The Talon | Issue 7 | April 29, 2014

Los Altos High School, Los Altos, CA ■ April 29, 2014 ■ Volume XXIX, Issue 7

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AVID junior Edgar Sanchez works with an AVID tutor

lahstalon.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

IAN MACKEY

LAHS FOOTBALL PLAYERS SELECTED FOR ALL-STAR GAME Four senior football players will have the opportunity to play in the 40th Annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Game, the Silicon Valley Youth Classic.

Sports, 19

Aims to increase diversity in advanced courses The school decided to form an innovation committee to increase student enrollment in AP and honors courses.

News, 3

Feature Artist: Oh Land Nanna Oland Fabricius, nicknamed “Oh Land,” is a bold mixture of amateurish pop and seasoned rhythm.

Entertainment, 14

E3 Youth Philanthropy E-Cubed Youth Philanthropy (E3) provides a suitable medium through which students can help change their community for the better by focusing on youth in the community.

Features, 12

Commentary: Russian actions in Crimea justified While the attitude between the US and Russia has been one of distrust and hostility, the US should recognize that Russia’s actions are meant to benefit its people as well as those in Crimea.

Opinions, 8

Swim team starts off a strong season After moving up divisions last year, the swim team is off to a good start.

Sports, 19

UPCOMING EVENTS May 1 – 3 @ 7 p.m.

Broken Box Show May 5 – 16

AP Testing

May 8 @ 7 p.m.

Spring Dance Show May 10 @ 7 p.m.

Senior Prom

May 15 – 17 @ 7 p.m.

Music Concerts

May 16 @ 8 a.m.

Art Show May 26

Memorial Day (No school)

News Editorial Opinions

2 5 6

Features 9, 12 In-Depth 10–11 Entertainment 14 Sports 18

Created over 30 years ago in a San Diego high school, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is now found in nearly 5,000 schools across the United States. When the federal courts ordered San Diego to desegregate its schools in 1977, large numbers of inner-city students entered acclaimed suburban high schools. Though she commended the decision, San

inside

avid THE TALON LOOKS

Diego English teacher Mary Catherine Swanson worried about the vast gap between the two groups of students at her school. She began AVID in 1980 as a way to level the playing field between them, ensuring that they all had the academic resources and social support that would allow them to reach their full potential.

The program came to LAHS in 1991 and has only grown since then. Since 2004, about 10 per-

cent of students at the school have been in the program.

The success of AVID has been due in part to the involvement of the Los Altos community. The Mountain View-Los Altos (MVLA) district and MVLA Community Scholars have been allocating funds to maintain and improve the program.

SEE PAGE 10

Eagle Robotics strikes success ALICE DAI Staff Writer

Every year, the school’s robotics team, Eagle Strike, competes in robotics tournaments hosted by For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics, which attract high school robotics teams from all over the country to compete.

At the start of the build season, FIRST introduces a game that will be the challenge for teams to build a robot that can score the most number of points during the game. From the day the competition season is kicked off, teams have six weeks to complete and “bag” their robots, or submit a final version. After the build season, teams compete in various tournaments, and the school’s team competed in two competitions this year: Sacramento Regionals (SR) and Silicon Valley Regionals (SVR).

This year’s game, called Aerial Assist, required teams to build a robot that could pick up a two-foot diameter exercise ball and shoot them through two different goal heights to score the most points possible. Teams needed to program a 10 second autonomous period to start the match, and points were calculated based on multiple factors:

PARMIS TAIDY

The latest Eagle Robotics invention shoots a ball through a target hoop.

The robotics team has made major successes and plans to continue. goal height, number of assists before scoring, “hot” goals (goals worth more during a five second period), robotic mobility and goals scored during the autonomous period. After the preliminary autonomous period, teams were allowed a human robot driver to remotely navigate their respective robots.

“Our autonomous programming

at SVR worked every time except for two matches where our robot was hit by other robots,” co-captain junior Toby Macaluso said.

“That’s still 11 out of 13. Autonomous is something we’ve never been that strong on, but that was really successful this year.”

SEE ‘ROBOTICS’ ON PAGE 3

District responds to drug incident JOHN NAUMOVSKI JAMIE MERRILL Senior Writer Staff Writer

A Mountain View High School (MVHS) student was found unresponsive at the Steven’s Creek Trail on March 11, after taking 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine, known as DOC, a psychedelic drug with amphetamine-like qualities.

Broadly defined, psychedelics are a class of drug known to produce hallucinations and the expansion of consciousness.

The sophomore student was admitted to a local hospital. More detailed information has yet to be released about the student’s current condition.

Shortly after the incident, LAHS principal Wynne Satterwhite informed students of the incident and the dangers of the drug involved, while the district released a letter containing information on the incident and potential dangers of DOC. On April 3, Mountain View Police Department’s (MVPD) Ron Cooper, a school resources officer at MVHS, gave a presentation titled “High in Plain Sight” to parents at Mountain View High School on the potential dangers of drugs such as DOC. Other topics included the use of marijuana and the dangers of codeine cough syrup. However, DOC was covered only briefly due to the lack of reliable information on the drug, according to the MVPD. Although DOC first appeared in the United States around 2005, little is currently known about it.

It is a substituted alpha-methylated phenethylamine that produces similar effects to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), such as visual and auditory hallucinations, euphoria and changes in perception. The drug also has been linked to nausea, increased heart rate and paranoia. It is presumed to have been first synthesized by medicinal chemist Alexander Shulgin.

DOC may now be produced in industrial quantities in China, but information on the subject is minimal.

The district hopes it can prevent further drug incidents through promoting an open conversation.

37th Parallel rocks the Bay Area latitude formed their band in 2012 as Blach Intermediate School buddies with a simple common desire.

They tried Bread Before Crust.

“We had this idea that we Nope, not cool enough. How about all wanted to play music with Mind the Gap? other people,” Brad That was taken. said. “We didn’t reFinally, the rising stually have a common dent rock band decided We didn’t really goal at the time othupon the name 37th have a common er than just playing Parallel, a tribute to we goal at the time music...[When the latitude of the Bay first formed] we just other than just Area. played covers for fun...

With members MVHS playing music. and didn’t write songs. sophomores bassist We weren’t really go— Sophomore Eric Dyer, keyboardist Brad Guesman ing for the musical Philip Chang, drummer expression thing, but A.J. Pelayo and LAHS more for the idea of sophomore lead vocalist/guitarist playing with some other people.” and founder Brad Guesman, the boys SEE ‘37TH PARALLEL’ ON PAGE 9

SOFIA GUO Staff Writer

COURTESY DONAVEN STAAB

37th Parallel gathers for a group photo in the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Battle of the Bands. 37th Parallel took second place at the competition.

The Talon April 29, 2014

Get daily LAHS updates and read the news archives at lahstalon.org/news

Departments receive new Chromebooks ROBERT CHIN RILEY SOWARD Senior Writer Staff Writer

Both the English and Social Studies departments at school have received an upgrade to their laptops with the introduction of new HP chromebooks to campus. The school administration is using this opportunity to test out a computer lending program with a freshman AVID class.

The English department is receiving ten computers for every classroom that hosts at least one freshman period while the social studies department will be receiving 30 laptops for each social studies classroom.

While the same model of laptop is currently being implemented in the two departments, the computers were funded by two different sources; the computers for the English department were funded by taxpayer dollars and the computers for the History department were funded by the MVLA foundation.

Each 14-inch HP chromebook costs approximately $300, which is $50 more than the price of the smaller Samsung Chromebooks that the school has bought in the past. A set of HP laptops has al-

BRANDON HONG

A student in the library holds an HP chromebook, the same model as the new English and History department laptops. The school invested in more laptops to help meet growing student demand. ready replaced the former Samsung laptops in the library.

While the administration has decided upon the allocation of the computers, they are still working to find a solution to how the laptops will be stored.

“The storage [issue] is the problem,” Assistant Principal Galen

Rosenberg said. “Thirty devices need a pretty big container, [and] you have to have the power supplied.”

The school has traditionally invested in computer carts that can charge a multitude of computers at the same time. However, computer carts are expensive and it is unclear if they are the most economic way

to store the laptops. The administration is in the process of finding a permanent storage solution.

A few laptops purchased for the English department are being used by the administration to pilot a laptop lending program in a freshman AVID class. Through this program, students who cannot bring a laptop to school are able to check one out through the administration and use it full time throughout the school year.

“Rather than having [a computer] be a classroom or teacher device, [the program allows] the student to possess the device, which makes more sense,” Rosenberg said.

Out of the 30 kids in the freshman AVID class, 11 students agreed to bring their own laptop daily and 19 students checked out a laptop from the school for the rest of the year.

“One reason to do the checkout process is to level the playing field,” Rosenberg said. “If you have [a laptop]–and it really does have advantages–it’s unfair if other students don’t have [access to] one.”

Another benefit to checking laptops out to each student is the lowered cost of providing laptop access for every student compared to having computers available in every classroom.

“[If ] you are one person, and you went to four rooms with one laptop versus four rooms with four laptops, depending on the way you calculate it, it would cost maybe 30 percent or more to have a classroom device solution instead of the individual device solution,” Rosenberg said.

Although it is possible that some students may break or lose their laptops, Rosenberg views this as a problem that will exist regardless of whether students do or do not check out the laptops.

“That’s just the cost of doing business,” Rosenberg said.

“Most people aren’t going to break or lose their device, and they could break or lose a device that’s sitting in a classroom too. There has [already] been a couple [chromebooks] broken in the library.”

Depending on the outcome of this year’s pilot program, the administration will decide whether or not to continue lending laptops to students. Ultimately, the administration wants to be able to ensure that each student will have access to a laptop every class period.

“It’s a need—pretty soon students are going to need a device most days in most classes,” Rosenberg said.

School aims to increase AP, honors enrollment PERLA LUNA ALEX CORTINAS

Latino Student Enrollment in at Least One AP Course

Business Manager Senior Writer

2005 – 2006

After last year’s Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) review, the school decided to form an innovation committee open to all staff members which would work to increase student enrollment in AP and honors courses.

Part of the committee’s goals include increasing Latino enrollment in advanced courses in response to a historically low percentage of Latino enrollment compared to the other major ethnic groups at school, Caucasian and Asian. Once staff members joined, they were split up into subcommittees tackling different issues such as classroom climate, skills preparation and effectiveness of course workload.

According to information compiled from the school’s Student Information System (SIS), Latino student enrollment in at least one AP course has increased from 27 in 2005 to 56 in 2012. Latino student enrollment in at least one honors course

2012 – 2013

27 56

Latino Student Enrollment in at Least One Honors Course 2005 – 2006

13

GRAPHICS BY NOY ANISMAN

also showed an increase from 13 students in 2005 to 77 in 2012. When compared as percentages, Latino student enrollment in at least one AP course amounted to 3.90 percent of the entire AP enrollment in 2005 and 8.87 percent in 2012. Latino student enrollment in at least one honors course made up 3.88 percent in 2005 and rose to 13.73 percent in 2012.

While the numbers are growing, Assistant Principal Perla Pasallo noted the issue of Latino students remaining in these advanced courses.

“I don’t know if it’s the pressure [of being in an advanced course], but we have a history of having [Latino students] drop more often than not,”

Percent Breakdown of Students Enrolled in at Least One Honors Course 8.9%

3.9%

46.7%

49.3%

2005 – 2006

77

2012 – 2013

56.4%

34.7%

2012 – 2013

Pasallo said. “We’re trying to really work on that.”

Pasallo suggested that part of the reason may be that if a Latino student is taking an AP course, they are likely the only one or one of very few in that class. Under circumstances like this, she concluded that many students may feel like outsiders.

“Because I’m Latina and I’m often the only one in the class, I have to set a higher standard than most,” senior Valeria Quintana said. “I feel compelled to prove I’m capable. I think sometimes people don’t take these classes because they’re afraid of speaking out if they don’t understand.”

IAN MACKEY

Juniors Jocelyne Marin-Melo and Jose Amaya study during Robertson’s fifth period AVID class. Programs like AVID have helped increase diversity in honors and AP classes.

According to English Depart- them a while, especially in an English ment Coordinator and AVID class, when it’s so devoted to discusteacher Keren Robertson, a de- sion, to make them feel like they’re termining factor in the success of part of the community and have a student is a suitable climate. In those connections with other stusituations where a student feels dents in the class so they feel comlike they belong, they tend to per- fortable sharing their ideas.” form better in class.

The committee is taking steps to “I think [the most successful years tackle the issue at hand and gain were] when my students have felt insight on how to alleviate the unlike there were other students they welcoming climate of AP classes by were comfortable with in the class,” interviewing AVID students.

Robertson said. “The students have “I think collectively as a staff it’s always done really well but it’s taken our job to find new ways to make those classes accessible for students who have the skill preparaPercent Breakdown of Students tion and skill level to be successful in those classes,” Robertson said.

Enrolled in at Least One AP Course “From working with my AVID stu13.7 dents, I see just how much they 3.9% % can do and I know they can do it. It Asian is our job to figure out how to help you guys be successful.”

A proactive effort by the innova32.2% 54.5% 63.9% 31.7% Caucasian tion committee will be to distribute polls developed by the subcommittees with questions regarding students’ experiences in their courses.

Latino Future committee actions will be 2005 – 2006 2012 – 2013 *CALCULATED WITH DATA FROM AERIES (SIS) . PERCENTS MAY NOT ADD UP TO 100 DUE TO ROUNDING. determined by the poll results.

The Talon April 29, 2014

Board discusses offering AP Gov/Econ at MVHS or homogenous groups. A heterogeneous class describes the current Over the past few weeks, mem- state of Government and Economy bers of the Mountain View-Los Al- at MVHS, in which one level of the tos (MVLA) Union School Board course is offered that groups stuand teachers in the Social Studies dents of all abilities together. A hodepartment at Mountain View High mogeneous arrangement would ocSchool (MVHS) have discussed of- cur if multiple levels of the course fering AP Microeconomics and AP were offered, and students could US Government courses at MVHS. theoretically separate into the reguThe topic was brought up by a board lar or AP class based on their ability. member during a board meeting in Faculty of the MVHS Social which the history faculty made its Studies department have supportyearly presentation to the board. ed the current heterogenous (nonThe discussion has resurfaced a key AP) state of the classes. MVHS policy goal of the district: alignment social studies teacher Felitia Hanof course offerings at both Los Altos cock explained the faculty’s point High (LAHS) and MVHS. of view at a recent board meeting Mountain View currently does by emphasizing the diversity that not offer either of the heterogeneous classes classes, which have would offer. been available to se- A heterogenous “Our students are niors at LAHS for about to enter the adult nearly a decade. This class allows us world; they’re about to past year, MVHS of- to emphasize enter the world of votfered 20 AP classes, the importance ing [and] the world of three fewer than and strength of citizenship,” Hancock LAHS. MVHS stusaid. “That’s what we our pluralistic dents had the option are talking about [in the of taking AP Japa- system. courses we are teachnese, AP World Hising], so it’s valuable — MVHS Social Studies Department tory and AP 3D Stuto have [students] all dio Art, which are not together in this class offered at LAHS. where it’s a full community.”

Students have expressed an interest The department also prepared a in having more AP courses to choose statement to the board to express from, such as in the social sciences. their support for the current class.

“Compared with science cours“A heterogeneous class allows es, there aren’t as many options us to emphasize the importance for students who prefer humani- and strength of our pluralistic ties,” MVHS junior Yujin Chong system,” the department said. “[It] said. “Colleges want to see that ensures that groups of students, I’m taking these classes…[and] a learn, discuss and engage with lot of students would take [them] the essential ideals and values of if they were offered.” our democracy and economy.”

At board meetings, a major topic In addition, the department of discussion has been the manner emphasized the role of the classes in which students are grouped in in facilitating relationships in a these classes—either heterogeneous learning environment.

ALEX BARREIRA Staff Writer

MICHAEL ZHU

“[Students] who have been learning in self-selected separate classrooms for the previous two years, have a chance to come together...and learn with a culturally and socio-economically mixed population of classmates,” the department said.

Their statement additionally noted that students have the choice of three other AP classes within the Social Studies department.

LAHS Civics teacher Deedee Pearce acknowledges that there are similar benefits in heterogeneous classes.

“In a civics class you have a variety of perspectives in class discussions... yielding a more comprehensive understanding,” Pearce said. “It’s nice to have seniors [in classes where they

Robotics

Water quality improved

CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE This year, co-captains seniors Mike Hua and Royce Chung and captain junior Toby Macaluso led the team to one of the most successful seasons the team has had in the past few years. The build season began on January 4, and members of the robotics team began preliminary designs of the robot. “[The success of our robot this year was because] we had a larger percentage of people that came after school [to work on the robot],” Mike said.

This year’s robot had many strong components, one of which was a wide intake for effective ball-pickup. While the team had difficulties with robot design before Sacramento Regionals, this year’s efficient building process allowed the team extra time towards the end of the build season to test their robot at a FIRST playing field at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) facilities.

“This was the first time that we’ve had the robot done two or three days early so that we could go over to NASA and drive it and test it and find the [small problems],” Davis said. “[The captains] did really well managing the project, getting things done on time, communicating with each other; we didn’t spend a lot of down-

haven’t seen certain students since freshman year] and connect with these strangers.”

However, there has been a large amount of support for the new classes amongst the school board members. In addition to policy goals such as alignment, board member Phil Faillace views the addition of APs as an opportunity to encourage achievement from minority students that have been historically underrepresented in top academic ranks.

“I believe that the AP courses are there for underrepresented students,” Faillace said. “[The heterogeneous grouping at MVHS] is not the only way to have [the benefits of heterogeneous classes] because if...

we have a goal for a certain number of underrepresented students to be in these AP classes by the time they reach 12th grade...they will [essentially] be sitting in the same heterogeneously grouped classroom.”

According to Faillace, allowing students to select themselves into higher courses is to be encouraged, not prevented. “[The grouping of homogenous classes would not be] arbitrary, as these classes will be consisting of students who have self-selected themselves into this group, so they’re making it heterogenous by choosing to go there, and taking the challenge.”

