debate success

Gazette illustration/SYDNEY KAHMANN

CollegeBoard SAT

un- Official SATpractice guide

Match the words in the first column with the definitions in the second column. Each chalkboard is its own separate game. Answers can be found B6.

2. Amicable 3. Hackneyed 4. Sagacity 5. Venerable

a. Characterized by friendship and good will b. Worthy of imitation c. Profoundly honored d. Strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage e. Become less in amount or intensity

photo / SUMMER HAENNY

See MILITARY, page B7

Students enjoys the challenges and rewards of forensics, public speaking

BY AKASH KHOSLA

akhosla.gazette@gmail.com

The state and national qualifiers have started to prepare their hardened, yet refined cases and elegant speeches as the National Forensic League tournament approaches.

Forensics, or informally known as Speech and Debate is a series of competitions in which students either perform a speech or argue in a fiery debate against a random opponent. In the room during the events, there is at least one judge and a person who can keep the time. That’s not to say one person cannot do both tasks, but sophomore NFL member Cole Paustch finds it to be somewhat of a hindrance.

“I find it distracting to the speakers because the judges cannot focus on both things at the same time,” Pautsch said. “Separating the tasks can help get stronger and fair results in the end.”

Even the smallest things can affect the outcome of the tournament for someone else.

Whether it’s the judge failing to understand the nuances of the debate, the timer giving misinterpreted time signals, or losing to an inferior opponent, sometimes the result can be frustrating. Spending the whole day at a tournament and not winning anything can be a horrible experience, according to several of the GBHS members.

The experience however of simply debating or speaking about an interesting topic is like no other extracurricular. Senior captain Justin Habashi expressed with gratitude the adventures he has had throughout his speech and debate

career.

“I’ve done all kinds of sports, from hockey to water polo. Nothing delivers the rush like debate competitions,” Habashi said. The 10 minutes before a round in front of a room of people make my heart pump and the adrenaline go like nothing else I can compare to. I love knowing that a group of smart people are evaluating my ideas, philosophies, and opinions.”

Some consider speech and debate to be a sport considering the amount of time that goes into it. The team requires members to put in 8 hours per quarter and go to a certain amount of tournaments every semester.

“It may sound like a lot of work, but it’s really a lot of fun when you enjoy what you’re doing and you’re doing it with such a fun and closeknit team,” said Tiffany Alunan, a senior and captain on the Speech and Debate team. “The memories and the fun that you get to share with your teammates is truly why I admire being on the team.”

Fulfilling the requirements can be a tough task for some, considering the tight time management many of the academically talented students have to deal with. Habashi said that some people with a vigorous passion even lose track of time.

“One time I was so wired I forgot to eat for over 24 hours, just completely slipped my mind.”

Habashi debates in both Parliamentary and Public Forum and does Impromtu Speaking along with International Extemporaneous Speaking.

Speech is full of memorizing and spontaneous events. Whether it’s See SPEECH, page B7

If you really knew me,

you would know...

Chalkboard 2

Chalkboard 1 1. Abate

Gazette

6. Fortitude 7. Exemplary 8. Censure 9. Perfidious 10. Surreptitious

f. Secret, stealthy g. Repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse h. The mental ability to understand and discriminate between relationships i. To criticize harshly j. faithless, disloyal, untrustworthy

- Compiled by Meghan Carlsen

Hunter Loomis

Andrew Toso

If you really knew me, you would know that my first name is Clay, not Hunter.

If you really knew me you would know I have two Chihuahuas named Sassy and Poppy.

Daniela Briuolo

If you really knew me you would know I love One Direction because they are really talented and have good personalities.

- Compiled by Colleen Vivaldi

B4 Lifestyle

Friday, April 19, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

One student’s experience working in Mexico Churches partner with local people of Ensenada to help

I

spent 18 hours us would. on a bus. The Their church bus was stuffed was built seven to the brim with years ago by a 55 high school church in Rancho students, not leavMurieta and has ing a single empty been a pillar in seat. However, I the community. was happy and exHowever, the cited the entire way community that down to Ensenada the church is in is Mexico. extremely poor.

I go to CenterBecause the cevans.gazette@gmail.com point Community community is Church and I am an agriculture a team leader of based culture, our annual Mexico mission trip. I most families are migrant worker have gone on the mission trip all families. four years of high school and have The men work in the fields all loved it every year. day six days a week for about five Each one of the five teams from dollars a day, and the children our church runs a bible school at a work in the fields once they are local church in the Ensenada area about 14 years old. for a week and also supports the As a community, there is very church and the pastor by helping little money for sustenance and with any project the church needs that’s why the church we are partdone. nered with runs a daily breakfast The concept of the mission program. trip comes from the idea that, by Carrie says that for a significant strengthening the local church and amount of the children, the meal making it the center of the comwill be the only thing they have to munity, the church will be able to eat for that day. have a greater affect on the people Our church helped with the in the area. breakfast program as servers to the Churches in Ensenada are truly children and by purchasing all of a complete outreach program, prothe food for the week. viding both spiritual and physical The church asked if we could necessities for their community. wall off a part of a hallway in Our church stays on a ranch in order to make a place to store food the Ensenada area along with many in the church. other churches. We set up what we We went out into the city and fondly refer to as “tent city” which purchased our building materials is about 20 tents housing all of the from local businesses to support volunteers from our church. them in their attempt to survive in Each day we are waken up at Ensenada. Then our team went to 6:15 and prompted to go to breakwork on building two walls to crefast. They serve us meals of typical ate a room out of a hallway. camp food quality and then we go Over the course of the week, we to a chapel hosted by the ranch. made two walls with a door and a After morning chapel, we are re- window for easier food distribuleased to go to our partner churches tion. in Ensenada. And that’s where the With what our church was able real work happens. to do, our partner church will be The church that my team of ten able to store food more safely to students and four adults goes to increase their ability to distribute is called Jehova Jire. The pastor’s the food that is necessary to the name is Juan Ambrocio. His wife community.

Carrie is actually an American who Down in Mexico, the purpose fell in love with Juan on a mission of our service is to strengthen the trip she was a part of.

Mexican churches so that they can They are, for all intents and be the center of their communities purposes, a typical family with two in Ensenada. younger boys whom they love.

Our church’s philosophy is that They speak both Spanish and if we just give a one time gift to English and interact just like any of the poor in Mexico, it will only

chase evans

Courtesy photo DALE LAWRENCE

Courtesy photo DALE LAWRENCE

Far above, team of high school youth with Centerpoint Community Church passing out food at Jehova Jire Church in Ensenada.

Above, senior Chase Evans works with team member and Oakmont sophomore Jon Janzen to bring in supplies for their project.

Right, Local children depend on the food program at Jehova Jire. help for a limited time. However, if we support the churches for long term, they will be able to help their communities both spiritually and physically.

I know that I will stay in communication with Juan and Carrie.

They are my family in Mexico after spending just two weeks spread out over two years with them.

However, they know me incredibly well and they love me so much.

Mission trips do more than merely help out people in need.

They form relationships that are priceless.

And I know that I will always have a house to sleep in if I ever end up down in Ensenada.

Courtesy photo DALE LAWRENCE

Be a ‘professional’ photographer

Gazette photo /CHASE EVANS

1. Get a smart phone. (Is this even a step because everyone already has one?)

2. Download Instagram.

(Photo tip: Snapchat is like Instagram with pictures you can’t save) 3. Make sure to find the sepia (pronounced seep-e-uh) filter on your smart phone 4. Take a picture of a bush or alternate foliage (don’t worry about lighting or an angle or anything because photography is about expressing inner emotion) 5. Post it on Instagram with a caption that is either incredibly deep (Example: my heart burns with the flame of love) or misspelled because a lack of spelling shows how real you are (Example: Dat busch iz totes gorge) -Compiled by Chase Evans

Girls pursue top fitness level Women in the community and on GBHS campus train in body-building activities

BY KRISTIN TAYLOR

ktaylor.gazette@gmail.com

At 4:30 a.m. most Granite Bay High school students are still snuggled up in their beds, drool hanging from the corners of their mouths. However, senior McKenzie Fairbanks can be found at Anytime Fitness, sweat falling from her brow.

Fairbanks has recently started training for National Bikini Competitions (NPC), changing her lifestyle to succeed in this sport.

She became interested in competing through her former personal trainer, Alex Chernyy, who is a NPC Bodybuilding Competitor.

Bikini is a lean and toned look, and is softer in comparison to the muscle definition seen in bodybuilding.

“My friends have mixed feelings on (my interest in fitness because) a lot of them don’t understand the difference between bodybuilding and bikini,” Fairbanks said.

In order to achieve her ideal body, Fairbanks exercises an hour and a half, six days a week.

“Sunday is fun cardio day,” Fairbanks said.

Working out and being active is an enjoyable hobby for Fairbanks, made even better by the fact that she can share her hobby with her father, Mitch Fairbanks.

“McKenzie is 18 and can choose to do anything with her time now, and the fact that she chooses to spend her time with me in a gym at 4:30 a.m. everyday is something I cherish very much,” Mitch Fairbanks said.

Their routine consists of various exercises to target specific muscles and they repeat this routine each week: legs and shoulders, chest and triceps, back and biceps.

Fairbanks’ goal is to gain a little more muscle mass everywhere and become more defined in her obliques and thighs.

“I don’t want to get huge (however),” Fairbanks said.

Although Fairbanks is strict with her fitness plan, she admits that food is her weakness and wishes to hopefully take up a more demanding diet. As for now, she takes a pre-workout meal before the gym and consumes a protein shake and probiotic pill that reduces bloating afterwards.

Fairbanks is just starting out in the fitness world and has found that she truly enjoys it and aspires to push herself harder.

“As I get older, I’m starting to realize that I want to be more than just the average athlete,” Fairbanks said. “I want to make a difference in the fitness industry and really get my name out there, becoming the best I can be.”

GBHS graduate Sammi Smith, older sister to sophomore Cameron Smith, also found she had a passion for fitness.

What initiated her interest was her fear of gaining “the freshmen fifteen” and the knowledge that her metabolism would likely slow

down as her teenage years come to an end.

According to the findings of a Cornell University professor and his former student, college freshmen gain an average of 4.2 pounds during their first 12 weeks of school.

Smith did not want to be a part of this statistic.

She is aspiring to be a fitness model and is working to build her portfolio. Fitness modeling is also not as intense as bodybuilding and a fitness model is more athletic

Gazette illustration/THOMAS TAYLOR

how to...

than muscular in appearance.

Smith had her first photo shoot in March and has her first fitness competition in Las Vegas in August.

She competes with World See BODY, page B7

Teachers have different techniques in classes Students learn more and stay engaged through varying methods of teaching

BY PARKER BURMAN

pburman.gazette@gmail.com

Nobody can argue the importance of a good education. In fact, it is the main reason why students wake up for school at six every morning to go to school.

As such, the quality of one’s education and how well a student receives it plays an important role in

one’s grades and interest in school.

With Granite Bay High School being a very respectable school in terms of education, it is interesting to hear just how the students like to learn.

“While most people enjoy music and movies in school, I learn best through lectures,” junior Reed Klaeser said.

While old fashioned, Klaeser said that it’s his favorite way to learn new material in his classes.

On the other hand, freshman Dane Christensen enjoys watching educational videos in his classes when he wants to learn.

“I’m more into (videos because) I get to see the concepts more instead of the (sometimes) boring

teacher talking,” said Christensen.

He likes how engaging the videos are compared to lecturing.

English teacher Shannon McCann agrees that to be effective, a class needs to be fluid and engaging.

“Using a variety of techniques is crucial,” McCann said. “Everyone learns in different ways and has dif-

ferent ways in which they absorb information and work out complex problems.”

Because of this, McCann tries to incorporate many teaching styles in her classroom. However, she does believe that modeling is the most effective teaching method.

“Modeling is effective (because) students can see

exactly what techniques and skills (a teacher) is looking for,” McCann said.

The setup for the class is also very important to how engaged the students are in their learning.

“I prefer a more laid back schedule in my classes,” Klaeser said. “Then you can focus on the learning itself, See TEACHING, page B7

Friday, April 19, 2013

Lifestyle

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Freshmen in college reflect

GBHS grads give advice to current seniors about future ahead of them

BY KRISTINE KHIEU

kkhieu.gazette@gmail.com

It’s the beginning of April, which means that acceptance letters are received and high school seniors are preparing for the last leg of their high school career.

With increasing stress and high pressure to keep grades up in school, Granite Bay High School seniors are trying to stay focused as senioritis kicks into high gear.

“I’m taking six AP tests this May,” senior Rani Ghosh said. “I want to do well (on) them but it’s like the entire universe is going out of its way … to distract me.”

Ghosh, and most all seniors at GBHS, are stressed and struggling to finish strong in their last year.

With various expectations on the line, current seniors cannot afford to slip up this late in the semester.

To be successful, most teenagers in this current generation have become wired into the understanding that they must go to college, get good grades and become involved with as many extracurricular activities as possible, no matter the cost. But, when does it get to be too much?

GBHS alumni offered their advice for this dilemma and gave a helpful insight on their current college life.

Hamza Abassi, graduate of the class of 2012, currently attends the prestigious Dartmouth College.

When asked about his college experiences, he raved about the enriching environment and great classes that he has been able to attend. But, when it comes to high school, Abassi stresses the importance of enjoying the moment.

“In this world, very few people have the opportunity to attend an institution like GBHS,” Abassi said.

He said that GBHS is a school where people can receive a great education, a

privilege that not all people can obtain.

Thus, in his eyes, students have an obligation to make the most of it.

“Instead of stressing about college admissions, take time to enjoy high school,” Abassi said. “Take classes with the intention of learning something interesting as opposed to simply getting a good grade.”

Abassi clearly followed his own advice in high school. He took many high level courses at GBHS and was able to be successful in nearly all, if not all of them.

According to Abassi, he was able to do so because he took a genuine interest in learning more about the subjects that surrounded him.

Currently residing at the University of Montana, college sophomore and graduate from GBHS in 2011, Jessica Northam, also weighed in on senior stress. “(Don’t) worry too much,” Northam said. “It seems like the only thing occupying your mind is where you’re going to go, what you’re going to do and how you’re going to pay for it, but, I promise you, it won’t be long before you can’t even remember your SAT score.”

Northam, studying for a major in political science and minor in European studies describes her college experience as being frightening and overwhelming at first but one of the most exciting times of her life.

She recently interned with a political organization in Montana and was mentored by Jim Messina, President Obama’s campaign manager for the

most recent 2012 presidential election.

“I’ve already made amazing memories,” Northam said. “College life… is a lot more fun, but there are also a lot more responsibilities. You’re on your own now, which is both awesome and scary.”

Jibran Khan, also a 2012 GBHS graduate, currently attends Concordia University Irvine, but will be transferring after the semester.

He and Abassi were both members of the International Baccalaureate program in high school and were accustomed to a huge workload and high pressure.

“You’re stressing out over getting into the ‘right’ colleges and finishing your classes successfully,” Khan said. “(You don’t want to disappoint) yourself or everyone expecting great things from you, but it does all end.”

In terms of college, Khan said that he adjusted pretty easily. He explained that at that point in his life, he was ready to move on and be more in control.

Many of the alumni agreed that there would never be another place like high school.

Sure, the future after high school brings with it a plethora of opportunities and experiences, but it can wait.

Although school can sometimes seem to solely encompass stress and fatigue, it also fosters some of the greatest lifelong memories.

“Remember to live every day for what it is and enjoy whatever it is you’re doing,” Khan said.“Don’t let your stress get so big that you forget to savor your last high school memories.”

Program prepares future leaders FBLA experiences recent successes in competitions

BY NEHA KOMPELLA

nkompella.gazette@gmail.com

As April 18 approaches, Future Business Leaders of America members at Granite Bay High School will find themselves anticipating the state competition, held for four days in Santa Clara. At the competition, students will compete in different events, including entrepreneurship, business communication, economics and many more.

“I’m really excited to go to the actual competition, because I’ve been studying hard and hopefully I’ll place, or even go to nationals,” says Aditi Ganapathi, a sophomore at GBHS who is going to the state competition for the first time.

Ganapathi said that being a part of FBLA has been very beneficial towards preparing her for the business career.

“I want to go into business when I’m older and this is the perfect opportunity to get a head start and get some experience,” Ganapathi said. “FBLA has taught me some of the basics of the business world, which is very important for me, going into this field. Plus, it’s a good extracurricular that I’m passionate about!”

FBLA is a national vocational student organization for students in high and middle schools who are interested in developing business related skills. Over 215,000 students in the US are a part of FBLA, approximately 50 of them going to GBHS. “FBLA is incredibly useful because it exposes our students not only to other schools and other people, but also to a whole new world in business and a suc-

cessful career in business,” said Felix von Wendorff, the co-president of the FBLA at GBHS. “Our main purpose is to connect high school students who are interested in business as a career as well as to compete and have fun.”

Von Wendorff finds that the preparation and time pressure doesn’t get serious until the state competitions.

“It’s really a very limited amount of time commitment. We meet every other Thursday for maybe 10-20 minutes, where we just … generally review,” von Wendorff said.

“There is one Saturday in late March where we have to go to the sections competitions. Then it starts getting serious – we have the states competition where we go all weekend, and then nationals is over summer and is a week long.”

Basically, there are three major competitions throughout the year: the sectional conference, the state conference and the national conference.

“We have competitions in everything from public speaking to management, economics, accounting, all these things that are related to businesses and the way they operate as a whole,” said Gokul Asokan, copresident of FBLA with von Wendorff. “(FBLA) also covers a variety of fields, like marketing and healthcare management, so it involves different industries.”

Asokan also said the tests given at these competitions are different not only in content, but in format.

“There are different kinds of tests,” said Asokan.

“One is a written test, so that means that its just a 100 question multiple choice test. Usually at higher levels

Hitting the books to The ins and outs of test taking can be

BY THOMAS TAYLOR

ttaylor.gazette@gmail.com

“Learning is like a tree,” said AP United States history teacher Brandon Dell’Orto. “A tree, when it is first starting out, is held up by three individual (pieces of rope).”

Dell’Orto employed this analogy to illustrate the ways adolescents learn and test.

“Multiple choice (or) ... flash card learning is like supporting a tree with one support,” said Dell’Orto.

In Dell’Orto’s long career as a history teacher, he said he has noticed a few things about how Granite Bay High School students take tests.

“You have got to pay attention in class,” said Dell’Orto. “That is the

number one way to improve your test scores. You, the student, must participate by drawing doodles or making limericks on your notes ...

Be engaged.”

Since kindergarten, teachers have been telling their energetic students to pay attention to lessons. Always seeming like a plea for cooperation, some students choose to ignore it. However, Dell’Orto insists this is a huge mistake if you intend to succeed at assessments.

“In college, I realized I could get by if I paid attention, in lecture, to the things my professor stressed or repeats,” said Dell’Orto. “ (The) same thing in high school occurs.”

As many GBHS students know, tests take on many forms. Be it a multiple choice test or a fill in the blank, a test is designed

to assess the knowledge a student has retained.

Florentino Guzman, an AP language arts teacher, supports this claim.

“A test is an assessment,” said Guzman. “It’s a snapshot of what the student knows ... We don’t do a lot of (multiple choice) assessment in AP (Language).

However, I still think that multiple choice questions have their place in education.”

Guzman made references to the monumental change that will occur in the state’s STAR tests. Pulling themselves away from multiplechoice questions will make room for more free response questions.

With this change, a more beneficial educational standards system will be instituted based on specific states.

Sona Jeswani Sophomore enjoys being a part of the FBLA program and attending competitions.

B5

Student

Spotlight

Karthika Saravanavijayan

Sophomore prepares for IB program and manages Speech and Debate Gazette: What have you enjoyed so far in high school?

Saravanavijayan: I’ve enjoyed meeting the wide variety of people who go here, especially because I came from a private middle school with a lot less people. Also, I appreciate the supportive teachers, they are the ones that push me on.

Gazette: You’re taking IB next year, are you worried about the workload?

Saravanavijayan: Yes I am; the workload this year is hard enough so I’m worried about next year. But I’ve heard there are really good IB teachers, so I think I’ll be able to cope with the hard work with support from my family and teachers.

Gazette: You’re in Speech and Debate how has that class helped you?

they will also (ask) you to submit a case study,” Asokan said. “As you go to state or national level competitions, these things become more prominent, but even at the regional levels there are speaking competitions.”

Sona Jeswani, a sophomore at GBHS, is also excited for the upcoming states competition.

“I enjoyed going to the section competitions and competing against other students (in) Northern California,” Jeswani said. “Placing 6th in my event, Intro to Business Communications, and qualifying for states was definitely a great experience. I am really excited to go to the state competitions in Santa Clara with my FBLA chapter.”

Like Ganapathi, Jeswani also finds FBLA to be something that has helped her expand her business skills and develop passion for business-related concepts.

“I joined FBLA to expand on my leadership skills and learn about business concepts … I realized that learning is much more effective when you have

Saravanavijayan: It’s really helped me develop my communication skills. I think I can express myself a lot easier than before, and debate really helped me with that. And I think it really helped me get over my nervousness in front of large crowds!

-Compiled by Neha Kompella aptitude and passion for what you are studying,” she said. “FBLA has taught me how important it is to be a leader and has given me an exposure to the business world.”

Jeswani encouraged GBHS students to get more involved in FBLA. “I definitely encourage others to join FBLA because it teaches you job-related skills that can be taken into account on a daily basis,” she said. “Not to mention, you also meet a lot of people who share common interests.”

improve test scores mastered with practice and creativity “Nowhere in the Constitution … does it say that every child ... is guaranteed an education,” Guzman said. “That’s the state’s (job).”

This change means that STAR testing will be a much different test, requiring different studying strategies, just like any test a GBHS student might take in their regular courses.

Junior Reed Klaeser works hard as a student and gained a high SAT score by employing unique studying techniques.

Klaeser is a huge supporter of teaching the material that you have studied to someone else.

“If you want to know that you’ve mastered a subject then you have to be able to teach it to someone,” Klaeser said. “When you’re at that point, than you can

work out all the things you don’t know by trying to explain (the material) ... Also, studying on a blank piece of paper is really good because you can capture everything that is going on.”

