The Talon | Issue 8 | May 23, 2017 The Talon

Los Altos High School, Los Altos, CA ■ May 23, 2017 ■ Volume XXXII, Issue 8

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lahstalon.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

DANNY VESURAI

Sophomore Peter Coe swivels on a pommel horse.

COURTESY DAVID BOZINOV

ROBOTICS TAKES NATIONALS

Learn more about Los Altos Robotics and stay up to date with school news. News, 2

Asian-American academic culture Read In-Depth editor Miranda Li’s dynamic views of her mother as a result of academic pressure. Opinions, 4

The case against school spirit Web editor Spencer Dembner questions the necessity of conventional school spirit.

Opinions, 4

The slam scene at Los Altos

Read about two Los Altos poets, their inspirations and their journeys to success.

Features, 5

New associate superintendent

Throughout her life, Margarita Navarro has helped others overcome adversity.

She aims to assess the MVLA district’s shortcomings and apply her 20 years of experience to its betterment.

Features, 5

Analyzing the extremes of political television

A look into how audiences’ need for drama leads to increasingly ridiculous depictions of politics -- and how the trend can be reversed.

Arts & Culture, 9

COURTESY LOS ALTOS COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS

The development, which some residents believe will increase community interest in the downtown area, proposes a multi-story office building constructed adjacent to a public plaza.

Downtown proposal gains traction CAMERON AVERY ANISHA DESAI Business Manager Senior Writer

On Thursday, May 4, dozens of green-clad Los Altos residents packed City Hall to voice their support for First Street Green at a Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) study session. The proposed development, brainchild of property developer Los Altos Community Investments (LACI), consists of a multi-story office building neighbored by a public plaza on a section of First Street across from Safeway.

LACI hopes the plaza will spur more community and familyoriented events such as concerts, festivals and farmers’ markets.

The proposal consists of a 77,300 square foot office building which LACI plans to lease to various firms and an adjacent 13,000 square foot grass plaza. While the project encompasses both the office building

and park, each development has its own separate proposal and must be approved independently.

The entire project will replace a row of LACI-owned businesses: Los Altos Mail Office, Momentum Cycling Studio, Bumble Restaurant, Area 151 Arcade, and Los Altos Vault and Safe Deposit.

LACI Principal and Founder Anne Wojcicki will fund the project entirely. Her motivations behind the development are purely philanthropic, according to LACI representative Janos Libor. “[Wojcicki] likes to spend her free time in Los Altos and brings her children here,” Libor said.

“The mission of LACI is to maintain Los Altos’ vibrancy and its village charm. [Wojcicki] wants to give back to the community, and this is one way to do it.”

Because the development will displace 67 parking spaces, current plans detail a multi-story underground parking structure which would replace the existing spaces

and provide an additional 40 public parking spaces on the first level. The remaining levels would be reserved for tenants of the office building.

LACI hopes to gain special approval for a three-story office building, which is not currently allowed under the zoning code. In order to gain potential exemptions, developers must integrate “public benefits,” which are project features that add value to residents. Under the threestory plan, LACI will grant 7,400 square feet of its office land to the public plaza. However, if LACI is unable to obtain the exemption, they will build a two-story office building instead, reducing the amount of public space for the plaza.

Residents’ opinions of the project have been overwhelmingly positive.

In emails to the PTC made available for public access and in citizen remarks delivered at the meeting itself, support for the project dwarfed opposition for it.

“Downtown”

continues on page 2

Inside MVLA’s championship debate team

Tumbling their way to the top HALEY ECKER DANNY VESURAI Staff Writers

For three hours, six days a week, sophomore Peter Coe and junior Philip Carey stretch, strengthen, flip, twist and spin on different apparatuses. For years, they’ve trained in the unconventional sport of men’s gymnastics.

Despite being overshadowed by famous female gymnasts — few male gymnasts have reached the celebrity of Simone Biles — male gymnasts undergo grueling training for similarly stunning athletic feats. Both Peter and Philip have won regional and state level events, and their years of training have resulted in an astonishing level of athleticism. Although physically and mentally taxing, the two say they love the challenge of the sport for its payoff.

“Every time my hands rip, they feel like they’re burning,” Philip said. “But I got used to the idea that [training] may require some amount of physical pain. In the end, the self-satisfaction of being able to move forward and improve is worth it.”

Through rigorous and repetitive practices, Peter and Philip alternate between conditioning exercises and independent warm ups. Because Peter and Philip are more advanced than their lower level teammates, they can train individually, helping each other out as needed.

“Tumbling”

Behind the camera

continues on page 11

Learn about the masterminds behind the upcoming film festival and their artistic processes. Arts & Culture, 10

UPCOMING EVENTS

ING: CHEAaTnd re-

May 23

Spring Sports Awards

rules s at alitie os lt los a th, 6

May 24

Senior Awards May 25

In-Dep

LAHS Film Festival May 26

CCS Track and Field Finals May 27

Main Street Singers Final Concert June 1

Senior Picnic June 2

Class of 2017 Graduation News Editorial Opinions

2 3 4

Features 5, 8 In-Depth 6 Arts & Culture 9 Sports 11

COURTESY SHANNON BONET

EMILY AOKI

Editor-In-Chief

Ten years ago, the Mountain View-Los Altos (MVLA) Parliamentary Debate team didn’t exist. This year, the team is almost 30 strong and didn’t just send one-sixth of its team to the national Tournament of Champions (TOC) — they “closed it

out,” meaning the two teams in the final round of the tournament were both from MVLA. They decisively won the entire championship.

Currently, the MVLA team is collectively the second-ranked team in the nation for Parliamentary Debate. The event, commonly referred to as “Parli,” pits teams of two

against each other for 40 minute debates, where neither team knows the topic until 20 minutes before.

The team’s meteoric rise primarily took place this year and was spearheaded by a small group of debaters from both LAHS and MVHS.

“Debate”

continues on page 8

ASHLEY CAI

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The Talon May 23, 2017

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

Robotics sees mixed results at international FIRST Championship JUSTIN YU Staff Writer

On Sunday, March 18, the Los Altos Robotics Team qualified to an international competition by triumphing at the Ventura Regional. At the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) world championship, which took place from Tuesday to Sunday, April 18 to 23, the Los Altos team joined more than 400 other teams that had also qualified.

Amidst fierce competition, Los Altos remained hopeful about

their chances as they competed in the 10 qualifying matches. But due to technical challenges with their robot’s motors in the first five matches, the Los Altos team ended their qualifying rounds as the 37th seed out of the 67 teams in their division, with five wins and five losses.

In each qualifying round, two random alliances — each alliance being a team of three robots — faced off in an arena and scored points by placing plastic gears on pegs, shooting balls into goals or hanging on a rope.

Members of the drive team, students who drove the robot and

COURTESY DAVID BOZINOV

Team member Cole Brinsfield (middle) races to fix the wiring on the robot’s drivetrain after an unexpected technical problem. The team went 5-5 in their qualifying matches and did not move on, but were praised for their mechanical design.

Downtown CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE Proponents of the office building claim that the increased foot traffic resulting from tenants will boost the local economy. LACI estimates that the development will generate $1.2 million in additional revenue for local businesses annually, according to data extrapolated from a City of Los Altoscommissioned study published in February this year.

While First Street Green encompasses both the office building and public plaza, supporters of the park do not necessarily support the entire project.

Some residents of the area around the proposed development

worry that the office building will cause a heavy influx of traffic. In an email to residents of the nearby 100 First Street condominium complex, the 100 First Street Board of Directors expressed their concerns with the project.

“Allowing a 77,300 square foot office building in a residential area where traffic is already an issue, we believe, is simply irresponsible,” the email said. “There are other areas near downtown Los Altos that could accommodate such a large office building without the impact on residents and where traffic could be more easily accommodated.”

LACI representatives say that the plan and development process aim to mitigate the effects of traffic as much as possible. LACI is currently conducting a traffic study to examine the consequences of developing the office

COURTESY LOS ALTOS COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS, EDITED BY ANNE SCHILL

were most familiar with its intricacies, redid the wiring on all speed controllers of the drivetrain.

After two hours of repairs, the robot performed much better in later matches, but team members believed that they should have placed higher in qualifiers.

Though the team was not picked by the top eight seeds for an alliance in division finals, they still received praise for their robot’s mechanical design. This year, the team accomplished the feat of designing and implementing an omnidirectional swerve drivetrain.

“The announcer would not stop talking about us,” Robotics Team Co-adviser Stephen Hine said. “He kept saying, ‘Look at [Los Altos] and their swerve drive, they're just zipping across the field.’ I think there were only six or eight swerve drives in the entire championship.

The announcer would not stop talking about us. He kept saying, ‘Look at Los Altos and their swerve drive, they’re just zipping across the field.’

— Robotics Team Coadviser Stephen Hine

building, and has bought land on Shasta Street for a parking exit to mitigate detrimental traffic effects. LACI is also talking to residents who live near the proposed development to understand and address their concerns.

Still, critics say constructing a tall building would detract from Los Altos’ small-town charm.

“I’m concerned about the building heights [on First Street,]” a resident said at the PTC study session. “I think we should stick with our 35-foot height limits downtown… Tall is tall, and you can’t hide it.”

Supporters of the project, however, claim that in light of downtown’s economic decline and residents’ lack of interest in it, action must be taken.

“If we don’t do anything, we are really in a position of gradual decline,” Los Altos Hills resident Kim Cranston said. “If you just keep the status quo, you’re going to keep seeing more vacancies. You’re going to keep seeing interesting tenants unwilling to come here and take a chance.”

