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Monday, November 9, 2009

Paly ‘egg wars’ damage Gunn campus Linda Yu

News Editor

Palo Alto High School (Paly) students carried out their annual “egg wars” on the outskirts of the Gunn campus Oct. 27, damaging the athletic facilities and parking lot. Members of the Paly Associated Student Body (ASB) stepped forward to issue an apology to the Gunn student body Oct. 28 and Paly has agreed to cover the costs of the damages.

Following the incident, the Paly ASB issued a written apology to the Gunn

student body on Oct. 28. “There is no excuse for such destructive and boorish behavior,” the letter said. “We are deeply ashamed and can only hope that we can make restitution in the coming days.” Paly Principal Jacqueline McEvoy and ASB members met with the Gunn administration on Oct. 30 to apologize in person.

The egg wars between the junior and senior classes is an annual tradition that takes place during one night of Paly’s Spirit Week, the equivalent of Gunn’s Homecoming week. After last year’s egg war, which took place at Stanford Uni-

versity, university officials contacted the Paly administration regarding damages to the campus. “This year, the Stanford police were notified that the students were planning on having a war that night,” Paly Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson wrote in an e-mail. Assistant Principal Tom Jacoubowsky added that upon discovering that police were stationed at the Stanford campus, the students moved the event to Gunn—“a place without cops.”

The Gunn administration emphasizes that Gunn students were not involved in EGGING—p.4

Victor Kwok

English teacher Marc Igler pulls out a student’s recommendation letter amidst a mountain of work.

Recs burden teachers, counselors Joyce Liu

Managing Editor

The start of November marks the end of the early application period. Out of 481 students in the senior class, around 154 seniors applied early to private universities this year—a 35 percent increase from 114 early applications last year. As a result, guidance counselors and teachers had to write more recommendations in a two-month period.

“Across the spectrum, none of the counselors have low numbers,” guidance counselor Linda Kirsch said.

“We’re all pushing at around the 30s mark, and some of us are already close to 40. People appear to be going early for sure this year.”

Principal Noreen Likins attributed part of the increase in early applicants to the financial troubles in the Universities of California (UCs). “More students are scared about the UC cutbacks,” Likins said. “They are admitting more out-of-state students, and also many students are choosing to [apply early] because knowing where you stand early takes that stress away.”

Compared to the Class of 2009, the proportionate number of seniors who applied early increased by 7 percent.

According to Registrar Tracy Douglas, students are applying to an average of eight to 10 private universities and outof-state publics. This does not include the additional UCs or California state schools they may also apply to.

Permit #44 Palo Alto, Calif.

780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Student balances school, parenting Tiffany Hu & Annie Shuey

Entertainment Editor & Sports Editor

Senior Jonathan Godoy cannot wait for his daughter’s “daddy’s little girl” days. According to Godoy, his 3-month-old daughter, Keira Nicole Godoy, born on July 19, is the center of his life. “She means a lot to me,” he said.

Eleven months ago when his now wife, Joanna Cardenas, told Godoy that she was pregnant, he was at a loss for words. “I was shocked, I didn’t know what to say,” Godoy said. “But then I thought it over and I knew I had to man up and accept responsibility.” According to Godoy, manning up took courage. “I was worried, I didn’t know if I could support the child,” he said. “I didn’t know how I was going to do it.”

Godoy, however, was not alone. “I got a lot of support from parents, friends, family and teachers,” Godoy said. History teacher and assistant football coach Mark Weisman was one of the many people who supported Godoy throughout and after the pregnancy. When Godoy mentioned that a baby was on the way while walking to football practice, Weisman “was straight up with me,” Godoy said. “He told me that it would be a life-changing event.”

Weisman, who has two young children of his own including a daughter that was born just weeks before Keira, also gave Godoy firsthand information about what he could expect during the pregnancy and after the birth. “I wanted to keep it positive,” Weisman said.

When Godoy shared the news with his parents, they told him that he needed to assume responsibility and be the man that he was raised to be. “They let me know that they were there PARENT—p.11

Letter from the Editor: On covering suicide Jon Proctor

Editor-in-Chief

Nathan Toung

“Ivy leagues are popular,” Douglas said. “But lesser known schools were also chosen, which was nice to see.”

With so many students applying early, however, teachers and counselors must write more letters before the early application deadline, usually Nov. 1.

“It puts more pressure on the guidance

COLLEGE—p.5

As a paper, and a community, we are faced daily with the difficult question of how to deal with the recent events. Each loss is a tragedy, and the lives of those who have passed deserve recognition. As a newspaper, however, we have decided not to directly cover the suicides in an attempt to switch our community’s attention from the suicides to a solution.

Many members of our community are working to improve Gunn’s mental health, and The Oracle will continue to cover these efforts. This month, The Oracle contains information about student-run support groups and an inspiring story of a Gunn alum who overcame depression. We hope these words help the community find its footing during this disorienting and tragic time.

Information on the specific suicides has been published by other local papers and can be found online.

The Oracle

Kaiser Permanente teaches sexual health

NEWS BITES

On Nov. 2, a group of professional actors from health care provider Kaiser Permanente put on a play about sexually transmitted diseases and safe sex.

Currently, the most common age group that tests HIV positive is between the ages of 13 and 25. This assembly is required by state law and was not planned by the Student Executive Council. Every four years, Kaiser holds a similar performance. “This year, they updated the information and made it more interesting than previous years’,” math teacher Jeanne Beck said.

The five main actors portrayed average high school students. Two of the actors played a teenage couple that was taking their relationship slowly, while the others played multiple roles. Scenarios of testing for HIV and information on how HIV spreads were featured in the performance. It also discussed measures to take in order to have safe sex. At the end of the performance, the five actors answered questions about sex-related topics. Questions ranged from how to use a condom to clarifications on how HIV spreads. “[The assembly] kept [the students’] attention and spoke out to them,” Student Activities Director Lisa Hall said.

The sexual knowledge covered in the assembly overlaps with the information learned in Living Skills. ­—Alice Yu

Project Cornerstone Workshop spurs discussion

2

Project Cornerstone, an organization whose aim is to build a web of support around every youth, will host an optional workshop for students on Nov. 24 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Project Cornerstone tries to get students involved in the discussion of how to unify the community. “We focus on developmental assets or namely the essential nutrients that young people need to thrive,” Youth Partnership Coordinator from Project Cornerstone Kelly Noftz said. The basic assets include support, empowerment, boundaries and constructive use of time. Noftz will oversee the workshop at Gunn.

The workshop aims to increase communication between staff and students in an effort to set a precedent for students to be more open. Another purpose is to begin to evaluate and improve Gunn’s social and academic climate. “Activities usually emerge from the students during the discussions, which is what I hope will happen at Gunn,” Noftz said.

Senior Joyce Liu, who is leading ROCK with seniors Esther Han and Yoni Alon, is helping to publicize this event.

“We’re expecting about 70 people and should have one staff member for every 10 students,” Liu said. “It’s open to all students and is completely voluntary.”

The workshop will consist of many small group discussions to help staff see things from a student’s perspective and vice versa. “It’s hard to say now how effective it will be, but it supports the theme of communication that Gunn has started this year.” Liu said. This workshop will be the first discussion where students and adults come together to talk about the issues around Gunn. “I’ll feel successful if I can get our community to stop asking what’s wrong at Gunn,” Noftz said. “I want to look at and celebrate the assets and strengths of our youth.”

SEC organizes lunches to promote diversity

­—Jesse Klein

Diversity Commissioners seniors Tk Yilma, Bisrat Abraha and Natan Reddy will be hosting monthly cultural lunches to celebrate ethnic differences throughout the school beginning Nov. 16.

Class of 2009 alum Ahmad Fayad initially came up with the idea to host cultural lunches. The Diversity Commissioners implemented the idea this year. “We started the culture days because we feel that Gunn is a very diverse place, and we should celebrate that diversity,” Abraha said.

The Diversity Commissioners added that they would like to give students a chance to share their culture. “We feel that they give Gunn students the opportunity to learn about different cultures and let them teach others about their own,” Abraha said.

The upcoming cultural lunches are going to promote cultural awareness. This promotion of diversity is going to be more frequent, adding onto International Week in February. “We need to celebrate all the cultures present at Gunn,” Yilma said.

From November to May, except for February when there is International Week, the Diversity Commissioners will have a culture day during lunch. Each month will celebrate a different culture, starting with a European culture day Nov. 16. “We want to focus on the many different cultures we have here at Gunn,” Abraha said. “So we will have a European, East Asian, South Asian, African, Latin and Middle Eastern culture day.” ­—Mati Pluska-Renaud

News

October campus recap Courtesy of Thanh-Ha Nguyen

Henry Liu

Henry Liu

Above: Students gather for ‘Talk to me’ shirts Oct. 22. Top Right: Advanced Placement Physics C student senior Eric Schmidt helps run a demonstration for extra credit Oct. 21. Bottom Right: Junior Stephanie Tsai plays the cello at the Prism Concert Oct. 22.

Union signs benefit agreement Hannah Schwartz & Niki Mata

Copy Editor & News Editor

The teachers’ union, also known as the Palo Alto Educators Association (PAEA), came to an agreement with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) for increased co-payments for health benefits at a negotiations meeting on Oct. 20.

The Joint Benefits Committee within the union, which includes teachers, administrators and classified employees, proposed a plan with additional co-payments to help the district cover the increased health costs, which the union agreed to. The district moved to a less expensive plan provided by Kaiser and Blue Cross, and a less expensive Delta Dental plan. The district is also giving employees the option to start a Flexible Spending Account for health care expenses, and will match the first $200 dollars deposited in the account.

Altogether, the district managed to save $1.2 million in expenditures.

Members of the union and the district hold annual meetings to renegotiate their contract. This year, due to budget cuts, the teacher’s union pushed for health benefits instead of a salary increase. “It’s

not a big negotiation year because of flat property tax growth and take backs from the State of California, so we knew there was no new money,” PAEA president Triona Gogarty said. “We didn’t ask for a raise, but we were trying to hold onto our health benefits.”

PAEA negotiations chair and social studies teacher Ronen Habib agreed that pushing for a salary increase this year would not be possible. “We weren’t going to ask for something unreasonable,” he said.

The union initially asked the district to cover $780,000 in health benefits without increased copayments, which is what a person would pay for each doctor’s visit.

However, the district said that with its increased expenditures, it could not afford to pay the increased premiums, or cost, of health insurance. The price of health insurance to cover the district staff increased to approximately $1.2 million this year. “It’s a really thorny issue this year because the cost of health benefits has increased,” Principal Noreen Likins said.

Currently, the PAUSD has a surplus of $5.9 million, $9.5 million in basic aid reserves and $4.6 million in reserves for economic uncertainties. Likins said the amount in

district reserves is already above the legal reserve requirement. According to Habib, however, the district would rather use this money to offset future deficits.

Even though the district stated that it couldn’t afford to pay for increased premium costs, Habib acknowledges that it is not to blame.

“We understand that the district is not creating the problem,” he said.

“Premiums are a national concern.”

Salary and health benefits make up 77 percent of district expenditures. According to Gogarty, in 10 years, the percentage of expenditures on health benefits has increased from 6 to 11 percent. Given the fact that the issue of health coverage is a national concern, the union is continuing to push for it.

“I just feel like health benefits are a necessity in a year that we’re not asking for a raise, and we’re paying more for co-pays, which essentially equates to a pay cut,” Habib said.

According to Gogarty, the district also said there would be layoffs if there were another economic crisis. Thus, the union wanted to find the best way to save money.

“Every $80,000 that we do not send to Blue Cross or Kaiser is another teacher’s job saved in the coming years,” she said.

Homecoming game safety debated Tiffany Hu

Entertainment Editor

“Through Time and Space” ended just five weeks ago, but the Student Executive Council (SEC) has already begun the process of assessing the week’s strengths and pitfalls to improve next year’s Homecoming. “We always debrief the week after Homecoming to discuss what did and did not go well,” Student Activities Director Lisa Hall said.

A serious issue SEC faced was one regarding students’ safety. “The administration was concerned about the safety of stuff-a-bench,” Hall said. “There were students that fell off the various towers this year.

Luckily no one was hurt, but it is definitely precarious.” Because of this, SEC might change the rules of the game. “We were thinking that the bench should be just one layer of people,” senior class president Miles Matthews, who ran the stuff-a-bench game, said.

After debriefing, the SEC has decided upon a few changes that they plan to enact next year. One of these planned changes is to spread the knowledge of the games’ rules more effectively. “There was some con-

fusion about the rules,” Hall said. “They have always been written down, but they have never been especially publicized.”

According to Senior Student Body President Daljeet Virdi, Homecoming week was a success, despite the interruptions with the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) and controversies with the final standings.

“SEC did a wonderful job in making sure Homecoming events ran smoothly,” Virdi said. “At the end of the week, even though the results were surprising, Gunn came together as one [unified] student body.”

Unification started within SEC as officers put aside their own differences and worked together to plan the week. “As a whole, [SEC] was aware of the challenges but was determined to work together despite everything,” Hall said. “They knew that the purpose of the week was to bring the school together, raise school spirit and support the football team.”

SEC hopes to extend the school spirit for next year’s Homecoming. “We want people to celebrate [Homecoming] week, not feel down because their class didn’t get the rank they wanted to get,” Virdi said. “We want to make it a more positive experience.”

News

Monday, November 9, 2009

3

Henry M. Gunn Gives Me Hope HOME

ABOUT

SUBMIT YOUR HMGGMH

Overcoming depression

Web site brings community together Sophie Cheng & Linda Yu News Editors

schools I’ve been to, the students are not open to everyone around them.”

In response to the recent suicides and in an attempt to improve the community’s wellbeing, students are reaching out to each other through online means and events on campus.

Senior Joyce Liu created a Web site on Oct. 20 called Henry M. Gunn Gives Me Hope (HMGGMH) for students, teachers, alumni, parents and other community members. “The administration, people from the district, Dr. Luskin and I met sometime in September to talk about the recent events and Dr. Luskin had an idea to make additions to the ROCK Web site on how to be happy,” she said.

Although this idea was not implemented, it helped Liu think of HMGGMH. “I saw that on Facebook a lot of people had their statuses commenting on GMH [givesmehope.com], and it reinforced my idea that it would be a cool idea to start a Web site like it for school,” she said.

HMGGMH had 691 visits on the first day and 1,236 on the second.

Math teacher David Deggeller was impressed by the student effort behind the Web site. “I love that it was student-driven and I feel like other students will take it more seriously as a result,” he said. “It was also a creative way to get alumni and parents involved and give them a forum to offer their own hope.” Science teacher Bill Dunbar agrees. “It’s nice that these students—unlike many adults—have initiated positive dialogue with no finger pointing, moping, hysterics,” he said. “The Web site is refreshing and effective because it is positive and reaffirming. It gives me hope!”

Through this Web site, Liu hopes to allow people to share the love, hope and happiness in their lives. “Reading Web sites like GMH does give people hope,” Liu said. “People do nice things all the time without realizing it, but it really makes a difference in the people they affect.” Junior Lance Truong, a student who posted on the site, agrees.

“Everyone cares about each other and not just about their own group of friends,” he said. “I’m surprised by it because at other

Students organize events on campus Junior Sophia Jiang organized an event through Facebook called Operation Beautiful on campus Oct. 21, in which students wrote inspirational sayings on Post-it® notes and placed them on walls, pillars, lamp posts, bathroom mirrors and other surfaces around campus. “Operation Beautiful is a previously established event dealing with women and body image issues, so I thought, why not open it up to everyone?” Jiang said.

Jiang created the event after hearing that the administration was discouraging memorials of the incident. “I didn’t think it would be successful at first, but now, I still see new Post-its® popping up,” she said. “It’s really inspiring to see that people are willing to take two seconds to make someone else’s day.”

Sophomore Nadia Naqvi, who took over the “Please Talk” group from Class of 2009 alumni McKay Daines, also used Facebook to organize a campus-wide Free Hugs Day on Oct. 23. Students taped “free hugs” signs to their backpacks to promote the event.

Students reach out through Facebook Junior Jordan Leung utilized Facebook to create his group “Hi, My Name Is...” as a stepping stone for students to get to know each other. “The Facebook group is a way for people to say who they are, introduce themselves and make some sort of a connection with others at school by saying just a few simple statements about themselves,” he said.

Freshman Matt Vistnes created the Facebook group “Life’s A Good Thing— Gunn High School” to reach out to students who are feeling depressed or suicidal.

Members share personal experiences and post bits of advice on the wall.

Despite the overlap between many of the Facebook groups, students and teachers alike see it as a positive sign that the community is taking initiative to find a solution. “A handful of great ideas have been implemented by a creative and energetic student base, and essentially

spread to the masses,” Deggeller wrote in an e-mail. “It seems that there is less finger-pointing in the community now than last year, and that people realize that it will take a community-wide effort to prevent suicides in the future.” Vistnes agreed.

“It’s not a business,” he said. “It’s not like you’re opening up a Starbucks next to Pete’s Coffee. We’re all on the same side; we’re all trying to help each other.”