Faillace emphasizes that AP Microeconomics, due to its minimal math requirements, is an especially good opportunity for students who would traditionally shy away from APs. “If we have students who don’t come to us out of junior high with math understanding, we can find them in ninth grade, and...teach [the students] the math he or she needs to know to succeed in AP Economics by 12th grade,” Faillace said.

Joe Mitchner, President of the school board, agreed with Faillace’s assessment and emphasized the importance of giving students options, including the 80-100 students at MVHS who fulfill their Civics requirement through alternative programs, such as online courses.

“I believe students should have the choice of taking these AP classes,” Mitchner said. “The current model [of classes] is not satisfying all of those students’ needs.”

Once the board has agreed, they can give Mountain View a formal recommendation for their course of action, which will likely occur over the next few weeks.

MAYA VARGHESE Staff Writer

COURTESY KAREN DAVIS

The entire team poses with their robot at SVR. They ended their season with seven wins and four losses at the competition. time waiting for parts or different things…they were a really strong management team this year.”

The team’s first tournament was the Sacramento Regionals at UC Davis. The team was seeded sixth out of 55 teams during the qualifying matches of the tournament and came out of Sacramento Regionals with a nine wins, three losses and zero ties.

“The biggest problem we had at UC Davis was that the tilt of our arm wasn’t that reliable, so our shots were not always going in the goal,” Toby said.

Because of the gap in time between Sacramento Regionals and SVR, the team had a chance to fix problems like designing a new gearbox to have a more effective shooter before compet-

ing in the more serious SVR tournament.

“We found all the problems we had with design and parts not working together,” Royce said. “When we got to the competition all we had to do was make some minor changes, so we did really well.”

In the SVR tournament, the team was seeded tenth place out of 59 teams. The team made it to the quarter finals and ended SVR with seven wins and four losses.

“We had a very strong robot this year,” Toby said. “It was very functional. A lot of teams were looking at us as one of the best teams at the tournament.

It reflects the success of the season overall.”

Students in AP Environmental Science (APES) teacher Greg Stoehr’s class conducted an experiment one month ago which tested the quality of the water of the school’s water fountains.

The two water fountains near the baseball field and tennis courts tested positive for unusually high amounts of copper, according to the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health. However, the problem has now been resolved by the school’s investment in high-quality filters.

Although copper will not cause any immediate or serious health issues, the school wants the water fountains to be as safe as possible.

Officials from the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health came to the school to test the water fountains and discovered that the water contained 1.7 parts per milliliter (ppm) of copper in the water, exceeding the 1.3 ppm limit currently in place for copper in drinking water.

The level of copper in the fountains was considered to be unsafe for drinking water. Stoehr passed on student data about the water fountains to assistant principal Galen Rosenberg, who worked with maintenance manager Mike Woodsworth to correct the problem.

The issues with the pipes in the back of the school occurred because of the school’s plumbing, not because of problems with the

IAN MACKEY

One of the affected fountains near the tennis courts spouts water. Since new filters have been installed, the water’s copper levels are now safe under code. water sources for the area.

“We had a student test their home,” Stoehr said. “They live on Almond, and the water was copper-free.”

The problem was thought to have risen from the new copper pipes installed when the 900 wing was constructed over the summer of 2013.

“They put a new copper pipe in from the 900 building to the fields,” Stoehr said. “The older part of the school doesn’t use copper pipes. It uses a different type of pipe, galvanized [steel].”

The solution was to put new filters in the water fountains, which prevents the copper from being consumed by students who drink from the fountains. The school has invested in high-quality filters for the affected fountains, which has made the water safe to drink.

The Talon April 29, 2014

News update: Crimea, Flight 370 and Pistorius trial DHRUV MADHOK AMELIA BAUM KEVIN YEN

OSCAR PISTORIUS

Web Managing Editor Staff Writers

UKRAINIAN REVOLUTION AND CRIMEAN CRISIS

The most recent Ukrainian revolution has dominated international conversation, particularly with regards to the United States’ role in the conflict.

Months of tension between anti-government protesters and law enforcement came to a head February 18 in the Ukrainian city of Kiev after a police crackdown.

Political protests calling for the ousting of then-President Viktor Yanukovych were common in Ukraine throughout the winter.

They were reported to be initially peaceful, but quickly grew violent following police intervention.

Corruption problems and economic stagnation has plagued the

NOY ANISMAN

Ukrainian government for years, contributing to currency devaluation and general social discontent. Tensions mounted among Ukrainian residents in November 2013 after Yanukovych reneged on plans to sign a treaty that would increase economic ties with the European Union. Instead, he signed a treaty with the neighboring Russian Federation.

Street protests following the

incident quickly intensified into a movement to oust Yanukovych from presidency. The protests were some of the most violent the country had seen since its “Orange Revolution” of 2004, in which voters accused the government of electoral fraud.

In mid- March, citing a “need to protect interests in the region,” Russia seized control of the Crimean peninsula, an au-

tonomous region of mostly ethnic Russians located in the south of Ukraine. Crimea had operated separately from the Ukrainian government since the fall of the Soviet union in 1991.

The seizure of military bases in Crimea by pro- Russian forces sparked international controversy, with President Obama declaring that Russia’s move violated Ukraine’s national sovereignty.

MALAYSIAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 370

The seven-week massive air and surface search for Malaysian Airline Flight 370 is nearing its end, and efforts to find the aircraft are now being concentrated underwater. The U.S. Bluefin-21 drone is part of this new underwater effort and is being used to locate the airline in the remote stretch of the Indian Ocean where the plane is thought to have crashed. Due to detailed analysis of the plane’s black box signals, the process of scanning the area is to be expedited and will be completed in the next week, according to Malaysia’s transport minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

There are several theories as to why the wreckage hasn’t been found six weeks after the air and surface search began. One theory is that false analysis of the plane’s black box signals directed the search to the South China Sea and an area north of the current searching site. During that time, the flotsam might have moved from its original position. Another

PETER D. BLAIR / OFFICIAL U.S. NAVY IMAGERY

On April 14, Australian navy vessel Ocean Shield deployed the U.S. Bluefin 21 drone in the Indian Ocean. The drone uses side scan sonar at a depth of 4,000 to 4,500 meters for searching purposes. theory is that the angle at which the plane crashed, such as a nose drive, could have resulted in mwinimal wreckage, which upon becoming waterlogged, has sunken to hardto-search areas of the ocean floor.

The lack of debris found in the massive air and surface search is leading families of victims in Malaysia and China to believe

that, unlike the Malaysian government claims, the aircraft did not crash into the Indian Ocean and instead landed safely. Few inhabitants of Malaysia believe in their government. According to polls conducted by the opinion research firm Merdeka Center, only 26% believed their government was being truthful.

In the majority of recent major crashes, debris has been found prior to conducting an underwater search, which offers clues as to where the plane is located. Lack of such information has led to the difficult and ongoing underwater search for the Malaysian Airline Flight 370. As of the press deadline, the plane has not been located.

On February 14, 2013, South African paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his upscale Pretoria residence. Pistorius then called the police, who promptly arrived with South Africa’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS). As one of the first detectives on the scene, South African Police Service member Hilton Botha recalls that Pistorius carried Steenkamp’s body in his arms and attempted to stop her bleeding. However, Steenkamp stopped breathing shortly after.

More than a year later, the ensuing trial that stemmed from Steenkamp’s death is a source of speculation. Pistorius maintains that Steenkamp’s death was not premeditated murder while the prosecution, represented by South African lawyer Gerrie Nel, argues that it was.

“You fired four shots through the door whilst knowing that she was standing behind the door,” Nel said. “She was locked into the bathroom and you armed yourself with the sole purpose of shooting and killing her.”

For the first time since the trial began on April 7, 2014, Pistorius took the stand and recounted the details that led up to and after the shooting.

“I had a fear, I didn’t have time to think...I shot because, at that split moment, I believed somebody was coming out to attack me,” Pistorius said.

Pistorius’ testimony ended on April 15 and the court proceedings adjourned on April 17 in order for the prosecution to attend to other cases. The trial is set to resume on May 5, two days before South Africa’s general election.

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LSU Cinco de Mayo Celebration:

On Friday May 2, the Latino Student Union (LSU) will be hosting their annual Cinco De Mayo festival in the quad.

Festivities will begin at 5 pm.

Events scheduled include performances by LSU Dance, various singers, as well as a couple dancing bachata. This dance style originates from the Dominican Republic. Dancers will also perform baile folklorico, or traditional folk dances. Food for sale will include tacos, burritos, ice cream, fruit, sweets and drinks. For the younger children attending, there will be a piñata and a game of musical chairs.

LSU students encourages all families to attend the event.

“In the Latino community we sometimes tend to be so busy but at the end of the day, family is what is really important to us,” LSU president Oliva Olivares said.

“During this event every year, we see families enjoying time together and just relaxing.”

For the students, the Cinco de Mayo festival is a great opportunity to celebrate their culture and show

to the rest of the school what their culture is about.

“The reason we do these events is so that we can show more diversity on campus,” Oliva said. “We want to invite students, parents, and people in our community to come together and embrace our culture and enjoy our traditions.”

Broken Box Show

LAHS theater company Broken Box will be performing their final show of the year on Thursday May 1, Friday May 2 and Saturday May 3 at 7 pm in the Eagle Theater.

The show is a comedy featuring the unlikely pairing of young entrepreneur Adam Garrison and the eccentric Zippity Dewdar when they decide to host a 1960s rock concert in Connecticut.

“They rent the farm of Candace Weaver and her two old-fashioned aunts and hire all of the big-name musicians of the time,” Broken Box member junior Meredith Soward said. “The festival is set to be a huge success until everything goes wrong, from a massive storm to a pregnant woman about to give birth. It’s a big production that has taken a lot of

work since it’s filled with hilarious chaos, quick-paced lines, and a variety of interesting characters.”

A main challenge is the fact that many of the actors will be playing multiple parts in the show and some actors have as little as two minutes to change costumes in between parts.

“This means our timing has to be perfect, but it really helps to add to the overall feeling of comedic chaos,” Meredith said. “Everything goes wrong in the show, but it’s not in a sad, scary, or dramatic way— the entire production is hilarious.”

Broken Box members are concerned about audience turnout because the show will be performed the week before AP testing begins.

However, they hope that despite imminent AP tests, they will have a large audience for their show.

“This show is really the perfect way to take a break and relieve the stress from AP studying,” Meredith said.

Tickets will be available for five dollars in advance from Broken Box members or eight dollars at the door.

—Compiled by Maya Varghese

5

The Talon April 29, 2014

Please send letters to the editor to lahstalon.eic@gmail.com Los Altos High School

District must not cut support for teen parents Young Parents Program must be funded by the district despite state budget cuts

The state recently cut funding for the Young Parents Program (YPP), and the district is planning not to fund it, thus elimintating the program. The district should decide to add YPP to next year’s budget in order to preserve this program because of the positive impact it has on the students.

The Young Parents Program, which is housed by MVLA Adult Education, supports teen parents in the district. The program currently serves ten students, providing critical resources such as transportation, child care, parenting lessons and daily lunches.

In August of 2013, the program which supported YPP was cut from the state budget, leaving programs statewide to find alternate funding sources. Because they were notified of the cuts so late, Adult Education had to find the 112,000 dollars that the state previosuly funded to support the program this school year. However, it cannot realistically to continue funding the program next school year. Instead, the district must step in to fund the program.

If the district does provide funding for this program to continue, it will deprive these teen parents of the resources they need to continue their education.

The district says that because it has never funded the program before, it is not their responsibility to fund it now. Additionally, Superintendent Barry Groves argues that because it is not an academic program, it is not a funding priority.

However, this argument does not hold up because it is common for nonacademic programs to receive financial support from the district. School athletic programs, physical education classes and other school-run groups receive funds from the district,

n t i n g P r og r e r a P g n am u o Y

BUDGET CUTS

The program provides childcare, transportation and parenting services so that students with children can continue their education .

Editor-In-Chief Zoe Morgan Managing Editors Rebecca DeShetler (Print) Jared Eng (Print) Dhruv Madhok (Web) News Editor Tony Sun Features Editor Casey Pao In-Depth Editor Carly Cohen Entertainment Editor Zach Cohen Sports Editor David Wu Media Editor Parmis Taidy Copy/Content Editors Maya Acharya, Steven Cui, Ariel Machell, Yuki Zaninovich Business Managers Perla Luna, Sitara Sriram Social Media Editor Emily Sims

Without YPP, students can...

Attend Alta Vista High School Attend MVLA Adult Education Return to MVHS or LAHS

But these options offer no childcare, no parenting help and can be hard to find transportation to.

proving that YPP is similarly a valid candidate.

Not only does YPP qualify for district funding, it is deserving of funding. It provides immense benefits for its students by supporting them with services that allow them to pursue education while also being parents.

The program provides childcare during the time students are in classes as well as lessons about parenting. Students also receive transportation to and from classes along with free lunches.

As of press deadline district staff has not yet met with students to determine plans for next year, so it is unclear how many have al-

ternative childcare. However, YPP instructor Janie Garcia said that she would not be surprised if none had reliable care for their children.

Teen parents also frequently have no way of getting themselves to school, making the program’s transportation resources key for the students to be able to continue their education.

These resources, while not themselves academic, contribute to the educational success of each student. The teachers form close bonds with students, allowing them to focus on their studies while their children are taken care of nearby. Program leaders even meet with students weekly,

checking in on their educational progress and offering additional support if needed.

The benefits of YPP extend beyond the high school education these students receive. Some students not only graduate, but also continue their education beyond high school. For example, some have furthered their education in medical fields such as nursing, which has enabled them to pursue careers that can further support their families.

Because of the tremendous benefits that YPP offers to teen parents, the district must choose to fund YPP as it makes its final decisions regarding the budget.

The school’s dedication to promoting diversity is commendable

racism or homophobia in action until I moved. Los Altos students live in a diverse campus with a variety of socioeconomic groups, races, sexual orientations and religions and yet embrace all. Despite a social atmosphere of acceptance and toleration, we still actively look for things to fix. Not being complacent, and proactively looking to better our school and society is one of Los Altos’ greatest traits, and I am proud to join in on that. So yes, the bathrooms need new mirrors, the girls’ locker room is pretty gross and most of the class document readers are pretty crappy, but Los Altos is a pretty great place to be.

Noam Baharar Sophomore

strength notably poor throughout campus—often downright nonexistent—there is also a confusing muck of networks, each with varying reliability at different points on campus. I think it is important that the school consolidate these networks onto a single network that is routed through each room individually. Moreover, as a senior student, I think I can speak on behalf of my class when I say that we need some wireless fidelity that lives up to its name. How am I supposed to play Clash of Clans in Government and how are my brothers and sisters supposed to play 2048 without reliable connection!

Nikhil Raman Senior

THUMBS UP to the Senior Class Council for keeping prom prices affordable.

Thumbs up to the administration and the senior Class Council for keeping prom prices low. Because prom tickets are priced low, prom is more affordable for a greater number of seniors. Prom tickets this year range from 70 to 90 dollars depending on the time that students purchase tickets and whether they have ASB or not. Unlike many other schools, Los Altos’s class councils help raise money for prom throughout a class’s four years at the school to cover the cost of the location, the decorations and the DJ for prom. This fundraising allows prom tickets to stay at low costs while preventing the class from funding the dance at a loss.

201 Almond Ave., Los Altos, CA April 29, 2014 Volume XXIX, Issue 7

Dear Editor, Moving back to Los Altos, I realized that this place is a bubble.

Politically correct (occasionally to the point of excess), anti-isms and pro-everyone’s rights, Los Altos is truly a miraculous school.

Involved in controversial and difficult issues, Los Altos students demonstrate commitment to social problems many of us have never experienced.

I, for example, had never personally experienced anti-Semitism until I left this town. I had never seen

The school should focus on fixing spotty Wi-Fi connections Dear Editor, I find the condition of the school’s Wi-Fi despicable. Not only is the signal

The Talon welcomes letters to the editor. Email letters to lahstalon.eic@gmail.com, drop them off in room 409 or the box in the attendance office. In the case of spelling or grammatical errors, obscenities, libel or personal attacks, a letter may be edited or not run. Letters must be signed, but a name may be withheld upon request. Letters may be published online, in print or both.

Senior Writers Robert Chin, Alex Cortinas, Cassidy Craford, Chase Eller, Sam Lisbonne, Joey Malgesini, John Naumovski, Jordan Stout Staff Writers Noy Anisman, Alex Barreira, Amelia Baum, Alice Dai, Salim Damerdji, Sofia Guo, Perla Luna, James Merrill, Danny Rosenbaum, Johnny Scher, Riley Soward, Sitara Sriram, James Sun, William Jow, Maya Varghese, Katherine Yen, Kevin Yen Photographers Brandon Hong, Ian Mackey Graphic Artists Noy Anisman, Michael Zhu Webmasters Yuki Zaninovich, Michael Zhu Adviser Michael Moul

POLICIES Los Altos High School’s Compositional Journalism class is solely responsible for The Talon, which is published eight times a year. The Talon also updates its website, www.lahstalon.org, with full-time coverage.

The Editorial Board sets the policies of The Talon and crafts its editorials and thumbs. Its members are Cassidy Craford, Rebecca DeShetler, Sam Lisbonne, Dhruv Madhok, Jordan Stout and Tony Sun.

ADVERTISE & SUBSCRIBE Send advertisement and subscription inquiries to Perla Luna and Sitara Sriram at business.lahstalon@gmail.com.