“We think First Street Green is going to really bring a lot of vibrancy to downtown Los Altos, which will hopefully attract teens and serve as a community meeting place,” First Street Green Committee Teen Advisor Ramya Krishna said.

The final decision, though heavily inf luenced by the PTC, rests solely with City Council.

Though no dates have been finalized, it may take until 2018 for City Council to make a final decision. If approved, LACI estimates that the grand opening will be in 2020.

New fitness center constructed low ceilings, everything was falling apart and the floor was all [uneven],” Athletic Director Kim Cave After months of setbacks, the said. “It had been there at least 15 new fitness center, hosting new years. We’re very excited about the equipment and more space for new weight room and for everyone teams and P.E. classes to train, to be able to use it.” opened on Monday, May 1, at the The idea of building a new weight back of the school. room was first proImproved maposed by Principal chines and a new Wynne Satterwhite rowing machine The previous when planning for have replaced ob- weight room the construction of solete equipment, the new locker rooms, had low ceilwhich the school has which were completed donated or discard- ings, everything last December. Cave ed. The back wall was falling credits Satterwhite for of the room hosts apart and the turning the athletic an open space for center into a reality. team meetings and floor was all “Everybody wanted stretches, and also uneven. We’re a new weight room,” contains a white- very excited for Cave said. “It was just a board for writing the weight room matter of how we got it workout routines going. Ms. Satterwhite and a television for and for everywas the one who initiinstructional vid- one to be able ated that, and we just eos. Additionally, a to use it. kept riding that wave.” garage door next to Although the fit— Athletic Director the front door can be ness center was origiKim Cave opened to allow sunally set for complepervised use of the tion in November, outdoor courts simultaneously delays in locker room construcwith use of the athletic center. tion as well as weather restricThe athletic department had tions made it impossible to finish desired a new weight room construction of the center until for years because the previous a couple weeks ago. For now, the weight room’s condition made center’s construction is finished, it difficult for sports teams and and the athletic department will P.E. classes to train. add more equipment to the center “The previous weight room had in the future as necessary.

EMMA VAN GEUNS Staff Writer

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The Talon May 23, 2017

3

Please send letters to the editor to editor@lahstalon.org Los Altos High School

Online isn’t enough: why in-class health should be required

201 Almond Ave., Los Altos, CA May 23, 2017 Volume XXXII, Issue 8 Editor-In-Chief Emily Aoki Managing Editors Hanna Khosravi (Print) Jessica King (Print) Spencer Dembner (Web) News Editor Alex Wong Opinions Editor Akhil Jakatdar Features Editor Tinomuda Tugwete In-Depth Editor Miranda Li Arts and Culture Editor Avi Varghese Sports Editor Julia Santos Media Editor Andrew Young Copy/Content Editors Teddy Chmyz, Savita Govind Business Manager Cameron Avery Senior Writers Anisha Desai, Rachel Lu, Booker Martin, Michael Sieffert

I

t’s unclear whether any stuThe Odysseyware course minident has taken the MVLA mizes human interaction and School District’s online maximizes digital eye strain — health class with the intention of going to the Adult Education learning. The web course is a bit center is only required for reglike driver’s ed — a curriculum istration and test-taking. The that holds no more significance two-week long summer course than another checkbox in the involves daily hours of reading, high school experience. menial projects and multipleYet while it is universally ac- choice chapter exams. It’s not knowledged that the online of- exactly prime for starting converferings have many flaws — point- sations on important topics like less, lacking, mental health uneducational or consent.

— the school The current district does not in-seat health wish to require class places in-seat health a priority on The Odysseyware for all students, activities, discourse minimizes citing logistical cussions and human interaction issues.

These health speakand maximizes logistics can ers, all of and need to be which create digital eye strain. solved, for stuan atmosphere It’s not exactly dents’ sake. Los for exploration prime for starting Altos already rather than conversations on has an engagpassive reading ing, discussionof social, menimportant topics based in-seat tal, physical like mental health health class and emotional or consent. that needs to health topics. be required for These necesall students. sary conversaThe school tions shouldn’t should consider mandating in- be reserved for the few students seat health during its upcoming who decide it is worth their time.

WASC review.

Specifically, online health’s While the school district cur- consent education is pitiful. rently offers both an online sum- The curriculum holds no more mer and a semester-long in-seat than a couple paragraphs of text health course, the online option and multiple-choice test queshas always been students’ favor- tions on the topic. It’s not nearly ite choice for scheduling and enough, and state sex education convenience reasons. Despite laws — the same ones that ended this, online course offerings are the BYU program — even manf limsy at best. The commonly- date that Odysseyware reform chosen BYU course will be dis- this content by next school year. continued by the end of this In stark contrast to online school year because it fails to health, in-seat health emphameet new California sex educa- sizes these topics through opention requirements for 2018, leav- ended discussion and a focus ing the online host Odysseyware on creating safe environments. as the only summer option. The class spends an entire week And Odysseyware’s curriculum on consent and sex education, doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. bringing in speakers from orga-

Staff Writers Cameron Avery, Ross Avery, Maddie Chu, Priya Dixit, Haley Ecker, Nathan Godderis, Brian Huebner, Sana Khader, Yalda Khodadad, Emma Kwan, Avery Luke, Alex Luna, Emily MezaPerez, Adrienne Mitchel, Javin Pombra, Jaclyn Saik, Yolanda Spura, Emma Van Geuns, Danny Vesurai, Madison Woo, Justin Yu

nizations like Planned Parent- important part of education.

Logistical concerns may also hood to talk about affirmative consent and empowerment. The seem consequential at first: depth of this education needs there’s only one health teacher to reach all students, even those at Los Altos, and credentialed health teachers are near imposwith the busiest schedules.

With a majority of students sible to find. But Los Altos needs receiving subpar online health only two health teachers to reach education, it’s not surprising every student. With an approxithat Los Altos held manda- mate average class size of 500 stutory consent workshops during dents, that’s 250 students taught Communications Week. The per semester, or about 10 classes school district has taken the of 25 students per semester. If two right steps toward remedying teachers each taught five classes the lack of consent education, each per semester, that about yet in-seat health class stu- solves the problem.

It’s not a stretch to imagine dents have reported that their course covered the same mate- that Los Altos could hire at least rial as the workshops but with one more health teacher, and more depth. The necessity of if not, assist a few teachers alCommunications Week is only ready at the school with getting indicative of the failure of our the credentials to help out. For the few students whose schedschool’s health offerings.

It’s not just Odysseyware’s curricu- ules leave no room at all for the lum at fault here. Online classes lack course, a lottery-based in-seat the in-person discussions provided summer school option can be by the classroom setting necessary made available.

If the district doesn’t take for any effective health course, and the student referrals for help that its health offerings seriously, health teachers receive after discus- how can they expect students sions about consent or mental health to follow suit? With more emphasis on incould never ocseat health, cur without the all students in-seat aspect. will receive We cannot BYU failed, Odysthe richer, keep patching seyware has failed more engagup health with ing health curanother online — we cannot keep riculum necescourse handipatching up health sary to prepare capped by the with another onstudents for same inherent atline course handiissues like tributes. mental health Of course, capped by the same or sexuality — some students inherent attributes. many of which may perceive the students are in-seat health already facing. class as boring School district and unnecessary — what’s to expect but lectures and staff, school administrators, tacky activities? This prevailing atti- teachers and students have all tude comes as a result of the district’s concurred that in-seat health is lackluster support for their own a more fulfilling experience than health offerings. If the school dis- any online course. It’s clear that trict places an emphasis on health, the in-seat health course must students will also begin to see it as an become mandatory.

Photographers Emily Aronovitz, Francesca Fallow, Katie Klein, Rachel Lu, Natalie Munguia, Kunal Pandit, Thara Salim, Kimia Shahidi, Michael Sieffert, Yolanda Spura Graphic Artists Ashley Cai, Carissa Lee, Anne Schill Videographers Arjin Unlu, Bobak Afshari, Britt deVisser, Danny Nguyen 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 Cameron Avery, Teddy Chmyz, Spencer Dembner, Sana Khader, Hanna Khosravi, Michael Sieffert and Andrew Young.

ADVERTISE & SUBSCRIBE Send advertisement and subscription inquiries to Cameron Avery at business@lahstalon.org.

Talon Supporters Honorary Pulitzers Kazuo Aoki, Aloma Avery, Perry Dembner, Vaishali and Sanjay Dixit, Kendall Goto, Fred and Flora Khosravi, Andi Lou, Chung and Janice Park, The Sullivan Family

Silver Supporters Wendy Aoki, Jaclyn Brode, Zhuang Qi Dai, Derek Hua, Shawn Hui, Vicente Luna, The Martin Family, Jasmeen Pombra

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The Talon May 23, 2017

Read more opinions articles at lahstalon.org/category/opinions

School spirit: a naysayer’s perspective SPENCER DEMBNER

dressing up for homecoming, maybe going to dances. Those are all fine things to do — if you’re into them.

But it’s distinctly 1950s to measure the worth of a school by its football As far as I can tell, school spirit team and the volume of its stands.

That doesn’t mean students is one of those things everyone at Los Altos thinks we need, but shouldn’t be engaged, but you can no one expects to get. Sort of like engage with an interesting club, or fast Wi-Fi. Or less homework. It’s hang out with your friends, or throw not for lack of trying — I’ve lost yourself into a project. Not everycount of the number of dress-up one finds the larger activities to be days, brunch activities, homecom- engaging, and that’s to be expected. ing skits, ASB posters and tourna- We can and do have a vibrant school ments we’ve hosted in a futile effort community without mass engagement in those things. to create Los Altos Pride™.

