March 2016

The Oracle explores the dynamic between twins and triplets.

Athletes perform in unique sports.

PG. 8 FEATURES

PG. 15 SPORTS

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

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Gunn hookup culture affected by dating apps Anyi Cheng and Jenna Marvet

Oracle-TBN Liaison and Lifestyle Editor

Photos by Alexandra Ting, Graphic by Elizabeth Zu

Technology has come a long way with responses such as, “I don’t feel ashamed of myself for having since the rise in popularity of dating sex or being sexually active,” and, “I feel more comfortable being websites twenty years ago. Today, intimate,” accounting for nearly 20 percent of students surveyed. mobile dating apps have entered Although she prefers dating to casual hookups, senior Lindsay and changed the hookup landscape. Maggioncalda thinks that hooking up and dating apps can have Across the nation and at Gunn, these beneficial results on students who use them. “I think they can be apps have taken the ageless practice of confidence-builders for a lot of people, because it allows them to casual hookups to a new level, leaving lasting explore their sexuality and experiment without making a comimpacts on their users. 15.64 percent of students mitment,” she said. who responded to The Oracle’s survey agreed that dating apps have inSocial stigma and gender roles creased the amount of hooking 60 to 80 percent of North American According to a Pew Research survey up at Gunn. published in February 2016 that comcollege students report having a casuOver half of the pared online dating three years ago to al sexual experience in their lifetime.

358 student rethat in 2016, the use of dating apps by spondents to The Oracle’s survey young people has tripled since 2013. about Gunn hookup culture reA number of Pew Research survey takers nonetheless expressed ported having hooked up at least negative opinions about dating apps, with 23 percent claiming that once in the past year. The trend is dating app users are desperate.“I think people don’t like to admit national: in a 2012 study by the Review that they are having trouble in their romantic life,” Eli Finkel, a of General Psychology investigating sexual social psychology professor at Northwestern University, said in a hookup culture, 60 percent to 80 percent of North 2012 “The Washington Post” article regarding the negative stigma American college students reported having a casual sexual around dating app users. “That concern is misplaced. It is totally experience in their life. One of the most popular dating apps is normal to figure out who is compatible for you.”

Tinder, where users can swipe left and right on a rotating carousel Senior TJ Sears believes that the pressure to hook up often stems of profiles to indicate interest. With the recent surge of young from the influence of friends. “If all your friends are hooking up people using these apps, many have felt their effects. with a lot of people, you’re going to feel pressured to do that,” he said. “If you’ve never hooked up with a girl before, other guys The digital age might be like, ‘Wow, you’re lame.’”

The introduction of screens into flirting has altered the For some male students, hooking up may also be a way to fit process of building a relationship—sometimes for the better. in and establish social dominance. Junior Petr Moore equates the Alumna Edut Birger had been a Tinder user before meeting her situation to a game. “It’s less about the emotional feelings that go current boyfriend on the app. “The amazing thing about dating into sex and more about the tally,” he said. “It’s like a high-score apps [is] that they are so low stakes,” Birger said. “You can meet game. Some guys have an insane high score, and I think it makes up with someone you have never met and then never have to talk them seem more alpha.” to them again.”

Even when it comes to hooking up, traces of gender roles deBefore apps, casual hookups with strangers were reserved for fined by traditional and historic values linger. According to Sears, adults at bars and clubs. Now, the possibility of a quick meet-up guys are often expected to initiate a relationship. “Some people with a near-stranger extends to an even younger audience. While might say that it’s supposed to be the guys who want it more,” most of Tinder’s users are adults, 7 percent of users are minors he said. “Girls are not supposed to seek it out as much. It’s how between the ages of 13 to 17. At Gunn, 14.3 percent of students use society is right now.” Sears also noted that guys did not experidating apps, according to The Oracle’s survey results. ence the same attitude girls do. “Slut-shaming for guys is virtually The positive effects of dating apps are different for everyone, DATING APPS—p.3

Judge reverses decision to release students’ private records Kush Dubey and Ryeri Lim Forum Editors

On March 4, Sacramento Federal District Judge Kimberly Mueller reversed her decision to release 10 million student records to the attorneys of a Special Education advocacy group, Morgan Hill Concerned Parents Association (CCPA), which had contended that access to statewide data was necessary to determine if the state was providing adequate Special Education services for children in need.

According to Palo Alto Parent Teachers Association (PTA) President Susan Usman, the attorneys will still be provided with the data of California public school students, including six years of Standardized Testing and Reporting test data and the records of special-education students. A California Department of Education (CDE) press release stated that no student can be personally identified through information available to attorneys until the court has deter-

mined that a secure method is used to store the data.

The lawsuit, filed by the CCPA following a case in Morgan Hill Unified School District in April 2012, alleges that the CDE fails to monitor, investigate and correct failures in following Special Education laws.

The judge’s March ruling overturned her initial ruling in February, which had ordered the release of data of all California public school students—including full names, addresses, test scores, disciplinary records and health and mental records. Despite Mueller’s recent decision, concerns over student privacy continue to be raised. “I don’t think anything is certain other than the database won’t be handed over to anyone,” Usman. “I think there will be more curves in the case before any data is turned over to the plaintiffs.”

CCPA acknowledged the privacy issues of the case and repeatedly requested not to have access to personally identifiable data. “No more than 10 attorneys will have access to aggregate data,” a Los Angeles representative for the CCPA

said. “We actually encourage parents and students to become informed, and make an appropriate choice for your child.”

Usman reflects some of the views of the CCPA, and believes that limited access to student data is merited if implemented properly. “[Special Education groups in Palo Alto] are concerned that if people do object to releasing data that the judge might not be able to collect the data needed to see if there has been any wrongdoing in the CDE’s implementation of Special Education protocol,” she said. “If [attorneys] have all of our state data then I think it’s a little overkill. I don’t see how they could look through all the data.”

The CCPA, however, stated that action is overdue, claiming the Federal Office of Education, Office of Special Education Programs division has been aware of “noncompliance to the existing law” for over a decade. The organization additionally contended that public apprehension is misguided.

“The CDE purposely created anxiety, confusion and fear to RECORDS—p.3

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News

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS: YCS Service day and Clash of the Titans “I’ll definitely do [YCS Service Day] again because it was really fun, I got to spend time with people, meet new people and also give back to the community at the same time.”

—David Enders, 9

“It’s a great way to get out of the classroom and give back to the environment or anywhere else you want to volunteer.”

—Angelica Kolar, 10

“I think the purpose of this event is to boost positivity in this school between the students and the teachers, and it’s done that pretty well.”

—Colin Huang, 10

“When you get there, it’s fun how they tell you how they work all day and then you can help them, and it feels good. You can help the environment and build relationships.”

—Valeria Benavides, 11

“It was all good fun, but I guess the people who take it a little too seriously would be mad, but honestly I’m pretty happy that we all got to do this together.”

—Nikhil Ghosh, 12

Graphics by Elizabeth Zu Photos by Richard Yu

—Compiled by Sherry Chen

The Oracle examines effects of income inequality on students Deiana Hristov and Shagun Khare

Copy Editor and Sports Editor

The affluence of Palo Alto and the Silicon Valley is renowned all over the country. This prestige, however, significantly raises the price of living in Palo Alto and attending Palo Alto School District (PAUSD) schools, and makes it even more difficult for students from low-income families to be able to thrive, socially and academically.

In this community, the average cost for a house is 2 million dollars, meaning that many low-income students live in Palo Alto and have to drive more than an hour to attend school in PAUSD every day. Enrichment activities like tutoring and extracurriculars are something most Gunn students take for granted. Most don’t think twice about gathering money for school-sponsored events, such as choir trips, prom and senior activities. For low-income students, however, expenses like there can be daunting. In addition, lowincome students may stress even more come senior year because of the added pressure of affording a college education.

The Oracle is trying to shed light on the issues that low-income students face, working to erase some of the stigmas and assumptions that may surround them. PAUSD already offers many programs specified to help low-income students have the same high school experience and participate in the same school activities as other students; these programs, however, are not widely known and can be hard to access.

If you would like to be interviewed about your experience as a low-income student, or have any information pertinent to this issue, contact Shagun Khare at shagunkhare.st@gmail.com or Deiana Hristov at deiana.hristov@gmail.com.

SEC creates student wellness position

sionally from the school board representative. I don’t think they know all the activities the different groups Reporter are implementing and how the SEC can support those The Student Wellness Commissioner, an appointed things,” she said.

Student Executive Council (SEC) position, was recently The comissioner will serve to help students’ voices be proposed by Student Wellness Committee founders heard. Hall says she would like to see more student voice junior Chloe Sørenson and senior Cole McFaul. The in the decision-making process. “Right now there are position, created to improve communication between a lot of adults talking about what they think would be SEC members and the different wellness initiatives on good programs and some of those are, but I don’t know campus, will provide a leader for student wellness events. how much the students are contributing to that discusSørenson first noticed the absence of a Gunn SEC sion,” she said. Hall says she hopes the Student Wellness representative with whom students could talk about Commissioner will help bridge the gap between students ideas for wellness events. “A lot of times people will come and adults and allow students to express their needs to me with these wellness ideas and there’s all these other regarding their own wellness. things going on, and it can be kind of hard to figure out Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator Joanne who they should talk to or where you should send them,” Michels agrees that the position will augment student Sørenson said. “So I’m hoping that this voice, and believes having a student wellness position will act as a point person commissioner will encourage other students for all these different people.” to get involved in the conversation about The Student Wellness wellness. “Having a student be able to be DUTIES OF sTUDENT Commissioner will lead the a leader in wellness is going to be a really WELLNESS Student Wellness Committee nice way to engage other student group and serve as a liaison between leaders and student groups,” she said.

COMMISIONER administration and student Student Wellness Committee wellness groups like Reach member sophomore Out, Care, Know (ROCK) Club Vidhu Navjeevan and the Alumni Dialogue says it will be Initiative. They will i mpor ta nt WoRks with also bring issues to for the stuthe SEC and keep dent wellMental Health the council inConnectS ness comand Wellness formed on wellstudents m i s sioner Coordinator ness events and to listen to with updates. the opinions wellness Ac c ord i n g of t he whole resources to Student Acstudent body. “I tivities Director think they’re also Lisa Hall, the growl o o k i n g for ing interest in develpeople who oping wellness proare willing Oversee Student grams prompted to try new Wellness the need for such things and Committee a position. “The are open to and work to students and I ideas, beplan wellness bot h rea lized cause a huge that we didn’t part of being know what all of on SEC and bethe groups were Cheryl Kao ing on a wellness working on, and that committee is that you rethe groups did not know ally need to hear the opinions of what the other groups were working everyone,” she said. [on], which created duplications,” she said. “We wanted McFaul emphasizes the need to move forward the to make sure all the groups were communicating with conversation about mental health, and believes having each other.” a student wellness commissioner will help erase the Hall hopes that the addition of a Student Wellness stigma surrounding it. “The main thing [they will] do Commissioner will help SEC gain awareness of well- is just bring that topic of mental health into the conness programs on campus. “Right now the students versation more, which I think is super important,” he have some knowledge, but it is mainly through reports said. “It’s not something you want to ignore and let sit the SEC has received from administration, or occa- on the back burner.”

