The Oracle (June 2009)

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Volume 45

Monday, June 1, 2009

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Admin catches dishonest TA Wen Yi Chin & Joyce Liu Sports Editor & Managing Editor

Ivan Yong

Youth Community Service (YCS)/Interact club members march in the Relay For Life held at Stanford’s Wilbur Field on May 23. The event was cancelled early when a participant from Gunn was arrested after climbing a construction crane.

Relay For Life participants sent home Emily Zheng Features Editor

On May 23, Youth Community Service (YCS)/Interact club chaperones sent Gunn’s Relay For Life (RFL) team home from the event at midnight due to student behavior issues.

“When the Stanford police informed us that one of our students had been arrested and jailed for trespassing and climbing a construction crane, we decided that it would be best to pull the team out of the relay for the security of the students present,” RFL chaperone

and YCS/Interact advisor Jordan Huizing said in an e-mail message.

“In addition to being concerned for our students’ immediate safety, we were also concerned with the future of the event. If this was how people expected to behave at Relay, obviously it could not continue in the future. We wanted to send a clear message that this is not acceptable behavior.”

According to RFL chaperone Lisa Wu, the student-chaperone ratio and the set-up of the field were possible factors that could have contributed to the incident. “It was impossible for us to keep track of everyone all the time considering

how many students were present,” Wu said. “Also, the event was outdoors and there are no fences around the lawn. It’s pretty much all open and the whole campus is accessible.”

Though initial reactions to the closure of the event were a combination of disappointment and shock, students understand the chaperones’ decision to withdraw from the event. “We were all definitely sad about having to leave early, but I do think that the advisors made the right choice to take the Gunn students away from the event,” YCS/Interact president junior Vivian Shen said. “YCS is

really a team so a decision made by one person can impact a lot of others.”

YCS/Interact board member junior Steve Zhou believes that the success of the event should be measured by what the team and event were able achieve, and not only by the unexpected withdrawal. “We have to remember that this event is mostly about promoting cancer awareness and fundraising for research, so ultimately we accomplished our goal,” he said. “If you think about what we’ve achieved— our team size has quadrupled, we were all taking it more seriously RELAY FOR LIFE—p.4

Student death brings community together Wen Yi Chin

Sports Editor

On May 5, members of the Gunn community lost one of its members, junior Jean-Paul (JP) Blanchard, who was killed by a Caltrain commuter train around 8:20 a.m. at the East Meadow Drive crossing.

“I couldn’t believe it at first, and it wasn’t until that night that it really hit me,” junior Sujay Rau said. “Death is always something you hear about, but it always happens to other people. I’ve never lost Jean-Paul (JP) anybody close before, but this Blanchard

showed me that we’re really vulnerable.” Rau met Blanchard in seventh grade at Jane Lathrop Middle School, and remained a close friend.

The morning of the death, the administration received a call from the Palo Alto Police Department, communicating only that there was a person who looked to be around high school age who was killed on the railway track. Blanchard was identified by his cell phone. Blanchard’s parents were later notified by the San Mateo Transit Authority, and his sister, freshman Chloe Blanchard, was pulled out of class.

“The coroner has to be the one to notify the family, so we were not allowed to release the name until we were told we could do so by the police department,” Likins said. “What we did

was to arrange to get his sister off campus before the news started spreading. Her parents were the ones who told her what had happened, not the school or the police.”

While Blanchard’s name was not officially released until the next day, many students had already correctly guessed who the student was by that evening, according to Rau and junior Simon Kaubisch, who also met Blanchard in middle school. The next day, many students wore black in honor of Blanchard.

“Everybody [has been] reaching out everywhere and to everyone,” Kaubisch said. “From wearing black, writing notes, to attending the second memorial service, everybody has been JP—p.2

Due to a senior gaining unauthorized access to SASI, the permanent grade database, and changing his own grade and that of another student, the administration once again reminded the staff of the appropriate boundaries for Teaching Assistants (TAs) during the staff meeting on May 21.

Registrar Tracy Douglas discovered the change on April 15. “I’m obsessive about this type of stuff. I pay attention.” Douglas said. “A student asked for a copy of his transcript, so I printed it out. When I glanced at it, I noticed that it looked different from the one I had printed out for the student a few days prior. Little red flags went up in my head, so I spoke to a guidance counselor about it, and then we went to Ms. Likins.”

After some investigation, the adm inistration confirmed that Douglas’ instincts were correct. This led the administration to conduct another investigation on other specific students’ transcripts based upon information given by students. Douglas said many of those transcripts were fine, although some were questionable. According to Winston, the administration examined the transcripts and did not find any discrepancies.

The transcript that Douglas initially discovered did not belong to the student who made the changes, although according to Douglas, the grade change was a letter change, not a plus or minus change. “It really affected me,” she said. “I had a visceral reaction. I felt nauseated, disappointed and mad. The staff is here to support the kids and help launch them to the next grade or college or next step in their lives. I feel like a TA—p.3

News

The Oracle

On April 21, savetheplasticbag.com sued Palo Alto for passing a plastic bag ban in grocery stores throughout the city. The city passed the ban on March 16, but it will not be put into effect until Sept. 18.

Citizens who support the plastic bag industry and grocers argue that the city should recycle the bags instead of banning them.

Stephen Joseph, an attorney representing the Save the Plastic Bag Coalition, argues that the city violated California law when they failed to conduct an Environmental Impact Report before continuing with the ban. “In their zeal to eliminate plastic bags, anti-plastic bag activists and the City and Council have willfully ignored and brushed aside the environmental impacts caused by increasing the use of paper,” the complaint stated.

According to Planet Ark, an international environmental group which supports the plastic bag ban, about 100,000 whales, seals, turtles and other marine animals are killed by plastic bags each year worldwide. “Every time we use a new plastic bag they go and get more petroleum from the Middle East,” executive director of Earth Resource Foundation in Costa Mesa, Calif., Stephanie Barger, said. “We are extracting and destroying the Earth to use a plastic bag for 10 minutes.”

According to Palo Alto Online, the city plans to continue with the ban, but may try to settle the case.

The Tall Tree Fest took place May 22 at the ampitheater and was open to all Palo Alto students.

Previously known as The Carnival, the Tall Tree Fest was fully re-vamped this year with a new name and new activities. Popular activities included free carnival rides such as the bungee run and jousting.

A new activity this year was the cookie contest, a competition between students to see who could make the best cookies. Different recipes and products were awarded based on popular vote, as well as the votes of secret judges.

Students paid one dollar to try cookies from 18 different entries. The winners of the cookie competition were juniors Juliana Velasquez and Julie Ju for their blondie (butterscotch brownie) recipe. Prizes for the winners of the cookie competition included a variety of gift cards to various vendors, such as Palo Alto Peninsula Creamery and Century Cinemas Movie Theaters.

The Tall Tree Fest also gave clubs an opportunity to raise money. “We had a lot of clubs sign up for booths such as selling milk to go with the cookie contest,” Human Relations Commissioner junior Sarah Simonetti said.

The event also offered live music performed by individual students, such as seniors Ella Cooley, Chloe Fuller and Nidia Morales, and local bands, such as Furious George and Corner Street Light from Palo Alto High School.

The Tall Tree Fest ended at 8 p.m., in time for fest-goers to attend the Friday night show of the recently-opened student-directed One Acts.

Capitol Steps performs in Spangenberg theater

City sued for 25 cent plastic bag ban

NEWS BITES

Tall Tree Fest proves to be a successful endeavor

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The Gunn Robotics Team (GRT) held their Capitol Steps fundraiser in Spangenberg Theater on May 17 at 4 and 7 p.m. The event was open to the public.

Capitol Steps is a political satire group based in the East Coast that GRT has invited to perform at Gunn for the past three years. According to junior Vikram Sunder, the group was easy to contact and funny. “It was like SNL in music form,” he said. “There were some very good segments.”

Junior Kyle Lian added that the show was targeted towards older people in the liberal area.

During intermission, GRT members displayed seven robots built from past years, including the G-Force ’09, which placed second at the Silicon Valley Regional and was the first seed in Hawaii. “The G-Force ‘09 picks up balls off the ground, which are sent through a series of belts, then fired at a high speed from the upper turret,” junior Sam Neff said. “The turret can get up to 270 degree rotation, and uses a camera for automatic targeting.”

Most of the money raised from this event will go towards the GRT general fund. “It covers about a third to a half of our budget,” event organizer senior Michael Buchman said. According to Sunder, the money earned helps to pay for tournament entrance fees and building material costs.

GRT advisor Bill Dunbar added that additional funding also comes from corporate sponsorships.

Overall, Dunbar was very pleased with the event. “The students did a spectacular job organizing and setting up,” he said. “I’m very proud of them.”

—Compiled by Sophie Cheng, Mari Ju, Hannah Schwartz and Linda Yu

Ivan Yong

Flower bouquets, cards and candy were placed by the Bat Cave at a memorial in JP’s honor.

School commemorates classmate, friend

“The four-person panel talked about the importance thoughtful. I think we’ve become more open and we of the grieving process and listening when people need want to help. We don’t want something like this to to talk,” Likins said. “We need to break the code of happen again.” silence that is part of the teen culture. It’s a pity because On the morning of May 9, a smaller, private memo- teens often try to deal with problems on their own. rial service was held at Spangler Mortuaries, followed People willingly and quickly get help for a physical by a public celebration of Blanchard’s life at the Mitchell problem but are often reluctant to seek help for a mental Park Community Center. “The memorial placed an condition; many people might not even recognize that emphasis on the better, happier memories of his life,” they are depressed.”

Kaubisch said. “It was important for everybody to Students are also coping in their own ways. On gather together.”

May 22, Palo Alto High School senior Alyssa Burton The impact of Blanchard’s death was not confined coordinated with Dance Connection, where both of to the boundaries of Palo Alto. A memorial service was Blanchard’s younger sisters dance, to organize the also held in Devon, Pennsylvania on May 24, where Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) and Society for the Blanchard attended elementary and middle school before moving to Palo Alto. Locally, students, parents and community members left flowers, stuffed animals and other memoriams for Blanchard, at the East Meadow Railroad crossing, which were later moved to the “Fish Bowl” on campus. All non-perishable objects were given to the family to keep.

According to The Palo Alto Weekly, more than 70 students have gone to counselors in the wake of Blanchard’s death. Likins said that these students included those who needed help grieving as well as those who were referred out of concern for their wellbeing. “The admin has made it clear that there’s help if you need it, and that should make a big difference,” Rau said. “I Ivan Yong talked to my friends a lot after his death. I have Students read lyrics written in chalk as a tribute to accepted [his death] but I wouldn’t say that I Blanchard as they pass by the quad between classes. am completely over it. I learned that people might be depressed even if they don’t show it, and it is important to tell somebody.”

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Benefit PerThe administration agrees and wants to make sure formance held at Spangenberg Theater. This eclectic the students are aware of this. “Our counselors’ number performance showcased students from Monta Vista and one priority is the student,” Likins said. “If students Sunnyvale High Schools and Palo Verde Elementary need to talk, we would drop everything for them.”

School dancing and singing song covers.

According to Likins, depression has become a rising Admission was free and donations in honor of concern in the school environment, and educational Blanchard to the PHS and SPCA were encouraged. institutions need to re-evaluate the way they approach The performance raised over $800. “I can’t believe this issue. Likins stresses the we raised as much money as importance of being aware of we did and I know the family all signs of depression, no matreally appreciated it,” Burton ter how small. “Especially with said. “It was the least I could “If students need to talk, Facebook, blogs and other online do for them.”The proceeds we would drop everyprograms, students often know from the Senior Showcase on thing for them.” a lot and see a lot of things May 29, an open mic comhappening,” Likins said. “But memorating the graduating —Principal Noreen Likins how do people interpret the real seniors, will also be donated to meaning behind the messages? the two organizations in honor It’s hard to know and hard to determine the degree of of Blanchard. seriousness but, at the same time, you don’t want to “Losing a friend is extremely hard,” Kaubisch said. take the risk of not taking a message seriously. And “But normal life is beginning to resume, and I feel if you’re concerned for someone, you should let other that it’s very important to try and live life normally people know.” while still respecting his memory.”

The school has taken steps to address the issues of depression and emotional health, including ensuring that the Living Skills curriculum addresses them. A parent’s Blanchard is survived by his parents, Katheducation evening, entitled “Looking out for Teens,” leen and Jean-Marc, and his two younger sisters, was held May 19 in a direct response to Blanchard’s Chloe and Isabelle Blanchard. The Blanchard death. During this session, parents were taught how to family requests that donations be made to the recognize signs of depression and suicide, as well as SPCA and the Peninsula Humane Society in how to introduce the topic in a conversation with their honor of JP. Memories and stories can be sent children. According to Likins, a total of 40 to 50 people, to inremembranceofjp@gmail.com. including staff members and parents, attended. n JP, from p.1

News

Monday, June 1, 2009

SASI breach leads to contracts n TA, from p. 1

part of a small community. And then this happens...someone throws a wrench in the works, and puts a little bit of evil in the mix.”

According to Principal Noreen Likins, the senior was not a TA at the time he committed the act but picked up information to help him when he was a TA last semester.

The administration pinpointed when and where the change was made and exactly what changes were made, as SASI tracks every change. “We tracked it to a computer in the science prep area that is not meant for students to use,” Assistant Principal Phil Winston said. “SASI is only available on teacher computers. The student was suspended. We deemed it as an expellable offense, though it doesn’t mean the student will be expelled.”

Since the student who changed the grades is a senior, the school decided to negotiate with the student instead of starting the expulsion process because that involves many steps and consumes a lot of time, which would not be reasonable since the school year is almost over.

Although Likins did not go into detail about the specific negotiations made with this student, she said that general agreements usually consist of not being able to participate in graduation, social events and school-wide activities.

Winston also confirmed that besides coming to take the AP tests that he paid for, the student has not been allowed to step on campus since his suspension. “The consequences are generally well defined, but because this was something so different, we had to look at the totality and context of the situation,” he said.

According to Winston, the school is required to inform the students’ college desti-

nation of the altered grade since the school is responsible for sending out accurate transcripts to maintain the integrity of the institution. However, the college decides on whether or not to take any subsequent action such as revoking admittance. By that time, the high school is no longer involved, and it beomes a matter between the college and the student. “The unforeseen long term consequences after high school will have the most impact on the student,” Winston said. “Students work hard all four years in high school, but if they do something like this it can really affect their future.”

As a result of this incident, the school will be implementing stricter security measures to prevent this from occurring again. “Things like this should never happen,” Winston said. “People shouldn’t be careless with their login info.”

Despite this incident, Likins said the school will continue to use the electronic method. “We will definitely have increased security,” Likins said. “Teachers should change their grade passwords periodically.”

Winston also expressed that teachers should protect their login information to avoid putting everybody’s integrity at risk.

The administration is also implementing a TA contract for next year, stating clearly what TAs can and cannot do. “TAs should not be put in the position of dealing with sensitive information,” Likins said. “Especially in a community that’s really grade conscious, there will be a lot of problems if the TAs are allowed to grade when there’s a question of interpretation or judgment.”

Nonetheless, both Likins and Winston agreed that any security measure cannot be absolutely fool-proof.

“This incident has been a reality check,” Douglas said. “I’m going to be more vigilant and just keep doing what I do.”