Likewise, spirit relies on two speThe problem, according to spirit’s proponents, is that the average cific, narrow identities: your school student simply doesn’t care. They and your grade. But why should I don’t see how spirit affects them, have pride in being an “Eagle,” or beor why they need it. They have ing a senior, when I could have pride better things to do than join the in a club, or in a friend group, or in being a citizen of the Bay Area? My spikeball tournament.

As it happens, I share that sen- hunch is that Los Altos students do have a strong sense timent. And on of identity — it just behalf of people may not line up with like me, I’d like to There’s nothing the football games or propose we leave class cheering comthe issue. There’s wrong with enpetitions. Of course, nothing wrong with thusiasm, but Los we could construct enthusiasm, but Altos is already a version of “school Los Altos is already vibrant, diverse and spirit” that’s about vibrant, diverse and none of those engaged. When it engaged. When it things, but that risks comes to having a comes to having a making the term un“spirited school,” “spirited school,” recognizable. things are better the things are better There’s another way they are. the way they are. important considFor starters, eration: for a lot of school spirit is necessarily narrow. When people say people, spirit activities simply are our school “lacks spirit” they really not fun. It’s not just because they’re only mean a few things: cheering unpopular or poorly attended — it’s in rallies, attending sports games, because intramural sports or outWeb Editor

KUNAL PANDIT

Los Altos seniors cheer at the back to school assembly after they triumphed in tug of war. Spirit events like these can be enjoyable, but they’re only part of the high school experience. Pushing for more participation wouldn’t make our school any better. landish dress just aren’t their cup of tea. Those people should, and will, focus on what they actually enjoy.

That’s the problem with saying that we need school spirit to make high school memorable. Personally, the mandatory activities and dressup days have been the most forgettable part of the whole experience.

The interesting talks and friendships are a different story, but we don’t need assemblies to have those.

It’s probably true that we could make spirit activities more fun if participation were common, but

I’m not sure why we’d bother. You may get the haters to join in — but that doesn’t mean we’ll enjoy it, or that it’ll make the school any more fun.

More broadly, the focus on school spirit misses the point. We’re fundamentally a diverse community — in background, in perspective and in interests. Many people express that diversity through activities, sports or school pride. But many others don’t, and expecting everyone to participate in the same way does nothing to highlight Los Altos’

strengths, tending to homogenize the school community and harm the sheer variety that makes this place so interesting.

There are lots of good reasons to want a spirited community, from a more fun and memorable experience to a more supportive school. But we should work with what we have, and what we have is a multifaceted and friendly environment. Los Altos isn’t the most “spirited” school, and possibly never will be — but there are better ways of building a community.

A Real Chinese Girl and an American dream MIRANDA LI

In-Depth Editor

My mother immigrated from China a few decades ago. Her English is better now, but it used to be lilting and broken. I, on the other hand, have grown up with writing tutors and vocab books and Thesaurus.com. China is no home to me, but it was to her.

Safeguarded by my predominantly white community and nestled comfortably within my predominantly white high school, I feel attached to a community that is culturally distinct from the Chinese one I was born into.

In my sophomore year, I saw my mom’s stereotypical tiger mom expectations (to get a full score on the SAT, to get into Harvard, to apply to competitive summer programs or get an internship at Stanford) as yet another symptom of her failure to assimilate into American, White Anglo-Saxon Protestant-dominant culture.

I assumed that her focus on academic success was because she didn’t understand American culture like I did. My idea of the American Dream was to have a social life, pander to the offspring

of Hills-dwelling tech CEOs, do my best on the SAT and get Jamba Juice afterward to reward myself for trying.

I assumed that she was trying to somehow convert me to a Real Chinese Girl who knew nothing but school and standardized testing, erasing what she felt was damage done by my white friends. As I grew, her world view seemed more and more different from that of my Lululemon-clad community.

I’d always felt a fissure eroded into my relationship with my mom by our cultural differences, and academic pressure only drove another wedge into it.

As a result of this lack of em-

pathy and understanding, I immediately discounted any advice she would give me, and doubted her authority as a whole. “You just don’t understand, Mom,” became a panacea for all academic stresses I faced and subsequently blamed on my mother.

This ultimately harmed me more than any sort of helicopter parenting or unrealistic expectation she might have: I became resentful and lacked guidance because I was refusing it.

When I look back on that time in my sophomore year, a year older, a year wiser, a year less hormonal and insecure, I wish someone had slapped me across the face. The year that

INTERESTED IN GUEST-WRITING FOR TALON?

MIRANDA LI

has elapsed has sucked some of to apply to competitive summer the more emotional hormones programs or get an internship out of my bloodstream, and the at Stanford), then, was not a people I’ve met since, from plac- failure to recognize the reality es around the world I can’t pro- of American society but rather nounce or from two blocks down an attempt to optimize its remy street, have showed me that sources. She’d only wanted the culture should not be hidden best for me, and I’d completely but embraced. missed that point.

I wish I’d known My misinterpretathen that there is no tion was costly. I’d such thing as a Real felt victimized by Chinese Girl, much I saw my mom’s someone who was less an expectation to stereotypical not a captor but a be one. I wish somementor. I’d lost reone had just told me, tiger mom exspect for my own for the thousandth pectations as yet mother and exactime, how absolutely another symptom erbated feelings of incredible my immi- of her failure to school anxiety, lonegrant mother is. liness and confusion assimilate into Because she is. Imcharacteristic of the migrant parents, and American, WASPteenage experience. immigrants in general, dominant culture.

My mother imare unbelievably selfmigrated from less human beings. It’s China. Her English pretty much the ultimate human is better now, but it used to be sacrifice: my mom abandoned lilting and broken. She and I are everything she’d ever known very different people, and while I to move to an unfamiliar beige may still disagree with her expecsuburb and speak an unfamiliar tations sometimes, I am no longer tongue because she believed that dismissive of them.

I would have more opportunities There are a thousand things here, that I would make things of I wish I had known then, in my my life that she could not. Part of sophomore year. Mostly, I wish I her American Dream is allowing hadn’t been ignorant to the well me to pursue my own. wishes of my incredible mother.

Her advice (to get a full score Hi, Mom. Thank you. I respect on the SAT, to get into Harvard, you. I love you.

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

The Talon May 23, 2017

5

Read more features articles at lahstalon.org/category/features/

UDPS and beyond: poetry at Los Altos In the following interviews, edited for clarity, The Talon features two poets on the Los Altos Slam Team and their experiences and journeys with poetry. The team took home second place at the Youth Speaks Unified District Poetry Slam (UDPS) finals on April 26, an amazing feat after competing against 20 other high schools. All members of the team were brought together through the commonality of their love of slam poetry, practicing during lunch and after school to truly perfect their performances.

Makeda Yezalaleul TINOMUDA TUGWETE Features Editor

Q: The poetry team asked you to join them last year during the UDPS finals. How was that experience?

A: I remember last finals I was freaked out of my mind because I hadn't done this kind of stuff before, and I was a freshman but you can't get in your mind. There’s so much good poetry there. You have to be able to get out of yourself to be there and appreciate all of it because it's so good. You have to know you got this, and you've been preparing for this, you can do this and you should know that you can do this so you can appreciate everybody else’s pieces.

Q: What has been

your poetry journey? Have really write a poem about this?” you always enjoyed poetry? and then I just start writing and A: I remember in eighth grade it keeps going. Poetry is a little we did a poetry unit and I was nerve-wracking for me because like “Oh, this is cool. I could be I like writing poetry, but just good at this.” And then freshman performing poetry — I think year, I had Mr. Kwan getting in front of and then we did a a crowd, but espepoetry unit. I was cially if it's intimate Once I entered like “This stuff is reand that kind of ally cool,” especially UDPS, I was stuff like last year slam poetry because like, “This is when we had to perwe didn’t focus on why I love this, form our poems that that in eighth grade. we wrote in class… and this is why It speaks to people, It's a really beautiand I love poetry I’m going to ful feeling, honestly, that affects different keep loving it”. and it's a feeling people, even if it's that makes me want — sophomore Makeda Yezalaleul a poem about yourto keep doing it over self and so I was like and over again.

“This is so real. Why Q: What was your don’t I try something?” poem about this year? Did Q: What was your writing you and your partner’s parts process like? about religious experiences A: I always have ideas in my contrast each other? head, just going on. I write them A: I’ve had a strong religious in my notes, but I have to be re- upbringing and my partner ally compelled to write a piece of Yalda hasn’t, but we’re still on poetry. l piece things together, the same topic of “God, are you and sometimes I’m like “Can I there?” The thing we had in

Over the last two years, sophomore Makeda Yezalaleul has been cultivating her interest in poetry. In her freshman year, she won the freshmen poetry slam, marking her spot on the local poetry scene. Last year, the Los Altos Slam Poetry Team was a wild card team in the Unified District Poetry Slam. During their call back in the finals, Makeda was asked to compete, which was her first experience on such a large stage. This year, the slam team took second place.

Because of her experience she decided to officially join the school poetry team, Divulgence.

Adam Hollingworth

common was just believing in someone and questioning if that someone is following through.

So we're still both questioning things and our poem ended on a note where we ask, “Are you there? Can you help us? We want to try and understand you, so help us understand you.”

Q: From this experience what would you say about your community, the poetry team?

A: We don’t write about the same stuff, and I love how we don’t write about the same stuff because our broad variety of poems are so uniquely diverse.