Carolyn Kumelis

Updates SEC on wellness initiatives and events

News THEORACLE 780 Arastradero Rd. Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 354-8238 www.gunnoracle.com

Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Shawna Chen Managing Editors Arjun Sahdev Kathleen Xue News Elinor Aspegren Matthew Hamilton Ariel Pan Forum Kush Dubey Ryeri Lim Katie Russell Features Lisa Hao Prachi Kale Yuki Klotz-Burwell Centerfold Stina Chang Michael Chen Sports Shagun Khare Hayley Krolik Lena Ye Lifestyle Jenna Marvet Naina Murthy Barrett Zhang Photo Editor Alexandra Ting Graphics Editor Elizabeth Zu

Staff Business/Circulation Tim Sun Assistant Business/Circulation Helen Nguyen Copy Emma Chiao Deiana Hristov Janet Wang Oracle/TBN Liaison Anyi Cheng

Monday, March 14, 2016

10 million student records decision reversed RECORDS

misdirect what this case is really about,” the CCPA representative said.

The PTA is currently working on other avenues to delay, reduce or possibly reverse the release of student data to augment the efforts of other statewide groups, according to Usman. “There are many people and organizations working to make sure private student information isn’t made public,” she said.

According to Principal Dr. De-

nise Herrmann, the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) must comply with the judge’s order. “It’s a legal matter so we know that it’s

dling privacy concerns. “We’re doing everything we can to follow policy guidelines for privacy and records.”

Parents can file objections to havi ng students’ data “The CDE purposely created anxiety, confusion and fear released to to misdirect what this case is really about.” attorneys — CCPA representative by mailing in a form in our best interest to be a positive to the Sacramento courthouse by messenger for something we really April 1.

However, it is still up to the can’t change,” she said.

Herrmann assures students and judge to decide whether to accept the parents that PAUSD is carefully han- objections or not, Usman said.

increased by six-fold in the last five years.

DATING APPS Birger, too, understands the potential danger non-existent.”

In the “slut shaming” phenomenon, girls are that using these apps poses. “Dating apps make often labeled “hoes” or called “easy” if their peers it much easier to be deceived and meet creeps,” think that they hook up too often. “I think that she said. “The first message I got from one guy when girls hook up, it gets spread more easily,” on Tinder was: ‘It’s 2015, is anal on the table?’” junior Jane Davis, whose name has been changed To ensure protection, Birger always made sure to protect her identity, said. “First to their friends, she and her match met in a public place where she felt she was safe. Davis also and then people find out over somet with a Tinder match cial media.” She thought that and only felt safe enough to reactions to girls hooking up meet him after becoming are often more negative, while Statistics from The Oracle survey acquainted through texting males get positive ones. and Snapchatting. “I was Senior Lina Osofsky disstill afraid that he might agreed that boys and girls be a dangerous guy, even received different reactions, of survey respondents though I felt like I knew he but did find gossip to be a uniuse a dating app. was a real person,” she said. versal problem. “I don’t think While the risks seem to there is a stigma surrounding dominate the dating app hooking up for each gender conversation, apps like Tinat Gunn specifically, but defider are often not taken as nitely if rumors start to spread, define making out as seriously by many users. that can affect how a person is the start of a hookup.

In fact, in a research study perceived,” Osofsky said. published in April 2015 looking into dating app deIssues with safety mographics by GlobalweWhile dating apps can be bindex, only 42 percent of have hooked up with a attractive to many students, Tinder users were actually stranger. they also pose threats. A Nasingle. “I only know one tional Crime Survey published person who uses a dating in February 2016 showed that app and they just use it for the number of people who fun,” Osofsky said. “They reported being raped by somedon’t actually meet up one they met on a dating app Cheryl Kao

INBOX

The Oracle strongly encourages and prints signed Letters to the Editor and Comments. Comments are generally shorter responses, while Letters are longer pieces of writing.

Please include your name, grade and contact information should you choose to write one.

Photographers Josh Spain Mei-Yun Tang Graphics Artists Cheryl Kao Joanne Lee Jackie Lou

Tech Editors Sabrina Chen Grace Ding Adviser Kristy Blackburn

Although PAUSD does not currently need to take action in the Morgan Hill and CDE case, Herrmann believes that the suit could have future statewide implications.

“Depending on the findings from this particular lawsuit there could be some changes on our education model,” she said. “They could require us to make changes on how we’re recording data.”

The form to object to the disclosure of student records can be found on the CDE website.

Dating apps influence hookup culture at Gunn

Oracle/SEC Liaison Shannon Yang

Reporters Cassie Bond, Sherry Chen, Elizabeth Chung, Alex Dersh, Paulo Frank, Akansha Gupta, Clara Kieschnick-Llamas, Carolyn Kuimelis, Amanda Lee, Tone Lee, Evalyn Li, Jack Mallery, Matthew Oh, Samuel Tse, Kaya van der Horst, Mikaela Wayne

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February 19, 2016 I like the new issue of The Oracle.

It had interesting articles and I read through the whole issue; I didn’t skim through it like I sometimes do.

—Anita Mukherjee, 10 [I would like to see] more pop culture articles.

—Andre Bouyssounouse, 11

with anyone from the app.”

Future implications

Dating apps have also had a dramatic effect on long-term relationships for young people. According to a compilation of data from Child Trends, the number of students in eighth through twelfth grades who date frequently declined by more than 16 percent from 1975 to 2013. Mirroring this decline, 17.65 percent of Gunn students stated that hookup culture and dating apps have made it harder to find someone who wants to date, as opposed to casually hooking up. To many students, therein lies the appeal of hooking up; with no need to commit, quick flings or hookup buddies are an attractive alternative to the teenager with a fast-paced and busy lifestyle. “[With dating apps,] I don’t have to try to keep a relationship,” said one survey taker.

Nowadays, students are accepting hookups, as opposed to deeper relationships, as an innate part of teenage culture. “Casual sex and hookups are pretty common and normal now,” Moore said.

Despite the reputation of apps like Tinder for promoting the casual sex culture and their everevolving role in forming relationships between people, how one approaches these developments defines the experience. “I think it depends on how you use it,” Birger said. “For me, I’ve had Tinder dates where I never hooked up and dates where the first date was completely platonic.”

See Forum pages 4-5 for opinions on the influence of dating apps.

Letters and Comments may be edited to meet space requirements and the writer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Letters to the Editor and Comments and ideas for coverage may be sent to oraclegunn@gmail.com or posted on our Facebook page.

These letters need not be from current students.

I would love to see the development of the forum page. It will be great if there are more diverse voices and stances regarding the issue, rather than just pros and cons.

—Gina Kang, 12

I like how students are interviewed, but also how we are updated on school-district decisions (painting school) and teachers (housing crisis).

—Jacqueline Woo, 12

I would like to see more fun article.

There are a lot of serious pieces in the paper lately, and I would love to see some comedy.

—Christopher Ting, 10

It [usually] seems laidback but recently it’s more about political issues and I feel it’s cool to have your opinions about things that are going on but at the same time it’s awesome to focus on school stuff too.

—Rabecca Chepkoech, 12

It’s really cool to see the names of students I personally know and read about their opinions.

—Maya Shoval, 10 I find [The Oracle] really relevant and I always learn something.

—Pam Steward, staff I think you guys put a lot of work into it.

I think there were a good number of graphics in there.

—Draco Tong, 10

The Oracle is a 2014 NSPA Pacemaker Award finalist.

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News Gunn United Computations to host annual high school hackathon Elizabeth Chung Reporter

The annual Gunn Hackathon, or Gunn Hacks, will be held March 25 and 26 by the Gunn’s United Computations Club. Gunn Hacks is a programming event where high school students from the Bay Area come together to create an application, a program or anything that includes programming. Representatives from different Bay Area companies will be judging the creations and awarding prizes including a tablet, a drone and a smart phone.

Last year’s hackathon was the first hackathon hosted by the Gunn United Computations Club. According to junior Kartik Chandra, last year’s success allowed for the event to expand and continue into this year.

“A couple friends and I in the computer science club along with [Josh] Paley, the computer science teacher, put toget her t he Gunn Hacks last year and it worked out really well, which is why we are doing it again this year,” Chandra said.

The hackathon is open to all high school students in the Bay Area, and the club hopes to see about 200 people join the event. “This year, we’re going to focus on inviting a much more diverse group,” Chandra said. “We’re going to have better food and prizes. We’re trying to fit in some lectures from interesting people from the Bay Area.”

According to Chandra, the hackathon is an excellent way to meet new people and learn how to program. No previous computer science is required and the event will be a good way to get involved in computer science.

“A lot of people get introduced to programming at hackathons,” he said. “Even if you come in with no

computer science knowledge at all, you will meet a lot of helpful people who will teach the basics. Hackathons are actually a great way to meet new people who are interested in the same thing as you.”

Last year’s hackathon participants were primarily boys, and Paley hopes to include more girls this year. “It will be nice if we had a nice diversity in gender ratio,” Paley said. “People develop identities about what they are supposed to do based on sex at a very young age.

At least to this point, it’s really a belief about what is

had on any recent changes in enrollment,” Paley said.

“I’m not sure how to measure that. But there have been studies on the importance of relatable role models in academic disciplines and I am convinced it matters in a significant way. We absolutely encourage girls to participate.”

Sophomore Jamie Huang also believes that programming is becoming more diverse in gender. “I think it’s not too surprising since girls are becoming increasingly interested in STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] subjects, but it kind of is because [programming] is still quite unpopular among girls.” Huang said.

Sophomore Uma Bahl is interested in hackathons and although she ac k now le d ge s t hat hac kathons may seem intimidating to girls, she still enourages girls to participate. “I know it can be really intimidating when it’s a man-dominated field,” Bahl said.

“Girls should do whatever they want to do and if they are interested in programming, they should do programming.”

In order to raise the inclusivity of girls in programming, sophomore Julie Lee believes that it will be great to see a girls-only hackathon held at Gunn. “A huge Courtesy of Gunn Hacks majorit y of t he people ta k ing accessible and what people are supposed to do based Advanced Placement Computer Science are guys and on perceived roles.

I imagine it would be the same for hackathons,” Lee The proportion of girls enrolled in the Introductory said. “A Gunn girls’ hackathon might encourage more Computer Science class rose from 25 percent last year girls to participate.” to 36 percent this year, a change Paley attributes to the Chandra is advertising Gunn Hacks throughout addition of computer science teacher Jessica Hexsel; Computer Science clubs in the Bay Area in order to she helps provide a role model for female students, increase the number of participants and high schools Paley says. represented. “This event is open to [any high school “What we don’t know is how much impact that has students] from the Bay Area,” he said.

Forum

Monday, March 14, 2016

5

TUTORING: USEFUL OR OVERUSED? Outside aid provides unfair advantage Tutoring benefits Sabrina Chen What is the secret to those seemingly perfect grades in the most challenging classes?

What is the key to the high standardized test scores? For many students, the secret lies in one of the most common behind-the-scenes activities: tutoring. Tutoring is acceptable for students who genuinely love the subject but are struggling or students who are behind in required classes, but it should not be used as a way for students to take a higher lane just to “look good” on college applications.

Often times, tutoring is unfairly available only to those with the economic resources to afford it. Tutoring is acceptable in many cases, but it crosses the line from helpful to unfair and harmful when it takes over students’ lives.

Tutoring isn’t just one-size-fitsall; there are many different types.

