The Oracle (Dec. 2002)

The minimum day on Friday will be a great opportunity for students to enjoy themselves with friends, have a delicious meal and support Gunn—all at once. Simply go to Chevy’s between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. and part of the proceeds will be donated to the school.

The Oracle wishes you a happy winter break!

Volume 39 Issue 4

Henry M. Gunn High School 780 Arastradero Road Palo Alto, CA 94306 Palo Alto Unified School District

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. Postage

PAID Permit #44 Palo Alto, Calif.

http://www.gunn.palo-alto.ca.us/~oracle Monday, December 16, 2002

780 Arastradero Road Palo Alto, CA 94306

INSIDE

The Oracle...

News Eye on an eye: Researchers at Stanford are making strides toward creating an artificial retina that may revolutionize the lives of people afflicted with blindness.

“Artificial eye” — News pg. 2

Rachel Mirsky

Juniors Corrina Schlaile and Rachel Tang peruse gift requests on the Quad.

“Cirque du Soleil” — News pg. 2

InDepth “I don’t get a thrill or adrenaline rush from stealing, it’s just hype.”

“Shoplifting” — InDepth pg. 4

Music Snoop Dogg gives up the dope, solo careers abound and the rebirth of the garage punk genre.

“A Year in Review” — Music pg. 13

Centerfold ‘Tis the season to be giving, but are the holidays really a time of charity and goodwill?

“Charity” — Centerfold pp. 8-9

Gunn embraces charity T Theo Chang MANAGING EDITOR here was clearly no room for Ebenezer Scrooges during the first annual Gunn Charity Week. From Dec. 9-13, students participated in daily lunchtime events sponsored by community service clubs, with the week culminating in a can-raising dance.

Organized by sophomore Student Executive Council Community Service Chairperson Shanna Dayan, Charity Week designated a particular day to each service club. According to Dayan, participating clubs included Environmental Club, Interact, Key Club, Youth for a Better Community (YBC) and Youth Community Service (YCS). Lunchtime activities, which ranged from the traditional YCS Giving Tree to the more outrageous Environmental Club water balloon fight were held in the quad.

Despite the cheery mood of the festivities, students were reminded at every opportunity to donate to the less fortunate.

Most club games centered around the idea of raising money, with all proceeds going to charities. “Palo Alto is a very affluent community,” Dayan said. “Plus, we usually have pretty good school spirit, so I figured we should channel that spirit to help

the community.”

While some clubs opted for more conventional fundraisers such as bake sales and coin tosses, others got innovative with teachers and duct tape.

As a way to round off a week of giving, students and staff celebrated at the annual winter dance on Dec. 13. The dance, renamed “Freaky Friday Freeze,” kept in with the charity theme by encouraging students bring cans of food and old clothing to be donated to Goodwill. “Giving money seemed like such an easy way out,” junior Dance Commissioner Adrienne Papp said. “This way we give the cans to a food drive and the clothing to people who need it.”

Dry ice helped promote a ‘freaky’ atmosphere, while the first 200 students received their ‘freeze’ of the night from free ming chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches from Baskin Robbins. Meanwhile, the first 100 students at the door received free glow necklaces.

According to Dayan, this Charity Week and can-raiser dance was not a replacement for the long-established AIDS Dance-a-thon. The Dance-a-thon, along with another similar charity-related week, will be held at the usual time in the spring, Dayan said.

State struggles with budget shortfall Steep deficit will translate into severe cutbacks in education Melissa Cheung FORUM EDITOR Like the speedy CCS cross country team, California will need to make major leaps and strides to address what is predicted to be a $21 billion budget shortfall for next year.

The state’s drawn-out battle has resulted in continued cost-cutting. When the governor

finally signed the budget in September, education administrators had to accept that some funding sources would be delayed indefinitely. However, schools had already written their budgets in the beginning of the year on the assumption that those funds would arrive on time. As a result, schools have been left with uncertain financial

futures, and most schools have had to live out of their reserves.

For the second year in a row, California faces a budget gap that exceeds $21.1 billion, according to a statement made by Gov. Gray Davis. The state is on track to ring up a $6 billion deficit by June 30 of next year from a budget of about $99 billion. This month, ➡See Budget, p. 2

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Monday, December 16, 2002 ◆

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State faces $21 billion deficit Budget—continued from page 1 Cirque du Soleil entertains French Club members ventured into San Francisco on Friday, Nov. 22 to see the latest performance of the French Canadian troupe, Cirque du Soleil. The new show, Varakai, features a variety of thrilling human acrobatics including human juggling and performers who catapult themselves off swings, tumbling through the air to finally land unharmed in a long stretch of taut fabric. The 43 students and French teacher Anne Jensen greatly enjoyed watching the performers engage in various demonstrations of feats that simply cannot be achieved by regular people.

Two performers, hanging onto a rope with only one hand, did various tricks as they swung around the arena that is housed in a temporary circus tent.

Club finds financial footing Throwing out the typical fundraiser of selling cookies and cupcakes, one club turned to the popular Taiwanese drink for help. The Computer Science club made and sold pearl milk tea for $2.50 a cup on Nov. 21. The money will help pay the membership fee for the American Computer Science League and some training materials. “There is simply no way to attract more than a dozen customers when you’re just selling dry, salty cookies,” sophomore club president Steven Peng said. “Why not save them a trip to the soda machine by providing some pearl milk tea?” Peng may be onto a very successful formula for attracting customers. The club sold all of its cups during the sale, raising $70. “I was not expecting all those people at one time,” junior Tony Wang said.

Melissa Cheung FORUM EDITOR Davis will ask lawmakers to consider more than $5 billion in midyear cuts and other budget changes. “That is a hole that is so deep and so vast that if we fired every state employee, every highway patrol officer, every UC professor and every park patrol officer, we would still be $6 billion short,” Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson said in a public statement.

The governor said he will not include new taxes in his recommendation, but that everything else, including reductions in public education, is up in the air.

“There will be more cuts in both programs and positions in the future,” Davis said in a statement.

While Davis routinely touts his commitment to education in campaign ads, the true test of his rhetoric will be whether he retains his enthusiasm for school spending when writing next year’s budget proposal.

The effects of the budget fiasco could mean many tough decisions ahead. “We’ve expended money for the past five to ten years to build and expand programs,” Principal Scott Laurence said. The current dilemma makes extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, libraries, after-school programs, and support staff the likely targets for cuts, Laurence said. Digital High School was among the projects eliminated last year to satisfy the $20 billion cut. “This will definitely impact Gunn,

but I don’t know how yet,” he said.

Since 1988, a voter-approved amendment to California’s Constitution has protected K–12 education from cuts that have struck some of the other services supported through the state’s budget.

As in another protective measure, Proposition 98 also ensures that schools enjoy a large share of any increase in state revenues. But because of the high percentage spent on education, a proportional amount of cuts in the state budget will also be taken from education, according to Laurence.

The latest recommendations to help the budget fiasco rehash an old idea that distributes payments to wealthy school districts over the next three years. One proposal is to cut the constitutionally required payments of $120 a student in so-called “basic aid” school districts which receive only the basic amount of general funding from the state because local property tax revenue exceeds what otherwise would be provided. The Bay Area is highly concentrated with basic-aid school districts. If the plan is adopted, Palo Alto Unified would lose $1.1 million on top of everything else.

At this time, the school is counting on its funds from past years. “This will be a real test,” Laurence said. “We have enough reserves for this year, but I don’t know how we’re going to maintain certain programs in the future.”

Junior plans benefit concert Junior Noah Metz, will be organizing an “open mic” for singers, songwriters and musicians on Friday, January 10 at 8 p.m. All of the profits will go to the Ronald McDonald Charity, according to Metz. Tickets, priced at three or four dollars, will be just as affordable as Metz’s first show featuring math teacher David Deggeller and his band Secret Primper.

“This is going to be fun,” Metz said. “It’s cool to have people come and enjoy the show [and] give musicians who might not have had the opportunity to perform before a large audience the chance.”

CSF organizes blood drive The California Scholarship Federation (CSF) recently held its first blood drive of the year, recruiting 60 students to participate.

Once the students had signed up, they took blood tests to ensure their blood was safe for transfusion. All volunteers gave a minimum of a pint of blood. After donation, volunteers received a bowl of ice cream to raise their blood glucose levels. “Our goal was to recruite 70 students. Although more than 70 volunteers signed up, many were refused due to citizenship and medical reasons,” senior co-CSF President Megan Herfkens said.

Science fundraiser aims high This holiday season, Gunn is making a list and checking it twice—for new science equipment. With the help of the Palo Alto Funding for Education organization, Gunn and Paly science departments plan to fundraise $1 million in the next two years for new microscopes and DVD laser discs, according to Instructional Supervisor Barbara Snapp.

Currently, Gunn is undergoing construction for a new science building funded by the school district’s Building for Excellence (B4E) program. “The new building will be state-of-the-art,” Snapp said. “However, we need funding for the kinds of things that are not covered by our B4E budget; [basically] anything not built into the ground.”

Current items on the science wish-list include telescopes, new projection screens, lab stools and Petri dishes. Some students have their own items to add on to the list. “I’d like to see new overhead projectors,” junior Allegra Santis said. “The ones we have now are old and blurry, and the glass is warped.”

— Compiled by Noy Birger, David Lai, Tiffany Chang, Jennifer Lee and Theo Chang

Christine Wang

Parent volunteers dish out generous portions of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy. Students ate heartily in the Batcave after donating money or canned foods to be given to the Ecumenical Hunger Program.

Researchers seek blindness cure Artificial vision may be developed within a decade Michael Jin NEWS EDITOR Junior Yev Freyvert has joined the crusade to cure blindness. Spending approximately 12 hours each week locked away in Stanford’s High Energy Physics Laboratory, he assists a research team charting a path toward artificial vision. He affirms that modern medical science may provide functional artificial vision within a decade to patients who have severed but intact neural connections to the retina.

Although only a research assistant, Freyvert shares the hopes of the researchers he helps. “We are striving to create a retinal implant that will be able to restore severed neural connections and thus cure common diseases like macular degeneration,” he said. “In the long run, there is a possibility of making an implant that will function as a complete retina.”

Freyvert has reason to be optimistic. Prompted by recent advances in engineering and theory, the Department of Energy recently granted nine million dollars to further the Artificial Retina Project, a coalition of national laboratories, universities, and companies.

The funding has propelled several approaches to

creating prosthetic retinas. In one prototype, an eyeglass-mounted camera would signal electrode arrays to electrically stimulate the retinal neurons. The feasibility of this plan is predicated on the ability of the electrical stimuli to deliver sufficient resolution. However, scientists are confident that they can achieve at least enough resolution to allow the blind to read a newspaper.

At Stanford, researchers like Harvey Fishman, MD, PhD, are taking a different approach. Instead of stimulating large bundles of nerve tissue, he is developing a technique for signaling neurons using neurotransmitters.

These chemicals should provide far better resolution.

Few students would choose laboratory work as an extracurricular activity, but Freyvert intensely enjoys his role in furthering artificial vision. “I can participate in fun things such as electron microscopy or the crafting of membranes using a titanium sapphire laser,” Freyvert said.