Talon Supporters Honorary Pulitzers Ken and Debbie Munro, Emily Goto, David and Hadas Niv Anisman, The Acharyas, Holly and Andy Cohen, Quyen Ngoc Nyguen and Chuyen Huu Do, Haiyan Gao, Mary E. MacLellan, Rongchun Sun, Afsaneh Golestany, Dan Shen, Su-Jane Hsieh, Yongmei Zhou, Susan and Ken Sims, Dusanka Rosenbaum, Steve and Thea Merrill, Lisa Gordon and Sean Mackey, Michael Zaninovich

Silver Supporters The Falos, Kris Moore, Elliott and Linda Dan, Corinne Arrouye, Kristian Family, Bruce Cohen, Srinivasan and Subadhra Sriram, Lewen Stempler, Randall Stempler, Maria Lippert, Qin Chen Shirley and Allan Soloman, The McDonalds

The Talon April 29, 2014

Read more opinions articles at lahstalon.org/opinions

SCA5 is not the answer to diversity issues

ate to keep it alive. The bill is not currently dead because Hernandez looks for a 2016 re-emergence.

KATHERINE YEN Staff Writer There is no doubt that the intention behind SCA5 is good: to increase minority representation in California higher education. However, the State senator Ed Hernandez entire amendment is based on false means well; most politicians do. The statistics and a flawed approach. problem, however, arises between In a January press release, Herthe idea and implementation of it. nandez and his staff wrote,“As a reCalifornia’s Senate Constitutional sult [of Prop. 209], there has been a Amendment No. 5 (SCA5) exem- precipitous drop in the percentage plifies this kind of misguided situ- of Latino, African American and ation; the bill will undo the progress Native American students at Caliachieved in the past two decades by fornia public universities.” challenging Proposition 209.

However, according to data Sponsored by Hernandez, SCA5 released by the UC system, the will eliminate the portions of Prop. percentages of Native American 209 that prohibited the state from and African American freshman discriminating against certain in- enrollment at UCs have remained dividuals or groups based on “race, about the same from 1996 to now, sex, color, ethnicity, or national ori- while the percentage of Latino/ gin in the operation of public edu- Hispanic students has doubled cation.” Basically, SCA5 allows Uni- from 13.8 percent to 28.1 percent. versity of California Clearly, Prop. 209 has and California State not led to a “precipiUniversity admission tous drop” in minoroffices to give prefer- One thing is ity enrollment; in ential treatment to clear: SCA5 is fact, quite the oppocertain racial groups site has occurred. not the answer during the college adProponents of missions process, a to our diversity SCA5 also argue that practice that is known problems. Not minority enrollment as affirmative action. in California universinow, and not In 1996, voters ever. ties is disproportional passed Prop. 209, to the total percentwhich banned UC and age of underrepreCSU campuses from considering sented minorities in the state. Jarace or ethnicity during the admis- net Chin, media spokeswoman for sions process. For nearly 20 years, Hernandez, said that SCA5 will Prop. 209 stood its ground against “ensure that universities reflect numerous lawsuits and court cases. the diversity of the state.” HowThen, SCA5 came along. ever, the glaring flaw in this logic On January 30, the California Sen- is that there is no definite way to ate quietly passed SCA5 with a vote determine when the diversity of of 27 to 9 and the measure moved UCs reflects that of the state. on to the California Assembly. After The only standard that UCs and a month and half, it became clear politicians can fall back on—and that the bill did not have the re- one that Chin seems to be suggestquired two-thirds majority to pass, ing—is to make minority admission so Assembly Speaker John A. Perez percentages mirror their state popusent the initiative back to the Sen- lation percentages. No matter how

MICHAEL ZHU

one chooses to spin it, this means imposing racial quotas, even if it is an under-the-table quota.

Under racial quotas, the university allocates a certain number of spots to certain racial groups. The idea is to compensate for the discrimination faced by the families of underrepresented minorities in the past by guaranteeing them a set amount of spots. However, the practice of doing so has become known as reverse discrimination, in which historically discriminated racial groups receive preference and historically more privileged racial groups are discriminated against.

This is an illogical way to solve diversity issues. Discriminating against certain racial groups in favor of others has never been and will never be the solution to rectifying the past discrimination. We cannot fight inequality with inequality.

Furthermore, giving certain racial groups an advantage during the admissions process harms the

people whom it intends to benefit.

When less qualified students are admitted into a rigorous academic environment for which they are illprepared, they are more likely to struggle and less likely to succeed.

This misplacement of students in appropriate learning environments is known as the “mismatch theory.”

The mismatch theory is supported by the increase of minority graduation rates after the passage of Prop. 209. In a 2011 Duke study, researchers found that after Prop. 209 passed, minority enrollees in California public universities had higher rates of graduation. They concluded that “affirmative action bans result in better matching of students to colleges,” since students who were admitted were academically more suited to their educational environment and thus found more success in higher education.

Arguing against SCA5, however, solves nothing unless we find another solution.

According to the California Department of Education, Latino stu-

dents made up 52 percent of the total K-12 student demographic, but only 30 percent of UC applicants. Asian American students, on the other hand, comprised 11 percent of the K-12 student demographic but constituted 29 percent of UC applicants.

Clearly, the disparity in underrepresented minority enrollment in UCs comes from the number of underrepresented minority students who apply to UCs in the first place, not from the percentage of these students that UCs admit.

The answer, then, is that we must close the academic achievement gap between racial groups by investing more in the public K-12 education of underrepresented minorities.

We must start from the bottom up, motivating and supporting these schoolchildren so that they reach their full academic potential and apply to college with the same academic background as their peers.

Starting from the beginning is the only way to solve any kind of problem, and diversity is no exception.

In fact, Governor Jerry Brown proposed a 9.5 percent increase on K-12 spending in the 2014-2015 state budget summary. His actions illustrate a step in the right direction. The next step forward is to ensure that the increase in K-12 funding goes to the programs that support and improve the education experience of underrepresented minority students.

Meanwhile, SCA5 is a top-down solution presented by short-sighted politicians. In truth, the bill fails to address any of the underlying factors for the racial disparity in UC and CSU systems. It fails to start from the root of the problem.

While the debate about affirmative action rages on and the words “diversity,” “inequality” and “discrimination” are thrown around as ammunition from both sides, one thing is clear: SCA5 is not the answer to our diversity problems. Not now, and not ever.

Decisions about pay for advisors should include student input REBECCA DESHETLER TONY SUN

Managing Editor News Editor

The high school experience is not measured solely by transcripts, but also by what we do with our free time. From Mock Trial and debate to BSU and LSU, what happens outside the classroom is often what we remember most about these four years.

In order to provide these activities, many teachers not only teach, but also have other roles around campus. Some double as coaches, devoting afternoons to their athletes while others advise student organizations, overseeing clubs that raise thousands of dollars or travel internationally.

For some faculty, this time commitment translates into extra money towards their paycheck; for others, it does not. Because high school is for the academic and social benefit of students,

there should be increased student opinion in the process that chooses the staff to be paid extra.

To incentivize the programs that form the “backbone” of a high school experience, the school district and the teacher’s union agree to pay staff members extra for taking on certain roles outside of class. The majority of these positions, referred to as “Extra Pay for Extra Duty” (EPED) positions, are defined clearly in the negotiated contracts and have a strong historical basis. For example, department coordinators, coaches and athletic directors serve as the majority of the EPED positions.

Others, such as the advisors for the journalism class, yearbook class and ASB, round out the rest of the roles.

Where the incentives get tricky is around “open positions,” or principal-designated slots for school sponsored clubs and programs. While most of the EPED positions are set into the annual DTA negotiations,

MICHAEL ZHU

open positions are distributed at the principal’s discretion on a yearly basis.

While most open positions

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are used as a “catch-all” to fund coaching positions that are unpaid, or involve “grandfathered” positions passed down from year

to year, changing budgets means that, realistically, the number of open positions vary depending on the circumstances. Thus, when changes do occur, it is up to the principal to decide what remains as a paid open position and what does not.

It is fortunate that we have a way to reward teachers for putting additional time into valuable activities, but there needs to be a more transparent process around how these positions are distributed. As a school, we must be sure that this money is going to teachers who are truly invaluable to students.

A way for students to give input, such as a student panel or a student survey to gauge student opinion, would ensure that these open positions be assigned to worthy activities and updated as student interests undoubtedly shift. As clubs lose members or their focus changes, an attentive student panel and poll could properly direct the incentives to where it matters most.

If you would like to write about your stance on an issue that’s affecting students at our school, email the Opinions Editor at lahstalon@gmail.com with a summary of your idea.

The Talon April 29, 2014

Sunny Side Up

MVHS should offer seniors AP Economics and AP Government REBECCA DESHETLER

Managing Editor

By Tony Sun

Taking the Plunge Different academic fields have tried to quantify the notion of herd behavior to varying degrees of success. In elementary biology, there’s the idea of herd effects, while the field of psychology has coined terms such as groupthinking. In the end, however, the concept of herd behavior is a fundamental part of our human nature—it ref lects our desire as individuals to “conform,” and to “do what others are doing.”

There’s nothing special in the high school atmosphere that prevents its members from falling prey to mass psychological effects. At the high school level, we have an aggregate collection of individuals that, down to its collective personalities, seems to act as nothing more than members of different groups.

That is, while students like to think they enjoy the freedom of “choice,” they spend most of their time trying to find out what their friends are doing in order to jump on the bandwagon. Everybody, be they a freshman, sophomore, junior or even a soon-to-befreshman senior, is consulting a list of ever-growing options and choosing to do what their ever-important friends are doing, not knowing that many times their friends are relying on them for their own opinions.

So in the end, the high school decision making process is a massive clumped mess, similar to a game of Katamari Damacy, where small things clump together to form an unstoppable juggernaut that eventually manages to pick up everything else. High school is where one unique idea picks up stragglers left and right until it finally gains enough steam to become the main stream.

It is important for students to follow their friends’ and parents’ advice, but it is also important for all of us to take some chances and try some new things.

So if you do have an idea, a feeling or a desire to try something, go out on a limb and take the plunge. Try that something that you’ve always wanted to do—give literature a shot, try a new sport or that new club you’ve always wanted to join. Consider becoming a peer tutor, check out the summer programs or maybe even get a job—do what your heart (and what you yourself ) personally want to do. Your friends will still be your friends at the end of the day, and you very might well walk away with a unique story to tell.

Mountain View High School is stuck between two core responsibilities: give students as many course options as possible or maximize diversity within classes. Currently, seniors at Mountain View High School, unlike those at LAHS, are offered neither AP US Government and Politics nor AP Microeconomics. With the goal of making classes more heterogeneous, the MVHS Social Studies Department keeps virtually all seniors in the same classes senior year.

However, this policy limits student choice, preventing passionate students from picking a course that can challenge and interest them. Though it is hard to choose between giving students options and exposing them to the diversity that is present when all students are required to take the same class, MVHS should move towards offering AP Government and AP Economics. Rather than forcing diversity by not offering APs, the school should make the AP classes themselves more diverse.

Despite their detriments, mixed classes are used at our school as well, namely in freshman year classes. Virtually all freshmen take World Studies and Survey Comp/ Lit, allowing students to adjust to high school and meet a variety of people before sorting themselves

based on skill and interest.

“We have four feeder schools that come into Los Altos High School.

They’re diverse, and we like the idea of bringing all freshman in together and having a heterogeneous experience,” history teacher DeeDee Pearce said about World Studies. “After that, they all start going in different paths.”

By senior year, students are in a different position. They largely know where their interests lie, and should be able to choose classes that they are passionate about.

The idea of mixing upperclassmen together should not be immediately dismissed. In a class like civics, a variety of voices enrich the debate. In a mixed class, each student can learn that his or her voice matters just as much as her neighbor’s.

This variety could get lost with the addition of AP Government. AP classes tend to attract fewer Latino students and more Asian students, in addition to students who are more comfortable with the advanced curriculum. If these students take mostly AP classes, then they are isolated from non-AP students.

Having mandatory civics and economics courses senior year gives upperclassmen an opportunity to be in a class where they hear the voices of all their peers.

“We want them to recognize that they live in a diverse community,” MVHS civics teacher Felitia Hancock said at the March 24 School Board meeting about her department’s decision not to offer AP Government.

“This is the classroom where we

PARMIS TAIDY

break down all those barriers that exist, whether it’s peer group or socioeconomic status or race.”

But, despite the benefits of only offering mixed classes, it is unfair to not give MVHS students an AP option. For college-bound students, the rigor of an AP class is excellent preparation for what is ahead, as well as offering the chance to potentially receive college credit. While MVHS offers many AP science options, the selection in the humanities can be lacking. During senior year, students interested in social studies do not have as many options as those interested in STEM. AP Government and AP Economics could fill that gap.

Additionally, though valid for civics, the heterogenous class philosophy does not apply as well to economics. Students likely have less life experience with monopolies than with politics, so discussions aren’t truly enriched by varied students. Adding AP Economics would only offer a choice for students who find the subject interesting or want a challenge, not reduce the quality of class discussions.

MVHS should focus on increasing the classroom’s diversity without eliminating AP courses. They should continue with their goal of encour-

aging AP classes to be places where students of all socioeconomic, social and ethnic groups are represented.

“If you want the classes to be more heterogeneous,” AP Economics teacher Derek Miyahara said, “then the answer is to try to figure out how to encourage underrepresented kids to be in the AP class. We should be in the business of encouraging all of our kids to take the most challenging curriculum that they can.”

In order to balance their twin responsibilities to students—giving them options, yet exposing them an education full of diverse opinions—the MVHS Social Studies Department should move to offer AP Government and AP Economics, but also continue to work towards increasing minority representation in AP classes.

“As far as we’re concerned, we’re not forcing anybody into AP,” MVLA School Board Member Phil Faillace said. “But if we don’t offer the course we’re forcing them out of it.”

Staff writer Alex Barreira also contributed to this article.

For more information on the ongoing discussion about AP Gov and Econ, see page 3

Voting changes provide opportunity for seniors ZOE MORGAN Editor-In-Chief

On June 3, Californians will head to the polls to vote in this year’s primary elections. However, primaries in California differ from those in many other states. Rather than voting for candidates by party, voters choose from the entire pool and the top two advance to the general election. This is known as a nonpartisan blanket primary. Since the new format has only been in place since the 2012 election, it is too early to tell whether the change was wise. How-

ever, this new kind of primary offers a valuable opportunity for students to learn about the political process free from the constraints of a partyspecific primary.

This new system in California is relatively uncommon as it only applies to statewide and congressional elections. It is only used in two other states: Washington and Louisiana.

Local and presidential elections, as well as those not based on party preference, do not use this system.

In traditional primaries, people vote in primaries specific to their party. So Democrats vote to choose the Democratic nominee, Republicans vote to choose the Republican nominee, etc. Then, the winner of each party’s primary advances to

PARMIS TAIDY

the general election where they run against each other.

Voting for the first time in this primary election system can be an especially daunting prospect because it requires choosing a political party.

Many young voters haven’t decided which party, if any, they align themselves with. This makes voting in a traditional primary nearly impossible. Young voters are forced to either choose a party somewhat randomly or not vote at all.

In contrast, a nonpartisan blanket primary is not segregated by party.

Rather, all the candidates, from every party, run against one another. Each voter can choose one candidate.

Then, the two candidates with the most votes, regardless of party, go on to the general election. This means that two candidates of the same party could potentially compete against each other in the general election.

Under this system, voters can choose any candidate they want regardless of party. This presents an ideal situation for those voting for the first time. They should take the next few months to truly learn about all the candidates and issues at stake in this election.

Often, students pick the party their parents or friends are part of, rather than deciding which one best represents their views. In truth, two political parties cannot represent the views of all voters. Rather, by looking at smaller parties, students are more likely to find one they align with.

This new system makes it possible for students to look at candidates’ positions based on their views only.

Voting is one of the most funda-

mental parts of living in a democracy. It gives citizens a voice in the way they are governed. In recent decades, the rate of youth participation has consistently gone down. If students expect their interests to be represented, they must participate in the electoral process. The nonpartisan blanket primary system provides an ideal opportunity for youth involvement. Students ought to take it as a chance to make an informed vote for the candidate of their choice in June.

However, the new model has caused a fair amount of controversy.

Some argue that it can actually misrepresent voters. For example, if two people of the same party advance to the general election, there is no option for people who do not identify with that party. Additionally, there is a possibility for vote splitting, leading to a less popular candidate winning.

For example, if one party has three candidates running and the other has only one, the first party’s votes may be split 3 ways. This could lead to the second party’s candidate winning even if they are less popular.

Despite these issues, there are many arguments that support this system, such as that it allows the candidates who have the most overall support to advance to the general election. In addition, it better represents the people and is less based on party structure, as opposed to traditional primaries.

Ultimately, it is too early to know whether California made the right choice in implementing a nonpartisan blanket primary. However, it is clear that this system offers a valuable opportunity for young voters.

The Talon April 29, 2014

Extra funding for STEM caters to students’ needs JAMES MERRILL Staff Writer

It seems these days we are constantly hearing about how there is a severe scarcity of people in the United States prepared for jobs in STEM fields. As a result, heated debate ensues about the extent to which STEM should be represented in education. The school has recently added several new classes in STEM subject areas and has spent a large amount of money on equipment for STEM classes. These developments in STEM are positive and do not necessarily come at the expense of other, more important initiatives.

Before trying to tackle the debate over whether or not additional STEM funding at the local level is a good thing, one must understand the issue in a broader context. The debate starts with the so-called “STEM shortage.” There is difficulty in proving whether there is or is not a shortage of individuals qualified for STEM careers, as there are a number of studies that show that it does, but an equal or greater number that contend that it does not. It is not for lack of good research that there is conflicting data; the fact of the matter is that the problem is difficult to quantify. The projections that are made regarding the growth of the STEM labor market are “plagued by uncertain assumptions and are notoriously difficult to make,”

according to a 2012 workforce study conducted by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

So, it is entirely unclear whether there actually is a shortage of people qualified to work in STEM in the United States. However, the reasons why there might not be such a shortage are fairly convincing: According to principles of supply and demand, if there was a shortage of STEM workers, wages would increase to follow the market trend. But, STEM wages have been largely stagnant since the early 2000s, according to a report from the Economic Policy Institute.