Klaeser means that by using a blank piece of paper for notes, a student can create general concepts using stick figures or pictures, anything that will stay in one’s mind come test day.

“Maybe you can pull a teacher (aside) or your parent or your friend to ... teach the material to.”

Klaeser said. “Or the wall if you are cool like that.”

Simple “flash-card memory” is not enough to succeed on every test and in every situation. Dell’Orto recalled that in high school he remembered everything while the flash cards were still in his hand. However,

the minute they left he could not recall any of the vital information.

Studying comes down to whatever stays in each person’s brain the best.

Dell’Orto stressed that the brain is an amazing thing that can recall whatever it wants – a student’s job is to ensure their brain wants to record the information that it is studying.

So many teachers like Dell’Orto advise to make it fun and exciting. Study to songs or movies. Use white sheets of paper to draw and scribble the information you know. Once you are all done teach it to anyone, even your dog.

“In the end, it’s all about learning how to play the game,” Dell’Orto said.

“The sooner you do that … the better (test scores) you will get.”

B6 Lifestyle

Friday, April 19, 2013

Random facts

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Random club of the month

A list of facts you will never need to know but always find interesting

One of 2,128 GBHS students is randomly selected every issue

Harry Potter Club President: Junior Bre Bolton Gazette: What is the purpose of the Harry Potter Club?

It’s a group of kids who like to get together and talk about Harry Potter. (It’s) just a place for kids who like Harry Potter to hang out (with) people who will be interested in talking about it with them.

Hypnotism is banned by public schools in San Diego.

Chewing gum cannot be purchased at Disneyland as an effort to keep the park clean.

What has the Harry Potter Club done in the past?

We have trivia parties sometimes where we answer trivia questions and bring in food. It’s kind of like a party but nerdier. We’ve (also) tried to play quidditch a couple times but it doesn’t really worked out.

“A man a plan a canal panama” is the same thing when your reverse it.

The indentation that runs between your nose and the top of your upper lip is called a philtrum

When and where does the Harry Potter Club meet?

We meet in the library every other Friday from 2-5.

If humans had the metabolism of a hummingbird, they would have to intake 155,000 calories a day.

Gazette photo /SUMMER HAeNnY

In WWII more civilians died than soldiers.

Of all the words in the English language, the word “set” has the most definitions.

Source: http://www.allrandomfacts.com/

Emily Torris, sophomore What is your dream job?

(I would like) to be a doctor or an event planner.

Where do you like to shop?

I like to shop at Nordstrom and Urban Outfitters.

What is your favorite food?

Anything with potatoes, like mash potatoes or twice baked potatoes or potato pasta.

What is the best thing about GBHS? I would say all the sports teams... our football team is good, I play lacrosse and I also like watching

–Compiled by Kristin Taylor

soccer. I enjoy how all of our sports teams are (successful).

Who do you go to for advice?

(I go to) my friends because they (always) know how to make it better.

What is the Harry Potter Club planning for the future?

We’re planning on doing another book drive this year. It’s where we put a box in the library and kids put in books. And, we’re going to find a local charity to donate the books to. There’ll also be another trivia party at the end of the year.

What are the requirements to join the Harry Potter Club?

(Just the) want to talk about Harry Potter. It’s not a very exclusive club.

–Compiled by Kristine Khieu

–Compiled by Colleen Vivaldi

GUIDE DOGS: Hard work and a large time commitment pay off in the end Continued from page B2

Reid, a black lab puppy who will soon also be transferred to Johnson to finish off his training.

Johnson said she is very excited to start raising Reid in May. Touloukian has high hopes for Reid as a guide dog and said she feels Reid could be one of the best dogs she and her husband have ever raised.

However, before Reid can go on to become an exceptional guide dog, he must go through many types of training and overcome many hurdles in the program.

According to Touloukian, it is the raisers job to help get a Guide Dog puppy accustomed to working in public. She explained that they have to be able to go to a variety of places such as a movie theater, a doctor’s office or a restaurant and “become invisible.”

These dogs have to be able to travel on buses, trains and planes without causing a disturbance.

They have to ignore people trying to grab at them and pet them as well as other dogs that could be around them.

Raisers receive these puppies at eight weeks old and work with them until about 15 or 16 months old. When Reid reaches that age, Touloukian, as the leader of the group, will receive a phone call recalling him to the campus in San Raphael.

Once back at the campus, Reid will have to go through formal training, which starts with full medical testing. Anything from eye exams to stress tests to x-rays will be performed on the dog to make sure they’re in perfect health. “(We have to) make sure that dog is completely able to do the job,” Touloukian said. “If he’s not for any one little reason, we don’t pass him.”

Touloukian explained that even something as small as an ear infection could turn away a dog from eligibility because of concern that a blind person wouldn’t notice the dog’s ailment and it wouldn’t get treatment, harming both the dog and the person it’s leading by extension.

If Reid were to pass the medical portion, he would move on to a more formal training process that takes about ten to twelve weeks.

During that time, they learn how to lead through elevations in the road, corners, traffic or even a low-hanging tree-branch.

“If they do pass all that, then I get a phone call, as the leader, saying Reid is in class,” Touloukian said. “What that means is we have students from all over the country and Canada (who) come to our campus for a two week period and they get matched with a dog.”

Touloukian explained that Guide

Dogs for the Blind has an extensive process from matching a dog with a blind person. They research the person’s living environment, specific needs and working environment prior to matching.

“Guide Dogs matches people with exactly the right dog,” Touloukian said. “I don’t know how they do it, but every time they seem to do it exactly right.”

When a dog is “in class” they solely train with the person they’ve been matched with. The two get to know each other on the San Raphael campus.

At the end of the two weeks a graduation ceremony is held during which the “puppy raisers” are invited.

“It’s usually the first time you’ve seen your dog in two and a half (or) three months,” Touloukian said. “(So) you are meeting the blind person that they’re going to now live with and you get to see your dog again.”

During the ceremony, the blind person stands on the stage while the raiser leads their dog out and passes off the leash.

“It’s very emotional,” Touloukian said. “(It’s a) very big deal because most of the time, even if it’s the person’s sixth or seventh dog, you’re changing their life forever … This (dog) is their eyes.

This is the way they move around the world.”

Even though these pets, we do Johnson, and not permit them at I just have to school for a variety many of the other volunteers remember that of reasons includfor this program, allergies of other the blind person ing become very students, liability attached to their needs them more issues … and overall dog, Johnson is student safety.” than I do. still inspired to GBHS students continue raising with disabilities who puppies.

– Shannon Litchfield, want to use a guide “What drives dog are allowed to Guide Dog raiser me to continue bring these dogs to now is the smile school. However, on the lady’s teens that are training face who we these dogs are fairly gave Rufus limited by this policy. to,” Johnson said. “Her gratitude Johnson has not tried to oppose toward us for raising him and her these policies at GBHS yet as she telling us how much she loves him said she was attempting to focus makes it all worthwhile. on academics and getting adjusted Because Johnson attends GBHS, to a new school. her ability to raise puppies is However, Shannon Litchfield, an limited since she cannot bring her eighth grader at Cavitt Junior High puppy on campus. Most teenage School, will be headed to GBHS raisers want to bring the puppy next year and is not planning on they’re training to their school so giving up her participation in that they can get accustomed to Guide Dogs for the Blind, which crowds. she’s been a part of for about three However, GBHS students cannot years. bring their puppies to campus due Litchfield and her mom, who to school policy. had previously raised one Guide “Our school’s policy is to Dog named Virginia, are now curcomply absolutely and completely rently raising Merlin, a nine month with state law when it comes to old black lab. guide dogs and companion dogs,” With both Litchfield and principal Mike McGuire said.

Johnson at GBHS and wanting “Since the law does not require to raise Guide Dogs, Touloukian schools to be a training site for said maybe the school will finally

INSPIRATION: Mentors inspire us to pursue more in life Continued from page B1 When choosing role models, students shy away from distant celebrities and famous athletes in favor of people closer to home.

Junior Julia Bermudez finds mentorship in her grandfather.

“He has impacted my life by always giving me advice and life lessons,” Bermudez said. “Even though he doesn’t say much, the little things he does say make a huge impact on me.”

She contributes her admiration to all the things that her grandfather is still able to do at the age of 83.

In addition to working out, creating art, reading and learning new things, her grandfather continues to care for his family.

“I just hope I can be able to do all that he is able to do at his old age and be able to do all the things that I love to do,” Bermudez said.

Brendel also has a role model who’s known him since the day he was born.

His dad, Jerry Brendel, has inspired him and guided him throughout his life.

“He’s given me a lot (of) advice

throughout the years … from relational advice (to) advice on sports and school and decision making.”

Helping the younger Brendel, while allowing him to gain independence, has positively shaped his life.

“He’ll allow me to make decisions but help me figure out which is the best decision to make,” Brendel said.

Religious figures also make significant impacts on the lives of many, including senior Ian Fitzpatrick.

“Jesus (is my role model) because he lived a flawless life and accomplished a lot of things that I wish to accomplish in my life,” Fitzpatrick said.

He looks to the way Jesus interacted with others and attempts to emulate these characteristics in the same way.

“He was treated horribly but he showed everyone kindness,” Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick has seen a positive change in his life since employing such tactics.

“I’ve seen situations that could have gone horribly and friendships that could have been ruined,” Fitzpatrick said. “(There have been) people (who) treated me disrespectfully but (the situation) was

better because I chose to be kind instead of treating people (rudely).”

We long to acquire the tactics of our chosen role models, and therefore choose to follow their example.

“If we learn about who they are and the steps that they took, (we) can emulate those,” Elkin said.

She herself has identified mentors in the numerous aspects of her life who she claims have only made her life better. “(They are) people in my life who just are very kind and very compassionate with others and always remind me to give people the benefit of the doubt,” Elkin said. “For me, they’re everyday people who inspire me to live the way I would like to live.”

And even role models themselves are inspired by others. Davidson feels a lot of her leadership characteristics come from past leaders.

“These traits come from other leaders in the past who have set (both) good and bad impressions upon me,” Davidson said. “And (they’ve) helped me realize what type of leadership people respond to…and the kind of leadership that makes people not respect you at all.”

She’s drawn from past experiences in order to better herself, and even chosen a specific person to look up to as well.

“Holly Rodeo is an example of a person who demonstrated how a real leader should act in order to earn the respect needed,” Davidson said.

The efforts role models put in without even being conscious of their actions just makes them that much stronger of examples.

“She has really taken the time and (offered) a lot of patience to teach me all that I know, and has inspired me to become the leader that I am today,” Davidson said.

Overall, having a role model or a mentor, or really anyone to look up to, seems to only positively impact our lives if we choose to look up to the right people.

Brendel himself is certain that his role models have changed his life only for the better.

“Role models are a really good thing to have because without them we’d be pretty lost,” he said. “We’d have to figure (life) out for ourselves and we would screw up a heck of a lot more than we need to.”

open the door to let guide dogs be brought on campus as a part of their training.

McGuire explained that the school doesn’t have an official policy in place that prohibits this activity but they try to avoid any possible problems that could come up with dogs on campus. However, if a dog needed to be trained for how to act in a school environment, it would be a specific discussion.

“It would be an interesting conversation if someone in authority could certify officially that the dog is being trained for a school age child,” McGuire said. “I would do more research under those circumstances.”

While training Guide Dogs is still a fairly new discussion at GBHS, Touloukian, Johnson and Litchfield are all committed to continue in Placer Four for Two and bring more trained guide dogs to the blind community.

Touloukian explained that all the raisers are volunteers, giving their time, energy and resources to this program, working for the reward of benefiting a person in need.

“It is extremely hard to give the dogs up,” Litchfield said. “But (I) just have to remember that the blind person needs them more than I do.”

Your names.

Your faces.

The Gazette.

Friday, April 19, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

BODY: Women find satisfying hobby in exercise, diet and competition Continued from page B4

Beauty Fitness and Fashion (WBFF) and will be competing in the amateur show in Las Vegas.

Once Smith wins a competition, she will receive her professional card, which gives her the title of being a professional fitness model.

Her portfolio will then help her earn a sponsorship and allow companies to seek her to advertise their products.

Smith trains with Marquis Phillips one hour, six days a week and although personal trainers can be expensive, they have negotiated a reasonable price being that she is a student without an income and she has a lot of potential in fitness.

In addition to these workouts in which Phillips helps Smith target muscle groups, Smith goes to 24 Hour Fitness in the evenings for 30 minutes of cardio. She switches between the treadmill, the stair master and doing interval training on other machines so that her body

doesn’t become accustomed to one workout and diminish results.

As for her diet, Smith has completely cut out all sugar.

“No fruit. No gum. No sugar,” Smith said.

She is currently eating 6 meals a day: one protein shake after her work out and 5 meals consisting of five ounces of protein, four ounces of vegetables, two ounces of carbs, and one ounce of fat. This diet is meant to lean Smith down for her upcoming shoot.

This meal plan is extremely strict and it was difficult at first for Smith to break old habits because she has an unrelenting sweet tooth.

“I can pass by the burgers, pizza, pasta, etc., but once I see cookies or brownies, I start whining like a baby.”

Although difficult at times, Smith says her lifestyle is completely worth it.

“I always like to say that I have a devil on one shoulder and an angel on my other. I am constantly

having conversations and arguments in my head with myself,” Smith said. “One minute I will tell myself ‘it is OK to cheat’ or ‘just have one and do more cardio later,’ but then my angel talks me out of it and I have to remember why I am doing this and what I am working for.”

Smith is happy to have become so committed to taking care of her body and wishes the same for those around her.

“People my age are away at college enjoying the social part of it and I have sadly noticed so many people’s bodies have changed drastically since we graduated,” Smith said. “That was exactly what I was afraid of and I want to show people that even with the busiest schedule, it is easy and worth taking care of your body.”

Both Fairbanks and Smith said they would never consider steroids as they have negative consequences on the body and enjoy the simple, natural route to fitness:

SPCA: A closer look at saving animals Continued from page B1 may become overcrowded because many people assume that animals adopted from breeders are healthier than rescue pets.

“Dogs at pet stores sometimes come from puppy mills,” said Dr. Kelly Annette of Abel Pet Clinic in Elk Grove. “The dogs there are kept in really poor conditions and have been bred so many times that their lines develop a lot of health issues. Mixed dogs are generally healthier.”

Although rescue organizations are often short for time and space, more and more have begun to adopt a new “No Kill” policy.

Unless the animal is dangerously aggressive or puts the staff, volunteers and general public in danger, the shelter will not euthanize.

“We come up with creative solutions,” said Tiffany

Smith, Admissions and Adoptions Manager at the Placer Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, “such as special adoption days or promotions that feature the animals and get people in the doors.

We work extremely hard at maintaining relationships with rescue groups and other organizations to ensure that if we needed to, we could utilize their services.”

The PSPCA has raised awareness about the benefits of rescuing an animal through fundraisers and events such as the Barktoberfest and classes for both adults and children.

Along with the work of volunteers and the community, animal protection organizations across the nation have garnered enormous support from celebrities, and the PSPCA alone has helped 36,153 animals to find homes since 1995.

Marissa Graham, a junior at Granite Bay High School, is the proud owner of a rescued golden

CHEER: Participants voice their spirit at Powder Puff Continued from page B2

them to participate in a sport guys usually dominate,” Lewis said.

Kindelt saw a wonderful chance for both genders to work together for a common goal.

“I believe it’s a great opportunity for girls and guys to participate in a fun, school-provided activity,” Kindelt said.

But let’s not forget the reason all these athletes really played Powder Puff. Each team yearned to return from the game with a victory for their class.

Zavesky stuck with his senior class when he offered his prediction before the game.

“Seniors are going to win regardless,” Zavesky said.

Even though the seniors hadn’t lost in quite some time, the juniors remained optimistic about their chances of winning in a huge upset.

“It is a good competition between the juniors and seniors, even though the juniors are obviously better,” Khan said, revealing some class-based bias.

“This year I feel the seniors could lose, because as a class the juniors are more determined, violent, and spirited,” Lewis said.

Strong words aside,the seniors managed to come out with the win.

“I think Powder Puff is really fun,” Zavesky said. “It’s a good way to get some perspective and get involved.”

diet and exercise.

Health and Safety teacher Kathie Sinor said bodybuilding can be looked at as unattractive due to its perceived association with synthetic hormones. However, she fully supports the sport given that athletes stay away from dangerous drugs to become fit.

“It’s a great sport,” Sinor said.

“It creates a well rounded athlete with strength and cardio and as long as it’s done without chemicals, it’s healthy.”

Fairbanks and Smith enjoy the task of shaping their bodies and their method of choice is hard work.

“Eating clean and exercising is all you need,” Smith said. “I think body building, sculpting and muscles are truly an art.”

Fairbanks and Smith are fairly new to competitive fitness, however if they remain committed, one day they may be as successful as Jami Debernard, mother of two, owner of Anytime Fitness and a

retriever.

“My dog has been really awesome,” Graham said.

“We haven’t had any problems with her and she’s so happy.”

Volunteer opportunities are plentiful for animal lovers looking for a rewarding way to spend their time or high school students in need of hours for graduation.

“We do offer youth volunteering to individuals 13-17 years of age,” Smith said. “Speaking to our Humane Education Department would be the first step in determining what would work best for each individual.”

Because of the high hour requirement for volunteering monthly, it is a time commitment. However, some believe that nothing compares to the feeling that comes with helping an animal in need.

Christi Trovato, a junior at GBHS, woke up on Christmas morning to a rescued puppy and has been regularly volunteering at the PSPCA since.

“I love the animals (at the SPCA),” Trovato said.

“My dog St. Nick has been a great addition to our family. (All the animals) have so much personality,

be stationed in Germany maybe or somewhere overseas.”

Despite an officer’s deployment around the world, residence on or near a military base, and regular duty, Rodeo says she anticipates a relatively normal life in the army.

“What a lot of people, I think, don’t understand about the armed forces is that really any kind of job that you could find in the civilian world is in the army or the navy,” Rodeo said. “They’re basically little mini worlds.”

Rodeo said she was absolutely assured she was making the right decision after attending a week-long Summer Leadership Seminar at West Point, where selected applicants attended sample classes and saw what life as a Cadet is like.

“It was exactly what I was expecting and hoping it to be,” Rodeo said.

“The structure and the discipline really call to me.”

Rodeo said she is not worried about being in the minority as a woman in the army, though she does acknowledge that woman still stand out in the armed forces.

“My mom …. basically said that at first people tend to sort of condescend or look down on you,” Rodeo said, “but you prove yourself, and then that’s that.”

Rodeo said she is absolutely willing to die for her country and feels a duty to protect the freedoms of Americans and a debt to those who have died in battle before her. “[Women] are still not allowed to branch into infantry,” Rodeo said, “but there’s definitely the possibility that [women will] be able to by the time that I’m in the military, and if

that’s the case then that’s definitely the branch that I would want to go into.”

In the event that Rodeo receives a rejection from USMA, she may instead join the Signal Corps, which focuses on communication, or simply enlist in the army.

Enlistment in the army is the route that senior Carlton Modin is planning to take after high school.

After a surgery to repair two damaged eardrums, Modin will be eligible to joint the army. He hopes to work in the Information Technology field.

Another option Modin is considering is the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Sierra College.

ROTC allows students to receive training to become an officer in the military while still in college, according to GBHS assistant principal Cathy Raycraft.

“You can be any kind of major, you’re just taking your ROTC curriculum for 4 years,” Raycraft said, “and then you can qualify to be an officer.”

There are many paths to take for high school graduates who want to join the military, Raycraft said, “for the right fit”— those dedicated to discipline, structure, and national service.

Senior Logan Burson did not become interested in joining the military until this year when he was contacted by a recruiter, and by around November he had made his decision to enlist in the Marine Corps.

After graduation from high school, Burson will be attending a boot camp for basic training, and will then begin studies at a Military

she jumped at the chance. She started training and competing, often against men because there were rarely many female competitors. She won the southeast Louisiana State championships and kept going from there.

Since, she has become a certified personal trainer, Kundalini Yoga instructor and Turbo Kick Boxing instructor in addition to being a figure competitor.

Debernard shares the same passion for fitness as Fairbanks and Smith and encourages others to take part in what she so enjoys.

“Do something...anything.”

Debernard said. “Whether you start walking or doing situps in front of the TV, do something.

Be active and you will be surprised where it may lead you. If it leads to the competition stage wonderful. If it leads you to a healthier and more fit lifestyle, better yet.”

and I think they really are grateful that we’re helping them.

In addition to the 493 volunteers and 84,739 hours that were donated to the PSPCA in 2012, the shelter is also sustained through donations.

“We receive our funding from our supporters and donors which are residents of the community, businesses, past adopters, staff and volunteers,” Smith said.

Overall, the PSPCA has been a wonderful resource for pet owners.

The services they offer include a Behavior HelpLine, a Spay/Neuter Assistance Program, a low-cost rabies and microchip clinic, the Pet Pantry Humane Education services, Volunteer Program services, a Thrift Store and a Foster Care program.

“We have a very strong community focus and want to be here as a resource for our community,” Smith said. “We have grown immensely from our beginning in 1973, and we continue to grow and provide innovative programs to enhance animal well-being and improve adoptability.”

SPEECH: Extracurricular challenges student members Continued from page B3 an interpretation, a presentation or your own speech, these are considered the “boring” events of speech and debate for most people who are more interested in the intensity of debating.

Interpretations take speeches from others, stories, movies or some type of author and requires a script. It can be humorous, dramatic, thematic, oratorical, or even a duo. Among interpretations, all have their own events. Then there’s the originals, which include original prose poetry, oratory, and expository.

Lastly, there’s the spontaneous events: impromptu, national and international extemporaneous. Impromptu is one of those events where you have minimal prep time in order to formulate a speech. It’s a highly spontaneous speech. Extemporaneous focuses on either national or international topics in which the speaker randomly chooses his topic and take 30 minutes of preparation in order to formulate a speech.

“Extemporaneous events have always been my thing,” Habashi said. “I prefer it over

MILITARY: Some seniors opt to enlist Continued from page B3

professional figure competitor.

