Issue 3 2014-15

The Eagle George Washington High School 600 32nd Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121 Issue III. Feb. 13th, 2015 Website: gwhs.co Instagram: gwhsofficial Twitter: gwhs_official

American Democracy/Eco

American Literature

nomics

Algebra

Year 1 L a

uage

g Year 2 Lan

de

ra English 10th G

Visual and Performing Arts

ucation

Ed hysical P 1 r a e Y

nguage

What’s Inside First Impressions In A Partner

Health Education

ry

es Histo t a t S d e nit

U

European Literature/Expository Reading and Writing

College and Caree

r Face it: we’ve all wondered what guys and girls look for in their significant others.

We surveyed over a hundred students and here are the results! for more, see pages 8-9

graphics by Stephanie Tam

Requirements Do Little to Get Students Into UCs

BY ANNIE LEI

“H

aving many other classes and music makes high school tough,” complains sophomore Alyssa Woo. “Personally, music is more important to me than anything, so balancing academic classes and music is hard because you have different priorities than what the school wants you to have.”

Woo is one of the many members of the Washington community that feels affected by the recent changes in the SFUSD high school graduation requirements.

Changes in Washington’s graduation requirements were adapted from the San Jose Unified School District back in 2010 and started with the graduating class of 2014 as freshmen. A heavy emphasis was placed on the University of California system’s A-G requirements. The A-G requirements are meant “to give every student an opportunity to take courses that could make them eligible for a 4 year university right out of high school,” says assistant principal Susan Saunders.

A second year of foreign language as well as a third year of mathematics have been added to the list of high school graduation requirements. Prior to the changes, only one year of language and two years of math were required.

The additional year of math means all Washington students now need to take a more advanced level of mathematics, Advanced Algebra. Jean Nanjo, Department Head of Mathematics at Washington, says that math should be a four year requirement just like English is. She believes that “being literate in math is a crucial life skill,

just as important as being able to read and write.”

However, many students disagree. 22 percent of the 137 students surveyed want to eliminate the third year of math, with one saying that “Advanced Algebra is a more difficult level of Algebra, which already is hard enough to understand.”

Another surveyed student added that there’s no point in taking an extra year of math “because advanced algebra would only apply to those who plan on using it during college or future careers.”

“Second-year Algebra includes really abstract topics like trigonometry, which isn’t very applicable to most people’s lives or jobs,” says Nanjo. But she also feels that the third year of math can also benefit students in the future because “it also includes useful topics, such as probability or exponential functions, which everyone needs to understand in order to make good decisions about things like investing or borrowing money.”

After the additional year of math was adopted by the SFUSD, the most recent change to date is the addition of the second year of language. 38 percent of surveyed students disagree with the foreign language requirements. Before the additional year of foreign language, students were only required to take one year of foreign language, which taught the basics of the language. “Language shouldn’t be two years; it should be optional because it’s a waste of time, and interferes with other classes,” says one student.

However, even with the additional year, Spanish teacher Kimberly Ellis says, “to really be proficient in a language you

need about five years of study so even two isn’t enough.”

Some students argue that, “there’s no pointintakingalanguagefortwoyearswhen you’re going to forget most of it the moment you step onto the graduation stage.”

On the contrary, the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) department has constantly been cut down due to budget cuts, and more academic requirements mean less time for electives. “When I first got to Wash 20 years ago, the drama department was full time,” states John Propster, longtime VAPA Department Head, meaning there were three beginning classes, one intermediate class, and one advanced class.

Currently, the drama elective is limited to a one period beginning class. The change that took place 12 years ago that so heavily affected the arts was when UCs started to require only one year of a VAPA class instead of two. UCs used to only accepted the advanced levels, which could only be accomplished during the second year of the elective. This requirement used to be the underlying foundation of VAPA in the SFUSD, and pushed students to strive for the next advancement in the arts, making the VAPA department very strong. Changing the VAPA requirement from two years to one discouraged students to take that additional step of advance to the next level of the arts.

As a freshman, you have a choice of either taking your one year of VAPA or starting your language requirement. If a student decides to start on their language requirement, they must wait until junior continued on page 2...

Physical Education for All Four Years of High School

Some feel like PE is their favorite class of the day; others dread changing into that gym uniform and the forced physical activity that they have to participate in. Which one sounds more like you? for more, see page 15

Fashion Through the Decades

Trends come and go, and in fact, a lot of the trends we have today are based off of fashion from earlier decades. for more, see page 4

2 News

February 13th, 2015

The Eagle

Beloved Speech and Debate Team Comes to an End

BY CAROLYN HANSON LEE

F 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 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)

ifty years ago, George Washington High School created an unparalleled Speech and Debate team. Then in 1999, the team was taken over by long-time VAPA head, John Propster. The team continued to thrive as the new head coach honed the skills of speech and debate to hundreds of students in the form of a club, class, and sport. Over the past decade, Propster successfully reached out to numerous of young adults and gave opinionated and ambitious students a chance to shine.

Unfortunately, in December of 2014, Speech and Debate came to a sudden end.

“It was upsetting to see the team die,” admits senior and former vice president Jerel Borromeo, a dedicated debater with a passion for public speaking. Borromeo, like many other members, faced the terrible news back in December as the speech team had no choice but to officially discontinue after losing drastic popularity and participation.

“I used to be shy but Speech changed my life as I learned how to speak in front of people,” Borromeo recalls. “Most people are afraid to do [that].

But I love being in front of people, being the center of attention, and I couldn’t thank Speech enough

because of this.”

Similarly, senior and former president Winny Huang also feels that the Speech team has changed her life since joining the team two years ago. “Before I joined speech, I knew virtually nothing about the news or the world around me, but now I feel a lot more informed and more knowledgeable,” Huang says. “It [allowed] me to work on [my] public speaking skills, confidence, and ability to think on the spot.”

Perhaps there wasn’t one definite reason for the slow erosion of a once wildly popular team, but Propster himself has a few ideas. In the beginning, there were almost 70 members on the team, but a few years after Propster took charge of this

class, the speech team was faced with no choice but to convert from a highly populated class to a voluntary club due to the fact that adding the extra class into students’ daily schedules became rather stressful.

“The last year it was taught was 2000 -- where there was one class that had 14 students,” explains Propster. “Team membership also steadily declined. [The club] held steady at around 20 students until 2006, then dropped below 15. This last fall there were only 5 official members of the team.”

Propster also thinks that current high school counselors rarely encourage students to pursue Speech. “Counselors used to have a lighter case load and got to know their students better,” he says. “They would challenge them by putting them in classes that were outside their comfort zone. I don’t think that there is a lot of support to get students involved in Speech.”

The former head coach additionally realizes that there seems to be a lack of motivation in today’s high school students. Propster admits that being part of the Speech and Debate team does require a substantial amount of dedication. Although it is not a physical sport, continued on page 3...

New Requirements: Helping or Hurting? ...continued from page one year to take their one required year of a VAPA. During their sophomore year, students are unable to take a VAPA class unless they choose to take full schedule, which makes it difficult on students who are academically focused as well as artistically talented. “With everything going on you have no free time, and the free time you have is used to practice,” says Woo. Some students do not think that VAPA should be required at all. “This should only be a case for people who actually want to major in the arts,” says one student.

Another student added that the requirement may also “force students to take a class they have no interest in.”

Although some requirements haven’t changed, many people wish the changes went further. Social Studies Department Head David Ko believes that Washington is at a disadvantage with only three years of required social studies, whereas other schools require four. An optional social studies class, known as ethnic studies, is an elective class you can take which “focuses on ethnic identity and race-based systems of oppression,” according to an article on SFGate.com back in December of 2014. Washington is one of the five high schools that

have ethnic studies as part of a pilot program initiated six years ago. As many students complain about history class only being about “white history,” ethnic studies allows students to broaden their views on different ethnic groups. A unanimous vote taken in December of last year is being put into action this fall, in which all SFUSD schools will offer ethnic studies as an elective.