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Crash results in data loss Nicola Park

Copy Editor

InClass shut down on the weekend of April 24 to 26 due to a backup malfunction, affecting teachers and students alike.

Although the district regularly backs up all of the information, InClass shut down when the backup did not work properly and corrupted data, Instructional Technology Manager Darlene Feldstein said.

According to Feldstein, the district performed routine backups of the server prior to the failure, including redundant data copies, off-site tapes, and “snapshots,” which take pictures of the server at a given time. Due to the failure, the system reverted back to the best data backup taken on March 15.

Teachers who relied on InClass’s gradebook program, an application within the server for teachers to post grades online, lost their records. “Since few teachers use the InClass gradebook, the loss of data was not as bad as it might have been,” she wrote in an e-mail. “The vast majority of teachers’ grades were not impacted by the server failure. Most Gunn teachers prefer to use a third party gradebook program.”

Spanish teacher Sonia Stroessner lost a few PowerPoints for her Advanced Placement Spanish Literature class, but retained them on her desktop. “Technology is very good when it works, but it’s bad when something happens,” she said.

“I think it’s great, but you have to have a little bit of caution.” Stroessner records students’ grades by hand and writes homework assignments down on the board each week.

Henry Liu

A student checks up on InClass.

The district increased back-up frequency to counter the crash. The district takes a snapshot every night and creates a tape once a month. “In the event of future failure, we will be able to revert to a more recent copy of the data,” Feldstein said.

Stroessner argues dependency on InClass could lead to procrastination.

“Some people don’t study or think about homework until the last minute,” she said.

“If you wait until Sunday evening and go on InClass, and [the homework] has disappeared, I can say that it was here written on the board the whole week. You have to have a plan B.” The technology support staff, Feldstein and science department Instructional Supervisor Lettie Weinmann, will attend an InClass conference to learn about improvements to the server, which will be added by the beginning of next school year. “We are excited about the prospects,” Feldstein said.

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The Oracle

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Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Jon Proctor Managing Editors Joyce Liu Carissa Ratanaphanyarat News Sophie Cheng Niki Mata Linda Yu Forum Eugenah Chou Sarah-Jean Zubair Joseph Lin (assistant) Features Henry Gens Emily Zheng Tiffany Hu (assistant) Centerfold Emily Glider Alvin Man Entertainment Melissa Chan Shaya Christensen Sports Wen Yi Chin Kevin Gao Annie Shuey Copy Editors Sophia Jiang Nicola Park Alice Yu Photo Henry Liu Graphics Nathan Toung

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Relay for Life raises funds, awareness n RELAY FOR LIFE, from p.1

and we were the top contributors out of all the schools—it’s really awesome.” Shen agreed. “Originally, our goal was to raise around $5,000, but we ended up receiving around $7,000,” she said. “That’s a really great achievement and I want everybody to be proud of their efforts.”

According to Huizing and many others, Gunn was the largest group participating in the event. “The organizers were impressed not only by our numbers and fundraising, but the positive and helpful attitude that our group brought to the event,” Huizing said. “They were definitely sorry to see us go.”

The leaders who were involved in RFL this year are working to prevent a similar incident from happening in the future. “We are still in the planning stages, but I am looking forward to participating in Relay For Life in the future,” Huizing said. “I know that the Gunn team was disappointed with not completing Relay this year and will be even more determined to make a positive impact next year.”

Though some argue that increased supervision would have prevented individuals from leaving the field, Zhou believes that the role of the chaperones was to act mainly as facilitators and not as babysitters. “The teachers and parents at the event were mainly there to guide the general direction of the team,” Zhou said. “It would have been hard for them to keep an eye on specific students and at the same time maintain a sense of control over the whole group.”

Prior to the relay, the chaperones had talked to the group about the behavior expected from the students as representatives of Gunn.

“I think the only thing that wasn’t made clear was the fact that students weren’t allowed to leave the site of the relay unless they had permission, but this is usually understood,” Wu said. “The individual who was arrested was not the only person who took it as his liberty to leave the site and there were other students who left campus to get snacks and such.” Huizing agreed. “Each of the students was given the trust that is usually given to young adults at school and on field trips,” she said.

“We were extremely disappointed when we discovered that some students had taken advantage of this trust, especially at a charity event.”

Though some fear that the incident will harm relations with the organizers of RFL, Shen believes that the actions of one individual will not bring down the reputation of the club. “The students’ decisions do not in any way reflect the choice of our club,” she said. “We’ve been partnering with Stanford’s Relay for Life for a really long time and I know they will continue to trust us and invite us to future events.”

Overall, Huizing believes that RFL is an excellent event for students to attend for multiple reasons.

“Not only did the students get a chance to support the American Cancer Association but they were also able to listen to survivors’ stories and support them as they participated in the relay,” she said. “I was impressed by the number of students who gave up their Friday nights to participate in such a meaningful

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event. While we were at Relay I saw amazing teamwork from helping a friend put together a complicated tent to encouraging a stranger to complete another lap of the Relay.

The event was so overwhelmingly positive and meaningful I am sad it has to be overshadowed by the poor decisions of a few students.”

Even though this year’s RFL didn’t turn out the way that participants had expected, some say that they will continue to participate in the years to come. “I’m definitely attending Relay for Life again next year just because I had so much fun at this one even though it got shut down,” freshman Cat Perez said.

“It’s such a good feeling when you know you’re doing things for the benefit of others, and that’s exactly what Relay for Life is about.”

—Additional reporting by Niki Mata There will be an additional Relay for Life event hosted at Palo Alto High School on Aug. 15 and 16 for Gunn students who want to participate in another event.

1: The Gunn team walks its first lap to symbolize Ivan Yong the ongoing struggles people have with cancer.

2: The tents were set up on Wilbur Field in Stanford University. 3: Junior Eric Schmidt rides his unicycle around the field.

4: Juniors Charlie Chang and Paul Morimoto enjoy playing Frisbee in spare time. 5: The YCS/Interact team gathers for a meeting. 6: A student illegally climbed the crane adjacent to the field. 7: Many Relay for Life signs decorated the area.

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Monday, June 1, 2009

to Green, the reason or reasons that cause a person to go over t he

Rupali Raju & Carissa Ratanaphanyarat Reporter & Managing Editor

Suicide has a blurred history when it comes to the question, “Why?” “People who commit suicided are generally depressed or experiencing a distressing personal response to stressors in their life to an extreme degree, or a combination of the two,” school psychologist George Green said. “Not everyone responds the same to personal stressors and some individuals are at risk for suicide when responding to traumatic events or personal stressors whereas others may be at no risk at all.”

A source from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, who asked to be identified only as Audrey due to confidentiality issues, agreed. “It’s usually caused by depression,” Audrey who had to stay anonymous said.

“People often feel depressed and feel that they’re beyond getting help. That no one can help them, or that no one’s capable of helping them.”

Depression and suicide

Based on national surveys, approximately 4 percent of high school students are suffering from chronic depression. “With nearly 2000 students at Gunn, that means nearly 80 students would experience an episode of depression some time during a year,” Green said. “It is not that uncommon.”

The causes of depression, like suicide, are diverse and widespread. “The cause of deprssion is either biological (genetic) or a reaction to personal stressors, or more commonly a combination of the bilological and reactive to life stressors,” Green said.

“Some individuals are more prone to depression as a result of these factors and then more prone to become depressed in reaction to stressful events in their lives.” However, according

edge and to follow through with suicide m ay n o t b e based on depression alone. “It is a combination of things,” Green said.

Warning signs and prevention

Before someone commits suicide, chances are that the person will confide in someone else before following through. “70 percent of people who commit suicide talk to someone before they do it,” she said. “A big thing is for people to take it more seriously.

Teenagers will often confess to their friends. Suicide is usually something that is secretive. If someone tells you, it’s a really big deal.”

Audrey also said that changes in behavior should also be noted.

“Just being aware of warning signs,” Audrey said. “Depression is a really big sign. Often they start doing things like writing a will. People will all of a sudden get happy, but it’s usually because the person’s come to terms with killing themselves. They just realize that they will soon no longer be in pain. They will have trouble sleeping or stop eating. Sometimes they start using drugs or using more drugs.”

According to Jack Cackler, a live-in director of the

Stanford Bridge counseling services, there are a couple warning signs. “Probably a big thing is having a stigma towards talking about mental health,” he said. “People want to feel strong and in control, and it is very difficult for them to get the help they need.”

In addition, drugs and alcohol often play a part in suicide.

“About 50 percent of suicides occur when people are drunk or on drugs,” Audrey said, citing the impulsivity that drugs and alcohol induce in a person. According to Audrey, some people also purposefully take drugs to ensure successful completion of the act.

If someone is contemplating suicide, or knows of someone who is, Audrey gave a few words of advice .

“Talk to someone you k now,” she sa id.

“Talk to someone you trust.”

give advice,” Cackler said.

“They should also be aware of resources.”

Depressed adolescents often become introverted from their parents and family, according to Cackler. Cackler says the best way for family to reach the child is to be open. “I think they can get involved by being open in a non-threatening way,” he said. “The end goal is the person’s safety.”

Bereavement and grieving

People’s reactions to suicide are often mixed. “Often people feel very, very devastated because a lot of the times the people are left asking why but the one person who knows is gone,” Audrey said. “And suicide is completely preventable.

They are often left with a lot of guilt and anger. It’s a really confusing place to be. When someone murders your friend, all of your anger lies with the murderer. But in the case of a suicide, your friend murdered themselves.”

Counseling and help Getting involved

The main way students can get involved in preventing suicide is by being aware and by being able to recognize when someone is feeling depressed or suicidal. Bridge teaches a method called “QPR”—question, persuade, refer. “They can ask the person Nathan Toung directly and

Support groups, talking with someone you trust and therapy are recommended. “People often join support groups,” Audrey said. “You should seek out therapy. Find someone to speak professionally about it.” Green agreed. “If you are depressed the first thing that you should find an adult and talk to them,” he said. “This is the best thing you can do because they can help you find someone to help or help you get medication which usually helps people who are depressed. You can talk to me or you can talk to any of the guidance staff. If not you can also talk to Adolescent Counseling Services.”

—Additonal reporting by Niki Mata

Resources for teens seeking help Adolescent Counseling Services Cubberley Community Center, Ste. FH, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto E-mail: philippe@acs-teens.org or info@ acs-teens.org Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Call: (650) 424-0852 The Bridge 581 Capistrano Way, Stanford University E-mail: thebridge@stanford.edu.

Hours: Daily drop-in 9 a.m. to midnight.

24-hour phone counseling services Call: (650) 723-3392 for counseling Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC) 711 Church St., Mountain View E-mail: info@chacmv.org.

Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Call: (650) 965-2020

Family and Children Services 375 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Call: (650) 326-6576 Hand of the Peninsula (Helping After Neonatal Death) Mills Health Center, Ellsworth Room 100 S. San Mateo Drive, San Mateo Hours: General support meetings held on first and third Wednesday of every month 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

E-mail: info@HANDsupport.org.

Call: Main office (650) 367-6993 Suicide Crisis Hotline, Santa Clara County Mental Health Administration 828 S. Bascom Ave. Ste. 200, San Jose Hours: 24-hours Call: (650) 494-8420

Lavender Youth Recreation and Information 127 Collingwood St., San Francisco E-mail: lyricinfo@lyric.org Hours: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Dimensions Youth Health Clinic: Thursday 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday 12 to 3 p.m.

Call: (415) 487-7589; fax (415) 703-6150 Outlet Program, Community Health Awareness Council 711 Church St., Mtn. View.

E-mail: outlet@chacmv.org.

Hours: Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Call: (650) 965-2020 ext. 22; fax (650) 965-7286.

Suicide and Crisis Hotline Call: (408) 279-3312 —Compiled by Emily Glider

5

Take time to renew ties Joyce Liu

The harsh reality is that time never stops. No matter how much we yearn to press rewind or hit the pause button, it cannot be done. What’s done is done, and we can only make the best out of the situation.

When someone passes, it serves as a reminder for everyone to reassess what is truly important in life. In our hectic high school lives, we sometimes get caught up on trivial matters and forget to spend time to connect with those we care about.

Think about it. When you think back to freshman year, do you still remember what unit, what day, what period you failed that math test? Or, do you remember having a heart-to-heart with your friend after that first breakup? When you are reflecting on your actions, don’t dwell on things that won’t even matter in five years from now. Sure, maybe failing that test was devastating, but compared to ending a friendship simply because you didn’t make time for your friend, which is worse?

Life is too precious to waste getting caught up on our misadventures. Things may not always go our way, but that doesn’t mean that it never will. There are always ways for us to overcome adversity.

Cherish your friends. It’s times like these that we need each other the most.

Sometimes people just need to vent.

That’s just a part of human nature. We need to get things off of our chests and when we do, we feel so much better.

Trust me. We all just need someone who will listen, and friends are supposed to always have your back. A phone call, an email, a text message—that’s all it takes to comfort a friend. Five minutes out of your life can strengthen your friendship so much more.

And when your friendship is on the rocks? Well, take a step back and think about the very first time you met the person. There must have been some reason for you to become friends with the person. If you have been friends with them for a long period time, believe in the friendship.

Sure, we all have fights or misunderstandings once in a while, but that does not mean that the friendship should end then and there. A friendship is like a plant. You need to take time to nurture it. If it begins to wilt, don’t panic and just give up. All it needs is a little water and sunlight to kick that photosynthesis into action.

We should remember these simple things in our daily lives. We should be able to feel the sense of belonging in a community every single day. Don’t hesitate to reach out to others, even those you don’t know. Who knows, once you start talking it up, you might even discover your new best pal. Step out of your comfort zone, and that will make all the difference.

I will take my first step.

Hi, my name is Joyce, and I would be happy to talk to you if you ever need anyone to talk about anything.

—Liu, a junior, is a Managing Editor.

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Forum

The Oracle

Obama needs to prosecute torturers Alleged war crimes ignored during Bush era should be investigated under Obama

O

n the 2008 campaign trail, President Barack Obama stated that he would investigate any alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Bush era, particularly those pertaining to torture. However, he made it clear that he would not want his first term to consist of any actions that might alienate the Republican party. In short, he decided well ahead of the beginning of his administration that he would not prosecute the Bush Administration for war crimes.

The negative backlash from Bush opposers was predictable. A statement such as this from the presidential candidate who proposed change and openness with the American people in regards to government activity contradicted his supposedly honest principles and proposed policies.

Although Obama issued an executive order to close American-run “black sites” (secret prisons) and end torture tactics practiced

by Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officials on prisoners in the first week of his presidency, he then went on to excuse the torturers from prosecution. This is implicative of Obama’s eventual decision regarding prosecuting the Bush administration—at this point in time, it appears that he will not do so.

The Nuremberg Trials took place almost immediately after World War II and

prosecuted many of the prominent leaders of Nazi Germany. They were convicted of war crimes, crimes against humanity and participating in and initiating crimes against peace. What if the trials had not taken place and the Nazi leaders had been allowed to go free? It then would have been clear that principles of right and wrong are non-existent and that humanity had reached one of its lowest moral points in history.

It is Obama’s duty as president to deliver justice to the Bush administration for its crimes. It is his duty to redeem the United States in the eyes of the international community by condemning the writers of that dark chapter in American history. In the eyes of much of the rest of the world, Americans are now viewed as unscrupulous, cruel and inhumane because of the Bush administration’s treatment of mostly innocent prisoners (it is estimated that nearly 90 percent of Abu Ghraib prisoners were innocent of all accusations made by the US government).