It also makes sense that the tech industry would perpetuate the idea that there is a shortage, even if there is not one, so that firms can minimize the pay they give to the engineers, scientists and mathematicians they employ. Additionally, in 2007, the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, suggested that more skilled immigrants should be granted visas, in order to “suppress wages” for the skilled workers trained here in the United States. It is in the interests of both businesses and Washington for the perception of a STEM shortage to exist, which makes for a powerful influence on policy.

The influence has been tremendous: the U.S. government spends over $3 billion each year on “STEM-related initiatives,” according to the Government Accountability Office.

Moreover, dumping money into STEM education at the national level, particularly in primary and sec-

ondary education, at the expense of the humanities can be detrimental to students even in today’s tech-oriented economy. The skills that are developed by the study of subjects like the English and history are critically important and cannot be overlooked for the sake of short-sighted economic incentives.

According to the CEO of Lockheed Martin, Norman Augustine, “In my position as CEO of a firm employing over 80,000 engineers, I can testify that most were excellent engineers...

But the factor that most distinguished those who advanced in the organization was the ability to think broadly and read and write clearly.”

But the decision to fund STEM related initiatives at the district level— like the $350,000 the MVLA Foundation has spent on new equipment for science classes—is a very different conversation than whether STEM should be prioritized at the national level. There are significant problems with federal overspending in STEM, as it is pushing students to pursue a career in a field in where there are significantly more qualified individuals than job openings. But, evaluating STEM classes being added and money being spent on locally at a high school is fundamentally different.

Speaking from a purely anecdotal standpoint there does seem to be a high demand for the new math and science classes that have been added. It is also important to realize that where we live; it is hardly a difficult conclusion to draw that many stu-

MICHAEL ZHU

dents would be interested in additional science and technology related classes in a region with tech firms on every block. Just because there is a larger national issue surrounding pushing money into STEM, does not mean that those who are truly interested in it should not pursue it, or that the school should avoid

spending money on giving these students the opportunity to do so.

It seems that the money is being spent exactly the way it should be, since the recent expenditures seem to reflect the desires of the donors and students, and improve the diversity and quality of education that we have at our disposal.

Crimean support justifies Putin’s actions in Crimean Peninsula ROBERT CHIN Senior Writer

When Russia expressed its intent to annex the southeastern Ukrainian region of Crimea in March, the western world was up in arms.

Starting in late February 2014, proRussian protesters rioted and held demonstrations in several cities in Crimea, starting in late February.

Russia then assisted unmarked organized forces, recognized by experts to be the Russian special forces, that entered Crimea. The demographics of the region are quite diverse, with over half of the population being ethnically Russian, and the minorities being the Tatars, a Turkic ethnic group that has lived in Crimea for several hundred years as well as the ethnic Ukrainians.

The political unrest has significantly affected the Ukrainian government. The former Ukranian prime minister, Mykola Azarov, has resigned and the former president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, has been ousted from his homeland in response to the uprisings and riots that had sprung up in the capital of Kiev.

Meanwhile, the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, stated that the invasion of Crimea by Russia was justified and was no business of the United Nations to interfere with.

In response to the Russian government, or the Kremlin, backing up the pro-Russian protesters, the United States and the European Union have both condemned the Putin-led Kremlin for their efforts in annexing parts of Ukraine.

Indeed, western media has frequently portrayed Putin as a landhungry totalitarian and ex-KGB (Soviet intelligence agency) agent who cracks down on the rights of the people under his government.

Putin’s actions in Crimea are often compared to Hitler’s takeover of his neighboring countries such as Czechoslovakia and Austria before the start of the second World War. However, Putin shows little worry over the furor from these western powers, and one must understand from his viewpoint why he should not be afraid to take over the Crimean peninsula.

Last September, Putin announced in a conference that the Russians and Ukrainians had a “shared mentality, shared history and a shared culture.

In this sense [they] are one people.”

As of April 2013, 70 percent of all Ukrainians viewed Russia favorably.

KREMLIN.RU / WIKIMEDIA

Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with other Crimean and Russian officials, sign the Treaty on the Adoption of the Republic of Crimea to Russia. Russia has been involved in military operations in the Crimean Peninsula since late February 2014.

In addition, the vote of the Crimeans to join Russia in March was over 90 percent. These numbers show that an overwhelming majority of Crimeans want their country to be reunified with the Russian mainland.

Back at home, Putin is also experiencing a resurgence in his own popularity, with almost 80 percent of Russians in favor of his policies.

The mostly peaceful attempt to annex Crimea with few deaths on each side has convinced many Russians that Putin is a strong, macho and undaunted leader who is doing what is best for both his homeland and Crimea. His confident, cool and calculated response to the backlash from the European Union and the United States shows Russians that he knows what he is doing and has everything under control.

Despite the fact that 100 out of 193 world nations support sanctions against Russia and only 11 nations oppose them after Putin’s decision to annex Crimea, Putin shows no worries about the possibly massive repercussions from the western world, especially the United States.

Though he acknowledged the deteriorating relations between Russia and the United States, Putin simply stated in a televised phone-in, “I want to emphasize once again: Russia is interested in growing relations with the United States and will do everything to ensure that this confidence is restored.”

However, the Russians’ attitude towards the West has always been one of cynicism and distrust, viewing the West as meddlesome oppressors who don’t understand their matters. This was seen during the creation of the eastern European Soviet bloc during the Cold War, which the Allied powers saw as offensive action. According to Ben Judah’s article in the Politico magazine, Russia sees the present European Union as an establishment full of corrupt

politicians, businessmen, lawyers and bankers that only care about money. Putin believes that Europe won’t act aggressively unless such action would be profitable for the West. He also believes that America depends strongly on Russia for international trade, shipping, and sanction enforcement.

“Russia thinks the West is no longer a crusading alliance,” Judah wrote. “Russia thinks the West is now all about the money.”

SOERFM / WIKIMEDIA

Some people think that the United States is still stuck with its Cold War mentality towards Russia. The media in the United States often considers Putin’s presidency as a return to the regime of the USSR’s pro-socialist and anti-dissenter government. In some ways, they are correct. However, Russia ultimately sees its actions and goals in the Crimean crisis as ones that are the most ideal, and ones that will benefit the people in Crimea and Russia the most.

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The Talon April 29, 2014

9

Read more features articles at lahstalon.org/features

37th Parallel

then known as Mind the Gap, began playing a setlist of covers that had been put together and rehearsed that day.

“I had just started singing for the band that day,” Brad said. “Some of our CONTINUED FROM THE songs didn’t have lyrics, and [the perFRONT PAGE formance] was pretty rough. The funny thing was that we were playing so loud With music described as a “blend that we got the police called on us by of classic rock, Memphis blues, the neighbors at around eight at night.”

Despite having the police called ranging everywhere from ethereal progressive rock to more experimen- on them, 37th Parallel received a tal, Velvet Underground type stuff warm reception at that debut conwith lyrics inspired heavily by the cert and decided to begin taking Doors,” 37th Parallel has gone from the band seriously.

“We got to high school, and it bejust playing for fun to performing professionally in clubs such as Club came this goal of ‘How good can we Refuge in San Marcos and the Sweet- be?,’ because we aren’t very good now,” Brad said. “[The entire band] water Club in Mill Valley.

“Eventually our goals changed from started to work heavily on its musical just playing covers to include being ability, both together and individuable to express ourselves musically ally, since [when you solo] you only and with writing our own songs,” Brad use fifty percent of what you know said. “There’s a strong level of ambi- to express yourself, while the other tion that goes with that goal too. You fifty percent is keeping up with the get to the point where you’re like, [chord] changes.”

Freshman year flew ‘Hey this sounds reby as the band navially cool. Let’s go show gated the overwhelmthis to somebody, and ing challenges of if they say they like it, I find [the band] balancing band practhen maybe someone on my mind all the tice times and perforelse will like it...’ But time when we have mances with the presit all goes back to that a recording date sures of school work, starting point of wantafter-school sports, ing to play music with set. It’s just itching and extracurriculars. each other, for other on my mind to be During this time, the people, so let [the [in the studio]. band decided to enter band] share the expe— Sophomore their first competition rience we feel when Brad Guesman with the annual San we [play music] with Jose Public Library each other and with Battle of the Bands in early 2013. everyone else.”

As a fledgling band with a minimal The band’s performances typically include a combination of The Black fan base and amateur originals, 37th Keys, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppe- Parallel finished far from the top three lin covers and original songs such as winning positions but secured a gig She’ll Be Mine, Lone Gone and The at the club Refuge because the sound Road. The band performs locally at guy liked their music.

37th Parallel met their next bigthe First Fridays in downtown Los Altos and recently played for an en- gest breakthrough during an Octothusiastic student crowd at the LAHS ber 2013 First Friday session on the streets of Los Altos.

Diversity Assembly.

“A guy walking around during a The band debuted at the start of summer break 2012 in Eric’s First Friday performance listened and backyard. Having invited a crowd came up to us,” Brad said. “His name of 40 classmates, 37th Parallel, was Anthony Cordova, and he was a

COURTESY 37TH PARALLEL

MVHS sophomore Eric Dyer, LAHS sophomore Brad Guesman and MVHS sophomores Philip Chang and A.J. Pelayo (left to right) pose at Alameda Naval Air Station. The four students started their rock band, 37th Parallel, in the summer of 2012 and their successes include numerous professional performances as well as a debut album in the works. representative of a music consulting went and played for him, and he said, firm. He really liked our sound and ‘You guys need to work on technical wanted us to come to his studio to skills...What’s going to make you better play some stuff and we did that. This is to practice relentlessly, like an animal, was one of the defining moments of like an obsession. [Your band] should our band’s history.” be an obsession.’ And it is an obsession.

What defined this event was nei- I find [the band] on my mind all the ther the music nor contacting Cor- time when we have a recording date dova. It was the band’s realization set. It’s just itching on my mind to be that they had come to a [in the studio].” crossroads about their The band’s album priorities and whether is a work in progress; or not their band was It felt good to with one song finished, to be number one. After prove to ourthree in the mixing all, school was a must— selves that this process and six waiting sports practice, music is something we to be recorded, Brad lessons and classes only believes that the album can go up and do should be finished mid added to the strain. “[I told the band], and just kill it.

—next year.

‘Guys, if we can’t make “Five or six songs are — Sophomore Brad Guesman room for this, we don’t about girls,” Brad said. have time to be a band,’” “Some are about self Brad said. “Eventually we determination or musettled with idea that we were all going sic itself; some stuff [is] more interto cut some extracurriculars to make pretive. Our theme for the album is to time for this [consulting session]. We be simple, interesting but relatable...

[The music will] feel like something we would play for you in a small venue and [should] personally connect with the listener.”

Their most recent competition was at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Battle of the Bands in March. Selected from a pool of 55 applicants, 37th Parallel performed at the battle on April 17 and was awarded second place.

“I feel pretty good about getting second place out of 55 bands, just because we’re so young and we have a lot ahead of us,” Brad said. “It felt good to prove to ourselves that this is something we can go up and do and just kill it. The win helped us realize that we’re not only competitive, but also that people like what we’re doing.”

Expect to see 37th Parallel’s debut album in early 2015.

“We just want people to listen to our music as soon as soon as possible,” Brad said. “We’re getting there.

We’re ready to bring this next stage of material forward.”

From the ground up: Construction undertakes school projects MAYA VARGHESE Staff Writer

Students are accustomed to expectations of hard work in their classes. There is daily homework and difficult subject material as well as challenging tests and quizzes or long essays to write. However, seventh period Advanced Construction

Technology takes commitment to a whole new level.

Students in the class spend lengthy hours working on long-term projects for the school. For example, during first semester, students walking by the area near the pizza cart saw a wooden deck take shape day by day. Principal Wynne Satterwhite asked the Ad-

PARMIS TAIDY

Construction teacher Tomás Ibarra and senior Jose Cigarrero-Salas prepare mortar that will be used to lay a brick wall. The construction class has undertaken a number of construction projects around the school.

vanced Construction class to do this project for the school and construction teacher Tomás Ibarra complied, eager for his students to have the chance to put their skills into action. “[At the start of class] we have ten or fifteen minutes to gather all the tools,” senior Moises Flores said. “We usually carry blocks and bricks on a wheelbarrow. And everyone has a job. For example mainly my job is to bring all the bricks in a box and take it over. We have work stations [there].”

Once at their work stations, they fall into their tasks. According to junior Victor Macias, there are no exact dates for when they are expected to finish projects. However, the students work at a fast pace and are hoping to finish the wall and deck around the end of May. Staying after school is a common occurrence for seventh period construction. When asked about the amount of work involved in the class, Moises said, “Most of the time we do stay after school. It’s rare when we don’t.”

Instead of relaxing and taking time off, the students go above and beyond class expectations, usually working until 4:45 p.m. on school days and even coming in on some Saturdays.

Other than occasional problems with materials not arriving in time

for the students to work, the main challenge the class faces is enrollment. There are only four students in seventh period, and Ibarra and the construction students would prefer to have more students involved in the program.

They believe the class is important because the skills it teaches provide preparation for future construction jobs. Ibarra realizes that not all students enter college after high school and his class offers these students a chance to learn skills which will allow them to immediately obtain work. However, for other students, construction jobs provide a means to pay for college.

“I’m planning on getting [a job in construction] right now for my side job for college,” Moises said. “I can get paid better than in Jamba Juice or in a normal store at minimum wage.”

Above all, the emphasis of the class is hands-on work. Both Ibarra and the students consider it as one of the defining features of the class.

“The experience that we get here isn’t something that you could necessarily learn from opening a textbook,” Victor said. “It isn’t something that you could read [in] class and you can analyze as in English. No, if one truly wants to learn [construction] it truly has to be a hands-on experience.”

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The Talon April 29, 2014

Inside the World of AVID

IAN MACKEY

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

Who is an AVID student?

AVID students usually come from groups that are historically underrepresented at colleges, and many are the first in their families to even go to college. At LAHS, about half of AVID students qualify for federal free or reduced lunch because of their family’s income status, compared to just one in six school-wide. The program sets high expectations for these students, offers them the resources they need to succeed and ultimately hopes to close the achievement gap between them and students who come from more advantageous backgrounds.

Students entering the AVID program must go through an interview and application process.

During the process, AVID takes the academic records of prospective students into account as well as requiring them to interview and complete applications. Middle school teachers from feeder schools recommend students who could potentially benefit from the AVID program at LAHS. AVID teachers look for students who are committed to their own success and are able to keep up with the program, which demands about two

AVID

creasingly competitive, it becomes I get one-on-one tutoring with one even harder for low income or mi- of my tutors,” Edgar said. “She helps nority groups to compete against me a lot, explaining concepts. We go students who have more access to over the homework everyday and we SAT prep or tutors,” Junior AVID go over the tests when we get it back, teacher KerenRobertson said. and that helps me understand the Advanced classes are a critical step concepts better.” for students to prepare for college as A unique characteristic of AVID is well as show schools they are ready for that throughout their journey, stuuniversity-level work. dents keep the same teacher. As a “AP classes result, the adare the closvisor becomes I had no free periods and est experifamiliar with have to catch two buses ence they can the strengths after school. Now I have have on a high and weakness a whole class period in school camof each student which I’m able to ask for pus to what and can work help on anything I need. it’s like to take to meet their -- junior Rita Villanueva What AVID Offers a college level needs. Over the As students move between grade class,” Robyears, a strong levels, the focus of this prepara- ertson said. “If they can be exposed community forms in an AVID class. tion changes. Freshmen are in- to those concepts and those ideas “AVID is a real family,” freshmen troduced to high school and the in a more supportive environment, AVID teacher Joanne Miyahara college path, while older students when they go to college and they take said. “It is rare that you are able begin test prep or working on their a course they’ll be more prepared and to see the same teacher and group college applications. Throughout be more successful.” of students for four years...when this process, students participate To help with these classes, AVID of- people struggle there’s someone in tutorial periods and class dis- fers tutorial periods where students there to help. It’s neat to see the cussions about study skills. Be- have access to tutors who can answer older AVID kids come and mentor cause many AVID students aren’t their questions. AVID student junior the younger ones.” able to get these college-readiness Edgar Sanchez is taking AP Physics B However, not every AVID student resources elsewhere, this prepara- this year, and he uses the tutorial time stays within the program during tion can be crucial. to maintain his grade in the class. their high school career. There is a “As college admissions become in“[The class is] really hard for me, so fluctuation in the number of students continuing due to scheduling, college and academic conflicts. Not all students fit into the program’s emphasis on academic rigor and college readiness.

AVID Freshman concentrate on the transition to high school.

AVID teachers encourage students who need more intensive acThey are introduced to the SAT and ACT tests and begin ademic assistance to participate in working on a 4 year college plan. other programs at the school, such as skills classes and the academy run by counselor Jacob Larin.

Some students leave the proAVID sophomores emphasize college readiness through developgram in order to pursue other inment of study and time management skills. They learn about fee terests, while others are not able to waivers and how to reduce the costs of testing. accommodate the time commitment into their schedules.

“I felt like [AVID] didn’t really help me,” freshman Maria Ortega AVID juniors focus on SAT and ACT test prep said. “Except for tutorial, but we and begin to learn about the college applialready have a school wide one. I cation process. wanted to take another elective instead of this one.”

Though some negative opinions of the program come from student AVID seniors recieve one-on-one guidance experience, others are based on inthrough the college application process and accurate misconceptions. learn about college scholarships and rele“People equate [AVID] more vant financial aid. They also develop with an at-risk program,” said four-year college graduation plans.

Robertson. “They think AVID students are struggling academically

THROUGH THE YEARS. . .

33 freshmen

are in AVID

28 sophomores are in AVID

47

hours of studying each night and involvement in extracurricular activities. They also search for students who are academically strong enough to not need other resources such as double-period skills classes. AVID students are strong students, with a minimum GPA of 2.5, though many have GPAs over 3.5.

“AVID students are very different from ‘at-risk’ students, who are students that are really in crisis,” Freshmen AVID teacher Joanne Miyahara said. “[AVID students] are all students who can do [the work], they just need some extra help. That extra help will really encourage them to succeed.”

juniors are in AVID

32 seniors are in AVID

more than they are.”