Freyvert is favorably impressed with biomedical research as a potential vocation. “I am in awe of what medical science is capable of achieving,” he said. “I feel very motivated [by my work] as many people will benefit from the work that we do at Stanford.”

The Oracle◆Page 3

Monday, December 16, 2002 ◆

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Winter Solstice Gala honors director Liberatore Event showcases wind ensemble performances and celebrates successful music program Stephanie Zou ticed on and memories of Liberatore. “[Liberatore] CENTERFOLD EDITOR would do this baby elephant walk where he swayed With musical ensembles and speakers reflecting his butt,” Kaestner said. “I remembered when he took on the old days through music and oration, the second us out to dinner on in Sweden [and a] rumor went annual Winter Solstice Gala Event held on Nov. 24, around that [the students] booby trapped his toilet honored the “father” of Gunn’s music program and at band camp.” current choir director Bill Liberatore.

Despite the costly $65 dinner ticket for general Each year, the Palo Alto music program chooses admission and $25 for student performers, the winter a person to honor as a solstice was well worth great contributor to the it, according to junior program. “This year wind ensemble trum[Liberatore] built an we choose [Liberatore], peter Spencer Naar. All outstanding music program because 11 years ago proceeds went towards when he was the direcpurchasing musical [that grew] so big that new tor of band and choir, he instruments, instrumenbuilt an outstanding music tal repairs and supplies. teachers had to be hired. program [that grew] so big “My parents were He started an excellent that new teachers had to able to meet a lot of be hired,” band director new people and got a music program at Gunn.”

Sandra Lewis said. “He chance to hear the [wind started an excellent music —Sandra Lewis, band director ensemble] performers program at Gunn.” individually since [the Hosted by the Palo students performers] Alto Sheraton Hotel, the event was open to the were in smaller ensembles,” Naar said. entire Palo Alto community. The event showcased For Liberatore, the event was a night of memories Wind Ensemble students in small self-conducted and entertainment. “When I was first told me of the ensembles. “The students performed very well,” event, I was nervous and dreading it already,” Libsenior Wind Ensemble oboist Chelsea Taylor said. eratore said. “But it was so fun, and it raised money “The saxophone quartet was among one of the for the kids.” [audience’s] favorites.”

Liberatore said one of the highlights of the night Following the musical performances, speakers was the student performers. “They were unbelievably told tales of Liberatore back in the days. Liberatore’s good,” Liberatore said. “They played fantastic music former band student and current Student Activities [like] ‘Me Tarzan’. The other best part was the speakDirector Nik Kaestner reminisced on the pranks prac- ers; they were hilarious and it was very sweet.”

Top: Musicians tune up before their performance at the Palo Alto Sheraton Hotel for the Winter Solstice Gala Event honoring choir director Bill Liberatore on November 24. The event raised money toward purchasing instruments and supplies. Right: Liberatore speaks before the audience.

Photos by Christine Wang

State adopts new regulations

Cell phone ban lifted, helmet rules extended Kevin Hsu FORUM EDITOR At the beginning of the school year, Governor Gray Davis signed into law several pieces of legislation that directly impact students and school environments, including a reversal of a cell phone ban, expansion of helmet laws and a stricter traffic policy.

A relic of the 1980s when pagers were associated with drug dealing, the ban on cell phones has been lifted to reflect their wide proliferation. Cell phones are now viewed as useful tools, especially in cases of urgent security interests. The repeal stops short of condoning phones on campus, but instead opens it up to each school or district to decide on a new policy.

Under current law, anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. The new legislation, signed in September, applies the helmet

rule to children any time they use a skateboard, inline skates, roller skates or a scooter. Sophomore Zachary Burt who bikes to school, roller-blades and occasionally rides a scooter thinks the law is misguided. “The lawmakers need to be more pragmatic.

The helmet law is to protect riders from vehicular traffic on the street, not the sidewalk,” Burt said.

Violators will face fines of $25. Most of the money from the fines collected will help provide helmet safety education and subsidize helmet purchases for low-income families. This new rule will become active starting Jan. 1 of 2003.

Another revision of traffic laws would allow a city to establish an ordinance to increase the fines for traffic violations in school zones in order to fund school zone pedestrian safety programs. The program is still in its first stages in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, and if successful may be conducted on a state-wide on a stateide basis.

SEC Corner: Holiday Plans During the past month, SEC has continued planning weekly Fabulous Friday events, such as cotton candy, popcorn and jousting. From Dec. 9 to Dec. 13, Gunn community service clubs and SEC hosted Charity Week. Each club is designated a day to plan games and fundraising activities for a chosen foundation.

On Monday, Dec. 9, the Youth Community Service club created a family giving tree and card-making activities on the quad. On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Key Club planned a Teacher Tape-Up game. On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Youth For A Better Community club had a bake sale and Jar Game. On Thursday, Dec. 12, the Interact club hosted a coin flick challenge during brunch and brought in a bounce house during lunch. On Friday, Dec. 13 the Environmentalist club will end the charity week with Cancan, a game with soda cans. All game results will count towards the Rally Cup at the end of the year. The Freaky Friday Freeze winter dance will wrap up the end of charity week on Friday, Dec. 13.

The SEC began drafting a new and stricter dress code, requested by the PTSA and Site Council. A “Meet the SEC Day” was held on Dec. 4 to obtain the student body’s opinion on the dress code. SEC will draft a dress code to be approved by the student body, PTSA, Site Council and Principal Laurence. On Dec. 20, a luncheon will be held at Chevy’s to fundraise for Gunn.

A SEC bulletin board is being created, providing information about the SEC members, photos of SEC events and a message board to get students’ and teachers’ opinions, concerns and questions. So come by and drop SEC a message!

Happy holidays everyone!

Page 4◆The Oracle◆Monday, December 16, 2002

Voicing pinions English teacher Karen Oppenheim and senior Rick (name changed to protect identity) ref lect on personal shoplifting experiences.

Q: Have you ever shoplifted?

Karen Oppenheim: I was in elementary school, and I stole something very valuable. I stole three or four candy bars and sodas. I was so paranoid and scared afterwards.

Why did you do it?

KO: I think it was my desire for candy, and I think I didn’t have any allowance money.

Stupidity. Stupidity would be a good one.

Q: Do you think many students shoplift?

KO: I would love to say that I don’t think many of my students do because they’re too good to do something like that. I would be surprised if someone told me many Palo Alto students shoplift. The first thing that would come to my head is how much of it is due to the fun or a “risk factor”.

Q: Have you ever shoplifted? Why? Rick: I was pressured by my friends to shoplift with them. We wore big jackets and took clothes into the changing rooms that had no sensor tags on them. Since there were no cameras in the changing rooms, we put the clothes on under our jackets and walked out. My friends and I wanted to return the clothes that we shoplifted and make money from them.

Q: Do you think it’s okay to shoplift?

R: I would never steal from someone who would lose a lot from it. Clothing companies have insurance on their clothing. So if a couple shirts are stolen, no one loses. It’s a dog eat dog world. You either hurt others or others hurt you.

Compiled by Jennie Liu

Yes 31%

Yes 26% 74% Yes 81% 5% Don't know 12% Compiled by David Lai

212 students

Photos by Rachel Mirsky

Inside the shoplifter’s mind Uncovering motives behind teenage theft Cailean Cooke MANAGING EDITOR

S

hoplifting is often inaccurately portrayed as a poor man’s deed. However, the realm of thievery is no longer dominated by shady characters concealing frozen foods under their trench coats. The swindlers of today tend to take things they want, but do not really need, either for greed or an adrenaline rush.

“Most shoplifters here seem to take things for fun because they think they can get away with it,” Macy’s saleswoman Ayana said. “They usually steal clothes, purses and sunglasses—usually stuff they don’t need but don’t want to pay for.”

Shoplifting and other property crimes are much more common among teenagers than most people think. The California Department of Justice estimates that an astounding one out of six juveniles commits a property crime each year. These wide-spread consumer robberies cost US retailers nearly $10 billion each year.

The primary explanation for teenage shoplifting is a phenomenon called “economic want”. The prevalence of commercial advertising pressures vulnerable teenagers as they form opinions about what items they should have to “fit in” among their peers. Whether it is a pair of new Nikes, stylish makeup or a portable MP-3 player, teenagers want what they cannot always have.

“An environment that relentlessly advertises products that define oneself will [serve as a catalyst for] stealing,” AP Psychology teacher Dr. John Hébert said. “For example, a lower to middleclass shoplifter will steal things because of an economic want and not because of an economic need.”

Sophomore Lindsey Kleiman also acknowledges the influence of social

and media messages dictating what teenagers should own. “A person might steal something they don’t really need because of peer pressure,” Kleiman said.

This idea also explains why the Pacific Center for Violence Prevention found that girls are more often arrested for nonviolent offenses such as larceny-theft than boys.

Various studies have proven that girls are more influenced by advertising in magazines and on television possibly demonstrating why they are more commonly found shoplifting.

An alternative view on teenage shoplifting is that an adrenaline “rush,” not commercialism, motivates young people to commit their less-than-legal acts.

Senior Lisa Himmel supports this perspective, saying that teenagers steal for excitement even if they are pilfering things they do not really need. “People just don’t want to pay for certain items even if they can afford to,” Himmel said.

“I know people who are always stealing gum, which is ridiculous because they should just pay the dollar!”

Hébert explains this behavior by citing teenagers’ tendency for reckless behavior. “[Adolescents] have different outlets for the same psychological need. Males satisfy their need through physical thrills,

If you shoplift...

1) Store personnel detain you.

2) Store will normally notify police.

3) Police will cite as PC488, take photo of stolen goods, set court date, release to parents.

4) Appear at court to testify.

Info from Los Altos Police Department

such as speeding [in their cars],” he said.

“Females, especially those with underdeveloped moral senses, satisfy their need in other ways, such as shoplifting.”

However, not all believe that shoplifting elicits a rush. “I don’t get a thrill or adrenaline rush from stealing, it’s just hype,” senior Chris Lo said.

While many teenagers see attractive advertisements and have thrill-seeking personalities, clearly not all act on their lusts. “Some people are more capable than others of controlling their impulses,” Hébert said. “Usually young people will grow out of this stage and develop enough intuition to restrain themselves.”

Unfortunately, some celebrities do not mature beyond their lawless adolescent years. Recently, 31 year-old actress Winona Ryder—a celeb with a multimillion dollar salary—made headlines when she walked out of a Beverley Hills Saks Fifth Avenue with $5,560 worth of designer merchandise.

Hébert says that her immaturity is the result of never learning “to play by the rules,” a common problem among people who hold powerful positions and can buy themselves out of tricky situations.

However, those stealing just for kicks will eventually pay the price. “We have security cameras and censors on expensive things,” Ayana said. “We usually catch people before they leave the store.”

Even Winona Ryder did not escape prosecution; she is sentenced to three years’ probation, 480 hours of community service and fined $3,700.

Though shoplifters of the past filched frozen turkeys and other necessities, modern shoplifters have kleptomaniac preferences for more expensive tastes.

Times have changed and technology now holds thieves more accountable, but some teens still have sticky fingers.