Liu hopes that the community will continue to reach out and work together.

“We can be more proactive,” she said. “It’s time to step up. We need to walk the walk while talking the talk. Commit yourself to a cause. Reach out to a friend. Say hello to a random person and smile at them. They might think it’s weird, but at least you’re taking the first step.”

Posts from HMGGMH November 4, 2009

­ “Today I was walking down

the street listening to music and stepping on all the really crunchy looking leaves when a kid came up smiled at me and just started talking to me.

I made a new friend and now everyday at school I can smile and wave at him in the halls, when before I had no one to wave to. HMGGMH!” —Half-full (10) October 27, 2009 “As I was making my way to my car, I saw a sail bobbing through the Gunn parking lot.

A blur of green and blue weaving through Hondas and Jeeps.

Instead of windsurfing, I found that students were windboarding. Unexpected and excellent uses of a blustery day are why HMGGMH.” —Teacher

Faces in the Crowd: What makes you smile?

Tommy Tai (9) “When people give me food from the heart.”

Crystal Nguyen (10) “Doing things I use to do when I was young.”

Helen Sol (11) “Whenever I see somebody else smile.”

Julia Garcia (12) “Sunny days.”

—Compiled by Alice Yu

Laura Gumbrecht Guest Writer

When I wake up, I am jubilant. I start the day knowing that I will go to school, do my homework, go on Facebook and cuddle with my cat. That all sounds mighty dandy, but I forgot one step: taking my 300 mg dose of Amitriptyline. Amitriptyline is a mood stabilizer that combats my bipolarism, and thank god for that.

Looking back on my sophomore year, I cannot even fathom how different I am today. Mornings used to start with me wondering what I was doing on this godforsaken planet. I still managed to go to school, but gradually things got worse.

My stress level was so high that my body invited any sort of illness in, while at the same time, I tried to maintain an image of a “happy Laura.”

Halfway through my sophomore year, I started hurting myself, and I would have morbid thoughts racing through my head at school and at home. Days were sort of a blur, between me missing school, hurting myself, having overwhelming thoughts of suicide and hiding my secret. I began having daily panic attacks. These panic attacks consumed me with feelings of helplessness, an obsession with failure and not being able to escape the anxiety and depression in general.

One day, in a state of clarity, I told my mom that I had been cutting myself. I don’t remember having any feelings about what I said or her reaction; all I remember was knowing that everything had changed because now someone knew. I then told one of my best friends and then somehow all five of my best friends found out–they later told me that they had formed a legion and had meetings concerning what they could do to help me. Knowing people knew made it harder to hurt myself.

My parents started me with therapy and took me to a psychopharmacist. It took almost two years to get my medication right; I spent one year taking an antidepressant before realizing that I was bipolar. It wasn’t until halfway through my senior year that I was able to feel stable.

I know that sounds like a long time, but to me, it’s still surprising. Earlier in high school, I would never have thought that I would wake up wanting to start the day.

Recently a friend asked me if I truly feel better, and with all honesty I can say that I feel wonderful! I even know that if depressive feelings return, they won’t be permanent and that I have everything it takes to make myself happy again.

Sometimes, I feel like a recovered alcoholic—I know the troubles, but I also know the difference. I want to let everyone know, as cliché as it sounds, that they aren’t alone, and that change is possible if you want it to be.

Add me on Facebook if you want to talk! I’m Laula Gumbrecht.

—Gumbrecht, a Class of 2009 alum, is a guest writer.

4

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Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Jon Proctor Managing Editors Joyce Liu Carissa Ratanaphanyarat News Sophie Cheng Niki Mata Linda Yu Forum Joseph Lin Sarah-Jean Zubair Features Henry Gens Emily Zheng Centerfold Sophia Jiang Alvin Man Entertainment Melissa Chan Tiffany Hu Sports Wen Yi Chin Kevin Gao Annie Shuey Copy Editors Nicola Park Hannah Schwartz Alice Yu Photo Henry Liu Graphics Nathan Toung Web/Tech Kimberly Han Webmaster Charles Chen

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Paly to cover cleanup costs from recent ‘egg wars’ n EGGING from p.1

the event, and that the location of this year’s egg wars implies no negative intentions from Paly toward Gunn. “This was not a situation in which Gunn was targeted,” Jacoubowsky said. Principal Noreen Likins agrees. “It was entirely a Paly thing,” she said.

According to a statement issued

by McEvoy on Oct. 29, there was about $1,500 of damage done to the Gunn campus. “The egg wars took place at a far corner of the Gunn campus at what the neighbors call ‘Strawberry Hill,’ which is a triangular-shaped field of barrenness and wasteland,” Likins said. “However, the egg wars continued when the students were heading back to the parking lot, which explains the residue left on the majority of our athletic facilities, including the pool deck, the baseball and softball fields, the track, the scoreboard and the parking lot.” District personnel contacted an independent cleaning company on Oct. 28 after the incident, who surveyed the damages and carried out the cleanup process. According to Likins, the majority of the procedure has been completed, but parts of the track have been permanently damaged.

The track was recently resurfaced prior to the incident.

The Paly Voice, Paly’s online journalism publication, reported on Oct. 28 that the egg fight resulted in multiple injuries to participants.

“Rumor has it there were frozen eggs,” Berkson said in a Voice article. “Someone had a busted lip.

Someone had a swollen eye. It was not just throwing eggs.”

Following the event, the two schools have been working together to investigate the incident. “Receipts found helped to track down some of the people involved,” Jacoubowsky said. The Gunn administration also provided Paly with

“Facebook conversations between Paly and Gunn students, with Paly students bragging about their roles,” Berkson wrote in an e-mail.

McEvoy’s statement revealed that 20 to 25 students have been interviewed by the Paly administration. Berkson also wrote that some students have “come in on their own and turned themselves in.”

Disciplinary measures have included suspensions and community service. “Based on the level of involvement of students on a case by case basis, about 12 students were suspended for one or two days,” McEvoy’s statement said. “A number of students will [also] be doing community service.” Though the Gunn administration has not been involved with the disciplinary measures, Jacoubowsky expressed his approval of how the incident is being handled by the Paly administration. “Had it been Gunn students who were involved, we would have taken disciplinary measures too,” he said.

Overall, Likins is satisfied with the way Paly has handled the situation. “Of course, we wish the event hadn’t happened, but they did everything they could to make it right,” she said.

The letter of apology from Paly ASB’s is published on The Oracle Web site at http://www.gunn. pausd.org/oracle.

Strawberry Hill

Turf field

Gym

Courtesy of Google Maps

Courtesy of The Paly Voice reporters Alex Sholtz and Jason Willick

Top: The designated triangular region shows Strawberry Hill, the area where the majority of the egg wars took place.

Bottom: Broken egg shells were found strewn about around campus, including on window sills.

Administration discusses adding IB program Henry Gens

Features Editor

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program may arrive at Gunn as early as 2012, offering students an alternative to Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

The specific IB curriculum that would be implemented at Gunn is the Diploma program, a two-year study designed for students 16 to 19 years of age. The program is centered around six comprehensive areas of study which are composed of English, a second language, individuals and societies, mathematics and computer science, experimental sciences and the arts. Additionally, there are three core requirements: an extended essay, the Theory of Knowledge course and the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) community service initiative. At the end of the second year and upon completion of the course requirements and standardized testing, students receive an IB diploma that is widely recognized by leading universities around the world, unlike the AP courses, which are not recognized worldwide.

Although students are required to take classes in each of the six subjects, these courses may be taken at a higher (equivalent to 240 teaching hours) or standard (representing 150 teaching hours) level of difficulty. Despite its seemingly restricted course of study, the IB program offers a variety of classes within each subject.

Additionally, students can take IB classes without enrolling in the Diploma program and still

receive a certificate for completion credit of that class. “One of the greatest things about the IB program is the type of courses they offer,” English teacher Jordan Huizing said. “Islamic studies, for example, is one of those interesting classes that AP doesn’t offer, and a student can take just that course without doing the Diploma program and still receive credit.”

The three core requirements of the Diploma program share a similar degree of notability for their unique approach. “For the extended essay students get to choose what they want to write about,” Huizing said. “Students also get a thesis advisor for this. It was one of my favorite papers in high school.” The two other core requirements also attract comparable commendation.“CAS is an interesting community service project, and a lot of kids end up loving the Theory of Knowledge course,” math teacher Chris Karas said. “It’s based around learning how to learn and is probably the most popular of the three core requirements” Another key feature of the Diploma program is its international standards, which assess students based on criteria, not overall rankings.

“The whole concept is to standardize what a grade means,” Karas said. “For example, is an A in Spain the same as it is here? Even regionally this is not true. So there’s a lot of external assessment in the program in order to try to level the playing field around the world.”

The administration started to seriously consider adopting the IB program just recently.

“I’ve often gotten asked by people if we offer this program, in part because we have such a large international population,” Principal Noreen Likins said. “But what really started us on looking at this program is the College Board’s decision last year to discontinue the AP French exam without so much as consulting us. We didn’t want to be tied to the College Board, so we began to consider alternatives to AP.” The IB program’s academic excellence and international focus attracted the attention of the administration early on. “We really liked the way that subjects are interconnected in the program—everything is tied together,” Likins said.

Additionally, the administration believes that the IB Diploma program will help serve students in a different way. “Implementing the IB program allows us to fill gaps in our current course offerings” Likins said. “For example, there may be a student that is really interested in taking more math, but maybe not calculus. The IB has intermediate level courses that cover that gap” The administration as a whole is enthusiastic about the possibility of implementing an IB Diploma program. “We’ve been attending workshops and visiting IB schools, and we’re impressed with what we’ve seen,” Likins said.

According to Likins, Gunn is in the planning stage, mapping out the courses for juniors and seniors, after which it may submit an application, a process that takes 18 months. The IB program could be in place at Gunn as early as 2012, although a later date is more likely.

News

Monday, November 9, 2009

5

Teachers work overtime to fill out students’ college rec letters n COLLEGE from p.1

counselors,” Likins said.

Guidance counselor Jovi Johnston wrote 32 early letters of recommendation, which is double the number of letters she wrote last year. At home, she writes at most two letters a day. “You want to be able to give your attention to each packet, and I think if you try to do too many by the end of the day you can get burned out,” Johnston said. Because not all colleges use the Common Application, filling out the individual forms for each school can take much longer. Johnston said that it could double or triple the amount of time spent depending on the number of forms needed.

In addition, counselors make an effort to see all the seniors who are applying early for their senior conference before the deadline.

All seniors have their conferences before mid-November. “Due to the volume of early requests, many of us have had to do evening and weekend writing time to be sure we can meet the deadlines and not overwhelm the registrar,” Kirsch said. “She has a lot of work she needs to do to complete the mailing.”

Some counselors choose to write at school and will put up a “Do not disturb” sign. Kirsch prefers to write at home. “Usually I tell my family, ‘Think of me like the tax people. You don’t bother me during my writing season.’

It starts September, October and runs through November. I start breathing Dec. 1,” she said.

Douglas also mentioned that there are always students who decide to apply early at the last minute. When this happens, Gunn cannot ensure that the college will receive information from Gunn by the deadline. “When students make our deadlines, we are committed to getting their envelopes mailed out on time. But if they don’t make our guidelines, there’s no guarantee,” she said.

Advanced Placement Biology teacher Katherine Moser wrote 23 early application recommendations this year. “It really jumped up this year,” Moser said. “By the eighth day of school, I could not take any more recs. I had to turn away 10 students, and I have never had that happen.” Moser believes that applying early is not necessarily wise. “I think people need to chill,” she said. “It is not easier to get in early, and students are trading off a thoughtful application.”

Gunn offers teachers a day off or a stipend for every 10 letters of recommendation they write. Moser estimates that it takes her three hours per student to write, sort and mail the recommendations out. “It cuts into free time,” Moser said. “I don’t make quilts during this time of year.” In addition, Moser said that she uses up an entire black printing cartridge each year and

goes through about $30 of postage.

Likins noted that teachers are not obliged to write recommendations. Some teachers have a quota on the number of letters they will write.

“They’re trying to teach a class and prep [for it], and they still must make time to do their letters of recommendations,” Kirsch said.

Next year, Gunn plans to have juniors start on the college application process earlier so that the first few months of Henry Liu their senior year can be more manageable for Guidance counselor Lisa Kaye goes through early college packets. themselves as well as in a vacuum. I didn’t hear from which [students] got in,” he said for teachers and counselors. Acanybody.”

Moser advised students to be cording to Likins, students often Fredrich encourages students courteous throughout the whole ask teachers who taught them in to stay in touch and get back to process. “Students have to realize Advanced Placement or other teachers on their results in the this is a favor that teachers do for classes during junior year, but it’s spring so they have some feed- them—an act of love—and they perfectly fine to ask teachers from back. “I have copies of every rec- should be nice,” she said. “If you sophomore year. ommendation that I ever wrote, want to give thanks, for me, it’s On the other side of the specbut I do not have the data about dark chocolate only.” trum, U.S. History teacher John Fredrich has not written letters of recommendation for the past two Tips from staff about the college application process years. “I basically stopped writing 1. Spend time on your recommendation request form. them when I didn’t get any feed2. Ask community members who know you well to write a back from the students for whom I supplemental recommendation. was writing them,” Fredrich said.

3. Visit the schools before applying.

“So I had no idea if [the letters] 4. Guidance counselors are always available for any questions. were effective or not. It’s some5. Write a Thank You note to your teachers and guidance counthing that’s grown over the years selor after they finish your recommendations. to the point that I was operating

School regulates fundraising Emily Zheng

Features Editor

Beginning this year, the school is enforcing a law that prohibits clubs from sending money to outside organizations. The law enacted states that nonprofit organizations cannot donate to other nonprofit organizations. Since clubs are part of the school—a nonprofit organization—they are not allowed to donate to the organizations that they support. However, clubs are still allowed to ask donors to write checks directly to the larger organizations.

“Even though clubs claim to be part of their respective organizations, they are still first and foremost a part of the school,” Student Activities Director Lisa Hall said. The law is not new to the system, but the Palo Alto Unified School District has only recently asked that the school begin enforcing it this year.

The new enforcement of this law has raised concern and frustration among clubs whose main mission is to fundraise for the organization that they are a part of. “I am thoroughly against this sudden change in the system,” junior Fair Trade club president Roxanne Rahnama said. “I don’t understand why we would be taking out a rule of helping people and contributing the money we raise to help the world outside of Gunn High School.”

Because of the new enforcement of the law, Rahnama said that she will need to drastically change the planned activities for this year. “Most of the events that I had planned out revolved around fundraising so we will need to completely change our way of involvement,” she said.

Many other clubs such as Doctors Without Borders also need to change their planned activities. “Being a new club this year, this law was a very big shock for me,” junior Doctors

Without Borders club president Tara Golshan said. “I am disappointed because after all my club is for a nonprofit organization and I was hoping to be able to donate as well as raise awareness, but sending out the message is just as important to me.”

According to Hall, clubs are still allowed to fundraise and ask for donations from other students and community members. However, all the money must be used for club and school purposes like hosting events to spread awareness for different causes or buying items for people in need.

Youth Community Service/Interact’s Guatemala trip (formerly known as the Tijuana trip) is an example of a club project that is using the money it raises for its own club purpose—paying for the expenses of sending a team of students down to Guatemala to immerse themselves in a community service project.

Other clubs, such as the Gunn Creosote Foundation whose mission is to spread education to third world countries, hope to do similar things. “There’s a lot of other ways in which we can fundraise that doesn’t involve cold cash such as increasing awareness of the organization and thus garnering more interest,” junior Gunn Creosote Foundation club president Audrey Ho said. “We will also be holding fundraisers to cover club expenses, and hosting other events to train our club members.”

Hall believes that this new change may be a good change for clubs and their members.

“The enforcement of this law pushes club presidents and members to be more creative in terms of what they do to contribute to their organizations,” Hall said. “One of the biggest things that they can contribute is to spread awareness about their cause, and that can come in many forms. There are more aspects of an organization than just fundraising and asking for donations.”

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Monday, November 9, 2009

7

Jumbled schedule decreases quality of education

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his year’s extremely chaotic schedule has deprived students of valuable class time.

Teachers continually struggle to keep class lessons consistent and students are forced to deal with the odd daily schedules. By failing to think ahead, the district and administration have lowered the quality of education at Gunn.

This school year’s irregular schedule began with the first week of school. With school beginning on Tuesday instead of a Monday, periods B, G and A were already disadvantaged. Since this happens every year, it should have been easy enough for those periods to catch up.

However, the very next Friday ended up being a minimum day because of Back to School night. The common belief amongst students is that minimum day periods are

too short for anything of substance to be taught. Teachers usually end up showing class-related movies on these days, or even worse, try squeezing a 60-minute lecture into a period nearly half that time.

Also, to the delight of students this year, there have been more long weekends than usual. According to instructional supervisors, this means more rest and fun for students. But on the flip side, teachers continually end at different places in lectures for different periods.When resuming a lesson from a previous day, teachers can easily confuse where each class ended. It takes up precious class time to sort out exactly where each class ends, and to make up for this time, the teacher resorts to either cutting the lesson short or cramming a lesson into inadequate periods.