“Figure is as the name implies.

It is about honing the body to proportion and balance of muscle and symmetry,” Debernard said. “It is really not about size at all.”

Her accomplishments include winning the overall at the Sacramento Competition in November 2010 and winning her class in the USA Championships in June 2011.

She has placed in the top 5 in her first professional shows and has never placed out of the top 5 in all of the professional shows in which she has competed. She qualified for the Olympia (the biggest figure show of the year) in her first year as a professional in 2011 and in 2012, she won the California Championships and again qualified for the Olympia where she competed in 2012.

Debernard initiated her commitment to fitness after joining a gym at age 15. She was approached by a man who asked her if she was interested in power lifting and

Lifestyle B7

Occupational Specialties school.

Burson already knows which MOS school he will be attending, because he knows which occupation he will hold in the Marines.

Enlisters are able to choose what jobs they would like, provided there are enough slots left for the occupation.

“My job is going to be … aircraft-type aviation support,” Burson said. “I’m either going to be crew chief on a helicopter – so in charge of making sure people are safe on and off and equipment is locked down … or a navigator sitting in the copilot seat navigating.”

Burson’s recruiter was actually the one that put him in the aviation support slot, but after consideration, Burson said he decided that it would be a good fit for him.

“It’s more of mid-level management,” he said, “It’s not like you’re at the very top but you’re in charge of important things.”

Although Burson will not be going to a traditional four-year university because he will start his job after finishing his MOS training, he is interested in the non-traditional forms of free college education that the Marines offer – such as online classes or night classes at a local college in a deployment location.

Before his decision to join the military, Burson had not decided what major to study in college or what direction he wanted to take, he said.

“I think the deciding factor was what they had to offer me,” Burson said, “both in challenge and in leadership and different attributes that you can’t really get from going to college.”

memorizing because it’s far more rewarding in my opinion.”

There’s the entire category of debate, which is the main reason why most people are in the NFL. Parliamentary and Public Forum are team events, whereas Congress and Lincoln-Douglas focus more on the individual debaters. In terms of difficulty, Parliamentary and Lincoln-Douglas are considered the most difficult, Congress is in between, and Public Forum is the easiest.

Public Forum is as about as basic as the debating gets. It’s easy to formulate a case, but the competition will vary depending on the tournament and opponents. It is more evidence based and black and white than any debate. Another positive is that you get a partner to fall back on, but a good debater never relies on their partner to take care of the things they missed and will always use their partner to look at things differently.

“Being a part of the team makes you realize that you may not always be right and that others can help you with different perspectives,” Pautsch said. “I really enjoy the arguing I get to do in debate with my partner because it bonds me with my team more and I get better at argu-

ing.”

Licoln-Douglas takes Public Forum, but individualizes it and takes a philosophical approach to debate. It’s considered a tougher debate because of defending of values in the refutations.

Congress is an emulation of the US Congress where students debate bills and resolutions.

Each school submits mock legislation before the event and it is distributed once compiled.

Then the team has to research as many topics as possible in order to participate on both sides of the legislations.

Parliamentary debate is basically a government versus opposition debate. It’s a spontaneous debate event similar to extemporaneous, which the exception of the debating. One of the conceivable benefits of this debate is that interruptions are allowed, but only to a certain extent. One may make a point of information, personal privilege, or order. These can all contribute to the results of the judge.

“Speech and debate isn’t for the casual academic,” Habashi said. “It’s for people who are willing to look like an idiot in front of a crowd at times just to improve their faults and build on their skills.”

TEACH: Students learn differently Continued from page B4

and not just meeting certain deadlines.”

They both agree that the flexibility of a schedule makes it much easier for the students to fully understand the subject.

“I prefer a slower schedule so I have more time to do my work, while a strict schedule (doesn’t allow me) any time to get my homework done,” Christensen said.

They both agree that the flexibility of a schedule makes it much easier for the students to fully understand the subject.

As a teacher, McCann knows that it is important to incorporate fun activities into the class to keep students interested.

“It helps them make some sort of a personal connection with the skills and subjects that we’re teaching,” McCann said.

Students appreciate the change of pace.

“I like fun projects because I’m more into it and I (have to) know what I’m doing,” Christensen said.

Since teachers like to use many different teaching methods many students have teaching styles that they dread.

“I hate interaction based classes,” Klaeser said.

“So because of that, I hate classes like Spanish.”

Christensen disagrees and dislikes static teaching, like lectures.

“It’s only the teacher talking, and I practically fall asleep,” Christensen said.

Overall, students seem to love the classes that are more engaging and appealing to their personal tastes.

While they can’t please everyone, it is important for teachers to try out many different techniques to determine which one the students connect best with.

All students opinions are different, but they all like their classes substantially more when they enjoy what they are doing.

“Engagement is crucial in the learning process,” McCann said. “Without the interest, the desire or the passion, the students will not be as motivated to learn.”

MEDIA: Program overcomes critique Continued from page B2

“There are amazing products that show what these kids can do,” Weidkamp said. “Ripple Effect, Lip Dub and Every 15 Minutes are examples of how great these guys can be.”

Weidkamp stressed how in media production, hours of filming will be edited down to only a few minutes of actual product, making the whole process very

time consuming and painstaking, in order to make a perfect product.

Weidkamp said he is dedicated to his students, not only while they are in his class, but when they leave high school.

“Whatever I do, I do it for the kids,” he said.

“I stay positive because I have seen what I’ve been able to do for them by inspiring these kids to go out there and get into the field.”

your names your faces the Gazette

B8 Lifestyle

Friday, April 2013 Friday, April 19,19, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Capturing moments Student photographers are able to share their work through social media

BY GRACE MOORE

gmoore.gazette@gmail.com

These days, taking pictures is a part of being a teen. With the prevalence of smartphones equipped with cameras and new social media services facilitating the sharing of photos, more people than ever have been getting exposure to the hobby that seems to be sweeping a generation.

Instagram has been just one factor influencing students.

Since its iTunes App Store launch in October 2010 by co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, it has garnered 100 million active users monthly, welcoming over 40 million new photos each day, uploaded by the tech-savvy, on their Androids or iPhones.

With more search interest than Flickr, Picasa, and even the term “photography” on Google, it’s safe to say that Instagram is the current leader of its niche, and it has a strong following in the students of Granite Bay High School.

“Instagram has three different sections: ‘instafamous’ people, (...) regular people who like photography like me, and people who just take pictures of their life,” GBHS junior Curtis Mar said. “‘Instafamous’ people sell their photography and get money for it. Kids like me post pictures of photography that they like.”

Many high schoolers upload their life in pictures somewhere every day, whether that means a quick photo with some friends or their latest work from their

photography class.

These days it has also been used for beauty pageants and the trade of clothes.

Snapchat, a simple smartphone application where one can take and send pictures, often silly, to their friends for a limited time, has become enormously popular as well.

Mar and many others, however, are part of a growing group of teens who go beyond photographing their lunch and use Instagram and other online services to discover and share examples of great photography.

Mar said Instagram was what sparked his interest in photography, and the companionship and the competition with other photographers has kept him taking pictures for years.

In a few years, he has gone beyond cell phone photography, having been one of several students to make it into the Blue Line Art Gallery, and he aspires to get into more galleries.

With the recent ubiquity of cameras, it seems there is less of a perceived need for photographers.

“Honestly, photographers don’t get a lot of respect because a teenager with an iPhone can do the same thing, and there’s so many people (taking pictures) out there,” said junior Laurel Teague. “Yeah, the big fancy camera looks cool, but you can do the same thing on your phone.”

Despite that, Teague still enjoys updating her Flickr and Instagram accounts with photos from her Single-Lens Reflex camera, joining groups on Flickr and garnering fans.

According to her, a significant reason why she and many other teens take photos these days in a photo-saturated world is because they want to be appreciated and it would be nice to get paid.

Senior and photographer Corey Consunji, whose favorite picture he’s taken was one of a belly dancer in Santa Monica, would have to disagree with that generalization.

“I just (take photos) for myself because I like doing it,” Consunji said. “I don’t really try to make it a career or impress anybody, I just do it for myself.”

Perhaps the only safe generalization is that a high school student’s photos are unique from those of any other age group. As a group, teens have different experiences, a different perspective, more free time and more technology skills than any other age group of casual photographers.

Teague argued that teen’s subjects are edgier and closer to the cutting edge of what’s popular.

Teague said that it seems obvious to her that if one casually puts a large SLR camera in the hands of a middle aged adult, he or she would likely take a picture of their children. Do the same thing to a teen, and he or she would likely take pictures of more youthful subjects, whatever they may be.

From that viewpoint, the smartphone in a teen’s hand might also be seen as a finger trained on the Internet’s pulse on youthful subjects and new trends and styles — a pulse that shapes this generation.

Gazette illustration/LENA EYEN

Courtesy photo /CAMILLE MALLET Courtesy photo /CURTIS MAR Courtesy photo /TRENT BRENDEL Courtesy photo /LAUREL TEAGUE

Sports

Granite Bay Gazette

C1 Section

Friday w April 19, 2013

Commentary

GBHS bike team pedals into full gear

austin downs adowns.gazette@gmail.com

Playing sports in life after high school

F

or the better part of my senior year, I thought that after I finished both my high school and club seasons, I was going to permanently retire from volleyball, shifting away from athletics to focus more heavily on my college education.

However, two heartbreaking rejections from the University of California’s and three separate private school’s lack of financial aid had metaphorically knocked me to the ground, and it now looks as though UC Santa Cruz will be the best financial option for me.

As disheartened as I initially was, my college frustrations didn’t last too long, as the positive aspects of my college future quickly outweighed the negative aspects.

First, and probably the biggest positive aspect, Santa Cruz is a Division III school, which means, without trying to disrespect Div. III schools in any way, that the overall league of competition and skilllevel is not as intense as Div. II or Div. 1 sports.

Regardless, the Div. III status of Santa Cruz has given me immense optimism that, given my fairly strong and developed volleyball skills that have come from playing the sport for five years, I’ve got a somewhat decent chance to tryout for the team as a walk-on and hopefully continue playing the sport that I love.

And, even if I don’t make Santa Cruz’s team, I won’t be too worried, for I’ve made myself a cheesy promise that whatever happens I will make a strong effort to play volleyball in some way.

However, before I immediately got ecstatic with my little promise I had made to myself, I, like most of the important decisions I make in life, took time to reflect back on how I was so bent on not playing some form of volleyball in college and just how devastating that would have made me feel probably after the first year at college.

So, as I’ve taken the time to put some serious thought into it, it’s made me realize that in the big scheme of life, sacrificing something that you love, which in my case and probably a case in many other athletes, is a sport, just so you can focus slightly more on academics, really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me anymore.

I mean, given, it’s a whole different story if the reason why someone is doing so bad at academics is because of a commitment to a sport, then by all means, the sport has got to go. But, for the situation like I am in, I really don’t think that playing volleyball in college will be the end of my future. I mean, really, what was I thinking? ‘I’ve got to give up all possibility of fun once I’m in college. Otherwise, if I don’t, it will seriously damage my hopes of pursuing a career in the education field.

At the same time that I beat myself up for my illogical thinking, it saddens me to know that there are probably people that I know and countless amounts of people that I don’t know that have unfortunately had to give up the sport that they love playing.

As the old saying goes, if you love something, let it go. For me, personally, I let volleyball go from my life.

Luckily for me, life had a weird way of bringing it back to me.

*** Austin Downs, a senior, is a Sports co-editor

inside sports

C2

Sports Briefs

C5

Grizz Quiz

Athlete of the Month

r

C5

Courtesy photo/ Ben Soper

In a recent Div II meet, freshman rider Abbygail Murer coasts down a hill. Murer, the only female on the team, has been an improving rider throughout the season.

In their first year as a team, cycling team competes strongly at competitions

BY AUSTIN DOWNS

adowns.gazette@gmail.com

When Spanish teacher and avid mountain biker Abram Ditman, in collaboration with the current head coach and co-director Wes Murer, set out to officially sanction the Granite Bay High School Mountain Bike club as part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), neither of them could have predicted the success and strength they would have in their first year.

After Murer had spent the better part of a year gaining sponsors and preparing to take the recreational club into a competitive atmosphere, the school’s team of-

ficially started their season with practices in December and their first NICA meet in February.

“To have such a great start with great success for a brand new team is very uncharacteristic,” Murer said.

The team, comprised of only nine members, competes in NICA’s Division II northen California league, competing against teams from the Bay area along with teams from the Sierra Nevada region, most of which teams have had a mountain bike team for several years now.

Out of the 32 teams in the Division II league, GBHS is currently seeded seventh, a ranking that both Murer and Ditman are incredibly proud of.

“To be seeded (seventh) with a relatively small amount of racers is a great accomplishment,” Murer said. “I can’t wait to see how we do next year since we have no seniors on the team this year.”

With such a strong ranking for a brand new team, every racer on the team qualified through their times and placements the opportunity to compete at the state championships at Stafford Lake, Novato in May. “I don’t really have any expectations going into the state championships,” Murer said. “It’s really just an honor to have all (nine) members competing there and I hope that they really learn and grow from it.”

However, as the head director and coach of the team, Murer says that the most difficult aspect of the team so far this year is the strain of communication and keeping everything organized.

“Our main goal was to have a team that allowed the members to train and build there skills,” Murer said. “But in order to do so we wanted to have a team that supported the athletes in our best way possible, and that’s where the difficulty comes from.”

For instance, Murer says that hauling the equipment that holds all of the bikes and making sure that all of the parent See CYCLING, page C5

Seniors narrowly win annual football game Power Puff match decided by trick play late in game

BY DAN JOHNSON djohnson.gazette@gmail.com

The night sky buzzed with school spirit next to the bright lights of Friday night at this year’s Powder Puff game. Considered by those in attendance to be one of the best Powder Puff game in school history, the action and drama from the players and coaches of Granite Bay High School made for a memorable experience.

“It’s crazy. It’s really crazy…

It’s just great,” said Mr. Grizzly Bear, the unidentified and uniden-

tifiable school mascot.

Although the stadium was saturated with joy, a war was still fought on the field, and, before the contest, many strategized and speculated on the game.

“I feel confident because we are prepared, and we are the seniors, and so with us being prepared and older, I feel like we should easily win,” said senior head coach Jason Rath.

With strategies planned and their pre-game preparation ready, both the junior and senior girls were ready for the head-on-head action.

“Not getting hit (was) a fun time,” said junior fly back Sierra Putman.

Senior Paris Loomis also shared Putman’s sentiment.

“My main goal for Powder Puff this year was to hit somebody…

GBHS students torn between school, club Tough choice to advance sports career means not playing for the high school

BY BRAD WONG

brwong.gazette@gmail.com

Granite Bay High School is often heralded as home to high quality athletes. With the strong group of athletes, it has translated over into state championships in three sports last year along with numerous league and section titles.

But while the general quality of GBHS sports’ programs is of high caliber, not all sports are at

an elite level.

That is, sports’ leagues outside the high school are found to be more competitive, and more beneficial to the player.

While sports like football can enjoy a highly selective level of play, not all sports are able to maintain such a tradition.

This is what some athletes have found, like senior soccer player Noah Tooley who decided to skip high school to play for the San Juan Soccer Club.

anybody,” Loomis jokingly said.

“I just don’t think about it and Aside from the fierce competiI run,” said Mckeon about her tion, others were running style. there to enjoy Unfortunately the light-hearted for the juniors, aspect of the ansenior Amber nual event.

Les made a tackI (felt) confident “I’m excited for seven-yard because we were le to pretend that I loss to halt the have the ball,” junior’s initial prepared. senior Annie momentum.

Loomis said.

The game – Jason Rath, senior became a deThe juniors head coach started the game fensive struggle on their own for the next few 40-yard line. series after both They assailed junior and senior the seniors with defenders showtheir fly back ing impressive Rylee Mckeon tenacity. The who eluded the gridlock lifted tacklers for runs when senior scat of six, eight and 25 yards. back Annelise Spargo launched Zach Low Junior tennis player chose not to play high school tennis his junior year becasuse of better tennis opportunities.

Some of Tooley’s motivations for the move included his belief in more intense practices, better coaching, and staying in shape.

Additionally, Tooley found flaws in the high school soccer program.

“Because of low-quality coaching, players get out of shape,” Tooley said, “and consequently, almost all the players get injured.”

Tooley isn’t alone in his See ENROLLMENT, page C5

herself past the secondary for a 70-yard touchdown run around the right end.

“It was good. I mean I thought that I was going to go out over there, but I stepped around this chick and just kept going. She couldn’t catch up I guess, so I just kept booking it,” Spargo said, who was battling injury throughout the night.

The juniors responded with a drive of their own. With 11:30 left in the 1st half, Emily Andres and Rylee Mckeon continued the trend of smash-mouth football advancing their team into enemy territory.

The drive was topped off with a three-yard touchdown run by Kate Hurley and a successful extra point

by Mckenzie Brito.

See FOOTBALL, page C5

Students signing early

Several GBHS underclassmen have given an early commitment for college athletics

BY AUSTIN PINK

apink.gazette@gmail.com

“The process behind sports scholarships has begun to resemble a business,” Athletic Director Tim Healy said, “It is so competitive and sought after by so many athletes that I think the expectations have become unrealistic.”

College athletics have become so competitive that college recruit have begun targeting underclassmen with “verbal commitments.”

Simply put, a verbal commitment is one where a coach and a usually younger prospect agree that there is a proper and mutual fit

With an array of section and state sport titles, Granite Bay High School is no stranger to the growing presence of scholarship athletes in high school athletics.

Athletes constantly strive to take their sport to the next level and achieve a scholarship to a university. With high school sports becoming increasingly more competitive, more athletes are fighting for fewer spots and the road to scholarships has become more See COMMITMENT, page C5 strenuous and competitive.

Girl’s soccer injuries Increased affliction and concussions has led to concerns over safety.

GBHS newest dive team School’s newest athletic squad is leaping into a strong season.

Locker room fiasco Lawsuit brings about the closure of swim team’s personal locker room.

C3

C2

C4

C2 Sports

Friday, April 19, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

GBHS swimmers and divers pursue success A lack of coverage for the athletes is apparent, despite exceptional records

BY KIANA OKHOVAT

kokhavat.gazette@gmail.com

The Granite Bay High swim and dive team is often misinterpreted as the just the swim team, leaving divers and some swimmers feeling slighted in the popularity and coverage of their sport.

The GBHS swim and dive team has about 105 athletes. Of those 105, only three of them are divers.

Both coaches and athletes feel that there is a lack of knowledge within the school concerning the diving team. They claim it mainly has to do with society as well as the way the sport is set up.

Because swimming and diving is more of an individual sport, in comparison to sports like football, basketball, etc., it lacks that ‘team’ appeal, which makes it less interesting and appealing to spectators.

“I don’t think it would be hyperbole of me to say that our swim team has consistently been the highest achieving sport at this school,” swim coach John Sherman said.

Yet, this comes as a shock to most. The swim and dive team hasn’t lost a single swim meet since the school opened in 1996.

In addition, they’ve won five section titles.

GBHS’s aquatics program has helped put 50 to 60 athletes into college for their sport in the last 15 years, averaging about five to six a year.

“We’re not a big name sport. Football wins sections; there are parties, parades,” Sherman said. “(Our team has) won five section titles. These kids (…) don’t get as much press (…) in the community.

It’s surprising how many people don’t know how successful our aquatics program is, but I understand why.”

Another possible reason why the dive team has so little recognition is that divers don’t practice at GBHS. GBHS, like most high schools, doesn’t have diving boards at its pool. As a result, the majority of high school dive teams

practice at Oakmont High School Tuesday through Friday from 5:45-7:45, under the head diving coach Mike Brown.

This separation also adds to a less unified feeling amongst the swimmers and divers on the team, since they don’t practice together and are rarely together for meets.

GBHS junior diver Karrissa Connor agrees, adding that unlike other mainstream sports where the stands are more often than not bursting with fans and supporters, the lack of encouragement can be discouraging.

“When we did sections at Nevada Union (…) the swimmers were actually cheering on the divers, so it (felt) like you’re part of the team (...) when the bleachers are empty, when no one shows up besides the parents (...) it’s not really that team feeling.”

This proved to be one of her most memorable experiences on the team, when the team felt unified.

Connor actually swam and dove for the team in her freshman year, before fully committing to diving in her sophomore year.

“Diving’s more of a challenge, because you learn a new dive every time, you’re constantly moving forward,” Connor said. “(With) swimming you’re improving your time, but you’re not doing anything different. Diving is (more) fun.”

Being on the dive team also provides a more flexible practice schedule, for those who have a heavy load, which also contributed towards Connor’s decision to fully commit to diving.

For those who do decide to swim and dive for the team, they have to sacrifice one of their meets.

Swimmers are only allowed to participate in up to four meets maximum, and diving counts as one meet.

Head diving coach Mike Brown also believes that if the healthy benefits of diving and swimming are promoted, it will

Courtesy photo / ERIN CONNORS

GBHS diver Karrissa Connors competes in a meet at the SFL championships. The diving and swim team has done exceptionally well this season. greatly add to the publicity of the sport.

“Swimming is one of the healthiest sports that there is in terms of not being a stressor on your body, and not tearing your body up. You can be a competitive swimmer for the rest of your life,” Brown said. “The oldest competitive diver in northern California is 85 years old, and he still dives on platform.

These are lifelong sports.”

The side of diving that many people may not be aware of is the adrenaline rush that comes with it.

Diving could be considered the original extreme sport. It can be challenging and scary. In his youth, Brown admits to having dived off of bridges and cliffs. “(Doing) somersaults and landing on water is like riding a rollercoaster. It’s just a tremendous physical thrill. It’s an absolute adrenaline rush.” Brown said.

“So people who are divers are adrenaline junkies…it’s addictive.”

Brown himself has been diving for 60 years.

There is also the fear factor, which has caused lots of people who originally signed up for the sport to quit, after having belly-flopped or back-flopped. To some, simply trying to jump off the board is fear enough.