Page 5◆The Oracle◆Monday, December 16, 2002

Attendance policy flawed Student input proves crucial to changes in rules Sitting in a rotating chair twisting in concentration as vocabulary invades your brain behind a desk drowning in textbooks and leaflets of schoolwork, the heavy silence is shattered as Mom storms in huffing and puffing, the vein above her right eye pulsing. Her clenched fist claws at the paper dangling precariously from her grip. “YOU CUT F-PERIOD!” she spits, fangs protruding.

For many students, this played out at home, as the new attendance policy was instituted at the beginning of this school year.

The new policy, which has been sprung on students with no warning, states that all absences, excused and otherwise, will now be recorded on college transcripts.

Also, at every grading period a record printout is sent home noting all tardies, excused absences and cuts.

When the Student Executive Council (SEC) discovered that it would have to develop a new dress code, the first concern was to ensure that students were involved in drafting the regulations. SEC members surveyed the student body regarding which items of clothing must be allowed and which may not be entirely appropriate. Then, SEC will generate a few proposals which students will vote. This is an example of appropriate student input on a policy change, the change in attendance policy is not.

Well-intentionedadministrators have racked their brains for ways to increase attendance and feel this is the best means of accomplishing this. However, this method is inherently flawed. Parents often forget to excuse absences during

the initial 48-hour grace period. Teachers incorrectly mark students absent just as often. Now, documented absences allow no leeway for human error. Correcting errors then becomes a huge burden on students, who already have too much to do, to skitter between teachers, parents and the attendance office to fix mistakes.

Before these absences were recorded on transcripts, students did not need to go through all the hassles so long as they kept absences to a minimum. But with college acceptance becoming more and more competitive, any blemish on a student record seems like poison to the student’s future.

Not only is this new attendance policy a hassle, but it is also pointless. The only difference between being sick for a month and missing a class because of a cut is that work cannot be made up in the case of an unexcused absence.

Still, being unable to make up work does not make the severity of missing school for a month for health reasons and cutting a class once in a while comparable.

Therefore absences are irrelevant to how well the student did in the class, and not important enough to be placed on student transcripts.

The administration should not devise plans that affect student relationships with parents and their student record so greatly, without any student input. Gunn High School stresses democracy and partnership among students and staff, but by sneakily devising such plots behind student Andrew Kim backs the school is doing just the opposite.

The Opinion of The Oracle

War on terror loses focus, turns into meaningless victory

Michael Jin NEWS EDITOR The recent firing and refusal to rehire non-citizen baggage checkers is not only ludicrous but sets an ominous precedent for penalizing innocent people in the name of fighting terrorism. These firings do not mean safer holiday travel but, more importantly, they contradict American ideals.

The argument in favor of restricting rights for increased national security implies that the value of safety outweighs the value of freedom. However, to promote security over freedom is to trade a potential gain for numerous, definite harms. I would rather accept the remote chance of a pipe bomb exploding in the adjacent toilet stall over the certainty that cameras were monitoring my bathroom behavior.

Furthermore, the new measures mean higher security fees without better security. Imported terrorists in the guise of baggage checkers are only one means by which America can be threatened. Any competent terrorist organization will surely think of less obvious and more ingenious ways of penetrating airport security. The true solution does not lie in buttressing homeland defense at the expense of people’s livelihoods, but actively seeking out and destroying the roots of terror.

The Bush administration has not only restricted natural rights and failed to provide adequate protection, it has been contradictory in its policies. For example, although non-citizen baggage screeners were not rehired after the systematic firings, foreign flight mechanics were allowed to keep their jobs. It seems illogical that those individuals who are actually in contact with planes should be spared the scrutiny necessitated by airport security.

There is a certain amount of risk that comes along with being the world’s premier democracy. This element of uncertainty must be accepted, for in the heat of the battle against terror we sometimes forget to maintain the ideals we are supposedly fighting for.

Not-so-Magic school bus Noy Birger FORUM EDITOR One of the most anticipated nights of high school—prom. The guy you’ve had your eye on all year finally works up the courage to ask. You find the perfect dress, it’s even on sale. Your hair is just right, and your make-up is perfect. You’re ready to embark on what could potentially be one of the best, most romantic nights ever. And then you climb aboard a noisy bus with 46 other high school students.

This year the magic of the prom will be spoiled even before party-goers arrive at Coconut Grove, situated in Santa Cruz. Instead of allowing each couple to deal with transportation independently, the administration has made the decision for us. The cost of tickets for prom 2003 will include the fee for renting charter buses to transport students from school, at the start of the evening, and back again at the end. Those who really want a glamorous evening can hire a school sanctioned limousine, this of course will cost extra and there is no guarantee that a large group of friends will be in the same limo or that an odd couple will not be added to a group.

This decision apparently came about as a result of safety concerns regarding students driving all the way to Santa Cruz and braving the dangerous highway 17. Safety is a legitimate concern in this situation but the mistake is in forcing all students to utilize a common form of transportation.

There will always be students who take a little extra time getting ready. What happens if they miss the bus? There may be students who become bored and wish to leave early. This year they will have to wait for the buses to arrive at the end of the evening.

Responsibility is a theme that adults love to discuss with teenagers.

Last year, the prom was held at the Exploratorium in San Francisco; there were no student-related problems associated with the event, no drinking related problems and not a single traffic accident. Students have proved they are responsible enough to handle their own transportation: why, then, is the right to decide on their own transportation being taken away?

Since prom is located farther than it has been in the past, and there are understandable concerns over safety, students should have the option of riding a bus. There should however, be the option of driving individually for those who would prefer otherwise.

Safety measures unfocused Karen Gamon FEATURES EDITOR Uniformed officers parade about school dances, while the entry line proliferates with impatient students waiting to get their bags checked so that they can join the party. At seven in the morning, crossing guards line the perimeter of JLS middle school, waiting to escort students across the street.

Police officers patrol Gunn High School’s campus searching for illegal or dangerous activities and roar to rescue by arresting culprits armed with toy guns.

But even with these numerous, often superfluous, safety precautions, schools across the nation are still facing a dire threat for which no precautionary measures have been taken: convicted sex offenders are living near and working in schools around vulnerable children.

Schools are supposed to be a safe haven for children and young adults, yet nothing is being done to protect students from the very people to whom students are most vulnerable.

A Fremont teacher living in Pleasanton was recently accused of molesting a child and was found to have child pornography on his computer.

In Denver, 7NEWS investigates found a total of 123 sex offenders registered within two blocks of a school. A few years ago, JLS Middle School shockingly discovered that a sex-offender lurked

in its midst. This problem’s extent far much greater than anyone might have guessed.

Especially disturbing, is the fact that schools have access to the records of their employees and reportedly do extensive background checks on potential employees before hiring them, as can be seen by the checks still being run on the hopeful AC guy. Yet, somehow records of sex offense and child molestation have managed to slide through these “vigorous” checks.

Police have even given schools maps of approximately where sex offenders reside since 1997 thanks to Megan’s Law in hope of keeping students away from known molesters, yet offenders are teaching at schools.

What does it matter to us if there is a wolf across the street if there is already one in the hen house?

Corrections It is the policy of The Oracle to correct all significant errors that are brought to our attention. To report a mistake or concern, please send an email to gunnoracle@yahoo.com.

• On Nov. 5, Palo Alto voters did not pass Measure D.

Page 6◆The Oracle

Monday, December 16, 2002

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Bush threatens future of clean air Republican control of Congress and presidency endangers environment

Ed Chao owns The Oracle

Graphics Editor

Ed Chao

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The Oracle is published by and for the students of Henry M. Gunn Senior High School. Unsigned editorials that appear in this publication represent both the majority opinion of the editorial staff and The Oracle's continuing commitment to promoting students' rights. The Oracle strongly encourages and prints signed letters to the editor. Letters may be edited to meet space requirements and the writer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the content. The Oracle mailbox is located in Student Activities Office. If you are interested in writing for The Oracle, contact an editor or phone 8567936. We also welcome ideas for coverage. Idea sheets are available in the Main Office. The Oracle publishes 10 issues annually.

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Theo Chang MANAGING EDITOR Look around you now, and enjoy the trees and greenery as long as you can. And while you’re at it, be sure to breathe in some extra fresh air, because it won’t be there for long.

With Republican control of both the House and Senate, chances of living in an even moderately clean environment are slim to none.

Although I’d hardly call myself a tree-hugger out to save the world from lumberjacks, I definitely still enjoy breathing fresh air. There’s already little clean air around the Bay Area, a.k.a. land of the living smog with governmental restrictions. Soon, under Bush version 2.0, we won’t even have that.

Recently, the President announced new regulations that will reduce the power of clean air laws by allowing power plants to avoid installing anti-pollution equipment. His administration backs him fully, and clearing these provisions now should be no problem for his henchmen in the Senate and House. Oddly enough, the current Bush is undoing all his father’s good work; the original Bush earned praise nationwide by signing the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

His son, on the other hand, seems to consider breathing of little importance.

In addition to all this, the current administration also unveiled new plans to allow oil and gas drilling several weeks ago. For most Americans, this type of behavior is old news. For Californians, this new proclamation spells disaster. Currently, our state has the power to restrict oil drilling off our coast in order to preserve wildlife, but under Bush’s plan, we would lose this right to the federal government’s hunger for oil.

Not that any of this is widely publicized by the GOP, mind you.

Bush administration officials would love nothing more than for all of us to believe that their decisions are beneficial to all, when in fact their actions speak otherwise. For reasons that don’t make any sense, Bush slipped in a secrecy provision

into the Homeland Security Act just signed in November that would make it more difficult for members of the general public to get information about any dangerous chemicals that exist near their living area. I don’t want to hear about how the war on terrorism is saving American lives when my own government doesn’t care about mine. George W. may think that filling up his with unleaded is worth than preserving the world e in, but the same doesn’t all of us. ortunately, there is no diate solution, unless nd his Congressional s pull an Ebenezer e and suddenly see the Hopefully the moderboth parties will step up to block the antiAndrew Kim environment initiatives, but until then, all we can do is sit back and try not to choke on the exhaust fumes.

Education legislation hides wolf in the fold Andrey Ayrapetov REPORTER The Bush administration has safely earned a name overseas for quick-to-strike and slow-to-think policy making. But back home, the White House has taken a much more secretive and dirty approach to getting its way.

Following legislative timebombs like the Homeland Security Act and the USA Patriotic Act, the Bush administration recently followed up by approving the broad education reform bill called the No Child Left Behind Act. Please, don’t be fooled by the Hitleresque title, it really is just a big load of… propaganda. The act includes such “educational” reforms as the manda-

tory submission of students’ private information to military recruiters, loosening of school prayer restrictions and even funding certain religious events at schools—a new milestone for public education.

So, the million dollar question: Why is there no outcry from the school administration, the PTSA, SEC or any parent who cares about child safety and a decent education system? There has not even been a simple letter writing campaign against this treacherous legislation that violates privacy rights and the separation of church and state.

Unfortunately, the first and most important reason is that the disputed legislation is combined with countless other valid or semi-valid

educational reforms, which makes arguing against the act a difficult and politically suicidal feat.