I like the whole process of editing someone’s work and sharing it and going through that. I also love seeing the before and after and how someone can get to really know their piece. I love how we support each other through this whole journey.

Q: Do you have anything to say to those who haven’t experienced this yet?

A: I honestly didn't think that I would be doing poetry again this year because still just thinking about it, it just scares me at first. But once I entered UDPS, I was like, “This is why I love this, and this is why I'm going to keep loving it,” and I encourage anyone to just try it and try to get to know it. I think it’s worth it.

the poetry team, because with Q: What was your experience even if you can't see the audience, having such a privileged back- working with the team? it's still really unnerving knowing ground, it makes it hard to not A: Being on the team is re- they're there. It's really cool being come across as privileged. ally exciting for me. It's some- part of a group poem though, just MADISON WOO Staff Writer Q: What is your poem “Brains thing completely different and because I have my teammates litand Broteins” about? it's a little scary stepping out erally right next to me, and Q: How did you get into poetry? what he would do. I try to be betA: I had seen a lot of poems in of your little comfort zone if I get nervous I A: I didn't write poetry until ter than him, but even so, he’s a my English class that were great, thing, but it's also good can just remind eighth grade but I was always great poet. If I can take some of but they were all pretty depress- to experience these kinds myself that fascinated by it. I got into po- his advice and put my own spin ing and very serious… but I've of things. The first time they're there. etry because of my brother, Jim. on it, that’s sort of how I can be- never been great with serious was definitely scary, getHe was always a big inf luence come better than him. poems, so I decided to write a ting up on the stage and in my life, and he started to do Q: How do you gain inspiration poem that had some message performing this personal poetry in ninth grade. It trans- for your poems and implement of not conforming to society’s kind of poetry stuff, but formed from me watching slam your own style? norms of masculin- now that I've done it a coupoets online to actually doing it A: It’s like selfity. It was more do- ple of times, it feels really here in high school. There’s also deprecation, but ing a fun poem that cool and I feel a lot this rapper/poet called Watsky, comedically. As a It’s a little scary I liked and didn’t more confident and he wrote a poem called straight white male stepping out of have to stress about, on stage.

“Drunk Text Message to God”, living in Los Altos, I your lil’ comfort letting the audience Q: How is and a little bit of my work is in- don’t have any globfeel good after the p e rforming zone thing, but f luenced by that. al struggle that I can performance.

I’ve in front of an Q: How did your brother im- talk about. Coming it’s also good to always been more audience? pact your poetry? across as someone experience these intellectual than A: Going A: My brother is probably my that has something kinds of things. athletic. I’ve never to perform in biggest role model… When I to say is my favorite been oppressed, so front of a crowd — freshman Adam went to the school-wide poetry part about poetry. talking about some- for the quarterfiHollingworth slam that he was at in ninth I see oppression in thing like this which nals of the UDPS grade, I thought it was so cool. the news, and I want is more trivial and was scary. I mean, Instantly, when I got home, I to say something about that, but trivialized in my writing makes it being on a low stage started brainstorming about it’s hard to write a poem that easier to talk about these things with the bright lights how I might write a poem and doesn't come across as white but also convey this underlying in your face, it's not what it would be about. It was guilt or cultural appropriation. message that I don’t conform to like you can actually really inspiring.

That’s another challenge with society’s views of masculinity. see the audience. But Q: Could you elaborate more on that relationship?

One of the newest and youngest members of the Los Altos Slam Poetry Team, freshman Adam Hollingworth A: I think that when I’m writing poetry, I sort of subconsciously is already making a name for himself in the world of poetry. Adam has participated in both the freshman poask myself, “How would Jim do etry slam and in the UDPS finals, helping to secure second place for the team. Despite Adam’s past experiences this?” “How can I make this betwith performing poetry in front of crowds and his Acting 1 class, this poetry slam was the first large scale poetry ter than Jim’s?” I ask him for help a lot, when I’m stuck or need a competition that he had participated in. He does not know what the future holds for his poetry, but he is sure new concept — then I’ll ask him that he will continue with the art in high school.

8

The Talon May 23, 2017

Margarita Navarro: administrating success they're still working hard.”

As a teacher at Woodside and administrator at the Sequoia DisFrom spearheading programs trict from 1996 to 2010, Navarro falike AVID to teaching her peers in cilitated the implementation of an high school and college as a tutor AVID program with another staff and teacher’s aide, new Associate member, which became an endurSuperintendent Margarita Navarro ing success and a large portion has searched for ways to assist oth- of her legacy. The program aided typically underrepresented firsters throughout her life. Navarro’s generation students and became dreams of becoming a teacher bea resource that increased access to gan when she was a 9-year-old in higher education. third grade. Instead of climbing A few months ago, one of Navarthe playground or playing tag, she ro’s former AVID students reached wanted to teach her friends math. out to her over social media and “Whether it’s teaching math us- helped her with a mentoring and ing chalk on the sidewalk or look- job-sharing project for current ing for ways to support my peers in AVID students. Her student had high school and college, I always majored in law and public adminlook for ways to help others,” Na- istration at Berkeley and Harvard, varro said. “Teaching and recently passed and helping others is the bar to join a presingrained in me. It’s tigious law firm.

Teaching and part of my DNA.” “She was a firstNavarro’s ambition helping others generation student to help others has is ingrained in to go to college, and led her to combat the me. It’s a part we supported her 100 inequality disadvanpercent, and look at taged students face in of my DNA. the heights that she's — Associate accessing education been able to reach,” Superintendent at multiple schools, Navarro said. “Now Margarita Navarro from Woodside High she's mentoring my School in the Sequoia students, and I love Union High School District to Ca- that it's come full circle. It’s amazpuchino High School in the San ing… I think my legacy at Woodside Mateo Union School District. is that I know I’ve had a huge imNavarro attributes her desire to pact on the lives of students there.”

As an assistant principal at Cahelp others and her work ethic to her parents, who immigrated from puchino from 2010 to 2017, NaMexico in the 1960s as immigrant varro increased parent involvement farm workers. But her parents knew for Spanish-speaking families by that they wanted their children to streamlining the implementation of a Parents for Quality Education have more opportunities than them, (PIQE), which is a nine-week proso in 1985, her dad opened a restau- gram that teaches parents about the rant in Half Moon Bay named Tres college application process and how Amigos that he still manages today. to engage in their children’s academ“My parents always wanted to ic lives. Previously, parent engageseek higher heights, higher places, ment had been low due to a lack of because that meant that they could resources and language barriers.

“I remember there were only six better provide for their family,” Navarro said. “The more successful people at a special meeting just for that they were, the more success- Spanish-speaking families, even ful their children were going to be. though Spanish-speaking students To this day, they're in their 70s, and are 40 percent of our school popula-

DANNY VESURAI Staff Writer

Debate CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE

“Ref lecting on this year, I am completely shocked,” junior William Zeng said. “No one was expecting us to be this big. The reason I would say... is because [the debaters] actually care about Parliamentary debate and actually put in a lot of effort...

And also Spencer’s really good for some reason.”

William, one of the 10 debaters who competed at the TOC this April, mentions one key figure in the team’s success — senior Spencer Dembner. With his pedantic nature and seemingly endless span of knowledge, Spencer is currently the highest-ranking debater in the nation, and has been for the last three years.

“Spencer is a really quirky person with a massive amount of knowledge on so many different things,” junior Shirley Cheng said.

“You can really see it in debate... he is able to crush people with his massive amount of knowledge.”

Shirley currently occupies the second position on the national rankings. She and her partner, Mountain View High School sophomore Ryan Lee, closed out the TOC with Spencer and his

tion,” Navarro said. “I asked myself, ‘How is it that out of 600 people, six people come?’”

Navarro’s success at building a robust program at Capuchino has made her less needed there, but she views this in a positive light — it means that she’s left behind a permanent structure that will continue to change the lives of students.

“I feel like I’ve implemented change and transformed and been part of something transformative,” Navarro said. “I’ve hired great people who will carry on my legacy and leave these great systems in place, and it’s like I’ve become obsolete, which is great. I want people to function outside of me, independently, to be self-sustainable.”

Because of her program’s permanence at Capuchino, Navarro wanted to find a new place to continue her mission to help others. When

San Mateo Union School District Superintendent Kevin Skelley saw an opening for an associate superintendent at MVLA, he recommended it to Navarro based on her past successes.

“When Dr. Skelly brought the new position to my attention, I was very excited because MVLA’s already doing some amazing things, but it’s great fertile ground for me to design, implement and evaluate new programs,” Navarro said.

MVLA Superintendent Jeff Harding believes Navarro will be a strong contribution to the school district, gradually taking over former Associate Superintendent of Educational Resources Brigitte Sarraf’s role and collaborating with her as Sarraf remains as a part-time worker. “[Navarro’s] very intelligent, extremely articulate and passionate,” Harding said. “She has a long

track record of student success as an AVID coordinator and teacher coach, and has worked at similar schools to ours.”

Drawing from her experience, Navarro plans to come into the district with an open mind and learn about current programs before giving input. For her, a foundation for an informed rationale is a priority that will better her to help students, and everyone else, reach their highest potential.

“I want to talk to students, parents, teachers and support staff to be a good listener… and learn about the community,” Navarro said. “I know that this is a hard job and that associate superintendents have to make some pretty tough decisions, which is a responsibility I take very seriously. At the end of the day, these decisions have an impact on the lives of kids, families, teachers and staff.”