When his divers get discouraged by the lack of attention their accomplishments receive, Brown keeps pushing them “The thing about diving is that it is an individual sport, and I tell all of the kids, ‘if it’s not fun, don’t do it,’” Brown said.

It may be that way because although scholarships are offered to divers, they are rare.

And even if divers do dive throughout college, there’s not much money-making opportunities for diving afterwards.

“You are in this sport strictly because it’s fun. Some of my divers get college scholarships, but a great majority are not

going to get college scholarships.” Brown said. “(And) you’re not going to make any money out of it.”

Getting the scholarships still isn’t impossible. A Division I college team, if they have both men’s and women’s diving, will usually have eight people on their diving team, and 25 to 30 people on their swim team, including divers. Four men and four women, because that’s the most they can enter into a meet, four people per event.

In general, there are not as many swimming and diving scholarships as football, because football generates more money as a spectator sport.

Regardless of these statistics, the passion most swimmers and divers have for their sport overrides the problems that may come with their activity.

“It’s just fun,” GBHS sophomore Stephen Smyth said. “It’s basically just going out on the trampoline for two and half hours, and practicing.”

Fans say goodbye to NCAA, say hello to NFL football draft picks Top athletes are scrutinized by Fantasy Football participants

BY ZACK ZOLMER

zzolmer.gazette@gmail.com

As the end of April approaches, all thirty-two NFL teams will be awfully busy.

Coaches, general managers and scouts of each team will be sure meet frequently to discuss who they will be taking in this year’s NFL Draft.

Held on April 25 this year, the draft is a chance for a football organization to bring in fresh, promising talent, with the hopes of being able to improve their team by the time the 2013-14 season opens in Sept.

While much of the focus is put on the handful of NFL teams themselves, many more ‘team’ owners will focus

Grizz Quiz

Compiled by Austin Alcaine

closely on the incoming rookies and who drafts them, and then decide if they may possibly be worth adding to their own ‘team.’

These ‘teams’ are created in fantasy football leagues.

For many fantasy football enthusiasts, it’s not too early to start thinking about their upcoming season. Though it does not come close to that of the average NFL team, much planning and strategizing goes into how one drafts their fantasy football team.

Annual fantasy team owner Zack Kwan is ready to start planning.

“I have won two (fantasy football) leagues in the past five years I have been playing,” Kwan said.

“Each year I try to draft solid running backs, and I also try to pick up a middle-to-top tier quarterback.”

Dayton Allegra Boys’ lacrosse

One potential option at quarterWilson or Colin Kaepernick.” back this year for Kwan could What could make drafting rookbe rookie Geno Smith from West ies such a daunting task is the Virginia. Smith is projected to be uncertainty that will inevitably selected within the top ten picks in surround each of them upon their this year’s NFL entering the league.

Draft.

Different factors, “The NFL like the organization Each year I try to that drafts them and is starting to become an draft solid running the teammates that option-based play alongside them backs, and (...) in their first year, can offensive league and top-tier quarter- greatly affect their teams will start production during backs. looking for the season.

– Zack Kwan, Fantasy quarterbacks For this reason, who can run some fantasy team Football team owner and throw, like owners choose to Smith,” Kwan draft proven veterans said. “He will over some high riskprobably be the high reward rookies. best fantasy “I would draft a rookie quarveteran,” Kwan said. terback this year because he can “Rookies may be vulnerable to provide both rushing and passing not adapting to the NFL and most yards. Potentially he could become rookies don’t do well in their first the next Cam Newton, Russell year.”

Kyli Olson Girls’ soccer

Jesse Gavia Boys’ volleyball

whelming wide receiver Darrius But as seasoned fantasy football Heyward-Bey. owner Allan Zheng reiterates, a It may be wise to initially stay decision is really based on several away from an offensive rookie different key considerations. should they be drafted by the “It really depends on the situaRaiders, who hold the tion,” Zheng third overall pick in said. “Team, draft this year. position (and) Team, position the “A fantasy bust will the future of (and) the future have to be Kwan said. the franchise all the rookies will play a part in of the franchise “All look at anyone (Oakmaking a deciplay a part in land) drafts this year,” sion.”

One team that making a deci- promising, but this team always seems to has historision. find the worst one.” cally made poor Though some may selections with not find confidence in their picks in – Allan Zheng, Fantasy the Raiders, you will the draft has be sure to find it in the been the Oakheads of fantasy team land Raiders. owners as the season Though they approaches. found a great talent in running “Fantasy football owners always back Darren McFadden, first round believe their teams will always quarterbacks Todd Marinovich win,” Kwan said. “So I think I and Jamarcus Russel were busts, will pull it out this year.” along with top 10 pick and under-

Summer Brewers Track and field

Alec Sneesby Boys’ baseball

What is your favorite movie?

Tommy Boy

What is your dream job?

I don’t know

Veterinarian

Chippendale’s dancer

Lawyer

Professional Baseball Player

What is your favorite food?

Oranges

Sushi

Chicken

Quesadilla

Steak

Who is your role model?

My dad

Carrie Underwood

Drew Toso

Brendan Gonzalez

My dad

I don’t watch baseball

LA Dodgers

Astros

Giants

Which is your favorite MLB baseball team?

Lion King

Titanic

21 Jump Street

End of Watch

Giants

Friday, April 19, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Sports C3

Sport proves to be endangering activity

Multiple concussions have occured in girls’ soccer

BY TAMREN JOHNK

tjohnk.gazette@gmail.com

When Granite Bay High School junior Chloe Dobson walked out onto the soccer field in the varsity girls’ first league game against Roseville High School on March 19th, little did she know she’d end up in the emergency room in less than an hour.

“I was running to get a ball and the other girl was coming from a different direction and I didn’t see her and we both collided heads,” Dobson said. “She hit me with the top of her head on my forehead so I got a little worse experience than she did.”

“I remember pretty much everything, but I think I was out for a couple of seconds,” said Dobson.

Dobson did indeed blackout and was immediately aided by varsity girls’ soccer coach, Mark Broers, and junior varsity girls’ soccer coach, Steve Fischer.

“They asked if asked me if I could see all my fingers, if I was feeling okay, if I remembered the date – all the questions that you ask for a concussion,” Dobson remembers.

Dobson was assisted off the field by Broers and Fischer, with an ice pack on her head.

“At our league meeting in February that all the schools partici-

pated in there was pretty much a policy that if there is a head injury the referee will have that player exit the game and then they will leave it up to the sideline to determine if the player can return,” Broers said. “My policy is that if it is severe enough that we have to stop the game to remove the person then they definitely shouldn’t return.”

Dobson was immediately taken by her parents to the emergency room where she underwent additional testing and diagnosed with a mild concussion with instructions to refrain from playing for two weeks.

Concussions, which are brain injuries that affect how your brain functions, are generally caused by a blow to the head or body.

Concussions can occur whether or not the injured person is knocked unconscious.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), symptoms of a concussion vary and may not occur immediately after the injury.

Because of the growing number and rate of sports-related concussions in the United States every year, the CDC has concluded that sports concussions have, in fact, reached an epidemic level.

According to a research study presented in the American Journal of Sports Medicine in 2012

(Epidemiology of Concussions among United States High School Athletes in 20 Sports), girls soccer actually has the third highest concussion rate of the sports studied, behind football and boys’ lacrosse.

Girls’ soccer had the highest rate of concussion injuries for any female sport.

Coach Broers is no stranger to the occurrences and dangers of concussions for female soccer players, who has witnessed roughly a dozen concussions, three resulting in ambulance calls.

“The danger is that players are competitive and they want to return to the game,” Broers said.

“However, when they have a brain injury, they don’t realize it and if you allow them to participate again, they can actually be injured even worse.”

The American Medical Society Medicine Position Statement: Concussion in Sports 2012 also supports Broer’s warning.

Their recent data suggests that in sports with similar rules, not only do female athletes sustain more concussions than their male counterparts, but female athletes also experience or report a higher number and greater severity of symptoms.

“Sometimes I think it takes a week or two before they get back on track again even though they

Gazette photo / Cleora Reber

Savanna Thompson gets tripped up and falls to the ground, a minor altercation compared to the many injuries that can happen in soccer, especially concussions.

say they feel fine,” Broers said.

“It takes its toll on their bodies physically even though they don’t think it will, and as a coach, I notice it takes a little while to get back to their normal level of play.”

After her recent injury, Dobson has experienced the prolonged impact of the concussion.

“I think concussions affect your focus at school definitely, because after I went back to school, I kept on falling asleep and not being able to focus during class and I was just really, really tired,” Dobson said.

GBHS Athletic Director Tim Healy sees concussions as a tremendous challenge for high school sports and is working on improving the processes used within the GBHS athletic department.

“Coaches have protocol that they are supposed to follow for concussions,” Healy said. “For example, a kid can’t come back until they have been cleared by a physician and each coach is now taught to look for the signs of concussion and every coach actually has to take a concussion class before being a coach.”

Despite this, Healy feels the solution is incomplete- GBHS still lacks an outside agency to determine whether players are healthy enough to return to their sports.

Various companies offer, for a fee, scientifically validated, computerized concussion evaluation systems that can help to objectively evaluate an injured athlete’s condition and recovery for safe

return to play, thereby preventing the cumulative effects of concussion.

“We’re getting there but we haven’t figured out the logistics of testing say 1200 kids,” said Healy.

“So we are still looking for one that would work for the coaches, the athletes, and the school in general.”

So what can female soccer players, and all high school athletes, do to avoid getting concussions altogether?

“I think you have to protect yourself on the field, and you have to determine if you actually have a chance to win the ball and whether or not you should get involved in the situation, especially where you’re trying to head the ball,” Broers said.

Senior reflects on his growth as a dedicated fan Kevin Mugno entered the school alone, but will leave with memories

BY BRAD WONG

brwong.gazette@gmail.com

Being a freshman in high school can be overwhelming, lost amongst thousands of other students.

Such was the story of current senior Kevin Mugno.

But, Mugno was able to find a sense of belonging by becoming a dedicated Granite Bay High School sports’ fan.

“I honestly never could have imagined how insane sports culture truly was,” Mugno said.

After attending several football and basketball games, Mugno became infatuated with GBHS sports and loved

the sense of camaraderie.

“After that first game I was hooked and I’ve never regretted it since,” Mugno said.

Now as a senior, the fanatic Gazette illustration/CHASE EVANS has gathered tips for fellow sports followers in his four years as one of GBHS athletics’ enthusiastic spectator.

“My advice would be to go to different sporting events and find a few that you are interested in,” Mugno said.

Mugno tries to satisfy his craving.

“The thrill of seeing my Besides that, friends go out there and give Mugno hopes to it their all just really gets me lead by example: pumped and makes me come support every After that first back,” Mugno said. event that one Reflecting back, Mugno enjoys the most. game I was realizes the importance of The “For me perhooked and I’ve Tribe and being a fan. sonally, I just go “Becoming a part of someto all the sporting never regretted it thing bigger than myself was an events that have since. amazing experience,” Mugno the real athletes,” said, “it introduced me to a Mugno said, bunch of new people and some “baseball brings – Senior Kevin Mugno of my current close friends.” out a solid crowd Concerns held by Tribe leadof great players.” ers and dedicated fans relate An ex-athlete, to the future of The Tribe, as Mugno played participation dies down during high school the spring. baseball for three While it may not be as much of a presyears, and has always had an avid fancy ence this time of year, Mugno still says for America’s pastime. the tradition must be kept alive.

And now that he can’t play the sport,

Kevin Mugno advises younger students to continue their support of GBHS athletics

“I think our fan base is what sets us apart from other schools that don’t have as much support coming from the stands,” Mugno said.

This fan has cherished his time as a GBHS sports supporter and will continue until the end of the spring season.

“The Tribe is a great way to meet new people and foster strong relationships that can withstand any testimonial,” Mugno said.

Pursuing sports and education in college Former and current students hope to continue their love of sports at quality insitutions

BY BRENDAN GONZALEZ bgonzales.gazette@gmail.com

Many senior athletes may be faced with a huge decision in the coming weeks: to continue playing the sport that they love for a Division III or community college, or to attend a Division I school and continue playing their sport at a club or intramural level.

Many talented Granite Bay High School athletes who do not get recruited by Division I schools want to continue playing at a high level of competition.

These athletes decide to take their talents and play at smaller Division III or community college, with hopes of transferring to a more prominent Division I after a couple years.

Class of 2011, GBHS graduate Jacob Keyes is one such individual.

Keyes led the GBHS varsity basketball team to the section semi-finals during his senior year.

When it came to college, Keyes was recruited by some small community colleges, but also was admitted to California State University- Long Beach,

California State University- Monterey, and Califorroute. nia-State University Sacramento.

King spoke to the coach at Sierra College and In the end, Keyes decided to play received interest from other small Divibasketball at Solano Community sion III schools.

College in Fairfield, California.

However, King never seriously con“I loved the game too much to sidered the junior college or Division III give it up,” Keyes said. route.

While Keyes plans to transfer to “I do not like the uncertainty of the I loved the a larger DI school, possibly CSU future after a junior college,” King said. game too much “I probably would not even be recruited Long Beach, he has been very pleased with his decision thus far. to a DI school from a junior college.” to give it up “I’ve really enjoyed playing for After getting into San Diego State Solano the last 2 years, and it has University, University of San Diego, really helped me as a transition and University of Santa Barbara among – Graduate Jacob to whatever college I transfer to,” Keyes, Class of 2011 others, King decided to attend CaliforKeyes said. nia Polytechnic State University and On the other hand, some major in computer sciences. student-athletes enjoy the security “I feel much more comfortable of attending educationally-focused knowing I have a plan for the future universities. by attending Cal Poly, rather than the GBHS senior and varsity basketmystery of playing at a junior college,” ball player Jacob King chose this King said.

As for the element of basketball in King’s future, he still plans to keep playing at Cal Poly.

“I might try to walk-on for the team at Cal-Poly,” King said. “And if I do not make the team, I will play for the club or intramural team.”

Some students were able to find the perfect balance between their passion for sports and their academic future.

Senior Colin Brown was the kicker for the statechampionship GBHS football team, and is currently running track.

Brown was admitted to University of Oregon, University of Arizona, and Washington State University among others.

In the end, Brown’s love of football and track overtook the desire for bigger, more spirited college.

Brown will be playing football and running track for Lewis & Clark College, a small Division III school outside of Portland.

“I felt that Lewis & Clark was perfect for me because I can continue to play the sports that I love, while still receiving a good education,” Brown said.

Friday, April 19, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Sports C4

Freshman stands out on team

Gazette photo /EMMA GRACYK

Avid swimmer Brandon Reno gives swim team fresh talent

BY ASHCON MINOIEFAR

BY COLLEEN VIVALDI aminoiefar.gazette@gmail.com

cvivaldi.gazette@gmail.com

The Granite Bay High swim team has an exceptional history of victories at meets and competitions. The team has won the league championship every year it has competed, excluding the very first year the school was established.

This amazing track record is due to many different factors including the team’s superb coaches, the exceptional equipment available and the rigorous training involved.

However, the biggest component to the well oiled machine that the GBHS swim team has become are the athletes on the team.

Every year, new and ambitious swimmers join the team and this year was no exception.

Our swim team’s new freshman hotshot, Brandon Reno, is

standing out among the rest.

Upon requests for new exciting players to enter our school’s teams, Brandon Reno was the very first and most often referred to by fellow students.

To stand out on a team as talented as the GBHS swim team takes a lot of hard work, dedication and a whole lot of talent, all of which defines Brandon Reno.

“I swim year round outside of school, as well as for the school,” Reno said in an interview. “I have been doing that for two and a half years now. Before that I was on a Johnson Ranch recreational team for three years.”

Reno explained that he wishes to keep swimming the entirety his high school career and into college.

“I like the variety of speed on the school swim team and how everyone is a big group of friends,” said Reno, “But I like my year round team a lot, but for much different

reasons. They are two totally different things.”

As is apparent Reno doesn’t shy away from a competition, winning four medals in the western division that involves 3 full regions of swim teams covering the west coast.

However Reno’s aspirations aren’t set on winning medals, but more focused on breaking his own time and setting as high of a personal record as possible.

“I don’t really pay attention to the school record or anything; I’m

mostly set on getting my best events as good as I can.”

Reno is mostly involved with sprint races, anything fewer than 400 yards.

“I prefer 100 and 200 breast, along with 100 free and butterfly can be fun too. 100 breast is my best event, which I really focus on beating my PR (personal record),” Reno said.

Athletes like Brandon Reno are why our school teams can be so successful, especially our legendary swim team. The amount of time, effort and heart that swimmers like Reno put into their sport shows, through them and the insane amount of championships they bring to our school.

Reno is an exceptional addition the GBHS swim team and should continue to draw attention as his career progresses over the remainder of his high school career.

 Freshman Brandon Reno sits by the pool during a recent swim practice. He has excelled in the sport this year.

Boys’ and girls’ swim teams get locked out Improvements to locker rooms an ‘inconvenience’ to athletes

BY JONAH POCZOBUTT jpoczobutt.gazette@gmail.com

March 5 started out like any other day in varsity swim coachJohn Sherman’s fourth period athletic P.E. swim practice. The only thing that was out of the ordinary was what appeared to be a routine cleaning of the boys locker room.

Maybe another rat had died under the floorboards.

As swimmers continued to trickle into the pool deck, things took a turn for the strange. All swimmers, both the boys and girls teams were instructed to clean out their lockers and change into their swimsuits in the larger P.E. locker rooms attached to the gym.

It was then announced that both the boys and girls locker rooms were being closed down for good due to problems with potentially hazardous wiring in the boys’ locker room.

Naturally this raised many questions and frustrations from a team that had become accustomed to

changing into their swim equipment on the pool deck.

Sophomore Matthew Plastino was one of the many swimmers frustrated and confused by the seemingly unreasonable closing of the locker rooms.

“I don’t understand why it is just now closing. It has never been a problem before,” Plastino said.

Many swimmers were confused as to why the girls’ locker room also had to be closed if the wiring problems were only present in the boys’ locker room.

The recent closure of the locker rooms was the result of an inspection of all the swim team facilities done by the district on March 4.

Coach Sherman explained the various problems with the former locker room setup at the GBHS pool.

“The rooms out by the pool were never really designed to be locker rooms (…) it has never really been an ideal situation,” Sherman said.

Ironically, the closing of the locker rooms stemmed from an effort by the coaching staff to improve their

quality.

“As our coaching staff tried to (…) make some more permanent locker rooms, we got more people from the district office involved.

They started to find (additional) problems with our current locker room situation,” Sherman said, in reference to the district inspection on March 4.

Surprisingly, the GBHS swim program is not the only team to experience locker room troubles lately.

Many other schools in the district have had similar problems with the size of their locker rooms.

“The gender inequality issue has been a problem at multiple places.

I heard that it happened at Woodcreek,” Sherman said.

The Woodcreek situation helps to shed some light as to why the Granite Bay locker rooms were closed so abruptly, and has led many to believe that the district has just begun to enforce their rules for gender inequality.

The girls’ locker room on the GBHS pool deck is less than half the size of the boys’ locker room.

“The girls’ locker room was really a closet,” Junior Kristin Lundeen said.

In order to avoid a potential law-

suit, the girls’ locker room would have to be at least 90% of the size of the boys’ locker room.

“Another reason that we had to close the locker rooms was because of a size (inequality) between the locker rooms.” Sherman said.

Overall, the closing of the locker rooms has proved to be a big inconvenience for both the boys’ and girls’ swim teams.

“We can’t change at the pool deck anymore. We have to walk all the way to the P.E. locker rooms to change,” Plastino said.

Lundeen added that the locker room closing hasn’t benefitted either group of swimmers despite the fact that the locker room size rule is designed to enforce equal treatment for both genders.

For the time being, it seems like pool deck locker rooms are a thing of the past at GBHS. “It would take money from the district and the aquatics club that we just don’t have right now.”

Sherman said.

GBHS has achieved so much over the last year, and continues to strive for greatness.

“We don’t always get along,” Anderson said, “but the trash talking and competition helps the school as a whole.”

Gazette photo /CLEORA REBER

Now empty of swim clothes and equipment, the Granite Bay High School boys’ swim locker room was formally closed because of gender inequality and safety issues.

Financial battle for the Kings Seattle and Sacramento fight to be the NBA team’s home complex and unprecedented the situtially build a $447.7 million arena ation is. in the Downtown Plaza. Seattle The Sacbee.com even reported that bgonzalez.gazette@gmail.com also has plans for a potential $400+ the commissioner looked “visibly famillion arena to replace the existing tigued after the first day of the cities’ On January 8, when news Key Arena, the Supersonics old presentations.” broke that a group led by bilarena On the other hand, lionaires Chris Hansen and Steve Starting April 4, members of the Ballmer had completed a deal to the SacramentoSacramento assembly purchase a majority of the Sacrabased group (includI almost feel were beaming with mento Kings from the Maloof fam- ing Mayor Johnson) ily and planned to move the team as though (the confidence after the and the Seattle group first day. to Seattle, the social media world began meeting for a Kings) betrayed “We got a change to was set ablaze with Sacramento series of closed-door tell our story, which I residents and die-hard Kings fans’ us fans. presentations to NBA think is very compeldisappointment, along with Seattle Commissioner David ling,” Johnson told rejoicing that they were getting an Stern and his panel – junior Alex Cooney, reporters at a press NBA team after losing the Superof NBA executives die-hard Kings’ fan conference. “We left sonics in 2008. and owners. it all on the floor.”

On January 9, the news was conThe two sides have In Granite Bay, firmed that the Maloofs had sold 65 started to pitch their many students are percent of the team to the Seattlecase for why their nervous about their based group for $341 million. city deserves to have beloved team leaving.

Since then, with the support of an NBA team.

“When I heard what Sacramento mayor and former NBA Since the beginthe Maloofs did, I player Kevin Johnson, a group of ning of the relocation honestly didn’t believe it,” die-hard Sacramento buyers led by softdrama, Stern has expressed how Kings fan and GBHS junior Alex ware tycoon Vivek Ranadive has torn he is between the two cities, Cooney said. “I almost feel as though emerged as a serious threat to the as he has a history of supporting they betrayed us fans.”