Consider a hypothetical situation in which a law condemns seal clubbing, yet part of the law just happens to bring back slavery. It would be dubbed the Anti-Seal Clubbing Act, and only the most heartless seal-killers would dare oppose such legislation. The No Child Left Behind Act works in just the same way. Although the case is not as severe, the reality is disturbingly similar and has become a tactic widely-used to pass unpopular, vague and even unconstitutional legislation.

It’s no secret that the government is evil, but what about our own

school’s administration? There has been much hype about protecting privacy and keeping student information safe. Calling the office for a student’s telephone number is a grave violation of school code, whereas sending out social security numbers to the military appears to be part of the same dedication to maintain our safety.

It is time for our principal to take action on a real issue instead of tackling the life-or-death dress code dilemma. It is also time for students to demand an answer as to why their private information is no longer protected or what other legislative time bombs are encroaching on rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

System bleeds students’ humanity Spanish students speak out Noah Metz MUSIC EDITOR Often, the first mention of college by a teacher or administrator comes in eighth grade when students are told to “keep colleges in mind.” Perhaps they should be more specific.

The multitude of problems plaguing Gunn are clear. Grades dominate Gunn’s academic environment. The antiquated SAT costs families too much money and takes time away from students.

Every gesture seems calculated into the equation of being admitted to a prestigious college.

At Gunn, an A, B, C, D or F calculated with cold algorithms tells students how hard they really worked and their level of comprehension of a subject. Often—to the detriment of Gunn’s academic environment—grades become more important to students than the actual material learned. This is something that parents and teachers should emphasize. Although getting that A- is important, is a B+ really all that shameful?

A sum between 400 and 1600 holds teens hostage in SAT prep courses. Students are encouraged to make token gestures in prep courses to improve their vocabularies just for the SATs, while genuine progress, such as reading novels or newspapers, is less important. Families often spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on SAT prep classes. Parents should help their kids to find free time—not to waste countless hours on standardized testing. Indeed, the UC system has

publicly denounced the SAT test. Other colleges should take the same action and discourage this colossal waste of time and money.

Endemic to Gunn is the idea that something is useful only if it is tangible and can be documented for transcripts. Many students work to get their “one hundred hours of community service” which adds a small frill on college applications. Perish the thought that one should help a fellow human being out of the goodness of one’s heart, if it goes undocumented.

There is no easy fix to the current system. Perhaps students should focus less on being admitted to schools that common perception deems the best and focus more on finding a school that is right for them.

Certainly, teachers can make the focus of their classes more learning-based, and concentrate on engaging aspects of a subject, rather than simply on how to pass the AP or SAT II in that subject.

Guidance counselors should be asking the question, “how are you liking Gunn?” and not “what have you done to prepare for college?”

Parents too have a critical role to play in this situation. Students have been ingrained with the idea that their grades, SAT scores and course load will determine the fate of the free world. Parents could significantly alleviate this problem by simply taking some pressure off their kids.

While students should keep colleges in mind, they should also focus on enjoying high school.

In the November issue of The Oracle, a selection of Latino perspectives on racism was printed in the Features section. By popular demand, here are the English translations of those perspectives.

I was a poor little Mexican boy sitting in the corner of class. One day, a Chinese boy stole some papers from the class, and I was the first person whom the teacher accused. She took me down to the office until the other boy confessed he had done it. It turned out that he had also stolen some money; people had accused me of stealing the money, since they believed all Mexicans are poor.

Racism not only exists in this country, but throughout the world of diverse countries, cultures and religions. Each person has his own way of seeing, living and thinking. This is why people see each other as different.

I have never experienced any kind of racism. The only thing that I do not want to have happen to me is for people to form prejudices about me because I don’t speak English.

I once was a victim of racism when I entered a very expensive store. As I stepped into the store, all the people, who were not Latina, were looking at me strangely. I believe their behavior was a response to my race.

I think that racism can be avoided with education about Latino culture.

I would end racism by respecting everyone equally. What I can do is keep communication open with everybody and learn about different customs.

We, as Gunn students, can be more tolerant of the people around us. We can offer each other sincere friendship. We should all feel like we are equal. If I commit myself, I know that I can learn about different cultures and see the good in their customs.

One solution to end racism is the following: if someone is racist to you and says something to you, ignore them, because they will think that you are not interested in what they say. With time, they will get bored and it will end.

— By José Gil, Pablo Membreño, Manuela Ríos, Amelia Soto, Sam García, Javier Zamora

Page 7◆The Oracle◆Monday, December 16, 2002

Junior styles own designs, saves

Overpriced clothes drive Selene Santos back to drawing board Ping Wang ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

F

lipping through the pages of popular teen magazines such as YM and Teen, adolescents may notice that the pages are adorned with advertisements showcasing ridiculously priced clothes.

Junior Selene Santos immediately spotted this and was determined not to pay $90 for a pair of jeans or $40 for a blouse. This nonconformity sparked Santos’ idea of designing and making her own clothes.

Santos has always had a predilection for fashion; since the fourth grade, she has not been able to go to bed without knowing what she was going to wear the next day.

“I actually think my love for clothes and fashion started in kindergarten,” Santos said. “Playing dress-up with different clothes back then was what I always wanted to do because I never got bored of it.”

At JLS, Santos started to design and make clothes that she couldn’t find at the mall or were too expensive. Although never having any real training in fashion design, inspirations from TV, magazines and celebrities like Aaliyah have sparked many of Santos’ design ideas.

“Stuff in magazines gives me ideas,” Santos said. “But when I actually designed stuff and draw it out, they are different from what I see in the magazines.”

Because Santos designs her own clothes, she tries to venture away from the norm, taking style to the extreme. Styles that Santos has liked have fluctuated through the years, from a tight T-shirt and baggy pants in seventh grade to a more punk style freshmen year.

Currently she gets her fashion inspirations from Kelly Osbourne from the MTV show The Osbourne’s. “[I’m into] a big overcoat or jacket and then something not so fancy underneath, like jeans and a blouse right now,” Santos said.

Santos put her designing and tailoring into action a couple of years ago, when she was asked to design clothes for a fashion show to fund raise for her church.

“It was kind of neat that people were actually paying money for the clothes I designed,” Santos said. “Of course, I didn’t charge $40 for a shirt; that’s ridiculous, and the money didn’t go to me, but it was nice that people were paying money for something

The Santos design process: from her mind to the street.

Graphic by Ed Chao Photos by Rachel Mirsky

Anna Naimark

Driver: Naomi Branz Car’s Nickname: Bui-Bui Make/model: 1985 Buick Century Sedan Special Features: Shakes at anything over 42 mph

Bui-Bui hobbles through the years Teenagers love to brag that their car is the flashiest “hot rod” in the parking lot, but senior Naomi Branz’s ride is literally the “hottest” of them all.

Branz’s heap, which she lovingly calls “my BuiBui,” is a white, old-fashioned, ‘85 Buick Century sedan which contains a heating system like no other.

“Over the summer, I had to run the heat on high all the time or else my car would over heat and break down,” Branz said. “I have never been so hot in my entire life!”

True to its age, Bui-Bui is the grandmother of all cars. Just like old people, the Buick has trouble getting up to speed and experiences a bad case of the shakes when driving over 42 miles per hour.

I had designed.”

Sketching fashion comes naturally for Santos; however, creating designs is another story.

“I can’t make all my designs because it’s hard to use the sewing machine,” Santos said. “Usually I get my designs tailored.”

However, Santos has been able to design and make many skirts and blouses, as well as her eighth grade graduation dress, which she designed and made.

Fashion design isn’t something every high school student participates in because it takes time and talent, but for Santos it has been a hobby that she could always rely on to get rid of boredom.

There is nothing like dreaming up a perfect graduation dress to pass the time during class.

According to Santos, the idea of pursuing fashion design professionally is a possibility, but right now she has bigger and better things on her mind.

“I mean, sure, it would be great to become a fashion designer because I know where I can go with it,” Santos said. “But right now all I want to be is a rock star. Maybe I can be a rock star and a fashion designer on the side.”

Despite this, Bui-Bui is a strong-boned vehicle that has withstood many rough rides and accidents.

“It has hit a lot of stuff before, but it doesn’t have any dents,” Branz said.

Sadly, what Bui-Bui’s age has concealed in liability, the hot ride lacks in appearance. People may assume that a Buick belongs to an old lady. “After [people] ride in my car, they completely change their opinions about it because the interior is so spacious and comfortable,” Branz said.

Although Bui-Bui appears to stand in the way of fashion, it truly contains the touch of a grandma’s heart. Vintage, but lovingly comfortable.

— Jenn Lee & Andi Wang

Page 8 ◆The Oracle

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Charity despite human nature

Palo Alto proves more than just popular stereotypes pad a transcript.

Still, students choose on their own to join hether in a department store in on charity. It is not wrong to give if you of a Californian suburb or a expect to receive something as a result of remote village in a developing country, your giving, but there is a huge difference human nature is much the same—filled between giving in order to get something in return and giving with the knowledge with greed. that your generosity is likely to produce a Even for the most insignificant things, return. “Giving in order to get” is greed, greed can trigger savage behavior in all of thinly disguised.

Yes, it’s true that we sometimes feel us. The fear of missing out on something, of someone getting ahead of us or getting obliged or even pressured to give because more of something than we have, can make it is the holiday season. But, anything qualius vicious. Sound familiar? fies as charity as long as the generosity is When it comes to overcoming greed, with the intentions to benefit somebody else, selfishness and indulgence, we all need a albeit a bit unwillingly.

The young aren’t the only citizens lot of help. But as a community, Palo Alto has stepped forward and demonstrated its capable of contribution. We hear of elderly people, who seemstrength in charingly have nothing ity—expanding its else to give, and thinking and habits As a community, Palo Alto yet are still actively beyond the selfish involved in neightendency of man. has stepped forward and borhood disaster We have shown demonstrated its strength” preparedness. that we are capable About 100 Palo of giving even outAlto residents, both side of the scope of young and old, are trained each year in a the holiday season.

Despite the snobbish stereotypes about 21-hour program taught by city officials, our very own “Shallow Alto”, we have in which residents learn disaster medical shown altruism even in this high-income operations, fi re suppression, search and society. Just one look at the number of rescue and team organization among other community service clubs on this campus skills. Community leaders arise out of this program, volunteering to step up in the case can confirm that.

Most students who begin getting involved of emergency.

Amid the Claus-trophobic shopping of will soon discover the abundant life through giving, even if the original intention was to the holiday season, Gunn students choose Melissa Cheung FORUM EDITOR

W

How often do you, or your family, donate to charity?

to weave their ways through masses of people in search of a gift for someone they will never meet for the Family Giving Tree— 68%: At least a program once a year that distributes presents th roughout the Bay Area to children and families in need.

Students of the Interact club sacrifice a week that could be spent lounging on the sofa in order to blister their hands building houses in Tijuana over winter break.

Key Club members participate in the Red Cross Toy Drive, providing homeless families with wrapped gifts customized to the circumstances.

Even though these acts of gift giving prompt nothing in return and do not prove transcript-worthy, we somehow find satisfaction in showing special care to the ones who need it most, which truly is the spirit of the holiday season.