In this rush, valuable information is sure to be lost between classes or assigned as homework.

It is unfair to these students, since this material could be included in assignments and tests even if not adequately covered.

In the entire year, a couple of periods do indeed have fewer days than other periods. In general, there have been more E and C periods because of long weekends and different scheduling on Wednesdays.

For any Advanced Placement or Honors class in which the set curriculum must be taught at a faster pace, the shortage of a few days hugely impacts the students’ education.

The teacher must make sure that all class sections are caught up before continuing with the lesson and spends fewer class periods teaching new material. This is not a constructive use of students’ time and detracts from the learning experience.

Or instead of free periods, more homework may be assigned to classes that are behind as catch up work. This is unfair to students.

This year’s schedule has done nothing to improve the academics of the school and only frustrates and

Student rights need defense Arjun Bharadwaj As a citizen of the United States, you are protected under the constitution from nonconsensual body searches or searches of property. As a minor, you also have greater protection than an adult during police interrogations and for crime sentences. Despite this, many people seem to think that students’ rights can be easily bypassed, and throughout the United States, their rights are being trampled on. Nonconsensual searches are not only immoral, but also unconstitutional. People need to know their rights in order to preserve them.

Recently in the city of Stafford, Arizona, a 13-year old girl was ordered to strip down so that her principal could search her and her backpack for ibuprofen tablets, a drug no stronger than Advil. Both the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2008 and Supreme Court in June 2009 overwhelmingly ruled that the search was a direct violation of the Fourth Amendment, as well as excessive in its method. This case was one of the most recent cases in which courts ruled that nonconsensual searches of students are unconstitutional. Another landmark case in search claims was Beard v. Whitmore Lake School District, where the courts ruled that it was unconstitutional to strip search an entire high school gym class in search of stolen prom money, which was never recovered. Even interrogations of minors have limits. In 2002, the Ninth Circuit court ruled in Alvarado v. Hickman that minors under the age of 17 have greater protection under Miranda

laws, which state that a person’s rights when placed under interrogation include the right to remain silent, the right to have an attorney present and the right to have parents present during an interrogation. This happened after a 17-year old boy confessed to a crime despite not being in custody and not having been read his rights. Minors also cannot be sentenced to death.

This law was decided by the Supreme Court in the landmark case Roper v.

Simmons in 2005, where Simmons was sentenced to the death penalty when he turned 18, despite the fact that he had been convicted for capital murder when he was 17.

Despite the numerous protections minors have, it is extremely important to know that they exist. Police who ask to search your body or home will not tell you if you can or cannot consent.

You have to learn these rights on your own. Another simple fact is that during interrogations you can simply remain silent. If you find yourself in an interrogation situation, the police are unlikely to try and help you, as they are already suspicious. It is important to know your rights not only as a student, but also as a U.S. citizen in order to preserve American democracy.

—Bharadwaj, a senior, is a reporter.

Basic rights of minors: • • •

You have the right to remain silent under interrogation.

You have the right to have your parents present during an interrogation.

You have the right to have an attorney present under interrogation.

confuses both teachers and students alike.

Understandably, the disorganized schedule is not entirely the administration’s fault.

The schedule is set by the school district and the administration must follow it.

This year, however, the administration itself has changed the schedule even more, inadvertently making it harder for teachers to do their job. The PSAT testing day was imposed by the school, as was the seven-period day for the social norms survey. This made schedules especially hard to plan because C period has had at least four extra days. Although the administration has its reasons for putting special schedules on these specific days, it must keep in mind what truly benefits the teachers and students best.

Kimberly Han

Addition of wayward holidays and testing schedules boggles the minds of students and faculty

Students’ education must be the highest priority of any school. The whole point of attending school is to learn everything the school has to offer. If the administration does not pull its act together soon, students’ education will continue to suffer.

—Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the staff (assenting: 30; dissenting: 2)

Mandatory vaccinations hurt all Henry Gens It can generally be concurred that the pernicious possibilities of contracting a nasty flu and dying are powerful incentives for fortifying one’s natural defenses against such an outcome. If this statement holds true, then it is entirely unnecessary to make H1N1 vaccinations mandatory, a step that many groups have been clamoring for in the United States.

One of the foremost problems with mandating vaccinations is that there is only a finite, and severely lagging, supply currently available. Of the total 250 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine the federal government has ordered, only an estimated 11 million have been currently distributed to the states (even less than the 40 million originally promised). With such a disparity between the actual supply and demand, making vaccinations mandatory is simply ludicrous. This, for example, is the reason behind the recent repeal of New York’s order requiring vaccination for health care workers—the state only received 23 percent of the volume of vaccinations it had expected by the end of October. Thus it had to put what little it did obtain aside for the highest risk groups, such as pregnant women and youths between six months and 24 years of age.

Another point of contention with ordering people to get inoculated is that the 2009 H1N1 vaccine has not yet been comprehensively tested for potential side effects. Due to the rushed nature of the clinical trials,

not every dangerous side effect could be identified in the short time frame allotted.

And some of these undetected side effects can be more disastrous to one’s health than contracting H1N1. In the 1976 outbreak of swine flu, about 4,000 Americans of the nearly 40 million vaccinated reported symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a horrific condition that deteriorates nerve cells, resulting in paralysis and even death.

Although such an outbreak of GBS is not anticipated to reoccur in this round of the flu, according to the Center for Disease Control, approximately one in 100,000 Americans is expected to experience serious, and potentially lethal, side effects. Compound this risk of severe side effects with the realization that the standards of the Food and Drug Administration only require the vaccine to be effective in three out of 10 cases, and it becomes easy to see why many individuals have reservations about being vaccinated. Any benefit that the vaccine may grant is overshadowed by the potential and unknown side effects.

Making the vaccine mandatory would be an exercise in futility and cause outrage. DemandKimberly Han ing that Americans get vaccinated would lead to a bureaucratic nightmare in distributing the limited supply to those that need it most. It makes no sense to vaccinate an individual that is at low risk for contracting H1N1 when there is not enough vaccine to cover even one-fifth of the population. Additionally, numerous Americans are solidly opposed to the idea on the basis of the vaccine’s dubious safety. In the end, individuals should be allowed to determine if they want to be inoculated, not the government. Simply put, protection against H1N1 should be more than enough incentive for getting vaccinated.

—Gens, a senior, is a Features Editor.

Forum 8 Gender specific abortion closely scrutinized

Joseph Lin Families choose abortions for many different reasons, such as the inability to properly care for the child, the risk of having a child with disabilities and the possibility of fatality for the mother during birth. However, some couples, especially in India and China, have chosen a different reason for abortion: gender. These couples have statistically shown a preference for male babies over female babies. While some disapprove of this practice, there is no logical reason to specifically attack gender specific abortion because of the parents’ right to abort and the true reason behind gender specific abortions.

In 1994, India passed a law prohibiting doctors from executing sex-determination tests on the basis of performing a gender specific abortion. Despite these actions from the government, The Lancelet, a U.K. based medical journal, has reported approximately 500,000 gender specific abortions in 2006.

What does this statistic imply? Despite the fact that these tests are illegal, people continue to have sex-determination tests and perform gender specific abortions, showing the law to be ineffective. In 2001, the Indian Supreme Court issued a “crackdown” upon gender specific abortions. By attempting to prohibit the right to abort, the law could collaterally restrict women’s right to get an abortion in general. A mother could be turned away from aborting a female child, despite the fact that the reason for aborting the child was not due to gender. The government’s attempts to restrict women’s rights are not only inefficient, but, if strictly enforced, are insensitive towards parents in tough situations.

Opponents of gender specific abortion claim that mothers have the right to abort, but do not have the right to abort solely on the basis of gender. The hard truth in some societies is that girls are viewed as inferior to boys. Historically and culturally, males have been granted privileges and more favor in comparison to females. In light of these preferences, it becomes clear why a family in financial struggles would prefer a male over a female. For parents in discriminating countries who rely on their children after retiring, sons are often chosen over potential daughters. For people to stop having gender specific abortions, society needs to realize equality between sexes.

Historically, culturally, statistically and socially, males have been the preferred sex.

By attempting to prohibit gender specific

abortions, the Indian government causes more problems. If parents bore a female child, but insistently did not want it, they would have few options left. They have the choice of bearing a female child and losing their bloodline, abandoning the baby to a hospital or the street, or, unfortunately, Arjun Bharadwaj even performing infanticide. Attempting to prohibit gender specific abortions by purely attacking the issues on the surface only Gender specific abortions, specifically, causes more complications. the abortion of daughters in favor of sons, Another advantage to having a male child should be banned. This practice is not just is that males maintain the family name. For a pro-choice or pro-life concept; this is an example, in China, prospective parents are argument about gender discrimination and only permitted a single child, however, only widespread sexism. sons can continue the family name. The true Proponents of this “problem” is not the fact discriminatory type that India and China of abortions may arare having gender gue that these aborspecific abortions. tions are justifiable The true probbecause the daughlem is the state ter’s life would be of China’s overunhappy if bor n, populated a nd due to the discrimii mp ove r ishe d nation she would people and the face. This arsingle child regument ignores striction. In lesser the underlying populated counreasons that tries, parents are these abortions allowed to have happen. In areas multiple children such as China without the buror India, where den of the family gender specific lineage constantabor tions a re ly hanging over common, peothem after the ple favor sons birth of a baby over daughters, g i r l. W it h o u t due to the fact poverty, parents that males can would not feel as in her it fa mif investing in a i ly la nd, a nd female child over are required to time would only take the role of lead to the end caring for their of their family families as they line and esseng r ow o l d e r.

Nathan Toung tially be a waste Daughters, on of money. With these issues in mind, the the other hand, are adopted into whatever government must implement an alternative family they marry into, thus literally forcing policy addressing the underlying problems, the family to give them up. They are unable instead of continuing with old methods. to inherit the land that their families live Parents who have aborted their child are on, making having a daughter an economic often reprimanded by society, but society liability. Many families who abort fetuses needs to realize that gender specific abortion when they find out they are daughters do so is not the parent’s fault, but is the fault of because they are simply trying to do what is our corrupt society. Our inability to accept best financially for themselves. Although the equality in gender and attempt to deal with majority of gender specific abortions are curancient cultural ideals have caused people to rently due to China’s one-child policy, studies choose this route of gender specific abortion. show that before this policy was placed in In light of this fact, we need to, as a society, action, gender specific abortions were comstop judging the victims and instead try to mon throughout the country. Remnants of amend the problems of morality, poverty and Confucian philosophy, which showed favor overpopulation. of sons over daughters, prevailed throughout China. Along with advancements in technol—Lin, a junior, is a Forum Editor. ogy for safer abortions, this lead to a sharp

CON

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increase in the abortions of daughters; and in families that already had a daughter, a second female child was almost twice as likely to be aborted than a male baby. This is not only in rural, less developed areas; the Punjab region, one of the most prosperous and highly developed parts of India, has shown a huge gender disparity between male and female birth rates. The national census of India in 2001 reports that there were only 798 girls for every 1,000 males, and according to the Christian Science Monitor in 2009, there are currently 93 females for every 100 males in the Punjab, which, when compared to the 105 females for every 100 males world-wide ratio, is a massive gender disparity, one that has been steadily widening due to the legality of these abortions. In fact, due to advances in technology, urban areas tend to have higher instances of genetic abortion than rural areas. Gender specific abortions are actually increasing in even Asian communities in America, due to lax laws in the United States.

These cultural traditions have caused many problems in the countries they originate from. In China, for example, a decrease in women due to these abortions has led to an actual decline in the population growth of China by 72 percent and a decrease in births due to lack of females and a surplus of “bachelors,” according to a recent study from the Brigham Young University. It has been predicted by studies at the David M. Kennedy School of International Affairs at the Brigham Young University that by 2020 there could be 35 million “surplus” males in China. This decline in birth rates has been prevalent in India as well, due to a similar philosophy with that of the rest of Asia, as well as dowry customs, which, though outlawed, remain prevalent in many parts of India.

It would be easy to blame the parents for these abortions, but one must remember that these people are simply attempting to make their own lives better. The real villains are the governments who allow these abortions to happen, and the cultural support that comes from it. For the world to progress, there needs to be a simple abolishment of sexism and an establishment of a worldwide Equal Rights Amendment, ensuring protection of both genders. There has been some progress to end these abortions, however. In Canada, tests that show the gender of the child prior to birth have been banned, although many people are still able get these tests illegally.

In addition, China has professed that it will end these abortions by the end of 2010, but for these plans to succeed it needs to make women’s rights central in its laws before gender specific abortions can truly end. This needs to happen in all of Asia, as well as the rest of the world, before it is too late.

–Bharadwaj, a senior, is a reporter.

School-provided college preparation declared ‘redundant’ Yilin Liang & Lisa Wong If going to college was like eating an orange, taking the SATs and Preliminary SAT are like removing the rind—you just have to get past it. Colleges, parents and the school administration alike place a large importance on these tests. But recently, many colleges have started to urge students to take the ACT as well. With this comes a series of smaller

pre-ACT tests, such as the EXPLORE and PLAN tests that freshmen and sophomores were required to take in October. However, mandating these tests for all students is both time consuming and unnecessary.

Many of the PLAN test’s tedious pre-test questions about what the students “liked, were indifferent about or disliked” were random, out-of-the-blue questions such as “Would you like, dislike or be indifferent to operating a lawn mower?” These questions were meant to determine career paths the student would excel in, but seemed too farfetched to actually help.

Despite this, a benefit of the PLAN test is that it gives students feedback on what they

need to focus on in order to graduate or to get into college. According to Principal Noreen Likins, each student receives an analysis of their performance. The advantage is that students see themselves in a national context, which is the context used ultimately by colleges when they are evaluating applicants.

Since more and more colleges are accepting the ACT as well as the SAT, Gunn has more reasons to make underclassmen take EXPLORE and PLAN. But these tests, which are meant to measure how much a student has learned, often do not seem to fulfill this objective. Take for example, the science section of the PLAN test. This section tested whether students knew how to read graphs and inter-

pret data but hardly mentioned what students had learned in previous science classes. The ACT is designed to test students more directly on what they have learned and the science section does not fit with its description.

The EXPLORE and PLAN tests are also unnecessary for students who do not plan to take the ACT in the future. According to Assistant Principal of Guidance Kimberly Cowell, Gunn pays close to nine dollars per student for the test. Making the tests optional for freshmen and sophomores would save Gunn’s money as well as students’ time.

—Wong and Liang, sophomores, are reporters.

Forum

9

It’s for your own good Monday, November 9, 2009

Studies show friends increase happiness Sophie Cheng

Everyone knows that when you come down with the flu, you’re likely to get your friends sick, too. But did you know that obesity and happiness are also contagious between friends?

In an article published in the October issue of Wired, Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler revealed their analysis of old medical data for 5,124 people across three generations in Framingham, Mass. The study was unique because it included the names of participants’ close friends and family members, which showed a trend of eating

behaviors being spread directly from friend to friend through social networks and even overriding the influence of family members. A person with an obese spouse was 37 percent more likely to become obese, but if he or she had a friend who became obese, this increased to 171 percent.

But friends who overindulge and stay skinny are even more detrimental to your health. A study conducted on 210 female college students at the University of British Columbia found that subjects tended to follow the eating habits of a researcher disguised as a companion, eating an average of 10 candies when she appeared skinny, but only indulging in six when she added on extra padding to appear obese.

It all makes sense when you think about it. You’re just more likely to indulge in that extra scoop of ice cream when you

Limit your calories Sarah-Jean Zubair In the United States, people are surrounded by readily available edibles.

From the processed junk that comes in plastic packages to beverages chock-full of high fructose corn syrup, cheapness is ubiquitous in the world of American food.

This inexpensive availability encourages a high calorie intake, which has led Americans down the path to obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and various health disorders. A recent study on caloric restrictions from the University of Wisconsin concluded that over-consuming calories is detrimental to longevity and graceful aging. Clearly that the best way to reclaim personal health is to just eat less.

In developing countries where food is not always readily available, obesity rates are obviously lower. But the working middle class that is not starving is typically in good physical condition. An excellent example is the average rickshaw driver in Bangladesh. He labors for hours each day and can only afford a certain amount of food with his low salary. The food he buys must be portioned for each person in his family. He has never known excess; therefore, he cannot know gluttonous desire. He unwittingly restricts his calorie intake, eating only what he needs, perhaps less. This relatively low calorie intake combined with his everyday physical labor leads to the very picture of natural fitness. He doesn’t have a personal trainer or library of diet books–he has

never needed them because he is in tune with his body and addresses his needs accordingly.

Many people in developed nations, especially Americans, are the polar opposite.

They eat far too much far too often. They overeat during meals and eat as a pastime.