Seattle group’s plans.

Sacramento, but also conceding Others feel differently about the After the Sacramento group that Seattle is a great market for an team. matched the Seattle group’s offer, NBA team.

“They have stretched this decision Sacramento officials announced that Stern has also repeatedly spoken on for too long,” junior Mitch Riffice they had reached a deal to potenin press conferences about how

BY BRENDAN GONZALEZ

said. “At this point, I just want the team to leave so that I can become a Golden State Warriors fan.”

The Seattle vs. Sacramento debate weighs even more heavily on sophomore Kendrick Jackson, whose father is former Kings player and current Kings assistant coach Bobby Jackson.

“I was shocked when I heard the team had been sold,” Jackson said.

“I had no clue what it meant for me.

I would love to stay in Sacramento because I have great relationships with people here and the basketball competition is great.”

A final decision is expected to be made by April 18-19, when the NBA’s annual board of governors takes place.

Until then, Kings fans can only wait.

“I am immensely anticipating the final announcement,” Cooney said.

“I plan on wearing at least one item of Kings’ apparel every single day until then.”

“Honestly, I really just want to focus on the things that I can control instead of getting caught up in a ton of mess,” Jackson said. “But lord willing, the Kings can stay in Sacramento where they belong.”

Friday, April 19, 2013

w

The Granite Bay Gazette

Sports C5

Carrying on the baseball dominance

Junior Vinny Esposito hopes to continue the family legacy

BY BRENDAN GONZALEZ bgonzalez.gazette@gmail.com

COLLEEN VIVALDI Junior BY Vinny Esposito cvivaldi.gazette@gmail.com entered high school and was immediately expected to carry on the family baseball tradition at Granite Bay High School.

His father, Pat Esposito, is the head varsity baseball coach at GBHS. Esposito’s brother, Nate, was a star at GBHS who was drafted in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, but decided to pursue options at the college level, while his other brother Nate currently is a catcher for Oregon State University.

So far into his baseball career, Esposito has lived up to the expectations, playing on the varsity baseball team at

GBHS since he was a freshman.

This season, as the starting second baseman, Esposito has a .353 batting average along with two home runs and six runs batted in through 10 games.

He also has a .389 on base percentage, a .969 fielding percentage, and two stolen bases.

Esposito began playing baseball

when he was just six years old.

“Baseball runs in the family and he is always there for me if I need any help,” Esposito said.

So far, Esposito appears to be on the same track as his dad and brother, as he has been contacted

by Sacramento State University and University of California, Santa Barbara.

With other colleges bound to call, Esposito is hopeful.

“My dream school would be (University of Texas at) Austin,” Esposito said.

In the short term Esposito hopes to lead his team to a section championship after last year’s team came up just short of the section championship, losing to Woodcreek High School.

“I think we have a lot more tal-

ent than people think,” Esposito said.

Playing in the Sierra Foothill League will not be an easy task, as the league includes Woodcreek and Rocklin, ranked second and eighth respectively in the preseason regional rankings from the Sacramento Bee. Granite Bay is ranked fifth in these ranking.

But Esposito is in positions to lead the team to success.

“Vinny is an amazing teammate on and off the field,” junior pitcher Alec Sneesby said. “He is also a great leader for the team and he always works his hardest to get better.”

“There’s only (one) things to say about Vinny,” senior pitcher Scott Romuk said. “He’s a great teammate.”

Gazette photo / SUMMER HAENNY

In a recent practice, junior Vinny Esposito demonstrates his dominant fielding skills at his second base position.

CYCLING : Entire team qualified for state Continued from page C1

volunteers are fulfilling their roles can be stressful at times.

Despite the occasional stress, Murer is ecstatic about the team for next year, especially emphasizing the shift for some dominant riders to move from the junior varsity competition to the varsity competition.

“The first year of anything new always has its initial bumps,” Murer said. “Come next year, I think we’re going to have an even stronger team.”

Abbygail Murer, the daughter of the

head coach and the only girl on the team, first began riding a few months ago and says that her first season with the team has been not her best, but isn’t really concerned and is more looking towards the next season.

“Being the only girl on the team has its positives and negatives,” Murer said.

“Sometimes it can suck not having any girl to relate with too, but other times the guys on the team are very supportive which is really nice.”

However, come next year, Murer says that she knows of three girls who will be

joining the team, no longer making her the only girl on the team.

For Murer’s race finishes, she says that she hasn’t placed as well as other freshmen girls have, but is still happy that she was able to qualify for the state championships.

“Above all, I’m just looking forward to doing better next year,” Murer said.

As for Ditman, the assistant coach of the team, he says that it’s been a really great experience being able to witness the team’s strong desire to get better and compete well,

FOOTBALL: Seniors inch by with a victory

favor though with a 30 yard touchdown

by Sierra Putman putting her team ahead with a score of 17-10.

The seniors started with the ball at their own twenty-five as their time for a score began to wind down.

They methodically moved the ball until the girls ran a flee flicker resulting in a 25 Continued from page C1 even do that! That was amazing! That was yard pass and catch from Blake Lewis and once in a lifetime. That was amazing,” Lily Forlini.

The seniors responded with a forty-yard senior coach Taylor Peterson said.

The seniors marched down the field kick off return by Kiah Drongesen, but JuBrito, when later asked about her kick, until they found themselves in a fourth nior Gigi Cardonno sabotaged the senior’s responded, “Works for me.” and four situation. efforts applying a huge 4th down tackle As the first half came to a close, the With the game on the line, offensive with 4:20 left in the half. juniors led by a score of 10-7. coordinator Grant Caraway went with his The juniors obtained excellent field posiThe seniors returned in the second half bread and butter play, the twin reverse. tion and began inching closer and closer to on a mission. Once they got the ball, Chloe received the hand-off and sprinted their second touchdown until nose tackle running back Chloe Forlini gashed the left before delivering the ball to Lily who Helen Smith imposed her will upon the opposing defense for a 25 yard gain, which snuck into the end zone without a junior junior back field stopping them for losses was followed up by Chloe’s twin sister in sight. With less than two minutes to go, on two separate occasions.

Lily receiving a hand-off from Chloe on a the seniors still trailed by a single point.

As time was winding down in the half play promptly named the twin reverse for Annelise Spargo sealed the deal with a and the juniors were left with 4th and twenty-five yards to convert the run. two-point conversion leaving a final score long, the junior team turned to their secret Kiah Drongesen and Shelby Carlson then of 18 to 17 seniors on top. weapon, junior kicker Mackenzie Brito, pummeled their way through defenders Senior coach Griffin Powers after the who completed a jaw dropping 40-yard leading to a successful field goal by Paris game said that the entire game could be field goal completion.

Loomis. summed up in one phrase: “In Caraway “I can’t even do that! Most guys can’t The tides turned quickly in the juniors we trust!”

COMMITMENT: Agreements may be promising, but subject to change Continued from page C1 scholastically and athletically with the prospect and the institution. However, due to their non-binding nature, the results of these scholarships are open to change.

GBHS sophomore Tamren Johnk recently made a verbal commitment with University of California, Davis to play girls’ soccer.

“After I played in the Surf Cup with my team the UC Davis coach approached me showing interest,” Johnk said, “I made an unofficial visit and absolutely loved the campus. The school was my first choice for academics and athletics and I’m very excited about going to there.”

However, due to the mercurial nature of scholarships and verbal commitments, students should be aware that their agreement is open to adjustment.

Tommy Thompson, a junior and varsity soccer player, will be graduating at the end of this year and join his brother Tan-

ner to play soccer for Indiana University on a scholarship.

Earlier in his high school career, however, it appeared that Thompson was going to play at University of California Santa Barbara as they had expressed interest early on.

“I chose Indiana because they have one of the top teams and recruiting classes in the nation,” Thompson said, “Multiple colleges including Santa Barbara expressed interest when I was an underclassmen, but I never made a binding agreement.”

Thompson’s adjustment illustrates the shifting nature of college agreements when they are nonbinding.

With benefits ranging from capital to certain exemptions for college admissions, the NCAA has had to regulate various aspects of the new recruiting and scholarship process.

The NCAA dictates how many athletic scholarships are given out, how they are divided among sports, and how colleges

are allowed communicate with the student athletes.

For example, telephone calls have to be conducted a certain way, coaches can only contact a student three times during their junior year, and only one official visit is permitted during the entire high school career There has been famous controversy in recent years surrounding college like USC and Ohio State University, where college officials illegally recruited athletes and were punished severely.

The evolving nature of collegiate athletics has created such a vast bureaucracy that many high school students are unaware of the rules and regulations binding them.

“Students just need to be aware of their scholarship plan and make sure that it is the right choice for their future,” Healy said, “Be aware of the regulations surrounding and make a decision not solely on athletics, but what would be the best overall experience for you.”

“The (members) on the team have such a great attitude,” Ditman said. “Every team we practice they’re always trying to get better and be supportive of each other.”

Not only that, Ditman says that the hard work put in my head coach Murer also helped the team start off strong when they fist started competing.

“Murer was the one who organized all of our sponsors and really got things moving for (the team),” Ditman said. “He’s really made this first year as a team run more smoothly.”

To Ditman, he says that he is most look-

ing forward to building off of the team’s underclassmen for the following year, noting his prediction that if the mountain bike team was to keep on track with their current successes, they could quite possibly move up in the NorCal rankings.

Above all, Ditman says that he’s extremely pleased that he’s able to be a part of a team that has such a promising next few years. “(GBHS) has a tradition of athletic excellence,” Ditman said. “We’re really trying to just be a part of that and keep that tradition going.”

ENROLLMENT: Conflict stems from sport choices Continued from page C1

thoughts, and has noticed a trend among Quitting high school volleyball gave his fellow club team members: every seaZabrowski a chance to work for several son, they split half and half on whether to months at the sandwich shop Togo’s and play high school soccer. only had practice twice a week.

In his many years as a club soccer “For me, I was willing to take the six player, he’s also balanced high school month commitment of club,” Zabrowski along the way, and was glad of his decisaid, “I had more time during the week sion to skip this year’s GBHS season. for homework and giving up my week“The years I played club I noticed how ends wasn’t a huge deal for me.” much of a better player I got from the beSince then, Zabrowski has decided to ginning of the season play high school volleyto the end,” Tooley ball and not club for her said, “but the years final year at GBHS. I played high school “I always loved playI get more soccer I noticed how ing club for Cal Synergy collegiate much my play deVolleyball because I loved creased in quality.” attention the coaching staff and my Junior Zach Low teammates,” Zabrowski because schools shares a very similar said. “However, my senior don’t value high year I decided to play view, who played for the GBHS’ boys’ school again and I had the school tennis team his freshbest time of my life and performance. man and sophomore made lifelong friends.” year, chose to skip In this area specifically, this season to pursue Zabrowski believes the – Junior Zach Low other goals. league is full of high level Low instead plays players, many who have in the United States been playing club since a Tennis Association young age.

(USTA) and prefers it But, this is not applied for his own reasons. to all sports, as evidence by Tooley and “The USTA has a lot higher quality Low who find an unsatisfactory quality players,” Low said, “I get more colof play in their respective sports. legiate attention because schools don’t “It’s becoming a common trend value high school performance.” among many tennis players at GBHS Still, the high school experience was to play in the USTA instead of high a positive one for Low, allowing him to school,” Low said, “even in the previbond with his teammates who were some ous years I played.” of his closer friends.

Tooley has become frustrated by the “Right now I’m still unsure if I prefer lack of quality, and thinks the problem one program over the other,” Low said. lies within the system of high school Without high school however, Low athletics. is able to balance his classes because he “The athletic administration needs to has no obligation to practice, and can let club coaches come in and coach the train on his own, giving him much more high school players instead of letting flexibility. unknowledgeable teachers coaching,” This ability to have more indepenTooley said. dence is something senior Megan While GBHS is home to many Zabrowski valued in her decision to outstanding athletes, its own sports quit the high school volleyball team her programs aren’t the end all to sports’ junior year. excellence.

Read the Gazette, the student newspaper of GBHS

C6 Sports

Friday, April 19 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

AT A GLANCE

Stats at a Glance Boys’ volleyball Upcoming Games: w4/22 vs. Nevada Union w4/24 vs. Woodcreek w4/29 @ Del Oro

Girls’ soccer Upcoming Games: w4/23 vs. Woodcreek w4/25 @ Del Oro w4/29 vs. Rocklin

Boys’ lacrosse Upcoming games: w4/26 @ Lincoln w5/1 vs. St. Mary’s w5/3 @ Davis

Softball Upcoming games: w4/24 vs. Roseville w4/26 @ Nevada Union w5/1 @ Woodcreek

Baseball Upcoming games: w4/23 vs. Woodcreek w4/25 @ Woodcreek w4/27 vs. Woodcreek Gazette photo /KRISTIN TAYLOR

Girls’ lacrosse Upcoming games: w4/23 vs. Foothill w4/24 @ Marin Catholic w4/27 @ Lick-Wilmerding

Track and Field Upcoming games: w5/1 @ Rocklin

Swimming Upcoming games: w5/9-5/11: Section Championships

Boys’ Golf Upcoming games: w4/23 @ Del Oro w4/25 vs. Rocklin

Gazette photo /Kristin TAYLOR

Gazette photo /Cleora REBER

 Above, senior Scott Romuk throws a fast ball to the Roseville batter in the game on Thurs. April 11. During a practice on Mon. April 8, junior Claire Ellinwood, far left, gets in position to ground a ball during an infield drill. Daniel Stusiak, left, clears the hurdle during the track meet at Nevada Union on Wed. April 10. Trying to box the del oro player out, junior Sarah Wagner, below left, fights to keep possesion of the ball in the game on April 9. Justin Baer, below middle, runs up the lacross field trying to reach the ball before his Davis opponent during the game on April 9.

Junior Matt Iwahiro hits the ball back over the net during his match against Woodcreek on April 11.

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

green screen.

The Gazette’s art and entertainment guide April 2013

Get ready for the hot summer days Page 12&13

Page 2

In this Issue Page 4&5

Music reviews

Page 7

Spring Music Festivals

SUNDAY

21

Page 14

New Fashion

Page 15

Instagram advertising

Page 16 yoga

Page 18 grad gifts

Page 20&2

Musical Theater

Page 22&23

Movie reviews On the cover: photograph, Katelyn Hurley; model Jennifer Oliver

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

IB testing starts

12

6

14

Senior American Merit Awards

Star Testing

Star Testing

AP testing starts

Staying cool

Spring Fashion

WEDNESDAY

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK

Page 10

Page 12&13

TUESDAY

Junior American Merit Awards

29

Food Reviews: Breakfast

Good studying spots

MONDAY

a p r i l 19

Page 8&9

Page 11

April 2013

calendar.

MAY DAY 1

27

Star “May theSENIOR BALL Wars Fourth Day be with you”

9

SPRING DANCE SHOW

Guitar Show

Quad Dance!

4

AP testing ends

Day at the bay

Gazette illustrations/HAYLEY MCAVOY

Hypocrisy in gay rights supporters

Cultural acceptance of whole LGBTQ community lags behind After changing her profile picture on Facebook to the Human Rights Campaign’s equality sign and posting a status about how much she loves the gay characters on Glee, the straight girl feels as though she has done her part in the fight for equality. She will now go down in her town’s history as an Abraham Lincoln-like liberator.

Actually, this same girl is the one who made a tweet just a few weeks ago about some “weird tranny” she saw at the mall, and who makes fun of her friend who plays softball by mockingly calling her a “dyke.”

This girl is not just one person in the world. She is representative of many people who are following the “gay pride” trend—and only gay pride. Not bisexual, transgender or Genderqueer, which is any gender identity other than male or female.

Thankfully, people are growing significantly more accepting of same-sex relationships. 53% of American citizens now support legalizing same-sex marriage, and the numbers are continuously rising.

But while this is a step in the right direction, some people are really just taking one step forward and two steps back.

There is a lack of tolerance for the “B,” “T” and “Q” in the LGBTQ acronym.

Bisexuals are labeled as being either attention-seeking or not yet willing to admit their full homosexuality, while

Commentary

ALEXA ZOGOPOULOS azogopoulos.gazette@gmail.com

transgender and queer people are considered freaks and are avoided for not following the expected roles of their birthgiven sex.

I realize how pessimistic and negative this makes me sound. Let me say that I am extremely happy about the fact that the general population has finally come around and grown more accepting. The same-sex marriage approval rating has raised 23% since 1996.

Intolerance is indeed decreasing, and that is a fantastic fact.

However, I can’t be satisfied when I know that so many people are simply following a trend.

Between the NOH8 campaign, HRC and peppy Lady Gaga songs about being “born this way,” no one can deny that the

mainstream media has embraced the gay community. And because of this, people are opening up about their own sexuality, making homosexuality less of a behindthe-scenes, ignored topic and shoving it onto the forefront of media.

As people grow accustomed to the thought of homosexuality, those who may have at one point not been in love with the idea of gay marriage legalization have fortunately thrown their hands up in surrender and hopped on the gay pride bandwagon.

This is a positive—at least they’re no longer intolerant of one community.

But at the same time, there’s a negative to all this. Those who are now expressing their acceptance of homosexuals via social media and gay pride rally attendance can be the same people who refuse to accept the transgender and queer communities.

Not everyone who is born female identifies as a woman, and not everyone born male identifies as a man.

While the mainstream has accepted that women can like women and men can like men, they still do not tolerate the concept of women becoming men and vice versa.

This is what bothers me about the status of LGBTQ tolerance. Society loves the “L” and the “G,” but the letters that follow are still ignored.

For someone to truly be a friend of the LGBTQ community, they must be a friend to all its members.

current.

April 2013

YouTube Video and of the Month

Page 3

BY AKASH KHOSLA

akhosla.gazette@gmail.com

“

It’s the end of YouTube,” announced YouTube on their own channel, despite all those dissatisfied comments updating every second on the night of March 31.

Supposedly, YouTube was around only for the purpose of seeing who could upload the best video on the internet, according to the video. It’s a rather strange statement to make after eight years of running a multi-million dollar company, but the decision is respectable, although scary.

Judges for the best Youtube video include famous movie producers, YouTubers and even prolific commenters. They were going to watch 150,000 videos and review them all for the best one.

“Make sure to have your video uploaded by midnight,” YouTube said.

“While your work’s finished, ours is just the beginning.”

It took a while for millions to see that it was an April fools’ joke. Big companies like Google have also

W

YouTube

been taking this holiday extremely seriously. But never has it been taken to this extreme.

It was made to be an obvious prank.

The fact that they cooperated with The Onion and stated they would announce the winner in ten years sounded highly unlikely.

The funny thing is, they actually watched 10 hours of YouTube footage over live stream, and made it seem legitimate. Some thought they’d go as far as to shut YouTube down the next day.

Trend of the month: geometric cutouts

BY MEGAN HANSEN

mhansen.gazette@gmail.com

With April’s glimpses of the sunny days to come, it is time to start adding wardrobe pieces designed for the impending heat.

The incorporation of geometric cutouts shows itself in a wide variety of garments, from dresses to crop tops. A look across the quad on a warm day will reveal the popularity of cutouts on campus.

These pieces work well for casual looks, while this trend can also add uniqueness to dresses for formal occasions.

On cooler April days, sweaters with cutouts along the arms are perfect for the transitional spring weather.

Most of these casual tops are easily paired with shorts or a skirt. This allows for a simple look for school and summer that

also has character. Stores like Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters have plenty of styles and variations of this popular trend.

“I think it looks best on the back of shirts,” Hunter Carrington said. “I’m not really a fan of the shoulder cutouts.”

Varying widely, this trend can be incorporated into everyday looks as well as senior ball dresses.

Cutouts can add style to a dress that will make it different from those of everyone else.

While this trend may not be the favorite of everyone, it is something to consider while looking for the perfect dress.

“I’m looking for something more vintage with lace,” Carrington said.

Gazette photo /CLEORA REBER

iPhone App of the Month

ith the popular web feed reader application known as Google Reader going offline, many former users have been looking for a replacement.

Because of this, the iPhone application Feedly, a strong alternative to Google Reader, has flourished in terms of downloads and has managed to become one of the top applications in the store.

It’s a utility application that turns all of one’s news articles into a magazine format and at the same time puts everything in one place. There are several applications that do this, but Feedly does it with style.

Feedly is a change from some other RSS readers out there, but otherwise it’s a superb piece of software and an excellent replacement to the downhill Google Reader.

The developers didn’t forget about design when it came to this application. It’s minimal, optimizes the real estate of the screen, and gives a great presentation.

The application offers three views: lists,

magazine and cards. List and magazine are about the same, but the cards view shows a headline with the main image or basically a more focused magazine page.

If you decide you want to read more or the article, the application does it through the clean method; it opens the website inside the app instead of sending the phone to the browser and opening the article. This results in a rather quick and clean experience.

Feedly

Ali Futrell

Artist of the Month

BY SUMMER HAENNY shaenny.gazette@gmail.com

Gazette: When did you start painting?

Futrell: I painted my first painting in my junior year when I came to Granite Bay in 2011.

Gazette: Why did you transfer to Granite Bay High School?

Futrell: Because of the art program, actually. My previous school was not as sophisticated in art as Granite Bay is and the Granite Bay Art Academy is just a lot better and I have learned a lot more.

Gazette: What art class are you currently in?

Futrell: I am currently in Art 4.

Gazette: Do you plan on making art a part of you career?

Futrell: Definitely, at least on the side. Art may take me into graphic design-type art that I would like to do as a career.

Gazette: Are you going to college for art?

Futrell: Yes, I most likely will.

Artist of the Month Ali Futrell stands with her most recent work.

Gazette photo /SUMMER HAENNY

Page 4

April 2013

music.

Tyler the Creator Wolf

T

BY NICOLAS ONTIVEROS nontiveros.gazette@gmail.com

yler the Creator is on the forefront of independent hip-hop artists. In his latest album Wolf, Tyler the Creator has delivered a mixture of personal stories and interesting rhythms.

The founder of Odd Future Records, Tyler the Creator came to prominence after the release of his previous album, Goblin.

A two year project, Wolf delivers similar musical styles found in Goblin.

