Issue 2 2014-15 by David Cary

The Eagle George Washington High School 600 32nd Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121 Issue II. Dec. 10th, 2014 Website: GWHS.co Instagram: gwhsofficial Twitter: gwhs_official

UESF and SFUSD “Agree” on a Contract Potential Teacher Strike Averted... But At What Cost?

What’s Inside Fashion Trends of the Year

BY KATIE WHITMIRE

“W

hen I was shopping for a house I couldn’t qualify for a big enough loan in San Francisco so I had to buy outside the city, so I bought in Daly City,” said physical education teacher Danny Camacho, who has worked in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) for 18 years. Not having enough money to support a family in San Francisco is becoming a greater reality for many educators. As housing prices have skyrocketed and as inflation has continued, the salary of a teacher can no longer keep up. For the past ten months, negotiations on a new teacher contract between the SFUSD and United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) have continued with no end in sight. However, on Tuesday, November 25th, a light emerged at the end of a very dark and long tunnel. The SFUSD and UESF finally agreed on a contract for the next three years, but many teachers remain unsatisfied. Camacho, like many other teachers, is voting no on the newly agreed upon contract. Originally, the

From edgy Dr. Martens to girly lace tops, we have covered all the top fashions for the year of 2014. for more, see page4

Sexual Harrassment at George Washington High School

UESF and the SFUSD were very far apart on the parameters of the new contract. At the start of negotiations, the UESF started by asking for a 21% raise over the next three years. SFUSD countered with 8%, which they later increased to 8.5%. The SFUSD and UESF were able to agree on a 12% raise for the next three years. In the tentative agreement, the two educating groups that the light shined the brightest on were elementary school teachers and paraprofessionals. “Elementary school teachers [now] have an on average 30 minutes of prep time each day; [previously] they basically had only 60 minutes per week,” says UESF Executive Board Member and Union Building Representative at George Washington High School Jay Kozak. The paraprofessionals also came out big. “It used to be that after working for five years there was a ceiling on [the paraprofessional’s] salaries. There were no more increases in their salaries until the 10th or 15th [year of teaching] and it was a very small increase. They had to work a very long time for a very small increases,” Kozak continues. “Now, at the beginning of their eighth year, a para now has a ‘step’ of three percent. Hopefully, this sets a precedent for more steps.” A “step” is a pay increase after a certain number of years working for the district. Other noteable agreements include an extended parental leave of 45 days for both males and females, and security guards will now have 180 extra hours of work added into their contract. Although the SFUSD and the UESF were able to come to an agreement on the contracts, the educators have the final say in whether they will be ratified or not. “The ballots were sent out and everyone should have a ballot. Mine came on Friday. The ballot has continued from page 1...

With so much attention on the topic of sexual assault currently, we conducted a survey to see how many students at Wash have been through this terrible experience. for more, see pages 8-9

Wreckful DIY Christmas Decorations

graphics by Stephanie Tam

Not into the traditional Christmas holiday decorations? Here are two ways in which you can jazz up your space with little to no money! for more, see page 13

2 News

The Pending Machine What’s big, boxy, and broken? Our school’s Comes to Washington vending machine. BY MARIE BAKER

Newspaper Editor-in-Chief: Winny Huang

Website Editor-in-Chief: Talia Moore

Page Editors/ Designers:

Jhoselene Alvarado, Nicole Bergelson, Carolyn Hanson Lee, Annie Lei, Joyce Ma Donna Mo Maki O’Bryan Katie Whitmire Allison Wu Photographer: Andrew Chew Graphic Designer: Stephanie Tam

Staff Writers:

Marie Baker, Granger Balestrieri, Anna Bernick, Mary Cage, Agnes Chen, Young Cho, Zoe Driver, Samantha Lau, Kevin Li, Elis Lipinski, Jesse Matthews, Vivian Ouyang, Erica Pan, Cheyenne Rooker, Hanaki Sato, Jordan Simon, Deavon Smith, Kevin Truong, Kenneth Wong, Melody Yan, Jennifer Yip, Mandy Yu Advisor: David Cary Awards: First Class Newspaper - the National Scholastic Press Association (2013-2014)

December 10th, 2014

The Eagle

The new vending machine, located in front of the main office, was the talk of the school when it first arrived at George Washington High School. Mystery surrounded the machine, as students speculated what it was going to sell and why it remained empty. Although the hype around the machine has died down, the school district’s plans for it have not. In the spring of 2014, principal Ericka Lovrin was approached by Zetta Reiker, the head of San Francisco Unified School District’s Student Nutrition Services, about installing a vending machine at Washington. The School Nutrition Services is responsible for providing students with healthy meals. The vending machine would sell healthful foods such as fresh salads and sandwiches supplied by Revolution Foods. Reiker explained to Lovrin that Abraham Lincoln High School had a vending machine that worked well for their school. The idea of having another place for students to access healthy food on campus appealed to Lovrin, so she agreed. In preparation, the location and design of the The art on the side of the vending machine was created by a former machine were determined. “They wanted us to Washington student, Karita Cheung. photo by Marie Baker have a student do the artwork for the outside. [The design], that is all student work,” Lovrin

explained. Karita Cheung, who graduated in May, completed the task. As a gifted artist, she was very active in the computer art and advanced art programs at school. The artwork is unique to George Washington High School, and depicts an eagle flying over the Golden Gate Bridge. Lovrin went on to explain, “We then found a place for [the machine], and we were ready.” However, once the machine was brought to the school, it was discovered to be broken. According to Lovrin, “Washington, Lincoln and Galileo’s [vending machines] are all broken right now because there was a part that was not working. That is why it’s been sitting there for that long.” Lovrin has been in touch with Student Nutrition Services, who are currently trying to fix the part that allows the machine to function properly. The malfunctioning piece controls the reliable transfer of each food item from its slot to the delivery compartment. The problem, as Lovrin states, was that “one would drop, but they all wouldn’t successfully drop.” There is not yet a specific date for which the machine will start working. All we know is that Student Nutrition Services has been continuously working on it. “We’re anxiously awaiting it,” says Lovrin. “We want it to come as much as you guys do.”

High School Teachers Left in the Dust with New Tentative Agreement continued from page 1... to be in by December 11 by 5:00 PM. Then, they will be counted and probably the results will be released the next day,” says Kozak. If, however, the contract is not approved, there still is a chance for a potential strike, although it is very unlikely. “Legally, we could strike; we couldn’t do that before. Or, they could continue to negotiate… The President has to call a second vote to strike; it’s not up to the majority of the union to make that decision and call a second strike vote,” Kozak continues. “I’d be shocked if it didn’t get approved.” Despite the fact that the contract is most likely going to pass, Camacho is checking the “no” box on his ballot. “We asked for 21%, [the SFUSD] gave us 12%, and we would’ve accepted 18… I’m tired of the district refusing me, and saying no to me. Now, I’m saying no to them... It’s stressful. I don’t know what I’m going to do,” says Camacho. Art teacher Lawrence Montgomery declined to state whether he was yes or no on the ballot;

however, he does not think that it is a fair contract. “Whether you think it’s a good contract or not, you still might decide to vote for it because you think it’s the best thing that you can get. Or voting no might cause more problems and you will end up with something worse,” says Montgomery. “As of right now, I am leaning towards yes, not because I’m happy with it, because I’m not, but because the prospects in the future and not looking great,” says Social Studies Department Head David Ko, one of many teachers who fit Montgomery’s description. Ko would like to have seen “... definitely more money. In addition to that, teachers are expected, along with the school district, to contribute significantly more to our retirement… the Union says ‘it’s your money’, which is true, but I have bills that I need to pay now… It is reasonable to say firmer class size caps. Right now, classes have a ‘goal’ of 34½ students… and obviously Washington High School has a substantially of classes that have more than 35 students.” Camacho would have liked to have seen something in the contract that would have made life

Top Three Events in 2014 BY KEVIN LI

IMMIGRATION

With 2014 coming to an end, here are three of the most major problems the world has faced this year.