The United Nations Convention Against Torture defines torture as “any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him… information or a confession, punishing him for an act he…has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or

Children grow up too fast Jazreel Cheung Childhood is supposed to be a time of innocence and lightheartedness. Kids nowadays, however, are growing up too fast. They are prematurely pressured by society to leave their toys behind and move to adulthood. They accelerate in every aspect of life—educational, social, mental and physical.

The media is one factor that promotes this hurried growth in today’s children.

Many kids are exposed to adult issues such as sex, dieting, alcohol and drugs through television shows like Gossip Girl and 90210. According to a study done in 2005 by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the percentage of sexual content on television rose from 56 to 70 percent from 1998 to 2005. Kids then imitate what they see on television by dressing in over revealing outfits. Young girls tramp around in miniskirts and low-cut shirts. While the revealing style of young teens may often seem relatively harmless, teenage pregnancy has been on the rise in 26 states according to USAtoday.com.

Another possible contributor to this overly developed generation is the hectic lives of most American parents. According to the 2007 American Time Use Survey, parents spend about 2 hours on children under 6 years old and 0.8 hours on children between ages 6 and 17. Parents who work from early in the morning to late at night are rarely home, forcing their children to learn life lessons on their own.

As children advance socially and

physically, their brains are forced to absorb more academic information than before. Research emphasizing the gravity of the early development of the brain is circulating through the news, increasing competition for today’s children. Parents are signing their children up for many extracurricular activities that take up a lot of their kids’ free time. Also, SAT programs are trying to target middle schools. In addition to intending products for preteens, companies are aimbabies to advertise premature intelligence. For example, CDs such as Baby Einstein are trying to encourage parents to buy their products by showing genius babies.

Some may say that the intensity of adult issues is still the same, but due to the advancement of technology, children are exposed to reality’s problems earlier.

However, this disclosure of such complex ideas through the increase of accessibility may ruin the carefree days of young kids due to their vulnerable minds. Although they may have more knowledge than their parents did when they were young, their brains are not mature enough to use the information to make the correct decisions.

A possible way to help preserve the joy of childhood is to increase family time.

Familial communication can help kids deal with and confront issues such as peer pressure, drugs and sexuality. Families can slow down childhood desires to grow up by limiting the number of hours spent on the television and computers. In addition, they can advocate more responsible idols than crazy celebrities. These simple solutions may allow the youth of today to experience the carefree and innocent treasures of childhood that they deserve.

—Cheung, a junior, is a Business/ Circulation Manager.

coercing him…for any reason based on discr im ination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity.”

E l e c t r o c u t i o n, water-boa rding and sleep deprivation were just a few of the abuses black site detainees were forced to endure. Simply glancing over those words evokes feelings of suffering. If those actions cannot be identified with the definition of the word “torture,” what can be?

There is no justification for the disgusting acts the Bush administration committed during their eight years in power. Isn’t the United States supposed to serve as a model for the rest of the world? Is it not supposed to be the paragon of civilization and morality? As the most powerful nation in the world, the United States has the obligation to practice what it preaches and set an example for others.

By failing to prosecute Bush administra-

Nathan Toung

tion, Obama is neglecting his duties as the president of this nation and is failing in his innumerable promises to bring change to Washington and restore the United States’ standing in the world. He would sink the United States’ international standing even further than it has sunk already, for he would not only appear to condone crimes against humanity; he would be the second hypocritical president the United States has seen in a row.

—Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the staff (assenting: 15; dissenting: 5)

Media hypes trivial stories Sophie Cheng Dogs have often been called man’s best friend, and the Obamas’ new Portuguese water dog Bo is no exception. However, publishing a series of books (see Bo: America’s Commander in Leash by Naren Aryal) based on this new addition to the presidential family is simply excessive publicity. Mass exposure in the media has turned what began as a harmless human interest story into full-blown commercialism.

While this example of an overreported story has not directly hurt anyone yet (then again, who knows, maybe the paparazzi will be after the presidential canine next), there are other cases where the media has clearly been at fault for directly harming their subjects.

Paparazzi photos managed to expose Jon Gosselin’s supposed affair may have contributed to his pending divorce with Kate Gosselin. News coverage also managed to completely destroy Chris Brown’s squeaky clean image of being and transformed him into Rihanna’s violent boyfriend almost overnight. After the two were reunited, fans reacted with horror and shock–how could Rihanna give this abusive upstart another chance? Yet it’s clear that the media have skewed the facts here. Besides, the majority of us shouldn’t care enough about celebrities’ personal lives for this “news” (or more like snooping) to belong on the front

pages of our papers. Celebrities don’t deserve to be treated in such an inhumane way either— after all, how would you like the entire world to know what you were doing every minute of the day?

This pattern of blowing stories out of proportion needs to stop. When information about the Obamas’ dog is reported on more often than news about swine flu (a search of “Obama dog” on the Google search engine comes up with 84 million results, while “swine flu” only generates 9.3 million, as of May 28), the priorities of news media need to be addressed.

Obsessing over how cute the Obamas’ dog is will not help people learn about Obama’s policies, and uninformed voters lead to irresponsible governments.

To solve this problem, incoming journa l ists shou ld be taught the clear distinction between what is real, ha rd news versus petty go s sip. A n d while the media may b e at fau lt for reporting such Kimberly Han insubstantial stories, the public also needs to avoid indulging in such news. Instead of squandering our money on cheap magazines, we should be supporting the struggling journalism industry. So next time you see a magazine cover criticizing an actress’s “scandalous” weight gain, skip over it and pick up a newspaper instead. Who knows?

You might learn something.

—Cheng, a junior, is a News Editor.

Forum

Monday, June 1, 2009

7

Decent people wear Some people wonder about clothes to cover themthe meaning of life. Others selves up. Girls who wonder what happens when wear too little clothing you die. Well, I also sit and and show too much skin ponder late into the night over are the target of negaa single question: why do tive feedback. “Slut”, Alvin Man Sarah Zubair guys sag their pants? It is a “skanky” and “whore” question to which I’ve never are just some adjectives commonly hurled at scantily received a satisfactory answer. Okay, I definitely don’t waste clothed women. Frankly these are not words anyone valuable sleeping time over it. But haven’t most “nonwould want to be associated with. So girls, cover up! saggers” wondered at some point? Whenever I ask guys why This rage of girls over-exposing themselves is they sag, they respond with “gangsta” and “reppin’ da hood.” nurtured by the media. In music videos, movies and Gentlemen, the truth is that most girls hate it when you sag the Internet, this idea of dressing scandalously is beyour pants. It’s disrespectful to yourself and your peers, and ing picked up by younger generations. I recently saw makes you look fat. And why would you want to look like four pictures of preteen girls in Newsweek, featuring you’re about to trip over your own feet because your pants Halloween costumes that looked more like the early inhibit your movement? Clumsiness is unattractive. And, besymptoms of the skanky disease than high fashion. A lieve it or not, no one has any interest in seeing what you’re girl was wearing a witch costume that had no resemwearing beneath your precariously placed pants. Seriously, blance to the witches when I awas young. Witches, in everyone—we should know that tasteful dressing is an my time were ugly, foul-looking women that rode on integral part of social life. We should be mature enough brooms. Now witches look like porn stars. to understand that school is an academic institution, The media portrays beauty the same way skanky not a place where you try to look cool with distracting fashion does. By dressing scandalously, women are ways of dressing. throwing away their respect and dignity. Dressing The speculated roots of pants-sagging make the like sluts destroys everything that women have fought reasons for the trend even more mysterious. Several for. People look at sophisticated girls as smart women Internet articles claim that sagging originated in who know how to live their lives. Dressing sophisprisons. Apparently prisoners’ belts are confiscated ticatedly is like making a statement: girls that dress as a precaution against violence. The lack of a belt well show people that they can dress modestly and results in sagging pants. If this fashion faux pas still gain respect among peers. originated in prison, I am even more perplexed.

Dressing is not something that should be meant to Why would students wish to emulate prisoners? impress guys. Girls who focus too much on how they What happened to the innate human desire to look are on the wrong path. To me, a girl too focused have a clean, attractive image? on her appearance will slowly begin to lose her perI don’t make a habit of judging people by sonality, since all she considers to be important is gettheir dress, but appearances do matter. When ting attention. Even if a girl get s a guy, he may only a good student dresses like a “gangsta” whose like her for her appearance. pants are making him walk like an inebriated Even though it seems like we live in an age where penguin, I find myself not taking him as seriyou have to be beautiful to get a job in acting or a hot ously as I would his well-tailored brother. Peoboyfriend, you just have to ‘fight the influence’. I bet ple say “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but that if girls who over-expose themselves were to put isn’t it usually the cover of the book that capon a t-shirt over that tank top or tights with that minitures your initial attention? It is the same thing skirt, they would be able to find a group of friends with people. It’s not a matter of being shallow or that appreciate them for who they are. So, my advice vain; it’s a matter of taking pride in oneself. Truto girls who think that showing what they have is the ly gentlemen, even if you love to sag your pants, “thing” to do, and the only way to get attention is to please hitch them up at least at school. Then when get a grip and keep covered. Because, honestly, we do people turn to look at you, you’ll know that they’re not want to see that. not wondering why you don’t wear a belt properly.

—Man, a sophomore, is a Features Editor.

—Zubair, a sophomore, is a Forum Editor.

Teacher dares students to ‘man up,’ stock up on belts Gentlemen of Gunn High School! I am here to give the rallying cry for those of us who call ourselves true Casey O’Connell men. We have a crisis on our hands­—a clothing pandemic so sinister, it threatens to change our common identity as upstanding males. The threat is clear to the collective dignity we hold dear! I speak of sagging pants.

We are honorable men. We carry ourselves with confidence and certainty throughout the day. We exude humility. We exercise restraint. We put the “under” in underwear. But alas, an insurrection is brewing, and it seeks to undermine our sacred code of honor! While we men start off every new day by proudly pulling our pants

all the way up, there exist less fortunate males whose emotional circumstances only permit them to pull up their pants 75 percent of the way.

To confront the issue, we must first understand who the common perpetrator is.

On the surface, he exhibits trademark masculine traits like the rest of us. He sometimes plays video games and chess. Badminton and football. You can often smell him from as far as gratuitous amounts of Axe can travel. He is ubiquitous. He sits next to you in geometry, AP Bio, Contemporary World, or even economics. He’s often a senior, sometimes a junior, or even an underclassman. He could be short or tall, big or small. He can be profiled neither by race nor religion, sexual orientation nor political affiliation. For all of these reasons, he appears to blend in on every level. He attempts, and pretends, to be one of us–and we ignore the not-so-subtle warning sign at our very own peril.

The signs? Hanes and Joe Boxer. Calvin Klein and Fruit of the Loom. Stripes and polka-dots. Every color of the spectrum.

One day in Chemistry lab, sailboats were spotted. Sailboats! Vertically-challenged trousers are symptomatic of a guy not to be messed with. Filled with good intentions, he is nonetheless conflicted. Though raised in a good family, he has lost his way. He is on the threshold of manhood, but not quite a man like the rest of us. He pretends not to own a belt. He is volatile. Uncertain.

Insecure. Sometimes angry. “To show my underwear, or not to?” That is the question over which he agonizes each and every day.

He is prince of pain, duke of darkness, nadir of naughtiness and sultan of staying up past his bedtime. Fear his wrath! Fear his boxers, too.

This misguided youth is your teammate.

Your classmate. Your very best friend. He could be your own brother. You might think

his skin is thick, his ego invincible, but tread carefully. He is fragile. He needs delicate intervention. Don’t overplay your hand.

Don’t bear-hug him while yelling “I love you, man!” Avoid spontaneous theatrics that will only blow your cover and encourage him to sag more! Talk to him man-to-man.

Keep your sentences short. Approach the issue indirectly, lest he construe your efforts as a provocation. Go slow. Pat him on the back. Affirm and accept him for who he is, especially on days he has chosen not to sag. Positive reinforcement is key. Once you have earned his trust, casually offer him your extra belt on days he does sag. Once he’s been won over, and made a man of true ilk, enlist him to our common cause and move on to the next troubled student!

One by one, little by little, our anti-sagging cause will come to fruition.

—O’Connell is a chemistry teacher.

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Forum

The Oracle

Is ‘Fairness Doctrine’ worth re-instating?

Emily Glider Every day, over 50 percent of Americans watch televised news broadcasts, almost 25 percent read online news and 40 percent read a newspaper. While the news business is a free market industry, its potency in our society makes ethical journalism a necessity. Although no law or mandate can ever force reporters to tell both sides of the story, we all feel the consequences when they don’t. The renewal of the Fairness Doctrine would greatly mitigate this issue, by presenting issues of controversy in a balanced fashion.

Biased reporting fractures the public. When a news station or paper begins to develop a slant, tending to present facts that favor one ideology, it naturally attracts readers and viewers with concurrent opinions and irritates those who disagree.

Eventually, the corporation can develop a biased consumer base. This gradually changes the demographics that other news companies must market to, encouraging other sources to broadcast biased information as well.

The correlation between polarized media and polarized politics has become obvious in the last twenty years, as the number of independent voters declined sharply. In the 1984 election, nearly a third of Americans did not register under either of the two major parties. However, by 2004, 75 percent of voters registered under one of the two largest political parties, 43 percent as Republicans and 32 percent as Democrats. What happened in between? Well, for one thing, FOX broadcasting was launched in 1986, an early corporation pitched specifically to a conservative audience. Currently, over a million more people watch The O’Reilly Factor than read The New York Times. However, even news outlets that do not explicitly advertise to a specific ideology often have biased reporting implicitly. The New York Times, for example, wrote 171 articles on the last two months of the Barack Obama presidential campaign. It ran 33 on John McCain’s

campaign during the same period.

It isn’t only in terms of political polarization that the lack of a simple fairness in the press has caused damage. It is also in the quality of information that is distributed. It is common sense that you are less likely to question facts that support your opinions.

Multiply that by the 150 million Americans who watch television news daily and 120 million who read the paper, and mass delusions can emerge.

In recent years the cost of flawed reporting has proved especially salient. For example, prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, many news outlets reported that Saddam Hussein was producing weapons of mass destruction and that he had ties to Al Qaeda. Five years after the invasion, how-

eve r, no weapons had beenfound and all ties to Al Qaeda had been completely discredited. Nonetheless, 50 percent of Americans still believed that the weapons existed and 64 percent believed that Hussein was funding terrorism.

The Iraq war has so far cost over $665 billion, wounded 31,230 soldiers and killed 4,280 soldiers, largely based on a threat that did not exist. It is time that our press did something patriotic and told the truth. It is imperative that t h emembers of t h epress view themselves not just as business people offering a product, but also as shapers of public ideals. A divided nation cannot survive. Neither can a deceived one.

—Glider, a junior, is a Centerfold Editor.

CON

PRO

Possibility of reviving 1949 policy that grants equal air time to both sides of disputes debated

Annie Shuey Imagine if for every song by The Rolling Stones a radio station played, it had to play a song by the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies to balance it out. Radio stations’ ratings would plummet, as neither fans of classic rock nor swing music would be willing to sit through the songs they disliked, and would flip through stations until they found something more suitable.

Although this situation m a y b e deemed absurd, it is ac-

tually not too fa r off-base from what has happened in the past, and what could happen the future.

