INSIDE
Teen driving deaths increase in summer p. 9 Do you do your summer reading? p. 10 Tips on how to find a summer job p. 3 Celebration Assembly photos p. 7
Summer movie previews and the Evolution of Warped tour in Entertainment
The Highlander
MITCHELL AUSTIN LOUIE 1992 - 2007
Mitchell taught us all how to live life having a heart filled with love, compassion and courage. Mitchell is eternally young and will be missed forever. He spent countless days having fun on this field. these bleachers are dedicated in Mitchell’s honor.
Carlmont High School Newspaper Volume I, Issue viii - May 2010
Become a fan of Carlmont Highlander on Facebook and browse to carlmonthighlander.ning.com
Four years later Louie still remembered
To remember a beloved student who didn’t make it to graduation, a tree was planted on Carlmont’s campus Four years ago in August, a young man enrolled at Carlmont as a freshman. Sadly, he didn't make it to graduation. During his freshman year, Mitchell Louie, a brave and loving individual, was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, a very rare and difficult form of
ADAM TAYLOR LOUIE
Adam will be forever linked to his twin brother Mitchell. Adam has taught us the true strength of brotherly love. He continues to honor Mitchell’s memory through his compassion in caring for others. These bleachers are a living tribute to Adam.
A tree was planted on Carlmont’s campus in honor of Mitchell Louie, a Carlmont student, who died of cancer in 2007.
Carlmont’s energy overuse is troubling
Energy inefficiency at Carlmont contributes to the spread of global warming By Christina Belasco
Photo by Christina Belasco
to power everything. So, at first glance, it seems that Carlmont News & Opinions editor We live in an era where people is well on its way to becoming are more concerned about the in- an environment friendly school, convenience of flipping a switch however new research proves to turn off lights than the ef- otherwise. Mr. Casey O'Hara's Engineerfects energy inefficiency has on the environment. Such lack of ing and Green Technology classattention to one of today's big- es conducted a survey in which gest problems, global warming, they determined Carlmont's enis leaving our generation in a ergy efficiency by interviewing teachers and rather then mealarge suring the hole amount of to dig energy they o u ruse in the selves classroom. out of. Turns out Global we aren't as warmgreen as we i n g Computers left on while not in use are a thought. obviously Mr. O'Hara cannot be significant waste of energy. said that most everyone thought solved overnight, but we can start somewhere, and that place the biggest culprit for energy wasters would be the Smartis with ourselves. Carlmont's brand new per- boards, but this proved to be forming arts center has been wrong. The projectors alone use built keeping green in mind more energy than the Smartwith new state of the art venti- Continued on page 8 lation systems and solar panels
of the tumor. Benefits were held to gain donations, show support for Louie, and spread awareness about glioblastoma. Senior Alysha Painter recalls, "It was a very family-like environment. I always found them [the benefits] to be hopeful, loving, and supportive. They were rarely sad, and everyone made them about being with Louie rather than about his condition or situation." Louie left us on November 12,
Louie was more 2007. A beautiful then just another memorial service student. He was was held in his honor, remembera friend, a musician, a fighter, and ing his wonderful a twin brother. attitude and con"Mitchell alstant smile. Reways made me cently, his family planted a tree on laugh," states senior Kelsey CurCarlmont's camran. "He was one pus in his rememof the most conbrance. A plaque will soon be addsiderate and senMitchell Louie now has a ed as well. sible guys I've plaque on campus. To many of us, ever known."
Carlmont student scores a perfect on the SAT Junior Lara Sichi received a 2400 on the critical exam Lexi Friis
Staff Writer
In high school, students take several important tests, but the SAT's are the most important. Colleges use SAT scores for placement, so the results are crucial for the student's future This year, Carlmont High School happened to have one student receive a perfect score. Junior Lara Sichi scored a perfect 2400. Sichi didn't expect to get a 2400 because of the writing subject test, so when she found out her score, she was pretty surprised.
Her parents were pleased with her because she "upheld the family honor," while her friends were jealous of her. Sichi says said she didn't prepare at all for the SAT's and didn't study at all. Though she hasn't been contacted for scholarships yet, in September she might be contacted for the national Merit Scholarship. There are 2400 total possible points, and the average is approximately 1500 according to about.com. The SAT's are held seven times a year, and there are
three sections: writing, reading and math. Each subject is a multiple choice test, and the writing section also includes an essay. Out of 1,000,000 students who take the test, only 20 people get a perfect score per year, so congratulations to Lara Sichi!
Photo by Lexi Friis
Staff Writer
cancer. Glioblastoma generally takes its form as a brain tumor in males over the age of fifty. For Louie, however, it was a tumor on the spine of a fourteenyear-old boy, causing his case to be exceptionally rare. Glioblastoma is incredibly difficult to treat due to its resistance to conventional treatment methods and the fragility of the location
A tradition comes to an end
The class of 2010 will not be decorating cement squares By Dylan Coyne Editor-in-Chief
Graduating seniors will no longer be able to claim a patch of cement squares and decorate them with the memories of high school. Traditions are an important part of culture. Traditions offer familiarity, a right of passage and often serve as senti-
Photo by Dylan Coyne
Laney McGrew
mental reminders of times past. For these reasons, many seniors were dismayed when they were informed that one important Carlmont tradition would not be held this year. Since the 1960s Carlmont's graduating class has decorated cement squares. Students today can still walk the outdoor halls at Carlmont and see the eroding squares of classes decades before their time. The reasoning behind the abrupt halt of this school tradition is simple, "Last year's junior class [class of 2010] voted on whether to have a senior picnic or to create a senior walk.
They chose to have a senior picnic," said Mr. Jim Kelly who oversees senior activities and senior week. But why should seniors this year have to choose between the two? Every class since 1962 has been able to have both activities during senior week. What makes this year any different? It turns out, it's all just bad timing. According to Mr. Kelly, "The biggest reason is because this year the Monday of grad week is a school holiday." Unfortunately, a school holiday means one less day for senior activities and the "senior walk" was the first thing to go. Feelings about the loss were mixed among seniors. Some, like senior Liliana Urbain were upset. "I was shocked when I found out [we weren't doing senior walk]. I was also confused
Continued on page 8