COURTESY MARGARITA NAVARRO

Margarita Navarro celebrates at Capuchino High School’s Latino Senior Celebration, where she was given an award for her outstanding contributions as an assistant principal. She poses next to one of her former AVID students who gave the Keynote speech praising Navarro for her efforts toward aiding Spanish-speaking families. Next school year, Navarro will become the Associate Superintendent of Los Altos High School.

partner, Notre Dame High school weekends for the activity.” senior Lilly Hackworth. Small in Despite the staggering success, stature but big in the Parliamen- MVLA Parli remains as humble tary debate world, beneath Shir- and gracious as ever, according ley’s charming, self-proclaimed to coach Maciorowski. “awkwardness” lies a skilled ar“This team is the best on the gumentator. circuit, maybe not “Shirley’s a rocknecessarily by their star,” MVLA Varrankings, but in sity Parliamentary Reflecting on this their ability to be Debate Coach Sigood people on the erra Maciorowski year, I am completedebate circuit and said. “People listen ly shocked... No one be respectful of when she talks.” people from every was expecting us While Shirley, to be this big. The background,” MaSpencer and Ryan said. “If reason I would say... ciorowski may have won the varsity kids are the TOC, they’re is because [the debating against not the only suc- debaters] actually a novice who got cessful members care about Parliapulled up into varof the Parli team. mentary debate and sity, pretty much Five other MVLA everyone on this Parliamentary de- actually put in a lot team will always baters — juniors of effort. step down and exDanny Vesurai, Japlain things and — junior William Zeng vin Pombra, Wiljust be good, maliam Zeng, Alex ture citizens in the Wong and Jodie debate world.”

As the 2016-2017 debate season Bhattacharya — are ranked within the top 40 debaters out of over 300 comes to a close, the future of teams nationwide, and all certain- MVLA Parli remains in question. ly put in the necessary hard work But MVLA Debate Head Coach Julie Herman is fairly certain that to get there.

“One of the things [about the the Parliamentary debate team’s team] that struck me from the success will continue in the future. very beginning was just how ded“We have the first and second icated a lot of the [debaters] are,” ranked teams in the nation right Maciorowski said. “They put in now,” Herman said. “At least for so many extra hours of practice the next several years, we’re in a and are so willing to give up their pretty good place.”

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6

The Talon May 23, 2017

CHEATING: rules an

Miranda Li, In-Depth Editor | Teddy Chmyz, Copy/Content Editor | Cameron Avery, Business Manager | Anisha Desai, Booker Martin, Senior Writers | Maddie Chu, Priya Dixit, Em

Old versus new cheating

viously hired Academic Integrity a kid to write Policy my papers.

In a survey conducted by You pay them The Talon, 55 pecent of stusome amount dents reported that they did of money, they not know the Academic Integwrite your parity Policy. Under this policy, per, you [edit] students should receive the it, and then you same consequences for the turn it in.” same types of violations.

New technolHowever, the actual impleogy outside of mentation of consequences school has also delineated by the policy varaided in stuies due to different teachers’ dents’ ability to attitudes toward cheating. cheat, this time Students can be sent to the through mass office for plagiarizing one communication line of code on a homework in chat groups. assignment, while others By utilizing mesreceive an unofficial warnsaging apps and ing instead. texts, students have Math and computer scifound ways to colence teacher Brent Smith laboratively cheat. reports all instances of Despite the incheating, even on homecrease in technolowork assignments, begy-based cheating, cause he believes that some forms of cheateven minor assignments ing have remained help students absorb consistent throughmaterial. out generations. Stu“You may be tempted dents continue to look to look up the answers, at their neighbor’s but the only way to tests or receive anlearn how to program swers ahead of time. is to struggle through “I take little slips it on your own and of paper, write down develop your own formulas and then mental understandput them on my pening,” Smith said. cil pouch, or in my “Even if I don’t catch calculator in between you, you’re not gothe back of it and the ing to develop that actual calculator part conceptual under[so] I can take a peek standing, and in during tests,” one May [during AP student said. testing], you will Ultimately, the be in trouble.” emergence of colDespite Smith’s laborative and strict policy totechnology-based ward cheating, he cheating has reunderstands that defined what conother teachers use stitutes cheating. a degree of flexThese new forms ibility for indihave made it increasvidual students. ingly difficult to de“ Te a c h e r s termine what comknow their prises cheating and own classroom who is at fault for it. and each individual situation, so they might want to provide a little more f l e x i b i l i t y,” Smith said.

“Instead of reporting a student to the principal and notifying their parents, they’ll talk to the student individually.”

Math teacher Carol Evans tends to follow this individuRecently, The Talon conalistic protocol when it comes to cheating. Although she says ducted a survey regarding cheating is “very prevalent” cheating at Los Altos and within the Los Altos commuperceptions of cheating. nity, she prefers not to check every assignment in the same The survey participants way that Smith does. were randomly selected “At the beginning of the and a total of 64 people year, and throughout it, I tell participated. Survey results my students, ‘You’ve given me no reason to not trust you so are displayed as graphs far,’” Evans said. “That method throughout the spread. works better than a policemen approach, because obviously I’m not going to be able to catch everyone.”

tions that directly correlated to Academic dishonesty isn’t de- ones on the final exam — and they fined by one particular deed — it did not tell the teacher.

“I don’t know if it's cheating instead encompasses different n order to better unforms of deception and unfair because our intention wasn't to derstand the motives, advantages. Cheating is an ever- cheat on the test,” one of the physthe mindset and the effects changing act, and students from ics students said. “We did the of cheating, The Talon exevery generation make use of the practice that was available to us online, and it just so happened [it resources available to them. plored academic dishonwas also the final exam].”

Most recently, the integration esty at Los Altos through a This situation creates a gray of technology into the classroom series of interviews and a has introduced new forms of area in terms of blame: is it the randomly-selected survey cheating and blurred its defini- teacher’s fault for taking test on the student body. Due to tion. In a world where people are questions from easily accessible constantly reposting, download- online databases, or is it the stuthe seriousness of the toping, and copying and pasting, the dents’ fault for not reporting it? ic, all student interviewees “You obviously shouldn't pirate idea of ownership has become requested anonymity when stuff, but this was all stuff on the less concrete. speaking about their expeAn image that likely comes to first page of Google,” the physriences cheating or being mind when discussing technol- ics student said. “In that specific affected by cheating in orogy-based cheating is that of a situation, I should've said somestudent using their phone or other thing, but I don’t know what else der to avoid administrative device during an exam. As shown you could have done about this.” consequences.

While the student recognizes by a student’s experience cheating on online quizzes in Spanish the gray area the situation creIII Honors, technology makes it ates, he believes he put hard easier to cheat and more difficult work into studying and preparing for the exam. for the teacher to find out. h “I put a lot of work into it to “Before I took the class, people t i ree wit g the point where I did five practice were like, ‘Oh, everyone cheats a u do yo on’t like it on the tests,’” a Spanish student tests [the night before],” the physy l g ause t: “I d stron ics student said. “[The teacher] How statemencheat becls.” said she’s tried to This situation creates said. “But, this others y mora I felt pret[remotely] moniy m n l g a gray area in terms whe against Stron e ty guilty, tor [screens], but e r g s A goe of blame: is it the and I was she can’t do that Agree l a debating with personal r t teacher’s fault for takNeu e kind computers.” e r g ing test questions from what Disa of things Besides using y l g Stron tree easily accessible online I should devices during Disag an exam, techdatabases, or is it the do during nology allows student’s fault for not a test, like ‘Should I students to reporting it? get a couple gain unfair adwrong on vantages even purpose?’” before the test Methods occurs. Nowadays, resources available to combat these new forms of online sometimes closely cheating in other subjects, such mirror exact questions as English, include plagiarism which appear on tests. checkers like Turnitin.com. Yet e h t opy off nd on This year, students in students have found ways to circ u o y id rie f d r n e r e an AP Physics class cumvent being caught including h t a t f How o et or off ano ents this ye took practice AP tests paying other students to write Intern ork assignm online and found that their essays. Often, students w home l? the tests had ques- make use of new forms of cheata in tot ing due to the lack of specificity r Neve in the Academic Integrity Policy. “[The cheating policy] addresses Once that if you cheat, you get a strike, mes 2-3 ti ester but if you pay someone a sem s me to do your paper, that 2-3 ti nth a mo should be a whole s e m 2-3 ti k new level,” one a wee student said.

“I have pre-

I

The Talon May 23, 2017

7

nd realities at los altos

mma Kwan, Yolanda Spura, Danny Vesurai, Madison Woo, Staff Writers | Ashley Cai, Graphic Artist

When Evans catches a student well and at a certain point you can’t school is a phenomenon that prob- student takes classes in math, history, have some subjects they prefer over cheating, she says her actions cheat anymore, and it’s revealed ably affects every high school in the English, science and other electives. others, and will be willing to put more usually vary depending on the that you’re not country, at Los Altos We go to school so that we can explore effort and passion into what they ensituation, specifically depending as good as you (and high-achieving and eventually find what we love to do joy. Yet students should realize that High school should not schools like it) it’s espe- and want to specialize in later in life. classes they may not be naturally on how the student was caught. say you are.”

She first holds a meeting with the While the stu- just be a step on the cially troubling.

The issue is that cheating results in drawn to can still be valuable learning student to talk about why they dent knows of Why? Because at our us never getting a full taste of what we experiences. We may be future writers, decided to cheat and first-time in- the immorality road to college and fu- school, many of our might like to do. We may be secret for- but an understanding of history can cidents usually involve warnings. of cheating, she ture success: it should cheaters are extremely eign language aficionados or math en- help us create more real characters.