This assumption remains, in spite of AVID’s success in sending the majority of its students to fouryear universities. Because of these misconceptions, students targeted by the program can be deterred from joining.

Junior Rita Villanueva, in AVID for her first time this year, also did not want to join at first. She had heard from her friends that being in AVID was not productive. However, Robertson thought the class could benefit her and recommended to her counselor that she join AVID. Despite what Rita heard from her friends, the class turned out to be a helpful resource.

“I had no free periods and I have to catch two buses after school, so I never really had that extra time,” Rita said. “Now I have a whole class period in which I’m able to ask for help on anything I need.”

In addition to the tutorial time, Rita feels that she benefits from having access to information about colleges available to her. While she was unsure of what the college application process would look like before she joined, AVID gives her reminders about due dates and other resources to keep her on track.

“Before, I didn’t really care about AVID,” Rita said. “It was just some class my friends were taking. But this year, I really like AVID. I feel like I’m part of their family now, and I see that it’s...very different compared to what people told me it was.”

While some misconceptions are because of a lack of knowledge, others are based on experience. Junior Edgar Sanchez was in AVID at Crittenden Middle School but decided not to continue because students in the class did not get their work done. After he came to LAHS, he did not rejoin.

“AVID didn’t work for me,” Edgar said. “I felt that it was a waste of time, because people would just fool around. They didn’t get their work done.”

Later, he met Robertson through friends that spent their lunchtimes in an AVID classroom. She encouraged him to try the program again, and after rejoining this year, he has changed his mind about AVID. “Once I joined, I understood what AVID stands for, how helpful it can be for you, and how it creates a family at the school,” Edgar said.

The Talon April 29, 2014

BY REBECCA DESHETLER, JARED ENG, DHRUV MADHOK, YUKI ZANINOVICH, PERLA LUNA, SITARA SRIRAM Managing Editors, Web Editor, Copy/Content Editor, Business Managers

100%

Success of the AVID Program AVID has made a huge impact in terial covered in their classes through helping historically underrepresented tutorial sessions. During tutorial pestudents achieve academic success at riods, students are split into different LAHS. In the graduating class of 2013, groups based on the class in which the vast majority of AVID students they are struggling the most, and take met the goals of the AVID program. turns helping each other solve chalEvery one of the 36 students gradu- lenging problems on the whiteboard. ated, with over 80 percent completing The key component of tutorial is the college entrance requirements. Nearly integration of the inquiry process, three-quarters also took at least one where tutors guide students through Advanced problems by asking [The tutors] all know Placement relevant questions something different.

(AP) exam. that encourage stuIf one of them doesn’t Two-thirds dents to think critiknow something, the of these cally, rather than just other will. students providing answers or -- Freshman Simge Yildiz plan to attips. tend four“The tutors really year colleges, and a third are planning help me,” freshman Simge Yildiz said. to go to two-year colleges.

“They all know something different— “We worked really hard to in- if one of them doesn’t know somecrease opportunities for students,” thing the other will. It’s also good Miyahara said. “We are trying to practice because while you are talking open up the pipeline…to allow for to them and explaining, you get more more first generation students of an understanding.” to make it to college. It really has The tutors also help to inspire a love made a significant impact.” for learning among students. “[Tutors] make learning cool to [the MVLA Mentors/ Peer Tutors students] and add an extra layer of The involvement of the Los Al- nagging, which becomes really imtos community has contributed to portant in helping them understand the success of AVID. The Mountain what it takes to become successful,” View-Los Altos (MVLA) district and Robertson said.

MVLA Community Scholars have been allocating funds to maintain SAT/ACT Prep and improve the program. SpecifiThe majority of colleges across cally, the MVLA Community Scholar the United States require students program has sponsored an AVID to submit either an ACT or an SAT Mentor Program that has made a test score to be considered for profound impact on students’ aca- admission. For this reason, AVID demic success and readiness for col- focuses on standardized test prep lege. These mentors are typically to prepare AVID students for two adult volunteers who meet frequent- and four year colleges. ly with students and provide guidAVID provides juniors and seance throughout the college appli- niors with resources from College cation process. They do everything Board to make sure they are as prefrom helping to fill out the online pared as possible for the standardapplication to editing essays, all in an ized tests as well as SAT and ACT efficient one-on-one environment. preparation from Revolution Prep, The tutoring system within AVID the SAT/ACT prep company that also serves to increase the academic hosts mock exams at LAHS. success and college readiness of AVID “As college admissions become instudents. The AVID peer tutors pri- creasingly competitive, it becomes marily help students understand ma- even harder for low income or minori-

AVID classes pilot new technology program

The administration is using the AVID student population as a sample group to test the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) pilot program, part of a nationwide effort to ensure that students have access to technology during each period of the day and at home.

The program is essentially a Chromebook checkout system that will cultivate an understanding in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) and provide resources to students who do not have access to technology at home.

AVID was chosen as a sample group because the freshman AVID class will be the first group of students taking the Common Core exam on computers.

“We want to address the digital divide and also encourage AVID students to pursue STEM pathways,” Miyahara said. “While some AVID students are very technologically skilled, some students don’t have access to computers at home. We want to help level the playing field and ensure students have the resources to be as successful as possible with their academic and other college readiness work.”

As more and more classes are embracing technology, the BYOD pilot provides the needed infrastructure to foster this growth. Should the program be successful with the AVID student population, the administration will broaden its effort to the entire student body.

“We’re currently in the process of revising the AVID 9-12 curriculum and discussing technology integration is part of this process,” Miyahara said. “If the BYOD pilot is successful, then we’ll need to work with administration to see if there’s a way to expand the Chromebook checkout to other students.”

graduated

61%

THE T HA VEI D A CVLIADS S O F ‘1 3

CLASS O F ‘1 3

plan to attend a 4-year college

36 STUDENTS

OUT OF 36 STUDENTS....

83%

completed A-G requirements

ty groups to compete against students lot because we take practice tests and who have more access to SAT prep or get used to the ACT format.”

AVID also helps to subsidize the tutors,” Robertson said. “AVID really costs for AVID students who want helps to level the playfield.”

Junior year is when AVID students to attend SAT/ACT bootcamps or really begin to prepare for these stan- take mock exams. They partner dardized assessments. The students with Revolution Prep, which someare encouraged to complete practice times provides fee waivers for AVID English and math questions from students who want to participate in the Official College Board SAT Study their services.

All AVID Guide, both seniors from in class and at There’s a stigma asthe 2012 and home. Once sociated with it. We try 2013 graduatthey complete to change that and be ing classes the questions, involved and not just be took the SAT they go over seen as the AVID kids. We or ACT. The the answers want to go beyond that. preparation in class with -- Junior Jhosseline Guardado that students other students receive helps and their tutors.

Recently, Robertson has moved the AVID students achieve competitive focus from preparation for the SAT to test scores for applying to college. the ACT. She realized that a majority of her students preferred the ACT, pri- Participation in AP Courses Another main goal of the AVID marily because it focused less on the vocabulary than the SAT. Students in program is to increase the parthe class have even formed an ACT ticipation of AVID students in AP study group at the Mountain View Li- classes, where students in AVID brary to continue their preparation for often find it intimidating to participate in advanced classes. the exam outside of AVID. “[A lot of the intimidation] is be“I kept going to that study group every week, twice a week,” junior Edgar cause of demographic differences,” Sanchez said. “That has helped me a Robertson said. “When my stu-

72% took an AP exam

dents enter that room, they don’t see anyone like them. [Sometimes] there are no other Latino students that they have seen take the class, and then [they] think... ‘If nobody else can do it, can I do it?’ It makes them doubt themselves.”

Participating in AP classes is one way to challenge misconceptions about students in AVID. Junior Jhosseline Guardado, along with other fellow AVID classmates who are involved in the school, are actively trying to challenge these misconceptions.

“Sometimes [people ask] ‘What’s AVID?’” Jhosseline said. “You can tell by their tone or attitude when they ask... there’s a stigma associated with it.

We try to change that and be involved and not just be seen as the AVID kids.

We want to go beyond that.”

Many AVID students decide to take Advanced Placement classes and become more involved in the school because of the intense support they receive from their fellow AVID students.

“We always try to encourage others and tell them: get involved, don’t be discouraged because you might be the only one...you know what, just do it,” Jhosseline said. “You are more than capable of doing it, anyone is.”

AVID juniors Mayra Carbajal and Karen Mendez work with AVID tutor junior Mikailo Kasha during a tutorial class period.

IAN MACKEY

12

The Talon April 29, 2014

Dance classes prepare for end-of-year show MAYA VARGHESE Staff Writer

IAN MACKEY

Sophomore Kaiana Jimenez strikes a pose during a routine in Jazz Dance. Both Advanced Jazz and Jazz Dance classes have been working hard to prepare for their upcoming spring dance show.

Overhearing dancers talk about their routines can be a bit like eavesdropping on someone speaking in a foreign language. Terms such as arabesque, plié, pirouette and jeté litter the conversation, and it is hard for a non-dancer to understand the difference between jazz and lyrical dance, if they even know that the dances exist.

The students in the jazz dance classes realized this, and it inspired them to create a unique theme for this year’s dance show: Defining Dance.

The show will feature routines in an alphabetical dictionary of dance.

For example, under “H,” dancers might perform a hip hop dance to define hip hop for the audience.

“It’s going to be a chance to look at a lot of different aspects of dance and explore different styles and different dance techniques,” dance teacher April Oliver said.

Though in recent years the show has worked to showcase a wide variety of dance styles, this year the routines will be especially diverse.

Dances in jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, Chinese dance and musical theater will all be performed at the annual dance show.

The school’s dance show is unique because it is comprised almost entirely of student choreography except for the finale dances at the end. Students in Jazz Dance and Advanced Jazz work in groups from two to six, and some work on solos outside of class as well. They create the steps for an entire dance and even choose their own music, lighting and costumes.

“It’s really fun to collaborate with other people and learn all their ideas, especially as you wouldn’t know some of these people are dancers when you see them at school,” junior Kelli Carlson said.

“So to get to know them as a dancer and choreographer is cool.”

The skills needed to create routines on their own are learned throughout the year as part of both Jazz Dance and Advanced Jazz courses.

“First semester we do small choreography projects to build those skills, and then second semester we spend a lot of time on students learning to choreograph and experimenting with it,” Oliver said regarding both Jazz Dance and Advanced Jazz Dance classes. “I think it’s an opportunity that most students in private dance studios don’t get.”

The students choreograph dances

for themselves in their small groups throughout most of third quarter and then may choose whether to perfect them and perform them in the show. All Advanced Jazz students are required to perform their small group dances, while it is optional for Jazz Dance students to include theirs. However, all students perform finale dances with their classes to finish the show. Jazz Dance classes learn routines choreographed by Oliver, while Advanced Jazz learns dances choreographed by some of the senior dancers.

Seniors Allie Barreira and Lauren Brinsfield choreographed the opening routine, and seniors Emily Small, Austin Campitelli, Casey Charlton, Angel Wilson and Casey Pao choreographed the finale. Since most of them had never choreographed for so many people before, the experience was both new and “One of the biggest challenges with choreography is making sure that you utilize everyone’s strengths as a dancer,” Casey Charlton said.

“What makes this such a challenge is that everyone has different strengths and different weaknesses. But what I try and do with choreography is showcase everyone’s talent because we have a very diverse class this year.”

Inside look at Know Knew Books’ Bill Burruss

CASSIDY CRAFORD

tons of books in there. I jumped in the dumpster and started pulling Bill Burruss is a vegan, used to sell all these books out. The manager punk jewelry, wears Converse, has came out and said ‘You can’t get in pierced ears and swears like a sailor. my dumpster.’ And I said, ‘Well, you He’s also the owner of Know Knew can’t throw away all these books.’”

Books, a used bookstore on State Eventually, Burruss began colStreet in downtown Los Altos. A lecting books that were overloadVirginia native, Burruss moved to ing thrift shop bookcases and being California and held various jobs bethrown out. He began to distribute fore opening Know Knew Books on them around the Bay Area, buying 10 California Avenue in Palo Alto in 1988. to 15 boxes of books a week at thrift In October of 2013, Burrusss moved shops and selling them on weekends.

Know Knew Books to Los Altos, He was making an average of $500 bringing with him his witty sense of per week under the table-- in addihumor, his knack for storytelling and tion to his punk jewelry. his love of community.

“I got into a routine when going Burruss grew up in rural Virgininto [a thrift shop],” Burruss said. ia, attending a grade “I would buy a ton of school that had a wood books, I would ask stove and an outhouse. for the manager, and I go into the After attending Virtell them that I was in ginia Commonwealth store everday need of books. I’d say University, where and I get to play ‘Look, I just spent two he studied business around. I love it. hundred dollars,’ and and theater, Burruss this was two hundred — Know Knew Books moved to California dollars at a quarter a Owner Bill Burruss and started selling book. I told them I punk jewelry in Santa would sort their books Cruz and San Francisco. if they would let me have first dibs “[The jewelry] was a killer gig,” Buron everything. I would pay full price. russ said, “Just awesome, awesome They would always do it.” jewelry. I could go out any day of One day a young man in a Palo Alto the week and sell a thousand dollars bookstore asked Burruss what he did worth of jewelry.” with the leftover books. Burruss told Burruss also managed a string him he took them back to the thrift of jeans stores in the Bay Area durshop. The young man told Burruss he ing this period of time, but left one would buy them off him.

Christmas when sales dropped 80%.

“When I asked why, he said ‘Well, However, it was his punk jewelry I’ve collected since I was a kid and “gig” that ultimately turned him onto I’ve always wanted my own bookused books 30 years ago. store,’” Burruss said. “I said ‘Really?’

“I was selling punk jewelry and I drove away that day and said ‘f*** everyday I went to this one thrift it, I’ll open a bookstore.’ I went back shop in Mountain View,” Burruss to him and I said, ‘I’ll give you half said. “One day I walked out and of the bookstore and we split everysaw this big-a** dumpster with thing fifty-fifty.’ Of course he was Senior Writer

elated, someone was giving him half of a business, no investment.”

Burruss opened Know Knew Books with his business partner on California Avenue in 1988. He enjoyed his time in Palo Alto and was able to keep the small business open while many others closed.

Due to a special lease he signed early in the business’s history, Burruss’ rent did not increase to the extent that others on California Avenue did. During this period, Burruss and his wife bought a house and raised their son in Palo Alto.

When the Know Knew Books’ lease expired in September 2013 and his landlord threatened to skyrocket the price of his rent, Burruss feared the worst. The shop was not doing well; he had already needed to sell his Palo Alto house and had gone into bankruptcy. Thankfully, Burruss said, his business partner at the time put forward the necessary funds to move Know Knew Books to Los Altos.

“I hadn’t been to Los Altos for years, I just had no reason to come here,” Burruss said. “I’d always remembered Los Altos as an old folks’ place. But I rolled into town and it’s just radical...

When we opened here, people were coming in and being awesome. They were so glad we were here.”

A true community member, Burruss commonly chats with customers, students and anyone who happens to be passing through. Burruss wants to continue to use Know Knew Books for functions other than a bookstore, and encourages students to use the space as a library, individuals to share poetry at the monthly poetry nights and speakers to meet with locals and customers.

“What I love about the store is the atmosphere,” Burruss said. “I was

PHOTOS BY IAN MACKEY

Know Knew Books (above top) maintains an expansive amount of books. Owner Bill Burruss (above right) leans on a bookcase outside his store. Burruss moved his store to downtown Los Altos in October 2013 and promotes his store as a community space for people of all ages and backgrounds. over in Half Moon Bay and this old black Blues dude had his guitar case out and he was playing for dimes.

I just walked up to him and said, ‘Here’s my address, here’s my store, any time you want to come play at the store you’re free to.’ I hope he comes over. At one point, we used to have musicians come in all the time.”

Unlike the early days of Know Knew Books, the store now stocks its shelves with books from warehouses of used books Burruss has collected. Over 30 years, he has collected about two thousand boxes of books in storage—amounting to over seventy thousand books. “[The warehouses] are insane,” Burruss said. “They’re three hundred square feet. Ten boxes high from front to back.”

Burruss hopes that as time goes on, Know Knew Books becomes a part of the Los Altos community, appealing to all age groups and demographics. He constantly emphasizes the sense of openness the shop provides and wants to ensure that everyone feels comfortable within the space. A true labor of love and dedication, Know Knew Books and Burruss go hand in hand.

“If I had to tell you one thing, it is that [Know Knew Books] is really cool,” Burruss said. “I love the store.

Just the idea that I can go in and I can walk away with a book that’s worth thousands of dollars, and pay so little, it’s just like Christmas time.

I go into the store everyday and I get to play around. I love it.”

The Talon April 29, 2014

New cafeteria chef whips up fresh ideas

13

This Side of Lunadise

RILEY SOWARD Staff Writer

What do Indianapolis Colts star quarterback Andrew Luck and The San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh have in common?

They both were fueled with meals cooked by the person who is now in charge of the Los Altos High School cafeteria: James Godfrey.

Godfrey worked at Stanford for five years before coming to work in the school cafeteria part-time last year.

He was promoted to head chef of the cafeteria in February after head chef Christine Garcia left the school.

“James is a great person–he loves to cook, he is personable, and he can cook [well],” said Avis Doctor, the MVLA district worker who hired Godfrey. “We just love the way that he handles the staff and our students.”

Much of James’s cooking experience comes from his time at Stanford, where he cooked for one of Stanford’s dining halls, Manzanita, and for the football team. As a chef for the football team, he spent a lot of time with the players.

BRANDON HONG “Andrew Luck—he’s my buddy,” New cafeteria head chef James Godfrey holds one of the lunches he cooks and serves to students.

Godfrey Godfrey said. “In the morning, was promoted to head chef in February and draws from his experience working at Stanford to bring he’d get a vegetarian omelette with improvements to the school cafeteria atmosphere. egg whites, small bit of olive oil... and when we had this lobster dish, ideas are based off of his experi- options so vegan and vegetarian stuHe’s been working towards [he’d] always get it. [Stanford’s ence working at Stanford. dents have more options when they having music playing in the caffootball players] are very neat guys. eteria–in both the dining room One of the biggest changes God- come to the cafeteria.