Many times, they do not even consume food; they eat unidentifiable objects with ingredient lists two inches long. Reading one of those ingredient lists is like reviewing organic compounds for a chemistry exam. Consuming this unhealthy pseudo-food is harmful to one’s health. But according to the University of Wisconsin calorie restriction study, too much of anything, even a good thing, is not healthy either. The study found that a lower daily calorie intake does not just improve more obvious nutrition-related issues like weight and body mass. It has actually been shown to elongate the lives of various organisms, including some mammals, and reduce the prominence of age-related ailments.

Human calorie restriction studies have, so far, had positive results. All participants in a study conducted by Nathan Toung the National Institutes of Health lost weight until they reached a plateau that was their ideal weight. They had lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, both of which indicate a healthy cardiac state. Their memories were improved, a result which demonstrates the impact of calories on ageing.

The key to a longer life and smooth ageing clearly isn’t costly surgery or miracle medicines. Controlling one’s diet as a part of a healthy lifestyle is the key to longevity. It’s time that people resolve to improve their lives and overall health by stopping unnecessary eating and reducing their calorie intake.

—Zubair, a junior, is a Forum Editor.

see your friend across the table shoveling a gallon of it down her throat while retaining her model-like figure.

I’m not saying friends can’t influence you in a positive manner. In fact, the Framingham study also showed that people were 36 percent more likely to quit smoking if their friends had earlier. The smoking population of Framingham dwindled from 65 percent in the early 1970s to 22 percent by 2001. As Fowler said, “People quit together, or they didn’t quit at all.”

That’s why you should pick your friends wisely. I’m not saying avoid becoming friends with especially fat or thin people at all costs. Simply be more conscious of what you’re eating around them. I mean, would you normally have that extra helping of barbecue steak ribs?

This phenomenon also applies to us here. It shows

that we can embody the change we want to see in our friends. Our individual decision to not drink, do drugs, smoke or have sex on a daily basis affects our friends, whether directly or subconsciously. And when we choose to set aside time every day to get in that extra bit of exercise, it can and probably will boost our friends’ physical health.

But this study also indicates that perfect strangers with three degrees of separation can influence your happiness in a positive way. A happy friend increases your probability of being happy by nine percent, according to the Framingham study. An extra $5,000 in income? Only 2 percent. If you change for the better, your friends will eventually follow suit.

So what’s the secret to happiness and good health? Sorry Dr. Luskin, but I’m going to have to answer: happy and healthy friends.

—Cheng, a senior, is a News Editor.

Toss the energy drinks

In addition, people unknowingly drink more than they expect because popular energy drinks such as Rockstar and Monster come in 2-serving cans.

Drinking huge amounts of caffeine can cause dehydration, insomnia, high blood pressure and even seizures. And Jazreel Cheung like many drugs, caffeine is highly addictive.

I am not the early bird type and Although most people do not have could never wake up at 6 a.m. to catch the time to sleep for nine hours per a worm with a “rise and shine” attitude. night as recommended by the AmeriI am addicted to the snooze button, but can Psychological Association, there I rarely take caffeine to be vigorous are many ways to naturally restart the and upbeat like the “Energizer bunny” body’s battery. Everyone needs to in the mornings. learn from kindergartners and take afA lot of people consume enternoon naps instead of downing energy drinks to keep up with ergy drinks. Just closing one’s eyes the expedient lifestyles for 10 to 15 minutes can of this era. It is an effihelp recharge the body cient and quick pick-meto last for an extra four up that everyone can take hours. along with them on the go.

In addition, stress is a However, these drinks can major factor that leads to cause serious health probfatigue. Taking the time to lems that outweigh their relax and calm your mind and ephemeral benefits. senses is a good way to unEnergy drinks use two wind the tension and exhaustion major ingredients to get of life. Having a healthy and balyou pumped: sugar and anced lifestyle can also decrease caffeine. Although sugar the chances of an afternoon slump. gives an immediate burst Nathan Toung Drinking water and eating fruits of energy, it depletes energy and vegetables can refresh the mind. levels just as quickly, leaving him or Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day her feeling exhausted, sluggish and releases de-stressing hormones in the hungry for more. In addition, consum- body and helps pump mind-clearing ing too much sugar can lead to obesity, oxygen molecules to the brain. diabetes and high blood pressure.

Energy drinks can be helpful on Caffeine, a stimulant present in some occasions, but it is important many beverages, can be harmful if con- to consume them in moderation. Alsumed in excess. Since the Food and though these cans transitorily guaranDrug Administration (FDA) does not tee the vigor of the “Energizer bunny,” regulate the amount of caffeine that can they sugarcoat the long-term hazards be present in a beverage, energy drinks that lie within. contain an average of 160 milligrams of caffeine per 16 ounce can. In com—Cheung, a senior, is a Business parison, the average eight ounce can of Manager. soda contains only 40 milligrams.

10

Forum

The Oracle

Tech career stereotypes refuted

Society should embrace unique beauty Sophia Jiang

Celine Nguyen

“I don’t know anything about computers,” she said. “I’d probably ruin your club...”

It was Club Day, and I was recruiting members for a girls’ technology club. I’d received many polite refusals, but this was easily the worst response I’d had that day—not because she wasn’t interested in the club, but because of what she said.

After all, there are 37 computers in the AC alone, used to type up assignments, go on YouTube or check Facebook. Silicon Valley is home to Facebook, iPhones and Tesla. We rely on computers in everyday life, but like the girl I talked to, we are quick to dismiss our experience with them. Many of us could end up automatically excluding technology from our future. Why? I suspect the stereotypes about technology in pop culture are partly at fault. The Hollywood image of a future technology expert, after all, is a geeky kid who’s been hacking into banks since the age of eight, when not engaged in esoteric pursuits like memorizing pi to the hundredth digit. (This may sound slightly familiar to anyone who’s been watching TV).

But the rest of the problem lies in our own perceptions. Even people who aren’t intimidated by the ‘boy genius’ perception are turned away by another worry: that working in technology will be isolating and uninteresting. A recent UK study found that many college undergrads didn’t consider technology as a future career option, even though they recognized such jobs as lucrative and essential to society—citing the worries previously mentioned.

But why should you take a second look at the technology industry? Take a look at the statistics.

Even in this economy, the outlook for the technology industry is bright. The International Data Corporation (IDC) released an October report showing that the global technology industry is expected to add 5.8 million new jobs. In the US, the rate of tech job creation will be three times faster than overall job growth. And the US Department of Labor predicts that, by 2016, one in four jobs will involve computer science. So don’t be so quick to dismiss technology—it might end up paying your salary.

It turns out that, like many widely-held beliefs or media stereotypes, few of the negative perceptions about technology are true. Yes, you need to be ‘good at math’ (to the extent of needing problem- solving and logical thinking skills), but what job today doesn’t require that? It may be discouraging to see others intuitively understand chemistry, there are few people who make it to the top of their fields on talent alone—hard work counts for far more in the end. And remember that “soft skills”—the ability to translate between scientists and less technical people, as well as being able to collaborate with others to solve a problem—are just as important as technical knowledge.

Technology isn’t for everyone, I’ll admit. But neither is becoming a writer, doctor or politician.

Instead of thinking that technology is an arcane field that requires inborn mathematical talent, consider, instead, the reality. There’s no shortage of fields of study or technology careers to explore; the field is far more diverse than many are led to believe. Maybe you—like others— never imagined a future in technology. But you never know. That kid that’s hopelessly addicted to Farmville may end up in the game industry, creating the next cult hit.

–Nguyen, a junior, is a guest writer.

When people are born, they are blessed with a body. They are given their own unique facial features and body shapes that set them apart from the rest of the world. However, thousands of teenagers each year ignore the value of their individuality and choose to change themselves through cosmetic surgery.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery over 200,000 teens received plastic surgery in 2007, triple the number from ten years ago.

The reason for this plastic surgery upsurge is simple: the media. At a young age, the media infect children’s brains with images of skinny dolls and buff masculine figures. Barbie, a popular doll of which three are sold every second, all have the same exaggerated body shape with a change of skin tone. Even worse is that over the years, GI Joes and Barbies have gotten buffer and bustier. If GI Joe were real, his biceps would have grown from 12 inches in 1969 to today’s whopping 36 inches. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s arms at their peak were only 22 inches in circumference.

Instead of a world celebrating variety and difference, people see the same look plastered on billboards, magazines and even shopping bags. The media represent these as the ideals of perfection and beauty. Sure, who doesn’t want to be beautiful and perfect? But why can’t

individuals see perfection in their own bodies? Why can’t they see beauty within their own faces? The answer is simple. America’s culture claims them to be the “unpopular, uncool or ugly look.”

Take the movie Mean Girls for example. When Regina George gained weight, people started making fun of her. And when she no longer fit into a size five dress, the assistant from the store told her to try Sears. Her boyfriend was the biggest jock of the school, tall, buff and masculine.

People are fed the image of beauty, or rather, it is stuffed down people’s throats. Why couldn’t a curvy woman have played Regina George? Why couldn’t a scrawny boy have played her boyfriend?

What the media won’t admit is that everyone is perfect just the way they are. People do not aim to be fake, so why should they try so hard to look the same? Plastic surgery should be only for those with serious medical problems such as severe burns, not a young teenager who is simply unhappy with his or her body. At such a young age, teenagers are not ready to undergo dangerous, life-changing operations.

In all honesty, beauty lies in the way people portray themselves.

No matter how physically attractive someone may be, their beauty turns plain and unattractive with an ugly personality. Inner beauty matters much more than outer beauty. People who at first glance look mediocre may become stunning as one gets to know them because of their personality. People are who

Kimberly Han

they choose to be. Plastic surgery can change the surface, but cannot even begin to touch what’s inside. We are all given the gift of inner beauty. Let it radiate out.

–Jiang, a junior, is a Centerfold Editor.

College essay falsehoods don’t help students Melissa Chan

As most people would agree, lying is wrong. But under pressure, morals might fluctuate and actions tend to change. For students filling out college applications, many feel that lying is the easiest way to push themselves above their competitors for seats at top colleges.

To many high school students, college is everything. It’s not just the next step in life–for some, enrolling into the school of their dreams is the very definition of eternal happiness. This atmosphere of do or die makes students feel trapped. “What if being a camp counselor doesn’t look good enough?” one might worry. “What if my internship wasn’t unique enough?’

But becoming a liar won’t make anyone look any better.

Volunteer hours, for example, are a promising part of one’s transcript that students might feel tempted to exaggerate or fabricate. But it is a simple task for admissions officers to verify them by contacting the organization. In addition to most likely getting caught, it is closer to stealing than lying. Lying about volunteer work is practically stealing from the people who actually did them.

Lying on a college essay is a slightly different matter. For most people, if the topic is just a figment of their imagination instead of a first-hand experience,

Nathan Toung

the essay will be more difficult to write.

If a college admissions officer detects any hint of fraud, the application will go directly into the rejection pile simply because they wouldn’t want to accept a liar into their school Some students think they can successfully lie on an essay. But they are wrong.

When one does this, they are, in effect, stealing from the millions of teens across America who actually did those things and had those experiences firsthand. Writing about a fake soup kitchen experience or a summer in a third-world country that did not happen will often turn out worse than one’s real experience.

One’s feats, however, should be celebrated and appreciated to the fullest extent. With a little airbrushing and polishing, a passable essay can become an excellent one. Hyperboles and strong

word choice make all the difference when it comes down to advertising your personality.

Theoretically, everyone who lies on an application will be caught, but in reality this is impossible. Thus, colleges will just have to rely on the honesty of their applicants.

Students should take pride in their own successes and respect the work that others have put into theirs. If the college of one’s dreams is not going to accept a person for who he really is, then it’s best that the college does not accept him at all.

If someone hopes that his brain surgeon or pilot didn’t get their degrees by lying and cheating, then he should not stoop to that level, either.

–Chan, a junior, is an Entertainment Editor.

Features

Monday, November 9, 2009

11

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Godoy

Above: Senior Jonathan Godoy holds his daughter, Keira. Top right: Jonathan Godoy, wife Joanna Cardenas and Keira pose for a family photo. Bottom right: Keira Godoy rests at home.

Teenage parent values experience of raising daughter Keira n PARENT from p.1

100 percent of the way,” Godoy said. Kiera currently stays with his parents when he and his wife are at school.

The couple did encounter people who were disapproving and said insensitive things.

“One of the things that hurt me the most and still does to this day is when people say that we ruined our lives,” Cardenas said. “That was upsetting because I think that we just fast forwarded it.”

For Cardenas and Godoy, preparing for the birth was truly a two-person effort. “I read pregnancy books, made doctors’ appointments, helped my girl not be stressed, made her take prenatal vitamins and all that,” Godoy said. “I wanted to make it a comfortable pregnancy.” Cardenas agrees. “He was there for every single doctor’s appointment,” she said. “He picked things up for me and made my food. He literally did everything for me.

He was great.”

According to Cardenas, the name Kiera Nicole was a result of three months of mixing, matching and rhyming. “We wanted to pick the perfect name—something special like we knew she would be,” she said. “We have gotten many comments about how unique and original it is and I think it suits her very well.”

On July 19, Keira was born. “I was so emotional,” Cardenas said. “She was the prettiest thing I had ever seen. I fell in love instantly.

[Godoy] couldn’t believe it, he would just look at her in awe, like ‘you’re real!’” According to Godoy, the first two weeks after the birth were the hardest but after that, things ran

smoothly. “It’s different than it is on television because it isn’t as bad,” Godoy said.

“Kiera is not a fussy baby.” Cardenas agrees.

“She’s such an amazing baby and she is so smart,” she said. “The best thing is that she is happy and is always laughing and smiling; she’s a sweetheart.”

As for now, Godoy is finding balance within all aspects of his life while juggling school, football, friends and family. However, according to Godoy, his priority lies within his family. “The toughest part of it all is probably being at school and not with [Keira],” he said. “I try to do everything before I go home so it can be family time when I am there.”

For Godoy, juggling everything does not come easy. “It is definitely stressful balancing it all, but I just have to work through it,” he said. “I’m still learning.”

According to Cardenas and Weisman however, Godoy has done a stellar job both at home and at school. “Even though he comes home late the first thing he does is grab Keira to talk and laugh with her,” Cardenas said. “He is always trying to spend as much time as he can with us.” Weisman, who has seen Godoy mature over the past four years, supports him as well. “He has been making better decisions, kept up his grades and he has done really well for us on the football team,” Weisman said. “At the school I used to teach at, a lot of student parents dropped out and I’m proud that he is sticking it out.”

After becoming a parent, Godoy has gathered a newfound sense of accountability.

“Throughout this whole thing, I’ve learned

Beautification Day improves campus Colin Chen Reporter

Gunn Beautification Day will be held Saturday, Nov. 14 and provides volunteers with three hours of community service for cleaning up the campus.

“Anyone can come to this event,” parent coordinator Lori Shaffer said. “You can hang out with friends and give back to the school and enjoy free pizza for all your efforts.”

According to Shaffer, this is the ninth year

the event will be held at Gunn.

This year, volunteers will clean-up the Fishbowl area, the quad, the Spangenberg entry, the gym, the locker area, the bike cage area, the library garden and the Albert Hopkins Memorial area.

A sign-up sheet for those who are interested will be placed in the Student Activities Center. Students can also e-mail Lori Shaffer at shaffer.family@comcast.net or sign-up through the Gunn Beautification event on Facebook.

a lot about responsibility,” he said. “Now, I know it’s not just me, it’s also my daughter.”

Cardenas agrees. “Having a baby isn’t just buying cute clothes or baby showers, it is tough work,” she said. “You grow up because you can’t be a child anymore—you have to be patient, loving and responsible.” Godoy’s friends have also noticed him change. “He has a much more organized life now,” junior Josh Jackson, who has known Godoy since kindergarten, said. Senior Maceo Parks, who has been friends with Godoy since freshman year, agrees. “Jon was already the most mature out of [our friends] but now he has

stepped it up another level,” he said. According to Weisman, “when [Godoy] talks about [Kiera] you can tell that he really loves her.”

Godoy’s accountability is seen not just in the present, but also in his plans for the future. “I want to keep playing football, stay in school, find a part-time job and be a good husband and the best father,” he said.

According to Godoy, while being a teenage parent is difficult, it is and will continue to be a rewarding job. “The best part is realizing that [the baby] is actually yours and to know that you created life,” he said. “I look at things in a whole new way now.”

12

Cente

The Oracle

Ravel in the music Linda Yu

Classical music is quite a creature. It always stays one step ahead of where I’m trying to go, pulling me to the edge of my seat. I feel like I’m searching for something as it’s dangled before me and beckons…

I confess, I’m not exactly an outgoing, bubbly person. I tend to keep more to myself than what I share with others. Because of this, classical music has become an emotional outlet for me. When I play the violin, there comes a sense of release. I can finally say what I want to say, without actually saying anything. What I keep to myself in the form of words, I share in a form of musical expression. The fury, the sorrow. The upbeat dances and tunes. I melt into the music, and the music melts inside me, stirring up a storm within.