The album begins with the self-titled track “Wolf”—a short, two minute song that features the instrumental beats also emphasized in most other tracks.

The hit single “Domo 23” accentuates Tyler’s ability to rap with speed, which creates an exciting track to listen to.

“Domo 23” contrasts with many other songs on the album, especially the sixth track, “Answer.”

Abandoned by his father as a child, Tyler expresses his frustration in the lyrics of “Answer.”

“Answer” is a sentimental track with a slow rhythm that accompanies the lyrics very well.

Promoting other independent artists, Wolf includes hip-hop notables Frank Ocean and Casey Veggis. Both rappers and Tyler represent a growing backlash against major record labels.

Veggis and Ocean complement Tyler, the Creator’s harsh style. “Slater,” which features Ocean, creates a great contract between the smooth and rapid musical abilities.

Nevertheless, Tyler is notorious for offensive lyrics. Most of his songs on Wolf include derogatory terms that can anger many individuals.

Towards the end of the album, many tracks are slow in pace. Sometimes, one may wonder if the same song is being played over and over again.

Although the beats get quite repetitive by the end of the album, Wolf is a step up from Goblin. At 22 years old, Tyler still has a lot of potential and room for success as an independent artist.

SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

Wolf by Tyler the Creator was released on April 2.

B

Skip to: Domo 23

British Sea Power Machineries of Joy

N

NEW ROUNDER RECORDS

Machineries of Joy by British Sea Power was released on March 2.

C-

Skip to: Radio Goddard

BY GOKUL ASOKAN

gasokan.gazette@gmail.com

ewton famously said, “If I have seen further, it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants,” and the same holds true for music. Every musician that we hold as a master of their craft has always had a host of influences, many of which the artists openly acknowledge and pay homage to.

It is one thing, however, to stand on the shoulders of giants, and another entirely to cling to them, to suffocate said giants in an effort to attain this view. This paradigm too has, unfortunately, seen much light of day in the music world, and at this point, the indie rock music scene seems to be suffering greatly from bands that attempt to sound like The Cure, The Pixies and Arcade Fire.

This lack of originality is the driving theme behind the latest album by indie-rock band British Sea Power, Machineries of Joy. The album uses all of the tropes of indie rock bands and obliquely slides in intellectual

references, but ultimately lacks the emotional warmth necessary for music to truly form a strong connection with the listener.

The album starts with the eponymous track, “Machineries of Joy,” which starts with simple drones, a repetitive drum pattern and eventually kicks in with bright, riff-oriented guitars. The song, once it establishes itself, remains consistent to its themes throughout (as does the album, and, some would say, the band over its decade of work). The length of it song, over six minutes, only serves to highlight how limited the scope of the song is.

The next song, “What You Need the Most,” picks up with another standard of the genre, the 3/8 time ballad with arpeggiated chords.

The lyrics establish a metaphor of breaking glass, that might be beautiful or elegant if it didn’t become the central focus of the song, the endless string of puns and double entendres rapidly sliding the lyrics from potentially brilliant metaphors to, eventually,

sheer boredom.

The album continues on in this way, producing song after song that are all superficially connected to one or more famous songs; the songs themselves, however, seem tired, almost self-aware of their existence as fakers. The only song that shows any distinguishable sense of warmth is “Radio Goddard” (although this may simply be the inevitable result of adding horns to any song).

For those that are new to the indie-rock scene, this album works well as a primer; a dulled version of an “indie-rock greatest hits” compilation. Furthermore, there exists a great potential for British Sea Power to break through, once they apply their techniques in a manner that allows them to escape the genrestandards that they seem to have trapped themselves in. It remains to be seen, however, if British Sea Power will ever stop clinging around the neck of the giants, and actually develop a new horizon of its own.

Barn Owl V

H

BY SAVITRI ASOKAN

sasokan.gazette@gmail.com

eavily influenced by the nomadic Tuareg people of North Africa, Barn Owl, a male indie “doom dub” couple from San Francisco, has created a new album entitled V. The first track off the album, “Void Redux,” is a classic example of Barn Owl’s music. The song begins with a guitar being plucked repetitively. This single instrument forms the rudimentary foundation for the rest of the song. Synthesizers and other indistinguishable instruments embellish the heavy echoes of the reverberated guitar, which remains the only stable element throughout. Spectral noises resonate behind the smokescreen of electronica.

At this point, it becomes clear what exactly the arcanely-titled genre of “doom dub” entails. The repetitive tones contribute to an otherworldly, slightly

paranoid ambience, almost akin to the feeling of being brainwashed.

The second song, “The Long Shadow,” showcases Barn Owl’s mastery of the sonic landscape of the North African wilderness.

The silence that characterizes the song is eerily similar to the hush of a desert nighttime.

In the beginning, the faint traces of someone’s yells are barely audible. The entire length of “The Long Shadow” feels this way—as if we are hearing the music inside of a luminal space, where everything is slightly out of focus and removed from the direct inspection of listeners.

The rest of the album escapes brilliance by being undeniably boring. Tracks such as “Against the Darkness” and “Pacific Isolation” blur into each other, neither being distinctive enough to leave a lasting impression. Although V opened strongly, the last four tracks deteriorate rapidly.

Presumably, an argument could be made that each individual track deserves extensive analysis, and that ennui is no excuse for a negative review. But I’m honestly just tired of keeping up the pretense of evaluating music for its ‘intellectual’ quality, as opposed to the more worthy criterion of undiluted emotional appeal. The true purpose of art is to discover empathy with others through the creation of something that provokes communal sensibilities.

Barn Owl fails to meet this standard with their prolonged and tedious album.

There’s nothing wrong, ostensibly, with the composition of V. But somehow, it lacks the compelling allure of the best kind of music--the type that retains its charm and emotional payload in any environment, at any time. Distilled to its very essence, V succumbs to the clinical pedantry of modern indie music.

THRILL JOCKEY

V by Barn Owl was released on April 9.

C-

Skip to: The Long Shadow

April 2013

Page 5

music.

B Smyth feat. 2 Chainz Leggo

I

BY DAN JOHNSON

djohnson.gazette@gmail.com

was strolling through journalism looking for some music to review, and the strangest thing happened— the music found me.

I was handed this single, which had been mailed to the Gazette from a site called Moxie. It seemed to me like a great piece of ear pleasure, so I decided to give it a listen.

To be entirely honest, I would rather have my Eggo Leggoed than listen to this again.

It was boring.

I just couldn’t get into the lyrics. With lyrics such as, “Girl, you look exactly like my type,” and “Seems like you’re ready, don’t play with it, girl,” I think you can see why.

I’m not even quite sure what “don’t play with it, girl” even means. I’m even less sure

if I want to know.

On a positive note, B Smyth has a pretty good voice. He sounds like a blander version of Usher. That’s OK, though, because sometimes when I listen to Usher I would prefer him to tone it down a little, like when you choose to eat your sushi with low sodium soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce.

I did enjoy the rapping, though. It covered the four major themes of rap: sex, drugs, having expensive things and being to cool for school.

As shown in these lines, “I am getting Fritos/It’s a dope quarter, same color as a kilo,” 2 Chainz eloquently expresses himself with a certain amount of beauty and grace that only 2 Chainz himself can quantifiably achieve.

The lines “black and white things with me,

tuxedo/I am getting to the fritos” inspired me with it’s elegant message of equality.

He wasn’t just with black things or white things. He was with both as though they were so tightly bonded together that they were seemingly stitched, symbolized of course by the tuxedo.

I also appreciated the use of Fritos in this line. It shows that together we can tackle all obstacles, and although we haven’t tackled all of them yet we’re getting there, just like we’re getting to the Fritos.

Overall, I would say B Smyth and 2 Chainz did a fairly mediocre job.

But don’t give up just yet, guys.

Remember, MJ got cut from his high school basketball team, and look how far he went.

You guys received a bad review from a high school newspaper, and if the trend continues, you’ll go far.

CAPITOL RECORDS

Leggo by B Smyth feat. 2 Chainz was released on March 5.

C Best line:

“I am getting to the Fritos.”

One Republic Native

BY AKASH KHOSLA

A

MOSLEY RECORDS

Native by One Republic was released on March 26.

Skip to: I Lose Myself

B+

akhosla.gazette@gmail.com

fter four years, One Republic has finally released a sequel to Waking Up, which was quite a pop music success.

Their newest release, Native, is definitely an interesting album.

Frankly, I don’t really understand the cover art and title combination. Apparently the animals all represent the band members, and it’s also (supposedly) promoting individualist ideals with the different animals.

The music, on the other hand, is highly representative of something you’d get out of any One Republic album.

Ryan Tedder’s dominant vocals, especially in the song “Feel Again,” would even work without the instruments in the background.

Maybe not as good as the original, but it still would be the catchy, pleasant song it is right

now, because of the power Tedder can project with just his voice alone.

Going down the tracklist, the songs are pretty solid. There are a few hits and misses, but most of the songs are worthy of praise.

“Counting Stars” is a vibrant, upbeat start to the album, and definitely one of my favorites.

Following that is “I Lose Myself,” which has a light, mellow tone, but is fast-paced at the same time. The acoustic version is also a great soundtrack which is only on the deluxe edition.

“What You Wanted” and “I Lived” are colorful and represent the classical side of One Republic. They’re both a little more on the pop side than most other tracks, but still quality songs.

“Au Revoir” and “Burning Bridges” are songs you’d expect from the band. They both have the sorrow tone that Tedder had in his

original “Apologize” hit. Neither of them seem to really do the album justice—but they’re both decent.

“Something I Need” is a catchy and rather simple song. It’s melodic, but I don’t get that urbane sense when I listen to this song as I do when I usually listen to One Republic.

“Life in Color” is the last song that isn’t a bonus track or acoustic rendition of another song. It reminds me of the vibrancy in “Good Life” from their last album. It’s definitely a good radio song with its great instrumentals and colorful vocals.

Overall, the album does not fail to impress, and One Republic is doing things the right way. The album does have a couple of bad singles, but it’s highly representative of their maturity and complements Tedder’s signature vocals. It’s a considerable must-have for those who are One Republic fans.

Lil Wayne I Am Not A Human Being II

T

BY BRIAN ZHUANG

bzhuang.gazette@gmail.com

hough Lil Wayne’s new album is an at-best mediocre album, it still somehow keeps people coming back to it, with hyped-up beats and a lack of melodies.

The first song on the album definitely had me listening and got me a little excited. It was very intense and a great way to start an album, but as I continued on through the album, it constantly got worse.

The album features many famous names in the hip-hop culture such as Juicy J, 2 Chainz, Soulja Boy, Nicki Minaj, Big Sean and many more.

Many songs in the album have very similar beats that are very forgettable. Also, some of the songs’ beats are extremely simple.

For example, the beat of “Wowzerz feat.

Trina”consists of two notes repeatedly playing with some drums and other sounds

to make the rhythm.

Recently, Lil Wayne has changed from being a New Orleans thug to a more mainstream skater boy, which is clearly shown in some of his new songs which have heavy rock influences in them.

The song “Hello feat. Shane Heyl” has a heavy metal feel to it which would be very outrageous if it were in a previous album

by Lil Wayne. It features a heavy metal guitar strum, which scared me for a second, because it was so random in comparison to what I expect from Lil Wayne.

But because of his slight switch in interest and appearance, it seemed a little more normal and believable.

For those who enjoy listening to more melodically prepared music with orchestras and such, this isn’t the album to listen to.

This album mostly consists of music that would be played at a club. “No Worries feat.

Detail” is a perfect example of this kind of music, which is carried through a majority

of the songs.

He does make a couple songs that are very different in style and sound compared to the rest of the album. “Hot Revolver feat.

Dre” presents a softer and calmer sound that would perfectly fit into a summer-type category. It has a bright feel to it with its soft guitar and lovely chorus.

Lil Wayne’s lyrical content is also noticeably diminishing. His metaphors and rhymes aren’t nearly the same as he once had in his older albums.

Lil Wayne recently has said that this may be his last album or he might make one more. After listening to this album, it is very noticeable that he is ready to quit the rap game.

He has been rapping for quite a while; this marks his tenth album along with numerous mixtapes.

This album shows the end to a rap legend.

Its lazy beats and unoriginality adds up to create a mediocre album.

YOUNG MONEY/REPUBLIC RECORDS

I Am Not A Human Being II by Lil Wayne was released on March 26.

C-

Skip to:

Hot Revolver feat.

Dre

Page 6

April 2013

music.

What are you...

GBHS students talk about their favorite artists and songs

Kassidy Henson Freshman

“I like hip hop and rap. I like Diggy Simmons and Wiz Khalifa and Drake.

The Dream and The Weeknd are also good.”

Favorite song: I’m Ready by Bobby Brackins

Kyle Girard Junior

“I like alternative. I like a lot of 90s alternative grunge like Nirvana. I also like some stuff from the 70s like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.”

Favorite song: HeartShaped Box by Nirvana

Nikki Chang Junior

“I really like punk music, although lately I’ve leaned toward pop punk bands like Sum 41. I like the community that punk shows have.

Local bands like The Secretions are good.”

Favorite song: So Prone by Slutever

Jose Luna Sophomore

Jose Luna, sophomore “I like indie rock like The Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend and Foals and progressive rock bands like Muse.”

Favorite song: I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor by Arctic Monkeys –compiled by Haley Byam

CLOTHING April 2013

clothes for thought.

Page 7

Fair trade and organic...

The rise of buying clothes that are cute as well as ethical to the environment

A

BY SAVITRI ASOKAN

sasokan.gazette@gmail.com

short look around the Granite Bay High School campus shows that most are dressed homogeneously.

Whether it’s Diamond Supply Co and Obey Clothing for boys or Forever 21 and Nordstrom for girls, most GBHS students carefully consider which stores are considered “good” to shop at.

Elizabeth Sciascia, a freshman at GBHS, is one of these students.

“I enjoy shopping at Rue 21 and other stores in the mall,” Sciascia said. “I’m probably the typical Granite Bay student in terms of shopping.”

However, recently, judging which stores you go to isn’t done just by their popularity among peers. With the rise of organic and fair trade shopping worldwide, the ethical implications of shopping are coming into a clearer focus.

“It’s definitely becoming a bigger issue,” said a social media and marketing employee of Threads for Thought, a New York-based company focused on ethical clothing, Katie Sargent in an email.

“Thankfully, there seems to be a continued increase in concern for the planet and a sense of personal responsibility to our affect on the Earth.,” Sargent said. “We believe Threads for Thought is just part of a larger lifestyle change people are making to be more responsible for themselves and our world.

“The pendulum continues to swing, but we believe this is only the beginning of the organic movement and people will continue to adopt more responsible processes of clothing production.”

However, according to Sargent, ethical clothing’s popularity is largely based on individual efforts.

One of the main reasons for this is the diminutive quantity of ethical clothing companies in the region.

Due to the lack of

availability of organic and fair trade stores within the Granite Bay area, most students choose instead to use thrift stores to avoid buying unethically-produced goods.

“I thrift a lot,” said freshman Bre Alpha.

“I go to Goodwill, which is good for people who don’t have tons of money, and other thrift stores. Where I live, in Nevada City, there a lot of places to buy secondhand clothing, and I try to go there instead of the mall.

“It helps to balance out my shopping so that I don’t just shop at one place, where the money isn’t going anywhere useful.”

Chase Davis, the manager of a local Goodwill, shares Alpha’s beliefs. Davis acknowledges the significance of the issue of ethical shopping and said that Goodwill is absolutely a viable option for those who wish to shop correctly.

“By shopping here, you’re actually helping provide jobs for the community,” Davis said. “It all goes back into the community to build new stores. It helps create new jobs.”

In order to incentivize people with disabilities to re-enter the workplace and become productive citizens, Goodwill also has a disability program, Davis said. “(It’s) for employees with disabilities to get a work,” Davis said. “They can get a job coach here.

It helps them get back into the

workplace, and is overall just good for the community.”

However, thrift shopping is not an entirely green alternative to the mall.

“All of our clothes come from donations,” Davis said. “The people who owned them before bought them from other stores, and when they’re done with them, they give them to us. So we don’t really know where they’re from.”

Because the majority of donated clothes come from the same major chain stores that utilize sweatshop labor, Goodwill is also propagating the problem, albeit only indirectly. “(We) don’t put a direct emphasis on ethical shopping.

It’s not what Goodwill was founded on,” Davis said.

“We get all kinds of people here, (and) not everyone is coming with the purpose of shopping ethically.

“There are people here who shop to resell, also because we tend to be cheaper than the normal store. It’s tough to say. There’s a fine balance between them for sure.”

Although they may not be

completely popular at GBHS, Sciascia believes that more students should partake in supporting ethical clothing.

“I don’t typically go out of my way to go to a store like that, even though I should,” Sciascia said. “Because some organizations give money to the wrong cause, and I don’t want to be a part of that,” she said.

“More people should start thinking and do the right thing.”

Gazette photos (5) /CLEORA REBER

Page 8

April 2013

eat.

Breakfast Club

The Gazette staff knows about second breakfast

Susie’s

BY HAYLEY MCAVOY

hmcavoy.gazette@gmail.com

It was spring break and I was at school at 7:50 AM for swim practice–suffice to say that didn’t make me very happy. So when 10 o’clock rolled around, about 5,000 yards later, I was feeling pretty tired, but most importantly hungry.

Athletes eat, but swimmers eat a lot. And after leaving Susie’s Café after a morning workout, I, along with my fellow teammates that came with me, felt full and satisfied.

When we first walked in, we were immediately greeted and taken promptly to a table where I was offered some much–needed coffee. And that cup never seemed to find a bottom, because whenever it got close, our waitress would quickly refill it. This made me and those around me very happy because they would otherwise have had to deal with my grumpy, un-

caffeinated attitude.

After I was properly energized, I went through the menu, and Susie’s is definitely a good old-fashioned breakfast place, with everything from biscuits and gravy to flapjacks; it is just a classic American diner.

I’m not a very ‘sweet’ person in the morning. I tend to gravitate more to savory foods rather than sugary ones.

And hash browns are my all-time favorite diner food.

So I ended up deciding on the ‘Ranch Hand’ which included hash browns, scrambled eggs and toast–all my favorite breakfast foods.

The rest of my gang ordered a variety of things including cinnamon rolls, omelets and pancakes.

We had just started another great political debate (which usually happen right as our conversation starts) when our food arrived.

It doesn’t take long for the food to be devoured. To be honest, I don’t completely remember the meal. I

Orphan

BY AUSTIN PINK

apink.gazette@gmail.com

While there is a variety of food in Granite Bay, I have always been irked by the lack of a good spot to get a quick, delicious breakfast.

Thus, when I was told I would be doing a breakfast review for the Gazette, I had to think outside the box.

My search for a breakfast eatery led me a bit further than usual when I chose to review Orphan Breakfast House.

Located on C Street in Sacramento, the Orphan is a 25 minute drive from Granite Bay. Despite the distance, I seriously recommend the Orphan to anyone looking for a fresh new take on the early morning classics.

The location is in a quaint Sacramento suburb with a pleasant atmosphere of weekend warriors and families going about their business. The building itself is an old fire station that has been rehashed into a restaurant.

When I entered, the first thing that hit me was the aromatic smell of fresh brewed coffee. With an imported Italian coffee roaster and brewer, the Orphan brews each cup to order with a wide variety of options.

Before I describe my food experience, I must say that the Orphan is not perfect for all breakfast goers. The whole place, from its staff to its selection, is a bit eccentric and not your classic mom and pop joint. If you are more into the old classic diner feel, then this place may not be for you.

After surveying their menu, I decided I had to go with two items to get a good

just remember I was hungry and there was some of my favorite food in front of me.

However I do remember the hash browns just hitting the spot for me.

The meal did not disappoint me or my companions.

When the check came along, I was surprised how easy it was, even with our group of six.

I had a bottomless cup of coffee and a ranch hands dish and my total came out to about $8 which was completely worth it for me.

In one trip to Susie’s Café, I went from on the verge of starvation to full and satisfied at a very minimal cost.

While there, I saw a variety of people. There were some having morning bible study, some just catching up with old friends and some who probably partied a little too hard the night before.

But all of that created a very relaxed, comfortable feel to the restaurant, making it feel like home.

Brookfield’s scope of the quality.

I ordered their “naked cakes” which is their representation of buttermilk pancakes, and the avocado scramble which features two ubiquitous items, rosemary potatoes and bread.

Seriously, at Orphan almost every item comes with rosemary potatoes and rosemary bread. This is not an issue, however, as both items are fresh and flavorful.

As I engaged in my carb binge, I was extremely satisfied not only with the quality of the food, but also with the friendliness and promptness of the staff.

One thing that sort of peeved me was their take on condiments. They only do fresh salsa instead of ketchup. Orphan provided a comforting yet modern atmosphere that integrated familiar breakfast items with contemporary twists.

If sometime this month you are looking for a new place to start the day, then I recommend that you take the drive and stop by Orphan Breakfast House.

Gazette photo /Austin pink

Orphan is located on C Street in Sacramento

BY THOMAS TAYLOR

ttaylor.gazette@gmail.com

Brookfield’s has a great deal going for it. The restaurant employs a helpful wait staff and the décor is interesting and gives a certain mood.

In their haste to perfect the restaurant environment Brookfield’s forgot about one thing. The food.

The first thing you notice when you enter Brookfield’s is an old fashioned set of baskets hanging from the ceiling. This first, impactful piece of decoration sets the tone for the rest of the restaurant.

Big wagon wheels, old timey murals, pioneer-age pictures and a long wooden bar purvey the simple elegance of the American frontier age.

Of course none of these “artifacts” from our collective past are real, historical objects. This fact does not tarnish the mood given off by their tasteful placement around the large dining room.

My perky waitress was a classic embodiment of the American diner waitress—complete with chewing gum, smiling eyes and a weird love of the word “hon.”

This waitress seemed to be a thing of the past akin to the wagon wheel my table was near.

At this point I was thoroughly impressed. A great aura enveloped the place with old timey charm and class (save the massive flat screen in the corner, an unfortunate addition.).