It will infringe on political commentary being shared via radio conversations if reenacted.

In 1949, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) enacted a regu-l a tion called the Fairness Doctrine to “afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views of public importance.” In other words, listeners tuned in to political talk radio had the equivalent of hearing both The Rolling Stones g Nathan Toun and the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies when they really only wanted to hear one. It was justly abolished in 1987, but there is constant chatter in Washington debating its possible revival. The Fairness Doctrine should stay defunct, because the FCC has no right and no responsibility to control what

kind of opinions are exposed through the mass media.

Attaining balance in the media and giving equal time to share different perspectives on government policy and current events sound like great ideas. However, actual bias in the media comes primarily in which stories a news outlet chooses to run or not run, which details are included or left out and the general tone of the broadcast or article. These freedoms cannot and should not be regulated.

Therefore, arbitrarily targeting radio and imposing “fairness” in radio broadcasting doesn’t solve the root of the problem: biased reporters.

Studies coupled with pieces by journalists of noted publications including The Washington Post and Newsweek admitting a liberal bias have been published. According to a Rasmussen poll from last September, 69 percent of voters believed that reporters tried to help their favorite presidential candidate, and by nearly a five-to-one margin the voters thought that reporters were advocating for President Obama by giving him more positive publicity. A whopping 86 percent of Republicans thought that the media favored Obama.

Radio is essentially another entertainment industry. Talk radio is designed to supplement news stories and provide entertainment and sometimes some laughs, not be the news. It is nonsensical to regulate entertainment.

The potential reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine is more than just a liberal versus conservative quibble. Americans, or anyone else tuning in on their radio, should be able to hear what they want to hear when they want to hear it. If that means listening to conservative Rush Limbaugh, fine. If it means tuning in to liberal Ed Schultz, that’s fine too. The bottom line is that people should be able to choose what political perspectives they tune in to just as they can with their music. Shoving show hosts off the air to make room for others in the name of fairness is, ironically, government censorship. Let the people choose what media will flourish and what will not.

Former President John F. Kennedy once said, “A nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.”

So the question remains: what exactly is our government afraid of?

—Shuey, a sophomore, is a Sports Editor.

FDA’s product negligence is inexcusable, dangerous to nation Niki Mata The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a supposed “safeguard” to our health, was established to provide protection against contaminated food and medicines.

However, the recent spike of product recalls has put the health of numerous citizens at risk and called the FDA’s dependability into question. The health of the nation should be a top government priority. In order to prevent potential contaminations, such as salmonella, from infecting the food and health products we consume every day, the FDA must establish stricter regulations.

Food recalls are becoming more common—the most recent report this year involved a salmonella outbreak in peanut butter and other products made by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). According to a 2009 article by News Inferno, the outbreak sickened 654 people in 44 states and killed at least nine people. The source of contamination was traced to a plant in Georgia, infected

products were knowingly being shipped out. According to inspections to ensure that companies are continuously the Burlington Press, one family sued the company after adhering to government policies which would prevent the their son was infected after eating peanut butter crackers. potential release of dangerous food products.

This was the first of many lawsuits against the FDA, and Some argue that frequent inspections would be much is a sure sign of its faultiness. more expensive, and that the FDA currently lacks the finanIn addition to peanuts, salmonella was also cial support to support them. discovered in alfalfa, pistachios and spinach However, when concerning within the last two years. In addition to the nation’s health, costly these more recent outbreaks, in 2006, an E. procedures should not coli outbreak killed three people through be an issue. Some may also contaminated spinach. Last year, jalapeño a rg ue t hat the FDA already has peppers sickened 1400. The delayed discovstrict regulations in place, and that its ery of the Georgia scandal again proves the incompetence is based off of a lack of funding FDA’s lack of control and thoroughness of and congressional support. Though regulations food processing plants. may already be in place, such regulations are Currently, the FDA inspects food-proclearly not enforced or at least not frequently cessing plants only once every ten years. Such enough. A logical solution to both of these probinfrequent checks are not lems would be to provide the FDA with more fundoften enough to ensure ing and staff members so that they are equipped that companies are stickto deal with our nation’s health in the best manner ing to the guidelines possible. With support and regulation, the FDA that keep us safe. The can ensure that citizens’ lives will not be put at FDA should instead risk daily. implement annual or even biannual —Mata, a junior, is a News Editor.

Kimberly Han

Forum

Monday, June 1, 2009

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10

Features

The Oracle

Rachel Congress & James Roper

Imagine a fall wedding at a ski resort where guests take a chair lift up to the ceremony and back down to the reception. That’s the vision that math teacher Rachel Congress has for her Aug. 21 wedding in Tahoe.

The date marks the sixth anniversary of Congress and her fiance, James Roper’s. “My sister found him online for me,” Congress said. “[I knew I wanted to marry him] when I couldn’t imagine my life without him.”

Roper proposed on March 21 by settting up a treasure hunt in their apartment. As she got to the last clue, he snuck up behind her and proposed.

“I knew what I was going to say, but it was very surreal,” Congress said. “It was one of those times when you feel like you are watching yourself outside of your body.”

Congress and Roper started planning the wedding with the same mindset– that they were going to have fun. “James and I have agreed on almost everything we’ve planned,” Congress said. “That makes it so much easier.”

So far, the planning has been a smooth journey with the exception of one road bump. “Our site for both the ceremony and reception, which we reserved last June, canceled on us last October,” Congress said. “Luckily, we managed to find another place and it’s working out better.”

According to Congress, the new location of the wedding is at the top of a mountain with a breathtaking view of Lake Tahoe. Guests will ride a chair lift to the ceremony where Congress will be wearing an Enzoani dress. Afterwards, the guests will ride down for the reception. “Besides dancing [at the reception], there will be board games, a photo booth that we’re building ourselves and an interactive guest book.”

The couple hopes the wedding will be memorable and lively. “[We expect our wedding to be] lots of fun,” Congress said. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously. We wanted to have a laid back, fun wedding experience.”

Selena Hendrix-Smith & Richard Reed

Physical Education teacher Selena Hendrix-Smith was never one of those girls who dreamed about their wedding growing up. “I [only] put it all together once I was engaged,” Hendrix-Smith said.

Hendrix-Smith and her fiance, Richard Reed, met through mutual friends when she was 18 and he was 19. “The first time we met, we kept battling each other in speed [the card game],” Hendrix-Smith said. “[After that] we kept in touch.” The couple went on their first official date during the summer of 2007. “We went to a listening party in San Francisco for Chrisette Michele at a restaurant on the Pier,” HendrixSmith said.

When Reed proposed, HendrixSmith was very shocked. “I thought he was going to look for rings with

my mom that Saturday,” HendrixSmith said. “It was all part of his game plan.”

According to Hendrix-Smith, she had worked late that night, and was tired, cold, and hungry. “He said he wanted to share with me something he read and showed me a [bible] verse with the word engaged written in it at least four or five times,” Hendrix-Smith said.

“After reading it, I looked over to him and Richard was on a bended knee and asked if I would marry him.”

The couple decided on a fall theme for the wedding. “The vision is a warm feeling with a chic and classy look,” Hendrix-Smith said. Following the theme, Hendrix-Smith chose a Pronovias dress. “I actually had another dress in mind but when I tried the Pronovias dress on, I knew it was the one,” Hendrix-Smith said. “I had been torn between a more modern look and an elegant look. The dress I picked has a perfect combination of both.”

As for the future, the couple plans to just enjoy life. “[After the wedding, we expect] being happily married,” Hendrix-Smith said. “We both are goal setters, so we will see where we go from here.”

Stephanie Ciralli & Robert Werbe

Math teacher Stephanie Ciralli and fiance Robert Werbe are planning a summer wedding by the seashore. The two met as friends when they were only 14, but began dating seriously in college.

During college, Ciralli and Werbe had a long distance relationship. Werbe was attending Cal Poly and Ciralli was attending Long Beach State. “Distance did not keep us apart,” Ciralli said. After two-and-a-half-years of dating, Werbe proposed.

To keep the proposal plan a secret, Werbe confused Ciralli by telling her he was going shopping. “I knew it was suspicious because Robert does not like shopping,” Ciralli said.

After his return from the shopping trip, he told her they were going to a hotel to meet his friends but secretely

planned a proposal.At the hotel, he led her down a hallway that was lined with Christmas lights, candles and rose petals. Ciralli jumped up with joy as she suspected what was to come. “I had a feeling he was going to propose, but I did not want to raise my hopes up too soon,” Ciralli said. Then, he opened a door to a room with a champagne bottle and proposed.

Ciralli’s favorite memory of their relationship is when they spent time together on a Mediterranean cruise for four weeks and a European cruise for six weeks last summer. They both have a passion for traveling and Ciralli is looking forward to going on more adventures with Werbe in the future.

Ciralli’s wedding will take place on Aug. 1 at a country club in Carmel.

The wedding site is located on a golf course overlooking Pebble Beach. Her wedding contains beach items, such as seashells, sand dollars and fake starfish that will be spread out as decorations.

Ciralli already found a beautiful white wedding dress to wear and is looking forward to her wedding. “I am happy for [Ciralli] and I know she will have a pretty nice wedding,” sophomore Victor Kwok said.

Lisa Wu & David Olaharski

When biology teacher Lisa Wu agreed to take fiance Drew Olaharski on a walk through New York City during spring break, she expected nothing out of the ordinary. That is, until he proposed to her. “When it happened, I was completely shocked,” Wu said.

The couple spent the whole day visiting Wu’s favorite places in the city. “It was odd because he kept wanting to sit down and do weird things like ride on horse-drawn carriages, and I’d just be like ‘Why would we do that? We’re in New York, let’s just walk around,’” Wu said. “But when we got to the end of this path in Central Park, there was a big pond, and he said, ‘Let’s go on a rowboat.’ In my head, I was thinking, ‘Why should we do this?’ But I was like, I’m being such a mean girlfriend, so I said, ‘Okay, let’s go on rowboat.’”

The pair originally met at the Tech Museum when they were both examining the human body exhibit. “We just happened to be there at the same time, and we chatted it up right away,” Wu said. “Afterwards we ended up going to get drinks, and the following day we went on our first date.”

Currently, Olaharski is on a business trip in Switzerland until the end of August. Then, Wu will be moving with him to New Jersey where she will be tutoring and teaching. However, they will be coming back to California for the wedding next March.

Wu envisions an outdoor wedding in the redwoods of Santa Cruz with a nature-like theme. The couple, however, has not begun planning the wedding, including their attire. “That’s the one thing I’m not looking forward to, searching for a dress,” Wu said. “I’m not a big shopper, and I wish someone just grabbed a dress and it looked beautiful.”

Overall, Wu hopes that the wedding will be fun and exciting. “I definitely want Frisbees at the wedding, and I’d love to throw one around in my wedding dress,” she said. “I really want this to be a fun day. I want to run around and play and actually have fun.”

—Compiled by Tiffany Hu, Emily Zheng and Alice Yu

Photo courtesy of respective couples

Monday, June 1, 2009

11

Kathyrn and Steve Settle

A morning hike with boyfriend Steve Settle turned into a big surprise for science teacher Kathryn Morgan.

“When we got to the top of the look-out [Settle] had already set out a blanket and his guitar,” Morgan said.

“He proposed almost immediately and of course I said ‘yes’.” After the proposal, the day continued to go uphill for Morgan. “He had planned the rest of the day just for me,” she said.

Morgan met Settle two years ago in an incident involving beer. “He went to Romania for a church trip and came back with a German brand of beer that my father loved,” Morgan said. “He didn’t know my dad liked that beer and when someone told him that, he came over to the house.”

About 220 people came to the wedding. “We had a lot of people we wanted to invite, but we could only accept a limited number and so we chose people who have been important in our lives,” Morgan said.

When it came for Morgan to walk down the aisle, Settle cherished the moment. “The anticipation of having her walk down the aisle made me feel like a little kid in a candy shop,” Settle said. “I couldn’t understand why I was so lucky.”

The couple held the wedding at the Peninsula Bible Church in Cupertino, a church Morgan said she had grown up in throughout her life. The reception location like the church, was important to Morgan. “The wedding reception was at Stanford, a place with many special memories,” Morgan said. “My dad did his undergraduate there and I got my graduate degree there, so I have spent a lot of time on the campus.”

For the honeymoon, the pair went to Hawaii. “Steve and I went to Kauai for nine days right after the wedding,” Morgan said. “Kauai was the perfect place.”

As for adjusting to a married life, Morgan had no troubles. “We had a pretty smooth transition from dating

to being engaged to being married,” Morgan said. “It is great to be able to share life with your best friend.”

Courtesy of Kathryn Settle

Kristen & Mike Owen

Courtesy of Kristen Owen Inspired by her lifelong love of the Beatles, English teacher Kristen Owen decided to have a wedding with an “All You Need Is Love” theme. “We had an acoustic guitarist who played nothing but Beatles’ songs for the entire wedding,” Owen said. “I walked down the aisle to Beatles music. My dad, who is in a Beatles cover band, also played at the reception while my sister sang.”

Owen married Mike Owen on July 4, 2008. “The ceremony was really nerve-wracking,” she said. “The moment when they opened the doors, and everyone was staring at me, made me really nervous but when I looked down the aisle and saw my husband waiting for me, all of my nerves subsided.” According to Owen, the experience was reminiscent of a movie scene.

The couple rented a 10-bedroom estate for the threeday occasion. “We did wine tasting and played golf,” Owen said. “There was a spa, so the ladies had manicures, pedicures and massages. It was really nice to have a pool on the premises because it allowed everyone to cool off from the hot weather.”

Mike proposed on Aug. 25, 2007 after they had been dating for four years. “I was shocked,” Kristen said. “He proposed to me in San Francisco at the Top of the Mark, where we had our first date, and then we went to a bar to celebrate [with friends and family].”

Owen said she tried to keep her wedding plans simple.

“I’m not one of those bridezillas who has had my wedding planned since birth, so I just wanted good food and good music,” she said. “I wanted an awesome party.”

Juniors Tyler Ziebelman and Mark Monroe, who were in Owen’s English class last year, helped record the wedding. “[Mark] and I were joking around with her one time about videotaping her wedding, and then it wasn’t a joke anymore,” Ziebelmann said. “We really did it. It was a typical wedding, with lots of dancing. It was fun watching her group of friends with her because they acted just like us, only they were older. There was no cake, but they had a chocolate fountain. It was the fourth of July, so there were a lot of fireworks too.”

As for the future, Owen said she just wants to enjoy life. “We just got a puppy so that's been keeping us very busy,” she said. “We’re planning children for April or May 2011.”

Kristy & Grant Blackburn

English teacher and The Oracle adviser Kristy Garcia tied the knot with fiancé Grant Blackburn in a romantic backyard-style wedding in April. “It was as perfect as I could’ve imagined,” she said.

The couple first met at a district training workshop five years ago and officially began dating when they decided to meet after a training session. After four years, Garcia broke tradition and proposed to Blackburn with a skydiving trip as an engagement present. “We both talked about getting married,” Blackburn said. “Neither one of us was going to say no.” Blackburn accepted and then proposed to her the day they went skydiving. “He had a restaurant all picked out and following dinner he took me for a walk on the beach,” Garcia said.