It’s clear, of course, that our college However, without proof of the vio- concluded that be valued in its own successful — they’re thusiasts, but because we’re too stressed lation, Evans cannot take action. If it would be difgraduating with stellar and would rather copy the solution to system still perpetuates and incentivright as an opportunity GPAs, drawing praise problems rather than enjoying the pro- izes cheating, but we, as students, can she receives a confession from the ficult to define do little to fight this. All we can do is student, she may proceed to hold why cheating is to learn and explore. from their teachers and cess of solving them, we’ll never know. a conference with their parents. considered bad. peers and getting into Obviously each student will always change how we look at high school and hope that these Despite variation in academic Analogous to ubersmall steps will one day penalty, History Department lying, cheating has been ingrained selective colleges. be part of a bottom-up Coordinator Derek Miyahara in society as a detrimental action. It’s not too hard to College process: “[I definitely think that cheating is process toward reform. emphasizes consistency across That notion, the student says, is a figure out why the To that end, we, as course departments. reflex not always supported by ac- majority of kids at caused by the college process],” one student said. “I think we’re high schoolers, can do “Generally, when something tual logic.

Los Altos — about valued by what our grades are and we know that we’re going to nothing against the get into a better college if we have better grades, and obviously happens in one of the classes the “[Cheating] should really be about 90% percent acfact that cheaters can if you got rid of the college process, that would be bad, but at teacher will talk to their course whether you can live with yourself cording to a rebe and are successful. the same time that’s what motivates it.” team folks and try to figure out a [and your actions],” the student said. cent Talon survey But, when and if we response, so if someone else cheats “When you do something you know — cheat. In fact, do look at high school in the same way, they will have is bad, clearly it’s going to feel bad. it’s pretty simple: as a place to learn Social pressure: “I’m not good at math, so I’m usually similar consequences,” Miyahara It’s something where you don’t really students cheat berather than a tool to in the lower math classes, [but] I don’t want to have a bad grade said. “If you are in a course and one need consequences. You just know cause the system leverage for college or in remedial math because I feel like that’s embarrassing,” one teacher handles violations one way it’s bad.” makes it easy and our careers, we can student said. “And also since it’s like not one of my AP courses, and another teacher handles it anAnd while the student believes cheat- incredibly viable take the first step [it] should be a cushion grade. I should be able to have an A in other way, it can be problematic.” ing is mostly harmful to the individual, to do so. toward eliminating that so that way I can worry about other things.”

Despite different staff responses she acknowledges that there are some While cheating cheating and the to cheating and their respective ef- inevitable harms to others, especially in cannot be solved culture that comes fectiveness at combating cheating, the college admissions process. without reforming with it.

Assistant Principal Galen Rosen“Even if it doesn't affect me [directly], the flawed secondAcademic pressure: “For me, it’s berg believes it feels unfair ary educational syslike if I don’t cheat, I’m placed at a disadstudents' own because [I tem, the first step, vantage because everyone cheats,” one stuIf you You may be tempted to reasoning for think] ‘What for students, is a dent said. And then, I think it’s just way too r easondo cheat, w cheating have if they get into reorientation of our look up the answers, but h s for d easy to cheat in that class too. [The teacher] more influence a better col- mindsets toward oing s at are your doesn’t care at all.“ the only way to learn how o? than teacherlege than I do high school. to program is to struggle mandated conjust because The reason why 22% sequences. they cheated many of us see through it on your own “The differand got better cheating as a viable 16% Time: “It would be to save time 13% and develop your own 16% 16% ence between grades?’” the option is similar to for myself,” one student said. “If I’m mental understanding. a student who student said. why it seems viable not able to do a project at the time and cheats and a At the end later on in life: when I need to do something, it would be a - computer science teach10% student who of the day, we cheat we find last resort kind of thing. I attempt to er Brent Smith doesn't cheat is the student success. For high do my work.” something that emphasizes schoolers, that sucneeds to be adthat cheat- cess is getting into dressed by that student about why ing is simply a reflection of one’s a high-level college 1 2 It’s easy to: “Most of the that choice was made and what moral character. or another marker 3 4 1 . I wan 5 6 you can do to end up not mak“If everybody cheated then no one’s of academic suc- time it’s to do with stress because t to sav 2. Ass ing that choice, as stressful as Los hard work would matter,” the student cess. However, high like you have all these things piling e t ime ig Altos may be for many students,” said. “If I know that I cheated on school should not up and you just want to like finish 3. Pre nment is too s s d Rosenberg said. something and it’s not my own work, just be a step on the really quickly so you can move on 4. I’ve ure to succe ifficult run ou ed to me it feels bad because the grade road to college and to something else,” one student t 5. Ass ignme of time Cheating’s harm to the in- wouldn’t feel legitimate. It hurts other future success: it said. “I think it’s easier to cheat on n 6 ti . I hav people and even if it doesn’t hurt any- should be valued in something where you know you dividual e neve s busywork . r chea its own right as an won’t be caught.”

After one student noticed that body, it feels wrong.” ted. opportunity to learn the classmate sitting next to her Cameron Avery: Reori- and explore. was cheating off of her quiz, she enting our mindsets toThe unique thing told one of her peers about it. ward high school about the American The friend then told their math Cheaters never prosper — except high school system teacher, who instructed the stuis its lack of specialdent to purposely fail a quiz to when they do.

Mark Zuckerization.

Every catch the cheater. “[The teacher] told me that if berg stole a billionIf you somebody is copying off of you, dollar idea. CEOs a d and congressmen on’t, wre tempted you’re in just as much in trouble for no hat is you to cheat, as them,” the student said. “I felt lie, embellish and t doin g so? r primary r but very uncomfortable about con- mislead so often eason fronting this person who I sat that it’s become commonplace. next to. Even though I saw [the cheating] happen everyday, it an- Professional athletes take noyed and upset me.”

Ultimately, the student decided performanceI am a of beinfraid against the teacher’s solutions be- enhancing g caug ht. cause she believes that cheating in drugs to elI w ould fe evate their el itself is more harmful to the indiguilty. vidual than an external punishment level of play I respe get teache ct my — it didn’t seem her place to call out (and r. away with someone else’s mistakes. In the end, I cheat ever te whenshe believes, the cheater will be at it most of mpted . the time).

I have their own loss. n been t ever A n d empte “Whenever you cheat you’re just d. hurting yourself because you’re w h i l e Other not putting the work in and then cheating not improving,” the student said. in high “It’s just a non-legitimate way to do

Why do we cheat?

The Talon May 23, 2017

9

Catch reviews of new movies, music and more, plus read the Arts & Culture archives at lahstalon.org/category/artsculture

Guest Columnist

Changing the climate of political TV dent and eventual President Selina Meyers is vain, condescending and holds a complete disregard Spoilers for “House of Cards,” for most Americans. Her incom“Scandal” and “Veep” follow. petent staff accidentally releases the private data of citizens and Throughout the 2016 election, regularly makes gaffes — they various articles compared can- once deleted Meyers’ entire indidate Hillary Clinton to “House augural address from the teleof Cards” First Lady Claire Un- prompter during her speech. derwood. The creator of the show These extremes create a cycle. even went as far as calling Clinton When we continue to see conthe “real-life” Underwood. gress members murder their opWhile Clinton and Under- ponents, or presidents accidenwood may share similarities, tally forget their speech, those this parallel is completely ri- stories become stale. And so, diculous. To compare entertainers must a candidate to a semove to greater rial killer is a stretch. extremes. Within Indeed, fake news’ TV shows’ “House of Cards,” ubiquity isn’t the extremes exist for instance, we only source of misinhave seen formation in politics. on two ends of an escalaFor years, political a spectrum: the tion from dramas like “House frightening and simple poof Cards” and “Scan- the funny. litical madal,” along with comneuvers, to edies like “Veep” have murder, skewed the public’s perception to the President beof the political process. coming a self-proAs producers and entertain- claimed terrorist. ment industries look to boost If a president’s ratings, they create storylines policy deviates from the that are far from reality. These norm — a common occurextremes exist on two ends of a rence with President Donald spectrum: the frightening and Trump — then television shows the funny. become more drastic to adapt to Take “House of Cards.” Con- this deviation. According to actor gressman Frank Underwood Matt Walsh, “Veep” had to change works his way to the presidency parts of scripts to change jokes to by pushing one reporter into a make them seem less “tame.” train and suffocating another What’s the solution then? Now former political ally. Similarly, more than ever, it’s a matter of “Scandal” depicts shadow govern- going against the extreme. While ments alongside rigged elections shows will always try to enteras a norm. tain, moderation is completely On the other hand, there are plausible. Look no further than shows like “Veep.” The Vice Presi- Emmy winning television show

JAVIN POMBRA Staff Writer

By Emily Aronovitz

3 Tips To Know Before Going Gluten-Free For the longest time, gluten products have been challenging for me; they are deliciously tempting but are always followed by terrible headaches, an itchy scalp and bloating. After being gluten-free for two years now, all of those symptoms have disappeared. In addition, I have experienced positive changes in my mood, a drastic change from being negative and lethargic to more peppy and energized.

Here are some challenges, benefits and tips for beginning a gluten-free diet.

1. Don’t expect your favorite treats or foods to taste the same.

Be open to adjusting to a new normal. One of the main things you will need to adjust to is bread. In contrast to white, f luffy bread loaves, gluten-free bread is often more crumbly, dense, and filled with seeds and grains. That’s not to say gluten-free products taste bad, it just won’t taste the same.

My friends and I laugh about how much better gluten-free snack pretzels taste compared to regular pretzels. In addition, there is often now a whole aisle dedicated to gluten-free products in most grocery stores, and many of these items are tasty!

2. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

Hopefully after going gluten-free you should overall feel better, not worse. While it is suppose to be a challenge, if this new lifestyle isn’t working, do not punish yourself by continuing and suffering. When you lose motivation and purpose, the opposite results than what you are looking for occur. We’re human, it happens.

3. It’s all mental.

I’m not going to lie, it is really hard to suddenly stop eating your favorite foods.

When you are at your weakest point, you need to tell yourself that you can say no to whatever is tempting you.

Although it sounds cheesy, what really helps me is telling myself how much better I will feel without eating the gluten treat and that I can do it. Soon enough you’ll get into a routine, and each day becomes easier than the last.

“The West Wing,” which ran from 1999 to 2006.

It is impossible for a political drama or comedy to be isolated from reality. However, “The West Wing” made use of reality by depicting sensible aspects of the political sphere. Not only does “The West Wing” fight against the radicalization of political television, but it also educates voters on a range of important issues.

“That’s why ‘The West Wing’ has really never gone away, because it is as much about the world we live in now as it is about the world as it was then,” “The Guardian”’s Brian Moylan said in an article. “There have been a host of other ongoing political issues that we first heard about on ‘The West Wing’:

government shutdowns, the rise of filibusters, journalists being kidnapped, and the constant debate over the debt ceiling.”

Ultimately, political television can only get so extreme before it exhausts all possible extremities.

Rather than wait for the inevitable, TV shows must, now more than ever, depict moderation.

Indeed, actors like “Veep”’s Julia Louis Dreyfus see their shows as increasingly relevant to the understanding of everyday politics.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize for the current political climate," Louis-Dreyfus said. “Veep” has torn down the wall between comedy and politics. Our show started out as a political satire but it now feels more like a sobering documentary.”

CARISSA LEE

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10

The Talon May 23, 2017

A R T S & C U LT U R E

BEHIND THE CAMERA The making of the movies in Los Altos’ annual Film Festival

COURTESY (TOP TO BOTTOM) EVAN MARSHALL, MOE SAHA AND JACQUELINE LOPEZ

HALEY ECKER BRIAN HUEBNER Staff Writers

ASHLEY CAI Graphic Artist

M

“Hush” Seniors Evan Marshall and Nathan Mesel’s film, “Hush,” is a psychological thriller in which a mysterious figure follows a group of friends on their way home from the beach. The two student directors wanted to create a unique film that would leave a haunting impression on the audience.

Although their film is technically considered to be a horror film, they left a few comedic details throughout the story. As an homage to their friends in marching band, Evan and Nathan have included several inside jokes and nicknames that students in the Performing Arts department will be able to identify.

“I Broke It” Senior Moe Saha originally planned on making a documentary for her film project, but decided to instead make a comedy called “I Broke It,” about a man who injures a... certain body part before going on a date. While the premise of her film may seem immature, Moe wants to leave the audience feeling happy and humored by her film.

“I just really like making people laugh,” Moe said. “If I want to be remembered one way at this school, it will be someone who can make people happy and someone who can make people laugh, even if it’s doing dumb stuff like this.”

“That Moment” It took senior Jacqueline Lopez some time to decide on what to make her movie about, but knew she wanted to make her film easily relatable for the audience and thought of the idea for her comedic film, “That Moment.” This comedy involves a real estate agent running into a precarious situation in a bathroom just before an open house — running out of toilet paper.

Jacqueline drew from her interest in music and singing to inspire her editing process.

aking a movie is by no means an easy feat. It takes some production companies several years and millions of dollars to get their film on the big screen.

For seniors in Film Analysis, this entire process condenses into a semester-long have the entire process that requires hours of commitment second semester and creativity. The students have worked to work on creating their since January to show their films at the Film films. Although this seems Festival, held on Thursday, May 25, from like a long period of time to complete one 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Eagle Theater. project, the students spend hours perfectStudents work on their projects out of ing many intricate details through editing. class over the course of the second se“It’s probably been about 70 to 90 mester, after a semester of analyzing films hours [of editing],” senior Evan Marshall and artistic techniques. To make the 10 to said. “For audio I have to go through 15 minute film, students go through four and remaster everything so that the processes: storyboardvoiceovers sound right. I’ve ing, screenplay writing, got to go through color corfilming and editing. rection and make sure that By the end of the The entire class is supeverything is matching up first semester, students from frame to frame. It’s posed to be your protypically begin storya lot of work, but I enjoy boarding the plot for duction company, so getting to see sort of how their film and making throughout the entire things are coming along a script. Storyboarding process you’re getting and progressing from one allows student direc- a lot of feedback. stage to the next.” tors to make a graphic Evan drew on his experi— senior Moe Saha representation of the ence from his AP Studio Art story for their film and projects for his film, and he show how their story will unfold to oth- even decided to incorporate some of his ers. The students use the feedback of their artistic flair into the title sequence of his classmates in Film Analysis on ways to en- and senior Nathan Mesel’s film. Some of hance their story and scripts. the tools necessary, however, took a little “We throw ideas out to our entire class bit of extra learning. and get feedback, then we start writing a “I decided to animate [our title serough draft of our script,” senior Moe Saha quence,] and I have Adobe Creative Cloud said. “We share that with our class as well, on the student discount, but I had no clue and they give us a lot of feedback on it.” how to use it,” Evan said. “I went online, The storyboarding process of the film typ- found a tutorial for how to make certain ically takes one to two months for students types of titles, and then sort of twisted it to revise and complete. and interpreted it into my Once they finalize their own idea.” screenplays, they spend For many of the students the next months film- It’s probably been taking Film Analysis, the fiing and editing their about 70 to 90 hours nal renditions of their films movies leading up to [of editing]... I’ve got did not entirely turn out the festival. Throughthe way they had originally out this process, the to go through color planned. There are several students share rough correction and make miniature revision sessions cuts of the movie with sure that everything throughout the entire filmpeers to get further cri- is matching up from ing process and changes oftiques on what to add ten have to be made to work frame to frame. to their editing process. through any unforeseen —senior Evan Marshall “The entire class is problems or discrepancies. supposed to be your “A lot of it got either production company, changed, or we realized that, so throughout the entire process you’re get- ‘Hey, this actually isn’t gonna work,’ or ‘This ting a lot of feedback and always going back is way too complex,’” Nathan said. “Evenand changing your script or your rough cuts tually it got simplified down to sequences or your storyboard,” Moe said. and locations, and from there it became a It isn’t uncommon for the student di- process of ‘Okay, if [the characters] are in rectors to face minor setbacks along the this situation doing this thing, what do we way, as well. During senior Jacqueline write? What’s their script, what would they Lopez’s filming process, she ran into is- be doing, how are they acting, why are they sues regarding filmacting this way?’” ing location and had Despite the arduous proto change part of her cess, the students don’t see it screenplay to adapt to It’s a matter of pasas a chore, as they are engaged the changes she made. sion... We want to in their films and care deeply “Initially I was going share our passion about the product they deliver to go to the Stanford with you. to their viewers.

Hospital to film… [but] “It’s a matter of passion,” — senior Evan Marshall it became an issue beEvan said. “I like to compare cause you can get in it to a marching band competrouble for not getting permitted for film- tition. The visual piece to go along with ing in a public place,” Jacqueline said. “I the music that you’re playing in band is a went to Sears and that didn’t work out be- matter of how passionately are you workcause people kept coming in and out, so I ing on this. How much emotion, how had to stop recording.” much feeling are you putting into every To solve the issue, Jacqueline turned one step and every note?... We want to share of her characters into a realtor so she could our passion with you.” film in a house. Jacqueline also recruited her sister, niece and friend to act in the film so she could easily mold the characters To read an extended version of around the personalities of the actors. this article, visit lahstalon.org/ Creating a film of this intensity requires artsculture diligence and commitment for the student directors. The students in Film Analysis

The Talon May 23, 2017

11

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

Why sports fans should give MLS a shot NATHAN GODDERIS Staff Writer

Every four years, Americans tune in to the FIFA World Cup and passionately support their national team until it gets eliminated.

After that, the focus switches back to the big four sports. Over the years, however, soccer has grown in popularity in the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS), once considered the laughingstock of US sports, has matured into a high quality league that has converted many Americans into soccer fans.

People not watching the MLS are missing out on the sport that the rest of the world loves.

Though Americans have never been as excited about soccer compared to other countries, increased viewership of the sport is undeniable. More Americans watched the 2015 Women’s World Cup Final than other popular sports’ finals, with 28.3 million viewers outmatching the NBA final’s 20 million viewers or the 2015 Stan-

Tumbling CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE “Because we’re at a higher level, we don’t need our head coach to tell us what to do,” Philip said. “Peter’s been coaching me on a skill on high bar recently, and I’ve been giving him pointers on f loor.”

Both students have sacrificed for the time-consuming sport.

Philip stopped playing school varsity baseball because he had caught mono hepatitis last October, and participating in both gymnastics and baseball at the time was too taxing for him. Peter says that most lunches, he works on homework, and that he rarely hangs out with his friends because he has too little time.

“I’d been splitting my life baseball and gymnastics my whole life,” Philip said. “But because of the physical tax it was putting

ley Cup Final’s 5.5 million viewers. More youth are playing soccer than ever before, and millennials have become avid fans of the MLS. According to MLS Managing Director Gary Stevenson, 60 percent of MLS viewers are 18-34 years old, showing a younger viewership than most other American sports.