However, Ko acknowledges that the new requirements cram the schedules of students. “The downside to increasing graduation/college admission requirements is it leaves less room in students’ schedules for electives.”

Departments such as the English and Science departments have not had a single change in their requirements. Yet, 37 percent of surveyed students do not want to take a fourth year of English - either European Literature or Expository Reading and Writing. A surveyed student comments that European Literature “is not a skill we need to know for everyday life; it should be an option to take it rather than a requirement.”

Senior Christina Yu says that there should be a four year requirement for English because “it’s a fundamental class that will help you with all subjects in school.”

Another surveyed student agrees that English is one of the basic principles to high school. “It makes

sense to take English for four years since we live in America. We should probably know how to use the language that is spoken by the majority of Americans.”

Just like the English requirement, the science requirement has not budged. Two years of science classes are required to graduate, but most students take science throughout all four years of high school, according to Science Department Head Rachael Spillard. Some students even take two science classes in a single year. However, Spillard wishes that the science requirement would be extended to four years, incorporating more fields of sciences throughout a student’s high school career.

On the other hand, one student comments that Chemistry is “difficult and not useful in my future career, I will not need to know the elements to pursue my career.”

Most students complete their two years of physical education by the end of sophomore year, clearing up a slot in students schedules in junior year, but for some students it feels like a waste of time. Students have commented that they shouldn’t be required to take physical education class. A surveyed student does not like the requirement because “everyone’s physical ability is different regardless of size.”

Another complained that “giving us a grade for it is unfair to those

who are not obese but are physically weak.” In order for students to complete their two years of physical education, they must opt out of their VAPA class as sophomores unless they take full schedule. Woo has a full schedule this year due to her desire to take a VAPA, along with her mandatory classes this year. She feels that taking full schedule “makes you feel like you’re wasting your time on academic work, or other things that are not as important to you.”

Only four out of the 137 students surveyed would keep all of the requirements. One student commented that “every class is something I need” and “it’s important to learn all of this information” for future careers.

From another student’s point of view, “I think all the classes help you prepare for college; I just think that some classes should be rearranged.”

An overwhelming 97 percent of students want to change the requirements. One surveyed student argues that certain requirements aren’t necessary and “the classes you should be required to take should be affected by what career choice/ pathway you take and what will actually help you in life.”

According to Saunders, the changes made in the high school graduation requirements have not led to any changes in the UC acceptance rate.

February 13th, 2015

Features 3

The Eagle

Washington Forensics Team Ends on its 50th Anniversary ...continued from page 2 it called for the same commitment as a rigorous physical sports team in order to properly develop competition-worthy skills.

When the team officially disbanded last semester, passionate debate students like Huang and Borromeo were faced with the ultimatum of either giving up al-

together or pursuing it independently. Despite the difficult circumstances, Huang and Borromeo are the only faithful members who have decided to tread on.

Borromeo admits that it’s been different but he still competes in order to pursue his speech career.

“A team would be good for support, but I am motivated to finish all my speech tournaments in my

last year,” the senior comments.

To continue Speech and Debate independently means the two students will have to compete with less practice, alongside prepare for tournaments alone and may need to sign up for tournaments as “independent” with no high school affiliation.

Huang recalls a recent situation in which she was punished

Attacked by Izzy the Goose-Duck: An Interview with Rudy Choy We know Rudy Choy as a math teacher, but he is much more than that. Choy is the sponsor of the DJ Club as well as an avid board game player. With this in mind, we sat down and asked him a few questions that were straight out of left field.

BY KATIE WHITMIRE

Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or one horsesized duck?

I would say one horse sized duck. I’m assuming it’s relatively slow… I used to have this duck as an arch enemy in Golden Gate Park. I used to walk my girlfriend home and we named it Izzy-- and actually I don’t know the difference between geese and ducks so we would just call it “Izzy the Goose Duck”. Inevitably when I would walk her home, by that pond that used to be a pond on like 41st, but I think it sank down into a swamp, it used to chase us down the field! It was white with an orange bill so it stood out from the other brown and green ducks. Every time we would walk past it, it would literally come out of the bank and start to chase us. We would taunt it and let it peck at our feet and then we would jump over it and we would laugh and people would honk at us like “Hey! Leave the ducks alone!” , and Izzy the Goose-Duck would always attack us without fail.

If a horse-sized duck and 100 duck-sized horses were to take a trigonometry test, who would score higher?

Horses are smarter than ducks. Even one tiny horse versus a very large duck, or 100 tiny horses versus one giant duck, the horses would win, hands down.

Who would score higher on a math test: President Obama or Kim Jong-Un? Hmmmm…. I would say Obama. I’m assuming the North Korean… Wait, actually Kim Jong-Un was educated overseas, so I would think… It’s hard to say. One is the leader of the free world and you have to be pretty smart to do that. [Kim Jong-Un] was just born into it so I don’t know how smart he actually is. So, Obama.

In Mean Girls, the main character has a huge revelation at a Mathletes competition she was forced to go to. At the competition she got the right answer and won the Mathlete Championship! What was that answer?

The answer should be; Heathers is better. That’s for all of the old people who will read this.

We know that six was afraid of seven. Are there any other numbers that are afraid of another number?

I guess all numbers would be afraid of four. In Chinese written language and Japanese, four is the number of death, it’s the symbol of death, it’s the sign of death. All numbers fear the four.

Please recite as many digits of pi as you can off of the top of your head.

3.1415926. I know that because 9:26 of March 14the of the year 2015 is going to be 31415926. Make sure you do something special on the Saturday morning of March 14 of 2015 at 9:26!

for attending a debate tournament unaccompanied. “I got into quite a bit of trouble with the district chair because I didn’t have any adults with me. It was very unfortunate that our team [got] smaller every year while our league grows every year,” she expresses.

As of right now it’s uncertain whether or not the Speech and Debate team will ever recover, but Borromeo has high hopes. “I do think that Speech will come back. “Hopefully people would consider its benefits and join next year. No joke, it is a life changing experience meeting new people, travelling, and winning trophies and plaques. You grow into a more sophisticated person than you were before.”

If George Washington ever plans on the return of the team, Propster adds on that it is entirely up to the students, faculty, and administration to make it happen. He reassures that there are three faculty members who were members of the team when they attended Washington and are ready and willing to step up, if necessary.

Coincidentally, the Speech team has ended in the same year

as Propster’s retirement, but he feels no regrets in how the Speech team was handled under his care.

“I have done as much as I could over the years to build and expand the types of events Wash did and to try to keep it growing,” Propster explains. “My philosophy has always been that if the students want to do something and are willing to make the commitment, I will do whatever it takes to make it happen.”

Speech and Debate team could certainly make a comeback with the right amount of dedication and participation, according to Propster. It has the ability to improve the lives of many ambitious young adults, like Huang and Borromeo and so many others. But Propster feels ready to finally retire on this bittersweet note.

“I am especially proud of the few but mighty students who dedicated all four years of their academic career at Wash to Speech. I will always carry those memories,” expresses Propster. “If the students at Wash are no longer interested, I feel sad for them, but it just means my services are no longer needed, so my retirement seems to come at the appropriate time.”

4 Features

a 1930 a

February 13th, 2015

The EaglE

Fashion through the Decades

BY DONNA MO As we go through the years, trends in fashion change. Each decade has its own personality that made it unique and different from other decades.

a1920 a Starting from the early 1920’s, skirts and dresses became shorter. Flapper style dresses, known present day as the “retro styled dresses” and bucket hats became the biggest fads. Women also started cutting their hair shorter and wearing short heeled shoes rather than having long hair and high heels.