By telling a story without using lyrics to explicitly describe an emotion or situation, there seems to exist a barrier within classical music that hinders listeners’ comprehension. It evokes a certain emotion, but there is so much left for the listener to interpret. This often makes classical music confusing and difficult to grasp upon a first listening and is the reason why some refuse to let it in. I ask that you keep an open mind to what classical music has to offer. Immerse yourself.

Take note of its melodies and how they change and develop. Pay attention to the emotion and the passion. Is the music fiery? Calm? Grieving? Delightful? Sit back, close your eyes and let yourself put the words in the music. If no words come, it’s okay. Come back to the piece a few days later and take another listen.

The average Joe often hears Classical music in modern day society through digitized cell phone ring tones playing “Fur Elise,” “Pachelbel’s Canon” and snippets of Chopin’s melodies.

I’m not saying that these aren’t good classical pieces, they just simply aren’t representative of the entire classical music genre. From the early masterpieces of Bach and Mozart, classical music then came to romanticism and the deep expression of emotion. Composers often wrote to illustrate their personal emotions—their suffering from unrequited love or their happiness and enthusiasm. Today, classical music has continued to change, with composers often deliberately putting together notes that sound unpleasant to the ears. The entire spectrum is very diverse, so there’s bound to be something you’d enjoy.

I thought I’d share a few of my personal favorites with you. Take a listen to the third movement of Robert Schumann’s “Piano Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 47.” Search up the music of Johannes Brahms, Antonín Dvorak and Felix Mendelssohn. For more contemporary, modern tastes, try Maurice Ravel. Just remember to keep your mind open. Ravel in the music. Don’t let it un-Ravel you.

—Yu, a junior, is a News Editor.

M

usic in itself is a universal language, something people all over the world

can share without the use of a translator. This

Hip-hop beats

Class melo

The term “clas Hip-hop today has gone a long of a misnomer. Wi cycle, The Oracle looks into three musical way from its simple roots over 40 European culture, years ago in South Bronx. Many evolved to becom genres and shares the opinions of respectable credit the invention of hip hop to DJ different today.

The Kool. He began hosting parties by sists of four main sty musicians about their art. playing hard funk on two turntables. periods: baroque, cla Talking and shouting to his dancers, contemporary.

Bar lead to accompanying verses, or rapwork for example, is v ping, to the beats. ornamental in structur According to DJ Afrika Bambaataa the five pillars of hip-hop include MCclassical period is rem ing, DJing, breaking, graffiti writing and wigs and Mozart. Rom knowledge. A whole subculture that was sivo, full of lush, heart formed from South Bronx had spread the famous intensity at as styles of dance and dress sprung from music and wild hair. followers. ranges from pieces wr Junior Keaton Smith has had an interest written today, including in hip-hop since his sophomore year. After Gershwin’s popular jazz winning his first rap battle a year ago, his pasminimalist music and the sion has steadily increased to his own projects Potter written by compos which include being a rapper for a live hip-hop More traditional forms group. He and his older brother Taylor Smith qualities to please the mass have also produced rap mixtapes such as “The Lily Tsai, some contempo Burgundy Mixtape” and the soon to be released too much dissonance that “When in PA.” unsettling or incomprehens However, Smith warns against certain currentto analyze it, it makes mor mainstream rappers. According to Smith, maininteresting,” she said. stream music today is mostly superficial. “Catchy Performers of classical m music will be the death of hip hop,” he said. orchestra, which consists of s Smith believes that mainstream rap fuels the depsion instruments, to smaller-sc recation of the genre in older generations. “Its blatant and soloists. Chamber music ignorance and distastefulness only further shut already form of classical music perform closed minds. Back when rap wasn’t on the radio, being people through chamber music played at dances and didn’t sell, only the people with a junior Stephanie Tsai said. “We true passion and love for the genre were producing the express through words.” music,” he said. “I’m talking about [rapper] Jay-Z Few people realize classica having to decide between continuing to sell presence crack on the street after dropping out of high Simpso school to provide for his single mother or to symph pursue his love for rap ,which at the time plot a there was no money and no future in.” dim Despite his opinions, Smith still more believes there is a silver lining to tive ro today’s generation of hip-hop. He still

by The V enjoys music and appreciates what the of string in genre is now. “I’m not going to say all theory’s g rap out there today is terrible,” Smith chord pro said. “No matter what happens, there still may not are, and still will be people out of there music to th saying meaningful stuff. temporary Hendrix a genre ofte old-fashion —Kevin Gao than one m

Faces in the Crowd: What ty “Rap and R&B. It’s what I grew up on, danced to and did homework to in my school days.”

Phil Winston

“I like most of the classic rock type music from my generation, such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. I grew up with it, and I still enjoy it today.”

Noreen Likins

erfold

Monday, November 9, 2009

13

—Regina Ahn

sical odies

Auto-Tune

fixes

ssical” is somewhat Auto-Tune, a proprietar y ith its roots in early auditory processor, is a growclassical music has ing phenomenon in the music me something quite industry that has introduced cone genre actually controversy over its ability to “make yles or chronological talent.” With the help of a phase assical, romantic and vocoder that modifies digital sound roque music, Bach’s files, Auto-Tune is used to correct very architectural and pitch in both vocal and instrumental re, while the style of the performances. Many musicians have miniscent of powdered begun to use Auto-Tune to improve or mantic music is expressimply change the effect of their music. t-throbbing melodies or Junior Will Escher finds Auto-Tune ttributed to Beethoven’s helpful as an electro-acoustic musician.

Contemporary music “I personally like Auto-Tune,” he said. “I ritten in 1900 to pieces think it puts artists in a different genre Schoenberg’s atonalities, than mainstream. The effect gets a lot of z melodies, Phillip Glass’s harsh criticism from many listeners and e orchestral score of Harry artists, and I can see where they are coming ser John Williams. from, but I would tell people that Auto-Tune of music focus on aesthetic is an effect, not a cheat. If you cannot hit a ses. According to freshman certain note, Auto-Tune isn’t going to be able orary classical pieces have to magically know that note and produce your an untrained ear can find voice to it. It’s going to take whatever note you nsible. “If you take the time are hitting, regardless of if it is the one you are re sense and is much more aiming for, and produce that one.”

Auto-Tune has become standard recording music range from a symphonic equipment in professional studios. Aside from string, wind, brass and percusminor corrections in pitch, it allows singers to cale chamber music ensembles intentionally distort their voices, resulting in a sync itself is an entirely personal thesized effect. The way Auto-Tune allows a certain mance. “I get to bond with other degree of editing one’s voice has made it popular with c I wouldn’t normally be able to,” many singers. Consequently, this led to debate as to e communicate in ways you can’t whether it makes talent unnecessary, or if it is simply a useful tool in a rising industry. “The main reason I al music’s subtle but ubiquitous started using it is because I didn’t have a good quale in pop culture. Consider The ity microphone and now I use it about half the time,” ons intro theme, which uses a full Escher said. The application “I am T-Pain” available hony orchestra. By dramatizing at $3.99 dollars for the iPhone is a good replica of and character, classical music adds how Auto-Tune works. “I would encourage people mension to film and animation. A to try it out before they judge it,” Escher said. e obvious example is the alternaAuto-Tune has initiated a new form of music ock song “Bittersweet Symphony” that focuses on a different type of talent with Verve, which opens with a few bars electronic sound. Many artists’ songs use it as a instruments. Without classical music background effect, changing the style of modern guidelines for composition such as music. “It is a tool that helps me with my music ogression and rhythm, today’s music which allows me to put my stories out there in be recognizable. We have classical layers without other people knowing what the thank for influencing virtually all conreal meaning is,” Escher said. “I’m artistic, y musicians, such as the Beatles, Jimi musical and creative which makes for a good and Mariah Carey. Indeed, a musical foundation to spread my ideas and express my en dismissed as too intellectual and too problems with the world.” ned may be more timely and accessible might think.

—Hannah Schwartz —Regina Ahn

ype of music do you enjoy and why?

Lauren Cory

“Bob Dylan and some classic rock and roll!

He didn’t always make obvious sense, but he had an absolutely great voice and with time, his words made sense.”

“I like classical music, specifically chamber music. I play cello, so it’s fun and exciting for me to play.”

Peter Herreshoff

—Compiled by Annie Tran

Death to Auto-Tune Alvin Man

Technology has its perks and its problems.

People are able to send messages to someone halfway across the world and can access the latest news at a click of a mouse. However, technology will not save people who cannot sing.

Auto-Tune is the new “it” for music artists. TPain credits himself as the king of Auto-Tune, with 99.99 percent of his songs utilizing this technology.

Kanye West just jumped onto T-Pain’s boat, along with so many other artists. Why is Auto-Tune so popular? The answer: artists who use it can’t sing.

Kanye West can’t sing, but because of his popularity and the fact that he made millions off of 808’s and Heartbreaks, he is suddenly leading an era of technology-dominant music. Auto-Tune is a program created by Antares Audio Technologies that corrects and makes pitch in vocal and instrumental recordings perfect. When everybody has perfect pitch, what’s perfect then?

Music is about individuality, showing off who you are in the form of words or sounds. It’s about selling yourself to the audience, giving them a taste of who you really are, showing them what you had to do to get there and the practice spent every single night to perfect your talent. Sure, some people are prodigies with naturally born musical talents, but given the majority of artists, that’s a rare circumstance. Babies don’t pop out of the womb singing (crying does not count) with a perfect pitch or playing the guitar like Jimmi Hendrix. Skill and practice does that, not some clicks of a button on the computer.

Personally, I am not a great musician. I can’t sing or rap, and I barely pass playing the Sheng (a Chinese instrument, check it out). Yet, I won’t pay hundreds of dollars just to sound like a perfect singer. It’s not right, and I would probably wake up someday to see Michael Jackson standing over me shaking his finger at me in disgrace. No one wants to disgrace the King of Pop. Artists argue that Auto-Tune only makes minor adjustments to songs, helping them get that high note. But think about it, will Auto-Tune be there to save every single performance on stage? No. Pretty soon, after a few concerts or live gigs, the audience will know if the artist has talent or not.

Then instead of being greeted by applause and cash, the artists gets boos and maybe, just maybe, some tomatoes thrown at them.

Music is a passion for so many people and they take it very seriously. Kanye West is a jerk for using Auto-Tune, but he was a jerk before anyways.

T-Pain wants artists who use Auto-Tune to pay him royalties because it’s his “thing,” and he should be the only artist to use it. So, why not do them a favor?

Don’t buy their albums, and hopefully, they’ll get the point that Auto-Tune will be the “it” of the past.

—Man, a junior, is a Centerfold Editor.

Graphics by Kimberly Han

14

Features

The Oracle

Teacher Tattoos

2

1

3

4

5

6 Melissa Sun

Six staff members on campus show off their tattoos—match the ink to the correct instructor Social studies teacher

“I took a photography class with Cole Weston where one of the models we were photographing had a tattoo of ivy across her back from shoulder to waist. I thought it was the coolest tattoo I had ever seen. I wanted a tattoo for a long time—but didn’t have the courage to get one across my whole back.”

Rachel Congress Math teacher

“I got my tattoo in October of 2007. I decided to get this tattoo because I was wanting one for around eight years and I really like design. I wanted it somewhere where it couldn’t get distorted.

I had gone back to school to get my math teaching credential and getting this tattoo was how I rewarded myself for graduating.”

Casey O’Connell Science teacher

“I got my tattoo as a reflection of my Irish-American heritage.

This was my first tattoo and I got it in my early twenties, at a time when I was still building up self-identity. It’s difficult to say how many tattoos I have because many interconnect. I definitly have more than one and less than 20.”

Claudia Medina

English/social studies secretary

“I have seven tattoos that I got over a period of about ten years, starting with my first one at age 20. I got them because I just like to be different. I enjoy art, and I consider tattoos to be an art form. The specific tattoos that I have are from books or other things that have inspired me in the past.”

Kristina Gossard English teacher

“I chose my tattoo design, located on the hip, because it symbolizes luck, courage and strength. I got it after going through a very difficult part of my life­. When I see it, my tattoo reminds me of my inner strength. Surprisingly enough, when I got the tattoo it didn’t hurt.”

Mark Gleason Visual arts teacher

“I chose that tattoo because the symbol is something that I hold my life to, and I was doing a lot of tai chi at the time, so it all came together.

Interestingly enough, I have to remember to put sunscreen on it or else it will turn green. I would get more tattoos, but I have too many freckles.”

—Compiled by Henry Gens

Teacher-tattoo match-ups: 1. Medina (arm) 2. Gossard (hip) 3. Gleason (arm) 4. O’Connell (ankle) 5. Navarro (ankle) 6. Congress (ankle)

Lynne Navarro

Features

Monday, November 9, 2009

With Thanks, from Palo Alto

Alan Phan

Joyce Liu As I drive home each day, I notice that the tree tunnels are turning orange once again. What is a tree tunnel, you ask? It forms when the trees on both sides of the road are so large and intertwined that they create a canopy above the road. The wind tickles the leaves, and they gently fall to the ground. No more Indian summers. Fall has finally set up camp.

With the arrival of the orange tunnels, I’m glad to say that it’s almost my favorite holiday of the year—Thanksgiving. Not because I’m a major foodie, nor because of the parade or Black Friday.

There’s something about the spirit of Thanksgiving that creates a hot-cocoa-on-a-rainy-day type feeling inside me. It’s a time for reflection, some major family bonding, and the DIY top-chef cooking adventure of the year.

This year, in particular, reflection rises above the usual introspection. The age-old question, “What are you thankful for?” has never felt so bittersweet.

I can hardly imagine that this is my last year as a student at Gunn. Although I’m a senior, I still occasionally run with my backpack on (I swear, it’s only when I’m late to class...), and my friends and I still act like goofballs during lunch. It’s weird to think that next year everything will be different. All I know for now is that the people at Gunn are what made my time here worthwhile.

We’ve had our fair share of good and bad days.

I am truly grateful for those who came along for the journey as I and the rest of Gunn trudged through swamps of adversity. For now, I’m going to group these folks into three general categories: friends, teachers/adults, and the general Gunn student population.

The friendships that I’ve formed at Gunn are invaluable. I’ve never felt so strongly about this as I do now. Maybe it’s because I’ve been thinking about how next year I’ll only get to see my friends during breaks if we end up going to different schools. Friends are there to offer fashion advice, to share splendid lunches, but most importantly, they’re right there next to us when we’re stuck in a swamp. They lend us their ears, offer their shoulders and are quick to give big bear hugs.

Next, teachers are just as important to our emotional growth as they are to our educational learning. I feel lucky to say that I’ve encountered many teachers who have left their stamp on their students’ lives. It’s heartwarming to see when teachers care about students on more than just an academic level. They don’t just care if students use commas correctly, calculate permutations or know how to conjugate “to go” in the pluperfect tense. A simple “How’s life?” goes a long way.

When a teacher genuinely cares, it doesn’t take spidey-senses for students to feel it and reciprocally care about their teacher as well.

Lastly, there’s the general Gunn student population. With a population of almost 2000, the people we don’t usually talk to end up lost in the sea of faces we swim through during passing periods. Although we don’t know each other very well or at all, we all contribute to the Gunn community in our own big and small ways. We each help weave a part of the Gunn web of life.

Seeing the projects students have taken up and how we care for one another, it goes to show that our campus is full of beautiful hearts and minds.

I can proudly declare that HMGGMH. Wow, that felt good. So maybe Dr. Luskin was right—expressing gratitude can give you an endorphin rush. Let’s spread the joy like H1N1— What are you thankful for this year?

—Liu, a senior, is a Managing Editor.

15

Volunteers from the Gunn and Barron Park Green teams gather together on the Gunn football field to form the number 350 to raise awareness for the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in the air.

Gunn Green Team promotes 350 Nicola Park

Copy editor

On Oct. 24, members of the Barron Park Green Team and Gunn Green Team met on the Gunn football field to join thousands of others worldwide to celebrate the 350 Day of Action, an event organized to raise awareness of and educate the public about global warming and the number 350.

It aimed to send a message to the leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference at Copenhagen, Denmark, which will take place from Dec. 7 to Dec. 18.

The number 350 represents in parts per million (ppm) the safe maximum amount of carbon dioxide in the air on earth—currently there are 390 ppm, according to the 350 Day of Action’s website. “We want to put the number out

there and make people think about it,” Gunn Green Team junior co-chair Audrey Knox said. “[The carbon dioxide levels] are almost at a point of no return.”

The event consisted of communities all over the world standing in a formation that spelled out the number 350.

There were around 5,200 events globally including large events in big cities from New York to San Francisco. “There was even a man at the South Pole holding a sign and the number,” coordinator for the Bar ron Park Green Team Lisa Altieri said. The Barron Park Green Team is part of Palo Alto’s Community Environmental Action Parternship (CEAP), which promotes eco-friendliness. Churches throughout Palo Alto were organized by CEAP to ring their bells 35 times at 11 a.m.

in observance of the day.

The people who took part in this event are concerned about global warming’s effect on the planet and the future of the human race. According to a flier distributed on the day of action, global warming will lead to rising sea levels, millions of refugees, hotter weather, a more severe climate, the spread of mosquitoes and the melting of glaciers.