For many Americans, soccer is a fresh alternative from the repetitive, interruptive sports that are usually watched. Soccer is freeflowing, with uninterrupted play that requires more focus to watch and without the constant game pauses and commercial breaks that we are used to. Due to the sport being low-scoring, every goal is more valued, providing more attentive and excited fans dedicated to their team. Soccer fans around the world like to call the sport a “second religion” because of their immense support and passion towards their team.

The MLS is also rapidly expanding in size. Last year, the league had only 20 teams. This year, a

team from Atlanta and Minnesota joined the league, and both already have similar-sized fan bases to teams that have been in the MLS for many years. MLS commissioner Dom Garber hopes to expand from 20 to 28 teams in the league, so that soccer could rise in popularity in more US cities, hopefully encouraging more Americans to watch the sport.

Every MLS team also has an “ultras group” that show up to every home game and provide noise and spirit to support their team.

They wave flags and sing chants throughout the entire game, giving the stadium a lively atmosphere and providing their team with moral support.

With soccer increasing rapidly in popularity, it’s only a matter of time until the MLS will be up there with the other big American sports leagues. So next time you’re thinking about booking a ticket to a Sharks, Giants or Warriors game, give the MLS a shot and go to an Earthquakes game.

on my body, I had to choose one “Peter’s put in much more work or the other. I chose gymnastics than I have, because he’s in there because it’s just a more reward- everyday and working harder ing sport than baseball since it’s than anybody in the gym,” Philip physical, challenging and more said. “It’s insane how many turns fun in general.” he takes, how persistent he is, While Philip launched his because none of us have that gymnastics career as a 2-year- same kind of drive that he does.” old when his mom signed him On the other hand, Peter attriup, Peter started as a 12-year-old butes Philip’s consistent success after finding other sports too to his smart style of gymnastics.

Rather than perunchallenging. forming flashy Both participated stunts like extra in gymnastics as a Every time my twists and flips, recreational sport, Philip focuses until their coaches hands rip, they feel on his technical pushed them to like they’re burning. skills as a way to train competitively. But I got used to boost his scores.

Because most the idea that [trainThis year, Philgymnasts typically ing] may require ip won the allstart around the around division at age of five, Peter some amount of every meet their accelerated his physical pain. team went to, training sched— junior Philip Carey meaning he had ule and wound up the highest comskipping multiple bined total score levels in gymnastics, eventually catching up to after competing in the six events.

“Philip does so well because Philip in the Junior Development level. Philip attributes Peter’s he does really smart gymnasrise, despite his comparative lack tics,” Peter said. “At meets he focuses on the scores and does of experience, to his work ethic.

PHOTOS BY DANNY VESURAI

Above: Junior Philip Carey swings on the parallel bars at his gymnastics practice--ht: Sophomore Peter Coe flips around the high bar. Philip and Peter challenge the perception that gymnastics is only a women’s sport, drilling for hours to ensure mastery.

CARISSA LEE

what he can to get those scores.

You don’t have to do f lashy gymnastics to get first, and that’s probably the main reason why he won every meet.”

Last season, which ran from last December to April, the two found consistent success and often stood side-by-side on victory podiums. At the Men’s Region 1 Championships, Philip placed first in vault, parallel bars and all-around, and Peter placed first in rings and high bar and second in all-around.

Next year, both Peter and Philip want to qualify for the Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships by performing well enough at the Stanford Open meet. After next year’s season, however, Philip will not continue his career into college because he wants to devote more time to academics.

“I really love the sport, but it’s so physically taxing, and it’s so many hours,” Philip said. “I just want to show my coaches that even though I don’t aspire to be a college gymnast, I can still be the best gymnast I can be for the year.”

On the other hand, Peter aspires to compete in college, but is frustrated that so few colleges have men’s gymnastics programs.

He cites the stigma around the sport as a reason why schools cut it, since most Americans consider gymnastics to be a feminine sport and are uninterested in it.

The United States consistently performs well in women’s gymnastics, and more Americans are familiar with female gymnasts rather than male ones.

“There's this stigma around men's gymnastics where it's called a girl's sport, when it's really not,” Peter said. “In Europe, men’s gymnastics is really big, and they have professional gymnasts who make a lot of money.

You need flexibility, strength, range of motion, and it’s a huge time commitment.”

Because there are so few male gymnastics programs, the chances of recruitment are far slimmer compared to other sports.

Additionally, recent budget cuts have caused men’s gymnastics programs across the country to dwindle from 234 varsity programs in 1969 to less than 20 as of this year.

For Philip, this isn’t a major issue. While he receives less attention than his female counterparts, Philip focuses more on his own experience in the sport and in competitions.

“Personally, I don’t really care,” Philip said. “I do men’s gymnastics for myself, not other people.

It’s a really great feeling when you go into competitions and you have the possibility to win, and then you go and execute that. I just focus on what I’m doing, stay on task and make sure I get all the little things.”

12

The Talon May 23, 2017

Boys Track and Field wins leagues JULIA SANTOS, SPORTS EDITOR | AKHIL JAKATDAR, OPINIONS EDITOR | ANNE SCHILL, GRAPHIC ARTIST

After culminating a strong season of league play by finishing as De Anza division co-champions with Palo Alto, the Eagles’ boys varsity track team crowned their season with a SCVAL finals championship for the first time in 12 years. For many on the team, the idea of winning the SCVAL meet seemed impossible with the graduation of seniors such as Bailey Thayer, ’16 and Kenny Hamel, ’16 — both of whom had scored many points for the team. Despite setbacks, the team went on to find motivation and victory at the SCVAL meet. Key performances across the board from sprints, jumps and distance teams secured Los Altos 90 points, won by athletes who reached the top three in their event — outcompeting second-place Los Gatos by 11 points. The team sealed first place finishes in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 4-by-400 meter relay and long jump, and will send 20 athletes to CCS.

Q&A with Max Molchanov After setting a CCS-best triple jump of 44’11.5’’ at the Top 8 Classic Meet, junior Max Molchanov is poised to go far in the postseason. Max competes in triple jump, long jump, high jump and sprints. In the following interview edited for clarity, The Talon talks to Max about his experiences as a track and field athlete.

Q: What was your first experience with track and field?

A: I was always naturally athletic, but I really got introduced to track and field in the third grade when we were given a presentation about the upcoming junior olympics, and from that point on, I enjoyed doing track and field, and I went on doing it in middle school and now high school.

Q: Why jumping events?

A:There is more technique and form involved and there is more to focus on and learn — it’s just more fun cause it’s not as simple as running, because I see the hundred meter athletes, they only run, but working on my high jump technique is more interesting to me.

Q: What is your favorite part about track?

A: Seeing improvement after months of hard work. But that can also be the worst part of track, seeing no improvement. This happens a lot to jumpers because they rely heavily on an athletes’ well being. If you’re not feeling 100 percent or at least pretty good, your whole day of jumps may be severely affected. Sometimes you may not PR for a few weeks or maybe even the majority of a season. So sometimes it's hard to keep going and remain motivated, but once you break that barrier it feels so good.

Q: How do you overcome mental hardships?

A: Sometimes jumping is a struggle. Yesterday, I was practicing high jump and it took me about 10 tries to hit my warm up height that I would usually start at at a meet, and I was frustrated, but I had my friends tell me what was wrong and I had them encourage me — I just kind of got past it.

Notable finishes Weston Fairey (10)

1st - Long Jump (22-02.50) For sophomore Weston Fairey, an impressive personal record (PR) by close to one and a half feet won him the long jump competition and gave crucial points for the Eagles.

“I feel very excited, because it contributed to my team winning SCVALs for the first time since my coach was in high school,” Weston said. “My best jump was my first jump, so it was kind of like waiting to see if I could get beat for the next five jumps, so it was pretty nerve-wracking because I kept waiting and waiting and waiting until the event was over, but it felt really good.”

McKinley Polen (10)

1st - 100-meter dash (11.14), 2nd - 200-meter dash (22.84)

Owen Mackenzie (10)

Max Molchanov (11)

2nd - Triple Jump (42-11.50)

4-by-400 Relay

Seniors Tommy Andrews, Derek Mark and sophomores Austin Townsend and McKinley Polen 1st - 4-by-400 meter relay (3:23.99)

Tommy Andrews (12)

3rd - 100-meter dash (11.19), 1st - 200-meter dash (22.41)

Derek Mark (12)

2nd - 400 meter dash (51.16) “We lost our first dual meet to Palo Alto which was a little disappointing, but we have such a young group and they’re so hardworking, that from then on, we actually never lost a meet,” senior captain Derek Mark said. “We had some pretty big shoes to fill in, and everyone worked together to fill them. Now we’re on to CCS trials… and honestly for me, winning the 4x4 in my last year would be absolutely phenomenal.”

3rd - 3200-meter (9:32.84) The win was especially rewarding for many of the underclassmen, like sophomore Owen Mackenzie, who were able to experience a high-caliber victory and also qualify for CCS. “At the end I heard all my teammates cheering for me, and I remember coach Dave [Barth] telling me that I needed to win this race to help out the team, so that we could be league champs,” sophomore Owen Mackenzie said.

“I knew I had already qualified, but I decided to really go for it for the team, and I passed [Palo Alto senior Naveen Pai] with 300m left. It was just really good.”

Q: Do you make any changes when it comes to competing in bigger meets?

A: I’m certainly more aggressive when I warm up and getting up to jump when it is my turn. Just because of the level of competition. I would be embarrassed if I did poorly compared to all these great athletes, and at the same time, I really want to beat them, so together they both put me in the mode where I want to succeed. That really helps.

COURTESY MALCOLM SLANEY