There is free tutoring such as that in the Academic Center, which is sensible because everyone has access to this resource.

The next level is paid tutoring such as AJ Tutoring. Though this type is effective in its education, it gives an unfair advantage to students with higher socioeconomic statuses because not everyone can afford it. Even higher up are the “packages”: if a student pays a fee in the thousands, institutions such as ThinkTank offer an “all-in-one” package that includes college counseling, academic planning and unlimited tutoring. Tutoring programs that overcompensate are harmful to students because they feel like they no longer have a choice in their high school life: they are merely the perfect applicant on paper. These students feel pressured in their decisions on what classes they take, what summer camps to take or how much time they spend on academics.

One of the most common types of tutoring is standardized test tutoring. Tests like the SAT and ACT are designed to test natural intelligence, but tutoring has made it possible for people to prepare so they can score high on these tests. The average SAT score at Gunn is 2100 compared to the U.S. average of 1700. This discrepancy may be attributed at least in part to tutoring. In order

for these tests to be fair, tutoring as a whole would have to be wiped out. However, this is nearly impossible. With preparation classes at staggeringly high costs, a stark difference exists in test scores between students of different socioeconomic statuses.

In some cases, tutoring is necessary for a student to simply pass a class in order to graduate high school. This extra help can benefit the student and make it easier for him or her to graduate. There are also students who love the challenging course but are struggling. For example, a student might stay in the highest lane with the help of tutoring rather than dropping down a lane. The enrichment of the more challenging class may make tutoring valuable, but this privilege is reserved only for students with enough resources.

Some people might argue that tutoring makes life easier for many students. While this is true, there are boundaries. Not everyone has access to tutoring, and reliance on

tutoring is harmful to the student, especially when the student matures. As the student leaves high school and starts to make his or her own decisions, he or she will have no experience learning without structure and guidance.

In order to mitigate the culture of tutoring, students should stop comparing themselves to others. What type of circumstances others are in is unknown, so the constant comparison of grades between students is unfair and harmful. Changing attitudes about tutoring will help as well. People aren’t weak because of tutoring, but students who do not have the resources for paid tutoring shouldn’t feel “dumb.” There is always a race to get ahead of everyone else, but when everyone is “ahead,” the students who do not receive tutoring are “behind,” expanding the gap between those who have access to tutoring and those who do not.

— Chen, a junior, is a Tech Editor.

In 2009, 60% of elementary school children in Palo Alto used some form of outside help for math.

Around 40 students, or 2% of Gunn’s population, are tutored through the Academic Center’s free program.

Photo by Alexandra Ting Graphic by Elizabeth Zu

Yuki Klotz-Burwell I have always struggled with math. In second grade, I remember feeling defeated after working on subtraction timetables when the rest of my class had moved far ahead to division. I have felt behind all throughout high school, so in my sophomore year I decided that getting a math tutor would help me understand the concepts better and do well in my classes.

Originally, I was skeptical. I have heard many of my peers speculate that tutoring is a way to get an unfair advantage in hopes of pursuing a higher grade in the class. My experience with tutoring, however, has been nothing like that—it has helped me catch up to where the rest of my classmates are, not get ahead. Although I can see where my classmates’ opinions are coming from, I had never thought about tutoring that way, and still don’t. I was aware that there was a stigma against it and that I may get judged for being tutored. Asking for help is not something to be ashamed of, but I was apprehensive to admit to others that I was falling behind. After months of private tutoring, I came to realize that this method was working for me and I was proud of the progress I made. I thrive in the one-on-one environment in which I am able to focus on what I am struggling with, rather than what the whole class is learning. Overall, I have seen more benefits than negatives in my own experience with the academic guidance I have received.

Tutoring can be seen as a “fast-track” path to boosting one’s chances of getting into elite colleges, but it can also be a way for students to get the help they need to succeed and discover academic passions. I have difficulty preparing for tests and fully grasping the material I have learned. Through tutoring, I have been able to improve my test-taking skills, eliminate careless mistakes and learn how to manage my studying so that the concepts stick with me. Each student’s situation is different, and one-on-one tutoring helps students come up with individualized strategies that cater to their own needs.

Although tutoring has provided me with numerous benefits (including the seemingly endless supply of AJ pencils and T-shirts), the most valuable one has been an increase in my confidence. I no longer feel that I am inferior to my classmates or that something is wrong with me; I feel as though my math classes are more manageable and I can perform better on assessments. When attempting problems, I have a mental toolbox of methods I can use. I approach questions differently and more calmly, telling myself that I am able to find the answer rather than freaking out.

However, academic tutoring is not a “onesize-fits-all” solution. Although it works for me, it may make some students more confused or affect them negatively. Everyone has different goals and achievements, and tutoring has helped me find assurance in my math skills. I know that at the end of the day, I can attribute this success to the guidance I have received in one-on-one tutoring.

—Klotz-Burwell, a senior, is a Features Editor.

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Forum

New fish in the sea: teens consider

Janet Wang

Mikaela Wayne

PRO

CON

Dating apps are beneficial to teenagers.

In the last few years, the usage of sharing photos technology and digital media has sky- and videos. Not rocketed—especially among teenagers. only can teens The current adolescent generation has interact through been immersed in a technology-driven v i r t u a l me s s a gculture where social networking apps ing, apps similar such as Instagram and Snapchat are to Line allows for a more prevalent forms of communication. personal interaction through Though those apps enable users to con- face-to-face video chats. Because of nect with friends and peers, teens have instant messaging services in dating found a new interest in dating apps such apps, the process of scheduling dates is as Tinder and MyLOL in order to find easier and requires less effort and comsignificant others. These apps have given mitment. In the busy balance between teens an outlet for positive and beneficial school, extracurriculars and social life, dating experiences because they allow teens are able to engage in conversations people to connect from different schools that are limitless. and areas, are more convenient and Dating apps eliminate one of the bigprovide users with compatible matches. gest concerns people have when meeting Teens are generally surrounded by someone for the first time—compatthe same group of people in school every ibility. Without knowing if there is day. However, with dating apps, they chemistry or any connection with the are able to connect with people from other person, an in-person date can be a diverse range of schools and areas. awkward or uncomfortable. AccordThe variety of people using dating apps ing to a survey by StaticGuard, presents users with an opportunity to 63 percent of people lie on meet people they would have never the f irst date. However, met in real life. According to through online dating YourTango, 7 percent of apps, people who intend TINDER Tinder users are between on finding a match are FA C T S the ages of 13 and 17. less likely to lie or fake These statistics indian interest. Profiles cate that in a school are built based on 10 million daily of 2000 people, 140 personal interests users, 16,000 are online and ready and hobbies, so usto meet their match. ers are matched with per Tinder, a dating app those who genuinely second based on the user’s share the same paslocation, enables teens times. Some may say to see profiles within a that dating apps focus on certain range of distance physical attributes, but there from them. Apps with location are many apps that are specifically features like this are beneficial since designed for particular interests. For some teens cannot drive, and provide instance, OkCupid gathers user inforan opportunity to find matches closer mation through a set of questions. Then, to them. Older teens who have access to it matches people based on predicted transportation, however, are also able to compatibility levels. If two people find contact others who live farther away in themselves to be well-suited to go out different cities or counties. on a date, they already know the backAdditionally, online dating makes ground of the other person. Therefore, it easier for teens to meet other teens any fake interest is removed from the without having to physically look for a dating process. match. According to NetSanity, more Because of the increasing social than 9 out of every 10 teens in the U.S. networking trend in teens, dating apps use some form of social media. Because prove to be a valuable and advantageous of this, teens often lean towards dating outlet for connection and romance. apps to initiate relationships and easily Their versatile and accessible features communicate with one another. Instead provide teens with an outlet to meet new of rushing a conversation to get as much people, find well matched suitors and eninformation about the other person joy a laid-back dating atmosphere. Even in an afternoon, dating apps allow a though some may be hesitant because relaxed approach because of their chat of the potential risks these apps pose, options. For example, MyLOL, a teen it is vital to remember to take chances dating website and app, allows teens to in finding that special someone. Some chat with other members or privately people spend their whole lives trying message someone. This developed social to find true love, but now, it’s as easy as network is both accessible and direct. one right swipe.

Furthermore, the app Line serves as a mobile hub for texting, video calling and —Wang, a sophomore, is a Copy Editor.

swipes

It seems as though the youth nowadays a re const a nt ly glued to their phone screens. W het her they are used for social media, homework or planning their schedules, cell phones have shifted over from being a source of entertainment to being an actual necessity. This impact has also been an increasingly recurring theme in teens’ romantic lives. According to its app statistics, studies show that 7 percent of the ten million people who use the popular dating app Tinder are between the ages of 13 and 17. But these dating apps come with consequences as well. Teens should not use dating apps because they can spark insecurity, are potentially dangerous and can put minors in vulnerable situations.

One issue that stems from dating apps is a sole focus on looks rather than personalities or accomplishments. For example, Business Insider’s three top-ranked dating apps, OkCupid, Happn and Coffee Meets Bagel, all rely solely on a swipe right or left on a photo. While this feature on these apps can be the right option for a casual fling, it can also be especially harmful for teenagers.

In general, high school is a time where teen self-confidence is at an all-time low and not receiving any matches on a dating app can knock one’s self-confidence. This can also give teens the untrue notion that they are undesirable in comparison to their peers with more success.

Since the growth of dating apps, catfishing, or using a false identity to get into an online relationship, has become a serious issue. In fact, 10 percent of sex offenders have used dating apps and 25 percent of rapists in 2005 used online dating apps to find their victims. This means that if an individual is talking to several different matches, the likelihood of one being an offender is high. This is an especially large issue among teens using dating apps. An app such as Tinder, for example, will allow anyone age 13 or older to join and will attempt to protect them by only matching them with other teens under the age of 18.

TINDER FA C T S

12 percent of users report that they are already in a relationship.

Graphics by Cheryl Kao

However, any person can make an account with a false name, age and picture. This issue, while seemingly unavoidable, could result in dangerous situations for vulnerable teens. Without any sure accountability, a 14-year-old boy could end up on a date with a 50-year-old woman and would not know until they were physically together. Dating apps that require so little verification on personal identity are an open door for legal adults to take advantage of minors.

Another dangerous issue that is commonly seen with dating apps is child pornography. In the case of online dating, a teen can easily grow to trust a person they are talking to through the app without even knowing who they are.

This can resu lt TINDER FA C T S

73 percent of users think looks are the top attention-getting device

in an untrustworthy person pressuring their victims into sending nude photographs and other sexual messages. Apps such as Snapchat are used to send photographs that appear to the receiver for a short period of time before they disappear “forever.” However, several separate apps allow offenders to screenshot pictures without even sending a notification. The Thorne Sextortion Survey of 2015 shows that 42 percent of sextortion victims met their perpetrators online, meaning their online relationships put their explicit photos on the internet. Child pornography is illegal and can result in legal problems for both the sender and the receiver. Also, according to Foothills Child Advocacy Center, teen exploitation has led to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other serious mental illnesses including suicidal thoughts or actions in victims.

While online dating and dating apps may be successful in some, if not many situations, these fun, casual apps may not be as lighthearted as they seem. With many statistics showing the dangers and uncertainties of these types of apps, individuals must ask themselves if a little flirtation and fun is worth all of these risks and potential dangers. If one swipe right means jeopardizing your safety, maybe keeping your phone and your romantic life separate is the wisest decision.