As the Great Depression changed US history, so did the fashion amongst the people. Flashy flapper dresses and heels were no longer popular. In the early 1930s, women started wearing more comfortable and affordable clothing. However, the clothes were still fashionable as it was influenced by Hollywood glamour. Most women wore dresses made out of silk or satin.

The two biggest trends during this retro decade was the housewife and the pin up style. In the early 1950s, girls would typically wear modest blouses, poodle skirts, and oxford shoes with curled ponytails. The late 1950s changed into a sexier look. Pin-up girls were looked up to in terms of fashion. The pin-up style consisted of black winged eyeliner, tighter clothing, and heels.

a 1950 a

As World War II started, women began to dress less conservatively in order to save fabric. Most of the time, people wore service uniforms and work pants. Because of the war, the military style became the biggest trend during the 1940s. The military style included button up dresses along with a beret of some kind.

a1940a a1970 a a1960a Hipp cad ie and e m hot . In the od sty les pan ear of s b l t ynt s, bold y 1960 ecame het s big big , , po sol ic i d for n the m mater id col pular t uring ors i this r pre a i d end l s ,a 19 tt ed o . f be y much 60s. B The hi nd clo s inclu depp l d ll b t e otto veryo ue jean ie tren hing m ed ne. a s m je d de b vest ans, Hippie ecame blew u p p f s an a e d he asant ashion staple b c adb and louses onsist s. , fr inge

a1980a 1980s fashion was big, bold an d consisted of many styles. Pu nk fashion and leg warmers became some of the biggest tr ends. A symbol of femininity, the legs were highly emphasized through leggings, which were a staple in women’s war drobe. Off the sh also became po oulder tops pular in the 80 s, showing off a woman’s collar bone.

The 2000s were a mix of past trends. It was the return of the 1960s fashion as well as an introduction to a “sexier” style of showing femininity. Bell-bottom jeans and belly shirts stayed popular. Tank tops, cargo pants, white jeans, and thong underwear became popular as well.

a 2000 a

The 70s continued with the psychedelic and hippie style, though the 70s combined hippie with a more bohemian style. Punk styles gained popularity as well, varying from chunky lace up boots to chokers.

a 1990 a

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February 13th, 2015

Features 5

The Eagle

Club of the Issue

Feminism Finds a Place at Wash

BY MAKI O’ BRYAN

“F

eminism doesn’t mean women are going to rise, take over the planet, and cut off men’s testicles,” states Lena Dunham, an actress and writer of the HBO hit Girls. While some people may find this surprising, she’s right. ‘Feminism’ sounds like a fancy and daunting term, but all it really means is that you believe in equal rights.

Dunham is one of the many celebrities, such as Beyonce and Emma Watson, who have come out as feminists and are actively attempting to start discussions about gender in the United States and across the globe. These women have become role models in the feminist movement and have encouraged people to act, so that is what Savannah Juri did.

Savannah Juri, a junior at George Washington High School, acted by starting the club Feminism is Fun! late in the fall se-

photos by Andrew Chew

mester. The topic of feminism has exploded in the past few years and is a mature topic that is frequently discussed and explored in the adult world, but not among teenagers. Juri was excited about talking to adults about feminism but found that people her age were lost on the topic. “Kids were either misinformed or didn’t know about it, so I thought that more kids should know about it. This is an important thing, especially for young girls,” Juri says.

Feminism is Fun! discusses the simplest definition of feminism -the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. The goal of the club is to educate and inform, without swaying beliefs. Juri wants to “let kids, boys and girls, form their own opinions about it, and decide what they want to do and who they are and decide for themselves if they want to be a feminist.”

Juri expresses concern about how “toxic” it can be when female celebrities speak out on feminism but are misinformed and spread negative ideas that feminists hate men because they give the movement a false name.

What Juri is trying to do with Feminism is Fun! is not to tell people what feminism is or to convert people to become feminists, but rather to allow people to come to their own opinions, without listening to celebrities or reading Buzzfeed, and not assuming that what they’re hearing in the media about feminism is true.

Juri doesn’t care if people end up becoming feminists; she hopes that everyone has the chance to learn and discover what feminism is. During her club meetings, Juri leads discussions to make feminism “a little bit more real and a little bit more relevant.” The club watches videos and looks at current events, nationally and internationally. This way, they can look at feminism, or the lack of feminism, in action and how it affects people all around the world. Juri wants people to be able to see how feminism affects them, even if they aren’t feminists, and be able to share

personal experiences.

One of the challenges Juri faces with Feminism if Fun! is how men receive and perceive feminism. She excitedly references Emma Watson’s “He for She” campaign advocating for male feminists.

“It’s not even about men applying feminism to themselves, but rather acknowledging gender inequality in general,” says Juri. “There are also things that feminists advocate for, like rejecting the notion that boys can’t cry. Feminism rejects that and says ‘no it’s okay, you can be as sensitive as a woman can be athletic or tough.’ We also want men to advocate for women and say, ‘I want my mother or my grandmother or my sister to have equal rights’, and hopefully one day most men can say that and not feel ashamed or embarrassed.”

However great this idea that Watson and Juri share, many people disagree. At Washington, people have ripped down the club’s pink posters, written slander on them, and confronted Juri with rude questions and remarks. What was at first upsetting has now become motivation for Juri. She wants to have a discussion and help inform the people that were too cowardly to confront her or ask her questions. Juri doesn’t want to turn our school into an army of angry feminists, but rather into a well-informed and worldly student body.

Upcoming Albums OF 2015 After a year of amazing albums in 2014, as showcased at the Grammy Awards, here are a few of the upcoming releases in 2015!

BY CHEYENNE ROOKER

Rebel Heart, the upcoming thirteenth studio album by American pop artist Madonna, a singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and dancer. She achieved popularity by pushing the boundaries of lyrical content in mainstream popular music and imagery in her music videos, which became a fixture on MTV. Madonna is known for reinventing both her music and image, and maintaining her autonomy within the recording industry. It is no doubt this music icon continues to renew her fame and career.

Release Date: March 9, 2015.

Smoke and Mirrors The upcoming second studio album by American rock band Imagine Dragons, an Indie/alternative rock group who released "Radioactive", a 2013 single that sold more than six million singles in the United States.

Release Date: February 17, 2015.

Froot is the upcoming third studio album by indie pop artist Marina Diamandis, better known by her stage name Marina and the Diamonds. In 2009, Diamandis came to prominence after being ranked second in the Sound of 2010 poll, organized by the BBC. Since, she has captured the heart of America’s music industry and has been famous since, and has created several hits.

Release date: April 3, 2015.

6 Features

Student of the Issue

February 13th, 2015

The EaglE

Cassidy Hall Leaps from Junior Year to College

photo courtesy of Cassidy Hall

C

BY MARIE BAKER

assidy Hall may seem like your average high school student; he enjoys swimming, playing video games, hanging out with his friends and picking on his sister. However, in this case, everything is not what it seems. Hall graduated high school as a junior by passing the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) in November, 2014. Although graduating early was an achievement in itself, Hall’s greatest achievements were

overcoming the struggles he faced in his family and school life, and staying focused on his dream of becoming a violinist.

Hall’s mother passed away two weeks before the beginning of his freshman year. She was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage IV cancer, and passed away within a month.

Hall’s life drastically changed with the death of his mother, with whom he shared an extremely close relationship.

“I fell apart. I stopped caring about grades and doing my home-

work, and eventually the need to attend class disappeared... I used to go to school and get good grades for my mother, because it was important to her and it made her happy. Coming home and seeing her face light up with joy every time I brought home a good grade was sort of my reward for all my hard work. After she passed away, I pretty much lost my reason for trying.”