21%: Neve

21%: Don’t know

Have you ever f to charity durin 10%: No opinion

37%: No

Monday, December 16, 2002 ◆Page 9 ERFOLD◆

Leave out the candy canes Gifts should be given with thought and care Tina Bao SPORTS EDITOR

ost parents only buy presents for close family and relatives; they usually don’t consider purchasing presents for other family friends. But such tradition is yet another disparity between parents and children.

M

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felt obliged to donate ng the holiday season?

53%: Yes

Students buy presents for their close circle of friends, but in addition to that, they also reserve some spare cash for other casual friends. Considerate? Generous and kind? More like phony and fake.

Most people only want to give presents to their closest friends, which is understandable, since a dollar saved is a dollar earned. Besides, additional money is better spent on more thoughtful gifts for friends who really matter.

What’s the point in giving something if you don’t even want to give it? Presents should not be given as second-rate gifts or “Oops, I didn’t get you something. Here’s a chocolate snowman.” Rather, they should be given in the name of good intention and thoughtfulness.

A gift represents an offering from someone who has dedicated careful consideration into its purchasing. While candy canes are delicious, no thank you. It is better to receive fewer gifts from close friends than to accept haphazard gifts and late-minute cards from people who are mere acquaintances.

Giving is also letting others know that you care. A casual candy cane is not a gift, it’s a party snack, a decoration. And it’s much better served in that way than passed off as presents.

But why do most people give those less expensive, less meaningful gifts? Out of obligation? Heaven forbid you don’t have a gift to offer in return when a “friend” surprises you with one. But truly, don’t bother.

Student’s egos at this school are such that they would not be terribly offended by an unreciprocated gift.

There is no point in giving something to someone if the intention isn’t there.

Besides, if a person wasn’t important enough to remember a gift for, then chances are that a gift wasn’t called for. Besides, people don’t exactly hyperventilate and get excited over a candy cane. Sure, there is some sentiment, but not the true holiday sentiment of the season.

The holidays are a season of giving and receiving. Receiving is the easy part. Just give with care. And give only to those who deserve your consideration because they are the ones who you value the most and who will be most pleased with their gifts because you will most likely put the time into thinking of something clever to buy.

In short, leave the candy canes for the Christmas tree.

Andrew Kim

The Oracle◆Page 10

Monday, December 16, 2002 ◆

Quiz kids flex mental muscles Competition is a recurring theme in English essays, WASC reports and SAT scores. Yet a gathering of four of the brightest kids at Gunn placed in competition with counterparts from other schools, sparked no animosity.

According to senior Freddy Flaxman the competition, called Quiz Kids, is most similar to the game Trivial Pursuit.

Students competed December 7 at a Los Gatos studio answering questions such as, “What is the name of the current football coach who scored a kickoff return touchdown of his own?”

After successfully beating several other schools, Gunn lost by one question to Bishop Riordan. “It basically came down to the luck of the draw,” advisor Sony Culver said.

Gunn senior team members Olga Russakovsky, Cynthia Chen, Alex Gyr and Flaxman had been preparing for several months. Had they won they would’ve received an all expenses paid trip to Europe. “The trip to Europe was just another reward, it was a fun experience all along the way,” Flaxman said.

The competition will air at 8 p.m.

Friday and 7 p.m. Sunday on cable channels 26 and 27.

— David Huck

F

EATURES◆

History teacher overcomes obstacle

Despite concern over communication difficulties, Culver succeeds Stephanie Zou anymore because she CENTERFOLD EDITOR doesn’t put up with An alarm clock rings, but you cannot hear it. All you can per- it,” sophomore ceive are mid-ranged pitches. One might think a person with this Emily James said. trait would be unable to function in everyday circumstances, let “I respect her even alone speak. At first glance, history teacher Sony Culver seems to more now because be a “normal” person, but she is far from the average teacher. she overcame her Born without the ability to hear in her left ear and only half of disability.” her hearing ability in her right, Culver never allowed the disability While some may to hinder her from achieving her childhood dreams. “Ever since I use a disability as an was a kid, I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Culver said. excuse, Culver treats Her first language was American Sign Language, but Culver hers as just another knew her dream required learning to speak. “People usually mouth obstacle. “[Culver] words when signing,” Culver said. “So I watched people because I is aware that her really wanted to hear and speak; they thought I was crazy.” disability is not a Despite other’s doubts, Culver achieved the unimaginable. As a crutch to get away child, she learned to read lips and speak on her own. “When deaf with things,” history people fi rst begin to talk, teacher Alice their voices are nasal and McCraley screeching,” Culver said. said. “I admire People relate [deafness] “People were weirded out her for that.”

Rachel Mirsky when I first started to talk.”

The most to stupidity and Culver signs “newspaper”.

She was teased and many challenging did not want to associate aspect of learning to dumbness.” with her. “People relate speak was the move from deaf culture to a vocal one. Accord— Sony Culver ing to Culver, deaf culture not only has its own language, [deafness] to stupidity and dumbness,” Culver said. “I but unique norms as well. “In deaf culture, it’s OK to call a had to get past that. Even person fat because physical appearance is accepted,” Culver now, kids still say stuff but it doesn’t bother me anymore.” said. “Some people consider me a traitor [for leaving deaf culture] Culver still finds it much harder to talk than to sign. “I worry and say that I don’t appreciate where I came from. But being part that people don’t understand me,” Culver said. “I worry about of both cultures is one of the greatest benefits.” fumbling and not hearing things right.” But according to teachers Culver has accomplished what one might call an impossible task and students, Culver’s imperfect speech has never created a com- in the classroom. Her goal of teaching is now a reality proving that munication barrier. “At first, kids took advantage of her, but not there are no boundaries she cannot cross.

Andrew Kim

Kevin Hsu FORUM EDITOR tudents may have gotten a glimpse of Flungus last spring at One Acts, but it will soon break into the film genre in its entirety.

Senior Steve Maggiora is directing the venture with the help of a small group of local students.

Flungus, an uddered boy who lives on a farm, is inspired by his newly-discovered past to go on a quest for his “happy ending.”

Incidentally, he ends up at a high school, where his experiences mirror those of all teens. Flungus falls in love with Jenny, has conf licts with her boyfriend Joe and makes a friend in the newly-created character Trent.

The idea behind Flungus was proposed by then senior Raizin BobWaksberg as a stage play. Maggiora worked Waksberg’s lyrics into full-scale pieces, 18 in all, though only ten were performed at One Acts.

Flungus was always a musical at heart, with song and dance. The dialogue is meaningful, but the music is still the core of the production. “It’s an ensemble show, but focuses on four main characters,” Maggiora said. Studio recording of the film’s music was recently completed, and the soundtrack CD should be available early next year.

Following Flungus’ stage debut, Maggiora wanted to bring the story to a medium that could more fully capture the story.

Film presented a melding of acting with the work’s musical

S

essence. Sharing this idea with friend Tim Stout, Maggiora pushed the project into its next phase—Flungus: The Movie.

A new cast of characters was introduced when Stout turned the script into a screenplay and added Trent, while Maggiora compose seven more songs and the now-graduated Bob-Waksberg wrote lyrics.

A web of connections soon sprang up.

Stout worked at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, and ran Flungus by a supervisor.

A bass player in Maggiora’s band knew the makeup artist of the WB’s Gilmore Girls television series, who provided invaluable production information. She in turn had a friend in the special effects department at WB in Los Angeles who found a prosthetics intern to make Flungus’ udders free of charge.

With so many serendipitous events coming together, the project seemed to be heading down the right path.

But a host of problems have made the process far from easy. Scheduling difficulties prevented filming during summer. and the attendance and enthusiasm of the volunteer student crew often wane.

Dropouts plagued the cast. Six people rotated through the minor roles of three cheerleaders, while over eight people dropped the part of Jenny. Only in October, when the shooting began did the parts finally get filled.

Juniors Elie Berkowitz of Gunn and Brittany Nohra of Paly are cast as Flungus and Jenny, while MagPhotos by Anna Naimark and Kevin Hsu

giora plays the role of boyfriend Joe. A small production team composed of students from local Director Steve Maggiora schools shoulder instructs actors and the demands of crew of Flungus as they shooting and prepare for filming. editing.

Yet another major obstacle is the scarceness of extras, whose presence is required to shoot the school scenes.

Most shooting is done from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and 11 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, but few students have shown up. Maggiora even sent enthusiasm bubbles over when speaking of out 700 fliers to ten different schools, but to this project. To him, it is a milestone, a culno avail. On one recent November shooting mination of everything he has ever done in date, 30 students were needed for the scene. music, drama, film and writing. “I have been One student came. As of now, the shooting is living and breathing it since last November,” nine and a half weeks behind schedule. The he says. He hopes to continue making movies final shooting date is set at Jan. 31. in the coming years.

Costs have run up past $10,000 according In the meantime, shooting and production to Maggiora, most of which was contributed continue, as cast and crew await the movie’s by his family. premiere next June online and in SpangenThe many burdens of the project have berg Theatre next November. weighed heavily on Maggiora. “At times, I have contemplated giving the whole thing up,” he said.

But the cast insists on pushing on, and he rouses himself. Too many people have put their lives into Flungus—it is inconceivable to stop now.

For its director, working on Flungus has been monumental. Maggiora’s

Page 11◆The Oracle◆Monday, December 16, 2002

Creative gift ideas for family and friends this holiday season

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Cailean Cooke MANAGING EDITOR

is the season for gift giving; colorful festive displays in store windows lure customers while holiday shoppers bustle through malls, in search of perfect presents for friends and family. Though store racks are increasingly becoming bare, The Oracle has selected its top picks (all under $100) for this year’s under-the-tree or besidethe-menorah gifts.

Cindy Smart Doll $99 Remember watching The Jetsons as a kid on the Saturday morning cartoons and wishing you had a robot that could clean your room, make your bed, or better yet, do your homework? Toy Quest’s latest blonde-haired, blue-eyed robotic creation may just rival the success of Rosie, The Jetsons robo-maid. Cindy Smart Doll is no ordinary Barbie—she is equipped with voice-recognition software, a digital camera and extensive programming.

She can’t cook or clean, but what she lacks in home maintenance she makes up for in brains. Cindy has a vocabulary of 650 English words and is also partially lingual in German, Spanish, Italian and French. She can help you with your math homework, see colors and shapes, read flash cards and answer questions—though unfortunately she still can’t take your SAT’s.

Terry’s Chocolate Orange $4.50 This delicious holiday stocking stuffer has been around since 1932, but it still tops all other treats. The original orange-flavored chocolate contains twenty-two cocoa beans melted with real orange oil, all cooled in a fruit-shaped mold. Instead of directly opening the package and eating the

Late nights spent working on college apps? Pamper yoursolid chocolate fruit, consumers bang the wrapped chocolate on a hard surface to separate the individual solid chocolate self or a friend by relaxing and unwinding at LaBelle Day segments, a technique known as “whack and unwrap”. The Spa. During your 45 minute anti-stress massage, your massweet is also sold in plain milk or dark chocolate and comes in seuse will apply Swedish techniques while scenting your skin with lavender extracts. Though steeply priced, a professional raspberry, apple and peppermint flavors. massage is well worth the money.