On November 20, President Obama announced a massive executive action on immigration policy that would protect millions of unauthorized residents from deportation via a deferred action program. He announced an expansion of the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to allow illegal noncitizens who have come here as children to obtain protection from deportation and work permits for three years. Parents of legal residents of the US will also receive relief if they have been in the country for at least five years. The program is expected to launch in early 2015. Contrary to popular belief, President Obama will not grant unauthorized residents legal status, as only Congress can do that. Certain classes of illegal residents will only be assured that they would not be deported for a three-year span of time. The program excludes those that have come in the last five years. The Obama administration also plans to prioritize the deportations of “national security threats, serious criminals, and recent border crossers” rather than families with no criminal history.

easier for both him and his family. “If you don’t live in San Francisco and you work in the district, your kids cannot go to school where you work, says Camacho. “They get the bottom of a waiting list… All of the schools have waiting lists so there’s no way our kids could go where we want them to go. We get where nobody wants to go, and that’s what I’ve been dealing with for a while. My wife works at Aptos, she’s been there eighteen years, I’ve been in the district eighteen years and it’s frustrating… We always have to drive our kids to three different schools before we can go to work… It would be nice if teachers could have their kids go to school where they work; that would be a positive thing for teacher’s. A lot of teachers leave the district because they can’t afford to live here and I know that might be a little incentive; if they did live in the city and they could take their school kids to where they work, it would be a big plus.”

ISIS

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, an Islamic militant group, has seized large areas of Syria and Iraq. The group was born from an al-Qaeda faction, but al-Qaeda has disowned the group in early 2014. It has become a major target for recent US military action in the area, and has become a household name in light of the public execution of several westerners. Officials suggest that more than 11,000 jihadis have traveled from abroad to fight alongside ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

EBOLA In March, an outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) started in West Africa. Although the Ebola virus, which causes the disease, was first discovered in 1976, there has been more cases and deaths in the current outbreak than all previous outbreaks combined. Many of the countries affected have underdeveloped health infrastructure. The virus is spread to humans from wild animals, and is spread through the human population through bodily fluids. EVD begins with flu-like symptoms but later causes impaired organ function, and in some cases death. The fatality rate for the current outbreak is about 71%. The WHO reports 15,113 cases and 5,727 deaths as of November 16 in the affected countries (Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia), and several Western personnel have contracted the virus, some of which have died upon returning home.

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4 Fashion

December 10th, 2014

The EaglE

Fashion Trends of 2014 BY ALLISON WU AND ANNIE LEI

Now that the year has come to an end, it’s time to reflect and admire 2014’s most stylistic and admirable fashion trends. Vanessa Hudgens, America’s sweetheart, styles bohemian and music festival pieces. Jamie Chung, a former San Franciscan, shows the perfect way to balance soft, girl sweet pieces with edgy accessories and statement jewelry. Last but not least, Jessica Alba, fashion icon, shows one of the most recognized trend, lace. This trio pulls together 2014’s most well-known and greatest trends.

Statement Jewelry can either dress down or dress up an outfit by simply adding either a spark of color or a different texture to your outfit. Adding a statement necklace can make your outfit seem like you put a lot of effort into it.

Crop tops go

hand in hand with high waisted jeans, skirts and shorts. They are versatile and can nearly be matched with anything for a casual or classy look.

Doc Martens, the ‘90s staple, are making a comeback! Pair them with skinny jeans or a flowy, floral dress. They’re great for every season. These boots are sure to make any outfit a show stopper.

Ripped jeans

Lace has always been

are tearing up the streets. For this hot, new denim trend keep it simple and let the jeans be the statement piece.

trending, giving a feminine and timeless look. This classic trend can be paired with casual clothing or more dressier clothing, making it a versatile piece. White or black lace is simple yet very elegant in a woman’s wardrobe.

Olive Green Jackets serve as one High waisted

has been one of the most popular trend of Flannels vary in de2014, ranging from high signs and colors, making waisted shorts, jeans, leggings, any outfit stand out. Throw and skirts. Inspired by the 1970’s, a flannel on a simple skater this trend elongates the legs, giving a dress or pair it with a pair of leggings and chelsea taller appearance. boots to make any outfit comfortable and casual. photos by Talia Moore, Winny Huang, Annie Lei, and Allison Wu

BONUS

Makeup Trend of 2014

Burgundy lips or a “vampy”

lip have been paired with fall outfits

to bring out the warmer colors of fall. The color draws attention to the fullness of your lips while creating an edgy look. You can add burgundy to your outfit to bring out the festivity of the holiday spirit.

of this year’s fall must haves. Throw it over a sweater with some leggings and combat boots for an effortlessly chic look. The warm olive green color creates contrast with the fall colors and allows you to be warmer with that extra layer.

December 10th, 2014

-R A C I A L -P R O F I L I N G --

Features 5

The Eagle

I was pulling out of work and there was a cop in front of me. A car swerved so I got into the other lane because I wasn’t trying to get hit. The cop was in an all black Ford and he pulled us over after already following me for three blocks. When he approached my car, he and three cops had their hands on their weapons and looked hostile. The first thing that was said was, “Is anyone in this car on probation?” which was like saying “Oh, let’s see if we can search someone.” He never even asked for license and registration. Then he yelled at me and told me I was pulled over because I “changed lanes too fast”. The cops talked for ten minutes. When I called for him to come back I was told to shut up by the white cop. He also reached into my car to roll down my back window which is illegal. He harassed me and told me I was lying about leaving work and about the car being registered in my name, when everything I said was true. He then came back and said he just wanted me to drive safely and let me go. He never asked for registration and he never even noticed that I had minors in the car with a provisional license. He just wanted to see if I had drugs and if he could search the car. I was walking through the TL (Tenderloin) in a white shirt and some blue Levi jeans and I see a cop walk up to me. He’s holding his gun [near his belt loop]. The conversation went: “Do you speak English?” “Yeah, I speak English.” “Do you have anything on you?” “No, I don’t.” A “Oh, because you look just like a report of someone who was selling crack around the area.” He asked me if I was a crack dealer basically.

Or Jorge , r o i n - se

-- senior, Raysean Jones

tiz

BY TALIA MOORE

ecent inccidents with the police force have brought the topic of racial profiling into discussion. According to civilrights.org, “Racial profiling” refers to the targeting of particular individuals by law enforcement authorities based not on their behavior, but rather their personal characteristics.” In the stories cited, students describe incidents where they have felt racially profiled. Responses were edited for clarity and brevity. seen in photographs above: A: Jorge Ortiz B: Raysean Jones C: Magaly Silva

It was the day of the rally and my class color was red. I, amongst others, wore a red bandana to go along with the rest of my outfit. I had attended my classes wearing it with no problems from any of my teachers, and nobody said anything about it during the rally either. At the end of the rally, I was walking to class and was stopped by administration. They told me to take the bandana off in an unpleasant way. I told them I didn’t want to and pointed out that many others were wearing them too. They told me [it was] gang affiliation. This upset me because they were automatically assuming I was part of a gang. It was extremely unjust that many other people of other races were wearing them and I was the only student threatened to be suspended. I suspected it was because [I’m] Latina. When I told my class teachers about the incident, they thought it was unfair and dumb, and even told me it had to be because [I’m] Latina. ‘Til this day, I see many Asians wearing the same bandanas. [They were] never threatened. School is a place where you should be able to be yourself, while following fair rules, not a place where racial profiling takes place.

-- senior, Magaly Silva graphics by Stephanie Tam

6 Features

The Eagle

December 10th, 2014

Student of the Issue

Chen Goes Above and Beyond BY ALLISON WU

To Infinity and Beyond One ailment that plagues high schoolers all across the world seems to have not affected Teresia Chen. She doesn’t procrastinate, at all. “I always find the time to finish all assignments ahead of time and prioritize all my homework assignments, tests, and outside events or activities,” Chen says. Even when Chen is done with all her work, she is always thinking ahead. During the track season, when she has down-time or is doing a simple cool down, Chen is constantly reviewing in her head, whether it be material for an upcoming exam or her schedule for the next day. Chen describes herself as “stubborn and ambitious,” and as someone that goes above and beyond in her school work. Instead of conforming to the ideals and standards of teachers, Chen sets her own goals to take what she has learned in class to a whole new level. “I am often insatiable with teachers’ directions or expectations, so I create my own standards while also checking off the teachers’ rubric…” says Chen. While most students strive for an “A” grade and do the minimum to do so, Chen values her education and seeks to gain a deeper understanding of her class work. The Truth About Education Although Chen is a bright and driven student who takes her academics seriously, she has her frustrations with school as well. In