This was out of character for Hall, who describes himself as a good student: someone who got mostly A’s, never skipped class and did all of his work. When he started to miss school, his classmates, unaware of his situation at home, began to wonder why he never came to class. “When I did show up to class, I could hear people talking about me. I tried to not let it bother me, but constantly hearing different stories and opinions about me - class after class - eventually became overwhelming. Sometimes I showed up but the gossip was so unbearable that I wouldn’t bother showing up for the rest of my classes. The students just became another reason why I skipped class.”

Hall had been no stranger to bullying. He first experienced bullying in elementary school, but it progressively got worse upon entering middle school. “When I was younger, I had a tail (hairstyle), and every day, in middle school, someone would pull it. Most of the time they were people that I didn’t even know. One time, someone sitting behind me in class took out a pair of scissors and cut a chunk of it off!”

Hall’s continued absences caused him to fall behind on his credits. To catch up, he began to attend night school. Unlike many students who dread going to night school, Hall

discovered that he actually really enjoyed it. “I liked the independence and freedom that you had. You do your own work and everyone minds their own business, but they’re also easy to approach and friendly. The teachers were kind and understanding, and they treated you like an adult.”

Hall was surprised by the relationships he formed with fellow night school students. Hall says that they “were different than the students at Washington.” He was able to relate to many of his classmates, who had also experienced bullying, difficult family situations, and ostracization throughout their lives.

Hall says that he felt empowered by these students, “who had hard lives but eventually learned to respect themselves and not worry about what others thought. The students in night school reminded me of the movie ‘The Breakfast Club’.”

No matter how difficult things got for Hall, he always had one escape: music. “I don’t think I could live without it. When I’m depressed, listening to or playing music always makes me feel better,” says Hall. “I believe that it also brings people together. Orchestra is where I met different people with different personalities, but since we all have a common interest and understanding, we find friendships in unexpected people.”

Hall’s career as a violinist began in 6th grade at Presidio Middle School.

He initially signed up for orchestra class because his 8th grade sister enjoyed it, and to please his mother.

In 7th grade, Hall auditioned for a scholarship from the Community Music Center (CMC) and has retained it ever since. This scholarship gives him free private lessons once a week, and a two hour music class on Saturday. He was the first violinist of CMC’s orchestra, then moved up to play in the advanced quartets.

Music always held a special place in Hall’s heart, but it was last summer that he realized it was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

He began working with a violin instructor from the Conservatory of Music, which he hopes to attend

one day. He has been working with her for only two months, but already sees improvements in his playing.

Hall was also a part of Washington’s music program. Orchestra class was Hall’s favorite part of the day, because it was somewhere he felt safe and could avoid the pressure to fit in. Although Washington’s music program helped him become the musician he is today, Hall says, “I felt like I had outgrown the music program, and wanted to look for something else that would challenge me.”

Hall started school at the City College of San Francisco in January 2015. At Washington, Hall had found a friend in his counselor, Jay Kozak. It was he who suggested that Hall take the CHSPE to graduate early. Although early graduation is not advised for most students, Hall’s family situation, his love of night school and his credit deficit made it the best option for him. Passing the CHSPE was equivalent to receiving a high school diploma, and gave Hall the option to attend any two year college. Hall chose to attend City College of San Francisco, and plans to transfer to San Francisco State University or the Conservatory of Music, his dream school. So far, Hall is enjoying college and says, “I am excited for all of the opportunities that college has to offer. I love being able to choose whatever classes I want, and not being nagged to ‘Get to class!’ whenever I’m roaming the campus.”

Hall’s message for others who are going through tough times is, “Life isn’t always easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Reach out to your counselors and teachers for help. There’s always another way to get through anything, even when you feel like giving up.” Whatever life threw at Cassidy Hall, he was able to overcome. His success was made possible by his determination, his music, and support from his counselor, friends and family. He sees the hard work he is putting in now as “a stepping stone for something much greater.” Hall says, “I look forward to a future where I have a great music career and a loving family.”

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8 First Impressions

The E

“A good sense of humor.” - Andrew Im

How Do You Judge A

BY DON

As human beings, we notice people who are attractive. How not be considered attractive to another. We’re all drawn to d intelligence over looks. Others might value wealth over pers what they look for in thei 25% of females notice someone’s physique first

20% of females notice someone’s hair first

19% of females notice someone’s eyes first

19% of females notice someone’s smile first 6% of females notice other traits first

6% of females notice someone’s personality first

5% of females notice someone’s face first

42% of females’ biggest turn off is if someone does drugs/alcohol

21% of females’ biggest turn off is bad hygiene

Would you say you have high standards for your ideal partner?

Yes 69% No 31%

4% of females’ biggest turn off is other traits

19% of females’ biggest turn off is arrogance

Would you go back to someone if they had cheated on you previously?

Yes 0% No 85% Maybe 15%

14% of females’ biggest turn off is when someone is boring

Would you date someone who doesn’t get along with your friends?

Yes 19% No 55% Maybe 26%

Would you date someone shorter than you?

Yes 30% No 58% Maybe 12%

Would you date someone who has a lot of tattoos?

Yes 42% No 38% Maybe 20%

First Impressions 9

Eagle

A Book By Its Cover?

NNA MO

“Loyalty is royalty.” - Armani Hall

wever, what is considered attractive to one person might different qualities in different people. Some might value sonality. We surveyed 143 students at Washington to see ir potential partners.

20% of males notice someone’s smile first

21% of males notice someone’s physique first

17% of males notice other traits first

15% of males notice someone’s hair first 12% of males notice someone’s eyes first

11% of males notice someone’s face first

4% of males notice someone’s personality first

25% of males’ biggest turn off is bad hygiene

22% of males’ biggest turn off is when if someone does drugs/alcohol

16% of males’ biggest turn off is other traits

19% of males’ biggest turn off is when someone is boring

18% of males’ biggest turn off is arrogance

Would you date someone who doesn’t get Would you say you have high stanWould you go back to someone if they along with your friends? dards for your ideal partner? had cheated on you previously?

Yes 33% Yes 49% Yes 4% No 51% No 51% No 87% Would you date someWould you date someone Maybe 16% Maybe 9% one taller than you? who has a lot of tattoos?

Yes 41% Yes 35% No 46% No 52% Maybe 13% Maybe 13% graphics by Stephanie Tam

10 Opinion

February 13th, 2015

The Eagle

Furious Ferguson: Protest Violence is Justified

BY KEVIN LI

I

n August 2014, a spate of police-involved shootings occurred, the most notable being the death of Michael Brown, an 18year-old unarmed black man, in Ferguson, Missouri. The shooting has sparked an ongoing series of protests and civil unrest, both after the shooting, and following the decision not to indict the police officer involved. The wave of unrest has drawn widespread attention to important issues such as excessive use of police force and the relationship between race and crime in the United States. However, right wing Republicans and parts of the mainstream press prefer not to discuss these important issues, but rather to focus on the few looters who reacted in an unproductive way to the tragedy, unbeknownst to the fact that the police force is the root of the problem.

The actions of the few looters and rioters should not be endorsed, as they instigate more violence and are rather unproductive, but they should not be condemned either. They are angry, and rightfully so. The people of Ferguson are angry because an unarmed teenager was killed simply because he was young, black, and at the wrong place at the wrong time. The officer’s account that Brown reached inside the officer’s car to take his gun is dubious. Brown probably wasn’t taught to go out picking fights with the police. Eyewitness accounts suggesting that Brown attempted to surrender are far more credible. It seems easy to focus on a few looters who reacted with acts of vandalism, and we shouldn’t endorse their actions. But we shouldn’t condemn these folks either.