Seeing as this review is

Gazette photo /thomas taylor

Brookfield’s is located on Eureka Rd. near the freeway centered on the establishment’s breakfast choices I chose to order a simple plate of pancakes, sausages, eggs, and bacon. These foods are some of the greatest breakfast foods in existence.

The bacon was charred and the eggs were tasteless even after being smothered in ketchup and pepper.

This disappointed me greatly because everything looked so delicious and promising.

Fortunately, not all was lost. The sausage was surprisingly good easily the tastiest bit of the meal. The pancakes were almost as good as the sausage, covered in hot strawberries and syrup.

The food was not awful by any stretch of the imagination.

The problem lies in the fact that Brookfield’s nailed the exterior facets of restaurant service.

Brookfield’s has some great historical décor and ambience but the food is lacking in some areas.

April 2013

Page 9

eat.

This Month’s Picks

Mel’s

BY JONAH POCZOBUTT

jpoczobutt.gazette@gmail.com

I took a trip to Mel’s Diner with three friends to find out if the food at Mel’s actually lives up to its popularity with the Granite Bay High School student body.

However, the answer I received was a resounding “no” The first thing one notices upon opening the door to Mel’s is the apparent American Graffiti theme.

For those of you that may not be familiar with the movie, it is intended to be a representation of the life of the average 1962 American Teenager.

The movies emphasis on Rock N’ Roll and other aspects of 1960’s culture provide excellent diner decor at Mel’s and give it a nostalgic feel.

Functioning jukeboxes and other assorted 60’s paraphernalia complete the diner’s throwback style.

There is no question that Mel’s is decorated exceptionally well and pleasing to the eye.

However, in my experience, this was the only positive aspect of the restaurant.

The service at Mel’s was painfully slow and got my experience at the diner off to a bad start.

The waitress visited our corner table infrequently and at one point got sidetracked by a conversation with a friend who had just come in for her shift at work.

It literally took 20 minutes for the waitress to take our orders after we were seated, which was strange because the restaurant was almost completely empty.

After another 10 minutes of waiting, I received the strawberry French toast I had ordered.

Then, my experience at Mel’s went from

bad to worse.

The French toast was almost completely tasteless and it seemed as though the workers at Mel’s had taken special care to select the most bland strawberries they could find.

A bland strawberry almost sounds like an oxymoron, but it is really the best way to describe the tasteless dish.

As one of my friends put it, you know you have a problem when the most flavorful part of your French toast is the whipped cream.

I did try some of my friend’s hash browns and found them quite tasty, but decent hash browns can be ordered anywhere, and they definitely did not make my breakfast experience at Mel’s worth it.

That being said, breakfast at Mel’s was fairly cheap. My French toast only cost $7.99.

Despite the low cost, breakfast at Mel’s was not worth waking up for and I would not recommend this restaurant for breakfast if you have other options available.

My opinion: Mel’s is great for late night milkshakes and fries, but don’t go for breakfast.

The Gazette Ranking Panel samples dishes from each of the five restaurants this month and ranks them accordingly.

#5 Mel’s- Mel’s slow service and subpar

food left much to be desired of this popular restaurant.

#4 Brookfield’s- Brookfield’s has mediocre food but acceptable ambience.

#3 The Original Pancake House- Original Pancake house makes

good quality pancakes for a decent price.

#2 Susie’s- Susie’s is the most popu-

lar breakfast restaurant among GBHS students because of its delicious food.

Gazette photo /thomas taylor

Mel’s is located off of Douglas Blvd. near the freeway

#1 Orphan- Orphan has both great food and eccentric ambience. It is worth the drive if you have time.

Original Pancake House

BY LENA EYEN

leyen.gazette@gmail.com

Rolling out of bed at 10:30 is a great way to start off spring break, but it is made better by a trip to the Original Pancake House.

Created in 1953 in Portland, Oregon, The Original Pancake House still holds true to their claim of fresh and quality ingredients in their over 100 franchises coast to coast. The nearest restaurant is located on 100 Fairway Drive in Roseville, across the street from Home Depot.

We chose to go on a Monday morning, which allowed us to be seated immediately by the welcoming staff.

Luckily, it is impossible to go wrong with any of the choices on the enormous menu, and considering the restaurants obvious fame for their pancakes, it is hard to pass up a fresh, warm stack.

In addition to their original Buttermilk Pancakes, the menu also offers flavors including blueberry, bacon, banana, coconut, Georgia pecan, sourdough, chocolate chip, buckwheat and Hawaiian.

I decided on the Swedish Pancakes, a twist on their

Gazette photo /Lena Eyen

Original Pancake House is located on fairway drive in Roseville regular flapjacks. Their “lacy Swedish pancakes” are served with lingonberries from Sweden and whipped butter.

When the waiter arrived with our meal, in a reasonable time, she set down a plate that was a little disappointing. While I had expected the pancakes to be already decorated, all that was on the large plate were plain pancakes (very similar to crepes) with a bowl of lingonberries and dish of butter on the side.

Even though the dish lacked excitement, it still

retained its taste. After smearing the lingonberries and a touch of butter across the surface, I rolled the pancake up. While the first bite was very tasty, the pancake was still a tad doughy, which gave it a little mushier of a consistency than I had desired.

I grabbed a bite of my friends Fresh Vegetarian Omelette, which was filled with broccoli, fresh tomatoes, fresh mushrooms and aged cheddar cheese. Unfortunately, the omelette was also a tad undercooked, but the overall flavor was still maintained.

The buttermilk pancakes were easily the best dish on the table - warm and fluffy, with the perfect ratio of sweet and salty. Topped off with a touch of syrup, the buttermilk pancakes explained why the restaurant still continues with such good business today.

While I enjoyed my meal, I observed the overall ambience of the restaurant. While some would consider the decor and furniture out of date, I thought it added a bit of coziness to the overall experience.

While it is certainly not a five-star restaurant, The Original Pancake House has just enough charm to feel inviting and continue to draw back customers.

April 2013

Page 10

spring.

How to stay cool

Useful tips and tricks for beating the heat this summer Gazette illustration/HAYLEY MCAVOY

BY NEHA KOMPELLA

A

nkompella.gazette@gmail.com

s summer creeps closer and closer, Granite Bay High School students are looking for ways to stay cool in the heat. In fact, there are simpler alternatives to staying cool in the heat than locking oneself in an air conditioned house.

Being hydrated, however, is by far the easily the easiest way to stay cool and healthy in the summer.

Although dehydration may become most apparent during outdoor exercises, it is a problem that plagues 75 percent of Americans. And most importantly, dehydration is the number one condition that results in the body retaining heat.

Beating dehydration is the easiest way to stay cool and healthy in the summer.

“Drink a lot of water”, sophomore Madeline Ramirez said when asked about how to beat dehydration. “You’ve probably already heard that, but it’s really important.

Drink water before, during, and after you exercise to stay healthy and cool.”

During the summertime, it is also best to avoid sugary drinks, such as soda and caffeine. These drinks can increase your chances of dehydration.

“It may be a really common-sense approach to avoiding dehydration, but it’s something that is not taken very seriously. Try to stay in shady areas and avoid your exposure to the heat. And if you do have to face direct sunlight, wear sunblock.”

“You really want to wear sunscreen, not just in the summertime but anytime you’re outside in the sun,” Linda Warfield, the GBHS school nurse said. “You need to protect your skin, because the sun does have harmful rays, and you’re protecting yourself against cancer later in life.”

Warfield also suggests wearing specific types of clothing during summertime to maximize staying cool.

“You want to wear cool and light clothing,” Warfield said.

In fact, according to studies, baggy clothes are typically better to wear than their tighter alternative during summertime. This is due to the fact that baggy clothes allow for more air circulation than tight clothes.

Cotton clothing is also highly recommended during the summer, for many reasons. It is a thin material, allowing for air circulation that serves to absorb sweat and moisture. Cotton also tends to be light, both in color and texture, a benefit in that light will bounce off the

material and not be absorbed.

Warfield also suggests a method of staying cool that involves merely cold water and a couple old t-shirts.

“You might want to (make) some cool compresses (with) cold water and some t-shirts”, she said. “Put them on your forehead, or around the back of your neck.”

Another method to help cool down is creating a swamp fan. A swamp fan can be made easily, using an electric fan, a towel and ice-cold water. Soaking the towel in the ice water and then placing it in front of the fan will result in a constant draft of cold air being blown in one direction. This method is especially helpful when an air conditioner is inaccessible.

One easy method to try at home would be to put your feet in a bucket of ice-cold water. The body absorbs heat primarily in the feet and hands, so cooling either of these will help to lower the overall body temperature, although the feet may be more convenient.

Garbhita Shah, a freshman at GBHS, has her own method for staying cool in the heat.

“I have really long and thick hair”, she said, “and I think something that would be helpful for a lot of girls at this school with long and thick hair like mine would be to tie it up and off of your neck.”

The body temperature control system is in this area. By cooling down the neck, the body can be made cooler.

And if the heat gets to be

simply too unbearable, then there is a simple heat-relief system waiting in the front or backyard: sprinklers.

“You can make a game out of it”, Ramirez said . “Invite your friends over or just play with the neighborhood kids. All you have to do is put on a bathing suit and then run through the sprinklers!”

These simple methods of cooling down may be an easy way of coping with inconvenience, but it is important to recognize when the inconvenience of heat becomes a danger.

Warfield also added a final tip on what to do if heat becomes a real problem during the summer.

“If you really start feeling uncomfortable, if you start feeling dizzy or lightheaded, then its important to get yourself into some shade and start drinking some water”, Warfield said. “Most importantly, make sure that someone else is aware you’re having some problems, don’t just keep pushing it and getting your temperature to rise.”

Gazette illustration/TAMREN JOHNK

April 2013

Page 11

cram.

Where to Study...

Prime locations for cramming the night before

BY HAYLEY MCAVOY

A

hmcavoy.gazette@gmail.com

s springtime sets in and the first rays of summer’s sunshine are felt by all students, many normally studious kids feel their motivation level dropping.

But sadly, school doesn’t support these availing illnesses that seem to run rampant across school.

If it weren’t for the upcoming AP tests or final exams, some students might not even bother going to school.

Since those tests are one of the only motivations for doing schoolwork, it’s imperative that every moment spent studying is well used.

One of the best ways to make study time efficient is to find a good place to study.

Normally, this is just some place in your own house, but certain students like to explore other ambiances instead.

Junior Megan Klingler said that she liked studying are Starbucks, Mel’s Diner and Folsom Lake.

What she likes about Starbucks is the overall relaxed environment.

“I see a lot of people working there,” Klingler said. “And being around them makes me want to work harder.”

She adds that the background music actually helps her concentration.

There are two Starbucks within a mile radius of GBHS. One is in the Safeway parking lot, near Jamba Juice and Togo›s.

The other is on Douglas Boulevard and

Cavitt Stallman and has a drive-thru in addition to the traditional store.

Klingler prefers the drive-thru one because a long table inside is perfect for studying in groups.

Junior Braeden Spencer accompanies Klingler on occasion in her study sessions.

“Being in a group is nice because you can help each other with (our) work,” Spencer said.

Another added perk the group setting can provide is comedic relief, when needed.

“After studying hard, it feels good just to take a break for a little bit,” he said.

“Whenever I’m there with friends we always laugh a lot and try to have fun while we study.”

For those looking to work better by themselves, the other Starbucks would be a better fit, as it has many individual tables.

Both these of these stores are closed by 9:30, so for those late night study owls a 24-hour place like Mel’s diner would better cater to their needs.

Klingler is one the high school swim team in addition to coaching lessons for youth swimmers, which limit her study time to the later night.

She says working at Mel’s is perfect for her late night cram sessions and when she is just too busy during the day to study.

“I like that (Mel’s) serves food, which stimulates my brain, helping me focus,” she said.

Although music is constantly played there, Klingler believes it helps her.

“Music and studying just go hand and hand with me,” Klingler said.

This type of environment doesn’t work for everyone, as some prefer quieter conditions to study.

Folsom lake can provide such peace and tranquility.

Klingler and junior friend Amanda Miller discovered this after spending an afternoon studying there during a stressful week.

“It’s just really calming to be near the water and on the beach,” Miller said. “It makes studying a little better.”

The lake has a way of making any

stressful school work at least manageable with its beauty.

However, Klingler warns that even though it can be a nice place, there are also many “weirdos” on the beach.

So, it’s best to find a more secluded spot to avoid potentially awkward situations.

Klingler believes that her home offers more distractions than other places.

“I’m just more focused and can get more done when I’m not at my house.”

Pages 12 and 13

April 2013

sexy and i know it.

Emily Andress shows that neon bathing suits make you look bronze and beautiful and can be paired perfectly with multicolored bottoms for a bright pop, far right. Fringe bathing suit tops are flirty and fun for a day at the lake and come in a variety of colors, shown by Katie Thomas and Emily above left. Jenn Oliver wears high-waisted 50’s style bottoms, these are flattering to any body type and are this summer’s fastest growing trend.

S

PLASH into UMMER

A tye dye crop top with highwaisted denim shorts is the perfect outfit for a summer day, worn by models Danielle Scribner, Emily and Alexandra Karalash.

Tye dye shorts, modeled by Katie above can be paired with a solid black shirt for an edgy yet cute spring look.

Model Katie wears lightweight breezy shirts with cut outs in the back are perfect for warm summer nights, above.

From floral to black and white stripes, crop tops, shown by Katie and Jenn far above and Emily above, are the summer essential. From day to night, they are perfect for any occasion.

Whether they are crocheted or laced, textured shorts are the perfect beach cover-up and are lightweight for those hot summer days, worn by Katie and Jenn below.

Make a fashion statement for the upcoming warm months

BY KATE HURLEY

churley.gazette@gmail.com

Gazette photos (9) /Kate Hurley

Page 14

style.

April 2013

Rise of

New Fashion

Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters rise in popularity among students at Granite Bay High

BY COLLEEN VIVALDI

R

cvivaldi.gazette@gmail.com

ecently at Granite Bay High School, growing fashion trends at stores like Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters have rapidly become popular among teenagers.

These rising fashion trends have caught the eyes of numerous students and young adults of varying ages in the community.

Since the explosion of popularity began, items like graphic tank tops, skater skirts, chunky sweaters and high-waisted shorts have become quite prominent with girls.

Brandy Melville, a fairly new and upcoming brand to the United States, all started with a few girls in Rome in 1994.

Since being new to the USA, the outburst of obsession over the clothes makes sense to several teens.

Fashion-forward sophomore Kelsey Ito is familiar to the diverse and trendy items sold at Brandy Melville.

“Their clothes are casual but still really trendy, yet you are able to dress them up easily and dress them down as well,” Ito said.

Crystal Yabes, a sophomore at GBHS, believes that a ‘prime time’ item made by Brandy Melville is the infinity love muscle tank. “(It is) my favorite item at Brandy Melville because it (has the ability) to be worn with high-waisted shorts or some pants or leggings,” Yabes said.

Not only are unique graphic tees and floral skaterskirts flying off the racks, the peculiar jewelry like the infinity love ring and cross bracelets have started impacting styling choices of many.

“I enjoy their jewelry because it’s inexpensive but still really (fashion-forward), it honestly suits my style,” Ito said.

The simplicity of Brandy Melville is the main source of inspiration to many.

“Items from Brandy are more simple, but they put a twist on the ordinary,” freshman Kylie Shimada said.

Not only is Brandy Melville known for adding a different spin on fashion, Urban Outfitters has sparked insight at GBHS as well.

After recently beginning to work at Urban Outfitters, Senior Jessie Meyers found a new insight for fashion. “(Their clothes) are unique because they typically are clothes that not everyone has and most are styles people are unfamiliar with so they can be (sort of) risky to wear,” Myers said, A store like Urban Outfitters aims to be different from other stores and accomplishes this task with its own personal brand of Bob, Dale and Greg Keystone, or BDG, for the brothers and creators of the line.

BDG has many different styling options with shirts, dresses, jeans and shorts that have different cuts, lengths, and peculiar colors and patterns.

One of their most in-style items, the BDG high-rise cheeky short, is rapidly becoming popular among many different people on the campus.

Shimada also shares the satisfaction for the fashion from Urban Outfitters.

“Urban Outfitters caught my eye because of how much variety they have and I feel like you can really express yourself through their pieces,” Shimada said.

Pieces from Urban Outfitters and Brandy Melville are starting to become fast trends as more and more stores open up in the U.S. and throughout Europe.

Yabes thinks that these new fast trends from Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters will continue to expand.

“I became interested in these clothes from Brandy and Urban from other people and from the growing trends on Instagram and Twitter,” Yabes said.

The appeal that clothes and jewelry from Urban Outfitters and Brandy Melville have is simply distinctive.

“I think that fashion is a re-occurring thing, like highwaisted clothing was around before our generation,” Myers said. “So, I think all these trends will last forever.”

April 2013

Page 15

sell.

Insta-sold

Many students at GBHS are selling unwanted clothing items and accessories to other students on social media

T

BY AMBER LES

ales.gazette@gmail.com

he current teenage generation has become increasingly more accustomed to technological advancements and the ability to socialize in countless different ways.

Unlike the generation before them, teens have found ways to manipulate the new technology to their liking.

Here at Granite Bay High School, the focus has shifted to something simple: selling clothes on Instagram.

Instagram is a photo-sharing app that can be downloaded onto iPhones and most Droid devices.

Its popularity has skyrocketed recently, stemming off of the Twitter craze that sparked years ago.

Few could have guessed that the app could be used for more than just photos of sunsets, selfies, food, pets and beaches.

“I needed to clean my closet and I wanted to make some extra money for some upcoming trips I was taking,” senior Chandler Awalt said.

Awalt decided to create a new Instagram account with the username ‘channiscloset’.

She posted pictures of herself modeling various articles of clothing that she did not want anymore, along with captions describing the size and the price at which she was selling each garment.

“At first I didn’t want to do it,” Awalt said. “I was worried that people wouldn’t be interested in buying the clothes or buying into the idea.”

Luckily, her mom and friends urged her to do it. Popularity for the account soon grew, and Awalt was selling clothes as fast as she could post the pictures.

Many brands were designer, with original store prices ranging from $30 to $200.

Awalt sold her most expensive item, a pair of LuLu Lemon yoga pants, for just $20.

“I had worn the (clothes and jewelry) a couple of times,” she said.

“I wanted to be able to sell (the items) and make money quick, so lower prices were the better option.”

The low prices and easy accessibility made Awalt’s venture a success. She made $450 over the course of just two weeks.

The trend soon caught on to other Granite Bay High School girls who were interested in making some cash.

“Right after (Awalt) did it, people

Now that I set it up, whenever I go into my closet and see something I don’t want anymore, I just take a quick picture and put it up.

– Junior Sabrina Sabbaghian

were making the new Instagrams like crazy,” junior Sabrina Sabbaghian said.

Sabbaghian had been thinking about getting rid of a lot of her old clothing items for a long time, and her friends finally convinced her to use Instagram to do it.

Like Awalt, Sabbaghian began to sell various clothing items (including some designer name brands) for very cheap.

“I think the nicer things that you have, you should sell because you can definitely get money off of (the clothes),” Sabbaghian said.

She has made about $200 in a few days—and counting.

“Now that I set it up, whenever I go into my closet and see something I don’t want anymore, I just take a quick picture and put it up,” she said.

“If you’re not wearing something, you might as well make money off of it instead of it just sitting in your closet.”

As for Awalt, even more business opportunities came out of her idea.

“I started to sell my friends’ clothes on my Instagram account,” she said.

“I charged 20 percent commission on whatever they made from it.”

Instagram has proven to be an outlet for more than just socializing. The app boasts over 100 million registered users just two and a half years after it first launched.

The majority of students at Granite Bay High School seem to be browsing their Instagram feeds during any free time or passing period.

With so many connected to Instagram, the trend of selling clothes has not been popular with everyone.

After many usernames surfaced relating to ‘closets’ or selling clothes, some began to complain that the transactions were ‘clogging up their newsfeeds.’

“If people are interested in selling clothes, they should definitely make a separate account so only people who choose to follow it can see the clothes pictures,” Awalt said.

Sabbaghian suggests that anyone who complains about the trend just needs to click the ‘Unfollow’ button.

Overall, those who have made money off of the idea think it’s a positive trend at the school.

“It’s worked well for people who want to earn money and clean out their closets at the same time,” Awalt said.

“And people can get new clothes in their closets for really cheap.”

April 2013

Warrior III

namaste.

Page 16

G

ranite Bay High School is full of girls sporting yoga pants. But these pants serve more then a fashion purpose; the practice of yoga is becoming a big phenomenon.

Yoga originated from India and is one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy.

Yoga is all about discipline, which includes breath control, simple meditation and the adoption of specific bodily postures. It is now widely practiced for health and relaxation in modern day, and some students on campus are taking advantage of the benefits.

“I’ve taken a class that is more balance and core strengthening,” said Ali Futrell, a senior who started practicing yoga in January of 2013.

A study done by the Yoga Life Journal revealed that yoga, if done at a consistent rate, will in fact boost flexibility.

The study was done through a variety of people who all attended daily yoga classes for 30 days and the results were conclusive­–flexibility all over the body was improved.

“I’m becoming more flexible and gaining strength in the areas you normally wouldn’t work out.” Futrell said.

Yoga is an aerobic exercise in nature, so it can replace many parts of a monotonous 90-minute gym routine.

Laurel Teague, a junior, had always wanted to do yoga and when she turned 12 she was finally allowed in the adult’s part of the gym and quickly began taking classes.

“It makes you feel better about yourself because it’s not a crazy intense work out,” Teague said. “You feel good after it not worn out.”

Yoga can be a great substitute for people who are easily bored by cardiovascular workouts.

The stretching and breathing involved in yoga works the heart in a more gentle way then running or other activities, but is still a cardio workout.

“I realized even though I didn’t feel like I was working out, I was in fact, working out. So it felt so relaxing, and afterwards I would be so mellow,” said Amelie Rider, a teacher at GBHS who has been doing yoga for 17 years.

According to the American Yoga Association, yoga is

yoga.