I liked them all.”

Godfrey’s third idea is to offer and serving room. frey has begun to put in effect is havGodfrey also had the opportu- ing a more culturally diverse range of breakfast food to students during “When [students] come in from nity to get to know the Stanford meals in the cafeteria. brunch. The cafeteria currently Stanford and hear music, they get football coaches, in“There’s a lot of dif- only sells snacks such as cinna- into it and have a good time and they cluding Harbaugh. ferent nationalities mon rolls, muffins, and pop tarts at feel good because the cafeteria isn’t “[Harbaugh is a] here so what I want to brunch. New ideas include break- just a dining room where they go sit super guy,” Godfrey More students do is once a month, fast burritos, french toast and waf- down and eat,” Godfrey said. said. “[For breakfast] are coming in Godfrey talked the administrahave a different variety fles, to name a few. he’d have... a smaller In addition to increasing the tion into allowing for a sound sysof food like Italian food, omelette, I’d only use and eating now.

Spanish food, Asian variety of food options, Godfrey tem to be installed and predicts two egg whites, small So I’m happy food, American food, is working to improve the overall that by next year, they’ll have muamount of vegeta- about that, Indian food, whatever, cafeteria atmosphere. One way sic in the cafeteria. bles, and no oil at all, because...that Even though only a few of Godso some of those kids he hopes to accomplish this is by no grease, no nothcan feel at home and being approachable and energetic frey’s ideas have been put into place means we’re ing...he’d hardly ever so far, the school cafeteria is already feel like their culture is while serving kids. come for lunch but doing some“When the kids come in, they want seeing an increase in customers. here,” Godfrey said. when he did come thing right.

“Before Mountain View was Godfrey has already to come into a friendly face, a nice for lunch, he’d always beating us in sales–now we’re beatpersonality,” Godfrey said.

“I want added a taco salad to — Cafeteria head have chicken.” the menu and plans to to greet them and say ‘Hi, how you ing the crap out of them in sales,” chef James Godfrey Now that he is the add other dishes such doing, how was your weekend?’ and Godfrey said. “That’s because more head chef, Godfrey as curry, spaghetti get familiar with them. Once you get students are coming in and eatis working to implement nu- and meatballs and Asian kung pao familiar with a kid, they come in… ing now. So I’m happy about that, merous changes to improve the chicken in the future. He also hopes just to speak, maybe not even get because...that means we’re doing school cafeteria. Many of his to expand the vegan and vegetarian anything, just to come in to say ‘hi.’” something right.”

E3 creates local change through grants, service projects STEVEN CUI Copy/Content Editor

With its wide array of student activities and clubs, Los Altos High School is hardly lacking in extracurricular activities. However, other outlets to improve the community exist outside the limits of our school as well.

With its unique ability to give grants, E-Cubed Youth Philanthropy (E3) provides a suitable medium through which students can help change their community for the better by focusing on youth in the community.

E3 is run and funded by the Los Altos Community Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to build and maintain a strong local community. The program is specifically tailored for youth, with its members spread out across seven middle and high schools. E3 currently has a total of 33 members, 11 of whom attend LAHS. All members participate in service events, leadership training and grant-making activities in order to create change in the Los Altos and Los Altos Hills community.

“E3 stands for educate, engage, and empower, and we really do try to carry out that motto.” Elaine said. “[We] spend a considerable amount of time giving grants to local organizations

that focus on at-risk youth, and we also fundraise for and help out at multiple local events.”

In fact, E3 has recently given a grant of $2000 to an organization called Kick, Lead, Dream, which hosts free summer soccer camps for at-risk youth in Mountain View and Sunnyvale. Through the ability to give such grants, members of E3 are able to directly influence their local community and see firsthand the good that they are doing.

“What I like most about E3 is the emphasis on local change,” Elaine said. “I think that as opposed to helping establish facilities in third-world countries, it’s also important to look at what needs to be done in the community--and working in the Bay Area brings back very real responses that motivate me to actually work harder in everything I do.”

In order to show members the impact that they can have on the community, the program places a strong emphasis on local service projects, with the goal of improving teen health, the environment and education. Specifically, E3 focuses on youth in the community, targeting issues that affect children ranging from toddlers to teenagers. E3 members par-

COURTESY KAMAL ACHARYA

E3 members junior Elaine Lee and sophomore Luke Dzwonczyk prepare paper bag lunches for homeless families. E3 is a youth philanthropy organization that allows students to improve their local community. ticipate in a wide variety of projects, from creating and delivering paper bag lunches to homeless families to providing presents for underprivileged children during the holidays.

“I think the thing that really sets E3 apart from other philanthropic organizations is its focus on youth,” Luke said. “We are a youth-led board, and...a

lot of our funding goes to organizations that are either youth-led, help out youth in need, or both.”

With E3, members learn to contribute to their community in new ways, and as an added bonus, have the opportunity to witness the impact that they make on their surrounding environment.

By Perla Luna

F.R.I.E.N.D.S (The Ones Who Are There For You) With spring break behind us and many, many tests still ahead, it is starting to feel like the “Midway Slump.”

This is a period in the semester marked by a seemingly endless death march of essays, projects and dreaded AP exams. It makes it hard not to get infected by all the stress in the air and if it weren’t for my friends, I’d be a blob of pure nerves.

Though I personally like to live under the delusion that I handle my stress well, I know deep down this isn’t actually the truth. I just happen to look like I handle stress well because a) I have a tendency to freak out weeks in advance and b) my friends do a pretty good job of keeping my mind off it. Or, when conversations about my obviously doomed fate become inevitable, they make me laugh right out of my rut.

Their ability to make me laugh and their belief in me is why I love them so much, even if they have their...quirks. We all have that one friend who cannot help but constantly put her foot in her mouth whenever she speaks and the friend who exemplifies “if looks could kill,” but how many of us have friends who live stream a soccer game during lunch? Or spend a good twenty minutes shouting at each other over the results of a Buzzfeed quiz? I do, and I still like them.

But I’d be remiss not to mention my doubts. Sometimes I wonder if the friendships I’ve cultivated will last.

At some point, this is something all high schoolers have to think about, especially seniors getting ready to leave for college. Sure, we vow to stick together until old age, but we’ve seen time and time again that high school friendships usually just fizzle out and die.

Yet, the possible lifespan of a friendship should not be what dictates how you interact with your friends now. It should not matter whether or not you are going to be arranging play dates between your kids in the future.What matters is that when you feel horrible for not getting what you wanted, your friends will act like idiots to try and make you laugh. This is the beauty of friendship. So when you are in the midst of rewriting that pesky tapestry project for English or trying to figure out what the heck physics even is, remember you have people waiting in the wings to help you unwind.

The Talon April 29, 2014

Catch reviews of new movies, music and more, plus read the entertainment archives at lahstalon.org/entertainment

Oh Land ZACH COHEN

Entertainment Editor

Nanna Oland Fabricius, nicknamed “Oh Land,” is a bold mixture of amateur pop and seasoned rhythm. Since her debut in 2008, she has been heralded as a female alternative-pop sensation, topping Denmark charts and performing on many American latenight TV shows.

Originally, Fabricius had been studying at the Royal Swedish Ballet academy to become a professional dancer. However, halfway through her schooling, a slipped disc led to a spinal fracture, and she was forced to give up her dancing career.

“I always thought that if everything else went wrong I’d always have dance, like if I didn’t have any luck in love I’d always be a good dancer,” Fabricius said in an interview with The Guardian, in June of 2011. “It was the only thing I knew for sure that I was good at, so when that disappeared, I had to start from scratch.”

She found, in that offtime, her new passion: music.

Fabricius first came onto the alternative music scene in Denmark, her native country. Her first album, “Fauna,” was released in 2008 and received fairly positive reviews. “Fauna” featured a new exploration of technologically supported music, feels like you are walking in the woods, wheeling a giant synth machine behind you as you shout into the tree tops. This original style got Fabricius’ attention from

many Swedish producers who encouraged her to release a follow-up album “Oh Land,” in 2011.

It was “Oh Land” that pushed Fabricius into the international spotlight.

Chart favorites such as “Sun of a Gun” and “White Nights” instantly climbed Denmark and US charts. Fabricius’ funky, somewhat brash neopop synth mixture distinguished her from the new wave of pop music coming from Europe to the US. While One Direction riffed on past pop successes and Avicii dug a niche in the House music market, Fabricius branched into a reasonably empty genre.

“Oh Land,” contains bass heavy beats like “Perfection,” which chronicles the pursuit of a turbulent relationship; “everything you do is a gem in my collection / I will follow you until I get your perfection.”

The album also features more ethereal and tribal sounds, like those on “Wolf & I,” where she sings, “You are the wolf / and I am the moon (ooh) / and in the endless sky we are the one / we are alive / in my dreams / the wolf and I.” “Rainbow,” which opens with an 8-bit voice chanting “80 beats per minute,” dwells on a relationship that is as tiring as it is overtly passionate and wonderous: “You are all over my rainbow / taking a scene in my crazy dream / only you are on my rainbow / no one else here / nothing gets near.”

Following her album succcess, Fabricius traveled to the US, headlining a tour with Katy Perry and Sia, in 2011.

She also guest starred on The Late Night Show with David Letterman to perform “Sun of Gun,” in March of 2011.

“Oh Land” represented a new

era for the singer, an era in which she had finally accepted her switch from dancer to singer.

“We build these houses to... protect ourselves and make our own little worlds and we think that outside of these houses nothing bad comes in because it’s a shield,” Fabricius said in an interview with The Guardian, in June 2011. “But it’s easy for things to get destroyed. Those walls can’t protect you.”

In 2013, Fabricius released her third studio album, “Wish Bone.” This album departs from the synth-heavy, pop feel of “Oh Land” and reverts to her original sound on “Fauna,” echoing a sense of wilderness ­— of dancing with a shroud in an jungle; perhaps performing a rain dance or in a Florence + the Machine music video.

Songs from “Wish Bone,” like

“Cherry on Top” are just as personal as before, but they have a more upbeat feeling. These songs also retain some of the bass synths that crowded “Oh Land” and use them as a backdrop for the natural feel of the music. Snaps and claps accompany sumptuous bass drops as Fabricius’ soft but undeniably strong voice comments, “slow down… slow down / you can have it all, but you never stop / ‘cause all you ever want is the cherry on top.”

Fabricius’ irresistably catchy tunes paired with her personal lyrics make for an unbeatable combo. Her voice is as brash as it is delicate; her tunes are as perky as they are solemn; her presence is as humble as it is bombastic and domineering. Her personality is the paragon of an eclectic, and she is sure to be greeted with success in the future.

BILL EBBESEN / WIKIMEDIA

Nanna Oland Fabricius performs in the music video for one of her major singles “White Nights.”

“Wishbone,” her third album, is out now.

“SoMo” album debut oversexualized SITARA SRIRAM Business Manager

“SoMo,” SoMo R&B

Released April 8, 2014

★★☆☆☆ In today’s music industry, active use of social media is key to success. R&B singer-songwriter Joseph SomersMorales, better known by his stage name “SoMo,” has realized this and capitalized on the power of social media to rise to chart-topping success.

SoMo first began gaining recognition in 2011 when he released a mashup of Drake’s album, “Take Care”, on Youtube. The video was an instant hit, generating over four million views since its original posting. The success of the mash-up prompted SoMo to cover more popular songs. He began a social media campaign called “SoMo Sunday,” in which every Sunday he released a cover of a popular pop or R&B song on his Youtube Channel called “TheMrSoMo.” The channel now has over 480,000 subscribers. Simultaneously, he continued to hone his songwriting skills by releasing a mixtape of original content in 2013 called “My Life.” The success of “My Life”coupled

with the popularity of his covers paved the way for his release of his debut self-titled album, “SoMo.” There is no doubt that “SoMo” has achieved widespread commercial success; it reached the #1 spot on iTunes’s top albums list a mere few hours after its April 8 release.

However, musically it falls short and lacks many elements of an excellent R&B album.

“SoMo” opens with the track “TMWYKAL”, an acronym that stands for “Tell Me What You Know About Love.” The song is short, only around a minute long, and is simply a repeat of SoMo singing, “tell me what you know about love/ show you all my heart.” Despite the repetition, the track provides a good start to the album in the sense that it introduces the themes of romance and lust that dominate the rest of the songs on the record.

“Show Off,” the third track of the record, focuses on lust, the main theme of SoMo’s album. SoMo’s raunchy lyrics like “Girl the way you flaunt it/Those hips flow like water” don’t convey the smooth, sensual vibe the singer is aiming for. Rather, they come across as cheesy and choppy. SoMo draws inspiration from artists such as Justin Timberlake and Usher, but his

lyrics lack the subtlety that are present in these artists’ records.

Content-wise, later tracks such as “We Can Make Love” and “Back to the Start” differ very little from “Show Off.” They all include painfully overt lyrics, depicting SoMo’s lust for various women in crude and unrefined ways. Musically, these tracks are just as unsatisfying and underwhelming.

They are all rhythmic and downtempo, and each one blurs with the next.

After listening to a few tracks on the album, the listener quickly becomes

bored. Now, there is no doubt about it—Somo can sing. His voice is deep, soulful and suited to the kind of music he is attempting to make. He is talented, but has yet to refine his style of music to a point where every track is interesting and unique.

A few songs on the album deviate from talking about lust, and focus more on romance. Notably, “I Do It All For You” focuses on SoMo’s love for a woman. The song is pleasant to listen to but lacks any originality or creativity. It’s full of cliché lyrics like

JOSEPH SOMERS-MORALES

SoMo’s first eponymous album, “SoMo,” is hypersexualized and not a standout. His album focuses on the pursuit of women and lust.

“the stars in the sky can’t amount to my love.” “Hush,” another more romantic song on the album, is also unoriginal. It features the age-old story of a rich man promising to buy a girl everything she wants if only she will fall in love with him. SoMo croons, “Hush now baby don’t say a word/ Imma buy you everything you want in the world.” Like most of the songs on the record, it is enjoyable, but by no means a standout.

The real standout of the album comes with the track “Fire.” It is the only song that doesn’t completely revolve around SoMo’s thoughts and sensual desires, but rather focuses on describing how incredible his “mystery girl” is. It is upbeat, features unique rhythms and provides the listener with a certain spark that is not present anywhere else in the album.

It is a welcome change from SoMo’s wailing and crooning. Though lyrically repetitive, the track provides something fresh on an otherwise very bland, monotonous album.

All in all, SoMo’s vocals never falter. His high notes and smooth voice are perfectly suited to R&B music. Ultimately, his willingness to alter his lyrics and sound will determine whether he can truly become one of R&B’s greats.

The Talon April 29, 2014

What’s trending now?

2

Whether or not you own a smartphone, you have probably heard of this addicting game application. If you see someone looking down and furiously swiping on their smartphone at school, there is a very good chance they are playing an intense game of 2048. It has one rather simple concept: join two identical multiples of two with a swipe of the finger until you add them up to 2048 (but once you fill the board with no more moves, the game is over).

Though appearing quite easy at first, it does not take long to realize that strategy and tactics are necessary to win the game.

Ultimately, 2048 is truly proof that simple games can be both engaging and have a widespread popularity among high school students.

1

The news of Comedy Central’s big loss was recently announced in the beginning of April, as Stephen Colbert stated that he would be leaving the “Colbert Report.” He is set to replace David Letterman, who is resigning, in CBS’ “The Late Show” in 2015, having already made a five-year agreement with CBS. At the same time as Colbert’s announcement, Comedy Central also announced that the show itself would end by late 2014. As one of America’s leading satirical newscasters leaves his show behind, fans will be met with the new face of Stephen Colbert, who will be embracing a different character in his new show.

DAVID SHANKBONE / WIKIMEDIA

THE TRENDING BAR

PARMIS TAIDY

JARED ENG Managing Editor YUKI ZANINOVICH Copy/Content Editor

3

The Humans of Los Altos page has most likely popped up on your newsfeed if you have logged on Facebook recently. Serving as a spin-off of the popular Humans of New York, this page shares many characteristics with its source of inspiration. Created by senior Tiffany Wu, the page features pictures of students at LAHS in addition to citizens of the town. Interviewing with questions including “What is the best advice someone has told you?,” she has created a Facebook page that seeks to exhibit the uniqueness of the residents in Los Altos. By sharing new faces through social media, Humans of Los Altos aims to showcase the town’s true diversity. The page currently has more than 500 likes.

COURTESY TIFFANY WU

What to expect from season four of the “Game of Thrones” ARIEL MACHELL

Copy/Content Editor

‘Game of Thrones’

HBO: Sunday @ 9/8c ★★★★☆ Nudity?

Check.

Blood?

Check.

Weddings?

Check.

Death? Check. Dragons? Double-check.

It has been 10 long months since Game of Thrones fans witnessed the unspeakable events of the red wedding in the sea-

son three pre-finale—enough time to overcome the shock, to grieve for the fallen and to rouse the excitement that season four is surely due. For some of us, that meant taking a page straight out of Arya Stark’s book and writing ourselves a list of those we hope to see killed in the coming episodes. In any case, the season four premiere had big shoes to fill, and it did not disappoint.

The premiere episode, “Two Swords,” written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, fittingly

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began with the forging of two new valyrian swords, melted down from a much larger and rather familiar-looking greatsword. The opening scene set an overall somber tone, reminding viewers of the upsetting events of the “Red Wedding,” and all those who fell to House Lannister. In the scene, a direwolf pelt is thrown over the f lames of the forge, Lord Tywin Lannister’s smug face looms in the background while the ominous, heartbreaking tune of “The Rains of Castamere” begins to play. It becomes all too clear just whose greatsword is melting down: “Ice,” which made its first appearance in the season one premiere in the hands of Ned Stark, and was last in possession of Robb Stark, his son.