A few Gunn staff members were involved in the wedding. Fellow English teacher Diane Ichikawa served as the maid of honor. Science teacher Lisa Wu and social studies teacher Alice McCraley served as

bridesmaids and English teacher Tarn Wilson was the officiant. “One of the best parts was having everyone there supporting us,” Garcia said.

Although the wedding turned out beautifully, big cakes and flowery decorations were not the couple’s main concern. “We wanted to keep in mind that our marriage is more important than the wedding,” Garcia said. “Our wedding was definitely something that reflected our style—not too frilly but definitely personal.”

The pair decided on a Mexican menu for their reception. “The food was great and we had a fun time picking it out,” Garcia said. The handwritten vows were a definite highlight of the occasion, although by popular vote the funniest moment was when Blackburn jumped in to say “I do” before he was supposed to.

Courtesy of Cathy Baird “My favorite characteristics of his are how straightforward he is and how is a good kind of goofy,”Garcia said. The Blackburns will be honeymooning next month in Kauai.

—Compiled by Sophie Cheng, Eugenah Chou, Alvin Man, Mati Pluska-Renaud and Hannah Schwartz

12

Cente

The Oracle

Dung Beetles

Ancient Egyptians revered the dung beetle, believing that the divine scarab rotated the world like a giant dung ball. But in rural Thailand, the insect has traditionally been valued for its more functional uses, primarily as a culinary delicacy. In the past, Thai farmers were known to stake claims to buffalo droppings as their private property to protect the valuable beetles burrowing away inside.

Dung beetles are best eaten as pupae, the inactive state, or as adults, after they have been purged in water for a few hours. With the advent of mass tourism in Thailand, dead dung beetles have become a popular souvenir item, sold for as much as 400 baht (nearly 10 dollars).

At first, the very idea of eating dung beetles absolutely mortified me. Who wouldn’t be scared silly at the mere thought of chomping away on an insect that spends most of its life rolling around in buffalo feces? So when it came time to face the horrible six-legged, dung-dwelling insects, I

couldn’t help but feel the need to puke. As I was handed the insect, I noticed how disgustingly shiny the bug was. My stomach churned. I held my breath and without a second thought, I plopped the rotund beetle in my mouth. Crunch. I flinched, but kept on chewing as I tried desperately to shove the bug down my throat. At first it had a slightly salty taste that resembled the seaweed sold at Asian supermarkets. Yet as I kept chewing, the seaweed taste started going away, and was replaced by a putrid bitterness that reminded me of burnt babeque coal.

All in all, I hope that I never have to encounter one of these disgustingly detestable insects ever again, whether it’s rolling around in a pile of poop or sitting prepepared and dehydrated on my plate.

­­—Emily Zheng

Crickets

Crickets usually live under rocks and logs in meadows, in pastures or along the roadside.

Known for their chirping, male crickets produce their signature songs by rubbing together their forewings, which have a modified vein that contains 50 to 300 ridges. Each song leads to one thing: mating. Crickets are eaten in some African and Asian cultures, where they are considered a delicacy. In Cambodia, crickets are captured by the pounds to be fried with spices and sold in street markets. Demand for crickets worldwide has skyrocketed lately as crickets are an inexpensive source of protein. Most of the time, crickets are deep fried before eaten. Put the crickets in hot oil, cook them until they’re crisp and sprinkle them over anything or eat them by themselves

I had always tried to imagine what crickets would taste like. Would they taste of grass and dirt, or, as I fatefully learned in Biology a few

weeks earlier, would I be able to taste uric acid and hemolymph? After I unwrapped the gold foil, I unwittingly found myself staring at the abdomen of a cricket, its solitary leg sticking straight up.

It turns out the chocolate cube containing the much-anticipated cricket tasted like any other low-quality, overly sweetened chocolate I had ever eaten. Only the extreme brittleness of the cricket distinguished it; it was exactly like eating a mouthful of sand. After all the hype about finally being able to eat an insect, the experience was somewhat of a letdown. However, I gained two things from this experience. The first, bragging rights. The second, a fantastic gaudy purple “I Ate A Bug Club” pin that came with the cricket.

­­—Anne Hsiao

Nymphs

Tessaratomidae nymphs make their home in most woody areas of northeast Thailand and breed during the rainy season. There, they are a highly coveted delicacy and are prepared with typical seasonings like salt and pepper. Nymphs belong to the same family as stink bugs, and while lacking in the same kind of protective mechanism, are similar in build with relatively large bodies and small heads. They have flat thick bodies, and have hard shells for protection (and extra crunch!).

Nymphs live off of the sap from young shoots of vegetables. Although they have wings, nymphs are not very gifted fliers, and instead use their wings to scare away smaller insects.

What is it that is so fascinating about the concept of eating bugs? Either way I wasn’t too excited with my assignment: eating tessaratomidae Pygoplatys auropunctatus nymphs. Yum. Upon receiving my “snack,” I shake four of the raisin-sized bugs onto the palm of my hand, hoping for the best.

Their thick red-orange bodies, beady eyes and ittybitty legs are hardly mouth-watering, but I grit my teeth and swallow. The first thing that really hits you after eating a bug is a feeling of extraordinary disbelief. You begin feeling nauseous as you imagine your snack scuttling across a forest floor. To make things worse, I forgot to remove the wings from the first nymph I tried, which resulted in a nauseating mouthful of dry flakes that I could not swallow. However, nymphs aren’t all that bad. They taste just like popcorn husks. It was just the simple fact that they were bugs that made them utterly disgusting. Nasty, tasteless, and about as close to eating sawdust I ­­—Eugenah Chou ever hope to come.

got bugs?

We see them everywhere— on the ground and in the air— and probably never think twice about killing them with a squash of our foot. We’ve seen people eat them on Fear Factor and Survivor in order to win grand prizes, but we squirm at the sight of one of these crawling critters coming towards us.

Although bugs are a natural part of our environment, many individuals feel that bugs, as a source of food, are taboo.

Although the thought of eating insects for the sake of your own health has probably never occurred to you, there is a strong link between the bugs in your backyard and nutrition.

Eating bugs may not seem like a natural habit, but there are many health benefits that come with eating these creepy crawlers. For starters, bugs have a high protein content, are low in fat and contain no carbohydrates—the perfect diet food.

Cr an

A serving of cooked grasshoppers, for instance, contains roughly 60 percent protein and only 6 percent fat, whereas your regular lean chicken patty contains 18 percent fat and 18 percent protein. In addition, insect fatty acids are unsaturated, and therefore healthier. Unsaturated fats supply fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, which the body cannot produce on its own, making them essential for your health.

Although a bug-eater among a typical crowd of individuals who only eat meat and plants may appear to be the oddperson-out, eating bugs is a tradition that has remained throughout history for thousands of years. Many cultures today continue to relish these bugs as a main food source in their diet and find nothing strange or peculiar in their eating habits. For example, cicadas, fire-roasted tarantulas and

Faces in the Crowd: “W “Definitely not, bugs are gross!”

Enzo Marc (9)

“P un on wi

Holly McKenna (1

erfold

Monday, June 1, 2009

13

Larva

Larvae. They are the immature, wingless form of bugs before they become adults. In other words, the teenage bug. Pick any bug, and someone has eaten or continues to eat its larvae. In the first century in his Historia Naturalis, Pliny wrote that Roman Aristocrats ate beetle larvae prepared in wine and flour. In fourth-century Greece, Aristotle detailed the harvest of cicada larvae. Even to this day, larvae decorate plates around the world. For example, Chinese beekeepers consume bee larvae, and Japanese foodies enjoy aquatic fly larvae sautéed in sugar and soy sauce.

In the United States, we eat bugs as a dare, a challenge, something cool to do. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know anyone who eats larvae for their nightly dinner. So when I tried “Larvets Original Worm Snax” larvae, I was excited. I wanted a surprise. But after popping a barbecue

flavored dried larva in my mouth, I was definitely disappointed. The larvae themselves had only a slight gravelly taste, which was overpowered by the barbecue flavor. The problem was, the barbecue flavor was terrible. As in, wayless-than-Lays-quality. I felt ripped off by the fact that I got two grams of dry mouth for about $5.

My only hope was that they would make up for their bad flavor in nutrition facts. I don’t eat red meat, so I thought that this could be a protein boost. Nope, not that either.

My bugs had 1 g of protein in the entire pack. Significant and efficient? More like wallet-draining. As fun as it is to eat bugs, these ones did not live up to the fun grossfactor-taboo.

­­—Shaya Christensen

Worms

reepy crawlers pack nutritous punch ants are the dominant bugs seen in traditional Latin American dishes. In addition, wingless dragonflies boiled in coconut milk, ginger and garlic are a delicacy in Bali. Cultures in Japan also relish the sweet and salty taste of aquatic fly larvae sautéed in sugar and soy sauce.

Other commonly eaten bugs include caterpillars, maggots, scorpions, bees, dragonflies and cockroaches.

Often, what people decide to eat is shaped by culture. Many foods that westerners readily devour, such as pork, shrimp, lobster and oysters, are considered to be dirty among other cultures. For instance, many religions forbid the consumption of pork. Traditions claim that it contributes to a lack of ethics and shame as well as greed, laziness, indulgence, dirtiness and gluttony. Religions that typically avoid eating pork include Buddhists, Muslims,

Hindus, Jews and Christians.

According to biologist David George Gordon, author of Eat-a-Bug Cookbook, we have become so invested in livestock that the idea of bugs as a source of food becomes an unspeakable notion. However, if the nation turned to insect farming, it would prove as a more environmentally friendly means of obtaining protein than cattle production. According to Gene DeFoliart, professor of entomology of the University of Wisconsin, instead of eating insects, individuals are continuing to hurt the planet by ridding it of these helpful critters.

So go devour a bag of chocolate covered grasshoppers dine in a Oaxacan restaurant or order stir fried cricket curry over rice. Sit back and enjoy the healthy, crunchy goodness.

—Stephanie Kennel

Would you eat a bug?

Probably not nless somene bribed me ith money.”

10)

“No way! Especially not if it had legs.”

The thought of even touching a worm can cause a person to squirm, let alone the concept of eating them. America portrays the worm as a slimy pink object whose sole value is to help fertilize dirt. The idea of eating something that eats dead organic material disgusts many people.

However, in Thailand, locals consume bamboo worms, the larvae of moths that feed on bamboos, as a delicacy. These worms give the same amount of nutrients as meat, are low in fat, and are extremely high in protein and fiber and may help manage alergies and several immune disorders.

When the package first arrived I felt a mixture of fear, excitement and anticipation. After staring at three light green bamboo worms, I suddenly felt a wave of nausea. I imagined little worms that often grow in pancake mix, the tan colored ones that squirm when exposed to air, pale and fleshy. Suddenly, my excitement turned to disgust.

Inside were dehydrated tan worms, with brown beady heads and shriveled bodies. After pouring them onto my palm, sweat began glistening on my hands. I popped it in my mouth and realized it really wasn’t that bad. In fact it was rather enjoyable. It had a zing to it similar to barbeque chips mixed with a dried shrimp flavor. The salt and flavoring on the worm were very prominent, yet at the same time one could imagine the live worm squiggling freely.

The grainy aftertaste was definitely the worse. It was similar to eating sand, but it was bearable. If I had to I would definitely choose some popcorn or chips over a bag of worms. ­­—Sophia Jiang

Snails

When people think of snails, they usually do not think of the extravagant ancient cuisine, but rather the pesky munchers that ooze their way around the garden, destroying plants and eating dead animals.

They are covered in mucus and the nasty crunch after you step on one gives most people shivers.

However, most of these small edible land mollusks have found themselves on plates throughout history. The French butter the snail, the Spanish cook them in special sauces and soups and the Greek cook them within casseroles. I consumed these snails like an oyster within their shell, raw and fresh. My mom cooked these snails just like how she ate them in her childhood. By boiling the snails and adding vinegar and soy sauce, I had the opportunity to get a peek into my mother’s childhood.

The raw snail itself was not gross at all. The taste reminds you of a mis between an oyster or a mus-

sel. The annoying part is that it takes a lot of effort to try and get the small piece of meat out of the shell. One wrong poke, and the meat retreats into the back of the shell. The meat is slightly squishy and one small disturbing part is the small black chip you find in every snail. After questioning my mom about this, she tells me that it was the snail’s foot; the area where the source of gunk is excreted.

Another annoying aspect about the snail is that over a certain amount of time, the snail begins to smell bad. However, if you ignore that fact, this mollus k is quite delicious, almost like eating a small flavorf ul “bug.” ­­—Joseph Lin Photo by Henry Liu and Ivan Yong

Mark Monroe (11)

Graphic by Nathan Toung

14

Features

The Oracle

Norma Street, secretarial supervisor

Rose McGinnis, health technician

Tiffany Hu

Tiffany Hu

Assistant Features Editor

Assistant Features Editor

Out of all the things that secretarial supervisor Norma Street will miss about the Gunn community, the one that stands out is the people. “I will miss the students and teachers at Gunn,” Street said. “They are all wonderful and they make Gunn the wonderful school it is.”

After working for more than 22 years, Street is leaving Gunn. “I am retiring because of recent health issues and [because] I want to have time to fulfill some aspirations before it is too late to enjoy them,” Street said.

As the secretarial supervisor of Gunn, Street has been the secretary to four principals and a countless number of students and parents. “My favorite part of working at Gunn is [working] with students and or parents with problems to help them find a solution,” Street said. “[My favorite memories are] the numerous times I have encountered an irate parent and sent them away with a smile on their face.”

Flipping through the memories Street made with the Gunn community, she describes the changes she has seen through numbers. “[Since my tenure], there are 4000 more students, 7000 more parents, 35 more classrooms and 43 more

After 30 years of working as an intercity registered nurse and 14 years at Gunn, nurse Rose McGinnis is retiring. “It is my time to play and have a series of prep periods everyday,” McGinnis said.

As the off icial health tech nicia n, McGinnis works to provide safety and care for the Gunn community. “This involves assessing when students should be excused due to illness or to medical, emotional and physical limitations with the expectation that school work and class time is essential,” McGinnis said. On top of this, McGinnis also maintains health records, obtains necessary medication and health protocols, follows up student health absences and serves on the first aid team.

Reflecting upon the years she has spent on campus, McGinnis recalls a few of her Gunn favorite moments. “[My favorite parts of Gunn are] participating in the yearly student and staff choir musical, attending the football games, theater and band entertainment and the monthly coffee latte and periodic cuisines provided by the [Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)] and administration,” McGinnis said.

What she will miss most however, is not the events, but rather the environment and

Henry Liu

Secretarial supervisor Norma Street is looking forward to retirement. teachers,” she said.

As far as the future is concerned, Street is planning to take it easy and embrace life with her family and friends.

“My future plans will be to travel with my husband of 50 years, spend more time with our grandchildren and family and to volunteer at several non-profit organizations,” she said.

As much as Street is looking forward to the next stage in her journey of life, Gunn will always have a place in her heart. “I will truly miss being at Gunn and working with all the wonderful people,” she said.

Henry Liu

Nurse Rose McGinnis has helped the campus maintain health amd first aid. the very people that define it. “Working at Gunn will always be that stimulating and fascinating place that has made me proud to be associated with the school,” McGinnis said. “[I will miss] working with for a great group of people.”

Leaving with fond memories, McGinnis is looking forward to enjoying life and helping others. “[My future plans are] international travel, physical fitness, [to] resume tennis and [to] improve my backhand, [as well as] play[ing] on clay and grass courts, hiking, sewing and visiting family and friends,” McGinnis said. “I also plan to maintain my nurse license.”