The value of the property lost shouldn’t be more important than the lives lost. We should respect their right to speak out and to be angry that the police are executing their kids in the middle of the street. Their anger and rage is a completely reasonable response to the arbitrary execution of unarmed black people.

Right-wing pundits and police turn their attention to a few rioters, a minority of the

protesters, but who also have justifiable anger but less power than the police, and say, “You are the problem.” But cops killing black teenagers in the middle of the street is the cause of that “problem.” However, the same pundits aren’t keen on addressing what caused the riots in the first place.

In Ferguson, most of the white-dominated police force do not actually reside in Ferguson, but come from the surrounding white areas. They come into the black community in Ferguson, and view it as some foreign, hostile territory. This goes directly against the police mantra of “to protect and serve”, as they are dealing with people with a “killed or be killed” mentality, rather than striving to preserve peace in the community.

The Ferguson situation is awfully reminiscent of a rather tragic period of history: apartheid South Africa. During apartheid, the white South African police were deployed into black areas to suppress the efforts of anti-apartheid protesters. The police did not actually reside in those communities and therefore viewed the blacks as hostile. This resulted in incidents where the police almost arbitrarily engaged in violence against blacks.

Interestingly, the grenade launchers that Ferguson police used on the protesters were developed for use by the South African government to suppress the struggle against apartheid. Such trivia is important because the weapon of choice used by police to suppress the right to protest in the US has roots in the apartheid regime. Authorities find them handy when African Americans try to speak out about the rising tide of police violence against young people of color. The presence of such a weapon on our streets in presentday U.S. should indicate a link between racism and state violence.

The Ferguson police probably aren’t racist in the sense that they say “I hate black people” when they see a black person, but their racism may exist in a psychological sense of anxiety and fear. Racism can also exist in a

sense of mistrust and in the extra precautions some take when wandering into certain parts of the city. People just don’t want to admit it; this is an unfortunate reality in today’s society.

We live in a society that is so dishonest about race. We can’t acknowledge that police have unspeakably more power than an ordinary citizen. And with more power comes more responsibility. We keep hearing about how some white police officer kills a black man every now and then, but say that they are isolated incidents, even when we hear about three shootings in a week that all involve a black person being shot.

The death of Michael Brown was not an isolated incident; it was the result of a systemic institution of racism at work. People still can’t rely on cops to protect all citizens regardless of race - not when cops are gunning down minorities. And certainly, there has not been an adequate response from the government. The least our policymakers could do is to make the racial makeup of the police force more representative of its community. In light of this, outrage is a

completely reasonable response.

Looting private buildings that have nothing to do with the situation isn’t an ideal response to what has happened, but society should address the provocation itself instead of a product of the provocation. People in Ferguson and across the country have a right to be outraged because an unarmed black teenager that was about to start college was shot down by an officer who miscalculated the level of danger, and blacks are routinely subjected to such a risk of miscalculated danger.

It is delusional to not recognize that there is a cause for outrage, and it is right for people to express their rage.

graphics by Stephanie Tam

Land of Freedom of Expression, Home of the Shamed

BY DEAVON SMITH

Sexuality isn’t only about “sex” and what you’re attracted to; it’s about expressing yourself as an individual and being comfortable with yourself. Expressing your sexuality, even in today’s society, still makes some uncomfortable. Some are even judged when they are open about their sexuality. We as a society have been taught that being “accepted” is to fit in with everyone else and keep your desires hidden.

The topic of sexuality has been taboo since the late 1800’s when women were shamed for showing even the smallest bit of skin, like their ankles. This attitude has been passed from one generation to the next and has made its way into modern society. Women are judged if they’re wearing really short shorts because other people see them as a “whore,” or in today’s term, a “thot,” and that they’re doing it to attract the attention of men. This is not always the case.

As a male, I don’t fully understand women’s perspectives and feelings on this topic, but I have observed for myself that people become uncomfortable when someone behaves in a manner that is provocative. A girl who enjoys being sexual and having sex is seen as not having respect for herself and thought to only partake in sexual acts because she has low self-esteem.

Women aren’t the only ones that are judged for expressing themselves; men are too, but on a different spectrum. Men are taught that hooking up with many girls every other night and being emotionally detached makes them “real men” and not doing so makes them “pussies.” Many young men are taught this from an early age, which may lead them to become insecure with themselves if they don’t act accordingly to society’s definition of “manly” behavior. But what men aren’t taught is that feeling attracted to a girl sexually and emotionally in a

positive way can actually help them find confidence in themselves.

People have been led to believe that you should act a certain way and not be open about your sexuality in order to be accepted in society.

These false beliefs can suppress one’s individuality. People who act upon their sexual identity and their desires should not have to supress themselves just because it’s “out of the norm.” Sexuality is something we all have and we should not be ashamed to act upon it because it doesn’t seem appropriate to others.

We, as a society, need to learn to stop shaming people for being who they are and begin allowing people to live their own lives. Just because someone is sexual or wants to wear skinny jeans or short shorts doesn’t mean they are dressing that way to gain attention from others. People should be able to choose what they want to wear and how they act because it’s pleasing

to them, not others.

Not only do regular people get judged by society, but celebrities are also criticized for being “too sexual.” One woman that stands out and embraces herself would be Miley Cyrus. Even though she is famous, she doesn’t try to please people or worry about what image she should be representing to her fandom. Many parents nowadays prevent their kids from attending Miley Cyrus concerts due to her “pornagrpahic dancing” but those parents have not considered that she is an adult who enjoys expressing herself with her body. She isn’t a Disney star anymore.

Savannah Juri, a junior who started the ‘Feminism Is Fun’ club at Washington, is extremely passionate about the “slut shaming” of women and girls. To her, the word slut doesn’t actually relate to the way one dresses; it has to do with the number of people that a person is with sexually.

“When someone calls another person a slut, they are making a statement that the ‘slut’ sleeps around and is ‘loose’just based off their clothing. The ‘slut-shamer’ is throwing stereotypes onto a person in the same way that someone would make a judgement about another person based on their race, ethnicity, or even religion,” says Juri.

She then adds on, “I believe that the number of people that someone is with sexually does not determine their level of self-respect or worth, in the same way that I believe that somebody’s clothing does not determine their self-respect either.”

I hope society continues to grow and mature and learns to become more open minded to new things. People need to stop holding others to unfair standards. We all need to respect how others express themselves, even if we don’t necessarily agree with them. We cannot force our own beliefs onto someone else because it’s their life and they have the right to do whatever they want with it.

February 13th, 2015

Opinion 11

The Eagle

Should Transgender Athletes Be Able to Play?

Yes! No!

BY ALLISON WU

P

eople are afraid to discuss or even mention transgender issues, because it is controversial, and an uncomfortable topic for many. The result of this lack of discussion is that currently, many transgender students are deprived of opportunities - playing high school sports - because of how they identify themselves. The rights of transgender students to play sports outweighs all other claims that opponents develop, most of which are solely based on false assumptions. The simple solution is that transgender students should be able to play on the sports teams of their choosing, because it allows athletic recognition, equal opportunities, and comfort for all high school students.

“Transphobia and a simple lack of education regarding the transgender community are not an excuse to discriminate against transgender players,” said Elliot Kunerth, a transgender student who successfully urged for equal transgender rights for Minnesota school districts. “Nor will they be valid excuses to treat someone differently. Whether or not a player happens to be transgender is no one else’s concern.”