—Wayne, a junior, is a reporter.

Forum

Monday, March 14, 2016

7

effects of mobile apps on dating Unsolicited sexua l photos dera il relationships, disrespect recipient Ryeri Lim

In 2012, the American Medical Association reported that 28 percent of teenagers—over and under 18—have “sexted,” or sent nude or suggestive photos of themselves to others.

With the recent popularization of mobile dating apps, few dangers accompany the urge to sext anonymously. Child pornography laws notwithstanding, sexting commands a precarious code of courtesy between sender and receiver.

One particular rule, so often breached, is as follows: do not send unsolicited dick pics.

The principle applies to people with vaginas, too, but cisgender men tend to be the most frequent perpetrators.

In an article by Refinery 29, anonymous male sources cited various defenses: they may hope for a nude photo in return.

They may expect a nude photo in return. They may simply wish to gift spontaneous nakedness. In each case, the intent is misguided and the effect, offensive.

According to Match.com’s 2014 “Singles in America” study, receiving unsolicited dick pics was women’s biggest “turn-off.” Yet the service also says that 45 percent of women have received “R-rated” photos from men while dating online. In explanation, many psychologists cite the different ways men and women are socialized: in sexual commercials or sexualized media, men are encouraged to react to the sensation of the moment—sight, sound, touch. Through those same exaggerated portrayals, women inherit the fantasy or the intimacy. A clumsy snapshot of free nudity—which, these days, is increasingly pedestrian—does not significantly arouse most women. The impact is more similar to that of a subway flasher.

Yet even if the average woman were to welcome uninvited dick pics, this visual assault is fundamentally disrespectful.

The move disrupts any preceding conversation—even if it was flirtatious or erotic—and forces it into a confrontation.

A general implication arises: it is time to either put out or get out. Suddenly, worth is placed on sexual availability, as if someone is only worth getting to know if they will eventu-

Women swipe right on 15 percent of the profiles they see.

#1 complaint of Tinder users: In person, their date looks nothing like their profile picture.

ally grant sex.

Such coercive intentions can be likened to the online equivalent of a woman owing sex to anyone who buys her a drink at a bar—or a ticket to prom. While dating apps are not many high schoolers’ primary source for meeting people, California’s “Yes Means Yes” legislation is built on preventative education. Manipulative attitudes are better eliminated before students enter the most physically vulnerable period of their romantic lives.

Moreover, in an article by BuzzFeed, dating coach Laurel House pointed out the uneven agency thus enforced.

“There’s definitely a component of power tripping involved here,” she said, referencing the one-way decision to cross an undiscussed boundary. In consequence, the receiver of the photo is pressured to respond positively to a private violation. Because the aggressor exposed himself, the victim is compelled to treat him as the vulnerable one. The aggressor imposes his own clean-up responsibility, and even residual guilt, upon the victim.

Because yes; unsolicited dick pics are a form of assault.

Prolonged,

they constitute harassment.

It is possible that the victim will resist voicing their chagrin, especially if they are actually interested in dating or engaging with the aggressor. Dating apps raise the stakes—two virtual strangers may be insensitive to each other’s perspectives while confronting the mistake. Neither condition, however, excuses the original offense. As with inperson sexual encounters, only “yes” means “yes.”

—Lim, a senior, is a Forum Editor.

Men swipe right on 46 percent of the profiles they see.

Best time to match on Tinder: 9 p.m.

Graphics by Joanne Lee Statistics courtesy of The Chive and Digital Stats/Gadgets

Tinder dating app promotes, revolves around bad values

Stina Chang “Hey, you’re f*** adorable <blowing kiss emoji>.” This was one of the messages I received from a match result on a dating app. When I saw this message, I had never felt more uncomfortable in my life. Since I had absolutely no intention of continuing this conversation, I returned back to the home page and hoped to be matched with someone better. However, this nightmare didn’t end.

Pictures of boys showed up one after the other. No matter how much I swiped left (indicating “nope”)—they just kept coming back. I rarely found myself swiping right (indicating “yes” or “I want to talk with you”). I was stuck in the infamous dating app: Tinder.

Tinder is an online dating app that matches single people with others nearby. Collaborating with Facebook, the app informs you when you have mutual friends and interests with your matches using the “smart profile” program, according to its iTunes description. Tinder was launched in 2012 and quickly gained popularity by 2014. In 2014, it had generated over one billion swipes each day. According to the Tinder website, the app holds responsibility for more than 10 billion success matches that either resulted in long-term relationship or even marriage.

I created a Tinder account specifically to write this article. Normally, I would never join an online dating community. In fact, I would never think to go into the dating world, period. My experience with “dating” is rather foreign. To put myself in that place, even just thinking of using a dating source scared me. There are countless factors that could go wrong: getting matched with a stalker, creeper or maybe even a bot (a fake, automated account that generates matches and dates to earn money).

I used Tinder for a week, gaining, what I believe, enough experience to understand its nasty way of dating.

Tinder promotes superficial dating and hookup culture.

It’s a simplified version of online dating sites such as eHarmony and OkCupid. While websites such as eHarmony and OkCupid target older generations, Tinder’s target audience is young adults such as college students. College students are unlikely to look for long-term committed relationships, whereas one-night stands and casual dates are more their style.

After using Tinder for a week, I failed to find a meaning behind the app other than swiping right on appealing pictures of boys and sending out inappropriate, flirty messages that often didn’t result in any productive conversation.

The only connection people on Tinder make is the “initial” match resulting from two people swiping right for each other. Other than that, the only way to connect is messaging. In addition, talking to someone online who you barely know is creepier than creepy.

Tinder is an unreliable source to find a partner. It promotes effortless and sleazy dating. To me, a relationship means that both parties put in equal amount of effort to make this relationship work. Tinder, however, defeats the meaning of having a relationship. A relationship is much more than just swiping right on a picture, having a shallow conversation and meeting up for a date. Though Tinder overcompensates for the quantity, it fails to provide the quality.

All in all, my personal experience with Tinder has been unpleasant. Even from this single experience, it’s difficult for me to believe that 10 billion successful, long-lasting couples met on Tinder. This is one of those things in my life I do regret doing and certainly will not be doing again.

And to the person who messaged me: thank you for your compliment, but I think I’ll pass.

—Chang, a junior, is a Centerfold Editor.

8

Features

Twins, triplets reveal magic behind their relationships

The Jacksons

The Cromartys

Alexandra Ting

Mei Yun Tang

Being a triplet can have its complications and advantages. Seniors Liz, Jerry and Simon Cromarty have experienced some awkward situations as a result of being triplets.

When they were in sixth grade, one of Jerry’s friends had some misinterpretations about their relationships to one another. “One of Jerry’s friends thought that I was dating her and that Liz was trying to steal me away from her,” Simon said. “She didn’t know that we were all siblings, and she heard that we had all been hanging out.” Because of all this time spent together, their friends will clash at times, causing social drama.

Although these situations are never ideal for siblings and friends, they have always had each other’s backs.

Liz, Jerry and Simon have been through their entire lives together, so they have learned the ins and outs of each other’s behavior. “Once you have known someone for so long, you know what they are going to say and you know how they are going to react to things,” Liz said.

As they make their way through school, they’ve shared some of the same teachers.

This has allowed the triplets to help each other with classes and homework. Besides the aid they get for school, they also help each other in other situations. “Jerry can sometimes have a hard time expressing herself, so sometimes I will explain for her to people,” Liz said. Although they have this great friendship and similar ideals, they still have different goals.

The Cromartys have different interests, giving each an own unique way to express themselves. “Sometimes I describe it as we were all combined as one perfect person, and then split into three so we all kind of do our different things,” Liz said. For example, Simon values a good history program in the college he will go to, while Liz and Jerry are not as interested in the subject.

Despite their differences, the Cromartys wouldn’t have it any other way. “We are all just really close,” Jerry said. “It’s like having two extra best friends.”

—Written by Cassie Bond

The Eltheringtons

Together since birth, freshmen Stephanie and Jennifer Jackson have experienced the ups and downs of life by each other’s sides. As a result, they have set a high standard for best friends. “Having a twin changed my perspective of friendship because a twin is like a best friend to the fiftieth power,” Jennifer said. “I believe that all good friendships should be like the one I have with [Stephanie] because whenever we get in fights, we always forgive each other in the end and no matter what, we will always be supportive of each other.”

Although many may be daunted by the seeming lack of personal time that comes with having a twin, the Jackson sisters are not fazed and appreciate the time they have together. “[The] best thing about having a twin is that you’re really never alone,” Stephanie said.

“I really like it because I always have someone to take with me to go to class and I always have someone to depend on for helping me through bio homework and things like that.”

According to the Jacksons, many often correlate twins with psychic powers, a common misconception. “Actually, it’s kind of the opposite with twins because you never know what kind of mood they’re in or what they’re thinking about,” Jennifer said.

Although they can’t understand each other through psychic means, the Jackson twins are extremely close. They are involved in separate activities, but they always have a good time together. “I enjoy myself while I’m with [Jennifer], but if I were in a class, I don’t really concentrate on the class while I’m with Jenny because we’re constantly talking, fighting, hitting each other or doing something,” Stephanie said.

Despite being fraternal twins, the Jacksons have had their “identical” moments. They looked so similar in elementary school that they were able to switch classes without even their teachers noticing. “We also used to have shirts with our names on them and we used to wear them so that we would get everyone mixed up,” Stephanie said. “I couldn’t imagine life without a twin.”

—Written by Barrett Zhang

The Tans

Alexandra Ting

Richard Yu

For identical twins, questions like, “Do you guys do everything together?” and “Can you read each other’s thoughts?” are a normal part of life. It gets tedious, especially if you and your twin are completely different, like sophomores Ronan and Edouard Eltherington.

A frequent misconception about twins is that they are attached at the hip wherever they go. For Edouard and Ronan, that couldn’t be more false. “We just live two completely different lives at school,” Edouard said. “We’re not the type of twins that hang out with each other.”

As well as having different sets of friends, both feel that they are nothing alike in character. “Personality-wise, I’m totally different than Ed—I find myself totally different,” Ronan said. “He’s more indoor, [and] I’m a more outdoor-type guy. People might think that we’re the same, but in reality we’re born on the same date and [we’re] totally different people.”

According to Ronan, seeing the same face on two completely different people can be confusing. “With us, especially since we’re identical but have totally different personalities and hang out with total different groups, I think that factor brings even more of a shock, [because] people can’t see that difference between us—they think that we have to be the same,” he said.

While their relationship is not, as Edouard put it, “super twinny,” the dynamic is different than that between normal siblings. “What’s unique about being a twin is that [there is] not necessarily a defined older and younger twin,” Ronan said. “We kind of treat each other as if we’re equals, and sometimes we have to like fight for things because we feel that we’re the same so we both have equal rights to [it].”

There is no denying, however, that being a twin does have its perks, namely the power to take on the identity of the other. “In seventh grade we went to France, and Ronan and I got two separate tickets, and I needed to use Ronan’s ticket to get back to America earlier because we bought his ticket as round trip, so the way we did it is that we switched our passports,” Edouard said. “I basically passed through national security as him. It was pretty funny.”