Linder Dermon, English teacher

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When students and staff were asked about English teacher Linder Dermon, the compliments were unending and faces lit up with smiles as memories came to mind. Words like “caring, enthusiastic, unselfish, patient and passionate” were repeated without hesitation and the response proved to be unanimous. “I have never met a teacher who cares more about her students, both as people and as students,” English teacher Tim Farrell said. “She forges such wonderful bonds with her students.”

In her 15 years at Gunn, Dermon has taught a multitude of classes, ranging from freshmensophomore core classes to electives. “She was adventurous and willing to take on classes such as Film Literature, which was new to her, and she certainly had a hand in making it a stronger and better course,” Farrell said. “There is a difference between 15 years of experience and 15 times one years of experience. Some teachers never change or learn in 15 years, but she has grown throughout her teaching career.”

For Dermon, building relationships with her students and teaching them to see with multiple perspectives are important. “As you get older, your perspective becomes more limited, and you become more cautious,” she said. Because of this, she especially enjoyed teaching Facing History and Ourselves. “This class taught students about social justice,” Dermon said.

“I want my students to continue being open to new ideas and honest with themselves.”

With her caring and nature, Dermon has helped her students realize their passions and view learning enthusiastically. “She was incredibly patient, extremely warm, very caring, and always listened to what you were saying,” junior Constance Wu said. “She gave me confidence and taught me to believe in my own writing.” Junior Pamudh Kariyawasam spoke of her ability to spark interest in learning. “Her classes were not made up of boring lectures,” he said. “She made sure we paid attention to

Ivan Yong

English teacher Linda Dermon hopes her students stay open-minded. not only the minute details, but also the value of the subject matter. She was enthusiastic and made sure we enjoyed learning as much as she enjoyed teaching.”

Dermon plans to explore new areas in the upcoming years. “I want to take classes, travel, spend time on art and music, exercise on a regular basis and spend time with my friends, family and dog,” she said. “I want to do things that I haven’t spent much time on before.” Her memories at Gunn, however, are everlasting.

“The people, the kids, all the people I interact with, the strength of the community, not one memory stands out,” she said. “I’ll even remember how I stepped into a trash can on my first day here.”

The connections she made with the students and staff are lasting as well. “I will miss everything, especially her wacky sense of humor,” Farrell said. “Every Friday, we do this imitation of these aunts that she had growing up,” he said. “What will I do on Fridays?”

Features

Monday, June 1, 2009

15

Focus on emerging artist: Grace Choi contest at Gunn this year has been my very latest entry in any competition so far. As for exhibitions, the studio I attend and take lessons from holds shows, maybe twice a year or so. I have been in a couple of those. They are by far some of the best times I have had in my artist’s life.

Grace Choi (11) The medium: I usually use acrylic on canvas, but I often use postercolor on paper. When I was younger I explored sculpting a little. While I wasn’t too shabby at it, I never really enjoyed it as much as painting. I also love pencil and paper such as observational art, like sketching, can never hurt. This summer, however, I plan to explore with film and installation a bit more.

The experiences: Well, I have seen plenty of engaging exhibits because I have been taken around by my mother who is also an artist. I have not entered many art competitions however, as I find the prompts for many of them to be trite. I have participated in a few though, including one for the Asian Pacific Fund in 8th grade. I ended up placing second in the competition for the entire state of California. Then again, I do not like doing many of these competitions. The second prize win was way back in middle school and it was by luck that the other entries were not as ambitious. The 3rd place award for the “Overcoming our Differences”

The inspiration: A lot of things influence how I paint.

Bands like Radiohead, Björk, My Bloody Valentine, Massive Attack and The Cocteau Twins provide inspiration. I also borrow themes from some of my favorite movies like Blade Runner and Pulp Fiction, which provide the futuristic and abstract-atmospheric aspects in many of my paintings. Atmosphere, along with the weaker aspects of human response, is a familiar concept embedded in my works.

The idols: The artists I admire the most are the ones that are innovative, but are at the same time well-rounded in their styles and talents. I like many artists. A few of my favorites are Cindy Sherman (from whom I get my women-based concepts), Frida Kahlo and Francis Bacon, among others. In terms of other people, a few of the ones I find to be inspirational include Marlon Brando, Walter Benjamin and Charles Darwin.

The challenge: I tend to be a perfectionist in my art, so it is very hard to live up to the standards I set for myself. However, I value criticism.

I truly believe that criticism is one of the

Q&A with Daljeet Virdi

Student Body President The Oracle: What a re your goa ls a s Student Body President?

Daljeet Virdi: I want to create an environment in which graduates of Gunn High School will have creDaljeet Virdi (11) ated a strong social network of lifelong friends by the time they leave. The way I’m going to do that is through a huge number of social events, quad events, dances and so on.

TO: How will you change the Student Executive Council?

DV: I want to make it more of a representation of Gunn. I don’t want to make it just 10 presidents and vice presidents from each grade in which the members do whatever they wish. I want to make it an organization that makes the student body’s thoughts a reality. I will encourage members of student council to try their hardest to represent the students well.

TO: What will you do to improve assemblies, if at all?

DV: They need to be more fun. They can’t just be monotonous like some of the assemblies have been. They need to be more interactive, so students aren’t bored by a simple, bland speech. I liked what SEC did in the drug and alcohol assembly—something authentic and interesting.

TO: What made you decide to run?

DV: I just wanted to be an active part of the student body in the school. And what’s better than becoming student body president?

TO: How will you make sure that the “student voice” is heard?

DV: Don’t be surprised if you see a lot of surveys on InClass. I really want to get the student body involved in what SEC is up to [and] get [students’] voices heard.

TO: In the SEC election guide you mentioned bhangra. What exactly is that?

DV: It’s an Indian dance. I put that in as a joke, but we could incorporate that as a cultural event in SEC in a partnership with South Asian Student Association.

TO: What other leadership positions have you held?

DV: I’m an eagle scout, the president of guitar club and I’ve been involved in other clubs. The experiences allowed me to learn how to motivate others and have increased the productivity of those who I work with.

TO: What is your message to the student body?

DV: I’d just like to thank everyone who helped me win this election. They’re definitely not going to be disappointed next year.

—Compiled by Nicola Park

Photos by Henry Liu

Left: A woman in traditional garb on the cover of National Geographic provided the inspiration for this postercolor print. Right: The effects of environment degradation are the main theme in this acrylic on canvas. best things an artist (or anyone, for that matter) can receive because it is really the only way the artist can make improvements to their work and open their eyes to new possibilities.

The career: While art is one of my foremost passions, I would definitely not consider going to an art college like the Rhode Island School of Design. The problem with going to an art college and getting a degree in art is that oftentimes it is very difficult

for an artist to find work straight out of college. Most prominently, I really value well-roundedness. Every student, artist or not, should have a sound education in all subjects. For convenience, it is also wise to double-major so you are not wholly dependent on an art for your career. I myself will probably pursue Anthropology or some history for my own second major so that I have other options if, by chance, I get tired of art.

—Compiled by Henry Gens

Entertainment 16 Students participate in 2009 Bay to Breakers The Oracle

Courtesy of Charlie Chang

Courtesy of Charlie Chang

Indian cuisine ‘wows’ clientele May Wu

Reporter

Situated on the corner of High Street and University Avenue, and hidden behind a garden-like trellis, Junnoon, an upscale Indian restaurant, is thriving. Unlike my previous experiences with Indian cuisine, which all consisted of small buffets in the middle of nowhere, Junnoon offered a very different experience.

A thick, wooden door granted me entry into the candle-lit world of modern India. The burly owner greeted me at his podium and assigned a waitress to show me to my table. The menu featured a variety of breads including naan, a traditional Indian bread ranging from three to six dollars. They also offered a wide selection of entrees ranging from $14 to $23.

And have no fear, vegetarians, a vegetarian trio dish ($18) of petite paneer cake, roasted eggplant crush and black lentils is also available. As I scanned the menu, I realized I had no clue what to pick.

Henry Liu

Junnoon’s delectable dishes provide a wide range of appealing and traditional flavors and spices.

My waiter immediately stepped in to help, recommending Rice-Flaked Sea Bass ($23), a pan-seared New Zealand Blue Nose sea bass with a rice flake crust that was served with ginger, fennel, tamarind sauce and braised vegetables. He also recommended the Tandoori Lamb Chops ($23), which he claimed most customers ordered.

The waiter brought a plate of white lentil crackers and peanut sambaan, a mixture of yogurt, peanuts and jalapenos, for me to snack on as I decided on my order. The crackers were strong in their salty flavor, while the sambaan was a slightly sweet counterbalance, a combination that was alien to my taste buds. The mixture was so bizarre and different from what I was used to eating, I immediately disliked it. Nonetheless I still couldn’t bring myself to stop nibbling on the snack. I noted that around the restaurant, the customers had opposite reactions to the dish, claiming it to be delicious. I guess I just have strange tastes.

I decided to order Old Delhi-Style Chicken ($19), Tamil Chicken ($19) and Tapioca Fritters ($7) for me and my friend. While waiting for my appetizer, I looked around in wonder at the modern-Oriental decorations that covered the walls. The customers around me were all talking heartily and laughing.

The atmosphere was welcoming and invited conversation. After a decent wait, my waiter arrived with my appetizer, Tapioca Fritters.

They rolled around on my plate as I chased them with my fork and finally catapulted it in my mouth with a soft crunch. The hot insides were filled with tapioca, which was coated with a fried mashed potato shell. The tapioca part was slightly bland at first, but finished off with a spicy aftertaste.

After a short wait, the waiter returned to place before me the Old Delhi-Style Chicken and Tamil Chicken with Rosemary Naan. I tore into the bread; its insides were warm from the oven. Both entrees had chicken, yet they had completely different flavors due to the spices. Although both pleased my palate, I needed the naan to balance out the strong flavors of the entrees. For the price I had to pay, I thought the dishes seemed rather small, but as the night wore on, the food proved to be surprisingly filling.

As I left the restaurant, satisfied with my now heavy stomach, I contemplated the time and money I had spent. The atmosphere was warm and mysterious, the waiters were friendly and helpful, and the food was both delectable and delicious. Although it is quite expensive, I would not hesitate to recommend Junnoon for the Homecoming dance or other special occasions.

Courtesy of Britt Jenson

Courtesy of Charlie Chang

Courtesy of Britt Jenson

Clockwise starting from top left: Participants gather as they begin the Bay to Breakers race. Juniors Chanel Miller, Nathan Toung and Erika Hoopes take to the streets of San Francisco. One racer models an intricate mask. Juniors Scott Williams, Tanya Streiff and Britt Jensen show off their Bay To Breakers costumes with another participant. Streiff and Williams run with the pack.

17 Two thumbs up for

Entertainment

Monday, June 1, 2009

21st Century Breakdown

lives up to its expectations Kevin Gao

Sports Editor

After releasing their multi-platinum album American Idiot in 2004, Green Day seemed to be on a hiatus from recording.

But they are back with their eighth studio album entitled 21st Century Breakdown.

Within three days of release, the album became the number one bestseller on the Billboard Top 200.

Right off the bat, the album follows the rock opera style that made American Idiot the winner of the Grammy award for best rock album. Green Day offers three main acts spread out on a comprehensive 18song track. The songs follow the characters Christian and Gloria through their lives, with the three main acts entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heroes and Cons,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Charlatans and Saintsâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Horseshoes and Handgrenadesâ&#x20AC;?.

21st Century Breakdown offers both familiarity and a twist to the Green Day we all know and love. This album is a bold attempt at something more than just a couple of pop-rock songs. The band stated that this album is more religious than American Idiot and draws influence from the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and The Beatles, among others.

Instantly, I was immersed in catchy pop chorus lines that got stuck in my head the whole day and the choppy and harmonious style that defines Green Day. The amazing riffs, signature voice and restless style make this album a treat to any Green Day fan. The album backs up the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sound with politically charged messages that are mixed with a constantly evolving genre

Elaine Liu Business/Circulation Manager

Foxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest series Glee delivers a show stopping pilot that plays like a combination of High School Musical, The Breakfast Club and Hairspray. Created by Ryan Murphy, who is noted for his work in Nip/Tuck and Popular, Glee was highly publicized and advertised by promos following American Idol in an attempt to increase the number of viewers. The first episode of Glee offers a surprisingly charming mix of sarcasm, wit and insightful comments.

The story is centered around high school teacher Will Schuester, played by Matthew Morrison, as he attempts to bring the practically non-existent singing Glee Club back to life. The star of the club is the wannabe diva Rachel, played by Lea Michele, who possesses a considerable talent for singing but lacks social skills.

This makes her a target for cruel remarks from the cheerleaders.

However the Glee Club does not really take off until Schuester blackmails the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football quarterback Finn, played

by Corey Monteith, into becoming the male lead. With the discovery of Finnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing voice, the Glee club is complete.

Although Michele has a lot experience from Broadway and possesses a clear and experienced voice that perfectly fits her role, Monteith falls short of his sup-

Courtesy of Billboard

to give listeners an enlightening breath of fresh air.

The album is sure to offer tunes to sing along to. The first single off the album â&#x20AC;&#x153;Know Your Enemy,â&#x20AC;? is an anthem of nonconformists. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Viva la Gloria!â&#x20AC;? touches on new grounds for the band, but quickly falls back into a classic radio-friendly song, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;21 Gunsâ&#x20AC;? offers a soft, heartfelt change from the rest of the album.

21st Century Breakdown delivers catchy and edgy songs that put Green Day back into the spotlight. The album is passionate and best listened to as a whole, while individual songs will still leave an impression. The band has come back after five years with a step forward in the right direction.

The album is sure to be a bestseller of the year with awards and recognition on the way once again. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re into Green Day, looking for the rock opera experience or just looking for some songs to head bop too, then check it out.

posed talent. We are reminded over and over again that Finn is the amazing undiscoverered star whose voice stuns both Schuester and Rachel, yet Monteith has merely an adequate voice that is automatically overwhelmed by Micheleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s during the final song of the episode.

Despite Monteithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mediocre singing abilities, the choreographed performances during the episode are sure to please viewers accustomed to watching shows like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars.

It cleverly mixes the oldies with the newbies, including Amy Winehouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rehabâ&#x20AC;? and Journeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Stop Believingâ&#x20AC;?. The soundtrack itself will be a hit even if the series fails to impress. The charactersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interpretation of the classic songs was so catchy that I found myself humming the inspiring tunes for the rest of the day.

Gleeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strength lies in its ability to include a slightly cynical mockery of the way society works, while also keeping the original cliched cast of high school students. Murphy makes sure to alternate between the cutesy inspirational scenes so reminiscent of High School Musical and the sarcastic jabs aimed at the outcast statuses of the characters. The pilot offers viewers hope that the show will become a charming series that showcases an unoriginal idea in an original way. A new show with heart, attitude and amazing musical numbers, Foxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest series Glee promises to be a smash hit this coming fall.

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18

The Oracle

A woman, a plan, a tan

Joyce Liu Sock tan, farmer’s tan, shorts tan, goggle tan— you name it, and I’ve probably had it at some point in my life.

My most infamous of all these tans was probably spring of 2008. Location? Menlo-Atherton High School Lacrosse Tournament. It was during the middle of the season, and I must say my sock tan was at its worst. Jillian Du, one of my teammates, decided to whip out her camera and take photos while we were practicing because it was the “perfect time for action shots.”