There is currently a global warming bill moving through the Senate that has already been passed by the House of Representatives. Altieri encourages people to contact their legislators about the issue of climate change. “[Legislators] should know how important this bill is,” she said.

The Barron Park and Gunn event lasted from 1 to 2 p.m. and was led by Altieri and Gunn Green Team senior chair

Wook Lee. On the Gunn turf, the two teams laid out a rope that formed the number 350, and participants carried green, red or black construction paper according to the number they were forming. People from the Barron Park neighborhood and some people from Mountain View Green also celebrated Day of Action.

Both teams thought that working with the other was a rewarding experience. “[I am hoping] we can work together in the future,” Lee said.

Junior co-chair Sumana Seshadri is enthusiastic about plans the Gunn Green Team has in store. “We’re working on placing recycling bins on the track and around the campus in general,” she said.

“We also want to promote eco-friendly water bottles and alternate modes of transportation, such as biking.”

Senior ranks 64th nationally in Halo Sophie Cheng News Editor

Senior Simon Kaubisch, who began playing the Xbox game Halo in 2001, has since developed his skills to compete semi-professionally.

Kaubisch plays at both the local and national level. “Through Halo, I have met a very diverse arrangement of people,” he said. “I know people across the world ranging from New Zealand to New York, and from all different backgrounds.”Kaubisch started attending local Halo tournaments in 2007 and attended his first national tournament in San Diego in 2008.

This November, Kaubisch attended a tournament in Anaheim with his fourperson Halo team. “Somebody paid for me to go to a tournament [from] Nov. 6 to 8 at a very large convention center hosted by Major League Gaming,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands of people watch the live stream online.” Class of 2009 alum and former Halo teammate Matt Kramer wrote in an e-mail that Kaubisch ranks individually among the top 64 nationally and is “definitely the best player on his team.”

Halo is a first-person shooter game where two teams of four play against each other. “From a beginner’s point of view, you basically go around shooting people, but there’s a lot more strategy and depth to it,” Kaubisch said. “You have to time weapons, learn spawn locations, team and personal strategy. I don’t think anyone who plays it casually grasps the depth of it until they actually try to play competitively.”

Photo courtesy of Simon Kaubisch

Senior Simon Kaubisch (far left), Class of 2009 alum Matt Kramer (second from right) and teammates gather after winning a San Mateo tournament.

Kaubisch wants to clear up the misconception that all gamers are nerds.

“The average Halo player is just a normal person who plays it in their free time,” he said. “Sure, there are some who are more dedicated than others, but mostly, it’s just about having fun, albeit in a different way than most people would.”

Kaubisch said he devotes more time to academics and sports than to his Halo activities. According to Kaubisch’s parents, Jim and Liz Kaubisch, he only played an hour a day when he first started.

Although Kaubisch does not plan to pursue gaming as a professional career, he said his experiences have helped him de-

velop important life skills. “I have learned the importance of education and giving yourself opportunities for your future,” he said. “I have learned that sometimes in order to succeed, you need to find the right contacts. I have applied for sponsorships and learned how to properly market myself. And I have traveled across the country on my own, with only a plane ticket, a credit card and few directions with me.”

Kramer agrees. “In the two years that I have known him, he has really matured as both a player and a person,” he wrote. “His attitude has improved tremendously; he never gets down on himself and is always inspiring others.”

16

Features

The Oracle

Students pursue sign language to help others Jesse Klein Reporter

H i l l a r y S t a n g e l (12 )

Chloe McAusland (12 )

Allison Doerpinghas (10)

Most people believe language is comprised of speaking and vocalizing words, but for sophomore Allison Doerpinghaus and seniors Chloe McAusland and Hillary Stangel, language has a different meaning. These students are not deaf, but they chose to learn American Sign Language (ASL) so they can communicate in other ways.

McAusland took classes to fulfill the language requirement for high school.

“I originally took classes at Folsom Lake College and then took two more courses at De Anza,” McAusland said. She started halfway through her sophomore year.

McAusland enjoys talking to the hearing impaired community of Palo Alto and of Gunn. She is friends with the large population of hearing impaired students at Gunn.

“In my junior year I sat next to this deaf girl,” McAusland said, “She was having a hard time and I helped translate between her and [social studies teacher Brian] Tuomy.”

Doerpinghaus started

learning sign language when she was two years old. “My mom is a speech teacher so she needed to learn [sign language],” Doerpinghaus said. Doerpinghaus uses her signing for other practical purposes.

Stangel was also taught by her mom who had taken classes during her teenage years. “All of a sudden about two years ago, she asked that I do [signing] with her,” Stangel said. “We started hanging out with deaf social groups and eased into it pretty quickly. That’s when I decided that ASL was my passion.”

Stangel also took courses at De Anza but switched to the College of San Mateo because of problems with a teacher whom she did not enjoy learning from. “She made me sign a four-page English essay I wrote,” Stangel said.

“I was standing up there for 30 minutes signing nonstop.”

According to Stangel, sign language is the most expressive language. “It combines facial expressions and moods along with words unlike spoken language where body languages are more intuitive.” she said.

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Melissa Sun

Artist of the Month far. I’m planning to seal it with some acrylic medium so that the pieces don’t peel off.

TO: Is art a hobby or something you would want to pursue as a profession?

TC: Originally, art was just a hobby of mine. I was actually considering a career in the arts when I was in eighth grade, but I put the idea on hold until the end of sophomore year, when I decided to finally go for it.

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Untitled, by senior Tiffany Chen

Q&A

with senior artist Tiffany Chen The Oracle: Where do you get the inspiration for your art?

Tiffany Chen: For my inspiration, I use my feelings, opinions, and favorite things such as theater and music as inspiration for my art TO: What is your art piece made of?

TC: My a r t piece is made out of magazine clippings that I ripped out. I ripped through about 50 magazines to get all the pieces and colors I needed in order to create the piece.

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TO: How long did the piece take you?

TC: It has taken me 24 hours exactly so

TO: When did you start art and why?

TC: I’ve been painting for about ten years, but I only started taking it seriously near the end of sophomore year.

It is a really good source of stress relief for me and I feel relaxed when I work on art. It is sort of like an outlet in which I can let out my frustrations and other feelings out in a productive manner.

TO: What does art bring to you?

TC: When I work on pieces, I tend to think about lots of things such as family matters, school or even things that are totally irrelevant to the subject of my art piece.

TO: What is your background in art?

TC: I am mostly self-taught when it comes to art. I did not take any art classes until junior year, when I enrolled in the classes Drawing and Painting and Advanced Drawing and Painting 2. I soon found myself enjoying those classes immensely.

—Compiled by Mati Pluska-Renaud

Entertainment

Monday, November 9, 2009

17

Team Potter: quality trumps over-saturated romance Annie Shuey

Sports Editor

Let me bite the bullet here–I don’t like Twilight. I don’t like the plot, I don’t like the characters and I especially don’t like the mass hysteria that ensues whenever the word Twilight is uttered. The notion that Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series is better than J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series or is “the new Harry Potter” is one I honestly find laughable.

The first problem with Twilight is the plot.

For a series with such a massive following, the plot line is surprisingly one-dimensional. For those who have not read the series, Meyer chronicles the plight of a teenage girl, Bella, who falls in love with a vampire named Edward. This continues, with a few twists and turns of course, one being the entrance of a werewolf named Jacob, throughout the four-book series.

Harry Potter, on the other hand, showcases what I like to refer to as two separate plots. There is the underlying plot, which is what the seven-book series is based

Courtesy of harrypotterspage.com

upon, and the “mini-plot,” which is unique to every book and is resolved at the end of each. I like Rowling’s system because while there is continuity throughout the series with the underlying plot, each book is unique and not repetitive.

In addition to Twilight’s plot, I take issue with what the plot is built around–namely, the characters. Twilight’s characters are overly stereotypical, drastically underdeveloped, extreme and just plain weak. Let’s take totally submissive Bella.

She swoons over Edward and wants to become a vampire simply because he is one. Bella lets the whims of Edward, an abusive creeper, completely control her emotional well-being, and whenever their hot-cold relationship is cold she becomes nearly suicidal.

The Harry Potter characters have their flaws, and jealousy is prominent throughout the series, but the characters are unique and fully developed with quirks, pet peeves and other traits that remain constant in the books. They are also relatable at some point or another in the series. And personally, I have never felt that I can relate to superficial, stereotypical Bella or her plight.

I think it’s great to have an opinion, but I’m

frequently annoyed by Twilight fans arguing over the series. Team Jacob or Team Edward? Team Edward or Team Jacob? Who cares! I still don’t understand why there’s even an Edward vs. Jacob conflict. “Team Edward” believes Bella should have been with Edward, and “Team Jacob” believes Bella should have been with Jacob. It’s the plot of the story, and taking sides does absolutely nothing! It’s like a crazed Harry Potter fan being “Team Hermione” because they feel Harry should have ended up with Hermione instead of Ginny.

It’s totally pointless. Seeing these fanatics talk, I would expect them to be arguing over what to do about the rising unemployment rate, not two fictional characters.

There may very well be Harry Potter fanatics who walk around attempting to cast Patronus spells and sitting on a broomstick trying to fly, but I have yet to encounter anyone telling me I have a Harry Potter broom in my house, like Twilight fans have told me I drive the “Twilight car” (a silver Volvo sedan).

It’s great that there’s something sparking passion and debate—I just wish it was something substantial.

Team Cullen: passionate fan base can speaks for itself Elaine Liu

Business Manager

Right now the world is currently split between three types of people—those who love Twilight, those who hate it and those who are clueless to its existence. Harry Potter fans make up the largest demographic of the anti-Twilight movement because these two series have been so widely compared and debated. Although Harry Potter may be the older, longer and more widely known series, Twilight has slowly but surely gained momentum on J.K Rowling’s masterpiece. There are, however, certain reasons why Twilight has specific edges over Harry Potter.

Written in a simplistic and direct style, Twilight is easy to understand without making adults and teenagers feel like they are reading a children’s book.

Stephanie Meyer, the author of Twilight, develops a vampire love story plot that uses simple dictation and syntax, making it a fast-paced read that doesn’t leave the readers puzzled or confused. On the other hand, Harry Potter has a very intricate and sometimes convoluted plot that requires reading the books repeatedly to grasp plot lines, something even the most

die-hard Harry Potter fans will confess to doing.

The most important thing to remember is that Twilight was not written to become the next “literary masterpiece.” Harry Potter fans will often say that Twilight “sucks because it is the most stupidest book ever,” (which only speaks volumes about the people who make those remarks) but the truth is that Twilight is popular because it appeals to teenage girls’ dreams and fantasies. Edward Cullen is the perfect “gentleman,” Bella is the relatable average girl and Jacob is that best friend who you can’t seem to let go.

The characters in Twilight that have inspired thousands of crazy fans to divide into Team Jacob, Team Edward and even Team Jasper, are brought to life by Meyer’s writing. There is just no denying the intense and serious fan base that the Twilight series creates. Some Harry Potter fans have confessed that while reading Twilight, they were inexorably and inexplicably addicted to the series. Harry Potter, while undeniably written in a more advanced style with a strong plot, has not inspired the same fanaticism.

Several Harry Potter fans say that Twilight encourages abusive relationships and unrealistic love, but many Twilight fans understand, as should Harry Potter fans, that Twilight was written as a

fiction novel and should not be taken too seriously. Just like there aren’t Harry Potter fans who believe they are wizards or have converted to Wicca, Twilight fans do not use the books as models for relationships or advice on how to land the dreamy vampire classmate at their school. And those anti-Twilight supporters who declare that “Twilight breeds crazy fans and teaches girls to be slaves to jerks” should realize that it is equally unhealthy that there are Harry Potter fans who spend their free time pretending to cast “stupefy” charms at each other while constantly waiting for their Hogwarts admission letters to arrive.

Reading Twilight is like eating chocolate or cookies. The fans of Twilight are not addicted to the well-developed writing style or the advanced vocabulary. Instead, Twilight draws fans in with its characters and story line that gives teenagers all around the world the ability to daydream about that “perfect gentleman” or that fairy-tale happy ending. In the end, Twilight is that catchy and intriguing guilty pleasure story that readers crave like candy—sometimes overly sweet and unhealthy, but oh so addicting.

Courtesy of reelnews.com

top ten

ways to make someone smile

10. Make them a mix CD 9. Surprise them with a call and tell them how much you appreciate them 8. Give them a hug 7. Give them an unexpected present like a flower from your garden 6. Bake a batch of cookies for them 5. Send a card via snail mail. It might be slow, but it is more fun to receive than an e-mail 4. Let them sleep in and bring them breakfast in bed 3. Smile at them 2. Offer your seat on a bus or a train 1. Say “I love you” —Compiled by Melissa Sun

What we’re listening to this month “Trouble” - Nevershoutnever!

“Simple Starving to be Safe” - Daphne Loves Derby “Daylight” - Matt and Kim “Hands Down” - Dashboard Confessional “Cute” - Stephen Jerzak “O Leaozinho” - Priscilla Ahn “On And On” - Hit the Lights “First Day of My Life” - Bright Eyes “Tonight” - FM static “Goodnight Goodnight” - Hot Hot Heat

“Ocean City Girl” - Ivy “Cardigan Weather” - Meg & Dia “Let U Go” - Ashley Parker Angel “The Middle” - Jimmy Eat World “Obviously” - Mcfly “Somewhere Only We Know” - Keane “Brass Monkey” - Beastie Boys “Nothing Like You and I” - The Perishers “The Killer Anna” - The Medic Droid “That Year” - Brandi Carlile “Prettiest Friend” - Jason Mraz

—Complied by Melissa Chan

18

Entertainment

The Oracle

The Last Song delights loyal fans, new readers alike

Sparks finds success delving into and expanding on characters, relationships Elaine Liu Business Manager

Nicholas Spark is famous for his blockbuster novels, the likes of which include the well-acclaimed A Walk to Remember and The Notebook. His newest book, titled The Last Song, is longer than any of his past attempts and has earned remarkable success on the New York Times Best Seller List.

The plot revolved around Veronica “Ronnie” Miller who is being forced to spend her summer in Wilmington, North Carolina with her father whom she hasn’t spoken to in three years. Arriving at the small beach town, Ronnie hasn’t changed her mind about her father, and leaves her brother Jonah to keep her father company while trying to find fun in the seemingly sleepy town. She first meets Blaze, a girl who seems just like her, but finds their budding friendship immediately thrown onto the rocks

by Blaze’s emotionless and abusive boyfriend Marcus.

And then of course there is Will, the handsome and 100 percent perfect guy that Ronnie can’t believe is falling for her. And honestly, what good romance book would be complete without a Will of its own? The romance between Will and Ronnie, however, is slightly disappointing. Despite the classic love scenes and emotional connection that they share, Will and Ronnie’s relationship seems at times both unrealistic and confusing.

There is no tantalizingly awkward transition period in which they realize their hidden feelings for the other.

Instead, Will instinctively seems to know that Ronnie is going to be “the girl,” the one who completes his other half, despite the exchange of fewer than three words between them. This automatic undying love leaves the reader feeling that their whirlwind story is only half told

down, Sparks makes up for it with strong dimensional character developments and captivating side plots.

Sparks pays less attention to Blaze and Marcus than to Ronnie and Will, yet their personalities are complex and well fleshed out. Sparks is a talented writer who brings Blaze’s insecurities to light in a riveting manner, capturing her supposedly harsh and stoic exterior while simultaneously revealing the vulnerable and emotionally wrecked girl inside. Marcus’ character is even more entrancing. He is undeniably a sociopath, who believes he transcends the world and society’s rules, shown through his disquieting addiction to Courtesy of fantasticfiction.co.uk fire which leads to a chain and aching for some sort of buildup of events that ravages through and eventual breakdown. the sleepy town of Wilmington and While the romantic component leaves a trail of ashes in its wake. of The Last Song is a bit of a letSparks describes Ronnie’s trou-

bled relationship with her father in beautiful prose. Using pure emotion, Sparks is able to simultaneously describe the turmoil and unadulterated love that surrounds the father and daughter.

Their connection and growth bring both giggles of blithe humor and tears of heart wrenching tragedy. Readers will find it easy to relate to Ronnie’s rebellious stage and hardships with her father, and the surprising plot twists near the end of the book are completely satisfying.

Sparks is a talented writer whose ability to bring characters to life and weave multiple plotlines into one is remarkable. His novels are highly consumable, comforting and easy to read. Although sometimes cliché, The Last Song is a story that will please both fans of Sparks’ work and romance lovers alike.

3 out of 5 stars

Cartel’s new CD, Cycles, explores different range of vocals, sound May Wu

Reporter

After two years of anticipation, fans finally got hold of the newest album from Cartel, Cycles, on Oct. 27. The band’s newest CD has already attracted attention with its first single “Let’s Go,” an energetic beginning to the fresh album. The album contains eleven tracks, some of which will ring through your head for days after you’ve listened to them.