Dog Translator $100 Student Survival Manual $16 You may think that your dog Though you may not be a Survivor castaway and don’t barks only to scare strangers have to worry about warding off rat infestations or dining or score leftovers, but his on cockroaches, you still have to handle Gunn’s academic yaps may mean something and social jungle. At thesurvivalmanual.com you can more. An innovative dog view excerpts from a popular student survival manual, translator, manufactured featuring tips on note-taking and time management as by the Japanese toy well as throwing parties, staying off probation and parkmaker Takara, allows dog ing your car. The advice on the site is mostly humorous, devotees to decode though some helpful information can be gleaned. You can canine conversaread the manual online or order a copy for a friend. tion. The BowPolaroid i-Zone Camera and Fortune Film $46 lingual is a mini Polaroid cameras have always made radio microphone that clips onto your pups picture-taking more fun–you get collar and records Lassie’s every whine, woof, snarl or howl. Then, a portable instantaneous satisfaction, receiver “translates” the sounds into instead of waiting for film to people lingo via a database created develop. The latest Polaroid by animal behaviorists. is an i-Zone camera that Decision Maker $10 captures pictures in postWake up or sleep in? Start my homeage-stamp-sized prints work or watch Friends? Indecisive? If you with sticky backs that are, your dilemmas can be automatically you can attach to any surresolved by shaking the Decision Maker. face. This year the company A “yes” or “no” response will be displayed in green. blended superstition with Other features include red lettering if the decision was photography to make Fortune affected by fate. The device is sold in red, blue, green and Film—an innovative film that encodes a horoscope-like message on purple and is available at toy retailers. your picture when it comes out of the camera. Eventually the Ultra Bubble $4 fortune fades and only the picture remains.

A kid’s goals in life include extending Personalized Presents the summer for as long as possible, Of all holiday gifts, the best by far are the ones that catching the Tooth Fairy in the have been personalized for the recipient. Whether act and figuring out how to it’s baking a plate of cookies, painting a picture or catch a bubble before it pops. writing a song (if you’re musically adept), anything Though kids still that comes from the heart is always well-received. may not be able to preIf you want to tantalize your friends with a tasty vent the start of school or baked good, you can find mouth-watering recipes at allrecipes.com. If you’re crafty, or just hope to be, a catch an unsuspecting fairy local venue can help you create a homemade pice of red-handed, they will now be able to hold a soapy sphere, using art for a friend. The Bead Shop on University Avenue Catch-A-Bubble. A special chemical in is a popular place for designing and beading jewelry. You Graphic by Jenn Lee the solution yields hardened bubbles that can can assemble a necklace, bracelet or ring from the vast assortbe handled. However, a careless touch will literally burst ment of beads and stones. your bubble.

LaBelle Anti-Stress Massage $75

Celebrating New Year’s Eve with a bang Palo Alto offers a variety of exciting opportunities to get your freak on Menno Goedman REPORTER Palo Alto has turned itself into the next must-visited spot on New Year’s Eve (NYE).

Though our Silicon Valley city falls far short of offering the excitement of a New York City ball-dropping spectacle or the exhilaration of an extravagant Las Vegas street party, Palo Alto isn’t exactly a dead place on NYE. Palo Alto’s location is one of its strongest attributes when discussing possible activities on NYE. Just a half-hour’s drive north of Palo Alto, San Francisco has an extensive array of entertainment, ranging from music to dressy events to great vista points for watching fireworks.

Music is arguably the most exciting aspect of San Francisco on NYE. The Jam Band culture has a tradition of rocking out in San Francisco on NYE that dates back to the Grateful Dead.

This year’s bands that are performing include Galatic, String Cheese Incident and The Other Ones. In a special event this NYE, Guns ‘N’ Roses is offering fans a chance

to see Axl Rose and company scorch the Compaq Center in San Jose with a rare midnight performance.

Watching fireworks is another exciting activity served up on NYE. Palo Alto offers a few of the best spots to watch these explosions light up the night sky.

Some of the more popular local places include Shoreline in Mountain View, where the fireworks set off after an NYE concert are often visible. Skyline in Woodside also offers a view of all the fireworks set off all night long.

If watching fireworks outside isn’t an option, then major TV networks such as FOX, NBC, and MTV all offer coverage of the celebrations happening around the country, and those that have already happened throughout the world.

For those who are really trying to take a walk on the wild side, tune into ABC to catch the enthralling Dick Clark do his annual NYE special.

Though Palo Alto might not be the wildest, craziest, or best place to spend NYE, it certainly isn’t the worst. So groove to some music, gaze at the fireworks, and treat NYE for what it is, the last chance to celebrate in 2002.

www.google.com

New Year’s Eve celebrations in San Francisco include massive fireworks displays.

The Oracle◆Page 12

Monday, December 16, 2002

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Meat-lovers find heaven at Kirk’s Burger joint serves up expensive, but mouth-watering dishes

Theo Chang MANAGING EDITOR arning: Kirk’s Steakburgers offers meat products that can make even devout vegetarians break their tofu vows. However, the quality of meat at Kirk’s is its only attribute.

Within seconds of walking into the casual restaurant, patrons are immediately inundated by meat, meat and even more meat. Kirk’s offers a wide variety of carnivore dining options, ranging from just a plain patty on a bun to Italian sausage sandwiches and chilli franks.

Unlike traditional chain-store burger joints, Kirk’s burger selection also comes with atypical toppings, such as pineapple and mushrooms. French fries can be ordered plain or with chilli. An array of milkshakes, including u English toffee almond roca, and Irish cream flavors sounded absolutely mouthwatering.

However, the milkshakes at Kirk’s cost more than the ones at Peninsula Bar and Grill, and are not nearly as tall or rich.

At Kirk’s, nothing is made until it is ordered, so diners should not expect their meal to arrive immediately. The Tripler, a Kirk’s Specialty, includes a steakburger engulfed by a massive cheese hunk that seems to account for approximately 50 percent of the burger but

W

enhances nothing except the caloric value.

The plain burger, which consists of a simple steak patty and bun, is juicy, tender and full of the taste that the Tripler lacks.

The Italian sausage sandwich is immensely delicious, though it only consists of two pieces of bread and some meat. Despite the seemingly bland arrangement, the sausage itself is amazingly non-greasy and seasoned to perfection. The sausages and patties may be terrific, but the overall burgers, which somehow earned the restaurant a yearly thumbs up from the Palo Alto Weekly as the place to get the “Best Burger” seven times in a row, are hardly Kirk’s best feature.

Aside from the stick-on burger portraits, the ambience of Kirk’s is lacking. Its new location in Town and Country Village a few doors down from Hobee’s is tially responsible for ringing in a mushpot of customers, ranging from AYSO uniformed referees to frenchfry waving young children. With its Fresh Choice-style condiment buffet table, authentic black-and-white wall photographs, soda dispensers and wicker chairs, Kirk’s s unsure whether it is meant to be an old fashioned diner or a modern fast food restaurant.

No matter what its décor suggests to customers, Kirk’s prices are a bit beyond those of old fashioned diners or modern fast food chains. The cost for a plain burger is

Photos by Anna Naimark

Carnivorous cravings? Kirk’s can satisfy your hamburger hankerings. a reasonable $4.25, but added cheese hikes the price to $7.20. A club sandwich with the usual chicken, bacon and cheese costs $8.35.

Smaller side items such as fries cost up to $4.25 for a not-very-large “large” order and sodas start at $1.39 for a small. However, Kirk’s offers a free steak burger, side dish and drink on your birthday, so the prices aren’t always exorbitant.

The difference between Kirk’s and other burger chains lies not just in the price department, but also in the quality of their meat. For most of us who could care less if our Mickey D’s beef and buns are thin and flimsy as long as we have fries to go with it, Kirk’s is a bit expensive and not worth the trek to the other side of town. But for serious meat-eaters who relish in perfectly well-done charbroiled patties, Kirk’s provides the perfect beefy haven.

In fact, it might be a good idea to forgo the weak milkshakes and cheese lumps in favor of buying just the meat, since the restaurant even sells its patties separately from the buns and toppings.

Even if none of its other food items measure up, Kirk’s does make the best charbroiled patty around. There’s no beef about it.

Kirk’s Steakburgers Town and Country Village (near Jamba Juice) Hours: 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.

(650) 326-6159 ★★★✩✩

Fellowship continues its quest Friday Flicks Two Towers hopes to repeat box office success Yasmin Krishnamurthy CENTERFOLD EDITOR The soundtrack soars and two small, child-like figures peer out over an insurmountable mountain labyrinth. Piercing violin melodies and trumpet themes extend to the audience as the two hobbits continue their seemingly hopeless quest to destroy the One Ring—a dangerous weapon once used to conquer the world.

On December 18, the journey continues.

The Two Towers, the second installment of director Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings series, has a lot to live up to.

Fellowship of the Ring impressed audiences with its stunning special effects, exceptional acting and realistic portrayal of J.R.R. Tolkein’s famed Middle-earth.

The Lord of the Rings is mistakenly referred to as a trilogy, but it really is one story broken up into three parts for the convenience of publishing. The Two Towers picks up right where Fellowship leaves off, drawing viewers immediately back into Tolkein’s world of half-sized hobbits, powerful wizards, immortal Elves, stubborn Dwarves and noble Men. Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) is a hobbit whose quest is to destroy the dangerous One Ring created by the Dark Lord Sauron (Sala Baker) to corrupt the bearer’s heart.

In Fellowship, viewers discover that Sauron has grown in power and will cover all of Middle-Earth with the darkness of his malice unless the ring is destroyed.

The nine-membered group must take the ring into the heart of Mordor, Sauron’s barricaded land, and throw it in the fires of Mount Doom—the one place it can be destroyed.

For those who have not read Tolkein’s books, The Two Towers may seem frustrating because the film includes little background information and has no definitive ending. For Fellowship fans, however, Two Towers is the next leg of the exciting and suspenseful journey through Middle-earth.

www.rottentomatoes.com

The Two Towers follows the quest of Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship that has joined together to destroy the One Ring.

New movies playing at Spangenberg

As the feature film begins, the auditorium bursts into cheers.

Students yell out insults at the bad guys and cheer on their heroes, all the while shouting random jokes and commentary.

When Student Activities Director Nik Kaestner started funding Friday Night Flicks at Spangenberg, he envisioned recreating the same jovial atmosphere he experienced at Stanford University.

“When I came to [theater manager] Jorgen Wedseltoft, he wasn’t making money because he was showing art films and things people had never heard of before,” Kaestner said. “I proposed for the SEC to fund the rental of one movie a month.”

“It’s about being with other people and having a great time, not about what’s on the screen necessarily,” Kaestner explained.

Wedseltoft has expressed concern that the community isn’t taking Spangenberg seriously as a movie theater. “The stigma is that, yes, you have to go back to school,” Wedseltoft said. “Spangenberg is not just for [students]. The community is welcome.”

At three to five dollars a ticket, this is a real deal.

Kaestner is hoping to make Friday Night Flicks another Gunn tradition. “I’m trying to get people riled up,” Kaestner said. “Not just talking, but funny stuff; commentary, jokes, throwing paper down on the audience.”

Coming soon to Spangenberg Theater are XXX, Bowling for Columbine, Amelie, Die Another Day, A Christmas Story, Mostly Martha and possibly The Ring.