Later that day, she uploaded her pictures to Facebook and showed me one of when I was shooting.

That shot was pretty intense, if I do say so myself, but at the time, I did not know how much my sock tan stood out. Soon, the embarrassment came.

Some of the more memorable comments about the photo include, “haha joycee it actually looks like you’re wearing socks,” and, “omg she’s not wearing socks...?” Yes, that was just how pale my feet were.

I quickly clicked away from the picture, and as I shrunk deeper and deeper into my chair, a group invitation popped up. It was just what I needed: the Sock Tan Clan. There, I found that many others had the same problem as me. I was not alone.

Rather than staring at my feet and being somewhat blinded, however, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I developed a method which I like to call, “How to Get Rid of a Tan in Ten Days.” Of course, this is not a one-size-fit-all solution, since everyone has a different tan problems. Before you read any further, let me warn you about a couple of things.

First and foremost, and most importantly, wear sunscreen. Tan often, but tan safely. Sunscreen saves you from those deadly UV rays that can cause skin cancer. Spending a minute putting on sunscreen is better than getting surgery to remove the cancerous skin when you’re 50. A common misconception is that if you wear sunscreen you won’t tan. Wearing sunscreen does make you tan at a slower rate, but it also keeps your skin from burning. Try not to “spot apply,” because that will only further contribute to weird tan splotches.

Second, give yourself some time. The best tans come naturally. Sure, you can pop yourself into a tanning bed and expose yourself to all the UV rays you’ll ever want, but keep in mind that this type of intense exposure is ultimately dangerous to your health. This short-term beauty tan will turn into long-term wrinkles, and these fines lines, my friend, cannot be reversed. Don’t expect your body to turn instantly bronze and beautiful after a full-day of lying out in the sun—you’ll most likely just end up burning. Instead, aim for repeated exposure over a resonable period of time. Try to get out in the sun for one to two hours each day (while wearing sunscreen, of course). Also, don’t just lay there. Be active. Go for a jog, walk or frolic in a meadow. Moving around exposes all parts of your body to the sun and helps you get an even tan.

Third, try to target tan. Sock tans plague athletes.

You can combat the sock tan by wearing flip flops or sandals whenever you are not at practice. Wear flip-flops with long pants so that your feet get the maximum exposure while your legs take a break from the sun. Hopefully, your feet will soon become the same shade as your legs. You can also apply this strategy for other parts of your body, but if that means you’ll be scantily clad, you might not want to use this strategy at school (see this issue’s story about the dress code).

All in all, whatever shade your skin is, embrace it and love it. If you are pale, in a sense it’s actually better because staying in the shade and avoiding the sun can save you from skin cancer and wrinkles.

If you are naturally bronze, that’s great—but don’t forget to put on some sunscreen.

—Liu, a junior, is a Managing Editor.

Entertainment

Unwind for The Oracle freaks for A pair of frozen yogurt connoisseurs get the scoop on this summer’s Fraîche Red Mango 644 Emerson Street

429 University Ave

“Fraîche has the healthiest, freshest, and most traditional froyo, however it has only two flavors and a small range of toppings.” ~Elaine Liu

“Everything about Red Mango works. The cheery atmosphere, comfortable seats and quick service offer the best froyo dining experience by a large margin. ” ~Eugenah Chou

“With a fresh variety of froyo flavors and delicious fruit toppings, Red Mango was definitely the best froyo place out of the four. ” ~Elaine Liu

“My order of chocolate shavings, strawberries and original tart yogurt, ended up being a bit on the bland side. Nevertheless, this quiet, dimly lit restaurant is a fun place to meet up with friends.” ~Eugenah Chou

Teachers catch some waves Have you ever had a strange surfing experience?

French Teacher Marcel Losier:

I was surfing in Santa Cruz at this surf spot named “Privates.” So at this place, you need a special card to get in, but instead I kind of forced the door open and snuck in with a friend. It was only the two of us surfing at that spot, and my friend was a bit further out in the water than me.

He kept moving his arms and gesturing, but I thought he was just goofing around, trying to be silly. He paddled out, caught a wave and then was gone.

I paddled up and went to the take

What do you love about surfing?

English teacher Julie Munger: I love surfing because it is so exciting, and I can be alone but stimulated on all sides by the movements in the water, the fresh salty smell, the spray, the changing light, the sky.

When did you start surfing?

Munger: I started surfing when I lived on Oahu in the early 1990s. An inspiring female surfer named Rell Sunn

off where I was waiting for a wave and all of a sudden something hit my board underwater and I fell off the board, freaking out. “Oh my god!” I really thought that was it. The one thing you read about shark attacks. It’s quiet time, in the morning and it comes all of a sudden with no warning. I thought it was a shark for sure.

Finally, its head popped up and it was a seal who wanted to play with me. The seal never it let go, he kept on following me and it seemed like he was trying to play tag. I guess he wanted to play with me because earlier the same thing had happened to my friend. The seal was following me, and I had to paddle back to the beach because he wouldn’t leave me

alone. Then, on the beach this dog started chasing me, bit me on the ankle and made two holes in my suit. So I figured it was bad karma to break into the surf spot. All this time my friend was floating there in the waves laughing. Needless to say I never went back to that surf spot. They say the locals are pretty aggressive.

lived there at the time, and her attitude and generous spirit really permeated that surf break.

Where do you like to catch waves?

Munger: There are a lot great places to surf on the California Central Coast.

Now I surf close to where I live in Santa Cruz, and I especially like Sunset State Beach because the breaks are near the shore and I can combine surfing with spending time with my husband and kids.

—Compiled by Joyce Liu

Kimberly Han

Entertainment

Monday, June 1, 2009

19

the Summertime fresh frozen yogurt favorite sweet treat by visiting four Palo Alto froyo shops.

L’Amour

276 University Ave “L’Amour is extremely family friendly, but it is tuned to children instead of older students. It offers self-serve froyo and a huge variety of flavors and toppings; however, it is extremely easy to go overboard and pay much more than expected. ” ~Elaine Liu “The yogurt is delicious. I enjoyed experimenting with all the flavors, but ended up having to pay much more than I was ready to. This quirky café is suitable for group outings, and great for froyo first timers.” ~Eugenah Chou

Nathan Toung

Culture 340 S. California Ave “The yogurt served here is more sour than tart, but redeemed by its delicious, organic toppings including fruits and chocolate. Culture is a bright, neat little place, but not particularly extraordinary.” ~Eugenah Chou

Photos by Henry Liu

“With its modern and environmentally friendly furnishings, it has the perfect setting for its fresh frozen yogurt.

Culture has a moderate range of toppings and offers three different flavors, including a seasonal flavor that changes every couple months.” ~Elaine Liu

Shoreline: Coldplay 7/13

Blazed and Confused Tour 7/24 No Doubt with Paramore 7/25 Crue Fest 2 7/30 The Fray w/ Jack’s Manneuquin 8/1 Phish 8/5 Depeche Mode 8/12 Vans Warped Tour 8/20

Greek Theater: Wilco 6/27 Death Cab For Cutie 7/11 Counting Crows 7/26 Earth Wind and Fire 7/31

Fox Theater: Of Montreal 7/24 Sonic Youth 8/2 Underworld 8/7

HP Pavilion: Jonas Brothers 8/3 Green Day 8/18

The Fillmore: Xavier Rudd 6/27 Duran Duran 7/7 Gomez 7/30-31

top ten

most memorable moments of this year

10. The Oracle staff members eat bugs for our last issue.

9. Students of all years and all teachers join together to tape Mr. O’Connell to a pole 8. A newsanchor mistakes the ODFL slogan as “One dollar for you is, like, a million dollars for a starving kid in Africa.”

7. The SAC starts stocking milk in the vending machines!

6. Moments when we were supposed to be studying, but weren’t.

5. Edwin Drood, the musical, entertains with a combination of acting and musical talent.

4. Juniors beat the seniors at the Night Rally.

3. A student dressed in feathers streaks across the theatre stage with SEC close behind.

2. Varsity boys’ basketball whoops the Paly team on home turf.

1. Mr. Holmes breakdances on the Night Rally floor.

—Compiled by May Wu

20

Sports

The Oracle

Annie Shuey Sports Editor

Recent trends show that the number of sport athletes getting injured as a result of overtraining has risen, but it’s not just a school phenomenon—it’s also a nationwide issue. “Overtraining is when kids play multiple sports in the same season or practice every day for multiple hours,” athletic trainer Lynn Castro said. “They basically don’t allow their body to recover from each.”

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), up to 50 percent of all pediatric sports medicine injuries are related to overtraining. A recent article in Sports Illustrated magazine revealed the epidemic of serious injuries in overtraining teens. “Their injuries tend to be caused by chronic overuse,” the article stated.

“They’ve trained—and overtrained—in their sports until their bodies just can’t take it anymore. By [pediatric sports medicine doctor Lyle] Micheli’s estimate, three quarters of the youth players seeking care at the clinic [in the Childrens’ Hospital Boston] have been damaged by doing too much too fast, often when they were too young. That’s up 20 [percent] in the 1990’s.”

Castro sees Gunn athletes overtraining frequently. “It’s pretty common,” she said.

Assistant football coach and history teacher Mark Weisman looks out for his athletes in case they overtrain, but he can’t always tell. “It’s hard for me to know,” he said. “There are some kids who should back off, but don’t. Most kids back off to my knowledge.”

Weisman sees the football program’s effective communication with Castro as helpful in preventing overuse injuries from occurring. Weisman said he personally never overtrained in his football career at University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). “I’ve always listened to my trainers,” he said. “Overtraining is silly. When you overtrain in practice, you will not be able to play in the games.”

The first sign of overuse and overtraining is pain. “It goes from having pain after the activity, to having pain during activity, to having pain all the time,” Castro said.

Castro lists stress fractures, tendonitis, muscle strains and shin splints as common injuries from overtraining.

Junior volleyball and lacrosse player Shelly Kousnetz has had her own experience with overtraining. “My freshman year

I was playing both volleyball and lacrosse, and both my coaches felt that conditioning was really important,” Kousnetz said. “I was running and lifting over my limit.”

Consequently, Kousnetz developed tendonitis in both her knees and a wrist. According to Kousnetz, the best thing to do when feeling overtrained is to take a break, but for her this isn’t realistic. “If I were to consider taking even as little as a week off, it could negatively affect my playing time,” she said.

Additionally, according to Kousnetz several colleges she is looking at for sports would lose interest. “Coaches look for the athletes who aren’t overtrained easily and can be pushed hard,” Kousnetz said. “If you aren’t playing in practices, you aren’t playing in games, so all I can really do is take Advil and ice my injuries after I work out. I don’t really have a choice to stop playing, which would be the only cure.”

Other athletes have similar observations. Junior football and baseball player Danny Luskin sees some of his teammates overtraining frequently. “They don’t really think it’s that bad,” Luskin said. “They want to play, so they don’t say anything. It’s hard to stop playing.” Luskin believes that the severity of the injury should determine how much time is taken off, if any. “Some

[injuries] you can ice and keep playing, but for some you need to stop,” he said. “I see some guys that shouldn’t be playing. They take Advil to try to cover up the pain.”

When Castro tells athletes they need to take a break, the athletes are not always cooperative. “The hardest part is telling athletes to rest,” Castro said. “Most athletes don’t want to rest.” In the Sports Illustrated article, orthopedic surgeon Scott Maughon finds heavy resistance to taking breaks from activity. “Do parents think I get a thrill out of shutting a kid down?” Maughon wrote.

“You can go to a chiropractor. Wish on a star. Try a magnet. Wear garlic. The fact of the matter is your child needs rest.”

The AAP recommends limiting athletic activity to no more than five days per week, with at least two activity-free months per year. “Significant rest and proper nutrition will help muscles recover,” Castro said.

“Icing will help reduce inflammation.”

Weisman agrees that there is a limit to how much activity a person’s body can tolerate.

“I could go run 1,000 [100 yard sprints] but at some point that isn’t going to help me.”

For the athletes that do take time to recover, injuries heal. “The ones who follow the recommendations usually see improvement,” Castro said.

Sports

1: Senior Jeffrey

Wang maintains his lead over teammates juniors Nick Lyola (left) and Anand Gupta (right) in the 110-meter high hurdles event.

Monday, June 1, 2009

1

21

Victor Kwok

2

3

2: Senior Sera

Boerger cradles the ball as she prepares to pass during practice. Meanwhile, junior Nicole Hemingway sprints down the field to back her up.

4

5

Ivan Yong

Maverick Mallari

3: Sophomore Samantha Macario comes out

of a back 2 1/2 somersault in the tuck position dive to land headfirst in the water.

4: Freshman Crystal Chern performs a back walkover on the balance beam as she practices her routine.

5: Sophomore Nick Talbott jump smashes to Ivan Yong

>> Golf

The boys’ varsity golf team concluded the season with a 4-8 record. According to junior Henry Fan, this season was disappointing and players are looking forward to next year.

However, senior Martin Trainer won Santa Clara Valley Athletic League (SCVAL) by one point and came in second at CCS. All of the players on the team except Trainer will be returning next year to secure an experienced lineup.

>> Girls’ Lacrosse

The varsity girls’ lacrosse team finished third in the Peninsula Athletic League season, with a record of 5-6 in the league and 7-11 overall. They finished fifth in the league.

The team advanced to the league playoffs, but lost a close game to Palo Alto High School, and was eliminated in the first round.

>> Gymnastics

After nine meets, the gymnastics team vaulted to success both as a team and as individuals. The varsity team secured second place in the CCS league, contrary to their 0-5 record. Freshmen Crystal Chern, Asuka Ishihara, Leslie Landers, junior Claire Reyes and senior Melissa Stanton moved on to the May 21 CCS championship meet, in which Claire Reyes placed third all around.

>> Baseball

The varsity baseball team finished their season with a 9-6 league record and a 13-16 overall record. After mid-season coaching and roster changes, the Titans ended with a 7-1 winning streak to place third in the El Camino division. They were one game short of placing second, which would have meant a bid to the Central Coast Section (CCS) postseason playoffs. Highlights of the season include senior Jon Jung’s no-hitter thrown at Santa Clara High School on April 8 and a 17-4 win over Lynbrook High School at home on May 14.

>> Diving

The diving season ended with a splash at the May 5 SCVAL meet, where both junior varsity and varsity teams competed. Junior Russell Welton finished first and will move on to CCS championships. Senior Marc Mallari finished second and sophomore Shai Bruhis finished fifth.

In varsity girls’ diving, junior Talia Mahony finished seventh and sophomore Anna von Clemm came in twelfth.

>> Boys’ Tennis

With pool construction near their courts and tough matches under their belts, the varsity boys’ finished off their season with an 8-16 record. Led by the singles’ team of

Henry Liu

kill the birdie into the opponent’s court, effectively ending the point during practice.

juniors Rajeev Herekar, Bharat Reddy and doubles’ teams of senior Kevin Hsu and junior Scott McKenzie, the squad beat out competition including Los Altos and Fremont High Schools. The Titans advanced to the quarterfinals of the CCS playoffs before falling to Bellarmine Prep, making them one of the top eight teams in the section. According to Herekar, many players were injured during the season but the squad still did considerably well overall.

>> Badminton

The badminton team cleared a path through this season’s opposition, finishing with a 7-5 record to place third in the De Anza league.