The following scenes give viewers a look at what is going on in King’s Landing. The city is rising out of the gloom of war in preparation for the Royal Wedding, in which King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) will wed Lady Margaery of House Tyrell (Natalie Dormer). And who does not love a good wedding, especially in the Game of Thrones universe? For those who read the books or for those who are caught up from the past night’s episodes, you know that this wedding—which is being referred to as “The Purple Wedding”—certainly lived up to its predecessor.

One of the most anticipated aspects of this new season is the arrival of new faces, with the most exciting so far being Oberyn “The Red Viper” Martell (Pedro Pascal), the Prince of Dorne, who has come to shake things up in King’s Landing.

Oberyn’s introduction, if anything, is effective, cementing his place as a character to watch. He is confident, charming and engaging, but

HBO

The premiere episode of “Game of Thrones” opened with a somber scene. The show is filled with drama and unexpected turns, keeping viewers on their feet from beginning to end. more than anything, he is dangerous. Couple that with a serious hate for all things Lannister and a thirst for revenge? Oberyn is sure to be a key player in coming episodes.

Along with Oberyn, there are a couple of other new faces that viewers might not have expected, and they are not necessarily new characters. Both Daario Naharis and Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane were recast for this season. Daario Naharis, the sellsword that is helping Daenerys build her army in Essos, is now being played by Michiel Huisman, after replacing season three’s Ed Skrein.

In contrast, this will be “The Mountain’s” third recasting.

The part was first played by Conan Stevens in season one before he was replaced by Ian Whyte in season two. In this season, the part will be played

by Haf þór “Thor” Björnsson, a very fitting choice to play the supposedly biggest man in Westeros. We are sure to see a

lot of his character in this season, more than we have in the past, as he will play an important role in coming events.

Season four began with an excellent first episode and is looking up to be a great run, jam—packed with excitement, but that is nothing less than expected from the Game of Thrones series. There are so many different characters in this season that it is a wonder that all of their stories will be covered. So far, the series has managed to do it without making each hour-long episode seem cramped or rushed.

For those who have not read the books, rest assured that this season will be everything you have come to hope for in Game of Thrones: there will be character development, there will be power struggle, there will be dragons, but most of all, there will be death.

After all, “when you play the game of thrones, you win or you die.”

The Talon April 29, 2014

Beats by Barreira

Ambience brings fine dining to quaint town JOHN NAUMOVSKI Senior Writer

By Alex Barreira

Fleet Foxes’ “Helplessness Blues”

With their third album expected to release this year, it is worth looking back to the Fleet Foxes’ last album, their 2010 masterpiece “Helplessness Blues.” The sound of the Fleet Foxes originated in the 60’s with Vietnam-era protest songs and psychedelic folk, but like fellow indie-rockers Neutral Milk Hotel, they utilized obscure instruments, beautiful lyrics, and incredible attention to detail to create something greater. With their addition of vocal harmonies reminiscent of the Beach Boys and the typically excellent production, they rival the modern-day likes of Grizzly Bear as masters of digestible, dreamy pop.

Lyrically, frontman Robin Pecknold displays his mastery of the storyteller’s voice. At times he acts as a “wide-eyed walker,” others as a disillusioned adventurer of conflicts which, for this album’s purposes, take on a magical quality; the only referenced place, Innisfree, comes from the idealized pond of a W.B. Yeats poem. Pecknold employs symbols abound. Orchards, sunlight, the ocean and the beautiful imagery give the distinct feeling of woodsy nature and all its wonder. Themes of love, personal debt and ambition are explored in poetic yet earnest terms; a man ponders the night sky and his mortality, while another imagines love as working in an orchard where his love runs the adjacent store. Like most great albums, these themes are explored without being exploited, and the lyrics, though at times cryptic, come to life through small details (a fountain visit at dawn, a collie petted, initials carved into bark) that give the album a world of its own.

Another notable characteristic of “Helplessness Blues” is its odd, complex song structures, atypical to the straightforwardness of the folk genre. While at first strange to navigate for their lack of instant melody, they quickly grow to encompass the warmth and character that were intended.

Upon the next listen, the opening track “Montezuma” has sunshiney opening chords and deep background—bellows work with the lyrics to foreshadow the rest of the album’s lyrical and instrumental qualities. Other songs, such as the epic title track, start as one amazing song and finish as a completely different, even better one. The same can be said of the split tracks, “The Plains/Bitter Dancer” and “The Shrine/An Argument,” the latter of which is at different points meditative, violent and absurd.

I invite you to take a trip with me to Innisfree, wander through the Cascades and swim in the grown ocean. With their arrival of their third album (hopefully soon), there may soon be another dream world to explore.

Shortly after Chef Morgan Song opened Ambience, a French fine dining restaurant, on State street in September of last year, he found himself outside, cleaning the windows, when he overheard a passerby say, “Fine dining? That place will be closed by December.” It was currently September, and assuming the passersby’s prophecy were true, Ambience had only a few short months remaining.

But what this random passerby did not acknowledge was Song’s creativity, drive and experience, as well as fine dining’s potential to make inroads in downtown Los Altos.

With over thirty years of experience, Song, and his wife and general manager, Unni Song, are by no means new to the restaurant business.

For twenty-five years, Song and his wife ran the Rodin restaurant in San Francisco, a French restaurant with a six course prix-fixe menu. At first, business was slow; after a shining review in the Examiner, the Songs’ new restaurant rapidly gained acclaim. “[The reporter] said it was the best meal she’d had in a year, that it was a dream,” Mrs. Song said.

“After that, people kept calling and calling, and eventually, we ended up as the Zagat #5 rated restaurant in the Bay Area.”

After closing the Rodin, the Songs moved to Sacramento, and opened Ambience in 2005. How-

ever, due to slow business as a result of the recovering economy, they made the move to Los Altos and kept the name Ambience.

Aside from some difficulty finding employees, the Songs have fully settled into their new location.

“We like this town, and the location is great,” Song said.

As the only fine dining restaurant in Los Altos, Ambience has received a notable amount of attention from many demographics, but primarily from a younger, professional clientele.

“Most of our customers are in their 30s or 40s,” Mrs. Song said.

“Some of them are from high tech, maybe Google or Facebook, and sometimes bring their children to experience fine dining.”

As for the food, the Songs have stayed faithful to the tasting menu platform they first used at the Rodin. But instead of the six courses Song offered at the Rodin, Ambience’s fixed menu now provides ten distinctive courses. Among these are a variety of classical and contemporary courses, all creatively and intricately presented. However, Song often includes additional, ‘off-the-menu’ courses, bumping the total course count to fourteen or fifteen.

With dinner seating starting at a price of $145 and optional wine pairing for an additional $85, Ambience is not inexpensive.

Song prides himself on providing customers with the best ingredients possible.

PHOTOS BY BRANDON HONG

Chefs at Ambience prepare fine French cuisine. Head chef Morgan Song prides himself in using the finest and freshest ingredients available to create each unique dish.

“We differentiate ourselves through our ingredients,” Song said. “We try to get unique, locally sourced, and extremely highquality ingredients.”

While the menu includes fine dining mainstays such as Chilean sea bass, Kobe beef or Maine Lobster, Song also includes more atypical proteins, most notably, wild boar and venison tenderloins.

“Wild game is my specialty,” Song said. “It is a little more unusual.”

With Ambience successfully established, the Songs are now looking to expand. Beyond talk of

additional courses, a less formal lunch menu is in development.

“We are very focused on our food,” Song said. “But also, we’ll hopefully be able to train new, young chefs. That is my dream.”

But a lunch menu and training new chefs pales in comparison to Song’s goal of attaining a Michelin star, the most coveted distinction in the culinary world that only a select few restaurants ever attain.

“We’re trying for a Michelin Star by 2015,” Mrs. Song said.

“Very few restaurants ever do, but the Chef likes a good challenge.”

“Noah” is an art exhibit, not a sermon JORDAN STOUT SAM LISBONNE Senior Writers

Hollywood rarely shies away from the challenge of exploring the controversial areas of society. Movies about politics, sex and murder are the standard, not the exception. However, religion has always been somewhat of a taboo topic. When telling a religious story, the director’s decisions inevitably attack or defend people’s inherent beliefs, and every decision brings controversy. Mel Gibson’s controversial 2004 film about Jesus’ last moments, The Passion of the Christ, exemplifies this tension— many found the film insulting and distorted, claiming that violence obscured the message, while others saw only the artistic masterpiece which earned three Oscar nominations.

Rarely do other issues explored in the movie industry draw such mixed reviews and polarized views.

Religion presents a complicated context within which to evaluate the recent film, “Noah,” which tells the story of Noah’s Ark. Religious undertones are hard to find and interpretations are left to the viewer because the movie

explores this classic narrative as a story, not as a sermon or a religious message.

As with any story modified for the silver screen, director Darren Aronofsky has taken artistic liberties to increase the film’s visual and dramatic appeal.

This includes added subplots, dramatizations and exaggerations which were not in the source material—in this case, The Bible.

One example of this blatant modification is the representation of God in the movie. “Noah” avoids appealing to religious views by not showing God as a man sitting atop a cloud, and does not insult viewers of faith by leaving out God. Instead, Aronofsky’s God is expressed as a force with no material presence, manifested in the forms of music and images. This example of “toeing the line” between opposing viewpoints makes Noah an approachable movie for people of all backgrounds.

Being too conservative regarding creative liberties, however, can backfire with substantial repercussions.

Critics largely agreed that the recent film “The Son of God,” a retelling of the life of Jesus Christ, avoided provocation but simultaneously evaded any

real sense of drama. Renowned movie critic J.R. Jones wrote in his review on the Chicago Reader, “[‘The Son of God’] never risks the sort of individual perspective necessary to bring the story to life onscreen, for good or ill.” In evading controversy, “The Son of God” fails as an entertainment production.

All the more remarkable, then, that “Noah” establishes a carefully balanced precedent that could allow future interpretations of biblical stories to be told without suffering from public backlash—and remaining an engaging movie. Telling the story while respecting the source, and those who live by it, is a product of maintaining the

tale’s integrity without preaching or introducing an obvious commentary or agenda. Religious and secular viewers alike can enjoy a film like “Noah” because it has only one expressed purpose: to tell an entertaining story.

If Hollywood wants to continue adapting Bible stories or other religious narratives, then the middle ground achieved by “Noah” must be a benchmark for future productions.

Hopefully, through careful approach and unbiased storytelling, Hollywood can bring to life the quintessential stories of the Bible with the charm we have come to expect from the big screens.

NEW REGENCY ENTERPRISES

“Noah” is a shining example of appropriately addressing the taboo topic of religion in the entertainment world. The movie’s artistic elegance keeps the viewer visually engaged.

The Talon April 29, 2014

Voyageur du Temps: tasty pastries and fat prices EMILY SIMS CASSIDY CRAFORD Social Media Editor Senior Writer

Voyageur du Temps

Bakery

288 1st Street Los Altos, CA

★★★☆☆

PHOTOS BY IAN MACKEY AND COURTESY VOYAGEUR DU TEMPS

Voyaguer du Temps is a high-end artisanal bakery nestled in Los Altos. The bakery serves store-made bread, pastries and desserts as well as freshly brewed coffee and lunch items. Bakers make treats throughout the day in an open kitchen for customers to see.

In what seems to be a season of new stores and restaurants opening in downtown Los Altos, the French bakery, Voyageur du Temps, has made its debut. Voyageur du Temps focuses on ambience and high end, freshly­—made food. Although the variety of pastries, coffee and small meals are delicious, drawbacks at Voyageur arise when factoring in the outrageous price and small portion size of menu items.

Voyageur du Temps specialties are their house-made pastries, including almond croissants, bacon epis, chocolat framboise cubes, pear danishes and bread puddings.

All of the pastries are both flavorful and traditional, but prices hover around $5 a piece. A classic, the French butter croissant, has the perfect amount of crunchiness-toflakiness-to-butteriness ratio, but it costs $4.50. Judging by the small size of these pastries, prices above $4 seem outrageous.

While the pastries at Voyageur du Temps are overpriced, the ambiance of the bakery is a plus, invoking a sophisticated, fun and modern atmosphere. Fresh flower arrangements grace almost every table, and the sleek black and white color palette of the bakery adds to its hip vibe. Workers are visible baking pastries and bread through a plexiglass wall near the entrance

and in the exposed, open kitchen.

In short, Voyageur du Temps uses its space well. Customers can sit at small tables or eat at a counter overlooking Foothill Expressway, which is surprisingly serene.

Voyageur du Temps’ ambiance complements the ambiance of downtown Los Altos and would make it the ideal place to enjoy a coffee and pastry, if not for the petite size and low quality of drinks.

Similar to its pastries, Voyageur du Temps’ drinks are small and overpriced. A coffee and a pastry could easily amount to $10, compared to $6 at Starbucks or Peets Coffee and Tea. Furthermore, the quality of the coffee does not outweigh the price tag. Lattes, mochas and simple cups of coffee prove unimpressive with limited amounts of foam and subpar flavors.

Small serving sizes and high prices are also concerns when ordering larger meal items. Lunch based entrees include small sandwiches that are pre-made, a subpar quinoa bowl, an acai breakfast bowl that is barely a single serving and a small plate of French toast. Although meals are delicious, their portions are too small to share nothing out of the ordinary.

Another aspect of Voyageur du Temps that comes into play, especially on weekend mornings, is the long line and slow service. There is nothing more frustrating than waiting 20 minutes in line for a coffee and pastry, only to be cheated out of size and price. If customers can excuse outrageous prices and settle for smaller portion sizes, Voyageur du Temps provides tasty options and hip ambiance. But, when factoring in these concerns, Voyageur du Temps pales in comparison to other local options as a routine bakery and café.

Snozen brings unique twist to ice cream DANIEL ROSENBAUM Staff Writer

Snozen Shaved Snow and Dessert Cafe

Frozen Desserts

2101 Showers Drive Mountain View, CA

★★★★☆ Even in the Bay Area, we can still have some snow. Shaved snow, that is.

Snozen Shaved Snow and Dessert Cafe located on 2101 Showers Drive in Mountain View offers this new indulgence by combining both ice cream and shaved ice methods to create a texture and flavor as unique as the snowflakes they are comprised of.

Shaved snow originated in Taiwan, and it has evolved into a fusion of Hawaiian and Asian f lavors. This cold treat has swept California. After being popular in southern California, the owners of Snozen brought the idea of the shaved snow to northern California. They currently plan on opening two more stores, both in San Jose, by the end of this year.

Snozen offers a variety of different f lavors of frozen snow from the basic vanilla and chocolate to more exotic such as black sesame, pandan coconut and matcha green tea. From

there, customers have many more options when it comes to choosing topping and sauces –or drizzles– that they can add to make their personalized desserts. The toppings range from brownie pieces to fresh fruit; there are various f lavored sauces as well. Snozen is known for its condensed milk sauce, which is widely recommended on popular sites like Facebook and Yelp. Along with a handy create-your-own option, there is a list of recommended f lavors for the less adventurous.

Snozen is family­- owned and operated, and the snow is made in-house. The owners make cylindrical blocks of different snow f lavors which are then frozen. When a f lavor is ordered, the block is taken out and machine-sliced into very thin shavings. This process allows the dessert to attain a lighter and airier consistency that lacks the wholeness of ice cream.

This interesting new type of frozen treat awaits, but only if you can find the shop. Snozen is very secluded in a residential development and offers limited street parking on the corner of Showers Drive and Pacchetti Way. Once inside, there is a very hospitable feel to the store, though it can get cramped during busier hours.

The customer service is very

friendly; the employees answered questions about the store, the process of creating the dessert and f lavor recommendations. While paying $4.50 for a small-sized snow (two toppings and a sauce included) is slightly expensive, portions are large. Besides frozen snow, the store also serves Hawaiian shaved ice and generic ice cream.

Snozen is leading the snowball effect that is taking over our dessert options one serving of frozen snow at a time.

PHOTOS BY PARMIS TAIDY

Snozen Shaved Snow and Dessert Cafe brings a Taiwanese dessert to the Bay Area. The store offers a variety of shaved snow flavors that are made in-house with many toppings and drizzles.

The Talon April 29, 2014

Get daily updates on Eagle athletics and read the sports archives at lahstalon.org/sports

Baseball looks beyond its early struggles JOHNNY SCHER Staff Writer

The Los Altos Varsity baseball team is rounding second base of their season, and surely they’re not looking back.

With a roster composed of nine seniors, their expectations going into the season were to improve upon last year’s league record of eight wins and eight losses. Currently sitting in second to last place in their division with a league record of three wins and seven losses, the team has not played up to their potential this season.

One of the factors contributing towards their lackluster record this season is their lack of offense. So far, the team has been in somewhat of an overall slump when it comes to hitting and get-

Sophomore pitcher Brennan Myers prepares to throw the ball. The Eagle pitching staff has been a huge asset to the team this year.

ting players on base. As a team, they get an average of five hits per game, which is very low, especially for a high school baseball team.

With a low number of hits, a team shouldn’t expect many runs. The baseball team so far hasn’t scored above seven runs in a single game.

Their seven-run game, however, didn’t come until last week when they faced Mountain View in a thrilling walk off win at home that went into extra innings.

For the Los Altos Eagles, the key to start winning more games is to get more hits. With more hits, more runs will come, and with more runs the team should be seeing themselves with a better record this next half of the season. However, that is easier said than done. They currently play in the De Anza league, the better league out of the two leagues that Los Altos is eligible to play in.

“The offense struggled scoring runs at the beginning of the year, but we’ve started to play offense as a team more and the results have been solid,” junior Patrick McColl said.

Although their offense has been shaky this season, their pitching has been solid from day one.

The starting rotation, which is composed of sophomore Trevor Rogers and senior James Olsen, has pitched fairly decently this far into the stretch of the season.

“Our pitching has been consistent and hard to hit all year,” sophomore reliever Brennan Myers said. “Every once and a while we have a rough inning, but our

upcoming events

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

• Boys Tennis SCVAL Championships • Badminton vs. Santa Clara » 3:30 p.m.

• Lacrosse vs. Gunn » 7:00 p.m.