It is one of the greatest misconceptions that transgenders should not play sports because of biological inequality. Many argue that because a male-to-female athlete has a greater biological advantage, it would be unfair to other players. However, many people fail to recognize that there are so many more components to sports than just physical build. A recent review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine states that there is no evidence that “a great muscle mass equals a superior talent for sports. And while a person’s height can’t be changed, it isn’t the only factor that makes him or her a superior athlete.” Dr. J C Reeser concludes that there is not enough evidence to show whether or not male-to-female transsexuals would have an athletic advantage. So, for male-female athletes especially, one cannot automatically assume that because of their biological build, that athlete will have an advantage on a high school sports team. The reality is that there will always be some students that are taller or faster, but athletes will have to work competi-

tively to achieve athletic recognition.

Some may also argue that allowing transgender athletes to switch teams deprives other athletes of the opportunity to earn scholarships and athletic recognition. However, scholarships are given to those who are deserving, and have consistently excelled in their chosen sport. If an athlete does not receive a scholarship, it is simply because they were not talented enough to earn one.

Students join high school sports to be a part of a group that they feel comfortable and happy to be around. If a transgender male-female student is forced to play on a male team, she will feel like she does not belong. Transgender students do not decide to suddenly switch their genders overnight. It has been scientifically proven that being transgender is not a choice. It is an identity one is born with.

Therefore, transgender students have the need to switch gender team because it is a part of their identity.

This issue isn’t just limited to whether or not transgender students can play on the sports team they identify with; it sends a message that it is alright to discriminate against students. If schools choose to deprive students of their rights to play sports, a supposedly safe place where students thrive and build their identities, what does this say about their future? Making students feel like outcasts does not benefit anyone. This will scar them emotionally for the rest of their lives, and many will lack the confidence they need to face reality after high school.

Without legislation that allows transgender athletes to play sports for the team of their choosing, transgender students will be easily convinced that being transgender is the worst and most destructive part of their identity. We cannot allow transgender athletes to be be excluded and isolated from high school sports just because it is uncomfortable at times for other students - the same discriminating students that create the judgmental stares and laughs as the transgender student walks down the hall. Schools need to consider all types of safety, including the emotional safety of the transgender athletes. For these reasons, school districts need to develop high school sports policies that achieve equality for all.

BY CAROLYN HANSON LEE

P

laying sports can be one of the best experiences high schools have to offer. Not only do sports boost your strength and fitness, but they also allow students to come together outside of class and develop team skills. Practically all sports in high school have gender divided teams, not because of sexism or discrimination, but because of safety and fairness. While it is critical that students learn gender equality, safety must always come first. For this reason it is only fair that transgender students should not be allowed to choose what gender sports team they play on.

Contrary to what some may think, creating a divide between genders in sports is not sexist.

By all means transgender students deserve to be treated without prejudice, but there are certain unavoidable physical limitations. Regardless of whether or not an individual has gone through gender reassignment treatment and views him/herself as a different gender, if you’re born a man you’re chromosomally a man and vice versa. It isn’t transphobic but the unavoidable truth.

Imagine if a largely built 6-foot male high school student were to one day realize that she’s actually a woman. It would be great that this student had come to terms with accepting who she truly is, but it would not be so great if this student suddenly switched to a girl’s basketball team. All the other girls on the team would be at a disadvantage because their female anatomies could not compare.

It wouldn’t be the transgender’s fault that she would be physically stronger than the rest of the team, but it corrupts the sport for everyone involved. This student could possibly put the other teammates, as well as the opposing team’s players, at risk for unintentional injuries.

In the same sense, if a transgender male were to join the football team, even if he had a considerable amount of muscle mass and strength, it would be hard to go against an entire team of guys around 150 to 250 pounds with the anatomy of a female. One hard tackle from a heavy opponent and the

transgender player could be fatally crushed.

Women are more prone to certain types of athletic injuries than men and therefore the results of a tackle-gone-wrong could be especially life threatening.

When comparing women’s and men’s physical attributes there are inevitable differences that occur. The fact is that testosterone and estrogen are nothing alike and must be accounted for when judging sports achievements. The reason why sports, such as basketball and lacrosse, have separate gender teams is because no matter how strong a female’s body may be, it is simply unfair to compare her to a man.

It’s scientifically proven that men account for less body fat, higher muscle mass, and obtain higher results in all physical activities except for flexibility. According to excercise researcher Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, testosterone enables men to develop larger skeletal muscles, larger hearts, and larger proportion of Type 2 muscle fibers, which generate power, strength and speed. Testosterone also increases the production of red blood cells, giving men an even greater aerobic advantage over their female counterpart.

If you take the Olympics for example, all of the different games are split between men and women. This is not due to simple gender bias, as they actually encourage traditional and conservative countries to support women’s participation in sports to prevent gender discrimination and to promote women’s involvement. However, the Olympic committee is also very serious about fair treatment and judgement of its competitors, which means that they use forms of gender verification to ensure that every person is in the right gender category. This is a critical factor to judge scores because it’s proven by Livestrong that the mean difference is about 10 percent between men and women for all Olympic events.

While it should be mandatory for all schools to ensure that gender equality and acceptance is taught and practiced on school grounds, these rules do not necessarily apply to the topic of safety in sports. In all other aspects of life, women are equal to men, just not physically.

A Brighter Future... Without High School

T

BY DONNA MO

he average lifespan of an American is 79 years. Of the 79 years that we live, four of those are wasted in high school. Years of brainwashing have caused us to believe that high school is necessary when, in truth, it’s the worst thing that has ever happened to this country and needs to be stopped.

At age 14, children are mature enough to go out into the real world and find jobs. Working at Burger King or Forever 21 doesn’t require many skills; all you need is a work permit and you’re ready to go. Teens should become professional burger flippers and clothes folders as soon as they get out of middle school. Imagine how much money we could make if we worked full time starting from the age of 14! We could get a head start on our careers, so by the age of 35, we could be billionaires. And since everybody in the country would have jobs, our economy would be so strong that not even Kim Jong Un or Hitler would be able to disrupt our awesome economy.

We’d become the richest country on the entire planet!

Getting rid of high school means getting rid of the all the childish drama that comes with it. You wouldn’t have to deal with the bitchy mean girls or the douchebag guys. There wouldn’t be bullies or haters. You wouldn’t have to even meet

those extremely friendly and outgoing people who sometimes annoy you because of how cheerful they are. The only people you’ll could choose to talk to are your family and close friends, meaning you could avoid awkward conversations with people you don’t like. Why bother becoming best friends with people who only hang out with you at school and then stop talking to you once you graduate? Well, without high school, you wouldn’t have met them and you wouldn’t be heartbroken. Being isolated does have its perks.

Let’s face it, who actually wants to be in high school? The building itself is like ten thousand years old. The urge to vomit becomes real after you take one step into the disgusting bathrooms. Ironically, you’re supposed to go to the bathroom when you feel nauseous.

The atmosphere of our school is depressing. We’re all just zombies roaming around trying to survive another few hours of pretending to pay attention and learn. Why waste your childhood as a zombie when reading, writing, basic math, and science are all useless in the real world anyways? There’s no point in furthering your education unless you’re trying to become a brain surgeon or a rocket scientist.

The truth is that all the stress we create for ourselves in high school is literally killing us. We should all just stay at home, do nothing and relax. That way, we can live longer. Our country’s

life expectancy would probably double. We could live up to 200 years old!

Imagine what our country would be like if we didn’t spend those four years in high school. If we abolished high school, we’d be the first country to do so. We’d be the most hipster country in the world.

America is the land of freedom and opportunities. So, let’s be the first country to get rid of high school.

graphics by Stephanie Tam

12 Valentine’s Day

February 13th, 2015

The Eagle

Valentine’s Day Across the World

Italy

Britain A uniform custom in the country is the singing of special songs by children.

These children were rewarded with gifts of candy, fruit, or money.

BY JOYCE MA

The holiday was initially celebrated as their Spring Festival.

Young people would gather in tree arbors or ornamental gardens and enjoy listening to music and reading of poetry.