Lead singer Will Pugh’s voice is why most of the songs are so brilliant. He has what some people would call a “pretty voice.” His singing capabilities are perfect for the pop-punk songs his band performs. The new songs show improvement

compared to Cartel’s older works. The old songs show off his strong voice and impressive falsetto. Cycles, on the other hand, shows a new side to his singing abilities. At times, Pugh sings in a lower tone, which adds a raw feel to the music; the songs have an edge to them. They give off a rock feel with tunes like “27 Steps” and “Deep South.”

It is refreshing that they have changed their style a little, but their upbeat songs still feature Pugh’s amazing voice. My personal favorite, “It Still Remains,” emanates original pop punk origins. Another song “The Perfect Mistake” also incites the feeling of jumping up and down with its catchy beat that matches Pugh’s superb vocals.

For those who haven’t listened to Cartel

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before, their music is good for those who appreciate a forte and pretty, if not unique, voice. The acoustics, guitars, bassists and the like form a nice ensemble and enjoyable music.

With fans tuning into the new tracks, the band will be on tour with fellow bands This Providence and The Summer Set across the nation this fall. They will make live appearances near the Bay Area in San Francisco and Sacramento on Nov. 12 and 13. Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster for the concert at Slim’s or The Boardwalk.

5 out of 5 stars Courtesy of drivenfaroff.com

Away We Go is quirky, poignant

unsuspecting humor and gives the film an honest feel.

The star-studded cast leaves a lasting John Krasinski (The Office) and Maya impression. Although their appearances for Rudolph (Saturday Night Live) steal the show the most part were fleeting throughout the in Away We Go, a quirky length of the film, it is safe to comedy-drama that highsay that the movie would not lights the ups and downs have been as solid without of an eccentric couple them. Krasinski and Rudolph through their journey of uphold a comfortable believdiscovery as they prepare able chemistry. While some a life for their unborn child. of the characters, like radical Idealistic first time parent “Ellen” who has abparents Burt Farlander breviated her name to “LN” (Krasinski) and Verona (Maggie Gyllenhal) and her De Tessant (Rudolph) emtraumatized children who bark on a soul-searching, aren't allowed separation, impulsive and comical sugar or strollers, are a little cross-continental journey bit over-exaggerated, all of in pursuit of the perfect them are endearing in their place to raise their unborn own way. daughter. Along the way, This film was my cup of the couple encounters old Courtesy of impawards.com tea exactly, and while it is co-workers, college friends true that it is the opposite and family— all the while learning first-hand of such popular films like Transformers or the do's and don'ts of parenting.

Twilight, it is a film that leaves you thinking.

From poignant discussions to laughout-loud moments, "Away We Go" deals 4 out of 5 stars with internal conflicts and offers relatable insight into human relationships. The witty dialogue between the characters underscores Tiffany Hu

Entertainment Editor

From November 2nd-November 20th, every dollar you donate can be matched—dollar for dollar—up to $250,000.* At Gunn, PiE funds: Career and College Counseling preparing students for their post-high school transition Career Technology Electives including digital electronics courses Technology Integration helping teachers bring new technologies into the classroom Go to www.papie.org to donate today.

Thank you to the PiE Board and Advisory Council members for making the Participation Challenge Grant a reality.

Entertainment

19

“The Man Who Came to Dinner” Monday, November 9, 2009

The Oracle presents a sneak preview of the fall play, a comedic look at the pitfalls of cultures clashing.

Henry Liu

Sophomore Blake Vesey (left) and senior Daniel Wallach (right) rehearse their lines during an after school rehearsal.

Nicola Park Copy Editor

The theater cast and crew are performing a comedy in three acts called “The Man Who Came to Dinner” from Nov. 12 to Nov. 21.

Written by playwrights Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman in 1939, the play is a slapstick comedy set in the World War II era in Mesalia, Ohio. Gunn’s production celebrates the work’s 70th anniversary.

Sheridan Whiteside, played by senior Daniel Wallach, is a big-living, pompous critic and lecturer from New York who comes to dine at the residence of the wealthy Mr. and Mrs. Stanley (played by seniors Austin Lewis and Michelle Lalonde) during the Christmas holidays. Whiteside injures himself by slipping on a patch of ice in front of their home and is cooped up in the Stanleys’ house.

“It’s like small town meets Hollywood, and it’s really fun to see the two clash,” Lalonde said.

The encounter of different cultures leads to,

according to stage technology member junior Karen Reitman, “the worst family Christmas ever,” since the Stanleys and Whitesides must put up with each others’ contrasting lifestyles.

According to drama teacher and play director James Shelby, the plot’s twists keep the audience hooked. “At first there’s a problem, and then everything gets fixed, then suddenly things start falling apart again, and so on,” he said. Wallach agrees. “It’s the perfect formula for a three act play,” Wallach said. “It’s a screwball comedy—everything goes perfectly wrong and everything becomes perfectly right.”

A challenge for viewers may be understanding the culture of the 1940s, according to Shelby. “There are some cultural references we don’t get now,” Shelby said. “If the [performers] mentioned Zasu Pitts, then the audience back then would laugh and get the reference, just like how the audience would react if the play mentioned Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.”

The cast had to learn about the culture and life of the 1940s. “We had a two-hour long presentation of a lecture of the times,” Lalonde said. Reitman spent a good amount of time researching the zeitgeist of the 1940s including fashion, food, sayings and customs.

The lighthearted nature of “The

Man Who Came to Dinner” sharply contrasts with last year’s production of “The Visit,” which according to Lalonde, “was very solemn and serious.” Although “The Visit” was dark and expressed the faults of human nature, “The Man who Came to Dinner” was originally created to be a temporary relief from troubled times.

“It let people forget how [hard life was] with the war building up and so on,” Reitman said. “It’s meant to be very uplifting.”

Shelby and English teacher Jesse Hawkins chose the play, as they do every year. “It’s a brilliant piece because it transports the audience to another time,” Shelby said. “The takeaway message [is] to just relax.” He chose the play in part because of its well-written structure. “It’s a really well-crafted piece of dramatic literature,” Shelby said. “There’s lots of wit going on. I love the pacing and the writing of it.”

A main aspect of the play that Shelby emphasizes is its distinctive flow. “The dialogue is crisp and funny and the structure is quite delightful,” Shelby said. “If we hit the rhythm, the audience will just come along with it.”

The play requires suspension of disbelief, a technique in which there are unrealistic aspects of a work but the audience overlooks the question-

able elements and suspends their reasoning for the sake of the story.

Another appeal of the work is the characters’ connections to prominent figures of the 1940s.

“Characters are so obviously based on famous people of the time,” Reitman said. “The audience feels connected to the rich and famous.” For example, Sheridan Whiteside is based upon Alexander Woollcott, a critic and commentator for The New Yorker. Part of the fun is the parody of wellknown people of the time period, much along the lines of today’s Saturday Night Live. “[Almost] everybody gets made fun of,” Shelby said. The play pokes fun at Middle America.

Reitman read a quote in Time magazine about a 1930s actor on which one of the characters is based.

“It described him as having ‘cheek with chic and pose with poise,’ and I thought that [the quote] described the play well,” Reitman said.

Henry Liu

Left: Senior Daniel Wallach looks off into the distance while sitting in a wheelchair. Middle: Seniors Leilani Graham, Josh Kelly, Daniel Wallach and Matt Mallory from left to right) engage in conversation. Right: Josh Kelly waits patiently as his character relaxes during a scene in the play.

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Sports

The Oracle

Courtesy of Benjamin Lin

Left: Sophomore Benjamin Lin elegantly dips his partner as they dance the waltz. Center: Lin and his partner perform the cha-cha in front of judges and an audience. Right: Lin and his partner strike a pose for the camera before performing the waltz in a competition.

Student revives the classic art form of ballroom dancing

Sophomore Benjamin Lin demonstrates his finesse and sychronization on the dance floor Annie Tran Reporter

Ballroom dancers’ move with finesse, speed and agility in perfect synchronization with each other.

“Being quick on your feet while still looking good and confident is what ballroom dancing is all about,” sophomore Benjamin Lin said. “To me, ballroom dancing is like a passion for perfecting art in motion.” Lin has been dancing competitively for over three years at the USA Dance Association.

His mother, Chiang Lin, is also a ballroom dancer and enrolled him in the program. “I put him in [the program] because I thought he’d enjoy it,” Chiang Lin said.

“Ballroom dancing is also a very strict and disciplined sport, so I thought these characteristics would help later on.”

This sport is not only competitive, but also a popular hobby among all ages. “I have always liked watching ballroom dancing,” senior Pejing Lee said.

“It’s very beautiful. The fwoosh, the swish—it’s very smooth and seemingly unstressing.”

Lee is currently one of the presidents of the Gunn Ballroom Dancing Club. Lee started dancing during her junior year, when she went to the Spanish Club to learn how to salsa. Lee’s co-president senior Kyle Lian agrees with Lee. “It’s fun, and a great way to visualize music in a different way and show off what

you’ve got,” he said.

This sport consists of a series of movements requiring speed and the right rhythm to match a particular piece of music. Ballroom dancing includes an assortment of styles, such as the tango, the cha-cha and the waltz.

People all over the world participate in ballroom dancing, and many of the different styles of dance are influenced by different cultures, which give the sport variety. “I enjoy all the dances, but I am best at waltz,” Lin said.

“It has a smoother feeling, but it is still just as intense as the other dances.”

A not her st yle of da nce is swing, which is one of the most popular forms danced by younger generations. “I enjoy swing the

most because the basic steps are the easiest to learn and apply,” Lee said. Swing is one of the primary dances that the club focuses on.

Ballroom dancing is good exercise and helps with posture.

“The main muscles [used] are the thighs, neck, legs and the upper back. Doing this improved my posture a lot. It’s a good way to stay fit in general,” Lin said.

According to Lin, to be a professional and as “good” as possible, one must put a lot of effort and time into the sport itself.

“I take lessons twice a week and practice all Sunday afternoon,” Lin said.

Dancing competitively requires a lot of practice. For each competition, dancers try out new

Q&A with

routines, and they try to bring out their very best. “You can see people practicing their routines down to the very last minute,” Lin said. “The moment right before you step onto the floor is very nerve-wracking. The competitive atmosphere emanates from those around you.”

Much of the inspiration behind these routines are generated from television shows such as “So You Think You Can Dance?” and “Dancing with the Stars.”

Lin continues to perfect his dance techniques and to improve his routines. “It requires a lot of effort to improve just a little bit, but in the end after you learn a new routine, there’s a feeling of completion and accomplishment,” he said.

Damian Cohen

Girls’ Varsity Soccer Coach

Varsity Coach Damian Cohen

The Oracle: What experience do you have either with coaching or playing soccer?

Damian Cohen: I started coaching 13 years ago, 11 of which were spent coaching high school, college and club soccer. I’ve been playing soccer for my whole life.

TO: When did you first start coaching soccer?

DC: I first started coaching at a middle school I taught at because the students needed a new soccer coach. I followed my students to their high school as a coach because coaching, by then, was an addiction and it still is.

TO: What new ideas are you bringing to the team?

DC: I can’t say because I’m not familiar with their old ideas. However, I do know one thing for sure.

The players normally play on six to eight different club teams, so I am going to try bringing everyone together to become one united team.

TO: What is your coaching philosophy?

DC: My philosophy is very different for each person on the team. I have to be able to adapt and mold to different situations. I also want this year

to be more aggressive, but high school soccer is also about people having a good time.

TO: What are you looking for in Gunn soccer players?

DC: What I look for is the same as any soccer player, not just Gunn. I look for players who are leaders that have definite vision. Also, having a good first touch is just as important as being able to come out of your comfort zone while on the field. Players should be able to brush off mistakes and move on. Being competitive is also important.

TO: What changes are you going to bring about?

DC: I know that the teams will be more disciplined, meaning that they’ll know what will happen on the field. Also, in the past there have been separate coaches for goalkeepers but as there’s not enough money this year, we’re not going to do that. What we are doing is bringing in a professional trainer who played on Canada and Minnesota teams to help both the JV and varsity teams. The trainer, as a professional, is there to work on the technical aspect of the game. He is there to help the girls further develop their first touch, ball moves and vision. They will also receive personalized attention to their footwork.

—Compiled by Divya Shiv

Sports

Monday, November 9, 2009

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Fall sports teams cross the finish line 1

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Photos 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 by Henry Liu. Photos 1 and 3 by Victor Kwok

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1: Senior defensive back Maceo Parks takes down his Monta Vista opponent during the Homecoming game. 2: Senior Jenny Anderson looks for an open teammate as Los Altos tries to block a pass. 3: Junior Benjamin Hendricks keeps the ball out of reach during the Paly game on Oct. 27. 4: Seniors Theresa Skelly and Nicole Hemenway deny their Homestead opponent a kill. 5 and 6: Senior Paul Summers and junior Emma Dohner both made the all-time record board during the Palo Alto City Championships. 7: Junior Allana Booth serves against the Milpitas #1 singles player.

Girls’ water polo beats Paly, football team works toward CCS Girls’ Water Polo:

On Oct. 27, the girls’ water polo team managed to pull off a feat that, according to senior Alex Lincoln, the past 17 teams have fallen short of: a Palo Alto High School (Paly) defeat. With a close final score of 8-7 in overtime, the match was anything but smooth sailing for either side.

Lincoln scored the first goal of the game, but Paly matched that with a goal to close the first quarter with a score of 1-1.

Senior Katie Lacek scored five goals and junior Shelby Newman chipped in a goal.

“This game is practically dedicated to Katie Lacek,” senior Jenny Anderson said. “They would try to block her, but they just failed.” Lacek scored most of her goals from the same left flat position with a 6-on-5 advantage.

The score was tied at 3-3 during half time and at 7-7 at the end of the fourth quarter, pushing the game into overtime.

With 50 seconds left on the clock, Lincoln pushed ahead of her defender to catch the pass made by her sister, sophomore Casey Lincoln, and scored the last goal of the match, bringing the score to 8-7.

“I had no clue that it would be the winning goal,” Lincoln said. “I just knew that we had to score, so I got myself in position and our team was able to get me the ball in time.”

According to the Palo Alto Online, Paly had the chance to even up the score, but missed a shot with 40 seconds left to play during the second overtime, which was when Newman opportunely stole the ball away.

Both Paly and Gunn played up the importance of strategies during the game with Gunn bringing something new to

the table during the 6-on-5 advantages. According to senior Thanh-Ha Nguyen, the two referees called many kick outs, meaning that one player on the team had to sit out for 20 seconds, hence the 6-on-5 advantage.

“We ran a 6-on-5 play that Paly had never seen before,” Nguyen said. “That’s how [Lacek] scored at least four of her five goals.”

Paly’s strategy, on the other hand, was to guard Anderson and her sister, sophomore Elizabeth Anderson.

“A lot of the Paly players are on the same club team as our players,” Nguyen said. “The Paly coach also coaches the club team, so they know who our best players are.”

However, the consequence of having two defenders on either Andersons meant that even if they couldn’t score, others, such as Lacek, could.

All in all, the Lady Titans are glad to have beaten Paly.

“It felt even better knowing that we are able to focus and come together to achieve a common goal,” Lincoln said.

“We played with a lot of heart.”

Football:

The 3-1 league, 5-3 overall Titan football squad is pushing towards qualifying for the Central Coast Section (CCS) postseason playoffs for the first time since 2002. They currently are tied for first in the SCVAL El Camino division with Los Altos High School.

Head Coach Bob Sykes is satisfied with where the Titans stand. “I’m happy with where we are,” he said. “We’ve been playing very well; we’ve been playing tough.” Sykes also noted

the high intensity the squad has been competing with.

According to senior defensive end Jasper Dean, the next two games, against Santa Clara High School and Cupertino High School respectively, are crucial. “We’ve never played meaningful games this late in the season,” he said. “There is a sense of urgency.” However, junior running back Josh Jackson is optimistic. “They both are winnable,” he said. “We just need to play Gunn football, mistake-free football.”

Assistant coach Malakai Mataeoe believes the attitude of the players has made all the difference from last year’s last-place finish. “The kids have the will to play,” he said. “They’re good friends. We just want to bring home the win, have a fun game.”

According to Sykes, making the CCS playoffs is a good bet if they finish league play strong. After all the games are played, league coaches meet and figure out the CCS bracket.

Senior running back Maceo Parks wants the squad to come out and play with intensity in all aspects of the game. “We want to play Titan football, not lower our level for anyone anymore,” he said.

League Records: Boys’ Water Polo: 9-3 Football: 3-1 Girls’ Water Polo: 7-4 Girls’ Volleyball: 0-12 Cross Country: 2nd place in leagues for both varsity girls and boys.

—Compiled by Wen Yi Chin and Annie Shuey

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Sports

Let’s Get Down The Oracle

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Girls’ Basketball Annie Shuey

Sports Editor

I looked up the word “baller” on www.urbandictionary.com. The definitions included, “One who exhibits a consistent proficiency at or exuberant love for the game of basketball,” “a person who plays, and is very successful in basketball” and “one who is of amazing skill playing basketball.” Take my word for it, I am not a baller. I learned this the hard way—I attempted to participate in a girls’ basketball practice, and let me tell you, these Lady Titans go hard.