PHOTOS BY IAN MACKEY

Junior Noah Tsao is congratulated by his teammates after his clutch hit. His hit helped the team to beat Mountain View in extra innings. ability to bounce back from the one bad inning has been our recent key to success.”

Although the consistency and reliability of the pitching squad has been beneficial to the team thus far, the team still has a record that does not reflect on how well the pitching has been for Los Altos this season.

Even with a slow start, the baseball team has a positive mindset as they head into the next half of their season. Varsity baseball head coach Donnie Ecker points out how important the mental aspect of baseball is by trying to maintain a positive attitude and team chemistry. He is optimistic they will turn things around to rebound with more drive and competitiveness.

“The poor league start mainly attributes to the fact that we strug-

gled early playing in our system together,” said Patrick. “I don’t think we need to do a lot to start winning games. We just need to stay calm and really go have fun together playing baseball.”

The Eagles have gone through struggles this season, but are maintaining a positive attitude.

They are confident that they have the skills and abilities to compete for their ultimate goal, a CCS championship title.

“Our goal for the rest of this season is just to focus on playing well in the games we have left, because once playoffs start, nothing that happened during the season matters anymore, so as long as we make CCS playoffs, we’re in the position we need to be in,” Patrick said.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 • Boys Tennis SCVAL Championships • Baseball vs. Wilcox » 4:00 p.m.

• Softball vs. Homestead » 4:00 p.m.

• Gymnastics Meet » 5:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 1 • Badminton vs.

Homestead » 3:30 p.m.

• Lacrosse vs. Woodside » 4:00 p.m.

• Track and Field @ Mt. View » 3:15 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 2 • Swimming vs. Monta Vista » 3:30 p.m.

• Baseball vs. Wilcox » 4:00 p.m.

• Softball vs. Santa Clara » 4:00 p.m.

• Boys Volleyball vs. Santa Clara » 6:45 p.m.

Boys volleyball struggles to find momentum, maintains positive outlook KEVIN YEN Staff Writer

For over 50 years, there had not been a boys volleyball team at LAHS. That is, until a group of volleyball enthusiasts raised the necessary $10,000 last year to start one.

Many of these founding players were seniors, and with them gone, the boys volleyball team is depending on a small group of club players: sophomores David Stein and Nathan Smith and freshmen Darion Jusuf and Duncan Drewry, not only to play, but to also help others improve.

Compared to last year’s team, many of the current athletes on the boys volleyball team lack experience in competing. However, boys varsity volleyball head coach Shanelle Cotton finds the positive side to this situation.

“It shows that the sport is growing here at Los Altos, which

is encouraging,” Cotton said.

“Although we are a young team this year, it does allow us to prepare and build our athletes from the ground up.”

The boys volleyball team was founded in 2012-2013. Despite being recognized as a school sport, the boy’s volleyball team does not have a practice time slot in the afternoon like most other sports. Instead, players have to wake up at six in the morning in order to run through drills and conditioning exercises.

“We have a team that is dedicated and...has a tremendous passion for their team and the sport.” Cotton said.

So far into the season, the success of the team has been minimal, with a current league score of 0-4. Despite the setback, co-captain sophomore Nathan Smith expresses optimism about

the rest of the season, which spans another three matches.

“We have made it a team goal to win the league championships, which I believe is completely doable,” Nathan said.

“Also, we have an unofficial goal to improve as much as possible so that the boys volleyball program continues to achieve success as it matures.”

During the team’s pre-season matches, it was particularly necessary for the players to familiarize themselves with each other and the game, since many of them were newcomers to the sport. Although there is still much more practice to be done, positive results have already begun streaming in.

“The team has improved a lot since the first practice,” Stein said. “Players are trying harder and performing to their newly achieved maximums.”

IAN MACKEY

Senior Alec Aaron hits the ball during practice. With their losing record the volleyball team focuses on teamwork during a rebuilding year.

SOARING EAGLE

AJ GURALAS

►►

Grade: Junior Sport: Lacrosse Position: Attacker Experience: 9 years Club Team: Cali-Lax Favorite Movie: Lone Survivor

AJ Guralas previously held the record of goals (65) and assists (20) in a single season. However, he has broken those records this year with five games still left to play. This season, he already has 70 goals and 35 assists, totaling 105 points. Outside of high school, he has travelled to Canada for tounaments on his club team. He leads the offensive attack for the lacrosse team and hopes for the team to go far in playoffs and CCS. Off the field, he spends his time hanging out with his friends. AJ continues to soar this season.

TALON FILE PHOTO

AJ’s Season Stats Game vs. Carlmont vs. Saratoga Season

G 11 9 70

A Pts. 4 15 4 13 35 105

The Talon April 29, 2014

Swim teams stay optimistic in tough league CASEY PAO

Features Editor

Armed with high hopes and ambitious goals, the swimming team started their season strong.

They have no plans to slow down as they continue to compete in the upper De Anza division after moving up last year.

“Although we haven’t won any dual meets yet, our team is performing at a very high level,” sophomore Albert Gwo said.

The team has already competed at multiple meets with a league record of 0-4. They continue to prepare for the rest of the season with practices every day. The boys team often practices at 6:30 in the morning on Wednesdays as well, adding onto their already full practice schedule. Practices vary in length depending on whether the team completes fast, short workouts meant for speed or endurance workouts to build stamina.

“People are just more motivated,” co-captain senior Samantha Le said. “We have to really prove ourselves and I think everyone gets that.”

There will one more meet before the league meet and CCS meet.

Throughout these meets, the underclassmen as whole, alongside the veterans of the team, have been proving themselves to be extremely valuable members.

“Fast freshmen are always an asset,” co-captain senior Jenna Gavenman said. “They boost our relays [and] give us extra points.

IAN MACKEY

Junior Karl Fisse practices his freestyle stroke. The swim team has continued to improve despite being in the competitive upper league.

They definitely will help us make a stand in our league.”

Freshman Hana Brett is one of these freshmen; she is noted to be one of the fastest on the team as well as having qualified at the USA Swimming Winter Junior Nationals along with sophomore Albert Gwo earlier this year.

“I hope this season...I can help bring my team to CCS in relays and individual events,” Hana said. “I know my team aspires to qualify in CCS, which we so far have in some of our relays, and place higher than we did last year at CCS.” Albert also has high hopes for the season; he noted that even though the season may be dif-

Los Altos football players selected for all-star game

ficult, he is excited to see how meets like the League Championships and CCS turn out.

“It’s definitely tough and a completely different experience being in the upper division and having to race many of the best swimmers in the nation that are also your teammates outside of school,” Albert said. “I’m training hard for my AllAmerican cuts in the 50 free 100 free and 100 fly, as well as working towards my goal of winning CCS in the 50 and 100 yard freestyles.”

Despite these individual goals, the swimmers are still looking to improve even more as a team.

“So far, I’ve been noticing a great improvement in swimmers

Sprint For Sports demonstrates issues with athletic financing SAM LISBONNE JORDAN STOUT Senior Writers

IAN MACKEY

Head coach Trevor Pruitt directs a practice during the season. He will be coaching the North squad in the upcoming all-star game.

JOEY MALGESINI Senior Writer

As it turns out, football season is not quite over. The best of the best have one more opportunity to compete. On July 23, the 40th Annual Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Football Game, the Silicon Valley Youth Classic, will take place. The game is organized by the Rotary Club of Almaden Valley.

The game is named after Charlie Wedemeyer, a Los Gatos coach who passed away several years ago due to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

The money raised by the game will go to foundations seeking to cure ALS. Each head coach from the Santa Clara County High Schools was asked to nominate several seniors from their respective teams. This area includes about 50 schools ranging from Gunn High School to Gilroy High School. This area is divided into two sets of teams: North and South.

The North will be coached by Los Altos’ own head varsity football head coach, Trevor Pruitt, while the South will be coached by Christopher High School’s Tim Pierleoni. Both coaches hand selected their rosters from the coach nominations, trying to pick at least one player from each school.

“It is a huge honor to be coaching the North squad in the game,” Pruitt said. “It was an amazing year this season and it is a tribute to all of the players who worked so hard every day in practice to help make our season so successful at Los Altos. Personally, it has been a long journey getting to where I am at and I am very thankful to have the opportunity to coach in the game and at Los Altos.”

The four Los Altos senior players who will be competing for the North this year are quarterback Lambie Lanman, wide receiver Victor Ruiz, defensive lineman Ofisa Pati and left back Josh Williams. It will be one last chance for these Los Altos seniors to represent their area and their coach.

“I am very honored and humbled to receive this award and to be able to compete for coach Pruitt one last time,” Lanman said.

These Los Altos players will join, several famous NFL players including Jeff Garcia, Pat Tillman and Jared Allen who have participated in this game.

The game will be played on July 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the San Jose City College.

that attend practice regularly, In addition, the boys team is which is something that our working on improving team spircoach, Seth Tasman, has been it as well. aiming for us to do,” captain ju“Spirit can come easily once my nior Sean Nguyen said. teammates have more confidence Other than these basic improve- in themselves in swimming,” Sean ments, there is not a particular said. “Speed and motivation for the set goal. According to Jenna, both most part go hand in hand. For exteams just hope to prove that they ample, when a teammate gets a best belong in the faster division. time, or pushes hard during prac“Our relays look to outperform tice, I always do my best to comother teams but other than that, mend them for their effort, which we just want to score enough I would like for other teammates points at each dual meet to show to do as well. This would build a that we belong, whether we win or positive attitude in the swim group, lose,” Jenna said. and encourage teammates to keep The team is not only focused becoming faster.” on improving competitively, but The underclassmen find this to are also working on becoming be particularly helpful when adcloser as a whole. The five cap- justing to their roles in the team tains of the girls team agreed that and performing during the meets. a huge goal this season is to build “Since over half of the varsity a more supportive and team-cen- team are seniors, it is important tric atmosphere through leading that the lower classmen get to by example. Besides Jenna and know their teammates,” Hana said.

Samantha, the other co-captains “This takes some of the pressure are seniors Amanda off and allows us to Choy, Paige Casas and have more fun durCasey Vanneman. ing meets.”

“We cheer more, we People are just With team spirit have more pasta feeds,” more motiand motivation at Jenna said. “I think it’s an all-time high, vated. We have really important to have the swimming that camaraderie be- to really prove teams are on the cause if you feel like you ourselves and I path to success. have a team of people think everyone “I’m very excited behind you cheering you gets that. to see how our on, swimming becomes team competes — Senior Samantha Le more about working toat League Chamgether. I firmly believe pionships and that with more support from each C C S ,” Albert said. “I know we other, our team will perform much will have very successful swims better this year.” at both meets.”

The issue of athletic funding is often complicated, messy and imperfectly implemented, particularly within a public high school context. Club sports outside of school simply present an initial fee, or charge participants for tournaments. But school sponsored sports programs are unable to charge mandatory fees in a similar manner. Our school has elected to implement a fundraising campaign, Sprint for Sports, which demonstrates the necessity for a broad discussion about how to cover costs for LAHS sports.

Assistant Principal Cristy Dawson created the Sprint for Sports walkathon program in 2012 to prompt student contributions to the athletic fund, aiming to make up for athletic expenses. The suggested donation per athlete has been $100, and thus far, the system has effectively raised the necessary funds, albeit earning innumerable student gripes in the process.

The primary issue is how Sprint for Sports allocates its funding.

Because of coaching, tournament costs, the number of games and other factors, some sports cost more per athlete than others. The typical method of raising money— mandatory “participation fees” involved in all sports—remains within the sport. Sprint for Sports, however, allocates resources collected by all athletes and donates them to the most needy programs.

While good-natured, this decision means that athletes involved

in less costly sports pay for the costs of other, more costly sports. In 20122013, Field Hockey hosted tournaments and raised enough funds to cover their own tournament fees, but they still raised $1,415 for Sprint for Sports. These donations likely went to programs like Wrestling, which in 2012-2013 cost the school $1,985 but contributed only $437 to Sprint for Sports. Is it fair for one group of students to pay for the expenses of another?

This problem does not necessarily warrant a change in the system, but rather it shows the need for a discussion about contributions of each sport relative to its expenses.

This issue is compounded by an unfortunate lack of transparency with regards to where the donations are going. Students are less inclined to contribute to some vague fund when the tangible applications of their money are near impossible to locate.

Sprint for Sports does, however, present several valuable benefits.

First of all, the existing system alleviates any stresses on families who cannot afford the suggested $100 contribution because that donation is optional. Second, the results speak volumes; in the past two years, Sprint for Sports has covered all costs for athletics. It is difficult to propose revisions when the existing framework completes its task.

Sprint for Sports deserves credit for showing its ability to be an effective solution to the problem of sports funding, but it can be better. Financing athletics may be complicated, but with Dawson retiring and future of Sprint for Sports uncertain, we must have a discussion about how to ameliorate current flaws while retaining socioeconomic flexibility and financial effectiveness. We should actively explore the many options available should Sprint for Sports leave with Dawson, so that our athletes and coaches alike can focus on what matters most—excelling at their respective sports.

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The Talon April 29, 2014

Spring sports in full swing COMPILED BY EMILY SIMS, CHASE ELLER, JOEY MALGESINI Social Media Editor, Senior Writers

TRACK AND FIELD

PHOTOS BY IAN MACKEY

Above, junior Brian Yeager participates in the high jump event. Middle, freshman Audrey Jones takes a cut. Top right, junior Ovidiu Fritsch serves the ball. Bottom right, freshman Chiara Cerruti practices on the bars.

BADMINTON

The badminton team has had a very successful season so far, with a current record of 4-0.

They have beaten Mountain View, Fremont, Santa Clara and Homestead high schools.

“We want to maintain this record and make it back up to the upper division, where we were last year,” captain senior Alina Chen said. “We’re working hard on training JV because we have a lot of seniors leaving this year.”

The team is working on getting its new players accustomed to the game. They are working on using strategies in matches as opposed to hitting the shuttlecock randomly to the opposing side of the net.

“I’m feeling pretty confident about this season,” Alina said.

“Looking at other school’s records, there are only a couple of teams that we’re going to have a tight competition with, but we’re training and practicing a lot, so I think we’ll be fine.”

TENNIS

Due to a lack of participants and injuries plaguing all sections of the Los Altos Track and Field team, the Eagles are currently trying to bounce back from a tough start and finish the season strong.

The varsity boys are 2-3 in meets, varsity girls are 0-3, Frosh/Soph boys are 1-3 and JV girls are 0-3.

On Wednesday, April 23, both divisions of the boys teams were able to defeat previously undefeated Gunn. The girls turned in a strong performance, but the team has so few participants it is hard for them to score enough points for a victory.

Injuries on the team hampered their performance as one of the top runners, sophomore Amanda Mell, was not able to compete.

Currently, senior Kelly McConnell is ranked as the fourth best 400 meter hurdle runner in all of California.

The Eagles’ league record is currently 7-4 after a 6-1 win over Gunn Los Altos started off the season with a 3-0 streak, but slowed down afterwards, losing two consecutive matches to Monta Vista, which ended 4-3 respectively. After the Monta Vista matches, the Eagles progressed and were able to notch off big team wins until facing Saratoga.

Saratoga handed the Eagles its only other two losses of the season. In between the matches against the Saratoga Falcons, Los Altos was able to defeat Lynbrook and Cupertino. After their last loss to Saratoga, the Eagles came back strong and defeated Gunn in a dominating fashion.

The Eagles look to continue their solid play as they take on both Palo Alto and Lynbrook in upcoming matches.

GYMNASTICS

Gymnastics had its first league meet on Friday, April 18. Varsity placed first, while JV placed second. Sophomore Sarah Callan finished third overall and freshman Sam Aguirre finished second overall for varsity.

The team has only three league meets before league playoffs and CCS and needs to keep up a solid team score in order to qualify for CCS. “As a team we really want to

SOFTBALL

The Los Altos softball team’s league score is currently 11-7. Playing in the De Anza league for the second year, the team has high hopes for the season.

“Our goal was to not only make it to CCS, but to take the league title even though it was projected for us to take second, behind Wilcox,” captain senior Amanda Jones said. “We ended up winning our first game against Wilcox, and that shut up a lot of people who doubted our team. We still have many league games to go, but I am confident we will take leagues.”

This year, the team is working on their “timely hit.” Often, the team will get runners on base in a scoring position, but will not be able to deliver with the “timely hit” and get the runs in.

This has resulted in the loss of many 1-run games.

“I have great faith that we will take first in league, but no matter what happens in league, our goal is to take CCS,” Amanda said. “For the last three years, we have made first, second, and third round respectively, so this year is our year to take it all.”

just do well in CCS,” sophomore Sarah Callan said. “I want to get a lot of my old skills back so that I can really compete with them.”

Sarah and Sam are both going through their first years on the Los Altos team. They have already proven themselves extremely capable as a strong foundation for the team in years to come.

Gymnastics competes in its fourth league meet on Wednesday, April 30.

For more updates about spring sports, visit

lahstalon.org/sports

ATHLETES: OFF THE FIELD

the athlete

My life would not be complete without...

Kaitlyn Schiffhauer

coffee

Hashtag that describes me

#nerdswag

junior: softball

Alex Lee

sports

senior: badminton

Lauren Jacob

CHOCOLATE MILK!

sophomore: track and cross country

Romy Aboudarham junior: water polo and diving

my cat and taquitos

#startedfrom thebottom

#no

#throwback thursday

First thing I do when I get home use the bathroom

eat a sandwich

walk through the door

pet my cat

Most or least expensive shoes ever bought

The weekend should be used for . . .

$3 flip-flops from Walgreens

anything but the schoolwork I always do

$100 for running shoes

catching up on sleep

my running shoes

relaxation (or basically not track)

Crocs

watching as many hours of Netflix as you can

CAT: ROMY ABOURDARHAM, COFFEE: PIXABAY, CROCS: TWICEPIX/FLICKR

Literally―he grew 8.5 inches his junior year.

“My childhood years were my golden years.”

REBECCA DESHETLER

He bought them once and uses their one-year warranty every 11 months to get a new pair.