They would also stroll into gardens with their Valentines.

A popular Valentine’s Day gift is Baci Perugina, small, chocolate-covered hazelnuts containing a small slip of paper with a romantic poetic quote in four languages.

In some regions, Valentine buns are baked with caraway seeds, plums, or raisins.

The people of Italy view Valentine’s Day as another holiday imported from the United States. Their major day for the celebration of love is il giorno della festa degli innamorati, exclusively celebrated by lovers.

South Africa

Popular Beliefs: Unmarried girls used to wake up before sunrise on Valentine’s Day because they believed that the first man you see on Valentine’s Day would be the man or look like the man you’d marry in a year

Young girls celebrate the holiday by following the old-age Roman custom called “Lupercalia” where they pin their lovers name on their sleeves.

They also used to write their lover’s names on paper and put them on clay balls that they would drop into the water. It was believed that whichever paper came up first, that man would be their future husband.

Shops and marketplaces are decorated in traditional African style and with flowers and love symbols.

South Africans and tourists attend balls where they match their dancing steps and flow in the Valentine mood with alcoholic beverages.

Japan They have two dates for Valentine’s Day: February 14th, where females present gifts to the males and March 14th, otherwise known as White Day, where the males pamper the females favor.

Popular Tradition: Females gifting males chocolate Two most common chocolates: Giri-choco: typically bought for friends, bosses, and colleagues. “Giri” means obligation; thus, these chocolates have no romantic associations.

Hon-mei: chocolates for boyfriends, lovers, or husbands They are typically prepared by the girls themselves because many believe that it would not be considered true love if it was store-bought. Men who do not receive these chocolates usually feel embarrassed.

Chocolates gifted on White Day are generally white because of the name of the day.

France Valentine’s Day cards are said to have originated from France when the Duke of Orleans wrote a poem or a “valentine” to his imprisoned wife.

People in France used to follow a custom called “drawing for.”

Unmarried people would go into houses facing each other and call to to one another. Then, they would pair off with their chosen partners.

If the young men aren’t interested in their partners, they would desert them. Later in the night, during a bonfire, their partners would then burn images of their ungrateful lovers. Since it was an opportunity for cruel treatment, the French government eventually banned the custom.

Another custom is to exchange elegant cards with tender messages called “cartes d’amities.”

Denmark Popular Traditions: Lover’s Card: These cards used to be transparent cards that reflected an image of a lover presenting his beloved a gift. Now, any card is considered a “lover’s card.”

White flowers: People send white flowers called “snowdrops” to their friends and lovers.

Gaekkebrev: Males write special love poems, romantic notes, and funny poems known as “gaekkebrev.” They usually don’t sign with their name but with dots. If the female is able to guess the name of the sender, she is rewarded with an “Easter Egg” that very year.

February 13th, 2015

Valentine’s Day 13

The Eagle

The Love Doctors

BY ANNIE LEI

We asked couples at Wash to see if they had any relationship advice to give. Some of the couples chose to remain anonymous.

*The people in this relationship are in different grades.

It’s different because younger people usually look up to older people. He gives me more attention and so much more respect. If it’s someone older, they’ve had more experience, so they can take advantage of you.

Consistent Effort

Our friends support us and understand our choices, so our groups of friends don’t clash.

Respect Communication and consistent effort [are important.] I’ve learned to cherish moments and to continue to do the little things in a relationship.

Valentine’s is just another day. You have to put out the effort every single day. You shouldn’t have [to have] a holiday to dedicate your appreciation.

What I’ve gained… being more open and accepting and understanding, especially when I get disappointed or frustrated. Lastly, being less selfish and making [compromises].

- Stacey Isidro - Marvin Ly

The heart is one of the most common and recognizable symbols in the world. We see the heart as a symbol of love and affection, and as an actualization of our own human hearts (although one knows this is false if they have taken health class). Although this symbol is so well known, its origins remain fairly obscure and there is still much speculation on its inspiration.

The combination of the heart shape and its symbolism of love first originated at the end of the Middle Ages, around the 15th century. Its popularity exploded during the 16th century. However, in art, we first see the use of the heart as a romantic symbol in a tiny decoration for the letter “S” in a French manuscript called Roman de la poire. In the extravagantly decorated “S”, we see a man with “his heart in his hands” (that’s totally not a cliche) and presenting it to what appears to be his true love (who doesn’t seem super happy about it); and that is where we see the first connection between the heart shape and affection.

In the manuscript, the heart is still drawn in its anatomical form. The first time the “modern heart” that we all know today is seen with with its now famous scalloped base and and dent in its base appeared in the early 14th century. As the years went on and into the late 15th century where the modern, red, indented heart that we still use today was first used on playing cards.

The real mystery is the inspiration of the non-anatomical, modern heart shape. Some scholars have tried to connect the shape with different geometric shapes in antiquity, with specific suggestions ranging from the shape of the seed of the silphium plant, which in Medieval times was used a contraceptive, to the features of the female anatomy such as the buttocks, breasts, (*****as well as the pubic mound and spread vulva). Other hypothesis about the inspiration for the heart shape include the shape that swans make when they “kiss”, human kissing, the human torso, and even male testicles. graphics by Stephanie Tam

Trust and loyalty are the most important factors in a relationship. [It’s also important] to make time for each other.

It seems cliché or common, but like, it’s always good to be on the same page as the other whether in good terms or bad. Being comfortable around the [your] love is another bonus. It’s better knowing you can be yourself around that person rather than always worrying how they may think of you or what not. Besides, there’s no need to worry about situations like that because both people in the relationship would love each other for who they are.

Communication

The Origin of the

BY KATIE WHITMIRE

Heart

February 13th, 2015

Athlete of the Issue: #22 Kiki Nakano

BY JHOSELENE ALVARADO

“B

all really is life,” says senior basketball player Kiki Nakano. “I just love playing on a team, wearing the uniform, getting to play every day and practicing.”

Nakano has been playing basketball for a total of 11 years. She has been on the Washington varsity basketball team since her freshmen year. In middle school, Nakano would watch the Washington girls’ basketball games and think, “I want to wear the Eagle uniform.” Now, she proudly leads the team as captain and as a shooting guard.

“She always gives 10000% whether it’s an overtime game or just a simple drill and we all feed off her energy and drive, which is why we appreciate her so much as our captain,” junior teammate Kyoka Kagami says.

As one of the team captains, Nakano uses leadership as a tool to help lead the team. “She is a strong vocal leader and takes on the responsibility to help her teammates get better,” girls basketball coach Sharon Cheng says.

Nakano’s senior year goal for the basketball team is to not only go to championships but to win. For the past two years, they have fallen short during the semi-finals. During her freshman year she got to experience going to the championships, and although they fell short to Lowell, it was a game she won’t ever forget.

This season she wants to experience the same emotions she felt two years ago.

Currently, the team’s record is 5-3. After starting the season 2-3, the

team has won three straight games. practicing and playing basketball for On Tuesday night, February 10th, Washington and her outside teams. the team defeated Lincoln 62-54. Her drive for basketball makes the The team had previously lost twice sacrifices she’s made worth it. “I’m to the Mustangs. “Today was a great known as the girl who’s always playway to end my last home game. Ev- ing,” she adds. erything felt right and I left every“When you experience and obthing I had on the court,” serve just how captivated and inshares Nakano. fatuated Kiki is with basketball, Earlier in February, it’s kind of amazing,” Kagami Washington came from beadds. hind to defeat a previously Since basketball is very undefeated Lowell team.”I special to Nakano, sacrifichave no regrets and I’m ready ing hangouts with friends to end this season on a good and school dances doesn’t note and hopefully a champibother her. “It’s a personal onship,” she says. decision I make,” she says.