addition to a discontent with the “low” standards that her teachers have set for her and her classmates, Chen is also dissatisfied with the educational system as a whole. “All of us entered school because it is the law, but truth be told, I hate school and the education system in general. It is painstaking to witness students being forced to participate in a set of extracurricular activities that they may not even want to participate in.” Chen also hates to see people cheating or exploiting others just to get A’s in classes. While she’s grateful for education, she also believes it can hold people back. “I understand and respect that [in] society people have to sacrifice their passions just to earn a living, but we are all human and should have the right to live however we want.” According to Chen, rather than helping students pursue their passions, the school system actually harms originality and freethinking. “Creativity in schools is eroding; influencing less innovative future thinkers. But anyway, that’s just my two cents.” Her Top Priority Chen values her family more than anything else. Her schoolwork, extracurriculars, studying and friends all come second to her. She spends most of her time with her family and is thankful that they do not pressure her to do things she does not want to do. “I have much more freedom in my studies than most students, and I am grateful for that,” says Chen. Chen often sees many of her peers stressed

by their parent’s expectations, so she feels lucky to have a supportive and loving family that understands that she has her own goals and can manage herself. Extra Extracurriculars When Chen isn’t spending time with family or completing next week’s AP Calculus assignment, she dedicates herself to a non-profit organization called Youth Leadership America. Not only does Chen feel more connected to the world, but she also built confidence through her experiences in this organization. Her experience at this organization has not only inspired her to become a greater leader, but has also allowed her to break away from the consistent routine of school. At Youth Leadership America, she is surrounded by several young intellectuals who are as passionate as Chen. “No words can do [Youth Leadership America] justice-- [it’s] just ‘different’. [The students] have already inserted a set of goals in mind rather than lazily working their way through life.” Chen continues. “I feel extremely proud to be instilling creativity and foster-

Teacher of the Issue

Joshua DeWolf De Tree-Hugger BY SAMANTHA LAU

“I

f there was no earth, then there would be no me or anyone else. There would be no life,” says Joshua DeWolf, a science teacher at Washington High

School. DeWolf, a passionate advocate for earth restoration, believes that the earth is a rare place because it is one of the few planets with water in the solar system. “I think every human should love and appreciate this planet because it’s special and it keeps us alive,” expresses DeWolf. His interest in cherishing the earth all began when he became an athlete. Between the ages of sixteen and seventeen, DeWolf began cycling. As a cyclist, he thought it was terrible to breathe polluted air because it can cause permanent damage to the lungs. “The first thing I was interested in was the air. I just thought that being an athlete, it sucked to breathe polluted air,” DeWolf admits. Now that DeWolf is ‘grown up,’ he’s really busy with newborn twins to care for and five periods to teach. However, he still manages to make time for the earth. This year, DeWolf ’s biggest sacrifice for the earth is to take three different buses to get to his job here at Washington. “It is a big sacrifice because it takes a lot of time. But it’s worth it,” confesses DeWolf. But when DeWolf can’t take the

bus, he drives his environmentally friendly car. “Sometimes I drive, but my car runs on biodiesel so there’s less carbon pollution,” DeWolf explains. Not only does DeWolf choose transportation methods that help reduce pollution, but he also constantly looks out for opportunities to help expand nature knowledge to students. DeWolf encourages students to help out in environmental programs because he believes that ‘you get as much out of something as you put in.’ “I think that if students have to work to make our school more sustainable, then they’ll get a lot out of it,” states DeWolf. DeWolf has even created a garden club, otherwise known as the “United Green Crew,” at Washington dedicated to earth restoration. Through this club, he aims to inspire students to nurture the earth with activities such as beach cleanups and “Renew the Zoo” projects at the San Francisco Zoo. In addition, the garden club strives to increase the degree to which Washington is sustainable by planting vegetation in the areas near the bungalows and cleaning up litter to reduce the amount of waste going in a landfill. According to Dewolf, “What the United Green Crew, Ms. Lovrin, the Beacon director, and I are trying to do is connect students with the earth and to make our impact on the earth smaller as a school.”

ing leadership through youth, functioning as a group of young individuals, without the need of someone who is considered “more knowledgeable” to help us tackle the tasks. I feel a sense of empowerment. Being part of this non-profit allowed me to take a breather from the consistency of San Francisco’s dynamic and actually be a free-er human,” Chen comments. Needles and Scalpels and Stitches Oh My! Despite what many may think, Chen’s life goal is to enter the research field of medicine, not for the financial benefits, but the philanthropic emphasis that this career holds. She plans to use her knowledge and passion for research. Although she has always seen herself as a doctor, Chen is now considering a different path. “I actually see myself more of a researcher or scientist in the medical field, perhaps diagnostic medicine--actually sacrificing my health to helping people in Third-World countries,” says Chen.

December 10th, 2014

Features 7

The Eagle

Brinton Brain Buster: An Interview with Brinton

We asked English teacher and Academy of Tourism and Hospitality advisor Charles Brinton some outof-the-box questions. This is what he said!

BY KATIE WHITMIRE Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or 1 horse-sized duck?

Horse-sized duck. I feel like a horse-sized duck is going to be very slowmoving and I feel that I would be able to maneuver around and hop up on their backs and control them in that manner. I could ride a horse-sized duck. If you think about it, ducks are not the smallest of birds and if they are horses, they have teeth, they have hoofs, they can hurt you. If there are 100 of them, you can’t keep them all at bay; they’re going to get you. I would much rather deal with one large competitor than several small ones.

In a fight between the characters of Huckleberry Finn and the characters of To Kill a Mockingbird, who would win and why?

That’s a difficult question to answer because if you look at the characters of To Kill a Mockingbird, they don’t fight. We have Atticus, a lawyer, who doesn’t want to fight with anyone. He allowed Bob Ewell to spit in his face, he turned around, walked away, and said “I wish Bob Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco.” I think Huck Finn would win because a majority of the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird are more pacifists than aggressors. Although, Scout would take on anyone who got in her way. That’s tough, but I think Huck Finn would take it.

2014 in Review BY MAKI O’BRYAN

February

Sexual Assault on College Campuses Earlier this year, UC Berkeley came under fire for not reporting and not properly handling rape cases on campus. Since then, many schools, such as Columbia University and Vanderbilt University, have come under investigation and have been scrutinized by the media.

If you could bring any character to life, who would it be and why?

I would bring to life Katniss Everdeen. I feel like she was one of the first female characters that teenagers have been reading about in modern literature. I think that even though there are a few hang-ups, she still sets a good example of what it means to be a strong female in a literary world littered with weak female counterparts.

If you were a book, what book would you be and why?

I think the book I was looking for (even though I feel like a cliche) is The Catcher in the Rye. At times I have felt a connection to Holden with my distaste for the establishment he tries to rebel against (I also spent a little time at a boarding school on the east coast where I saw firsthand the types of people he describes) but more recently I have felt a connection to his former teacher Mr. Antolini who sees the struggle and depression Holden is enduring and knows that he can do nothing to help him out of it. At times I even feel like Holden in that I want to protect all of my pupils from falling off that cliff, much like his desire to be the catcher in the rye, but that is a bit of stretch and might come of as stupid in the article you are running so do what you will.

If President Obama was a book, what book would he be and why?

Great Expectations. I think that when he entered office, we all had great expectations, and many people have maintained those expectations, but like all expectations we are going to fail to realize them all the way through. I think that given that title and given Obama’s presidency, that not all expectations have been met, both personally and nationally, [Great Expectations] would be an apt title for Obama.

March-July

The Case of Malaysia Airlines

July

2014 was not a good year for Malaysia Airlines. In March, flight 370 disappeared over the South China Sea. The missing plane sent the world into a frenzy, conducting the largest and most expensive multinational search effort. The plane is still no where to be found and just months later, in July, flight 17 of Malaysia Airlines was shot down over Ukraine.

Futbol Frenzy Germany wins the 2014 World Cup against Argentina.

Would you rather have a bro-day with Charles Dickens or go on a date with Emily Dickinson?

Bro-day with Charles Dickens. Emily Dickinson would want nothing to do with me. On a bro-day with Charles Dickens, we could go and start the day with tea. We could go wander around Hyde Park. I would enjoy my time more with Charles Dickens than Emily [because she] was kind of a recluse and didn’t really like to talk much, and I like to talk. I think me and Charles, sharing the same first name, would have much to talk about.

As we start gearing up for finals and making winter break plans, 2014 is coming to a close. Let’s take a look back at the year’s biggest events.