Nine players moved on to the May 21 SCVAL Championships, where six players placed. Sophomore Linda Zhang and junior Emmalyn Chen nabbed fifth place for girls’ doubles while seniors Shohei Habu and George Sun placed fifth in boys’ doubles.

Junior Cleon Yau snatched fifth in boys singles. Sophomores Phoebe Lin, Henry Liu and Stanley Hung smashed their way to victory, with Lin placing third in girls’ singles and Liu and Hung placing second in boys’ doubles.

Liu and Hung won second place, and Lin clinched third place in the CCS championships.

>> Softball

Varsity softball finished with a 5-7 league record, 12-10 overall. Placing fourth place in the SCVAL El Camino division, the team qualified for CCS, but did not attend due to complications.

>> Track & Field

The track and field girls’ and boys’ team finished second in the SCVAL De Anza division league. The boys’ team ended with a 4-2 record, while the girls’ team ended with a 5-1 record. Fourteen athletes from the girls’ team plus one relay team, nine members of the boys’ team and two relay teams qualified for CCS. Sophomore Alison Ang toppled the school record in pole-vaulting with a score of 10 feet clear 7 inches in the CCS Competition.

>> Swimming

Varsity girls’ swimming placed third in SCVALS, sixth at CCS, and had a 2-7 league record. Freshman Julia Ama won second place at CCS for the 50 and 100 freestyle race.

Varsity boys placed seventh in SCVALS and did not move on to CCS. They had an overall score of 0-12 this season.

—Compiled by Shaya Christensen, Kevin Gao, Tiffany Hu, Annie Shuey and Alice Yu

22

Sports

The Oracle

Play ball: teachers step up to bat Annie Shuey

Sports Editor

Gunn staff members went head to head in their heated annual softball game on May 28.

Teachers from various departments split up into two teams and took the field ready to bat and field grounders.

“The teams were originally supposed to be split up into math [and] science teachers versus everyone else,” math teacher Dave Deggeller said. “But only [a few] teachers from other departments showed up, so we just split up.”

The “Guest” team beat the “Titans” team 20-10.

Math teacher Chris Redfield started the contest off with a bang when he knocked in a two-run homer over the center field fence in the top of the first inning to put the Guest team up 2-0. Stephanie Ciralli, also a math teacher, scored on the play.

Theater teacher Jim Shelby singled in math teacher Chis Karas in the bottom of the first inning to get the Titans on the board 1-2, with Deggeller immediately

following up by hitting a pitch out of the park in the top of the second for the Guest team. With two outs, Physical Education teacher and JV softball coach Steve Ames knocked yet another ball out of the field. Physics teacher Laurie Pennington singled in Ciralli to make the score 4-1, Guests.

The Titans had a strong third inning, with science teacher Bakari Holmes, Karas and Shelby scoring. Ames hit his second home run in the bottom of the third inning, making the score 4-5 Guests.Science teacher Katie Morgan drove in Holmes in the top of the fourth inning, and Morgan reached home one play later on a double by Karas. Science teacher Maria Powell, the varsity softball coach, singled in Karas.

Deggeller sent his second ball of the day over the fence, followed by a grand slam by Ames, who drove in math teacher Peter Herreschoff, social studies teacher John Herbert and science teacher Lisa Wu to put the Guests up for good, 11-7, a lead they held until the end.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Guests scored seven runs, with Ames scoring two and Herbert, Wu, Deggeller and science teacher Angela Merchant scoring one apiece. Math teacher Josh Paley drove in Merchant in the top of the seventh, and Holmes drove in math teacher Rachel Congress, Paley and scored due to fielding errors. Ames knocked his fourth ball over the fence in the bottom of the seventh, scoring two.

As indicated by the high score, the game was marked by strong offense on both teams. Ames led all batters, hitting the ball out of the park at every at-bat. He scored four times and had eight runs batted in (RBI). Redfield went five for five, and Deggeller went six for six with three RBI. Highlights of the game included Wu’s eyes-closed catch in the outfield, Shelby’s diving catches at first base and Ames’ grand slam. Sophomore Holt Bowmer enjoyed watching his teacher battle it out on the field. “Teachers are so much cooler when they’re not teaching,” he said.

Courtesy of Charlie Chang

Top: Social studies teacher Ronen Habib tries to bring a runner home as Atheltic Director Chris Horpel plays catcher. Bottom: Math teacher Peter Herreshoff concentrates on perfecting his pitch to strike out the batter.

Skater aims for Worlds Strap on your skates and get ready to twirl and leap. Sophomore Noosheen Javadi started figure skating when she was 4-years-old and she now skates competitively. “[Ice skating] is such an amazing sport,” Javadi said. “It’s artistic and graceful and at the same time takes physical strength and lots of focus. It’s both a sport and an art, really, which is what I like about it.”

Javadi trains before school from 5 to 7 a.m. at Nazareth Ice Oasis in Redwood City. She supplements her on-ice practice with ballet classes and strength training. According to Menlo-Atherton High School junior Shannon Carmody, who skates with Javadi, her training has paid off. “[Javadi] has amazing flexibility and can do the craziest spins,” Carmody, said.

Javadi’s favorite part of skating is showcasing what she has accomplished. “I love competing because it gets my adrenaline pumping,” Javadi said. “The rush feels really good.” Javadi said. Javadi placed 1st in Central Pacific Regional Championships in both 2006 and 2007, and took 5th in

Theatre on Ice in 2006. Theatre on Ice is a form of competitive figure skating that is popular in Europe, where it is known as Ballet on Ice. It combines the grace of figure skating with the excitement of theater and dance.

Last year Javadi ranked 5th in the nation in both theatre and technical skate. To compete in Nationals, Javadi traveled across the country.

“My team went to Boston, Massachusetts together for a competition and we were up all night in our hotel room watching movies and eating junk food, yet the next day was our competition day and we still placed international ranks.”

Summer is Javadi’s main competition season, and this summer she hopes to qualify for the World Champioships. “If I do well in my competitions and at Nationals then hopefully I’ll go,” Javadi said.

According to Javadi, skating has taken a rough toll on her body. She broke her ankle and has suffered from Osgood Schattlers, which cause pain in her knees and shins.

The road has been long, bumpy and exhausting, but Javadi said that it all pays off in the end. “Ice skating is such a big part of me [and] I love it,” she said.

[Track]

[Swimming]

Frosh-Soph Boys 100 meters (tied) Josh Jackson (10) - 11.0 seconds

Girls 100 meter freestyle Julia Ama (9) - 50.66 seconds

Matthis Pluska-Renaud Reporter

Courtesy of Daniel K. Mannisto

Senior Anna Escher, fourth from the right, rows with her club team in an eight-man competition in the Bair Island Aquatic Center Regatta. This took place at the San Mateo Marina Lagoon.

Students row with local clubs Rupali Raju Reporter

Although rowing is not as popular here as it is on the East Coast, more and more students have started participating in crew according to NorCal womens’ varsity coach Jenifer Aguire. “Crew is an amazing sport,” Aguire said. “Unfortunately, not many people take the opportunity try it out.”

Crew is a club sport, so teams are made up of students from many schools in the Bay Area.

Junior Natan Reddy rows for the Palo Alto Rowing Club. “Most of the people there are from Homestead [High School],” Reddy said. “Gunn students also practice with Stanford Rowing Club and NorCal Crew, which is the big one in this area.”

According to senior Anna Escher, crew is an individual sport as well as a team sport.

Boats enter in many different events, singles, doubles, fours and eights. “ In the fall we usually row in eights which are sometimes co-ed in 5k races, and in the fall we row more in

fours and doubles in 2k races,” Escher said.

There are two popular types of rowing. In sweep rowing, each rower has one oar. They are called starboard and port, or left and right, depending on which side the oar is facing. Boats that use sweep rowing are typically eights and fours. Smaller boats use sculling, where each rower has two oars.

According to Aguire, people tend to have misconceptions about crew. “Most people think that crew is an upper body workout,” Aguire said. “That is not true. Crew requires a rower to use their entire body with heavy emphasis on the lower body and core.”

Escher considers crew to be a demanding sport. “Crew is the most time consuming sport I have ever done,” she said.

“I have to get up for morning practice and there are practices in the afternoons as well. It eats up all your time and you have to put in extra work to maintain the boats.

Regattas, or racing events, are also all day affairs. “You have to unrig the boat and then

load it onto a trailer, and when arrive you have to set it up.”

Reddy said. “Then you race till 1 or 2 in afternoon, and then you have to load the boats back on to the trailer and unload them and wash them.” Boats and oars need to be washed and maintained regularily to prevent damage from salt water.

Reddy and Escher’s dedication and passion for the sport is rewarded when the team becomes a team. “It feels amazing when the boat works together,” Escher said. “ It has made me less of a complainer and more mature. I have more respect for athletes who do sports as a profession because I know how hard it is to be committed to something.”

For those interested in trying out crew or doing something new this summer Norcal Crew, Palo Alto Rowing and Stanford Rowing Club all offer summer programs for high school students. “I would definitely recommend other students to try crew,” Reddy said. “The summer camps allow students to get a taste [of] crew without being committed to it.”

Girls 100 meters Hurdle Girls 50 meter freestyle Sunny Margerum (11) - 15.10 seconds Julia Ama (9) - 23.51 seconds

Girls 300 meter Low Hurdles Girls 400 meter Free Relay Sunny Margerum (11) - 45.05 seconds Teva Levens, Alex Lincoln, Casey Lincoln, Julia Ama - 3:31.43 Pole Vaulting Alison Ang (10) - 7.0 meters

Sports

Monday, June 1, 2009

Q&A with Bob Sykes

New Football Coach

The Oracle: How d o you plan on building the football program here?

Bob Syke s: I want to bring a lot of energy to Bob Sykes the team and Football focus the guys’ coach thoughts on winning. I want them to play together, believe in themselves and just try the best they can. We are going to teach the guys everything we can about the fundamentals of the game.

TO:What are some goals that you have for next season?

Bob S: My goal is to win the whole CCS[Central Coast Sections] , but that’s my goal every year. I want the kids to be able to feel good about themselves on the field and off the field. I also want them to be wellrounded people and show respect to each other and to their teachers and elders.

TO: What previous experience do you have regarding coaching football?

Bob S: I have coached football for eighteen years. The last place I coached was at Menlo-Atherton

(M-A). Besides M-A, I coached at the University of Nevada for a little while and also at Los Altos High School and Saratoga High School.

TO: Aside from your coaching experience, what other aptitudes will you bring to the team as the new football coach?

Bob S: I’m a very confident person and I want to increase the team’s overall confidence and just have fun.

I want them to realize that they have all kinds of potential to reach what they want to reach.

Baseball

Most Valuable Player (MVP) – Jonathan Rea (11) Most Improved Player (MIP)– Matt Jost (12) Coach’s Award (CA)– Seth Lassen (12)

Badminton MVP – Henry Liu (10), Shohei Habu (12), Phoebe Lin (10) & Linda Zhang (10) MIP – Nick Talbott(10) & May Wu (10)

Golf

MVP – Julia Ama (9), Richard Yuan (11) MIP – Julia Tang (10), Alex Doundakov (11) CA – Casey Lincoln (9)

Diving MVP – Talia Mahony (11) MIP – Russell Welton (11) CA – Max Lipscomb (10)

Boys’ Tennis

MVP – Martin Trainer (12) CA – Lexy Atmore (11)

MVP – Rajeev Herekar (11) MIP – Paul Wang (11) CA – Ishan Bhadkamkar (12)

TO: After seeing the spring practices, what aspects of the team look good?

Bob S: We have some pretty good receivers, running backs and quarterbacks. Our defense is pretty decent as well. We just need more guys to try out for the team.

Gymnastics

MVP – Claire Reyes (11) MIP – Asuka Ishihara (9) & Leslie Landers (9)

Lacrosse

—Compiled by Stephanie Kennel

MVP - Charles Chisom (12), Sunny Margerum (11), Allegra Mayer (12) MIP - Ryo Asai (11) CA - Tara Saxena (12)

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Swimming

TO: What does the coaching staff look like so far?

Bob S: Right now we’ve got four guys on varsity and three guys on the frosh-sophomore team. We’ll probably end up with five and four staff members on each team.

Track & Field

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MVP – Tiffany Giang (12) MIP – Jennie Robinson (9) CA – Kelsey Cranmer-Brown (12)

Softball

MVP – Nicole Grimwood (10) MIP – Claire Collins (9) CA – Rachael Fleischmann (12) —Compiled by Shaya Christensen

24

Sports

The Oracle

Best Clutch

Future Star

Why? After winning SCVAL (Santa Clara Valley Athletic League) and Norcal Individual Golf Tournament, senior Martin Trainer is already a star.

Why? In the last five seconds of the game, girls’ lacrosse pulls out of a last minute tie, proceeding to defeat Leland 15-12.

Rating

Fan Energy: 5 Team Strength: 4 Sportsmanship: 4 Intensity: 5

Rating

Fan Energy: 3 Indivdual Strength: 5 Sportsmanship: 5 Intensity: 4

The fans were going crazy to provide a nailbiting environment.

T he precise match showed Trainer’s skill with his clubs.

Sweetest Revenge

Why? After losing to Paly in a Dual Meet, the wrestling team comes back to defeat Paly in Central Coast Section (CCS) and Leagues.

Rating

Fan Energy: 3 Team Strength: 5 Sportsmanship: 4 Intensity: 5

The humble wrestling team came out stronger and more prepared than Paly.

Why? Badminton varsity one sophomore Phoebe Lin came back after a 10-point deficit against Monta Vista and the four year CCS winner to win 15-11.

Rating

Fan Energy: 4.

Individual Strength: 5 Sportsmanship: 4 Intensity: 4 When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Why? After junior Jasper Dean forced a fumble from a Homestead player, senior Scott Keenan carried the ball to the endzone.

Rating

Fan Energy: 4 Team Strength: 4 Sportsmanship: 5 Intensity: 4

Biggest Comeback

Biggest Play

There were not that many people in the crowd; however, the Ttians proved their determination and dexterity.

Most Complete Domination Why? The softball team’s score of 23-1 against Gunderson deserves and receive this award for most complete domination.

Rating

Fan Energy: 4 Team Strength: 4 Sportsmanship: 5 Intensity: 3

This game exemplifies the intensity of the softball team to dominate.

Biggest Paly Defeat

Why? Girls’ basketball takes the award with their two wins against Palo Alto High School (Paly) at 55-21 and 55-22.

Rating

Fan Energy: 5 Team Strength: 5 Sportsmanship: 3 Intensity: 4 While the teams were strong and respectful, the courtside got a bit rowdy.

Usain Bolt Award

Why? Senior Charles Chisom receives this award for blazing down the track like Usain Bolt, dominating with a 11.02 100 meter in the SCVAL qualifier.

Rating

Fan Energy: 3 Individual Strength: 5 Sportsmanship: 5 Intensity: 4 Chisom runs by so fast that people don’t have time to cheer.

Most Endurance

Why? Junior Paul Summers ran an average of 12.2 mph for 2.18 miles. The new Bol Park route was completed in 10 minutes 45 seconds.

Rating

Fan Energy: 2 Individual Strength: 5 Sportsmanship: 4 Intensity: 4 Despite the low fan attendence, Summers deserves recognition for his perseverance.

Graphic by Kimberly Han

—Compiled by Joseph Lin