—David Huck

Audiences are introduced to King Theoden (Bernard Hill), Éowyn (Miranda Otto) and Éomer (Karl Urban) of the land of Rohan. Together, they fight to protect their land and way of life from the evil forces of Saruman (Christopher Lee) in the west and Sauron in the east.

Much of the plot also focuses on former ring-bearer Gollum and his dependence on the force of the ring.

Numerous battle scenes, unexpected alliances, latent treachery and fascinating new creatures are expected to keep the suspense throughout the three-hour film. Fans will cheer as they hear Tolkein’s language transposed on the big screen and Middle-earth will come alive once more.

Page 13◆The Oracle◆Monday, December 16, 2002

Executives need to sell bottled music

Noah Metz MUSIC EDITOR Yesterday, I bought a bottle of water for one dollar.

Who would have thought that anyone would pay for an essentially “free” good? But it just might happen to online file exchanges if the music industry plays its cards right.

The world of music is at a pivotal fork in the road. Down one path lies a doomed and antiquated music industry that witchhunts and alienates its listeners. Down the other lies a music industry that uses current technology and works for—not against—the consumer.

But first look at what led up to this point. Napster and other peer-to-peer (P2P) services aided a flourishing music piracy market. Sales took a hit in an already sagging economy. In 2001, music shipments dropped 5.3 percent and 7 percent in the first six months of 2002, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

In 2001, the RIAA tried to get political support for their cause with amendment 815 on the pending Antiterrorism Bill, which would have allowed labels to hack into pirates’ computers and destroy copy written files.

Thankfully, this invasive bill did not pass.

Currently, the RIAA is attempting to push legislation that would allow content owners to hack pirates’ computers. Sound familiar? The P2P Piracy Prevention Act would allow labels to hack into computers of those who use file exchanges like Kazaa and Morpheus.

Clearly, the music industry is scared, which is why they’re trying to take on their listeners. A very bleak road could follow for music if the industry gets the power that it wants.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are a few emerging services that promote legal music exchange, like EMusic (emusic.com) and Rhapsody (listen.com).

While early legitimate music exchanges were a joke— with poor selection, high prices, high limitations of use—these two are likely to be much more embraced by the growing online community. For 10 dollars per month, one can get unlimited downloads from a surprisingly large library. The money goes to musicians as well as labels.

According to analyst Matt Bailey of Redshift Research, over 2 million users logged onto Kazaa in August 2002, compared to the 1.57 million on Napster at its peak in February 2001. These numbers will continue to grow if the industry doesn’t act wisely and quickly. But wisely doesn’t mean persecuting the consumer.

Instead, those execs should consider bottled water.

But if the RIAA is to survive in the long run, they will need to work with the consumer, and give them the product they want.

Collage by Jenn Lee. Photos courtesy of Rolling Stone

Year highlighted by fresh notes

Andi Wang Williams released a gospel album, Heart to Yours.

WEBMASTER There was also a re-birth of pop singers who actually write This year has seen it all, from the death of two prominent and perform their own music. These singers include the new musicians, to many new solo careers. Although the year saw girls playing guitars and pianos: Vanessa Carlton, Michelle tragic occurrences, it also showed very promising signs, like Branch and Canadian newcomer, Avril Lavigne. a rise in the number of mainstream women artists, and a This year, popular pop radio station, Z95.7, was replaced reemergence of garage punk rock. It has been quite a year.

by The Drive, a Classic Rock station. This Christmas, the Rock: Sum 41, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Jimmy Eat “Jingle Ball” will no longer be booked by Pop singers, but World, Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band and Weezer are only will be taken over by Rap. a few examples of what’s big in the rock music industry today.

Rap and Hip-Hop: Snoop Dogg announced that he would Since Nirvana disappeared many have been wondering what give up marijuana and Eminem has had a successful year. ever happened to garage punk. The Hives, The Strokes and However, tragedy underlined the rap and hip-hop world, with The White Stripes—slightly the deaths of two prominent musicians. more poppy—may be it. But One of the most salient occurences DJ Jam Master Jay, for the in addition to the new, we welprodigal Run DMC, was shot in comed back the old. in pop today is the trend toward a recording studio on October Sir Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and Bruce 30. Jay was in a session with the group artists going solo. Singers Springsteen are only a few artnew group Rusty Waters in his opted for individual projects. ists from the past bound for one studio in Queens. more tour. McCartney alone is Lisa “Left-eye” Lopez of expected to gross over $100 TLC was killed in a car accimillion on his current tour, according to the New York Times. dent on April 26. She flipped her car of eight passengers; Both The Stones and McCartney are vying for the two most she was the only one killed. profitable tours of the year. Additionally, Phish unexpectedly Eminem, however, had a successful year. He signed on a announced a reunion, after a two-year hiatus. new group, came out with a new album, The Eminem Show, Pop: One of the most common occurrences in pop is and starred in a movie based loosely on his life, 8 Mile. the trend toward artists going solo. This year, members of This year was highlighted by both an abundance of new, N’SYNC, The Backstreet Boys and Destiny’s Child all opted talented faces as well as a return of some old veterans. for individual projects. Nick Carter and Justin Timberlake Additionally, the new additions to punk rock and pop are have been taking their shots at solo albums. Beyoncé Knowles sure to be around for some time and contribute to the overall released a single and performed in Goldmember, and Michelle evolution of music.

New tracks, beats bring back better dayz Music Events John Lin ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR The legacy of Tupac (2Pac) Shakur continues with the release of Better Dayz, a twodisc album, which features unreleased tracks from the last year of the rapper’s life.

2Pac’s sixth posthumous release solidifies his immortal place at the top of the rap game.

His musical range on display, 2Pac preaches inspirational words of hope on “Mama’s Just a Little Girl” and “Better Dayz” while firing venomous insults on “When We Ride On Our

Enemies” and “F*** Em All.” 2Pac has always been an artist who fluctuated between extremes—he could touch the hearts of women everywhere on “Keep Ya Head Up,” but then dismiss them in a heartbeat on “Skandalouz.”

Better Dayz is laced with remixed tracks featuring guest appearances by Trick Daddy, Nas, Tyrese, Mya and others. The highlight of the album is clearly “My Block,” a powerful reflection on street violence in the ghetto. Few rappers—now or during 2Pac’s life—resonate with such honesty and heartfelt reality.

On “Who Do U Believe In?” 2Pac is at his best, delivering well-crafted words ever powerfully: “Can't close my eyes ‘cause all I see is terror, I hate the man in the mirror ‘cause his

reflection makes the pain turn realer.”

Produced by 2Pac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, Better Dayz relies on the talents of Johnny J, DJ Quik and Jazze Pha. And although the beats lack the traditional 2Pac feel of an album like All Eyez On Me (1994), Better Dayz is certainly worthy of holding a place in 2Pac’s archive. A departure in production from his style during his life, Better Dayz rings of his prolific abilities, and is among the best the rap game has to offer.

Artist: Tupac Shakur Album: Better Dayz Label: Interscope Records Release Date: 11/26/02 Rating: ★★★★✩

12/16/02 & 12.17.02 — Counting Crows, Warfield 12/18/02 — Jingle Ball with P. Diddy, Goo Goo Dolls, HP Pavilion 12/19/02 — Choir concert and Orchestra Concert, Spangenberg 12/19/02 — The Hotspur Gaslighter Theater in Campbell 12/31/02 — Guns N Roses HP Pavilion 12/31/02 — Galactic, Warfield 1/10/03 — Singer/songwriter/ instrumentalist show, Little Theater 1/20/03 — Something Corporate with The Juliana Theory, Fillmore — Becca Loew and Tiffany Chang

Page 14◆The Oracle◆Monday, December 16, 2002

Boys soccer ready to handle pressure Every high school has its own personality. The image that our school arouses is one of a school thriving on a rigorous academic environment and a place where dominant sports programs are almost non-existent. In the last four years, however the varsity boy’s soccer team has been on a path to destroy this image of our school. By consistently fielding talented and well-coached teams, they have transformed themselves into a force to be reckoned with.

This year’s team is anchored by a strong group of senior captains and is led by fourth year Coach, Simon Weffer. Mid-fielder Andrew Jacobson, sweeper Brad James, and goalie Garrett Herfkens. Herfkens understands that while another CCS championship is a lofty goal, the team is loaded with talent this year. “With this much talent on the team, anything short of a CCS championship would be a disappointment,” Herfkens said.

James, Jacobson and senior mid-fielder Alekos Theologis area all third year varsity players who maintain a strong defensive unit for the Titans. Jacobson uses his talent to control the midfield and is a strong force on offense and defense. James sites Jacobson’s love for the game as his biggest strength. “His passion for the game and his technique allow him to be a very dominant player,” he said.

Weffer is a well-respected coach whose ability to draw connections with his players allows him to be a more effective coach. Weffer’s knowledge of the game combined with his ability to meet player’s needs, is recognized and duly appreciated by his players.

“He can relate on a level beyond just coaching.” Herfkens said.

When the soccer team won CCS in 2000, a new level of pressure was placed on the teams of succeeding years. This year, with so many strong upper class and experienced players, that pressure is intensified.

For the time being, however, the team is confident in its ability and welcomes the challenges that comes along with trying to meet the lofty goals that have been set for them.

“The team gets along really well,” Head Coach Jeff Klenow said. “They make each other work hard and have a good work ethic.” Training has strengthened many of the team’s players, including Flaxman. “Flaxman worked on strength conditioning and it really improved his shooting,” Klenow said.

Speed and conditioning will be strengths of the team because they are relatively undersized when compared to their competition. “We can run the court against a larger team,” junior forward Chris Mugler said. Points in transition will not have to be the staple in every game. Unlike last season, this team has a number of serious scoring threats, many of whom can take over the game. “We have a lot of depth this season,” Klenow said. “That will be a real advantage over the competition.” Depth is essential to teams that play at a quick tempo because players fatigue much faster then they do in a half court scheme.

Girls rely on each other

Many teams have a star player that the team counts on to carrry them through competition. With a focus on team play, the varsity girls basketball team relys on team balance and unity as its greatest strengths. “The whole team is important,” Coach Sebastian Poitier said. “I don’t have favorites, and I’m not going to say that there is one particular player that will make or break the team, because that isn’t the case.”

With only two new players this season, the team is very closely knit. “Our weakness last year was that we were never totally in sync on court,” junior guard Amadea Britton said. “But this year, we are a smaller team so everyone contributes and we are working harder together.” Poitier hopes that the senior leaders: guard Natasha Gude, forward Kristi Merilo, and centers Michelle Rybka and Chelsea Taylor will work the players into better shape making the team quicker, faster and stronger.

There are heroes among us, heroes that save lives, alter A possible future star is freshman forward/ history and achieve phenomenal acts. The varsity girls soccer shooting guard Leann Perricone. Although only a freshPhotos by Matt Krensky Graphic by Ed Chao team selects a hero after every game. Players who earn this honor man, Poitier sees a lot of potential in her. “She plays like a exhibit great determination and leadership. This year, girls soccer has junior, like she knows the whole business already,” Poitier said.