Hands Up, Don’t Shoot

Over the Thanksgiving break, demonstrations and riots broke out all over the nation. The cause of the unrest came from the grand jury decision that there was no probable cause to indict officer Darren Wilson. In August, the white police officer shot and killed a African American teenager, Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Missouri. Since then, protests have been ongoing in Ferguson, where many believed that Brown was surrendering when he was shot. The shooting sparked a national conversation about police brutality and institutionalized racism.

The Fappening On August 31, over 500 photos of celebrity nudes were leaked online via iCloud, raising discussion about online privacy. Among these were Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence and model Kate Upton.

A u g u s t

Dear Mrs.Doubtfire This year we celebrate the life of San Francisco’s local comedian turned Hollywood bigshot, Robin Williams. At age 63, Williams took his own life, but instead of dwelling on his pain, we admire his work as an multitalented actor, starring in children’s comedies as well taking on more serious roles. From Genie to Mrs. Doubtfire to Teddy Roosevelt, Robin Williams inspired us all.

Orange October Giants Take the Win The San Francisco Giants win the World Series for the third time in five seasons. We beat the Kansas City Royals four games to three. Game seven ended 3-2, with a strong pitch from Bumgarner.

SEXUAL

8 Sexual Assault

HARRASS MENT

Sexual Harassment: “Requests for sexual favors or unwelcome sexual behavior that is bad enough or happens often enough to make you feel uncomfortable, scared or confused and that interferes with your schoolwork or your ability to participate in extracurricular activities or attend classes.” - equalrights.org

With the recent scathing article written in the Rolling Stone addressing University of Virginia’s incompetence in punishment in regards to on-campus sexual assault, there has been a major uproar across the country when it comes to the topic of rape. Despite the fact that the writer of the article later apologized for a potentially misguided report, as the victim’s story was later found to have fallacies in it, this does not prove that sexual assault does not exist, nor does it mean it should be taken jokingly. Although students at George Washington High School are less likely to experience assault during their high school careers, the statistic, one out of every five women are raped in college, slowly becomes reality as college nears. But even though Washington students are not very likely to be sexually assaulted, they are still sexually harrassed on a day to day basis.

The E

Tips From Your School Nu

Washington nurse Lynda Boyer-Chu gives a few words of wisom suffering from such a traumatic experience.

What are the short-term/long-term impacts of sexual harassment (verb

“You feel really uneasy, unhappy, depressed, uncomfortable, sad, maybe you feel li some way and that maybe you were the cause of the harassment.... You might feel verely depressed, or you might become a person who doesn’t want to relate to oth you were so hurt from this assault/harassment situation.

What’s some advice that you would give to someone experiencing

“I think it would be good to first of all really think about what’s going on, write that you trust, not to blame yourself, and once you talk to that person that you tru selor, the nurse, your favorite teacher or a family member. Once you have that con say to you have you made a report. and that’s when it becomes o

So I would say work yourself up to the point where you say ‘you know what, th friend, or this person that I know has been touching me in a certain way, or has be And I might first talk to my good friend, then I might talk to a parent, and then I mi ize this is bothering me,’ and I’ll report it to either the dean or someone official. W at the wellness center, that’s where we have to say this is harassment or this is bey relationship, it’s an unhealthy relationship and we do have to report it becaus

I think sometimes people just doubt themselves, they think maybe, ‘oh I’m just ing that this person is doing.’ And sometimes this might be a teacher and you don so you may not want to say anything. and you keep thinking ‘oh my teacher’s just doesn’t feel comfortable, you need to pay attention to that, don’t

What happens when you report it?

“The person [reported to] would have to talk to the person making the report and ge That’s why it’s really important to keep a journal. It can be verbal, physical, visual, o those ways, if it starts feeling sexual, then start writing down what’s going on. Ou

What are ways to get help?

“First they should mention it to their parents, they should go to a family member firs then they should go to their school counselor or come to the welln

What can we do to raise awareness?

“We should encourage people to really think about the usage of the ‘whore’ wor those words are really put-down words. And it’s [verbal] harassment. We have to sta then the big things are less likely to happen.”

cept le to ac rd

ab e ha made m n’t really “I was my life and it nd me.” u in anyone ant people aro w n e to ev

“It m ade me peo relu ple p

hys ic

The Situation “Nearly 1 out of 5 women experience rape at some point in their lives.” -CDC 2012 National Survey

42.2% female rape victims first raped before the age of 18 29.9% female rape victims first raped between the ages 11-17 12.3% female rape victims first raped ages 10 or younger

27.8% male rape victims first raped ages 10 or younger *statistics from CDC 2012 National Survey photo by Talia Moore

Sexual Assault 9

Eagle

urse

The Situation at Washington

m to those who are

We surveyed a total of 324 students from various 10th, 11th, and 12th grade English classes in Washington High School on whether or not they have experienced assault or visual, physical, or verbal harrassment.

bal, visual, or physical)?

ike you’ve become dirty in completely victimized, sehers in a sexual way because .”

Assault (7% female; 0% male)

Sexual activities such as forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy [anal/oral sex], child molestation, incest [sex with a family member], fondling [to stroke or caress lovingly or erotically], and attempted rape

sexual harassment?

it down, talk to somebody ust, and it could be a counnversation, then they might official...

Visual (11% female, 6% male)

Displaying or sharing posters, drawings, pictures, screensavers or emails of a sexual nature (i.e. “sexting”)

Physical (28% female, 12% male)

his person, this teacher, this een making rude gestures.’ ight say, ‘okay that’s it I realWhen you make this report yond feeling bad about a se it’s against the law.

misinterpreting this touchn’t want to get a bad grade being fond of me,’ but if it ignore it.”

Impeding or blocking someone’s movement [such as stopping someone in the middle of the street], inappropriate touching of a person’s body or clothing, kissing, hugging, patting, or stroking; and/or assaulting (touching someone against her will or without her consent)

Verbal (40% female, 18% male)

Comments about your body, spreading sexual rumors, sexual remarks or accusations, dirty jokes Based on a survey of 200 female students *definitions from the US Department of Justice & equalrights.org “I’m

st, but if they don’t have that ness center.”

“I felt like I was different in a

bad way.”

Quotes from students at Washington High School about their experiences with sexual assault. .”

et as much detail as possible. or it can be assault. In any of ur memories are fallible.”

.”

too

are

ared an .” tected

eally sc “I felt r

unpro

A Victim’s Account One Washington student experienced sexual assault and this is his/her story. The victim’s identity is kept private as this contains confidential information. At what age were you sexually assaulted? 16 Who was the perpetrator? Did you ever anticipate him/her to act this way? It was my girlfriend at the time.

the

futu

re.”

“I

fe e

ucta ally nt to tr us in

ik e

rd, ‘bitch’ word, or ‘slut.’ All art with the little things and

Based on a survey of 124 male students

What was your immediate reaction to the situation? I remember feeling very uncomfortable and like I had been used. I felt kind of powerless and weak. Did you reach out for help immediately after the situation? Why or why not? I did. I told two of my friends who I saw in person and then I texted another one to ask what I should do.

n at LARGE

Did you ever feel like you were to blame for this occurrence? Why or why not? I don’t think I am to blame, but I could have probably done more to stop it. Looking back, I wish I would have pushed my partner off physically instead of just saying no repeatedly and getting pressured into something I didn’t want. How has being sexually assaulted impacted your life now? My experience wasn’t violent or traumatizing, so I’m not scarred emotionally or anything, however it did have an impact on my emotions immediately after and on my relationship with my partner, which became increasingly emotionally abusive. Do you think you could ever fully recover from this experience? I think I have fully recovered.

Teens 16 to 19 years of age were

3½

times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault. -CDC 2012 National Survey graphics by Stephanie Tam

Is there any advice that you would give to other teens to help prevent this from happening to them? I would say that being firm in saying no is important. Sometimes a “no” can be said in a flirty way that leaves the door open for one’s partner to possibly interpret as a “yes”. Having a firm tone when saying “no” makes it clear that you don’t want to have sex at the moment. Also, don’t be afraid to stand up for the way you feel. If you don’t want to do something, you have the right to feel that way and your partner should respect that. Do you think the awareness of sexually assault needs to be raised? Why or why not? I think it definitely does. People think of rape as a violent, brutal occurrence, which it is many times, but it can also just be any time one person is pressured into a sexual act that they do not consent to. I think it is important for sexual partners to communicate well, which means being clear about their own feelings as well as listening to each other’s. No means no and people need to know how to hear that as well as how to say it.