—Written by Deiana Hristov

For the Tan triplets, juniors Sarah, Grace and Lauren Tan, a best friend is not hard to find—they only have to look to their sisters. “I think we’re really close,” Sarah said. “We tend to stick together.”

Lauren and Grace share a room in the house while Sarah has her own room, but they know that they can always call across the hall if they need anything from each other. “At home, I’m never bored if they’re around,” Lauren said. “Some of my friends don’t have any siblings and their parents are never home and they’re always lonely.”

However, their relationship at home naturally causes some fear about what having a college roommate would be like. “I feel like having a roommate would be really awkward and it wouldn’t work out very well,” Sarah said. “We’re used to being able to yell at each other if we don’t like something.”

There are some drawbacks to being triplets, although the Tans say they aren’t that drastic. They usually will not go to an event unless another sister is going. “We’re not as independent as we could be,” Sarah said. “When we’re together, we don’t talk to other people as much as if we’re alone.”

Additionally, their parents and friends tend to compare them. “Our parents use [another sister] as an example if she’s doing better,” Lauren said. “They said, ‘Go look and see how she studies,’ to the others.” When Lauren performed better on her piano theory test than Sarah, their parents told Sarah that she could do it if Lauren could. “They expected me to perform better or at the same level,” Sarah said.

Friends or acquaintances typically assume that they have the same personality or attributes. “If you have different strengths, like different subjects in school, they’ll generalize it to the other two,” Sarah said.

Being a triplet is a huge part of their identities, and the Tans think that it is different than just having a sibling. “I think being a triplet does affect how close we are,” Lauren said. “Since we’re the same age, I feel like we’re closer than siblings who are different ages.”

They mean the world to each other. “You can’t have a best friend because no one can compare to sisters,” Grace said. “That’s where our definition of a best friend comes from.”

—Written by Hayley Krolik

Features

Monday, March 14, 2016

9

Artist of the Month: freshman Timothy Waymouth The Oracle: When did you start rapping?

Timothy Waymouth: I started when I was 12 years old and at that time it was just writing poems and having fun with it. I was living in Spain and it was hard for me to make friends since I didn’t speak the same language, so I had a lot of time at home and would write things down. It became a big part of my life.

TO: What type of things do you write about?

TW: Everything. Whatever comes to mind and inspires me. It depends on my mood and emotions at the time. I try to keep it positive because my music is a reflection of me, so if I do things that are positive, that will reflect back on me and make me a more positive person.

TO: What was it like to release [your first track]?

TW: I had mixed feelings. Going into it, it wasn’t completely where I wanted it to be in terms of music­—but I had already told people I was going to release it so I just had to say, “All right, this is what I got,” and put it out. Especially afterwards, I had very mixed feelings about it, but as long as there’s at least one person who likes it and enjoys listening to it, I’m going to continue doing it, even if that person is myself. It’s just something I love to do; that’s why I do it.

TO: What inspires you to come up with music?

TW: It could be anything, just whatever I see that I like to talk about. I constantly write stuff down on my hands, all over my homework and on notebooks if something inspires me. A lot of great musicians that I like and listen to inspire me to make music, improve and just stay focused.

TO: What’s your creative process?

TW: It’s kind of random; I don’t have a set list of steps that I do. I like to go home and listen to music for a little bit, throw on a beat, freestyle and just do whatever comes to mind. I just feel the music and that’s how I feel I can be most true to myself and my music.

TO: What’s your favorite part about rapping specifically?

TW: The creative process, I would say. Just the creation and finding new ways to mess with the words and create new flows. I feel like rap especially has over the last decade kind of declined in its social standings. People think it’s stupid and they don’t understand what it was based on initially because there’s not very much knowledge.

It’s also putting myself out there and expressing who I am. I want to change people’s outlook on the music.

TO: What artists inspire you?

TW: A whole bunch of people. I’m thinking Luke Christopher, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. I listen to Electronic Dance Music too, so Flume, Kygo, Disclosure, and Kanye West inspire me.

TO: How did you decide to express your written work in rap form?

TW: I’ve listened to rap music ever since I’ve been a little kid. It started with guys like Eminem and 50 Cent and it’s always been my favorite go to music. As I started to write poems, I thought I could see myself doing this. I started trying to write to beats and instrumentals, and it just eventually fell into place.

TO: What plans do you have for the future?

TW: I don’t have an exact plan I would say. I would love to just release music and see how far that can get me, see what happens. I’m obviously going to try and do my best to get it to as many people as possible, but as of now I can see myself putting out more music and doing this and making it everything. I feel like as long as I keep on putting out more work I feel is true to myself then things will fall into place.

—Compiled by Kaya van der Horst

Mei Yun Tang

Taking orders at Gunn on March 21 and March 28 12:30 - 5 in RC-8 (SEC classroom)

10

Center

Prescription drugs:

a look at the prescription

Michael Chen, Tone Lee and Lena Ye Centerfold Editor, Reporter and Sports Editor

Susie Holloway, a Gunn senior whose name has been changed to protect her identity, glances at the clock. It is getting late. She cannot focus and feels a wave of drowsiness flood her. With multiple tests the next day, loads of homework and not much time, she is pushed to the limit.

Looking at the tiny orange pill in her hand, she remembers how her friend had recently gave her an Adderall pill and told her that it would help her study and stay focused and awake. She deliberates for another moment and then swallows it.

The culture on campus

Adderall stimulates chemicals in the brain, which makes the user hyperactive and focused. Because of this elevated sensitivity, some students at school take it to help boost academic performance. “The first time I took it, I felt abnormally focused and concentrated,” Holloway said. “My [lethargy] quickly faded and was replaced with a renewed energy. I studied the entire night and took my tests on the drug, but I had a ton of trouble falling asleep the next few days. On top of that, I felt a loss of appetite.”

When academic stress is high, Adderall sales spike. “A time when a lot of people use Adderall is during finals week and the dead week before finals week,” Ostacher said. “My friends who sell Adderall definitely see an increase of profit during this two week period in comparison to the other times of the year.”

The three most common types of prescription drugs are painkillers, depressants and stimulants. Sophomore Jacob Ostacher was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder and uses Adderall to deal with its symptoms. “It’s difficult for me to explain how it affects kids because when I use it, it just allows me to function as a regular kid when doing work,” Ostacher said.

However, not all students use prescription drugs for its prescribed purposes. Students will take prescription drugs for reasons that range from curiosity to peer pressure. In a study published in the December 2015 issue of the Drug and Alcohol Dependence, researchers found that of the adolescents surveyed who had used prescription drugs in the past 30 days, 54 percent reported non-medical usage. After continued usage, the drug becomes addictive and then recreational use often turns into abuse. Dr. Wilson Compton from the National Institute on Drug Abuse says that addiction can come as a surprise to many. “As people try these substances, some of them will find that they really like them,” Compton said in an interview with WebMD. “They take more of them and they continue to take them, even when they no longer want to. And that’s the hallmark of addiction. It creeps up on people in very subtle and unexpected ways. No one starts out taking a drug, saying, ‘I want to be an addict.’”

Once addicted, prescriptions drugs are hard to quit. According to WebMD, they mutate the shape and function of the brain and cause the user to become dependent on the drugs. “I know people who aren’t prescribed and are completely addicted,” junior Olivia Eck said. “They can’t do any work without Adderall.”

Academic performance-enhancing drugs like Adderall are popular due to a desire to succeed in school. “I don’t think the goal is to have fun,” senior Avery Robinson said. “School is overwhelming if mental health breaks aren’t options for someone. I think unhealthy ways of coping with stress will naturally occur, such as Adderall [usage].”

Robinson’s friend took Adderall before a test. “She showed up to school tired since Adderall affects the sleep schedule and she couldn’t sleep until 6 a.m,” Robinson said. “She took the test that she used the drug to study for, then went home.”

Some students look to prescription drugs as an outlet for stress relief. Xanax is a depressant, used to treat anxiety and panic disorders.

Depressants produce a different high from stimulants; while stimulants allow users to become more focused and energetic, depressants are designed to relax the user. “When taking Xanax, people generally just want to have a fun time and get hammered,” Ostacher said. “[My friends] take it to let their worries to kind of melt away. I would say that my friends are looking to journey into a new and different type of high.”

However, issues come up with continued usage of the drug, something that sophomore Antoine Nguyen has noticed among his friends who abuse prescription drugs. “Adderall, if used too often—[you] can become dependent,” Nguyen said. “If you use it and study on Adderall it will make it hard to study without it. Adderall also suppresses hunger so when taking Adderall you will lose weight if you take too often.”

Drug and Alcohol Dependence reported that “teens who only used stimulants non-medically reported more conduct problems at home and school and higher rates of using other substances…[and] was also more likely to have close friends who have tried other drugs.” According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, high doses of stimulants can cause irregular heartbeats, dangerously high body temperature heart failure, seizures or death. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that in 2014, there were more than 25,000 deaths due to prescription drug abuse.

According to Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator Joanne Michels, the implications of abusing prescription drugs are murky “If a student is not being seen by a professional, then there could be some potential for misuse, without knowing what the side effects would be,” Michels said. “Stimulants do change the chemistry of the brain and alter how we function. And when a doctor is working closely with a patient on medication they’re able to monitor and provide the best recommendations for that particular student.”

Choosing to abuse prescription drugs also bypasses an important aspect of using prescribed medication, says Michels. “It’s a persona choice that students make with their parents and so family support is really important when students are taking medication.” Michels said. “So it’s a pretty important choice to make, and when students are not under the care of a prescribing doctor then there could be consequences, possibly addiction, because these are pretty powerful drugs.”

The drug, nevertheless, reaches a range of users, according to the Addiction Center. “When it comes to Adderall at Gunn, the kids using it range from the stoner who is always high in class, to the opposite kid who maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is getting the best scores in every one of his classes,” Ostacher said.

The dangers of misuse

Prescription drugs are difficult to recognize. It is impossible to know by sight whether somebody has a prescription, so prescription drugs can be taken in public without scrutiny. Other drugs are more easily detected. Marijuana has a distinct, pervasive smell. Heroin leaves track marks. Most recreational drugs have tells, like dilated pupils. Prescription drugs, however, cause more internal than external reactions Nausea and diarrhea are commonly listed side effects, and these are harder to attribute to drug abuse than the tells of other kinds of drugs Principal Dr. Denise Herrmann had experience dealing with prescription drugs at the previous school she worked at, but has not seen any reported incidents of it at Gunn. “I know of a couple different cases across California or across the nation where it happens, and those would be some of the same circumstances that our students would have,” Herrmann said. “Because our students have access and they’re teenagers, that could be happening at our campus too.”

Different types of prescription drugs affect the user in different ways. “A stimulant amps you up, and it gives you more energy and efficiency,” Dr. Tiffany Tse said. “Depressants lower your mood and anxiety, and that calms you. Pain medication decreases your pain, so you feel less anxious and more comfortable.” Prescription drugs are consequently met with a variety of punishments, making it difficult to enforce consistency within punishments.

Ostacher believes that some students might be underestimating the

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Monday, March 14, 2016

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Helpful Drugs Harm

n drug presence on campus

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severity of prescription drugs. “People at Gunn have a misconstrued perception that Adderall is way safer than Xanax and has no potential dangers, so there’s definitely a larger group of people who take adderall,” Ostacher said. “I think more and more kids are using Adderall because more and more kids see it as harmless.”