An exercise that’s good for the mind, body and soul

BY WILLOW WOOD

wwood.gazette@gmail.com

Cobra

April 2013

Page 17

namaste.

known to be used as anxiety relief and a stress manager.

“It is very beneficial for students. It can be different for everyone–the more stressed you are the more you need it,” Rider said.

A few yoga exercises practiced daily will help regulate breathing and relax the body by gently releasing tension from the large muscle groups, flushing all parts of the body and brain with fresh blood and oxygen.

“It makes you feel refreshed,” Teague said, “and if you do it before bed it helps you sleep better.”

This form of yoga, known as yoga Nidra or yogic sleep is intended to induce full-body relaxation and a deep meditative state of consciousness. Symptoms of high anxiety such as headache, giddiness, chest pain, palpitations, sweating and abdominal pain also respond well to this form of yoga. It is even being used to help soldiers from war cope with PTSD. “I like ‘warm’ yoga but do not do Bikram (105 degrees).

“I like “balance” hatha yoga, but will do Ashtanga,” Rider said.

Ashtanga yoga is similar in that breathing is synchronized with the movement of poses. But, Ashtanga is directed towards more sweating and detoxifying the skin and other organs. Hatha yoga tries to link the body and mind through physical poses and breathing techniques or meditation and is a very relaxing form.

Bikram yoga is a more intense version of yoga. It is generally a series of 26 postures, including two breathing exercises, that is done in a room that is 105 degrees.

“It’s very relaxing, and at the end you just do meditation and you’re very in the moment and finding yourself” Futrell said.

Yoga gives mental clarity because of all its focus on being in aware and in control of your breathing and body.

“If you are sore, go back anyway,” said Rider. “Deal with it.”

Seated Meditation

Warrior II Gazette staffer Willow Wood, junior, models some of the more popular yoga poses

Gazette photo /SUMMER HAENNEY

Shopping for graduation gifts Page 18

graduation.

April 2013

A guide to buying the perfect present for your graduate

A

BY SUMMER HAENNY

sheanny.gazette@gmail.com

s spring time rolls around and graduation approaches, the question of what presents to get your graduating senior comes to mind.

Picking out a graduation gift can be very confusing.

What do you get a high school graduate who is moving out of the house in just four short months?

Do you choose money so that they actually get something they really want? Or do you get something for their dorm room?

There is also the choice of going all out and getting them something special that they will remember for the rest of their life, like a vacation. These questions can be mind–boggling.

For those who don’t want to pay for an extravagant vacation, a personal gift is always a more viable option. If you want the gift to be personal, then give them something that they will always use, such as speakers for their dorm room or a college sweatshirt.

“For my graduation I want something that is personal and that I will use everyday.” GBHS senior Annabelle Landry said. “I think something for my dorm would be the best present ever.”

There are many different websites ranging from Pottery Barn Teen to Urban Outfitters that sell dorm or apartment

Gazette photo /SUMMER HAENNY

decorations. Each gift for a dorm room should fit the graduate’s taste and style.

For a more studious graduate, a white board calendar or some school supplies are best. For a gamer, a case for games would be a good option. For a very messy person, the best gifts are the ones that keeps the dorm clean and organized while looking stylish.

The second option is the most expensive option.

Going the extra mile and giving somebody a large vacation is incredibly generous, as well as incredibly expensive.

Senior Geena Poretti is fortunate enough to get such a gift, and more.

“I am going on a vacation for a month. I am going to the Grand Caymans for the first half and Europe for the last half,” Poretti said. “I am going (to Europe with GBHS) and my mom and dad … surprised me with the vacation to the Grand Caymans.”

Poretti realizes that her vacations are very special and does not expect anything else for her gradation.

“A month of vacation is good enough for me,” said

Poretti.

If a vacation is off the table, and you are not a very good interior decorator, then cash is always a good alternative.

Wesley Finkemeier, part of the GBHS class of 2012 agrees that money makes a great gift.

“The greatest gift I received for graduation is having my parents pay for my education,” Finkemeier said. “Multiple kids have to take out loans, but there is no greater gift than not having to worrying about paying off the loans from schooling.”

Money is always needed during college for miscellaneous items, school supplies and books.

The question of how much money to give can also be confusing for some people.

Before you rush to the nearest ATM, ask yourself how much you think is appropriate.

“I think 80 dollars is a good amount to give somebody,” Landry said.

If money seems too impersonal, clothes are another great option. The last thing a college freshman wants is to show up on their college campus with no spirit wear.

“Maybe a sweatshirt is too small but the fact that someone thought of you to give you the gift that is all that matters,” said Finkemeier.

Giving the right graduation gift can be as easy as putting money in an envelope.

current.

April 2013

Page 19

Recipe of the Month: Crepes

BY TAMREN JOHNK

Directions:

tjohnk.gazette@gmail.com

1. In a blender, combine all the ingredients.

Ingredients:

2 large eggs ¾ cup milk

3 tablespoons melted butter

2. Place crepe batter in the refrigerator for one hour. The batter will be good for up to 48 hours.

Butter for coating the pan

3. Heat a small

½ cup water 1 cup flour

non-stick pan and add butter to coat.

4. Pour one ounce of batter into the center of the pan and swirl to spread evenly.

5. Cook for 30 seconds and flip. Cook for another 10 sec-

onds and then remove to a plate.

6. Continue until batter is gone.

7. If desired, you can also add strawberries, chocolate chips, whip cream, powdered sugar, etc.

Gazette photo /TAMREN JOHNK

Crepes can be a sweet treat or a savory meal.

Teacher Playlist

BY WILLOW WOOD

wwood.gazette@gmail.com

Shane Dixon Biology teacher Hillbilly Deluxe - Brooks and Dunn “This song cracks me up but also reminds me of the small town that I am from.”

Jalapeno - Big and Rich “I like Big and Rich in general because they produce a wide variety of music. They love Gazette photo /KRISTIN TAYLOR to have fun, and they produce qualify without taking themselves too seriously.” Shane Dixon prefers songs that can keep Drive - The Cars “Classic cruising tune.” him in a good mood throughout the day.

Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd “Great tune for regaining perspective.”

50 Ways to Say Goodbye - Train “Another funny tune.”

Dreams - Van Halen “Great Song off one of the best albums of the ‘80s.”

Let it Ride – Bachman Turner Overdrive “This song will get you movin’.’”

Turn up the Radio - Autograph “Best Song to play the first day of summer.”

Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears “Mellow song for relaxation.”

Beautiful Day - U2 “It’s a great song for encouragement and finding energy to attack the day.”

BY ZACK ZOLMER

zzolmer.gazette@gmail.com

Taj Mahal, a Grammy Award winning blues musician, will be playing at the Cascade Theater in Redding on April 21.

Telekinesis, an indie rock band based out of Seattle, will be playing at the Blue Lamp in Sacramento on April 22.

Katchafire is a New Zealand roots reggae band from Hamilton, New Zealand. They will be playing at the El Ray Theatre in Chico on April 24.

That 1 Guy is Mike Silverman, a one-man band musician based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He will be playing at the in Chico at the El Ray Theatre on May 8.

COLUMBIA RECORDS

MERGE RECORDS

LION HOUSE RECORDS

RIGHTEOUS BABE

Page 20

April 2013

from backstage.

Behind the scenes of

musical theatre

BY WILLOW WOOD

wwood.gazette@gmail.com

ď ˇUrinetown is a satirical-comedy musical that mocks politics, capitalism, the legal system and even other popular musicals

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

April 2013

Page 21

the theatre kids.

Musical theatre students do more than just

sing, act and dance

I

f you walk into the drama room fourth period spring term, you may find it empty.

This is because the 29 students who make up this class are out on the stage.

Granite Bay High School’s musical theatre program is one of the least recognized groups on campus. But this program has done amazing productions such as Grease and Legally Blonde, and anyone can be involved.

Kyle Holmes, the GBHS Drama/Musical Theatre teacher, says that the theatre auditions take place over four days — the first days, students learn specific musical numbers from the show. The second day, they can audition using any of those songs or ones of their choice. The third day is a dance audition where they have to learn a short combination and perform it, and the fourth day they have to do cold readings of the script.

“I think people tend to view musical theatre as much more flamboyant than traditional theatre because of the singing and dancing, which can create a negative stigma — especially for male actors,” Holmes said.

This year, even with the 40 people who auditioned, 29 of them being cast, there was a shortage of male cast members auditioning.

“Any theatre department is always low on getting guys involved in theatre,” said Kelsey Lynn, a senior who started in musical theatre as

a sophomore. “I mean, the main thing is that if they do theatre ‘they must be gay,’ which is not true.”

The Musical Theatre students are dedicated; they rehearse a full class period every day for twelve weeks, have a full Saturday rehearsal with the band, after school rehearsals, four dress rehearsals which are each at least four hours long and six performances.

Not to mention each student is putting in countless hours outside of class to help with costumes, makeup, set design, props, etc.

“More students means more interest and excitement, more talented students wanting to be a part of it and more competition!” Holmes said.

And you don’t have to be an actor to get involved.

Set construction, lighting, designing costumes, creating props, advertising and doing tech for the productions are all ways to be involved without being on stage.

There are no requirements to be a part of the musical theatre program except being enrolled in the class for spring semester.

“Our drama department’s musical theatre program is unique in that it prepares students to be ‘college and/or career ready’ in the field of musical theatre,” Holmes said.

The program has many great staff members that help to create this professional-style

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

The Musical Theatre students have spent countless hours throughout the entire spring semester perfecting their show

experience. GBHS’s Desiree Millburn is a professional choreographer, Steve Givens is a professional sound technician and David Taylor is a Sacramento and Bay Area award — winning musical director, who also made it in the top 200 on American Idol.

“I am terrible at learning dances quickly, so I was very nervous, but Mrs. Millburn taught us a dance and we performed it with a partner in groups,” said Abigail Schmalz, who has been involved in the program for four years.

This spring’s musical is Urinetown, and the new drama teacher decided to change things up this year.

“I wanted a production that got students excited to come and see musical theatre.

Urinetown is a modern musical that uses very sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek humor to tell a story many people are familiar with — oppressed masses standing up to fight for what they believe in,” Holmes said.

Urinetown is a satirical-comedy musical, with music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Greg Kotis and script by Kotis. It satirizes the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement and municipal politics.

“It is a hilarious show, and I think people will really enjoy it. It’s meant to be crazy and outthere, and it is,” Schmalz said.

Gazette photo /luke chirbas

Alex Chesebro plays the antagonist, Caldwell B. Cladwell

film.

bad grey pictures

Rated: PG 13 By: Austin Pink apink.gazette@gmail.com

scary movie 5: D

fter enduring the vapid cultural morass of Scary Movie 5, I had to sit back and try to remember what real comedy is like and why it’s even enjoyable.

The fifth movie in the series doesn’t have any of the same charm as the old ones and leaves the audience cringing in dismay for the failed one-liners and awful punch lines taken directly to the face.

However, the movie starts off with a promising opening scene. Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan make appearances as a mismatch made in heaven to parody the “Paranormal Activity” series.

While having a little bedroom romp, they realize a supernatural entity is in their room and Lohan screams in response, but that’s only because of the TV headline was reading “Lohan denied parole” in the back. The weathered starlet and Hollywood icon make a scene without much substance actually pretty funny.

Unfortunately, it’s all down hill from there.

Despite a few funny parts with Snoop Dogg spoofing the horror film “Mama”, the rest of the scenes attempt to rise up and then fall flat on their face.

From Lohan to Sheen to Mike Tyson to Ashley Tisdale (who I didn’t realize still exists) to Mike Tyson, the star saturated cast that is a staple of the Scary Movies seems to have lost its touch.

Again, the jokes just seem stale; these are jokes you’ve heard on Twitter or Saturday Night Live and you had your laugh a year ago.

Jokes about Sheen’s paryting. Heard it. Jokes about Lohan’s recklessness. Heard it. Jokes about Snoop Dogg being a stoner. Heard it.

The film doesn’t even feature the ubiquitous “scary movie” presence of Anna Faris. Usually giving these films a sort of goofy grace, her appearance is sorely missed when the series most needed it.

Some specificity, witty punch lines and original jokes for starters. We can always build from there.

Again, the film did have me chuckling a couple times and it didn’t have disappointed throughout, but personally I’m looking for more with my $8.00 investment.

Overall, Scary Movie 5 is a fairly tame genre flick that doesn’t have much to offer.

W

legendary pictures

hen it comes to heartfelt sports films that fall into similar categories as The Blindside or Invincible, I’m always excited to see them in theaters.

After seeing the film 42, I’m determined to get my own copy as soon as possible.

42 doesn’t just debut a retelling of a familiar historical sports tale; it delves into the deep societal and emotional impacts of one man’s decision to play a game no one wanted him to.

The film highlights the career of black baseball player Jackie Robinson (played by Chadwick Boseman). The then-general manager of the Dodgers Branch Rickey (played by Harrison Ford) foresees the financial venture and gain it would be to sign a black baseball player into the all-white league.

Integrating baseball was controversial at the very least, but Rickey knows that making a black player famous (and infamous) will give his franchise money it hadn’t seen before.

In order to do this, Robinson was the Chosen one, told to “have the guts to not fight back.”

In a stunning portrayal of a man who is forced to stay silent in the midst of intense verbal and, at times, physical abuse (Robinson was drilled in the head by a pitch), Boseman nails the real-life emotional struggle on screen.

Although I’m usually not a fan of movies that only make me feel the guilt of America’s past generation, this film was done with historical accuracy and an appalling earnestness.

What comes across as the most powerful is the only way Robinson can truly fight back against the societal tirades- during the game.

42 leads you to believe that if it weren’t for the incredible backlash that Robinson endured, he wouldn’t have been as successful an athlete.

Sweet revenge can definitely drive a person to succeed.

And succeed Robinson did.

Overall, 42 was cast perfectly. Boseman couldn’t have been more similar to the true Robinson both physically and emotionally.

I felt like I was peering into a very small part of who the true player was while watching, which held true to the real-life Robinson’s very private life.

42 is a film that I necessary to tell the story of an era and the life of a man who crossed the boundary that would change sports forever.

Rated: PG 13 By: Amber Les ales.gazette@gmail.com

42: A

A

April 2013

C

Virgin Produced

asablanca is a film that may have come out in 1942, but continues to be a movie that captivates and impresses even today.

The movie tells the story of Rick Blaine, (played by Humphrey Bogart), a cynical American who claims neutrality in all subjects and is the owner of “Rick’s Café Américain”.

He lives in Casablanca, a city in Western Morocco that is inhabited by the French.

Humphrey Bogart proves his merit by flawlessly portraying a cynical, world-weary man who, despite all protestations to the contrary, is noble on the inside.

In a bizarre twist of events, he comes into the possession of two “letters of transit,” papers that act as visas and are therefore priceless.

The letters do a good job of illustrating the historical aspect of the movie, set during the Nazi Regime.

When Rick is brought face to face with an ex lover, Ilsa Lund (played by Ingrid Bergman), and her husband, Victor Laszlo (played by Paul Henreid), both he and Ilsa are forced to confront their past.

What I liked the best about Casablanca was the blend of the personal conflict between Ilsa and Rick with the more imminent problem that Laszlo faces with the Nazis.

Victor Laszlo, a Czech freedom fighter, is the underdog fighting for freedom that you can’t help but root for. Although he remains somewhat detached throughout the movie, the anti-Nazi zeal that he represents lends the movie a feeling of romanticism.

The plot of Casablanca was surprisingly fast paced. Although the beginning was a little slow, the end of the movie came as a shock, and I was surprised at how involved I got in the movie.

The end of Casablanca is not a “happily ever after” ending, as Rick, though reconciled with Ilsa, sends her away with Laszlo, telling her that it is for her safety and because Laszlo won’t be able to work without her. At this point in the movie, I was emotionally wrung out and very captivated by the bittersweet farewell.

All in all, by the time the words “THE END” had appeared on the screen, myself, as well as the majority of other viewers in the audience were clapping in profound marvel at a movie that, it seems, will never grow old.

Rated: PG By: Neha Kompella nkompella.gazette@gmail.com

casablanca: A

Page 22

Dreamworks animation

By: Zack Zolmer zzolmer.gazette@gmail.com

the croods: B

he Croods is cute and somewhat funny movie throughout, the perfect picture to take the whole family to.

In the beginning of the movie, co-directors Kirk DeMicco and Chris Sanders introduce you to The Croods,a lovable caveman family of six. Among the family members is the main character, Eep (Emma Stone), father Grug (Nicholas Cage), mother Ugga, grandmother Gran (Cloris Leachman), dumb brother Thunk (Clark Duke), and seething toddler Sandy (Randy Thom).

While father Grug preaches safety and caution in a prehistoric world filled with danger and death, Eep sees things differently. Full of curiosity, Eep often wanders off against the rest of her family’s request, much to the displeasure of her father especially.

One night while in the family cave, Eep notices a light shining on the cave wall. Having never seen light before at night, she continually attempts to capture the light by pouncing on it to no avail. Curious, she exits the cave without waking her family, and follows the light shining on the canyon walls.

She eventually catches up to the light and discovers fire, a flame on the end of a lit torch.

Upon her discovery of fire, she also meets the torch bearer himself, lone wolf Guy (Ryan Reynolds). Guy tells Eep that the world is coming to an end, and that she and her family must pick up and move quickly to “Tomorrow” should they want to live.

Despite hesitation from Grug, the family decides to follow Guy to his paradise.

During their journey, Guy introduces the Crood family to new things like elephant meat and animals you don’t need, otherwise known as pets.

Upon the Crood family’s newfound love for new things, Grug becomes jealous of Guy and his knowledge. Later, however when both of them get stuck in a stream of black tar, the two work together to elude their impending death, and Grug learns to accept Guy with the rest of his family.

Though at times the jokes and puns in this movie are incredibly cheesy and repetitive, they are sure to be appreciated by younger kids.

Though it’s no Pixar, overall The Croods is a cute and heartfelt movie, well worth a trip to the theater.

Rated: PG

E

filmdistrict

vil Dead is a remake of its 1981 predecessor, and as such, came with much hype. The original Evil Dead movies were praised for their originality and chilling scenes, but this rendition was unable to capture the same feelings.

This movie features, five teenagers visiting a cabin in the woods in order to help their friend to kick his heroin addiction.

While at the cabin, these teens discover an old satanic book full of curses and dark magic.

As one of the kids begins to read the incantations all hell breaks loose and several demons are awakened to torment the protagonists.

Overall, the plot was okay at best, and really lacked a compelling storyline that kept the audience involved, which led to much boredom throughout the movie.

Fortunately, where the plot was weak, the suspense and action helped spark the viewer’s interest.

This film keeps the audience on their toes as one by one, the teenagers are picked off by the demonic creatures.

Included in the action is much gore. In fact, the goriness was one of the core elements of the film.

One big area where this movie failed was in the development of the protagonists.

Aside from the main character, Mia, few protagonists are compelling in the least bit.

This prevents the viewers from feeling attachment to the characters while they’re being killed, and makes their deaths almost boring.

Surprisingly, Evil Dead also features some humor.

This provides a stark contrast from all of the flying limbs, and can often make the viewer feel guilty for laughing at the protagonists in their situation.

Overall, Evil Dead was another classic example of a remake that failed to truly honor its original.

While full of gore the movie lacks any real horror, and there are few moments in which the audience is truly scared.

While poor characters and a boring plot make Evil Dead a mediocre movie, this takes nothing away from the original, which I would recommend over this movie in a heartbeat.

Rated: R By: Parker Burman pburman.gazette@gmail.com

evil dead: C

T

Page 23

film.

E

metropolitan filmexport

xceeds Expectations. That was my conclusion of The Host.

Keeping in mind that this film was another Stephenie Meyer creation, and from my experience with the Twilight films, books, and now The Host, I know that, if you, unlike me, are a Twilight fan, you will love The Host.

Like the Twilight series, The Host satisfies all the required Meyer criteria: A damsel in distress, (but who this time fortunately happened to be more tolerable and not as spineless as Bella in the Twilight series) and the two men who are always fighting over her. How unoriginal could you get?

In this story, Earth is a planet that’s captured by alien forces, who are convinced they are saving humans from their treacherous, barbaric ways. These aliens capture humans and implant themselves in them, and the humans become hosts. The alien goes through the human’s memories to find clues as to where other humans are hiding (from the aliens).

However, there is one human who succeeded in resisting the domination of the alien implant in her body: Melanie. Melanie won over the alien, who is called Wanda, and the two are both locked in Melanie’s body. Instead of telling her leaders where Melanie’s human friends are hiding, Wanda becomes Melanie’s friend, and the two work together help Melanie’s friends and protect them from the aliens.

Now, as testing this predictable story was, the great cast compensated for where the story lacked originality. Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones) stars as Melanie, and Max Irons (Red Riding Hood) and Jake Abel (Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief) co-star as her lovers Jared and Ian, respectively. The acting was truly solid and convincing and very enjoyable to watch.

At times the length of the film did test my patience, but there were enough sub-plots and twists that made it intriguing and interesting. It was definitely better than the Twilight disaster.

I would recommend the film to a more mature audience, because some scenes were simply too raw, and subject of the film isn’t entirely appropriate. Take the PG-13 rating to heart.

So, if you have some spare time, or are in search for some stress-relief, see the film, but enter with low expectations.

Rated: PG 13 By: Kiana Okhovat kokhovat.gazette@gmail.com

the host: B

April 2013

Page 24

April 2013

dress the best.

Best Dressed: Spirit Week

Thrift Sho p Tuesday

‘Merica Monday y a D e g e l l o C Wednesday Freshman Frank Grijalva sports his patriotic gear on ‘Merica Monday, senior Sara Howarth is repping her future college on College Day, junior Cally Chamberlain is poppin’ tags on Thrift Shop Tuesday, senior Laurel Stokes goes back in time on Throwback Thursday and senior Marissa Latzen shows her senior spirit for PowderPuff.

Throwback Thursday

Powder Puff Friday Gazette photos /Kristin Taylor

The Host

B

Evil Dead

C

Scary Movie 5

In Theat ers

A

Casablanca

B

The Croods

A

D

See Dark pages 22-23 for reviews

42