10 Opinion

GWHS Slacks on SAT Preparations BY ANNIE LEI

unior and senior years are already stressful enough with the pressure of taking multiple AP classes, getting . good grades, and participating in extracurriculars. Then, luckily for us, the SAT comes around in the spring and drives us to insanity. George Washington currently does nothing to effectively prepare us for taking the SAT, although one of the main purposes of high school is to prepare us for college. The SAT is a college admissions test that is required for applying to most colleges. It covers reading and writing, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry. Not only does this test score determine what colleges will accept you, but the SAT focuses on subjects we learned when we were in eighth grade, ninth grade, and tenth grade, which are far from our memory. This means that there’s a high chance that we’ve already forgotten all the material listed above, and are in need of reviewing. We have to go out of our way to look for SAT classes and pay for them, which becomes more expensive the more you keep attending those classes to try and better your score. Since the SAT is obviously an important factor in getting into a good college, our school should do everything it can

to help us formulate good test taking and study habits. Nothing can prepare you for four hours of test taking, but practice does help. The SAT is highly encouraged to take, but teachers are not required to review the material. As soon as the SAT starts, we have to write an essay. We only have 25 minutes to write an essay that is supposed to be thought out; yet in our English classes we have about a week to thoroughly create outlines and thesis statements. Timed essay writing should be introduced to us early on so we’ll be used to writing under pressure and time limits when we actually take the SAT.

English teachers should give us more advanced vocabulary words along with tests on Greek and Latin roots so we can figure out definitions of difficult words. The overall costs of simply preparing for

the SAT can be a financial burden. As if taking a four hour test isn’t bad enough, it also costs $51. The college center only provides you with 2 SAT waivers along with a practice handbook that doesn’t prepare you at all and requires self study, which is a hassle along with our regular classes. Sophomore year, we are required to take a free PSAT but that test doesn’t give you a definite score of how you’ll do on the actual SAT. To find out a precise score of what you should expect from the SAT, we have to then pull $14 out of our own wallets for a PSAT test offered by National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the College Board. Similarly, the official SAT study books cost around $22 from the SAT developer’s website. Although we are a public school, our school should invest more into providing each student with an SAT preparation book. The concept of the SAT needs to be stressed more at school. 58% of surveyed students would consider taking a SAT prep class as an actual class if it was offered at school. 68% of Washington’s surveyed students agree that this school does not adequately prepare them for the SAT. George Washington High School clearly does not give proper assistance to students that could benefit from effective SAT preparation.

Relevant Teaching Makes A Difference BY ZOE DRIVER

ver the years I have come to realize that my favorite classes are the ones where my teachers make the information relevant and accessible, rather than classes with cool subjects or the most friends. For the most part, teachers are traditional and use irrelevant material which in turn doesn’t allow students to actually excel. Instead of forcing the memorization of uninteresting details, students should be taught with materials that are more current and relevant to their lives. Learning in the classroom improves tremendously when good teachers are able to teach relatable and exciting material. Research conducted by Judy Willis, a neurologist and former classroom teacher, shows that when taught relevant and personally meaningful information, students had an easier time—not only engaging—but also remembering and storing information in their brains. This makes perfect sense if you think about it. When students are taught something that they can’t relate to they have a harder time understanding it. In order to store this knowledge in the brains they must make some kind of connection. By giving students relevant information, they are able to automatically remember what they were taught because they already hold previous knowledge. In turn, all they must do is add onto an already existing memory. Some people may argue that being able to learn and understand new information is critical, and that by truly learning and understanding a concept you are able to remember it. This does have some truth behind it. Yes, new information is key, but it can be challenging to remember this information without relating it to something you already know and understand. By teaching the new information in a way that pertains to a stu-

December 10th, 2014

The Eagle

dent’s life or already held knowledge, it only makes things easier and more enjoyable because let’s face it, people respond well to things they can relate to and same goes with teaching. “Long lists of vocabulary words that don’t have personal relevance or don’t resonate with a topic about which the student has been engaged are likely to be blocked by the brain’s affective (or emotional) filters,” Willis states. Down the road you will probably forget most, if not all of, the knowledge you acquired. Last year it was my job to remember a list of vocabulary words for the SAT and as helpful as that was, I wasn’t able to make a connection with most of the words and ultimately I forgot all of their definitions. I did however remember one word in particular. One night while studying my vocabulary list my mom glanced over and asked me what I was studying. I told her my teacher gave me a vocab list of Hot Words for the SAT. She said, “I remember doing that in highschool; I came up with short rhymes for the words on the list. For example, for affable I used, ‘affable laughable easy to get along with.’” To this day I still remember the definition of this word because the rhyme made it relatable and easy to remember. Not only should teachers make material relatable but they should also teach students about real life things they need to know in order to be a contributing member of society. I am a high school senior and next year I won’t be living at home with my parents. Yet, I have no idea how to pay bills, manage finances, or do simple maintenance skills. These are vital skills everyone needs to know in this day in age. You can’t deny its impor-

tance, or say that knowing the square root of pi is more useful. In fact, learning these skills in high school could be much more beneficial than certain things we are taught. Only 34% of parents have taught their teens how to balance checkbooks, and less than that have explained how credit card interest and fees work. 93% of American parents with

teenagers report worrying that their children might make financial missteps such as: overspending or living beyond their means. I think it’s important for schools to come in and teach students these basic skills beforethey graduate high school and go off to live on their own, study in college, and find work. In most cases I find myself being drawn to classes in which teachers make the material relatable and interesting. I think that teachers should be more concerned about making their class and teaching style relatable and interesting to their students because it’s something that can only help to improve learning. Not to mention, our society is constantly changing and our schools are definitely not up to date with the reality of the modern era.

Letter to the Editor

Alone With Our Devices

BY THE ACADEMY OF MEDIA ARTS 6°

ace-to-face interaction is slowly disappearing in our generation. It’s not an uncommon sight to see many people looking down on their electronic devices almost everywhere you go. Technology has enabled us to chat, text, and connect anytime and anywhere. We can check our Facebook messages, Twitter feed, Instagram, and email at anytime, and we feel like we are connected at all times. Technology has allowed us to be connected with one another when we want to be in contact with each other; however, people don’t realize that as we constantly connect with each other online, we end up hiding from one another instead. Because technology is always available, it makes us feel like we are never alone, yet it might only be an illusion of companionship. Real-life, human, face-to-face contact might not in fact be available. We no longer sit at a table with family or friends without texting or being on the phone, and sometimes we don’t even pay attention to what others are saying. The phones we use are everywhere we go and are being used during meetings, class time, family dinner, and even when we are on dates. Cultural critics have noted a new type of skill which involves keeping eye contact while simultaneously texting another person. Most people, often teens and young adults, send at least one hundred texts per day. As a chronic “texter” their natural reaction is for them to instinctively grab their phone and text not only in the daytime but when they are asleep as well. Teens usually leave their cell phones near them, like on a shelf near their beds or on a pillow. Because people sleep in close proximity to their phones, a light or a noise sometimes disturb their sleep causing them to reach out in their sleep to grab their phone to send a text message. Sometimes the texts they send make sense, but mainly it’s just gibberish. Similarly, teens are exchanging texts with friends late into the night instead of sleeping, a new phenomena called “vamping,” which results in sleep deprived youth. Social media has changed a lot of people in their lives. They can be extremely active on social media, but when it comes to real life social abilities, they may lack quite a lot of social graces. We are growing up in a society where you do not talk to people around you but instead in an environment where you talk to your device. We hide behind our cellular devices and have conversations where we can’t show any human expressions. “How many of us really laugh out loud when we text ‘LOL!’?” asks a senior at Washington High School. The devices we carry have changed the types of street interactions that happen. Normally a street is a safe place, in which people enjoy strolling, but with technology added to the mix, we are no longer safe when we are walking. Focusing all of our attention on our phones, pedestrians, both young and old, don’t really know what is going on in front of them, and as a result, they collide into each other or poles or even cars. Many studies have shown that collision rates and pedestrian hospital visits have increased. With people’s field-of-vision impaired, they can cause some pretty serious accidents. Real-life relationships are complex, imperfect, and demanding. But with technology it has become easy to clean up messes since we can edit almost anything. The capacity to be able continued on page 11...