Prescription drugs carry with them a multitude of issues that are exacerbated by a lack of knowledge. What makes prescription drug abuse more attractive is the perception that most prescribed medications are more helpful than harmful, says Michels. “I think people see medications as support or an aid,” Michels said. “And I think sometimes people might confuse taking something like medication with this magical experience of having problems just go away.”

Michels says other temptations stem from the precedent of beneficial use established by peers. “Seeing other people or knowing other people who have benefited from medication could be an attraction point,” Michels said. “Like, ‘If they had a good experience with it then maybe I’ll have a good experience with it.’”

Repercussions of prescription drug abuse

The most recent Gunn student handbook details the punishment for possessing a drug as suspension, which the superintendent or principal may recommend to be increased to expulsion if deemed necessary.

Dealing a controlled substance is met with a harsher consequence, and the punishment is suspension and a recommendation for expulsion.

Dealing drugs is an offense ranked among others such as possessing a firearm or explosive and attempting to commit sexual battery. Herrmann, however, has a different perspective on appropriate repercussions. “I am much more a person who believes consequences should be natural—not punitive,” Herrmann said. “For example, if someone is the user, the best thing for them would be very mild consequences and strong support. It becomes different if the student is dealing or providing the drug to other people, where the impact is not just themselves, but other people as well. The consequence is typically higher because you’ve harmed two levels of people within our organization.”

Herrmann hopes to decrease the punishment of possessing drugs to a suspension of three days. The suspension can be decreased if a student opts to attend a drug or alcohol advisory program. Similarly, if a student turns himself in, or is turned in by one of his friends, the punishment is reduced.

Although Herrmann wishes more students would self-report, she acknowledges there will always be cases where students will not seek help from the administration. If the student does not want to turn himself or his friend in, another option is to seek help from a therapist or the Adolescent Counseling Services on campus. “The things that happen between a student and a therapist—that’s confidential,” Herrmann said. “Those are not things that I learn about, or other people.

And that’s how it should be.”

Michels also urges students to talk to adults for help. “Reaching out to either a trusted adult, whether that’s a teacher, an administrator, or any staff member here at school, or a counselor, someone in the helping profession, would be a good place to start at school,” Michels said. “[A counselor] would be a great person to start a conversation with as far as what concerns a student has and then through that conversation learn what would be the next step in connecting people to help if needed.”

No matter what step towards help they take, people who are addicted need empathy and support, says junior Albert Malik. “The core problem of it is that it’s a substance abuse problem,” Malik said.

“People who are taking drugs and are addicted to them; they need help, not judgment.”

If you or someone you know is addicted, you can reach out to Adolescent Counseling Services on campus, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Hotline: 1-888-319-2606.

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Photo by Alexandra Ting

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Features

Esther’s German Bakery

Esther’s German Bakery is a family-owned bakery located on San Antonio Road in Los Altos. Started in 2004, they sell traditional German pastries and baked goods using healthy and wholesome ingredients. The namesake of the restaurant is Esther Nio, the mother of sophomore David Nio, senior Benji Nio and Gunn alumnus Sammy Nio. The idea for the bakery was born out of the longing Esther and her husband Robert had for traditional German bread she had growing up in Germany. “We realized that we really miss German bread, so we opened a bakery,” she said. “I said, ‘I really miss my pretzels and real wholesome bread,’ and we said, ‘Why not bring it here? Why not just start [a bakery]?’”

Her son Sammy works at the bakery now. As an employee of his mother and having grown up around a family business, Sammy feels that he understands more about running a small business than the average student does. “I’ve been able to see the background of what goes on in owning a small business,” he said. “I get to see how stressful that actually is and all the different things that go into it, and what kind of problems that arise.”

Benji remembers growing up in the bakery’s early days, and enjoys being part of the company, recalling fondly that “we [would] always bring [home] the leftover bread and pastries; we all grew up with that.”

—Written by Alex Dersh

a Josh Sp

Senior Benji Nio

The effort and determination needed to start a small business is not lost on the Nios. Benji is appreciative of how well his family has done as immigrants to the United States. “I’m really proud of how successful it is and I’m really proud of my parents for moving from Germany to the U.S. and living the American dream,” he said.

Esther recognizes the risk she took in trying to make her dreams a reality. “We were so courageous to do it without being bakers that we just jumped into the cold water and just did it and risked everything,” she said. “I’m proud that it’s working and I’m proud that it’s successful.”

The bakery’s success has meant they have worked with big name companies.

Sammy recalled that Google was a customer, as well as a certain well-known Silicon Valley executive. “We’ve [had] Mark Zuckerberg come in and do a deal,” he said. “They actually Courtesy of Yelp did the WhatsApp deal, where Facebook bought WhatsApp, that actually happened in our bakery.”

This kind of celebrity draw makes Sammy happy to see how far his parents have come. “That was pretty amazing to see that happen,” he said. “I can still remember [my parents] talking about potential ideas about business, and now seeing this one having bloomed into what it is.”

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Students showcase leadership with family businesses

Josh Spain my ideas through different mediums and given me a chance to meet all kinds of people,” he said.

The studio also helps Li feel a sense of accomplishment when giving children a space to direct their creativity. “I think what I feel most proud of in my business is that it was created by my own ideas,” she said.

According to Lin, having a family business has helped draw his family closer Since its establishment in April 2014, S’more Studio in Moun- together through their love for art. “Ever since we opened the studio, it has been a tain View has become well-known for big part of our lives,” he said. “We spend many weekends there its friendly and playful environment, working for future parties, hosting parties or to use it as a space creating a space for children and for my sister and I to paint and create things for fun.” adults alike to express their creativity.

Lin wishes to see S’more Studio stay as an important addition Co-founder Wen Li founded S’more to the community through his family’s hard work. “I hope to see Studio as a way of fulfilling her this business gain the endearment of the community as one of dream, while drawing inspiration the best party spaces in the area, and that we are able to expand from the community around her. “I even further on the activities and services we can provide at our have always liked the idea of working studio,” he said. “It’s great to see them so dedicated and excited with kids at an art studio and I realized about the projects, and to see what they can create with their that there were not many party spaces in imagination and our resources.” this area, so I combined the two ideas and In addition, Lin wants to be even more involved with the Courtesy of S’more Studio created my arts and crafts studio which business as he gets older. “I hope my involvement in the future also hosts parties on the weekends,” she said. can bring more to the amazing work my mom is doing,” he said.

To sophomore Cohan Lin, Li’s son, helping out at his family As time progresses, the business will always be a part of their family, Li says. “Of business is much more than just getting some hands-on experience. course, I wish my family can always share this studio together,” she said. “Although Through S’more Studio, he has not only been able to help his mom the kids are older now and may be busier as time passes, I hope they will always lend but also have an outlet for his creativity. “Working at the studio has a helping hand at the studio.” given me experience in managing a property, teaching, expressing —Written by Emma Chiao

Sophomore Cohan Lin

S’more Studio

Josh Spain than me because having a friend whose family owns a gelato business really makes them more comfortable with finding a job,” he said. “It kind of encourages them to go out and get a job and I think that’s really cool.”

Even though Borbolla enjoys working in the store, he doesn’t believe he will be interested in taking over the business one day, as he is hoping to follow other goals. “For multiple reasons, especially because it requires a lot of passion and a lot of gelato-making and Junior Nicolas Borbolla’s family owns the popular downtown gelato shop, Gelataio. that’s something that my stepmom has and something I don’t really His parents started the dessert business together in 2014 and have,” he said. “I have other things that I Borbolla occasionally works in the store. He says that having a want to pursue in life.” family business showed him how hard it is to start a company.

Regardless, his favorite part about “It’s given me an insight as to what it’s like to build a business from having a family business is being able to nothing and how much hard work and dedication it takes,” he said. interact with the daily patrons. “I love “It’s been really eye-opening.” working there because you meet so many Borbolla’s parents often have to work long hours at the shop, interesting customers and people who go something that has impacted family life. “It wasn’t that great, but in to enjoy the gelato,” Borbolla said. “It’s now that we got more people working at the store, they definitely also really nice when families come in and come home more,” he said. “It’s calmed down and we got it all you see them leave with a bigger smile on figured out.” their faces than when they came in. It’s cool to However, Borbolla also has memories of spending quality Courtesy of Palo Alto Online have your friends come by and visit you and it’s time with his family at Gelataio. “Before the store was built and just a lot of working there for me; that’s probably we were there building the furniture and everything, that was a lot of family bonding the most enjoyable part.” time, because it was just the five of us and we were just working on IKEA furniture,” Gelataio is located at 121 Lytton Ave. For more information about the he said. “It was a lot of fun.” menu and store hours, visit gelataio.us.

Borbolla said that working in the family store has also inspired his friends to get their own jobs. “I think [having a friend who works at his family store] impacts them more —Written by Amanda Lee

Junior Nicolas Borbolla

Gelataio

Mei-Yun Tang

Sports

Monday, March 14, 2016

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SPORTS AROUND THE WORLD

athletes gain experience traveling NORTH AMERICA and overSeas

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Key MK: Michelle Klets CR: Conrad Russell AC: Allison Cheng

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CONRAD RUSSELL - TENNIS

Photo courtesy of USTA NorCal Juniors

MICHELLE KLETS - BALLROOM DANCING

Photo courtesy of Michelle Klets

ALLISON CHENG - FENCING

Photo courtesy of Allison Cheng

As with many advanced sports, tennis requires a lot of travel, both nationally and internationally. Junior Conrad Russell has recently began to travel internationally in order to compete in tennis competitions. “I’ve gone to the Bahamas, Spain, England and Italy to compete,” Russell wrote in an email. “Spain was definitely the most memorable as I was able to compete on red clay, which is unique to the continents of Europe and South America.”

Though tennis is an ubiquitous international sport, the methods of training vary from country to country. “Each country has a different tennis regimen,” Russell wrote.

“The Spanish, for example, like to be out on the court for eight hours a day, while the Americans tend to cut down on the time on court and focus more of their time inside the gym.”

Russell faced challenges playing in unfamiliar countries. “When I first arrived in Spain the language barrier made it difficult to communicate with anybody at the club,” he wrote. “The first day when I was training with one of the coaches, I couldn’t comprehend what he was trying to say so I ended up hitting the ball in the wrong directions and was punished with extra running.”

While the training methods and spoken languages may differ outside of America, Russell has discovered a common language in each—tennis. “No matter where you come from, the act of striking a tennis ball can bring everyone together,” he wrote. “Experiencing the different cultures has opened my eyes to unique sources of happiness. Each country, no matter how poor or rich, finds sources of happiness through unique aspects of their culture. Knowing that the sport of tennis is one of the aspects of happiness for many young kids all around the world truly is beautiful.”

Senior Michelle Klets has been a competitive Latin American ballroom dancer for over a decade, and she and her partner are the current national youth champions. “I’m the national representative for the USA,” Klets said. “My partner and I won nationals both last year and this year.”

Performing at such a high level requires traveling to many countries for competitions around the world. “Recently I came back from Canada; I’ve traveled to the Netherlands, to Paris and I’m going to England in May,” Klets said.

Taking on school and dance can be a struggle but Klets believes balance is the key to success. “I try to balance it out so that I can make sure that I’m doing well in both areas of my life,” Klets said. “The traveling and having to make up work can get stressful, but it’s worth it because I love to dance.”