Two weeks ago Nakano In fact, Nakano missed suffered a loss in her life, her her last high school grandmother, whom she was homecoming dance bevery close with. “I’m dedicatcause she was away on ing the rest of the season to an overnight recruitment you Pao Pao. I miss and love trip at Whittier College. you.”

She got to scrimmage with Playing for varsity durthe basketball team and ing her freshmen year hang out with the players, was challenging but at the which made the trip worth same time rewarding. She it. Also, the fact that her knew that as a freshman her friends are very supportive playing time would be limhelp Nakano keep up with ited on the varsity team, but basketball. “[The fact that] the assistant coach at the time they get basketball means moved her up anyway. “It was so much to me,” Nakano hard to transition from being says. the star on my other teams to Nakano was introduced coming on the varsity team photo by Andrew Chewto basketball by her parand having to ride the bench ents.In second grade Naa little,” she said. However, the expe- kano’s parents signed her up for an rience was rewarding because at the Asian League team, the Ardenettes, end of the season she got to bond a team she continues to play for towith all of her teammates. day. Since then, she has played on Basketball isn’t just an extracur- multiple teams, including AAU, a ricular to Nakano, it’s a passion. “It’s very competitive all race league. not something I feel like I have to do; Playing on her Asian League team I want to do it,” she expresses. Na- was where her love for basketball kano spends almost all of her time started and has continued to grow

PE Should be a Four-Year Requirement

A

BY MANDY YU

fit body leads to a fit mind, and Physical Education in high school has proven to be beneficial to students in more ways than one. As of right now, San Francisco high schools only requires students to take two years of Physical Education and pass the FitnessGram test. However, a healthier alternative would be to make P.E. mandatory throughout all four years of high school.

P.E. can help overweight and obese teenagers. Daily exercise increases academic performance and helps students focus during class.

Some may say that physical activity has nothing to do with academics, but that is not true.

According to a two-year study conducted by Lesley A. Cottrell, a researcher in West Virginia University, out of 725 students, kids who were continuously active from fifth to seventh grade did the best on standardized tests. Second came students who were partially active. Last place went to students who were not active whatsoever.

Another study done by researchers from the University of Dundee, University of Bristol, and University of Georgia suggests that a po-

Sports 15

The Eagle

tential reason for this could be that exercise reduces the number of behavior problems that occur in the classroom and helps students stay on task. Exercise can also decrease the risk of mental disorders, medical issues, and drug usage. People who exercise more are less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety due to the release of endorphins, chemicals that trigger a “happy feeling” and reduce your perception of pain, and dopamine, a neurotransmitter which regulates emotional responses and enables us to see the rewards of hard work. Exercise is also proven to boost creativity, self-confidence, and stress reduction. In a report by the American Heart Association, “kids who are physically active are less likely to use tobacco.” Physical activity has many positive effects that can help students be mentally and physically prepared to learn in school.

Sitting in a chair and listening to your teachers lecture all day is like sitting on your couch and watching T.V., except the television is usually more interesting than your teacher.

A lot of people, not just children, in the United States are overweight.

The Center of Disease Control and Prevention states that more than one third of children and teenagers are either overweight or obese. Addi-

tionally, many schools are removing recess and gym from their curriculum due to budget cuts. If all schools made P.E. mandatory throughout high school, the amount of adolescents who are overweight would drop sufficiently.

One of the biggest problems with having P.E. for all four years of high school is that students will need a full schedule in order to take both P.E. and an elective. Students may not enjoy having a full schedule for their junior and senior year; however, colleges are impressed by students who take more classes rather than the minimum amount of classes.

Another problem with four years of mandatory P.E. is that schools will have to spend more money. A solution to fitting P.E. in a school’s limited budget could be to request the government to provide schools with a bigger budget. The government should spend money for the wellbeing of its citizens.

All in all, Physical Education should be mandatory throughout high school. It would increase students’ academic performance, decrease the risk of mental disorders, medical issues, and drug usage.

Being fit, smart, and healthy is the perfect combination, especially for growing students.

throughout the years. “I play year round; I don’t stop.”

It’s no surprise that there are many differences between boys and girls basketball. “It upsets me when people are like ‘boys are so much more fun to watch,’ but if you really watch the game, girls play a lot smarter,” Nakano explains.

After high school Nakano plans on attending college and hopefully continuing to play basketball. So far she doesn’t really have one specific school in mind, but she plans on visiting the schools she gets into. In college she wants to play either D3 or D2. “I dont want to stop playing basketball until I have to stop,” says Nakano. However, attending a school she wants to go to is her priority.

In the future, Nakano sees herself as a coach. Coaching high school or higher is a goal of Nakano’s because she will be able to share her passion with other girls who are also interested in thriving in a sport they love.

Nakano knows she wouldn’t be where she is today without the support from her parents and friends.

“I have a great group of friends at Wash that don’t play ball,” she says.

Her friends, both those who do play basketball and who don’t, are always there for her. She is especially thankful for her parents because they are always there to pay for her tournaments and to just support her. “I don’t know if I’d be the athlete I am today without my parents,” Nakano concludes.

PE Is Not For Me

BY JENNIFER YIP

W

e’ve all seen it before: a typical high school Physical Education class where there are the people who get too competitive during team sports, the people who couldn’t care less about participating, and the people who don’t even bother to change into their gym clothes. P.E. can be a fun break from academic classes and has good intentions of trying to promote a healthy lifestyle, but running a couple laps and being pushed around by competitive peers for a soccer ball isn’t exactly everyone’s cup of tea.

California requires students to take two years of physical education, but it is not a college admission “A-G” requirement. Instead of forcing students to go through two years of activities they despise, P.E. should be an optional class.

That way, those who do want to be there can fully enjoy their time while those who don’t can commit their energy to another class that will better their high school experience.

The idea of physical education sounds great because its purpose is to teach students about leading active lives and cooperating in teams, but what actually happens during the class isn’t the best example of that. While the goal of it is to promote fitness and prevent teen obesity, 45 minutes of practicing basic sports skills everyday barely scratches the surface of what a healthy lifestyle is. Often times, the classes just run on a track for a bit, then go inside for unengaging free play. Don’t get me wrong, P.E. can be fun and energizing, but it’s hard to actively engage in the activities when everyone else is not into them.

Not every person is naturally athletic or coordinated. P.E. can help individuals refine their athletic skills, but the prime focus of the exercises is on cardio, leaving little room for students to train in other categories of exercise. This leaves students unprepared for the diverse set of physical tests at the end of each semester, forcing students to immediately reach several goals rather than slowly work up to it. Physical education classes usually take one step forward and two steps back by making some people feel even more spiteful towards sports and exercising.

In my sophomore year, I had full schedule because I had P.E., a VAPA class, and a language class along with my academic classes.

Because I danced and was in a club sport, P.E. was virtually useless to me since I got enough exercise and conditioning outside of class.

I loved having time to socialize with friends and play fun sports, but it would’ve been nicer to get an extra hour of sleep instead of rushing to school to throw a ball around. Even for people who participate in athletic activities yearround, it is hard to get exempted from P.E. unless you have connections in the department.

When it comes down to it, high school physical education classes are not especially vital. It’s not like all interests in sports and exercising would diminish if P.E. classes were made optional. Many students love physical activities and willingly continue to take classes such as yoga and weight-training in their junior and senior year. If P.E. wasn’t a required class, students who don’t feel that the class is the best for them would be able to cut down on their full schedule or have space to take a class they’re genuinely interested in.

February 13th, 2015

The Eagle 16 Sports

SPORTS PHOTO OF THE ISSUE

#22 Armani Hall dunks at the Varsity Boys Basketball game against Lincoln High School. photos courtesy of Kyoka Kagami