December 10th, 2014

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Opinion 11

SFUSD Takes the “Fun” Out of Fundraising

...continued from page 10 to edit or delete anything we don’t like, like retouching our voice, or flesh, face and body. We can be who we want to be, but not who we really are. The norm is that we are at home still “talking” to each other, but this “talking” online is just an illusion that only hides what we express since no one can hear our real voices and listen to what we really mean online. We can read our messages, but how many people have mistaken our true intent for sarcasm or a joke? It takes time to know and understand someone by having face-to-face conversations, yet in online conversations the expectation is to give quick short responses and ask simple questions. People seek attention because they feel left out and alone, so they look for friends online since they won’t be judged as much and can edit anything they need to. This makes going online and making friends on Facebook or Twitter easier than talking to people face-to-face. People have admitted that they felt no one was listening to them and thus, they used Facebook and Twitter to comfort themselves. Even though people worry themselves about the zombie apocalypse, they should put down their phone and take a look at their surroundings and the people around them. Not many people put much effort into meeting friends and hanging out with them in the real world. And when they do, most of the time spent hanging out is time on their cell phones or having the urge to take a picture to share with everyone else on social media. Instead of chatting with their friends right next to them, technology has caused people to change into mindless being that are overwhelmed by their devices.

Editor’s note: If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, please contact the advisor or edior-in-chief. Thanks you!

BY JENNIFER YIP

t’s that time of year - fundraising season. Students have again started to carry around those colorful cardboard boxes filled with snacks to sell to their fellow classmates. Chocolates, lollipops, fruit gummies, and Slim Jims are being sold for a dollar or two to satisfy our hungry teenage appetites throughout our busy schedules. Fundraising on campus through food sales is one of the most productive ways for students to collect money in a short period of time and should be encouraged by SFUSD and school administrators. Unfortunately, the school district doesn’t find the idea of food fundraisers as appealing as we students do. Students are actually prohibited from selling snacks on school grounds that don’t meet SFUSD’s nutritional requirements. The standards set by the district state that food should contain “no more than 30% of their calories from fat, no more than 10% from saturated fat, and contain not more than 35% sugar by weight. Snacks and side dishes should contain at least 5% of the RDI for 8 essential nutrients (protein, iron, calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin)”. Regardless of the requirements, most of the people fundraising continue to sell their foods on campus. So why bother? These nutritional requirements are set to encourage healthy eating and lower the percentages of obesity in today’s youth, but enforcing these guidelines are obviously not going to stop students from eating whatever they want. Technically, we can fundraise through food sales if we’re selling things like cereal bars, mixed nuts, or vegetables with dip, but let’s be

honest: not many students would want to eat and pay for those during the day. This isn’t elementary school; the school district shouldn’t feel the need to baby us with overstated facts about nutrition and health that we’ve heard plenty of times before. As teenagers, we’re old enough to make our own decisions on simple things like eating and should have a choice in what we can buy and eat at school. It’s hypocritical to forbid students from selling snacks to their peers but allow them to go off campus during lunch and buy fried foods on Balboa street. How is it that we’re allowed to go out and buy oily pizza along with overly sweet milk tea but not allowed to sell chocolate to our classmates? It’s also ironic how the school administrators are frustrated by these fundraisers, but lock us in school for hours during Spring Fest to buy the overpriced, greasy, and sugary foods that clubs sell. They’re implying that we should eat junk food, but only if it’s under their terms.

They should at least be consistent with their values of nutrition if they’re going to get livid at students who are trying to fundraise in a responsible way. Sports teams and clubs often need expensive gear or have trips to far-away events. With the tight budget the school has,

there’s not enough money to go around to support everyone. Fundraising on school grounds is one of the most efficient ways to raise money. If people didn’t sell their snacks on campus, the fundraising process would be dramatically slower. For students who don’t carry a lot of money around and hardly have time to eat breakfast or lunch, small snacks provide energy to survive the long hours of the school day. It’s a win-win situation! It’s nice that schools provide free and healthy meals for students and encourage nutritious eating, but trying to control what we eat is the equivalent of shoving beliefs down our throats. Each individual processes food differently and can make the decision of eating what his or her body can handle. Students should make their own choices on what they should or shouldn’t eat. The restrictions on fundraisers make it much harder for teams and clubs to raise money for their needs. It would be better to allow students to sell foods on campus and monitor it rather than having students go behind administrators’

backs and sell in secrecy. The school should either find a way to fund these extracurriculars or loosen their policy on selling snacks on school grounds.

Ferguson, You’re Doing It Wrong BY ANONYMOUS

n August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, an 18-year-old black male was fatally shot by a white police officer. Since that day, tensions across the United States have caused thousands of people to ineffectively act and speak out against inequality and racially biased policing. The truth is that the only thing Ferguson protesters have done is create unnecessary violence. Protesters from around the country, including Ferguson, New York City, and San Francisco, have resorted to looting and destroying small businesses, setting cars and buildings on fire, and breaking store windows. Many people have also declared war against all police officers and attacked police with verbal abuse and physical violence. At the Ferguson Market and Liquor where Michael Brown allegedly stole Cigarillos, protesters have actually returned to the store and viciously looted it, which makes no sense. I honestly don’t think the looters cared at all about Michael Brown or the issues of racism. It was just an opportunity and excuse for them to commit crimes and pretend that there was a good cause to engage in such behavior. Just because people don’t agree with Darren Wilson’s actions did not give them the right to go insane and destroy everything in their paths. President Barack Obama, who also happens to be black, views this entire situation perfectly. On November 26, 2014, Obama

addressed the nation saying, “nothing benefits from destructive acts. For those who think that what happened in Ferguson is an excuse for violence, I do not have any sympathy for that.” The current methods of protest have all been entirely wrong and even Obama realizes that. If people want to get their messages across, setting neighborhoods on fire and hurting bystanders is not the way to do it. There are no benefits from destroying your own city. When Darren Wilson shot and killed Michael Brown, many people quickly came to the assumption that all police officers are evil de-

mons and then used this to justify their brutality. Rather than speaking out against unfair policing, Ferguson protesters only emphasized the need for police to take action and stop mobs from hurting innocent people. Photos and videos surfaced of people throwing heavy objects at police and effectively injuring them. In San Francisco alone, bottles, bricks, chains, and rocks were among the objects thrown at officers trying to control the protests. One of the officers actually had a bottle thrown at his face and now suffers from permanent facial disfigurement. Protesters need to realize that these men and women are real people, just like everyone else. Police officers have families and loved ones too and they put their lives on the line every single day for the purpose of protecting civilians. Hurting them is only hurting yourself. Interestingly, many of the protesters were also very quick to express themselvesthrough quotes from influential leaders like Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, yet go against everything they ever stood for. If these protesters truly cared about black rights, they would find a way to actually make a difference instead of causing a scene and hurting others. “Why should we love our enemies? The first reason is fairly obvious. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of graphics by Stephanie Tam stars,” Martin Luther King once ex-

pressed in a speech. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.” King in particular is considered a respectable leader across the world from his fights for equality through peaceful methods of spreading love and preaching motivational speeches. Instead of following in King’s lead and living by his example, protestors have done the exact opposite. What would Martin Luther King think about all these acts of violence? Until people can find a way to peacefully unite through respect, appreciation, and forgiveness, nothing will ever be accomplished. Where is the love? Ask yourself this question next time you go out and try to justify your criminal behavior as a way of fighting for equality. Maybe it’s not possible to truly have equality between races but there’s no reason we cannot try. Nothing will ever change until we stop resorting to violence and hatred in order to solve our issues. As high schoolers, we’re still young and we can still become the generation that changes all of this so our future kids can grow up in an environment of love and acceptance.

12 Holiday

The Eagle

December 10th, 2014

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD BY JOYCE MA AND ANNIE LEI

When lights glisten around the city, jolly music plays on the radio, and shiny wrapping paper appears under a twinkling, tall tree, you know Christmas is soon approaching! Christmas is a holiday celebrated in many countries worldwide and each country sparks their own unique traditions. Continue reading below to find out how Christmas cheer is spread around the globe!

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Christmas occurs in the middle of their summer holiday They decorate their houses with “Christmas bushes,” a native Australian tree with small green leaves and shiny red colored flowers In each state capitol, there are Carols by Candlelight services where famous Australian singers sing Christmas carols. There are also Christmas pageants in each state capitol. Their main Christmas meal is served during lunch and is typically a cold meal or a barbeque. Meals are often served with Christmas crackers that are now in short cardboard tubes wrapped in colorful paper. When the crackers are pulled, a colourful party hat, a toy or gift and a festive joke falls out. The party hats are thought to symbolize crowns that the Wise Men might have worn. Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is a public holiday where traditionally, servants are given a day off work to celebrate Christmas with their families. Now, it is a day where people visit their friends and have barbeques on the beach.