To start off the night, we did some shuffling and footwork to warm up, which I didn’t find too difficult. I don’t think anyone else did, either. From there, we transitioned into doing footwork with the ladders. I love ladders. Call me crazy, but there’s something about doing grapevine and all the other footwork I’m usually really bad at in the ladders that’s actually really fun.

After the ladders were put away, we did some aerobic stretching, mostly composed of lunges, squats and jogging, alternately. We finished with a set of sprints. I didn’t find these too hard either at the time, but by the next morning, my quads were talking to me a little.

When we finally picked up the basketballs, I had a revelation. I’m no basketball fanatic, but when I get my annual ration of basketball during March Madness, all the play looks so smooth, so fluent. Those passes look so easy, and I never even knew how hard these athletes throw the balls until they were being pelted at my hands.

Watching March Madness, all the players also seem to magically know where to go and what to do.

I was under no such magical spell, and I meandered aimlessly around the court looking completely clueless, which I, of course, was.

The girls at the tryouts were layup machines and could seemingly make shots in their sleep, but I probably couldn’t have made one if my life depended on it.

My participation in the basketball practice was limited due to a variety of reasons, but it was, by far, enough for the powerhouse program to earn my respect. These Lady Titans are a force to be reckoned with.

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Henry Liu

Jonathan Yong

Henry Liu

Girls’ Soccer Mati Pluska-Renaud Reporter

Trying out for a high school athletic team takes courage, persistence and enthusiasm, all of which I mustered up when I walked onto the soccer field.

I was shin guard-less and inexperienced, but ready to feel the burn in a way I had never felt it before. I am no soccer pro, but surely I ended up impressing the coaches with my new skills.

At first, I was nervous that I wouldn’t fit into the group of girls trying out for junior varsity (JV) soccer, but as we started our jog, stretches and

drills, I felt that I was doing pretty well, considering that I am no pro. The coaches separated us into two teams randomly where we worked on ball control versus speed, then put the two techniques together in a drill. After that, we ran a drill where we dribbled the ball down the field to practice our technique.

I could tell that the girls trying out along with me had spent years honing their skills, and they certainly seemed to have all the necessary skills down pat.

Since it’s a high school team, everything is insanely competitive. Being able to cover every aspect of the position was vital, and all the girls knew their positions and played them well.

The most intimidating part of my tryout was when we played one-on-one. In this drill, the play-

ers would race against each other, get the ball as fast as they could, dribble it down a few feet, shoot and try to score.

Aggressiveness like pushing and shoving was prominent in the mini scrimmages I played in.

These Titans were like neanderthals on the field, slamming the other team into the ground as if their lives depended on it. I’m not even joking: I now have a new respect for these girls.

The players also seemed really focused on showing off what they had, and the coaches were intently seeking out strong individuals who could potentially be key players on a formidable JV team.

My soccer tryout wasn’t too bad. I learned a lot about how the Titans play the game, and it is harder than it looks! I know they are going to be rad this season.

Sports

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To BUSINESS Monday, November 9, 2009

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Wrestling Colin Chen Reporter

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Alan Phan

Victor Kwok

Boys’ Basketball Kevin Gao Sports Editor

So it’s Wednesday and I’m assigned at the last minute to shadow a nighttime basketball practice.

No matter how much I struggled to get away from my duty, I had to man-up If you don’t know my athletic stats, here are my superstar credentials. The last time I have had a workout was last spring in P.E. That’s right, the last time I had my heart rate climb was in the official slacker class. I had In-N-Out three times last week and I’m notorious for falling asleep in class. Before practice I actually spent 20 minutes sleeping.

I won’t lie, the Titans go hard. They have this challenge which is essentially a six-minute mile test during preseason training. If you can’t run a sub-six mile, you must continue running the mile at the beginning of each practice until you finally break the barrier. I watched aimlessly as three Usain Bolts ran with great stride. Luckily, I sat this one out.

We did however, have an “easy day” with two laps around the track, an 800-meter sprint, and then four sets of 40-yard dashes combined with sets of 15 pushups. Unfortunately, after the first warm-up lap I got a side stitch in my abdomen and was pretty much down to call it a day. During the warm-up, I got smacked, believe it or not, but I tried to crawl in there for the remainder of the time.

After that, we moved into the gym for some open play. Games to six points were set up with teams subbing in and out. I just kind of ended up running around with no idea what to do. While running down the court, my butt and both calves started cramping up. It was pretty pathetic.

In retrospect, the preseason training wasn’t too hard, but I think it’s safe to say I got owned. After enduring this, I have even more respect for the guys on the team. The teammates and the coaching staff were all very supportive and I’d just like to thank them for allowing me to sit in on a practice. I wish them luck and know they will do great next season.

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One thing I learned about wrestling when I attended practice: there’s lots of sweat involved. The room with the cleanly padded mat is literally a sauna with the stench of hard work whipped on to the bodies of the athletes.

Some people think that no-cut sports are only useful to get a prep period, but that was not the type of sport I experienced in wrestling. During my two hours of conditioning and minimal wrestling, not once was the team given a water break. Apparently, we were supposed to lose a few pounds exhuming water from our bodies. Of course it was an exhausting two hours but it was still fun.

The first thing head coach Chris Horpel did at practice was to go through his policies—mostly analogies and stories that related to his amazing past. He told us how he went to Stanford and eventually made his way to the Olympics. He started coaching due to an injury and emphasized the meaning of balance between sports and academics. Sanitation was his second biggest emphasis.

Horpel considers the floor sacred once it is cleaned because all sorts of body parts will be pressed against the mat. Athletes are never supposed to wear outside shoes on the mat and everything was to be put on the racks. In a way his policies worked; I got about half of it because I didn’t understand that wrestling would be so sweaty.

The exercises can be summed up with one word: conditioning. The sprinting and running on the wrestling mat was unbelievably hard on my feet. I can say that I am not bad at running, but five minutes on that mat made the bridges of my feet sore. Fifteen minutes into practice I was practically drenched with sweat.

The actual wrestling part was a lot more tiring than the already emphasized hard work stated in the warm up. Technique was something we worked a lot on during practice. Sophomore Jim Norton was my wrestling buddy. Norton is an experienced wrestler and he taught me some knee wrestling which was a easier variation of the actual sport.

Overall I had a great time and learned that wrestling is a lot more than a bunch of boys grappling with each other.

Victor Kwok

1. Sophomore Mati Pluska-Renaud attempts to juggle a soccer ball at girls’ soccer tryouts.

2. Junior Annie Shuey shoots a free throw at girls’ basketball tryouts.

3. Left to right: Pluska-Renaud, junior Kevin Gao, sophomore Colin Chen and Shuey step up to the challenge to try out for winter sports.

Alan Phan

4. Chen learns how to grapple in wrestling practice with sophomore Jim Norton.

5. Gao does a pushup during the boys’ basketball conditioning.

6. Gao’s shot is swatted by freshman Wade Barry.

7. Chen tries to push Norton, his wrestling partner for the day, back with a move he learned.

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Sports

The Oracle

The Oracle finds out what makes siblings who play the same sports tick

Tyler & Scott Ziebelman Jonathon Yong

Sophomore Scott Ziebelman and senior Tyler Ziebelman have a lot more in common than their last name.

The two brothers both play Gunn football, though Scott is on junior varsity while Tyler is on varsity.

Although they are on different teams, their interest in football began at the same time when their older brother, Brian Ziebelman, started playing football at Gunn. “Brian was the one who started playing football first in the family,” Ziebelman’s mother, Cindy, said.

“They watched him and his involvement with the football team and that inspired them to start.” Because of Brian, Tyler began playing football in his sophomore year and Scott started playing as a freshman.

The two brothers share a strong family support system for football. Even though football was not a big deal for their family until her sons began playing, Cindy goes to each one of their games and was one of the main propenents behind getting stadium lights for the Gunn football field so the team could play games at night.

The Ziebelmans also have pre-game dinners to ensure that Scott and Tyler eat well. “We have a pretty healthy meal on Thursday before their game on Friday,” Cindy said. “They need certain kinds of food before a game, which is lots of carbs and no spicy food.” During these dinners a lot of football talk occurs as well. “We talk about plays and strategies,” Scott said.

Having an older brother who knows the game helps Scott and Tyler immensely. “We sometimes practice during the summer and go over plays with our older brother,” Scott said. “He has more experience so it’s a great time to practice some moves.” The two brothers also help each other in football. “We play the same position [as a wide receiver and a defensive back],” Tyler said. “So we point out each other’s mistakes.”

Junior varsity football coach Bob Sykes has noticed other similarities between the two brothers as well.

“Both brothers work very hard and are very competitive which makes them both very good players,” Sykes said.

Whether or not Scott and Tyler win the game, their family will always be there for them. “To us, winning is not important,” Cindy said. “Instead we celebrate that they played well and a had good game.”

Elizabeth & Jenny Anderson Photo Courtesy of Anderson family

For sophomore Elizabeth Anderson and senior Jenny Anderson, having a sibling on a sports team is advantageous for them and their girls’ varsity water polo team. The two sisters started water polo because of their older sister Catherine and began in an unconventional manner. “Most people start with swimming and then do water polo but we both started with water polo and then realized we needed to know how to swim to play,” Jenny said.

The two sisters often help each other get ready for games. “We get pumped by running around the halls just laughing and listening to the music,” Elizabeth said. The Andersons use their knowledge of each other to help their team during a water polo game.

“We have secret plays that no one knows about,” Jenny said “I have a sense of where she is, which is convenient.” This understanding becomes useful during a game or even just a practice when quick thinking is necessary.

Because of these secret plays, the two sisters have an advantage over rival teams since they are able to figure out whether to pass to each other from just one look. However, these secret plays do take time to create. “All of our dinner conversations are on water polo,” Elizabeth said. “We sometimes make plays or secret signals during dinner.”

As well as improving their water polo strategies, the two sisters also support each other during their games. “We have a secret handshake that we do before every quarter,” Jenny said. “If we don’t do it, we feel like we’re not going to win.”

Although rivalry is common for many siblings, Elizabeth and Jenny don’t experience any such feeling during water polo practices and games. “We don’t have any rivalry in a game because we’re on the same team, but we sometimes have some outside of water polo,” Elizabeth said. Teammate sophomore Casey Lincoln agrees. “During a practice there’s always the ‘my team will beat your team’ feeling, but not really because they’re on the same team,” she said.

Peying & Pejing Lee Jonathon Yong

Sisters junior Peying Lee and senior Pejing Lee are two different people who both have one thing in common: their love of tennis. This year, Peying played singles on the girls’ junior varsity tennis team and Pejing played doubles on the girls’ varsity tennis team but before, the Lees played doubles’ together.

The two started playing tennis when Peying was in first grade and when Pejing was in second grade.

“My mom said that we should try it,” Pejing said.

Despite starting the same way, the two sisters have different views of the sport. “[Peying] views [tennis] more professionally whereas I just view it more as a recreational sport,” Pejing said. In addition to having different views on the sport, the two sisters also have diverse strengths on the court.

“In tennis, we’re pretty much completely different players, except the fact that we both use a lot of spin,” Peying said. “I’m pretty versatile in my shots and can run everywhere, whereas Pejing is solid in her technique.” Because of their different strengths, it is easier for the two sisters to help each other. “She tries to give me tips about how to improve my swings, strokes and technique,” Pejing said.

Pejing also gives advice to her sister on how to improve her game. “When we practice tennis with our coach, sometimes she shows me how to add more spin to certain shots,” Peying said.

According to Peying, the differences between the two sisters are beneficial to their relationship.

“There’s not really any sibling rivalry because our interests aren’t the same,” she said. “I love tennis and she just likes it.”

Since their personalities are varied, Peying and Pejing contribute to the team differently. “Honestly, Peying and Pejing have polar opposite personalities so their being siblings did not have too much affect on the dynamic of the team,” varsity teammate senior Sonia Ran said. “Peying can be fantastically light hearted which relaxes everyone else and when we were playing a tough school that attitude helped a lot.” ­—Compiled by Yilin Liang and Divya Shiv Graphic by Nathan Toung

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Sports

The Oracle

Popping pills doesn’t cut it Annie Shuey You wouldn’t cheat on a math test, would you? You probably wouldn’t sneak notes into an in-class essay, either. With all the focus on academic honesty, it’s surprising that there is little or no focus on another important type of honesty—athletic honesty. Popping performance-enhancing supplement pills is not considered cheating in the sporting world, but it has the same effect, as the supplements improve the athlete’s endurance or strength without extra work.

According to a salesman at a supplement store I stopped by, athletes looking to improve their endurance need look no further than amino acid drinks. Amino acids are commonly used to help increase metabolism, build muscle tissue and increase strength.

Drinking an amino acid smoothie before a run will help delay muscle fatigue, therefore allowing the athlete to run harder and longer and clock in at a better time.

It sounds great, right? Attaining stronger performances with less work? Well, I have another way to improve those stats—sweat it out. Call me schmamzy, but work ethic has everything to do with how successful an athlete or a person is, and I don’t believe in cutting corners to get ahead. Consuming supplements is essentially sneaking those notes into the in-class essay, and getting away with it. Sure, you get the higher grade, the faster time, but it’s not your hard work paying off—it’s the supplements talking.

Dedication is a crucial component of athletics, and if these corners are cut and athletes take the easy way out when they can, they do not learn the commitment to being an excellent competitor.

If an athlete wins a championship after using supplements, the championship isn’t stamped with an asterisk, but it’s still not a fair victory.

Stay clean, Gunn High School.

—Shuey, a junior, is a Sports Editor.

Your Daily Dose A combination of “vital” and “minerals,” vitamins maintain biochemical bodily functions such as hormone, antioxidants, night vision and cell regulation. More wellknown vitamins, such as Vitamin C and Vitamin K, act correctly because people eat them on a daily basis to maintain their health. However, some people take supplements as a major source of vitamins in order to maintain a healthy diet.

For more obscure nutrients such as Selenium or Molybdenum, people tend to want to take different supplements to make sure they have the right amount of vitamins. However, what people don’t realize is that all of these vitamins people seek in supplements are within arm’s reach at the grocery store instead of at the pharmacy. Folic Acid, a vitamin used in prenatal care, is often distributed through folic acid supplements. This vitamin, however, can also be found in many other foods and products, such as certain cereals, fruits and vegetables such as beans. Supplements are obsolete because the vitamins they contain can easily be found at a nearby grocery store with a bit of online research.

Generally, supplements are safe. However, some cases have shown certain supplements found at the drug

counter to be deadly. While people easily get rid of certain vitamins in excess, the body can only handle a limited amount of other vitamins, and an overdose can be extremely harmful. A common misconception is that supplements are safe because they are a “natural” product. However, supplements can cause a toxic build up. Ironically, an overdose of vitamins can cause things like permanent nerve damage, birth defects and possibly fatal poisoning. It becomes extremely important to be careful and not have an overdose with your simple Centrium or even the possible Gummyvites. In general, it is better for one to consume his vitamins and maintain his diet with real food.

The idea is not to avoid supplements as a source of vitamins, but to embrace it as a crutch; not to overdose yourself, but supplement with moderation and caution.

Supplements are supposed to be a back-up source in a time of weakness. Simply follow the old adage to “eat your veggies.”

—Compiled by Joseph Lin

Ripped Fuel Ripped Fuel is an herbal, performance-enhancing supplement based on ECA (ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin) and can potentially cause many unwanted side effects due to its ephedrine content. Ephedrine is one of the main herbal products used to enhance sport performances, and Ripped Fuel also contains caffeine, which further induces side effects. Ripped Fuel may seem appealing to students at first as it does have some eye-catching qualities, including fat loss, added muscle mass and an energy boost.

However, when taken excessively and without caution, it can cause athletes to have irregular heartbeats, restlessness, low metabolism, nausea and heart attacks.

Ripped Fuel, like many other herbal products, produces enough energy to last a few hours, perhaps enough for a training session in a sport; but it is not long-lasting, and can be addictive. Low metabolism is a negative side effect of taking Ripped Fuel, which may shrink athlete’s diets and cause them to acquire unhealthy eating habits.

“I don’t believe in any of them,” Athletic Director Chris Horpel said. “We need daily 50 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent fat and 20 percent protein. I’d eat healthy food in those proportions rather than take one of those products because in the end, it’s not worth it.”

Though some athletes may use Ripped Fuel only periodically, others may use it weekly or even daily, putting themselves in extreme danger. “[Supplements] probably come from very unregulated businesses so students should stay clear of them,” Horpel said. Though it may produce stunning results in athletes’ sporting performances, it is more dangerous than simple workouts. “All students need to do is to train properly,” Horpel said. “There are all ways to train for different sports. Students need to keep their bodies healthy by getting enough sleep,

eating right and not over exercising.” The fancy, bright, eye-catching bottle of Ripped Fuel may attract athletes, but they have a choice to say no.

—Compiled by Lisa Wong

Nathan Toung