22 potential heroes who, under the guidance of Head Coach Owen Flannery, Junior shooting guard Claire Cruz agrees, “Leann is amazing; she is probstrive to transform their dream of being champions into reality. ably already one of the best players on the team.” Along with her sister, sophomore forward A hero is not always the top scorer but the player who defies her obstacles and succeeds Jessica Perricone, the Perricones’ form a vital part of the team. After finishing with a record beyond expectations. “After every game a hero is selected by the players,” Flannery said. of 2-8 last season, the girls hope to use their team unity to bring them a winning season.

“The hero is the one who steps up as the leader in the game. A lot of the players will prove to be this year’s heroes.”

With the loss of four seniors, three of whom were captains, this year’s team will rely on In a sport typically dominated by men, the gender divide for the Gunn wrestling squad the leadership, experience and skills of their senior captains Laura Garratt, Becca Nash and Taleen Petrosian. The team will look to feed its top scoring threat, senior forward Magda has come a step closer to being bridged. With six female members, a feminine presence has Guzinski. Other key players are junior forward Monica Quinonez, senior defender Vicky begun to show, as women are eager to master a grueling sport.

Head Coach Matt Struckmeyer hopes that this year’s squad, will become comfortable with Chi, junior forward Stephanie Randall. “We don’t have the leaders like last year,” Quinonez their presence. “I want the kids to learn to love the sport and gain confidence in themselves,” said. “But we have more potential this year, because we work hard and we want to win.”

Gunn’s soccer heroes have their route mapped with their destination atop of the CCS and Struckmeyer said. “Most are new to the team, so the idea is to create a positive experience league podium. “We really want to try to become the strongest team that Gunn has seen in that will build enthusiasm so that the program becomes viable and self-perpetuating.”

Senior Will Keller brings leadership to the young and inexperienced team through his a while,” Garratt said. Flannery is confident in the team’s success. “I believe in my girls,” Flannery said. “If they come together, no team will be able to stop them from scoring.” With past success and recognition as a top wrestler. “[He] is very good at setting the tone for practice, particularly in his intensity,” Struckmeyer said. wins over Aptos, MA, Mountain View, the girls soccer team is on its way to heroism.

While this is the first year that a significant percentage of female members have participated, the wrestling program hopes to become a more gender-equal sport. “For their part, the women understand that the sport isn’t going to accommodate them,” Struckmeyer said.

“As the sport grows for women, however, we will probably try to build an all women’s team Last year the varsity basketball team only had two seniors and still finished the season which will train and practice alongside the men.” with a record teetering on .500. This season, the team has eight returning seniors and is This year’s squad has the potential to develop into an excellent team in the future. “It’s poised to lead the De Anza division. strength is its enthusiasm, but there’s very little experience,” Struckmeyer said. “With all Most of the seniors on the team have been playing together for a few years and have shown the weight classes filled, though, I’m confident that we can make a dent in the league.” that they can work well together. Senior guard Derek Brannon is playing his third varsity season and fellow seniors Freddy Flaxman, Chris Brosnan, Josh Lin, Frankie Draeger will dominate as guards.

— Compiled by Menno Goedman, Stephanie Zou, Matt Krensky, Ping Wang, Tina Bao & Tiffany Chang

Heroes lead girls soccer

Wrestling proves that both sexes can play

Boys basketball team stocked with seniors

The Oracle◆Page 15

Monday, December 16, 2002

SPORTS◆

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Gaining a step on the competition Senior guard Derek Brannon emerges as primary offensive threat John Lin ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

I

n two years of varsity basketball, senior Derek Brannon has yet to beat Paly. Four times, he has watched his team come up short against their cross-city rival. For Brannon, the biannual rivalry between the two Palo Alto schools has resulted in disappointment every year.

This is Brannon’s third year on the varsity team, and he is hoping that the third time’s a charm rule applies on court.

If there’s one thing that Brannon hates, it’s losing. “I’m very hard on myself and that keeps me focused,” he said.

“I’m always looking to get better.” This year, Brannon is as hungry for success as he’s ever been. And though the season is still young, he has not disappointed.

In a Dec. 7 game at Cupertino, Brannon dictated the offensive play, scoring 22 points to lead the Titans to victory. But don’t look for Brannon to get cocky. “We didn’t dominate like we should have,” he said.

It hasn’t always been easy for Brannon, however. For a player who started on the varsity level as a sophomore, Brannon has quietly become one of the best shooters in the league.

Given the open shot, Brannon is money from beyond the arc.

“His strength is shooting, which is important because we are a relatively small team,” assistant coach Tom Saults said.

Brannon described his sophomore year as a learning experience, an opportunity to adjust to the varsity level.

“I learned that the intensity level is much greater,” he said.

“The players are a lot more disciplined and there is very little room for error.”That year, Brannon started the first half of the season but after returning starters forced him to the bench, he struggled to find a rhythm. “There was a lot more pressure coming off the bench,” he said. “I’d miss a few shots, and it would just shoot my confidence.”

As a junior, however, Brannon took a huge step in the right direction. Alternating at the shooting guard and small forward position, Brannon averaged 13 points a game and established himself as one the leaders on the team. But he wanted to get even better.

This summer, Brannon undertook a laborious routine to improve his overall game, specifically his shooting. Every day, he shot the ball over 200 times to practice his shooting technique. “I’d practice set shots, dribbling in and shooting, my footwork in the post,” he said. “I’d shoot from any spot where I thought I could see myself in a game situation.”

As good as Brannon’s shot is, the scouting report on the 6’2” shooting guard isn’t one-sided by any means. This summer he spent two to three hours every other day lifting weights and doing agility drills to improve quickness around the basket.

The result is a stronger and quicker Brannon, making him more inclined to take defenders off the dribble and get into the lane.

“I’m not afraid to be physical,” he said.

His improvement coming into this year has not gone unnoticed. Head coach Jeff Klenow commended Brannon’s work ethic and persistence. “He went to every open gym and every practice. Last year he was probably our third option.

Now he’s definitely our first or second,” he said.

Off the basketball court, Brannon is like any other senior.

He drives a 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. New Found Glory is one of his favorite rock groups. But it’s his performance academically that sets him apart from other star athletes. “School and studying definitely takes up a large amount of my time,” Brannon said. Next year Brannon hopes to have his choice of top universities like Harvard, Princeton, and MIT. With just one starter returning from last year, Paly is going to have its hands full with a confident and hungry Brannon when the teams meet in January.

“This year, we know we can beat every team in our league,” Brannon said.

VITAL STATS Name: Derek Brannon Birthday: August 30, 1985 Ambition: Attend graduate school Motto:

Grind a rail with junior Paul Lazazzera 1. Approach the rail at a slight angle with your knees bent.

2. Ollie onto the rail and twist your body so that you’re perpendicular to the rail.

Matt Krensky

Shooting has always been the hallmark of senior Derek Brannon’s game, and this year is no different. The 6’2” shooting guard worked hard this offseason perfecting his shot and improving his quickness.

Senior goalie Becca Nash led the varsity soccer team to the finals of the Paly tournament on Dec. 7. It was their first trip to the championship game in years. Although placed in a very difficult bracket, they won three games, including one against league powerhouse Saint Francis. Nash tallied 10 saves, leaving the Titans tied 1-1. “In 80 minutes I went from nervous to confident and determined.” The Titans were confident going into the final game against Paly, but were upset 2-0. Nash was strong with seven saves but it wasn’t enough to make up for Gunn’s defensive mistakes.

Shutting out 3 out of 4 pre-season games, and dominating in Paly’s tournament, Nash has been vital as Gunn’s last line of defense.

— Rachel Mirsky

3. Keep your knees bent and twist so that you’re parallel with the rail as you are coming off.

— Matt Krensky

Page 16◆The Oracle

Monday, December 16, 2002

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PORTS◆

Blitz or Madden?

Menno Goedman hand, falls far short of being a worthwhile REPORTER video game. Blitz strengths lie in hard hits Video game developers have always and wrestling style take downs. While the tread a fine line between realism and WWF playing style is fun at first, it loses entertainment value. Often times pro- its appeal as soon as you realize the game ducers must decide which one of these offers no challenge. essential game elements their game will The player skill levels are unrealistilack. In comparcally high, and ing Playstation II the lack of rules games, Madden leaves the game The realism in Madden 2 0 03 a nd N F L player feeling 2003 is so detailed that it Blitz 2003, it is very lost in a sea of superhuman appa rent which extends far past just the athletic feats. element each extraordinary graphics While Madden of these games 2003 is successforewent. that the game offers. ful in maintainMadden 2003 ing high levels is easily one of the best sports games of the year, if not of entertainment and authenticity, Blitz ever. Madden 2003, like most Madden 2003 fails to overcome its lack of realism sports games, thrives on realism. The with overly action packed play. If you are realism is so detailed that it extends far going to purchase a football video game past just the extraordinary graphics that this holiday season, spend your money on the game offers. The player’s cuts and Madden and wait to purchase Blitz until catches, passes and tackles, are all very next year’s better version is released. lifelike and do an excellent job mimicking the actions of NFL players.

Madden 2003 does a fantastic job of combining realism with a high level of entertainment value.

NFL Blitz 2003, on the other

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Madden (top) has better graphics, game play and is more realistic than NFL Blitz (left).

From courts to the couch Tina Bao & Matt Krensky SPORTS EDITORS s the rainy season approaches, many sports enthusiasts will be forced to stay indoors. However, this migration from the courts to the couch will not necessarily keep individuals from getting their daily sports fix.

Video games, while they lack the physical demands of real sports, allow players to act out their athletic desires under any conditions. Until recently, sports video games involved disproportionate blobs with square heads chasing a ball that was three times their size.

With a new wave of video game systems, advancements in graphics and game play have made it possible to make accurate games involving any sport. “I was playing NFL 2K3 and my grandfather came in and thought an actual game was on TV,” sophomore Nick Dawson said. Contributing to the virtually real games are more varied play-calls and genuine sound effects that provide an added thrill. Stadiums and arenas are perfect copies

A

Blast from the past Recent popularity of extreme sports video games such as Tony Hawk Pro Skater and Dave Mira Freestyle BMX brings back memories of the game that pioneered the industry, 720 Skateboarding.

While 720, which was produced in 1986, lacked the detailed levels and extensive game play of its recent successors, the game was instrumental in gaining popularity for such video games. With simple controls, 720 made it easy for people of any experience level to throw any trick in the skater’s repertoire. Current games have made it impossible to have any success without logging countless hours with little improvement. Some games have become so complex it seems like you need a Ph.D. in video game operation.

Programmers need to take a look back at 720 and get back to basics of making games fun first and realistic second.

— Matt Krensky

of their real-life counterparts. In addition, fans create an ambience similar to that at the actual event. Most incredible, programmers have made life like duplicates of players including facial expressions and personalized tendencies.

Many of the advancements in the sports video game industry were pioneered by Electronic Arts (EA) Sports. The company has professional athletes attach hundreds of electrodes to their bodies to record all of their motion in 3D. This technology makes it possible for EA Sports to create the most realistic sports video games in the industry.

With the newfound lifelike and entertaining value in spor ts video games, they make the perfect activity to occupy oneself during lazy winter vacation days. The added element of playing with a video game consul is that it allows those who do not usually participate in athletic competitions to get caught up in one. Current games are so realistic that they are not only entertaining to play, but to watch as well.