SEOUL, KOREA

In Korean, Merry Christmas is ‘Meri krismas’ or ‘Jeulgaeun krismas doeseyo’. A popular Christmas food is a Christmas Cake, a sponge cake covered in cream bought from a local bakery or an ice cream cake from shops like Baskin Robbins. A formal dinner to celebrate the dinner consists of popular Korean dishes such as barbequed beef (bulbogi), or spicy pickled cabbage (gimchi). It’s traditional to invite carolers in for hot drinks and treats It’s customary to open gifts on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas day and to give one present instead of piles. There are certain street foods that only come out during holiday time such as chestnuts and roasted sweet potatoes.

BERLIN, GERMANY

Advents, a countdown to Christmas, are a big part of the holidays in Germany. The Adventkranz is wreath placed on a table with 4 candles, one lit on every Advent sunday, and the advent calendar consists of 24 decorated boxes or bags, each containing a present. Christmas trees are usually secretly decorated by the mother of the family. In German, Merry Christmas is ‘Frohe Weihnachten’ Children write to ‘Christkind/Christkindl’ (Christ child) for presents and leave the letters on the windowsill at the beginning or during Advent It is a tradition for sternsingers (star singers) to go door-to-door singing songs to collect money for charity Stollen is a popular fruited yeast bread that is eaten during Christmas December 6 is Nikolaustag (St. Claus Day) where a boot or shoe is left outside the door the day to before in hopes to find presents in it the next morning if you were good, or unfortunately a rod if you were bad. Christbaumageback is a German Christmas tree pastry dough that’s molded into a shape and baked to be an ornament.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

Children leave mince pies and brandy for Santa. They also write letters to Santa but instead of mailing it, they throw it into the fireplace because they believe that he reads the smoke. Christmas markets pop up all over the city. One of the most popular markets is the Winter Wonderland featuring circuses for children and many other attractions. Christmas pudding, or plum pudding, is an English holiday staple. Despite it’s name, it doesn’t really contain any plums. It’s simply a pudding with lots of dried fruit held together by egg and molasses and flavored with spices. Pantomimes, which are comical musicals, are extremely popular during Christmas. They have an annual Christmas Day swimming race called the Peter Pan Cup.

BEIJING, CHINA

Santa is called ShèngDànLaoRén. Instead of elves, he is often accompanied with his sisters, young women dressed in elf or red and white skirts. Cities in China accommodate to Christmas by changing their swimming pools to indoor skating rinks Exchanging cards with friends and family is more popular than exchanging gifts An East-meets-West Christmas dinner can be held during Christmas in China. Bā Bao Yā, also known as eight treasures duck, is the Chinese version of a stuffed turkey. It is a whole duck stuffed with diced chicken, smoked ham, peeled shrimp, fresh chestnuts, bamboo shoots, dried scallops and mushrooms stir-fried with slightly undercooked rice, soy sauce, ginger, spring onions, white sugar and rice wine. Most people work during Christmas unless it falls on a weekend

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Merry Christmas is known as “Feliz Natal.” The song most associated with Christmas in Brazil is “Noite Feliz” (“Silent Night”). Their gift-bringer is “Papai Noel” (Father Noel). Home decorations usually consists of flowers from their gardens Darioca (a brazilian dance resembling the samba) Santa Claus in swimming trunks Christmas occurs during their summer season

graphics by Stephanie Tam

December 10th, 2014

Holiday 13

The Eagle

Wrecking Ball BY ALLISON WU

For all the Miley Cyrus fans, here is one for you. Materials -Miley Cyrus cutout -christmas ball ornament -glue -scissors -cardboard Steps 1. Cut out your Miley Cyrus figure. Be sure to cut as accurately as possible! 2. (Optional) Glue figure again onto a cut cardboard piece to add sturdiness. 3. Glue your figure to the string/chain of the ornament.

photos by Allison Wu

D I Y D E C O R A T I O N S

Kwanza

Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration from December 26th – January 1st, celebrated by Africans, African Americans, and the African Diaspora as a celebration of their cultural heritage and bringing forth the best of their culture. Day 1: umoja = unity Day 2: kujichagulia = self – determination Day 3: ujima = collective work and responsibility Day 4: ujamaa = cooperative economics Day 5: nia = purpose Day 6: kuumba = creativity Day 7: imani = faith

Coffee Garland For all the coffee lovers, this is for you. (This could also work with tea). Materials -tinted/untinted coffee filters -coffee -string/rope/ribbon (your choice) -needle or sharp object -toaster oven (optional)

Steps 1. Begin tinting coffee filters. For a gradient effect, change the tints of your filter by adjusting the darkness of the coffee. 2. Allow filters to dry or place filters into toaster oven to speed up drying process. 3. Begin to string them by going through the center of the filters. (Be as delicate as possible). 4. One section might need 10-12 filters, depending on the look you’re trying to achieve. 5. Once the filters have been strung, crinkle filters to give it a more garland-like appearance.

Hannukah

graphics by Stephanie Tam

Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients for Cookies: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 2 cups + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (measured correctly) 1/2 cup raspberry jam

BY JOYCE MA

Ingredients for Glaze: 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar 1 Tablespoon (15g) cream or milk 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (optional)

Directions for Cookies: Combine softened butter, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add flour; beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm. Heat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Make indentation in center of each cookie with thumb (edges may crack slightly). Fill each indentation with about 1/4 teaspoon jam. Bake 14-18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to cooling rack. Cool completely. Combine all glaze ingredients in bowl with whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cookies.

Directions for Glaze: Stir together glaze ingredients until smooth. Add more liquid to thin out or add more powdered sugar to thicken to your desired consistency. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Glaze will set within a couple hours.

photo by Joyce Ma

Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration that lasts for eight days, in which people sing, receive blessings, prepare meals as a family and exchange gifts. This celebration happens on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. Traditional customs are to light candles on a Menorah displayed near the window or front door. A popular traditional game is played with a dreidel, a spinning top game of chance using pennies or chocolate coins.

Peppermint Chocolate Truffles Ingredients: 1/3 cup heavy cream 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1 3/4 cups Ghirardelli® 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips 1/3 cup Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa

Directions: In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add the chocolate chips. Stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and pour into a shallow bowl. Using a melon baller or small spoon, roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the cocoa or nuts. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Cool, cover, and refrigerate the mixture until firm, at least 2 hours.

December 10th, 2014

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photo by Andrew Chew

Hung is a leader and a hard working player who is also “friendly, resilient, and intelligent.” Hung’s qualities don’t go unnoticed from his teammates either. “He has to be one of my favorite teammates and I’d easily ride for him,” Tadesse says. “He set a good example for other players,” explains Graham. “Jason was a tremendous asset to the team this year.” Hung’s dedication to the sport and to school was something Graham admires. When football season ends, Hung heads straight into wrestling and after that, to track. However, this year he has decided to take a break from wrestling to rest up for track season. Hung has been running track since middle school and his passion for track has transitioned into high school. He has been on the Washington track team since his freshmen year, and has gone to state championships twice. Hung’s main event for track is long jump. He jumps 20 feet, 10 inches. This year he hopes to surpass his current record. Hung has learned many valuable lessons throughout his years on the football and track team. Football has taught him that “the result of everything kind of reflects on the work you put in.” This can be applied to school, work, sports and everyday life. Track has taught him to rely on his own abilities. Both sports help Hung see competition from “different perspectives,” since football requires you to be a team player and track requires self motivation. Because of all the injuries he’s sustained throughout his four years here at Wash, the chances of playing football in college aren’t very high for Hung. “I’ve gotten two concussions, so I don’t know,”

hen Jason Hung’s football career began the summer before freshman year, he felt like he was still a kid. “[I was] always jumpy and could never stay still. Back then, I knew nothing about football,” he says. At this point, his only goal was to find something new and exciting to do during his free time. Fast forward three years and Hung is known as one of the best players on the football team. Just ask teammate and junior Anthony Tadesse who says, “Jason is beyond humble for the amount of talent he carries.” Without football in his life, Hung feels that his high school experience would be different, which is why he loves the sport so much. “It’s exciting,” he says. Football gave Hung

the chance to try something new. Hung realized during his freshmen year that football was a sport he wanted to continue to play throughout high school. His Junior Varsity coach, Lenin Castro, was a big reason why Hung stuck to football. “Not only did he teach us about the game, but he also taught us a lot about friendship,” Hung says. Having a great coach brought the team closer, and inspired Hung to continue with his newfound passion. Playing on a sports team for four years has created many memorable memories for Hung. His most recent one being the Battle of the Birds game which occurred this past season. This game against Lowell was Washington’s redemption for last year’s game. Washington had lost the two previous Battle of the Birds games, but this year they won 27-18. “There was a lot of people in the stands even though it wasn’t at Kezar. Everyone was happy,” Hung explains. He also says that the team was just having fun so it motivated him throughout the game. Hung was the one to make the touchdown run that gave Washington the 27-18 lead. “He scored touchdowns and had some excellent run returns on kickoff,” varsity coach Peter Graham explains. Graham is very proud to have had Hung on the team. According to Graham,