Klets competes in partner dancing, which is heavily dependent on teamwork. “You only compete together, win together, lose together,” Klets said. “We practice five days a week, and most of the days we’re also working on projects for dance or trying to earn money for trips.”

Reaching such high levels of competition and achievement takes a lot of time and effort. The work put in paid off when Klets made it to the semi-finals of the world championship. “We’re eleventh in the world,” Klets said. “It was really an amazing feeling to dance on the same floor as champions.”

Ballroom dancing isn’t just about mental commitment, she says. “You always have to be in top shape because you always have competitions coming up,” Klets said. “You need a lot of stamina. We dance five dances through, which is about 10 minutes of nonstop dancing.”

Klets’ love for dancing will take her to many more places as she continues to participate in overseas competitions. “I go outside the U.S. about four to five times a year,” Klets said.

“Especially this year we’ll be traveling a lot again.”

Thanks to competitive fencing, the airport has become familiar ground for sophomore Allison Cheng. With competitions spread all over the country, Cheng has traveled to over 15 states since she started competing four years ago.

Fencing tournaments can typically last up to around four days in length with each individual event lasting a day each.

“It’s just a great experience to have friends from all over the country,” Cheng said. “It’s really great to connect because you both share the same passion.” With the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics, she has been able to meet top athletes from around the world who have come to train at the club.

Meets can occur as frequently as every two weeks but busy schedules can make it hard to attend. “A lot of times I can’t go as often because of school and prior commitments, so I travel out-of-state at least once a month,” she said.

Tournaments have brought her to cities such as Cleveland and Baltimore, allowing her to gain a new perspective. “It’s definitely an eye-opener to go outside of the Palo Alto bubble because a lot of cities are actually very different,” she said.

However, with homework, piano and ten hours of fencing training per week, balancing school with traveling can prove to be a challenge. “It can be stressful sometimes because even with just one day [of school] you end up missing two to three tests.”

Aside from honing valuable skills such as time management acquired through frequent travels, Cheng has learned that communicating one’s needs with one’s teachers is key.

While many of her classmates would most likely prepare for an upcoming test within their own four walls, Cheng is no stranger to literally taking study sessions to higher levels. “A lot of times you have to learn to finish your work on the airplane and you’ll get home that night, and have a test the next day,” she said.

—Written by Prachi Kale

—Written by Paulo Frank

—Written by Kaya van der Horst

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Sports

AT H LET ES I NCOR POR AT E , BA L A NCE R E L IGION W I T H SPORTS Elinor Aspegren

pray that no injuries will happen to me or anybody else, to pray that God will help me to keep good character and not lose my temper and to pray that I would have fun,” he said.

Religious expressions have always played a part in Lacrosse Captain senior Briana Irani’s faith shapes who professional sports. Some athletes thank God for big wins, she is as an athlete. As a Zoroastrian, one of the oldestwhile others pray after scoring a goal or take some time to known faiths, she emphasizes the mantra: good thoughts, “Tebow” before a game. According to a study conducted in good words, good deeds. This phrase plays into how she 2012 by Grey Matter Research and Consulting, 49 percent conducts herself on the field. “My religion has a lot to do of Americans react positively to such displays. with deciding what’s wrong and right and good morals,” she said. “On and off the field, it helps me make choices.”

How sports play into faith Irani’s faith provides perspective on her commitment Director of Youth Ministries and to sports. As team captain, she has to maintain a A quarter of Americans say God influences Communication at Palo Alto Vineyard good relationship with her coach, referee and opsporting events.

Church Matt Gustafson says that sports ponents, all while ensuring that her provide athletes with life skills they can team is happy. “Practicing a religion The Public Religion Research Institute found that more than half of Americans believe “God rewards athletes who have faith with good apply to religion, such as perseverance. is a lot like practicing a sport,” she health and success.”

“Sports can help in teaching you that said. “You’re committed to it—you there’s value in difficult situations—they do what you need to do for that reli60% of self-identified recruited athletes at Harvard indicated that they were Protestant, Catholic, or Jewish. can shape you for better or for worse,” gion.” In addition, faith helps her rationalize he said. a loss or a win. “[My faith] helps to put into Jackie Luo Statistics from the Public Religion Research Instuture and the Harvard Crimson Team sports can also offer lessons perspective that it’s just a game—it’s nothing about working together. “I learn a lot about bigger, and it’s not worth getting upset about,” Irani said. teamwork through sports and that’s essential in building a Faith on the field religious community—we need people with different skills Gustafson, the coach of a middle school baseball team, The balance: faith and life to work together to accomplish a greater mission that they say it is important to practice good sportsmanship because For field hockey player sophomore Simirthi Singh, her can’t complete by themselves,” Gustafson said. respect is a large part of Christianity. Gustafson added that religion stays separate from sports, but the ideas she learns Sports can strengthen faith in more ways than life les- athletes with authority, such as captains, should use their through her faith help her manage her busy life. “I tend to sons. Freshman Yael Livneh practices Krav Maga, an Israeli power to uplift others. “I look at Jesus as someone who had do things a lot simpler, and instead of taking a complicated combat self-defense system that combines techniques from tons of influence in his religious community, and he used way of doing things, I take a simpler route,” she said.

Aikido, Judo, boxing and wrestling. “We learn how to his influence to uplift people who were poor or messed up,” According to Gustafson, finding faith and God trandefend yourself in real-life situations—like if somebody he said. “So when I coach, I make it a point to affirm the scends daily life. For example, the Sabbath allows for time came behind you and grabbed you in a chokehold, you’d leaders, when I see them encouraging each other, when I to rest—which can be a challenge for athletes. “It seems like learn how to get out of that,” she said. see them not yelling at others when they made a mistake.” for a young person, that Sabbath might be counterintuitive, Livneh’s sport not only allows a physical connecAccording to Gustafson, people of faith—not just because you think, ‘If I have seven days of time, I want to tion to her faith, but also an emotional connection; she Christians—can carry their beliefs onto the field by taking make the most out of all of it,’” he said. “But I’ve found that feels a sense of belonging with the Jewish faith. “I feel a a moment to give thanks or pray before a game. “This is when I’m able to participate in Sabbath, I still get things more spiritual connection to the sport with this kind of a pretty common ritual, to pray that I will do my best, to done and I feel like I have a better perspective on life.”

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self-defense,” she said. “If I did karate, I wouldn’t feel as connected to it.”

Krav Maga gives Livneh closer ties to her religion.

“Doing this sport, I feel like I’ve been able to connect to my faith and my religion in a different way. Generally it’s been through community service or celebrating holidays or going to Israel.” she said. “Now, it’s in a way that benefits me—I get gratification for it. It’s impacted my faith in a very positive light—I feel like it’s made me a little more connected to Israel and to being Jewish.”

Sports

Aesthetics of Athletics : MARTIAL ARTS

For junior Jason Kanemoto and senior Milla Dzakovic, every jump, move and punch in Wushu blurs the line between sports and art. Kanemoto has been practicing the Chinese martial art form from the Shaolin Temple ever since he was four. He compares the modern Wushu to dance.

“You kind of use your hands and use your body so it’s a lot similar to dance,” he said. “I think a lot of the martial arts have a lot of really aggressive motions that’s supposed to look pretty as it is supposed to look practical. It’s not so much a martial art anymore in the traditional sense as a performance art.”

Kanemoto says that a key aspect of Wushu is to keep the performance interesting. “You don’t want to be standing the whole time, you want to maybe drop down on your knees, do something or change levels because it makes your form more dynamic,” Kanemoto said.

Dzakovic agrees that Wushu is much more artistic than other traditional sports. “For martial arts, especially for Wushu and forms, it really just comes down to [whether] you remember your form,” she said.

Many artistic elements are hidden in the technique of the martial artists, rather than shown outright. “The real complexity comes in when you’re doing the really slight stuff that makes you better or go faster,” Kanemoto said.

The freedom of choice in Wushu allows martial artists such as senior Varun Singh to be creative. “Wushu is very much about finding your own way,” Singh said. “As far as tempo, speed and timing and all of that, that’s up to you.

Which forms you do is also entirely up to you. It really changes based on what feels right to you and what you’re good at and what you’re not good at.”

Kanemoto and Dzakovic don’t consciously think about appearing strong or graceful when they perform. It just naturally comes. “[Someone who is] just taking Wushu because their parents told them to is the type of person who doesn’t really feel that grace, doesn’t really feel that artistic flow or the peace within themselves,” Dzakovic said. “For me personally, I may not be the best, but I definitely do feel that inner peace and artistry kind of flowing through me.”

All in all, Dzakovic found that Wushu was an outlet through which she could express herself artistically and get away from the chaos present in her life. “Wushu was a really good way to let go and find a home within the studio,” she said.

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ART, APPEARANCE GO HAND IN HAND WITH ATHLETICS

For junior Hayley Turner, ice skating is a balance between athleticism and art.

On one end of the scale she works to perfect her turns, spins and jumps and on the other side of the scale she has to maintain good posture, position her hands and stay in tune with the music. Skating is unique because while Turner is showing off her technique she must keep in tune with the music accompanying her solo.

The music choice dictates the choreography and pacing of a piece according to Turner. If a repeated melody exists in a song, Turner might place a spin there.

If a section of the music builds to a climax, she will place a jump at that moment.

The addition of music also adds an artistic challenge. Skaters must be in tune with their music selection or they risk a disjointed performance. “You have to be in tune with the music and incorporate your posture and every single detail to the way you position your hands while you are doing your jumps,” Turner said.

In her own solo, Turner chose to skate to the Taylor Swift song “I’m Only Me When I’m With You.” The choice influenced the choreography and pacing of her solo. “It is really fast-paced so there is a lot of quick choreography and steps,” Turner said. “You work with the music to find where you want to put stuff in, and you have to keep in tune with the music and you have to be on the beat.”

The nature of skating allows each skater to prioritize certain aspects of their performance. Turner’s skating instructor, Caroline Soffa-Richardson, added that along with incorporating the music in her movements, Turner also has to make sure that her program is not just jumps and spirals, but also presentable.“The footwork on the ice is very important,” Soffa-Richardson said. “There has to be fast movements to make the program flow more and to make the program look pretty in between the spins and jumps.”

The balance of athleticism and art is different for every skater, according to Turner. “It is different for some people. Some people are very interested in the art and the technique and looking pretty and others are very athletic and like to do more jumps,” Turner said.

Regardless, f o r Tu r n e r, her preference is clear. She prefers to be a little bit more athletic. “A little bit more athletic because I love performing and I love the thrill of doing that, but I also love the thrill of going fast and jumping and spinning,” she said.

As they tumble through the air, gymnasts trust their bodies to follow muscle memory, allowing them to immerse themselves in their artistry. Harnessing their strength, gymnasts incorporate various artistic elements into specific events such as the balance beam and floor.

Gymnastics blends strength, swiftness, flexibility and elements of dance. The beam is one such example in which artistic ability is built upon the foundation of strength required to stay on the beam. “A lot of it is dance, fluidity of motions and the kind of emotions it causes,” sophomore Avital Rutenburg said.

For senior Lina Osofsky, who did high school gymnastics up until her junior year, the floor event, a series of moves combining dancing, acrobatics and tumbling, was an opportunity to show off her sassiness and uniqueness. On a private team, she did not have music choice, relying on her facial expressions to bring out her personality. “Once I got into high school gymnastics, I got to pick my own songs and choreograph it myself with my coach, which made it more personal to me and more fun,” she said.