BY JHOSELENE ALVARADO

her entire family supports her all the time. Since her mother and brother also played volleyball for Wash, it’s easy for them to understand how hard balancing out life is. “I play like every day, so it gets tiring,” she says. However, this doesn’t stop her from playing the sport she has grown to love. Volleyball is way for her to destress herself while having fun. One thing Liu is sure about is that she wants to play volleyball in college. “I want to get a scholarship,” she says. Although she doesn’t know where exactly she wants to go, her mind is set on that goal. Lee concludes by saying, “Words can only describe her skills; you would have to see for yourself what a dynamite athlete Jamie Liu is. Come and see for yourself. She is a sight to see in action.” oto

olleyball is a year round, everyday passion for junior Jamie Liu. When most of us are hanging out with friends, she’s playing volleyball. After the season for Washington ends, she doesn’t take time off; she immediately starts to play for her club volleyball team. When we’re relaxing at home during the summer, she’s traveling with her club volleyball team. And when she’s not playing volleyball, she coaches a group of fourth graders for a total of 6 hours per week. Her hard work paid off last week when Washington beat Lincoln to advance to the championship. “Jamie’s enthusiasm, versatility and love for the sport permeates through her playing which transcends to the team,” Varsity Volleyball coach Darlene Lee says. Liu first started playing volleyball in third grade. “One day [my mom and I] went outside, and she started hitting volleyballs at me, and I just started to like [volleyball],” she explains. When she was a freshman, she tried out for the volleyball team and made it on the varsity team. Although playing with older girls sounded intimidating, Liu didn’t feel left out or out of place. “For my freshman year, the seniors were really nice,” she says. Liu plays libero, meaning that she hits back row. “She displays a tireless work ethic as our team’s libero,” Lee adds. Lee has nothing but good things to say about Liu. “She a strong, efficient and effective server, has the ability to read the opponent, positions herself to effectively defend. She communicates with her teammates while the match is taking place,” she explains. While on the court, Liu puts her all into the game, which is shown through her skills. As a libero, she doesn’t get to play on the front line often. However, when she does, “Her eyes light up,” Lee says. “Her role to play [as] the libero for the team demonstrates her ability to make sacrifices for the good of the team.” Liu is seen as an excellent player on the court, and in front of her team members and coaches. “Her personality is always positive no matter what, so she can always

put a smile on our faces,” teammate and junior Amelia Taumoepeau says. Liu has many memorable moments from playing for Wash, but one that sticks out the most is the team’s victory against Lincoln during the second round of playoffs. Liu says that beating Lincoln was, “the best feeling ever! Because it proved a lot of people wrong who thought we couldn’t do it.” During the first two sets, the team wasn’t doing too well. However, during the third and fourth set, they found the motivation they needed to succeed. Liu explains that the fifth set was the most intense. “We all fought really hard and we wanted to go to champs badly,” she explains. The team’s hard work and determination paid off in the end and although they lost to Lowell during the championship game, Liu is proud of the team. Aside from playing volleyball for Wash, Liu also plays on a club team outside of school, the San Francisco Tremors. “Playing club is expensive, but it’s fun. We travel a lot,” she explains. Liu travels either every weekend or every other weekend to San Jose, Reno, smd Sacramento. Last year, she even traveled to Minnesota during the summer. After the season for Wash ends, she starts to play for her club team, which goes all the way up to summer. When she isn’t playing volleyball, she’s coaching fourth graders at St. Anne, the K-8 school she attended. “It’s fun. They’re so cute, and they also help [relieve] my stress,” she proudly states. As a coach, Liu felt the most excited and proud when the team made it to championships this year. “Seeing how happy they were, screaming and jumping [around is my favorite moment],” she says. Since she dedicates most of her time to volleyball, balancing out time for friends, school, and family is very difficult. “There has to be one day where I [specifically] do homework,” she says. She dedicates her Sundays to homework and says “I just keep doing [homework] in my room until I finish it.” But when she isn’t playing volleyball, studying, or coaching, she likes to spend as much time as possible with her friends. “We get boba, eat dinner, and I like going out to watch movies,” she says. Liu is very lucky because

Athletes of the Issue: Jamie Liu and Jason Hung

BY JHOSELENE ALVARADO

Sports 15

The Eagle

he said. However, the risks that come with football have not stopped him from playing. Being a student is hard, but being a student athlete is even harder, especially in Hung’s case. As a senior, Hung is taking AP and honor classes. Finding the balance between school and sports is definitely challenging but Hung has developed a weekly routine that helps him stay on track. “I go to school, practice, and I live far away so it [takes] like an hour to get home. When I get home, I go straight into homework, then dinner and that’s pretty much it,” he says. This sums up a typical school day, leaving weekends free. But even then, most weekends are reserved for football games and the occasional Saturday practice. When Hung isn’t playing sports or doing homework he’s in SH6 during lunch on Wednesdays for the Bully Me Not club, or working as a Youth Outreach Worker. These activities help keep Hung busy and focused. As a senior, college is right around the corner and Hung has plans of attending. He has applied to UC Irvine, University of San Francisco, other UC’s and a few other private universities. UC Irvine is Hung’s preferred choice for college. However, he says, “if I [were to] go there, I wouldn’t be able to do sports.” At UC Irvine, there is no track or football team. Still, even if there was, Hung says, “I’d probably be more focused on my academics.” Hung is a very positive person who sets goals for himself to help better his talent as an athlete. As of now his main goal is to be able to attend state championships for this upcoming track season.

16 Sports

December 10th, 2014

The Eagle

VARSITY BOY’S BASKETBALL: OPTIMISTIC FOR THE FUTURE BY NICOLE BERGELSON

Washington’s varsity boy’s basketball team had an impressive season last year, going 10-4 and making it to the playoffs. They are back this year with one goal in mind: to win the AAA/CIF San Francisco Section championship. With nine graphics by Stephanie Tam players returning this year, the team has an optimistic outlook on this upcoming season. Head Coach Jolinko Lassiter believes “the sky is the limit with this team, and as long as they play each game with energy and as hard as they can play, no doubt in my mind this will be a very special season for our players and for this team.

ARMANI HALL, 12TH Made Second Team All League last year Second leading scorer on the team with 11.7 points per game Leading rebounder on the team with 6.9 per game

“I look forward to creating a stronger bond with my teammates and having fun, but at the same time winning.”

MARCUS LOU, 12TH “This is our last year together and all of us are aiming [to be] the number one team.”

KHARI BROWN,12TH “I’m looking forward to better team chemistry, and a championship.”

MINKYU PARK, 12TH “I’m looking forward to another fun year of basketball with my teammates. We [have] a real good team this year and we can do big things.”

TYLAN BROWN,12TH “Basketball has helped me take advantage of my blessings.” ROSS BABA, 12TH “I look forward to going to the city championship. We have all the pieces we need to win this year!”

DARREN HO, 12TH Made First Team All League last year Leading scorer on the team with 13 points per game Second best rebounder on the team with 5.4 per game

“I’m looking forward to being the number one team in the AAA, and winning a championship. I don’t wanna sound cheesy, but basketball has given me a second family.”

JESSE MATTHEWS, 11TH Lone sophomore on the varsity team last year. “I’m looking forward to being a leader, winning a lot, and having fun.”

LUBY LUC, 12TH “I can always turn to basketball when life gets tough and my teammates are my family.”