Compared to many other sports that champion qualitative factors such as speed of pitches, height of jump or time of swim, gymnastics is judged more holistically. Gymnast sophomore Roark Sweidy Stata says details such as hand positions and facial expression are not only stylistic, but also accounted for in the judging. “My teammates always remind me to smile before my floor routine because I sometimes forget to do that,” Sweidy Stata said. “When you don’t look like you’re having fun, the judges won’t have fun either.”

In the same way gymnasts practice their strength and skill, they are mindful of the artistic details they add to their performance. “When you practice your routine, not only do you have to be strong, but also when you finish your

GYMNASTICS

Monday, March 14, 2016

ICE SKATING

skill, your confidence and presentation of the skill is equally as important as how you executed that skill,” Osofsky said.

While such artistic detail is strongly rooted in women’s gymnastics, it is not reflected the same way in men’s gymnastics. “You can see immediately on floor that guys’ routines don’t have music and is a combination of tumbling, flexibility and strength demonstrations,” Sweidy Stata said. For Ososfky, the differences seemed unfair at first, especially when she spoke with her male coach. “When I actually saw what they were doing I realized that music wouldn’t really go with what they were doing,” Osofsky said.

On the other hand, Rutenburg feels that male and female gymnastics are fundamentally the same. “We have dance literally in our routines whereas they don’t have movement dances, but I think to the exterior person just watching both, they both have that same rhythm,” she said.

The aesthetic element of gymnastics is also a source for audience appeal.

“When you watch the Olympics, a lot of times why people prefer watching gymnastics is that the gymnasts kind of take you on a very long dance of various emotions and spikes of energies,” Rutenburg said. “The whole thing is like one big dance.”

Sweidy Stata says that this performance aspect is what differentiates one athlete from another. “The floor routines that really stand out are the ones that have a lot of high energy and make the crowd really into it,” Sweidy Stata said. “[The audience] can really tell from the way they exaggerate their moves.”

—Compiled by Matthew Hamilton, Evalyn Li and Shannon Yang Graphics by Joanne Lee Photos courtesy of Larry Li, Avital Rutenberg, Hayley Turner, Lina Osofsky, Mila Dzakovic and Aurora Vaughn

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Monday, March 14, 2016

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Theatre department to perform ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

from March 17 through March 26.

One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is Four human lovers, two groups of ri- a laugh-out-loud comedy. “It is so ingeval fairies, the rude mechanicals and niously constructed with four different their play-within-a-play—what could go plots that get intertwined through the wrong? Add in some love juice, some awe- story and by the end, it’s a celebration of some 90s music and dance numbers and magic and love and those are universals you’ve got the Theatre department’s 2016 for me,” Theatre teacher Jim Shelby said. production of William Shakespeare’s “A The idea for the play’s setting in 1996 Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which runs Los Angeles came from the stage tech class’s Dramaturgy project, in which the students had to come up with possible settings. “Kristen Lo, the stage tech teacher, and I saw that there was an upsurge in the 90s and I’ve never done anything in the 90s before so we’re having great fun with the music and the costumes,” Shelby said.

Senior Emily Liberatore, who plays Helena, one of the four human lovers, agrees with Shelby. “It takes the humor that is written into the language and just makes it even Alexandra Ting funnier by adding this Top: Thespians practice their lines with intensity for Shake- whole making fun of speare’s “A Midsummers Night Dream. Bottom: Junior Mi- people in the 90s,” she randa Lu and sophomores Anjali Parikh and Kyle Peterson said.

However, before they Ariel Pan

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rehearse for the upcoming play.

Thou shall adoreth Shakespeare Watch updated versions of Shakespeare’s plays. They are usually set in a more recent time period with characters that are easier to relate to.

Watch some good renditions of Shakespeare.

Go out to see Gunn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” or (if you don’t have time) watch The Beatles’ “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” spoof on YouTube.

Read other genres. At Gunn, we mostly read Shakespeare’s tragedies, which usually can be incredibly dense.

If you’re looking for a lighter read, read his comedies.

Watch famous movies that are based upon Shakespeare’s works. (i.e. “She’s the Man” is based on “Twelfth Night,” “Lion King” parallels much of “Hamlet,” and “West Side Story” is based on “Romeo & Juliet”).

Try to really connect with the characters. Many of the conflicts in Shakespeare’s plays are just dramatizations of real life. Who can’t identify with friendship, jealousy and desire?

Use “No Fear Shakespeare” to truly understand and appreciate the plot in Shakespeare’s plays.

—Compiled by Lisa Hao Graphics by Elizabeth Zu

started acting, the actors first had to understand the script and ways to make the audience understand the plot. The actors spent the first few weeks going through the script without acting, making sure they understood every word. “That really freaked me out at first because I was still in the mindset of ‘I don’t quite get it yet’ and no matter what Shakespeare you’re doing, there can be many different interpretations for a huge chunk of it,” Liberatore said. “There’s a lot of bickering over what means what because the language is so much different from the one we know.”

Studying the language is also helpful for the actors to memorize Shakespeare.

The different syntax can make it more difficult to memorize than modern plays because it goes against today’s speech patterns and the actors have to memorize every word. “That’s why it’s so important to find the meaning in the text before because then you can attach meaning to the words that you’re saying instead of just memorizing random words that don’t make sense,” junior Andrés Goldszmidt said.

Unfortunately, beyond understanding the text, there is no easy way to memorize Shakespeare. “Everyone memorizes in a different way,” Shelby said. “Some people just look at it and they have it, almost like photographic memory; for other people, like me, it takes a while. You just have to do it almost like muscle memory; you have to get up and do it in your mouth, in your body, and [the actors] are all good at that.”

The four human lovers are also double cast, meaning that there are two casts that switch off every performance. They watch each other rehearse, helping with lines and also with whether an interpretation is working or not. “It’s hard to be double cast; they work twice as hard and get half as many shows and I’m really proud of them,” Shelby said. “The lovers are just really fun, demanding parts, and I had eight great actors and I saw the opportunity that I could double cast.”

As a word of caution, because the play is double cast, Liberatore advises people to check their tickets to see which cast is performing if they are coming for someone specific.

Nonetheless, both Shelby and Libertore encourage all students and community members to come and see the show.

“The audience should look forward to having a brilliantly fun, giddy time in the theater, lots of great music; you’ll laugh a lot,” Shelby said. “If they haven’t enjoyed Shakespeare for whatever reason before, they will love this.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Ticket Information: Showtimes: March 17 through 26 Gala tickets on March 17 $20 Adults $12 Students $10 Matinee tickets on March 26 $5

18 Hit the road this spring break to explore

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Venture up North

Explore the Central Coast

Start your trip by making your way to Oakland. Stop at the historic Paramount Theatre and enjoy the art-deco architecture from 1931 with a theatre tour or, if you get there in the evening, a classic film. Drive across the bay and stop in Fairfield at the Jelly Belly Factory. Get a tour and enjoy the free samples before getting back in the car.

Start off your road trip by driving up on Highway 17 to Santa Cruz. Hit the world-famous waves, make a sand castle, walk around on the Boardwalk while stuffing your face with fried Oreos and funnel cakes or ride the Giant Dipper while screaming at the top of your lungs.

Continue on to Sacramento, the capital of California. Look at the California Capitol building and explore the adjacent museum highlighting its extensive history. If traditional museums are not your cup of tea, visit Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park: a living-history museum in reconstructed pioneer digs.

Next, go on a short drive along Highway 1 to your next stop: Moss Landing. Go kayaking into the Elkhorn Slough Nature Reserve. There you will be able to witness where the harbor seals lie and enjoy the bird life that is around you. Moss landing is also a great place to go whale watching.

Start heading back home, but make sure to stop at the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve on your way. This interesting park features old coal and sand mining structures as well as some local ghosts. Have your road trip buddy read up on the ghostly lore and enjoy a ghost-hunt together in the abandoned mining buildings and Rose Hill cemetery.

The next stop is Big Sur. Drop by Bixby Bridge, which is one of the more instagrammed places in Big Sur. It is known for amazing views, especially at sunset. After driving further south, stop by Pfeiffer Beach to play around in the purple sand and take beautiful panoramas of the ocean.

Enjoy a tour of the Tesla Motors Factory in Fremont and then make your way to the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum.

Peruse the posters and books and relax while watching a classic silent film in the theater before heading back home.

Continue on to your final stop: San Luis Obispo, a city ranked for being one of the happiest places in the U.S. It is best to time your trip when you arrive on Thursday to enjoy the downtown farmers’ market full of BBQ and free entertainment. Don’t forget to congratulate yourself for completing your road trip.

—Compiled by Jenna Marvet and Naina Murthy

19 t he gre at wonder s of Cal if ornia Monday, March 14, 2016

Road Trip Checklist Take blankets and pillows to sleep on the road and get comfortable.

Set a day to look at hotels and restaurants and calculate your expected budget.

Prepare healthy snacks or just bring Oreos.

Prepare great road trip puns and surprise your friends with a new one every hour. For example, when a milk truck inevitably passes you, say, “We almost got creamed by a milk truck!”

Prepare a playlist: Get ideas from below or make your own. Burn it onto a CD to get the full experience.

—Compiled by Clara Kieschnick-Llamas

—Compiled by Helen Nguyen

Photos and graphics by Joanne Lee, Jackie Lou, Alexandra Ting, Elizabeth Zu and coutesy of Creative Commons.

20

Buzzfeed Food Tutorial Reviews The Oracle staffers sample the latest Facebook fad: Tasty videos e-Pot n O dT h ai a P

Chicken Q B B Roll-ups

hmallow s r a M es Treats r o m ’ S

Time: 30 minutes

Time: 25 minutes For anyone looking to make a casual, delicious appetizer, this recipe is perfect for you. Win big by serving this bold, smoky finger food at your next sports-viewing party.

This entree is tasty for a noodle dish, but does not qualify for an authentic Pad Thai. The tangy sauce drenches the noodles, and the sriracha overpowers the entire dish.

Tips: —Use pre-cut pizza dough; it is easier to roll.

—With BBQ sauce and cheese, more is always better.

Tips: —Adjust sauces to your personal taste.

—Any long noodles work, but Pad Thai noodles are preferable.

—Use less sauce than the recipe calls for; it goes a long way.

—Add more bean sprouts and less sriracha.

Good for…

People who have leftover rotisserie chicken from Costco.

Good for...

Families that often cook with Asian ingredients.

http://tinyurl.com/tastybbqchicken

http://tinyurl.com/tastypadthai

Time: 15 minutes This dessert is an easy, innovative twist on the classic s’mores dessert. It’s a fun no-bake dessert to make with your friends; however, it is not something you should to take to a fancy dinner party.

Tips: ­—Melt chocolate chips, not chocolate bars.

—Marshmallows cool quickly so do not wait to pour.

—Wash your dishes right away.

Good for…

People that are looking for a fast, sweet and easy dessert. http://tinyurl.com/tastysmorestreats

Compiled by Lisa Hao, Prachi Kale and Yuki Klotz-Burwell. Graphics by Cheryl Kao, Jackie Lou and Elizabeth Zu. Photos courtesy of Lisa Hao and Yuki Klotz-Burwell.